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e The Epitaph

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Volume 64, Issue 1

Homestead High School 21370 Homestead Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

October 8, 2026

C and L building remodel receives significant overhaul Plans altered due to changing school needs

“We’re hoping to have an HVAC system park in the same parking lot,” Correia said. new learning environment to advance the that actually works, and as somebody that “I don’t get as many benefits, and [you will education of its students, Nurnberg said. teaches in a classroom with no windows, probably] be getting dropped off by your par“There is going to be two years of conMeera Aravind, Emma Chang and I’m excited for some new windows,” Agu- ents or taking the bus instead of driving and struction, and it will definitely have some Feiyang Chin irre said. “They’re trying to standardize the getting a parking spot so close to school.” long-term impacts during those two years,” Despite all of the overlap with the con- Nurnberg said. “We’re really excited about classrooms because we have differently sized ince the end of the 2025-26 school rooms, and it’s hard for students and teach- struction and sharing classrooms, many the future of this project and the offerings year, the district has made sever- ers to have the [same] classroom experience.” staff members have had a positive outlook and design that we’re currently in the final The L building will have an added story on the situation, Ronsheimer stages of.” al updates to reconstruction plans for the C and L buildings due to an and be split into the L and D buildings, with said. “I actually love [sharing increasing demand for different programs construction beginning at the end of the and larger class sizes, English teacher James 2027-28 school year, Aguirre said. The new classrooms] because I get to D building will include both regular and spe- watch someone else’s lessons Aguirre said. and learn “The initial plan we saw was one, larger cialty classrooms, Aguirre added. All three buildings will be connected with from differThe L building will receive an addiL-shaped building that would have expandent activitional floor, matching its countered the quad, but it didn’t provide enough a catwalk, Aguirre said. parts, Nurnberg said. Due to the overlap between construction ties they do,” classrooms,” Aguirre said. “They decided instead to create three smaller buildings with and school hours, teachers will be forced to Ronsheimer said. “One of The C building will have one instead of a courtyard in between them, which is very share classrooms, Ronsheimer said. two rows of classrooms, Aguirre said. greatAs a result, some classes will be rear- the common across our district.” The finalized changes largely stem from ranged into available periods in other build- est things is observe ings, disrupting some classrooms with fixed to back-to-school staff meetings periods like journal- t e a c h e r s during the summer, and ism and yearbook, within where staff had out of your Nurnberg said. the option to con“They’re trying to stan“We will have to subject area vene with the condardize the classrooms beexpand some of our and see how struction company cause we have differently sized scheduling offerings they engage to discuss details rooms, and it’s hard for students into seventh and sixth students difsurrounding the reand teachers to have the [same] period, [which] are ferently than model, French teachclassroom experience.” you the lightest in terms what er Kelly Ronsheimer of our course offerings normally do.” said. The three buildings are connect—English teacher Overall, right now,” Nurn“There’s things ed by a catwalk, which allows for James Aguirre projberg said. “But in this that you can’t please more convenient access to upper order to make all ect poses a story classrooms, Ronsheimer everybody with, fuof that work, there bright said. but they’re being will be an impact ture for HHS, thoughtful about where bringing a schedule.” things are,” Ronsheimer said. “The biggest on our student Because the constructhing was asking us for feedback, which I felt was really great on the part of Dr. Nurnberg tion company’s staging The C and L buildings will both be The new D building will include and also the company to come out and spend area will likely be in the shortened in length, allowing for science and EL classrooms on its staff parking lot, Nurnberg their time, as I know they’re all very busy.” the construction of the D building lower floor, and the upper floor will said staff will potentially At these meetings, staff discussed floor in the vacated space, Aguirre said. feature world language and English counts and general layouts of each building, use the student lot instead. classrooms, Aguirre said. This lack of parking will as well as the locations of speciality classrooms, including publications, leadership be an inconvenience to students, as it reduces their transportaand two science rooms, Aguirre said. Under the revised plans, the C build- tion options, sophomore Elle Correia ing will be reconstructed starting in June said. “I’m annoyed because my whole 2027 and will reduce in size to a single row of classrooms, eliminating the hallway that high school career, [I have wanted] currently runs between two rows, Aguirre to drive, and it’s not as exciting to get my license now because I don’t get to said.

Reconstruction at a glance

C building

L building

“

D building

In eternal love and community: Andie Ward Beloved resource teacher passes away Sachin Chandran and Ethan Xue Three weeks ago, IEP specialist and assistive technology teacher Andie Ward tragically passed away at age 50. As a mother, friend and educator, Ward loved and was deeply beloved by the community during her rich life. She is survived by her three young adult children, two of whom are HHS alumni, and will be forever cherished by everyone she knew, helped and inspired. Throughout her 18 school years in FUHSD, Ward worked in various roles

across all campuses until coming to HHS in 2024, director of human resources Greg Giglio stated. During that time, Ward supported and fiercely advocated for students with special needs and disabilities, principal Denae Nurnberg said. Through her devotion, Nurnberg said she empowered her students to thrive independently. “Andie made students feel like their disability didn’t define them. She was there to help level the playing field and made talking about their needs very comfortable,” Nurnberg said. “She also educated the adults. She helped us rethink how we think about disability rights and access [to tools], and watching her in action was a beautiful thing

because she cared deeply about kids.” Right through her last day working, Ward never stopped pushing to secure rePhoto courtesy of Kaede Hamilton

Ward (left) poses with fellow IEP specialist Kaede Hamilton on a hike at Yosemite.

sources catering to her students’ needs, Nurnberg said, building a culture of steadfast yet respectful advocacy. “When something was off, she would bring it to our attention in a way that was gentle, affirming and not polarizing,” Nurnberg said. “Leading with empathy makes people want to learn, make changes and feel safe in doing so. Her model of advocacy is something we should all be taking away.” Through this leadership, Ward fostered an inviting school environment for staff, Nurnberg said.

See Remembering Andie Ward, page 2

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College and

center 2 career pitches new resources

FUHSD must offer standardized test prep

Crossing oceans to exchange culture

Mother-daughter

the brings 12 Praise bronze, blame 14 duo energy to the turf the pale

PAGE DESIGN BY NATASHA BANDIL AND ANNA LIANG ILLUSTRATIONS BY KAYLIN YI

News

Page 2

News in a minute Alan Zhang

College and career center pitches new resources Changes aim to create welcoming environment

post secondary goals, and then utilizing the space to help them achieve those goals.” Attempting to gain more insight from the school community, the center’s staff formed a group of college and career ambassadors, comprised of six to eight students in grades 10 through 12, assistant principal Terri Hannigan said. “[The ambassadors’] main job will be to provide feedback on what’s useful, what’s helpful, ideas that they have, as well as helping us with marketing with the possibility of creating an Instagram page,” Hannigan said. “[This way], the information is out for students [about] college rep

Local: Bay Area tech companies to slash over 1,000 jobs Tech employers filed state notices in September to lay off 1,196 workers as companies shift more of their spending toward artificial intelligence, according to East Bay Times. These cuts were led by Oracle with 441, Uber with 390 and PayPal with 251, with LeeMah Electronics at 62 and Intel at 52 making up the rest, according to Mercury News. Bay Area tech layoff announcements have reached roughly 13,900 as of Sept. 18, roughly 37% more than the entirety of 2025.

To better support students, the college and career center underwent a series of changes at the beginning of this school year, principal Denae Nurnberg said. “One of our big goals was to make the physical layout of the space a little more warmer and inviting,” Nurnberg said. “The broader goals for impact is that students are using the college and career center to identify their

National: Measles cases reach 35-year high As childhood vaccination rates have fallen over several decades, the CDC has confirmed 3,659 measles cases this year as of Sept. 24. This total is already the highest for a single year since 1991, according to NBC. Among those infected, 95% were unvaccinated, and a majority were 19 or younger, according to NBC. Though measles is spreading rapidly, there have only been two confirmed deaths nationally, according to the CDC. However, with differing criteria, the Pennsylvania state health department has reported five measles-related deaths in the state alone, according to NBC. Disease counts had already skyrocketed last year, and outbreaks are continuing to spread across the entire country. As a result, the U.S. is highly likely to lose its measles elimination status, with the Pan American Health Organization set to convene and review it in November, according to PAHO.

The college and career center continues to help students, launching new aspects aimed to support the student body, Hannigan said.

International: Typhoon Dujuan floods eastern Japan Hitting the Kanto region on Sept. 21, Typhoon Dujuan brought severe flooding and landslides that left 12 people dead and three missing across Japan as of Sept. 24, according to The Japan Times. 832 mm of rain fell in 48 hours at Oshima in Tokyo’s Izu Islands, the most at that weather station since records began in 1991, according to The Watchers. Self-Defense Forces, police and fire crews are still searching for the missing people in Chiba and Kanagawa, and Japan's transport ministry has sent an emergency team to help repair embankments, according to The Watchers.

October 8, 2026

Feiyang Chin and Yichen Yao

Photo courtesy of Denae Nurnberg

visits and what other activities are done in the college and career center.” To help students utilize resources well before application processes, Hannigan said they are introducing the center and its assets to freshmen. “We wanted to start an inschool field trip to the college and career center, so [freshmen] are aware of what the center has to offer,” Hannigan said. “It will not only help them with their academic progress at HHS, but also in their thinking about the future and providing options for them to consider.” By the end of the first semester, Hannigan said the college and career center may include a workshop where students can participate in mock interviews. When implemented, this resource aims to help students feel more comfortable in front of strangers when they start applying to jobs, Hannigan added. Prompting the recent changes, Nurnberg said they received concerns within the past year regarding the center’s lack of accessibility for students. “A lot of it was because of the article in The Epitaph last year,” Nurnberg said. “It was hard to read in all honesty, and I think that it took us back a little bit. But we absolutely need to hear things that are not working well, and that we have the opportunity to improve.” While impactful, The Epitaph

had not been the only one to call for change, with staff, students and parents also advocating for the center’s resources to be more accessible for students, Hannigan said. “It was really important for us to hear the student voices,” Hannigan said. “We took that to heart and thought about how we can reinvigorate the center, and what things we can add and advertise.” Despite this overhaul, senior Knox Hsieh said he wishes the center provided more counselors to guide students through their application. “[I want to] easily go to my counselor and ask some questions, simply about things like Naviance,” Hsieh said. “It’s my first time using Naviance, so it’s pretty confusing to me. But if I try to go ask her a question, there’s going to be a long line.” Ultimately, Hannigan said she hopes the improvements made to the college and career center will better support the post high school process for all students. “We’re excited about the future,” Hannigan said. “HHS students have great opportunities here at school to build not only a strong academic record, but also extracurriculars, and so we’re excited that the college and career center can partner with them in how and what they do for their next step after high school.”

Through her values, Ward imparted a lasting lesson on the importance of connection, however fleetingly or simply it takes shape, Hamilton said. “I am talking to more people I see in my gym, at work or when I go roller skating,” Hamilton said. “I'm becoming more comfortable with reaching out to strangers and sparking conversation because that's what Andie was amazing at: just talking to people.” Reflecting on the very first time they met around four years ago, Heller said she noticed foremost how Ward treated anyone she came across. “The first time I met her, her husband had just passed away,” Heller said. “When I asked how she was doing, she was like, ‘I'm not so good. My husband just died.’ I admired that because she was real and respected me enough to be honest. To have someone be candid with me was something I really needed at that time.” In the lifetime she dedicated to caring for and uplifting others within her community, Andie

Ward embodied that genuine nature, Hamilton said. She was a free spirit, determined to go about every minute of every day with intention and love, Hamilton said. “Andie was not afraid to be who she was,” Hamilton said. “She was unabashedly herself, and it's really important in your work, life and at home to be your full, authentic self. That's what Andie represented, and that's the lesson I will carry on with me.” As the community continues to mourn her loss, Heller said that the best way to honor Ward’s memory is to consider one final lesson from the beloved educator: to pour oneself into helping people and living life to the fullest. “Loss of a community member can be hard because we often connect it to our own experiences,” Heller said. “She passed away suddenly and had a lot left to do in this world, [and] that can be something that feels depressing and uninspiring. But, from the same vein, it reminds us that we should be taking those chances to do good, to make a difference.”

Remembering Andie Ward Continued from page 1

“She was so happy and good at creating a space people wanted to be in,” Nurnberg said. “For the adults in our school, the more they want to be here, the better they can serve. She invested in the adults around her and made Homestead a family.” For instance, as a fellow resource specialist, Kaede Hamilton said she and Ward bonded over shared IEP meetings and hangouts. “We both loved to dance and have girl talk, and it was nice to connect with someone who understood me and listened without judgment,” Hamilton said. Having known Ward for nearly two decades, history teacher Matthew Wright said she showed her love in both her job and also in friendships, as an avid traveler. “She could make friends anywhere she went,” Wright said. “She had awesome adventures, and one of the things I took away from all this is, ‘Life's too short. Take those adventures when you get the opportunity to.’” Fittingly, Wright said a highlight of their friendship was going to a Lady Gaga concert together last summer. “I’ll never forget that night. I honestly wasn't super excited about it, but when you saw how enthusiastic she was and how she dressed up and brought so much energy, it was infectious,” Wright said. “I went from being like, ‘I'll be the friend who drives everybody,’ to having one of the best nights of my life at a concert I never would have bought a ticket to on my own.” Beyond that concert, Ward also dressed up regularly for school

spirit days, Hamilton said. “She had this vivacious attitude toward life, and I want to honor her,” Hamilton said. “I want to continue those traditions. I want to continue dressing up. I want to continue celebrating life because that's what she was really good at: celebrating life and being silly.” To senior Kat Heller, Ward brought that spark of liveliness and care to being a former marching band parent and a longtime family friend. “She had the tendency to care very deeply about everyone and everything,” Heller said. “I remember seeing her at [band] competitions. I kid you not, she was always screaming the loudest for her kid.” In the countless ways Ward touched other people’s lives, she committed her all, Heller said. “She never did anything 50%, whether that was interactions, cheering on her kids or advocating for students," Heller said. "You knew that if she said she was going to do something, it was going to happen.”

Photo courtesy of Trudy Gross

Scan here to donate to Mrs. Ward’s GoFundMe and assist with her children’s expenses in this difficult time:

Ward (third from right) celebrates with district colleagues at the 2016 Sunnyvale Murphy Awards, where she won Teacher of the Year. PAGE DESIGN BY KANMANI RAGURAMAN

News

October 8, 2026

Page 3

FUHSD robotics center gears up for the season District-wide facility allows teams to collaborate, engineer improved robots Ishani Kumar and Anna Liang FUHSD opened its new robotics center at CHS on Sept. 9 as a main hub for robotics clubs, FUHSD manager of bond operations Faith Carrillo said. The building features an open, two-story space built around a full-size competition field, along with machines to repair the robots, robotics president, senior Sophia Smola Matsui said. “What’s different about what we had at HHS is that we [now] have a full field, so we can actually practice full matches for the FRC games,” Smola Matsui said. “Usually, we only practice with half a field or two fifths of a field, so it’s a big improvement.” For convenience, the center also includes additional storage space for robots as well as a higher ceiling for drones, superintendent Graham Clark said. As a communal space for FUHSD robotics teams, the building creates new opportunities for students from different schools to work together, Clark said. “[One] thing I like about this program compared to others is sometimes, you’re very competitive with other schools, but there’s also a lot of collaboration,” Clark said. “They cooperate with each other, and if one of their robots is broken, they’ll loan tools or even give advice [on] how to improve the robot.”

Additionally, the robotics center’s proximity to HHS makes it both convenient and easily accessible for the team, Smola Matsui said. “Before, we had access to a practice field in East Palo Alto, but that was a 30-minute drive to a random warehouse,” Smola Matsui said. “If the robot wasn’t perfect, we couldn’t go to East Palo Alto, but now that it’s closer, we can casually go.” The construction of the robotics center was made possible by Measure G, a $275 million bond that funded the renovation and modernization of schools in the district, Carrillo said. This includes the construction of new buildings like the robotics center, Carrillo added. “I think everyone saw the value in a district robotics center [because] we have some of the top robotics teams in the area and nation,” Carrillo said. “From the original idea to the final design, students really help shape the vision every step of the way. I think that’s something that our entire community can be very proud of.” In the future, Smola Matsui said the robotics center will greatly benefit both the quality of robots and the team’s overall morale and sense of belonging. “For this season, I would like to achieve a strong sense of community within the FUHSD robotics teams and also within HHS robotics,” Smola Matsui said. “Even though this is my senior year and last season, the fact that I can access [the robotics center] is very exciting because all the members, including me, are able to see our robot perform a lot better.”

Photo by Krist Ferreria

School board contemplates new bus system Community complaints inspire transportation shift Sachin Chandran, Olivia Levesque Ouellette and Selina Wang After receiving complaints from parents and students last school year regarding the unreliability of VTA buses, the Board of Trustees is reassessing commute options for students, trustee Stanley Kou said. Due to these concerns, the board conducted a study on how students travel to school and is now contemplating four options. These options are improving upon the current VTA system, adding a new, district-managed form of transportation, hiring an independent contractor or cooperatively providing services with other districts, according to Pupil Transportation Information. Notably, the board is considering running school buses or providing students with a year-round VTA clipper card that enables free, unlimited access to its buses, trustee Pat Carpio-Aguilar said. “You might say in the beginning, ‘I don’t need it, this is a waste of money.’ Then other people would start using it and you start to see the convenience of it,” Carpio-Aguilar said. “You start to see the environmental stewardship that it allows you to have because you aren’t consuming fossil fuels at the exponential level that you are if you’re driving one car per person, so it would be ideal [for HHS to have that].” Currently, the district offers students living in certain zip codes monthly VTA bus passes, Kou said. However, these buses often face issues with overcrowding

and a scarcity of stops within the district, Kou said. “Since I joined the board, we [have heard] about more students using public transportation, which I really encourage,” Kou said. “But we also see that sometimes the bus is too crowded, and students [find it] hard to get on the bus because there’s a very short period of time when the school releases and many students want to go home, and the bus is not providing the sufficient services.” Echoing a similar thought, sophomore Adi Luzon said many students find commuting on the bus to be unpredictable. “I think [a new bus system] will be good, but they have to accommodate everyone and make sure everyone could fit,” Luzon said. “Also, it [should] arrive on time and not be late on certain days and very early on other days.” By implementing a new system, the board would hold more control over transportation, allowing it to more easily resolve these issues, according to PTI. To test its potential effectiveness, Kou said the district has been offering FHS students a free clipper card until next Feb. through a pilot program in partnership with VTA and the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action. “[VTA] agreed to work with us to study and see if this is useful,” Kou said. “Hopefully we can continue this program, but the cost to the school district will be a little bit higher because right now this pilot program has a VTA special grant.” If the clipper card and school buses were to be offered to students together, students would be able to use the new transportation system during the summer, as well, Carpio-Aguilar said. “It would open up a lot of opportuni-

The robotics center features high-end facilities such as specialized, competition-grade carpet and electrical infrastructure, Carrillo said. Ultimately, Carpio-Aguilar said these opties for students to explore their summer interests, maybe even have a job where they tions aim to improve students’ lives by makdo not have to spend gas or time to get there ing their routine less chaotic. “There are very few high schools in the and just take public transportation, like many people do in other parts of the world,” state of California that provide transportaCarpio-Aguilar said. “I see this from the tion to their students, but that doesn’t mean perspective of how we are serving students that we can’t do the right thing,” Carpio-Agurather than how much money we are saving.” ilar said. “I believe that we can if there is the Although school buses would allow the will, and if we stop discussing what is convedistrict control run times, adding them nient for the adults and start discussing what would be extremely expensive, and they is the right thing for students, then we can would only be able to drive through one route start having an honest discussion on how we are serving students.” due to a lack of funding, Kou said. “We cannot afford Photo by Olivia Levesque Ouellette [four routes] like VTA in the morning, so to better serve our students considering the serviceability or usablity, we think the yellow bus is high cost and we cannot afford it with our current budget situation,” Kou said. “If the federal or state [government] decided to give us enough money to offer a yellow bus, that’s another way, but currently, our budget doesn’t seem like Due to the shoving and crowding on the buses, many students opt to walk home or wait for a ride instead, Luzon said. there’s a possibility.” PAGE DESIGN BY CARSON WANG AND CHLOE WANG

Opinion

Page 4

Volume 64 · Issue 1 · October 8, 2026

Managing Editor Selina Wang News Editor Alan Zhang Opinion Editor Advay Ranade Lifestyles Editors Kanmani Raguraman Julia Song

Design Editors Ivy Guo Kaylin Yi Social Media Editor Sanjeet Jayaseelan Multimedia Editor Selina Wang Reporters Meera Aravind Katherine Belichick Amit Boimann Emma Chang Feiyang Chin Krist Gabriel Ferreria Eileen Jung Jisu Kim Rishika Khare Ishani Kumar Celine Kwon Owen Lee Anna Liang Aarohana Nagarajan Mason Ortiz Sara Shah Amy Song Carson Wang Chloe Wang Junzhi Wang Adviser Natalie Owsley

Mission Statement

The Epitaph is a non-profit publication at Homestead High School, 21370 Homestead Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014. The Epitaph is a designated forum for student expression and not subject to prior review, in accordance to Education Code 48907. The staff is comprised of HHS Journalism students. Views expressed do not necessarily represent views of the school, its staff or the district. Editorials are opinions of the editorial board. The Epitaph welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit submissions. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Include contact information. Unsigned letters cannot be published, but names will be withheld upon request. Send via homestead.epitaph@gmail.com, or drop letters in 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 in C102, call (408) 522-2572.

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reduce instructional budgets, transit, which would be limNakano-Matsumoto said. ited to a single afternoon deTo provide the best situa- parture. tion for students, staff and the To further support studistrict, FUHSD must contin- dents involved in after-school ue its VTA partnership with activities and provide reliable some concrete changes, rath- transportation home, FUHSD er than fully overmust communicate hauling the curdirectly with VTA 5, of 664+ ey FUH urv SD as rent system to secure adm s ro FUHSD ditional bus should routes begin by school to expandshorten ing the wait times of students surveyed current and provide said bus times were FHS unicomfortable unusable versal VTA riding condiClipper card tions for stuprogram, introdents. duced in Aug. 2026 In the past, FUHSD to all five high schools in has communicated with the district. Through this six- VTA to expand its bus routes month pilot program, all FHS and options during peak students receive free access hours, Nakano-Matsumoto to FUHSD-provided transit said. programs regardless of their If they can ask VTA to add ZIP code or income level, additional buses on routes FUHSD board president and students use frequently, trustee Stanley Kou said. FUHSD and VTA can work to Integrating FHS’s approach address problems like overdistrict-wide would signifi- crowding and irregular concantly increase the num- nectivity that affect bus-ridber of students who can use ing students. VTA, providing them with FUHSD can support these free, reliable and affordable requests with information transportation. The program gathered through the digital would also make it easier for Clipper pilot, which allows students to participate in af- the district to identify when ter-school activities without students use their passes depending on a guardian or during the school day, curschool-bus schedules. rently in use by FHS, Kou said. After working to expand This data can reveal popthe current Clipper program, ular routes and departure FUHSD must work with VTA times, serving as a roadmap to increase before and af- for VTA to adjust its bus routes ter-school route availability based on FUHSD requests. for students to use. Commuting to school is In a student survey con- essential to students. Rather ducted by FUHSD, 32% of re- than taking a step backward spondents reported that VTA with alternative proposals, arrival times did not align FUHSD must strengthen and with their schedules. How- expand its current program ever, VTA offers more flexi- so every student can get to bility than a regular school school on time. bus program would, as 57% of students said after-school The Epitaph Editorial activities would prevent them Board voted unanimously, 11-0, in support of this from using the school bus stance. en

Sports Editor Natasha Bandil

Every year, hundreds of cerns. The district can disFUHSD students rely on dis- tribute more passes, but it trict-funded Valley Trans- cannot ensure buses arrive on portation Authority pass- time or have enough space for es to commute to school. students. As such, the second model However, overcrowded buses and infrequent ser- proposed is to implement a vice can cause students to joint power authority between arrive late or endure un- FUHSD and neighboring districts, according to PTI. comfortable conditions. This model would help To address these issues, FUHSD must work directly support the financial strain with VTA to provide more of owning a district-funded transit system. However, imfrequent and safe service. In response to student plementation would require concerns, FUHSD is cur- intensive communication and rently reviewing four re- divert money from instrucplacement options for the tional costs, FUHSD board current transportation trustee Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto said. model. This would make it difficult The first and cheapest option being reviewed is to to respond quickly to overmaintain and improve the crowding and service gaps. Another option being current VTA program. This option would pre- considered is a fully disserve FUHSD’s existing trict-owned and operated partnership with VTA while system. With this system, coordinating supplemen- FUHSD would purchase and tal transportation through maintain its own buses, seSV Hopper and Sunnyvale cure a transportation facility, Beam, according to Pupil design routes and hire mainTransportation Information tenance, according to PTI. The final option (PTI). would replace As of now, FUHSD’s current FUHSD has VTA partner9,289 stuship with a dents and private bus 1,700 are c o m p a n y. eligible The comfor VTA of surveyed students pany would p a s s e s, prefer school buses supply and with only over VTA operate the 1,326 isbuses, while sued, as per the district PTI. would set routes Since eligiand expectations. bility is determined This differs from VTA, as by where students live, this option does not serve those FUHSD would instate routes outside approved ZIP codes. and timing that would only Additionally, hundreds of serve FUHSD students, acstudents have not utilized cording to PTI. Both the third and fourth available VTA passes, proving that the current system models pose significant financial risk, as they require is inefficient. Currently, FUHSD does FUHSD to invest millions into not control these bus a long-term commitment. Moreover, the high annual routes, limiting the ability to address student con- cost could force the district to

d tu

Arts & Culture Editors Yichen Yao Kaylin Yi

FUHSD must expand VTA partnership

Web Editor-in-Chief Ethan Xue

Staff Editorial

Editors-in-Chief Sachin Chandran Olivia Levesque Ouellette

October 8, 2026

The Epitaph

FUHSD Transportation Options

To respond to current student transit concerns, FUHSD is exploring replacements for the current model available to students. Three of the specific replacement options are listed below.

One email and you can reach over 2,400 students, teachers, administrators and community members from Northern Sunnyvale to Southern Los Altos. If your target market is between ages 14 to 18, contact The Epitaph at epitaph.ads@gmail.com, and we can make it happen.

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VTA

Private-bus system

Subsidized public transit

Contracted student bus service

District-owned bus service

Semele Heller FUHS Foundation Homestead PTSA

$465,000 annually; already operating

$5.8 million annually; one year to implement

Flexible, affordable access

District-designed routes

$11.4 million startup cost exluding land, with additional $3.8 million annually; two to five years to implement

High annual cost

Complete district control

Limited district control According to PTI

FUHSD-owned system

Major cost and responsibility

PAGE DESIGN BY SANJEET JAYASEELAN AND ISHANI KUMAR ILLUSTRATIONS BY CARSON WANG

Opinion

October 8, 2026

Page 5

Rising leaders reignite political hope As a student, my social media feeds are a blur of memes and trends. But once in a while, a political figure will break through the haze, speaking to me directly without relying on outdated TV speeches. To encourage youth civic engagement, candidates must abandon traditional campaigning and adapt to the new generation’s digital lifestyle. For example, strategies like Zohran Mamdani’s have redefined campaigns. Mamdani’s campaign jolted political consultants with its short-form videos explaining policies, frequent live streams and memes tailored to young audiences, according to Dissent

Students must support Sunnyvale Beam Neighboring cities should invest in microtransit programs Katherine Belichick Last week, I checked Uber for an 8 a.m. ride to school and was shocked that a drive from my house was estimated at nearly $17. Left with no other choice, I decided to walk. To rectify this issue, Sunnyvale began offering a long-overdue alternative. Sunnyvale Beam creates a better way for students to receive quality, low-cost rides to locations across the city, setting an example for other communities to do the same. Beam, the city’s new municipal taxi service, officially began on Sept. 1. The service has been a massive success, averaging around 65 rides a day since its introduction, according to People Magazine. However, many Bay Area communities do not have the same option. For example, many students living outside of Sunnyvale rely on Valley Transportation Authority, which is inconvenient due to a lack of nearby bus stops. In addition, the bus schedule can be difficult to manage with other commitments and after school activities since they only run every 20 minutes, according to the VTA. And students from neighboring towns like Los Altos and Saratoga face scarce VTA options altogether, forcing them to opt for rideshare companies instead. Private rideshare companies offer on-demand service and drive you to your exact location, but prices for rides on platforms like Uber have shot up by nearly 30% since 2023, according to Consumer Reports. As a result, the service has become

unaffordable for students. By contrast, a Beam ride anywhere in Sunnyvale for students is a flat rate of $1.75, according to People Magazine. Since these prices remain the same regardless of the distance, Sunnyvale Beam stands out as a better alternative compared to traditional rideshare apps, providing students with equal transit access to school and around the city. To expand this opportunity, more students should utilize Beam as their service of choice. If Sunnyvale is to maintain Beam as a flexible and low-cost option, we must fund it through consistent usage. While Beam’s flexibility alleviates these problems for Sunnyvale residents, citizens in other communities are still caught between unaffordable private companies and insufficient public options. For the benefit of these citizens, communities near Sunnyvale should invest in their own microtransit services. Cities can fund it using a program similar to Sunnyvale’s, leveraging a $4 million transit grant from the state of California and partnering with an established rideshare company, according to San Jose Spotlight. If neighboring cities want to solve the transportation shortage, city-provided microtransit should be prioritized. For students, this would mean less stress, increased independence and more opportunities to participate in afterschool activities and jobs.

Illustration by Katherine Belichick

Sunnyvale Beam provides strong alternative to traditional rideshare companies and public transit.

When politicians make an ef- create lasting change falls onto us fort to relate to the new genera- as the next generation. We must tion, it inspires them to engage in use social media platforms to orlocal politics. These strategies can ganize political communities, detransform the skepticism of youth mand accountability from candidates and push for progress that into an optimistic movement. To continue this momentum reflect our generation’s priorities. and build a system that looks to- This way, leaders are consistently ward the future, political figures held accountable for solving our must overhaul their current cam- issues while increasing political paign strategies. Leaders must participation. adapt to digital spaces and communicate their inter- Illustration by Amy Song ests by discussing issues that are relevant to young people. Additionally, political leaders must go beyond taking advantage of social media for votes and use these platforms to listen to youth concerns, making sure their actions address our needs. At the same Modern methods of campaigning time, the responsibility to reach youth in a more effective way.

Data center protests should lead to change Protests must influence legislation for reforms

major seasonal droughts, having data centers drain water from our crucial stockpile of freshwaJunzhi Wang ter only worsens waning water issues across the nation. From writing essays to driving Additionally, water used for cars, the AI revolution has had a cooling is often contaminated major effect on the everyday lives with several bioacids and heavy, of many. But, this growing indus- corrosive metals to curb bacteria try comes with environmental growth, and in result, expelled consequences, as data centers are water sent to treatment plants increasing the temperatures of can stress infrastructure as well neighborhoods around them by as hurt biodiversity in waterup to four degrees, according to sheds, according to KETOS. Yale University. This means that waIn an age already suffering ter-stressed regions like Califorfrom climate crises, the prolifer- nia will be required to spend even ation of data centers across the more funds to treat chemically incountry is inspiring many to pro- fused freshwater that they might test against them, according to not have, leeching funds that NPR. As such, politicians must lis- could be dedicated to recoverten to the concerns of Americans ing their already suffering water who are speaking out, rather than storage. bolstering data center infrastrucTo prioritize the environment, ture. local and state legislators need to Unfortunately, president incentivize tech companies Donald Trump’s cur- tion by Junzhi Wang to either build sustainrent stance on data able data centers near centers is only windy regions or hymaking the issue droelectric plans, or not more dire, as the build data centers Environmental at all. Protection Agency By promotrecently proposed ing programs a legislative change that use fossil that would allow data fuels as a backcenters and up, we can enpower plants to sure that our be built before Momentum from both parties finite natural air pollution per- have the power to influence resources will mit approval, ac- solutions for cleaner energy. be preserved cording to NYT. and slow down The administration is prior- the draining of finite natural enitizing the AI industry over our ergy sources for the use of data climate, forgoing many standards centers. and regulations set decades ago Additionally, students and starting in the Nixon era. This young adults should continue to disregard for environmental con- protest the construction of data servation will ultimately lead to centers that are not considering excess pollution, resulting in det- their environmental damages. rimental effects on the climate if This will pressure local and state left unchecked. officials to find a solution despite Another consequence of un- the federal government’s pushregulated data centers is their ex- back against environmental recessive water usage. Data centers form and promotion of fossil fuuse about 110 million gallons of els. water, or 1,000 households worth, The ultimate goal of altering further stressing water-scarce data center energy sources is to regions’ infastructure, according support our environment which to the Environmental and Energy is in grave danger. State governStudy Institute. ments need to incentivize greenWith states like Arizona and er energy use so we can take one California already suffering from more step to fix the climate crisis. ra

Amy Song

Magazine. This approach engages eligible voters by bridging the gap between digital culture and politics, displaying that a well-crafted social media plan can generate enthusiasm among youth. Young voters are far more inspired by their peers’ engagement in online movements, as social media is a relatable platform where young adults feel directly heard. Similarly, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s media posts feature him participating in viral audio trends and using terminology commonly found online, according to Gulf News. Leveraging trends allows candidates to communicate through the mediums young people consume daily. This strategy builds trust by eliminating artificial campaigning, restoring faith in the current government and also increasing youth participation.

Illust

Social media strategies are inspiring Gen Z

INSULIN Act relieves citizens Bill provides necessary healthcare reform Sachin Chandran COLUMN — The invention of insulin should have been a moment of celebration. The hormonal medication used to lower blood sugar for diabetic patients was bound to save millions of lives, and that is exactly what it did; all for a monthly fee of hundreds of dollars, according to the Health Cost Institute. Due to corporate greed and a poorly regulated insurance market, this essential treatment is priced extremely high, effectively barring low-income citizens from accessing it. Thankfully, The INSULIN Act aims to drastically curb these costs, providing relief to disadvantaged communities that require aid the most. It must be enacted if we are to create a truly supportive healthcare system. Specifically, the proposed bipartisan measure will limit insulin costs to $35 per month, a drastic decrease from the $150 that 40% of insulin users reported paying in 2026, according to the American Diabetes Association. Additionally, some companies earn up to 20 times the cost of production as profit when selling this drug, according to Nevada Independent. Peoples’ livelihoods and well-being are far more important than corporate gain. Although exorbitant insulin costs can be curbed through health insurance, nearly 10% of the population does not have any coverage, with low-income citizens making up 80% of this group, according to KFF. Without a national policy that mitigates rising insulin costs, poverty-stricken residents will continue to suffer. Through the INSULIN Act, lawmakers can eliminate this inequity within our healthcare system. As such, Congress must unite to pass this legislation, and it must be signed into law. But, reform does not end here. Our representatives must continue to cross the isle and create policy with the opposing party to further drive down healthcare costs, and we must hold them accountable in the upcoming midterm elections. If more proposals like the INSULIN Act are passed by Congress, every citizen will be able to receive the treatment they need through our healthcare system; all for a price that will not debilitate them.

PAGE DESIGN BY AAROHANA NAGARAJAN

Opinion

Page 6

New law supports affordable housing

San Jose must inspire other cities to change income thresholds Jisu Kim

Just 10 miles from HHS is the one of the least affordable cities to buy a home: San Jose, according to NBC Bay Area. People already feel the pressure of high housing costs with security and maintenance, but costs could unfortunately get even worse. Hence, San Jose’s new ordinance that ensures the middle class can adjust to high rental prices should be a model that other cities follow to provide more access to affordable and available housing. More specifically, the new ordinance increases the percentage of people who qualify for affordable housing, according to KTVU. Prior to this, many struggled to find an affordable place to live even though their income was over the qualification threshold, according to San Jose Spotlight. During this period, essential workers like teachers that earn roughly $92,000 still could not afford homes in San Jose, according to SPUR. Through this new ordinance, affordable housing will not only support those who are low-income, but also those above the poverty line who are struggling to make ends meet. The law has increased the qualification limit to 110% of the area’s median income. This is far more accessible, as those making as much as $214,000 per year can still be accepted, according to San Jose Spotlight. This ordinance lowers the financial barrier to home ownership. As a result, the city and citizens will benefit through increased economic stability and improved social equity. Like San Jose, other cities in the Bay Area should work to lower their income threshold for affordable housing through laws or ordinances. This way, they will be able to support their consituents more effectively.

For example, cities such as Sunnyvale, in close proximity to San Jose, should adopt a similar framework in updating their housing policy to protect the local workforce and secure affordable housing options for families in lower middle-class income brackets. Through lowering the income threshold for affordable housing in a similar manner as San Jose, cities can work to support all of their constituents who currently face housing challenges, building a society that supports constituents of all income levels. tion by Jisu K stra im Illu

October 8, 2026

Standardized test preparation should not be a test in itself FUHSD must provide testing guidance to students Aarohana Nagarajan The first time I looked into SAT prep, I quickly realized how overwhelming it could be. There were hundreds of websites, practice books and prep courses promising to help me get a better score, with each of them costing more than I could justify paying. But, the real problem was figuring out which ones were actually worth my time, and more importantly, my money. Preparing for the test almost felt as stressful as actually taking it and I started to wonder why getting ready for a test that could play such a big role in college admissions had to be something students figured out on their own. HHS must address this issue by offering school-led study sessions, practice tests and guidance from teachers or counselors, helping every student develop an effective study plan. Currently, students have access to test prep books, but there is no dedicated testing preparation through FUHSD although it has been considered, principal Denae Nurnberg said. While study materials are a starting point, students taking

the SAT or ACT for the first time may not know how to use them effectively. Without guidance available at school, students are left to determine what to study, how to study it and which strategies are truly helpful on their own. For some students, figuring out standardized tests can include using private tutors or test preparation programs that provide this kind of support. However, these options can come with a very high price tag, making them solely accessible to families who can afford them. This creates an inherent inequity in the system, giving only some students access to a level of preparation that others may not receive. In fact, children from the wealthiest 1% were 13 times more likely than children from lower-income families to score a 1300 or higher on the SAT, according to Harvard University. This discrepancy makes it clear why it is crucial for HHS to provide quality resources to all students, as financial situations can prevent students from performing on an equal playing field. To resolve this, the district must make standardized test preparation a more intentional aspect of its student support systems. FUHSD should establish free SAT and ACT preparation courses for students across all five high schools, open

to anyone preparing for either test. During these extracurricular courses in the weeks leading up to the exam, students should be walked through the test format and identify areas of improvement. These programs would give students a chance to understand the layout of these tests and target the spots they need to refine, making them feel more reassured and prepared come the day of the test. While schools cannot control what resources students have at home, FUHSD can ensure all students have access to free, structured standardized test preparation through the district. Not every student is guaranteed the same score and not every student will need the same amount of preparation. However, preparation should never depend on how much a family can afford or how much a student already knows about testing. If this kind of support had been available when I first started looking into SAT prep, I would have spent less time overwhelmed and more time actually studying for the test. Sometimes, a little guidance is all that’s needed to support students.

Illustration by Meera Aravind

San Jose has ensured that as home prices skyrocket, the qualification limit increases with it.

Disparities in income levels and access to resources can directly affect whether students can adequately prepare for standardized tests, creating unequal opportunities.

New H-1B law impacts the wrong employers Flat petition fee must be replaced by wage based reform Advay Ranade COLUMN—The H-1B program was built on a simple bargain. It allowed companies to hire skilled foreign workers when they were unable to find them at home, as long as they were paid the same as American workers. Over the past nine years, multiple presidential terms have rewritten this program. On Sept. 18, president Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14431, directing federal agencies to crack down on visa fraud through fake college credentials on many H-1B applications. A proclamation was signed on the same day extending the program’s $100,000 petition fee through Sept. 2027 as well, according to the Federal Register. While the new order targets the right government agencies, the fee

that is extended affects everyone, and the program must be altered to serve all companies and citizens on a case-by-case basis. Specifically, H-1B workers earn $9,000 less than comparable U.S.born workers, and earn $20,000 more than U.S. workers in heavy H-1B reliant industries, according to Executive Order 14431. This gap in pay shows that employers must bring equity to Americans and foreign workers. Additionally, the steep fee hopes to push Americans to be hired first, but large corporations will be able to absorb it, rendering this goal unresolved. However, smaller employers cannot compensate, which concentrates foreign hiring among the biggest companies and causing a monopoly in H-1B reliant sectors. The previous Trump administration has attempted to resolve this inequity. In 2017, Trump signed executive order “Buy American and Hire American,” which steered visas toward the most-skilled and highest-expected-pay applicants. This increased H-1B denials and

reduced pay gaps automatically through wages, according to Adams and Reese LLP. While this began to address the problem, it was halted in courts across the country for immigration law violations, stifling it as a solution to the pay gap problem, according to Adams and Reese LLP. The first Trump administration was unable to implement an effective solution, detailing exactly why it must be changed in the present. Since the newest policy fails to holistically support all workers hoping to be employed in the U.S. and we have not seen a strong solution in the past, the policy must change in two major ways. To rectify the issue of H-1B concentration in larger companies, the flat fee should become a wagebased system that penalizes employers who pay below the local market rate, specifically placing the cost on companies driving the wage gap. Additionally, lawmakers must cement these protections in legislation so they can outlast the cur-

rent president’s term rather than being repealed and put in place repeatedly. Those voting in the midterm elections must also consider the priority level of immigration policy for prospective elected officials and support domestic companies as well as foreign workers to maintain a strong, future-proof economy in the U.S..

Only then can skilled foreign workers be hired fairly, Americans be paid fairly and the U.S. economy be run fairly.

PAGE DESIGN BY AMIT BOIMAN AND JUNZHI WANG

Lifestyles

October 8, 2026

Page 7

Crossing oceans to exchange culture Exchange students share cultural differences Olivia Levesque Ouellette and Selina Wang Traveling all the way from Germany and Estonia, juniors Mia Biber and Marcus Keert join the Mustang community as exchange students. Germany After hosting former HHS student Vincent Eikenberg in her hometown of Hanover, Germany, Biber said she is spending the school year with host student Tina Eikenberg. Looking forward to participating in school activities such as cross country, Biber said her home school does not offer as many sporting opportunities as HHS.

“I run a lot [of] triathlons in Germany, but in Germany we don’t have the same sports that [HHS] has,” Biber said. “I think that you see so much of California on the cross country team because we drive far away for practice and races. You get to see a lot of nature and trails, and it's very beautiful.” With her host family, Biber practices her English skills, although Eikenberg said they also speak German to ease the transition of languages. “She's going to keep speaking German with me, it's the most comfortable for her,” Eikenberg said. “I'm happy that she's learning English though, so she can improve it. It would help her a lot because English is such a common language and widely spoken, so it's a common denominator.” In addition to improving her English, Biber said she hopes to gain valuable experiences like

Photo courtesy of Mia Biber Photo courtesy of Mia Biber

Though nervous at first, the kindness of her friends helped her settle into the new environment, Biber (middle left) said.

sightseeing, forming relationships and learning about a different culture. “I want to see more from the world and have new experiences because it's super different [from Germany],” Biber said. “I want to see other cultures and how they're handled here. I also like making new friends, but the most important thing I'm here for is the experience and getting to see the world.” Estonia Encouraged by his family to participate in an exchange program, junior Marcus Keert said he was pleasantly surprised when he received the news that he would be staying in California. “The people in California are more engaging because in Estonia you don't have these small talks with strangers,” the Talin resident said. “Here, you see a person in the street and they say hello and they talk with you a little bit. But in Estonia, you just walk directly by strangers.” Helping Keert acclimate to the new environment, senior Andrew Fekete has seen Keert become more comfortable with his surroundings as he spends more time in America, Fekete said. “The way he acted was different when he first got here. He's opened up a lot more, and he is at that point where he feels just as comfortable in Estonia as he is here,” Fekete said. “He has been willing to

Sowing and watering the seeds of environmental awareness Climate Collective club and 10 Strands partner on school audit

Chloe Wang and Yichen Yao To improve environmental education on campus, Climate Collective club collaborated with the environmental organization 10 Strands to conduct audits on HHS, addressing the availability of environmental education, co-president, senior Chloe Dahl said. “We have a lot of areas that seem kind of obvious where we can improve,” Dahl said. “In terms of waste, one ongoing problem that we’ve had is some of the facilities not being able to recycle. That’s something we’re actively focusing on.”

After receiving the report from 10 Strands, Dahl said the club officers debriefed the audits and discussed areas where the school can improve activity, like tracking water quality and expanding their community engagement. The club plans to present its data to administrators and district board members and will advocate to create a page on the school website highlighting environmental engagement among students, Dahl said. “Having those meetings and showing this report shows them how much progress we’ve already made, but then also how much more progress there is to make,” Dahl said. “Hopefully that will garner more support for our initiatives, and maybe we can have even more administrators and Photo by Yichen Yao

Climate Collective Club officials host meeting to discuss 10 Strands report summary, Li said.

teachers on our team because that’s something we’re always looking for.” The club also wants to encourage science classes to teach more about how to use less water, recycle properly and use electric options instead of gas, senior Sara Mohsin said. “Raising awareness is important because climate change is inevitable,” Mohsin said. “I think that it’s a necessary part of our education, considering that we do learn a lot about life sciences.” While the club continues to advocate for more school involvement in environmental awareness, co-president, junior Cynthia Li said she hopes more students start to volunteer. “My personal input is to teach students that nothing is possible without collective action,” Li said. “I want students to understand that it’s not all on you. You can lean on other people and make collective action.” Looking toward the future, Li said she hopes environmental action can be implemented into the curriculums of the science department. “I hope that the teachers can see that there is a want from the student body to see environmental education in more classroom spaces, and [for] the teachers to be supported in developing and implementing the curated curriculum,” Li said.

try new things and is interested in what America has to offer." As he adjusts to American culture, Keert said he has experienced many culture shocks such as the differences in food, education and sports. Although the separation from his family and disconnect from his culture has been challenging, his host

family’s support made the adjustment smoother, Keert said. “I think people [in California] are much more open, and have been very kind to me,” Keert said. “I would say if someone has the chance to go away and [study] abroad, I would tell them to just go for it." Photo courtesy of Marcus Keert

Interested in American football, Keert (middle right) said joining the team has allowed him to create friendships and connections.

Fidget, focus, repeat Students, staff discuss role of fidgets in classrooms Jisu Kim and Aarohana Nagarajan Beginning as a viral trend outside the classroom, a variety of colorful fidget toys have become their own trend for helping students focus during class, business teacher Hannah Goh said. Following their rise in popularity, Goh said she was inspired to buy a variety of fidgets for her class. Fidgets allow students to pay attention in class while still releasing stress from work, Goh said. “Once I added [fidgets], I was like, ‘Wow, students are able to focus a lot more’ and it gave them more things to do in class, even if we had to sit through a long lecture,” Goh said. Junior Shelly Yusim said fidgets have been a useful tool that allow her to stay present in class and while studying at home. “Using my hands helps me focus,” Yusim said. “I would doodle if I had a pencil and paper, but most times I don't, so I’d just use a fidget toy to focus instead.” As many students use fidgets in classroom environments, wellness space support specialist Julio Llerenas said students also turn to them when they visit the wellness center. “Most of the time, students are

coming [to the wellness center] to release some energy,” Llerenas said. “And sometimes kids just need some sort of pick-me-up.” Although fidgets can be useful in class, Goh said specific fidgets, such as squishies or those that make sound, can become major distractions for students and disturb class atmospheres. “I put a Nee-doh in there last year, and it got destroyed right away,” Goh said. “So, I can't do the squishy ones that would create a mess in class.” Despite concerns that certain fidgets will distract students, Yusim said fidget toys should be accessible to all students in classrooms. “I think some people assume that fidget toys are distracting, but I find them to be very helpful when trying to concentrate and stay focused,” Yusim said. “Most students, if they don’t have something to play with, they want to fall asleep.” While there are differing views on the usage of fidget toys in the classroom, Goh said teachers should consider how different fidgets fit into their classroom environment and their influence on student engagement. “I think there are things that teachers can be comfortable and not comfortable with,” Goh said. “But I do think there are certain fidgets that, if teachers wanted to, are a little bit less distracting or create less [havoc] around class.”

Photo by Aarohana Nagarajan

To help keep students engaged during class, Yusim said teachers should offer fidgets as a tool. PAGE DESIGN BY MEERA ARAVIND

In-Depth

Page 8

CASE FILE: Students and staff reflect on internships, programs Lights, camera, action: a summer in the arts Students gain experience through art programs Emma Chang, Rishika Khare and Yichen Yao As students navigate their career paths, senior Niki Lakhani and sophomore Anna Lu were inspired to attend collegiate summer programs to gain more experience in their fields of interest, Lakhani said. Niki Lakhani From school plays to community theater, Lakhani said she is passionate about theater and hopes to pursue her career in the field. Looking to gain more experience in professional theater, she attended Northwestern’s Cherubs theater program this past summer, Lakhani said. “Everyone was really supportive of each other and very Photo courtesy of Niki Lakhani

The summer program allowed attendees to experience a professional theater setting, Lakhani said.

uplifting, and it was really inspiring to be surrounded by so many artists who were just as passionate about what we do,” Lakhani said. Reflecting on her time at Northwestern, Lakhani said the program gave her the opportunity to not only bond with and learn from friends but also connect with experts in theater. “One of my professors is writing my letter of recommendation for college,” Lakhani said. “They [also] gave us connections with industry professionals, which was really cool.” Anna Lu Pursuing her interest in animation, Lu said that the California Institute of the Arts’ Animation Intensive taught her foundational skills like storyboarding, animation and character design, Lu said. “I would recommend it if you’re a beginner and you want to learn how to animate, with the basics,” Lu said. “Otherwise, it would be a good opportunity to meet professors actually from CalArts.” When applying to the program, rather than a traditional written application, the animation program required an art portfolio consisting of three prompts, Lu said. “There were three short prompts: two life drawings of people and one life drawing of a plant,” Lu said. “There were very specific guidelines, like drawing in a ballpoint pen,

and the [drawings] had to be semi-recent.” As Lu’s close friend, sophomore Elise Chang said she saw Lu’s passion for animation grow firsthand as she supported Lu throughout the application process. “She always excels in art, and I believe that through this program, she was able to showcase her skills,” Chang said. “She already has a good foundation, and this program will [help] further her interests.” Having the chance to see the reality and learn from those who work in the animation field, Lu said she feels even more motivated to continue a career in animation. “It was interesting to talk to people who are in the animation field and who have been doing animation for way longer than I have,” Lu said. “I learned more about their experience and being an animator in the real world, and I’m so excited.”

Photo courtesy of Anna Lu

Although the program was online, Lu said she was still able to explore her creativity and bring her animation ideas to life.

Through a teacher’s lens AP Biology teacher Dara Alleyne-Levy explains how classroom interactions aid letters of recommendation

As students apply to internships and programs, they often require a letter of recommendation where teachers can emphasize a student’s academic strengths and characteristics, Levy said. “I find it easy to write letters for students who do engage in conversation during the course of the school year when you know there’s a lot of time,” Levy said. However, Levy said she only accepts the request if she has a meaningful relationship with the student, rather than agreeing to a student who she cannot write on behalf of. “If the student sat in my class and got an A, but never said anything, then I don’t have too much to say,” Levy said.

Page 9

Wanted by the newspapers

Epitaph staff members share their experiences interning at the Los Altos Town Crier Interested in pursuing a career in journalism, senior Olivia Levesque Ouellette said the internship has not only allowed her to write a variety of articles and meet with inspiring people, but also understand the mechanics of a professional newsroom. “One of the main skills I’ve learned is to be efficient with my work,” Levesque Ouellette said. “Stories in a local newspaper are often turned around quicker [than school newspapers], so I have to interview, sort and write an article all within a week.”

Starting his internship last year, senior Sachin Chandran said his experience at the Los Altos Town Crier has given him the opportunity to learn about other people’s stories and integrate himself into his local community. “Through the [internship], I’ve been able to develop [my skills] in a different way because I’m interviewing people who are in a diverse array of fields,” Chandran said. “In our school community, I’m mostly interviewing students and teachers, but now over here I get to interview executive directors of companies.”

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es shar h s o Gh . vait rograms d A p or seni summer re , e e ey we h o nd h t t e o t g s t , selor best,” Ghos OS a applyin n M u S o c O C n me est ve a ce o : “I ha s] that suit see what b m a r advi g ram pro n to d the d the [prog on my ow n i F . Step 1 elp me fin of research h t for able to ut I did a lo r.” ation ,” m r o o B f j site e in said. “ in my ma All th n their web st “ : e n m o i I ju icat le o suits e appl are availab s there. So ions. h t e t s ple est ine . Com ose program ll the deadl n those qu s the 2 p e t e o a S g to th u can see ed to work match n t i a y h l p Yo rt dw ap said. “ ose and sta e so far an ng for.” h s o h i n h G te of t hat I’ve do ram is look o ich n k og ee w h m too ll w r s a p c o e t e r h tt to had yste I had tion of wha ers: “I planned s t t e l n p atio ike a ion,” descri mend e or more l mmendat st m o c be r re lin reco Ask fo ighter time g letters of t correlated chers . 3 p at Ste ha tea tin rs had about wri ng to see w and which e h c a i o e t y r, they g just tr ing fo of how aid. “I was at I was go .” s th or g Ghosh programs ith my maj gettin et a h t e r h w e peopl am doesn’t u with t ign closely l l e t al yo t to ogr most “I wan g into a pr r how good ky. : s t l u res luc ttin e, o ait for rsus not ge ho you ar ou can get ad.” W . 4 w el b th es y Step rogram ve do wi “Sometim ake you fe o p t a g . n o m int n’t said ythi ave an nt,” Ghosh that should h y l l a e t a stud u don’t. Bu o are as y times Some

e c n ide v e the g n ti Collec nships, ms and inter

progra ever apApplying to if they have e r a sh ts en stud eir results. plied and th

GRADE PLIED?

AP HAVE YOU

12 (43.3%) 11 (15.8%) 9 (23.4%) 12 (28.2%)

No (50.7%)

Yes (49.3%)

10 (32.6%) 11 (15.9%)

RESUL T APPLI S OF CATION ? Waitlisted (17.1%)

Rejected (32.9%) Got in (50.0%)

*From a survey of 150 students

PAGE DESIGN BY EMMA CHANG, RISHIKA KHARE AND YICHEN YAO PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMMA CHANG, IVY GUO AND JULIA SONG

In-Depth

Page 8

The summer program allowed attendees to experience a professional theater setting, Lakhani said.

Photo courtesy of Anna Lu

Although the program was online, Lu said she was still able to explore her creativity and bring her animation ideas to life.

Through a teacher’s lens AP Biology teacher Dara Alleyne-Levy explains how classroom interactions aid letters of recommendation

Page 9

Wanted by the newspapers

for y l pp a . . to . s w m o H gra o r p er mm u s

e c n ide v e the g n ti Collec nships, ms and inter

progra ever apApplying to if they have e r a sh ts en stud eir results. plied and th

GRADE PLIED?

AP HAVE YOU

12 (43.3%) 11 (15.8%) 9 (23.4%) 12 (28.2%)

No (50.7%)

Yes (49.3%)

10 (32.6%) 11 (15.9%)

RESUL T APPLI S OF CATION ? Waitlisted (17.1%)

Rejected (32.9%) Got in (50.0%)

*From a survey of 150 students

PAGE DESIGN BY EMMA CHANG, RISHIKA KHARE AND YICHEN YAO PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMMA CHANG, IVY GUO AND JULIA SONG

Lifestyles

Page 10

The ‘Addams Family’ musical creeps up onto the stage Drama club prepares for first musical in seven years

Ivy Guo and Eileen Jung As eerie music fills the theater, the Drama club rehearses for their first musical since 2019, “The Addams Family,” which will show in November, drama club president senior Marie Suzano said. “[When I joined the Drama club] initially, I was really disappointed when I learned that we don’t do musicals,” Suzano said. “I wanted to join the officer team to see if there was any way that I could contribute in making a musical happen, so it really is a dream come true to see this finally happen.” In preparation for the musical, senior Sunny Zhou said students first learn the songs and vocals as a collective, eventually splitting into smaller groups to practice. “It was kind of bumpy [at first] because nobody knew how to harmonize,” Zhou said. “We sounded really bad, but as we kept practicing, we found each other’s harmony, and we’ve definitely improved a lot since the first day.” Playing the lead role, Wednesday Addams, sophomore Gulnar Zamindar said that musicals have additional elements such as songs and long pieces of choreography, which differ from the usual plays they put on. “In the past, my experiences have mostly been working on lines, blocking and memoriz-

ing. With a musical, it’s more singing, more choreography, as well,” Zamindar said. “That takes more time to work on at home and practice, but it’s going pretty [well]. It’s a great commitment [that] I really enjoy.” Auditions for the musical were held in the auditorium, and rehearsals began shortly after to ensure a smooth production, Suzano said. “I think there’s not only a lot of memorization, but there’s a very high demand for dedication and focus,” Suzano said. “As soon as you’re in the rehearsal space, there’s an expectation. You need to be focused, ready to learn and ready to work.” Though the drama club hasn’t performed a musical in years, Zamindar said she looks forward to exploring a new style of acting.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to be like, ‘I did this, I had this accomplishment doing this,’” Zamindar said. “We haven’t done [one] in so long, but we were able to accomplish something new. It’s my first musical ever, so it’s very exciting.” Feeling hope and anticipation, Suzano said the enthusiasm and dedication of the entire drama club makes her excited for their future shows. “I’m really looking forward to our set, to our costumes and to how creative our [tech team] is going to be, because they are going to work and make this musical the very best it can be,” Suzano said. “I feel like the energy from the club right now is hopeful and excited. There’s a new energy to the drama club that I can’t fully describe.” Photo by Ivy Guo

With this as her first musical, Zamindar said she is excited to explore different mediums of acting and production.

Type to success

Students discuss their computers for school

Chro

“The computer that I have broke down and is not that good, so I just use the school computer. [My own computer] has to stay at home and I think the school computers are fine overall.” — Veenasri Dinakaran (9)

mebo

“I have the computer because it was at my dad’s work, and it’s very productive at the same time. It comes with a touchscreen. I can get everything done with it. I’ve had it for two or three years now and it is sufficient to do [all my work.]” —Lucas Tsololo (10)

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Pro

Lenovo ThinkPad X1

October 8, 2026

Unsung staff keep school up and running Facilities team stewards campus cleanliness, quality Ethan Xue Every day, from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., the HHS facilities team keeps campus clean and functional for FUHSD’s largest school population, facilities manager Elder Fagundes said. Altogether, their range of duties, from classroom care, restroom cleanup and landscaping to larger repairs and installations, form the backbone of students’ and staffs school experiences. “Our most important role is to make sure campus is ready to go for the next day,” Fagundes said, “[and that] it’s safe, clean and working properly to have the best environment for students to excel.” In the course of their work, senior custodian Santana Chavarria, who leads the night shifts, said the five day crew and five night crew members support their coworkers with tasks building trust across errands, radio pings and shared breaks. “I don’t feel like I’m the boss,” Chavarria said. “When we’re together, everybody wins. I cannot do everything by myself, so when I need help, I call.” Day to day, each facilities team member covers regular duties and a fluctuating set of other tasks, groundskeeper Helder Goulart said. “In the morning, I unlock all doors on the right side of campus,” Goulart said. “After that, there’s always [other] things I direct my attention to, [like] places where bushes are overgrown, there’s weeds or there’s something broken. After lunch, we pick up trash, and by that time, it’s the end of the day.” During a shift, Fagundes said everyone finds fulfillment in one way or another. Working in maintenance for the last 26 years, Fagundes said his favorite part of the job is applying his knowledge to fix and restore things. “There’s nothing more gratifying than when you complete a project you spearheaded, managed and saw to the finish point,” Fagundes said. “For me, it’s always been maintenance and where I’m personally trained: electrical, HVAC and welding. I’ve spent my whole life in the trades.” For Goulart, who worked in construction for 31 years, he

said that simply working outside is the best aspect of his role, giving him a natural sense of wellbeing. Moreover, having previously worked 21 years in housecleaning, Chavarria said it has been deeply rewarding to have benefits and vacation time now. “My job is the key to my ‘everything,’ paying my mortgage and everything important to me,” Chavarria said. “My three kids have medical coverage. Thanks to my job, my kids graduated first-generation from college, so I feel so happy to have this job.” However, while serving on the facilities team has its positives, Goulart said members often face a lack of acknowledgment and appreciation for the care they show, even for acts of altruism. “I’ve found and turned in a lot of phones and earpieces, and up to now, I’ve never had a student come back and tell me, ‘Thank you’,” Goulart said. “That’s one thing I wish for: that once in a while, somebody would say, ‘Thank you’.” Additionally, Fagundes said working on facilities with a small team comes with constant challenges, the most frustrating of which being student vandalism. “In just [one] week, we had a hole punched through the wall in the iHub [and] a bathroom stall door destroyed in the C building,” Fagundes said. “We deal with a lot of vandalism, and I don’t think students see how much [extra] work it puts on the crew. Instead of focusing our time on preventative maintenance, we’re having to repair stuff that was purposely damaged.” In light of this, Fagundes said it’s important for students to condemn vandalism while instilling collective pride and respect toward school facilities. “For a sophomore, junior and senior, they’ve been here already, so [they should] advocate,” Fagundes said. “Be like, ‘Hey, this is the culture here. We don’t throw food on the floor. We don’t do graffiti. We don’t try to break stuff’.” Whether fostering a general culture of stewardship or taking care of simple personal tasks like trash disposal, Fagundes said it falls on the entire HHS community to protect and continually improve the precious campus everyone shares. “From the admin team to facilities team to teachers [to students], it takes a group effort to make campus a beautiful, clean and positive environment,” Fagundes said, “So at the end of high school, they’d say, ‘Holy cow, campus was great!’” Photos by Ethan Xue

“It’s my dad’s old work computer that he got to keep, so he gave it to me. It doesn’t lag, it can hold a lot of data and [it is efficient to complete school work].” — Nicole Jivotovski (12) Infographic by Olivia Levesque Ouellette and Selina Wang Illustrations by Natasha Bandil

Across all of his varying work tasks, Fagundes (left) said he feels the most fulfilled when fixing and restoring things. PAGE DESIGN BY MASON ORTIZ

Lifestyles

October 8, 2026

Page 11

Quick, make a wish How one daily wish helps me achieve my goals

Julia Song COLUMN—As I check my phone for the time, I am greeted with four familiar numbers in a row. 11:11. I stop in my tracks, and like an involuntary reaction, I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to cram everything I have ever wanted into one measly minute. I visualize my entire future, one where I become the person I dream of being. A future where I ace my test, get into a good college and find the perfect job. When I open my eyes, suddenly back to reality, I keep walking, now with a lightness to my step that wasn’t there before. This making of a wish at 11:11 every day has become a habit more recently, as the weight of my future seems to

grow heavier and heavier. But for one minute every day, my life decisions don’t seem as heavy. This simple wish I make at 11:11 helps me visualize my future and goals. Seeing a world where I can do it, finish that assignment, pass that class, gives me motivation to achieve it in this world, too. As a senior, everything feels overwhelming. Juggling college applications, schoolwork and extracurriculars, it all piles up until it feels like too much. Every decision I make seems to hold the

Emma Chang and Feiyang Chin With the student body encompassing a diverse set of cultural backgrounds, bilingual paraeducators Eva Huang and Johnathan Valencia bridge the gap between helping students understand English and learning new academic concepts, principal Denae Nurnberg said. “Each of the [bilingual paraeducators] were hired because they had the characteristics to be able to work with a student who might be having a hard time with either a learning objective or is behaviorally frustrated,” Nurnberg said. “Being able to build connections with those students who might need just a gentle, warm, demanding kind of presence in the classroom is really important.” Eva Huang Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, bilingual paraeducator Eva Huang said her passion for language inspired her to go into K-12 education as a bilingual paraeducator. “It is a bridge of communication and an opportunity to provide an encouraging space for students to thrive,” Huang said. “I help connect multilingual students, teachers and families, ensuring everyone feels supported and included.” On a typical day working with students, Huang said she assists them with coursework and translates for students. “By offering targeted bilingual

That day I had done it. I had completed my essay. Much to my college counselor’s delight, we finally had a productive meeting and I went to sleep feeling relieved. Thinking back to my wish, when I saw that version of myself completing the essay with ease, something in me shifted. It made me believe I could do it. And maybe that’s all I was missing, that motivation and belief in myself. The first and most important step in achieving my goals is simple: to make a wish. My daily wish-

es help me turn dreams into action. By seeing them come true for one minute every day, just me and my future in that moment, I can find the motivation to make that dream into a reality. So no, I don’t think some magical fairy came down and altered the future so my wish would come true. The wish itself isn’t the important part, instead, the act of making it, knowing what to work towards, and truly believing you can do it; that is what made my wish come true.

Behind the moves of marching band’s ‘Hotel California’ Marching band rehearses show choreography Amit Boimann

Spoken from the heart Paraeducators exemplify roles in English learning

weight of my entire future, and still I have to handle balancing my other responsibilities. But in these daunting moments, the clock strikes 11:11 and, suddenly, I can do anything. One time, on a particularly slow and unproductive day, I sat and wished for the one thing I wanted in that moment: to finish my college essay draft without my college counselor getting mad at me. In my wish, I saw myself, fingers flying over the keyboard, as I finished my 650-word essay.

and academic support, I help students build confidence and overcome language barriers in their learning,” Huang said. “I partner closely with teachers to understand lesson goals, adapt materials, and provide tailored support where students need it most. Johnathan Valencia To create an inclusive environment where students can overcome language barriers, bilingual paraeducator Johnathan Valencia said he aids Spanish speaking students who may struggle in their English classes. “Sometimes students will listen to a teacher and not get it, and they may need a translation,” Valencia said. “I speak Spanish, so for Spanish speakers, I help translate that and give more one-onone help.” Using the experience of helping his siblings with academics, Valencia said being a bilingual paraeducator intrigued him. “My favorite aspect in my job is just seeing it click for students,” Valencia said. “It’ll be slow, but there’ll be that one moment where I can see it in their eyes. It clicks, and for me, that’s the satisfactory moment of knowing that my work means something.” Although his students may not speak English yet, their ultimate goal is to become fluent, Valencia said. “The commonality between them is that they may not fully understand English,” Valencia said. “The goal with these classes is to get them acclimated to the country, so when they leave high school, they’ll be better prepared to face life on the outside.”

Photo by Feiyang Chin

Valencia said his favorite aspect of the job is seeing students understand the concepts they are learning.

As color guard and marching band prepare to showcase their new routine, “Hotel California,” marching band visual technician Timothy McAfee said the choreography shows the story of travelers trapped in a haunted hotel. “Ultimately, the audience should feel a sense of wonder,” McAfee said. “They should feel like they’re entering into the story with [marching band] as they’re performing it.” HHS alum and assistant director of color guard, Alfonso Pitco said his experience in color guard inspired him to pursue a career in choreography. “When I was performing in color guard, I always loved the craft and the product from other people and what I was doing,” Pitco said. “So I aspired to be a choreographer because I had these ideas.” Similarly, McAfee said he

continued his marching band Lam said. “If you don’t know how and color guard career after high to do something, he’ll just try to school by joining the drum and help you, and he’s very supportbugle corps, a professional level of ive.” Looking forward to the rest the sport. “I found that I very much en- of the season, Pitco said that his joy movement and music,” McAfee goals for the season go beyond said. “This activity has a special how color guard performs. “My biggest goal for this season way of marrying them together and really brings young people an is to ensure that the members are opportunity for a greater educa- the best versions of themselves, tion, as well as just learning how whether that’s a performer, a to move, how to breathe and how spinner, a dancer or even as a perto really bond together through son,” Pitco said. “[I want] them to find something that inspires them movement.” Currently in her first sea- a little, whether it’s performing or son with color guard, freshman just helping each other out.” Madeline Lam said Pitco’s enthusiastic coaching and passion for dance have made learning the routine an enjoyable process. “[Pitco] makes sure that everyone knows how to Photo by Amit Boimann Photo by Amit Boimann do something The detail in the choreography encapsulates the dedibefore we put cation needed for color guard, McAfee said. it on the field,”

From family to faculty Abby and Christy Heaton navigate new roles as colleagues Aarohana Nagarajan and Amy Song This year, mother and daughter Abby and Christy Heaton will teach alongside one another in the history department as Abby Heaton is entering her first year at HHS as a long-term substitute teacher in place of Alyssa St. John. Inspired to be a teacher after tutoring at AJ Tutoring for four years, Abby Heaton said when the position presented itself, she saw it as a chance to gain classroom experience and spend time with her mom. “Working with my mom has been really enjoyable, especially being able to talk about school. She helps me on presentations and lesson plans,” Abby Heaton said. “It’s been fun, and I feel like we’ve gotten closer.” Teaching for over 30 years, Christy Heaton also helps give Abby Heaton advice on how to approach students and confrontational situations, Abby Heaton added.

“One thing she was saying is level when they are at school.” not to take things personally beHaving grown up watching her cause sometimes kids are hav- mom teach, Abby Heaton was faing really hard times with other miliar with the classroom long things and take it out on teachers, before becoming a teacher herand it’s not anything to do with self. Christy Heaton said that exyou,” Abby Heaton said. “It’s been perience gave her confidence in nice to not get offended by any- Abby Heaton’s ability to navigate thing.” the job independently. After seeing the two work to“She’s watched me her whole gether at school, senior and club life, so she knows what to let get president Naomi Chi said she re- to you and what you don’t let get spects their sense of professional- to you. I told her to be herself,” ism in the classroom. Christy Heaton said. “I knew she “You can see how they respect was going to do great no matter each other and care about how what.” each other Photo by Aarohana Nagarajan thinks,” Chi said. “I’ve never imagined that a kid would be working with a parent, so it’s interesting to see how there’s really none of that awkwardness. They approach each other from a sideways level instead of Observing Abby Heaton in her teaching position an up-down brings her pride as a mother, Christy Heaton said. PAGE DESIGN BY FEIYANG CHIN AND OWEN LEE

Page 12

Arts & Culture

October 8, 2026

Praise the bronze, blame the pale Skin bleaching and tanning are personal choices Selina Wang

Age restrictions in social media will not change compulsive behaviors

these bypasses. Prolonged exposure to social media has been proven to increase anxiety and depression among exposed youth, according to the National Library of Medicine. This Junzhi Wang means that an entire generation is facing a multitude of mental Almost every day, I sit slightly health risks that could cripple askew at my desk, scrolling end- their potential due to poorly-reglessly through Instagram Reels ulated platforms. Additionally, companies have for hours on end. I admit, I have fallen victim to the poisonous fruit regularly avoided harsh restricthat is online short form content. tions and censorship measures Although I know that this habit toward age-inappropriate content and routine is bad for me and my by citing the First Amendment, attention span, for some reason, I successfully maintaining the aljust can’t pull my eyes away from gorithms in question, according to The Harvard Law Review. the screen. To truly fix our generation’s Ever since TikTok took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, problems and experiences online, many companies such as Youtube companies must come into an and Meta have come to implement agreement with the government short-form media to boost views to negotiate social media restricand the popularity of the plat- tions. For example, companies can simply reduce their emphasis form. on shortform However, countries like Illustration by Junzhi Wang content and Australia have begun to require a push back on addictive algovernment gorithms by either impleissued ID to menting restrictions to access cercontent exposed to mitain age-renors or simply banning stricted the use of social media content, for minors under 16. which will Despite the ban, lower viewmany can and still use ership and a VPN to bypass barprofit, but at riers to age-rethe same time stricted content. help children Over 80% of become menkids under 16 tally healthier. in Australia We cannot still use sorely on loose bans cial media to stop the digidespite this tal harm imposed outright ban, on chilaccorddren, but ing to the Current age restrictions are not useful and rather a Universi- properly enforceable across major social c o m p a ny ty of New- media platforms. and govcastle. Although the government is ernment infused solution where implementing harsh restrictions, corporations knowingly sacrifice modern digital tools have made an increased amount of profit to them easy to circumvent. Thus, better the next generation’s expeoutright bans will not help fix the rience with the forever mutating harms of online addiction and in- internet, leading to a better and appropriate content, and we must brighter future for the generations find better alternatives to prevent to come.

Age regulations will not help solve addiction

its own host of concerns, as up the sun and enjoy herself. Yet, If people can recognize the overexposure to ultraviolet while preserving lighter skin risks of tanning without shaming rays can increase risk of skin is a personal choice, just like those who enjoy it, they can cancer, according to the Food tanning, one is treated as normal also discuss the dangers of skin and Drug Administration. when the other is not. bleaching without ridiculing the While both practices have Hathway's intention may cultural influence and historical harmful side effects, skin not have been to stay pale as influence behind it. lightening is met with a far many thought. She could have Rather than immediately larger social stigma, with been avoiding overexposure to judging unfamiliar beauty people likening it to colorism. the sun in order to mitigate the practices, we need to take the Despite the importance of risks of UV rays. Nonetheless, time to understand the origins these concerns, the existence she was still scruntinized for behind them. In doing so, we of colorism does not mean that her choice of clothing because it can encourage empathy and every single individual who did not align with the common help create a more inclusive wishes to maintain paler skin practice of beauty standards in community. is motivated by self hatred, America even though she was Ultimately, beauty standards just as not every person who not harming herself, or anyone are shaped by culture, history tans is driven by insecurity. else in the process. and societal expectations. Assuming otherwise What is considered Illustr oversimplifies a attractive in one atio n by ly Kay personal choice that is may not be seen cal in li i Jus s ba r sk and t enjo often driven by culture, as desirable in e y u’r ou go i n th life Yo ing y personal preference another. The issue e su fry n and tradition. is not whether one In fact, by current chooses to tan or American beauty maintain lighter standards, avoiding skin, it is the the sun itself can be difference in which viewed negatively. For they are percieved instance, actress Anne by society. Before Hathaway recently judging a beauty received criticism practice as strange, for wearing a full one must consider body bathing suit on if their reaction vacation, with many comes from a place reprimanding her of genuine concern, for denying herself Both skin bleaching and tanning have the same or simply viewing of Vitamin D and not concept of changing skin tone and should be another culture from allowing herself to soak viewed through the same lens. the lens of their own. n

When someone returns from vacation with a tan, they are often complimented and told they look “healthier” or "more attractive." However, when people mention wishing to maintain lighter skin, the reaction is polar opposite. Growing up East Asian in the United States has opened my eyes to a contradiction in how people discuss tanning and skin bleaching. Beauty standards vary across cultures, and society must understand this when discussing appearances and respect the personal choices that others make. Throughout history in both Europe and Asia, paler skin was an indicator of wealth and boasted that someone lived a luxurious enough lifestyle that they did not need to work in the

fields. These ideas continue to influence Asian beauty standards to this day, while European standards have changed to desire a darker complexion. While conventional beauty standards have diverged since then, understanding the history behind the two types is essential. Accepting the origins of a perceived ideal complexion leads to a more diverse community where people can freely pursue the aesthetic and appearance that they desire without any judgement. While these beauty standards have strong historical roots, the methods used to achieve them carry heavy consequences. For example, many Asians today pursue lighter skin through cosmetic treatments such as skin bleaching. This practice poses serious health risks such as dermatitis, a condition in which the skin becomes red and itchy, according to the National Library of Medicine. Similarly, tanning comes with

Adéla steps into the spotlight with debut album ‘PRIMA’ Adéla’s newest album brings confidence and storytelling Aarohana Nagarajan When I first pressed play on Adéla’s debut album, “PRIMA,” released Sept. 4, I was curious to see whether she could carry the same energy from her singles into a full length album. On my first listen, what interested me most about “PRIMA” was how Adéla wove her own story into the album, drawing from personal experiences and the pop music she grew up with. Across the album, Adéla explores her journey from a childhood in Slovakia to her solo career in pop music. Its title, meaning “first,” references her debut and background in ballet. In each track, she sings about her ambitions, relationships and insecurities. Even when I did not find any song particularly memorable, I understood what it added to the larger picture, giving the album a sense of direction. A standout track from the album, “Ain’t in LA,” does exactly that. The song explores what it means for people to have ambitions that extend beyond the place they come from, as Adéla sings about little boys and girls from “unknown cities” who are taught that their dreams do not belong in their hometown. This idea was very compelling to me, as instead of portraying the issue as something that only affects her, Adéla presents it as a larger experience that many people can relate to. The song’s title plays with the

idea that everything worth finding is not concentrated in one place. Los Angeles has continually been recognized as a symbol of fame and recognition, making the lyric “the baddest b**** ain’t in LA” a way for Adéla to challenge the idea that success or talent has to come from there. Furthermore, the album’s upbeat instrumentals give the tracklist a playful feeling. Adéla often builds her songs around catchy melodies and repeated hooks, making them easy to remember. The instrumentals also shift between softer and more lively segments, complementing the different subjects she explores. This contrast is part of what makes the album memorable because while some of the tracks blend together through their similar styles, others stand out due to their different emotions and stories behind them. “Therapy,” for example, shifts away from the confidence present in the rest of the album, and focuses on the sacrifices that have come with stardom and pursuing music. It gives Adéla room to be vulnerable as she reflects on being away from her family. This change of tone makes the song feel more raw and authentic as it stands out from the more upbeat aspects of the album. These production choices make “PRIMA” easy to enjoy on the surface while still leaving room for Adéla to address the experiences and lessons that form its subject matter. However, despite “PRIMA” having strong instrumentals and meaningful messages, some

tracks felt under-developed. For example, “I’m the Man” centers on assertiveness and presenting yourself as powerful and in control, an idea that fits the album’s themes of ambition and self-assurance. Unfortunately, the repetitive chorus and simple production left me feeling unfulfilled, as the song’s message never evolves beyond repeatedly asserting the same ideas. There were moments when I wanted the song’s delivery to be as convincing as some of the album’s stronger tracks. By the end of “PRIMA,” I started to understand the music I should expect from Adéla in the future. I can continue to see her make music that is fun on the surface but deeply personal. Although the album may not be perfect, it gives Adéla a good foundation on which to build her career, and I look forward to hearing how she grows from here. Album: PRIMA Grade: AArtist: Adéla Photo from Capitol Records

Adéla’s debut album channels her upbringing and journey into pop music.

PAGE DESIGN BY KATHERINE BELICHICK AND CELINE KWON

October 8, 2026

Arts & Culture

Page 13

‘The Last House’ illuminates its core ideas Use of lighting, color helps explore film’s messages Kaylin Yi COLUMN — Though all originating from the same color palette and lighting fixtures, the versatility and individual styles of both hue and illumination techniques tie a film together. As an artist, color theory and shadows have been both daunting and intriguing to me, and understanding the use of both in film greatly enhances the viewing experience. For instance, in Louis Leterrier’s “The Last House,” released on Netflix on Aug. 7, the filmmakers skillfully utilize lighting and color theory to insinuate various double meanings. At first glance, “The Last House” is a science fiction horror film following the years-long survival attempt of the Delgado family after a supernatural rainstorm confines them and the rest of the world to the walls of their houses. Unbeknownst to the viewers, the desperation of the human race and basic survival needs of the family are the true threats. The movie utilizes a palette of foggy blue-grays and unsettling ambers to indicate the eerie nature of the horror genre, fooling audiences into thinking that the greatest danger the family will face is the murderous extraterrestrials.

Alternatively, the theme of hope and protection within the family is lit by warm, sunlight tones that show up during moments of unity. In this scary, blue-tinged world of uncertainty, the Delgado house is a golden lamp-lit beacon of safety. Unfortunately, as the film progresses, the cold tones of the outside slowly leech into the home, symbolizing the suffocation of their optimism by the harsh reality of their situtation. Though not obvious at first, this use of color creates a sense of mysterious darkness that lurks in the back of the viewers’ minds, planting seeds of anxiety and preparing them for the frights ahead. While the performance of the actors and the movie set are riveting, another level of entertainment is unveiled in the work behind the scenes. Although details in lighting and color can appear dull and shallow upon first impression, such elements of film allow creators to convey deeper messages that cannot be said outright.

Beabadoobee makes move to alternative rock with ‘Pylon’ ‘Pylon’ features refreshing new style, powerful tracks

‘Artist’ cannot be spelled without the ‘art’ Separating problematic artists from their work raises moral concerns

stra tion

by K ay

lin Y i

of fans, many of whom listened to his music without fully understanding its messages. Through songs like “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” which he wrote at the age of 27 Alan Zhang and features vocals from the 15-year-old girl he married a few months later, Kelly Discovering the dark nature of a beloved embedded his predatory behavior directly artist can be horribly heartbreaking. Just into his art. last year, I felt sick to my stomach when Additionally, continuing to engage I learned that the artist d4vd, who sings with a harmful figure’s creations provides “Feel It” from one of my favorite TV shows them money, fame and influence, whether “Invincible,” had allegedly murdered a through concerts, merch or streams. Not 14-year-old girl. only is this support completely undeserved, Though many fans in similar situations but it also creates a more widespread platcontinue to consume work from artists de- form for the artist to continue spreading spite their controversies, it is impossible to their problematic ideas and cause harm to draw a moral line between the two. society. The largest issue with enjoying works Ultimately, the attempt by many to sepfrom a tainted figure is that at its core, art arate the art from the artist is a way to is an extension of the creator. Oftentimes, escape the implications of their consumpartists use their work to express tion choices. Fans must be hontheir beliefs, values est with themselves and ideas with no rewhen choosing who straints. to endorse and By continuing why. Recognizto consume their ing that a fawork, audiencvorite piece of es are essentially art is never a aligning themselves good enough reason with the perspective to empower someof someone who has one who has done caused real harm. terrible things is a For instance, necessary step singer R. Kelly, toward taking Cutting ties with a beloved artist is difficult but convicted of fedaccountability. necessary to avoid celebrating harmful actions. eral sex-traffickAt the end of ing charges involving young girls in 2021, the day, no lyric, brushstroke or scene is often sang about relationships with young worth excusing what someone did to get women, romanticizing his own predatory there. When encountering these probactions. lematic artists, people must learn that the As one of R&B’s most influential voices, most honest action they can take is to hit Kelly had a platform that reached millions the pause button. PAGE DESIGN BY ALAN ZHANG Illu

of her last album, but quickly shifts into “Sun Has Set,” trading soft instrumentals for harsh guitar and unapologetic lyrics. Julia Song Despite her powerful lyricism and relatable message, I was a bit disappointed On long road trips, one’s view is often that she did not fully dive into the new just power lines and electrical towers, genre, which makes the album sound dull called pylons. For Beabadoobee, who and drawn back at times. Beabadoobee often falls back on famildropped her fourth album, “Pylon” on Sept. 18, the two months she spent on tour iar melodies throughout the album, makwatching pylons from her window being songs like “Memories” and “Despite That” sound forgettable. If she instead came her inspiration. I was excited after I heard that “Pylon” blended the new sound with her previous would be an alternative rock album, and one for these tracks, as she does for other although some songs did not fully live songs in the album, they would have made up to my expectations for the genre, she for a more compelling listen. Despite a lack of full commitment to had many powerful tracks to make up for the genre, “Pylon” has many high points, them, making it an enjoyable listen. Though a pylon is something we see especially on her collaborative tracks. Beevery day, the seemingly mundane ob- abadoobee brings out multiple well known ject represents the loneliness and dis- names in the alternative rock genre, featuring Hayley Williams tance from the rest of Photo courtesy of Spotify from Paramore on the world Beabadoobee “Nothing to Prove” and faced during her tour. Brendan Yates from The pylons and wires Turnstile on “Powerrepresent an attempt lines.” This impressive to connect her back to lineup offers an imeverything she missed pactful crossover into back home. this new genre. This feeling of being Drawn in by the alone is felt throughout familiarity of Hayley the entire album, feaWilliams’ work, “Nothturing lyrics like “hold ing to Prove” stands me like a screen, disout to me especially, as connected from reality” “Pylon” is powerful, yet it fails to the pair of voices blend and “you’re gone when reach its full potential. into a loud, angry and I get home.” She further carries the symbolism of pylons and striking sound. The two’s distinct styles power lines through poetic lyrics, writing, are a perfect combination, with Williams’ “powerlines help me feel I’m close to you.” energetic voice complementing BeabaThis symbolism creates a cohesive and doobee’s well-crafted melodies. Every song, even those I was disapclear message about how she feels disconnected to the rest of the world, with pointed by, showcases the range of abilthe pylons connecting her back to it, add- ities she has as an artist. From melodic ing to the significance of the album’s title. vocals to thrashing instrumentals, “Pylon” Fully encapsulating her complex and gives a beautifully chaotic view into Beaheavy emotions on this album, Beaba- badoobee’s world and a compelling condoobee takes on a more alternative style trast from her usual style, making it her reminiscent of her debut album, slightly best work yet. shedding the gentle indie pop of her previous album. Album: “Pylon” The album starts with the title track Grade: A“Pylon,” which mirrors the calmer sounds Artist: Beabadoobee

Sports

Page 14

October 8, 2026

Driving for success: girls golf captain is the best by par Chloe Chuah discusses dedication, leadership Eileen Jung and Celine Kwon Named last season’s top player, girls golf captain sophomore Chloe Chuah said it took more than her scores to earn the title, but patience, dedication and willingness to helping others. From the coaching perspective, girls golf coach Don Gibbs said Chuah’s technical skills made her an effective leader with a strong impact on the team. “From the golfing standpoint, strictly, you can learn from watching her swing and putt,” Gibbs said. “[But] everybody learns from each other in terms of how to be a better person.” Chuah said her golfing journey began with her father and brother when she would accompany them to golfing competitions, inspired by their talent.

“I used to watch [my brother’s] tournaments since we play competitive golf together, and I think he had an influence on how I played,” Chuah said. “Sometimes I would learn from his swing and try to replicate it, as well.” After six years of playing competitive golf outside of school, Chuah said she initially struggled with consistency in her performance but learned that patience is what allows for success on and off the course. “I’m very grateful that I have a calmness to me,” Chuah said. “I’m not always panicking over random things and that’s a good thing for your mental health.” These qualities were essential in earning accolades, such as the Scholar Athlete award, the title of Top Player and qualification for Central Coast Championships, Chuah said. “The most major one would be [when] I got third in this competition called JTNC, [which] is the junior tour of Northern California, and I got third at a course called

Crazy Horse,” Chuah said. “It’s a very difficult course, and I think that’s my biggest achievement.” Though only in her second year on the team, Chuah said she plans to help new team members feel more confident in the sport. “Since girls’ golf is a no-cut team, I really try to help all the new players, as well. Whenever they need help or whenever I am done hitting my balls, I go over to help the newer players with their swings,” Chuah said. Teammate, senior Amber Kim, said Chuah is an excellent mentor and a dedicated athlete. “She gives the best advice,” Kim said. “She breaks down the swings into individual parts, locates the section that [other players or I] am struggling with, and has us go step by step instead of rushing everything in one swing.” Chuah said her favorite aspect of being on a team sport is the opportunity to create friendships and encourage her teammates to bond with each other. “I always try to tell them prac-

tice makes perfect,” Chuah said. “That’s really cliché, but it’s true, and the more you practice, [the

more] you will get the hang of it. Don’t try to rush the process, [and] try to be patient with yourself.” Photo by Celine Kwon

Chuah said her golf swing technique took years of constant practice to refine and maintain.

Mother-daughter duo brings energy to the turf Field hockey coaches turn family bonds into coaching success Anna Liang and Sara Shah Mother-daughter duo, varsity coach Donna Keith and junior varsity coach Sydney Keith, are leading the field hockey teams side by side this year, Donna Keith said. Growing up, Sydney Keith said her mother greatly influenced her decision to play field hockey in high school. “If I hadn't been pushed by my mom to play field hockey, I would have never developed a lot of the leadership skills that have served me really well in my life,” Sydney Keith said. Now working with her daughter, Donna Keith said that they are both motivated

other. You can tell there's a lot of to make the team stronger than in fortable team environment. “You’ll see them talk and love there, so I think that impacts previous years. “Winning is only part of it, they're always joking with each the love pouring into the team,” Nambu said. but growing, Photo by Sara Shah Inspired trying things by her mom's and coming long experitogether as ence coacha team [also ing for HHS, m a t t e r s ] ," Sydney Keith Donna Keith said she used said. "I love similar techcoaching with niques and Sydney. We drills she have a lot of had learned fun. I think from her, we have a resuch as one ally good synwhere the ergy as mom players zig and daughzag toward ter.” the goal. Varsity “I also captain junior think that Sanye NamI have takbu said both en all the coaches work things that well with one I've learned another, cre- Varsity-JV coaching duo brings a unique synergy to the field hockey profrom her, ating a com- gram, Donna Keith said.

and have made it my own and put my own spin on it,” Sydney Keith said. Varsity player, junior Grace Kim said both coaches have their own teaching style but share similar traits. “Coach Sydney tends to focus on short corners and basic stick skills while Coach Donna is all about the strategies and long passes,” Kim said. “Both varsity and JV do the same drills but varsity has a lot more running.” Reflecting on her time working with her mom, Sydney Keith said they often discuss their goals for the teams and collaborate to create success. “The goal is ultimately for [the players] to come out here, gain new experiences and find a new sport or hobby that they love, and that's going to help them develop as a person,” Sydney Keith said.

Cross country is back on track with Shir Joseph Freshman captain sets the standard as teammate Emma Chang and Ivy Guo Through dedication and perseverance, freshman Shir Joseph earned the title of one of seven captains of the cross country team, cross country coach Kenrick Sealy said. “[Joseph] really wants to make some serious [progress] in the roads as far as improving, running very fast and getting to that next level,” Sealy said. “She trains hard, she works hard and if she stays on that path, she will run very fast.” From a young age, Joseph said she was intrigued by cross country because of her interest in running and the ethics of the sport. “I’ve liked to run since I was little and I wanted to take it seriously, so I joined a club and competed in a lot of races,” Joseph said.

“I went to Texas for the Junior Olympics and Nike Outdoor Nationals, which is one of the biggest meets in the country.” While running can be a physical and mental exhaustion, Joseph said the after feeling is rewarding. “My main goals in running is to prove to myself that I can do it, and I think the reason why I run is just to show myself that I can do hard things,” Joseph said. Even though she is a freshman, Joseph exhibits a lot of qualities that many returning athletes don’t have, like initiative and the ability to lead people, Sealy said. “We’re looking for underclassmen to take over the reins when the upperclassmen graduate,” Sealy said. “We haven’t had a solid freshman in about six or seven years now.” Beyond being a captain, Sealy said Joseph has proven to be a reliable teammate and hard worker despite being new to the sport. “She could be our third athlete to break five [minutes in the mile],” Sealy said. “You don’t get those too

often because it’s a tough barrier to do.” Sophomore Leo Silberstein, Joseph’s teammate, said she has made a lasting impression on the team. “She’s really organized and is very good at communicating with the other captains,” Silberstein said. “She’s a good talker and the coach really trusts her.” Cross country captain sophomore Callan Cheng said Joseph’s leadership as a freshman is impressive and will hopefully continue on throughout her years. “[Shir] does the assignments we’re told to do,” Cheng said. “She’s really on task, and I’m very impressed because she’s only been in high school for a month, so it’s good to see. She’s focused on what we’re doing, which is really good to keep productivity up.” Cheng said Joseph is a reliable co-captain, open to collaboration and creating team bonds. “I’m looking forward to a good season with all the captains working together,” Cheng said. “She’ll

really be able to lead the fresh- ground running when she got in men, especially when the seniors here. It definitely paid off because graduate. I think she’ll be able to once she came in here, she was ready to roll.” keep cross country strong.” Determined to become a captain when joining the team, Joseph practiced her running tirelessly over the summer, Sealy said. “ S h e trained every day. She ran with her family in Israel, and the summer could be quite treacherous,” Sealy said. “Those qualities showed Photo courtesy of Shir Joseph me that she really want- Balancing cross country and extracurriculars, Joseph ed to hit the is an amazing and disciplined runner, Cheng said. PAGE DESIGN BY EILEEN JUNG

Scoreboard

October 8, 2026

Page 15

Students reflect on how they de-stress post-game

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Tayla Yip spikes her way to Athlete of the Month Junior balances smart play with strong leadership Meera Aravind As a consistent source of encouragement for her teammates, varsity girls volleyball outside hitter junior Tayla Yip said the sport has allowed her to act as a leader by creating a safe learning environment for her teammates. First playing volleyball during quarantine, Yip said she was motivated to join the school volleyball team, making varsity her freshman year. “Being on varsity as a freshman was really an eye-opening [experience] for me,” Yip said. “Working with [upperclassmen] showed me a new part of leadership and col-

laboration. That made me be able to lead our new underclassmen much better.” While Yip takes pride in her personal skills and achievements, she also values her team and the community the sport brings with it, Yip said. “I think that the program itself is getting a lot better and I think that the freshmen are making it a lot better,” Yip said. “I hope to serve as a leader and to make HHS volleyball a program that succeeds in the future.” Teammate, freshman Annabelle Yang said Yip has been a mentor, consistently encouraging the underclassmen during practices and games. “She’s always gonna be there for you. She’ll be like, ‘Hey, you got this!’ She’s not [going to say] ‘Oh,

what are you doing?’ If you make a mistake, [she’ll] be there for you,” Yang said. Beyond being a supportive teammate, Yip is a reliable player with an ability to read the game, varsity girls volleyball coach Allison Inanoria said. “Her volleyball IQ is incredibly high, and she knows how to play smart rather than just hit the hardest or jump the highest,” Inanoria said. “I think the biggest advantage she has is that she’s incredibly smart at knowing how to move around the ball.” Even after tough games, Yip said she maintains a positive mindset and optimistic attitude for her team. “Bad games are just part of [it], so I just take it as something that I put behind me and need to

learn from,” Yip said. “After a bad said. “I’m really lucky that I get game, I like to rewatch my film to at least two [more] years of her. see what I and the team could im- Having that much leadership and prove on.” court presence at such a young Reflecting on Yip’s dedication age is great, and I’m excited to see toward the team, Inanoria said how she continues to grow this her ability to bring an upbeat en- season and next.” ergy while staying focused is highly valued by the team. “She has a lot of court [knowledge] that I think is incredibly beneficial and necessary for a Photo by Julia Song team to be successful,” Yip is extremely dependable and brings a lot of enerI n a n o r i a gy onto the court, Inanoria said. PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA SONG ILLUSTRATIONS BY NATASHA BANDIL

Spotlight

Page 16

October 8, 2026

If you could go to any era (even if you did not live it), what would it be? As a kid, which of these channels did you watch the most?

5.8%

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Scan this QR code for a Spotify playlist compiling The Epitaph staff’s most nostalgic songs!

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Oftentimes we look fondly upon our lived experiences and reminisce on the passage of time. Community members share how nostalgia affects them in their past, present and future.

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From past to future Drawing from media they consumed as children, sophomore Elin Vik and freshman Devanshi Hoda apply the lessons they have learned from fiction to their lives.

Back in my day... From makeshift toys to musical devices, staff and students share the objects that are most significant to their childhood.

“Non-electronic things are kind of more popular, I’m finding, with my students. Things like a discman with corded headphones is definitely something from my teenage years. I’m now at the age where things that I had in my childhood are now popular because they’re old, so it’s kind of a weird spot.” – Math teacher Matthew Guevara

“When I was a senior in high school, big perms were in, so I did that. Other trends were layering a tank top and then a collared shirt over it, and then you would flip the collar up, and then big beady necklaces were real big. We [also] had a trend when I was in high school that was an IZOD shirt, and it had a little alligator on it.”

– Science teacher Debbie Curley

“When I was a little kid, our parents would always forbid us from toys because they were scared we were gonna lose it. Instead, we had to find rogatkas, which are slingshot sticks, and they were very rare. After you found one, you had to make up games with them, and those games that we had to make developed the creative side of me that has a passion for so many subjects in school today.”

– Shelly Yusim (11)

Elin Vik Through her childhood love for “Frozen,” sophomore Elin Vik is turning her passion for storytelling into a film of her own. “My family is from Scandinavia, and Frozen takes place in Norway,” Vik said. “It’s near where I am from, and seeing representation was nice. I also really enjoyed how they talked about sisterhood, as someone who has a sister.” This connection helped push Vik into her film making interests, as “Frozen” sh o we d her how films can help shape someone. “Frozen inspired me because it built a connection throughout my childhood that I will carry on my whole life,” Vik said. “I want to be part of creating movies that other people can be inspired by.” Vik said her first step is making a short film with her friend. “We’re hoping to create a movie or a short film about what it’s like to be a teenager, and we want to highlight the struggles that teenagers may feel so they see representation on the screen and know that whatever they’re going through, they’re not alone,” Vik said.

Devanshi Hoda Due to her affection for Nancy Drew novels, freshman Devanshi Hoda is looking to publish a mystery novel. Hoda has already published a children’s book, “The Dooba Tales,” with freshman Serena Kang, and is excited to work on her second novel, she said. As a writer, Hoda studies the series’ red herrings, the misleading clues that pull readers toward wrong answers to the mysteries that are solved, she said. “What I found really interesting was [that there is] always a very obvious red herring”, Hoda said. “And even though a part of me knew that this was a throwaway, it was so convincing.” Although Hoda does not see herself as a natural detective, she tries to bring Drew’s habits into everyday life by observing and analyzing as much as she can. “[I learned] that almost nothing is what it seems,” Hoda said. “You have to look 10 times deeper than a normal person, or have three times the reflexes to be able to see the world the way it actually is.” PAGE DESIGN BY JISU KIM, ADVAY RANADE AND SARA SHAH ILLUSTRATIONS BY IVY GUO AND KAYLIN YI