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SMOKE SIGNAL MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL 41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539

October 21, 2022

Investigative Report: Effects of Free Meal PRogram

By Anandita Devata, Kaylee Liu, Vidyuth Sridhar & Amelie Wu Staff Writers In the 2021-22 school year, MSJ implemented a free meal program in accordance with Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130). The bill revised the previous state program for meals and required every school in CA to offer two free meals to students whether or not they qualify for a free or reduced meal plan. As new changes were added to the program this year, the Smoke Signal interviewed kitchen staff, campus supervisors, and district administration to gain insight into the program’s impact on students and the school.

BACKGROUND

FUNDING

IMPACT ON STUDENTS 2021-22

+300,000

The drastic increase in demand for food is reflected in the number of meals produced each school year, which has jumped by more than 300,000 from the 2018-19 school year to the 2021-22 school year.

With this new trend, students have noticed that the availability of popular meals has gone down. “I feel like the amount of each food item is different, and because of that, the yummy and filling food items run out the fastest,” Freshman Shahaanaa Subbian said. “That leaves a lot of people with not that much to eat.”

In addition, higher demand has also led to more food waste on campus. Certain lunches consist of several smaller items packaged together, and some of these items are thrown away or left as litter.

To combat this issue, FUSD implemented a composting program in accordance with Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce waste. The program has put compost bins in schools, including MSJ, and has provided assemblies in partnership with the City of Fremont to educate students on the importance of composting. However, “Our 1.4 Mil 1.7 Mil compost bins aren't out in the quad area or in the lunch areas, so that food is being thrown in the regular trash,” Campus SuMeals pervisor Brandi Bailey-Speier said. “The compost situation would be a lot more effective if people actually had the education to know how it works and make it work.”

The free lunch program provides a quick, energizing snack and convenient access to lunch for those who need it. Students no longer have to rush to pack food for themselves in the morning. “I think the free meal program has provided more access to food for the student body,” Senior Wallace Chiu said.

“It’s definitely a positive for us because a lot of students need that extra energy for school.”

2018-19

In 2021, AB 130 implemented a “universal school meal provision” that mandated schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to any students who request them. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many adults who lost their jobs struggled to prepare meals for their children. As the problem increased in severity, the government pushed for a free meal program for all students, expanding the US Department of Agriculture’s reimbursement for school districts to include free meals for both low-income students in the National School Lunch Program and all other students in the state. However, the free lunch program expired on June 30 and Congress did not include funding to continue the program in its latest spending bill. CA and Maine are the only states to implement a permanent universal free lunch program, whereas Vermont, Massachusetts, and Nevada are extending the program for the 2022-23 school year.

To account for the costs of producing and serving these meals to millions of students across the state, funds in the state budget were allocated from surplus revenue from Proposition 98, which generated $93.7 billion in the previous year. Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, CA policymakers committed to dedicating $650 million annually to the free lunch program. According to the bill, an additional $120 million was provided to improve school kitchens.

With the loss of approximately $6 million in revenue from free school meals, the district has turned to state and federal funds to maintain free breakfasts and lunches. According to FUSD, under FUSD’s 2022-23 adopted budget, funding from government sources make up more than 97% of the allotted money for the cafeteria, ensuring that schools have adequate supplies and can afford employees’ salaries.

FUSD’s Cafeteria Special Revenue Fund, which encompasses meal of production, meal service, and the free meal program, has also seen its gross earnings rise by more than 150% in three years, largely due to govLunch ernment funds. Gross income increased from an estimated $6.7 million Funding in the 2018-19 school year to more than $11 million in 2021-22 (the most comes from recent year profits were reported).

Government However, the growth in revenue is accompanied by an increase in Sources expenses associated with the operating costs of making and distributing enough food for students. Total costs for the program have increased from $6.7 million in 2018-19 to an expected $9.7 million this year. In addition, per the 2022-23 budget, food production costs are expected to exceed $3 million this year.

97%

HOW DO YOU THINK THE FREE MEAL PROGRAM HAS AFFECTED THE STUDENTS?

EFFECT ON CAMPUS

Since its implementation, students have taken advantage of the free meal program, often grabbing a hot meal or snack before or in between classes. “[When] you had to pay for the food, I'd say that there was anywhere from 10-15% [of food] leftover,” Bailey-Speier said. “[Now], what's leftover at the end of lunch is basically like some sunflower seeds.”

As a part of the program, students are allowed up to two free meals a day. However, according to Principal Jeff Evans, many have the misconception that they are allowed to take all the meals MSJ offers. Students can only get breakfast or brunch and lunch, not all three.

To enforce the school’s two-meal limit and ensure that MSJ receives the proper reimbursement from the government, earlier this year, MSJ implemented a policy that requires students to scan their ID using Minga before receiving meals. Despite leading to slightly longer wait times, policies like this keep lunch lines well-managed and meal count organized.

“[Though the] food offered can hypothetically cover all of the necessary nutrition needs for students, … many students don’t get their full nutrition because they’re only allowed to take a single product,” — Annabelle Sya, 11

“I think the free meal program has affected the [student] body positively because now kids don’t need to worry so much about lunch. It allows us to be able to get the nutrition we need and focus on school,” — Kayona Verma, 10

“I get school lunch every day. I definitely think the new lunch program has affected students, the free meal program has incentivized more students to grab the free lunch. It’s pretty great, but it does make the lunch lines a little longer,” — Jerry Chang, 12

“I think the free meal program lets many more students have easy accessibility to lunch. However, it does cause quite a lot more people to get lunch which can make getting food much more difficult depending on the location of your fourth period, causing many people to push and sprint to get lunch early,” — Angel Li, 9

GRAPHICS BY NEWS EDITOR ROHAN BHAGAT & SHELLEY LI

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Friday, October 21, 2022

Team MSJ attends the Walk to End Alzheimer’s For the second year, MSJ Neuroscience and MSJ Medcorps collaborated to help support Alzheimer’s care and research.

By Tanvi Deshmukh & Maryam Naseer Staff Writers Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Silicon Valley, CA event gathered around 1,900 participants at Excite Ballpark in San Jose. From 9:30 a.m to 12 p.m. on October 15, officers and club members of MSJ Medcorps and MSJ Neuroscience collaborated as Team MSJ for their second year in the 2.5-mile walk.

Alzheimer’s Association Founder Jerome H. Stone established the organization in 1980 with his living room support group. After his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1970, Stone recognized the limited information and medical services for such diseases and was determined to make a change. “It blossomed into this amazing organization that’s in all 50 states across the country, and ultimately, has worked each year to fund research, care, and support, and organize advocacy efforts on behalf of those living with Alzheimer’s,” Co-Event Coordinator Zack Suggs said. After the Silicon Valley walk raised a tremendous

$1,658,225 in 2021, participants including Team MSJ returned for another year in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

In the beginning, MSJ Medcorps and MSJ Neuroscience were introduced to the event as an opportunity to educate the student body on the healthcare industry and engage intuitive students with the community. After observing the popularity and success in the previous year, they decided to continue the tradition of the walk. “I love seeing all the support ... I think students want to get out there, actually fight the disease, and fundraise as much as they can,” MSJ Neuroscience Co-President Senior Rhea Ray said. In their recent collaboration, the clubs anticipate opening up “some doors for them [students]. I really hope it sparks an interest for them to receive future research and opportunities within the Bay Area on neurodegenerative diseases,” MSJ Medcorps Co-President Senior Meher Jain said.

During the opening ceremony, event organizers revealed the Promise Garden flowers, comparing partici-

pants’ perseverance in the fight against the disease to the continuous growth of flowers. Each participant had their own flower too — its specific color representing a different message: yellow for caring, blue for fighting, purple for remembering, and orange for supporting. Before the walk, passion speakers also gave inspiring speeches about their connection to and battles with Alzheimer’s, including Board Member Tammy Maida. “A lot of people related to her story, and it helped convey the message of what we’re doing here today,” Senior Director Michael Castillo said.

Last year, organizers focused heavily on COVID-19, emphasizing on social distancing, masks, and hand sanitizers. While keeping those same strict safety measures this year, they welcomed a larger crowd — strong in spirit and encouragement. Through their constant advocacy, the participants fueled each other’s energy, chanting significantly louder than the years before.

Along with holding flowers, participants wore customized team shirts and deco-

rated posters honoring their loved ones. Several MSJ students identified with them, having also lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s. “My great aunt passed away from Alzheimer’s. [When] someone you knew and loved could have this sort of affliction, it really impacted and motivated [me] to learn more about neuroscience,” MSJ Neuroscience Co-President Senior Yash Kilam said.

“The most memorable moment was when we got to the finish line and everyone was clapping and whistling for us — it felt like we accomplished a huge milestone.”

-MSJ Neuroscience Co-Activities Coordinator Junior Yuvraj Walia As the event neared the end, “the most memorable moment was when we got to the finish line and everyone was clapping and whistling for us — it felt like we accomplished a huge milestone,” MSJ Neuroscience Co-Activities Coordinator Junior Yuvraj Walia said.▪

The Promise Garden symbolizes the perseverance of participants to honor, care, remember, and fight Alzheimer’s disease.

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS TANVI DESHMUKH & MARYAM NASEER

News in brief Compiled by Sahas Goli, Jiyun Guo, Vidyuth Sridhar & Lucy Yao Staff Writers

community

Staff Writer Vidyuth Sridhar

Local

Sean Duan/Getty Images

National

Eric Smith/Getty Images

INTERNATIONAL

Ozan Kose/ Getty Images

At Fremont’s annual Olive Festival, MSJ Marching Band performs for the local community.

In a recent ranking by WalletHub, Fremont placed as the 17th safest city in the nation.

As his first act under the Antiquities Act, President Joe Biden declares Camp Hale as a national monument.

In Iran, protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death continue aganinst the government.

MSJ Marching Band performs in Olive Festival On October 8, MSJ’s Marching Warrior Band performed in the 19th annual Olive Festival, returning to the event after a two year hiatus. Located in an olive grove behind Fremont’s Mission San José, the event featured a variety of products sold by local vendors. Consisting of more than 190 performers, the band provided live entertainment for spectators, playing hit tunes such as “Toxic” by Britney Spears and their competition march, “The Boys of the Old Brigade” by William Paris Chambers. “It [was] a great opportunity to play for the community, and we have spread the goodwill of the band and our high school throughout,” Marching Band Director Monica Kraft said.

Fremont Places as the 17th Safest City Nationwide On October 10, WalletHub released a ranking of 2022’s safest cities in America, in which Fremont was 17th. This comes after being ranked the happiest city in the US by WalletHub. To score the cities, WalletHub used 42 key indicators under three different criteria: home and community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety. Overall, Fremont received a total score of 79.98 — its highest rank being fifth in financial safety. Additionally, Fremont has the third lowest percentage of the uninsured population below the age of 65, sitting at 2.4%. This makes Fremont the safest in CA with Irvine following closely behind at 26th.

Biden designates Camp Hale as national monument On October 12, President Joe Biden designated Camp Hale in Colorado as his first national monument under the Antiquities Act. During World War II, Camp Hale was used as a training ground for alpine warfare. Now, the more than 50,000 acres of protected land serve as a sanctuary for wildlife such as elks and lynxes.

“This action will honor our nation’s veterans, Indigenous people, and their legacy by protecting this Colorado landscape,” the White House said in an official statement. In the future, Biden’s administration plans to further protect more than 200,000 acres of land in Colorado’s Thompson Divide from mining and gas drilling.

Protests erupt in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini After the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of the Iranian morality police, protests ignited to denounce the country’s clerical government.

Amini was arrested for wearing her hijab loosely, and citizens across the country have banded together, expressing their desire to overthrow Iran’s current government. Protestors are cutting their hair in public and chanting sayings such as “women, life, freedom.” In response, Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced the protests as “scattered riots” attempting to undermine the Iranian government. Protesters have incurred police retaliation. However, many remain undeterred.

News Pg 1: This is the Smoke Signal’s Vol. 58. | News Pg 1: Introduction to Engineering should be written as such. | News Pg 2: Ayushi Kashyap should be spelled as such. | News Pg 2: Water consumption dropped 7.4% to 2020. | Opinion Pg 3: www.thesmokesignal.org/about should be spelled as such. | Opinion Pg 4: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should be spelled as such. | Feature Pg 7: Hannah Shen is a corrections G relative Graphics Editor. | Feature Pg 7: The Art of War should be written as such. | Centerspread Pg 8: There are a total of 11 new faculty members. | A&E Pg 10: Crumbl has 598 locations. | A&E Pg 10: Classic Pink Sugar should be

for the SEPT 23, 2022 issue

be spelled as such. | A&E Pg 11: “La Campanella” should be spelled as such. | A&E Pg 11: “yeah yeah yeah” is said 9 times. | Sports Pg 12: Vegas International Variety Act should be spelled out as such. | Sports Pg 12: VIVA Fest takes place

written as such. | A&E Pg 11: “Yeah Yeah Yeah” should be written as such. | A&E Pg 11: “La Campanella” should be spelled as such. | A&E Pg 11: “yeah, yeah, yeah” is said 9 times. | Sports Pg 12: Vegas International Variety Act should be spelled out as such. | Sports Pg 12: VIVA Fest takes place in Las Vegas, not Los Angeles. | Sports Pg 15: Mr. Thomsen should be spelled as such.

Friday, October 21, 2022

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News & Opinion 3

MSJ Class of 1982 celebrates 40th reunion

By Sahas Goli & Jiyun Guo Staff Writers

More than 100 MSJ alumni gathered in Santa Cruz to celebrate 40 years since their graduation.

From October 7-9, more than 100 alumni from MSJ’s Class of 1982 gathered in Santa Cruz to celebrate the 40th year since their high school graduation. Throughout the event, alumni socialized over food and drinks and shared anecdotes about the past and their plans for the future. The event also included a remembrance of classmates who had passed away in recent years.

For the main event organizer, 1982 Alumna Lori Cahill, the most difficult hurdle was finding contact information for her classmates. Using LinkedIn, Facebook, and word of mouth, they reached 200 people out of a class of 400. “As people signed up, I would take those people and use them as recruiters … because sometimes it just took that personal invitation to make [people] want to come,” Cahill said. To gather information about people’s preferences, Cahill interviewed the organizers of prior reunions and sent an online

survey to her former classmates. Hoping to set a leisurely mood for the event, she created the theme of a “Seaside Shindig” in Santa Cruz.

“I would take those people and use them as recruiters … because sometimes it just took that personal invitation to make [people] want to come.”

-1982 Alumna Lori Cahill

Although the formal reunion started on Saturday, about 30 attendees met at a Santa Cruz plaza on Friday night to kick start the reunion with live music and food venues. The following morning, the alumni gathered on the boardwalk to enjoy the Monterey Bay beachfront. “We all met, and … people wanted to go and ride the Giant Dipper. A lot of [them] were afraid to do it, but we had a great time, we all went there and kind of goofed off,” Cahill said.

MSJ Class of 1982 pose for a group photo.

MSJ Class of 1982 pose for a group photo.

The main highlight of the weekend took place at the Dream Inn. Listening to nostalgic hits by KC & The Sunshine Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Queen, and other popular bands from their high school years, the alumni bonded and caught up with classmates they hadn’t seen for decades.

“Many of us grew up together in Fremont …

It was wonderful to reconnect [with] the kids I knew in kindergarten that I graduated with in high school,” 1982 Alumna Brenda Logan said.

“Many of us grew up together in Fremont … It was wonderful to reconnect [with] the kids I knew in kindergarten that I graduated with in high school.”

-1982 Alumna Brenda Logan

Reflecting on their time at MSJ, many alumni recalled their class traditions, some of which MSJ students still celebrate today. Similar to this year’s Homecoming, the Class of 1982 also brainstormed overall themes, organized dressup days, and stayed up all night decorating the amphitheater before their class performances.

Through their class spirit, they won Homecoming Week three times in their freshmen, sophomore, and senior years. However, their Homecomings included more traditional aspects not seen at MSJ today, including football games, which Cahill found regretful. “[Our] alumni [would] come home for the week and go to a game, and they don’t really do that anymore,” she said.

After attendees had socialized for a few hours, event organizers played a video they had compiled of alumni who couldn’t attend. The alumni gave updates on their lives, allowing attendees to reconnect with them despite not seeing them face to face. Afterwards, attendees played

Reunion Jeopardy, a trivia game in which they guessed popular shows and famous Warriors from clues. Attendees eagerly partook in the game, calling out answers impromptu as they reminisced about MSJ. Later in the evening, they watched a video tribute to deceased classmates, compiled by Cahill.

The tribute included quotes from people close to each alumnus, as well as major accomplishments throughout their lifetimes. “Our freshman and sophomore class presidents have passed away ... everyone knew and loved the people who are in that video,” Cahill said.

Following the remembrance, Class of 1982’s class counselor Dave Duncan shared the memories from his time at MSJ and told attendees to cherish this moment with each other. Finally, alumni explored the “memorabilia tables,” where attendees had laid items from their time at high school. These included old photographs, school merchandise, past issues of the Smoke Signal, concert tickets, and notes people had forged to skip class.

“It was nice to connect with people you’ve known your whole life, and still share the same background and values and dreams ... Take time to enjoy the moments, because it goes by so fast, but they’ll be very special.”

-1982 Alumna Lori Cahill

As the event came to a close, attendees gave heartfelt goodbyes and expressed their enthusiasm for the next reunion. “It was nice to connect with people you’ve known your whole life, and still share the same background and values and dreams ... Take time to enjoy the moments, because it goes by so fast, but they’ll be very special,” Cahill said. ▪ PHOTO COURTESY LORI CAHILL. GRAPHICS BY NEWS EDITOR SHELLEY LI

Woke washing washes away the core of social issues

By Keerti Koya, Annie Xu & Callie Yuan Staff Writers Woke washing is a form of unethical activism where companies use social issues to make a profit, seemingly the perfect way for hypocritical companies to cover up exploitative practices while simultaneously increasing sales. Every June, countless companies partake in woke washing, splattering rainbows over their social media platforms in honor of Pride Month — only to ignore the LGBTQ+ community after the month ends. As brands increase their outreach through platforms online, corporations have made further efforts to profit off of consumers’ concerns for ethical consumption.

Brands present a facade of awareness and care for social issues like diversity, environmentalism, and feminism, but their efforts often rub off as performative simply for corporate gain, rather than social benefit. On the other hand, brand activism refers to when brands genuinely promote or drive change that aligns with their values. The line between brand activism and woke washing is drawn when companies engage in performative activism while putting up a front of creating a meaningful impact.

In the modern social context, woke washing is a product of marketing tactics for businesses that inherently value income. Though such goals are impossible to change, businesses must put greater effort into following through with the promises they make in their advertising — a change which not only brings greater awareness to humanitarian issues, but also monetarily benefits the company through boosting public opinion. For example, ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s is no stranger to incorporating brand activism into their ice cream flavors. In 1988, the brand released the Peace Pop, an ice cream stick whose sales would fund 1% for Peace, a non-profit that funds peace-promoting activities and projects by redirecting the national defense budget. More recently in 2019, Ben & Jerry’s partnered with multi-racial activist group

the Advancement Project to release Justice ReMix’d, a limited edition flavor whose proceeds would go towards supporting criminal justice reform. In an interview with HuffPost, Director of Marketing for B Lab US and Canada Veena Harbaugh said, “[Ben & Jerry’s stands] out for the breadth and depth of their positive impact ... leading collective action groups and helping businesses wake up to their responsibility in creating racial justice.” With Ben & Jerry’s massive industry outreach, their large-scale campaigns serve to build public awareness, while adding to a positive brand reputation due to their commitment to solving the problems they advocate against. The brand does not only make efforts to engage in movements in the current public eye, but also to abide by the core values it is built upon.

In the modern social context, woke washing is a product of marketing tactics for businesses that inherently value income.

In another example, in response to widespread controversy surrounding immigration, fashion brand Jigsaw launched their “Love Immigration” campaign in 2017 to celebrate the diverse cultures their clothing draws inspiration from. Crucially, Jigsaw’s practices align with their public message with a workforce comprised of employees of 45 different nationalities. Rather than presenting a facade of concern for social issues, Jigsaw encourages a working environment which supports employees from all ethnical and national backgrounds, properly advocating for the social cause they stand behind. Genuine efforts toward change do not go unnoticed by the public, not only boosting brand image and long-lasting, ethically earned profit, but also awareness towards such humanitarian issues.

Considering popular brands’ influence on the market and consumers’ perception of current issues, it is vital for them to speak out and

take action against crucial social matters. However, a line should be drawn when brands place themselves on a moral pedestal but still engage in the very practices they condemn. For example, multi-billion dollar fast fashion company H&M’s sustainability marketing ploy is spearheaded by its sustainable clothing line called the Conscious choice collection. But, H&M fails to mention it operates under a fast-fashion business model, which means it mass produces thousands of pieces that are dumped into landfills. A Quartz investigation found that contrary to H&M’s greenwashing statements, only a percentage of its pieces are recycled and its clothes take large amounts of water to create. Due to the greenwashing, consumers are lured into the facade of an environmentally-friendly company. The consumers give their trust to the company and not only purchase its products, but also buy into the idea that their actions are helping the greater good. Woke washing companies like H&M deceive their customers as their products are not actually sustainable, fostering a lack of trust between the two parties this can leave consumers skeptical to ploys and lead to true sustainable brands being harmed in the process.

Sportswear brand Nike succumbs to the pitfalls of hypocrisy and woke washing by using social campaigns to cover up internal company issues. In 1991, workers’ rights activist and author Jeff Ballinger published a report exposing Nike’s poor working conditions, from low pay to cramped, fire-hazardous buildings. After receiving significant public criticism, Nike established a department to improve the lives of its workers primarily in terms of altering wages. However, in 2017, Nike removed itself from the Worker Rights Consortium, meaning they could no longer be monitored for their working conditions.

Since then, Nike has been releasing more progressive and socially aware advertisements to make up for its lack of transparency with its working conditions. In light of recent xenophobic attacks,

Nike aired a campaign with the hashtag #StopAsianHate, aligning themselves with the Asian community. However, according to Reuters, most of Nike’s factories are in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where workers are paid 45-65% below living wage. While Nike advertises itself as socially aware and tugs on consumer empathy to make profit, the company still refuses to provide proper working conditions for its exploited Asian workers. Nike blatantly participates in performative activism by advocating for the better treatment of Asian people, while actively oppressing the Asian community by placing workers in harsh environments to produce their products.

Authenticity is rare among an ocean of disingenuous advertising, originating from the goal of adapting to an audience concerned with modern social issues. Thus, consumers have a moral responsibility to be informed on the goods and services they purchase in order to condemn hypocritical branding. Although sustainable shopping is often more costly than fast-fashion, bringing awareness to harmful industry practices will encourage financially privileged individuals to reconsider their purchasing habits. Consumers can research company policy online through sites such as goodonyou.eco and Global Witness, which provide information on companies’ ethical practices and their contribution to the environment.

As consumers, we have the power not only to better working conditions for all employees, but also to help solve the humanitarian issues that plague modern society. ▪ GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR ANNIKA SINGH

4 Opinion www.thesmokesignal.org

THE SMOKE SIGNAL Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 58, No. 2 | October 21, 2022 www.thesmokesignal.org 41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 510-657-3600, ext. 37088 MISSION STATEMENT The Smoke Signal’s mission is to represent the voices of the MSJ community and serve the public by providing accurate, meaningful, and engaging information presented through print and digital mediums.

SCHOOL POPULATION 1877 students EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Helen Tian, Jerry Yuan NEWS Rohan Bhagat, Shelley Li OPINION Esther Lau, Annika Singh FEATURE Julia Peng, Elton Yu CENTERSPREAD Christy Huang, Angela Xiong A&E Sanah Bhardwaj, Joanne Park SPORTS Karina Han, Kaitlyn Wang GRAPHICS Sarina Li, Hannah Shen WEB Jennie Wang, Bryan Xiong TECH Chahak Gupta, Jason Tang BUSINESS Chloe Gao, Sahas Goli CIRCULATION Elaheh Khazi, Amy Luo ADVERTISING Annie Xu, Aaron Zhou EVENTS Andria Luo, Nessa Tong WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Goonja Basu, Angelina Chen, Novak Chen, Ruhani Chhabra, Tanvi Deshmukh, Tushara Devapatla, Anandita Devata, Jiyun Guo, Jacob Han, Sally Han, Sarah Hu, Shuhan Jin, Ayushi Kashyap, Vedesh Kodnani, Keerti Koya, Abha Kulkarni, Waylon Li, Kaylee Liu, Maryam Naseer, Ashley Pang, Daphne Senecal, Priyanka Shah, Vidyuth Sridhar, Praamesh Siva, Aaryan Suri, Katie Tang, Anushka Vasudev, Amelie Wu, Lucy Yao, Callie Yuan ADVISER Sandra Cohen Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org.

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Friday, October 21, 2022

The Smoke Signal

AnnikA's Angle

esther's edition

Diversity shouldn't mask individuality

Greatness is the intention to grow

By Annika Singh Opinion Editor

By Esther Lau Opinion Editor

A couple of weeks ago, while standing in line for a chicken platter at The Halal Guys, a friend asked about my opinion on Netflix’s newly released Partner Track, starring Arden Cho. Despite loving the lead actress and finding the show’s plot interesting, I found myself saying, “Oh my god, I hated it.”

Within the first half of episode one, the protagonist’s (Ingrid Yun) identity as one of the only women of color in her workplace was emphasized multiple times. Though I’m eternally grateful for Partner Track’s contribution to the positive trend of female Asian stories in American media, I’m tired of being represented by a character known as the “diversity card” in their workplace or school. Ingrid's multifaceted personality is covered up by the overwhelming emphasis on her character being diverse, making the show uninteresting to watch.

When these stereotypical diversity tropes are repetitively displayed in the media, it lowers individuals’ self-esteem — no one wants to be a poster child for diversity at a company or have their identity reduced to their race.

When I watched season two of Bridgerton, I was able to follow the character’s (Kate Sharma) journey instead of following her heritage. Kate’s witty personality works in tandem with her South

Asian identity — she wears gorgeous jhumkas (earrings), refers to her father as ‘Appa,’ and regularly oils her hair, but her personality isn’t overshadowed by her cultural background. The rest of the characters in the show don’t see Kate and her family as ethnic women — to them, the Sharmas are the new, beautiful, and marriage-eligible family in town.

Growing up in a predominantly-Asian area, I've never been viewed as “ethnic” or “diverse” — I'm just myself. However, outside of the Bay Area and MSJ bubble, people tend to define me by my heritage. My South Asian identity becomes the pivotal point of my personality, making me feel that my race holds more value than my capabilities. When shows and movies depict storylines revolving around race and “diversity,” people are reminded of the overwhelming influence culture has on the way they are perceived by society.

It’s important for the media to represent well-rounded characters of color that experience emotions and struggles that don’t necessarily relate to their racial identity.

Diversity is important — in fact, we need more of it in American media, but it's crucial to have characters whose storylines pay homage to their culture without making it the center of their personality. ▪

When prompted to name “the greats” in sports, most people would probably say Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, or Tiger Woods; in the industry, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, or Steve Jobs. These names that come to mind are known for their competitive or monetary success, but what is greatness, and is chasing greatness possible?

In our capitalistic society, individuals are often raised with success as an end objective, defined by educational or career achievements, wealth, or the like. Conditioned to believe that conventional modes of success are what make greatness, we’re taught to structure our lives around illusive goals, often ending in disappointment or disillusionment. Especially in the Bay Area where a majority of families are first or second-generation immigrants, these traditional determinants of success are heavily emphasized because they’re what allowed our families to build their lives here.

Recently, there’s been a lot of pushback on these ideas — for good reason — particularly from Gen Z. But, I’ve found that the narrative has shifted to one that deems the chasing of greatness as a toxic, unachievable, and nonexistent pursuit, rejecting the decades-old mindset in an allencompassing way. While done with the intention to break down “hustle culture,” this often causes

more harm than good, holding us back from fully embracing opportunities that come our way. (For more on this, read “Gen Z’s Labor of Love” in Vol. 57, No. 9 of the Smoke Signal.)

Personally, I’ve gone through different phases surrounding success and output. At one point, I was completely sucked into “hustle culture;” at another, I completely removed focus from my goals and lived day by day, which although was needed at the moment, proved to be unsustainable and directionless. Over time, however, through experiences that weren’t conventionally successful but still all the more fulfilling, I’ve grown to realize that chasing greatness can be attainable and healthy. Instead of subscribing to societal ideals of what it should be, we should redefine greatness by seeking it in the journey.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should stop chasing after your goals and visions. Whether or not you’re a goal-oriented individual, having a target is helpful, and we should continue to set goals for ourselves, whether big or small. At the same time, however, it’s important that we work towards peaceful acceptance when things don’t pan out in the way we originally imagined. Ultimately, greatness isn’t what we achieve — it’s the intention to grow throughout our journey. ▪

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

The neglected journey of healing in MSJ culture Trigger warning: Mentions of trauma and mental illness This editorial contains mentions of emotional trauma and mental illness.

Because of its sensitive nature, these topics may trigger strong emotions in students. Please proceed with caution and reach out to MSJ counselors or a trusted adult if you or a student you know needs support.

“Someone gives you a silent treatment, and suddenly [you feel like] you’re 13 again sitting on the couch while your parents walk around the house not speaking to each other,” said a TikTok user in a video that has been viewed more than 650,000 times since September 26. During the past month, thousands of TikTok users have made similar posts centered around the lingering impacts of negative childhood experiences, ranging from feeling excluded in past friend groups to mental illness and abuse. Originating on social media, these posts indicate the need for serious conversations surrounding the weight that past traumas can hold in our present lives and how we can fully heal from them.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under the US Department of Health and Human Services, trauma is defined as any “event or circumstance with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health.” The issues we experience during our formative stages of life can often leave us with scars, fears, and phobias that seem difficult or impossible to heal, and many of us are left to struggle with the effects

through adolescence and adulthood.

As high schoolers, students are not only beginning to navigate adulthood with additional responsibilities and obligations, but they’re also starting to understand and reevaluate these childhood events.

At MSJ, the culture surrounding toxic productivity and delayed gratification leaves little to no room for meaningful discussions surrounding trauma recovery and can create a harmful environment for individuals in their journey towards self-acceptance and healing. From students neglecting self-care for assignments to classmates pressuring one another to take the most rigorous courses, the current MSJ environment reinforces the message that unhappiness and emotional stress for the sake of academics is a necessary sacrifice and beneficial towards students in the long run. This mindset directly translates into MSJ students’ tendency to suppress negative emotions and memories for the sake of productivity and conformity — a dangerous pipeline that can have adverse impacts on a person’s future wellbeing.

According to the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, the effects of trauma can range drastically in severity; some may not require rapid intervention, whereas others may endanger one’s immediate wellbeing. Because of this, when triggers continue to appear in a person’s life, at school or after graduation, trauma repression no longer becomes an effective coping method. This is especially true if that event took a large toll on your physi-

cal, mental, or emotional wellbeing.

Repression is not recovery, and when students avoid their traumas, intentionally or not, they are only delaying the healing process rather than skipping over it.

As a community, MSJ needs to help students learn to prioritize emotional wellbeing over toxic productivity and emphasize the use of trusted resources for mental support. The stigma around asking for help and using the resources provided should be changed by teaching students to adjust their mindset. At an individual level, implementing mindfulness into daily routines can help students become more aware of their thoughts and emotions and understand the reasons behind harmful ones, allowing them to seek intervention more readily. Although recent installations like the Student Wellness Center are a step in the right direction, MSJ should set up more accessible resources for students in need of mental or emotional assistance. For instance, on-site therapists at MSJ have sparse openings, with many students remaining on a waiting list for months at a time just to speak with a mental health professional. Through community discussions and mutual support, we can shift MSJ’s discourse surrounding trauma and mental health to something that must be prioritized now rather than later. ▪

By Kaitlyn Wang & Nessa Tong Sports Editor & Staff Writer

SPORTS EDITOR KAITLYN WANG

STAFF WRITER NESSA TONG

Friday, October 21, 2022 The Smoke Signal

The case for high school financial literacy

By Angelina Chen, Anandita Devata, Jacob Han & Anushka Vasudev Staff Writers

Financial literacy involves the knowledge of financial skills, as well as the ability to apply them to realworld situations. This includes a wide range of topics such as investing, personal finance management, understanding loans and debt, and maintaining financial security. Education in this topic comes into play when students apply for part-time jobs in high school, navigate college expenses, or pay day-to-day bills. Given the current economic climate, with college fees and student debt rising, it becomes increasingly crucial for students to focus on financial education. An analysis from Fortune found that in February, the US faced record-high student debt, exceeding $1.75 trillion, emphasizing the dire need for high schools to teach students to manage their money and pay off loans on time. A study by scholars at Tulane University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst indicates that 38.2% of low-literacy students underestimate future payments by more than $1000 annually, while high financial literacy reduces the probability of significant payment underestimation by 17–18 percentage points. This correlation highlights that a lack of financial knowledge not only affects a student’s ability to pay college fees but also has teenagers struggling with snowballing expenses, from groceries and school supplies to dorm furniture. Navigating all these different aspects of adult life without a foundation in finance can lead to unwise spending decisions and poor money habits, all of which make paying off college loans and handling necessary living expenses even more difficult.

However, the implementation of financial literacy in education has the potential to address these problems. For instance, states like Georgia, Texas, and

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Opinion 5

According to a poll from financial technology company Greenlight, 32% of teenagers cannot distinguish between a credit and a debit card, revealing concerning gaps in the financial education system. As teenagers leave high school and become more independent, their lack of financial literacy has severe repercussions. Schools are responsible for preparing youth for the future, but they fail at providing key financial education. The American education system needs to do its part to ensure students are equipped with the confidence and skills necessary to flourish financially.

Idaho require students to take a personal finance course that covers topics such as handling bank accounts and completing loan applications. Responses were overwhelmingly positive: three years post-implementation, credit scores, a numerical value that predicts how likely someone is to pay back a loan on time, which can affect interest and mortgage rates, increased and severe delinquency rates decreased.

These students have continued to exhibit better financial decision-making capabilities. According to a study from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, college-bound students are more likely to apply for financial aid, have reduced loan balances, and have better credit scores. Improved financial planning allows for better control over one’s money, making it easier to set aside amounts to create an emergency fund and pay bills on time.

Despite the benefits of universal financial education, many feel that teaching financial knowledge to students is a parental responsibility. However, a study from the American College of Financial Services showed that 80% of adult respondents scored 60% or lower on financial questions regarding retirement. Although they may have some experience in many of the subtopics in financial literacy, many parents do not necessarily understand the topics very well either. If adults themselves lack financial literacy, it is impractical to hold them responsible for teaching their children this information.

Others argue that implementing year-long or semester courses at high schools can rip a hole in school

“[With financial courses], I would feel a lot more confident entering the real world. Especially with the reality of student loans setting in, I’d be a good deal less anxious. I also think it would help some students learn a bit more about their interests, as financial courses aren’t taught at Mission. Plus, these life skills would make me feel a bit more prepared for life after schooling.” — MSJ DECA Vice President of Leadership Zoe Lee, 11

districts’ tight budgets, adversely affecting core areas of education. When funding for educational institutions is already stretched to its limit, thinning the reach of federal and state budgets on an additional course seems to be unjustified. However, financial education does not necessarily entail budget-draining ideas. Incorporating short financial lessons in math or social science classes will teach financial knowledge to students without taking time away from other subjects. In social science classes, where economic recessions and financial setbacks are discussed, having teachers encourage students to consider the implications those events have on public financial knowledge can stimulate meaningful conversations in classrooms about the importance of maintaining financial habits.

Outside of the classroom, there are many opportunities for students to further their financial literacy. For example, in MSJ, many clubs such as DECA and MSJ Investment Club prioritize financial literacy and provide students with opportunities to exercise their financial knowledge. Students may also look towards external organizations like Operation HOPE and Financial Beginnings. Even those who find it difficult to set aside time to participate in these organizations can still learn through online apps, podcasts, or books such as I Want More Pizza and How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance. To ensure a brighter and more stable future for millions of teenagers, both students individually and school systems as a whole must take initiative to prioritize and expand their financial knowledge. ▪

“There’s a very serious need for financial education, but not many consider it to be a big problem, which is why we haven’t made much progress on it. It’s about practicing and actually sticking to it. It’s like being on a diet; nobody wants to be on a diet, so they need that motivation. You can think of financial literacy as a diet for your money; how much are you going to spend in any one given month?”

— MSJ Investment Club President Rahul Rangaraaj, 12

“Financial literacy is really important because it provides individuals with independence and power. You will have your own destiny in your own hands, and financial literacy is something that you will use your entire life.” — Entrepreneurship & English Teacher Valerie Carattini

“I think [financial workshops or courses] would be helpful. There’s two kinds of challenges, but it doesn’t mean we can’t overcome them. The first one is that we’d have to have a minimum of 30 students sign up for the course whenever we run a new class. The second is you have to get a teacher who’s financially literate themselves. The third challenge to our population is that it’s so hard to run a new class here if it's not AP-level. We always try to run these cool classes but students don’t want to sign up for them unless they’re AP.” — Assistant Principal Jeana Nightengale “I think financial literacy classes would be a good idea, because in school we don’t have any classes on how to deal with adult problems, like finances.

To have a class to teach us important lessons we need to use in our adult life would be very helpful.” — Meghna Goswami, 10

GRAPHICS BY OPINION EDITOR ANNIKA SINGH

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SBAC Score Withholding

Earlier this month, the CA Department of Education refused to release this year's Smarter Balanced (SBAC) test results, hoping to delay the assumed poor results until after the November election. Now, after significant pushback, they are planning to release results sometime at the end of October. Do you think the state made a right decision by withholding scores, or do you believe that they should have been transparent?

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)*+!,,!!

“I believe that scores should be released the moment that they’re available. The Department of Education already knows that the results are bad, and they are purposely holding back these scores for their personal benefit: whether it’s related to swaying election decisions or even just saving a bit of face.

They should’ve been transparent from the start, and it’s deserved that the department’s poor decision was met with negative feedback.“

+!,7 56

!!!!!!!"#$% %& ( !'

"I don’t think the California Department of Education has a good reason for withholding SBAC test results and should be transparent with the public. A decline in test scores is expected because of the pandemic, so delaying the release of test results isn’t going to make much of a difference. It only causes harm by withholding data that schools can use to know what areas to improve on right now."

"The state absolutely should have been transparent instead of withholding scores. It's the duty of the government to do the best for the people, and withholding scores for political gain was incredibly unethical.

In addition, the government fails to take into consideration students who may want to see their score to see their progress through the years. As someone who has scored well on the SBAC, I want to be able to see if I am able to consistently achieve this. Overall, the state has failed to take into consideration the voice of the people, and this decision will likely lead to an even poorer image for them in the upcoming election."

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS SHUHAN JIN, AYUSHI KASHYAP & NESSA TONG

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Feature 7

DieHard TryHards:

Bagel Baking

By Goonja Basu, Priyanka Shah, Katie Tang & Lucy Yao Staff Writers

The arrival of autumn means all things fall-flavored. This month, the Smoke Signal’s DieHard TryHards decided to see who could make the most a-maize-ing autumn bagels and spread. With high tensions and drama worthy of a soap opera, Smokies go head to head to see who exactly will reign supreme as the pump-king of bagel-making.

lived in Priyanka Having New York, the Katie home of bagel-lovers, I know what the true meaning of a perfect bagel is. I apple-aud my fellow Smokies’ efforts, but my schmear knowledge of the bagel anatomy will knock down any competition. The combination of flavors I have concocted will definitely spice things up, and I am going to make the best bagels out there. Fall-elujah –– it’s finally my time to shine!

When it comes to bagels, I don’t mess around.

With 16 years of bagel-eating experience up my sleeve, I totally be-leaf that I am the most knowledgeable bagel connoisseur here. I spent hours finding the perfect bagel recipe to follow. Despite the three fires I set, I have complete faith in my skills and oven. All the other Smokies can try to beat me, but there is no doubt in my mind that at the end of the day, my in-fall-ible bagels and I will come out on top.

Goonja

As a daily consumer and avid lover of bagels, I believe I will absolutely demolish my fellow Smokies. Unlike my competitors’ gravely boring creations, my bagels are going to grace the earth with how gourd they taste.

S u r e , it’s my first time making bagels, but you know what they say, first time’s the charm. My days of somewhat subpar baking are over, it’s time to turn over a new leaf. B-autumns up!

3rd

Personally, I believe that I have been robbed of a win. My rosemary garlic bagels with artichoke cream cheese were just too advanced for anyone’s taste pallete. Hours of contemplating flavors and exotic ingredients was a win in my mind. However, at least I can say that I successfully made a bagel completely from scratch.

They just needed a little bit of pumpkin-patching up. Next time I take on bagel making, the taste and texture will not fail me, and people will definitely be in line for my bagels.

Looking at my competition, I’ll be lucky if I get an apple-y ever after with this one.

Yeah sure, baking can be the apple of my eye, but bagels aren’t as easy as pumpkin pie. Hopefully one of the two baking channels I follow will upload a gourd-geous collection of fall treats that I can casually take heavy inspiration from. For now, I’ll be Googling “How to knead dough” and preparing eight fire extinguishers, then just hoping something edible comes out in the end.

Pecan Apple Pie bagel with Caramel Spread

Pumpkin Crunch with Maple Spice Spread Roasted Garlic and Rosemary bagels with Artichoke spread

Lucy

Pumpkin and Sesame bagel with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Spread

1st

Well, what can I say? Coming into this competition, I knew my bagels were the diamonds of the season — none of my other competitors even stood a chance.

Next time you see me, I’ll be walking down the red carpet with my spice-tacular bagels and spread. I am so relieved that all of my hard work paid off. After hours of kneading, mixing, baking, and chilling, my bagels lived up to their fullest potential. These babies were not only pretty but also had some next-level flavor, making them number one in everyone’s hearts.

4th

Listen, I tried my best.

I may have completely lost, and there’s no chance I’ll be on Top Chef any time soon, but I can now call myself a professional baker. The experience of trying to open a can for half an hour, feeling pumpkin puree under my fingernails, and dusting my countertops with a gross amount of flour and cinnamon was arduous, but I feel accomplished. Six hours of hard work later (when the recipe said it would take two and a half), these bagels are the best in my heart, although maybe not in my stomach.

2nd

Considering the fact I was fully expecting tenth place in a competition of four people, I’d say I surpassed my expectations. I guess remaking the caramel three times was actually worth it (and totally not because I burned it each attempt). Although I won’t be going on The Great British Baking Show anytime soon, I’ve definitely gained some confidence in my recipe-following abilities. Even if it takes triple the time and triple the dirty dishes, you know what they say: just bake it till you make it.

PHOTOS BY FEATURE EDITOR JULIA PENG. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITORS JULIA PENG & ELTON YU

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Friday, October 21, 2022

guide to

Halloween Legends

By Andria Luo, Daphne Senecal & Amelie Wu Staff Writers

As Halloween creeps upon us, many bring out their spookiest stories to tell their friends and family. The Smoke Signal has compiled some of the most popular Halloween tales and where they came from along with a few student favorites. With stories ranging from crying ghosts to creepypasta, a term for horror-related content on the Internet, it’s time to turn off the lights and

Many young children have tried to summon Bloody Mary by chanting her name three times in Bloody Mary a dark bathroom; however, most have failed to see her actually appear. When she does appear in the mirror, though, she is said to show the summoner how they will meet their demise. She may also try to kill her summoner or simply stare at them from within the mirror. There is no clear origin story for this mirror ghost, but many speculate that her name may come from Queen “Bloody” Mary I of England who had many of her subjects killed. Japan has their own version of this spirit named Hanako-san, who can be summoned in a similar fashion but only in the girl’s restrooms at schools.

Slender Man

An urban legend that began circulating in the 1950s, The Hook tells the story of a teenage couple’s encounter with a crazed murderer and his hook hand. One summer night, the couple is on a date on Lovers’ Lane when they hear the radio report that a murderer has escaped the loThe Hook cal insane asylum. The murderer, nicknamed “The Hook Man,” is said to have a hook in the place of his right hand after losing the appendage in an accident. Frightened by the scratching sounds they had been hearing all night, the girl convinces her boyfriend to cut the date short and drive home. When the couple arrives home and exits the car, they spot a bloody hook embedded in the roof. The two then come to the realization that The Hook Man had been trying to break into their car to kill them before they drove away, causing the hook to rip off The Hook Man and embed into to their car.

A lanky and ghostly white creature that stalks and kidnaps children, the Slender Man has become the Internet’s personal Halloween legend, created entirely by writers and fans online. The Slender Man was created during a Photoshop contest on the Something Awful Internet forum on June 10, 2009 by Eric Knudsen under the pseudonym “Victor Surge.” Slender Man quickly became viral, inspiring fanart, video games, and even movies. He is often seen wearing a black suit and tie in forests or abandoned areas, and being near the Slender Man is said to inflict delusions and paranoia. He stalks children before kidnapping them, suggested by a photo in which Slender Man can be spotted in the background of children playing at a park.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

First published in 1820 and considered to be one of America’s first ghost stories, the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving is a short story about superstitious school teacher Ichabod Crane, who is often portrayed to be tall and lanky like a scarecrow. A newcomer to the New York village of Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod becomes infatuated with Katrina von Tassel, a young heiress who Dutchman Brom Bones also harbors an interest in. On his way home after Katrina rebuffs him at a party, Ichabod is chased by a headless man on horseback who throws a pumpkin at him and knocks him off his horse. Ichabod vanishes from town, never to be seen again. The Headless Horseman is often presumed to be Brom, who ended up marrying Katrina after Ichabod fled town. This story is believed to be inspired by a Hessian soldier who, during the Battle of White Plains in 1776, was decapitated by a cannonball.

Jeff the Killer

Jeff the Killer first emerged in 2008 as a character from creepypasta. He, along with the Slender man, helped popularize the creepypasta genre. After a group of bullies bleached and burned 13-year-old Jeff’s face, his skin became paper white and leathery and his lips became cherry red. Finding his new appearance beautiful, Jeff burned off his eyelids so he could constantly admire his face and carved a smile into his face so he wouldn’t need to exert energy to smile. He is said to wake up his victims in the middle of the night, killing those who scream at the sight of his face and sparing those who go back to sleep silently.

Also known as the Weeping Woman, La Llorona is the tale of a woman who drowned her children in a river out of either grief or jealousy, depending on the version. As punishment, she was sentenced to haunt Earth in search of her children’s souls in order to enter Heaven. Now doomed to wander the planet for eternity, she can be found crying by the river she drowned her children in. Sometimes, she may mistake children who stray far from their families for her own, and she is said to kidnap them. The story originated in Latin La Llorona America and is common among Hispanic families, with most alleged sightings of La Llorona occurring in Southern California and New Mexico.

After two young couples from Point Pleasant, West Virginia reported a large gray creature with 10-foot wings in 1966, the story of the Mothman was born. Others soon began reporting similar sightings of a bird-like monster with glowing red eyes. The Mothman became introduced to a wider audience and popularized by John Keel’s The Mothman Prophecies (1975), which claimed that the Mothman had a connection to the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967. Since 2002, Point Pleasant has held an Annual Mothman Festival on the third weekend of September, originally hosted to draw tourists to the town. Food trucks, cosplays of the Mothman, and merchandise from local businesses are all featured in the festival.

Mothman

Student Favorites “My favorite Halloween horror story is called The Ghost in the Hall. It’s a creepy story about a girl who loses her teddy bear in the new house she moved into, which turns out to be haunted. A special memory related to this story that comes to mind happened a few years ago. My older sister took my teddy bear and hid it in the closet, terrorizing me and fooling me into believing our house was haunted.”

— Zoya Adil, 9

“I think my favorite [Halloween legend] has to be The Monkey’s Paw. My fifth grade teacher Mr. Boyer was the first one to tell me it. Looking back [at it now, it] probably [was] not the best story to tell children, [but] ... this one was my favorite because of how perfectly creepy it is without being too absurd. Also, I couldn’t sleep the night after I heard it. So thanks, Mr. Boyer!”

— Lia Le-Nguyen, 10

“I remember there was this one story where a mother had a daughter that couldn’t speak, but the daughter wasn’t actually hers. The actual mom always tried to come and get the daughter but failed. It turned out that the fake mom’s daughter died by drowning so she kidnapped the fake daughter and cut off her tongue so she couldn’t speak.”

— Shriya Nichenametla, 11

GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR JULIA PENG

Friday, October 21, 2022

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The Smoke Signal

Centerspread 9

freshmen In metro city

By Ashley Pang & Aaron Zhou Staff Writers

Blue paper stripes and balloons bound onto the railings posed a warm welcome as the crowd gathered at the amphitheater on Monday, October 3. Silhouettes of Metro Man and Megamind painted on the backdrops added to the mysterious atmosphere of Metro City, and the audience waited in anticipation for the first Homecoming performance of the week.

After the live band began the show with Joe Hisaishi’s “Summer,” the freshmen began their skit with a classroom lecture. As the skit progressed with Megamind and Metro Man establishing an inauthentic friendship, the actors maintained well-choreographed hand gestures a n d impactful dialogue. Notably, Megamind’s insecure demeanor and Metro Man’s tirades on struggling with academics provided a balance of humor and suspense for the overall plot. The skit came to its resolution with Minion confessing his schemes of destroying Metro Man and Megamind’s friendship, demonstrating the importance of establishing relationships not through instigation but through benevolence and unity.

To start off their airbands, the freshmen performed a unique fusion between the lyrical airband and the fight scene. Following the lyrical dancers’ gracefully executed routines, the fight scene performers engaged in aggressive hand-to-hand combat, invoking excitement as the crowd eagerly awaited the fighters’ next moves.

The hip-hop airband also took the stage dressed in bright blue t-shirts and performed a series of intriguing footwork and energetic arm swings.

To match the high energy of the hip-hop airband, the singing airband harmonized to popular songs such as Doja Cat’s “Say So” and Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now.” Despite initially facing audio issues, the trio carried on with their performance, encouraged by supportive claps from the audience.

Afterwards, the K-pop airband recreated iconic dance moves from NAYEON’s “POP!” and powerful choreography from BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love.” As “SNEAKERS” by ITZY blasted across the amphitheater, the crowd burst into screams and sang along as performers passionately danced to the song’s lively beats.

In the class’s final airband performance, Bollywood dancers dazzled in gold-accented blue pants packed the stage as they performed to “INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow)” by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow and “Naatu Naatu (From “Rrr”)” by Rahul Sipligunj, Kala Bhairava, and M. M. Keeravani with choreography featuring multiple formation changes and classical Bollywood moves. Despite the large number of dancers that took the stage, the airband stayed synchronized throughout their entire performance. The crowd erupted into cheers as dancers formed a hand bridge that they proceeded to dash through, ending the performance on a high note.

All performers stepped on the stage after the final airband, chanting “We don’t miss, 26.” Although new to the concept of Homecoming, the freshmen demonstrated their high spirFourth its through fine choreography and compelling plotlines, placing fourth in the final standings.

Fourth

Skit

Deco

Airbands “The most memorable part of all of the freshman class performances was the dances that K-pop they used, all of which were super trendy. There was one TikTok dance that originated from Fortnite, which really cracked me up.

They did a spin move with their arms doing this cool movement.”

— Jay Gokani, 10

Fourth “Especially for their first homecoming, the freshman class had incredible organization and cohesion. From the deco to the skit to each individual airband, [the] Class of 2026 proved to be incredibly adaptable. For instance, even when the microphones didn’t work for the singing airband, each member pulled their own weight and finished the performance, which really impressed me.” — Selina Kao, 12

Overall Fourth

“[K-pop airband] was addicting to watch and their finale was a satisfying end to the performance.” — Jeffrey Li, 9

“Though nearly everything in the freshman performance was stellar, the main thing that really blew me away was the stunning decorations, from the balloons to the posters.” — Karthik Sista, 9

“I was impressed by their performances; everyone was so energetic and excited about their Homecoming, even though it’s their first one.” — Siran Wang, 11

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS CHLOE GAO & ELAHEH KHAZI. GRAPHICS BY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HELEN TIAN

10 Centerspread

“The whole thing was pretty good though.

The K-pop performances were amazing. I really liked the dances.” — Aryav Das, 9

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“I think their C-pop airband was the best. It was something that was really unique and never done before, I’m pretty sure.

They were very in sync and I especially like the part where they did the wave with the fans, because it just looked so aesthetically pleasing and cool.”

— Etta Sou, 12

Lines of yellow and white balloons streamed towards a picturesque red and yellow sunrise framing the large, grinning Mufasa from the Lion King.

A live band clad in yellow bucket hats welcomed students to the Class of 2025’s Homecoming performance.

Sophomore Homecoming kicked off with a medley of hit songs, including “We Are Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift and “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses. The crowd of musicians departed as Mufasa and his son, Simba took to the stage, arguing about Simba’s music taste and sense of duty. Touching on themes of unity contrasted with Mufasa’s obsession with the monarchy, the skit was a hit among students. Adding an exciting spin to the original Lion King storyline, Simba’s Swiftie status and hilariously offbeat Taylor Swift references allowed for a satisfyingly smooth transition into the singing airband.

The singers’ pitch-perfect performance of nostalgic tunes such as “You Belong With Me” and “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift stirred students to enthusiastically clap and sing along. A mashup of “Burn” from the musical Hamilton and “traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo that followed filled the amphitheater with heartfelt emotional vibrancy in between the joyful performances, reflecting Simba’s grief in the skit that followed from Mufasa’s death as he fought with his brother, Scar.

Following the singers, the Bharatanatyam airband arrived onstage; their playful expressions and intricate handwork captivated the crowd. Their calmly paced choreography segued smoothly into the C-pop airband, as dancers twirled their embroidered fans in unison, alternating between refreshingly tranquil jumps and lifts and controlled body isolations. The lighthearted calm energy segued into Simba’s idyllic time growing up in the jungle Pumbaa and Timon after fleeing from the tribe. The elaborate dance formations emphasized the dancers’ elegance, showcasing their months of practice.

In stimulating contrast with the gentle C-pop routine, the hip-hop airband entertained the audience with their upbeat bursts of movement, including a brisk Michael Jackson moonwalk. The K-pop airband carried hip-hop’s energy and elevated it to instantly draw cheers from the crowd, with elaborate choreographies to songs such as “O.O” by NMIXX and “Easy” by Stray Kids. Outfit changes between songs brought a fresh energy to each dance, building the crowd’s anticipation throughout the performance. The excitement added to Simba and his childhood friend, Nala’s reunion in the jungle that followed. Continuing with references to unity, the skit traced Simba’s return to the tribe to save his old friends from Scar’s tyranny.

The anticipation led into the Bollywood airband, which innovatively incorporated the “Kala Chasma” TikTok trend into their lively routine, with the "My dancers boasting yellow-rimmed sunfavorite glasses with “CO 25” painted across part of their the lenses. performance was To capture the final battle between the Michael JackSimba and Scar, the fight scene airband son piece in Hip-Hop airlaunched into a fast-paced invigorating band. It was so cool to see sequence. Featuring aerials, mid-air splits, the Hip-Hop leaders incorporate Michael Jackson and extravagant acrobatics, the sophomores into an airband perforengaged in a series of intense fights, living up mance. The guy in the to the battle between center was insane, the outfits and the lions and the dance were perfect, espeically coyotes in the origwith that moonwalk!" inal movie.

— Angelina Ching, Winning second 11 place overall, the sophomores raised the bar with this year’s Homecoming.

Their eye-catching costumes and props, humorous skit, and energetic choreography captured the lively spirit of the Class of 2025.

LION KING

SOPHOMORES OF PRIDE ROCK

By Chahak Gupta & Annie Xu Staff Writers

DECO: FIRST

SKIT: SECOND

AIRBANDS: SECOND

OVERALL: SECOND

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS CHLOE GAO & ELAHEH KHAZI. GRAPHICS BY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HELEN TIAN & STAFF WRITER NESSA TONG

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star wars

Centerspread 11

“The Bollywood airband was definitely the most memorable part of the performance. The atmosphere in the crowd was electric as soon as they entered onto the stage.” — Mehul Maurya, 12

rise of th e

juniors

By Sarah Hu & Elaheh Khazi Staff Writers

“I think the junior deco[rations] [have] really improved and [were] super cool this year. There were more pieces this year and a lot more details, like the metallic stickers and the glow of the lightsaber on the other characters in the panel.” — Alyssa Chen, 11

With — the amphitheater decked out in Star Wars decorations and print-like backdrops, the Class of 2024 started their Homecoming performance with much zeal and excitement during lunch on Wednesday, October 5.

Silver ribbons wrapped around the railways and fences leading into the area, and black and silver balloons hung in rows, decorating the amphitheater.

The juniors were ready to show off their class spirit and hard work.

Kicking off the performance, the live band had a quick routine playing to “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” from Star Wars and “Fly Me To The Moon”

by Frank Sinatra as students settled on the grassy field getting ready to watch the juniors. Jumping up and down, the singing airband came on stage next with their microphones and instruments, ready to sing to popular songs such as Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Joji’s “Glimpse of Us,” Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles,” and Sam Smith’s “Love Me More.” The singers harmonized, and the audience happily sang along to their favorite tunes.

Once the singing airband finished, the Star Wars-themed skit began.

Characters dressed as Rey representing the freshmen, C-3PO representing the sophomores, Kylo Ren representing the juniors, and Darth Sidious representing the seniors, were key figures in the play. The skit quickly established a complex plotline with the senior, Darth Sidious as the antagonist. The play included humorous jokes and dances, such as the default Fortnite dance, as the characters united to defeat the evil Darth Sidious, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed as everyone cheered them on. The characters’ costumes, capes, and fights with lightsabers enhanced the immersion of the skit. Afterwards, the hip-hop airband enthusiastically danced to Doja Cat’s “Woman” and Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco’s “Touch The Sky,” while executing clean and syncopated moves.

The Jazz Funk airband dancers neatly combined ballet moves with jazz steps as they danced to Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” and other songs. The performers then seamlessly transitioned into the fight scene, keeping the audience on their toes. K-pop airband then delivered a well-rehearsed and synchronized performance. Their choice of music from popular groups such as TWICE, BLACKPINK, and SEVENTEEN had the audience cheering in support.

Dressed in formal and matching attire, the ballroom dancers created different artistic formations and patterns. When ballroom finished, the crowd’s attention shifted to the Bollywood airband. They entered the amphitheater jumping and dancing to loud music. Dancers incorporated flips and tricks with traditional moves into their choreography and surprised the audience with a quick costume change into skirts.

Last to enter the stage was fight scene airband as the backstage eagerly chanted for them. With performers flipping through the air and others ducking to the ground, the quick combat was was reminiscent of a realistic lightsaber battle and had the audience on their feet.

Throughout the entire lunchtime performance, the perform“The juniors aced the ers delivered stunning, well-choreographed dances and fight scene in my opinion. From the showed their junior class spirit. Ultimately, their deco, skit, choreography to overall audience reaction, and airbands all coordinated to tell one story, allowing them everything exceeded my expectations. Their fight to place third overall and create a memory the scene also consisted of lightsabers, which was a “The most memoMSJ students will not forget. really cool factor.” — Andrew Li, 9 rable part ... was definitely the depth of the performances, which ended up being very impressive. The dances were well thought out, and I liked the execution.” — Angelina Chen, 10

overall: 3rd airbands: 3rd

Rankings:

skit: 3rd

deco: 3rd

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS ANNIE XU & ASHLEY PANG. GRAPHICS BY CENTERSPREAD EDITOR CHRISTY HUANG

Friday, October 21, 2022

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Arts & Entertainment 13

C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R

Entergalactic captures feeli ngs of love

By Vedesh Kodnani Staff Writer

Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi’s latest release, Entergalactic, is a culmination of his creative experience into an original and innovative project.

For years, Cudi has monotonously modeled albums after his well-received debut, Man On The Moon: The End Of Day. His last album, Man On The Moon III: The Chosen, was similarly empty and uninspired.

Since then, Cudi has attempted to diversify his portfolio, entering the acting scene and making his directorial debut. Both an album and animated feature, Entergalactic breathes new life into Cudi’s library.

The animated Netflix special follows the typical formula of any rom-com. Upon recently ending a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Carmen (Laura Harrier), Jabari (Kid Cudi) meets love interest Meadow (Jessica Williams), a photographer with similar interests in music and art. Flashbacks to Jabari’s time with Carmen are scattered throughout the film as he attempts to learn from previous mistakes and fight off his anxiety. While navigating this new relationship, Jabari is also tasked with revitalizing a comic-book store with a series based on his character, Mr. Rager.

With Entergalactic, the tone is more lighthearted compared to Cudi’s previous albums about escaping death and depression, allowing for a more cohesive tracklist in addition to sentimental lyrics. On “Do What I Want,” Jabari looks forward to a clean slate. The synth typically associated with Cudi’s music complements his poised attitude in this song. As the album progresses, the

under the radar

SAAY

By Keerti Koya Staff Writer

Kwon So-hee, better known as SAAY, is a South Korean R&B singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and model under Universal Music Korea. According to Fandom, SAAY says her stage name means “Say something to the world through music,” mirroring her passion for music and her hopes of impacting the world through it.

SAAY is a former member of EvoL, a five-member girl group that unofficially disbanded in August 2015. She went on to make her solo debut on July 28, 2017 with the single “CIRCLE.” Since then, SAAY has released a variety of projects and has appeared in nine works of other artists, including famed rapper Snoop Dogg’s “Alright (Redman & Method Man feat. Nefertitti Avani).”

SAAY has also composed, written, and produced for popular Korean artists TWICE, BAEKHYUN, ex-SUPER JUNIOR-M member Henry, and aespa. Along with her collaborative projects, SAAY’s solo music is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other major music streaming platforms.

Taking a look back, SAAY says the role models and influences who inspired her to pursue music are old-school R&B artists from the 1970-90s, such as Michael Jackson and Destiny’s Child. As she writes lyrics, however, she considers every moment in her life to be a potential source of music, according to the Korea Times.

In the future, SAAY wants to continue being herself and stay close to her identity as she releases more music and dives deeper into the competitive industry. “The only thing I want to be in the future is me,” she said in an interview with the Korea Times.

▪

WILLOW I nspires with <copingmechanism>

By Shuhan Jin Staff Writer

IMDB.COM

tone shifts to match the state of Jabari’s relationship. For example, on the slower-paced “In Love,” Cudi sings, “Flyin’ with me through the clouds, we go sky-high / Take my hand and close your eyes and take the ride, ride.”

Over its 92-minute runtime, the movie’s most captivating element is the visuals. Simply put, the feature is beautiful with a vibrant, psychedelic art style, particularly in the dream sequences where Cudi’s anxieties are personified as Mr. Rager. When paired with the album’s tracks, the film perfectly captures the atmosphere of love in New York City. Similarly, the feature excels at creating genuine character interactions. For example, Jabari’s friends, voiced by actors Keith David and Timothée Chalamet, are all lively and entertaining despite their limited screen time. However, the lack

of real nuance in the plot makes for a predictable watch. By the end of Entergalactic, everything seems to work out perfectly. Jabari secures his dream job and a healthy relationship with his girlfriend. His few struggles regarding his comic book series are short-lived, leaving the film feeling one-dimensional. Although the plot is not groundbreaking by any means, the special succeeds at depicting the overarching theme of love visually and audibly.

In light of Cudi’s previous works lacking originality, his newest project finally feels fresh. Beyond the dual release, Entergalactic explores topics of love in a natural and artistic way.

Despite its predictability, Entergalactic is a treat, but more importantly, a creative breakthrough for Cudi that opens new doors for the artist.

▪

Grade: B+

October 2022 MSJ Faves MOVIE: Top Gun: Maverick — Hannah Chacko, 11 TV SHOW: Breaking Bad — Madhav Thankasala, 12 ALBUM: Bloom by Beach House — Gracie Wang, 10 BOOK: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy — Social Science Teacher Bill Jeffers GAME: Elden Ring — Shubham Bhadra, 9

On October 7, punk-rock artist Willow Smith, known as WILLOW, returned a year after her last release with her fifth album <COPINGMECHANISM>, a collection of electric and powerfully dynamic songs that perfectly embody the feelings of struggle that comes with breakups. While embracing a new style of heavier metal-rock sounds, WILLOW opens up about her experiences with heartbreak, emphasizing the cathartic journey from devastation to self-acceptance. Despite the tracks being rather repetitive, WILLOW successfully delivers her message on relationships while stepping out of her comfort zone.

As the album title suggests, <COPINGMECHANISM> represents how WILLOW dealt with teenage angst and the torturous thought processes that come with heartbreak. At the beginning of the lead single “<maybe> it’s my fault,” WILLOW repeatedly sings, “I don’t know / How I can forgive you,” clearly portraying the feelings right after a devastating breakup. As she frantically recalls the details of her breakup, she looks for ways to ease the pain. She targets all the blame onto the other person to cope as she screams the line, “It’s your fault.”

However, as the album continues, these lyrics evolve from negligence to self-accountability.

WILLOW shows responsibility for the mistakes she made throughout her relationship: in the title track “<Coping Mechanism>,” she sings, “I’ve wasted so much time / Hating myself for trying / Accepting that this fate is our demise.” Rather than hiding from the shame of relentlessly fighting for a relationship that would never work out, she accepts that she needs to move on. WILLOW inspires listeners to be all right with accepting defeat, and to learn from these experiences. WILLOW continues to reflect on her own shortcomings, displaying growth with

WILLOWSMITH.COM

each song. “curious/furious” delivers one last message to wrap up the message of the album: “Getting over it now and I / Never wear a frown / Because life doesn’t choose either side / Win or lose, right or wrong / It’s a battle that’s all in your mind.”

She reminds listeners that with every setback comes a learning opportunity, and it is up to the person to stay optimistic and persevere. <COPINGMECHANISM> sheds new light on WILLOW’s musical style. Although known for her punk rock, WILLOW uses <COPINGMECHANISM> to step out of her comfort zone and explore hard rock and metal rock, following in the footsteps of her influences Radiohead, Deftones, and Lamb of God. While this genre of music is a new breakthrough for the 21-year-old artist, the tracks are all on the safe side, lacking components to make the album stand out. Many tracks such as “curious/furious” and “WHY?” have repeating themes, failing to expand past the basic ideas of a failed relationship. While the songs all have enjoyable elements and emotive lyrics, the lack of contrast makes the songs easily forgettable.

Nonetheless, <COPINGMECHANISM> is not only vibrant and bold but also sends out an important message that people all around the world can relate to. As WILLOW fights her demons, her album shows that she takes this opportunity to learn and change for the better, and inspire others to do the same.

▪

Grade: B+

Don’t Worry darling: Style Over Substance

IMDB.COM

By Angelina Chen Staff Writer Intriguing yet minimalistic, director Olivia Wilde’s second movie Don’t Worry Darling is a stereotypical throwback to the 1950s, where patriarchy and suburban mid-century homes dominate. This psychological thriller features an underdeveloped plot and stale thematic interpretations.

Don’t Worry Darling starts off with an idyllic setting, but quickly deteriorates — Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh) and Jack Chambers (Harry Styles) live in a glittering fairytale set in the town of Victory.

It quickly becomes apparent that something is not right, and the film leaves the audience anticipating a twist. The film violates the sole rule of a mystery; the audience’s predictions leave no room for suspense. Alice’s role as a housewife collides with her internal confusion that something is out of place. From Alice wrapping her head in plastic wrap

to having vivid hallucinations and flashbacks, the power of the film’s third act is overshadowed by its inherent shock value.

While this film’s plot is contentious, Pugh’s performance as Alice is undeniably stellar. With the film shaped from her perspective, Alice’s undoing of her Edenic lifestyle is particularly evident to the audience. Pugh excels at the portrayal of tapping into Alice’s worst impulses along with her best traits, bringing emotion and richness to her scenes.

Through her dynamic expressions, Alice’s internal conflict seeps into the film, coloring her interactions.

Her co-stars also display moments of brilliance: Styles successfully convinces viewers to trust the doe-eyed husband Jack, Olivia Wilde voices many of Alice’s inner thoughts as her best friend Bunny, and KiKi Layne adds a true element of fright to the film as the frantic housewife Margaret. Though these characters revolve around Pugh’s world, Chris Pine alone opposes her as Victory’s

revered leader Frank. By escalating their combative relationship through conversations at the dinner table, Pine introduces a compelling antagonist, an effect accentuated by different songs and visuals.

Many of the film’s most striking scenes are brought to life by the extraordinary cinematography and soundtrack. With Don’t Worry Darling centering on the crumbling of Alice’s utopia, the cinematic focus on her hallucinations creates dissonance. Alice is seen racing across an endless desert and being crushed by walls, unable to distinguish her dreams from reality. In turn, the score becomes increasingly ominous, with breathy vocals playing in the background. This effect is exacerbated by the various visual motifs, like the perfect circle that Alice repeatedly sees after she becomes lost in thought.

Cinematography aside, the film’s central theme of femininity is blatantly juxtaposed with the suffocating patriarchy of the 1950s. In this

fragile, artificial society, all subjects related to femininity are distorted: from somber all-female dance studios that convey uniformity to the town’s characterization of Alice as hysterical after the death of her friend, femininity and madness become intrinsically linked. However, the idea that women are reduced to nothing but the sum of their parts is nothing new, and a lack of intersectionality propels the film closer to a surface-level display of white feminism than introducing a new perspective.

Two hours of mind-whirling scenes and a few gripping performances later, the film ends on a low note. Its cheap exploitation of shock value and shallow exploration of themes cannot be reconciled with its cinematography or acting, and in the end, Don’t Worry Darling remains true to its title as it is neither of concern nor particularly worthy of critical acclaim.

▪

Grade: B-

ANGELA: “Exploration” by Bruno Coulais | ANNIKA: “Haunted” by Taylor Swift | BRYAN: “FromdaTomb$” by Joey Bada$$, Chuck Strangers | CHRISTY: “Dancing With

SMOKIE PLAYLIST: Your Ghost” by Sasha Alex Sloan | ELTON: “Me and Your Mama” by Childish Gambino | ESTHER: “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers | HANNAH: “Zombie” by DAY6

Ominous October

HELEN: “madhouse” by Nessa Barrett | JENNIE: “Slow Down” by Chase Atlantic | JERRY: “Scream” by Dreamcatcher | JOANNE: “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs JULIA: “Buzzcut Season” by Lorde | KAITLYN: “bury a friend” by Billie Eilish | KARINA: “Wozwald” by Yuu Miyashita, NILFRUITS | ROHAN: “Disturbia” by Rihanna SANAH: “Vamp Anthem” by Playboi Carti | SARINA: “Redbone” by Childish Gambino | SHELLEY: “Cop Car” by Mitski | MRS. COHEN: “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

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Arts & Entertainment 15

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Booklovers Welcome Banter Bookshop

By Ayushi Kashyap & Priyanka Shah Staff Writers On June 21, a new comfort shop for fellow book-lovers opened in downtown Fremont at 3768 Capitol Ave. Suite F: Banter Bookshop, and it brings back the experience of physically going to a bookstore, perusing sections, and sitting in a nook while embarking on a new adventure.

Banter Bookshop had been a dream project of founder Amy H. Davis for a very long time. Davis had been looking for properties and eyeballing areas that would be suitable for a bookshop, but the pandemic halted those plans. Despite these initial setbacks, however, the team was able to settle on a property and host the ribbon cutting for the opening of their bookshop in June within a span of six months.

Walking into Banter Bookshop invites an instant feeling of comfort. Aside from the regular characteristics of a bookstore, Banter Bookshop has special touches such as cozy reading nooks and books for everyone that make the experi-

ence that much more enjoyable. Beginning at the back of the shop, there is a section for games and puzzles, which are a crowd favorite. Right ahead are books for middle-grade readers accompanied by subsections such as FUSD core literature and new releases. Having an FUSD section is a unique perk because it provides a curated collection for inquiring parents to browse books their children may need for school.

One of the most well-liked parts of the bookshop is the kids corner where weekly story times are held for young children.

During these story times, the staff usually read to the children, but on special occasionsometime, the authors of the books come to read their own stories, like local author and illustrator Joy Steuerwald did on October 8. The store also hosts events outside of story times including regular author visits, where authors are invited to come and discuss their books.

This allows a wide variety of authors to use the bookstore as a platform to share their craft to an interested audience. For example, author and journalist Tyler Bridges will be coming in during November to talk about his

latest book, Five Laterals and a Trombone.

Another special corner of the bookstore are a Latinx Heritage Month section and an LGBTQ+ History Month section which is also on display. These displays hold appropriate books for the topic, keeping customers informed while spreading awareness.

In addition, one venture that the bookstore supports is the Prisoner Literature Project. To support the cause, customers can buy books that the store will later donate to prisoners.

Although the bookstore has just recently opened, it has already sparked joy within the community. “It’s nice to have this kind of outlet for families because in the past, there hasn’t been another bookstore other than Half Price Books, but that’s not the same thing,” store employee Mallika Saoji said. Half Price Books often caters to a larger variety of books and mostly pre-owned books, while Banter Bookshop aims to fill in the gap as a cozy bookstore. Due to the fact that Half Price Books is just right around the corner, both bookstores tagteam and send customers to each other’s stores based on what books are available.

As book trends fluctuate, the bookstore’s selection does as well, with customers requesting specific books that are in demand.

For example, the store did not originally have a romance section, but one was cre-

ated by the request of many customers. An example of these fluctuations include how some of the most popular books and authors that have been in circulation in the store since its opening have been The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and novels written by Colleen Hoover and Jennette McCurdy. “It correlates with internet trends because Colleen Hoover was really popular on TikTok as well,” Saoji said.

A development that Davis hopes to introduce in the future to the bookstore is a section for local authors. Although it isn’t quite ready yet, this is something that would give local authors a chance to display their newly published books and gain a wider reach. It would also allow the bookstore to showcase a selection of writers representative of the area, which could help lesser known, local writers make a name for themselves.

Banter Bookshop has succeeded in creating a safe space where book-lovers can experience the joys of an in-person bookstore. The unique perks of the store such as holiday displays paired with exciting events like story times and author events are just small a glimpse into what the store has yet to offer.

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS AYUSHI KASHYAP & PRIYANKA SHAH. GRAPHICS BY FEATURE EDITOR JULIA PENG

True crime and the disappearance of empathy

By Ruhani Chhabra & Tushara Devapatla Staff Writers

Netflix’s Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story released on September 21 to both critical acclaim and controversy. In unflinching detail, the limited series portrays the grisly murders and other violent exploits of notorious American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Evan Peters. On social media platforms, people discuss the show’s violent scenes, and some individuals don’t seem to be affected by the gore at all. Desensitization towards true crime has risen over the years, thanks to overexposure to media forms such as podcasts, movies, and TV shows like The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, leading to blatantly inappropriate public responses, such as joking about the victims and sympathizing with Dahmer. According to a survey by market research company YouGov, one in three Americans consume true crime content at least once a week. This type of mass audience appeal is why there is an increase of shows like The Jeffrey Dahmer Story — but ethics are often lost in the favor of profit and pleasing fans.

After the release of The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, many individuals, most notably the families of the victims, have expressed discontent toward the show as it brings up incredibly traumatic past experiences that many of them are still recovering from. Moreover, the directors not only created the show without their consent or prior knowledge, but they also did not give any of the profits to affected families or organizations that could help people in similar circumstances — profits that were made at the expense of marketing their stories and trauma. This led to incredibly devastating realizations as victims saw themselves in the show, played by actor look-alikes. “If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought it was me ...

That’s why it felt like reliving it all over again.

It brought back all the same emotions,” Rita

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Isbell, a family member of one of Dahmer’s victims, said to Insider.

With the constant release of unnaturally cruel true crime media, audience members are becoming incredibly vulnerable to the desensitization of the horrors of the content and its impact on real people. For example, segments of many true crime podcasts could easily be mistaken for candid discussions of pop culture from how cheery and irreverent they are. True Crime Daily The Podcast releases this type of lighthearted content, once discussing a mother who was killed by her husband with lines like, “I mean there was blood everywhere, it was crazy,” laughing the situation off. This type of rhetoric takes away from horrid events victims have experienced.

Due to such detached methods of describing atrocious situations, it becomes easy for individuals to stop seeing true crime as retellings of horrific events but instead just another form of gritty entertainment, similar to that of a horror movie. Viewers have even talked about The Jeffrey Dahmer Story not being “violent enough” for true crime, leading to a TikTok trend of searching up the real polaroids of Dahmer’s victims for shock value.

Indeed, there have been concerning re-

NETFLIX.COM

sponses across social media platforms. TikTok and Twitter have been flooded by viewers showing themselves wearing fan-made merchandise and creating fan content for the depicted serial killer, a trend that can be seen throughout other true crime fanspaces. In fact, there has been an auction for Dahmer’s actual glasses, which ended up selling for $150,000, showing that there is still some form of idolization for Dahmer among viewers.

Also, this inappropriate reception to true crime media is not a new phenomenon. Another Netflix production, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, was released in 2019, where Zac Efron played notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, and many individuals were quick to romanticize Bundy due to Efron’s appeal. In the same manner, videos talking about how “attractive” Peters is as Dahmer have gone viral. The good looks of the actors are used as a way to glorify murderers, and fans are failing to consider the real repercussions these grotesque acts of violence had on the victims.

Despite blatant unempathetic and improper reactions, a common defense of true crime is that it’s a way for fans to learn how

to protect themselves in similar situations. If fans know what works and what saves people, they can use lived experiences of victims to help themselves if they are ever in danger.

However, people fail to realize that most true crime content has been streamlined and cherry-picked: as an inherently profitable form of entertainment, true crime media predictably only explore events the public would consider interesting, making them biased sources of information regarding safety tips. Instead of getting caught up in this odd reverence for Dahmer, it makes more sense to think about those affected by his gruesome actions; Dahmer targeted men of color, inflicting damage to their corpses and sometimes even consuming them. Repulsive criminal activity deserves no idolization — true crime producers need to understand that when depicting these illicit offenses for the general public.

This is not to say true crime media doesn’t have any benefits. A large number of productions primarily center on the actions of the police or the judicial system, highlighting their downfalls and creating more awareness for the public to be able to hold these institutions accountable. However, mindful media must be produced — if it is created without the consent of the families like The Jeffrey Dahmer Story had been, it should not have been made at all.

People must consume content respectfully, meaning viewers must remember that the victims are real individuals and their stories should be for spreading awareness, not just entertainment. The release of The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in particular has stirred many debates, but the underlying message is clear — true crime media, and its hardcore followers, often cross too many lines. If content is to be created, the production must obtain consent from the victims’ loved ones, and public response needs to be respectful and empathetic.

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, October 21, 2022

Athlete Spotlight: Michelle Woo

By Shuhan Jin & Nessa Tong Staff Writers Sophomore Michelle Woo was introduced to golf at just eight years old when her dad would take her to the golf range to play. What started out as a hobby with her family soon grew into one of Woo’s passions. Since then, she has attended numerous competitions and already accumulated titles on regional, state, and national levels. In June, Woo competed at the prestigious American Junior Golf Association’s (AJGA) Circle K Junior Championship, where she placed first in the AJGA Girls Division.

Woo drives at the US Girls’ Junior in Maryland.

Having begun golf at such a young age, Woo’s journey was not always magnificent. “I think at first, when I started to do competitions, I didn’t really enjoy it,” Woo said.

“But as I began to get better and improve more and win a few tournaments, it gave me confidence.”

With the support of her coaches and parents, who pushed her and constantly looked for ways to help her improve, Woo’s talent quickly emerged.

Unfortunately, when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020 and most golf ranges closed, Woo had no choice but to put a hold on her regular training. Despite this, she and her family persevered and came up with ways for Woo to train at home. While in quarantine, she was able to practice by hitting balls into a net set up in her garage.

However, like most athletes, the long months with only at-home training had taken a toll on Woo. “After COVID I kind of went into a slump, and I was playing really bad,” Woo said. Regardless, she trained even harder than before, refusing to let this setback control her as a player. “I just kept going and eventually got better,” she said.

Woo’s determination paid off, as she returned in her freshman year at the top of her game. Last year, she joined the MSJ Varsity Girls Golf Team as a freshman and earned the title of MVAL Girls Golf MVP. She also qualified for the United States Women’s Amateur Golf Championship, the leading golf tournament in the US for female amateur golfers. This was Woo’s most memorable tour-

Woo on the course at the AJGA Championships.

nament to date, as she recalls, “It was a really fun experience being able to play with college players.”

To compete at the national level, Woo trains for about three hours every day. Being a fulltime athlete and high school student taking challenging courses, Woo has nailed down a routine to balance her sports and academics.

“I just try to manage my time well and plan everything out ahead of time,” Woo said. “[even though] it’s kind of hard.”

For other athletes serious about sports, Woo wants to remind them that the key to suc-

cess is to genuinely enjoy their sport. “I think something that’s really important is just to try to have fun,” Woo said.

“If you put too much pressure on yourself, you won’t want to do it anymore.”

In the future, Woo plans to continue doing what she loves for as long as she can. She hopes to join a Division 1 golf program and play throughout college. � PHOTOS COURTESY MICHELLE WOO

Friday, October 21, 2022

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The Smoke Signal

Sports 17

INJURIES & MEDICINE

By Novak Chen, Sally Han, Sarah Hu & Waylon Li Staff Writers Despite the rush of adrenaline and excitement when it comes to playing a sport, there is a possibility of broken bones, fractures, and sprains. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, a child is sent to the emergency room for a recreational or sports-related injury every 12 seconds, affecting both their academic and athletic careers. Static and dynamic stretching paired with sports medicine can always ensure a healthy and safe workout, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Broken bones, most commonly in the hand and lower extremities, only constitute 5% of all sports injuries according to a 2003 study done by American Academy of Pediatrics. There are many different types of broken bones; the most common types are compound and closed fractures.

Compound fractures are fractures where the bones are exposed and break through the skin, making them the easiest to diagnose. Closed fractures are much harder to diagnose because they have no distinguishable features to tell them apart from a sprain or dislocated joint, requiring the use of x-ray or MRI scans. Some symptoms of broken bones include abnormal or misshapen limbs, bruising, swelling, or bleeding in an area, limited mobility, and a feeling of numbness. If an athlete experiences any of these symptoms or believes there is reason for a fracture, they must head directly to the emergency room to diagnose and treat the injury as soon as possible.

Stress fractures, constituting 10% of all sports-related injuries according to one study by the New England Baptist Hospital, are small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive motions, such as repeatedly jumping up or down or the foot striking the ground. This injury often occurs in new athletes who jump into a new sport and start training before their body has reached a certain athletic threshold, where they can handle the wear and tear that comes with the sport. The most common places of stress fractures include the foot, ankle, hip, and the ribs, because the constant weight pushes past the limit of how much those bones can self-repair, leading to small cracks, and are especially common in athletes running long distances. Thus, high impact sports such as gymnastics, tennis, and track and field pose a much greater risk of getting stress fractures to athletes. Symptoms of stress fractures include pain when the limb is in motion as well as swelling. If left untreated, it can often lead to chronic pain and at risk of additional stress fractures. This injury can be treated at home with ice and a few months of rest. For athletes who wish to return to form as quickly as possible, surgery and recovery takes 6-8 weeks to heal in a cast or foot brace.

BROKEN BONES Sprains make up more than 15% of athletic injuries and are the result of a tear in a ligament, a fibrous tissue that connects bones to each other, and are involved in 41.4% of sports injuries, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on the symptoms of the injury, sprains can be classified into Grades I, II, and III, with each stage being successively rarer than the previous. In a Grade I sprain, the tissue is stretched with hardly noticeable swelling, causing some loss in mobility and strength. If the swelling is more noticeable — around the size of a baseball — and bruising is observed, the sprain is considered Grade II. A Grade II sprain results in a loss in range of motion, strength, and stability. In a Grade III sprain, which is the most severe, the ligament tears completely, and the athlete cannot move or apply pressure on the sprain. This injury can usually be healed with ice and compression for Grade I and II sprains, or a cast/brace for Grade III sprains, with rest for three to six months depending on the severity.

STRESS FRACTURES

SPRAINS “The most common injury most athletes get while running would be shin splints. This can be caused from either strain on the shin area with a sudden increase in exercise or it can be caused from things like unsupportive shoes. It generally happens from repeated stress on the shin bones.” — Varsity Girls Cross Country Co-Captain Senior Advika Govindarajan

“You might get injuries from overuse, or sudden injuries from getting pulled or getting hit, which can lead to concussions. It is safer, that it’s in the water, but more dangerous, its very physical and people are throwing things at you in the water, there are both pros and cons.” — Boys and Girls Water Polo Coach Ryan Tang

While most sports-related injuries are resolved in the short-term, some can leave a lasting impact on the athlete, especially chronic ones. Take tennis elbow, a condition where the tendons of the elbow are overused and overloaded to the point of causing pain or weakness, as an example: while it can go away by itself, it may lead to arthritis in the future due to the deterioration of the tendons in the elbow. Even if there are minimal physical consequences, some injuries can have a mental impact as well. In a more extreme case, when an athlete suffers an intense physical setback like a broken arm, it can leave a gap in the athlete’s expectations of their ability. For some athletes, “There’s always a bit of a mental re-adjustment … [because] it’s difficult to adjust to having a mental aspect that something that was pretty routine might be dangerous now,” MSJ Boys and Girls Water Polo Coach Ryan Tang said.

THE LONG TERM

BRACES Generally, braces are medical devices that support, protect, and realign different parts of the musculoskeletal system. They can be used to aid in the healing process of anything from a sprained ankle to a broken wrist and can also be used for injury prevention. A wide variety of braces used for different parts of the body are made to immobilize the joint or part of the body being protected to prevent it from incurring further injuries. According to a study by the University of Wisconsin in 2011, athletes that wear ankle braces reported 68% less injuries than those that did not wear them. However, in cases of high impact injuries such as broken bones or fractures, braces should not be the first or only thing the patient looks to. For quick on-the-spot solutions, athletes can try taping or wrapping their injuries which can be helpful, but only for a short period of time; according to Fort Memorial Hospital, they lose 4069% of their effectiveness after 10 minutes. Athletes should first consult with a medical professional as braces are only one step to the healing process.

PHYSICAL THERAPY Physical therapy is any kind of medical attention that involves physical movements and improves mobility, relieves pain, or restores physical health.

Physical therapy can help reduce symptoms of nausea and dizziness among a variety of people and injuries. Depending on the situation, different kinds of physical therapy can be more beneficial than others: aquatic physical therapy uses the reduced gravity feeling to make movement easier, hand therapy specializes in arm or shoulder injuries, and vestibular therapy helps reduce headaches. Some of the exercises commonly practiced in physical therapy include rolling out muscles with foam rollers, lifting light weights, and using resistance bands. Physical therapy is commonly used after the athlete has mostly recovered from the injury or surgery, but has not regained full mobility. Many types of physical therapy aim to increase blood flow, which is crucial to the body’s healing process. Physical therapy can be extremely helpful, but athletes must be cautious when deciding to use physical therapy; if an injury is not completely healed, the repetitive movements from the therapy sessions could cause more injuries, prolonging the healing process.

STRETCHING/WARMING UP The majority of athlete injuries occur during practice and are often preventable, like shin splints, or a pulled/strained muscle. To reduce the risk of injury, athletes often do dynamic stretches, like leg swings, lunges, and arm circles, before a workout, which engages the relevant muscles and tendons so that they are prepared for exercise. In addition to stretches, warming up before a workout is key to preparing the body for intensive exercises, as it can increase body temperature and blood flow to the muscles. Warming up typically consists of exercising at a lower intensity before the planned workout. For example, a runner would do a few minutes of jogging before a long run, and a swimmer a few slow laps before their full training routine Although stretching and warming up don’t completely eliminate injuries, they have been linked to a reduced rate of injury. According to a study on aerobic dance instructors by the Democritus University of Thrace, 89% of those who warmed-up for 5 minutes were injured, compared to only 26% of those who warmed-up for 15 minutes. graphics by sports editor karina han

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, October 21, 2022

Friday, October 21, 2022

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The Smoke Signal

Sports 19

Drop the Numbers: Treating Exercise as a Numeric Game

By Anushka Vasudev & Aaron Zhou Staff Writers Lifter A has a bench press record of 200 pounds, while Lifter B’s record is 175 pounds.

Yet, Lifter B’s deadlift record is 50 pounds higher than Lifter A’s. Who is the stronger lifter? Can these statistics accurately answer this question? While numbers have often been used to quantify success in sports, they don’t tell an athlete’s complete story. Statistical comparisons aren’t just seen with athletes in competitions, but also during casual workouts indoors or outdoors, often to a harmful extent. Numbers are certainly one way to measure skill and ability, but they are not the only way. Rather than just defining the value of exercise statistically, athletes should use numbers as a supplement to track progress and view exercise as a journey to become stronger physically and mentally.

Being too fixated on using numbers as a means of improvement causes athletes to lose track of their personal goals and achievements.

For example, if a student runs a 10 minute mile in physical education while the gold standard is eight minutes or less, the quantity “10 minutes” should not define their capability and performance. This mindset fosters a black and white environment in which people believe that they have progressed only by reaching a certain number.

Emphasis on numbers also causes athletes to ignore physical signs from their bodies, such as soreness, heart rate, and muscle aches, which can risk injury. Though athletes are constantly tempted to beat their personal record (PR), it is important to realize that everyone has their physical limits. Setting another person’s high PR as an expectation for themself will only lead to overexertion and burnout, which increases the likelihood of injury. Moreover, a number-centric environment unnecessarily pressures athletes into feeling like they should have run a few seconds faster,

done one more pull up, or lifted a heavier weight.

As athletes feel pressure to improve, they become restless and discouraged when they don’t achieve their target numbers. When placing emphasis solely on numbers, athletes sacrifice emotional health as they start to believe they are not as successful or capable as other athletes. However, it is impractical and even detrimental to strain the body and mind to chase after quick results.

Athletes must recognize that being patient while evaluating progress and practicing diligently are

equally important for improvement.

Alas, PRs are often a way for people to set goals and measure their improvement in a tangible way, instilling a feeling of accomplishment in people as they see their PRs improving. While PRs are one, and likely the most common, way of measuring progress, focusing too much on them can make athletes overexert themselves unconsciously. Instead, athletes should take both numbers and body responses hand in hand when evaluating their overall progress. Not doing so can perpetuate an unhealthy mindset

that a single value encapsulates an entire workout, when in reality factors such as technical abilities, skill, and mentality, also play a role in improvement.

“[Differences in physical limits are] especially important to remember at youth level (under 18), when all athletes are developing and the rates of development being experienced are different for each individual.”

— CORRECT MY PLAY,

A SPORTING MENTAL

HEALTH RESOURCE

Athletes must realize that attaining personal goals are not solely dependent on gaining new PRs. There are other ways to track progress and improvement that don’t involve just looking at the numbers on the side of a weight or at the time on a stopwatch during a run. Simple activities such as reflecting on a workout by evaluating what went well, what was motivating, and what can improve allow athletes to qualitatively judge a workout and their progress. Additionally, measuring heart rate, monitoring one’s sleep schedule are excellent methods to enhance performance in the long run.

Students should be critical of the way they measure improvement and place more value on having a mindset that encourages learning and personal growth, and not just the numbers.

Realizing that numbers and comparisons aren’t the only way to determine improvement and progress will help improve an athlete’s performance in the long run. ■

GRAPHIC BY SPORTS EDITOR KAITLYN WANG.

A DAY OF SERVICE AT

FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

By Amy Luo & Aaryan Suri Staff Writers

On Sunday, October 9, Interact District 5170 hosted its annual Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) at Independence High School in San Jose.

MSJ Interact Club attended this annual leadership event, along with thousands of high school students and Interactors from across the Bay Area. With an array of workshops, service project presentations, and networking opportunities, FLC kicks off the year for Interact District 5170, the largest and most prolific Interact district in the world.

As the event began at 9 a.m., attendees roamed excitedly around the auditorium, decked out in their Interact Area merchandise and mascots.

Following a spirit rally and introduction led by Daybreak District Council (DC), the student-led governing body of Interact District 5170, the 2022-23 International and Community Service Projects, respectively named The Ripple Effect and Cultivating Our Communities, were revealed. “This year’s DC wanted to teach high schoolers all over the Bay valuable leadership skills, as well as educate them on District 5170’s two main projects this year as we prepare to help the fight against unsanitary water and food insecurity,” DC Co-Outreach Coordinator Senior Jason Tang said.

The remainder of FLC consisted of a rotation of four leadership workshops that radiated with an enthusiastic dedication to service and community, with Interactors brainstorming service events, practicing their networking skills, and learning more about the charity initiatives for 2022-23. As FLC came to a close, attendees exchanged social media contacts and took pictures with each other, forming connections with fellow Interactors. “Every year, FLC is such an incredible experience, and this year was no exception,” MSJ Interact Co-President Senior Sinchana Nama said. “I’m so excited for the Interact year to come.” ▪

GRAPHIC BY STAFF WRITER JANE DOE

PHOTOS BY FEATURE EDITOR JULIA PENG. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH SHEN

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The Smoke Signal

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Friday, October 21, 2022

By Chahak Gupta & Maryam Naseer Staff Writers

Artists from all over the Bay Area, recruited by artist and organizer Lisa Jones, participated in a family-friendly chalk festival from 12 - 3 p.m. on October 9 at The Block in the Pacific Commons Shopping Center. Stunningly detailed dry pastel murals, in diverse creative styles from realism to cartoon, attracted excited shoppers and residents. At the Kids Chalk Zone, children cheerfully designed their own murals while face painting and receiving balloon twisters animals.

Artists with various levels of expertise and styles shared their experiences. Artist Clifton Gold, a three-time artist of the chalk festival discussed their unique process as a colorblind artist. “I do about 20 of these [murals] a year, all up and down California. My process is a little bit different than everybody else’s because I’m colorblind, which is why I work in more of a graphical style,” Gold said.

Gold’s mural amused many attendees, with a semi-realistic yet ultra-detailed panda adorably poking through the borders of the mural.

Lively music pouring through speakers matched the festival’s bustling energy. Parents also enjoyed the refreshing festivities after being cooped up inside during the pandemic. “My kids really enjoy drawing and art in general so I thought it’d be a good opportunity [after] COVID times you know when they were wrapped up in their house.

The most important thing is that [my kids] had fun drawing on the ground.” parent Monty Singh said.

Jones expressed her love for the spontaneity of chalk art and how the festival aims to serve the community. “It’s really art for art’s sake … a live performance if you will. The community can interact with us and we love that. It’s just an effort to bring people together to enjoy art,” Jones said. ▪

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER MARYAM NASEER. GRAPHICS BY GRAPHICS EDITOR HANNAH SHEN