Volume LVIII, No. 8

AI and its Impact on Fake News and Social Media

By Anandita Devata, Vedesh Kodnani & Vidyuth Sridhar Sta Writers

With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms like ChatGPT and DALL·E 2, fake news and digital media have become increasingly prevalent in modern society. To observe MSJ students’ ability to distinguish between fake and real news in various media, the Smoke Signal conducted an online survey with 112 participants.

Background

With the emergence of social media, the forms and functions of modern fake news have evolved in the last few decades. Whether characterized as misinformation (without a deliberate intent to mislead) or disinformation (with a deliberate intent to mislead), the ability of fake news to rapidly spread through social media platforms allows it to reach millions of users without checks on credibility.

In addition to the scope and speed that social media platforms possess in spreading information, many young Americans have a considerable level of trust in information viewed on social media — making it harder for users to identify real and fake news online.

According to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, “Half of 18- to 29-year-olds in the United States say they have some or a lot of trust in the information they get from social media sites, just under the 56% who say the same about information from national news organizations.”

The posting of edited and falsified digital media, ranging from pictures and “deepfakes” (image/audio/video hoaxes), to AI-generated human-like avatars, has also become more widespread. Recently, pro-China Wolf News anchors, intending to spread propaganda created by the government, were discovered to be computer-generated avatars. As AI and technology become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, distinguishing between real and fake in formation can become more di cult for individuals.

News Sources and Browsing Frequency

News in Students’ Lives

From homework and independent research to class discus- sions, interviews, and conversations with friends and families, news presents itself in many of the activities that students engage in daily. In the survey, 51% of participants said knowledge about current events was somewhat or highly useful in real-life situations such as interviews and appli- cations, with another 62% expressing its helpfulness when conversing with friends and family. In addition, when con- ducting independent research such as compiling resources for debates or embarking on scientific experiments, 62% of surveyed students found following and knowing the current news beneficial.

However, although aiding in personal endeavors, more than 80% of students found reading news not helpful in completing their homework, and nearly 70% said it did not greatly assist them in class discussions. “I would like to see current events and news become a much more integrated part of education. Unfor tunately, even in my own instruction, I sometimes that,” Social Science Teacher Tanya Salazar said.

Have you heard of AI-rendered digital media such as deepfakes or AI photo generating platforms?

AI in News and Digital Media

Most MSJ students obtain information on current events from national news outlets, with 77.7% and 57.1% reading The New York Times and The Washington Post, respectively. Students also believed reading the news to be an important activity. On a scale of one to ten, with one being the least important and ten being the most important, 58% of respondents rated keeping up with current events as seven or higher.

Nevertheless, when asked about the number of times they read the news per week, only 47.4% of students indicated a frequency of up to three times a week. While most of the MSJ community prioritizes keep- ing up with current events, many are discouraged by the large amount of perceived-negative stories that are circulated. “I think it’s important to keep up with current events, but there’s so much negativity that I try to distance myself from reading too much,” English Teacher Flora Kang said.

In the survey, 51% of students only felt a confidence level of five to seven on a scale of one to ten in their ability to identify fake news. Ad- ditionally, almost half of all responses reported encountering fake news fewer than two times a week, while according to a study by Techjury, a technology-based data company, up to 62% of all news can include fake news. “If I see something really sensational, I'll definitely look it up first, … but with advancements in realistic photo AI generating, it's dicult to tell real and fake apart," Junior Helia Manesh said.

Taking Precautions Against Fake News

As fake news becomes more common in daily life, students have begun to take precautions against it. From checking multiple sources to doing additional research, students are working towards consuming real information and ignoring fake websites. “Something I do to distinguish between real and fake news on the Internet is read multiple articles from di erent sources before coming up with my own opinion,” an anonymous survey response said.

Although 91.1% of surveyed students are aware of the existence of AI-rendered digital media, only 25.9% of students were confident in distinguishing between that content and human-created media. When present ed with two images, one generated by DALL·E 2 (an AI model) and another taken by a photographer, 60.2% of students failed to identify the image created by AI. Since AI-powered platforms are based on existing patterns, their creations often combine already published photos and artwork by artists, claiming credit for unoriginal work. “The question also arises for who gets the credit. Actual artists won’t be able to compete with perfect[ly] generated models made by AI, which in turn is made by its own technicians and engineers who can now overcome the industry,” Phoenix Art & Literary Magazine Publicity O cer Junior Lucy Yao said. Furthermore, to conserve time and increase e ciency, news outlets have started integrating AI into their article-writing routines. For example, The Washington Post uses a bot called Heliograf to automate coverages on local high school football games, allowing the publication to produce more stories per day and employees to focus on writing about more pressing issues.

How confident are you in distinguishing between fake and real news?

Nevertheless, the survey indicated that 82.1% of the MSJ population has a negative or neutral view of AI in news circulation and writing, believing that such technology can decrease creativity. “[Such technology is] teaching kids [that they] don’t need to think critically, that they don’t need a foundation and it’s acceptable to put in minimal e ort,” Junior Stella Wang said. “But they need to learn how to make their own sentences. The issue with all of this is that it’s just making education more worthless.” concerns that the technology would pose a great risk of spreading mis- leading information online. “Imagine that [AI voice generating platforms]

Social media, which can be more di cult to protect from, is also a concern for students. “Students should be wary of reposting or spreading around the information [on social media] in case it is actual fake news and consider how damaging it would be if it did turn out to be fake,” Yao said.

Option 2 is the AI image created by Dall-E 2

Select the image you believe is generated by AI

corrections

A festive Spring Expo

After 3 years, Spring Expo returns to showcase MSJ clubs and departments as well as student works and achievements for incoming freshmen.

By Waylon Li & Callie Yuan Sta Writers

On March 30 from 6-8 p.m., MSJ hosted its annual Spring Expo for the frst time since the coronavirus pandemic. 31 school clubs and organizations, along with various education departments across campus, came together to showcase the work they accomplished throughout the year.

Attracting attendees with warm wafts of homemade crepes, festive Spanish karaoke songs, and soaring diabolos, the World Language Department transformed the M-Wing into a cultural paradise, featuring the diverse French, Spanish, and Chinese cultures on campus. As students and parents gathered around to play trivia games and learn about the different courses, curriculums, and clubs offered in the department, the setting sun and draped fairy lights illuminated an Encanto backdrop created by the language teachers.

“I feel extremely grateful. [Expo] has been a very exciting experience,” Spanish Teacher Leticia Magaña said, “My students, my colleagues, and I, we just really wanted to light up the World Language section to make everyone happy.”

Other departments displayed student projects in a gal- lery walk. In the Flex Room, the Social Studies Depart -

ment organized a series of collages on students’ family histories. In the A-Wing Cafeteria, the Math Department presented numerous hand-built projects centered around topics of geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, including a model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa constructed of cardboard and paint. In the B-Wing Cafeteria, the Science Department presented chemistry, physics, and biology-related student work, ranging from catapults to dissected brains. Lining the walkway of the B-Wing, club booths featured the prominent and enticing aspects of their organization, hoping to promote their club to incoming and current students. From 3D models of biological molecules and student-designed magazines to brochures and competition awards, club booths drew the attention of attendees as club offcers pitched incentives for both incoming and current students to join their organizations. For example, MSJ USABO/Biology Club displayed models of molecules that curious students fdgeted with, while club offcers pitched the essence of learning biology and gaining new knowledge. “It’s good that we’re getting a lot of exposure at this event,” MSJ USABO/Biology Club Webmaster Junior Brandon Bao said. Clubs were also able to utilize the Expo to update their mailing lists and fnd potential members. The diverse range of clubs showcased the options students could choose from to further their academic interests. MSJ Peer Resource, a zero-period class

focused on`improving the mental health of the student body, looked to spread awareness about its impact at MSJ. “It’s a group of people working together to help improve the mental health at MSJ, which is such an academically focused school,” MSJ Peer Resource Offcer Junior Sairisheeth Venkat said. Other clubs used the opportunity to promote interests to students and show the diversity of passions to pursue at MSJ. “I’m so excited to spark that passion for incoming freshmen because it’s something you can take on into your adult life. I want to instill a passion for service and teach others how great community service can be,” MSJ Interact Co-Outreach Coordinator Junior Anushree Marimuthu said.

“I hope [the students] can learn a little bit more about MSJ’s clubs and hopefully find out [what] they’re interested in so they could join next year.”

- MSJ Phoenix Art & Literary Magazine Art Editor Sophomore Keerti Koya

Despite a three-year gap since the last expo at MSJ, Mission Possible Parent & Faculty Association organizers planned the event skillfully and provided an insightful experience so that students, staff, and parents alike can look forward to future showcases. “It’s been a couple of years since we’ve done [Expo]. So, it’s a little stressful coming back and trying to get into the center of things. But, I think this will be a good step in the right direction ... and hopefully, it builds on to the following

Education

lissa Kaeo

News in brief

Compiled by Tushara Devapatla, Sahas Goli & Annie Xu Sta Writers

javascript:void(0);

local NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

Courtesy of City of Fremont

City of Fremont to increase minimum wage to $16.80 per hour in July

Minimum wage in Fremont is set to increase to $16.80, an increase of 80 cents per hour, starting July 1 of this year. The increase follows a minimum wage ordinance that was approved by the Fremont City Council in February 2019. The ordinance raised the local minimum wage to $15 two years before it was mandated by the state of CA and continues to adjust the minimum wage to match infation by using the local Consumer Price Index. Employers are required to pay at least $16.80 to anyone employed within the geographical confnes of Fremont, except individuals who work for a non-proft. Under the ordinance, employers must also “post the offcial City of Fremont Wage Bulletin in the top fve languages spoken in the city in a conspicuous place” at their workplace.

SpaceX Starship Rocket Explodes During Inaugural Test Flight

SpaceX’s highly anticipated Starship rocket, which is designed to carry humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, exploded during its inaugural test fight on April 20. The massive Super Heavy rocket booster carrying Starship lifted off from a launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas at 9:33 a.m. EDT and soared out over the Gulf of Mexico. The fight reached its highest point 24.2 miles above the ground before the spacecraft tumbled and exploded about four minutes after liftoff, due to multiple engine failures. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had cautioned that “success is not what should be expected ... That would be insane.”

Although the test ended in an explosion, it did meet the company’s objective in providing valuable data for advancing the development of the Starship.

Fighting persists in Sudan as death toll mounts

On April 15, fghting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the nation’s most powerful militia, the Rapid Support Forces, broke out in Khartoum, the nation’s capital, with a civilian death toll of more than 400, and nearly 3700 people injured as of April 24. The violence resulted from months of heightened tensions over a deal towards restoring the nation’s democracy, due to disagreements regarding control of the nation’s armed forces. The battles created massive resource shortages for civilians when the World Food Programme suspended its operations after three employees were killed in fghting, stranding the 16 million people who depend on humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Representatives from the US, Britain, Russia, and China have all called for an end to the violence in the country.

Starship explodes four minutes after launching due to some of its 33 booster engines failing to fire.

Chaos erupts in Sudan as two military forces turn torward violence in the midst of negotiating for the nation’s restoration of democracy.

Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

AFP via Getty Images

“I feel extremely grateful, and it has been a very exciting experience because we just wanted to bring what we have in our department to life.”

- Spanish Teacher Leticia Magaña

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS WAYLON LI & CALLIE YUAN

By Kaylee Liu & Amelie Wu Staff Writers

From 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, Leadership 2 (L2) hosted MSJ’s annual Spring Blood Drive in the Flex Room after a three year hiatus. L2’s Community Committee collaborated with the American Red Cross to organize the blood drive, and both students and faculty were invited to participate by donating a pint of blood in exchange for a pint of ice cream. By the end of the school day, the drive successfully raised 28 pints of blood.

Prior to the pandemic, the Community Committee partnered with Stanford Blood Center for the annual Spring Blood Drive. The tradition, gaining notoriety among students, led turnout to reach up to 100 participants. However, quarantine and the chaotic shift back to in-person school discontinued the blood drive for three years. “[We hope] students [will] get excited for [the blood drive] and get inspired to participate, because as of right now, that isn’t the case,” L2 Community Committee Member Senior Minahil Iqbal said. Preparation began months prior to the Spring Blood Drive, and on the day of the event, 38 students and faculty members, including walk-ins, donated blood. The American Red Cross staff oversaw the logistical and medical aspects of the donation process, like handling personal information and drawing the blood, while L2 volunteers managed registration and snacks. In the morning, the American Red Cross set up cots, medical tools, and paperwork stations. L2 organized tables displaying juice boxes, granola bars, Cheez-It crackers, fruit snacks, cookies, and mixed nuts. After donating, students remained in the Flex Room for 15 minutes to be monitored in order to ensure there were no harmful side effects.

L2 Spring Blood Drive

Spring Blood Drive raises 28 pints of blood for the American Red Cross.

As they waited, students took the provided snacks to help replenish lost blood. “[My overall experience at the drive] was really smooth. All the workers here were really nice, and the leadership kids were very professional,” Senior Jayden Gravett said.

“Schools hold the majority of our mobile blood drives, and when it’s the summer and folks are out of school, we have to rely on community blood drives and company corporate blood drives to make sure our blood supply is continuously being filled.”

In total, the Spring Blood Drive received 28 pints of blood, surpassing L2’s original goal of 22 pints. “The [American Red Cross] staff helped us estimate how many units we would get this year, especially after COVID-19,” L2 Community Committee Member Senior Siyona Vinaik said. “We ended up exceeding our goal ... because we had a lot of walk-ins.” The donated blood directly went to the American Red Cross, which will distribute it to hospitals across the US. From helping accident victims to supporting cancer patients, the donations will be used in blood transfusions for a diverse range of circumstances.

Despite the event’s success, the Community Committee encountered a few complications in organizing the drive, especially regarding finding a date. Timing conflicts prevented L2 from partnering with Stanford Blood Center, limiting the amount of possible appointments. In addition, the American Red Cross was booked by other schools and organizations for months to years in advance, making it difficult for the Community Committee to coordinate

a suitable time slot. Furthermore, the age, height, and weight requirements for donors heavily restricted the amount of students who could participate. This, along with the blood drive’s low visibility among the student body due to its long hiatus, caused concerns about turnout as well.

To encourage students to donate, the Community Committee discussed how to effectively educate others on the impact of blood donations with the American Red Cross and heavily publicized the drive on social media through Facebook and Instagram. “It was really interesting ... to work with the nurses and health workers [from the American] Red Cross and learn [about] the importance of donating blood, how it affects the body, and how helpful it is for other people,” Iqbal said

The Community Committee hopes to continue holding the Spring Blood Drive in the following years and organize an additional blood drive in the fall. Additionally, they aim

to make the event an integral part of MSJ, expanding the scope of the drive by partnering with Stanford Blood Center to increase the number of people who can donate. “I really hope that students can learn to appreciate how people are willing to give back to the community,” L2 Community Committee Member Junior Sasmitha Rajesh said. “It’s about generosity and ultimately, we’re all here to help each other. Just by doing this donation, [students] are already ... helping save people’s lives.” ▪

“I hope that the importance of donating blood is realized. We do have a National Blood shortage and a lot of the time, people don’t understand how crucial donating blood really is. … Even just one bag of blood can mean the world to another person.”

- L2 Community Committee Member Senior Minahil Iqbal

Students present research at 2023 Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair

By Jiyun Guo & Ashley Pang Staff Writers

On the morning of March 25, around 450 students gathered at the Ohlone College Newark Center for Health Sciences and Technology to present months of research in the annual Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair (ACSEF). By the fair’s end on March 26, four MSJ teams had qualified for the California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) or International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), with numerous others winning category and sponsored awards.

First hosted in 2012, ACSEF encourages students in grades 6-12 to explore their STEM interests, ranging from fields of animal science

to mechanical engineering. Each year, Alameda County students present their science or engineering projects to judges with the chance of winning a sponsored award, category award, or qualification to CSEF or ISEF.

In late September, students began brainstorming projects to address real-world problems. “The inspiration behind my project came from a cloud burst that destroyed all of my grandfather’s banana plantations. So, I thought about how I could develop an artificial intelligence (AI) application to solve this issue,” Sophomore Meenakshi Nair said. After topic selection, students started to dive deeper into their respective fields — researching references, gathering data, and carefully crafting a prototype to present

others won category and sponsored awards.

During the process of development, student researchers had to overcome technical issues and human errors. For Nair’s project, a localized dataset was necessary to produce an accurate AI model, but most of the weather data she discovered came from national sources. As a result, she traveled to UC Davis every weekend to gather data from the campus’ local flux tower. Additionally, prototypes that required high precision could easily be damaged or misplaced. For Freshman Victor Luo, his team frequently ran into obstacles with broken parts of their 3D printed, origami-inspired, and AI-driven millirobot for targeted drug delivery. To circumvent this issue, Luo’s team had to produce numerous backup prototype pieces.

After teams had finalized their projects and presentations, they were prepared to showcase their efforts. At 9 a.m. on March 25, students waited by their booths, consisting of a project board and prototype, while judges initiated rounds of impromptu questioning. During the interviews, judges sought to understand each team’s experimental process, project impact, and potential future research. “It’s trying to take something that you’ve worked on for months, have read complex literature to even try to approach, and then making that accessible to the common person ... and then also being able to sell yourself and try to win,” Junior Arushi Dinker said.

Once judges completed their rounds, projects were open for a public gallery walk. While conversing with parents, mentors, and fellow students about their research, students had the opportunity to appreciate the work of their peers. “I think the highlight was being able to interact with other student researchers ... it was really cool to see all of [their] knowledge being applied in the real world for real problems,”

Luo said.

Following the day of presentations, students and teachers arrived at the Dublin Unified School District Center for Performing Arts & Education to attend the awards ceremony. Notably, the teams of Freshman Isaac He and Juniors Shohini Sarkar and Dinker qualified for CSEF, while Luo’s team qualified for ISEF. Advancing forward, finalists plan to further improve their projects. For instance, He hopes to add features for his group’s project, VectorAuth, an app which enables users to regain control of their online security, and Dinker aims to purchase more protein needed to synthesize her novel cyclic peptide-drug conjugate for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

As the fair came to a close, one final recognition, ACSEF’s Teacher of the Year, was awarded to Chemistry of the Earth Systems Honors Teacher Katy Kuei for her emphasis on innovative problem-solving. “I wanted to be a facilitator to expose [students] to uncertain things. Whether [the student] can go very far, it’s [their own] doing. I only show [them] the map,” Kuei said. ▪

Four MSJ teams qualified for state and international state fairs, and many

PHOTOS

Spring Blood Drive volunteers from L2. Front Row: Seniors Alan Zhao, Aidan Paragas, and Jackie Wang, Junior Sasmitha Rajesh, Seniors Siyona Vinaik, Katherine Liang, and Priyal Jain, Second Row: Seniors Soham Patil, Jayden Gravett, Esther Lau, and Minahil Iqbal

Top Images: Junior Arushi Dinker (CSEF Nominee, ACSEF High School first place), Sophomore Angelina Chen (ACSEF High School first place, American Vacuum Society third place), Bottom Images: Teammates James Gu, Nathan Xu, and Freshman Victor Luo (CSEF Nominee and ISEF Finalist, ACSEF High School first place), Freshman Isaac He and Teammate Alicia Ran (Chevron Innovation Award first place, ACSEF President’s Award, CSEF Nominee, ACSEF High School first place)

- The American Red Cross Account Manager Camilla Columna

Chemistry of the Earth Systems Honors Teacher Katy Kuei receives ACSEF’s Teacher of the Year award.

THE SMOKE SIGN AL

Mission San Jose High School

Est. 1964

Vol. 58, No. 8 | April 28, 2023

www.thesmokesignal.org

41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539

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MISSION STATEMENT The Smoke Signal’s mission is to represent the voices of the MSJ community and serve the public by providing accurate, meaningful, and engaging information presented through print and digital mediums.

SCHOOL POPULATION 1877 students

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Helen Tian, Jerry Yuan

NEWS Rohan Bhagat, Shelley Li

OPINION Esther Lau, Annika Singh

FEATURE Julia Peng, Elton Yu

CENTERSPREAD Christy Huang, Angela Xiong

A&E Sanah Bhardwaj, Joanne Park

SPORTS Karina Han, Kaitlyn Wang

GRAPHICS Sarina Li, Hannah Shen

WEB Jennie Wang, Bryan Xiong

TECH Chahak Gupta, Jason Tang

BUSINESS Chloe Gao, Sahas Goli

CIRCULATION Elaheh Khazi, Amy Luo

ADVERTISING Annie Xu, Aaron Zhou

EVENTS Andria Luo, Nessa Tong

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Goonja Basu, Angelina Chen, Novak Chen, Ruhani Chhabra, Tanvi Deshmukh, Tushara Devapatla, Anandita Devata, Jiyun Guo, Jacob Han, Sally Han, Sarah Hu, Shuhan Jin, Ayushi Kashyap, Vedesh Kodnani, Keerti Koya, Abha Kulkarni, Waylon

Li, Kaylee Liu, Maryam Naseer, Ashley Pang, Daphne Senecal, Priyanka Shah, Vidyuth Sridhar, Praamesh Siva, Aaryan Suri, Katie Tang, Anushka Vasudev, Amelie Wu, Lucy Yao, Callie Yuan

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Arriving with the fresh bloom of spring, come other, more highly anticipated seasonal events: college decisions, AP testing, and summer programs. Stepping into any classroom of juniors or seniors reveals a disturbing callousness in students’ attitudes towards these significant academic endeavors. “Why would anyone even go to Merced? It’s the worst UC.” “I only got a 3 on AP Physics C! I’m so stupid.” “Why would you go to Berkeley Summer Sessions? Stanford Summer Session is so much better.” In the moment, statements like these may seem like only harmless banter or selfdeprecating jabs, but in the grander scheme of things, they can instill a discouraging sense of competitiveness in MSJ’s already stressful academic environment. ese ignorant one-off remarks are a key indicator of a serious issue: the lack of empathy amongst students when it comes to academic performance.

As it stands, discussions around college decisions, APs, and summer program results remain highly topical. Although most schools have released admissions decisions, it’s still an everyday occurrence to see flocks of seniors fervently discussing their choices. It’s a never-ending cycle of making fun of schools not highly ranked on www.usnews.com and complaining about not getting into the Ivy Leagues. Beyond college acceptances, summer programs are weighed against each other as younger students share their conflicting perspectives on the best program to

The healing power of creative pursuits

By Annika Singh Opinion Editor

In the midst of finals, AP exam prep, and summer program decisions, students often look for ways to relieve their stress and anxiety. For some, this includes making tea, putting on comfortable clothes, playing with their pets, or meditating. For others, this involves more time-consuming and unconventional activities such as experimenting with makeup, making origami, creating intricate patterns with crochet, or freestyle dancing to music. While the latter group of creative pursuits are beneficial for our mental wellness and help us develop new skills, they are often viewed as frivolous activities.

Personally, I often find myself spending my study breaks in my room meticulously brushing colorful eyeshadow onto my eyelid or swatching my collection of lip balms. For those ten minutes, I’m completely relaxed — the simple act of tapping on blush interrupts negative thoughts about others’ expectations and my self-worth, allowing me to cope with my feelings of sadness or uncertainty. Unfortunately, because makeup was viewed as an activity reserved for special events throughout my childhood, it took me a long time to acknowledge it as an acceptable form of self-care. Over the years, I’ve attempted yoga and meditation, only to keep returning to makeup, as it was the most peaceful and empowering form of relaxation for me.

Recognizing my interest in makeup as a tool to relieve anxiety and promote mindfulness has allowed me

to maintain a more optimistic and motivated mindset. Whether or not makeup is your escape from anxiety, this principle can apply to your life, too. Instead of viewing certain stress-relieving practices as wastes of time, we should encourage people to adopt the activities that make them feel positive and prepared to tackle future obstacles. When we dismantle one-dimensional perspectives of what uprooting anxiety and stress can look like, we’re able to create more space for mindfulness, reflection, and wellness in our daily lives.

For example, Talkspace licensed professional counselor Katherine Glick found that makeup can cause a positive neurochemical response in our brain, helping our bodies relax and regain a sense of control when positive results feel out of reach. Makeup can also facilitate creativity and healing, especially in situations of trauma or high stress. Similarly, other creative acts such as folding a paper crane can make us happier, more at peace, and a little less anxious about impending deadlines.

Learning how to deal with stress and anxiety is a long-term process, but that doesn’t mean we have to conform to typical methods of wellness that may not work for us. Acknowledging the activities that empower us and help us cope is a step closer to dismantling stigma in mental health.

Whether you enjoy makeup, dance, or any other method of relaxation, take pride in it — it’s not a waste of time, because your mental health comes first. ▪

question of empathy: academic success turns toxic

spend thousands of dollars on. In terms of APs, these rigorous collegelevel courses have driven many to sleep deprivation and mental exhaustion from an overwhelming amount of tests, quizzes, and homework. According to the Challenge SuccessStanford Survey of Student School Experiences administered to MSJ students in 2021, students across all four grades received a weekly average of 26.9 hours of homework, both in and outside of school. is immense workload is exacerbated by the toxic emphasis placed on academic excellence by parents, peers, and students themselves. e survey also revealed that students’ most significant worries (rated out of 5) were getting into their college of choice (4.3), the possibility of not doing well in school (4.2), the pressure to do well in school (4.2), and taking assessments (4.2).

Furthermore, research by King Saud University and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University found that excessive levels of academic stress can result in an “increased prevalence of psychological and physical problems like depression, anxiety, nervousness, and stress-related disorders.” In MSJ’s high-pressure environment, there’s often an unspoken expectation that students achieve top academic accolades. Unfortunately, the voices that are amplified are those that follow the status quo, overshadowing the minority. Perhaps, the college you woefully complain about “having” to attend is someone else’s dream

school that they eagerly swoon over every day. For them to hear a friend, a peer, or even a stranger dismiss the school that they’ll be spending their next four years at may give rise to feelings of inadequacy. While it may not be our intent, these comments diminish others’ accomplishments by downplaying the result that they put tremendous effort into achieving as an “inferior” outcome.

Whether it’s getting rejected by a dream internship or scoring lower than anticipated on a test, it’s inevitable that we won’t always achieve the results we were hoping for. It’s human nature to feel disappointed, but we must also be careful about processing our emotions in a way that doesn’t hurt those around us. Our own perceptions of academic performance can a ffect others’ perceptions of themselves.

To avoid making inadvertently backhanded remarks, we should deeply consider the impact of our words before speaking and challenge how we perceive academic success.

e personal standards we set for ourselves do not apply to everyone else, and by deliberately approaching our disappointments from a more empathetic perspective, we can ensure that we aren’t perpetuating any toxic standards, but rather, encouraging a supportive educational environment. ▪

Not your typical Earth Day column

By Esther Lau Opinion Editor

Every April, Earth Day brings a slew of Instagram infographics and awareness campaigns encouraging viewers to adopt individual practices to help the environment. Whether it’s becoming vegan, using reusable bags and straws, or starting an at-home composting system, these calls to action are almost always accompanied by statistics that show how dire the climate situation is.

No matter how much you care about the environment, it’s easy to admit that some of the frequently encouraged practices are hard to fully implement. For example, veganism can seem una ffordable to low-income communities because of its depiction in modern culture as an upscale lifestyle. Moreover, www.wanderlust.com reports that “sustainable fabrics are, on average, two and a half to four times more expensive in comparison to more commonly used fabrics,” making truly eco-friendly clothing options out of reach. When these inaccessibilities are coupled with the worsening state of the environment, putting in effort to reduce our individual carbon footprints feels like a pointless pursuit.

But, the truth is, the information on our own ecological footprints we see is often misrepresented, as large countries and corporations are the leading cause of climate change. According to e World Bank, China alone emits a third of the world’s greenhouse gases, and CDP's 2017 Carbon Majors Report found that “just 100 com-

panies have been the source of over 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988.” Ultimately, these statistics all point in one direction: the power to create lasting environmental change lies in policy.

So this April, I’m not asking you to use less plastic, eat more plantbased foods, and drive an electric car, although those are all great habits. Instead, I encourage you to invest your time and energy into lobbying your legislators for more progressive climate policies. In particular, current CA bills AB 285 (Pupil instruction: science requirements: climate change) and SB 253 (Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act) require climate change to be taught in schools and mandate corporations with billiondollar revenues to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Urge your elected officials to vote in favor of these measures by calling their offices to express your support, submitting a written comment, or meeting with their sta ff to voice your opinion.

Finally, it’s important to engage in advocacy and adopt our own sustainability practices, but let’s not forget to enjoy the earth — go out and hike mountains, chase sunsets, bask in the sounds of a redwood forest, or visit CA’s many state and national parks. By immersing ourselves in the wondrous world of nature that surrounds us, we gain more appreciation for it and thus, are more driven to preserve it through advocacy. ▪

By Chahak Gupta & Nessa Tong

A

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

Staff Writers

STAFF WRITER CHAHAK GUPTA

hb 1069 and the need for sex education in schools

By Novak Chen, Shuhan Jin, Vidyuth Sridhar & Amelie Wu Staff Writers

Whether discussed among parent communites or the legislature, school curriculum has always been a topic of controversy, especially curriculum surrounding health and sex. Sex educaton covers a wide range of topics including sexually transmitted diseases (STD) preventon, menstruaton, and even navigatng healthy relatonships. With the wide range of topics sex educaton covers, legislators have made recent atempts to limit what can be taught in schools. Florida’s House Bill (HB) 1069, writen by Republican State Rep. Stan McClain, has moved on to the State Senate despite overwhelming protest from students and educators. HB 1069 extends the restricton of sex educaton beyond third grade to eighth grade, further restrictng the already limited topics FL educators can teach. The bill also expands on HB 1223, known online as the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, by banning staf from referring to themselves as any pronouns other than their biological ones and discussing menstrual cycles. These laws that restrict sex educaton do more harm than good, leaving students and youth uninformed on ways to be safe.

The main focus of sex educaton should be to inform students on safe sex, rather than barring them from critcal informaton. Historically, the US has only supported abstnence-only programs as a form of sex educaton, but instead of informing students, these programs ofen induce fear and prevent youth from having sex entrely. In 2004, the US House of Representatves’ Commitee on Government Reform reported that 80% of the most widespread federally funded abstnence-only programs distorted informaton regarding contraceptve efectveness and risks of abortons, as well as disregarded sexuality as something beyond biological. Since the introducton of sex educaton in school curriculums in 1912, the federal government has yet to standardize sex educaton, leaving it up to states to individually determine the comprehensiveness of sex educaton. But, very few schools across the country teach comprehensive sex educaton. As of 2020, according to the Sexuality and Informaton Council of the US, only 38% of highschools and 14% of middle schools teach all 19 topics that the Centers for Disease Control and Preventon views as part of a comprehensive sex educaton. Coupled with the already distorted informaton federally sponsored abstnence-only programs distribute, this ambiguity leaves many students

uneducated about the risks and benefts of contraceptves, safe sex, and more. With the implementaton of HB 1069, this ambiguity would remain unaddressed for students, while further exacerbatng the root of the problem.

More importantly, comprehensive sex educaton covers much more than intercourse and extends to topics such as gender identty and sexuality, substance use, and menstruaton. Concerningly, a study by INTIMINA and YouGov revealed that of their random sample of 1,000 US men, only 41% could accurately defne menstruaton. When asked if they would be comfortable discuss ing menstruaton with their daughter, 33% responded they would prefer to have a woman do it instead. The severe lack of misinformaton about the hu man body amongst genders creates a stgma surrounding discussion of au tonomy, and HB 1069 and HB 1223 would worsen the stgma.

Beyond discussion about physical health, sex educaton also emphasizes consent between all par tes. According to the Natonal Sexual Violence Research Center, one-in-four girls and one-in-six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. By teaching sex educaton in classrooms, teens are introduced to healthy discussions about consent and are empowered to use available resources and reach out for support in situatons of emergencies.

Despite statstcs supportng comprehensive sex educaton, many conservatves stll have reservatons and believe that young students should not be learning about these inappropriate topics out of the fear that they will be encouraged to partcipate in premarital sex. However, according to ACT (Assets Coming Together) for Youth Center for Community Acton, one-third of adolescents report having sex by age 16 regardless of the level of sex educaton received. No mater the amount of knowledge in this topic, teens have and contnue to engage in sex. Therefore, rather than avoiding the topic entrely, adults should be encouraging healthy discussions about safe sex, as more knowledge toward the subject can be more benefcial than harmful. However, students should be able to have their voice heard in this conversaton as well. “We’re really fghtng for representng student perspectves in CA, educaton policy, and menstrual equity and safe sex practces is a critcal pillar of that specifcally around sexual educaton,” GENup Executve Director Alvin Lee said. Moreover, some parents argue that they should be able to control the educatonal material taught to their students. According to the American Federaton for Children, 72 percent of respondents “support the idea that K-12 parents should have the most or some infuence over what schools teach, including 78% of parents.” However, courts have already

MSJ VOICES

“The government shouldn’t be able to restrict the curriculum set by the states due to their own political agenda. The only time that the government should be able to intervene with the curriculum set by the state is when it is potentially harmful or when the general public has unanimously deemed the subject as unnecessary or not prevalent anymore.” — Brian Liu, 12

predetermined whether parents truly reserve the right to accept or reject school curriculum. “Common law and case law in the United States have long supported the idea that educaton should prepare young people to think for themselves, even if that runs counter to the wishes of parents,” Associate Professor of Educaton at the University of Massachusets Lowell Jack Schneider and writer Jennifer Berkshire wrote in The Washington Post. In other words, legal precedence supports the idea that educaton, including sex educaton, should be taught for the beneft of the students, regardless of what their parents believe.

In additon to informing students, sex educaton is much more costefectve than medical costs if a student partakes in sex. Since 1982, Congress has spent more than $2 billion on abstnenceonly programs across the country that are misinformatve, according to Planned Parenthood. Crucially, a study by the Natonal Library of Medicine reported that for every dollar invested in Safer Choices, a comprehensive sex educaton program that focused on safe sex, $2.65 were saved in costs for STD and pregnancy preventon. Instead of using government funds to misinform youth, legislators should prioritze educatng teens on how to navigate sex safely.

Though CA passed the CA Healthy Youth Act in 2016, making comprehensive sex educaton mandatory in middle and high school, sex educaton is stll a controversial topic locally. In 2018, amidst heavy parental backlash, the FUSD School Board voted 3-2 to end a previous sex educaton curriculum for fourth to sixth graders, which included lessons featuring LGBTQ+ individuals and promoted safe-sex practces rather than abstnence values. This underscored the Board’s history of conservatve-esque animosity towards sex educaton’s subject mater and inclusion, even as students directly relate through their daily lives and relatonships. (The Board went on to approve a new curriculum for use in 2019.) Furthermore, similar antagonism against sex educaton in the Fremont community can be traced back as far as 2014, when more than 2,000 parents signed a petton to remove a sex educaton book from the ninth grade curriculum, believing it to be too provocatve in nature. Indeed, the MSJ community should contnue to be aware of the history and negatve efects of restrictng sex educaton that have permeated to the local level, and contnue to promote bills such as SB 541 and AB 598 that promote safe sex and make sex educaton as a whole more accessible to students. Students can also use their online voice and utlize local youth advocacy organizatons such as SURFBoardE and GENup to contnue to ensure that their voices are being heard — especially when it comes to what they learn in class. ▪

“[Sex education] is also about allyship and building a much more inclusive community in general. If you're a student growing up in your formative years at elementary school, and you're taught about diferent identities and sexualities, you're more likely to grow up in a much more inclusive environment. I think the educational environment plays a really critical role in that. So not only is it about supporting our next generation of students, but it also steps to building a more inclusive society.” — MSJ

Alumnus and GENup Executive Director Alvin Lee

“I think there should be no restrictions on topics taught in school except for things that are bigoted. For things like sex education, up until recently, many people didn’t know how to obtain contraceptives or what types of contraceptives there are. I think a good school should teach these topics, especially to those in high school.” — Archana Satish, 12

“I think that parents shouldn't have a huge say in the educational material taught in school. Teachers and school administrators have years and years of experience in teaching and education, and they know the best material to teach students. Parents should be able to voice their concerns, but anything further than that wouldn't be benefcial to the students and the faculty.” — Anirudhsai Akuthota, 10

“Good sex education in a school environment means that things students learn aren't restricted so that the education is most efective. Students should not be embarrassed to learn about their own body, and teachers should not be embarrassed to teach it.” — Srithan

10

Meeniga,

“[The boundary regarding sexuality and sex-education] should be a conversation to be had between parent and child, and teachers should take no part in this. I do believe there should be a general program going over this, but the curriculum should be monitored and controlled by parents. — Anonymous, 10

TikTok Congressional hearings spark outrage

By Angelina Chen, Abha Kulkarni & Anushka Vasudev Staff Writers

“Your technology is literally leading to death. We must save our children from big tech companies like yours, who continue to abuse and manipulate them for your own gain.” is accusation from Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis is among the many that US Congress members made on March 23 during a five hour long hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew regarding the company’s protections of US user data. Not only were their remarks disrespectful to Chew, they also demonstrated a lack of understanding towards TikTok, a platform with over one billion users, through insensitive comments. During this hearing, Congress displayed bias and racially coded language, perpetuating systemic inequalities. As public officials, they must honor their duty to serve and represent the entire nation. Even when investigating allegations of using data gathered to spy on indi viduals, they must be equipped with facts and refrain from going on the attack.

roughout the hearing, Congress members continuously asked Chew irrelevant questions such as, “So

Potential TikTok Ban

if I have a TikTok app on my phone and my phone is on my home Wi-Fi network, does TikTok access that network?” As a result, many TikTok users were frustrated, commenting that Congress members are not taking into account existing measures to protect user data privacy. Congress’s attitude reflected personal bias, and revealed how little they know about social media platforms and tech companies. Additionally, the hearing exacerbated anti-Chinese sentiment, already rampant due to the coronavirus pandemic with over “9,000 Anti-Asian incidents reported since the pandemic” according to National Public Radio

Although Chew constantly reminded the individuals present that he is Singaporian, they repeatedly referred to him as Chinese, displaying a lack of respect for his identity.

TikTok, an international business with a Chinese parent company, is viewed di fferently from domestically owned American companies like Google, Instagram, and Facebook. Due to this bias, Google and Facebook have received few repercussions for their egregious dismissal of US law and abuse of private content. For example, during the Facebook Cambridge Analytica settlement, the CEOs

did not endure biased language or discrimination, prompting many TikTok users to claim that the hearing against Tiktok itself was xenophobic and based on unfounded claims about the way Chew oversees data collection and operates his company.

Despite this, many may argue that companies such as Facebook have faced trials in the past regarding their privacy policies. During these hearings, however, Congress did not display intentional bias towards the companies, highlighting a discrepancy between how they typically treat other prevalent technology companies and companies run internationally, such as TikTok. Additionally, given that TikTok has been repeatedly questioned on how they have been handling data, several individuals feel that the hearing was appropriate and necessary to address concerns on data privacy. However, the way Congress members unnecessarily attacked Chew personally during the hearing is evident of underlying biases that cannot simply be ignored as a lapse of judgment.

The way Congress members unnecessarily attacked Chew personally during the hearing is evident of underlying biases that cannot simply be ignored as a lapse of judgment.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time

lawmakers have demonstrated disrespect and ignorance in public forums. During the hearings for Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to Supreme Court, it was clear that she was subjected to an unparalleled level of scrutiny from her white male counterparts. From Sen. Ted Cruz asking her if babies are racist or if she knows what a woman is, Jackson endured demeaning and irrelevant questions, similar to Chew.

Crucially, even though Congress is at the forefront of this issue, there are many ways students can help address misinformation and bias in policy and technology. Students can follow stories on mainstream news platforms, like CNN, e New York Times and BBC Schools can also supplement student learning by incorporating short lessons on media literacy in social science classes. Additionally, local organizations such as Fremont Bay Area Student Activists and MSJ clubs such as MSJ Computer Science Club, Math Club, Women in STEM, and Girls Who Code, can help students learn more about the intersection between business and technology, so they are aware of ethical business practices. While combating misinformation starts with lawmakers, we can all also contribute to a more informed and socially-aware public by navigating and recognizing bias in our own lives. ▪

GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR ANNIKA SINGH

"On March 23, US Congress questoned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about the company’s protectons of US user data and its tes to China. For fve hours, Congressmembers bombarded Chew with combatve questons and implied that TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, has acted as a means for the Chinese government to access US user data. From silencing youth voices to preventng Chinese data access, many theories have developed about the government’s true motves for banning TikTok — what do you think are the government’s motves?"

"Though the government's main motve for the banning does seem to security, I do agree with the theory that there is an underlying motve to silence youth voices in some of the Congressmembers. Advocacy for a lot of the ideas that conservatves oppose has gained a lot of support on TikTok, and Congressmembers with opposing beliefs would see an additonal motve to ban the app."

“I think the government is trying to censor the internet because a lot of progressive actvists, trans actvists, and Black Lives Mater protesters, all organize their events on TikTok. By censoring TikTok, they’re cutng of one of the major communicaton networks that these actvists have. The bill itself also imposes very harsh punishments on those who use a VPN to access banned apps. It’s under the guise of “oh TikTok wants to spy on us” but if the government is so concerned about data mining and sharing, they would have gone afer apps like Facebook. By [specifcally] going afer TikTok, they’re silencing the voices of marginalized communites. It is a government overreach and I do not believe that we should be condoning this bill or that it should pass.”

"I think this adds to the mountng propaganda that the American government is trying to build against China. As China is proving itself to become a major player in the global scene, the American government is trying to dissuade the American public by shining a negatve light on the Chinese government. This only hurts Chinese Americans, which we’ve seen in the rising amount of atacks targeted at Asians."

"The government's intentons aren’t necessarily malicious or atemptng to shut down American voices. They take threats to data security prety seriously, as they should, but I don’t agree with how only foreign companies are forced to undergo this kind of scrutny while other corporatons such as Meta, Apple, and Microsof have all been known for similar things. If the intenton is to prevent data access, then the measures should be universal."

"I've been hearing from various sources and news outlets that TikTok is Chinese spyware due to its horrific terms of services. However, I'm also aware of America's long-standing grudge against China and its controlling communist government. Personally, it's hard to say whether the American government's motives are truly in accordance with the safety of the American people in mind, or if they are launching a biased attack on anything remotely Chinese.”

"The government's motve as a whole cannot be wholly recognized as a singular voice, but I frmly believe that TikTok is receiving the level of atenton it is right now due to its connectons with China. I don’t think genuine concern about youth mental health can be a plausible reason for this current investgaton, because while many other social media platorms like Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat, all have similar videos, TikTok has drawn partcular ire from Congress on this regard whereas these other companies have not. Secondly, silencing the youth simply does not line up with the current politcal interests of the Democratc members of the House Commitee on Energy and Commerce. Moving towards the crux of my argument: whereas many other countries are known for being controversial over what they do with their data, TikTok has drawn partcular ire with Congress for their potental ability to leak data on Americans to the Chinese. Indeed, one of the few bipartsan agreements that Congress is able to agree upon in its foreign policy is its staunch oppositon of China in what is becoming the New Cold War. With even the slightest possibility that TikTok could leak data to China, it is not surprising therefore that the sole reason a commitee formed to investgate TikTok could be bipartsan is because it has potental security risks ted with China."

Organization Spotlight: Fremont Youth Wellness Ambassadors

By Kaylee Liu Staff Writer

From March 20 to May 26, eight Fremont high schoolers, including three MSJ students, Student Lead Junior Sanah Bhardwaj, Junior Arushi Iyer, and Sophomore Arav Tyagi, are participating in an annual city-sponsored community service project. Overseen by Youth & Family Division Administrator Annie Bailey, this year’s project follows the topic “Intersections Between Culture and Mental Health.”

Students applied to be a part of the project by submitting applications via Fremont’s Human Services department’s Youth & Family Services division’s website. Bailey appointed Bhardwaj as the student leader, and the two worked together to review applications and recruit additional students as ambassadors. Each ambassador had their own unique reasons for applying and all displayed leadership and passion towards mental health and community service. “A lot of people [at MSJ] struggle with their mental health but don’t feel comfortable talking about it, and the struggles are defnitely related to a lot of cultural expectations and pressure that’s put on students at school,” Iyer said. “I wanted to see what I could do to address that.”

Currently, the Fremont Youth Wellness Am bassadors have been researching the nu merous connections between culture and mental health and sharing fndings with each other. Topics they are exploring

include the model minority stereotype, academia’s infuence on student life, and how culture affects seeking mental health help. “It’s been pretty eye-opening to work with people from different parts of Fremont,” Iyer said. “There are so many different environmental factors that can be obstacles to people accessing mental health. The problem is so much more widespread than we acknowledged it to be.”

In the coming weeks, the ambassadors

plan to create a city-wide survey to gauge mental health in the community. At the end of the project period, the students will organize a public forum to communicate their fndings to the city. While logistics are still unclear, they hope to

mental health by sharing their research on a virtual platform, such as a Zoom webinar with a question-and-answer section.

“By having a public facing forum, it allows the community to come and have a dialogue with us about [mental health],” Bailey said.

Through the forum, the Fremont Youth Wellness Ambassadors aim to educate the local community, raising awareness about and reducing stigma surrounding mental health. Bhardwaj hopes to educate people on how factors such as race and gender interact with mental health by addressing it on deeper a level.

“I really want to highlight solutions for the community so we’re not just having empty conversations, we’re actively making change,” Bhardwaj said.

Outside of community service projects, Youth & Family Services hopes to expand on-site mental health support in FUSD by establishing more Wellness Centers across the district and continuing to offer robust mental health services to students and their families. Additionally, the division wants to continue developing innovative and creative programs that are engaging for the youth and support mental health and wellness in the community.

“It’s projects like this that help bring to light … factors such as how people’s perceptions of mental health and wellness culture … impact the way people perceive it and how that can affect whether or not people have access to mental health services and support,” Bailey said. ▪

discuss the overlap between culture and

“I really want to highlight solutions for the community so we’re not just having empty conversations, we’re actively making change.”

— Student Lead Junior Sanah Bhardwaj

Student Lead Junior Sanah Bhardwaj, Sophomore Arav Tyagi, & Junior Arushi Iyer

DieHard TryHards:

Charcuterie Boards

By Chloe Gao, Vedesh Kodnani, Daphne Senecal & Katie Tang Staff Writers

Originating in 15th century France, charcuterie boards have been on the rise recently, with social media creators making unique variations of these platters ranging from butter boards to boards literally made of chocolate. This month, four Smokies compete to make the most visually appealing boards, so be prepared to make whey for the charcuterie champion.

Katie Daphne Vedesh

If I had a dollar for every charcuterie board tutorial video I have ever seen, I’m sure I would have around $75 by now. From salami roses to cracker rivers, I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve that these other Smokies will never expect. Let’s be honest, there’s really no competition here — we could just stop at this point, an nounce my victory, and call it a day. Watch out fellow competitors, prepare to get cheesed.

Chloe

Being a world-renowned cheese lover (always removing cheese from my food), I am sure my brie-utiful charcuterie board will take the world (editorial board) by storm. Despite not having any experience making charcuterie boards, I can say I have successfully put together Lunchables’ cracker stacks in elementary school. So, you’d cheddar watch out because I’ll be on the rind watching tutorials so I can take first place with ch-ease.

Despite having French relatives, I have never actually made a charcuterie board. I have, however, made a buttercream board before (which is not the same thing at all), but I like to believe that it’s the thought that counts. In order to not make a fool of myself, I will be studying pictures of charcuterie boards on my favorite social media app, Pinterest. Hopefully, this will grant me the aesthetic prowess to come up with some ideas. After all, it’s putting things on a board, it can’t be that hard.

Two years ago I tried my hand at assembling a charcuterie board outside in the wind. Needless to say, it did not go well. Since then, I have studied charcuterie boards exten sively, picking out the best selection of meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruits (meaning I spend too long in the food aisle at grocery stores). Last year, I placed fourth in the cookie decorating DieHard Try Hards competition, but now I’m coming back for my de served win. It’s gouda be a challenge, but I hope to cure my losing streak.

Ahhh ... victory sure is sweet. Or is it cheesy? I have to say, this competition is surely one for the books. Having to assemble a flawless charcuterie board in a matter of minutes with a crowd speculating is no easy feat. Luckily, my handy plastic knife skills came in clutch and my competitors didn’t stand a chance. I’d like to thank my parents for always believing in me,

Smoke Editorial Board, for bestowing on me the most prestigious title known to man: Best DieHard TryHards Charcuterie

Second place. Top 50%.

I’ll take it. I see that the hours (20 minutes) I spent poring over charcuterie board videos somewhat paid off. I definitely gouda done better if we were given more time — perhaps the 10 minutes we were going to get before a nonunanimous decision gave us eight, I could have added more strawberries to accompany the lonesome one on my board. Though I have to say, I did get the sweet taste of victory ... when I devoured the remaining ingredients.

Considering I only began to prepare for this challenge 50 minutes in advance by watching salami folding videos, I think I did pretty well. I wasn’t in last place despite being accused of trying to poison the editorial

1s 2nd 3rd 4th

Did I lose? Yes. But did I make a statement against conformity with my abstract and instinct-driven platter?

Also yes. The editorial board didn’t enjoy my cashew trail (I swear I wasn’t aware that Editor-in-Chief Senior Helen Tian is allergic ...) and feta crumble, but as they say, the best art is often misunderstood. In the end, I’d still count myself a winner since I got to snack on the

Homecoming

The Class of 2023 started their high school career strong with their Captain America Freshman Homecoming on Oct. 7, 2019. Clad in bright blue against a tarp painted with “FRESHMEN AVENGERS,” the freshmen gave their all as their airbands and skit performed in front of the school for the first time.

Freshmen Avengers

Senior Map of Memories

By Ruhani Chhabra,

zoom

Writers

24 hour fitness

“Truly enjoy high school ... Enjoy your time with friends and go out with [them] after school. focused so much on studying, and at the end of the day, it definitely helped, but regret not hanging out with my friends more and making more connections with everyone else.” —

Michelle Lin, 12

“Don't take too many APs. think I took too many, and it wasn't really good for my mental state ... It's better if you space them out a little bit. Plan for your foreseeable future so you don't have too much on your plate.” — Andrew Sun, 12

“Follow your own path and try not to be influenced by the things that other people are doing at school ... If you're able to find something that you're passionate about and enjoy sincerely and pursue that with dedication during your time at MSJ, it’ll help you not only relieve stress, but also have fun at the same time.” — Ryan Liu, 12

“It's not worth stressing over very minimal things in the grand scope of your life. One assignment that you don't do so well on isn't that big. Even in college decisions, just try your best, put in that work ethic, and you’ll be fine.” — Elaheh Khazi, 12

On Dec. 13, 2019, MSJ held the Winter Ball. Decorated under the theme of The Nutcracker, students were able to take photos against a Russia-inspired backdrop, sing at the Christmas karaoke booth, and dance the night away in the gym-turned Land of Sweets.

Winter week

From Dec. 16-20, 2019, MSJ students rallied together to compete against Irvington High School and American High School through coin drives and dress-up days. The week-long event also had an ornament making workshop, a polaroid fundraiser, and a holiday carnival featuring a hot chocolate bar, Santa hat toss, and holiday craft workshop. For the first year, MSJ was named the Winter Week Champion based on school spirit and participation.

Winter waltz msj tv

Quarantine Vlogs

On March 25, 2020, Leadership 2 (L2) released an MSJ TV video providing a glimpse of what students have been doing during quarantine. Clips included students reading, listening to music, and playing sports.

great msj bake-off

Over the course of three episodes, L2 hosted the Great MSJ Bake-Off, a series of schoolwide baking championships spotlighting the talented bakers at MSJ. In each episode, L2 Videography and Activities judged student video submissions — lemon bars, macaron cupcakes, and tarts — to ultimately determine the baking champion.

Held from Dec. 14-18, 2020, Winter Week, an annual inter-district event, featured holiday karaoke, a movie night, and a district-wide Among Us tournament. Even during distance learning, students showed their festive spirit in class by participating in dress-up days and setting Zoom backgrounds. For the second year in a row, MSJ was nominated as Winter Week Champion.

pacific commons

Truly no other area in Fremont compares to the hustle and bustle of Pacific Commons, where the Class of 2023 has been gathering since middle school. From the classic Century Theatres to the trendy Crumbl Cookies shop, MSJ students can enjoy their weekend feasting on sweet treats while watching their favorite movie. And of course, the Class of 2023 has indulged in Pacific Commons’ retail stores such as DSW and Kohl’s for a quick snazzy outfit.

among us tournament

Between Sept. 29, 2020 to Oct. 2, 2020, L2 Activities held a series of Among Us tournaments during office hours. Students were split into breakout rooms of groups of five on Zoom and were each assigned a role of either imposter or crewmate. Winners went on to qualify for the final rounds in the following days.

winter week multicultural week

homecoming

On Feb. 2, 2021, the Spongebob Sophomore Homecoming was broadcasted virtually through MSJ TV. After a quick introduction by class officers, the video transitioned to a compilation of nostalgic clips from the Captain America Freshman Homecoming. As the only airband of the year, the singing airband dressed in yellow T-shirts followed, delivering a cohesive performance and ending Sophomore Homecoming on a high note.

Multicultural Week proceeded in 2021 with a socially distanced format. From April 12-16, 2021, students posted daily Instagram stories highlighting unique aspects of their culture — food, celebrations, fables, languages, and clothing. The week culminated with a Multicultural Week virtual assembly on the MSJ TV YouTube, where students showcased their cultural performances from home.

spongebob sophomores

The Class of 2023 definitely did not have a normal high school experience. While their sophomore year was completely online, many students found themselves marveling at the ability to mute one’s microphone on Zoom and take those daily office hour naps. Even on Zoom, students were able to enjoy Homecoming performances, club meetings, and other group activities, which expertly prepared them for their transition into junior year.

It’s unlikely to walk into 24 Hour Fitness in the evening and not see a member of the Class of 2023. They’re commonly partaking in cardio, squats, or running on the treadmill to keep themselves active and healthy.

“Do things for yourself. Whether that’s spending time with your friends or doing self care or finding a good therapist, make time for yourself.” — Julia Marcelis, 12

“Procrastinate less. Even if you know that you can clutch a good grade, it’s just not worth the stress. Time management and organizing are solutions that although cliché, will save you brain cells in the future. The adrenaline rush of speed running 450 pages of the Iliad in one night is not worth it.” — Bhumika Iroji, 12

“Don't fall into the AP-grind-mentality and take six APs in a year like some of my friends are doing, because you'll screw yourself over ... Find a club or an extracurricular that you really like and focus on that because you'll need it as a stress reliever for your classes.” — Katherine Lin, 12

advice from seniors notable locations

junior slayers

's Coffee & tea

Where else to study other than this cozy café? The Class of 2023 has spent countless hours frantically reviewing for AP exams with a warm foamy drink on the side. Not only is it a relaxing place for studying, but Suju’s Coffee and Tea has been a popular destination for hanging out with friends and finishing up a group project that was assigned two months ago.

shang-chi seniors

Senior Sunrise Waterworld

On Aug. 17, 2022, the Class of 2023 started off the first day of their last school year huddling atop the hilly terrain of Old Mission Park to watch the sun rise. Donning pajamas and clinging to blankets to shield themselves from the chilly morning breeze, seniors lip-dubbed to “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monàe)” by fun. and Janelle Monáe.

Homecoming squid game

On Oct. 6, 2021, the Demon Slayer Juniors made a comeback from virtual Homecoming. Their performance included dance airbands, music, and a skit, all in front of an intricate silhouette from their theme, Demon Slayer. The juniors placed second overall in the Homecoming placings.

Inspired by Net ix’s breakout TV series Squid Game, MSJ students eagerly lined the amphitheater to participate in Ddakji and Red Light, Green Light, all while being monitored by a Pink Soldier. In the BTQ, games continued as students partook in an aggressive match of Tug of War and strategically etched out intricate shapes in honeycomb candy.

On Sept. 9, 2022, the Class of 2023 ventured to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord, which marked the first Waterworld senior picnic since 2019. After an hour-long bus drive from MSJ to Concord, seniors enjoyed riding thrilling water slides, drifting on a relaxing lazy river, and munching on burgers and chips.

Homecoming

The Class of 2023 wrapped up their legendary Homecoming career with a bang on Oct. 6, 2022. Performing against a backdrop of Shang-Chi-themed glittery, bold red and golden decor and a stream of lanterns adorning the amphitheater area, the senior airbands and skit drew thundering cheers from the crowd.

Suju

Chahak Gupta, Ashley Pang, Katie Tang & Nessa Tong Staff

Dear Diary: Plaid PJ Pants

By Amy Luo Staff Writer

8:23 a.m. on January 17

It’s a big day for lazy people. You can see it on the billboards:

“The Plaid Pajama Pant: A Revolution.” I debuted on the New York Fashion Week runway just last month, and I’ve moved on to take the MSJ hallways by storm. High (school) fashion will never be the same. Anna Wintour is shook. It’s genius, really. I’m cute, affordable, and downright convenient — just go to your nearest Target or switch outfts with the underpaid Santa at the local mall. It all started as a way to be cozy, stylish, and socially acceptable during those long days at school. And before we knew it, everyone was wearing us. But hey, I don’t mind the attention.

3:41 p.m. on February 2

Wait a minute, why does it seem like everyone who buys a pair of me is trying to get TikTok famous? I hate to break it to you, but my $12.99 self is not enough to get you onto the For You page. One can only dance to Ice Spice so many times during passing period before it starts getting old. It’s nice to feel valued, but I now realize that being popular isn’t really all that. All I see, day in, day out, is duplicate versions of me — red-and-black, red-and-black. Where’s the favor? Someone put on a pair of jeans, for my sake. I guess the diversity, equity, and inclusion training hasn’t kicked in yet for the garment industry.

11:05 a.m. February 27

I’m getting really fed up with this fame. I love being cozy and all, but being worn for a week straight can really take a toll on a pair of pants. I’m starting to lose my shape, my colors are fading, and don’t even get me started on the smell. Please, dear owner, do us both a favor and wash me. A spin in the washing machine won’t hurt your street cred. Please, we’re not the quirky fashion piece you think we are. You’re not special for pulling on a pair of holiday pajamas and calling it a “ft.” I’m just so tired.

2:34 p.m. on March 3

There is an idea of a fannel plaid pajama. Some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me. Only an entity, something illusory. I often wonder if I’m just a cog in the machine. My owner’s been reading 1984 and Brave New World in AP Literature, but they still don’t get it. We were warned about this. We’re becoming part of a homogenous society. A society that values conformity over individuality. Will I forever be known as just another red-and-black plaid fannel pajama pant? I want to make a name for myself. Be an ingenue. I have hopes, fears, dreams. I want a purpose in life. Where is this taking me? Where has my identity gone?

9:08 a.m. March 16

Yesterday was Judgement Day. On March 15 at 6:00 p.m., an unnamed hero, an activist for all plaid pajamas, voiced concerns over our servitude on Facebook. Today, it seems like most students are experiencing postMSJ Confession plaid pant sobriety, and I am oh-so-relieved by this. I’ve gone through a lot these last few months. Back when I frst arrived on Palm Ave., I was naive. I was childish. I thought fame and fortune were all that mattered, but now I know better. I gotta go my own way.

6:54 p.m. on April 6

I’ve started a social-awareness nonprofit: Plaid Plants Against Popular People (PPAPP). As Founder, Executive Director, CEO, COO, CFO, and CTO of PPAPP (positions that will all be put onto my college applications), I work to warn gullible, unwary trends like me about the dangers of overuse. I’ve initiated a collaboration with a well-known survivor of this phenomenon, the VSCO-girl Hydro Flask, to caution high-risk potential candidates for the future: the Stanley tumbler cup and fare leggings. Together, we hope to combat and advocate against high-school students who don’t know any better. Which microtrend will be next on the chopping block? We’ll just have to see.

Student Spotlight: Audrey Lau

Beginning in February, Junior Audrey Lau kickstarted her small business Jewel Orbit, which features handmade custom-made jewelry and keychains. This business specializes in crafting beautiful and unique beaded and wired jewelry with heavy customization from customers. These handmade creations are intricately designed with the customers unique preferences in mind making it a truly personalized experience.

Lau’s journey began during the pandemic when she found the ever-evolving jewelry world fascinating. She began her business as a way to express her love for the constantly evolving jewelry trends and adapting her own creation to align with them. Over time the shift in jewelry trends from maximalistic jewelry with an indie teenage aesthetic became a widely enjoyable style. While the current trends allow individuals to express their unique style, it is less niche and appeals to a broader audience. Drawing inspiration from online trends and media, she

By Maryam Naseer Staff Writer

cluster necklaces, earrings, phone charms, keychains, beaded bracelets, and cluster bracelets. The prices of these distinctive items are priced reasonably ranging from $11-30 depending on the intricate design and materials utilized.

As a new small business, Lau has encountered a few challenges from creating

Lau intends to launch her Etsy store during the upcoming summer season. The store will feature a wider selection of products and will continue to accept custom orders. She hopes this expansion will help her enhance her small business. For other people interested in starting their own business, Lau advises “[that] everyone communicates their ideas differently to you so just be open minded about requests,” she said. ▪

began designing her own jewelry in 2020.

“Throughout the years, I’ve seen how jewelry has changed so drastically in small businesses along with all the trends,” Lau said. Encouraged by her peers and family to sell her unique products, Lau recently launched her own shop on Instagram @ jewelorbit_. In the short time, she has already made more than 30 sales.

Her unique jewelry is made from beads that she’s collected over the course of three years, allowing her to have diverse options when making her products.

“I have a really big amount of [beads] to work with. Back then when I just had a small selection … it felt like my options were very limited … But now, when I make things, I can do so much,” Lau said. Her shop offers a wonderful variety of products, including beaded necklaces,

websites for custom orders. “I want people to like the customs, but what if they don’t?” Lau said. Since then, she decided to stick to Instagram as a way to sell her products and put disclaimers for those interested in buying custom orders. Aside from customer satisfaction, equipment purchasing and restocking also pose a challenge as new bead designs require constant buying of new supplies. “It can be kind of expensive and hard to get my hands on certain equipment. But it’s just fun to try designing things, see things online, and then make my adaptation of them,” Lau said.

“It’s just fun to try designing things, see things online, and then make my adaptation of them.”

—

Junior Audrey Lau

SUper Mario Bros: fun-filled nostalgia

By Sally Han Staf Writer

Endearing and lled to the brim with wink-inducing references to fans of Nintendo’s Mario, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic’s e Super Mario Bros. Movie is a colorful and entertaining celebration of the franchise. First released on April 5, e Super Mario Bros. Movie follows Mario (Chris Pratt) on a mission to save his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) and the world from Bowser (Jack Black) as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom.

e plot of e Super Mario Bros. Movie is designed to take viewers around Mario’s world at a breakneck pace. e viewers are rst introduced to the two main characters of the movie, Mario and Luigi, two brothers from Brooklyn who dream of making it big with their independent plumbing business. e audience barely has any time to process the two brothers’ backstory as the story leaps into the familiar, colorful world of Mario video games when Luigi and Mario are sucked into a strange world by a green pipe. e two brothers are separated, setting up the basic con ict as Luigi is thrust into the clutches of the evil Bowser who is ready to take over the world. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom and is immediately sent on a journey to save the world with Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy).

e rst view of this magical world is a visual feast of an open-

under the radar sion

By Lucy Yao Staf Writer

Having recently released his second EP titled Live, German-South Korean singer-songwriter Jung Sion, more commonly known as Sion, has been gaining traction, reaching over a quarter of a million monthly listeners on Spotify. This Rookie of the Year nominee at the 20th Korean Music Awards has adapted the pop structure into his music by blending experimental jazz, soul, and hip hop instrumentals. However, his English sung lyrics hint at a more profound, introspective balance of pain and hope beneath all the lo-f-like beats.

Sion frst grew in popularity as a semifnalist in The Voice of Germany 2020 competition and morphed from a classical pianist and violinist into more of a hip hop style. After his oneyear hiatus, he joined South Korean music label Beautiful Noise, currently acclaimed to be one of the most non-conformist and unconventional creatively conceptual up-and-coming music labels in the Korean market, hosting other artists such as Mommy Son and Zior Park. Since then, Sion’s released two EPs, multiple singles and collaborations, and even worked on soundtrack songs for movies and TV shows.

Sion’s music is entirely composed, arranged, and written by him, with the tracks usually mixed by Manny Park of SIG Recording’s. In both his EPs, titled love and Live respectively, Sion’s appeal is in the surprisingly dark lyrics hidden behind his calming vocals and just as surprising beat, in which he ties in unique sounds such as the subtle clanging of wind chimes, cowbell hits, and autotuned vocal motifs. This blend of experimental elements is the perfect addition to a study session ambiance or mental-breakdown-recovery playlist.

SMOKIE PLAYLIST:

April Apathy

ing sequence as Bowser’s oating castle crashes into the ice castle of the Snow Kingdom. e animation stays strong throughout the whole lm, lling the world with color and whimsical imagination inspired by the gameplay that comes with any of Nintendo’s Mario games. e vibrant animation sequences are complemented by the movie’s soundtrack as well, as each track is a reference to the original Mario games, with iconic classics like “Bowser’s Fury” and “Luigi’s Mansion.”

e nostalgic gameplay-like animation of the movie may satisfy longtime fans of the franchise, but the universal comedy of the movie entertains all. While most jokes, like Bowser’s repetition of the verse “Peaches, Peaches, Peaches” in a love song to Princess Peach, deserve a few rewatches on their own, some jokes like Chris Pratt’s “Mamma mia!” are funny the rst time, but begin to get repetitive after a while.

O R N E R

The Record by boygenius is the record of the year

By Ruhani Chhabra Staf Writer

e casting for Mario’s voice actor in particular had raised some concerns after its initial announcement, a controversy that has disappointingly only culminated in voice acting that is mediocre at best. Most of the voice acting is serviceable as voice actors and actresses tried their best to t into the characters given to them. One performance shines brighter than the rest: Black brings a menacing and energetic performance as Bowser, a freshness that feels like a new take on a familiar character, impressing both old and new fans of the Nintendo franchise.

e Super Mario Bros. Movie is a delightful movie for all fans of the franchise and those who are looking for a fun, or perhaps nostalgically enjoyable, time. It’s a welcome success for the game adaptation movie genre and encourages the audience to revisit the classics.

Grade: B

April 2023 MSJ Faves

MOVIE: The Social Network — Andrew Luo, 10 TV SHOW: Beef — Rohan Kolala, 10

ALBUM: folklore by Taylor Swift — Minahil Iqbal, 12

BOOK: One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus — Vaishnavi Tirumalai, 9

GAME: Forza Horizon 4 — Neal Rangarajan, 11

e musical group, boygenius, have made their long-awaited return to the world of indie pop with their new and debut album, the record. In 2018, boygenius dropped a critically acclaimed eponymous EP before the members embarked on solo ventures. Composed of three incredibly talented women — Phoebe Bridgers, the viral acoustic singer; Julien Baker, known for her confessional and introspective songwriting; and Lucy Dacus, who melodiously sings about her sexual identity — it is no wonder that the record highly exceeds expectations. Indeed, the album is the perfect soundtrack to an angsty coming-ofage lm — what one looks for with indie music. According to the group, they’ve grown up since their EP and wanted to capture those sentiments in the record. During lockdown, the three started talking more. Each member plays guitar, and beautiful instrumental demos were made. e chorus to the opening track, “Without You Without em,” sets the perfect scene for the rest of the album, which is an intimate composition about friendships and vulnerability. “Speak to me / Until your history’s no mystery to me,” the group masterfully harmonizes, compelling the listener to listen to the next track.

ere are many hard-hitting lines in the album. e three artists are known for their storytelling lyricism in their solo work, and the record employs the same strategy.

“Cool About It” accurately details failed relationships, and the strange feeling of talking to someone one used to be close with and realizing

they’re a stranger — “Ask you easy questions about work and school / … Feelin’ like an absolute fool about it / … / Tellin’ myself I can always do without it.” On the other hand, “Satanist,” is a gritty, bass-heavy song about presenting oneself as more exciting than they actually are, and “Not Strong Enough” is about trying to constantly improve oneself — two very relatable topics.

Another special thing about the record is that each member gets their time to shine. In “$20” and “Anti-Curse,” Baker’s raspy, fast-paced vocals dominate, and the track sounds like it’s straight out of an end credits scene after the protagonist learns valuable life lessons. Dacus’ and Bridgers’ voices are softer, perfect to blend in as harmonies, especially in “Revolution 0” and “Emily I’m Sorry.”

A gracefully composed body of work and especially relatable for young adults, the record ows lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally. Not only did boygenius make an excellent comeback, but they solidi ed themselves as the best indie group in music.

John Wick: Chapter 4 Kills it At the Box Office

Grade: A+ IMDB

By Jason Tang Staf Writer

John Wick: Chapter 4, the spectacular conclusion of the John Wick quadrilogy, is a high octane love letter to the action genre. Directed by former stuntman Chad Stahelski, the lm follows the journey of John Wick (Keanu Reeves) as he ghts for his freedom from the mysterious and all-powerful secret organization known as e High Table. On his bloody journey for revenge, John Wick ghts o legions of highly trained assassins from all over the world — enticed by the $14 million bounty placed on his head. e cinematography in this lm was nothing short of breathtaking. Over the course of 169 minutes, the intricate sets and locations, unique camera angles and moving shots, and visually stunning color grading and lighting all culminate into an incredibly impressive visual experience. e John Wick franchise’s signature long-take steady-cam shots

take the audience through Wick’s assassination masterclass as he slaughters his way through more than 140 bounty hunters and assassins, each with unique choreography. No two settings ever look alike, and the set pieces, lighting, and video game-inspired camerawork continuously raised the bar throughout the lm. e sound design of the movie could only be described as immaculate. e fourth installment in the franchise stayed true to form, with the editors and foley artists inserting immersive realism into their sound e ects. e soundtrack, composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, never fails to generate dopamine-inducing levels of hype and perfectly complements the bold color grading in the action scenes. eir pounding techno beats echoed throughout each action sequence, each beat pumping more and more adrenaline into the audience. However, the lm has its share of weaknesses, mainly centering around the plot. At most times it was pass-

able, but there was a lot of missed potential world building that the movie omitted for, admittedly impressive, action sequences. Plot points were introduced at the start of the lm and promptly forgotten about, and the entire premise of the quadrilogy seems almost satirical in nature.

John Wick is just the stereotypical grisled action vet and he remains a static character not only throughout this lm, but the entire series as well. Reeves’ acting performance of Wick, other than the ghting, left things to be desired. ere were plenty of emotional scenes in the movie that felt at, and even comical, because of Reeves’ delivery of his lines. With only 380 words of dialogue spoken by Wick throughout the entire movie, there is no room for waste.

Luckily, the other characters in the lm were much more lively and likable. Tracker (Shamier Anderson) is a money driven assassin who’s never seen without his loyal dog. Caine (Donnie Yen), the blind assassin of the old guard gives an air of con -

dence and murderous competency matched only by John Wick. Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Akira (Rina Sawayama) are the deadly father daughter duo that value honor and bonds above all. e main antagonist of the lm, Marquis Vincent de Gramont, was perfectly portrayed by Bill Skarsgård as a man of dangerous ambition and ruthlessness that keeps the audience on edge.

John Wick: Chapter 4 isn’t a movie that is meant to be watched with a critical eye. In the spirit of the rest of the John Wick series, this nal chapter is more about the experience than the story. Viewers suspend their disbelief, their questions, and their doubts when presented with some of the most intricate and well crafted action of the last decade. In John Wick: Chapter 4, the plot takes a back seat to spectacle, the perfect ending to the story of the Baba Yaga.

Grade: B+

| JENNIE: “decode” by Sabrina Carpenter | JERRY: “Girls” by NATURE | JOANNE: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana | JULIA: “Full machine” by Gracie Abrams | KAITLYN: “Vigilante Shit” by Taylor Swift | KARINA: “Numb Little Bug” by Em Beihold | ROHAN: “Fight or Flight” by Conan Gray | SANAH: “Sometimes” by Erykah Badu | SARINA: “Out Of Control” by She Wants Revenge | SHELLEY: “mine” by Kelly Clarkson | MRS. COHEN: “I Don’t Care” by Fall Out Boy

ANGELA: “my tears ricochet” by Taylor Swift | ANNIKA: “Come Back to Earth” by Mac Miller | BRYAN: “Ocho Rios” by Daniel Caesar | CHRISTY: “How Are You?” by Dylan Brady | ELTON: “White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean | ESTHER: “Karma” by Taylor Swift | HANNAH: “Sometimes I’m” by DPR IAN | HELEN: “pieces” by Dylan Conrique

We haven’t lost good movies — we’ve just stopped searching

By Angelina Chen & Anushka Vasudev Staf Writers

When people generally think of iconic movies and shows of the 90s, their minds likely jump to e Silence of the Lambs , Schindler’s List , Forrest Gump , and Titanic . Not only were these lms widely enjoyed by the public, they were also Oscar Best Picture winners of the decade. Conversely, in 2022, when CODA won Best Picture, many people were stunned that a movie that they had never heard about won the most coveted award at the Oscars. is phenomenon reveals a disparity in the way current audiences determine what is popular and worth watching — a mass shift towards using algorithms and online recommenders instead of typical news sites and word of mouth, limiting avenues for self-expression and open-mindedness to seek out di erent kinds of art and stories.

Before the internet became a mainstream tool for nding movies and shows to watch, popular media generally circulated orally among friends, was discovered through posters at local theaters, and were featured in newspapers and magazines. rough this immersive process, in which people got involved and excited about seeking out new media, audiences were able to engage in a journey of discovery and explore new genres. To the contrary, now recommendation search engines use a viewer’s

past preferences to lter content that is similar to what they have previously watched or cater to their respective niches, limiting the scope of a movie’s audience and reducing the probability of a cultural phenomenon. As a result, public interest is channeled to watch a similar selection of movies, within the bandwidth of the recommendation algorithms.

Similarly, as people look for the next movie or series to binge, endless scrolling to nd a trailer or blurb that intrigues them has been replaced by algorithmic recommendations or social media favorites. us, watching a short TikTok clip promoting a movie is more appealing to many than reading a lengthy magazine review. ese new forms of determining what is popular in the media also may reveal a decrease in viewers’ overall attention spans and interest in taking the time to nd their own shows or browse multiple sites. According to Dr. Gloria Mark from the University of California, Irvine, peoples’ attention spans have decreased over 25% since the early 2000s, resulting in a nal count of 47 seconds.

is switch in content discovery changes

the entire movie and TV show landscape. As people place increasing importance on the Internet and social media as ways to nd new shows, it touches on the idea of a need for social connection and acceptance. Watching the same movies and shows as friends, peers, or family has added incentive compared to solely consuming content based on reviews as viewers often prefer to stick to public opinion and conform to what is trending instead of what may actually appeal to them. e in uence of these algorithms and social media recommendations only become more prevalent and strong because people feel the need to constantly buy into what search engines and trends are coining as popular, feeding into a never ending cycle.

While there might be a slight decline in the production of iconic franchise media such as Indiana Jones , Star Wars , or Game of rones , generalizing the issue with a blanket statement that good movies no longer exist completely misinterprets the situation: there is not a decrease in good movies, but rather a decrease in

our willingness to take the e ort to nd them. While people can use online recommendations as starting points to nd new shows or movies, when they refrain from stepping outside of this box, they play into this harmful perception that blockbuster or quality movies are no more.

As audiences stray away from traditional methods of nding new media to watch, it becomes crucial that we do not let these new avenues re ect the entirety of what we visually consume. Every once in a while, movie-watchers should try to nd media that is outside of their usual genre. is can be achieved through credible sites like Metacritic or IMDb, where movies of all genres are ranked. By trying different genres as viewers see t, they avoid being constrained by content recommendation algorithms and recommendations from their favorite genre only. To nd those hidden gems, iconic hits, and all the other valuable content this industry has to o er — to nd what we feel we have been missing in media — we must actually start putting ourselves out there, take the time to search, and have the zeal to watch and explore.

Emilia Jones plays deaf teen Ruby Rossi in 2022 Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in widely-popular Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, released in 1977.

IMDB COM

Restaurant Review: Maxine Kitchen

By Esther Lau Opinion Editor

Service

Nestled in a warehouse plaza, Maxine Kitchen is a mom-and-pop Taiwanese food vendor that rotates around multiple Bay Area locations. After the Smoke Signal’s visit to its main outpost in Hayward, we concluded that Maxine Kitchen’s cult following is rightfully earned by its authentic flavor and nostalgic taste. Beyond that, however, it felt like a letdown. It’s still worth a visit to satisfy any cravings for Taiwanese food; otherwise, it’s safe to skip.

Ambience

Maxine Kitchen primarily operates through a Facebook group with more than 15,000 loyal customers in the Bay Area placing orders through post comments. Customers have three hours to pick up their order, and must pay a surcharge if they wish to use a card instead of cash. There is minimal customer-to-staff interaction; upon entering the quaint warehouse establishment, the staff asks for customers’ order numbers and promptly brings the order out in an eco-friendly bag. There is also a self-serve utensil station with individually packaged forks, chopsticks, and napkins.

rating: 7/10

food

Out of Maxine Kitchen’s three most popular fantuans (rice burritos with fillings such as fried dough, braised tofu, egg, pork sung, and pickled vegetables) and two best-selling bento boxes, only the Taiwanese Railroad Porkchop Bento left a lasting impression. Its meat was well-seasoned, tender, and juicy, and the side dishes of fish cake, tea egg, corn, and broccoli served as a balancing complement. Unfortunately, despite the tender meat, the Fried Chicken Bento was only average, as the fried batter became soggy and hard to chew over time. The Original Fantuan, Spicy Purple Rice Fantuan, and Scallion Egg Fantuan carried the same effect, as the once-flavorful bites grew repetitive and the sticky rice became exhausting to chew. But, credit must be given to Maxine Kitchen for its authentic flavors that transport customers back to Taiwan, even if just for a short moment.

rating: 6.5/10

value

At the price range of $6 to $7.50, Maxine Kitchen’s fantuans are several dollars cheaper than others in the Bay Area such as Xiaoman Riceburrito and Old Taro. But, while the bento boxes’ price of $12 to $16 are average, the meager portions are a disappointment — a more filling meal can be purchased for the same price at other restaurants.

rating: 5/10

(Note: As Maxine Kitchen does not have seating options and only offers takeout, ambience was determined by the establishment’s interior decor and overall atmosphere.)

Maxine Kitchen is situated in a homey, albeit small, warehouse unit, decorated with posters and signage reflecting Taiwanese culture. Shelves stocked with Taiwanese snacks and staple items that are otherwise rarely found in the Bay Area surround the order pickup area and are available for purchase. Due to the lack of seating, however, be prepared to take your meal elsewhere to enjoy.

rating: 6.5/10

By Jennie Wang & Ayushi Kashyap Web Editor & Staff Writer

Illuminated only by the studded glow of the large heart on stage, a crowd of nearly 2,000 eager fans rose to their feet and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the artist of the night. As the stage fnally burst into light, Sabrina Carpenter herself emerged into view, a roar of cheers sweeping across the audience.

The concert was held in The Warfeld, one of San Francisco’s most popular concert venues, as part of Carpenter’s emails i can’t send tour on April 14. The show opened with a performance from Claire Chicha, known as spill tab, a French-Korean musician recognized for her innovative bedroom pop sounds and layered lof tracks. Her powerful vocals, combined with her dramatic head bobs and confdent dance moves, electrifed the crowd. She showcased her dynamic musicality by singing in French to another one of her popular songs, “Calvaire,” and closed off her opening act by performing her own rendition of “Yeah! (feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” by Usher, Lil Jon, Ludracis, softly strumming her ukelele to contrast the gaudy and boisterous original version of the song.

During the intermission following spill tab’s opening act, the staff played popular radio songs while setting up the stage, most notably queuing “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift, which had the entire audience singing along. Carpenter emerged stage left in a sea of red light, wearing a glittering, sequined dress and tall white boots, and as the stage lights shone on her, she seemed to be glowing

from within.

Fans went all out for the concert, singing and cheering their hearts out while decked out in Sabrina Carpenter merch and waving signs for her to notice. Fans screamed out “I can’t read your mind,” as Sabrina opened her set with her popular, upbeat song “Read your Mind,” and slowly waved their phone fashlights to the beat of “how many things,” an emotional song exploring themes of heartbreak and unrequited love.

Carpenter intermixed her songs with necessary words of wisdom, refecting on her time and growth through her relationships. She mused about the uncertainty that came with being in her early 20s, as well as the process of fguring herself out with respect to her relationships.

To transition into her song “Tornado Warnings,” she recounted a story of how the pain and suffering that she experienced helped her come to the realization that everyone is placed in your life for a reason. The rapport Carpenter created with her audience throughout her setlist added to the show’s appeal as fans were left feeling fulflled and content from her gracious thank you to the long-awaited “Nonsense” outro that Carpenter customizes for each tour date.

Although both Carpenter and spill tab performed their setlists fawlessly, with the crowd even demanding and receiving an encore for her songs “Nonsense” and “Sue Me,” the real issue with the concert began after it ended. The sheer size of the crowd made it diffcult to navigate to the exits, and staff members themselves were confused about where the merchandise, bag check, and exit lines were located. No notifcation was sent to

concertgoers about the clear bag policy as The Warfeld does not employ a poli cy. Consequently, the staff was overwhelmed by the number of peo ple forced to use the bag check, a process enforced by Carpenter’s tour managers. This end ed up causing chaos as a large portion of the audi ence lined up through the venue’s lobby and stage areas for over three hours until 1 a.m. in an attempt to regain their checked bags. Fans were left annoyed and stir-crazy by the lack of trans parency and communication from both the venue and the tour personnel which could have avoided the situation. With what could only be described as a perfect concert, the sour taste left at the end by poor organization did not manage to ruin the overall experience. As the red heart bal loons fell on an ecstatic crowd, Sabrina Carpenter’s performance at The Warfeld on April 14 end ed with her encore performance. The night full of incredible perfor mances, excited fans, and fashing lights left the audience feeling emotional, moved, and eagerly looking forward to Carpenter’s next tour date. ▪

Mountaineering, also known as attaining, involves climbing up to high peaks or up-sloped formations in mountainous ranges. Though similar to rock climbing, mountaineering focuses on the summiting of mountains, while rock climbing centers around the climbing of vertical cliffs. Today, mountaineers use special equipment to handle these environments. “You need good shoes, crampons, and an ice axe when climbing glacial mountains,” Chemistry Teacher Oana Seremeta said. Seremeta has been mountaineering for years and has climbed harrowing peaks, such as Cotopaxi just before an eruption. Since mountaineering also touches on an array of environments and terrains, many related activities are essential to the sport, such as rock climbing and skiing. Mountaineers must beware of many hazards, including altitude sickness, extreme temperatures, and treacherous terrain. In addition, they must carry all of their equipment with them, leading to a taxing journey. Some nearby mountain ranges include Mount Diablo and White Mountain Peak.

MOUNTAINEERING

Skiing is a popular winter sport for both recreational skiers and thrill seekers. Originating from the snowy slopes of Scandinavia as a way of transportation during the winter season, skiing involves using two thin skis with pointed tips that slide through the snow by melting it through friction. Ski poles can also be used for additional balance and movement control. Alpine skiing is typically done in resorts, with slopes from beginner to expert level. On the other hand, backcoun try skiing in areas without trails is considered an extreme sport. This is because in order to be prepared for backcountry must be equipped and properly trained for avalanche assessment and rescue. Due to risks with uncharted trails, backcountry skiers often bring shovels and tracking

SKIING HANG GLIDING

Hang gliding is an individual sport in which pilots fly a lightweight, motorless aircraft known as a hang glider. When hang gliding, the pilot usually glides off of the edge of a cliff or hill, gliding at about 20 to 30 mph. When looking for a place for hang gliding, gliders typically look for slopes that face the wind and are free from obstructions. Once in the air, the pilot relies on rising air masses to stay in the sky, floating on pockets of air called “thermals.” The only way to steer in hang gliding is by the pilot shifting his or her weight in the glider. Because changing direction is so heavily reliant on arm strength, being able to hang glide successfully requires strong arm muscles to maneuver the glider. Nearby hang gliding facilities include Mission Soaring LLC in Fremont and Mission Soaring Center in Milpitas, both offering hang gliding

With more and more people realizing the thrill that comes from sports, adventure sports have quickly gained popularity over the past decade. Also known as action sports, adventure sports involve a combination of high speeds, heights, specialized gear, and more, further adding to the risk factor that allures many. To inform and interest readers with adventure sports, the Smoke Signal compiled a few of the many popular adventure sports that MSJ students can, and have experienced, as well as the many resources around the Bay Area to do so.

Adventure Sports

By Sahas Goli, Shuhan Jin & Aaryan Suri Staf Writers

ROCK CLIMBING ROWING

Originating in England in 1886, rock climbing started as a recreational sport in which climbers climbed up natural rock formations. Rock climbing is most commonly done solo and serves as one of the most mentally and physically challenging sports, with its great de mand on one’s confidence as well as the barriers that often come with grip strength while climbing. With climbers often propelling them selves many feet in the air solely with their hands, harnesses-less rock climbing requires hand-eye coordination and balance. “Planning ahead and knowing exactly where your hands and feet are going is the most important [part of rock climbing] in my opinion,” Senior Riley Cheung, who has been rock climbing for four months, said. Rock climbing near Fremont can be experienced both indoors and outdoors, with locations such as The Peak of Fremont, Movement Santa Clara, and The Studio, which all offer a wide range of climbing difficulties to suit all levels of experience.

As one of the oldest and most prestigious sports in history, rowing is a racing sport in which rowers use wooden blades to propel a shell through inland water. In rowing, each team is composed of one, two, four, or eight rowers, including a coxswain who steers the boat. When faced with water and wind, rowing requires high levels of stamina and seamless teamwork among rowers to reach the finish first. In order to prepare for the extremities of racing, rowers follow strict and water. “During practice, the most probably land days where it’s strictly from water days where we work on Sophomore Avi Adalti, who has been ing competitively for two years, said. Nearby facilities for rowing include the Bair Island Aquatic Center and East Bay Rowing Club, which pro-

Athlete Spotlight: Michelle Chen

By Goonja Basu & Sarah Hu

Staff Writers

When she was six years old, Sophomore Michelle Chen began swimming competitively. What originally began with her parents putting her in a class has now grown into a pivotal part of her life and given Chen the skills to join MSJ Varsity Girls Swim and Varsity Girls Water Polo teams in her freshman year. She has now gained recognition in both sports, such as being named the most improved water polo player on varsity after only discovering the sport that same year.

One of the biggest reasons why Chen has been swimming for almost a decade now is her enjoyment for aquatic sports. She loves the fun community and practicing with her friends, as well as excelling in the 100 meter freestyle and the 100 meter backstroke. Outside of school, she also participates in club swimming at California Dolphin Swim Team (CDST). Throughout her time at CDST, she has won several ribbons at her meets and performed well at the De La Salle Invitational, Junior Olympic SC Winter, and PC TERA LCM JOs.

After swimming in various tournaments and meets, Chen discovered that her main challenges are improving her speed in the water, as well as fnding the motivation to keep going and try harder at practice. Even then, Chen does not let her problems get the best of her. “I learned to just do it instead of overthinking things and to always try my best ... instead of complaining,” Chen said.

Through swimming for club and school teams,

she has a strong understanding of how to manage the demanding sport. Each team that she has been a part of exposed her to new experiences and taught her something new. “The different environments and expectations in different teams have … helped me not only try harder, [but also be] more motivated to have fun with my teammates,” Chen said. From where she started at the beginning of high school, Chen is extremely proud of herself for being able to improve in water polo in a short amount of time. Before her freshman year, she wasn’t even aware that water polo was a sport, but being moved up to varsity in that same year made her thankful for her teammates who helped her learn and persevere. “It’s easy to stay negative if I don’t see myself improving but … my teammates … make me want to try harder to contribute to the team,” Chen said.

Outside of swim and water polo, fnding a balance between school work and two hours of swimming daily has been a struggle for Chen.

“Sometimes it’s hard to come home from practice and actually do my homework and study for tests,” Chen said. Her key to success has been good time management. When she has several exams and assignments in the upcoming week, she does her best to fnish all homework during school and save further studying for after school and practice.

Chen intends to continue Girls Swim and Girls Water Polo throughout the rest of high school, but she is not looking to compete at a collegiate level. “I would continue to swim and do water polo in clubs, but maybe not at school,” Chen said. ▪

Baseball sufer 3-6 loss against American

By Tanvi Deshmukh & Elaheh Khazi Staff Writers

On April 6, MSJ Varsity Baseball faced off against the American High School Eagles. In a fast-paced match with high stakes and riveting plays, the Warriors lost the game with a fnal score of 3-6.

The Eagles started off on offense but quickly struck out during the frst inning. The Warriors also faced a rocky start, as their frst two batters struck out after attempts at receiving strategic pitches from the Eagles. With only Back-Up Catcher Freshman Vihaan Chawla and First Baseman Senior Roshan Sanjeev managing to reach frst base MSJ ended their inning with zero runs after Co-Captain Right Fielder Senior Joseph Du also struck out.

In the frst half of the second inning, Co-Captain Pitcher Senior Kaden Voong struck out several American players with calculated pitches. “Kaden pitched a really good

six innings. He went his maximum pitches, 110 pitches, which is very good and probably one of the best outings we’ve seen from one of our pitchers this year,” Co-Captain Center Fielder Senior Aidan Paragas said. Regardless, a home run from American and two additional runs ended the frst half of the second inning at 0-3.

Even though the Warriors successfully returned the pitches, the Eagles quickly tagged the Warriors out or caught their hits. The Warriors also responded boldly on defense with strikeout catches from the outfeld and Voong at the pitcher’s mound. After the last American players struck out during the inning, MSJ’s strong defense brought back hope.

With MSJ back on offense during the third inning, Paragas hit the ball and advanced to frst base. Unfortunately, Co-Captain Shortstop Senior Zachary Okino was subsequently tagged out despite landing a direct hit on bat, with Paragas advancing to third base. Voong batted next and was able to hit the ball, allow-

ing Paragas to score the frst run for MSJ. When Chawla batted, his hit allowed Voong to score the second run for MSJ while Chawla reached third base. With two players out and third base loaded, Sanjeev’s hit enabled Chawla to score the third point for MSJ before the half-inning ended due to Du getting out. Smooth plays and good team effort from the warriors in the third inning prevented American from scoring again and tied the score at 3-3.

In the fourth inning, MSJ scored zero points despite the bases being loaded with Paragas on third base. When American came up to bat, MSJ’s defense prevailed once again, preventing American from scoring. The ffth inning followed the same rhythm as three consecutive American players retired, one of which resulted from an impressive catch by Du. However, the Warriors submitted to the Eagles’s strong defense in the sixth inning.

Entering the seventh inning with the score tied, American’s ferce offense enabled them to bring eight players up to bat. Even with

stellar catches from Left Fielder Sophomore Aadit Kolli, American batters accumulated three runs total, bringing the score to 3-6. In the fnal half-inning with pressure on MSJ’s offense, the bases were initially loaded as Voong and Du hit effcient line drives and Catcher Junior Vinhson Nguyen walked. However, American’s pitcher felded Designated Hitter Sophomore Chibin Loo’s ground ball to make a quick throw frst to home and then to frst base, retiring two of MSJ’s players in a double play. Despite a powerful offense from the Warriors in the fnal inning, the team was unable to outweigh American’s intricate defensive plays.

Refecting on the game, MSJ Varsity Baseball Coach Bobby Kanno intends to improve the team’s defensive skills and chemistry for the season’s remainder. Additionally, the captains hope to capitalize on hitting and work on maintaining players’ endurance. “It was a close game [but] we just made too many critical errors and we didn’t get hits when we needed it,” Kanno said. ▪

Co-Captain and Center Fielder Senior Aidan Paragas runs from second to third base.

Co-Captain Senior Kaden Voong reaches third base before scoring a run.

photos courtesy michelle chen

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April

1-2, cat enthusiasts gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds to attend the Pleasanton Cat Extravaganza and Adoption Event, a regional cat show hosted by the Loving Cats Worldwide (LCWW) Group. Featuring an adoption center, cat competition, and shopping village, the extravaganza saw a weekend of wholesale cat appreciation.

One of the main reasons that an increasing number of cats have been put up for adoption is the failure of pet owners to spay or neuter their cats, resulting in unsustainable populations of unwanted kittens. Breeders compound the issue, as they detract from the number of shelter adoptions with the offer of specially-bred animals. “Perfectly healthy cats get put down for no other reason than the shelters are full, and then we have designer kitties that people buy when we have beautiful animals that need to be rescued,” Paws

That Matter Representative Sheree Ross said. At the adoption center, rescue cats lay nestled in blanketed cages, from one with a black-and-white Maine Coon to another housing an orange tabby and her months-old kittens. Throughout the event, crowds of sympathetic attendees interacted with the rescues, speaking to Ross about each cat’s unique needs and bringing in a high turnout of adoption applications. Ross herself adopted two of the orange tabby’s kittens, having fostered them in her home prior to the show.

By Jiyun Guo & Andria Luo Staff Writers

Throughout the weekend, cats competed in the LCWW cat competition, with seasoned judges awarding each contestant a score out of 100 points. “Every breed of cat has a standard of points that’s written for them … there’s a certain amount of points allotted for the body, the eyes, the shape of the ears,” Judge Steven Meserve said. As each furry contestant took the stand, the presiding judge stretched and smushed the cats to show off their unique features and amiable personalities. Judges provided a stream of technical commentary for audience members, peppering their speeches with quirky descriptions and fun facts about each breed. For example, the Cheshire cat was inspired by British shorthairs, and Sphynx cats are affectionate enough to be termed “suede-covered hot water bottles”. On the second day of judging, a Bengal cat, a descendant of the wild Asian leopard cat, took home the rst place prize in the junior age category for its striking resemblance to its ancestor.

Along the border of the showroom, vendors sold products and novelty trinkets for humans and cats alike. Cat owners could buy essential supplies for their furry friends, such as plush cat beds, litter boxes, and carriers, as well as leisure items, including catnip socks and an arsenal of other cat toys sure to satisfy even the most picky feline friend. For their human counterparts, vendors presented a wide selection of souvenir items, ranging from custom cat portraits and cat pun t-shirts to crochet cat wallets and cat plushies of different breeds. Some vendors also stocked other cat-related trinkets such as rubber cat-ducks and cat mugs for keen collectors. The pop-ups were a hit with attendees, who spent time between cat shows browsing the aisles and ocking around vendors introducing their products.

On April 1, The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill in Oakland, CA hosted MSJ’s annual prom. The waterside location provided vibrant views of city lights, indoor and outdoor attractions, and attentive service for guests. To commemorate another successful year of prom, the Smoke Signal highlighted notable activities and amenities offered throughout the event.

SFBOOTHS

As the sun set beyond the skyline, students flooded the upstairs dance floor. Neon lights flashed across the room and upbeat music reverberated through the floorboards while students joined in, letting loose from the opulence outside and generating a more casual atmosphere. A professional DJ remixed and played popular songs from artists such as Playboi Carti and Baby Keem that amplified the infectious energy in the room and drew more attendees to come join the party.

Dinner in-

cluded simple appetizers, entrees, and desserts ranging from fruits and cupcakes to chicken tenders and lobster rolls. Lake Chalet provided three convenient dinner service locations spread out across the front entrance, the waterside dock, and within the karaoke room. The indoor Lake Room and outdoor Oak Shore Pier housed bars offering non-alcoholic beverages such as Shirley Temples and lemonade. Despite offering relatively simple foods, staff service remained friendly and helpful throughout the night.

set up their 360 video booth — a camera on a long metal arm connected to a rotating platform that records glamorous slow-motion shots — by the Gondola Dock Wing for the perfect lakeside view in the video’s background. Capturing poses from every angle, it artfully commemorated students’ momentous night at prom. Traditional photo booths offering guests physical photo strips were also available in the dining room with a glittery backdrop, props, and professional lighting fixtures.

Karaoke let students channel their inner pop star and perform a song with their friends to its full melodramatic effect. Students lined up in the Lake Room for a chance to select a song and sing along on the karaoke machine. The room also featured desserts, drinks, and seating areas so other guests could enjoy their food and the show. During these karaoke sessions, students swayed along with their fellow classmates and singers — at some point even bringing out and waving their phone flashlights as if it was a mini-concert.

The recreational casino, despite being a relatively small attraction compared to the other activities, offered blackjack, roulette, and craps. Trained dealers ran each booth, and the atmosphere was reminiscent of a Vegas-style casino featuring stage lighting and professional tables. While the games provided free betting chips, participants enjoyed an authentic recreational gambling experience through fierce and friendly competition. Aside from students, faculty members including Principal Jeff Evans and AP Computer Science A Teacher Michael Jan competed in the games.

A student favorite, the video game booth featured a Nintendo Switch and a large TV display for spectators to enjoy the ongoing games. Stationed outdoors, participants enjoyed the luxury of gaming for longer periods of time without feeling cramped; the booth provided a comforting waterside experience and attracted onlookers intrigued by the games. Players especially enjoyed Mario Kart 8, an exciting four-player kart racing game where players toss silly gadgets at each oth er’s characters to sabotage competitors from reaching the finish line.

Located near the indoor dining seats, the caricature station offered quick and simple drawings for participants to keep as souvenirs. The artist captured each student’s unique facial features with detailed yet comical sketches. Since the station was located near the dining tables, the caricatures attracted friends, couples, and individuals looking for some post-meal amusement. Contrasting the lively dance floor and casino, the caricature station offered a peaceful