Carlmont Highlander Volume 15 Issue 5

APRIL 2024

VOLUME XV, ISSUE V

CARLMONT HIGH SCHOOL

EMBRACING NATURE'S MEDICINE read it on page 17

BELMONT, CALIFORNIA

CARLMONT MEDIA Carlmont Journalism is a nationally renowned media arts program run by the students of Carlmont High School. Our staff works to deliver the latest news to our student body, their families, and the community.

We are committed to delivering information, current events, and thought-provoking ideas to our audience through storytelling. In our magazine, you will find the passions of writing, intricacies of design, and action of photography all on one page. We hope that the Highlander helps you engage with information in a new way and broaden your perspective on local topics.

Keep it on a shelf, in your bag, or under the bed for years to come—our magazine is timeless.

HIGHLANDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lucille Sanders HIGHLANDER MANAGING EDITORS Clementine Cunningham Inaaya Omer HIGHLANDER EDITORS Rei Baxter Serenity Corbett-Richardson Samantha Crowther Elaine Jiang Kara Kim Alice Lan Sienna Reinders Daniella Smit Isabella Zarzar Katherine Zhang SCOT SCOOP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gabrielle Shore SCOT CENTER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sydney Tao

STAFF Rachel Alcazar Alyssa Bish Hannah Chan Ujala Chauhan Erik Cheng Annabel Chia Charlotte Gordon Urvi Kulkarni Franklin Kuo Evan Leong Shiyo Ohashi Isabella Rice Quinn Rolland Penelope Singh Gracia Shao-Xue Jackson Sneeringer Alessandra Tremulis Alana Wacker Avery Wong Emma Yin

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Piper Diehn FACULTY ADVISER Justin Raisner

advertising inquiries: carlmontads@gmail.com other inquiries: highlanderscotscoop@gmail.com

DEAR READER, We are beyond excited to share Issue V of Highlander with the Carlmont community. In this issue, you will find stories uncovering the roots beneath the ground we walk on.

Our connection to nature exists everywhere outside: a walk in the park, pictures of landscapes, a view at the top of a mountain. But, we often forget that even inside, nature is the entity that keeps us alive. Even the trees we can’t see, the flowers we can’t smell, and the plants we don’t grow are part of us. We have been conditioned to think that nature is for utilization, but really, we were made to coexist with nature — not to take advantage of it, tear it down, or exploit it.

So, on your next walk in the park, or even your next deep breath, remember that nature isn’t something we should take for granted. In fact, we should appreciate it at every chance we get because no matter what happens in our personal lives, at school, or in our futures, nature will always be there for us. If you decide to hug a tree, it just might hug you back.

Warmly,

CONTENTS

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Moments 01 Seeking refuge in nature Blissful spots in California

03 Mountains...or beach?

Which do you prefer?

04 Carlmont critters

Animals on campus get ready for the season

Community 07 Farmers' markets

The power of fresh-grown food

08 Shru's Kitchen

Overcoming the vegan food stereotype

09 The 'college experience'

Suburban versus urban college atmospheres

10 Human impact on Bair Island Protecting the wildlife in Redwood Shores

Arts & Culture 11 The art of geocaching Nature's hidden treasures

13 Bay Area hikes

Trails for every nature-lover, from easy to hard

15 Green swaps

Sustainable alternatives to unsustainable products

Scotlight 17 Grounded in nature

Opinion

21 Mental wellness: crystals and chi

25 The key to climate change

The stories behind unconventional medicine The third pillar of mental and physical health

Large-scale policy as a solution to our climate crisis

27 Divided we'll fall

Unity: a crucial element to fighting climate change

28 Satire: the journey of a plastic bag

Are plastic bags a threat to us, or are we a threat to plastic bags?

29 504s and IEPs: a short term solution

Students take advantage of specialized programs far too often

Features

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31 Not a wild child

A wilderness therapy survivor

35 Painting a greener future

Bridging the gap between humans and nature with art

01 MOMENTS APRIL 2024

Seeking refuge in nature Skiers ride down a mountain in the snowy Tahoe forest. Photo by Quinn Rolland

APRIL 2024 MOMENTS

02

A seal naps on cliffside rocks during the day. Fur seals take naps during the day to avoid predation and manage their body temperatures. Photo by Penelope Singh

An eroded rock rests on the mountainous coastline in Flinders Chase National Park. The formation of the rocks is unknown, but it is linked to wind and sea spray that continues to erode them. These rocks appear to be orange because they are covered in orange lichen.

Photo by Penelope Singh

03 MOMENTS APRIL 2024

Do you prefer the

MOUNTAINS The Yosemite Mountains surrounded by lush green trees. Yosemite National Park is widely visited by many students at Carlmont seeking an outdoor adventure. Photo by Quinn Rolland

or the

BEACH?

Often posed as a simple icebreaker, this question is on the minds of many people as they choose between vacation destinations for Spring Break. Half Moon Bay is one such option with its clear blue waves and rolling green hills. Photo by Quinn Rolland

APRIL 2024 MOMENTS

Carlmont critters

An immature golden-crowned sparrow feasts on grass and insects. These birds inhabit the west coast of North America, ranging from the northernmost tip of Alaska to the bottom of California. The golden-crowned sparrow is among the lesser-known songbirds, yet its chirps travel throughout Carlmont. Photo by Alyssa Bish

A landed bee pollinates a rosemary flower outside of the office building. The rosemary bush grows small, delicate flowers that provide both nectar and pollen to bees.

The bees feed on rosemary nectar during the spring while they establish their colonies. Photo by Alyssa Bish

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07 COMMUNITY APRIL 2024

Farmers’ markets spring into seasonal eating ALANA WACKER

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rom fresh produce to artisanal bread, live music, and handmade crafts, farmers’ markets provide a place for community members to pursue a more sustainable future together.

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the global food system creates 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from transporting food, which travels an average of 1,500 to 2,500 miles from farm to table.

“Farmers’ markets are a great way to reduce the carbon emissions from food transportation,” said Gordon Tong, San Mateo County Office of Sustainability program manager.

Most of the farmers at markets in the Bay Area travel less than 100 miles, and according to the USDA, over half of farmers nationwide travel less than 10 miles.

“It depends on which market we’re going to, but we drive around two hours to get there,” said Vindo Miranda, a farmer from J&M Ibarra Farms.

This shorter travel distance significantly reduces carbon emissions and provides fresher, more nutritious produce,

because they were picked closer to peak freshness, according to Conscious Kitchen program coordinator, Caralee Ellis.

Produce at farmers’ markets also tends to be sourced from farms that utilize environmentally friendly farming methods.

“People look for sustainably grown produce at markets, which pushes farmers to grow responsibly,” said Jeremy Eide, a Deputy Agricultural Commissioner for San Mateo County.

“Even conventional growers begin to spray less pesticides.”

Along with all the environmental and health benefits, these markets create a stronger community.

“If you go to the same farmers’ market over and over again, you get to know the farmers, you get to know the people that are out there at 4 a.m. getting up and working until past dark growing the food we eat,” Eide said.

Farmers’ markets are a way for people to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle or meet new people.

“Food is powerful,” Ellis said. “You’re voting with your dollar and investing in something that does good. There’s a lot of work to be done to ensure a sustainable future for us all.”

Photo by Erik Cheng

Shru's Kitchen spices up vegan cakes HANNAH CHAN

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hru’s Kitchen is a vegan home bakery that strives to balance quality cakes and compassion for the planet through Indianinspired flavored cakes.

Shruti Boddu, the founder, started a food blog that evolved into a business in 2020 when she realized her passion was baking cakes for her community.

“When I started trying to go vegan, I realized how hard it was to find a good plant-based cake. Since I have a massive sweet tooth, I decided to take matters into my own hands,” Boddu said. “I began baking for friends and coworkers, and the feedback encouraged me to offer and sell them to people who might be struggling to find good vegan desserts.”

Chloe Khachadourian, a junior, ordered a pistachio and cardamom cake with edible rose petals from Shru’s Kitchen for her dad’s birthday.

Like Boddu, she struggled to find vegan baked goods when first becoming vegan.

“At the time, the selection size was pretty small, but over the years, more and more vegan desserts have been offered and available.

Veganism has become more popular recently and there are options almost everywhere I go,” Khachadourian said.

Boddu has been vegan for four years and also supports the use of sustainably sourced ingredients. The rose syrup used in her Rose Milk cake is from a local Indian store, and her frequently used pistachios are from Fiddyment Farms in Lincoln, California.

“Many desserts I grew up eating are traditionally made with dairy, and I really missed those flavors like cardamom, saffron, and pistachios, so you’ll see me using a lot of those flavors to recreate nostalgic tastes and memories,” Boddu said.

While her favorite childhood dishes and veganism may not go perfectly hand in hand, Boddu perfects her recipes by experimenting as many as 10 times. She finds the real challenge in running a business within the food industry.

“I do believe that vegan products end up having to be twice as good as regular products to get the same attention, but it’s a tough industry in terms of physical labor that goes into it and the profit margins from a monetary perspective,” Boddu said.

Despite the challenges, she looks forward to sharing her cakes at food events that she attends about two to three times a month.

“My goal is to show people that vegan cakes don’t have to be boring or unappetizing. They can be rich, moist, flavorful, and indulgent without using animal products,” Boddu said.

Photos courtesy of Shruti Boddu

APRIL 2024 COMMUNITY 08

09 COMMUNITY APRIL 2024

The 'college experience' RACHEL ALCAZAR

T

he college experience is a huge factor when students choose their future paths. For some, being part of a bustling city is an exciting change compared to high school while others strive for a more suburban community.

To begin, San Francisco State University, or SF State, is located in San Francisco near Park Merced. According to 2021 U.S. Census data, the student body at SF State is made up of about 88.5% commuter students.

Jared Ramirez, a first-year Kinesiology major, is part of the 11.5% of students who live at the university, and students there choose from over 200 clubs or join Greek life and a variety of club sports to build community.

“A club that has helped me is PACE, a Filipino club focused on the culture of the Philippines,” Ramirez said.

In addition to clubs, students also have access to community resources like Gator Groceries, a free food pantry for students, and many on-campus eateries, according to Ramirez.

In contrast, Stanford University, located right next to Palo Alto, has a more suburban campus. According to Stanford,

97% of undergraduates live in campus housing.

Alice Finklestein, a former Carlmont student and firstyear student at Stanford, mentioned that students build community through dorm activities.

“Our RA’s (resident advisors) plan weekly events on Friday and Saturday nights in our dorm lounge where people can hang out and do an activity like making a craft, watching a movie, playing a board game, and more,” Finklestein said.

One of Stanford’s unique features is the nature found on its campus — it is home to over 43,000 individual trees, according to Stanford, which students enjoy.

“Campus libraries and coffee shops are really popular places where students meet up to study, and now that it’s getting warmer, people are also starting to do their work on the grass on picnic blankets together,” Finklestein said. “I always enjoy even the simplest things like walking around with friends because the campus is so beautiful.”

As for campus life, Stanford boasts over 600 student organizations, which plan ​​over 1,500 events per year, according to the Office of Student Engagement. Stanford also has Greek life, with 24 fraternities and sororities.

“People get to know each other better in clubs and office hours — many of the friends I’ve made have been from the dance groups I’ve gotten involved with,” Finklestein said.

Both universities have abundant opportunities for students to connect with others. When deciding on which school to attend, it comes down to individual preferences— a great college experience is found in many different environments.

Photos by Erik Cheng Stanford offers open spaces for students with visuals like this statue by Auguste Rodin.

SF State students can park their cars in the multi-level parking structure on campus.

APRIL 2024 COMMUNITY 10

Human impact on Bair Island ISABELLA RICE

Snacks are often key to enjoying an outdoor walk at Bair Island, but an abundance of improperly disposed wrappers poses a serious threat to many of the species of animals that live in the wetlands. Photo by Erik Cheng

W

hat was once a land of marshes now encompasses the homes of many. The community of Redwoods Shores lies on the salt marshes of the San Francisco Bay, and surrounding this neighborhood are islands apart of an ecological reserve known as Bair Island.

This renowned wildlife refuge that helps preserve the area's natural inhabitants. Originally there was just a small home raising cattle on this land, which was later purchased by the Leslie Salt Company in the early 1940s.

However, recent developments within the town of Redwood Shores have many questioning whether or not these natural preserves will be able to survive.

According to the Tribal News Network, large-scale developments like new community growth add to the stress experienced by wildlife, potentially driving them out of their natural habitats. Landscape modification is a great contributor to wildlife displacement and species are becoming endangered.

“The salt marsh harvest mouse and the California clapper rail are endangered species whose habitats have shrunk, largely due to human activity,” said Steven Tsujisaka, a board member of Save the Shores.

Save the Shores, founded in 2021, is a community-based and nonprofit organization that works to preserve the wildlife, environment, and well-being of Redwood Shores.

“Collectively, we try to educate the public on some of the

negative human impacts and advocate solutions that aim to protect and restore our natural habitat,” Tsujisaka said.

Along with Save the Shores, other organizations are attempting to uphold standards that protect wildlife habitats in the Bay Area, like the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

This establishment focuses on the protection of migratory birds and threatened and endangered species while maintaining the joys of nature for the surrounding communities.

“Over the years, we’ve put into place various plans that outline the goals we want to achieve and the actions that need to take place,” said Paul Souza, the regional director of the Pacific Southwest region for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “These include the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and many others.”

Even with the extensive measures that have taken place to preserve the ecology of Bair Island, time has allowed an increase in human impact in terms of construction, population, and pollution.

Those living in Redwood Shores for over a decade have noticed changes in the wildlife around them.

“I remember growing up as a kid in this neighborhood, walking along the Bay Trail, and seeing all types of wildlife from birds to seals,” said Katherine Fung, a junior at Carlmont. “Now, the area seems less lively.”

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ARTS & CULTURE APRIL 2024

Unveiling the hidden treasures of geocaching SYDNEY TAO

When geocaching, one often searches in the wilderness for a plastic container, such as a prescription bottle that contains miscellaneous items left behind by past seekers. Inside, there is also a paper on which people can write their name, the date, and where they are visiting to log the successful geocache hunt.

APRIL 2024 ARTS & CULTURE 12

I

n a world dominated by technology, where every corner seems to have been explored, geocaching is a global treasure hunt that combines the spirit of adventure with modern technology. The goal is to find caches or hidden stashes of objects, similar to a hide-and-seek game, where hiders provide online clues for seekers.

Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches.

Geocaching was inspired by letterboxing, an orienteering game created in 1854. Letterboxing, however, does not require technology, as its players rely on a set of clues rather than coordinates. When the United States government made precise GPS technology available to the general public, geocaching came into being on May 2, 2000. Prior to this, it had been restricted to government personnel and only a small number of civilians.

The first geocache was placed in Beavercreek, Oregon, by Dave Ulmer.

It was called a “GPS stash,” which got

shortened to geocache. Although it started in the United States, it became a popular activity around the world with the birth of Geocaching.com, a website created by Jeremy Irish. Cache listings were added manually onto the website, and the database helped standardize the listings. Additional features, such as searching for caches around zip codes, made it easier for new players to find listings for nearby caches.

Caches are the hidden treasure.

Geocachers look for coordinates of caches on the website or app, usually hidden somewhere along a hike or the beach. There are often clues online about where the cache could be found, as it could be under a log or in a tree branch. The thrill of geocaching comes from the search and the sense of accomplishment felt when finally locating a cache.

“I did geocaching as an activity for Girl Scout camp. They gave us hints, and we would have to find the hidden caches. Each cache would have pins,

and we could trade them, so it would motivate us to search for more,” said senior Amelie Zhou.

When a person finds a cache, there are multiple parts, including a waterproof container, a logbook to list the people who visit the cache, and a few trinkets.

The logbook can show how long the cache has been active, from days to years. It has become a tradition to take a trinket from a cache and leave something for the next person.

For over two decades, geocaching has been a popular activity as a way to reduce stress, spend time outdoors, and feel like a part of the community.

It continues to bring excitement to families across the world who look forward to finding treasure in each cache.

“It was a great bonding experience for the Girl Scouts, and I still remember the fun times I had geocaching,” Zhou said.

Photos by Gracia Shao-Xue

13 ARTS & CULTURE APRIL 2024

Best local hikes in the Bay Area FRANKLIN KUO

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve Difficulty: Located in Half Moon Bay, Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve features coastal redwoods - the tallest trees in the world.

There are a variety of trails, ranging from short and easy trails to longer, more difficult trails [like Harkins Ridge]. Along these trails, you can find ridgetop groves of giant trees, ocean views, bridges over flowing streams, and exposed, sunny vistas. For wildlife enthusiasts, you can find banana slugs and a wide variety of mushrooms. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Be sure to pack plenty of water and food as there isn’t anywhere to restock supplies while you’re in the preserve.

Photos by Gracia Shao-Xue

APRIL 2024 ARTS & CULTURE

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The Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve is off Skyline Boulevard and features luscious green trees on all the different trail routes.

In the early mornings, there can be a layer of fog in the forest, which makes the hikes seem ethereal. Coming early in the morning is a tip to beat the heat.

Pillar Point Bluff Trail Difficulty: Pillar Point Bluff Trail in Moss Beach is an easy coastal stroll that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The main loop is connected to a series of subtrails which are connected to Mavericks Beach, a world-renowned surfing beach that features waves as high as 40 feet tall. Located between Fitzgerald Marine Preserve and Pillar Point Harbor, the area has a variety of sea creatures and vegetation. The trails consist mainly of dirt paths, are welcoming to people of all ages, and are open from sunrise to sunset. Dogs on leashes can join as well.

Crosstown Trail Difficulty: lkdsaks The Crosstown Trail in San Francisco stretches almost 17 miles from Candlestick Point in the city’s southeast corner to Lands End and the Sutro Baths in the northwest corner. The trail showcases all aspects of the city, connecting local and regional trails to parks, garden corridors, and waterways. Some of the notable locations it runs through are the Golden Gate Heights Park, the Visitacion Valley Greenway, and the Moraga 16th Avenue tiled steps. The Crosstown Trail unites the city of San Francisco together, running through the city's diverse neighborhoods, and is a wonder to explore.

15 ARTS & CULTURE APRIL 2024

GREEN

1

Reducing the unsustainable reality of day-to-day life UJALA CHAUHAN

Unsustainable: The widespread use of coffee pods and disposable cups to kick start the day often allows their unsustainability to get overlooked. According to Nationwide Coffee, the supplier of commercial coffee machines in the United Kingdom, coffee pods are typically made of mixed materials, including plastic and aluminum, which are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills.

Similarly, single-use coffee cups are usually lined with plastic, making them non-recyclable and contributing to plastic pollution.

Sustainable alternatives can include using refillable or compostable coffee pods and bringing your own reusable coffee cup made from materials like glass, stainless steel, or bamboo when purchasing coffee on the go.

2

Unsustainable: Most people don’t think twice about the sustainability of their shampoos or body scrubs, caring only about their effectiveness. However, according to Face the Future, many conventional shampoos and body scrubs contain harsh chemicals like sulfates and microbeads, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and contribute to water pollution. Ingredients to check one’s own shampoo for are Phthalates and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Phthalates, often found under “Fragrance,” are a group of chemical plasticizers that research has shown to be dangerous to the environment and cause hormonal disruptions. PFAS are often used in hair care to create a water-resistant quality but, in addition to being linked to potential human health effects, do not break down in the environment, contaminate soil and drinking water sources, and bioaccumulate in marine life and wildlife.

Sustainable alternatives include shampoo bars packaged in minimal or compostable packaging, as well as body scrubs made from natural ingredients like sugar, salt, or coffee grounds. Brands like Ethique, Lush, and Plaine Products offer eco-friendly options with refillable or biodegradable packaging. Additionally, purchasing “fragrance-free” shampoos will ensure a lack of Phthalates in your haircare products.

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APRIL 2024 ARTS & CULTURE

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Unsustainable: Tape is a necessity in most day-to-day lives, whether it be to hang up a new poster or simply stick one object to another. As such, it would come as a surprise to many to learn that, according to Small99, a UK-based environmental organization, most conventional adhesive tapes are made from plastic materials like polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle. In simpler terms, they quite literally stick around in our landfills for ages.

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Sustainable alternatives can include paper-based tapes or tapes made from natural materials like cellulose or rubber, which are biodegradable and compostable. Brands like EcoEnclose, Duck Brand, and Scotch offer ecofriendly adhesive tape options made from recycled materials or renewable resources.

Unsustainable: One would be surprised to learn that classic wooden chopsticks, a staple in many Asian cuisines, actually contribute heavily to deforestation, with an estimated 25 million trees being cut down annually to produce them. In addition, their production process involves significant water and energy consumption, according to a study by the University of British Columbia.

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Sustainable alternatives can include reusablehopsticks made from bamboo, metal, or even high-quality plastic that can be used repeatedly, thus reducing waste and environmental impact.

Unsustainable: Despite their accessibility and convenience, according to Eco Youth, wet wipes and makeup removers are highly unsustainable, often containing non-biodegradable materials like polyester or polypropylene, with many brands using plastic fibers in their production. Especially being singleuse, these products contribute to clogged sewers, ocean pollution, and harm marine life.

Sustainable alternatives can include reusable microfiber cloths for makeup removal and biodegradable wipes made from materials like bamboo or organic cotton.

Art by Shiyo Ohashi

17 SCOTLIGHT APRIL 2024

GROUNDED HOLISTIC MEDICINE ENCOURAGES INTERACTION WITH THE NATURAL WORLD

Photo by Emma Yin

APRIL 2024 SCOTLIGHT 18

IN NATURE JACKSON SNEERINGER

A

s a society, we have fully adapted to the era of modern medicine — vaccines can be developed, tested, and publicly integrated in less than a year, gene sequencing can identify genetic diseases, and the first genetically modified pig heart was successfully transplanted into a human in 2023.

While these medical achievements have opened up new doors for longevity and public health, they push the world farther from the natural order and the physical earth. According to Dr. Karlee Boersma, conventional Western medicine acts as the be-all, end-all form of care.

It sweeps traditional and holistic medicine away under the pretense they are ineffective or primitive treatments for modern-day health concerns. This notion has deadly consequences for the well-being of the planet and the organisms that live on it.

Fortunately, unconventional forms of medicine date back thousands of years to when human lives relied on nature, and widespread internet access means they won’t disappear anytime soon.

19 SCOTLIGHT APRIL 2024

Physical wellness: indigenous medicine and iboga

H

“You don't have to necessarily be Navajo or African olistic care is often combined with Western treatments in integrative medicine — treatments such American, but we respect those cultures deeply, and we want as acupuncture and animal therapy are paralleled to preserve their modalities. We want to help so that they can work within a community that they want to, be respected, and by pharmaceutical and surgical care to provide a dynamic be able to be safely governed,” Lotusson-Phillips said. approach to well-being.

Indigenous care doesn’t exist without limitations, as The broad range of modern holistic medicine originates from a smaller method of traditional several key components are illegal indigenous healing practices that in certain states. ONAC University is federally facilitated and has leeway combine herbal, dietary, and manual "What's cool about iboga to work with healing plants otherwise therapies to treat the mind, body, and spirit using the earth. is it eliminates addiction deemed dangerous for humans.

“There's a place for both worlds. If “There are a lot of different types completely." of indigenous medicines that we your appendix blows up, if you break get to work with that most people a leg, or if you need intensive surgery, Western medicine is your thing. If you DR. JENN LOTUSSON-PHILLIPS, FOUNDER can't legally. We work under Native American monastic jurisdiction, so want to get to the root of it, holistic OF ONAC UNIVERSITY care is the next best thing, and then we're governed federally, not under the state. That gives me a little bit indigenous care is even better; it's stronger,” said Dr. Jenn Lotusson-Phillips, the founder of the more license to work with these types of medicines legally,” Oklevueha Native American Church (ONAC) University of Lotusson-Phillips said.

The most significant work Lotusson-Phillips does is with Indigenous Medicine.

Originating from centuries of Native American health Master Plants — plants with a spirit and intelligence with deep curative powers. The iboga plant, native to Africa, is one traditions, modern-day indigenous medical practices reject of the most powerful Master Plants because it contains the hospitals and pharmacies' sterile, impersonal care in favor psychoactive substance ibogaine. Lotusson-Phillips’ research of utilizing natural substances, body-emotion connections, has shown it to be a natural remedy for addiction, postand bio-energetic therapies. New research and intracultural medicines constantly shift indigenous practices, but primary traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mental stressors.

“What's cool about iboga is it eliminates addiction modalities still exist, preserving native cultures.

Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance found in iboga, a plant native to Africa.

Research has shown that it can be an effective, natural remedy for addiction, PTSD, and mental stressors. However, ibogaine is currently illegal in the U.S and some European countries.

Art by Emma Yin

APRIL 2024 SCOTLIGHT 20

completely,” Lotusson-Phillips said. “We have been doing massive amount of research on this; we run about 70 medical reports before and after every experience. I've never seen a medicine do this kind of heavy lifting. It eliminates bacteria, viruses, parasites, and emotions that have been stuck in the organs, and it fixes genetics.”

Iboga and ibogaine are illegal in the U.S. and some European countries; numerous people have died within 76 hours after ingestion, often due to cardiac arrest or disruptions within the nervous system, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Ibogaine is often thought of in the same regard as substances like ketamine and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) due to its neurological effects. However, iboga is a plant — it’s a natural organism, not a synthetic substance like most psychedelics — and has been used in several African cultures for thousands of years.

Currently, ibogaine is only approved for addiction and PTSD treatment in Mexico and Brazil, despite the substantial research done by American and European organizations like ONAC University. Dry-out facilities are the most utilized

treatments for addiction in the U.S., but Lotusson-Phillips believes these centers neglect to address the root of addiction and only serve to push the issue deeper.

“A lot of people will spend a minimum of $20,000 a month to go and be in a center just to come back out addicted to something else. They haven't changed their boundaries or had the emotional shifts within their brain that stopped them from returning to the old habit. Ibogaine does exactly that. It fixes all of that, so there is no return,” Lotusson-Phillips said.

Indigenous medicine does not isolate patients from accessing Western medicine to receive their version of proper care. Lotusson-Phillips believes mental and physical health is complex — the optimal treatment plan for one person will be different than another. The most important thing is finding the data and information needed to choose the best care.

“That's the beautiful thing about indigenous health care; it reinstates your right to choose and elect the type and style of care that you want,” Lotusson-Phillips said. “There's a protection of what you believe in and what is going to help you the most.”

Mental wellness: ecotherapy and self-esteem

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ost often, mental health assistance includes a form of psychotherapy — a conversation with licensed medical professionals in an office.

However, many people don’t see a significant improvement in their lives since this method is often limited to timed therapy sessions, and treatment can be costly.

Ecotherapy takes a different approach to mental well-being as a newer, more budget-friendly, and constantly accessible form of care. Originating in Japan in the 1990s, it is based on the theory that human health is connected to and impacted by the environment.

“As we are part of nature, the health of the wild nature around us and within our

bodies — for example, our microbiome — has everything to do with our own human health. Ecotherapists often say that there can be no human health on a sick planet,” said Linda Buzzell, an ecotherapist and ecopsychology educator.

According to the NLM, ecosystem services, such as ecotherapy, are often overlooked as potential treatments for modern struggles because they are unsophisticated in the face of new technologies and medicines.

However, mass research shows connections with the environment are linked to basic happiness and emotional Photo by Emma Yin

21 SCOTLIGHT APRIL 2024

well-being — the relationship between the earth and its it. New consumer commodities, made in factories that exploit services to human health is neglected through a broader an ecosystem service, consistently invoke a pseudo-joy and economic and social lens. allow us to neglect the natural root of happiness.

Ecotherapy is an umbrella term for outdoor exercises aimed “Sadly, collective dysfunctional human interaction with at improving emotional and physical the rest of nature has caused the well-being — practices range from worsening climate and environmental walking through woodlands to forest polycrises now being felt all over the bathing and horticulture. According to planet. It's urgent that we realize that Buzzell, a simple connection to nature humans aren't somehow magically can profoundly affect a person. separate from and superior to the rest “My husband and I continue to enjoy of nature,” Buzzell said. our healing in nature time both in our Through nature hikes and other garden and in natural areas where we forms of ecotherapy, humans can live,” Buzzell said. “For years, I've seen bring themselves back to the earth and the powerful effects that deep time in reap the benefits of embracing nature.

LINDA BUZZELL, ECOTHERAPIST AND nature has on people's wellbeing. A According to the NLM, consistent ECOPSYCHOLOGY EDUCATOR few of the benefits shown in scientific interaction with nature leads to a studies include lowered stress, greater longer and more fulfilling life due resilience, calmness, relief from to higher self-esteem, community depression, and lower blood pressure.” engagement, and lower cortisol levels. Society is too barred Over the past few centuries, human society has produced from nature, pushing people to seek professional help for new technologies — cars, factories, and nuclear power, to their struggles rather than turning to the earth. name a few — that allowed it to move away from “What we do to the rest of nature, we do to ourselves and the natural environment while simultaneously destroying the rest of life,” Buzzell said. “Radical change is needed. One of the best ways forward is to work with others in our local community to heal each other and the nature in our area.”

"Ecotherapists often say that there can be no human health on a sick planet."

Spiritual wellness: crystals and chi

M

ental and physical health are often seen as the main pillars of someone’s well-being.

However, according to Kelly Snyder, a trained acupuncturist and Qigong teacher, there is another undermined third pillar that represents our life force and energy — chi.

“The basic translation of chi is energy,” Snyder said.

“Everything is chi. It all kind of breaks down into smaller and smaller particles to eventually be some form of energy. Ourselves, or a table or chair, is a solid form of chi. We're all connected through our chi, our energy that flows through

everything in the universe and in nature.”

Chi is the foundation of the soul, much like cells are the building blocks of the physical being. As someone grows up, thoughts shaped by the environment and people around them hide the clean slate of chi.

According to Carol Small, a Rex Xue and life cultivation teacher, aspects of someone’s life imprint on them and shape their thought process and perceived identity, creating a false self. The true self is that without nurtured programming.

It is calm and nonreactive because it has no insecurities, judgments, or the make-up of an externally impacted mind.

Natural life forms such as plants Photo by Emma Yin

APRIL 2024 SCOTLIGHT 22

and animals only have a true self as they lack an impacted consciousness, so focused interaction with the earth can clear a person’s programming for some time.

“When you're in nature, you're walking with a tree, and let's say you're connecting to a tree, the mind quiets, and your true nature emerges,” Small said.

“People are so programmed with their false self that they can't really touch their true nature, but the tree is already its true self.”

Other ways to reach the true self are through Chinese medicine practices such as Qigong, a form of martial arts combining movement, breathing, and meditation, and acupuncture, used as a way to balance and harmonize chi within the body. The term translates to "life force work." Both Qigong and acupuncture can affect spiritual wellness by introducing tranquility and clearing the mind of negative imprints.

Burning incense is another way to bring purity and clarity to the mind. The aromatherapy from incense creates a peaceful atmosphere that can reduce tension in the body. In Chinese medicine, the most common form is the sandalwood stick, though modern times and cross-culture interactions introduced a plethora of scents and forms.

Crystals and essential oils are other spiritual wellness tools popularized by social media due to their more fun nature. According to Small, crystals are a solid form of chi, while essential oils have physical and spiritual healing properties.

“There are lots of levels of things I do with crystals,” Small said. “Their energy clears and cleans the environment. Oils are frequencies that have very strong healing. I'll do a raindrop on my spine and put all the different oils like oregano, thyme, basil, cypress — all the things, and that clears all any negative energy that I've been around.”

There are multiple ways to reach spiritual tranquility; however, a deep connection to the earth's natural order is a common trend. Letting go of environmentally stimulated programming through solid chi, such as trees and crystals, or holistic practices, such as acupuncture and Qigong, can be a powerful tool to care for and regulate our own chi.

“Connection to the earth brings us more into our true nature, but thought separates us from it,” Small said. “Thought is not who we are. We're that which is the space that holds thought. If you identify with your thoughts, you don't get who you really are.”

PROPERTIES OF HEALING CRYSTALS Amethyst Peace and clarity This gemstone is known as a symbol of peace and unification. It is thought to evoke feelings of calmness and provide protection against evil.

Red Jasper Strength and vitality Many people use red jasper for its ability to provide courage and stimulate energy.

It is also said to help increase creativity and provide emotional balance.

Sodalite Self-esteem and intuition Sodalite brings order to the mind, encouraging rational thought and true perception. It is also said to enhance selfacceptance and self-trust.

Photos by Emma Yin

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25 OPINION APRIL 2024

Large-scale policy is the key to climate change EVAN LEONG

G

oing vegan, social media activism, and taking shorter showers. These actions will undoubtedly help the fight against climate change but will only result in minuscule change.

According to Richard Heede, the head of the Climate Accountability Institute, 90 companies emit two-thirds of the total greenhouse gases. Two-thirds is a considerable fraction, meaning the real culprit is big companies, not everyday individuals.

The key to influencing these 90 companies is to get them to care about climate change, and the way to do that is not by influencing their opinions on climate change but rather by forcing them to abide by the law.

Many companies have already announced future emissions and sustainability goals, but these goals should only be taken at face value.

According to a study of 25 large companies by the New Climate Institute, a non-profit organization focused on climate policy, only three of the 25 companies had a clear commitment to their goals, with the rest falling severely short.

On the other hand, an example of forcing companies to abide by the law is the Montreal Protocol, which banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a greenhouse gas depleting the ozone layer worldwide. In response to the

protocol, companies had to adjust products like air conditioners and refrigerators not to emit CFCs, leading to a steady comeback of the ozone layer.

90

companies emit two-thirds of total greenhouse gases.

Source: Richard Heede, head of the Climate Accountability Institute

3 of 25

companies, in a study of 25 large companies, had a clear commitment to their goals.

Source: New Climate Institute

In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the recovery of the ozone layer, the world will avoid approximately 443 million skin cancer cases and 2.3 million skin cancer deaths. This shows the power of more prominent policy.

Suppose we can get these companies to consider climate change through national and global policy. In that case, their products will cause far less harm than when these same companies could pollute the

environment freely. Policies like the Montreal Protocol are the key to solving climate change.

Some might argue that the key to convincing companies to change is with the “dollar vote.” Essentially, everyday consumers can choose what to buy based on their preferences, and if consumers choose products that favor the environment, then companies will have no choice but to adapt their products to their buyers.

However, this fails to consider that most consumers do not place a significant importance on the environment. According to Harvard Business Review, in a survey, 65% of respondents claimed they wanted to buy sustainable products, but only 26% actually purchased them.

Despite what people say, their actions do not follow their words, which means that the concept of the dollar vote can’t expand to a substantial proportion of people and influence companies' motivations.

If the dollar vote were a factor in a company’s thought process, then the key would also be national or global policy. For example, according to Pew Research, President Biden’s attempts to increase electric vehicle (EV) sales, such as tax credits on EVs and emissions quotas for manufacturers, have contributed to an 8.5% increase in EVs. I'm not saying that small-scale lifestyle changes to fight climate change do not matter. They certainly do, but things like the Montreal Protocol will define the fight against climate change in the long term. If we shift our focus to national and global policy, we can see a world where environmentalists and CEOs can unite and create a compromise that benefits all.

Climate Change & Pollution KATHERINE ZHANG

" Blistering temperatures are proving fatal,

with The Lancet reporting that during the past 20 years there has been a 53·7% increase in heat-related mortality in people older than 65 years. Globally, this caused the premature deaths of 296,000 people in 2018 alone, enough to fill all the seats at Wembley Stadium three times over."

— National Geographic

APRIL 2024 OPINION 26

110

pounds of plastic are thrown away by the average American every year.

Source: Minderoo Foundation

This amount of plastic is equivalent to throwing away about one Great Dane.

100%

of all plastics humans have ever created are still in exsistence.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Countries That Produce the Most Plastic Waste (tons)

"At the current rate of emissions, the world will burn through its remaining 'carbon budget' by 2030."

— The Washington Post

Country

Plastic waste

China America India Brazil Mexico Japan Germany Indonesia Thailand Italy

37.6M 22.9M 7.4M 4.9M 4M 3.8M 3.6M 3.4M 3.4M 3.3M

Source: World Population Review

For context:

3M = 6 tons of plastic waste

Burj Kalifas

27 OPINION APRIL 2024

Divided we’ll

fall to climate change GABRIELLE SHORE

W

hat was once a matter of scientific consensus has become a partisan battlefield, with red and blue lines drawn in the sand.

As we confront longer droughts, faster-spreading wildfires, and more severe storms, it’s easy to feel hopeless in the face of climate change. However, an updated report from the International Panel on Climate Change concluded that there is still a chance to thwart the gravest impacts — but only if we pursue decisive and swift measures.

Unfortunately, the words “decisive” and “swift” would sooner describe rush hour traffic than America’s political process. Despite widespread calls for

78% of Democrats describe climate change as a major threat to the country’s well-being.

Source: Pew Research Center

the government to do more to tackle climate change — roughly 65% of Americans are in agreement, according to the Pew Research Center — our elected officials seem unlikely to craft the sort of bipartisan legislation needed to create lasting change.

But the environmental movement must face a crucial yet concerning truth: the U.S. can’t effectively address climate change without bipartisanship.

This is not to discount the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — “the most significant legislation to combat climate change in our nation's history,” according to a U.S. Treasury press release — which wriggled through Congress with zero Republican votes.

However, a 2022 study published in Climatic Change reported that much work lies ahead in addressing climate concerns, and it may be a decade or more before Democrats secure unified control of the government.

Waiting that long is unacceptable.

The irony is that climate change is a partisan issue with distinctly nonpartisan effects; its consequences are detrimental whether a state leans left or right.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as Texas’ two Republican senators voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, the Lone Star State suffered extreme drought. Meanwhile, Kentucky — whose senators also voted against the bill — saw catastrophic floods intensified by climate changeinduced rainfall. Hurricanes batter coastal communities regardless of whether they vote red or blue. Wildfires rage through forests indiscriminately.

Fortunately, there are meaningful, bipartisan victories to be achieved — if

23%

of Republicans consider climate change as a major threat to the country’s well-being.

Source: Pew Research Center

we are willing to look for them.

As environmental philanthropists pour money into progressive climate groups, they often neglect the chance to involve right-of-center communities.

An analysis by Northeastern University revealed that less than 2% of climate philanthropy is allocated towards engaging conservatives on climate change. From ​​ a practical standpoint, directing our support towards individuals and groups committed to fostering balanced engagement on climate issues would raise climate change as a bipartisan priority.

Young voters, in particular, must recognize that we are the generation tasked with navigating a future marred by the disruptions of climate change.

Our generation has inherited a world fraught with the consequences of environmental degradation. We will bear the brunt of its impact if we fail to act decisively and collaboratively.

Our voices matter. Our choices matter. In the end, it’s not our political affiliations that define us but our shared humanity and collective commitment to a more sustainable future.

APRIL 2024 OPINION 28

Satire: Plastic bags, a journey of a thousand uses ALESSANDRA TREMULIS

F

or centuries, all organisms have struggled to survive at some point. The threat of new predators and a change to their biological hierarchy impede the minds of many animals. Even in modern times, as genetic mutations give rise to organisms with higher fitness or create extinct species, there is constant change within the Earth’s total species.

One creature, however, has more recently disrupted the peace of the world’s ecosystem: the plastic bag.

Now known as an apex predator, its sudden and rapid growth around the world means that no habitat is safe.

From rainforests to oceans, the plastic bag is a creature that knows no bounds.

Physically resembling a jellyfish, studies have found that it can survive both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

However, their resemblance can also lead to their downfall.

Appearing as a jellyfish, they simultaneously appear as a sea turtle’s main meal. While there are many predators out in the sea that would find the plastic bag to be a delectable delicacy, the sea turtle remains their greatest threat.

Specific species of sea turtles, including the carnivorous loggerhead, consume the most amount of plastic bags according to a study from the

University of Tokyo. Plastic bags swarm together to form massive islands in the ocean to protect themselves from their main predator, the sea turtle.

However, their exponential population growth can hardly be inhibited. Their characteristics of life show that they are highly able to respond and adapt to their environment. Their ability to use nonverbal communication to form a swarm of plastic bags in the oceans has been reported as some of the biggest clusters in the ocean, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Plastic bags originated in Sweden and were first recorded in 1965, as stated by the UN Environmental Programme. They are comfortable in climates of all temperatures, making them nearly as incredible as the extremophiles living in hydrothermal vents. Ranging from freezing to hot, the plastic bag is nearly immune to almost any location. Giving them a genetic advantage against the competition of other organisms.

They hunt for tiny fish to get trapped in their large mouths that consume and trap anything that goes in, but never comes out… alive. Their deadly performance of engulfing any small enough organism in its path proves it doesn’t need teeth to have a fatal bite.

But while the plastic bag appears like an organism like the rest, it also remains as one of the Earth’s greatest keystone species. Perhaps our entire ecological pyramid would collapse if plastic bags were suddenly removed from our ecosystems. Or, perhaps, our entire world would change in an entirely different way…

An Earth once covered by a sea of molten lava, now covered by a surface of plastic waste.

All evidence from climate organizations suggest that the thin layer Earth resides between containment and pollution, proves that it is increasingly unstable.

The threat of global warming seems inescapable. It could be one day, possibly not too far in the future, that the point of no return finds us and the sheer amounts of plastic bags filling our oceans will make the effects irreversable.

An Earth once covered by a sea of molten lava is now covered by a surface of plastic waste. And yet, efforts are being made to drive this species extinct. This past Feb. 8, plastic bags faced their first real threat to their existence. California passed a ban on plastic bag use starting in 2026. The message reads clearly: If you see a plastic bag, now is your time to act and do the right thing. Let them fly into the care of the wind and be free.

Art by Katherine Zhang

29 OPINION APRIL 2024

504s and IEPS don’t prepare students for real life CHARLOTTE GORDON

I

n recent years, there has been a rise in the prevalence of 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) aimed at accommodating students with disabilities and other challenges, including mental health issues, particularly anxiety. While the intention behind these initiatives is undoubtedly noble — to ensure all students have equal access to education — their widespread adoption raises questions.

According to the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, about 85,100 students in California have 504 plans, and about 800,000 students have IEPs. Students with more severe disabilities are typically given a plan which may include modified course content. Students with emotional issues use plans to do the same course content but with some modifications, mainly extra time, to help support their mental well-being.

Undeniably, mental health is a significant issue affecting students, and providing support is crucial. However, concern arises when accommodations in educational settings become overly permissive, thereby shielding students from experiencing and overcoming challenges.

For example, some students with anxiety receive extra time to complete assignments to help take off the stress of completing an assignment quickly.

Although students are granted an extension, accommodations typically do not reduce the number of assignments.

Students are left with the same number of assignments to complete across the semester, and each extension pushes back each assignment just enough to keep students behind.

Anxious students can find themselves no less anxious as their assignments accumulate, albeit with extra time to complete.

In certain instances, these accommodations do serve their intended purpose by reducing stress and enabling students to get their work done without feeling burdened by deadlines that feel impossible.

Regardless, some students apply these accommodations to every assignment — not just the ones they are struggling with — and train themselves to put off work. This type of implementation is far removed from the intention of educational accommodations.

By relying too heavily on 504s and IEPs to mitigate the impact of anxiety, we risk fostering a generation unprepared for the realities of adulthood. Employers do not provide accommodations for employees with anxiety. Living with anxiety requires learning coping skills, not alternate schedules.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Whether you have everyday stress, everyday anxiety, or an anxiety disorder, you can learn important strategies to help you manage and move forward.”

Some strategies to help manage academic anxiety include chunking assignments into smaller pieces, or scheduling time to work and times to rest.

While 504s and IEPs are vital in addressing student needs, their prevalence and the nature of accommodations warrant careful consideration. It is important for educators, policymakers, and parents to ensure that support mechanisms do not inadvertently hinder students' longterm growth and preparedness for the challenges of the real world.

Percentage of Students Served under IDEA by State and Jurisdiction ( Top 13 and California )

State

% of Students

PR NY PA ME MA DE WV VT NH IN NJ RI

34 20 20 20 19 19 18 18 18 18 17 17

WY CA

17 13

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

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31 FEATURES APRIL 2024

NOT A

Photo by Avery Wong

APRIL 2024 FEATURES 32

CHILD Surviving wilderness therapy Parents have been sending their children to wilderness therapy camps in response to poor mental health or bad behavior, but the kids who have come out on the other side tell stories of abuse and humiliation ANNABEL CHIA

T

he second the sun peeked through the sky, 15-year-old Ali Weller was awoken. She was to pack up the flimsy tarp she had slept in and prepare to hike another grueling eight miles. She would continue this routine for the next two and a half months — minimal sleep, minimal food, and day-long hikes.

“Wilderness therapy was like I was homeless for two and a half months,” Weller said.

According to the Officer of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, wilderness therapy is a type of mental health treatment that provides physically challenging outdoor activities to prevent delinquent behavior. These

programs are a part of the troubled teen industry, which includes wilderness rehabilitation centers and residential treatment centers.

However, according to a US Government Accountability Office report, there have been over 1,500 staff members within the industry involved in cases of abuse up to 2005, the year they stopped tracking the data. Additionally, there have been at least 31 deaths since 1980, according to a New York Times article from 2001, and 9 more recorded deaths since then.

The most recent death was on Feb. 8, 2024, when a 12-year-old boy died a “suspicious” death at a North Carolina

33 FEATURES APRIL 2024

therapy camp, according to the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office.

Many parents send their teens to wilderness therapy to treat adolescent mental health issues or substance abuse when they feel professional help isn’t enough. However, according to Catherine O’Sullivan, a former camper of wilderness therapy, many people stuck in these programs were sent if they were acting out. The age range of girls and boys was 12-17.

“You could be there for any reason; it’s just a matter of your parents. There were a couple of girls who were probably acting out because of adoption trauma. I knew girls there who had been sexually assaulted and were acting out because of that” O’Sullivan said. “I never did drugs or drank alcohol, but when parents see their teenagers acting out in a way that they’re not comfortable with, they get scared.”

O’Sullivan is a survivor of the troubled teen industry.

“It was just like you hear with everybody else's story, it was absolutely terrible,” O’Sullivan said. “The staff would completely publicly humiliate you, they would make you do degrading stuff, and we had food held against us.”

O’Sullivan said in her experience, right from the beginning, her freedom was virtually stripped away from her for the sake of treatment.

“When I arrived, I was dragged in there to get strip searched. You take a drug and a pregnancy test, and if you don't comply, you'll get restrained, and eventually, you'll just end up having to do it,” O’Sullivan said. “After that, they give

you boots two sizes too big without laces so you can’t run away. You get wiped down by a staff member with a cloth, and they put it in a little ziplock bag so you can be tracked by the German shepherds they had.”

Yet, this treatment did not benefit her in any way.

“The entire time that I was at Ironwood in Maine at this facility, and I got no therapeutic help. A lot of the staff there weren't even licensed therapists,“ O’Sullivan said.

Every wilderness therapy program looks a bit different.

O'Sullivan said her daily routine consisted of manual labor to maintain the facility, five-minute hygiene periods, and homeschooling that did not even provide an adequate education.

She was there for 11 months.

For Weller and Catherine C.*, their experiences consisted more of physical hiking in the wilderness of Utah, and they were there for about 90 days.

“We did a lot of hiking because it's a nomadic program style. We had a backpack that we carried around with us every day. Sometimes, it would be miserable hikes of up to upwards of four miles with a 50-pound pack on your back,” Catherine said.

Often, the parents of these teens were also unaware of how intense the programs were.

“These programs have websites and very convincing people talk to the parents — that's part of their whole tactic

APRIL 2024 FEATURES 34

RESOURCES:

Some survivors of wilderness therapy and the troubled teen industry suffered through sexual and physical abuse. Many develop poor mental health or PTSD. Please call a hotline or 911 if you or someone you know needs assistance.

of deceptive marketing because when you're a parent that is fearful of their child making a wrong decision in their life or self-harming, and you have someone offering a soft ear, you’re willing to do anything,” O’Sullivan said.

In general, the kids don’t even know they’re being sent to the wilderness beforehand. Weller and O’Sullivan were both fully unaware. In more difficult situations, Catherine said the teens will be sent in extreme ways called “gooning,” where they are kidnapped in the middle of the night in their home by the program staff.

“My roommate at a center was gooned. In the middle of the night, they came and got her,” Catherine said. “It’s more of an intervention step and because she was in such a bad state, she wouldn’t have gone on her own.”

Wilderness therapy has left its marks on all survivors in some way or another, whether that be physically or mentally.

“I still keep in contact with some people I went with, and we have physical problems coming out of this. My teeth are almost destroyed because of the lack of oral hygiene, since we weren’t given time to

Talk to a Childhelp counselor about abuse:

800-422-4453

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

1-800-656-4673 brush our teeth or use mouthwash,” O’Sullivan said. “Many of us have mental trauma and were sexually assaulted there.

There were a lot of challenges coming back into society because you just don’t know how to act.”

Weller said the experience had left lasting mental impacts on her life.

“I couldn’t be outside for a year, and I couldn’t be around fire,” Weller said. “I have PTSD and had really bad nightmares for a while about being sent back and having to live out there again.”

Those who underwent the abuse are working to speak up against these programs. Recently, Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare was released on Netflix to reveal the systemic issues within the troubled teen industry. Notable figures like Paris Hilton advocated on behalf of the industry survivors, and they are all working to share a similar message.

“The programs are child abuse, and that is something I will say until the day I die,” Weller said. *In accordance with Carlmont’s Anonymous Sourcing Policy, the name of the source has been shortened to preserve the subject’s anonymity and prevent any foreseeable threat to the source’s safety.

A group of kids in a wilderness therapy camp sit in a circle during a hike. Many children in wilderness therapy camps don't see their families for months. Photos courtesy of Catherine C.

35 FEATURES APRIL 2024

Painting a greener future Artists express optimism through visions of a sustainable society URVI KULKARNI he conversation about environmentalism has come to envelop all walks of life, and the art world is no exception.

The need for regenerative practices fuels Belgian artist and design engineer Dustin Jacobus, who uses his work to construct a world where society takes care of all life forms.

“I became concerned with climate change in my twenties when I was involved in activism. It wasn’t just climate change that I was worried about, but the loss of biodiversity, industrial agriculture, and mining operations.

Environmentalism has influenced everything I do,” Jacobus said.

Jacobus’ upcoming project closely inspects water by illustrating sustainable resource management. He defines his exploration of sustainable design as part of the greater solar punk movement, which aims to actualize a future fueled by renewable energy through understanding the ties between nature and community.

The movement thrives off optimism about the planet’s future, a stark contrast to the climate doom mindset that has saturated the media through films such as “Interstellar,” “Extinction,” and “White Noise.”

Regarding social media and news consumption, the American Psychological Association (APA) 2020 Stress in America Survey concluded that 83% of people reported stress over America’s future, as they

Art courtesy of Dustin Jacobus

APRIL 2024 FEATURES 36

"River before-after" by Dustin Jacobus is a two-part illustration. In the "before" illustration, an example of typical town planning is shown. There is clear singlefamily zoning, cars are everywhere, and there are few trees. Even the hue of the drawing is duller than that of the "after" picture. Many of Jacobus' art pieces imagine futuristic urban design, with energy-efficient buildings and walkable (and bikeable) neighborhoods.

In the "after" picture, there is a noticeable integration of the town with nature. The trees and waterways are relatively undisturbed — many more small ponds and lakes are visible than in the first drawing. The buildings are box-shaped and modular for more efficiency. Overall, this landscape is much more vivid and offers a glimpse into what sustainable development could look like.

attempted to process economic turmoil and racial injustice among many other issues making headlines.

Though the depression and anxieties that come with such world conflicts can hinder the work of artists, they can also push them to create more refreshing media.

“I completely understand that feeling of anxiety or depression when getting overflown with negativity in the world. But inspiration can be anywhere, even in a handful of soil. It can be inert,” Jacobus said. “So, I want to create this new narrative of positive futurism that could empower communities to give them hope.”

World traveling photographer Alexandre Manuel, who researched the dramatization of news while earning his PhD, now channels the diaspora that comes with world events to capture the silent aesthetic of the world.

“Our world is degrading, but hope remains beautiful.

There is a conscience that we can create change with what we’ve learned from the past,” Manuel said. “ I take photos of old structures on the sea and witness that we transform landscapes for our needs, thinking that humans are eternal.

But in the end, only the landscape will remain.”

In particular, one of Manuel’s photographs, Symbiosis, depicts the connection between a Vietnamese fisherman and the Halong Bay. An interdependent relationship is apparent through his composition: a calm sea completed with the backlit form of the fisherman from a foggy day.

Julia Schulman, the AP Studio Art teacher at Carlmont High School, clarified this exploration of nature has only come to the forefront in the more modern artistic movements of

impressionism and art nouveau.

“The Western philosophy has always been humans first, which explains a lot about how we treat the planet, reflected in our art. Most people want to look at art and see some part of themselves,” Schulman said.

Jacobus consciously contradicts a world that prioritizes human need and instead uses a spiritual understanding in his designs, always considering our part in the greater universe.

“It’s important that we reestablish our connection with nature. We must understand that we cannot do anything without consequences. If someone is cutting down a tree for profit, but they see chopping it down as if they were amputating their own arm, their entire relationship with the tree will change,” Jacobus said.

Jacobus has adopted that unity with nature into his personal philosophy.

“I know that when my life ends, I will be returned to the soil and distributed to the environment. The moment we look at water and soil in this way is when we will become caretakers of the environment.”