November Issue 2022

the

FOURTH

estate

EMERGENCE: CLAIMING OUR FUTURE

LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

4125 PALOMA DRIVE SANTA BARBARA, CA

NOVEMBER 2022

CONTENTS THE FOURTH ESTATE — NOVEMBER ISSUE 2022

12

NEWS

05

Spirit Week

06

Heatwaves: The Economic Climate Crisis

7

Wait, There’s an Election? Students’ Political Views

8-9

AI Decoding Speech

10

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: Will They Win?

Fentanyl Crisis: A Silent Pandemic

FEATURE

14-15 Will the Monarchy Survive After Elizabeth?

16

A Look into the College Counseling Team

17 High School from Different Perspectives

18-19 Science Behind Dreaming

20

Teacher of the Issue: Jacqueline Pelaéz

22

Summer Jobs

THEME

23 Inflation Rundown: How Does It Affect Santa Barbara?

24-25

29

Art and Creative Writing on Campus

30-31 Staff Editorial: Emergence

OPINION

32

Idols or Politicians?

Casual Racism and How it Affects Learning

26-27

33

28

35

Roe v. Wade: We Are Going Backwards

State Street: Changes and Restrictions

The Loss of Indigenous Culture

Representation in Disney’s Films

36-37

LIFESTYLE

38-39

“Don’t Worry Darling” Review: Misogyny on Camera

School Safety in America

Brandy Melville Toxicity

40-41

Saudi Arabia’s Dystopian City

42-43

Governors’ Abuse Migrants for Politics

45

46

It’s Time to “BeReal” Students Post What They’re Really Doing

47 à la mode: Fall Fashion Edition

48

53

SPORTS

54

Bon Appétit: How To Make Pumpkin Crème Brûlée

50-51 Homecoming Weekend: Football and Girls Volleyball

52

FIFA World Cup ‘22: Qatar, Migrant Labor, and the Top Teams

Athlete of the Issue: Kendall Keshen’s Swimming Victories

Sports Infographics: Fall Sports Wrap-Up

COVER: featuring Emie Valle ‘26 Victorian Rose Dress Butterfly Beach, Montecito

OUR TEAM EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Siegel Luca D’Agruma

BUSINESS MANAGER Abby Kim

PHOTO EDITOR Jackson Baltes

MANAGING EDITOR Aden Meisel

LIFESTYLE EDITORS Sofia Ramirez Jinling Wang

OPINION EDITOR Elli Westmacott

NEWS EDITOR Aden Meisel

FEATURE EDITORS Abby Kim Ada Green

WEBSITE EDITOR Owen Noble

MAGAZINE STAFF Magdalena Amezaga Jack Andrews Lucia Camp Christiana Cino Niccolo D’Agruma Annika Firlik Hudson Mayfield Eli Meisel Cierra Nervo Davis Ohanian

LAYOUT EDITOR Dionne Peterson GRAPHICS EDITOR Lucy Wang

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Milla Hirsch COPY EDITOR Katherine Ball

FACULTY ADVISOR Trish McHale

A Letter from the Editors-in-Chief

D

ear Readers, Last year when you picked up our first issue, you may have noticed that our names were lower on the seniority list. But here we are, at last, the new Editors-in-Chief. How did we end up here?

Over the summer, we worried about our new roles, which kept us up late at night thinking about what was expected of us. Why would last year’s all-star editor team give us their trust?

Would we live up to their high expectations? What if we fail so badly that new students would hate the class? Those were some of the questions left unanswered.

Our story is atypical. We joined the addicting, stressful fiasco that is Journalism at different times in our lives: remotely during the pandemic and immediately upon entering Laguna last year.

Though we walked on different paths, we both were drawn to Journalism.

Over the last few years, we’ve fallen madly in love with this class, and now that we’ve wrapped up this issue, we can confidently say that it’s just as meaningful as before.

We are so happy for our new staff, who joined this class with a clear vision for the magazine. At every step of the way, they impressed us with their maturity. When we stressed over deadlines, they took it on the chin.

We’re proud of our incredible returning staff and section editors for stepping up to the challenge. With only a year in Journalism under their belts, they helped new writers build stories from the ground up, design complex layouts, and create dozens of beautiful graphics.

We’re so thankful that we have such an incredible team of senior editors–Elli, Abby, Aden, and–Owen who have been our rock during the process, assisting new writers when we couldn’t, taking weight from us when we had too much on our plate, and being great mentors for the class.

Last but not least, we are so grateful for our Faculty Advisor, Ms. McHale. Without her, none of this would be possible. She’s encouraged us to forge our own path and vision for the magazine while ensuring we stayed on track.

We have found this experience in Journalism as some of the most fulfilling, memorable, and entertaining in all of high school.

We can’t wait to see where the next three issues take us.

Until next time, Alexandra and Luca

4 • NEWS

• MISSION STATEMENT The Fourth Estate is an open forum created for and by journalism students of Laguna Blanca Upper School. We hope to use this space to cover events, interviews and topics of interest in greater depth.

Our staff seeks to be a platform for creative expression and to report on events and ideas of importance to our readers and to focus on topics of significance and interest to inform and entertain the school community.

• LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Fourth Estate welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and must be no longer than 400 words. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and/or taste. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Fourth Estate reserves the right to reject advertising. Opinions expressed in this publication reflect the perspectives of the staff whose goal is to inform our readers with reliable information from which to base decisions and opinions. Editorials represent the voice of the staff and are voted on by the entire staff. Columns and commentaries are labeled as such and represent the opinion of the author. The Fourth Estate publishes four issues per year with a senior insert in the last issue.

• BYLINE POLICY When two or three people work on a story, all names will be listed. If an editor rewrites a majority of a story, the editor’s name will be listed.

• CORRECTION POLICY The staff strives for accuracy. When factual errors occur, mistakes are found or brought to the attention of the staff, corrections will be printed in a corrections box in the next issue.

• COLOPHON This is the first issue of the new school year and 29th volume of The Fourth Estate, the student-run magazine of Laguna Blanca School 4125 Paloma Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Contacts are available at tmchale@lagunablanca.org, (805) 687-2461 x0317 or www.thefourthestate.net. Laguna Blanca School has an EK through 12th grade student population of 430 with 100 in the Lower School, 151 in the Middle School and 179 in the Upper School. The Fourth Estate is an 8.5 by 11 general magazine, created on MAC computers using Adobe InDesign CC2021, Imperial URW and Mencken Standard font families and printed on glossy paper free for students and $30 for an annual subscription. The magazine is distributed to all 179 Upper School students through the school’s advisory program and sent by mail to subscribers with 300 copies printed per issue. We are associated with NSPA, CSPA and JEA.

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SPIRIT WEEK Students show their school spirit

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NEWS • 5

The Harsh Realities of Climate Change

As more climate-change related issues begin to emerge, those with the most resources are able to manage the effects, while those with less are forced to face the harsh reality of a changing climate.

P

WORDS by LUCIA CAMP ART by DIONNE PETERSON

rivate jets, cooling and heating er-sharing system to effectively provide those experiencing poverty will bear the systems, and gas-guzzling “luxu- electricity to everyone who needs it. brunt of the consequences of climate ry” vehicles are deemed necesWhen it’s too hot, these systems shut change. sary to the upper echelon of American down, “Blackouts could be problematHowever, people who contribute to society. Unfortunately, there are conse- ic in terms of air conditioning and in a climate change do not face the same requences to these luxuries. Not having to broader context, in terms of work, produc- percussions. worry about the environmental costs in tivity, and access to healthcare,” Faust said.

“Generally, people who are going to one’s daily life means it is easier to forWorking remotely has become an be more affluent will be using more reget the imminent ecological sources, and more resources “For people who are already at the just means more greenhouse effects of climate change that loom overhead. Climate lower levels of socioeconomic status, gas emissions,” said Faust change most affects those Although it may not seem who need to go into work, if their like it, the future of sustainwith fewest resources.

In August and September work gets disrupted, their wages get able energy is promising as of this year, Santa Barbara an alternative to trading cash disrupted.” -Erik Faust experienced an unprecedentfor fossil fuels emerges. ed heat wave. In order to “I definitely believe that stay cool, assets like air conaccess to clean resources ditioning became even more essential. increasingly more viable option. This and sufficient energy is a luxury that “My family was fortunate enough to way, those with more resources have a many people are not able to afford. It is have air conditioning the week of the way out when disasters like freak floods extremely accessible in our community, heat wave, but many houses in Santa caused by climate change strike. so it is important to understand our jobs Barbara aren’t equipped with sufficient “Wealthy people, they have movabil- as citizens to support a cleaner planet,” AC systems,” said Mason Siegel ‘25. ity,” Faust said. “They will be able to Emma said.

That includes senior Emma Schubert, keep doing business as usual, whereas, Programs that are assessing this exwho said, “When Santa Barbara was hit for people who are already at the low- act criteria are taking shape across the with the heat wave back in September, er levels of socioeconomic status, who world as the urgency of the climate crisis the absence of air conditioning in my need to go into work, if their work gets heightens. house required me to do more of my disrupted, their wages get disrupted.”

“More affluent countries are now in a work outside since the outside temperaIn disaster stricken cities, residents position where they can invest in renewture was lower than inside my home.” who can’t pick up and leave are left able energy, more efficient methods in In communities where resources are to fend for themselves against natural providing goods and services, which is far scarcer, a bout of extreme weather disasters including heat waves, hurri- slowing leading to a decline in national can make houses and schools uncom- canes, and other extreme weather con- per capita greenhouse gas emissions,” fortable and dangerous environments. ditions that are intensifying due to cli- said Faust.

“People living in urban centers will be mate change.

As countries are taking steps to utilize experiencing issues such as infrastruc“This makes them more vulnerable to funds to battle climate change by investture failure because they are most likely flooding, which could pollute sanitation ing in renewable energy and focusing reliant on older grids which are more systems and make drinking water unus- on cutting their emissions, the planet prone to failure,” said environmental able,” said Faust. will continue to have people fighting to science instructor Erik Faust.

From undrinkable water to the era- protect it.

Urban areas rely on an advanced pow- sure of millions of homes, it is clear that

6 • NEWS

thefourthestate.net

Wait, There’s an Election?

With controversial issues at stake, which party will young voters support?

WORDS and ART by LUCA D’AGRUMA

U

ncertainty surrounding the midterms looms large. The economy, which was picked by 30% of respondents. data shows close races in all battleground states: in the Two other issues were picked as the first choice, Senate, the half-dozen races that decide the majority are Health Care (19%) and Abortion (11%). That’s probably practically even, while in the House, analysts predict Democrats good news for Democrats. will have a tougher path to defending their narrow majority.

In a national survey conducted by Data for Progress, With increasing partisanship, most voters already support one 53% of voters trust Democrats more on climate change. of the two major parties.

However, those numbers are reversed when it comes The results are hard to predict because enthusiasm and emoto the economy and inflation, with 52% of voters trusting tion are difficult to model Republicans statistically. more.

After the record voter Laguna stuturnout from young people dents are a good in 2020, the question was: sample when it is this enthusiasm sustainable? comes to young Spurned by economic voters with 65% of woes, record gas prices, Gen-Z voters (18high inflation, and a 24) voting for Biden disastrous withdrawal in in 2020.

Afghanistan, it seemed According to our as though Democrats poll, 55% would were on track for a record vote for a Democrat defeat and a loss of their trifecta. compared to 15% Then the Supreme Court for a Republican (31% America’s overturned the landmark didn’t know or had Congressional Map abortion ruling of Roe v. no opinion). If you split if only Laguna Students Wade, leading dozens of states the undecided voters Voted. to enact abortion bans. according to how the In that dire landscape, many young rest of the data was distributed, voters reacted to what they believed was Democrats would have 71% of an assault on their fundamental rights. the vote compared to 29% for Almost overnight, the political landRepublicans. scape shifted. Data showed a sharp reducThose numbers look less rosy tion in Republican support. for Democrats when looking at the Before the Dobbs decision, many voters felt approval rating for Trump. Over 78% of disaffected by the political climate. With little students disapproved of Donald Trump, action on climate change, inflation, and other and only 5% approved of him strongly. top issues, they didn’t see any reason to vote In contrast, only 5% strongly approved again. of Joe Biden’s job performance, but That changed for many voters after the decianother 57% approved “somewhat.” sion. Any political scientist worth their salt will Biden’s approval rating of 63% is tell you anger is the greatest political motivator, reminiscent of Gen-Z’s vote in 2020. So yet the problem for Democrats is that there isn’t just one issue why is there such a difference between students’ support angering voters. for Democrats and their support for Biden?

According to a poll of 42 students, young people have multiOnly 55% were sure they would vote for a Democrat, ple different issues on their minds. Respondents were asked to compared to 63% who approved of Biden. The gap sugrank five different issues on a scale of importance when thinking gests Democratic-supporting young people aren’t excited about politics. about voting. That’s a warning sign because without The top issue on students’ minds was split narrowly between young Democrats, tight races that decide control of Conclimate change, the 1st pick by 38% of respondents, and the gress could be lost.

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NEWS •

7

AI Decodes Speech A powerful wave of artificial intelligence takes the science world by storm.

WORDS by JINLING WANG ART by LUCY WANG

E

very year, people worldwide cordings for 56,000 hours in 53 lanObserving the fluctuations of both suffer from traumatizing brain guages. magnetic and electric fields spurred by injuries causing more than 69 With this approach, King says it neural movement, both systems, when million people to face scarring conse- “could provide a viable path to help used, take up to 1,000 snapshots evquences. patients with communication deficits ery second of macroscopic brain activA majority are left unable to com- without the use of invasive methods.” ity, with the help of hundreds of senmunicate, paralyzed or physically incaKnown as a language tool, this mod- sors placed on the temples. pacitated verbally; much of what they el is trained to recognize distinctive Meta AI received over 150 hours would like to express stays trapped features of languages on different lev- of recording and leveraged EEG and inside their brain. els.

MEG datasets through four open In hopes of improving the lives of From a fine-grain level, like simple sources. those affected, a group of researchers syllables or letters, compared to a According to Meta Ai, in utilizing recently developed a technology utiliz- general level, that can catch sentences MEG, results show that the AI can deing the data collected by sensory brain or words, King was able to have both code chunks of corresponding speech patterns to decode brain recordings detected. in just three seconds of brain activity. directly without surgical procedures.

To test its accuracy, King and his With up to 73 percent accuracy Offering a glimwhen the answer mer of hope, this was embedded Providing an alternative for those facing new technology, in the AI’s top 10 a neurodegenerative disease, spinal or developed by Meta guesses given a brain injury, this new computational model AI and funded by large pool of 793 Facebook, takes provides a safer solution to those requiring words used daily, the first steps this technology’s implicational open brain surgery. toward decodgrowing preciseing speech using ness. noninvasive surgeries to record brain team used AI with this language tool However, when EEG was utilized, movement. on four different institutions to study the results varied, and the accuracy The new computational model pro- the brain activity of the 169 volun- declined by 30 percent. vides a safer solution to those requir- teers.

Placing both the EEG and MEG ing open brain surgery by providing Participants’ brain signals were brain recordings into a complex conan alternative for those facing a neu- scanned with the help of either magne- volutional network, also known as a rodegenerative disease (damaged or toencephalography or electroenceph- “brain” model, connections begin to dead central nervous cells) or spinal alography as they listened to snippets form, allowing them to be studied. or brain injury. of stories from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Psychology instructor Meaghan Instead of needing to embed elec- Adventures in Wonderland” and Er- Roarty says that “Researchers have trodes in the brain, new AI technology nest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and been using functional magnetic resocan reconstruct words in human neu- the Sea.” nance imaging (fMRI) to decode brain ral networks that once seemed intelliIt can map brain activity by measur- activity… mapping out the activity asgible to fellow listeners. ing the magnetic fields created by the sociated with participants viewing all From the École Normale Supérieure electric currents in our brains. sorts of images from objects to aniin Paris, Meta AI researcher Remi King With the help of magnetoencepha- mals to human faces.” and his colleagues wired a computa- lography and electroencephalography While each recording varies among tional model to catch both words and (EEG and MEG), they offer the ability individuals due to the unique makeup sentences after looping speech re- to examine brain signals non-invasively. of each brain, many differences re-

8 • NEWS

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garding the timing of neural function and placement of sensors play a significant role when collecting data.

In need of complicated engineering, when analyzing the brain, things like a pipeline have to be made to recenter the brain signals on a brain model to receive the best results.

In the past, brain decoders were trained on a limited portion of the recording to estimate a small set of speech features like simple vocabulary. These new technological advancements allow us to dream even further.

Brain activity has been a considerable aim for neuroscientists and clinicians to decode speech.

Progress relies on risky brain-recording methods, like stereotactic electroencephalography and electrocorticography.

Although they include a much clearer signal than noninvasive ways, surgery is required to do so.

With this upcoming technology, data researchers could attempt to decode what the volunteers had heard i n just seconds o f brain activity b y aligning the AI with t h e speech sounds from the story recordings.

The team made the speech sounds line up with the patterning of brain activity to record for the AI to compute and process what people were hearing.

Given 1,000 possibilities, AI could predict what the person heard from the information collected.

In hopes of improving what Meta AI calls a zero-shot classification, a snipthefourthestate.net

pet of brain activity, deciphering what a person heard from a big pool of possibilities.

Afterward, the algorithm can choose the most logical word a person could’ve heard. Gearing new exciting steps, AI’s improved ability to learn how to decode varying brain recordings shows the advancement AI has taken for the future of decoding versatile speech.

cerns. There are also significant concerns over the subjective nature of emotions, which makes emotional AI especially prone to biases.”

However, while taking the proper steps, King says this new study is all about the “decoding of speech perception, not production.”

All while speech production remains the overall goal for many scientists and researchers, as of now, “We’re quite a long way away.”

A s with the ethics that come with every new innovation Roarty says it can create, “ privacy conNEWS • 9

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive A look into Ukraine’s recent liberation of the Kharkiv region.

WORDS and ART by JACKSON BALTES

Russian Controlled Before War Russian Conquered During War Ukrainian Controlled Before War Ukrainian Territory Reclaimed in Counteroffensives

D

uring the month of September, the world watched as the Ukrainian armed forces continue to achieve victories against the Russian military in the Kharkiv Oblast.

Simultaneously, the Ukrainians also made significant progress in the region of Kherson, where both sides had previously spent months bogged down in fighting a grueling attritional war.

The victory in Kharkiv, alongside the progress made in the Kherson oblast, has led to massive Russian losses in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

According to Walter Plowczak, a

thefourthestate.net

Ukrainian immigrant living in Santa Barbara who closely follows developments in the war, “Now, in terms of the offense... [it] has been pretty significant... they mounted a pretty [effective counterattack].”

At present, the counter offensives in Kharkiv and Kherson, have led to the liberation of close to 6000 square kilometers of Russian occupied territory in the north.

According to Oryx, a respected military blogger, the Russians have lost a grand total of 1170 military vehicles since Aug. 29.

Of these vehicles, 282 were infantry fighting vehicles, another 265 were trucks, vehicles and jeeps, and 227 were tanks. Although impossible to independently verify, the Washington Post reports that the Ukrainian military has claimed close to 50,000 Russian soldiers have fallen on the field of battle since the invasion began in February.

The gargantuan losses in men, material, and territory for the Kremlin, are likely to prove a major setback for Russia, possibly providing renewed hope to Ukrainian citizens for a quick end to the conflict in the early months of 2023.

NEWS • 11

Fentanyl’s Fatality

The rate of fentanyl abuse, poisoning and death is rising throughout the nation.

The effects are unforgiving and sometimes fatal.

G

WORDS and ART by ELLI WESTMACOTT

reen, yellow, purple, and pink.

These are the colors that paint the walls of children’s bedrooms and envelope the flavors of sweetened snacks.

However, there’s a threat to young people targeted by the emerging trend of brightly colored unforgiving opioid pills, dubbed “rainbow fentanyl,” in the media.

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country.

Whether hidden in other euphoric drugs, common over-the-counter painkillers, or pills appearing to be colored candy, all forms deliver the same result: overdose.

Three grains of fentanyl is all it takes to kill a person, and it proves to be “up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Even in small doses, they can be deadly,” according to the CDC. The danger of fentanyl is that no one can predict exactly what it is disguised as, and before people can even process what they ingested, they fall powerless to symptoms of overdose that could likely lead to death.

Because of the growing opioid epidemic in the United States, the danger of fentanyl lacing is worse than ever.

Santa Barbara’s Public Information Officer Raquel Zick discussed the ways in which fentanyl lacing has been disguised.

“We have seen cases of fentanyl poisoning occur within SB County, and nationwide there have been other drugs laced with fentanyl such as cocaine & marijuana.

Fentanyl is also mixed into the fake M30 – Oxycodone pills.”

Fentanyl poisoning is most prevalent in users of methamphetamine and cocaine.

These drugs are so enticing due to their euphoric release.

In an article from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the author dives into the growing risk that this crisis brings specifically to children and teenagers.

“Unfortunately, with new disguises—such as rainbow-colored fentanyl—unintentional overdose in children is on the rise.”

With this new form of fentanyl poisoning—Rainbow Fentanyl—people who take it unknowing what drug it is or if it even is a drug fall at risk of the vicious cycle of drug addiction.

Sadly, this is the best-case scenario, for when it reaches the hands of children, it becomes much more destructive and death-inducing.

Due to the rising rates of fentanyl and the widespread use of dangerous illicit opioids in Santa Barbara, a new program has been created.

Project Opioid Santa Barbara County is a program dedicated to the intense uprising of fentanyl abuse throughout Santa Barbara County.

The public Project Opioid document produced by the Sheriff’s office states that, “Fatal overdoses are rising at an unprecedented rate in the State of California, and Santa Barbara County. Fentanyl has changed the game in California and is fueling the overdose epidemic in our community.

Santa Barbara residents are taking mixed illicit drugs, combined with fentanyl knowingly or unknowingly, with deadly results.”

“One goal of Project Opioid is to bring together elected leaders, educators, treatment programs, faith-based leaders, non-profits, and hospital officials,” said Zick.

12 • NEWS

“By getting these leaders together a consistent educational message regarding the dangers of fentanyl that are present in SB County can be sent out.”

By creating a greater awareness of the issue, people will think twice before they use, and there is a more widespread consensus over how dangerous Fentanyl can be.

Fentanyl, like many other illicit drugs, provides the user with an immediate high, which they then spend the rest of their lives chasing if not controlled.

It’s a high that encapsulates the user with one grain, and because of its potency, it’s become an attractive narcotic to the rising generation.

“The rainbow fake M30 fentanyl pills could lead to higher overdose rates due to their attractive coloring making them more appealing to youth,” said Zick.

This connects to the issue of mental illness becoming common amongst adolescents. Teenagers’ minds are not fully developed and therefore are more damaged when it comes to avid drug use and overdose.

Their minds are also more susceptible to addiction because of their lingering immaturity.

One can connect the growing opioid pandemic to the massive issue of depression and anxiety within the younger population in America.

Zick’s advice. “Specifically, to the teenage population, do not take pills that were not prescribed to you by a doctor and picked up from a pharmacy.

“The lethal dose of fentanyl is so small that many people do not get a second chance. The best way to communicate the dangers is through social media and the schools to stress the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.”

thefourthestate.net

A New Reign Begins Uncertainty and predictions for the future of the British monarchy follow Queen Elizabeth’s death.

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WORDS by ANNIKA FIRLIK ART by LUCY WANG reshuffling among Commonwealth nations.

“I think they’ll put it out to a referendum to the people of those countries whether they want to continue with that format.”

Senior Katherine Ball’s father is from England, giving her insight into the British government and monarchy.

According to Katherine, the Queen’s death changes things short term, but the monarchy will retain its general stability.

“The Queen has been in power for the entire lifetime of most people in the world, and because of that, people are mistakenly equating the stability of the monarchy with the stability of an individual’s life,” Katherine said.

With society shifting towards more modern movements, the monarchy may

glory, does not come without a cost. eadership of a nation affects peoDoes the steep price of maintaining the ple worldwide. Leaders run the monarchy spark instability in the future? country, keep things in order, pro“There is a defined cost to the British tect the national economy and politics, taxpayer,” says MacNaughton. and are responsible for decision-making, which was an essential part of the “Some British taxpayer money goes to Queen of England’s job. sustain the monarchy through sovereign In England, a monarch (the king or grants. The royal family receives about $39 million per year, funded by taxpayqueen) and Parliament (led by a Prime ers. Its current format is unsustainable.”

Minister) work hand-in-hand. For 70 Adding to this instability, controversy years, Queen Elizabeth II reigned as a surrounds the new king as many feel global icon, navigating Britain’s involvethat the crown should have skipped ment in many significant British and Charles entirely and gone to Prince world events including World War II and William. People want a king who is the Cold War. relatable and understanding of their The Queen’s recent death stirred views—and that’s how they see William. doubts about whether the monarchy will “He has more modern ideas and a be able to continue under its new ruler, better representation, [and he is] more King Charles III. in touch with the average UK citizen,” The coronation of Charles III is set to MacNaughton said. take place in May 2023 at West“The Queen’s passing In response to Charles’ coronaminster Abbey. However, it raises questions about the importance of has made Commonwealth tion, anti-monarchists have taken social media using the hashtag the British monarchy. countries question whether to #NotMyKing.

Will Charles live up to the it’s something they want to Katherine’s dad, David Ball, says people’s high expectations? Will “Skipping a generation because the monarchy maintain stability? continue with.” some people might like the dashConcerns about the future of the -Grant MacNaughton ing young prince might be great monarchy are most pressing to for image, but the whole edifice is countries under the British Combuilt on a foundation of rigid tradition. monwealth, many of whom are considbe outdated, especially with the death You don’t mess with that, because it ering leaving the political association. of its figurehead. Will Britain eliminate sets a precedent that the line of succesThroughout the Queen’s reign, the the monarchy because of Queen Elizasion is a popularity match.”

Commonwealth shrank as several coun- beth’s death?

Despite his popularity, William will tries declared independence.

“No, absolutely not. The monarchy not become king any time soon.

The current Commonwealth contains has been in place for a long time; it “Charles would have to abdicate in 56 countries, including Australia, Canafunctioned before the Queen and will da, and New Zealand. In 1949, Ireland function after her. The Queen’s death is order for the Crown to pass to William, but abdication is highly frowned upon left the Commonwealth, with other the least sudden and best prepared-for in England, Katherine said. “It’s seen as regions, including Zimbabwe and Hong death of a monarch in Britain’s history,” a dereliction of duty. William is more Kong, following suit in the subsequent Katherine said. popular among certain demographics, decades.

MacNaughton agrees, “I don’t think but it’s unlikely that he will be coronat“The Queen’s passing has made [it will happen] immediately. I think it’s ed under any circumstances other than Commonwealth countries question inevitable at some point in the future, his father’s death.” whether it’s something they want to but it’s difficult to say whether it’s in The only immediate changes followcontinue with,” said British-born inthis generation or ten generations in the ing the Queen’s death are the crowning structor Grant MacNaughton. future.” of a new king.

“There will be some change and The British monarchy, in all of its

14 • FEATURE

thefourthestate.net

Why Laguna?

We come to school for a reason, but do we understand why? Is there a meaningful common denominator?

WORDS by HUDSON MAYFIELD PHOTOS by JACKSON BALTES

T

o answer this question, we interviewed unique individuals. Each came from different parts of our community, including senior football player Michael Wang, self-described “cruise director,” Dean of Students Blake Dorfman, the longtime busdriver Alberto Abrego-Hernandez, our Summer Camp director Zack Moore, and Director of Admissions Joyce Balak.

Michael said that the “great supportive community” drives him to want to come to school each day—especially the community he has found on various sports teams.

For him, these sports, particularly football and basketball, act as a two-way channel.

Michael experienced the mentorship that seniors provide their younger teammates, and now he is fulfilling the mentor role.

“Being a senior and passing the torch down to the next generation of freshmen and first-and second-year students has been really motivating to me,” he said.

Like Dorfman, Michael cited the relationships he formed with his teachers that made his experience at school unique.

“Shoutout to Ms. Richard and Mr. Uyesaka! Over the course of my four

16 • FEATURE

years here, they have been instrumental in helping me find my passions and allowing me to be who I am today.”

When asked what motivates him to work on campus, Dorfman cited the positive impact that he has had on

various individuals over the years.

Specifically, the little things, like getting a letter of gratitude from a former student, made him realize how much of an impact teachers can have on others, even if they were unaware of it at the time.

Middle school physics teacher and Director of Summer @ Laguna Zach Moore said that he found the relationship with students in his classes particularly motivational, saying that he loves the “fun I am able to have on a day-to-day basis when I teach” while “being able to come in the door and

laugh every day.”

Longtime bus driver Alberto Abrego-Hernandez, who helps students get to school, shares a love of community. “The kids are like a family.”

One that he has been a part of for over two decades. He points out that “We should be proud of what we have” on campus given our particularly unique community in which “everyone knows each other,” an environment that has led to the creation of “a great school.”

There is a common line between things that motivate us to come to school, from our positive impact on others to laughing in a community that treats us like family and friends.

This universal ability to make connections and share experiences allows us to be ourselves at school and get the most out of our time here.

We all are part of this experience which propels us to come to school each day.

Balak touched on this when she said how motivating it is for her to “work with students while sharing the wonderful things at Laguna and getting to know our Laguna family, including the amazing faculty who allow us to grow into the people we become.” thefourthestate.net

Colleen Murphy Colleen Murray

MattMatt Struckmeyer Struckmeyer

Liv Gonzalez

College Counseling Team

Two college counselors and a registrar work together as a team to prepare students for classes and college.

WORDS by LUCY WANG and PHOTO by STEPHEN ZEIGLER Colleen Murray: Sr. Associate Director of College Counseling Q: What is your opinion on people hiring counselors outside of school?

A: The work of the college counselors at Laguna is very different from what independent counselors do. We have two full-time counselors at Laguna, and we devote attention to the fine details; we are accessible and knowledgeable in the college admission landscape.

We also communicate directly with the colleges about our applicants–a role that is reserved only for the high school college counselor. We have our students’ best interests at heart.

We collaborate with students, parents, and college admissions officers throughout the student’s college journey. We are able to visit colleges all over the world, and importantly, are remain abreast of the ever-changing college admission landscape. We counsel our students toward the best-fit colleges, and we work together with our incredible faculty to produce the best possible outcome for our students.

Liv Gonzalez: Registrar Matt Struckmeyer: Director of College Counseling Q: What has changed over the years in Q: Can you give some advice to students college counseling, and what does the on creating a well-balanced schedule? future look like?

A: When you see your schedule for A: The fear of not getting into a good the very first time in the summer, don’t school has grown well out of propor- be alarmed at what courses you were tion, we can all understand the anxiety signed up to take, it’s really important around getting into college, but it’s also to trust the process that has been put a period of growth as one becomes in place because it is created to make aware of their abilities and start to learn sure that all students are successful and that they will be desirable to many col- prepared for college. leges.

We are not going to let you fail or fall But what has changed the most is behind and if you come to us and say an overwhelming fear that is driving you are not challenged enough, in a secstudents to unhealthy lengths and that ond, we will get you into the right place. somehow their life prospects are going Very often, students come to me and to be diminished if they don’t get into say: I really want to transfer into or out of this school or that school; we think that AP or honors class into something lowis a dangerous and utterly untrue myth. er, my suggestion is: have you taken your Students who work hard and do well first test or quiz, and how did you do? at Laguna will have a staggering array of Because a lot of the time, you think opportunities, and admission to a great you won’t be successful in this class, school is virtually guaranteed because, but you are maybe underestimating your as we well know, the selectivity of the own capabilities. school does not proxy its quality; it’s a statement of its popularity. Scan the QR code to read the full interviews.

The Science Behind Sleep and Dreams

by NAME

“And a quiet old lady who was whispering ‘hush’ Good night room Good night moon Good night cow jumping over the moon Good night light And the red balloon” (Goodnight Moon; by Brown and Hurd)

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WORDS by JINLING WANG ART by LUCY WANG

ne sheep, two sheep, three into theories about sleep, including the our brain waves are comparable to those when we are awake and our breathing sheep jump over emerald fields, REM cycles. slowly dimming into falling darkIn the duration we are asleep, our becomes faster, and our body will be in ness as they fall into a peaceful slumber. brains frequently cycle through two a temporarily-paralyzed state when we Curling in the warmth and safety of distinct types of sleep: REM (rapid eye dream.

Following a repetitive cycle, as we go our blankets, hours will tick by as our movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. bodies and mind are ready to reset to Considered the first part of the sleep cy- through each one, we begin to spend function the next day. cle, non-REM sleep comprised of four less time in stages three and four, where our deep sleep may be easily disturbed.

Sleep is more than our head hitting a stages.

Our bodies will continue to rotate pillow. It is an incredible way to strengthThe first stage occurs between the through this cycle en our immune system anywhere from four and sustain healthy Known to us as a metaphorical way of to five times. blood vessels. Sleep is Like cars, our vital to our health. recharging our battery to retain energy for bodies have a proHow does sleep harness such power in our the day, sleep plays a crucial role in how our gramed control system allowing us to bodies while our conbody and brain can function healthily. regulate and control sciousness has left its our sleep. temporary dwelling?

These two primary processes are the We spend just about one-third of our period when we are awake and falling circadian rhythm and our sleep drive. lives sleeping, and the science behind asleep.

Closely related to a clock, a biological sleep and dreams opens a door into how The second one takes place right as the nerve cells in our brains can transmit our body is ready for breathing control clock controls the circadian rhythm in information to each other while we are and our body temperature slowly de- our brain designed to help us wake up.

Dependent on light cues, one of the asleep. cline, as well as our heart rate, transicircadian rhythm’s primary functions is Looking back to the 50s, people ini- tioning us into a light sleep. tially thought that sleep was just a pasCombined, the final third and fourth to increase the production of the hormone melatonin. sive task while our bodies and brain stages are what we call a deep sleep.

Known as the pineal gland found in were inactive in a state of rest.

REM sleep is plays an important role However, in recent findings, John Hop- in dreaming, memory, and emotional the brain’s two hemispheres, it receives data from the SCN (suprachiasmatic nukins neurologist Mark Wu believes sleep processing. is a window of time in which our brain is New data suggests that non-REM cleus) that controls our sleep cycle and occupied with numerous activities that sleep is more effective, peaceful, and the creation of melatonin.

Playing another critical role in our play a crucial part in our daily lives. restorative. It is also essential when In hopes of learning more about the related to memorization and retaining sleep schedule is our sleep drive. Similar to how our body craves food when impacts of mental and physical health information. when it comes to sleep, Wu and a handWhile we transition into REM sleep, we are hungry, our body has an instincful of other sleep researchers looked our eyes dart underneath closed lids as tive desire to sleep when we’re tired.

ART b

ART b

Throughout the day, whether we finish a full day of class or work, our desire for sleep begins to grow until it reaches a maximum point where we need to sleep.

One distinct difference between sleep and hunger is that when you are not hungry, you can decide not to eat, but when it comes to sleep, when you are exhausted, you can’t delay or ignore the feeling.

While faced with absolute exhaustion, our bodies can sneak in a bit of sleep for one or two seconds while our eyes are open.

However in reality, napping for over 30 minutes can mess up your night’s sleep routine by reducing your body’s overall sleep drive.

Have you ever woken up with drowsiness

after an unsound night’s sleep?

Then it won’t shock you when you experience its effect on your brain throughout the day.

Getting a healthy amount of sleep is essential for “brain plasticity,” also

known as our brain’s capacity to rewire itself and adapt to input.

Along with the benefits of a good night’s rest, researchers recently observed our brain’s capability to remove toxins in our brains that rapidly produce while we are awake.

While still puzzling, scientists’ dreams

still have a substantial mysterious repertoire in REM sleep, our most memorable dreams run by our forebrain mechanism, which is in charge of our speech and thought process.

Controlled by our brain stem, the REM stage is in charge of keeping both our heartbeat and breathing in check.

Like a domino effect, our brain stems can stimulate our forebrain resulting in dreams.

With more intensive research, scientists found that the amygdala, which produces emotion, a part of our brain, is more engaged while we are asleep than awake as we dream.

There is still no definite answer to why we dream. Researchers have articulated numerous theories believing that our dreams. Research suggest that our dreams are a way to respond to external stimuli occurring when we are asleep.

We experience different types of dreams, from nightmares to repetitive dreams.

So why are they so important? Have you ever had a crazy dream and thought, “What did I just see?” Researchers and

scientists have been thinking about the same questions for years.

Why is it that when we fall asleep, we can imagine ourselves as a celebrity or even a superhero?

How is it possible for us to experience such adventures when we are sleeping without knowing what they mean and their significance?

Considering four of the most influential models providing different perspectives and answers o f

what dreams mean, there are so many more out there, none of which is definite.

However, one thing is for sure; our brains display their creativity when we dream-so who knows what else we can learn from them?

Use the time to reflect on your dreams; maybe you’ll find a new perspective you were unaware existed.

Teacher Feature: Jacqueline Peláez Born in Venezuela with a master’s in opera performance and teaching experience at Harvard University, Profe Peláez has arrived to teach upper-school Spanish.

WORDS by ADA GREEN PHOTO by JACKSON BALTES Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I am from a country that is very far away. It’s in the north of South America, and the country’s coast is Mar Caribe—the Caribbean Sea. That country is Venezuela.

Q: Where have you taught before you came to Laguna?

A: I started teaching at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A friend of mine told me they needed people to teach Spanish because so many students were interested in studying Spanish and didn’t have enough instructors.

Then, my husband, my son, Santiago, and I moved here to California. I’ve taught Spanish and cultural classes at UCSB, Westmont College, Cal Lutheran, Santa Barbara City College and at Anacapa School. Also, I taught the ukulele to older adults for four years. Now I’m here! I’m very thrilled to be here at Laguna Blanca.

Q: What is your background in music?

A: From the very beginning, when I was 14 years old, I wanted to be a rock star. I learned to play acoustic guitar, then electric and classical.

I started at the conservatory with the classical guitar, and I thought that was going to be my

instrument. Then, they required me to do some choral work at the conservatory to be in a chorus.

That experience changed my life forever. I was in love with the human voice and the possibilities for what you can do with your voice. After getting my degree in economics, I moved to the United States, got a scholarship at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and got a master’s in opera performance.

Of course, I love to sing. I’ve been an educator for 20 years, which is my passion.

Q: What were you like as a student in high school?

A: I liked literature. At my high school, we called it “Castellano y literatura” or “Spanish and literature.” In high school, I really liked geography and economics.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I love to play African drums and the djembe. I have a group of ladies, and we meet every other week, if possible.

We feel free when we play the drums.

Also, now I’m singing medieval and renaissance music. I really enjoy my husband’s cooking. His paella is especially delicious.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: There is a Venezuelan song called “Venezuela.” Everybody knows that song. It’s so beautiful and inspirational. I like the Beatles a lot. Even though I didn’t understand the lyrics, I fell in love with the music, the harmonies, and the rhythm when I was little. One of my favorite songs of all time is “Imagine”

by John Lennon. The lyrics of that song touch me profoundly.

Q: What are your hopes for your students this year in your class?

A: I want them to learn about culture—especially knowing that Latin American countries are all different. It’s the same language, but a lot of different cultures and customs, art and music.

And obviously, to learn as much as they can in Spanish. The most important thing is that they can communicate and anybody can understand them. Even though they can make mistakes, speaking grammatically correct is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that people understand what you want to say.

Having a job over the summer is a popular option for many students. Along with a salary comes learning opportunities and experiences.

WORDS and ART by ABBY KIM

Michael Wang ‘23

Cultured Abalone Q: What is your job and what does a normal work day look like?

A: My job over the summer was primarily a farmer where I fed kelp to the abalones, cleaned plates, and got the opportunity to go out to the local fishermen’s market to sell our farm products.

Q: Do you recommend your job to others?

A: If you are interested in the field, this is as good as a learning experience as you can get. Spending hours doing maintenance at the farm and working at the market offers an outlook to the bigger picture. You get to see how an upcoming local sustainable corporation functions as a whole.

Q: How did you get your job?

A: I got my job through our school’s STEM program. I worked with Ms. Richard to find an internship that suited me the best. After discussing my interests, the farm was pinpointed. I met my mentor Devin Spencer shortly after and we clicked. Devin assigned me a research project on the vibrio bacteria last year. After completing the project, I was offered to work over the summer.

Stella Mare’s Bistro Q: What is your job and the best part of your job?

A: I am a hostess, runner, and busser at Stella Mare’s Bistro and have been working there for a year and half. The best part of my job is the people I work with and interacting with many different people and personalities throughout the day.

Q: When and why did you get this job?

A: I got this job during the pandemic in my freshman year. All of my usual after school activities got shut down, and I found myself bored wanting to do something.

Q: How is working in the summer compared to the school year?

A: During the summer I have time during my day to do things for myself and I am able to go into the workplace much more energized. During the school year, school is like a second job and very stressful. Working during the school year made me learn time management and overall working in the summer is much more enjoyable.

Magdelena Amezaga ‘24

Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen Q: What was your summer job and where did you work?

A: I worked at Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen over the summer which is an ice cream and dinner shop in Bridgehampton, New York. I was a hostess, busser and an ice cream server.

Q: Are you planning on working next summer?

A: Yes, I am already scheduled to go back and work there next summer because I had so much fun and made so many new friends.

Q: What did your schedule look like?

A: I worked there for three weeks and worked around four times a week. My family is friends with the owner, so I would work whenever they needed a part timer. I usually worked from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Luz Schubert ‘25

The Economy of Santa Barbara

Inflation is roaring and interest rates and gas prices are increasing.

What does this mean, and how are they connected?

T

WORDS By DAVIS OHANIAN and ADEN MEISEL ART by OWEN NOBLE

he median Santa Barbara house price in 2022 exploded to 2.1 million from $940,000 in 2021. This dramatic increase is due to several factors. According to local luxury properties specialist Jim Scarborough, “There is a very wealthy demographic of people who come up from LA who are able to offer and pay crazy amounts of money for properties making it into a sellers’ market.”

Such wealth can be seen in the offers these individuals from LA make on Santa Barbara homes and how they go about purchasing these properties. “We have close to 40% cash buyers,” Scarborough said. “Even though rising interest rates discourage taking out home mortgages, Santa Barbara’s real estate market remains almost completely unaffected as many buyers are simply not swayed by price tags.”

However, these rising interest rates have contributed to unprecedented changes in the stock market. According to math instructor Paul Chiment, “Whenever the Federal Reserve pushes interest rates higher, you are going to see a downturn in stocks.”

The stock market is incredibly complex, and raising interest rates is one of the driving factors in its downturn.

According to Time writer Harlan Vaughn, the stock market is on track to have three consecutive quarters of losses, an unforeseen phenomenon that has not occurred since the 2008 financial crisis. When bleak economic outlooks are projected, investors become more reluctant to put money into the market.

In addition to the implications of rising interest rates on investors’ portfolios, rising interest rates are also negatively impacting retirement funds. “When you see that downturn in stocks, it’s going to impact people’s retirement accounts and their ability to retire,” Chiment said.

The decreasing value of retirement accounts and the stock market’s downturn are specifically impacting teachers’ pensions.

Since most pensions rely heavily on stocks, many portfolios can

quickly lose value and completely alter one’s outlook on retirement.

Investors are not the only ones hesitant to spend money; when it comes to California’s heavily inflated gas prices, people now think twice about where they get their gas.

According to sophomore Devin Eisman, who commutes from Malibu daily, “I think that it is getting out of hand. The U.S. federal government needs to do more to stop rising gas prices,” Devin said.

The journey from Malibu to Santa Barbara is not cheap, especially since the median price of a gallon of gas in California is approaching $7. Devin thinks the Federal Reserve should do more to curb fuel prices, and Chiment backs up this claim.

“What the Federal Reserve has done will not affect gas prices,” Chiment said. “Rising gas prices affect everything.”

In contrast to the stock market, gas prices impact all economic activity in every part of the world. When the price of gas rises, the price of goods and services rise to battle the extra cost invoked by these gas prices. These high prices do not seem to be going away soon, and it is evident that these interest rates are affecting almost every aspect of our society.

Idols or Politicians?

As social media engrains itself deeper into the mechanics of society, the more it influences the realm of politics.

WORDS and ART by ADEN MEISEL

T

hough it may be uncomfortable to admit, we have reached a point where the technology that we use to connect with each other digitally knows us better than we know ourselves. Every action we make on social media results in the collection of an unfathomable number of data points.

“Social media pays attention to which posts you like, how long you look at a post, what topics you search for, and who you interact with,” wrote analyst Keegen Lee on the activist site logoffmovement.org.

Data points are then fed into an algorithm that constructs a user’s digital profile and presents them with more content that their personality is likely to enjoy.

Because social media platforms make the vast majority of their revenue from selling ads, user engagement is crucial to their business model. These algorithms are a way for social media platforms to present their users with content that keeps them engaged by aligning with their interests, identity, and beliefs.

According to an article from mybusiness.com, “Having better social media engagement means that customers have a stronger relationship with the brand.”

While these algorithms provide users with content that fits their digital profile specifications, this system has a downside.

When users are constantly surrounded with content in their feeds that reinforces their political beliefs, social media algorithms tend to blur what is fact and what is opinion.

“Social media has had a huge impact on politics in modern times,” DEI Coordinator Ursula Chan said. “It’s so new, and how we get information has changed dramatically. So much can circulate that is not always true. We see a lot more misinformation being spread related to politics.”

As social media platforms politically personalize the feeds of entire popula-

deemed “a hate crime and racially motivated violent extremism,” as 11 out of the 13 victims were Black.

“We can see that the algorithms that social media platforms put in place are not always there to protect people,” Chan said.

“Particular groups are being targeted because of misinformation spread and received online by extremist groups that then act out in violent ways.”

Another factor that sets users on social media into different camps of political belief is the role of influencers.

As particular online figures reach massive followings, their political beliefs, once projected, can reach unprecedented attention.

“Political influencers represent and spread opinions across the entire political spectrum. In some cases, this leads to the dissemination of extremist or anti-democratic viewpoints and conspiracy theories,” according to Frontiers Media.

“We’re seeing more and more people who have influence become politicians, which can work in a variety of ways,” Chan said. “People who happen to be content creators can also have political minds. When they feel they have a voice that is far-reaching, they might want to speak on an issue that feels important to them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that what they say is true, nor that their beliefs are rooted in toxicity.”

Social media influencers like Charli D’Amelio also gain questionable reputations online.

“People are finding toxic pockets of communities on social media that led to racism-fueled measures.”

–Ursula Chan

24 • THEME

tions, politically-like-minded users will find that their feeds will mirror their beliefs, creating an environment in which there is little opposition to communities with extreme political views.

Unfortunately, these groups sometimes partake in violence targeting particular ethnic groups.

“People are finding toxic pockets of communities on social media that lead to racism-fueled measures,” Chan said.

In 2019, Brenton Tarrant broadcast himself on Facebook Live while committing New Zealand’s worst-ever mass shootings at two mosques and claiming 49 lives.

In the more recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, gunman Payton Gendron took fire in a supermarket that resulted in the loss of 13 lives.

Not only did he live-stream the shooting on Twitch, but the event was

thefourthestate.net

“Even though influencers like Charli have good intentions and sometimes spread good ideas, they often come across as ingenuine,” sophomore Sam Narva said. “Charli specifically propagates her left-wing political standpoints to boost her following list, popularity, sponsorship opportunities, etc.

“The fact that she constantly switches between dancing and talking politics in her content suggests she isn’t genuinely dedicated to either mission.”

Other popular social media influencers, such as Andrew Tate, have caused global outrage by expressing their controversial social and political philosophies via social media platforms.

“Andrew is extremely misogynistic, and his presence online is enormous. In a way, it started as a joke, but people

thefourthestate.net

began to genuinely believe in his misogynistic and skewed ideologies, said senior Jade Silva. “He is a very wealthy and privileged man, so it makes sense that he has these ideas. His followers never question him because of his status, which he believes makes him credible to speak on politics and society. He has convinced himself and his followers that his ideas are true and that he is never wrong.”

And as his title, “internet personality,” suggests, what draws Andrew’s large pool of listeners is not just his bleak take on society but his unique personality as well.

“There is something uniquely interesting about him. I find it odd how someone could be so confidently wrong, Jade said. Even young kids here at Lagu-

na believe in his toxic beliefs.”

Andrew represents false societal values that are outdated by today’s standards of humanity, which doesn’t mean he can’t be convincing on social media.

“Everything about him, such as the way he speaks and his mannerisms, suggests that he genuinely knows what he is talking about, even though he is wrong,” Jade said.

Even though social media algorithms are put in place to match people with content that excites them, they can bring unwanted effects regarding political beliefs. Looking forward, it is not the responsibility of the user to sensitize themselves to biased political content. It is the responsibility and the obligation of the platform to somehow exclude such content from their algorithms.

THEME •

25

Girls Just Want to Have Fun...damental Rights

Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court making it possible for individual states to restrict or outright prohibit abortion rights.

I

WORDS by MAGDALENA AMEZAGA and ELLI WESTMACOTT ART by MAGDALENA AMEZAGA

n our November 2021 issue, tions can result in maternal mortali- gion? The abolishment of abortion writers discussed the tensions ty. The risks of dying from pregnan- rights goes against the very idea of universal equality that America is between the women in Texas and cy-related causes are much greater supposed to represent. the Texas legislation, the fear that than the risks of dying because of a Christianity is pro-life’s divinity. But women in Texas were immersed in, legal abortion. and the hypothetical dystopia that What if the pregnancy is a result of every woman in America shouldn’t have to conform to Christianity’s our country could become if the rape or incest? Are women expectbeliefs when their life is on the line. safety net that was Roe v. Wade fell. ed to keep the child? To live with Discussions of the most intimate And now we are here. Still shocked the reminder of the violence that nature—the choice to terminate a even months after the constitutional overturned their lives? fetus—have turned into a political right to abortion was overturned.

When a woman decides she battlefield used as campaign tools Solemn over the restricted life that cannot handle having a child, that and talking points. is now befalling a good amount she cannot give a child a safe life, A woman’s right to make an exof women in our country. We are or in the extreme when it is a life or scared for the future of women’s death decision, women should have traordinarily personal and important decision about her body and future liberty in America. that right over their bodies. is being disputed by the governIn 1973, the U.S. Supreme The ideals of Freedom of ment—in a battle to have control Court ruled that women have a of women’s personal decisions. constitutional right to abortion Speech and Freedom of As writers, we are not saying and privacy, in the landmark Religion have morphed into that we don’t understand the ruling Roe v. Wade. Women the “Freedom” to remain alternative side to our argument. born today have less rights than the generation before them, with restrained for the women of People have the right to practice their own religion and to over half the country having lost America. have their own opinions. But the right to choose. that’s just it.

Without the protection of Everyone has their own opinions federal law, states can ban abortion We shouldn’t have to protest in the opportunities within their borders if streets, yelling, crying, and pleading and beliefs, but when those opinions are challenged and enforced they wish. to the government to give us back by laws, is it fair for those who As California citizens, we reside the right to make our own decidisagree. in a state with abortion freedom. sions.

Abortion is an issue that is widely We must protect women and care We shouldn’t have to drive thouproviders from civil liability imposed sands of miles over state borders to debated, and rightfully so, because it is a serious decision with both from other states. ensure the safety of one’s life. We the child and the mother’s life to be There is no escaping the law for shouldn’t lose our voice and our considered. women living in Alabama, Arkansas, choice.

But because there is no longer Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and IdaDid the Supreme Court have a choice between one side or the ho, where having an abortion is now women’s rights in mind when it other, our country has transformed considered illegal. overturned Roe v. Wade or was it into a divisive place for women.

State and federal abortion restricfocused on politics, party, and reli-

26 • THEME

thefourthestate.net

All that pro-choice activists are saying is that women should have the right to choose their own fate.

To determine the future of their own bodies and lives. To simply make a decision for themselves.

Most women understand pregnancy’s realities and the responsibilities accompanying it, which are complex. Many women are not at the right age, time in their life, economic status, health status, or relationship status to handle carrying a child for nine months, dealing with all the appointments, medications, bills, hormones, etc., that come along with it.

Meeting the basic needs of a child include being able to provide a child with medical care, housing, education, and food.

In addition,

there’s a child’s emotional and physical needs that need to be considered and protecting their child from harm and abuse.

The women most affected by the Roe v.

Wade decision are women of color Black, Hispanic, lower, and working-class women who are already fighting to meet their necessities.

A college student who wishes to remain anonymous said, ”If the U.S. government truly cared about people’s lives, and we’re ‘pro-life,’ they would ensure that no homeless people were living thefourthestate.net

on the streets or in shelters.

It would find safe, loving, nurturing, happy homes for the millions and millions of children in the foster care system in the United States.”

This woman also spoke about her experience when she received an abortion days before Roe v. Wade was overturned.

She was harangued endlessly by staff at the clinic. She was told that the child could have a happy life and that she didn’t need to do this.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade not only took the freedom to choose for some women, but it left us with more questions than answers.

Did the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade take into consideration the thousands of women who disagree and will be adversely affected?

The abolishment of abortion rights goes against the idea of universal equality that America is supposed to represent.

But as a student, she could barely provide a life for herself, let alone a child, and she wasn’t ready to be a parent.

Every woman deserves the right to choose what is best for her.

THEME •

27

Our city is undergoing rapid accelerations as it emerges from the pandemic.

WORDS by NICCOLO D’AGRUMA ART by DIONNE PETERSON

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e are becoming an America that favors alternatives to cars. Within weeks after the pandemic lockdowns were instituted, restaurants and shops physically moved onto the streets, building extensions and gazebos for outdoor seating.

New policies have changed from prioritizing vehicular traffic to prioritizing people, demonstrating the many social events that COVID and climate change have impacted.

Initially, restaurants, cafes and boutiques moved onto the streets for survival, as customers feared indoor airborne infections. Sections of State Street were zoned off from cars, it became a pedestrian and bike-only zone, similar to European cities such as Paris.

Temporary parklets and other various structures were built to create comfortable outside dining spaces. Customers quickly adapted to this new way of dining to continue supporting local restaurants, and in this process, State Street began its transformation.

In September 2022, the Santa Barbara City Council decided to develop rules and standards for parklets and other dining structures, improving aesthetics and ensuring they could remain long-term for the next three years until State Street’s plan is finalized.

However, the residents are split on this decision.; half seems to like this new iteration of State Street, while another half wishes to go back to how it was pre-pandemic.

One supporter of the new plan is Ed France. France is the founder of Bici Centro, a used bike shop in Santa Barbara, and a board member on the Coalition of Sustainable Transportation.

We can “elegantly join outdoor dining with the restaurants and have space for pedestrians, public activity and bikes.

It makes Santa Barbara feel more like an international city, which is great,” France said.

Supporters like France argue that Santa Barbara needs to make a significant improvement to the quality of experience and for downtown, dining, and quality of life in general.

Opponents have other ideas about the changes. They say outdoor parklets take up too much space, impeding pedestrian traffic and blocking access to stores because of decreased visibility.

Mayor Randy Rowse is one of the more prominent and well-known opponents of parklets and no-car zones.

THEME 28 • THEME

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“The restaurant businessan allAmerica over town didn’t increase. e are becoming that favors alterna-It concentrated.

There are places that are hurting other plactives to cars. Within weeks after the pandemic es. We didn’t make the pie any bigger.

We just concentrated lockdowns were instituted, restaurants and shops the slices of pie inonto one the area.” physically moved streets, building extensions and Bike traffic on State Street has also become heated from gazebos for outdoor seating. New policies haveachanged debate due to sharing space with pedestrians and people prioritizing vehicular traffic to prioritizing people, demonstratbringing up bike speed and safety concerns. ing the many social events that COVID and climate change Theimpacted. city advises all bikers to stay safe onand State Street’s have Initially, restaurants, cafes boutiques shared promenade by being respectful and alert and watchmoved onto the streets for survival, as customers feared ing their speed. indoor airborne infections. As sections of State Street were France taking aacourse on “sbbike.org, zoned off recommends from cars, it became pedestrian and bike-only which is like a Drivers Ed certificate for zone, similar to European cities such as E-Bikes.”

Paris. Temporary The uptick in bike usage,structures whether with bikes or parklets and other various weretraditional built to create E-bikes isn’t just happening on State Street; it’s happening comfortable outside dining spaces. Customers quickly adaptall Santa signaling a more significant ed over to this newBarbara, way of dining to continue supportingshift localthat State Street represents. restaurants. In this process, State Street began its transfor“We are experiencingthe another boom, mation.

In September, Santa bike Barbara Citycomparable Council de-to the 1970s,” said France. cided to develop rules and standards for parklets and other E-bike docks have croppedaesthetics up all overand Santa Barbara. dining structures, improving ensuring they With new bike commuter paths, people see biking not could remain long-term for the next three years untilasState just a recreational activity but also a functional mode of Street’s plan is finalized. However, the residents are split on transportation, which is being possible by the increase this decision.; half seem to likemade this new iteration of State in E-Bike docks and bike trails.

Street, while another half wishes to go back to how it was “In short, bikeOne culture is an alternative theis‘one size pre-pandemic. supporter of the newtoplan Ed France. fits all monoculture of roads are only for cars.

Bikes are an He is the founder of Bici Centro, a used bike shop in Santa example of polyculture or a sort of biodiversity of the urban Barbara, and a board member of the Coalition Sustainable environment,” said.

Transportation.France We can “elegantly join outdoor dining with Additionally, there is a controversy about treespublic beingaccut the restaurants and have space for pedestrians, down to create bike trails. tivity and bikes. It makes Santa Barbara feel more like an in“E-bikingcity, opens the is door for aFrance range of trips you wouldlike ternational which great,” said.

Supporters typically take by car.

A non-electric bike can easily France argue that Santa Barbara needs “to make a substisignificant tute for a car trip of three or less. Atand the for same time, improvement to the qualitymiles of experience downtown, E-Bikes can do the same for up to around 10 miles, which dining, and quality of life in general.” Opponents have otheris especially useful for locations parkingparklets is impacted or ideas about the changes.

Theywhere say outdoor take up traffic congestion,” said France. too much space, impeding human traffic and blocking access Bike traffic is beneficial by reducing carMayor usage,Randy lowering to stores because of decreased visibility.

Rowse traffic, smog, and carbon emissions: reducing air pollution, is one of the more prominent and well-known opponents of and helping climate parklets andfight no-car zones.change.

“The restaurant business all over “The system needs be re-invented.

So many cities that have town didn’t increase. Ittoconcentrated.

There are places great buses.

We could too.

This could only come from some are hurting other places. We didn’t make the pie any bigger. bigger design planning and done

by SBMTD We justurban concentrated the slices ofcan’t pie inbe one area.”

Bike alone, in my opinion,” said France.

“They’ve made a lot of traffic on State Street has also become a heated debate due improvements. is further to and go.” people bringing up to sharing spaceThere with pedestrians

thefourthestate.net thefourthestate.net

Writing is Not a Lost Art Do you ever wonder why authors write countless drafts while constructing a story? Writing is a challenging process.

WORDS by NICCOLO D’AGRUMA ART by DIONNE PETERSON and LUCY WANG

W

it’s style, imitation, or possibly critiques and nods to events, riting matters. It’s an art. The process is, at times, painful and exhausting. It is about the process, and movements, and messages,” said Lyla. For example, one of my pieces, “We’re Not All White,” displays a punkish/grunge the tool authors use to express themselves, show vampire who is a person of color against a brightly colored their imagination, and find their identity. brick wall.”

Artistic representation is the process of expressing emoThe freedom to create and express onetion through different mediums. self is powerful as it allows Through artistic forms like creative writing and art, artists can find meaning in life and in the world around them.

When authors create, they share their ideas with the world, which are products of themselves.

It is fascinating to witness artists find themselves and emerge as other people to express their true feelings. people.

“Writing is very “The writing process can be very Students use different important to society meditative because when I get into mediums to express themselves the zone, so to speak, it’s like I lose and relate to the world. because it’s a awareness of the space around Writing is one of the oldest forms of representation of an me,” said Lyla. I become completely communication and can allow writers in what I’m doing. It’s also to express themselves and communiart form that is slowly immersed a space to pour what I’m feeling, cate. becoming lost.” which can help release certain “Writing is very important to society feelings.” because it’s a representation of an art -Lyla Bollag Similarly, creative writing allows form that is slowly becoming lost,” writers to center themselves and said junior Lyla Bollag. Learning how to write can also help with many life/practical skills (letters to persevere through adversity.

The pandemic influenced and impacted millions of people, employers, teachers, government officials, family,” especially authors, who had to overcome obstacles and Inspiration comes in a variety of forms. Many artists pull incorporate these into their writing. Reemerging from this inspiration from nature, politics and religion. They find inspitrying time has allowed many authors to discuss their feelration by viewing work from other artists they admire. They ings and experiences in their work. For writers, it is vital to take notice of their surroundings, ancestry, culture, experipreserve their feelings within their work. ences, art galleries, music, and literature.

As we progress into a digital age that de-prioritizes the “I have drawn inspiration from movements and styles and written word in favor of superficial digital content, some other artists that I see at art galleries or online,” Lyla said. writers fear that the power of literature is fading.

Creation can come from an innate feeling or an outside “YouTube or other social media aren’t always the best beforce. It can be a way of commenting on something importcause they give you an obvious answer. With writing, someant, expressing one’s experience and point of view, and one can find individualized meaning in each literary work,” exploring one’s identity. said Lyla. It’s up to the reader to find what I’m trying to say.”

“External sources inspire my motive to create, whether

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29

30 • THEME

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stance of the staff editorial

I

t’s been a long couple of years. Who would have thought that before we finish high school we’d have lived through a global pandemic and an attempted coup?

Evidently, we are not done processing what has been going on around us, and it is doubtful that we’re ever going to think COVID was not crazy. There’s a time and a space to reflect about the past. Our government’s failures shouldn’t be overlooked, nor should our emotional response to the events of Jan. 6, but does that have to be the only thing to talk about?

This issue’s theme is Emergence because we’re moving away from the pandemic into the future. Emergence describes the process of coming into being after being hidden, much like ourselves after the pandemic. Instead of letting the world’s major events define us, we want this issue to be representative of our self-navigated growth.

If we localize this phenomenon, we can start to see the ways in which our community has emerged. We have an emerging school spirit–whether that be through spirit at football games or the indoor homecoming that broke attendance records–we have seen ourselves embrace this school

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and community on a level we haven’t seen before.

There was the rejuvenation of the class trips, where each grade took a journey to different corners of California to learn and grow in unique environments.

The freshman class went to Monterey, CA, where they submerged themselves into frigid waters, uncovering the complex ecosystems in tidepools. The sophomore and junior class took a trip to Catalina Island, where they explored the ocean’s depths and gazed into the stars. The senior class traveled to El Capitan State Beach, where they prepared for the next phase of their lives, bonding with teachers and peers.

All of these experiences brought the grades closer together, fostering community as students entered the school year ahead.

We never thought it was possible, but our community has shown how to rebuild postCOVID. Now, as we move forward in our lives, it’s time for us to embrace growth and find joy. We’re all growing up, and this year, we need to focus on what matters most: having fun and embracing our experiences. We have so much to look forward for.

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31

Loss of Indigenous Culture The impacts of COVID-19 harmed close-knit Indigenous communities with the loss of elders leading to the disappearance of invaluable cultural customs.

WORDS by CHRISTIANA CINO and ART by LUCY WANG

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t the mention of COVID-19, what is the first thing you think about? The number of deaths? How it affected you? How it hurt your friends and your family? How you had to wear a mask everywhere you went? But do you think about how this pandemic affected people of color more?

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted people’s lives throughout the world. For California’s Native American tribes, that impact was felt deeply.

During COVID, tribal communities didn’t only experience the loss of people, they also lost their cultural identity, heritage, and elders.

Native American society is tightly-knit between generations within close-quarter communities, contributing to the disease’s easy and rapid spread.

In each Native American community, elders were most susceptible to the disease. The elders carry their people’s wisdom, and as they passed due to the pandemic, their deaths significantly affected their communities since much of their wisdom was lost.

“People from Indigenous communities said that their people had higher rates of preexisting conditions that made COVID deadly,” said DEI Coordinator Ursula Chan.

“This affected them in ways where their elders were dying quickly and in really devastating ways. And these are also the people who are culture holders and language keepers, so they are the people that are trying to teach their community the sacred language that is disappearing.”

Without elders in Native American groups, there is no way to pass on the sacred and unique information, knowledge, and wisdom gained from previous generations to new generations.

According to Chan, many Indigenous people in California often were immigrants from Central America and were not able to speak or understand English.

People of color were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. It is significant within the Native American

community, whose culture is at risk; the disease is taking the lives of the elders who teach and share their culture.

“A Lakota couple who were elders of the community passed away from COVID, and their daughter is active in their tribe and said: ‘We lost two of the last people who know this language,’” Chan said.

“There was a strong language barrier because their language was indigenous. So, even getting access to knowledge about how to get vaccinated, where a testing site was, or how to stop the spread was not accessible to them,” Chan said.

Different races and ethnicities live vastly different lives within other areas, communities, and neighborhoods of our country, so COVID’s effects vary from ethnicity to ethnicity. However, the harm Indigenous people suffered during COVID was a policy failure.

“That’s how they were affected in different ways than white people. It is the continual violence of colonization that we see in modern times,” said Chan.

Further actions could have and should have been taken to protect minority groups from COVID’s rapid spread, instead of letting it run wild.

The federal government only began prioritizing Native American elders for the vaccine rollout in 2021, but the pandemic had already taken its toll by then.

“When our government doesn’t prioritize keeping people at home and taking care of financial circumstances, we put people at risk,” Chan said.

Education on how different societies and ethnicities are affected by COVID is an essential topic for future generations.

Protection of minority cultures is still an afterthought, and it is important to see how this pattern of behavior is especially harmful during a disaster like a pandemic.

“It is essential for us to take care of our most vulnerable populations,” Chan said. “And I think it’s really important for us to know the way the continual violence of colonization exists in modern times.”

“People from Indigenous communities said that their people had higher rates of pre-existing conditions that made COVID deadly” -Ursula Chan

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It’s [Not Just] a Joke

Casual racism occurs in comments we read online and at the Thanksgiving dinner table and has become normalized in our daily conversations.

WORDS and ART by DIONNE PETERSON

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n her freshman year trip, Hispanic senior Jade Silva and her peers walked past a taco truck.

Her peers laughed, pointed to the taco truck nearby, and then pointed to Jade.

It was small, ignorant, disregardable—but the hint of racism made her uncomfortable. She laughed along with her peers, but her cheeks felt hot as she walked away from the taco truck.

Jade was unsure whether or not she could consider this a racist remark; after all, she thought the comment was meant as a joke, so they could not have meant anything serious, right?

Schools attempt to educate students on the meaning of racism, hoping to inform and bring attention to its ugly history and unspoken implications.

These discussions often discount the subtle ways racism can harm others.

While obvious, blatant racism is curtailed, toned-down racist statements can fly under the radar. Often, this manifests in underhanded jokes that draw upon stereotypes, deriving from privilege and ignorance, often unintentionally.

This phenomenon is called casual racism, where racism creeps into daily conversations through reflexive prejudice and stereotypes, compared to overt racism.

Casual racism, which occurs predominantly in white

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communities, can be so normalized that people aren’t conscious of the harm caused by their words.

A lack of diversity creates an environment where it’s easy not to think before speaking.

“In my fourth-grade graduation, you would see a bunch of white faces and then just me, a Mexican girl. People would start comparing their skin tones to mine, and I felt uncomfortable and singled out. I have not liked my skin tone until recently,” Jade said.

Throughout Jade’s experiences in high school, she has faced microaggressions—sometimes, it would be about the food she brought to school, other times about her family. She could not differentiate between what was intentional and what wasn’t.

Still, it affected her.

Instances of casual racism don’t need to be intentionally offensive–they can appear like harmless gestures or compliments. For example, the “model minority” myth is associated with Asians being more successful and intelligent because of their race.

“Asians achieve just enough success to be tolerated, but the moment they are too successful, it gets threatening,” said Ursula Chan, DEI Coordinator.

Assuming these traits, Asian people have been uplifted by cultural stereotypes for many generations. Some people might clarify this as a “positive” stereotype, but it only results in more pressure placed upon Asians.

Casual racism has become so normalized on school campuses that students have been conditioned to accept it, disregard it and move on.

“Students on an educational level need to be informed about what casual racism is as well as microaggressions. Students might have said something unintentionally offensive and thought it was a joke instead.

As a school, we could be more explicit in identifying what microaggressions are and how we can address them,” says Chan.

No matter how casual racism is formed, whether as a joke, a compliment, or an insult, schools and teachers need to learn to acknowledge and bring awareness to this contentious subject.

THEME • 33

Representation within Disney Although Disney has always struggled with inclusivity, the 21st century has brought change to the world-renowned franchise, which is evident in the casting of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”

M

ommy!... She’s brown like me!” Maya–daughter of popular TikToker Nicky–said as she caught the first glimpse of “The Little Mermaid” (2023). This sentiment was echoed throughout the country as young African American girls saw Halle Bailey playing the beloved Little Mermaid. This moment was revolutionary for many young girls whose Disney idols didn’t represent them.

No one, not even Disney, can deny its history of racism and discrimination against people of color. When Disney+ launched in 2019, they released a statement addressing the racism in their “classic” films, saying, “We can’t change the past, but we can acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward together.”

In the 2010s, Disney became determined to shed its discriminatory reputation.

Since then, they have released movies representing cultures from all over the world.

Despite this, discrimination is still a hanging presence in Disney, especially in the Disney Princess brand.

Even in the 21st century, only 5 of the 12 Disney princesses represent minority cultures.

And, of course, so many ask why it is important that Disney represents different cultures in its movies.

Disney is undoubtedly a significant part of kids’ everyday lives, with about 50% of household families in America subscribed to the streaming service, according to Variety magazine.

Children gain so much social knowledge from these movies that the University of Houston urged parents to thefourthestate.net

WORDS by SOFIA RAMIREZ ART by ALEXIA ACOSTA use Disney movies to help their child’s development.

DEI coordinator Ursula Chan spoke about why it is important for children to be exposed to diversity.

“When [kids] only have narrow representations of themselves–or no representation of themselves that can negatively affect how they identify themselves.”

America saw how this impacts young children with the release of the first trailer from “The Little Mermaid.” Halle Bailey, a 22-year-old African American actress, and musician, portrays Ariel.

After the trailer’s release, videos flooded the popular social media platform Tik Tok of young girls reacting to the trailer. Their innocent gasps of joy at seeing someone who looked like them represent Ariel were heard worldwide.

However, this casting option met with resistance. Comments proclaiming that Ariel should be played by an actress with fair skin punctured the bubble of joy these young girls had created.

Halle Bailey responded directly to this backlash, saying she was proud to represent Ariel because she knew its effect on young viewers.

She called back onto her own experience, saying in an interview with Variety, “I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special and that they should be a princess in every single way. There’s no reason that they shouldn’t be.”

Ariel’s story is intended to be universal, but due to Disney’s limited views, many girls of different ethnicities could not relate to her.

The only princess Chan could relate to was “Mulan,” although “The Little Mermaid” had been out by that time.

By presenting the world with a fairskinned and bronzeskinned Ariel, Disney shows that the story surpasses appearance, and anyone can associate with the character. Josh D’Armano himself said that “[The company] will never stop working to make sure Disney is a welcoming place for all.”

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35

The bell rings: is it the school bell, or the active shooter alarm?

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onnecticut, 2012: 26 elementary school children and teachers dead in Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Sandy Hook Elementary School headlines shook the country, the names and faces of children killed in a supposed safe space.

This was not the first tragic story of a school shooting, nor was it the last. The tragedy rippled through the media and instigated an urgent wake-up call.

Ten years later, this wake-up call is still ringing. As of 2022, more than 2,000 recorded school shootings are in the United States, and the statistics continue to increase. This is a crisis in our country, and it needs to be controlled.

During the 2021-2022 school year, school shootings hit an all-time high with at least 193 incidents, resulting in 59 deaths and 138 injuries nationwide, according to Everytown.

“It’s really scary that that’s even a possibility, to live in a world where every day your life could be in potential danger… I don’t think anyone’s ever really prepared for that kind of devastation,” says junior Grace Trautwein.

A school shooting is classified as an event where a perpetrator injures or kills at least one student or faculty member on a school campus using a gun.

This issue is so deeply embedded in our country that the events of mass shootings have become normalized.

After a deep dive into social media, or even on an app like Twitter, school shooting humor is bound to appear. It may be considered “dark humor” to make jokes about the number of tragedies in our country, but it feels like our options are to either laugh or cry.

The United States is the unofficial school shooting capital of the world, with 57 times as many school shootings as the other major industrialized

36 • OPINION

WORDS by MILLA HIRSCH ART by AMELIE DALPORTO nations combined.

More than 311,000 children at 331 schools in the U.S. have gone through gun violence since the critical shooting at Columbine High School in 1999.

“The United States also stands out in another respect. According to The New York Times, other countries—including Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway—have taken swifter action after mass shootings to tighten gun laws.”

How much must more loss be endured before preventative action will be taken?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,368 kids under 19 were killed by guns, while 4,000 children were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2020.

Kids are more likely to die from a gun than a vehicle accident.

The first armed act of violence in an American school took place in Pennsylvania on July 26, 1764. A small group of Lenape Native American people entered a schoolhouse and killed the teacher and the majority of the students.

The first school shooting in which the gunman was a student occurred in 1853 when Joseph Semmes shot his professor at the University of Virginia.

The deadliest school shooting in the United States was at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, in 2007, when student Seung-Hui Cho killed 27 students and 5 faculty members.

There are organizations that aim to reduce school shootings. These organizations are determined to fight for students’ lives, dreams, and communities.

One such organization is Students Demand Action (SDA) and Everytown Gun Safety, which is a nonprofit organization advocating for gun control and against gun violence. thefourthestate.net

Juniors Amelie Dalporto and Grace Trautwein lead Laguna’s SDA chapter.

“It’s a national organization whose main goal is to create awareness about gun safety and laws.”

SDA chapters help educate students and communities in all 50 states,” said Amelie.

Living in the United States, we have become accustomed to the potential danger we face at school, at events, and in communities.

It’s hard to imagine how such a devastating event can be normalized, but after so many cases and stories of school shootings, we have become desensitized to it. We hear about people losing their friends, students, siblings, and children in other cities and states.

According to NPR, we see it as an issue targeting strangers, often minority populations.

“I feel like many people don’t fully recognize that these things happen until they happen to them. I think people will hopefully understand it more by creating awareness,” says Amelie.

Often, people falsely link mental illness with school shootings. This creates a presumption that people dealing with mental health should be feared.

In reality, “Half of all mass shootings are associated with no red flags—no diagnosed mental illness, no substance use, no history of criminality, nothing,” says the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry.

The motives behind shootings are tough to predict or group into a categories, which is why it’s even more crucial to limit gun accessibility.

Ninety three percent of school shooters pre-meditated the attack, according to the U.S. Department of Education and Secret Service.

Education about school shootings is crucial for recognizing early

signs/threats among students and perpetrators.

Vanderbilt University psychiatrist Jonathan Metzl studied young-adult-male patterns in school shooters.

He says, “There’s a lot of research about how their brains are not fully developed in terms of regulation.”

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for understanding the consequences of actions, does not fully develop for young males until around the age of 25, according to The Washington Post.

In approximately 74% of gun incidents, the firearm was taken from home or a relative, according to Everytown For Gun Safety.

“I think it’s a huge responsibility to own something that can kill another human. There should be a few more regulations and safety checks to make sure that they [guns] are going to responsible people,” says Grace.

There are ways to prepare schools for school shootings, with procedures and plans of emergency but, to control the issue at hand, stopping the spread of weapons is a direct solution.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, about 4.6 million American children live in a household with at least one loaded gun kept on the property.

The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, but our society and the need for guns has evolved since1791.

Back then, firearms referred to weapons like muskets and flintlock pistols for war protection.

In contrast, modern guns are much more lethal: an AR-15 was the murder weapon in the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.

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The AR-15 was “made for the military, to allow members of the armed forces to better dispatch multiple enemies in short order,” according to NBC. Yet AR-15s are legal to buy in most states.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders, or Red Flag laws, allow law enforcement to remove legal guns from potential shooters or dangerous gun handlers for a short period.

A judge can issue this order without criminal records or cases of mental illness. Implementing more laws such as this helps limit the danger of armed individuals.

The U.S. government should protect dangerous weapons and create trials and longer waiting periods to be approved to own a gun legally.

According to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur during 1994-2004 when the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was in order.

In early June, President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons but suggested that the legal age to purchase a gun should be raised to age 21 instead of 18.

Steps like these are a starting point.

Offering “hopes and prayers” to the victims is not enough; we need action.

In the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, many politicians posted support for the victims’ families.

They received backlash for their sympathy without action because empathy does not save lives.

“School shootings are a national tragedy and need to be taken very seriously,” Grace said.

In 2020, 4,368 kids under the age of 19 were killed by guns, while 4,000 children killed in motor vehicle crashes.

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37

One Size Fits [Sm]all Brandy Melville—the brand that is the icon of teenage clothing culture—is facing backlash for the ethics they are promoting through their clothing.

WORDS by DIONNE PETERSON and SOFIA RAMIREZ GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON

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n every tag of Brandy Melville clothing, customers are met with the pointed words: one size fits all. In an era where the clothing industry is trying to create more inclusivity, brands like Brandy Melville who are refusing to join this movement are facing huge backlash and controversy.

The roots of their ethical misconduct date back to the 80s when Brandy Melville opened their first store in Italy and eventually their first American store in 2009.

The brand quickly grew in popularity thanks to its ability to keep up with trends. Brandy Melville’s aesthetic was and still is popular because it enforces an image of the skinny Caucasian girl that teenage girls try to emulate.

Brandy Melville uses this well-recognized image as an advertising strategy.

To become an employee, there are three carefully curated requirements: being white, thin, and blonde.

Since the brand originates from Europe, they enforce eurocentric beauty standards, which target an exclusive customer that is intangible for others to obtain.

Not only are their employees following these eurocentric standards, but are also their ambassadors.

These girls are called “Brandy Girls,” showcasing young and skinny girls, all noted to have strikingly thin frames and long legs.

Their workers are often hired to model for the brand resulting in only a particular body type being promoted.

The girls Brandy Melville employs have to fit into the clothing. This only puts a further emphasis on their infamous one-size-fits-all policy.

“Brandy Melville preaches a message ‘one size fits all’ and inclusivity, but it’s

38 • OPINION

specifically targeted to small girls,”senior Molly Morouse said.

This sizing method tells the brand’s consumers that they should be able to fit into their clothes, and if they cannot, they are considered abnormal.

habits, such as eating disorders.

Multiple women have come out with similar stories; centered around the topic that Brandy Melville has made them lack confidence in themselves.

And what size are they expecting all girls to fit into?

Extra small to small.

The company brands their clothes as “one size fits all” resulting in the notion that being a size large is not okay for a teenage girl.

This results in pressure on adolescent girls to make certain changes to themselves in order to fit into the clothing, which often results in unhealthy

YouTuber Latao Chen shared her experience in a video titled, “I lost weight to fit into Brandy Melville.”

She shared how she contemplated thefourthestate.net

not eating after not fitting into a pair of Brandy Melville jeans.

Her sentiment has been echoed by hundreds of teenage girls that don’t fit into the small fraction of women the brand caters to. This is certainly not the only discriminatory issue Brandy Melville is known for.

Brandy Melville caters to what society has deemed as the “ideal” teenage girl. Skinny, straight, and also white. If a customer walks into their store, scrolls down their Instagram, or takes a look at their website, there is a repeating theme: there are rarely any people of

with. This results in the brand only hiring workers who are of a certain race leading to a significant lack of diversity.

The brand has faced scrutiny after multiple workers accused them of being racist in its hiring practices.

Yet despite Brandy Melville’s issues being well known amongst the teenage population, there have not been many attempts to change what the brand has set as their norm.

The few boycotts that have taken place against the brand were unsuccessful and not popular.

A similar change has been called for in discriminatory brands such as Victoria’s Secret, which was previously

color representing the brand.

This is because the “ideal girl” is considered to have eurocentric qualities that most girls of color aren’t born

known for only promoting a specific body shape as the epitome of the feminine physique.

The backlash Victoria’s Secret

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received from its consumers eventually caught up with them. Boycotts were held and petitions were signed by their models, calling out the brand for its misogynistic and limited views, which caused the brand to renovate its image into a more inclusive one.

They started hiring plus-sized models–something they had sworn off doing in the past–and vowing to promote empowering women.

The change that transformed Victoria’s Secret from an exclusive platform to the brand they have become was revolutionary—it showed people that a company that has built its brand of promoting the “ideal” body shape can change if the right pressures are applied.

One of the biggest reasons that this has not been the case for Brandy Melville is because their consumers are too hooked on the brand to stray from it.

Brandy Melville provides girls with cute on-trend clothing at affordable prices. But, of course, this does not come without its repercussions.

These clothing items are usually thrown out as trends pass to make room for the next trendy article of clothing.

This is defined as fast fashion, which refers to inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by large companies to keep up with trends. This, of course, leads to a more significant number of clothing waste.

The image Brandy Melville presents is harmful as it creates false misconceptions about what the epitome of a “perfect woman” is.

Because the company promotes a specific body type, it has an overwhelming damaging effect on the self-image of young girls, causing them to criticize themselves instead of the company’s false “one size fits all” policy.

For a brand that stays ahead of its competitors, they are missing the fact that there is not one ideal body type.

Consumers have the power to change this by demanding more inclusion and representation.

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39

Saudi Arabia’s 170km City Saudi Arabia’s vision for a line-shaped city blurs the line between dystopia and utopia.

I

WORDS by CIERRA NERVO ART by ALEXIA ACOSTA

magine living in a massive, reflective skyscraper. in a long—170-kilometers—city riddled with technological advancements unseen in American society. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, proposed just that in a promo video as part of the Neom development project. A formidable mega-city to hold 9 million residents, titled “The Line,” is a part of the government's ambitious plan to attract tourists to their country with high walls, hanging gardens, and an overall futuristic aesthetic.

Stretching from the Red Sea across a barren desert, the architectural layout of The Line is supposed to be made of gigantic mirrored walls. This eerie contrast to the open land surrounding the area, hardly touched by civilization, symbolizes human evolution in the natural world. This project is designed for the country’s 2030 vision, outlining Saudi Arabia’s plan to restyle the geography, diversify the economy, and signify a revolution in modern living.

Though the released architectural details are limited, those who designed The Line claim that it will run entirely on clean, renewable energy. No roads, no cars, no carbon emissions. High-speed rails that will make it accessible to travel from one end of the city to the other within 20 minutes. Hospitals, markets and businesses all within a 5 minute walking distances.

Artificial intelligence said to be incorporated in every aspect of communities, including robot maids, flying drone-powered taxis, and a giant artificial moon, while also maintaining greenery and gardens. The designs for the city's vertically layered communities model Mohammed bin Salman’s idea of enhancing human livability: “The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live.”

Bin Salman’s vision encapsulates the idea of perfect, easy living. So why wouldn’t someone want to live there? Because this Utopian dream designed by the Saudi government is, in reality, a dystopia. This idea can be seen in books like “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” and “The Maze Runner,” in

which creating a perfect Utopian world can be more harmful than it seems. Junior Grace Trautwein, an avid reader, relates President Snow in The Hunger Games to bin Salman: “dystopian leaders think that they are doing the right thing by creating their ideal world, which is always unsafe for the citizens.

Achieving a Utopian society is impossible, in books and in real life.”

Through literature, today's society has been introduced to the flaws of humanity and the negative consequences of dystopian worlds. Dystopian societies are attempted Utopian societies that have failed due to societal flaws.

Such flaws, in books and in real life, are what distinguish Utopian and dystopian cities, typically having relations with poor human rights and human-created environmental damages.

The Line shows potential to execute both of these flaws once the city is constructed.

The Line’s isolation from the rest of the world reminds Director of Teaching and Learning Anna Alldredge of a dystopian novel.

“When reading up on the Line project, I am reminded of ‘City of Ember’ by Jeanne DuPrau.

Similarly, the citizens lived completed inside and did not have exposure to the natural elements of the outside world.”

This isolation not only lacks human connection to the natural world, but it also makes the city’s inhabitants more prone to being controlled by technology. While residents and visitors bask in this futuristic paradise, they will be subject to heavy surveillance, such as a data-gathering network connected to facial-recognition drones.

Heavy surveillance and little privacy can significantly harm the livelihood of marginalized Saudi Arabian groups, such as women or the LGBTQIA+ community. Discriminatory laws and practices heavily enforce Saudi-Arabian women.

The LGBTQ+ community also suffers from no protection rights, making it illegal to marry the same sex.

“The Line will become a wasteland. Foreigners won’t want to live there, and minorities won’t put trust into their government,” sophomore Eleanor Crafton said. “At the end of most

“When reading up on The Line Project, I am reminded of ‘City of Ember’ by Jeanne DuPrau. Similarly, the citizens lived completed inside and did not have exposure to the natural elements of the outside world.”

Anna Alldredge

40 • OPINION

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dystopian novels, these governments get overthrown, such as in Divergent. The city can't thrive when pushing laws that the citizens are against.”

If Saudi Arabia is already plagued by having no human rights, what makes The Line any better?

There also lies the problem of forced eviction. The Line is supposed to be built over land that is already home to the Huwaitat tribe.

The crown prince, having already started the process of deporting the natives from their land, shows how little he cares his own people, much like a dystopian leader.

Twenty thousand people now face eviction, without a place to go or any compensation. The Line is simply an attraction to bring tourists to Saudi Arabia, which will result in who have lived there for generations.

And while the crown prince claims that this city will be extremely environmentally friendly, this statement has been found very doubtful considering that the country is one of the largest oil-producing countries.

Creating a city that produces zero carbon emissions sounds l i k e s o m e joke to environmentalists and

to anyone who has read about technologically advanced cities, which tend to lack greenery and clean air.

The designers of this city have thrown aside the issue of native land, environmental effects, and the danger towards minorities.

The flashy features do little to cover up the environmental and moral issues regarding this city.

However, this isn’t the first dystopian recreation we’ve seen.

Other billion-dollar super projects, that were supposed to change the way of urban living, had been abandoned or failed.

Dubai’s Nakheel Harbour and Tower and North Korea’s Ryugyong Hotel were both never completed due to economic slumps, and China’s Mongolian city of Kangbashi only homed 10% of what they had hoped for.

The Line proves to be nothing but another dystopian novel waiting to happen.

A vanity project, to bring tourism and money to bin Salman's country, is doomed to suffer the same fate as the mega-cities before it. This has all been seen before.

"I read dystopian novels all throughout middle school,” junior Lucas Acosta said.

“Those authors have taught me, and the rest of the generation who have grown up on those novels, how to differentiate a dystopian from a utopia."

Governors Exploit Migrants A political statement? Exploitation? A free ride? Busing migrants to the East Coast raises concerns.

WORDS and ART by ALEXANDRA SIEGEL

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hey are shuttled like cattle to unfamiliar places. They are packed onto buses with no food or water. They are promised new opportunities. They are stripped of their humanity. More than 10,000 migrants have been bussed to the East Coast since last spring and promised a new life with opportunities for success. This is a humanitarian crisis.

In Texas, Florida, and Arizona, GOP governors send immigrants to Democrat-led cities as a political stunt.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) say they have been shipping immigrants north to dramatize how broken America’s immigration system is.

However, the exploitation of these vulnerable people by those three governors only makes matters worse.

First, we need to understand the history of U.S. policy on migrants and immigration. Since 1783, 86 million people have legally immigrated to the United States. Since the country won independence from Britain, the U.S. has been regulating and restricting immigration, especially for minorities.

Through the Chinese Exclusion Act, which provided an absolute 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the United States, or The Immigration Act of 1924, which limited the number of immigrants allowed in the country, the U.S. has a dark history of xenophobia.

In recent years, the election promise by former President Trump to “build a wall” to “crackdown on illegal immigrants” at the southern border has exacerbated the immigration issue.

42 • OPINION

Conservatives have been extremely strict on immigration laws, especially in states that face large amounts of undocumented immigrants.

However, the governors of these three states are pulling a stunt that exploits and misleads migrants, all in order to prove a point to Democrats.

Treating human beings like political pawns is unconscionable, but the political stunts played by Arizona, Florida, and Texas governors are more disappointing than surprising.

They send thousands of migrants to Democratic strongholds, including New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, and even Martha’s Vineyard.

“I can only imagine the bewilderment and disappointment of the people impacted.”

-Kevin Guay Ducey’s, DeSantis’, and Abbott’s aims are to humiliate the Biden administration and generate headlines on the surge in illegal border crossings, which the GOP is using as a political cudgel in the midterm elections.

Rightfully, Democrats are outraged by these efforts from Republicans.

Kamala Harris told Vice News, “They are playing games. These are political stunts with real human beings.”

In Texas alone, about 8,000 migrants have been bussed to Washington since April, including people sent to Harris’s front yard, according to a statement from Governor Abbott’s office.

They have also bussed about 2,200

to New York and 300 to Chicago.

“It is difficult for me to grasp the repercussions of this removal fully. I can only imagine the overall bewilderment and disappointment of the people impacted,” said history instructor Kevin Guay.

Claiming the Biden administration’s “open border” policy is a threat to internal security because of drugs and criminality, DeSantis and Abbott title this operation “Operation Lone Star” to fill in the so-called dangerous gaps to secure the border.

Besides migrants being used as political pawns, their travel conditions are inhumane.

Some migrants — from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and elsewhere — have suffered trauma in their trek north. Either on planes or buses to D.C. and New York, they are deprived of adequate living conditions to survive a journey this far.

DeSantis and others shuttle an overbearing number of people onto each transport, making the trip uncomfortable and the water/ food supply scarce.

Many have immediate needs for food, shelter, and medical attention on arrival.

To be specific, a private charter of 48 migrants from Florida was shipped up to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, a popular vacation destination on Cape Cod. While not expecting their arrival, the townspeople of Martha’s Vineyard scrambled to accommodate and support the families that arrived on the island on Sept. 14.

Despite their hospitality, it is not their job to cater to DeSantis’s political agenda. DeSantis and the other governors need to think about their actions from a humanitarian perspecthefourthestate.net

tive—not through an act of political gamesmanship.

“Governor Abbot’s and DeSantis’ recent actions appear to be political posturing. Campaign promises, pandering, donor appeal, and an upcoming election undoubtedly influence their decision-making,” said Guay.

However inhumane these tactics might be, there is also a legality aspect. Attorneys in Cape Cod are researching how 48 migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard can secure a visa, and they are finding that they might be entitled to a type of visa reserved for victims of a crime.

Migrants said they were promised jobs and accessible housing for three months. They were given McDonald’s gift certificates and hotel lodging in Texas before the flights left, but then planes did not take them where they were initially told—places like New York, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Missouri.

This raises legal questions among attorneys– some calling the situation “human trafficking” and “kidnapping.” Misleading asylum seekers to get on buses could be considered fraud, but it is still hard to definitively declare such action illegal.

These unprecedented actions are all in a gray area, and the legality of Abbot’s and DeSantis’ actions is unclear as of now.

Guay says it is “difficult to say whether it is illegal or not. I am uncertain whether using tax revenue for this purpose is against the law. Certainly, treating people as objects and misleading them with false promises is, at the very least, tactless and unethical.”

As the winter months are rapidly approaching and temperatures in the East are decreasing, the transportation of thousands of migrants could become increasingly dangerous.

The tide of migrants continues to flow in, and many do not see an end to this political game in the near future, but we can fight for a more humane approach to our immigration system.

“We could modernize our ports of entry to treat asylum seekers more humanely and efficiently. However, this would require a major overhaul of the existing infrastructure and divert a significant sum to new technology and professional development.

Another suggestion is to focus on the root causes, including famine, violence, and political instability experienced in certain parts of Central and South America.

There is no panacea to our national immigration system,” said Guay.

The question of legality and morality reduces the argument to bothside-ism. It reduces unconscionable acts of manipulation, greed, and political opportunism to a simple debate, where journalists have to platform abhorrent, bigoted beliefs as valid and reasonable. That’s a false dichotomy.

Using human beings—asylum seekers fleeing violence and oppression, of ten from

“socialist”countries—as political pawns is not noble or valid.

Instead of upholding the status quo, inhumane immigration system that criminalizes desperation from refugees, we must radically challenge the power structure that allows this to continue.

welcome to victory

The portrayal of women and the psychological factors in Olivia Wilde’s new thriller, “Don’t Worry Darling” draws attention how society may evolve.

W

WORDS by CIERRA NERVO and ELLI WESTMACOTT

elcome to the future. Welcome to utopia. Welcome to sweet sun-soaked success.

Welcome to the flawless reality of the Victory Project, an epiphany of the ideal society, which is the setting of “Don’t Worry Darling” director Olivia Wilde’s newest release. Wilde’s experimental society consists of colorful costumes, vintage cars and retro music.

Hardworking days bleed into nights filled with laughter and decadent drunken meals. The meaning of Utopian life is simple pleasures.

At first, the audience soaks up the happiness the characters emanate.

“It’s like I was the one drinking all of the bubbly drinks and wearing frilly clothes,” said junior Amelie Dalporto about her “strange contentedness” while watching the film.

Aside from the happy, blissful setting, there are many unaccompanied answers in the film.

This psychological thriller envelopes the issues of societal expectations of women and men and the fearful future

of technology taking over actual reality.

While the focus on social media is on the actors’ popularity, the movie’s cautionary tale is vastly overlooked.

The title is the first hint of the film about male dominance. The word “darling” is typically used as a label of femininity, implying that someone is telling a woman not to worry.

From the moment the film opens, men drive off to work while women cook and clean all day.

This “man’s world” portrays life in 1950s films, creating an ideal world that perfectly fits a husbands’ expectations.

The differences between women and men and the 50s-inspired attire cause the audience to assume that this patriarchal world is their normality.

The leading female, portrayed by Florence Pugh, begins to question her everyday experiences, triggering a nervous sensation in the audience. Pugh guides the audience’s emotions throughout the movie with thrill and unease.

“I went back to watch it a second time in theaters,” said junior Sasha Drucker,

“so I could process all of the psychological details I didn’t process the first time.”

The surprising twist at the end of the movie leaves Pugh’s character struggling to grasp what is real and what isn’t and leaves the leading husband, Jack, trying to gain the last bit of control he has over his wife.

The ending brings up a lot of ideas about today’s society, such as the theme of male dominance throughout history and how sexism could devolve once more.

The depiction of men trying to hold power over their wives while ignoring their vivid awareness of the hollowness of their Victory is the chilling revelation of the movie. The eerie tale invites questions about how relevant this movie’s central ideas are to society. The men use mind-bending technology to place a hold on their wives.

My Friends

Discovery

PAGE by ABBY KIM

kendallkeshen

amelia.n.5678

At swim practice during weight lifting the coach took the picture.

Blake Dorfman cameo

eleanor_20

Play Production class

46 • LIFESTYLE

jesus.arriaga0_0

Quick French class flick

aflerk

AP Stats with Paul Chiment

jennajjohnson

Monday assembly in Ruston thefourthestate.net

á la mode WORDS and PHOTOS by MILLA HIRSCH

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2

This shade of deep, electric blue is a vibrant color making an appearance post-summer. It is timeless, a reflection of the sea and the rooftops of Greece.

Vogue says, “This hue has been slowly taking over the runways the past couple of seasons, and it’s finally made its way to the street.”

Barbiecore Pink:

We may call it magenta, bubblegum, or “Barbiecore” pink, regardless of its name, this color is flying into fall trends. Valentino claimed hot pink this season, as seen on Florence Pugh, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway just to name a few. Sophomore Chloe Gidney says, “Pink is my favorite color because it’s bright and fun!”

Pacific Ocean Blue:

3

Neutrals:

Neutrals are never out of style. During fall, our trustworthy colors lean on the beige-to-brown scale. Picture a perfect iced latte, and imagine the spectrum of colors floating in the cup. Beautiful macchiato shades, dark espresso colors, medium chai tones.

These variations of beige can never go wrong in an outfit.

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LIFESTYLE •

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Bon Appetít Fall Recipe: Pumpkin Crème Brûlée WORDS and PHOTOS by MAGDALENA AMEZAGA and ABBY KIM

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ome make an easy and simple fall recipe. This pumpkin crème brûlée is perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner, and if you want a full step-by-step tutorial, scan the QR code for our video.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees 2. Place 6 shallow ramekins on a baking sheet 3. Whisk together the egg yolks, pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger; set aside 4. Heat the heavy cream and vanilla bean together in a medium saucepan until it comes to a simmer 5. Remove from the heat and slowly add the heavy cream to the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously so that the eggs don’t scramble 6. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve before pouring into the ramekins 7. Divide the custard into the ramekins, filling them to the top 8. Carefully fill the sheet pan with water and transfer the pan to the oven 9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are set (the center will move slightly) 10. Remove the creme brûlée from the oven and allow them to cool for 30-45 minutes 11. Place them in the refrigerator to chill for 1-2 hours to allow the custard to thicken 12. Once ready to serve, coat the top of the custard with granulated sugar and caramelize using a kitchen torch

48 • LIFESTYLE

Ingredients:

6 Egg Yolks ½ Cup Pumpkin Puree ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon ¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger 2 Cups Heavy Cream 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste Granulated Sugar Topping

thefourthestate.net

Homecoming Day Games Two teams battled it out on Homecoming Day, one inside the gym and one on the field.

WORDS by DAVIS OHANIAN PHOTOS by JACKSON BALTES and BRAD ELLIOTT

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omecoming. It’s one of the most significant events of the year, and this year is supercharged by the return of football and teams heading into CIF. Two teams battled it out on Homecoming Day. The Lady Owls played in a 2nd round playoff match against West Valley High School in their final CIF game in the gym, while the boys took on Santa Clara on the field.

Wide receiver Ethan Carrington ’26 had this to say about his preparation for the game. “I’m training every day, weightlifting, and watching films. I’m not really doing much different to prepare, and I am looking forward to playing my best.”

For sophomore Sam Narva this game was special to him because he returned from a major injury. “You know, it means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to being back with my teammates and getting back to scoring touchdowns,” Sam said.

The Owls showed exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with. They walked away with a 29-21 victory, illustrating that football is indeed back.

Multiple Owls contributed, with Carson Stewart, Gabriel Lea, and Spencer Hlavaty adding to the scoreboard. On the defensive side of the ball, Dylan Comis flashed some of the skills he learned in practice, recording two sacks which hugely impacted the game.

In addition to Dylan’s incredible defensive performance, Carson contributed on both sides of the ball, setting up the Owls’ offense by forcing a fumble during a critical moment in the game. Sam recorded an interception in his first game since early September and made a considerable impact, demonstrating that his recovery from his broken foot indeed paid off.

Michael Wang, Ethan Carrington, and Ethan Somer prepare for the ball to be snapped.

Senior Kent Dunn runs for a first down.

50 • SPORTS

Cole Sharpton sets up for a kick.

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Sophomore Danica Rux goes up for a hit against Dunn during the Senior Night game.

The Lady Owls entered the game with an impressive 12-3 record, coming off of a dominant win against Wildwood School. Junior Sarah Woodhouse led Owls with 20 kills, and freshman Ginger Finney dished out 32 assists.

While the Owls fought incredibly hard, they lost a tough match to the highly skilled West Valley High School.

The Lady Owls had an incredibly successful season, going undefeated in league play and hanging up another banner in Merovick Gymnasium.

Junior Sarah Woodhouse goes up for a set against Dunn thefourthestate.net

Senior Fiona Hernandez gets ready to serve the ball.

SPORTS •51

2022 World Cup After the catastrophic disqualification four years ago for the 2018 Russia World Cup, the United States men’s team returns to the field.

WORDS and ART by LUCY WANG

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here is so much more to the World Cup than victory, glory, and intensity. There is an indescribable spirit to this month-long tournament; it has the power to bring out the passion of people from all around the world and connect their hearts together as they celebrate, grieve, and bond over this shared experience. “[The World Cup] is this vehicle for unification across the world; there is a whole being around it,” said social science instructor and soccer coach Kevin Shertzer. “It’s an identity and a life for people. It’s not just a sports tournament.”

The 2022 World Cup will be hosted in Qatar, and it will be the first World Cup held in November, instead of in June, due to the extreme summer heat in Qatar.

Much attention has already been drawn to the host country ever since they won the right to hold the World Cup back in 2010.

Organizations and fans worldwide have criticized the country’s treatment of the 30,000 foreign workers in building the infrastructures and other multibillion-dollar projects for the tournament.

The workers live in squalid accommodations, work with little wages, and have no access to government aid. Many fans have been disappointed with Qatar’s effort to acknowledge their actions.

This November, fans will watch a total of 32 countries compete for the World Cup title. After the group competition, the remaining teams will enter the knock-out stages; the games will get progressively more competitive as the best teams fight for the championship, awarded on Dec. 18.

It is a milestone moment as the United States returns to the cup with an enthusiastic team, after unexpectedly disqualifying for the 2018 Russia World Cup. “It’s a big step for the country. Soccer has been growing and becoming more popular,” junior Joshua Hansen said.

Since the World Cup only happens every four years, it places enormous pressure on the players to perform at their best, and it holds such significance for the players to repre-

sent and play for their country.

Sometimes just having a place in the World Cup can unite or change a nation, let alone winning.

Soccer has the ability to bring resonance in the world community and its power for unification within a country is immeasurable. The emergence of a star player can mean the rebirth of a nation’s self-confidence.

Many Americans are excited to see the performance of Christian Pulisic, who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for the United States national team and Premier League club, Chelsea.

Pulisic is often perceived as one of the best players of his generation worldwide, and his work ethic makes him stand out from other players.

We live in an era where star players train day and night, starting in youth teams, trying to achieve or reach an unattainable height.

“And sometimes that could turn into this soul-sucking experience of trying to be the best you could be; Pulisic didn’t do that; he played Tuesdays and Thursdays because he loved playing,” Shertzer said. “He did it because he loved it, and you can’t exchange that for anything.”

It is not to say that Pulisic did not put in hard work and effort, but that his love, pure enjoyment, and soccer talent are rare in today’s sports culture, and America is indeed lucky to have such a player on the team.

The dynasties are changing as a significant amount legendary veteran players retire, and a generation of energetic and talented young players begin to make a name for themselves.

Still, the sportsmanship and spirit that the World Cup represents will persist.

The World Cup trophy will attract the hearts of four billion people worldwide. It will bring grand celebrations or endless disappointments in different countries and unite nations and bring people together.

“For the soccer players, that’s what you dream about,” Shertzer said. “It’s the pinnacle of what you play for. And there are other things that are important, like the Champions League and the Gold Cup, those are important too, but nothing surpasses the World Cup.”

Athlete of the Issue

Kendall Keshen ‘24 captured the 200 Individual Medley in a record time of 2:14.48 WORDS by ANNIKA FIRLIK and CHRISTIANA CINO PHOTO by JACKSON BALTES Q. When did you start swimming?

“I started swimming when I was 2 years old because my parents were worried I was going to fall into the pool. I was a gymnast from the age of 4-11 until I began to grow taller and was told I was getting too tall for the sport. So, my mom decided to put me on the swim team and I fell in love. I began swimming competitively at the age of 12 and haven’t stopped since. I began getting faster and working my way up the groups until I reached the senior group.”

Q. What does your schedule look like every week?

“My average swim schedule is pretty complex. Monday and Wednesday I swim from 2:30-4:30 p.m.. On Tuesday and Thursday, I swim from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and have dryland from 4:45-5:45 p.m.. On Thursday mornings, I swim from 5:30-7 a.m.. On Saturday, I swim from 6-8 a.m. and then have dryland from 8:15-9:15. The earliest I have to wake up is 4:45 a.m.

The latest I will get home is 6 p.m.”

Q. What’s your best time or favorite type of race?

“My best stroke is breaststroke and Individual Medley (IM).

I am better at the 200 IM than the 400 IM. My time in the 200 IM is 2.12.96. I’m good at both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.

My time in the 100 yard breaststroke is 1.09.24 and my time in the 200 yard breaststroke is 2.29.81.”

Q. How is the dynamic of being a swim team different from other sports like soccer or volleyball?

“Being on a swim team is quite different than being on a soccer team. When you swim, it’s an individual sport, but having team support and a good team culture can make all the difference. Many think that you are just racing against a clock, which is true, yet you are constantly being pushed by your teammates and your coaches to perform at your best level.”

thefourthestate.net

Q. What does an average swim meet look like?

“An average swim meet will start with a group warm up about 15 min before the meets starts. The arrival time for warm ups varies but usually it ranges from 6-7a.m. Meets usually start at 8:30 or 9 a.m.. In each meet, there will be races for each stroke and the varying lengths. The meets usually last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.”

Q. How do you build strength?

“Our team works with Titan Sports Performance, where we have dryland (or weight training) three times a week. We have a special program built for us swimmers to prioritize the things we are weaker at and the things we have to focus on with mobility. We tend to have a lot of shoulder mobility work since our shoulders are rotating and working much more than other sports, so we need to prioritize them so they don’t get injured like mine did.”

Q. What does your high school season look like?

“Our swim season begins in March and goes through May. Throughout the whole year, I am swimming and competing for my club team. For the high school season, I swim at the San Marcos meets and go to the Cate meets to get CIF qualifying times.”

Q. Where does your motivation come from?

“I think that my motivation comes from my passion for swimming and I love the way I feel as I fly through the water.

The motivation also stems from the people around me, like my teammates, coaches, and friends.”

Q. What are you most proud of?

“Despite all the obstacles that may stand in your way, there is always another path. I started at Laguna in kindergarten when we had no swim team. Now here I am, many years later, with a CIF banner hanging in the gym and a four-person swim team. My dreams became possible because I worked hard and never let a challenge stand in my way.”

SPORTS •

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Fall Sports Statistics PAGE by ELI MEISEL and ALEXANDRA SIEGEL

66%

1 Hole-in-One (Emma Schubert)

football win rate

27

100%

3 cif qualified individuals on Girls Tennis girls golf win rate

Touchdowns

60%

boys beach volleyball win rate

18:21 minute 5k (Josh Hansen)

1,636

81%

total Miles Traveled

girls volleyball Win Rate

25%

Girls Tennis Win Rate

4 Teams Qualified for cif

64% Total Win Rate

Updated: Oct. 29

“from your past emerges the present, and from the present is born your future.”

Muhammad Iqbal