Volume LXI, No. 2

Ultraprocessed Foods

Dear Diary: Homecoming balloon

homecoming Week

THE SMOKE SIGNAL

MISSION

revised FUSD Board Policy informs the use of AI in schools

By Warren Su & Aarav Vashisht Sta Writers

Following a surge in reported cases of academic dishonesty and an increase in AI use across the district, FUSD has adopted stricter academic integrity policies regarding the use of technology in classroom settings, explicitly prohibiting the submission of AI-generated work for assignments intended to be completed individually.

Specifically, on June 25, the FUSD Board of Education approved a second reading of revised Board Policy 5131.9, which covers academic honesty concerns. The revision prohibits the use of technology solely for completing coursework and generating answers to mathematical, scientific, or analytical problems for students. This policy aligns with the California Department of Education’s (CDE) perspective on the responsible and ethical use of AI. According to the CDE’s website, the CDE is “committed … to educate [administrators and educators] about AI’s benefits and limitations,” in line with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s learning initiative.

"Large Language Models (LLMs) [models that power chatbots like ChatGPT] are not neutral … the last thing that we should be doing is ceding any kind of authority to them."

— English Teacher Brian Rath

JOSE

“We’re too likely to try to replace … human mentorship with technological mentorship. And I don’t know that AI has earned that right.” — Science Teacher Karrie Ware

sneak peek

into this month’s articles:

Some MSJ teachers have expressed skepticism about whether AI is a tool permitted for regular use. “Large Language Models (LLMs) [models that power chatbots like ChatGPT] are not neutral … the last thing that we should be doing is ceding any kind of authority to them,” English Teacher Brian Rath said. According to a 2025 analytical study conducted by OpenAI, faults arise when AI algorithms undergo pretraining, a process in which the algorithm learns through large amounts

“Students

— Assistant Principal Beth Bonomo

of data. Some errors, such as proper spelling or grammar, can be minimized through large datasets, but false, obscure facts can creep their way into the algorithm. Although engineers attempt to eliminate errors, AI models are still prone to making factual errors, especially when it comes to low-frequency facts that may be incorrect.

By contrast, othera members of the MSJ community remain optimistic about AI. “I think some teachers are actually encouraging the use of AI and trying to ethically teach kids how to use it and maybe incorporate it somewhere into their syllabus. I know that’s way

forward-thinking, but colleges and universities are now doing that too, so that is my hope for our school,” Principal Amy Perez said. Chatbots can be especially useful for their ability to quickly generate vast swaths of information. For example, Junior Yekta Mousavi “use[s] it to gather ideas and brainstorm … [and] it’s also useful for teaching concepts my teachers don’t explain well.” For teachers like Science Teacher Karrie Ware, AI is a tool that can be beneficial, but it should not be used without caution. “I think human-to-human [interaction] is really important. That’s the other reason why I think we should be very judicious in rolling out AI [tools], because we’re too likely to try to replace … human mentorship with technological mentorship. And I don’t know that AI has earned that right,” Ware said. According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, social interaction can significantly contribute to health and improve well-being. Despite AI’s increasing popularity and utility, many school o cials argue that human connection is vital to one’s development, especially in the context of education. “AI is a tool that can help students, as long as it’s being used to assist in learning and not to ... supplant learning. Students need to learn how AI can help them learn better, but not take the place of their learning,”

Assistant Principal Beth Bonomo said.

MSJ emerges as top CA public school in National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

By Veer Mahajan, Lucas Zhang & Matthew Zhang Sta Writers

MSJ fielded 57 semifinalists from the Class of 2026 for the National Merit Scholarship (NMS), emerging as a top school in FUSD and CA. MSJ students qualified based on their results on the highly competitive 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), where fewer than 1% of the applicants around the entire country became semifinalists. That year was particularly competitive, reflected by sharp upticks in cuto scores for many states — CA’s cuto increased 4 points, for instance.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has conducted the PSAT/NMSQT since 1955. Having so many qualifiers reflects the community’s high performance on a rigorous test, as well as the dedication students put in, earning them up to $2,500 when applying for colleges if they become finalists. “It shows that you’re capable [of achieving academic prestige], which can boost your application,” Class of 2025 NMS Recipient Aghilan Nachiappan said.

The 57 qualifiers from MSJ make up 47.5% of the 120 semifinalists across FUSD. From a broader perspective, this performance placed MSJ at the top in terms of public schools in the state and second across all CA schools, beaten only by the Harker School, a private college preparatory school in San Jose. This marks a great improvement since last year, which saw 36 semifinalists from MSJ. “I’m not surprised [seeing so many students qualify for] the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship is pretty significant for our school and represents a pretty big honor. Mission just has this reputation and this culture, where if you’re not doing the most that you can, then you are in some way behind,” Semifinalist Senior Roland Lee said.

Semifinalists, who are determined by their performance on the test, number around 16,000 from a pool of 1.3 million test takers nationwide, meaning that only around 1% of students become semifinalists. The NMSC selects these qualifiers based on their PSAT/ NMSQT selection index, a score calculated out of 228 that puts double the weight on the Reading and Writing section relative to the Math section. In 2024, the CA cuto was a selection index of 224 out of a maximum of 228, compared to 221 last year; the twelve

social media after Charlie Kirk Before Charlie Kirk was brutally assassinated on September 10–an event that shocked the country and was streamed live to millions–he was best known for his reactive, controversial social media takes. Kirk founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an advocacy organization pitched as nonpartisan that

largest states shifted up 2.25 points in their cuto s, the largest one-year change recorded. After taking the PSAT/NMSQT exam, students submit information, including essays, school endorsements, and other relevant test scores as part of their application for the scholarship. Usually, around 15,000 students become finalists after this round of selection. Around half of the finalists receive a scholarship, of which there are three forms: the $2500 National Merit Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, or college-sponsored scholarships. This scholarship can go towards college tuition and other educational expenses, easing the financial burdens a student may have. “[With the scholarship], I could attend colleges that are really expensive. It’ll also help me stand out, since getting the scholarships is a very prestigious award, so being

able to have that on my application will make me look like a good candidate for colleges,” Semifinalist Senior Sahir Gupta said.

According to Gupta, Lee, and Nachiappan, the success of MSJ’s Class of 2026 in the 2024 PSAT/ NMSQT not only emphasizes the academic excellence of MSJ but also reveals their dedication and hard work. “I’m proud of my students. It’s a great achievement, and they work hard, and they deserve it. They have better work habits, [and] they apply themselves more than students in the past would do,” Math Teacher Ümit Sahin said. Having almost half of the semifinalists from FUSD coming from MSJ is a milestone that sets high standards for future classes. “I don’t think that it’s about intelligence. It’s more about study habits being more hardworking,” Principal Amy Perez said. Distribution

& semifinalists

“CHARLIE KIRK SPEAKING WITH

PHOTO BY AMAZON MGM STUDIOS AND WIIP

PHOTO BY NETSCRIBES.COM LICENSED UNDER CC

Compiled by Cecilia Cheng & Kanupriya Goyal Sta Writers

New changes to MSJ student support programs seek to boost student success

LOCAL

On September 18, an altercation occurred in Fremont’s Vineyards Avalon neighborhood, resulting in the death of one person. Situated at the 600 block of Upper Vintners Circle at 11:57 a.m., neighbors reported that two people were engaged in a ght in front of their house. e victim was found on the ground bearing multiple stab wounds. While a knife was recovered at the scene of the crime, there were no other clues regarding the causes of the ght. New releases from the Fremont PD have identi ed 29-year-old Varun Suresh as a suspect, and Suresh is currently under arrest for murder as police continue investigations on the case. ▪

A temporary measles testing center in rural West Texas. Measles outbreak in Texas amid declining vaccination rates

Measles, which were declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, have resurfaced with alarming frequency. e most signi cant outbreak is in Texas’ South Plains region, where 159 cases have been reported since late January, resulting in one fatality so far. is outbreak has spilled over into neighboring states, including New Mexico, Arizona, and California, highlighting the virus’s highly contagious nature. Health o cials attribute this resurgence to declining vaccination rates, with some Texas counties reporting coverage below the critical 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. Health authorities are currently urging all eligible individuals to ensure they are vaccinated, emphasizing that maintaining high immunization rates is crucial to prevent further outbreaks.

As MSJ class sizes continue to increase, on-campus academic support programs such as academic support program, Target Success, student-led mentor program, Peer Resource, and on-campus mental health center, the Wellness Center, ensure struggling students receive the support they need to succeed both academically and personally. To better meet the needs of the student body, these programs have undergone signi cant changes, including implementing new leadership and structural conversion since the last couple of school years.

Target Success is a program

where MSJ teachers are able to provide one-on-one support for in-class material and exam preparation, encouraging students to be more open about their academic di culties. However, former Target Success Adviser and Social Studies Teacher Katherine Williams pointed out that communication between teachers and students was a persistent issue for the program before, ampli ed by large class sizes. “ e biggest issue that I ran into [with Target Success] is that I did not know what the students were struggling with … I think [clear communication] would make a huge di erence in bridging that gap,” Williams said. To address these shortcomings, Target Success was relaunched on September 22 under new leadership, English Teacher Yulee Kim,

with the goal of ensuring clear and accessible communication between students and teachers. “I’m hoping that this program will allow kids to get the support that they would often miss out [on] because of how large our class sizes are,” Kim said.

MSJ Peer Resource is a stu dent-led program that supports the mental well-being of the student body. rough discussions, peer mentors meet with students, actively listen to them, provide guidance, and maintain con dentiality. Peer Resource’s recent transition from a class to a program under Adviser Rachel Tevlin in 2023 has improved the program by giving its committee leaders more control and exibility over events. “Now we can make sure that we choose quality over quantity in terms of our events, so we can … plan better events that people actually want to come to,” Peer Resource Co-President Senior Sakshi Dixit said.

e Wellness Center was originally created post-pandemic as a space for students to relax in a cozy environment, but there wasn’t much student engagement, with many new students unaware of its existence. “In the past, there was no designated teacher assigned to manage the room, and … [it] was only open during lunch,” Wellness Center Manager Jennifer Yen said. Now that the room is run full-time by Yen, the Wellness Center is open before, during, and after school. Yen is focusing on publicity e orts for the Wellness Center. Due to these e orts, more students, as well as entire classes, can come in to enjoy a variety of provided replenishing amenities, such as a selection of warm teas, board games, beanbags, and couches to unwind, throughout the school day.

From Target Success’ renewed focus on communicative one-on-one support, to Peer Resource’s shift to quality student-led events as a school program, to the Wellness Center’s publicity e orts under a designated sta member, MSJ’s student support programs are evolving to meet the needs of the student body. ese changes re ect MSJ’s commitment to helping expand students’ access to the support they need. ▪

Fourth annual Disability Resource Fair promotes inclusion and awareness

By Luna Bichon, Abigaile Lei & Cecilia Cheng Sta Writers

(City of Fremont Welcomes Annual Festival of Globe India Day for 33th time) “33th” to “33rd”its 33rd not 33th

P2: (City of Fremont Welcomes Annual Festival of Globe India Day for 33th time) hyphen between Gray and Lawson in “Alexis Gray Lawson” News - P2: $20.5 to $40.5

News - P2: A previous version of the article mistakenly reported that Science Department Chair Sailakshmi Kumar commented on instructional minutes needing to be in accordance with Ohlone’s 50-minute standard. is was misattributed to Kumar and has been formally retracted from the article; it also incorrectly reported that the FUSD School Board threatened to not pay teachers for minimum days. is has been corrected to clarify that the FUSD school board proposed to require teachers to stay on campus until the scheduled end of a regular day on minimum days.

News - P7: Incorrect blurb naming for Chocolate Fest

P7: (Carnival For A Cause) “A” in the title should be lowercase

P7: (Carnival For A Cause) Santiage should be Santiago

P7: (Oaktoberfest) e Festival is at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on October 4, but at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 5

P7: (Italian Heritage Festival & Parade)

P7: (Italian Heritage Festival & Parade) “contiues” should be “continues”

P7: (FOG Diwali - Festival of Lights) e festival was held from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., not 8:30 p.m.

Opinion -

As the disability community continues to grow, the need for stronger connections with the Fremont community becomes increasingly clear. Featuring more than 45 booths for disability advocacy organizations, the annual Disability Resource Fair seeks to bridge the long-overdue connections at the Fremont Downtown Event Center on September 21. Held by the City of Fremont Human Relations Commission in collaboration with Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN), Co-Founder Anna Wang rst introduced the event in 2022 as a way to serve families with disabled individuals and expose them to social workers like police and re ghters, while creating a hub of resources to turn to for assistance. is year’s event boasted more than 800 attendees—300 more visitors than last year—demonstrating the growing support and recognition of the disability community.

Incorporating live music, ra es, and activities such as plastic axe throwing, face painting, and giant cup pong, the fair ensured a lively and inclusive environment for participants. Local politicians also made an appearance to provide support, like Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan and CA Sen. Aisha Wahab. Fremont police o cers and re ghters also familarized

the disability community with emergency equipment used by rst responders, promoting inclusivity through safety demonstrations. Police o cers and re ghters explained how drones, re equipment, and other safety technology worked, keeping crowds captivated and interested. ese activities helped create a respectful and supportive environment for the community as a whole. “One in 33 kids are diagnosed with autism, so this community is de nitely expanding,” Event Organizer Kelly Ko said, “that’s really the most important thing—to connect them

with services and resources.”

e festival helped spread awareness for people with special needs, with advocates providing support for families that are struggling to nd tools to help. Many advocates took joy in bringing people together and engaging with the community as a whole. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the resources and engaging booths present at the event. “I work for [FCSN] because my sister has special needs,” FCSN Employee and MSJ Alumni Conrad Sun said, “I did nd some really cool resources that could help her out, like [assets] for support and living services.” Many attendees saw the event not only as a meaningful resource but also as an example of what could be accomplished when the community works together. e fair holds a place in the city as an “all nonpro t, community-driven [event],” Mayor Raj Salwan said. “ ere’s a lot of stakeholders … folks that are in that industry, so I think that’s what makes it unique and special.” Ultimately, the event was a successful testimony to the power of community action, spreading much needed awareness for the disability community. ▪

Fremont Police investigate 5th fatal homicide of 2025

Police of cers at the scene of the fatal stabbing on September

Supervised by Manager Jennifer Yen, the Wellness Center is designed to be a stress-free enviornment where students relax before, during, and after the school day.

THE SMOKE SIGN AL

Mission San Jose High School

Est. 1964

Vol. 61, No.2

October 17, 2025

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 media.

SCHOOL POPULATION 1878 students

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Padma Balaji, Alice Zhao

NEWS Jennifer Li, Cham Yu

OPINION Janet Guan, Vikram Mahajan

FEATURE Ariel Duong, Trisha Parikh

CENTERSPREAD Naisha Koppurapu, Ariana Yi

A&E Navya Chitlur, Brittany Lu

SPORTS Michael Qu, Ethan Yan

GRAPHICS Hannah Bi, Emily Zhang

WEB Scarlett Huang, Ekasha Sikka

PUBLICITY/TECH Aaqib Zishan

BUSINESS Gaurasundara Amarnani

CIRCULATION Alex Duan, Abigaile Lei

ADVERTISING Fiona Yang

EVENTS Dhaeshna Booma, Felicity He

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Luna Bichon, Jessica Cao, Eleanor Chen, Cecilia Cheng, Kanupriya Goyal, Amber Halvorsen, Amy Han, Kayla Li, Erika Liu, Varun Madhavan, Veer Mahajan, Finnegan McCarthy, Joseph Miao, Mansi Mundada, Saesha Prabhakar, Michael Qin, Kelly Shi, Warren Su, Aarav Vashisht, Megha Vashisht Prisha Virmani, Leland Yu, Andy Zhang, Lucas Zhang, Matthew Zhang

ADVISER YC Low

The Smoke Signal‘s name originated from traditional forms of long-distance communication and honors cultures around the world, including China, Greece, and Rome.

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One stroke at a time

By Janet Guan Opinion Editor

Dip your brush in the blues. Add a hint of green. e color is the ocean, but not quite. I leaned away from my easel, the end of my brush at my chin. Holding my breath, I reached for the dollop of bright orange on my palette and ran my brush across the canvas.

A breath of relief. ere. at’s the ocean.

All my life, I’ve been terri ed of taking risks. In third grade, I rode my bike with training wheels and slept with my bedroom door ajar at night. In middle school, I was the classic perfectionist, obsessed with everything from the way I tied my shoes to the way I wrote my a’s.

For some time, I approached art with the same caution. Every portrait had to be proportional. Every oil painting had to conform to my references. With art, I could craft a whole new world completely at my command.

After the pandemic struck — pausing my art lessons for two years — I reentered the art studio with the intent of regaining that sense of control. My plan, however, was thwarted by our rst unit: impressionist acrylic painting. On the rst day, my teacher ipped through a booklet of demos. Up close, the paintings were a discordant mess of clumsy strokes and colors. Yet when I stepped back, they transformed into vibrant coastlines: dirty greens melted into emerald tides and dashes of brown branched into soft foliage.

When we began our rst paintings, I clung onto my reference. Scrutinizing every wave, rock, and cloud, I constructed careful layer-by-layer plans

and replicated each detail with painstaking deliberation. After an hour of work, I stepped back — and groaned at what lied before me: an arti cial disaster.

e next week, I vowed to try something di erent. I abandoned my plans, mixing clashing colors, dotting striking yellows and reds, and streaking bolder strokes. Surrendering to my own artistic whims was a catharsis; with every impulsive choice, my art came alive, and so did I.

at afternoon, I learned to let go, and the risks I’ve taken since have continued to be revolutionary. I’ve embraced imperfection. I’ve strayed from predictability. Most of all, I’ve accepted that not every stroke or choice has to count.

In high school, life seems to constantly revolve around the short-term. At school, every single grade seems to dictate the future. On social media, every reel, post, and interaction demands limited attention. In the news, every story carries nality, tearing at the fabric of the world. Our generation is constantly swamped with uncertainty, and with every choice, we cling to the familiar as an illusion of safety.

We’ve created a culture of constant worry, a futile xation with things we cannot control. Yet life is far from smooth sailing: not everything goes to plan, and it’s impossible to account for every inconsistency.

Instead, we can face the world step by step, stroke by stroke — taking risks and trusting ourselves. We’ll make mistakes; no artist succeeds without making any. But that’s how the best paintings are formed. ▪

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

Entertainment at the cost of empathy

Warning: Discussion of sexual abuse. e nal draft of this editorial was written on October 14 and may not re ect any updates in the ongoing investigation.

Last month, the discovery of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a Tesla licensed to alternative R&B artist David Burke, or d4vd, set the Internet ablaze. Within days, commentary and speculation ooded social media platforms: Reddit threads and YouTube documentaries detailed Burke’s lengthy digital footprint while Instagram reels and TikToks satirized his past interviews and songs. In its heated excitement, the Internet quickly transformed the horri c death of a young girl into cheap entertainment. is isn’t the rst time the Internet has traded empathy for virality. When rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs was charged with racketeering, sexual abuse, and sex tra cking in 2024, the Internet repackaged the case into a joke, popularizing memes about the “Diddy parties” that had exploited hundreds of victims. When multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein was convicted for more than two decades of sex tra cking in 2008, the Internet circulated dozens of conspiracy theory memes, diminishing the scale and severity of his crimes. Time and time again, the Internet has exploited violence and human su ering for entertainment value. is sensationalism trivializes victim experiences and contributes to widespread desensitization, implicating our own conversations.

Internet culture and social me-

dia algorithms fuel a harmful cycle of sensationalism, where tragedies are diminished for attention and engagement. is trend is already prevalent among teenage audiences: according to a 2024 study on teens’ consumption of social media content by the Youth Endowment Fund, 70% of participants reported seeing violent content on social media in the last year, even though only 6% actively searched for it. e repetitive circulation of violent and shocking content on social media allows users to grow accustomed to passive consumption. Graphic events become group chat one-liners and abuse and su ering are reduced to Instagram reel captions. rough the chaos, empathy drowns beneath irony and convenience, shaping a concerning culture of apathy in modern media.

When tragedies are normalized as entertainment, the Internet loses more than empathy: it learns to forget. Victim stories fade away, while perpetrators are immortalized through memes, viral sounds, and record-breaking streams. Just two weeks after Hernandez was found, Burke’s rst song, “Romantic Homicide,” even landed on the Billboard 200 chart and Spotify’s Top 50, having gained more than 9 million streams. Burke’s discography is now tied to his alleged involvement in Hernandez’s death, not to mourn, but as a soundtrack to dramatic edits and sensational videos. e memeication of Combs echoed this irony: as users retweeted “Diddy” references and devoted new slang to his

Stepping beyond social circles

By Vikram Mahajan Opinion Editor

When I walked into N8 for the rst day of AP Environmental Science just a few months ago, I was lled with apprehension. Most of my friends who had signed up for APES had ended up in the other period, and as I looked around the classroom at a sea of mostly-unfamiliar faces, I gured I was in for a long year.

After a few days, we were allowed to choose our lab groups, and within just a few weeks, the people sitting around Table Six had gone from lab partners to good friends. We feasted on ne food (read: McDonald’s), exchanged brainrotted jokes (at least six or seven each period), and placed bets on our lab hypotheses — while also occasionally cramming together for the ever-looming threat of pop quizzes. My disappointment at being separated from my friends in sixth period soon dissipated, and I looked increasingly forward to class each day (test days excepted, of course).

But this column isn’t just meant to be a love letter to my APES lab group. e biggest lesson I’ve learned from my time in APES thus far isn’t about biodiversity or environmental sustainability, important though those may be — rather, it’s the realization that it is truly never too late to form new friendships.

It’s a simple, self-evident lesson in theory, yet not always as easy to nd in practice. Over the course of high school, we often nd ourselves locked into familiar social circles that can become rigid routines. As these relationships become ironclad, we often feel a sense of social inertia set in and don’t bother to step out of those circles and

explore friendships outside our comfort zone. By senior year, it’s tempting to wonder if forming new bonds in the homestretch of high school is feasible or worthwhile.

In the Smoke Signal this year, I expected to spend most of my time working in the backroom or chatting with the friends I’d already made — what I didn’t foresee was engaging in singing competitions, matcha brewing, lore dropping, and movie watching with a much wider circle of editors who quickly went from acquaintances to friends. Similarly, I’d known all the members of my lab group from previous classes, but we hadn’t yet become friends, and I gured at rst that if it hadn’t happened yet it was too late for it to happen now.

at was why I’d initially viewed my APES period as an unlucky error rather than as an opportunity to nd a new one altogether. at attitude extends beyond just APES and into the rest of the class schedule and assigned seating chart. It’s typical and natural to want to end up with your friends, but when that attitude becomes allconsuming, the opportunity being provided to meet new people gets left on the table. Often, things can click — but that takes an e ort that we’re often not willing to make unless we have to.

New friendships are always lying in wait, and even as senior year marks the end of high school, it can also represent the beginning of some bonds (such as the Smoke Signal period three backroom buddies). We must come out of our comfort zones; only from losing our insularity will we nd new friendships ▪

name, the Internet sidelined thousands of victims and the broader issue of celebrity power abuse. Virality strips tragedies of their weight; video-by-video, post-by-post, society falls into a dangerous pattern of tolerance and neglect.

Responses to tragedies are far more compassionate and serious when they occur in the community directly around us, rather than online. In July, a 16-year-old Fremont resident went missing, and the local community reacted with kindness and action, holding search parties, raising more than $36,000 in a GoFundMe campaign, and extending grievances to their family and friends. ese demonstrations of empathy and respect greatly contrast with desensitized online environments. Separated by a screen, users are more likely to form echo chambers that encourage psychological detachment from human pain. Ultimately, the responsibility to strive for change lies not only with faulty algorithms and social media corporations, but with the consumers who feed the cycle. While we cannot control the Internet’s response to tragedy, we can do our part in consuming mindfully: asking whether we are engaging with news or exploiting pain; whether we are remembering victims or reducing them to quick content. From every repost to every like, the decisions we make and the content we endorse matter. We can choose to resist desensitization and preserve our humanity — or watch as su ering remains an Internet spectacle. ▪

By Cecilia Cheng & Andy Zhang Staf Writers

After Kirk’s assassination, can Gen Z break the cycle of social media political polarization?

By Jessica Cao, Abigaile Lei, Kayla Li & Warren Su Staf Writers

Introduction

Before Charlie Kirk was brutally assassinated on September 10 — an event that shocked the country and was streamed live to millions — he was best known for his reactive, controversial social media takes. Kirk founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an advocacy organization pitched as nonpartisan that subsequently received substantial Republican donor support.

Kirk’s death revealed a growing problem in American society: social networks that reward virality over re ection, even in the face of political violence. Some liberals celebrated Kirk’s death. Some conservatives accused liberals of promoting violence. Although those extremes were a minority, their voices drowned out the majority due to the nature of online platforms, which rewards divisive content. A 2018 MIT study found that false or in ammatory content spreads six times faster on Twitter/X than factual reporting, making tragedy into content for the sake of views and likes rather than re ection. In a broader sense, violence is promoted as an acceptable part of political identity. As the rst generation to fully grow up online, Gen Z plays a pivotal role in shaping online culture. Our choices set a precedent to how future generations interact in virtual spaces. Now more than ever, we need to be aware of the choices they make and address how social media fuels polarization.

Background

Polarization has been steadily intensifying. In 1994, only 16% of Democrats and 17% of Republicans saw the other side as a “threat to the nation’s well-being”. By 2014, those numbers had nearly doubled, according to Pew Research. That escalation hasn’t just played out in political institutions, but across algorithm-driven feeds where memes and snippets now set the tone of political debate.

When former President Joe Biden tripped at the Air Force Academy in 2023, clips on TikTok drew millions of views and sparked thousands of meme

A 2023 MIT study found that false or infammatory content spreads six times faster on Twitter/X than factual reporting.

responses — pity, mockery, and parody quickly overshadowed policy discussions. A 2025 Pew Research study found that 43% of adults under 30 regularly get news from TikTok, meaning these viral snippets shape young people’s political perceptions as much

as, if not more than, traditional reporting. The form that digital conversations take has consequences — where eeting virality can either feed polarization or build momentum for lasting civic engagement.

Social media aftermath

Kirk’s assassination is not just another example of social media polarization. His own career thrived on viral confrontation as he debated students and manufactured outrage to build TPUSA’s brand. These debates were often publicized and turned into clips online where people reposted them. According to former Staffer Miguel Melgar, TPUSA was originally pitched as nonpartisan but shifted sharply conservative after a $100,000 donation from a Republican politician. In other words, the outrage-driven and dehumanizing circumstances framing Kirk’s death was a culture that he helped create.

Clips of the shooting itself gained millions of views within 24 hours according to PBS, making hostility trend before facts were established. As Reuters reported, posts claiming “they couldn’t beat him in a debate, so they assassinated him” went viral before any details were con rmed, illustrating how quickly violence becomes narrative in online discourse. This divisive discourse was largely bipartisan: on the left, some users circulated celebratory memes and with captions like “one less fascist,” while others framed his death as overdue justice. On the right, hashtags like #RadicalLeftViolence and #AttackOnFreeSpeech trended within hours, pushed by in uencers and even politicians. President Donald Trump later called Kirk a “martyr for American freedom,” using the language of sacri ce and political symbolism to cast the left as aggressors. Vice President JD Vance took it further: on Kirk’s podcast, he blamed “leftwing extremism” as “part of the reason” Kirk was killed, framing the assassination as proof of a broader ideological warfare rather than an isolated act.

This rapid escalation underscores how Kirk’s death was tokenized into a partisan talking point on both sides. Democracy in the US thrives on candid discussion and political debate, but the current discourse serves only to enrage others and further separate Americans. In ammatory rhetoric does not stem from legitimate democratic interests; it instead opts for verbal attacks and stretched truths to gain political power.

The role of youth

Despite the many hateful communities present on social media, online spaces have the power to am plify empathy and civic responsibility just as easily as they can magnify hostility. The openness of these platforms can also be used for political action, even by young people who would otherwise be excluded. For example, in response to an attempt to ban major social media platforms, young Nepalis organized pro

MSJ Voices

“I feel like … the younger generation is pretty vulnerable to what they see on social media. They just believe it at face value, [without conducting] their own research… I think [they should] actually formulate their own thoughts instead of just repeating what they see online.” — Xinyue “Jack” Wang, 10

“I think it’s important that people in my age group also [engage in political content], because ultimately, we are very close to voting. And even though people want to be ignorant towards what’s happening in the country right now, it doesn’t do them any favors, nor does it do other citizens.” — Siya Singh, 11

tests which led to an overthrow of their government. Through Discord, Instagram, and other online platforms, they were able to elect a new representative to lead Nepal in this time of struggle. Their ability to use everyday digital spaces for civic engagement shows that youth can redirect discourse, not just re ect it.

This dual role is also visible in the US. A study from Louisiana State University found that teens who rely on social media for news are not only more likely to engage in politics of ine, but also more likely to show hostility toward opposing beliefs. This means Gen Z faces a choice: to use their digital uency to feed polarization or to redirect these same tools toward empathy and civic responsibility.

Gen Z cannot single-handedly undo decades of division, but their choices online matter. The same digital uency that can intensify division also gives Gen Z the

A 2025 Pew Research study on 5,153 US adults found that 43% of adults under 30 regularly get news from TikTok.

Do not regularly get news from TikTok Regularly get news from TikTok

tools to build healthier discourse. They are the most diverse and digitally uent generation in American history, uniquely positioned to foster online spaces that value empathy and respect. Gen Z can press for structural reforms that make digital spaces less toxic: demanding algorithmic transparency, supporting

“I think people on social media have their reputation to uphold, and [what you say] on social media is permanent. You can’t take it off, so people should really be careful about what they say online.” — Jade Cordrey, 10

For years, schools in CA have served students lunches packed with ultraprocessed foods (UPFs). These meal choices have historically proven themselves to be simultaneously cheap, con venient, and palatable, thus finding enormous success in their integration within institutional meal plans statewide. However, CA lawmakers are working to change this.

On February 21, CA Assembly member Jesse Gabriel introduced Assem bly Bill 1264 (AB 1264), prohibiting these UPFs from further incorporation into school meals in response to growing concerns from government officials regarding their associated health consequences. While this bill aims to improve student nutrition, it may actually achieve the opposite, unintentionally harming the very communities it strives to serve.

Background

Ultraprocessed food ban hurts those it seeks to help

By Amy Han, Erika Liu, Varun Madhavan, & Michael Qin Staf Writers

ramifications. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has linked UPFs to lifethreatening health problems including diabetes, obesity, reproductive issues, and cancer. These dangers are only exacerbated through tive feedback loop, where chemical additives in UPFs

“trick people into eating more [UPFs] than they want,” author Iris Meyers said for a major activist organization, the Environmental Working Group. This is a dire asment for the estimated 5.9 million K-12 CA students who report regular consumption of these UPF-laden school lunches.

Sourcing Healthier Alternatives

Defining UPFs

Recent years have seen the growth of UPFs into a ubiquitous staple of student diets. A 2025 research brief conducted by the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health reveals that these highly processed foods are offered in 52% of schools, who rely on the affordability and convenience offered by UPFs to keep their meal programs afloat. This expediency, however, comes at a clear cost. UPFs get their name from their extensive use of factory materials such as sweeteners, preservatives, and emulsifiers. This drastically artificial nature comes with undeniable negative health

UPFs are becoming key in fueling a national nutritional crisis. “Our public schools should not be serving students [UPFs] that can harm their physical and mental health and interfere with their ability to learn,” Gabriel said. The need for reform in the types of food that schools distribute their students has become inevita ble. After months of deliberation across multiple stages with the CA State Assembly and Senate, AB 1264, the solu tion to the national crisis regarding UPFs, now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s final sion. It faces an October 12 deadline to be either signed or vetoed. However, this decision may not be as positive a step forward as it seems.

On September 10, conservative rebrand Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, a self-described Christian nationalist, was the co-founder of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, and was widely-known on social media for his debates on college campuses. e assassination drew polarized reactions: although some grieved his death, others on social media expressed a sense of karma, citing Kirk’s past statements. Concerns have been expressed over the rise of political violence and the decline of good-faith ideological debate, raising questions not just as to the appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination, but also its signi cance and symbolism in a broader context.

“I think the most appropriate response would be some remorse ... I remember when I rst learned he got shot and then he got assassinated, I was a little happy, but then I realized ... he’s a person, he has a family ... We might have a page or something in a history textbook, maybe a footnote, that might be his legacy ... We’re seeing that political assassinations are being more [normalized] ... We’ve already seen two attempts with Trump, and now we've seen Charlie Kirk's assassination ... We’re getting these micro bubbles, so these more aggressive thoughts are starting to permeate ... January 6 and the Nepalese revolution ... these more aggressive tactics into solving our political problems are becoming more prevalent. I think Charlie Kirk had the right idea with at least talking to other sides ... But it wasn't really debate, per se — it was mainly just an echo chamber for his voices. And this also happens on both sides; the far left and the far right both do this ... I think contemporary debate has fallen o ... Because if you were to compare [this] to something like Kennedy or Reagan and Nixon, they were a lot more formal in their debates. But now that we see on the news and with Trump, you kind of see that it becomes more of an entertainment. It’s more of a charade, rather than an actual debate.”

The reality is that, while AB 1264 may appear progressive on paper, the legislation itself is plagued by a host of intrinsic flaws. Most notably, the bill fails to address a real and prevalent issue that UPFs, despite their widespread health concerns, succeed in addressing – affordability. Rising food prices have heavily impacted Bay Area residents, with a recent analysis revealing that nearly 900 neigh borhoods within the region are classified as food deserts, a geographical term referring to areas where residents have limited access to affordable, fresh food. Statewide, the CA Association of Food Banks reports that over one million current Californians live in food deserts, with about one in five facing food insecurity. If AB 1264 is to be implemented in its current version, the millions of families who rely on UPFs as their main food source would be suddenly bereft of any nutritional options, regardless of health or quality. For those unable to afford fresh produce, this bill would represent nothing short of a nutritional disaster. An unfunded mandate, AB 1264 also assumes that a blanket ban will integrate healthy options into meal plans without considering its feasibility at a district level. In the 2022-23 school year, state administrators cut more than $1 billion in school lunch funding. Fresh, nutritious food financially burdens school districts, especially as budgets are slashed. AB 1264 fails to provide the resources to mitigate these costs, underscoring its palliative nature.

Furthermore, the restrictions imposed by this bill may not even be helpful or necessary to resolving the main issue regarding UPFs. “Under [AB 1264’s] vague definition, staples like tortillas, canned beans, cheese, and even tangerines with a natural wax coating could fall under [the UPF category] — not because they’re unhealthy, but because they don’t fit an arbitrary, oversimplified standard,” one report by Capitol said. This bill, if put into effect, would group thousands of safe and widely-enjoyed food products — more than 70% of the grocery store — with UPFs without scientific basis. Counterintuitively, AB 1264 worsens food access, choice, and the quality of nutrition for our most vulnerable communities. It focuses on haphazard food reduction rather than expansion into healthier, more affordable nutritional options.

Local Action

In Fremont, the nutritional crisis has been approached more effectively. Through programs such as CalFresh and the Fremont Family Resource Center, local administrations are working to provide vulnerable families in local communities with fresh produce, reducing UPF reliance while simultaneously avoiding complete elimination of food choice. AB 1264 is a heavily flawed step toward improved nutritional reform. Enhanced specificity and involvement, such as that applied on a small-scale within local communities, is necessary if larger governments truly want to achieve the healthier, more equitable future for CA students that they have promised. ▪

“Gun violence leaves a signi cant negative impact in society, and the consequences could extend from Charlie Kirk to students at school. I think society’s rst response should be [to question] what [we should] do with gun violence ... Instead of dwelling on what happened, we should look more in the future to see what we could do ahead of us to prevent such things from happening ... He has de nitely left some sort of impact [on] the community, though I don’t know if that was necessarily good or bad because that really depends on the person’s perspective ... Contemporary politics [is] more dichotomized ... Kirk de nitely contributed by deepening the division ... [Dichotomized views] are a trap that’s easy for people to fall into ... People who may not have the most critical thinking may ...

“Nationally, government o cials and institutions have a certain appearance to keep, so they have to express condolences, but ... at the end of the day, he’s just a guy who picked up a mic and recorded himself and put it on the Internet ... I just think it shouldn’t have been talked about this much. For someone who spewed so much hateful speech, I don’t think he deserves that much screen time on my phone. His entire platform was built on making marginalized communities more marginalized. I think that whatever legacy he left in America is just a bad one. e amount of empathy people are showing for this one guy who died is disproportionately large as compared to the empathy shown to other countries’ genuine su ering. I think contemporary discourse is too polarized on both sides. Our two parties are just unable to compromise, and Kirk’s death just worsened this, and created more division. I don’t think we’re ever going to be able to reach a compromise, at least while our current president is in o ce.

“Nobody deserves to die over political views. He was just debating people, and you win or you lose. His ideas might have been controversial and not something I support ... but killing him over that is not acceptable. [ e assassination] is an attack on democracy and on free speech. [It's not] something to be glori ed. I think we should remember it and we should take action on it … If you ask a Republican, he might leave a legacy that would be similar to maybe even Abraham Lincoln ... people would think that he has revolutionary ideas. I don’t agree. And if you think of liberals, they might think of him as, you know, just another podcaster ... Political violence is unjusti ed. [It's] probably not going to happen, but hopefully [people are] less incentivized.”

Charlie Kirk Assassinaton

Acknowledge privilege without self-fagellation to the editor:

In the September issue, I read an article from the Editorial Board called “Retaining respect in cutthroat collegeculture.” While I appreciate the noble intentions, I believe the article is deeply awed.

First of all, I disagree with the assumption that international students are always good. American colleges should primarily serve the American population, and gures like 30% of applicants being internationals are cause for concern, not celebration. America is a land of opportunity, but our colleges’ priority should be educating our citizens, not the future CCP Politburo. All American colleges, including private ones, get taxpayer money; should they not serve American taxpayers rst?

Second, your framing of the SAT as unfair is wrong. For years, colleges have been repealing test-optional policies. is is because the SAT is one of the least biased elements of the college application process. It is far easier for a low-income student to score a good score (1500+) than it is for them to secure the same kind of research, extracurricular, and internship opportunities as a high-income or legacy student.

Finally, the idea that MSJ students are somehow responsible for the failures of other school systems is deeply o ensive to our student body. We can acknowledge privilege without self- agellating. Feeling a little relief that the process may be slightly easier this year does not make us bad people. College applications are not a charity; a high-income student with

Letters to the editor

a strong pro le is objectively better suited to this objective than a low-income student with a weak pro le. Social mobility does not require an Ivy League acceptance; state schools, mid-tier targets, and even community college may better suit these applicants. In fact, according to USNews, UC Riverside ranks above Harvard in social mobility, with the rst T20 being UCLA at #28. ank you, looking forward to the response.

▪

senior ashwin vaidyanathan

Unobtrusive inclusion ftting for an equally overlooked culture to the editor:

Last week’s edition of the Smoke Signal was wonderful in its presentation, from the playfully derivative graphics and solid critiques of topics ranging from politics and sports to art and entertainment. One article that stood out to me, however, “Hong Kong Fair celebrates Cantonese street food, music, and culture” (September 12), was not plastered in bold letters on the front pages, but rather hidden among the pile of sports articles and advertisements near the end. Coincidentally, the unobtrusive inclusion of the report seems tting for an equally overlooked culture. Despite its obscurity, I still thoroughly enjoyed the apt coverage of the local event.

However, the article itself has piqued my interest not only with its placement and content, but also with its very strange yet understandable xation on the more culinary aspects of the fair. Although I did appreciate the sensations given on how one could “smell … sweet egg wa es and [hear] the sounds of Cantonese

pop,” I must confess that the repeated use of these festive features diluted the impression I hoped it would instead strengthen, as the lack of description beyond nondescript pop music from the attending band and alluring smells of food left me dissatis ed as a reader. I would request the article to o er a sharper re ection of the festival in its cultural signi cance, perhaps through the booths housing small businesses, which I do not doubt have their own stories still waiting to be told.

Nevertheless, I am glad that we are being made aware of these celebrations so near to us, as to both encourage further exploration into the depths of Cantonese traditions and customs and to remind us that the similarly egg-wa e-sweet nostalgia of cultural evocation may be no more than a few streets away. ▪

senior kevin pham

Perpetuating exactly what we want to dismantle to the editor: I wanted to express my appreciation for the authors of the article “ e performative male trend is more than just a harmless joke” (September 12) for shedding light on a topic that often ies under the radar. e performative male trend is very prevalent in the Gen Z community, forming a sort of subculture with events like “Performative Day,” which is coming up on September 18 at our own school. As someone who makes jokes about performativity daily, this article made me consider my comments’ implications more seriously.

editor’s Pick

However, I wish the article had focused more on what makes the trend so humorous,

instead of criticizing it outright. Understanding the thought process behind these jokes could provide more insight into underlying motivations and encourage a more mindful approach to tackling them. Additionally, the article labels certain interests such as owning Labubus or listening to Clairo as “traditionally feminine,” which, while understandable, can reinforce stereotypes. Associating certain interests with a particular gender perpetuates exactly what we want to dismantle.

On another note, I believe many men do take upon such interests to appear more attractive to women, but there’s a small demographic of men who genuinely like feminist ideas and traditionally “feminine” culture. I wish this aspect of where the jokes about performative men originated from could have been addressed further. e original intent was to call attention to said “fakers,” not mock men trying to challenge traditional masculinity for the better.

Overall, I commend this article for sparking an important re ection for me. It would have been interesting to dive deeper into why these jokes are so appealing to the teen consensus, as understanding that could o er a better way to tackle this trend and reshape it into something more meaningful than just funny.

▪ senior anwesha bhakta

Read more at www.thesmokesignal.org. Submit a letter to opinion@thesmokesignal.org or with the QR code.

November commuNity eveNts caLeNdar

Taking place at 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on November 2 at Fruitvale Village, Oakland, the annual Día de los Muertos Festival invites visitors to experience the rich culture of the Latinx community. e event, which is hosted by advocacy organization the Unity Council and Oakland City Councilmember Neol Gallo, has welcomed thousands of guests to the festival since 1996. e festival o ers live music, family-friendly games, exciting rides and activities, traditional Latin-American art, and beautiful altars made by the community; it celebrates and preserves the traditional celebration of Día de los Muertos and shares its culture with the neighborhood.

At 9 a.m.-1 p.m., artists, and small businesses from the community will share their work in the form of an exchange market at 40086 Paseo Padre Parkway. Handcrafted goods and street food will be o ered at the event, and proceeds will be used for the bene t of the Age Well Center. is event is one of the many events the Center hosts, with others including annual Wellness Expos, where older adults get free screenings and medical advice, as well as community events like Open House Breakfast.

For experienced thrifters and newcomers alike, the Great Junk Hunt is a fun event to discover unique items including clothing, furniture, toys, and books; it will be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Open at 4-9 p.m. on November 14 and 9 a.m.4 p.m. on November 15, the Great Junk hunt features a varying selection of curated vendors each selling pieces of multiple styles ranging from vintage to repurposed to handmade. e event is also ranked in the Top 15 Flea Market of the USA by Romantic Homes magazine and includes drinks and live-music; it is a perfect opportunity to discover new types of antique fashion. Tickets cost $11-$21.

At 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on November 23, the Bay Area community will gather in the San Francisco County Fair Building to enjoy the festivities of the 14th annual Fall Chocolate Salon. Participants of the event will be able to enjoy chocolate from award-winning chocolatiers, hear talks from some of the most famous artisans, and purchase more chocolate to take home. Tickets for the event are currently available online; they have a limited supply.

November 28, 2025

the

lights, decorations, as well as more than 60 di erent oats and other entries. Attendees can enjoy the lively music and holiday cheer; the event also features a surprise appearance from Santa Claus. is event aims to bring families together to make memories and celebrate the winter holidays.

Saturday, November 29, 2025 e Quarry

November

e Quarry Turkey Race, hosted by Foresthill marathon production company Brazen Racing, will be held on November 29 at the Quarry Lakes Regional Park, located at 2100 Isherwood Way Fremont, CA 94536. ere will be free parking for all participants arriving ahead of 8:40 a.m. Comprised of a largely dirt- re course, anked by small portions of pavement at the trail’s beginning and end, the race o ers half-marathon, 10k, and 5k options. A 100-yard Little Turkeys race will also be o ered, open to all children brought along by race participants. e race will also feature a anksgiving food drive, wherein all participants will be encouraged to donate canned goods and raise funds for the Alameda County Food Bank. anksgiving-themed costumes appropriate for all ages will also be welcomed. ▪

Compiled by Cecilia Cheng, Amber Halvorsen, Felicity He, Erika Liu, Veer Mahajan, Finn McCarthy, Saesha Prabhakar & Andy Zhang Sta Writers

Friday,

Niles Festival of Lights Parade

Niles Festival of Lights Parade

Niles Festival of Lights Parade will be held at Niles District on November 28.

Great Junk Hunt

Friday, November 14, 2025

The Great Junk Hunt will be held in the Alameda County Fairgrounds and Event Center on November 12.

The Quarry Turkey Race

The Quarry Turkey Race will be held in the Quarry Lakes Recreational Area on

29.

Turkey Race

Visit Oakland

A Día de los Muertos Festival will be held on November 2 in Oakland.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Día de los Muertos Festival

City of Fremont

Lake Elizabeth’s Age Well Center will hold an Artisan Market on November 7.

Friday, November 7, 2025

Artisan Market at Lake Elizabeth

Earlier called the Fremont Senior Center, Lake Elizabeth’s Age Well Center will be hosting an artisan market on Friday, November 7.

Fall Chocolate Salon

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Fall Chocolate Salon

The 14th annual Fall Chocolate Salon will be held in San Francisco on November 23.

Editor’s Pick:

The Question Man is Feature’s newest side column, which give insight into the diverse perspectives of MSJ.

This month, students were asked: “What are your favorite fall traditions and why are they special to you?”

By

As the weather gets cooler and Halloween approaches, the face paint pale es of MSJ students nally emerge from a year-long hibernation. Inspired by the seasonal tradition of spooky costumes and festive makeup, this DieHard TryHard follows four Smokies and their experience with the art of face painting — just in time for Halloween.

Billie Eilish once asked the question, “What was I made for?” While it sounds like has some soul-searching to do, I know exactly what I was made for. Having spent the past 11 years training for this exact moment, I know that I have what it takes to create the most beautiful and colorful design out there. With a li le creativity and more colors than a Crayola factory, I will paint my way to victory in this DieHard TryHard.

“My favorite fall tradition is dining with my family, especially during holidays such as Thanksgiving, because we get to gather around the table and enjoy the food. Also it's meaningful because of the time we spend together, because we don't get to see our cousins a lot, so we could talk to each other, and it's a great time to get some relief from school work and like test and stu , because we can enjoy a whole week. And those times that we spent are helping us get closer with with each other. So that's what I value the most out of the fall tradition.” —

Sophomore Ray Guo

I guess you could say I was a li because I absolutely killed this DieHard TryHard. When I looked at the competitors around me, I realized that they had gone for smaller, but much more detailed designs. Panic set in — was I being too ambitious? Too con dent? Was painting my entire face green to look like a zombie a mistake? But with shaky hands and the cheapest face painting set from Michaels, I clawed my way to the top, winning my rst DHTH. In the end, accidentally ingesting all of that face paint was worth it, and I can only hope that whatever challenge I face next will be just as successful.

It’s well known among my friends and family that I can’t do makeup. I cannot contour my nose or blend out blush, much less draw a straight line. However, if there’s one thing I can do, it is spending long minutes cross-legged on my bedroom oor, creating and then intensely judging my pre-shower a empts at avant-garde makeup. The keyword here is a empt, shown by when I painted on a totally fake-looking burn scar for my Zuko costume last year. Just as Ozai cooked Zuko’s le side, the ugly splotches of color cooked me, which leads me to believe that simple is the way to go for this DieHard TryHard.

“My favorite fall tradition is Black Friday shopping because I’m a broke high schooler who can’t a ord anything at regular price, so Black Friday sales give me an opportunity to buy what I want. I nd it super enticing seeing families unite to purchase items sentimental for them. Everyone shops for di erent thngs as well, allowing me to see di erent personalities. Watching people shop for goods they nd valuable also gives me a sense of sonder. As someone who enjoys the rush of exciting moments as well, I really enjoy the rush that racing to get the best deal gives me.” — Junior Lionel Lu

— from the mountain of eraser shavings created on my desk a er many a empts to perfect not-so-perfect drawings to the amount of pages I’ve outright murdered with spla ered paints — I’m con dent that my art skills will secure my spot at the top of the podium. Although I’ve never touched face paint before this DieHard TryHards, I know that my creativity and years’ worth of painting disasters — I mean, masterpieces — will carry me through this challenge. I just know I will be able to make the cent face painting the judges have ever seen.

Finishing second came unexpectedly, especially as I was going up against much more artistically inclined competitors than myself, with Finn’s 11 years of experience, Mansi’s years of art training, and Prisha’s creativity. I’m glad my mostly steady hands, clear artistic vision, and probably expired face paints compensated and took me to this high of a rank. Even though I wasn’t the best face painter today, the ower I painted on my face came a long way from my sorry excuse of Zuko’s scar. Next DieHard TryHard, though, I’m de nitely

Armed with nothing but raw talent and a medium I barely know, I’m stepping into this challenge with the con dence of Picasso and the precision of a surgeon — at least in my imagination. Sure, I’ve barely touched face paint, but details don’t ma er when destiny is calling. A er a couple of third-place nishes in past baking challenges, maybe painting is where I”ll nally have a win. I have a plan tucked up my sleeve and when the clock starts ticking, the competition won’t know what hit them. With a steady hand, a splash of chaos, and unshakable faith in my creativity, I’m ready to paint my way to rst place.

A er forge ing to bring water to dip my brush in and using my water bo le instead, my expectations diminished the second I started painting. My brush had a mind of its own and le my face painting looking less like a masterpiece and more like a crime scene. No amount of wipes could save me from the atrocity of a fox I ended up painting on my face. Everytime I tried to x a smudge, it somehow made the design worse and made it look chalky. Honestly, a er that I’d call ge ing third a win. Maybe in the next DHTH, I’ll win, but until then, I’ll just have to “brush it o .”

Even with painted cursed with third place. Maybe it was too much, too li simply a ma poetic about always landing bronze — it feels like my signature nish. This challenge pushed me to stretch my creativity in ways I never expected, even using a plastic bag to add the owers to my face, experimenting with texture and form in a way that taught me to improvise on the spot. Maybe I’m not a champion yet, but I'm building a collection of near-victories that are bold, colorful, and entirely me.

Felicity He, Finnegan McCarthy, Mansi Mundada & Prisha Virmani Sta Writers

Composed by Andy Zhang & Trisha Parikh Feature Editor & Sta Writers

“I think the best thing that the Class of the 2029 did for their performance today was definitely keeping all the dances really energetic and having really good choreo whilst being within the time limit. I think they also did a great job

Kicking off the Homeco mi ng festivities, the freshman Class of 2029 set the stage for the rest of the week with exhilarating performances and long strings of white and light-blue balloons stretched across the amphitheater.

The intricately painted backdrop of Agrabah, the setting of the popular Disney film Aladdin, was marked by a grinning Genie emerging from his lamp, Aladdin dashing on the magic carpet, and the fierce tiger, Rajah, lounging under the “Class of 2029” banner. With entrancing dances, beautifully blue Aladdin-themed decorations, and high energy, the freshman class’ debut was full of life and spirit.

“I think their K-pop and Bollywood dances were the best because of their i mp r es sive costumes and c ho r eo g ra phy, especially the sparkly costumes the members of the Bollywood airband had on. I also really enjoyed the skit and the costume for Aladdin.” — Raha Iqbal, 9

Beginning with renditions of songs from Aladdin, such as “A Whole New World” by Brad Kane and Lea Salgona, the singing airband introduced the audience to the world of Aladdin and eased the crowd into Agrabah. As the song gradually ceased, the spotlight shifted toward the skit, where Aladdin disguised himself as Prince Ali in hopes of winning Jasmine’s heart while Jafar worked to undermine him. Throughout the skit, the expressive actors kept a light tone even as tensions mounted within the story. Next followed the hip-hop airband, with energetic dances set to hit pop songs such as “Paint The Town Red” and “Agora Hills” by Doja Cat. Maintaining the same enthusiasm, the K-pop airband featured upbeat and intricate dances timed to catchy songs such as “Gabriela” by KATSEYE and “Jump” by BLACKPINK. These performances captivated the audience, as roars of approval echoed from the crowd. Gracefully swooping onto stage, the contemporary airband contrasted the earlier hype with elegant lifts, sweeping motions, and acrobatic dances and choreography.

However, after the contemporary airband was finished performing, unforeseen weather abruptly halted the event. Due to the high temperatures of up to 91°F, event supervisors urged the performers and audience members to stay hydrated and cool down. After the break was over, the fight scene airband wasted no time recapturing the audience’s attention, with a performer flipping onto the stage and executing an impressive round off and back handspring consecutively. Following sequences of rapid choreography, including aerial moves, fighting with staves and escrima-like sticks, and even an overhand throw, an intense tone was set for the rest of the performance.

With the sun still blistering, surrounded by the cerulean decorations and atmosphere, the Bollywood airband rushed to take the stage in dazzling unison. With the rhythmic drums and beat drops of songs such as “Sooraj Dooba Hain” from Bollywood film Roy or “First Class” from the Bollywood movie Kalank, as the performers stepped, they glistened in the heavy sunlight, with their matching sequined blue skirts and black tops. The boys opened up with a series of playful claps and twirls, establishing a lively rhythm before the girls joined in with flowing spins. Both groups synchronized their choreography with partnered dips and rippling waves throughout the crowd of performers.

After the Bollywood airband finished, they were joined by all the different airbands on stage. Singing, skit, hip-hop, K-pop, contemporary, and fight scene members all rushed to join the true last send-off of their homecoming. As all the different performers gathered around each other, they began chanting their class’ slogan. With scores of freshmen reciting, “In our prime, we’re 29!” and cheering for all the performances they had collectively been a part of, the freshmen’s festivities had officially concluded.

Freshmen of

Aladdin

By Joseph Miao & Luna Venturo Staff Writers

“I really liked the Bollywood dance today, and I think that everyone was really good with their timing [and] had a lot of energy. They were all smiling, and I could tell that they were really well rehearsed. There was a really large group of people, too, which I liked. — Matthew Wang, 11 “I think the Class of 2029 did the best because they had good Bo ll yw oo d pe rfo rm a nces , and I also like their fight [scene]. The thing that was most memorable would be how they choreog ra phed everything in a nice and abstract way where it was well fit and made it so the crowd can enjoy it as well.” — Zahaan

Airband: 4th

Skit: 4th Deco: 4th

Overall: 4th

Honey Swet Sophomo re re Honey Swet Sophomo

By Saesha Prabhakar & Andy Zhang

Writers

SKIT: THIRD DECO: FIRST AIRBANDS: THIRD OVERALL: THIRD

“The way that the airbands went to the front of the stage and smiled together was the most memorable part for me after each dance. It really highlighted how happy they were to be there and

“I think the sophomores' Jazz Funk was probably their best airband this year. think this was because of their synchronization,

s

“I think the best . part was [the] hip-hop . airband, which was so good. I like that they. used really popular but not overused songs and the choreo was very unique.” — Sakshi

The bright yellow and white balloons and vivid Winnie-the-Pooh-themed decorations lit up the amphitheater, creating a vibrant atmosphere despite the overcast weather and setting Class of 2028 up for a remarkable performance. The honey-themed banner in the center of the amphitheater included bees, honeycombs, and a golden stream of honey, contributing to the sophomore class theme of “Honey Sweet Sophomores.” Other banners included intricate details in the characters of Winnie-the-Pooh, capturing their whimsical nature and securing Class of 2028’s rst in deco. The live band kicked off the performances with an energetic rendition of Gracie Abrams’s “That’s so True,” which prepared the crowd for enthralling vocal showcases from the singing airband, including Ariana Grande’s “no tears left to cry.” Following the excitement, the skit introduced So e, Kevin, and Sophia, three sophomores who had recently chemistry test. Mocked by Kevin and So e for her low score, Sophia decided to explore a door in a tree, incorporated through deco on a side banner. She discovered a magical world free from the stress and responsibilities of reality, but Kevin and So e soon realized their mistake and chased after Sophia to remind her that she is supported by the MSJ community.The Chinese fusion airband followed, elegantly drifting onstage. Their graceful hand movements and perfectly in-sync formations were enhanced by their owing yellow scarves, allowing for an elegant and delicate performance. The serene mood transformed into excitement as the jazz funk airband took the stage, radiating dynamic energy. Their hair ips, exibility, and choreography to popular pop songs like Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” received loud cheers from the audience. Even when technical issues arose, causing the music to stop playing brie y, the performance continued with con dence and stayed on beat when the music came back on. Continuing the energy, the bhangra airband came on stage with unique, colorful vests layered over their bright yellow shirts, incorporating their class colors while highlighting the Punjabi culture behind the dance. The airband enthusiastically performed traditional bhangra movements, perfectly transitioning from one upbeat, high-energy performance to the next: hip-hop airband. With their sharp footwork and dynamic transitions, the hip-hop airband electri ed the stage with their explosive jumps, clean formations, and non-stop energy. Carrying that excitement, the K-pop airband danced to trendy K-pop hits such as “What is Love” by TWICE and “Pink Hoodie” by aespa, during which the performers added a splash of color to the stage by wearing bright pink hoodies. Dancing in tight synchronization, the performance earned cheers with every beat drop. The energy shifted from soft and whimsical to dramatic and fast-paced as ght scene entered the stage with air and unique stunts. Choreographed to the pop hits “New Magic Wand” by Tyler, the Creator and “Evil Jordan” by Playboi Carti, the ght scene perfectly matched their music with their energy. Their series of ghts featuring sharp kicks and ips thrilled the audience and created an intense battle. Finally, the Bollywood airband closed off lunch, with a breathtaking performance featuring cartwheels, electric dance moves, and even elements of hip-hop while dancing to “Nice for What” by Drake. As a nale, all the performers rushed onto the stage, chanting “28, We Dominate!” in unison.

SPIRITED AWAY

By Cecilia Cheng & Kelly Shi Staff Writers

a performance with

ips and rolls along with a medley of Tate McRae songs and other

hits. After Chihiro solidi ed her plan to

Yubaba, the ballroom pairs glided onto the stage in owy skirts and sleek black suits. The second half of their dance slowed down with the song “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran; the crowd sang and swayed along before the dancers ended with a synchronized bow to one another. The ght scene foreshadowed the growing con ict between the high chancellor and her students, setting a tense mood for the upcoming confrontation. Their performance opened with a series of complex ips, causing cheers to ripple through the crowd. The battles descended into one-on-one duels, with each ghter sending powerful blows towards their their opponent. The exhilaration built up further suspense for the nal chapter of Chihiro’s story. In a frenzy, the students charged at a confused Yubaba, sending her and her monarchy toppling to the ground. The collapse of Yubaba’s reign marked the beginning of a new era for Chihiro: one fueled by unity. The satisfying ending of the skit segued into the largest airband; the Bollywood dancers created a spectacular nale with glittering clothing, catchy songs, and dynamic movements. As the performance concluded, all the dancers rushed on stage chanting “Never second, 27” in unison, bringing the Class of 2027’s Homecoming nish.

Mulan Seniors of

By Amber Halvorsen & Aarav Vashisht Staff Writers

“I could really see that they practiced thoroughly and they did an amazing job with synchronizing their moves. It was satisfying to watch 20–30 people move at once in the same direction. I think the diligent practices were really reflected in their performances. I think that’s what they did best, synchronizing with each other and practicing and making sure every little move was precise." —

“T he best part was probably the K-pop and the Bollywood [airbands]. They were really in sync. Overall, it was really hype. I liked that they had a lot of popular songs that everyone knew. [The most memorable part was] probably the Bollywood [airband], because I've never seen such a large group be really in sync, and they had really good coordination. I thought their fight scene was also pretty cool.”

— Samantha Sheng, 11

Leina Ikeda, 10

most memorable part] was 100% their spirit, because everyone was so spirited. I'm really proud to be in [the senior class]. Their dances are really funny while being enjoyable.”

— Nishant Ra jm ohan, 12

Vi

br an t red and gold clusters of balloons hovered over the amphitheater as the Class of 2026 kicked off their senior year Homecoming performance with an array of elaborate singing and dance performances. Complementing these exhilarating performances was their vivid backdrop and skit, each displaying elements from Disney’s Mulan. Radiant with energy, the seniors showcased their lively class spirit, closing off Homecoming week with a truly mesmerizing and unforgettable performance. With nine airbands in total, each airband was prefaced by the senior skit cast, who played characters from Mulan, with each member representing a different grade level at MSJ. The storyline depicted the struggles of senior students facing senioritis in their final year of high school while providing genuine advice to underclassmen. The show commenced with the singing airband, who ended with the beloved nostalgic track “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities, followed by other prevalent songs, luring the audience with electrifying beats and ethereal harmonizing vocals.

Subsequently, Ballroom opened with the song “Falling For Ya” by Grace Phipps from Teen Beach Movie,. The dancers swayed to the childhood classic and later closed off with more upbeat dances to Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. The K-pop airband started their energetic performance with the hit song “Gnarly” by adjective girl group Katseye, nailing the iconic choreography from the music video and receiving an eruption of applause from the audience in return. Later in the airband, the performers pulled out sunglasses from their pockets and danced to “Like JENNIE,” a viral song by Jennie Kim from BLACKPINK. The ballroom airband then enters the stage, dressed in formal suits and dresses, performing elegant partnered steps with one another. The boys boutin airband, in particular, was the highlight of the performance, arousing the crowd with comical, familiar dances such as the worm and TikTok dance crazes, prompting cheers and laughs throughout the airband. Afterward, the crowd was engulfed in excitement as they erupted in cheers for the long-awaited Bollywood airband performance, which was evidently the largest airband. Featuring intricate costume design changes and the use of chair props, their invigorating cultural performances hyped up the crowd. Their upbeat tempo and rhythmic dance remained consistent as the performers danced to well-known songs such as “Saki Saki” and “Ik Junoon (Paint it Red),” where participants enthusiastically chanted the phrase "paint it red" while dancing. From Hindi-English mixes to traditional Indian folk music, the song selection was diverse and varied. After their final dance, colorful confetti shot up into the air as all the performers from each airband clapped synchronously, collectively grouping up. The senior class’s signature cheer, “Wish you were a senior, Hoo Ha!” echoed across the school campus.

Receiving the honors of first place throughout the entire school for Homecoming thanks to their extensive decorations, dynamic dances, and singing performances, the Class of 2026 demonstrated their uplifting enthusiasm and spirit, delivering a gratifying ending to their final Homecoming week.

airband: 1st skit: 2nd deco: 2nd overall ranking: 1st

Strings of balloons sway above the amphitheater every year during Homecoming week, each one carefully tied and arranged by DECO members across classes. Amidst the frenzy of Homecoming preparation, one white Kicko Assembly balloon captures the nerves, the rush, and the burst of nding con dence and belonging before a crowd.

Freshly cured and tumbled in talcum powder, I’m still radiating warmth as I’m packed into a plastic bag with hundreds of my rubber kin. We are all identical white pockets of thin, stretchy latex — one and the same in this dark and stu y bag. Nestled among those who look exactly like me, I was both lost in the crowd yet safe in its sameness. We made small talk to pass time. Bag, who’s a bit of a know-it-all, says that the lettering across his belly declares us as 12-inch decoration balloons. He was insistent that a decoration balloon could mean anything: a pop of color at a party or an ornament lled with helium bringing us skyward with the slip of a child’s hand. Whenever Bag tumbled, my neighbors would vanish and reappear until I was no longer sure who was who. Regardless, there was always a lingering sense of hope and anticipation that someday we would be more than oppy latex.

Air that tasted of chaos lled my metaphorical lungs after weeks sealed inside Bag. My soft body hit cool wooden oorboards as teenagers swarmed around me, juggling snacks and half nished ---conversations. A girl scooped me

By Jessica Cao Sta Writer

up, and pressed me to a whirring machine. In an instant, my insides swelled until I thought I would explode. With quick, practiced ngers, she tied my ends into a knot, locking the terrifying pressure within me. Another hand lifted me and let me tumble down, weightless but still carrying this new, unnerving sensation of occupying more space. Just as I began to adjust to the feeling, I was snatched again and haphazardly tethered to a blue balloon. He drifted toward me, whispering that everything felt too loud, too fast. I didn’t know what to say and just pressed closer, hoping that it was enough to convey my own uncertainty. In a room roaring with noise and commotion, we were companions literally trying not to pop under pressure.

ey twisted the pair of us with more balloons until I couldn’t tell where I ended and the others began. We were bundled and pinned in place with a long cord and bunches of other white and blue balloons soon followed after us. e humans called us Homecoming Kicko Balloon chains. From overheard chatter, I pieced together what this “Homecoming” meant — a whole week of celebration, bursting with class spirit, loud chants, and choreographed performances and skits. e word “performance” made my skin tighten. Performances are for people who dance and sing under spotlights, not balloons like us tied together and dangled for display. Crowds cheering, pointing, and all them expecting…something. And tomorrow, that something would be us. I wished I could shrink back into the bag and avoid being a spectacle entirely.

Hands carried me and the others on my chain

through quiet suburban streets until we reached a high school called MSJ. My chain, dubbed the freshman chain by many of the humans, was stretched across the left side of an outdoor amphitheater. en, the cord pulled taught and I was suspended midair. My rubber body quivered, and my movements were limited to catching a draft of the early morning breeze. Below me, the grass blurred, and as I glanced sideways at the black, red, and yellow chains to our right, I saw that their balloons -trembled too, some squeaking tiny complaints and some silent in shock. Hundreds of eyes were soon upon us and more than ever, I wanted to fold myself back into the bag. Instead, I dangled at a dizzying height, swaying under the weight of every gaze, already performing whether I was ready for it or not.

By noon, the sun glared above us. We had been hanging all morning, adjusting to the height and watching shadows crawl across the grass at snail speed. e Kicko Assembly — that’s what we’re here for. I hadn’t known what that meant when we were rst strung up, but now the answer was gathering below: the whole school sprawled across the lawn, classes in messy rows, and chatter rising like a tide. Music crackled through huge speakers and the assembly came to life with cheers and school

spirit. Heads tilted skyward, arms lifted to point, “L2 did amazing with the DECO!” one girl cried. Decorations, that was us! A rush of pride surged through my body, so sudden and sharp that it nearly drowned out the fear I’d been carrying since dawn. It was as if I wasn’t just a balloon — I was part of the noise, color, and celebration, carried by the energy of the crowd. In the thrill of the moment, being looked at no longer felt like exposure. It felt like belonging.

Shame burned through me as my knot loosened. A tremor, then a slip — my ends unraveled from the cord until, before I understood, I was free falling. My panic rose as the lawn rushed closer with every sway. Just before the ground claimed me, a hand shot up. A boy caught me mid-fall, laughter bursting out of him as though I’d been part of the joke all along. In an instant I was airborne again, passed to a friend, spun, and batted back and forth, no longer an ornament chained in place. I had watched the games, spirit, and crowd from a distance, but now I was in it — part of it — with the laughter and heat alive against my skin. A blade of grass caressed my side as I left the boy’s ngers. My latex scattered and my body dissolved into nothing as a pop split the air. But oh, I didn’t feel regret — I felt triumph. Fear had nearly kept me in place, safe in sameness, yet I overcame it. In my short life, I managed to spark joy and be remembered. In the end, it was better to live brightly than to never live at all.

How alumnus Michael Jan found his calling returning to MSJ

Michael Jan, a 2001 MSJ alumnus, brings professional experience and personal passion into his love for coaching, teaching, and now, leading, as activities coordinator. As the second Leadership 2 (L2) Activities Director in history after Ben Breazeale, Jan is ready to create a new dynasty of memories, school spirit, and student development.

As a result of his consistent and dedicated involvement with the student body, he was approached by all four school administrators to see if he was interested in the job. his new role, Jan hopes to increase school spirit and provide students with an outlet for fun and excitement as a way to take a break from the stress of academics and extracurriculars. Some items on his exciting itinerary for next year include bringing back the tradition of Winter Ball, which is set to be held in February, and adding a Spring Night Market. While trying to improve the structure and

always been driven by one idea: creating an environment that helps students grow. Despite all the successes he has accumulated as a teacher and in creating a positive environment on campus, Jan highlights the physical distress he’s seen at school. “Seeing students struggle life-wise makes me incredibly sad, and I keep that in mind … [though] it’s inevitable,” Jan said. As a past MSJ student, Jan connects with many students on campus and vows to create a place that promotes mental wellness. With the help of L2, he plans to create activities improving mental health and work with the wellness center to help students take breaks and limit burnout. His empathy and compassion for his students make him an incredibly caring and understanding teacher.

As one of MSJ’s youngest and inspiring faculty members, Jan has experienced a great deal of success in his career as a teacher and coach. He attributes these accomplishments to discovering what makes lled and pursuing that with passion wholeheartedly. Jan encourages everyone to take risks and tackle challenges. “Find what [you’re] passionate [about], that will make life go faster and be more enjoyable,” Jan said.

Jan and the current ASB Of

Jan posing near the Green and White Assembly banner.

C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R

Hollow Knight: Silksong, A Masterpiece Weaved with Love

By Eleanor Chen Staf Writer

A silk thread cocoon, surrounded by corpses of fallen bugs, nally burst open on September 4 after six years of delay. e long-awaited arrival of the metroidvania video game Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the iconic 2017 game Hollow Knight, led to the crashing of numerous gaming platforms such as Steam due to the hordes of fans rushing to buy it. What began as downloadable content (DLC) for Hollow Knight quickly grew as developers’ ideas spanned beyond the con nes of the original game, leading to the creation of an entirely new game, the incredibly challenging and beautiful Hollow Knight: Silksong. e game begins with Hornet, beloved side character of the original game, who is captured and brought deep underground into the vast, ruined kingdom of Pharloom — a land choked by silk that drives its citizens mad. e adventure follows her ascension to the citadel to nd the reason behind her kidnapping and confront what drives Pharloom’s inhabitants to insanity. roughout the game, Hornet traverses Pharloom, defeating enemies, collecting skills, and honing her abilities. Everything about the new game has been built around Hornet. Pharloom is massive as Hornet is twice the size of e Knight, Hollow Knight’s stubby and mute protagonist. She is a warrior known for speed and skill, so enemies re ect this, becoming far deadlier and swifter than the rst. If the player’s not careful, it’s just as easy to die to a random bug as it is to

BOOKBYTES

By Veer Mahajan Staf Writer

Student Recommendation

Title: Rainbow Six

Author: Tom Clancy

Knight credible di culty, it gradually feels like a tutorial compared to Hollow Knight: Silksong’s teeth-gnashing hardships. It’s exceedingly easy to get lost in the massive scale of Pharloom. Besides the combat aspect, in ation is the hardest part about this game: as Hornet ascends towards the Citadel, things grow more and more expensive to the point where players must shell out increasingly more rosaries, in-game currency, to save their progress in the game.

roughout the game, Hornet traverses Pharloom, defeating enemies, collecting skills, and honing her abilities. Every ght demands precision with a single hit being able to shave o one or two full health masks out of the starting ve. To balance this, there are seven crests that change the way Hornet ghts, allowing versatile options for players to choose the style that best suits them.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a labor of love, and six years of e ort really shines in its writing, art, and music. ere is so much lore intertwined in the threads of the game that any theorist would have a eld day with it. While the hand-drawn, unsettling art style remains the same as

Recommended Reading Level: Grade 10

Genre: Thriller, Military Fiction

Military mastermind and spy extraordinaire John Clark has been assigned a new mission, but it quickly takes a turn for the worse. He races to connect a global nexus of terror attacks, fghting a battle of life and death not just for himself, but for the entire world.

“I really enjoyed this book because I’m someone who enjoys action movies and action books in general. So when I heard about this book and played the game Rainbow Six Siege, I got hooked onto the storylines.” — Lucas Yuan, 11

Staf Recommendation

Title: Wind and Truth

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Recommended Reading Level: Grade 11

Genre: Fantasy Fiction, High-Fantasy, Epic Set in the fantasy universe of Cosmere, Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth, the ffth installment in The Stormlight Archive offers an enthralling experience within a world of complex magic and equally complex characters. In the span of just ten days, the world must prepare for a contest of champions between the god Odium and his challenger, Dalinar Kholin, the king of Urithiru, alongside a host of other conficts, with the entire universe’s fate on the line.

“He creates a really rich fantasy world, [which displays] very interesting dynamics between characters and interesting magic systems that are very well researched.” — Science Teacher Oana Seremeta

Smokie Recommendation

Title: The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom

Recommended Reading Level: Grade 10

Genre: Philosophy, Spirituality

When an 83-year-old amusement park worker passes away, fve people from his life — some close to him and some distant — discover the hidden meaning of his life, one many would consider worthless. Poignant and heavy, Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven ofers a unique take on the afterlife, showing that all lives are inherently interconnected and valuable.

“One of my favorite books is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. It was a very nice story, because it dealt a lot with grief and diferent themes of love and was very insightful.” — Amy Han, 10

Hollow Knight: Silksong e vibrant cartoon settings — from the striking visuals of the Coral Forest to the cluttered and chaotic Bellhart City — are gorgeous, and each one is thoroughly detailed, featuring countless layers of elaborate elements making up each environment. e soundtrack composed and written by Christopher Larkin is a pleasure to listen to with its incredible range, creating moody ambiances in certain areas while intense and cinematic music set the scene for boss ghts and heightens the sense of danger.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a game that tests the player time and time again by facing an enormous challenge, pouring sweat, blood, and tears, and nally overcoming it. It’s a game that is amazingly well-crafted, with deeply immersive lore and characters. Once players get past the brutally steep initial learning curve, the game truly becomes fun. ere’s so much content that any gamer can easily spend hours and hours playing without even realizing it. If this doesn’t get game of the year, nothing will.

Grade: A+

October 2025 Student Faves

MOVIE: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — Layton Wen, 12 TV SHOW: Gravity Falls — Orion Koo, 10 ALBUM: Gawk by Vundabar — Nine Tran, 11 BOOK: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson — Kavya Ganesh Kumar, 12 GAME: Clash Royale — Lina Abdin, 11

Twenty One Pilots’ Breach breaches the limits of music

By Fiona Yang Staf Writer

Breaching the boundaries of musical success, Twenty One Pilots, comprising the Ohio- born duo of vocalist Tyler Jo- seph and drummer Josh Dun, released their latest album Breach on September 12. Breach made history as the band’s rst No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since their record Blurryface in 2015. Beginning with the 2015 album, the band’s ve-album conceptual series concluded with this latest release.

Set in the ctional dystopian world of Dema, a land ruled by oppressive bishops, the series fol- lows the protagonist Clancy and his struggles of self-acceptance. Particularly, Twenty One Pilots’ 2024 album Clancy and 2021 album Scaled And Icy represent Clancy’s attempts to break free from the bishops and Blurryface a personi cation of Joseph’s inse- curities and inner struggles.

Breach’s wonderfully crafted production elements hold the raw emotions of nostalgia and longing. Each track features heartwrenching drum beats, further embellished with guitar ri s that add to the sentimental atmosphere. For example, in the bridge of “RAWFEAR,” the beat slows to one reminiscent of a ticking time machine with distorted bird caws and screams, then quickly speeds back up to its original tempo. e uctuating speed draws attention to the creative energy which the band has also expressed in Breach’s lead single “ e Contract.” Starting o with a sad piano tune surrounded by stu y static, the beat accelerates, creating a pan- icked feeling. High pitched edm elements uctuate to comple- ment the vocalist’s anxious tone. Twenty One Pilots’ plays with clever beat changes and experi-

mental sounds highlight the band’s increasing production quality and skills.

Production is not the only aspect of the album which Twenty One Pilots excels in. At the core of all their tracks, the duo conveys intense emotions through their vivid imag- ery and metaphors in songwriting. As the last installment in the conceptual series, Breach’s lyrics depict a clear theme of escaping from the past and embracing long held fears. “Downstairs” depicts the feeling of being guilty and dirty, asking des- perately “Have I forced your hand” and “Am I unholy land?” Even more heartbreaking are Joseph’s cries for mercy after his pleading questions, o ering “You can have all I’ve made and all I’ve ever known.” In addition to gut wrenching emotions, Twenty One Pilots highlights its mastery of depicting emotions in “City Walls.” As Joseph sings, “Entertain my faith / is is the last time that I try,” the listener feels his desperation and un- ending yearning, which evokes sym- patheticroughfeelings.cleverly produced beats and emotionally provoking lyrics, Breach is a monumental success in

Twenty One Pilots’ discography. As the nal conclusion to the band’s decade-long storyline, Breach em- bodies a statement of self-resilience, rising above the challenges present- ed and improving on musical ele- ments used in previous albums.

Grade: A

Sabrina Carpenter Spins Sass and Heartbreak Into Pop Perfection on Man’s Best Friend

she’s steering it. Her seventh LP, Man’s Best Friend, released on August 29, is a natural continuation of her sharp, playful pop persona. e two-time Grammy award-winning sensation didn’t pause to bask in the success of Short n’ Sweet, which produced radio staples such as “Espresso.” Instead, Carpenter jumped straight back into songwriting, using the momentum from her previous album. Man’s Best Friend channels the energy of early-2010s Rihanna emerging as another record brimming with personality and polish. Her music captures the struggles of being authentic while navigating the high expectations placed upon her, proving that the perfect, golden girl, isn’t always an achievable image. While Short n’ Sweet was an introductory debut to a new style, Man’s

nding freedom in contradiction through bold but vulnerable, playful yet sharp glossy pop tunes threaded with emotional grit. Carpenter stretches her sound across eras and moods, mixing shimmering synths, nu-disco beats, and ABBA-inspired melodies, but never loses her grip on storytelling. In “My Man on Willpower,” she explores the strangeness of intimacy turning cold: “He used to be literally obsessed with me / I’m suddenly the least sought after girl in the land.” e wry humor of her delivery sharpens the heartbreak. e same tension pulses through “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry,” where every lyric reinforces Carpenter’s con dence, emotional intelligence, and playful dominance: “So don’t worry/ I’ll make you worry/Like no other girl can.” By the time the album closes on “Goodbye,” with

a small, tight-knit team — singer-songwriter and producer Jack Antono , songwriter John Ryan, and songwriter and record-producer Amy Allen. Allen added lyrical depth, letting Carpenter’s personality and vulnerability shine through every song. Even the album cover re ects this blend of boldness and introspection: Carpenter on all fours in a black mini dress with an anonymous gure holding her hair back, a provocative image that sparked debate but ties directly into the album’s themes of loss, heartbreak, and young womanhood. e group’s focused collaboration created a cohesive sound and image that balances emotional honesty with playful energy. Together, they helped Carpenter translate her ideas into songs that feel both personal and universally relatable.

dence wrapped in humor, delivered with a wink but never without purpose. Carpenter embraces the tradition of the pop-star whose bold persona and theatrical performance matches ics: “Baby I’m not angry / I love you just the same/ I just hope you get agoraphobia some day,” she sings in “Never Getting Laid,” e ortlessly blending humor with emotional nuance in a way that shows the care and craft behind every line. In an industry where trends move fast and personas can fade just as quickly, Man’s Best Friend stands out as a pop record that is both of the moment and timeless in its appeal. More than just glitter and hooks, it’s an album that gives listeners permission to laugh through heartbreak, to nd condence in vulnerability, and move forward without apology.

Grade: A+

Alice: “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan | Ariana: “Right About Love” by Kevin Chung | Ariel: “West Coast Love” by Emotional Oranges | Brittany: “no sense” by Baby Keem | Cham: “love.” by wave to earth | Ekasha: “DAISIES” by Justin Bieber | Emily: “ e Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga | Ethan: “Washing Machine Heart” by Mitski | Hannah: “Hello” by Adele | Janet: “dance partner” by asumuh | Jennifer: “Silver Lining” by Laufey | Michael: “Angel With a Shotgun” by e Cab | Naisha: “Chateau” by Audrey Hobert | Navya: “Death & Romance” by Magdalena Bay | Padma: “Smile” by Lily Allen | Scarlett: “Townie” by Mitski | Trisha: “Borderline” by Tame Impala | Vikram: “Dil Dhadakne Do” by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy | Tr. Low: “ e Good Side” by Troye Sivan

WHO WE ARE

2026

www.asdrp.org

The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private research institution in Fremont, CA. ASDRP is the Bay Area's premier precollegiate research & development institution, run by a consortium of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and researchers with years of academic and industry experience who collectively seek to push forward the current frontiers in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, psychology, medicine, engineering, and more.

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

WHAT WE DO

Quite simply, we do research. Our investigators and student researchers strive to make impact in fields ranging from cancer biology, drug discovery, environmental science, and computer-guided drug design to radioastronomy, machine learning, and urban sustainability. As in any other R&D establishment, we publish papers, present work at conferences, and generate intellectual property. Check out some of our latest preprints, publications, and conference proceedings online at https://www.asdrp.org/pubs.

MISSION & VISION

[Scan to read past student work]→

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

What kind of research is performed at ASDRP?

Research at ASDRP is divided into three Departments - Biological, Human, and Life Sciences; Chemistry, Biochemistry & Physics; and Computer Science & Engineering. Our scientists are involved in developing novel therapies against cancer, using data science to understand the impact of climate change on society, synthesizing the next generation of antibiotics, developing machine learning platforms for drug discovery, understanding mechanisms of memory acquisition, probing the universe for ultrafast radioburst signals, and much, much more. Read more about our research online at www.asdrp.org/research

Research @ ASDRP at a Glance

→ 31 research faculty members across the biological and chemical sciences, neuroscience, computer science, drug discovery, and applied engineering

→ 250+ ongoing research projects across three departments

→ 78 research grade instruments, including mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electron microscopy capabilities

→ 15,000 sq. ft. R&D campus divided into 16 unique laboratory spaces

Application Details

Spring 2026

Early Application Deadline: November, 2025

Final Applications Due: December 30, 2025

Summer 2026

Applications Open: October 2025

Early Deadline: February 1, 2026

Final Applications Dues: April 15, 2026

Applications are competitive, and each term, ASDRP receives far more applicants than there are open research positions. Apply online at www.asdrp.org/apply.

Interested in finding out more? RSVP for an informational webinar at www.asdrp.org/rsvp.

E-mail: admissions@asdrp.org 46307 Warm Springs Blvd. Fremont, CA 94539

Apply online: Join us at our next open house:

AI-Generated lm Critterz set to debut at Cannes Film Festival

By Alex Duan, Erika Liu & Mansi Mundada Sta Writers

Creative arti cial intelligence has, for the past ve years, found itself in the center of a maelstrom of controversy. AI is annexing creative spaces — whether it be the earlier drama surrounding the social media AI Ghibli trend, where Miyazaki’s art style was replicated onto everyday pictures, or professional uses of AI, such as with popular lm studio A24’s use of AI on marketing projects like with the Civil War (2024) poster, which has been widely condemned by audiences and critics alike.

In the midst of this uproar, OpenAI has taken it upon themselves to announce a new project — one likely to stir up more drama than ever before. AI is now making its way to the big screen with the upcoming release of the rst feature-length AI-generated movie ever: Critterz. A collaboration between OpenAI Creative Specialist Chad Nelson and Californian production company Native Foreign, the concept was rst released in 2023 on YouTube as a short lm. In 2026, the same project is set to premiere as a full-length movie at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France, unique from all other presenting titles by one sin -

gle aspect: all of its concepts, characters, settings, and major assets are generated by AI. What these companies fail to understand is that incorporation of generative AI in lm is not, in fact, progress. Replacement of human talent does nothing but undermine and water down the creativity of the industry on a whole.

Nevertheless, proponents still push for the incorporation of machines in movies, highlighting the numerous advantages to an AI-based approach to lm. Most notably, AI usage can signi cantly cheapen costly lm production. Critterz has a budget of just under $30 million — an extremely low cost, especially when compared to the average cost of movies made by big studios such as Disney and Pixar, who spend up to $200 million on a single production. However, this gure may not be as groundbreaking as companies hope people will think. Critterz’s nancial e ciency is impressive, but not unique — some conventionally animated lms have demonstrated themselves to be cost-e ective as well. For example,

e Bad Guys (2022), a dreamworks animation, had a budget landing just shy of $70 million. e 2022 lm Puss in Boots: e Last Wish, which won an Annie Award, was made with a budget of about $90 million. Critterz, by contrast, only attains such a low cost through its failed pursuit of what its supporters claim to be a technically superior method of production. e backgrounds and characters are unsettling, warped, and sti ; the plot is a hackneyed, vapid satire of nature documentaries, and the humor is stilted and awkward, almost robotic. e movie as a whole shows a clear drop in quality from conventional lm, showing how the project fails to highlight the supposedly cutting-edge advantage of substituting human labor with the use of generative AI in the industry. Rather, Critterz succeeds in putting on blast the fact that AI as a creative tool is still markedly inferior to the talent we currently enjoy — it creates an empty, corporate simulacrum of what humans can and have already achieved.

Besides the aforementioned practical issues, AI usage in lm also raises a host of

ethical problems. Namely, widespread AI usage can lead to the erosion of e ort and quality in the lm industry, undermining the integrity of the art form on a whole. e existence of Critterz represents a core misunderstanding by large corporations of the fundamental essence of lms as a mode of artistic expression. e beauty of moviemaking stems from this level of speci cally human detail and thought — the authenticity of which simply cannot be emulated by an instantaneous algorithm. Film is one of the most versatile, rich art forms today. However, the studio behind Critterz approaches the medium as nothing more than a technological advancement. Unless audiences want to witness a future lm industry inundated by this kind of corporate AI slop, regular viewers must start pushing for the sincere, authentic, and human content that they truly want to see — putting an end to this trend before it consumes our TV screens. ▪

The Summer I Turned Pretty fnale is full of healing

By Kanupriya Goyal & Gaura Amarnani Sta Writers

e TV adaptation of Jenny Han’s bestselling romance trilogy e Summer I Turned Pretty immediately captivated hearts and minds alike when it rst arrived on Amazon Prime Video in June 2022. While the show promised a complex love triangle intertwined with the nostalgia of childhood summers, the 26-episode saga ultimately delivers something deeply poignant yet tender all the same. is summer, the third and nal season in the series was released, resolving a story that simultaneously enchanted, frustrated, and divided its audience. e nal moments of these characters’ journeys ultimately question whether they can truly mature into successful young adults without depending on their childhood relationships.

Season three begins with a bold time jump to the summer before the vivacious Isabel “Belly” Conklin’s (Lola Tung) senior year of college. Four years after season two, much has changed: Belly has new friends, new ambitions, and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) by her side, suggesting that she’s

made her decision between the two Fisher brothers. However, Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) still sulks enviously on the sidelines, hinting at a lasting longing for his and Belly’s childhood trysts.

What ultimately elevates this season beyond its sun-drenched setting is its soundtrack, which not only accompanies the story but entwines with it, as if the characters’ lives were written in resonant chords.

Taylor Swift’s “You’re Losing Me (From e Vault)” fractures the silence after Jeremiah’s betrayal, lyrics symbolizing her unraveling, emotional crucible. Later, when Conrad confesses his yearning, the soft ache of Swift’s “loml” swells into something almost ethereal, tinging his confession with the gravity of inevitability. Even James Blake’s spectral cover of “when the party’s over,” makes a startling return from the rst season, channeling past rejections into current heartbreak. In its intentionality, the soundtrack becomes the truest narrator of the show through its shifting crescendos and cadence of longing, intensifying the weight of its passion.

At the same time, the heart of this series remains its most polarizing character: Belly. Readers consistently critique her as overdramatic, indecisive, and annoying, but these generalizations misunderstand the essence of her character. Belly is meant to be messy and awed. She is a young woman fumbling her way through grief and love. To scorn her uncertainty is to scorn adolescence itself. In truth, the show’s most radical gesture is its refusal to make Belly the perfect Mary Sue, palatable to all. She is censured precisely because she is recognizably human. Viewers may bristle when she keeps both brothers

close or at her impulsiveness when she cancels her wedding, but it is within this raw imperfection that the series nds its emotional reverberation.

Beyond the women at the story’s focus, Jeremiah’s journey adds another layer of tension and vulnerability to season three. His warmth is often overshadowed by his constant childish behavior, and his presence is often eclipsed by Conrad and Belly’s love story. While his impulsive choices frustrate viewers, Jeremiah adds a much-needed sense of balance and complexity to the season, emerging as a vulnerable and determined young adult and anchoring the series in his enduring love.

is balance is crucial to o set Belly and Conrad’s heavy internal con ict, reminding audiences that growth can take the form of resilience, not just sorrow. In this way, Jeremiah ensures that the story does

not collapse under its own melancholy, and continues to move forward with warmth and growth. What materializes from season three is not a awless nale, but a tting and realistic one all the same. It allows characters to make mistakes, hurt one another, and stumble through the ups and downs of adolescence without the promise of immediate resolution. e Summer I Turned Pretty has always been about the bittersweetness of imperfection, and the complex individuals the characters have grown into after trials and tribulations. Wednesdays became e Summer I Turned Pretty watch-parties, and the show turned into a cultural event, wrought with excitement and erce debate. More than anything, the show is ingrained into viewers’ lives, o ering everyone a character to live through in a show they could not let go of. ▪ Grade: B+

YOUTUBE.COM

Guide to Air Sports

By Dhaeshna Booma, Kelly Shi & Lucas Zhang Staf Writers

In 1495, Leonardo da Vinci conceived the idea of a pyramid-shaped parachute in one of his sketches. Later, in 1797, French balloonist André-Jacques Garnerin successfully completed the frst ever sky-dive jump. This pioneering feat marked what we now know as skydiving, an extreme sport which involves jumping from an aircraft and freefalling from high altitudes while deploying a parachute used for steering and safely landing. Skydivers generally reach speeds of 120-180 mph but can fall as fast as 220 mph. Although skydiving is current ly not held in the Olympics, other competitions include the Fédération Aéro nautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships and the Indoor Skydiving World Cup. People often participate in this rapidly expanding extreme air sport at indoor tunnels such as iFly in Union City or at drop zones like Skydive California located in Tracy.

Aerobatics, often called stunt fying, combines artistry and physics to create daring maneuvers in the air. French pilot Adolphe Pégoud’s frst inverted fight in 1913 and Russian aviator Petr Nesterov’s early loops set the stage, but today’s focus is on skill and precision rather than novelty. Modern aerobatic pilots fy specialized, lightweight aircrafts, like the Pitts Special or Extra 300, built to withstand extreme G-forces. Training usually begins with a private pilot license followed by dedicated aerobatics instruction. Locally, aspiring pilots often start at airports in Hayward and Livermore, where fight schools and aerobatic clubs offer introductory fights and advanced courses. While the learning curve is steep, requiring extensive practice and sharp refexes, aerobatics inspire pilots to push the limits of fight.

Paragliding evolved directly from parachute technology but offers a unique foot-launched method to glide for extended periods. Its modern form began with Domina Jalbert’s steerable parafoil invented in the 1950s and advanced through early tests in the French Alps during the 1970s. Today, pilots launch from hills or mountains with a lightweight wing, using thermal currents to stay aloft for hours and steer by shifting body weight and pulling brake lines. In the Bay Area, popular training sites include Ed Levin County Park in Milpitas and the coastal cliffs of Pacifca, where certifed schools provide multi-day courses to learn the sport. Earning a US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) P2 rating typically requires 8-12 lessons and consistent practice. Though the sport can appear challenging, dedicated beginners often fnd it surprisingly accessible, and a thrilling way to explore the skies.

Also originating from da Vinci’s sketches, hang gliding emerged from early forms of the fying vehicles that evolved into modern airplanes. Due to the ban placed on motorized air travel in Germany following World War I, unpowered gliding further developed as a sporting event. Engineers refned glider designs, and pilots improved their technique, eventually leading to the resurgence of the sport in the US during the 1960s. Athletes began using the fexible wing designs developed by Francis Rogallo and his family, including components aiding the stiffness and support of the glider. Hang gliders take advantage of gravity and the wind to travel at speeds up to 62 mph while ensuring smooth landings for pilots. The FAI also oversees international hang gliding competitions with events such as the world championships generally held every two years since 1975. Locally, people can get involved in the sport at designated fying sites managed by the organization Wings of Rogallo at Mission Peak, Mount Diablo, and Ed Levin.

Girls Volleyball victorious over Newark Memorial

By Gaura Amarnani & Leland Yu Staf Writers

MSJ Varsity Girls Volleyball defeated Newark Memorial High School in three sets on September 25, marking MSJ’s rst homecoming game since 2016. Students and families lled the arena and watched pregame performances, including Sophomore Jazz Funk and MSJ Ishaara, while teams warmed up. e addition of these performances lit up the gym, with students and parents in the crowd clapping along, carrying that energy into the game. “I feel like it was really good that we had the honor to play a homecoming game. If there’s future games like this to come, it would be really hype, and it brings the school together,” Co-Captain Outside Hitter Senior Allyson Wong said. e competitive spirit between both teams was present throughout the entire match, and was felt through the gym by the viewers and players alike. MSJ and Newark Memorial traded points back and forth for the rst few plays, but MSJ began to pull ahead with

a 10-4 lead. After a quick back and forth, MSJ took the rst set 25-13. e rst set truly set the tone for the game with players like Co-Captain Setter Junior Sumedha Mamadi, Outside Hitter Junior Sunayna Mamadi, and Middle-Blocker Senior Brittany Lu dominating their respective positions. Sumedha’s perfectly played serves lead to powerful hits from Lu and Sunayna. Set two began with a di erent energy, tending to be more back and forth before Lu’s ve straight serves resulting in MSJ points. Highlight players Co-Captain Opposite Hitter Senior Connie Li and Brittany Lu dominated this game with the hitting duo unmatched by Newark Memorial. Key blocks and hits largely carried the momentum through the match. Set three saw similar action but with substitutes playing more minutes. While this set was also back and forth, there was never a doubt about the

result, with star players Connie Li, Brittany Lu, and Sunayna Mamadi dominating once again. “Our energy was high all the time, which is great. If we can keep that up. I think we can go really far this season,” Li said.

A key emphasis on receiving serves was also placed with MSJ players grappling with different serves all game. roughout the game, MSJ struggled to receive serves in their di erent formations. At the same time, their own serving became a major strength. Sumedha’s perfectly placed serves anchored the team to victory. Her serves led the team from 13-8 to 22-9 in the second half of the second set. Sunayna’s great hit to end this large rally at point 20 set the momentum for the rest of the game. However, the addition of minutes for substitutes de nitely slowed down the team, something the team needs to address in future games. Subs such as Opposite Hitter Junior

Arshia Sen and Middle Blocker Senior Scarlett Massengale sometimes came in disoriented, leading to questions about positional changes and rotations. Moreover, the bench made their best attempts at cheering on the team but Newark Memorial’s fanbase often managed to outshine even the larger homecoming crowd. Nonetheless, MSJ took complete control of the entire game as every mistake was overshadowed by great recoveries and rebuttals.

Following the dominant performance from MSJ, the players and crowd erupted in celebration, as the reality of winning MSJ’s rst homecoming game settled in. “ e game plan was simple: we wanted to just come and play our game the way we know we’re capable of playing and don’t over stress about things. We played very cleanly, controlled the ball on both ends of the spectrum, o ense and defense, and they stuck to doing what was right and that’s the reason we got a W for homecoming,” Coach Walker said, with high hopes of this game being a turning point to MSJ’s lackluster season re ected by their now 2-4 record.

PHOTOS COURTESY MICHAEL HUNG

Outside Hitter Senior Allyson Wang leaps for a spike.

MSJ Girls Volleyball huddles together for team discussion.

Setter Junior Sumedha Mamidi sets the ball.

Varsity Water Polo Co-Captain Senior Ryan Kumar’s journey began in fourth grade when he frst started swimming at just ten years old. By seventh grade, he had picked up water polo and developed an interest in the dual-sport career that would eventually make him stand out in MSJ’s athletic programs. Now, Kumar plays a vital role in MSJ’s aquatic sports teams. As a four-year varsity swimmer and starter on water polo, he has showcased his skills and importance to the team by being the MVP for swimming for two consecutive years and a three-time NCS qualifer. In the 2024-25 water polo season, Kumar was voted honorable mention in MVAL and even awarded MVP of the season. He also scored over 80 goals last season, putting him on track to break the record of most goals by a water polo player in MSJ history and earn himself the honor of frst team all-league, an award given to the best players in the MVAL league that season. Overall, Kumar is known by his teammates for his dedication to helping the team win, competitive mindset, and prowess in the game.

Ryan Kumar makes a splash

By Joseph Miao & Aaqib Zishan Staf Writers

Despite his achievements and successes, Kumar has faced one core obstacle that he notes has held MSJ’s team back: Washington’s Water Polo team, their long-standing rival. “They have a lot of kids on their team who are in the same class as us. It’s kind of like a showdown every year to see, you know, who’s got the better class. We haven’t beaten them yet, but this year is the year,” Kumar said. Each game slowly leads to a buildup of tension as the rivalry gets more intense with every season. Though Washington has had the upper hand so far, this challenge has

“Everyone

enjoys being around each other and is pretty genuine. No one really has to try to act differently to ft in with the team.”

—

RYAN

KUMAR, 12

served as a motivating force that drives Kumar and the team to improve.

However, no matter how strong the opposing teams are, Kumar is always able to rely on

his teammates to have his back and keep him afoat when morale is low. As co-captain, he has helped guide the team through victories and setbacks, keeping the team in check and ready to improve. Kumar leads by example, pushing himself in every drill, practice, and game, ensuring the team stays disciplined and focused.

Throughout the years, on and of-season, his bond with his teammates has grown signifcantly, as their shared passion and love for the game bring them closer together. “Everyone enjoys being around each other and is pretty genuine. No one really has to try to act diferently to ft in with the team,” Kumar said. With every strenuous conditioning set in practice and well-foughtout victories, the team has gradually transformed from mere teammates to loyal brothers. Being a part of this sport has helped him “be more of who I am, instead of just trying to ft in with what everyone else at school is,” Kumar said. Swimming and water polo have shaped his identity and allowed him to be more athletic, original, and proud of himself.

Kumar plans to continue swimming at the college level, competing against the best in the nation in hopes of breaking records. However, he is considering playing water polo at the same level if swimming does not turn out the way he expects. Looking back on his journey, Kumar refects on the importance of team camaraderie. “I would defnitely tell my freshman self to be part of the team more, spend time with the upperclassmen, and do the activities that they plan outside of just going to practice,” Kumar said. He reminds himself to work hard and appreciate the journey of improvement. For Kumar, water polo and swimming have always been more than just sports –– they’ve been a family, a challenge, and a source of growth, bringing him friendships and lessons that will last a lifetime.

From September 18 through 21, Newark came alive as more than 100,000 people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the Newark Days festival, an annual ceremony honoring the local history and culture of Newark. This year’s theme was Celebrating the 70s, marking the 70th anniversary of the city’s founding.

The large celebration brought together locals and nonlocals alike in a series of community events.

The occasion brought a nostalgic spark to the MacGregor Play elds and Newark Community Center. The large space was home to game stalls, carnival lights, and classic rides such as the Ferris Wheel and merry- go-round, and was protected by police of cers throughout. The fairgrounds also boasted a variety of food stands, with vendors offering authentic cuisines from around the world to fair attendees. The laughter of children and families lled the air, creating an atmosphere of community and enjoyment for fairgoers.

The festival kicked off at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening with amusement park rides priced at just $2 each, a dance recital presented by Alta Performing Arts, and Eternity Band’s stage show. Families with children showed up to the fair early in the evening and lined up behind popular activities such as basketball shooting challenges for toys and prizes, while teenag- ers crowded in later. By sunset, the carnival was in full swing, with thousands of people exploring the fairgrounds. Friday continued the energy with many of the same activities as were offered on Thursday. Vendors ranged from major restaurant chains serving popular dishes and treats to small, local businesses selling locally-produced honey. Several vendors had traveled across the state and even the country over the weekend to set up booths for the Newark Days festival. Some of these workers were new to the festival scene, while many were seasoned veterans of the business who knew the area and event well. Saturday, the busiest day of the weekend, kicked off with the Newark Mile 4Kids race and a 4K run in the morning. Later, the Car Show and grand Hometown Parade poured onto the streets, drawing participants, residents, and newcomers alike. By this time, the arts and crafts trade fair had spread out across the elds, and the festival had become a majestic swirl of pony rides, petting zoos, and handcrafted jewelry. Also featured were live stage performances from trampoline gymnasts and many local bands, including The Sacred Fire Band, providing a mix of Latin soul and funk music, and The Fargo Brothers. The nal day, Sunday, brought the celebrations to a gentle close with the nal stage shows, leaving audiences applauding the fantastic performances put up by the musicians, aerialists, and gymnasts. A small security area was set up near the front of the fair to provide assurance and allow the crowd’s energy to remain joyful and ensure overall safety. “We're here every year … I'll come with my kids when I'm not working too,” Police Of cer Thomas Dale said. All in all, the fair re ected the diverse Newark community and pride in their traditions. Newark Days is more than a parade or carnival — this year’s festival proves that Newark’s story is not just about history, but about the spirit of community that continues to carry it forward.

“I work at different fairs… across the state and different cities . . . this one’s pretty fun. It’s cool, there’s a lot of people, and they’re really nice. [Our family goes] all around different little towns. We take all of the games, all of the rides, all together.” – Vendor Brielle Murrietta

By

Kanupriya Goyal & Veer Mahajan Staff Writers

Kumar competes in a butter y event in swimming.

Kumar celebrates after scoring against Pinole Valley High School.

Kumar passes the ball in water polo.

Thrift hunting in Fremont

By Amber Halvorsen, Finn McCarthy & Andy Zhang Staff Writers

With the rise of thrift haul trends on social media and the growing love of buying unique statement pieces for low prices, thrifting has become an increasingly popular pastime among younger generations. In this explored some of Fremont’s unique

Mem y La

Across from the historic Niles Depot Museum sits Memory Lane, a quaint thrift and vintage store lled with unique trinkets and retro-style clothing. Located at 37565 Niles Blvd, Memory Lane is home to 10 vendors, sell ing things from model cars to tea sets and golf shirts to vintage children’s books. Every corner is lled with interesting items, all reasonably priced based on condition. Vendors and staff eagerly welcome customers at the checkout desk to answer any questions about the store and its items. “I love to interact with the people and help them out and nd what they’re looking for. It’s great fun to help people and such,” said Memory Lane vendor Fred Stafford.

“Thrifting has made me more conscious of what clothes I actually like, because ... when you go thrifting, it’s all this stuff just mashed together, like from different brands and different aesthetics.” — Carol McCarthy, 11

My Fr nds & I

“Normally when I go thrifting I look for fabrics or patterns that look cool to me or stand out ... I like looking at cool tops because they are normally the statement of an out t. Tops can create completely different moods and styles.” — Grishma Jayaprakash, 10

H eTHRIFT

A branch of Hope Services, a Bay Area non-pro t organization that serves those with developmental disabilities, HopeTHRIFT is a second-hand store with a mission to give back to the community. Located at 41200 Blacow Road, HopeTHRIFT is home to a variety of affordable classic pieces, making the store a great option for those who want to shop budget-friendly. HopeTHRIFT is also prized for its wide selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and furniture, showcasing over 70,000 pieces, with many more arriving daily. As a part of Hope Services, the pro ts from HopeTHRIFT are used to improve the lives of those with disabilities through day services, training, employment, and mental health services.

“What I like about thrifting is nding such cute nds at such low prices, and the nostalgia that comes with it.” — Maira Syed, 11

Merch Mena

On the same street as Merch Menagerie and Memory Lane sits another Niles based antique My Friends & I, at 37521 Niles Blvd. My Friends & I is a vintage store founded in 1982 and currently run by 10 women who share a passion for collectibles from the 1900s. The store includes a wide va riety of apparel such as vintage dresses, blouses, hats, unique bags, and jewelry, but also offers shelves of trinkets and home decor. Col lections of dolls, porcelain sets, books, and quilts crowd almost every corner of the store, making it an ideal spot for customers looking for vintage pieces for reasonable prices. The quiet atmosphere of this store provide to the rewarding thrifting experience the town has

Merch Menagerie, established in 2020 by Joe Potenti, is a unique and charming store that aims to be an outlet for unique pieces that deserve more recognition. Located at 37589 Niles Blvd in the heart of Niles’s antiques district, the store boasts an impressive collection of historic pieces, ranging from vintage pop-culture t-shirts to tops, highlighting the history of Fremont. Originally working as a merch salesman for bands, Potenti was in uenced by other thrift stores and began selling vintage items on eBay. Later, he opened Merch Menagerie as a way to keep the art of vintage clothing alive. “I just keep the things that I think are cool, and the things that I think should be saved and not in lls and so future people and generations can see them,” Potenti said.

Tucked between neighborhoods at 3777 Decoto Road, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is part of a voluntary organization established in 1833. Although it originated in Paris with a group of students, the International Society of St. Vincent de Paul has since expanded to include emergency shelters, free clothing closets, dining rooms, thrift stores, and more. Just left of the entrance sit rows of organized racks of clothing, from vintage to modern wear. All items at this store are either donated or purchased through an Amazon registry. Although there is no curated collection of clothing, taking the time to browse through the racks is a re- warding experience. With friendly staff, fair prices, and discounts for the elderly, the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store shows that one man’s trash is

“Usually [when I thrift,] I’m looking for things that look vintagey or brands that I like. I like to check the men’s section rst for good baggy sweaters and sweatshirts or oversized dance shirts.” — Kylie Hsu, 10