Volume LVIII, No. 5

Breeze cafe

guide to local bookstores & libraires

SMOKE SIGNAL THE

CA Winter Storms

In recent weeks, CA has faced a string of successive storms, resulting in high winds, landslides, and floods that have ravaged communities across the state, with more than half the students at MSJ surveyed personally a ected. The Smoke Signal investigated the causes of this year’s unusual weather, surveyed student’s about the storm’s e ects, and explored the impacts of the event on the MSJ community.

MSJ Campus Impact

Though most of the storms occurred during Winter Break, they still left considerable impacts on the MSJ campus. Several classrooms, such as M-2 and M-5, and the BTQ faced flooding problems as students returned from break, prompting the school to move classes to di erent rooms and work to unclog drains that were causing the water to pool. In addition, one of the Mission Creek bridges, a popular spot for students to be dropped o and picked up, was washed away, resulting in both parents and students having to take detours to cross the creek. This, along with fallen trees, major tra c delays, power outages, and travel plan changes over break, greatly a ected both students and faculty. According to a student-wide survey, around 90% of students aren’t even aware of whether MSJ has the preparations necessary to combat the storms. “I’ve been in Mission for [11 years], I have never seen flooding like [this]” Campus Supervisor Jan Wren said.

By Sarah Hu, Vidyuth Sridhar, Annie Xu & Lucy Yao

Staff Writers

“I wish the community (school) would deal with the storms better because it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to get to school on time when it’s extremely rainy. Also, most of the students eat lunch outside where it is very cold and wet and there isn’t enough space indoors to let everyone eat lunch inside.” — Isabelle Fu, 11

Causes

The recent storms are the result of a series of atmospheric rivers – long, narrow regions of water vapor that cause large amounts of rain and snowfall as they reach the West Coast. The atmospheric rivers are thought to extend from the Pineapple Express, a term coined for a recurring atmospheric river originating in Hawaii. For the last two years, a high-pressure system in the Northern Pacific had blocked storms from reaching CA. However, this year they shifted east and blew the rivers towards the state. In addition, a rapid drop in air pressure caused a “bomb cyclone” and high winds and heavy rain across CA during the week of January 1. Meteorologists have not yet pinpointed a direct cause to the unusual storms, though they warn that climate change and atmospheric heating create more intense and variable weather patterns.

“We are doing maintenance on the roofs … to help prevent future [classroom] leaks and things like that, so yes we are working to help keep our campus safe.” —

Assistant Principal Bridget Medrano

“I’d gotten trapped in Fremont because the roadways were pretty impassable and they wanted Santa Cruz residents to shelter in place … and then I have friends that had to evacuate, and they're either back or their places are flooded … so it's just really sad to hear the stories and see what's happened to the town and not know how long it's gonna take to get everything back the way it should be.” —

English Teacher Nina LaRosa

“I think we can pretty much improve on everything because we haven’t dealt with [the storms] so everything here is a learning process. For example, we probably have to make our water drainage better because all the roads are pretty wet and that stopped me from going to practice a few times.” — Arav Tyagi, 10

MSJ Traffic Impact

The storms also hampered tra c at MSJ, lengthening many students’ commutes due to a backlog of cars and pedestrians. “We would get stuck in the drive-through for more than 10 minutes, and we’d get home much later than usual,” Sophomore Aanya Bachamada said.

MSJ’s 35 tra c team volunteers also faced additional challenges protecting themselves and students from hasty drivers due to the intense rainfall and low visibility. “We had to do a lot of prep work before, like getting all my volunteers equipped with tra c vests which are bright-colored, and making sure the raincoats and all the tra c signs are clearly visible,” Mission Possible Parent and Faculty Association Vice President of Tra c and Safety Sangeeta Khandelwal said. “I also had to train them a little di erently because as this is the high school everybody comes in a little late [during the rain] – everybody is in a rush.”

“The big overarching issue is, you know, climate change, how is that coming about and how have humans been connected to it. I think that we need to really start to tackle those problems more than they have been tackled already and come up with di erent ways of producing energy aside from fossil fuels. That’s gonna be what stops the problem from continuing to accelerate.”

— History Teacher Toby Remmers

CA & Bay Area Impact

Initially, most CA residents expected the week of rain to just be a routine winter storm. But when San Francisco logged its second wettest day since 1994, which was just 0.08 inches behind the record, it was clear this was much larger than what many had anticipated. For example, Northern CA saw major highway and road closures due to the mass flooding, landslides, and collapsed trees. “There are a lot of smaller scale incidents in Santa Cruz and all the way across the bay where the infrastructure was the real problem. You could have prevented the flooding, you could have prevented the power outages had there been more money spent on preparing for that kind of thing,” History Teacher Toby Remmers said. The storms also altered many people’s transportation plans going to and from the Bay Area. For example, there were 95 flight cancellations and 424 delays at San Francisco International Airport on January 4 alone.

In addition, more than a dozen schools in San Mateo and at least six statewide parks were partially or fully closed from fears of being flooded. High winds brought power and internet outages that impacted more than 180,000 homes and businesses. Furthermore, according to the Los Angeles Times, at least 22 people statewide have died since Dec. 26, 2022 due to the e ects of the storms. “We’ve had less people die in the last two years of major wildfires in California than have died since New Year’s Day related to this weather,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a news conference on January 10.

“Previously I got to school by bike but after break [and the storms], my family had to arrange carpools with neighbors, which was a bit of a hassle.”

— Anonymous Survey Re-

Long-Term Effects

The storms’ impact on the three year-long drought is still unclear. Most of the state’s water reservoirs have begun to fill, especially in harder-hit regions like Sierra Nevada and Sacramento. However, precipitation from the atmospheric rivers has been uneven, with the Bay Area receiving less rain overall compared to areas in central and southern CA. “Those biggest reservoirs are just so massive it is probably going to take a while for them to fill ... it may take five or six drenchings,” Hydrometeorologist David Gochis said in an interview with Al Jazeera. Despite the heavy rainfall, as of January 13, Fremont is still in a “moderate drought,” per the US Drought Monitor.

Safety Measures

To protect Californians from the storms, the CA Department of Water Resources encourages residents to remain alert for evacuation alerts and other emergency notifications. The department urges people to take action to evacuate as soon as possible if there is a notice of evacuation since flash flooding can happen rapidly. Families should also create an evacuation plan and have a flashlight on hand for electricity outages. In addition, they advise residents to limit their travels and check the weather forecasts prior to traveling. To prevent flooding around neighborhoods, the department advises to keep all gutters and inlets, channels, and pipes clear to allow fast water drainage. For more tips and county alerts, sign up at CalAlerts.org.

MSJ Speech and Debate Wins Big at ASU and James Logan Invitational

By Vedesh Kodnani & Abha Kulkarni Staff Writers

MSJ Speech and Debate triumphed at the Arizona State University Hughs Down School of Human Communication Invitational (ASU) and James Logan Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) Invitational, held from January 6-8 and January 13-15 respectively. The club performed spectacularly with fve competitors reaching late elimination rounds at James Logan and one Public Forum (PF) team championing ASU.

Members spent several hours over Winter Break preparing for the tournaments. For example, with PF, a debate format with topics on current events, competitors researched the history of US interventions in the Middle East and drafted cases. “The main challenge in preparing for this event was the case prep because this topic for PF debate was very complex,” Competitor Freshman Evanka Parekh said.

“The main challenge in preparing for this event was the case prep because this topic for PF debate was very complex.”

- Competitor Freshman Evanka Parekh

At ASU, the team’s frst travel tournament since the pandemic, Competitor Senior Zaid Vellani and PF Captain Junior Rahil Pasha championed in PF and received a Gold Bid to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). The other competitors to attend, PF Captain Junior Yuvraj Walia and Publicity Offcer Sophomore Vedatman Duhoon, reached octofnals. Participants enjoyed their experience, in large part due to the location of the competition. “ASU was different because of the distance from home but also because of the environment,” Vellani said. After rounds, the team had the opportunity to explore the city.

Similarly MSJ Speech and Debate saw suc-

“ASU was different because of the distance from home but also because of the environment.”

- Competitor Senior Zaid Vellani

News in brief

Staff Writers

cess at the MLK Invitational. Despite being many members’ frst experience with in-person competition, the club received high placements across each division. Walia and Duhoon advanced to quarterfnals in the public forum category, receiving a qualifcation to compete at TOC, a major national tournament held each year in Lexington, Kentucky. President Senior Selina Kao and Secretary Junior Vedesh Kodnani went undefeated in preliminary PF rounds and ended at octofnals. In Informative Speech, an event that allows speakers to educate the audience on a topic of choice, Platform Captain Sophomore Shardul Marathe also proceeded to elimination rounds. “This event helped me improve massively as a debater and each round was a new learning experience,” Duhoon said.

“After several months of not competing, this tournament reminded me why I love debate. Although [we] hoped to advance a little farther, I was really happy to be the top speaker … spending time with the MSJ team and friends across the nation was invaluable.”

-Secretary Junior Vedesh Kodnani

As tournaments continue to return in-person, members are looking forward to getting back to both local and travel competitions. “The highlight was meeting friends from around the country in person, especially those who I have known for years through online debate,” Walia said. To support this transition, offcers are focusing on hosting more events outside of weekly labs and providing more resources to novice members. ▪

local

City of Fremont activates Emergency Operations Center

With the local storms causing more damage each passing week, the City of Fremont has made the decision to reopen the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC coordinates with the Fremont Offce of Emergency Services (OES), a branch of the fre department, to provide the public with information regarding the recent storms and other safety updates. They monitor the weather and alert the public if there are signs for any severe weather, and organize rescues of injured people. The overarching goal with this reopening is to give the public a credible stream of information regarding the weather,and to better prepare and protect citizens from the impacts of these storms.

corrections for the DEC. 16, 2022 issue

Niles Antique Co-Op is located at 37759 Niles Blvd.

Web: “Ghost in the Machine (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)” should be written as such

“A key takeaway was that people make a community, not the place. Even though we were hundreds of miles from home and where we normally compete, our friends made it feel no different than a normal competitor.”

-Competitor Senior Zaid Vellani

Protests against the expansion of coal mines in Lützerath

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg was briefy detained by German police on January 17 at Lützerath during a climate demonstration. Along with Thunberg, 6,000 others traversed through mud and rain to protest the expansion of the coal mines in Garzweiler which was pursued by electricity company RWE. The extension would destroy the town, and activists have been trying to prevent the mine’s growth for two years. However, recently Germany’s government struck a deal with RWE in 2022, allowing the demolition of Lützerath in order to move the date of RWE’s coal phase-out from 2038 to 2030. “This is a betrayal of present and future generations ... Germany is one of the biggest polluters in the world and needs to be held accountable,” Thunberg said.

“Now that this year is a very competitive season, I have been forced to step up my game and make sure all my speeches are fine-tuned … I feel as though I’m doing pretty well.”

-Platform Captain Sophomore Shardul Marathe

On January 19, US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen told Congress that the US has hit its current debt ceiling — the legislative limit on the amount of national debt the US can reach — of $31.4 trillion. To avoid a default and continue fnancing government operations, the US Department of the Treasury is taking extensive measures, such as selling existing investments and suspending reinvestments of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefts Fund. However, Yellen predicted that the measures will only last until June. In order to raise or suspend the debt limit by June, a simple majority must be reached in Congress, leading to a political battle between Republican and Democrat lawmakers.

Quirky

A customer enjoys a life-size statue of Han Solo made of bread.

Life-size Han Solo made with bread by Californian bakers Hannalee Pervan and mother Catherine Pervan, co-owners of One House Bakery in Benicia, CA, spent weeks molding, baking and assembling a lifesized sculpture of Han Solo, as he appeared after being frozen in carbonite in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. The 6-foot bread sculpture, named Pan Solo, was made using wood and two types of dough, in order to ensure the sculpture lasts longer. The details of the character are striking, showing Han Solo’s desperate face and his hands straining to escape, and the pair spent weeks working to perfect the details. Hannalee Pervan told the New York Times that creating Pan Solo was especially meaningful, because she caught COVID-19 in January 2021 and largely lost her senses of taste and smell.

The team performed spectacularly in their first in-person travel tournament since the pandemic.

Jose Carlos Fajardo / AP

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg detained by German police.

Hesham Elsherif / Getty Images

The Emergency Operations Center will provide the public with important information about the storms. Courtesy of The Fremont Connection

US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen speaks about the debt ceiling. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Compiled by Sarah Hu, Keerti Koya, Kaylee Liu & Callie Yuan

President Senior Selina Kao and Secretary Junior Vedesh Kodnani compete in public forum rounds at the James Logan Martin Luther King Jr Invitational.

MSJ Speech and Debate participate in the Arizona State University Hughs Down School of Human Connection Invitational, their first travel tournament since the beginning of the pandemic.

MSJ Book Club’s Readathon encourages students to explore and share stories

The virtual Winter Break Readathon hoped to encourage students to share their love for reading.

By Anandita Devata & Kaylee Liu Staff Writers

From Dec. 22, 2022 to January 9, MSJ Book Club hosted a virtual Readathon, in which participants read any books they had access to and submitted their thoughts on them. Designed with a low-commitment structure, the Readathon aimed to encourage students to spend more time relaxing and reading over Winter Break.

To participate in the event, students submitted a Google form for each book they read during Winter Break, detailing its name, genre, and their opinion on the story. The reviews shared through the forms were collected for a chance to be displayed on a poster in the school library. The offcers also used the club’s Discord server to publicize the event and encourage participant engagement, adding a new “what r you reading” channel to allow participants to share posts about the books they were reading. Overall, the club received approximately 30 responses from students, including The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han and The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller. “[I’m] pretty happy with the Readathon’s [turnout],” MSJ Book Club President Junior Reva Agarwal said. “We wanted to get more people to read, even if it was just one or two [books]. I wasn’t expecting that so many

“[I’m] pretty happy with the Readathon’s [turnout] ... We wanted to get more people to read, even if it was just one or two [books]. I wasn’t expecting that so many people would read over winter break.”

-MSJ Book Club President Junior Reva Agarwal

people would read over winter break.”

Although the event ran smoothly, there were some logistic issues due to how close the Readathon was to fnal exams. The club wanted to publicize the Readathon after fnals but before students retired for break. To accomplish this, the offcers used Facebook and their Discord server to send out details about the event and worked with the club advisor and the library to reach even more people. “We had a very short timeframe ... so we coordinated with the library to send out a school-wide email about the Readathon as soon as fnals ended,” Agarwal said.

The impact of the Readathon refected the overarching purpose of MSJ Book Club, which was created to provide an inclusive environment for students to freely share their love for books. “At MSJ, we strongly associate reading books with academics, and I think that’s not very healthy all the

time,” MSJ Book Club Vice President Junior Grace Xiao said. “Reading books can be a great way to destress [and] we wanted to share that with students.”

“At MSJ, we strongly associate reading books with academics ... Reading books can be a great way to destress [and] we wanted to share that with students.”

-MSJ Book Club Vice President Junior Grace Xiao

Although MSJ Book Club has only been an offcial club for about a year, the infux of members this past semester, with almost 30 people attending their January 13 meeting, showed the results of the offcers’ efforts and, in part, the Readathon. In the future, the offcers hope to host more events similar to what they have held in the past, such as a page-to-screen event in which members watch a movie based on a

“The kind of atmosphere that I want for [MSJ] Book Club is that people can just chill ... They can discuss books, and they can read together.”

-MSJ Book Club President Junior Reva Agarwal

book. “The kind of atmosphere that I want for [MSJ] Book Club is that people can just chill. They can do their homework if they want to, they can discuss books, and they can read together,” Agarwal said. ▪

“I think it [the Readathon] was a cool thing to do, to encourage people to read a lot more, and I think we should keep doing that.”

-Event Participant Freshman Shwathi Asokumar

“We aim to provide an inclusive platform where students are free to share their love of books.”

-MSJ Book Club Secretary Junior Hannah Chacko

MSJ Book Club Officers celebrate fundraising achievements after 2022 Multicultural Week.

THE SMOKE SIGN AL

Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964

Vol. 58, No. 5 | January 27, 2023

www.thesmokesignal.org

41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539

510-657-3600, ext. 37088

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

ADVISER Sandra Cohen

Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org. Letters under 300 words may be considered for publication and must include a full name and school affiliation. The Smoke Signal reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.

To advertise in the Smoke Signal, email ads@thesmokesignal.org

Advertising that is included on the pages of, or carried within, the Smoke Signal, is paid advertising, and as such is independent of the news and feature content.

The Smoke Signal’s right to freedom of speech and press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

To stay updated with our online content, see our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/msjsmokesignal

All policies on distribution, corrections, and bylines can be found at www.thesmokesignal.org/about

A tale of Smokie Love

By Esther Lau & Annika Singh Co-Opinion Editors

Bagels, informative articles, colorful graphics, and the famous #SmokieLove are all crucial parts of the Smoke Signal experience. Applying to the Smoke Signal has been one of the most rewarding decisions we’ve made in our high school careers. e nights spent coming up with exciting pitches for each cycle and designing spreads have taught us valuable skills in creativity and time management (definitely recommend overcoming the fatal flaw called procrastination). With applications due in three days, we wanted to share the reasons why we love the Smoke Signal, and why you should too.

Annika: I have to admit something.

e Smoke Signal and I were in a onesided relationship for multiple years. Since discovering the paper on Instagram in seventh grade, I’d been anticipating the day I’d get to be a part of the Smokie family. And when I finally walked into M-2 for the first time as an excited sophomore, I had no idea what to expect. Sure, I thought I would be writing articles, but the infamous mock week, the hours spent drafting story ideas, and the immense pride after seeing my articles in the paper was something I hadn’t prepared for. But, that’s my favorite part about the Smoke Signal — it surprises you in the best way.

Since my first day, I’ve grown to be a much more confident writer and editor: one who’s not afraid to take risks and be

A letter to the parents of MSJ

As the college application season comes to a close and seniors nervously anticipate their admission decisions, the fervor among parent group chats on apps such as WeChat and WhatsApp has dramatically increased. From nonstop comparisons to never-ending questions about others, parents continue to create an environment of unnecessary stress and pressure for students.

Being in a group chat where parents only talk about the highest caliber of achievement creates an echo-chamber where an unattainable standard becomes the norm. In the process, parents give their children the impression that their peers are doing better than them, imposing an unrealistic ideal upon them. In the end, parents want to be able to brag about their children in those very same group chats, valuing the prestige of their children’s accomplishments over their children’s happiness. Ultimately, this perpetuates a toxic cycle where students always feel as if they will never be enough. Having every achievement and action compared to others’ diminishes students’ accomplishments and sense of self-worth. According to a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal World Psychiatry by

Developmental Scientist Marc H. Bornstein, M.D.,

“by watching or listening to others who are already embedded in the culture,

children come to think and act like them.” rough the constant comparisons from parents, students internalize the idea that their value is based on trivial numbers such as their college’s rank or SAT score, instead of how they find personal satisfaction in their passions and ambitions for the future. For students, being hyper-fixated on obtaining prestige high enough for parental satisfaction only results in added pressure to perform better, leading to worsened mental health.

Of course, not all parental expectations stem from comparisons and relativity. However, there’s still a fine line between ambition and impracticality that makes all the di fference. Out of the 1614 MSJ student responses to the Challenge Success-Stanford Survey of School Experiences in 2021, 40% of respondents felt that they are able to meet their parents’ expectations only sometimes. But, instilling a sense of inadequacy and frustration — big or small — into an academic experience is counter-intuitive, for education’s purpose is to help one overcome their weaknesses and hone their strengths. So, what is the threshold at which expectations garner motivation instead of crippling pressure? Instead of sending your child down a predetermined path towards lofty success, place value on their ambitions, endeavors, and their ever-changing highs and

proactive (shout out Editorial meetings). I’ve learned so much about leadership and communication from Mrs. Cohen, the Editorial Board, and the writers. e opportunities the Smoke Signal has given me to expand my creativity and knowledge are unreplicable. And the people? Well, they’re the best part. ey encourage you, push you, and become your family. If not for the people and the thrill of writing exciting Opinion stories, apply for the bagels — they’re a delicious bonus.

ing with journalism to unite readers in action, while also continuing to develop my skills as a storyteller.

Esther: As a sta ff writer last year, I fell in love with the writing process and found my voice over the course of 15+ stories and collaborations with 30+ writers. At the same time, I grew in confidence as a leader through my Events Manager role — going on monthly bagel runs (the exhilaration of driving to Noah’s New York Bagels at 7 a.m. is like no other), hosting our bi-annual sta ff potlucks, and coordinating all Smokie merchandise. is year, my transition into the role of Opinion Co-Editor has also been a monumental growth opportunity. It’s provided me with a platform to combine my interests in community organiz-

lows — embrace the ample flexibility students have now to deviate from a previously monotonous path. Value the arduous ventures they embark on, the new connections they make, and the positive changes that they foster, as these takeaways are worth so much more than a tacit competition. ough it’s beneficial to think about colleges and careers in the long-term, there is also merit in recognizing that the little steps we take towards our interests ultimately turn into the bits and pieces of the adults we become beyond school. e students know themselves best, and that, in turn, means that they know how they want to use the little time they have at MSJ to the fullest. And, as appalling as it sounds, students don’t always reciprocate the absolute desire to get into whichever school that tops the charts of the US News & World Report

So, instead of gossiping and swooning over the latest prestigious college acceptance of a kid that’s not yours, please look up, turn off your phone, and congratulate your child for giving their very best in their unreplicable and incomparable journey. ▪

Beyond my specific roles in the Smoke Signal, I’ve grown to be unafraid to take risks, regardless of the expected outcome. In leadership, I’ve learned the power of positively a ffi rming others and building a family on a team. As a part of our “well-oiled machine,” as Mrs. Cohen endearingly calls us, I’ve been exposed to professionalism that even some largescale newspapers struggle to reach. More than anything, however, the Smoke Signal has opened my eyes to find countless sources of inspiration within our community. As I reach the end of my time at MSJ, I can say with confidence that applying to the Smoke Signal is the best decision I’ve made here, and I can’t wait for you to have the same opportunity. e creativity and professionalism in M-2 is unmatched. e Smoke Signal teaches you what it means to be a leader and student journalist, and we’re so excited to continue learning and growing with this organization. Rows of bagels, an incredibly comfortable couch that’s perfect for sta ff work days, and exciting stories await you. Take a leap of faith and apply to join the Smokie family at www. tinyurl.com/smokesignalapp23-24!

P.S. Mrs. Cohen would like to say that delicious bagels are once a month, while camaraderie is a daily dose. ▪

By Chahak Gupta & Nessa Tong

STAFF WRITER CHAHAK GUPTA

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

Staff Writers

Rows of bagels, an incredibly comfortable couch that’s perfect for staf work days, and exciting stories await you. Take a leap of faith and apply to join the Smokie family!

a tool or an obstacle?

By Anandita Devata, Shuhan Jin, Abha Kulkarni & Annie Xu Staff Writers

“Yes, ChatGPT is amazing and impressive… and what is lurking inside is egregious,” UC Berkeley Assistant Professor Steven Piantadosi said upon reading code from Chat Generatve Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), a chatbot developed by OpenAI which has reached immense Internet fame, garnering more than one million users since its launch on Nov. 30, 2022. ChatGPT transforms user-specifed prompts into well-writen essays, legal briefs, computer code, and more. Like DALL·E, another OpenAI creaton that responds with art given a short descripton, artfcial intelligence (AI) can provide inspiraton and an outline for students to build to use in academic work. However, there’s a line between taking inspiraton and plagiarizing, and students should be encouraged to use such technology for the former, not the later.

AI programs can be misused through cheatng and plagiarism, with research from the Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences in 2009 fnding that 97% of high school students admited to cheating at least once during the year. AI platorms will further increase the concerningly high rates of cheating. Unfortunately, material from sites such as ChatGPT are ofen overlooked by plagiarism detectors, enabling academic dishonesty. While cheatng may yield correct answers in seconds, students do not build skills necessary for future work. “[Using ChatGPT] does not build critcal-thinking and problemsolving skills, which are essental for academic and lifelong success,” New York City Department of Educaton Deputy Press Secretary Jenna Lyle said.

Additonally, ChatGPT poses the double-threat of danger and fake news within its answers. OpenAI itself has admited that the chatbot fails to understand what the words it produces mean within the context

of each other, resultng in a large number of false responses. Certain programs also have been known to answer questons regarding illegal practces, such as 3D printng a gun. With school shootngs being more rampant than ever, access to this type of informaton raises concerns of safety of students and staf.

Adding to the poor content moderaton, these AI technologies can also perpetuate prejudice and exacerbate systemic discriminaton. ChatGPT, when prompted, is known to discriminate based on race and gender. For example, when Piantadosi requested the bot to write a functon to check if someone would be a “good scientst” based on their race and gender, it atributed white and male to such quality. Since students are stll maturing and learning about biases, such prejudices can severely decrease their self-esteem. In Paramount Insights’ Refectng Me: Global Representaton on Screen Survey, nearly 60% percent of the more than 15,000 partcipants felt poorly represented in media, and said that it made them feel “unimportant, ignored, or disappointed,” with 41% selectng self-esteem and confdence as the factor most negatvely impacted by the lack of representaton.

Despite these faws, AI has the potental to enhance the educaton system and learning process. These readily accessible technologies can bring resources, such as increased access to technology, to low-income households. A natonal average of 17%, roughly 3.4 million, of students are from low-income households. ChatGPT can easily be accessed with a Wi-Fi connecton, which can ultmately help underprivileged students. Additonally, such technology can help students receive targeted help, since it’s diffcult to receive personalized feedback from teachers in large academic environments. Tools such as Grammarly and Smodin allow students to properly understand a variety of topics, creatng a comfortable learning environment. Many educators also feel similarly about integratng AI into everyday teaching. For example, Alice Keeler, instructor of Math at Fresno Pacifc University, encourages students to download Photomath, a program which generates solutons to math problems. "The existence of [AI

technologies] should not make me feel there is another way for students to cheat, but instead embrace that students will have access to these tools in the future," Keeler said. Stll, with risks of misinformaton and discriminaton, in order for AI to be a concrete and safe resource, students and teachers alike must be careful in choosing programs with strict and wellenforced content policies.

In a world growing increasingly reliant on technology, AI, along with its issues of enabling cheatng and spreading prejudice, is unavoidable in the classroom. As students, we are responsible for staying disciplined and avoiding academic dishonesty. We should seek to use these programs as opportunites to enhance our educatonal experience, rather than as shortcuts to the day’s homework assignments. Instead of using ChatGPT to generate essays, for example, we can use it to generate simple explanatons for difcult concepts. It’s also important to exercise cauton on these platorms, as they have few factchecking mechanisms and can easily be reworked to spread misinformaton. Cross-checking informaton with reputable sources and peer-reviewed journals such as Nature for scientfc artcles and Journal of Business Research for fnance and management informaton, while viewing these technologies with a healthy amount of distrust is essental for accurate research. We must be able to draw the line between using technology as an aid to our learning and misusing it to the point where it impedes our growth. ▪

Language guides to address harmful terms

By Angelina Chen, Anushka Vasudev & Amelie Wu Staff Writers

“[American] often refers to people from the US only, thereby insinuating that the US is the most important country in the Americas,” reads Stanford’s Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative (EHLI). In a now-defunct 13-page-long website that is widely known as the Stanford Language Guide (SLG), the EHLI, created by Stanford’s information technology (IT) community, published an index of words that they determined should be eliminated from the school’s websites and code. According to the IT community, the SLG aims to address harmful and racist terms frequently used within the scope of technology by providing replacements for certain phrases; however, its potential censorship of commonplace words recently spawned a wave of backlash.

e EHLI was originally conceived as a way to uplift people of marginalized backgrounds by addressing imprecise or offensive language. Indeed, the SLG addresses racist, ableist, colonialist, and culturally appropriative terms used in IT; but, many have criticized it for acting as a tool for censorship instead of inclusion. "[ e index is] an example of political correctness gone wild... [and] will only serve to chill speech and free and open discussions – which is what universities should be all about," USA Today columnist Ingrid Jacques said. e initiative was likened to an effort to push “woke agendas” on the unsuspecting public, rather than provide a resource for inclusivity, according to Fox News Judge Jeanine Pirro. After facing significant backlash, criticism, and controversy regarding the campus’s free speech policies, the IT community took down their EHLI website on January 4.

Stanford Language Guide

Language is extraordinarily complex; therefore, it is no surprise that other colleges have not taken on Stanford’s approach to language lists. For instance, rather than creating a concrete list, the University of Texas at Austin removes harmful language from their websites by student input through a vetted request process. “Ultimately, the terms used to refer to a person should be up to that individual person,” Carleton College Professor Deanna Haunsperger said.

By bringing day-to-day words into question, the SLG surrounds the harmful language movement with skepticism and criticism, taking people further from being an inclusive and tolerant community. Moreover, it’s important to recognize that while SLG’s intention may be to urge people to explore words’ complex histories and nuances, by listing commonplace terms, they instead provide a platform for people to search for negativity in all words used in daily speech.

While the index raises awareness of words that have alternate meanings or derogatory connotations, it perpetuates the assumption that they are always used with the intention of harm. Contrary to its mission, the SLG misconstrues harmless phrases, painting those who unintentionally use a listed word as insensitive. Instead of encouraging people to be more cognizant of misrepresenting cultures and languages, the SLG foments more hate than self-awareness among those who use the listed language.

Still, some argue that in order to foster diversity and inclusion, all phrases that have the possibility of being perceived as prejudiced must be eliminated from speech. However, many of the terms listed in the SLG are not inherently prejudiced, nor have a history tied to prejudice. Instead, the SLG views harmful terminology as any word that could be used or interpreted as prejudiced, leaving people

unsure of which phrases actually carry a derogatory meaning. is lack of nuance in the SLG can lead to a warped message among the public.

While it is important to recognize real threats to inclusion in our language use, eliminating day-to-day vocabulary counterintuitively generates negative public attention to the cause, hurting the move ment as a whole. e mindless censure of innocuous terms does little to help eliminate prejudice and leaves readers open to misinformation and misin terpretation on how words are viewed as harmful. Additional ly, by restricting a large quantity of words that are not truly harm ful, the SLG damages its own au thenticity and reliability. Readers may disregard legitimate terms the SLG mentions as harmful, viewing it as another generic term that the SLG has deemed offensive.

By overcorrecting terms, the SLG loses credibility and causes negative publicity that detracts from the movement for inclusivity. Readers who look to the SLG can misunderstand the movement, perceiving it as a way to restrict all language rather than foster healthy communication that removes harmful terminology. e SLG should review their classification of harmful terminology in order to redefine words that have a history of being used in a derogatory way; this would provide clarification to their readers.

Instead of the SLG, an alternative method for individuals to reduce their use of discriminatory language is to independently research harmful words and their histories. Encouraging individual research can help reduce incorrect narratives of how some words may be

harmful.

More notably, this language guide is illtimed and ineffective considering Stanford University’s hypocrisy in their founder’s unaddressed past. Stanford University co-founder Leland Stanford was involved in many cases of oppression of the Asian American community in the 1860s. According to an article by e Stanford Daily, Stanford generated his vast wealth by overseeing the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, in which thousands of Chinese laborers were often assigned the most dangerous work and compensated far less than their white counterparts. Stanford’s attitude towards the Chinese laborers was described as “tense, ambivalent, and complex.” Despite Stanford’s history of Asian American discrimination and abuse, his name continues to be cemented in the university’s history with little to no reflection about how his past conflicts with the ideals that Stanford holds itself to. While the SLG attempts to address current forms of oppression in day-to-day language, by neglecting to consider Leland Stanford’s past actions, it fails to bring real inclusivity on the campus.

Although the SLG does make an attempt to address the implicit biases we may have when speaking, it blurs the lines between what actually is and isn’t harmful. However, we still hold a responsibility to be critical of which words we chose to use, so we don’t mistakenly disregard the oppressive histories they may carry. Especially with new terms constantly trending in usage, it is imperative that younger generations are well informed on harmful terminology. Language makes a difference, and it’s up to us to use it wisely.

GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR ANNIKA SINGH

"In the past two months, the Stanford Language Guide (SLG) — a now defunct 13-page-long website published by Stanford’s Eliminaton of Harmful Language Initatve with words that they determined should be eliminated from the school’s websites and code — has spawned heavy backlash. Words included are “American” and “freshman,” causing some to argue that this initatve is over interpretng words used in daily conversatons. What are your thoughts on the SLG, and where should the line between ofensive and neutral be drawn?"

“I think it's a bit ridiculous to remove ‘American’ and ‘freshman’ from school websites. The intenton of word use is the ultmate deciding factor as to whether or not a word should be widely removed. In terms of the SLG, I think ‘American’ is used by the school websites simply to indicate natonality and that insinuatng superiority is a reach. Likewise, ‘freshman’ is used simply to refer to 9th graders, without intenton to force people into a gender binary. Otherwise, the same logic by SLG could be applied to words like ‘mankind.’”

"Instead of banning words the way the SLG has, we should instead strive to address the underlying problems that lead to biases in dicton by providing more educaton and training to people about how their word choice can afect others and how to be mindful of the resultng efects. Ultmately, when resortng to banning words, we should, at minimum, consider whether these words were used in a manner meant to harm others intentonally and then only consider whether to ban the words at hand or not if this holds true."

"The EHLI is looking too far into words that people commonly use, ofen with no harmful intent at all. Most people who the EHLI are trying to "protect" don't even take ofense at the listed words, many of which aren't meant to be used in a ofensive mater at all. [Words] only become a problem when used hatefully. I also fnd it very hypocritcal that Stanford is named afer someone who has expressed his hate for Asian-Americans and Indigenous people."

"The list defnitely over-interprets words and seems a litle extreme and unnecessary. I don’t think most people consider these words ofensive, and they are in basic vocabulary. If the SLG is simply suggestng or banning the writen use of these words, then it’s a litle less signifcant, but I stll feel like it should only ban certain ways of using them rather than the words themselves."

"I think the line should be drawn at slurs or words that the majority of people feel are harmful. For example, the f-slur, which is harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, should defnitely be labeled as harmful. But, I think that the SLG is not needed because the ofensiveness of words change over tme. For example, in the 1900s, the n-word was not as perceived as harmful. Today, however, it's obviously perceived as much more harmful than it was back then."

"It's difcult to draw the line between ofensive and neutral words because each person has a diferent perspectve. However, I believe that the Stanford Language Guide is overinterpretng some of these words. Several of these phrases, such as ‘freshman,’ are used in daily conversaton. I don't think there is any large reason that would cause people to be ofended by any of these words."

I may have sworn off nail polish after spending an unhealthy amount of time trying to perfect my nail painting skills to cover up my extremely broken nails, but I must break that promise for an extremely important goal: winning first place in this DHTH. I may be disgusted by the fumes of the nail polish, but I won’t let that stop me. With my full year of experience repainting my nails after chipping the polish on the first day, I believe that I can make the most astounding (and long-lasting) nails the world has ever seen.

DieHard TryHards: Nail Art

By Sahas Goli, Sally Han, Ayushi Kashyap & Andria Luo Staff Writers

In this month’s DieHard TryHards, four Smokies will com pete against each other in a nail-biting challenge to create the best nail art design. Who will claw their way to the top?

After prom, I was left feeling empty without my 3-inch acrylics, so I decided to scour the Internet for the cheapest nail salons. Thus, I turned to my favorite app, Pinterest, to find nail art pictures that exuded the most clickety-clackety vibes! With over 600 pins on my nail inspo board, I’m sure to nail this challenge with inspiration from my continuous scrolling antics. Whatever design I decide to do from my multi-faceted inspiration board — chevron, blush, holographic — I’ve got it all down.

Forget breakups and hair dye. College apps and nail polish are the new “it” combo. With six whole months of experience painting my nails as an alternative to seeking therapy, I am confident that I will sweep this competition. Four years of doing fake calligraphy in my notebook margins have left me with unbeatable fine motor skills and attention to detail. From French tips to minuscule hearts to poorly blended gradients — you name it, I’ve probably attempted it. Life’s too short for boring nails, in my opinion, so I’m going all out for this competition.

Entering this competition with no nail skills to my name, the only thing I have going for me is my 16 years of lived experience with 10 nails on my hands. So, I’m kind of an expert on nails. On the other hand (or nail), my painting skills and experience with nail polish are limited to, well, nothing. With my wealth of inexperience, I’m not feeling too great about my chances. I’ll only be able to rely on my innate confidence to carry me to a hopefully-not-last place finish. I guess you could say I’m just hang(nail) ing onto hope by a thread.

Sally Ayushi Andria Sahas

Second Third First Third

It seems like my fabulous nails were too flashy for their own good. The precision of a toothpick was just not enough to bring out the intricacy of my design, resulting in second place. As for my second ring finger nail design, it was totally just my take on abstract nails (and definitely not because I got impatient and dropped it by accident). Next time, I’ll be back with more patience for the drying time and consider the materials that I’m working with.

Despite my lackluster performance, I still think I made some stellar nails. Tying for third is not last ... I think! It’s clear my trusty Pinterest board filled with exquisite nails has failed me. I’m disheartened to see the lack of acknowledgment for the 20 minutes I spent making my beautiful nails. Unfortunately, the polka-dot theme clearly did not nail it. Maybe, it’s a sign that I should stick to going to the salon to get my nails done. It might drain my wallet, but at least I won’t drain my energy!

What’s that weird scent, you ask?

Oh, it’s not just nail polish; that’s the smell of success. Seems like all the permanent damage I inflicted on my nails the past six months wasn’t for nothing after all. I would like to thank my parents for funding my nail polish obsession, my Instagram feed for keeping me updated on the latest nail art trends, and my friends for believing in me. This victory goes to all you guys too.

Well, I guess I technically wasn’t last. Just tied for third place. I’m not surprised, given that I never really had a talent for art and never touched artificial nails before. However, I did much better than I expected. It turns out that randomly swirling nail polish can make for some great marble and my randomly dripped polish made way better designs than I could have ever done myself. I guess true designs come from nature itself. Or perhaps the true nail art was the friends we made along the way. I’m coping, ok?

Club Spotlight: MSJ Korean Club

By Daphne Senecal Staff Writer

On Oct. 19, 2022, MSJ Korean Club made its return to the school campus about a decade after the disbandment of its predecessor. The club’s comeback was initiated by MSJ Korean Club President Sophomore Yesun Lee, who noticed that there was no Korean club present at last year’s Multicultural Week celebration. She then decided to take matters into her own hands, contacting other Korean MSJ students to build its current offcer team. Advised by English Teacher Flora Kang, the board of offcers consists of Lee, Vice President Sophomore Jinna Lim, Secretary Junior Cecilia Kim, Treasurer Sophomore Claire Kim, and four dance leaders who work together to host biweekly meetings in P6.

Lee noticed that a lot of her friends were interested in K-dramas and K-pop but were also interested in the Korean culture itself, which is what the club’s meet ings are often centered around. Since the club’s founding, they have held meetings where students could make their own mini kimbap, learn about Chinese and Korean

Introduction

culture through a collaboration with MSJ Chinese Club, and learn the dance chorus of “ELEVEN” by popular girl group IVE. “Even [I] am not 100% familiar with everything [related to Korean culture. Even so,] I would like to share this with people as I believe many people like to experience new things,” Lee said.

In addition to the general meetings, the club has also recently launched a K-pop subdivision that aims to teach participants to dance to parts of popular K-pop

songs. The dance meetings are led by the club’s four K-pop leaders: Juniors Annika Cheng, Isabelle Fu, Nikita Kamath, Srushti Nagapurkar, who all have years of dance experience under their belts. “We are having them do short dances because long dances would be too much,” Lee said. The dance meetings are meant to be something that is fun and casual but also grant those who wish to take it more se riously a chance to post their efforts online.

As the offcer team hosts informational meetings and teaches dances to students,

the club continues to grow increasingly popular among the MSJ student body. Many of their activities involve free cultural snacks for the attendees; this results in meetings that leave the class packed to the brim.

Currently, the club is planning an upcoming fundraiser in the month of February where they will be selling goodie bags flled with Korean sweets in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Since the offcers have been using their own money to pay for all club expenses, they are planning to use the money raised to further grow their club. “Right now we are [paying for expenses] out of our own pocket but once we [have] a fundraiser, we’ll have more access to [the supplies we need],” Kim said.

MSJ Korean Club hopes to continue to teach students more about the traditions and unique aspects of Korea and its people during its meetings. “We want to spread our knowledge about the Korean culture, especially for people who have an interest in it. We [wish to] present fun and informational meetings and we hope the club is a fun place to learn more,” Lim said.

Dear Diary: Chinese Zodiac Rabbit

As the fourth in line of the Chinese Zodiac, the Rabbit is associated with tranquility, calm, and elegance. But with the responsibility of being the ambassador of the new Lunar year, what anxious emotions could be bubbling under the Rabbit’s peaceful front?

January 21

Ok, so I guess I’m known to be gentle and compassionate, but my goodwill only goes so far — especially when I remember my dark past on a day like Chinese New Year’s Eve. Back in the day, when the Jade Emperor called all the animals together, I thought it was defnitely about giving out promotions considering how hard I’d worked. But imagine my shock when it turned out to be a race! There are more than a million species and only twelve spots to fll, and if you do the math, that means my chance of placing is … less than

50%! Nevertheless, my efforts earned me fourth place and an entire zodiac year to myself. Even if the race happened eons ago, I still live by the motto, “Forget but don’t forgive.”

Someone I especially can’t forgive is the Tiger; she acts like she’s so much better even though she was literally only faster than me

by a milli-nano-pico-second. But now, I f nally get to show off all the amazing things I have planned (like opening new Michelin-Star restaurants with the highest quality grass) to bring longevity, positivity, and prosperity to everyone!

January 22

The day has fnally come. Today is Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of the Rabbit. While the other zodiacs have their little party, pass out red envelopes, and eat those mouth-watering dumplings, fsh, and rice cakes, my diligence shall not waver. Hours of meditation to achieve a harmonious state of mind, months of research (some might call it “spying on the other zodiacs” but desperate times call for desperate measures), and years of planning, all to make sure this Lunar New Year goes perfectly. I was as prepared as I could’ve been; I wasn’t taking any risks after hearing those horror stories from my cousin the Hare. I mean, really. Can you believe he lost against a tortoise in a marathon? All because he fell asleep in the middle of the race! If I were in that position — well, I wouldn’t have fallen asleep in the frst place, of course — I would’ve set at least 20 alarms across 1-minute increments to wake me up.

January 23

It’s even more infuriating now that the Year of the Tiger is over and all the other zodiacs have been praising her for what a grrr-eat job she’s done. Does no one remem-

ber how high gas prices were last year? Talk about infation, am I right? For the entire day, I was plotting my plan to outdo the other zodiacs with how great the next item on my checklist would be (a Little Peeps club to appreciate rabbits everywhere). But for some reason, the Tiger had the audacity to saunter up to me while I was working on my new spreadsheet for the year and give some of the worst advice, saying things like, “Oh, you don’t need to be so anxious! Just assert your dominance and everything will work out!” I mean, come on, says the literal tiger. How am I supposed to assert my dominance with my fuffy tail and dazzling eyes? I’m just too adorable! Oh, woe is me!

June 22

Summertime. A time to rest and relax. A time to forget about all the worries in the world. But for me, it’s a time to make this the literal best summer in zodiac history. So what if Top Gun: Maverick came out in late spring of the Year of the Tiger? I’m going to personally make another flm to be the movie of all movies, topping everything else that’s come out in other zodiac years. “The grind doesn’t stop” as the youngins would say. Though, what exactly is there to grind? Carrots? I sure hope so. This year is my chance to take revenge on the other zodiacs who always act like they’re so much better by outshining them! But then again, the other zodiacs did say I’ve been doing a good job with the weather recently … so maybe they’re not all that bad.

September 29

You know what? During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet today with the other zodiacs, a profound epiphany dawned upon me while I was munching on some grass (especially after considering how the zodiacs have actually come to my aid when I have to work overtime rather than ridiculing me like I thought they would): maybe it’s more important to focus on bringing everyone together this year rather than one-upping the others. After all, the Year of the Rabbit is all about hop(e), and I’m supposed to represent responsibility and sensibility. Also, this isn’t my guilty conscience speaking or anything — especially since I haven’t done anything wrong — but there’s also a slight chance it was the Tiger who told me to adopt this new mindset. But, I’m the one interpreting her words so who’s really doing more work here? Me. The answer is me. So, I guess this is my “new year, new me” resolution — albeit a little late — but it’s not too late for me to actually fnish the items on my checklist … like giving out lottery tickets for a million carrots! I bet everyone wants some of that vi-

“We want to spread our knowledge about the Korean culture, especially to people who are interested.”

— MSJ Korean Club Vice President Sophomore Jinna Lim

MSJ Korean Club Officers

PHOTO BY STAFF WRITER DAPHNE SENECAL

VEGANISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL EATING HABITS

In the last few years, veganism and environmentally-conscious eating have gained popularity, especially in the media. Through trending diets, simple but nutritious recipes, and innovative meat and dairy alternatives, plant-based lifestyles are becoming more accessible for the average person. To explore the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, the Smoke Signal compiled a list of the types of diets, meat and dairy alternatives, local vegan and vegetarian restaurants, how veganism can help the environment, and opinions from MSJ clubs and students.

Environmental Bene ts

Removes Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that accounts for approximately 6% of total human-caused emissions. While it is not as prevalent as carbon dioxide, which, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, accounts for about 76% of total human-caused emissions, nitrous oxide will stay in the atmosphere for around 114 years before it can naturally break down and has 300 times more power at driving the greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide does. The livestock industry plays a large role in nitrous oxide emissions. The majority of emissions come from nitrogen-based fertilizers used to increase crop production, most of which are used to grow feed for livestock. Animal waste and manure also contribute additional nitrous oxide to the soil. Eliminating meat consumption reduces the demand for meat and poultry, lowering the amount of harmful greenhouse gas emissions caused by those industries. According to The Lancet, plant-based diets can reduce food-related emissions by up to 80% by 2050, and according to Scienti c Reports vegan diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%.

Alternative Food Options

Proteins

Types of Diets

Currently veganism is the most popular diet in the US. According to VeganBits, about 1.6 million Americans are currently vegan. Veganism not only removes meat, fish, and poultry from the diet, but also excludes dairy, eggs, and other animal products. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), vegans have a 15% lower risk of developing cancer because of the large amounts of legumes, fruits, and vegetables they eat. A vegan diet can also lower side effects due to harmful antibiotics and hormones commonly used on livestock that often cause higher amounts of drug-resistant infections in humans.

Please seek a doctor’s advice for any change in eating plans to avoid harming your body due to medical conditions and prevent the risk of developing body dysmorphia. While plant-based diets are often framed as a healthy alternative, steering away from red meats is not inherently nutritious. When practicing plant-based eating, it is still important to follow recommended nutrition guidelines.

The Mediterranean diet is primarily plant-based, with meals containing nutritious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fats. It also emphasizes healthy fat alternatives, such as olive oil, and chooses fish as the primary source of protein. The diet originates from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and includes many of the foods that are traditionally eaten there, such as olives, fish, and cheese. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, women who follow the diet have a 25% less chance of developing cardiovascular diseases over a course of 12 years. The Mediterranean diet is also associated with reduced inflammation and improved heart health.

Despite the exclusion of many major protein options in plant-based diets, there are many nutrient-rich and healthy alternatives to meat. Jackfruit can be used as a replacement for pulled pork since it matches the texture. Additionally, seitan is a wheat protein that tastes similar to chicken and is made by mixing water, vital wheat gluten, and chickpea flour or soy flour. Another popular protein alternative is Beyond Meat. The texture and taste are most similar to animal-based meat, but it’s made of mung beans, peas, brown rice, and fava beans.

Reduces Carbon Footprint

In the US, the average carbon footprint, which is the net total of greenhouse emissions generated by each individual’s actions, is 16 tons of emissions per year due to consumption habits. Switching to veganism and other plant-based diets reduces consumers’ negative effects on the planet by decreasing individuals’ carbon footprints.

According to researchers at the University of Oxford, removing meat and dairy could reduce someone’s carbon footprint by up to 73%.

Derived from whole oat grains, oat milk has no lactose, nuts, or soy, making it an allergy-friendly dairy alternative. Oat milk is rich in nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamin B. Contrastingly, almond milk is made from strained nuts and has a watery flavor. It is a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps combat inflammation and stress on the body. Another popular dairy substitute is soy milk, a beverage made from ground and filtered soybeans. It is high in potassium, which helps maintain low blood pressure and a stable pulse.

Pescetarianism

Protects the Environment

A vegetarian diet eliminates meat, fish, and poultry.

Vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac events than meat-eaters and are less likely to develop heart disease. In addition, they show a lower incidence of cancer because according to Cancer Council Australia, excluding red and processed meat reduces the risk of cancer-causing nitrites that are typically used to keep meat fresh. Furthermore, a plant-based diet may help stabilize blood sugar levels. According to a 2018 survey done by NLM, switching from a non-vegetarian to a vegetarian diet was associated with a 53% lower chance of developing diabetes over an average of five years. Although the lack of meat may introduce the risk of deficiencies, vegetarians are generally still able to consume the recommended amount of nutrients through vegetables such as bok choy and broccoli — good sources of calcium, potassium, vitamin A and B, and magnesium.

Pescatarians eliminate red meat and poultry from their diet, but unlike vegetarians, they still eat seafood. Despite its additional meat inclusion, the diet is still largely plant-based. Food like whole grains, nuts, and legumes are good sources of healthy fats, while seafood provides a major source of protein. A pescatarian diet is also linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes. According to NLM, pescatarians have a 4.8% chance of developing diabetes while omnivores have a 7.6% chance. Furthermore, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon and mackerel reduce the chances of heart disease and strokes because they help remove plaque buildup in the arteries. The fatty acids are also associated with lower chances of developing certain cancers because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Saves Energy

The food system uses almost entirely non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, and according to Conserve Energy Future, the US food system alone consumes 10.11 quadrillion British thermal units each year. Furthermore, according to Save On Energy, the food production process accounts for 70% of the water used throughout the world. The livestock industry puts an even greater strain on energy and water usage — according to VegNews a veganism magazine, it takes 100 to 200 times more water to produce one pound of beef than it does to grow one pound of plant foods. In addition, animal-based protein requires around eight times more energy from fossil fuels than ones that

The many consequences the livestock industry has on the environment harm ecosystems and destroy habitats. Excessive livestock grazing removes vegetation and exposes the soil to water and wind, making the soil easy to sweep away. According to Population Education, US livestock production alone is responsible for 85% of the erosion of topsoil, which is essential to growing the majority of the world’s food. Additionally, cattle pastures are a major source of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, causing consequences such as habitat destruction and reducing animals’ food sources. According to Truth or Drought, about half of the world’s tropical forests have been cleared at a rate of 18 million acres annually. Forests act as an important buffer against climate change and play key roles in ecosystems. According to Our World in Data, beef production is responsible for 41% of the world’s deforestation. Adopting a diet with little to no meat leads to less land required to be converted for agriculture and reduces the alarming consequences caused by the livestock industry.

MSJ Youth4Climate

Local Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants

Chaat Bhavan specializes in authentic vegetarian Indian fare. After noticing the lack of homemade-style Indian food in California, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Gary Singh opened the Fremont location. Since its success, Chaat Bhavan has expanded to three full-service restaurants across the Bay Area.

MSJ Youth4Climate uses computer science, math, engineering, and humanities to understand the implications of climate change on the planet, educate others, and investigate solutions. Past club activities have included examining the impact of livestock on the climate and carbon capture technologies, as well as a hot air balloon launch to measure greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Past club meetings have discussed the disproportionate use of land that livestock use compared to farming and how students can use this knowledge to eat more sustainably. “Even if you can’t completely stop eating meat or animal products, just reducing the amount you consume is always a good way to start,” MSJ Youth4Climate President Senior Prajit Rajkumar said.

Pollotarians eat poultry but avoid pork and red meat. The diet focuses on chicken and plant-based options for meals. The nutrients in chicken offer a good source of iron, vitamins, minerals, and critical proteins. In addition, because chicken has a low glycemic index, it does not lead to a large increase in blood glucose levels and can help prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, pollotarians have a lower risk of developing cancer because poultry generally has less cholesterol than red and processed meats. According to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, high amounts of cholesterol in the blood is harmful because it can foster cancer cell resistance to cell death by fueling metastasis. Although there are many health benefits, pollotarians should be aware of possible nutrient deficiencies and include the necessary minerals and vitamins in meals.

RawASF Superfoods Café

RawASF Superfoods Café offers patrons vegetable bowls, smoothies, breakfast platters, and more. Its Fremont location opened a year ago, making it an accessible, local plant-based option. RawASF owners Quan Nguyen and Catherine Trinh were inspired to open the restaurant after personal health battles and astounding improvements after switching to a plant-based diet.

Following the ketogenic diet, also known as keto, involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, putting the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. As a result, the body burns more fat by producing ketones that provide energy for the brain. This principle forms the basis of the four types of keto diets. The standard diet incorporates food low in carbohydrates and those that have moderate amounts of protein and high-fat levels. The cyclical diet involves repeating periods of high carbohydrate refeeds, which are days with higher-carb intake meant to replenish the body’s depleted glucose reserves. The targeted ketogenic diet increases carb intake near high-intensity exercises, and the high protein diet is similar to the standard diet but incorporates more protein into meals. Located in 35 countries around the world, Loving Hut is an international chain of vegan restaurants that strive to serve plant-based meals using only natural and healthy ingredients. It specializes in environmentally friendly Asian foods, with each location setting a unique menu. In the Bay Area, Loving Hut has locations in Milpitas, Santa Clara, and San José.

MSJ Green Club

MSJ Green Club is dedicated to raising environmental awareness across communities and engaging students in local conservation efforts, including creating compost bins on campus and a past garden on campus. As part of their food-related lectures, the club has discussed how students can eat in an environmentally friendly way: “Anything that falls under ‘good for you, good for the planet’ generally works. In general, try cooking at home more, eating seasonally, shopping more consciously, or even starting your own garden,” MSJ Green Club President Senior Kaylee Wei said.

Chaat Bhavan

Loving Hut

By Ruhani Chhabra, Sahas Goli, Vedesh Kodnani, Kaylee Liu & Priyanka Shah

Staff Writers

Meet Young Student Pilot Sana Nazeer

By Novak Chen & Maryam Naseer Staff Writers

While most students at MSJ were learning how to drive, Senior Sana Nazeer embarked on her journey as a pilot at Reid Hillview Airport in the fall of 2021. Since then, she has dedicated two to three hours to flying each weekend. After logging 45 flight hours, she recently went on a solo flight, a feat both difficult and rare for teenage student pilots.

Nazeer’s interest in aviation was piqued after a family friend, who had just gotten her own license, took her on a flight. “I was always interested in flying, [because] from far [away], it looked cool. Then, my friend took me on a flight,” Nazeer said. This positive experience prompted her to pursue her own pilot license. After searching for nearby places to acquire her pilot license, Nazeer enrolled in AeroDynamics Aviation in San Jose. Throughout her flying lessons, Nazeer was able to practice landings, navigate different airspaces, and perform maneuvers. While these accomplished skills may appear to be the primary focus of piloting, it is also crucial to have a clear understanding of the limitations of the aircraft. To fly safely, Nazeer studies aerodynamics, the influence of weather conditions, and the engineering of the plane itself. Although she initially wasn’t interested

in learning such aspects, Nazeer now finds understanding them helpful.

During her time spent flying, she had to perform certain maneuvers in her small aircraft, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, such as stalling and taking steep turns. “It was really exciting, but also very nerve-wracking because all that responsibility is in your hands,” Nazeer said. Despite the demanding conditions, Nazeer still finds flying incredibly rewarding. “What I love the most [about] flying is feeling the freedom of being in the air [and] not having to worry about anything else in my life,” Nazeer said.

Although there are many highs of flying an airplane, one of the challenges Nazeer faced was the time commitment required to study flying material and learn about the plane’s structure — all in addition to being a student at MSJ. “There’s a lot of time that you have to dedicate to [learning, and] the airport is around half an hour away,” Nazeer said. However, she hasn’t let that stop her from achieving her goals.

She plans to obtain her pilot’s license this summer, having recently achieved the milestone of flying solo for the first time at the end of De-

cember. Even after countless hours of studying and practicing for the feat, Nazeer had her doubts about flying.

“My first time, I was… genuinely extremely nervous … I thought [the plane] was going to crash,” Nazeer said.

Once she obtains her pilot license, Nazeer plans to start working toward a commercial pilot license and eventually become an airline pilot. “It started out as a hobby, and still is a hobby, but after you get your pilot license you can ... [learn] instrument reading, which [lets] you fly in the clouds,” Nazeer said. For those who aspire to become young pilots, Nazeer advises them to persevere through challenges because the end result will be worth it. “Don’t give up. Even though there is a lot of studying and setbacks, it really is worth it to have that freedom of flying in the end,” Nazeer said. ▪

EMBODIES THE YOUTHFUL SPIRIT

By Amy Luo & Nessa Tong Sta Writers

On January 13, StarStruck Youth Per eatre’s production of Roald Matilda the Musical opened at the Ohlone College Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. e eatre rendition arrived just in time for the resurgence of Matilda the Musical’s popularity after the stream release of a critically-lauded Net ix lm adaptation on December 9, 2022. Based upon the eponymous children’s novel by Roald Dahl, the Broadway show centers on the adventures of Matilda Wormwood, a prodigious young girl who uses her intellect to overcome tricky predicaments at home and at school.

ough Matilda is neglected by both her parents and her dictatorial headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, she empowers herself through her love of reading and nds community amongst her fellow classmates and beloved schoolteacher Miss Honey.

As the lights dimmed down in the theater, a harmonious cacophony of utes and exaggerated brass from the orchestra set the tone of the show with an air of youthfulness and childlike ambience. e curtains rose to an ensemble of young children dressed in Halloween costumes performing “Miracle,” a lighthearted song about being pampered by their parents’ love. Midway through, how-

ever, the tone darkened in contrast as the unhinged Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Garrison Garcia and Gemma Krotz) took the stage, bemoaning the birth of their daughter, Matilda Wormwood (Araceli Herrera). In a distinctive, high-pitched carol, Matilda joined the crew of dancing children to sing, “My mummy says I’m a lousy little worm / My daddy says I’m a bore,” introducing the audience to her pitiful childhood.

While subsequent musical numbers unfolded the show’s plotline and developed Matilda’s dreams of “changing her own story,” the production quality and set design bear a remarkable resemblance to the original Broadway production — the theater curtains were framed with a mix of alphabet toy blocks and brightly-hued and comically-sized bookcases were scattered across the stage, creating an interactive environment for the audience.

But the most noteworthy elements of the show lay in the young actors’ performances. One of the de ning qualities of Matilda the Musical is its primary use of child actors in its cast, making StarStruck eatre, an organization dedicated to fostering youth in performing arts, tailor- t to the show. While only in elementary school, Herrera evoked a larger-than-life stage presence that trans xed the entire theater, as she crooned with a witty smirk while pulling pranks on Mr. Wormwood in “Naughty.” Despite a few minutes of mishap with her microphone, Herrera’s crisp and resonant vocals continually underlined her tremendous talent.

Several of MSJ’s own students also played instrumental roles in the production. Junior Christopher Apy’s phenomenal interpretation of Miss Trunchbull left children and adults in the audience alike howling with laughter,

and his mastery of Trunchbull’s o beat British accent, as well as his dynamic acting, cemented the grotesque nature of the villainous character. Senior Brian Loh’s amboyant salsa sequences and pompous persona as Rudolpho, Mrs. Wormwood’s Italian ballroom dance partner, provided perfectly-timed notes of comic relief throughout the show. Sibling duo Sophomore Russell Lym and Senior Ella Lym became the bold faces of youth in revolt as members of the ensemble, prancing across the stage as they united the schoolchildren against Trunchbull’s tyranny. In a hilarious twist at the end, Russell Lym made a reappearance as Sergei the Russian maa boss, greeting Matilda with “Priyatna Paznakomitsa” and chasing down the other Wormwoods in authentic Russian.

By allowing the child actors’ youthful energy to shine through, StarStruck eatre’s production of Matilda the Musical perfectly embodied the fun spirit and charm of Roald Dahl’s original novel, with numerous original changes. With its elaborate sets, animated choreography, and transformative acting, the show beautifully showed that, just as Matilda sings, “Even if you’re little you can do a lot.” ▪

Sana Nazeer piloting an airplane

YoungBoy falls short with i rest my case

By Callie Yuan Staf Writer

Kentrell DeSean Gaulden —

professionally known as YoungBoy

Never Broke Again — lives up to his stage name as the rapper with the fth most charting albums on the Billboard 200. Following the success of his prior album, e Last Slimeto, which took rst on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 2022, YoungBoy came out with his fth studio album, I Rest My Case, on January 6.

YoungBoy’s latest 19-track musical venture contains experimental tracks that tap into the futuristic rage genre with buzzing sounds and high-energy rapping, though the latter half of the album sees YoungBoy return to his consistent southern hip-hop sound mixed with trap elements. I Rest My Case opens with songs like “Swag On Point” and “Red” that pander to the rage scene, but their bland beats and rudimentary production hold him back from adding his own spin to the raw and buzz-worthy qualities of rage music. While YoungBoy’s rapping on his previous album was melodious and contrasted well with the ripping synths, his vocals on I Rest My Case fall at due to their lack of originality and bland wordplay.

Despite the album’s rough start, YoungBoy eventually lets aspects of his original style of music peek through in “Not My Friend,” “Mini Me,” and “Clear,” contributing toward a more enjoyable listening experience onwards as he raps in an R&B-adjacent ow and dramatic tone. e album ends on a classic YoungBoy type of song that balanc-

under the radar alix page

By Goonja Basu Staf Writer

Among a wave of young artists paving their way into the music industry, Alix Page stands out above all. A singer-songwriter from the age of 15, Page’s musical style borders the line of pop and indie. She makes her mark through a foating voice that contrasts the biting production behind her lyrics.

Page frst began creating her own music in her sophomore year of high school, when she took a songwriting class. Being around the age of existential teenage dilemmas was a huge source of inspiration, such as in “June Gloom,” when Page sings “Eighteen / Haven’t changed all that much / But I’m dying to.” After Page’s teacher introduced her to a producer, the pieces of her budding career easily fell into place. Page began ofcially releasing music in 2020 with her debut single, “Stripes,” which has now garnered over one million streams on Spotify.

Page’s music is faintly reminiscent of those she takes inspiration from: ethereal vocals comparable to Clairo, lyrics similar to Phoebe Bridgers’ (“June Gloom” features a Bridgers mention: “Think I mentioned Scott Street”), and production akin to St. Vincent with fast-paced beats. One of Page’s main idols is Frank Ocean, going as far as to name her song “Frank” after him, with lyrics that reference Ocean’s song “White Ferrari.” Her songs are representative of this blend, mixing the melodies into her own personal sound. Moving away from the trademarked indie girl soft sounds, Page chooses to focus on aggressive drums and electric guitar.

Despite not having released a studio album yet, Page has a collection of seven singles, as well as a four-song EP called Old News, released in 2022. Since coming out of the pandemic, Page has also frequently been on tour, opening for Gracie Abrams on her North American and European legs of the This Is What It Feels Like tour, as well as for ella jane’s Marginalia tour. Her endeavors are only the beginning for Page. She is currently teasing a new song titled “automatic” on social me-

which moves into more of a synth

SMOKIE PLAYLIST: Jealousy

es trap-inspired singing with country-style beats. is ending track, titled “Hey Pops,” uses soft piano chords to lead into punk and melancholy singing as YoungBoy addresses the new role of fatherhood and the responsibilities that come with it. However, the promising latter half of the album is not enough to make up for the formulaic and lackluster rst half: a majority of the songs on the list feel incomplete, are lyrically void of emotional depth to relate to his listeners, and end up being indistinguishable from each other by the end after nearly 40 minutes.

I Rest My Case clearly lacks in the vocal department, but its message ts in well with the rest of his releases: YoungBoy isn’t done and his music is always evolving. Ever since he began making music at 14 years old with a microphone that he bought from Walmart, YoungBoy has been exploring his personal pain, trauma, and feelings of love through rap. I Rest My Case builds upon his past emotions and introduces new issues he has been dealing with. In “Fight With My Sheets,” YoungBoy delves into his relationship issues and re-

puss in boots: the last wish fulfills our wishes

By Jason Tang Staf Writer

ects, “Fight with the sheets nightly, they never gon’ tell / … / ey said, ‘ ere’s a re in the building.’” YoungBoy’s troubled relationships are clear to the public eye, but no one really knows the true events that occur behind closed doors. Although their relationship goes through rough patches, YoungBoy con rms his love for his partner will never falter and o ers reassurance with the line, “Just wan’ say I’m here to stay, my love, I ain’t changin’ with the seasons.”

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dives into new subgenres of the rap scene to try and produce novel music for his fans, but this experimentation costs his songs their lyrical depth and the signature sound he is most known for. YoungBoy’s work ethic is applaudable, having come out with eight full-length releases in 2022 (a mix of studio albums and mixtapes), though a shorter and more condensed version of I Rest My Case could have let his potential shine through rather than have been muddled by a number of unimaginative tracks.

Grade: B-

January 2023 MSJ Faves

MOVIE: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith — Nishita Deshpande, 9

TV SHOW: Kaleidoscope — Shardul Marathe, 10

ALBUM: Luxury Disease by ONE OK ROCK — Himani Malur, 11

BOOK: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale — Alyssa Chen, 11 GAME: Company of Heroes 2 — Leo Jiang, 12

Beautifully animated and masterfully written, Puss in Boots: e Last Wish is an easily digestible hour and forty-two minute long ride from DreamWorks Animation. First pre- miering on Dec. 21, 2022, this se- quel to Puss in Boots is the latest edition in the Shrek cinematic universe, following the fearless hero cat Puss (Antonio Banderas) coming to terms of his mortality after reaching the last of his nine lives and a newfound fear of not living up to his own leg- end. Puss, along with a cast of other colorful, famous fairy tale and nursery rhyme staples, race to nd the titular Last Wish — the remnants of a shooting star capable of granting the user their deepest desires. e animation in the movie is one of its greatest boons. With a technicolor and paintbrush aesthetic, Puss in Boots: e Last Wish has a modern looking artstyle that still di erentiates itself from the bubbly animated characters of the 2010s. Depending on the pace of the scene, the animation is animated at either the standard 24 frames per second or a more stylistic 12 frames per second. When the framerate drops, each pan- el in the action sequences feels more punchy and visually distinct, almost like how a cat might process the in- formation. e fast-paced camera movements and unorthodox angles create some visually interesting ac- tion scenes only possible through the medium of animation, and the exaggerated character design of an already eccentric cast can only be de- scribed with one word: fun.

Despite six di erent characters vying for the audience’s attention, it never once feels overwhelming or confusing to watch. Each character is likable and humorous, the banter between enemies and friends alike adding depth and dimension to the main cast. Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) prioritizes family, Kitty Soft- paws (Salma Hayek) is learning to

trust, Perrito (Harvey Guillén) values friendship, and “Big” Jack Horner (John Mulaney) is a menace to society. Even as a kid’s movie, the humor is never too blunt and simplistic, the script including plenty of jokes and comedic subversions that entertained people of all ages. e most memorable character from the movie is the Big Bad Wolf, or Death, played by Wagner Moura. Death is a bounty hunter after Puss’ head with a true menacing aura. e combination of his blood red eyes, twin sickles, and signature whistle that follows him from scene to scene give the audiences goosebumps and some much needed tension through- out the lm.

Each of the voice actors for the lm brought their A-game, taking the simple characters to the next lev- el with an emotional and energetic delivery. Even the most one-dimensional character in the movie, “Big” Jack Horner, is brought to life by Mulaney’s trademark deadpan de- livery that perfectly complements the crimes against humanity Horn- er casually commits, and Guillénn’s hyper, optimistic portrayal of Perrito the dog comes o endearing rather than grating. DreamWorks took a classic, straightforward fantasy movie for- mula and executed it almost perfect- ly. Although the plot never deviated too far from the expected, all the emotional beats still make an impact. Between the characters, writing, and the animation, it looks like DreamWorks latest project hit the mark just right.

Grade: A-

A man called otto Adds Sentimentality, Loses Soul

By Angelina Chen Staf Writer

Dark and bittersweet, the comedy drama A Man Called Otto is a remake of the 2015 Swedish hit A Man Called Ove. Released on January 13, the lm features a cantankerous grump embraced by the love of his community like its predecessor. However, in spite of expert performances and a soothing soundtrack, the lm is marred by poor thematic choices and a stale script. Regardless of its beautiful message, the movie falls short of leaving its intended heartwarming impression on its viewers.

A Man Called Otto’s plot is generic, following the life of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), an old widower, who has given up on life since his wife’s death. His multiple suicide attempts are disrupted by the arrival of a new family next door. One of his chief interrupters is the blissfully married Marisol (Mariana Treviño), who helps Otto overcome his depression by asking him for small

favors. From parallel parking to dishwater maintenance, Otto is able to display his wide expertise and enjoy the uncharacteristic warmth of his new neighbors. ese scenes are well-executed, but lose their signicance amidst a lack of realism. None of the supporting personalities condemn Otto, even while knowing their e orts will be rejected.

When the audience looks past the feel-good moments of the movie, it becomes apparent that A Man Called Otto has a few less cogent elements within its script. Otto’s newfound rise as a social media sensation is not only unrealistic, but also adds unnecessary melodrama to an already bloated script. Otto is able to exploit his newly attained fame to prevent his neighbors from being evicted in a dramatic move that is uncharacteristic given his former opinions on them. In typical US remakes of foreign lms, producers tend to homogenize elements of the movie to make it more relatable to the audience. However, A Man Called Otto has preserved most as-

pects of its Swedish original — including major plot points and character backstories — at the expense of its quality.

e saving grace of the lm lies in its actors: though numerous characters were added in this remake, the titular characters remain the same. Hanks plays the role with an abrasive edge and his acting allows the viewers to simultaneously comprehend the drama and Otto’s backstory. ough Hanks is frequently seen with a furrowed brow and an angry expression, he smiles during key scenes, displaying the full extent of Otto’s emotions as he slowly navigates his way through a medical condition and making amends with his neighbors. In contrast to Hanks’ portrayal of a curmudgeon, Treviño embraces her role as the bubbly, uplifting neighbor, her expressions remaining perpetually bright and open in juxtaposition to Hanks’ gru ness. Others in the neighborhood like the transgender teenager Malcolm (Mack Bayda) and Otto’s old friend Reuben (Peter Lawson

Jones) engage the audience with their compelling, lively interactions.

Moreover, the lm’s soundtrack, courtesy of the composer omas Newman, adds life to otherwise bland scenes. His instrumentals hum along the rifts in time between Otto’s frequent ashbacks to his younger days when his wife was still alive. e music creates depth and allows the audience to fully immerse themselves into Otto’s life experiences and hardships.

Overall, A Man Called Otto is a remake that neither adds nor takes away from its Swedish legacy. ough its portrayal of a grief-stricken man nding eventual peace is moving, the blatant presentation of its themes and heavy-handed plot overpowers its delightful acting and soundtrack. Despite Otto’s protests, A Man Called Otto delivers a cloying, sentimental family picture that fails to leave a lasting impression.

Grade: B-

“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars | ESTHER: “Better an Revenge” by Taylor Swift | HANNAH: “Jealousy” by MONSTA X | HELEN: “Hate You” by Jordi | JENNIE: “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo | JERRY: “Cheshire” by ITZY | JOANNE: “Somebody Else” by e 1975 | JULIA: “Kill Bill” by SZA

KAITLYN: “How” by Elina | KARINA: “Cheating is a crime” by takayan | ROHAN: “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” by Ariana Grande | SANAH: “Old Friend” by Mitski | SARINA: “Les” by Childish Gambino | SHELLEY: “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes | MRS. COHEN: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift

dia,

genre.

ANGELA: “happier” by Olivia Rodrigo | ANNIKA: “Drew Barrymore” by SZA | BRYAN: “My Favourite Clothes” by RINI | CHRISTY: “jealousy, jealousy” by Olivia Rodrigo | ELTON:

Opened in Nov. 2022, e Breeze Cafe is an independent breakfast and lunch restaurant located in Newark that serves Mexican-American breakfast options. e Smoke Signal visited their location at 39698 Cedar Blvd. in the Cedar Springs plaza to see if their foods match up to the exceedingly positive online reviews.

Overall, e Breeze Cafe’s selection of food was vast, from breakfast boards to burgers, though none of the dishes were particularly special. e matcha waffle was a bit of a disappointment, consisting

BREEZES PAST PERFECT

By Chloe Gao & Katie Tang Staff Writers

of a plain waffle with two scoops of matcha ice cream and a handful of strawberry slices. With a chocolate drizzle, the appearance was appealing, but the flavor of the waffle was average, and the matcha ice cream lacked the actual taste of matcha. e salmon benedict consisted of a perfectly poached egg smothered with hollandaise sauce and capers rested atop caramelized onions, all on a plain bagel. Despite having a picture perfect presentation, the dish fell short due to the soggy, untoasted bagel and unbalanced flavors. e salmon and capers made the benedict overly salty, and the hollandaise did not have enough acidity to balance it out. ough the food was mediocre at best, the drinks were a saving grace, especially the signature ube latte. Served in a unique glass cup, the drink was a gorgeous purple color and had an unforgettable taste. It was extremely creamy, and had a distinct ube flavor. e matcha latte was similarly well-flavored, though a bit on the sweet side.

Right at opening, the cafe was filled with active staff serving early customers. Upon

entering the cafe, customers are greeted by friendly staff and are shown to tables based on party size. When ordering, the staff are patient and try their best to accommodate the customer’s needs. After the meal, they are quick to provide the bill upon request and clean the tables promptly after a party leaves.

Nestled in Newark’s Cedar Springs Plaza, e Breeze Cafe is decorated in a light and minimalistic style, with natural colored walls and seats, light wood toned tables and floors, and a striped sage green accent wall. Customers walking in are greeted by friendly staff at the front desk and guided to the sectioned booths in the center or separate tables lining the walls. Bright indoor and natural lighting combined with light early-2000s music and small potted plants create a fresh atmosphere in the restaurant.

Ranging from about $10-20, regular menu items are served in generous por-

tions fit for their price, though slightly on the higher side. Fun-sized meals provide smaller alternatives at a lower price, but the difference is only a few dollars. A little underwhelming, the fun size classic french toast consisted of two slices of toast and a pat of butter, a very small portion for its price of $7. Although the popular breakfast boards, which serve a variety of breakfast foods in an artful display, are on the expensive side, priced at $30-35, they have enough portions to serve a small group of people. Drinks are reasonably priced at around $3-9 and go well with any food choice, and they have incredible range.

Despite being a popular eatery with hour-long wait times, e Breeze Cafe’s food fails to impress, especially considering the hype, the unreasonable pricing and small portion sizes. e Breeze Cafe is a great spot for customers who are looking for an aesthetic picture of food and inviting ambience, but for those looking for a delicious, no-frill meal, this cafe is one that could use a lot of improvement. ▪

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS CHLOE GAO & KATIE TANG GRAPHICS BY A&E EDITOR SANAH BHARDWAJ

Athlete Spotlight: Siddharth Sancheti

By Praamesh Siva & Aaryan Suri Staff Writers

Senior Siddharth Sancheti began rowing two years ago. It was initially introduced to him by his friend. From early on, Sancheti’s coaches recognized his potential and encouraged him to continue. He was very nervous about pur suing rowing, but knew that he wanted to do it. Now, it has become his passion, and a huge part of his identity.

Sancheti’s compet itive journey began as a member of Norcal Crew, where he learned the ropes of the sport and gained exposure to many tal ented athletes. Sancheti’s frst impression of rowing was his sheer amazement at the coordination, strength, and rigor involved in the sport.

Sancheti was able to showcase his talent in competition soon after starting. “Having a senior coxswain really helped me develop quickly and remain competitive as part of the

He controls the speed and direction of the boat using a small rudder and gives commands to the crew to coordinate their rowing.

Sancheti must also have a good knowledge of the course and the conditions, and be able to make quick decisions in order to

dition to steering and commanding, he also vator for the crew, keeping gether as a team. Sancheti is also responsible for the safety of the crew, and must be aware of the weather and water conditions at all times. He communicates with his teammates using a microphone.

then coming back the next week, stronger and more determined, has really shaped me into the person I am today,” Sancheti said.

Despite his constant growth, Sanche ti still believes there is signifcant room for improvement, as shown by the 20 hours of weekly practices that the team attends. Hav ing to manage school, his other passions, and

done exceedingly well. He was awarded third place at the Long Beach Invitational. He also won 5th place at the Head of the Lagoon Varsity Competition for his effective communication in the water and his team’s impressive results. Moving forward with all of his experience, Sancheti hopes to achieve even greater success in rowing in the future. He plans to continue rowing in the future, and his dream is to one day make the national rowing team.

Sancheti is the coxswain, the person who sits at the stern, or rear, of a rowing boat and is responsible for steering, power, rhythm, and communication with the crew. With the help of mentors such as Aiden Blasio at Norcal Crew,

This critical role on the team has allowed him to develop his leadership skills and learn the importance of being patient and working with others. Sancheti believes rowing has shaped who he is today. “Learning how to come back from [constant failure] and having patience in the process,

rowing has especially helped Sancheti develop time management skills. He uses Google Calendar to plan out his weekly schedule and Notion to orga nize his homework assignments.

In recent rowing competitions, has

Taking his talent to bigger and bigger stages each year, Sancheti is truly grateful for how the sport has allowed him to develop and better himself throughout his life, not only physically but mentally as well. “This sport has helped me fnd myself and my skills. It gave me a purpose by being part of a team that works together toward a common goal. I realized that it was not just about me. Every time we won, we felt pride as a team and I started to focus less on myself, and more on those around me,” Sancheti said. ▪

“[For rowing], every single second down to the minute detail is perfected.”

“Being placed in this situation with such a great time commit ment has really propelled me to focus more on [my time manage ment].”

Girls Soccer Sufer Tough 0-4 Loss Against Irvington

By Novak Chen & Ashley Pang Staff Writers

On January 12, Varsity Girls Soccer competed against the Irvington High School Vikings at the Tak Fudenna Memorial Stadium. Although ball possession shifted frequently throughout the game, the Vikings’ strong defense and fery offense resulted in a tough 0-4 loss for MSJ.

Heading into the game against Irvington, the Warriors had a season record of 1-5-2 so far, and had yet to play against Irvington. Nonetheless, 13-year MSJ Coach Terry Dalziel’s hard work — and his emphasis on teamwork and understanding strategies — proved to be a vital asset for the team.

Midfelder Sophomore Bella Cleary started the game off with a great shot, but the goal was deemed offside and not counted towards

the score. As Irvington advanced towards the goal, Co-Captain Senior Johanna Talavera Chavez defended a powerful kick by the Vikings. However, the momentum turned against MSJ after that, with the Vikings scoring two goals by the end of the frst half.

After a quick talk during the halftime break, the Warriors went back onto the feld with renewed vigor. MSJ carried their momentum and attacked aggressively; with passing plays between Forward Junior Abegail Healy and Cleary creating potential scoring opportunities. By working the ball up, the Warriors also utilized set corner kick players to open chances for scoring. However, they could not break past the Viking’s defense. Through precise footwork and successful collaborative efforts, Irvington scored two more goals, thus ending the game 0-4.

The Vikings used the offside trap to great

effect, stopping many advances by MSJ to score. By advancing their defenders past the ball, the leading strikers would not be able to touch the ball, or else they would take an offside penalty. “I thought that we would win that game. But unfortunately they started playing the [offside] trap. We didn’t know how to play the trap, how to beat the trap, because we didn’t play against it before,” Dalziel explained.

Going into the game, MSJ also faced multiple challenges — player injuries, miscommunication, and unfamiliar strategies by the opposing team. Nonetheless, MSJ continued to battle for ball possession under the circumstances. “We had a lot of players not at their 100% but they still gave it their all and we’re very proud of them,” Co-Captain Senior Diya Sen said.

The tough loss against Irvington brought

up the importance of consistency and commitment. “We didn’t practice for three weeks because of rain, [the] lack of players participating — we got four or fve players out, but we have 23 players on the team,” Dalziel said, “so we lost almost everything we learned prior to the game yesterday.”

Though multiple factors negatively infuenced their performance, the coach and captains hope to implement new measures to encourage team engagement and improve scores. “Probably just to work harder and play more as a team and make sure that we’re actually possessing the ball a lot and playing the way that we practice,” Chavez said. By refecting on how to fx mistakes made in this game, Dalziel has high hopes for the team in upcoming matches. “[Our goal is] just to keep improving, and see if we can win a couple games,” Dalziel said. ▪

Mid elder Freshman Amina Serghine passes the ball to a teammate.

Guide to Gyms

By Waylon Li, Vidyuth Sridhar & Aaron Zhou Staf Writers

Whether it’s training for athletics, hanging out with friends or fulfilling New Year’s resolutions, many members of the MSJ community choose to spend their time in gyms. To increase exposure to this community resource and promote an active lifestyle, the SmokeSignal compiled a list of public gyms throughout Fremont.

24 Hour Fitness

With two locations in Fremont at 4500 Auto Mall Pkwy and 39300 Paseo Padre Pkwy respectively, 24 Hour Fitness is one of the community’s most popular gyms. From treadmills to plyometrics boxes and weight-training machines, members enjoy unlimited use of a variety of fitness equipment. The Auto Mall location also contains a basketball court, indoor pool, and sauna for use as a “Super-Sport Gym’’. Dependent on their interests, members can attend specialized group classes throughout the week, such as Zumba and pilates. 24 Hour Fitness also includes a variety of different difficulty and duration workouts that cater

to people of all fitness levels on its 24GO app, as well as offering one-on-one personal training sessions with staff members, who are known as “Fitness Coaches."

Prices are split into two tiers of membership with the added option of paying both monthly and annually. Monthly memberships start at $41.99 per person, and annual memberships cost a onetime payment of $299.99. The Auto Mall location is open 24 hours, whilst the Paseo Padre location opens from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, and from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on the weekends.

As one of the nation’s most well-known fitness brands with two Fremont locations at 39161 Farwell Drive and 35630 Fremont Blvd., Planet Fitness is the preferred low-cost, introductory gym for many. Championing a motto of a “Judgment Free Zone”, the facility provides amenities such as small-group classes and a 30-minute express circuit specializing in catering to beginner and novice gym-goers. Locations also offer standard fitness equipment, such as dumbbells, cardio machines, and barbell squat

Mission Hills Racquet & Swim Club

Located on 10 E Las Palmas Ave., Mission Hills Racquet and Swim Club specializes in tennis, but also has a full weight room, entertainment room, and pool. With 13 freshly painted courts with luminous bright lights in the evening, members can rally with other players and attend discounted tennis lessons. The clubhouse features a full weight room with two squat racks, and a variety of dumbbells and fitness equipment. Along the inside of the club

CrossFit of Fremont

Unlike most typical gyms, CrossFit of Fremont specializes in professional fitness training and physical therapy programs. For new customers, the gym offers an interactive introduction session and proposes workout plans based on the customer’s athletic background, physical condition, and available budget. The gym contains a wide range of designated program categories, including pain relief, strength building, and endurance training.

sits numerous gym machines as well as a full studio room for dance and yoga. Outside the club is a heated swimming pool without lanes open to all members.

The club is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Monthly pricing is $39.99 for a single gym membership, $59.99 for a couple, and $79.99 for a family membership.

Located at 46650 Landing Pkwy, Bay Club Fremont offers expansive fitness and comfort spaces across a large facility. Inside the facility, members enjoy free access to a wide range of high-quality equipment from brands such as Technogym and NordicTrack. In addition to playing courts for basketball, badminton, tennis, and squash, members also have access to individual hot showers, heated lap pools, and a jacuzzi. The club’s fitness

The weight room contains several different barbell racks with gymnastic rings for calisthenic workouts.

The gym is open for eight hours from Monday through Friday (time frames vary per weekday), from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and closes on Sundays. Pricing for the training programs are relatively high, as access for the cheapest courses offered stand at more than $100.

Located at 39153 Farwell Dr, City Sports Club Fremont contains a two-story facility with a well-rounded selection of leisures for members.

The club runs a heated indoor pool with three lap lanes, as well as saunas and whirlpool spas near its entrance. Heading into the facility, the first floor offers a wide selection of strength and conditioning equipment. Rows of barbell squats face an assortment of gym machines training every part of the body. Next to the squat racks lies an array of dumbbells, ranging in size and up to over 100 pounds.

Planet Fitness

racks.

Prices start at $10 per month for its “Classic” plan, with an additional annual and startup fee. The Farwell Drive location is open from 5 a.m.-12 a.m. on Monday, 24 hours from Tuesday to Thursday, 12 a.m-9 p.m. on Friday, and from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on the weekends. The Fremont Boulevard location operates 24 hours a day on Monday through Thursday, and is open from 12 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fridays, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m on the weekends.

Bay Club Fremont

programs are also run by professional instructors who offer hourly classes, one-on-one nutrition planning, and specialized athletic training.

The club is open from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. during the weekends. Monthly memberships are priced at $182 for individuals, $300 for couples, and $380 for a family of up to six people.

City Sports Club

The second floor contains dozens of treadmills and other cardio workout machines overlooking the facility. In addition, the club also contains fullsize indoor racquetball and basketball courts. The gym is open from 5:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Fridays, and from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on weekends. Pricing per person runs at an initiation fee of $99 followed by a monthly membership fee of $39.99, or a monthly membership fee of $49.99 without initial costs.

By Tushara Devapatla & Chahak Gupta Staff Writers

The Smoke Signal compiled a list of local libraries and bookstores to appreciate the services they provide to the community, from peaceful study spots to literary hubs.

Fremont Main Library

on 2400 Stevenson Blvd., the Fremont Main Library, part of the Alameda County Library branch, offers a two-story literary haven less than four miles from MSJ. The library’s minimalistic decor contributes to its spacious feel, with secluded seating areas located near vast windows that overlook Central Park and Lake Elizabeth. In addition to a diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction works, the library also offers printing, scanning and faxing services. “I [like] the familiarity of [Fremont Main Library], especially if you’ve been [there] since you were a kid. You know where your favorite books are and where to sit,” Senior Bhavana Bandla said.

Centerville Library

Located

Ave.

half a mile from American High School, the Centerville Library, an Alameda County Library branch, is nestled within the lively Brookvale Neighborhood Park. Its vibrant orange-yellow carpeting, warm wooden ceiling, bold decor, abundant flora, and exterior bird feeding areas add to the welcoming atmosphere. “There [are] audio books, music, [and] magazines; there’s something for everybody. Don’t narrow your thinking about the library to some dry, stale place, it’s much more dynamic than that,” Centerville Library Assistant Manager Kirk Hammond said.

Half-Price Books

Located at 39152 Fremont Hub, Half-Price Books, one of Fremont’s largest bookstores, sells a diverse array of novels. With shelves filled with books organized in sections for specific topics such as poetry, history, and foreign language, the store manages to feel spacious while enhancing its categorization of books. In addition to its books, the store sells a wide variety of vinyl, CDs, and games, making it a great place to find something new. “Half-Price Books is really close by, and has cheaper books than other places, so if I’m looking to purchase a book that I’m really looking forward to reading, then that’s my go-to place,” Senior Kaylee Wei said.

Banter Bookshop

Situated at 3768 Capitol Ave. Ste. F, Banter Bookshop is an independent bookstore, carrying a variety of novels for readers of all ages. The store’s soft lighting, neatly organized shelves, and comfortable seating areas make it the perfect place to sit down while you choose a new book. The bookstore focuses on the Fremont community, spotlighting books by local authors and hosting story times for children. “This year we’ve been trying to expand to do more local things like work with more local authors, or [work with] a lot of local teachers,” Banter Bookshop Worker Mallika Saoji said. “[Banter Bookshop] is very organized and has a lot of new arrivals…It’s pretty close to where I live,” Freshman Sanjana Srivasta said.

Rumi Bookstore

Rumi Bookstore, a small family-owned bookshop on 4050 Peralta Blvd, opened its doors to the public around 24 years ago and has sold everything from religious texts and poetry titles to hijabs and gifts. Named after 13th-century Persian poet & Islamic scholar Rumi, the store offers children’s books, notebooks, religious texts in English, Farsi, and Arabic, and poem collections including those by the store’s namesake author. The shop boasts aisles of Islamic home decor, plates, and pendants. “Even if you’re not interested in religious books, there’s a lot of good poetry books here. We also have a kids section…[and] CDs, so you can listen to books,” a Rumi Bookstore employee said.

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By Novak Chen & Keerti Koya Staff Writers

From January 14-15, the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce held its annual Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair in Chinatown, San Francisco. First held in 1851, it features more than 120 booths and concessions, as well as performances like traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers, and opera singers. The Flower Market Fair attracted hundreds of attendees from across the Bay Area.

Held on the weekend before Lunar New Year, the Flower Market Fair served as the perfect place to purchase fresh owers, fruits, candies, and new home supplies to begin the new year. Although it appeared tightly packed from the hills that overlooked the festival, there was ample space to enjoy the diverse treats and performances.The rhythmic drums of the shows resounded through the streets alongside the joyous buzz of conversation. Lucky owers, such as chrysanthemums, peonies, and peach blossoms were on sale from several vendors, as well as in the hands of many attendees. Flowers and plants often represent growth, and if a plant blooms on New Year’s Day, it is said to symbolize a year of prosperity. Door couplets, which are red banners with auspicious sayings embroidered on them, red lanterns, and paper cuttings symbolizing fertility, happiness, luck, and wealth, were all proudly displayed throughout Chinatown. At the event, the pleasant smell of owers, herbal teas, popcorn, and donuts wafted through the air. The event also featured a dragon dance and a music show by Son of Paper, a local Chinese songwriter and artist. His original songs “MISSED LOVE,” “MR. CHINATOWN,” “OVERCAME,” and “On My Way.” attracted an enthusiastic crowd who resonated with his experiences facing Asian hate. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the crowd has been smaller in previous years. “COVID hit the market fair pretty hard since they lost about three blocks worth of vendors and participants. While it used to the street blockage, now it’s missing quite a bit on both sides,” Stall Vendor John said. Even so, Attendee Alisa Chen believed that the fair was still quite live ly. “I see so much culture just packed into this one fair and it really is a great way to get ready for Chinese New Year,” Chen said.