Progress is being made toward more Asian representation in the media
VOL. XLII ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 8, 2021
FOCUS PAGE 6-7
ATTACK ON AUTONOMY Texas enacts new abortion law that sparks concern
KUKKIWON’S KILLER KICKS Acclaimed Taekwondo team performs at Peninsula
RESISTING THE BAIT Celebrities’ use of queerbaiting for publicity prompts discussion
OPINION PAGE 2
STUDENT LIFE PAGE 8
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 11
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HANDS OFF MY BODY
Students discuss Texas’s new abortion ban and its effects on minorities On Sept. 1, the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect and banned any abortion occuring after the first detection of fetal cardiac acitivity, which is typically at about six weeks of pregnancy. Most people do not realize they are pregnant until after the six week mark, and the act also makes no exception for instances of rape or incest, although abortion can be performed in the case of a “medical emergency” (Cable News Network). The law, also known as Senate Bill 8 (S.B. 8), was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 17 and is unique from similar legislation in other states due to its dependence on civilian enforcement. Under the law, private citizens can sue anybody who assists a pregnant person in having an abortion, whether it be the clinic they are visiting or someone who drove them there. People who successfully win their civil suits can be awarded over $10,000 (National Public Radio). This ban makes reproductive health care extremely inaccessible and could lead to some abortion providers closing their doors forever. On the same day that S.B. 8 took effect, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of allowing it to pass in a highly unpopular decision. A national poll from Monmouth University showed that 54 percent of Americans disagreed with the ruling while only 39 percent agreed (New York Times). Due to the way S.B. 8 regulates bodily autonomy and disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), low-income and marginalized individuals, it is an appalling violation on the reproductive freedom of women. “With the restriction being that you cannot get [an abortion] in Texas, you have to basically
travel secretly to get one,” junior Alison King said. “It is more difficult for [people in low-income households] to do that because they do not have the necessary resources; if you are rich and you really need an abortion, you can [find a way].” Due to this bill, abortion providers in immigrant communities have no choice except to either turn down pregnant individuals or refer them to clinics hundreds of miles away in neighboring states. According to a 2016 study by the Guttmacher Institute, 49 percent of all women in the U.S. who have had abortions in 2014 lived below the poverty line, and as there are currently no federal requirements for paid sick leave, traveling long distances is not a realistic option for most people (Texas Tribune). The issue is exacerbated when considering the perspective of pregnant teenagers, especially for those who do not have American citizenship and risk being stopped by U.S. Border Patrol. As for the impact on BIPOC populations, a report published in November 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that Black patients account for a third of recorded abortions, though only 12 percent of the U.S.’s population is Black. Additionally, an estimated 80 percent of pregnant individuals have been turned away from clinics since S.B. 8 took effect, and if this continues it will further perpetuate economic inequity in BIPOC communities and the high rates of maternal mortality (Wall Street Journal). The people affected most by abortion restrictions are those who already have to fight for equal access to health care and who will end up facing economic struggles if forced to carry out a pregnancy that they did not want. “I think that the Constitution clearly states a person’s right to self-determination,” Spanish 2 and AVID 10 teacher Mariana Donahoe said. “Therefore, any law infringing upon [someone’s bodily autonomy and choice] is unconstitutional.” Many Americans share Donahoe’s sentiment, but there is also a large faction on the opposing side. The next few months will prove to be critical for reproductive rights as people observe how S.B.
8 influences future laws. On May 15, in the same week that Gov. Greg Abbott signed S.B. 8, the Supreme Court decided that it would evaluate the legality of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act, which was passed in 2018 and bans abortions after 15 weeks. Mississippi state lawyers have since urged the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark case in 1970 that ruled several Texas laws banning abortion to be invasive of women’s personal privacy (National Broadcasting Company News). The 6-3 conservative-majority bench has proven through their decision regarding S.B. 8 that they are not opposed to increasingly strict restrictions on abortion. “Trump appointed three justices with the express intent of striking down Roe v. Wade,” sophomore Prady Raja said. “It will be really crucial to see what will occur [next]. Going forward, I think that we just have to wait and see what the Supreme Court decides; if they do strike down Roe v. Wade, that will be devastating.” Intersectionality is critical to discourse surrounding abortion, yet S.B. 8 completely disregards that nuance. BIPOC, low-income and otherwise marginalized people are already vulnerable in a health care system that is rife with various inequities. Until reproductive health legislation stops actively endangering pregnant individuals and restricting their bodily rights, it will only draw the U.S. further away from its promise of a free nation under the Constitution.
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ADDRESSING ISSUES REGARDING RACIAL INEQUITY IN THE MEDIA 2020 due to ample media coverage about violence against Black people at the hands of the police. This influx in When travel blogger Gabby Petito was reported missing on online discussion led to protests, petitions and demands for Sept. 11, social media platforms, primarily TikTok and Twitter, legislative action to be taken. Since that summer, however, were flooded with posts regarding her disappearance. Petito the BLM movement has become less prominent on media was traveling with her fiancé Brian Laundrie in a crossplatforms. In order for the social media algorithm to magnify country van trip when she disappeared around Grand Teton certain topics, users must interact with related posts through National Park in Wyoming. Only six days later, on Sept. 17, likes, comments and shares; as less people are interacting Laundrie went missing, though the general consensus was with content regarding BLM, there is less widespread he was hiding, given he was named a person of interest two discourse about the still-pressing issue of police brutality. days prior. A body found in the Bridger-Teton National Park Just last week, on Sept. 26, there was an incident regarding on Sept. 19 was speculated to be Petito; this was confirmed officers within the Missouri police department allowing a with the coroner’s report on Sept. 21, the autopsy revealing police dog to repeatedly bite a Black man before arresting her cause of death to be homicide (American Broadcasting him (National Broadcasting Company). Though there is a Company News). This tragic story was amplified throughout video of the incident, there was hardly any sign of it in the the media, with countless news articles, posts and videos media; instead, feeds were flooded with a police bodycam sharing Petito’s story. video of Petito following an argument with Laundrie. As However, there was radio silence about another missing important as this video was as evidence in Petito’s case, persons case happening concurrently. Jelani Day, a graduate there were an excessive number of posts relating the same student at Illinois State University, went missing on Aug. footage, leaving less space for stories like Day’s and the 24, and his body was finally recovered on Sept. 25 after incident in Missouri to be heard. There is room in the media his mother spoke out criticizing the lack of urgency in the for multiple topics to be discussed at once, and users must search for her son compared to Petito. Day’s mother, Carmen be conscious of the impact their interactions with posts have Bolden Day, called out the clear racial discrepancy between on the circulation of information. It is important for white the treatment of missing white people and people of color social media users to actively try to boost POC stories, as a (POC), expressing how frustrating it is that “this young white like, comment or share can go a long way in expanding the girl is getting that attention and my young Black son is not” information’s reach. (Newsy). Petito’s case makes it explicitly clear how much Though Petito’s case is not less important than any the media fails to cover missing persons cases that involve a other, it is not fair to highlight one story while neglecting POC such as Day, or simply stories regarding POC in general. to give the others the appropriate amount of attention. Only when Bolden Day spoke out did media outlets and social There is clear power in media coverage, particularly with media activists begin to cover his story, which expedited the the increasing presence of digital media in everyone’s lives, discovery of his body. and it is important to acknowledge all missing persons, not We have seen the power the media holds in spreading just those who are white. We must continue to amplify POC awareness for racial issues; take the Black Lives Matter voices, as they too often get lost in the midst of the ample (BLM) movement, which reached its height in the summer of coverage of white people’s stories.
LAUSD VACCINE MANDATE: INFRINGING ON RIGHTS OR NECESSARY? On Sept. 9, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) voted to mandate the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for all students 12 years and older, with the vaccination process required to start by Nov. 21 and be completed by Dec. 19 (Cable News Network). According to the New York Times, 3,000 students in LAUSD tested positive for COVID-19 with an additional 3,500 required to quarantine after being exposed to the virus at the start of the school year. As of Sept. 22, the Los Angeles Times reported that there were 1,158 active cases detected from LAUSD’s weekly testing of students and teachers. Based on this data, LAUSD found the vaccine mandate to be necessary because it prioritizes keeping students and teachers healthy. As the nation’s second largest school district, this new vaccine mandate is pivotal for the health and safety of the 600,000 students the district serves. For smaller school districts like Palos Verdes Unified Peninsula School District (PVPUSD), the vaccine mandate should also be considered amongst school administrators in the hopes of providing students with a sense of normalcy. By getting vaccinated, students are fulfilling their civic responsibility and helping the world get past the pandemic. “I have family members that are at risk [for COVID-19],” sophomore Chloe Sohngen said. “It is kind of scary being at school with some people that are not vaccinated. I am hoping that PVPUSD will also mandate vaccines.” Furthermore, parents opposed to vaccinations are not required to send their children to in-person school. PVPUSD offers an independent study program (I.S.) that only requires those in grades nine through twelve to meet with the classroom teacher once a week for 60 minutes per session. This option allows students to stay unvaccinated if they do not want to comply with the mandate. While it is clear that
the vaccine mandate is imperative to the health and safety of students, some still feel that it may not be the best decision moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. “[The vaccine mandate] is a wise step, [but] I do not know if it is a necessary step,” Spanish 2 and French 2 teacher Jazz Thompson said. “It should be up to the freedom of the parents because some parents do not vaccinate their children at all.” Parents who are not in favor of vaccinating their children may disagree with LAUSD, but the belief that it should be up to the freedom of the parents is outdated and wrong. According to the New York Times, unvaccinated people in Los Angeles (LA) County are at a high risk for COVID-19 due to high rates of virus transmission. With schools deciding to be in-person this year, they have to take into account the potential severity and danger of unvaccinated students. If they want to send their children to school in-person this year, parents should realize vaccinating their children is necessary as well. “You are choosing to send your kids [to school],” sophomore Kayla Law said. “If you really did not want them to be vaccinated, you could homeschool them. You have [other options].” This mandate takes into account the safety of those who are attending school in-person. Due to this, mandating vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial to the health and safety of students. This mandate is a sign of promise; it is clear that if all students start to get vaccinated, people can move forward from this time and save children from COVID-19. By complying with the rule, students are fulfilling their civic responsibility and helping the world move past the pandemic. The benefits of a districtwide vaccine are obvious, and if PVPUSD decides to follow in LAUSD’s footsteps, the world is one step closer to getting past this pandemic.
THE PEN PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 EDITORS IN CHIEF Keila Bara Caitlyn Lee HEADS OF DESIGN Shai Becker Sakura Sasaki HEAD OF BUSINESS Makayla Lui ADVISER Jaymee DeMeyer PUBLICITY PUBLICITY MANAGER: Victoria Rhodes WEBSITE MANAGER: Savanna Messner Rodriguez OPINION EDITOR: Clara Reckhorn WRITERS: Leigh Fitch Audrey Lin Sarah Porter NEWS EDITOR: Jeremy Kim WRITER: Aarushi Chaudhari Christian Downs Zahra Habib FOCUS EDITOR: Hannah Corr WRITERS: Jacelyn Chen Brian Park Neha Sambangi STUDENT LIFE EDITOR: Nomi Tsogmagnai WRITERS: Tessa Kang McKenna McCallister Juliette Lin Lauren Webster ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/SPORTS EDITOR: Jenna Long WRITERS: Nick Jones Josie Kwak Eleanor Olsen Kuru Romanov GRAPHICS Josephine Cho Hana Fujii Kiara Lee Jihee Seo Lynn Takahashi Brooke Vo ADS Riley Leong Kaye Hana Rivera Priya Thakar “The Pen” is the student newspaper produced by the advanced jounalism students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It is published eight times per year. Advertising inquiries may be directed to Head of Business Makayla Lui at (310)753-9550. Copyright © 2021 COVER DESIGN BY SAKURA SASAKI
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HURRICANE IDA HAMMERS EASTERN U.S. On Aug. 29, Hurricane Ida, identified as a Category 4 with 150 mph wind speeds, made landfall in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, causing flooding and power outages in that area. It then moved northeast, just missing New Orleans and hitting Grand Isle and Leeville, covering roads in water and sand. Though the hurricane missed New Orleans, it still caused the grid to go down, and over one million Louisianians were left without power (Consumer News and Business Channel). After passing through Louisiana, Hurricane Ida continued on its path, reaching states including New York and New Jersey on Sept. 1. On that day, Newark, New Jersey received 8.14 inches of rainfall, surpassing the previous record for most rainfall accumulated in one day that was previously set on Nov. 8, 1977 (New York Times). Junior Ema Kimoto, whose cousin in Manhattan, New York witnessed the destruction, found the footage eye-opening. “[When] I saw videos of [Hurricane Ida’s] damage, like trees falling onto houses, I was shocked and glad [that] I do not live in a hurricane area,” Kimoto said. “[However,] I was worried about my cousins who live in New York City.” As the hurricane moved further inland, it slowed enough to be demoted to a Category 3. Over the course of several days, the hurricane further weakened, then eventually dissipated on Sept 7. In total, the hurricane hit 22 states and Washington D.C., and traveled 1,500 miles across the east coast. This is considered an unusually long path of destruction; unlike most hurricanes, which rapidly slow and deteriorate after reaching land, Hurricane Ida maintained Category 4 wind speeds six hours after its initial landfall (Royal Meteorological Society). The damage caused by Hurricane Ida is currently estimated at around $95 billion. In addition to the material destruction, junior Meghan Ke was unsettled by the hurricane’s effect on people’s safety, as 82 lives were lost due to the hurricane (Consumer News and Business Channel).
“I think people often forget there were people dying of the flooding at the same time that those subways were flooding,” Ke said. “It affected not only the infrastructure, but also peoples’ lives.” Before moving to Palos Verdes, Paula Borstel, who teaches Chemistry 1 and Physiology and Anatomy, lived in Florida for 20 years, and thus has experienced many hurricanes. Borstel illustrates how climate change is a contributor to the heightened severity of recent hurricanes, and that Hurricane Ida is a warning that society must be more environmentally aware. “We are burning fossil fuels at a rate that is not conducive to [the world] having a safer future,” Borstel said. “The more fossil fuels we burn, the more carbon dioxide and methane we put into the air, the more we are going to see these major events [like Hurricane Ida].” While Californians do not face hurricanes as often as people on the East Coast, wildfires are a problem that are exacerbated by climate change; high heat from global warming, dry soil and an unnatural buildup of flammable material increase the destructive power of wildfires (New York Times). The number of days with an optimal environment for wildfires, with dry, warm and windy weather, has doubled in California since the 1980s. Another cause of climate change for Californians, especially those who live near the coast, is rising sea levels. As a result of greenhouse gases melting arctic ice and warmer water, sea levels are currently rising at a rate of 0.12-0.14 inches per year (United States Environmental Protection Agency). At this rate, as a result of rising sea levels, an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion of property could be flooded in California (Legislative Analyst’s Office). “Using electricity produces greenhouse gasses [and contributes to global warming, so] we need to move to renewable resources,” Borstel said. “[We should] put solar panels on houses and businesses and use that energy to create our own electricity instead of relying on [non-renewable energy].”
THE ICE CHALET’S ROYAL REBRANDING
On Sept. 7, the Promenade Ice Chalet (Ice Chalet) was reopened to the public after closing down on Sept. 16, 2020. The reopening can be credited to the Los Angeles (LA) Kings (Kings) and the American Sports Entertainment Company (ASEC), the largest owner and operator of ice skating and indoor sports facilities in the U.S. On Aug. 1, 2020, they signed a five-year lease agreement with the owners of Promenade on the Peninsula Shopping Center to both reopen the rink and rebrand it as the LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula. The closure of the Ice Chalet followed a mandate sent out by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 19, 2020, requiring all nonessential businesses in Los Angeles County to shut down in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Ice Chalet did not provide the items necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a business, therefore it was defined as nonessential. Despite the shutdown, the Ice Chalet was able to briefly open back up in June of that year, but reduced attendance and higher maintenance costs associated with the pandemic resulted in a financial strain on the company. The rink eventually had no choice but to close down for good. More than a year later, on Sept. 7, the newly named LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula reopened. Before opening day, the Kings upgraded the technology system and added both interior and exterior branding of the Kings. They also made repairs to the cold floor pipe and dasher board systems, leveled the ice rink subfloor, installed a new scoreboard, upgraded lighting and sound equipment, installed high-speed public internet access and provided new rental skates (National Hockey League). After hearing of the rink’s reopening, senior Sarah Schmainda was glad to find out that the Kings bought out the location at the Promenade on the Peninsula. Schmainda has been skating at the Ice Chalet since she was three years old and her older sister was previously a figure skating coach there before it shut down. Currently, both Schmainda sisters are working at the rink, and Schmainda hopes her efforts will help others develop the same passion for skating as she does. “I really hope that [the new renovations will draw more people to the rink]
because the Kings are well known and [have] a lot of fans,” Schmainda said. “The ice rink was kind of hidden before and now it is a little more noticeable, so hopefully [more people will come to check it out].” The renovation of the rink is one of many recent examples of the Kings and ASEC partnering to reopen many other rinks in Southern California. In February, Santa Clarita awarded a contract with the Kings and ASEC for the operation of the city-owned rink in Valencia, The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center. In 2019, Pickwick Ice in Burbank signed with ASEC and the Kings to renovate their facility as well (National Hockey League). Also according to the National Hockey League, the King’s president Luc Robitaille and his team hope these renovations will “inspire future generations of athletes to try out figure skating and hockey.” Boys Soccer head coach Patrick Daley has similar hopes to Robitaille. Daley believes this reopening will cause ice sports to become a more popular pastime in Palos Verdes. “Without [the Ice Chalet], there would not be the possibility for kids to ice skate unless they traveled far outside the community,” Daley said. “[Therefore], it will definitely benefit [the popularity of] ice skating and hockey [here]. [Not only that], but [LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula] also have adult hockey leagues, [so] if adults have never skated, they could learn how to, and if they do know how to skate, [they can] stay healthy on the ice.” The rink’s reopening may have benefits beyond helping people skate. World History Honors, Advanced Placement World History teacher and girls soccer head coach Scotte Massey infers that this rebranding will increase the overall popularity of the Promenade on the Peninsula along with the reopened rink. Massey appreciates that the Kings are using their wealth and influence to help improve the community. “Any time something gets renovated in a little area, the rest of the area wants to be able to reach the caliber of that renovated facility,” Massey said. “The renovation of the ice skating rink will encourage neighboring shops, stores or facilities to also want [an] upgrade. This is pretty important to the community because it brings more people into those [local] facilities, or in this case, the Promenade, [causing the Promenade to become more popular as a whole].”
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HURRICANE IDA HAMMERS EASTERN U.S. On Aug. 29, Hurricane Ida, identified as a Category 4 with 150 mph wind speeds, made landfall in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, causing flooding and power outages in that area. It then moved northeast, just missing New Orleans and hitting Grand Isle and Leeville, covering roads in water and sand. Though the hurricane missed New Orleans, it still caused the grid to go down, and over one million Louisianians were left without power (Consumer News and Business Channel). After passing through Louisiana, Hurricane Ida continued on its path, reaching states including New York and New Jersey on Sept. 1. On that day, Newark, New Jersey received 8.14 inches of rainfall, surpassing the previous record for most rainfall accumulated in one day that was previously set on Nov. 8, 1977 (New York Times). Junior Ema Kimoto, whose cousin in Manhattan, New York witnessed the destruction, found the footage eye-opening. “[When] I saw videos of [Hurricane Ida’s] damage, like trees falling onto houses, I was shocked and glad [that] I do not live in a hurricane area,” Kimoto said. “[However,] I was worried about my cousins who live in New York City.” As the hurricane moved further inland, it slowed enough to be demoted to a Category 3. Over the course of several days, the hurricane further weakened, then eventually dissipated on Sept 7. In total, the hurricane hit 22 states and Washington D.C., and traveled 1,500 miles across the east coast. This is considered an unusually long path of destruction; unlike most hurricanes, which rapidly slow and deteriorate after reaching land, Hurricane Ida maintained Category 4 wind speeds six hours after its initial landfall (Royal Meteorological Society). The damage caused by Hurricane Ida is currently estimated at around $95 billion. In addition to the material destruction, junior Meghan Ke was unsettled by the hurricane’s effect on people’s safety, as 82 lives were lost due to the hurricane (Consumer News and Business Channel).
“I think people often forget there were people dying of the flooding at the same time that those subways were flooding,” Ke said. “It affected not only the infrastructure, but also peoples’ lives.” Before moving to Palos Verdes, Paula Borstel, who teaches Chemistry 1 and Physiology and Anatomy, lived in Florida for 20 years, and thus has experienced many hurricanes. Borstel illustrates how climate change is a contributor to the heightened severity of recent hurricanes, and that Hurricane Ida is a warning that society must be more environmentally aware. “We are burning fossil fuels at a rate that is not conducive to [the world] having a safer future,” Borstel said. “The more fossil fuels we burn, the more carbon dioxide and methane we put into the air, the more we are going to see these major events [like Hurricane Ida].” While Californians do not face hurricanes as often as people on the East Coast, wildfires are a problem that are exacerbated by climate change; high heat from global warming, dry soil and an unnatural buildup of flammable material increase the destructive power of wildfires (New York Times). The number of days with an optimal environment for wildfires, with dry, warm and windy weather, has doubled in California since the 1980s. Another cause of climate change for Californians, especially those who live near the coast, is rising sea levels. As a result of greenhouse gases melting arctic ice and warmer water, sea levels are currently rising at a rate of 0.12-0.14 inches per year (United States Environmental Protection Agency). At this rate, as a result of rising sea levels, an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion of property could be flooded in California (Legislative Analyst’s Office). “Using electricity produces greenhouse gasses [and contributes to global warming, so] we need to move to renewable resources,” Borstel said. “[We should] put solar panels on houses and businesses and use that energy to create our own electricity instead of relying on [non-renewable energy].”
THE ICE CHALET’S ROYAL REBRANDING
On Sept. 7, the Promenade Ice Chalet (Ice Chalet) was reopened to the public after closing down on Sept. 16, 2020. The reopening can be credited to the Los Angeles (LA) Kings (Kings) and the American Sports Entertainment Company (ASEC), the largest owner and operator of ice skating and indoor sports facilities in the U.S. On Aug. 1, 2020, they signed a five-year lease agreement with the owners of Promenade on the Peninsula Shopping Center to both reopen the rink and rebrand it as the LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula. The closure of the Ice Chalet followed a mandate sent out by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 19, 2020, requiring all nonessential businesses in Los Angeles County to shut down in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Ice Chalet did not provide the items necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a business, therefore it was defined as nonessential. Despite the shutdown, the Ice Chalet was able to briefly open back up in June of that year, but reduced attendance and higher maintenance costs associated with the pandemic resulted in a financial strain on the company. The rink eventually had no choice but to close down for good. More than a year later, on Sept. 7, the newly named LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula reopened. Before opening day, the Kings upgraded the technology system and added both interior and exterior branding of the Kings. They also made repairs to the cold floor pipe and dasher board systems, leveled the ice rink subfloor, installed a new scoreboard, upgraded lighting and sound equipment, installed high-speed public internet access and provided new rental skates (National Hockey League). After hearing of the rink’s reopening, senior Sarah Schmainda was glad to find out that the Kings bought out the location at the Promenade on the Peninsula. Schmainda has been skating at the Ice Chalet since she was three years old and her older sister was previously a figure skating coach there before it shut down. Currently, both Schmainda sisters are working at the rink, and Schmainda hopes her efforts will help others develop the same passion for skating as she does. “I really hope that [the new renovations will draw more people to the rink]
because the Kings are well known and [have] a lot of fans,” Schmainda said. “The ice rink was kind of hidden before and now it is a little more noticeable, so hopefully [more people will come to check it out].” The renovation of the rink is one of many recent examples of the Kings and ASEC partnering to reopen many other rinks in Southern California. In February, Santa Clarita awarded a contract with the Kings and ASEC for the operation of the city-owned rink in Valencia, The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center. In 2019, Pickwick Ice in Burbank signed with ASEC and the Kings to renovate their facility as well (National Hockey League). Also according to the National Hockey League, the King’s president Luc Robitaille and his team hope these renovations will “inspire future generations of athletes to try out figure skating and hockey.” Boys Soccer head coach Patrick Daley has similar hopes to Robitaille. Daley believes this reopening will cause ice sports to become a more popular pastime in Palos Verdes. “Without [the Ice Chalet], there would not be the possibility for kids to ice skate unless they traveled far outside the community,” Daley said. “[Therefore], it will definitely benefit [the popularity of] ice skating and hockey [here]. [Not only that], but [LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula] also have adult hockey leagues, [so] if adults have never skated, they could learn how to, and if they do know how to skate, [they can] stay healthy on the ice.” The rink’s reopening may have benefits beyond helping people skate. World History Honors, Advanced Placement World History teacher and girls soccer head coach Scotte Massey infers that this rebranding will increase the overall popularity of the Promenade on the Peninsula along with the reopened rink. Massey appreciates that the Kings are using their wealth and influence to help improve the community. “Any time something gets renovated in a little area, the rest of the area wants to be able to reach the caliber of that renovated facility,” Massey said. “The renovation of the ice skating rink will encourage neighboring shops, stores or facilities to also want [an] upgrade. This is pretty important to the community because it brings more people into those [local] facilities, or in this case, the Promenade, [causing the Promenade to become more popular as a whole].”
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In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, moved to summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus, Asian American Sunisa (Suni) Lee won the all-around gold medal in gymnastics for the U.S. team. Suni Lee scored a 14.6 on the bars, 15.3 on the uneven bars, 13.833 on beam, and 13.7 on floor, which added to a total winning score of 57.433. The scores are determined by two parts, the D and E score. The D score starts from zero and goes up to six or seven depending on the difficulty of the routine. The E score is the execution score and starts at 10. Points are deducted by judges based on the gymnast’s execution of the planned routine. Lee’s win gave her the platform to represent Asian American gymnasts in the Olympics as well as bring more awareness to Asian American representation in the competetive sports world. Lee was the first Hmong American to win an allaround gold, which allowed her to publicly represent and educate others on her Hmong culture. The Hmong people are an ethnic group of Chinese descendants who originated as a clan in southern Asia. In 1800, the Hmong people were subject to political persecution and many migrated out of China and to neighboring countries like Thailand. Today, the Hmong people pride themselves
on their unique culture and due to Lee’s success, many Olympic viewers have decided to educate themselves on the Hmong people’s history and culture (MPR News). Sophomore Josh Wang, a fellow Hmong descendant, discusses how Lee’s win has impacted his family and how inspirational her achievements are. “Suni Lee has inspired me a lot [due to] her success at the Olympics,” Wang said. “My family would constantly bring her up in discussions where we talked about achieving our life goals. She has taught me to work hard and persevere through tough obstacles, and truly is an inspiration to not only me, but the Hmong community as a whole.” In addition to the praise Lee has received, she has also faced criticism regarding the merit of her win. Representing the same team, gymnast Simone Biles had to end her participation halfway through the Olympics because of her mental health struggles. Even though Biles supported Lee in her victory, critics said that Lee only won because Biles had left the competition. However, the Asian community was quick to defend Lee on her victory and support Lee in fighting the claims invalidating her win. Among Lee’s supporters, sophomore Gianna Martocia, a current level 10 gymnast, which is the highest level in the U.S. Gymnastics Junior Olympics program, is grateful that Lee
received the Asian community’s support, and she feels the win was warranted. “[Lee] dedicated her life to winning that medal and for people to say that [it] was not deserved is absurd to me,” Martocia said. “She won that medal because of her hard work and I [am] so glad that the Asian community fought for her.” Lee’s influence after winning the Olympic medal has encouraged people to educate themselves and others about Hmong and Asian culture. The win has also given her a large platform to spread awareness to the Hmong culture. On Instagram, many creators posted to congratulate Lee on her victory and included the hashtag #Hmong. Lee’s TikTok page, @sunilee_, has over 1 million followers, and provides yet another platform for her to expose people to Hmong culture. Currently, Lee is a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” where she is performing as the face of the Hmong people, and paying homage to her culture. Another level 10 gymnast, sophomore Paige Dawson, is proud of Lee’s win, acknowledging the importance of the representation it brings. “After Suni Lee’s performance, I was so [shocked] with the amount of publicity it brought,” Dawson said. “I [am] so happy that she finally got the recognition she [and] her heritage] deserved. She did a great job representing her Asian heritage [and] the U.S. team.”
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SUNI LEE WINS OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL
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MARVEL’S ALL ASIAN FILM: SHANG-CHI
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On Sept. 3, Marvel released their first movie with a fully Asian cast, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (Shang-Chi). According to Cable News Network (CNN), “Shang-Chi” is an example of Disney and Marvel’s recent efforts toward increasing Asian representation in their general content. However, with an Asian American audience and cultural nuances to account for, films that draw from Asian influences, such as Shang-Chi, have various factors to consider if they are to represent Asian culture with the best accuracy and respectfully. Marvel, to show their respect for their Asian American audience, kept “Shang-Chi” out of Chinese box offices, which means that Marvel received less box office revenue for the film. According to Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), the motivation for American filmmakers to include Asian representation is often to capture the profitable market of Chinese box offices. Furthermore, China is the second-highest grossing box office for Marvel movies. Marvel’s decision to release “Shang-Chi” solely in America demonstrates that the movie aspires only to represent Asian American viewers and has no other monetary benefit for the company (CNBC). Junior Kayla Mar is pleased that Marvel has included more Asian-influenced content and is hopeful that
this could be the beginning of increased Asian representation in media. “In this movie, we finally got to see positive Asian American representation in Hollywood, which is especially exciting because it is from such a large studio,” Mar said. “With ‘ShangChi’, Marvel took advantage of an opportunity to showcase Asian culture and appeal to [Asian American and Pacific Islander] audiences. Especially by doing so in the current [political climate], Marvel did a great job.” Despite directors’ intent to create a better balance of racial representation, some have pointed out how movies like “Shang-Chi” can be seen as further excluding Asian culture. Critics say that instead of producing a movie with an all-Asian cast, companies should naturally integrate them into their regular content; while making a movie with many Asian characters does provide visual representation, it also categorizes different races into separate movies, further alienating Asian culture (New York Times). Senior Deborah Mok agrees, seeing “Shang-Chi” as a missed opportunity that used stereotypes instead of authentic Asian culture. “I liked ‘Shang-Chi’, however its portrayal of Chinese culture [was not] very accurate,” Mok said. “It conveyed a very American perception of China and represented more stereotypes than genuine culture, such as the numerous
dragons in the movie. I would prefer Asian people, characters and culture to be normalized in general film [instead of receiving] movies like ShangChi, [which I think can be alienating].” As Asian media gains popularity in the U.S. and the general demand for Asian American and Pacific Islander representation increases, releasing a movie with Asian influence fits with current popular culture. The recent increased influence of Asian media on the entertainment industry as a whole has made viewers feel this is an opportune time to release “Shang Chi”. A rise in Asian pop culture has swept America, with many people now becoming fans of Korean, Japanese and Chinese culture. This resent culture change has become influential and is continuing to grow. As “Shang-Chi” was released during this time, many feel that the timing adds to the impact of the movie (CNN). Expecting more to come, junior Yifan Gu is excited to see evidence of Asian culture becoming more respected by Marvel and in the film industry. “I am glad to see that people got to represent their own culture in [‘Shang-Chi’],” Gu said. “In other movies with Asian culture, people sometimes fabricate Asian representation or even make up Asian accents. It is important to me that people get to speak for themselves, and Asian people get to play the characters.”
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Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team performs at Peninsula
On Sept. 3, the Kukkiwon Taekwondo demonstration team performed on the football field during lunch. The Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team is a selection of Taekwondo practitioners who are recognized as the most highly skilled, formed in 1974, that puts on displays of athleticism and precision through Taekwondo. The group consists of about 70 members that are each ranked as fifth degree black belts or higher (Master Choi’s World Class Taekwondo). They have performed in over 100 countries to spread Korean culture, accumulate appreciation as well as interest in Taekwondo and contribute to the tourism industry by planning demonstrations for international tourists in Korea (Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters). In one instance, the group was invited to teach and train with cadets at Royal Military College (RMC) in Canada after putting on a show for them as a part of a Korean cultural event. The Kukkiwon Taekwondo demonstration team has also made appearances on shows like “The X Factor” and “The World’s Best” on Columbia Broadcasting System, and they have now made their way on campus. Many students are grateful for this experience, including co-founder of the Sports Time club
Cameron Sachar, who attended the presentation with his peers. Sachar found it impressive how much time the performers spent in the air doing kicks and flips. “It was really cool at the end when they [were] all doing the one-versus-one combat and whole group fight,” Sachar said. “It was definitely worth staying just to see that and it was something straight out of a movie. This event brought the idea of Taekwondo into people’s eyes. It also brought up the idea of how unique [Taekwondo] is as an art and how cool it is as a sport.” Korean 1, 2, 3, 3 Honors, 4 and 4 Honors teacher June Choi came across the Kukkiwon demonstration team first and proposed to principal Dr. Brent Kuykendall that they make the demonstration a school event. Then, they contacted the facility at which the Kukkiwon demonstration team practices and coordinated the details of the presentation, including when and where it was going to take place. As a Korean teacher, Choi felt it was important to show her students the Kukkiwon Taekwondo performers to inspire appreciation for the cultural martial arts form. “Taekwondo is all about unity, and they communicate through movement,” Choi said. “It is called a martial art, but it is more than martial arts. Messages that they try to send us through
[Taekwondo] are peace, unity and art. Korea is the birthplace of Taekwondo, so it was a great cultural experience. I just wish that we had more time to go over the cultural representation, but because of time constraints, we had to compact everything into 25 minutes.” As one of the oldest martial arts forms in the world, Taekwondo can be traced back to Korea over 2,000 years ago (Master Chong’s World Class Taekwondo). The World Taekwondo Federation defines Taekwondo as a discipline that shows ways of enhancing both spirit and mind. Thang Phong Martial Arts describes Taekwondo as transcending its Korean translation, “the art of kicking and punching”, by extending this art to all aspects of life in order to achieve a peaceful and harmonious existence. Kuykendall feels that the demonstration was both inspirational and exciting, and he hopes to have other performances for the students and faculty in the future. “Overall, I think the performance was special,” Kuykendall said. “It was the first time in almost a year and a half that students were able to watch a performance together in our stadium. The performance was impressive, but having our students watch it together and in-person was something this pandewmic has shown us that we should not take for granted.”
9 COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AT PENINSULA On Aug. 25, Peninsula students returned to inperson school after over a year online. To prepare for the large influx of students, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health issued many protocols to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading in schools across Los Angeles County. These precautions include wearing a mask at all times, except when eating, and staying at least three feet apart from each other in classrooms. Additionally, students and faculty are required to complete a COVID-19 screener before entering school to further ensure that they have no symptoms of the virus. In addition, hand-washing stations and sanitizer dispensers are placed throughout campuses. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) believes these safety measures will provide a layer of protection against COVID-19 for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who are fully vaccinated are still able to contract COVID-19 and its other variants through contact with infected objects or individuals. Some vaccinated students
like junior Irene Oh appreciate the district’s precautions because they could reduce the risk of someone on campus getting infected with the virus. “These protocols [are] rather necessary because I was worried about [the risks involved with] going back to school,” Oh said. “Even though I [am] vaccinated, there [is] always that 1 percent chance that [I could contract the virus].” These precautions set by the district to prevent COVID-19 have influenced the current teaching methods of Peninsula teachers. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, students had little social interaction during quarantine, which led to feelings of isolation. Thus, they may be closed off to other students and instructors, making it more difficult for teachers to engage their students (Cable News Network). Under these circumstances, instructors have been trying to communicate with students to ensure their success in the classroom. English 1, 1H and 3 teacher Tracey Bly feels there are many challenges associated with teaching during this school year. “As an English teacher, I like to do lots of smallgroup interactions, and it is really hard to do that when I do not want [my students] to interact [with anyone] other than the people they are sitting around,” Bly said. “[As a result,] I have to come up with new ways for [students] to collaborate. It is a
very big difference to teach [while following these protocols]. It is like being a brand-new teacher all over again.” Schools are not only places for learning, but also places for social interaction and developing a sense of self. When attending online school, students would experience long periods of time without going outside or talking to people outside their family. Attending classes in-person this school year allows students to walk around campus and socialize with other students once again, improving their social lives and mental health significantly (New York Times). Junior Jessica Wiemels believes that despite the unfamiliar protocols, students will eventually adapt to learning in their new environment. “[Returning to in-person school] is weird, but it [feels] normal even though we [are] wearing masks and [have to practice social distancing],” Wiemels said. “Being on campus feels like the most [normalcy] we have had in the last two years.”
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A PERFECT MATCH
JV girls tennis team wins first at Beckman International Tournament On Sept. 1, the junior varsity (JV) girls tennis team competed at the Beckman International Tournament, winning four out of five rounds and ultimately tying for first place. The tournament is located at Portola High School in Irvine, California and primarily consists of teams from Orange County; however, other local schools can compete if invited by the tournament’s director. After the varsity girls tennis team won the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) tournament in 2020, both the varsity and JV team were invited to play this year, making this the first year Peninsula has received an invite. Typically, this tournament only hosts varsity teams to optimize the competition, however the Peninsula tennis program holistically became more desirable to the tournament director due to varsity’s CIF win. The JV team competed at the tournament with eight girls on the team compared to the normal 15-to20 person team. They were also the only JV team
present at the tournament. Despite competing against only varsity teams and being short on players, the JV team managed to pull off their first place win. Junior Allison Dzida felt happy to be a part of this accomplishment. “It was very daunting going into the competition knowing we would be the only JV team there,” Dzida said. “Despite being the underdogs, we set goals to win more this season and that is what we did at the [the Beckman International Tournament]. It is so exciting and I cannot wait to see what is next for the team.” Unlike other tournaments, the Beckman International Tournament featured more double sets (doubles), where teams of two play against each other during a match. The team has dedicated most of their practices so far to doubles, not only to prepare for tournaments like the Beckman International Tournament, but to also have an interactive way for the girls to bond while training simultaneously. Team captain Grace Kim emphasizes the importance of bonding during practice in order to succeed in tournaments.
“[The Beckman International Tournament] is a great example as to why we work so closely and so hard with each other during practices,” Kim said. “The amount of [doubles] in the tournament was unexpected, but we were prepared anyway and [ultimately] ended up winning.” Whether it is playing with each teammate during practice or working on doubles with each other, the team prioritizes inclusivity and building connections among the girls of all grades. Not only has this helped the entire team win more matches, but it can help to ensure that the underclassman will feel welcomed on the team and more confident on the courts. JV girls tennis coach, Barbara Dewitt, is proud of the outcome from the tournament and is looking forward to the rest of the year. “Coming off of the varsity’s successful season last year, I really wanted my girls to continue this streak and reach that level,” Dewitt said. “[The Beckman international Tournament] hosted the very first games and wins of the season so it was a fantastic way to kickstart the year for [the team].”
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Recently, there has been much discourse in the media regarding how LGBTQ+, or “queer”, people are portrayed. One of the main criticisms for the representation of the LGBTQ+ community is queerbaiting, a term used when someone implies a queer relationship or attraction to lure a queer audience without actually depicting it. Singer Billie Eilish’s music video for her song, “Lost Cause,” is an example of this. The video, which premiered on YouTube on June 2, features Eilish in a room with other women, with sexual implications evident throughout. Additionally, she captioned one of her Instagram posts “I love girls” on her account @billieeilish to promote the video. Both the music video and the Instagram post were released during Pride month, which led some viewers to believe Eilish was coming out as queer. Other fans did not believe this as Eilish has repeatedly stated in interviews and on social media that she is straight. Due to many LGBTQ+ fans feeling that Eilish queerbaited in her music video, she has been receiving many negative comments on social media. Some fans have gone as far to say they are going to stop listening to her music completely. Her fans hope she will notice this backlash and address the situation by possibly issuing an apology. Freshman Patroclus Hodjat believes Eilish’s fans have reacted fairly amid this queerbaiting scandal. “If she gets backlash from [the video], it will expose more people to queerbaiting since [she is a] big musician,” Hodjat said. Videos like Eilish’s contribute to inaccurate portrayals of the LGBTQ+ community. With the legalization of gay marriage in 2012, LGBTQ+ people have never been more accepted, yet it is still difficult to find accurate representation in media. Queer people will often look for any representation they can. Knowing this,
the media will imply a queer relationship in television, music and movies to attract LGBTQ+ fans, but never confirm it to be queer as that could risk losing their homophobic fanbase. However, some people think that Eilish does not deserve the backlash she’s received. Some fans on social media platforms do not believe the video was queerbaiting or believe it should be taken down. Other fans feel that Eilish did not realize the video could be considered queerbaiting and therefore should be given a second chance. President of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA), senior Kathleen Menninger, feels Eilish may not have been aware that she was queerbaiting in her music video. “I think she definitely deserves to be reprimanded for this so it does not happen again,” Menninger said. “Given how young she is, and that she may or may not have been informed about [queerbaiting makes me] think it was [just a] mistake, and I [do not] think it is worth cancelling someone over a mistake. As long as she learns from it, [she] deserves a second chance.” “Cancelling” someone is when a celebrity loses support from fans if they feel that the celebrity did something morally offensive. For Eilish, people want others to stop listening to and buying her music, merchandise and concert tickets. Not everyone agrees with this tactic; however, people from both sides of the argument agree that Eilish needs to apologize for the music video. It is important for Eilish to acknowledge this issue, otherwise it could harm the queer community through continued exploitation for profit by creators. “[Queerbaiting] affects the [LGBTQ+] community because it
is discriminating in a way,” freshman Bella Assencoa said. “[It feels like] someone [who is straight] is just pretending to be queer.” It can be damaging for the LGBTQ+ community to see straight people’s portrayal of someone who is queer as a marketing tactic for publicity. The LGBTQ+ community should not have to endure discrimination every day while celebrities exploit it for attention in the media. As people start to hold celebrities more accountable for their actions, queerbaiting will slowly decline in the future. Since people are learning how to identify queerbaiting and why it is harmful, it has become less likely for people to get away with it. Although Eilish has not apologized for queerbaiting in her music video, her influence could set a good example for other celebrities if she does. Furthermore, if there are more celebrities shown apologizing for queerbaiting and not repeating their actions in the future, it can set a precedent for others to do the same.
