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Illustration by Brooklyn Saputo and Lucy Jeffers
Volume LXVIII, No. 7 • June 5, 2026 • Larkspur, CA
1 News
7 Opinion
12 Feature
Dr. Payne resigns from Redwood
Editor-in-Chief farewells
Next steps map
Editorial teaser
Read the Bark’s position on having a balanced summer.
Internships and summer programs can be helpful when pursued out of genuine interest in a subject, and not just to fit the cookie-cutter idea of a “perfect” college applicant. Continue reading on pg. 6
Redwood High School ● 395 Doherty Dr., Larkspur, CA 94939 ● Volume LXVIII, No. 7 ● June 5, 2026 ● www.redwoodbark.org
PHOTO SURVEY By Sofia Yanni
If you could give one piece of advice to next year’s seniors, what would it be?
Hudson Quirk Photo courtesy of TUHSD
AFTER FOUR YEARS as principal at Redwood High School, Dr. Barnaby Payne announced his resignation.
“Don’t procrastinate your work and save all your skipping class until the end of second semester.”
Principal resigns to continue career journey at alternative-educational school By Cian Kelly In an email to parents and students on May 22 through StudentSquare, Redwood High School Principal Barnaby Payne informed the community that he will step away from his position at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. “It is with deeply mixed feelings that I want to let you know that I have accepted a position managing high school continuation programs in San Mateo County and I will not be returning to Redwood for the 2026-2027 school year,” Payne said in the email. Payne, who started his role as principal in July 2022, will continue his administrative work at an alternative education school in the San Mateo Union High School District. As he finishes his fourth year as Redwood principal, Payne reflected on his next career steps. “I’m at a point in my career where I want to continue to push myself and seek new opportunities and new challenges, and that’s what this is about. This is sort of about my own professional journey rather than being dissatisfied or unhappy with my Redwood experience in any way,” Payne said. Payne expressed gratitude for the Redwood community and the Tamalpais Union High School District staff he has worked with during his four years at the school. Payne described students, staff and families as “focused,” “hardworking” and “conscientious” during his tenure. “This community has been great to me, and my favorite part has been working with the students and families. Redwood students have been amazing,” Payne said. “I don’t think anybody could be at Redwood and not be changed by the passion of this school community.” Payne explained what he has enjoyed during his 17 years as a principal across multiple districts, including schools in the San Francisco Unified School District. Payne said that directly helping students inspired him to work in a smaller continuation program for students lacking the credits necessary to graduate. “My favorite part of Redwood, and certainly every principal job I’ve had, is the opportunities that I have to work directly with students on whatever, from academics to student activities to athletics to students who have ideas or initiatives, who are trying to create change within the community,” Payne said. “I’m the type of person who is always looking for new challenges, new opportunities, new ways to push myself professionally. This new job down in San Mateo is working with continuation students,
and for a long time I’ve been interested in continuation programs, so when this opportunity came up, I looked into it and it was just too good to pass up at this point in my career.” Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) Superintendent Courtney Goode updated Redwood families on the status of securing a new principal for the 2026-27 school year in a subsequent email. “As we are so late in the school year and months beyond peak hiring season, it is not ideal to try to compress a months-long search process into a few short weeks. Instead, we will focus our efforts on identifying an interim principal(s) to lead Redwood for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Then, in the fall, we will begin a several-month-long and comprehensive process to recruit a permanent principal to lead Redwood for the next many years to come,” Goode said in the email. The district’s human resources department will initiate a selection process to find the next principal. The job listing will be posted on the recruitment platform EDJOIN, and candidates will be interviewed by a panel of students, staff, union members and administrators. Goode will have the final say in the decision. Goode ended his email by informing the community that he will be available from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, to discuss and address questions or concerns regarding the transition.
Hannah Lacey
“Stay on top of your workload and learn how to manage your time efficiently.”
Bijou Burdick
“Enjoy the process of senior year. Obviously, it’s a lot of work, and it’s hard, but you will end up exactly where you are meant to go. Stay optimistic.”
ckelly@redwoodbark.org
Scan the QR code to keep up with the Bark this summer through our Instagram: @theredwoodbark
Spencer Springfield
“Connect with everyone. Talk to people you might be scared to approach, make new friendships and create new experiences because it’s your last year of high school.” syanni@redwoodbark.org
June 5, 2026 bark Page 2 • News What could Trump’s second round of NPS cuts mean for national parks? Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky
in the long run, maybe years or decades down the road, I think that's going to have a serious impact on the ability of park managers to manage their resources, because they relied on the data that was coming from those studies to make management decisions about how to manage the resources, both historical and natural.” Marin County park ranger Matt Cerkel believes that despite initially staying behind the scenes, the impacts of this lack of research will make themselves clear to park visitors down the line. “There's going to be more impacts on the resources those parks manage, be it cultural or natural, the visitors will eventually see those impacts, because you can't hide that stuff forever,” Cerkel said.
aatherton@redwoodbark.org
PARK RANGERS PROTEST after Trump’s initial round of cuts in 2025. By Alex Atherton
On April 3, 2026, the Trump administration revealed its budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year, which included the cut of over $736 million in funding from the National Park Service (NPS). If the proposal goes through, this will be the second major cut to NPS the president has made since he entered office last year, when he cut a record $1 billion from the agency’s budget. This drop in funding has led the agency to terminate 25 percent of its workforce. In addition to these direct terminations, Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, has observed the workforce being cut through other means. “There has been another incentivized resignation that was supposedly finished up in April that encouraged particularly people in the central offices, biologists, archeologists, historians, engineers, architects, those kinds of people that spent a lot of their time supporting parks [to resign],” Wade said. Incentivized resignations, also known as “buyouts,” are arrangements in which staff voluntarily resign from their positions in exchange for an agreed-upon compensation. The NPS has consistently utilized these “buyouts” to cut its spending without involuntarily terminating employees, which can create conflict and lower workplace morale.
Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times
Wade predicts that these buyouts will exacerbate the decline in staff numbers seen after Trump’s initial cuts. “There's a number of [park workers] that we know that went out in April, but we've not heard how many, some estimates would take that 25 percent reduction of permanent work staff now up to 33 or 34 percent,” Wade said. While these cuts are significant, members of the Trump Administration, like newly inaugurated Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, argue that visitors’ experiences will remain unchanged. Wade believes that this is due to permanent workers being temporarily replaced. “The reason that [Burgum] can make that statement is that he's authorizing parks to hire a significant number of temporary or seasonal employees during this coming summer,” Wade said. While visitors may not see an initial shift, the central offices of national parks are being reshaped behind the scenes. Specialized inward-facing roles like historians, climatologists and biologists see greater cuts than general, outward-facing positions like rangers or hospitality workers. Wade believes that the impacts of this will make themselves clear in the long term. “If the people doing those research projects are lost, then the research comes to a halt,” Wade said. “And so
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Class of 2026 athletes celebrated at annual sports banquet By Elsa Houtkooper At the annual senior sports banquet held on May 18 at Sam’s Anchor Cafe, senior athletes gathered alongside parents, coaches and peers to celebrate the accomplishments and futures of the Class of 2026. Once attendees filled into Sam’s, they were able to socialize with their teammates and enjoy the buffet. The ceremony began with speeches by Principal Dr. Barnaby Payne and Athletic Director Jessica Piesch, after which seniors were recognized for their athletic achievements and contributions to the school community. One of the award winners was flag-football and softball player Gia Meyers, who received the Benchwarmers Award, recognizing her excellence in both athletics and extracurricular involvement outside of sports. “I sat towards the back, so when I heard my name called, it was really fun to have to walk to the stage and see everyone smiling,” Meyers said. “I didn’t realize that they had taken into account what we did out-of-school, so it was cool to be recognized for those achievements.” The atmosphere of the banquet was very loud and buzzing with excitement due to the large turnout from athletes and family members. “I feel like everyone was so happy there,” Meyers said.
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“Everyone was with their friends, and it was cool to see so many athletes and so many people there. All the parents were there too, so it was really cute and fun.” Kitty White was one of the recipients of the Don Kreps Award, as well as being recognized as the 2026 girls basketball Marin County Athletic League Player of the Year. During the banquet, White announced that she will be continuing her basketball career at California State University, Monterey Bay. “I’ve always been so proud to go to Redwood and being recognized for what I have done as an athlete is an honor,” White said. For White, personal recognition is an honor, but the legacy she leaves behind within the basketball program is her proudest achievement. “The thing I will remember the most is the things we have achieved that haven’t been done before in Marin and Redwood,” White said. “We won [the] North Coast Section (NCS) title for the first time in Redwood history in my sophomore year, then, in my senior year, we were the first basketball team in Marin to win NCS Division I.” The banquet served as both a celebration of athletic achievement and a final gathering for many seniors before graduation, highlighting the community and friendships that are built through athletics.
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STUDENTS WHO WON the MCAL Player of the Year get recognized for their athletic achievement at the ceremony.
Infographic by Vivi Endler
pinion
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New England vs SECs: Stereotypes hurt both sides By Sophie Sahai What do we look for when applying to a school? At times, when considering factors such as sports culture, rigor and campus size, it can feel like picking between two categories: the rigorous New England colleges and social Southeastern colleges. Although these assumptions can be true, it is undeniable that these types of schools have their own stereotypes. The varied perspectives and stereotypes have fueled competition and unhealthy perspectives on one another. When thinking of southern schools, a few come to mind—the University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the University of Alabama and more. According to the New York Times, as Americans begin to value Southern university sports, they have begun to undervalue Southern university academics. This has led to a widespread assumption or stereotype that southern universities have worse academics, prioritizing Greek life and sports over advanced education.
An opposite effect has been observed in Northeastern colleges as well. Colby College sociology professor Neil Gross cites the reason many students prefer southern schools over northeastern schools as not only being more academically driven, but also being more political. He alludes to the political environment in the north, a factor that southern students look down upon. “Some students are saying, ‘I don’t want to be in a super political environment,’ and they are opting into an atmosphere where they can focus on things other than politics,” Gross said. However, that’s not the only reason students doubt Northeastern schools. Amanda Craddock, vice president of enrollment at Coastal Carolina University, elaborated on alternative reasons students might want to attend Southern schools. “The school has focused recruiting efforts along the I-95 corridor as far north as Boston,” said Craddock. “When winter
Illustration by Elsa Sherman
weather blankets the Northeast with snow, the school sends marketing emails to prospective students featuring pictures of the sunny campus and its many palm trees.” Though there are several differences between Southern and Northeastern schools, students in similar regions feel
conflicted w i t h which schools to choose from within their area. Many students within similar regions, political atmospheres and academic environments share critiques of schools near them. According to a survey of 56 Harvard and Stanford students conducted by The Atlantic, students cited a variety of concerns over certain top colleges. “Princeton is academically rigorous, but too exclusive and hierarchical. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has brilliant students, but it’s
socially unpleasant. The University of Pennsylvania is altogether too careerminded,” surveyed students said. This data can sway the opinions of students who plan to apply to these schools, specifically students living in California. In fact, A Public Policy Institute of California report found that college-bound California high school students enrolling in out-ofstate colleges have almost doubled in the last two decades, rising from 8.5 percent in 2002 to 14.6 percent in 2022. Ultimately, the stereotypes surrounding these universities are nothing but negative, and only lead to conflict between Northeastern and Southern schools, and conflict for students picking universities to apply to. Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, we should learn to appreciate the parts of universities that might not stick out at first glance.
ssahai@redwoodbark.org
Why you should keep up with the news (even if it’s depressing) By Mila Martinez
another school shooting, twelve dead? In a world so That’s not good news; it’s natural not to polarized, it’s no feel good. You will be uncomfortable. You surprise that most will be sad. It’s okay to feel the emotional people disagree with consequences of real life events, because what they see in the they’re real, no matter how much we try news. According to avoid them. No matter how distraught to a 2022 survey someone is about that tragic event, they are by the American still much better off than the person who Psychological actually has to live through it. It’s okay to Association, “73 percent of Americans feel anxious, uncomfortable and frustrated reported being overwhelmed by the number about events that are anxiety-inducing, of crises facing the world at that point.” In uncomfortable and frustrating. The an effort to relieve yourself of the constant headlines are negative because something source of stress, you negative is actually might be tempted happening. We to stop keeping up all need to allow with the news at all. 73 percent of Americans ourselves to feel After all, why worry reported being however the news about things you makes us feel so overwhelmed by the can’t change? But we can focus on while this logic might number of crisis facing the fighting the issue appear reasonable world at that point presented instead of as a way to cut out turning to easy yet negativity, it’s not a counterproductive sustainable reaction American Psychological Asso- solutions. to news-induced ciation According to Jesse discomfort. This Holcomb, a professor “head in the sand” of journalism and tactic is counterproductive at best and communication at Calvin University, unethical at worst. At the end of the day, “People who read newspapers will be being disillusioned and shaken by the news civically engaged and are more likely to is not an excuse to stop keeping up with it. vote.” This isn’t surprising; people who Reading about famines, wars, watch the news naturally feel positive or immigration mega-prisons and the latest negative emotions about what they’re climate crisis can be overwhelming. It hearing and use those emotions to make the might feel like you’re being exposed to change they want to see. It isn’t realistic so much doom and gloom for no apparent to expect yourself to sit with negative reason, so it’s better to shut it off and emotions and be at ease—that’s why it’s eliminate any negative thoughts. But here’s so important to channel your emotions the thing: reading about bad news isn’t into action. After reading an article about supposed to feel good. That article about a school shooting, for example, you have
two options: either dismiss the event as just another unfortunate headline and vow to reduce your news intake—thus diminishing others’ suffering and doing nothing to address the root of the problem—or take action promoting gun laws through voting, protests and raising awareness, which can actually make a difference and leave you feeling empowered. Even doing something as simple as voting, when paired with a strong sense of current events, is enough. It’s still important not to neglect your mental health and be mindful of your news intake. When consumed from the wrong sources and to an excess the news can have harmful effects on your mental health. 53 percent of US adults get at least some of their news through social media (Pew Research), and according to a study by Psychology Today, news consumption on social media is linked to worsened mental health (like depression and anxiety). Also, checking the news can be addicting. According to Dr. Adam S Anderson in an interview with Mayo C l i n i c , “ N e w s outlets, and particularly social media, are geared toward showing things wherein the more attention they catch, t h e more advertising it brings.” Similarly to doomscrolling, constantly refreshing and checking the news releases dopamine that
keeps us going back for more. But the solution to these issues doesn’t lie in a total rejection of the news. Instead, focus on curating the quality of the news you consume by shifting from sensationalist news sources to reliable, high quality journalism. Then, instead of constantly checking and re-checking the news, dedicate just a few minutes every day to staying informed. Taking short breaks from the news to take care of yourself isn’t the same as completely forgoing it— sometimes, disconnecting is necessary to maintain your mental health. Above all, don’t stop caring about what’s happening to others just because it’s not happening to you. The news is unpleasant but necessary. Behind every depressing headline that’s making you uncomfortable, there are human beings who are feeling a hundred times as much pain as you from the event y o u ’ r e only reading about, and they need your awareness and action.
Illustration by Lucy Jeffers
mmartinez@redwoodbark.org
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Satire: What I’ll miss about Redwood By Kate Barker People are always telling me to enjoy high school while it lasts, because once it’s over, “I’ll miss it forever.” And sure, there are parts of Redwood that I’ll definitely miss, like spirit weeks with rallies and the lip dub, seeing my childhood friends between classes and cheering for our school during exciting championship games. But as graduation nears, it’s become increasingly clear that there are also plenty of things about high school that I absolutely will not miss. The treacherous sprint to the portables in the pouring rain When Marin is experiencing an “atmospheric river,” and it’s raining at all hours of the day, it’s just your luck if you have to walk a long six minutes out to the portables. Nothing says “ready to learn” like walking into class smelling like a wet dog with soaked clothes and a dripping binder…bonus points if you’re wearing flip flops. Your Rainbows will never recover. The parking lots being comparable to the Hunger Games When you arrive at school and someone has parked in your spot, it’s war. Your options: leave an angry pink sticky note or begin the domino effect of stealing someone else’s spot and ruining everyone’s morning. And getting out of the lot at the end of the day? People you considered friends suddenly forget how eye contact works as they cut you off, and parents will block your spot then honk at you. Still, a brief shoutout to the rare students who actually let you back out of your spot—they’re the real heroes, even if you never learn their names. And good luck if the lots have flooded… you’re better off swimming home. The ridiculous things people do in the hallways instead of walking forward You’d think that students would walk with purpose down the (already narrow) hallways, right? Wrong.
Page 5 • Opinion
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Instead, people form huddles in the middle of the hallway, something crazy—like relax. We’d like to watch a show, walk at the pace of a snail or have no sense of spatial hang out with friends… the usual high school things. Is awareness while the rest of us try to walk at an average that too much to ask? speed. Bathroom passes Additional hallway hazards include: tripping on your A communal pass that you take to the bathroom, Ugg slippers (multiple times in a row), falling down the really? That’s basically inviting every germ in Marin stairs and walking upstairs in a skirt (beware, people County (because I know some of you aren’t washing your below). hands) onto the shiny red lanyard. The memorable on-campus food options And when someone loses that pass, new substitutes Yes, the lunch line is free, so points for that, but pop up like “the bathroom ruler” or “the bathroom the options are… memorable. Is it healthy to eat an pencil.” At some point, we have to ask ourselves whether Uncrustable for lunch every day? At least the juice boxes carrying around a communal bathroom pencil is really are made with “100 percent juice,” so that has to count for necessary. something. Phone jails…soon to be And don’t even consider reinforced with off-brand Yondr Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky the vending machines. You pouches (who cares about the name won’t be getting so much as when we can’t even use our phones the crumbs of a Dorito— to Google it?) they’ll steal your money Whether we name it a “phone spa” instead and make you or a “phone jail,” it’s all the same jump through hoops to get when your phone is locked away in a refund. a sad little pouch. School Chromebooks And best of luck to students and Wi-Fi. Enough said. next year living in full, phone-less “Yay! I can’t wait to lockdown. No more texting about log in to this Chromebook your ride home from school, paying quickly,” said no student for off-campus lunch or driving ever. I hate to break it to you, but it your Tesla home. Thoughts and prayers to next year’s probably won’t load before graduation. students wandering campus trying to locate their friends Forget trying to open Cool Math Games or any the old-fashioned way. Are carrier pigeons making a website that the district has decided threatens comeback? society, hello spinning circle of death and Redwood gave me friendships, memories and blocked websites. school spirit. It also gave me parking lot road rage and Wi-Fi that never worked, so I’d say we’re even. And somehow, the school's whole Wi-Fi blocking strategy became pointless the second students discovered hotspots. Spending a whole day at school to come home and do more schoolwork Apparently, seven hours at school every day is still not enough educational enrichment, so we’re given even more work to do at home! Occasionally, a second-semester senior wants to do kbarker@redwoodbark.org
Learning from the past, not living in it By Evelyn Harper People often say that high school is “the best time of your life” or “the time where you find yourself,” when in reality it is a time of mistakes, learning and growth for many teens. Adolescence has shown to be one of the most socially challenging and emotionally unstable periods in a person’s life, yet people are often judged for their actions from this period many years after. As students begin college, they should not be permanently defined by who they were in high school. College should be a fresh start where people are judged by who they are now, not who they were years ago. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, adolescents are more likely to act impulsively, misread social situations and engage in risky behaviors because their brains aren’t fully developed. Teens often don’t think about the long-term consequences that their actions can create. They emotionally react to situations rather than using logic. This does not excuse harmful behavior, but it does explain why someone should not be defined by their actions in high school. Society already recognizes that teenagers are the generation that is the most capable of change. One example of this is the juvenile justice system, which focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment because young people are seen as capable of learning and growing. If the legal system can see that adolescents deserve second
chances, then so should everyone. People mature between the time that they are in high school and when they get to college as they gain new experiences, independence and get immersed into new environments. Getting to college gives people the opportunity to reinvent themselves. Many people leave behind unhealthy friendships, toxic environments, old rumors or reputations. A teenager who was shy or insecure in high school may become confident and outgoing in the new environment of college. For some people, college is the first time that they are able to truly decide who they are and what they want without judgement from outside pressures. In college, people are surrounded by a wide variety of people, many more than they were around in high school. College is also the first opportunity that one
has to study what they are truly interested in, not what they are forced to. All of these factors can completely change the way someone was in high school to the way they are in college. Of course, some people believe that one’s actions reveal their true character and all mistakes should have lasting consequences. This perspective is understandable, especially if it is coming from people who have been harmed by bullying or rumors. Trust is something that is difficult to earn back after it has been broken, and serious actions should not be ignored. However, there is a difference between holding someone accountable and permanently judging them. Holding people accountable forever to what could be one of their worst moments can discourage growth. If people believe that they will never be able to escape their past, they might stop trying to improve themselves altogether. True maturity comes from someone learning from mistakes, taking responsibility and becoming better because of those experiences. This isn’t able to happen if someone is constantly judged for their old mistakes. As many students prepare to go to college, they will likely be in the same school as others from their high school. It is very easy to carry old assumptions of someone into a new environment, however college should be a place where everyone keeps an open mind about one another. Everyone deserves a chance to grow beyond their high school years, and college should be a space where that can happen.
eharper@redwoodbark.org
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Editors-In-Chief Cora Champommier Paige Edelen Morgan Sicklick
Head Copy Editors Vivi Endler Elsa Sherman Adela Tabak
Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky
Work hard, play hard
editorial The importance of having a balanced summer
POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff.
As high school progresses, summer begins to feel less like a break for students and more like a resume-booster, filled with internship opportunities and summer programs. This atmosphere stems from the competitiveness of college applications. With the number of applications, according to Common App, having risen by approximately seven percent from 2025 to 2026, the acceptance rates of many schools have been decreasing. Instead of a crunch time for excess extracurriculars, summer should be a time to set goals for yourself and develop responsibility and experience. You can pursue your interests and further real-world experiences without feeling guilty about rest. Internships and summer programs can be helpful when pursued out of genuine interest in a subject, and not just to fit the cookie-cutter idea of a “perfect” college applicant. Instead, a balanced summer, where you are able to seek out those interests while simultaneously being able to let yourself relax, is the ultimate summer that students should strive for. Whether that be a month-long internship or a program over the course of a week, stepping out of your comfort zone and pursuing a genuine interest is the way to utilize your break. Eileen Cunningham Feikens, the director of college counseling at the Dwight-Englewood School, believes that a summer internship could be the perfect opportunity to get “hands-on” experience in a chosen field of interest. “I love summer programs if a student is approaching that opportunity with a sense of purpose as to why they’re going to that program,” Cunningham Feikens said. “The most important thing to think about for a student and for a family is if the program you are looking at on a college campus feeds the passions and helps a student explore what those passions are. If it helps them understand that, ‘yes, this is something I want to pursue,’ then it’s great. As a résumé-padder, it’s not great.” Therefore, the line between a résumé-padder and passion can be blurred. Sometimes, an activity can be both. To figure out which experience is best for you, ask yourself why you are doing it. If you find yourself scrambling to think of a genuine interest backing up your reasoning, then maybe it’s not the activity worth putting your free time into. The experiences you can get over the summer don’t all have to be structured school-run programs or internships. For some, a job may be a necessity to provide for themselves or family, and for others it can be a way to pursue their passion. For example, hostessing at a restaurant can show your dedication and people skills in a similar way to being an intern at a firm. For either scenario, a summer job could be A BARK to school ending on a Thursday. Even the school gave up on Friday attendance. A BITE to NuKase pouches. We’re gonna be NutKases without our phones. A BARK to Graduation. Aren’t you grad we waited?
A BITE to summer break. What will we do without AP Hacky Sack? BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS represent praise, while BITES represent critiques.
another way to find and develop a passion outside of academics. There are many benefits to the unstructured environment summer break provides. By taking the time during the summer to work on a personal statement and other college essays, you may be able to alleviate some of the stress that may come later down the road, and take advantage of the free-time summer provides. In fact, according to Redwood High School’s 2026 Senior Survey, seniors’ biggest piece of advice for juniors was to work on their college applications during the summer. That’s not to say that each high-school summer should be filled with job after job or internship after internship. Summer break is there to explore the opportunities that you don’t get to try during the school year. You don’t get graded on your curiosity. The stakes are low, and even if you find out an activity is not your true passion, you have still gained valuable experience. With college acceptance rates at an all time low, and increasing demand for an acceptance, it is understandable that the pressure and stakes would feel high. Students try to stand out in any way they can, creating a culture where students are expected to have a “passion project,” nonprofit or internship. Trying to be the perfect applicant may feel necessary in a world where everyone else seems to be going above and beyond. However, this idea misses the fact that admissions officers are looking for an authentic and genuine applicant, even if that means your activity list is shorter. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the number one university in the world, and their admissions advice rings true. “We want to see that students are involved in things because they care about them, not just because they think certain activities would ‘look good’ on their resume or college application,” the MIT website reads. When thinking about how to navigate your summers, it is important to value relaxation while also working hard towards your educational goals. The most important summer isn’t only the one that looks good on paper, but also is the one that allows you to explore genuine interests and enjoy your welldeserved break. Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in the Bark or in R general? We encourage our eporters readers to submit letters the editor. Letters to Arjun to Aujla the Bark should be Ava 500 Carlson words or fewer, typed if Emilie Erickson possible and signed. They must be emailed to Pasha Fooman bark@redwoodbark.org. Grace Gehrman
A BARK to Senior Ditch Day. We have been practicing all year. A BITE to seasonal allergies. They’re always coming AT-CHOOO! A BARK to BottleRock MIPs. At least there’s an uptick in community service! A BITE to post-AP testing projects. APparently it’s the best time for the most school work all year!
Staff Photographers Henry Barker Lauren Ellington Oren Weingarten Elle Wilson Senior Staff Mo Colaco Jamie Glennon Ofi Huneeus Chloe Jennings Kate Morgan Petra Novotny Ellie Smith Reporters Gabriel Cavanagh Matthew Delay Wes Fitzpatrick Elsa Houtkooper Elaina Leighton Leighton Olsen Adviser Lindsey Kornfeld
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Page 7 • Opinion
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Illustration by Rosstin Pouradib
It must be hard to listen to someone talk about the Bark. Not in the sense that they bore you, but more-so that it’s something you know you just have to experience yourself to understand. When I joined Nonfiction, I didn’t know what I was getting into. I knew I liked to write and loved to speak; but over
the past three years, the program has taught me that the most important thing a person can do is listen. Of all I’ve written, the most impactful was an obituary for a peer, Alexandra Hinks. Although I hadn’t known her personally, I began to understand who she was through memories shared by family and friends. I eventually spoke with her mom, Victoria, who invited me into her home to talk about her daughter’s life. I spent hours listening as she recounted stories about Alexandra’s kindness, love for sunsets and beach days, and the light she brought to those around her. In journalism, we often try to relate to interviewees or guide conversation, but in that moment, there was nothing I could do except listen. That experience showed me the moral weight of journalism: there’s both privilege and responsibility in telling stories for those who can’t themselves. Facilitating a space as Editor-inChief where students are pushed to be uncomfortable and even encouraged to fail
has been my honor. At the Nashville conference, I attended a seminar titled “10 Things I Wish I’d Known as EIC.” Three points stuck with me most. First: you’ll take criticism much harder. It’s no secret that our program faced challenges. There were moments when Morgan, Paige and I questioned our leadership and whether we were doing enough during a year that felt heavier than previous ones. But through every difficult moment, people stepped up, stayed positive and reminded us they had our backs. Leadership is not about having every answer; it’s about trusting the people around you and accepting support. Second: your attitude is contagious. With this year’s group, it was hard not to be in a good mood. From dance circles at the beginning of class to heated trivia games, there was never a shortage of laughter. But what I appreciated most was that we also knew when to be serious. The paper put in stands comes from hours of
I’ve always considered myself an introvert. I’m someone who loves the silence of a library, the solitude of escaping into a book and the familiarity of having the same group of friends for years. But this program and these people are the exact opposite of those things, and I have loved the chaos more than any other part of my high school experience. As a shy sophomore, I enrolled in Nonfiction because of my love to read and write. I soon discovered, however, that there was something very special about the Bark. Over the past three years (!), not only did I learn how to speak and write professionally, conduct interviews with people as high-caliber as the governor of California and stand up for journalistic integrity, but I also learned how to become a confident and passionate leader. I remember how my hands shook on my first day as Editor-in-Chief (EIC), but now the highlight of my school days consistently
remains Bark. I’m amazed that the same bookish sophomore can now lead a class of 30 students with ease. That being said, this year hasn’t all been perfect. There have been moments of high stress, uncertainty and even sadness, and I truly could not have gotten through it all without my two co-EICs. Cora and Morgan, our endless meetings and nightly FaceTime calls that often end in gossip and always laughter have become a routine that I will miss. I love that we can find humor in everything, and your leadership skills and friendship I always look to for inspiration and encouragement. I’ve come to adore our little unit, and I am beyond grateful that we went through this year together. This brings me to perhaps my proudest accomplishment. The friends and connections I’ve made during my time in the Bark are like no other. This is a group of students who nourish creativity, kindness and the will to work hard and
achieve great feats. Their ability to cultivate a community like this while also being incredibly inclusive and fun is truly amazing and so, so unique. I’ve made some of my best friends in this program, many of whom I never would have crossed paths with if it weren’t for Bark. We’ve shared so many laughs: Giants games, paste-up dance parties, hotel karaoke in Nashville and so many other small moments I know I’ll cherish and continue to think of long after I graduate. I’ve always had older students that I’ve looked up to, but my time in this program has shown me that it’s possible to look up to peers your age and younger. Barkies, I’m so proud of all of you and the extraordinary standard of ethical journalism, hard work and kindness you’ve upheld. This family that I’ve found is, like every Barkie who’s visited after graduating has said, one of a kind, and being your Editor-in-Chief has been overwhelming in ways I didn’t expect. It is strange being responsible for something you love so much, because you care about every little detail almost too much. But every time I felt myself losing motivation, I would look over at that jar sitting on my desk, and I would remember being the youger version of myself who would have done anything to be here. Very few people get to find something during high school that changes the direction of their life. The Bark did that for me. It gave me the career I want to pursue,
The confetti is still sitting on my desk. One year later, the colors have faded and the pieces curl at the edges, but I still can’t bring myself to throw it away. Last spring, the former Editors-inChief came to my house to tell me I would be the next Editor-in-Chief of the Bark. Before they left, they popped confetti in the driveway while my family stood outside cheering. I remember laughing, hugging everyone and trying to process what had just happened. Then, after everyone went home, I started picking pieces of confetti
up off the ground. I ended up putting all of it into a mason jar and leaving it on my desk. Somehow, it never moved. I’ve looked at that mason jar every single day since then. Sometimes I looked at it while I edited pages late at night fixing stories and layouts. Other times, I looked at it during moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough for the program or whether I was leading the way I was supposed to. And every time, it reminded me of the same thing: how lucky I was to be there at all. I think people outside of journalism see the finished product. They see the newspaper on distribution day or an article posted online. What they don’t see are the nights spent in the newsroom after dark, the stress before deadlines or the amount of yourself you slowly pour into the program without even realizing it. The Bark became more than a class to me long before I became Editor-in-Chief. It became the place where I spent most of my high school years. The place where I learned about stories outside of my own experience. But more than anything, it became the place where I found purpose. There were times when I felt exhausted. Times when being Editor-in-Chief felt
planning, drafting, editing and layout. Most of it never goes in the gradebook, but the passion behind it shows up everywhere else. Third: you make/made a difference. The Bark gives the opportunity to create something meaningful, and learn about the world around you instead of fearing it. To every Barkie, thank you for the effort, care and love you brought to this program and to one another. Finally, I added a note that read “Letting go is harder than you think.” Writing my farewell, I know that’s true. Underneath that read, “Never say ‘I’m so ready to be done.’” And being honest, I don’t think I ever will. Morgan and Paige, I’ll miss our 8 p.m. FaceTimes, laughing at slideshow photos and searching up national holidays to celebrate in class. I could not have asked for better partners, and I’m so proud of what we have accomplished. So, as I near word count, I’ll use the last few words to say: Go Bark! cchampommier@redwoodbark.org
nothing short of an honor. I’ll miss you guys and this program every day. Thank you, Bark. pedelen@redwoodbark.org some of the most important relationships of my life and a version of myself that feels more confident than the person who first walked into room 177 three years ago. Now that graduation gets closer, I keep thinking about the fact that soon the jar will be nothing but my memories. And honestly, I don’t think I will ever look at confetti the same way again. To me, it became proof of how much this program meant, and still means, to me. msicklick@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Cora Champommier
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Page 9
Las diferentes tradiciones de graduación Por Olivia Hamm
A medida que se acerca la temporada de graduaciones y nuestros seniors se preparan para partir, se organizan tradiciones para celebrar su despedida. Sin embargo, cada cultura celebra la graduación de la escuela secundaria de manera diferente. En las culturas hispanohablantes, estas celebraciones suelen incluir tradiciones distintas, ceremonias significativas y una fuerte participación familiar que demuestra lo importante que es este logro. En México, la graduación normalmente se celebra con una ceremonia escolar formal donde los estudiantes usan toga y birrete, seguida de grandes reuniones familiares. Una tradición popular es el “vals de graduación,” donde los graduados bailan un vals con sus padres como forma de agradecimiento y para simbolizar su transición a la vida adulta. En Argentina, la graduación se celebra con “la cena de egresados,” una cena especial que a menudo se convierte en una gran fiesta con baile y música. Otra tradición muy conocida es el “bautismo de egresados,” donde los
estudiantes graduados son cubiertos de manera divertida con cosas como pintura, espuma, harina o huevos por estudiantes más jóvenes como forma de celebración y para marcar su transición al salir de la escuela secundaria. En España, muchos estudiantes que se gradúan participan en una tradición llamada “la orla,” un retrato formal de la clase que incluye a todos los estudiantes y a sus profesores. Esta foto enmarcada suele exhibirse permanentemente en la escuela, convirtiéndose en un símbolo duradero de cada generación. En Venezuela, una tradición única de graduación es el “acto de grado,” que se realiza en un lugar formal donde los estudiantes suben al escenario y reciben su diploma de un “padrino” o “madrina,” un mentor o invitado especial. Esta persona es elegida por el estudiante y cumple un papel importante en reconocer su logro. En general, aunque la graduación marca el mismo logro en todo el mundo, las formas de celebrarla reflejan las culturas y valores de cada país. Desde bailes familiares hasta tradiciones más caóticas y divertidas, estas celebraciones muestran la importancia de la
comunidad, la familia y el paso a una nueva etapa de la vida. Al final, no importa cómo se celebra, la graduación siempre representa un momento significativo que los estudiantes recordarán para siempre.
Ilustración por Olivia Hamm
ohamm@redwoodbark.org
Foco en los estudiantes de último curso que asistirán a universidades internacionales este otoño Por Beatrice Nass
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Ilustración cortesía de Robert Lawson
cuando tenía unos 10 años. Por lo que recuerdo, fue encantador”, dijo Domet. Catherine Tang tiene previsto asistir a la Universidad de Melbourne, en Australia, este otoño. Tang explica que su interés por la educación internacional surgió de un deseo que tenía desde hacía tiempo de viajar y conocer nuevas culturas. “Desde pequeña he querido viajar mucho, así que pensé en universidades internacionales. No estaba segura sobre Australia. Al principio pensaba en China, pero luego pensé: ‘No, traducir no sería bueno’. Sabía que quería ir a otro sitio y simplemente vivir una experiencia nueva. En segundo curso empecé a pensar en Australia, pero lo tuve mucho más claro en tercero”, dijo Tang. Para los estudiantes que están pensando en sus próximos pasos tras terminar la secundaria, asistir a una universidad internacional ofrece un camino que va más allá de la experiencia universitaria tradicional en EE. UU. Hay más estudiantes además de los mencionados que están tomando el camino internacional, incluidos algunos que asisten a universidades estadounidenses con programas de estudios en el extranjero durante su primer semestre o año. Hay muchas formas de adquirir experiencia internacional tras terminar la secundaria, y estudiar en otro país es solo una de ellas.
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Cada año, los alumnos de último curso se enfrentan a la decisión de qué pasos dar tras terminar la secundaria. Mientras que muchos optan por matricularse en universidades de cuatro años o eligen caminos alternativos, hay un selecto grupo de estudiantes que continúa su educación en el extranjero. Los alumnos de último curso Zoë Gister, Liam McCaw, Cat Domet, Izzy Ghalam y Catherine Tang son algunos de los estudiantes cuya experiencia universitaria se desarrollará en una zona horaria diferente este otoño. Zoë Gister tiene previsto asistir al Bard College Berlin en otoño. Bard es una pequeña escuela de artes liberales en Berlín que no exige a los estudiantes hablar alemán con fluidez, aunque Gister casi lo hace. Su interés por estudiar en el extranjero surgió durante su penúltimo año, tras participar en un programa de intercambio en Alemania durante la secundaria. “En noveno curso, sabía que realmente quería hacer un programa de intercambio en la secundaria, así que busqué en Google programas de intercambio gratuitos”, dijo Gister. “No sabía con certeza si quería estudiar en el extranjero, pero sí tenía claro que quería vivir algún tipo de experiencia de estudios en el extranjero. Después de mi año de intercambio en 11.º curso en Alemania, [donde] viví durante un año, volví y pensé: ‘Sé que ese es el lugar donde debo estar.’” Liam McCaw asistirá a la Universidad de Victoria en Canadá el próximo otoño para cursar sus estudios universitarios. El interés de McCaw por las universidades internacionales se centró en Canadá porque tiene la ciudadanía canadiense, lo que reduce significativamente los costos de matrícula. “He considerado universidades internacionales, pero solo las canadienses, porque soy ciudadano canadiense. Los ciudadanos canadienses pagan una matrícula muy barata en las universidades canadienses. Mi matrícula era de unos 6.500 dólares canadienses, lo que equivale a unos 5.000 dólares estadounidenses al año. En comparación con las universidades públicas equivalentes [de California], es como una décima parte del precio. Eso fue un gran incentivo para ir allí”, dijo McCaw. Izzy Ghalam asistirá a una universidad en Canadá este otoño, matriculándose en la Universidad McGill. Al igual que McCaw, Ghalam se beneficia de ser ciudadana canadiense. En el caso de Ghalam, sus padres le aconsejaron que buscara algunas universidades
canadienses y, tras investigar un poco, le encantó McGill. “Ya había estado buscando [universidades] en la costa este, [y] Montreal no está tan lejos”, dijo Ghalam. “Mis padres me animaron a investigar muchas universidades. [McGill] era una de las universidades que incluí en mi lista para investigar, pero una vez que la investigué, me encantó y me vi a mí misma allí.” Cat Domet también asistirá a la Universidad McGill este otoño. Del mismo modo, Domet es ciudadana canadiense y también podrá asistir a la universidad pagando una matrícula más baja que en la mayoría de las universidades estadounidenses. McGill es una gran universidad situada en una zona principalmente una zona principalmente di habla francesa. Aunque las clases se imparten en inglés, por lo que los estudiantes no tienen que dominar el francés para asistir, Domet tiene pensado intentar aprender francés mientras esté allí. Domet tiene familia que vive en Canadá y guarda buenos recuerdos de sus visitas. “Mi familia está en Ontario, así que pasé mucho tiempo allí. Visité Columbia Británica unas cuantas veces, concretamente Vancouver, porque estaba visitando universidades por allí y también porque Vancouver es increíble. También fui a Quebec una vez,
bnass@redwoodbark.org
Page 10 Illustrations by Rosstin Pouradib
By Rosstin Pouradib and Tate Ralston A small, beaded sack arcs through the air, bouncing from sneaker to sneaker as a circle of students cheers after each save. To some, it seems like a new trend, but for past generations, it's an old trend coming back. According to History.com, the origin of hacky sack, also known as footbag, dates back to the summer of 1972, when John Stalberger and Mike Marshall met at a music festival in Oregon City, Oregon. Marshall introduced Stalberger, whose college football career had just been cut short by a knee injury, to a foot-juggling game that involved keeping a small beanbag in the air using anything but hands. What began as a casual activity soon became a form of rehab for Stalberger’s knee and eventually a sport of its own. Before hacky sack became a recognizable game, Stalberger and Marshall experimented with different footbag designs. Early versions were handmade and filled with materials such as rice and small glass buttons. According to American toy and lifestyle company Wham-O, the pair filed for a patent in 1974 and continued to refine the product as the game continued to grow. Hacky Sack had become official. After Marshall died unexpectedly at age 28, Stalberger continued promoting Hacky Sack, bringing it to schools and communities across Oregon. By the early 1980s, Hacky Sack had spread to playgrounds, college campuses and communities across the country. In 1983, Stalberger officially sold the rights to Wham-O, a company famous for making toys like the Frisbee and the Hula-Hoop. Social studies teacher Jonathan Hirsch played hacky sack when he was younger and it has been nostalgic to see students bring it back. “I remember seeing a few guys doing it a few months ago and going, ‘Oh my god, hacky sack’s back. That’s awesome,’” Hirsch said. Hirsch first played in high school or early college, when hacky sack existed more as a subculture than a mainstream sport. He said the main appeal came from how simple and portable it was. “It was social and good for coordination,” Hirsch said. “It was easy because you could just carry one with you and play whenever you want.” During the 1990s, Hirsch said hacky sack had a noticeable presence, even if it was never fully mainstream. “It was a subculture, kind of like it’s become today,” Hirsch said. “There were points [in the 1990s], like ’92, ’93, ’94, where you might see a group of guys doing it here or there, kind of like you do today.” For Hirsch, the culture around hacky sack was tied to more than the game itself. It was casual, social and connected to the music and hangout scene of the time.
While, according to Hirsch, there were certain stereotypes associated with the people who played, the activity spread beyond those groups. Still, by the late 1990s, hacky sack had started to fade from the scene. “I don’t remember it becoming less popular,” Hirsch said. “I just remember when I graduated college, it was definitely not a thing anymore. It was fading out by the late ’90s.” Although the game began to fade, it never entirely disappeared. Instead, it quietly lingered in the background until it was found again by the new generation. More than 50 years later, students are once again forming circles around the same challenge: Don’t let it drop. Senior lacrosse player Rudy Vasquez said he started playing about a month ago after seeing others pick it up around campus. “I started hacky sacking because it’s super fun,” Vasquez said. “Lots of people were doing it. It’s a super social activity. It brings people together.” Hacky sack has recently surged in popularity among students, with social media helping fuel its return. Vasquez said he believes part of the trend came from social media, where East Coast high school lacrosse teams and preparatory school students began posting videos of themselves playing. “I noticed lacrosse teams [and] high schoolers on the East Coast started posting Instagram reels and TikToks about their hacky sack tricks,” Vasquez said. “We started realizing how fun it is. It’s active, but it’s great because you can really play anywhere.” The mix of activity and convenience is part of what allowed hacky sack to make its return. Unlike most sports, you don’t need a field or lengthy equipment. To play hacky sack, a group only needs a sack and people willing to play. Hirsch said he's not surprised younger generations are bringing it back. “Why not?” Hirsch said. “It’s so easy and chill [that] you can do it kind of anywhere. You don’t need much. You don’t need a ton of practice or a skill set.” That accessibility is part of what separates hacky sack from more competitive activities. The goal is not to beat another person, but to keep the sack in the air together.
FOCUSING ON THE hacky sack in the air, freshman John Clifford is circled by freshmen Logan Martay, Gavin O’Neil, Noel Weir, JD Horn, Chase Ulin and Adrian Atherton during a lunchtime hacky sack session.
When someone messes up, the circle simply resets. “What I like about it is no one’s judgmental,” Hirsch said. “If someone is really not getting it, no one’s like, ‘Oh, come on, bro.’” Vasquez also described hacky sack as more than just a sport. To him, it’s a way for people to hang out without needing much structure. “My friends [and I] go out and we [play] hacky sack. We just have such a good time,” Vasquez said. Still, there are differences between hacky sack culture in the ‘90s versus now. Hirsch joked that students today are not quite at the skill level he remembers from the 1990s. “No offense, but people were way better back then,” Hirsch said. “But [students] have only been doing it for a few months now.” The level of difficulty may be part of why hacky sack continues to attract students. It is simple enough for people to try, but difficult enough to keep people interested. Each save, stall or pass around the circle can feel like progress in the sport. While social media may have helped revive the trend, its appeal goes beyond the screen. At a time when many trends begin and end online, hacky sack provides students with something physical and social to do in-person. “It gets people off their phones too, which is a double bonus,” Hirsch said. Whether the comeback lasts or fades again, hacky sack’s return shows how old trends can find a new life. What started with two friends and a handmade beanbag in Oregon has become a way for students to gather, laugh and keep something moving. As Hirsch put it, hacky sack culture is “just a chill way to connect with people doing something fun and challenging.”
bark@redwoodbark.org
Page 11 • Feature
www.redwoodbark.org
By Beatrice Nass Childhood books are a staple in life. For some children, there are designated books for bedtime, snack time and when grandparents come to visit. Now, imagine if the books people were growing up reading were normalizing racist imagery to impressionable, young children, written by a famous children’s author known around the world, being the one spouting the racist portrayals. Dr. Seuss did just that. Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that it will quit publishing six of the author’s books, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer,” because of the hurtful images and lines that inaccurately depict people of African and Asian descent. The announcement was made on March 2, 2021, inciting a range of reactions. While one library in Chicago, Illinois, pulled all six books from their shelves, most Bay Area libraries did not. According to First Things First, a childhood development organization, 90 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age five. Those five years are important for setting the foundation of a child’s thoughts and outlook on life. While adolescence is also often a time of major change, a developing toddler is highly “imprintable” by their experiences, making this a crucial period. Developing what’s “right” a n d “wrong” doesn’t happen overnight, but in the first few years of life, when kids have a lack of knowledge, they don’t know anything beyond what they’re told. As Dr. Seuss’ books are intended for readers aged three to nine, the concern regarding racist imagery in his books, and the enterprise’s decision to stop publishing six of his books, Illustrations by Maggie Schwartz sparked controversy. In February 2024, the New York Times Ethicist, a column by Kwame Anthony Appiah that answers readers’ moral dilemmas, published a piece commenting on someone’s specific situation of reading an old Dr. Seuss book to their young child. From The New York Times, the prompt goes as follows: “Recently, my aunt gifted me my father’s copy of Dr. Seuss’s “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” so I could read it to my 8-month-old son. The book was one of my father’s favorite books as a child, and he is so pleased to know that it has been passed along to his grandson. It is, I think, the original printing from 1937, has his name written in it and is colored in with crayons and pencils in
various places. It was clearly a loved book. But the book also contains an egregious racial stereotype of a Chinese person. (The graphic and text were edited in the 1970s to make them less offensive.) I want to read this book to my son because it was special to my father, but I don’t want to imply that some of the content is OK. I could: get rid of the book; keep the book, but not read it to my son; read it to him but skip over the offensive text and image (I think this could be done without changing the story fairly easily); or read it to him as it is, in its entirety, and have a conversation with him as soon as he is able to understand the issue. None of these options feel quite right to me. Is there something I haven’t thought of?—L. Wagner, Brooklyn, N.Y.” The prompt is an example of the complexities that the impact of children’s books brings up. How do we know if a child will be negatively impacted by the racist connotations in a book they read when they were six? Students in Steve Hettleman’s Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition Liana Frankos, course are familiar with this psychology intern prompt. Junior Theo Wang wrote an argument paragraph as a class assignment in response to Appiah’s column. “If [the books] are a part of history they don’t need to necessarily be scrapped, but I think that maybe in terms of who’s exposed to them, we should be a little more cautious, especially if they’re very openly anti-semitic or just offensive at all to a large group of people, that they shouldn’t be voluntarily exposed to a younger group of kids,” Wang said. Kids develop all sorts of thoughts and social expectations at a young age. According to BJJ Mental Models, normalization is defined as two things. One of the definitions is “things we accept as commonplace.” When children consistently read and are confronted with the same stereotypes, by that definition, they become normalized. World History and Advanced Placement (AP) World History teacher Corin Greenberg believes that the portrayals in Dr. Seuss’s books warrant a societal discussion. “Taking something harmful down makes sense, [but] keeping it up and explaining the history makes sense. We just don’t want to promote things that we find harmful today. But, there’s a few ways to do it, and I’m not really sure what’s the right way either. It’s good we’re having a social conversation about it as a society,” Greenberg said. Greenberg visited a museum in England where she observed an interesting way to address historical records that current society would now find offensive. “When I went to England two summers ago, they kept a lot of things up, like statues of people who had done harmful things or participated in the slave trade. But they put large plaques on them saying this person did this bad thing, and so it felt like the way they were approaching it in England was to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to keep this stuff up, but we’re also going to explain what happened.’ And to me, that felt sort of like
bark
a good way to do it,” Greenberg said. Dr. Seuss’s six books containing images harmful to certain races are still available in libraries around the Bay Area, such as the Mill Valley Public Library which contains four of the six, and can still be found elsewhere. Yet, no more will be printed. The decision of whether parents read those books to their children is one for them to make. Furthermore, according to Humanium, an independent, international organization that focuses on children’s rights, “Stories play an important role in children’s representation: they provide information and models, they guide the reader through the discovery of the world, both real and imaginary and they convey values such as friendship, empathy, courage, sense of belonging, emotions and diversity which are essential for child development and growth.” The ideas that children’s books convey can stay with a child. Liana Frankos, Redwood’s Psychology Intern for the 20252026 school year, understands the impact of media on children and their development. “When you expose them to things, they start taking that in and soaking it in like a sponge. If they are learning bad things in a book or through video games, they could learn aggression through video games, for example, but they could also learn kindness, communication skills and social skills through all this media as well. Children are like sponges, and they take in the world. So be cautious of what you put out there,” Frankos said. Many children’s books are used as tools for life lessons. For example, “The Rainbow Fish” teaches about inclusiveness and kindness. “Beautiful Oops” shares the lesson of embracing mistakes. Simple stories can be used to instill life values in children. They can also set the bar for what children think is okay, concerning not only how they perceive themselves, but also others. Children’s books have the potential to instill important values, but given younger children’s ages, books also have the power to normalize harmful ideas. The impact of media consumption, whether through books or not, can shape what children perceive as “normal” and therefore accepted in society and their own minds. Children’s books hold great power, and “Spider-Man Amazing Fantasy #15,” states “with great power there must also come–great responsibility!”
Children are like sponges, and they take in the world. So be cautious of what you put out there.
bnass@redwoodbark.org
Data organization by Penelop Data collection from individual report ALABAMA Auburn University Tova Jaffe ARIZONA Arizona State University Ivan Gazanchiyants University of Arizona Nina Erwig Finn Ghia AUSTRALIA University of Melbourne Catherine Tang CALIFORNIA California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Amelie Adjodha Grady Armstrong Josiah Ayres Dane Brellin Layla Duhagon Gregory Goldstein Sophia Kim Sydney Middleton Cole Miller Ava Newhauser Jackson Reitzel Griffin Sichel Alexander Teodoro Riley Ulin California State University, Chico Frederick Bartle Charlotte Greber Annabel Lawson Jordan Malek Madani California State University, Fullerton Nathalie Veletzuy California State University, Long Beach Savia Shenkin California State University, Monterey Bay Sophia Rocine Kitty White Chapman University Gabe Cavanagh Ciara Cogan Indah Herzenberg Maximilian Hewlette Serene Kempler Caroline Marples Sarah Nevarez Carrigan Ockner Giovanni Pugliese Oliver Rogers Caroline Veley College of Marin Jasmine Ajanel Denis Alexis Avery Perkins Dominican University of California Jacquelyn Contreras
Loyola Marymount University Aaron Jensen Owen Malone Emelia Valentine Emiliano Villacis Occidental College Oliver Vaughan Pepperdine University Maximilien McGuire Pitzer College Benjamin Vaughn San Diego State University Ashley Ball Samuel Cowan Julian Krantz Sienna Rouas Bella Von Pervieux Jack Wilkins San Jose State University Joshua Benza Luca Carbone-Danmeier Gustavo Gonzalez Darlinbelle Vasquez Santa Barbara City College Cooper Canon Ahlani Davis Clement Ghelfi Margaret Parnell Charles Poser Santa Clara University Lauren Dickerman Jack Moseley Lily Patrizi Bradley Southern Santa Rosa Junior College D’Anthony Blair Sonoma State University Jax Bond-Goldman University of California, Berkeley Anders Carlson Galle Lipshitz Claire Mussche Shane Pastel Kevin Peterson Penelope Trott Elle Wilson University of California, Davis Nicolas Bal Imogen Colaco Katherine Lim Zara Pavelka Theo Trono Charlotte Waldinger University of California, Irvine Gunnar Niemi University of California, Los Angeles Aaron Ask Noa Berman Leonardo Centeno Max Haubold Lily Skinner
Spencer Springfield Holly Thomas Caitlyn Ulm Tommy Vasquez University of California, Merced Adrian Barajas Garen Gouloomian University of California, Riverside Angelo Alomia Dulce Valiente University of California, San Diego Eden Davis Roman Giang Jamie Glennon University of California, Santa Barbara Lukas Berger Jackson Calahorro Nikhil Cappelen Paige Edelen Annabelle Forman Shona Gallagher Jacob Katz Dylan Poncet Emma Quaroni Griffin Scott University of California, Santa Cruz Zara Bhandari Siena Britt Finn Callaghan Britton Cota Rebecca Duran Alexander Kosorukov Paloma Nacamuli Hayden Schepps Henry Vare University of San Diego Kate Barker Avery Francis Liam Healy Suzanne Lawrence Renata Lionetti Adela Tabak University of San Francisco Stela Barbosa Whitney Earl Evelyn Harper Katelin Neuman University of Southern California Henry Barker Madison Bishop Richard Byrne Cora Champommier Claire Fago Jake Post Morgan Sicklick Genevieve Walravens Mark Xu CANADA McGill University Charlotte Domet Isabel Ghalam Queen’s University Harrison Lidstone
University of British Columbia Christopher Castonguay University of Toronto Samuel Holst University of Victoria Liam McCaw COLORADO Colorado State University Noah Colety Ryder Kepple Jack Warren University of Colorado, Boulder Lucas Anderson Lucas Bennett Greyson Camp Liam Colon Brooke Denler Elena Dillon Ethan Ferry Nicole Grau Lucy Hamill Thomas Harvey Lucy Howard Henry Kelly Reece Mori-Prange Hadley Mortimer Charles Muller Scarlett Musgrove Jack O’Donnell Ava Pollard Caroline Reidy Leon Schablitzki William Steele Caitlin Titcombe Jaden Vangorder Nathan Weingart Mackenzie Wilkinson University of Denver Lily O’Shea FLORIDA University of Florida Marco Cleary University of Miami Graham Aanes Kyle Headington Ofelia Huneeus Tobin Rivera Jack Stiteler University of North Florida Violet Porter University of South Florida Liliana Huerta University of Tampa Olivia Kim GEORGIA Georgia Institute of Technology Nolan Deforrest Oliver Weston HAWAII University of Hawaii at Manoa Bijou Burdick-Kitchell Scarlett Drucker
pe Trott and Chloe Jennings ts and the College and Carreer Center ILLINOIS Loyola University Chicago Amelia Johnson Petra Novotny University of Chicago Elam Schiller INDIANA Indiana University Saia Bach Lily Bell Jack Block Caleb Clifford Luke Esslinger Tobias Foster Storey Gerber Ari Hyman Isabel Kletz Nicholas Vicente Purdue University Benjamin Braff Nicholas Pharis Zachary Schuman IOWA Iowa State University Georgia McComish IRELAND University College Dublin Lucas Jacobson KANSAS The University of Kansas Oliver Hafez Damian McIntosh KENTUCKY University of Kentucky Angelica Claire LOUSIANA Louisiana State University Oaklie Joplin Hayden O’Neil Gia Meyers Tulane University Owen Gurion Leland McLaughlin Leighton Olsen Jackie Tavernetti MARYLAND University of Maryland Kyra Mahal Rohan Nagashetti MASSACHUSETTS Boston University Shea Donnelly Dylan Lee Brandeis University Ava Brown Northeastern University Eily Diener Gabrielle Marples William Meyer Jace Sims University of Massachusetts Amherst
Marisol Tramontozzi Williams College Tate Donaldson MICHIGAN University of Michigan Jessica Gu Chloe Jennings David Katz Ryan O’Connor Tessa Tuatini Rudy Vasquez Cassia Weasler MINNESOTA University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dante Capps MISSISSIPPI University of Mississippi Libby Eshoo Cayden Roberts NEVADA University of Nevada, Reno Jack Ngarimu NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth University Charlotte Stevens NEW YORK Barnard College Isla MacLean Saskia Swildens Colgate University Lucy Miller Cornell University Michael Anderluh Everett Gross Julia Gu Lucy Jeffers New York University Kai Geithman Jiyang Gu Evan Wang Syracuse University Miah Dungca Vivienne Endler Gianna Flores Hannah Lacey U.S. Military Academy at West Point Britney Blair Fordham University Sakura Beattie NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina State University Kevin Bartell Wake Forest University Paige Catanese Dylan McGrath NORTH DAKOTA University of North Dakota Benjamin Harp
OHIO The Ohio State University James Mostafavi Brooklyn Saputo OREGON Oregon State University Logan Lovely University of Oregon Ryan Harrington Jasper Roblee Mio Zuta PENNSYLVANIA Bucknell University Mimi Wood Haverford College Elsa Sherman Lehigh University Alby Corrin University of Pennsylvania Noah Hosseini Villanova University Sophie Manning RHODE ISLAND Johnson and Wales University Milo Silverio SCOTLAND University of St. Andrews Kage Watson SOUTH CAROLINA Clemson University Stella Belluomini TENNESSEE Belmont University Lucas Juhl Vanderbilt University Robertson Morrow TEXAS Baylor University Gabrielle McElreath Southern Methodist University Lily Cox William D’Amario-Mcshane Calum Mckim Kaitlyn Tupper Zachary Zampa Texas Christian University Adam Ebeid Callie Mock The University of Texas at Austin Jack Lapic Lila Samadani UTAH University of Utah Aven Fenner VERMONT Middlebury College
Virginia Baker Alexander Kemos University of Vermont Siena Ledesma Olivia Walker VIRGINIA College of William and Mary Benjamin Mueller United States Navy Akira Bratti University of Virginia Chase Martin Margaret Stevenson Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Elsa Houtkooper Parker Stacy William Suko WASHINGTON Bellingham Technical College Dylan Gillmeister University of Washington Tyler Beck Django Garcia-Harrison Mariel Goodhart Dylan McConnell Katelyn Morgan William Reilly Julian Roth Abigail Willian Dean Wozniak Whitworth University Dante Davis WASHINGTON D.C. American University Sabina Leung George Washington University Max Chhabria Rhett Krawitt Rachel Runyan Natalie Vinogradsky Georgetown University Adam Sicklick WISCONSIN University of Wisconsin, Madison Hilah Brekhus-Lavinsky Ryan Harrington Jaime Hughes Roxanne Monty Angelina Purvey Estelle Smith Henry Smith
Illustrations by Brooklyn Saputo and Natalie Vinogradsky
The students listed have selfselected to share their future decisions with the Bark.
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End of an era The pre-graduation TV episode guide By Angelina Purvey
As senior year comes to a close, finding a way to commemorate the memorable moments and memories can be a hard task. Graduation is approaching, but what can you do to fill the time before the day hits? If you are looking for a sentimental activity that can be enjoyed alone or with friends by your side, revisiting graduation episodes from everyone’s favorite television shows is the perfect thing to do. Liv and Maddie - Skyvolt-A-Rooney (Season 3, Episode 19) Watching Liv and Maddie will take you back to your childhood in an instant. As seniors chose the path that they want to pursue, Skyvolt-A-Rooney brings you back through the process of choosing these major life choices through the eyes of our favorite twin role models, Liv and Maddie. This episode brings up relevant feelings of the conflict between leaving home, choosing your own path without outside influences and coming to terms with the idea of separation from your loved ones. Watching Liv and Maddie have to make these similar decisions can help with the settling of acceptance through a nostalgic way.
graduate, Alex, has always had sour feelings about her peers. She struggled through the years with fitting in and facing friendship trouble; she was ready to let all her true feelings out by obliterating her fellow classmates with her graduation speech. With some convincing from Haley, her older sister, she realized that everyone experiences their own struggles and it's not necessarily their fault that they act so shallow. It leaves the viewers with the message that you never know what people are going through and that, no matter what, you should always treat people with kindness, a lesson with multitudes of applications for soon to be college students. Good Luck Charlie - Accepted (Season 4, Episode 18) This episode encompasses the rollercoaster of emotions that coincide with graduating and going to college. Most people can relate to the feeling of a close friend getting off the waitlist of your dream school. Of course there is some
Modern Family - American Skyper (Season 6, Episode 22) Although American Skyper is just one of the many graduation episodes from Illus tr Modern Family, this specific episode leaves a lasting ation b yL uc impression that can be carried on past the high school yJ eff ers years. The Dunphy’s middle child and soon-to-be
disappointment, but still a large amount of happiness for your friend. A small part of you is still wishing that was you, but you try to push down those feelings. Graduateto-be Teddy tries to jump through some hoops and make some questionable choices to try and up her chances to get off the waitlist for Yale and then comes to the realization that the decision is completely out of her hands. It's hard to accept uncertainty but this episode helps convey that sometimes things can’t always be in your control and that just has to be accepted. It may be your friend or a classmate but the important thing to do is always be proud of their, successes, because your time is going to come eventually, even if you have to experience more waiting than you would like. Gilmore Girls - Those Are Strings, Pinocchio (Season 3, Episode 22) Many senior can agree that all of senior year is a stressinducing time, and sometimes that stress can be put on to other peers or family members without intending to. That is exactly what happens with Rory and her mom. This episode definitely pulls on the heart strings with more of a serious storyline than the rest of the shows mentioned. Rory and her mom face a heartfelt moment, with Rory delivers one of her most well known speeches touching on the great impacts her mom had on her life. Separation is hard, but it is something everyone must eventually face. Graduation is often the first time students experience it. If you are feeling worried about leaving home, watch this episode to know that you are not alone and that getting through these feelings is possible. apurvey@redwoodbark.org
Final day, full volume
BottleRock Sunday set recap By Josephine Perlov BottleRock 2026 has concluded after a range of amazing performances across seven stages and three days. Sunday’s artists varied from established to emerging, but presented us with magic nonetheless. Here are the best and worst of the Sunday BottleRock sets. Girl Tones - 2/5 “We’re just here to have fun” was the repeated mantra of Girl Tones’s set. Sister duo Kenzie and Laila Crowe brought a punk rock feel and full energy to their mid-day set. Hailing from Kentucky, the group has begun establishing itself in the music scene as a White Stripes-like and high-energy band. However, the imperfect and messy vibe they claim to aim for limited the organization of the set and it could be said that they lacked cohesiveness. DJ Umami - 3/5 Adding flavor to the culinary stage was Leanna Cruz, also known by her stage name as DJ Umami. The set
was packed with eager festival-goers and waving hands immersed in beats that seamlessly flowed from song to song. Cruz also held down the music later for the headlining Williams Sonoma stage chefs during their sets. Izzy Escobar - 4/5 Floating across the T-Mobile stage in the afternoon was Izzy Escobar. Escobar is a rising star in the music industry with her song “Evergreen Avenue” in the Devil Wears Prada 2 movie. As sequins glinted in the stagelight, Escobar belted lines of her crowd favorite “Hate to Be the One” with a vibrato comparable to Amy Winehouse. All around, her set was packed with hit after hit and a playful energy. Kool & The Gang - 3/5 This blast from the past brought the 80’s to Napa Valley, and they did it in style. The fun, soulful and jazzy sound drew crowds of all ages. From a nearly five-minute rendition of “Hollywood” to the famous “Get Down on It”, the band put the fun in funky. The band finished off with “Celebrate” from their hit album “Celebration!”, which sent a wave of nostalgia through everyone over 45 and a Google search for “that one TikTok sound” through everyone born after the iPhone. Mt. Joy - 4/5 This indie-rock band found the “Silver Lining” when they jammed out to “I Know You Rider” by the Grateful Dead. Mt. Joy left a few people misty-eyed for “Strangers.” Their live performances were full of passion and gusto. However, the set went a little longer than anticipated, causing havoc for the next artist’s schedules.
Photo by Josephine Perlov
KOOL & THE GANG head singer, James J.T Taylor, wanted to know “where the ladies at” for his song “Ladies Night”.
Sombr - 4.5/5 Sporting a black leather jacket, red corduroy pants and dark “guyliner,” Sombr gave his full attitude to the audience. His hit song “perfume” helped Sombr go mainstream, and although repeatedly stating how hot it was, Sombr didn’t want to get “undressed.” As a headliner, Sombr definitely delivered and gave the sass both needed and expected.
Photo by Josephine Perlov
MT. JOY JAMS out to the Grateful Dead classic “I Know You Rider” during their set. Backstreet Boys - 4.5/5 Backstreet’s definitely back. After finishing their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere, the group graced the Prudential stage and sent millennials everywhere out of their minds. Seeming “Larger Than Life,” the Backstreet Boys gave synchronized choreography and tight harmonies that would never let you know that most of them are over 40. Being the closing act of the night, the Backstreet Boys delivered what “Everybody” wanted. jperlov@redwoodbark.org
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Less is more: What you need to make the most of your dorm By Eleanor Bentley
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Portable Fan A portable fan can be a game-changer, especially in dorms without air conditioning. This is essential for keeping the air cool and avoiding a stuffy, uncomfortable room. Hooks on Walls/Closet Doors Adding these to your dorm setup provides an easy way to hang up bags, towels, jackets or any other items that would otherwise end up scattered on the floor. Conserving space wherever possible will help to ease the stress of maintaining a tidy dorm room. Although the struggle to find space in a tiny dorm room persists, the right setup can make all the difference. With a few simple additions, our outgoing seniors can transform even the smallest dorm room into a place filled with new memories and experiences.
As the end of the school year approaches and many seniors begin planning their college experience, one of the main things to consider is the room situation. This is especially important if you end up sharing a tiny, cramped dorm room with several roommates. Here are the most useful items that can help seniors make the most of their dorm rooms next year. Fairy Lights A simple change in lighting can make your dorm room go from dark and depressing to cozy and comfortable. Fairy lights, for example, can help to cancel out the harsh fluorescent glare and instantly change the whole ambience of the room. Bed Curtains Bed curtains allow for privacy, especially in a dorm with multiple people. These also create extra storage space for any additional boxes or personal ebentley@redwoodbark.org items you might have brought with you.
I survived: Tips on how to graduate from Redwood By Adela Tabak
There are several strategies when figuring out how on earth to survive Redwood High School. Academics, course rigor, Advanced Placement (AP) or honors classes, electives, extracurriculars, attendance and spirit, the list goes on when it comes to navigating Redwood. To me, Redwood evokes The Hunger Games. Competition and problem-solving, with the occasional sweat on the south lawn while hackysacking with Dr. Payne, are all components contributing to student life on campus. But one thing is for certain: no experiences are all the same, yet some factors make it slightly easier to survive, though the odds are never really in your favor. Know that there is life beyond the 200’s building High school can be draining, and it can be easy to feel the pressure of an 8:30 a.m. bell ring and the clutter of the hallways. For those unaware, the 100/200’s building is where students take their core curriculum classes and spend most of their time. It took me a long time to realize that my life does not revolve around the hard classes I took in this building or the occasional roughhousing between bored freshmen. If able, taking one to two-hour breaks after school, doing something other than math worksheets, is something I found quite helpful. Whether that’s through exercise, cooking or honestly just a good phone break, can make a difference in distracting yourself from school to focus yourself and what you choose to do. Make friends outside of the quad mosh. You can do it, I promise Friendship is one of the many factors of high school that parents refer to when thinking back on their teenage years. Though times have changed, friendships are either the best thing that happens to you, or adds to the stress of high school. But what’s most important is finding the right people for you, and not following what others think is the right way to make friends. To survive Redwood, you must have people to make fun of the faculty with, so be open to finding friends in class, grades below and meeting someone new. It’s always good to find a friendly face in each class. Take at least one class you look forward to Recently, I was taking a survey, and it asked what my top three classes were. I quickly thought of Bark (obviously) and Nonfiction, the prerequisite course offered for students interested in Journalism and Media Studies. It took me a minute to think of the third option, though I ended up picking Independent living because…duh. If I didn’t have any of these classes to balance out the rigorous course my college counselor told me to take or the unspoken expectation to only take hard classes, there would be nothing to look forward to in my eight-hour school day. Find a class that works for you, stick to it and hopefully you will find an ounce of joy in your day.
Just get through the test (that doesn’t entail skipping, btw) No one wants to take tests. At least I don’t. But what I have learned after taking numerous tests over the past four years is that all you have to do is get through it. Write something down, hand it in, pray and repeat. Depending on how much studying is done or how effective that may be, there will always be another test, no matter if you fail the current one or not. Do your best and see how your performance played out. It’s how you stay sane while being asked numerous questions by peers and teachers about how well you think you did. Enjoy the swim unit? The ultimate dread I felt when I was first told there was a swim unit in high school still sticks even as a senior. But really, the swim unit now reminds me of what it was like to be an underclassman, utterly drenched in water and chlorine in my Spanish class, feeling like I had just drowned and been reborn. But
as I walk past the pool, I seem to reminisce on those days not only in P.E., but as an underclassman. So my tip is: enjoy the awkward and uncomfortable moments you have as an underclassman, because the dread of the swim unit may become fun for your drained junior self and the version of you consumed by senioritis. Savor every moment, even if that means staying in the pool a little longer on the Titanic day. Redwood may seem impossible to survive at times, but if there is one thing you should take from this, it is that if the several hundred students before you did it, then you can too. There’s certainly no doubt that you are not the only one feeling a sense of impending doom in high school. So make the most of it, but always keep your eyes peeled for any danger ahead (like an occasional bomb threat here and there, who knows). atabak@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Elsa Sherman
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June 5, 2026
Infographic by Hayden Martay
By Hayden Martay “Good Old Days” by Macklemore and Kesha “I wish somebody would have told me, babe / Someday, these will be the good old days.” As graduation approaches, many seniors are beginning to realize that the moments they once rushed through in high school are now turning into nostalgic memories. Macklemore and Kesha’s song, “Good Old Days,” captures that exact feeling. Released in 2017, the song blends Macklemore’s reflective verses with Kesha’s chorus, creating a nostalgic message about appreciating life in the moment. The uplifting pop sound contrasts with sentimental lyrics and piano, accentuating both the excitement of growing up and the sadness that comes with leaving meaningful places behind. For students, this song serves as a reminder to slow down and take in every moment in your hometown before it’s gone. “Good Old Days” captures the bittersweet realization that these ordinary experiences may someday
be the moments that seniors hold onto the most. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right / I hope you had the time of your life.” Released in 1997, Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” has become one of the most recognizable graduation songs of all time. Unlike many of the band’s punk-rock hits, this song features a softer acoustic guitar tune that gives it an emotional tone. The lyrics focus on accepting change and appreciating memories, even if there is uncertainty and fear about the future. Its timeless message has made the song appear in graduation slideshows, campfire sing-alongs and senior events decades after its release. “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog “Where’d all the time go? It’s starting to fly.” Originally released in 2010, Dr. Dog’s “Where’d All the Time Go?” gained a new wave of popularity after being featured in season two of Netflix’s “Outer Banks” and becoming a viral TikTok sound in 2021. The indie
Senior year ranked from fall fun to graduation tears a huge relief to make the decision. The weight of college is over, and you can finally stop stressing. Suddenly, your As summer is fast approaching, seniors are getting entire Instagram feed is “RHS Next Steps,” flooding the ready to graduate and finish up their high school career. app with people’s decisions. You might think your world While a majority of the student body has time left in is imploding if you haven’t made your decision, or if you school, seniors have been reflecting this whole year on are still waiting for an email about a waitlist decision. how to use their time wisely before high school ends. However, eventually choosing a school This review focuses on specific time periods of senior and at least knowing what you’re year and the experiences and emotions that came with doing with your future is a huge them, ranking each one out of 10. stress reliever. This period of time Fall 9/10 deserves a 7/10 for its stress relief, Fall is one of the most fun times of senior year. yet still ongoing pressure for college. Football games, Halloween and fall weather make it When everyone starts getting super enjoyable. Although I do have to mark down sad (May-June) 9/10 one point because college applications are due What a bittersweet time. Most in November, it’s still an ecstatic time with the people know what they are doing next excitement of starting your “first-last year” in year, and people start to realize how little high school.That fresh start and warm weather time they have left. Although some may be in September and October are unbeatable. overly excited to end high school, the Although it can be stressful, I would rate this feeling of growing up and never being period a 9/10 for its memorable events and able to be 18 in high school again spooky fun. lingers. While it’s a sad feeling, November-January stretch 6/10 it’s a time of togetherness. People This is peak college application stress. start to hang out more: We have The Nov. 1 deadline feels like the end graduation, Senior Sunrise and of the world, and regular decision Grad Night. So many events are applications are piling onto the curated and happening around stress. With some colleges offering this time to commemorate our Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock due dates from January 1 to 15, it seems next chapter in life. Sad, but slightly flexible, right? Well, no. The looming deadlines bittersweet. The final stretch of high school deserves a feel like a never-ending weight on your shoulders. 9/10 because while change can be hard, our futures are These few months earn a 6/10 because while we do have ahead of us. Thanksgiving and Christmas break, the stress overpowers them. College decisions (April-May) - 7/10 College decisions leave mixed feelings. Whether you’re going to your dream college or not, it still feels like lbell@redwoodbark.org By Lily Bell
rock style quickly became associated with nostalgiafocused “then vs. now” videos across social media. The track includes mellow instrumentals and repetitive lyrical syntax to emphasize how quickly life seems to progress. Using a relaxed sound, the emotional weight of the message lingers, making it feel both comforting and bittersweet. As seniors prepare to move into entirely new routines, the song captures the disbelief that comes with realizing how fast high school passed. Listening to the song feels like looking through old photos or replaying childhood memories that suddenly feel distant. “I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) “I always knew this day would come / We’d be standing one by one / With the future in our hands / So many dreams, so many plans.” Although it may seem unexpected among the other songs, Hannah Montana’s “I’ll Always Remember You” perfectly depicts the emotional side of graduation. For many students, the song carries an added layer of childhood nostalgia because they grew up hearing it, and are now living the message of graduating. Originally featured during the final season of “Hannah Montana,” the ballad focuses on friendship, change and remembering people who shaped different stages of life. In recent years, the song has resurfaced as a social media trend at Redwood. On college commitment day, students often wear merchandise and point to where they will attend while the song is playing in the background, using the song as a soundtrack to reflect on the memories they are leaving behind. Together, these songs reflect many emotions seniors struggle to put into words: excitement for what comes next while mourning the countless memories that are now ending. Music has a way of preserving the feelings ingrained in every stage of life. As graduation approaches, these songs serve as a reminder that although high school may be concluding, the memories created during the “good old days” will continue long after seniors walk across the stage. hmartay@redwoodbark.org
Experience or exposure, which lip dub reigns supreme? By Lily Kilgore On Friday, April 30th, faculty, staff and students gathered to film Redwood’s fourth-ever high school lip dub. As previously witnessed from the over half a million views on the first lip dub, the community engagement it sparked in 2014 was unmatched. Now, the school has hosted four different videos; viewer engagement should be expected to go up. However, not only has viewership decreased, but likes, comments, and sharing have also declined, leaving the question: What does the 2014 lip dub have that the others do not? lkilgore@redwoodbark.org
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THE PLACES REDWOOD STUDENTS WILL MISS MOST By Leyton Defesche As graduation approaches, Marin starts to feel a little bit smaller. The places we drove past every day suddenly become memories we know we’ll miss later: the spots tied to late-night food runs, sunsets after football games and study sessions that somehow turned into social events. For Redwood students, these places are more than just locations on a map; they’ve become part of the high school experience itself. Bo Ridge Even though the actual name is Bolinas Ridge, many in Marin call it “Bo Ridge.” No matter what grade you’re in, it becomes a staple for golden hour drives, especially when the weather’s good and the sunset starts looking Instagram-worthy. Cars pull up with music playing, people pile out in hoodies and sweatpants and suddenly everyone’s trying to take the same sunset picture while pretending it’s candid. Somehow, it never actually gets old though. Half the time, however, people are just freezing. The wind is so strong that everyone’s hair is blowing into their face, sunglasses are sliding off and nobody can fully feel their hands. Even with the freezing wind, Bo Ridge is still one of those places people keep going back to because it’s fun every single time. Sitting there with your friends watching the sunset, while reviewing every photo and TikTok taken, has become part of the experience growing up in Marin.
In-N-Out Burger There may be no place more universally tied to Marin teenagers than In-N-Out on a weekend night. No matter where the night started, a football game, a birthday dinner, a party or just driving around with friends, in one way or another, everyone seems to ends up there eventually. The line wraps around the parking lot, someone is always trying to squeeze five people into one booth and there’s a 90 percent chance you’ll run into at least three people you know before you even make it inside. It’s loud, chaotic and a little stressful, but that’s what makes those experiences so memorable. There’s something nostalgic about sitting in the parking lot with fries getting cold while everyone debates where to go next, knowing nobody actually wants the night to end. Years from now, Redwood students probably won’t remember every random weekend, but they’ll remember those late-night In-N-Out runs that somehow feel like the center of everyone’s social life.
CARS FILL THE parking lot outside the Strawberry Village In-N-Out on a sunny afternoon.
Photo by Hayden Martay
ROLLING HILLS OVERLOOK a blanket of fog at Bolinas Ridge during sunset.
Marin Headlands The Headlands are a completely different kind of Marin memory. While Bo Ridge is golden hour nostalgia, the Headlands are for late-night drives and conversations that somehow become way deeper after 11 p.m. There’s something about parking above the Golden Gate Bridge with the city lights in the distance that makes everyone suddenly philosophical. People show up here after dinner, after hanging out with friends, or just when nobody knows what else to do. It really captures the whole Bay Area atmosphere, with the cold air, fog rolling in, oversized hoodies and everyone standing around talking while looking out over the hills and ocean. Even when it's
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windy and freezing, people still stay out way longer than they planned to because it’s one of those experiences that just feels very Marin. For Redwood students, the Headlands have become one of those places tied to freedom. Getting your license suddenly meant late-night drives with your friends, music playing too loud and feeling independent for the first time. Even if the drive itself only lasted 20 minutes, the experience as a whole always feels bigger than that. Town Center Corte Madera Town Center is probably the place Redwood students have collectively spent the most random hours of their lives. It’s where people go during lunch, after school, before practice and whenever they have nowhere else to be. The population inside Starbucks during lunch somehow contains half of Marin County, and there’s always at least one group of students sitting outside pretending like they aren’t about to miss their next class. World Wrapps, Starbird and Blue Barn become the default meal after practice, even people who claim they’re just “getting one thing” somehow end up wandering around for an hour. It’s not always the most glamorous, but that’s the whole point. Town Center became part of everyday life in a way that nobody really noticed until they realized they might not see it every week anymore. It’s the backdrop to ordinary moments that ended up meaning a lot more than expected. Corte Madera Library If there’s one place that perfectly captures the chaos of junior and senior year, it’s the Corte Madera Library during finals season. Every table is full, someone is stress-eating snacks from Peet’s Coffee, and there’s always at least one person loudly saying they’re “completely failing” right before getting a 95 percent. For Advanced Placement (AP) students, the library became almost a second campus. Entire friend groups would camp there for hours, pretending to study while actually spending half the time talking about how much studying they still had left to do. But somehow, those stressful nights became memories too. Looking around and seeing everyone equally exhausted creates a sense of togetherness. In the middle of the pressure about grades, college and the future, the library became proof that everyone was figuring it out together. As seniors prepare to leave Marin behind, these places become reminders that high school was never just about classes or grades. It was about the late-night food runs, sunset drives, crowded parking lots and study sessions that slowly turned into memories without anyone realizing it at the time. ldefesche@redwoodbark.org
Infographic by Maggie Schwartz
Page 18 Illustrations by Paloma Nacamuli
Welcoming Bark’s new Adviser: Ms. Kornfeld By Zoe Peters
Photo by Oren Weingarten
KORNFELD CONVERSES WITH Bark students, Esperanza Cubillos and Sofia Yanni. Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History and Government teacher Lindsey Kornfeld became the Bark’s new advisor on March 9, 2026. Kornfeld was a Bark Editor-in-Chief (EIC) during her senior year from 20032004. From the start of high school, Kornfeld knew where she belonged. “I was super into politics and voice, and I wound up taking Nonfiction [the intro to journalism class] as a freshman. It was an option back then. There were only two of us that were freshmen,” Kornfeld said. Her passion for writing, asking questions and pushing for answers were all factors that influenced her decision to join the Bark. “[Bark] felt like home for me, especially because I was looking for a place that felt like home in a bigger school,” Kornfeld said. She previously attended Ross Middle School, a much smaller school. By junior year, Kornfeld knew she wanted to lead the Bark class as an EIC after serving in two previous section editor roles. “We used to only be one class and our EICs were switched each semester, so [prior to being EIC] I did News and Opinion. I liked being an editor. I liked the leadership and I loved layout,” Kornfeld said. Her leadership extends beyond editing. During her
time as EIC, she introduced the Review section to the Bark, expanding the paper’s coverage beyond traditional news and opinion stories. She reviewed Fairfax, “The Lovely Bones” book and a new ice cream shop called Scoop. Kornfeld reflected on how the Bark has developed throughout the years to become what it is today. “Ms. Schneider has done an amazing job of growing the program, of bringing it into the twenty-first century. [When I was an EIC, we would] publish every three weeks, print only, we had no website, had no social media, no podcast and no video. What [the Bark does] now is modern. It's the [social media] shorts and everything [that has] changed to keep up with modern journalism. That's an amazing thing that Ms. Schneider has built,” Kornfeld said. Kornfeld expressed the importance of student press, and how Bark and journalism are where students can have a voice and make a difference. “[The Bark is] a place in the world to say what you want, and that's what the student press is, a muscle that you use and if we can develop that in high school, speak out and [learn] how to build an argument and how to do your research, then you will be the people that make a change. We’re teaching [students] how to get information so you can use it to better the world,” Kornfeld said. Kornfeld has encouraged students to embrace different journalism perspectives. “We can’t shy away from controversy,” Kornfeld said. “That’s something that I think about as an adviser: is this pushing for more letters to the editor, this urging more outside writers to do a pointcounterpoint, encouraging us to challenge ourselves to do more of that, so it’s not the same political rant.” Outside of school, Kornfeld works at Perry’s restaurant and is a Teacher Leader (TL) for the Social Studies Department. In this role, she
hears and provides news that she brings to the Bark. Her experiences outside the classroom have allowed her to bring new perspectives and ideas into the classroom. “The Bark absolutely shaped me as a high school kid, going into college, my writing style and how I looked at the world,” Kornfeld said. Kornfeld’s passion for teaching is evident in her classroom. When asked about what motivates her to come to school each morning, she pointed directly to the students. “You guys. It’s super cheesy but when we shut the classroom door, and it’s us watching you guys grow, and have those super cheesy ‘ahha’ moments. That’s what brings me in in the morning,” Kornfeld said. Junior Cole Graves, an Advanced Placement United States History student of Kornfeld’s, believes she creates an environment where students feel comfortable and supported in the classroom. “She has a very humble way of teaching. She’s not above her students, she connects with them. She is always interested in her students' lives and what they're going through,” Graves said. When Graves heard about Kornfeld’s new position in Bark, he believed she would be a natural fit. "I couldn't think of a better role for Ms. Kornfeld,” Graves said. With her enthusiasm, politics and journalism, Kornfeld’s message to her students is clear. “Use your voice, but back it up with facts. Do your research. Your argument is only strong and powerful if you have fact-based information behind it,” Kornfeld said.
Photo by Oren Weingarten
Read more at www.redwoodbark.org
zpeters@redwoodbark.org
sforster@redwoodbark.org
Page 19 • Lifestyles
www.redwoodbark.org
New era for Redwood basketball Welcome Coach Khalil Murphy By Noah Gersch
Photo courtesy of Cal State San Marcos Athletics
NEW REDWOOD HEAD coach Khalil Murphy during his time at Cal State San Marcos. Up until this past year, the varsity boys basketball team has made it to the championship for six consecutive years. Although they didn't hit the mark last year, the future is bright and the expectation is to be right back in that game. But now with a new coach taking over the program, Redwood basketball is entering a new era. Leading that next chapter is Khalil Murphy, who hopes to bring a new energy and identity to the Giants program. “I want to build a highly competitive, hardworking and close-knit program where players embrace the process, grow together as a team and eventually see the rewards of their commitment pay off on and off the court,” Murphy said. Throughout his life, Murphy has always felt a connection to basketball. “At four years old, my dad would wake me up at 6:30 in the morning to go shoot off the backboard,” Murphy said. “I remember playing basketball in my
living room using a chair and my sock as the ball.” That passion from a young age, combined with his work ethic, led him to a quality basketball career as he played Division 1 at the University of San Francisco. However, after transferring, he graduated from St Catherine College where he then went on to play three years overseas before signing in the Morocco League. After that, Murphy began his coaching career with Redwood’s junior varsity boys team before taking a head coaching opportunity at Marin Academy. The passion Murphy has for the game of basketball is second to none, and is one of the key parts that stood out about the Redwood coaching opportunity. “There's no comparison to basketball when it comes to Marin County; Redwood's crowds, culture, tradition and fan base stand out like no other,” Murphy said. Murphy understands the importance of winning, especially when it comes to Redwood’s standards. Junior guard Max Monterastelli touched on the energy that Murphy has immediately brought into the gym. “He brought a lot of energy and intensity right away,” Monterastelli said. “It’s clear that he's creating a competitive culture where everyone pushes each other to improve and where players are working as hard as possible.” Murphy not only makes an impact on the court, but he also understands the value of coach to player relationships. These relationships he builds with the players not only develop them into better players, but better men. “I'm going to challenge you, I'm going to push you and make you uncomfortable and get you out of your comfort zone,” Murphy said. The spark he brings to the table is going to sit well with the team, as the players are excited for this new hardcore mindset. “We're ready for the challenge as a team,” Monterastelli said. “At times it may be difficult, but I know the tougher culture and mindset moving forward will help us as a team.” The varsity boys are excited to hit the ground running and have optimism for what's to come this season. “We have big expectations this season with a lot of returning players,” Monterastelli said. “I also know Coach Khalil can build a strong future at Redwood because of the culture that he's building.” Looking ahead, the boys have a promising future, with Murphy seeing his team loaded with talent and wanting to turn that pure talent into skill. With
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this comes expectations set by both the coaches and the players and they have their eyes on the prize. “I see a great opportunity to put ourselves in the conversation of winning Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) and North Coast Section (NCS) championships every single year,” Murphy said.
ngersch@redwoodbark.org
Playing it simple, playing it safe: The campaign of 2026-2027 ASB President Saif Faghihy By Cian Kelly Walking into the Leadership classroom on May 3 after a strenuous campaign that amassed over half a million views, junior Saif Faghihy heard the news that he had won the 2026 Associated Student Body (ASB) presidential election. “As soon as I got there, before anything, I put all my trust and faith in God. I walked in carrying that, and I knew that whatever was to happen in the election, I wasn't going to be disappointed by any of the results,” Faghihy said. “I understand that whatever was to happen was God's will, and he means good, because the candidates too were good.” Faghihy won the election over three other candidates, with his campaign standing out through its online reach. Faghihy used his media skills and engagement to generate over 500,000 views across posts on his campaign's Instagram account. “I personally enjoy working with media. I've worked in media through many different ways across the last couple of years of my life, and I learned that [it] is purely elly K content over popularity,” Faghihy said. Cian y “I used things that I knew were going to b o Ph to be engaging, and were going to hold an audience longer on my page, and it worked.” Online, Faghihy posted videos from Instagram influencers such as comedian Agustin Calderon, known as Don Pollo online,
and former Central Intelligence Agency agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou to promote his campaign. Locally, Faghihy also collaborated with junior Bradley Nanola, known on TikTok as Brad Guitar. “Nanola is a very admirable young man in our school who was one of my first close friends when I moved here. He has a lot of [positive] qualities, and that's the reason why people love to see what he does,” Faghihy said. “Even though it's something simple, just singing a song with his guitar, it's the little things that people like most. That's why people love to see what he does." Junior voter Cole Guerrero explained how Faghihy’s social media campaigning skills translated into election success. “What really impressed me with Saif was his personal motorcycle video he posted; that was really cool. What grabbed a lot of people's attention, though, is his [celebrity endorsed] videos going viral,” Guerrero said. Guerrero believed that Faghihy’s campaigning skill will be helpful in creating a “great environment” and “great campus for all students.” Faghihy has been described as a model student in the Leadership class. Leadership adviser Melissa Boles described Faghihy’s growth throughout the year leading up to the election. “In the beginning, he was a little bit more of just like a listener and watcher. Over the course of the year, he's been stepping up and taking on more responsibilities and
initiative,” Boles said. As incoming president, Faghihy plans to expand on school spirit and inclusion, particularly through rallies and schoolwide events. “My main role as ASB president, in my eyes, is to make sure that people in our school belong, that they feel like they belong,” Faghihy said. “The most exciting thing I'm [looking forward to working on] are the school rallies. Those are perfect representations of school spirit. I hope that I can recreate, if not improve, the spirit resembled in those rallies.” Faghihy will take office as ASB president in June 2026, replacing current ASB president Madison Bishop for the 2026-2027 school year.
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bark Page 20 • Lifestyles From classroom to newsroom
June 5, 2026
By Amrit Aujla
From serving as an editor on the Bark to becoming a producer for American Broadcasting Company (ABC) News and an Emmy nominee, Julia Cherner has built a name for herself in the world of journalism. As a political journalist and reporter, Cherner has covered major global stories and built a career centered on storytelling and fastpaced, unbiased reporting. During her junior year, Cherner joined the Bark, and utilized that experience as a student journalist to help determine her career focus. “Obama was president when I was in high school, and he had relaxed relations with Cuba, which was a huge deal. I did a story on Cuban American teachers at Redwood and how the new policies were impacting them,” Cherner said. “That sparked my interest in telling political stories through personal narratives, and that's still one of my favorite things to do now.” After graduating in 2016, Cherner continued her education at the University of Southern California (USC). “[In college], I had other interests. I studied communications and political science, and through that, I ended up realizing that I actually wanted to pursue journalism,” Cherner said. “I wrote for The Daily Trojan, the USC newspaper, and I interned at NBC News in New York. That was my first broadcast experience, and I really liked how collaborative [television] news was,” Cherner said. In May 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherner graduated from USC but struggled to find a job in the first few months. After getting connected to the hiring manager for the ABC News’ Washington, D.C. bureau, Cherner was hired as a desk assistant in October 2020. “All the networks have rotational entry-level
Photo courtesy of Julia Cherner
EARLIER THIS YEAR Julia Cherner and her team produced an interview with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, another moment she described as “full circle” because of her Bay Area roots.
anchor, Martha Raddatz, and produced an interview with President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy,” Cherner said. “That was definitely the most memorable thing that I've ever done in my professional career.” Reporting on important global issues such as the war in Ukraine not only informs people about current events, but it also shows the impact journalism can have on affected communities. “The Ukrainians were very thankful to us that we were covering the war, and it showed me the impact of news and media and how important it is that journalists cover these stories even though they're hard to get to and expensive, because they can have such an impact,” Cherner said. Earlier this year, Cherner and the team she worked with were nominated for an Emmy for the production they created in Ukraine. “It was really exciting. I was nominated for the Zelenskyy interview, and I'd been nominated before, but not for something that I so directly worked on. I feel really fortunate to be able to go to so many different places and tell important stories because I think there's always a need to tell stories, especially through video. It's never going to go away,” Cherner said. With the importance of covering global politics comes the challenge of maintaining objective and balanced reporting. For instance, many publications across the U.S. are perceived to be biased toward a particular political party because of their coverage selection and wording. For Cherner, integrity and factual reporting are the most important parts of her work. “My job is for people to understand what's happening and what the facts are so that they can form their own opinions. How I feel about something is irrelevant. Everyone at ABC [News] is so motivated by the need to have unbiased news, especially right now, because it's such a polarizing time. I don’t even know what my coworkers' political views are because we don't talk about them. The work is what's more important,” Cherner said. Cherner’s success in the world of journalism took time and patience, and she emphasized the importance of staying persistent because of how fulfilling her career has been. “I would really encourage students to pursue [journalism]. It's such a valuable and rewarding career. I get to learn new things for my job every week and I get to talk to the smartest people on those topics,” Cherner said. “Don't let rejection stop you. I was rejected for jobs and schools on the way, and I feel like rejection should be used to fuel you and your next steps.”
Photo courtesy of Julia Cherner
JULIA CHERNER STANDS with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after interviewing him for what became their Emmy-nominated production. programs, where you rotate around the newsroom. I was doing teleprompting and overnights and very unglamorous jobs at all hours, but it was a really great experience,” Cherner said. “I rotated onto the Sunday Show as part of the program, and I ended up getting hired as an associate producer and was then promoted to segment producer. Now, I am a producer for the show where I primarily work with Martha Raddatz, one of the co-anchors.” A career in journalism offers opportunities that many other professions do not, largely because no two days look the same. For Cherner, that unpredictability is part of what keeps the work engaging. “There's no typical day, which I really like. We air weekly, and we primarily cover politics, but also breaking news, so we'll book politicians, senators and world leaders and interview them about the day's events. I'll either be assigned to [prepare] the anchor for those interviews, or I'll be assigned a story where I'll travel with the anchor,” Cherner said. Through traveling with the anchor, Cherner has gained firsthand experience covering international politics and conflicts while strengthening her reporting and production skills. “This past September, I went to Ukraine with our
aaujla@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Tessa Soccorsy
Catching you up: What last year’s seniors have to say about their freshman year By Lauren Ellington
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For many seniors, it’s hard to believe they are finally the ones preparing to leave high school behind. Along with that realization comes stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Not so long ago, these feelings belonged to this year's college freshman. After talking to three of last year's graduates, one thing became clear: almost everyone is going to feel some level of discomfort at first. Despite how exciting and fun starting college can be, Callie Horn still found the transition to be a major adjustment. “It’s going to be uncomfortable for a little while, no matter what, just because it’s so much change at once,” Horn said. “You just have to be prepared for that and know that it all gets better with time.” Sam Soccorsy, a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder, felt that the challenge of going from living with his family to being in a new state alone wasn’t a shock. “Leaving home was definitely the thing I was most nervous about,” Soccorsy said. “It can be stressful, but
once you build that community and open yourself up to new relationships, it starts to feel like a second home.” Most people who talk about their college say how amazing it is. However, it’s important to recognize that with any big change in life, uncertainty a n d discomfort are bound to follow. For Horn, the adjustment into the first semester of college was especially challenging. “I didn’t really see my parents besides parents weekend and Thanksgiving break, which was something I wasn’t used to,” Horn said. “It was definitely a lot meeting new people, and it can be hard to know if they’re convenient friends, or really your people.” As overwhelming as the beginning can feel, it doesn’t last forever. What once feels unfamiliar and stressful slowly becomes routine with the help
of a stronger community and support system. “[First to second semester] was a 180 degree flip,” Horn said. “Second semester, I met so many great people and it was nice to see familiar faces around campus.” As nerve racking as being placed into a new environment with so many people may be, it forces you to find your own community—something that college naturally cultivates. College freshman Annie Burlingame attends Texas Christian University (TCU) and is majoring in strategic communications and minoring in finance. According to Burlingame, one of the best aspects of this new experience is the strong sense of community that college brings. To continue reading, visit www.redwoodbark.org
lellington@redwoodbark.org
Page 21 Illustrations by Brooklyn Saputo
Sydney Middleton By Joel Kurtzman
Over the course of her time at Redwood, tri-sport athlete Sydney Middleton has excelled in cross country, track and soccer, becoming a leader on and off the field. Middleton has reached the state level in distance running and, in 2025, placed 13th in the California Interscholastic Federation state championship. At the beginning of her junior year, Middleton had not seriously competed in distance running. However, she broke through as a star,
making it to state competitions where she placed 12th overall in the cross country 5K with a time of 17:46. This was just the start of her running success. In her senior year of cross country, Middleton earned first-team honors for the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL), and now is committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to run cross country and track. Illustrations by Lucy Jeffers This spring, at the MCAL championship track meet in May of 2026, Middleton ran a personal-best 4:55 in the 1,600-meter race, coming in second place in the event. She attributes her running success to her perseverance and hard work. “There are so many benefits to distance running. It teaches you work ethic and discipline. It impacts every area of your life, and I've met new friends through it as well; there are many people I wouldn't interact with otherwise,” Middleton said. Middleton’s athletic skills extend past running, as she also became a key player on the varsity soccer team, which finished second in the MCAL championship. Additionally, she was named as a member of the All-League Second Team for the MCAL. As a leader, Middleton has encouraged and pushed many of her teammates to work their hardest, which has shown on the track team as they won the MCAL championship this past season. “Once I figured out that I was good at running, I realized that I had a place on the team. I knew I had to perform and help my team out, and since I was good, I could push other people to be great as well,” Middleton said. Cross country co-captain Hannah Lacey believes that Middleton’s constant drive and dedication play a big role in her success as a student and as an athlete. “She is always putting energy in. Whether that's working at school, working at her job or competing in [cross country], she's always able to maintain her drive for her sport and always gives it her all,” Lacey said.
Photo by Tobin Rivera
Theo Trono By Reed Grossman
Few athletes leave a mark on a program the way senior Theo Trono has. A four-year varsity starter and two-time Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) champion, Trono has earned second-team all-league honors as a freshman, MCAL Player of the Year as a sophomore and first-team all-league as a junior and senior. Trono’s trajectory over four years of playing Redwood baseball has made him one of the most accomplished and impactful players the team has seen in recent years. Standing at 5-foot-4, Trono doesn’t fit the mold of a
Photo by Joel Kurtzman
typical baseball star. His numbers, however, tell a different story. In more than 118 career varsity games, Trono batted .354 with a .473 on-base percentage, racking up 127 hits, 58 runs batted in (RBI) and 107 runs scored. In his senior season alone, Trono hit .420 with 12 doubles and 22 RBIs. Varsity head coach Mike Firenzi, who has coached over 1,000 players across his career, doesn’t hesitate to place Trono at the top. “Theo has an uncanny ability to get the barrel of the bat to the baseball. He might be the best pure hitter I’ve ever coached,” Firenzi said. Trono’s impact goes well beyond the statistics. As a quiet, lead-by-example captain on a roster full of young men, his presence sets a high standard daily. “I’m not a loud guy,” Trono said. “I lead by example, especially with such a young team. Being a glue guy, getting the tone right. My team can depend on me, whether that’s on defense or in big situations up to bat.” Firenzi has watched that mentality show up every single day without exception. “In four years, I’ve never seen Theo do anything halfway,” Firenzi said. “Whether it’s taking ground balls at second [base] on a Wednesday in January, it’s always 100 percent mentally and physically.” That standard is rooted in something larger than just Trono as a ballplayer. For Trono, wearing the Redwood uniform has always carried weight and a sense of responsibility. “Redwood baseball is a tradition,” Trono said. “If you walk by our field, you see MCAL championship banners since the 1970s.” Part of what built Trono into that tradition was years
Lacey added that Middleton’s leadership greatly contributed to the team chemistry. “She really wanted to foster a sense of community. She took initiative to lead the varsity runners, and a lot of the younger runners who wanted to reach that competitive level really were inspired by her and want to follow in her footsteps,” Lacey said. In addition to being motivated by her success, Middleton is driven by a desire to improve her skills everyday. “I have goals and times that I want to run, but I think once you fall in love with running and the process of it, and learning what it does for you, how it makes you work harder and how it pushes you in every aspect of your life, that’s what keeps me going,” Middleton said.
Photo courtesy of Sydney Middleton
jkurtzman@redwoodbark.org
of unseen work: six-day practice weeks, extra repetitions on off days and hitting tennis balls under a school roof on rainy evenings. That grind forged a mental toughness that he highlights as his biggest growth over his high school career. “The lights can get too bright for some people,” Trono said. “Even if they have the skills, mentally they’re too weak to perform. I’ve grown way stronger over the past few years mentally.” As Trono heads to the University of California, Davis to study biochemical engineering, he leaves behind a program that will feel his absence the moment next year’s lineup card gets written. The words on the dugout wall have followed him through four years of long practices, injuries and championship runs: The baseball tradition will not be entrusted to the timid or the weak.
Photo by Joel Kurtzman
rgrossman@redwoodbark.org
bark Page 22 • Sports Prep of the year: Honorable mention Charlie Poser Lucy Jeffers By Hayden Martay
Photo courtesy of Miles Asch
CRADLING HER STICK, senior Lucy Jeffers runs downfield during a game at Marin Catholic on April 14, 2026, securing an 8-5 win for Redwood. Before Lucy Jeffers became a Cornell University lacrosse commit and a USA Lacrosse All-American, she was a seventh grader on a club practice team. Years later, the two-sport varsity captain has left a lasting impression on Redwood athletics, helping field hockey win three Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championships and building her lacrosse career through consistent work and love
Noa Berman
By Brooke Hansen
for the game. Jeffers began playing lacrosse in third grade, but her path to becoming a Division I athlete was not immediate. In seventh grade, she joined Sportsmanship Teamwork Education Pride Success (STEPS) California, a club lacrosse program. “I was the worst player on the team,” Jeffers said. “I made the practice team to start. [I] definitely took that year [on the practice team] to get a lot better.” As Jeffers continued with STEPS, lacrosse became more than a sport she enjoyed. The program introduced her to the college recruiting process. This led her to commit to Cornell, drawn by the school’s values and balance of athletics and academics. “I really value the culture that [Cornell] has. [Especially] the program’s value of attitude and effort,” Jeffers said. On April 14, Jeffers suffered an ACL injury during a lacrosse game against Marin Catholic, forcing her to support from the sidelines. “Right now the things that [I] can control are [my] attitude and effort,” Jeffers said. “When I'm back, I'm just going to be so grateful to play.” As Jeffers prepares for Cornell, her high school career shows how far passion, steady work and a desire to improve can take an athlete. hmartay@redwoodbark.org
“The workouts that we do are so grueling and demanding, but when you have such a supportive team next to you, it's so much easier to get through everything and to push yourself and push other people,” Berman said. That support is reflected in the culture of the team, according to teammate Hannah Nadjibi, who described Berman as a constant source of positivity. “She brings a very positive light to the team,” Nadjibi said. “She gets the girls going, like ‘Come on girls, you can do one more.’” Nadjibi also remembered Berman competing through a shoulder injury during her freshman year, leading into Nationals, highlighting her determination. “She was like, ‘I don’t care, I’m rowing,’” Nadjibi said. “That shows who she is. She will never stop what she is doing, no matter how much pain she is in.” Photo courtesy of Noa Berman Now a senior, Berman is facing a SENIOR NOA BERMAN trains on major milestone in a unique way–missing the water ahead of nationals. “My graduation to compete at Nationals, a motivation is really just to keep decision driven by her commitment to the striving for the best that I can,” sport. Berman said. “I want to be at two places at once, but Senior rower Noa Berman has it’s a horribly timed situation,” Berman spent her high school career pushing said. “It’s not just a tournament. When herself through demanding practices, you have the opportunity to compete for a long academic nights and the constant national title, you can’t pass that up.” high-level competition. Next fall, she Berman says much of her motivation will continue her rowing journey at the comes from winning and the drive to make University of California, Los Angeles her hard work pay off. (UCLA), where she plans to compete at “It’s such an amazing feeling to win at the collegiate level. such a high level,” Berman said. Berman first discovered rowing For Berman, rowing has become through a family friend who introduced a defining force in her life, built on her to the boathouse. What started as a competition, sacrifice and the pursuit of new experience quickly became a defining victory with her team. part of her life, shaping her discipline, confidence and close friendships. For Berman, the intensity of training bhansen@redwoodbark.org is made possible by the team around her.
By Lily Skinner
Photo courtesy of Cale Tippett
REACHING ABOVE THE defense, senior Charles Poser rises for a shot during Redwood’s NCS championship run. Whether in the pool or on the basketball court, senior Charles Poser became one of athletics’ most consistent presences. Over four years, Poser earned that reputation through his work ethic and love for competition. “I’ve played basketball since I was five years old and water polo since seventh grade, and I’ve always enjoyed it so I haven’t really had to keep myself motivated,” Poser said.
Marco Cleary
By Oren Weingarten
Photo courtesy of Karmela Cleary
HOLDING THE TITLE as Marin and Redwood’s fastest 100-meter runner, Cleary grins. Four years ago, Marco Cleary joined the track team, following in his older brother's footsteps, hoping one day to be the one athletes look up to. Now he is that person; the undisputed fastest athlete in Marin County, recently rewriting school records. Not only did he set the school record once in the spring of 2026 at 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash, but he broke his own record, running 10.72 seconds in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) Final in the same season. Cleary’s track coach, Earl Downing, adds to how essential Cleary is to Redwood's ability to compete in events and rack up points for the team. “It’s like having Steph Curry dropping
June 5, 2026
Basketball co-captain senior Leo Centeno praised his dedication to setting a good example for his teammates. “He definitely gained respect from everyone on our team just by being one of the hardest workers on the court, by far,” Centeno said. While Poser’s leadership was exemplary on the basketball court, he carried a different role as boys water polo team captain earlier in the year. “In basketball, I get on the other players to work harder, whereas in water polo I focus more on technical things,” Poser said. Despite suffering two concussions early in the season, Poser was able to lead his team to a North Coast Section championship. His unwavering commitment to the team was noted, enforcing the example he chose to set as team captain. Poser’s impact on Redwood was further recognized when he was a nominee for the Outstanding Student Athlete Award by the Marin Athletic Foundation. “It definitely meant a lot since I've put a lot of my life into sports,” Poser said. “I've spent year round ever since seventh grade playing sports, and never had much time off, so that recognition means a lot to me.” This award wasn’t just about the stats Poser put out throughout his time at Redwood, but the legacy he left behind for his younger teammates to follow. lskinner@redwoodbark.org
50 from behind the arc, you can always rely on him.” Downing said. To compete at that level, Marco has developed his own pre-race ritual that keeps him breaking his own records. “When you're on the blocks looking down to the finish line, you know the only person you have to beat is you to become a record breaker,” Cleary said. To be the person who is only competing against themselves requires persistent mental fortitude, and that is a part of Cleary’s recipe for record-breaking. “You can’t replicate the past,” Cleary said. “You know you have all the consistent hard work [done already] pushing you to your ceiling.” Cleary also thinks his ceiling hasn’t been reached yet, and his time on the track isn’t over when he starts enrollment at the University of Florida next semester. “My career plan is to try out for the team, maybe try walking on this fall, and if not, I’m definitely planning on doing club track,” Cleary said. His time at Redwood and his time setting feats for the track program might be coming to a close, but he will definitely have a notable legacy. Ending his senioryear season as MCAL runner of the year and dubbed the indisputable fastest teenager in Redwood history, he has left a legacy of records. But above all of his achievements, “[He’s a] happy-go-lucky kid… he’ll always have a chair of honor at our program,” Downing said.
oweingarten@redwoodbark.org
www.redwoodbark.org
Page 23 • Sports
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Illustration by Brooklyn Saputo and Lucy Jeffers
Volume LXVIII, No. 7 • June 5, 2026 • Larkspur, CA
1 News
7 Opinion
12 Feature
Dr. Payne resigns from Redwood
Editor-in-Chief farewells
Next steps map