The Fourth Estate April Issue: In the Line of Fire

the

FOURTH

estate

IN THE LINE OF FIRE LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

4125 PALOMA DRIVE SANTA BARBARA, CA

APRIL 2025

NEWS Meme Coin Wildfire Preparedness World Health Organization Deportation

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FEATURE Winter Play: Clue TEDx Valentine’s Day Superlatives Benefits of Yoga

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OPINION Food Crisis Trump’s Executive Orders Effects of Tariffs TikTok Ban Stance of the Staff Democracy Under Fire An Easy “A” Religion in Politics

COVER Junior Aaron Kamps

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TABLE OF CONTENTS A&E

Santa Barbara Film Festival Masculinity in Film AI Art Teens and Caffeine The Cute Gamble Connections Trader Joe’s Spring Favorites Spring Essentials Clay Interview Appeal of Crime Stories

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SPORTS Athlete of the Issue: Kevin Lu Super Bowl Spring Sports Recap Off-Campus Sports

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PHOTO by ETIENNE LAURENT, ASSOCIATED PRESS

OUR TEAM FACULTY ADVISER Trish McHale EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Ada Green Dionne Peterson Sofia Ramirez MANAGING EDITOR Niccolo D’Agruma OPINION EDITOR Milla Hirsch NEWS EDITOR Davis Ohanian A&E EDITORS Ada Green Sofia Ramirez

FEATURE EDITOR Niccolo D’Agruma

BUSINESS MANAGER Jules Leclercq

SPORTS EDITORS Jules Leclercq Mason Siegel

PHOTO EDITOR Daphne Shiebler

ART DIRECTOR Dionne Peterson WEBSITE EDITORS Liam Knezevic Teddy Wilson SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Milla Hirsch COPY EDITOR JJ Stone

MAGAZINE STAFF Jette Asher Katja Broomberg Olivia de Ponce Jack Grube Natalie Schweitzer Lulu Simpson Bennett Sullivan Lilly Trautwein Jinling Wang Ella Wickman Hali Wight

A Letter from the Editors

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s the new year comes into full swing our staff found itself, once again, in the midst of cultivating our latest issue.

The March Issue is known for having a special place in the hearts of all our senior staff as it marks the first of many lasts. This is the last issue that we get to fully see through. Several of us have been on the magazine staff since our freshman year. Soon our magazine will no longer be ours, but will be passed down to the rising editors whom we trust to carry on the magazine.

It seemed like just yesterday that our classroom was filled with new staff overflowing with feelings of wonder, excitement, and a lot of confusion.

It is safe to say that they have come a long way since that first day. We held their hands through the first issue, but now in the production of the March Issue, we get to see how far they have come.

We have witnessed them master the beast that is InDesign, grasp the ins and outs of AP style, and find their place in our team.

Saying goodbye to The Fourth Estate will hurt our hearts, but knowing that our outstanding staff will be there to fill in the gaps that we leave brings us so much joy.

Until it’s time for us to leave the classroom, we will treasure every moment spent together.

For this issue, the staff reflected back on the first couple of months of 2025 and chose to highlight an array of critical and relevant stories.

After many brainstorming sessions, we chose the theme “In the Line of Fire” in order to honor all those who have struggled in the past months due to natural disasters and newly implemented laws. We present you with our March Issue, full of stories from tariffs and immigration to the effects of grades and coverage of our local film festival.

Best,

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 third issue and the 30th volume of “The Fourth Estate.” 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 423.

The Fourth Estate is an 8.5 by 11 general magazine, created on MAC computers using Adobe InDesign CC2024, 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 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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Meme Coin Madness

PNUT coin, DogWifHat coin, Goat coin, these absurd names are cryptocurrencies circulating on the blockchain, some of them with trading volumes in the billions. Is this the dawn of a new financial age, or a prelude to a financial crisis?

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n the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies, meme coins have emerged as a new obsession, blending internet culture with speculative investment.

Solana, known for its high-speed transactions and low fees, has become a hub for these cryptocurrencies.

However, beneath the surface of rapid gains lies a market racked by instability and the ever-present threat of “rug pulls.”

Solana’s blockchain infrastructure has attracted developers and investors alike, leading to a surge in meme coin creations.

Platforms like Pump.fun have simplified the process, enabling users to launch tokens with minimal technical expertise and zero cost.

Since its inception in Jan. 2024, Pump.fun has facilitated the creation of over 2.4 million unique tokens, with more being made every second.

The top coin on Pump.fun, Fartcoin, has a market capitalization of nearly 500 million.

Despite this, a staggering 98.5% fail to list on decentralized exchanges.

A significant concern in the memecoin space is the prevalence of “rug pulls.”

In these schemes, developers promote a token to inflate its value and

WORDS & ART by BENNETT SULLIVAN then abruptly withdraw all liquidity, leaving investors with worthless assets.

In April 2024, crypto-detective ZachXBT reported that 12 Solana-based meme coins raised over $26 million in pre-sales, only for the projects to be abandoned shortly after.

One viral incident involved a teenager who created the “Gen Z Quant” token.

He live-streamed his actions as he sold off his holdings, earning approximately $30,000 before “rug pulling.”

This act drew significant attention and criticism, highlighting the ethical and financial risks inherent in the memecoin market.

of meme coins make them particularly susceptible to market manipulation.

The ease of creating and promoting these tokens means that fraudulent schemes are very common, leading to significant financial losses for unsuspecting investors.

Despite the risks, meme coins remain an enticing prospect for many. They are fueled by the promise of exponential gains, viral marketing, and a culture that thrives on unpredictability.

Some investors argue that the chaos is part of the fun—a high-stakes gamble where fortunes are made overnight and lost just as quickly.

Others see it as a ticking time bomb, an unsustainable bubble that could leave countless investors empty-handed when the next downturn hits.

As more meme coins flood the Solana ecosystem, regulators have begun to take notice. Some experts argue that the rampant volatility and frequent scams are signs of an unregulated market spiraling out of control.

There have been calls for stronger oversight to prevent fraud and protect retail investors, but crypto purists argue that decentralization is the core The meme coin market is character- philosophy of blockchain and regulaized by extreme volatility. Prices can tion would stifle innovation. skyrocket based on social media hype The balance between protecting inand plummet just as quickly. vestors and preserving the freewheeling For example, the $TRUMP token nature of crypto remains an open question. launched on the Solana blockchain after As Solana meme coins conTrump’s victory in the presidential race, tinue to dominate headexperienced a rapid increase in value, lines, the broader reaching a market cap of nearly $15 bil- question remains: lion before crashing and causing losses Is this a fronof around two billion for investors. tier of digital It’s important to mention that Trump finance, or himself profited millions of dollars from just another this pump and dump. speculative People are often enticed by the possi- mania waiting bility of quick profits, but the lack of in- to collapse? trinsic value, and the speculative nature

Wildfire Prevention Amidst the LA Fires, which decimated neighborhoods and resulted in billions of dollars in property damage, concern has spread to nearby cities. Is our city prepared?

WORDS by JACK GRUBE PHOTOS by CHRISTINA ATCHISON

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he only safe wildfire is the wildfire that never happens. Efforts to reduce or prevent fires include programs like Tag and Trim, weeding and chipping programs, and fire detection networks.

Last year, the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council was awarded a three-year grant to provide free curbside chipping services for residents throughout the south coast of Santa Barbara County to reduce the risk of fires around their homes.

One year later, it removed nearly 700 tons of vegetation—one of many efforts to reduce fire fuel and mitigate risk.

Santa Barbara is unique when compared to other cities because it has a Home-Hardening Assistance Program, a direct incentive for taxpayers to ensure their homes are protected.

“The fire department will reimburse homeowners up to $10,000,” said Maeve Juarez, a Wildland Fire Specialist.

However, prevention extends beyond individual homes. Fire regions are monitored by an extensive fire detection camera network, which offers real-time surveillance of potential threats.

“There are camera networks throughout the state. We have view sheets of the entire district, so anytime there’s any sort of anomalous activity, the cameras will send us an email or a text,” Juarez said.

Another crucial measure for fire prevention is the year-round shaded fuel breaks—strategic areas where vegetation is thinned to slow the spread of fire and create safer zones for firefighting efforts.

“We go in there, and we reduce 50% of the vegetation and maintain that throughout the entire year,” Juarez said.

With these preventative efforts in place, Santa Barbara is exceptionally well prepared.

However, even the best precautions cannot eliminate risk, making emergency response and evacuation readiness just as critical, which is why... “[When smoke is spotted] you’re going to get five of the closest [fire] engines from the forest service...several hotshot crews, aircraft, and air tankers, Juarez said.

Most wildfires do not make it past this arsenal of fire trucks, planes, and elite units.

The moments leading up to the evacuation phase are the most important.

“The majority of fatalities that happen during wild-land fires are during evacuations,” Juarez said. “So we really prioritize our evacuation routes.”

According to Juarez, the city is in a far better position than Los Angeles in terms of fire preparedness because of the aforementioned efforts.

She reassures residents that the local fire department is both well-funded and well-organized.

Existing fire prevention programs, including shaded fuel breaks and vegetation management, are essential priorities for state and community personnel.

Prepositioning resources, which was recently done in Camarillo, along with the implementation of a new regional dispatch system, means improved emergency response times.

Each resident must take personal precautions: create a defensible space around their home, participate in home-hardening programs, and maintain an emergency evacuation plan with essential items ready to go.

Plan now so you don’t panic later.

Defensible spaces, such as the one depicted here, provide a barrier between one’s home and a fire, giving a layer of safety.

Firefighters are equipped with a variety of resources in order to combat fires, but are often placed in terrifying situations.

The prepositioning of resources, especially fire trucks, is essential when preparing for and combating devastating wildfires.

6 • NEWS

thefourthestate.net

Defunding Global Health?

Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization raises questions about global health policies and national priorities.

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onald Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) sent shockwaves throughout the global health community.

As a leading contributor to the WHO, the U.S. played a crucial role in preventing diseases, vaccination campaigns, and research activities.

The fate of the global health programs is in jeopardy without funding.

“China and other nations looking to establish global dominance and to assert geopolitical influence will likely step in to fill the void,” said AP Environmental Science Instructor Erik Faust.

That shift could mean health priorities more aligned with Chinese, Russian, or Indian interests rather than the U.S. and its allies.

Backing away from the WHO would make it more challenging to contain outbreaks prior to them hitting American shores.

“Health challenges are not very easily contained,” Faust said. “In the era of modern transportation facilities, there exists a profound requirement for health projects that are advantageous to all people.”

Without preemptive action, pandemics worldwide can have staggering financial and human costs.

Domestically, the pullback compromises the stream of essential health data.

The WHO offers a focal point of worldwide disease surveillance, where scientists can quickly share information and mobilize a unified response. thefourthestate.net

WORDS by ELLA WICKMAN ART by DIONNE PETERSON

“If global scientists no longer share their data with U.S. collaborators, then the U.S. will effectively be forced to do what the WHO does alone,” Faust said.

The research will be more expensive, and delays in receiving foreign data could harm the U.S. response to looming health crises.

The delays are a reflection of broader concern over the politicization of science. Some American officials worry that rivals will dominate the work of the WHO. “If this is an attempt to gain leverage, it might backfire and result in allies looking to other countries like China,” Faust said.

The repercussions of this decision extend far beyond the walls of research facilities and international public policy.

Aberrations in global health programs could have a domino effect.

“The world exists based on power, influence, and culture.”

- Erik Faust

Reduced vaccination rates, weakened disease monitoring, and limited research collaborations can all have long-term repercussions.

Faust warns students that global health decisions are not always black and white, and their complexities are often layered.

“Walking away from systems because you don’t like them 100% of the time lacks maturity,” he said.

“Eighty percent of something is often better than 100% of nothing.”

WHO is imperfect, but its role in global health is essential.

Faust reminds us that science is never just a little bit intertwined with politics: public policy is shaped by both our elected officials and the bureaucracy.

The U.S. cannot presume to be able to make all international institutions conform to its demands.

Instead, participation is what will maintain it at the pinnacle of successful health outcomes and steer the world’s agenda.

This move eliminates the United States’ voice in shaping the future of world health, and hurts the organization’s ability to help those across the world who are in need.

NEWS • 7

8 • NEWS

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Deportation Fears As fear runs rampant throughout the country in light of recent executive orders signed by Trump, Santa Barbara residents have come together to support their Hispanic community.

WORDS & ART by SOFIA RAMIREZ

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hroughout his campaign, Donald Trump ran on a platform of focusing on the crackdown of illegal immigration, vowing to the American people that he would implement mass deportations after elected.

This, however, is not the first time that Trump has ramped up efforts to deport undocumented workers.

In 2017, arrests made for undocumented individuals rose by approximately 30% as a result of legislation and executive orders.

A significant threat to increase deportations lingers above the country, resulting in undocumented Hispanic communities being thrown into a state of panic and fear, unsure of what the future holds for them.

Throughout all these changes, the Santa Barbara community has come together in order to aid undocumented workers, families, and individuals.

Organizations have called the community to action in order to help Hispanic residents during this fearful time.

Local organization La Casa de La Raza recognizes the financial burden that comes from being scared to step thefourthestate.net

outside of one’s home, and aided undocumented immigrants by hosting a donation drive.

A local Santa Barbara resident, Irene Reyes, who lives in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, says the fear that this administration has sparked in the community is palpable.

“Now that this new government has been put in place the streets around the Westside has felt emptier, there aren’t people eating out in restaurants because they are scared to be away from their families, because they are scared of deportation,” Reyes said.

Through social media, local organizations have come together to keep tabs on ICE sightings in order to aid undocumented residents.

During a press conference held regarding the presence of ICE in Santa Barbara, Sheriff Bill Brown spoke out about the fear and panic being felt by the Hispanic community.

“And I’ve heard from representatives of the Hispanic community that there’s a lot of rumors that ICE was seen, and vehicles were seen, and everything else…that there were raids and things

that were happening and going on, and most of it untrue,” Brown said.

Sheriff Brown stated that while his department will not enforce federal immigration law, the department will notify ICE when charged undocumented individuals are set to be released from custody.

Prinitiva Hernandez, the executive director of local organization 805UndocuFund, stated that not only did the county’s relationship with ICE spread fear among the Hispanic community, but it also bars undocumented criminals from the chance of rehabilitation at the end of their sentence due to deportation.

The Santa Barbara community stands together with the Hispanic community through protests.

In Dec. 2024, protesters, representing Santa Barbara’s Hispanic community, retaliated against the county’s relationship with ICE. In February, the protest took place at the Milpas Street roundabout where hundreds of residents gathered in solidarity for undocumented families and individuals.

Senior Milton Lopez Plascencia attended a local protest that took place on De La Guerra Street.

“It felt very empowering to get my voice out and yell out what needed to be said. It’s nice to see that people also have that support for us that aren’t necessarily people within our community,” Milton said.

In light of recent events the community has also shown its support to the Santa Barbara Latino community through drives put on by local organizations and protests throughout the city.

Despite immigration being a federal issue, there are still many ways in which people in the Santa Barbara community can aid immigrant populations.

“The community can help by showing their support. Even if they’re not a part of the [Latino] community, they can still go to the protest or even if they’re just watching they can show their support, just so we know that we’re being listened to. Just like showing their moral support for the [Latino] community can help a lot,” Milton said.

NEWS • 9

Teddy attempts to prevent Dorfman, the Unexpected Cop, from discovering the dead bodies in the house by distracting him with questions about canoeing.

The cast and crew of Clue smile at the camera for a big group photo.

As Teddy performs his final monologue, he recounts the events of the evening - going as far as to replicate Mrs. Peacock’s poisoned screams.

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onths of preparation led to the three shows of murder and mayhem: months of line memorization, blocking, madness, laughter, and community. Every theater production has much more to it than meets the eye, and “Clue” was no exception.

But before the show’s production process even kicked off, Theater Instructor and Performing Arts Department Chair Dana Caldwell spent her summer contemplating the perfect show for her incoming Play Production class and settled on “Clue.”

“I loved the excitement around it.

“Clue” is such an iconic film, game, and production. It just lives in our world and in our culture. So it was really exciting to see the excitement around it, and it was absolutely the right choice for this cast.

It’s such an ensemble-building show, and it really served that purpose as well,” Caldwell said.

Being a uniquely ensemble-based show, every cast member quickly developed strong relationships with their

10 • FEATURE

WORDS by KATJA BROOMBERG PHOTOS by BRAD ELLIOTT fellow actors, as the fast-paced banter required trust and awareness to be delivered successfully.

“It was an exchange of maybe eight different characters at once, and that was what made it super unique and a little bit more difficult — it was definitely more difficult than other years’ shows,” junior Brandon Fuladi said.

As any theater kid knows, every show is different. “Clue” is a murder-mystery comedy full of twists and turns. There is no stop to the action, and the cast gave it their all every moment they were onstage.

There was also death at every turn.

Many died—some more than once, as junior Amelia Noble played three characters who all ended up dead, as well as sophomore Léo Michaud who played Mr. Boddy, and was killed twice to get the job done.

And even with all the death aside, confusion and chaos were must-haves in this production, too. Murders occurred at unexpected moments, and all the characters desperately tried to piece together

the clues and find the murderer before they ended up dead, too.

“The chaos of it all is fun, which is kind of true for the whole show. As it came together, it got a little more in order, but there was still general chaos in a fun way, which allowed for a lot of creativity,” junior Teddy Wilson said.

The most chaotic and creative bit—and an audience favorite in the show—was the scene that the cast and crew of “Clue” dubbed the “Scooby-Doo Chase.”

This scene was a wild combination of flashlights, doors, puzzlement, and more that followed the frightened characters racing through Boddy Mansion in an attempt to catch the killer.

The characters became stuck in loops with revolving doors that left them befuddled. In seconds, they ran up ladders backstage to continue the chain of seamless movement. They also kept wary of their partners as every person in the house remained a murder suspect.

“It was such a fun show with such a fun group of people in such a fun thefourthestate.net

The ensemble shine their flashlights out at the audience as they desperately look for the murderer during the Scooby-Doo Chase.

environment, and the show itself was just hysterical. I had a really great time throughout the show,” junior Amelia Noble said.

“Clue” was also embedded with witty jokes and ridiculous banter that brought laughter at every show. Yet, as the cast knows, this laughter was certainly not contained to the audience alone.

“There are so many stupid, funny moments that we can just sit back and laugh at it, and no one’s taking anything too completely seriously,” said junior Evie Comis. “We all care about the show being good, but there’s no animosity anywhere. We’re all friends.”

Unexpected moments and mess-ups are inevitable in every theater production, but mistakes were plentiful with one as challenging as “Clue.”

“Because it was such a technically complex show, I knew that things would go wrong, and I knew because the show was just funny and ridiculous as it was, any mistake would kind of feel like it was on purpose and just add to that ridiculousness,” Brandon said.

Every run-through of the show brought new amusing moments. Moments that the cast had never planned for—like the chandelier tugging up and down as it ultimately fell on top of clumsy Mr. Green—made the show more enjoyable for everyone.

“My most memorable moment in a show was probably dropping dead when the gunshot sound effect didn’t go off,” Amelia said. “Or Niccolo’s monocle getting stuck in his hair. Or Alex walking offstage in the middle of the scene when it wasn’t scripted because he had forgotten a prop offstage, so everyone had to thefourthestate.net

ad-lib to fill in while he was gone.”

From these silly mistakes to Alex’s ripped pants to Eleanor’s incorrect faint to Keanu’s claim that the vacuum was on fire when it was indeed just the steamer, there are so many moments from “Clue” that no one in the production will ever forget.

Through thick and thin, every member of “Clue” showed up to support each other and create a safe and loving community—both in the production process and during the shows.

“Especially in “Clue,” where the char-

“One thing about this cast was that we were still close together but could definitely joke and poke fun at each other, and we had such a strong bond that it was kind of unbreakable,” Brandon said.

Every member of the production was valued and appreciated for contributing to the incredible show. No part was too small, and no amount of effort went unnoticed.

“Everyone contributed to the show in such a meaningful way. I feel like the audience really did feel that — both with people really taking control of their main role or people stepping into several smaller roles. I feel like all of it came together and in a really good way,” Teddy said.

Looking back at the show now that it has come to a close, the cast and crew reflect on why they joined the world of theater in the first place.

Theater builds a magical community that allows freedom of creativity. Having the opportunity to be in enthralling shows like “Clue” leaves every actor never wanting the fun to end.

“It was one of the first shows where I was like ‘Wow, I could really just keep doing this.’ It was such a fun show and The cast join hands and share one last bow such a great cast. And after a successful Final Dress Rehearsal. Play Production is such a good group, and it’s so tight-knit, acters are so big, and there are so many and this play was so much fun. There big moments that they each have to have, were so many moving parts and so much building a community where people realfunny dialogue that I was just like, ‘I ly feel like they can go for it and take that could really keep going. I don’t want it to chance and really become their character be done yet,’” Evie said. is the most important part, at least on the acting side of putting together a good show,” Teddy said.

The shared understanding of the importance of community was perhaps the most unforgettable part of “Clue” because every member of the Teddy and Ada vigorously tug on the production cared for revolving door as they struggle to figure it one another as friends out in the Scooby-Doo Chase. and family.

FEATURE • 11

TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool “Limitless”

After months filled with anticipation, the TEDx team put on the seventh annual TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool event.

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PAGE by JETTE ASHER & DAPHNE SHIEBLER PHOTOS by BRAD ELLIOTT

ith speakers from around the world, including some of our own students, the event ignited meaningful conversations that promoted change in our community.

This year’s theme, “Limitless,” embodied the spirit of breaking boundaries, exploring new ideas, and introducing new perspectives, and innovations.

“We picked the theme of ‘Limitless’ because we wanted to embody the spirit of endless possibilities and push beyond perceived horizons.

Each year, we aim to select a theme that allows for a diverse range of speakers and perspectives, and “Limitless” allowed us to do so,” said Chloe Gidney, one of the TEDx team executive producers.

“It gave us the flexibility to feature speakers with groundbreaking ideas and inspiring stories that challenge the norms.

Speakers such as Oneda Castillo, Abe Powell, Ada Green and Elisabeth Robilio shared how persevering and pushing the limits shaped their lives.

Castillo, a global education instructor for women’s golf, shared her experience as being one of the first African American women to achieve professional status.

“I had found my gift and, as usual, and I worked hard to be the best. Now I am the only black female Master Teaching Professional,” Castillo said.

TED talks aim to educate listeners on the lessons the speakers learned in their lives and to motivate the audience to seek change in their community.

Abe Powell started the Bucket Brigade as a response to the Santa Barbara debris flows in 2018.

In his talk, he spoke about the importance of community organization in a time of crisis, emphasizing how small acts of compassion and resilience made

by a collective group of individuals can result in large-scale change.

“With just one percent of us working together, we can do a lot more than just move a mountain. With one percent of the human beings on this planet working together like this it would create a tidal wave of training, restoration and response. And maybe just maybe, this is the wave that could start to turn the tide on climate change,” Powell said.

Ada Green, an actress and Laguna senior, spoke about the process of moving into a new chapter of her life as she prepares to leave for college.

“Now, I’m finally in my moment before, this liminal space between legally becoming an adult and living as one.

Between getting into college and going there. It’s a nine-month moment before to learn how to think for myself,” Ada said.

Junior Elisabeth Robilio has studied ballet for 13 years. She spoke about ballet’s role in her life and performed “Prelude” from Les Sylphides.

“Dance has been so important to me from such a young age, and I am so glad I got to share this part of me with my community,” Elisabeth said.

TEDx is a collaborative and student-driven event that allows students to take the lead in organizing, curating, and creating an engaging experience for the audience to enjoy.

“While there are many steps in organizing a TED event, our five teams, Executive Producers, Business/Communications, Curation, Design, and Operations, all put in numerous hours over the period of six months to fulfill their goals,” said senior Executive Producer Jinling Wang.

“From ordering lanyards, booking speakers, organizing catering for 600 people, and turning our school gym into a professional recording studio, these are just some of the tasks we

accomplished for a successful event.”

Having students as the coordinators of this event provides them with valuable life skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

The Executive Producers this year are Chloe Gidney, Jinling Wang, Cyanne Blabey and Dania Zamudio. The different teams that contribute to the production are the Curation Team, the Design Team, the Communications Team, the Operations Team, and the Business Development Team.

Each has a specific role. The teams are overseen by faculty guides Michelle Finck, Mayumi Kodani, and Jill Sonbudtasan.

“My responsibilities included overseeing the actual event day and everything that came with that. My team’s jobs consisted of organizing catering, choosing booths, preparing the physical setup, and managing the overall logistics of the event. It was a role that required problem-solving skills, organization, and leadership,” said Operations Lead senior Georgette von Yurt.

TEDx leaves a lasting impact on the audience and the students, giving them a chance to learn, grow, and be inspired by new ideas.

“I would 100% recommend taking the TEDx elective to incoming students as it has helped me grow in so many ways. I have learned skills that I will take to college. One skill in particular is my ability to communicate professionally with outside organizations and partners. I learned how to write professional emails as well as pitching to companies and businesses, further strengthening my public speaking skills and professionalism as a high school student. Being on TEDx has been an amazing experience and a class that will always be one of my favorites!” Chloe said.

Cara Ferrick

Tom Kenney

Oneda Castillo

TEDx Team 2025

Ada Green

Elisabeth Robillio

Abe Powell

The results of an upper school poll reveal the results of our Valentines Day picks.

PAGE by DIONNE PETERSON & SOFIA RAMIREZ

Breath of Fire Yoga offers more than just movement—it teaches physical and mental discipline, balance, mindfulness, and the deep connection between body and mind.

COMMENTARY by OLIVIA DE PONCE ART by DIONNE PETERSON

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hat could possibly be the benefits of being in a 95-degree room for an hour, surrounded by 75 people, humidity blowing at full force, and moving and breathing through it all?

Hot yoga, specifically CorePower Yoga, has taken upper school students by storm. I should know—I teach there.

Every week, I go to yoga after school with my friends. Not only is it one of the highlights of my own day, but my friends’ days too.

Senior Dania Zamudio is a regular at CorePower Yoga and my classes.

“What I love about yoga is that it has become my time to relax and recharge while still being with my friends. Before class I love trying new inversions, cheering each other on, and laughing when we fall,” Dania said.

“Yoga has become more than just exercising, it has become a place where we can support each other and make every session more meaningful.”

Practicing yoga is on fire. Every shift I work, I see more and more people my age coming to take a class.

When I was younger, yoga was something my mom tried to make me

do. Now, I willingly teach and take classes multiple times a week.

However, the nature of yoga is more than just a trend. Yoga is not about burning calories, wearing a matching set, or even breaking an intense sweat.

Through my experience of going through a 250-hour yoga teacher training program over the summer, and teaching my classes at CorePower, I have learned that yoga is more than just moving your body in a sweaty room.

In fact, during my teacher training, I spent almost 200 hours reading, writing, and studying the history of yoga, in addition to practicing the postures.

I learned that there is so much more to yoga than meets the eye, and so many benefits beyond the physical advantages.

Yoga bridges the gap between movement and feelings.

In yoga, you sit with yourself, diving deep into the sensations in your body.

You are forced to breathe through the heat, the humidity, and through the postures.

Yoga teaches you to use different breaths to calm or excite your nervous system.

“Before I started practicing yoga consistently I felt as though I had anxieties I didn’t know how to deal with,” said Payton Wilson, CorePower La Cumbre Studio Manager.

Yoga forces you to breathe and lean into the uncomfortable, and different types of breath can be used to do this.

Even when teaching, I feel my whole body relax from my breath alone.

The Ujjayi breath is used to build internal heat; the same is true of the breath of fire, which increases alertness in the body. Learning to breathe as a high school student is a crucial skill that sets us up for success in regulating our bodies. Yoga also connects your mind and body.

When it comes to exercise, we often tell our mind to “push, push, push!”

Pushing past discomfort and our bodies’ warning signs.

In yoga, you are encouraged to listen to your body. You put yourself in uncomfortable positions and sit in them, breathing, being gentle with yourself, but listening to how your body responds.

There is no one way a posture is supposed to look,

Sitting at Attention

Upward Facing Dog

Revolved Triangle

and students are told to take all and any modifications they may need. Yoga is about you, your needs, and your practice.

Al Silva, a member of the academic services group and yoga instructor at Yoga Soup said his favorite part about yoga is its ability to silence your mind.

In yoga you sit with your thoughts, you notice them, and then you release them.

“Not letting the negative thinking or even the positive thinking take over,” is essential to yoga, Silva said.

Yoga has also given Silva a sense of perspective. “I am able to see how reactive I was…I do feel more grounded in terms of my mental and emotional states,” Silva said.

Aside from the Asana, or physical practice, there is a lot that can be learned from yoga’s founding principles. In fact, physical postures are just one part of yoga.

The eight limbs of yoga each describe different aspects of the yoga practice.

In order, there is the Yama (moral discipline), Niyama (observances), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (absorption or meditation), and Samadhi (enlightenment or bliss).

Dharana, or concentration, is critical.

In yoga, you are forced to concentrate, and balance flowing and moving.

Warrior 2

“Yoga has allowed me to be better at being uncomfortable.

Yoga widens our window of tolerance of what we can accept.”

- Payton Wilson Yoga also teaches you how to concentrate off the mat.

“In my day-to-day life, I’ve started to be a lot more engaged with the task I am doing,” Wilson said.

By following these eight limbs, a yogi is supposed to reach full enlightenment and self-realization.

The yamas and niyamas are the moral codes of yoga. You take them off your mat and into the community around you.

Yama is often translated from Sankrit as “moral vow,” and the five yamas encourage yogis to act kindly not just to others, but also to themselves.

The five yamas are Ahimsa (non-harming or non-vi-

Crescent Lunge

olence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy or ‘right use of energy’), and Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding).

Niyama is often translated as “observances” and are recommended habits to help the yogi reach enlightenment.

The five niyamas are Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Isvara Pranidhana (surrender).

Tapas, in particular, is one of the main principles at CorePower. Students take 90+ degree heat classes to force themselves to build discipline and sit in their own discomfort.

“Yoga has allowed me to be better at being uncomfortable. Yoga widens our window of tolerance of what we can accept,” Wilson said.

The yamas and niyamas encourage students to take their yoga off their mat, live their yoga, and share it with others.

There is so much that can be learned from yoga past the physical space on the four corners of the mat.

Yoga teaches us how to feel, breathe, sit through the uncomfortable ground, become the best versions of ourselves, and brings us back to the present moment.

“Practicing, I learned how to experience what was happening in the moment rather than thinking about what was going to happen,” Payton said.

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18 • OPINION

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Do You Know What You Are Eating?

Comparing ingredients and policies in the United States vs. the United Kingdom.

D

id you know a small fry from McDonald’s in the United States contains 10 ingredients, four of which are seed oils and a combination of processed ingredients and additives, creating a flavorful yet unhealthy product.

In contrast, a small order of fries from McDonald’s in the United Kingdom contains only four main ingredients: potatoes, non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, dextrose (added early in the potato season), and salt.

The differences between fast food between in the U.S. and the U.K. extend far beyond McDonald’s fries.

McDonald’s fries are its best-selling product, generating $25.49 billion in revenue in the U.S. alone. . Even iconic menu items from global brands are made with different ingredients depending on the country Coca-Cola In the U.S., Coca-Cola is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and liver disease.

Meanwhile, in the U.K., it is made with real sugar, which is metabolized differently and does not carry the same health risks, making it a relatively “safer” option.

Kellogg’s Cereals In the U.S., cereals like Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes contain artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1—additives linked to hyperactivity in children and potential cancer risks. In the U.K., Red 40 is banned, and natural colorings from paprika and turmeric create a nearly identical product--taste wise.

Domino’s Pizza Even Domino’s follows this trend.

A large Domino’s cheese pizza in the United States contains calcium propiothefourthestate.net

WORDS by LIAM KNEZEVIC GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON nate and L-cysteine, a chemical dough conditioner. The U.K. version? No artificial preservatives. Just flour, yeast, water, and salt.

Why the difference? The ingredient differences stem from food policy and regulations.

In the European Union—whose standards the U.K. followed before the Brexit referendum— adhere to a precautionary principle, meaning ingredients must be proven safe before they are used.

In contrast, the U.S., follows the opposite approach—the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assumes an ingredient is safe until it is proven harmful.

Many additives remain legal simply because there isn’t enough long-term research to ban them.

For many Americans, avoiding processed foods means making deliberate choices about what they eat.

Math instructor Erik Faust, a fitness advocate, actively avoids artificial additives in his diet.

“I try my hardest to stay away from those foods, but it makes you a bit of a sociopath who basically can’t eat most things that others eat,” Faust said.

“Even the fast food I eat, I try to keep it somewhat low on the processed scale— In-N-Out (no buns, no sodas), and Chipotle.”

Parents, in particular, express frustration over U.S. food policies, especially regarding school lunches.

“School lunches drive me insane—I can’t believe we willingly feed our children what everyone knows to be garbage just because we know it likely can’t be contaminated by Salmonella or some other contaminant,” Faust said. “The factory food my kids are given at their elementary school is so prima facie unhealthy that I can’t believe adults feel comfortable giving it to growing human beings.”

Food companies in the U.S. have little incentive to change.

“They have spent billions designing food to make it addictive and cheap so they can sell more product at a cheaper unit cost,” Faust said. “It’s all basically just corn and soy covered in some form of sugar.”

Reading ingredient labels, choosing brands that prioritize cleaner ingredients, and advocating for stronger food regulations in the U.S. can help push for changes. The next time you grab a fast food meal ask yourself if you really know what you’re eating.

OPINION • 19

A Constitutional Crisis: Trump’s Executive Orders Amidst the turmoil of Trump’s second term and the murky waters surrounding the constitutionally of executive orders, it is essential to review the implications.

A

COMMENTARY by DAVIS OHANIAN GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON

n individual who is meant to embody the uncompromising spirit of democracy. An administrative position that is entrusted with the duty of guaranteeing the liberties of the Constitution.

The President of the United States is a highly paradoxical position, one that is supposed to differ greatly from the authoritative powers endowed in the monarchy, but still has to oversee the wealthiest and most militaristically powerful country in the world.

With the advent of Trump’s presidency, debates on the constitutional authority or overreach regarding executive orders are fervent.

Are Trump’s executive orders constitutional? Should a supposedly democratic executive wield so much power?

Well, it’s complicated.

All the rage has been with Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). Through an executive order, Trump designated Musk, the world’s richest individual, as a special government employee, which means he can work for 130 days a year.

DOGE has worked under the guise of slashing regulations and wasteful spending in their eyes, and thus far, they have ended Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, shut down USAID (which provides foreign aid), and in the hopes of saving taxpayers billions.

The group is also aiming to shut down the Department of Education, and return the funding proportionally to the states. Many groups are already in litigation against Musk, especially as DOGE has allegedly accessed Americans’ personal information via the U.S. Department of Treasury. I believe we need to cut spending and regulation, but does it need to be via the richest man in the world at the helm?

20 • OPINION

People already don’t trust the bureaucracy—slashing spending without the consideration of Congress is appalling.

Why should a non-cabinet department have so much authority? The Supreme Court is likely to rule on whether the creation of DOGE is constitutional, but before it does, the agency will continue to face lawsuits.

Trump, with the help of Musk, has recently extended a severance package to nearly two million federal employees giving them pay through September if they choose to resign; nearly 70,000 employees have already taken the offer.

Now the purview of the government, in my view, is still too extensive, and I appreciate Trump for drafting such a generous severance package, especially since most packages in the corporate world don't exceed a month.

But, some employees who don’t take this offer will likely be laid off mere months into the future—the administration is trying to cut 10% of the federal workforce. These cuts will certainly impede the function of government, and citizens will be affected in a variety of ways. This is similar to a program that Musk initiated when he bought Twitter in 2022: I’m worried, and I think a lot of the nation is, about Musk’s overreach.

It’s impossible to ignore the fact that the executive office is given the authority to create executive orders, and it’s another thing to take a unilateral ideological stance on all of Trump’s numerous executive orders. I believe that if there’s any question over the legality of an order, especially if there’s no legal precedence, it shall not be instituted.

Trump’s hundreds of executive orders over the first months of his presidency serve as a chilling warning for what might happen if we don’t have an independent legislature and judiciary to check the executive's power. thefourthestate.net

Terrifying Tariffs: Negotiating Tactic or Economic Disaster?

The past four years were a whirlwind for the economy. With so many events in our past, it is critical to examine how our new president’s economic policies will affect us all.

COMMENTARY by BENNETT SULLIVAN GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON

T

ariff: A tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports. The definition is simple, yet the impact of tariffs is anything but. These taxes can influence every single product online, in the grocery store, and at the gas station.

Now, with new tariffs imposed by President Trump in through executive orders, the debate over their consequences has reignited.

President Trump announced a series of tariffs aimed at China, Mexico, Canada, and the steel and aluminum industries. These policies are likely to raise costs in the short run, but they could strengthen domestic industries and national security in the long term.

The 10% tariff on Chinese imports is a move similar to Trump’s previous trade war with China during his first term.

While the goal is to pressure China into fairer trade practices and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, the immediate effect is higher prices for American consumers.

A study from Georgia State University found that previous tariffs cost American businesses and consumers $51 billion annually. This time around, similar price increases are expected on everything from electronics to clothing.

However, some economists argue that tariffs could be a necessary step to move production back to the United States.

The Economic Policy Institute claims that past tariffs helped protect American jobs in manufacturing and reduced reliance on foreign supply chains.

While these benefits take months or years to materialize, they could strengthen the domestic economy in the long term. I believe that this 10% tariff will be a net positive since American businesses have spent too long being undercut by cheap Chinese manufacturing.

A 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada is somewhat concerning, however. Automakers and agricultural producers, who depend heavily on goods flowing between these countries, face the possibility of increased costs that will ultimately be passed down to consumers.

Higher tariffs on Mexican imports could mean pricier produce at grocery stores, while car manufacturers that rely on Canadian and Mexican parts may see rising vehicle prices.

Even though these tariffs are being used as political leverage to push Mexico and Canada into stricter enforcement of the border, we shouldn’t punish our allies with such high tariffs to strengthen our own economies.

Perhaps the most contentious of all is the reinstatement of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, aimed at restoring domestic production. Yet, the immediate downside is clear: industries like automotive and construction that rely on steel and aluminum will face significantly higher costs.

Reuters reports that past tariffs on steel increased costs for manufacturers, with American businesses ultimately paying $900,000 for every job created in the industry. The concern now is whether the same pattern will emerge, hurting downstream industries more than it helps raw material producers.

With so many natural disasters happening every year, the tariff on building materials is not what the American people need.

What does all of this mean for the economy? In the short term, price increases and trade disruptions are likely. Tariffs are, essentially, a tax—one that businesses frequently pass directly to consumers. Consumers could soon feel the effects in the form of higher costs on everyday items, from appliances to groceries.

The long-term impact is less clear. Supporters of these tariffs argue they will force businesses to invest in domestic manufacturing, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and strengthening the economy. The question remains whether these industries can adapt quickly enough or whether the economic pains will outweigh the gains.

Tick Tick Tock Tock for for TikTok TikTok The ban that lasted for just 14 hours spread panic through our nation. But could a longer ban have actually helped us all?

WORDS & GRAPHICS by LILLY TRAUTWEIN

O O

n Jan. 19, TikTok, the wildly popular short-form video app, was banned nationwide. This ban occurred because of a law passed in 2024 by a bipartisan majority in Congress. It was agreed that TikTok was unconstitutionally gathering users’ data and negatively influencing their habits and minds.

However, the app was quickly available again and 14 hours later, almost 170 million screens displayed the message: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.” This lift was met with mixed reactions; some were grateful to have the app back, while others wished its ban had lasted longer.

“I was actually excited for the ban,” senior Ada Ray said. “I had a strong love-hate relationship with TikTok. I know that a lot of people really like TikTok, and it is a really big part of our generation as a whole. But, at the same time, I’ve noticed that my screen time has gone down so much since deleting TikTok. I feel like I’m living my life more, and I’m not just on my phone all the time. I think that my friends and I, and honestly everyone in our generation, could benefit from that a little bit.”

For some users, TikTok’s sudden inaccessibility drew attention to their dependence on the app.

“I [used to] fill every moment of my day with TikTok. The moments I was by myself, I’d watch it. But this ban has forced me to acknowledge nature, or read a book, or socialize, so it’s made me open up as a person rather than iso-

22 • OPINION

late me,” junior Dakota Risley said.

History instructor Daisy Altamirano agreed that the absence of TikTok allowed more time for hobbies.

“My screen time went down by almost 60%. And I feel like I’ve had more time to do other things. I started read-

ing again, which has been nice,” Altamirano said.

However, others feel that TikTok is

a positive platform when used in moderation.

“If you’re on there for a long time, it can definitely affect your mental health negatively. But, it really depends on the side of TikTok that you’re on. There are really funny and positive sides of TikTok, too, that can really boost your mood, which is why I like the app.

It’s a moment of relaxation in the day when you just need a break to laugh,” freshman Anya Taylor said.

Almost immediately after the ban’s lift, people quickly fell back into their old habits without questioning the potential benefits of reducing their online activity.

To navigate a world still heavily reliant on social media, School Counselor Kim Valentine recommends that students ask themselves how they feel after spending time on an app.

“Some advice would be for kids to ask themselves the question, ‘After I’m on this, do I get energized or excited about something?’” Valentine said.

Though there are ways to use the app in moderation, it can still be tempting to slip into the ease and routine of scrolling mindlessly through TikTok. With its seemingly endless amount of content, an algorithm designed to suck its users in, and its incredible ability to spark global phenomena, TikTok can feel impossible to escape from.

Consequently, a nationwide ban could help everyone do just that.

Without the fear of missing out on a viral video, not understanding the latest reference, or wearing clothes that are not trending, everybody could collectively curb their reliance on TikTok. thefourthestate.net

editorial stance of the staff O

ur nation is under fire in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Twenty-nine people have died across the Los Angeles area after destructive wildfires erupted on Jan. 7.

The fires displaced over 200,000 people and devastated entire communities.

People lost their homes, businesses, and their schools. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed by fire. Our hearts remain heavy with empathy for the victims of the fires and our community.

The tragedy was a painful reminder of the disastrous Santa Barbara Thomas Fire in 2017.

But amid the havoc and destruction, something else emerged: tenacity.

People came together to rebuild, demonstrating an extraordinary truth—when faced with the choice between defeat and determination, resilience prevails.

As our Santa Barbara community watched our neighbors endure hardships we knew all too well, we rose in support. Laguna families rallied to aid Los Angeles residents, contributing to the drive organized by our Community Service Club.

We witnessed freshman Ryan Andrews use his platform to amplify wildfire awareness on national television.

Meanwhile, political turmoil continues to intensify. With a new president in office, thefourthestate.net

sweeping policy changes in immigration, the environment, and healthcare are reshaping the nation.

While some may be short-term measures, certain executive orders feel like veiled threats to the American public.

Our nation is increasingly divided. Polarization deepens the lines between groups, and as a generation coming of age in an era of uncertainty and bureaucratic turbulence, we grapple with anxiety about the future.

How far can our once-united democratic values be tested before they crumble?

As we discussed in our November issue, change is inevitable. Yet, with change, more communities find themselves vulnerable. We struggle with the impact of grades on learning, while artists contend with the rise of AI-generated art.

Even as the foundation beneath us shifts, we remain steadfast in supporting our neighbors—Los Angeles residents recovering from the fires, marginalized communities facing targeted policies, and all those affected by new legislation.

In the face of adversity, we take it one step at a time. The phrase “in the line of fire” describes standing amidst conflict and challenge.

Looking at the world today, it feels as though we are right there—tested in our grit, perseverance, and resilience.

OPINION • 23

Democracy Under Fire President Donald Trump pushes the limits of his executive power, but blue states fight back at every step—through the courts, legislative opposition, state-level initiatives, and grassroot activism.

WORDS & ART by NICCOLO DAGRUMA

T

he Democratic Party suffered a significant loss to the Republican Party in the recent election cycle, resulting in a Republican majority in the executive, legislative, and arguably judicial branches of government.

“I saw Trump’s win coming. The Democrats started off in a horrible position, Biden wasn’t a strong candidate, and swapping Kamala in so late wasn’t going to save the election,” junior Robie Polos said. “Trump also ran a better campaign and took better advantage of social media to gain popularity.”

In the wake of their loss, many Democratic policies and values are at risk under President Donald Trump, who faces accusations of abusing executive

power and threatening American democracy. However, the constitutionality of his actions will ultimately be determined through the courts and the process of judicial review.

“Trump is trying to overwhelm the system with his repeated illegal actions, but they are systematically being evaluated at the state level, and attorneys general across the country are filing lawsuits to protect us,” said Gregg Hart, a California assembly member.

Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20, and, according to the federal registry, he signed more executive orders in his first 10 days than any president in their first 100 days.

“Most of these executive orders, as you’ve now come to see, are illegal,

unconstitutional, and just plain stupid rhetoric,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal.

Trump’s executive orders range from establishing the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. He has also attempted to end birthright citizenship and interfere with Congress’s control over the federal budget.

Federal judges have blocked several of his orders, citing concerns over their constitutionality.

“Despite what he promised on the campaign trail, Donald’s agenda has already proven to be one that will raise your cost of living,” Carbajal said.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to lower the cost of living through tariffs and tax relief, but his tariff policies have been inconsistent. He used tariffs as leverage in immigration negotiations with countries like Canada, Mexico, and Colombia, straining relationships with key trading partners.

Ironically, in his first month as president, Trump deported only 36,660 people—significantly fewer than former President Joe Biden’s average of 57,000 deportations per month, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security data.

Trump has also enacted a 25% import tax on steel and aluminum and a 10% tariff on all imported goods from China.

“Over 200 executive orders, and not one to address child care, housing, healthcare costs, or groceries—nothing,” Carbajal said.

Some former Trump supporters have expressed regret online, posting videos about feeling betrayed, particularly over job cuts and immigration policies.

While these voices remain a minority among his base, they highlight a shifting perception of Trump’s leadership.

Blue states across the country are

taking legal and legislative action to push back against Trump’s policies.

In California, immigrants are protected under laws like the California Values Act, passed just a month after Trump’s election.

“No doubt there’s going to be dam-

“The world is watching us in this moment—what is California going to do? We are going to resist.”

- Gregg Hart age and an impact on our way of life as we know it. We’re all hoping the courts will step in to push back against these illegal and unconstitutional actions,” Carbajal said.

Attorneys general from blue states have filed numerous lawsuits against Trump’s administration.

Fourteen states sued Trump over the power granted to DOGE, arguing it was unconstitutional. In total, Trump has faced over 57 lawsuits challenging his executive orders in his first three weeks in office.

California, however, is not just reacting—it has been preparing for years.

“Since 2017, our California state legislature has been passing laws to ensure that no matter who is in charge of this country, what matters to us will be protected,” said California State Senator Monique Limón.

While state legislation offers some protection, federal law ultimately overrides state law. The courts will play a crucial role in determining whether Trump’s executive actions stand.

“If we see a failure to comply with court rulings, that would be our cue as Americans that we’ve reached the boiling point,” Carbajal said. “That’s when we’ll know we’re heading toward a dictatorship—one the American people will not tolerate.”

Grade A Pressure: The Pursuit of Learning, Not Letters In a world fixated on academic success, students chase high GPAs, often at the expense of true learning that fosters lifelong growth and intellectual fulfillment.

C

ontrasting the stark white paper, a crimson letter rests mightily in the corner, its edges faintly etched by the stroke of a ballpoint pen– saturated with the heavy psychological weight of either pride or profound failure.

In a world where colleges demand more than academic excellence, students fill their calendars with grueling 12-hour days of rigorous AP courses, endless extracurriculars, and sky-high test scores all to incessantly chase after that 4.0 GPA, as though their future and self-worth hinge solely on the outcomes of these accomplishments.

A 2002 study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that more than 80% of college freshmen define their self-worth based on academic competence over their family support and appearance.

“Students have pressure and voices coming from many directions (parents, counselors, the media) telling them that they have to get good grades “or else...” and the “or else” might involve

26 • OPINION

WORDS & ART by JINLING WANG competing for a scholarship, internship, or summer program,” Math Instructor Meaghen Harris said.

From day one, the reminder to get good grades is a tool to satisfy college admissions officers and employers who

merely glance at transcripts; however, beyond the focus of our GPA, are students missing out on what is truly important: real learning?

What if, instead of letting grades define the extent of our understanding, we paused to truly seek knowledge, much like the cliche advice to “stop and smell the roses”?

While admittedly, grades have been a traditional indicator of measuring a student’s understanding of the breadth of material being taught they also “serve as a reflection of how prepared a student is for success in the next level of that given course or subject matter,” Harris said.

Yet, students have intrinsically been more inclined to focus on the rewards of grades, which leaves learning on the back burner.

The fixation on grades is part of the thefourthestate.net

significant issue that originates from our academic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation, also known as motivational orientation, refers to motivation that is “self-drive in a positive way,” where a student’s primary focus is on their intrinsic desire to learn, whereas extrinsic motivation depends entirely on external factors, such as praise or specifically our grades, to drive the learning process.

If our emphasis lies in extrinsic motivation, often burnout and an overwhelming obsession over grades, develop that can affect our motivation for learning and how we interpret grades in relation to ourselves.

Within this fixated mindset, students often label themselves as either “A” students, “B” students, or “C” students, which can emanate discontentment when they get failing grades, hindering not only their motivation actually to understand the content but also the beauty of learning.

When the focal points of conversation are built on “That class is a guaranteed A” or “Avoid that class because it will tank your GPA,” the fixation on grades leaves no room for the real purpose of school–learning.

Although it is not possible to downplay the importance of our grades, which floats in the ether, knowledge is where the real power lies.

Instead of pining for grades that are reliant on our performances on certain tasks such as assignments, assessments, and projects, they do not fully reflect the extent of our understanding outside the context of the classroom.

While grades matter at the moment, knowledge is useful beyond the scope of a test and instead can continuously be built on and serve us for the rest of our lives no matter the profession.

Instead of memorizing mundane equations or niche vocabulary words for an exam, spending the time to understand the material and asking “why” is valuable in real-world settings when an interviewer does not have your transcript in hand.

“The classroom experience and our teachers promote understanding, but thefourthestate.net

I think the grading system intrinsically only encourages memorization. Often times I feel like I am studying just to get through a test, and after that test is over and that stress is gone, so is that content.”

By the same token, when we only study for grades, every subject can feel like a chore that stifles our own intellectual curiosity, like robotically ticking the boxes of requirements we need to graduate.

However, when we focus on knowledge and learning and take classes we find enjoyable, we can discover diverse interests that excite us and utilize these skills in the future.

“There is so much pressure to be ‘perfect’ so that you can get into the ‘perfect’ school that at times, I lost track of why I really love to learn.”

-Evie Comis In prioritizing learning for the sake of knowledge, we can discover new passions and classes instead of just burdening ourselves with striving for that “A.” Grades, which serve as a snapshot of our understanding, do not fully capture the ongoing growth we experience through learning.

While achieving good

grades may coincide with knowing the material, learning itself is a lifelong habit that is cultivated well beyond high school and college.

If we focus on understanding rather

than just grades, we can build a mindset that promotes ongoing growth rather than letting bad grades dissuade us from wanting to learn further by challenging ourselves.

In a culture where failing can equate to weakness and grades are stringent, learning is valuable when building resilience, problem-solving, and perseverance–skills that are integral in the future and mirror the real world.

When we detach our self-worth to a grade in the corner of a piece of paper, we can expose ourselves to the joy of learning that is not determined by categorizing our intelligence by failure or success.

So, how can we shift our mindset to foster intrinsic motivation rather than relying on extrinsic rewards?

First, setting up meaningful goals that resonate and align with our passions makes learning more meaningful.

Rather than just achieving a grade, if we set up bit-size goals, we can pursue mastery while learning instead of solely focusing on the outcome.

While getting good grades might seem like the end-all-be-all at the moment, it should not define our academic journey; instead, we should turn it into a tool that can guide our curiosity and love for learning.

Students continue to endure long hours of studying from dusk till dawn, buried under piles of homework.

“At the core, I really love to learn and try to put a greater emphasis on understanding the material,” Comis said.

“However, I am at the stage in my high school career where I have to start thinking seriously about what I do to get into college, meaning that my grades have become extremely important.

There is so much pressure to be “perfect” so that you can get into the “perfect” school that at times I lose track of why I really love to learn,” Comis said.

So, the next time you want to learn about, non-Newtonian fluids, the Dancing Plague of 1518, or the Fermi Paradox, stop and smell the flowers.

OPINION • 27

The Politics of Prayers

Religion plays a significant role in American politics, shaping elections, policies, and public perception of candidates. Whether it is changing the forefront of education or influencing your vote, religion has been prominent in election season.

I

n the 1960 presidential election, a poll found that nearly one in four Americans said they would not vote for a Catholic candidate—a prominent point in John F. Kennedy’s election.

“For JFK, it was a big deal to some that he was Catholic because people thought that the pope might control the presidency,” said World History instructor Kevin Shertzer.

While religious affiliation may not seem as controversial today, it continues to shape voter perceptions and political debates in unexpected ways.

Despite initial concerns, Kennedy’s presidency proved that a Catholic leader could govern independently, shifting public perception over time.

Religious controversy manifests differently in the 21st century.

While Joe Biden’s Catholic faith was discussed during election season, it was much less controversial than Kennedy’s.

The concern over religious loyalty remains, with voters questioning whether a candidate’s faith dictates their policy decisions.

“For Americans who are devoted to both their faith and their country, navigating their loyalties becomes complex, especially when the two come into competition with each other,” Shertzer said.

And while many Americans turn to their faith for non-political answers, it often in-

28 • OPINION

WORDS & ART by ELLA WICKMAN

fluences their opinions and thoughts on politics. This notion that religion defines morality has long been a factor in elections.

During the 1800 election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, people were worried because Jefferson was labeled an atheist; many thought that his leadership would result in societal chaos.

“One of the ads said if you elect Jefferson, people will be eating toads and frogs in the street,” Shertzer said.

The implication was that a leader without strong religious convictions

would lead to moral decay.

Despite the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, religious beliefs often shape voters’ decisions.

Many Americans associate religious faith with moral integrity, making it a key factor in candidate selection.

For some, a candidate’s religious identity reassures them of their ethical standing and decision-making ability.

Others, however, see it as a potential conflict, questioning whether religious beliefs might overrule constitutional duties.

The First Amendment of the United States mandates the separation of church and state. However, the country was founded with influence from religious traditions and has long served as a refuge for diverse faiths worldwide.

Religious rhetoric has also played a significant role in major political movements.

For example, the Civil Rights Movement was deeply connected to religious leadership, with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. drawing on Christian teachings to advocate for racial equality.

This rhetoric was also evident in Donald Trump’s prior presidency.

Although his personal religiosity was debated, he lever-

thefourthestate.net

aged religious symbolism to appeal to skepticism, other religious minorities have struggled to gain political certain voter bases. traction.

During the George Floyd protests, The U.S. has seen religious diverTrump held up a Bible as a symbolic sity in its leaders, however, no Jewgesture to appeal to religious voters, ish presidents have ever been elected, portraying himself as a defender of reflecting the historical dominance of Christian values. particular faiths in American politics This act reinforced his support and raising broader questions about among faith-based communities, personal faith’s role in leadership. even as debates continued over how Should a candidate’s religion his personal actions aligned with matter if they uphold democratic those values. values? And if voters prioritize faith, The debate over religion’s place in governance extends beyond elections. does that compromise the ideal of a Public spaces and policies often secular government? reflect religious influences, from Religious influence extends “In God We Trust” on currency to beyond individual candidates to prayers at government events. broader policy decisions.

This ongoing presence raises Debates over reproductive rights, questions about whether the U.S. marriage equality, and climate truly maintains a separation of church change often have religious underand state. tones.

Religious Conservative leaders also wield religious groups “Even though the considerable have historically influence over poopposed poliFirst Amendment litical discourse. cies like samestates that Congress In some churches sex marriage and synagogues, abortion shall make no law re- and clergy openly rights, lobbying specting an establish- politicians to discuss political issues, guiding align with their ment of religion, we congregants on beliefs. how to align their still see religion appear Meanwhile, faith with their progressive faith in public spheres.” voting decisions. communities ad“Sometimes - Kevin Shertzer vocate for social religious leaders justice policies are political, tellrooted in reliing their congregation how to think gious compassion. about certain issues,” Shertzer said.

This dichotomy illustrates how This guidance can deepen political religion is not monolithic in its politdivides, as religious communities ical impact—it can be both a tool for often reinforce shared beliefs. advocacy and a source of division.

Similarly, religion has played a diLooking ahead, the role of religion visive role in debates over issues such in politics will continue to evolve. as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.

Younger generations tend to be Opponents of abortion cite religious less religiously affiliated, which may beliefs as the foundation for their shift the weight religion holds in stance, and cite religious beliefs reinelections. forcing their anti-LGBTQ+ stance.

However, deeply rooted traditions Historically, candidates who and ideological divides suggest that diverge from mainstream religious faith will remain an important aspect affiliations have faced challenges. of political identity.

While Kennedy overcame Catholic As the U.S. navigates future electhefourthestate.net

tions, the balance between personal belief and public governance will remain a central debate.

Ultimately, while the nation upholds the separation of church and state, religious identity still influences voter perception, candidate success, and policy decisions. Whether seen as a moral compass or a source of bias, faith remains deeply embedded in America’s political landscape.

“Religion has always played a role in shaping how people think about leaders—it’s just a question of how much influence it should have,” Shertzer said.

OPINION • 29

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

I

WORDS by ADA GREEN PHOTOS by STAFF

n its fortieth year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) showed over two hundred films, bringing together filmmakers and cinephiles from all over the world to downtown Santa Barbara.

This year, the festival expanded to last 12 days this year and awarded individual artists in addition to celebrating their films.

Honorees at the Writers Panel and Variety Artisans Award on Feb. 8 shared about the creative process—idea through execution—of their 2024 films.

2024 saw landmark experimentation in film as an art form, including the cinematography design of “Nickel Boys.”

“Nickel Boys”—a Best Picture nominee—follows two African American boys at an abusive reform school in Florida during the Jim Crow era. While there is no on-screen graphic violence, the subject matter is intense, and the filmmakers devised a way to pull audiences closer to the characters.

“We really had to figure out a different way to figure out cause and effect and to deal with the twist of the film…we [decided] on a sentient camera,” said writer Joslyn Barnes.

This “sentient camera” physically alternates the point of view between characters throughout the film.

“I think that it creates an intimacy,” “Nickel Boys” cinematographer Jomo Fray told The Fourth Estate. “Traditionally, in cinema, you’re in the experience of watching something happen to someone else. I think because of the perspective, ideally, it has a moment where because you’re not seeing it happen to someone else, you ask yourself the question, ‘Well, what would I feel if this happened to me?’”

The 2025 Best Picture nominees also emphasized music more than in other years. The 10 nominees include two movie

musicals—“Emilia Pérez” and “Wicked”—and the Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown.”

The creative team behind “A Complete Unknown” strove to honor Dylan’s music, and one way of doing that was by having the actors sing the songs live throughout the film.

“I think this movie would be an entirely different movie if it would have gone to lip-syncing. You would never have had that feeling of being alive inside of it,” said “A Complete Unknown” sound engineer Tod Maitland.

Actor Timothée Chalamet received the first-ever Arlington Artist of the Year Award on Feb. 11 for his portrayal of Dylan.

“The respect and passion I feel for Bob Dylan and his music was so great that it took me out of myself,” Chalamet said.

“Without disrespecting my other performances and stuff that is to come, this was a lifetime’s work.”

The Virtuosos Award on Feb. 9 honored eight “up and coming” actors who had breakout performances this year: Monica Barbara (“A Complete Unknown”), Selena Gomez (“Emilia Pérez”), Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Clarence Maclin (“Sing Sing”), Mikey Madison (“Anora”), John Magaro (“September 5”), Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”), and Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”).

Grande earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in “Wicked.” She shared that for her, the highest honor was fulfilling her childhood dream of playing Galinda.

“Galinda is a comedic role, and she’s full of light and it seems fluffy at times, but that comedy can’t land without there being a person with a real human heartbeat beneath the surface,” Grande said. “It’s such a gift to be able to play a character that has so much nuance.”

30 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Gomez admitted that working on “Emilia Pérez” inspired her to shift her career toward acting in the future.

“It’s gonna be very hard for me to ever go back to music after this,” Gomez said.

Clarence Maclin earned critical acclaim for portraying a younger version of himself in “Sing Sing,” a film about the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in New York. Maclin was arrested for robbery and sentenced to 17 years in prison before he was released in 2012.

At Sing Sing, he participated in theater performances through RTA, where he trained in acting. “Sing Sing” is his first film ever.

“The overall message for the movie represents a message to you. The people on the other side of the wall, the people in prison, are just that: people. And they have the ability to change,” Maclin said.

Maclin’s co-star Colman Domingo received the Montecito Award on Feb. 14 for his contributions to film. Domingo shared about the challenge and fulfillment of acting in a film as powerful as “Sing Sing.”

“It’s about putting myself on the line in every single way as an artist. If I’m going to have an impact, if I’m going to do this work that I think is meaningful and can really change lives,” Domingo said.

“I think a film like ‘Sing Sing’ is really changing lives. It’s actually doing work.

So I have to give everything.”

Actress Zoe Saldaña, who starred in “Emilia Pérez,” received the American Riviera Award on Feb. 12.

In an interview with The Fourth Estate, Saldaña shared about her passion for acting.

“I’ve always been obsessed with storytelling. I feel like it dictates a lot of your life and where you’re going to go and what you’re going to do. Sometimes learning about other people’s experiences kinda saves you from going through something on your own, or it encourages you to take that leap of faith because somebody else in a story did it,” Saldaña said. “Storytelling is really powerful, and it’s what really drives us to do things and remain curious.”

SBIFF attracted over 100,000 attendees this year, all united by a love for film and a desire to explore the world through other perspectives. thefourthestate.net

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • 31

THE SPECTRUM OF MASCULINITY WORDS by GUEST WRITER PEYTON GIMBEL GRAPHICS by DIONNE PETERSON

W

hat does it mean to be a man? For generations, Hollywood has painted a particular picture of men. They must be tough, emotionless, and stoic. But masculinity isn’t as simple as that.

The societal definition of masculinity is constantly evolving. One easily observable way to track that evolution is on the big screen.

Throughout the decades, to be seen as a man, one had to conform to typical masculine roles and exhibit so-called “masculine traits.”

You’re a man if you’re tough. You’re a man if you’re self-reliant. You’re a man if you’re smart. You’re a man if you’re “masculine.”

In the modern age, the so-called “masculine man” has been split open and dissected under the microscope, and what the industry found is that masculinity is a spectrum just like fingerprints; masculinity is unique to each individual person.

Through a new era of film, which I refer to in my research as “Realistic Cinema,” this vulnerability is embraced and given a platform to shine.

In prominent genres such as thrillers, westerns, and action films, male protagonists exhibit a tough exterior—a stereotypical kind of masculinity.

They are often ripped, unbeatable, and stoic in their emotions. Think “Fight Club”—Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.

Think “Die Hard”—Bruce Willis. Think “The Godfather,” “Gladiator,” “Batman, “James Bond,”and “No Country for Old Men.” All of these aforementioned films depict a very socially accepted version of masculinity.

Films like these are undeniable classics and very entertaining to watch. I enjoy films such as these, but that is not the issue.

The issue comes from the fact that this depiction of masculinity is often the only one seen in mainstream media.

Although we can all enjoy watching a movie like “Star Wars” or “Indiana Jones,” other key aspects of masculinity need to be expressed to younger generations.

For many young men, film characters can become role models and figures that they measure themselves against.

So, to ensure men find a space in society, it is essential that films also have male leads that show vulnerability and emotion—very real traits that tell us what it is to be a real man and more than that—to be a real human being.

These overlooked facets of masculinity are spotlighted through films like “Stand by Me,” “Call Me by Your Name,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “Beautiful Boy,” “Power of the Dog,” “Manchester by the Sea,” “Banshees of Inishirin,” and “Dead Poets Society.”

These films illustrate how men grieve, grow, and exist from day-to-day through themes of education, death, addiction, friendship, and identity.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview actor Colman Domingo at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF).

Domingo was honored for his 2023 film “Sing Sing,” where he plays Divine G, a character who serves time for a crime he didn’t commit.

Through theater, Divine G and his fellow inmates foster a sense of community and learn to cope with the hardships of prison life.

As an actor who has crafted characters that showcase vulnerable masculinity, Domingo has a unique perspective to offer on this topic.

I asked Domingo why did he think that it is important for the audience to see, vulnerability in men, not just stoicism?

He said, “Because I just believe that because it’s […] a practice that men are not taught. To be tender or have vulnerability, and that for some reason, that’s not being a man. And actually, we need all of that to be a human being, and be great partners and teachers and lovers and all that stuff.”

Colman Domingo has taken on many roles that require visibility of the vulnerable side of his characters, in “Rustin” (2023) as Bayard Rustin, an overlooked civil rights activist, and in “Sing, Sing” (2023) the film he was honored for this year, as Divine G. “So for me, it was just like, the more work that I can do is to show the levels of masculinity and breakdown tropes of toxic masculinity. I’m doing a service to the world,” Domingo said.

To further my research, I interviewed Comparative

“To be tender or have vulnerability, that for some reason, that’s not being a man.”

- Coleman Domingo

32 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

thefourthestate.net

Religion instructor Al Silva. When asked the same question about the importance of showing vulnerability in men, he said, “Masculinity, like just about any human characteristic, is always way more complex than it appears on the surface.”

He continued, “I think it’s vital for everybody, not just for young folks. [...] We don’t just have one simple idea of what it is.”

Silva’s perspective aligns with Domingo’s view, showing how crucial it is for both younger and older generations to witness a range of male characters that reflect the diversity of masculinity.

Traditional masculinity often emphasizes toughness, stoicism, and dominance, but the question remains: Is Hollywood doing enough to evolve these portrayals?

There is no simple answer. Silva explained, “I think it’s both ends, and I think it always will be... Don’t discount something just because it’s been historically associated with toxic forms of masculinity.”

To evolve these portrayals, we must avoid a binary approach. While it’s essential to challenge harmful stereotypes, it’s equally important to acknowledge the complexity

of these traits for many men.

“If the point is to connect with as many men [as possible]... then it always and forever has to be a balanced approach,” Silva said.

It’s clear that evolving the portrayal of masculinity requires nuance—acknowledging both the traditional traits and the vulnerability that has so far gone unnoticed.

The portrayal of masculinity in film is evolving, and it’s essential for all generations to see a more nuanced representation of men that goes beyond traditional stereotypes of toughness and stoicism.

Through the exploration of films that showcase vulnerability, emotion, and the complexities of male identity, audiences will begin to see how masculinity is a spectrum and that diverse portrayals are essential for redefining what it means to be a man in contemporary society.

By breaking down toxic masculinity and providing role models that reflect a broader, more human experience of masculinity, society can begin to see how masculinity is much more complex than traditionally depicted.

AI and the Future of Artists Artificial Intelligence can be helpful, but is it worth potentially jeopardizing the careers and futures of artists worldwide?

WORDS by LULU SIMPSON GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON

A

rt is a manifestation of human creativity, constantly evolving alongside humanity. From the invention of the paintbrush to digital tools like drawing apps and Photoshop, each new tool reshapes the artistic landscape in a groundbreaking way.

Tools like Artbreeder recently entered the art world, introducing new techniques, inspiring ideas, and expanding future artistic possibilities.

Here is where one of society’s most currently pressing questions comes in: Does AI ultimately help artists, or does it harm and hinder creativity?

While some firmly take a stance on one side of this dilemma, the truth is that AI can be both, depending on how it is employed.

While AI can generate references, improve the quality of existing references, and give artists helpful advice, is using AI in art ethical?

“For someone like me, who is not necessarily well versed in artistic creation, AI tools can be very useful in getting over the steep learning curve of creating art,” Comparative Religions Instructor Al Silva said.

AI tools can be invaluable for artists looking to learn the basics. If someone is trying to master a specific art style, AI can be used to break down that style and provide tips for achieving a similar look.

AI can be beneficial in the early stages of art. It can generate references that do not already exist, modify reference quality and size, and search the web for reference options within seconds.

Using Artificial Intelligence makes processes that typically take time easily accessible and straightforward.

AI can act as an advisor. Oftentimes, discussing ideas with a machine can be less nerve-racking than talking to a peer, and talking over plans and getting advice is often precisely what an artist needs to take their art to the next level.

On the flip side, not all artists have readily accepted these new tools. Some continue to push back against the integration of AI into art resolutely.

Many artists take issue with AI’s inherent lack of authenticity and emotion.

“AI tries to take away from human talent, but it can’t recreate the backstory and emotion in art [made by humans],” freshman Anya Taylor said.

Human-made art is inherently emotional, because humans are emotional. It is our automatic response to use art to respond to and portray these emotions.

While Artificial Intelligence can attempt to replicate the emotion behind art, it is, at its root, artificial, and all of that ‘emotion’ will be as well. Experience, perspective, and thought drive human emotion, and AI’s attempts to copy that will never truly succeed.

Another pressing issue with AI art is that it threatens the professions and income of human artists. As Artificial Intelligence becomes more skilled at generating striking and realistic visuals, artists practicing traditional art forms, such as painting, are threatened.

Artists are already underpaid. According to Artnet, 48.7% of American artists make no more than $5,000 annually, and with the rise of AI, artists’ incomes are expected to fall even further.

“Using AI to steal other artists’ styles or artwork is one of the most unethical things you can do,” Anya said.

While AI offers exciting new possibilities, we must first consider the ethics of using this tool. The use of AI in art is an ongoing debate, and this tool will inevitably become more and more prominent.

Artificial Intelligence’s impact on the artistic landscape is complex, and it can offer both opportunities and challenges for artists in society today.

O

ut of 30 upper school students polled, 23.3% percent said they consume caffeine once a day, 36.7% said a few times a week, 20% said on special occasions, 10% said multiple times a day, and the remaining 10% said rarely ever.

The majority of students reported their favorite form of caffeine to be coffee, tea, and energy drinks, and almost every response reported that they started drinking caffeine between ages 12 and 16.

“I consume caffeine probably two or three times a day, it’s either an energy drink or some form of coffee… my go to order is a cappuccino with oat milk or either Celsius or Redbull,” junior Lina Smith, an avid coffee drinker, said.

Twenty one students said that they consume caffeine to boost their energy and 28 said they consume caffeine because they like the taste.

For teenagers, caffeine is more than a wake-up alarm.

Drinking caffeine is a socially influenced practice, via social media and as a form of quality time spent.

Going out for coffee with friends is a longtime tradition in our culture, and now, more and more options are available to those who don’t like the bitter taste of coffee but still want to participate in this cultural practice.

A rising trend in energy drink consumption is re-shaping the marketing of caffeine with higher amounts of sugar and additives, especially appealing to younger consumers and athletes.

The most popular brands of canned caffeine drinks among the polled students were Yerba Mate, Celsius, Redbull, and Monster.

Mellow cups of tea, highly concentrated energy drinks, and everything in between: caffeine addiction is increasing among Gen-Z. WORDS & PHOTOS by MILLA HIRSCH

Poll of upper school students on their caffeine consumption.

The recommended caffeine intake for adolescents ages 12-18 is below 100 mg of caffeine a day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Yet, energy drinks contain around 100-200 mg of caffeine per serving.

So, what? Does it matter that the majority of adolescents are consuming caffeine on a regular basis?

Caffeine is a stimulant drug: it has the ability to increase brain and nervous system activity, and increase circulation of cortisol and adrenaline in the body, often providing a source of energy, focus, or uplift of mood due to short-term serotonin or dopamine boosts.

36 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

In moderation, caffeine is like an accessible power-up.

“I think on the days where I don’t have coffee in the first few hours of the morning I have very low energy. In the morning it’s like I ‘need’ something. For basketball, when I have an energy drink, I play so much better,” Lina said.

Then again, caffeine is a drug. For teens especially, the substance has a high likelihood of sparking a dependence on its effects.

Withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability can occur, and heavy use spikes resilience to caffeine that will then encourage an individual to drink more to feel effects.

Consuming 1,000 mg of caffeine, approximately four Starbucks grande dark roast cups, can cause detrimental side effects, including insomnia, restlessness, and agitation.

Along with a pattern of dependence, caffeine has mental health implications such as stress, disrupted sleep patterns, decreased concentration, and in some cases development of anxiety.

Health implications include higher blood pressure, dehydration, irregular heartbeats, and digestive issues, according to the National Library of Medicine.

“I think caffeine can definitely turn into an addiction. I drink it every day. I think that if I stopped, the first week I would just feel like I need it or crave caffeine of some sort, but I do think people should drink it because it’s delicious,” Lina said.

Developing a reliance on caffeine in adolescent years can set up a lifetime of using it as a coping method for sleep deprivation, which is neither sustainable nor a real solution.

It is crucial for teenagers to practice healthy habits rather than turning to short term, addictive “fixes.”

Still, in moderate amounts, caffeine can bring people together and serve as a pickme-up.

Likelihood of dependence on caffeine does not mean it should be completely cut out: it should be limited. “[Caffeine] is something I will drink for the rest of my life, I think especially when I’m older and I’m with friends we will sit down and have a cup of coffee and people watch,” Lina said. thefourthestate.net

The Cute Gamble The blind box marketing strategy is simple, like a gamble: you don’t know what you’ll get—so you’ll keep buying more.

I

magine the thrill of opening a mystery package and not knowing what’s inside until the big reveal.

That’s the allure of surprise boxes— sealed treasures that hide a surprise figure or item, making each purchase a game of chance.

The allure of surprise boxes lies in their mystery—sealed packages hiding a random figure or item, turning each purchase into a game of chance.

“I enjoy the surprise factor of blind boxes. Not knowing what I’m getting is exciting because there’s always a chance of getting something outstanding,” freshman Lulu Simpson said.

This uncertainty fuels excitement. Opening a surprise box triggers a rush of dopamine, making the experience addictive. Whether the surprise is satisfying or disappointing, the mystery keeps people coming back for more.

“Blind boxes reinforce the behavior of wanting to repurchase them,” SRP Coordinator and Science Instructor Meghan Roarty said.

Toy companies capitalize on this excitement by releasing limited-edition figures that are much rarer than the regular ones. These exclusive designs are often more unique and appealing, driving collectors to keep buying in hopes of scoring one. Most of the time, these limited editions are only available through blind boxes, making them even harder to obtain—and encouraging buyers to spend more money.

“When I open a blind box, I hope to

thefourthestate.net

WORDS by HALI WIGHT GRAPHICS by SONNY ANGELS get the limited edition or secret figure because they’re usually way cuter than the normal ones,” Lulu said.

The feeling of getting a rare figure is like winning the lottery. Take Sonny Angel figures, for example—small angelic characters with themed hats, ranging from bunny ears to holiday designs.

Some boxes offer an ultra-rare figure known as a Robby, with odds of just 1 in 144.

This rarity attracts resellers, who sell Robbies for nine or ten times their original price, sometimes reaching $90 to $100.

Seeing these figures sell for such high prices encourages consumers to keep buying, even if they don’t get what they want.

“The rarity of a blind box plays a role in the reinforcement schedule. If you get a rare figure, that reward reinforces the behavior—just like with any action that leads to a positive outcome, you’re more likely to do it again,” Roarty said.

Once someone buys a surprise box,

they’re more inclined to get another.

This is partly due to the “gacha effect,” a phenomenon similar to gambling, where people believe that with just one more try, they’ll get what they want. The idea that persistence will eventually lead to success keeps buyers hooked.

While surprise boxes and gambling are not identical, they share the thrill of uncertainty.

With blind boxes, buyers are ensured an item, whereas gambling carries the risk of losing everything.

“Gambling is a lot bigger than blind boxes. With gambling, it’s actual monetary wins and losses, but with surprise boxes, you know you’ll get something. Still, there’s a connection—blind boxes encourage the same repetitive behavior,” Roarty said.

The growing popularity of blind boxes reflects their impact on consumer habits. In 2023, the global market was valued at $16.96 billion and is projected to reach $38.4 billion by 2031— more than doubling in less than a decade.

“I see some similarities between blind boxes and gambling. I think people get drawn in and obsessed with the feeling of opening them,” Lulu said.

Although blind boxes and gambling aren’t entirely the same, their appeal is rooted in the same concept: the excitement of the unknown.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • 37

Categorize these 16 words into four secret groups by figuring out how the words relate to each other. Good luck!

PAGE by DIONNE PETERSON

FRICTION

QUARTZ

IGNITE

HYDROGEN

OXYGEN

TENSION

DIAMOND

QUENCH

NITROGEN

GRAPHITE

FREEZE

NORMAL

SAPPHIRE

BOIL

GRAVITATIONAL

HELIUM

ELEMENTS (GASES) HYDROGEN, OXYGEN, HELIUM, NITROGEN IGNITE, QUENCH, FREEZE, BOIL ACTIONS (RELATED TO TEMPERATURE) TYPES OF FORCES FRICTION, TENSION, NORMAL, GRAVITATIONAL QUARTZ, DIAMOND, GRAPHITE, SAPPHIRE TYPES OF CRYSTALS (MINERALS) 38 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

thefourthestate.net

From the Aisles

Fresh off the shelf comes Trader Joe’s seasonal favorites of spring!

WORDS & PHOTO by NATALIE SCHWEITZER & OLIVIA DE PONCE

Mini Heart Cookies Our favorite sprinkled shortbread cookies are back in stock with this dark chocolate-covered treat. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, these cookies are great for sharing.

Found in the freezer aisle of your local TJs, don’t miss this delicious heart-shaped snack.

Pink Lady Apple Chips

Chamomile Tea This tea is spring in a cup. Packaged in the cutest yellow daisy box, this tea will brighten your day! To create the perfect tea, steep for 3-5 minutes and enjoy with your favorite raspberry shortbread sandwich cookies. Found in the tea section, keep your eye out for the tea of the season.

Looking for a snack that has the perfect balance of crunch and spring flavors?

These Pink Lady Apple Chips are sure to satisfy your craving. With the freshness of hand-picked organic apples combined with a hint of cinnamon, this snack is a must-have for spring!

Raspberry Hearts Our new favorite Valentine’s Day pastries are back on the shelf in the baked goods section. These crumbly shortbread cookies filled with sweet raspberry jam are sure to make your Valentine’s heart skip a beat.

Don’t forget to share these with your loved ones before they sell out!

Dark Chocolate Bark Raspberry Sandwich Cookies Paired perfectly with our favorite chamomile tea, these shortbread sandwich cookies with raspberry filling are the ideal tea-time treat. It is impossible to miss the pastel pink, floral box that these delicious cookies are packaged in. Be sure to add these to your cart next time you go to Trader Joes!

thefourthestate.net

A match made in heaven, this dark chocolate raspberry bark combines the richness of the chocolate with the tartness of the dried raspberries and the crunch of puffed quinoa. This bark not only has great flavor, but a perfect texture that is worth every bite. We recommend putting these in the freezer for an extra refreshing treat.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • 39

PAGE by DIONNE PETERSON & SOFIA RAMIREZ

Jellycats Jellycats are all the rage on social media. This furry friend can be used to help you sleep or just as cute room decor!

Aēsop Hand Balm Want to capture spring in a bottle? With its botanical essences and citrus undertones, Aēsop hand balm is a spring must-have.

Colorful China To add a spring flourish to a dining table, invest in some china with colorful floral designs that can elevate your table.

Rhode Pocket Blush A pink blush is a great way to add a subtle dash of color for a rosy look. Rhode’s new Pocket Blushes give off a soft glow that can enhance your natural flush.

Vintage Watches A vintage watch is a timeless piece that can add an understated touch to any look. Paired with a colorful wristband, it adds a vibrant element to a minimal spring outfit.

40 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

thefourthestate.net

A picture is worth 1,000 words… what is a five-minute sculpture worth?

WORDS & PHOTOS by MILLA HIRSCH

S

enior Mary Stoll has been a ceramics student since eighth grade, and this year took on the role as Teacher’s Assistant for the upper-school elective for a semester. We asked Mary a few get-to-know-you-better questions and prompted her to sculpt her responses out of clay instead of using her words. Since the art of sculpting is a tedious, refined craft meant to take time, to add a twist, we challenged her to craft in a matter of minutes! After hand sculpting or throwing on the wheel, clay will dry on an open rack, be carefully bisque-fired in the kiln for the first round, and then will typically be painted with underglaze before getting glazed in the kiln—this process makes the pieces food-safe and smooth.

These photos show fresh clay before the firing process.

Q: What is your spirit animal?

Q: What’s one item you would take with you if stranded on a deserted island?

Q: What is your favorite type of flower?

Artist Response:

Artist Response:

Artist Response:

thefourthestate.net

Q: Describe your mood today using clay.

Q: What is your least favorite vegetable?

Artist Response:

Artist Response:

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • 41

Fear and Fascination

Why are we so intrigued by crime mystery stories? Let’s investigate the motives behind this obsession.

M

WORDS & GRAPHICS by NATALIE SCHWEITZER

urder... the opening scene CASEFILE 1: of most mystery dramas Exploring the Unkown paints a picture of the horrible crime that sets the whole story in We are drawn to and fascinated motion. Right from the beginning— by occurrences that are out of the the first page of the novel, minute of ordinary. Like slowing down on the the podcast, or clip of the movie—the freeway to take a look at a car crash, viewer or listener is on the edge of their learning about murder mysteries is seat wondering WHO did this? WHY captivating because it is unusual, undid they do this? And HOW did this expected, and shocking. happened?

“The surprise of the situation, “The mystery of the stories is what and the fact that these things don’t initially gets me hooked,” said true happen very often or to you, make it crime podcast listener senior Monica intriguing. You’re very curious about Paredes Villegas. “I am trying to figure a certain situation even if you have no out who the murderer is, and then, connection to it because you really boom, I get new information that leads just want to know the details,” senior the investigation in a new direction.

Cyanne Blabey said.

It’s about wondering who Evolutionary psychology provides it is that’s truly behind some insight into this whole thing.” the reason behind While the shock, the human attraction “It is terrifying befear, and the adrenaline to learning about of seeing, reading, or what we don’t cause it’s unknown hearing about crimes is know or don’t to us, and because it understand: it is terrifying, the drama of it all is simultaneously is unknown, we are not despite of, but intriguing. rather because of, curious. ” Crime mystery stoour fears. ries deal with violent What we are - Dakota Risley and often disturbing afraid of drives crimes that one would us to learn more expect the audience information in to feel fearful of and order to better completely repelled by, yet we equip ourselves for handling dangerous can’t stop watching, listening,or situations. reading.

Junior Dakota Risley is an avid Why are we obsessed with watcher of horror movies and studlearning about one of our ied the appeal of horror movies for a greatest fears (death!!), and Humanities Research project. “[Horwhat aspects of crime ror content] is terrifying because it’s dramas make the stories unknown to us, and because it is so appealing despite unknown, we are curious. Humans are their horrifying connaturally curious because exploration tent? of the unknown and of potential danLet’s look at the ger helps to learn in order to survive in evidence: this world,” Dakota said.

If you can learn about the motivations, the strategies, and the mental inner workings of a killer, then you can better protect yourself from that criminal.

While instinctively, maybe subconsciously, we want to learn more about murder to protect ourselves from it, the average viewer or reader is not taking notes while they watch their TV show or flip to the next chapter because, while what they learn about is terrifying, there is comfort in the environment they are in.

“Because I am at my home watching a scary movie, I am able to experience those feelings of fear and curiosity but not feel threatened,” Dakota said.

Crime mystery stories, whether in the form of a book, movie, television show, or podcast, are presented in a way that makes the viewer feel invested in the story but distanced from the crime itself.

This content allows you to simultaneously feel fear, a rush of adrenaline, and a little sweat on your palms while lounging on the couch, comfortable with the notion that your fate will not be that of John Doe. CASEFILE 2: Anyone can be Sherlock Holmes Though the quintessential investigator may come to mind as a man with a spectacle and trench coat, you do not need a British accent or a giant magnifying glass to solve a mystery. Crime dramas are so entertaining because the viewer is invested in solving the murder right alongside the investigator.

“I am with the investigator, in the same place, thinking the same thing.

We’re kind of going through the mystery together,” Monica said.

This genre gets the viewer to hypoth-

esize and theorize outside of actually nization, confusion, and seemingly watching the show or reading the useless leads and dead-ends becomes a book. We are interested because we are linear solution. You flip the page, click actively a part of what is going on in the to the next episode, and stay up later story, solving the mystery, involved in than you originally intended, in order the clues, the suspects, and to learn more, in order to the leads. find the anWe not only become swers, and find “I ask myself, what invested in the storyline the killer. ’s going to happen but also connected to the “I keep characters. Often, crime watching next? And wantin g mystery stories are charbecause of the to find the answer acterized by an investimystery of it s is gator who is defined by all.

I ask myself, what keeps me their intelligence, their what’s going to intrigued.” wits, and their attention happen next? to detail—not their And wanting to - Monica Paredes status, job, or age. find the answers Villegas The investigator is is what keeps me often not a trained intrigued,” Monica police officer, but rather a seemingly said. normal person. In the case of TV seIn our real lives, with endless quesries like “Only Murders in the Buildtions, instability, and chaotic disorgaing,” “High Potential,” and “Poker nization, it is nice to see one problem Face,” movies like “Enola Holmes” solved and figured out. Everything and “Murder Mystery,” and books begins tangled and confused, and then such as “Nancy Drew,” and the C.B. it becomes logical.

Strike series, it is the unexpected, the This is the part where the investigaunderdog, the average person who tor reveals who did it, why, and how. solves the mystery. The audience sees This is when they connect the dots, themselves in these characters because the moment of epiphany, the moment they are relatable. when the killer is brought to justice.

Since the person on the screen or “This is the best part,” Cyanne said. in the book can solve the case, so can “When it all comes together it makes you. With crime stories, the viewer so much sense at the end. It is always does exactly this, and as a result, bethe most satisfying part when the comes invested in the story and in the whole story is wrapped up.” outcome.

The evidence shows that we are “With these shows, I am constantly infatuated with crime mystery stories thinking about what’s going to happen because of their complex, horrifying, because it’s like an unpredictable and thrilling aspects, because they puzzle. I love puzzles, and this is one deal with unfamiliar and scary topics, I can piece together and solve,” senior because we become deeply invested Siena Wyatt said. in the who, how, and why of each investigation, and because we crave the CASEFILE 3: Putting the answers and organization that these Pieces Together crime dramas provide.

The mystery behind our fascination In the chaos of our lives—work, with these frightening stories is finally school, tests, that one assignment you solved… still need to submit—we crave a sense CASE CLOSED. of organization, the feeling of having control, and even if it is just for 30 minutes, crime mystery stories provide that.

What begins as disorga-

Athlete of the Issue: Kevin Lu

“From new student to student council member and golf superstar, freshman Kevin Lu shares his experience balancing sports across different countries while adjusting to life at Laguna Blanca.”

WORDS by JULES LECLERCQ & PHOTO by KEVIN LU Q: Where and when did you start playing golf ?

Q: What are your goals for golf as you continue A: I started playing golf in China when I was 10 years old, through high school? because we lived right next to a golf course, and I had famiA: My goal is to qualify for CIF before senior year and try ly that already played. to win our [Tri-Valley League].

Q: How do you compare golf in the United States to other places you have played around the world?

A: I would say the golf environment in United States is MUCH better than China, since there are more people who play golf, and it is a relatively cheaper sport in United States while it is very expensive in China.

Q: Why did you choose Laguna Blanca as your school when you decided to move to the U.S.?

A: I had a tour visit before I chose to study here, through the tour, I felt that Laguna Blanca is better than any other school that I have applied for, since it offers a interactive learning environment Q: What is your favorite golfing memory?

A: My best golfing memory would be the first time I won a tournament few years ago. I put my whole summer in practicing golf as my leisure activity. This was the first time that I had the actual rewarding feeling of you get what you put in.

Q: How do you balance golf with your school schedule?

A: It’s not super difficult for me to manage, but I just make sure to focus on my schoolwork when I am home and get it done as fast as possible.

Q: What is your favorite golf snack?

A: I barely eat snacks when I golf, but if I have to say one, I would say granola bars.

Q: What is your favorite golf course you’ve played?

A: Songshi Golf Club in Hebei Province in China, I haven’t played enough in the United States to find a favorite course here yet.

Q: How do you prepare for competitive golf ?

A: I go play at the course a day prior to the actual tournament day, then I would be able to know the course a little bit, and play better in the next day.

Q: What is your favorite golf club?

A: I would say my putter, spider series by Taylormade.

The Super Bowl: More Than a Game After the Super Bowl, football fans and athletes reflect on the Eagles’ dominance, and discuss the cultural implications and entertainment brought about by multi-million dollar commercials and a halftime show starring Kendrick Lamar.

WORDS by DAVIS OHANIAN & MASON SIEGEL GRAPHIC by DIONNE PETERSON

F

eb.9. A storied sport, a game intertwined in the very cultural fabric of the United States of America. After an ultra-competitive regular season, the stage was set for Super Bowl LIX (59) between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, two storied franchises that originally faced off in 2023 for Super Bowl LVIII. Winning 38-35, Led by the tandem of Patrick Mahomes and an elite offensive line, the Chiefs feature an efficient offense that has only gotten better over the course of the season, especially with the emergence of star rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

On the defensive side, with star defensive lineman Chris Jones and young cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs only allowed 30 points in one regular season game, constituting them as one of the statistically best defenses in the NFL. On the other side of the field, led by veteran quarterback Jalen Hurts and star-studded running back Saquon Barkley, the Eagles feature one of the most prolific offenses in the league.

And with a variety of young defensive stars, from linebacker Zack Baun to defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the Eagles ranked first in passing yards allowed per game.

In a matchup with two dynastic powers, the public had high expectations. But from start to finish, the Eagles absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball, not letting the Chiefs score until the very end of the third quarter.

“The two most impactful players on the Eagles’ defense were Cooper DeJean and Josh Sweat,” junior football player Carter Plowman said. “DeJean played a huge role as a pass defender, and his pick 6 in the second quarter was crucial in shutting down any chance of the Chiefs building momentum before halftime.”

Vic Fangio, the Eagles defensive coordinator, also took advantage of his team’s prominent defensive line, as the team brought Mahomes to the ground seven times without calling a single blitz.

“On the defensive line, Sweat and the Eagles’ front dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line all night,” Carter said.

“Sweat led the way with 2.5 sacks and 6 tackles, constantly pressuring Mahomes and disrupting the Chiefs’ rhythm.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Jalen Hurts played one of the best games of his career, winning the game’s MVP award. With nearly 300 total yards and three touchdowns, the veteran quarterback was effective in both the passing and rushing games.

However, the Chiefs did an excellent job at containing

46 • SPORTS

star running back Saquon Barkley.

“I think the Chiefs definitely focused too much on stopping Saquon, underestimating Jalen Hurts ability to throw and run the ball,” Eagles fan and soccer player Baylor Wilson ‘26 said.

Barkley, the reigning offensive player of the year, has been the focal point of the Eagles’ offense throughout the entirety of the season, averaging nearly six yards per carry.

The Chiefs held him to under three, but the rest of the offense, especially with All-Pro A.J. Brown, was too much for the Chiefs to handle.

“All of their performances were instrumental in securing the Eagles’ victory,” Carter said.

Toward the end of the game, with the blazing speed of wide receiver Xavier Worthy and the poise of Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs scored three touchdowns in 16 minutes, but they couldn’t overcome the overwhelming deficit, losing 22-40.

This win for the Eagles cemented themselves in NFL History.

They dominated the ball in all three phases and proved to be the better team from start to finish. With such a young and talented roster, there’s a chance the Eagles could achieve dynastic status.

“The city loves their team thefourthestate.net

like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said Eagles fan and math department chair Erik Faust. “You could walk down the street anywhere and begin chanting the Eagles Fight song, and people would begin to chime in and sing with you. It would mean a lot to the people in Philly to have a dynasty for a bit, especially after having gone so long without a Super Bowl win.”

But when a team is struggling, the fans who stick along for the ride show how much they truly care.

“Loving a team that struggles in a weird way is one of the ways you know you are a part of a real fan base,” Faust said. “You know those people really love their team because you can’t support something that struggles so much without having a deep love for your team.”

Over the past few years, the Super Bowl has evolved from just a championship football game to what many consider a cultural phenomenon, especially with the advent of social and mass media.

The most recent game averaged approximately 128 million viewers, most in Super Bowl History according to ESPN. “Yeah, I’d say the Super Bowl is definitely a game most people watch, whether they enjoy football or not,” Faust said.

With multi-million dollar commercials and a halftime show featuring a prominent artist with a diverse set of listeners, it’s no surprise that the Super Bowl continues to grow in popularity, especially with ads featuring celebrities like Harrison Ford, Becky G, and Caitlin Clark.

“My favorite commercial thefourthestate.net

“It would mean a lot to the people in Philly to have a dynasty for a bit, especially after having gone so long without a Super Bowl win.”

-Eagles fan Erik Faust was definitely Mountain Dew’s “Kiss From A Lime” featuring SEAL and Becky G. SEAL as a seal was definitely unique. I can’t say I’ve seen anything like it before,” Baylor said.

From Robert Kraft’s antisemitism awareness ad to Nike’s “So Win” campaign promoting female athletes, this year’s ads brought awareness to a multitude of societal issues.

But maybe none of them had the impact that Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show did. Playing some of his most popular songs, featuring Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, and bringing out Serena Williams for a surprise appearance, Lamar’s halftime show was unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

“Overall, I thought the performance was a bit underwhelming, but my favorite song that he played was definitely ‘Humble,’” Baylor said.

From “Humble” to “Luther,” Lamar performed some of his most popular songs, especially with his decision to play “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake. More than anything, Lamar’s performance was a culture shock.

“I loved Samuel L. Jackson emceeing the performance as Uncle Sam introducing this as “The Great American Game” and then throughout yelling at Kendrick Lamar that he was “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” which are things said to Black Americans and about hip hop and rap as well,” said DEI Coordinator Ursula Chan.

From addressing stereotypes to entertaining millions, Lamar’s halftime show certainly left its mark.

Maybe there’s even some more work that can be done incorporating a wider variety of music genres into the halftime show, and expanding the Super Bowl’s viewing base.

“One of the most important roles the Super Bowl plays in our country is bringing us together as Americans, and music is a key part of that. That being said, I’d love to see more variety in the genres represented—particularly country music,” Carter said. “A halftime show featuring country artists could help captivate a new audience. Morgan Wallen and Post Malone would be a great pairing, as they’ve recently blended elements of their respective genres, proving that country and mainstream music can work well together.”

SPORTS • 47

Spring Sports Recap 48 • SPORTS

As the spring season comes to a close, let’s take a look back at what our athletes achieved, and what they overcame.

Interview by Mason Siegel with Shaia Bijan Boys Tennis: Q: What has been the most exciting match of the season so far for you, and what made it stand out?

A: We haven’t had any matches yet however preparing as a team has been very fun and we’re building connections with our peers.

Q: How do you prepare mentally and physically for your singles matches?

A: I prepare for a match mentally by not worrying about the outcome or the score but by focusing on each point one at a time. Physically I warm up with stretches and dynamic warmups.

Q: What goals have you set for yourself as the season progresses, both individually and as a team?

A: As the season progresses I want to individually excel by being more consistent and hitting stronger and getting better in all aspects.

Sophomore Olivia Sofranko caught mid-stride running through the rough track.

Interview by Mason Siegel with Olivia Sofranko Track and Field:

Freshman Shaia Bijan winds up to return the ball during a home game against Dunn School.

Q: What events are you focusing on this season, and how do you prepare for them?

A: I’m focusing on the 400 and 800 meters this season. I prepare for them by giving my best every practice— making sure I warm up and train hard.

Q: What personal or team goals have you set for the season, and how do you plan to achieve them?

A: My personal goals for this season are getting another metal and reducing my mile time to sub-6.

Q: How do you manage to stay in peak condition throughout the long season, especially during tough training sessions?

A: I aim to eat a lot of protein and healthy carbs during my season so I stay energized and grow important muscles. On vigorous training days, I make sure to drink plenty before hand and have electrolytes during practices. thefourthestate.net

Interview by Liam Knezevic with Soren Alldrege Boys Indoor Volleyball:

Sophomore Leo Dalporto tees off on the first hole at Santa Barbara Golf Club.

Interview by Mason Siegel with Leo Dalporto Boys Golf: Q: How has your approach to the game changed as you progress through the season?

A: My approach to the game has become much more serious and focused as I was preparing for the season.

What is usually a sport where I would go play around with friends became something that I was focused on and trying to get better at golf each time I went out.

Q: Are there any specific areas of your game you’ve been working on improving this year?

A: I have been focusing on my driver shots, range has always been an issue for me so understanding the driver swing better has helped me improve.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about playing golf as a team compared to other sports?

A: I think the improvement that you see in your score is something that’s unlike any other sport.

INTERVIEWS by MASON SIEGEL & LIAM KNEZEVIC

Q: How has your training routine evolved this season compared to previous years?

A: This season I have put a greater emphasis on stretching and warming up before practice and games. This allows me to lower the chance of injury and keep my body healthy for our tournaments where we are playing multiple matches in one day.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in the indoor season, and how are you addressing it?

A: I am a middle blocker, so my role on the court is to hit hard and put up a big block. The biggest challenge I have had this year was to get my timing perfect with my setter so I can beat the blockers at the net. With more practice, the setter-hitter connection will develop further, and I will be able to win a lot of balls on the net.

Q: How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the season as the meets get more competitive?

A: The driving factor behind my focus in the gym and on the court is in my passion for volleyball, and my goal to play at the collegiate level. These push me to play harder, be more focused, and be more competitive.

Soren Alldredge ‘27 leaps to spike the ball.

Senior Danica Rux approaches the net to spike a ball.

Interview by Liam Knezevic with Danica Rux Girls Beach Volleyball: Q: What has been your favorite part of playing beach volleyball this season, and why?

A: So far, my favorite thing has been being able to play with new people and just work on different skills with different people.

Q: How do you balance the technical and physical aspects of the game during your matches?

A: I love listening to music with the team before to help get focused on our game. Games are high-energy environments so staying calm and focused is a big goal of mine. On the physical side, I spend a lot of time stretching.

Q: Have you noticed any improvements in your game since the start of the season?

A: One thing I would say that I have improved on since the beginning of the season would be serving. It is always difficult figuring out how to serve correctly with the wind, and I would say I have more confidence in my serving now than I did at the beginning of the season.

Students Take on Athletics Beyond School Grounds While most of our teams practice on campus, some train offsite—honing their skills at the YMCA, a local pool, or out on the open ocean. From fast-paced rallies to open-water competition, our off-campus teams push themselves in unique training environments.

WORDS by TEDDY WILSON Marshall Graham '27 Q: How does squash work?

A: Squash is an indoor racket sport, similar to tennis, but contained within a room. The scoring gets a bit complicated.

Q: What are some of the strengths of our squash team this year?

A: Our serving has significantly improved this year, and a lot of our players have become more competitive. We have a lot of closer matches and are looking a lot better than previous years.

Q: How did you get into squash?

A: My dad played professional squash, so I’ve been around it my whole life. I played my first tournament when I was nine in the U11 division.

Q: Where do you train?

A: We have a court at the Hitchcock Family YMCA where we train. It’s difficult to train with the limited space, but we train after school.

Q: Does the team have any pre-game rituals or team habits?

A: No. Sophomore Marshall Graham prepares to return a serve with his forehand on the squash court at Hitchcock Family YMCA..

Freshman Matthew Sullivan glides through the water with his powerful butterfly stroke.

50 • SPORTS

Matthew Sullivan '28 Q: How’s the swim team looking this year?

A: The team is looking pretty good. We gained a few freshmen and are going to have a pretty strong boys swim team.

Q: How do you train without a pool on campus?

A: Since we don’t have a pool here, all of our swimmers train with Santa Barbara Swim Club. We practice at Los Baños and compete for Laguna in both individual and four-person relay events.

Q: Are you excited about the future of our swimming team?

A: Yes, we’re only losing one senior, Rio Valle, next year.

We currently have a freshman, Jake Wyatt, and a sophomore, Yikai Feng. Hopefully, we can recruit more swimmers next year, but I think our future looks good.

Q: How did you get into swimming?

A: I joined my first swim team when I was four. I’ve been swimming my whole life. I joined because I wanted to swim with my brother [Bennett ‘26], and we’ve been swimming together ever since. thefourthestate.net

Robie Polos '26 Q: How’s the team looking this year?

A: We’re doing really well. We’re probably one of the best teams in our division.

Q: Is Santa Barbara a good place to train?

A: Santa Barbara is a fantastic place for sailing. We practice with many experienced sailors, which gives us an edge.

Even though we’re in the B division, we consistently perform well against around 60 other schools.

Q: Explain a bit about how sailing works.

A: Competitive sailing has two different types of racing, and the type we do is called fleet racing. In fleet racing, there’s usually a fleet of about 20 boats. Each boat is crewed by two people: the skipper steers the boat and trims the mainsail (the large sail), and the crew trims the jib (the smaller front sail) to help balance the weight.

Q: What are some of the strengths of our sailing team this year?

A: One of our biggest strengths is our experience. In Santa Barbara, we have some of the most experienced teams for a small city. Even if we don’t always do well in practice, we usually outperform many teams in the California division during competitions.

Q: Are you excited about the future of our sailing team?

A: I’m very excited. We just got two more sailors, giving us a full team of two boats. We’ve been doing pretty well so far, placing second and third in our regattas this year. We’re hoping to win the Santa Barbara Regatta in March.

Q: How long have you been sailing?

A: I’ve been sailing for a bit in the harbor, the Sailing Cen-

Robie Polos and Jack Grube expertly navigate around the mark, pushing into the second half of the regatta. ter, and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. I got really invested in 8th grade when I took a sailing course. Jack and I joined the team and started competing.

Q: When does the team train?

A: We train Tuesdays and Thursdays until 6 p.m. at the harbor. You’ll see us out by the Yacht Club.

Juniors Robie Polos and Jack Grube sail out to the Monterey Regatta starting line.

thefourthestate.net

SPORTS • 51

“To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness.”

-Mahatma Gandhi