Volume LX, No. 5

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MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL

VOL. 60, NO. 5

41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539

“Cities like Fremont were not originally designed or equipped to handle homelessness, yet we are now doing more than ever to address this crisis. Counties were supposed to provide safety net services, and homelessness was intended to be funded through counties, state, and federal funds. However, the lack of adequate resources and funding at these levels has left cities like Fremont to step in and fill the gap. In the coming months, Fremont will focus on expanding shelter capacity and services to ensure that enforcement of public camping bans is humane and effective.” — Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan

In recent years, homelessness has become a pressing issue in Fremont, mirroring similar trends throughout the Bay Area. According to a press release by the Governor’s office, in 2023, approximately 181,000 Californians dealt with homelessness, with around 90,000 living without shelter, meaning they were found on the street, in vehicles, or abandoned buildings without access to an emergency shelter.

CA Governor Gavin Newsom and CA legislators have taken steps to mitigate the crisis on a broader state-wide scale, employing a multi-departmental approach addressing encampments, houses, and services for those in need. In August of last year, Newsom signed two laws to address homelessness: AB 2835, which enhances stability for those in need by extending the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelters beyond 30 days, and AB 3057, which simplifies and streamlines the process of constructing junior accessory dwelling units, which are small, independent living spaces within an existing single-family dwelling.

Since 2019, the state has invested over $40 billion to boost affordable housing, creating more than 7,500 housing units for CA families through the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development created in 2022. The state has also allocated $27 billion to support local governments in preventing homelessness and providing housing, including $3.3 billion for the Homekey program, $1 billion in Encampment Resolution Funding, and $4.85 billion in Homelessness Housing Assistance Program funds.

Legal precedents also shape homelessness policies. On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that people experiencing homelessness can be arrested and fined for sleeping outside even when there are no safe alternatives. Additionally, the court ruled that local governments can enforce laws prohibiting public camping and sleeping without violating the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits the government from imposing cruel and unusual punishments.

Homeless Population in the Bay Area Throughout the Years

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COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES

2024 Data collected from siliconvalley.com

January 24, 2025

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: CITY COUNCIL DECISIONS ON HOMELESSNESS

By Dhaeshna Booma, Jennifer Li, Kaiwei Parks & Aarav Vashisht Staff Writers

The Bay Area’s housing crisis remains a significant challenge for local governments, with rising housing costs, increasing homelessness, and opposition to RV parking and encampments. On Dec. 17, 2024, Fremont’s City Council narrowly approved the Citywide Camping Ban on Public Property Ordinance, which will add to Chapter 8.90 of the Municipal Code. If enacted, this legislation will tighten restrictions on the homeless, sparking likely debates among residents, policymakers, and affected individuals.

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SMOKE SIGNAL

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2015

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RECENT POLICIES & DEVELOPMENTS

Average Length of Homelessness

On May 21, 2024, the City of Fremont adopted the Fremont Homelessness Response Plan, a comprehensive initiative designed to address the root causes 16% of homelessness, reallocate funding toward prevention and long-term solutions, and improve the effectiveness of support services. The plan aims to eliminate the 11% 11% 59% 23% annual growth rate of people experiencing homelessness and double the 14% proportion of people served by the homeless response system. A significant aspect of the plan involves reallocating funds for services and programs. At the time of the 24-35 months 0-6 months plan’s adoption, 79% of the City’s spending for addressing homelessness went to 36+ months 7-23 months crisis support services and mitigation activities, which manage homelessness rather Data collected from Alameda County Housing and Homeless Services than prevent or solve it. “[The Fremont Homelessness Response Plan’s] first step is to evaluate our current investments and see if there is anywhere to re-allocate or move our funding around to serve better and reinforce the most beneficial programs,” City of Fremont Homeless Services Manager Laurie Flores said.

Meanwhile, recent legislation, such as the Citywide Camping Ban on Public Property Ordinance, though not yet signed into law, reflects a more restrictive approach to the homelessness crisis. However, city government officials emphasized that these measures will be implemented in the future with consideration for the homeless population. “In the coming months, Fremont will focus on expanding shelter capacity and services to ensure that enforcement of public camping bans is humane and effective,” Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan said.

Implications & Further Discussions

Fremont’s recent measures, including approving the camping ban, depart from the city’s previous approach to addressing homelessness. Historically, Fremont has allocated most of its homelessness-related funding toward shortterm solutions such as emergency shelters and street-level services. In contrast, the new policies reflect a shift toward prevention and long-term strategies, emphasizing the reallocation of resources to more sustainable programs. However, funding uncertainties remain a barrier to fully implementing these strategies. “We haven’t added any more beds or anything like that, because it really depends on investment and funding which had in the past couple months has not become available yet,” Flores said.

If passed, the new ordinances aim to regulate RV parking and public encampments while shifting resources toward preventive services such as rental assistance and housing subsidies. These changes align with regional efforts, including Alameda County’s Home Together 2026 plan released in 2021. It builds on the Centering Racial Equity in Homeless System Design report, which supports housing with services and rental subsidies. Fremont’s participation in these initiatives, including outreach programs and housing applications, is designed to streamline access to services.

Broader Bay Area challenges, such as reliance on temporary funding, impact these efforts. For example, 40% of Alameda County’s homelessness funding is nonrecurring, raising questions about long-term resource stability. Additionally, Fremont survey data from the 2024 Fremont Homelessness Response Plan reveals that 46% of unhoused individuals had not accessed services, highlighting the importance of improving outreach and trust-building efforts.

Future directions include enhancing coordination with nonprofits and supporting profoundly affordable housing development, contingent on funding availability and developer participation. These measures would address immediate needs and systemic gaps in the city’s homelessness response.

Conversely, measures like the Citywide Camping Ban’s approval were criticized for being more punitive, making it difficult to reconcile the competing legal imperatives, community demands, and resources. MSJ students involved in community organizations like MSJ Poverty Patchup have expressed their voices on this issue. “We believe that they want to push this ban so the police have more power to clear the streets and put up a fight against people they want to persecute. It wouldn’t be fair if it was passed since they would never know if they are going to be persecuted or not,” MSJ Poverty Patchup President Sophomore Abirami Palaniappan said.

Further, local activists speak out against the ordinance’s moral basis and potential ineffectiveness. “The camping ban ordinance, if passed, will likely not reduce homelessness … The city adopted certain principles of compassion in enacting public policy, and this camping ban … violates these principles of compassion,” Fremont For Everyone Leadership Team member David Bonaccorsi said.

While Fremont’s new efforts align with broader regional goals, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, especially given the limited long-term funding and concerns about their potential to displace rather than solve the crisis. Ultimately, whether these policies can balance enforcement with compassion will determine their success in alleviating homelessness in the Bay Area.

GRAPHICS BY NEWS EDITOR SHUHAN JIN

ONLINE

THIS MONTH

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MEET THE ASB CANDIDATES As the ASB elections for the 2025-26 school year approaches, meet the final candidates running for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Coordinator.`

MSJ HOSTS SPECIAL EDUCATION GYM DANCE During third period on Dec. 17th in the MSJ gym, Special Education students performed festive dances to celebrate the upcoming holiday season, inluding dances to “Feliz Navidad” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

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Friday, January 24, 2025

MSJ DECA takes sweeping success at SVCDC MSJ DECA leaves with 73 top-10 wins at regional conference

By Alex Duan & Fiona Yang Staff Writers On January 10-12, MSJ DECA competed in the Silicon Valley Career Development Conference (SVCDC) at the Santa Clara Marriott.

SVCDC is the first of three conferences that MSJ DECA competes in every year, with the following two being the State Career Development Conference (SCDC) and the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

This year, more than 1,000 students from 11 different high schools competed in SVCDC to win glass, the highest award offered in the competition. MSJ DECA sent 144 members to the conference, with 40 members winning glass and medals across multiple events.

DECA is a global organization aiming to prepare students in various leadership, managerial, and entrepreneurial roles throughout multiple areas such as hospitality and tourism, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. In conferences, students primarily compete in roleplays, in which they analyze case study scenarios and give on-the-spot presentations, and written events, which involve preparing a business report and presenting it at conferences. Contestants also have to take a one and a half-hour multiple-choice test in either

finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing, entrepreneurship, personal financial literacy, or business management and administration, which then factors into the competitor’s overall score. In addition to competition, DECA offers leadership development opportunities, professional networking with real industry professionals, and professional skill development that members can apply to real-world opportunities.

“[The members] have been working on [events preparation] for the past several months, and we’ve been giving them thorough feedback and advice to make sure that our members can perform the best they can.” MSJ DECA officer team and adviser Bellamy Liu pose for a picture after the awards ceremony.

— Director of Logistics Junior Avni Goyal events. On Dec. 4, 2024, MSJ DECA held a the conference, the award ceremony was held Although SVCDC was a three-day event, members prepared months in advance. Even before the school year started, many competitors were hard at work creating their written reports, studying for the exams, and practicing roleplays. Through weekly workshops held in C-120 after school, members received valuable advice on specific aspects of the competitive

two-hour simulated mock conference in which participants competed in a shortened version of a roleplay presentation and exam. Furthermore, officers and leadership team members held open sessions over winter break as an opportunity for members to receive extra practice and one-on-one feedback. “[The members] have been working on [events preparation] for the past several months, and we’ve been giving them thorough feedback and advice to make sure that our members can perform the best they can,” Director of Logistics Junior Avni Goyal said.

On the first day of the conference, competitors arrived at the Santa Clara Marriott in the afternoon and completed their exams. The next day contained the bulk of the competitive events, where contestants competed in their roleplay and written events. As the events came to a close, students had time to meet competitors from other school chapters and explore the surrounding conference area. Concluding

on Sunday, with the top three winners in each category of both the test and the presentation receiving medals and the overall top three given glass.

Compared to the previous four years, this year’s SVCDC marked MSJ DECA’s largest delegation. “This year, we definitely scored so much better than the past three years I’ve been in DECA. I know this year we won the most [compared to previous years], which is really exciting, and I hope our members can carry it on through [SCDC] as well,” MSJ DECA President Senior Keerti Koya said. Looking forward, members will be competing from February 27 to March 2 at SCDC in Anaheim, CA, where the top five in each roleplay category and the top four in the written event category will qualify to compete at ICDC against students from around the world from April 2629 in Orlando, Florida. ▪

MSJ DECA members pose with their glass and DECA sign after the awards ceremony.

News in brief Compiled by Navya Chitlur, Ekasha Sikka, Ariana Yi & Aaqib Zishan Staff Writers

QUIRKY

PHOTOS COURTESY SRIYA VINTHA

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LOCAL

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Magnus Carlsen plays Michael Bezold on the first day of the championship.

Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department fight to contain the multiple fires.

Magnus Carlsen disqualified from a tournament for wearing jeans During the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York, Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen walked away from the tournament over a dispute involving his jeans. Carlsen was asked to change his attire immediately and fined $200 after violating the dress code by wearing jeans. Seeing the situation as a matter of principle, Carlsen paid the fine but refused to change until the next day, and consequentially, was not paired for the following round of chess. The International Chess Federation issued statement emphasized that the dress code is enforced to all participants before tournaments. However, the tournament’s governing body proceeded to loosen its dress code to allow Magnus to return to the championships the following week.

The raging Los Angeles wildfires leave thousands of families displaced A devastating fire raging across Los Angeles, displacing thousands of people and killing 27, began on January 7 due to Santa Ana winds. Since then, it has destroyed more than 12,000 buildings, consuming most of Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst, and garnering an economic loss of around $250 billion. Recently, a red flag warning was issued, along with more evacuation orders in high-risk areas. With a lack of government funding, firefighters, damages, and shortages in necessities like lodging, food, and water, the situation has worsened, leading to citizens raising funds through nonprofits and donations. On January 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a future plan to raise $2.5 billion for Los Angeles resources and recovery.

national

international

corrections

for the DEC. 24, 2024 issue News P2: Sophomore Ethan Chen is a board member of the Board of Directors.

News P2: GSI Environmental should be written as such.

Newsbytes P2: Compiled by Janet Guan, Michelle Qu & Fiona Yang.

Newsbytes P2: NASA lost connection with Voyager 2 on July 21, 2023.

Opinion P7: H.R.6480 is not titled Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. Feature P7: Justin Wu made 6 figures.

A&E P15: Moana 2 was released on November 27.

A&E P15: “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” should be written as such.

A&E P15: Shawn Mendes’ album came out in 2018.

A&E P15: The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town American should be written as such.

Sports P17: Stanley’s should be written as such.

Sports P17: City Center Bishop Branch should be written as such.

Sports P18: Andrea Ishananto-Rotsidis should be written as such.

Sports P18: Santhosh Arunkumar should be written as such.

Sports P18: Isha Cheetancheri should be written as such.

Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg

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Former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral was held on January 9 at the National Cathedral.

South Korean citizens show their support for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President, passes away at 100 years old Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. In honor of his passing, a funeral was held at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9. All five living presidents attended, with current President Biden delivering a eulogy, where he highlighted Carter’s dedication to public service. In addition, the service recognized his exceptional post-presidential efforts, such as his work in Habitat for Humanity where he helped build and repair homes for low-income families worldwide. Additionally, Carter was committed to tackling global health crises, such as eradicating Guinea worm disease, further improving the lives of the underprivileged.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested at his home On January 14, South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul, following a dramatic standoff, as Yoon’s security forces forced law enforcement to scale barricades and cut through barbed wire in order to access Yoon’s compound and arrest him.

Yoon has become the first sitting South Korean leader to be held by criminal investigators after his attempt to declare martial law. Yoon was held on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, as he later ignored three summonses from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, believing that the investigation was illegal. His arrest has sparked widespread political polarization across South Korea, raising concerns about the future of South Korea’s democratic institutions.

Friday, January 24, 2025

The Smoke Signal

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Opinion 3

“I’m just a girl” is just another weight on feminine identity

By Janet Guan, Scarlett Huang, Jennifer Li & Michelle Qu Staff Writers

INTRODUCTION “POV — you want to save money, but you’re just a girl.” “I didn’t buy four iced coffees this week, so I made money according to girl math.” “Watch me explain football in girl terms.” After the Internet shifted away from the controversial “girlboss feminism” era of the 2010s, which was accused of perpetuating rigid stereotypes about successful women, yet another wave of feminist trends struck mainstream media. From “girl math” to “I’m just a girl,” TikTok users are sharing new ideas about what it means to be a woman in modern society.

The appeal of these trends lies in their satirical humor, seeming to offer a playful and exaggerated take on gender roles that many find amusing. The first few “girl dinner” videos depicting meals consisting of ice cubes and a single slice of cheese on users’ For You page may appear quirky and harmless, but as more of these videos are created and go viral, an underlying theme starts to reveal itself. Beneath the irony, these trends subtly perpetuate the stereotypes they mock by framing women as frivolous, indecisive, and incapable of living independently, masking the harmful impact these messages have on perceptions of feminist causes and younger generations.

Social media is a precarious platform where humor, relatability, and popular culture intersect to generate trends that can mutate in meaning. The “I’m just a girl” trend arose from the lyrics from “Just a Girl,” an upbeat pop song released in 1995 by the band No Doubt. The song became popular on TikTok through an audio clip, where users pair it with content reflecting on personal experiences attributed to women that many find relatable.

Ironically, the song heavily satirizes the phrase “just a girl” and uses it to criticize misogynistic standards. Many of the trends associated with the “just a girl” phenomenon stem from the idea of “girlhood,” which originally revolved around celebrating the experiences, challenges, and joys of femininity and growing up as a woman. The focus of these trends eventually shifted towards the demeaning effect that social expectations have on women, resulting in the influx of satirical videos about femininity.

SATIRE OR FUEL FOR STEREOTYPES? Like most Internet trends, phrases such as “I’m just a girl” and videos of “girl math” were popularized for their humor. However, as a satire of the stereotypes women face in society, many of these trends ultimately rely on a constant association between traditionally feminine traits and being a woman. While the sarcasm of women using “girl math” to call irresponsible splurging with cash “free” may be apparent to viewers familiar with the trend, for the larger demographic, they appear as yet another example of women being incompetent and having poor decision-making abilities. Instead of calling attention to the absurdity of feminine stereotypes, they appear to only rationalize them.

Furthermore, even for women and girls who understand the joke, these trends can have a serious impact on their self-perception. In videos featuring “I’m just a girl,” women are often depicted carrying six or seven shopping bags full of clothing, crashing their cars into walls, and admitting to thousands of dollars of debt, all while wearing glamorous clothes, makeup, and a bright smile on their faces. The constant glorification of naivety, irresponsibility, and ignorance subconsciously encourages women and girls to take pride in possessing stereotypic, negative traits and treat them as inevitable byproducts of their femininity. “One thing I love about being a girl is you can do and say just about anything with an excuse or a reason,” TikTok creator Victoria Lit said.

REGRESSION OF FEMINISM

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

From a broader perspective, these recent trends represent a harmful regression in the movement for gender equality in media, undermining hardfought societal progress. Over the past decade, the feminist movement has gained tremendous momentum, empowering women to break free from the constraints of a patriarchal society. Despite this progress, the growing popularity of regressive ideologies reflects a troubling shift backward. According to a 2022 study on 20 countries by the United Nations, 68% of respondents believed that the media portrays women in stereotypically female roles, such as wives, mothers, or caregivers, a 14 percentage-point increase since 2018. One manifestation of this downturn is the “trad wife” ideology, which glorifies women’s role as caretakers and housewives. It paints an idyllic image of traditional domesticity, encouraging women to return to their “natural” role in society. Creators like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm have been gaining online influence along with this movement for the past few years, posting content that advertises a return to conventional caregiving as an ideal for women. While these portrayals may seem harmless on the surface, they glamorize societal roles that have historically oppressed women and reduced them to dependents of men. Similar to the “just a girl” aesthetic, which trivializes feminist struggles by reducing them to cutesy yet ignorant punchlines disguised as satire, the “trad wife” trend capitalizes on romanticized imagery to downplay the autonomy and capability of women, drawing them back to subservience.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with using social media as a place to bond over commonalities and share laughs over lighthearted content, it’s important to be aware of when the thin line between satire and genuinely harmful implications is crossed. We can achieve this by asking ourselves about the purpose of the content we are exposed to and their impact on audiences. We are responsible for objectively examining the media we consume, recognizing when problematic rhetoric is used for the sake of trendiness, and speaking out.

MSJ students interested in learning more about modern feminism can participate in clubs such as MSJ Exit Zine, which publishes its own feminist magazine. Students can also join MSJ Generation She, MSJ Girls Who Code, or MSJ Women in STEM, communities that serve as safe spaces for students to explore fields that women are traditionally discouraged from entering.

IMPACT ON YOUNGER GENERATIONS

CONCLUSION The unrestricted reign of recent feminist trends is now seeing repercussions beyond the short term, as both girls and women are internalizing their implications and applying them to the way they perceive and experience the world. For “I’m just a girl” to become a truly harmless phrase, we as a society need to stop giving power to rhetoric that restricts the individuality of women in society, whether it be the current “trad wife” videos that criticize women for abandoning domesticity or the 2010s “girlboss” trends that isolated women who didn’t fit the “corporate feminism” mold. It’s time to finally let women lead their own lives without the Internet constantly redefining who they are supposed to be.

“I’m just a girl” is a pervasive ideal that has become more than just a trend and closer to being a widespread mentality. In fact, researchers have found that hateful ideologies and misogynistic tropes impact how teens and youth are treated in schools. According to a 2017 study by UK Feminista and the National Education Union, “64% of teachers in mixed-sex secondary schools hear sexist language in school on at least a weekly basis” in the United Kingdom.

In the short term, trends like “girl dinner” can have harmful effects on teen psyches and health. “Girl dinner” effectively romanticizes the act of eating less, labeling the action itself as something inherently female. By trivializing unhealthy eating habits, these trends promote potential eating disorders.

These trends exclude and ostracize those who do not conform to its expectations and ideas, forcing teens, who are overly susceptible to peer pressure, to make a choice between health and acceptance.

Younger generations are falling for the allure of the idyllic lifestyles portrayed by these trends without recognizing the potential ramifications of conforming to such trends. Seeing online creators play into harmful stereotypes of female traits normalizes these belittling ideologies, reinforcing the idea that misogyny is natural and acceptable. The packaging of “I’m just a girl,” “girl dinner,” or “girl math” as cute, relatable trends allows the Internet to frame misogyny and infantilization as acceptable and appealing.

These trends bring together women, especially girls, through relatable, short videos, and create a sense of camaraderie and community that appeals to teens and young adult women, who typically lack a truly supportive network in real life. Society should work toward forming more communities where women feel included and supported without having to play into the tropes of misogyny.

GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR KEERTI KOYA

4 Opinion

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THE SMOKE SIGNAL Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 60, No. 2 October 18, 2024

Friday, January 24, 2025

Keerti's Key meets Padma's Perspective Love letter to the Smoke Signal

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By Padma Balaji & Keerti Koya Co-Opinion Editors

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.

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From the monthly array of Noah’s Bagels on distribution day to collapsing on the M2 couch after a long week, every day as a Smokie is a new experience. Since the day we turned in our applications years ago, the Smoke Signal has become an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s trudging through the infamous mock week or enjoying bagels alongside the latest edition, we’ve built lasting memories, formed lifelong friendships, and learned valuable lessons throughout our time with the paper. With applications approaching in just a couple days, we wanted to share the reasons why we love the Smoke Signal and why you should too.

Keerti: I still vividly remember sitting on a bean bag in my room six years ago reading the latest cycle of the Smoke Signal my older sister brought home. I would flip straight to Feature’s DieHard TryHards to see what silly competition was held, and then to Centerspread to marvel at the bright colors and intricate shapes. Yet somehow, I found myself always back in the Opinion section. Reading the everyday events described in columns, challenging myself with difficult words in the articles, and analyzing the fun Graphic Opinions never failed to captivate me.

Coming into the Smoke Signal, I naturally gravitated towards Opinion. Yet, it was my involvement in everything from News Investigative Reports to Graphics photo coverages that shaped the way I view the organization.

After attending my very first event coverage, I realized that — despite living in Fremont my entire life — I knew so little about my own hometown. Through the Smoke Signal, I attended everything from well-known haunted

houses to small business fairs to community walkathons, discovering my own community and growing connections with those around me in the process. As Tech Manager in junior year, I was able to see the inner workings of creating the final product that would get sent off to the printing press. Serving as the Opinion Copyeditor last year allowed me to appreciate the wealth of research and statistics in creating strong arguments. And, of course, being Opinion Editor has been an immensely rewarding experience through which I not only get to lay out the spreads for Staff Writer Voices to be heard but also feature the opinions of the Editorial Board and broader community. Looking back now, I know the Keerti from six years ago, who admired the Opinion Editors’ work, would never have expected to be in that very place. All it took was a leap of faith, and now, I’m a part of a family I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Padma: When I applied to the Smoke Signal two years ago, and got in, I was terrified of being a journalist. Although I loved journalism, having been an avid NPR nerd all my life, the idea of interviewing complete strangers or writing an article in just a few days was daunting to say the least, my social anxiety blaring every time I asked the inevitable, “Excuse me, can I interview you?” Yet, as I faced my fears time and time again to talk to attendees at a festival or interview students for voices, I grew to love them; every person I talked to had their own incredible story, each interview I conducted giving me glimpses into worlds I never knew existed.

Now, as an Opinion Editor, I’ve learned priceless lessons about what it means to be

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

BookTok and the performance of reading Book reviews, hauls, and reading essentials: the one-stop shop for all things bookish is #BookTok. Amassing more than 200 billion views, the hashtag has drawn the attention of readers across the globe. This platform is only powerful for readers, as well as authors with bookstores setting up displays specifically to showcase trending books for shoppers to locate easily. Evidently, BookTok has established itself as an important pillar of the reading community.

However, with the growing popularity of BookTok, reading has become intertwined with the performative, commercial nature of social media. Certainly, BookTok has encouraged people to find new ways of enjoying reading in a period with concerningly low student literacy levels — according to the Hechinger Report, nearly two-thirds of American students were unable to read at grade level even pre-pandemic, However, the platform blurs the line between using social media as an avenue to share a literary experience versus an aesthetic performance, causing some people to lose sight of the very purpose of books.

Central to the problem of BookTok’s performative reading trends lies in consumerism. Like many other hobbies that have gained traction on social media, BookTok has commercialized reading. Social media places a constant pressure on readers to maintain a certain aesthetic, pushing them to consume products deemed “necessary” for reading.

BookTok has become a marketplace for bookish products, with videos

advertising book accessories that have accumulated millions of views.

Many of these videos include hidden sponsorships that, if realized, would expose the deep roots of consumerism within the community.

Moreover, this subculture encourages procuring books for an aesthetic, a problem tracing back to the 20th century. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, he emphasizes that owning unread books doesn’t emanate an intellectual appearance, but rather acts as a facade. The phenomenon of appearing well-read has recently spread through BookTok, with viral videos of people pretending to read in front of coffee shops under hashtags such as #darkacademia and #downtowngirl. Not only does this cause people to devalue the act of reading, which offers important skills such as literary analysis, but it also encourages the overconsumption of aesthetic goods, including books themselves, in order to build an appearance. Famous BookTok influencers can be seen filing viral videos of book hauls amounting to hundreds of dollars and starting trends among the community to do the same.

These trends might have resulted in positive growth of the market — according to the Berkeley Economic Review, since the rise of BookTok in 2019, bookstores have seen a rise of around 21%, compared to only three to four percent pre-pandemic. However, BookTok ultimately encourages a superficial, consumerist approach to an inherently intellectual hobby. Reading does not need to be

expensive. However, as bookstore sales have increased in recent years, according to IBIS World Analysts, library use has even dipped slightly with a three percent revenue decrease towards the end of 2024.

The community also has a history of ignoring sensitive and serious topics worth discussing, such as domestic violence and abusive relationships, opting to instead romanticize possibly problematic books and focus on their aesthetics. It’s a cyclical issue: when readers brush over the deeper meaning behind works of writing, concerned only about a romanticized version of the books, there is a loss of media literacy. This folly ultimately leads to people trivializing sensitive topics. Not only does this make the many young people of this community vulnerable to potentially facing these issues in real life, but it is also insensitive to real victims.

It is both sad and ironic to see that reading has not escaped the claw of commercialization and instead has begun to fuel the same vices of social media it is the antithesis of. Rather than perform for social media, students should seek to browse their local libraries and explore titles that may not be as popular, engaging their intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills. Simply pursuing reading for personal interests is much more fulfilling than curating an aesthetic to live up to. BookTok as a concept is an excellent place to find other readers, but in practice, people ultimately must not lose sight of the personal fulfillment and knowledge books offer. ▪

a leader and team member, and above all, the value of taking on new challenges. From publishing my very own column in the paper to leading our monthly editorial meetings to crafting spreads in Adobe InDesign, the Smoke Signal has given me the chance to step out of my comfort zone. It’s allowed me to step into a space where I’ve grown, not only as a journalist, but as a storyteller, a leader, and above all, a person.

Above all, I’ve found an incredible community that have truly turned into my #SmokieFamily. Whether it’s attending event coverages with co-writers, sitting on the beloved M2 couch with my best friends, or going through pitches with co-editors, I’m constantly surrounded by an amazing group of people that not only push me to be better, but support me through the process.

At the Smoke Signal, we’re no stranger to taking chances: we take a small leap of faith evey time we pitch a story or take initiative to write a breaking news article, and we encourage you to do the same by applying, no matter how uncertain it may feel. We are, however, certain that M2 will guarantee you a shared community of students passionate about giving back and amplifying the voices of our student body. At the Smoke Signal, you’ll grow as a writer, learner, and above all, a person. If a warm couch, a passionate community, and of course, free bagels sound like your cup of tea, we’re certain you’ll find it at the Smoke Signal. So give the application at tinyurl.com/smokesignalapp2526 your best shot, and we couldn’t be more excited about the possibility of welcoming you into the Smokie family. ▪

By Hannah Bi & Luna Venturo Graphics Editor & Staff Writer

GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH BI

STAFF WRITER LUNA VENTURO

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Opinion 5

Apple's Siri lawsuit and the importance of regulating data privacy

By Navya Chitlur, Tushara Devapatla & Cham Yu Staff Writers

INTRODUCTION In early January, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that Siri listened in on users’ conversations and breached consumer privacy. Over the past several years, Siri has been accused of infringing on the users’ rights to privacy by listening in on private moments, using keywords to trigger personalized targeted ads to users. While Apple claims to only listen to recordings for quality assessments, reinforcing the same stance they made to courts in 2019 as a part of the same lawsuit, they continued to exploit this privilege to unethically gather user data, partially due to customers allowing iPhone apps to access the microphone feature. To prevent future privacy violations, companies should face greater repercussions for mishandling client data along with expanded federal regulations, while users can minimize risk by thoroughly examining privacy agreements.

background Apple was first accused of privacy breaches in 2019 for having stored recordings of users’ private conversations without consent. The accusation was brought up in an investigation by The Guardian in August 2019, which outlined numerous instances where privacy violations were committed. Subsequently, the class action lawsuit Lopez et al. v. Apple Inc. was filed in the same month.

Alleged privacy violations included Apple’s usage of Siri’s user data to push targeted advertisements, with the lead plaintiff receiving an ad of Air Jordans immediately following verbal conversation of the brand, raising concerns about third-party involvement. The $3.58 trillion-worth Cupertino company responded by apologizing to users affected and promising to delete all stored recordings from previous years. Apple reiterated its commitment to improvement of service and denied any motivation from economic gain. Part of the suit was dismissed in February 2021 for the plaintiff’s overt speculation, but was subsequently readmitted in an amendment in the September of the same year, adding factual allegations to the plaintiff’s arguments. The company then agreed to the $95 million settlement in 2024 to prevent further litigation, thereby resolving the lawsuit.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs have accused Apple of failing to prevent recordings of user interactions with Siri, a blatant violation of its 2019 pledges and other privacy regulations, as the company continued to profit off of selling user data to third-party apps and services which catered targeted advertisements to users. Although the resolution of the lawsuit pressures Apple to acknowledge its business practices, the settlement of a meager $95 million pales in comparison to the company’s gargantuan $391 billion annual revenue. Ultimately, the lawsuit does not prevent Apple from committing the same privacy violations in the future, and with the low repercussions of million-dollar fines for a trillion-dollar company, the company may continue to exploit user data. Apple’s continued profit from monopolized user data was garnered using subversive means, and should have faced harsher repercussions in the form of a higher settlement or an expansion of government regulation to prevent further exploitation.

History of Tech lawsuits Alongside Apple, other tech companies have had histories of user privacy breaches. In 2022, a $1.4 billion Texas lawsuit accused Meta of privacy breaches pertaining to facial and biometric data, which they had allegedly recorded and stored over time. Meta’s tag suggestions feature had allegedly violated a Texan law that requires companies to request user permission before using facial recognition tools. In January 2023, Meta sued Bright Data, a global technology and web company, for unethically scraping data from Meta services. However, Bright Data claimed they only used information

publicly accessible to them, proving that the private information of all Meta’s users were available online, meaning its security and data preservation policies have barely changed or improved despite previous accusations. Privacy breaches such as these can be incredibly harmful as they showcase that third-party companies can use private data from users without their consent and that citizens have an absolute lack of control over their online privacy. In the case of Apple, the company would have been able to obtain any information from their users at any given time, making privacy almost impossible for anyone with the Siri function.

Similarly, the company VIZIO, a TV design company, faced a $17 million lawsuit for the illegal collection and preservation of user data, including watchlist history, account information, users' digital identities. According to 22 research statistics from Proton, companies receive hefty profits from selling private user data, with Amazon earning $38 billion from advertisement companies alone. The sum of money companies make heavily outweighs the money they lose over settlements and lawsuits, leading to a repetitive cycle devoid of any substantial change.

Though Apple has been sued and accused of data collection in the past, the company faced insignificant repercussions, such as settlement by a promise to delete all previously accumulated data, and were thus able to continue to exhibit the same behavior. Despite the majority of users being unaffected by data breaches, the violation leaves users vulnerable to online attacks from hackers, with many users having been in situations where their banking accounts, personal or health issues, or high-level security information were leaked. In a 2024 data breach in Infosys McCamish, Bank of America’s financial software provider, led to the banking information of 57,028 users being compromised, which was then accessed by a ransomware group, LockBit. Affected customers were then given a promise of compensation from the bank, which they have struggled to deliver, causing a simple data breach due to poor privacy policies to impact the economic standpoints of thousands of people all over the country. In order to prevent future incidents like the Infosys breach and cement users’ data privacy rights, there needs to be more significant legislation to ensure companies are forced to take accountability for choosing to exploit personal data from their users.

Proposed regulations

strategies like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which requires companies to have inbuilt data safety guards in their products to ensure that users’ personal data is protected from the very beginning. Existing federal protections, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents the collection and disclosure of information about children, but remains sorely unequipped to combat privacy breaches against other demographics. By expanding bills like COPPA, more pressure would be placed on tech companies to change their data collection systems.

COUNTERARGUMENTS Many experts argue that privacy violations are avoidable as long as Internet users clearly read privacy agreements online. However, it is unreasonable to blame users for the exploitation of their data, especially as companies consistently utilize opaque methods and deliberately confusing agreements to prevent users understanding how to protect their data. A 2019 Pew Research Poll found that only 9% of Americans always read privacy policies before agreeing to them, indicating that a vast majority of users do not clearly examine its complex technical jargon within privacy agreements. Privacy agreements are not of use if they’re long-winded and tedious to read, and blame cannot be placed on the user. Instead, corporations must ensure that its agreements and methods to protect one’s data privacy are straightforward and able to easily be implemented.

conclusion To ensure veritable user control over personal data, companies should maintain their integrity and repudiate malpractices like storing and exploiting personal data without clear user consent. While corporations must take significant responsibility, federal legislation is also necessary to ensure companies don’t continue to repeat privacy violations, as there are very few consequences that regulate companies' behavior. Federal legislation can exist through expanded state legislation to ensure accountability for companies. Customers should strive to thoroughly review and understand the terms and conditions of privacy agreements, and reject them when necessary, though it may be tedious. Other strategies to minimize risk of privacy exposure can include using Virtual Private Networks to encrypt data, avoiding unsecure websites, and limiting app permissions. Students can also join activist organizations to advocate for enhanced federal regulations on company conduct of user data, thereby preventing private violations from taking root in their digital footprints.

Fo r

The rise of poor data privacy and megacorporation malpractices warrants the strengthening of punishments for offending tech companies. While me, privathere are state laws that advocate for regulacy agreements are tions and securing data privacy, more federal too long...If customers are regulation is needed to prevent abuse of agreeing, that's kind of their data privacy. This can be done through fault…I think it's both the customers and Apple's fault, bethe federal adaptation of curcause they should be making rent state laws, such as the "I don't shorter privacy agreements California Consumer Privacy know if there's because they know consummuch that users can do.

Act which gives California ers are not going to read it.

We’re at the mercy of large consumers more control over But also, if consumers care corporations like Google or their private data, ensuring that that much about their privaApple because they can't reusers are aware of how to delete cy, they should take time out ject the privacy agreements their information online, and alof their day to go over what — you usually have to acthey're agreeing to. But I... cept them to continue lowing them to opt-out of the don't take time to read privausing the app.

So unsale of their personal inforcy agreements, and that's my less you just go off mation. all of social media bad." — Gavia GreThe current absence of or something wal, 11 a uniform federal standard like that and you go off the grid, on privacy, according to the they’re probably going to Centre for Information Policy be tracking you, and there’s Leadership “[has] left organizanot a lot you can really do tions in the United States wresabout it." — Arushi tling with inconsistent legal obligations Singh, 12 regarding the collection and use of personal data.” To tackle issues regarding data privacy, the federal government could adopt

S E C I STUDENT V O GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR PADMA BALAJI

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Opinion 7

Staff Column Tackling socioeconomic inequality with equity

By Cham Yu

Staff Writer

Luigi Mangione Support

ple of persistent racial disparities. The city was once a predominantly Black neighborhood that still experiences lower income levels, educational attainment, and lower life expectancy by more than 13 years compared to the rest of the county. Like other historically Black-majority communities, the city once struggled with redlining — an institutional rejection of mortgages that systemically clustered minorities — leaving Black communities without generational wealth others collect through homeownership.

Communities facing restrictions often lacked adequate educational and career opportunities, perpetuating racial disparities. The Bayshore Freeway separates the city from Palo Alto, one of the wealthiest cities in the country and a hotspot of technological innovation, a stark disparity stemming from discriminatory housing policy. According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income in Palo Alto remains double that of East Palo Alto to this day.

The legacy of discriminatory policies, such as redlining, is exemplified by widespread patterns of inequality in household income and living conditions. A 2019 study by the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley found that the Bay Area is segregated to a higher extent than the 1970s, an observation that may be the result of skyrocketing cost of living from Silicon Valley’s burgeoning technology industry. Those in segregated communities earn nearly 40% less income and are 22% more likely to be impoverished. These sustained racial disparities are a stark reminder against further political passivity in the face of deeply-rooted injustice.

Unfortunately, it has become exceedingly popular to acknowledge racism and turn a blind eye when difficult changes are necessary to combat inequality, especially when personal stakes are involved. A classic example of inac-

4&*&!5$0' .

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” civil rights activist James Baldwin said. We often comfort ourselves with empty notions of racial progress as residents of the Bay Area — the heart of American progressivism — but words alone can’t break us out of our bubble of privilege. The Bay Area produces $654.73 billion worth of services in a year and is home to 57 of the nation’s largest companies. Silicon Valley’s glamor of prosperity, however, overshadows the socioeconomic inequality that pushes those impoverished into further destitution. The result?

An affluent Peninsula to the west, juxtaposed with relative poverty in the East Bay. Racial disparities and continued segregation are still evident through all nine counties of the Bay Area.

The mismatch between words and reality is a reflection of an atavistic feeling of discomfort when dealing with race and socioeconomic inequality. It’s often convenient to support change, but it can be difficult to accept the reality of progress. Even as Americans continue to declare uniform support for racial equity, the share of minority enrollments in higher education continues to slide without substantial changes to policy. To address the legacy of marginalization, current socioeconomic systems must be reformed to reduce racial disparities, not with words.

While segregation may seem like a distant historical notion, its legacy can be still observed throughout the Bay Area. Prior to the region’s explosion of Asian immigrants in recent decades, a collection of historically Black communities once dotted the Peninsula, East Bay, and San Francisco. These marginalized communities were deliberately segregated from more prosperous districts, and signs of disparities still remain to this day.

East Palo Alto serves as a prominent exam-

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of white students decreased when implemented.

Yet blind equality is inherently unequal without equity. Minority students continue to possess a tangible disadvantage in college admissions in terms of wealth and environment. In a 2016 report, the American Federation of Teachers found that Black students are twice as likely as their white peers to be in funding-deficient school districts. The lack of Advanced Placement examinations and financial aid, according to a USA Today report, contributed to a 22% drop in college enrollment for Black students.

Equity policies can help reduce these disparities and may promote a more equal playing field for all students. Unfortunately, apathy would only feed into our society’s systems of inequality where minorities are less likely to attend college and more likely to be impoverished, perpetuating our unequal institutions. It becomes clear that equality cannot be achieved without equity.

A successful example of racial integration policies are the equity policies implemented by Singapore. Since 1980, the government slowly advocated for racial integration between the Chinese, Indian, and Malay populations in the face of mutual distrust, in part by subsidizing direct support for disadvantaged Malay students. Today, polls held by the National University of Singapore find that more than 90% of Chinese residents are comfortable with Indians and Malays as neighbors and coworkers, while the country’s Gini Coefficient, used to measure economic inequality, is an impressive 0.371 compared to the US’ 0.485. Singapore is a foreign city-state with different societal dynamics, but its success in combating socioeconomic inequality demonstrates the feasibility of government programs in pursuing equity.

Inequality is a complex issue. It will not disappear with apathy, and addressing it may require altruistic compromises from certain sectors of society. Yet equality will forever remain a faraway goal unless equity can be achieved. As policy proposals stagnate, minority groups will only continue to struggle in economic marginalization with no end. Perhaps it’s time for a change. ▪

“The killing cannot be justified. No matter what the problem was, no human being should be killed, though the problem of healthcare has been increasing because people are unable to pay for their healthcare. There’s still no need to kill someone just because of that. People should focus more about the motivations behind his actions, because healthcare is a really big issue, but just because it is does not mean he should have taken someone else’s life. People who idolize Mangione aren’t really using a nuanced view of things — they aren’t seeing what he was actually trying to do, because by no means should taking someone’s life be accepted.” — Siri Lakshmi Rao, 10

“Although I believe that violence is very rarely justifiable, I do think that the support for Luigi is certainly very understandable. Within our societal structure, there are a surplus of individuals who’ve had to face the painful reality of insurance rejection during already difficult times for their families. As such, I do think that it is important to focus on - './&0$!1 the motivations behind Mangione’s actions — his decision and the $ support of him reflect the underlying deeper issues with profitized healthcare. I don’t know that the content being created on the basis of Mangione’s physical appearance is so much problematic as it is interesting; it does at least stir up more discourse about the health industry as a whole, which I consider generally positive. I’m curious to see what the outcome of the case will be because it certainly will be interesting either way.” — Ashwika Jani, 12

2& +!, 3

On Dec. 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brain Thompson was assassinated by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. In a three-page manifesto recovered by authorities, Mangione expressed his frustration towards the health insurance company, claiming that it consistently prioritized profit over patient well-being. Following the incident, the Internet expressed tremendous support for Mangione and his actions, with many sympathizing towards his frustration with UnitedHealthcare and the general state of healthcare in America.

Many romanticized Mangione, expressing romantic affection, making thirst trap edits, and writing fanfiction. Supporters were able to raise more than $200,000 for him and contributed to significant sales in related merchandise, including the Nordstrom sweater Mangione wore to court.

tion is former San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, a self-proclaimed defender of racial minorities whose 23 years of service is tied to the persistent delays of new housing construction. While a large and burdensome shadow cast by a townhome conversion project may be enough for Peskin to reject new housing, a sustained housing shortage leaves disadvantaged minorities with little chance of homeownership. Housing developments have been delayed without end as zoning complaints and frivolous lawsuits rattled throughout the city.

Only 16 new homes were approved for construction within a six-month period in 2023 — an embarrassing setback for the city’s ambitious housing goal of 82,000 new units by 2031.

To address our nation’s widening racial disparities, policymakers must be bold to implement equitable socioeconomic policy that increases employment and household income.

These may come in the form of tax exemptions, affirmative action, subsidized healthcare, and other spending programs that directly alleviate poverty and inequality that often plague minority communities. However, public opinion has soured toward these initiatives in recent years, a testament to the difficulty of implementing change on sacrosanct socioeconomic systems.

Claremont Mckenna College’s Professor Ronald E. Riggio, in a 2024 Psychology Today article, provides a possible explanation: uncertainty often accompanies change and may inspire resistance from those affected. With systemic change being necessary for racial equity, discomfort in response to change means that targeted policies continue to be a risky political endeavor.

Along with the purported goal of equity, regressive trends of public discourse have become increasingly mainstream , where society is viewed as a racial zero-sum game. In other words, the idea of equity remains popular, but the steps to achieve it are not. A result of the shift in discourse can be the end of affirmative action in college admissions by the Supreme Court. The notion of affirmative action can be incompatible with a conventional view of equality, given that the percentage enrollment

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“I mean murder is excessive, and we shouldn’t have to go to that to prove that something is wrong. But we should really focus on the motivation behind it, because, I think there is a legitimate reason to be upset and frustrated. Our healthcare is kind of messed up compared to other countries. It costs a lot and people can’t af*+!,, ''() & ford it. It’s kind of slow for myself and my family, so we’ve !% always had trouble with getting health stuff to actually work. It’s so frustrating for us. So, I understand it, but murder is a little excessive. Violence is not necessary.

If [the public] is writing fanfictions and doing thirst traps, that’s romanticizing Mangione and the violence, but if [they’re] actually supporting Mangione because of [their] frustration, then it’s valid support.” — Ima Nissler, 11

2=)+!> .<$ ' )

“No, I don’t think it’s justified because it normalizes murder, which is a violent crime, it makes it understandable and undermines the significance of murdering the healthcare CEO. I think you have to consider [the importance of focusing on the violence of the crime and grieve the victim, and focus on the motivations behind Mangione’s actions]. But you can’t just focus on the motivation, because then people forget that a man died, which is something that we should grieve and think about in the scope of the world. [Furthermore], making thirst traps of the murderer makes, creates support for him, instead of portraying him as the murderer that he is and should be considered [as]. Rather than punishing his actions, people are normalizing it and trivializing it by showing that it’s an understandable thing to do when murder is not understandable at all.” — Abhinav Deshpande, 9

-9.&2$: !;

Do you think the support for Mangione is justified or understandable? Is it more important to focus on the violence of the crime and grieve the victim or focus on the motivations behind Mangione’s actions? Does the support for Mangione unfairly normalize violence or trivialize the victim’s life? Do you think thirst traps or fanfiction written about Mangione are problematic considering his actions?

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS KANUPRIYA GOYAL, CHAM YU, KAIWEI PARKS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBER MEGHA VASHISHT

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2025 www.asdrp.org WHO WE ARE The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private research institution in Fremont, California.

ASDRP is the Bay Area's premier precollegiate research & development institution, run by a consortium of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and researchers with years of academic and industry experience who collectively seek to push forward the current frontiers in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, psychology, medicine, engineering, and more.

We mentor high school students - budding scientists in 9th through 12th grade - who come from every corner of the greater Bay Area, California, and across the United States. We seek student researchers who are passionate, who are unafraid of a steep learning curve, and who want to be involved in real science that has real impact on society.

WHAT WE DO Quite simply, we do research. Our investigators and student researchers strive to make impact in fields ranging from cancer biology, drug discovery, environmental science, and computer-guided drug design to radioastronomy, machine learning, and urban sustainability.

As in any other R&D establishment, we publish papers, present work at conferences, and generate intellectual property. Check out some of our latest preprints, publications, and conference proceedings online.

MISSION & VISION ASDRP is not a class, not a tutoring center, and not a summer camp. We are scientists and engineers who aim to push the frontiers of scientific discovery through rigorous and cutting edge basic & applied research across the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering, while bringing out the best in the aspiring scientists we mentor.

External queries: admissions@asdrp.org Administrative services: asdrp.admin@asdrp.org

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Summer 2025 Early Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 Final Applications Due: April 15, 2025 @ 11:59 PM PST Applications are competitive, and each term, ASDRP receives far more applicants than there are open research positions. Apply online at www.asdrp.org/apply.

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RSVP for an informational webinar at www.asdrp.org/rsvp.

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Feature 9

Diehard tryhards:

Stand-Up Comedy

By Ariel Duong, Scarlett Huang, Michael Qu & Aaqib Zishan Staff Writers

Stand-up comedy is a form of entertainment in which performers deliver humorous monologues or anecdotes to the audience, incorporating timing, relatability, and the ability to read a room. In this edition of DieHard TryHards, four Smokies will perform a short stand-up comedy act, competing for the most laughs from the judges. Will this challenge be a chance to discover hidden comedic talents, or will it be an unfortunate series of comical failures?

1 Aaqib 2 Michael 3 Ariel 4 scarlett Before

As the funniest member in my friend group and someone who is constantly mistaken for Hasan Minhaj, my comedic talent is simply unmatched. My perfectly timed delivery paired with rich punchlines makes it challenging not to laugh. This DieHard TryHards will be a walk in the park — I can already hear the applause and the taste of a sweet first-place victory. I have no worries when it comes to comedy, as I know I’ll “stand out.”

Before

Before

Before

I’m not worried about this competition in the least. As a veteran of DieHard TryHards, I’ll overcome this challenge with ease, drawing on the quick wit I’ve sharpened from past challenges. Additionally, my countless hours watching stand-up specials have taught me all the comedic techniques I need. Whether it’s observational humor, wordplay, or self-deprecation, I’ve got my comedic arsenal ready. With my humor polished and my confidence high, there’s no stopping me now.

I’ll preface this much — I’m not a funny person. In fact, instead of laughing with me, people laugh at me. From my awkward stature to my dad jokes, I have little hope for this DieHard TryHards. I’m no Matt Rife or Jimmy O. Yang, but I’m up for the challenge nevertheless. With endless millennial references in my back pocket, I aim to make the most of this experience. My goal for this show will be to learn, grow, and never touch a comedy act again.

My past experience with comedy can be summed up in one exchange: “That wasn’t funny.” “Yeah, I know.” This DieHard TryHards will be nothing short of social suicide. However, my ego and narcissism won’t allow me to go down without a fight. I have faith that my chronically online status and occasionally funny Instagram feed will give me the fuel I need to stumble my way through this challenge.

THE GYM TO “I WENT TO ELDERLY MEN COOK SOME , BUT WHEN IN BASKETBALLHLETE DUNK I SAW A 6’6” ATS, I CALLED ON TWO GUY GO HOME.” MY MOM TO

LIKE THE “I’M ALMOST FA SURFSO F BATMAN O E ‘WHERE’S ING. HE’S LIK D I’M LIKE N A THE JOKER?’ REMOTE?’” E TH S ‘WHERE’

TS SAID I “MY STUDEN ORST TUW WASN’T THE ORLD ... I W TOR IN THE OW I WAS N K EN EV ’T DIDN FOR THAT!” A CANDIDATE

Come on man! That’s too easy — shoutout to LeBron for inspiring my jokes. All of those people who mistook me for Hasan Minhaj clearly had a reason behind it; I am a natural at comedy. I always knew my detailed storytelling abilities and comedic confidence would easily carry me to victory. Standup comedy may be a challenge for some, but for me? It’s just another day of being the funniest person in the room. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Netflix called, and I’ve got to start writing my comedy special.

I’m not disappointed about getting second place in the least, as I know I faced this challenge headon and gave it my all. While first place wasn’t mine this time, those hours spent watching stand-up specials still paid off. I was able to apply some of my comedic techniques, like when I acted out a scene or paused before delivering a punchline. With this performance under my belt, I’m definitely going to bring my A-game to the next DieHard TryHards. Watch out because second place is just my start!

Well, that experience wasn’t the worst. While my act wasn’t a show-stopping Netflix feature, I was rewarded by a handful of half-hearted chuckles, which is better than a dead silent crowd. The humiliation taught me a lot about punchline, timing, understanding your audience, and my very apparent lack of comedic skills.

This experience may have decimated my confidence just a little, but don’t worry — next time you see me, I will return better, stronger, and maybe even a little funnier.

I’ll admit it — I absolutely deserved this loss. Whether it was nerves or just my pure lack of natural humor, this experience has bruised my ego on a spiritual level. On the bright side, I’ve ruled out one more possible career. Comedy is NOT my calling. My fellow comedians were worthy opponents, but it’ll definitely be a while until I’m brave enough to attempt to make another joke. However, this is not to say I won’t be back — I refuse to let one setback define my future in DieHard TryHards challenges!

After

After

After

After

TEACH KIDS, “I APPLIED TO I TURNED IN BUT WHEN TO THE REMY RESUME SHE SAID CEPTIONIST, , THE MEN‘SORRY DEAR HERE YET!’” TORS AREN’T

PHOTOS BY FEATURE EDITOR TANVI DESHMUKH. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TANVI DESHMUKH

10 Centerspread

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MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL

MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL

The Smoke Signal Presents

History of the Smoke Signal

By Dhaeshna Booma, Janet Guan, Ekasha Sikka, Fiona Yang & Ariana Yi Staff Writers

“[When I heard the name Smoke Signal], I thought about how back in ancient China, soldiers would use smoke signals to warn each other when enemies were invading or attacking so they would be prepared and fight back during war.”

— Sports Editor Howard Lu

Centerspread 11

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Name Origins

“When I think of the name Smoke Signal, I think of the oldest form of visual communication and broadcasting — that’s what [we] aim to do: to communicate and broadcast information about our school and students, global events/politics, and community-organized events nearby.” — Web Editor Alice Zhao

where does the name “Smoke Signal” come from?

The Smoke Signal derives its name from traditional forms of long-distance communication and honors cultures around the world.

60th Anniversary EVOLUTION OF THE PAPER The Smoke Signal was established in 1964 when MSJ was first founded. Since then, the paper has been passed down to a number of different advisers, each one with a unique vision for the publication. Former adviser Sandra Cohen began overseeing the organization in 2004. Under Cohen’s oversight, the paper decided to use color in at least four of its pages every issue. The paper’s reporting style gradually increased in depth as well with the adoption of new article types, including Investigative Reports and Special Reports. The Smoke Signal continues to preserve decades-old traditions, including the business structure and student-run aspect of its organization and the variety of its content.

In honor of its 60th anniversary, the Smoke Signal explored the newspaper’s name, awards and achievements, and inner workings such as a typical newspaper cycle and the different roles of the organization’s members.

Key Points of a Cycle At the start of a cycle, staff writers and editors pitch for Beats Story Ideas (BSI) — updates from MSJ organizations and departments and two story ideas for each of the eight newspaper sections — which editors then choose from for articles. The following day, staff writers pitch to write the cycle’s articles and are chosen after consideration by editors. The rough draft (RD) to final draft (FD) process is broken down into several stages. Starting from RD0.5, a basic guideline of necessary action steps, to FD, writers must keep track of deadlines, often with quick turnarounds. To create spreads, editors add visual graphics and formatting to completed articles. Finished spreads are sent to the Publicity/Tech Manager who then compiles all the pages into a PDF and sends it to FolgerGraphics for printing. On delivery day, staff writers gather to organize the hundreds of printed newspapers, and on the following day, Distribution Day, each member passes out copies of the finished newspaper to their assigned classrooms. The Smoke Signal then celebrates the end of the cycle with bagels.

“I know that whenever I went into Room M2 I knew I was surrounded by people who truly cared not only about me, but also about our overall mission and goal of delivering high quality news to the general student body.” — 2017-18 Editor-in-Chief Carolyn Ge

EDITORS

MANAGERS

All the Smoke Signal operations are supervised by the Editor-in-Chiefs and adviser. Under their oversight, the eight newspaper sections — News, Opinion, Feature, Centerspread, A&E, Sports, Graphics, and Web — each have two editors. Editors manage their respective sections’ articles from rough drafts to completing the newspaper spread as well as ensuring staff writers keep up with article deadlines. Additionally, each section is unique; for example, Web editors are in charge of the organization’s online presence and running the Smoke Signal’s official website. From guiding staff writers to creating a finished spread, editors play a crucial role for the Smoke Signal.

Ancient China

In ancient China, smoke signals were primarily used for military purposes, as defensive communication was transmitted between special beacon towers.

These beacon towers were used frequently on the Great Wall against foreign invasion. Tower guards would send smoke signals to the next, relaying the warning across the entire wall. For maximum visibility, typical smoke signals were crafted from carefully proportioned ingredients, including wolf excrements. This later inspired the idiom “wolf smoke is rising from all directions,” describing the start of war.

Ancient Greeks and Romans

While specific names or tribes associated with the origin of smoke signals in Africa are not universally documented, indigenous African groups have used fire and smoke for signaling for centuries.

They used these methods to alert others of danger, send messages across long distances, and mark events. In Southern Africa, tribes like the Zulu, were known to use smoke as part of their broader communication systems, including drum signaling. Similarly, in North Africa, Berber communities in mountainous regions occasionally relied on fire or reflective sunlight for signaling.

“As a newspaper we’re bringing other people news too, so our paper is like the smoke used to communicate with others.”

THE SMOKE SIGNAL 2018-19 STAFF POSING FOR A PICTURE.

Managers assume responsibility of similar integral parts of the Smoke Signal. Managers roles include the Advertising Manager, Business Manager, Publicity/Tech Manager, Events Manager, and Circulation Manager. While preparing for distribution, the Advertising Manager handles all the advertising in the newspaper, and the Publicity/Tech Manager compiles and submits the finished PDFs for printing every month. Following its printing, the Circulation Manager ensures smooth distribution of newspapers to the school during every cycle and facilitates mailed circulation for subscribers. All five of the manager roles fulfill critical responsibilities in keeping the Smoke Signal coordinated.

— Graphics Editor Hannah Bi

SMOKE SIGNALS RISING FROM THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.

Native Americans Indigenous peoples across different regions, including the Ohlone and the Great Plains communities, used smoke signals to transmit messages across far ranges, dating back to 2,000 years from today. Each smoke signal was uniquely created to serve a specific purpose. For emergency signaling, one smoke puff demanded attention, two puffs indicated peace, and three puffs was a cry for help. This method of communication was the most efficient and secretive over long distances for the indigenous peoples.

NATIVE AMERICAN TENDING TO A SMOKE SIGNAL.

THE SMOKE SIGNAL 2024-25 STAFF POSING FOR A PICTURE.

Awards & Achievements The Smoke Signal has consistently earned recognition for its commitment to quality student journalism. Over the years, the publication has amassed an impressive array of accolades from prestigious organizations. Among its most notable honors, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association has awarded the Smoke Signal multiple Gold Medals and Crown Awards, including the Gold Crown for Digital News in 2020-21. The National Scholastic Press Association has also recognized the publication as All-American several times, often with multiple Marks of Distinction for its website. In addition, the Smoke Signal has received several podium placements at the Ohlone College Contemporary Communications Conference, including first-place honors for General Excellence in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 school years. Other distinctions include first-place awards and recognition for investigative reporting from the American Scholastic Press Association.

GOLD CROWN FOR DIGITAL NEWS National Scholastic Press Association

1st

place honors for

general excellence 2001-02

American Scholastic Press Association

1st Place

allamerican

African Tribes While specific names or tribes associated with the origin of smoke signals in Africa are not universally documented, indigenous African groups have used fire and smoke for signaling for centuries.

They used these methods to alert others of danger, send messages across long distances, and mark events. In Southern Africa, tribes like the Zulu, were known to use smoke as part of their broader communication systems, including drum signaling. Similarly, in North Africa, Berber communities in mountainous regions occasionally relied on fire or reflective sunlight for signaling.

“[Our name] represents what we want to achieve as a newspaper organization — informing our readers [of] the most recent and relevant stories in our community, state, and national through different forms.”

COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION

2020-21

A PORTRAIT OF ANCIENT GREEKS USING SMOKE SIGNALS.

— News Editor Catherine Qin

NATIVE AMERICAN FEEDING A SMOKE SIGNAL.

with four marks of distinction for website

AFRICAN TRIBES TRAVELING WITH A SMOKE SIGNAL IN THE NEAR BACKGROUND.

Apply to join the Smoke Signal staff!

2015-16

Applications are due Friday, January 31 at 1 p.m. in M2

with merit 2009-10

Students must have room in their schedule to be eligible to apply SCAN HERE

For more questions or concerns, check out www.thesmokesignal.org

PHOTOS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH BI, ANTIGONE, GETTY IMAGES, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE, NATIONALUNITYGOVERNMENT.ORG, RAWPIXEL & WWW.WARPATHS2PEACEPIPES.COM, COURTESY FORMER ADVISER SANDRA COHEN. GRAPHICS BY CENTERSPREAD EDITOR NAISHA KOPPURAPU

Feature 12 12 Feature

The Smoke Smoke Signal Signal The

WWW.THESMOKESIGNAL THESMOKESIGNAL.ORG ORG WWW

Friday, January 24, 2025 2024 Friday,

Dear Diary: Lion Dancer

By Lucas Zhang Staff Writer

As Lunar New Year approaches on January 29, cultural traditions become widespread spectacles throughout the streets of San Francisco, especially the traditional Chinese lion dance. This series of diary entries follows one particular lion dancer named Lin from the neglect he faces during the Western holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day to the two weeks of festive performances during the Lunar New Year.

December 25, 10 a.m.

Every single year, I struggle to understand the hype behind Christmas all around San Francisco. With Lunar New Year just a month away, how do other Chinatown residents like me have the audacity to orient their street decorations toward obnoxiously tall trees and jingling bells for this Western occasion? These meaningless assets should be reserved for the rest of the city. I surely hope they do not replace the animals representing each year in our cultural calendar with Rudolph the Reindeer next.

January 1, 7 a.m.

All the talk about “New year, new me” seems like old news, especially as I dust out the same lion dance costume that I have recycled for the past 12 years. Its ferocious head and elegant tail remain perfectly intact, yet, right now, this suit is only a disguise that makes my weak self be able to let out a roar. With only four weeks left before the dancing season commences, why have my coaches not announced any training sessions yet? I hope they did not

rule out my act, a fearsome figure who can pilot a lettuce-grinding machine meant to be controlled by two people, after my previous showing.

January 12, 7 p.m.

With less than three weeks left, I still haven’t received any notifications about the lion dance from my coaches. Although my first name, Lin, means “forest” in Mandarin, staying put like a tree might not be the best move right now. Taking extreme measures, I let myself loose to roam around Chinatown as a one-member pride, (hopefully) seeking assistance from more educated locals there.

After an entire town of people immediately rushed inside their doors upon seeing me, one store owner welcomed me into his shop to have a secret discussion. Much to my surprise, he immediately agreed to help me de-rust to prepare for my Lunar New Year performances by both cleaning my worn-out costume and re-teaching me crucial moves. Thanks to him, I feel the courage to continue my lion dance legacy despite a tighter time constraint and an increasingly tighter suit.

miracle happening right in front of me? I learned my way around the intricacies of the large-scale dance moves, prepared to wow the crowd regardless of where the dance organizers place me in the suit. My mentor assured me that no one watching my dance will be frightened because my golden lion suit stands for good fortune, not something to run away from. Next week, everyone should be able to confidently watch me spring into action as I kick off the Year of the Snake.

January 29, 5 p.m.

My first day performing in a park flooded with spectators was much more thrilling than I had ever thought it would be. As a pleasant surprise, I did not have to make the hundreds of people here (s)care(d) about me through a solo performance. Other enormous lions joined me and helped my act out, and I used them as vaults and hurdles to perform tricks on. In the eight hours of showtime today — which felt more like eight minutes — I only had two states of mind: focus while perfecting my movements during my time onstage and awe in response to how us dancers cooperated with exquisite synergy while I was offstage watching my peers. Our united movements inside the massive lion costume reminded me of the mythical creatures in Chinese origin stories that my parents used to read to me as a kid, taking me back in time. With this successful performance under my belt, as I look ahead, my goal is to try to perform more frequently at festivals other than Lunar New Year celebrations.

with the Lantern Festival performance marathon. Although I feel bummed that I received my last set of red envelopes for 11 months today, I am secretly glad to get a break from wearing my bulky costume.

My trainer promised to watch my last performance to see my progress, claiming a front-row seat to admire the fluid nature of my routine. After my dance, he told me that the performance felt like a blessing of spectacular lion dancers from the Chinese gods. I felt relieved hearing this from my coach, now knowing that the month from when I met him to finishing this series of performances was not spent in vain. On this night, I would typically forget about this experience until next year, but the memories of this past dancing season will stay with me forever. Forget the Year of the Dragon or the Year of the Snake; to me, every year is the Year of the Lion.

January 20, 3 p.m.

Today honors Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream to advance civil rights in this country. Likewise, I slept peacefully last night with a dream that everyone was suddenly no longer scared of my bold costume — we are truly cut from the same cloth. I began practicing daily with my new mentor in the back of his shop, refining my kung fu moves and performing the traditional act of cai qing. His guidance and reassurance that I would get a partner to February 12, 6 p.m. split roles with felt too generous to be true Before I knew it, the final days of my Lunar — could this be the year’s Lunar New Year New Year lion dancing came along, ending

GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TRISHA PARIKH

Spotlight: Turtle Cases

By Ekasha Sikka & Ariana Yi Staff Writers

In October 2024, Juniors Claribel Chen and Brittany Lu took their respective passions for art and business to a new level and launched their small business, Turtle Cases.

Together, they create hand-painted phone cases, offering both custom and premade designs under the tagline, “signature shells for your phone.”

Juniors Brittany Lu and Claribel Chen posing for a picture.

The idea to found Turtle Cases emerged during a late-night call, inspired by a case Chen had painted as a birthday gift for Lu. They combined their strengths — Lu handling the business aspect, and Chen heading the artistic production — to start the business’s journey.

Lu’s love for marketing and project management, paired with Chen’s passion for creating art for others, made Turtle Cases the perfect venture for them. “I think the expe-

rience of creating phone cases [is] really enjoyable ... Honestly, I just like [making] stuff for people,” Chen said.

“I think the experience of creating phone cases [is] really enjoyable ... Honestly, I just like making stuff for people.”

— JUNIOR CL ARIBEL CHEN

The logistical process of establishing the business went smoothly, and within a week they had registered, gathered materials, and set up their brand. Their Instagram account @turtlecases.co has been their primary method of marketing and collecting orders, as well as a platform to showcase their unique designs. Since then, the business has grown steadily, with custom orders becoming especially popular. “It’s been a gradual upward trend ... once we posted that picture of [a custom New Yorkthemed case], we got many more custom orders,” Lu said.

In late November, Turtle Cases celebrated the milestone of 200

Instagram followers by hosting a custom case giveaway, in which users who interacted with their post were added to a raffle. The giveaway further propelled the growth of the business, introducing it to a larger audience through reposts. To date, they have sold 14 cases, including their trademark floral or bow patterns as well as their custom cases, with designs ranging from painted pets to an Illenium-themed case.

Turtle Cases custom phone case.

Building the business has not come entirely without challenges, however. Chen and Lu recall their early experience with a hydrophobic phone case that made painting nearly impossible, leading them to go through a process of trial and error before finally identifying a reliable brand.

Each order has since refined their workflow and skills, as they continue to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

The future of Turtle Cases appears bright, fueled by Chen and Lu’s passions and shared determination. Currently, they are focused on expanding their business by establishing an online Etsy shop to reach new customers past their local community.

They hope to also expand their product line to diversify their selection of phone cases and include matching sets and accessories like phone charms.

Turtle Cases stands as a testament to the potential of young entrepreneurs driven by enthusiasm and creativity. Looking ahead, Chen and Lu foresee Turtle Cases growing alongside them, not just serving as a source of passive income, but primarily as a relaxing and fulfilling creative outlet.

“It’s a hobby for both of us; she enjoys painting, and I enjoy marketing ...

Once we’re in college and have more control of our own schedule, we can expand this even further,” Lu said. ▪

“It’s a hobby for both of us; she enjoys painting, and I enjoy marketing ... Once we’re in college and have more control of our own schedule, we can expand this even further.”

— J U N I O R B R I T TA N Y L U

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER ARIANA YI, COURTESY CLARIBEL CHEN & BRITTANY LU. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TANVI DESHMUKH

Friday, January 24, 2025

The Smoke Signal

WWW.THESMOKESIGNAL.ORG

Ancient Egypt

Mancala is a two-player tabletop game believed to have been commonly played in ancient Egypt around 1400 B.C.E. The name “mancala” comes from the Arabic word “manqala,” meaning “to move,” which reflects the game’s dynamic style. Variations of the game were played in many cultures across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with more than 800 names and versions documented. Each version consists of a board with rows of pits and is typically played with small stones, seeds, or beans. Players take turns picking up all the pieces from one pit and distributing them one by one into subsequent pits, aiming to capture the opponent’s pieces by landing their last piece in an empty pit on their side, showcasing strategic planning and counting skills. Today, mancala is enjoyed in both traditional and modern settings in tournaments, educational programs, and even video games.

India

Mancala

Carrom is a captivating tabletop game that mirrors its name — derived from the term meaning “to strike and rebound”— with its fast-paced flicks and strategic ricochets.

Originating in the Indian subcontinent during the 18th century, the game blends both dexterity and strategy. Played by up to four players, the game involves flicking wooden discs, known as carrom men, into four corner pockets of a square board to score points. While India is credited with its creation, variations have spread to many different countries, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and even parts of Europe. Today, carrom remains a popular pastime in South Asia, with tournaments frequently hosted in clubs and cafés.

Carrom

Korea

Gonggi

Feature 13

Gonggi is a traditional Korean game for children often referred to as Korean Jacks or jackstones.

Players speculate that the game dates back to the reign of King Heonjong (1834-1849) in the historical text "Ojuyeonmunjangjeonsanggo," in which it refers to “a game where children play with round stones called gong-gi … where players throw stones in the air, catch them with the palm side of their hand.” The stones were traditionally real pebbles, but today are more commonly colorful plastic ones known as gonggitdol.

Recently, gonggi has regained popularity because of the new season of Squid Game and is slowly on the rise to becoming an international sensation enjoyed by all ages.

France

Initially named La Conquête du Monde, the popular game Risk was first created by French film director Albert Lamorisse as a way to showcase themes of global conflict and politics.

In the game, players form alliances with one another and use their armies to collect territories, all of which are based around the real world and include countries such as the United States and Canada. By taking risks, a player wins by successfully capturing all the territories that their opponents possess. Since its creation, Risk has released different versions of the game correlating to different political changes and historical periods.

Risk

Guide to Tabletop Games

By Tushara Devapatla, Abigaile Lei & Prisha Virmani For centuries and across many countries, board games have allowed people to come together to test their skills, all while having fun. From mahjong to carrom, the Smoke Signal has compiled seven different board games played internationally.

USA

When Monopoly was released in 1935, the iconic board game became an instant hit.

The predecessor to Monopoly, The Landlord's Game, was based on locations around Atlantic City, New Jersey, as it was a central hub for migrants and independent thinkers. Many current players are drawn to Monopoly for its nostalgic appeal, as it is often tied to fond memories of family gatherings and childhood. There are more than 300 versions of Monopoly, with copies having been sold in 114 countries around the world and translated into 47 languages.

Monopoly China

Mahjong

Originating in China in the mid-to-late 1800s, this Chinese tabletop game directly translates to “sparrow” in southern Chinese dialects, likely a reference to the clicking sounds made when reshuffling game pieces. Typically played between four players, mahjong combines elements of both luck and skill. While the tiles that a player starts with often shape the course of the game, making bold decisions can turn a poor hand into a winning one. Over time, the game spread from China to Italy, eventually landing in the West with the immigration of Chinese people. Mahjong has since been adapted in various ways around the world, including Mahjong Solitaire in the Americas, a Cantonese-style version in Hong Kong, and a

Ancient China

Played on the same board as Go, this board game has origins which trace back to ancient China. Gomoku is similar to Tic Tac Toe, but instead of aligning three in a row, players must connect five in a row on a grid with 361intersections. When introduced to Japan around 270 BC, the game quickly became a national pastime, and by the 19th century, almost every Japanese citizen knew its rules.

Although the tabletop game seems straightforward at first glance, it has gained a reputation for its difficult logistics. While it has gained some recognition worldwide, it still remains the most popular in East Asia.

Gomoku

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a s Jeng ame i and g p o let ted thear st ite tab favor s very ligh ith almo w “My i ls, l y t i i a l k s e p s becau game to ed lots of and e sy s an ea dy. You n dy hand ts of bo lo ea every aving st I have g h playin . m n il ke o o d r i f t n a a r t y n famil conce iesiiii I r t o a h t mem my a n o i t a vac with ii a g n e J s friend n back. nnect o o c t me se me iiiiiiii becau t while helped i em y h a t l to p really with eeded awkward n n e o r i rat or mo eed f ncent the co way the n yn Yao, 9 l a y takes alk.” — Ja t small

“My f Texa avorite t ab s really Hold ' letop ga em me i be sp and good at hone reme cause I’v robably s love mbe tly, I e go r h i t w and ow the g in mos ng the c ten t of luck a m e the t ards, , an tryin i s a d im m g e v e r to figur it’s so ix of str e. I e y muc ategy thin oneiii h k out fun n o t ing. h else what than i n g iiiiii i a ...Th is e re winn great iiibe ’s i tter just ng.iiiiii m a k m mov i n g when akes it e a m play I lose, it’s ore exci iiiiiWin nd ti n w s neve ith frie till fun t ng, but ing o r get n s old ds and hang ou even ta for m fa e.” — mily. It nd jus Joyce Li, 1 t 0

PHOTOS BY VARUN MADHAVAN, KAIWEI PARKS, AND COURTESY JUSTIN WU. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR TRISHA PARIKH

14 Arts & Entertainment

The Smoke Signal

WWW.THESMOKESIGNAL.ORG

Friday, January 24, 2025

C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is about as interesting as clay

By Felicity He Staff Writer

The beloved Wallace & Gromit franchise returns after nearly 16 years with Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The movie was released in the US on Dec. 18, 2024, and globally on Netflix on January 3. Rated PG, the newest addition to Wallace & Gromit is a slapstick comedy primarily catered towards children. Using the same charming stop motion and claymation techniques as its predecessors, the film continues to follow the adventures of Wallace (Ben Whitehead), an eccentric yet good-hearted inventor, and his intelligent and sensitive dog, Gromit. The film follows a similar plotline as earlier movies as well, with Wallace’s inventions yet again landing him in trouble that Gromit has to save him from.

The movie picks up a few years after the events of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. The villainous penguin Feathers McGraw, returning from the previous movie, has been imprisoned in a zoo for stealing the blue diamond from the museum. Meanwhile, Wallace and Gromit get ready for the day, relying on Wallace’s inventions. Wallace creates a nifty robot gnome named Norbot (Reece Shearsmith) to help with gardening. Unbeknownst to Wallace, McGraw takes control of Norbot and builds himself a Norbot army, leading to a string of burglaries around the town. Wallace quickly comes under suspicion of the law with the ready-to-retire Chief Inspector Mackintosh (Peter Kay) and overzealous rookie P.C. Mukherjee (Lauren Patel) on his case.

Despite two of the most import-

UNDER THE RADAR

NETFLIX

ant characters, Gromit and Feathers McGraw, lacking spoken lines, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl excels at portraying their emotions and characteristics. Gromit’s body language and facial expressions are sculpted with extreme detail, from his wide eyes to his expressive ears.

These features effectively convey Gromit’s thoughts and emotions.

On the other hand, it is difficult to tell that Feathers McGraw is the antagonist at first due to his adorable and funny appearance coupled with his expressionless face; however, this is remedied effectively with an ominous score playing in the background during his scenes, evoking a sinister undertone.

Another strong aspect of the film is the heartwarming relationship between Wallace and Gromit. At first, Gromit feels left out and abandoned since Wallace focuses more on Norbot and his other inventions, but as they face challenges together, their bond grows stronger.

However, the film fails to include significant character development.

Apart from Mukherjee, none of the characters display much depth or growth. Wallace briefly grapples with some everyday tasks after losing his technology, but then he gets

all his trinkets back by the end of the movie and returns to his previous way of life, rendering his subplot pointless. Meanwhile, Gromit remains completely stagnant throughout the movie. Mukherjee did undergo an arc, going from cautious and ‘by the book’ to trusting her instincts, but viewers do not have a reason to care about her growth as her struggles are not shown. In general, the two police characters, Mukherjee and Mackintosh, added little to the story except for a few boring scenes, and Feather McGraw, although entertaining, falls flat as a character due to one-dimensional, unexplained motivations. Due to its weak character arcs, the storyline also takes a hit, feeling hollow and incomplete.

Overall, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a wholesome, easy watch with endearing animation, a humorous villain, and a sweet bond between a man and his dog.

Although the film has its fair share of pitfalls, such as underdeveloped characters and boring subplots, it is still a delightful film as a whole. ▪ Grade: B-

January 2025 Student Faves MOVIE: Shark Tale — Alexander Cheng, 10 TV SHOW: Pantheon — Sandhya Ganesh, 9 ALBUM: HARDSTONE PSYCHO by Don Toliver — Sahir Gupta, 11 BOOK: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde — Tanya Yegneshwar, 10 GAME: God Of War Ragnarök — Ahaan Sood, 10

WHAM : A tribute to Resilience

By Gaura Amarnani Staff Writer Released on January 3, Lil Baby’s WHAM (Extended Version) is a tribute to resilience and the rapper’s growth. Through energetic melodies and introspective lyrics, the album discusses Lil Baby’s journey into the world of music. Consisting of 15 tracks, the album attempts to explore raw emotion with relatable and personal lyrics, but fails to substantially develop its themes.

WHAM (Extended Version) delves into Lil Baby’s journey of struggles and successes while balancing introspection and assertion lyrically.

The energetic opener, “Listen Up,” discusses the adversity he faced in his journey into the music industry.

Lines like “I move with a purpose, give ‘em the right influence, that’s how I’m the big dog” and “I took the lil’ bros and I mold ‘em, they know to hold it down” highlight Lil Baby’s dedication to uplifting others. Conversely, he also describes the challenges he faces in “By Myself (feat.

Rod Wave & Rylo Rodriguez),” in which Lil Baby raps, “I got money, thought they’d be happy for me / They’d rather see me in shackles,” displaying the duality of fame with his transition from victories to struggles. “Stuff (feat. Travis Scott)” is one of the highlights of the album, bringing a hypnotic cadence blended with melodic beats. Travis Scott’s signature style of ambient instrumentals and intricate layering perfectly complements Lil Baby’s raw lyrics like “I’ve been puttin’ on this stuff since my baby frame / Walk around with a dollar, that’s pocket change,” revealing personal victories like financial advancement.

Thematically, WHAM (Extended Version) does a respectable job highlighting the duality of fame. Lil Baby discusses his struggles through his journey while offering connection to listeners with lyrics like “They might have a lot to say, but ain’t gon’ never face you / You gotta learn to em-

SPOTIFY

brace it, don’t let it break you” from “Streets Colder.” However, the album ends up leaving a lot to be desired, with the occasional emotional lyricism overshadowed by material displays. Most of the tracks feature lyrics that flaunt Lil Baby’s wealth, from “‘Supercar-drivin’, Gulf Stream-flyin’, designer-wearin’ golden child, you know?” from “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber (with Young Thug & Future)” to “I’m so D-boy and I stay fresh, went Louis Vuitton on my Timb'” from “Redbone (with GloRilla).” Small snippets of meaningful lyrics pop up throughout the tracks, exciting listeners, before returning to superficial gloating.

As a result, in the context of his career, WHAM (Extended Version) feels incomplete, leaving an unfinished narrative. The album has the potential to be a story of growth from a matured Lil Baby; however, it often fails to meet the mark. Content is repeated at times and there is nothing that truly stands due to substantial lyrics being overshadowed by shallow ones.

Overall, WHAM (Extended Version) is a notable addition to Lil Baby’s discography with his vocal progression and rich beats despite issues with emotionally-lacking lyrics.

While there are aspects that WHAM could improve in like depth, it is still worth listening to due to its vibrant layering and powerful features. ▪

By Gaura Amarnani Staff Writer Grade: B Singer-songwriter millkzy, a rising star in the R&B and hip-hop worlds, has been making a name for himself through his lyrically intricate songs over the past years.

Although millkzy creates lovesick R&B melodies and head-bobbing rhythms that show his diverse profile, it is his meaningful lyrics that have truly made him stand out in the saturated music industry. millkzy's journey first began in 2023 with his debut extended play, Floetry, a combination of flow and poetry that created a smooth and soulful experience. His January 2024 release, EVER SINCE SHEFFIELD, truly showed his musical growth with unpredictable transitions from jazzy instrumentals to insightful lyrics.

Singles like “ROSE IN THE WINTER” and “RUSSIAN ROULETTE (I ADORE YOU)” immediately left a mark on listeners with touching GENIUS and relatable lyrics. His next release, in the song, through repeating lyr- periods of plain sounds that eventu- ma, sexual exploration, and love and an extended play titled bites, disBy Navya Chitlur ics such as “Heaven has forsaken the ally morph into white noise. While death. Through lyrics like “Yet here played a delicate and introspective Staff Writer masturbator.” The song reflects her each standalone song is gripping and I am empty / Watching love of mine style in his music using themes of Released on January 8, Perverts is storytelling mastery as Cain com- blood-curling, each song is around leave / But I’ll be alright / Me and love, identity, and perception. Inthe second studio album of Hayden pels listeners to contemplate the re- ten minutes long and many have my amber waves,” Cain closes the trospective lines like “It only seems Silas Anhedonia, or Ethel Cain, percussions of self-gratification in a minimal lyrics or sounds apart from album with a beautifully somber she hurting you in times she should and consists of a dark, slowed with stark and raw reflection on humani- static, causing listeners to eventually song with softer and more emotionbe healing” and “I wonder how I reverb ambience, chilling and mas- ty. Her monotonous and blurred lose their attention and making the al tunes. Her slow singing, matched got a lead in plays I ain’t auditions terful lyrics, and experimental pro- voice blends with the background album as a whole difficult to listen with a piano backing track, allows in” emphasize his intricate thought duction. The hour-and-a-half long static and beeping, creating an at- to. In songs like “Etienne,” which listeners to connect to the softer side process and highlight his ability to project was a standout work of art, mospheric, gloomy feeling, which is an eight-minute long song with of humanity, giving them a break transform raw emotion into meanexperimenting with unique sounds she continues to use throughout the more than three-quarters of the from the consistent, nightmarish ingful lyrics. millkzy discography such as TV and stereo static, winds, album. She followed a similar theme song being tediously repetitive white static and tunes from the rest of the concludes with his three singles “Yin and muffled voices, paired with in her single “Punish,” her darkest noise, it becomes incredibly difficult album. & Yang,” a balanced collaboration Overall, Ethel Cain’s Perverts deep, analytical lyricism that told song at the time of its release, with to appreciate the sound experimenwith R&B singer Leandra Delle, “A showcases her talent in lyricism, a storyline following a pedophile tation due to the sheer quantity feastories of several outcasts or titular BEAST WITH BEAUTY,” and “7 production, and experimental muperverts in society, creating an ex- shot by a child’s father who lives tured.

MINUTES IN HEAVEN.” The reSince the noise and overall tone sic, acting as a work of art that dives ploration of human nature and per- in exile, repeatedly stimulating the leases fully display millkzy’s growth version tied together with religious pain from the bullet wound. Cain rarely changes throughout the al- into the darkest depths of humanity through the build on his distinctive themes. However, due to long paus- explores the contrast and confusion bum, “Thatorchia,” a seven-minute with themes of lust and perversion, sound, ever-increasing versatility, es of white noise and ten-minute- between perversion and love, and long piano instrumental, and “Am- and the drive of desire, love, and and lyrical depth. long songs, the album was overall a the gut wrenching pain and insanity ber Waves,” stand out in particular. pain. With its sound experimenInspired by artists like Cleo Sol difficult experience and not one that that comes with the lust that drives In “Amber Waves,” Cain deviates tation, deep lyricism, and unique and J. Cole, millkzy's music often humans, with repeating lyrics such from the murky tones in the rest of styles, Perverts creates a remarkable warranted repeated listening. feels like an open diary through his the album by crafting a song tying and thought provoking experience, The album opens with “Perverts,” as “I am punished by love.” introspection and emotional matuHowever, despite her remarkable back to a similar music style to her though not quite an obsession-worfeaturing a distorted version of a rity. His extreme innovation, versahymn called “Nearer, my God, to and thought-provoking lyricism, previous album, Preacher’s Daugh- thy listen. ▪ tility, and depth have carved millkzy Thee,” juxtaposing holiness to the the singer fails to create a sonically ter, which had grappled with dark into the world of music, with great Grade: B+ sin of perversion Cain explores later captivating album due to the long themes of family and religious trauanticipation for what comes next. ▪ SMOKIE PLAYLIST: ALICE: “Lovesick” by Laufey | ASHLEY: “Tears in Brasil” by Piero Piccioni | BRITTANY: “deep in it” by berlioz, Ted Jasper | CALLIE: “That Old Feeling” by Chet Baker | CATHERINE: “Fly Me to the Moon” by Bart Howard, Eddie Calvert | ETHAN: “Cry Me a River” by Michael Bublé | GOONJA: "Juna" by Clairo | HANNAH: Jazzy January “False God” by Taylor Swift | HOWARD: "Samurai" by Lupe Fiasco | IVY: "Huit octobre 1971" by Cortex | KAYLEE: “Planetarium” by Justin Hurwitz | KEERTI: “symptom of life" by WILLOW | NAISHA: “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole | PADMA: “Black and Tan Fantasy” by Duke Ellington | SARAH: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra | SHUHAN: “By Your Side” by Sade | TANVI: “Misty” by Ella Fitzgerald | TRISHA: “Runing” by Norah Jones | TR. LOW: “So What” by Miles Davis

Ethel Cain Dives Into Another Level of Darkness With Perverts

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The Smoke Signal

Timog: Where Filipino tradition meets modern dining With an elegant yet warm atmosphere and offering staple Filipino dishes, Timog brings an array of unique flavors to the Bay Area.

By Kaylin Teo & Prisha Virmani Staff Writers Located in Lion Market Shopping Center in Newark, Timog serves authentic, affordable, and “Lutong bahay” (homecooked) style Filipino cuisine. The Philippine has one of the most unique foods, known as an original fusion cuisine.

Filipino dishes reflect a combination of Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Western, and Pacific Islander flavors, most of which come from the 16th to 20th centuries during Spanish colonialism. Filipino cuisine focuses on balancing three main flavors: tamis (sweet), alat (salty), and asim (tangy or sour). Tanginess often comes from citrus fruits such as calamondin and batuan, the saltiness comes from the use of fish sauce, and

sweetness from naturally sweet fruits like bananas and sugar. Beyond its flavors, Filipino cuisine extends to their people’s values in living of freshness, balance, and communal life.

Walking into Timog, the restaurant’s interior was clean and well adorned with simple, elegant yet casual decor that created a relaxed ambience. The warm light fixtures paired beautifully with the faux plants and green foliage hanging from the ceilings, giving the small restaurant a pleasant, modern aesthetic. While this style of decoration takes on a more modern approach, a bit of Filipino culture shines through with a black and

“Walking into Timog, the restaurant’s interior was clean and well adorned with simple, elegant yet casual decor that created a relaxed ambience. The warm light fixtures paired beautifully with the faux plants and green foliage hanging from the ceilings.” white wall mural depicting traditional architecture of the Philippines giving off an authentic feel.

Timog offers a delightful exploration of Filipino flavors through a thoughtful menu with a diverse range of dishes,

including family-size options. The Lumpia, or Lumpiang Shanghai ($14.99), is great as a crispy and piping-hot appetizer with its thin, golden wrapper encasing a vegetable filling of carrots, onions, cabbage, and aromatic spices. However, while the portion is generous, the flavor feels slightly underwhelming, and the price seems steep for only spring rolls. In contrast, the Bangus Sisig ($20.99) truly shines. This dish of flaked milkfish blended with citrus juices and peppers delivers a medley of tangy, savory, and spicy flavors that is both satisfying and versatile. While it could have been served warmer, its vibrant taste and satisfying portion size make it a standout choice on the menu.

Timog’s authentic Filipino flavors, inviting setting with lovely decor, and convenient location with ample parking appeals to many. Located inside a food center, it’s easy to access and provides a relaxed, friendly dining experience.

While the portions are generous, dishes, including the stand-out, flavorful Bangus Sisig, fall on the pricier side. Though the cost may not seem ideal, Timog is worth a visit for those seeking quality Filipino cuisine.

Rating: B+ PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER PRISHA VIRMANI

2025: Yet another year of sequels With more than 30 sequels scheduled to hit theaters this year, whether or not these films are valuable comes to question.

By Varun Madhavan & Vikram Mahajan Staff Writers Film has grown to be one of the greatest storytelling mediums due a combination of immersive visuals, captivating sound design, and engaging actor performances. Through new, creative, and fresh ideas, directors like George Lucas, James Cameron, and Steven Spielberg revolutionized the cinematic landscape.

However, with more than 30 sequels hitting theaters in 2025, Hollywood’s reliance on franchises and nostalgia seems to have hit a new high. From Zootopia 2 and Freaky Friday 2 to Avatar 3 and Happy Gilmore 2, these often unnecessary and unoriginal sequels stifle bold and creative new films.

The industry’s heavy investment in sequels leaves less room for risk-taking and innovation. Hollywood chooses sequels because they’re a safe bet. Studios build on films with already existing fanbases, taking advantage of nostalgia. This process

has been occurring more and

more frequently as of recently. According to film data researcher Stephen Follows, in the 1990s, film sequels accounted for less than 11.7% of all box office revenue in Hollywood. In stark contrast, by 2023, more than 45% of box office revenue was generated from film sequels. As movie sequels take up larger and larger percentages of the market, studios shift away from innovative, daring works in order to keep releasing more and more sequels and remakes.

While sequels may make a lot of money quickly, the problem with lack of substance many suffer from leads to significant discrepancies between box office and ratings. For example, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the 10th big screen continuation of the original Star Wars: A New Hope, impressively grossed more than a billion dollars. Yet critics and audiences alike agree that the movie has little value, as it simply rehashes old and overused motifs. For example, the Rotten Tomatoes score fell from 93% for the original to just 51% to the latest sequel.

This is to be expected; even the most cherished childhood stories can become cloying when rebooted or reproduced for the third or fourth time. Because audiences have high expectations from their emotional attachment to the originals, when the movie inevitably doesn’t live up to their hopes, they are left disappointed.

New films spur innovation in the industry, and without them, the film industry cannot grow and evolve. For instance, the original Toy Story film was produced in 1995 using cutting-edge computer-generated imaging (CGI) tech-

nology and became the first full-length feature film ever to do so. The film also explored a novel concept, with walking and talking toys as the main characters that conveyed a valuable lesson of friendship and teamwork. Yet four films later, although animation technology has continued to improve, the franchise has simply reused the same characters and ideas in each successive film. This reflects the main problems with sequels and remakes: They hinder new story potential, and instead, lead to more redundant films and a muddled cinematic landscape. A film’s appearance isn’t all that it offers. An example of this is, again, the Toy Story sequels, often praised for their graphics but criticized for superficial and uncompelling plotlines.

“This reflects the main problems with sequels and remakes: They hinder new story potential, and instead, lead to more redundant films and a muddled cinematic landscape. A film’s appearance isn’t all that it offers. An example of this is, again, the Toy Story sequels, often praised for their graphics but criticized for superficial and uncompelling plotlines.”

Ultimately, it is clear that the growing abundance of sequels comes at a cost.

While studios are searching for safe bets and profits, the obsession with rehashing successful ideas has wider implications for the film industry and audiences alike.

From creative stagnation to oversaturating the market, this trend shapes the

kinds of stories seen onscreen and the collective mindset of society, deterring industry leaders from supporting original storylines and independent creators, and instead, choose the same producers to make the same films with the same casts and characters. It is much easier to piggyback off old ideas, and the longer producers rely on reusing classics, the less likely they are to be willing to branch out and create new ones.

Hollywood’s overreliance on nostalgia and familiar franchises is a calculated cash grab that exacerbates a “brain drain” in the industry, where creative talent is stifled by uninspired franchises rather than bolstered by new ideas.

Hollywood should prioritize artistry and originality over easy cash — not only do new films promote artistic growth within the film industry, they also refresh audiences and have the potential to become classics themselves. Moviegoers, too, should resist the temptation to watch a sequel or a reboot of an old classic, and instead try some new, unique independent films. Because ultimately, only the audience can compel Hollywood producers to move in a new direction.

GRAPHICS BY A&E EDITOR BRITTANY LU

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Sports 17

Guide to Sports Goal-Setting

By Roshan Annamalai, Kanupriya Goyal & Aaqib Zishan Staff Writers 2025 is the year to replace generic, performative New Year’s resolutions with New Year’s goals — specifically, setting attainable, realistic sports goals. Goal-setting is a vital part of an athlete’s success both on and off the field. However, they should be set with sincerity and in the right direction, as well as executed with the discipline to have an impact. The right goals will encompass all aspects of a specific sport, leading to athletic success.

SMART Goals SMART Goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — are a great strategy to achieve athletic milestones while building a solid foundation for personal growth. SMART goals provide direction and accountability by breaking down challenges into manageable steps, creating long-term progression. “Using SMART goals to accurately pinpoint what to accomplish and how to achieve it is crucial. You need a plan, a timeline, and accountability from others who share your mindset,” CSU Monterey Bay Water Polo Athlete and Class of 2024 Alumna Marissa White said. Setting standards and achievable goals creates a healthy mindset, encouraging reflection and building clarity on personal values. Most importantly, SMART goals help athletes stay motivated during difficult times in the process. When challenges arise, having specific goals helps individuals stay on track, ensuring that they are always working toward their purpose instead of feeling overwhelmed by the difficulties they face.

Self-Discipline Self-discipline is one of the attributes that is vital to an athlete’s success when it comes to accomplishing goals. Establishing attainable objectives and having the determination to commit to them can be difficult. While accountability from others is important, intrinsic motivation is key for student-athletes when it comes to staying consistent with their goals. “If you want to advance you have to set your own goals. Somebody can’t do it for you,” MSJ Girls Soccer and Boys Golf Coach Terry Dalziel said. Yet, it’s not simply about setting the goal and leaving it to simmer. The follow-through is the most impactful part and quite possibly where athletes struggle the most to maintain their initial dedication, especially when it comes to meaningful goals.

MSJ Wrestling Coach and Math Teacher Freddy Saldaña truly emphasized the importance of stepping away from materialistic measures of success in the process. “You can’t really base it on wins and losses. I think a lot of kids want to quantify everything… [but] it’s got to have some other measure of growth,” he said.

Why Goals?

Since a landmark 1985 paper in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology that indicated goal-setting could be a powerful technique for improving athletic performance, it has been a topic of fervent discussion amongst sport psychologists, coaches, and athletes. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 80% of the studies regarding goal-setting concluded that it improved motor performance. Moreover, a 2017 study by the European Federation of Sport Psychology determined participants who set goals showed greater accuracy during games than those who did not. Athletes who set goals benefit from significantly increased levels of self-confidence, allowing them to perform better mentally in high-stakes situations. “[Goals] drive athletes to push themselves beyond their expectations, setting the framework for future accomplishments … Without setting goals, I would go through the motions of playing the sport without actually seeing much improvement,” MSJ Boys Volleyball Co-Captain Junior Landen Chu said.

Short Term vs. Long Term Goals can be classified as short-term, ranging from hours to weeks, or long-term, spanning up to numerous years. While long-term goals focus on the final achievement, short-term goals target the stepping stones along a journey. “I think it’s very important to set … short-term goals for conditioning and practice … and to have a long-term goal beyond this season. Wrestlers write down their short-term goals and long-term goals … to share out with the team,” Saldaña said. Short-term goals can be as simple as going for a daily run while pursuing the long-term goal of running a marathon. Although the two types of goals differ in magnitude and difficulty, studies show that both are essential for success, often failing without the other. Long-term goals provide athletes something to constantly strive for, keeping them motivated throughout their endeavors. Meanwhile, short-term goals facilitate the development of specific skills and serve as easily achievable milestones to keep the athlete on track.

Importance of Reflection Taking time to think back on past experiences is essential as reflection allows individuals to evaluate their strengths, pinpoint areas for improvement, and understand what methods have worked or failed. This process creates a strong foundation for setting meaningful, achievable, and realistic goals. Being an athlete is a holistic journey where rest and reflection help sustain proper physical and mental success. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology suggests that athletes with reflective abilities are 11 times more likely to reach elite levels of competition. Additionally, watching game footage or seeking feedback from coaches allows athletes to identify specific aspects of their game they need to work on. Reflection fosters a growth mindset, encouraging the idea that setbacks are a part of the process of improvement and can be seen as a learning opportunity. Additionally, reflection helps reduce stress levels and boosts self-confidence as athletes build emotional clarity through useful methods such as journaling, frequent check-ins with teammates, and meditation. Reflection is not just a tool for improvement but also serves as a guide to creating a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

GRAPHICS BY SPORTS EDITOR ETHAN YAN

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Friday, January 24, 2025

Athlete Spotlight: Melissa Jin playoff appearances. Aside from the school team, Jin played on the NorCal 18-1 Black club team — the number one travel team for NorCal’s girls’ volleyball — for four years, which inspired her to play at Carnegie Mellon University. Her club experience was particularly memorable as she helped her team qualify for nationals in the Open Division during her first season, where they continued to place in the top 20 nationally. Jin was the only newcomer on that team, but she quickly became a valuable member. As she improved, her team grew to believe in her skill and leadership. “[I found] the confidence to lead them through both success and adversity,” Jin said.

By Rishab Shah & Luna Venturo Staff Writers As a four-year Varsity Girls Volleyball setter and three-year Co-Captain, Senior Melissa Jin climbed and labored to get where she is today to thrive in her athletic journey. She has played on NorCal’s Black club team for three years and received the MSJ’s Fall Athlete of the Season award in both 2023 and 2024. Not only does Jin excel in athletics, but she also balances a rigorous academic schedule and extracurriculars.

Jin began her athletic journey playing volleyball in fifth grade when her mother introduced her to the sport. After participating recreationally during her childhood, she started playing competitively in her freshman year. “I started competing pretty late compared to most people.

I had to fail when I was trying a new form in order to get better,” Jin said. To address the issues she noticed in her volleyball form, Jin began an intense daily personal practice routine, including

jin sets up the ball for a perfect attack.

ing the academic demands of MSJ and being a varsity volleyball player, Jin emphasizes that managing time is essential. “There are things that are important but not urgent. And there’s things that are urgent, not as important. Just being able to understand and balance that is helpful,” Jin said. She had to study on car rides, during tournaments, at the hotel, on the plane, 500 consecutive sets against a wall, jump sets, and wherever else she could find time.

Her dedication and perseverance paid off side sets, and one-handed sets. Her hours of when she led her team to four consecutive NCS dedication outside of scheduled team practices demonstrate her commitment to improving her skills and resulted in progress. “Everyone has the same amount of [team] practice time, so what you put in outside of practice separates good players from great players,” Jin said.

As a setter and captain, she learned to communicate effectively, lead her teammates, stay calm in stressful situations, and work through conflicts. The role required athletic ability and mental fortitude, as Jin had to make split-second decisions while leading the offense. Balanc-

“Everyone has the same amount of [team] practice time, so what you put in outside of practice separates good players from great players.”

— melissa jin, 12

jin delivers a powerful serve to start the play.

jin playing for the norcal’s black club team.

Outside of volleyball and MSJ, Jin is a 4-time American Invitational Mathematics Examination qualifier and dedicates her time to tutoring low-income students. She aims to further a substantial career in software engineering in quantitative analysis and play volleyball in college with no regrets. Jin said, “Volleyball can’t last forever.

[I want to] just have fun and be able to look back on the memories instead of being regretful of something that I didn’t do.” ▪ photos courtesy melissa jin

MSJ’s Wrestling Wall of Fame: Preserving athletic history team,” Girls Wrestling Team Member Sophomore Elka Lichman said.

Many members of the MSJ community, including Wrestling Team Co-Captain Junior Sofia The Wrestling Wall of Fame at MSJ was a longAcero, find the administration’s concerns unjusstanding collection of photos and trophies of MSJ wrestlers displayed in the Mini-gym — until tified in the context of the decades-long historiits removal in late December 2024. The memo- cal significance of the iconic school monument. rabilia is slated to be exhibited in the FUSD Dis- School administrators, meanwhile, emphasize trict Office if the weight room cannot be used a lack of facility space for sports that is exacerfor display. Coach Thomas Thomsen created the bated by the Wall’s obstruction of ball-related Wall 40 years ago to motivate aspiring wrestlers gameplay in the room. They have advocated for by highlighting notable history for the sport in the safe use of the Mini-gym for sports beyond MSJ. The decades-long tradition was a storied wrestling. While overuse of campus facilities and testament to the athletic commitment of wres- genuine safety concerns may justify the Wall’s the wrestling wall of fame in the mini-gym before its removal. tling in MSJ, celebrating its outstanding wres- removal, it is important to ensure that athletic achievement is respected, and a viable alternative tlers and their achievements. construct new facilities. “In terms of Measure M which would involve renovations to the school According to an email sent to Fox News by must be implemented with clear communica- and what our plans are, ideally, I would want one campus and ideally give MSJ Wrestling their FUSD Public Information Officer Anh Pham, tion from school officials. room for wrestling,” Perez said. own space, would realistically take years to imthe accolades have been stored away and are The Wall of Fame’s removal was found to be The balance between preserving MSJ Wrestling’s plement. In the meantime, other alternatives planned to be moved to a “safer location and necessary by school administrators due to the athletic history and allowing equitable access to that preserve the weight and significance of the potentially a more equitable and space-efficient hazard it posed to ball-related gameplay, as well Sports facilities must also be made with clear com- monument must be pursued. An alternative like way of display.” On December 18, 2024, Oak- as other activities such as color guard which in- munication from all parties involved. Transparen- a digital display does solve logistical concerns but land-based KTVU FOX 2 aired a segment re- volve throwing objects. The concern reflects a cy is especially important amidst possible miscom- does not hold the same weight as a physical monporting on the removal. It has so far garnered general lack of appropriate sports facilities for munication. Namely, the frequently cited KTVU ument. “It kind of just makes the portraits just more than 130,000 views on YouTube, gener- MSJ athletes. While the Wall’s removal may have FOX 2 segment misleadingly suggested that ad- another thing MSJ is displaying. Having a physating criticism from online commentators. The been necessary in order to allow for other sports ministrators removed the Wall primarily due to ical thing does make a huge impact, especially removal has since garnered significant pushback to take place in the Mini-gym, the monument equity concerns. This led to false implications that when it is on display in the room where we’re all from members of the MSJ wrestling communi- could eventually be reinstated with future expan- the Wall was removed because of concerns about wrestling every day,” Lichman said. At the same sion of sports facilities. This could directly be racial diversity. ty who consider the display an embodiment of time, while preserving athletic history is importaddressed by the recently-passed Measure Much of the existing confusion could have been ant, the Wall’s removal is not permanent and it wrestling athleticism and history. The team M, a voter approved ballot measure avoided with more thorough communication be- is also necessary to open the space for other MSJ has experienced decreased enrollment that authorized $919 million in bonds tween the school administration and the school organizations to hold their activities. in recent years, especially amongst for funding towards school facilities. wrestling team. In the case of MSJ Wrestling, Ultimately, the Wrestling Wall of Fame’s removgirls. “It definitely served as a According to Principal Amy Perez, Mea- members were led to believe that the Wall’s re- al allowed for more equitable use of the scarce motivator, seeing the amount sure M funds could be potentially used to moval was a lead-up to the wrestling team’s clo- athletic space in school. However, the Wall’s reof girls we used to have on the sure. “At the time, I thought it was due to them moval does not have to spell the permanent loss trying to kill off the wrestling program because … of a monument with a long and meaningful histhe wrestling program has kind of been dying over tory behind it. In the short term, preserving the the years,” Lichman said. Perez has firmly denied Wall’s heritage can be done through alternative these claims. Ultimately, better communication locations of display where it will not pose a hazshould have been implemented prior to the Wall’s ard to students. In the long term, it can be purremoval, no matter how legitimate efficiency and sued through the expansion of MSJ’s sports facilsafety concerns were. ities. Either way, MSJ students deserve equitable MSJ Wrestling is entitled to a way to meaning- access to school facilities, while MSJ athletes defully preserve their athletic history. Measure M, serve to preserve their athletic histories. ▪

By Rajorshi Chatterjee & Cham Yu Staff Writers

photo courtesy facilitron. graphics by sports editor howard lu

Friday, January 24, 2025

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THE SMOKIE CROSSWORD 6 2

3

2

1 5 4

3

Check your answers here!

1 tinyurl.com/ smokiepuzzles ACROSS 1. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ideology paints an idyllic image of traditional domesticity, encouraging women to return to their “natural” role in society.

2. Filipino cuisine focuses on balancing three main flavors: tamis (sweet), alat (salty), and _ _ _ _ (tangy or sour).

3. “If you want to advance you have to set your own goals. Somebody can’t do it for you,” said MSJ Girls Soccer and Boys Golf Coach _ _ _ _ _ Dalziel.

4. Stand-up _ _ _ _ _ _ is a form of entertainment where performers utilize humorous monologues or anecdotes to the audience to be funny.

DOWN 1. The Ruth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Garden and Nursery holds an annual Garden of D’Lights event.

2. According to the American _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Association, more than 80% of the studies regarding goal-setting concluded that it improved motor performance.

3. The idiom “wolf _ _ _ _ _ is rising from all directions,” describes the start of war.

4. On Dec. 17, 2024, Fremont’s City Council narrowly approved the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Caming Ban on Public Property Ordinance.

5. _ _ _ _ _ goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

6. In ancient China, smoke signals were primarily used for _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ purposes.

By Rajorshi Chatterjee & Kaylin Teo Staff Writers Each night from Nov. 22, 2024 until January 11, the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery hosted their annual Garden of D’Lights event in Walnut Creek, their largest fundraiser of the year. Started in 1972 by Ruth Bancroft, the Garden showcases her collection of cacti and succulents in designs built around the dry-adapted plants. Attendees toured the 2.5-acre botanical dry garden, which featured more than 2,000 species of drought-adapted plants from California, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, and Australia. Colorful lights lined the garden’s gravel paths, captivating art installations, and bright lasers transformed the area into a sea of sparkling succulents.

The Garden of D’Lights event serves two purposes: to help the garden financially through the winter months as one of its largest fundraisers and to inspire new interest around the garden. Held annually since 2019, the Garden of D’Lights event invites visitors to tour Ruth Bancroft’s water-wise 60-year-old plant collection illuminated in a new light. Lighted cat installations guarded the garden’s entranceway and led to a maze of pathways marked in bright rainbow lights, weaving around displays of succulent species such as cacti, agave, and crassula macowaniana. Several open tents lined the main paths, housing more plants in a snug nook illuminated by lights reflecting off of hanging ocean-themed polycarbonate-plastic cutouts like jellyfish and anglerfish. Accent ceramic benches and sculptures of birds and butterflies filled the garden, accompanied by mosaics portraying botanicals, octopi, and other elements of nature. Soft white lanterns and bright-colored lights reflected together in a cascade of pinks, blues, and greens, fostering a warm, mystical environment. After touring the garden, visitors could make one last stop at the store, which offered a wide selection of succulents to encourage them to start their own plant collections.

Overall, the event was a highly enjoyable experience for attendees. “It’s definitely worth it for people to see the magic of the garden,” Organizer Fiona Sundy said. Besides this event, the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery is open for visits during weekdays and also hosts private events such as weddings, birthdays, and business meetings. Today, the Garden is an internationally recognised dry garden, continuing its mission of garden design around water-conserving plants to display to and educate the public. ▪

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS RAJORSHI CHATTERJEE & KAYLIN TEO. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH BI

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Guide to Craft Shops

By Kaiwei Parks, Michelle Qu & Emily Zhang “I like how it's … for all ages. There's like, something anyone can do, and there's a different range of like things that people can paint, and it's just like a fun place where you can, like, get together with friends and just do a fun activity.” — Color Me Mine customer Keerthi

Staff Writers

Friday, January 24, 2025

“[I]n Fremont, there’s no such place like this.

This is a place with a lot of flexibility, with a lot of options. Here it’s purely creative activities.” — The Hot Spot manager Sarah

Creative hands-on activities, such as arts and crafts, are a pleasant way to relieve stress or spend an afternoon with friends. To find the best places for DIY art, the Smoke Signal visited several craft stores in the Bay Area.

The Hot Spot Opening just last year, The Hot Spot Studio marks a new addition to the Bay Area’s growing collection of DIY craft stores. However, unlike many other similar shops, aside from offering pottery or canvas painting, the Hot Spot provides customers with an opportunity to create candles, mosaics, gnome or fairy succulent gardens, and slime as well. These projects are separated into different labeled stations scattered around the shop, with the supplies necessary to complete each one neatly organized on racks.

This wide range of activities attracts children and adults alike, offering a unique way to explore their creative aspirations. Bright orange tables; a snack rack filled with chips and drinks; and displays of ceramic objects, both colored intricately and ones still available to paint shape The Hot Spot’s animated and vibrant ambience. Often booked out for children’s birthday parties or packed with lively patrons, The Hot Spot truly has become a hot spot in Fremont, drawing in both artists and those who have just begun their creative journey.

Color Me Mine Located on Main Street in Pleasanton, Color Me Mine is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and is within walking distance of iconic downtown attractions. The DIY ceramics shop is part of a larger franchise that has studios across Western US, although this particular Color Me Mine has a special story to tell — despite the coronavirus pandemic, store owner Tony Boudames has kept the Pleasanton location open for more than five years. Color Me Mine offers a wide variety of objects available for painting, including piggy banks, ceramic animals, mugs, and more. Vibrant yellow walls and bookshelves full of ceramic objects create a warm and comforting environment inside the shop. Welcoming staff ready to assist customers at all times make Color Me Mine an especially enjoyable location to spend an afternoon exercising creativity “Beand working on artistic pieces. cause,

528 Entertainment Specializing in rug tufting and hydro dipping, 528 Entertainment, located in San Jose, provides a cozy, lively atmosphere in which friends and family can create quality artistic rugs. The store boasts an impressive selection of yarn, varying in colors and arranged on the innermost wall in a rainbow-like pattern, adding to its inviting aesthetic. The store is also beginner-friendly, with a designated practice area where newcomers can hone their tufting, a form of rug texturing, before starting on their own projects. Furthermore, attentive staff are readily available throughout the duration of the creative process, providing personalized assistance and guidance to ensure every customer feels supported. While a less popular activity, hydro dipping is another creative craft provided by this establishment. Customers are able to dip adorable bear statues, canvases, and other items into a thin layer of paint, resulting in vibrant, whimsical creations.

to be honest, we never, almost never, have people here that just come on their own, like one person. It’s always like in couples and big groups. So it’s not only about the painting, but also about the time that you share with other people that you come with. So yeah, it’s about like social life.”

—Color Me Mine manager Maria

Glow Candle Lounge Located in Willow Glen, San Jose, Glow Candle Lounge allows customers to create personalized candles. Despite the high ceilings and the spacious interior, the shop maintains a warm, studio-like atmosphere. The store is fairly populated, and people of all ages sit inside and chat as they work on their candles. Racks of candle wax of assorted colors line the walls, and a shelf of personalized candles ready for pick-up stands off to the side. The candle molds offered span a great range of sizes and shapes, from small square candles to large crescent or starshaped candles. Many different inclusions for the candle, like glass pebbles or little wax animal cutouts, are offered as well. Customers are also able to add scents to their candles, which range from traditional scents like eucalyptus to more uncommon ones like chocolate.

“Other craft stores are kind of like you have to take whatever you purchase home to start crafting. But here we provide an experience where we have everything here for you, and we show you how to get started, and you can get your candle the next day.” — Glow Candle Lounge employee Jacob

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS MICHELLE QU, KAIWEI PARKS, EMILY ZHANG. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR IVY LU