The Pearl Post October 2022

New year, new faces See pages 6-8

VOL. 14, ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2022

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022 Print Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer Online Editor-in-Chief Alan Ruiz Art Director Gabrielle Lashley Managing Editor Rikka Dimalanta Features Editor Angela Ledesma Opinion Editor Satenik Ayrapetyan Entertainment Editor Grant Asner Sports Editor Sabrina Robertson Digital Media Editor Jenica Felicitas Staff Writers/ Photographers Jason Arevalo, Alysa Basmadzhyan, Elizabeth Rose, Keira Van Der Molen Adviser Adriana Chavira

The Pearl Post is an open forum for student expression as allowed by California Education Codes 48907 and 48950, committed to excellence in reporting, writing and photography.

The magazine strives to inform and educate students and faculty on events affecting Daniel Pearl Magnet High School.

Thoughts and opinions published in these pages are the work of journalism students and do not represent the position of DPMHS, its administrators or the Los Angeles Unified School District.

An unsigned editorial is the opinion of the Editorial Board, which is comprised of the Editor-in-Chief and the editors. Signed opinions in The Pearl Post reflect the views of the authors. A signed cartoon reflects the view of the cartoonist.

The Pearl Post welcomes letters to the editor.

They should be 250 words or less and may be edited for length. Letters with profanity and obscenity will not be printed. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published. Letters may be emailed to thepearlpost@gmail.com.

The magazine is published bimonthly and is the official campus newsmagazine of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. The magazine is also posted online at http://www.thepearlpost.com.

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IN THIS ISSUE...

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Cover Design by Gabrielle Lashley

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News BIC is back

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Features

/ World Music Day preview / Vacant math teacher position New English teacher profiles / New Magnet Coordinator profile / Club Corner: Art Club

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Special Reports

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News / Opinion

Midterm elections / Local candidates infographic / Pearl Voice: Election issues Journalism teacher Chavira suspension rescinded / Censorship editorial

Opinion Goals editorial / Learning center opinion 16-17 Sports Football Freshmen / Athletes of the Month 18-19 Entertainment Stray Review / Halloween 14-15

candies / Halloween activities

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Back Cover Photo by Grant Asner

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

For this issue, we wanted to primarily focus on what’s new on campus for the 2022-23 school year. From two new English teachers to Breakfast in the Classroom returning, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School has experienced lots of exciting changes.

We are very happy with the work that went into this issue, despite the many obstacles we faced. Our adviser was nearly suspended for standing up against censorship, which took a toll on our staff. Most of our editors have never designed a spread before, so they faced a steep learning curve. That being said, they overcame their inexperience by putting in significant effort. Since we only have four staff writers this year, each writer had to pull a heavy weight but they did a fantastic job.

In the face of these challenges, we persevered and produced this issue that every one of us can be proud of.

- Delilah Brumer

NEWS | DELILAH BRUMER

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BIC is back

After a pandemic pause, breakfast has returned to DPMHS classrooms.

By Jazmine Valerio and Emily Short @crying_apollo

JAZMINE VALERIO | The Pearl Post Sophomores Vanessa Gonzalez and Cheyenne Lopez socialize while eating coffee cake during BIC in history teacher Francisco Ortega’s class.

ast year, snacks were served instead of a hot breakfast before the school day began. This year, warm bean and cheese burritos and sausage sandwiches are some of the meals served during Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC).

“I actually missed having BIC in the morning because we were able to socialize and eat breakfast at the same time,” senior Ralph Uy De Ong said. “Some of us don’t have time to eat at home, so it’s good they brought it back.”

Although in-person school was back in session last year, BIC did not return because students took off their masks to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, breakfast was served before school. This food was not a hot meal, but rather either crackers or cereal served with fruit and milk.

Even though BIC is back in the Los Angeles Unified School District, some students aren’t happy with the choices. For example, some students find the sausage sandwich, the meat burrito and some of the fruit unappetizing.

“The sausage sandwich doesn’t taste good,” sophomore

Allison Gonzalez said. “This is because sometimes you get those chewy pieces that just ruin the whole thing.”

However, the bean burrito and the coffee cake are some of the more popular items. According to a poll conducted by The Pearl Post with 22 students responding, the most popular breakfast items are french toast and cereal bowls.

“If I miss breakfast when I’m in a rush, I like that I can still eat breakfast at school and get the energy I need,” freshman Daniel Zamora said.

The day before BIC is served, the cafeteria workers prepare the food. Then before school the next day, the hot food is heated up and put into the bags and then a packing slip is filled out. When the bag gets taken back to the cafeteria, the roster is counted and reviewed to see if the number of students who took the breakfast matches the packing slip. Every food item must be accounted for since the school gets reimbursed for the amount of breakfasts students take, according to Food Services Manager Kathy Mrasz.

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

SABRINA ROBERTSON | The Pearl Post Senior Anthony Vallejos plays the drums during World Music Day rehearsal at lunch on Oct. 6. Performers are spending the next several weeks preparing for the show.

Student performers, stage crew prepare for World Music Day

By Satenik Ayrapetyan @sayra.syrup

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fter a near-return to normality for the school, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s (DPMHS) events are looking to do the same. Due to reduced COVID-19 guidelines, World Music Day is able to return to live performances for its 13th year.

“Last year, it wasn’t actually live,” music teacher Wes Hambright said. “So this is the first year actually– which is kind of crazy to think about, that we’re actually doing a live World Music Day…this is the first one since the pandemic.”

World Music Day performs annually in October due to that being Daniel Pearl’s birth month, but last year it was delayed until November due to time allocated for planning the production. This was due to the need to piece together multiple performances, to weave into a recorded concert, instead of being straight live. This year, however, it is on-track to be performed twice on Oct. 26, during school hours. The performance will occur once before lunch and once after. An evening concert will be performed the day after, at 7:00 pm.

“I feel like I am entitled to bring in an epic performance

and kind of like an epic environment for all of us,” said junior Arvin Kahosravy, who will be singing Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes.” “Frankly, I think since it’s my first time, I’m going to have a good time. It’s going to be epic.”

The theme for this year’s event will be “Live, Laugh, Love” with songs by Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Elvis Presley and others as part of the performance. Interspersed with music, the musicians hopes to use words written by the late journalist Daniel Pearl during their performances, from his books and articles.

There will be no choir nor piano solos during this year’s World Music Day. However, people singing solo whilst playing the ukulele will be present. Additionally, the majority of the concert will be duo, trio and full bands.

“I was learning how to (play the) guitar since 13 and I’ve only recently started to play bass in this class,” said junior Khalel Gillen.

NEWS | DELILAH BRUMER

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GRANT ASNER | The Pearl Post Long-term substitute George Padgett speaks to parents of geometry, precalculus and statistics students during Back to School Night on Aug. 25. School officials have not been able to fill the vacant math teacher position, which has been open since February. Padgett has been filling in for the position and using Edgenuity to supplement.

Math teacher position stays vacant

By Rikka Dimalanta @rykaaai

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s the fall semester began, senior Joseph Botti was surprised to see that there wasn’t a new math teacher among the staff for the new school year.

“I was shocked they still weren’t able to get (a math teacher),” Botti said. “They had all summer to try to hire someone and the fact that they weren’t able to shows that not a lot of people want to be teachers.”

A math teacher position at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) has been vacant for around eight months, after former math teacher Lori Seo left the school in February.

Following the shortage of teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), there has been a significant lack of specifically math teachers. Principal Armen Petrossian was able to interview six candidates for a math teacher position in the spring semester, however none were able to fill the slot.

“We want to make sure that we have not only a candidate, but a candidate who is going to do a good job with our students,” Petrossian said. “We don’t want to hire just anyone.”

Meanwhile, the position is temporarily being filled by long-term substitute George Padgett, who currently teaches geometry, precalculus and statistics. His curriculum includes board lectures, textbook work, quizzes and Edgenuity as a grade booster. Most students see it as a normal math class but some don’t really favor Edgenuity over in-person learning.

“I’m personally motivated by deadlines and Edgenuity just doesn’t have those hard deadlines that help me, that tell me to go and move,” sophomore Andre Arcilla said. “Which makes it

quite difficult to remind (myself ) to get started on things and really work and focus.”

The need for qualified math teachers has become crucial as DPMHS math SBAC scores have been dropping over the last three years and into the pandemic. In 2019, only 19% met SBAC standards while 55% did not meet standards.

During the hiring process, math teacher Tuan “Duke” Huynh has specific qualities he is looking for in his next permanent co-worker. He wants DPMHS to have a good math teacher who can be a strong model for students to follow.

“I want somebody who is a good person, not just really good at math,” Duke said. “I believe that being good at math doesn’t make you a good math teacher. A good teacher has to care, has to be compassionate, has to understand what the students are going through. That they all have their own stories.”

Both students and teachers have been missing former math teacher Seo. Students have said they loved her kind personality and how enjoyable her class was. After her leave, some were disappointed that they would not have her as a teacher again or at all.

“I was really sad to hear about her leaving as I had planned to take her (class) for precalculus this year,” junior Cheyanne Losino said. “I liked how she made sure everyone understood before moving on and worked individually with us when we didn’t understand. I loved everything about her class and was disappointed that I couldn’t take it again.”

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

ANGELA LEDESMA-GRATTAROLA | The Pearl Post New English teacher Francesca Gunther instructs students in her third period Freshman English class on Aug. 30. Gunther, who emphasizes that anyone can go up to her, instructs Londen Vildosola who asked a question over the analytical classwork activity, which they wrote about in table groups.

New English teacher brings innovative spirit to DPMHS

By Angela Ledesma- Grattarola @_.ang_

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his new school year, Francesca Gunther took over one of the vacant English teacher positions. As it is Gunther’s first year teaching, this is a new experience both for her and the freshmen enrolled in her classes this semester.

excited about something, whether it’s as small as an activity or as big as like the content they’re learning,” Gunther said. “If I can see that they’re excited to work and they’re understanding it, that’s what powers me through the day.”

If you have Gunther as a teacher, whether it be this semes“I’m teaching 9th grade this semester so you know we’re ter or the next, or you drop by to her open library at lunch, you all new,” Gunther said. “The first week is not rough for everymight see a variety of Marvel cardboard cutouts and plants. body but it is an adjustment for students and teachers. I felt The plants come from a collection of 50 that she has been really supported by staff and I didn’t feel unwelcome by the taking care of since the start of the pandemic in her house. And students.” though you might not believe it, the cardboard cutouts are Though this is Gunther’s first year teaching at Daniel Pearl used in her lessons sometimes.

Magnet High School (DPMHS), she “I like Marvel and I had them,” has high hopes for her students.

Gunther said. “I thought I might as Gunther wants to help her students well bring them into the classroom I would say that since I’m their with their foundation of English, as because it adds a little bit of fun first contact with high school she believes they will use her teachdecoration.

I also do use them in acings at school and in their private English. I want to at least leave tivities, so if we’re doing some kind lives as well. them interested in the subject of debate or activity where students Initially, Gunther was going to so they go into next year having have to agree or disagree I’ll label be an art teacher but along the way them.

It’s just fun and it gets kids out a positive outlook on English. she chose English instead as she is of their chairs. ” passionate in both subjects. She still Gunther is adapting to DPMHS Francesca Gunther likes art and tries to bring that into quickly as she experiences school acher classroom especially due to the tivities alongside staff and students. pandemic, to have her students participate in more hands-on “I’ve definitely noticed that with Fiesta Fridays and how efactivities. fective all the admin are and everything that it is a very positive “I’ve always loved English and I like seeing my students environment and a small close knit environment,” Gunther said.

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English teacher joins staff after 12 years at private school

By Alan Ruiz

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fter teaching for 12 years at a private Jewish school, English teacher Chris McAdamis is fitting in well at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS).

“It was time for a change,” said McAdamis, who previously taught at Milken Community School.

During his first semester at DPMHS, he is teaching regular and Honors English 10AB. Next semester, he will instruct 12th grade English and AP Language. Although it wasn’t always his dream to become a teacher, McAdamis’ love for the study of literature has been a constant. He especially appreciates how stories, both nonfiction and fiction, mirror and help students understand their own life experiences.

“It’s fun to be with teenagers and teach them,” McAdamis said. “It’s the right time to talk about the hero’s journey and myths but also about how (those stories) relate to them and all the changes they’re going through because being a teenager is a very dynamic time.”

One of his teaching goals for the year is to show students how to annotate a text in a way that simplifies the process of writing a response. He stresses the idea of completing preparatory work to make the more tedious tasks that follow easier.

The 4×4 schedule at DPMHS is a new adjustment for McAdamis, who found a way to compress his course curriculum into two mesters. He understands that speeding through the same amount of material as his previous classes would overwhelm the students, not allowing sufficient time for the necessary literacy skills to take root.

“I can’t go too fast,” McAdamis said. “One way my goals have shifted is that we don’t have to read a ton of books or anything. It’s just making sure that we cover the skills that students need over that time.”

Aside from teaching, McAdamis loves his two cats, the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons and playing the guitar. However, his ultimate passion is focused on teaching, which made McAdamis stand out during the school’s interviewing process.

“Love for the subject matters,” said counselor Martina Torres, who is on the school’s interview committee. “When a teacher is passionate about their subject, they often go above and beyond the minimum of what they need to teach. That’s what we like at our school.”

The 4×4 schedule at DPMHS is a new adjustment for McAdamis, who found a way to compress his course curriculum into two mesters.

He understands that speeding through the same amount of material as his previous classes would overwhelm the students, not allowing sufficient time for the necessary literacy skills to take root.

“I can’t go too fast,” McAdamis said. “One way my goals have shifted is that we don’t have to read a ton of books or anything. It’s just making sure that we cover the skills that students need over that time.”

Aside from teaching, McAdamis loves his two cats, the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons and playing the guitar. However, his ultimate passion is focused on teaching, which made McAdamis stand out during the school’s interviewing process.

“Love for the subject matters,” said counselor Martina Torres, who is on the school’s interview committee. “When a teacher is passionate about their subject, they often go above and beyond the minimum of what they need to teach. That’s what we like at our school.”

JENICA FELICITAS | The Pearl Post English teacher Chris McAdamis helps sophomore Emanuel Diaz with an independent assignment on Aug. 31. McAdamis is one of the two new English teachers this year, alongside first year teacher Francesca Gunther.

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

New magnet coordinator Berghoudian seeks to build community on campus

By Sabrina Robertson @sabrinastired

GRANT ASNER| The Pearl Post New Magnet Coordinator Natalie Berghoudian explains general school behavior rules and expectations to the senior class such as your digital footprint, and behavior to the senior class.

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agnet Coordinator Natalie Berghoudian is loving the “tight-knit community” her new school has.

students are. It’s really refreshing because I’ve only been working with elementary and middle school students,” Berghoudian said. “They’re doing it all, you all inspire me.”

“It’s such a rare opportunity, especially at a high Berghoudian replaces former magnet coordinator Leah school level, to know every single student by name,” said Pevar, who left DPMHS at the end of March. Berghoudian is Berghoudian, who began working at Daniel Pearl Magnet working to increase the number of students at DPMHS. With an High School this summer. enrollment of 227 students, she has to take on a diverse set of Less than two months into her new school, Berghoudresponsibilities that are vital for a small school. ian is already hard at work with a new club and a $1,000 “Some of the things I focus on are enrolling our students, grant: Girls Build LA. The club is an initiative of the LA Promcreating brochures and flyers to highlight all the wonderful ise Fund that empowers young women to change the world things that are going on here and getting the word out about through science, technology, engineering and mathematics our school,” Berghoudian said.

(STEM). She visited classrooms to share her goal and recruit DPMHS is tucked away in between five different schools enough girls for a team.

Bergoudian hopes to spread the “Our team was selected and news about the school. that pretty much means that they “We’re on Balboa Boulevard will be giving us a $1,000 grant sandwiched between all these other I think it comes down from to use throughout the year on our schools, and unfortunately parents the way I grew up and this project,” Berghoudian said. don’t know we exist,” Berghoudian Since STEM is a male domibelief that girls can’t do the said Outside of school, Berghoudian nated field, Berghoudian embraces enjoys time with her two kids. things boys can do. Just bethe girls Girls Build LA message of “I have two toddlers, a 3-yearcause I’m a girl doesn’t mean I uplifting young female students. old and a 4-year-old so I don’t really can’t do what I want to do.

Berghoudian has been workhave time for hobbies,” Berghoudian ing for Los Angeles Unified School said.

Natalie Berghoudian District for 10 years. Before coming Berghoudian wants to make to DPMHS, Berghoudian started sure students on campus are comout as a teacher’s assistant at Fulbright Elementary before fortable and safe, her doors are always open. becoming a full time teacher. She then worked at John A. “Know that I’m someone on campus that you can come to,” Sutter Middle School as a magnet coordinator.

Berghoudian said. “Hopefully I can earn your trust and you’ll be “I really love how independent and capable high school comfortable sharing anything with me.”

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DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Sophomore Damien Cacho doodles in his sketchbook at the end of the Art Club meeting on Sept. 16. On the right, Cacho’s sketches can be seen portraaying his art style.

New Art Club paints a window into students’ imaginations

By Satenik Ayrapetyan @sayra.syrup

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alking into the Art Club, a student is met with chatter, the sound of pencils scratching in a sketchbook and a lecture or a presenter showcasing a piece of art they had done that week. “(The club) will open up the doors to be able to find giftedness in the area of arts,” said club sponsor and Spanish teacher Glenda Hurtado. “We’ve had students that come in gifted in the arts, but we don’t have any arts. But now we have an Art Club where we’re able to open up the doors, and see that talent being portrayed in many different forms.”

Art Club meets every Monday and every non-Fiesta Friday in Room 20. There, members are assigned a weekly drawing topic. They will also follow a curriculum that aims to teach students fundamental artistic skills like composition and perspective, created by the Presidents Gabrielle Lashley and Naamah Silcott. Following the curriculum is not strictly necessary, so club members can show off anything they have created at the end of the week.

“I really want to go more on a curriculum type thing where we’re doing different lessons each week because the thing about young artists is – there’s a lot that we don’t know how to do,” Co-President Lashley said.

The Art Club is not yet able to supply students with prerequisite materials like sketchbooks. They hope to do so in the future, but as of now, students are expected to bring their own supplies. However, textbooks covering the curriculum will be created by the presidents, who own many instructional textbooks at their homes.

“Students being able to fully get engaged with what they want to do creatively,” said Co-President Silcott. “They don’t have the expectation of having to do it for an assignment, and they don’t necessarily have to do the prompt. (Club members) just have to present whatever they were proud of that they were working on, and that would be fine too.”

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

DESIREE SPURKEL | The Pearl Post Los Angeles mayoral candidates Karen Bass and Rick Caruso compete in this year’s midterm elections happening on Nov. 8. It has been almost a decade since Los Angeles has seen a new mayor. The results of this year’s elections will determine which of the two candidates will become the new mayor for at least the next four years.

Students express concerns about upcoming midterm elections

By Keira Van Der Molen @k.kiwi_0

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enior Natalia Hernandez has never known much about the midterm elections as much as the presidential elections.

But with midterm elections coming up in November, she has learned more about them in her government class.

“Midterm elections are very important,” Hernandez said.

“We need people to run our country. Without these higher authority figures, people will be lost or not follow the rules. We need organization and structure in our economy because right now, that’s broken. I think it might always be broken.”

The 2022 midterm elections are being held on Nov 8. during this year’s elections, every seat in the House of Representatives, 35 U.S Senate seats (a third of the Senate), the new Los Angeles mayor and the Los Angeles County sheriff race

will be voted on. Also for this year, propositions 26, 27, 28 and 1 are among the seven propositions on the ballot in California.

Citizens can vote by mailing and physically returning ballots, or by going to a voting location to vote.

“Hopefully after the midterms, students will feel more safe,” Hernandez said. “I hope we will feel proud of our higher authorities because I think that teenagers want someone that will understand us and not just focus on the adults. That won’t cut it.”

Midterm election participation rates have been low since 1918 and only 50% of the country voted during the 2020 primary elections, according to nonprofit organization Fair Vote, which advocates for electoral reform. But especially this year,

S P E C I A L R E P O RT S | R I K K A D I M A L A N TA the midterm election results are important as they will indicate whether Democrats will lose control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans, who currently need six more seats to have a total of 218 seats. This would allow Republicans to gain control of the House, according to The Congressional Research Service’s profile of the members of the 117th Congress.

“I feel like it is very important to still vote even though my opinions on politics aren’t the strongest,” senior Dashiell Caloroso said. “I still think when I’m eligible to vote, I’ll still vote when I reach that age.”

It has been almost a decade since Los Angeles has seen a new mayor. Congresswoman Karen Bass and real estate developer Rick Caruso are candidates for the position. Both candidates stated that they plan to solve the homelessness population in the city. However when it comes to the police force, both candidates have opposing opinions. Caruso wants to expand the Los Angeles Police Department while Bass hopes for citizens to no longer depend on a police force, according to the article “From more cops to defund: Candidates for L.A mayor differ on crime and policing” published May 27 by the Los Angeles Times.

The U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, opening the door for sports gambling across the states. Propositions 26 and 27, according to the article “Propositions” published by non-profit news organization Cal Matters, would legalize sports gambling in two ways. Proposition 26 would allow sports betting in person at tribal casinos, whereas Proposition 27 would allow people to gamble digitally.

These propositions would enrich these big gambling corporations that are funding them.

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Some topics in this year’s midterm elections however, could affect disadvantaged schools. Proposition 28 would give low-income schools funding of $800 million to $1 billion each year for education, music and art classes. This money would also be used to hire new arts staff at these schools. It’s required by law to have students take performing arts classes but for many of these schools, it’s a struggle to fund good quality art and music education.

After Roe vs. Wade was overturned, there has been question if midterm elections could be a saving grace in California.

Proposition 1 is the next closest thing to the abortion freedom offered from Roe vs. Wade. This California proposition would allow a minor change in the current abortion law. This would grant woman reproduction freedom, especially those who might need an abortion due to health reasons. This means a user can refuse or choose contraceptives, a medicine or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

“I know I’m not a woman, but I felt a little betrayed by the government,” Caloroso said. “They were taking rights away from people. It’s wrong. At this point, the government is basically being runned by religious views which shouldn’t be. If they start to force those views down onto others, especially with what’s going on now, that’s kind of what it’s feeling like.”

Teens, many of whom cannot yet vote, are concerned about the midterm elections.

“I feel worried,” Hernandez said. “I’m scared because we have a lot of older people in office and they’re still living in the past. This is a newer generation and things won’t work the same like they did in that older generation.”

Managing Editor Rikka Dimalanta contributed to this story.

GABRIELLE LASHLEY | The Pearl Post The new California governor and Los Angeles mayor will be determined during this year’s midterm elections on Nov. 8.

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

DESIREE SPURKEL| The Pearl Post Journalism adviser Adriana Chavira gives Opinion Editor Satenik Ayrapetyan tips for designing pages for the first print issue of the year of The Pearl Post on Sept. 21.

Chavira spent that day’s fourth period, which is made up of some of the editors and writers of The Pearl Post, helpng students learn to use Adobe Indesign.

LAUSD rescinds suspension of DPMHS journalism adviser

By Gabrielle Lashley @yogabbygabby_l

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ournalism adviser Adriana Chavira’s three-day suspension without pay has been rescinded by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as of Sept. 16.

“I feel relieved,” Chavira said. “It’s been a stressful nine months since it’s been going on. The two weeks since my suspension was handed down have been tough as well.”

After failing to comply when asked to remove information from an article published last year, Chavira was issued a suspension on Sept. 1. The suspension fight gained a lot of traction on Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms. While some supported the district, many users were in support of Chavira and criticized LAUSD for their decision to take disciplinary action against her.

“Seeing how many people were in support of Ms. Chavira,

I’m sure it started pressuring (LAUSD) a little bit more to dig deeper and realize that there are people on her side and she wasn’t in the wrong,” former Features editor Nathalie Miranda said.

The suspension originally stemmed from an article on the COVID-19 staff vaccine mandate. Former librarian of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) Greta Enszer requested her name be removed, as the article stated she left after the vaccine was mandated. The Pearl Post staff refused, with Chavira backing them up. After this occurred, LAUSD demanded Chavira remove the name for the article and she further refused. They then warned that disciplinary action would be taken against Chavira if she did not comply.

“As time compressed and the threat of Ms. Chavira leaving

NEWS | DELILAH BRUMER got more real, I was really stressed and I felt terribly guilty,” Miranda said.

Stories about the situation were covered in news outlets like the Los Angeles Times, LAist, CBS News and more. In addition to all of those who voiced their concerns, Judea Pearl, the father of Daniel Pearl, came forward in support of Chavira and the student publication.

“I admire Adriana and all she’s done to inspire her students,” Pearl said in a statement released by the LA Press Club.

“I don’t want her to face any disciplinary action for allowing her students to tell the truth.”

LAUSD responded to all questions regarding the situation with a statement saying, “While we are unable to address ongoing personnel matters, we will continue to support our students and their journalistic endeavors at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School while also respecting the concerns of our school community.”

“I have no idea how the school or school district came to their conclusion but I think the school administrators did not consider the law,” Director of the Student Press Law Center Hadar Harris said. “They were really just looking through the lens of the complaint and not through the lens of the law protecting student journalists and their advisor.”

When the situation began in the 2021-2022 school year, editors of The Pearl Post fought for Chavira’s case, defending themselves by saying they did not violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as Enszer initially claimed. The student publication also argued that they were protected by California Ed. Code 48907. Despite this, LAUSD continued their efforts to have the publication remove Enszer’s name.

Current students and graduates of DPMHS are happy to see that their adviser will not be suspended and say they’re proud to have this outcome.

“I’m happy Ms. Chavira gets to stay there,” Miranda said.

“I’m really confident in saying she’s the best teacher I’ve ever had so I’m glad it’s good now, (but) it should have never happened in the first place.”

DELILAH BRUMER| The Pearl Post The Pearl Post recently received JEA’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award.

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Editorial

They don’t respect us as journalists As editors of The Pearl Post, we thought our voices were valued. Our school administration and district have repeatedly shared our work, amplified our achievements and told us that our opinions matter. Then, as soon as our reporting brought unwanted attention to them, they tried to suspend our adviser.

This past November, The Pearl Post wrote an article about how the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) staff COVID-19 vaccine mandate led Greta Enszer, our only librarian, to leave Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS). Although we were well within our rights as student journalists, the DPMHS administration threatened disciplinary action against our adviser if we did not take Enszer’s name out of the story. We refused and for several months no official action was taken.

On Sept. 1, LAUSD issued a suspension of our journalism adviser. The three-day unpaid suspension was set to go into effect after the appeal process. However, after an outpour of support from professional news organizations and Dr. Judea Pearl, LAUSD rescinded the suspension.

In California, student journalists are granted much of the same rights as professional journalists, per California Ed Code 48907. These rights mean that the district has no legal right to retaliate against our adviser or to censor the content we cover, nor did they at any point in this situation. Therefore, they also have no authority to demand that we remove Enszer’s name.

Enszer claimed that we violated HIPAA, but no one from the school district gave us any names of unvaccinated staff so there was no such violation.

We also consulted with a representative from the Student Press Law Center and have confirmed that we never had a legal obligation to remove Enszer’s name from the story. We believe the story was newsworthy because all changes in staff significantly affect our small student body and therefore needed to remain on our website.

The district’s flagrant violation of California Ed Code 48907 is unbelievably ironic at DPMHS, a journalism magnet. Through this action, the administration has proven that they don’t respect us as student journalists.

Despite the fact that the district rescinded our adviser’s suspension, they still caused significant damage. It is critical that LAUSD administrators understand the law and properly apply it, so that other student news outlets don’t face what we had to.

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

Editorial

New staff, grander goals for The Pearl Post

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ADRIANA CHAVIRA | The Pearl Post The Pearl Post’s Print Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer and Online Editor-in-Chief Alan Ruiz wish to continue on with the success of last year going forward with the new academic year, with grander goals in mind.

ith an enthusiastic team of experienced leaders and new but motivated staff members, The Pearl Post fis ready to streamline our communication and produce phenomenal content this year.

With our editors and staff writers split into two separate periods, our goal of increased communication is not only useful but imperative. Due to Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s (DPMHS) switch to a 4×4 schedule last year, most of our editors are in first period, while most of our writers are in fourth period.

In order to maintain contact and productive collaboration, we will be using the app Slack more than in previous years. This will allow us to quickly message each other and stay updated.

We will also continue to use the app Trello to keep track of articles in the various stages of the editing process.

Another challenge we are facing is, since much of last year’s staff has graduated, many of our editors are new to staff. To overcome any possible difficulties this might cause, we are extensively reviewing journalistic knowledge and leading training sessions on everything from photography to AP style.

Last year, The Pearl Post staff produced at least three online articles per week. As our second year of in-person learning begins, we are going to incorporate more insightful video interviews into our content in hopes of reaching a wider audience.

We also desire to make the most of the SLR cameras accessible to us to continue capturing photos that represent the intricacies of student life at DPMHS. Our focus on multimedia will extend to our Room 22 Pod-

cast, which is continuing for its second season. The podcast will provide yet another way for the DPMHS community to receive W pertinent news about our school that includes the viewpoints of both students and staff. This comprehensive mix of articles, photography, videos and audio content will create more opportunities for the voices of classmates and staff members to be amplified.

We hope to continue our success and publish at least four issues this year. In these issues, we plan to increase our use of creative visuals, such as artwork, photo stories and cartoons. In conjunction with our focus on communication, we will ensure that every page goes through a comprehensive copy editing process and is double-checked by multiple editors.

Last year, we were named finalists in five categories of the Los Angeles Press Club Southern California Journalism Awards.

We were also named finalists for the prestigious Online Pacemaker Award, granted by the National Scholastic Press Association. We will diligently strive to continue our momentum this year.

The Pearl Post, along with Prestige Yearbook and Pearl Net News, received the First Amendment Press Freedom Award from the Journalism Education Association last year. Our publication will continue to exercise our First Amendment rights this year.

As a student media team, we are committed to providing our school community with credible and timely information. We take this responsibility seriously and are confident that we can meet our goals.

O P I N I O N | S AT E N I K AY R A P E T YA N

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Opinion

Bring back the Learning Center

By Jason Arevalo @flamingtoxic622

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he Learning Center, which served as study hall for most students, closed at the start of the fall 2022 semester.

Students used the Learning Center every day for homework, tests or extra time to work on assignments. Students, who often had an Individualized Education Plan, had the opportunity to use a whole period to work on assignments, tests or projects.

The class has now changed this year to serve more as a tutoring center for only a handful of stuSadia dents.

As a student who was enrolled in the Learning Center for three years, I found it helpful.

I used the class period to get ahead in my class projects and study for tests. I’d like to see the class open back up for all students who want to be there every day.

Now, Learning Center teachers Sadia Aziz and Evie Stone are usually in other classrooms helping students. However, they still work with a handful of students in the Learning Center to focus on certain skills the students need.

“At first I saw a lot of push back from previous students

“

who got put into the class but now as they are getting into the routine of their class, I can see the improvements being made,” Aziz said.

As a productive student, I was annoyed at the fact that students didn’t use the Learning Center properly. In the past, students used this class more as a free period.

Instead of doing homework or studying, some went on their phones or just caused problems.

It was quiet in my freshman year but became chaotic during Aziz my junior year. I saw students argue with one another and they didn’t care that a teacher was there. The Learning Center was meant to be there as a class for students to have help, not for problems to be made. I can see why Aziz and Stone changed the structure of the Learning Center this year.

I believe the Learning Center as a class should be brought back as an option for students to voluntarily take. The Learning Center should be there for students who need the help for those who need that extra time to do their homework, study for tests or class projects.

I saw a lot of push back from previous students who got put into the class.

”

Resource teacher Evie Stone answers a student’s question and advises him in the Learning Center on Oct. 3 during fourth period. There are few students in the room and the atmosphere is silent.

Students are placed in this period now if their parents request itor if their grades reflect the need for extra free time.

SATENIK AYRAPETYAN The Pearl Post

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Freshman Tobias Bechdholt passes the ball to a tteammate durring a JV football game on Sept.30. Bechdholt led the Birmingham Community Charter High School Patriots to a 26-6 victory agaisnt the Taft Charter High School Toreadors. This is Bechdholts third year playing football and his first year on the BCCHS Patriots.

Freshman night lights

Football players experience first season

By Keira Van Der Molen @k.kiwi_o

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hree years ago, Tobias Bechdholt thought he might like football so he decided to give it a shot. When he began to play, he realized he was passionate about playing sports.

“Being on the team feels pretty good,“ said Bechdholt, who is a quarterback on the JV team at Birmingham Community Charter High School. “I like seeing how I’ve improved at playing so far. When I first started playing, I was really bad but then I eventually got better. So it’s been cool seeing how far I’ve come.”

This season, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School has two new football players who have joined the Patriots team. Bechdholt desires to become a star on the team and have his talents recognized. Like Bechdholt, freshman London Vildosola has goals that his playing will improve and lead him to more playing time on the football team.

“I wanted to see how far I could go,“ Vildosola said, who is now the wide-receiver and running back on the Patriots’ team.

“I’ve learned a lot about the overall aspect of football and I love

that. Playing on a team kinda made me have a whole different aspect of what football is. It’s not what I thought it was before.

It’s been really fun but it’s also a challenge. It’s not as easy as it looks.”

Introduced to playing the sport by his father, Vildosola started playing football six months ago. He immediately loved the sport when he first played. Vildosola’s friends first inspired him to play on the football team back when he was in middle school. When Vildsola started high school, he had the confidence to try out for the football team.

“Playing has been really fun,” Vildosola said. “The best part of playing has been the feeling of catching the ball or tackling someone.”

Meanwhile, Bechdholt hopes to improve his playing during games so he can make varsity next season.

“I feel like I’m starting something new and now I have expectations I have to live up to.” Bechdholt says. “So, I’ll try to do that.”

SPORTS | SABRINA ROBERTSON

DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Sophomore Deven Szymczak runs laps during cross country practice on Sept. 22.

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DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Junior Gabriella Avalos practices a routine during cheer practice on Sept 30.

Athletes of the month

Student athletes get back to work

By Alysa Basmadzyhyan @alysa_katee Deven Szymczak is a sophomore cross country runner who has been competing in this sport since the ninth grade.

Question: What goals do you have for cross country? Why those specific goals?

Answer: The goals I have are to get better at my times and races, that way I can prove to myself that I can be faster than I was before.

Q: What motivated you to join?

A: My parents suggested it and since I was good at running I decided to join so I could try my skills out.

Q: What position do you play on the team?

A: I am on the sophomore team. We do random exercises most times. Sometimes we stay on the track and do street runs.

Q: How long have you been in cross country?

A: I’ve been in cross country since ninth grade, then I did track in between and now I am back in cross country.

Gabriella Avalos is a junior cheerleader. Avalos began cheerleading this year and she cheers for the games at Birmingham Community Charter High School.

Q: Is this your first time doing cheerleading? If so, why did you choose to join?

A: Prior to this I was a gymnast so I wanted to stay in the habit of tumbling, so I thought it was a good opportunity.

Q:What events are you competing in this year?

A: For cheering at games, we cheer for the Birmingham football team and later in the year, the Birmingham basketball team.

Q: What is your favorite part about cheerleading?

A: I like the team aspect of cheerleading because as a former gymnast, it was more of an individual sport. In High School Cheerleading, I get the opportunity to cheer and collaborate with my teammates at games. At competitions we all have to work together to win and show our best. Overall, it’s a team effort.

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THE PEARL POST| OCTOBER 2022

Game Review

Claw your way through ‘Stray’

By Sabrina Robertson @sabrinastired

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SABRINA ROBERTSON| The Pearl Post The lost cat meets its first robot after falling into an unfamiliar world. The robot crawls toward the cat with the last of it’s strength. This sets up an uneasy and unknown path for the journey ahead.

n this part platformer, part adventure game, you utilize the cat’s best abilities. Playing from a cat’s perspective is very intriguing as you see everything from a new point of view like running, jumping, meowing and knocking things over.

Everything feels large and scary. From dark windows to creaky pipes you must run along.

Stray is a 2022 adventure video game developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive. It follows one cat on a mission to get home after falling into an empty underground cyberpunk city.

Eventually, you find yourself following messages on lit up signs scattered throughout the city. The first sign reads “Help.”

Then you’re soon following a path of signs reading “Follow Me.” The atmosphere created makes you feel uneasy because you feel as if you’re being watched. Each sign turns on as you enter new locations. As you follow the signs through the desolate city, you get to explore the mechanics of the game. When you finally reach the end of these signs, you find yourself a tiny robot companion named B-12, who needs help recovering its memories. That’s how the adventure starts.

There are simple puzzles you need to solve while exploring. One puzzle requires you to pick up a bucket and throw it into a fan to stop it so you can continue through. The game does have very simplistic mechanics that make some of the puzzles feel a little repetitive. The game could have benefited from more in-depth game play.

Along with puzzles, there are chase sequences that get your heart racing. You need to run from small creatures called Zurks, who eat everything and have caused the downfall of the underground city. You have to run and avoid the Zurks as they pour out everywhere like bugs. After one long chase, the cat finds itself in the robot slums.

While in the slums, you realize that most of the robots

don’t believe in the outside world that you came from and don’t know how to help you. With B-12 by your side, you ask around to try and find the one believer.

While searching, you start to unlock memories for B-12.

Memories from a time before the cities were desolate. There are a total of seven memories throughout the slums. One of the most intriguing memories you can find is old graffiti on a wall that says, “RIP HUMANS.” B-12 comments on the Zurks and how they infested and overran the cities.

One thing I love is the interactions with the robots who live there. There is a small market where you can trade energy drinks for objects. You can get an ancient relic, an electric cable and a music sheet. I recommend getting all the items to unlock memories and more cute interactions. My favorite is collecting the eight music sheets to give to Morusque, who will play them for you.

Eventually, you find one colorful and eccentric robot named Momo who believes in the outside world. He acts the most human out of any other robot, which is refreshing. He needs your help to find his friends who traveled to the outside world. He isn’t sure if they survived their travels. You feel for Momo because you’re stuck in the exact same situation as him.

Overall, Stray offers an immersive world with both amazing character and world design. It has enough content for a single rewarding playthrough but could benefit from a little more depth in the puzzles. I would recommend everyone to give it a playthrough.

H AV E I T O R H A T E I T : W E E N F AV O R I T E S O L L A H

E N T E RTA I N M E N T | G R A N T A S N E R

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As Halloween approaches, The Pearl Post asked students to tell us about their favorite candy, their least favorite candy and a candy they wish they received more of.

By Jason Arevalo Junior Valeria Negev

Freshman Serena Elkins

A: My least favorite Halloween candy is Tootsie Rolls. I would have to say my favorite candy is Starburst. I would like to see more Kit Kats in Halloween baskets because when I go trick or treating I only get one Kit Kat, so I would like to see more.

Senior Arvin Khosravy

A: My favorite Halloween candy is called YORK Peppermint Patties. I don’t like lollipops. I believe they are too long of a candy and yes, you can bite into it but most people just end up licking the candy. I think candy corn is something I would like to see more of.

Sophomore Alia Galvan

A: I would say my favorite candy is Twix. My least favorite candies are Twizzlers. I feel like the candy is more like you’re eating a car tire just with sugar on it. I want to see Twix in Halloween baskets. I feel like the Twix is a perfect balance of candy with the carmel, the filling, and the chocolate. Which makes it a perfect option to have in Halloween baskets.

A: I’d say my favorite candy from Halloween are M&Ms or Milkyway. My least favorite candy is Tootsie Rolls. I just find them gross. I believe the candy is very old, as well the texture of the candy is very sweet, small, chewy especially for my braces. The candy I would like to see more passed out during Halloween is sour candy.

AC T I V I T I E S F O R Y K O O P S T H I S O C T OBE R

Here are two fun and frightening activites to enjoy with friends for Halloween 2022.

By Elizabeth Rose

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Halloween Horror Nights

Produced by Ten Thirty One Productions, the L.A. Haunted Hayride (located in Crystal Springs Drive, California) was founded in 2009 by Melissa Carbone and Alyson Richards. The scene is set in the town of Midnight Falls, where the Witch of the Woods has commanded an army of the dead to terrify those brave enough to step foot on the ancient grounds. Featuring a variety of attractions from the infamous hayride itself to the local mortuary that claims those who lose sight of their group, you’re sure to be looking over your shoulder before the moon is high in the sky.

Get up close and personal with Michael Meyers and or locked into a Terror Tram driving through the world of Us and Nope at Universal Studio’s Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood, California. Featuring eight haunted houses ranging from universal horror monsters to The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare - yes, I’m serious about The Weeknd attraction - there’s something for every horror fan to enjoy. The only thing to remember when attending Halloween Horror Nights, whether you’re seeking out your next big fright or just following through with a bet you happened to lose: never go alone.

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT

BEHIND THE PHOTO

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior Shawn Abram-Marsden catches up on class criteria with resource teacher Sadia Aziz during Back To School night on Aug. 25. Marsden was told to practice his writing skills so he wrote a letter of things he loved about a family member. During Back to School Night, teachers spoke to families about class expectations and gave course summaries.

This is the first time in three years that Back to School Night has happened on campus. Students and parents attented four different sessions with teachers, corresponding with their regular 4-period school day.

Grant Asner is a senior at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School as well as the Entertainment Editor for The Pearl Post. He has discovered a new hobby for photography recently and many of his photos are displayed throughout this month’s issue. He also loves to spend his free time discovering new music and watching movies with friends. Grant hopes to learn more about journalism and greatly improve his photography abilities for The Pearl Post.

Submit your best photos with a brief description to thepearlpost@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the next issue of the The Pearl Post newsmagazine.