THE
POINT
PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL - ISSUE 3, VOLUME 28 - FEBRUARY 1, 2024
An Enchanted Night to Remember PVHS students attend Winter Formal at Skirball Center on January 27 By Makayla McNeill reporter
Winter Formal is an annual dance where PVHS ASB collaborates to host a night to remember. This year, the theme of the dance was “Enchanted” and was hosted at the Skirball Cultural Center. “Venues are super hard right now because several have priced us out, like the aquarium and some studios,” ASB director Jama Maxfield said. The thought process to the theme came after the center was chosen. “The contract was signed and booked 1.5 years ago for the venues to both Formal and Prom,” Maxfield said. “[ASB] picked the theme based on the venue because it’s outside, there is a reflecting pool, it looks very ethereal and matches the vibe of the place.” Coming up with themes for school events can be difficult, as there are many different members chipping in different ideas. For this year’s formal, the venue being outdoors made coming up with a
theme a bit easier. “I feel like it will be different because it is outside and in a garden area,” senior Claire Kirk said. “A majority of past dances have been inside so it’s nice to be out in nature. The activities this time are typical foods, a DJ, dance floor, karaoke, and photo booth. We get an event planner and it’s going to have like green vines and it works well with the venue.” Many kids had a great time at the dance. “It was a great time at the dance, hanging out with my friends and spending time with my sister as well,” senior Chris Lachowicz said. “The food and music were super awesome as well.” Along with the food and music, many others enjoyed the venue as well. “I had a fun experience and I thought it was a cool venue to have formal at,” senior Shaun Leone said.
Lucas Kim (9), Brendan Young (9), Asher Friedman (9), Brendon O’Donnell (12)
(Eva Yancheson (12), Quinn Kearns (11)
Freshmen Mia Parkins, Brianna Bergeson, Shannon Wright, Kyra Wallace, Maddie Loorya, Samya Lagobi, Devyn Sides, Louise Boyd
Val Villegas (11), Chloe Choi (12)
Associate Principal DJ Hill, Angelo Ungaro (12), Gianni Battaglia (12), Coach Ryan Tahbaz
Seniors Chris Vasey and Matthew Liu
Juniors Brian Demott, Shivi Vidjearadji, Hanna Kao, Selina Ling (Photos by Chloe Choi, Quinn Kearns, Chris Vasey, and Eva Yancheson)
Mattias Eberhart (11), Azalea Lurie (11), Kaia Yi (11-Pen), Ben Peters (11), Anish Chowdury (11)
NEWS
The FAFSA Issue:
How FAFSA glitching has impacted families and students By Sophie Stoddart sports editor As of December of last year, FAFSA, the official form to apply for federal financial aid in college, was redeveloped under the FAFSA Simplification Act to make the process of applying easier. This redesign was highly anticipated, but since its redevelopment families and students have been faced with the application unexpectedly glitching and malfunctioning. The various technical issues included the full names of schools not displaying on the application, parents without social security numbers not being able to contribute to FAFSA and students who incorrectly select “eligible noncitizen” being prevented from submitting the form. This issue has especially affected those who are in grave need of federal financial aid, as their college experience would be deeply impacted without it. “I was not surprised by the number of glitches,” said the PVHS Scholarship and Financial Aid Coordinator, Teresa Hoffman, “Whenever you have a rollout of this size, there are bound to be some issues.” Families at PV High sought guidance and direction from those in the College and Career Center, who specialize in all aspects related to the college admissions process. “I have received concerns
about not being able to log in, getting confirmation that their information was processed and long response times with Federal Student Aid’s phone line as well as their ‘LIVE CHAT’ if they have questions,” Hoffman said. There are some foreseen negative consequences of the glitching for students and families, with a likelihood of choices regarding financial aid coming down to the last wire on May 1. “It is still unclear when schools will actually receive each applicant’s FAFSA information, which is necessary to begin building financial aid packages and to give students and families with enough time to review and compare financial aid offers,” Hoffman said. FAFSA has been continually working to resolve these glitches and the forms are now open 24/7 with some new improvements “The bright side is that it’s a much, much shorter FAFSA than the old one,” said Joanne Lewis, the Director of the College and Career Center. “Also, the income cap to qualify for the minimum Pell Grant is higher than before and will allow for over 1.5 million more students to receive the maximum Pell Grant.” It is hopeful that there will be no further setbacks with regards to FAFSA in the future; the forms can only improve from here. “I don’t think FAFSA will have another overhaul anytime soon,” Lewis said.
Shaping the Future: A Historic Year for Politics By Sophie Sun reporter
With a majority of global superpowers hosting elections, experts say that 2024 is a notable year in the 21st century’s shifting geopolitical landscape. Over 150 nations are facing high-level changes, such as Iran, India, Russia and Taiwan. Most recently, on January 13, Taiwan held a presidential election amidst tensions with China. William Lai, DPP USbacked candidate won with just over 40% of the vote, over 10% less than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen. “It looked a little scary, but China’s looking the other way,” history teacher Louis Harley said about Sino-Taiwanese tensions. “China’s economy isn’t doing so well right now. Their economy is starting to not grow as much as it used to and a war with Taiwan would be too costly for them.” Iran’s legislative elections are slated to take place in March. The Iranian parliament is facing potentially monumental changes that could influence ongoing wars in the Middle East. “[T]here’s a chance of some left wing emergence [...], mainly because of the women’s movement going on in Iran,” junior Anish Chowdhury said. “It’s a really interesting election. But because of the war going on in Gaza, it’s most likely going to be going towards the extreme right, in my opinion.” If Iran’s legislative elections are more right-wing, women’s rights in Iran will likely be more
The Point’s 2024 Grammy Predictions By Musa Deen and Aaron Propst reporters
Song of the Year Album of the Year
Musa: “SOS” by SZA My reasoning behind this is the same as before: this album has been played constantly by so many people that even a person like me who doesn’t listen to SZA at all probably knows all the songs. Aaron: “Midnights” by Taylor Swift The Taylor Swift fanbase has supported this album immensely. As Taylor Swift is reaching yet another pinnacle of her career, she should receive multiple awards during these Grammys. Best New Artist Musa: Ice Spice This was a hard choice due to all of the new talent that came to the scene this year, but for this award I picked Ice Spice because she dropped many songs this year that pretty much all charted somewhere on the Billboard Top 200. Aaron: Ice Spice As a widely recognized artist, her discography includes songs like “Boys a Liar,” “Munch” and “Bikini Bottom.” Her recent success should carry her to win her first Grammy.
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United States Iran Bangladesh Mexico
Taiwan
Pakistan
India Indonesia
Brazil
South Africa
(Graphic by Sophie Sun) restricted. “It’s looking more and more bleak because of the current government’s hard, hardline stance against this,” Chowdhury said. March will also see presidential elections in Russia, with Vladimir Putin as a strong contender. With Putin’s opponents being locked in Siberian gulags and dying in helicopter crashes, it’s likely that Russia will continue heading towards dictatorship. “Putin is no longer pretending to have democracy so it’s a pure dictatorship. He’s extended the term for six years and he’s going to run mainly unopposed this year. Anybody that opposes him is in prison,” said Harley. In April and May, India’s general elections will occur. The two prominent parties, the BJP and INC, are coming to a head on who will retain control. The BJP has ruled for the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India is really heading towards Hindu nationalism and retaliation against the Muslim world,” Chowdhury said. “And now if Modi wins another term, he’ll be one of the longest serving prime ministers in Indian history. It’ll really show that India is moving towards a more nationalistic religious sector.” As a key year for global elections, 2024 is a year for the books. Global politics may shift towards the extreme right or move towards more liberal policies. “I think the elections this year will be a huge test for whether right wing governments can start building momentum in a world that’s moving towards a more progressive direction. It’s looking like a lot of people who are right wing and authoritarian are looking very optimistic about these elections,” Chowdhury said.
Supreme Court to Determine if Trump Should be Kept off Ballots By Ella Sherry news editor
The Grammy Awards are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, created in order to respect and award the greatest artists, best songs and newcomers all across the musical world. A few of the most notable awards presented are Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist.
Musa: “Kill Bill” by SZA I chose this song because I think the flow of the song was good along with the fact that you couldn’t walk outside your house for fifteen minutes without hearing this song, making this song my prediction for the song of the year. Aaron: “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift The Song of the Year is usually a very difficult choice, as many great songs by many great artists have been released this year. But this year, “Anti-Hero” should take most of the votes and win this award.
Russia Britain
On Jan. 5, 2024, the Supreme Court announced that it would decide if former President Donald Trump can be legally barred from appearing on nationwide presidential election ballots because of his role on Jan. 6, 2021, during the attack on the Capitol. The case will also determine if the attack can be considered an insurrection, and if Trump’s remarks in his speech before contributed to the situation. The decision to take on this case came from Trump’s appeal of a Colorado court case, in which the Colorado Supreme Court voted in favor of removing Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot. Similar actions have been taken in Maine, where the Secretary of State ruled Trump unfit to appear on the state’s ballot. State courts are justifying this action through Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which “bars from office anyone who once took an oath to uphold the Constitution but then ‘engaged’ in ‘insurrection or rebellion’ against it,” an article from AP News said. This is the first time the insurrectionist clause has been used to try to bar a candidate from presidential office in United States history. The 14th Amendment was ratified in July of 1868 a few years after the end of the Civil War, originally as an effort to prevent former Confederates from being able to hold positions in local and state governments in the South, but it has
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never been utilized in modern years. Because the situation is so unprecedented, the nation’s response has shown to be very divided. A recent poll conducted by POLITICO found that 51% of respondents think Trump can be barred by the 14th Amendment, while 34% believe it does not apply to the situation. Even students at PVHS have differing opinions. “I think Trump should be allowed to be on the nationwide 2024 ballot because he has not been convicted of any crime,” senior Mia Dominguez said. “This country is founded on innocent until proven guilty and, as of right now, he is innocent.” “I think Trump should not be allowed to be on the nationwide 2024 ballot,” senior Cayden McGuire said, “because Amendment XIV Section 3 states in part: ‘No person shall … hold any office, civil or military, under the United States … shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the [Constitution of the United States], or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.’ Although Trump has not been convicted of any crime of insurrection, he did give his support ... to the rioters on January 6, 2021, which has been ruled an insurrection in multiple courts of law.” Despite the country’s divided opinions about this issue, the Supreme Court’s decision will hopefully provide a more concrete answer to the situation. The Supreme Court plans to hold oral arguments on February 8.
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2023: A Year of Record Heat What corporations are doing to fight rising temperatures By Sloane Houterman reporter The year 2023 has concluded, leaving behind a record-breaking increase in temperature. The ocean and land temperatures were about 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit above the previous record set in 2016, and several climate scientists expect temperatures to continue rising. With the entirety of the world being affected by this heat, scientists, leaders and environmentalists are scrambling to find solutions. In response to this urgent global crisis, many factors that contributed to the severity of global temperature are under scientific investigation. However, some factors are clear, such as continued climate warming and El Niño, which is the warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. These elements all contributed to the dramatic increase in temperature throughout the year of 2023. In fact, “2023 was an exceptional year with climate records tumbling like dominoes. Not only is 2023 the warmest year on record, it is also the first year with all days over [33.8°F] warmer than the pre-industrial period. Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the
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ports: the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The ports jointly adopted a Clean Air Action Plan, as well as many other policies dedicated to greening the goods movement industry here and with their global partners. “The port has various strategies to decarbonize its operations for the large sources (ships, trucks, trains, cranes and tugboats) that move freight in and out of its complex. For instance, the port has the following impressive goals to replace its current fleet of cargo handling equipment (i.e. cranes and tractors) with zero emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell alternatives by 2030 and for big rig trucks by 2035,” said Tim DeMoss, Port of Los Angeles Air Quality Manager. Achieving these goals is challenging for the port of Los (Graphic by Sloane Houterman) Angeles, as they work with international shipping companies, the globe, is responsible for logistics companies, and even a large portion of global GHG foreign governments. emissions. “Part of the challenge “Billions of tons of cargo with policy and regulation are transported around the development is considering all world each year by trucks, the parties at the table and what planes, ships, and trains. This your role and limitations are as a transportation makes up 8% of local agency,” said Nicole Enciso, global GHG emissions, and as California environmental quality much as 11% if warehouses manager. and ports are included,” wrote “We always want to do what Suzanne Greene, Program we can to reduce the impacts Manager of the MIT Sustainable our construction and operations Supply Chains Initiative, in the have, but need to balance that article “Freight Transportation.” desire with the feasibility to About twenty minutes from implement those changes.” Palos Verdes High’s campus are the nation’s two largest container Copernicus Climate Change Service. A major contributor to the rising temperatures are greenhouse gasses (GHG), which are a byproduct of the industrial world that is still predominantly tied to fossil fuels. In particular, the goods movement industry, the movement of products all across
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NEWS PVHS Hosts Open House By Chris Vasey reporter Every year, Palos Verdes High School hosts an Open House to help incoming freshmen choose between Palos Verdes High School and Peninsula High School. This is a very important night for most incoming freshmen and is pivotal in decision. At Open House, clubs, electives and sports all set The Point at last year’s Open up stands to showcase their accomplishments and House (Photo by Cynthia Mindiencourage students to come to cino) Palos Verdes High School. going to be a good fit for me.” “I was very torn between the Many incoming freshmen two high schools before their are drawn to the school by the open house,” senior Brendan countless electives that they O’Donnell said. “But after I went can take here. to both Open Houses I knew that “I visited the Yearbook stand the environment and feel of PV during my open house, and High was right for me.” when I met the people and saw In the past, Palos Verdes how cool the Yearbook looked High School had a very different I knew I wanted to join it my approach to Open House freshman year,” sophomore than Peninsula High School. Kylie Vasey said. PVHS allows eighth graders to Live From 205 makes an explore and go around to the Open House video every year stations and classrooms they to showcase Palos Verdes High are interested in, as opposed to School’s signature programs. having a strict schedule for the “We’ve worked really hard to students to follow. make this video to showcase “I really liked how I was able all the incredible students at PV to explore at Open House and High and all the opportunities go to the stations that interested the school has to offer,” me,” senior Alex Cacos said. senior Lucca Chrysostomou “At Pen’s Open House we had to said. “We want our video follow a schedule and go station to encourage the incoming to station. The freedom that we freshman to come out shells had at Open House showed and try different programs at me what the environment at PV PV High they would have never would be like, and I knew it was thought about joining.”
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FEATURES
A Deep Dive into PV’s Surf Culture
By Sierra Hickey reporter/social media In recent months there has been a surge of big, surfable waves in Palos Verdes. This is due to El Niño, our current climate pattern. Members of the community have been seen gathering along the cliffs near the PVHS campus to watch surfers while also recognizing the complexity and dedication of the sport. Although recent events have brought more light to the surfers in Palos Verdes, the surf culture has existed here for many years. The surf culture in PV is prominent and it is integrated into the school community through the many students who participate in surfing and surf team. “The surf community is very prevalent on campus because we have a large number of students who surf and we are also very close to the ocean and have good surf in the local area,” PVHS Surf Coach Christopher Pekich said. “The surf culture is also woven into the school through elective classes such as surfboard shaping.” Many young students who participate in surfing at school also partake in other ocean sports. “Since we are so close to the ocean, all of the water sports are connected,” freshman Colin Hickey said. “Lots of people that I know don’t just surf but also participate in paddling, swimming, spearfishing and other water sports.”
Living right along the ocean leads to many kids getting into these sports from a very young age. “I have been surfing since I was around nine years old, but I really got serious about the sport in the past three years,” Hickey said. “I like the discipline it takes and how you have to practice everyday to improve. I also like how you can be outdoors while doing your sport.” Overall, many surfers in our community can agree that the surf culture in PV is like no other. “I like that the surf community in Palos Verdes is small and that everyone knows each other,” southbay lifguard Rob Keis said. “I also like the mutual respect that the community has for the sanctity of our waves.”I think that surfers in PV have a different level of respect for surfing etiquette and for the ocean in general than surfers in other areas.”
(Photo by Sierra Hickey)
Shazmah Zahra’s Journey from Pakistan to Palos Verdes
By Shazmah Zahra reporter
country 12,346 km away. It was never easy to leave but the curiosity to learn more and more was what let me come all Good things come into your life when the way here without feeling that I might you least expect it. For me, it all started regret this. when my sister called and told me to apply Every alumni who came back last for the YES foreign exchange student year always said the phrase “Life in a program, which would give me a chance year”. I never believed them thinking to experience that they were American exaggerating culture. about their Knowing experience, but nothing about after coming the program, I here I started submitted an using the application and phrase “Life hoped for the in every day”. best. Two weeks I now realize later, I got a call this is not an saying I was exaggeration selected for the but the easiest next round and way to say began preparing how awesome for an online and new every interview. Every experience has time I passed been for me each round of each day. the selection Whether it is process, the experiencing curiosity of my very first getting chosen Chipotle bowl, grew more and parasailing or more. experiencing Pakistani famous holidays (Photo by Zara Deen) society places traditional like Christmas gender roles onto girls, and Halloween, all these tiny things hold such as working on household chores or thousands of memories. not pursuing a higher level of education. Many people were included in this who Getting selected for this program was a made it possible for me; Allah, my mom, way to show that women can do more than my sister and my host family (especially what they are expected to. my host mom). This experience would A girl who never left her house to go have never happened if these people somewhere without her family had to leave hadn’t believed in me, helped me and her home, her family, and her country to loved me while encouraging me to be go to a completely new family, house, and myself whichever corner of Earth I go.
Sea King Style Alice in Wonderland: Fantasy Fashion By Zoe Barton reporter
How would you describe your sense of style? Very light and more fairy like. What is your favorite outfit? I really like skirts, very light shirts, and also very fluffy coats as well. The clothes are very comfortable... and the skirts are very pretty. Is there anyone who inspires your sense of fashion? It’s mostly from my own head, and I also take online classes for fashion design, so I take inspiration from... lectures on the history of fashion design. I try to mimic the outfits that are from the lectures and also ask my mom for advice.
(Alice Emelianova (9), Graphic by Zoe Barton )
Do you have any advice for those who might want to dress better? Don’t be scared of what you want to wear. If it feels right, then you should wear it. Where do you go to get your clothes? It’s just a random assortment. If a piece of clothing is good, then I’ll buy it.
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What’s the process for deciding what you want to wear every morning? First I look at my closet for very long, and think about what to wear. Then I kind of experiment, and then I have the finished product…It takes me ten to twenty minutes.
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FEATURES
Gen Alpha: Born to Terrorize
The Rise of Sephora Temper Tantrums
By Quinn Kearns design editor
From playing with Barbies to playing with beauty, these tweens are making a statement at local Sephoras and makeup stores across the country. Children under 13 have turned these locations into a playground by destroying testers like they are toys. Recently, employees of stores have hopped onto social media platforms to express their displeasure with the havoc introduced to their daily shift. “We have had to implement extra surveillance because of shoplifting and destruction. Added up, it costs us thousands of dollars, so we might have to take away testers for certain brands.” Angela, an employee at Del Amo’s Sephora said. Now, a job that used to be sell makeup has become a daycare made of nightmares as many employees have to monitor these children to ensure they aren’t shoplifting. In some locations, Sephoras have moved the brand-name common attractions like Drunk Elephant, Summer Fridays, and Sol de Janiero to behind the checkout counter, far
from the reach of these young kids. As younger audiences have adopted social media platforms, like TikTok, they have also adopted more mature behaviors. While it is harmless for children to play with makeup, the real problem is the reportedly rude shopping habits displayed by these skincare gremlins. However, with proper manners and parental supervision, the makeup shopping experience should return to normal.
(Graphic by Quinn Kearns)
Forecast and Feelings
How weather can affect mood and motivation By Ella Gardner reporter/social media Is your mood affected by the weather? As the weather of the colder months persists, it is important for students to keep their mental health in check. Seasonal Depression is a type of disorder that only occurs during certain months of the year. According to an article from Boston University, SAD, also known as seasonal affective disorder, affects around 10 million Americans (O’Keefe, 2019). To avoid it, it is important to recognize the changing weather and how moods and motivation changes with it. Lucia Ruiz,a PVHS alumnus and freshman at the University of Michigan, notes on her experience moving from sunny California to the colder Midwest. “It makes you appreciate the sun,” says Ruiz. She says it is much harder to stay motivated when the weather is acting up. She also talked about how universities in colder climates can bring the sun to their students. “The University of Michigan and many other colleges around provide sun lamps in libraries and union centers,” says Ruiz. Sun lamps, which can mimic sunlight, are able to provide
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(Graphic by Olivia Kao)
students with a range of benefits and ease students’ symptoms of seasonal affective disorder or depression. If you are ever feeling down about the weather, remember that the wind and the rain cannot stop you from working hard. “Be conscious. If you are aware the weather is affecting you, recognize that it is an external factor,” says Ruiz. A simple solution is to change our mindsets to get through gloomy days. Senior Gabriella Dicamillo gives some advice on staying motivated. “The colder weather reminds me that I am almost at the finish line,” Dicamillo said. Remember that we are already in the second semester. We are more than halfway through, and we can do it!
Mini Motorcycle Mania
By Olivia Kao features editor It isn’t uncommon nowadays to see fleets of young adolescents on electric bikes zooming through the streets. Whether it is on the way to school, malls and shopping centers, or other popular spots to hang out with friends, this modern mode of transportation’s popularity continues to skyrocket. The high speed of electric bikes (with a Class three electric bike reaching up to 30 miles an hour on a flat road) attracts many children, pre-teens and young teenagers by giving those who cannot yet drive a quick way to get from point A to point B. “[An electric bike] is basically like a mini motorcycle,” said seventh grader Reed Barton. “It sort of gives you a sense of independence because you can go wherever you want.” Although liberating, electric bikes have caused a stir in regards to their safety. In July
no motor to hopping on one that can go up to seventy miles per hour if modified is a really unsafe combination.” It is vital for parents and their kids to be aware and educated of the responsibilities that come with riding an electric bike before purchasing one. “Parents need to be educated on what the actual laws are, what is legal and what is illegal [when riding an electric bike],” Zabukovec said. Although the state of California is still in the process of establishing rules and regulations for electric bike safety, the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department now requires motorized bicycles (for example, the popular Sur-Ron e-bike) that can reach up to thirty miles an hour to be registered at the DMV. The simple (Graphic by Olivia Kao) awareness of the dangers only increase. of electric, motorized bicycles “We see kids getting into and the creation of regulations dangerous situations on e-bikes points to a hopeful future of a at least once a day,” says PVE safer environment on the road. Police Officer John Zabukovec. “Going from riding a bike with of 2023, two teenagers were reported dead in San Diego County due to electric bike crashes within the short span of three days. As the electric bike industry continues to profit off of its popularity, the risk of potentially fatal accidents will
The Cultural Reshaping of “Bro”
By Nathan Chavira reporter
The real transformative power of “bro” lies in its capacity to introduce satire into a sentence. In recent years, the landscape A statement like “bro thought of social media and internet he was going to win” carries a communication has undergone subtext vastly different from “he a subtle yet significant thought he was going to win.” transformation. The former, almost mockingly, The word “bro,” traditionally suggests disbelief in the person’s a colloquial substitute for a chances of winning, whereas person’s name, has evolved the latter is a straightforward into a versatile term with statement. profound linguistic and cultural This newfound function implications. This shift, observed allows “bro” to instantly infuse over the past two years, marks a a sentence with a satirical fascinating development in online or informal tone, evident in discourse. comparisons like “bro doesn’t Traditionally, “bro” was simply know what he’s talking about” used in place of someone’s versus “he doesn’t know what name, as in “what’s up bro” he’s talking about.” The use of instead of “what’s up John.” “bro” in this context can both However, its usage has now subtly discredit the subject, while expanded, as it increasingly also shifting the connotation of assumes the role of a pronoun. the sentence from accusatory For instance, “bro is cooking” is and belittling to playful and becoming a more common way informal. to say “he is cooking.” Not just This linguistic evolution is limited to subject form, “bro” has not merely a trend. It signifies also adopted a possessive voice, a fundamental shift in internet as seen in phrases like “bro’s communication, revealing cooking is amazing.” underlying factors that drive such linguistic changes. Secondary to the pandemic in 2020, social media culture and humor has become increasingly absurdist and irreverent. Researchers speculate that as people spent more and more time in front of screens and using social media, a widespread desensitization and disconnection to reality ensued. “Bro” replaces people’s names and all of the humanity that comes with them - reflective of a larger trend in internet and (Graphic by Nathan Chavira) American culture.
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Around the Country: Student Travels By James Lew and Natalie Dardon reporters
“While [in Arizona] it allowed me to relax and appreciate what we have...like the views and how modernized everything is.” Rylee Rodriguez (10)
“[Visiting Maui] definitely made me appreciate the things I had more and take it all in, to relax and absorb my surroundings.” -Erin Kessel (12)
“Florida was pretty similar to California...but the people were much different. There is a sense of hospitality that isn’t commonly shown [here].” -Anna Pilato (10)
(Photos courtesy of Rylee Rodriguez, Erin Kessel) (Graphic by Olivia Kao) PAGE 5
are fast fashion web
“I’ve ordered a bathing suit from Shein. I found it reliable since many people were buying products from there, especially during COVID. The quality overall was pretty good for the price but the shipping took a long time.” - Sophia Kwon (11) “I ordered from Shein, and I got a white two piece bathing suit. The quality was way better than I was expecting. I haven’t ordered from them again and I probably won’t because I don’t want to risk it.” -Maddie Marohn (11)
“No, I haven’t ordered anything from those stores because I don’t support stores that have poor work environments. I don’t find these stores trustworthy; they’ve been known to steal information and have bad products. If I saw something that I really liked and it was too expensive on another website and it was too expensive, then maybe.” - Sarah Barnes (10)
“I usually buy a variety of things like clothes, jewelry, toys, home decor, etc.. I found that these websites are mostly reliable on giving you what you ordered but you always gotta be careful. The quality of the purchases are usually what you would expect but when they’re that cheap, it’s easily affordable to buy another replacement versus companies who sell close to the same quality and double the price. Another thing I think is worth mentioning that it’s important to have patience because some of these things take a while to ship, and to always check the sizing in the reviews since these things typically come from another country where sizing’s a little different. Overall I love shopping on Temu, SHEIN, wish, Aliexpress, etc. you just gotta be careful.” - Erin Kessel (12)
“I’ve never ordered anything from Temu, Shein, or Tik Tok shop, mostly because I think that they are extremely untrustworthy. Between the questionably low prices and rumors of child labor, I definitely have my doubts about ordering form one of these sites. If I were forced to buy anything from these websites it would be something that I wouln’t need to use more than a couple times since the quality is so bad.” - Owen Traina (12)
bsites trustworthy?? She(ins) and Outs of Fast Fashion By Ruby Mayrose reporter
“I ordered my friend Alex Yancheson a Detriot’s Lions Jersey for their recent win into the NFLs playoffs. He wanted a jersey to come quickly since they would be plaing again for a spot in the Super Bowl, so we used Temu. Temu was a good option since they had fast shipping and low prices, and the quality was suprisingly good considering how cheap it was.” - Rayan Hashemy (12)
Almost every teen today knows the constant struggle of staying “on trend”. The hottest looks and most popular styles seem to change every five seconds, always just out of our reach. We can be quick to want to keep up with the frantic social media influencers and runway models, so we turn to the fast, cheap, and low-quality items from fashion websites all over the internet. Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and TikTok shop are among the most popular of these companies. The items are poorly made, but are therefore incredibly budget friendly, which is what draws most shoppers in. They advertise off-brand versions of hot styles, raking in thousands of sales every week. During the COVID-19 pandemic these stores saw a spike in users, as the economy and consumerism were transformed by the clicking power of the internet. With the quickly increasing demand, these companies started using irresponsible labor habits. The unreasonably low prices can be attributed to the use of materials like polyester, which are made using nonrenewable fossil fuels. Also, they often use child labor and pay their employees next to nothing while operating in poor, third world countries. The incredible amount of waste created in the production of these items is responsible for much of the carbon emissions that we produce annually. Shoppers are seduced by the combination of fast shipping, low prices and accessibility of these digital marketplaces, making more sustainable brands look overly expensive and unattractive. Due to the poor quality of the average
Temu or Shein good, people are buying twice as many clothes today, but only wearing them for half as long. The reason these businesses stay afloat while using these problematic labor practices is the young patrons of the internet. Often, teens and young adults don’t think twice about the low prices and heavily edited product photos posted on these sites. They take no time to think about the environmental impacts using multiple layers of plastic and cardboard to ship these items has on the world. Also, the more children that develop the habit of chronic online shopping affects the economy, as they are more likely to continue these habits into their adult years. This could lead to the downfall of public spaces like malls and marketplaces in the near future. Additionally, young adults are also at risk of being scammed by these stores. Kids are often told that we should not give out personal information to strangers, but here we are sharing our addresses, zip codes, and credit card numbers to sketchy online businesses. Valuable information could easily be stolen and used to hack into our lives. Thankfully, there are many alternatives to online fast fashion websites. A new generation of shoppers has fallen in love with the vintage and second-hand aesthetic, revitalizing thrift shops, flea markets, and antique stores all over the country. Many students get their clothes from used clothing stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army, which give back to the community through donations and charities. In a sense, we should be grateful for the development of online fashion stores because without them we would not have found this new, environmentally conscious way to shop.
(Graphic by Ruby Mayrose) (Graphic by Ruby Mayrose)
OPINION A Letter From the Editors If you surveyed random PVHS students how many of them would have any basic cooking skills? A general knowledge on how to safely use power tools? The ability to choose which overthe-counter medication would best alleviate their symptoms? Despite their importance, the average teenager today isn’t fully equipped with these skills before going off to college or beyond because they haven’t been taught. Unfortunately, there are very few courses that incorporate real life home skills. The AP Psychology Flour Baby project teaches students how to be responsible parents and the Economics Budget project teaches students how to budget their money to cover all their personal expenses. We propose that PVPUSD should create a mandatory, semester long Life/Home Skills class available for all grade levels to take during the year or during the summer. The class could cover three main topics; household maintenance, selfcare, and woodshop. The household maintenance unit would cover how to properly do laundry, use cleaning products, and basic plumbing fixes. Learning how to properly do laundry is essential for all college students as dumping a large pile of laundry onto the floor isn’t hygienic and waiting until the next time you see your parents for your laundry to be done is inconvenient. Learning how to properly use cleaning products and knowing which product cleans which type of mess is important for the purpose of staying safe while cleaning. Remember everyone,
never mix bleach and ammonia because this concoction may form mustard gas. Finally, learning how to do basic plumbing fixes will save you money on small repairs. The self-care unit will focus on basic sewing and cooking skills, on top of understanding medications for common illnesses. Basic sewing skills with a needle and thread or a real sewing machine are extremely helpful as you will be able to confidently reattach a button or hem your clothes to get the perfect fit. Learning basic cooking skills will serve you well beyond your college dorm kitchen, as classic tried-and-true recipes can serve as stepping stones into more complex dishes that will impress your family and friends at potlucks or holidays. Understanding which medications can properly fight your aches and pains will help you live independently without the help of a parent or guardian. Finally, the woodshop unit will equip students with the knowledge of basic power tool safety. This could come in handy when assembling furniture or simply building a birdhouse for fun. Learning these skills will allow students to be able to fix any home projects, start potential renovations, and expand their skill set for future careers. As students in the fall head off to college and live on their own, time will only tell how prepared they are to be independent. With the implementation of life skill classes in our classrooms, kids will feel more prepared in the real world.
A Letter To the Editors:
Ms. Lewis Gives The Inside Scoop On What Colleges Really Want To See I was encouraged to see the “Letter From the Editors” op-ed in the December 2023 issue of The Point. Finally, I thought, students (and hopefully parents/ guardians) are beginning to realize that the College Board is nothing more than an over billion-dollar business that behaves more like a monopoly than a “non-profit” organization. While the College Board asserts: “the College Board partners with schools and educators to push open the door to higher learning and create opportunities for all students to do great things” I assert that they are creating quite an opportunity to enrich their own organization at the expense of the very students they say they seek to serve. The College Board has insidiously worked its way into the very psyche and fabric of the college admissions system. Highly selective colleges and universities encourage students to take “rigorous” courses such as AP classes. [As] Princeton University [States] “Whenever you can, challenge yourself with the most rigorous courses possible, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment courses.” Certainly, taking an AP course establishes that a student is taking college-level work in high school. That’s important as colleges review applicants for admission, and which in turn might also save students time
Award Shows Are More Than The Outfits By Zara Dean reporter Every year, millions of people all around the world flood to watch their favorite celebrities get recognized for the work and talents they bring to the industry. Whether it be the Grammys, Oscars, or Emmys, the performances, awards, outfits, and overall drama always draws viewers back. The 2023 Grammys gathered over 12.5 million people to tune in, a 31% increase from 2022, proving that these shows are still just as relevant as the first-ever award show in 1929. From the time between nominations and award night, millions of people wait on whether a celebrity’s stylist will serve up a hit or a miss and who will win or lose their nomination. Some make the argument that these awards have no real worth, but to the people who participate and watch, these awards are more than just a piece of metal. They’re a symbol of recognizing someone’s talent and hard work. People work their entire lives to be able to stand on the stage and accept the award they’ve always dreamed of. And not just to the
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winners but also to the viewers, seeing someone you admire win something you know they deserve is just as important. Aside from the awards, there are other parts of these shows people watch for, as the outfits, drama, and the drama about the outfits are a significant part of the value of these shows. With a seating capacity of over 3,000, the Oscars came with a surplus of outfits and stylists to rate and admire, a major reason to watch. Doja Cat’s Met Gala look itself stirred up enough drama for thousands of people to stay engaged with the show. As impressive as that is, this was only one amongst all of the eccentric outfits of that night. Apart from the looks, awards, and losses, there’s more that goes into these shows than people realize, things we take for granted. The Recording Academy of the United States leads in preparations, the invites, and the actual awards. The start-to-finish of this process is a full-time job in itself, as it’s in the works for a whole year before we get to see the final product on screen. Stylists work with their clients for months, coming up with unique designs to showcase on the carpet. A lot more goes into
(Graphic by Aidan Shen) and money in college. However, there are many opportunities for our students to demonstrate they are challenging themselves without paying any fees to the College Board. Taking AP classes here at PVHS is great in that our faculty are amazing and have the experience and expertise to inspire and prepare students to be successful with their AP exams. On the other hand, classes taken free of charge at a community college ARE COLLEGE CLASSES that also can provide college credit, as well as the rigor colleges appreciate. I agree with The Point [Editor in Chief’s] assertion that, “Since the College Board earns a lot of profits and has their costs supplemented by the government, they should reduce their exam fees.”
this than simply buying a dress from Macy’s and showing up to take pictures. These events are a careful curation of everything we love to see on social media in one place; the celebrities, the outfits, and the drama are what a good “for you” page is made of. And sometimes, a little slap in the face is necessary for some entertainment. Thanks Will Smith.
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Sincerely, Joanne Lewis, Director of the College & Career Center
Magic In A Cup:
A Stanley Sensation Satire By Jaden Kim reporter
(Graphic by Aidan Shen)
My question to students and families is why still pay the money for the SAT and SAT prep when the vast majority of colleges are test optional or test free? Our UC and Cal State systems are test free. I encourage students to take a free practice test of both an ACT and SAT and then talk with their counselor or come speak with us in the CCC regarding the results. Not having to take college entrance exams is the biggest GIFT students have received in terms of the college application process in a very long time… Why are you still giving your money, time and anxiety to the College Board?
The Stanley cup is the best one you’ll ever buy. These cups have been a figure of worship to their consumers, who really love the stunning design and functionality. There was even a viral video of one surviving a car fire. After all, there’s simply nothing to not love about it; it’s incredibly durable, shares a name with the NHL trophy, and is a great bang for your buck. Fans, though, are ready to pay any price for these cyber-truck quality cups, with one going on Mercari for $700. Customers have been camping outside of Targets waiting for the next stock of Stanley cups, taking them off the shelves in hours. All the craze makes those who aren’t in the loop ask why. Why do these people love these cups so much? It’s because of consumer bias. Stanley cups’ first big break stemmed from the Tik-Tok video posted by a user by the name of Danielle. The video described her car that had gone up in
flames but the oh-so-mighty Stanley cup survived unscathed, with even her drink untouched! After seeing this incredible feat of keeping her Stanley cup safe and sound, the people at Stanley headquarters unanimously agreed upon gifting her a brand new car. This and the fact that the Stanley cup had survived a fire influenced consumers on Tik Tok and the rest of the internet to hop on the trend. Naturally this sparked a new trend of people collecting Stanley cups and showing them off to the world… how special they truly were. The executives at Stanley headquarters, seeing the momentum as their sales skyrocket, decided to release a new limited-edition mug at Target! Influencers and audiences alike saw this and rushed to their nearest Target to grab the astounding Stanley cups. People now are resorting to stealing Stanley cups because they’re becoming so popular nowadays. I mean who could blame them, the Stanley cups are truly extraordinary.
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
OPINION
Activist or Actor: Should Celebrities Speak Out? Why Talk When You Have Nothing To Say? By Aidan Shen opinion editor The war raging between Israel and Hamas has sparked intense conversation and split Americans over what should and shouldn’t be said. Prominent celebrities have a huge influence on the public due to their large fanbases and recently speaking out about their differing opinions have led to some unexpected controversies. Celebrities have a consistent track record of pursuing a secondary life parallel to their own in social activism. Many are motivated to speak out due to their true passion toward equality and human rights, and others do it to push their own career or agenda. It may be important for people with large platforms to use them for change, but forcing them to fabricate ingenuine opinions on topics that they are not informed about can be more harmful than staying silent. Kylie Jenner lost almost 1 million followers on Instagram as backlash towards a post regarding the war. Her post supporting Israel, although released with a heartfelt intention, received hate because of her percieved insensitivity towards the people of Palestine. There are exceptions of course, involving celebrities who deeply resonate with a cause. Jenner’s close friend Bella Hadid was criticized for one of her posts on Instagram
as well. She split her followers, with some showing massive support while others accused her of not taking a clear stand on the issue as Hadid has previously towards one side or another as shown massive support towards Palestine in the past as a Palestinian-American. Her statement was meant to express sympathy towards both Israelis and Palestinians, telling her audience to “put pressure” on their leaders to address the immorality of the war on both sides. Every individual, whether they’re a famous figure or not, is entitled to their own opinion on controversial topics such as the recent and ongoing conflict on the Gaza Strip. Many celebrities, not just Jenner and Hadid, are receiving hate online which, deserved or not, targets those who disclose publicly, support towards a cause when it’s clearly due to the societal expectation. It goes for everyone when saying that they need to inform themselves before engaging in controversial topics that could offend or even cause harm to others.
(Graphic by Aidan Shen)
The Silent Struggle: Why Celebrities Must Use Their Voice By Jason Lee reporter In a world where socioeconomic status and influence equate to power, celebrities stand at the top with the unique ability to foster a positive change. These individuals have fan bases that stretch across the globe and possess an unparalleled ability to draw attention to pressing social issues. Social problems are constantly arising, and there is an evident need for celebrities to speak out against these issues. While neutrality or silence may seem like a safe choice, these celebrities’ silence reinforces the world’s social problems. By abstaining from addressing the issues, celebrities risk normalizing societal issues, allowing them to continue plaguing our society. In today’s digital age, it’s never been easier to spread the word. Using their millions of followers on several platforms, celebrities can instantly shed light to issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Simply making their audience aware of these issues is a huge step to fixing that problem. The ripple effect from one celebrity advocate has the potential to inspire others to enact change. The collective influence from the domino effect can bring about long lasting positive changes throughout the world. One example is actor Kevin Hart. Through the social platform Twitter, Hart constantly speaks out against racist remarks or comments made by others. This often results in people rallying around Hart, further commenting their agreement in standing up to the issue. Especially in today’s dynamic landscape, many people may feel disoriented or confused by conflicting ideologies they encounter on the web. It is here where celebrities should step in as role models and correctly set the narrative. By acting as reliable and trustworthy models, celebrities can educate their fans about societal issues which will bring positive change to the world. Celebrities must recognize the responsibility that comes with their influence. By actively recognizing societal issues and spreading the word instead of remaining silent, celebrities have the opportunity to be the catalysts that propel our society forward.
The Comeback of Rom-Coms: Are They Actually Overrated?
By Holly Alexander reporter Romantic comedies the past 10 years haven’t been the same as the older 2000’s one once produced. When a new romcom comes out these days they are never as good as the old ones used to be. Netflix has come out with quite a few romcoms over the years and although they were good, they just can never be to the level of the ones that Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Katherine Heigl, Jenneifer Lopez and many others starred in. The overall feel of the movie is completely lost in newer romcoms. Newer ones are a lot more cringe poorly made and have worse acting. Some of my favorite romcoms ever made are “He’s just not that into you”, “How to lose a guy in 10 days” and “The Proposal.” The list really goes on. With a new romcom just out named “Anyone But You”, starring Sydney Sweeny and Glen Powell, people are saying it is the best romcom made in years, maybe even topping some made in the 2000’s. After watching “Anyone But You,” I can confirm it is the best romcom made in the last 10 years. “Anyone But You” was about two people who met at a coffee shop and had an amazing first date but never saw each other again until a wedding they’d both be attending. Editors-in-Chief Chloe Choi Jonathan Liu Adviser Cynthia Mindicino
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They hated each other going into it, but pretended to be in love because one wanted to make their ex jealous and the other wanted their ex to back off from her. While faking being in love they begin falling in love throughout the course of the film. This movie was of course predictable, but perfectly heartwarming and fun to watch. It was definitely refreshing to watch after all the romcoms that haven’t been the greatest lately. The casting was perfect and I think Sydney Sweeny could be an up and coming romcom star for more movies to come. All romcoms aim to create a delightful and emotionally satisfying experience for the audience. This is done by artisticly blending romance and comedy in a way that resonates with human emotions and relationships, and thats what I love that about them. I feel a sense of of warmth and affection as I witness the characters falling in love. Even when faced with challenges, the films usually maintain a positive outlook, emphasizing the idea that love can conquer obstacles and lead to a fulfilling, happy ending. I don’t think any new movie will ever top ones previously made. Here are my top 10 romcoms I think you should watch. Editors & Leadership Centerspread: Eva Yancheson News: Ella Sherry Online: Ethan Sung Features: Olivia Kao Social Media: Holly Alexander, Opinion: Aidan Shen Hailey Kim, Ella Gardner, Sierra Sports: Sophie Stoddart Hickey Design Editor: Quinn Kearns
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(Graphic by Holly Alexander) Staff Claire Auer, Zoe Barton, Kelly Bojorquez, Nathan Chavira, Natalie Dardon, Musa Deen, Zara Deen, Ryan Fuerte, Ella Hansen, Enna Hosoi, Sloane Houterman, Follow us on Jaden Kim, Jason Lee, James Lew, Ruby Mayrose, Instagram! Makayla McNeill, Aaron Propst, Sophie Sun, Chris @pvhspoint Vasey, Valerie Villegas, Shazmah Zahra
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SPORTS
Girls Soccer Coming In Strong
Dominating Bay League with a 14-3-1 Record By Ethan Sung reporter Palos Verdes High School’s girls soccer team has started the season swinging, going 7-2 in their league matches and achieving an overall record of 14-3-1. With impressive victories over Redondo, Mira Costa, Culver City, and recently Peninsula High School, the team looks to maintain their dominance through the rest of the season and carry it into the postseason. “The key to our success is we have some talented players that are hungry to improve. Our team has come a long way so far this season,” head coach Joe Flanagan explained. “We have come together quicker that I expected.” Coach Flanagan knows that with the talent that this team has, they can make a deep run in the playoffs. “I’ve really enjoyed it,” Flanagan said. “We have a good young group, and we have a lot of potential. Our current team has a chance to compete for the league title this year, so we are happy to be in that position. We have four games left in league and we control our own destiny.” Despite the team’s dominance during their past matches, Flanagan believes the girls still have plenty of room for growth and refinement. “We have to continue to improve,” Flanagan said. “The Bay League is very competitive this year, so every game is tough. We can’t rely on what we did in the first half of the season.” Due to the competitiveness in Bay League competition, Flanagan stresses
(Photo courtesy of Jillian Arriola) the importance of having a resilient mentality during successful stretches of the season. “It’s important that our mindset is to play our best every time we step on the field. The best part is I know we can still get better, which is a good sign when our overall record is 14-3-1.” Along with the coaching staff and supporters, the players believe that this season’s team has been truly special. “We all motivate each other to perform
at the highest level and have had great chemistry this season,” junior Sophia Kwon explained. “We also have a very supportive environment and have been working hard.” The new coaching staff has also made a profound impact on the team. “Coach Joe and Coach Jill have done an amazing job in motivating our team this season,” Kwon said. “As a new coaching staff this year, they have pushed us to perform at our very
best while emphasizing the joy that should come out of playing.” Holding an outstanding record of 143-1, the team seeks to maintain their topseeded position and carry their success into the postseason. “Our ultimate goal for the season is to win Bay League and try to get as far as we can for CIFs,” Kwon said. “In order to reach it, we will continue to focus on working hard, strategizing as a team and maintaining our team chemistry.”
Girls Basketball On Top By Kelly Bojorquez and Ella Hansen reporters
(Photo courtesy of Ed McClaren) Palos Verdes High School is known for its successful sports teams and vibrant student sections. This year’s girls’ basketball season has been thriving as they have improved greatly from previous years winning 17 games this season as of January 30. Junior Flavia Corral has been on varsity since her freshman year and continues to train throughout the school year and summers. “My freshman year we had coaches coming in and out and it was challenging because the team dynamic is very important and when you’re switching coaches around and people are coming in and out of the team it’s hard to build the dynamic,” Corral said. Another star player on the girls varsity basketball team is sophomore Maddie Farnsworth. Along with Corral, Farnsworth has also been playing basketball since freshman year. “I have grown up playing basketball with
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my brothers and they helped inspire me to continue practicing,” said Farnsworth. A strong team dynamic can make or break your team and having major changes to the team can affect how well the girls play together. However, the challenges that the team face bring them together and form close friendships. “My favorite moments are definitely bus rides and just being in the locker room with my teammates before the games,” Corral said. Since they started playing on the team, the girls have grown and learned many new skills that have helped them advance greatly in their sport. “Both of the girls have improved tremendously since they joined the team,” head coach Dan Rho said. “Bay league girls basketball is one of the most competitive leagues in Southern California so they have definitely improved since the beginning.”
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
SPORTS
A New Age in the MLB
Rising Tide
Ava Chessmore’s Surfing Journey
How Recent Signings have Impacted the Asian-American Community By Hailey Kim reporter/social media In a groundbreaking turn of events in December 2023, Major League Baseball’s landscape witnessed a seismic shift. Specifically, many Asian players shattered records and ascended to unprecedented heights in terms of salaries and recognition. Among the notable signings were Shohei Ohtani’s staggering $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto becoming the highest paid pitcher in MLB with a monumental $325 million deal, and Jung Hoo Lee securing a substantial $113 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. These are some major developments for the MLB, and for baseball players of Asian descent. These developments represent more than just impressive numbers on contracts. “When I heard Ohtani had signed with the Dodgers, I thought it was awesome,” said freshman Lucas Kim. “Everyone was talking about it, including my close friends and family, and I saw him on
everyone’s stories on social media. Not only was it very exciting, but I felt it was also a big stepping stone for the Asian American community.” This sentiment is echoed by many, with news sources highlighting this as a significant milestone. “The fact we’ve had someone become the face of MLB is an incredible move forward for the Asian and the Asian American community,” Stanley Thangaraj said, an authority on the impact of sports on Asian Americans and the author of “Desi Hoop Dreams: Pickup Basketball and the Making of Asian American Masculinity.” The significance of these record-breaking contracts extends beyond the realm of sports. It signifies a crucial step forward in breaking down barriers and challenging preconceived notions about Asian players in professional baseball. The MLB has always looked globally to find talent, including many Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. However, it is only recently that MLB ams have allocated more resources to scouting talent at a younger age in Asia. With such young Japanese
stars as Roki Sasaki, Munetaka Murakami, and others expected to join the MLB in the near future, such investments appear to have been wise. The surge of acceptance and recognition prompts a reflection on the evolving dynamics within the sport. This event serves as the biggest among many stepping stones for the Asian American community. As the achievements of Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Lee continue to reverberate, they may just be the tip of the iceberg, signaling a promising future where talent knows no boundaries, and diversity in baseball becomes the norm rather than the exception. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, December 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as a transformative month. The historic contracts signed leave people pondering broader implications. “Could this newfound recognition and acceptance pave the way for increased opportunities for homegrown Asian American ball players?” junior Kate Fukushima said. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the landscape of MLB is changing.
Coach Clark’s Impact
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
By Claire Auer reporter With surfing in season, PVHS junior Ava Chessmore continues to be a great inspiration to many. Chessmore father first got her into surfing, and started at age seven. “I started surfing when I was around seven, but when I was 11, that’s when I really started loving it,” Chessmore said. Growing up in Palos Verdes, Chessmore was constantly at the beach. She was always waking up early in the winter to catch waves and in the summer to swim out to the orange buoy for junior lifeguards. According to her peers, Chessmore’s passion for surfing separates her from the rest of the competition. “My first impression of Ava was when she came on the team as a freshman and she showed a lot of effort to take on a big leadership role to help the other girls on the team succeed,” senior Pierce O’Leary said. “Overall she is very
(Photo courtesy of Ed McClure) and worried about the right things. That is more about keeping them focused and not motivated.” As this season is Clark’s second as the head coach of the team, all the players have gravitated towards his leadership and his style of coaching. “I would describe our relationship as playful, he’s one of the guys,” senior Will Jorczack said. “He has taught me to not be friends with people who don’t have your best interest in mind.” As well as being a great leader off the court, Clark has taught his players inside the lines. “He makes the team better by teaching everyone the ins and outs of the game, helping everyone become better players,”
senior Alex Hassanein said. “He also creates game plans each game to put all of the players in positions to succeed.” Although Clark’s sample size of games coached at PV only spans for two seasons, he does have one game that has been his favorite, which is last year’s road game against Peninsula in which PV prevailed in a 56-52 win. “It was a huge win just because it had been 15 years since we had won at their school and Coach Brian really wanted to win that game,” Clark said. “That’s one of the reasons that he didn’t retire and walk away because getting the sweep and beating them. Being able to give him that moment was great, especially now that he’s passed it means a lot more.”
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determined. She is always searching for ways to increase her skills and separate herself from her competitors.She is always ambitious in finding new ways she can improve and get better.” When Chessmore was 14 years old, she joined the high school team and quickly realized that she needed to be at the top of her game to compete with her rivals. “There were definitely times after competitions that I got frustrated and wanted to stop competing but I never ever wanted to stop surfing,” Chessmore said. Chessmore’s dedication is shown through her constant surf training. Her 6 A.M. surf sessions and constant traveling to find better waves is something she has been doing her whole life. “My favorite surf trip was Costa Rica because I got to surf many different types of waves,” Chessmore said. “My dad and I took a boat to this famous surf spot called Witches Rock.”
2024 Super Bowl Predictions By Ryan Fuerte reporter
By Enna Hosoi reporter On and off the court Coach Greg Clark plays an important role on campus. He is not only a coach to his players, but a mentor to every student on campus as he serves as a campus supervisor. His dedication extends to better the school atmosphere and to connect with the students is beyond comparable. While on the court, his enthusiasm is felt from the players and the audience in the stands. He is always supportive and positive about his team and his players. Even with the variety of curveballs that can be thrown revolving sports, he never fails to succeed. “I started coaching right when I graduated high school,“ Clark said. “I went to the University of Delaware, and it was 15 minutes away from my high school, so I would go to class in the morning and coach in the afternoon.” Given this is Clark’s 24th season coaching basketball, he’s realized that having a focused team every night is a more prominent characteristic than a motivated group. “If the players aren’t motivated themselves then we aren’t going to be any good,’’ Clark said. “Keeping them in line, focused
(Photo courtesy of Pat Stacey)
The Super Bowl is looming and the infamous question shall rise again, “Who will win the Super Bowl?” This year is Super Bowl LVIII and it will be a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, which also came down to the Kansas City Chiefs and the 49ers. If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, this would be Patrick Mahomes’ third Super Bowl win in the past five years. It would also mean that the Chiefs would win back-to-back Super Bowls. If the 49ers win, this will be their first time winning since 1995. As the two fanbases are now anticipating this big game, all other fanbases have a lot to reflect on for this past season. A lot of teams were underdogs going into the playoffs and some made incredible upsets that may have been forgotten. The Philadelphia Eagles were heavy favorites going into their wild card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Buccaneers ended up dominating with a score of 32-9. The Dallas Cowboys were also a favorite going into their matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but lost with a final score of 48-32. In the divisional round, there weren’t any games that could be seen as upsets, but instead, games that came down to missed kicks.
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49er’s won by three points, respectively, and both because the opposing teams missed a crucial field goal in the fourth quarter. In the conference championships, both games ended in dramatic fashion. In the AFC championship, the Baltimore Ravens fell short to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 17-10 game. Baltimore had a lot of missed opportunities including a fumble on the goal line and an interception late in the game. In the NFC championship game, the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions battled for all 60 minutes. The Detroit Lions were up 24-7 and started the second half giving up 27 points until they scored in the final few minutes. The final was 34-31 favoring the San Francisco 49ers. I think that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs are going to have a lot of fans going into this Super Bowl because of Taylor Swift, and I think that will play a major factor when talking about this game. The Kansas City Chiefs have been throgh a tough AFC gauntlet, as well as having a history of beating the 49ers before in the Super Bowl, so who says they can’t do it again? With star players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce playing for the Chiefs, the 49ers don’t stand a chance.
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FEATURES
Turning Back Time with Teachers
By Kate North & Valerie Villegas reporters Some say high school is the best four years of your life. But, in Palos Verdes Peninsula School District, many alumni have been drawn to continue long past those four years coming back as teachers and administrators. Over time, many things have changed, from school rivalries and pep rallies to academic rigor to social media and student interaction, but the core spirit of PVUSD has remained. What changes have you seen from your high school days to now? Hill: “There is definitely a lot of academic pressure on students [now]. I think because of how competitive colleges [are and they’ve] continued to get a little bit more difficult to get in every single year. On a positive note, I think that there’s definitely a lot of like, school spirit when it comes to things like class comp, ASB, BTC and our different signature programs. It’s awesome to see that a lot of students come out and are involved. I feel like there’s a lot of spirit in the sense of students going out and supporting other Sea Kings, which is a really cool thing to see.”
Associate Principal: D.J. Hill
Athletic Director: Brian Shapiro How has social media influenced culture we see today? Shapiro: “People are a lot more aware of what’s going on, but at the same time we get so wrapped up in the digital stuff that we forget about the real experience. Now I feel like a lot of students get a lot of entertainment out of going home, going on their phone, their computer, or video games.” Hill: “I definitely think that there’s a lot less fraternizing at lunch and in the halls because a lot of people are on their phones. But there are also some positives with social media, it is used to promote school functions. That’s actually probably the best way that information is disseminated to students for them to know that things are going on for the school.” Nelson: “It feels like the idea of missing out feels way bigger than it was before. The idea of what ‘success’ looks like is more tangible for kids than it was before, because it’s like people are almost selling themselves as a brand. There’s just a greater awareness of everybody. Everybody’s more involved in everyone else’s life.”
What were some traditions on campus during your high school days? Kim: “We would make mix tapes for each other and give [them] to each other. We would have to record it off the radio, [but,] later they would make CD’s.” Secrist: “Streakers- the boys liked to put on bandanas or ski masks over their face and run through campus during lunch. I am very grateful that the tradition has not continued.” Hill: “Our senior class went to the beach and brought back trashcan after trash can full of sand and created this big sand volleyball court in the middle Sea King Park.”
English Teacher: Cari Secrist What are some of your favorite memories from high school? Secrist: “Donkey basketball was my favorite event. I can’t believe we were allowed to do it. Now I look back and I am horrified. ASB [would compete against] faculty on actual donkeys. [The donkeys] had rubber around their hooves and everyone would ride a donkey and play basketball around the basketball court. It was like 30 donkeys.” Shapiro: “My junior year in high school we won the cross country state championship.”
Math Teacher: Jennifer Kim
What were teachers like back then? Secrist: “When I was in high school, I felt [that] the teachers were so incredibly ancient that they really didn’t have any advice that was relevant for my life. I didn’t think that they particularly knew what they were doing.” Nelson: “I maybe saw my school counselor, I’m going to say one time, but it very well might have been zero times. The support system of teachers and the investment of staff is been a big change.”
Counselor: Kristen Nelson
What advice would you give high school students? Kim: “For me if I could talk to my high school self, I would [say] don’t care about what other people think, most of the time no ones really focusing on you, their focusing on themselves.” Shapiro: “I think that one of the best things that everybody can do is have good mentors in their life. For me, my high school experience was shaped and defined by my high school coach.” Secrist: “Get involved. It might sound like more work and the time that you have to study, but in the long run its going to be so worth it because that will build your memories and the path that you end up taking after high school.” Nelson: “You get this one shot at high school, and I want it to be awesome for you, whatever that feels like, or looks like for you. I just hope that PV High is a place that, when you’re graduated, and you’re like me, and you can’t even calculate how many years has been since you graduated, you look back with like really fond awesome memories, and that you’ve opened yourself up to new people.” Hill: “I wouldn’t call myself shy in high school, but I would say that I was limited in what I put out there and tried. I just wish maybe that I went out and tried some more things and got involved in a couple other aspects of the school life, because I think I would have been able to see some things that I think I would have really liked.”
(Photos courtesy of PVHS Triton Yearbook and Mr. Hill), Graphic by Chloe Choi)
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