Issue 6 - April 2022

FEATURES

Lorem ipsum cole The Need For Speed sprouse tik tok at Tino pg. 12pg. 5

LIFESTYLES

Lorem ipsum cole Unnecessary SexualsprouseintikMedia tok p.pg.18 12 ization

Coach’s Impact on 16838 Athletes pg. 26

POSTSCRIPT

Letting ititGrow, column Letting Growaby

by Tanvee pg.30 9234 Tanvee SaiSaipg.

TITLE OF AN COMFORT ARTICLE CHARACTERS Examining attachment to our Subheading summarzing favorite fictional characters pg. 10 article content

ISSUE 6, VOL 64 63

SPORTS

IN THIS ISSUE

news

Cupertino Wins 2022 Finance

Innovation Award........................ 04 Science and Society.................... 06

opinions

Daylight Savings Time Survey..... 08 Comfort Characters vs. Morals....10

features

Alumni Update: Ryan Lee........... 13 The Need For Speed at Tino.......14 featuring Antonio Sena and Ricky Hernandez

lifestyles

Pixar’s Turning Red on Generational Trauma...................................... 16 Unnecessary Sexualization & Nudity in Media..................................... 18

investigations

Funding at Tino.......................... 20

sports

Athlete of the Month: Rexanne Walker........................................ 24 Coach’s Impact on Athletes........ 26

postscript COVER DESIGNED BY KATELYN CHU AND MEGHANA VINJAMURY

Guess That CHS Class............... 28 Column: Letting it Grow.............. 30

THE PROSPECTOR

STAFF

Junior Issue 6 2021-2022 editors-in-chief Katelyn Chu Meghana Vinjamury Saniya Laungani

photo editor Evan Lu online editors Olivia Hwang Rajasi Laddha Rishita Shah Sania Mehta

news editor Soha Roy opinions editor Caroline Cheng features editor Lisa Zivanic lifestyles editor Natalie Chen investigations editor Prithika Sundar sports editor Tanvee Sai postscript editor Jolie Han copy editors Norman Chow Taruna Anil Theresa Nguyen

business manager Kevin Jia writers Anand Ashar, Arnav Vishwakarma, Arushi Arora, Avi Pandit, Dhruv Kerai, Henry Ma, Jenny Wu, Joan Thyagarajan, Juliet Shearin, Jun Kim, Kavya Kaushal, Kriti Kaushal, Megumi Ondo, Raissa Ji, Sonia Patil, Vishal Shenoy, Slava Miroshnichenko 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.

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

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dear Reader, We welcome you to join us for the ride that is Issue 6.

Foot on the gas pedal, Vishal Shenoy, Dhruv Kerai and Soha Roy kick off the race, detailing the stories of Tino car enthusiasts Ricky Hernandez and Antonio Sera on page 12. Picking up speed, Lisa Zivanic features Ryan Lee, who now designs formula SAE race cars after graduating from Tino.

However, sometimes we encounter roadblocks or end up crashing on the road. Tanvee Sai writes about their journey to accepting their body hair and femininity as it is, in the article “Letting It Grow” on page 30. Staffers Kavya Kaushal and Rajasi Laddha give a voice to athletes as they describe the impact coaches have had on them. Coaches are like airbags—while some support athletes, others misfire at inappropriate times, causing harm instead.

But don’t be misled—not all races entail cars, pit crews and the smell of burnt tires. Others involve sitting comfortably on your couch, binging season after season of a show and (—metaphorically) sprinting to the finish line with a bag of popcorn in hand.

As such, Prithika Sundar and Sania Mehta examine our beloved comfort characters on page 10 and the morals surrounding them.

As we approach the end of the school year, the finish line is in sight. We hope this issue provides the tiny boost you need to make it through the final leg.

Sincerely, Katelyn Chu, Saniya Laungani and Meghana Vinjamury

NEWS

Cupertino Wins the 2022 Innovation award Cupertino’s innovation targeted toward improving fiscal transparency ARNAV VISHWAKARMA writer

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4 | DESIGNED BY SOHA ROY

he City of Cupertino recently won the 2022 Innovation Award for its financial transparency and many tools available to residents, factors that can significantly affect how one engages with their city and their quality of life in it.

The Innovation Award was presented to Cupertino by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, and “recognizes innovation in public sector finance in a variety of areas, including accounting, treasury, and procurement”.

Essentially, the award is a yearly occurrence that recognizes and ultimately encourages public sectors such as cities, districts or counties to be innovative in managing and being transparent with their finances. The City of Cupertino was one of three winners in 2022, receiving the award for two tools it created for citizens to gain a deeper understanding of how their taxes are used.

The first of the two tools is

a tax calculator for residents, allowing citizens to see the breakdowns of approximately how much they pay in tax and ultimately how this revenue is spent. The tool starts off by prompting users to estimate their spending on items with sales tax, followed by a chart displaying how that sales tax is split up between different bodies of government. From the 9% of tax that citizens pay on goods, the 11% that Cupertino receives is then broken down into specific categories that the revenue is spent on. Categorizing it into revenue by service and expense shows citizens exactly where

each year, for the next 10 years, depending on city expenditures.

Users can also pick from a list of special projects that they believe would be beneficial to the city, which provides insight into the difficulty of financing them.

Said CSMFO Creative Director David Garrison, “By illustrating the tradeoffs of each option, the [tool] promotes informed discussion on how the city can chart a fiscally sustainable course.”

Promoting informed discussion is something that ultimately benefits both citizens and the government in improving the city. Citizens are able to easily see how the money from relatively high tax rates are spent, as well as gain an understanding of the difficulty of balancing budgets which can make for more efficient input at “By places such as town hall illustrating meetings. of These eoffs trad the t o o l s each option, the [tool] come in addition promotes informed discussion to the the array of on how reports city can chart a already provided fiscally sustainable course.” on the c i t y ’s - David Garrison tor Direc w ebsite, tive Crea CSMFO all of which aid in informing citizens and helping the city b e c o m e a better place to live

NEWS | 5

and how the money from their sales tax is allocated, increasing transparency.

The tax calculator also includes a property tax calculator that organizes estimated property tax values into categories of expenditure.

Most of this money goes towards education and county services, with the rest going directly back to the city’s pool from sales tax.

The second tool is a budgeting forecast tool, which demonstrates to users the process of balancing the city budget and allocating spending.

This tool poses the situation of the city expecting deficits over the next decade yet is still over 120 million dollars in expense requests.

With a list of various taxes and options on how to increase them over time, users can gain insight into the major revenue streams of the city. It also poses additional taxes that the city could impose, such as the parcel tax the city has previously attempted to pass.

These tools visualize the magnitude of how Cupertino’s budget will be impacted

Science and Society A prospective project-based science course for FUHSD students SLAVA MIROSHNICHENKO

6 | THE PROSPECTOR

writer

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tarting in the 2022-2023 that is heavy on the engagement, important.”

Before a school can school year, schools within relevance, and project bases, as the Fremont Union High opposed to just ‘here comes some implement a science class, it must School District will be offering more content,’” Cupertino High first be approved as a University a new science course that School science teacher Andrew of California lab science course. will entice the more hands-on Goldenkranz said. Alongside However, compared to many students. In this new course, providing a more diverse science previous classes, this course was approved relatively called “Science and quickly. “What was kind Society”, students will dive of pleasantly surprising deeper into specific topics [SCIENCE AND SOCIETY WILL] was that the course [...] and attempt to solve PROVIDE A NON-AP LEVEL CLASS was approved in twentycomplex problems ranging THAT IS HEAVY ON THE ENGAGEMENT, four hours, which is from the world’s water RELEVANCE, AND PROJECT BASES, something I have never consumption to the ethics AS OPPOSED TO JUST ‘HERE seen happen. Usually it of gene modification.

COMES SOME MORE CONTENT.’ takes months to get some These classes hope to approved,” Goldenkranz create an environment ANDREW GOLDENKRANZ said. This is not a where students can fully common occurrence explore topics without when trying to introduce the fear of getting the classes. wrong answer, as While the district has not most of the time, the curriculum, the class intends questions asked in to appeal to students who have held any trial runs for this class, these classes do previously failed a science there will be some problems not have a set course or students who have that teachers will have to face. solution. taken two years of science and For the teachers that may not W h i l e want a change of pace for their have studied or taught certain subjects before, the current d i f f e r e n t third year. districts The course will follow the Next solution is for them to write and m a y Generation Science Standards, exchange lesson plans with c h a n g e which act as a guideline for other teachers familiar with those t h e project-based classes across subjects so that they can get a n a m e the country. These standards general understanding of the of the require the curriculum to teach topic. The course will encounter c o u r s e topics in physical science, life problems, but with time, the department hopes as the science, planetary science and science upcoming engineering. A model classroom to solve and further refine the school year will have students research and course. The best solution to this develop solutions to problems problem would be finding and approaches, that seem interesting to them. selecting the right teachers to Cupertino High Said Goldenkranz, “The key teach the course.

“When you look for good School will be [idea] we refer to is ‘student sticking with the voice and choice,’ [...] It is based teachers, you want people name “Science around things that students who have a sense of curiosity and Society.” express an interest in with and imagination, and you want “[Science and Society respect to a phenomenon, rather people who can relate to kids.” will] provide a non-AP level class than what the teacher decides is Goldenkranz said

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NEWS | 7

OPINIONS

DAYLIGHT 27.5% SAVING TIME

are pleased with the proposed change to make daylight saving time permanent *According to a survey of 200 students

CHS students’ opinions on the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent in the US starting 2023 CAROLINE CHENG | JOLIE HAN opinions editor | postscript editor

36.5%

believe that this change will moderately affect them

8 | DESIGNED BY CAROLINE CHENG

*According to a survey of 200 students

45 % heard about this change from the survey 26.5 % heard about this change from an online news source 25 % heard about this change from a friend or family 3.5 % heard about this change from another source *According to a survey of 200 Cupertino High School students

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IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, ONE HOUR [...]

DOESN’T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, [THOUGH IT] COULD MAKE LIFE SAFER FOR SOME PEOPLE.

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INSTEAD OF SWITCHING TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS PERMANENTLY, WE SHOULD BE SWITCHING TO NORMAL PST TIME.

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OPINIONS | 9

h h h

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[THIS CHANGE MAKES IT] EASIER FOR ME TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS WHO [LIVE] IN JAPAN.

COMFORT VS. CHARACTERS

MORALS

10 | THE PROSPECTOR

Exploring the positives and negatives of relating closely to your favorite fictional character

PRITHIKA SUNDAR | SANIA MEHTA investigations editor | website editor

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COMFORT CHARACTERS CAN BE PERCEIVED AS IDEALISTIC WHEN THEY ARE JUST AS REAL AS THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU.

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character who loves books, working hard and is not inherently a social butterfly.

On the flip side, retaining a comfort character can harbor detrimental effects when an individual is too engrossed in the fantasy. Relying heavily on these characters to get through difficult moments is a great risk of emotional and psychological harm, especially when the main character is killed or when the real-world actor is nothing like the character they portray. Cases such as this – when the character becomes the only source of comfort in a person’s life – can lead to a highly unhealthy attachment for the person and dissociation from real-world experiences.

Often, the show’s writers conceal the fatal flaws of the comfort characters with the lead’s characterization, a primary example being the show Gossip Girl. A protagonist in the show, Chuck Bass, makes multiple unforgivable decisions, such as committing sexual assault and being a pathological liar. However, due to Bass being in an on-and-off

relationship with another protagonist, Blair Waldorf, the show mainly revolves around their love story, hardly acknowledging his blunders.

Since Bass is in a relationship with the lead, all of his previous decisions are brushed off, as he has somehow “redeemed himself” by becoming a better man for his significant other.

Similarly, HBO Max’s Euphoria is widely known for containing characters that viewers relate to, whether the relation is with their positive or negative aspects. A majority of the individuals in Euphoria considered fan-favorites are constantly defended for any immoral decisions they make. One example of this is Cassie Howard’s character, who has turned from a fan favorite to quite the opposite. Yet, some viewers justify her actions because they can connect to the insecurities she regularly encounters, bringing a sense of closeness between the viewer and Howard. From this example, we can discern how when viewers can comprehend what a character is feeling, it becomes simpler for them to regard that character in only a positive light.

There has been discussion about why harboring a comfort character is ultimately adverse; nevertheless, if it brings no harm, people should be permitted to bear a clandestine world between themselves and a character they resonate with. Is this not the entire purpose of a character in the first place? Characters, stories and plotlines are carefully curated to impart a message around something much bigger than themselves. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential liabilities of completely engrossing yourself in such a clandestine world. Comfort characters can be perceived as idealistic when they are just as real as the person next to you. In fear that these characters will lose their “comfort,” their harmful actions often remain unaddressed by the viewers or the television shows themselves

OPINIONS | 11

myriad of television shows and movies contain that singular character who immediately clicks. Someone who makes identical decisions, operates the same, converses the same and lives such strikingly similar experiences that you start glimpsing yourself in them.

You begin to associate with them as a means of finding consolation in them, hence coining the term “comfort characters.”

These characters exist to be somebody to relate to or inspire their viewers. They exist, in part, because many individuals do not have parents, companions or other social confidants they can seek solace in. When people feel lonely, watching these characters lets them identify with someone else’s struggles and follow them to the end of their journey — ultimately allowing the individual to find consolation in them.

While these characters can make shows entertaining, potential detriments surface if an individual becomes too affixed. Connecting to a character portrayed in the media guides individuals to solely view them through a favorable lens.

When this character makes a morally-wrong decision, many tend to brush it off, as the positives that the viewer connects to often outweigh the negatives.

Psychologist Karen Dill-Shackleford, Ph.D., a psychologist and member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, conducted research on this phenomenon. The research states how having a comfort character could indicate an above-average empathy level and a tendency to have stronger emotions.

Additionally, studies have shown that these characters can motivate and enhance people’s everyday lives, whether it comes to deci-

sion-making, improving their relationships and more.

Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls is a prime candidate of this. If viewers require motivation for school, want an escape into small-town living or desire a close relationship with their parents, this show provides them with all of the above. ​Rory struggles with life from relationships, making poor decisions, quitting school and struggling to find a job. She faces situations similar to the real world, making it effortless to associate with her. It is rather refreshing to observe a

12 | DESIGNED BY LISA ZIVANIC

FEATURES

LISA ZIVANIC features editor

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yan Lee has been up to a lot since his departure from Tino. After graduating in 2015, he has proven that staying consistent with hobbies pays off.

Not only has he interned at Tesla’s quality engineering department working on the Model S Plaid, but he has also driven and designed formula SAE race cars for Spartan Racing at San José State University.

Said Lee, “Starting in middle school, I was super into [radio control] airplanes.

I was building my own from scratch and I probably put thousands of dollars into the hobby itself. So I was super into aerospace. [...] I was into it before the whole big drone mass hobbyists came in.”

Although he now works with cars, they were initially his side hobby. Driving his cousin’s BMW M3 was what first sparked his interest. Said Lee, “My whole dad’s side of the family is into racing. So I kind of looked a little bit into autocrossing. I was into cars as well.

This is one of the reasons I joined formula SAE and joined the aerodynamics team.” Autocrossing is a timed competition in which drivers have to navigate a racetrack comprised of traffic cones and it is focused on demonstrating the handling capabilities of cars more than just straight-line speed.

Lee later went on to spend three years as an Aerodynamics designer for Spartan Racing, having designed Spartan Racers 9, 10 and 11. Said Lee, “All three years I was doing side pods and underbody, so in Formula One that’s the

holes or the little pods on the side of the car between the front and rear tires that take in air to cool the radiator, so the radiators are housed within them. And that is also [...] used to create downforce on the car. The more downforce you have on the vehicle, the harder it pushes down on the car and it means you get more grip.” In fact the most expensive, exotic hypercars create hundreds of pounds of downforce, such as a Ferrari LaFerrari.

During the pandemic’s peak, Lee interned for 10 months at Tesla to work on the Model S Plaid, the company’s highest performing version of its flagship sedan — and the quickest accelerating car currently in production — before leaving to complete his masters.

Said Lee, “[In] quality, we’ll look into that and be like, ‘How can we improve

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[AS AN INTERN], THE TESLA MODEL S PLAID WAS MY ENTIRE JOB. RYAN LEE

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this?’ and what are the weak spots in the production process for the design that needs to be adjusted.” In particular, Lee worked on closures within the Model S Plaid chassis, meaning that he worked on anything with metal that could swing open.

In regards to his time at Tino, Lee felt that his classes adequately prepared him for the rigor of college courses. Said Lee, “I took AP Physics C with Mr. Williams and Physics Honors. And then I also took

Calc AB with Ms. Jaehnig. I’d say those classes actually mimicked college pretty well. [Arguably], AP Physics at Cupertino High School is more difficult than engineering physics at San José State. Just because a lot of people [at] Cupertino High School [who] take AP Physics [...] know what they want to do [...] whereas the people in SJSU who take physics, they need to take it [in order to graduate] so they haven’t gone hardcore into it.”

One of the key benefits of working on fast cars is that you get to drive them.

While the Tesla Model S P100D in Ludicrous Mode was the quickest car that he has ever driven, going 0–60mph in 2.28 seconds, Lee notes that he has experienced even more thrilling rides. Said Lee, “the Formula SAE car is probably the most exhilarating I’ve been in because I’ve driven Lamborghinis and Ferraris but the Formula SAE car definitely pulls the hardest. [...] It’s insane because the tires are super sticky. So once you make a turn, your head smacks the side of the headrest because it’s super hard.

Since the [Formula SAE] car only weighs 420lbs, the car can go from 0–60mph in 3.2 seconds.”

His advice to students interested in going into aerospace engineering and other competitive fields in the workforce, is to do their research. Said Lee, “If you know what you want to major in [...] take a look at the job descriptions and see what skills they want, and then it’s up to you in four years to sculpt yourself into the person that they want to hire ”

ALUMNI UPDATE

RYAN LEE PHOTO | Ashwin Viswesvaran

FEATURES | 13

Cupertino High School class of 2015 graduate shares his experience racing and designing Formula SAE cars and Teslas.

ANTONIO SENA VISHAL SHENOY | DHRUV KERAI writer | writer

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14 | THE PROSPECTOR

enior Antonio Sena embraces his Italian heritage through his car: a 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth. On the weekends, Sena can be spotted at Bay Area “Cars and Coffee” events or local car meets.

Sena earned the funds to purchase his car by working for his uncle in San Diego this past summer. Said Sena, “We were building airplane parts and construction […] I was there for about a month.”

Sena’s passion for cars stems from his family of gearheads. Said Sena, “Both of my parents had sports cars when I was young. I also have other family members, like my uncles and grandparents, who were all into cars. That certainly helped.”

Sena’s favorite part about the Abarth is its manual transmission. Said Sena, “I [initially] wanted an older Japanese car […] but I really just wanted a manual car because it is a lot more fun than an automatic.” His current dream car is

PHOTO | Rishita Shah

an FD Mazda RX-7, one of the most celebrated JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars ever released. “It is so cool that the car was made in the early 1990s and looks like a car that would be made today,” added Sena.

Said Sena, “Most of [the car]

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IF YOU MEET [CAR ENTHUSIASTS], THEY WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED.

ANTONIO SENA

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is stock. I have a weighted shifter in it, which makes shifting a lot easier. I also have a roof rack because I go surfing.”

In the future, Sena plans to continue modifying his car. “I would like to build it as a daily but also a car I can take to the mountains,” said Sena.

“I would like to do coilovers to lower the car and have better turning performance and add an

intake to it. I would love to do a lot with the car, but it’s expensive,” Sena said. A common problem that most car enthusiasts in high school face is affording modifications. Sena plans to pay for modifications by securing a job, adding that he plans on applying for different jobs and working over the summer.

The Bay Area car community is inclusive to high schoolers.

Said Sena, “Sometimes people meet up behind T4. Those people really helped me when I was first getting into cars, just planning out builds and mods for the car.”

For CHS students interested in engaging with car culture, Sena recommends following Instagram pages such as @bayareacarmeets to learn about local events. Said Sena, “If you meet [car enthusiasts], they will tell you everything you need to know to get started ”

RICKY HERNANDEZ SOHA ROY news editor

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upertino High School Senior Ricardo “Ricky” Hernandez can be caught cruising his red 1994 Chevy Silverado around Main Street and Stevens Creek. Hernandez has maintained an interest in improving his truck and spends time customizing it to his liking. He funds this passion by taking up private gigs with his band.

Once Hernandez acquires parts for modification, he spends roughly three hours working on his car. Said Hernandez, “[The car] is a work in progress.

After it’s ready cosmetically, I’m gonna start putting in work for the mechanical stuff,” in an interview conducted by Vishal Shenoy and Dhruv Kerai.

His favorite modification at the moment is his side exhaust, to which he added a Super 10 muffler and cut the pipes to the side. These modifications will release additional horsepower and torque from the engine while amplifying the sound at full throttle. In addition to his exhaust and muffler, Hernandez has modified his car’s audio system and digital display. In the future, Hernandez hopes to freshen up the paint on his car and switch out his current 4.3 liter V6 engine with a Chevrolet Corvette-based LS3 engine –– another performance enhanc-

ing addition considering that the Corvette is one of the fastest cars available.

Hernandez finds inspiration for his work through Instagram. Said Hernandez, “I used to see trucks like that and I was like, ‘Dude, I want one so bad.’ So I think I just got myself into it and little by little –– I’m just learning stuff.”

When asked about the car community at CHS, said Hernandez, “There’s

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[WHEN] YOU RUSH THINGS, IT’S NOT GONNA COME OUT GOOD. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS TO JUST TAKE YOUR TIME ON IT.

RICKY HERNANDEZ

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a little bit of competition just because you wanna have the nicest car –– the loudest car, and fastest car –– but everyone’s pretty cool. One of my buddies, Antonio, works on his car too and I tell him ‘Oh, do this, do that –– it’ll look cool’ and stuff like that. So it just goes both ways.”

Hernandez hopes to further improve his truck and potentially pursue another project car to fix, sell or keep and pass on to his family. Hernandez has always wanted a lowrider, a customized car that narrowly clears the ground, with his top choice being the 1964 Impala.

For Hernandez, who prefers American muscle over imported cars, his dream car would be a Dodge Hellcat Challenger with a wide body. Said Hernandez, “In the JDM scene, people are like, ‘Oh turbo this, turbo that.’ But to be honest, I’m not really a turbo guy. I would use a blower –– like a supercharger.” A supercharger is an air compressor that is driven by the engine gears, whereas a turbocharger is powered by a turbine that is reliant on the exhaust stream.

Hernandez recommends students interested in car culture learn from Youtube and work with their local car mechanic, much like Hernandez himself.

Said Hernandez, “Don’t rush things. [When] you rush things, it’s not gonna come out good. The most important part is to just take your time on it ”

PHOTO | Rishita Shah

FEATURES | 15

www

LIFESTYLES

TURNING RED ON GENERATIONAL TRAUMA

Examining the themes of immigrant generational trauma present in Pixar’s latest release NATALIE CHEN lifestyles editor

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16 | DESIGNED BY NATALIE CHEN

eing the child of an immigrant family plays a central role in one’s identity, although often in elusive ways. In particular, cultural and generational differences between parent and child often result in different views regarding a parent’s role in a child’s life. This familial and identificatory struggle is intimate for many students at Cupertino High School; with much of the popula-

GRAPHIC | Disney

tion coming from immigrant backgrounds, Pixar’s Turning Red can hit uncomfortably close to home. However, seeing ourselves portrayed on-screen also allows us to develop a deeper understanding of our own conflict.

The above phenomenon has been progressively prevalent in American media as diversity is increasingly demanded. With the releases of Coco (2017), Soul (2020) and Encanto (2021), Pixar’s attempts to highlight the experiences of minorities are both obvious and appreciated. Pixar’s latest movie, Turning Red, is no different. Following a young Asian-Canadian’s coming of age as she maneuvers through familial expectations and individuality, the movie highlights the intergenerational trauma faced by children of immigrants and its deep-rooted causes. By highlighting conflicts in media, c o n -

sumers who are able to relate to its characters can draw parallels between their personal experiences, allowing for a deeper understanding and clarity of generational issues.

Domee Shi’s semi-autobiographical film is set in Toronto, Canada, home to one of the largest immigrant communities in the world. The movie follows young protagonist Meilin “Mei” Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who runs a temple with her family. Mei’s life takes a sudden turn when she discovers her ability to transform into a giant red panda upon experiencing extreme emotions, which, paired with her overbearing mother Ming, results in conflict as Mei navigates through the fluctuations of adolescence. The overriding themes of parental expectations and generation trauma are familiar ones, especially for children of immigrants, and watching Mei’s struggles of finding herself at the disapproval of Ming can be all too familiar. Though, Pixar untangles the mother-daughter relationship masterfully; in a dramatic climax involving a spiritual journey at a boy-band concert, Mei breaks the cycle of generational trauma by standing up to Ming, something neither Ming nor her sisters were able to do to Mei’s grandma.

While Ming is portrayed as the to maintain a close relationship unlike main antagonist throughout the film, that with her mother. Mei is finally able it is apparent that she herself is a vic- to break this cycle of generational tim of generational trauma borne from trauma by standing up to her mothunhealthy parental expectations. She er through her embracement of the is introduced as the stereotypical he- red panda. In accepting it rather than licopter parent; critical, domineering, viewing it as a curse to be broken, Mei also acand most of cepts her own all overbearindividuality ing, going THE REASON WHY TURNapart from as far as to ING RED IS SO MONUMENTAL her mother. publicly conWhile Mei’s reIS ITS PORTRAYAL OF PARENTS front a teenlationship with age boy after AS FLAWED AND VULNERABLE her mother is finding Mei’s PEOPLE INSTEAD OF PERFECT the focal point lust-induced BEINGS of her story, fanart. HowMei’s father ever, upon Jin also plays receiving a a critical role in her acceptance of phone call from her grandmother, her panda.

He appears timid and the audience sees a different, more vulnerable side of Ming. The Ming compliant, often talked over by Ming onscreen is almost juvenile in her at- in regards to Mei’s panda. However, tempts to avoid the telephone, and Jin’s words towards Mei are always when she finally picks up everything meaningful—on the night of the rituis suddenly crystal clear; Grand- al, he shows Mei her camcorder and ma Wu is critical, domineering, and reminds her of the joyful times she most of all overbearing as she an- spent with her friends and her panda. nounces her sudden arrival to support Mei following her disastrous first day at school post-transformation.

PROPER REPRESENMing is a splitting image of both her TATION OF IDENTITY IS mother and daughter, illustrating her deep-rooted contention as a victim CRITICAL FOR ADOLESof an overly stringent upbringing. In CENTS FINDING THEIR this way, generation trauma is never WAY IN THE WORLD dissipated but only passed on. However damaging, what we are taught is sometimes all we know; even the most beautiful scenery turns ugly when looked through a distorted lens. Without Jin’s words, Mei likely would Ming’s overwhelming parental have committed to the ritual instead tactics are a result of her own un- of embracing it. Although inexplicit, resolved trauma with Mei’s grand- his inclusion in the movie is a refreshmother, Grandma Wu. Grandma Wu ing reminder of what it means to be a is strict, disapproving, and cold to- supportive parent.

The reason why Turning Red is wards Ming. Later, Mei learns that the reason behind their tense relationship is Grandma Wu’s disapproval of Mei’s father, Jin. Ming’s tendencies to micro-manage Mei’s life can be traced back to her distant relationship with Grandma Wu; by forc- ing herself into her daughter’s life, she attempts

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LIFESTYLES | 17

GRAPHIC | Eva Bee

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so monumental is its portrayal of parents as flawed and vulnerable people instead of perfect beings. It is easy to idolize our parents, especially ones from immigrant backgrounds who left everything behind for bigger opportunities; It’s only natural to want to live up to their expectations, however high or unrealistic. However, Turning Red also teaches us the importance of celebrating ourselves outside of any parental influence: as Mei said, “Honoring your parents sounds great, but if you take it too far, well, you might forget to honor yourself.”

Turning Red’s take on the difficult topics of generational trauma and identity is highly successful in the way that many children can relate to the themes, whether they come from immigrant backgrounds or not. Seeing these issues represented in media allows us to better understand relationships in our own lives, and help resolve conflict without assigning blame. In a time of self-discovery, proper representation of identity is critical for adolescents finding their way in the world

UNNECESSARY SEXUALIZATION & NUDITY IN MEDIA

18 | THE PROSPECTOR

A look into the influence of the male gaze on mainstream media

MEGHANA VINJAMURY print editor-in-chief

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hile watching season two of the HBO TV show “Euphoria,” viewers cannot help but notice the prevalence of nudity and sexualization throughout. What makes “Euphoria” particularly disconcerting, however, is that almost all sexualized characters are minors. Although TV shows portraying teen

the point where it’s like, ‘He goes to the mall, shirtless,’ and you’re like, ‘Why?’” But this doesn’t just apply to “Euphoria”. The extensive use of nudity and sexualization is also detrimental to young actors. The actors from the show “Skins” were barely over 18 years old when they were cast for roles with multiple sex scenes. Said actress Laya Lewis,

or create complex characters, but to display their bodies for the pleasure of men. As teenagers and young adults become more

sexuality is noth“I turned 18 right at the acquainted with ing new, beginning of filming, so I just had so this narrative,it becomes mass media many more sex scenes than everyone self-perpetuating: young men behas recently else. My first day was a sex scene.” come accustomed to seeing women reflected this far more explicitly.

“Euphoria” takes place in a US Some of the actors mentioned being as objects for their visual enjoyment. traumatized due to The continuous sexual depiction of high school where most THE CONTINUOUS the immense pres- female characters normalizes wommain characSEXUAL DEPICTION OF FE- sure and toxicity sur- en being objectified. A 2018 analyrounding the sets of sis by USC Annenberg of the 1,100 ters are clearly MALE CHARACTERS NOR“Skins” before filming most popular films found that 35.9% under 18 years MALIZES WOMEN BEING certain scenes as of female roles for ages 13 to 20 had old. Although OBJECTIFIED well. Lewis alleged some nudity. In contrast, only 9.6% of actress Sydney that actors were male roles featured any nudity.

Sweeney is an While audiences are led to beadult, she portrays Cassie Howard, questioned about their weight and a minor whose breasts are repeat- had been urged to skip meals ahead lieve that the sexualization of women edly shown throughout the show. of beachwear and bikini shoots, di- is a norm, actors are affected by powSweeney resisted some nude scenes rections that may have been hard to er dynamics within their sets, finding it which she deemed excessive. Said oppose given the age and power dif- difficult to reject scenes where nudity seems excessive.

Sweeney, “There are moments where ferences on set.

The overwhelming Cassie was supposed to be shirtless, Said Lewis, “[We prevalence of sexand I would tell [show creator Sam were told to] one35.9% OF FEMALE ualization and nuLevison], ‘I don’t really think that’s by-one stand in ROLES FOR AGES 13 TO a room with just dity in media is furnecessary here.’”

20 HAD SOME NUDITY ther ingraining the Jacob Elordi, the actor for Nate us [in a bikini or (USC 2018) and male gaze in the Jacobs in “Euphoria,” voiced a sim- swimwear] film industry which ilar opinion on movies where he por- the creator of the trayed a minor. In an interview with show, who was male and a lot older is not only detrimental to the youngEllen DeGeneres, Elordi noted that than we were, and be told whether we er audiences, but also to the actors actors “have no choice” when pre- looked good or not, good enough to themselves sented with a script that prompts film in Morocco.”

Historically, popular media has explicit scenes. Said Elordi, “I’ve done some movies where it gets to used women not to further show plots

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LIFESTYLES | 19

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INVESTIGATIONS

20 l DESIGNED BY PRITHIKA SUNDAR

FUNDING AT CUPERTINO

CLUBS

Exploring the funding process that allows clubs on campus to grow

KAVYA KAUSHAL writer

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clubs are encouraged to apply for.

All budget requests and fundraiser requests are passed by the entire ASB class, published in public meeting minutes that students can find on Cupertino ASB’s website.

All these practices are implemented to ensure clear transparency so that all internal decisions are fair and available to the entire Cupertino student body.

When ASB partners with clubs during history weeks and other momentous celebrations, they support the club with various resources, such as mics, media, and other items. Most of ASB’s contributions are non-financial. Said an anonymous ASB member, “[ASB] cannot be biased towards certain clubs as we do not have enough funds to support them all.”

However, there have been discrepancies in how some clubs have been financially treated compared to others during official partnerships. Though coming from an unofficial club, South Asian Heritage Association’s (SAHA) Holi event was funded entirely through the support of Cupertino High’s principal, Kami Tomberlain. Women Empowerment Association’s (WEA) Women History Month Celebration Week did not receive any monetary support, although their Trivia in the Quad event was provided with chip packets from ASB’s previous events. Black Student Union’s (BSU) Black History Month was the only club col- laboration that received

full financial backing from ASB. When talking about this decision, said ASB Treasurer Yoto Kim, “BSU is a special case in that they weren’t established and, therefore, didn’t have the fundraising power to make an event like this happen.” BSU became inactive due to a lack of members to complete the assignments necessary to be considered active, according to the Cupertino Club Constitution.

When reactivated this year, BSU could not utilize the hundreds of dollars they once had raised. All Associated Student Bodies in California must abide by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT). According to the FCMAT’s Official Revised Handbook, “If a club becomes inactive […] the remaining funds would revert to [ASB] unless the club’s constitution or a decision made by students before the club became inactive provides specific instructions to do otherwise.” Currently, the general club constitution holds no clauses related to supporting reactivating clubs clause, which is why ASB was obliged to fund BSU’s events.

Said an anonymous CHS club president, “If [ASB] gives us funds, they are setting a precedent for anyone to ask them for money. ASB probably does not have enough money for that […] Nevertheless, there should be a different financial plan if a club officially partners with ASB ”

INVESTIGATIONS | 21

upertino’s Associated Student Body (ASB) strives to ensure the best experience for every Tino student. Each student is encouraged to join clubs, allowing them to explore niche interests, discover new activities, and create safe spaces for smaller communities on campus, but clubs would not exist without money. Without any monetary backing, it becomes difficult for clubs as most of them require some financial transaction — whether fundraising for a nonprofit organization, paying membership dues or buying materials for weekly meetings.

The intricate procedures all clubs, old and new, must comply with are strictly enforced and routinely updated by ASB’s club commissioners.

Every official club has a bank account that starts with no money.

Considering that most clubs do not need much money to keep themselves afloat, this poses no significant concern.

Club commissioners emphasize the various opportunities to increase club funds through official fundraisers both on-campus and off-campus alongside monthly PTSA grants that

RENOVATION

Funding that goes towards renovation and restructuring the campus RAISSA JI writer

18 | THE PROSPECTOR 22 l THE PROSPECTOR

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oming back from a remote school year in 2021, Cupertino High School students were shocked to see a sleek, remodeled campus awaiting them.

From the revamped baseball field to the electric vehicle charging stations, the new facilities have made CHS a better environment for students to learn and play.

As the sounds of drilling and hammering continue to echo throughout the hallways, students might begin to wonder: where is all this money coming from, anyway?

Funding for renovations at CHS come from bond measures, which are voted on by the residents living in the boundaries of the school district. For example, in November 2018, Bond Measure CC, a $275 million school bond, was passed to build 127 new classrooms district-wide and retouch the 400 remaining classrooms across all five FUHSD schools. “We have been very lucky that the community has supported us [...] with these bond measures for the past few years,” said CHS Assistant Principal Steven Puccinelli. “For the most part, the construction process is run through the Board for ultimate approval, but there is also a Citizen’s Oversight Committee made up of community members who review budgets and expenses for bond projects,” CHS’ science buildings in the 500s wing have recently been upgraded with LED lighting, new AV equipment, a new roof, new fire alarms and sprinklers, a new Heat-

ing, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, new furniture and more. This project costs $4.7 million, and a similar project in the 300s wing, including a larger teacher’s lounge, costs $5.6 million.

CHS’ 1 0 0 s wing is currently being reconstructed, and it is part of a larger project with the 400s wing that costs $9.4 million.

Outside of the classroom, CHS has renovated much of its outdoor and athletic facilities.

Next to the 100s wing is the new bike plaza for around 1000 bikes, skateboard rack and bike repair station. Behind the wagon wheel is a new patio space with many more benches for seating. The new baseball field has a freshly painted dugout, new home run fence, and water-wise, low-maintenance turf, which is filled with eco-friendly ground-up coconut shells. Other improvements include CHS’ reconstructed handicap accessibility ramps, with adjusted slopes and

cracks repaired.

CHS’ sleek, modernized campus matches the quality of its students, and there is more in store for the future. Said Puccinelli, “We have a new bond measure on the ballot for June, and if it passes, our next big project on CHS campus will be to renovate or build a new music building. We’ll see!”

SCHOOL EVENTS Looking at the class funding process for school events HYUNJUN KIM writer

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chool events provide an opportunity for students to bond with new people and create a sense of belonging. From school fundraisers and rallies to formal events, Cupertino High School aims to create a more intimate and engaging environment, ultimately leaving a lasting impression of the school. Daniel Chen, a

senior a t Cuper tino High, shared, “One of the most successful school events held at CHS was the MakeA -

Class councils prepared posters, class-oriented clothes and other resources to embellish the representing class. Said Ting, “COTC required us to buy paint, wood, streamers, balloons, chalk, and other stuff.”

Students often get confused where the funds come from.

Shared Ting, “councils do not get funded by the school — we cannot just use ASB funds, because we are technically separate.” Meaning, each class has to raise money on their own to successfully execute what they want to achieve. An anonymous student shared, “I am aware that classes promote fundraisers from Chipotle and MOD Pizza, and I have been to one with my friends. Aside from restaurant fundraisers, class councils have had great turnouts with selling tickets for the formal and school events. Shared Ting, “that is how it had always worked with senior and junior prom and that is what the underclassmen are doing for their [formal events] this year.

Looking forward, Tino aims to raise sufficient funds and bring more diverse events to students.

From bonding with other classes to expanding the social circle for more thoughtful inputs, both ASB and class council aim to work respectively on appropriating reasonable budgets for specific events and discussing as a team for making smart decisions when it comes to event expenditures.

Shared an anonymous student, “I hope to see more original ideas that will help with class funds and events.”

INVESTIGATIONS | 19 INVESTIGATIONS | 23

Wish Rally for Tony in 2019.

As a Make-AWish kid myself, I

understand the impact that a wish can have on someone, and especially with a whole school supporting you, it can feel really special.”

Ultimately, events are powerful to rally students and strengthen our school spirit.

Hence, with the absence of sufficient funds, it is quite difficult to provide a successful event to the school. For example, rallies are held together with the different classes, encouraging school spirit and supporting classmates. Meaning, it is mostly a requirement for classes to expect event expenditures, such as buying and decorating posters, l include creating posters, decorate the rally location, and allow miscellaneous purchases for a successful rally. An anonymous student shared, “Looking around during the rally, there are many things that ASB and the class council have prepared. I didn’t know they prepared this much.”

Gilford Ting, the 2022 Class Council Treasurer, said, “I think a lot of people don’t realize that a lot of the stuff we do requires us to spend money in some capacity.”

Comparing the result and the hefty process of executing events, the required funds and student’s hard work are often overlooked.

For example, Clash of the Classes (COTC), Tino’s annual tradition of Homecoming, required each class to choose a class theme and represent them to the entire school.

24 | DESIGNED BY TANVEE SAI

SPORTS

REXANNE WALKER

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Rexanne Walker: A softball player selected as San Jose Mercury News Girl’s Athlete of the Week SONIA PATIL writer

fielder. Said Walker, “I love practicing and getting better. The repetition helps a lot, especially with my mental preparation for the games.”

Even with hours of practice, she sometimes struggles with self-doubt. Said Walker, “Before a game, I try to get out of my head as much as possible because I know as a pitcher the game is kind of riding on my shoulders. I try to give myself positive thoughts before and during warmups to fix whatever I

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HONESTLY, MY WORST ENEMY IS JUST MYSELF. I GET IN MY HEAD A LOT AND JUST HAVE SELF DOUBT

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REXANNE WALKER

need to.”

Like other athletes, Walker has gotten injured during her softball career. Said Walker, “I had to do a bunch of rehab for [my broken leg, so] I didn’t really pitch much [...] I couldn’t really do anything. So just coming back from that has definitely been a difficult experience. But now that I’m back in, it’s fun.”

Additionally, she has also faced challenges with coaches and her own mentality. Said Walker, “[One of the] coaches that I’ve had told me, ‘Oh, you’re too small to be a pitcher in college. You’re not going to make it unless you’re in the outfield.’ […] I guess coaches in the past have brought me down. And then honestly, my worst enemy is just myself. I get in my head a lot

and just have self-doubt. It’s just like if I do bad, then it’s all my fault, like self-blame. I mean I’m sure everyone goes through it, but for me, as a pitcher, it’s scary because for high school we don’t really have another pitcher.”

However, even with setbacks, she enjoys the sport and her relationship with her teammates. Said Walker, “It’s definitely really fun, the chemistry we have. We’re all friends outside of softball, and the bond I have with my catcher is one of a kind. And that goes for anyone on the team. We all have inside jokes and laugh and have a lot of fun.”

When asked who her role models were in softball, Walker pointed to her senior captains Alyssa Delgado and Jacqueline Solomon. “In the dugout, it’s kind of quiet, but when they are there everyone is up and cheering, so definitely those two are what I’m trying to be like. They bring a lot of life and fun to the team,” Walker said.

With the whirlwind of emotions that come with softball, Walker loves her sport and looks forward to a future in it. “I want to play softball in college — I’ve always said that since I was a little kid. Now that I’m getting [older], it’s definitely becoming more than a dream,” Walker said

INVESTIGATIONS | 25

s the last bell rings, students pour out of Tino’s doors to go home, but junior softball player Rexanne Walker is on the field kicking up dirt as she swings her right arm and warms up to pitch.

Walker’s journey in softball started when she was four. “My dad just signed me up for tee-ball, and ever since then, I fell in love with the sport […] Having my dad as a coach was definitely a confidence booster, and just having that group of friends to play sports with was really fun,” Walker said.

Her years of practice have since paid off. Walker was selected as the ‘Girls Athlete of the Week’ by San Jose Mercury News after receiving 25,025 votes. She threw a two-hit shutout with six strikeouts against Prospect out of eight games, where she pitched a complete game without letting the opposing team score any runs. Walker also has a 2.10 earned run average (ERA) and is the team’s leadoff hitter with two runs batted in (RBI).

Despite her incredible accomplishments, Walker was shocked when she first heard about being selected. Said Walker, “Everyone at practice was like, ‘Oh, you got nominated!’ That was a turning point [for] being recognized as an athlete […] And 25,000 votes, I was not expecting that because of the anxiety and anticipation of the contest.”

Currently, Walker practices on the school field for around two and a half hours. For her summer team, her time commitment amps up to around five hours a day, where she plays as both a pitcher and an out-

COACH’S IMPACT ON ATHLETES Anonymous students share their experiences with coaches

RAJASI LADDHA AND KAVYA KAUSHAL podcast editor and writer

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26 | THE PROSPECTOR

he depth and nature of the relationship between athletes and their coaches can ultimately dictate an athlete’s future. Coaches overlook every single aspect of one’s athletic and personal life as a single action of an athlete can either solidify or destroy their career. Yet this pressure and the environment in which trainers and coaches nurture their athletes can also make or break the athlete themselves. As one athlete describes, one must have a personal relationship with their coach in order to trust they know what is best for you as an individual, both on and off the sport. Athletes at Cupertino High School are no stranger to the tumultuous relationships with their coaches and their sport, sharing their experiences of how their coaches have affected their view of their respective sports and the overall positive and negative impacts their trainers have had on their lives.

“One of my coaches uses her years of experience within cheer, both as a coach and a former cheerleader, to relate to her athletes, and she, therefore, holds us to high standards.

She has no problem having fun during practices and encourages team bondings to amplify team unity. However, she also understands when to work efficiently and how to motivate her

athletes. Her teams reflect this balance, and you can see the notable difference. She pushes you further than you think without pushing your boundaries.”

– Anonymous Competitive Cheerleader

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IT TOOK ME A WHILE BEFORE I COULD VIEW BASKETBALL AS AN OUTLET LIKE IT ONCE WAS WHEN I FIRST STARTED PLAYING.

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ANONYMOUS BASKETBALL PLAYER

“My former coach’s implicit actions that favored returning, more experienced players created a divide within our team when basketball is a sport that depends on teamwork and collaboration. He made me question my self-esteem and confidence throughout the season, both on and off the court. I remember requesting feedback from him, and he genuinely could not answer because he neglected the majority of the team. His influence impacted my relationships with my teammates and

basketball itself, and it took me a while before I could view basketball as an outlet like it once was when I first started playing.”

– Anonymous Basketball Player “It feels really special having known him since I was ten years old. I originally struggled with my self-confidence, and he helped me learn that it doesn’t matter how much other peole believe in me; I have to believe in myself first. I wouldn’t be where I am without him; his experience and his constant encouragement has been imperative to my softball journey. To me, he is far more than a coach; he is my mentor, my biggest supporter other than my mom, and a huge inspiration.”

– Anonymous Softball Athlete

“This is my 3rd year running under Coach for track and field. I have enjoyed every moment with him as my coach…[Even] though he is an extremely strict coach, he has taught me invaluable lessons and I will remember him forever.

Coach is known for being very strict, but he is able to help you very efficiently and provide solutions for whatever problems you may have. I believe a coach’s role is to provide assistance whenever the athlete needs and guide them along their journey. They are there to help the athlete mature and hone their own skills without interfering too much. I believe I have grown greatly due to Coach’s…strict way of coaching.

He has led me to look at what I do through a more mature perspective and understanding why I do it.”

– Anonymous Track and Field Athlete “My relationship with my coach was not highly professional.

“My coach and I have a new relationship because he just recently became my coach just a couple months ago… [With] fencing, there has to be some level of trust with your coach because your fencing style is just an altered image of their fencing style.

This may or may not be positive for the fencer, but for me it is, because my coach and I have overall similar fencing styles. Unlike my previous coaches, this coach would encourage you to want to

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A GOOD COACH WILL EQUIP YOU WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE ON YOURSELF!

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ANONYMOUS SOCCER ATHLETE improve yourself. He would also have a nice tone when teaching you, a lot of times other coaches are very loud or passive aggressive with their students, thus negatively impacting their students… I feel like the coach should always support the athlete no matter how the athlete [does]. I also feel like the coach should be a teacher who is able to help the athlete learn from experiences and… improve their skills… I’ve grown mentally and physically, but most importantly my mentality has grown so much better with each coach.”

– Anonymous Fencing Athlete

SPORTS | 27

He was a really good soccer coach who was pretty serious himself but knew how to be relatively laid back and connect with his players one on one… Due

to him having played my position before, a lot of his drills and tips were really coordinated toward me and had a really positive impact on my playing style.

He was consistently professional and always came prepared, yet had time to incorporate fun activities for us. I think a coach’s role in an athlete’s life is to teach them how to improve themselves and to behave as a role model.

A good coach will equip you with the skills necessary to improve on yourself! … With the abilities he provided me, I was able to dedicate a more useful portion of my time towards proper training [and] … instill the skills of hard work, dedication, and practice into me. Through our one on one training, I learnt a bit more about … the years of dedication and hard work it takes in order to be able to preform perfectly. In a way, it’s like you’re rehearsing for a performance. The more your practice the better off you are.”

– Anonymous Soccer Athlete

answers: ACROSS: (1) JOURNALISM, (7) WORLDLITERATURE, (8) APUSH, (9) PE, (10) CHOIR, (12) YEARBOOK, (13) COOKING, (14) BUSINESS, DOWN: (2) APLITERATURE, (3) DRAMA, (4) APBIOLOGY, (5) ALGEBRA2TRIGONOMETRY, (6) 3DDESIGN, (9) PHYSICS, (11) FRENCH

28 | THE PROSPECTOR

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POSTSCRIPT

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GUESS THAT

CHS CLASS!

THERESA NGUYEN copy editor

2. The AP class where timed essays are a regular occurrence. If its name was shortened, you could even say this class is pretty “lit”.

3. Google defines a ___ queen as “a person who habitually responds to situations in a melodramatic way”.

6. This class is held in the 800s wing. When the letters in its name are rearranged, you can spell “ge3nidsd”, which does not mean anything.

DOWN

5. The math class with the second-longest name out of all the math classes. You might even say that this class is “triggering” at times.

9. Your right-hand rules this class.

11. To students not taking this language class, this language would be most known for a specific type of bread, a certain tower and a word that sounds like “we”.

ACROSS 1. This class made the amazing magazine you are holding right now! :) 7. A required class for all sophomores. You read a books about butterflies in this class.

8. DBQs are a common occurrence in this class, and despite what its name might suggest, you are not really pushing anything.

9. Every freshman has taken this class. It’s two letters, you can do it.

10. If you have a class next to this class, you might be able to hear them once in a while.

13. This is probably the only class on campus where you get to eat food in the classroom.

14. It is one of the elective classes that has the most letter ‘S’s in its name.

POSTSCRIPT | 29

12. The students in ___ are called “The Nugget Staff”. They have probably seen your student ID picture.

LETTING IT GROW A journey of accepting one’s body hair and embracing their femininity as it is TANVEE SAI sports editor

30 | DESIGNED BY JOLIE HAN

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hen talking about issues that female identifying people face, body hair may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the stigma surrounding body hair is more prevalent than expected. Most male identifiers get to live with their body hair and embrace it, while female identifiers have to face constant shame for having that same feature.

In eighth grade, I noticed that all my female identifying friends were talking about shaving, that all the models on Instagram had shaved legs and armpits, and that my hairy legs stuck out. I became more conscious of my body hair when I went to swim practice and looked down at my legs every day, feeling uglier and uglier. I wallowed in self disgust and felt the need to cover up my legs and armpits every time they were exposed.

When our high school promotion rolled around, I begged my mom to let me shave. I had found a dress to wear, bought shoes, and learned how to straighten my hair. All that was left was to get rid of the hair on my body,

and I would be pretty. My mom took me to a waxing salon, and as my hair was getting ripped off my body, all I could think about was how pretty I would look after it was over. I kept reminding myself that there was no beauty without pain. My mom left the room to pay, and as I stood up, I looked at my smooth, hairless legs.

I saw every mole, every birthmark on my legs, and on the drive home, I rubbed my fingers against my soft, smooth skin.

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I WALLOWED IN SELF DISGUST AND FELT THE NEED TO COVER UP MY LEGS AND ARMPITS EVERY TIME THEY WERE EXPOSED.

TANVEE SAI

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I went to my promotion ceremony feeling like a woman. I could finally compare to all the beautiful, hairless models I saw all over my feed. Going into high school, I continued waxing my legs. When the first choir concert rolled around, I learned how to use hair removal cream for my armpits.

I constantly felt disgusted about my body hair and felt the urge to remove it the

minute it regrew.

Then, quarantine happened.

I watched as my leg hair grew to lengths it hadn’t been in years and had no urge to hide it or get rid of it. All the waxing salons closed, and because no one was looking at it, I felt no feelings toward my body hair.

Eventually, I decided to join the water polo team and went out for conditioning in October, even though I had not been in my swimsuit since I quit swimming. My mom had recently learned how to wax at home and offered to wax my legs. Afraid of my insecurities, I agreed.

After a few months of conditioning, we went back into lockdown. I started to explore feminism and the body positivity movement, and I learned what it meant to embrace your body and truly love yourself for who you are. Through that, I gradually became comfortable with all of the other self-confidence issues I had with my body, but my feelings toward my body hair remained ambiguous.

Weeks before returning to waterpolo, my mom asked me if I wanted to wax my legs, and I decided not to. I wanted to see how I would feel with my body hair exposed in public; whether I would feel empowered or embarrassed.

After getting comfortable in the pool, I started noticing that my other teammates also had body hair.

Unlike in middle school, no one cared if you were clean-shaven or covered in hair; there was a mutual understanding that it was natural. It was like a switch was flipped in my head. Before, it felt like my

TANVEE SAI (they/she) I REALIZED THAT NO ONE HAS A SAY ON HOW MUCH HAIR I HAVE ON MY LEGS OR ARMS... I COULD LIVE AS MYSELF WITHOUT FEELING LIKE A SPECK OF BODY HAIR IS UGLY.

TANVEE SAI femininity was defined by whether or not I had hair on my body. However, I eventually realized that no one has a say on how much hair I have on my legs or arms. It did not determine who I was as a person, and I could live as myself without feeling like a speck of body hair is ugly.

Even though women are taught that body hair is unfeminine, I still present myself in the conventional feminine way. I enjoy wearing dresses, putting on makeup, braiding

my hair and wearing crop tops.

Although these actions do not belong to femininity, presenting myself in this way is what defines femininity for me. I no longer associate the presence or lack of body hair with my femininity, and I can embrace my hairy legs and armpits without feeling any less like the woman I am.

Today, it has almost been a year since I last removed the hair on my armpits, and I have not waxed my legs – or felt the need to – in months. Even though it was a long journey to undertake, and learning how to fully embrace your body can be challenging, I have found that having representation helps. Seeing my female identifying peers not caring about their unshaved armpits and legs helped me understand that if I do not want to get rid of my body hair, I do not need to. It is important to remember that you are also making the best choice for yourself, so if you do not want to shave your armpits or legs because it is a hassle, do not!

POSTSCRIPT | 31

[BACK COVER]

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