The Mark November 2024 Volume XVI Issue I

THE MARK Volume XVI Issue I

November 2024

Funded by the PTA

An Inside Look at 2024 Fall Sports The flag football team huddles before a game.

See more on page 30.

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CONTENTS 4

Celebrating Mama Dee’s Life and Impact

24 Style Watch: Newest Fits for 2024

“Being on a team with boys has been really fun and eyeopening. I love seeing how strong the bond is that the boys have with each other,” senior Aliyah Calvillo-Figueroa said.

Read more on page 29.

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Meet the Masons: Menlo Park’s Most Secret Organization

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Seeing Fewer Fights This Year?

Here’s Why.

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Old Artists You’ll Like Based on Your Current Faves

20 23 26 28 Meet M-A’s New Staff Members

Freshman Teachers’ New Cellphone Policy

Tracking Detracking: 2023-24 AP Score Updates

Football Team Revives M-A’s Haka Tradition

A Note From the Editors

Walking down East Palo Alto’s busy Bay Road, you’ll ��nd stands serving traditional dishes nestled on sidewalk corners. Read more on page 9.

Welcome back! We’re so excited to share our first Mark of the school year. Inside, you’ll find crisp photos highlighting new joys and community accomplishments.

With suspension rates down, a new dog on campus, and the exciting debut of our flag football team, there’s much to celebrate.

Our staff is larger and more enthusiastic than ever before, with over 70 reporters and a new freshman journalism class. Through strong coordination across three periods, steadfast copy editing, and a constant flow of creative ideas, we’ve published nearly 200 stories in the first quarter alone.

We’re excited to keep this momentum going, and we hope you’ll join us! Stay updated by checking machronicle.com and following our Instagram @machronicle.

Enjoy, The Editorial Board

“If you take the time to come into my store, you are family to me,” Issa Wehab, one of the owners of Bob’s Country Corner, said. Read more on page 18.

Staff

Editors-in-Chief Celine Chien, Ben Siegel

Sports Editor Tessa Ellingson

Culture & Features Editor Celeste Zucker

Social Media Manager Allegra Hoddie

News Editor Ameya Nori

Events Editor Lindsay Park

Copy Editors Morgan Baudler, Rose Chane, Gaby Foster, Isabel Habibi, Becca Koenig, Maeve Miller, Varsha Sripadham, Ella Thomson

“When the opportunity was presented that we could have a therapy dog here one day a week, I jumped on it,” PAWS director Shionda Nickerson said. Read more on page 22.

Faces of M-A

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Bears Doing Big Things

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Sta�f Writers Oliver Bain, Caroline Baker, Delilah Bellis Rivera, Taylor Bentley, Alli Brottem, Samantha Carrasco Zuniga, Katelyn Chao, Aliyah Chowdhary-Fitton, Paulina Cisneros Arreguin, Ilaria Cline, Leah Collins, Kitty Cormican, Mateo Cuellar-Koh, Anna Dearing, Farah Ghajar, Nelson Gutierrez, Alessandra Hartwig, Parmis Hoghooghi, Louisa King, Kritya Kiran, Akemi Kwan, Bailey Lanier, Colin Lee, Jenna Lee, Lia Lev, D’Anjou Paul Libunao, Eileen Liu, Siboney Lynch, Liri Maoz, Sophie Marks, Karen Martinez, Abby Medin, Juni Mitra, Teagan Murphy, Huraman Orujov, Joe Pagee, Julinka Pang, Zara Parekh, Alisha Parikh-Briggs, Santi Quesada Tevis, Ellie Rosen, Micaela Rubinsky, Alli Schindler, Caitlin Smith, Tatiola Sobomehin, Hana Suzuki, Charlie Tobin, June Wagner, Leilani Wallace, Ben Warner, Ivy Watrous, Jonathan Weeks, Benji Weiss, Lilia Wilkiewicz, Amari Witt, Jovi Wong, Weycene Yang, Miya Yu Advisor John McBlair

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Celebrating Mama Dee’s Life and Impact

“I

t’s the least we can do,” East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio López said about the proclamation of Aug. 10 as Mama Dee Day in EPA and San Mateo County. “We’re not just mourning her, it’s a call to action. If we want to honor her legacy, we have to continue her work and tell her story.”

Mama Dee Day marks the passing of Apollonia Grey Uhilamoelangi, known as Mama Dee. A true pioneer in bringing the city to where it is today, Mama Dee is widely regarded as one of EPA’s founding mothers and leaders.

Born in Samoa, Mama Dee moved to EPA in 1980, four years before the city’s incorporation. Living in a community of diverse and vivid cultures—predominantly Black, Latino, and Polynesian—she quickly became involved in city leadership. She worked at the EPA Youth Development Center in 1984 to support Pacific Islander families. As the city faced problems with funding, drugs, and crime, Mama Dee worked with community leaders and non-profits to find ways to support the city’s youth.

Marlayna Tuiasosopo met Mama Dee while attending Stanford. After months of feeling like a “fish out of water” at the university as one of six Samoan students, Tuiasosopo and the other Samoan students attended a Polynesian cultural dance celebration in EPA at Mama Dee’s invitation.

The event assured Tuiasosopo that she wasn’t alone.

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Later, Tuiasosopo found out that Mama Dee knew her grandmother— whom Mama Dee called ‘auntie’— and that Tuiasosopo’s grandma inspired Mama Dee’s leadership. “When Mama Dee died, I felt like I lost a family member,” Tuiasosopo said.

In the ‘80s, Mama Dee led reading and tutoring programs to increase youth literacy rates. In the ‘90s, she started a Polynesian dance program and eventually hosted the Princess of Tonga, for whom a group of Tongan-American kids performed a traditional dance. The Princess was amazed that they were “bringing our culture alive” despite being born in the U.S. Mama Dee and her husband, known as Papa Senita, founded Anamatangi Polynesian Voices in 1997 to advocate for Pacific Islanders through cultural enrichment and influencing local policies. The organization’s name was granted by the King of Tonga. Mama Dee’s children will continue to lead Anamatangi in her legacy.

“Anamatangi isn’t only a non-profit to me, it’s more like a family.

Mama Dee was a grandmother to us,” Grace, a young member of Anamatangi, said.

Mama Dee’s impact went international in 2022 when Anamatangi filled a plane with supplies

and flew it to those affected by Tonga’s volcanic eruption by working with UPS, Stanford Medicine, and Sutter Health.

“We are a city of immigrants, where our stories start from somewhere else. Mama Dee was a mother who helped communicate and encourage unity across all cultural lines,” Kiazi Malonga, a Congolese drummer who grew up in EPA with the Uhila family, said.

“Mama Dee is a legend. She gave hope to the younger generations and the generations before us. Even though we look a different way than others, we’re able to use our voice to better things,” Anamatangi member Moala said.

by Tatiola Sobomehin designed by Emily Pecore photo courtesy of Khristopher “Squint” Sandifer

Meet the

MASONS

Inside Menlo Park’s Most Secret Organization 5

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Biddell and Hall point out photographs of previous Masters.

e’re not a secret organization, we’re just an organization with secrets,” Bill Biddell, secretary of Menlo Park Masonic Lodge #651, said. The Lodge is a local chapter of the Freemasons, a centuries-old fraternity group that existed before the college frats and boy scouts we know today. We visited the Menlo Park Lodge to find out what goes on behind tiled doors.

A few blocks from downtown Menlo Park, the entrance to the Lodge is easily missed. The interior boasts a grandiose dining room, a kitchen, and of course, the ever-private Masonic Hall, a square-shaped room with blue velvet floors and upholstery.

“This is where we have our meetings, pay our bills, vote on candidates, or spend money,” Biddell said.

The room is also used for rituals, which Biddell described as “verbal and walking around and that sort of thing.” As non-Masons, we weren’t allowed to watch.

These ceremonies are often performed by Masonic officers. A “Master” acts as the president of the organization, sitting at the head of the room in an embellished chair. The rest of the board includes two vice presidents, a chaplain, a secretary, a treasurer, and two deacons.

There are three prerequisites to be-

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coming a Mason. “The only requirements are that you are 18, you have belief in a supreme being, and you’re of sound mind,” Bidell explained. Because of this, modern Freemasonry attracts members from diverse faiths and belief systems.

Above all else, the Lodge is rooted in tradition. The Freemasons likely originated with medieval stone masons who created trade organizations as they traveled to build churches.

Modern Freemasonry began in 1717, when two such organizations formed the first Grand Lodge. Today, Grand Lodges in almost every country and state charter individual lodges like the one in Menlo Park.

Historically, however, the Freemasons have not always been so accepting. After the Civil War, many Black Americans wanted to become Masons but were rejected by white Mason leaders. So, Prince Hall, a Black man, began his own lodge. Nat King Cole, John Lewis, and W.E.B. Du Bois were all Prince Hall Masons.

Today, the two lodges have mutual recognition, meaning they recognize

each other as members of the same larger organization and meet up for multi-lodge events. “There’s a brother from the East Bay Prince Hall Lodge who comes here often,” said Nick Kohli, a member of the Menlo Park Lodge.

Today, the Masons are notorious for their secret handshakes, closed meetings, and cryptic symbols. But the Brothers in Menlo Park made a point to tell us they had little to hide.

“Everybody thinks we’re a secret society and we’re gonna take over the world,” Hall said. “We’re not that.”

“If we were secret, we wouldn’t have our name on the front of the building. We wouldn’t tell you that we meet on the first Wednesday of every month,” Biddell said with a laugh. “Look around the room, look at people’s heads,” Tom Prussing, a Freemason with an interest in antiquity, quipped. “Are they glowing?

That’s how you know we’re not the Illuminati.”

“I was kind of intrigued by people saying bad things or conspiracies online. And so I just really wanted to get the bottom of it and find out for myself,” said Andrew Sanchez, the Lodge’s senior deacon.

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or many, Freemasonry is a family ordeal. “My father was a Mason,” Biddell told us. His grandfather was, too, and they inspired him to join. “I like the ritual part. I like the memorization, the socialization, and the activities.”

Others enjoy the values. Kohli joined while living away from his family. “Having people that were interested in self-development the way that I’m interested in self-development gave me an outlet,” he said. “A lot of Masonry is getting introspective about what your principles are, what your values are, and thinking about them and how you apply them to your life.”

“One of the great things about being a Mason is that if you move, for

“ Look around the room, look at people’s

heads. Are they glowing? That’s how you know we’re not the Illuminati. — Lodge secretary Bill Biddell

“ A lot of Masonry is getting introspective about what your

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principles are, what your values are, and thinking about them and how you apply them to your life. — Lodge member Nick Kohli

example, and you don’t know anybody there, you show up to the lodge and they’ll treat you like family,” Sanchez, who moved to Menlo Park during the pandemic, said.

“I went through all my lectures and Masonic rituals and work in Fresno. I met the Masons here because they were sponsoring my son’s Little League team. I met the lodge here, got to meet all these guys, and so I also became an affiliate member of this lodge, too,” Kohli said.

In fact, the Menlo Park Lodge has been sponsoring a Little League baseball team for many years. Part of being a Mason is giving back to the community. Every year, the Grand Master of the California Lodges chooses a cause for the Masons to support.

They’ve donated to cancer research, supported public education, and created Masons4Mitts, a charity that partners with Major League baseball teams to donate baseball mitts to underprivileged youth.

“I’ve lost count of the amount we do for charity,” Hall said. “The thing is, all these different organizations have different agendas, and ours is strictly to make the world a better place and take care of our own.”

The corridors of the Masonic Hall are lined with photographs of the Lodge’s prior Masters, dating back to the 1800s. “When I was first in the Lodge, all the officers wore tuxes for degrees and meetings, and in the summer, they wore white jackets with their tux pants and ties. Now, we come to the meetings and we wear Hawaiian shirts,” Bidell said, reflecting on the growing casualness of the Freemasons.

“In those days, it was hard to get in to be an officer,” he added. “There were five people coming to the Master, saying, ‘Look, put me in as Junior Steward.’” Now, competition for officer roles is less, in part due to dwindling membership.

espite the recent decline in numbers, the Menlo Park Lodge is still some 86 members strong. “It’s hard to talk about,” Sanchez said, “because ultimately, Masonry is something to be experienced. It’s kind of like if you read a movie script, you know something about the movie, but that’s totally different from watching the movie.”

The welcoming and supportive community offered by the Lodge feels necessary in an increasingly fast-paced, online society. In a world where male mental health is on a startling decline, the brotherhood serves as a cherished community. “I think Masonry benefits somebody no

matter where they are in life, because tomorrow is always a new day, and you could take what it teaches you and apply it to wherever you are in life,” said Sanchez, one of the younger Freemasons.

Modern Masonry is a more casual, intimate group. Members laugh, talk, make jokes, and enjoy dinners together. They host barbecues for their families and bring homemade cookies. When the doors close, we imagine it gets more serious, but we’d have to be members to find out.

by Ella Thomson and Varsha Sripadham designed by Becca Koenig photos courtesy of Ella Thomson

Inside the entrance to the Freemasons’ Menlo Park Lodge.

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Here’s Why.

Seeing Fewer Fights This Year? Here’s Why.

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hen students returned to M-A after the pandemic, the number of fights surged, sparking concerns over safety. M-A’s administration swiftly addressed this issue through multiple initiatives to improve security. They added an additional campus aid and contracted the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, a non-profit organization that resolves disputes in schools and prisons before they escalate to violence, to provide a part-time conflict mediator.

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In terms of individual suspensions and referrals, we’ve had some of our lowest numbers we’ve seen in 10 to 15 years.

— Principal Karl Losekoot

Data provided by administration shows a significant decrease in student disciplinary issues since the implementation of these strategies. The total number of referrals on campus has decreased by 42% since 2020.

Total suspensions have decreased by 23%, and first-time suspensions have decreased by 18%. “In terms of individual suspensions and referrals we’ve had some of our lowest numbers we’ve seen in 10 to 15 years,” Principal Karl Losekoot said.

From 2000 to 2019, the number of annual referrals—when a teacher or other staff member alerts the Administrative Vice Principal office of poor student behavior—ranged between 2,500 to 3,000. If administration becomes aware of a potential dispute, they refer students to the conflict mediator and PCRC to ease tensions before anything turns physical. The conflict mediator then helps the student navigate the conflict through coaching sessions. Students can also fill out a conflict mediation form in-

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M-A Suspension Rates

dependently. Last year, there were 958 referrals.

Jaime Diaz and Leadership teacher Karina Flores currently serve as M-A’s on-campus conflict mediators.

“I describe my role as the opposite of a divorce lawyer,” Diaz said. “In a divorce, the lawyers tell their clients to not talk to the other person—everything will be handled separately.

With mediation, we bring parties together so that they can increase understanding of what happened and then work their way through acceptance and forgiveness.”

The PCRC is not limited to diffusing physical altercations. It is often used by friends who are struggling to navigate through a rough patch or students falling behind in class and losing motivation. For more serious disputes, the PCRC collaborates with the AVPs, the students involved, and sometimes those students’ families to come to discuss their plan moving forward.

“After an argument, the cortisol levels are high in somebody’s body for about seven days. With all that adrenaline, all that cortisol, it’s understandable that somebody is still going to feel angry three days after an incident,” Diaz said. “So, what I usu-

ally do is meet with the students separately at first to try and understand their point of view and feelings. Once I feel confident in the students’ separate development, I’ll bring them together.”

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We bring parties together so that they can increase understanding of what happened and then work their way through acceptance and forgiveness.

— Conflict Mediator Jaime Diaz

Losekoot recognized that this is only a first step. “We’ve put a ton of resources into conflict resolution, but there’s only so much you can do there. Now, we’re trying to put our resources into fostering a positive community and connections. We’re attacking it at the roots,” he said.

To speak to a conflict mediator, find Diaz in D-17 or Flores in the front office.

by Huraman Orujov designed by Jenna Lee

Flavors of Bay Road

The Heart of EPA’s Street Food Vendors

by Paulina Cisneros Arreguin • designed by Aliyah Chowdhary-Fitton • photos courtesy of Paulina Cisneros Arreguin

Hot Dogs y Tortas de Guerrero

Steps away from the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a hot dog stand run by Nicholas Penaloza, an enthusiastic business owner waiting to serve tasty hot dogs and tortas. Penaloza was a street vendor in Guerrero, Mexico, most known for his “tortas dormilonas,” which he described as “tortas so good they would put you right to sleep.”

His bacon-wrapped hot dogs are prepared with grilled onion, bell peppers, chilis, and classic hot dog condiments. These flavorful hot dogs make for the perfect on-the-go bite.

125 Grace Ave, East Palo Alto 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Sun

Antojitos Mexicanos, La Guera

Close friends Michelle Prado and Lucy Jimenez started their business on Halloween of last year. They specialize in selling food from various parts of Mexico, including Michoacán, Veracruz, and Mexico City.

Prado and Jimenez met as roommates and began their business selling at a table outside their driveway. “It was really hard when we started,” Prado said. Rainy seasons only allowed them to serve on certain days, and at one point, the city tried to shut them down for not having a food permit. Their business has since grown into a larger stand where customers can sit, watch Spanish television, and enjoy fresh homemade Mexican food.

Their authentic morisquetas—a dish with rice, beans, and red chili—enchiladas, flautas, and gorditas pair perfectly with their refreshing pineapple agua fresca.

2298 Ralmar Ave, East Palo Alto 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wed-Fri, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat

Comida Tipica de Michoacán

Maria Garcia began selling food in her Mexican hometown, Aguililla Michoacán, long before she came to the U.S. Though in the past she has sold shoes, clothes, and perfume, Garcia said that “selling food has always called [her] attention.”

Garcia, who opened her stand this year, sells a variety of Michoacán-style dishes, her most popular being taquitos dorados and morisqueta. Her spicy dishes, like the tacos dorados and tamales, are also especially loved.

Garcia is optimistic about her business growth. “I don’t lose faith that one day, God first, I will be more than what I have right now.”

2400 Gloria Way, East Palo Alto 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Fri

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Sabores de Bay Road

El Corazón de los Vendedores Ambulantes de EPA por Paulina Cisneros Arreguin • diseñado por Aliyah Chowdhary-Fitton • fotos cortesía de Paulina Cisneros Arreguin

Hot Dogs y Tortas de Guerrero

A pocos pasos de la Iglesia Católica San Francisco de Asís se encuentra un puesto de hot dogs dirigido por Nicholas Penaloza, un dueño entusiasta de negocio que servir hot dogs y tortas sabrosas.

Penaloza fue vendedor ambulante en Guerrero, México, más conocido por sus “tortas dormilonas”, que describió como “tortas tan buenas que te pondrían a dormir”.

Sus hot dogs están envueltos en tocino y preparados con cebolla a la parrilla, pimientos morenos, chiles, y los clásicos condimentos de hot dog. Estos hot dogs son la opción perfecta para un bocado rápido.

125 Grace Ave, East Palo Alto 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. lun-dom

Antojitos Mexicanos, La Guera

Amigas cercanas Michelle Prado y Lucy Jimenez comenzaron vender comida el Halloween del año pasado. Especializan en vender comida de partes diversas de México, incluyendo Michoacán, Veracruz y el DF. Prado y Jimenez se conocieron como compañeros de cuarto y comenzaron su negocio en una sola mesa afuera de su entrada. Desde entonces, su negocio ha crecido hasta convertirse en un puesto más grande donde los clientes pueden sentarse, ver televisión en español y disfrutar de comida mexicana casera y fresca.

Su auténtica morisqueta—un plato de arroz, frijoles y chile rojo, enchiladas, flautas y gorditas—combina perfectamente con su refrescante agua fresca de piña.

2298 Ralmar Ave, East Palo Alto 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. mierc-vier, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. sab

Comida Típica de Michoacán

María García comenzó a vender comida en su ciudad natal de Aguililla, Michoacán, mucho antes de venir a los Estados Unidos.

Aunque en el pasado ha vendido zapatos, ropa y perfume, García dijo que “vender comida siempre le ha llamado la atención”.

García, quien abrió su puesto este año, vende una variedad de platillos al estilo michoacano, siendo sus más populares los taquitos dorados y la morisqueta. Sus platillos picantes, como los tacos dorados y tamales, también son especialmente apreciados.

García es optimista sobre el crecimiento de su negocio. “No pierdo la fe de que algún día, primeramente Dios, seré más de lo que tengo ahora”, dijo.

2400 Gloria Way, East Palo Alto 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. lun-vie

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Bears Doing Big Things

designed by Allegra Hoddie

Accomplished alumni share their stories.

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Kirsten Alexis ‘05

“T

here are no limitations to what I can do in this field,” Kirsten Alexis ‘05, a content creator and blog writer covering travel and the outdoors, said.

Alexis’ life took a turn when she underwent a spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis in seventh grade. “My surgery was a big, life-changing event for me,” she said. “It defined who I was for a while.”

Alexis was involved in the art department at M-A, and noted her favorite teacher was Craig Le Claire, who taught fine arts. “He made a big creative impact on me,” she said. She then went to UCLA and studied art with an emphasis on photography, painting, and digital media.

Alexis worked in digital marketing and later fell in love with travel and adventure during a trip to Europe after college. “It’s hard to break through to just being a freelance traveler,” she explained. “You have to really work your way up and gain experience in many fields.”

She documents her travel adventures, nature photography, and outdoorsy advice on an Instagram account with over 17,000 followers. “It’s a really cool job, being able to inspire people around the world just through my social media page,” she said.

Her favorite expedition for her job was reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

“Standing on the summit is magical,” she said. “Taking photos of my teammates’ success was the highlight.”

Along with freelance photography, Alexis writes weekly posts for tahoe.com highlighting local events and activities.

Alexis’ advice to students interested in content creation: “The key is knowing what you have to offer and being able to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Say yes to everything.”

by Rose Chane

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Will Brill ‘04

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t Laurel Elementary School, Will Brill ‘04 learned a song called “The Ghost of Bleak House.” At Thanksgiving dinner a few weeks later, he performed the song in front of the entire guest list.

The next day, his parents signed him up for local youth theater.

It didn’t take long for Brill’s parents to see they had made the right decision: their son immersed himself in the world of performing both at school and in local youth theaters.

Earlier this year, their choice was validated once again when Brill won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his work in Broadway mega-hit Stereophonic.

But getting to the Tonys wasn’t a smooth journey. “My high school experience was raucous,” Brill said.

He started high school at local private school Menlo, but was expelled his sophomore year for making fake IDs. He came to M-A for his junior year, and ended up graduating from Gunn High School in Palo Alto.

Brill then attended the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. “There were people who were trying to be really serious, rigorous artists,” Brill said. “And I, all bold and italic, was like, ‘Well, we are all dressing up in unitards and playing pretend.’”

Brill has since starred in a variety of theater on and off-Broadway as well as in TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Still, as is true for many young artists, finding work wasn’t easy for Brill. “There were times when I bought one-way tickets home to

California because I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to make rent.

But then some friend would be like, ‘Don’t do that. Come sleep on my couch for a month and we’ll figure it out,’” he said.

Brill was most recently in Stereophonic, a play that follows a fictional 1970s rock band. Premiering on Broadway in 2024, the show made headlines as the most Tonynominated play in history.

Brill’s advice to students interested in pursuing theater: “Be patient. A theater career is slow and then fast and then slow again, sometimes for epic stretches.”

by Ben Siegel

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Justin Verbo ‘16 ustin Verbo ‘16 moved to Menlo Park when he was eight years old after growing up in the Philippines. “I didn’t know any English and had to learn it in one summer,” he said.

During his junior year at M-A, Verbo became the first non-senior captain of the 12th Man club, and he later appointed the first female captain. “At the time, it was heavily criticized because it was an all-boys club, but I’m glad I did it,” he said.

When COVID-19 hit before his senior year at Foothill College, Verbo decided to join the Army. “Doing college online was not exciting to me, and joining the Army was always a goal of mine,” he said.

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“My dad was also in the Army and died in service when I was just 10 years old. I wanted to connect with him more,” he added.

Verbo’s first year in the military came with significant challenges. “It was a massive culture shock. I had to let go of certain habits like sleeping in or talking out of turn,” he said.

Verbo also noted the Army’s strict everyday routine, which started at 4 a.m. “If we were a minute late, we had to workout,” he said.

Verbo’s first assignment was in North Carolina. Throughout his three years on assignment, he traveled all over the world. “I’ve ridden in helicopters and armored vehicles, shot machine guns, and seen bombs

go off. It is truly the coolest job in the world,” he said.

Following his transition from an Army Private to a Sergeant, Verbo now mentors a set of Privates.

“While our job is certainly about the accomplishment of the missions, the real job is taking care of each other and our soldiers,” he said.

Verbo’s advice to students interested in joining the Army: “Research your options before you commit too quickly and make sure you are 100% ready for this role. We are not a 9-to-5, we are 24/7, ready to go at all times.”

by Rose Chane

Old Artists Current Favorites You’ll Like Based on Your

If you’re drawn to Frank Ocean’s smooth, late-night summer vibe with his hit song “Thinkin Bout You,” Sade’s “By Your Side” will be perfect for your next listen. In the same way Ocean blends his smooth lyrics with downtempo production, “By Your Side” offers a comforting and relaxed listen with a soulful sound that wraps around you like a warm hug.

Frank Ocean & Sade

The Weeknd’s hit “Starboy” is a futuristic combo of R&B and pop, with sleek production and laid-back delivery that create an infectious track. Like “Starboy,” Prince’s “1999” is driven by heavy synths and energetic chords. Both artists are popular for a reason: they make you feel good, and their bold, electrifying sounds keep their hits timeless.

The Weeknd & Prince

Zach Bryan has become a staple in country music, the same way John Prine was in the ‘90s. Bryan’s “I Remember Everything” showcases his ability to connect with listeners through raw lyricism and strums, and Prine demonstrates the same skills in “Far From Me.” Both artists share an ability to tap into personal heartache and transform it into simple yet profound songwriting.

Kendrick Lamar & The Roots

Phoebe Bridgers & Elliott Smith

Miley Cyrus & Stevie Nicks

The Roots’ “What They Do” mirrors the same mellow and conscious rap that is found in Kendrick Lamar’s hit “Money Trees.” Both tracks have a laid-back beat and mix soft, soulful sounds with strong rap flows.

What sets these two apart from other rappers is how they create thoughtful, narrative-driven albums, which can be seen in Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and The Roots’ Undun.

Elliott Smith’s somber music paved the way for the reflective lyricism and subdued sound that indie-folk artist Phoebe Bridgers is celebrated for today—both singers have a way of making immense sadness feel comforting. Smith’s song “Between the Bars” is one of the best representations of his deeply personal lyrics and folksy melodies, which can also be found in Bridgers’ “Funeral.”

Zach Bryan & John Prine

If you’re a fan of Miley Cyrus’ recent rock-tinged work, you’ll love Stevie Nicks. With hits like “Edge of Seventeen,” Nicks showcases the same rebellious and hard-edged sound found on Cyrus’ “Midnight Sky,” which even has a remix featuring the ‘70s star. One more reason to check out Nicks? She went to M-A.

by Sophie Marks designed by Teagan Murphy

photos courtesy of Andy Holmes (Flickr), Alex Subinas (Flickr), Pedro Mora, nj Tare (Flickr), David Lee (Flickr), Raphael Pour-Hashemi, Ueli Frey, M. Krobath, Gary Cole (Printerval), Gus Philippas, llauren, Ewiko (The Audio DB)

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’ B BO S Y T U CO N R CO R N ER

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TOP: Issa Wehab poses with his son.

MIDDLE: Soup cans line store shelves.

BOTTOM: Country Corner-themed stickers decorate newspaper boxes in front of the store.

LEFT: Family enters Country Corner.

f you take the time to come into my store, you are family to me,” Issa Wehab, one of the owners of Bob’s Country Corner, said. Every day, customers of all ages flow into the store on Alameda Avenue, from young children buying candy bars to grandparents picking up the morning paper.

Country Corner has a history unlike any other store in Menlo Park. The store was founded in the late 1890s and later purchased by a French couple, Paul and Sharon Shabika. The shop originated as a general farming store surrounded by “rolling hills and farmland.” “They took care of the farmers with stock, feed, and things that you would use for farming supplies,” Issa said.

Issa’s Middle Eastern immigrant parents, Bob and Nadia Wehab, purchased the store in 1993 after meeting and falling in love in San Francisco. The couple took over the store a few years after the surrounding area shifted from an agricultural region to a residential one, and they decided to transform it into a general goods store.

“My parents came to America with very little and treated everyone as family, and they became super successful just from doing that,” Issa said. “I want to continue that because it’s so rare to see, and it almost doesn’t exist anymore.

It became super important for me to make that my mission, to keep that environment alive.”

Bob passed away in 2017, and his loss affected the community greatly. Today, Issa and his brother run the business with their mother. “I think just calling it a store is almost inaccurate,” Issa said. “I always look at it that way based on how my dad treated all the customers and how a lot of people know us on a first name basis.

They’ll ask about our families. We ask about their families. We’re invested in them as much as they’re invested in us.”

“Everytime I go in, everyone is always full of smiles, and Issa always greets everyone in such a kind way. They have everything you need, and the legacy behind the store is so special,” frequent customer and junior Ryland Caelius said.

Today, Country Corner is stocked with rows of snacks, drinks, candy, and general supplies.

The sweet offerings vary from all types of gum and lollipops to chamoy gummies and chips.

If you’re looking for a meal, Country Corner offers countless options at their deli. With more than 25 sandwich options—from the Nadia’s Special to the Hummus Sandwich—the menu has something for everyone. “My message is Country Corner is the best place for sandwiches,” Issa said.

by Amari Witt designed by Amari Witt and Ben Siegel photos courtesy of Amari Witt and Celine Chien

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Faces of

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M-A

photos courtesy of Celine Chien, Lia Lev, and Lindsay Park

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Meet Our

New Staff & AVPs “I’m happy here in this district. Everyone is really warm and welcoming.”

written by Rose Chane, Mateo Cuellar-Koh, Zara Parekh, and Ben Warner designed by Eileen Liu This is not an exhaustive list of new staff.

Bay Area native Bautista is an alum of the University of San Francisco, where she studied English Literature with a minor in Philippine Studies.

Agnes Bautista ELD II, ELA II, MCLV

Nieto grew up in Redwood City, so she already considers M-A a part of her community. Nieto attended CSU East Bay, where she studied mathematics.

“I really want to give back to the community that raised me to be the person I am today.”

Paola Nieto

Geometry, Algebra I

“I think M-A is very diverse, both ethnically and socioeconomically.

Hopefully that’s positive, that we’re bringing everyone together and not just separating.”

Adam Reitman

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Algebra I, Integrated Math

Reitman, a Sacramento State alum, first started his teaching career intending to work for an elementary school.

Martino grew up in Belmont and majored in kinesiology at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she played water polo. She received her teaching credential at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.

“I’m looking forward to our sports games. As an Argentinian, I love watching soccer.”

Tatiana Martino Study Skills, Ethnic Studies

“I look forward to Homecoming and Prom.

I was a student council advisor, so I had to plan those dances at my last school.”

Kevorkyan is a UC Santa Cruz alum and received his master’s in education from Stanford. In his free time, Kevorkyan enjoys hiking, backpacking, and being outdoors.

Marcus Kevorkyan AP World History, U.S. History

De Seta, originally from Cosenza, Italy, has taught Latin and AVID at M-A since 2018. Now as an AVP, she works with upperclassmen and oversees athletics.

“I hope to be a mentor to students and support them with all their needs, whether that’s resolving a conflict or celebrating a success.”

Maria Luisa de Seta Administrative Vice-Principal

“I became a teacher because I realized I liked working with kids. They make me feel young.”

Rivera-Rios, a Redwood City native, was a classroom aide, a secretary, and an English teacher at M-A before becoming an AVP. In her new role, she oversees transportation, after-school services, and food service.

Elaine Rivera-Rios Administrative Vice-Principal

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T

he Peace and Wellness Space welcomed Ginger, a trained facility dog, to M-A this year.

Ginger, a labrador and golden retriever cross, comes to PAWS every Tuesday to support and motivate students.

Ginger was first trained by Canine Angels Service Teams in Grants Pass, Oregon, where she helped individuals with disabilities. She then came to the Peninsula to serve at the District’s Transitional Resources for Adult Community Education program.

Her journey to M-A was all but chance. Unlike when adopting an animal, a handler doesn’t get to choose the dog they receive. Instead, they are specially matched based on their personalities, work setting, and other factors. Ginger was ultimately paired with District psychologist Dr. Edith Bennett. Now, Bennett works all day with Ginger in PAWS. “When the opportunity was presented that we could have a therapy dog here one day a week, I jumped on it,” mental health specialist and PAWS Director Shionda Nickerson said.

Nickerson is enthusiastic about PAWS’ new furry friend because of the impact Ginger will make on students’ mental health. “We always have a lot of people in here anyway, but I think you just really see students’ moods lift. They just get really excited to see the dog,” she said.

Nickerson is undoubtedly right: Ginger brings an increased number of students to PAWS every Tuesday.

“When I walked into PAWS, I immediately felt super happy to see a dog here. It was so adorable and it just brightened up my whole day,” junior Tessa Carneiro said after one of Ginger’s first visits.

Ginger has already left her mark on PAWS and all of M-A. She may come visit classrooms throughout the school year, but students can always find her in PAWS on Tuesdays.

by Alli Schindler and Siboney Lynch designed by Weycene Yang photo courtesy of Lindsay Park

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New Paws in PAWS

Freshman Teachers Launch

Cellphone Strike Force “P hones are useful, but definitely a little bit concerning when I think about the level of withdrawal they come with,” Multicultural Literature and Voice teacher Erika Mungai said.

To combat this issue, many freshman teachers adopted a unified push against phones in class by enforcing phone pockets this year.

The Electronic Device policy is a pilot project started in the 2024-25 school year in which some freshman teachers take attendance using the pockets, requiring all students to place their phones in a pocket.

Many teachers have implemented similar policies before, but this is the first time they have worked together to start a grade-wide norm. Although only 11 teachers are currently participating, the pilot may expand if the first semester goes well.

“It’s my job as a teacher to teach and impart the curriculum information, but also teach people how to effectively be in a classroom without those distractions. And so this phone policy is an effort to teach and have students be truly present in the classroom,” said MCLV teacher Erin Walsh, who is spearheading the initiative with fellow MCLV teacher Rachael Wan. A 2023 Pew Research Center study found that 72% of teachers found cellphones a “major problem” for students. “I just felt exhausted by the end of the day by the number of times I would have to intervene with students being distracted by their phones,” Mungai said.

“I don’t feel that anymore, now that the phone pocket is established.”

The phone policy may have observ-

able academic effects as well. Both Mungai and Walsh noticed improvements in their students’ performances in class after the phone pockets were implemented.

“They’re getting further through assignments and doing more, and I feel like their conversations in class are more complex and nuanced,” Walsh said.

Another objective of the phone policy is “trying to just get kids to connect outside of the screens,” Mungai said. Both Mungai and Walsh felt that students today are less talkative in class compared to their own high school experiences, when phones were less widespread.

“I remember that the teachers would get angry with us for talking so much when they’re trying to start class. Whereas in my teaching experience, the most common experience I have is that the room is totally silent until I tell people, ‘Hey, please talk with each other,’” Mungai said.

The phone pockets seem to be making a difference. “Since using the phone pocket chart more effectively this year, and being stricter on it, I feel like my students’ social skills and their face-to-face interactions have become stronger just in the last month,” Walsh said.

Some students are more optimistic about phones being beneficial to a high school

social life. “I think phones can help me talk to more people,” freshman Elena Kiadi said. She added that people talk more to each other in class when their phones are in their pockets. “I don’t mind the phone pockets. I just think as long as we get to use phones when we don’t have class, it’s fine,” she said.

Some teachers take the policy even further by participating themselves.

“I actually like the excuse to put my phone in my pocket,” said Digital Filmmaking teacher John Giambruno, who puts his own phone in pocket #12. “I feel better, I feel lighter, I feel less weighed down.”

“We’re trying,” Walsh said. “I admire that a lot of students are trying as well, and that we all as a community are recognizing the problem and people are doing their best to mitigate and lessen the addiction.”

by Katelyn Chao designed by Karen Martínez

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Flea market striped button-up

Bradley (9) Portillo

“It takes time to coordinate my outfits.

I’ll wake up at 6:40 a.m., and sometimes it’ll take me until 7 because I don’t want to miss the bus.”

Garage sale jeans

Eboni (11) Freeman

“I’m from Oklahoma, so I get a lot of my inspiration from the 2000s country aesthetic.”

Poshmark vintage blue tee

Vintage Ed Hardy white jacket

Oklahoma country shop bootcut jeans

Macy’s black sneakers

Amazon faux fur boots

STYLE WATCH ST designed by Kitty Cormican photos courtesy of Lindsay Park

Party City cowboy hat Thrifted yellow tank top

Emiko (12) Edmunds

“In middle school, I was obsessed with Nike and Under Armour—I had a weird tomboy phase.

After COVID, that’s when I really got into my style and started thrifting.”

Aunt’s white patterned lace skirt

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Embroidered Converse sneakers

Paul (12) Whelan

“To me, fashion means living la vida loca. Live crazy, put on whatever you want.”

Uniqlo brown long sleeve flannel shirt Bershka ribbed white tank top

Olukai Ohana beach sandals Levi’s jeans

Pink satin headband from Amazon

Nigel Root (12)

“I grew into my style after taking inspiration from my older brother. He’s really into fashion, so I just took a lot of his clothes and his style.”

Stussy Swirl knit sweater THE HOUSE pink tee from Hillsdale Mall

Hollister low-rise jeans

Citlalli Santos (12)

“I like every style—I feel like I pick a new one everyday.”

F1 x PacSun Powertrain cargo pants

Black platform Vans sneakers

Nike Medium Curry Dunks

TYLE WATCH STY Hot Topic Hello Kitty rhinestone trucker hat

Target Marvel Spiderman graphic tee

Po (10) Budagova

“I spent most of my freshman year growing into my style, but I feel like I’m pretty there.”

Black Converse high-tops

Melanie Jimenez (12)

“I really like hot pink and sparkly stuff— or just any type of pink and sparkly.”

Target denim overalls

Mariah Carey merchandise

Navy checkered pajama pants Temu Hello Kitty zip tote

Target Cat & Jack unicorn slippers

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Tracking Detracking: 2024 Data Reveals Improved AP Exam Scores Following Advanced Classes Removal

T

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his year’s AP exam results have shown a continued rise from previous years following the removal of M-A’s advanced freshman English, freshman biology, and sophomore chemistry courses. For many of these classes, these scores are the first look as to whether or not removing advanced classes would lead to lower performance in more rigorous classes.

In last year’s AP English Language & Composition, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry classes, all students came from the “detracked” course pathway for the first time. Previously, “tracked” courses separated students into classes of varying difficulties, but the District removed these options in 2021 to lower student stress and create more diverse learning environments in freshman and sophomore courses.

Before the implementation of detracking, exam scores generally improved each year. As a result, many parents have voiced concerns that detracked classes wouldn’t sufficiently prepare students for upperclassman advanced courses. Several candidates running for the District board are also campaigning in favor of reinstating tracked classes for the same reasons.

However, all AP teachers interviewed reported little to no noticeable drop in student performance in the classroom and overall AP scores have continued to increase. Class data also reveals that more students took AP English Language, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry classes after being enrolled in detracked classes their freshman and sophomore years.

“M-A saw more students take AP exams than in any year prior and our students have passed those exams at a higher rate than any year prior,” Principal Karl Losekoot said in a BearNotes community message.

AP scores are a uniquely objective measure of student preparedness and performance. Compared to classroom grades, which can fluctuate depending on the teacher, AP exams are administered by an external organization. AP scores also come with national performance data, contextualizing M-A’s performance with the rest of the country.

In the 2023-24 school year, M-A shattered its own test-taking records.

In the same message, Losekoot reported that 766 students took a total number of 1,855 exams—some of the highest numbers in M-A history.

M-A’s pass rate (scoring a 3 or higher) was 94%, and 41% of these scores were 5s—the highest possible score.

AP English Language

Both M-A’s AP English Language scores and pass rates increased steadily between 2021 and 2024.

95.8% of M-A students passed the 2024 exam compared to 54.6% of students nationally. Not only did more M-A students pass the exam this year, but a significant portion passed with a 4 or 5.

M-A students performed better on the AP English Language exams,

even as total class enrollment peaked at 165 students.

M-A students averaged a 3.87 in 2021, 4.01 in 2022, and 4.07 in 2023.

Last year, the average M-A student scored a 4.18, while the national average was 2.79.

Preparation for the AP English Language first starts after freshmen complete Multicultural Literature and Voice, their detracked English class. They then move on to tracked course options in sophomore year: either English II or AS English II, which prepares students for AP English Language.

Erin Walsh, who teaches both MCLV and AS English II, noted that AS English II enrollment has remained consistent following the introduction of MCLV. Walsh also noted that students who take AS English II after MCLV are still well-prepared.

“Our freshman English team has done a lot to improve our curriculum and make it so that students are more prepared for sophomore classes. We’ve switched to almost entirely hand-written essays, close-reading with language, or argumentative prompts, because that is what we do in AS [English] II,” she said.

M-A vs National AP Eng. Language Exam Passing Rate M-A Pass Rate (%)

National Pass Rate (%)

This year, AP English Language teacher David Rosenberg found that his students “came in with a work ethic and were generally prepared.”

“I just finished looking at all [my students’] thesis statements, and I’d like to give accolades to the department’s AS English II teachers,” he said.

However, even as AP English Language enrollment peaked last year, it dropped this year. Class size numbers are influenced by a number of factors, from the popularity of the teacher of the course to the perception of the course’s difficulty. 165 students took AP English Language last year, but now only 137 students take the class.

M-A vs National AP Biology Exam Passing Rate M-A Pass Rate (%)

National Pass Rate (%)

M-A vs National AP Chemistry Exam Passing Rate M-A Pass Rate (%)

National Pass Rate (%)

AP Biology

Although the juniors in AP Biology in 2022-23 took fully detracked biology, the seniors in that pool did not. This means that last school year, 2023-24, was the first year with all AP Biology students emerging from the detracked biology pathway.

While AP Biology signups dropped in 2021-22, they jumped back up in 2022-23, and even more in 2023-24.

There are currently 92 students taking AP Biology—one of the the highest class sizes in the history of the AP Biology course.

Patrick Roisen, who teaches both AP and detracked biology, noted that detracked classes prepared students for higher level biology classes and relieved students from unnecessary stress.

“There is a common misguided perception that if you have tracking, each class is optimized for the students. However, very often, these classes are not optimized for the students that are in there,” Roisen said.

AP Chemistry

While both AP Chemistry scores and pass rates stayed around the same, they drew closer to the national average. A tripled class enrollment between the 2021-22 to 202223 school years, and continued high enrollment in 2023-24 could account for the convergence.

AP Chemistry teacher Matt Sandora, who has also taught AS Chem-

istry, noticed slight changes in his students’ prior knowledge coming into AP Chemistry. “I am doing more helping with math than before, but I think we still end up at the same place,” Sandora said.

“When they first started doing detracked Chemistry, it was not as mathy—it depended on the teacher. I think that, in the last few years, they’ve raised the bar a little bit more,” he said. “I would say that I haven’t seen a major drop-off when it’s gone to no tracking.”

The 2022-23 school year was the first year when juniors taking AP Chemistry came from detracked Chemistry. AP Chemistry enrollment nearly tripled from 36 students in the 2021-22 school year to 98 in 2022-23, and subsequently 112 in 2023-24.

However, that number dropped back down to 78 this year, which, although significantly greater than previous years, is still a 25% drop.

Due to the pandemic, all 2020 AP exams were signi��cantly shortened and also covered less material. This unexpected variation is why all 201920 and some 2020-21 data are excluded from the graphs.

The M-A Chronicle received data provided from In��nite Campus and CollegeBoard. CollegeBoard has since restricted access to data from before the 2019-20 school year for all teachers and administrators. Because not all teachers were able to save their AP score data from before 2019-20, the amount of data reflected per subject is inconsistent.

Read more of the M-A Chronicle’s detracking coverage here:

by Celine Chien designed by Caitlin Smith

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Football team performs the haka before game on Aug. 31, 2024.

Football Team Revives Long-Time Haka Tradition M -A football games used to begin with the team huddled up, erupting into a deafening performance of intense shouts, commanding facial expressions, thunderous stomping, and protruding tongues. This is the haka, a traditional New Zealand Māori dance that displays pride, unity, and strength.

Famously performed by New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team prior to intimidate opponents and pay homage to their Māori heritage, the dance returned to M-A this year.

The team paused the tradition during the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing it from being passed down for nearly five years. During this summer’s practices, though, the team didn’t just play football—they also learned the haka.

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Under the leadership of sophomore Sione Pahulu, junior Jordan Lavulo, and seniors Amaloni Mohetau and Devin Hyde, the team came together to revive the tradition. “The haka is part of M-A’s history,” Lavulo said.

“We brought it back because it brings our team together.”

Both M-A and its football team have historically had large Polynesian populations, and the haka is a powerful form of Polynesian cultural representation on campus.

“One thing that makes the haka so impactful at M-A is that our football team is a place where lots of different kids come together. It takes all sizes and shapes to make a good football team, and the haka embodies that,” staff member Jennifer Carson said.

The haka made its first reappearance at freshman orientation, where

the football team’s passionate chants welcomed a new generation of students.

“It was super motivating to see different cultures being integrated into a big group,” freshman Ines Bensoussan said.

At the first Friday Night Lights game of the year, the varsity football team once again boosted the crowd’s spirit and intimidated their opponents with a fiery haka.

“The haka makes football more than just a game,” junior football player Matthew Kwon said.

by Liri Maoz designed by D’Anjou Paul Libunao photo courtesy of Bob Dahlberg

Meet M-A’s Female Kicker A

liyah Calvillo-Figueroa, a senior kicker and the sole female player on M-A’s varsity football team, embarked on her football career at the start of her sophomore year. Her passion for the sport was kindled long before her high school debut: as a young girl, she cheered on her brother, who played football for M-A with a female teammate.

“There was a girl on my brother’s team named Laila Thompson who was a kicker. When I would go to his games and they called her on the loudspeaker, I was like, ‘Wait, is that a girl?’ Since then, I’ve always wanted to play football,” she said.

Though some may assume the boys on the team treat her differently, CalvilloFigueroa doesn’t feel left out. “They treat me as if I’m one of the guys, but not in a bad way,” she said. “They pick on me a lot, but they see me more like one of their brothers.”

“Being on a team with boys has been really fun and eye-opening,” Calvillo-Figueroa said. “I love seeing how strong the bond is that the boys have with each other.”

Reminiscing about her final season, Calvillo-Figueroa will miss the long bus rides singing and cheering on the road with her “family.”

Her funniest memory is when she tried kicking for the first time and accidentally hit a lineman. “The boys always bring it up. They’ll probably never let it go,” she said.

After three exceptional seasons, Calvillo-Figueroa’s outstanding career as a kicker will soon come to an end. Still, the memories and friendships she made will always be with her. “The bond I have with the boys on the football team is stronger than any bond that I would ever have with anyone else,” she said.

by Alisha Parikh-Briggs designed by Micaela Rubinsky photo courtesy of Celine Chien

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Junior Eva Ama rushes the ball during an afternoon game against the Menlo Knights.

FALL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

LEFT: Sophomore Marissa Hou prepares to serve.

RIGHT: Junior Sabine Polly shooting the ball against Carlmont.

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LEFT: Seniors Jackson Harding and Josh Olsen celebrate during a game against Bellarmine.

RIGHT: Junior Evan ten Vaanholt shoots from the perimeter while playing the Woodside Wildcats.

Senior Sienna Morales jumps for a kill, helping bring the Bears to a sweeping victory against Carlmont. photos courtesy of Ameya Nori, Charlie Tobin, Weycene Yang, Tessa Ellingson, Alessandra Hartwig, and Lilia Wilkiewicz

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