Issue 5, Volume 91

The Pepperbox

February BOX BRIEFS

Feb 15: AAI band performing at Outer Space @ 7 PM Feb 18-22: President’s break!

March 8: International Women’s Day March 9: SAT March 19 - April 8 March Madness March 23: March for Our Lives Want to advertise or buy a mail subscription to the Pepperbox? Email Business Manager Hannah Pereira at pepperbox@nohum.k12.ca.us !

IN THE BOX What’s Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Gender norms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Alumni love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Sibling love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Emojis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.

Eligable cats & dogs . . . . . . . . . . 10 ..

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 Sierra Kapala Grace Mitchell Aidan Nickelson Taria Ross Mark Salamunovich Zach Sawyer Eva Villamor Stella Walston Isabella Welch

CLUB REPORTERS Grace Talty 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.

Love slang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Harry Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Self love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Unhealthy relationships . . . . . 15 .

Don’t love love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 .

PDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 .

Sugarbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 .

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

T

his Valentine’s Day, Pepperbox is here to remind you that gender roles are outdated and unnecessary. This cover was a little tough for our cynical and crotchety Pepperbox crew, but we bonded over triangles and Photoshop’s “colorize” tool. Our cover is all about identity, individuality, and exploring all of the possible versions of yourself - even if other people think it’s weird. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your masculinity or femininity. We hope you have a chocolate-filled day.

XOXO - Kaylien Ownby, Art Director

Jazmine Fiedler, Josh Horan, Jasen McGoldrick, Eva Villamor, and Nigella Baur were all photographed for this issue. Their diverse styles were combined to create our unique and peculiar cover.

Editor’s box

I

n past years, February issues of The Pepperbox have been slanted in a somewhat gendered direction and have focused primarily on romantic love. For this year’s Love issue, we did our best to steer away from stereotypes that dominated our paper in the past. In alignment with this theme, Pepperbox reporter Stella Walston analyzed how gender norms are prevalent at Arcata High and how they have evolved over generations in her article, “21st-century love: Teens challenge gender norms” on page 6.

Rather than covering “Arcata High’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes” as the Pepperbox has in the past, we dedicated our center spread to some totally lovable dogs and cats from the Sequoia Humane Society (who, FYI, are all looking for a home).

And finally, to shine some light on one type of love that is often more lasting than infatuation, the Pepperbox profiled 10 iconic pairs of best friends from around campus.

We hope that you have as much fun reading our perspectives of love as we had developing them.

- Jacquelyn Opalach, Editor-in-Chief

Quotable.

Archives

“I feel like how cats look.”

- Senior James Richards commenting on his fatigue during AP statistics.

“You’re only eating that horrible bagel so people laugh at you.”

-Sophomore Izzy Knife on Avery Arbaugh eating a horrifically burnt bagel

“I’m glad that murder is illegal, so we can still be friends.”

- Senior Andrew Evans on the difference between just & unjust laws

“It’s okay to make fun of mimes, because what are they going to say?”

- Drama teacher Mrs. Stewart on pantomime

“I know I’m wrong, but I like to argue.”

- Government teacher Mr. Pinkerton on whether or not the phrase “shopping for barbecue” is an acceptable use of the English language 2003

Thursday, February 14, 2019

The Pepperbox’s

The Pepperbox | Page 5

News

WHAT’S GOOD

Good news column

AHS BSU attends Black Student Organizations Summit L

ast weekend on February 8th, six students from Arcata High’s Black Student Union, one student from McKinleyville, and one Pepperbox reporter traveled to Pittsburg, California and attended the Black Student Organizations Summit and Step Show at Pittsburg High School. This event took our students through a series of six workshops that taught each student about college readiness, healthy lifestyles, financial literacy, knowing one’s rights when confronted by law enforcement, African American history, and the significance of the new movie and old comic, Black Panther, in African American culture. Then, after lunch, the students enjoyed poetry, dances, and music performed by black artists, as well as a series of Step Shows (African Dances) performed

by African American sororities and fraternities.

< AHS BSU poses at the Black Student Organizations Summit in Pittsburg, California on February 8.

Caledonia Davey/PEPPERBOX

Valentunes bring music and money

Yumi Ozaki/PEPPERBOX

Every year for Valentine’s Day, groups of orchestra, AAI music, and choir students travel all over Humboldt County to give the gift of song and receive the kind support of cash money for the music program.

Pictured above, one such Valentunes group smiles after a gig on February 12, 2019.

In these times, more then ever, there is a need to to stand up and be heard and support social equity and justice for all.

Nosotros venceremos.

Dennis Rael, Founder of Los Bagels

The Pepperbox | Page 6

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

21st-century love: Teens challenge gender norms Stella Walston Reporter

I

t might be the daily proximity and exposure to one another, it might be the difference in social status and friend groups, or it could just be a lack of availability, but any way you slice it, it seems like people are getting together, breaking up, and then getting back together all in one day. However, underneath the somewhat cliche surface level of this stereotype, there lurk bigger issues.

In today’s culture, things that were once upon a time not being addressed are now talked about - and not just sometimes - often.

Specifically, gender roles. When you think of relationships from the past (i.e. any media from the 80’s that portrayed romance in high school) vs. any relationship today, you can feel safe in saying that we, as a culture, have wildly progressed. Yet, when you take a step back, cracks in that assuredness start to appear.

The Sadie Hawkins dance especially is a testament to the fact that people will accept anything for the sake of nostalgia. “It was still pretty common for boys to be the one to ask the girl out . . . we had the Sadie Hawkins dance, which would

be the only time a girl would be expected to ask a boy out to a dance,” English teacher Julie Angles explained.

Let's take a second to unpack what gender roles really are.

They are standards concerning “how we’re expected to act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct ourselves based upon our assigned sex. For example, girls and women are generally expected to dress in typically feminine ways and be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. Men are generally expected to be strong, aggressive, and bold” (Planned Parenthood, 2019). Most of the definitions that students gave aligned with the official one almost perfectly.

“Specific tasks or actions that are supposed to be done by one gender,” Sophmore Carly Lankarani said.

“They’re sort of stereotypes of that are applied to gender, and people are supposed to act that certain way according to their gender. For instance, men are supposed to be masculine and strong and tough, and female people are generally supposed to be the opposite of that,” defined Sophmore Avery Arbaugh.

Gender roles in teenage relationships don’t seem like something that would be plaguing the youth of America in the 21st century, but they are. And sometimes, not from the places you might expect. “Regarding my relationship, my parents are very tradition-

al and they expect me to have a der roles and misconceptions, very traditional relationship. Like, especially in not-straight relathey’re like, ‘why isn’t your boy- tionships. [People] think that one friend buying you flowers? Why person should be dominant and isn’t he asking you to prom?’” Car- the other should be submissive. I ley Lankarani explained. think that they think every perIn teen relationships specifi- son in a relationship should have cally, there are common themes a dominant partner, and that’s just that seem to be not true,” Sophshared between omore Brooke students. “I think Bisgrove stated. a lot of the time The belief that people expect romantic relawomen to be tionships should, okay with evat the very least, erything a guy be dominant and wants, and guys submissive, is are supposed to one of the main pay for meals, themes in most and things like gender roles. that,” Arbaugh The effects of - Maddie Lankarani said. Using the gender roles are above example, who buys who felt resoundingly through youthlunch is a gender role that’s begin- and through this, they are being ning to be reversed. “Some people resisted. Angles stressed the imare like, ‘wait, you pay for [your portance of surrounding yourself boyfriend’s] lunch sometimes?’ with those who you trust when tryAnd it’s like yeah, we buy each oth- ing to combat uncomfortable gener lunches and stuff. Why would der roles. “Find a supportive group I let him always pay?” Sophmore to be with. Find people who agree Maddie Lankarani explained. with you and who will support The old idea that the male part- you.” Some students felt similarly. ner, who is most definitely the “I don’t think that there should be “breadwinner” (or at least the one a specific norm, or normal thing to with more money), will pay for do,” Bisgrove stated. While gender lunch, is beginning to become a roles are difficult to deal with in a role of the past. The reason that romantic relationship, not trying this debate exists is because there to push stereotypes on others is simply has to be someone in the important. “Don’t have expectarelationship who is, by most stan- tions for others; let them show you dards, “dominant”. who they are before you assume,” “I think there are a lot of gen- Maddie Lankarani advised.

Don’t have expectations for others; let them show you who they are before you assume.

Megan Lorenc & Meiwan Gottschalk

I

t’s evident that Megan Lorenc and Meiwan Gottschalk are best friends, because if you listen to them for even just 5 minutes you will witness them compliment, bully, laugh, and physically assault the other in comfortable and amusing fashion. “We’re similar, and that's what I like about her and hate about her,” Meiwan said. Megan gave an eerily similar definition of their best-friend love. “We work together well, and we compliment each other in that we’re both really really annoying,” she said.

Words and photo by Stella Walston

The Pepperbox | Page 7

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

The lasting love of AHS alumni Hannah Periera Business Manager

I

t is common knowledge that most high school relationships do not last. This can be for many reasons ranging anywhere from scandalous infidelity to mutually deciding to simply part ways. However let’s focus on the positives, in this case, the extraordinary high school relationships that do last. For the following two couples, high school was just the beginning of their resilient love stories.

Mike & Jinnie Robershotte

Dayton & Sherry Griffith

T

hese two both lived on ranches near Blue Lake and met on the school bus. They became closer when both attended a potluck/dance at the Maple Creek school and danced the night away. They dated during their time at Arcata High and graduated in 1961. This January on the 31st, the Robershotte’s celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

One tradition dear to their family is going to Trinity Lake on the weekends every summer. “I think that any family that goes to the lake is a family that stays together,” Jinnie explained. They’ve been living out this practice for the past “47 years at least,” Jinnie said. “In fact, Angela (their daughter), took her first steps on our pontoon boat.” Jinnie and Mike live in Bayside and have two children and four grandchildren.

T

his romance began in 1959 when Dayton and Sherry met at a softball game at the Arcata Ball Park. Dayton was umpiring and Sherry was playing third base. They dated for the next two years at Arcata High, and Dayton graduated in 1960 and Sherry in 1961. The next step in their relationship was attending Humboldt State together, adding another four years. The two married in 1965 at the Arcata Presbyterian Church, with a reception at Baywood. All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen were close high school friends. These two live in Bayside as well, and have two children, three grandchildren, and four “grand-dogs”. They love living “busy and fulfilling” lives together, along with supporting their grandchildren in the many activities they participate in.

Courtesy of Dayton and Sherry Griffith

Dayton and Sherry happy in 2018

Courtesy of Mike and Jinnie Robershotte

Mike and Jinnie at Prom in 1961

Courtesy of Mike and Jinnie Robershotte

Mike and Jinnie together in 2018

Courtesy of Dayton and Sherry Griffith

Dayton and Sherry at Prom in 1960

Wyatt Wheetley & Mark Salamunovich

D

o you know my friend Wyatt Wheetley? He is a great friend of mine and we’ve been friends for a long, long time. We get along great together. We are like peanut butter and jelly on a piece of bread.

When I asked him the question: “Why are we friends?” Wyatt replied, “You light up my day.” Then I asked, “What do we do together?” He told me, “We joke around, we sing together.” We’ve been together so long.

Wyatt and I have been friends since Pre-school. I’m so glad that we became friends. I’ve never had a friend like Wyatt Wheetley. We laugh together, have a lot of fun, talk about things, and act awesome and wild.

Words and photo by Mark Salamunovich

The Pepperbox | Page 8

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Bonds of blood: The strength of sibling love Grace Mitchell Reporter

A

s a young kid, I was always hesitant to walk to the store. I watched criminal shows -- I wasn’t naive. However, my brother would step in as his teenage self, always preaching about how he would protect me. He made me feel safe, and that’s what an older sibling is supposed to do. Our relationship had its ups and down, but in the end, we both know that we are brother and sister and that we love each other.

It’s the bond between two siblings that is important. According to a Pennsylvania State University study, siblings spend at least 33% of their spare time together after the age of 11. As time goes on, this percentage increases. As kids you are friends-- but going into teenage years the childhood bond that exists between siblings might loosen. However, this is not always the case, and often estranged siblings reconnect as adults.

Sibling love is just as important as any other type of love. I personally count my older brother, former AHS student Jared Mitchell, as my best friend.

“Of course I love my sister, she’s is the most important person in the world to me. I feel like the bond that we have is unbreakable. No matter how things go, I will always be there for her,” my brother told me during an interview. “At the end of the day, we are related by blood, and we will always have that bond with our sibling. Blood or not, if you grow up with them then you will have that bond of a sibling. It’s unbreakable, and it's sad when it does break.” Jared explained. We are not the only sibling pair who share a lovable bond.

Sophomores Carly and Maddie Lankarani are twins who both attend Arcata High. “A sibling is like having a friend who knows everything about you,” Carly said. They have a more serious and rival-like view on sibling love. They both told stories of how even though they might fight over certain things, they would always stick up for each other.

Carly and Maddie Lankarani both agreed that they do not take things seriously. “When we were applying to a prestigious preschool, they wanted to do an interview with the family.

Carly and I had decided to play tag during this interview, and when Carly tagged me, she

Grace Mitchell/PEPPERBOX

Twins Carley and Maddie Lankarani share a moment of sibling love. pushed me into a coffee table and I cut my eyelid open” Maddie said.

They both laughed at this story.

The twins are not the only siblings on campus who share a lovehate relationship. Sophomore Alyssa Pedicino shared her view on sibling love.

“My brother is a senior at Arcata High, and it’s cool to have a sibling around. He used to not like having me around on campus, but as time went on he warmed up to it,” Pedicino said. This might not be the case for everyone though. Out of all of the siblings that Arcata High students have, some might not be around. For example, an anonymous student has a sister who she never grew up with. Yet, even though she doesn’t see her sister

that often, they share a bond.

“I love my sister even though we hardly see each other, but I always look forward to seeing her,” she said.

Most siblings that were asked about Sibling Love spoke mostly about the love-hate relationship that one shares with their brother and/or sister. The love could be derived from the fact that a sibling is one person some people can go to when they are troubled-- but hate is rooted down beneath all of the annoyance and competitiveness the siblings share. Maddie Lankarani told the truth when it comes to siblings and their bonds.

“They will be there for you no matter what - even if they don’t want to be.”

Maygan Graves & Elyse Pickart-Jain

E

lyse and Maygan are both Seniors and have been friends since Freshman Year. They met at school through mutual friends. They have spent a lot of time together over these years and they have a lot of memories. “ My favorite memory with Maygan would be when Maygan jumped me in P.E Freshman year,” Elyse said. Then she added, "every new memory becomes the best memory.”

Words by Emily Cook/Photo by Alef Mitchell

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Expressing emojion Alef Mitchell Photo Editor

S

ince the internet, and specifically the smartphone, have become popular, emojis have risen in popularity as well. For better or worse, they are now a part of how many of us communicate in our day to day lives.

We use them when we talk to our friends, family, and significant others . With the rise of emojis, internet culture has changed forever. People now have to learn what seems like a second language in order to communicate through text.

Different emojis have their own meanings and it is important that we learn to not misuse them.

Emojis entered the world in 1999. They were first created by a Japanese artist named Shigetaka Kurita. However, it wasn’t until around 2010, when they were added to the operating systems of many smartphones, that emojis became popular.

So what kinds of emojis do people like to send when they are messaging their better half?

“We like the cowboy one and

the upside down face one because they’re silly,” Senior James Richards said. “[I like to use] the laughing ones, the thumbs up one, or the heart one.

Those are like my main ones,” Yasko Massias said. Emojis can be a nice way to send sweet messages to your girlfriend or boyfriend or other friend , but they aren’t great if people misuse or overuse them.

“I feel like emojis can be misinterpreted sometimes . . . they’re a little ambiguous sometimes. I just use emojis when I feel that it’s necessary,” Ben Narwold said.

“I think they enhance [the message] whether it’s shallow or deep,” Andrew Pedicino said. Perhaps emojis are best used when they are a small part of your text that is meant to enhance or reinforce the message you are trying to get across.

“It’s annoying when people just communicate with emojis,” Massias said. It is important to not confuse the person you are sending emojis to with an overly complicated string of emojis that you decided to throw together like some sort of digital word salad.

“I feel like in a way it has sim-

The Pepperbox | Page 9

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From Classroom to Career.

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plified things because you’re able to put an image onto something that you want to express,” Senior Claire Broadman said. In a way, emojis have simplified the way we communicate, as they allow us to convey concepts or emotions without the use of actual words, but this makes one wonder if they could be inhibiting our ability to communicate in real life.

Emojis are a nice way of communicating with your loved ones, but can sometimes get in

Hannah Powell & Devon Garlick

annah and Devon have been pallin’ around for as long as anyone can remember. The two have stuck H together through thick and thin. How do they do it? They remember to notice what’s so totally rad about each other. “Devon makes compliments to the point that it, like, doesn’t mean anything. She’s so nice to me all the time,” Hannah said. Devon said that her favorite thing about Hannah is that “she’s a really cool person, a great artist, and really smart and talented.”

Words by Haley Hill. Photo courtesy of Hannah Powell

the way of the message that you are trying to get across.

People often use emojis when texting their partners in attempt to reinforce the message they are sending or to just be cute.

Don’t get me wrong, this is nice, but maybe sometimes instead of using pre-designed icons in order to try to tell someone how much you love them, just write a nice personalized message.

Most eligible dogs Mira O’Barr A&E Editor

Taria Ross Reporter

U

sually the Pepperbox has a section in our Valentine's issue for eligible human bachelors and bachelorettes, but this year, for a good reason, we are mixing it up. In the US alone there are 3.3 million stray dogs and 3.2 million stray cats. Places like the Sequoia Humane Society are angels to these animals. They help find these poor animals homes and provide them love and care while they wait. Do something good for once this valentine’s day instead of worrying about not having a date and eating pints of Ben and Jerry’s alone. Adopt an animal!

Queen Age: 2 years Size: Small Sex: Female Personality: Extra sweet Hobbies: Snoozing Best Feature: Fluffy tail Bio: If you’ve got a lap, I’d be happy to take it.

Tandy

Age: 6 months Size: Medium Sex: Female Color: Black/ brown/white Personality: Curious and cuddly Hobbies: Kissing Best feature: ears Bio: I’d love to go on adventures with you and your friends. I’d follow you blindly and give you all my love. You’d have the time of your life.

t e l o i V

Bio: Where there’s a patc there’s a place for me. Or there’s a spot there’s a go

Zoomy Age: 5 months Size: Small Sex: Female Personality: Happy and busy Hobbies: Long walks on the beach Best feature: tongue Bio: I slobber but I think I make it charming. If you took me home I’d eat your homework for you every night.

S

and catellorettes

Lemon Age: 1 year Size: Small Sex: Female Personality: Bashful but friendly Hobbies: Cuddling Best Feature: Big blue eyes

ch of sun or a precarious basket r a rug. Or your shirt. Wherever ood spot to snooze.

Age: 3 months Size: Extra small Sex: Female Personality: Active and playful Hobbies: Playing with toys Best Feature: Sassy expression Bio: Tiny but mighty, I’d love to play with my forever family!

Chestnut Age: 1 year Size: Small Sex: Male Personality: Playful Hobbies: Chewing on toys, and my own leg Best feature: smile Bio: I’m probably the sweetest dog here, and I’m committed to keeping that title.

As soon as anyone sets their eyes on me they fall in love, though no one has loved me enough to take me home… yet.

Age: 3 years Size: Small Sex: Male Personality: Loving and caring Hobbies: Snuggling Best feature: Eyes Bio: I want to love you as much as I love myself! And that’s a lot! Take me home!

Steele

If you are interested in any of these cute creatures call the Sequoia Humane Society at (707) 442-1782 or go visit them at 6073 Loma Ave, Eureka!

Dumpling

Age: 2 years Size: Small Sex: Female Personality: Curious and snuggly Hobbies: Investigating boxes Best Feature: Fluffy cheeks Bio: The most distinguished kitty there is, I’ll let you pet me if you take me home. Eventually.

The Pepperbox | Page 12

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Lovely & decedent dialect Eva Villamor Reporter

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ove is in the air: sappy with amour, vibrant with compassion, funky with sweet talk.

From Shakespeare’s sonnet lingo and beyond, “love slang” has always been around on this love-seeking and love-crazed human universe.

You may have heard “hey bae” in the hallways of a love-deprived middle school, or “babe” in the hallways of a drugged-out-on-socalled-love high school. I almost guarantee that you have heard “honey” or “sweetie” being a statement of endearment from one adult figure to another.

Nicknames and “sweet talk” whisperings have, are, and will always be around, whether people like them or not.

A million agonizing years ago for example, in high school, my dad Dexter Villamor was called “cutesie and suggestive things” such as, “full of juice,” or something or the sort (he can’t recall).

“Some nicknames are cute and some are weird,” Junior Kacee Aultman said, perhaps referring to the more “suggestive” phrases like what my dad experienced when he was my age (what a concept).

Everyone has their little quirks, like quirky nicknames for loved

ones, “I call people ‘bean’, ‘love’, and ‘boo,’” Junior Rachel Haley said, “I hate ‘sugarlips,’” she added.

Unique names such as this coincide with love it seems. Like in the show Friends - Phoebe called Ross and Rachel each other’s “lobsters.”

What a thing to be called.

There’s always gonna be that one person who's against all walks of life in the name calling realm. “‘Honey,’ ‘sweetie,’ ‘sweetheart’. . .

UGH EW,” Junior Naz Dickerson bluntly said, showing her opinion without judgment.

Later, while on this subject of sweet talk, (let alone peculiar sweet talk) my dad sat me down, for a second time, and eagerly informed me of a nickname he was called back in the day with one of his first girlfriends: “stud muffin.”

This made us both laugh. “Dawww,” I found myself saying, and in response to my response, he said, “when it came to me it made me smile.” How cute.

Maybe at the beginning of human time the caveman and woman moaned and groaned sounds of love and affection, maybe they

A handy love slang timeline

blinked a certain way and kissed like butterflies--affectionate nonverbal communication. Sometimes words are overrated.

People today may find nicknames cringy, inappropriate,

corny, ridiculous, (the list goes on), but love-dovey names have always been around, and will most likely continue to stick, absurdity and all.

I wish for everyone to find their ¨stud muffin.¨

Jonah Powell & Luke Garlick

Eva Villamor/PEPPERBOX

hen these two met on a soccer team before Kindergarten, it wasn’t “best-friends-at-first-sight.”

W “At first I really hated him,” said Luke. But then, once the two got to know each other, they found that they actually shared a lot of interests. “We became friends over our mutual love of sci-

ence in about second grade maybe,” Jonah said. Through the years, the two have grown up doing everything together. Luke’s favorite memory with Jonah was “riding on a cooler down a hill.”

Words and photo by Zach Sawyer

The Pepperbox | Page 13

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Love is magic, magic is love Mark Salamunovich Reporter

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here is a world where wizards learn how to do magic and spells. A world just like ours, but complete with the unimaginable and the impossible. Take a wand and a broomstick to go on a perilous adventure with the famous Harry Potter. Why do I, and so many others, love the Harry Potter series - books and movies?

We love them because it captures the faint of heart and leads us to believe that the love in them is undeniably real and thought-provoking in so many ways.

Family love: Lily and James Potter laid down their lives for their baby boy, Harry Potter, when Lord Voldemort killed them. The curse that Lord Voldemort was going to commit backfired on him because Harry was filled with the love from his parents, the kind of love that keeps and bonds them together.

Love of friendship: Harry Potter met Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. That became a circle of friendship. They helped each other in desperate times of need when something wrong occurred.

They were loyal and true. Sometimes this would lead them to serious situations. And that leads us to the next reason why we love the Harry Potter series.

Harry and his friends showed

great courage. Harry would always save the day and be the hero, but being the hero was super hard and very dangerous for him. He had hope and he had courage. Being frightened never stopped him from anything. Bravery, hope, and courage build on each other. Harry Potter had that courage and bravery and hope from the love of everyone he knows and ever knew.

Exciting adventures and plot twists: Throughout his seven years at Hogwarts each exciting adventure would be different but connected somehow. I think that is very interesting. One adventure after another after another.

It started out mild and eventually grew to heart-pounding action and it never stopped until the last chapter or scene: finding the Sorcerer’s Stone, to who was behind the Chamber of Secrets, to figuring out who the real murderer was, to who was behind the secret conspiracy, to the Ministry of Magic taking over Hogwarts, to using a mysterious magic Potions book, to finding the Horcruxes and finally, to the ultimate battle. And around each corner, there’s always a plot twist lying in wait for the right time for you to jump and figure it out.

Good vs. Evil: Do you like it when the good main character comes face to face with the evil villain and they have their epic show-

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down? There are a few times in Harry Potter when this happens.

The good and the bad, the love and the hate, make war to see which would win. Harry Potter himself and his friends fight for their lives to make everything right while the villains don’t. The good ones win and the bad ones lose, the love flourishes and the hate perishes.

(Oh yeah, baby!)

Author: J.K. Rowling is a real spinner of tales when it comes to Harry Potter. She is very spirited in her writing. She took a lot of time

Izzy Villarreal & Lydia Gomes

f you don’t know Izzy and Lydia, you’re missing out on the most iconic best friends at Arcata High.

I “I think we balance each other out... Izzy’s a lot and I’m like, not that much and I think I calm her down just a bit” Lydia said when asked about what makes their chemistry so special. “I make Lydia step out of her comfort zone and try new things with me… and she’s logical with me, she calms me down” Izzy added. They have managed to stay close through thick and thin, their secret? “Make sure to talk about things that are making you upset even if they’re not the funnest thing to talk about” advised Izzy “yeah, just confront your friend if you’re mad at them” Lydia added. If you want to have a friendship that always keeps you throwing your head back in laughter and also makes you feel supported and loved, look to Lydia and Izzy for inspiration.

Words and photo by Mira O’Barr

and effort writing the Harry Potter series and bringing it to life on paper and eventually the screen.

Her characters are fantastical, the setting is a place where spells and magic exists, and her plot and storyline is truly amazing!

When we read Harry Potter there is a magical place a world away in all of us. Love is a type of magic. “But you know, happiness can found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light,” Mischief managed!

The Pepperbox | Page 14

Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Love yourself: You’ve only got one you Sophia Escudero Reporter

T

he one person that you will always be stuck with is yourself. This is an inescapable fact of existence.

While we may do our best to minimize interactions with friends who put us down, end unhealthy relationships, and cut toxic people out of our lives, the truth is that many of us aren’t doing much to analyze our relationships with ourselves.

Poor mental health and low self-esteem are common among teenagers. Nearly 13% are diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. For those of you who are suffering from depression, anxiety, or another serious problem, please know that you are not alone, and I highly advise seeking the advice of a licensed therapist. Though I am definitely not that, I can offer you some guidance on the path to self-acceptance.

Improving your mental health is not a destination: it’s a process that you have to work on your entire life. While what I’m about to tell you is going to sound tacky as hell, and I know that you’re going to start rolling your eyes as soon as you read these words, I mean

it when I say that you can learn to be happy with yourself.

I don’t mean this in a crystalhealing-will-cureyour-mentalillnesses or a why-takeantidepressantswhen-youcould-doyoga way.

What I mean is that there are things that you can do right now to start improving your mental health a little bit at a time.

Start small.

Start recognizing patterns in the way you think and talk about yourself.

Analyze the way you treat yourself.

I know this isn’t easy, but try to put a more positive spin on things.

Stop deflecting compliments.

Look the person who gave it to you in the eye and thank them.

Instead of saying that you’re bad at something, say that you aren’t an expert yet.

While it may be a difficult habit to break, stop insulting yourself, even if it’s just a joke.

You wouldn’t sit there and let a stranger say that at your expense. Correct yourself and say something nice about yourself. Forget about being humble. Don’t downplay yourself and your accomplishments.

Is this going to feel forced? Of course it is.

It’s going to feel lame and fake and you’re going to think you’re making things up.

You may even find yourself sliding back into old habits, and that’s okay. Nothing is ever linear.

Still, as you practice being kind to yourself, it will eventually become your natural way of thinking. You’ll be able to treat yourself

with the kindness you deserve.

You’ll find it easier to stand up for yourself. Your happiness matters.

You matter. Whatever you’re going through, I promise you that you’ll make it. Hard as it may be, making an effort to be kinder to yourself can make a world of difference. I believe in you.

What helps you feel better about yourself?

Taking a nice bath, watching Netflix, and hanging out with friends.

-Jenna Furtado, Senior I yo-yo.

-Amos Whitney, Senior Looking at memes and vines that make me laugh.

-Ayla Stebbins, Sophomore I work out and I box.

-Noah Robinson, Junior Any form of art helps me get rid of stress.

-Eliza Haley, Junior Some nights I go outside onto my roof with a telescope and look at the stars and it makes me feel good about my place in the universe.

-Avery Arbaugh, Sophomore

Photo by Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan/PEPPERBOX

Brian Ford & Jasen McGoldrick

T

hese two can often be seen jumping in the bed of Brian’s pick-up truck, chasing each other throughout the parking lot, or fooling around in the many classes they have together. According to them, some of their favorite things to do together are simply throwing a football back and forth and drinking lots of milk.

When asked what they think makes them such a good team, Brian responded, “We’re very alike, we’re like the same person,” while Jasen simultaneously said “We’re very opposite.” However, they do have many things in common. Both get distracted easily, like VERY easily (it’s basically like dealing with a couple of puppies), have the same sense of humor, and are excessively touchy-feely with each other. It is clear that these two have an unbreakable bond, fuelled by traits typically seen in any successful romantic relationship - fun, humor, affection, and even a physical side of things ;) Words by Hanna Pereira/Photo courtesy of Jason McGoldrick

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Love

The Pepperbox | Page 15

The elements of an unhealthy relationship Lindsay Rimmer Sports Editor

Jack Taylor

Opinion Editor

L

ove often conjures up pictures of perfect relationships for us: sunsets, kissing, and the ultimate date.

This image, this dream, has been sold to us our whole lives. Yet, in our search for the perfect relationship, we often don't realize that some relationships are utterly unhealthy. In our minds, we manifest the idea that we won't have unhealthy relationships at this age, but we are often wrong. Because not all of our relationships have to be romantic, the toxicity can spill into friends and family as well.

What is an unhealthy relationship? One Love, a website dedicated to educating people about unhealthy (and healthy) relationships, says the ten signs to an unhealthy relationship include “intensity, jealousy, manipulation, isolation, sabotage, belittling, guilting, volatility, deflecting responsibility, and betrayal”. But what does that mean for our generation?

Let's start with intensity and jealousy. Intensity: the relationships aren't going at your pace; there's too much emotion invested too quickly. This may be blamed on our age or hormones, as these relationships are test tubes of future expectations. But that doesn't

mean we must suffer through the you from completing work. This bad to get to the good. If the rela- can be misinterpreted because of tionship is too intense for you, take the connotation associated with a step back and consider it. Jeal- the word sabotage, but if your partousy: your partner begins to use it ner is keeping you from your work as a weapon; they point fingers at or even blackmailing you, it's time you without valid cause. They may to think about it. Belittling: putting start to accuse you of cheating or you down or making you feel bad flirting with oth-v about yourself. ers or become This can be seen possessive for as playful at first, no valid reason. but if your partJealousy should ner continually never be used to brings you down control you. or makes fun of Manipulation: you, even if they your partner play it off as a tries to convince joke, it's belityou of sometling. thing that you're Guilting: makuncomfor table ing you feel rewith: when your sponsible for emotions, actheir actions or tions, and deciemotions, your - Anonymous sions are swayed partner puts their to their desire. Their actions re- health, emotionally and physically, sult in them getting their way, in your hands. They make you feel even when you're not complete- like their happiness depends on ly comfortable with it. Isolation: you, but can also make you feel as distancing you from the people if everything is your fault. Don’t of your life: making you choose let anyone make you feel responsibetween your partner and them. ble for things you can't control. An When your partner tries to keep anonymous source shared their you from seeing or hanging out experience; “It was hard for me to with your friends or family, they visit her… she started sending me are slowly making you depend on videos of her cutting herself and them more than yourself or your threatening to kill herself if I didn't other relationships (no matter how visit her…”. Volatility: everything independent you might be). you do is to keep the other from Sabotage: ruining your accom- getting upset. You constantly plishments or reputation: keeping think about how your ac-

It was hard for me to visit her… she started sending me videos of her cutting herself and threatening to kill herself if I didn’t visit her…

Hannah Davis & Lilli Bowman hese two met in kindergarten. They have always gone to school together, and with that, T always been best friends. Like two peas in a pod, they are there, together. They live practically next door to the other, always at each other’s side. They are the epitome of friendship. “We

met in kindergarten . . . used to call her every day after school. We would go to the rock climbing place and we had this little room that was hidden from everyone else and we called it ´the mole hole´ and we just sit there and talk all the time,” Hannah Davis said.

Words and photo by Eva Villamor

tions could cause your partner to lash out at you. Their volatility can be seen as romantic at first, showing you their emotions as a way to bond. However, this can change quickly into an unhealthy way of interacting.

Deflecting responsibility: blaming anything other than themselves for their own behavior.

Whether this is making an excuse for getting upset by blaming a previous ex or a difficult family life, they won't take the blame for their own wrongdoing. Betrayal: lying to you and acting differently when they're not with you. If your partner is lying to you, leaving out parts of stories, or cheating on you, they are betraying you and your trust. Another form would be acting completely different to their friends than to you.

Relationships are the building blocks of life, and yes, they can start in high school. Unhealthy relationships are just as important to recognize as healthy relationships.

Everyone deserves a healthy relationship, no matter how old they are. If you spot any of these aspects in your relationships, take a step back to analyze it. Don’t play along because they “love” you. You deserve what's best for you and only you can define that.

The Pepperbox | Page 16

Opinion

Just don’t love love Bailey Ives

R

Reporter

elationships, significant others, partnerships, love.

You look around the hallways and see people holding hands, smiling at each other, kissing, and I don’t know - it just doesn’t appeal to me. I mean I understand why you’d want to hang out with that one person and get to know them better, but that’s what friends are for.

Personally, I dislike young love relationships are stupid. I mean if you want the whole getting married in college and having kids after you graduate then go ahead. I, however, would like to travel and see the world and not be held down by this other person that lives in my house and eats my food.

Not wanting a relationship is not an issue. Sometimes people can feel pressured to be in a relationship, and I can tell you that it’s not going to work if you’re forced into it. “I do sometimes [feel pressure], some people do, some people don’t [want to be in a relationship],” Sophomore Emilie Kirk said. Take the time while you are this young to get to know yourself.

There are pros of not being in a relationship. “You have time to

work on the things in your life like focusing on your passion, getting closer to family, bettering friendships,” Kirk said.

You have time for yourself, you don’t have to wait for your partner to do things like watching a show or movie together. In a relationship you want to make your partner feel good about themselves, so you aren’t able to spend as much time as you’d like to on yourself. Do a face mask, clean your room, don’t shave your legs, binge all nine seasons of The Office, eat some junk food, pet your dog. While you can do all that while in a relationship, there’s a whole other aspect: another human. When you’re single you don’t have to worry about the other person getting bored.

You also have more money when you’re significant other-less.

When you’re in a relationship (or so I’ve heard) you tend to spend a lot of money on your “person”: food, presents, etc. When you’re a single pringle you don’t have to do any of that. You can spend money on yourself. “You spend a good sum of money on one specific person instead of improving yourself first, which is most important,” Sophomore Miles Johnson said.

You can finally buy that room diffuser you’ve had your eye on for six months. Congratulations.

You can do whatever you want whenever you want. If your partner wants to do something, like

Thursday, February 14, 2019

go out to eat, but you wanted to go to a movie, you’ll have to compromise and go to dinner and a movie. That’s way too long to be away from your bed.

You don’t have to hide your truly disgusting self. We are all disgusting, let’s face it. We’re animals. We stink if we don’t shower regularly, we eat like pigs, we bite our nails, we itch our ears. And when you are “taken” you feel like you have to hide all that for the next six months (the honeymoon phase) until one of you burps in front of the other person on accident, and breaks the silent agreement to ignore the nasty people you are.

But, when you’re single you can be disgusting without worrying if you’re being judged.

“High schoolers are still changing and growing and being in a heavy, dedicated relationship with one person really affects the rest of you and who you are as a person,”

said Johnson.

In other words, just don’t date in high school. You have plenty of time to realize that you don’t actually like being with that person later on in life. “So it’s gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down in flames,” a wise soul once said (Taylor Swift).

Just remember that if you are in a relationship in high school, take it slow.

You don’t have to grow up so soon.

Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan/PEPPERBOX

I think high school relationships are stupid.

Santa De Matos & Sophia Plat

e have an adorable story of how we met, except she didn’t know who I was. It was Eighth “W Grade Orientation and I was sitting with my best friend, and then she comes in with her dad-- late. Our principal shouted “Who are you?” because she was late. Santa didn’t respond, but her

dad said, “This is Santa!” I remember thinking ‘who names their kid Santa?’ We’ve been best friends ever since,” Sophia said. The two laughed at this. Not only did they have an abrupt beginning in their friendship, but they also have a special balance in their friendship. To them, hanging out together is healthy because they stabilize each other. “Santa is the only person I look to the future with. We can like be with each other for days and not get sick of each other,” Sophia said.

Words by Grace Mitchell/Photo courtesy of Sophia Plat

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Opinion

The Pepperbox | Page 17

To PDA, or not to PDA, that is the question calling “I saw a hand on a butt last week, and then all of a sudden….”

Haley Hill Her pause was filled by an incrediOnline Editor bly suggestive gesture. “I just don’t want to see that at any point of my ook- I get it. You’re hormon- day,” she concluded. al, and the empty hallways The adults here at Arcata High between classes are tempt- are also perturbed by our romantic ing for public displays of endeavors. “I would prefer not to affection. But no one would ever see students and PDA on campus,” shove their tongue down another expressed history teacher Adam person’s throat in any other com- Pinkerton. After asking if he truly munal setting. If you decided to stop did not support children attending in the middle school, Pinkerton of a grocery clarified his statestore aisle to ment with a panfondle your icked “NO!!” While special friend, his wording was you would be unclear, the sentikindly asked ment was evident: to leave; if there will be no you couldn’t canoodling under restrain yourhis watch. Similarself while ly, resident substiseated next to tute teacher Matt your lover in -MacKenzie Ridgwood Scott proclaimed, church, the “There’s no PDA priest would here. I shut that down.” exile you from the house of God; and I was once a fierce supporter of most certainly, if you did this kind the agenda to eradicate all evidence of thing at your job, you would be of student relationships. I was espromptly fired. So what’s the deal? pecially uncomfortable with unPublic displays of affection (PDA) derclassmen PDA, as I viewed it as are quite prevalent in our halls. Se- a form of child pornography. It was nior Quin Lennox raged, “Let me tell slightly less horrifying when those you, absolutely any kind of PDA is my age expressed care for their partabsolutely unacceptable and should ners since seventeen and eighteennot be allowed.” Senior MacKenzie year-olds are much closer to adultRidgwood shared her two cents, re- hood. But overall, I just wanted the

L

I saw a hand on a butt last week, and then all of a sudden . . .

Mr. Pinkerton would like all canoodling to stop. onslaught to stop. Senior Oh Seung Kwon and I were on the same page.

“I don’t want to see the little ones make out like that!” he screamed in agreement.

My world was shattered, however, after hashing it out with Seniors Isabel Terra, Brian Ford, and Thea Norlund. Terra believes that we have created a culture of shame that must be changed. “People will be like, ‘ew, gross,’” she lamented. Norlund, a Swedish exchange student, said, “Where I come from it wasn’t ever weird. It’s a natural thing! I can see [PDA] from their perspective.”

At the end of our chat, Norlund exclaimed “Love people! Love each other! Love is great!”

Asher Meadows & William Oviatt

sher and Will’s favorite part of their friendship (that is newspaper appropriate) is “the A APD trips,” Asher said, in which they go to Arcata Pizza & Deli. On these trips, Will has “a slice of cheese and [looked] longingly into [Asher’s] eyes.” Though their friendship rarely takes

a break from the constant roasts and sexual innuendos, Asher did make a point of mentioning his serious appreciation for how “Will is so wise and smart and he just knows everything about [Asher].” This moment of love didn’t last long, however, and was broken up by a temporary squabble between the two. When all was said and done, Will said that “I still love him unconditionally.” Though Asher and Will’s friendship is peppered with jokes taken too far, inappropriateness, and intense weirdness, it is clear that their brotherly love is strong and that, in the end, is really what makes them the best of friends.

Words and photo by Caledonia Davey

Haley Hill/PEPPERBOX

Senior Brian Ford has an equally positive viewpoint. “I think it’s a great stimulant that gives people motivation to get through the day,” he began. Soon the tables turned and the interviewer became the interviewee. “Haley, let me ask you something: do you enjoy hugs?” Ford inquired. I ran.

After considering new perspectives, one thing is clear: I might be more comfortable with PDA now, but not with Brian Ford.

The Pepperbox | Page 18

Opinion

Thursday, February 14, 2019

The Sugarbox

Ode to eye contact

You don’t miss candy hearts Sophia Escudero

I

Dakota Kalvaitis - Heffernan

Reporter

was as shocked as anyone when I heard that this would be the first Valentine's Day without the ubiquitous conversation hearts in stores everywhere. How could an American institution like candy hearts go out of business like that? How could the universe be so thoughtlessly cruel? As we mourned the loss of a cultural icon, I saw accounts online of people's grief over this tragedy. At first, I agreed with what I read. We needed candy hearts as a society. How else could we possibly think to tell our crushes, “YOU ROCK,” if not at the bequest of a small piece of molded sugar? Then, as I read further, and came across memories of elementary school Valentine's Days, it hit me. We did not mourn for the hearts themselves. We did not look fondly upon eating the boxes of sweetened chalk we had been given by a classmate to whom we had never spoken.

We mourned for what the hearts represented, a simpler time when people were kind to each other and gave near strangers symbols of vague affection. We longed for the childlike sense of belief in the innate goodness of mankind. So, mourn for your shattered idealism. Mourn for the days long lost to time.

But, please, dear readers, do not mourn the fall of the conversation heart. The only heart that you truly miss is your own.

I love my Roomba

I

Things we’re feelin’ sweet about

Haley Hill Online Editor

don’t think I have ever loved anything in this world as much as I love my Roomba. This vacuum from God has lifted a heavy burden from my family, and all conflict has simply vanished from my home. The tension that once existed in my household has been replaced by pure bliss; rather than argue over chores, my mother and I rejoice each time the Roomba scuttles by to clean up our messes. Every room is perpetually spotless, and I have never felt more at peace. Most days, Phoebe the Roomba can be found sitting quietly in her charging station, patiently waiting for debris to accumulate. When Phoebe is released, my mother follows her around, constantly bombarding her with positive reinforcement. “You’re doing great, Sweetie!” she coos, usually while ignoring my presence. Last week she only acknowledged my existence to look me dead in the eyes and say “I finally have a daughter who cleans.” This was all in jest, as it is impossible to feel any sort of rage while in the presence of a Roomba. These machines not only draw out dust, but also the darkness within our hearts.

T

Reporter

he eyes are the windows of the soul. Why do we avoid making eye contact for long periods of time? Why does it make people uncomfortable? I don’t know, but this Valentines, let us try to be a little different. A special connection comes in the moment of prolonged eye contact. Two windows staring into one another, like a mirror in a mirror, are infinite reflections of the souls of two people, bouncing back and forth forever. Good friends and strangers alike can share a moment of strange connectivity in naught but a single minute. Simple serendipity transcends the overwhelming dullness of the world, full of noise, and an uncomfortable moment gives way to a moment of bonding. This is a quiet, sacred moment, set apart from meaningless interactions in that it allows us to just shut up and enjoy a gaze into the eyes of another human being. We’re better than the meaningless “Hi” and “What's up?” We can ascend the spiritual staircase to a higher place this Valentines. We can hold some long eye contact.

In the life of a sometimes very confident teen girl Eva Villamor

C

Reporter

onnecting to gender norms, the guy (if there is a guy; if not the “designated dominant” person of the relationship), is expected to announce their feelings of infatuation to “the girl.” But no. Not for me at least. If you know me, you know I’m a person of many layers and depths. Oh, my intricacies. I’m like an artichoke, I have an infinite array of layers . . . and then there’s my heart. On the subject of love, with crushes, in particular, I have always ended up proclaiming my feelings outright. Yes, it can really be a process, but I always end up just going for it. Sure, it’s scary to tell someone how you feel, let alone that you like them, or better yet love them. But hey, YOLO, right? It’s ridiculous and cheesey as nachos, but it’s true.

I personally have realized time and time again that not telling someone how you feel is even more torturesome than hiding it inside your own little emotion cave. BECAUSE AT LEAST YOU KNOW! Not knowing is painful. Getting rejected is inevitable eventually, get used to it. That kind of pain is easier to deal with (at least eventually).

I wish you, whoever is reading this filth (well, gee, Eva, that’ś not very confident for you to say), to at least try to think more positively about yourself, and that you can say how you feel. You are badass, important, sublime, and what have you. Confidence is what we all need, I think. And being confident helps in pretty much any given situation.

I truly hope this snippet can act as a bit of reassurance to someone out there in this wack world.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Opinion

With an hour or two of time, even YOU can become an 80 year old!

W

The Pepperbox | Page 19

Stella Walston Reporter

hen you hear the words “gardening”, “embroidery”, “knitting”, or even just “domestic life skills”, you probably think of an 80-year-old woman with lots of cats and cardigans and grandkids. However, you might (not) be surprised to discover that these are some of the most enjoyable skills known to the human race. Yes, your grandma was right. Not only are they enjoyable, they are some of the absolute most useful skills you will ever learn.

Now, I’m not standing here saying that you have to become a master at working the loom or harvesting wheat fields, but don’t you think it would pay off to at least know how to sew a button onto a shirt? Grow some of your own vegetables and flowers? Make and know how to clean up after your own dinner? I’m telling you right now - it will.

Aside from practicality, and this is gonna sound absolutely insane, domestic skills are actually enjoyable. I know, sitting for hours on end to design and embroider your own patches and t-shirts sounds like it will give you a backache, but you just saved at least 20-30 dollars AND got the exact thing that you wanted! For the price of a cheap shirt and a couple ten cent skeins of thread! Not only that, now you have a skill that you can use for hundreds of different things. Christmas presents for your traditional grandmother? With some cheap cotton fabric, thread, and a $1 embroidery hoop you’ve got it covered. Colder months are coming? In an hour or two, a scarf in the exact color and texture you wanted will practically materialize. Your mom wants pretty bouquets for a last minute Easter brunch? Sowing seeds just 2-3 months before will result in a surprisingly gorgeous and diverse flower patch.

Not to mention- these skills are incredibly easy to learn. Like, sometimes I still can’t believe how easy they were to pick up. I taught myself how to knit in 40 minutes, and the next day I knitted an entire scarf in one sitting. One day over the summer I decided I wanted to learn how to embroider, and a piece of scrap fabric and some leftover friendship bracelet thread later I had an adorable little patch. When I thought it sounded fun to plan and run our family’s garden one year, I read 1 (one) book on gardening and grew over a dozen beautiful new plants that year alone - that eventually ended up getting me a summer job. It doesn’t have to be as hard as you’re probably making it out to be.

This is a plea from one peer to another. Awaken the inner 80-year-old you have within you, and start practicing things that will give you valuable life skills for years to come- because sitting in your room and scrolling social media isn't going to give you a leg up in anything.

“I’m not held down on the idea of it being true or not.”

-Briana Turnbull

“No, that’s not realistic.”

-Antares Lucas

“No. Not at all, no. I think it’s random.”

- Mina Abbassi

“Yes, there’s always somebody for someone to love, no matter who you are.”

-Alyssa Marie

Do soul mates exist?

“Yeah, but I don’t think they just happen, they develop.”

-Corbin Luoma

I feel like everyone has/will have that one person they immediately click with.”

-Deanna Botelho-Camez

“Not really, I think that multiple people could get along with each other.”

-Ariana Atkins-Salazar

”Yes, they’re like a best friend.”

-Harrison McDonald