Volume 91, Issue 4

The Pepperbox

January BOX BRIEFS

January 29: Girls Basketball @ Fortuna January 29: Wrestling meet @ AHS January 31: Boys basketball @ AHS, 7:30 February 2: Junior Prom Want to advertise or buy a mail subscription to the Pepperbox? Email Business Manager Hannah Pereira at pepperbox@nohum.k12.ca.us !

EDITORIAL STAFF Jacquelyn Opalach Editor-in-Chief Caledonia Davey Managing Editor Jazmine Fiedler Feature Editor Lindsay Rimmer Sports Editor Mira O’Barr A&E Editor Jack Taylor Opinion Editor Alef Mitchell Photo Editor Haley Hill Online Editor Mercy Arnold Online Editor Fiona Murphy Editor Abroad Hannah Pereira Business Manager Kaylien Ownby Art Director

REPORTERS Jj Anaya Emily Cook Sophia Escudero Odin Huff Bailey Ives Ezra Jones Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan Grace Mitchell Sierra Kapala Aidan Nickelson Mark Salamunovich Zach Sawyer Trinity Smith Eva Villamor Stella Walston Isabella Welch

CLUB REPORTERS Haven Fricke-Smyth Kai Hansen Andrew Mettier

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

IN THE BOX What’s Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Feed the Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 .

HSU field trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Pereira and Watson . . . . . . . . . 9 Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rock climbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .

Basketball manager . . . . . . . . . 12 ..

Promposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 .

14 Prom Prep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prom Quiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .

JUUL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Tobacco marketing . . . . . . . . . . . 20 ..

21 JUUL opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Peer Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The ‘n’ word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 ..

Match senior to essay . . . . . . . .24 .

25 Adulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rights column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 .

Tourettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 New Years speak out . . . . . . . . 28 AAI Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Saltbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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

Behind the cover

N

Kai’s komics

O DRUGS WERE USED IN THE MAKING OF THESE COVERS. (Our front cover features an 18-year-old Pepperbox reporter vaping essential oils.)

This time, Pepperbox takes on America’s new epidemic: Juul.

Juul’s bright, flashy advertising strategies have managed to reel in about 20% of teens, so we hope our covers will do the same. From the cutesy name (Juul, pronounced “Jewel”) to the eye-catching colors, Juul’s graphic designers certainly know what they’re doing, and they’re doing it well. Our front cover features similar color schemes and glowing, nightclub-esque font as a somewhat satirical take on the cool kids’ newest accessory - a nicotine addiction. On our back cover, we’ve decided to show what a Juul ad would look like if their marketing teams had any integrity.

- Kaylien Ownby, Art Director

Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan/PEPPERBOX

Pepperbox reporter Emily Cook blows essential oil vapor durning our cover photo shoot.

Kai Hansen/PEPPERBOX

Freshman Kai Hansen’s comical take on the Juul epidemic.

Editor’s Box

A

s you’ll read in “The Epidemic: How nicotine infiltrated teen culture” on page 14, all this Juul business is old news to teenagers. But when the school started posting e-cigarette related notices in the bulletin, the Pepperbox knew it was time to tackle this tricky topic. After a diligent process that involved over 20 interviews, lots of research, and crucial contributions from every member on the Pepperbox staff, we are pleased to bring you an organic teen perspective on the e-cigarette epidemic. We hope that our message, from teen to teen, will help begin to mend the damage that nicotine has struck upon our generation.

(For the record, this coverage wasn’t easy. On one drab January morning, a Pepperbox reporter found herself desperate for some sources and resorted to asking a couple underclassmen boys in the student store for an anonymous interview after hearing them discussing their Juuls. They told her to “Get outta here with that dumb gay sh*t and let us do our drugs.” Thanks, kids. America’s future is clearly in good hands.)

Elsewhere in this issue, you will find some crisp resolutions for 2019 right from your peers, as well as some crucial tips for our fast and approaching prom, including how to prepare, how to prompose, and what to do without a date (fret not! Dates are no necessity). If prom isn’t really your scene, we’ve got you covered - the Pepperbox has prepared loads of fun and fresh alternatives, and one of them is sure to suit your style.

The Pepperbox wishes all of you a beautiful and brilliant 2019. Happy reading!

- Jacquelyn Opalach, Editor-in-Chief

Quotable.

“Just whip it out and wave it at the police officer.”

- Senior Kaylien Ownby on the proper use of a pocket Constitution

“This is like, Stalin, and here we are just flying riiiight over him.”

- Senior Milo Mateer professionally presenting the Berlin Airlift to third period Math Analysis

“Stop showing off your buoyancy, not everyone is like you.”

-Senior Annika Mauro on Haley Hill’s swimming technique

“I would date a man solely on his use of a semicolon.”

- English teacher Danielle Witten describing the perfect man  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  LEARN ABOUT CAREER PATHS AT: Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting  Digital Media  Drafting  Early Childhood Education  Forestry and Natural Resources  Manufacturing  Nursing  Restaurant & Hospitality Management  Welding  Addiction Studies  Administration of Justice  Agriculture  Automotive  Business  Computer Information Systems  Construction  Dental Assisting

From Classroom to Career.

www.redwoods.edu/cte

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Steve Sheets on trying to quit smoking

(ABOVE) Published in an issue of the Pepperbox in 1994, the article “Smoking industry aims appealing images at youth� by Molly Taylor is directly parallel to many of the issues that our generation is facing today with e-cigarettes. Reading this article next to the rest of our January 2019 Pepperbox issue makes it feel (quite a bit) like history is totally repeating itself.

(RIGHT) Published in 2012, student Steve Sheets shared his battle with nicotine through the Pepperbox. He urged his readers to never start smoking cigarettes, which, interestingly, is not a message that many teen Juulers are trying to spread (yet).

The Pepperbox | Page 6

The Pepperbox’s

News

WHAT’S GOOD J

Photo courtesy of Kieran McNulty

Kieran McNulty readies himself for a race.

Good news column Stories by Grace Mitchell

Karina scored a scholarship

Kieran is a good swimmer unior and star-swimmer Kieran McNulty swam for success at the Winter Junior Nationals swimming competition.

“It was a very inspiring experience to get to meet and compete with all the different people there, and get to go to Austin and see a different place,” McNulty said.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

K

arina Zumbrun is a senior at Arcata High School. Through hard work and lots of time and investment, she has been accepted to the University of Redlands on a soccer scholarship. From playing competitive soccer, refereeing soccer, and training once a week, she also has maintained a 4.23 GPA and is a founding member of the Surfriders Club. She also has given advice to those who would like a scholarship to college, “They should work hard at doing things they’re truly passionate about, not just things they think will look good on their application,” Zumbrun said. Zumbrun is also excited to finish her last two years of an engineering program at Columbia University.

“I’m super excited to get to also experience a big college, as well as a small one for my first three Photo courtesy of Karina Zumbrun years,” she said.

Zumbrun winds up for a powerful kick.

District Attorney graces AHS with a visit

D

irector of the Career Frontiers program, Jim Ritter, organized for Humboldt’s District Attorney Maggie Fleming to visit Mr. Pinkerton’s AP Government and Politics class in early January. Fleming provided a new perspective of the local court system and gave thoughtful insight to the students’ questions. Thank you Mr. Ritter and Ms. Flemming!

District Attorney Maggie Flemming with the AP Government class.

Jim Ritter/PEPPERBOX

Gearing up for “Guys and Dolls”

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rom gambling to romance, the play “Guys and Dolls” will be an exciting experience Arcata High will share with those who love theater. Sophomore Ruby Langdon was very excited when she learned that she got a role in this play. “I’m usually on ensemble, but this was a larger role, playing the Grandmother, so I was really excited!”

Langdon said. From what Langdon said, not only will the play be amazing, but also the cast as well.

“I love all the cast members, I know most of them very well. Those who I don’t know are very talented and I’m aware of that. Everyone will do a good job!” she said.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Pepperbox | Page 7

News

The start of something beautiful The warmth and bright light made the room feel very secure and home-like. The faint scents Online Editor of fresh coffee and hot chocolate n a time like today, human wafted through the air. Inside the kindness isn’t usually the dining area, decorated with holbasis of society, but there are iday greenery, Christmas music many people throughout the played through the speakers. The world longing to do good. movement’s goal was “to make the Scott Thompson, a Humboldt needy feel worth it and cared for,” local, is leading a new movement said Thompson. which is yet to be named but inMany organizations came totends to reach out to the homeless gether to make “Feed the Streets” and to show them that there are happen. The desserts were suppeople who care. The movement plied by Old Town Coffee and is the joint effort of Thompson, Chocolates, Pacific Seafood proother citizens, local businesses, vided the chickens, and David local organizations, the LifeHouse Bourne, owner of Tornado Dave’s Church, and BSSD school to bring in Carlotta, cooked for the event. people together in the community. Cheryl Churchill from the Eureka “I think when people think of Housing Authority was also presthe homeless here in Humboldt, ent, helping guests fill out applicathey think of a kind of violent as- tions for temporary, transitional, pect...but that’s not a true picture or permanent housing. of our homeless population here. A Rose Baker, a local foster care lot of our homeless or semi home- provider, donated boxes of toys less, are great people and the help for homeless children. One famigoes a long way. For them, it’s not ly was extremely thankful for this a hand out, it’s a hand up,” Thomp- service, and explained to their chilson said. dren that “this is what Christmas On Tuesday December 18th, is, this is what we were trying to the organization hosted their first tell you about.” Their children had event, “Feed the Streets”, at the never had a true Christmas and Wharfinger building in Eureka. were beyond joyful to have a new Volunteers intoy. vited homeThe turnout less people or was incredible. families inside The food was from the cold completely gone and rain to hot by the end of drinks, warm the event. A tofoot baths, tal of around socks, conversa160 plates were tion, and a full served, and 120 meal of chicken, take-out orders mashed potawere providtoes with graed to homeless - Scott Thompson vy, rolls, corn people around on the cob, and the city who pie. A live band couldn’t attend. played Christmas tunes and many The most repeated word of the of the guests joined in with singing night was “joy”. The guests were and dancing. incredibly thankful to have peo-

Mercy Arnold

I

[Our goal is] to make the needy feel worth it and cared for.

ple providing them with meals and with thirty people at each. Each group will scour multiple blocks, kindness at an event like this.

A homeless couple said that picking up trash around the city.

The movement also hopes to when they walked through the doors they felt “love and comfort”. arrange a “Hygiene Day” for the Guests were greeted and hugged needy to receive help in health and beauty. by volunteers, Local nurses, and this couple manicure and felt “nothing but pedicurists, hair compassion”. stylists and barUpon receivbers, and many ing a candy cane volunteers are from a child volon board to help unteer, another host Hygiene homeless man Day. Each atsaid “thank you,” tendee will be and asked for - Event attendee supplied with another one. He new socks and was handed a hygiene bags second, held it up, and said, “You know, my word filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other essential hygiene for this season is hope.”

Beginning in January, the supplies.

A movement like this will movement plans to host a monthly “Clean the Streets” event in Eure- change the world. It takes one ka on the last Wednesday of each person to inspire others to create month. Volunteers will spread out something beautiful, something in about four different locations called change.

You know, my word for this season is hope.

Teen Clinic be in control

Free, confidental, non-judgemental

Walk in: Mondays

3-5 pm

(or call any time for an appoinment)

Humboldt Open Door Clinic 770 10th Street Arcata, CA 95521 (707) 826-8610

Do you blur gender lines? Trans? Non • Education & Sexual Health Support • Birth Control Pregnancy Testing & Counseling • STI Testing & Treatment

All teens are welcome

binary? Questioning gender labels?

Supporting someone who is?

Come join our Trans and Gender Expansive Youth Support Group co-led by a trans community member and a counselor.

The group meets at 3:45 pm on the third Monday of every month at Humboldt Open Door Clinic, 770 10th Street, Arcata.

Free, drop in, confidential.

(707) 826-8610 • opendoorteenclinic.com

The Pepperbox | Page 8

News

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

AHS meets HSU: Preparing for the future Haley Daisy Hill Online Editor

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ttending Arcata High gives us the unique opportunity of being within walking distance of a California State University. Just visiting Humboldt State University provides insight into college culture and allows students to feel out the CSU system. It can be especially worthwhile to those considering attending one of the twenty-three campuses spread out across the state.

Jim Ritter, resident ray of sunshine and Director of the Career Frontiers program, has been organizing field trips from AHS to HSU for years. These enable high school students to get to know professors,

participate in college class discussions, and explore majors.

Senior Hannah Pereira is a veteran of these field trips. She has shadowed classes in business marketing, environmental science, and journalism. While Pereira herself is planning to attend HSU next fall, she believes that these field trips can be beneficial for all students.

“School can sometimes drag you down, you - Jim Ritter know, so just taking a little time off and going for a stroll to learn about higher education is a wonderful break in the day,” she said.

Mr. Ritter shares the same sentiment about the program. “Humboldt State has really opened their

doors, and students can take advantage of these field trips to meet professors and see how welcoming and friendly they are,” he proclaimed. “The college class is different, yes, but something [students] can see and go ‘I could do this!’”

A few Pepperbox reporters visited Deidre Pike, chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication last semester. “It was marvelous!” Pike declared. “College can sound very scary to some students. They have a preconceived notion that [classes are] extremely stuffy [in] a great big auditorium with a teacher up front, you know you see that in movies sometimes,” she said. “But

Humboldt State has really opened their doors.

Humboldt is a little more down to earth most of the time.” From Dakota Kalavitas-Heffernan’s perspective, “It was a really cool opportunity that we got to sit down and have an intimate discussion with the journalism professors at HSU.” To the field trip god and omnipresent beam of light, he added: “Thanks, Mr. Ritter.”

Upcoming Trips: Wednesday, February 6th, 3:00- 4:30 pm: History (with guest chaperone Adam Pinkerton!)

Tuesday, April 16th, 9:00 am -12:30 pm: Intro to Animal Science & Wild land Resource Principles

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

News

The Pepperbox | Page 9

City council: New term, same people Jasmine Fiedler Feature Editor

B

efore Sofia Pereira and Brett Watson joined Arcata City Council, they were quirky young adults who fled to Humboldt chasing careers that didn’t involve local politics. However Pereira ended up on the council four years ago, and Watson joined 18 months ago. In early November, the two were re-elected and today Brett serves as Mayor while Pereira acts as a Councilwoman. But how did they get there?

Watson explained that he originally moved to Arcata for education: “Humboldt State is one of the few schools that has a Wildfire and Forestry program,” he said.

Pereira also was drawn in by HSU. “I remember coming for the first time and it was October 30th, early admissions day… the Marching Lumberjacks were there. They were wearing crazy Halloween costumes. As a weird theatre kid, I was like, ‘This is my home, this is where I’m supposed to be,’” she said.

Neither of them originally planned on going into politics.

Watson wanted to go into wildfire and forestry while Pereira was interested in sociology. “I wanted to be a family court mediator and that was because of my own experience in the family court system as a kid . . . I wanted to study sociology so that I could help people in this way. It wasn't until I got more involved on campus and in the community that I found other ways to make a difference,” Pereira said.

Describing how she got involved in college, Pereira said, “I started working on campaigns to

help elect people that had the policies that I agreed with and then actually started working on public policy for several years.” Watson discovered his passion for politicking after college. Throughout college, he was involved in volunteer work. “I never really had any ambitions about getting into politics. I always volunteered in the community. I was on the City

ence for me . . . Designing a logo and getting yard signs and printed material,” he said. “I placed a heavy emphasis on going door to door.”

Pereira also felt that going door to door was the best way to campaign. She feels that campaigning in this way gives her real-life experiences to remember when she’s actually making decisions. “I

Courtesy of City of Arcata/Karen Diemer

City Council members Brett Watson and Sofia Pereira at a community event. of Arcata economic development committee, a volunteer citizen committee for a few years,” he said.

Watson met new challenges while campaigning for the first time. “It was my first campaign so it was a big learning experi-

can think back to the time I was talking to Humboldt State students in their house in Windsong Village and they were telling me . . . how hard it was for them to find affordable housing in this community. I have . . . real people’s stories about how the policies have

an effect on their everyday lives.”

These re-elected officials have lots of ideas of how they want to help the community in the coming years. “Making sure we are able to deal with new 5G networks . . .

I’m hoping ideally we’d be able to create a permit or a license . . . to make more revenue for the city,” Watson said. He is also dedicated to working on the wastewater treatment plant and and housing, which is a concern Pereira shares.

“We’re going to have some big housing projects that are gonna be coming before us in this next year that we’ll have to have a community conversation about,” said Pereira. She is also focused on planning for climate change and sea level rise, as well as “just everything that we can be doing to make this a more inclusive, livable community.”

Outside of work, Watson said he likes to “tinker around with electronics projects, play video games, and spend time with my wife.” Pereira loves to walk her dog. “She’s gotten me out of the house more, going exploring the forest and the bay trail.” She loves drinking tea and “going to Moonrise Herbs and picking out different teas.”

Both council members love living here.

“I don’t want to do anything that makes me have to move out of Arcata. I really like Arcata, I like its small size. I like being able to get anywhere in town in five minutes or less. My wife has a really good job at Humboldt State so I don’t have . . . any ambitions besides just being a City Council Member,” Watson said. Pereira agreed. “I do not want to leave this community. This is a place that I stumbled into over 13 years ago and I’m really proud of what we have accomplished here.”

The Pepperbox | Page 10

Sports

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Jackson Rankin: Dazzling danseur was around 120 dancers, with many working backstage before Hannah Pereira the show to make sure everything Business Manager happened how it should. For this past Nutcracker, I would ou might think that rehearse five to six days a week, Jackson Rankin is a and the week before the pertypical junior here at formance we are at the theater Arcata High, but just from five to nine in the evening like most of us, he has talent. warming up and rehearsing for Rankin is a dedicated and ac- the show. complished dancer. In this Q & A, Rankin explains the behind- PBX: How much time do you the-scenes of his dance career. put into your dancing?

Y

Pepperbox: Could you provide a little background on your dance career?

Jackson Rankin: I have been dancing for around three years or so, mainly ballet, but I also take contemporary, tap, and musical theater dance. Out of all these styles I’ve danced, I’d have to say contemporary ballet is my favorite because it has some structure like ballet, but you have room to change turns, jumps, and other moves to make them more interesting for the audience.

PBX: What do you prefer to be called?

JR: As a male ballet dancer, the term I’ve heard the most is ballerino, but that sounds too “official” to me. I prefer to be called a dancer or danseur.

PBX: Tell me a little about the Nutcracker.

JR: I have been in four Nutcrackers as of this December, and I have been the Nutcracker the past two performances. This production, so far that I can remember, is the biggest production I’ve been in, the entire cast

JR: This past year I’ve really started to dance more. I think I’m at the studio around 30 maybe even 40 hours a week.

PBX: What company do you dance with?

JR: I am currently an Apprentice at North Coast Dance, but I’m also auditioning for San Francisco Ballet’s dance school with hopes of attending the school next year.

PBX: Do you travel to dance?

JR: I do. Every winter I go to a dance competition called “Ballet Beyond Borders,” an international dance competition, where I was awarded four scholarships, one of which was The Washington Ballet based in Washington, DC. And during the summer I go to an intensive (a dance camp).

PBX: Do you have a workout program that you do to improve your dancing?

JR: I do three sets of crunches to failure, three sets of back extensions (crunches with your back)

to failure, and occasionally my dad and I will lift weights together. Due to how physical dance can be, most of my strength building comes from that, especially during rehearsals when we do pas de deux (partnering). I do have to stretch every now and then. I do this by hooking my feet on the bed frame of my bed with my legs in the splits.

PBX: Do you have any predance routines?

JR: I don’t tend to do much before dance class, but when we are in performance season, I will go get sushi or a burger before call time. While I’m putting my makeup and costume on I listen to some music, when the actual show is running I will take one earbud out so I can hear the music of the show and my music.

*Photo courtesy of Jackson Rankin

The Pepperbox | Page 11

Sports

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Taking danger to new heights Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan Reporter

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ingers . . . Failing . . . Feet . . . Slipping . . . Sixty feet of air . . . Below . . . Veins bulging . . .Tearing skin . . .

The danger of rock climbing is an exercise in physics. The potential energy that one gains as one climbs is a force that would hurl a limp body into the ground at nearly 40 miles an hour after a brief second and a half fall; just long enough for reality to register in the brain before it gets flattened. Despite this, people still, out of their own free will, choose to pull themselves up with the tips of their fingers on tiny nubbins of rock, with nothing but the nauseating verticality of empty air beneath their feet . . .

“It’s really fun but way harder than it looks, and I’ve never been more sore in my life than the day after climbing. It requires more strength than I realized, but I’d definitely recommend trying it.”

-Junior Allie Sanchez “Rock climbing is definitely an exhilarating experience due to the amount of fear I have for heights... that’s what drives me to climb higher. Your life is in your hands. That allows me to realize life’s fragility and how fast a dramatic change may occur.”

-Senior Joshua Horan “The harness hurts my groin and I’m always scared someone’s going to plummet to their death. I’m too young to be trusted with making sure no one breaks their necks. It rocks.”

- Senior James Richards “Rock climbing for me is about being free, having my life in my hands, and knowing my body and limitations deeper.”

-Senior Ishua Pacheco “I love rock climbing because it brings a perfect balance between challenge and reward. Earning the beautiful view at the top of a cliff, feels much better and meaningful knowing that I worked hard for it.”

-Senior Hunter Lewis All photos by Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan/PEPPERBOX

The Pepperbox | Page 12

Sports

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Mark Salamunovich: MVP Mark Salamunovich Reporter

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here is someone I’m going to introduce to you.

I believe you might have heard of him. He’s a senior at Arcata High. His name is Mark Salamunovich...me! During the day he’s just an average, normal student. But at night he dons the manager shirt, hat, and scarf - ready to see what the Arcata Tigers can do on the basketball court.

I became a manager a long time ago, back in the year 2013. I was in eighth grade at Sunny Brae Middle School. I played basketball whenever I could- in my free time, at recess after lunch, and during P.E. class. Whenever I was on the court, I could imagine my opponents ready to play, guarding me and trying to take the ball. I was flying free. But the one thing I didn’t know was that I would love basketball just as much from the sidelines, watching.

I thought about being a manager. I talked it over with my parents, and they were happy with it. My parents talked to the school about it, and they were pretty cool with it as well, and so was the coach.

Before I knew it I was named the manager for the 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Team. I took this as a great opportunity to do something that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the camaraderie with the players, the energy of the games, the atmosphere in the gym, and I took my responsibilities seriously as a manager. I love giving a pre-game pep talk to the team!

A couple of the players have told me what they think about me being the manager of the team:

“Positive energy,” said Forward Hayden “Hellboy” Santsche.

“You’re the spark!” said Guard Niko “Zoom” Zambas.

“Great nicknames,” said Forward Kai “Cobra” Pajares.

“Positiveness - makes us want to go out and win for you,” said Forward Garrett “Gamer” Hall.

“Pre-game speeches are amazing,” said Forward Jacob “Dracula” Stoker.

“Without you, we wouldn’t be as good as a team.” said Guard Hunter “the Hunted” Santsche.

“Consistency - you bring us that spirit every game.” said Point Guard Cameron “Camera Man” Dart.

I also talked with my parents and sister about the position of Manager.

My sister, Molly, said she likes the way being a manager has kept me involved with students. She likes hearing, “Hey, you’re Mark’s sister!” She is proud of me and

thinks I am a positive role model for the players and that they are positive role models for me! Molly said, “I wish my team had offered this position to someone when I played for Arcata High.”

My mom appreciates how holding the position of manager has taught me to be punctual and to follow a schedule. She thinks it has helped me communicate with others, be responsible, and keep a good attitude. My mom said, “This has really built your confidence.

You’ve met a lot of students and made many friends! You’ve had fun!”

My dad appreciates how much I enjoy the boys on the team, the students in the crowd, watching the games, and helping the coaches. He noted that I am focused on doing my job and being respectful of the boys on the team and the coaches. He said, “This has been such a good experience for you.”

My favorite memory is the Dick Niclai tournament win a few years ago (where we had a wonderful team picture afterwards).

The AIBT tournaments are very special for me because the crowd sings “Happy Birthday” on years that my birthday falls during the tournament. That fills me up with happiness and love.

When asked the question, “How am I important to the team?” Coach Dusty Scofeld replied, “Everybody is important to the team. But the people who help out behind the scenes, the things that you do, helping with water, [. . .] is important to the team’s success. It helps kids get water and stay refreshed, and it lightens the mood.”

I guess it’s already halftime during the basketball game. The waters are in the holders now. I have to fill them up, so see you during the last two quarters of the game. Go Tigers!

Aliyah Hinckley/PEPPERBOX

Mark Salamunovich, AHS boys varsity basketball team Manager, poses with the team.

PROM

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Pepperbox | Page 13

Bomb promposals Lindsay Rimmer

Isabella Welch

Sports Editor

I

Reporter

t's that time of the year. The smell of fresh flower bouquets is scattered around. The sound of satisfactory music surrounds your head. The sight of a plethora of decorations is strung as far as the eye can see. A feeling of excitement is in the air.

These are normally the best things you could expect from prom, but what if the best part isn't even at the dance itself? Maybe the best part about prom are the adorable and creative promposals that everyone is so partial to.

It doesn't matter what grade you're in, what gender you are, or whether you're dating or not, Promposals are underrated and underappreciated.

Picture this: You're walking into the quad to an attractive peer. You walk up to them with a personalized gesture asking them to prom. It's bold, its creative, it's admirable. Who knows? They could say yes! If you’ve procrastinated asking that someone special, here are some tips that will easily take anyone’s breath away, as well as some precious Promposals from this year that might help spark your imagination.

• • • • •

Personalized boards An inside joke Movie or song references Dogs Puns

Sophmore Yasko Massias promposes to Sophmore Madeline Lankarani.

• • • • •

Lights Have your friends help you Jewelry?

Incorporate food Mountain lions

Lindsay Rimmer/PEPPERBOX

Senior Hannah Pereira promposes to Senior Jasen McGoldrick.

Davita McGoldrick/PEPPERBOX

Sophia Escudero/PEPPERBOX

Sophmore Ruby Langdon promposes to Sophomore Alex Rice.

The Pepperbox | Page 14

PROM

Stressed up to get dressed up?

Lindsay Rimmer

P

Sports Editor

Trustees, Executors, Conservators, Agents for Finance & Healthcare

Isabella Welch Reporter

ROM! It exists. Teenagers from across the district flock to the Arcata High winter formal, Junior Prom. If you go, you'll either go with friends, a date, or alone (you do you, homie). How are you going to get ready for it? We’re here

to help.

Hair • • • • •

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Hydrate your hair! Do a hair mask Accessorize your hair: beads, charms, clips, extensions Get your hair dyed (or do it yourself) Shave your head Mud

Lisa K. Hansen clpf, ncg & Matthew A. Pereira clpf, ncg

Managing the financial and healthcare affairs for our community’s elder and special needs populations Are you age 18 or over? If so, have you created legal documents to memorialize your medical and financial wishes, and to name your respective decision-makers, should something happen to you, say a temporary medical incapacity, or worse? Everyone age 18 and over should have an advance health care directive, a durable power of attorney for finance, and a will, and for those with more or complex assets, a living trust. Please visit the “Resources” page of our website, at www.hansenpereira.com, for links to forms and educational resources about these important documents.

535 Third Street Suite A, Eureka | hansenpereira.com

707.444.9364

Nails • • • • •

Get your nails done professionally Dig around in the dirt for a minute; dirty nails are a new fad Paint them yourself Press-ons Mud

Skin • • • •

Temporary tattoos are IN (or real ones, full send) Do a face mask Take a bubble bath Exfoliate- Mud with a little sand in it works great!

Face • • • • •

Practice your smile Do your makeup Practice your fake laugh Practice spitting Mud

Apparel • • • • • •

Get your outfit ready Try a new style, be trendy!

Get your shoes Accessorize!

Grab a jacket, or don’t, no one wears clothes anyway Mud

California Licensed Professional Fiduciaries #399 & #720 | National Certified Guardians

Professional Fiduciaries

The Pepperbox | Page 15

PROM

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Once upon a time:

Which Disney sidekick are you?

On a Friday night you are most likely:

Most people would describe you as:

1. At the buffet with some pals 2. Setting things on fire 3. Trying to blend in at a party 4. Coordinating an event

1. Innocent 2. Honest 3. Independent 4. Ambitious

If your friend is having a hard time with their significant other, you:

After receiving your schedule, you find that you have a class with your least favorite teacher.

You:

1. Bake them a cake 2. Set their partner on fire 3. Comfort them, while secretly plotting the demise of their partner 4. Threaten to confront their partner, but change your mind out of fear

What musical instrument would you play in a parade?

1. Drums 2. Cymbals 3. kazoo 4. Flute

Mostly 1s: Gus Gus

Drawings by Taria Ross

1. Make as many excuses as possible to drop the class 2. Go to Navarre and yell until he switches you out 3. Suck it up, but glare at the teacher and never participate in class 4. Stay in the class, but bicker with the teacher at any chance you get

What do you value most in a friend?

1. Compassion 2. Loyalty 3. Charisma 4. Dependability

Mostly 2s: Mushu

Mostly 4s: Zazu

Mostly 3s: Pascal

The Epidemic How nicotine infiltrated teen culture

By Jacquelyn Opalach

“I

s it okay if I hit it right now?”

With an expression of sincere relief, 16-year-old Nash* reached into the left pocket of his jeans and pullsed out his Juul, a flashy brand of e-cigarette that was invented to wean heavy smokers off cigarettes. He was sitting in the front seat of a car during an interview with the Pepperbox. He purchased his Juul about two weeks before.

“I used to be really against [Juul] before I ever used them,” he says after taking a hit. “I was just like, ‘that’s dumb.’ It’s like a fancier cigarette.”

Yeah. Smoking cigarettes seemed to have lost its alluring, rebellious reputation by the time our generation hit high school.

Two years ago, if you were to ask the average Arcata High student about their opinion on nicotine, his or her answer probably would have been something along the lines of “disgusting.”

Obviously, though, times have changed.

Nash is one of about 3.6 million teenagers that has picked up a vaping habit. That’s one in five, and the numbers are increasing rapidly. E-cigarette use among teens doubled in the last year, according to the Associated Press.

This epidemic is old news to teenagers.

But despite the glaring statistics, questions remain unanswered. Why did this happen?

And, more importantly, what now?

Juuls are sleek; they look like a USB flash drive. They’re also sweet; popular flavors include mango, mint, and creme bruleé. They’re social; “#juulgang” is not rare in Instagram captions. They’re seductive; just consider what they’re called for a second. And, (a crucial characteristic) they’re secretive; there have been reports of teens using them during

class, unnoticed.

Are Juuls symbolic too? Representative of teenage culture and rebellion?

Seduce

J

uul pitched a brilliant ad campaign. They had it all: sexy 21-year-old models posing with their Juuls in front of brightly-colored geometric shapes with an Instagram feed to match. The word “vaporized” in bold lettering dominated their ads, and that scary addiction warning that is found on most nicotine products was nowhere to be seen. Since then, Juul changed its advertising strategy after the FDA began investigating the industry for maybe targeting teens (Read about it on page 20).

It’s a common opinion that the company had ill-intent. AHS math teacher Kay Wozniak pointed out an especially ridiculous but clever factor of Juul’s marketing strategy. “[Juuls] come in like 50 different flavors. They come in fruity tootie. They taste like bubblegum and stuff. What adult is gonna want strawberry daiquiri [flavored nicotine]?”

Wozniak questioned. “It’s really consumerism at its best - or worst.”

Even though Juul ads look different now, the product is the same as it’s always been.

Same tasty vapor, same fashionable shape.

“It’s so compact and small and just fits in your hand. You can get it decorated. It’s like it is meant to addict teens. It’s a cute accessory, almost,” Ruth,* a student Juuler, said.

This may be what hooked the first teen Juulers, but now most get reeled in by something else - something that Juul manufacturers aren’t directly responsible for. Juul was cool for materialistic reasons, but now it’s

cool for social reasons too, and that is arguably the main reason vaping has become an epidemic.

Spread

E

very single student that talked to the Pepperbox about their Juuling said that they started because their friends were doing it, and two said that they only Juul “socially.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen one person [vaping], actually. It’s always two or more,” said Junior Tia Franklin, a student who does not Juul but regularly encounters Juulers in the school bathrooms.

Teens roll their eyes when they hear the term “peer pressure,” but we must question whether such social coercion is playing a role, even if it goes unsaid. After all, Juuling seems to hit teens in groups rather than individually. Tave,* an AHS student who started Juuling last summer, splits her time between two friend groups. One group Juuls, the other does not, and Tave matches the habits of whoever she is with. But Tave said that she didn’t start Juuling because of pressure; she was just curious. “I think it was definitely my choice to do it,” she explained. “I’ve never felt [peer pressure] with a Juul. Other things, yeah. But not this.”

Ruth had a contrasting opinion. “There’s this pressure of everyone having it and everyone doing it. This pressure is put on you,” she said. “Just like weed and all the other things.”

But in retrospect, do all the “cool” kids really have that much influence? Isn’t that such a cliché? Ruth put the situation in perspective:. “[Students] have their circle of friends and all they do is Juul in their car at break and lunch,” she said. “If you don’t Juul, you’re not gonna be in that car.”

Supply

F

ay* doesn’t own a Juul, but she’s thinking about getting one. They’re illegal to buy under the age of 21, and Fay is only 17; but that’s not a problem. Fay said she would have no trouble getting one through someone at school. “Some people have fake IDs,” she said.

“I don’t know how people at school get [Juuls and pods-replaceable cartidges that contain nicotine salt juice], but they have them to sell.”

Ruth, who does own a Juul, doesn’t need to to buy pods from peers. There’s a local business that doesn’t ID her, so it’s easy to stay

stocked.

But just easy does actual dev timated th pods (whi For contex nicotine a to Juul). W just refills liquid, wh pods. “You probably,” But refil concern. A pressed di pods, as th makes con when it sh salt juice] . . it is not highly co [could be don’t know na be.”

Stick

“I

t’s just “ It’s this . . . fee “It’s ju ting som mind-num so.”

“I hit it like you’re “It’s like relaxing a laxing [bu yourself] w “It’s just Accord one, hittin rush. “I did it,” Nash s reference his first hi Most people don’t like it the first time.

Tave didn’t like it either, but she kept

trying because she “wanted to see what all the hype was about.”

Same goes for most. There’s probably a psychological reason to explain why people gravitate toward certain things even after having a negative initial experience, but we’re not going to get into that now. The point is, somehow, Juul stuck.

Tave thinks it stuck because the effect is

t because buying Juul products is sn’t mean the habit is cheap. The vice costs about $50, and Nash eshat he spends about $20 a week on ich covers about four pods a week. xt, one pod contains about as much as one pack of cigarettes, according When cash is tight, though, Nash old pods from a vial of nicotine salt Continued on page 18 hich is far cheaper than buying new u could fill a hundred for ten bucks, ” he said. lling pods poses a whole new health Arcata High Nurse Johnny Kell existress over the solution of refilling he juice can be highly harmful if it ntact with the skin or lips. “[This is] hould be scary,” he said. “[Nicotine is able to go through your skin . t controlled. Exposure to these We do know that the nicooncentrated nicotine sources tine salt juice used in Juuls dangerous because] we just is made out of three main w what the outcome is goningredients: 5% nicotine, 5% benzoic acid, and 90% propylene glycol and glycerine.

With these ingredients, scientists can predict the Nicotine: health effects of Juuling. t a headrush.” s really short, like five minutes of • Highly addictive eling.”

• Toxic to fetuses ust like a satisfying feeling, hit• Irritation and burning sensation in the mouth and mething and then getting this throat mbing feeling for 30 seconds or • Increased salivation • Nausea t, I got the headrush. You feel • Abdominal pain e floating for a little bit.”

• Vomiting e stimulating at first and then • Diarrhea after like five minutes. It’s re• Impairs brain and lung development in adolescence ut at the same time you find • Reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex which conwanting to hit it again.” trols a human’s decision making and cognitive behavt fun.” ior, increasing one’s sensitivity to other drugs. ding to pretty much every• Stimulates properties consistent with cell transformang a Juul gives you a headtion and the early stages of cancer formation dn’t even like said, in Juuls contain twice as much nicotine as other e-cigarettes e to Propylene Glycol and use a type of nicotine called “nicotine salts” which it. allow the nicotine to be more readily absorbed into the and Glycerine: bloodstream, compared to the nicotine of other e-cigarettes known as “freebase nicotine.” This makes Juul • Swelling of the liver nf o much more addictive.

• Hepatocyte vacuolization . rm a (liver injury) ti

Toxi cf la

es: driv sh

American teenagers vape

The hea lth eff ec ts

k

-Nash

Benzoic Acid:

o

g lin uu fJ

I

t

1 in 5

on col lect ed by

These symptoms occur only y Caledonia Dave when PG and glycerine are mixed with nicotine. They are Information from National Center for Health Research, more common in women. John Hopkins University, JUUL, US National Library of Medicine

“Like tapping my foot in class, like I showed up five minutes late ‘cause I was hitting it, and then I need to leave ‘cause I need to hit it again.”

• Coughs • Burning or irritation of the esophagus • Abdominal pain • Nausea • Vomiting Juuls contain 44.8mg/mL of benzoic acid which is about twenty-two times more than that of other e-cigarettes’ 2.2mg/mL.

Heating Coil Another main cause of health effects is the heating coil within the battery of the Juul. Though there have been no tests on Juuls specifically, there have been tests on the heating coils of other e-cigarettes.

These coils can contain toxic levels of metals such as lead, chromium manganese, and or nickel. The health effects of inhaling these metals are: • • • •

Lung damage and/or cancer Liver damage and/or cancer Immune system damage Cardiovascular damage and/or cancer

The Pepperbox | Page 18

The epidemic Continued from page 17 so fleeting. “It’s such an epidemic now probably because of the short amount. You keep wanting it and wanting it,” she said.

Fay expanded on this by pointing out how convenient the short-lasting feeling is.

“That’s what’s nice about it for parties. If you don’t wanna get high or drunk, but you wanna do something, you can still do it,” she said.

“And I think that that’s the attraction for a lot of people; that it’s fast.”

Nash likes that it’s fast too; so fast that he can sometimes get away with using it in class. He demonstrated during an interview. He hit the Juul and waved his hand through the vapor. “Four seconds it’s gone,” he said.

Junior and non-Juuler Cece Eagleston said that she’s seen people Juuling in class before. “A lot of them just have it out, on their desk, and I’ll see people taking it in and out of their pocket, or charging it in their chromebooks,” she added.

This is largely possible because many teachers simply haven’t caught up with the trend. In a poll of 12 teachers at Arcata High, 63% didn’t know what Juuls look like, and 27% had never heard the word “Juul.”

For some teens, the fact that older generations are for the most part uninformed is not only convenient; it’s also, for lack of a better term, cool. Our generation has come to identify with vape. Teens seem to like that it’s ours and not theirs. “It’s like a relatable thing.

Like a millennial child thing,” Ruth explained. “This is our new thing, like clout glasses. It’s a new trend that everyone likes.”

Fay agreed, and expanded. “Each generation needs something to separate them from the generation before. Now that teen pregnancy is down, birth control is normalized, weed is normalized, we don’t

JUUL

have as much [ . . . ] to rebel,” she explained. “That’s why more teens Juul. I think that maybe from a subconscious point of view, like psychologically, that could be. [It’s] one of the reasons so many people do it, including me.”

This generational determination to be different coupled with a generational carefree attitude has perfectly primed our age group for Juul. “[We’re allowing] something like a Juul [to] jeopardize our health in the future because most of this generation cares more about what is happening in the now over what is going to happen,” Tave said.

“We don’t care enough because we have this mind set of ‘f*ck it.’”

It’s almost as if Juul has become a mighty symbol of rebellion for our generation. The way rock and roll shaped boomers, social media shaped millennials, trends like Juul are shaping us. Is that extreme? Hopefully. But vaping is a classified epidemic, and there is no indication that teens plan to slow down any time soon.

Addiction

L

et’s rewind. Juuls were invented to wean heavy smokers off cigarettes. Their website reads, “We envision a world where fewer people use cigarettes, and where people who smoke cigarettes have the tools to reduce or eliminate their consumption entirely, should they so desire.”

Since the device was only founded in 2015, little is known about their long-term health effects. As there is no actual tobacco in Juul pods, it’s true that they do not deliver tar into the lungs in the same way that cigarettes do; however, it is unknown whether Juul has any correlations to cancer.

“It’s probably safer [than cigarettes],” said Nurse Kell in refer-

Tuesday, January 29, 2019 ence to Juuls. “But safer isn’t safe.”

Juul is young, but nicotine is not.

Humans have been smoking nicotine from tobacco for hundreds of years, and they’ve likely known that it’s addictive for almost as long.

The active ingredient in Juuls are nicotine salts, which have a higher concentration of nicotine than cigarettes, thus making Juuls far more addictive than both regular cigarettes and other brands of e-cigarettes, which use freebase nicotine.

As this epidemic gains national attention, more people are becoming aware of the addictive qualities of Juul. But is the threat of addiction alone enough to stop teenagers from vaping?

All of the students who the Pepperbox interviewed about Juul knew they were inhaling nicotine the first time they hit one, but the prospect of addiction didn’t make any of them hesitate. None of them think they’re addicted, except Nash - kind of.

He described what it’s like to have an addiction. “Like tapping my foot in class, like I showed up five minutes late ‘cause I was hitting it, and then I need to leave ‘cause I need to hit again,” he said.

Nash uses his Juul all the time.

He admitted that, “at times,” it’s a problem. At one point, when he couldn’t get pods, Nash said he got “visibly angry.” So earlier this month, he planned to stop. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna stop tomorrow,’ and then . . . I just had a sh*tty day,” he said. But Nash said that since then, he’s been using his Juul more sparingly. “I won’t use it when I don’t need to. It’s been more of a choice,” he said.

Fay, Ruth, and Tave didn’t express the same dependency.

“Over break I didn’t have it, and I just kind of thought about it, but I never got angry,”

Fay said. “For me it’s not as much of an addiction as it is for other people.”

Tave also said her Juul habit is far from addiction, but “if there’s the opportunity to do it, it’s hard to back down.”

Even though Juuls may not pose the same threats as cigarettes, they’re equally addictive, and addiction is bad; there’s no sugar-coating it.

“You’re modifying your brain by becoming addicted at a young age,” said Nurse Kell. “This is a seriously strong chemical to be introducing into your system.”

Nash knows this. “It’s definitely both mentally and physically addictive,” he admitted.

Once brain physiology is changed by repetitive nicotine intake, the body will experience withdrawals (a negative physical reaction) if nicotine intake is stopped. Quite often mental addiction develops alongside this physical addiction, which causes emotional cravings.

Nash pointed out another alarming risk about Juuling and addiction. “It does make you more able to get addicted to other things later, if you develop that type of habit and need for a release,” he said.

Outside of school, addiction looks like keeping a Juul at your fingertips all day, mindlessly raising it to your lips every two minutes for a hit. At school, addiction looks like thinking

Most of this generation cares more about what is happening in the now over what is going to happen.

- Tave

JUUL

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Each generation needs something to separate them from the generation before. Now that [ . . . ] weed is normalized, we don’t have as much [ . . . ] to rebel. That’s why more teens Juul. about - Fay it cons t a n t l y, getting angry without it, and leaving class for a hit - developing this distracting dependency that will be so hard to kick when you finally want to stop. Addiction is not something to brush aside.

School

A

rcata High saw its first e-cigarette about five years ago, according to Principal Dave Navarre.

Until about a year ago, they popped up once or twice more, but the occasion was rare. But recently, the school has “seen a rapid spike in the number of students [vaping on campus],” Navarre said.

There have been about 12 students disciplined for vaping at school over the 2018-2019 school year, according to Arcata High School Vice Principal Jim Monge.

In response to these increasing numbers, the school began printing a notice in the AHS bulletin to remind students that owning the device is illegal. On January 8, it urgently read, “STUDENTS!! Vape pens are illegal to have at school.

If you are caught with a vape pen,

Safer isn’t safe.

- Nurse Kell you will be suspended or possibly expelled. Do not bring vape pens to school.”

The administration found that kids continued to vape at school despite the message, so on Monday, January 13, they changed the tone. The replacement notice read: “Students, if you have a nicotine addiction, we encourage you to meet with our school nurse, Mr. Kell. There will be no school disciplinary action taken. Your social/ emotional/physical health is our number one priority.”

Nurse Kell confirmed that students have visited him since the notice went out. When kids ask him for help with addiction, Kell discusses how to quit with them.

“It has to be your choice,” he said.

“Even if you wanna go in with some friends, [and] try to do it together, it still needs to be personal.”

Kell suggested planning ahead,

picking a specific and significant day to quit, and to have a strong support system. “Wherever you can find reliable help, because you can’t really do it alone,” he said.

Kell also pointed out that “you may have to switch up your friend composition, [because Juuling] continues in groups.”

In alignment with the new bulletin notice, the school is trying not to be “reactionary,” according to Navarre. But both owning a vape pen under the age of 21 and vaping at school is illegal; it’s classified as a misdemeanor. “[Students] would not be disciplined for visiting the nurse, but if a student is caught smoking in the bathroom, they have to be disciplined,” Navarre said.

The school tried to eradicate the problem as quickly as possible by asking teachers to help. “Part of it is an awareness campaign, talking to teachers, asking them to visit the bathroom more,” Navarre said.

“In all of these cases, almost, it’s the teachers catching the students.”

But ultimately, administration has found that there is no quick fix.

As the problem continued to proliferate, administration somewhat shifted their response, as seen in the updated bulletin notice. “This is a compassionate school,” Navarre said. “The idea is not to get kids in trouble. If these kids are getting addicted, [ . . . ] that’s our number one concern. How we can help them with that?”

What next?

I

n early January, Principal Navarre received an email from the California Department of Education, California Tobacco Control Program, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he shared with the Pepperbox. The email acknowledged that vaping is a rising trend in California schools and added that “each

The Pepperbox | Page 19

school is trying to develop creative ways to halt this behavior.”

The CDE, CTCP, and CDC are working with Arcata High and other California schools to understand “what works, what doesn’t work, and what kind of resources [schools need] to reduce youth vaping.” They plan to distribute the results in order to help schools move forward with the problem.

In the meantime, administration is working to educate themselves and the AHS faculty.

“Nurse Johnny Kell is getting educated, [and] sharing resources,” Navarre explained. “I’ve shared some curriculum [about e-cigarettes] with [health teachers], so they’ll probably look at that and see how to fit it in.”

But Navarre knows that, with limited resources and little information from the medical community, there’s only so much the school can do. “We’ll do our best with counseling and working with our nurse and curriculum,” he said.

“Is that gonna be enough? I suspect not.”

Our generation was nearly in the clear. Few of us so much as dreamed of picking up a cigarette, but now 20% of us can’t stop lifting a toxic flash drive to our lips. We’ve been cheated, and we should be mad. But instead, we’re decorating our Juuls with cutesy stickers, posting vape tricks on Instagram, and passing it around at parties, only to get our friends hooked as well.

Ultimately, our parents will continue to beg us to stop, our school will continue to discipline us for vaping in the bathroom, and our doctors will continue to remind us that nicotine and addiction are dangerous. But nothing is going to change until we, the teens, finally decide that Juul isn’t cool.

*These students’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

The Pepperbox | Page 20

JUUL

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

A (very relevant) history of tobacco marketing Sophia Escudero

I

Reporter

t’s break. Denali Brown, an Arcata High senior, absentmindedly scrolls through the #satisfying tag on Instagram.

Between the videos of people icing cakes in time-lapse and knives slicing neatly through bars of soap, a video appears of a young, brunette woman with a Juul. She opens her mouth, lets out a small cloud, and quickly draws it back in. She laughs, releasing it a second time.

Brown moves on to the next video, in which a perfectly manicured pair of hands mixes pigment into clear slime. “While, I admit, they are pretty, it’s still bad for you,” Brown says. A nearby student pipes up. “No, Juul’s better for you than vaping. That’s what they say.”

According to FDA regulation, all advertisements for tobacco products appearing outdoors, in publications with a significant number of youth readers, or anywhere other than an adult-only facility are restricted to black text on a white background, and all audio-visual ads are banned from having music or images. These regulations are meant to minimize the appeal of tobacco products and prevent companies from marketing to minors.

Historically, tobacco companies have targeted children and teens, often using brightly colored packaging, cartoon mascots, flavors, and blatant lies about the dangers of smoking to hook young customers for life.

In the early 20th century, some ads outright depicted children smoking cigarettes. This was largely to promote the idea of smoking as a part of “normal” family life, to reinforce the idea that smoking is harmless, and to appeal to both parents and children. While the legal smoking age eventually rose

from 16 to 18 (21 in California) as public opinion moved more firmly against young people smoking, advertisers continued to push nicotine on minors. A 1985 internal memo of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco company directly states, “Younger adult smokers are the only source of replacement smokers. Repeated government studies . . . have shown that: Less than one-third of smokers (31%) start after age 18. Only 5% of smokers start after age 24. Thus, today's young adult smoking behavior will largely determine the trend of industry volume over the next several decades.” Three years later, they initiated their now-infamous Joe Camel campaign, featuring a cartoon mascot that a 1991 study found to be almost as recognizable as Mickey Mouse among six-yearolds. The campaign ran until 1997.

More recently, Juul has come

under fire from the FDA for allegedly deliberately using social media campaigns to appeal to young people. Online ads featured young adult models on brightly colored backgrounds posing with their products, and others heavily emphasized the flavor aspects with images of ripe fruit. While the company knew as early as 2015 that minors were using their products, they did not shift to only hiring models over the age of 35 until late 2016. They continued to hire social media influencers to promote vaping on sites with large youth userbases, such as Twitter and Instagram, until June of 2018, when the FDA began to request information on their ad campaigns.

So far, the investigation has seized over 50,000 documents.

While Juul has claimed that they only intended to market to adults wanting to quit smoking, their

A Life Magazine ad for Camel Cigarettes published in 1946.

heavy focus on looking trendy and fun has attracted a much younger user base. Juul has become a meme, at once a cringe-worthy joke and an aspirational image of coolness. Videos and photos posted by youth on Instagram and Snapchat have given the company yet more free advertising.

Intentional or not, Juul has tapped into youth culture in a way that most companies can only dream of. While they have taken some steps to reduce their appeal, such as renaming flavors and toning down the ad campaigns, the problem of youth having fallen for their advertising and becoming addicted to their products remains. Juul cannot undo what has been done already. For all of their promises of ending addictions and reducing smoking, Juul has only followed in the footsteps of Big Tobacco.

Flickr

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

JUUL Opinion

The Pepperbox | Page 21

Dear Yuuth: It’s not (entirely) your fault Mira O’Barr A&E Editor

L

ast winter it was safe to assume that the clouds rising from crowds of students were clouds of condensation. This winter; not so much. With the rapid increase in the use of Juuls, and E-cigarettes in general, it is safer to assume that these clouds are full of nicotine.

The elegant and alluring shapes these plumes make are beautiful, but behind the beauty is a very ugly habit. For each user the beginning of this habit is unique; for some, it was aquired from a best friend, for many it was peer-pressure and the desire to look edgy, or maybe for others it was by mistake.

Lots of people that use Juuls were drawn in by the claim that it is safe for your body and non-addictive. Now, if you’ve read any of the informational articles about Juuls in here,

or anywhere, you know that is just wrong. But, even with this knowledge people still risk an addiction for a rush of dopamine and a nice flavor.

I remember being in elementary school, pretending to smoke cigarettes made out of post-its with my friends. Even then we had a desire to be cool, but we just pretended, because we knew of the damage that cigarettes could have on our bodies. We could see the effects of nicotine in our mothers’ early-aged faces, and the solidarity in our shared experience of being left at home while our family members ran to the gas station for a pack of camels. You could argue that Juuls aren’t the same; they don’t coat your lungs in tar or make your teeth yellow. But E-cigarettes have not been around long enough for us to know the long term effects of using them. They are covered under this false, thin security blanket of a lack of knowledge and common sense.

An addiction to Juuling slow-

I remember being in elementary school, pretending to smoke cigarettes made out of post-its with my friends.

Even then we had a desire to be cool, but we just pretended, because we knew of the damage that cigarettes could have on our bodies.

An addiction to Juuling slowly takes over your whole life. You skip out on lunch to afford your next pod, you leave conversations in class to go Juul in the bathroom, you lie to your parents and family members when they ask you “what do you think of that whole Juuling thing?” ly takes over your whole life.

You skip out on lunch to afford your next pod, you leave conversations in class to go Juul in the bathroom, you lie to your parents and family members when they ask you “what do you think of that whole Juuling thing?”

I understand how something like this could get out of hand. A lot of people have not seen the effects of addiction and because of that, they don’t recognize it in themselves. I’m not saying it’s the fault of the people who raised this generation, but they should feel some guilt. So many of us were so close to getting through our teenage years without our friends and ourselves becoming addicted to nicotine, but this one slid through the fingers of our mentors. At first it was uncharted territory, so there was nobody telling us not to Juul, and the people that did had no other reason to say so except that it’s illegal. Since many of us were never taught about the signs of addiction we were not able to notice the prob-

lem until it was too late. However, not all of the blame is on the people that raised us.

Most of the blame goes to our ignorant and trusting minds.

When we hear that something is dangerous or addictive we think that it will be different for us, and decide to have fun. And when people tell us to stop we get fed up and we do it anyway, despite the warnings.

We are at the age when we have become obsessed with the idea that we have unlimited freedom. This new-found freedom is being used to do things like Juul, and the irony of that is that it only slaps on more chains to your wrists. An addiction can trap you for the rest of your life, and many of us are already trapped. This epidemic in our country is taking away our freedom and not giving us anything in return except a headrush and an edgy aesthetic. Is your freedom really worth some dopamine and a few extra likes on your Instagram post because of the #juulgang in your caption?

The Pepperbox | Page 22

Feature

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

How peer pressure silently persists Stella Walston

Reporter f you’ve ever seen a movie or show from the 90’s, then you’ve seen what the media says is peer pressure. The, “student corners you in the hallway and tells you to do drugs because everyone else is doing it,” kind of peer pressure. The kind of peer pressure that kids have been practically trained to shut down, whether it be enforced by a grainy school video or a parent lecture (“Just say no, honey!”).

The kind of peer pressure that makes us roll our eyes because of how fake it seems.

That kind of peer pressure.

While we can enjoy making fun of this misrepresented aspect of teen culture, it’s important to recognize that this kind of peer pressure is absolutely ridiculous in its actual ineffectiveness. It fails to teach us how to deal with uncomfortable pressure from those we look to for support and camaraderie. It fails to teach us how to deal with the pressure we place on ourselves.

“I feel like [peer pressure] is more played up in the media. Like, it’s not really as intense normally in real life,” Sophomore Owen Smith explained.

Peer pressure is no longer the pushing of someone into a locker, or threatening to spread rumors if they don’t participate in something. It’s become more subtle - something that is felt, not seen.

I

“I would say that it’s more indirect. Like, instead of getting called out by people, it’s metaphorically more like a glare. It’s like you see everybody else doing one thing and you feel like you have to go along with it even though nobody is telling you to go along with it,” Sophomore Izzy Knife said.

Peer pressure is now more like a form of isolation than anything else, because nobody wants to be the person who’s known for being a narc, or being stuck up, or a million other negative connotations.

“If you’re with your friends and everyone is [vaping], then it feels like you have to, cause if not then you aren't cool,” Freshman Carrie* stated.

Teachers don’t see very much peer pressure, however.

“I’m not noticing peer pressure on campus,” Math teacher Lynn Teasley admitted. French teacher Davena Bagnall felt the same. “I don't witness a lot of peer pressure,” she said.

This is by no fault of theirs, though. This newer peer pressure in the form of isolation is silent.

“I’ve definitely done stuff because I felt like I had to, not because someone was telling me I had to,” Knife explained.

With this changing perception of how to navigate a culture in which isolation is a significant factor in peer pressure, we are brought back to the seminar videos that most of us were shown

This newer peer pressure in the form of isolation is silent.

It’s definitely still there, and if it isn’t about drugs, it’s about wearing certain clothes or acting a certain way or using certain language. It’s still there, and you still feel like you have to do ‘it’ even though nobody is telling you to.

- Izzy Knife at one point or another. The thing that the videos seemed to get wrong most often was the portrayed simplicity of “just saying no.” How are we expected to just say no if it has the potential to ruin a friendship or implicate things that will follow us around for the rest of our high school careers?

The implications that come with a simple refusal can go far beyond some awkwardness and/ or hurt feelings. Trying to navigate relationships is difficult, and saying no can’t always be the solution.

“If it was a close friend then yeah, but if it was someone that I wasn’t very close with then I would feel very uncomfortable [saying no],” Carrie* stated.

Pressure has also started to seep into student lives from adult influence and recommendation.

“Teachers are pressuring me more than other students, because you can connect with other people and what they want to do, and you can find people that want to be on the same path as you’re going on, but teachers

kind of only seem to want their students to go to college,” Junior Ada Bavin stated.

Peer pressure is also evolving into more of a form of internal pressure - It’s the feeling of pressure you put on yourself to feel like you fit in with everyone else.

“It’s less of like an individual, one on one, ‘do this or I'll hate you’, and it’s more of a general sense of, ‘oh, everyone else in this room is doing something, and if I don’t maybe I won’t look cool’,” Sophomore Megan Lorenc explained.

However students are being pressured - whether it be by peers, teachers, or themselves - one thing is clear. People are feeling the effects, and dealing with the emotions that come with it is hard.

Knife explained, “It’s definitely still there, and if it isn't about drugs, it’s about wearing certain clothes or acting a certain way or using certain language. It’s still there, and you still feel like you have to do ‘it’ even though nobody is telling you to.” *Name changed for privacy.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Feature

The Pepperbox | Page 23

A word that hits the soul Trinity Smith Reporter

M

y freshmen year, I was walking to Hey Juan’s with two of my closest friends when a red Ford pulled up next to us at the stop sign. A fellow student popped his head out of the passenger window and yelled out the ‘n’ word. At first, I couldn’t tell if it was directed at me or not, but then it clicked. I was one of two African Americans out on the sidewalk at that moment. My first instinct was to find whoever said it and scold them, but I realized that it was too late as the driver sped off around the corner. All I could think was why? I was just going to lunch. What’s the point in trying to degrade someone and be so hateful toward me? It was a sunny day, but it turned dark fast.

Let me educate you: The fact that the ‘n’ word is used so freely by anyone is almost insane if you really think about it. In a lot of languages, the root of the word just means black. Black is a color and not much more.

I wonder if they understand the terrible history of the word.

However, think about slavery and what the slaves were called instead of their names historically in this country. You automatically think of the n-word with a hard ‘r’. The fact that the word was used as an insult for so long backs up the fact that it shouldn’t be used by anyone.

How the word is used and who uses the word are very important considerations.

Now before you get doubtful and flip the page, (I'm assuming most of my readers are white) imagine if the tables were completely turned. Imagine if your ancestors were taken from their homes and forced to build what you see today. Would you feel differently about the word if this was true about your ancestral heritage?

Let me give you another example.

I walked out of the gym in a good mood, laughing, joshing around. Then, a song playing on the amp spouted the ‘n’ word.

I got annoyed and angry. I feel uncomfortable when I hear that

I feel uncomfortable when I hear that word in a large group of white people as a minority.

word in a large group of white people as a minority. It’s confusing. I wonder if they understand how the artists are using the word. I wonder if they understand the terrible history of the word.

Why are predominately white students allowed to play this music at school? It seemed unfair when my black friends and I are often punished for playing similar music or using that word with our friends. I snapped.

In hindsight, I shouldn’t have snapped. I should have confronted the teacher in charge of the students about the situation calmly, but it was in the moment and stuff just exploded.

I think most teachers and students are naive to what it feels like as a young black woman to hear the word at school. Hearing this word hella hits the soul because I know for a fact that when I leave Arcata High, it’s most likely gonna get worse.

I try never to use the word around white students. If they hear me say it, they might think the word can be used by anybody. If I use the word, I use it at home with my family and close friends. We do not use it with venom. We do not use it to degrade. More recently

We do not use it with venom.

though, we have stopped using it as much because our younger nephew started using it at school.

Our school, its students, and its staff need to examine racism and discrimination, not gloss over it.

I’m torn on whether or not the word should ever be used on campus. On one hand, all students should stop using the word to stop its spread. On the other hand, once there are more black students they are bound to use it any way they see fit and should be able to.

We’ve taken the word back for ourselves. Administration probably shouldn’t be able to say anything to those students.

If you hear this word, don’t just ignore it. Ask the person if they know what the history of the word is? If you aren’t willing to go that far, ask why they are using it at all? If you have any questions, I would love to talk with you. Talk to Ms. Witten and she’ll set up a meeting with me.

I try never to use the word around white students. If they hear me say it, they might think the word can be used by anybody.

The Pepperbox | Page 24

Feature

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Match the senior to the essay

How well do you know your peers? The Pepperbox asked eight seniors for a paragraph of their college essays. Can you guess who wrote which essay? See the participants and answers on the next page.

1.

Comedy is something that’s always been needed in my life and in society’s now too. And I don’t mean the typical political jokes that anyone can jump on and get a quick laugh out of, I mean the normal, everyday stuff. Stuff that anyone could laugh at. Stuff about how Junior Mints are like five bucks at the movie theater even though you could find six of them under your seat for free. I could go on, but, I need to write the punchline to this at some point.

2.

I love medicine, but college is where we shall see if medicine loves me. For most people, college should be the place to find a field of study, then a career. College is where all the fields become depth, rather than breadth. College is the first place that we get to decide our direction without the input of parents and guidance counselors and everyone who believes they know us. At the moment, I certainly don’t know what exactly my career will be, but I know I want to be hands-on in healing people, perhaps as a PT, a PA, or an MD. I dream of being a part of Doctors Without Borders, but we shall see. For now, I’m just happy to have the opportunity to continue past high school.

3.

I grew up five miles from the Pacific Ocean in the middle of a redwood forest, so nature has always been in my life. My childhood was spent exploring the forests and beaches nearby, asking all kinds of questions about the different organisms I’d see. My parents both majored in biological sciences, so they enjoyed answering my questions.

Another very memorable experience was dissecting and going through the fish that my dad would catch and bring back home. I’d poke and prod fish parts and ask questions about their anatomy, physiology, and everything I could think of that’d provide me with information about how the fish survived. I still enjoy dissecting and investigating animals. I believe my experiences outside the classroom drove my interest in science.

4.

Many associate square dancing with a midwestern conservative culture which runs counter to my identity. This means that when I’m telling someone I’m a square dance caller, I generally get weird looks because I’m in an eccentric and patterned vintage tennis dress rather than jeans and cowboy hat, (and that's not to say I can’t appreciate someone wearing a nice Stenson, it’s just that's not me). I’ve struggled with the use of gendered calls, the fact that traditionally the callers and band members were always men, the fact that it’s a dance generally composed of an older demographic, and have even come across some patter that could be considered racist, despite the black slave roots that square dancing was born from. I’ve tried to do several things to counteract these observations. I’ve single-handedly organized and called dances for my Arts Institute program to incorporate younger people into square dancing. Callers from conservative areas have applauded my organization of my county’s March for Our Lives march. I've worked with other callers to develop gender-neutral calls such as “birdie” and “crow” so there aren’t only “ladies” and “gents” dancing.

5.

Space has been somewhat of an escape for me. I like to do art and things of that nature, so I always doodle planets and moons in a nice void because it's so simple yet so interesting. I find comfort in the vastness and emptiness of space. If I ever want to learn more I tune into some science Youtube channel like Vsauce, ASAPscience or anything similar. If I was more academically capable there isn't a doubt in my mind that I would study space as a full time career. I believe that someday in the future I will either become a researcher for medicine or some sort of engineer for a space company. That is my dream career but the amount of time and effort someone would need to put into that field of study would burn my brain completely out. In short, the stars, planets, galaxies, the entire universe fully captivates me in a way nothing else has, or can. I will forever in infatuated with space and everything that comes with it.

6.

I have been volunteering with the Teen Court youth justice program for about two years now, and I have been part of the Leaders program for about a year and a half. Taking an approach of restorative justice, we give first-time youth offenders a chance to be heard by a jury of their peers, many of whom are former defendants themselves, to determine an appropriate sentence. We do not determine guilt or innocence, but work to find the root problems and help improve the defendant’s situation.

7.

I could remember days as a child during our daily math warm ups as I would always have finished the problems faster than anyone.

They called me the Barry Allen of math. Give me a problem or two, and in a blink of an eye it’s solved. Although this certain interest in math is common to many students, it is more unique to me than just problem solving. As a freshman in high school taking Pre-Calculus, I realized the changes made into math. Honestly, math just wasn’t fun anymore, and that earlier advancement at a young age made it confusing and boring.

8.

I think my greatest talent is talking and speaking publicly. It seems like a simple or silly talent, but many people don’t know how or don’t want to publicly speak. In this day and age of technology I find a lot of my friends and peers having a difficult time even ordering off a menu. Since I was little I’ve been a very social person and over the years have learned to use this to my advantage. I have used these skills to be involved in my school, community and in my everyday life. In my school I have been able to be in my school plays, I was Junior class vice president, and am Senior class president. [ . . . ] In my everyday life I make sure I speak to everyone whether we are friends or not and try to be kind to everyone. I hope my future can include modeling and because I have not been afraid to ask, I have been given a couple opportunities locally to model. I think it’s important for everyone to be able to at least ask for what they want or need and in order to do this you must be able to publicly speak.

Feature

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Seung Kwo h n O

The Pepperbox | Page 25

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A terminal case of growing up

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All photos by Kaylien Ownby

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Reporter

s the school year speeds along and the reality that graduation will soon take place sets in, I begin to feel unsure about the future. Don’t get me wrong, of course, I am excited to be done with high school, but at the same time, part of me feels like I’m not prepared. I mean, I don't even do any “adulty” things. I don’t have a job or even my driver’s license yet (I’m working on it). Are these types of things really what determines if you are ready for adulthood, or is it something else?

What does it mean to be an adult? Senior Daniel Lopez said, “It means that you get those adult responsibilities, like getting a job, finding someplace to live on your own, just being able to take care of yourself.” Other students seem to have similar ideas about what it means to be an adult. “[It means] being able to support yourself,” Senior Nabil Essa said.

“I don’t think anybody is ready for it, it just kind of hits them . . . life gets a lot more complex, I feel like you have to juggle a lot more things, and you can't go to the playground anymore,” Senior Zac Poyen said.

To many people, being an adult means having more responsibility, but some students don’t seem sure if school prepares them for these responsibilities. So does school do a good job in preparing new responsibilities that come with adulthood?

“High School prepares us for college,” Essa said. “They prepare us for college but they don't prepare us for life,” Lopez said. When asked if he feels that school prepares students for adulthood Lopez said, “Not at all, they don't teach you how to get a job or do taxes.”

This is true to a degree. Our school gives students few opportunities to learn how to build a resume, or how to give a good impression in a job interview. As freshmen we learn these skills in Tech class, but after that, there is no more help.

They don’t teach us how to pay taxes, for the most part. Taxes are an essential part of funding our country, and people who make money from jobs must pay them. So why don’t they teach us now to pay taxes? After all, working is part of adulthood, according to many students.

Adam Pinkerton said that being an adult is about being responsible for your own success. “You become far more responsible for your own success the older you get,” Pinkerton said. Does school prepare you for life after graduation? “Yes and no.” Pinkerton said. He feels that school does a good job of preparing kids for college. Obviously, though, there is more to life after high school than college and Pinkerton thinks that experiencing the world is a good way to figure out what it means to be an adult. Furthermore, Pinkerton said, “A big part of being an adult is understanding when you can't handle things on your own and knowing when you need help.”

In many ways school is an essential part of growing up. School teaches us practical skills that we need to know, such as reading, writing, and math. School also teaches more abstract skills, like socializing. Not only does it teach us to deal with people we like, but it also teaches us to deal with those that we might not like. These things are important, but so is being prepared for adulthood. Maybe you can’t ever be completely prepared for adulthood and it’s something that you must find your own way in.

Answers: 1. James Richards, 2. Dori DeNisi, 3. Claire Broadman, 4. Nigella Baur, 5. Kevin Madero, 6. Sophia Escudero, 7. Oh Seung Kwon, 8. Izzy Villarreal

The Pepperbox | Page 26

Feature

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Not getting expelled: A fun guide Hannah Pereira Business Manager

W

hile the legal system benefits us in many ways, it can also be very restrictive. It is your duty to know when your rights are being violated and how to prevent these wrongdoings. It is also your responsibility to know when you are violating laws and rules. No need to worry, I will guide you through this complicated journey in the most comprehensive way possible.

Most of us have gotten in trouble before, possibly even with our school’s admin- hey, we all make mistakes. However, if you are not planning to be suspended or expelled, let me give you a little insight into these avoidable punishments.

To start off, students should not be suspended for their first offense, according to the ACLU, un-

less it caused “a danger to persons or property or threatens to disrupt the instructional process” (Section 489000). (By the way, throughout this article I’ll be citing the California Education Code. That way if you thirst for more knowledge relating to something I mention you can go straight to where I pulled my information from and cram your cranium with all kinds of fun legal facts). Anyway, this explanation for how a first-time offense can equal an immediate suspension allows a lot of wiggle room.

In case you are a frequent flyer with the school’s repercussion program, don’t worry, schools cannot suspend a student for more than five consecutive school days, and unless you just transferred to Arcata High, the school cannot suspend you for more than a total of 20 school days.

Offenses that lead to suspension/expulsion can be committed on campus while class is in session, during lunch both on and off cam-

*All of the following reasons for expulsion can be found in Section 49800 of the California Education Code (except the last, sourced from Mark Sahlberg).

• Possessing and/or selling weapons. Unfortunately, Swiss Army knives are included in this.

• Possessing, selling, or being under the influence of controlled substances. Yes, I double checked, cannabis does count as a controlled substance (Chapter 2, Section 11054).

• Possession/use of products containing tobacco and/or nicotine including vaped nicotine. That’s right, lookout those of you associated with #Juulgang.

• Damaging or stealing, attempting to steal, or receiving stolen school property or private property. FYI, in this context the definition of school property includes electronic files and databases (Section 48900(u)).

• Engaging in “habitual profanity”. So next time I hear a freshmen yelling out curse words through the hallways, I fully expect for them to get booted for it. My delicate ears just can’t handle that kind of obscenity.

• Possessing an “imitation firearm”. Maybe consider leaving the water guns at home, folks.

• Impersonating a peer by creating a fake social media account

pus, going to/coming from school, and during, going to, or coming from school-related activities (Section 48900(s)). This remains true even if the affected school is not the offender’s school.

Unless you have been deemed an immediate “clear and present danger”, the admin is required to offer you a conference following your offense (if classified as dangerous, the offer must occur within two school days of offense). This conference is an opportunity for them to explain their reasoning behind your suspension, as well as a chance for you to tell your side of the story and defend yourself.

You can even present evidence to support your argument (Section 48911).

A school employee must make a “reasonable effort” to contact a student’s parents in the event of a suspension. Parents must also be informed in writing of the suspension, details regarding it, and when their student is allowed to

return to school. They must also be offered a conference with a school admin, but it’s not held against their student if they fail to attend (Section 48911).

As a student facing suspension, you may also be assigned diversion. A way of holding you accountable for your actions, while keeping you out of the justice system. In some cases, diversion is more of a warning, while other times it requires that the offender meet with a supervisor for intervention (corrective resources). One result of the latter approach could be that you end up in our county’s local Teen Court program, which emphasizes restorative justice by assigning sentences specifically catered to offenders’ interests and needs.

Here are noteworthy ways to get expelled. Some are the epitome of expulsion causes, others are simply interesting. And remember, these are to inform you of what not to do.

(without their consent). So watch out next time you make a mock fanpage for a fellow student.

• “Willfully defying” the authority of an admin, teacher, or other school official in the “performance of their duties”. Better think twice when you’re refusing to give the teacher your phone in class.

• Hazing causing “serious bodily injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm”. Fine, I guess the freshmen have escaped getting pennied . . . for now.

• Violating your suspension contract.

Here are some handy dandy exceptions to expulsion: • Willfully using violence to harm another person will certainly get you kicked out, unless it is a matter of self defense (Section 48900(a)).

• Possessing/using a prescription drug for medical reasons (Section 48915(c)(ii)).

• It is the “intent” of the California Ed Code that students who have attendance problems should not be suspended/expelled (Section 48900(w)). Good news for those of you who suffer from senioritis or are serial tardyers - you get to make admin get creative with your punishment.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Feature

The Pepperbox | Page 27

My Story: Life with Tourette’s Syndrome Zach Sawyer Reporter

T

o understand what I’m about to tell you, you need to do something first. You need to believe in the impossible. Can you do that? Good. I am about to share with you something I have been living with for quite a long time now. When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed with a little thing called Tourette’s Syndrome, but as I got older and started to “mature” I would realize that there is nothing “little” about it. Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics and vocalization. If you see me around school you will most

likely just see an average kid, but really I have this secret. I tell you to believe in the impossible because involuntary uncontrollable muscle spasms and outbursts sound pretty supernatural, wouldn’t you say? It does to me at least.

Some people, when they find out about my Tourette’s, are like, “Oh, I know what that is, do you cuss a lot?” I respond with “No,” because I don’t cuss - I mean, not for Tourette’s that is. It is not common for people with Tourette’s to cuss uncontrollably. There is only a ten percent chance of having cussing as a tic and I am very happy I am not in that ten percent.

My tics consist of a lot of painful body movements with some vocalizations. The vocalizations cause some minor effects of voice loss or

a sore throat, but the motor tics, as they are called, end up causing some bad injuries to my muscles and tendons. I have to go to physical therapy or a chiropractor to try and ease the pain. I like to keep this a secret from my fellow students because I want to feel as normal as I can around everyone and try to fit in by putting on a “mask” at school to hide the pain and just be happy with friends. I decided to share this information because I feel like I don’t have to hide anymore because there are so many nice people that I have met so far at Arcata High School.

It sucks because there is no cure.

I have tried a lot of medications over the years, but the side effects of medications include weight gain and trouble breathing. I have had

acupuncture, hypnotherapy, disgusting Chinese herbs, physical therapy, a chiropractor, and Chinese cuppings (which are extremely painful glass cups with fire in them to suction cup your body). I have gotten rotator cuff tendinitis which is in my shoulder from all the bad muscle spasms I have had. It sucks having to hold it in at school and then as soon as I get in the car after school I let it all out and it is like a loud explosion of noise and pain. In conclusion, even though none of these doctors helped me permanently or some even temporarily, I have still met some great and nice people.

PS: With all the money spent over the years on these doctor visits, I could have gotten a Lamborghini.

The Pepperbox | Page 28

Feature

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

“Learn how to play a recorder.”

-Liberty Zerlang

“Avoid any more Pepperbox interviews.”

-Kieran McNulty

“To keep my white shoes clean.”

-Madeline Lankarani

“Get some gnarly tubes on the daily with Julia Mcleod.”

-Karina Zumbrun

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

“To be 6 Foot 8 inches by the end of 2019.”

-Milo Crockenberg ”Survive Junior year.”

-Michaela Macdonald “Stay happy, stay motivated.”

-Spencer Olson

”Eat more pasta.”

-Archer Brayton

A&E

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Pepperbox | Page 29

To the next level: AAI bands appreciated

Malea Vaughan-Fowler/PEPPERBOX

4TheMasses (with Steven Morin) after a show at Outer Space.

Eva Villamor

T

Reporter

he room awaits an audience. The colors of the walls are unknown, but they’re bright- bright with anticipation and flickering with positivity. Soundcheck is done.

Check. The house is full. Check.

The show will start soon. The aroma: slight nerves, excitement, and some relative BO. The audience is waiting.

Each AAI band is remarkable for its own distinct reason, being made up of unique personas, capabilities, and ideas. These AAI bands know how to get the crowd on their feet. “It’s fun, I like playing for people who dance,” Senior Nigella Baur said.

The kids are motivated and driven with help from Arcata High School’s marvelous music teacher, Cassy Moulton. “[I’m] always pushing them to go further . . . to the next level,” Mrs. Moulton said.

4TheMasses and Petty Education are two AAI bands that have reached this “next level.” Both seek

out gigs separate from AAI showcases, and both are prominent for writing their own songs.

When I see these bands perform, I’m at a loss for words. They get me up when I’m down. These musicians make the audience feel included. They make people feel connected through the beautiful thing known as music.

Petty Education consists of Nigella Baur on lead vocals, Eddie Kallen on base and trumpet, Zelda Geren on keys and vocals, Ben Aldag on drums and base, and guitarists Lucas Homan and Fenix Banaskiewicz.

Petty Education goes the extra mile to perform gigs outside of school. “We all want to perform.

It’s so fun!” Junior Zelda Geren said.

“I get to hear every student play on their own . . . it’s just incredible what people are able to do on their own,” Mrs. Moulton said.

“Being in a band where we write our own songs is a deeply meaningful process with a meaningful outcome . . . collaborating with bandmates to create something

Kaylien Ownby/PEPPERBOX

Petty Education poses for a photo with lots of attitude. that’s never been heard before.

[AAI] definitely gives us the opportunity and time to improve,” Baur said.

These bandmates all love music. “My life is music,” Senior Eddie Kallen said. “I’ve always loved music,” Geren said as well. “[I like] Taking my two cents and turning it into a song with people,” Geren said. And due to the kids’ mutual passion for music, as well as their unique and rather natural talent, they connect to one another to create a “new music.”

The band is really close-knit and their differences only make their originality known. “[We have] similar things in mind of what we want . . . but also different,” Kallen said.

“In the band it’s more of coming up with something (like a chord progression or base line) then lyrics then ‘layering’ . . . ” Junior Ben Aldag said. AAI helps them evolve too, “[AAI’s] helping me work with people of different personalities and styles,” Aldag added.

“We all care a lot about the group and the music . . . It’s cliche

as sh*t but it’s broadened my horizons,” Aldag said.

Another AAI band, 4TheMasses, or “4TM” for short, has Josh Horan, Ijal Morgan, and Kaya Topolewski collaborating together to create music.

“We tell each other our ideas… start with a melody or emotion, then we just jam out. Music is like everything for me, [it] keeps me sane. [Music is] more genuine than words . . . a more beautiful side of life. It’s not negative in any way it’s very personal.[Music is] a diary with sound,” Horan said.

“I grew up off the grid with nothing else to do but music,” Senior Ijal Morgan and 4TM member said.

“Music is a way of life. We hold ourselves as musicians . . . it gives us a sense of recognition.”

It’s inspiring for people of any age to witness teenagers enkindle others with the positivity that is music. Teens making something beautiful, and sharing it with others is what community is all about.

Music produces a friendly atmosphere, and with that, music makes our ears smile.

The Pepperbox | Page 30

Opinion

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Saltbox Bashing the trash

Things we’re salty about

Mark Salamunovich Environmentalist

D

o you ever notice that there is a lot of trash that floats around the school campus? I do not like picking up other people’s trash. I think students should pick up their own trash like polite, respectful people should. Littering is not good for the school, the environment, or the world. If you could pick up your own trash and put it inside the trash can, that would be very helpful!

Please, keep this wonderful campus CLEAN!! Everyone would be appreciative of a clean campus. CLEAN UP!

What’s up with trends?

Haven Fricke-Smyth

W

Anti-Trender

hat’s up with trends? Like, who decides what is cool and what isn’t cool and if something becomes a “trend?”

Does someone just randomly come to school with something and everyone’s like, “Hey, that looks cool! That’s the new trend!” Personally, I think it’s kind of stupid. What if someone thinks a trend is weird, like wearing super ripped jeans that are actually more expensive than regular jeans, and less comfortable just because they might look “cool”?

People who aren’t comfortable with a certain style might be considered “uncool” because they aren't “up to date.”

Another trend that I don't understand is when someone eats something like a pickle next to a very sensitive microphone and it makes an incredibly loud crunching sound. I’m not saying it’s bad, I just don’t understand how something like that would even become a thing that people do. Trends can also lead to a destruction of individuality. When everyone is copying each other, personal styles are often lost. I'm not saying it’s a bad thing to follow trends or to like certain things other people do, wear, or say. Just don't let it get in the way of being the amazingly unique you.

Cool Socks Bailey Ives

R

Sock Enthusiast

ecently I have been noticing people’s socks. Some are ankle length, some are thigh high, and some don’t show at all. Some are boring black or white, some are gray with a Puma logo, and some have pugs in sunglasses on them.

My favorite kind are the mid-calf colorfully printed socks. They hit just the right point so they show just enough, or if you don’t want them to be seen, you can hide them under your jeans.

When you wear cool socks, people you meet think, ”Wow this person is subtly cool, they’re wearing interesting socks.”

When you're walking down the street and you get a glimpse of your socks you get a burst of pride because you, yes, you are wearing those cool socks that everyone wants, but doesn’t know you have until they see the tutu-wearing hippos in all their glory.

Is that dancing? Lindsay Rimmer W Not a Grosso

hy the &%!? do we dance like that? Like THAT. Any AHS dance, one step in and you’re met by a blast of hot air and intolerable music. Once your eyes adjust, you’re (un)welcomed by a mosh-pit of slick teenagers all pressed together. There’s no spaced out cliques, there’s not a place to talk or socialize. You’re either in the pit or you’re cold and alone standing five feet away from it.

Either way, you really don’t wanna be there. Don’t get me wrong, we have all come to agree that some aspects of dances are fun, you just get in the pit and act like you’re having fun. Genuinely, these dances have such a mob-mentality it’s intimidating. What makes it worse? The “chaperones” that stand there. Those poor teachers have to sit there and watch you emulsify yourself with 30 other kids at once. Shout out to those teachers that have high hopes going in, I’m so sorry you had to be so disappointed. OVERALL, I’m not completely dissing on how we dance, but why is that the only dance we’ve come to enjoy? I am simply kerfuffled.

Haley Hill Not a robot

T

he laughing emoji has been the bane of my existence for as long as I can remember. It has haunted my every waking moment for years on end, and my sanity is gradually decreasing as the days go on. I have received countless messages containing this emotionally scarring emoticon, and as the onslaught continues, we as a society stray further and further away from God’s light. The sender and the recipient of this emoji both know that this message is built upon lies. It is blatantly evident that neither party in the conversation has actually been brought to tears of laughter, and the round yellow face that unapologetically cackles back at us through our screens is a mockery of our humanity. Why do we send these atrocious falsehoods to each other?

We must learn to unabashedly express ourselves with words, and cast out this conversational filler that only enables us to replace a genuine comedic connection with a false pretense of hilarity. Some even have the audacity to type out multiple laughing emojis at once, which should immediately condemn the sender to eternal hellfire. No human being could possibly be capable of repeatedly bringing someone to tears from their wit. We are all a part of the problem, and we must speak out in order to ratify the mistakes we have made before it is too late. In Proverbs 19:9, it is written that “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” Based on the events that have transpired in the last few years, the end is most likely near. I’m not sure about you, dear reader, but I would like to be on the right side of history. I rest my case.

Opinion

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Since when does extra frozen = extra fun?

Caledonia Davey

I

A sad and grey send-away Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan

A

PSA: Do the math first Jacquelyn Opalach

Comfort Queeeen

t’s cold. It’s wet. The sky seems to be dark 24/7. My feet never seem to defrost and my coffee has begun to turn into iced coffee all on its own (I happen to enjoy a steaming cup of joe, thank you very much). And yet, here we are, the dawn of Junior Prom, planning to dress up in too-short dresses that cover, like, three inches of our bodies, wear too-high heels that make it incredibly easy to do a major face plant on the wet cement, and plotting to stand in the aforementioned weather for hours just to take perfect prom pictures that look the same as last year’s, and the year before, and the year before, and so on.

Dearest Humboldt, when will you realize that our winter weather resembles nothing like SoCal’s or Hawaii’s? It’s frickin’ cold. It’s time that we make long dresses, which provide actual warmth for our frozen February bones a thing for WINTER DANCES. NOT JUST SUMMER DANCES. I mean who the heck came up with the idea to switch the two? Yes, I know, it’s Senior Prom and we are supposed to look ‘elegant and grown’ but it’s NOT COLD IN JUNE. IT’S COLD IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. Thank you.

Not a billionaire. Just a high school student

s the year oozes to a close, dread looms over seniors who have not yet turned in money for graduation supplies. I cannot speak for others, but for myself, my lack of initiative in scraping together some cash for a cap and gown has stemmed from the inherent disgust I hold for the principal of spending money on superfluous, conformatarianistic clothing.

Ultimate Grad, our graduation supply company, essentially holds a monopoly in graduation supplies at Arcata High School. It’s great that many students have the opportunity to borrow robes from other people, but for many, purchasing robes is necessary. To buy just a cap and robe from the order form provided by Ultimate Grad, one must search way down a list of tiny fonted items to the bottom of the page, where the “Cap and Gown unit” is hidden, costing almost 50 dollars. At the top of the page, in large boxes, resides the package deals, including many other items, such as keyrings and cards to send family members. At first glance, just buying a cap and gown doesn’t seem to be an option. It seems to me a sneaky aversion, egging on the purchase of other expensive graduation-related items.

The money is one thing, but the fact that it is mandatory to wear these during graduation is a greater demon. The history of academic robes date back to at least the fifteenth century, and we still, today, employ a similar tradition. A tradition that reeks of conformity.

Is the object of school today not to push us into the world as functional individuals? Is it to push us into the world, left with a message of conformity?

Are dark robes and flat hats that match every person standing alongside one another an empowering way to inspire graduated students to achieve great things in the world? Why must we be restricted the opportunity to use our empowering achievement to express our individuality in our own unique way, by dressing as we choose?

I don’t know. But for now, we must all wear dark robes that in no way allow us to be individuals.

The Pepperbox | Page 33

Perturbed Customer

I

have an addiction. To orange juice. Not any old boxed orange juice from the back of the refrigerated department, no no. No thank you. I am talking specifically about fresh Wildberries orange juice. My addiction, however, has become increasingly financially problematic.

You see, once my supplier, Wildberries, got me hooked on the stuff, they greedily and quite unethically, in my opinion, decided to up their prices. By a very noticeable amount, might I add. When I purchased my first 16-ounce bottle of the fresh, sweet, tangy perfection that is Wildberries OJ, I paid a somewhat ridiculous sum of $3.99 for it. Worth it, I thought to myself as I chugged the magical liquid. I started returning for more on a weekly basis. I couldn’t get enough. And then, a few months into this endeavor, a tragedy occurred. The price was raised to a heart-wrenching $5.49. I practically had a meltdown right there in the produce department, I was so sad.

So I bought myself one more bottle, as condolence if you will, and then I made a difficult decision. I began to boycott Wildberries OJ. I’ll show them, I said to myself. As soon as they notice that I, Jacquelyn Opalach, their biggest and bestest consumer of orange juice, am no longer buying from them, they will reverse this horrific, sinful price increase. And so I waited. I continued to visit the produce department, just to look at it, but I never gave in to my cravings.

This went on for maybe a year. And then, on one recent sunny afternoon (the perfect day for a sweet sip of fresh orange juice) I noticed a significant difference on the OJ machine. The sign no longer said “$5.49/16oz.” No, it said “39 cents/oz.” I rejoiced. This is it.

They finally did it. They finally reduced the price. 39 cents seems like such a tiny amount. I filled up my usual 16-ounce bottle without hesitation. And I got to the counter, and the clerk rung up my OJ and looked at me. And do you want to know what she said? She said, “That’ll be $6.24.”

“Oh, no,” I said, confused. “I just got the orange juice.”

“Yes, the orange juice costs $6.24.” “$6.24?”

“Yes.” “I thought it was 39 cents an ounce,” I said.

“It is.” “ . . . Oh.” So, like the idiot that I am, I paid SIX DOLLARS AND TWENTY FOUR CENTS FOR SIXTEEN OUNCES OF ORANGE JUICE. My bad. I’m no math whiz. But it just never occurred to me that Wildberries, my longtime friend, would do something so unethical and cruel. $6.24 cents is a lot more money than $5.49, not to mention a whole lot more money than the $3.99 that it once was. I don’t know if my emotions have ever shifted from absolute jubilation to such disappointment as quickly and on such a dramatic scale. Not only was I let down more than ever before, I was angry as heck.

Wildberries: tricking those of us that are mathematically weak into thinking that their orange juice is finally reasonably priced.

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