Step into Winter: Volume 2, issue 4 - December 2024

Step Into Winter

PALs Stress Less Week

by carrie krummen

`PALs (Peer Assistant Listeners) is an organization of students devoted to creating community at Canyon Crest Academy by raising awareness about mental health, hosting frequent lunch events, and spearheading Stress Less Week during finals. In particular, Stress Less Week is a four-day amalgam of lunch activities designed to reduce school-related stress through informational and entertaining programming. This year, Stress Less Week featured Mental Health Monday, Build-A-Bear Tuesday, Therapy Dogs Wednesday, and Sock Snowmen Thursday. A well-deserved kickoff to Winter Break on Friday will conclude PALs’ thoughtfully curated series of activities. Let’s recap this incredible lineup that PALs organized!

Monday, December 16: Mental

Health

On Monday, PALs arranged an interactive educational presentation about mental health, enhancing the CCA student body’s understanding of disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, eating disorders, and OCD. Education is crucial for helping students recognize potential disorders and prioritize mental health and well-being. When people are better equipped to spot the signs of inadequate mental health, they

are more likely to seek the resources they need for themselves and others.

Tuesday, December 17: Build-A-Bear Tuesday provided a highly-anticipated annual event — Build-ABear Day! CCA students were invited to select a bear (or another stuffed animal species) to become their fuzzy friend, then fill the animal with stuffing and a heart. This activity provided students with emotional support critters to offer comfort and help them de-stress in the hours leading up to finals. The stuffed animals served as luck-BEARing creatures that mitigated nervousness and radiated positive vibes.

Wednesday, December 18:

Therapy Dogs

Wednesday was the first official day of finals, but PALs came prepared. Therapy dogs, an uncontested fan favorite of Stress Less Week, were an overwhelming success! At lunch, CCA students could be seen arriving at the therapy dogs station in flocks, where they were allowed to pet the trained canines to help them relax in anticipation or celebration of final exams. Spending time with cute dogs was a perfect way to calm nerves and meet new furry friends!

Thursday, December 19: Sock Snowmen

There is a widespread belief that snowmen do not exist in sunny Southern California, but this is simply incorrect — it overlooks the existence of sock snowmen! To end the last lunch of the semester on a high note, PALs will coordinate a DIY sock snowmen-crafting session in C107 on Thursday. To make a viable San Diegan snowman, participants will receive a sock, fill it

CCA Formal: Tidal Twilight

by shea salel

On Friday, Dec 6 the formal theme was announced for this year’s winter formal, and many students are excited for the theme: “Tidal Twilight.” Formal will be set at SeaWorld San Diego, where the excitement of the park will be met with the beauty of the water at night. SeaWorld being the venue has many students excited to ride the rides and have a great time on the dance floor. Although the dance is in over a month, on Jan 25, the excitement from such an electrifying theme and location is causing lots of buzz among students.

When interviewed about Winter Formal, dance commissioner Rebecca Lee (11) believes people will like the two unlimited rides the most. Electric Eel and Wild Arctic are the two SeaWorld rides that will be running during the dance. Electric Eel is a thrilling ride that has many twists and turns culminating in a 150foot loop. The ride offers an intense, high-speed experience for all people who want a thrilling ride. The other ride, Wild Arctic, offers riders a riveting and immersive experience that

with rice, and decorate it with puffy paint and googly eyes. The result? An adorable sock snowman that lasts longer than a “traditional” snow snowman!

Friday, December 20 – Tuesday, January 7: Happy Winter Break! Through four carefully designed lunch events, PALs did an impressive job of easing students from a tumultuous academic semester into a

transports guests into the frigid arctic. Upon exiting the exhibit, guests can go into a real-life arctic exhibit where people can learn about arctic animals. People who attend this year’s formal will be able to ride these electrifying rides an unlimited number of times and have lots of fun at SeaWorld. Lee chose this venue because she “thought it was a fun venue, and it had a lot of space included which [she] thought would be great for the amount of people we have.” People should all buy tickets so we can fill the space and have lots of fun. The theme “tidal twilight” is more of an elegant and formal kind of ocean/sea theme, according to Lee. Something that not everyone knows about formal this year is that the park is closed to the public during the dance, so the ride lines should be super short. Sierra Huang (12) and Aria Khaitan (12) were interviewed about their excitement for the 2025 formal. Huang and Khaitan are ready to get electric on the electric eel,

and ride the rides plenty of times. According to Huang, she is “preparing to break the boundaries and be the first person to wear a galaxy-print maxi dress to formal.” (Huang would like no one to copy her). Huang’s favorite song on the dance floor is “FE!N” because she likes to get hyped alongside her fellow peers. Formal Tickets start at $70 this week with ASB card and $80 without ASB card. Prices only go up, and are going to be $100 at the door, so you must buy your ticket soon before they do!

photo credit: busa photography on getty images

photo credit: CCA PALs

photo credit: kelly mitchell on getty images

photo credit: pavia on getty images

Senior Year: A Mid Year Report

BY AriA khAitAn

Hi seniors, how are we doing?

It has been a long first semester and as we approach the end of our first half of senior year, I think it is safe to say we are all ready for the second semester. The past four months have been littered with FERPAS and FAFSAS, essays upon essays, desperately searching for any overlap between prompts where we can copy and paste, and a flood of “where are you applying”s. Let’s see what some seniors have to say about their first semesters. When asking about some emotions to describe the college application process,we heard “anxious,” “uncertainty,” “freaked out,”and “fear”. It was not an easy experience, but we learned a lot from it and were able to self-reflect on who we are and who we want to become in college. When describing the process, 12th grader Dalia Bisevac said “A sense of fear at the new beginning would cause some hesitancy, but when I finally submitted my last application there was a huge shift and a weight was thrust off of me.” On a more sentimental note, Ruthie Ervin, grade 12, said “I’m so excited to move forward in life and onto my next chapter

“The college application process has undoubtedly taken a toll on our seniors, but in proper CCA spirit, it seems everyone has come out of it ten times stronger, more confident,and ready for whatever college might throw at us.”

but knowing there are people I will never speak to or see again is sad.”

Now, juniors listen up, because our seniors have some advice for you next year and if I were you, I would take it in, because I know I could have used it! Senior Chiyo Hatter, says “I would recommend juniors to start early even though it’s a cliché, and get a little bit done every week… as well as set goals for yourself.” In this at times toxic school environment, Dalia implores you to “not worry where everyone else is on their process, make a plan that works for you.I started way after some people, but since I know I work best all at once and with pressure, I got it done quicker than most of them.”

Similarly, Sierra Huang, grade 12, advises “Start early! Begin writing some of your essays in the summer; juggling school work and college apps

We are all going to end up where we are meant to be!

With the final deadlines upon us, it is the last sprint to the finish line of the work we have invested in for the past 4 years. From the expressions on seniors’ faces as they walk toward the Student Lot gate every morning to the way they race out of that lot as soon as the clock hits 3:30, a wave of senioritis is hitting CCA. Luckily,the second semester is almost here, something that rings a far different tune in many seniors’ ears. “Excitement,” “sadness,”“bittersweet,”and“nostalgic”are words that seniors are using to describe how they are feeling right now.

Sierra Huang, I think, speaks for most of us when she says, “I’m mostly excited for next semester. I’m really trying to soak in the last few months of living with my parents and being a kid, because I’m basically on my own when I go to college. At the same time, I’m incredibly sad. I HATE saying goodbye,and not being able to see my best friends and little sister every day is going to be a hard adjustment. Overall, I think second semester will be a bittersweet period.” Senior Jadyn Hecht is feeling similar as

“Although I’ve lived here my whole life, I’ve kind of been in this bubble, and I’d like to go as an adult and explore the city.” On the other hand, Katherine Lin is looking forward to “taking care of [herself] more and getting more sleep.” Whatever you cannot wait to fill your time with, I hope we can all find moments to relax, reflect, and revel in our last moments together as CCA students. In just a few short months we will be living completley different lives. We will get to live in dorms, “cook” our own dinners, and meet new people. It is going to go by before you know it: stalking your friends for Senior’d out, repping your colleges at Senior Sunset, riding every ride at Disneyland, and saying your goodbyes at Graduation. So, soak it all in and don’t let these precious moments pass you by, but after spending the past four years with the Class of 2025, I am confident in saying that we will all be okay! Stay Strong Seniors!

has been extremely difficult. Also, try to enjoy yourself while you can. I think our school has a very college-forward mindset, but it’s important to remember one rejection is not the end of the world.” Rejection. A word that holds so much weight in our minds right now. While it is easy to imagine Rejection as this entity that has all of the power to completely derail your future, while we go through this strenous college decision process, it is important to remember that it is just a rejection: proof that it was not meant to be, not because of anything you did or did not do, but simply because that college did not deserve your admission. You will find a better place for yourself. It may be oversaid, just a phrase that people say to make themselves feel better, but truly, rejection is redirection. Trust the process seniors!

she says “I have mixed emotions about next semester. I am very excited to be a second semester senior, my easy schedule and free time once college apps are done. At the same time I’m really sad that I will only be at school with all of my friends for one more semester.”

Free from the stress of school and college applications, we will have a lot more time on our hands and are already planning how we are going to spend it. Finally getting long awaited free fourths and art classes, it feels almost ironic that seniors have waited so long to let themselves enjoy their time at a school that offers so many avenues to artistic and social relief. However, the built up wait has definitely made seniors more excited and grateful for the last semester and everything it represents. Ruthie Ervin is excited about “exploring San Diego,” saying,

“One semester left before we will all be parting ways, keeping in touch from a distance, and settling into the next exciting chapter of our lives as college students.”

PhOtO CrEDit: MAGGiE ZhAnG

Opinion Top 5 Gifts No One Wants Over the Holidays

By Arthi ChAndrA

As the first semester comes to a close and the stress of finals vanishes, a new, long-suppressed panic presents itself: what should you get your friends and family for the holidays?!? Scouring through your memory for conversations and shared interests seems like a complicated, almost impossible task. Texting them frantically, and getting the classic, “I don’t need anything, just glad to have you” response is maddening. While they might mean it, you know that you want to get them something because they mean so much to you. You also want your gift to be personal, and not just another item that sits around unused collecting dust in their closet. Here are five items to cross off your shopping list compiled by someone who has been personally victimized by some of these gifts.

1. Clothes

I know this will upset a lot of you, but I don’t think clothes are a great gift to give someone unless you are REALLY close with one of their friends/family members, or they specifically ask for them. Not only can they be pricey, but they are also extremely hard to pick out for your gift receiver. Clothes are so complicated with sizes varying so much from store to store. You could go from being small in one retail store to suddenly being large in another. Not to mention, your gift receiver might prefer more of a baggy-loose fit versus something that is in their usual size range. Some might raise the question, why don’t you just ask them these questions yourself? To that, I would say that it would spoil the anticipation and the surprise aspect of receiving a gift. On the other hand, I would say clothes are a great gift if you go shopping with said person frequently and know their style/sizes or if they specifically ask for a certain item of clothing. Another alternative to buying items of clothing by yourself is taking them on a mini shopping spree at the mall or a thrift store. It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, but spending time with them can oftentimes be more meaningful than anything you would end up buying.

2. School Supplies

I know what you are all thinking. It’s almost the start of a new semester, right? It will be a good way to reset, right? Nope. The second that bell rings on Dec 19 at 2:20 pm, I am sure most of us will be checked out of all things school and academics (besides the couple classic CCA students that spend their three weeks learning everything ahead of time for their spring semester classes). Although it might be helpful to restock our pencil supplies instead of “borrowing” some from our unsuspecting teachers, I’m sure we don’t need reminders during the break that our three weeks of messed up sleep schedules and constant media scrolling won’t last forever.

3. Anything alive

Do I love animals? YES! Do I love plants? YES! Do I need another thing on my plate? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I can barely get myself to wake up in the morning, let alone remember to pack my lunch and drink

came over or asked how it was doing.

4. Knock-off Branded Items

I am not one to argue with a good deal or budgeting when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones, but there are also some limits. Trust me, we notice when those “Air Jordans” are actually Air Gordans or when a “North Face” backpack turns out to be South Face. It’s not about being ungrateful, but obvious knock offs can feel a little awkward to use or wear in public or to school. Plus, depending on the brand, some fall apart really easily, and it feels awful to break a gift you just got. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, go for something that feels more personal, like a handmade card over something you spent hard-earned money on that might not get used. However, I also am not a hater when it comes to all knockoff brands. If it’s good quality and your loved one isn’t dead-set on getting that exact brand or is a fellow money-sav ing enthusiast themselves, why not save

water. You’re telling me that I am going to have to water a succulent once a week or make sure another pet is getting fed? Personally, I don’t have nor need that type of responsibility, and I’m sure many of us high schoolers can relate. Could you also imagine if your plant died? Or if you decided to give away your beloved gifted fish or pet? It sure would be a relief, but the guilt would be insane, especially if your gift giver

5. Amazon Gift Cards

Yep, I said it. Amazon gift cards are like the default gift. Useful? Sure, but it is about as personal as a handshake from a stranger. It’s basically saying, “I had no idea what you like, so here’s money you can spend on whatever you want.” Am I upset? Of course not—it’s money— but at the same time, it feels

like I barely know you. With an Amazon card, I’m stuck debating whether to buy something useful or 3 packs of chips just because I can. Or my parents just end up spending it accidentally on the monthly subscription to Dove body wash. If you’re going the gift-card route, go for something more personalized. For example, you could buy a Starbucks gift card for your coffee-loving friend or a Spotify gift card for your music-obsessed loved one who still hasn’t convinced their parents to let them get Spotify Premium.

At the end of the day, gift-giving is all about showing thought and effort. It’s not about spending the most money or playing it safe with something generic; it’s about choosing something that reflects who they are and what they care about. It is best to avoid gifts that scream “I had no idea what to get you,” or gifts that seem more like chores or are overly practical. Instead, focus on what makes them happy, whether it’s their hobbies, favorite stores, or something that makes them laugh. A good gift shows that you are paying attention, and trust me, that will mean more than anything, even if it’s last minute.

“It’s not about spending the most money or playing it safe with something generic; it’s about choosing something that reflects who they are and what they care about.”

Stressed Out During Finals? Talk to a PAL

a couple of bucks while you’re at it!

Photo Credit: Arthi ChAndrA

Carmel Valley for Independence

By FinlAy tAggArt

The city of San Diego spans all the way from the international border with Mexico to our quaint Carmel Valley, and is split into nine total districts. La Jolla, Carmel Valley, and University City, Del Mar Mesa, and Pacifica Highlands Ranch are the neighborhoods that make up district one.

Recently, a La Jolla petition for independence from the city of San Diego reached 25% of the voting population (just over 6500). This is enough for La Jolla to take the next step and finance a fiscal investigation to see if La Jolla could survive as its own city. If it does, it will eventually appear on two ballots: one for La Jolla residents and one for the residents of the city of San Diego, where a simple majority in both is enough for independence.

Now, why would La Jolla want to become its own city? Well, as it often does, it comes down to money and control. The city of San Diego is stretched thin with a projected $258 million in deficit spending for the fiscal 2026 budget, which begins on July 1. La Jolla makes up 3% of San Diego’s population, but their total contribution to the city through tax dollars is around 6%. Essentially, they’re putting in more than they’re getting out.

By becoming their own city, La Jolla could better manage their domestic funds and policies to fit their per

ing that we are paying much more in property taxes per capita than the average San Diego resident. If we were our own city, we would be getting more of these tax dollars invested back into our neighborhood. For reference, the median house in La Jolla is $2.1 million.

As a Carmel Valley resident, I actually feel quite strongly about this. Like many of you, I live pretty close to a local park. This park is filled with Eucalyptus and Pine trees,

sonal needs. This includes the management of public spaces, roads, fire/police departments, and housing/zoning laws. This also applies to Carmel Valley as well. 63% of the city of San Diego’s budget comes from property taxes, with the median price for a home in the city being about $950,000. However, the median price for a home in Carmel Valley is $1,600,000, mean-

“Now, why would La Jolla want to become its own city? Well, as it often does, it comes down to money and control.”

has a grassy open area, and boasts a nice playground. Unfortunately, the city takes months to complete simple repairs, like a broken swing, and cuts down trees every year without replanting, slowly killing the park. I also drive on El Camino Real and High Bluff Drive quite frequently, both of which are in desperate need of resurfacing.

None of these examples are a result of malicious intent by the city, it’s

My Top Three Album’s of 2024

By hAtden ChAng

Data tracking for Spotify Wrapped 2025 starts in a month, so it’s important to reflect on my 2024 music. With only 25,000 minutes on my 2024 Wrapped, I’m not sure if I’m qualified to give music recommendations (compared to some of my friends with over 100,000 minutes), but here are my top three favorite albums of the year in no particular order.

“Data tracking for Spotify Wrapped 2025 starts in a month, so it’s important to reflect on my 2024 music”.

1. Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator Favorite Song: “Thought I Was Dead” ft. ScHoolboy Q and Santigold Chromakopia is an excellent testament to Tyler’s growth as an artist, showcasing an evolution from the raw and chaotic “Goblin” era into a more refined and narratively rich approach to music. Throughout the album, he inserts a variety of well-placed callbacks to his past. “Like Him,” arguably the most impactful song on the album,

feels particularly poignant when compared to older songs about Tyler’s relationship with his father like “Answer.”

Despite my initial disappointment due to the lack of a Frank Ocean feature, the other features on the album are great

2. Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers Favorite Song: “Graceland Too” As her sophomore album, Punisher solidifies Bridgers as one of the most compelling voices in indie

with some standouts being GloRilla’s verse on “Sticky” and Daniel Caesar’s background vocals on “St. Chroma.”

This album was definitely a major contributor to Tyler being my #2 artist this year and I highly recommend it.

just a result of a city that has too many responsibilities and not enough money to get the job done. If Carmel Valley was its own city, local issues like these would get handled much better as each resident would have a louder voice.

Of course, it is more complicated than just becoming our own city. All of these issues will not just poof and disappear. We would need to organize fire/police departments, define the boundaries of Carmel Valley, and build a small government from the ground up. It would also require a significant financial investment that would have to come out of the pockets of our residents.

“Of course, it is more complicated than just becoming our own city.”

However, even for La Jolla, the goal of independence is little more than a pipe dream. This isn’t the first time La Jolla has tried this, and it won’t be the last. This is because residents from all over the city of San Diego have to agree to let La Jolla go, yet keeping La Jolla in the City of San Diego is in the best interest of residents, as the tax dollars and tourism they bring in boosts a budget that is already stretched thin.

music, blending strong lyricism with haunting melodies. The production is atmospheric and perfectly complements Bridgers’ airy, emotive vocals. The ghostly harmonies, sparse acous tics, and carefully layered instrumen-

tation merge beautifully throughout the album. Furthermore, her range is apparent through her masterful transitions from upbeat tracks like “Kyoto” to the thirty seconds of quiet screaming in “I Know the End.” This ability to juxtapose moments of levity with profound sadness is a defining strength of the album. It’s not afraid to be heavy, but it still provides moments of lightness that feel similarly genuine.

3. Kids See Ghosts by Kids See Ghosts Favorite Song: “Reborn” Kid Cudi and Kanye (now known as “Ye”) are both falling off right now, but Kids See Ghosts is easily one of their best works. With only seven tracks, Kids See Ghosts is tight and well-written. “Reborn”’s repetitive mantra in the chorus is a moment of emotional catharsis that captures Cudi’s feelings about his addiction and recovery. The opener, “Feel the Love,” is a great introduction and the production is consistently solid throughout. Lyrically, this is an extremely vulnerable album and tackles the concept of finding solace in spiritual connection. “Cudi Montage” is an excellent closing to an amazing album, blending a strong guitar riff with lyrics that reflects on the cycle of violence.

Photo Credit: getty imAges

Feature December Club Spotlight

BY

There are many CCA clubs geared towards helping others, but the Stronger Together Club stands out. Founded last year, Stronger Together Club has already made a profound impact on those living with disabilities. President Janet Yang says “[we support] individuals with special needs and with neurodiversity in sports, tutoring, arts, and more. This year, we’ve volunteered at sports events including hiking, volleyball, soccer, and swimming for people with special needs/mental disabilities, as well as administered food and provided musical services for people with neurodiversity. We also help students apply for the Presidential Service Award. We hope to be able to form lasting bonds of friendships through volunteer events.” Indeed, Janet is one of the friendliest students around campus, and if you want to join Stronger Together and participate in their goal of building friendships that overcome the barrier of disabilities, make sure to attend one of their meetings. They are held on the first and third Thursday of each month in F207 during lunch. You can join their Google Classroom using code o7y6yvz.

As a well-established club at CCA, Community Outreach is exactly what it sounds like: a club dedicated to volunteering across San Diego. From cleaning up beaches, working at food banks and shelters, and assembling care packages for the underprivileged, they participate in a wide range of philanthropic activities. Beyond community service, they are working on the Keep CCA Healthy Project which extends the scope of their activities to our own campus; the club aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of CCA students and staff, by creating compliment cards and appreciation baskets. Recently, they collaborated with Nova Spero to hold a fall fair in City Heights for an

Holiday Food Review

BY KathEriNE

As winter break approaches, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, something else, or nothing else, a great way to spend the break is eating food! The holidays welcome not only tasty meals, treats, and drinks, but also allow you to immerse yourself into a festive atmosphere! So, grab your apron and your appetite as I talk about foods you can cook, bake, or prepare to make your holiday season deliciously unforgettable!

To begin, I will talk about meals you can cook. When it comes to Christmas dinner, ham often takes center stage. But have you ever wondered why ham is so closely tied to Christmas dinner? The reason is that ham has roots in ancient pagan rituals! Paganism is the foundation for many Christian traditions, including Christmas trees. The Christmas ham tradition is no exception. Besides ham, there are other festive foods, such as cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, and cream of spinach to offer a whole feast! You can easily make these by simply buying the ingredients and following an easy recipe online. Beyond traditional Christmas meals, food is abundant in celebration of Hanukkah. These include latkes, a type of potato pancake found in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine! There is also challah, which is a delicious leavened bread, and mat-

zo balls, which are small dumplings made of seasoned matzo. Even if you don’t follow a specific religion or tradition, the holidays are a wonderful opportunity to explore a variety of festive dishes from different cultures!

Furthermore, sweets are undoubtedly the stars of holiday celebrations. Gingerbread man cookies are in the spotlight and are incredibly addicting but also perfect for decorating with icing and candy! Peppermint bark is another simple yet delicious treat with layers of dark and white chocolate topped with crushed candy canes. There are also swiss rolls, which is a festive sponge cake rolled with creamy filling, often decorated to resemble a log. Christmas crack, a hilarious name, is a combination of saltine crackers, caramel, and chocolate, baked to crispy, sweet perfection. Toffee is a buttery, crunchy treat that can be made with caramelized sugar and topped with nuts or chocolate. Snowball cookies are buttery, melt-in-yourmouth cookies rolled in powdered sugar to resemble snowballs. Last but not least, Sticky Toffee pudding is a warm, moist dessert made with dates and served with a rich toffee sauce! There are tons of different types of holiday sweets, and I hope this list encourages you to give some of them a try to make! Next, there are holiday drinks.

underprivileged refugee community, featuring activities like face painting. If you’re interested in joining the club, make sure to stop by their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month in C107 during lunch. You can join their Google Classroom using code ydkbf76.

The mission of the Lucky Ducklings club is to alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County and raise awareness about its impact. The Ducklings are affiliated with the Lucky Duck Foundation and were a recipient of the Lucky Duck Foundation Peacemaker Award in 2024; their work includes food packaging, clothes packaging, personal shopping experiences, and writing holiday cards for our unsheltered neighbors.

This year, they will be working to plan more school-focused events and bringing more awareness to the struggles of poverty. If you’re interested in becoming a duckling, make sure to join their Google Classroom with code 7ot2moy, where meeting dates will be announced.

“There are many CCA clubs geared towards helping others.”

If you’re interested in seeing your club spotlighted, email ben.du@ccaasb.

While eggnog is often a hit-or-miss, if you have never had it, I would suggest you try it! All it takes to make the drink is mixing eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. If eggnog does not seem appetizing to you as the egg fears many, there are so many other options like hot chocolate, which speaks for itself as it’s just chocolate powder and milk! For more warm tasty drinks, there is hot apple cider which only requires apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

And finally, there’s also the famous peppermint mocha, made with espresso, steamed milk, and peppermint syrup. All in all, holiday food is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the winter season! Whenever you cook a traditional meal, bake a sweet treat, or sip a cozy drink by the fire this winter break, you’re not just enjoying delicious flavors, but creating memories and embracing traditions! Let the joy of the season fill your kitchen and your heart. Happy holidays!

BEN DU

photo CrEDi: JaNEt YaNg

photo CrEDit: ariEllE ClYNE

photo CrEDit: rihaNNa FahED

pFEizEr

photo CrEDit: KathEriNE pFEizEr

Coffee Chats: Ms. Myers Edition

We made it to December! To top off our final issue for the semester and embrace the special vibes surrounding this new edition, we decided to feature our one and only journalism advisor: Ms. Myers! She is a beloved staff member who we – the co-editorsin-chief – admire. What makes this new episode even more special is that it was filmed on her birthday! While all of the previous guests were staff that at least one of the two of us knew, there was an extra cozy atmosphere in this iteration of Coffee Chats. Because of our close association, our conversation covered ground outside of Ms. Myer’s duties as our journalism overlord. We covered topics like food, teaching English and Journalism, district work, and much more. Here’s to our fourth edition!

What’s your coffee order?

“My coffee order…at home…[is] regular coffee, but… I need oat milk and…

sweetener. If I’m buying coffee, it’s always going to be a vanilla latte…Generally, I like things iced unless it’s snowing. Pretty much… at home, I make hot coffee, but… if I’m gonna buy coffee out and about, I want it to be iced.”

It’s your birthday (at the time of filming)! What are you going to do to celebrate?

“I’m going to this… Vietnamese-French mix [restaurant] called Kingfisher in Golden Hill. That’s one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. They have a Vietnamese duck dish that I’m dying for, so I’m excited to get that tonight. Tomorrow night, [my friends and I are] gonna go to a French restaurant.”

What’s your favorite cuisine?

“My favorite, for sure, is Mexican food… The first thing I do when I come back from a trip is go to this burrito shop in my neighborhood, El Zarape… Mexican food is… number one, forever and always. I love pretty much any Mediterranean food. I love dim sum – another one of my favorites…I think xiao long bao is probably… a top favorite dish… I [also] love sushi.”

What has working with the district been like for you?

“It’s been a really cool experience. I would say I would never want to work outside of the classroom completely. I would say this kind of half-working for the district and half-working at school

Artist Spotlight

BY JaDYN hECht

The moment she could walk, Aria Khaitan began her lifelong journey with dance. Now a senior at CCA, she reflects on her evolution as a dancer, which began at just 2 or 3 years old when her mother introduced her to Bollywood dance. This early exposure sparked her love for movement and set the foundation for her passion for performing.

“She also trains independently to enhance her skills and pursue opportunities to grow as a dancer within the industry. Balancing academics and extracurricular activities is definitely difficult, but Khaitan embraces the challenge.”

has been a really positive experience, but obviously, I enjoy working in the classroom with students a lot more… Though, I love all the colleagues I’ve been working with of the district [and getting to know new people]… So it’s like the best of both worlds.”

What have you been working on with the district?

“This semester has been primarily focused on building the actual curriculum units for ethnic studies that’ll be integrated into ninth-grade English… We’ve completed all four units. We’re waiting for the fourth one to be approved by the Board in about one and a half weeks… From there, we’re going to start making… more teacher resources to… be able to give teachers resources to use to teach the courses… Also, we’re going to be piloting new novels… I signed up for a book that I want to read as a potential book to share, [Stay True by Hua Hsu,] and then… we’ll present them to each other… Then [we’ll] see which ones we want to pilot.”

What’s your favorite book to teach?

“Most of my favorite authors, like the books I get to teach from them, are not my favorite books of those authors… I love John Steinbeck, and… I like teaching Of Mice and Men, but [it] is obviously a very small novella… I would say my favorite book is that I get to teach… really depends on

Bollywood was the first dance style Khaitan learned, and it remains one of her favorite ways to express herself. She explains, “It allows me to express myself through movement and bring other people joy through my performance.” This deep connection to dance has only grown over the years as she explored new styles, eventually finding her way to hiphop, which has become her favorite. As the captain of her competitive dance team, Syde FX, Khaitan dedicates countless hours to practice, creating dance sets, and preparing to compete at state, national, and even international levels. Reflecting on these experiences, she shares, “They

are definitely super fun, inspiring, and humbling experiences to see such gifted dancers all in the same place sharing their love and passion for the art!” Beyond team practices, she also trains independently to enhance her skills and pursue opportunities to grow as a dancer within the industry. Balancing academics and extracurricular activities is definitely difficult, but Khaitan embraces the challenge. “It is definitely hard balancing everything, but dance has always been a part of my life, and it is often my way to get away from the busyness, so I try my best to make time for it,” she says. She advises her peers to prioritize what classes or activities matter most to them.

the group [of students I have]... I love Albert Camus, and I had an amazing group of tenth [grade] honors students last semester… I [loved] doing The Stranger with them, and I love doing… philosophical essays. So right now, that’s been my favorite. But also, I love teaching Romeo and Juliet.”

What’s your favorite part of teaching journalism?

“I love watching and learning what you are all passionate about. That’s one of my biggest things. I want a school newspaper to reflect that students made it, even when there are times when I was like, ‘You guys, are we really not writing about this?’ And everyone’s like, ‘Yep. Nope.’ My favorite part is…even less about…instructing about journalism, but… seeing what you all create, and allowing you all to have that environment to create something that’s yours and that reflects who you are… Because this is a student newspaper, it should reflect [the] students who are making it. It would probably look different if adults were making it, but that’s not what’s fun about it.”

Check out the full podcast with Mr. Myers by scanning the QR code below!

“She inspires others to pursue their interests wholeheartedly”

Despite her busy schedule, Khaitan’s contributions to the CCA Dance Program have been significant. Since her freshman year, she has actively participated in the program, and she now serves as a teaching assistant for the freshman intro dance classes. She teaches hip-hop choreography and foundations, helping them continue their growth as dancers and put together their various performances for the ENVISION Dance show. She admires the program’s recent adaptability, which has expanded to include non-classical styles like hip-hop, jazz, and even Bollywood. This has provided more opportunities for students to explore and showcase their unique talents. “I appreciate how the program has developed, giving students a chance to showcase and grow their talents, making space for dancers like me who want to contribute to their school in the best way they can,” she notes. Aria Khaitan’s dedication to dance, both within school and beyond, is a powerful example of passion and perseverance. Through her efforts to balance academics, teaching, and competition, she inspires others to pursue their interests wholeheartedly.

art CrEDit: SagE parK

photo CrEDit: aria KhaitaN

Books for the Road Ahead

BY iSaBElla poSEl

Camino Books, formerly Diesel, A Bookstore, is an independent gem nestled in Del Mar Highlands Town Center next to Batch & Box. This location opened in 2019, as an offshoot of the original Emeryville location opened by John Evans and his wife, Alison, 35 years ago. After several incarnations across California, including a Malibu, Oakland, and Brentwood location, the beautifully curated bookstore is rebranding itself as Camino Books: For The Road Ahead.

“Clearly, there is no need to look any further when shopping for holiday gifts!”

Why the name Camino Books?

“That was Alison’s [idea] – Camino Books: For The Road Ahead… for me, I immediately started looking at ‘what does that word really mean’ because I like the history of words and all that, and it goes way, way back to Ibero Celtic, a Spanish Celtic root that means the same thing. So it’s a very ancient, ancient word. That fits us certainly and that’s also the way I talk about bookselling in this time of digital culture. What algorithms do and what the internet does is present you with all your past choices, and what bookstores do and booksellers do is present you with all your possible future selves. So, the road ahead, when I heard her say that, that’s what I immediately thought of. You know, you’re about to enter into a book which is a kind of traveling. When you come into the bookstore, you’re

going to leave with a book that is going to take you somewhere else completely. That’s the road ahead,” says Evans.

Evans thinks that, when it comes to recommending books, the focus should be on who “the person specifically is because people aren’t really generic. They aren’t part of a generation though people think they are. If you actually look at the people in any one of your classes and were to interview them on what their favorite books are beyond the ones that you all read in common, which is what people typically go to, you’ll find that they’re interested in the damnedest things,” Evans explains.

“I tend to like books that take you to a place you’ve never been to before but [to make a good recommendation] you have to triangulate from where the person actually is. So what is the book that is along the lines of what they already know that they’re wanting, but that will change their sense of what that is or change who they are? It should be expansive. That’s what I think. I think if you’re walking into a bookstore and you’re taking a recommendation, you want a change. You aren’t looking for the same thing.”

Evans also reflects on the part of his job where he helps people pick books for not only themselves but also as gifts for others. His enthusiasm for gift selection is captivating. Selecting for a notoriously difficult loved one like a father? At Camino Books, you don’t have to worry. “Dads are people too, right? Part of the tricky thing is that the younger you are, the more you think of your parents as being your parents instead of whatever else they were before they knew you and whatever they’ll be after you go to college and whatever. A woman was in here today who worked in Apple as an adult and had kids, and her last kid is going to

college as of this fall and she took on a master’s in social justice. But, whether at any point in their childhood, those children knew that their mother’s passion was for social justice and that’s what she wanted to commit her life to doing…maybe not. And it’s a shame in a way I always think, as an older person – after my mother died, my father said something about how he used to love to just look at the stars when he was a kid. Completely unlike anything he’d talked to me about. Those are the kind of things where all of a sudden you’d see him completely not as your father in any way, [but] as a grown man talking to another grown man about himself as a child. It was very interesting. He wasn’t conscious of what he was doing, it was just a commentary. It was fascinating. So, if you can access any of that and then provide it in a gift, right? It’s super fun to go through that with people to help them to find the right gift! My favorite time of the year as a bookseller is right now. We know about all of the books that are really special within their categories. It’s fun!” Evans says of helping patrons browse. Clearly, there is no need to look any further when shopping for holiday gifts! If you are aiming to shop local this year, not only does Camino Books have a well-curated selection with a knowledgeable staff to give recommendations, but they can also easily order any books that they do not currently stock. Accompanied by stationary, an expansive children’s section, and the charm that can only be found in independent bookstores, visiting (or revisiting) Camino Books is the way to go when it comes to your most novel needs. Camino Books also hosts a variety of free events, including two book clubs on the first Monday and Tuesday of each month. If you start now, you can read the January picks: Orbital by Samantha Harvey for Monday, January 6, and Butter by Asako Yuzuki for Tuesday, January 7.

Keep your eye out for their frequent author events and meet-and-greets.

Seeking holiday reads and gifts? Here are some quick (and fun) recommendations by Evans:

Try these fiction novels: Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

The Meursault Investigation by Kamel Tears of the Trufflepig by Fernando A. Flores

Or these poetry picks: Bread and Circus by Airea D Matthews

Sight Lines by Arthur Sze Butterflies and Trees by Hermann Hesse (Camino Books feature elegant collections bound by a local press)

Consider a book exploring philosophy: The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts

The Plague by Albert Camus

For a timeless and personal gift, check out these art collections: Remedios Varo: Science Fictions

Manny Farber: Paintings and Writings

Cellophane Bricks: A Life in Visual Culture by Jonathan Lethem

The Farm at Black Mountain College by David Silver

Or even a book on gardening to sow a new hobby this spring: A Life in the Garden: Tales and Tips for Growing Food in Every Season by Barbara Damrosch

New Coastal: Inspiration for a Life by the Sea by Ingrid Weir

The Herbal Year: Folklore, History and Remedies by Christina Hart-Davis

Any other categories you are interested in? Stop by Camino Books for a specific question, or try giving a certificate to give the gift of getting to visit and browse.

photo CrEDit: iSaBElla poSEl

photo CrEDit: iSaBElla poSEl

Winter Break Restaurant Recommendations

Are you tired of school lunch food that is inedible to pigeons? Do your parents make subpar sandwiches? Are you tired of eating Rubios every night? Well, fret no more! Winter break is quickly approaching, and all that free time gives you the perfect opportunity to try new restaurants. Here are some of the most awesome eateries (and my favorite dishes, which all have no meat because I am vegetarian) around our area of California that you can check out over winter break!

Din Tai Fung: This list simply wouldn’t be complete without the renowned Taiwanese eatery Din Tai Fung. Located in the UTC mall, this restaurant is one of the titans of

“Din Tai Fung is the master of spicy and umami flavors. It is 100% worth a visit, though you should keep in mind that it is important to schedule your reservation early because it is crowded and hard to get a spot.”

incredible food (and some of their op tions are my favorites of all time). Not to mention the experience, which is unlike any other. You are invited to sit down and order in a modern and bril liant atmosphere, and once you do, the food doesn’t stop coming. The dishes come out fast and frequently, which means you always get to be eating something. It is like you are escaping to food heaven while you’re there. As for my food recommendation, I cannot overstate how amazing the vegetarian spicy dumplings are. You get these per fectly-shaped green dumplings mari nating in a spicy sauce that is so good it will never leave your mind. I could probably eat them everyday, and still want more. Din Tai Fung is the master of spicy and umami flavors. It is 100% worth a visit, though you should keep in mind that it is important to schedule your reservation early because it is always crowded and hard to get a spot.

Marugame Udon: Sticking with the locations in UTC, we have the sensational Marugame Udon. As a former consumer of ready-to-make udon, this restaurant completely changed my noodle landscape. They make all of their noodles from scratch, which is shown in the incredible quality. Every single bite of their soup is rewarding, and it is made even better by their inclusion of vegetables, which adds a mouthwatering flavor. By the way, this is coming from someone who isn’t the biggest fan of soup, which shows how good this place really is. Marugame Udon is the only soup I have ever finished, and I proudly tout that as one of its many amazing qualities. I recommend getting the Tan Tan if you have a high spice tolerance. The soup, soy meat, vegetables, and noodles are so good that you can overlook the fact that your mouth is on fire. In my opinion, Marugame is one of the

best places to get soup in the area and I highly recommend it.

The Mission: I went to The Mission Café in Mission Beach during the fall break (thanks for the recommendation, Mrs. Myers!) and it was a great experience. This place has quickly become one of the most notable places to get breakfast and brunch in my mind. The Mission has a great ambiance and plenty of options for all types of people. There are incredible choices, like pancakes and french toast, for those who want to have a sweet breakfast; also, there are plenty of other alternatives for people who prefer savory. You can’t go wrong with this place. When we ate there, my family and I got very different dishes and all four of us enjoyed our meal. I recommend getting the sweet corn and chile tamales, which are a perfect balance between sweet and savory. They were ridiculously tasty and set the bar high for any tamale I am going to eat from now on. Interestingly, it also came with a side of beans and a runny egg yolk, which bolstered the meal even more. I would most certainly recommend this place if you’re looking for a great brunch.

“It is like you are escaping to food heaven while you’re there.”

In-N-Out: This might seem like an obvious recommendation, as In-N-Out is arguably California’s most beloved restaurant chain, but it must be included. Found all over California, In-N-Out is a great option if you want to have a quick bite to eat while holiday shopping. Personally, I am not a fan of fast food, but I have to make an exception with this chain. Their special “spread” and unique quality is truly special and I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn’t gone yet. If you do go, I advise you to try the grilled cheese with all of the toppings (it is basically a hamburger without a patty) and both kinds of onions. It is such a great vegetarian option that my meat-eating grandmother said that she didn’t even miss the beef. The grilled

cheese is also best alongside the animal fries, in my opinion. All in all, if you want a quick meal while you’re out and happen to see an In-N-Out, I would highly recommend going. El Agave: El Agave has to be one of the coolest Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to. It is located in Old Town and is such an amazing option for people who love spicy food. It has such a great environment, with unique tequila bottles strung all over the place and an interesting color scheme. However, the best part about it has to be their amazing food options. Almost immediately, you get warm chips and two types of salsa (tomatillo and red) that are both painfully spicy but so worth it. The menu is full of delicious-looking pieces of art that will pulverize your taste buds, and you’ll thank them for it. I personally recommend getting the chilaquiles (which are only a part of the lunch menu) with red sauce, because they have completely defined my taste in Mexican food since I first tried them. They are spicy and extraordinary, especially when coated in the insanely delicious guacamole. I was previously never interested in chilaquiles, but nowadays, I order them whenever I see them on the menu because of this place. El Agave is one of the restaurants you simply cannot miss, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Cocina de Barrio: The final restaurant on this list is the lovely Cocina de Barrio in Encinitas (though I am pretty sure it can be found in other places). This restaurant is ridiculously good. It has an awesome outdoor space and is a great place to go for dinner (though they do serve lunch and brunch, dinner has the best options in my opinion). The food is phenomenal; they make your guacamole in front of you and coat it in onions, tomatoes, and queso fresco. As a guacamole connoisseur, it is seriously some of the best I’ve tried in a long time. I would highly recommend getting the memelitas veganas with normal cheese instead of cashew cheese. It is a sweet corn cake coated in beans, delicious sauce, and all sorts of complementary flavors from the various vegetables. Just make sure to watch out for the dark pepper they put in there! Overall, Cocina de Barrio is a great place to have awesome Mexican food that feels traditional and tastes extraordinary.

BY ava DaNiElS

photo CrEDit: ava DaNiElS

photo CrEDit: ava DaNiElS

Joy in Hanukkah

BY DaNiElla hazaN

Hanukkah, the Jewish version of Christmas, is a joyous celebration for Jews all over the world. There are several reasons why this holiday is so great, and each one contributes to the general sense of community and celebration that makes this time so special. First and foremost, Hanukkah commemorates not one but two miraculous events in Jewish history. Over 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people in the land of Israel were under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, which tried to force them to throw away their Judaism. A small group of Jewish rebels, who were known as the Maccabees, fought back and, although it was unexpected,

“This light in Hanukkah symbolizes hope and resilience; it demonstrates how Jews can make it through, as they have been since the beginning of time.”

they beat their foes against all odds.

Another miracle of Hanukkah that occurred was when the Jews reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and they found oil to light their menorah. They figured there would be only a small amount of oil and it wouldn’t last them more than 1 day but, contrary to their expectations, their menorah was lit for a full 8 days. Since it lasted 8 days, it gave the people more time to collect more oil. This miracle is at the heart of Hanukkah and serves as a powerful reminder of the Jewish faith, resilience and ability to be strong and shed light even over darkness. The rituals and traditions of Hanukkah also contributed to its joyful nature.

Lighting the menorah for all 8 nights is our way to commemorate the 8 nights of oil back in the Jewish bible. As you light these candles you sing songs, make blessings, and reflect on the miracle. This light in Hanukkah symbolizes hope and resilience; it demonstrates how Jews can make it through, as they have been since the beginning of time. Food also plays a very significant role in the joy of Hanukkah as well. You eat potato pancakes called latkes and these jelly filled donuts called sufganiyot. These donuts are fried in oil symbolizing the miracle with the oil. These are very much enjoyed at this time and definitely adds a sense of festivity. Hanukkah is also a time of giving and receiving, which is why giving presents is a very common

“Hanukkah is also a time of giving and receiving, which is why giving presents is a very common occurrence.”

occurrence. Although, in Israeli culture they don’t always give presents; it is

more of an American tradition. Dreidel is a common game played during Hanukkah, and it includes gelt, which are chocolate coins. This game brings families together and makes for holiday fun. The activities create lasting memories and strengthen bonds within the family and the Jewish community. The spirit of Hanukkah is one of joy because it is a celebration of freedom and liberty. It reminds us of the importance of standing up for our beliefs and the power of unity. In a world where people can often feel divided, this holiday is meant to bring people together to share the celebration of light, miracles and hope. You can enjoy the yummy food and share the gift of giving while celebrating Jewish victories and freedom.

Student Highlight: Painting San Diego

BY Naomi li

San Diego is known for its beaches, outdoors, and family attractions, but most people aren’t aware of its amazing art community. Although places like Balboa Park offer a great window into this world, there is a plethora of independent artists working to bring their amazing art to the city. A group of students from CCA have continued this mission with a mural highlighting San Diego’s history at the Chinese Historical Museum in Downtown San Diego.

“A group of students from CCA have continued this mission with a mural highlighting San Diego’s history at the Chinese Historical Museum in Downtown San Diego.”

For some brief background on the subject of the project: Chinese workers began to immigrate into the city in the 1950s to escape anti-Asian

“The mural is scheduled to be unveiled at the Chinese Historical Museum.”

forces in northern California. The Chinese were driven to the red-light district where they built residential buildings, businesses, apothecaries, opium dens, etc. Fishing also became an integral part of Chinese history in San Diego, and Chinese fishermen became essential to the city. Later, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited further migration. However, the impact of WWII reshaped society, which helped grow the multicultured and vibrant Asian community in San Diego.

A group of students, known as Painting San Diego, worked to highlight the history of Chinese immigrants in a mural. Kimia Mostowfi (12) and Saihan Yiruo (11) - both in Humanities Conservatory, formed the project in the summer of 2024 - and collaborated with Envision Visual Arts Conservatory students, Meher Lakdawala (12), Olivia Mao (12), Ethan Renfield (11), Naomi Li (11), Chrissy Moon (11), and Ella Yan (11).

In Yiruo’s research about the history of Chinese immigrants in San Diego, she wanted to highlight the role they played in society as, “it’s super- duper important that we shine a light on these stories that may be very well forgotten, so we

have a more well-rounded view of the downtown districts. It shapes how we see the world around us, and how we interact with it.” The design group felt especially inspired by a photograph the museum provided that depicted a few young women sitting atop a cart, as the image felt both vintage and familiar. Mao, a senior in EVA Conservatory,

felt a personal connection to the photo, saying, “My parents immigrated here from China in their 20s, so I feel a great sense of admiration for the girls in the mural who had to experience a whole different world so young”.

The mural is scheduled to be unveiled at the Chinese Historical Museum on December 15th.

photo CrEDit: Naomi li

art CrEDit: DaNiElla hazaN

Cut-Out and Color Gift Tags

by Isabella Posel

BY: SIERRA HUANG AND MISA UCHIYAMA

Teacher Gifts Teacher Gifts

With the holiday season approaching, many of us are scrambling to purchase gifts for our loved ones. From toy cars for our little brothers to Burr Baskets for our friends, the winter months are filled with wrapping paper and jarringly high credit card bills. However, one demographic that’s often overlooked during this time is teachers. Our educators dedicate so much time towards shaping our lives, so nice gestures like gifting are the least we can do. Also, giving teachers gifts does not have to be limited to the holidays. The end of the school year and letter of recommendation completions are examples of other occasions where giving presents may be appropriate.

This begs the question: “What do I even get for my teachers?” Trust us, as CCA seniors and students for 14+ years, we know that shopping for teachers is no easy task. Lucky for you, we’ve decided to get to the bottom of this. After interviewing and surveying numerous CCA staff members, we’ve compiled a list of five, CCA-specific tips to consider when shopping for teachers. Without further ado, here they are:

*DISCLAIMER: The following are merely suggestions. Students should not feel pressured to purchase teachers gifts in any way. Showing basic etiquette and respect during class are other ways to reflect appreciation.

1. What’s the deal with gift cards? When it comes to birthdays or holidays, many of us teenagers prefer to receive presents other than gift cards. Oftentimes, we feel that these rectangular, plastic vouchers are impersonal and a symbol that the gifter doesn’t know enough about the recipient. As such, we were shocked to find that an overwhelming number of teachers actually request gift cards. Gift cards allow teachers to purchase goods that will be useful or pleasurable to them in the future. Mrs. McPherson put it perfectly, “Gift cards aren’t lazy, they’re easy!” What’s more, students can choose giftards that come from their teachers’ favorite stores. Gifting something like a Starbucks gift card to fuel Ms. Myers’ coffee obsession or a Home Depot gift card for Mr. Happ’s new house (congratulations, by the way) is ultimately a reflection of a student’s understanding of their teacher’s favorite things.

2. The best gifts are the priceless gifts (figuratively AND literally). We understand that many students have budget constraints

for the holiday season, but fear not–many teachers reported that their favorite gifts are ones that require little to no money. “A gift is never about the amount spent,” Mr. Thornton emphasized. From hand-painted portraits of teachers to crochet amigurumis of cartoon characters to handmade ukuleles, the gifts that CCA teachers deem their favorite are unique and handmade, often coupled with a hint of personalization. Regardless of if you are an active EVA member or someone who hasn’t touched a colored pencil since Kindergarten, taking the time to craft teachers individualized presents shows that you are grateful for them. So, if you’re stuck on what to make your teachers, your first step should be to “talk to them,” as Mr. Gerstin urges, rather than look for a high price tag.

“Our educators dedicate so much time towards shaping our lives, so nice gestures like gifting are the least we can do.”

3. Not-so-sweet chocolate boxes. One of the most popular gifts for the holidays are sweet treats, whether store-bought or homemade. Boxes of chocolates often appear to be the go-to gift, given that they are accessible and delicious. Unfortunately, these delightful bundles of sweetness hold their own difficulties. For example, teachers such as Ms. Marquie may not eat sugar, and others like Ms. Bahner may not enjoy candy. If you’re curious about whether your teacher enjoys chocolate, your best bet is to listen in class. Profe Krogh, who dislikes chocolate, says, “I tell students when I teach them a review lesson on grammar for the verb GUSTAR. I always know who paid attention that day at the end of the semester.” This may be another great reason for CCA students to pay attention to lectures.

Additionally, store-bought sweets can be repetitive. As Ms. Travasos points out, teachers “tend to get a lot of chocolates and homemade baked goods.” As much as it is easy and accessible to buy for students, teachers often receive many of the same sweets from popular stores. Then again, this is all just

a good gift, but finding out your food for thought. This can still be teacher’s preferences and looking for something that is longer-lasting may lead to an even better one. When in doubt, write it out! Looking around most CCA teachers’ classrooms, you will find a wall decked out with cards they’ve received from students over the years. This is no coincidence–teachers love handwritten cards! Take Ms. Adams, for example, whose favorite gift she has ever received is a “handwritten card with a drawing.” These letters of appreciation are perhaps one of the most personal gifts a teacher can receive. They show that the sentiments expressed in them are worth the time to communicate, which is extremely meaningful. If you’re stuck on what to write for your teacher, try thinking about how they helped you grow as a student and any specific memories you share. Students can also decorate their cards with little doodles that are personalized for the teacher. Some ideas include subject-specific artwork, like historical figures for our beloved Social Science department, or drawings that reflect inside jokes you may have with your teachers.

No two teachers are the same. The last piece of advice we want to emphasize is that every teacher has different wants. One of our biggest takeaways from the survey is that teachers have unique interests and lives outside of school–the CCA staff body is not a monolith! That should not lead students to feel discouraged that their gift is not good enough, or that it will not be appreciated. Rather, this tip should prompt students to learn more about their teacher. The easiest way to make a gift a little more valuable is to add a little touch of personalization through a card, choice of gift card, or food item they’ve hinted at enjoying (all mentioned above). Whether it is an orchid for Ms. Marquie, a personalized funko pop in the Mr. Gerstin’s likeness, a class book recording the whiteboard doodles of the year for Ms. Luna, or a picture book for Mr. Brown to read to his kids, the creativity and the memories that these gifts hold are far more valuable than the physical dollars spent. “Think about what is special about your relationship with the person you are gifting for-inside jokes [or] favorite themes,” Ms. Mortensen points out. Similarly, Ms. Travasos states that, “Gift giving says a lot about us. It shows we pay attention to personal characteristics

“That should not lead students to feel discouraged that their gift is not good enough, or that it will not be appreciated. Rather, this tip should prompt students to learn more about their teacher.”

of the person we're giving something to. With that said, there are no gifts that are received without gratefulness.”

FINAL ADVICE:

It is important to remember that even though the holidays are a time of giving and everyone has personal preferences, “Gifts of any kind are lovely, but not necessary,” as Ms. Mortensen states. There is no need for students to feel stressed or pressured during this holiday season. Gifts should not be an act of obligation or a chore, especially as this mindset often takes away from the real value of the present. However, because “gifts are never expected,” as Ms. Aguilar states, they should truly come from a desire to give the gift so there is thoughtfulness behind it.

Lastly, if there is one thing that was emphasized throughout the survey, it is that CCA staff are very grateful. An act of appreciation, whatever the form–small notes, cards, or verbal appreciation–is enough. As Mr. Dunne states, “it means a lot just to know that a student cares or feels you deserve something, no matter how small.” We want to urge students to get to know their teachers more and take an extra second to express their gratitude to CCA staff and teachers this year. Happy shopping, Ravens!

A dazzling Art Show

BY: SAGE PARK

December. The month of christmas trees, baked goods, finals season, and…lights! Lightscape is back in the San Diego Botanical Garden, now celebrating its third year. Don’t know where to go with your friends over winter break? I definitely recommend stopping by the San Diego Botanical Garden, where Lightscape is located. Lightscape isn’t your ordinary Christmas light festival. It is an art installation and a world class event that’s also captured the hearts of people in New York, Chicago, London, and Melbourne. Each Lightscape season is different from the year before, as the team hires artists from all over the world to create stunning, new installations to wow viewers over and over again. However, fan favorite exhibitions from previous years are also returning for a bit of nostalgia This event gathers people of all ages to enjoy the magic festivity of winter together. I had the chance to go to this attraction

last winter, and I plan on going again during winter break this year as well. What made Lightscape so special to me is the way it merged nature and art together.

As an artist myself, it was clear that the entire experience was meticulously staged to flow together smoothly, while still highlighting some main individual installations. From glowing California poppies to flower fields of silver lights to colorful tunnels, my time there was filled to the brim with sights upon sights. What also made this experience special was the amount of interactions I could see throughout the event. Because this is something for everyone to enjoy, there were families, families with younger children, teenage couples, older couples, groups of friends, and more. Truly, the entire community felt united through Lightscape.

There was information about the artist posted at the front of each individual installation, which added to the beauty of the work; this was art created by humans for humans. I was able to promptly research the artists of the pieces that stuck out to me the most, and appreciated that the curators were able to thoughtfully credit all the people and brilliant minds who worked on Lightscape. For example, artist Michael Young designed “Flame Skimmer”, a massive dragonfly exhibit that has become a new fan-favorite this year. He specializes in factoring botanical, ecological, and environmental aspects to his work, which makes his commission for Lightscape all the more special.

“Lightscape isn’t your ordinary Christmas light festival. It is an art installation and a world class event that’s also captured the hearts of people in New York, Chicago, London, and Melbourne.”

If you are planning on going, here are some things to know:

Pricing, Duration

Tickets are $26 per person for adults and $15 for childrens (age 3-12). Parking is an additional $10 per vehicle and $20 on the day of. Though it might seem pricey, I promise you it’s worth the experience! It is a one mile trail looping all around the garden and the experience is approximately an hour, depending on how many pictures you may take or if you stop to get a warm drink on the way.

The path

One of my personal favorites from last year is ‘Floraison’, which will be returning for this year’s season as well. Made by Pitaya, it features hundreds of floating poppies illuminating the path. According to the Lightscape official website, “‘Floraison’ is created from hundreds of brightly coloured poppy flowers that look as though they want to fly away but instead they have been trapped in the branches of trees.”

‘Florasion’ was a very popular photo zone as well.

Lightscape also features music along with each exhibit, making the experience even more immersive. This year, the music selection will include popular christmas songs, songs from “Avatar: The Way of Water”, and even songs from Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. Music has the power to evoke powerful emotions, and the soundtrack paired with the stunning exhibits makes Lightscape an even more sentimental and special art exhibition.

The path itself will be darker at some parts, so be prepared and be mindful of where you’re stepping! Contrastingly, although there is no strobe lighting, some installations will have flashing lights. Additionally, the trail can get extremely narrow and crowded at times and it also has certain uphill and downhill moments. There are concession stands along the trail to purchase light bites and beverages, including seasonal alcoholic beverages.

Timing

Lightscape is open from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025. It is advised to arrive at the event 15 minutes prior to your allotted time slot so that there isn’t a traffic jam of people later on. Once you get in though, you are allowed to stay as long as you’d like, or until it closes.

Lightscape is truly a one-of-akind experience, and a must-see attraction over this winter holiday season. If you love art, lights, spending a beautiful night out with your loved ones, or want amazing pics for your next instagram story, this is a place I would personally highly recommend.

See you all there!

ART BY: STELLA HYUN

PHOTO BY: SAGE PARK

PHOTO BY: SAGE PARK

Entertainment 2024 Pop Culture Recap

By LiLah DanieLs

2024 was definitely an interesting year for pop culture. There was an abundance of memes, popular music, and interesting events that constantly had the internet talking. While some of these moments have been forgotten as the year went on, others have been tattooed in the minds of the internet. Here is a recap of fun pop culture moments for every month of the year (hopefully I won’t forget anything):

January:

Gypsy Rose: Gypsy Rose, who was arrested after the second-degree murder of her mother, was officially released from prison. Her case received a lot of attention from the internet, and many were interested in seeing what she would do with her newfound freedom.

Fox News brought a psychic to predict Trump’s 2024: In an extremely awkward moment, Fox News asked a psychic to come on to predict how Donald Trump’s 2024 would go. She chose cards that said he would have a year of loss and tried to put a positive spin on it, but it was hilariously awkward and not what the hosts were expecting.

The Alaska Airlines door: During an Alaska Airlines flight, the emergency door flew off, causing personal objects to fly out of the plane. Luckily, no one was hurt during the incident (which is probably why we are able to laugh about it), and the stuff was recovered.

Trauma dumping on Elmo: In one of the most interesting moments of January, Elmo from Sesame Street sent out a tweet asking how people were doing. The response was not what he was expecting, since people started complaining about their lives. Elmo did take advantage of this and went on a talk show to talk about mental health (where he was attacked by Larry David, but that was in February).

February:

The Super Bowl: The 2024 Super Bowl saw the Kansas City Chiefs play against the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs ended up winning 25-22, but the game itself wasn’t what attracted the most attention. Usher performed in a great Halftime show, people clowned Alicia Keys for her vocal fail at the beginning of the Halftime show and Taylor Swift brought a slew of celebrities to cheer on her boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Universal Music Group v. TikTok: After failing to come to an agreement with the social media platform, UMG pulled their artists’ music from TikTok. That included many trending songs, which was a massive loss for the company. Eventually, UMG and TikTok came to an agreement and the songs were restored.

The Willy Wonka Moscow fiasco: The Willy Wonka experience in Moscow was advertised as a magical candyland with beautiful (AI-generated) posters. However, the experience was incredibly underwhelming, featuring a depressed Oompa Loompa (which became an extremely popular meme) and a weird thing known as the

“Unknown” that freaked people out. March:

JLo’s documentary: Jennifer Lopez’s documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told created a flood of new content for the internet to laugh about. From her talking about running up and down the block as a “crazy little girl” to how obvious it was that she is completely surrounded by yes-men, people memed the documentary to death.

The bridge collapsed: We said goodbye to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which got hit by a boat by mistake and collapsed.

New Albums: Both Ariana Grande and Beyonce’s albums (Eternal Sunshine and Cowboy Carter respectively) were released. The albums racked up praise from the singers’ fan bases and music critics alike.

April:

OJ Simpson died: OJ Simpson, the highly controversial football player (who, for the uninitiated, was accused of killing his wife) passed away from prostate cancer. Needless to say, due to his controversies and damaged public image, people weren’t devastated, but it certainly was newsworthy.

Taylor Swift’s album: Taylor Swift released her 11th studio album: The Tortured Poets Department. It was a massive success, ruling the Billboard charts and generating a lot of revenue.

The Jojo Siwa controversy: The internet has not forgotten how insane Jojo Siwa acted this year. Most memorably, she claimed that she was the “inventor” of gay pop (which has been around for decades) after releasing her song, “Karma.” Even though she walked back on her original comments, she remained controversial and willing to do whatever she could to get attention.

May: Billie Eilish’s album: Billie Eilish released her album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, to massive success. It was a solid album and is even nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys.

The Fight in the House: US Representatives Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez got into a fight during Congress. It spawned the meme “bad-built, bleach blonde, butch body” which was used by both the Karens of social media and the people making fun of the Karens of social media.

Kendrick Lamar v. Drake: Kendrick Lamar absolutely destroyed

Drake during their memorable feud, dropping songs like “Meet the Grahams” and most importantly, “Not Like Us.” Both of these songs solidified Lamar’s legend status and won him the feud.

June:

Brat summer: After Charli xcx’s “Brat” came out, people began what was later dubbed “brat summer.” Brat summer was packed with partying and letting loose while listening to the album.

Chappell Roan’s virality: Artist Chappell Roan continued her rise to prominence this summer. Her songs “Good Luck, Babe!” and “HOT TO GO” became pop culture phenomena and she continued to attract music lovers across the country.

Justin Timberlake’s arrest: June spawned the hilarious “this will ruin the tour” meme after singer Justin Timberlake got a DUI and an iconic mugshot.

July:

Trump assassination attempt: I doubt many Americans have forgotten the picture of Donald Trump after he got shot. It was memed, used as fuel for the Republican Party, and was certainly an insane few days in American history.

Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympics kicked off and the Internet was on fire. From Steven “The Pommel Horse Guy” Nedoroscik to Simone Biles, the athletes were absolutely crushing it. Australian breakdancer “Raygun” also went viral for her ridiculous dance moves. The Olympics was definitely an excellent event to put aside what divides us and come together to root for our country.

Biden dropping out: President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris (who would later become the Democratic nominee). This was not just an important moment in pop culture, but it would be very consequential to the US election.

August: It Ends With Us press tour: The movie It Ends With Us (which adapts the book by the same name by Colleen Hoover) began its press tour. On this tour, everyone turned against Blake Lively (who plays the lead, Lily Bloom) for her insensitive comments like “wear your florals” when promoting a movie discussing domestic violence. Oh, and her attempts to promote her hair care line “Blake Brown” along with the movie didn’t help her case.

Short n’ Sweet: Sabrina Carpenter, who went viral earlier in the year with her song “Espresso” released her sixth studio album: Short n’ Sweet, which was a massive success (and I, personally, have had it on repeat).

Very Demure, Very Mindful Meme: The internet was introduced to “Very Demure, Very Mindful” which quickly became a meme. It even allowed for demure to become the word of the year, which is very well-deserved.

September: Diddy case continues: The domestic abuse case against Sean “Diddy” Combs continued. This case created many horrifying revelations about the star that eventually led to his arrest (he is currently in prison).

Moo Deng: Adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng became extremely popular. Moo Deng attracted many visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo and was just downright adorable. During the stress of the US election, it was nice to focus on something wholesome for a change.

October: The Dodgers win the World Series: The Dodgers won the World Series, which broke the hearts of many hard-working Americans. Dodgers fans were happy, but it was a very devastating moment for many die hard baseball fans. Lunchly vs. Lunchables: Youtubers Logan Paul, Mr. Beast, and KSI released their rip-off of Lunchables: Lunchly. Lunchly was quickly criticized for its moldy cheese and its energy drink, which had way too much caffeine for the target demographic (ie kids) the Youtubers were advertising to.

November: Wicked press tour: Everyone has been obsessed with the movie Wicked and the press tour created many memes. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought their inner theater kid out at every opportunity; they cried at even the most ridiculous questions. Most notably, Erivo teared up after an interviewer told her that people were “holding space for Defying Gravity (an iconic “Wicked” song).” The dramatics were both ridiculous and highly entertaining. Sexist Man Alive controversy: Many people were outraged about actor John Krasinski winning Sexiest Man Alive. The Internet declared Krasinski undeserving and declared that actors like Glen Powell or Paul Mescal should have won. Also, this is just my opinion, but Benny Blanco shouldn’t have even been FEATURED in it, but he was.

Mike Tyson v. Jake Paul: We also had the ridiculous Mike Tyson v. Jake Paul fight. This battle was complete with elder abuse, ridiculous threats, and ultimately one of the most boring and annoying fights ever.

Photo CreDit: Getty imaGes

Photo CreDit: Getty imaGes

It’s Nostalgia, Charlie Brown!

By aLara sChroeDer

“‘Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!’” an exasperated and frustrated Charlie Brown exclaimed, voicing a sentiment that still rings true all these years later. With the season fast approaching comes the time for planning, cooking, cleaning, decorating, finals, end of the year deadlines, the gloom of the cold weather, and purchases on top of purchases. This overwhelms some people, hampering the actual spirit and happiness of the holidays. Turning to nostalgia, especially in this season, is common for many, and can actually be a little reminder of the spirit of the holidays.

A Charlie Brown Christmas follows the titular character, Charlie Brown, in his pursuit to find the true meaning of Christmas as he laments how the season is over commercialized, feels disappointing, and evokes a sense of depression for him. He sets off to become more involved with the holiday, and is more dissatisfied with his findings— so after the words of a friend, Charlie Brown finds that he was happiest with a simple Christmas. By the end, the true meaning of Christmas is found with both religion and the forgoing of commercialization for a closeness between friends at the center. The special was commissioned by The Coca-Cola Company, was produced in six months on a small budget, and was released in 1965.

Before any of the animated specials and movies were made, the original Peanuts cast were featured in panels of comic strips of the same name— all illustrated, story-boarded, and even lettered by Charles M. Schulz. The comic strip ran in papers from 1950 to 2000, totaling in 17,897 comics published, and helped to popularize the four-panel gag comic strip as a standard. Through this medium Schulz utilized a cast of kid and animal characters— never adults— to satirize events, and use the relations and interactions of these characters to drive that humor. This style of comedy allowed Schulz to add complexity and sociological overtones to the simplistic-seeming comic strip that sums to create humor. The comics are a staple in popular culture and many people, young and old, across the world recognize the characters.

The animation was made using celluloids (cels) and key frames, where characters— and sometimes individual parts of characters for individual movements— were sketched on a transparent paper, then inked or painted. These frames would then be layered on top of each other on an opaque background and recorded, switching out the frame for each slight movement. On top of the sheer amount of frames that needed to be made to make a character look realistic— 24 frames per second, which adds up quite quickly (there are

Madeleine Cupcakes

By saDie rose FisCher

Madeleines, commonly recognized as sea-shell ridge-shaped mini cakes, are a cute crossover between a cake and a cookie.The crispy exterior and soft, almost crumbly interior, make them almost irresistible. However, due to the specialty pan often needed to make these little desserts, they have a reputation for being extremely difficult. When I first made it, I did not know of these challenges, and I did not use its infamous pan. I was having a friend over to bake and choosing madeleines was a last-minute decision, so rather than using a traditional tin, I grabbed some cupcake liners and a muffin tin and got to work. This led to my first attempt at my own unique recipe: Madeleine cupcakes. Madeleine cupcakes are madeleines made in a muffin tin and piped with whipped cream frosting. This sensational frosting allows you to change their theme based on the season or flavors you crave (this can be achieved by adding flavors to the whipped cream). For example, the madeleines in the image have a cinnamon whipped cream frosting as they were made for a Thanksgiving potluck. Best of all, the only difficult part of the recipe is when you have to brown the butter in the beginning. It is a great little cupcake to bring to winter gatherings, to have with a cup of tea, or whenever you are in the mood for a treat or two.

Step by step:

1. Prep by grabbing a muffin tin and cupcake liners. No need to spray the tins or butter them, as the cakes should come out nicely on their own due to their butter content (they are often

around 40,000 cels for the special and more than 200,000 cels for the feature films), this was an era without computers in the animation industry so all of them were hand drawn. This means that they had to be simple as well as reflecting the original style of the comic strips, so the animation consists of simple color blocking and outlines. The hand-drawn and simplistic look

ing nature of the animation elicits feelings of nostalgia for such an analogue time, and the sheer amount of work to create the special alone is masterful. However, the music is arguably the most iconic part of this special. Composed by Vince Guaraldi, a jazz pianist, the score delivers the perfect feelings for the season with jazz overlays on traditional Christmas songs as well as original compositions. The three most notable are “Linus and

Lucy” (the unofficial Peanuts theme song), “Christmas Time is Here,” and “Skating.” All feature repeated, relatively simple patterns contributing to the recognizable nature. The jazz rhythms, syncopation, and chords give each piece a loose and warm feeling. Many recognize the bouncy bass line in “Linus and Lucy,” and the descending third chords in “Skating” that reminisces snowflakes falling. The lyrics of “Christmas Time is Here” echo the childhood and simple pleasures of the holiday season, all topped off with an easy-going jazz rhythm. All of these compositions also hold similarities to the motifs of other holiday songs, tying the score even closer to the season. Even though music like this is still being produced, there is a special kind of nostalgia that is held for this score— not only for the ties to the Christmas special, but the subtle nods to the season in the earnest and simple jazz score. In a time where Christmas merchandise and advertisements are pushed our earlier and earlier, where the season doesn’t feel quite the same as it once did— the nostalgia of A Charlie Brown Christmas serves as a reminder that the spirit of the holiday season should be similar to the little tree that Charlie Brown picked out in the special— amidst the bitter and gloomy cold, staying resilient and decorated by the ones we love.

called little butter cakes).

2. Browning the butter is definitely the scariest part of the madeleines, but brown butter truly gives them something extra in look (with the little flakes of browned butter throughout the dough) and taste. The key to browning butter is to be extra cautious once it starts to turn brown. First, you start with a full stick of butter on low heat and have it slowly melt down completely; then, once melted, turn the heat up to slightly more than medium, and stir constantly. If you follow these steps correctly, the butter will begin to bubble. Stirring continually is important as, otherwise, you run the risk of the butter burning before it even turns brown. Once the bubbling stops and foam appears at the surface, the butter is almost ready. Keep watching the butter, and once it turns a slight honey color, take it off the heat, and stir for a few more seconds to get it a true light brown color. Then, transfer to a glass bowl or another bowl that does not conduct heat.

3. The rest of the recipe is the same as any other cupcake batter. Whisk the flour and baking powder together in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, mix sugar and eggs until fully combined. Then, add in the vanilla, salt, and honey. Slowly add the dry ingredients in the small bowl into the medium bowl and once completely incorporated add in 6 tablespoons of the brown butter. Make sure to check the bottom of the bowl to ensure that the butter doesn’t pool there. Finally, add in a tablespoon of milk.

4. Pour the batter into 8 cupcake liners, making sure that the batter completely covers the bottom but is less than halfway full. This is because the batter will rise a lot, so even if it does not seem like enough batter to make a full cupcake, it will (see unfrosted image of a cupcake above).

5. Refrigerate the batter for 1-3 hours.

6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit and then bake the refrigerated cupcakes for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

7. For the whipped cream, pour the

heavy cream into a bowl and whip either with an electric or a handheld whisk until medium peaks have just formed (medium peaks are when you pull the whisk up and a tiny little swirl pops up and mostly holds it shape). After that, add in powdered sugar, vanilla, and optional seasonings (ex: cinnamon).

8. Optional: put whipped cream into a piping bag with a tip and pipe the whipped cream around the cupcake forming a swirled pattern. If you don’t have a piping bag, a ziplock can be turned into a makeshift one.

9. Enjoy!

art CreDit: aLara sChroDer

Photo CreDt: saDie FisCher

Photo CreDit: Canva

The Best “Non-Christmas” Christmas Movies

By CharLotte siLLs

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than making a hot cocoa, putting on some cozy pajamas, and watching your favorite Christmas movie? As popular as holiday classics such as Elf or A Christmas Story are, there are countless other festive movies that are overshadowed by these well known (and often overplayed) films. If you are someone who tends to get tired of seeing the same holiday movies every year, giving a “nonconventional” holiday film a try is the way to go. The following selections could be classified as “non-Christmas” Christmas movies, as they set the winter mood without necessarily being about the holiday itself.

1. Die Hard (1988)

Tired of every Christmas movie being all about spreading holiday joy and cheer? If these types of movies bore you, Die Hard is the perfect action-packed choice that will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. The film follows John McClane, played by

Bruce Willis, a witty policeman from NYC who travels to California to visit his wife and kids for the holidays. While at a Christmas party held by his wife’s company, the building is taken over by German terrorists. McClane uses his deputy skills to attempt to stop the terrorists and save the hostages (including his wife), coming across many surprising challenges along the way. Die Hard is filled with iconic lines and dramatic scenes –- one thing is for sure, you definitely won’t find yourself drifting asleep on the couch while watching this unique holiday movie.

2. The Holdovers (2023)

The Holdovers is a comedy drama set in the early 1970s at a New England boarding school during holiday break. When the mother of main character Angus Tully suddenly cancels their winter vacation plans, Angus is forced to stay at school over break. To make matters even worse, the su pervisor is Angus’s stubborn and strict

Photo CreDit: Canva

history professor, Mr. Hunham, who is disliked by just about every student at the school. However, being stranded at the school and feeling lonely throughout the holiday, Angus, Mr. Hunham, and the school’s head cook, Mary, realize that they have more in common with each other than they may have thought, leading them to form unexpected heartfelt connections. The Holdovers is sure to make you laugh, while also bringing the emotion that so many Christmas movies are known for. The incredible directing also gives the film a sort of retro, nostalgic winter aesthetic that will get any viewer in the holiday mood.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

While some may argue that this is a Halloween movie, its bright colors and Christmastime setting indisputably set the mood for the holiday season. The film follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King from Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmastown through a portal. Never having seen or felt the spirit of Christmas before, Jack is completely confused by the holiday and plans to take it over, putting his own Halloween twist on it. His plans ultimately fall apart, but along the way he is able to discover the meaning and magic of Christmas. Not surprisingly, Tim Burton’s story writing and production put a beautiful, imaginative spin on the holiday; you will surely get lost in the world of Christmastown while watching this film.

4. Batman Returns (1992) Set during Christmas time in

San Diego’s The Nutcracker

By maDison CoLLett

One of the most festive, talent-filled, and intricate performances available to view during the holidays is The Nutcracker, a current staple for those who want to be immersed in the holidays this season. Originating from a fairytale created by E. T. A. Hoffman, the story was later adopted by Dumas Péres in order to bring the story to life. The play comes to San Diego’s Civic Theatre during the nights of December 13th to the 22nd and the price ranges from $39 to $119. Although it is pricey, I think the production is a must-see if you desire to get in the holiday spirit or are generally interested in ballet.

The fantasy follows a girl named Clara, who receives a wooden nutcracker at a Christmas Eve celebration. Through magic, the doll becomes life-sized and serves as her prince during numerous adventures. Eventually, the toy wages a battle against the evil Mouse King (an oppressive ruler who wishes to gain control over a magical kingdom) and claims victory. Along the way, the two encounter the Land of Snow which contains a wintery forest and the Land of Sweets, involving a Sugar Plum fairy who rewards them with several cultural dances due to the Mouse King being defeated. The story ends with a disoriented Clara back on her living room couch after experiencing an exceptionally life-like dream.

The tale centers around Clara’s internal awakening as she explores

vast areas of the world and her love for the nutcracker. Derived from German folklore, a nutcracker symbolizes protection to family members and homes. The doll is said to encapsulate vigor and brawn, serving to stray away harm. This represents the Prince’s devotion to Clara and her safety all throughout their travels. This play uses connections to culture in many ways, specifically the deeper meaning and the amount of references to various customs, as well as traditions in the ballet.

The original composition of The Nutcracker varies slightly from the ballet, as it assesses the fiction in a more troubling tone. Hoffman’s story constructs a nightmare rather than a dream, entailing the horrors of a gruesome fight between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, who has seven heads. Marie’s (Clara’s) family prevents her from speaking of the dream, which results in her long-term disappearance. In the 1980s, The Pacific Northwest Theatre performed The Nutcracker in a form more closely aligned with the original, as they hired a professional

“If you are someone who tends to get tired of seeing the same movies every year... a “nonconventional” holiday film is the way to go.”

the city of Gotham, Bruce Wayne’s alter ego Batman is faced by the villainous Penguin, Max Shreck, and Catwoman, who seek to take power of the city. Along the way, Batman and Catwoman end up forming an unexpected connection, further complicating their rivalry. The movie is filled with action and impressive visuals, and the snowy scenery and Christmas decoration is key to the mood of the movie. Especially for those who enjoy superhero movies, this is the perfect “non-Christmas” Christmas movie to get into the spirit while still being thoroughly entertaining and memorable. All in all, these unique films are the perfect way to set the holiday mood without being overwhelmingly Christmas-y. Each one sets the winter mood in its own way and offers a great alternative option to the usual classic Christmas movies.

in children’s literature who was unafraid to explore darker themes. The story was most likely reworked in order to reach a larger audience, including children, to come see the ballet.

The costumes designed for the play are intended to mimic the customs for clothing in 19th century Germany. This is true in the beginning, though as Clara visits different cities, she becomes engaged in heritage other than her own; traditional German clothing is no longer used as the more prominent characters represent other countries. The representation and authenticity of Chinese culture, as well as clothing for the Arabian dance, are extremely important to avoid misinterpretation; it was an issue in earlier performances that traditional clothing and dances were not portrayed accurately. The set changes multiple times because the point of the story is the travel through new lands. The Land of Snow displays a wintery backdrop while also portraying the dancers as snowflakes. The Land of Sweets uses candy cane thrones and features a woman with a large hoop skirt; children come out from underneath and start to dance.

Pyotr IIyifh Tchaikovsky wrote the music pieces for the play solely through instruments that con nect with scenes. A prominent instrument that was used for the ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ was the celesta, something Tchaikovsky picked up

in Paris. He compared the sound with droplets of water falling off a fountain and was determined to use it before any other composer found out. Between the complex story, history of the play, and additions like music and costumes, this modification of a secluded fiction is now the most popular ballet to see during Christmas. More than 100,000 people watch the production every year, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Russia, because of the variety of adaptations between countries. Ballet schools across America create their own versions because the performance features so many children. Finally, The Nutcracker is an important historical piece that should be seen by everyone at least once.

Photo CreDit: Getty imaGes

Photo CreDit: Getty imaGes

Sports Unique Winter Sports

By Brianna Morrison

Have you ever heard of skijoring, ski-ballet, or shovel racing? The answer is probably not. There are a plethora of winter sports that are rarely heard of, but are fascinating to learn about. Here are some unique frosty outdoor endeavors to check out to expand your knowledge and keep you in the winter spirit this season.

Skijoring

Beginning as a mode of transportation in Scandinavia, skijoring is a sport where people on skis are pulled by dogs, horses, other animals, and sometimes motorized vehicles. Dogs and horses are most common in this sport, pulling the skiers while they hold on to ropes attached to the animals’ harnesses. The sport originally comes from the Norwegian word meaning “ski driving” and has become increasingly popular in Poland, Switzerland, Canada, and the Mountain West region of the United States. In fact, skijoring was a demonstration sport in the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Although there are many skijoring races around the world, it has not yet been included as an official sport in the Olympics. Check out this peculiar activity on YouTube or, if you are really interested, find a race near you!

“Dancing is hard enough, but dancing on skis seems unfathomable.Ski ballet, also known as acroski, combines spins, leaps, flips, and jumps in the snow and on skis.”

along as they glide across the snow. Channeling the wind makes this sport unique as skiers/snowboarders can travel uphill as well as downhill. They can also use the kite power to travel long distances or go over large jumps. This sport is popular in numerous locations where skiing and snowboarding are common. Many say that learning how to snowkite is much easier than the analogous activities on water,

Dancing is hard enough, but dancing on skis seems unfathomable. Ski ballet, also known as acroski, combines spins, leaps, flips, and jumps in the snow and on skis. Similar to figure skating and gymnastics, this sport combines athleticism and artistry. These choreographed routines are captivating to watch and may make you question, “Is that even real?!” This sport became part of competitive freestyle skiing and was a part of the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games as a demonstration sport. Unfortunately, since then, it has declined in popularity and is no longer considered a competitive sport. Most of its recognition nowadays comes from social media and curious individuals like myself. Are you curious? Go take a look!

Snowkiting / Kite Skiing

Just like you can kiteboard on water, you can snowkite or kite ski on snow! Wind power propels the kite and then drags the skier/snowboarder

New Mexico in the 1970s when lift operators at ski resorts began using shovels to quickly travel down the slopes. Its popularity grew and progressed into a competitive sport. Shovel racing was featured in the 1997 Winter X Games, but was later removed due to safety concerns. Although not featured in this event anymore, there are still competitions in various places around the world. The most notable competition is held at the Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico. Don’t try this at home!

Yukigassen

Yukigassen, meaning ‘snow battle’ in English, is essentially a huge snowball fight. Originating in Japan in the mid-1980s, this snowball-fighting competition is played on a measured field with two teams consisting of seven players each. The teams are each armed with 90 snowballs and then battle in this capture-the-flagmeets-dodgeball game. Each Yukigassen match is played in three sets, all of which last three minutes each, where the first team to win two sets emerges victorious in the game. Players are

“Yukigassen, meaning ‘snow battle’ in English, is essentially a huge snowball fight.”

compete in an International Yukigassen Tournament. Even if you don’t live in cold weather, you can still play the game with substitute snowballs and on other surfaces; it just might be harder to build your own court. If you’re ever in the mood for testing out a new sport, Google the rules and go try it out with some friends! These five are just a few of the many unique winter sports out there. If you are interested in others, check out ice cross, snowshoeing, ice climbing, bandy (similar to ice

however, it still requires loads of care and safety measures if you’re trying it out. Make sure to do your research if you choose to embark on this adventurous activity. Or, for a safer alternative, you can watch talented individuals online as they soar through the slopes!

“Just like you can kiteboard on water, you can snowkite or kite ski on snow!”

Shovel Racing

Shovel racing is exactly what it sounds like: sledding on shovels and seeing how fast riders can travel downhill. Riders sit on the shovel with the handle in front of them and lean back to gain speed. This unusual sport began in

eliminated by being struck by a snowball and the goal is to get everyone on the other team out or to capture the other team’s flag. Yukigassen has expanded into other cold areas such as Norway, Russia, Austria, Alaska, and Canada. There are annual tournaments worldwide, most prominently around February and March where teams

hockey), dog sledding, snow kayaking, and more. All of these unusual activities demonstrate that anything is possible in the snow if one tries hard enough!

Ski Ballet

art Credit: eMily lu

CCA Athletes of the Week

By eMiko Matsuda

Photo Credit: Jaques Godard

Jacques Godard (12) - Basketball Jacques Godard, a three-year varsity player, plays point guard on the men’s basketball team. He has a skill set that covers every aspect of the game. Beyond high school, he also competes with one of San Diego’s top travel teams. His basketball journey started as a child, driven by passion and dedication.

Godard credits his growth in the sport to key influences, including high school players like Boogie Ellis and Nick Herrmann, as well as NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson. Their dedication and style shaped his game, but Godard also acknowledges his parents as his biggest role models. Their unwavering support and life lessons have instilled qualities like leadership, kindness, and resilience in him, both on and off the court. Reflecting on his career, Godard values moments of growth more than accolades. Some of his most mem-

orable moments range from earning a varsity spot in 10th grade to achieving his first 20 and 30-point games. He takes greater pride, however, in how basketball has shaped his character. “This sport has taught me the meaning of hard work, discipline, mental fortitude, and teamwork,” he shares.

As for training, Godard begins each day with mobility exercises and a morning skills workout, followed by practices and strength training. Weekends are filled with pickup games, training sessions, and additional workouts. Mental preparation is just as important, with a focus on staying hydrated, eating well, and maintaining a focused, competitive mindset.

“Beyond high school, Godard plans to play basketball at a fouryear university, hoping to keep the game an integral part of his life.”

Moreover, balancing academics, basketball, and other commitments requires discipline and effective time management, both of which Godard

has mastered. He starts his day early, but manages to stay productive and maintain momentum throughout.

Looking ahead, the CCA men’s basketball team is driven by a shared determination to bring home a league title and a CIF championship this season. Beyond high school, Godard plans to play basketball at a four-year university, hoping to keep the game an integral part of his life. He shared that “I hope to have basketball as a part of who I am forever, because of my strong passion for the sport and what comes with it.”

Katja Dunayevich (12) - Cross Country Katja Dunayevich has had an incredible cross-country season, capped off by winning the girls Division 1&2 individual sweepstakes and finishing ninth at the state championships. The energy at the sweepstakes race was electric, filled with tons of fans and spectators, which pushed her through the toughest moments. The excitement and support from the crowd made the experience even more rewarding, and the win provided her with the motivation to push hard through the rest of the season. Additionally, the sheer size of the race at states, filled with top runners from across California, created a fastpaced, crowded course where Dunayevich had to navigate through packs of runners. The cold weather also added a new twist to the race, but it didn’t stop her from performing at her best. What stands out most for Dunayevich, however, is the sense

of camaraderie she shares with her teammates. After all the hard work they’ve put in, celebrating each other’s achievements has been a highlight of her season. Looking ahead, she’s excited to see what they can accomplish together in track this spring.

“What stands out most for Dunayevich, however, is the sense of camaraderie she shares with her teammates.”

It’s Playoff Season - SMU & The Crimson Tide

By Carys oyvetsky

As the holiday season quickly approaches, the College Football Playoffs are coming up. This season, unexpected and disappointing losses have removed hopeful teams from the bracket. However, there have also been many pleasant surprises that have rattled fans, who are all hoping to grasp onto even the slightest hope that their team will get to the national championship. One of the most disappointing eliminations of the season came from none other than the Crimson Tide, whose disheartening loss to Oklahoma 24-3 officially replaced their spot in the playoffs with SMU.

“This season, unexpected and disappointing losses have removed hopeful teams from the bracket.”

Expressing his thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter), Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne shared an emotional statement on his team’s elimination. “Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the 12 best teams in the country.” He goes on further to say, “We had an extremely challenging schedule and recognize

Photo Credit: dallas MorninG news

there were 2 games that we did not perform as well as we should have.”

Although he does accept the decision of the committee, both him and Nick Saban (head coach of Alabama Football) hope to make changes to the regular schedules for upcoming seasons in hopes of preventing this disappointing turn of events in the future. On the flip side, SMU has happily claimed its spot as the 11th overall seed (which is where the system places each team once the playoffs start) and a high contender for the national championship.

Having won their last trophy as far back as 1982, both coaches and fans are pumped for this upcoming first round game against Penn State on December 21st. Rhett Lashlee, head coach of SMU expresses feelings of both relief and appreciation for the committee’s choice to place them in the 11th seed. Even after losing the

ACC championship game by a hair of a field goal, Lashlee and the team have a great sense of gratitude for their opportunity of redemption. He states that, “For the committee to honor.. and not penalize our team for playing in a conference championship game and competing the way we did, I think it’s a big deal for college football.”

“The tables have turned, and now it’s SMU’s time to prove that they deserve to be on the field.”

The reactions coming from both the fans and the administration seemed to be mixed, being in a state of shock and excitement. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Lashlee continues his statements of appreciation, “We’re excited to be on the field. There’s 12 teams competing for the national championship and we’re one of them.”

Many have come out from this regular season of college football with feelings of disappointment, and excitement for the upcoming playoffs, whether their teams are playing or not. From the beginning of the season, Alabama was almost guaranteed a spot in one of the top seeds, with SMU not even in the picture of consideration. However, the tables have turned, and now it’s SMU’s time to prove that they deserve to be on the field and in the running for the 2024-25 Championship Trophy.

Photo Credit: katJa dunayeviCh

Photo Credit: newsweek

The 2024 Formula One Recap

By diana GoMes

At the beginning of the year, I had no idea what Formula One was. In the spring semester, one of my close friends began telling me little jokes and making remarks about recent races or driver drama. At first, I merely disregarded this lighthearted banter, but I still listened intently; over time, I began to pick up driver names, race rules, and even started rooting for certain teams. As my friend sent me more F1 reels outside of school, my Instagram feed started showing almost exclusively F1 related content. With all of these things combined, I gradually became a Formula One fan. At once I discovered a newly created and growing F1 community present at CCA. Teachers and students alike show genuine interest in this wonderful sport. Mr. Pollock and a few students, my friend being one of them, have created a casual F1 club which occasionally meets before races. Together, we discuss qualification times and championship possibilities, all while learning more about the sport. Here is my recap of the 2024 season.

“I discovered a newly created and growing F1 community present at CCA.”

I remember my friend, and many other fans, being worried this season would be very similar to the 2023 season: Max Verstappen winning over 85% of races and Red Bull absolutely dominating the track. However, much to everyone’s surprise (and appreciation), this season contained seven different race winners, many of whom were able to win multiple races. When it comes to the drivers’ and constructors’ championship, it was only a slight surprise that Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title. Although Red Bull only had the strongest car in the first half of the season, Verstappen secured enough victories to beat competitor Lando Norris by 63 points. Many fans, myself among them, were glad to see an exciting season this year. There was a diverse range of winners and a stronger battle for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship, a thrilling change from the 2023 season. Max Verstappen showed he is capable of winning, even when he’s not in the best car. It really is talent. Despite Verstappen winning the drivers’ title in a Red Bull, his teammate, Checo Perez, somehow entertained an embarrassingly poor performance, costing his team the constructors’ championship. In the end, the fight for constructors’ was between McLaren and Ferrari, the former ultimately taking the title home. So, what’s going to happen next season? As always, there will be a few rookies from Formula 2 joining the official grid. As Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, Kimi Antonelli will be joining Mercedes. The team has been following Antonelli’s career since he was 11 years old, and the now 18-yearold driver was fast tracked by Mer

cedes to skip Formula 3 and go straight to Formula 2 in the PREMA team. Despite his concerning debut in F1 during a practice race, Toto Wolff, Mercedes’s Team Principal, was determined to sign Antonelli to fill Hamilton’s shoes. By making this choice, Wolff is taking a huge risk, but with the hope that Antonelli will become the next Max Verstappen. Another rookie who impressed the F1 teams, 19-year-old Oliver Bearman, is set to join Haas next year. Debuting for Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz’s temporary replacement (due to his appendectomy), Bearman was able to pull off a 7th place finish and become the youngest driver to compete for Ferrari. He will be racing alongside Esteban Ocon in the upcoming season. Another interesting driver is Gabriel Bortoleto, who has won the 2024 Formula 2 Championship, will be joining Kick Sauber. There is also one reserve driver for Alpine who will get a permanent seat on the team: Jack Doohan. With Ocon’s move to Haas, Doohan will be replacing him and advancing in his F1 career. Unfortunately, new drivers mean that there are some who have to leave at the end of the 2024 season. With ten drivers’ contracts running out this year, five of them have yet to sign new ones. Both Sauber drivers, Zhou Guanyu and Valteri Bottas, are facing an unfortunate end to their career. They are being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and Bortoleto.

“Both Sauber drivers, Zhou Guanyu and Valteri Bottas, are facing an unfortunate end to their career.”

Another driver, Kevin Magnussen, is leaving Haas as well. Additionally, both Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams this season, and Daniel Ricciardo, who raced for Visa

Cash App RB, were replaced mid-sea son due to underperformance. Fol lowing a difficult career and unlucky choices, Ricciardo ultimately met the end of his F1 career. Similarly, Sargeant, having sustained too much damage to the Williams cars and crash ing too many times, was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Dutch Grand Prix. Because of the large in flux of rookie drivers for the next sea son, many current drivers saw them selves replaced in favor of new blood.

“Audi is planning on joining the grid as Sauber’s replacement in 2026.”

Besides this, there are some drivers who are changing seats. Most notably, Carlos Sainz Jr. is downgrading from a Ferrari seat to a notoriously underperforming Williams seat. Being the only other driver who won a race in the 2023 season besides Red Bull, I would expect that he would have gotten a better seat in 2025. Instead, Ferrari made the understandable choice of grabbing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as soon as he was ready to leave his 12-year partnership with Mercedes. My only hope is that Sainz will either get picked up by a stronger team in 2026 or join Cadillac.

On a brighter note, Audi is planning on joining the grid as Sauber’s replacement in 2026. They outbid both Porsche and Cadillac to become a member of the grid. There are high hopes for Audi to grow into a competitive team because of their extensive monetary funds and existing connections in the motorsport world.

Additionally, an 11th team will be joining the grid in 2026. General Motors (Cadillac) was recently greenlit to join with two more drivers, creating a 22 driver grid. There are several potential drivers who can fill the seats of Cadillac, but nothing has been confirmed thus far. However, there are small rumors circling and fans are filled with

“Although I have only been aware of Formula 1 for less than a year, I am eager to continue watching and learning more about racing, especially for the 2026 season.”

hope that the current Sauber drivers, Guanyu and Bottas, will fill those seats. Although I have only been aware of Formula 1 for less than a year, I am eager to continue watching and learning more about racing, especially for the 2026 season. This season has seen drivers rise and fall. Max Verstappen claimed his fourth world championship, Lando Norris battled for his first victory and proceeded to win a few more races, rookies came and went, Zhou Guanyu scored points in a tractor, and Checo Perez was out-qualified by almost every driver on the grid. As the 2024 season has come to an end, I eagerly await the 2025 season with 19 drivers and Lance Stroll.

art Credit: kat Jensen

Photo Credit: diana GoMes

Photo Credit: eMManuelle Chan

Photo Credit: Jake kiM

Photo Credit: PhoeBe katsel

Photo Credit: Brianna Morrison

Photo Credit: stefan Grossfeld

Photo Credit: teGan inns

Junior & Senior

COMMUNITY DAY

All-day class-wide bonding! Games and discussions! Free lunch & excused absence! Leadership opportunities!

Language and Cultural Immersion Programs in:

Biarritz, France

Barcelona, Spain

Málaga, Spain

San Sebastian, Spain

Language Culture Arts

Crossword Crest Academy

By Carrie Krummen

ACROSS:

1. Advanced math (abbreviation)

5. Action done in pottery class, but remove the last letter

10. 24 hours x 7

14. Length times width

15. Harry Potter’s summoning spell

16. Pavlov of psychology

17. School dance for upperclassmen

18. Green pesto ingredient

19. Cold War alliance of Western nations

20. Second installment, alphabetically speaking

22. Fugitive

24. Scandinavian name; Aug–Sept

2008 hurricane

26. Initial poker bet

27. Jeans material

28. No-cost transportation (two words)

32. Cleaves/divides, in geography

33. Shoes associated with an alligator-adjacent species

34. Relating to healthcare

35. “a” + take legal action against

36. School year intermission

37. Salvador who painted The Per-

sistence of Memory

38. “Sea” in French

39. Baking ingredient that provides structure for bread

40. Uninterrupted transition, in music

41. How to describe ball pit contents (two words)

43. Adolescents

44. Comply

45. Tendency of time

47. Sugar in nucleotides

50. Digital payment method

51. In a wild manner

52. Fancy boat

54. Caitlin Clark’s alma mater

58. Desert in northern China and southern Mongolia

59. Digital read

60. Speed of a tortoise

61. To foretell/prophesize

62. _____ and Sensibility

63. Vigilant bird

DOWN:

1. “Lie” in slang

2. Pirate sound

3. Zodiac sign for late July to early August

4. City of tents in nature

5. Hummus brand

6. Weekly broadcast for Ravens

7. UC school known for its beachside campus

8. 52, in old Rome

9. Rollneck/turtleneck (two words)

10. Reason for our upcoming 36 ACROSS

11. Assessment/examination (abbreviation)

12. I’m so hungry I could ___ _ horse!

13. Be aware of

21. Bank money machines (abbreviation)

23. University of Utah football team

24. Dr. Seuss’ real last name

25. Become spread out from a folded state, for a sail

26. Abounding with noise

27. Theatre; emotional circumstances

28. Sigmund of psychoanalysis

29. Camera captures

30. Claude Debussy’s “Clair __ ____”

31. Nickname for Edith + “s”

33. Pal/sidekick

36. Genetic trait that makes someone more sensitive to light (two words)

37. Chicago-style pizza (two words)

39. Tabs on key rings

40. Sky twinkler

42. Newbie, in sports

45. Sounds bats listen for

46. Potato pancake

47. Cinderella’s clothes at the beginning of the story

48. Cartographer says, “I map!”; custodian says, “_ ___!”

49. Tea pearls

50. Science of scarcity (abbreviation)

53. 16th president = Honest ___

55. “Hello” in Portuguese

56. Sound to express amazement

57. Uncomfortable (abbreviation)