Issue 4 - February 2020

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020

THE PROSPECTOR

ISSUE 4, VOL. 62

Student Newsmagazine of Cupertino High School

IN THIS ISSUE

news FBLA X Best Buddies: Autism Awareness Week..................... 04 Mobile Home Eviction.................................. 06

features Skateboarders & BMX Bikers... 08

opinions The Ethics of Anti-Mask Laws....................... 12 Methodist Church Splitting................................. 14

lifestyles The Romanticization of Netflix’s “YOU”........................ 16 Hypocrisy of Red Carpets........ 18

investigations Sex-Education in CHS, FUHSD, and California............................... 20

Awareness: 04: Autism FBLA x Best Buddies

sports Athlete of the Month: CollegeRecruited Athletes.................... 24 Wrestlers’ Diets....................... 26 The Controversy in Choosing a Captain of a High-School Team....................................... 27

perspectives How to be Quiet and Reflective for Extroverts........................... 28 Trading Cards: Political Debate Edition......................... 29

postscript the Difference: 30: Spot Tino Mural COVER DESIGNED BY KAVYA GUPTA

Spot the Difference: Tino Mural............................... 30 Column: From Seattle to the Bay Area.................................. 31

THE PROSPECTOR

STAFF 2019- 2020

editors-in-chief Aashna Shah, Ashley Kang, Kavya Gupta news editor Stella Jia

copy editors Ariana Fahri, Darshini Vijayakumar, Lawrence Fan photo editors Ariana Fahri, Sydney Liao

features editor Angela Ma opinions editor Kenneth Jeon

online editors Anthony Zhu, Jeffrey Xiong, Sydney Liao

lifestyles editor Alexandria Hunt

business manager Lawrence Fan

investigations editors Sanat Singhal, Taha Shafiei

writers Amir Iravani, Ankita Acharya, Avinash Pandit, Calvin Anderson, Henry Ma, Jenny Wu, Joan Thyagarajan, Juliet Shearin, Krithika Venkatasubramanian, Maia Matsushita, Megumi Ondo, Nikita Srinivas, Rachel Park, Sohini Karmakar

sports editor Darshini Vijayakumar perspectives editor Keerthi Lakshmanan postscript editor Sarah Pollans

advisor Ann Peck Editorial Policy “The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed by or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach and discuss content during the writing process.

The staff of “The Prospector” seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Cupertino community in an accurate, professional and unbiased manner. “The Prospector” will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy.

If you believe an error has been made or wish to have your opinion expressed in “The Prospector,” please contact us via mail or email. Letters sent become the sole property of “The Prospector” and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy.

“The Prospector” editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy.

Contact Us The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 prospector.chs@gmail.com

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dear Reader, Skepticism has increasingly become a common practice among the Cupertino zeitgeist. As we begin to reevaluate the information fed to us by mainstream media, question those in positions of power, and distance ourselves from wide-held beliefs, we emerge more enlightened than before.

Among the myriad sources of misconception we encounter as young adults, sexual health education is perhaps one of the most pervasive.

Whether it be from naïve peers, sketchy websites or wary parents, we are often made susceptible to unreliable information. Fortunately, our state, district and school aim to provide a refreshingly progressive sex-ed curriculum (page 20).

Pop culture, too, may be a culprit of instilling problematic views in young audiences. On page 16, writer Ankita Acharya criticizes the romanticization of stalker/serial killer Joe Goldberg in the television series YOU. Contrary to what some viewers tout, Ankita warns that Joe’s obsessive and manipulative tendencies are not ones we should look for in our romantic partners.

Combating these ideas calls for a degree of collective awareness. We, as a community, are capable of either aiding or counteracting their spread.

FBLA, for instance, worked with the Best Buddies club to initiate Autism Awareness Week as a means to inform others on the experiences of those on the autism spectrum. The two clubs organized craft projects and speaker events for students to attend and participate in. Henry Ma reports on the week’s activities on page 4.

Of course, these articles are far from representative of the wide range of issues yet to dissect. Still, as a journalistic publication, we strive to make our contribution to an ongoing conversation.

Best, Ashley Kang, Kavya Gupta and Aashna Shah

NEWS

PHOTO COURTESY OF EUNSU LEE

AUTISM AWARENESS

FBLA x Best Buddies HENRY MA

4 | DESIGNED BY STELLA JIA

writer

Throughout January 21 to January 24, the Community Service Project Chair of FBLA and Best Buddies hosted an Autism Awareness Week with different activities hosted on different days of the week. This is one of the few times that organizations other than ASB have held an Awareness Week. In the past, FBLA has also hosted different weeks, a good example being the AE week. Junior Eunsu Lee, Community Service Project Chair of FBLA directed this week along with

the Best Buddies Club to raise awareness for autism in our community.

FBLA and the Best Buddies Club have also made different adjustments for their Autism Awareness Week.

They have shortened the Awareness month into a week and decided to move Autism Awareness Week from April to January. Created in 2010, the main purpose of the creation of Autism Awareness month was to recognize people living with autism.

During this month, there would be events and educational activities to increase the understanding and support of autism. As of 2017, 170 countries from all over the globe participate in

Autism Awareness month.

Similar to the Autism Awareness month, FBLA has also included fun activities into their Autism Awareness Week. Each day of the week had specific activities centered around the idea of having the most outreach to the student body.

The very first activity that FBLA hosted was the distribution of stickers. This decision was made because sticker distribution was one of the most efficient and appealing ways to connect with the student body. All the stickers had a color scheme of blue and held different interesting facts.

The next day, FBLA decided to

ent facts about autism like the fact that autism spectrum disorder is the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the United States. At one of FBLA’s chapter meetings that week, Lee and her committee organized members to create stress balls that are used to help those with autism.

On January 30, a week after the initial Autism Awareness week, Jennifer Kozciki, the guest speaker, spoke about her role in Easterseals Bays Area and the role of the company in the ASD community. Easterseals Bay Area, a company that has been around for over 90 years, provides services to people with disabilities to help them to

play, learn, and live to their full potential. The overall goal that Easter Seals Bay Area tries to achieve is change the way the world views and defines autism.

Through the hard work of the two large clubs, this year’s autism awareness week was carefully planned out and successful in its goals : to help the student body gain a better understanding of autism.

NEWS | 5

include a more interactive activity deciding to host a crafts day. Just like the decisions of sticker distribution, there was also a specific reason that crafts day was chosen. Said Lee, “We did a craft with Best Buddies and we did it because we really wanted to incorporate the ASD community into our autism awareness week.” During this event, the ASD community were making stress balls by using balloons and a choice of clay or circular beans.

After the interactive activities with Best Buddies, FBLA released an informative video on various social medias including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The video included differ-

6 | DESIGNED BY STELLA JIA

Mobile Home EVICTION

leading to the official decision to evict residents.

The news of Winchester mobile home park photo editor/copy editor eviction closely follows the eviction notices reAs of January, two mobile home parks are ceived by the Westwinds residents. As a result, experiencing the results of the changing condi- roughly 1,600 people will face the pressure tions in the Bay Area. The residents of the Win- of finding affordable housing due to potential chester and Westwinds mobile home park are redevelopment plans in their current mobile being evicted within a week of each other due to home parks.

The ever increasing prices in the house redevelopment plans in the area. market of the Bay Area have increased concerns A trailer park is filled with trailers and in the Cupertino High School’s student body. mobile homes that exist either permanently or Junior Camelia Siadat said, “We quickly retemporarily in an allotted area: They are forms of alternative housing primarily for low income alized how expensive living in this area was, and I think this might partially be the reason why individuals or families.

The issue is that San Jose has little viable many people have gravitated away from the Bay after college or land for dehigh school.” velopments W h e n leading to ar“We quickly realized how expensive asked about her eas such as the future, Siadat living in this area was, and I think this Winchester said “My worries mobile homes might partially be the reason why many about housing in to be at risk of people have gravitated away from the the future pereviction.

As Bay after college or high school.” tain to the cost mobile homes of living. If prices occupy these - Junior Camelia Siadat of houses in the “vestiges of afBay Area continfordable housue to increase, ing” according to City Councilman Lan Diep, there is a push to then the amount of people that can afford the dissolve these communities in favor of building cost of living will decrease.”

The growing problem of housing costs in more units of residential housing in those prime the Bay Area seems to be part of the concern on areas.

For example,the Winchester mobile home the minds of members of other mobile home park is located only two blocks away from Santa- parks in the community.

The news of the mobile home evictions has na Row, an area of valuable land for future developments. This eviction happening in San Jose’s spread fear to residents of other parks as many first mobile home park highlights the struggles fear that their home will become “targets for reof the rising house market prices and lack of suit- development” as said by Martha O’Connell, a able hous- mobile home owner and activist in San Jose in a i n g recent interview with Mercury News.

The situation is constantly shifting especially as factors such as population play an avoidable role in developing San Jose further.

ARIANA FAHRI

PHOTO COURTESY OF KQED

8 | THE PROSPECTOR

FEATURES

FEATURES

ALEX CORRALES SYDNEY LIAO online editor/photo editor

I

t is among the concrete bowls and metals rails of the skatepark that Sophomore Alex Corrales feels at home. In 6th grade, Corrales picked up skating because he needed a method of transportation.

“Most of my friends were into skating too, so we thought that was a good way to bond,” Corrales said.

However, as he got more comfortable on the board and delved deeper into the realm of skateboarding, he discovered forms of the hobby beyond simply cruising—particularly the complexities and thrills of doing tricks with the board. He started hitting up the local Fair Oaks Skatepark, where he found a community.

Said Corrales, “I usually go every other weekend with my friend.

He takes skateboarding lessons, which last an hour, and then we hang out and practice.”

The skatepark may seem intimidating to amateurs at first. However, Corrales reassures that all levels are welcome, and the park and its frequenters nurture an environment of growth and positivity.

“I’ve made new friends at the park. Even if [other skaters] don’t know who you are, if you’re attempting a trick you’ve never done or are just practicing, they’ll be really supportive, tell you “good job” if

you land it,” Corrales said.

Skaters often make tricks look effortless, but the reality is months and months of Corrales has dedicated hours to learning and polishing tricks, watching videos to help him master them (so far, the quick grind has been the hardest for him to grasp). Both mentally and physically demanding, skateboarding involves patience and risk-taking. In fact, the moments in Corrales’s skating journey that stand out to him most are of injuries.

“I have a lot of injury stories,” he said. “One time I was ollieing off something five feet high off the ground, just to practice ‘cause I like to ollie off and up obstacles, but I got wheelbite hard, landed on the ground, and fell on my head. I had to stop skateboarding for a while.”

The ollie forms the basis for nearly all other flip tricks and allows a skater to jump over obstacles. Though it is fundamental, it is one of the most challenging tricks to master. A wheelbite is where one lands too much off to one side, causing the wheels to make contact with the deck, in turn causing the board come to a complete stop Said Corrales, “Tricks can be hard, but if you keep going at it, you’ll eventually get it. Practice everyday. Don’t stop riding and don’t give up.”

Corrales looks up to NYC-based skateboarder John Hill, who documents his skate journey to a YouTube audience of over 700k.

He is inspired by Hill, who is not only an adept skater, but who has successfully turned his passion into a sustainable job and uses the Internet to contribute to the growing community of skateboarders.

“I don’t really know what I want to do in life yet, but if I could make skateboarding a career, I absolutely would,” Corrales said.

RINGER TWINS

JAK JON +

JENNY WU writer

10 | THE PROSPECTOR

F

rom skateboarding to BMX riding to scootering, the popularity of skatepark sports ties together a variety of action sports that have widely influenced pop culture for being artistic, entertaining, and a contemporary form of transportation. Just by walking through campus, one is bound to spot a skateboarder cruising through the hallways or a BMX rider wheeling past crowds of students. Freshmen twin brothers Jak and Jon Ringer are prime examples of many students on campus who enjoy performing tricks on a variety of different skatepark equipment, most recently focusing on bikes.

After watching videos of bikers online, Jak and Jon Ringer have spent the past two years switching between BMX riding, skateboarding and scootering, building up a tight-knit group of friends as they go. Said Jak Ringer, “I’ve always had these friends, and then once we started biking, we just started doing it together and progressed as a group.”

Having a twin to bike with, the Ringer Twins have been able to push each other to achieve their best abilities. Said Ringer, “Biking by myself is kind of fun, but once you have somebody to do it with, it kind of pushes you and gets you to do bigger stuff.”

But even with a supportive community behind them, the journey to success hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Said Ringer, “The first time I tried something, I hurt myself pretty bad. I fell off [my bike] and twisted my ankle. I had to go to the hospital.”

However, with all of the falling and possible broken bones that trying new tricks brings them, the passion for biking drives them to continue trying. Said Ringer, “You just want to keep riding until you notice that you can’t get back onto your bike.”

For the Ringer Twins, biking has become an outlet for making new friends and continues to serve as their getaway from boredom. Said Ringer, “I think [extreme sports] has given people things to do. If you don’t have anything to do, grab your skateboard, scooter or bike and go to a skate park. It’s been a good thing.

“

SLAVA

NIKITA SRINIVAS writer

MIROSHNICHENKO

T

here is no special quality that makes people more inclined to skate. You could be a loner, a goth, or LGBTQ+ and still find a strong community through skating.”

Sophomore Slava Miroshnichenko first became involved in skating a year ago after being introduced by a friend. Over time, he has developed a respect for the creativity he is allowed through skating. Miroshnichenko can go somewhere as familiar and accessible for Cupertino High School students as Main Street, and his board still completely transforms his experience.

With a skateboard, “you can do anything anywhere and don’t need to go somewhere special. Any staircase or ledge can become the place where you master a new trick.”

Said Miroshnichenko concerning the skating ban on campus, “I wish I could practice here without having my board taken away.”

However, despite the typical spontaneity, Miroshnichenko still enjoys visiting formal skating areas like the Sunnyvale Skate Park.

When asked how the sport has influenced his life, he cites his higher pain tolerance as the definite, most dramatic change that has occurred.

“At the skatepark … you fall a lot. You just get up and try again.”

Accompanying his shift in mentality, he has also gained better balance and footwork in the result of his practice.

For Miroshnichenko, skate culture at Cupertino High School varies, including people who are interested in the aesthetic, wearing brands like Vans and Thrasher, and people who are passionate about the sport itself.

“Some students pour hours into skating to increase their skill level. I focus more on my existing technique than learning new tricks, but I am constantly trying to improve.”

However, he disagrees with students who discourage others from skating or from participating in skate culture.

“Some people can be competitive and nit-picky, but I believe the point of skating is to have fun and be creative about it.”

For him — depending on the day — skating is a stress reliever, a method of bonding with friends, and also a way to have fun.

“My advice to others is that if you want to learn a trick — do it — even if it may take hours, weeks, or maybe even years to do so. It’ll feel amazing when you land it.”

OPINIONS

TAHA SHAFIEI

12 | DESIGN BY KENNETH JEON

investigations editor

THE RIGHT TO ANONYMITY A defense for anti-mask laws in the United States

On November 18, 2019, the high court of Hong Kong ruled that a government ban on face masks during protests as unconstitutional. This ruling marks a turning point to defend democracy in the Special Administrative Region. Yet, it also marks a crucial victory in the battle to protect the freedom of speech and association in all democracies, especially here in America.

What many do not realize is that a dozen or more states throughout these United States have also banned the use of masks, or any other form of facial concealment, during a protest or organized public gathering. And that this issue of protecting the anonymity needed to express individual views, as in Hong Kong, is more than likely to grow in significance due to the recent increase in political polarization among the major political parties and the prevalence of new surveillance technologies, specifically in regards to facial recognition and surveillance cameras.

Over time, the context of such laws has changed.

Today, Anti-Mask legislations in America are utilized against protesters, and in ways that raise questions about selective prosecution.

Supporters of Anti-Mask legislation make the argument that masks embolden individuals to commit crimes and that the masks themselves make these crimes and the prospect of such crimes more frightening to the Victims.

And while this very well may be true in certain circumstances — crime, rioting, and disorderly conduct have and will occur regardless of the presence of masks or the implementation of these laws. What proponents should be most frightened of is what happens after these protests conclude.

The rise and spread of facial recognition have raised the stakes of around this

text will come to resemble what we see in Hong Kong: a struggle for democracy and power centered around those who wish to express their views and those who wish to silence them. Our laws should give the people the freedom to express their views, regardless of what they are, at a protest or any other public space without fear. If entirely necessary, anti-mask legislation should only apply to the use of masks that are intended to facilitate the act of a crime. In a world increasingly designed to take away our privacy, we must fight to preserve our freedom to express ourselves while maintaining our privacy and safety publically.

OPINIONS | 13

Some of our country’s earliest anti-mask legislation dates back to the antebellum era. In 1845, for example, a New York State Law was enacted to suppress armed uprisings by tenant farmers in the Hudson Valley. Such laws differ state by state, with many State laws being broad and neutral in their language while others are more narrow and specific, such as only applying during the act of a crime. They usually include exemptions for religious beliefs, holiday costumes, entertainment events, physical safety, protection from the elements, and parties.

Additionally, groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, have been at the center of much of the history surrounding this type of legislation in the United States. Southern states, such as Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina, have enacted such bans in an attempt to suppress the Klan as they were terrorizing, intimidating, and harassing minority communities.

Over time, the context of such laws has changed. Today, Anti-Mask legislations in America are utilized against protesters, and in ways that raise questions about selective prosecution.

New York State’s law was used, in 2011 and 2012, to arrest Occupy Wall Street protesters. Police in Alabama cited the state’s anti-KKK law to force counter-protesters, primarily made up of Antifa members, to remove their masks while protesting an April 2017 speech

by White nationalist Richard Spencer at Auburn University. In November of that same year, police cited the same piece of legislation to arrest the organizer of a protest over the fatal shooting of a Black Man at Galleria mall in Hoover, Alabama.

In Virginia, several college students initially faced prison time on felony charges for covering their face while protesting a pro-Confederate rally. And in Florida, a man was arrested for refusing to take off his mask at a small rally in support of a statue of a Confederate soldier in Brooksville.

type of legislation. The ability to be able to cheaply and easily identify an individual and who they are with is now more widespread than ever and has created more situations in which one may want to retain their anonymity.

The situation only intensifies when we realize that this can be done repeatedly, with systems able to flag repeat protest or counter-protest activity, association patterns with certain groups, and anything else of importance to authorities.

This is not the description of a dystopian future, but an ever materializing reality in much of the world. Even at a small scale, private parties have utilized photographs of, often, controversial events to dox or post personal information online in an attempt of retaliation or suppression, targeting the individual’s workplace or home.

If we do not expand our rights to retain our anonymity, the American con-

Splitting the Methodist Church

14 | THE PROSPECTOR

Why division may be the best option for the future

JOAN THYAGARAJAN writer

In the wake of the controversy regarding the LGBTQ+ presence in the church, the recent proposition to split the Methodist Church into two separate denominations is beneficial for both parties within the church.

The Methodist Church is the largest denomination of Protestant Christianity in the United States. Before this proposed split, the Methodist Church was staunchly against LGBTQ+ rights, and would not allow samesex marriage or accept LGBTQ+ members into the ranks of their clergy. After a vote in 2019 which rejected the previous proposal for more extensive LGBTQ+ involvement in the church, the division between the church was proposed in order to give the LGBTQ+ community freedom to practice their religion.

This schism could divide a church of over seven million people, and if it does, it could be one of the most progressive steps taken for LGBTQ+ rights.

One of the biggest taboos for the United Methodist Church has been gay marriage. The do’s and don’ts of marriage are ingrained as part of the religion, but there must be a separation between religion and fundamental human rights. If someone believes same-sex marriage should not be allowed, they should not be able to infringe upon the rights of someone who does. By preventing people from following a religion of their choice because of their sexuality, they are disavowed their freedom of belief.

The church has no obligation to change its rules, as their beliefs are valid to themselves, but by creating a separate denomination in this faith for those who believe in gay marriage, the original church could keep its faith, and the progressive church would be free to allow same-sex marriage, while still being Methodist.

Along with protecting the rights of citizens, this split would be a strong first step towards ousting the stereotype that the Christian community as a whole is completely

against the LGBTQ+ community. As a Christian, I myself have struggled to figure out my stance on this topic since my church community made it clear they were anti-LGBTQ+, yet I had numerous LGBTQ+ friends whom I cared for dearly. This stereotype made it extremely difficult to determine my position and whether or not what I believed was justified.

While it may be true that some Christians are anti-LGBTQ+, there are thousands of them who have taken a pro-LGBTQ+ stance.

...this split would be a strong first step towards ousting the stereotype that the Christian community as a whole is completely against the LGBTQ+ community.

OPINIONS | 15

The “anti-LGBTQ+” stereotype is inaccurate in mentality, if not by structure, and can be detrimental to young Christians, who are forming their religious identity. This stereotype can not be broken without Christianity proving it is willing to accept the LGBTQ+ community, and forming a subdivision in this faith for those who are LGBTQ+ would be making good headway in proving that this stereotype is invalid.

In addition to breaking the stereotype, the potential split would also be beneficial for the church to get an increase in its attendance. Statistics from the Pew Research Center have shown that right now, the number

of church-going people in America based on their survey has reached an all-time low at 65% in 2019 from 77% in 2009. One of the main possible reasons for this decline in attendance is that members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as heterosexual allies, are displeased by the church’s adamant rules on ostracizing the LGBTQ+ community. Because of this, they are leaving the faith, which accounts for the low attendance. By splitting the church, this conflict would be resolved, as those displeased with the current negativity towards LGBTQ+ members would have their own denomination to worship under, and church attendance would increase.

One of the factors that might be detrimental to the church is a loss of diversity in the church, which will create a monocultural environment that does not embrace America’s motley demographic. While this may be true since the conventional Methodist Church will be losing the LGBTQ+ portion of its community, it will not come as much of a blow since this party was being suppressed, and therefore, never held a solid presence in the church. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are not allowed to marry people of the prefered sex or join the clergy, both of which are major components of a Methodist’s life.

The fact that they are denied these privileges unless they denounce their sexuality leads to the LGBTQ+ community losing what made them unique and what was broadening the demographic of the church so that they could follow their religion. Therefore, their absence will not be felt in the cultural aspect of the church, since the LGBTQ+ community is not bringing any diversity to the church as a result of them suppressing their sexuality.

Christianity has existed for over a millennium, and it has been constantly morphing into a religion that is relevant to the day and age in which we live. The split of the United Methodist Church is another progressive step in order to modernize and accept the LGBTQ+ presence that is growing in Christianity.

LIFESTYLES

of red carpets ALEXANDRIA HUNT

20 | THE PROSPECTOR

lifestyles editor

Award shows such as the Oscars and Golden Globes are meant to praise and recognize movie directors, musicians, actors, and more who excel in their field. These shows are also complemented by red carpets, where attendees of the events — who are typically wealthy — can display their style and status.

The cost to fund these events is often extremely high, and the money spent by actors, movie directors, and other influential figures on their “self-presentation” — such as clothing and accessories — is oftentimes excessive as well.

Let’s consider the cost required to host these events, such as the Oscars. According to The Fiscal Times, the red carpet costs approximately $25,000 to rent, and the “swag bags” given out often total up to over $100,000; they include personal getaways, skincare, diamond jewelry, and more. Additionally, the stage itself is decorated by over 45 million Swarovski crystals. Forbes states that the cost of a typical actress’s Oscar attire is $75,000. Accounting for the prices above, as well as many others, the total cost to hold the Oscars is 44 million dollars. However, this price merely accounts for one of the many red carpet award ceremonies that are held each year, depicting the high cost that is spent to organize and attend these events.

At the same time, the world faces a multitude of problems that are rarely addressed, despite being ones

sary causes (such as decorating the stage with Swarovski crystals and handing out swag bags worth $100k to every attendee) should be used towards more productive causes instead. For instance, the money spent individually by these wealthy figures could be used towards creating campaigns to spread awareness of societal problems — including climate change, homelessness, gender discrimination, and unemployment, to name a few. Additionally, the money spent unnecessarily on specific aspects of these award show events could be donated to charities or organizations in need. This would allow the rich to positively contribute to the world’s societal issues; ones that they will likely never have to face.

All in all, today’s award shows are hypocritical, as they award the achievements of the rich — but should the rich truly be recognized as “great” if they do not utilize the extreme potential of their wealth towards creating the positive change that their money is capable of? Thus, lavish spending on red-carpet clothing and hosting award shows must be eliminated in the coming years, and this money spent towards positive platforms and charities for change instead. This would bring awareness towards today’s major societal problems, allowing the rich to use their wealth for a genuine purpose.

44m cost to hold the Oscars

25k cost to rent a red carpet

75k

average amount spent on each red carpet outfit

100k monetary value of each Oscar “swag bag”

LIFESTYLES | 17

that may significantly alter the course of human existence. For instance, climate change: to solve this problem, an investment of over $50 trillion would be required by the year 2050 (according to Morgan Stanley analysts in 2019). This would include major investments towards renewable energy, electric vehicles, capturing carbon, and utilizing clean fuels. However, individual action can be taken as well, such as using cleaner energy sources, reducing one’s CO2 emissions, eating less meat, wearing sustainable clothing, and more. Although these methods seem to be quite obvious, according to a survey by the US government in 2019, only 70% of Americans believe global warming is real — demonstrating that many do not view climate change as an urgent issue. This depicts the need to spread awareness and educate others regarding this issue; the consequences of which we will all eventually face.

This is where award ceremonies and the wealthy come in. Influential figures who attend red carpet ceremonies are typically extremely wealthy; wealth that no single person needs or is able to completely spend during their lifetime. Thus, the money spent by famous individuals to wear lavish, expensive clothing at these events, as well as the money used towards unneces-

18 | DESIGNED BY ALEXANDRIA HUNT

ROMANTICIZING

ANKITA ACHARYA writer

But Joe’s stalkerish tendencies, manipulativeness, and immorality should squelch any charismatic impression of his. pened in the sub-universe of tiny Tumblr fandoms.

That expanded to the realm of the fictional with the addition of Joe. There’s a big difference between being attracted to Joe Goldberg and Ted Bundy, but the underlying character denial remains the same. Even Millie Bobby Brown said, “[ Joe's] not creepy, he's in love with her and it's OK.” But the saying that all’s fair in love and war only goes so far - definitely not far enough to morally justify murder out of jealousy and self-preservation from the law.

The key understanding that this obscure community lacks is that a protagonist is not always a hero. Despite the fact that Joe’s outward facade is that of a perfect boyfriend, the constant inner narration that listeners are exposed to reveals his true psychotic self. In romanticizing Joe, viewers choose to look past the alarming degree of his self-delusion and view his murderous tendencies through a lens that paints him a dedicated boyfriend who would do anything for his lover. But throughout both seasons, Joe’s actions ultimately reveal his sole priority: himself, and whatever brings him the most satisfaction and keeps him out of jail. The people that want Joe to break their hearts forget that he would literally do so if it was in his own best interest.

While Joe is definitely a character you’d want to watch on TV, he’s not someone you’d want in your life (which would have a ticking time limit as soon as he zeroes in on you). To a tweet saying that “Joe is a whole new level”, Penn Badgely himself replied “...of problems, right?”

If you’re going to romanticize an unlikely fictional character, go the direction of the Shrek fandom or something marginally better. Choosing to romanticize Joe and other serial killers puts your own mindset in the dangerous position of overlooking key atrocities in the Joes of your own life. While Joe may have been adept at hiding his creepiness, there were undeniably certain signs that Beck chose to push to the back of her mind as she considered Joe’s seemingly golden qualities. She ended up paying the ultimate price for her denial: her life. And that’s not a position anyone should be in.

LIFESTYLES | 19

(Spoiler alert: plot summary.) Deadly. Creepy. Psychotic. Those are all words used to describe a serial killer. ‘Sexy’ might not immediately come to mind.

But ever since the Netflix TV show “You” was released in late 2018, fangirls online would give anything for Joe, the main character, to ‘step on [their] kneecaps.’

“You” follows the story of a man, Joe, in his thirties living in present-day New York. He finds a woman, Beck, who he is instantly infatuated with and manufactures perfect scenarios that make him seem like the ideal boyfriend, but he does so in incredibly creepy ways: stealing her phone, following her around town, oh, and killing her boyfriend.

Season two continues along a similar strain but with a different “Love” interest once Beck is murdered.

Penn Badgley, the actor who plays Joe on “You”, has a definite degree of charm. It can be argued that the way the show is written aims to create a certain degree of emotional conflict in the viewer, as they switch between identifying with him in certain aspects and feeling horrified at his actions at other moments. But Joe’s stalkerish tendencies, manipulativeness, and immorality should squelch any charismatic impression of his. There is a clear difference between being attracted to the actor who plays the role versus the charac-

ter himself. Nobody would want to date a serial killer in real life, so why does it change when it is a psychopath who they literally have no chance with?

This phenomenon dates back to real serial killers of the past. Believe it or not, there are serial killer fandoms that romanticize people who brought devastating grief upon the families of their victims. It can be hard to imagine a world where Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and OJ Simpson are put on the same pedestal as icons like Chris Hemsworth, a world where someone would say that their type is murderers. But the improbable hap-

20 | DESIGNED BY TAHA SHAFIEI

INVESTIGATIONS

A Look Into

Policy, History and the Future

INVESTIGATIONS | 21

Sex-Ed

State JULIET SHEARIN writer

18 | THE PROSPECTOR

T

hroughout its history, the California Education Code has strived to make laws that ensure students receive high-quality sex education.

One of the earliest pieces of sex education legislation, passed in 1992, merely mandated HIV/AIDS prevention education. Eleven years later, SB71 consolidated several different provisions related to AIDS prevention and “opt-out” sex education — meaning districts do not require parents individually to opt-in to have their child receive the instruction.

In 2007, the Sexual Health Education Accountability Act instituted new requirements that sex education information be medically accurate, objective and age-appropriate. Notably, it also mandated that this education was not abstinence-only but instead provided information on family planning options other than abstinence, like condoms or birth control, for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The most significant and farthest-reaching piece of sex education legislation is the California Healthy Youth Act, which took effect in 2016. It vastly expanded the standards for what schools had to teach, requiring information on healthy relationships, different sexualities, and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It also included provisions aimed at destigmatizing HIV and people who live with it.

Said Assistant Superintendent to Fremont Union High School District Trudy Gross, “[The California Healthy Youth Act] is really focusing on providing students with an even broader level of information... about how do you learn about healthy relationships and about all the choices you might be faced with... It isn’t just HIV prevention.” These skills are useful in all stages of life, which the California Healthy Youth act acknowledges by requiring sex education in both seventh and ninth grade.

Two weeks after the California Healthy Youth Act was first brought in front of the California State Assembly, the California Senate read another bill on sex education. SB-695 mandated that the next time the Health Education Framework, a comprehensive state-created guide to teaching students holistic health, be revised, it would include information on sexual harassment and violence, strategies to prevent it, and resources to help victims.

Since 2016, the California Education Code has faced many proposed amendments that deal with sex education.

One act to require more detailed facts on human trafficking has passed into law; others, like a bill which proposed that parents could make copies of any uncopyrighted material, have failed

to progress out of California’s state legislature.

District KAVYA GUPTA editor-in-chief

F

remont Union High School District (FUHSD) perseveres to follow California’s laws pertaining to sexual education, maintaining lessons centered around comprehensive sex education.

Most of the district’s sex education program is based in Health Connected, a nonprofit that aims to support youth to make healthy decisions around sex. The district also supplements its curriculum with information from the Center for Disease Control and materials from their biology curriculum.

Since the enactment of the California Healthy Youth Act, FUHSD has developed its lessons to increase student engagement and interaction. With help from Health Connected and teacher input, the curriculum evolved to create discussion in the classroom. “Far more engagement and project-based things than just stand and deliver,” Associate Superintendent of FUHSD, Trudy Gross said.

FUHSD ensures parents and guardians are informed about their sex education curriculum three times. First, they send a paragraph out in the annual notifications; parents are also notified in the freshman biology green sheet and in a newsletter sent out just prior to the unit. Most critically, at Parent Night, parents get the opportunity to look over materials and ask questions.

Said Gross, “I think for many parents who might be concerned, the majority of them when they attend parent night, they then felt very comfortable because they have an understanding of what’s going to happen [in the sex education unit].”

The district prioritizes the enhancement of the emotional sector of sex education, advocating for additional focus in healthy relationships and consent. According to Gross, FUHSD wishes to provide information beyond just the scientific approach to sexual education; they also wish to educate students on general life skills and the decisions one generally has to make in life.

Said Gross, “With the move to the California Healthy Youth Act, the law is really focusing on providing students with an even broader level of information. It isn’t just HIV prevention, but also understanding the myths about HIV and AIDs in the past, and things like sexuality and gender. It’s meant to provide more information but also reduce stigma in terms of the variety of people that live in our world, that we interact with on a regular basis.”

Cupertino KAVYA GUPTA editor-in-chief

SOHINI KARMAKAR writer

C

upertino High School’s curriculum regarding sexual education strictly adheres to California state law and the California Healthy Youth Act. Centered around comprehensive sex education, the twoweek lesson plan covers topics such as consent, gender, sexuality, and far more.

The goals outlined in the curriculum by administrators are in accordance with the goals of the California Department of Education. They include teaching students to possess healthy attitudes towards gender, sexual orientation, and relationships, promoting and normalizing understanding of sexuality, and delivering integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention instruction.

Said Principal Kami Tomberlain, “It’s really based on making sure people have the information that they need to make good choices, that they understand what those choices are. The primary objectives are respect and consent.”

With the implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act in 2016, the curriculum has also expanded to include information regarding gender identities and sexual identities.

To keep parents informed as to what Cupertino’s curriculum contains, around 50 families are invited every year to a session with the school’s biology teachers and administrators.

“I’ve met with families every year since the curriculum was expanded. They ask questions and the biology teachers and I answer them. They then make a choice as to whether or not they want their child to participate in the lessons. We always have two or three students whose families opt them out,” Tomberlain said.

At the meetings, families are shown a presentation and are given the opportunity to ask questions and clear up misconceptions. As for students who opt out of sex education, they are still provided materials in textbooks and worksheets to understand the science behind reproductive systems and sexually-transmitted diseases.

Said biology teacher Daniel Stavis, “By law, we have to provide an alternative to the sex-ed program, so those students are spending time in another location, using the textbook, and learning mostly about anatomy, like the endocrine system, the reproductive system, and the immune system. I believe that for students whose parents choose to opt-out, this is a reasonable alternative.”

Every school in FUHSD has the same guidelines and content standards. In most schools, sex education is taught and implemented by the biology teachers, who work closely with the administration to form the curriculum. The teachers are trained by an organization called Health Connected.

“We used to do a [Center for Disease Control] program called Safer Choices, but then the [California Healthy Youth Act] was passed in 2016. At that point, the district linked up with an organization called Health Connected.

They introduce us to new modules, and sometimes we take on the role of students and actually do the lesson or acPrincipal Kami Tomberlain tivity. There’s a good discussion about the pedagogy of how to teach these things,” Stavis said.

Although Cupertino currently follows the mandate of state law to provide sexual education a minimum of just once in high school, Principal Tomberlain wishes to introduce another round of curriculum in either students’ eleventh or twelfth year of school.

Said Tomberlain, “I am dying to do an advisory or a longer session on healthy relationships, and how to be a good partner.

There’s a whole presentation I’ve researched and want to do on consent and the challenges about preventing sexual assault.

I think we could add much more to the social and emotional parts of [the curriculum]. There’s a lot to think about, more than just what body parts go where. It’s much bigger than that.”

It’s really based on making sure people have the information that they need to make good choices, that they understand what those choices are. The primary objectives are respect and consent.

INVESTIGATIONS | 19

SPORTS

Recruited

24 | DESIGNED BY DARSHINI VIJAYAKUMAR

Oriana Jalal

Having been a star runner on CHS’s cross-country and track and field teams throughout her years in high school, Oriana Jalal is ready to take her sport to new heights running in Division I track and field at UC Davis. However, Davis was the last place she thought she would be going at first. She said, “Originally, I was pretty set on committing to USC because it was Pac 12, it was a big name. [...] Davis was supposed to be my last [choice] to be honest, I wasn’t really thinking that I would really consider Davis. But when I went on my trip [to visit Davis], it completely changed my whole perspective. It was a 180, they sold the program to me super well, and the girls on the team were super genuine.

What I wanted to study at school to be a PT would be neuro bio, physiology and behavior. And a lot of other girls on the team were also doing that major. So that was a big factor.” Making the jump between committing to USC, where she had originally expected to go, and UCD, which had originally been her last choice but now seemed like a really good option, was challenging for Jalal, but she ended up committing to UC Davis in December 2019, and will run for the Aggies starting next fall.

Senior Jack Townsend is ready to begin the next part of his journey in track and field, having been recruited by Southern Oregon University to run in Division III track and field. Describing his recruitment process, Townsend states “[...] The colleges would send me a letter [...] and then they’d be like ‘Just call me if you want to get in touch.’ [...] I visited three of the schools that had sent me emails so I was familiar with the coaches. But Southern Oregon didn’t send me an email [...], so I sent them an email. [...] I met with [the coach] and it went really well and I was like, ‘Oh, I really like this school.’” Townsend ended up committing to Southern Oregon University and looks forward to competing there in the fall. He is especially excited about being able to focus on a new sport. “I’ve always played basketball and track was more of a leisurely sport for me,” he said. “But I found a love for [track], because it’s the opposite of basketball.

It’s not a team sport and it’s more just me doing things one on one and only worrying about myself. I’ve put so much time into basketball during high school that I was ready to try out a new sport in college.”

Jack Townsend

Athletes

KRITHIKA VENKATASUBRAMANIAN writer

Kate Duong

For senior Kate Duong, tennis is a sport that she has carried with her from when she was very young — a mere five years old. Duong has remained committed to her sport through the years, practicing for two to three hours daily on top of juggling her schoolwork.

Duong recently committed to play Division I tennis at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She recalls her recruiting process, saying, “On September 1st of my junior that’s when I could get in touch with coaches, so once that day hit, I got dozens of emails from coaches, which is pretty cool and makes you feel special. In the spring I started taking some visits which was really cool because [...] there’s like that could be a future possibility of where I’ll be.”

However, the process was not all smooth going for her; she says “Every time I went to a tournament I felt like oh, I have to play my best, there’s coaches here scouting me, if I don’t play well they might drop me and replace me with someone else.” In the end, everything fell into place for Duong, and she committed to UIUC in October.

Throughout the process, she says, “I wanted to choose the right place and make sure it was the right environment for me and that I would really enjoy my life for four years there.”

Alyssa Hoeke’s journey playing softball, which started when she was eight, is about to begin a new path this fall: the senior committed to play Division III softball for Lewis and Clark University a couple of months ago. Hoeke’s desire to play softball in college started when she was still in middle school. She said, “When I was in middle school was when I really started to realize that I want to do this in college. Ever since then it’s been a long process of going to showcases where college coaches can watch you. And then, just contacting them as much as you can, and doing research about which colleges you like and going to camps at their school.” Hoeke attended a camp at Lewis and Clark University, which she says solidified her opinion of the school and fueled her desire to attend and play softball there. Hoeke’s love for softball has got her through the many obstacles that athletes invariably face on their journeys through the sport. “It’s been a long journey,” states Hoeke, “A lot of ups and downs, a lot of slumps… It’s hard because softball is a very mental game, so if you get into a slump it’s hard to really get out of it, and that’s something I have trouble with sometimes, but at the end of the day it’s about if you’re having fun or not. [...] I always have fun and it’s something that I’m so passionate about.”

Alyssa Hoeke

WRESTLERS’ DIETS a look into the weight-loss methods used by wrestlers at Tino

ANTHONY ZHU online editor

Similar to how professional wrestling works, high school wrestlers are separated by weight classes so athletes can face opponents of similar physical stature, making matches more competitive. Because of the weight class system, many high school wrestlers have to cut weight so that they do not weigh more than they are supposed to at meets or tournaments. And although it can be done in unhealthy ways, weight cutting by itself is not a dangerous practice if done correctly.

Junior Mohammad Raghozar and Junior Naveen Armin are two Cupertino High School wrestlers who weight cut throughout the high school season. As experienced wrestlers, they have strategies and techniques for achieving their weight goals.

Says Raghozar, “We have to make a plan. It depends on each person and how their body works. For myself, I like snacking, instead of having a big meal. I divide my food so my body can digest it. In addition to wrestling practice after school, I have to go home and run a little bit more. Sometimes, I use the sauna, but I don’t do it in a way that hurts me. I have to save some energy for the next day. Hot baths work for me because I sweat a lot, and I lose almost 2 pounds every time I have one.”

In addition to watching what they eat, wrestlers have to be careful of their fluid intake.

Says Armin, “I also had to cut out water a little bit because usually water is what pulls you down. One of my friends ended up getting disqualified because he was overweight, and he was confused as to why. He was like, ‘All I had was soup.’ But that’s literally all water, and water weight is what will kill a wrestler.”

To make sure that they are not disqualified by the weigh-in, wrestlers have to continually keep track of their weight throughout the

“We have to make a plan. It depends on each person and how their body works.” day and make adjustments so that they will be at the right weight. Between the weighin and the matches, however, wrestlers can eat and drink more than usual as they will not be weighed again until the next meet. at the end of a meet or tournament, many wrestlers celebrate with a little bit of food.

Says Armin, “Usually, if I win, I eat a bag of Takis because those are my favorite snack,

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and I don’t get to eat a lot during the wrestling season. I’ll maybe sneak a little candy in there once in a while, maybe one of those chicken sandwiches.”

But because of how often meets occur, wrestlers cannot gain too much weight as they will have to cut back down in a couple of days. Due to the pressure to avoid disqualification, there are high school wrestlers who cut weight in unhealthy ways, but this is avoidable.

Says Armin, “When I see people doing all of these unhealthy tactics, it’s mostly because they’re not setting themselves up for success. They procrastinate and think they can drop the two pounds right before the match. And they end up having to wear three layers right before their match, trying to sweat out all that weight. And when the match comes, what’s the point, they take the L because they overworked themselves.”

Wrestlers who struggle with meeting their weight goal can seek support from their coaches.

Says Raghozar, “Sometimes, in the mornings before meets, I come and check in with my coach. Because I’m a student-athlete and I have to be able to perform in school, I gotta be eating. So we plan it out, and since I have a free 7th, I can get a little bit of workout in. One day I didn’t eat breakfast, but I went to my coach, and he gave me a little bit of oatmeal, which is pretty light. I talk to my coach every day about my weight to keep it constant.”

CAPTAIN’S DECISION THE CONTROVERSY LAWRENCE FAN business manager/copy editor

tentimes, the coach would ask for the team’s approval to appoint a player as captain.

“[The tennis coach] suggests two people, says these are going to be the team captains, and everybody acknowledges yes they are ok with it,” said Pranav Medikonda, a junior on the boy’s varsity tennis team.

While this may ensure that the most qualified player serves as captain, it can also lead to bias and a subjective decision on the coach’s part. Instead of choosing the student best suited to lead, the coach might pick based on favoritism.

“I feel like [the water-polo coach] just picked people that he knew, not necessarily the people with the best leadership qualities,” said Andrew Chen, a junior on the varsity water-polo team.

In other cases, the selection process is not as straightforward. In swimming, for example, there was no official process for choosing the team captain.

Rather, veteran players stepped up and took on more responsibilities, eventually being recognized as team captain.

“For girls, I was expected to be captain because I was one of the only senior girls who could do it and I planned all of senior night last year and then Jacqueline and Giwoo were interested in helping out as well,” said Gokhale.

Some teams are considering collectively voting for their captains, having the players choose the leader for their team. This past year, the girls’soccer team tried holding a team vote to pick their captain, giving the players a bigger say in the process. However, this method also raises some concerns, specifically that it would turn into a popularity contest.

“It would turn more into a popularity vote instead of a reflection of the leadership qualities, people who might not be fit for leading become leaders, and that might not be a good thing,” said Medikonda.

SPORTS | 27

Whether playing a team sport or an individual sport, athletes spend countless hours with their teammates through scrimmaging practices or competing together in matches. Thus, by the end of the season, many teammates will have formed strong bonds with each other, seeing each other as both companions as well as competitors, motivating one another to achieve their best.

Team captains play an integral role in forming team chemistry, and their leadership helps the team progress in tough times. Due to the importance of the role of the team captain, only the most qualified candidates should be given the position. As a result, some may question: what is the best method for selecting team captains?

A team captain directly represents the team, leading their teammates and acting as a liaison between the team and the coaches, referees and making sure information and messages are clearly communicated between the respective parties. They also serve as the team’s emotional leader--leading, inspiring, and supporting all members of the team. Some responsibilities they bear include leading the team during warm-ups and drills, arranging rides to games, organizing team bonding events, and motivating the players during matches.

Said Mishti Gokhale, senior and girl’s captain of the varsity swim team, “The team captains spread all the information on Facebook pages, they’re the ones that make sure all the meet sheets are done, we ask people what events they want to swim for sign-ups, we organize all the team bondings, any equipment, and money we need, it’s up to the team captains to decide how and where we’re getting the money… It’s kind of just doing all the technical stuff.”

In most teams, the coach selects the team captain based on their demonstrated performance and leadership, selecting team captains who work hard, help out others and set a positive example. Of-

PERSPECTIVES

how to be quiet and reflective

for EXTROVERTS

SARAH POLLANS

28 | DESIGNED BY KEERTHI LAKSHMANAN

postscript editor

Hey! You! Yes, you! The one who has not stopped talking since 1937! I have something really important to tell you. Come, close, ‘cause it is really important.

Shut up.

Please. (I am being polite here). It’s not that hard.

All you have to do is not let any air vibrate any of your vocal cords. And, hey, if all us introverts can do it on a day-to-day basis, I am sure you can too.

That’s right. I (an introvert!) am going to tell you (an extrovert! But you knew that already!) how to properly be quiet. Preferably for an extended amount of time, but at this point, any amount of silence will suffice.

I do have one question for you, though, before we start: Have you always been like this? Like even as a child? That must have been exhausting. Anyways, let’s begin.

There is one really important aspect of being quiet, and that is, rather than talking, listening. You see, when you listen to someone else talk, you have to actually take in what they are saying, and this temporarily inhibits your ability to talk because you are using your brain.

Something else you should try is actually thinking about your thoughts and what you want to say before really saying it out loud. This works because it also prevents you from talking for a while since you are again using your brain. I really like this one because it also

makes sure that what you say is actually worth saying and— Oh my gosh even in this guide on how to be quiet you literally still can not be quiet. How? How is this even possible? You probably could not go five minutes without talking even if your life depended on it, could you? I bet if no one stopped you, you would go on forever. It is actually kind of amazing how much you can talk. If it wasn’t so annoying I would be jealous of your stamina.

I have to apologize: I feel like I’ve overcomplicated this for you. Let me dumb it down a bit. On the most basic level, the key to being quiet is to, simply, be quiet. There’s really no trick to it, that’s all us introverts do. Occasionally we might get bursts of extroversion here and there, but at the end of the day, we just are unequivocally, definitely, entirely, and even sometimes extensively, quiet.

What I am trying to say through this jumble of mess, is that, on behalf of all introverts, just because we might not be talking, it doesn’t mean we have nothing to say. (I mean sometimes we have nothing to say but that’s like a whole other ordeal and makes things confusing so just forget about that). The point is, maybe give someone else a chance, maybe try offering the conversation to someone else, or maybe (just maybe) shut up.

TRADING CARDS:

POLITICAL DEBATE EDITION KENNETH JEON opinions editor

“MLK would have agreed with me.”

“My esteemed colleague and good friend,”

“I am the son/daughter of...”

“Bouncing back from 9/11...”

PERSPECTIVES | 29

POSTSCRIPT

SPOT the

DIFFE

30 | DESIGNED BY SARAH POLLANS

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANGELA MA

CE

857 MILES

what i learned on my journey from seattle to the bay area MAIA MATSUSHITA writer

You know the Costco Kirkland brand? It was not only the city where the original headquarters for Costco was located but also where I lived for a good part of my childhood. My personality was built there, with the rainy, grey weather accompanying my dark, depressing humor. When I look at the pictures of myself from freshman and sophomore year, I am sickly pale from the lack of exposure to the sun. When my dad came in to announce that he was offered a job in the Bay Area, I was sick because of the social and academic stress that had worn me down in just my sophomore year. I was given an additional stressor when the power to decide if we should move was handed down to me. In the end, I told my dad that he should take the job, ignoring the anxi e t y that I felt

of moving from a familiar environment to a place that I couldn’t locate on a map.

When I first stepped foot on campus, I was intimidated by the sheer amount of people littering the hallways.

I had only known two hallways stacked on top of each other from my old school; CHS seemed like a maze to me. I made immense efforts to seek out people who were alone and talk to those around me in class. After the first few weeks, I fell into a group of friends and stopped trying to be sociable. At first, I thought my shy, introverted ways had changed, but I started shutting myself out from my friends and everyone around me as my insecurities and self-doubt started weighing on my mind.

Eventually, I came out of the hole I dug myself into. Although being outgoing was still hard, I became more independent by relying on myself to succeed, both in and out of school. I had lost people who would help me study and teach concepts to me when I was confused, but this encouraged me to talk to new people and teachers so that I can seek help on my own. As I gradually helped myself succeed, I found myself being able to talk to people within my classes and building newer and stronger connections with my friends.

Senior year has been my best year from the four years of high school.

While it took a year to adjust, I was able to adapt to CHS faster than I thought I would. I was miserable during the first two years of my high school career, but I didn’t have the heart or energy to change my daily routine. I talked about how much I hated STEM even though I went to a STEM school, but I never went on to pursue or find interests.

Since moving, I have found things to fill my empty time: I took up writing

This year, I am

more confident

about the unknown.

POSTSCRIPT | 31

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAIA MATSUSHITA

again, started exercising, and have taken a liking in tutoring kids.

We all undergo drastic changes throughout our lives. The most important thing to keep in mind is that things will turn out fine as long as the effort is put in to make the best out of situations.

For me, 857 miles was what it took to help me come to this conclusion. As I move on into the future, I hope to add to the mileage that I already have so that I can continue to merge different aspects of myself to, at the very least, continue to grow as a person.

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