Issue 6 - April 2025

Cupertino Nail Techs p. 12

POSTSCRIPT

The “Perfect” High School Experience pg. 30

ISSUE 6, VOL 67 | APRIL 2025

THE PROSPECTOR FEATURES

IN THIS ISSUE

news

Saying Goodbye to our Childhood

06: VTA Strike

Stores.........................................04 VTA Strike.................................. 06

opinions

Are Dentists Villainized?............08

Lisa and Sania!!!

Heck Yeah!!!!

Is Artificial Intelligence a Reliable Source of Emotional Advice?.......................................... 10

investigations

features

Flipped Classrooms.................. 16

Cupertino Nail Techs.................12 featuring Ally Yang and Roselyn Lee

Cupertino Guidance Counselors..14

sports

The Sexualization of Professional Athletes...................................... 20 AOTM: Samyuktha Kumaran..... 22

lifestyles

The Authenticity of Astrology.... 24 Inspiration or Imitation?............. 26

postscript Sexualization of 20: The Professional Athletes

COVER DESIGNED BY NIKHIL KRISHNASWAMY

Capy-Comic............................... 28 The “Perfect” High School Experience........................................... 30

THE PROSPECTOR

STAFF 2024-2025

editors-in-chief Victoria Hunt Nikhil Krishnaswamy Katie Mak

copy editors Nimrit Gandhi Ashley Qi Celine Zhang

news editor Angela Kim

online editors Amrita Brar Chloe Choe Zain Haseeb Aaron Luc Atrisa Rahgozar Cathy Wu Joe Zheng Madalina Zheng

opinions editors Nitya Dhulipala Nimrit Gandhi features editor Laura Chen investigations editor Mason Lien lifestyles editor Miya Widman sports editor Rebecca Wawda postscript editor Anshika Jain marketer Chloe Choe

business manager Rosa Lee writers Shaona Das, Noah Kang, Katie Kim, Brian Kuo, Joyce Lee, Evelyn Liao, Alexander Liu, Benjamin Liu, Hailey Ryu

advisor Ann Shriver-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.

Dear Reader, As we wrap up the school year, summer seems to draw closer with each day. Sandy beaches, blazing sunshine, long-awaited freedom, are just within reach — provided we survive the hectic month of dreaded AP testing and finals.

In light of the recent closings of Joann’s and Party City, Hailey Ryu and Rebecca Wawda explore the impacts these closures have had on the CHS community on page 4.

As many seniors reflect on their four years at CHS, Amrita Brar explores a student’s reality in comparison to the “perfect” high school experience that many envision in their freshman year.

Bringing the issue to a close on page 28, Alexander Liu and Cathy Wu’s comic depicts the life of a capybara at CHS, from cheering each other on at rallies to spending time with friends at boba spots.

This issue, first-year staffers took on new roles, curating elaborate spreads and composing in-depth articles. We are incredibly proud to present to you our class’ second and final junior issue, and we’re endlessly grateful for all the junior staffers’ hard work.

Sincerely, Victorka Hunt, Nikhil Krishnaswamy, Katie Mak

3

Contact Us: chsprospector@gmail.com The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

SAYING

NEWS

to our

CHILDHOOD STORES

Unpacking the impacts of nostalgic chain stores shutting down nationwide REBECCA WAWDA, HAILEY RYU sports editor | writer

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4 | DESIGNED BY ANGELA KIM

ommunity members watch as well-known chain stores begin to close their doors.

After decades of enjoying access to local, convenient and dependable shops, people are now forced to say their final goodbyes to their childhood stores.

Recently, large chain stores have filed for bankruptcy, planning to permanently shut down all locations. These chains have been in operation for decades, becoming essential go-to stores for many.

Businesses ranging from clothing to department

FINAL SALE

stores have all been affected recently. Popular clothing retailer Forever 21 has been a nostalgic and accessible go-to store for many generations. However, after years of being an essential clothing business, Forever 21 has officially filed for its second bankruptcy, permanently closing all stores and liquidating merchandise.

“In my early 20s, I liked Forever 21 primarily because of its going-out clothes,” Business Insider reporter Samantha Grindell said. “Gen Z didn’t replace [the millennial generation] as its prime demographic as Forever 21 might have hoped, as the generation below me prefers online retailers for fast fashion or opts to shop secondhand instead.”

Some consumers attribute the significant increase in store closures to the rise of online shopping. With the post-pandemic economic crisis and consumers becoming more reliant on access to the variety of online shopping platforms, the demand for in-person shopping has shockingly decreased.

Customers credit the fall of Forever 21 to competition from international online fashion platforms such as Shein and Temu.

T h e c l o s u r e s o f several chain businesses have also greatly impacted small businesses, many of whom previously relied on sourcing material through these shops.

Joann in particular has provided reliable and consistent quality material for over 80 years, allowing small businesses to purchase affordable and accessible material in person.

“So many other fabric chains went out of business over the last 20 years because Joann just put them out of

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I THINK IT EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING I WOULD USE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, LIKE SILLY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, AND THEN IT EVOLVED, AS I GOT INTO STUDENT COUNCIL BECAUSE WE STARTED TO USE IT FOR A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT EVENTS.

EVA CHEN

” NEWS | 5

business,” small business owner Carol Sharisky said. “Now, there’s nobody to fill that hole, because Hobby Lobby and Walmart and Michaels — they don’t have the selection, and they don’t have the prices.”

Party City, a party supply store, also filed for bankruptcy a second time in December 2024 and is closing all stores across the nation after 40 years in business. Party City has been a go-to store for many leadership students looking to buy rally materials in bulk, including balloons and streamers. Losing a central store for these materials forces students to seek alternatives.

“I think that it’s extra hard that Party City is closing, because typically when I’m looking for balloons, Party City is the one place that has [them],” Class of 2027 President Eva Chen said. “And if I go to Target and other places, they don’t usually have it in stock.”

Not only is Party City a go-to store for council members, it is also a store that community members have visited to buy party supplies for loved ones or Halloween costumes annually.

“I feel really bummed, because [...] when I think of Party City, I just get so many nostalgic memories,” Chen said. “I remember going there when I was a kid for party supplies for my birthday parties. [...] I think I just have a lot [...] of memories associated with that place and I’m really sad that it’s closing”

VTA STRIKE Exploring the VTA strike’s impacts on students and workers’ rights MIYA WIDMAN lifestyles editor

6 | THE PROSPECTOR

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he Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus system accounts for a large portion of daily life for many students and staff across Cupertino and Santa Clara County. On March 3, however, a strike sponsored by the Amalgamated Transit Union left them stranded and unable to get to school or work. The strike has significantly affected nearly 100,000 commuters throughout the county.

Sparked by unresolved conversations regarding pay, benefits and working conditions, more than 1,500 VTA employees went on strike, calling it the Local 265 ATU strike. Negotiations between the union and VTA management have not produced a resolution, making this the first VTA strike in decades.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also been pressured to intervene in the conflict, but thus far, the strike continues to affect the transport system throughout the region.

Cupertino High School students dependent on VTA have been hit especially hard by the strike regarding their commute to school. One such student, who has been a VTA regular since

her freshman year, discussed her difficulties adjusting to the strike with bus transportation suddenly out of the picture. Said junior Livia Aschheim, “The first day that it was happening, I didn’t know that they were on a strike. I just kept waiting because the bus does run fairly regularly. I ended up missing my first two periods because I didn’t know what to do.”

Students who rely on VTA were forced to develop alternative means of getting to school, most commonly walking, biking or getting a ride from a family member.

“My mom has been giving me a ride to school,” Aschheim continued, “but I still walk home every now and then.”

The strike not only limits people’s available modes of transportation, but it also makes their lives more stressful and inconvenient.

While some students have successfully been able to find substitutes, others have had to deal with the financial burden of utilizing private services such as Uber or other rideshare arrangements.

“It isn’t just about money — it’s about time and convenience,” Aschheim said. “Walking takes forever, and when the weather is bad, it makes things even worse.”

Despite the hassle, community members and students have started to understand the strike’s significance, especially regarding the ongoing fight for improved

LIVIA ASCHHEIM

work conditions.

“Even though it impacts me, I’m really glad they are doing it, and I really support them. I think especially under this particular administration, it’s wonderful that people are advocating for workers’ rights and unions.”

As of Friday, March 28, the VTA system is fully back up and running, after over two weeks of unserved transportation lines. This restoration, however, excludes the light rail service, which remains shut down due

to a lack of employees.

The VTA experienced approximately $76,000 in losses each day the strike persisted and services were frozen. The strike was cut short as a result of a ruling two days prior, where the members of the union contradicted the “no-strike clause” in their work contracts. A preliminary injunction was issued, and workers were ultimately sent back to their jobs in the VTA. The strike’s end was a huge relief to commuters all across the

“

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IT’S WONDERFUL THAT PEOPLE ARE ADVOCATING FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND UNIONS.

county, particularly students who depended on public transit to attend school. The disruption raised a critical debate over worker rights and the need for union interventions, even as the difficulties of instantaneous service unavailability were put into focus. Other than its logistical impacts, the strike emphasized the value of fair working conditions and individuals’ regular utilization of public services, setting the stage for the return of VTA workers

NEWS | 7

OPINIONS

ARE DENTISTS Exploring society’s negative depiction of dentists business manager | writer

8 | DESIGNED BY NIMRIT GANDHI

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he suffocating smell of latex gloves, threatening razor noises and menacing needles form an all-too-familiar concoction of nightmares: the dentist’s office. But why? Why is society so irrationally terrified of dentists, despite their charitable duty of healing patients’ teeth?

Society’s negative depiction of dentists is excessive: from children’s books about tooth-extracting “monsters” to illogical fears at the clinic, being a dentist is oddly stigmatized. It is an unfair reality that although they perform crucial, life-saving duties just like firefighters and doctors, their work is often overshadowed by negative stereotypes.

Both the entertainment industry and human behavior patterns perpetuate these stereotypes, instilling fear in people starting from a young age and persisting into adulthood.

A classic example of dental horror is seen in the film “Little Shop of Horrors.” The movie features a sadistic dentist, Orin

Scrivello, who is frequently shown cackling at his patients and behaving in a chaotic manner. Scrivello’s theme song, “I’m a Dentist,”

“

“

ROSA LEE, NOAH KANG

SON, BE A DENTIST, PEOPLE WILL PAY YOU TO BE INHUMANE

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

aggravates the negative portrayal of dentists. The chorus contains the disturbing lyrics, “Son, be a dentist, people will pay you to be inhumane” and “I am your dentist, and I get off on the pain I inflict.”

Looking at a milder example, the children’s song “La Dentista”

by Señor Wooly focuses on a monstrous-looking dentist who chases after two little girls. Teachers of-

ten use “Señor Wooly” videos to teach kids Spanish, and “La Dentista” is no exception. Considering this, “La Dentista” shows how portraying dentists as monsters is becoming an unfortunate norm in children’s education.

Surprisingly, even some prominent movies and TV shows stereotype dentists. The popular movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” depicts Willy Wonka’s father as a cruel dentist. Willy’s father forces him to wear oversized, uncomfortable braces and bans him from eating any form of sugar. The main issues that stem from this dramatization are the biases and negative notions engraved in people’s minds. Even though viewers can distinguish Wonka’s father as an exaggeration of dentists in real life, repetition of and constant exposure to distorted ideas only harms viewers’ subconscious images of dentists.

However, this negative perception of dentists is not only exacerbated by the entertainment industry. Oftentimes, it is fueled by the innate fears of particular environmental cues at the den-

VILLAINIZE VIL LAINIZE ? tist’s office. For instance, dentists’ tools create threatening sounds and an unsettling atmosphere that incites fear and alertness. Said a report by Maple Dental Health, “Activities such as drilling sounds, smells and sights of instruments used by dentists all add up to create an uncomfortable atmosphere, which can then lead to avoidance

behavior among patients.”

Due to human nature and behavioral instincts, the villainization of dentists can unintentionally occur.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to realize that dentists play an invaluable role in society and healthcare, and they should be treated with respect and dignity

OPINIONS | 9

Though convenient, can AI be trusted to give accurate answers to sensitive questions such as emotional advice?

JOE ZHENG, JOYCE LEE online sports editor | writer

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10 | DESIGNED BY NITYA DHULIPALA

he recent introduction and widespread usage of generative artificial intelligence tools has brought a wave of questions in addition to its use, leading many users to question AI’s reliability and safety in providing guidance for sensitive topics typically viewed as emotional or human.

AI technology has seen substantial technological growth in the past few years, narrowing the gap between the capabilities of humans and computers. Because of this, people have come to rely on AI — particularly generative AI tools like ChatGPT — for everyday research and questions,

which can often be used without financial cost and typically with adequate reliability. This includes emotional advice, such as questions regarding mental health and personal relationships.

Though AI tools like ChatGPT have demonstrated their accessibility and efficiency, are they

reliable in providing accurate solutions to sensitive human questions?

Although AI is convenient in the sense that it can gather information quickly, the information it gives cannot be considered free of bias or prejudice. Recently developed AI tools are capable of generating original content in response to a user-inputted prompt or analyzing data and recognizing patterns, but everything they “generate” is trained off publicly available, online human data — which inevitably contains the same bias that human perspectives face day-to-day.

For instance, several companies who utilized AI tools to screen and analyze resumes in their hiring

p ro c e s s e s were accused of discrimination resulting from the data they were trained on. The 2023 case Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. iTutorGroup, Inc. was based on a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, while the 2024 case Mobley v.

Workday, Inc. claimed that Workday, a human resources platform, was providing clients with software that dis-

criminated against applicants on the basis of race, age and disability. Amazon also phased out an AI hiring algorithm in 2018 that was found to be biased against women in technical jobs.

AI bias can emerge when the models are trained on prejudiced data or built from implicit bias on the programmers’ part. Because there are so many potential sources of bias, it is extremely difficult to mitigate, meaning that AI cannot be relied on as the objective source that many view it as. Though most people know to be cautious of bias when consulting other humans, those seeking emotional advice from AI may over-

look its potential bias and exercise less caution than they would with another human perspective.

Additionally, AI has emerged as a source of mental health help and therapy, with many turning to ChatGPT and other generative AI tools for

emotional support. Mental health professionals typically caution against using them as such, as AI lacks the ability to form the same human connection a therapist and client would.

That said, individuals with social anxiety or who struggle to open up on sensitive topics may prefer not to receive help from a human therapist.

Instead, they may want a confidential outlet free of judgment. Artificial intelligence often provides that very resource.

The physical and financial accessibility also makes artificial intelligence an appealing re-

them a sufficient choice f o r

followed and people should exercise caution when using AI tools

New

Cha

cha

t

tGP

OPINIONS | 11

source for many. With “chatbots,” users are able to find a social outlet which consistently responds in a matter of seconds without cost — something people cannot find in traditional therapists or relationships.

Though the convenience and financial accessibility of AI tools make

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many, it is imARE BEC AUS portant SO TEN ET H TIA M to consider A BIA L S NY ERE S O , IT URC POhuman perLY E I S D S I spectives when GAT FFICU EXTR OF addressing emotionAI C E, ME LT TO EMEA al situations. Seeking help ON ANNOT NING MITIA T from other humans, whether SOU S THE BE R HAT E LIE OB VIE RCE online or in person, may W IT THA JECTIV D T provide a more reliable AS. MAN E solution to sensitive Y questions, even if it is not quite as efficient as JOY a ChatGPT-generated CE LEE response. Although AI can be generally reliable in answering questions, its advice should not be blindly

FEATURES

TECHS

Cupertino nail technicians share their experiences running a small business childhood, Yang broadened her range for most students. creative pursuits into nail art in April Looking for ways to improve her Ally Yang 2024 after finding inspiration from skills, she regularly connects with cenes from the animated tele- her friends in the art community. For other experienced nail vision series “Arcane” glow on her birthday that year, she received a screen as sophomore Ally her first nail kit to experiment.

Yang begins to carefully paint a set With a strong foundation of Arcane-inspired nails — one of her in traditional art, tranfavorite creations. Drawing from her sitioning into nail own creativity rather than replicating design felt existing nail designs, Yang blends ar- natural. tistic skill with originality to bring each artists nail to life. online, from As an artist whom she learns since new techniques and business tips through a supportive community. “ I think [social media] is really cool because I get to meet a lot of other nail creators,” Yang said. “That’s a really great thing about content creation Yang that I really enjoy.” initially deWhile Yang often finds inspirasigned press- tion for her nail designs on Pinterest on nail sets ex- and other creators, like @allycoolclusively for close cattt and @innerbloom.nails on Instafriends, but expanded gram, she ensures each set of nails her customer platform as portrays originality and reflects her the small business grew in own unique twist. Said Yang, “I’ve demand. Promoting her work been trying to be outside of the box on Instagram (@alleycatnailstu- and I try to take inspiration from evdio) and TikTok (@alleycat.nails- erywhere.” tudio), Yang takes custom orders However, the process is inevitathrough Google Forms and direct bly time-intensive. Simpler sets can messages. Prices are from $20 to take one to six hours, while more $50, depending on the complexity of complex designs require a minimum her designs — an accessible price of four hours to complete.

KATIE KIM writer

12 | DESIGNED BY LAURA CHEN

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Balancing school with running a business is a challenge that Yang has learned to overcome by establishing innovative approaches to stay on top of academics. Yang is effectively able to prioritize academics with her business by integrating audio learning into her schedule. For instance, she currently self-studies for the AP Psychology exam by listening to educational podcasts and videos while working on nail sets.

Having an online business also comes with logistical hurdles, such as remotely sizing nails for customers.

Yang addresses this by requesting customers to send photos of their nails next to a quarter for scale.

For Yang, nail art is not just a way to monetize her

FEATURES | 13

work, but to intersect her love for art and entrepreneurship.

Now several months into her business, Yang reflects on how far she has come, admitting she wishes she had started even earlier. She carries advice for aspiring nail techs and business owners: “I would say for anybody who wants to start, look online for advice. I think a lot of what I learned was people posting online, like a lot of YouTubers I looked at who provided guides and advice,” said Yang.

“It’s really great to listen to other people who are way more experienced.”

Roselyn Lee Intricate chrome lines shimmer on greyblue and w h i t e nails.

Freshm a n Roselyn Lee is most proud of this

nail design, specially crafted for her older sister.

Lee’s interest in nail art began after her parents prohibited her from getting her nails done professionally. Determined to take matters into her own hands, she started nail art in September 2024. A close friend also introduced her to the idea of making nail designs, sparking a hobby that quickly became a business.

Lee purchased her first nail kit t o to practice on family and do different friends with. nails and learning all different Lee’s first set types of nails that [customers] took four hours — want.” the most time consumAs she continues to grow as ing one to complete to this a nail artist and business owner, day. With artistic experience Lee has learned several valuable dating back to age six and skills lessons, primarily regarding the gained from watching YouTube and importance of financial awareTikTok tutorials, Lee soon felt confi- ness. “I’d say I charge really low dent enough to expand beyond her even though the materials are inner circle of clients. really expensive, so know your To launch her business, she first worth,” Lee said. showcased her work on Instagram Lee’s dedication to nail art (@nailzbyrosey), while her sisters’ has helped her improve her skills friends helped spread the word. as an artist. Said Lee, “It’s really Many of Lee’s customers book ap- detailed work. Nails are small, so pointments for special events, like it helped me with paintings and proms and winter formals. She only with precision.” accepts appointments on the weekCurrently, Lee has tempoends and works from home, spendrarily paused taking aping about two hours per session. pointments, in order to She charges approximately $25 focus on school and per set — an affordable price prioritize her academfor most students in search of ics, but she plans to high-quality nails. resume her business Maintaining a nail busiin the summer. Lee ness was not always also hopes to easy. “Finding the establish a funds to keep more conbuying sistent materia n d als is stable really busie x ness penschedsive,” ule in s a i d the fuLee. “And ture learning how

a GUIDE to CHS

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Experiences and advice from CHS’s guidance counseling team NIKHIL KRISHNASWAMY editor-in-chief

GREGG BUIE, A-F

G

regg Buie has been working as a Cupertino High School guidance counselor for the past 29 years, and he plans to retire next year.

Throughout his several decades working at CHS, Buie has encouraged students to remain focused on their own strengths. “Students here should realize they don’t need to compare themselves.

Everyone has unique skills and gifts,” he said.

Apart from supporting students academically, he cherishes supporting students in their extracurricular activities. Buie has always enjoyed

teaching swim lessons and volunteering, and at CHS has coached tennis, cementing his love for working with youth. He is also the International Club advisor and likes to stay updated on colleges through conferences and visits, like a recent college visit trip to the University of Calgary.

Buie appreciates the school’s counseling structure. “I’m glad that we’re broken up by alpha groups, because that way I get to stay with my students,” he said, “And many times the students have brothers and sisters, so I get to be with the whole family for a long time”

14 | THE PROSPECTOR

TAMARA EMMERT, Li-R

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amara Emmert describes tired CHS English teacher and her role as unpredictable. neighbor Michelle Avvakumo“There isn’t a typical day,” vits.

Since making the career Emmert said, explaining that substitute teaching and address- change, Emmert has found a ing students’ needs often fill her variety of ways to support stuschedule. dents beyond academics. She A former Silicon Valley recruit- coached junior varsity girls ing consultant, Emmert recalls volleyball this past fall and shifting her career into counsel- often connects with students ing after encouragement from re- through casual, lighthearted

gestures. “I’ve sent valentines to students as a kind of inside joke—just something to make them smile,” she said.

Emmert emphasized that a challenge in her role is communicating with parents. “Students are right on board—they know what they need to do. The hard part is getting parents to trust that their kids know what they’re

ANNA JACKSON, G-Le

A

nna Jackson is the newest she worked as a financial auditor addition to the counsel- at Ernst & Young. She later joined ing team. Her career has Teach For America and began taken several turns, leading her teaching math in underserved from finance to teaching to coun- schools. Over the next 15 years, seling. she earned a school counseling After graduating college, credential and eventually stepped into a counseling role to fill in for a colleague. “I loved it and went for a full-time position, and here I am,” Jackson said.

Jackson cherishes supporting her students academically but also feels privileged to assist them in other ways. Said Jackson, “When a student comes to me with a personal issue, the fact that they trust me is rewarding.”

She noted that counselors often aren’t just helping the students but supporting the faculty as well.

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DON’T MAKE PERMANENT DECISIONS BASED ON TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCES.

ANNA JACKSON

”

Said Jackson, “A lot of times, students, families, and staff come to us seeking answers, but they don’t realize how much we facilitate conversations and navigate situations between any of those parties.”

She advises students to think through their options before making a long-term decision. “Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances,” Jackson said. “It’s okay to say, ‘I need time to think’”

LILLIE PHARES, S-Z

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daily schedule as part strategy, part improvisation. From planning college pathways and reviewing course selections to being available for spontaneous student drop-ins, she’s always juggling.

Phares also plays a critical role in team efforts across campus.

She supports the English Language Development program and is an active member of multiple campus committees — including FACES, a staff engagement group that plans monthly morale-boosting events, such as March Madness watch parties.

Phares encourages students to search for activities that challenge and excite them. Said Phares, “The more you expose yourself to […] the more you’re going to learn about yourself”

FEATURES | 15

doing,” she said.

Emmert’s advice for students is to make their happiness their top priority. Said Emmert, “You can go to the best Ivy League school, but if you’re not happy there, it’s not going to make a difference”

illie Phares emphasizes the variety of tasks her role involves, from verifying 1,800 students’ course selections to communicating with other counselors across the district. Said Phares, “My day can be planned, but then someone comes in needing help — I have to pivot.”

Her daily schedule can be packed with various activities.

“There are individual student checkins, phone calls with parents, collaborations with teachers and admin and consultations with other schools in the district.

It’s always shifting,” Phares said.

Phares, who started working at CHS in 2013 and transitioned into a counseling role in 2017, describes her

INVESTIGATIONS

Flipped Classrooms

16 | DESIGNED BY MASON LIEN

Exploring the flipped classroom teaching strategy

ANSHIKA JAIN, MADALINA ZHENG postscript editor | spotlight editor

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tepping from freshman biology to Chemistry Honors in sophomore year might be as jarring as seeing desks and chairs attached to the ceiling.

The true meaning of a flipped classroom is far less literal — students learn content at home and apply their learning during class through practice, labs and discussions. On the other hand, traditional classrooms consist of in-class lectures paired with problems to complete as homework.

These two teaching methods can also be combined to form blended classrooms.

Flipped Classrooms The goal of flipped classrooms is to ensure that students are introduced to the content before coming to class by reading the assigned material — usually a textbook section — or watching videos that explain the concept in detail and provide examples for students to work through. This allows students to complete readings and learn content at their own pace, freeing up class time for exploring key concepts, watching demonstrations and asking the teacher questions.

AP science classes like AP Chemistry are

ly

closely monitor the book reading,” Chen said. “I expect students to meet me halfway. I will do my best to work with them, but I am not here to [force them to] learn.”

Additionally, many experiments cannot be replicated at home, so performing them in real life rather than watching a recording can make it easier to understand content as it increases student interaction. Conducting laboratory experiments is a crucial part of learning chemistry, and the purpose of class time is to do just that. “[Labs] give students an opportunity to apply what they read about in the book,” Cheung said.

“One of the unique aspects of chemistry is that for everything that we read about, there is usually a hands-on component that can be conducted in the classroom setting, so that they can observe the topic firsthand.”

For instance, the concept of hydrates — chemical substances that change color when water is added to them — is best understood when students watch the transformation firsthand and experiment with the amount of water added. added.

INVESTIGATIONS | 17

gene r a l consid-

ered flipped classrooms, as students read and take notes on the textbook for homework before coming to class and applying the concepts through hands-on activities.

However, textbooks might dive into too much depth or be too surface level.

For example, students have noted that the AP Physics 1 textbook goes into extreme details for concepts that are not relevant to the AP curriculum. In these situations, teachers can turn to the traditional method of lecturing through presentations, highlighting important parts of the curriculum or elaborating on concepts that might have been glanced over. “[The textbook] will deliver the vocabulary, it’ll propose examples, but sometimes it may miss on the subtleties of an explanation,” AP Chemistry teacher Bruce Cheung said. “It’s one thing to hear or to read about it in the book, but to hear it verbally explained, and to see somebody talk through the thought process is different.”

A major flaw of flipped classrooms arises when students do not read these required materials outside of class. Most teachers use comprehension quizzes as an incentive for students to complete their reading assignments, but Chemistry Honors teacher David Chen believes that teachers should not be responsible for holding students accountable. “[I] don’t

18 | THE PROSPECTOR

Traditional Classrooms Traditional classrooms have a predetermined schedule and curriculum, where class time is spent on lectures delivered by a teacher, and further enhancement of the knowledge is done through homework. This style of teaching typically has rows of forward-facing desks to ensure that student attention is directed towards the teacher.

Literature teacher Olga Hazeghi prefers a traditional classroom because it introduces new information in class, ensuring that it reaches all students regardless of their willingness to complete homework outside of class. Hazeghi prefers lectures for important topics such as writing essay introductions, body paragraph structure and q u o t e analysis.

A n other example of a traditional classroom is Introduction to Biolog y.

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revision occurred five years ago, aiming to simplify the course, integrate the newly established Next Generation Science Standards, and streamline teaching.

District-wide workshops were created to train teachers to implement these standards in their classrooms.

Their efforts have been largely successful, as the fail rate of Introduction to Biology students are required to take Bi- has dropped from 8% to 2% in the ology in freshman year, so it is past seven years. vital that the course establishes a The COVID-19 pandemic also strong foundation for success in allowed traditional classroom future science classes. The class teachers to refine their teachstructure consists of a video in- ing methods. Online tools such troducing the topic followed by as Zoom features were used to a short presentation, and the re- gauge students’ comprehension. mainder of class time is devoted “I remember the chat was to activities and projects. super helpful [because] I could Though Andrew Goldenkranz, quickly get data points from a lot who teaches Biology and AP Envi- of students. [...] I could [see that] ronmental Science, prefers flipped these kids are getting it. These classrooms to traditional ones, he ones are a little bit confused,” recognizes the constraints pre- Hazeghi said. “That was actually venting Introduction to Biology really helpful because I don’t norfrom becoming a flipped class. mally get that kind of data in perCommunication between Cuper- son.” tino High School and its feeder schools is limited, so teachers have little information about student needs and their educational background. The traditional structure of the course allows teachers to become familiar with their students and understand their individual needs. Some students may struggle with the heavier workload of a flipped classroom, so the slower-paced traditional structure of Introduction to Biology ensures that all students perform well.

Over the past 36 years, the Introduction to Biology curriculum has been revised four times to make the content more approachable to students. The most recent

Blended Classrooms Chemistry Honors teacher David Chen uses a blended approach to education. He assigns sections of the textbook to supplement the lectures given during class.

rick allows students to exercise these skills by encouraging them to critique writing and debate as a class.

Said Merrick, “It’s really important that classroom time is preserved for students to process, write, talk, create [and] do

Said Chen, “I try my best to explain [the] topics in class, and my hope is that students can fill in the gaps when they go home and do [...] their [class readings].”

IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT Chen also emphasizes the importance of learning to read textbooks.

According to Chen, many higher education teachers agree that textbooks are becoming obsolete among students, for most turn to Google or Artificial Intelligence chatbots when encountering a difficult concept.

“

CLASSROOM TIME IS PRESERVED FOR STUDENTS TO PROCESS, WRITE, TALK, CREATE [AND] DO GROUP WORK — THAT’S REALLY WHERE STUDENTS LEARN, AND THAT’S [...] WHERE THE ENJOYMENT OF LEARNING. COMES FROM

GREG MERRICK

“The advent of moving education into online sources [...] has really reduced the need for students to go out and seek physical sources,” said Chen. “Part of my goal is not just to enforce the chemistry knowledge, but [to also] enforce the habit and understanding of how to engage with resources.”

group work — that’s where

r e ally students learn, and that’s [ . . . ] where the enj o y ment of learning comes from.”

Student Perspective The transition from freshman to sophomore year might be surprising for students, as it is the first time many of them are exposed to the flipped classroom model and are required to complete textbook reading before coming to class.

“When I’m reading the textbook and I have a question, I can’t ask someone immediately, and that doesn’t feel that good,” said junior Luna Wang. “I like it better when the teacher lectures, and you can just raise your hand and ask a question.”

Adjusting to this new process

INVESTIGATIONS | 19

Literature teacher Greg Merrick bases his teaching methods on Constructivism, a learning theory coined

by Jean Piaget in the late 20th century. This theory states that a person’s knowledge is determined by their past experiences, and actively building off of those experiences by thinking critically is necessary for the person to learn. In an educational setting, this translates to the fact that the most effective way for students to learn is by actively analyzing the text instead of passively listening to lectures. Mer-

”

can seem tedious at first, as students have to leave enough time at home to learn the material and clarify areas of confusion. However, this can lead to students simply not completing the reading because they are already busy and might not have to submit any assignments based on it.

“Especially junior year, we don’t really have time to go learn on our own,” said Wang. “It feels lower priority, because there’s nothing you have to finish in time. You just have to read the textbook [and] take notes [...] versus if it’s an in-class lecture, you already have time blocked out for you to learn.”

While some classes can be flexible in regard to reading completion, classes like Advanced Placement United States History rely on content being learned before class due to the immense amount of information packed into little time.

“You only have so much time to jot down the specifics that you have to remember,” said Wang. “So it is very helpful to have a textbook that you can take detailed notes on, and then the teacher helps you remember it by giving you fun stories or pictures.”

Cupertino High School’s classrooms use a variety of teaching methods depending on the structure, subject and pace of the course. Flipped classrooms reverse the traditional method of in-class instruction and practice for homework, while blended classrooms use techniques from both. When choosing the right structure, it is essential to take both the course curriculum and student opinions into account

SPORTS

20 | DESIGNED BY REBECCA WAWDA

Sexualization Of Professional Athletes

NITYA DHULIPALA opinions editor

T

he line between admiration and objectification of athletes is increasingly blurring, turning players from competitors into celebrities, influencers and — at times — objects of obsession. While increased media coverage and popularity can showcase their talent, it also contributes to a problematic culture of hyper-sexualization.

While the sexualization of athletes has always been a concern, social media platforms have drastically expanded the issue. Many professional athletes’ fanbases are often driven not just by their skill but also by their appearance.

This

admiration frequently turns into objectification, reducing them to mere symbols of physical attraction rather than recognizing their talents and hard work.

A notable example of this issue surfaced when Alex Wennberg, a professional athlete who previously played for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League, became the subject of widespread online objectification. This controversy arose when TikTok’s BookTok community began using Wennberg as a fancast” for a fictional character in the hockey romance series “Jacksonville Rays,” fixating on him in violating ways. bi bla

The Kraken’s initial participa- lete. tion in the trend also raised conKournikova herself has spocerns about the role of organiza- ken about the harmful perception tions in enabling objectification. directly.

By engaging with this content and “Hey, there is nothing I can do providing a platto change people’s minds,” form for it, Kournikova said. the team “If they want YOU i n a d v e rJUST to see me SAW ALLY tently that way, TH F c o n HIM ANTASIZ EM SEX they UING IN C tributed will.

A NAPR R B to the OPRI ASS AN OUT ATE W D IN normalAYS. ization of this EMIL Y RA b e h a v i o r.

TH This controSomeversy also raised times, a larger concern w h e n about online communities I do great, treating athletes as untouch- it’s, ‘Oh, after all she can play,’ or, able figures rather than indi- ‘Finally she shows more than her viduals with personal lives looks. I mean, please!” and boundaries.

Despite her long-standing This problem is preva- career decorated with achievelent in more than just social me- ments, her case is a prime examdia platforms. Another example ple of how hypersexualization can of athlete objectification is seen influence public opinion and how with former professional tennis female athletes are marketed and player Anna Kournikova. Despite remembered.

Kournikova’s successful doubles Additionally, this hyper-sexucareer, where she reached No. alization prioritizes looks, popu1 in the world and won Grand larizing athletes who are convenSlam titles with her partner Mar- tionally attractive while sidelining tina Hingis, her legacy on the more skilled athletes who do not court is often overshadowed by fit beauty standards. This contribher off-court image. Media cov- utes to “pretty privilege,” where erage often focused on her looks aesthetic appeal unfairly influrather than her athletic skill, mak- ences who gets media attention, ing a fanbase more interested in sponsorships and fan admiration. her physical appearance than her For high school students, unmatches. Kournikova eventually derstanding how casual combecame one of the most recog- ments and seemingly harmless nized names in tennis during the fan edits contribute to the normallate 1990s and early 2000s, but for ization of objectification is crucial. degrading reasons.

While fandoms and appreciation Kournikova was consistently for athletes are natural, reducing ranked among the most searched them to their physical attractivewomen on the internet, and ads ness overshadows their contribuand magazines frequently played tions to their sport and often placup her sexuality. Even now, when es the individual in uncomfortable Kournikova is typed into a search positions engine, the title of “Model” appears before her career as an ath-

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Famous BookTok influencer Kierra Lewis made particularly inappropriate comments about Wennberg, some of which include her praying to be turned into ice so he could “glide” on her and urging him to “krack [her] back,” on a platform with over a million followers. This community on TikTok immediately coined the latter phrase and it became so widespread that his team itself eventually joined in on the trend.

However, both Wennberg and his wife, Felicia Wennberg, spoke out against the growing objectification. Mrs. Wennberg condemned the explicit comments on Instagram, stating that fans had overstepped many boundaries and were exhibiting predatory behavior.

Mr. Wennberg himself followed up with a statement emphasizing the personal toll this took on his family.

“The aggressive language about re a l l i f e players is too much,” Mr. Wennberg posted on his Instagram story. “It has turned into daily and weekly comments on our personal social media. This is not something we support or want our child to grow up with. All we ask for is a little respect and common sense moving forward. We can all take a joke and funny comments but when it turns personal and into something bigger that affects our family, we need to tell you that we’ve had enough.”

Even author Emily Rath disapproved of how some fans dramatically crossed the line.

“They weren’t treating him like a hockey player or even like a fictional boyfriend,” Rath said. “You just saw them sexually fantasizing about him in crass and inappropriate ways in a public forum.”

22 | THE PROSPECTOR

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH:

SAMYUKTHA KUMARAN

SHAONA DAS writer

W

have an off-season break. As a result, Kumaran hasfaced vario u s injuries that

have served as obstacles in her career.

“My two biggest [injuries] are when I sprained my ankle and had to be in a boot for three weeks, and the chronic back pain,” Kumaran said. “I can’t take a break long enough to heal from my back, specifically, because I do think that requires more attention. But if I miss longer than, like, two weeks of practice, it’s gonna be hard.”

Because of the injury-prone nature of the sport, navigating the anxiety that comes with the significant dangers of gymnastics has been a big part of Kumaran’s jour-

ney, particularly on beam.

“When it comes to beam and being that high off the floor, plus people watching every step of your move–because of this, the more afraid you get, the shakier you get, the more mistakes you make and the more deductions you get. So, it’s kind of a cycle that keeps going on with beam. But if I tune everything out and pretend it’s a practice, I end up doing better,” Kumaran said.

Since gymnastics takes years to develop conditioning and skill, there is a large stigma around starting at an older age, which guides the decision for most gymnasts to begin the sport during adolescence. As someone who hasn’t followed this track and started her gymnastics career later on, Kumaran con-

stantly works to break these boundaries by looking up to athletes who have broken this stigma, such as Simone Biles.

Despite such challenges, Kumaran has been able to persevere and succeed in her sports. She will be attending the Xcel Platinum Regional competition in early May, where she’ll be competing against athletes from all over California, Arizona and other neighboring states. She will then be competing in her final Central Coast Championships for CHS’s team

SPORTS | 23

hether flipping on a balance beam or dancing in rallies, Cupertino High School senior Samyuktha Kumaran has broken boundaries throughout her athletic career. Juggling club gymnastics, high school gymnastics, and a Bollywood dance team is a feat that Kumaran makes look easy.

Kumaran has trained in gymnastics since she was eight years old, but held a strong love for the sport even before officially starting classes.

“I’ve always liked gymnastics.

I was doing it before I was actually in classes — I would be swinging around the bars or doing cartwheels,” Kumaran said. “It’s just a passion. I’ve never felt like I had to put much effort to really like the sport, so dedicating nine hours of my time per week for it was not that hard.”

Kumaran began competing in club gymnastics as a high school freshman, spending one year at West Valley Gymnastics and later switching to Airborne, where she currently competes at the Xcel Platinum level. Kumaran recently competed in the State Championships, placing first on vault and beam and second on bars and floor.

Later that year, Kumaran also joined CHS’s varsity gymnastics team. She has qualified for the Central Coast Section playoffs every year since and won CHS’s Most Valuable Player as a junior.

This year, Kumaran joined CHS’s Bollywood dance team, Dhadkan — a decision motivated by her experience in the dance aspect of gymnastics.

“After three years of full routines from gymnastics, I realized that I liked dancing. In junior year, I did the [Homecoming] rally dances, and

when I did that again for senior year, I figured, ‘Why not do dance that’s closer to my roots?’ and Dhadkan was there,” Kumaran said.

Kumaran currently juggles all three experiences at once.

“I just don’t have free weekends anymore. I’m either at a competition for club gymnastics or I’m at a show for dhadkan,” Kumaran said. “I have morning practices, and then I have club gymnastics practices and school gymnastics practices. […] I definitely have been more tired in general.”

U n l i k e many extracurricular sports, club gymnastics doesn’t

WW

LIFESTYLES

How astrology is used to predict outcomes and influence personality from the positions of planets and stars media can lead to blind perceptions of others. People often latch onto zodiac signs as a reason or justification for certain behaviors, which play a central role in shaping relationships, careers, and lifestyles.

Astrology studies the movements of the planets, sun, moon and stars, which are widely believed to influence people’s life trajectory and determine their character. Astrology is based on the idea that a person’s behavior and

trological signs. Zodiac is a band in the sky that extends nine degrees on both sides of the ecliptic, which contain the orbits of the moon and planet. These orbits, based on someone’s time of birth, influence the astrological signs, known as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Although it is difficult to trace back to the origins of astrology due to its continual development, it was likely derived

personality traits are caused by a connection between the cosmos and human life. The interpretation of the movements of celestial objects is often used to determine the outcome of an event or moment, forecast earthly events and meddle in human affairs such as relationships, careers and personal wellness.

The astrological signs, or zodiac signs, are the signs that resonate with people’s traits. The 12 constellations in the ecliptic, the sun’s annual path, represent each of the 12 a s -

f r o m the mathematician and astronomer Claudius Ptolemy’s “Tetrabiblos,” published around the second century CE. Ptolemy used ideas from astronomy to divide the Earth’s 360-degree orbit around the sun into 12 30-degree sectors representing the different zodiacs, while also documenting the visible stars and constellations. “Tetrabiblos” helped standardize astrological ideas by being the first written work to explain how the planets and stars might influence people and events on Earth.

Each zodiac sign comes with stereotypes that are associated with certain personality traits.

However, these stereotypes can

NIMRIT GANDHI, SCARLETT GUY

“

copy editor | writer

24 | DESIGNED BY MIYA WIDMAN

Here are the top five most evil zodiac signs.” “If this is your zodiac, you are loyal.”

Many have come across these types of videos on social media, relying on astrology and the characteristics of zodiac signs to define personality traits. The spreading of misleading and unsupported information through popular

THE BURDEN OF CHOICE IS REALLY DIFFICULT, AND IN ITS WORST USAGE PEOPLE USE ASTROLOGY TO EITHER JUSTIFY BEHAVIORS OR AVOID BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING DECISIONS.

JENNY PADGETT

time of one’s birth do not have any proven influence on a person. Unlike biology or physics, astrology does not rely on testable hypotheses or experiments, causing it to face criticism from the scientific community for its inability to produce measurable results. However, some rely on synthetic materials like YouTube videos or Instagram reels made by unreliable sources to dictate their expectations of people’s characteristics. While these videos aren’t scientifically proven to be accurate, people tend to rely on such videos as a way of self-reflection and

greater self-understanding and awareness of one’s place in the universe.

Said Cupertino High School literature teacher Jenny Padgett, “We all want to feel like we have some special quality that connects us to something bigger, [...] and I think that for a lot of people who are interested in astrology, they feel a connection to the universe, [...] that there is some intentionality in the universe, that it isn’t completely random and meaningless.”

While people may use astrology as guidance and reassurance to predict future events and decisions, many believe it is a scam and doubt its legitimacy. The positions of celestial bodies at the

justification of certain decisions.

“I think sometimes the burden of choice is really difficult, and I think sometimes in its worst usage people use astrology to either justify behaviors or avoid being responsible for making decisions,” Padgett said. “Again, I don’t think that was ever really the intended purpose of it, but I think that for a lot of people who might find themselves using it that way, I think there’s a lot of burden that comes with responsibility of freedom and liberation and being responsible for the decisions we make.”

Many question the validity of

astrolo g y due to its lack of empirical scientific evidence.

Its core ideas cannot be conclusively proven wrong, which makes the subject difficult to test and refine through observation and experimentation. Critics argue that since astrology is based on arbitrary classification rather than verifiable data, it should simply be dismissed as fake.

As astrology gains popularity through social media, it is important to approach it cautiously and with the understanding that while it may offer personal insight and reassurance, it should not be used to create assumptions about human behavior or aid in

large decisions. Astrology’s value lies more in its ability to prompt introspection than in its power to foreshadow the future or set a certain standard of living

LIFESTYLES | 25

be harmful if taken too seriously.

People may judge others prematurely merely based on their zodiac sign, under the assumption that they know what traits and behaviors make up their personality.

Astrology can provide comfort to those who believe in it, offering a sense of clarity and predictability in an unpredictable world. Believing in zodiac signs can give people a framework to better understand themselves and their surroundings, calming anxiety associated with the unknown. They are also useful in helping identify strengths and weaknesses, creating a

Exploring the reality of “dupes” and their ethical and quality concerns KATIE MAK, CHLOE CHOE editor-in-chief | marketer

26 | THE PROSPECTOR

I

dentical appearance, near-matching functionality — yet vastly different prices. Why spend $150 on an authentic pair of shoes when the same satisfaction is achievable for just $20?

Sure, knockoffs do come with potential downsides — compromised durability, questionable safety and a hint of moral uncertainty. Nevertheless, the desire to experience luxury can be fulfilled without the hefty price tag. Welcome to the world of “dupes,” where “inspiration” comes with only a fraction of the price.

Dupes — short for duplicates — are products designed to replicate an original article without properly addressing the license and copying trademarks. While dupes offer an affordable alternative to many customers, their surge in popularity raises concerns about ethical ambiguity and quality. Throughout recent years, the total amount of counterfeit goods sold annually has exceeded $1.7 trillion, and counterfeit products have led to the loss of 2.5 million jobs worldwide.

American businesses

and customers have made the greatest contribution to the counterfeit market, purchasing over 60% of all products.

Dupes are created in two main forms: replicas and copycat designs. Replicas are deliberately designed to deceive customers by imitating genuine products.

Due to trademark infringement — theft of brands or logos, without authorized permission — and deception of consumers, replicas are considered unlawful. On the other hand, copycat designs involve appropriation of existing designs without explicitly duplicating trademarks or logos. Because they mimic the overall aesthetic more subtly, copycat designs often avoid legal repercussions.

Unlike music or literature, where plagiarism is strictly prohibited, fashion and design are not fully protected under United States copyright laws. The “Useful Article Doctrine” outlined by Section 101 of the Copyright Act states, “a useful article, in and of itself, does not enjoy copyright protection.”

The “Fair Use Doctrine” further underlines the permission for the use of copyrighted material under specific c i r-

cumstances.

Throughout the years, the neglect of this act has led to the surge of dupes, with consumers often taking pride in their involvement in dupe culture. Social media influencers, paid by the sellers of dupes, largely contribute to this shift in ethical practices.

By effectively advertising dupes, they succeed in garnering interest and reaching millions of fans worldwide. As a result, the use of influencer marketing plays a major role in completely shifting society’s attitude towards dupes and reducing counterfeit issues for brand owners. This creates the possibility of dupes becoming an acceptable standard.

Currently, the most problematic dupes of many industries are often copycat designs. Although companies are permitted to impose legal action against a product indistinguishable from their original brand, many of these dupes strategically navigate legal definitions, avoiding direct infringement.

Regardless of the unethicality and legal repercussions, dupes never fail to appeal to most consumers.

Dupes extend across a wide range of categories, including fashion, beauty, technology products and home goods. A shared attribute among these dupes is their effort to mimic high-end luxury brands and on-trend, sought-after items.

While the appeal of knockoffs is often associated with affordability as well, the underlying cognition of desiring such items can be illustrated through the psychology of human aspiration. The creation of dupes utilizes the psychological and natural behaviors of humans to attract more customers. According to a report on “The Psychology of Lookalikes”

by Ernie Bell, it is human instinct to immediately trust a product because of previous experiences with other products. In addition, some believe that certain dupes are produced by the same factories as the original products, further justifying the ethicality of counterfeit products.

Conversely, many concerns arise within dupes. They do not undergo the same thorough processes of testing and designing as the original products, and the labor conditions required to achieve desirable retail prices are concerningly harsh. Due to the extremely low price of dupes, suspicion is raised about the safety and quality of the products.

Human desires can be categorized into five levels of demands — basic needs, which encompasses survival

necessities, social desires, linked with the need of external validation and a sense of belonging, intellectual desires, also known as pursuit of knowledge, emotional desires, correlating with the need for love and recognition and transcendental desires, which are philosophical pursuits. Such consumer behavior derives from proximate causes, incorporating immedia t e social,

IT IS VITAL TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN ACCESSIBLE PRICE POINTS AND ETHICAL PRACTICES TO PRESERVE EACH DESIGNER’S ORIGINALITY AND ARTISTRY. CHLOE CHOE, KATIE MAK

LIFESTYLES | 27

cognitive and emotional explanations, identified by the evolutionary origins of behaviors.

According to the Journal of Marketing Research, consumer motivations for buying replicas are driven by social-adjustive and value-expressive instincts. Social-adjustive consumers, the target market of fraudulent industries, use luxury items to gain social approval. On the contrary, value-expressive consumers purchase luxury goods to express personal values, and are less likely to buy counterfeit products at the outset. For social-adjustive consumers, moral beliefs have a weak influence on the purchase of replicas. Because customers primarily make decisions

based on the desire to enhance their social status, their motivations easily override the negative moral beliefs about counterfeiting.

As the creation of dupes continues to grow, customers must take a step back and recognize the ethical implications and challenges that come with purchasing infringing products. While dupes are often alternatives to highend products, they perpetuate unethical practices, exploit creative labor and reflect a consumer culture focused simply on brand name and label rather than quality and functionality. In a world where creativity and monetary value come to meet, it is vital to maintain a balance between accessible price points and ethical practices to preserve each designer’s originality and artistry

POSTSCRIPT

CAPY-COMIC

A day in the life of a capybara attending Cupertino High School CATHY WU, ALEXANDER LIU

28 | DESIGNED BY ANSHIKA JAIN

online news editor | writer

POSTSCRIPT | 29

30 | THE PROSPECTOR

A staffer’s perspective of expectations versus realities of the high school experience

THE “PERFECT” HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AMRITA BRAR arts & culture editor

S

REPORT CARD

Biology

Geometry

A+

A+

time — whether it’s sharing a laugh with a friend you never expected to meet or getting an A on a test you thought you flunked. The definition of a “good,” “normal” or even “perfect” high school experience can be whatever you make of it. Your experience doesn’t need to fit a certain mold or fulfill specific criteria in order to be meaningful. I’ve come to realize that the “perfect” moment I’ve anticipated for so long, the one in which everything would finally align with the fantasies I held onto so dearly growing up, is nothing more than that — a fantasy. And that’s OK. Even though high school hasn’t been exactly what I had hoped for, life has forged on. I can’t reverse the clock or get a do-over, but I no longer want to.

This chapter of my life has been valuable in its own right and has taught me a multitude of lessons about myself. I know now that everyone I’ve met and everything I’ve been through, whether it’s been amazing or awful or something in between, has made me the person writing this today.

High school comprises four crucial years for us to learn about ourselves and the world around us, and everyone does that in different ways and at a different pace. I have made peace with the fact that trying to curate the perfect high school experience is an ultimately fruitless endeavor, and one that will only end in disappointment. What’s far more important is rolling with the punches and taking small victories where you can get them — after all, although the word “saudade” may not be universally understood, the ability to find happiness in the present moment certainly is

POSTSCRIPT | 31

Spanish A+ audade — an US History A+ untranslatable Business A+ A+ Phys Ed Portuguese word describing the feeling of nostalgia for experiences that will never happen, and an emotion I have grappled with incessantly over the past three years.

Entering high school at 14 with stars in my eyes, I had big dreams for the next four years of my life.

Throughout elementary and middle school, nearly every form of media that I consumed portrayed an idealized image of high school.

Books, movies, TV shows and music all contributed to the unrealistic standards constantly hammered into my young mind. Shows like “Girl Meets World” and book series like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” all emphasized the same things over and over: a best friend, a perfect relationship, straight-A grades. Over time, I began to believe that these were things I needed — checkboxes I needed to tick — in order to have an enjoyable high school experience.

After losing my dad right before sixth grade started, I barely had a moment to catch my breath before being thrown into the turbulence and isolation of the pandemic. In turn, my middle school years were fairly atypical. I spent most of them waiting for a new beginning, a fresh start — something high school had become synonymous with in my mind.

For me, high school was an opportunity for redemption — to live my teenage years to the full-

est and take back the childhood that had been somewhat lost.

Then freshman year began, and it was jarring to finally be somewhere that had always seemed so foreign. But high school wasn’t a different planet — no magical switch was flipped, nor did my circumstances completely transform. I found myself, not for the first time, wishing for something bigger and better than what I had. For years, I continued to desperately clutch onto the grandiose standards I had set for both myself and those around me, and I continued to be let down.

Now, at 16 and rapidly approaching my senior year, I’ve had to learn to adapt and slowly release my initial, rigid expectations. Often, popular media depicts high school as one of the best times of our lives and the days that we’ll miss when we’re older. With this in mind, I’ve spent much of the last three years trying to make the most of everything, constantly afraid that I’m running out of time to “fix” my high school experience before I graduate.

But as I clicked the red button to submit my course selection for the final time, I was no longer filled with the trepidation of the past — the heavy pressure to have this year be “the one,” the year where I got everything I wanted. Rather, I felt a renewed hope unfurling its petals inside of me: a deeply-rooted faith that even if my final year of high school isn’t perfect, it’ll turn out exactly the way it’s meant to be.

I now realize that it’s okay to feel like high school has been unfulfilling in ways — especially when you see others who seemingly achieve everything you want with ease. Over the past three years, I have created hundreds of core memories. Perfect moments exist everywhere around us all the