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
PHOTO ESSAY - Students walk out in protest of antiimmigration policies set by Trump Administration
FEATURES - Club Corner: Songwriting / How Pearl Poets prepared for Valentine’s Day concert
SPECIAL REPORT - District increases restrictions, regulations regarding school fundraisers
SPORTS - Student boxing journey / Athletes of the Month
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
Students talk, phones silent
By Tania Lopez and Daryna Hriaznova
Junior Guadalupe Martinez used her phone to communicate with friends, family about personal matters, like knowing who would pick her up. Now, she no longer can.
“Sometimes I need to communicate with my parents to see whether they’re picking me up or not,” Martinez said. “I feel like it’s draining not having my cellphone.”
Martinez cannot use her phone due to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s phone ban, which was voted on last summer and implemented on Feb. 18. The ban is ahead of Assembly Bill 3216, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 23, 2024, which re -
quires all schools in California to ban cellphones by 2026 to combat phone addiction.
“I don’t feel like everyone’s just going to magically become better students just because they can’t watch TikTok in class,” sophomore Ethan Sokol said. “I wasn’t the best student beforehand and I’m still not the best student.”
At Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, students are required to place all electronic devices into Yondr pouches. The pouches were provided by the district. Designated unlocking stations were placed around the school.
Students must lock their phones the moment they enter the school building or
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.
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.
KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST
Immigration activists put the
Following 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.
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.
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
Sophomore 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
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.”
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.
Features | Jenny Marquez
Poets, poems, peformances
Pearl Poetry prepares to perform for this past concert.
By Benjamin Recinos
When 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-
ing spots for my club and we just took the opportunity.”
As club president, Huaman has said she is excited to bring her and her fellow club members’ works together to the next level. However, performing for an event such as a concert takes a lot of preparation and practice.
ter said. “Everyone gathered backstage. It felt nice to be a part of something that you really enjoy with others.”
“It felt nice to be a part of something that you really enjoy with others.
-Freshman Sabrina Salek-Hovatter
“We practice everything from the speed of our words, how strong or how soft (they are), and sometimes even the movements on stage,” Huaman said.
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-
Having poetry mixed with musical performances allows for a wider range of artforms to be featured in the concert as well. The collaboration between Poetry Club and the music department further allows students to show off the hard work they have put into writing their poetry.
“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.
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.
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.
ASB faces fundraising hurdles due to strict food regulations
By Linus Bossardt, @linearlinius
Senior 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
assorted candies and miscellaneous items during school events. ASB and leadership also sell concessions during after-school events. Current food and fundraising regulations have made it increasingly
“We need a little bit more of the students’ choice because what we do is we raise for the students. “
-Senior class council vice president Behishta Safi
difficult to find a way to make money by selling food items. These restrictions make selling popular foods like chips impossible. Without the
money raised from events and fundraisers, class councils will have less funds to spend on prom and grad night. Due to councils having less to spend, students will need to pay more out of pocket to these events. Alain
Cruz, the librarian and ASB advisor, has only known these restrictions.
“Through the ASB perspective, we can’t fundraise
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
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.
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,”
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.
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.
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.
ALEXA GARAY | THE PEARL POST
Editorial
The Department of Education is vital to students and must be protected
Students 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-
Students rely on the Department of Education for
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.
KRISTIN INTAL | THE PEARL POST
aid. Removing it would hurt students and limit educational opportunities.
Leadership battle restrictions placed on Valentine’s Day grams
By Jenny Marquez ,@jennymarquezzz
As 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.
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.
Student boxer finishes second in nationals, reflects on loss
By Alex Salcedo, @alexx.sal14
With 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
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 by Silver Gloves of America (SGA). The tournament is open for boxers from 8 to 16-year-old. Leading to nationals, light-heavyweight Barseghyan competed in a series of matches in the Silver Gloves, first winning the district title at the Compton Sheriff Activity League on Nov. 9, 2024.
When
national level.
“
I look at my uncle and dad, I get inspired to push harder and get into higher levels of boxing.”
-Sophomore Hovhannes Barseghyan
“He’s progressed because he’s been putting in the work and he doesn’t care who’s in front of him,” coach Diaz said.
“His determination, it speaks volumes.”
match on Jan. 30. This moved him to the semi-finals the next day, where Barseghyan won by knockout in the first round. His streak lasted until the final match for the national title on Feb. 2, where he lost by decision, placing him second place in the Silver Gloves Tournament of 2025.
Returning back to the same gym in Compton, he fought for the state title on Dec. 7 and would later win the regional Silver Gloves title on Jan. 11 there as well. This officially pushed him to the
At Kansas, he worked with the former head coach of the U.S. Olympic boxing team, Joe Zanders, who has led five boxers to national titles. Barseghyan continued his success, winning his first
“He has a lot to learn, he’s not the final product yet,” coach Diaz said. “At the end of the day, it’s up to him, he’s on the driver’s side.”
Barseghyan took this as a building block to learning more as a boxer and further improve. Along with this he took a big step toward his professional boxing career.
ALEX SALCEDO | THE PEARL POST
Sohpomore Hovhannes Barseghyan works on the bag at his gym on Feb. 14. Barseghyan, a light-heavyweight boxer, trains at his gym, Flash Enterprises Boxing Academy, six days out of the week for three hours.
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 of the Month Athletes reflect on season
By Andrew Pulido, @andyesarte
Andrea 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.
Q: What motivates you to continue playing 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
motivates me.
Q: What challenges are there with your sport?
A: Sometimes not having confidence and team chemistry can be kind of difficult.
Q: What made you join Basketball?
A: I started playing when I was nine years old. Since then I really enjoyed it, so I just kept going.
By Alex Salcedo, @alexx.sal14
Marianna 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.
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.
Predicting the 2025 Oscars
By Daryna Hriaznova and Valerie Sanchez, @my_jeonginnie
This 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
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
Actor In A Leading Role
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.
Animated Feature Film
“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.
PROVIDED
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.
Aritst of the Month
Doechii’s new fierce era:from chart return to grammy win
By Tania Lopez, @tl.hhs
Rapper 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
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.
