The Shield November 2023

THE SHIELD

Archbishop Riordan High School 175 Frida Kahlo Way San Francisco, CA 94112

Multimedia Magazine

~Staff Page~

@rcrusadernews rcrusadernews.com rcrusadernews@riordanhs.org

EDITORS

Addison Hwang ‘24 Alana Radoc Manrique ‘24 Editor-in-Chief Design Manager

Paul Ha ‘25 Multimedia Video Editor

Kianna Hwang ‘24 Layout Director & Story Editor

Talisha Flores ‘24 Art Director

Vee Chen ‘25 Art Director

Kai Murguz ‘25 Art Director

Haley Hang ‘25 Story Editor

Naomi Lin ‘24 Story Editor

Reese Lu ‘24 Layout Editor

Julia Yamsuan ‘25 Photo Editor

Susan Sutton, MJE Adviser

Staff Reporters Addison Hwang ’24 Collin Noguera ’27

Graphic Artists Kianna Hwang ’24

Alana Radoc Manrique ’24 Kai Murguz ’25 Reese Lu ’24

Photographers Sean Reyes ’25

Julia Yamsuan ’25

Aliana Urdaneta-Rodas ’25 Nathan Ta ’24 Daniel Barrett ’24 Talia Bumanglang ’24

Kai Murguz ’25

Vee Chen ’25

Talisha Flores ’24 3

Iconic SF jacket introduces the Royal Purple Derby

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Scan the QR code to watch our Derby Interview!

Drawing by Kianna Hwang ’24

Diggin’ the Derby

By Talia Bumanglag ’24 The world of fashion in San Francisco shifted in the year 1963 when Derby jackets began appearing amidst the fog.

A Derby is a specific type of jacket made in San Francisco, known for its “tough” look and as the “workingman’s jacket.” As they were popularized in the ’70s and ’80s, Derbys were worn all over the City and became a well-known staple for Bay Area pride.

But as fashion began to change, the demand for the Derby declined and they eventually disappeared as the original owners went out of business in the ’80s.

However, hope for Derby was not lost.

Victor Suarez—a San Francisco native—was inspired to bring back Derby and the soul of San Francisco, by re-opening the business in 2012.

Suarez teamed up with Nick Swinmurn for its grand re-opening, and the demand for Derby was beyond what either of them expected.

Riordan alumnus Jerold Caragan ’90 said, “I had black, blue, and gray Derbys back in elementary school during the ’80s. I was excited to hear back in 2012 when they relaunched the Derby, and purchased a black Derby during their release.”

The comeback was a huge success. Suarez told SFGate that people lined up all along the block in anticipation of the release, and Derby became bigger than ever before. Celebrities from different scenes have been seen wearing Derby from Muhammad Ali to Snoop Dogg.

When Victor Suarez died in May 2019, the business was then continued by his wife Jeannine Suarez.

She spoke about the history of Derby when Victor first took ownership, saying, “My husband acquired the rights to what [had] originally began in 1963. And then he opened the store on Haight and Ashbury in 2012, so I basically took it over and just kept it going since.”

“Since my husband’s passing, and when I took over, I’ve really enjoyed creating new colors, new styles, [but] definitely keeping a lot of the

Drawing by Reese Lu ’24

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classics,” Suarez continued.

Riordan Counselor and alumnus David Canales ’02 explained why he loves Derby, stating, “These jackets are extremely durable and last forever. I have Derby jackets that are over a decade old and still look brand new.”

The iconic paisley interior and its general quality make it a phenomenal jacket for all, along with the various new options in styles as well.

The versatility of the jacket makes it perfect for different occasions such as sporting events or work.

But as some treat it as daily outerwear, others treat it as a specialty.

Charles Bumanglag ’90—also a Riordan alumnus—expressed how he rarely uses his Derby, saying, “I treat it like fine jewelry, worn only on special occasions.”

Though Derby is known all over the City, its roots are planted on Haight and Ashbury streets, its only brick-and-mortar location.

“It’s a small family-owned business. The roots are in San Francisco and [I] feel that it’s best to keep it traditional, but at the same time I don’t want to become too corporate or mainstream,” said Suarez.

Derby is not just a jacket, it is the thread that weaves throughout the entire community.

The love for Derby is apparent in music videos, movies, and around the streets of the Bay. But the growth of this business stretches beyond its physical outreach; it reaches generations of families as well.

Suarez continued, “It’s a generational jacket, so we have a lot of people that are the age of grandparents that wore it when they were growing up. Now they continue to wear it [with] their children and grandchildren.”

With the many new styles and items Derby has expanded to, what’s next? The future’s looking purple and gold, as they announced their newest “Royal Purple” Derbys coming out in January 2024!

The jacket is a Classic-Style Jacket, not a limited release and will be a blank canvas perfect for patchwork or embroidery.

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Scan the QR code to visit the Derby of San Francisco website. For 15% off any item until Jan. 31, 2024, use the code word “Crusaders.”

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount.

Drawing by Kianna Hwang ’24

The color is almost identical to the rich Riordan purple, which is the main connection between the school and the jacket.

With this special new release, there will be a special discount code “CRUSADERS” for both online and in-person purchases.

Many are excited and curious about what’s to come with this newest release and its significance to the Riordan community. And with this, there have been talks of allowing it to be part of the official Riordan uniform.

Riordan President Tim Reardon commented, “The Derby jacket has been an iconic San Francisco brand since I was a little kid.”

He added, “Now that the owners have added a purple option to their line, we’re considering allowing the purple Derby as a dress code item.”

The Shield and members of the Riordan community previewed an exclusive release of the new Derby for a photo shoot, and were in awe of its beauty.

Canales said, “I’m feeling the Purple Derby! Having a connection to Riordan makes it that much more meaningful. I just love how I can combine my love for Riordan and being a San Franciscan, and represent both by wearing this jacket. Derby’s impact [and recognizing] our community with their brand is special to me.”

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Her time is ahora!

Cecilia Vega steps into 60 Minutes spotlight

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Drawing by Talisha Flores ’24

By Aliana Urdaneta-Rodas ’25 In January, 60 Minutes named Cecilia Vega as its first Latina correspondent on the program.

She transitioned from being the Chief White House correspondent on ABC to being a reporter for 60 Minutes, a highly successful CBS broadcast news program that dives deep into their stories with indepth interviews and investigative reports.

Vega has interviewed various influential people including President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Vega attended Salesian High school before later attending American University in Washington, D.C. Attending a Catholic school as part of her S.F. Chronicle, if she upbringing is what she believes helped her wanted to learn broadcasting. understand the concept of “giving back,” and After initially hesitating equipped her with a natural curiosity of the world. about television journalism, she began to The Emmy Award winner expressed, “I think more about her future in journalism definitely grew up in a house that was a big news and then decided to make the jump to consuming household and I have the personality broadcasting. that news reporters have and I’m an innately nosy She realized that broadcasting was person and a very curious person. And I think better suited for her after seeing how the journalism can help make the world a better place.” newspaper world was changing. Another big Thinking back to the beginning of her career, change for her career was the transition from she said, “I think every job is the biggest job I ever local news to the network, with a broader had, it just depends where you are in that stage of variety of stories and viewers worldwide. your life.”

“It was a very different way of storytelling “The very first job I had at the San Bernardino for me,” said Vega.

Sun newspaper was the biggest job I could ever get She added, “I’ve definitely had a lot of at the time, and doors just kept opening, so each pinch me moments where I was sitting on the one has been bigger than the next,” she added. set of election night, or covering a Hillary The broadcast correspondent initially Clinton campaign, or sitting across the desk planned to work with the New York Times, living from journalistic idols like Dianne Sawyer or abroad and writing for a newspaper. That is until George Stephanopoulos.”

San Francisco’s local news station In terms of the challenges of her career,

KGO-TV asked her, while she Vega shared some of the difficulties of her job was still working at the as a journalist, saying, “The things I’ve seen

can be very heavy, covering the immigration

crisis at the border and seeing young children and child separations, policing issues that are being followed as a country and even war right now.”

Drawing by Talisha Flores ’24 98 9

Photo provided by 60 Minutes “I just got back from Ukraine not too long ago and I’m doing a heart breaking story on children that are being kidnapped by Russians. The pace of the job is hard and the story content.”

Being on 60 Minutes now allows her to cover many of her most memorable and impactful stories, like working at the border and in countries like Ukraine.

The show allows her to have more time on a certain story and a more in-depth experience with writing and interviewing, in

The Government Accountability Office’s 2021 study found that Latinos make up 12 percent of the media workforce and 4 percent of industry management, despite making up 18 percent of the overall U.S. workforce.

Scan the QR code to watch Cecilia Vega talk about her first assignment for 60 Minutes!

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Drawing by Kai Murguz ’25

out and did multiple things for the Bay Area and brought us important news,” said Emma Rocha ’25, reporter for The Crusader.

Vega gave a piece of advice for aspiring young journalists who want to make a positive impact on reporting by speaking about the importance of persistence and being a good listener to better connect with people. Wanting to build relationships, in the most genuine way, is how you can build the best trust, which also comes with journalists prioritizing accuracy above all else.

“To me it’s the most important thing I can tell anybody, which is–read, read every single thing you can get your hands on.”

“I always say it’s great to be the first, you just don’t want to be the last.”

- Cecilia Vega

Photo provided by 60 Minutes

comparison to working solely on politics where a story can change in a matter of hours and her interviews would sometimes only last a couple minutes at most. She can now hold interviews for a matter of hours.

“What makes 60 Minutes such a special show is that it is long for a magazine and in my opinion that is the best that exists on television anywhere.

And you get to do, as a correspondent on the show, anything that interests you in terms of the topics that you cover,” said Vega.

Although honored by the title of being the first Latina correspondent on 60 Minutes, Vega understands the title to be a complicated reality.

“I always say it’s great to be the first, you just don’t want to be the last, but I also think you can put a lot of pressure on yourself when you’re a first and I find myself doing that sometimes and I have to be very conscious of it and catch myself because while I am a huge champion of newsroom diversity, I think all news rooms should look like the communities that they cover. It’s not only my responsibility to help diversify those newsrooms,” she added.

“Cecilia Vega shows us young journalists a good example of success and how to break barriers as a female and a Latina, especially how she ventured

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Mom creates doll in her daughter’s image

Doll-lightful invention:

Scan the QR code to watch The Shield and ASA Club collab!

Drawing by Kai Murguz ’25

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By Addison Hwang ’24 On a mission to promote sustainability, inclusivity, and empowerment, Bay Area resident, Elenor Mak, founder and CEO of Jilly Bîng, created a multicultural doll named “Jilly,” who helps celebrate the backgrounds of numerous Asian American cultures.

Growing up, Mak remembers only owning and playing with dolls that were blonde and blue-eyed. In 2022, after wanting to buy a doll for her own 2-year-old daughter, Jillian, she realized she had run into the same problemthere were nearly no dolls which represented her own Asian heritage.

She was shocked and disappointed by what she found in toy aisles of San Francisco.

Thinking about the few Asian American dolls for sale, she noticed “the so-called Asian dolls are stereotypes, vaguely ethnic looking, and they look like an afterthought in the doll line, the main doll’s sidekicks,” remarked Mak. So, in July 2023, Mak launched her online website starring her doll line, Jilly Bîng-an Asian American doll, named after her daughter, Jillian.

Just a month later, Mak received an overwhelming amount of 1,000 orders nationally, garnering substantial press attention, such as Nation TV within just a few weeks of launching.

After posting Jilly on LinkedIn, she received over 2,000 likes in just 48 hours

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where numerous individuals shared similar experiences and stories of not seeing Asian representation in dolls they played with during their childhoods.

Asian Student Alliance member, Reese Lu ’24, stated, “Inclusivity is important wherever you go because it provides an environment where everyone feels welcome.”

Increasing awareness of the lack of accessible Asian American dolls, Mak received countless heartwarming responses from parents, grandparents, and kids.

“They’ve shared how it finally feels like they’re being represented. Even grown women have told us that this is the doll they wish they had when they were growing up, as they often felt like they didn’t quite fit in or weren’t considered beautiful,” beamed Mak. YinShan Yang, Asian Student Alliance moderator, reflected, “Especially with living in America, I know how important it is for our children to find their identity. Having Jilly is a good way for young children to find their identity.”

Nonetheless, creating this doll was no easy task. After finding an Asian toy maker, Mak spent a bulk of time researching skin tones, hair color, and particularly eye shape.

After being bullied for her own eyes

Drawing by Kai Murguz ’25

“They’ve shared how it finally feels like they’re being represented.” - Elenor Mak when she was a child, Mak wanted to really nail it down to show the beauty of Jilly’s eyes.

By using her children, friends, family, and conducting many surveys to understand “HOW” parents want to be reflected, they aimed to send their children the message “that their eyes are beautiful exactly as they are,” stated Mak. However, considering the complexity of the doll, after creating 3D prototypes, and going through many trials and errors, Mak emphasized continuously spending time at the facotry to “review things on a daily basis.”

By creating this doll from scratch, including homemade doll tooling, with a team of Asian American designers and parents, they were able to successfully earn the “tremendous strength, unity, and support within the Asian American community,” declared Mak. Philippine American Coalition President, Alana Radoc Manrique ’24, stated,“Growing

up, I was surrounded by Filipino and Asian culture, but there was definitely an absence in toys, books, and movies that were made for multiple groups of people.

Seeing Elenor Mak unhappy with that lack of representation and actually taking a step forward to change, makes me so happy that younger generations get to experience having that inclusiveness.”

Furthermore, Jilly not only encourages the celebration of her culture, but has an individualized story: her last name, “Bîng,” means cookie in Mandarin, and was one of Mak’s daughter’s first words. She loves baking with her Grandma, going on picnics with her friends, and she specifically loves “tarts, cookies, and anything made with red bean,” according to Mak. Within the team of Asian American, multigenerational designers, they all have

Scan the QR code to buy your own Jilly Bîng doll!

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hopes to celebrate each Asian heritage. So, each doll comes with a unique background story and a favorite food paired to a particular Asian ethnicity. For Jilly, that is egg tarts.

On the other hand, when creating this doll, Mak noticed how most other dolls such as Barbie or American Girl Dolls are created with a mundane blank face, without a smile. As a result, she aimed to change this odd commonality by creating Jilly with a sweet cheery smile.

ASA Vice President, Ponette Chen ’26, expressed, “With Jilly, Asian kids growing up can see themselves in someone, and know their features are normal, and they can feel more included.”

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The Jilly doll also comes with an apron inspired dress, a shortsleeve shirt, bow tie, plastic sneakers, two triangular bandanas, and a chef’s hat which can convert into “L’il Tart,” a sunny sidekick who is always ready for a fun adventure and snuggles, all for $68.

On Nov. 2, The Shield and ASA club joined together to celebrate Jilly Bîng by raffling off a Jilly doll.

Winner of the raffle, Elizabeth Hsu ’24 said, “I think for other Asian kids, seeing themselves in dolls would make them feel more included, and normalized.”

Because of all the support Jilly has received, the Jilly Bîng dolls are currently on backorder, however those who place an order now, still have time to receive a doll in time for the holidays.

“I am s o thril l Asian dolls li ed to see ke Ji educat e our n lly to ext genera tion!”

Pawsitive impact

Drawing by Vee Chen ’25

No-kill shelters have psychological effects on humans 17

By Collin Noguera ’27

pharmacy supervisor.

Every year, animal shelter workers He said, “When we have our quarterly euthanize 100 million animals across the United organizational meetings there’s always an States. emphasis on being a no kill shelter. To be clear, Because of these shocking numbers, animal this does not mean critters are not euthanized. lovers and advocates are establishing more animal There is a small percentage euthanized due to shelters throughout California in the U.S. that are medical reasons.” against the practice of euthanasia.

However, Vallecillo said, “Psychologically The first no-kill animal shelter in San it’s a positive experience knowing we will adopt Francisco was founded over 153 years ago by out every possible critter. Every year our number a banker and animal lover named James Sloan of adoptions increase. Last year 4,000 plus Hutchinson. critters were adopted.”

Hutchinson saw pigs being cruelly Social Science teacher Van Whipple, dragged along the rough San Francisco streets who has a service dog named Winston, said, one afternoon. Very disturbed by how the men “As humans, we have a large responsibility treated the pigs, he spread news about the cruelty with regard to animals. As the most dominant towards animals he witnessed daily. species of the planet, we are the stewards of the Eventually, Hutchinson formed a group with planet. It’s the symbiotic relationship between 15 other animal loving individuals to found the humans and animals that provides for sustainable SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to living.”

Animals) on April 18, 1868.

According to an article by Best Friends In 1984, the president of the San Francisco Animal Society, Bonney Brown, director of NHS, SPCA, Rich Avanzino, petitioned for the city of said,“Who is going to be looking out for the San Francisco to adopt the practice of no-kill. animals if our movement is no longer laserAvanzino advocated for no-kill animal shelters focused on the mission of saving their lives?” across San Francisco relentlessly, leading The NHS collaborated with psychologist movements and funding animal programs.

Dr. Uri Lifshin, Reichman University in Years later, Avanzino made an adoption Israel, to understand pact with the Department of psychological factors Animal Care and Control in that influence why shelters

a move to make San Francisco don’t adopt no-kill policies. the first no-kill city in the The article cites psychological

United States. factors in regards to the theories. “ By having the authority to allow animals Adoption and rescue services, with to live or die, it gives Avanzino’s influence, housed shelter pets in cozy environments instead of small metal cages.

Edward Vallecillo ’85 has been working

at the SF SPCA for nine years as a

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Drawing by Vee Chen ’25

Taking care of someone other workers a sense of godliness and power over the than yourself promotes a sense lives of other beings. This soothes their concerns of responsibility if people are about their own inevitable death.”

“Secondly, most animal shelter workers don’t struggling.” want to put in effort to save life-endangered animals.

Now those same workers are convinced the animals were incurable. They continue to hold the guilt of their dreadful actions of killing animals irrationally and try to justify their actions.”

“Third . . . is the cognitive shock and trauma workers will carry when they admit that their participation in the deaths of [these] animals was entirely unnecessary.”

There are psychological reasons to support the No-Kill Movement to save the lives of animals. A 2023 study from the American Psychiatric Association found an overwhelming beneficial impact that pets had on people.

From a poll of 2000 adults, 69 percent stated that seeing their pets after work daily contributed to lower levels of stress.

Adults with pets lived more calm and happier lives because of the presence of a pet in the house. Over 70 percent of pet owners had higher dopamine levels because of their loving relationship with their pets.

Owning a pet also motivated people to become physically active to take care of their pet. Having pets eliminates the unhealthy sedentary lifestyle and improves the physical well-being of individuals.

Psychology teacher Jackie Grealish said, “Pets help improve mental health! Studies show that they can reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. They can create a sense of community to ease loneliness plus encourage exercise and get people outside for walks.

Rebecca Brendel, president of the American Psychiatric Association, is quoted as saying, “The animals we bring into our lives and our families play many roles from nonjudgmental companions that we love to key partners in reducing our stress and anxiety. Americans clearly recognize that our relationships with our pets can have noticeable benefits for our overall mental health.”

Grealish added, “No kill vs. traditional shelters is a difficult debate. Ideally, there shouldn’t be a surplus of pets that don’t have a home but that’s not the reality. Many shelters also have animals sitting in cages for years before they’re adopted, which can impact their socialization and temperament as well.”

Additionally, “Veterinarians struggle with how their jobs affect their mental health. They see the impact of how people treat animals and sometimes neglect their pets’ health, which can cause pets to end up at a shelter.”

Vallecillo is grateful to work at a no-kill shelter. He said, “Helping critters and their folks. That’s the best part. On the hospital side, we get to help folks who can’t afford care at 19 other vet hospitals. My team loves helping pet 19 guardians.”

THANKSGIVING COMICS

By Addison Hwang ’24 and Kai Murguz ’25

Charlie Brown Comics provided

by Peanuts Worldwide/ Apple TV+

As Thanksgiving approaches, this year marks the 50th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” since it debuted on CBS in November 1973. Written by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, this 24-minute film was quick to become a holiday classic.

Being the tenth prime-time animated television special out of Charles Schulz’s 45 Peanuts specials, families have continued to watch this fall-festive movie for decades.

Volet Gluck SHC ’26, a Peanuts fan, stated, “I think it’s a very fun movie to watch with family and loved ones on Thanksgiving, and it helps remind us of the spirit of the holiday, which is togetherness.”

A Los Angeles Times article in 2013 noted Producer Lee Medleson as stating, “The 1973 animated special ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ was based on a very simple idea.” The same article references Charles M. Schulz as saying the idea came about when he thought, “I wonder what it would be like if kids did Thanksgiving dinner and the chaos that would ensue.”

This year, “Anyone can stream ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ for free on Apple TV+ from Saturday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 19, even

those without an Apple TV+ subscription,” according to AppleTV.

Rain Doherty-Albright ’25, president of the Comic Club, commented, “The comic strips they had teach you a lesson and have fun characters, so when you look back on them when you’re not four, it makes you realize just how simplified they made complicated issues seem.”

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Little Sweet

Alana Radoc Manrique ’24

Spillin’ t Drawing by Reese Lu ’24

As my friends and I were walking on Irving, we decided to get some boba at Little Sweet since it was a hot day and their many decorations attracted us to their store.

We walked into the small and cozy building and couldn’t take our eyes off the two big inflatables of their brown sugar milk tea.

We took a closer look at the menu Scan the QR and there was a wide variety of milk teas, code to watch offering both hot and cold options. Under our Little the milk tea section, the first drink to pop up was their Sweet Vlog!

Black Sugar Fresh Milk with Boba. I decided to order that with 75 percent sweetness and some extra boba.

My drink came out right away, and you could clearly see a mix of all the ingredients on the cup. The brown sugar syrup around the side caught my eye right away. The bottom was full of boba, both big and small.

The cup was cold to the touch, but on the bottom you could feel that the boba was fresh and warm.

As I took my first sip, I was surprised by the sweet flavor and the different sizes of boba. Daniel Barrett ’24 It was a very sweet and flavorful cup of As I walked towards the Quickly shop, milk, and the fresh boba was the perfect I noticed the brown sugar milk tea poster put

consistency for me. It up on the inside of the window. The creamy

was both chewy and caramel color mixed with the tapioca pearls at

sweet. If you have a the bottom made it very appealing, especially sweet tooth, I with the word “new” in red bolded letters. definitely recommend I purchased the drink with an order

this drink. However, I of egg puffs on the side. The tea was $4.99, would customize the which seemed like a reasonable price.

sweetness a bit lower Although my order took some time, likely due than 75 percent. to the egg puffs, it was all worth it.

My experience The white and brown creamy milk tea

at Little Sweet was with low-heated tapioca pearls in brown sugar

amazing, and I would syrup absorbed the smoky caramel flavor. It

visit more often to looked just like the drink on the poster.

try the many Although boba is a big part of the Tea

drinks they offer.

Club, tapioca pearls are also a great idea.

The egg puffs were a great addition to the drink-a fresh, hot, and soft texture to go with the cold refreshing milk tea. The soft and 22 22 chewy texture of the tapioca pearls made it much more satisfying with its enhancement of

Drawing by Talisha Flores ’24

Quickly

the Tea

Drawing by

freshly made boba that took over my senses.

The menu was set up on the multiple TVs located in the front of the cashier and even on another larger screen that showed customer the brown syrup flavor. favorites.

I highly recommend ordering a 50 percent Displaying their drinks on TV screens like sweetness or lower, specifically if it is ordered with this gave the store a more modern style that a sweet side. However, for those who have a sweet was thoroughly pleasing to the eye. tooth, then 75 might be perfect.

Although all the drinks were interesting, Over time, I found it way too sweet for my the one that caught my eye was the Brown taste and it was a little bit difficult to finish the Sugar Milk Tea with their homemade honey whole drink, due to the extra sweetness from the boba. Homemade boba is difficult to make as it egg puffs.

I also recommend ordering an original egg takes time and great technique to make quality boba. puff for those who have a lower sweet tolerance.

The boba was so warm and sweet, Overall, it was a pleasing cold drink, I highly and the cool milk tea made this a perfect recommend a fresh hot snack to go with it. combination on a sunny day.

One of the many great additions to this store I enjoyed was the variety of drinks and toppings they offer. You can choose from an assortment of slushies, smoothies, milk teas, and refreshing teas.

For toppings, you may get the famous homemade boba, lychee jelly, mango stars, taro balls, etc. You can add as much as your heart desires.

For this drink alone, I would give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

I recommend getting this drink because it can help cool you down on a warm day. Not only this, but also because the boba and drink itself complement each other very well.

The only reason why this is not a full 5 star rating is that, when ordering, I found the drink to be too sweet for my liking. I recommend a lower sweetness level, as the syrup around the cup already adds additional sweetness.

Next time you are in San Francisco or Nathan Ta ’24 anywhere near the Sunset District, make sure to I went to a boba shop near the Sunset visit TJ Cups for a refreshing drink District area called TJ Cups. you and your family can enjoy!

Walking into the store, the ambiance felt homey in a way, with the lights strung up all around Drawing by Reese Lu ’24 the store, and the aroma of

s ’24

e Talisha Flor

TJ Cups

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