RAVEN REPORT
SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE
VOLUME XXVI, NO. 1 // OCT 2025
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Returning to school this year, we were both greeted by a familiar sense of community as we fell into the fall season. Before us, Sequoia, a place of both constants and changes, reflected that balance in its publication. In the new school year, one noticeable change was in its leadership, as Sasha and David passed the metaphorical Editor-In-Chief baton to us. Along with new leadership, we welcomed new and returning Staff Reporters on our first day of school. Their excitement and curiosity reminded us of why we joined this class in our freshman and sophomore years, easing our anxiety about filling such big shoes. In preparation for the school year, we discussed article ideas with our wonderful advisor, Ms. Diepenbrock and continued these discussions with the class. From stories about teachers’ home lives to the lost trade of our school, there was a shared desire to highlight the people and experiences that make Sequoia unique. At the same time, students’ excitement for the fall season added a sense of anticipation and creativity to our brainstorming sessions. Together, these ideas inspired one unifying theme: Falling into Fall. This issue celebrates the stories, memories and voices that define Sequoia as we move into a new school year and a new season.
Whether covering the mystery of the time capsules on our campus or the best horror movies for the spooky season, we aimed to express the spirit of Sequoia amid the new school year and the arrival of autumn. While we recognize that we could not represent every community within Sequoia in this
issue, we continue striving towards a publication that reflects and uplifts our diverse Sequoia community as we include the ideas of our staff reporters and give them creative control. Another internal change to the Raven Report is its division into two classes, prompted by the high demand to join. With our excitement for the love of a dying art comes the worry of losing the sense of family we built within a single period. Despite this, we, as EICs, strive to foster connections across classes and embrace this new, unexpected beginning as we bring the two classes’ work together into one publication. Additionally, we have been tasked with producing the Yearbook for the 202526 school year. Despite the added stress, we hope to use our journalistic skills in writing, photography and design, to create a yearbook that captures the spirit of Sequoia throughout the year.
Luckily, with all these new changes, we wouldn’t have stayed afloat without the help of our amazing advisor, Ms. Diepenbrock. We extend our deepest thanks and without her guidance, printing our first issue of the Raven Report for the 2025-26 school year would have been only a dream.
RAVEN REPORT // 25-26
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Cesar
Colin
Dylan
Eamon
Andrew
Angel
Bambi
Emiliana
Evan
Giovanni
ABOUT
THE RAVEN REPORT IS A SEQUOIA High School student publication produced in the journalism class through the efforts and decisions of the staff and the publication’s editors and advisor. The Raven Report is a public forum for students, staff, and community.
THE RAVEN REPORT STRIVES TO provide Sequoia High School with informative, engaging and relevant news. The staff will exercise integrity and accountability while promoting justice and transparency through professional reporting about our school, community and the world.
CONTACT
THE RAVEN REPORT STAFF welcomes signed letters to the editor so that readers might share in the opportunities of the scholastic free press in open forum. The written views of students, parents or community members must be responsible, in good taste and free from libel, slander or obscenity. Letters may be edited for grammar or content if necessary; furthermore, editors will not guarantee that letters will be published.
1201 BREWSTER AVE. REDWOOD CITY, CA 94062
WWW.RAVENREPORT.ORG RAVENREPORTSEQ@GMAIL.COM
Printing and web posting funded by
Distorted mirror
BY YUKI AHMANN & NEVAEH JAUREGUI Staff Reporters
Imagine spending just as much time scrolling on social media as adults spend working a full-time job 40 hours a week. Well, according to the American Psychological Association, teens spend nearly five hours a day and 35 hours a week on social media. They are surrounded by filters, photo editing, and influencers who set unattainable standards, all contributing to a distorted view of normalcy.
At Sequoia, many students—particularly girls—feel that social media feeds are dominated by influencers whose heavily edited photos promote unrealistic beauty standards. The Kardashians, known for having an hourglass figure in their pictures, were heavily editing their appearance.
nose, the shape of your eyes, too. It definitely changes a person’s perception of what’s considered attractive or not.”
The impact isn’t just on how teens look, but also on how they feel. According to the Place Center of Hope, 95% of teens use at least one social media platform. For many, what starts
Julia Avzan, junior “
Sometimes I feel incredibily overstimulated and my brain starts spinning, and I can’t focus on anything after I [scroll on TikTok] for too long.
TikTok] for too long,” Avzan said.
Additionally, a UK study of over 10,900 14-year-olds revealed a concerning link between heavy social media use and mental health struggles. Teens who spent five or more hours a day on social media were more likely to report depressive symptoms. The impact was particularly seen among young girls, with higher usage tied to lower self-esteem, poor body image, and increased experiences of online harassment.
“When I was in eighth grade, I started to notice or care about beauty standards, which affect me even more now,” junior Tesni Luna said.
According to a study done in 2023 by the National Library of Medicine, body image issues are at an all-time
The secret lives of teachers
BY SCARLETT BING, BAMBI CORTEZ & ALEJANDRA GARCIA Staff Reporters
Learning about our teachers and their passions is something that we don’t do everyday.
Yet behind the lesson plans and grading, many of them still carry interests that began in their teenage years. Teachers like Edith Salvatore, Octavio Rodriguez, and Saul Navarrete prove that passions developed in high school can last a lifetime.
History teacher Saul Navarrete had a busy high school experience.
“I did a lot. I was in band as a drum major. I played drums, the baritone, the trumpet, the trombone, and I played the xylophone. Also, I played the keys a bit,” Navarrete said. “I was part of the homecoming court. I played sports. I did water polo and swim.”
From sports to music to homecoming, Navarrete had an exciting high school experience. While he remains involved in music today, he admits that
another love has taken over: video games.
“I used to play a lot of video games, but now I play them every now and then,” Navarrete said. “I play ‘Marvel Rivals’ or ‘Overwatch’. If my friends are ever on, they’ll play ‘Fortnite’, and I’ll join them.”
Even with a busy teaching schedule, Navarrete still finds time for gaming, especially indie titles.
“I play a lot of indie games, ‘Undertale’ is good. ‘The Last of Us’ was good,” Navarrete said. “‘Cuphead’ is a really fun game, really tough though. ‘Life is Strange’ is really good.”
Like Navarrete, Science teacher Octavio Rodriguez also found his passion in high school. For him, it was music.
“I was the drum major for my high school, which is basically the band leader as a freshman, and I was telling seniors what to do, and that was not normal back then.” Rodriguez said, “I was in a big band, and we used to play every Saturday at old people’s Elks lodges and things like that, and they would dance and we would play and they would feed us.”
His passion for music carried him into college and beyond.
“Even through college and university, I applied to music programs. I had teachers from the symphony in LA, and some famous jazz musicians,” Rodriguez said. “I love listening to live music. Sometimes I’ll go to the symphony, sometimes to different live music clubs in San Francisco.”
While he and Naverette are passionate about music, Spanish teacher Edith Salvatore’s passion took a different direction: baseball. Her passion is the San Francisco Giants. Her connection began in high school when she worked as an usher during the summer.
“The summer between 10th and 11th grade, I started working for the
Giants as an usher, and I’ve been doing that for 37 years or 37 seasons,” Salvatore said.
For Ms. Salvatore, it’s about more than just baseball, it’s also about the community.
“My favorite thing about working is probably that there’s like a whole other family of people that I get to see because I have regular ticket holders in my section, but also I get to work the concerts. This year, I got to work the
Shakira, Kendrick Lamar and SZA concerts. That was cool.” Salvatore said.
Even though the Giants don’t win every game, Ms. Salvatore enjoys seeing the players have a great time. This is one of the reasons why she loves the Giants and one of her favorite parts about the team.
“My favorite part is the team. I don’t care about winning the World Series, but the team is fun and they’re nice guys on the team. That’s more fun to watch.” Ms. Salvatore said.
It’s interesting to learn about teachers’ hobbies and see that even as adults, they still are dedicated and passionate about what inspired them in high school.
Picture taken by Saul Navarrete
Picture taken by Edith Salvatore
Picture taken by Octavio Rodriguez
Hot or not: viral recipes
BY RILEY BRADDOCK & ALIZA JUNEAU Staff Reporters
Mug cake
When we picked this recipe, we had high hopes. We thought it would be an easy dessert that you could whip up after dinner. But after trying it, our dreams were crushed. First of all, the process was harder than we had expected; the batter was hard to mix in the mug, and the cooking time was off; we had to cook it for almost 6 minutes instead of
the 2 minutes that we had expected. Not to mention the end result wasn’t up to our standards. The texture was fudgey yet fluffy, resulting in a weird, dry, mushy texture. The taste was only sweet; the cake itself didn’t taste like chocolate. The only thing that saved this was the chocolate chips, so if you plan to make this (which we don’t recommend), be sure to add a lot of chocolate chips. Our rating? 2 out of 10.
Cinamon Roll Pancakes
For a cinnamon roll pancake recipe branded as the recipe that made the creator’s husband not only fall in love, but put a ring on it, we had high expectations. The reality was far different from the simple process and impressive results we expected, given the 52 million views.. The process was weirdly tedious, involving
countless dishes and hours over the stove, only for the pancakes to end up tasting plain. You get a single bite of cinnamon sugar in each pancake, with hints of playdough. Not to mention the texture was chewy yet dry. If you follow the directions and steam the pancakes, they burn on the bottom but leave the top uncooked. This wasn’t the worst thing we’ve ever tasted. With a few tweaks, there’s definitely potential for some-
Chocolate Yogurt Clusters
This dessert was popular amongst not just Aliza and me but also my whole family; safe to say it
thing delicious. For all the dishes and hard work that went into this dish, it would maybe land you a date, but definitely not a wedding. Our rating? 5 out of 10.
delicious. It tasted as if Tru Fru had a baby with froze yogurt. Not only was it easy to make, but the ingredient list
was shorter than Kevin Hart. Yogurt, honey, strawberries (or other berries), chocolate chips, and vanilla extract are all you need for this sweet treat. The instructions were also extremely simple; anyone could do it, and it only dirtied a few dishes. The process was so simple, but the results were fabulous! Our main critique is
that the freezing time was longer than expected, so next time we attempt this, we will make them bite-sized to reduce prep time. Our rating? 8 out of 10.
Preserving memories: the mystery of time capsules
BY ALEXA ARANDA, KIARA BROADWAY & IIZABELLA MONTOYA Staff Reporters
A time capsule is a box full of memories. They usually hold items from specific years, containing things that capture the culture, trends, and spirit of that moment in time. At Sequoia, the tradition of time capsules goes back over a century, with the very first one made in 1917. For decades, students created and buried these containers, but the last time a Sequoia time cap sule was opened was in 1962, and stu dents stopped making them in the early 2000s.
Originally, Sequoia’s time capsules were buried along the pathway outside of Mr. Priest’s office. Later, due to construction, they were moved to the Tea Garden, and eventually stored in the basement under the library. Unfor tunately, the basement flooded, which damaged most of the capsules.
“[The flood] ruined everything. Some stuff was safe, but not much, I don’t think we have any more left,” Vice Principal, Gary Gooch said.
vived completely intact. This is because it was a welded-shut. When it was opened nearly 90 years later, in 2006, it revealed remarkably well-preserved items.
“The one from 1917 was actually the best intact [capsules] that I’ve seen, and
opened in 2045. Strangely, few people know about it, including Mr. Priest.
“So I wonder if this was part of the 100 Years celebration of Sequoia in 1995. I bet they buried it. I actually didn’t know about that. I hope I’m still here. We can open it up,” Priest said.
ated the time capsules would request that their class’ capsule be opened 50 years later at their 50-year class reunion.
For Mr. Gooch, time capsules are personal. He remembers making one during his time in high school.
Most of the time capsules had limited protection from moisture, so few survived. But the earliest time capsule sur-
While the time capsules were an enduring 80-year tradition at Sequoia, today most students don’t know they even exist. There isn’t much information on them, other than the stars by Mr. Priest’s office, which some students know about and others don’t. There is a plaque that explains the stars near Carrington Hall, but since it’s on the ground, it is mostly stepped on instead of being read to understand the history.
“Are you talking about the ones in front of Carrington? I’m not really sure. I don’t know much about the plaques,” Junior Reese Skye said.
There is a mysterious time capsule hidden in the tea garden, buried in between the bushes. This capsule belongs to the class of 1995 and is set to be
“I was born in 1965, so when I was 15, it was 1980 at my high school, and we did a time capsule. And that was like the year AC/DC came out with their album “Back in Black”. And it was this kind of cassette tape thing. We put that in there. We also put in concert t-shirts,” Gooch said. What is the process of making a time capsule? Students in the senior class come together to decide what things to put in the capsule, obtain the selected items and figure out how to package it in a secure manner. Lastly, working with Mr. Priest or Mr. Gooch, the time capsule committee identifies an accessible and safe spot to bury it.
The Class of 2026 will have its own chance to leave behind memories for future Ravens. A QR code is available below for those who want to help create Sequoia’s next time capsule.
Seniors fill out this form!
“Star Pathway by Carrington” Photo by Alexa Aranda
Bake off
BY TATUM CHAUDHRY & TERI SULLIVAN Staff Reporters
Downtown Redwood City is known for its outstanding food, and the bakeries are no exception. However, when choosing between one or the other, the options can feel overwhelming. To make this choice easier for you, we visited three of the bakeries within a mile of Sequoia. After eating at Mademoiselle Colette, Coffeebar, and The Baker Next Door, this is what we thought.
Mademoiselle Colette
Mademoiselle Colette is an elegant French bakery located at 2401 Broadway. The store features a minimalistic design, and the neutral color palette offers a very clean, chic look. They offer a wide variety of small cakes and pastries. We ordered a raspberry Charlotte ($12), and the first bite was enough to justify the price. This teacup-sized cake was perfectly sweet, with a tart raspberry filling and raspberries on top. Each bite melted in the mouth and was filled with flavor. We also got the kouign amann ($5.80), a cross between a croissant and a sticky bun. It was light, flaky, buttery, and sweet. More caramelization would have sealed the deal, but it was a solid kouign amann.The last pastry we tried was
Hours
Mademoiselle Colette:
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays Coffeebar: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily The Baker Next Door: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily closed Mondays
6 Mins (walk from Sequoia)
a bressane ($6.50). This citrussy brioche pastry featured a denser bread, crunchy sugar on top, and a subtle orange flavor. Finally, we tried two drinks: a 16-oz iced chai latte ($6.75) and a 16-oz iced matcha latte ($6.85). The chai latte had a strong vanilla flavor. It was lightly spiced and very milky. The matcha latte was pretty standardnot too milky or too strong, with a subtle sweetness to it. Overall, though the menu options can be a bit pricey, the delicious flavors and elevated presentation of the food were worth it.
Coffeebar
Coffeebar
Mademoiselle Colette
Mademoiselle Colette
Coffeebar
Coffeebar, located at 2020 Broadway, has a very calm and welcoming environment, making it a great place for homework, board games, or just chatting over a coffee with friends. Though more of a café than a bakery, they offer a decent array of baked goods and pastries. The first thing we tried was their almond croissant ($6.95). The croissant was not too sweet, with a good almond flavor throughout. A few bites in, you’ll uncover a sweet almond filling, which adds more character to an otherwise basic croissant.We also had their cheddar chive savory scone ($5.50), which was on the dry side.When eating it, the
scone went through many different flavor phases, but it wasn’t the best. The last baked good that we tried was a blueberry lemon muffin ($4.95). The lemon flavor was overpowered by the blueberry, but it added a nice touch. The sweet muffin contrasted perfectly with the tart blueberries. For drinks, we ordered a vanilla latte ($6.75) and a masala chai ($6.50). The latte was not bitter in the slightest, but overly milky, and the chai was wellspiced and creamy. Coffeebar is a great environment to eat, drink, and hang out, but as a bakery, it falls short.
The Baker Next Door
As soon as we walked through the yellow door, we knew this bakery would stand out. Inside The Baker Next Door, located at 851 Main Street, we were welcomed by the beautiful display of pastries atop the checkered counter. When choosing our pastries, the nectarine spandauer ($7) immediately caught our eye. This was beyond words. The pastry was perfectly crisp, buttery, and flaky, and the custard filling was sweet and tart. When combined with the slice of nectarine in the middle, this blend of flavors was exquisite. Second, by the helpful cashier’s recommendation, we tried their strawberry chausson ($7), which is a turnover-style puff pastry. This had a denser pastry, but there was too much filling for us. The filling, made from real strawber-
ries, was delicious, but there was an excessive amount of filling relative to the pastry. Finally, we came in with high expectations for the kouign amann ($6) after Mademoiselle Colette, but this exceeded our expectations by far. It was the perfect balance of soft and crispy, with a deliciously caramelized top. And to drink, we ordered a vanilla latte ($6.40) and their “Under the Pink” tea ($5.15). The vanilla latte had the perfect balance of coffee and vanilla. It wasn’t too milky or too bitter, and came with beautiful latte art. The “Under the Pink” tea is a lemony, slightly sparkling hibiscus tea, which was fruity and refreshing. This was by far the best bakery we visited and stood out in the best way.
Price Hours
The Baker Next Door The Baker Next Door Coffeebar Coffeebar Mademoiselle Colette
The Baker Next Door
The Baker Next Door
The Baker Next Door
The Baker Next Door
BY NATALIE AGUILAR & JACQUELINE ROJAS Staff Reporters
Trivia !!
* Melly Aguayo’s quinceneara was in April, 2023
* Mia Ramirez’s quinceneara was in August, 2025
* Ana Sevilla’s quinceneara was in February, 2023
Quinceañera cake, photo provided by Melly Aguayo
Decorations, photo provided by Ana Sevilla
Next to 15, photo provided by Ana Sevilla
A quinceañera is a coming-of-age party, signifying a heartwarming transition into womanhood. This tradition is prevalent throughout many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and more.
The quinceañera celebration originated from ancient Aztec and Mayan traditions, where 15-year-old girls were introduced to society as women. The Spanish blended indigenous rites with Roman Catholic practices and European court traditions, creating the modern celebration people know to day. A quinceañera is a cultural blend of past and present traditions, signifying how she is ready for new responsibili ties.
A lot of hard decisions have to be made, such as the amount willing to spend, which is a large aspect of the planning process. Originally, senior Melly Aguayo didn’t want a quinceañera; instead, she wanted a Sweet 16. However, after helping plan her cousin’s quinceañera, she saw how important this celebration was to her culture. As a result, she decided to have a quinceañera and began to plan, starting off with the theme.
“My original plan was to have my dress be purple; ‘Rapunzel’ themed like everyone else, then it went to ‘En chanted Green’ and ‘El Rancho’, and then it went to ‘Fairytale’. It took me about two years to [fully] plan it out,” Aguayo said.
cific theme,” Ramirez said. “I just knew I wanted to incorporate my favorite color, which is light green. I had light pink, light green and gold.”
Similarly, senior Ana Sevilla didn’t have a specific theme either, also choosing to base her decor on colors she liked.
“I went more with colors; the main colors were lilac and white. There were also some decorations with gold and silver,” Sevilla said.
ning the party and the dances. Another quinceañera tradition is the dances with close family members, not just the father-daughter dance. These dances are always deeply special to the quinceañera girl because it is the people she chooses to share the moment with.
Aguayo danced with three people for her special dances, which were her father, mother, and uncle, who were all very special to her.
Despite the endless choices, she finally decided on a theme that reminded her of what she loved to watch growing up.
“My dress was champagne gold. I chose that color because I was going for a vintage fairytale [style]. I grew up watching “Tinker Bell” and have always loved the vibe of fairies, animals and nature.”
While sophomore Mia Ramirez didn’t have a specific theme in mind, she decided to center her quinceañera around a color she liked.
“My dress was light pink, and it had a floral pattern on it. I didn’t have a spe-
Some other aspects of quinceañeras are the traditional foods, which are typically arranged with arroz rojo (orange rice), birria (meat stew), and frijoles (beans) on the side.These are foods prevalent in many Latin American cultures.
One other important aspect of quinceañeras is typically a mass, an act of worship in a Catholic church, spiritually signifying her transition into womanhood as well as a blessing. However, Aguayo, Ramirez, and Sevilla chose not to attend mass for their quinceañeras due to the stress already around plan-
“I did the father-daughter dance with my father. I did ‘Angel baby’, it’s a very nice classic song by Rosie [and The Originals],” Aguayo said. “ I danced with my mom to a Spanish song. I don’t remember what song, but it was super sweet. And [lastly,] I danced with my uncle, who raised me as his own child.”
Additionally, Ramirez shared a special moment with her brother and her father, having them be the ones to let her go as she transitions into a new era.
“I did the dance with my brother and my dad,” Ramirez said. “Even though [my brother] is 11 years older than me, we’re still pretty close.”
Instead of the traditional father-daughter opening dance, Sevilla chose to begin hers with her mom.
“I really enjoyed it,” Sevilla said. “I danced with my mom, then my dad, my uncle, and all my friends.”
The dances are often the highlight of quinceañeras, but for many, the entire celebration is just as meaningful. Growing up in a Latino family, the big question is always: Are you going to have a quinceañera? Still, some families let the 15-year-old decide between having a quinceañera or receiving another big gift, such as money, a trip, or a car.
“From my experience, you should choose the quinceañera because you’re only going to turn 15 once,” Aguayo said. “It doesn’t matter if the budget is low or high because you’ll still enjoy your day with your loved ones; it is such a unique experience.”
Shopping showdown
BY LILY LUCAS & REAGAN YANG Staff Reporters
The world is perpetually evolving to become more advanced and suitable for humans. There’s technology, environment and entertainment, but there’s one aspect that tends to be overlooked: mall culture.
Once the heart of retail, research now shows that about 87% of American malls are expected to close over the next 10 years. The rise of online shopping–one of the biggest factors in declining malls–raises questions about the value of in-person shopping and whether or not it has a place in the future in a consumer-driven society.
“In-person [shopping] is nice because I can try things on, but I like to shop online more because it’s really hard to find pants that are long enough for me. A lot of the time they don’t carry them in stores,” says sophomore Savannah Lewis.
The rise of online shopping has proven to be highly valuable and efficient, with the opportunity to provide a variety of suitable clothing to choose from, which is a limitation for in-person shopping. Another deciding factor for choosing how to shop is the quality of the items. Items in stores may be more prone to wear and tear due to the number of people coming across them.
“I just feel like [malls] should be cleaner, especially in Sephora, because one time I bought a lip gloss and it was already used,” junior Olivia Di Corpo says.
This is why many opt for online shopping: it’s extremely convenient for both the people running the organizations and also for the consumers. The practicality of e-commerce is above par–it’s efficient and offers a wide variety of items. Online shopping is increasingly relevant in modern day, diminishing the use of in-person shopping. However,
there’s aspects that online shopping could never replace.
“[Shopping] online is kind of more convenient, but [shopping] in person is more fun, especially if you go look with friends,” sophomore Maddie Briant says.
Although online shopping provides the most efficient options, the pleasure of going in person to a mall provides a unique experience, especially when going with friends.There’s much more to do than just shopping: there’s food, people and a place to hang out. The different options can keep someone occupied in a soothing third space environment and an excuse to say you left your house.
“Service,” DiCorpo says.
It’s not good to shop online because you’re kind of blind buying, but I like to shop online and then check it out in person
Lucas Gotelli, sophomore
The human interactions that come through shopping malls are undeniable. Additionally, research from the National Institutes of Health shows that tactile experiences that come with in-person shopping intuitively encourage purchase habits, as well as further satisfying the customer. In-person shopping still provides satisfaction albeit the convenience e-commerce has. The satisfaction comes with the purchase feeling more justified as you know that it’s exactly up to your standards.
“You get to have that in-person feeling of trying on the clothes and talking with Customer
“It’s not good to shop online because you’re kind of blind buying, but I like to shop online and then check it out in person,” says sophomore Lucas Gotelli.
Both sides have different values, and no one is limited to one option. However, it’s safe to say that the desire for in-person shopping is still standing, due to its ability to provide great bonding opportunities, wonderful memories and purchase satisfaction.
Hillsdale Mall Stanford Shopping Center Westfield Valley Fair
Sequoia’s lost trade school
BY COLIN CHOW & EVAN INMAN Staff Reporters
Bay Area residents are calling tradesworkers “the new millionaires” of the Silicon Valley. In 2023, the average union electrician in San Francisco made $417,240 a year, while a union plumber made $158,000. In fact, Sequoia once had an entire trade program, built to serve non-college-oriented students and set them up for a productive career in the trades and other blue-collar jobs.
The trade program, known as the Regional Occupation Program, (ROP), started in the 1960s to address workforce needs with handson training for high school students and adults. The program’s goals were to connect students to the workforce shortly after high school and
included classes such as auto shop and hospitality, among others. ROP thrived for decades, providing students with valuable skills, lessons and for many, careers.
Through ROP, students were placed into internships that often led to jobs. Some teachers, such as the auto shop teacher, were able to connect students with auto mechanics to work during and after high school.
Electrician Student From 1980 Sequoia Yearbook
The ROP basically lost its funding, so it just went away.
Dayna Danielson, Sequoia Teacher
“Sometimes students were even placed […] in a hotel to do an internship. We even had
Data From The Education Data Initiative and Indeed
airport [internships][...] they would help out with baggage,” Sequoia teacher and former team leader of ROP at the San Mateo County Office of Education Dayna Danielson said.
However, in 2014, funding was reallocated toward the community college system, leading to the dissolution of ROP at Sequoia. While some classes remained, such as woodshop, classes like auto shop, computer repair and hospitality were cut from the curriculum.
“They changed where that tax money went, and the ROP basically lost its funding, so it just went away,” Danielson said.
ROP was dissolved to better prepare students for college. The focus shifted toward helping students meet the A-G requirements and ensuring that graduates are eligible for admission to a four-year college. Career and Technical Education require-
ments were incorporated into the academic curriculum, and programs like the Health Careers Academy and Digital Arts Academy were developed to provide students with career exposure while also preparing them for postsecondary education.
Some students, however, feel that while this shift helps with college readiness, Sequoia could offer more opportunities to learn hands-on trade skills.
“I think that [...] people should know how to do, or at least have a general understanding of [trade skills],” sophomore Kate Mcloughlin said.
McLoughlin is not alone in her interest in learning trade skills. An August 2025 survey found that over 35% of a sample of 200 Sequoia students surveyed said that they would
be interested in taking a trade or ROP class, with many displaying interest in an autoshop or metalworking program.
Blue-collar careers like plumbers or metal workers usually need little to no higher education. Since college can have a burdensome cost that leaves many students with massive debt, trade school is a viable option for many who want to enter a career sooner and have less debt.
According to a study from the Midwest Technical Institute, the average total cost for trade school typically ranges from roughly $3,800 to $16,000, including housing and books. Compared to the approximately $50,000 in-state or $200,000 out-of-state tuition for four year colleges, trade schools offer an affordable alternative to university.
“I think [the trades] are an effective career path for people that aren’t interested in going to a four-year school,” sophomore Nikhil Rasiah said.
Due to the rise of AI, many office jobs, such as data entry and customer service, are being taken over by this new 21st-century innovation. Due to the increasing prevalence of AI, many students are uncertain about which major to choose. This opens the door to the trades for many students.
“I think especially now is a good time to learn a trade. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly replacing technology jobs as well as jobs currently done by college graduates,” Sequoia alum John Johnson said.
Sequoia Auto Shop 1968 - From Lee Bedford on Facebook
For nearly 400 years, publishers have dominated the writing industry, controlling almost all literature marketed to the masses. The disparity between self-publishing and the use of traditional publishing houses is growing wider by the year, but why?
From the perspective of a new author, publishing can be an intimidating process; however, before they can consider their options, they must first write the book.
“Writing the book is the fun part. It really only ends up being 40% of the work that goes into creating the finalized product,” Young Adult Fantasy Author Kenny Gould said.
manuscript is accepted by an agent and they work out a deal with a publishing company, the resources they have access to compound dramatically. Many might decide to take another route, though.
novels, but the commodity has yet to expand to other vessels for storytelling.
The people who lose are the people that quit.
Self-publishing is the process of either hiring professionals in order to perform the roles needed for book release or doing it by oneself. Senior Mira Lowitz used an increasingly popular tool called Amazon KDP in order to self-publish a book.
Kenny Gould, author “
After the writing is completed, it’s time to make the decision: traditional house publishing or self-publishing? Many writers are initially drawn to large publishing houses, the tricky part is getting accepted. The sad truth is, only 1% to 2% of manuscripts are fully accepted by publishers, according to Aspiring Author statistics. For the most part, it’s due to writing quality.The only solution in this case is practice.
“It might not happen in the time frame you want it, but if [...] you’re willing to learn, practice and take joy from the process, eventually you will have everything you want,” Gould said.
The other piece to ponder is, publishing is a business, and publishers need to make money on the books they sell. The key is to find what gives an author’s writing the edge it needs to stick out of the crowd and lean into it.
“If you stick to it and you keep working hard at it and you keep that dream alive, you will get to where you want to go,” Gould said.
On the off chance that an author’s
“I was 13 at the time and I felt a lot of trepidation, but I decided to just go for it. For me, it was more about getting my words out than making money,” Lowitz said. Thanks to these opportunities, young writers like senior Adelyn Qian are able to share their voice.
“I started this project at the end of freshman year with three other girls. It was hard to balance with extracurriculars and school because illustrating can take serious time, but we were able to get it done,” Qian said.
Like Lowitz, Qian wanted to publish a book in order to share her voice rather than for money. Instead of a typical novel, however, Qian and her friends wrote and illustrated a children’s book. Although it might not be stress-free, there are a multitude of options aside from traditional house publishing. Self-publishing is all well and good for
A written screenplay has to be of impeccable quality however, because if your writing gets rejected, there is no alternative.
“I mean, you have to be an exceptional writer. It’s definitely not a good idea to submit scripts of mediocre quality; that’s why you spend so much time rewriting. For example, as a reader for the Austin Film Festival, they get scripts all the time, and many of them are not ready for public viewing,” English teacher and Screenwriter Renita Spears said. While Spears is an English teacher at Sequoia, she and a group of other writers are currently working on a script for a TV show about a high-stakes FBI case. Due to the high standards writers are expected to meet, editing and rewriting are essential.
“People always want to reach up and meet the executive and the agent, but you need people on your same level who can give you feedback that can tell you if you are ready to talk to an agent or to a manager or to someone who has a connection to publishing,” Spears said.
Overall, it doesn’t matter which route someone chooses to follow, be they an author, playwright, illustrator or podcaster, it’s going to be difficult. In the end, though, it’s all hard work.
“Probably the best thing I can say about publishing is, if you are interested in getting published, you will submit. You will get rejected so many times in your life. And the only thing you can do is adjust based on the feedback you get and keep going. The only missing piece is time,” Gould said.
Paranormal on the peninsula: haunted locations on the Bay
BY NOAH PEGNA & HARRISON ROBERTS Staff Reporters
Boo! It’s the Halloween season, and in the town of Redwood City, ghouls and specters are all out-a-haunting. This city has a rich history with alleged hauntings, from chilling ghost sightings to disturbing tragedies; many occurrences thought to be tied to the supernatural have been reported on these city grounds.
As many prepare for the upcoming All Hallows Eve, a slew of traditions regarding ghosts and spirits are starting to appear.Whether it be visiting the local haunted house, watching a scary movie, or sharing ghost stories with friends, the spirit of the spook is most definitely in the air. However, some ghost stories, just like the ones everyone loves to exchange during this time of year, have taken place in locations known and loved in our city and nearby, such as the Fox Theatre.
The Fox Theatre, built in 1928, has been recognized as a staple of Redwood City history and is a frequently patronized location in the downtown area. This location, as well as other paranormal locations’ outside appearances, may not suggest the presence, or for-
mer presence of a ghoul. When asked about Fox Theatre and other haunted locations like this, Sequoia junior Mat thew Macedo feels that how a certain space first appears may not tell you the full story.
“[Haunted locations] don’t really seem creepy on the outside, but it’s just the stories that come from them [that make them feel creepy],” Macedo said.
Despite this facade, Fox Theatre is no stranger to a little haunting. The Redwood City Climate wrote a series of articles examining haunted locations in the area, and according to their re search, in 1928, during the construction of the theatre, multiple contractors had mysterious reports of a specter while in the building. The general manager of Fox, Earnie Schmidt, claimed contractors reported seeing a ghostly figure resembling a young woman wearing a long dress, who seemed to disappear upon reaching the corner staircase of the the-
US Adults who don’t believe in the Paranormal
es of a woman was discovered in the building’s attic. The former owner of Fox, Eric Lotchefield, stated that the ashes found “dated back decades”. Another staple of the area is the family-friendly Water Dog
Photo by Robb Most
Lake Park, built around the year 1870. Water Dog Lake Park, located in Belmont, was originally created to provide water to the Ralston Mansion, located near the Notre Dame campus. While the lake itself, like the Fox Theatre, might seem inconspicuous, the murky waters and hidden tunnels beneath the basin offer an array of disturbing stories. To start, these mysterious tunnels, riddled with graffiti and symbols of all sorts, are rumored to have been home to satanic rituals. However, the tunnels aren’t the only mysterious secret that the lake and its surrounding park hold. On Oct. 2, 1984, the remains of a 12-year-old were discovered near the water. The child, 12-yearold Lance Turner, was found in the bushes next to the lake. He was a victim of serial killer John Dunkle, nicknamed ‘The Peninsula Serial
While local legends circulate in the city, it is intriguing to know how those around Sequoia’s campus feel about ghosts and paranor-
“I believe that something [paranormal] must exist. However, there’s most likely science backing whatever is going on [in these haunted places],” Macedo said.
When asked about an explanation for the supernatural, freshman Jonah Du Mee had a similar take to Macedo.
“Science [is responsible for these incidents], because science has the answers to a lot of things,” Du Mee said. But what about the other end of the belief spectrum?
Sequoia Media Center library assistant, Maria Cornelio, who has visited the ‘haunted’ Bay Area spectacle, the Winchester Mystery House, has a different belief on the subject.
“I believe in the paranormal, I think [ghosts] are real. I think energy has a lot to do with it,” Cornelio said.
Many other Americans believe that something paranormal must exist. According to a survey from CivicScience, 64% of U.S. adults believe in one or more variants of supernatural or paranormal phenomena. The survey states that the most popular of these phenomena is ghosts or spirits, with 41% of interviewees believing in them. Due to the mysterious nature of the paranormal, many interpretations can be made about such beings’ appearances, behaviors, or existence.
Photo from San Mateo Daily Journal
Horrifying releases
BY CESAR JIMENEZ & RYANT PERALTA Staff Reporters
Horror games have been a staple in the gaming community for years, with titles like “Alan Wake” and “Silent Hill”. With the release of “Silent Hill f” and “Cronos:The New Dawn”, we wanted to highlight the new horror games coming out this month.
When “Cronos” was first announced, fans wondered if it might become the next great horror game. After spending about 12 hours playing, I can say it delivers a strong mix of story, gameplay and atmosphere.
The story follows a traveler who must go back in time to find selected individuals and capture their consciousness before they are infected and transformed into terrifying creatures. This setup makes you feel like you’re racing to save the planet from an unstoppable threat.
The mechanics feel solid and the pacing works well. The game doesn’t rush into things, but instead builds up gradually, which I grew to appreciate.
I’m a fan of horror games, and I thought this one has a good story, gameplay, and environment. “Cronos” has good gameplay because, as the traveler, you run around trying to fight enemies with a wide range of weapons: swords, hammers, daggers, even guns. The combat feels smooth and adaptable, giving players different ways to handle challenges
The gameplay is superior to other horror games I’ve played
due to the terrifying animations, sound-effects, and unpredictable environments. You don’t know what to expect, which should be the point of most horror games, but I feel like Cronos takes it to the next level by blending horror with adventure
When this game was announced alongside the “Silent Hill 2” remake, I didn’t know what to think. I’m a huge fan of the “Silent Hill” franchise, so hearing that both a remake and a brand-new game were on the way had me ecstatic. I already knew what to expect from “Silent Hill 2” since it’s a remake of a game I’ve played before. But I had no expectations for “Silent Hill f”, which introduces a completely new setting and char acters.
Developers promised a return to the series’ roots by embracing Japanese horror influences. Since the original Team Silent disbanded after “Silent Hill 4”, later versions were developed by different Western studios and didn’t quite capture the same feel. But I can safely say “Silent Hill f” has exceeded my expectations. When I first heard about the new combat system, I worried it might weaken the horror element. After all, how can you be afraid of some thing that poses no real threat? But the way it works in this game is unique. Weapons come with a durability gauge, meaning they can break and leave you defenseless. That balance between combat and
Another standout feature is the eerie-environment with monsters hiding in the fog-filled town and the chilling ambient sounds; these factors combine to create an unforgettable horror experience.
Horror movies for the spooky season
BY SARA FLORES & MICHAEL JAYAKODDY Staff Reporters
The Women in the Yard is a psychological thriller film. The Main Character, Ramona, a mother of 2 children, gets consumed by grief and isolation after a tragic accident with her husband, leaving her to care for her 14-year-old son, Taylor, and 6-year-old daughter Annie. The family lives in a rural farmhouse, situated on acres of remote and isolated land surrounding the property. Initially, the family had no power in the home due to unpaid bills and electricity bills. A woman in a black dress appeared in front of the home, sitting on a chair, saying the line “It’s The Day”. Throughout the film, Roamona struggles with deep internal conflict and dark thoughts, trying to protect her children while battling her own inner demons. The film portrays themes of mental illness, grief, attempted suicide, and the lies we tell others and ourselves to cope with trauma.
The Woman in the Yard is a movie that can keep you on edge for most of the time, as the audience tries to predict the next jump scare or major event. The movie made my friends and me jump a bit in some scenes, but afterwards, we would laugh it off.
Smile is a psychological horror film. The main character, Skye Riley, is a global pop superstar. She was on a comeback tour after a traumatic event occurred in her past, causing pressure on trying to put it behind her. Later at night, she visits a friend, where she gets passed the curse of the “Smile” entity, and begins to experience terrifying, unexplainable events and hallucinations. Throughout the film, she is overwhelmed by the pressure of fame and escalating horrors she sees due to the curse; she must face her past to grasp control over her life before it’s too late. The film portrays themes of trauma and drug use, on how they can affect a person and their life.
Carrie White is about a shy 16-yearold girl who is often bullied by her peers, who, upon a belated puberty, discovers she has psychic powers that she doesn’t want. To be frank, that’s basically all I can say without getting into spoilers. It’s one of those films that you need to watch for yourself. In 2008, it was placed on the empire’s list of “500 greatest movies of all time,” clocking in at a whopping 86th place!
Carrie is a good pick because there are multiple adaptations to choose from. Although I highly recommend the 1976 adaptation, its age is evident, but don’t let that deter you; it’s still a classic. It was directed by Brian De Palma, who is a master of suspense and often gives his more violent movies a hint of eroticism, but outside of the opening locker scene, that aspect of his style is mostly absent in this film because the titular Carrie is a shy 16-year-old. The prom scene is possibly the most referenced thing in all of De Palma’s films.
Junior Aliyah Varella watched the movie with friends and found some scenes confusing, but overall, she liked it.
“The part that caught me off guard was probably when the mom was either dreaming or hallucinating, and I think she stabbed her daughter,” Varella said.
I recommend watching Smile 2 because the concept is introduced in the first film, along with the suspense it brings in certain scenes. The movie has a form where you don’t know when a jumpscare is going to happen, or you think something will appear, but nothing does, only to keep you on edge about what will happen next. The film differs from the first movie, but it retains the same concept of the curse. It has that sense of wonder about whether the new person with the curse will be able to free themselves from it or die, like everyone else in the chain of people who have died from the curse.
Junior Emily Soria saw the movie when it was released and enjoyed its suspenseful nature.
“My favorite part was when the girl realized that she wasn’t in the car with her actual friend, and that it was actually the monster,” Soria said.
This film was an amazing success; it made $33.8 million on a budget of $1.8 million, but the advertising was abysmal. It was so bad and so early in author Stephen King’s career that they got King’s name wrong in the credits. It only did so well because of the great word of mouth. Even at the time, the special effects had a certain Hollywood charm to them. Although compared to today, it is fairly primitive, it did what most adaptations failed to do… be faithful to the original.
Junior Peyton White watched and loved the classic film.
“So well acted and very intense,” White said.
Sequoia’s catch
BY EAMON ALDOUS & MASSIMO RAMEZANE Staff Reporters
Sequoia students and staff are hooked on fishing! Sequoia’s central location on the peninsula makes it a great place for finding fishing spots all over the Bay Area. Here are some local spots, within an hour of campus, to catch the “big one” and enjoy the local outdoors.
Cooley Landing: Cooley Landing has a historic backstory as a defunct pier and a hunting wetland. The landing started as a hunting ground for the Ohlone, who fished for bat rays and sharks in its waters. Then, in the 1800s, the concrete jetties were built to dock large cargo ships and rival San Francisco and Oakland harbors, but the constant need for dredging made the pier too costly, so it was turned into a park and fishing spot.
Species of target: bat ray, leopard shark, striped bass
Bait of preferences: squid, clams, muscles, and anchovies all work well; lures can really only be used for striped bass.
Distance from SEQ: 8.7 miles, 20-minute drive
Our thoughts: Cooley Landing is a good fishing spot for bat rays and leopard sharks, but it should not be expected to catch stripers and other game fish in this section of the bay.
“There’s a lot of waiting, but if you get one, you’ll know, because they’ll just take the bait and drag it,” local fisherman Cole Boggs said.
We were able to hook an incredibly large shark or ray but it sadly broke itself off on the rocky shore of the pier.
Redwood Shores: This fishing spot is 3.5 miles away from Sequoia with fishing for striped bass, bat rays, and leopard sharks. It is right off the Bay Trail next to the Shores KinderCare, but note that there is not a lot of shade.
Junior Isaac Padilla’s preferred bait at this fishing spot is hot dogs and his favorite catch is leopard sharks. “I’m the best fisherman in all of Sequoia High School,” Padilla said when asked about the spot. “I’ve caught so many fish, I’ve barely been fishing for eight months, and I’m a professional. I would even go every single day, the spot is so good.”
Species of target: bat ray, leopard shark, striped bass, jacksmelt
Bait of preference: squid, anchovies, hot dogs
Distance from SEQ: 3.5 miles, 15-minute drive
Our thoughts: It is a really cool spot tucked away on the Bay Trail, a short distance away from Sequoia. Before going, it is important to check the tides because high tide is generally better for catching fish. At low tide, we had to walk out into the mud to get close enough to the water to cast. Also, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting very muddy and wear shoes that won’t slip on the wet rocks. We didn’t catch anything because we were fishing at low tide, but if you get there at the right time, you can catch good fish.
Pier 30: Pier 30 is located right next to the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. It’s 26.7 miles away and is a popular fishing spot for junior Jaret Vargas and his friends. He stated he has had many fun memories at this pier and even appeared in a fishing YouTube channel’s video one time.
“You can catch a keeper fish, Striper, halibut, anything that bites, to be honest.” Vargas said.
Species of target: striped bass, halibut
Bait of preference: anchovies
Distance from SEQ: 26.7 miles, 50-minute drive
Our thoughts: Pier 30 is an excellent fishing spot! We were able to catch a striper, though below legal size. The pier sits high above the water, so it is a bit difficult to land the fish. We were able to easily use saltwater gear and a striper lure to bring in a nice catch.
Del Valle: Though a bit beyond the one-hour-away criterion, Del Valle in Livermore is one of Bay Area native and History teacher Chris Caton’s favorite fishing spots.
“Fishing for a lot of different kinds of fish has been really good there, and I’ve been very successful there from time to time,” Caton said.
Del Valle is a regional park with camping, boating, hiking, and fishing around Lake Del Valle. Caton also said that, sometimes, the lake will be drained without warning, so be sure to check ahead. There is a $5 parking fee, and admission to the park is $6.
Species of target: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stocked rainbow trout, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.
Bait of preference: Night crawlers and castmaster lures work well for most species in the lake. Salmon eggs work well for the trout.
Distance from Sequoia: 44.1 miles, 1 hour 10-minute drive
Our thoughts: Del Valle is quite a drive. If you plan on fishing there, it would be best to camp at the spot to maximize fishing time. The lake itself is full of fish, and we saw lots of different species, including bass and sunfish, though they weren’t really biting that day. Overall, it’s a great spot and is perfect for a family outing, as the park surrounding the lake is incredible for hiking, swimming, and boating.
Fishing is one of the best ways to stay outside and have fun, but those aged 16 and older need a California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing license. You do not need a license to fish off of public piers or on the two days of license-free fishing, but dates for the two days change annually. You can get licenses from most outdoor stores or online on the California Fish and Wildlife website. Get outside and fish!
Redwood Shores, Eamon Aldous
Leopard sharks have dark spots on them but the older the shark is the paler the middle of the spots are!
Striped Bass, cinematickishor
Bat rays can have a wingspan of six-feet and grow up to 200 pounds!
Cell phones:
The good and bad sides of phone use
BY EMERSON SINAY Staff Reporter
Teenagers make up one of the biggest groups of people addicted to their phones.
Phones are a crucial part of teens’ daily lives. In 2025, around 95% of teens in the US have a mobile phone. This number has grown significantly since 2015 when 73% of teens had a phone. Over the past decade, not only do more teens have phones, but they have gotten more addicted to them as well.
Statistics show that around 50% of teens are addicted to their phones today, compared to 10 years ago when it was half of that amount. There are many reasons why teens have become more addicted to their phones, but two of the most significant reasons that explain why the phone is so addictive are the dopamine release (a “feel good” sensation) from phone use and psychological factors, like peer pressure and FOMO (fear of missing out).
Phone addiction can cause major problems for teens, one of the most common is problems sleeping. Phone use causes sleep issues because the blue light emitted by the phone suppresses melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep) production. This causes difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, which results in tiredness, headaches and poor concentration
Senior Lluvia Ruiz has experienced these sleep issues.
“My phone has caused me to face sleep problems at night,” Ruiz said. Another major issue caused by phone use is time management problems. Phones can cause a loss of time awareness, which causes teens to procrastinate. The danger with procrastinating is that things
that should be prioritized are not given attention until it’s nearly too late; this causes teens to feel stressed and anxious and often results in poor quality work and tension with parents.
Even though phones affect sleep and productivity, their impact isn’t all negative since phones can also be beneficial to teens. Some ways phones come in handy include allowing students to turn work in and do research online from the convenience of any location.
Sophomore Kayleen Alexander believes that phones are a really helpful and powerful tool to assist with daily life, especially for teens. She finds phones to be helpful in multiple ways, especially remembering dates.
“I feel that my phone helps me manage my time because it gives me a calendar where I can mark stuff down and know what I’m doing and not doing,” Alexander said. “It’s a great way to communicate with other people.”
Although phones can be a helpful tool, spending too much time on them can impact a person’s health, including causing weight gain, back pain due to bad posture and vision problems.
Freshman Jason Kell realizes that phones can be problematic if overused and suggests that students get some exercise.
“Phones can affect your health if you’re just sitting on your phone, and not going outside and getting enough exercise,” Kell said.
Vigilante swings back into theaters
charliewharliestradingcards - Ebay
BY ANDREW AGUSTIN & ANGEL ORTIZ Staff Reporters
You’ve probably heard the quote “with great power comes great responsibility.” These are the famous words of Peter Parker’s uncle, Uncle Ben.
“Spider-Man 3”, directed by Sam Raimi, was originally released on May 4, 2007. This movie (along with every live action Spider-Man) was recently re-released to celebrate Sony Pictures 100 year anniversary, offering fans a chance to relive the magic on the big screen.
This movie focuses on many themes, including forgiveness, redemption, love, and revenge. But what makes this movie truly incredible is its introduction of a large number of live-action villains, a feat previously reserved for animations or comics.
“Spider-Man 3” has sparked many reviews, with critics and audiences expressing diverse opinions on its narrative and character development.
In Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, the film features Tobey Maguire reprising his role as the iconic superhero, alongside Kirsten Dunst as
Mary Jane Watson and James Franco as Harry Osborn. Notably, the movie introduces several new characters, including the symbiotic alien Venom, played by Topher Grace, which enriches the storyline. Despite its ambitious scope, some reviewers have noted that the film grapples with pacing and an overload of plot elements, leading to a disjointed viewing experience. Nevertheless, “Spider-Man 3” remains a significant and engaging entry in the superhero genre.
While I found the number of villains overwhelming compared to the limited screentime for the protagonist, I still enjoyed many aspects of the movie and its scenery. The attention to detail is impressive, and the choice of actors was excellent. However, the pacing and the handling of the multiple plot elements could have been better.
“Spider-Man 3” is an excellent movie, especially for the villains and the exceptional cinematography. The director’s choice of actors was spot-on, con - tributing to the film’s brilliance. It’s a
must-watch for any fan of the superhero genre. It is also perfect for families and for people who are fans of Marvel Studios. It features beautiful cinematography, the return of a beloved cast, strong emotional arcs for Harry Osborn and Mary Jane, and the effective character development of Peter Parker. You can watch the film at a local movie theater or at home on Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Fandango at home, Apple TV and Fubo TV.
Our Star rating: 4/5 Stars
Symbiote Spider-Man Sam Raimi
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Downfall of Kanye West
BY HENRY GIARDI & WILL HERRO Staff Reporters
In a single day (Oct 25, 2022), Kanye West lost $1.5 billion. This moment marked one of the steepest drops in any individual’s net worth ever. West, argued to be among the most successful artists of all time, is now seen among the most controversial, and sits on a legacy of glory crumbling beneath him.
Kanye West or Ye, has a cemented spot in music history and a trophy closet to reckon with. West recorded six of the top 500 albums of all time according to Rolling Stone. He won 24 Grammys, placing him as the 12th most awarded artist ever. He sold more than 160 million records, and at one point had upwards of $1.5 billion in brand deals with Adidas. Yet after all of this success, West has slid from an international success story to controversy.
Prior to 2021, West boasted a career in music that yielded more than just awards. He challenged the standard of music production by creating highly personal, relatable lyrics in a music
era dominated by pop culture themes. West successfully released music independently, disproving the lasting narrative that artists need major labels and feature artists to achieve stardom.
Five years ago, Kanye was a civic leader, an idol, a success story and on top of this, he was involved in philanthropy. He created Donda’s House, a charity that aims to help lower dropout rates and illiteracy by integrating musical education into the schools of underprivileged children in Chicago. These actions showed people what West stood for.
West was an admirable and charismatic man, but in 2021 he lost custody of his three children. In a divorce with fashion designer and reality television star Kim Kardashian, West lost the court battle fighting for custody of his children, North, Saint, and Psalm. Unfortunately for fans and listeners, it seemed at this time that it wasn’t just West’s personal life that had begun to destabilize; it was also his music.
Photo sourced by Kanye albums
Photo sourced from Rolling Stone
¨His music has gotten much worse because he’s incorporated public opinions and politics into his music, making it an opinion-based thing to listen to, and a lot of people don’t agree with it,” freshman William Westfall said.
And it seems the very same emotional and personalized style that had set West apart from his peers has been replaced with his infamous unapologetic incorporation of far-right opinions and ideologies, which has tainted his name and brand.
Looking back on the last five years, many fans theorize that his impending downfall started in 2016, when Kanye was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Last February he gave a health update, stating that he was misdiagnosed and that he is now diagnosed with autism.
Over the course of his fall from star dom, West has attributed a number of his actions to his past bipolar and recent autism diagnosis. On the Da vid Letterman show in late 2019 West said, “When you’re in this state, you’re hyper-paranoid about everything. Ev eryone is now an actor. Everything’s a conspiracy.” He describes himself as oftentimes in a different state of mind and conscience, causing everything he says to be taken with a criti cal lens leaving fans to wonder how much of what West says is still really himself.
As the timeline
progresses the level of controversy surrounding West only gets deeper.
In December of 2022, Alex Jones interviewed West won his podacst Infowars. West repeatedly praised Hitler and nazism. “I see good things about Hitler.” This moment was one of the first and most recognized instances that exposed West’s antisemitism, something that has become increasingly common on his social media account.
“
I can’t root for him, especially when you already know he’s controversial.
Pedro Henriquez, junior
royalties for West, but was ultimately canceled in October, 2022. Adidas took to Twitter stating, “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” The termination of the Adidas collaboration cost Kanye an estimated $1.5 billion, a loss accounting for over three quarters of his net worth.
In February 2025, West posted , “I’m a Nazi” on X. As a result, West was banned from X.
”It’s hard, I can’t root for him, especially when you already know he’s controversial and he keeps dropping worse and worse music,” Junior Pedro Henriquez said.
West’s shift into a persona dominated by politics and antisemitism has
West´s image is tarnished and his music has deteriorated, but throughout this adversity there are a few things that remain.
¨I think he’s always been a very passionate person. He’s passionate about different things now, but he’s always had that passion, and I think that I can admire that,¨ said Sophomore Luca Chung.
West has struggled to find a grip in his personal life in recent years, a trait that would most likely lead many mu
Photo sourced from the Guardian
Photo sourced from iInfowars
LEGO MASTERS
BY GIO CARICIO & ALEX CORPOS Staff Reporter & Multimedia Editor
LEGO may look like simple plastic blocks, but students at Sequoia see them as much more, helping with imagination, problem-solving, and new ways of looking at the world. This raises the question: Is Lego just a kids’ toy, or have they become something that’s more for adults?
Sequoia students share opinions on whether LEGO is for children or adults.
“I feel like it depends, because they got two different [themes], one theme for adults and children,” Junior Fabian Rodriguez said
For decades, LEGO was simply a childhood toy, but there was a gradual shift that gained momentum in the early 2000s as the company recognized the value of its Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOL).
“
My dad and his siblings were fans of it for a while, so they had a lot of it, and I just inherited the gift of collecting from him
Trevor Snow, junior
Adults have taken over, building huge sets, collecting rare pieces, and even competing in LEGO contests. At Sequoia, students are proving that these bricks do more than just entertain; they can challenge the way we think and even help us solve problems.
“I think it really depends on the set. I mean, some sets are [have] less Legos, and sometimes the Legos are chunkier, they’re bigger, so they’re easier for little ones to use. And then the sets have more pieces,” Senior Katherine Salazar said
Before they started making interlocking plastic bricks, LEGO made pull-along toy ducks beginning in 1935. However, over time this toy declined in popularity, so LEGO’s founder Ole Kirk Christiansen patented the design for the famous LEGO bricks in 1958. For nearly
two decades the LEGO company was booming, but in the late 1970s they began to lose popularity. This prompted the company to secure a license with “Star Wars”, thus starting one of the greatest LEGO themes of all time and making LEGO one of the best selling toys in the world.
Sequoia Junior Trevor Snow got into LEGO through multi-generational enjoyment.
“My dad and his siblings were fans of it for a while, so they had a lot of it, and I just inherited the gift of collecting from him,” Snow said.
Some LEGO sets are more challenging than others, depending on the number of pieces or the complexity of the build. Some students have had difficulty building certain sets, Snow had some struggles with the Typewriter and the Harry Potter Diagon Alley sets; Salazar struggled with the Pirate ship due to the many small pieces and details; and Rodriguez struggled with a spaceship set because of the size.
MASTERS OF SEQUOIA
LEGO sets have also gotten much more expensive as of late, with many sets costing multiple hundreds of dollars, some of the more notable pricey sets include the LEGO Avengers tower at $500, the Ultimate Collector’s Series Millenium Falcon at $850 and the much anticipated Ultimate Collector’s Series death star at $1,000. Many LEGO fans are unhappy with these prices. Due to licensing costs, some licensed sets, like Marvel and Star Wars, have become more expensive while offering fewer pieces.
Sequoia students have spent large amounts of money on LEGO sets. Salazar spent $140 on a set that was built in one sitting; Snow spent $350 on a prized set; and Rodriguez purchased a set that was upward of $200. Builders relish the many Lego themes, thus earning Lego the title of “the king of collaborations” because of their many licensed themes. These themes include: Marvel, Spider-man, Star Wars, Batman, Sonic the Hedgehog, Su-
per Mario, One Piece, Minecraft and many more. The company also has a highly anticipated collaboration with Pokemon starting in February 2026.
Fun LEGO facts:
1. The LEGO company is the largest rubber tire producer in the world
2. Using six 2X4 red bricks you can build 915,103,765 combinations
3. 40 billion LEGO bricks stacked together would reach the moon
Daigon Alley photo taken by Trevor Snow
NEOM McLaren Formula E Race Car taken by Fabian Rodrigueez
BY JOELLA GADDINI & EMILIANA THACKER Staff Reporters
Surrounded by the roar of Friday Night Lights, Sequoia’s Dance Team stretches at the scoreboard, preparing for their halftime performance. Dancers perform for parents, faculty and staff at every home football game and the majority of home basketball games. However, this well-loved and appreciated team runs into problems as they find themselves in the middle of two titles—club or sport—and the financial strain that brings.
Made up of experienced dancers, the team shares a passion for their craft and the thrill of performing. Nonetheless, jerseys, travel and events such as senior night come with a cost, one that is not funded.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is the organization responsible for overseeing competitions, eligibility and championships for high school athletics, as well as deciding
which athletics should be considered a sport. The dance team doesn’t meet CIF sport requirements, meaning the Sequoia Boosters—who fund athletics through coach’s grant applications voted on at booster meetings, typically
“
Different schools choose to fund things differently; that’s really up to their school and their administration.
Melissa Schmidt, Athletic Director
providing uniforms, transportation and events such as senior night—aren’t able to fund the dance team.
While it doesn’t take money to play the music and create the movements the audience witnesses at games, it does take money to provide the basic necessities that teams require. Ella Kempton, one of the dance team’s captains, helps organize fundraisers such as boba sales and bake sales to offset the cost of these purchases.
“Doing the fundraisers, those are a big undertaking. Buying jerseys, purchasing anything for us, we have difficulty with,” Kempton said.
Dancers pay upwards of $70 to fund their jerseys and host a senior night. The dance team is considered a school club that only practices during seventh period, giving dancers the flexibility to train at professional studios or pursue other extracurriculars. Unique to Sequoia, this is the only club that requires an audition.
“By doing it this way, we’re able to
Sequoia Dance Team performs at halftime
open up to more students, but it is still very selective,” dance team advisor Taylor White said. “It’s hard to make the team because you have to be skilled in many different styles of dance, be a very clean dancer and be able to work well in unison with others, which is not easy.”
Despite holding tryouts like any other sport, because Sequoia’s dance team does not compete against other schools, it is excluded from any booster funding.
“In CIF sports, there’s competition involved against other schools. [CIF sports are when] the sport is a team, you’re competing, there are leagues and playoffs,” athletic director Melissa Schmidt said. “There’s no [Sequoia] high school dance competition.”
In contrast, schools such as Carlmont, Woodside, Aragon and Menlo Atherton—some of which compete—all
have their respective school boosters’ funding. Notably, Carlmont placed first in the Varsity High School Small Hip Hop division of West Coast Elite Dance.
“At a lot of other schools, there are coaches. They practice for two hours every day. They get sports credit. They are funded. They have money for uniforms, travel, camps, and more,” White said.
Sequoia dancers don’t get sports credit, provided uniforms, or camps, nor do they practice with a coach or for longer than seventh period. For the most part, Sequoia dance is fully student-run, with a reliance on the skilled and experienced captains. The choreography, arrangement of practices and organization of time—after school or during game time—is all led by students.
“Different schools have different
policies on things. [Sequoia] Dance team has gone in and out of existence, and different schools choose to fund things differently; that’s really up to their school and their administration,” Schmidt said.
Regardless of the financial situation, dancers enjoy the rewarding performances and the camaraderie of the team.
“I love [dance team], my experience [at Sequoia] wouldn’t be the same without it. Even though we don’t get any money, I’d do it anyway,” Kempton said.
2024-2025 Sequoia Dance Team, Photo Credit: Safia Mehta
Is Jordan Peele HIM?
Photo from “Him” movie by Justin Tipping
BY DYLAN BENSON & SARA DRIEDGER Staff Reporters
“Get Out,” “Nope” and “Us.” All movies directed by the world-renowned filmmaker Jordan Peele. But what
Across the internet, audiences have debated Peele’s involvement in this new horror-sports hybrid, and for good reason. Promotional advertisements place Peele’s name front and center, leading many to believe “Him” is his next film. In reality, though, Peele only serves as the producer while the film is directed by Justin Tipping, a name that’s easily overlooked as it’s hidden at the bottom of the posters. This marketing strategy has sparked recent controversy, as audiences feel they have been misled.
Despite the confusion, “Him” became one of the most anticipated films of 2025 as the NFL football season kicked off. The story follows a rising college football quarterback, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), who is recruited by his childhood idol, the legendary championship-winning quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). As Cade begins his intense ing, what he thought would be a dream opportunity ends up becoming his worst night-
What makes “Him” different from other horror films is its bold fusion of two distinct genres: horror and sports. It’s unusual to see a film that can capture the inspiration and perseverance of a football story with a psychological horror aspect, but “Him” does exactly that.
Having seen many horror films before, we had our own speculations about the movie before stepping into the theater. Based on the trailers, we anticipated the story would focus on White’s manipulation of Cade as his idol’s reputation clouds Cade’s judgment. It also seemed that there would be a heavy focus on psychological horror rather than gore, probably with a big plot twist towards the end. However, this was the director’s first horror film, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect from “Him”.
broke into White’s home and tried to kill Cade to prevent him from replacing her favorite quarterback. This intense scene underscored how loyalty can quickly twist into disturbing, cult-like behavior.
After sitting through the 96-minute feature, we stood up feeling mildly unsatisfied. Both of us agreed that the film was visually stunning, with excellent editing and cinematography. There were several factors that enhanced the overall viewing experience, including the sound design and visual effects, which made the film stand out on a technical level. Additionally, we thought the acting was strong, with Withers and Wayans delivering great performances.
That said, the story was lacking from the beginning and fell way off the rails by the end with a predictable plot twist. Poor pacing and subpar writing made it feel like an elongated version of the trailer, revealing nothing beyond the film’s basic premise. For these reasons, we gave “Him” three out of five points on our scoreboard. Returning to what we liked about “Him,” its difficult themes, especially the critique of football fan culture and its cult-like nature, were what stood out. Tipping revealed how obsession can turn dangerous, as when a fan
Another issue in the film is racial exploitation in professional sports. In the final scene, Cade is pressured by five wealthy white men to sign a contract to become the next “Him” through a mysterious ritual. As a mixed-race athlete, his situation reflects how powerful white figures profit from and control the careers of players from marginalized communities.
The last theme we noticed was the pressure parents place on their children in sports. Early on, Cade’s father pushes football on him, making him watch games, join teams and dream of greatness. By the end, it’s revealed that the five men urging Cade to sign the contract had actually been grooming him since childhood, ensuring he followed their desired path. Though extreme, this highlights the real issue of kids being forced into sports by their parents.
Now, recent articles have pushed the clickbait even further, dragging Peele’s name down along with “Him,” as if he were the director. With a 58% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film clearly underperformed, reflecting our own impressions. Many viewers who aren’t film fanatics like us also expected “Him” to be a Jordan Peele movie, so when they didn’t receive one, they were left feeling disappointed. To reiterate, “HIM” is not a Jordan Peele film, and as such, has not met Jordan Peele status.
WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ARE YOU?
Are you more down to earth or head in the clouds?
Do you consider yourself athletic?
Yes I’m su-
Daydreaming is my hobby
I’m better at managing a a team then playing on
Are you creativly inclined?
I am not that creative
Call me a lion ‘cause I love working in a pack
Do you like matcha?
Yes I love the taste of grass
Do you enjoy working with people?
Do you enjoy drawing?
Do you have school spirit?
No (but actually yes I’m in denial)
Weight Room
Purple pride all the way.
No, I’m more of a lone wolf
It’s not my forte Some paints and a canvas? im all set
Not really, it just my school.
Do you like English or Math better?
Math. I love working with numbers
I am super English, writing is may jam!
