The Epitaph Volume 61, Issue 8, 2023-24

The Epitaph

New principal appointed after unanimous decision

Denae Nurnberg succeeds Greg Giglio as HHS principal

By Kevin Miao and Jonathan Xue

After months of deliberation, current coordinator of data and assessment and former HHS assistant principal Denae Nurnberg was unanimously chosen as the new HHS principal by the FUHSD Board of Trustees and superintendent Graham Clark at the board meeting on May 21.

After Giglio accepted his new position as director of human resources, the search for a new principal began with a job posting that looked for educators who would fill the newly-vacant position, assistant superintendent Tom Avvakumovits said. Four weeks later, Avvakumovits screened candidates to ensure they fulfilled the job’s re quirements, he said.

“I did a little reference checking [because] there [were] a lot of applicants; sometimes you get per spectives that you don’t see on paper,” Avvakumov its said. “Then I wrote [in terview] questions using things we heard from, the community or staff.”

The first round of in terviews was conducted by an expan sive group

comprising of a student board representative, various HHS parents, members of the FUHSD cabinet, HHS staff and LHS principal Maria Jackson. From there, the applicant pool was narrowed down before a second interview round, which was held at HHS and included a larger panel of 28 HHS staff members, mainly comprised of department leads, Avvakumovits said.

“The things staff wanted most were a strong vision, the commitment to follow through and strong communication,” Avvakumovits said. “[Nurnberg’s] performance was exemplary. She is very much ready to take the step as a principal in our district.”

Nurnberg said she has been working at the district office as the coordinator of data and assessment for the last four years and prior to that, she worked at HHS for

Staff share opinions on new principal

“She [was] definitely the top choice. We had a lot of good candidates, [but] it was who would do the best job. I’m sure she’ll uphold HHS’s legacy of excellence. She wants to be principal of this school because she values the people in this community.”

cess for the position, Nurnberg said her profound involvement in FUHSD and HHS affairs solidified her commitment as the future principal. However, her approachability, empathy and love for students is what she believes set her apart from other candidates, Nurnberg said.

The main goal is to make a smooth transition between principals to ensure HHS will continue on its path of excellence, Clark said.

“Denae is the right choice [for principal]. She’s got a lot of experience and she’s worked at HHS before,” Clark said. “She has all the skills and she’s a good fit [for the role].”

Nurnberg has excelled in her positions in the district, developing leadership skills that have prepared her for this new role, current director of human resources Paula Robinson said.

“She has a special connection with [HHS]; she’s been there before for a long time and she has remained in touch with the school,” Robinson said. “[She knows] how the school thrives and what support it needs. Her history and the experiences that

“Nurnberg cares about students. She is cognizant of the challenges teachers [face] and accommodates both, but mostly putting the students first, which is what we want; we work for students.”

she brings from her job at the district office are going to serve HHS very well.”

In her new role, Nurnberg said she aims to foster more collaborative efforts between teachers, which will benefit student learning. Moreover, building a positive school environment and helping students engage in civil discourse safely are other goals Nurnberg has for her new position, she added.

“I think students will find a safe space to talk to me and share questions, concerns and ideas. It’s your school, and [administration] should be here to listen and help you make it the best experience you can,” Nurnberg said. “I really try to learn and understand issues [because] I care about the students and the community.”

After 24 years in public education, Nurnberg said she is ready to lead the campus she knows and loves.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to HHS, and I’m super excited about this opportunity,” Nurnberg said. “I look forward to meeting as many of you as are willing to come up and say hello. Don’t be a stranger, get to know me. Trust that I will listen even if we don’t agree on something.”

Boys varsity tennis makes history on the courts

Boys varsity tennis wins CCS, competes in NorCal finals

By Ella Chan, Helen Tam and Annabelle Yip

For the first time since 1990, boys varsity tennis won CCS. A week later, the team cemented themselves as a top-four team in the state after reaching NorCal finals, uncharted territory for the program, singles one player John Tahk said.

With a score of 4-3, the victory against Saratoga High School in the CCS finals felt incredible, Tahk, a senior, said. Not only was the event a historic moment, but it was also a culmination of the team’s hard work throughout the entire season, he said.

“With each hard-fought close win, our team grew even closer together,” Tahk said. “I’m proud of the effort each person

gave at every step along the way.”

Similarly, doubles one player senior Alon Hutt said the experience of being crowned CCS champions was unreal. After avoiding tennis powerhouse Menlo School, the team faced a school they were more familiar with: league rival SHS, Hutt said.

“We were all nervous during the match since it came down to a decider,” Hutt said. “As soon as we won, I was flooded with a mix of happy, sad and pure shock. Best of all, we beat Saratoga.”

Head varsity coach Sundar Parthasarathy said that the season was magical, as the team had never made NorCals before, let alone NorCal finals.

“I’m really proud of the boys,” Parthasarathy said. “They worked so hard, they came to practice all the time, they never missed matches, they’re there for each other [and] they’re always cheering.”

See Boys tennis wins CCS, Page 7

of the Month: Vincent Wang’s dedication helps bring

Photo courtesy of Edmond Kwong

Senior Alon Hutt said playing in NorCals under the blaring sun in 90-degree weather was a grind, but coming through in the deciding match in the semifinals was rewarding, as it extended his senior season for one more day.

“Nurnberg’s passion, dedication and her commitment to students are unquestioned. Her desire to do what is right [for] students and our community is also something that I admire.”

- Superintendent, Graham Clark

- World language department lead, Muriel von Stein

- Director of human resources, Paula Robinson

PhotobyElenaShim

Photos by Kevin Miao Infographic by Evelyn Wang

Chemistry teacher accepts AVID role

Chris Nafrada to be AVID teacher next school year

By Annie Guo, Adam Orrin and Veronica Zhao

Upon selection by an interview panel consisting of principal Greg Giglio, current AVID 12 teacher and AVID coordinator Natalie Owsley, assistant principal Terry Hannigan and previous AVID instructors, chemistry teacher Chris Nafrada will take on the additional role of an AVID teacher for the upcoming school year.

In his new position, Nafrada will help guide AVID students through high school, starting with a new freshman class and building a family environment they can depend on, Owsley said.

Nafrada said his initial interest in becoming an AVID teacher was sparked at a conference that introduced various note-taking techniques such as the Cornell Notes System. Because Nafrada currently implements similar techniques in his chemistry classroom, he wanted to expand on his teaching journey by becoming an AVID teacher, he said.

“It [is not] just Cornell Note-Taking procedures but a live interactive notebook in my chemistry class,” Nafrada said. “I loved seeing students use that to help them be successful, so I was already using AVID techniques and wanted to continue that.”

Nafrada said his previous experience as an academic foundations teacher allowed him to build on his teaching skills and

AVID approaches. As a one-onone support class for students who require extra guidance in their high school journey, academic foundations introduced him to a different demographic of HHS students, which prepared him for his role as an AVID 12 teacher, Nafrada said.

“Academic foundations was very transformational for what I thought education was and where I think education needs to be,” Nafrada said.

AVID and academic foundations teachers share similar roles, with both requiring tasks such as case management, checking in on students’ grades and communicating with other teachers, Owsley said. Having experience in a role similar to that of an AVID teacher was a quality the interview panel was looking for, she added.

Nafrada’s AVID training will begin at the AVID Summer Institute, a professional conference for AVID teachers, where he will receive the bulk of his training and learn the AVID curriculum, Owsley said.

Sophomore Julia Bouron, a student in Nafrada’s chemistry honors class, said he will be an amazing AVID teacher due to his genuine care for students and their learning.

“He is very patient and understanding with students,” Bouron said. “He has an interesting philosophy where he teaches students to care [about] more than just the grade and to value learning and experiences [instead].”

As he takes on his new role, Nafrada said his main aspiration is to truly understand and connect with every student in his class.

“I want to get to a point where I don’t just know them, but who they are and what they need,” Nafrada said. “I want to know when it’s time to push them and when it’s time to retract. I hope to be their ally and have their back.”

News in a minute

By Evelyn Wang Local: New Bay Area WNBA expansion team reveals team name

Centennial celebrates century of education within district

Staff, alumni reflect on the history of FUHSD and FHS

By Maya Dutt and Catherine Yang

The district commemorated FUHSD’s and FHS’s 100-year anniversaries with a celebration at FHS on May 19, FUHSD’s coordinator of communications Rachel Zlotziver said. The event included speeches from mayors and politicians, the inauguration of a war memorial and open houses on the history of FHS.

The event began with a ceremony where district officials and students gave speeches commemorating the milestone, Zlotziver said. Superintendent Graham Clark opened the ceremony by introducing notable attendees, which included Sunnyvale mayor Larry Klein and congressional aide Jordan Tachibana.

At the ceremony, FHS principal Bryan Emmert spoke about FUHSD’s history, which encompasses three eras of the Bay Area: the agricultural era, the Cold War boom and the tech hub of today.

“100 years is a long time, so for something to thrive for that long is noteworthy,” Emmert said. “It is important to recognize something that has been a part of the community for so long.”

The ceremony concluded with a speech from retired superintendent Polly Bove, who applauded the momentous event and expressed her gratitude to be part of the district.

“This school is infectious,” Bove said. “It stays in your heart. I have to say that things often touch you at the cellular level, and it continues to touch so many of you that are coming back after many years. It is the pride of FUHSD and the pride of the city of Sunnyvale.”

Throughout FUHSD’s history, the district has experienced events such as World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, FHS assistant principal Andy Walczak said. To honor FHS students who passed during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, Walczak said he organized a memorial specially dedicated to them.

In his speech for the inauguration of the memorial, Walczak said he chose to highlight three alumni who fought and died in World War II: William Feria, Jarvis Bishop and

Wendell Adair, who have schools in the area named after them.

“Having three schools named after these young men really shows the monumental impact that war has on a tight-knit area,” Walczak said. “The degrees of separation between someone out in Sunnyvale and one of these families was very slim.”

As he was compiling the list of men who lost their lives during World War II, Walczak said he was proud to see that the names on the memorial reflected the diversity of the area in the 1930s and 1940s.

“Many of those young men were first-generation Americans whose parents came here and settled in the Santa Clara Valley, one of the greatest places on earth to grow fruit and to live and raise families,” Walczak said.

After the inauguration, guests could eat lunch or attend open houses run by student volunteers to learn more about FHS’s history. In the student center, old editions of “The Chief,” the FHS newspaper now known as “The Phoenix,” and past yearbooks were on display.

Due to the celebration being an open event, the planning committee had to work to accommodate all guests, Walczak said.

“The most difficult thing was not knowing how many people

were going to show up,” Walczak said. “Our theater is small and if a lot of people [came], we didn’t have a plan B.”

Emmert said that because the district does not regularly hold events of this size, there were a lot of moving pieces which meant that communication between the district and the school was crucial.

“[There was] a lot of planning and trying to figure out what things we want to include, who to invite to speak, how long the day was [and] what places to have open on campus,” Emmert said. “We were trying to make it so that, regardless of whether you are a current student or you graduated many years ago, you come back and hopefully find something of worth.”

Reflecting on these milestones at the event, Sunnyvale mayor Larry Klein said he felt privileged to witness FUHSD’s centennial, as the district has evolved tremendously over the past 100 years.

“As we commemorate the [district’s] significant milestone, let us not only celebrate the past achievements but also look towards the future with optimism and determination,” Klein said. “Let us continue to embrace change, adapt to challenges and uphold the values that have been in this district.”

After being approved by the WNBA in October 2023, the Golden State Valkyries revealed its name, logo and violet and black team colors on May 14, according to NBC Bay Area. Inspired by Norse mythology, the name “Valkyries” represents boldness and fierceness, while the team logo with the Bay Bridge acts as a symbol of courage and power. Despite just revealing its team name a few days prior, the franchise already has a large fan base, selling over 7,000 season tickets in an arena that seats about 18,000 people. The team is scheduled to debut in the 2025 season and will play in the Chase Center, the home

arena of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, according to NBC Bay Area.

National: First black astronaut candidate makes it to space at 90 years old

90-year-old former Air Force pilot and first black astronaut candidate Ed Dwight flew into space for the first time on May 19, making him the oldest person in history to reach space, according to CBS News. As NASA was developing its Mercury program in the 1960s, president John F. Kennedy announced that he wanted an African American in NASA’s astronaut corps. As a result, Dwight was recommended by the Air Force to NASA; however, he was ultimately not chosen by the space agency

and resigned in 1966, choosing to pursue a career in the arts, according to CBS News. Almost 60 years after his resignation, Dwight, along with five other crewmates, made their trip to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, which launched from billionaire Jeff Bezos’ West Texas launch site. The flight lasted 10 minutes, and the crew members were able to experience three minutes of weightlessness at an altitude of 65 miles — slightly above the boundary line between the atmosphere and space, according to CBS News.

International: Iranian president and other important officials killed in helicopter crash Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Ami-

rabdollahian and other important officials and bodyguards were killed in a helicopter incident on May 19, according to CBS News. The Iranian Red Crescent said there were no survivors from the crash, and all bodies were recovered and identified. While Iranian authorities have not issued an official statement providing reasoning behind the incident, government ministers claimed the aircraft experienced a “hard landing” in a mountainous and foggy region in northwest Iran due to bad weather conditions, according to BBC. As of now, Mohammad Mokhber is Iran’s interim president until the election, which will happen within 50 days, according to BBC.

Owsley said she hopes Nafrada can build a family environment for his students.

Photo by Adam Orrin

Alumni listened to the speeches given by various speakers, including FHS principal Bryan Emmert, superintendent Graham Clark and Sunnyvale mayor Larry Klein.

Photo by Maya Dutt

Superintendent Graham Clark spoke about FUHSD’s rich history and introduced notable attendees including the mayor of Sunnyvale.

Photo by Maya Dutt

Staff Editorial

HHS must address Israel-Hamas War’s impact on students

The Israel-Hamas conflict has divided both the HHS and broader FUHSD communities. Both Jewish and Muslim students have expressed concerns over a lack of support and action from administration, despite continued incidents caused by the conflict. Instead of prioritizing one agenda over the other, the HHS community must give students space to work through conflicts.

To protect the interests of students, more programs must be implemented beyond the current ones. There are systems in place for parents and students to meet with the principal to discuss any issues or questions surrounding the conflict, said principal Greg Giglio. However, support resulting from dialogue is meager and ineffective.

Though supporting action is necessary, administration must keep in mind the deep ties students have, which makes it impossible

for them to not adopt passionate stances.

The lack of additional materials for students highlights the underlying hesitancy surrounding district action toward this controversial subject. However, in refusing to acknowledge students in any aspect of the conflict, FUHSD ultimately fails to support anyone.

Moreover, there is a fear among students to speak out about the conflict because of the expectations of retaliation from administration.

The school administration must work towards establishing trust with students by validating and addressing their concerns.

No matter what stance a student may take, no one wants to see the continuation of hate both sides have received. To better support students, administration must provide conflict resolution processes to students through various channels such as advisory, events and teachers. In doing so, HHS would continue to allow students to form personal opinions.

Unlocking the full potential of AP classes

AP courses must utilize active learning

By Malar Raguraman

As I step into the AP testing room, variables, equations and dates urgently fly around in my head. Once I finally open up the test, however, my mind goes blank — not because those equations disappeared, but because I do not know how to use them.

While a student’s performance on AP testing is dependent on their study habits, it is also a teacher’s responsibility to use effective techniques that ensure students implement the material taught to them. This is especially crucial for analysis-based AP classes, such as AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Biology and many others.

The majority of the lessons that occur in AP classes are more lecture-focused, but studies show that hands-on labs and activities teach students more implementation techniques than traditional note-taking. For example, students instructed through active learning strategies tested an entire letter grade higher than those taught with passive learning strategies, according to Harvard.

As an AP Physics student, I have learned much more through experimental and applicable activities than through lectures or slide presentations. By encouraging students to come to a conclusion based on a given setup, labs al-

low students to teach a concept to themselves and how to apply that knowledge in various situations.

This form of active learning helps in terms of memorization, as well, according to the National Library of Medicine. Instead of teachers dictating information, students have to teach interpretive techniques to themselves, which allows them to retain the knowledge more efficiently.

A difficult class does not necessitate a more difficult learning experience. However, AP students are solely tested through cumulative AP exams. This means it is not only an AP teacher’s responsibility to teach students all covered information but also to provide students with the critical thinking skills essential for analysis and conceptual understanding necessary for the FRQ portion of many AP tests.

There are a multitude of policies refraining from the discussion of political topics in classrooms, according to the FUHSD Board Policy Manual. However, FUHSD rarely upholds these policies — one of which prevents teachers from including personal opinions in factual discussion.

In fact, these policies are not taught to teachers, and many are unaware of the current policies, history teacher Nicholas Neese said. Administration is responsible for ensuring these policies are upheld, and deviation from guidelines must be addressed.

Teachers must also hold themselves accountable to said policies and ensure any discussion regarding such an inflammatory topic is not alienating certain students or overtly favoring one perspective. To achieve this, teachers must receive training alongside students to establish a welcoming and safe environment in their classrooms.

It is also crucial for parents to respect student boundaries.

Recently, both Jewish and Israeli parents have advocated to pass a policy to include the conflict in the current history curriculum, according to FUHSD Board Meeting Portal. However, these suggestions are unrealistic because they would lack a foolproof guarantee of neutrality.

While advocating, many of these parents also named specific students guilty of perceived dangerous action, but it is imperative parents refrain from attacking students. In doing so, the messages of safety and inclusivity are lost due to the negative undertones surrounding such discussion. These sentiments may also seep into students’ actions, and parents must understand how they may negatively sway student beliefs.

For HHS to heal, we must all continue to believe in the possibility of partial understanding and the unilateral goal of a return to a safer, more inclusive school.

Remove weed restrictions

Reclassification of cannabis does not go far enough

By Jonathan Xue

It is not the responsibility of students to use active learning within their studying techniques. AP teachers must be incentivized to regularly implement interactive and hands-on lessons within the classroom, whether in the form of a lab, experiment, class discussion or reflection within a lecture itself. Allowing students to learn an AP class’s material through active learning strategies is necessary for a deeper understanding of the information taught in the class. Acquiring an expanded knowledge of concepts is critical for many AP tests. That way, when a student opens up their AP test, they don’t just see the equations they must use, but also how to use them.

With the cultivation, sale and use of marijuana legalized since 2016, it is no secret California loves cannabis. The federal government, however, has only begun to follow suit. On April 30, the Drug Enforcement Agency reclassified marijuana as a less dangerous drug and recognized both the medical uses and lower potential for abuse associ ated with cannabis, according to AP News. However, this loosening of restrictions is not enough, and the federal government should work toward full, permanent le galization of weed across the United States.

dering access to the drug. To better parallel the intentions of reclassification, the DEA must either subject marijuana use to even lower levels of restriction or completely remove cannabis from drug classification policies entirely.

Fewer restrictions are needed to fully acknowledge benefits and recreational uses of marijuana.

Despite these sweeping regulatory changes, marijuana still suffers from federal restrictions. Under the April 30 proposition, marijuana would remain directly regulated by the DEA, and dispensaries would have to register through the DEA similarly to pharmacies, according to AP News. By making dispensaries abide by the same requirements pharmacies do, the federal government contradicts the policy of fewer weed restrictions by hin-

Ulterior motives also underline the recent changes in marijuana regulations. Given the upcoming election cycle, the Biden administration is likely committing to such a policy to drum up additional support for reelection efforts. This motivator alone does not detract from the significance of such action. However, governmental attitudes toward loosening restrictions must not be characterized by the fickle nature of election cycle pandering. Even in the case of power shifts, the federal government must continue to support such progress.

The government was established for the people, and drug restrictions are a vital aspect of its role to safeguard citizens. However, past restrictions continue to prevail over medical advice and the will of Americans. To reflect the changes in attitude towards cannabis, the government must ensure the permanence of current progress while fostering even further regulatory changes.

Editors-in-Chief

Evelyn Wang

Veronica Zhao

Managing Editor

Parth Dhaulakhandi

News Editors

Danielle Feldsher

Kevin Miao

Opinion Editors

Annie Guo

Jonathan Xue

Lifestyles Editors

Amanda Boles

Ella Chan

Arts & Culture Editors

Maya Dutt

Malar Raguraman

Sports Editors

Alcia Liste

Helen Tam

Copy Editor

Jonathan Xue

Creative Director

Mackie Vu

Design Editors

Maya Dutt

Aviv Matas

Multimedia Editor

Catherine Yang

Social Media Editor

Elena Shim

Reporters

Sanah Arya

Andrew Fekete

Parker Lin

Brian Ling

Adam Orrin

Naaga Senthil Anand

Graduating Seniors

Saira Ahmed

Nathan Gu

Nicole Kim

Anushruti Nagarajan

Mikha Pilar

Nicole Pimenta Innecco

Zeinab Rakhshandehroo

Lindsey Steel

Rajiv Venkatesh

Harshi Vijayakumar

Faith Watters

Annabelle Yip

Adviser

Natalie Owsley

Mission Statement

the newsroom or the office mailbox.

If The Epitaph has made an error, please send corrections to homestead.epitaph@gmail.com. The corrections will be published in the corrections box for the next issue. To reach the Epitaph staff in C102, call (408) 522-2572 or fax (408) 738-8531.

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must encourage students to non-traditional active learning strategies.

IllustrationbyAnnieGuo

Illustrationby Malar Raguraman

The villainization of college protesting

Protests for divestment must be careful about the messages they send

By Amanda Boles

As an incubator of free speech, new ideas and social change, universities have struggled to find a balance between protecting students’ freedom of speech and student-faculty safety. In the midst of college protests regarding the Israel-Hamas war, acts of advocacy must stay organized to prevent unnecessary conflict and their message from being obscured.

After 108 protestors were arrested at Columbia University on April 18, there has been an uptick in student activism against the war in Gaza. As of May 10, more than 2,800 people, both students and off-campus protestors, have been arrested or detained on campuses across the United States in relation to the protests, according to The New York Times.

However, it would be ignorant to not acknowledge the instances in which protests have been harmful to non-involved students. Not only does disrupting a college campus create an unsafe environment for everyone, but it also overshadows the original message of the movement.

Although protestors are entitled to their own opinions and should be allowed to advocate for change, they do not have a right to infringe on the safe educational space of a college campus. For instance, Hamilton Hall at Columbia was broken into and occupied by protestors who did not allow other people to enter, according to the Columbia Daily Spectator. By occupying the educational building, protestors denied students and fac-

ulty their right to access campus resources.

While I do not oppose the goal for Columbia to divest from institutions involved in the war, the protestors’ actions set a terrible precedent. Efforts such as occupying Hamilton Hall send a strong message but not the right one: protesters have no regard for non-involved civilians. Instead, protestors need to remain peaceful and organized to maintain the effectiveness of their efforts.

It is unfortunate to see pleas of divestment misrepresented in ways that villainize advocacy, especially when most protests have been peaceful, according to The Guardian. The media often generalizes a few violent protests to all other protests and uses that as a means to justify suppressive police enforcement. Similar to Columbia University, universities across the United States are citing violent events occurring at protests in their rhetoric to support ordering extreme police force.

The movement becomes destabilized when peaceful protestors are also blamed for wrongdoings they did not commit. Even though few protestors have initiated more extreme demonstrations, it is easy for the actions of a small, radical group to be generalized to all those who share the same beliefs.

Instead of making progress on divesting from war-involved institutions, the idea of protesting against the war in Gaza quickly becomes controversial.

If protestors truly desire to make an effective statement that leads to change, they should avoid disruptive actions that can be twisted against them. Staying organized and peaceful will garner respect for the anti-war movement which is vital for inciting progress.

The wrongdoings of a small group of protestors can often overshadow the message of a greater movement.

Abstaining from attendance

Students need to take accountability for increased truancy

By Jonathan Xue

If being a student were a job, nobody would take it. For many students, finding the will to show up each day is a constant struggle. Around 26% of public school students in the United States were chronically absent from school in 2023, which is a drastic 15% increase from rates in 2019, according to the New York Times. Chronic absences have also surfaced at HHS, where school adminis trators provide mental health resources and social services to resolve these issues, dean Ma ria Trejo said. Despite access to such resources, many students continue to suffer from absen teeism. There is only so much the school can do to encourage attendance, and students must take greater accountability for themselves.

of its attendance policy. Any policies created by the administration are ultimately enforced by teachers, who all have different tolerances for attendance, Trejo said. From personal experience, some teachers almost never mark students absent while others require students to be seated as soon as the bell rings. This causes the regulations for attendance to be loosened. Teachers must equally enforce all administrative attendance policies while maintaining a balance between

One area that HHS must improve in is the centralization

On the other hand, frequently absent students must take advantage of HHS and district support systems. Solutions provided, such as partial days and classes from home, are individualized and depend on the specific reason for absences, Trejo said. One aspect all students can utilize is the schoolbased therapist, Sarah Loyd. The first step towards returning to school involves gathering the courage to seek help from school authorities who can then collaborate to create individual initiatives that improve attendance.

Prioritizing the mental health and personal issues of students is positive for many, but such goals do not need to come at the cost of missing school. Materials already exist at HHS, many of which aim to get students back in classes while ensuring their happiness. Even though a centralized attendance policy can benefit attendance rates, it is ultimately on students to take advantage of these opportunities and show up for themselves.

Seniors should celebrate success

Commemorate college acceptances without reservation

By Evelyn Wang

As the school year draws to a close, many seniors have committed to universities. To celebrate this monumental achievement, seniors participate in activities such as posting acceptances on social media or wearing school merchandise on college decision day. Although these events can be seen as distasteful and inconsiderate of other students’ emotions, seniors should be able to partake in such festivities.

For many seniors, college acceptances act as the cumulation of years of hard work and dedication. Whether it be through academics, extracurriculars or personal responsibilities, students have persevered through adversities to end up where they are today.

In some cases, getting accepted into and attending a university may be a first in a student’s familial history; as of 2023, 56% of college undergraduates identify as first-generation, according to Forbes. For these students and their families, college acceptances are landmark changes that

deserve to be commemorated proudly without the worry of accommodating others.

While the advocacy for the feelings of other students seems well-intentioned, doing so often overlooks the achievements of seniors and is ultimately counterproductive. These efforts fail to prepare students for the societal reality of seeing others succeed — an experience that seniors will inevitably face in college, the job sector and beyond.

Learning to be content with personal success is a necessary part of individual growth, and

hinder their ability to celebrate others’ growth and successes. Therefore, instead of shielding seniors from feelings of inadequacy or jealousy, high schools should prepare students by exposing them to the harsh realities of society early on.

While sensitivity to others’ emotions and decisions is important, it should not come at the expense of diminishing the triumphs of those who deserve recognition.

Seniors should continue to be able to proudly celebrate college acceptances and the dedication that led them to this achievement

Spend your summer days the right way

Students must prioritize passion over prestige in programs

By Kevin Miao

As college looms for high school juniors, the pressure to bolster my college resume is evergrowing. While summer programs at prestigious schools may seem like the most enticing option to enhance a college application, these experiences lack the impact colleges are looking for.

While some programs may be beneficial, students should distinguish themselves through passion projects or impactful

community service instead of soley relying on summer programs to stand out from other university applicants.

Each year, my college counselor urges me to apply to summer programs such as the Wharton Global Youth Program and Berkeley Business Academy for Youth. After being accepted into a program at Wharton, I was ecstatic to attend a summer program at one of my dream schools.

However, I soon realized that the summer program was not as unique as thought. With 360 participants per Wharton program and over 2,500 students attending the program in total, these camps ultimately fail to make students stand out to admissions officers,

according to the Wharton Global Youth Program. Additionally, admissions officers seek authentic passion and continued commitment rather than participation in well-known programs. Attending such programs has little to no impact on college applications, according to the Washington Post. While the increased popularity of summer programs makes them less distinctive on a college resume, they are not entirely without value. Attending programs can help students show dedication to their majors and offer a way to meet like-minded peers. Thus, students should be pursuing programs that are truly meaningful to them rather than participat-

ing simply because of prestige. If unable to find such a program, students should spend their summer in alternative ways. Writing a research paper or completing com munity service are both ways to display dedication to a major and demonstrate genuine passion for certain subjects. With summer right around the corner, students should remem ber that attending a program at a well-known college may not be the most beneficial way to spend their break. Utilize the summer to ex plore passions, meet new friends and relax for the upcoming school year. If this involves a summer program, ensure it is worth both the time and money invested.

Students should develop their passions instead of mindlessly applying to summer programs.

After years of tenacity, showcasing college plans is warranted.

Despite support systems, ultimately, it is up to students to show up.

Illustration by Amanda Boles

Illustratio n by Annie Guo

Illustrationby

The Epitaph class of 2024 presents

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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Congratulations to the class of 2024! Follow The Epitaph as we take you on a journey through time into the Jurassic period, Dark Ages, Renaissance, Age of Exploration, Modern Age and finally into the future. As the graduating class moves on and into the unknown, we invite you to reflect on the years past and look forward to what is to come.

Fossils and Friendships

Day ones to forever

Longtime friends reflect on their time together

Commissari

“I’ve been besties with [Gaby Cristancho] since sixth grade ... It takes two to keep a relationship going, so be there for them as much as they’re there for you. It can’t be one-sided ...

Neither of us is going [to college] that far from the other so we’re going to try to visit each other as much as we can.”

Commissariat

“There’s so many times where I’ve done some pretty bad things and [Liana Johnson] has been understanding and been a shoulder to cry on always, and that makes me really value her as a friend ...

I definitely see [Johnson] being one of my bridesmaids and being there when I have my first child.”

“We met in first grade during reading time. I asked her to be my friend and she said ‘yes ...’

Georgia [Hamilton] invited me to play ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ with her and we’ve been in the same campaign for six years. But also we like to send each other holiday gifts and we spend birthdays together.”

Lifetime players

Seniors share years of sports experience

Reagan Hall said she has been playing soccer since she was 4 or 5 years old.

Carter Oates said he has enjoyed hiking for 12 years, mostly during scouting.

said she has been playing field hockey since 2012.

Photos courtesy of Reagan Hall

Photos courtesy of Carter Oates

Photos courtesy of Uma Ramesh

Uma Ramesh (middle)

Alexa Ochoa

Madara Linde

Illustrations by Helen Tam and Annabelle Yip

Entering The Dark Ages

Seniors reflect on barriers in the midst of online learning, college applications, social pressure

ganathan said she has been playing catch-up, both academically and socially.

“I’m still recovering,” Ranganathan said. “It’s been an uphill battle to rebuild my study and connect with my peers.”

lege?’” This pressure stems from the hypercompetitive Bay Area culture, senior Aditi Jayanth said, which causes students to compare themselves to their friends.

“The culture in the Bay Area is toxic because students feel as though their main goal is building up themselves on paper as opposed to having a well-rounded personality,” Jayanth said. “That can ruin

Competitive academic culture causes students to question identities on attending UCSC but later got off the UCSB waitlist, said his college decisions caused him to struggle with selfdoubt. “The whole time I was on the

It was really disappointing to not be able to attend the [SMS] Washington D.C. trip. It was the first serious field trip we had and the first time everyone could be independent.

I was looking forward to walking across the stage in front of my family [at middle school graduation.] It is a big moment, but instead, I got my certificate in the mail.

While daunting, senior Aditi Jayanth (second from left) said she is grateful for the lessons she learned throughout the appli cation process.

Photo courtesy of Aditi Jayanth

Thien Cao (12)

Aiko Charon (12)

Photo by Lindsey Steel

Photo by Lindsey Steel

Arizona State University

Nicole Millan Morales

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical

Trevor Aden California

California Lutheran University

Faith Watters

Cal Poly, Humbolt

Green Hamilton

Cal Poly, Pomona

Micaira Christine Catalan

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Suprim Bhattarai

Yonnatan Dinai

Emma Fiedler

Noam Gafter

Vidushi Goyal

Alison Harris

Kevin Lagrange Ruiz De Gordejuela

Hailey Morgan

Cameron Siu

Chapman University

Diana Commissariat

Anna Richardson

Daniela Silverman

College of San Mateo

CSU, Fullerton

Evan Grzesziewicz-O’Neill

Sammie Kameda

Aidan Marshall

Genesis Seanna Montes

Ryan Wagner

CSU, Long Beach

Abrianna Lee

CSU, Los Angeles

CSU, Northridge

Isabel Hernandez-Gamberg

De Anza College

Shahar Ankonina

Theo Chuang

Shahar Dagan

Daylin Fernanda Cardona

Esteban Gonzalez

Monish Kafle

Andrew Lopez

Ochinero

Pilar

Ron Rubin

Natalie Spielvogel

Tyler Wong

Angela Zazueta

Dominican University of California

Brooke Young

Foothill College

Justin Abarca Contreras

Carlita Godinez Hernandez

Anna Jensen

Mattias Meyer

Harvey Mudd College

Angela Yang Milo

Lincoln University

Leon Kovaci

Mission College

Aiana Young

Pepperdine University Abby Tsao

Pitzer College

Haridass Prasad

Jasmine Lara

Carlos Muñiz

Harshdeep Singh

Emma Sundland Mia Vail

San Jose City College Christopher Rios

San Jose State University

Hasnain Baig Romir Bulbule

San Jose State University

Leqaa Deeb

Isaac Fu

Jazmine Godinez Santiago

Colin Lou

Anvi Mohite

Jose Molina Delaa

Nadija Mujkanovic

Cillian O’Halloran

Alexa Ochoa

Santa Clara University

Gaby Cristancho

Adrien Juillard

Reya Lakhani

Sophia Li

Itay Volk

Santa Monica College

Callahan Arce Mcquade

Sonoma State University

Gavin Galvez

Thalun Williams

Stanford University

Arnav Chakravarthy

Grace McGoran

UC Berkeley

Saira Ahmed

Carter Beitel

Abigail Cho

Jerry Chu

Nathan Gu

Cecilia Hu

Krish Jhurani

Maia Lee

Bryce Lindberg

Ting-Yong Liu

Dhruv Lohani

Leila Matta

Marlow Nedelchev

Sahana Santhanam

Emilien Strudel

Ishwar Suriyaprakash

Stephen Tan

UC Davis

Beatrice Ho

Brian Ip

Junbok Lee

June Lim

Akshay Srinivasan

Bree Widmeyer

Jessica Zhao

UC Irvine

Onuva Ekram

Elena Frakes

Kaylie Gupta

UC Los Angeles

Kazuki Iimura

Jens Jakob Liao

UC Los Angeles

Patel Aaditya Raj

Steel

Teresa Tao

UC

UC Riverside

Audrey Magpantay

Montserrat Tapia Siddharth Thatavarthy

UC San Diego

Edwin Leung

Jazmin Lorenzo Benitez

Nha-An Nguyen Zeinab Rakhshandehroo

Tiffany Xu

UC

Anurag Poddar

Annabelle Yip Albert Yu

UC

Annika Wickham

Trinity Willis

University of San Francisco

Univeristy of the Pacific

Jodie Wong

Embarking on

Just as explorers ventured out in search of new beginnings, on a new voyage. Through high and low tides, the graduating adolescence and endured a journey unique to each

new journeys

University of Colorado Boulder

Lauryn Blake

Juliet Drost

Scott Moore

Connecticut

University of Connecticut

Chloe Lu

Wesleyan University

Owen Coblin

Georgia

Emory University

Sharanya Sinha

Georgia Institute of Technology

Alex Feng Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University

Steffi Basnet

Loyola University Chicago

Anna Dobbelaere

Mizuki Oí

Northwestern University

Jay Dalal

Rohan Venkatesan

University of Chicago

Jamie Nguyen

Rajiv Venkatesh

University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign

Samantha Elarde

Rohan Gupta

Kyle Krisdakumtorn

Conner Lu

Kartikey Sharma

Jaden Zhou

Indiana

Indiana University

Mason Fondo

Saahil Kotwal

Krishna Mishra

Saanika Patel

Mark Vernik

Purdue University

Diya Bengani

Haochen Feng

Reagan Hall

Alon Hutt

Grant Mitton

Noah Pien

Jiaming Situ

Brandon Tsao

Louisiana

Tulane University

Liana Johnson

John Hopkins University

Alex Zhang

University of Maryland

Raghab Baruah

Massachusetts

Boston University

Junsa Hwang

Shyam Krishnan

Aaron Lin

Chris Liu

Christopher Miyai

Sumire Takeya

Vishank Vora

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John Tahk

Northeastern University

Madelyn Callahan

Rishab Desai

Sylvia St Georges

Bridget Swineford

Aditya Vij Ariana Zhao

Smith College

Emily Han

Wheaton College

Sangeeta Vaidya

New Jersey

Rutgers University

Jake Tong

New York

Barnard College

Bella Park

Binghamton University

Flora Brill

Columbia University

Abigail Song

Cornell University

Elaine Cao

Sarah Yun

Eastman School of Music Dual

Degree with University of Rochester

Samantha Wuo

Fordham University

Shira Kadar

Ithaca College

Ellie Beaupre

New York University

beginnings, each member of the class of 2024 will embark graduating class has navigated the uncharted waters of graduate. From freshmen just finding their bearings the class of 2024 is setting course for a future where we into the horizon and set forth into the unknown .

Anika Iyer

Makaila Kim

Vivian Reutens

Anna Savage

Romi Sokol

Samhitha Varanasi

Yinqiao Zhao

Ohio

Case Western Reserve University

Sania Khanzode

Ethan Lee

Oberlin College

Hyesoo Lee

Ohio State University

Frank An

Oregon

Lewis & Clark College

Caiden Stein

Oregon State University

Kiara Artola

Georgia Hamilton

Samuel Raheem

Portland State University

Madara Linde

University of Oregon

Sana Ranganathan

Kennya Solorzano

University of Portland

Zoe Del Vecchio

Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University

Julian Ng-Thow-Hing

Hyeyoon Song

Xinyue Wang

Max Whalley

Drexel University

Aditi Jayanth

Penn State University

Owen Fulcher

Yusuf Jabbar

University of Pennsylvania

Aditi Ghosh

Rhode island

Rhode Island School of Design

Yuming Huang

Tennessee

Vanderbilt University

Gordon Song

University of Texas at Dallas

Sreya Gudipati

Kartik Joshi

Washington

Gonzaga University

Victoria Simpson

University of Puget Sound

Tyler Becker

University of Washington, Seattle

Daniel Matsui Smola

Anushruti Nagarajan

Sruthi Putcha

Rohan Rairkar

Thomas Tsang

Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Nicole Kim

George Washington University

Thea Gomard

West Virginia

West Virginia University

Arianna Shahnam

International

Concordia University (Canada)

Thomas Flament

McGill University (Canada)

Gabriella Fourkas

University of Côte d’Azur (France)

Ananya Chandran

University of Oxford

Nathan Li

OTHER

Gap Year

Johnathan Ikeda

Gap Year (Israel)

Libi Lapede

Pelleg Shani

Israeli Defense Forces

Liam Berman

Military

Eduardo De Assis

Working

Gabriel Ortiz

Rewriting Renaissance the

A book lover’s quest

By Anushruti Nagarajan

In January 2022, senior Sahana Santhanam started a “book a week” challenge to get back into reading as much as she did when she was a kid.

“When I was a kid, my mom used to read books to me,” Santhanam said. “When I got to kindergarten, I learned how to read by myself, and I was like, ‘This sucks. I hope that people will still read to me forever and ever,’” Santhanam said. “But eventually, I realized that if I read by myself, I could read whatever and wherever I wanted. And that’s what led me to

literature as a form of entertainment.”

By the end of 2022, Santhanam had read 54 books. The genre of books Santhanam read varied depending on her mood and the time of her life she was in, Santhanam said.

“At the moment, my favorite genre is realistic fiction or magical realism because of how easily the lessons you see in those books can be applied to real life,” Santhanam said. “These genres talk about issues that we face, which makes them [relatable]. I can see that as I’ve gotten older, I have gotten more interested in seeing those scenarios represented [in

the books I read].”

Through persevering with her goal of reading a book a week, Santhanam was able to realize her passion for English as a language as well as her ability to make the time to read everyday. Santhanam said she hopes to keep being an avid reader in the future and continue this habit.

“You have the time in your life to read, you just have to allocate it correctly,” Santhanam said. “We spend a lot of time doing [unproductive things] and if we directed that time towards reading, we would be able to reach [our goals].”

The Epitaph asked artists to design Renaissance Era characters based on their personal styles. Here is what they created:

“Rouge”

“I typically create collages and a character in the center. In the collages, I add objects about the characters storyline, likings, and various elements that go with the characters personality. I created a character named Monique, who would go swell with this type of theme.

An appreciation for architecture

By Anushruti Nagarajan

Architecture requires building something meaningful out of nothing — a skill that senior Max Whalley possesses. Determined to create functional and enjoyable designs, Whalley said that his passion for architecture has helped him look at the world differently. Whalley initially discovered his interest in architecture due to its intersection between math, problem solving and art, later learning that he wanted a future in this field.

Last year, Whalley did a summer program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he was able to conduct hands-on architecture projects using cardboard boxes.

“One of the projects was called ‘Light, Sight and Progression.’ We started with a cardboard box, puncturing holes to cre-

ate different light effects inside,” Whalley said. “We then interpreted that interior space into an exterior design, considering how light and progression influence the approach to a building.”

By engaging in these projects, Whalley learned how diverse the field of architecture is, as well as how versatile an architecture degree can be.

“Even if you decide not to design buildings, it opens doors to various design fields such as user interface design, game design or product design,” Whalley said. “[At the end of the day] architecture is really just a degree in thinking and design.”

Architecture is incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide range of buildings and structures, Whalley said.

“Pissed offpeasant”

“Inspired by a Renaissance set of armor, I designed a hunched peasant. Although the character is a bit raggedy, given the red color of their tunic, and how he owns a sword and armor, he is seemingly of middle class. I used watercolor and alcohol marker as my mediums to make the drawing.”

Senior Soundtracks

“This playlist has a lot of woman in punk because no one gets anger

‑ Madara Linde

“I definitely find myself noticing more details and putting more thought into the design that shapes our everyday lives,” Whalley said. “There’s a lot that people look over that architects and designers have put thought into, like the way one room of your house transitions to the next or the shape of the handle of the mug you drink your coffee out of – and the more you look, the more you start to notice it.”

“This playlist is for romanticizing com fortable naps on a rainy or gloomy day.”

“Listen to this playlist when you just want to relax and not think about anything else.”

‑ Justin Abarca Contreras

‑ Emily Han

Senior Max Whalley explores interactions between light, form and space by creating structural models.

Senior Sahana Santhanam reccommends, “The Alchemist,” to people who like contemporary fiction, Santhanam said.

Photos courtesy of Max Whalley

Photo by Anushruti Nagarajan

Illustration by Isabela Segovia

Illustration by Nathan Lang

—Isabela Segovia

Photo courtesy of Isabela Segovia

—Nathan Lang

Photo courtesy of Nathan Lang

Modern age , ModernIdeas

TECH THROUGHOUT

Innovators make their mark

Seniors display unique health applications created to improve quality of life

By Nathan Gu

Over the summer, senior Pranav Gunhal said he wanted to work on projects that combined tech and health, so he reached out to a Belhaven University professor because of their overlapping interests.

After being introduced to the professor’s colleagues, Gunhal said his projects feature an app that uses AI to customize recommendations [on herbal tea] based on what is available and is developing another to help hospice facilities find better supply chain management technology.

Seeing potential, Gunhal said he hopes to continue working on similar projects.

“We’re still developing our hospice care solutions, so it’s just something I want to continue working on. Obviously, it

could also be a career pathway as well because there’s potential for anything else you want to add,” Gunhal said.

Branching out of the norm

Seniors discuss their unconventional graduation routes

By Nathan Gu

While 68% of seniors pursue a four-year college education in the United States after graduation, other members of the student body divert from this path and explore other post-graduation options, from international school to joining the military.

Among the handful of adventurous students, senior Arina Shpin said she hopes to study at the Polytechnic University of Milan and the Polytechnic University of Turin if she passes the entrance exams for the schools in July. Once there, she plans to pursue a 3-year architecture bachelor’s degree.

“I discovered architecture and really fell in love [with it while building] in ‘Minecraft,’” Shpin said. “Also, I went onto some websites for floor plans and I used to

play with them. In the fifth grade, I started learning Italian because somewhere along the path, I wanted to go to school in Italy because Italy seems to be the hub for design and architecture.”

Rather than immediately pursuing a four-year college program, senior Eduardo de Assis said he will instead join the U.S. Army.

“By joining the army, I can get a home early and a good career,” de Assis said. “I hope to save a good amount of money and have some skills that might be useful after so I can get a job. I could also go to college basically for free.”

Aside from benefits, de Assis said the experience will give him many stories to tell in the future.

Like de Assis, senior Yonnatan Dinai said he is putting off going to college to attend the Galil Elyon gap year program to live in Israel.

“I’m Israeli personally, so I always knew I had this connection to Israel,” Dinai said. “I always wanted to have that opportunity to live in Israel and experience the

After getting into lifting weights and computer science in sophomore year, senior Julian Ng-Thow-Hing said he interned over at Stanford Healthcare, which propelled his passion to create Muscle Vision — a system to visualize users lifting motions.

“I used machine learning and computer vision to create this system…” Ng-Thow-Hing said. “When you squat, the hamstring or quad light up to show it’s being activated. The more red it becomes, the more you’re using it. That could help people realize what muscles are used to train better.”

Ng-Thow-Hing said he hopes to develop his software further to bring market it.

“I was able to get a patent pending and I’m talking with

startups about using that technology in their hardware,” Ng-Thow-Hing said. “I’m also working with Stanford lab over summer to improve the model because they have the equipment to get more data.”

Julian Ng-Thow-Hing said he presented his project at Unity’s 2023 Unite Conference for Game Devs &

culture and I didn’t see a better opportunity to do so.”

Dinai said he looks forward to the various opportunities and activities he will receive during the program to discover more about his Israeli culture.

“There’s a one-week backpacking trip we do in Jerusalem where you go around the city and you learn about the history there and it’s a great experience,” Dinai said.

“You get to bond with the people in the gap year program and experience different cultures.”

While attending the program, Dinai said students can also take advantage of the invaluable yet unique lessons they can learn.

“I recommend taking a gap year,” Dinai said. “I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can help you find out more about yourself as an individual.”

Senior Arina Shpin said she can’t justify spending over $100,000 for college and instead values the skills employers look for.

Pranav Gunhal Julian Ng-Thow-Hing

Pranav Gunhal said he hopes to continue developing more hospice care solutions.

Creators.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through time and space. No matter the era, our time here at Homestead will always bring us back to Earth.

Best of luck, The Epitaph class of 2024

Noelle Lee

Connected by common heritage

NCHS connects students with Chinese culture

By Malar Raguraman and

Jonathan Xue

Because culture makes up a large portion of a person’s identity, learning more about and taking pride in one’s culture is crucial to one’s individuality, National Chinese Honor Society president, senior Jennifer Ren said. By promoting Chinese culture through club events, NCHS helps its members stay proud of their cultural heritage and traditions, Ren said.

“NCHS really [aims] to create a very tight-knit community as well as give support to our members beyond Chinese language [learning],” Ren said. “[NCHS] also gives community members a place to call home and fond memories to look back on.”

Many factors go into planning events that aim to foster broader community impact and high attendance from members, Ren said. This includes making decisions based on accessibility for members, officer support, club budgets and volunteer hours, Ren added.

By creating a welcoming com-

munity of fellow peers who celebrate Chinese culture, NCHS motivates others to reconnect with their culture as well, cultural director, junior Nancy Qian said.

“It’s easy to lose your culture…if it’s only your family who endorses those traditions,” Qian said. “Having a community encourages you to think, ‘Oh, there are new things I can learn about myself and the people around me.’”

NCHS member, junior Grace Ren said through social events such as multicultural night, she has been able to more deeply connect with her Chinese roots and experience traditions she normally would not have the opportunity to.

“When you live in places like the Bay Area, there are Chinese [cultural] elements here, but it’s extremely Americanized,” Grace Ren said. “Joining NCHS has helped me connect with genuine Chinese culture.”

While NCHS focuses on promoting Chinese culture, the club is also a safe space for members to share experiences as Chinese individuals living in the United States, Qian said.

“I’ve learned that NCHS is really a great community for everybody who is new to either American culture or Chinese culture because it [helps members explore the] intersectionality of being both Chinese and American,” Qian said.

To address the diversity of Chinese culture and its multitude of customs, Jennifer Ren said one of the club’s future goals is to increase member involvement in event planning.

“I hope, in the future, officers will involve members by having [them] be a part of committees and make NCHS a team rather than just officers planning events and members participating in them,” Ren said.

Feedback from members is insightful, allowing the officer team to be aware of changes to better supplement cultural knowledge of China outside of the classroom, Ren said.

NCHS encourages members to explore their heritage by hosting cultural events, Jennifer Ren said.

Similarly, Qian said it is critical that NCHS reflects students’ diverse traditions within Chinese culture.

“Everyone brings their own beliefs and customs, [which] allows us to tailor to different facets of Chinese culture,” Qian said. “That is what makes every year different; we have [new] members and different things to explore.”

Sharing more than just genes

Siblings reflect on shared high school experiences

By Amanda Boles,

Malar Raguraman and Catherine Yang

Attending high school with a sibling can be an interesting adventure; from chaotic drives to school to embarrassing shoutouts during rallies, siblings in high school have incredibly unique and memorable experiences with each other, senior Nate Enders said. Nate, whose twin sisters are freshmen at HHS, said he has anticipated showing his sisters what the high school experience is like. They have partic-

ipated in spirit days and helped design the freshman class float for the homecoming parade, Nate said.

“[My sisters’] first Homecoming was this year, and it was pretty exciting for them because I’ve been involved in a lot of Homecoming festivities over the years. They really wanted to experience it with me and see what it’s all about,” Nate said.

One of the twins, Sophie Enders, said experiencing high school with her siblings has allowed her to have a support system when experiencing difficult changes.

“Having a sibling at the same school is nice, especially transitioning from middle to high school,” Sophie said. “I’d be super nervous by myself, but having a twin [and] an older brother at the same school [makes] it easier.”

because they can help each other with school work or just hang out, Jessa Yang(right) said.

Likewise, sophomore Jemma Yang said she receives constant support from her twin sister, Jessa Yang, and can always rely on her. For instance, Jemma said Jessa always knows the homework in their shared classes, which is super helpful.

Devotion to science beyond classes

Science Olympiad nurtures student passion for science

By Sanah Arya and Mackie Vu

Before joining Science Olympiad, junior Devishi Mishra said she had always been interested in science, but joined the club to deepen her understanding of biology and chemistry — fields she is interested in pursuing in the future.

Supporting students like Mishra who aim to more deeply involve themselves in science disciplines, Science Olympiad is a competition-based science club that aims to promote student interest, learning and achievement in various scientific fields, club adviser Sam Fung said. The club competes in events such as biology, chemistry, physics and even other departments like forensic science, Fung said.

Science Olympiad secretary and junior Lucia Liu said the club consists of weekly meetings where members work together and build a team culture. These meetings show the members’ commitment to the club, as all of them consistently show up, Mishra said.

“I feel like everyone’s very dedicated. We have practices every week, and everyone shows up ready to study even though it’s after school and everyone may be tired,” Mishra said. “I think that’s our main strength.”

Looking forward, Nate said he is eager to guide his younger siblings in achieving their high school goals and impacting the community in their own ways.

“[My sisters] seem like they really want to get involved in leadership, and that’s something I’ve been in for a while,” Nate said. “It’s exciting to see that they want to get involved at school.”

While having a twin at the same school is beneficial in several ways, Jessa said many people either can’t tell her and Jemma apart or don’t believe that she and Jemma are siblings.

“It’s always funny,” Jessa said. “Once someone even said, ‘I thought you [two] were the same person,’ which makes no sense whatsoever. People get our names confused all the time… I’m always afraid that we will be compared, especially since we are in the same grade and know the same people, but it’s mostly [been] great.”

Nevertheless, Jessa said she is thankful to have Jemma at her side as one of her best friends throughout high school.

Looking back on his senior year, Nate said he is grateful for the memories he has created with his sisters in the past year, knowing he will not be able to see them as often once he graduates and leaves for college.

“It sucks that [my sisters and I] only [have] one year to be in school together, but it also makes [me] appreciate it more because I haven’t been in school with them since fifth grade,” Nate said. “Next year, I won’t see them much, so I definitely appreciate it.”

whole team goes to either a high school or university. In the past, we’ve gone to Stanford, UC Davis and Milpitas HS.”

However, Liu said there is a lot of room for improvement considering the potential Science Olympiad has.

“Other Science Olympiads…[like] Mountain View or Monta Vista have a really strong Science Olympiad team with multiple teams, coaches and mentors,” Liu said. “Compared to those schools, the HHS Science Olympiad isn’t funded as well.”

To combat these disadvantages, Liu said the club is organizing fundraisers to raise money for invitationals and other events. Additionally, Liu said the club also wanted to implement an outreach program to train middle schoolers earlier.

“One idea we were thinking of was doing an outreach program to middle schoolers to start training them so that when they go into high school, they’ll be more prepared,” Liu said. “We considered asking some of the engineering teachers or biology teachers to help us out, but we haven’t executed it yet.”

Liu said the purpose of these meetings is to prepare competitors for the two types of competitions the club participates in — an in-person competition and a satellite competition where members meet with their partners to complete a test.

“In-person competitions, in my opinion, are a little more fun, because you develop a team culture.” Liu said. “The

Fung said a problem he observes in Science Olympiad is a lack of parental support. During competitions, other teams have a strong parent support system; however, HHS parents lack involvement, Fung said. He hopes to see an influx of resources from the parents, administration and outside organizations to help the club grow to its full potential, much like many other clubs and departments on campus.

“The parents’ involvement is only by helping out as a volunteer, but you don’t really see other parents showing up to support one another, so it is important to reach out and spread the news,” Fung said. “We have very committed students and hope to see more participation in the coming years. ”

PAGE DESIGN BY KEVIN MIAO AND JONATHAN XUE

Having a sibling in the same grade can be supportive

Team members prepare for regional competition at Milpitas HS.

Photo courtesy of Lucia Liu

Photo courtesy of Jemma and Jessa Yang

Photo by Jonathan Xue

Photo courtesy of Lucia Liu

'A minor' beef or Drake’s 'last dance'

Drake and Lamar’s rap fight symbolizes a larger battle in the industry

By Adam Orrin

“F*ck the big three… it's just big me.” On March 26, these words echoed to millions of listen ers worldwide. What seemed like just an other diss be tween the rap pers Kendrick Lamar and Drake set off a powder keg

that put their careers on the line. They confronted the music industry’s biggest question: can artists use their platform for social advocacy, or can the issue be ignored in mainstream rap music?

Lamar and Drake were not always enemies. In fact, at the beginning of Lamar's career, Drake helped him reach the rap community, according to The Independent. However, their growing differences came to a head when Lamar, Future and Metro Boomin released the song “Like That” on March 26. Since then, Lamar and Drake snuck disses at each other in their discographies, making their beef one of the worst-kept secrets in the rap industry.

Epitaph Picks

"Dylan

Gossett is a country singer that has soared onto the scene with his hit single 'Coal', but his other songs are hugely underrated and deserve more recognition."

“Tokyo Vice is a fast-paced, intriguing and beautifully filmed show about the Yakuza and a journalist who tries to stop them.”

–Maya Dutt (10)

– Andrew Fekete (9)

Their tension escalated on April 19 when Drake’s song, “Push Ups,” accused Kendrick of

being forced to collaborate with artists such as Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift. That verse is severely hypocritical, as Drake has consistently sacrificed musical authenticity to appeal to the mainstream audience, especially on his newest albums “For All The Dogs,” which is unauthentic in many ways. On the other hand, Lamar continues to tell meaningful stories that encapsulate his experiences in rap music without feeling the need to water down his message.

Lamar had no trouble clapping back at this accusation with his line, “You’re not a colleague, you’re a f*cking colonizer,” in his song “Not Like Us,” which released on May 4. With this song, Lamar attacks Drake's position in the rap community. He makes clear Drake’s sound is unoriginal and weak, a sentiment many listeners, including myself, agree with.

Although Drake and Lamar’s viral beef may seem like minor drama in the pop culture community,

"In

true Cage the Elephant fashion, their new album 'Neon Pill' pairs low-key vocals and melodies with powerful lyrics. The song 'Metaverse' is especially catchy."

“I love the new movie ‘The Fall Guy’ because it not only has amazing action shots, but it also showcases romance.”

– Annie Guo (11)

Too light with no bite

Billie Eilish’s album is the epitome of weak

By Adam Orrin

The classic hard-hitting drums of songwriter Billie Eilish’s mega-hit “bad guy” and reminiscent vocals of “What Was I Made For?” are what make her such an icon in the modern pop genre. However, on May 17, Eilish released her latest record, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” an album that unfortunately lacks all of the unique creativity that was once her trademark.

The album starts strong with the track “SKINNY,” a solid piece featuring meaningful lyrics surrounding her body image. Eilish conveys her deeper emotions of confliction as she is hidden beneath the “self-improvement” society sees after she becomes

skinny, which is an issue that many celebrities face.

The song features incredibly creative and unique sounds, using the crowd's cheers as backing instrumentation. It ends with a pleasant violin solo that shifts into booming drums, a solid segue into her next song.

The track demonstrates original songwriting with an amazing and refreshing take on a common musical trope.

“SKINNY” is Eilish at her finest, creating something that showcases her talents as a unique artist that distinguishes her from the rest of the industry.

Her next track, “LUNCH,” makes use of Eillish’s undeniable ability to create catchy pop hits and is one of the more lively songs in the album. However, the song marks the beginning of this album's underlying unoriginality, an issue that is nothing new to Eilish.

The song has the lyrical makings of Little Big Town's single “Girl Crush” but sounds like a song from Olivia Rodrigo’s album “GUTS.” While the song is engaging and fun to listen to, it lacks Eilish’s songwriting individual-

their conflict brings to light a deep rooted issue: artists fail to use their status to create music that showcases authentic experiences of the oppressed.

Drake is guilty of using his platform to push ignorant narratives rather than using it to represent the marginalized. He sings, “rap ping like you tryna get the slaves freed,” in his song “Family Matters,” which highlights how disconnect ed he is from the fight for racial justice many artists, like Lamar, are part of.

Instead of providing an outlet for rappers to tell their stories, Drake’s music is used to market fictitious potrayals that sugarcoat the genuine struggles and experiences of the Black community.

Rap can be a powerful tool for activism, as shown by artists such

– Aviv Matas (9)

ity and seems like a stale take on a tried and true musical trope.

Similar tracks, such as “L'AMOUR DE MA VIE" “THE DINER" are incredibly dried-up and fail to reach the high bar Eilish has set for herself. Instead, they pulled me out of what I considered an engaging flow that could have tied the entire listening experience together.

However, this does not mean the album is entirely a failure. It has multiple strong songs, such as “THE GREATEST,” “BIRDS OF A FEATHER" and "CHIHIRO" all of which showcase her ability to write meaningful songs that make for easy listens with powerful sentiments.

Eilish has significant potential and all the makings of a great artist, but she continues to fall short when it comes to creating consistently heartfelt and well-crafted songs. This has been an issue that has been prevalent since her debut, when she created a hodgepodge of clashing sounds and passable lyrics.

Energetic production, talented vocal ability and powerful presence in a studio can only do so much for an artist. When songs pull ideas from old concepts in the most uninspiring way or lyrics fall short, the music created can only be defined as mediocre. Despite the musical potential she has demonstrated over and over again, Eilish continues to hit me weak and fragmented.

Album: “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.”

Grade: C+.

Artist: Billie Eilish.

as Outkast or A$AP Rocky. However, Drake has repeatedly failed to tell compelling stories that highlight the reality and struggles of minority groups in America.

These chart toppers symbolize rap's old and new sounds, and both artists have made it clear that the industry is not big enough for both of them. At this point, Kendrick is winning by a landslide.The only question remaining is whose sound will prevail, and whose will fade into the margins

Empowering females

Women in film should not be shut down

By Helen Tam

When I watch movies like “Harry Potter,” “The Devil’s Advocate” and “Mean Girls,” my favorite characters usually fall into the category of strong, confident females who empower others through their passionate personalities. They inspire me to emulate their confidence, leading me to support them throughout the movie. However, in cinema, these female characters are portrayed in a reductive light.

Cersei Lannister from the TV show “Game of Thrones” has been subjected to this sexist trend. As a woman in a male-dominated world, Cersei employs her intelligence and ruthlessness to navigate the treacherous political landscape of Westeros, a fictional realm where noble families compete for control of the Iron Throne.

However, her assertiveness is portrayed as moral corruption, leading to her villification. Eventually, her redeeming qualities are forgotten and her downfall is celebrated rather than mourned.

One of her best qualities is her fierce love for her children, which corresponds with her resilience through adversity. Despite this, Cersei's character predominantly focuses on her negative actions, overshadowing her positive traits.

I would have enjoyed the series more if the producers had shown Cersei in a brighter light, as the show reduced a complex character to a one-di

the opportunity to explore the depth of her motivations instead packaging her whole personality under one misleading label. It became annoying as the series progressed, with each season intensifying her bad traits while neglecting to acknowledge her vulnerability and the sacrifices she made. This skewed portrayal contributed to a narrative imbalance that could have been avoided.

An example of an ideal confident female character is Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, from the "Harry Potter" movies. Hermione is known for her intelligence and unwavering loyalty, a primary example being when she devises the plan to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic. She often takes the lead in solving complex problems and stands up for what she believes in, remaining confident and competemt. Despite being a supporting character, the directors of the movie make sure Granger’s personality and talents are not ignored. The portrayal of strong, confident female characters in cinema is crucial for challenging societal stereotypes and inspiring audiences. While characters like Hermione Granger shine as examples of empowerment done right, others, like Cersei Lannister, suffer from distorted depictions that overshadow their complexity. Filmmakers should celebrate the strengths and nuances of such characters, ensuring they are not reduced to villains but rather embraced as powerful figures who drive narratives forward and inspire.

Photo from Spotify

Eilish goes for the bullseye with her new album but lacks the follow-through with reused vocals.

I l lus trat ions by SanahArya

Lamar (left) and Drake come head to head in an intense standoff.

Photo collage by Helen Tam

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

“I’ve neglected my shoulder health and strength for years, and it has made me struggle. Since then, I’ve been going to physical therapy and the gym.”

– Jack Rohloff (11)

STAIRS OF HHS athletes share how they persevere through adversities

SUCCESS

The team was incredibly energized upon entering the competition and prepared extensively, JV and assistant varsity coach Edmond Kwong said.

The players decided to really invest in practice, they all got really serious and focused on what they wanted to work on,” Kwong said. “Coach Sundar and I have been coaching for a long time, and we both felt this is the first year all the players really showed up and took ownership.”

Although the team lost 1-6 to California High School in the NorCal finals in Folsom, Tahk said it was still an honor to play among the top teams in Northern California, as this success was somewhat unprecedented.

“At the start of the season, we knew we had a strong team. However, we underestimated how much our team chemistry could help push us to new heights,” Tahk said. “Our success surpassed our initial expectations, and as our run continued, we began to believe a deep playoff run was possible.”

Another challenge the team faced was a lack of sportsmanship from opponents, doubles player, sophomore Jason Lai said. As a result, players had to work to maintain their positivity and motivation, Lai said.

“After a mediocre season last year, every other team doubted our

abilities,” Lai said. “We faced toxicity and disrespect from many teams, which gave us the spirit to prove ourselves. We also had many close matches that came down to the wire. We countered it by supporting each other and staying confident in ourselves.”

Similarly, Tahk said his favorite part of the season was not just the teams success on the court, but also the sense of family that was developed.

“By nature, tennis can be a very isolating sport,” Tahk said. “But I never felt alone, and there were many times where having the team cheering behind me was the only reason many of us pulled through.”

Reaching this level of success was remarkable for the team, and memories of this season will hold a special place in the players hearts, Lai said.

“Winning CCS was one of my greatest tennis achievements,” Lai said. “CCS is the most difficult division in Northern California and one of the hardest in the country. To fight through adversity and come victorious brought me a feeling of happiness I will always remember.”

Athlete of the Month

Vincent Wang’s attitude strengthens boys tennis

By Andrew Fekete

In an individualistic sport such as tennis, varsity singles player sophomore Vincent Wang helps accomplish a feat that is not easy: creating an incredible team culture, JV and assistant varsity coach Edmond Kwong said. Through Wang’s contributions, Kwong said he has helped lead the team to a CCS championship.

“He’s also very level-headed. He has good control of his emotions and his mental strength is high, he stays calm and as a result, he does well.”

Wang said winning CCS was a great experience for him, and he is glad he had the opportunity to share it with his friends and teammates. He also hopes to experience similar success in his junior and senior years, Wang said.

Although the season ended with a loss, Hutt said it was an unforgettable experience.

“We were all hoping to catch the dub at NorCal finals, but all good things gotta come to an end at some point,” Hutt said. “I’m grateful it ended so far along the road. [This is] the furthest HHS tennis has ever gone in history.”

“We had a big change midway through the season where we worked on challenging workouts. I felt like I was the worst out of everyone there but I really pushed myself.”

– Andin Williams (9)

“My greatest weakness is lack of motivation, it makes me feel [hesitant], but my team helps me push past [these challenges].”

– Gavin Galvez (12)

SOFTBALL

“My weakness is probably my hitting. I overcome it by practicing it over and over again.”

“Vincent has been huge [in winning CCS]. He is always there and contributes when we ask him to contribute,” Kwong said.

“When you see people you’ve been training and practicing with throughout the entire year finally succeeding as a group, it really shows how everything pays off,” Wang said. Outside of tennis, Wang

thrives in multiple extracurricular activities, leadership teacher Jessica Kirby said. Wang has played an integral role in ASB and excels in managing his extracurriculars, including tennis, Kirby said.

“I’ve worked with Vincent for a while,” Kirby said. “He came in and revitalized the position [of multimedia commissioner] Vincent’s very involved on campus, and he’s really good at balancing all of the things he has to do.”

Rohan Bedekar, a sophomore tennis player and lifelong friend of Wang, said that Wang’s perseverance shines through in his personality. Wang’s attitude has helped him become a great

friend, teammate and overall person, Bedekar said.

“Every moment [I spend with Vincent], I feel like a proud father,” Bedekar said. “[Wang] always shows considerate traits and he’s a great guy. He’s a hard worker, and I’m always proud of him.”

Wang’s admirable traits such as his resilience and humbleness allow him to be a player that coaches dream of, Kwong said. Wang said he hopes to continue to play tennis after high school.

“It’s one of those things where [having] more Vincents would be a coach’s dream,” Kwong said.

Wang is someone with great integrity, Kwong said.

– Mackenzie Smith (9)

Photo by Alicia Liste

Students discuss how they navigate dating in high school

Opinions that stick

Students share their views on dating

A page from the heart

Discover unique date spots in the Bay Area

46.24% Do you think people in different grades should date?

"Our first date was at Rober to's Cantina in Sunnyvale down town, and it was really good. We chose it because we were really hungry, and since I'm Mexican and she’s half-Chilean, it was pretty clear we were going to a Mexican restaurant for the first time."

- Jesus Hernandez (10)

"Hanabusa Cafe is a good place for a date because its vibe and aesthetic helps a couple feel comfortable. They make really good pancakes with a nice taste that look good at the same time. They show anime, provide [games like] Uno and have dif- ferent flowers at each table."

- Mariia Matviichuk

(9)

"Color Me Mine is a small place where you can talk to your date and get to know each other. Usually guys are bad at paint- ing, so you can also make fun of their painting or design. The end product holds a lot of memories

- Bianca Javier (11)

Just like the movies

HHS

couples

reflect on their relationships

“We met through mutual friends and hung out a lot over the sum- mer, [which] made us closer. Our relationship has progressed, and a big part of it is being able to trust the other person.”

“We met on the first day of sophomore year, but we did not talk. I asked her for homework answers, and we ended up talking a lot. [Now], we FaceTime almost every night and talk about everything.”

Logan Christianson (11)

Photo courtesy of Mariia Matviichuk

Photo by Malar Raguraman

Photo courtesy of Bianca Jaiver

Kaci Freeman Logan Christianson

Hayden Kaplanov