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Volume 16, Issue 3 • February 2025 • Daniel Pearl Magnet High School • Lake Balboa, CA

2 The Pearl Post | February 2025 Print Editor-in-Chief Satenik Ayrapetyan Online Editor-in-Chief Jenny Marquez Managing Editor Alexa Garay Features Editor Vanessa Morales Opinion Editor Sophie Ortega Entertainment Editor Valerie Sanchez Sports Editor Aidan Lia Visual Editor Kristin Intal Digital Media Editor Andre Arcilla Social Media Editor Satenik Ayrapetyan Staff Writers / Photographers Daryna Hriaznova, Tania Lopez, Andrew Pulido, Benjamin Recinos, Alex Salcedo, Jasmine Thompson, Linus Bossardt Copy Editors Jasmine McNair, Genesis CuellarFigueroa, Emma Rosenberg, Isabella Tolosa Contributors Guadalupe Martinez 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 the 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.

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

Content 1 COVER - Design by Kristin Intal 2-3 NEWS - Table of content / Phone ban goes into effect 4-5 PHOTO ESSAY - Students walk out in protest of antiimmigration policies set by Trump Administration 6-7 FEATURES - Club Corner: Songwriting / How Pearl Poets prepared for Valentine’s Day concert 8-9 SPECIAL REPORT - District increases restrictions, regulations regarding school fundraisers 10-11 OPINION - Editorial: Education funds are necessary / Opinion: New regulations inhibit student fundraisers 12-13 SPORTS - Student boxing journey / Athletes of the Month 14-15 ENTERTAINMENT - Oscar predictions / Artist of the month 16 BACK COVER - Photo Essay: Love/Hate/Love concert

Letter from the editor For this issue, we wanted to focus on a number of changes occurring on campus, while also spotlighting student success. After a delay, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s phone ban has gone into effect. The ban is part of an uptick in regulations the district has enacted. These restrictions have had a negative impact on student fund raising efforts, such as seasonal grams that ASB leadership sells.

With such a focus on campus life, we also wanted to plead with

the Trump Administration to reconsider their desire to dismantle the Department of Education, which our school depends on for funding.

On a positive note, we highlighted students’ business and athletic achievements.

Although recent rules have changed the way day-to-day life on campus operates, students continue to succeed in spite of these difficulties.

Satenik Ayrapetyan Editor-in-Chief

News | Satenik Ayrapetyan 3

DARYNA HRIAZNOVA | THE PEARL POST Senior Behishta Safi and junior Mirolla Abdelmasih eat lunch in the front grove on Feb. 18. Due to the phone ban, students cannot use phones during break periods.

Students talk, phones silent

By Tania Lopez and Daryna Hriaznova unior Guadalupe Marquires all schools in California tinez used her phone to ban cellphones by 2026 to to communicate with combat phone addiction. friends, family about personal “I don’t feel like everymatters, like knowing who one’s just going to magically would pick her up. Now, she become better students just no longer can. because they can’t watch “Sometimes I need to TikTok in class,” sophomore communicate with my parEthan Sokol said. “I wasn’t the ents to see whether they’re best student beforehand and picking me up or not,” Martin- I’m still not the best student.” ez said. “I feel like it’s draining At Daniel Pearl Magnet not having my cellphone.”

High School, students are Martinez cannot use her required to place all electronic phone due to the Los Angedevices into Yondr pouches. les Unified School District’s The pouches were provided phone ban, which was voted by the district. Designated unon last summer and implelocking stations were placed mented on Feb. 18. The ban is around the school. ahead of Assembly Bill 3216, Students must lock their signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom phones the moment they on Sept. 23, 2024, which reenter the school building or

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KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST Juniors Ariana Lopez-Villacorta and Nemesi Morales hold their Yondr pouches as they wait for their period two AP environmental science class to start. In accordance with the district phone ban, all electronics are stored away for the school day.

by the first bell at 8:25 a.m.

Students cannot unlock the pouches until the dismissal bell at 3:38 p.m.

“What they’re doing to students is unacceptable,” senior Franklin Johnson said.

Some teachers will be granted special unlocking stations due to special circumstances, like P.E. teacher Fernando Fernandez and journal-

ism teacher Adriana Chavira.

These stations are for student athletes departing for practice and student journalists working for student media.

“There are certain things that journalists have to do...,” Magnet Coordinator James Morrison said. “It’s modern technology, if used appropriately and effectively that will be functional.

4 The Pearl Post | February 2025

Immigration activists put the

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ollowing the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigration, many students took to the streets to protest for immigrants’ rights.

The walkout occurred on Feb. 10 and included students from multiple schools, including Lancaster High School, Reseda Charter High School, Birmingham Community Charter High School and Magnolia Science Academy.

The protest was one of many across the Los Angeles area.

“This country would be nothing without immigrants,” senior Jackeline Gomez said.

Students walked over an hour to the Van Nuys Civic Center. Many held signs with sayings like “Keep families together” and “ICE melts in hell.”

“I have family members who are immigrants,” junior Delilha Trujillo said. “My closest friends, cousins, all of them, they (are) people just like us and we should stand up for who they are.

GENESIS CUELLAR-FIGUEROA, ALEX SALCED AND JENNY MARQUEZ | THE PEARL POST Students from Birmingham Community Charter High School and Magnolia Science Academy hold signs and wear flags in protest. Students protest past Van Nuys High School. A student holds a sign critiquing U.S. immigration laws. Senior Allison Gonzalez and junior Guadalupe Martinez wrap flags around themselves during the protest.

Photo Essay | Satenik Ayrapetyan 5

Trump administration on ICE

ANDRE ARCILLA AND JENNY MARQUEZ | THE PEARL POST Senior Vanessa Morales, junior Guadalupe Martinez, senior Angelique Mendoza and senior Allison Gonzalez hold flags and signs to protest anti-immigration policies while standing on a bench. Students cross the street holding flags and signs while protesting. While at the Van Nuys Civic Center, junior Delilha Trujillo shouted into a megaphone about standing up for the immigrant community. “I think it’s important for all of us to stand together right now and make it up for those who can’t,” Trujillo said.

6 The Pearl Post | February 2025

Club Corner: Songwriting Club springs into melodies Songwriting Club writes tunes for an upcoming concert.

By Tania Lopez and Andrew Pulido @tl.hhs and @andyesarte

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ophomore Desirae Carns wasn’t exactly enticed by the idea of writing songs when she joined Songwriting Club during her freshman year. After learning how to analyze the various aspects of a song, she was hooked and eventually became club president.

“When I was a ninthgrader, I wasn’t interested in songwriting,” Carns said. “But when it was club rush and I heard about Songwriting Club, I became interested and joined.”

Every Wednesday, Carns meets with her fellow club members in music teacher Wes Hambright’s classroom.

During their meetings, members practice playing their

music or collectively brainstorm lyrics to a song.

“The club is always so much fun,” said senior Lilli Miscione, who is a member of the Songwriting Club. “I look forward to it every week. I really enjoy discussing anything music related, especially when it’s dissecting the writing of songs I love.”

The club is currently working on producing a song for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Concert. Carns is writing the song lyrics herself while the rest of the club works on the beats and melody for the pre-chorus. Joining the club helped Carns understand different aspects of songs.

During previous meetings, club members have been

TANIA LOPEZ | THE PEARL POST Sophomore Desirae Carns reviews song lyrics for her untitled original song during Songwriting Club on Jan. 22. The club will perform the song along with some original beats and melodies for the upcoming Spring Concert.

focused on exploring ideas for the song.

“I want to continue to write songs for the concerts

that we do,” Carns said. “It gets

everyone involved and lets people share their thoughts.”

Features | Jenny Marquez 7

Poets, poems, peformances Pearl Poetry prepares to perform for this past concert.

By Benjamin Recinos

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hen freshman Sabrina Salek-Hovatter discovered a newfound love for poetry at Poetry Club, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and recite her poem at the World Music Day concert last year, along with other students.

“I’d never done anything like that befre and so it was exciting to try something new and challenge myself in ways I hadn’t thought to do before,” Salek-Hovatter said. “I was really nervous.”

As a part of a collaboration between the music

department and Poetry Club, the school’s concerts will now feature and highlight students’ original poems alongside musical performances. It began with World Music Day, and as the Valentine’s Day Concert approaches, the students in Poetry Club are gearing up for another round of reciting their heartfelt poems to the audience.

“I always wanted my poetry club to have a platform to perform in a public space,” senior Gracie Huaman said.

“It worked out well that Mr. Hambright had accommodat-

VALERIE SANCHEZ | THE PEARL POST Freshman Amelie Graves recites her poem “Architecture” for the Valentine’s Day concert on Feb. 13. In collaboration with the music department, a few members of the Pearl Poetry Club performed their poems at the concert.

ing spots for my club and we just took the opportunity.”

ter said. “Everyone gathered backstage. It felt nice to be a part of something that you really enjoy with others.”

As club president, Huaman has said she is excited to bring her and her fellow club Having poetry mixed members’ works together to with musical performances the next level. However, perallows for a wider range of forming for artforms to an event such be featured as a concert in the conIt felt nice to be a part of takes a lot of cert as well. something that you really preparation The colenjoy with others. and practice. laboration -Freshman Sabrina Salek-Hovatter between “We Poetry Club practice and the music department everything from the speed of our words, how strong or how further allows students to soft (they are), and sometimes show off the hard work they have put into writing their even the movements on poetry. stage,” Huaman said.

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VANESSA MORALES | THE PEARL POST Sophomore Daryna Hriaznova practices reciting her poem, Untitled (yet!), for the Valentine’s Day concert on Feb. 12. Members of Pearl Poetry wrote original poems for the concert as part of a collaboration with the music department.

For members participating, it allows them to find a sense of community, express their passions and share their outlet of creativity.

“I love the sense of community abroad,”Salek- Hovat-

“For students, it’s a positive experience because they get to perform their poetry that they worked hard on in front of an audience,” music teacher Wes Hambright said.

8 The Pearl Post | February 2025

KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST Librarian Alain Cruz sells Valentine’s Day grams to junior Julia Garcia and freshman Jake Galdamez on Feb. 11. Valentine’s Day grams were sold in the library during nutrition and lunch throughout the weeks leading to Feb. 14 as a way to fundraise for each grade level’s school events. Grams were available for $2 or $5 each.

ASB faces fundraising hurdles due to strict food regulations

By Linus Bossardt, @linearlinius

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enior Axel Aleman and fellow classmates in the leadership class are struggling to raise money for the senior class and school in light of restrictions to fundraising. This Valentine’s Day, grams were sold without any candy inside.

“It’s kind of disappointing because we can’t make money for our class and that means less stuff for everyone,” Aleman said.

Every year, the Associated Student Body fundraises through candy grams, typically $1-5 bags consisting of

money raised from events and assorted candies and miscelfundraisers, class councils will laneous items during school have less funds to spend on events. ASB and leadership prom and grad night. Due to also sell concessions during councils having less to spend, after-school events. Current students food and will need fundraising regu- We need a little bit more of the students’ to pay lations choice because what we do is we raise more out of pocket have for the students. “ made it -Senior class council vice president Behishta to these Safi events. increasAlain ingly Cruz, the librarian and ASB difficult to find a way to make advisor, has only known these money by selling food items. restrictions.

These restrictions make sell“Through the ASB pering popular foods like chips spective, we can’t fundraise impossible. Without the

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during the school hours, and with items that are not on the (district) approved snacks and beverages list, you can’t fundraise with those items,” Cruz said. “For example, we’ve tried to include candy in Halloween grams in the past, and because they weren’t on an approved list, they didn’t get approved through the district, so we couldn’t do it. ” After-school fundraising has looser restrictions, allowing ASB as well as the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), to sell concessions at events like World Music Day

Special Reports | Alexa Garay 9 and other events the school holds. School financial advisor Farzad “Fred” Radparvar runs the school student store and manages the money earned for each grade’s respective class councils, including ASB. According to Radparvar, fundraising sales have dramatically declined from around $6,000 for ASB last year to only $3,000 this year so far. Normally, the PTSA would produce approximately $3,000, but as of this year, only $300 has come from the PTSA due to last-minute cancellations of dances and other events.

“On a scale of 1-10, I think we’re a 7 in fundraising,” Radparvar said.

The guidelines for which kinds of foods can be sold are strict, including nutrition specifications and general rules like a ban against preparing any food or beverage item on campus.

“They’re very specific,” Cruz said. “If we were talking about chips, for example, it’d have to be baked, not like the regular, or a specific reduced sugar cookie or something.

And then they’re very specific with the product number.”

Ivy Marx, the senior nutrition specialist of the food services division at LAUSD, says that the difficulty of fundraising with food comes from the guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture’s “The Smart Snacks in School program.”

The guidelines set by this program include a list of specific foods available for schools.

Working within these regulations, the California Department Education elaborates on how California schools abide by these rules.

“They (fundraising restrictions) are from LAUSD, the state government as well as the federal level,” Marx said.

“For candies, for example, none of those meet the Smart Snacks approvals.”

These regulations have been in place ever since 2015, created to encourage better eating habits in light of the obesity epidemic, proved by the National Institutes of Health, but also to ensure federal money is raised for schools.

“The school meals are federally funded with reimbursements from the USDA,”

KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST Senior Isaac Herrera writes on message cards he purchased as part of the Valentine’s Day grams sold in the library on Feb. 11. Grams were sold for $2 and $5.

said Marx. “If they didn’t have these restrictions on fundraising and the student store, kids would not be participating in the federal meal system. This limits competitive food sales.”

Despite these restrictions, ASB is continues to fundraise during and outside of school hours. The recent success of the annual World’s Finest Chocolate fundraiser, earning a total of $1,150 including costs, shows that money is still being earned by the class councils, but grams and other fundraisers may not be as successful. This Valentine’s Day, ASB sold candy grams without any candy or food items. Any sweet treats typical of the holiday were instead replaced

with other items. These grams included stuffed animals, slap bracelets and other miscellaneous trinkets for the price of $5 for a big gram and $2 for a small gram. The grams have made minimal profit, according to Cruz, selling an estimate of $50 less in comparison to previous fundraisers. Senior Class Council Vice President Behishta Safi attributes this not only to the fundraising restrictions, but also to a lack of student participation in these events.

“We need a little bit more of the students’ choice because what we do is we raise for the students,” Safi said.

ALEXA GARAY | THE PEARL POST Due to recent regulations on the selling and consumption of certain foods during school hours, it has become difficult for students to earn profits through fundraising for their own class. As of now ASB has resorted to other alternatives.

10 The Pearl Post | February 2025

Editorial

The Department of Education is vital to students and must be protected

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tudents like us should not have to beg for our wellbeing to be considered over budget cuts and political agendas. However, students are forced to simply watch as our educational opportunities and financial resources are stripped from them by the Trump Administration. Only a month into Trump’s second term, his policies are decimating student aid, educational assistance and social programs for underserved communities.

In previous weeks, President Donald Trump has mentioned plans to cut funding from the United States Department of Education. He prepared an executive order urging Congress to abolish the Department of Education by stating that the institution has been overrun by radicals, zealots and Marxists. In an executive order, he claimed that the funds that go into the Department of Education are a big waste of taxpayer money.

The Trump administration’s threats to take down the US Department of Education is not for the greater good of students. They aim to, if not take down the department, change its policies completely. As if created to intentionally hurt students, new policies have limited access to educational opportunities while prioritizing teachings on superficial values like “patriotic admiration.”

President Trump has ordered Special Govern-

KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST Students rely on the Department of Education for aid. Removing it would hurt students and limit educational opportunities.

ment Employee Elon Musk to manage the cuts that fund resources that the Department of Education utilizes.

Trump’s main goal in cutting funding is to lower the federal budget and spend the money on what the Trump administration deems necessary.

According to the cuts made

by Musk, including a $900 million cut from the Institute of Education Sciences, ensuring the progress of America’s students is not important to Trump’s agenda.

It is disheartening for students to see how the federal government does not support our needs. Students from Title I schools, such as Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, rely on federal funding to bridge

educational achievement gaps. Title I funds are used to enhance academic programs, boost mental health resources, hire instructional support and provide devices that improve learning. The Education Department is responsible for managing federal student aid loans and grants, yet Trump has announced his plans to dismantle the department without hesitation.

Despite the White House claiming that Donald Trump plans to expand educational opportunities, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights threatened to penalize schools offering race-based programs through a letter sent on Feb. 14. This includes schools using race in admis-

sions, financial aid, hiring, scholarships and housing.

These programs, initially created to help underrepresented and underserved communities, now risk losing federal funding for schools.

If the Trump administration’s aim is to create a level and just system for students, then they have failed. In their acts to save funds, they sacrificed resources that students need to bridge gaps created by poverty and racial discrimination. The Department of Education is crucial to bridging systemic gaps in education and aiding students in creating a better future for themselves. It should be recognized, not torn down.

Opinion | Sophie Ortega 11

EMELY CORTEZ | THE PEARL POST Leadership students Jenny Marquez, Eden Ivgy and Serena Elkins deliver Valentine’s Day grams with toys and trinkets on Feb. 14 to fundraise for school events for each class during period 4. Valentine’s Day grams were sold in the library at lunch during the weeks leading to Feb. 14 as a way to fundraise for school and class events.

Leadership battle restrictions placed on Valentine’s Day grams

By Jenny Marquez ,@jennymarquezzz

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s a leadership student who regularly helps plan events, activities and fundraisers for the school, the restrictions the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has placed on schools district wide has negatively impacted the outcome of these plans heavily.

When I was helping plan out this school year’s fundraisers, our leadership class collectively agreed that grams would be a smart, fun way to help fundraise for our classes and the school. However, once we were hit with the news that we couldn’t put any sort of candy or snacks such Kit Kats, Skittles and M&M’s

unless LAUSD determined that it was nutritious or safe such as snacks from specific brands like Kellog’s, PopChips and Del Monte.

It made it much more difficult to come up with a gram that would keep potential students buying since candy wasn’t available. Although we came up with the alternative of getting several trinkets to help make our grams more appealing, it was still upsetting having to accommodate in order to align with LAUSD’s expectations The district has set constant restrictions to help improve schools districtwide.

From banning cellphones on

campuses to strict nutrition standards, LAUSD school communities have been affected by these limitations placed by the district. With the purpose of promoting a healthy, safe and social environment, these various restrictions imposed

by LAUSD do the complete opposite.

Although I understand that LAUSD is trying to promote a positive districtwide, these limitations are not the solution. Having to work around these restrictions has caused issues such as fundraisers not having a positive turnout, events being canceled or pushed back most of the time and activities

not being as enjoyable.

Leadership strives to make our school a more positive environment, but it’s almost impossible to do so with these limitations in place.

Due to all of the restrictions set, It’s beyond exhausting to have to constantly come up with alternatives for activities, fundraisers and events for the school community to enjoy. I wish that we as a leadership class didn’t have to tiptoe around all these restrictions just to plan out a decent activity for our school to enjoy. LAUSD must be more lenient with their restrictions in order for school communities to truly thrive.

12 The Pearl Post | February 2025

Student boxer finishes second in nationals, reflects on loss

By Alex Salcedo, @alexx.sal14 ith the encouragement of his father and uncle, sophomore Hovhannes Barseghyan started boxing in his home country of Armenia when he was just 8 years old. Now at 15 in America, Barseghyan trained hard to reach nationals where he placed second in the Silver Gloves Tournament.

“When I look at my uncle and dad, I get inspired to push harder and get into higher levels of boxing,” Barseghyan said.

Driven by that inspiration, Barseghyan pushed to earn second place in the nationals of the Silver Gloves tournament on Feb. 2, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Nearly a month prior on Jan. 11, Barseghyan earned the regional title in the Silver Gloves in Compton, California.

Barseghyan won the intensely close regional match by a point, three to two.

“I was happy because my family came to cheer me on,” Barseghyan said. “I had to win for them.”

After he moved to America at the age of 8 to 10 years old, Barseghyan’s journey continued at Flash Enterprises Boxing Academy. Boxing club owner Jorge “Kid Flash” Diaz coaches Barseghyan to train overtime and intensified his conditioning to prepare for the Silver Gloves. Six days

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out of the week, Barseghyan spends more than three hours training, which consists of running with a weighted vest, sparring with experienced heavyweight boxers, bag work and more. Following his regimen, Barseghyan also stuck to a diet to maintain weight at 176 pounds (80kg).

“I was very excited that I could have experienced (the) national tournament,” Barseghyan said. “Going into the fight, I was getting ready, mentally, to beat him.”

This year, the Silver Gloves tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri, held ALEX SALCEDO | THE PEARL POST Sohpomore Hovhannes Barseghyan works on the bag at his gym on Feb. 14.

by Silver Gloves of America Barseghyan, a light-heavyweight boxer, trains at his gym, Flash Enterprises Boxing (SGA). The tournament is Academy, six days out of the week for three hours. open for boxers from 8 to match on Jan. 30. This moved national level.

16-year-old. Leading to him to the semi-finals the “He’s progressed because nationals, light-heavyweight next day, where Barseghyan he’s been putting in the work Barseghyan competed in a won by knockout in the and he series of first round. His streak lasted doesn’t matches in until the final match for the care the Silver When I look at my uncle and dad, who’s national title on Feb. 2, where Gloves, I get inspired to push harder and he lost by decision, placing in front first winget into higher levels of boxing.” him second place in the Silver of him, ” ning the -Sophomore Hovhannes Barseghyan Gloves Tournament of 2025. coach district “He has a lot to learn, Diaz title at the he’s not the final product yet,” said.

Compton coach Diaz said. “At the end of “His determination, it speaks Sheriff Activity League on the day, it’s up to him, he’s on volumes. ” Nov. 9, 2024. the driver’s side. ” At Kansas, he worked Returning back to the Barseghyan took this as with the former head coach same gym in Compton, he a building block to learning of the U.S. Olympic boxing fought for the state title on more as a boxer and further team, Joe Zanders, who has Dec. 7 and would later win improve.

Along with this he led five boxers to national the regional Silver Gloves title took a big step toward his titles.

Barseghyan continued on Jan. 11 there as well. This professional boxing career. his success, winning his first officially pushed him to the

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Sports | Aidan Lia

VANESSA MORALES | THE PEARL POST Sophomore Andrea Arosemena sprints during basketball practice at Birmingham Community Charter High School on Jan. 30. After warming up, athletes ran back and forth across the gym as punishment for an altercation with another team.

Athletes of the Month

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ALEX SALCEDO | THE PEARL POST Junior Marianna Alvarez kick a long pass to her teammate during the last game of the season on Feb. 7. The game ended with a score of 2 to 1 with the Birmingham Community Charter High School junior varsity girls soccer team defeating Cleveland High School’s team to end the season off with a hard fought victory.

Athletes reflect on season

By Andrew Pulido, @andyesarte

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By Alex Salcedo, @alexx.sal14

ndrea Arosemena loves to play basketball as it is a tranquil space for her and allows her to express herself freely. Arosemena plays center on the Birmingham Community Charter High School team.

motivates me.

Q: What motivates you to continue playing basketball?

Q: What made you join Basketball?

A: I want a scholarship to go to college. Being able to have a scholarship to pay for my education and being able to travel. Because the sport allows me to travel, that’s what

A: I started playing when I was nine years old. Since then I really enjoyed it, so I just kept going.

Q: What challenges are there with your sport?

A: Sometimes not having confidence and team chemistry can be kind of difficult.

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arianna Alvarez takes up soccer as a hobby, but is excited for what the future of her sport could bring. Alvarez plays on the Birmingham Community charter High School junior varsity soccer team as a 95 midfield centerback.

Q: How was this season different from the last?

A: This year I think we have been doing better, having a better relationship with each other. We now have another coach for JV and I think it’s a

good thing.

Q: What goals in soccer do you have in the future?

A: Right now I am looking at soccer as a hobby, so just to enjoy it and have fun with soccer, but to also play as well as I can.

Q: What do you plan to divert your focus to?

A: I plan to take advantage of college classes or take more time for (school) activities.

14 The Pearl Post | February 2025

PROVIDED BY GOODFON The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien in the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2. The Academy Awards are an annual event where many people in the film industry are highlighted and awarded for their work and accomplishments. Local ABC TV channels will be airing the show starting at 4 p.m.

Predicting the 2025 Oscars

By Daryna Hriaznova and Valerie Sanchez, @my_jeonginnie

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his year’s Academy Awards ceremony will recognize actors, actresses and costume designers who worked hard to get here. The 97th Academy Awards Ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre and hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien on March 2. Here, we predict who is likely to be announced as the winners on this year’s awards night

Best Picture

“Dune: Part Two,” Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Tanya Lapointe And Denis Villeneuve, Producers “Dune: Part Two” continues the story of Paul Atreides (played by Timothee Chalamet) on the planet Arrakis, which has become the battlefield between two nations, Atreides and Harkonnen. The plot tells about the land desired to be controlled by both nations which

becomes the land for the battle. It makes this movie very relevant to today’s political and societal situation. The film was much anticipated, creating even more anticipation for viewers expecting the third part.

Costume Design

“Wicked,” Palutazewell With his magnificent work for the costumes in “Wicked,” Paul Tazewell preserved most of the color palettes and designs from the original Broadway show but added a little twist of his own.

From the variety of patterns and textures down to the beads, Tazewell exceeded expectations when it came to the costumes. The way the colors perfectly matched each character’s persona, such as Gilinda’s pink wardrobe bringing out her sparkly personality to Elphaba’s dark attire, giving her more of a mysterious look, is astounding.

Actress In A Leading Role

Actor In A Leading Role

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Animated Feature Film

Demi Moore, “The Substance” As an experienced actress who has been in the industry for years, Demi Moore is now nominated for the most prestigious award yet, Actress In a Leading Role, for her portrayal of Elizabeth Sparkle in “The Substance.” Sparkle, who is a former Hollywood star struggling with her self-image and aging, takes a mysterious substance that creates a younger version of herself. It is by far, one of Moore’s most powerful performances.

Moore’s vivacious emotions throughout the film make her the winning contestant to receive the Academy Award

Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist” Academy Award winner Adrien Brody is back and has been nominated for a second time for his role as László Tóth in “The Brutalist.” Tóth is an architect who survives the Holocaust and comes to the United States for a better life. The movie then follows his struggles of navigating through life living in a new country. In the movie, Brody is able to extraordinarily express his pure emotions, which leaves viewers in tears.

“Flow,” Nominees To Be Determined “Flow” has already won the Golden Globe Award for Animated Feature Film. It tells the story of a cat who survives a flood and needs to team up with other animals to get to the dry land on their small boat.

Entertaintment | Valerie Sanchez 15

Aritst of the Month

Doechii’s new fierce era:from chart return to grammy win

By Tania Lopez, @tl.hhs apper and songwriter Doechii rises to fame as the newest household name in hip-hop after winning the 2025 Grammy for best rap album with her album “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” being the third woman in history to do so on Feb. 2.

Doechii, born as Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmom in Tampa, Florida and started her musical career by writing poetry in high school. She began to upload her own music onto Soundcloud with the release of “Cody Out the Roof with the Chop.” Doechii first gained fame with her song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” on TikTok back in 2020. She was fired from her retail job and released her debut EP “Oh The Places You’ll Go” that same year.

Her rapid success over the past nine months has come in conjunction with a new sound for the rapper. Her single “What It Is (Block Boy)” featuring Kodak Black was her

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first song to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2023.

“I put my heart and soul into this mixtape,” Doechii said during her Grammy acceptance speech. “I’ve bared my life. I went through so much.

I dedicated myself to sobriety and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get.”

“DENIAL IS A RIVER” is a track on her album “Alligator Bites Never Heal” that is currently peaking at 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 as of Feb. 15. “NISSAN ALTIMA,” another track on the same album, was also nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2025 Grammys. This song is at 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 as of Feb. 15. Her most recent song is a single called “Nosebleeds,” which was released on Feb. 3.

“Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, that tell you you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or

PROVIDED BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Rapper and songwriter Doechii, real name Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon performs at the Los Angeles Grammy Museum on Dec. 18. Two months later, Doechii would go on to win her own Grammy, making her the third woman in history to do so.

Photo Essay: Crazy with love, hate Behind the photos

To commemorate the season of love, students at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School hosted “Love/Hate/ Love,” a concert about the loving and loathing of romance. The concert was held on Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the MPR. Students from Pearl Poetry performed original poems written for the concert.

VANESSA MORALES AND VALERIE SANCHEZ | THE PEARL POST Junior Mose Judge-Glascock plays “If Only” by The Marías on the trumpet during the Love/Hate/Love concert on Feb. 13. Senior Maksymilian Arbatskiy performs “Shape of My Heart” by Sting. Senior Genesis Cuellar-Figueroa performs “Valentine” by Laufey. Sophomore Nadia Buer performs the song “Let the Light In” by Lana Del Rey.

Volume 16, Issue 3 • February 2025 • Daniel Pearl Magnet High School • Lake Balboa, CA