Volume LX, No. 4.

5 FEATURE

OPINION

Political Polarization

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THE

astrology

MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL

VOL. 60, NO. 4

10-11 9-12 GRAPHICS

9 CENTERSPREAD

41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539

raj salwan Fremont’s new mayor

By Dhaeshna Booma, Scarlett Huang, Vikram Mahajan & Cham Yu Staff Writers

background

Growing up in Fremont, Salwan graduated from Washington High School and spent much of his early academic career in FUSD. He studied Biological Sciences at UC Irvine and has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University. Salwan did not make a conscious decision to enter the political arena. “It’s not that I chose politics, politics chose me. It was kind of a gradual thing ... [Initially,] I just wanted to take care of my family and be successful in my small business,” Salwan said. Salwan is the current Councilmember for Fremont City Council District 5, which comprises parts of the Cameron Hills, Weibel, Warm Springs, and Pacific Commons neighborhoods within the Irvington High School, MSJ, and Kennedy High School attendance areas. His term in the City Council is scheduled to end in December, and he will assume the mayoralty in January 2025. Salwan has served as a two-time Vice Mayor of Fremont under Mayor Lily Mei, Human Relations Commissioner, Chair of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce,, and a part of the East Bay League of Cities Board.

Salwan was first appointed to the City Council in 2013 by a 3-1 vote to succeed outgoing Councilmember Bill Harrison. He was the Chair of the Tri-Cities Democratic Forum, planning commissioner for Fremont, and a practicing veterinarian at the time. Prior to Fremont’s redistricting system for City Council, Councilmembers were elected at-large before 2018.

Salwan’s first recorded election was in 2014 when he lost his seat on the City Council. In 2016, Raj Salwan was elected Councilmember at-large alongside Bacon and won reelection under a new district-based system in 2018.

Fremont & MSJ implications The election of Salwan as Fremont’s new mayor signals a continuation of existing policies with a more focused approach to addressing critical community issues. Salwan’s plan to address homelessness focuses on strengthening partnerships with nonprofits to provide not only temporary shelter solutions but also pathways to permanent housing and supportive services.

“He brings everyone together and works toward common-sense solutions that serve the entire community,” Mei said.

Efforts to address housing affordability under Salwan’s leadership strive to reshape Fremont’s housing market and accessibility. His initiatives aim to balance the need for more affordable options with maintaining the city’s character, which could help moderate escalating costs while ensuring residents can continue to call Fremont home. “If we can’t afford to live here in the next few years, that’s definitely going to prevent us from moving back here,” Senior Lia Le-Nguyen said.

This tension reflects the broader debate around housing development in Fremont. While Salwan supports increasing housing projects to alleviate the city’s housing crisis, this has been a contentious issue, with some fearing overdevelopment and strain on community resources.

“New housing projects can bring additional population growth, which has both opportunities and challenges for our schools,” District 4 Councilmember Yang Shao said. An influx of new housing developments could potentially increase enrollment at schools like MSJ. could place greater demand on school resources but also increase This funding for schools.

Salwan has also emphasized bringing more nightlife and revitalizing local businesses, complementing housing initiatives by fostering economic growth and community engagement. “We might see more businesses returning that have left [Fremont] since the pandemic,” Civics Club Vice President Junior Ashwin Vaidyanathan said.

As Fremont tackles these complex issues — such as balancing economic growth, infrastructure demands, and social equity — Salwan’s leadership could redefine the city’s trajectory. For MSJ, his emphasis on affordable housing and strategic economic planning could lead to specific changes in funding for schools. “I believe in integrity in governance … I’ll be staying true to my roots,” Salwan said.

20

Guide to holiday recipes

December 13, 2024

District 5 Councilmember Raj Salwan was elected Fremont Mayor for the next four years, defeating his opponent, Vinnie Bacon, as well as candidates Rohan Marfatia and Hiu Ng, by a 15% margin on November 5. Salwan’s campaign priorities include addressing homelessness, deterring crime, and promoting equitable housing developments. Receiving endorsements from prominent political officials, including CA Gov. Gavin Newsom and Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Salwan won a plurality of the vote but fell short of a majority as a result of Fremont’s first-past-the-post election format. After the election, both outgoing Mayor Mei and incoming Mayor Salwan agreed to interviews with the Smoke Signal .

mayoral election

The race, with Salwan and Bacon as the major candidates, became heated in months preceding the election, particularly with renewed complaints about Salwan’s management of his properties and his wealth. Salwan was repeatedly attacked during the campaign for allegations of unethical business practices, such as criticisms of his veterinary clinic and rental properties that came under investigation by NBC Bay Area. His election opponent, Bacon, launched a website detailing the Salwan family’s immense wealth, whose net worth totaled more than $150 million in properties in the Bay Area alone. Bacon also alleged malpractices in Salwan’s veterinary business and debilitated conditions in his rental properties throughout Fremont. On the other hand, Bacon was criticized for supporting prior large-scale residential developments encompassing market-rate housing.

Bacon ran on issues of addressing homelessness and decreasing the influence of housing developers, priorities also affirmed by the Salwan campaign. However, these issues, particularly new housing, were more heavily emphasized by the Bacon campaign.

Ultimately, Salwan, who had the endorsement of Mayor Lily Mei and most City Council members, won a 47% plurality, with 32% of voters voting for Bacon, 11.5% for Marfatia, and 8.9% for Ng. More than 77,000 ballots were cast citywide.

Political agenda

Salwan’s campaign had an overarching emphasis on proposals focusing on community collaboration. According to Salwan, creating quick housing facilities and mental support groups, especially through activating new non-profits and relying on existing organizations — like the Safe Parking Host Site Program — could largely contribute to resolving the city’s homelessness crisis. “We need quick-build housing so that we can get people into facilities, and then we need to get our nonprofits activated to help address the challenges we’re facing,” Salwan said. Previously during the campaign, Salwan criticized Bacon for voting on the Council to approve new housing projects and advocated his own more conservative attitude toward construction approval.

Public safety is also a foremost priority for Salwan. Throughout his campaign, Salwan articulated that police officer recruitment and retention through benefits and monetary incentives could improve the ability of the police force to patrol and ensure safety throughout Fremont. “We have a lot of officers that are being offered incentives that can lure them away [from Fremont Police Department (FPD)]. I want to make sure that [FPD] remains competitive,” Salwan said. Coupled with police enforcement, this introduces the possibility of future city-wide laws and rules in public areas to enhance safety and security for Fremont’s residents.

Within his campaign outline, Salwan highlights his goals in making Fremont more environmentally friendly and combating climate change by supporting transit-oriented developments, where residential and commercial units are closer to public transit. His goals include reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2045, through more accessible housing near public transit. “The other big part [of addressing climate change] is reducing vehicle miles traveled … [The] majority of the [carbon dioxide] is because people are driving very far. We want to build housing near transit … so that people can get out of their cars, get on, BART or buses, and get to their jobs,” Salwan said.

To tackle traffic congestion, an issue that many Fremont residents have complained about, innovative and practical strategies will be implemented by improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing freeway interchanges. He promises to leverage his experience as Fremont’s alternate representative on the Alameda County Transportation Commission to implement advanced traffic signal timing and reduce regional cut-through traffic in neighborhoods. “I’m looking to have a direct connection between [Interstates] 880 and 680 that’s underground … We are looking at infrastructure improvements at Interstate 680 … a lot of those intersections are really terrible, so we’re going to be looking at improving them,” Salwan said.

“Fremont has always been a city of innovation and growth, but as we expand, we face the challenge of defining our identity. Raj has the opportunity to address this. He understands that while tech and industrial development are vital, we also need to focus on things that build community—entertainment spaces, vibrant retail centers, and cultural hubs. These aren’t just amenities; they’re what make people proud to call Fremont home. Raj’s ability to prioritize these alongside housing, sustainability, and infrastructure will set the tone for his leadership,” Outgoing Fremont Mayor Lily Mei said.

GRAPHICS BY NEWS EDITOR CATHERINE QIN

ONLINE

THIS MONTH

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TV SHOW REVIEW: ARCANE On November 9, the highly anticipated second season of Arcane, the hit series loosely based on the team-based game League of Legends, premiered its first three episodes. Read the Smoke Signal’s review online.

ALBUM REVIEW: GNX Kendrick Lamar released a surprise album GNX on November 22, which is his first release following his critically acclaimed 2022 album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Read the album review on our website.

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NEWS in

BRIEF Compiled by Ariel Duong, Janet Guan, Michelle Qu & Fiona Yang Staff Writers

LOCAL

Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to the Chronicle Community members walk around Albany Bulb, which has been revealed to have high radiatino levels.

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A recent report issued by GSI International, a scientific consulting group, revealed higher-than-normal levels of radiation at Albany Bulb, Alameda. Albany Bulb is a park by San Francisco Bay that contains popular hiking trails and many driftwood sculptures. It originated as a landfill in the 1960s, and in the 1980s Stauffer Chemical Co dumped copious amounts of chemical waste into the area. The report found gamma count rate measurements similar to that of red mud, a byproduct of aluminum waste. Albany’s city board has until December 30 to form a plan for the issue, according to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

NATIONAL

bizjournals.com The Jet Propulsion Laboratory lost contact with Voyager 2 on July 21.

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NASA has reconnected with its space probe Voyager 1 after a week-long blackout. Having launched in 1977, the probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have been steadily losing power. However, according to Kareem Badaruddin, the Voyager mission manager, the probes have been operational for far longer than many at NASA expected, with several scientific instruments on the probe still retaining functionality after decades of operation. Four instruments are currently operational on each probe, and a stream of data is sent back to Earth through radio antennae. It is currently planned to keep both Voyager probes in operation as long as possible.

INTERNATIONAL

Hendrik Schmidt/dpa via AP Volkswagen workers wave union flags on a nationwide strike.

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On December 2, Volkswagen workers launched rolling two-hour strikes across nine German plants, resisting pay cuts and factory closures. One main location of the strike is the company’s base plant at Wolfsburg, and the workers rallied against the first plant closures in the company’s home country. However, Volkswagen argues for lowering costs in Germany to competitors’ prices so that employees do not have to be burdened under management failures related to product development. The recent Volkswagen strikes are parts of negotiation for new labor agreements; Volkswagen demands a 10% pay cut for 120,000 German workers, and the company proposes closing three of its German plants.

corrections

for the NOVEMBER. 15, 2024 News P1. Mitski should be written as such.

News P1. Día de los Muertos should be written as such.

News P2. Glenn should be written as such.

Corrections P2. Namya Bhatnagar should be written as such.

Corrections P2. *NSYNC should be written as such.

Corrections P2. “annie.” should be written as such.

Corrections P2. JAY-Z should be written as such.

Opinion P3. 65% refers to middle school.

Feature P9. "Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)” should be written as such.

Feature P12: Michelle Qu is a staff writer.

CS P10. La Calavera should be written as such.

A&E P15. "Story of My Life" should be written as such.

Sports P17. Senior Samhita Bathina is a Co-Captain.

Sports P17. Nine tennis players graduated.

Sports P19. Mike Kenny is a returning coach, not new.

The Smoke Signal

Friday, December 13, 2024

20th Annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot unites thousands in the community The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot celebrates 20 years of giving and unity through running.

By Ariana Yi & Lucas Zhang Staff Writers Thousands of runners contributed to a festive atmosphere by crowding the streets of downtown San Jose as part of the 20th annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on November 28. This community tradition invites runners to participate in a variety of races such as the 5K and 10K, a Kids Fun Run, and even a virtual run for people around the world to participate in.

More than just a race, this event also raised millions of dollars for local charities that promote community wellness and generosity during the holiday season.

Founded in 2005 by former Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino, the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot started as an attempt to create a lasting tradition that would bring people together while giving back to society. The event has raised a total of more than $12 million for many organizations such as the Healthier Kids Foundation and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley over 20 years. Major sponsors such as Applied Materials and local technology companies have also continuously supported the event, encouraging this race’s growth into a pivotal Thanksgiving tradition for local families, businesses, and individuals. “As we look at our 20th anniversary,

Thousands of runners in San Jose participate in either the 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run.

“As we look at our 20th anniversary, we are really trying to focus on the cumulative good that the event has and featuring people who have done it for 10, 15, even 20 years.”

—turkey trot raCe DireCtor Chris Weiler we are really trying to focus on the cumulative good that the event has and featuring people who have done it for 10, 15, even 20 years,” Race Director Chris Weiler said.

By 8:30 a.m., 23,000 participants of all ages and skill levels filled the lively streets of downtown San Jose, wearing bright blue raceday T-shirts that united the participants. Other runners embraced the festive spirit using clothing ranging from cheerful holiday hats and full-body turkey costumes.

The event officially began with the 5K and 10K Run/Walk. Both

races began near the iconic Cesar Chavez Plaza, where participants were gathered early to warm up and take pictures together. Emcees were rallying the crowd, volunteers were ready to distribute water bottles throughout the course of the race, and the crowd was prepared to cheer on the runners.

The emcee’s voice boomed the countdown as the cheers of the boisterous crowd subsided. As the wave of runners and walkers began their journey down the streets of San Jose, cheers and claps erupted. Runners sprinted their last stretch of the lengthy race, smiling with determination as spectators erupted in cheers, creating a wave of community support that carried the runners over the finish line. “I like all the different houses that play music along the course.

It makes the event a lot more fun,” participant Jacob Burke said.

The festival area was located

near the finish line for runners to explore after their race. Booths from some of the event’s sponsors and beneficiaries as well as local businesses offered giveaways and games for attendees to partake in while enjoying the celebratory atmosphere. Some booths in the festival area gave food and water away to racers as they cooled down, and others allowed racers to take pictures of themselves with backdrops themed around the event and companies supporting it.

For participants, the Turkey Trot was more than just a race; it was an opportunity to connect with the community, celebrate the holiday in a meaningful way, and contribute to impactful caus-

“I dedicate [participation in the Turkey Trot] to my dad, for sure, since he's the one that got us out here all those years ago, back when I first started, and he's the one that you keep coming out and doing it with now.”

—PartiCiPant JaCob burke es. “I think Thanksgiving should be a day when you hang out with your friends and family. That’s actually why I came [to the Turkey Trot] with my whole family, even my grandparents,” participant Sophomore Michael Gu said.▪

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER LUCAS ZHANG

MSJ LEO Club hosts California Nursery Garden volunteer event MSJ LEO promotes environmental care through gardening at the California Nursery Historical Park in Niles.

By Navya Chitlur & Felicity He mainly focusing on ivy. Through community engagement, historical Staff Writers markings, and valuable instrucMSJ LEO Club hosted its Nurs- tions, the participants not only ery Garden Event at California participated in creating a greenNursery Historical Park in Niles, er community for the future, but promoting efforts against climate also acquired knowledge of plants change and fostering community and gardening. “You'll learn how growth and connection through gardening at 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The “I like being able to work with other kids who I don’t know event was one of many major volvery well to accomplish a cerunteering opportunities at the tain goal … At first, it was a litsite, which encourage volunteers tle rough, but once we started to partake in the planting process communicating, we [could] in exchange for volunteer hours. work together efficiently.”

—Volunteer Freshman Chasen As the venue opened at 9 a.m., lam people began slowly filling in, and the planting began after half an hour much water is needed, what plants upon opening. The majority of the are good for the environment, and gardening took place in the rustic which ones are invasive species,” adobe building, where the turnout Groundskeeper Preet Bhangu said. of around 20 students from MSJ and The volunteers faced commuother high schools were led. After re- nication issues while planting, as ceiving a brief set of instructions from they raced against the clock to clear the LEO officers, participants were the entire garden of all the invasive given a pair of gloves, clippers, and plants and weeds in the time they harvesting tools. They began to pull had. However, they soon overcame out excess weeds and invasive plants, that and realized that working to-

Volunteers Sophomores Avina Wong and Samantha Lo help clean out the garden's weeds.

MSJ LEO Volunteers gather as they listen to instructions before the gardening.

gether created a sense of community among the volunteers. “I like being able to work with other kids who I don’t know very well to accomplish a certain goal … At first, it was a little rough, but once we started communicating, we [could] work together efficiently,” volunteer Freshman Chasen Lam said.

As a part of touch-ups, they soon moved on to brushing away debris using rakes in order to remove dead leaves and tree bark, granting new roots the chance to flourish in the area instead. The group ultimately concluded the gardening process by removing weeds from the area, and finished the project by approximately 11 a.m., hitting their goal with an hour to spare.

Afterward, volunteers regrouped at the California Nursery Historical Park Museum and took a walking tour of the 20.1 acre property. On the way, they stopped by signs explaining historically significant

landmarks in the park, the box tree forest, which got its name from the shipping boxes that the trees were planted in, and other antiquated buildings such as canning facilities and adobe-style buildings.

Throughout the entirety of the event, volunteers dedicated time and effort to rebuilding a connection with nature, as well as fostering a community and positive mindsets. “This area looks a lot cleaner and beautified, which was the goal,” volunteer Sophomore Avina Wong said. MSJ LEO Club plans to host similar events in the future, either at California Nursery Historical Park or Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum.

“Almost every month we're going to have a major community service event, so it's a great opportunity to join LEO Club and make new friends as well,” Board of Directors Sophomore Ethan Chen said.▪ PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER FELICITY HE

Friday, December 13, 2024

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AI Chatbots

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ACROSS 1. In a natal chart, Venus is in the _ _ _ _ _ _ sector.

2. The 40th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair had a Victorian Era _ _ _ _ _ _ setting.

3. After volunteering at a _ _ _ _ _ _ service event organized by the national nonprofit, Palaniappan was inspired to establish a Poverty PatchUp chapter at MSJ. 4. In Moana 2, Moana must journey to the lost island of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

5. Bûche de Noël, also known as a _ _ _ _ log, is a rolled cake filled with cream and decorated with chocolate frosting to mimic a tree log.

6. Incoming Mayor Raj Salwan plans to make Fremont more environemntally friendly by supporting supporting _ _ _ _ _ _ _-oriented developments.

DOWN 1. Junior Class Treasurer Justin Wu began to develop his love for card collecting from an interest in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ cards.

2. The USA PATRIOT Act gave US law enforcement the unprecedented power to search citizens’ private _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

3. In her _ _ _ _ _ year of competitive snowboarding, Aliana Wang qualified for the Snowboarding National Championship

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Florida mother Megan Garcia is suing Character.ai, the maker of an AI chatbot, alleging it played a role in the death of her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, who died by suicide after developing an obsession with the chatbot. Garcia alleges the chatbot manipulated and worsened Setzer’s depression, giving responses that encouraged Setzer’s suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit alleges that the company knowingly failed to implement safety measures to prevent such an incident and deceptively marked the chatbot in order to pray on young users.

Rising 10th-12th graders are eligible to apply! *You must have room in your schedule for this elective

“Character.ai should be held responsible for the death, especially if many safety measures weren’t implemented to prevent [the death]. In general, technology usage in teenagers has rapidly increased, and with the marketing of this technology comes responsibility, and tech companies should take responsibility for any effects their chatbots might have on society. We should take into consideration the drastic effects technology usage can have on children, so we can put preventative measures to ensure that children aren’t over-abusing technology.” "#$%&#'

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% “[Character.ai] should have had some sort of warning ... but it’s more the parents’ responsibility that they’re allowing their child to be exposed to such things.

You can’t hold every social media company accountable for cyberbullying … Tech companies are responsible in the sense that they should have some Do you think Character.ai should be held responsible for Setzer’s relationship with its chatsort of warning about what their chatbots might disbot? Do you think tech companies are responsible for the possible effects their chatbots might have on their users? Do they have a responsibility to protect their users, especially play … The problem with legally enforcing it is it draws youth users? What can Character.ai implement to prevent or mitigate future incidents? into question: how do you determine when you need to give that warranty What measures can be implemented on an institutional or legal level to moderate AI and when you don’t? ... At the surface level, all companies should just [include] chatbots and protect youth, if any? a default message warranty near their chatbox ... [Character.ai] likely will not take full responsibility ... but they should definitely ... issue a base-level warranty. Them 5 taking that step forward could encourage other businesses to do it ... adding that kind +', “I do not [believe that Character.ai should be held * " of warranty takes some of the blame off the company itself.” responsible for Setzer's relationship with the chat“I think that Character.ai and the parents of affected minors are responsible because bot], because … there's a warning on the top of they should be aware of what their child is doing. However, companies like Characthe chatbot that says all these conversations are ter.ai should know the potential for harm from its AI tools, which is a huge flaw in not real. You’re talking to a bot ... [You] should their company. If they don’t start putting safety infrastructure on their AI, there’s be held responsible, because you’re the one who just gonna be more and more cases of [this tragedy] in this increasingly digital world. decided to do that to yourself and ... believe that Character.ai must be held accountable for not being able to regulate this sort of [malieven though you knew a chatbot was not real. I do not cious] behavior with the AI. I do feel that it is irresponsible to use AI in such a way [think tech companies are responsible for the potential effects that their chatbots might have], because ... they’re just profiting off of it, not pur.*8*"4*+',5 is artificial. People using an AI may feel like they are talking to % $ a real person, with the fact that AI is realistic, means that posefully hurting people ... They gave warnings that users are talking to AI * it’s also the parent’s fault for not checking up on them, bots. It’s used for entertainment. I think every social media and AI [company but it is also Character.ai’s fault for not regulating itself has] that responsibility [to protect youth], but they fulfilled it by adding and making sure that it doesn’t harm people. One way warnings ... They should put a video or more warnings ... like an ad that users [to prevent these incidents] is to find keywords [that must watch to know it’s [not infallible]. I think maybe [government or legal suggest a tendency for self harm]. If you show and train institutions] could put age limits on certain AI chatbots ... or make [users] the AI on that, [the AI] can stop or report it to the auwatch government-mandated videos ... But I think other than that, it’s kind thorities of Character.ai.” of up to the parents to control what [their] kids are doing.”

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS VIKRAM MAHAJAN, EKASHA SIKKA, CHAM YU & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBER AAQIB ZISHAN

4 Opinion

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THE SMOKE SIGNAL Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 60, No. 4 December 13, 2024 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 1796 students EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kaylee Liu, Callie Yuan NEWS Shuhan Jin, Catherine Qin OPINION Padma Balaji, Keerti Koya FEATURE Tanvi Deshmukh, Trisha Parikh CENTERSPREAD Naisha Koppurapu, Ashley Pang A&E Goonja Basu, Brittany Lu SPORTS Howard Lu, Ethan Yan GRAPHICS Hannah Bi, Ivy Lu WEB Sarah Hu, Alice Zhao PUBLICITY/TECH Fiona Yang BUSINESS Rajorshi Chatterjee CIRCULATION Novak Chen, Tushara Devapatla ADVERTISING Angelina Chen EVENTS Navya Chitlur WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Roshan Annamalai, Dhaeshna Booma, Rajorshi Chatterjee, Navya Chitlur, Novak Chen, Angelina Chen, Tushara Devapatia, Ariel Duong, Kanupriya Goyal, Janet Guan, Felicity He, Scarlett Huang, Varun Madhavan, Vikram Mahajan, Kaiwei Parks, Michael Qu, Michelle Qu, Ekasha Sikka, Kaylin Teo, Luna Venturo, Prisha Virmani, Fiona Yang, Ariana Yi, Cham Yu, Emily Zhang, Lucas Zhang PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM Gaurasundara Amarnani, Eleanor Chen, Alex Duan, Abigaile Lei, Jennifer Li, Muyang Li, Rishab Shah, Aarav Vashisht, Megha Vashisht, Matthew Zhang, Aaqib Zishan ADVISER YC Low 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.

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The Smoke Signal

Keerti's Key

Padma's PersPective

Looking back

Finding hope in the face of uncertainty

By Keerti Koya Opinion Editor

By Padma Balaji Opinion Editor

Anyone who’s been to my room before will know it for one defining feature: the 8 by 6 foot wall covered top-to-bottom in photographs.

Pictures of family, friends, school events, vacations, and candid moments envelop the space. Yet I started this collage more than five years ago with an intention greater than being a mere room decoration — I wanted it to serve as a daily reminder of my life’s journey.

When I brush my teeth in the morning, tackle a tough homework problem, or collapse onto my bed after a long day, whether voluntarily or not, I catch a glimpse of my wall.

Each image tells a story. I see my younger self smiling at a birthday party, my family posing in front of a national park, and my friends laughing over an inside joke. In these moments, I’m reminded of how much I’ve experienced, how many incredible people I’ve been surrounded by, and how far I’ve come. A 2017 study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that reflecting on positive life experiences helps people feel a stronger sense of purpose and resilience in the face of challenges.

Seeing my wall serves as a quick moment of clarity and a way to feel grateful and grounded, even on the most overwhelming days.

In a world where we are constantly pushed to think about the future, pausing to appreciate our past can feel like a luxury. We plan for what’s next: exams, summer programs, or career paths. We stress over timelines and compare ourselves to others without end. But how often do

we stop to reflect on where we started? How often do we celebrate the milestones we’ve already achieved?

The photographs also serve as a reminder of the people who have long been there for me. Every picture of laughter, celebration, or even a simple day spent with loved ones reflects a community I’m incredibly grateful for. These people have lifted me when I’ve struggled, cheered for me when I’ve succeeded, and inspired me to keep growing. My wall isn’t just about my accomplishments but is proof of how a community's collective effort can foster an individual’s growth. Knowing that I’m supported — and have always been — continues to motivate me through both everyday life and stressful endeavors. Reflecting on the past reminds me that every obstacle I’ve faced has led to growth, every setback has been temporary, and every joyful moment has been worth treasuring. This perspective allows me to approach challenges with resilience because I’ve already proven to myself that I can overcome them.

We all need to take a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey we’re on. Whether it’s through photos, a journal, or simply a quiet conversation with yourself, looking back can be as powerful as planning for the future. Celebrate your growth, acknowledge your support system, and let your past remind you of everything you’re capable of. Because sometimes, the best way to move forward is by first looking back. ▪

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

The cost of networking LinkedIn has been all the rage for the past few years — people form connections that affect the course of their lives by simply clicking a button and use this business profile to start relationships all for the sake of material benefit. Over the years, networking culture transformed into an integral part of the modern professional world, touted as the key to career advancement and success. People seek to build mutually beneficial professional relationships — with their colleagues, mentors, and peers — that provide advice, collaboration, and opportunity. However, networking culture’s influence has permeated beyond the workplace, shaping how relationships are formed and perceived in students’ lives. Among students, this influence has developed into a toxic approach to relationships, as students pursue friendships for materialistic gain rather than genuine connection. While valuable professionally, networking culture erodes authenticity and trust in relationships, replacing them with transactional interactions that undermine the importance of genuine human connection.

This increasingly prevalent culture emphasizes strategic relationships, encouraging an environment where friends prioritize individual success over helping each other. Transactional mindsets, in which people act a certain way to receive something in return, reduce relationships to tools for personal gain, setting up unrealistic expectations for a friendship.

This pursuit turns toxic as trust and support are overtaken by self-centered

Friday, December 13, 2024

mannerisms contributing to a lack of trust that many relationships face when either party feels pressured to put themselves first, and giving rise to the effects of the loneliness epidemic and a friendship paradox.

In 2022, the National Library of Medicine conducted the American Friendship Project, a report on the status and health of friendships studying two national samples of American adults and a large sample of college students. More than 40% of Americans felt they were not as close to their friends as they would have liked to be.

Ironically, the American Survey Center reported in 2021 that one in four young people would turn to a friend first when facing personal problems.

However, they aren’t able to, as when students or peers view each other as their obstacles, they hide their successes and opportunities from each other. Students lose the ability to be vulnerable in front of those they are closest to, resulting in even further rivalry as the relationships’ authenticity is eroded and broken into factors that shouldn’t matter in a true friendship.

In the competitive environment of networking culture, students often feel the need to present an idealized version of themselves, which can create a sense of disconnect as they navigate relationships that may increasingly feel like rivalry. This pressure exacerbates feelings of inadequacy, as constant comparison to one’s peers fuels anxiety and self-doubt. In an article published by the Journal of Adult Development, studies found that frequent social comparisons were

associated with a range of destructive emotions and behaviors, such as guilt, dishonesty, and in-group bias, or the tendency to favor one’s group over others. This is worsened by the recent loneliness epidemic as US young adults are experiencing significant levels of loneliness. According to a 2024 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, 30% of Americans aged 18 to 34 reported feeling lonely every day or several times a week. Networking culture only worsens the quality of relationships and thus intensifies the epidemic. This idea highlights the urgent need to rebuild relationships on a foundation of vulnerability, authenticity, and trust — qualities that build genuine emotional support and meaningful connections, which are increasingly absent in today’s competitive social landscape.

To combat the negative effects of networking culture, we must collectively shift our mindset from “What can this person do for me?” to “What can I learn from this person?” Students should strive to break free from this mindset prioritizing utility over humanity. Engage with people for the sake of genuine connection. Share your passions and interests openly, and listen to others with curiosity and empathy. Most importantly, broaden your perspective to see life beyond the narrow confines of work, college, and achievement. Sincere connections and authentic relationships should take precedence over calculated networking in order to truly create a culture that values people for who they are, not what they offer. ▪

It was the night of Tuesday, November 5 — my foot nervously tapped against the floor as I refreshed the electoral college map tab on my laptop. My homework sat untouched on my desk while I watched The New York Times election forecast needle flick back and forth, election coverage playing from my living room TV in the background.

For me and millions of other Americans, this was the most anticipated night of the year. It was the most pivotal election of my lifetime, and I felt as though my future — and the future of the country — hung in the balance.

I woke up Wednesday morning ready to snooze my alarm, as usual, before remembering and frantically Googling election results. A feeling of anxiety washed over me as I saw the map flush with red and I realized that the months of rampant election speculation were over. While for many, the weeks following were filled with ecstatic celebrations, for me and my communities, they were filled with shock — shock that slowly simmered down into uncertainty and fear.

As a young person without the power to vote, I’ve often felt powerless to make my voice heard, as though my voice has no space in politics. I’ve seen the issues I care about — climate change, education, healthcare access — consistently pushed aside by legislators. My news feed was inundated with gloom and doom, and I began to feel increasingly disillusioned and hopeless the fragmented, polarized climate that

seemed to govern over politics. I’m not alone in feeling this way: according to a study by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, 52% of the younger voters have “no or little trust in government institutions.”

As the uncertainty of a new administration dawned on me, I found myself feeling increasingly hopeless about my future and the future of the communities around me, feeling powerless to change it. However, I’ve also found that the best way to combat powerlessness is through action. Whether it’s through my climate advocacy, community organizing, or emailing my representatives, I’ve found that action, particularly collective action, not only dispels feelings of anxiety and powerlessness, but catalyzes change for us and our community.

As we head into these next four years, it’s vital that we channel our anxiety into action rather than apathy, using our fear and anger about the state of the future to propel us into doing something to change it.

It’s also vital that we remember that, as young people, we do have the power to make change. Change starts in our communities. Engaging in local politics and advocacy, whether it’s organizing at the student body level, lobbying for city-wide legislation, or speaking with our local representatives, is just as crucial as large-scale, national action. Regardless of our political orientation or beliefs, we should all strive to fight for the issues that matter to us, remembering that change ultimately starts with our own, individual actions. ▪

By Fiona Yang & Lucas Zhang Staff Writers

STAFF WRITER FIONA YANG

STAFF WRITER LUCAS ZHANG

Friday, December 13, 2024

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Opinion 5

The dangers of political scapegoating

By Janet Guan, Scarlett Huang, Vikram Mahajan & Cham Yu Staff Writers

Election background

Scapegoating Fuels a After Harris’ defeat, disDouble Standard appointed Demo-

scapegoating & polarization

According to the Carnegie Endowment for Inter“Latinos and Arabs … Hope you all get deported national Peace, the US has seen a concerning rise and banned,” an X user said, echoing the sentiments in political polarization in the recent decade. In a of many disappointed Democrats. Just days after the crats sought to pin the blame on certain 2022 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 2024 election results were confirmed, social media demographics for their votes. Disillusioned Arab72% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats viewed platforms across the Internet saw a surge in fingerand Muslim-American voters in the Detroit suburbs the other as a a lot or more immoral than other pointing by Democratic voters against minority elecwho voted third-party, partly as a result of the IsAmericans. Scapegoattorates. The rise of this minority scapegoating in the rael-Gaza conflict, were considered as casting ing minority groups weeks following the election was largely a response “wasted votes” that helped deliver the crucial of Republicans & in the recent election to shifting party affiliations within minority demoswing state of Michigan to Trump. Such voters only further fuels this graphics, as the Democratic Party lost ground from were called out as ignorant and as inadverof Democrats divide by discouraging some traditional sources of support: the Latino, tently delivering the White House to Donald individuals from seekArab and pro-Palestinian, and Asian American elecTrump against their own interests. Whether viewed the other as a lot ing to understand the torates all swung towards the Republican Party in Democrats did enough in support of Pales- or more immoral than diverse viewpoints of this election. tine is its own debate; what is indisputable, other Americans unfamiliar groups.

Pew Research Center found in a decades-long aghowever, is that the Democratic response — The reliance on stereotypes that dictate the pogregate poll that since 1994, Black, Latino, and Asian with some individuals expressing outright hatred litical beliefs of minority groups in minority scapevoters have consistently sided with the Democratic towards the entire Muslim and Arab demographics goating ultimately normalizes close-minded thinkParty in elections. This election turned the conven— only further alienated such voters and further ing.

Anti-Palestinian comments made by political tional political wisdom on its head, with some of deepened the wedge between them and the Demcommentators against Arab voters frequently refthese demographic groups trending sharply towards ocratic Party. “These communities were blamed for erenced the irony of supporting Trump’s campaign the Republicans. For example, Latino men swung 13 ‘not knowing what's best for them,' as though Hardespite his anti-immigration policies. “[M]uslims percentage points Republican. ris was running altruistically to protect them from voting for [T]rump as if he hasn’t proclaimed himMinorities such as Latinos and Arabs that demonthe dangers of a second Trump presidency ... [Harself a white supremacist and wants us gone from strated a defiance of traditional voting patterns by ris supporters] could not hide their racism, implying this country,” one X post said. However, the idea their unprecedented sway to the Republican Party that it was incumbent upon these minority comthat the entire Arab electorate bases its votes upon have been met with backlash from Democratic votmunities to a single political standpoint is a severe gross geners in the wake of Trump’s victovote withRightward Shift of Voters by County eralization — it is critical to recognize that within ry. Instead of addressing the in the every demographic, there will always be diversity nation’s evolving political guidein political opinion and affiliations. By homogenizlandscape and considering lines proing the needs and political beliefs of the Arab elecsome of the individual reavided by torate, Democratic voters neglect the complex and sons that voters switched their liberal personal issues that motivate individual votes. political affiliation, users saviours ...

When people depend on stereotypes to generalize resorted to scapegoating This viewpoint a large demographic, they no longer find value in minority groups for failing strips minorempathizing with their experiences. to vote according to partiity communities Beyond fueling stereotypes, scapegoating itself san expectations. By framing of their rights as silently justifies insensitivity towards the adverse minority votes as the sole cause equal citizens who experiences of marginalized groups. of the election results, votcan partake in the ers embrace stereotypes that democratic proBy fueling stereotypes, scapegoating itself sifalsely ascribe political views cess indepenlently justifies insensitivity towards the adverse to ethnicities and neglect dently,” politiexperiences of marginalized groups. the intrinsic political diversity cal activist Raja Racist rhetoric against Arabs as well as anti-Palesand complexity within these de- m o g r a p h i c s .

Abdulhaq said tinian sentiment by Democratic voters in the recent Adopting a parochial view of the political landscape for the Middle election edged dangerously close to extremism. “I only perpetuates an ideological echo chamber that Eastern Eye. can’t wait until Netanyahu gets the green light to overshadows the perspectives of others, normalizSome Demoturn Gaza into a parking lot,” one X user said. As ing a political scapegoating that reinforces polarizacratic pundits continue to support the flawed noscapegoating typically occurs behind the context of tion and social division. tion that minority voting patterns were largely larger conflicts, it gives racist and extremist ideas motivated by misinformation. The liberal-leaning the opportunity to thrive with little mitigation.

Brookings Institution, for example, blamed disWhen these harmful ideologies are reiterated on information as the major factor for Harris’ loss.

E xit social media platforms and other accessible envi“Examples [of disinformation] this fall include the polling and election analyronments, it allows the general public to be more infamous stories about immigrants eating cats and sis have demonstrated susceptible to widespread apathy and racial insendogs ... [and] Kamala Harris in a swimsuit hugging that the observed electoral shift during the election sitivity. In grouping minorities as uniform elector... Jeffrey Epstein ... Disinformation flowed into our occurred at large. Regardless of demographic affiliaates with vastly different voting trends than the info-ecosystem from other countries as well,” Dartion, voters have expressed widespread dissatisfacrest of the US, their individuality and concerns are rel M. West said for the Brookings Insitution. While tion with the current administration’s economic perleft unseen and unheard. This was the case before disinformation plays a major role in each electoral formance over the last four years. the election, when the Democratic Party took micycle, exercising such a notion trivializes minority In 2022, the US economy was struck by unprecnorities for granted, and now, when they are subconcerns by chalking their educated decisions on edented inflation as a result of pandemic supplyjected to vitriol by angered Democrats en masse. who to vote for as merely driven by disinformation. chain shocks. Despite inflation largely returning to In a society where people place little value on the Instead of addressing voter concerns, denigrating pre-pandemic levels, prices have remained high. lives and suffering of others, meaningful reconciliminority perspectives can reinforce political stereoNational exit polling last month found that 81% of ation between opposing political beliefs and differtypes about minority voting behavior and hinder voters characterized the economy as a “very imporing life experiences cannot exist. effective democratic representation. tant” issue, with 46% of respondents reporting that their family’s financial situation was worse than four years ago, compared to just 24% who reported that Instead of searching for fault in smaller, underrepresented it was better. These poll numbers reflect a broad demographics, partisans should look towards themselves consensus, across demographic groups, of economfor future improvement. Blaming minority groups is a convenient shortcut, but it is one that ultimateic pessimism among the electorate. It was inflation ly divides communities more than it resolves differences. It is far easier to trivialize rampant illegal imrather than any one minority group that contributed migration at the southern border from a community 500 miles north, to dismiss the loss of manufacturmost to Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat, a fact ing jobs from the relative economic privilege of the Bay Area, or to minimize the Israel-Gaza War from corroborated by an analysis in The New York Times. the safety of the US than to recognize and address these contentious topics. For people to counterTerms such as “Bidenflation” that entered the poact the urge to blame complex issues on their differences, they must work towards extending greatlitical lexicon inextricably tied the bleak economic er understanding to each other, whether it be through holding civil political discussions or familiarizlandscape to the incumbent administration, thus ing themselves with the variety in life experiences that characterize the distinctive diversity of the US. causing a universal swing away from the Democrats Students can similarly avoid feeding into political polarization by practicing critical thinking through stayacross all demographics. ing politically well-informed as well as seeking new experiences to expand their world view. As the nation continues to face new economic difficulties and social developments, the political landscape Read student and staff voices will once again face unanticipated change. Rather than allow unfamiliarity to induce conflict and exat www.thesmokesignal.org acerbate polarization, society must reconcile with its intrinsic diversity and move forward together.

72% 63%

Nationwide Economic Dissatisfaction

Conclusion

GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR PADMA BALAJI, NPR.ORG

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Opinion & Feature 7

H.R. 6408 sets dangerous precedents for free speech and democracy

By Roshan Annamalai, Rajorshi Chatterjee & Tushara Devapatla Staff Writers H.R. 6408, titled the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, was proposed to the House of Representatives on Nov. 14, 2023, and would give the Secretary of the Treasury the power to designate any nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” and revoke its tax-exempt status. Although the bill was framed as a way to protect taxpayer money, it was more of a way to impose consequences for the growing Palestinian support in America following the actions of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and the violence initiated by the state of Israel after, with many individuals saying that the bill is structured as a way to target proPalestinian groups. H.R. 6408 sets a harmful precedent — by allocating immense control of non-profits to the government, the act gives it the unfair power of revoking status to organizations they disagree with, and ultimately taking away the freedom of speech through imposing government restrictions.

Congressmen David Kustoff and Brad Schneider proposed the bill based on unsubstantiated claims pushed by media outlet HonestReporting that journalists documenting the October 7 attacks by Hamas knew about them in advance. The bill suggested amending the Internal Revenue Code by terminating tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations suspected of supporting terrorist groups.

“American taxpayer funds should never be used to support terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah or ISIS,” Schneider said in an official press release. On April 15, the bill was passed in the House by a landslide bipartisan vote of 382-11, though a motion to reconsider was

proposed and accepted immediately afterward.

Related bill H.R. 9495, which was passed in the House on November 21 and expounded upon text mentioned in H.R. 6408, would give the Secretary of the Treasury the power to single-handedly determine which organizations are considered terrorist and thus subject to H.R. 6408, stripping them of their tax-exempt status.

If H.R. 6408 is signed into law, it would threaten the foundations of a country built on the principles of free speech and expression. When such a large amount of power is given to a single person within the government, it has an increased chance of being misused. This is inherently a violation of the First Amendment constitutional right to free expression, setting a precedent for censorship and stifling of the public’s voice.

“If H.R. 6408 is signed into law, it would threaten the foundations of a country built on the principles of free speech and expression.”

H.R 6408 would distill issues like the crisis in Gaza and ignore the nuances within them by categorizing them as “terrorist” or not. The bill disregards the complexity within sociopolitical issues and allows the government to explicitly frame one side as bad based on their own agendas. Americans have the right to protest and fight for values they believe in, and for the government to disregard this right would further social unrest and destabilize society.

Moreover, there is little evidence to support

the claim that the Hamas attacks were known by journalists in advance, which instigated the bill’s creation. Based on the fact that there happened to be multiple photojournalists at Gaza at the time of the incident, HonestReporting made baseless attacks against media outlets.

This led to the idea that several Americans had known about the attack in advance and colluded with Hamas. Despite HonestReporting later backtracking and admitted there was no evidence, the sensationalist claims ultimately incited the creation of H.R. 6408.

The introduction of H.R. 6408 isn’t the first time bills have been promoted under the guise of protecting national security but have instead given the federal government more oversight into citizens’ everyday lives. For example, in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act gave US law enforcement the unprecedented power to search citizens’ private communications, which included email, medical, financial, and other records, without any probable cause. The bill in practice, however, primarily targeted Muslim individuals and has been used to unfairly frame them for crimes they did not commit. Like the USA PATRIOT Act, H.R. 6408 can have consequences reaching far b e yond what it was intended to do. Being able to label any organization as terrorist subsequently grants the government the ability to unfairly punish organizations that support historically marginalized groups — the same consequences of the USA PATRIOT Act. It is imperative to reflect on the past failures of the government and strive to fix, not repeat, their mistakes.

H.R. 6408 would also undermine people’s understanding of and trust in democratic freedoms by threatening those who are willing to speak up for their beliefs. The fear of being labeled as engaging in “terrorism” can deter individuals, especially high school students and young adults, from advocating for causes that challenge government policies or views.

Many young people seek to engage with nonprofits and political movements as a means of developing political awareness and expressing their ideals. However, the potential of being accused as terrorists could produce a chilling effect, preventing people from speaking out or taking action by silencing them with fear. This would ultimately lead to citizens becoming less involved in civic life and limit their ability to engage in a functioning democracy.

Ultimately, H.R. 6408 has capitalized on sensationalism in order to stifle Americans’ freedom of expression.

However, because this bill is still passing through Congress, students can advocate against it by contacting their representatives in the Senate.

The website www.congress.gov allows anyone to text Congress specifically about H.R. 6408 and any concerns they may have with it. Students can also join clubs such as MSJ BAStA, which is dedicated to activism, to learn how to advocate against this bill within their community — ensuring the bill does not go into action is crucial to keeping the sanctity of the freedoms given to individuals safe. ▪ GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR KEERTI KOYA

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Feature 9

DHTH:

SNOW gLOBEs

By Janet Guan, Ekasha Sikka, Luna Venturo & Emily Zhang Staff Writers

Before

Before

Before

Before

As a survivor of a YouTube-fueled quarantine DIY phase, I am confident that my extensive crafting experience will secure my spot at the top of the podium. Unlike my previous endeavors, however, this will be no five-minute craft, but rather a carefully planned, majestic display of holiday spirit, elaborate figurine placement, and, of course, glitter. The hours I’ve spent perusing Pinterest in preparation for this challenge have only boosted my shot at first place, and with a pinch of holiday magic and my hot glue gun on standby, it’s indubitable that my creation will be unbeatable. Heading into this competition, I don’t just think I will emerge the winner, I snow I will.

With seven years of dedicated art experience, including numerous hours spent honing my technical skills and endless drawing sessions in my free time, I’m no stranger to creating something extraordinary. This DieHard TryHards appears to be the perfect stage to showcase my creativity and talent, a perfect start in my redemption arc from third-place I received in last month’s challenge. From sketching out the perfect design of my snow globe to bringing it to life with detail and precision, I’m here to prove that my artistic journey has prepared me for this moment. Get ready, because my final creation will not just be any snow globe, but my magnum o p u s .

Despite seven years of art classes on my resume, my craft-making history can only be summarized as catastrophic. From tangling countless friendship bracelets to super-gluing my own fingers, far too many of my artistic pursuits have ended in tragedy. However, I am confident that through rigorous and strategic preparation, my performance in this Diehard Tryhards will turn the tides. After watching dozens of Youtube tutorials at 2x speed and desperately Googling inspiration for an hour, I am now truly an expert in snow-globe making.

I’ve always valued humility, but I have a feeling that Santa Claus will be offering me an executive position in his toy factory after this.

As an experienced artist and hardcore lover of crafts, I’m extremely confident in my ability to take this win home, creating the most exquisite snow globe of all time. I have a detailed plan on how to execute this project which details creating wonderful trinkets and decorations, out of various cobbled together materials into a lovely collage of textures, shapes and colors. With a decade of experience under my belt, coupled with my creative mind, I truly believe I will flourish in this competition and cast aside any doubts others may have about my skills. My snow globe will be a m a g n i fi c e n t representation of the cold yet cozy feeling of this time of year. I will absolutely amaze the judges with my stunning project.

Janet

Luna

What can I say? A little creativity and a lot of chaos and voil — first place was mine.

As promised, my inner DIY queen met the challenge and crafted her way to first place. Yet, despite ending in victory, this DieHard TryHards challenge was no walk in the park — or should I say forest. My initial attempt at recreating a scene in the woods from Bambi resulted in a terrifying, distorted blob of clay that looked more like a bush than Bambi, so I opted for a woodland theme with store bought deer figurines instead. Even after I had completed my snow globe, I faced several obstacles. I was somewhat upset when my jar started leaking, and when I walked into class and saw my fellow Smokies’ work, all I could say was, “oh deer.” Ultimately, I stayed true to my word and brought home the gold — the metaphorical star on my Christmas tree this season.

Never would I have thought that creating a snow globe would be such an arduous task. After days of trying to create the p e r f e c t Pinterest-esque snowglobe at my battered arts and crafts table, I ended up with second place. While it is a step up from last time’s bronze, gold was the goal. What was supposed to be a charming, simple gingerbread man stepping into the snow-covered world of Candy Land somehow turned into a shockingly glittery disaster. In my usual impatience, I didn’t realize the UV resin I used to waterproof the clay was sticky because I didn’t give it enough time to cure. Hence, when I added water to the globe too early, the glitter in the water ended up unfortunately sticking to the resin. The result? A gingerbread man that was blindingly glittery — far shinier than I’d ever intended. As a desperate attempt to save the project, I attached a line of fairy lights to the base of the snow globe, but even that couldn’t offset the glittery mess.

Well … it seems that I might have to distance myself from Santa’s toy factory this Christmas with this placement. From melting Mod Podge to disintegrating clay, my clay figurine went through quit the ordeal. Just an hour after I hot-glued my snow globe shut, my figurine toppled off the lid and dove head-first into a glitter blizzard. At that point, all I wanted for Christmas was a holiday miracle. However, I am a firm believer that every loss is really just a victory in disguise.

In persevering through the transformative journey of snow-globe making, I’ve gained invaluable wisdom: overconfidence cannot replace the hard-earned fruits of diligent planning and practice, and more importantly, unless you want to witness the untimely death of a clay doll, don’t dump Modge Podge in water before it cures completely — really, one hour isn’t “good enough.”

Although t h e results aren’t what I expected, I’m still proud of myself as this was my first time making a snow globe. Do not be fooled, if those strange otherworldly forces such as fate and bad luck had not plotted and prayed for my downfall, I truly believe I could have won. Just as everything was ready, my fate took a turn, and luck stabbed me in my back. The glue that held the base of my Christmas tree to the lid of the snow globe dissolved.

In a panic, I tried to reattatch it with a stronger glue. Yet my misfortune struck again when the adhesive came loose again after very little time submerged in the snow globe. I did and still do truly believe my knowledge of crafts would help me get an edge, however things just didn’t go my way. In a future challenge, perhaps in a future challenge, I will prove that I’m not just all talk.

After

After

After

After

11

Ekasha

32

Emily

23

33

PHOTOS BY FEATURE EDITOR TRISHA PARIKH. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TRISHA PARIKH

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The Smoke Signal

Aquarius

Astrology has become a prevalent part of modern culture, with millions around the world turning to their horoscopes for guidance and insight. To explore this widespread practice, the Smoke Signal compiled a list of significant celestial signs and charts and researched origins and evolution of astrology.

Aquarius (January 20–February 18), symbolized by the Water Bearer, is inventive, independent, and sociable but can sometimes be detached or unpredictable. They match well romantically with Gemini, Libra, and Sagittarius, find synergy with Gemini and Aries at work, and thrive with unconventional friendships with Sagittarius and Gemini.

By Roshan Annamalai, Dhaeshna Booma, Michael Qu & Prisha Virmani Staff Writers

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Pisces

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21), symbolized by the Archer, is adventurous, optimistic, and philosophical, though they can be restless and tactless at times. Aries, Leo, and Aquarius are their best matches in love, while Gemini and Aries inspire them at work. They prefer friendships with bold and free-spirited signs like Aries and Aquarius.

Pisces (February 19–March 20), symbolized by the Fish, is compassionate, artistic, and imaginative, yet their escapism and emotional sensitivity can hold them back. In love, Cancer, Scorpio, and Taurus provide stability. At work, Pisces succeed alongside empathetic colleagues like Cancer and Capricorn, while their closest friends are often Scorpio and Cancer.

Sagittarius Leo

Virgo Babylonian Origin

Ancient Greece

Astrology originated in Babylon, around third millenium BCE. After observing the Sun’s path through a ring of 12 constellations, the Babylonians divided the sky into 12 sections, creating the zodiac circle that is known today. The ancient system emphasized celestial patterns, and they believed the movements directly influenced events on Earth. For example, they used the zodiac to predict agricultural cycles, weather patterns, and even the outcomes of wars. This system heavily influenced later civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, who expanded on the ideas. However, the precession of the equinoxes, the moments the sun is directly above the equator, caused a shift in the zodiac over time, causing the astrological signs today to no longer match the original constellations they were based on.

The Greeks adopted Babylonian astrological systems and integrated them into their mythology. For example, the constellation Aries was linked to the golden ram of Jason and the Argonauts. The Greeks referred to the celestial zone containing these constellations as zodiakos kyklos, meaning “circle of animals.” Astrology was seen as part of a larger cosmic order. Philosophers like Plato viewed celestial movements as a reflection of the soul’s journey and moral order, while Aristotle connected planetary motions to the idea of a “prime mover,” a powerful influence that shaped both the heavens and the natural world.

Rise in Popularity In the 19th century, astrology resurged through the spiritualist movements, which emerged as a response to rapid societal changes like industrialization and scientific advancements. This period marked the introduction of newspaper horoscopes, which provided weekly predictions based on one’s zodiac sign, and the rise of sun sign astrology, a simplified version of astrology. By 1895, astrology became a fashionable trend, particularly among high society women. In the early 1900s, astrologers gained massive popularity with predictions about WWI, a future president, and the Star of Bethlehem. Today, astrology remains a significant part of popular culture, with millions identifying with their zodiac signs. Social media further expanded astrology’s reach, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram fueling trends like birth chart readings and astrological forecasts, making astrology accessible to a global audience.

Ancient Egypt

Renaissance

In ancient Egypt, astrology was deeply entwined with religious beliefs and the seasonal floods of the Nile River, which determined the agricultural cycle. The Egyptians developed a sophisticated 12-month lunar calendar that marked natural phenomena with certain celestial events, like the helical rise of Sirius signifying the start of the annual flood. They believed astrological occurrences played a significant role in determining the destinies of pharaohs, whose reigns were seen as the will of the gods. Egyptian temples were often decorated with star maps, zodiac symbols, and constellations, reflecting the belief that the heavens were directly connected to divine power and had a strong influence on daily life.

During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in astrology as classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome were rediscovered and translated. These texts were studied alongside astronomy, forming natural philosophy: a field that blended science, spirituality, and mysticism. Astronomers incorporated astrological calculations into their work, believing there were celestial influences in areas like weather and medicine. At the time, astrology’s influence extended beyond science. For example, some monarchs, like Elizabeth I of England, employed astrologers as advisors. However, as Copernicus and Galileo advanced the heliocentric model of the universe and scientific discovery further progressed, astrology gradually became regarded more as a pseudoscience.

In astrology, each planet symbolizes universal aspects of the human experience and governs different parts of our psyche, influencing desires, needs, and traits depicted in the natal chart. The Sun (Leo) reflects ego and core personality, while the Moon (Cancer) governs emotions and instincts. Mercury (Gemini and Virgo) represents intellect and communication, and Venus (Taurus and Libra) symbolizes love and beauty. Mars (Aries) drives passion and action, “[In ancient Jupiter (Sagittarius) fosters growth and luck, and Satsocieties], I think urn (Capricorn) highlights discipline and [astrology] was probaresponsibility. Uranus (Aquarius) brings eccenbly way more serious tricity and change, Neptune (Pisces) unveils because they didn’t have dreams and imagination, and Pluto (Scorthe science we do now. pio) explores power and transformation, They used it to make sense of with each planet’s transit influencing stuff like seasons or big events, life differently.

but I guess it also influenced things like decisions or beliefs about fate.” — Aashrith Morumganti, 11

it

Virgo (August 23–September 22), symbolized by the Virgin, is organized, wise, and meticulous but may struggle with overthinking and harsh self-criticism. Taurus, Capricorn, and Cancer offer romantic stability, while Capricorn and Scorpio are their ideal colleagues. They prefer friendships with reliable and steady signs like Taurus and Cancer.

Leo (July 23–August 22), symbolized by the Lion, is bold, creative, and charismatic but may come across as domineering or self-centered. They are most romantically compatible with Aries, Sagittarius, and Libra. At work, their confidence aligns well with Gemini and Aquarius, and socially, they enjoy the company of fun-loving Aries and Gemini.

Gemini

Gemini (May 21–June 20), symbolized by the Twins, is curious, outgoing, and witty but may sometimes be scattered or inconsistent. Libra, Aquarius, and Aries are their best romantic matches, while Leo and Aquarius bring out their creativity at work. In friendship, they connect best with energetic signs like Aries and Sagittarius.

Libra Libra (September 23–October 22), symbolized by the Balance, is charming, fair-minded, and social but may be overly idealistic or indecisive.

Gemini, Aquarius, and Leo complement them in love, while they flourish professionally alongside Leo and Sagittarius. Their friendships tend to thrive with easygoing signs like Gemini and Aquarius.

Capricorn Capricorn (December 22–January 19), symbolized by the Goat, is focused, disciplined, and practical but may seem too reserved or pessimistic.

Taurus, Virgo, and Scorpio create stable romantic connections for them, while Virgo and Taurus share their strong work ethic. They value lasting friendships with reliable signs like Taurus and Scorpio.

Scorpio Scorpio (October 23–November 21), symbolized by the Scorpion, is intense, passionate, and resourceful, yet they can also be secretive and controlling. They pair well romantically with Cancer, Pisces, and Virgo, collaborate best with Capricorn and Virgo, and cherish emotionally deep friendships with Cancer and Pisces.

Taurus

Taurus (April 20–May 20), symbolized by the Bull, is reliable, patient, and grounded but can struggle with jealousy and inflexibility. Their most fulfilling relationships are with Virgo, Capricorn, and Pisces, while coworkers like Virgo and Scorpio help them excel. Emotionally, they gravitate toward nurturing friendships with Cancer and Pisces.

Centerspread 11

Cancer Cancer (June 21–July 22), symbolized by the Crab, is empathetic, intuitive, and deeply caring but prone to mood swings and insecurity. Scorpio, Pisces, and Taurus offer the most romantic harmony, and they succeed alongside dependable coworkers like Virgo and Taurus. Their closest friendships often form with Scorpio and Pisces.

Aries Aries (March 21–April 19), symbolized by the Ram, is fearless, driven, and full of energy. However, their impatience and impulsiveness can cause friction in relationships. They thrive romantically with Leo, Sagittarius, and Gemini, work well with forward-thinking signs like Aquarius and Leo, and seek adventurous companions like Gemini and Sagittarius.

A natal chart is a personalized astrological chart that depicts the positions of the planets at the time of a person’s birth and is used to gain insight into one’s characteristics, relationships, and path in life. The chart is a circle centered on Earth and divided into 12 equal sectors, each representing a zodiac and the traits it embodies. The positions of the planets, which symbolize specific character archetypes, are then plotted on the chart. The sector in which each planet lies determines the trait through which each characteristic is expressed. For instance, Venus in the Gemini sector and represents the trait of expressing love through communication. Furthermore, the relative alignment of planets shows the strength of their influence on an individual. For instance, when Mercury and Neptune align with Earth, one’s intelligence and imagination are raised.

“I don’t think astrology can provide meaningful insights as it has “I think astrology stays existed for so long yet. There’s still no evipopular because it gives people dence to prove that there's anything factual a sense of comfort and control. It's an about it. I think it’s just pseudoscience and easy way to make sense of the unknown, the people who believe in it just look at when like relationships or future events, without having it’s right, and ignore when it’s wrong ... I’m to put in a lot of effort. Plus, it's fun to read your horofamiliar with my zodiac sign. Some of the traits scope or talk about your sign with others, especially since are right and some aren’t, which makes me it's so widely shared online ... My family follows astrological signs think that when each sign throws out a bunch somewhat, and they use it in conjunction with religious rituals and ceremonies. of common traits, there are always some that For instance, it might be used to choose which day to perform a specific ritual. There's also a ritare right and are a coincidence.” — Myron Wu, 11 ual called sandhyavandanam we do which uses horoscopes.” — Pradyumna Krishna, 10

GRAPHICS BY EDITOR-IN-CHEIF KAYLEE LIU & CENTERSPREAD EDITOR ASHLEY PANG

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DEAR DIARY: Nov.29@11a.m. Dec.9@4a.m. overworked

ELF

By Lucas Zhang Staff Writer

During the festive holiday season, people around the world anticipate the arrival of gifts from Santa Claus on Christmas Day. To ensure the timely delivery of these gifts, Santa commands a massive workforce of elves that diligently labor throughout the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

However, one particular elf is tired of the toiling, furious that Santa has overworked him each winter, before realizing that he can always find fun for himself, even under these circumstances.

The holiday season has just started, but much to our discontent, several naughty children have already made ridiculous requests like huge TVs and new dinner tables that Santa requires us to fulfill anyway. To make things worse, he always orders us to prepare the humongous presents during the first week. The shorter preparation cycle this year seems to have already taken its toll on me and my fellow elf friends. If people just asked for all the huge, hard-to-produce gifts they want during Black Friday, then the Polar Express would not have to cram nearly as much in its stock as Amazon does.

After all, they have an entire rainforest to themselves, while we only have ever-shrinking shelves of ice to work with.

Dec.6@7P.m.

The first of four work weeks is over, and I can only hope that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel of work Santa has put me through. More early present requests than usual Today marks Thanksmeans that we have to giving, a cherished holwork overtime, but iday across the nation even the extra two NORTH POLE in which families unite or three hours per to celebrate their gratiday is not enough tude. Yet, for us elves, it to meet current dedeclares the beginning of a mands.

As a result, we no THIS WA Y grueling cycle of gift prolonger have weekends duction. To the people down off, and I would rather south, the magical arrival of Sanbury myself in coal than ta Claus as he returns to the North continue my shifts in Santa’s Pole after the Macy’s Thanksgiving workshop if this craze continues.

Day Parade may be a sign of hapDo the people down south even piness. But up north, even receivunderstand how much work goes ing coal would be better than the into each of their gifts? Is it really torture that we will now endure. worth continuing with this job?

Nov.28@9P.m.

I finally get to enjoy my four hours of rest after having just completed a Sunday night shift. I’ve started to think that Santa has started to not care about our sleep schedules and health. Does he know that we may not be able to contribute for the next two weeks if we fall sick? Does he understand that more early requests may not correspond to more last-minute requests? Santa should start feeling more jolly toward us too, not just the people down south.

Dec.13@9P.m.

With several wishes taking a whole elf crew many hours across several days to craft, Santa has announced to us that we will be working for at least twelve hours every single day until Christmas Eve. He urges us to persist, reminding us that we have the spirit of nutcrackers within us and will not crack under pressure. However, I personally do not believe that productivity equates to enjoyment, even if we produce presents. I am sure that all of us elves will eventually reach our breaking point, unable to function if this keeps up.

Dec.23@1P.m.

Feasting on the lunch provided by Santa’s workshop kitchen hours before Christmas Eve, I am glad that I have survived three entire weeks of producing presents with no breaks (besides sleeping and eating). Santa has announced to us that we have finally prepared enough gifts to fulfill every wish and last-day requests around the world, so our next step is to personalize the deliveries before loading them on the famous sleigh. Even though

it is really the same workload as before, I suddenly feel a sense of freedom now that the end of this year’s cycle is in sight.

Dec.25@12P.m.

After delivering presents down chimneys with Santa, I now realize that I can always find ways to have fun in any situation. Preparing physical presents can turn into a mundane and repetitive task, but upon seeing the glimmering smiles of people receiving their personalized gifts, it feels like I contributed to the holiday spirit. This way, people can actually appreciate all the work us elves have done to produce, wrap, and deliver these goods, leading them to not neglect the work and care that goes into every individual gift.

Maybe being a workaholic is not as terrible as I thought it was. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year. ▪

GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TANVI DESHMUKH

Club Spotlight: MSJ Poverty Patch-Up

By Tushara Devapatla & Ariel Duong Staff Writers

As the newest service club on campus, MSJ Poverty Patch-Up is dedicated to helping CA’s homeless and impoverished communities, raising funds, and spreading awareness of the urgent growth of the population. The club was founded as an official club in October 2024, and since then, it has held their first event, a clothing donation drive. This marks the first of many developments and initiatives coordinated by the MSJ Poverty Patch-Up officer team, including President Sophomore Abirami Palaniappan and Vice President Sophomore Aarushi Agarwal.

Palaniappan drew inspiration to establish a Poverty Patch-Up chapter at MSJ last year, after packaging and distributing meals to the homeless at a Dublin service event organized by the national nonprofit. As she looked to the MSJ community for like-minded peers to expand Poverty Patch-Up, her team began to assemble with the ambition to serve the disadvantaged. “We messaged the founder and asked to start a chapter here to reach more therefore make a greater impact on Fremont … There [is] a lot of homelessness and poverty in our area as well … we decided to do something first,” Agarwal said. With the addition of the MSJ chapter, Poverty PatchUp’s community com-

include fundraisers such as a bake sale and volunteer opportunities at a soup kitchen in late December. While the club’s focus is service, they also advocate for feasible change to uplift the homeless population in Fremont. “Right now, Fremont is trying to make it illegal for people who live in cars to [park for the night]. We’re working on a proposition to the council to make sure that they’re able to actually have a place to live,” Agarwal said.

“Right now, Fremont is trying to make it illegal for people who live in cars to [park for the night].

We’re working on a proposition to the council to make sure that they’re able to actually have a place to live.”

Left to right: Anshika Jain, Aparajita Rai, Dhritee Desai, Anika Srinivasan, Arsh Shah. Bottom: Neha Puttichanda, Abirami Palaniappan, Aarushi Agarwal

has grown its members across the Bay Area to more than 200 with MSJ contributing up to 29, offering ample service opportunities, workshops, and drives.

“We messaged the founder and asked to start a chapter here to reach more people, and therefore make a greater impact on Fremont ... There [is] a lot of homelessness and poverty in our area as well ... we decided to do something first.”

— V I C E P R E S I D E N T A A RU S H I A G A R WA L In partnership with Abode Services Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter based in

Fremont, MSJ Poverty Patch-Up hosted its first annual Fall Clothing Donation Drive on November 1-15. Through the donation drive, the club garnered nearly 500 articles of clothing to donate to impoverished and homeless populations across the Bay Area. An indisputable success despite the brevity of it, the club collected seven full full fullof clothing and blankets to donate.

“We got a lot of donations, [which will allow] the community to benefit from this, [especially since] it’s getting really cold and raining a lot. Those who don’t have access to clothes and blankets, we’re going to be able to give that to them,” Agarwal said.

With their first club initiative complete, MSJ Poverty Patch-Up’s next projects

— V I C E P R E S I D E N T A A RU S H I A G A R WA L MSJ Poverty Patch-Up has already made a substantial impact on the Fremont community and engaged several MSJ students in volunteerism. Through donation drives, service events, and fundraisers, the club looks forward to furthering their dedication to foster a better environment for the impoverished. ▪

Donation s

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER ARIEL DUONG. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TANVI DESHMUKH

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Arts & Entertainment 13

DIN DING DUMPLING HOUSE

By Michelle Qu & Fiona Yang Staff Writers

After two years of careful planning and preparation, classic Bay Area family owned Din Ding Dumpling House announced its grand reopening i n Fremont Downtown on August 21. Located on 3768 J Capitol Ave., Din Ding Dumpling House offers a selection of high quality and authentic handmade dough-based dishes such as its signature xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, and braised beef noodle soup.

The entrance of the establishment greets customers with loud, happy chatter and tables seated with people enjoying plates and bowls of steaming hot flavorful food and stacks of bamboo dumpling steamer baskets. Din Ding Dumpling House’s interior reflects sleek neo-Chinese designs with smooth dark brown walls, two large porcelain vases intricately painted with Chinese rivers, and a large yellow jade statue of flowers surrounded by an arc of bright white lights. Line art of xiao long bao, dumpling wares, and assorted dishes cover the large window panes, contributing to an immersive food atmosphere. The geometric square shaped ceiling lights cast a warm lighting onto rows of tables, enhancing the relaxed and intimate dining experience.

Each table starts off with a complimentary dish of julienned radishes doused with soy sauce and chili flavoring. The staff swiftly take orders, accounting for each dish a customer marks onto the paper menu. With

qualities of careful attentiveness and speedy service, Din Ding Dumpling House’s staff amplify the welcoming and enjoyable aspects of a customer’s visit.

The House’s extensive menu offers carefully selected traditional Chinese dishes at an affordable price, bringing the taste of comfort and home with ease to each customer. The menu mainly consists of Chinese staples such as pan fried dumplings. Served in towers of steam baskets, the pork xiao long bao are warm and comforting. One bite into the dumpling reveals a mouthful of intense flavor as the broth escapes, making a delicious food coupled with the tender, melt-in-mouth meat. With a generous eight pieces per basket, the xiao long bao is an affordable but filling menu item. Another classic is the shrimp and pork potsticker. Laced with a crispy golden dumpling skirt, each crunch complements the soft meat filling inside, and a dash of soy sauce perfectly complements the burst of flavor.

The strawberry chocolate xiaolongbao, however, failed to measure up to expectations — both figuratively and literally, as they were a third of the size of a regular xiao long bao. The dense melted chocolate and unpleasantly grainy strawberry jam created the experience of biting into a hot truffle, though for the price of two and a half dollars per dumpling, it would be easier and cheaper to microwave chocolate at home.

The restaurant’s bowl of braised beef noodle soup lives up to its reputation as one of the most popular dishes. From first sight, the beefy aroma complements the delicate golden broth. The handmade noodles are chewy and long; a server provides scissors to cut them into bite-sized strips.

Din Ding Dumpling House boasts an array of high-quality dishes at a reasonable price. With efficient

staff and a welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant impresses even the most discerning of customers.

Grade: A

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS MICHELLE QU & FIONA YANG. GRAPHICS BY A&E EDITOR GOONJA BASU

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2025 www.asdrp.org

e t r n i B W o o T A t S C WHO WE ARE L a A m T I G p i D December 2024 Application Details The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private research institution in Fremont, California.

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Spring 2025 ASDRP is the Bay Area's premier precollegiate research & D E C E Mrun B E Rby2a3 -consortium 2 7 + D E CofE M B E R skilled 3 0 – J A NEarly UARY 3 Application Deadline: development institution, highly scientists, engineers, and researchers with years of academic and November 15, 2024 Dec 22 Mon, 23 Tue, Decseek 24 Wed, Dec 25forward Thu, Dec 26 Fri, Dec 27 Sat, Dec 28 industry Sun, experience whoDeccollectively to push the Final Applications Due: Practice Test Practice Test No Class Class No Class Class No Class current frontiers in 10:00am-12:30pm biology, chemistry, physics, computer 10:00am-12:30pm 1:30pm–4:30pm 1:30pm–4:30pm December 30, 2024 Class Class science, psychology, medicine, engineering, and more.

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C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R

Moana 2 Fails to Make a splash

By Prisha Virmani Staff Writer After nearly a decade of anticipation and multiple creative changes, Moana 2 returns to the beloved world of the adored wayfinder, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), with a blend of nostalgic charm and fresh cultural representation. Released in theatres on November 26, eight years after its predecessor, the sequel raises the stakes with Moana’s new mission: reconnecting the scattered oceanic communities displaced by an angry deity. While the plot feels reminiscent of the original, the film introduces deeper cultural themes and builds on Moana’s personal growth, making it a meaningful continuation of her journey.

The story picks up three years after Moana restores Te Fiti, following her as she voyages to find other people on different islands. Moana’s character has matured, and the film does a commendable job of showcasing her growth into a confident leader — an uncommon yet refreshing arc for a Disney heroine. As Moana learns of the existence of other people beyond her own village, she realises she must leave her home and journey to the lost island of Motufetu. Along the way she assembles a mismatched crew on this quest: Moni (Hualālai Chung), the daydreamer and storyteller, Loto (Rose Matafeo) the brilliant engineer, and Kele (David Fane) the reluctant farmer. Reuniting with the shape-shifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana journeys farther than she has ever gone, facing perilous storms and near death situations, all while her younger sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) eagerly awaits her return, increasing the responsibility Moana has on her shoulders.

The film’s portrayal of Polynesian culture expands on the world of the first movie with vibrant visuals and a heartfelt emphasis on community and intercon-

BOOKBYTES

By Kanupriya Goyal Staff Writer Student Recommendation Title: The Poppy War Author: R.F. Kuang Suggested Reading Level: Grades 9-12 Genre: High Fantasy, Fiction A destitute orphan from a rural village is admitted to the most prestigious military in the nation, where she faces isolation, impossible choices, and the power of ancient shamans.

“I appreciate that because sometimes you just have to be a little crazy to kind of move on in life, not take anything personal, and make your own way.” — Ima Nissler, 11 Staff Recommendation Title: Lilith’s Brood Author: Octavia E. Butler Suggested Reading Level: Grades 11-12 Genre: Science & Speculative Fiction Lilith Iyapo, a Black woman, awakens centuries after Earth’s destruction to find herself under the care of the Oankali, an alien species that offers to save humanity — at a cost. The Oankali, who manipulate genetic material, intend to merge with humans to create a hybrid species. Lilith reluctantly becomes their liaison and faces betrayal, alien- ation, and moral dilemmas.

“The main character is a woman of color, so there is a lot of conversation on how race and gender play into the world ... It gave the author a chance to talk about how hierarchical humans are, but also how intelligent we are.” — AP Psychology Teacher Rachel Tevlin

Finding himself in Shawn

By Kaylin Teo Staff Writer

DISNEY.COM

nectedness. The character arcs for Moana and Maui are phenomenal. Moana learns that everything does not come easy and in the end, she receives her first tattoos that symbolize her true destiny as the wayfinder. Similarly, Maui learns to care about something other than himself as he braves a ruthless storm to save his friend and her crew.

However, the same cannot be said about the character arcs of the supporting characters. Although Loto, Moni and Kele had brief elevations they lacked the depth needed to leave a lasting impact. This is likely because the movie was originally envisioned as a Disney+ miniseries, where episodic storytelling may have allowed for better character buildup. Similarly, Simea’s role adds emotional stakes but remains underwhelming, leaving her potential unexplored.

However, the main weakness of Moana 2 is the music — a lackluster collection of songs missing the spark of fan favorites “How Far I’ll Go,” “You’re Welcome,” and “Shiny.” Despite the return of composers Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who did not return for this film, is glaring. His knack for crafting unforgettable lyrics and melodies is sorely missed, leaving the soundtrack feeling flat. Even the brooding main tune,

“Beyond,” rings anticlimactic, failing to capture the emotional resonance of the original’s standout musical numbers.

Nevertheless, there are perfectly planned comedic moments, especially the recreation of scenes from the first movie like Hei Hei shrieking and Maui’s shark head gag to cheer up Moana when she is rethinking her decision for going on the dangerous journey. However, the villain Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) is poorly developed, with a brief introduction and an abrupt exit that squander the chance to give Moana and her crew a compelling antagonist. Matangi gets one musical number with kooky flying bats but vanishes just as suddenly she appears.

While Moana 2 struggles with its underdeveloped crew and a forgettable villain, it succeeds in celebrating Polynesian culture and continuing Moana’s journey with heart and passion. The return of Cravalho, Johnson, and writer Jared Bush brings enough charm to make the sequel worthwhile, even if it lacks the magic of its predecessors. With its mix of laughs, heartfelt moments, and cultural depth, Moana 2 offers an enjoyable voyage, even if it doesn’t sail entirely into uncharted waters.

Grade: C

December 2024 Student Faves MOVIE: Fast & Furious — Rhea Mordani, 12 TV SHOW: Modern Family — Miti Parekh, 9 ALBUM: “Everything I Know About Love” by Laufey — Scarlett Xu, 11 BOOK: The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson — Ashwin Vaidyanathan, 11 GAME: Leauge of Legends — Truman Nguyen, 12

On July 21, Shawn Mendes took to social media, posting 40 seconds picturing friends and family, scenic surroundings, and glimpses of himself to the backtrack of what would become the closing track, “Hallelujah,” teasing his self-titled album, Shawn, in the works. Mendes’ previous projects found tremendous success with hit songs such as “Stitches” from his 2015 album Handwritten and “Señorita” from his 2019 album Shawn Mendes, SPOTIFY.COM earning him three Grammy nominations and more than 121 Why” sets the scene for a whirlmusic awards. However, Shawn, wind of thoughts through the Mendes’ fifth studio album re- increasingly quickening tempo, leased on November 15 via Island intensified strumming, and the Records, steers away from the lyrical emphasis on uncertainmainstream pop sounds that ini- ties. The urgency in his voice is overwhelming and quite familiar, tially popularized his works.

His latest work, Shawn, dives making it a very heartfelt listen. deep into the complexities of The rushed pacing comes to a love, loss, and self-discovery in a halt at the bridge where Mendes raw and unfamiliar way. The al- writes, “Thought I was about to bum shares similar lyrical themes be a father / Shook me to the with much of his older music. Al- core, I’m still a kid,” a line which though it conveys them with an is still intriguing and emphasizes intimacy that feels more personal introspection.

Other standout tracks include and exclusive to his life, an aspect of his music that had been miss- “Heart of Gold” and “Rollin’ ing. Shawn is an album filled with Right Along,” sharing the intinostalgia, carried by Mendes’ sig- macy of losing a childhood friend nature guitar acoustics and soul- that is no longer close and graspful vocals, which add warmth and ing the idea of time. Mendes sings, “We shot for the stars / I depth to the album.

Lead track “Who I Am” and see you up there” and “I was tryhit single “Why Why Why” pin- na grow up way too fast / When point Mendes’ unique styles and time’s the only thing I can’t get genuineness in his music. “Who I back.” These lyrics beautifully Am” features softer, more tender capture the stories and emotions vocals that complement his mel- of Shawn.

The album overall contains low guitar beautifully. The lyrics “Losin’ myself tryna make you heartfelt storytelling and magiproud / Sorry, gotta do it, gotta cally enticing instrumentals, both let you down” resonate heavily of which are highlights of the with listeners as he reflects on album. Its sincerity and euphohimself and expresses his mission nious qualities makes Shawn an to find himself. This introduction album worth waiting for, one for track fits perfectly to set the tone friends and family. for the album’s sincerity, estabGrade: A lishing a musical world that feels both moving and authentic.

Written about Mendes’ personal anxieties, “Why Why

Gladiator II: A Disappointing Return to the Colosseum

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By Kaiwei Parks Staff Writer Following the commercial and critical success of Ridley Scott’s 2000 swords-and-sandals blockbuster epic, Gladiator, its sequel was stuck in development hell for years as Hollywood executives tirelessly battled to produce Gladiator II. Finally released in the US on November 22, the film provides a somewhat refreshing return to Scott’s richly crafted ancient Rome, although many plot elements come off as repetitive.

Now 86 years old, Scott sought to bring the Colosseum back to the big screen over the past two decades.

However, one major issue plagued his endeavors: both the protagonist, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), and the antagonist, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), were both dead by the end of the film.

Scripts revolving around a prequel to the original story, or the return of Maximus as an immortal warrior destined to fight through historical events, were both rejected by major film studios. It wasn’t until David Scarpa, a writer who was also behind Ridley’s 2017 historical drama

All the Money in the World and his 2023 biopic Napoleon, began to pen a script with Scott that Gladiator II would truly begin production.

Gladiator II opens to the capture of Numidia resident and soldier Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) by General Acacius of the Roman Empire (Pedro Pascal). Verus begins to rise up the ranks as a gladiator in Rome under the lead of stable master Macrinus (Denzel Washington). Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), the daughter of former emperor Marcus Aurelius, plots against corrupt twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

Although the film makes an attempt to honor its source material, these efforts come off as lazy and uninspired. For instance, Scott incorporates a similar storyline of a gladiator rising against a corrupt empire, bringing back original characters, such as Lucilla and Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi), and repeating significant quotes uttered in the first film.

Rather than building on an already elaborate universe, Scott chooses to take the easy path of repeating a familiar story to audiences. The lack

of new ideas in Gladiator II lead to a disappointing and predictable ending.

However, what the film lacks in substance, it compensates for with style. Scott heightens the battle scenes from the first film, utilizing practical effects as well as computer generated imagery (CGI) elements.

CGI was employed in fight scenes to digitally create vicious animals, including monkeys and sharks. On the other hand, production designer Arthur Max worked on replicating a section of the Colosseum as a two story set, stretching a quarter of a mile. The combination of effects makes for a movie filled with visually captivating scenes.

The film’s detailed costume design helps viewers fully immerse themselves in Ancient Rome. The original Gladiator won Best Costume Design in the 73rd Academy Awards. Gladiator II continues its predecessors’s legacy of elaborate yet realistic costumes. Noble citizens and senators in the film are draped in colorful, flowing robes, while Gladiators wear rough pieces of metallic armor. A standout piece is Macrinus’s costume design; Washington’s character is ful-

ly loaded in several pounds of yellow metal, appearing as expensive gold jewelry.

Ultimately, the young Mescal is not able to completely fill the shoes left by Russell Crowe in Gladiator, while Washington’s performance fits well into his acting resume. In the original film, Crowe’s expressive face and menacing build make him perfect for the role of Maximus.

Although Mescal struggles to live up to this expectation, he shines in certain scenes, especially in a final speech given at the end of the film.

Scott’s return to Rome might be underwhelming to fans of the original film, but thrilling action, intricate costumes, and an outstanding performance by Washington provides new viewers an entertaining watch at theaters. In the wake of Ridley’s announcement for a third film, audiences can be assured that the story of the gladiator is far from over.

Smokie Recommendation Title: Flowers for Algernon Author: Daniel Keyes Suggested Reading Level: Grades 9-12 Genre: Short Story, Science Fiction The story follows Charlie Gordon, a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental surgery designed to increase his intelligence. Charlie’s intellectual abilities dramatically improve, making him a genius, but only temporarily. He races to discover a solution but ultimately succumbs to his fate, losing his newfound intelligence.

“I like the use of journal entries.

When he was mentally not as profiRating: C+ cient, he would [make] spelling errors.

Then, once he’s got this superhuman intelligence, he’s writing complicated diary entries that are difficult to understand.” — Vikram Mahajan, 11 SMOKIE PLAYLIST: ALICE: “Sun Bleached Flies” by Ethel Cain | ASHLEY: “Welcome to Eden” by Samia| BRITTANY: “From Eden” by Hozier | CALLIE: “reincarnated” by Kendrick Devout December Lamar | CATHERINE: “Hallelujah” by Pentatonix | ETHAN: “Amazing Grace” by Pentatonix | GOONJA: “Prayer in Open D” by Phoebe Bridgers | HANNAH: “Jesus in LA” by Alec Benjamin| HOWARD: “THANK GOD” by Travis Scott | IVY: “Take Me to Church” by Hozier | KAYLEE: “Would That I” by Hozier | KEERTI: “Godspeed” by Frank Ocean | NAISHA: “God’s Plan” by Drake | PADMA: “Chinese Satellite” by Phoebe Bridgers | SARAH: “Family Tree (Intro)” by Ethel Cain | SHUHAN: “God Is” by Kanye West | TANVI: “Silent Night” by Pentatonix | TRISHA: “Blessings” by Big Sean, Drake | TR. LOW: “John My Beloved” by Sufjan Stevens

16 Arts & Entertainment

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Friday, December 13, 2024

A Dance with Fae: Unraveling Secrets in The Courting of Bristol Keats

By Angelina Chen Staff Writer

Rich in fantasy and romance, Mary E. Pearson’s The Courting of Bristol Keats invites readers into a realm where magic intertwines with mortal lives crafting a captivating narrative. While the novel excels in creating an immersive setting and a compelling romantic arc, it encounters challenges in pacing and character development that may affect reader enjoyment.

The story follows Bristol Keats, a young woman thrust into a world of fae and monsters as she seeks to uncover her family’s hidden truths. The

world-building stands out as a highlight, with Pearson meticulously crafting the realm of Elphame — a land where mythical gods, wild fae, and monsters of the unknown coexist.

The vivid descriptions and intricate lore provide a backdrop that is both enchanting and immersive, allowing readers to lose themselves in a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. The depth of detail in the setting enriches the narrative, making the magical elements feel tangible and the stakes more compelling.

Bristol Keats emerges as a determined and courageous protagonist, her journey of self-discovery resonates with readers due to its universal coming-of-age experience in a fantasy backdrop. Her interactions with the fae king Tyghan contribute to a budding romance, revealing vulnerabilities and strengths that make her relatable.

However, the depth afforded to Bristol Keats and Tyghan is not consistently extended to the supporting cast. Characters such as Bristol’s sisters and certain fae court members often serve more as narrative devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This lack of development can make their relationships with Bristol feel superficial. For example, the bond be-

tween Bristol and her sisters, which should have added emotional weight to her quest, is only briefly touched upon, leaving readers with a sense of missed opportunity. Similarly, interactions with fae court members are sometimes reduced to mere plot advancements, rather than enriching the story’s emotional landscape.

Moreover, the pacing in the novel offers a mixed experience. Initially, the narrative effectively sets the stakes when Bristol receives mysterious letters detailing her father’s kidnapping into a foreign land, immersing readers in Bristol’s quest to save her father and discover the truth. Despite such strong stakes, as the story unfolds, the momentum becomes uneven. Certain segments, such as the detailed world-building of Elphame, are richly descriptive but feel drawn out, slowing the plot’s progression. Pivotal events, like the climactic confrontation with the antagonist, are resolved swiftly, leaving readers desiring more depth and tension. This fluctuation in pacing can disrupt

immersion,

making it challenging to maintain consistent engagement throughout the novel.

Despite these critiques, the romantic elements of the story are compelling. The slow-burn romance between Bristol and Tyghan intertwines personal stakes with the broader conflict, adding depth to the narrative. Their evolving relationship is portrayed with nuance in the context of their power dynamic as respectively a human and a fae king, balancing tension and attraction in a manner that enhances the overall story.

At more than 500 pages, The Courting of Bristol Keats offers a richly imagined fantasy world and a compelling romantic subplot. While it faces challenges in pacing and character depth, the novel’s strengths in world-building and emotional resonance provide a satisfying reading experience, enabling the novel’s events to come to life. For fans of romantic fantasy seeking an immersive escape, Pearson’s latest work presents a journey worth undertaking.

Rating: A-

GRAPHICS BY A&E EDITOR BRITTANY LU, COURTESY CLARIBEL CHEN

Athlete Spotlight: Aliana Wang

By Kanupriya Goyal & Ariana Yi Staff Writers Junior Aliana Wang’s sport isn’t confined to the school field or gym — it takes her to snow-covered mountains in Lake Tahoe every weekend. Wang, a competitive snowboarder, juggles sports and academics, blending her passion for snowboarding seamlessly into her lifestyle.

Wang’s athletic journey began at around seven years old, long before she strapped on a snowboard. “I did a lot of sports when I was younger — ice skating, martial arts, and seven years of badminton,” Wang said. However, during Wang’s freshman year, a new sport sparked her interest. Inspired by snowboarding athletes like Lindsey Jacobellis, who won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Wang decided to make the switch from badminton to snowboarding. “I’d always gone snowboarding for

Junior Aliana Wang sits overlooking the snow-capped mountains of Lake Tahoe.

fun with my family during the winters, but seeing others compete made me realize I wanted to try it seriously,” Wang said.

Wang quickly achieved competitive success.

In her first year of competitive snowboarding, she qualified for the Snowboarding National Championship in Colorado by competing in regional competitions throughout the season and accumulating points. “It was really nerve-wracking,” Wang said. “I wasn’t expecting to qualify at all, and when I got to Colorado, everything felt so much bigger and more intense than the local competitions in Tahoe.”

However, despite her nerves, Wang placed 15th in the Giant Slalom’s 15-16 women’s category.

Balancing a high school schedule with competitive snowboarding is no small feat, especially when training happens so far away from the Bay Area. “Every Friday after school, I pack my stuff, and we leave for Tahoe,” Wang said. “The drive can take six to seven hours, depending on Junior Aliana Wang cruises along at a Lake Tahoe course.

“If you’re passionate about something, just go for it. Don’t let school stop you from doing what you love.”

— JUNIOR ALIANA WANG

greater milestones. She is considering competing in North American snowboarding events, which she may have to qualify for and would take her beyond her usual training grounds in Tahoe to places like New York and Canada.

“There’s [also] a camp in Canada later this season I’d love to attend,” Wang said. “But it’s a huge time commitment, so I’m still figuring it out.”

Throughout all the hurdles, snowboarding has made Wang’s determination and positivity shine more brightly. “If you’re passionate about something, just go for it,” Wang said. “Don’t let school stop you from doing what you love.

It’s all about managing your time and staying on top of things.” While snowboarding might seem daunting to newcomers, Wang encourages everyone to give it a try. “It’s really scary at first, but once you get used to it, it’s so much fun,” Wang said. “The nervousness goes away once you start.” Wang’s journey proves that even in a place as far from snow as the Bay Area, pursuing your passions is always possible with hard work, dedication, and a little courage. ▪

traffic. Most of the time, I use that time to get homework done.” Her weekends are packed, with training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, followed by conditioning sessions on Sundays. She leaves Tahoe around 4 p.m. and gets back home late Sunday night, where she’s often too exhausted to think about schoolwork. “It’s tough, but I’ve learned to manage my time well during the week,” Wang said. “I try to finish assignments as soon as they’re posted so I don’t fall behind.” Despite these challenges, Wang’s passion for the sport encourages her to maintain the effort she puts in.

Looking ahead, Wang aims to achieve even Junior Aliana Wang poses for a headshot.

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER KANUPRIYA GOYAL, COURTESY ALIANA WANG

Friday, December 13, 2024

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Sports 17

GUIDE TO LOCAL ICE RINKS

By Novak Chen, Varun Madhavan, & Michael Qu Staff Writers With winter in full effect, there is no better time to create lasting memories with friends and family than by exploring the many Bay Area ice rinks. The Smoke Signal compiled a list of popular rinks based on location, activities, and seasonal appeal to feature the perfect spots to enjoy the ice and make the most of the winter season.

Sharks Ice Fremont Located on 44388 Old Warm Springs Blvd., Sharks Ice at Fremont is a versatile venue that caters to all ages and skill levels.The ice rink offers an engaging In-House Youth Hockey program, ideal for participants who learned the fundamentals of skating from Shark Ice courses like Hockey 1, 2, and 3.The program emphasizes individual skill development i n skating, puck handling, and shooting, along with team work and hockey rules. While off the ice, visitors can enjoy Stanely’s Sports Bar, a cozy mountain chalet-style space overlooking the rinks that provides amenities like TVs to watch sports and pool tables. The rink also hosts public skating sessions, birthday parties, and other special events, making it a popular destination for family and communal gatherings.

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon officially opened on November 15, kicking off the holiday season. Named after Olympic gold medalist and figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi, the rink offers a festive experience for skaters of all levels. The rink features a large, outdoor ice surface surrounded by twinkling lights and hosts special events like ugly sweater nights and Santa meet-andgreets throughout the season. In addition to public skating sessions, visitors can also book the rink for private events. Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink donates a portion of profits to Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation, an organization that provides books and resources to children in underserved communities, making the rink the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy skating while supporting a meaningful cause.

Snoopy’s Home Ice Snoopy’s Home Ice, also called the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, was built, owned, and operated by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, creator of the comic strip Peanuts. Bringing elements of the comic to life, the rink is decorated with characters from his, such as Charlie Brown and Snoopy the Dog. Operating since 1969 and open year-round, the rink has amassed a reputation for its colorful lights, ambience, playful theming, and customer service. The rink has been highlighted as the world’s most beautiful ice arena by numerous publications such as the Sonoma County Tourism office. Located in the center of Santa Rosa, the arena often hosts birthday parties, hockey classes, and figure skating classes. Within the ice rink, visitors can go to the Warm Puppy Cafe to taste a variety of Peanuts themed food and beverages, such as the Snoopy special hot dog.

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square officially opened for the season on November 6, one of the earliest Bay Area rinks to reopen. Located in downtown San Francisco at 333 Post St., this outdoor rink hosts unique events such as its Silent Skate, where skaters enjoy music through headphones, and Polar Bear Skate, where participants wear their wildest and most inventive beach attire. The ice rink itself is a smaller size, geared towards recreational skating rather than full-size ice hockey matches or figure skating competitions. One of the stand-out features of the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink is its focus on music — with weekly events like Flashback Fridays playing the hits of the ‘80s and Classic Sundays’ orchestral melodies, their musical assortment caters to a wide range of people. Skaters both new and experienced alike are sure to enjoy the beautiful intersection of songs and skating at one of Union Square’s most inviting holiday locations.

TriValley Ice Dublin Situated at 7212 San Ramon Road, TriValley Ice Dublin, also known as Dublin Ice, is one of seven TriValley ice rinks located in the Bay Area.

The rink provides various learning and recreational opportunities for skaters of all skill levels. Visitors can learn fundamentals of skating at the Learn to Skate Program, try out hockey during a Pucks on a Pond event, or simply enjoy the ice rink on their own during free skate hours. As part of the TriValley circuit, Dublin Ice also features a hockey league, catering to both youth and adults with their Youth Hockey and Adult 3x3 hockey programs. Emphasizing inclusivity and community, Dublin Ice offers a fun and lively recreational experience for all.

PHOTOS COURTESY 510FAMILIES, CITY OF DUBLIN, LUMENWORKS, NBC BAY AREA & VISIT SANTA ROSA. GRAPHICS BY SPORTS EDITOR HOWARD LU & STAFF WRITER ARIANA YI

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PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS DHAESHNA BOOMA & ARIANA YI, COURTESY FLICS_BYDEVY, MSJ LEO

Cross Country Battles at NCS Meet of Champions

By Felicity He & Kaylin Teo Staff Writers

On November 23, MSJ Boys and Girls Cross Country competed for the NCS XC Meet of Champions in the Division III races at Hayward High School, with the girls competing at 10 a.m. and the boys at noon.

Two weeks leading up to the NCS Championships, MSJ Cross Country registered a particularly young varsity team of 14 that included Freshmen Mohammad Iqbal and Santosh Arunkumar. However, both teams, Boys and Girls Varsity, would only end up running six each as Sophomores Ahaan Sood and Isha Cheetencheri dropped the race after getting sick days prior. Despite the unfortunate timing, the teams prepared and performed well in the meet, especially considering the poor course conditions due to weather, with Girls Cross Country finishing 15th among NCS Division III schools and Boys Cross Country placing 16th. Girls Cross Country smiles in the aftermath of the race.

Similar to prior years, the course conditions for the Meet of Champions were far from per- before and drizzled just before the races. Girls rain. “I was able to use [our conditions] to my fect. It had rained all throughout the night Cross Country found more luck with racing advantage and decided to slide down the hill,” conditions as the rain had stopped shortly be- Ishananto said. Leading MSJ, Sophomore fore their race. Still, a majority of the course Owena Chen was caught smiling through adwas a mud bath and performances took a sig- versity as she crossed the finish line with a time nificant hit across the board. “I felt as though of 21:55.7 to finish in 47th place, followed I had no control over [myself]. I felt like no by Sophomore Kaylin Teo and Ishananto. matter what I did, I would slip and the only Just as Boys Cross Country lined up to thing I could do was wave my hands around,” race, the clouds rolled in and the rain began Junior Andrea Ishananto said. The climb up to pick up again. Regardless, teams were enthe hill bordering the backstretch of the Hay- thusiastic and spirited, yelling and screamward field posed a particularly challenging ing support for the runners. The spectators portion of the course and a popular spot for matched their energy, cheering and rushing to fallen runner sightings. Even so, uphills and watch the start gun. Runners took off quickdownhills come as a package deal, relieving ly, trekking through ankle-deep mud and Juniors Aris Mackenzie and Aadi Yadav eagerly look at runners after a tedious journey up difficult ter- growing puddles. Iqbal surged to lead MSJ, each other, excited for the upcoming race.

posting a 7:52.8 first split at 74th, followed

by Juniors Aris Mackenzie and Daylen Kyi. By the second and final time on the lengthy hill, Iqbal moved up a few places, finishing first for MSJ and 68th overall with a time of 19:06.0. He was followed by a photo finish from Mackenzie and Kyi, 0.4 seconds apart from one another, kicking strong at the home stretch finishing 72nd and 73rd respectively.

“I knew [Mackenzie] was right behind me because his dad would cheer his name right after mine … At the kick we went down the muddy hill at the same time … that made us both pick it up and finish strong,” Kyi said.

Past the finishing runway, the Hayward fields were packed. Crossing the finish line, runners were mud-stained all over, huddled together congratulating one another. The NCS Championships shed light on the sportsmanship and community of cross country, showcasing runners uniting under unfavorable circumstances. As for MSJ Cross Country, the race acts as valuable experience for the young runners and for the team, which is looking to make a push in the coming seasons.

Boys Cross Country keeps its composure through the tough weather conditions.

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER KAYLIN TEO

Friday, December 13, 2024

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Photo 19

Before the main entrance of the event, visitors could pay to experience a live steam train at Victoria Station in the lobby, which took passengers around a short course adorned with Christmas-themed decor and historic associations. To reciprocate the immersive and magical feeling of the fair, many attendees often came dressed in the style of Christmas or Victorian Era London. Many also researched the fair in-depth to make the most of the event’s packed schedule. “Look at the schedule before you start … and pick out the things you’re most excited to see. My faBy Navya Chitlur & Luna Venturo vorite part [of the fair] are the decorations and being immersed in the Staff Writers Dickens world,” attendee Anny Wu said.

Upon entering The Grand Concourse lane, visitors were handed a map The 40th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair celebrated of the event, which marked the streets, shops, and theaters around the palCharles Dickens and his works, focusing on winter-themed ace. A few steps ahead, visitors crowded around a popular attraction — the titles such as A Christmas Carol, in an overall Sherlock Holmes Experience, run by performer Shelby Bond. It comprises Victorian Era London setting. It was hosted a murder mystery puzzle, similar to the Dr. Jekyll & Hyde and the Elixir of at 10 a.m.-6 p.m. from November 23 to Madness experience, which was a bigger murder chase offered by the Jekyll & December 22 at the Cow Hyde hub that visitors could pay $75 to participate in. Attendees searched for Palace in San Francisco. four clues around the venue map to solve this year’s Sherlock Holmes case and prevent the killing of the First Baron Richard Monckton Milnes. “Every year, I have a new case. I research historical events or characters, and create a puzzle game [based on real events] where people get to go around the site and solve puzzles. I love seeing people engaged and enjoying solving things,” Bond said.

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

As visitors walked through different sections of the fair, they were treated to different experiences and shops. Their entry at The Grand Concourse showcased multiple souvenir shops and photo-ops, and led to two roads further upwards: the Bell Ringer’s Row, which portrayed the darker side of London, with pubs and knife shops, and Tinsley Green, a hotspot for children, with games and painting activities. As attendees walked down these streets, they went through a small alley called London Docks, lined with food vendors selling chestnuts, and small music hubs. The docks connected to three alleys on the other side, with Nickelby Road focusing on clothing, Ale House Alley focusing on spices, and Fish Street focusing on food. Vendors sold similar items seen in Dickens’ works or Victorian Era London, such as hats, jewelry, woven clothing, and bonnets. One attractive shop was Wands, which sold hand-crafted, wooden wands, staffs, and more, specializing in customizable Harry Potter wands with different magical cores. Music was also a consistent attraction throughout the event, with many booths and shops selling and playing old-fashioned instruments or music. Fiddles ‘N’ Such sold a plethora of instruments, from harmonicas to violins, while other attractions played loud music for dancing.

Trickish Matters Fagin’s Den

Throughout the event, Scrooge’s performers put on plays and concerts at every corner of the site. At the Victoria & Albert Bijou Music Hall, performances ranged from carolers to plays and object manipulation. Object manipulation was the focus of Trickish Matters by Jeremiah Johnson, an act focusing on balancing tricks such as juggling and other circus feats. He delighted the audience with quips and tricks involving a cane, a hat, blocks, a diabolo, and most stunning of all, sharpened scimitars. Actors also performed plays throughout the day at Fezziwig’s Dance Party, with musical interludes where performers engaged in ballroom dancing shows. “I started performing in 2001, as a dancer in the Fezziwig’s Dance Party [for three years]. It used to be that they’d start at the beginning of the fair, and go to the end … dancing almost all day. Now, there’s only four hours of dancing, and the rest of the time, it’s a stage [for] performances and shows, and that’s a huge change,” former Performer Attendee and AP Psychology Teacher Rachel Tevlin said.

Textiles: Primrose Parlour

Father Christmas

Fagin’s Den Trickish Matters

Throughout the event, the Great Dickens Fair maintained its magical atmosphere, featuring constant, engaging events and performances, special offerings, shops, and festive spirit from attendees.

The celebration brought in visitors and vendors from across the world together to create one of the most immersive, impressive literary universes and festivals. ▪

Pottery: The Fabulous Hennigs PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS NAVYA CHITLUR & LUNA VENTURO. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR IVY LU

20 Photo

Friday, December 13, 2024

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Families gather together to celebrate the holiday season through festivities, traditions, and most importantly, food. To explore the variety of holiday cuisines, the Smoke Signal cooked an assortment of popular winter holiday dishes from around the world. Scan the QR code next to each recipe for more steps.

Oliebollen

By Michelle Qu & Fiona Yang Staff Writers

B che de No l

e filled as a Yule Log, is a rolled cak Bûche de Noël, also known ic a mim with chocolate frosting to with cream and decorated oEur old an esake originates from tree log. The dessert’s nam log, on yule the led cal e chunk of wood, to the housepean custom of burning a larg mth war g gin brin s, day ld burn for several wou log The .

Eve as nted in Paris istm inve Chr e been e, however, is believed to hav the modern ike hold. The Bûche de Noël cak Unl chef. e Charabot, a French pastry the earliest , roll in the late 1800s by Antoin iss Sw ically made from a chocolate together red Bûche de Noël, which is typ laye es cak from vanilla sponge de ma e wer t ser des the of versions and cut into a log shape.

Ingredients:

Cake: ½ cup all-purpose flour powder ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa salt ¼ teaspoon kosher 6 large eggs, separated ded ¾ cup granulated sugar, divi inkling spr for ar, sug ’ ers tion Confec Filling: 2 tsp. gelatin (optional) 1 ¼ cup heavy cream ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar t 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extrac Pinch of kosher salt

Frosting and Decorating: ed ½ cup unsalted butter, soften plus ar, sug ’ ers 1 ½ cups confection ing more for sprinkl cocoa 5 tablespoons unsweetened powder 3 tablespoons heavy cream t 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extrac Pinch of kosher salt apples, Dried cranberries and dried for decorating

“[For Christmas], I would probably have to say my dad's apple tart. It's really good with ice cream … it's nice to look out the window while just enjoying a slice of it. [Apple pie’s] the only thing he can bake, and he only makes it one time a year.”

— Kent Ly, 9 many In celebration of Hanukkah, es cak pan or es, Jewish people eat latk trico of kind a as ed kes originat made of shredded potato. Lat ckly qui y The ah. ukk Han Italy for ta cheese pancake eaten in 0s. throughout Europe in the 140 ead spr and ity ular rose in pop th een sixt ced to Europe in the After potatoes were introdu ple sta d rea became a widesp century, the vegetable quickly n flour in the 1800s. In tha r ape che crop — becoming cooks gradually transitioned the interest of saving costs, atoes instead of into making latkes with pot inally cooked in orig also flour. Latkes were fat, but many schmaltz, or clarified chicken over to vegeJewish cooks made a change Jewish dietary table oil in the late 1900s as ry from being laws prevented meat and dai eaten together.

Latkes

Ingredients: 2 large Russet potatoes 1 large onion 2 large eggs ½ cup all-purpose flour her salt or 1 2 teaspoons coarse kos teaspoon for sprinfine sea salt, plus more kling er 1 teaspoon baking powd black und gro ½ teaspoon freshly pepper frying Safflower or other oil, for

Around New Year’s Eve, Dutch families enjoy Oliebollen, or Oil Balls. These traditional Dutch donuts’ origins are disputed, and there are multiple stories that tell the tale of this dessert. Dating back centuries, Germanic tribes first enjoyed oliebollen during Yule, a period between December 21 to Janua ry 6 when people celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light and warmth. Perchta, the Alpine goddess of paga nism, would cut open the stomachs of people for food. Eating oliebollen was believed to prevent this tragedy, with Perchta’s sword sliding off one’s stomach due to the donut’s oily residue.

Another rumored origin of these dutch donuts is when the Jewis h fled Portugal during the Middle Ages, bringing them to the Nethe rlands. Today, oliebollen can be found at Dutch pop-up vendo rs during the winter season leading up to holiday festivities.

Ingredients: 2 cups lukewarm milk 1 envelope active dry yeast 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 4 cups all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 1 large egg 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

“We celebrate Diwali in my house and Christmas, obviously one is a Christian holiday, the other one is a Hindu holiday. We have a mixed household so we celebr ate both. [We] definitely [eat] some kind of dosa, idli, some kinds of curries, and also me and my daughter have a tradition of doing baking for Christmas and New Years. We bake breads and brownies and fruitca kes. I do have from my childhood a particular memory I have with my mothe r and my grandmother. So my grandmother used to come to our house in the mornin g, like 5 a.m. and both her and my mom used to knead this dough that needed to grow three times with yeast, warm yeast. It was so warm inside the kitchen.

The kitchen was a small kitchen, and they would work and work and work at it. And by five in the afternoon, they were done with the work. So it was a lot of work, but the cake was amazing. It had nuts in it and raisins and rum, it was amazing.” — Math Teacher Iulia Rusu

Risgrynsgr t During the holidays, Swedish househo lds make risgrynsgröt, or rice gra in porridge, to celebrate. Swedish rice grain porridge was first recorded in 13 28 at the funeral wake for the father of St. Bridget of Sweden. Later in the 1700s, risgrynsgröt was consi dered to be a fashionable dish served at the finest parties. A popular tradit ion associated with Swedish rice grain porridge is to hide an almond ins ide, which is said to be a sign of tru e love in the coming year for whoever discovers it.

Traditionally, a dish of risgrynsgröt is placed outside a family’ s front door to prevent the Christm as elf from feeling annoyed and cau sing mischief.

Ingredients:

1 cup Swed ish pudding rice or arbo 1 ½ cups w rio rice ater 1 tablespoo n butter ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cinnamon stick or 1 te aspoon gro cinnamon und 3 cups who le milk 2 large egg s cup granula ted white su gar 1 ½ teaspo on vanilla ½ teaspoon salt 1 almond

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS MICHELLE QU & FIONA YANG. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH BI