Vol. 95, Issue 3

Pepperbox January 9th, 2023 Volume 95, Issue 3

What’s Inside: Fight for recycling Vape detectors Winter sports Earthquake coverage B-ball player profiles Sexism in WAIBT Kanye followup Teacher holiday traditions World Cup Return of the Saltbox

The Pepperbox

January

BOX BRIEFS

Minimum Days for Updated Finals Week: 12/19 - 12/22, 1/10 Winter Break: 12/23 - 1/8 No School for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 1/16 Want to advertise or buy a mail subscription to the Pepperbox? Email Business Managers Astreya and Jasmine McKnight at pepperbox@nohum.k12. ca.us!

EDITORIAL STAFF Madelyn Conley: Editor-in-Chief Dylan Berman: Editor-in-Chief Zoe Macknicki: Managing Editor Seneca Turechek: Feature Editor Finn Clark: Feature Editor Ilana Maclay: News Editor Julian Wan: Online Editor Ell Franklin: Opinion Editor Morgan Ford: Sports Editor Sagen Sarchett: Sports Editor Emma Kaber: A&E Editor Astreya McKnight: Business Manager Jasmine McKnight: Business Manager Anthony Vasek: Photo Editor Ossian Briar-Bonpane: Photo Editor Ella Newman: Social Media Manager Alex Phelan: Art Director Toni Diaz: Copy Editor

REPORTERS

Sadie Cronin Urijah Horne Laura Laux Lucia Hernandez Jaimeanne O’Donnell Lazarus Onyango Raymi Sharp Alauna Thompson Mariah Weekly

The Pepperbox would like to thank Western Web, based in Samoa, for printing atcost. Western Web supports student journalism throughout Humboldt County and has made publications like the Pepperbox possible for decades. We appreciate their dedication to keeping print media alive.

IN THE BOX

Go Green fights for recycling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 AHS Food Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Vape detectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mielke finally drops Kanye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Winter sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Teacher social media use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 AIBT player profiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Teacher holiday traditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Spike in senioritis cases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Holiday drinks review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 What is Hanukkah?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Holiday movies review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 World Cup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Santa debate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Questions regarding editorial content of the Pepperbox should be directed toward its editors. Opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Arcata High School.

Advisor Danielle Witten

Editor’s Box Dylan Berman and Madelyn Conley Co-Editors-in-Chief

L

et’s just say this issue did NOT go as planned. Originally, we were supposed to print December 20th and distribute on the 21st. However, the 6.4 earthquake hit on the 20th which shut down businesses, roads, schools, and Western Web. We still have to take finals after break and are now publishing afterwards too. Now our holiday issue has been delayed but we hope everybody still enjoys it. We have worked extra hard on this issue.

Our young staff has grown so much and we are very proud of everybody for their improvement. We have all worked extra hard by staying after school, on the weekends, and now over winter break to copy edit, layout, and take pictures.

This issue follows the tradition of covering the AIBT tournament, and like last year, we made sure to give the WAIBT the equal coverage they deserve.

Not only did we cover the winter sports at AHS, but also the controversies on campus. Lack of recycling, vape detectors, and inappropriate social media use are some mentioned. To bring light to this issue, we covered the winter holidays and how students and teachers celebrate.

We hope everyone enjoys this issue and appreciates the work put into it.

Go to thepepperbox.com for breaking news and more exciting content!

Interested in writing for The Pepperbox? Contact pepperbox@nohum.k12. ca.us

Follow us on Instagram! @ahspepperbox

Behind the Scenes

Quotable.

“We can’t physically abuse students anymore.”

- Jeff Mielke said

“Well, good thing your class is just mental abuse.”

- Cora Killoran making a comeback to Mielke’s comment

“This is worse than white noise.”

- Matthew Scott about Christmas music

“Make love to my ears Shakespeare, all night long.”

- Alex Kantner when listening to an audio reading of Hamlet

“He’s too sexy for our nativity scene” -Carolyn Bareilles, commenting on a student created sculpture

“I am Scrooge.”

- Troy Ghisetti said

“You look more like the Grinch with that belly.”

-Josie Cunningham to Ghisetti when discussing dislike for Christmas

“Yeah she has very high test anxiety, she just tried to threaten my kids.”

- Adam Pinkerton when Gabby Davidson threatened to kidnap his kids before taking an Econ test

Monday, January 9th, 2023

News

The Pepperbox | Page 5

Go Green Club fights for recycling Laura Laux

Y

Reporter

ou throw your empty Yerba can in the recycling bin on campus, and you assume that it is going to be recycled. You are wrong.

Currently, Arcata High School does not recycle cans, plastic containers, or bottles. The waste from the recycling bins goes into the same dumpster as all the other trash on campus.

Many students on campus don’t know that we don’t recycle everything. Go Green Club members are trying to change that.

Trash and waste that doesn’t get recycled pollute our ocean and landscapes. Right now AHS is only recycling cardboard and paper with Recology Humboldt. We need to also be recycling cans and bottles.

President of Go Green Club, Carolyn Van Mantgem said, “We need to do our best to help our planet in any way we can as a school and as a campus.”

The district as a whole has halted its recycling program.

“There are multiple reasons as to why. A major part was the shutdown of buy back recycling centers in our county. Covid 19 also contributed. Lastly, staffing reassignment played a big part. The staff that was assigned to recycling collection and sorting is now used in the kitchen and food program as it has expanded tremendously,” explained Director of Facilities, John Reeves.

Go Green Club is in contact with Zero Waste Humboldt to develop a plan to recycle on campus.

Principal Ron Perry and Go Green have met with Zero Waste Humboldt to figure out how to move forward.

The club is talking to Recology

Humboldt and Zero Waste Humboldt to estimate the amount of money needed.

Go Green hopes to get a grant and is planning future fundraisers.

Recycling wouldn’t just be better for the environment but also would be cheaper for the school because of the weight that doesn’t go into the trash.

“A case of garbage bags cost between $80 and $100,” said Jim Hogan, head custodian. ”The amount of garbage this place generates…it’s almost scary,” Hogan said.

According to the Recology Humboldt representative, Arcata High is already paying for three 90 gallon recycling containers to be picked up each week that the school does not use.

Recycling is an issue for the entire Northern Humboldt district and not just Arcata High. Schools in the district are working on the problem independently.

“The District is working with Zero Waste Humboldt to have a plan developed for the McKinleyville High campus to reduce waste. If the plan can be implemented, then we could use a similar plan at Arcata High,” Cindy Vickers, Director of Fiscal Services for the NoHum School District stated.

“We expect the grant funded plan to be finished in the spring,” Vickers said.

The recycling bins we do have on campus aren’t used as recycling bins.

“The majority of the students don’t actually know that when they’re putting things in the recycling bins it’s not actually being recycled,” explained Matthew Scott, the Go Green Club advisor.

Proper recycling is a problem on campus as well.

“The recycling cans around

campus are a small attempt to still continue to recycle what we can.

Sadly, most of them keep getting contaminated with food and other waste products,” Reeves said.

Currently Arcata High cannot separate trash from all of the recycling material because the school does not have a recology dumpster.

Instead the recycling should be “separated from the trash in every single classroom, in every single area,” Van Mantgem said.

“Go Green is in the process of talking with Recology Humboldt County to figure out what size bins we would need or what they could provide,” Scott said.

They are also “talking with the custodial staff on how much space is actually available for those bins,” Scott continued.

To achieve the goal of establishing proper recycling at Arcata High, it needs the help of the students and many volunteers.

“We, as a student body, are working together to do this be-

cause we can’t get help from custodial staff because we don’t want to put any more work on them,” Van Mantgem said.

“We can’t really do it without everyone’s help,” she said.

We need to make sure that the proper materials are being recycled into the proper bins.

“It’s really a matter of getting students to sort them correctly, so we can pick it up and then put it in the bin, ” Van Mantgem said.

To achieve that, the Go Green Club is “trying to get some sort of informational poster on the recycle and trash bin,” she said.

Perry supports the recycling project and plans to have an announcement at grade assemblies next semester to spread awareness.

The Go Green Club started with the first little steps and will continue to achieve their goal of a campus with recycling of cans, bottles, and plastic containers.

“Make it happen,” said Scott.

Finn Clark/PEPPERBOX

The proper materials are not being recycled into the proper bins.

The Pepperbox | Page 6

News

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Food drive charity and competition Dylan Berman Co-Editor-in-Chief

A

rcata High School brought in 4,430 pounds of canned food this year during our food drive effort.

The food drive took place across Northern Humboldt Union School District, starting November 27th and ending December 8th. Arcata High’s food drive was coordinated by Jennifer Coriell and her leadership class, working with local charity organization Food for People. This is Arcata High’s fifth year participating in the food drive.

There’s a competitive angle to this charitable program. The three first period classes that brought in the most food got a hot chocolate and donut party. According to some students, Jacob Godinez’s

math class was predicted to win because of extra credit opportunities associated with bringing in cans.

“I’m hoping Mr. Sidell’s AP Computer Programming class will win, but realistically it’s going to be FFA, because Miller offers so much extra credit,” senior Avery Meadows said.

Some teachers went to extreme lengths in the competition. Alyssa Kell offered to remove a quiz for her AP Physics class if they won, and many teachers offered huge amounts of extra credit.

The winning classes in order were Alyssa Kell’s AP physics, Jason Sidell’s AP Computer Programming, and Matthew Scott’s Human Anatomy.

Three students from the leadership class were chosen as repre-

sentatives to meet with Food For People and put in extra time to make the food drive happen.

“I feel like [the food drive] is very beneficial, especially with food prices rising,” Beck Pederson, senior and food drive representative, said.

Ella Manthorne, another representative and junior, agreed.

“I’m really happy to be a part of the food drive because I feel like it’s gonna help out a lot of people.

Our community really needs it,” she said.

The third representative, senior Natalie Clemens, felt similarly.

“It brings the classes together for a great team work opportunity and it should happen more than once a year in my opinion,” she said.

Regardless of competition, the food drive helps those struggling in the community get the food that they need.

According to Allison Kenney, the Local Food Coordinator of Food For People, AHS usually brings in 2,000-3,000 pounds of food.

“We envision a community where everyone has access to good quality, nutritious food, understands the consequences of hunger and poor nutrition and is committed to creating a stronger, healthier Humboldt County,” Kenney explained about the goals of Food for People.

“It’s inspiring to see young people motivated and excited to help their community.”

or marijuana one or more times in the last 30 days, with 26 percent reporting use of marijuana on campus in the last 30 days.

“Lots of students talk to me about smoking marijuana since students don’t understand that smoking often is the reason for their emotional issues, like anxiety or depression or physical issues,” Student Support Counselor Eileen Klima said.

Luis Cervantes, campus supervisor, often catches kids smoking or vaping. He said most of the time he catches kids by chance when he is patrolling around the school.

“Sometimes it just happens at the right place, at the right time, or the wrong time depending on the perspective,” he said.

When he catches kids, it is usually in the act.

“When the pipe is out, or the vape, or when smoke is blowing out of their mouth,” he said.

Science teacher Alyssa Kell said, “I’m not looking for it every day, but sometimes it’s so obvious.”

She sees a connection between the kids who she notices are high and their grades.

Klima added, “It is a distraction, it’s not physically or mentally good. It affects our learning, and we don’t retain the things we learn as well when we learn under the influence.”

So does Arcata High have a smoking problem?

According to the CHKS, 45% of students reported that daily use of marijuana carries no harmful effects to the user while 35% of students do not think that 100 vape hits or more a day causes “great” harm to the user.

“Does Arcata High have a smoking problem?” Junior Lexie Alto said. “Yes. 100%.”

Does Arcata High have a smoking problem?

Ell Franklin

S

Opinion Editor

tudents vaping openly on campus is a common sight. Less common is students smoking marijuana.

Least common is students smoking cigarettes.

Smoking is a problem for teens, but how much of a problem do Arcata High students have?

“Like every single time I go into the bathroom I see someone vaping,” Junior Olivia Eads said.

A little over half of the student population self reported that they vaped on campus one or more times in the past thirty days according to the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) for Northern Humboldt Union High School District for the 2021-22 school year.

Smoking marijuana is also an issue for students as 28 percent self reported that they vaped THC

I think many students are self medicating. People want to escape pain, anxiety, and loneliness.

- Luis Cervantes

campus supervisor

Monday, January 9th, 2023

The Pepperbox | Page 7

News

Vape detectors installed at AHS Julian Wan Online Editor

H

ealth and safety concerns over restrooms have been a battle at Arcata High due to student abuse of the facilities. Arcata High administrations’ plans to enforce healthier and safer restrooms are already in effect, such as installing vape detectors inside restrooms and cameras at the doors.

“We want to keep track of who’s going in there and who’s messing up the bathrooms. Obviously we’re not going to go in there and watch them,” Perry said.

Vape detectors detect fumes and particles found in vape cartridges, marijuana, and cigarettes and alert administrators. According to Tim Oliveira, AHS director

of technology, each vape detector costs around two thousand dollars to purchase and install. As of right now, Arcata High Administration has not released how many students have been caught engaging in substance abuse in school restrooms this school year.

According to the most recent data collected from the California Healthy Kids Survey for the 202122 school year, over 50% of students self-reported that they have vaped on school grounds within the last 30 days of submitting the survey. ”It’s the shocked look that gets me. I’m just like wow, when I see the student go ‘I wasn’t doing nothing,’’ Jim Hogan, Chief Custodian, said about catching students vaping in restrooms.

After these incidents, Hogan reports the suspected student(s) to

Ron Perry. According to district policy, students caught engaging in substance abuse “shall be subject to disciplinary procedures including suspension or expulsion and/ or referral to law enforcement in accordance with law.”

Ilana Maclay, Arcata High freshman, described her encounter seeing other students vape in restrooms.

“I went into the bathroom by the tennis courts, and I saw five to six girls there passing something…I just wanted to use the bathroom.

And one of the girls asked me ‘Do you actually need to use the bathroom?’ I couldn’t even wash my hands because one of them was sitting on the sink,” Maclay said.

During the term two class assemblies, Principal Ron Perry addressed each class about upholding

the RISE norms, with a particular focus on issues in school restrooms.

“Try to make this campus the space we want it to be. The restroom is not a place for meetings, or to sit on the floor. Make healthy choices, wash your hands,” Perry said.

Jim Hogan expressed frustrations of scrubbing out vandalized restrooms.

“We’re here for you but if you want nice facilities, then treat them with respect because it doesn’t make sense for me to spend the extra money, the resources, and the time almost daily to try to undo what you guys did,” Hogan said.

Ultimately, it is still the responsibility of each of Arcata High students to maintain a clean and safe campus.

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The Pepperbox | Page 8

News

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Mielke finally drops Kanye Finn Clark

Co-Feature Editor

F

ollowing the recent Pepperbox article “Adidas Dropped (Kan)Ye, Why Won’t Meilke?”, the Kanye West for President poster has been removed from Mielke’s classroom. The poster was seen as harmful by many communities on campus.

“I think it negatively affected students because you probably viewed him [Mielke] as, like, possibly having anti-Semitic views,” senior Sparrow Ray-Keneko stated.

The poster being up in a classroom made some students feel uncomfortable.

“I wouldn’t like to be in a classroom with that up,” Senior Ruth Godlin-Sullivan stated.

Mielke declined to comment on why the poster was removed.

Multiple students claim that in when questioned about his political opinions Mielke joked about being nti-semitic.

“Someone asked Mielke about his political opinions, and he pointed to the poster and was like, well, clearly, I’m an anti-semite,” an anonymous student said said.

Several students condemned Kanye’s most recent acts.

“I think it’s good that he [Mielke] took it down, especially in light of current events such as Kanye referring to Hitler in positive manners,” senior Kyla Berman stated.

Though the reason for taking the Kanye poster down is unknown, many students are celebrating the event.

“Thank god he’s finally understanding that it is harmful,” Senior Saneya Khattab stated.

Search the name “Kanye West”

and news results from minutes to hours ago pop up on another controversy he has been involved in.

Recently in an interview he even said the words, “Jewish people, for-

give Hitler today.” The incidents keep piling up and many fans are dropping the artist because of it.

“You can only defend someone for so long,” Khattab said.

Allegations of sexism around WAIBT Morgan Ford Co-Sports Editor

T

he past two weekends before break have been busy for basketball at Arcata High. One of those weekends was the Women’s Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament, which was supposed to include two teams from out of town, both of which were not able to make the trip due to weather conditions.

The tournament still went on, featuring only four local teams: Arcata, McKinleyville, Hoopa, and Fortuna. It was changed to a round robin schedule.

Although it was smaller by the lack of teams present, the tournament was still important to the team, and for many players it was

their last time playing in their home tournament.

Junior Alia Prentiss explained that “[she] emailed Mr. Perry requesting he oversee that boys and girls AIBT received the same support but never received a reply.”

Prentiss said that “after the tournament was over [she] got asked multiple times when the girls’ AIBT games were going to [start].”

The next weekend Arcata hosted the AIBT, the boys’ version of the same tournament. However, this was made to be a much bigger deal than the girls’ tournament.

A preview to the boys tournament was posted on Arcata High’s TikTok, as well as the AHS Instagram page.

Avery Meadows, who manages the school’s instagram account, explained that “We (leadership) were

only focused on the AIBT so no one told [her] to post about it, and [she] didn’t even know the WAIBT was going on.”

The boys’ game schedule was also constantly updated in the school bulletin and website and talked about widely across the school.

There was an entire rally hosted for the AIBT, which brought all of the teams participating in the tournament to Arcata High.

The rally included three-point and slam dunk contests, and a lot of hype about the ongoing tournament.

The girls tournament did not have one social media post on any platforms. There was mention of a game in the bulletin, but it was not updated and was mixed into the rest of the information.

At the tournament itself, the AIBT had a snack bar with food and drinks for purchase, while the WAIBT had nothing of that sort.

The boys players also saw the inequalities.

Junior Zacch Bowen believes that “we should have done better as a school. The girls have some buckets for sure and they should have gotten the same tournament we did.”

Senior Caroline Dieker expressed that she was frustrated with this situation, especially because it was her last time getting to play in the home tournament.

“It has always been like this and girls basketball is definitely seen as inferior, which is so discouraging as a player for Arcata and a female athlete in general,” Dieker said.

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Feature

The Pepperbox | Page 9

Dancing through the holidays Astreya McKnight Business Manager

O

utside of the slim variety of sports offered by the school, many individuals at Arcata High choose to pursue a different path of athletics. There are numerous student dancers on campus involved in various local studios including, but not limited to, Trillium Dance Studios, No Limits Dance Academy, North Coast Dance, and Dance Scene Studio. Each of these studios organizes a holiday show or recital.

Along with several other dances, juniors Natalie Lehman and Miles Schmidt performed a pas de deux in the Trillium Dance Studios’s winter showcase. They covered the roles of Jack Frost and Iciquelle.

Lehman has been dancing for thirteen years, since she was only three years old. Throughout all of her dancing experience, this was the first time she has performed a duet.

“It was a little difficult to learn how to partner dance on pointe,” Lehman said, “But after we figured it out, I think it went really well.”

Schmidt also described his experience with their piece.

“Natalie was really nervous,” Schmidt said. “But she pulled it off in the end. We did a great job.”

Junior Hanalee Hayes and sophomore Malea Melendrez both danced solos in Trillium’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas recital.

Hayes was featured as Mistletonia and Melendrez was highlighted in the role of Pointesettia.

This year was Hayes’s second year as a soloist.

She explained the differences she noticed compared to last year.

“I felt like the vibe was a lot better this year,” Hayes said.

Melendrez depicted how her piece went.

“It was really nerveracking, and I felt like there was a lot of pressure,” Melendrez said. “But I think that when it came to the stage I did really good. I’m really

proud of myself and I’m excited to have more solo opportunities in the future.”

Scurfield Photography/PEPPERBOX

“Hella fine” snowsports Jasmine McKnight

restrap yourself every time you get off the lift,” senior Business Manager Arman Abassi said. s the weather is Junior Micah Schiller getting colder, holds a similar opinion Arcata High to Abassi.

School stu“Skiing is a more dents have snowsports professional sport. on their minds. This When I think of leads to the ongoing skiers I think elegant, question, which is a little more wealthy, the better sport, and sexy,” Schiller snowboarding or said. skiing?

Despite these strong Here at AHS, opinions, the majority of students appear AHS students seem to to hold pretty prefer snowboarding. strong opinAccording to a recent ions on this student survey conducttopic. ed by the Pepperbox, “Skiing is much 72.1% of the student more technical and is much more body believe that rewarding in its versatility. It’s the snowboarding is better classic, more respected sport, betthan skiing and only ter for your body, and not a hassle, 27.9% believe as you don’t have to Jasmine McKnight/PEPPERBOX

A

that skiing is better than snowboarding.

Skiing is “easier and stuff, but it is also considerably more lame and sucks a lot more in almost every way,” sophomore Clyde Sundeen said.

Some skiers even believe that snowboarding is a better sport, while no snowboarders responded to the survey that they believe skiing is better.

“Snowboarding is way better. I am ashamed that I ski,” junior Natalie

Lehman said.

Students hold certain stereotypes about the personalities of certain athletes.

“Skiers are pretentious,” sophomore Nyrie Broderick said.

One other reason students prefer snowboarding is the aesthetic.

“Snowboarding is better since you don’t look like a total dweeb with poles and skis,” senior Gabriela Davidson said.

At Arcata High, it appears as if looks are important.

“Snowboard girls are hella fine,” sophomore Rye Davis said.

Jasmine McKnight/PEPPERBOX

The Pepperbox | Page 10

Winter sports Zoe Macknicki

B

Managing Editor oys and girls basketball, wrestling, and basketball cheerleading are all the sports that Arcata High School has in the winter.

Arcata High’s winter sports fans are ready for the Tigers to dominate. Both of the teams are excelling in the HDNL league.

Get excited and go support the Tigers in their winter sports!

Wrestling Wrestling is one of the winter sports that occurs at AHS. Coached by Cass Bell, wrestling is hoping to have an ever improving and great season.

The wrestling team has only two girls, Kyla Berman and Alison Oseceola on their team.

Berman and Oseceola are both multi-sport athletes.

Berman plays soccer and Oseceola plays golf. Berman decided to join the wrestling team this season.

“I have never done any sport remotely related to wrestling so there’s definitely a learning curve,” she said.

Berman is hoping to have a good season and always wants to improve and better herself.

The team has a dynamic and encouraging environment that allows everyone to be motivated.

“Everyone is very supportive and it’s cool to be around dedicated athletes,” she said.

She also says it is unfortunate that there aren’t more girls who wrestle.

“The next tournament, I can’t

Sports/Feature

wrestle at because there aren’t enough girls so there’s just no girls wrestling at all,” Berman explained.

Another wrestler, Paolo Bosques-Paulet, is looking forward to watching everyone and representing Arcata High.

He is excited and ready for the season and hopes that everyone will push themselves to improve.

“I think the team this year has a lot of potential and already there is a very strong community between wrestlers,” Bosques-Paulet said.

Go support wrestling in the first home match on January 24th at Arcata High!

lots of support throughout the season.

The first girl’s varsity home game is on January 3rd at 7:30 PM vs Fortuna, go out and support the girls varsity basketball team!

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Myla Conley, a sophomore said, “I’m most excited for the games.”

This is her second year cheering for basketball. She is excited to cheer in front of people and make bonds with the other girls.

Another second-year cheerleader sophomore Jenna Renteria said, “I hope to cheer more for the girl’s team this year.”

Both Conley and Renteria have found that the dances and making friends are their favorite parts of cheer.

AHS Cheer’s half-time performance at the AIBT tournament Boys Varsity Basketball Boys Varsity basketball has started off their season with the AIBT tournament. They are coached by Kellan Maynard.

Basketball Cheer They hope to have a fun and Basketball Cheer coached by Stephanie Childress and Syd- successful season.

All winter sports have many ni Avila, is ready to show off their routines at the basketball home games. If you have the chance, go out and support all games this year.

There are a couple of new the winter sports teams!

Go Tigers! people who have tried out and decided to join this season.

AHS Girl’s Varsity basketball team before one of their WAIBT games Girls Varsity Basketball The girl’s basketball team has AHS’ wrestling team after the Battle of the Border Tournament. started their season and is hoping to have a very successful one. The WAIBT occurred at the beginning of December and the girls placed second overall.

Kyndle Eisner, a junior at Arcata High School said, “I am looking forward to the season this year. I think the team has a lot of potential and I am excited for what’s to come this season.”

The girls are looking forward to the season and hope to have

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Feature

The Pepperbox | Page 11

Instagram besties with your teachers?

Ella Newman

Social Media Manager

H

ave you ever searched up your teachers on Facebook? Instagram? Students tend to be interested in teacher’s lives outside of school.

It proves that they are real people, not just robots who are always in the same classroom.

But do you ever wonder if teachers have done the same for you?

Searched you up on social media or came across your accounts before? Maybe you even follow some teachers or they follow you?

The question regarding social media interaction is, what are the pros and cons of students and teachers following each other?

I want to open up a conversation and find out both teacher and students opinions on this topic.

Senior Tobias Sanchez both follows teachers and lets teachers follow him on Instagram. The only interaction he’s had with his teachers through social media is liking each other’s posts.

His personal opinion is that it’s “ok [to follow one another] because we all have lives outside of school, but if it’s a weird situation then you shouldn’t be following them,” and that it’s “a teacher’s choice” because it’s separate and outside of school.

Personality is a big factor in wanting to follow a teacher. For example if they’re more outgoing he feels it could be more fun and inviting to follow.

Senior Saneya Khattab follows and lets certain teachers follow her social media accounts, also only on Instagram. Teachers will like her posts or occasionally comment.

“It depends on the amount of interaction you’re doing with the students,” Khattab said, referring to her personal opinions on the pros and cons.

“If teachers are liking your bikini pictures from Hawai’i, then that’s an issue. But if it’s liking your graduation pictures, less of a red flag. I think it all depends on the nature of the post, how they’re interacting with it, and how often they’re interacting. I’m just a firm believer that if a student is uncomfortable with the social media presence they’re getting from a teacher they should unadd them, block them, or talk to administration about it,” explained Khattab.

Art teacher Tim Clewell has a policy to not follow students until they graduate.

Though he lets students of any grade follow him because he mainly posts his artwork.

He claims he doesn’t want to follow students until they graduate because he, “doesn’t need to be wrapped up in your [students] drama.”

He adds that, “if people wanna talk I’m there to chat with them.”

Clewell also expresses that his purpose on this campus is to help promote the love of art, and Instagram can do that for him and students.

There is inspiration and motivation towards each other creating artwork and it’s a positive thing to Clewell.

Students may follow to see his work and get inspired. For those who he may follow that have graduated, he likes to see that they’re still making art, what they are creating, and where they are in life.

Clewell believes there is good and bad in interaction through social media with students, and he defines whether it’s right or wrong as a gray area.

“I don’t want to dip into that gray area. If a student wants to share or if a person is having a hard time and they want to come to me because they feel I’m a safe person to talk to then great. You know me,

and I want to be open enough that students will feel comfortable with me if they have a problem. But for me it’s a little too nosey to go seeking that out,” he said.

Senior Anson Pera shares that he only follows our principal, Ron Perry, on Instagram, and doesn’t have any teachers following his social media.

He believes that it can be a little weird to have your teachers on social media, and that, “If a teacher wants to reach out to you it should be over email or at school. It’s a little weird because when it gets to social media it’s a little personal.”

History and Leadership teacher Jennifer Coriell both follows and lets students follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and BeReal.

Though she adds that she is selective.

“I don’t add students that I don’t know and who I don’t already have an established relationship with,” she said.

Coriell’s Instagram and Facebook consists of photos of her kids and family, school events and promotions, and her hobbies.

She likes to keep it “mellow and lowkey” and enjoys that social me-

dia is a way to keep in contact with her students, past or present.

She says that BeReal is “an opportunity to see what people are actually doing and it’s a more authentic version of social media.”

Her advice to other teachers is that they need to be very careful when it comes to social media and students.

“I don’t recommend it unless you are just very careful and conscientious about what you’re putting out there and reminding the same things to your students.”

Coriell would also like to remind students that in school or not, she is a mandated reporter for us. If she sees something dangerous, illegal, or harmful to a student, she has to report it to the school.

Overall, social media seems to be more positive than negative for students and teachers.

It shows us the reality of each other’s lives from a new perspective, different from what you see in a school week.

But the takeaway is to remember that what you put out there, stays there forever and the world can see it. Be smart and report what isn’t safe.

Finn Clark/PEPPERBOX

Substitute teacher Anna Pretlow taking her BeReal with students.

AIBT player profiles Dawson Vallerga

Brandon Bento-Jackson

Favorite hype song: “Out the way” by Yeat Basketball inspiration: Steve Nash Pre game ritual: Listens to music, “starve myself for hours before the game.”

How to get over a loss: “I cry myself to sleep.”

Playing since: 5 years old BB shoes brand: KD’s Favorite sports drink: “Gatorade, but it’s gotta be lemon-lime or I can’t get in the mood to play.

Goals: Wants to play basketball in college

Luke Lemke

Hype song: “Any driggs song” Basketball inspiration: “Brandon Bento-Jackson, he’s just simply the best” Pre game ritual: “We pray in the locker room” How to get over a loss: “I don’t think about it” Playing since: 5 years old BB shoe brand: “KD 15 Aunt Pearl” Favorite sports drink: Gatorade “specifically lemon lime” Goals: “I definitely want to play basketball in the future.”

Favorite hype song: Faneto by Chief Keef Basketball inspiration: “Lebron James, of course” Pre game ritual: “listen to the fortune cookies” How to get over a loss: “Read more fortune cookies and bang my head into the wall” Playing since he was a wee little lad BB shoe brand: Kobe 4 Protro Favorite sports drink: “Piss colored Gatorade is the way to go.”

Goals: “I want to play in college, we’ll see if I make it.”

WAIBT player profiles

Lily Rust-Kelley:

Favorite hype song: “Stir Fry” by Migos Game day ritual: Listening to music with teammates Caroline and Alia, “and of course doing their hair.”

Lucky hair style: “If I don’t have a high ponytail in, I feel like I won’t play well.”

How to get over a loss: “I dwell on the loss for a little bit, but then I remind myself there is going to be another chance.”

Played since: 6th grade for school and takes it up as a hobby Favorite sports drink: “I usually just have water but if I somehow manage to get a light blue gatorade that would be amazing” Favorite basketball shoes: “Any that fit and are not brightly colored, I don’t do the bright colored ones.”

Alia Prentiss

Melanie Luh:

Favorite hype song: Humble by Kendrick Lamar Inspiration: My teammates “They work hard and show up everyday” Game day ritual: “In between the end of school and game time I sleep, it’s really bad but I do it before every game” Favorite Quote: “Just do it” How to get over a loss: Refocusing and knowing what they can work on.

“We also don’t get mad at any specific person because that’s unhealthy” Played since: 8 or 9 years old. “My mom just thought I needed somewhere to vent my energy because I was quite a rambunctious kid so she put me on the team, Arcata rec.”

Favorite sports drink: “I actually don’t ever drink sports drinks because of Ms. Griffith. She would always throw an ti-sport drinks propaganda at us.”

Favorite hype song: “Right now it’s Glock In My Lap by 21 Savage.”

Inspiration: Sue Bird. “Megan Rapinoe really, but she has nothing to do with basketball.”

Game day ritual: “I used to shotgun a Redbull before every game, but now I just listen to music dangerously loud.”

How to get over a loss: “I just tell myself to remember that there is going to be another game very soon.”

Goals: “At this point it’s just for fun, I don’t want to play in college.”

Favorite basketball shoes: “Anything BUT Lebrons, because mine popped and now it’s so uncomfortable when I play.”

Favorite sports drink: Lemon lime gatorade, “yeah the one that looks like piss.”

The Pepperbox | Page 14

Feature

Monday, January 9th, 2023

AHS teachers’ holiday traditions Madelyn Conley Co-Editor-in-Chief

T

he holidays are not only enjoyed by students, but the teachers at Arcata High also enjoy celebrating the winter holidays and their traditions with their families.

The holidays are a time to be with family, eat good food, and relax.

As teacher’s have gotten older and had children of their own, the holidayshave become much different.

This doesn’t mean that the holiday’s aren’t fun for them, if anything it makes them even more special.

“Now that I’m a dad I get to celebrate that with my children which is pretty special,” social studies teacher Adam Pinkerton said.

Common traditions between the teachers at AHS were decorating the Christmas tree, looking at Christmas lights, and eating a good meal with their families.

“Having everybody together for a sit down meal is really special because we’re all so busy in our everyday lives and we’re all spread out, so it’s just nice to have that time together,” Spanish teacher Kelly Fernandes said.

This time of year is full of fun activities for those to do. Skiing, snowboarding, baking cookies, watching movies, and traveling are just a few of the activities that people take a part in.

“We do a lot of the standard traditions. My family and I go and cut down the biggest tree that we can barely even get home, we drink hot chocolate, make gingerbread houses and soft pretzels, and have a lot of family time,” science teacher Alyssa Kell said.

Other teachers at AHS also have special activities that they do with their families every year during the holidays.

“As a family we have some things we do every year. We always go to the Trucker Parade because our friends live on the route.

So we party, watch the trucks, and go back in and have dinner,” Ag teacher Andrew Pierce said.

He and his family also have a unique tradition that they do once a year around Christmas.

“It was the last year that my mother-in-law was alive, and we got rolled tacos from Raliberto’s and ate them in front of the lit-up Carson Mansion before going to see Christmas lights. Since then, my family and I have made it a tradition to do this once a year,” he said.

December is full of multiple holidays, which makes every family unique in their way of celebrating.

Some celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanza.

AAI teacher Johanna Mauro grew up celebrating Hanukkah because she is Jewish.

“When I got married, we combined our households, my husband celebrating Christmas and my family celebrating Hanukkah,” she said.

The holidays are a time to celebrate old traditions, but also make new ones.

“I think everything we do is a mix of what my husband and I were raised with, and how we like to tweak it for our family,” Kell said.

The winter holidays may be different kinds of celebrations, but they all bring families together.

They each hold memories built up over the years and involve special traditions.

“My kids and I will make our own ornaments and tamales which is something we started doing once I became a Spanish teacher because I learned this from others through traveling,” Fernandez said.

Mauro has a similar tradition

with her family where she gets each of her children a personalized ornament that represents what their latest interest is.

As the years go on, they will each have a collection that represents their passions from that year. Christmas is so many people’s favorite holiday.

Pinkerton described Christmas as “the perfect combination of weather changing, time off of work, time to see family especially from out of area, and a lot of memories built up over time.”

Pierce’s favorite holiday is also Christmas. He has multiple things he loves to do to celebrate it.

“My favorite things about Christmas are spending time with my family, which is the most important thing, and I love eating food and singing Christmas carols and playing my ukulele,” he said.

“Going and cutting down a tree and getting together with family you don’t always see” are woodshop teacher Lex Rohn’s favorite things to do during Christmas.

Some of the best parts about

the winter holidays are the home cooked meals and good food associated with them.

“My favorite holiday foods, besides rolled tacos, are a good honey baked ham, biscuits, and cranberry sauce,” Pierce said.

“Mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, and then some more mashed potatoes,” Kell said.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Pierce/PEPPERBOX

Andrew Pierce’s kids making gingerbread cookies.

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Kell/PEPPERBOX

Every year after Thanksgiving Kell’s family stays in a hotel on Union Square in SF and enjoys the Christmas activities there.

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Feature

The Pepperbox | Page 15

AHS spikes in senioritis cases Raymi Sharp

S

Reporter

enioritis is no joke. Some say that senioritis is for kids that have no plans for their life, no goals or motivation, no sense of a work ethic.

Those who have caught senoritis are described as, “lazy,” and “doomed for failure.” I believe that senioritis is a contagious thing that roams the halls of AHS waiting for its next victim.

Some might say that senioritis takes the form of teachers. They are the ones infecting the kids, and driving them away.

Whatever senioritis is, it is no secret that it is going around quickly and it has affected many students here on campus.

Senior Aiyana Stephens claimed

to be one of the first victims of the disease having been infected as early as junior year.

Stephens spends her days, “either at work or with friends,” instead of spending hours upon hours a week at school.

Senior Tres Adams is another victim of senioritis. Adams said, “I started skipping classes once the periods got long and I got a truck.”

If the surf’s good you won’t catch Tres in the halls, as he says, “I surf if it’s good, then I sleep in my car.”

Some of the most popular classes to skip are the elective classes, especially Physical Education.

Senior Josie Powell said it’s because, “PE is boring and I’d rather spend my time elsewhere.”

It’s the plain and simple truth.

What senior would want to spend their last few months of high

school cooped up in a stinky gym playing dodgeball?

Senioritis really is no joke. It is something that can easily take you over, but in some ways I think all seniors should experience it to a degree.

It’s not always a bad thing to take a day to yourself and let go

with her mother should have been stronger and more supportive like in the past,” she explained.

Another critique the show faced was the accusation that Tim Burton’s decision to cast black actors as bullies was racist. Overall, Lockwood said, “It’s a must watch show and I would rate it a 4.5/5.”

If you dive into the frenzy that is the internet, you’ll find some fun facts about the show.

For example, Christina Ricci plays a teacher in the show and played Wednesday Addams in the original 90’s show.

Also, the character Thing is played by Victor Dorobantu in a blue suit. Pictures on his Instagram show him during filming but only his hand appears on screen.

Actress Jenna Ortega, who portrays Wednesday, owns the role.

For this character, she learned archery, fencing, and how to play

cello.

She also choreographed a dance that was featured in the show, which included elements from 80’s goth dance and dance moves of the 1964 Wednesday Addams.

“Season Two was just confirmed,” Nova Baur, sophomore, said.

“I love that Tim Burton filmed it, so it had a lot of creative integrity,” Baur continued.

“They’re all f***ing weird. How is there not a single other emo kid at the school for outcasts? And why was everyone in the scene when she was playing the cello looking like they were gonna have an orgasm?” Baur said she would rate it 4.2 or a 4.3 out of 5 stars.

I’ve watched the first season three times. Wednesday’s wit made me smile and the cinematography was amazing.

I love a strong female lead.

of all the stress school brings. It is easy to let it consume you so be careful, but not too careful.

To all my seniors, there’s only a few months left, so take a step back and make sure you’re doing the most with it.

What’s up with “Wednesday?”

Ilana Maclay News Editor

M

ost people won’t attempt murder if their brother is bullied, but Wednesday of the Addams family has different values.

The new show “Wednesday’’ aired on Netflix November 23rd, a Wednesday. It is based on the “Addams Family” movies and features the character Wednesday going to a boarding school and solving mysteries.

The debut season is filled with monster hunting, cliche high school problems, romance, and macabre humor.

“I had heard about the show before it came out, and checked back on it at least once a week because I was so excited,” Freshman Anwen Lockwood said.

“I thought that her relationship

Wednesday is a non-conformist who secretly enjoys that people don’t like her.

If you enjoy a gory mystery murder adventure, this show is for you. Go check it out!

The Pepperbox | Page 16

Opinion

Monday, January 9th, 2023

All I wanted for Christmas is break Alex Phelan Art Director

T

his year the winter break started on the 23rd of December… two days before Christmas.

In past years, the break has started days earlier and the late start has students and teachers asking “Why?” The break starting on the 23rd raised a lot of concerns regarding travel and finals.

“Honestly, it makes me a little more [stressed about] finals because it gives you less time to finish your final,” sophomore Jayden Virrueta said.

With teachers worrying about their student’s attendance for finals, Virrueta isn’t the only one

stressing.

“It will be inconvenient for a lot of people looking to see their families for the holidays,” sophomore Nyrie Broderick said.

This is what seemed to be the biggest worry, both students and teachers having their family time limited or completely taken away.

By the time teachers and students were be able to travel, it was almost Christmas Eve. This caused problems for teachers and students, because they were unsure of when they would have time to balance holiday shopping, preparing for travels, and finals week.

Teachers had to figure out how they could see their own families, while still making the grading deadline for their students’ finals,

“I’m from Pennsylvania, and I have to fly as soon as we’re done.

So, I’ll have to leave the last day of finals, without everything graded like I normally do,” science teacher Shannon Kresge said.

“I just feel like putting an extra week in between breaks is kind of making things a little bit more tense, and I feel like I’m having more absences the closer we get,” Kresge said.

Aside from traveling, and for students who don’t celebrate Christmas, the late start to the break was still an issue.

With the flu, Covid, and RSV making its rounds, many students were out sick for days or even weeks at a time, which left them feeling completely lost and unprepared for finals week.

It seems like an earlier start to the break is a popular idea amongst students, faculty, and teachers.

Even with only one extra week in between breaks, many felt incapable of completing their finals.

“I don’t think we were ever given a reason of why it was later,” Virrueta added.

The Pepperbox reached out to Ron Perry regarding the break’s late start, but did not receive a response before our deadline.

My hope, and the hope of many other Arcata High members is to have an earlier start to break in the coming years.

Now due to the earthquake, our final schedule got screwed up. Not having school on the Tuesday before break has caused some finals to roll over.

Holiday movie kiss/marry/kills

Most Killed: Cousin Eddie

Most Married: hristmas is right around the corner, which Buddy the Elf means people are start-

Morgan Ford

C

Reporter

ing to watch their favorite Christmas movies. And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably watching the same movies on repeat all month, and maybe for the next couple of months.

There are several Christmas movie characters that are simply iconic, and I wanted to find out which ones are really the favorites. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to turn the popular game “Kiss, Marry, Kill,” into a Christmas character rating system.

I asked about 40 Arcata High students, however you can probably tell that only about half of them actually gave me a decent response.

Most Kissed: Scrooge Illustrations by Rogue Russell

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Opinion

The Pepperbox | Page 17

Deck the halls or get decked Sagen Sarchett Co-Sports Editor

D

uring the holidays a lot of people’s craziness comes out in the form of decorating. ‘Tis the season to box up all the everyday decor and bring out the festivity!

It is definitely a spectrum because every single person does decorating a bit differently and it ranges on a scale I like to call, 1 to Santa’s Workshop.

Personally, over at my house it’s a whole winter wonderland! The absolute second it starts getting chilly in the air before Thanksgiving is when it’s time to throw down.

Junior Jocie Hague agrees with me.

“If you don’t decorate you’re Scrooge because my family decorated on November first!” Hague said.

Junior Lexie Alto has a different opinion however.

“Definitely the day after Thanks-

giving, no sooner,” she said.

Another thing is the Christmas tree. If you don’t have a real tree without a good reason, then why even decorate in the first place.

Fake trees are a disgrace and only under a few circumstances are they acceptable.

Senior Lila Wolf said on this topic, “I prefer real Christmas trees because I enjoy going out in the snow with my family and cutting one down.”

The only times it’s okay to have a fake tree is if number one, it is kept outside or number two, you have multiple trees in the house and the fake one isn’t the main attraction.

“We have a tree in every room of the house but not my mom’s bedroom because she’s the Grinch,” Alto said.

This is a fact for a multitude of reasons including real trees smell one hundred times better and they look better than a decorated plastic toilet brush.

“Personally, we have one of each

one real and one fake tree. One in the entryway of the house and one in the living room,” Hague said.

The last thing that has to be done, aside from the inside of the house and the tree, is the lights.

LIGHTS! Having lights on the outside of the house is the key component to not being Ebenezer Scrooge each holiday season.

My mom’s philosophy on this is that NASA should have to let out a warning to the people in space because they’ll be able to see our house.

I don’t know how many times we’ve blown a fuse and had all the lights go out. We like to make it look like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Sagen Sarchett/PEPPERBOX

Mochas that serve your tastebuds Alauna Thompson

I

Reporter

’m back again trashin’ drinks that won’t make you want to violently throw up in a sexy, funny, and intelligent way.

If you thought the line would be long during the fall, trust me, it’s worse now.

Prayin’ that the peppermint mocha is actually peppermint mocha and not one of the worker’s special delight that I know they’ve been wanting to give me after my last drink review.

I’ve also feared asking for anything from Ramone’s in case I get a day old mixed berry scone thrown

at my head.

So I have to purchase my mouthguard, pack my bags, and kiss my misses goodbye to review some nay or slay drinks.

The first drink that I and two others reviewed was the peppermint mocha from Jitterbean.

I thought the drink was pretty slay, yet again, Jitterbean just knows what they’re doing I guess.

Sophia Griffin thought that it had a good taste and a good amount of sweetness in it. Cleo Barnes thought the same.

I was a little worried to try the peppermint mocha from Ramone’s, mainly because of how expensive the last drink was for basically just

a drip of coffee.

Let’s just say they know how to make a mocha because I searched day and night for the non existent peppermint taste.

I could see myself buying this again if no other place is open.

“Oh girl this is sweet, sweet” Barnes said.

The peppermint mocha from Starbucks was, let’s just say, not bad but not good. I mean, ya, my cup is empty right now, but still.

“I like the taste but it does just taste like a mocha,” Griffin said.

I would have to agree that it is basically just a mocha, which is kinda annoying considering it is like a dollar more for the pepper-

mint syrup.

I would have to say the best drink was the peppermint mocha from Jitterbean. It was cheaper and that much needed peppermint taste was there.

Barnes and Griffin also said this drink was the best out of all of them. I would have to say Starbucks was the second best and at the bottom of the pyramid, no it’s not Jojo Siwa...

Ramones. Though it wasn’t bad, it was a little too sweet for my liking. After reviewing drinks for the second time I’ve come to the conclusion that I need a job.

Maybe I’ll try to get one from Starbucks or something.

The Pepperbox | Page 18

Opinion

Monday, January 9th, 2023

The importance of Hanukkah Jaimeanne O’Donnell

E

Reporter

ight. That number may not mean much to most people, but it means a lot for those who celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah.

“Hanukkah is the story of few winning against many. Temples are supposed to have an ever-burning light that never goes out,” Junior Elana Griffin explained.

“The miracle of Hanukkah was that there was only enough oil left at the temple for one night, but it lasted for eight nights, which is how long it took to make new oil to rededicate the temple,” Griffin said.

To symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights instead of

one, most Jewish families eat food fried in oil like latkes and donuts for Hanukkah.

“My father and I are both not religious, but we still celebrate Hanukkah,” AAI teacher Johanna Mauro said.

Many people, religious or otherwise, celebrate Hannukah.

“I believe it is the holiday that most Jewish people celebrate, even if they are not religious at all,” Griffin said.

Some of my favorite parts of Hanukkah were lighting the candles every night and gift exchanging.

While not every family exchanges gifts, my family does, even if we don’t do it consistently every year.

Griffin said that some of her

favorite parts of Hanukkah were also “lighting the candles” with her family “and singing the blessing together.”

Dreidel is one of the most popular games that Jewish people play during Hanukkah.

The prize for winning in the game Dreidel was that you would get a chocolate coin, at least for my family.

Chocolate coins are also known as gelt in Jewish families.

This year, Hanukkah started Sunday, December 18th and ended Monday, December 26th.

Hanukkah may not be one of the most vital holidays to me, but it is still a nice way to have fun with family.

“I think any family tradition is

Welcoming the new year!

Ossian Briar-Bonpane Co-Photo Editor

G

etting a girlfriend, making it out alive, keeping up on school, developing self respect, starting to work out, seeing more of the world, working on more art, overcoming anxiety, and writing a book are among some of the New year’s resolutions that Arcata High students have for 2023.

40% of students said that they do feel a lot of societal pressure to follow through with the idea of “new year, new me,” but it doesn’t necessarily matter to them.

The majority of students don’t make resolutions, and if they do, they don’t actually write them down.

“I think what is most important is to reflect on how you feel about your own actions over the last year and how you personally want to improve, not just to give into societal norms,” Taylor Nada said.

Senior Emma Kaber said, “‘New year, new me’ is bull and we all know it.”

There can be a lot of toxicity or a lot of positive growth in making resolutions, depending on how it’s done.

“Shedding my old skin is painfull,” one student said.

“Starting a new chapter can be a good thing however, if there’s too much pressure on it then it can have a negative impact,” another student said.

For seniors especially, this new year of 2023 can be emotional.

As one AHS senior shared, “2023 means going into [their] final time at AHS and in Humboldt. The year ‘23 has been part of [their] life since [being] assigned a school ID in kindergarten as the date [they] would move on from everything.”

Another described it as a reminder of “time ticking endlessly into the future, so the more moments [seized], the better”.

2023 will mark the last year of

high school for senior students.

For some, this is bittersweet and emotional, and others have been prepared to leave high school since they got here.

Even if students haven’t made resolutions, they still love to celebrate, whether it was by staying up all night, partying, spending time with family, watching fireworks, drinking Martenelli’s, serenading their neighbors, or watching movies.

Reflecting back on 2022 can look different for different people. Even if you feel like you accomplished nothing this year, you probably did.

Arcata High students shared responses about what 2022 gave them on a wide spectrum ranging from death, agony, stress, worsened mental health, debt, trust is-

important. It brings you closer together as a family and gives you something to look forward to,” Mauro said.

Happy Hanukkah to the Jewish students of Arcata High!

Ilana Maclay/PEPPERBOX

sues, one less year of life, and new enemies to wonderful new friends, wisdom, good memories, self respect, and confidence.

Students accomplished some beautiful things this past year, like traveling to Europe and exploring the world, going to concerts, graduating eighth grade and starting high school, getting jobs, going on road trips, doing homework, taking tribal language courses, applying for college, and even just doing their best to keep going.

So, try not to put too much pressure on yourself, and instead celebrate yourself for getting as far as you have and for all the room there is to grow.

Monday, January 9th, 2023

A&E

The Pepperbox | Page 19

AHS musical extravaganza Dylan Berman Co-Editor-in-Chief

T

he Annual Armack Winter Concert took place in the Arcata High School Fine Arts Building on December 14th with performances from the Arcata High Steel Pan Band, Choir, Jazz Band, Chamber Ensemble, and Orchestra. The Steel Pan Band was a highlight of the show. Their performance felt very well-rehearsed, and the different parts came together to create a beautifully textured set of pieces. Julian Wan and Thomas Fitzmaurice both delivered impressively catchy solos.

“I felt great about it. I was groovin’ the entire time,” said Wan regarding his solo. The bands’ rendition of “Hard Times” by Boogsie Sharp was smooth and energetic.

I also loved their opener, “Mariella’s Dance” by Roy Holman. They concluded with “Barbara” by Aus-

tin Lyons, a bouncy and dynamic piece that shifted through several melodic passages.

Choir followed the Pans, singing a traditional Askenazi melody titled “Blessing Over the Menorah,” which was beautiful and fit with the holiday season. Their rendition of the song “She,” by Laura Mvula and Steve Brown was powerful with six amazing solos from members of the choir, and a strong feminist message in the lyrics.

Jack Dixon absolutely killed it on the drums in the Jazz Band performance, and I really enjoyed the stand up bass solos done by Ian Drop.

Miles Schmidt’s impressive tap dancing added a lot to Jazz Band’s rendition of “Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker. The back and forth drum and tap solo section was thrilling and unique.

After them, the Chamber Ensemble group performed “Jesu, Joy

of Man’s Desiring,” by Johann Sebastian Bach. This was a piece they brought together with a wonderful and complex harmony.

Last was the Orchestra. They played some of their songs well, but “only had three and a half weeks to practice” according to Orchestra conductor Cassandra Moulton. I enjoyed their compilation of songs from the “Chronicles of Narnia” soundtrack. It moved

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from slow and mysterious to a dramatic crescendo of strings. They also sounded good playing “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” from the Nutcracker.

I greatly enjoyed the Armack Winter Concert, and will be attending the Orchestra’s silent film events, happening January 19th through 22nd at McKinleyville High School.

Dylan Berman/PEPPERBOX

The Pepperbox | Page 20

A&E

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Christmas cinematography Seneca Turechek

I

Co- Feature Editor

’m back again to give you some funny, coquette, killer, cute, dazzling, uproarious, and riveting Christmas movie recommendations that won’t make you want to gouge your eyes out.

For too long has society normalized all holiday related media propaganda to force you to believe that Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Instead, it is a time to participate in capitalism, deforestation, and media consumerism, so let’s get into the Christmas spirit!

Here’s some holiday movies that won’t make you want to bash your head into a wall and join the Satanic temple.

the little town of Winter Hollow.

This is a heartwarming film that will truly put you in the holiday spirit and you have no excuse not to watch it because it is only 22 minutes long.

This story makes it easy to live, laugh, and love Christmas, and I would recommend watching. This may be the nostalgia talking, but I would rate A Scooby Doo Christmas 10/10.

It never fails to make me want to participate in holiday consumer culture.

I love a good holiday horror movie, 10/10. Black Christmas makes me want to disable my phone and listen to It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Santa’s Slay

Black Christmas

A Very Glee Christmas (S2 E10)

A Scooby Doo Christmas

Who doesn’t love a good Scooby Doo movie? We all grew up watching them, unless you had a sad childhood, which is why it would be appalling to exclude A Scooby Doo Christmas from this list.

This is a short animated film released in 2002 and follows the gang we all know and love as they solve the mystery of a sinister headless snowman that terrorizes

I would give this episode a 8/10. I docked points because Lea Michele is one of the main characters (luckily she won’t be able to read this), but I promise the spontaneous break out in Last Christmas makes the pain worth it. Still, A Very Glee Christmas is an immortal classic.

Ok so this isn’t a movie, but hear me out. A Very Glee Christmas is the most festive episode of the most culturally significant television show of this generation.

To not discuss the cultural reset that was season 2 episode 10 would be a crime against humanity. Just a trigger warning for anyone who watches this, Will Schuester is in it. #stayschuesterphobic.

If you like to watch a bunch of highschool outcasts go classroom to classroom caroling while they get shoes thrown at them, this is the show for you.

To address the elephant in the room, yes, this movie was selected based on the title. Santa’s Slay is a horror comedy from 2005 where Santa is the son of Satan.

After 1,000 years of being cursed to deliver presents, he can Black Christmas is a holiday finally return back to his roots and horror movie first released in 1974 partake in the day of slaying, or that follows a group of sorority what we all know as Christmas. sisters being hunted by a mysIf you ever wondered how you terious cloaked killer who they can festively murder an entire suspect to be a serial killer on a family, watch the opening scene murder spree while a majority of Santa Slay. of students are home for winter This movie was really interbreak. esting and not too scary, so this The girls decide to work togeth- is a great watch if you want a er to end the bloodshed. There non-traditional Christmas movie. have been multiple remakes of Santa’s Slay is a solid 7/10, this festive slasher made in 2006 it wasn’t the best and it wasn’t and 2019, but they are mediocre the worst and I would definitely at best. watch again.

The 1974 version however is so good, which is why they kept This article may be deceiving remaking them until they sucked. but I actually hate Christmas If you’re a person that likes to get movies. So now that I’ve officially in the holiday spirit who hates wasted hours of my life, all I have the cheesy holiday chick flicks, I to say is… you’re welcome. would highly recommend it.

Happy watching ladies!

Monday, January 9th, 2023

A&E

The Pepperbox | Page 21

First time earth-quakers Dylan Berman Co-Editor-in-Chief

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6.4 earthquake hit Northern California in the early hours of Tuesday December

20th.

This was an exciting or terrifying event for anyone who didn’t somehow manage to sleep through it, but for some Arcata High School students, it was more than that. It was their first earthquake ever.

“I’ve never experienced a natural disaster before,” said junior and German exchange student Laura Laux. “Where I live in Germany there are no earthquakes.”

Laux woke up when the earthquake first hit and as it intensified,

she was too shocked to process the potential danger, or even move.

“It does kind of scare me when I think back and think about what could’ve happened. It could’ve been much worse,” she said.

Luckily, only a few glasses and vases fell in her home, with no other damage occurring. On the bright side, she was happy with an extra day of study time for some of her finals.

“I kinda liked the one day without power, but I’m sure if it went on for longer it probably would have annoyed me,” she said.

Alex White is an AHS junior who moved here from New York in 2020, and this was his first experience with an earthquake.

“It didn’t scare me as much as it did startle me awake,” he said. “It was definitely not a picnic, but it wasn’t bad.”

White woke up at the height of the quake, describing it as “loud rumbling and violent shaking.”

His home suffered more serious damage, the earthquake leading to cracks in his bedroom walls. Every shelf in his room ended up on the floor.

“It definitely is alarming that something like that or worse can happen with no warning, I was on edge for many days after,” he said.

White enjoyed the aftermath of the earthquake similarly to Laux.

“The aftermath was actually pretty cool, the town was blacked

out and everyone was scrambling around,” he said. “There were fault lines across the roads on either side of my house so that was a bit annoying.”

Both Laux and White are now very aware that something like this could happen again.

The Triple Mendicino Junction, off the coast of Humboldt is an intersection of three tectonic plates, which contributes to the high rate of seismic activity across Northern California.

“I knew that when I came here earthquakes were a possiblity. I never really think about the fact that we could have an earthquake at any time, but this definitely reminded me of it,” said Laux.

World cup fans at Arcata High Lazarus Onyango

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Reporter

he World Cup is the most prestigious football tournament in the world. I am from Uganda so I say football, not this ridiculous word “soccer.” Only Americans say that.

The World Cup consists of 32 teams that represent nations all over the world for a prize, with continental qualification pathways leading to an exciting finals event.

It brings fans together around the passion and love for the game.

The country hosting the World Cup this year was Qatar. For the first time in history, women are officially refereeing World Cup games.

This World Cup came with excitement, even here at Arcata High. Staff and students on campus had something to share about the 2022 World Cup going on.

When the governing body of soccer FIFA chose Qatar to host

this year’s world cup, it generated controversy and accusations of corruption because Qatar has no pro soccer team and the world cup had to be moved to the winter because it’s too hot in the summer to play soccer.

History teacher Owen Moore is “appalled” that it’s taking place during Christmas and it’s a distraction from other sports. He is more than surprised that a nation without a pro team is hosting the World Cup. “FIFA is a brazenly corrupt organization and nothing they do surprises me,” Moore said. “FIFA has and still has been a disgrace to football for a very long time,” he continued.

Sophomore Izaiah Grozveld, a big soccer fan, said it’s an amazing tournament to watch and he hopes Brazil will win the World Cup. With many talks about the World Cup all the time in her household, Gabriela Davidson enjoys all the forms of the World Cup and it cuts across like all the Tik-

Toks.

Carolyn Bareilles said there is good, bad, and ugly about the tournament. Having the World Cup at this time of year is odd because most of the players are still in their season.

It’s also a challenge for the players because they had a week to get together before the tournament.

And students are in school meaning many students want to watch in class.

Social studies teacher Adam Pinkerton has caught a few students watching games in his class, which is not ok to do. However, when the time is right he would put the game up on the board for the class to watch.

“Students in class don’t watch games, but they use the class to learn about the world and different cultures and sometimes soccer helps in the learning process,” social studies teacher Jeff Mielke said.

Bareilles said she understood that some students would like to

watch the games. ”It’s a form of German culture to watch soccer, and it’s amazing to see some of my students watch soccer for the first time,” she said.

Many students said that Neil Kalson is their favorite teacher concerning the World Cup saying that he loves the game and lets students watch during class.

“The World Cup is a stage for underdog nations to shock the world with incredible performances that makes the tournament interesting,” Kalson said.

Argentina champions of the World, finally here is a nation’s new throng of immortals.

Lionel Messi has conquered his final peak, shaken hands with paradise, and climbed into a galaxy of his own, and of course, he is not alone.

The greatest player of the all time finally has the greatest accolade football can afford him at the end of the greatest football match ever played.

The Pepperbox | Page 22

Opinion

The Saltbox Santa is totally real AF Toni Diaz Copy Editor

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hy is Santa Claus still a thing? Who took his story and decided to run a 5k marathon with it?... NO! The REAL question is WHO put out the idea that Santa Claus is not real, and decided to run the 10k!?

Because, newsflash, you’re a menace, and he’s REAL AF! I mean what? What god awful, twisted, sick, dark, dream crushing kind of Grinch would ever even THINK that Santa is fake? Clearly someone who’s heart is two sizes too small if you know what I mean.

It doesn’t even begin to make one bit of sense as to how he could be fake. If he was fake then where on Earth did the idea of him being real come from? Where did the image of him in which we all know come from? The stories? Mhm… exactly.

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Things we’re salty about.

He had to have been seen and then talked about, because there is no way some random person made him up. He is REAL. Let’s start with the leaving out cookies tradition. If he’s fake then where do the cookies go? The only reasonable answer is that long ago some kids put cookies out for him as an act of kindness and he ACTUALLY ate them. Which is exactly what happened. Record or no record.

And keep it to yourself Krampus if you’re thinking your parents eat them. We all know damn well the parents who bash us for eating sugar are not gonna eat a plate full of cookies. However, I could get behind the fact that they share with Santa.

If you genuinely, seriously, wholeheartedly believe Santa is fake, you’re wrong. Simply incorrect, your opinion is not only invalid but also irrelevant and you

should seriously get your sanity checked out. Also you are #cancelled.

Unless maybe you are just holding a grudge against the poor old guy because you were a bad little stinker one year and got coal, but c’mon kid that’s all on you.

Which leads me to this, all the Scrooges out there who even after all these years of Christmas think he’s fake, you are just clinically insane.

Like seriously, he is watching you. How else would he know you took the terrible twos to a whole other level?

He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, and he knows if you’ve been bad or good. So all you naughty kids best believe it was in fact the man himself who gave you coal for the 12 months of misbehavior and the exhaustion you

caused your parents.

Not a single person should think Santa is made up because that is absolute CAP. Santa Claus is REAL AF!

decked in red from head-to-toe who squeezes himself down your chimney (or front door, if you lacked one), eats all your cookies, and leaves a bunch of presents beneath your tree.

That is, as long as one simple condition was met; that you have been good this year.

However, dear friends, your parents were being EVIL and LYING to you.

Santa is not only a false prophet whose existence is scientifically impossible, but a symbol of authoritarian fascism meant to stifle the spirits of children worldwide by stuffing them into such arbitrary boxes as “bad” and “good.”

Just think about it for a moment! How would such a fat man fit through the chimneys when, according to Missouri University, chimneys are hardly ever over thirteen inches in diameter? Isn’t that forced intrusion, anyways?

What a weirdo.

And what about the magical reindeer? They surely aren’t pulling that sleigh around the world by their own choice.

I mean, Santa has already shown himself more than willing to put aside morality and enslave the elves for his benefit. Someone tell these elves they can create a union!

Besides, the distance around

the world is 24,901 miles. Without even considering the time Santa would spend inside each house, the deer would have to move at a minimum of 2,075 miles per hour just to make the trip. The sheer number of calories necessary for such a journey taken at such a speed could not be held in the tender, delicate bodies of reindeer. If my dad had told me they were elk, maybe I would’ve been fooled.

In conclusion, Santa Claus is not real. I’m sorry.

We must start being honest with ourselves and accept that our trust was broken during the most vulnerable times of our lives, so we may break the cycle.

Anthony Vasek/PEPPERBOX

Open your eyes, Santa was never real Anthony Vasek Co-Photo Editor

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s a young American, you’re told enough lies by the time you’re eighteen to kill an adult horse. Luckily, most are innocent: your blood is blue until it touches oxygen, if you swallow a watermelon seed, it’ll grow inside you, gum stays in your stomach for seven years, you use only 10% of your brain, etc.

However, every winter a much more sinister lie would come regarding the origin of your Christmas presents.

You were told of a fat, jolly man,

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Opinion

The Saltbox Hallmark movies suck Finn Clark

Co-Feature Editor

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sk almost anyone what the plot of a Hallmark movie is and the answer would be the exact same.

Girl has a problem. She usually lives in a giant house and makes bank. Small towns are always involved in said problem. Man fixes everything with the power of Christmas and testosterone.

It’s the same thing every single time. So why do we keep watching these movies?

The Hallmark Channel makes almost 500 billion dollars a year and just keeps churning out the

Y

A&E Editor

ou might be looking at the page right now, judging me for not knowing the common fact that tomatoes are fruits. I never said that tomatoes aren’t fruits.

I said tomatoes are vegetables. If you thought I didn’t know that tomatoes are fruits, you need to do research on logical fallacies. That was an example of false dichotomy. Fruits and vegetables are not mutually exclusive categories, and tomatoes fit into both. So do cucumbers, avocados, and eggplants.

The confusion lies in the two definitions of fruit.

A culinary fruit is a sweet plant, often used in desserts. A botanical fruit is the fleshy part of the plant that surrounds the seed. Most culinary fruits are botanical fruits. Ap-

Things we’re salty about.

worst things that everyone loves to watch. Why do I wanna watch a movie about two straight people getting together that has the same plotline of a million other movies I’ve seen?

Over and over again around the holiday season my eyes are subjected to the most irritating visual content of wavy haired, upper middle class blondes getting to be with the love of their life.

It’s not even just Hallmark making these movies. Copycats on copycats replicate the content, making movies like “Homeless for the Holidays”, “Holiday in Handcuffs”, and “Too Cool for Christmas” or “A Very Cool Christmas” depending on if you’re in the Unit-

ed States or Canada. That’s right, they made this film twice! If you want to subject yourself to the same movie but with different actors, just watch these two movies.

In one the main character has two dads, which was released in Canada, and another with the protagonist having a mom and a dad, for the Americans.

“Holiday in Handcuffs” features a thrilling case of Stockholm Syndrome mixed with Christmas cheer.

In the words of the main character of said movie, ”Doing one crazy thing does make you crazy, but it can also make you happy.” Which is a lie because watching this movie was a crazy thing but I’m not happy now. These movies are all

just a jumble of holiday feels mixed with wanting to watch normal people be super happy and have all their problems solved. Maybe that’s just what we all want; can’t have a happy holiday yourself so might as well watch someone else have one.

Even the posters for the movies are the exact same! You could play a spot the difference game with all the posters and it would take you hours to find any differences beyond their poses.

Hopefully soon robots will learn how to write the scripts for these (shouldn’t be too hard) and we can enjoy the fact no one is actually getting paid to churn out this generic nonsense.

ples, grapes, bananas, and lemons are all examples. However, some plants such as rhubarb are not botanical fruit but are sometimes considered culinary fruit. A vegetable is a plant that is not classified as a culinary fruit. There is no such thing as a vegetable, botanically speaking. Vegetables are a social construct. There are many botanical fruits that are culinary vegetables. Tomatoes are the prime example. Using tomatoes in a dessert would be absolutely abominable.

Similarly with cucumber, avocado, eggplant, and zucchini.

And this isn’t even getting me started on berries. Berries are the absolute worst offender of confusing culinary/botanical distinctions. A culinary berry is a small fruit. A botanical berry is a simple fruit consisting of a three-layered structure and is produced from a single ovary. Strawberries are

culinarily berries, but are not botanically berries. This is because they are produced from a cluster of ovaries. Avocados, bananas, and even our good friend the tomato are all botanical berries that are snubbed the title of culinary berry.

It’s so confusing to have the same word mean almost the same thing depending on context, but that’s

the English language for you. It’s not wrong to say that tomatoes are fruit. It is also not wrong to say that tomatoes are vegetables.

It IS wrong to say that “tomatoes are fruits, not vegetables” because tomatoes are fruits AND vegetables. But go ahead and keep being wrong. At the end of the day, vegetables are a social construct.

Tomatoes are vegetables Emma Kaber

The Pepperbox | Page 23

Earthquake Disaster In the early hours of Tuesday December 20th, a 6.4 earthquake gave the students of Arcata High and everyone in Northern California a rude awakening. The epicenter of the quake was near Ferndale, meaning nearby areas like Rio Dell were the most effected, but power was out to all of Humboldt till late Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Eli Hernandez/PEPPERBOX

The Safeway in Arcata, left in disarray Tuesday morning. The earthquake was strong enough to send items flying from store shelves across the county.

Grocery stores powered up their generators, and to the relief of many underprepared students, AHS’ second final day was cancelled. The adapted schedule moves fifth and sixth period finals to the Tuesday after Winter Break.

Dylan BermanPEPPERBOX

The sign placed in front of the school the day of the earthquake.