Issue 2

The Pen Newspaper PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE 2

THEPENNEWSPAPER.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

Art by: Abby Lee

Art by: Soha Shah

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ESPERANZA ENGLE-TSENG

OFF TO THE RACES

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OPINION

2 Implications of Deregulating Education James Pan | 9

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ducation policy is becoming an increasingly greater concern for both American citizens and government officials. With his reelection, Donald Trump and his constituents have a sweeping vision for education reform focused on reducing the purview of the federal government and eliminating “left-wing indoctrination” from school curriculums (NPR). Trump’s first proposed change is abolishing the Department of Education, a cabinet-level federal department responsible for issuing student loans, preventing discrimination via civil rights enforcement and collecting data on trends in American schools (Department of Education). Authority on these matters would be sent back to the states, and programs like Federal Student Aid (FSA) would be under the authority of another federal agency.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to abolish the Department of Education in the past, claiming that the department is responsible for “indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual and political material.” Despite appeals towards reducing bureaucratic hurdles or fighting “wokeness” in the nation’s schools, Trump’s proposal remains deeply flawed.

Closing the Department of Education would hurt the nation’s most vulnerable students by hampering the distribution of student loans and disrupting civil rights enforcement that protects students from marginalized backgrounds (Chalkbeat). “[Organizations] like the Department of Education are very important to [many] people,” freshman Adam Khaja said. “[Federal] involvement in education is [vital] to maintain a [uniform quality] of education. States and [other agencies] will probably be worse than the Department of Education since they are not as [specialized] and may have less resources.”

As more Americans attend college, the number of people who rely on student loans has made financial aid a foremost policy concern. These loans are important for many Americans, especially those from low and middle-income backgrounds, to finance the increasing costs of postsecondary education (Council of Economic Advisors). According to an analysis of 2023 Federal Reserve data, a quarter of U.S. adults aged between 18 and 39 have student loan debt from their education (Pew Research Center). Establishing policies on and distributing federal financial aid is the foremost objective of the agency, which is responsible for managing a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio (The Washington Post).

The Department of Education gives out roughly $100 billion in student loans alongside

Edited by: Neekta Baghoolizadeh

an additional $30 billion in Pell Grants annually. Trump’s proposal would shift authority over student loans to the Department of the Treasury, which is responsible for broader fiscal policy (Inside Higher Ed).

According to an op-ed published in conservative news outlet The74, the shift would aim at rectifying the Department of Education’s mismanagement of the ballooning FSA program, with the Treasury being comparatively better suited to managing the size and complexity of FSA. However, a jurisdictional shift of a program as large as FSA to an entirely distinct agency would be met with significant operational hurdles; it remains unclear how the Treasury would enforce laws related to financial aid, and what would happen to the existing 1,500 employees of FSA. Concerns of whether they would still be employed at the Treasury or what tasks they would carry out reveal salient issues with the proposal’s implementation. These questions have invited speculation regarding the potential disruption that the shift may cause.

Past disruptions in FSA have had severe implications on students: during the 202425 FAFSA rollout, technical flaws induced delays and spurred vagueness regarding eligibility for aid, which barred many students from enrolling in college (Inside Higher Education). The organizational shifts resulting from the closing of the Department of Education would present unprecedented disruption significantly greater than those seen in the past, leaving millions of students with roadblocks in their ability to obtain access to their secondary education.

“Even a short-term [disruption] could affect what college I decide to go to,” sophomore Aadi Bhagat said. “Questions about [tuition] would likely hinder my [access] to [quality] education because it could mean I [am forced] to go to a cheaper, but [lower-quality] school. My sister has received student loans, and financial support is important to me [too].”

The Department of Education also oversees the enforcement of civil rights laws in schools, investigating discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors. The Office of Civil Rights allows students, school staff and parents to file a complaint if a school has engaged in discriminatory practice.

Under Democratic administrations, the Department has often been perceived as representative of progressive approaches to education. Naturally, this has resulted in harsh opposition from conservatives who argue the Department of Education’s promotion of various forms of equity represents perverse “political meddling” from progressives attempting to “indoctrinate” students (The Washington Post). Trump’s website pledges to “find and remove the radicals who have infiltrated the Department of Education” (donaldjtrump.com). The Department of Education has come under fire in the past few months for revisions expanding and clarifying protections for LGBTQ+ students to Title IX, a law that prohibits sexbased discrimination in schools. Closing the Department would hamper attempts to create safer educational environments for individuals who may otherwise be subject to discrimination, which would have a deeply harmful impact on a number of marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ students. Essentially, enforcement against discrimination in federally-funded schools would no longer be required, permitting discrimination without a basis for recourse.

“Affirming that a [diverse] group of people should be present in [academic] spaces is [imperative], regardless of their race, gender or their [beliefs],” sophomore Tim Liu said. “This should not be a partisan issue. Diverse [environments] are important to learning about [issues] that are often undercovered.”

The president-elect Donald Trump and his conservative base have repeatedly pledged to close the Department of Education, a proposal that would have a deleterious effect on American education.

With the future of diverse and equitable access to education at stake, it is vital that students educate themselves on how the education system operates, facilitate discussions with teachers and classmates, attend school board meetings and communicate with their local representatives.

Creating change may seem difficult for young people, but it remains an undeniably important task when the future is at stake.

Art by: Brian Hong

THE PEN staff EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Josie Kwak Alena Rhoades COPY EDITOR Andrew Lu HEADS OF GRAPHICS Veronica Chen Abby Lee EDITORS Melina Ajami Neekta Baghoolizadeh Zahra Habib Haylie Kim Sivan Stoler Angelina Wang WRITERS Isabella Attallah Giana Geerdts Selah Hartman Sura Kiasatpour Mason Kim Soren Kim Elyssa Lee Gunnar Lee Jewell Lluz Shawn Lo Adam Lu Sydney Malicse Kyra McGath Jarrett Meza-Torne James Pan Alesha Paramasivum Soha Shah Elena Thomas Thanh Vuong GRAPHICS Kat Espedido Makayla Glaneman Zoe Hollingshead Brian Hong Angelina Jo BUSINESS MANAGER Marisa Tan BUSINESS Maryam Ali Asher Brunski Caide Jung Sophia Meneshian Emma Pusavat WEBSITE Kohta Kinoshita PHOTOGRAPHY Esperanza Engle-Tseng

Put Patients Over Profit Josie Kwak & Alena Rhoades | 12

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s per Isaac Newton’s famous third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Luigi Mangione — recent University of Pennsylvania graduate, affluent 26-year-old and alleged killer of a health conglomerate’s CEO — could be considered a reaction to the United States’ increasingly malevolent, for-profit health insurance industry. On Dec. 4, 2024, a masked individual fatally shot Brian Thompson, the head of UnitedHealthcare (UHC). The masked individual was later purported to be Luigi Mangione, who pleaded “not guilty” in New York courts on Dec. 23. Mangione reportedly suffered from chronic back pain and underwent spinal surgery just last year, after which he encouraged others online with similar situations to “push back” against doctors telling them to live with the pain (AP News). Written on the shell casings at the site of Thompson’s death were the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” phrases commonly used to describe the predatory tactics of insurance companies.

Though Mangione has since been captured and is awaiting trial, the storm of scrutiny unleashed toward health insurers is ongoing, and their malignant practices deserve to be given more attention.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UHC, is a Minnesota-based multinational healthcare company that traces its roots to servicing the elderly through its Evercare program, which was designed in 1997 to provide long-term care to nursing home patients and the chronically ill (United Healthcare). Since then, UnitedHealth Group has expanded and gained the illustrious title of being the largest insurance provider in the U.S., providing coverage for around 49 million Americans. Along the way, however, they appear to have lost their genuine commitment to care. While UHC rakes in billions of profit yearly and insurance rates continue to climb, Americans must jump through several hoops to receive essential services (Reuters). Those who are denied claims mostly give up their fights against these massive conglomerates due to a confusing and complicated appeals process; a 2021 study revealed that Americans file formal appeals on only

"Luigi Mangione Icon" BY BryanAlexander FROM FLICKR, USED UNDER CC BY 2.0.

0.1% of claims denied by insurers under the Affordable Care Act (Kaiser Family Foundation).

Additionally, UnitedHealth has found itself embroiled in several lawsuits in the past few years, including an ongoing class-action suit alleging that the company mistakenly denied “elderly patients care owed to them under Medicare Advantage Plans” by utilizing an artificial intelligence model with a 90% error rate to analyze claims (CBS News).

Although this matter is yet to be settled, the lawsuit has recently advanced to federal court and the Department of Justice has begun an investigation. It’s not only patients who are upset with UHC, either — healthcare workers have also criticized the insurance bureaucracies that slow down the healing process. Dr. Elisabeth Potter alleged that while about to perform reconstructive surgery on a breast cancer patient, she was interrupted by a UHC representative who “demanded information about her diagnosis and inpatient stay justification” (Newsweek). Potter said that the patient was already asleep on the table, and despite the procedure having been pre-approved, the representative did not have access to the patient’s full medical information. UHC later claimed that the representative asked to speak with the nurse caring for the patient, not with the acting physician (Reuters). Even if both claims are true, it still would not have been appropriate for UHC to interrupt a nurse preparing for the patient’s post-surgery care or subsequently deny the patient’s overnight hospital stay. For a DIEP flap surgery, which the patient underwent, several nights in the hospital are often recommended.

UHC isn’t the only health insurance company deserving of scrutiny. In general, the “prior authorization” practice made standard by health insurance issuers has proved detrimental to patients’ health in several cases. Physicians must obtain approval from providers for certain procedures, a process which could take anywhere from days to weeks. Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, described his patient with a tumor in her sinuses being denied a certain surgical procedure “because she’d not been on an antibiotic and a steroid nasal spray” — methods that are standard for a sinus infection, not a tumor (NPR). After speaking with a medical director on the

OPINION

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phone, the surgery was ultimately approved, but not without stressful hours wasted for the patient and physician.

Additionally, it has been estimated that the U.S. spends around $35 billion on the administrative costs associated with prior authorization, with many hospitals employing full-time staff responsible for submitting and managing prior authorization requests (The New York Times). This cost is especially ridiculous in light of the 43% of people with recent illness who ended up with “serious” financial problems (NPR). As Harvard University economist David Cutler puts it, “we spend more on administrative costs than we do on heart disease or caring for cancer” (USA Today).

Though the American healthcare system is in definite need of fixing, even those placing Mangione on a pedestal likely wouldn’t wish to live in a world where vigilante justice is the norm; there’s no question that cold-blooded murder is a crime, no matter who is at the other end of the barrel. However, what has already been done cannot be reversed. Instead of playing into society’s current polarization on the issue and questioning Mangione’s morality, we must look closer at the environment that has reared this torrent of anger many feel toward UHC and companies like it. Like many other high-profile incidents, Mangione’s trial will likely become commodified as just another media fad that Netflix will make into a trite docuseries someday.

Instead of falling into this trap, think about the countless victims that are still subjected to predatory insurance policies and the 41% of Americans still in some form of medical debt (Kaiser Family Foundation). Remember that everyone has agency: while Mangione’s actions aren’t to be followed, his sentiment of fairness in healthcare can live on. The healthcare system isn’t going to completely transform overnight, but with enough voices of dissent, we can lay the building blocks of reform — starting with urging representatives to implement greater restrictions on the penny-pinching tactics of health insurance agencies. Instead of constantly attempting to cut costs by denying claims or delaying procedures, UHC and companies like it need to acknowledge that human lives are more valuable than profit.

"Luigi Mangione Radical Sticker in Minneapolis" by Chad Davis FROM FLICKR, USED UNDER CC BY 2.0.

4 OPINION

by Adam Lu | 11

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A Legacy to Remember

any students at Peninsula work tirelessly on building a golden portfolio for when college applications roll around. When rumors spread that someone who may not have worked as hard is accepted into a prestigious private university, many of those same students are understandably furious. On Sept.

30, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill (Assembly Bill 1780) into law, banning private, non-profit universities from considering legacy and donor status in the admissions process (ca. gov), to go into effect the next admissions cycle for the class of ‘26. The bill promises to provide everyone with a fair shot at getting into their favorite elite private Californian college. In reality, this new bill does nothing good except to act as a formality while potentially damaging the finances of these private, non-profit universities, and is an example of state overreach.

After signing the bill, Newsom released the following statement: “in California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill and hard work” (AP News). This is incredibly ironic coming from the same man who condemned the removal of affirmative action by the Supreme Court.

Like affirmative action, it is true that legacy admission is unfair and contrary to our meritocratic ideals.

But true meritocracies are impossible pieces of utopian thinking – humans will always show preference based on things other than merit.

This holds true for people from all walks of life, from the nepotism of a parent who hires their child as an employee, to the rich kid who stands to inherit a fortune – indeed, there has never been a society where the background of a man played no part in determining his success. Furthermore, the removal of affirmative action did not have quite as many damning implications as this new bill does. Private universities rely heavily on donations, most of which comes from their alumni. Legacy preferences keep alumni engaged and donating to the

college for their child’s future attendance, and legacy graduates are far more likely to donate large sums of money to their college when compared to non-legacy graduates (Forbes).

Private universities do not receive the same funding from the government that public universities do, which is one of the main reasons private universities have kept the practice around – it is simply a great source of income, with USC reporting that up to 38% of its donations come from alumni. These donations help private schools to pay their staff, improve conditions, provide more specialized instruction to their students and grant more generous scholarships and fund research. It is pragmatic for these institutions to give preference to people who are able to throw money at them, especially when that money ends up benefiting everyone else.

Of course, there is the idea that legacy admits “take up spots” from, supposedly, more qualified, non-legacy admits. It is not as severe as one might think, however; only around 15% of admits to schools like USC had legacy (The New York Times).

[accepted] without having any sort of priority acceptance.”

Stavrakis is right that people should not get preferential treatment from the accomplishments of one of their parents.

But the “fairness” and “merit” angle proponents of the bill so heavily rely on is a myth. The “preferential treatment” is not as extreme as many think. Studies have shown that legacy admits are just as, if not more, qualified compared to non-legacy admits (Los Angeles Times). They found that even when their legacy status was

Whether that 15% of “unfairness” justifies removing a significant part of private universities’ funding remains in question.

“Knowing they have a higher chance of admittance will reduce the amount of work [richer students] put into achieving acceptance,” senior Nicholas Stavrakis said. “It’s not fair to those who would work hard for any [small] chance to get

counterparts with the same test scores to be admitted. This makes sense, because for a student to have legacy status, one of their relatives must have gone to that same prestigious school. It may also explain the common conception that legacy admits all come from rich backgrounds — their parents or relatives went to the prestigious school and probably excelled

“

As a rule, the government should not have that much influence over the educational curriculum of private universities.

- Kris Deng | 12

taken out of the equation, legacy admits, based on their other qualifications, were still 33% more likely than their

in their careers like they did academically.

It is reasonable to assume that, like their alumni relatives, the student grew up in an environment conducive to academic success. What this means is that the new bill solves an imaginary problem while creating a host of new ones for private, non-profit universities to fix.

“States should absolutely be allowed to regulate private institutions like this,” junior Sterling Utovac said. “The government in general needs to be able to regulate private institutions. Not just colleges and universities, but industry broadly, for the well-being of society.”

Then there is the issue of government overreach, or how much influence the government should be allowed to have over the operations of private organizations, given those operations are lawful, of course.

The role of the government in society is to ensure that private actors do not violate the rights of others; anything more is a slippery slope into totalitarianism. Unless serious logical hurdles can be jumped proving that private universities not giving everyone equal access to protect its own interests violates individuals’ rights, then this bill is an example of the government overstepping its bounds. The fact that Governor Newsom would support affirmative action shows that he sees merit as a secondary value, worthy of being sacrificed for other ideals, political ones included.

“As a rule, the government should not have that much influence over the educational curriculum of private universities,” senior Kris Deng said. “But in this one instance, it is probably a good idea.”

If legislators in Sacramento are going to talk about “fairness,” they must also consider the “fairness” that private, non-profit universities have to deal with budget cuts and scrape around for money, shoving the brunt of the problem to their student body, who now have to pay extra money for housing and services while public universities roll around in their government grants. If the school isn’t owned by the state, then the state shouldn’t have a say in how they manage their finances.

Art by: Makayla Glaneman

CROSSWORD 5

Rev Your Engines

Created by: Andrew Lu

Across

Down

2. New F1 Team 6. Newspaper with most Pulitzers 8. Spring ___, fall back 13. Peninsula cafeteria manager 17. Benjamin Rautman took his SAT here

1. Unleashing American ____ 3. Sun Tzu’s and Eric Lu’s magnum opus 4. Psychological phenomenon caused by anonymity 5. Largest medical insurance provider 7. Where Glinda and Elphaba met 9. COP29 was hosted here 10. Trump’s red button summons this 11. Tyler the Creator’s latest alter ego 12. ______ Press Stylebook 14. Assembly Bill 1780 bans ______ 15. Nickname for civil rights protections in education 16. Today, “SAT” stands for

Riding Into Regulation

by Alesha Paramasivum | 12

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lectric bikes – the neighborhood plague or an overworked parent’s salvation? With their new restrictions on e-bikes, or bicycles with a motor, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has attempted to reach a balance between both arguments, weighing the interests of both the e-bikers and their surrounding community.

Recent years have brought a noticeable increase in e-bike usage in Palos Verdes, as its motor ensures that a person does not have to pedal. With the steep hills of Palos Verdes, this function is especially convenient. A stroll through the Promenade mall finds middle schoolers practicing stunts down the main strip, and a walk through Peninsula’s school gates sees at least three e-bikes locked into the bike racks. It is easy, fun and convenient for parents who are unable to drive their child to and from school or extracurriculars. It also offers pre-teens and teens more independence. But despite their appeal, many in the community have expressed concerns with the e-bike’s popularity. Senior Suhani Parekh, who has been using her e-bike regularly for the past three years, offers her thoughts on the situation. “[My e-bike] is easier to use than a regular bike [due to] the convenience of [having] the bike pedal instead of trying to bike [manually] on [RPV’s steep hills],” Parekh said. “[However], many e-bikers use their bikes irresponsibly. They [practice] wheelies in privately owned parking lots with busy traffic; some of them don’t abide by laws and walk their bike on crosswalks; [and others] try to squeeze [between] walking [pedestrians], almost hitting them.”

Until the week of Nov. 4, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council had restricted e-bike operations to solely side-

walks, streets and bike paths, prohibiting them from hiking trails, fire break roads, city parks, beaches and recreational facilities (Palos Verdes Peninsula News). However, grievances roused by the increasing presence of e-bikes led to the tightening of these restrictions. Now, in addition to the previous prohibitions, Rancho Palos Verdes e-bikers cannot ride on streets or sidewalks – leaving only the bike paths open to use (Palos Verdes Peninsula News).

Violators of this policy will receive a warning for their first offense, followed by fines starting at $500 (Daily Breeze).

As a holder of a driver’s license for two years, senior Nalani Morris explains her discomfort with the policy.

Art by: Veronica Chen | 12

6 NEWS

“[It’s] a bit too strict,” Morris said. “E-bikers should still be able to ride on the road because for some people it’s their only mode of transportation. [Rather, the ways] people are able to obtain e-bikes or ride an e-bike are what should be restricted. One should

be required to hold an e-bike permit or license [because] it’s [not] the e-bike that’s necessarily dangerous, it’s more [related to] who is controlling the e-bike.”

However, the City Council has made clear that the threat of the restrictive policies are a last resort (Daily Breeze). To avoid straining the capacities of its law enforcement, RPV will launch an awareness campaign to clarify safety guidelines and road etiquette for e-bikers within middle and high schools (Palos Verdes Peninsula News). Ridgecrest Intermediate School has already expressed support for the campaign, launching an ‘e-bike sticker’ pilot program. To park their bikes on school grounds, students must first complete an e-bike safety training course and earn a sticker of completion (Palos Verdes Peninsula News). Kieran Paramasivum, a seventh grader at Ridgecrest, shares his thoughts on the program’. “[E-bikers] take a test [administered by Ridgecrest] and if they pass, they’re able to park at school,” Paramasivum said. “I think at first kids did not take the test seriously, because I did not see any change in the amount of irresponsible biking. However, I think the test’s awareness goals reached the students or [they] faced consequences from administration, because a few months after the implementation the amount of irresponsible biking drastically decreased.”

Ultimately, the new policy will likely remain controversial. Families will have to find an alternative means of transportation and children will mourn the blow to their independence, while the surrounding neighborhood will gain a reprieve from the hazard and disturbance of reckless bikers. However, if the city can improve their efforts to educate and teach road safety and courtesy to e-bikers, the new policy has the potential to guide the RPV community into fostering a safe and respectful road environment.

Racist Texts Target Students Nationwide

by Thanh Vuong | 11

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ust when many believed the turbulence from one of the most contentious United States’ presidential elections in history was over, a wave of anonymous, derogatory text messages targeting Black and Hispanic students was sent out across the nation (Reuters). Reported in 21 different states, including California, New York, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, the messages varied, yet all shared the same harmful rhetoric, perpetuating racial stereotypes in their references to slavery (PBS News). Students were addressed by their names, told that they were “selected to pick cotton” on a plantation, then ordered to follow the time schedule set by their “slave handlers” (The New York Times).

According to David Brody, the director of the Digital Justice Initiative at The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the origins of these messages remain unclear – demonstrating the difficulties that come with regulating hateful communication in the digital age. The advent of new technologies has allowed cybercrimes to be conducted anonymously or remotely from an entirely different country (GAO). With that being said, due to the broad influence and controversial nature of these messages, federal authorities quickly took action. In cooperation with the Justice Department, the FBI released a statement on Nov. 7, announcing that they were “aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country” and planned to launch their own investigation on the matter (Reuters). Phone service provider TextNow promptly disabled accounts found to be complicit in the act, and the U.S. wireless industry has

blocked thousands more hateful texts in an cooperative effort to mitigate any additional damages (AP News).

While the origins and intentions behind these messages are still up for speculation, Dr. Robert Green II, an assistant history professor at Claflin University, a historically Black college, notes their timing and targeted nature (AP News). The President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Derrick Johnson, reinforces this idea in his press statement, emphasizing their alarming increase in relation to the recent election results (NAACP).

His stance references the latest presidential-elect, Donald Trump, whose use of “inflammatory language against minorities” during his campaign could heighten racial tensions (The Washington Post). The Trump Administration has also prioritized deconstructing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs which look to promote economic participation from underrepresented or marginalized groups. Junior Presley Tsai reflects on the possible political implications of these messages.

“Initially, I believed the messages were more of a joke because of the [blatant] racism. [However], due to the timing of when it was sent, [right after the election], I think these messages were meant to turn people against one another,” Tsai said. “There is already tension between American voters [who have different political views]; this will only amplify it.”

The use of technology in these hate crimes only magnifies their harmful effects; the anonymity aspect of digital communication encourages the spread of ignorant comments (AP News). This speaks to the psychological phenomenon known as “deindividua-

tion,” where social norms are neglected as identities are kept private, allowing people to participate in irrational or harmful actions without consequences (The Guardian). Sophomore Sayuri Shibata provides important insight behind people’s virtual behavior.

“Due to the use of social media, people [have] become desensitized [to the weight that their words carry],” Shibata said. “People seem to be more harsh online because they can say whatever they want. They feel like they are in a higher position because they are anonymous.”

The psychological harms inflicted by these messages are especially alarming, as young middle and high students are among the recipients of these racist statements (ABC News). According to the National Institute of Health, exposure to racism “increases risk for negative mental health outcomes among Asian, Latino, African and Native American youth, including risk for depression and other internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms.” Furthermore, this leaves parents deeply concerned about the students’ mental well-being and the possible implications that come with this exposure to racism (PBS).

First grade teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Bonnie Kwon shares this sentiment and described the potential repercussions of these messages. “[The messages would] make [the students] feel like they don’t belong and question, ‘Why do people not like us?’” Kwon said. “This could also lead to racial tension in schools. The school I work at is majority Hispanic and Black students, but with other schools [that] might be more diverse, there could be [animosity] between the kids [because they are of] different races.”

by Soha Shah | 11

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404: SAT Not Found

he idea that some students would feel obligated to take the SAT out of state raises questions about the importance of taking the SAT in the college admissions process. The SAT is a standardized test used to measure a student’s general academic abilities before college, as a baseline from which United States colleges can compare all students (CollegeBoard). However, not all students take the SAT because it is not required for all schools, and others may have only taken it if they had had the means to travel for it. Students who did not sign up early enough to secure a testing spot close to home often end up taking the SAT out of state.

Signing up to take the SAT, which is administered seven times a year, involves a fee and selecting an available testing center (CollegeBoard). Spots typically fill up fast across California, the most populous state, and students sign up months in advance to get their seat. When the closest testing spot is in another city or out of state, a student may simply sign up and travel, given the importance of the standardized testing in the college admissions process (Los Angeles Times).

This can be an economic barrier for many, as some students do not have the means to travel for their test. Senior Aarna Veera wanted to take the SAT in October, but the only spot available was in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I wanted to make my score better, [and] I had the opportunity because my family was supportive and able to drive me there to take it,” Veera said. “California is one of the most competitive states, and we have some of the best schools and students. I feel like other states have spots open because the population is lower [there] or because not a lot of students [there] take [the SAT], but [in] California, there should be way more testing spots. We have students who need to take this test.”

Although the difficulty of finding a spot can contribute to test anxiety, CollegeBoard seems to have a strong commitment to a less stringent test-taking experience. With the introduction of the new digital SAT format in March 2024, College Board aimed to “offer much more flexibility in terms of when, where and how often the SAT is given” (CollegeBoard). CollegeBoard champions this digital test as a higher quality and more accessible experience for students than a typical pencil and paper test (CollegeBoard). The switch to digital test-taking has resulted in the shortening of passages in the Reading and Writing section and the addition of a calculator pro-

gram for the Math section. Furthermore, CollegeBoard has adopted an adaptive testing format, which gives students either easy or difficult testing modules based on their performance on the previous module (CollegeBoard). This raises questions about whether the SAT is truly standardized, as a standardized test t y pically administers the same questions for everyone who takes it.

The legitimacy of the SAT as a standardized test has also been quest ioned as it has become more diff icult for some to take the test than others. Students have e x pressed concerns over having to travel

far to the SAT as

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an aspect of the test that makes it unfair. Test scores are sent to colleges during the fall semester of a student’s senior year, which means that if a student wants to take the SAT in October as one of their last chances, they may be forced to travel to another city for a spot. Senior Benjamin Rautman signed up to take the SAT in October in Phoe-

“It is annoying that California, a

bigger state, doesn’t offer enough testing sites for students. The stress of going out of state definitely takes a toll on a student’s [performance], and it definitely did for mine.

-Benjamin Rautman | 12

nix, Arizona.

“It is annoying that California, a bigger state, doesn’t offer enough testing sites for students,” Rautman said. “[The fact] that we have to go out of state [to take the SAT] I think [is] just messed up. The stress of going out of state definitely takes a toll on a student’s [performance], and it definitely did for mine.”

It makes sense for an organization whose mission is to help students get into college to want students to keep taking and passing their standardized tests, and CollegeBoard does notify students when new spots open in their areas, encouraging them to sign up immediately if they want to take the SAT. For some, opportunities to take the SAT remain elusive. Junior Ryan Lo signed up to take the SAT in Phoenix, Arizona, and he explains that he could have taken it closer to home.

“I was originally going to take it in November, but my mom wanted me to do it in August,” Lo said. “So, she registered for me to take it in Arizona and then we went to see our family there. I was [initially] planning on doing it at Redondo Union High. If I was a senior, it would have been out of necessity. If you plan it well ahead of time, you’ll be able to take it near you.”

Whether the limited availability of testing centers is indicative of the SAT’s diminishing significance or whether it is CollegeBoard’s responsibility, as long as there are students who want to get into test optional or test required schools, there will be opportunities to take the SAT, however limited they are.

Soha Art by:

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Shah | 1

8 FOCUS

Who’s Charting the Climate Course?

Shawn Lo | 12

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n the wake of the 2024 election, President Donald Trump nominated many controversial cabinet members, including Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX (NPR). Musk is set to head the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) — a new agency set to oversee spending cuts and the scaling-down of other national departments in the upcoming administration. The nomination signifies Musk’s growing influence over Trump’s public policies. This has sparked scrutiny, especially since Musk portrays himself as “pro-environment,” while Trump is known for his support for fossil fuels (Politico). With Trump’s imminent return to the White House, it is yet unclear whether he will follow his

Trump wants to boost U.S oil “exports.

He wants to expand supply and strengthen [energy independence] so that we don’t have to rely on [foreign oil] which would lower gas prices. Even [though he’s less opposed] to renewable energy, his next administration will still drill for more fossil fuels.

- James Lai | 12 past precedents on climate policy or if Musk’s new influence will lead the U.S. to a greener future.

As an executive of Tesla, one of the largest renewable energy companies, Musk has advocated for the environment on numerous occasions. For example, after Trump pulled out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, Musk resigned in protest from his positions as a business adviser and a manufacturing adviser in the Trump administration (Forbes).

However, Musk has a nuanced perspective on environmental advocacy. In an interview with Trump, Musk cautioned that a drastic transition to renewable energy would raise the cost of living and that the oil industrial complex is often too vilified (The Hill). Musk also supported Trump’s future plan to repeal tax credits on electric vehicle (EV) purchases. In other words, Musk believes ending the tax credit would benefit Tesla in the long term because the tax credit, which awards tax benefits to first-time EV purchasers, would make it difficult for Tesla’s competitors to sell at competitive prices (CBS). Senior Austin Loui believes Musk’s stance towards green policies is self-serving and Trump will most likely

continue to pursue energy efficiency over sustainability.

“Trump’s record [proves] how he has no interest in the environment,” Loui said. “He wants to [repeal] the Inflation Reduction Act and only answers to business executives. He has always [rejected the idea] of rural wind farms and [solar energy]. [Moreover], Musk is only using green energy to gain profit and [exploit it] for market power.”

Musk’s influence is notable in how Trump softened his attacks on green energy ever since Musk joined the campaign. In an livestream interview with Musk on X, Trump stated that he believes in nuclear power, and he remarked at a rally in Atlanta that he would be compelled to support EVs because of Musk’s backing. However, according to Farid Guliyev, a professor from American University, Trump’s 2016 decision to decrease regulations on fracking companies resulted in the U.S. becoming the 3rd largest liquified natural gas producer (Energy Policy). In addition, Trump stated that year that Biden’s pro-EV policies would create a “bloodbath” in the automotive industry (The Guardian). The contrast between Trump’s current and past rhetoric could indicate Musk’s influence is changing the president’s policies to support the EV industry and green energy. However, his latest comments could also just be lip service, since Trump continues to support the oil industry. In early September, Trump stated that he would approve leases for new pipelines and will rescind the Inflation Reduction Act (NPR), meaning fossil fuel usage could also increase in the next four years in tandem with EV market expansion for Tesla. Despite Musk’s influence on Trump to support EVs, senior James Lai believes energy efficiency policies will increase regardless under Trump.

Trump wants to boost U.S oil exports,” Lai said. “He

wants to expand supply and strengthen [energy independence] so that we don’t have to rely on [foreign oil] which would lower gas prices. Even [though he’s less opposed] to renewable energy, his next administration will still drill for more fossil fuels.”

Musk’s nomination raises questions about the future direction of U.S. climate policy under Trump. While Musk’s influence may push Trump to support EV and green energy initiatives, Trump’s alignment to the oil industry suggests that he will prioritize economic interests over sustainability. Ultimately, it is uncertain whether Musk will foster institutional environmental progression.

Senior Lucien Vanderhoof, a chapter leader of the Student Environment Association in Palos Verdes, believes that Trump will conclusively not take drastic renewable energy policy measures despite Musk’s impact.

“I hope that Elon’s new influence will make [climate change a] less debated and a more widely accepted issue, but I doubt that it will do much good in the long run.

Elon’s ideas [are not] simply [because] he wants to be an activist, and are [more] rooted in appealing to [profit].”

Reality Check on COP29 Mason Kim | 11

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or nearly two years, the world has stayed a mere 90 seconds from midnight on the Doomsday Clock: a metaphor devised by a coalition of scientists for the ever-encroaching destruction of the planet. Despite the clock’s origins stemming from fears of nuclear bombing during the Cold War, the primary culprit for the clock’s recent movement has been recognized as climate change (BBC). Turning back the clock would necessitate international cooperation with unprecedented scale and speed.

In recognition of this, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) met on Nov. 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan (Carbon Brief). Representing nearly 200 countries, 66,778 delegates engaged in two weeks of negotiation and debate regarding the next steps for tackling global warming multilaterally. With such a diverse set of voices, whether from wealthy nations like the United States, or small island states like Fiji, conflicts of interest inevitably arose. Despite alleged disorganization, political opportunism and fighting, COP29 was able to end with a last-minute compromise: an annual $300 billion in climate support funds by 2035 (The New York Times).

Leading up to the conference itself, it was unknown whether the delegates would be able to cooperate cohesively to draft a sufficient plan. This was in part due to wide criticisms of the conference’s predecessor from last year, COP28. While it achieved unprecedented recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels, COP28 was widely criticized for its lack of concrete commitments and/or goals (Time). One fact was clear, however: rapid action was needed. U.N. climate chief Simon Steill claimed nothing short of $2.4 trillion in annual contributions by 2030 would be enough to “keep climate goals within reach” (Reuters). Yet, in contrast with the urgency exhibited by the U.N., COP29’s host nation, Azerbaijan, is a staunch supporter of oil and gas as sources of energy. Consequently, Azerbaijan has faced accusations of attempting to promote its own oil industry, which already accounts for 90% of the nation’s export revenues, in light of the summit’s global attention (The Washington Post). Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has made his nation’s love for oil no secret, going so far as to call it

a “gift from God” at the COP opening ceremony. Aliyev responded to criticism, stating “Countries should not be blamed for having [oil and gas], and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market, because the market needs them” (The Washington Post). Concerning the role of developing nations in resolving climate change, senior Royce Li echoes Aliyev’s sentiments.

“Countries like Azerbaijan, Egypt and [other oil-producing nations] — especially developing countries — are more concerned with day to day society, getting their people out of poverty and improving living conditions,” Li said. “The responsibility [of decarbonization] is mainly up to the developed countries who are already capable of carrying on without heavily relying on unrenewable resources. Historically, it’s the big emitters, like the U.S., the U.K. [and] the colonial powers that have done the damage.”

Developing nations are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change and lack the necessary resources to build up low-carbon economies. Consequently, the cheap nature of oil and natural gas provides an alluring fast-track to prosperity (International Monetary Fund). To equip developing nations with the necessary capabilities to combat climate change, COP29’s agenda focused on climate finance, earning it the nickname of the “Finance COP.” For blocs of countries most affected, like the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), climate finance entailed calling on wealthier nations to make financial commitments to enable developing nations to adapt to the climate crisis. On Nov. 17th, more than halfway through COP29, negotiations grew inflamed after those commitments failed to manifest. Due to the unwillingness of other countries to make larger contributions, the chair of the LDCs and delegate from Malawi, Evans Njewa, led a spontaneous walkout alongside AOSIS in protest (BBC).

Dissatisfaction persisted even after the conference’s end.

With the announcement of the final $300 billion commitment, many delegates were left outraged. India’s representative, Chandni Raina, labeled the compromise a “paltry sum” and an “optical illusion.” Others such as Panama’s special envoy, Juan Carlos Monterrey, criticized the conference itself, calling it “chaotic, poorly managed, and a complete failure” (The New York Times). Concerning the obligations of both developing and developed countries, junior Anish Anand explained the importance of making headway.

“It’s good to help developing countries right now,” Anand said. “For countries that are fully developed, it’s hard for them to go back and change [their economies]. If developing countries become developed on crude oil, [reversing that would be just as difficult]. Developed coun-

Edited by: Angelina Wang | 12 Art by: Abby Lee | 12

FOCUS 9

tries are in a unique position where they can and should pursue that.”

For some, that rapid change did come as a result of COP29. Optimistic delegates praised the $300 billion compromise as a significant step forward from the $100 billion target conceived in 2009’s summit, COP15 (Time).

But for most developed countries, it is fortunate that a deal was struck in the first place. The top political leaders of the top 13 largest carbon emitters were absent from COP29, including the United States, China, France and India. For many climate scientists and policy experts, their absence has grave implications: it signifies a lack of commitment, political will and shows climate is not the highest priority (Reuters). AP Environmental Science and Honors Biology teacher Ben Smith, describes the issue as significant, yet not irreparable. “[Even] when a president or prime minister is not in attendance, an individual or team of individuals [wellversed in] climate science and policy issues are [still] in attendance,” Smith said. “This is the case regarding the U.S.” Another challenge to the negotiations was the reelection of President Donald Trump less than a week prior to the start of COP29. Due to Trump’s self-proclaimed “Drill baby, drill” stance on climate policy, the U.S. was unable to take the lead in negotiations like in past summits (Reuters). Prior to the conference, concerns were raised that Trump’s shadow would impede progress, as other nations would use his reelection as an excuse to scale back their own commitments (The New York Times). While it is unquestionable that Trump’s victory sparked concern among delegates, it also spurred more urgent action. With the U.S. taking a backseat, China stepped up to plate. Despite being officially recognized as a “developing” country by the U.N., and thus exempt from obligations to make financial contributions to the fund, China voluntarily offered its contributions up to be counted towards the overall fund (BBC).

With the threat of resource scarcity, increased natural disasters and rising sea levels, climate change is undeniably a global issue. Multilateral forums for cooperation like the COP give reason for hope by providing the most vulnerable with a voice. However, this year’s COP showed that despite setbacks, climate change is not being neglected, and that compromise can be reached. Until the COP30 in Brazil, the world can only wait to see if the commitments made at COP29 will be honored.

10 STUDENT LIFE

Serving Up Success

Selah Hartman | 10

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rom beloved yogurt parfaits to the new Korean BBQ bowls, the Peninsula cafeteria offers a wide variety of popular meals for students to choose from that keep them excited to come back each week. The cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays during Panther Time and lunch, and the frequent long lines demonstrate the cafeteria’s widespread acclaim from the student body.

When preparing food for the breakfast and lunch hours, the cafeteria staff puts extra time and effort into the meals they make for students — most of the cafeteria staff have been working at this school for over 20 years.

They all strive to provide a multitude of multicultural and diet-friendly menu items every day and pride themselves on their specialty made-from-scratch menu items. The freshly prepared items such as the ramen, french bread pizzas, beef or chicken bowls and the yogurt parfaits are in high demand among students and now make up more than half of the menu. Peninsula cafeteria manager Roberta Shreeves comments on her favorite part of her job.

“The [highlight] of my job is feeding the children and making them happy,” Shreeves said. “[Providing] them with nutritional meals fuels their brains, [improves] attitudes and helps them learn more.”

The cafeteria provides around ten different menu items each day, and the menu options rotate every three months.

Some of the most popular breakfast items include breakfast burritos on Thursdays which consist of potatoes, eggs, cheese and sausage or bacon; donut bars, which are glazed old-fashioned donuts; cereal, which includes Cheerios, Apple Jacks and Cinnamon Toast Crunch as options and Pillsbury “mini-cinnis”, which are either strawberry or cinnamon cream cheese-filled pastries.

The favorite lunch items among students are the Dominos pepperoni and cheese pizzas served on Wednesdays and made-from-scratch items such as the ramen, Korean BBQ bowls, chicken and vegetarian dumplings, meat and vegetarian rotini and the teriyaki chicken bowls. The cafeteria also has many vegetarian options, such as plantbased Italian sausage pizzas or entirely meatless options,

day.”

Even though there is plenty of positive student feedback on the cafeteria and the food they serve, the one issue is the seemingly never-ending lines outside the cafeteria and the often lack of abundant lunch carts around campus. Cutting and skipping the lines has always been a major issue since students are eager to get their favorite menu items before the cafeteria runs out, not only making it difficult for the cafeteria staff to hand out the meals, but annoying other students who have to wait for almost all of lunch to receive their food. The cafeteria staff tries time and time again to combat the hordes of students that seem to cluster around the lunch cart by emphasizing the importance of single-file lines. Olmos mentioned ways of improving the lunch line situation.

“The lines can get long and sometimes if you wait [too long], you end up spending half of your lunchtime in the lines,” Olmos said.

“Maybe if there were more lunch carts, people wouldn’t have to wait as long or they could offer more of the popular items so that they don’t run out [as quickly].”

Students can get school lunch during the designated times from either the cafeteria or PHOTO COURTESY OF ESPERANZA ENGLE-TSENG the two lunch carts that are near the H building and the S building. Each student can get rice and an optional soy sauce. It is served on Mondays one free breakfast, one free lunch and the required fruit and Fridays during lunch and it is a completely made- and additional snacks can be purchased with a Titan acfrom-scratch menu item, debatably the best one yet. The count at the snack shack, which is open during Panther Korean BBQ bowl is a top favorite to many because of Time and ten minutes after the beginning of lunch. Students can also go to the PVPUSD website to find more inhow hearty and warm it is and how it adds a burst of flavor to an ordinary school lunch. Another favorite is the formation on the food services or to load funds onto their yogurt parfait which is served during both lunch and Titan account. While there are things—like the lunch lines—that could be improved upon, the cafeteria works Panther Time on various days. It is made with either vadiligently each and every single day to serve meals that nilla, mango or strawberry yogurt and comes with grakeep our student body healthy, happy and fed. Sophonola. The yogurt parfait is a lighter option for anyone in more Andrew Pacheco discussed his thoughts on getting the mood for a creamy, sweet and fruity on-the-go school school lunch. meal option. From a hearty, warm meal to a quick sweet “Lunch and Panther Time are great breaks from the treat, the cafeteria offers a variety of items that are beloved by the student body. Sophomore Madalynn Olmos school day and I'm glad that we have [many] good lunch and breakfast options that help us fuel for our next classdetails one of her favorite school menu items.

“The Korean BBQ bowls are my favorite; the beef is es,” Pacheco said. “I really appreciate the variety and efboth [sweet] and savory and it melts in your mouth,” Olfort that the cafeteria staff provides and I’m sure [that] mos said. “It is one of my favorite meals to have on a cold others do too.” such as the chili, the quesadillas and their new salad bar.

The feedback from students is largely positive, as these popular options run out almost immediately after the start of lunch.

Out of all the many different menu items that the cafeteria has to offer, the one that stands out the most is the new Korean BBQ bowl. It is made with broccoli, beef and a sweet teriyaki sauce and it is served with white

The Greatest Gift of All Sydney Malicse | 9

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hen celebrating the winter holidays, presents are often exchanged to show gratitude, which people generally put a great amount of time and effort into. The question remains, however: what makes a gift meaningful? Gifts may have stories and memories behind them, creating a symbol of a special moment that has passed. Sophomore Sarah Solomon’s favorite gift she received was a dollhouse given by her parents when she was in the fifth grade. It was her favorite gift because it was something she had coveted and was willing to work for. Solomon shares her take on what she thinks about giving and receiving gifts.

“The thing I enjoy most about giving gifts is the feeling of satisfaction when the receiver has a good reaction,” Solomon said “[What] I enjoy most about receiving gifts is that fulfilling feeling of knowing someone thought of me.”

Freshman Lilah Gonzalez always spends Christmas with her family, making and eating lots of food with them.

After spending so many Christmases with them throughout her life, she concluded that the most meaningful gift is also one that is the most thoughtful, which sometimes have stories behind them, like inside jokes or memories.

When Gonzalez was six-years-old, she and her brother were given an old English sheepdog named Duffy. She and her brother had been asking for a dog for the longest time, so her parents finally gave in and fulfilled their wishes. Gonzalez explains the story behind certain gifts.

“I love gifts because [they provide] something you can always [reminisce] about, [bringing] up a good memory,” Gonzalez said. “For example, when seeing my dog, I will always remember that when I first met her, I knew she was the one.”

Senior Roman Munro has his birthday just four days before Christmas, which means he celebrates them both in the span of a week. He spends the holidays in the comfort of his own home with his family, having a great time.

Something that Munro had gotten as a gift was a pair of corduroy pants last year, which had a great impact on him, opening his eyes to a new style that he soon adopted.

Munro explains his unpopular opinion on the qualities of a significant holiday gift.

“Decorations are [the most significant] holiday gift, because I tend not to use [something like a] board game, but a decoration can be up all year round,” Munro said.

“You’re constantly getting value out of [these versatile pieces], as well as something like the corduroy pants.”

The most significant holiday gift is not defined by its price tag or size, but by the thought and meaning it carries. Whether it’s the joy of giving or a gift’s lasting value, each person finds significance in different ways. Ultimately, the best gifts are those that come from the heart, creating lasting memories of the holidays.

Art by: Angie Jo | 12

STUDENT LIFE 11 Elyssa Lee | 10

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Art by : Zoe H ollings head | 12

hough games are simply a form of entertainment to some, for senior Eric Lu, games are the product of a coded language that only a few can comprehend.

By dedicating his time and effort, Lu was able to create a Roblox game, ‘The Art of War,’ using the skills he has developed since a young age. This game challenges players to assemble their own armies and strategize to defeat their opponents in competitive battles. Lu’s passion for computer technology was introduced by his mother in fourth grade. With his excitement for this newfound hobby, he would devote three hours every day after school to work on his code. He taught himself the basics of coding and began experimenting with platformers at different speeds, which allowed him to become comfortable with programming character movement and other components needed for game development. As Lu’s passion for coding grew, he decided to dive deeper into the hobby and participate in computer programming competitions. He studied code for a year and took classes to further refine his self-taught skills and prepare himself for the USA Computing Olympiad. Lu reached the silver level at this intense and prestigious coding competition, which helped him gain the skills needed to create his Roblox game. Having recognized Lu’s potential from a young age, his mom, Ning Li, shares an explanation as to why she introduced this hobby to him.

“Starting in elementary school, I would assign Eric extra math homework every day,” Li said. “I noticed that he had good logical thinking skills, so I thought that he might enjoy programming and encouraged him to learn it.

Since he liked playing video games, I encouraged him to start by creating small games on Scratch, gradually introducing him to the concepts of programming.”

Lu’s motivation to create his game came from his desire to see more complexity in Roblox, a popular online gaming platform that allows users to create and play games. Inspired by the well-designed StarCraft, a famous Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, where players must manage resources, build units, and engage in combat, Lu drew from its mechanics to develop his own game design. He started by creating a prototype using his own algorithms and then implemented advanced ones he found online, such as Pathfinding and Flow Fields, which help characters or objects in a game move efficiently toward a destination. Lu solved technical issues by applying

his own networking system, such as when he overcame Roblox’s simple Pathfinding limitations by developing a more intricate one. However, balancing school along with this project proved difficult for Lu, especially since the game took a year to complete. Nevertheless, his motivation to create an improved RTS game pushed him to develop different strategies that engaged players and allowed them to have greater freedom.

“There are RTS games on Roblox, but they’re poorly optimized because they use the default engine,” Lu said.

“It’s just really suffocating to be limited to [only] ten soldiers per round. I wanted to optimize that. Every moment of free time I had, I would just think, how could I make this more efficient and intriguing? This [project] consumed me.”

The formation of an online community allowed Lu to receive support and feedback from players. A Discord server was linked under the game, which allowed players to comment on the game and make suggestions for Lu’s improvement. He brought together a community of like-minded individuals from across the globe, providing him with a variety of new perspectives. His game reached a peak number of 100 players per day with 20,000 active monthly players. Additionally, the game amassed 476.2k visits on Roblox and has become a favorite to 4238 people. Although his game gained popularity, Lu never prioritized the numbers; instead, he focused on the actual programming and the enjoyment he found in the process. Many of the people who played Lu’s game reached out to him to compliment his impressive designs and code.

His friends also displayed support throughout his game-making process, one of whom was senior Max Zhao, who helped design parts of the game and was the first to participate in Lu’s trial runs.

“We spent hours fine-tuning the gameplay, brainstorming new features and pitching ideas to each other,” Zhao said. “I helped Eric because it was enjoyable to do, and after people started playing it and giving their own takes on the game, it gave me a great sense of pride. Working with him [helped us become better friends], because we would joke while testing the game or while we played against each other and [frequently discussed] the game at school.”

With Lu’s long standing passion for programming, coding will likely be in his future. The creation of this game reinforced his passion and sparked his interest in quantitative analysis, predictions for the stock market and its trends. Although Lu has always been adept at math and physics, this project served as good practice for his problem-solving skills in these subjects.

“The satisfaction and triumph [that comes from] designing a digital machine and painstakingly debugging it until it works with perfection is what I live for,” Lu said. “I look forward to continuing computer science, delving deeper into humanity’s endless wealth of creativity so that I may better exercise my own. Developing ‘The Art of War’ taught me how passion and perseverance can bring ambitious dreams to reality, and I will approach future projects with this in mind.”

Edited by: Melina Ajami | 10

12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Wickedly Good Time

Elena Thomas | 10

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The movie, which is almost three hours in length, contains many fun and impactful moments, as well as numerous musical numbers and dancing sequences. For those who are not entertained by dance sequences and long performances, a movie packed with them might not be worth it. However, those who enjoy musical theater should have nothing but love for this film, as it is everything its musical production is and more. The director of “Wicked,” John Chu, brought the staged musical to film beautifully. Chu is widely acknowledged for directing movies like “Crazy Rich Asians,” known for its colorful scenery and sweeping camera shots. He also directed the musical “In the Heights,” a movie that features extravagant dance scenes and lively music. Chu infused the strengths of both of his past works into “Wicked.” Sophomore Abigail

ollowing the success of a hit stage musical and novel, the movie “Wicked” has reached levels of great triumph since its release on Nov. 24. The film grossed $163 million in just its first weekend in theaters (NBCUniversal), surpassing a record set by the opening of Les Misérables for the most any movie based on a Broadway show has gained in its first weekend. By Dec. 29, over a month after its release, “Wicked” had made $634.4 million worldwide, officially becoming the top grossing film based on a Broadway musical (Billboard). The love that the cast, crew and director have for the story shines through in the hard work put into every detail of the film, especially the moving performances by leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Their subtle yet powerful choices while playing Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland gave a personal twist to the iconic duo, while staying true to the great whimsy of the beloved stage musical. This movie, which is part one to the story and encompasses plotlines from the first act of the show, has left audiences eagerly awaiting the second part of the film (and for those still waiting to watch, wanting complete surprise, the following contains spoilers). Despite the movie only showing half of the film, “Wicked” has managed to attract and charm both devoted fans and those experiencing Oz’s magic for the first time, defying expectations.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NBCUNIVERSAL The story of “Wicked” was first released to the world in the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire to serve as a prequel to “The Wizard Mayhack found the backgrounds to be one of her favorite of Oz,” published in 1900. Since the two stories were writ- parts of the movie and made the film just as magical as ten by two different authors, many years apart, “Wicked” the musical she watched many years ago.

“Everything was just so beautiful and stood out to me, is not regarded as an accurate prequel. Maguire borrowed like the songs, acting and costumes,” Mayhack said. “But characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” many of which were it was mainly the vivid sets and colors used in the film. one-dimensional; they were either completely good or inObviously, it’s hard to use many different sets on a stage, herently evil. To fix that and also explore the nature of so the movie being able to [capture many environments] malice, he chose the antagonist in “The Wizard of Oz,” made it special.” known as the Wicked Witch of the West, to be his protagUsually a movie’s ability to do more with sets is due onist, whom he named Elphaba. Both stories take place in to space or computer-generated imagery (CGI), however the land of Oz, home to talking animals, Munchkins and in this movie, little CGI was used. Instead, set designers the famous yellow brick road. The tales depict some of the made the choice of building and using practical sets, like goings-on in this whimsical realm; however, it is the new the nine million tulips that were planted for the opening perspective in “Wicked” that sets Maguire’s work apart scenes of the film (Playbill). The magnificently designed from “The Wizard of Oz.” The Broadway production of backgrounds, while requiring a lot of tedious and manual “Wicked” premiered in October 2003, quickly becoming labor, really set the scene for the performances to come. an international hit. The musical, performed in over 100 “Wicked” as a movie has connected with audiences greatcities and 16 countries, is the winner of over 100 awards ly, standing out from other recent films with its long hisand the fourth longest-running Broadway show (Playbill). tory of love from its viewers.

Sophomore Annika Abellido Between the novel and musical, “Wicked” has had a sucfinds great joy that her favorite musical has been excelcessful history and created a high bar for its new film adlently reimagined. aptation among fans of the musical. “[The movie] brought back to life an iconic musical in The film begins when the young witch Elphaba, born a new way,” Abellido said. “I loved everything about the with a green complexion, ends up at Shiz University afmusical on stage and it was great to see others enjoy it too.” ter a life of being misunderstood, hated and feared due to “Wicked” has the power of uniting with its comedic, her unusual color in the land of Oz. At school, she learns musical and emotional appeal that reaches many audito understand her magical powers and forges an unlikely ences.

Each scene either brings viewers to a laugh, tears friendship with Glinda, her roommate. When she finally or a heartfelt smile.

In most films and stage productions, meets the revered Wizard of Oz, Elphaba unfortunately actors may have a chance to make small changes in the learns terrible truths about her homeland, leading her on way their character delivers their lines or how they act, a different path in life.

differentiating themselves from other actors who have taken on the same role. Both Erivo and Grande made these modifications and we creat- ed some fan favorite moments such as Erivo’s signature riff at the end of the song “Defying Gravity” which has been praised and recreated throughout social media. Their comedic and musical choices differentiate this reinvention of “Wicked” from every other version of the production. The demanding work that it takes for actors to become their character could be tough for those who are not familiar with that task to understand. Junior Linus Ruchti, who participates in drama, appreciates the cowwmmitment of all crew members in the film. Ruchti found himself surprised during the film, as the engaging performances were not what he expected.

“The acting really impressed me,” Ruchti said. “The length of the movie allows for the [actors] to develop [their characters] and the audience to connect with them more. [Erivo] has performed on Broadway and created a fantastic Elphaba. [Grande], while being a very popular artist, was actually a total theater kid [which shines through in the film].”

Ruchti is not the only person who did not expect such an amazing performance from Grande, despite her playing roles in theater during her childhood and even debuting on Broadway in 2008 in the musical “13.” However, Grande has mainly been recognized as a pop star since releasing her first studio album in 2013. It was difficult for some audiences to understand how she could transition from making mainstream music to perf o r m i n g musical theater.

Anyone who watches “Wicked” can see the pure love put into each and every second of the movie, especially the song sequences. Christopher Scott’s choreography in the fun and playful “Dancing Through Life” and the tense and sharp “What Is this Feeling?” was perfectly fitting and has become popular throughout social media platforms. Grande’s wonderful acting and emotional range between songs “No One Mourns the Wicked” and “Popular” displayed her exceptional ability to disappear into her character as well as showcasing her incredibly chilling vocals. Erivo’s “The Wizard and I” is underappreciated, even though this one song is evidence enough that she is the perfect fit for Elphaba. Her performances are full of indescribable talent and tear-welling emotions. On the other hand, the epic ending ballad “Defying Gravity,” which ends the film, has earned Erivo much praise which she undoubtedly deserves.

“My expectations were definitely met. The last song, “Defying Gravity”, is such a powerful closing number for act one,” Ruchti said. “It left me sitting in my seat for a few seconds taking in what I had just seen.”

This final song perfectly ends the movie, with the beauty of Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship evident in both actress’ performance and Erivo’s powerful voice. There is palpable drama in the film’s final moments that leaves audiences eagerly waiting for the second half of the story. “Defying Gravity” has been inspiring people since the musical production, and was even more powerful in the film. Ending with remarkable impact, “Wicked” has lived up to its legacy and it is deserving of its immense success.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13

‘The Wild Robot’ Wows Soren Kim | 11

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ach year, hundreds of movies are released ranging from terrible to breathtaking. 2024 had a handful of major disappointments, such as director Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie a Deux” and director Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” both of which lacked a well-written story and didn’t meet viewers’ enormous expectations.

Amid that cinematic muck, however, one movie rises above: DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot” – a movie that should be recommended to everyone for its heartwarming plot and captivating visuals. Based on a New York Times bestselling children’s book series w ritten by Peter Brown, “The Wild Robot” was adapted into a full-length animated smash hit for all ages by director Chris Sanders in September. Both the books and film follow the story of a stranded robot named Ros, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, who finds herself alone on a remote island with only wild animals for her to interact with. Ros is designed to complete any task asked of her, but after crash landing on the island she grows confused and tries to find her way home. However, Ros finds a new task that keeps her on the island: motherhood. With the help of a cheeky fox named Fink, Ros raises a found goose egg into an adult named Brightbill as they have to get him flying by the

Art by: Kat Espedido

end of the harsh winter.

One notable aspect of “The Wild Robot” is its star-studded cast, with voice performances by Mark Hamill and Pedro Pascal. Usually, other animated movies with celebrity casts have uninspired performances, with actors putting minimal effort in and not considering the differences in medium. However, the “The Wild Robot” is undeniably different, having a uniqueness that is enjoyable and enthralling to watch. Nyong’o was a brilliant casting for Ros, starting with a robotic, stale voic e reflecting Ros’s rigid state of mind. As she gains a “heart” from taking care of Brightbill, her voice becomes more natural and fluid with different inflections.

Viewers hear Ros’ grow as a character as she becomes almost human-like, losing all of the robotic qualities in her delivery. Actor and Peninsula alumna Stephanie Hsu also plays the role of the antagonist, Vontra, to perfection. Vontra is the recall robot sent to retrieve Ros and is programmed to bring “malfunctioning” robots back to the facility. The Oscar nominee, though holding little screen time, delivers on all levels, playing characters with a cheery and simultaneously eerie delivery. Vontra fits this archetype flawlessly, and Hsu’s performance is so harrowing it is one many would expect to see in a horror movie.

Another standout in the cast was Pedro Pascal as Fink.

Many fans doubted Pascal’s potential leading up to the movie, as he never voiced characters prior to the production, but surprisingly, he defied expectations: many viewers didn’t even realize it was his voice behind the tricky yet caring fox.

Though the story and cast help bring the film to life, both are not nearly as impactful as the beautiful soundtrack. Composed by Kris Bowers, the soundtrack is a masterful showcase of what musical production for a film should be, featuring a mix of traditional orchestral arrangements and pop songs.” For the pop songs, artist Maren Morris cre-

ated two songs for the movie. “Kiss the Sky” is used in the montage of Brightbill training to be ready for migration, and the song’s inspiring melodies and lyrics make the viewer feel the same hope and determination t h a t Ros and Brightbill feel as they work together.

Similarly, her second song “Even When I’m Not,” which is used as the credit theme, evokes similar emotions, but this time viewers feel the nostalgia that comes from reminiscing on a heartfelt story. While these songs are exceptional, Bowers’ instrumentals and use of repetition truly make the soundtrack shine. First appearing in the song “The Accident,” a collection of musical notes at a slow tempo is originally played as Ros destroys a nest but finds Brightbill’s egg. This melody, a repeating motif in the music of the soundtrack, makes the viewers feel the sadness and regret of the situation, but also underscore the curiosity Ros has for the egg. Later, a much more dramatic, orchestral version of the theme is played when Brightbill finally leaves the island in the song “I Could Use a Boost.” The strings and drums start to intensify as Brightbill takes flight and the audience feels all the emotions that the characters are feeling. In the emotional climax, an epic symphony occurs to end the movie, bringing back every single heavy emotion that Bowers invoked before in one fell swoop with the final use of the musical motif. One would think that a musical theme could never capture every single feeling a human being could feel, and yet Kris Bowers achieves it to perfection bringing the entire story full circle.

From its phenomenal voice acting to its stellar soundtrack, “The Wild Robot” is a spectacle to be seen by all. Each detail that went into this film clearly required immense effort, which is reflected in the quality of the movie. Starting as a children’s book to becoming one of the most successful animated movies is a rare achievement which the “The Wild Robot”deserves.

14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Tyler Creates a Hit

Sura Kiasatpour | 12

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opular artists often receive an overwhelming amount of criticism after releasing new music, finding it difficult to satisfy the expectations of a larger, more diverse audience — the phrase “I miss the old [insert artist]’s songs” is a common one among big names in the music industry. The reality, though, is that these fan bases are merely attaching these older albums to the time period that they were released in; they may just be associating positive memories from that moment in their lives when those songs were relevant, rather than truly judging the artist’s craft. This is the exact case surrounding Tyler the Creator’s new album, “CHROMAKOPIA,” with fans bad-mouthing the project solely due to the sense of nostalgia they feel for his older work. Despite this debate, the album is largely strong due to its profound lyricism and storytelling, though there are a few skips.

“CHROMAKOPIA” is a matured version of Tyler the Creator’s old music, staying true to his classic sound and style, but also adding new elements for listeners. Tyler creates a new persona in the album, St. Chroma, making the listening experience cinematic as listeners are taken through his life story. Featured voice notes from his mother on “St. Chroma,” and “Darling, I” add an intimate layer to the project and build the story further. The electricity of songs like “Balloon,” accompanied by the album’s blend of hip-hop, R&B and jazz, make the album truly eclectic, appealing to both old and new listeners alike. Sophomore and longtime fan Ezinne Oduoza also enjoyed the new sound of the album.

“Tyler the Creator’s [‘CHROMAKOPIA’] feels [more] refined than his older [albums] like Goblin,” Oduoza said. “He’s still [experimenting], but there’s a difference in how he blends the chaos with smooth, emotional moments. The whole album is insane, and [I say this] not just [as a fan of his] — objectively, it’s beautiful. The production, the transitions and the way each song feels is intentional; it’s clear Tyler put his all into it.”

Tyler deliberately chose to release the album on Oct.

28, a Monday, with not much time between the announcement and the release. His intent was to generate more listeners, as he felt that people were more likely to listen to an album on their commute to work or to school on a weekday morning, rather than a Friday night filled with plans (Complex). In another attempt to generate more traction, Tyler held a listening party the night before the release in Los Angeles, charging only $5 per ticket, which is admirable (Los Angeles Times). This casual event was

CHROMAKOPIA ALBUM COVER COURTESY OF ODD FUTURE RECORDS

very accessible to fans and gave them a taste of the album building up more anticipation and excitement for the release. Senior Abby Scotto had the opportunity to go to the listening party with friends and had a great time.

“Tyler the Creator’s listening was an amazing experience for me,” Scotto said. “Hearing the album for the first time gave me a connection with it now, [as I can] remember [my] first listen. Tyler created [a] surreal atmosphere with lights and sounds surrounding the stadium which made the experience even better than I was expecting.”

Despite the discourse surround- ing the album, there are still new fan favorites aris- ing from “CHROMAKOPIA.” “Darling, I,” and “Hey Jane,” are both songs that are universally liked due to their similar sound to older tracks. The various parallels in lyricism to his old work in “Judge Judy” is also a fun element to appreciate, adding more depth and a nostalgic aspect for longtime fans. Senior Cameron Bobich agrees, finding it to be a good listen, although it hasn’t replaced his previous favorites albums.

“I would rate ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ a solid 8/10,” Bobich said. “As a person who loves diving into music deeply, [the] lyrics and meaning of a song are just as important as [its] beats and sound. While I thoroughly enjoyed the album, I can’t relate to it as much as other albums, like ‘IGOR.’ This doesn’t take anything away from the quality of the album, it just doesn’t connect personally with me well enough to have as much ‘replay value’ as his other albums.”

Overall, the album was an enjoyable one; the innovative mixing of new sounds with his nostalgic, older style feels authentic to his artistry and makes for a pleasant listen. The features on the album are hard-hitters, too: Childish Gambino provides glossy backing vocals in “I Killed You” and “Judge Judy,” and Daniel Caesar’s angelic voice spills through in the opener, “St. Chroma.” Though the album won’t be quick to surpass “Wolf” or “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” — there’s not much of a drastic stylistic change between this album and his previous ones — Tyler’s storytelling truly shines through, and his lyricism in the project is excellent as ever. If anything, the project feels like a more refined, production-focused version of his sound, which is evident in songs like “Balloon,” which features a playful, yet calculated rhythm. That sound breaks even, though: calmer tracks like “Hey Jane” provide a feeling of consistency amid his experimental sound. This balance is what makes Tyler’s albums so easy to appreciate, there is something in Tyler’s music for everyone, making this album just as impressive as some of his earlier releases.

ISSUE 2 STAFF PICKS

“‘The Monkey’ is one of those kinds of horror movies with a cheesy script and corny CGI. The movie overall was so bad that I loved it. I was laughing the entire time!”

- Shawn Lo | 12

Edited by: Sivan Stoler

“‘The Day of the Jackal’ is a new series with Eddie Reymane!

I love Eddie Reymane’s movies so I was excited to watch this series and it lived up to the hype.”

- Melina Ajami | 10

‘Pearls’ PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY MUSIC

‘The Day of the Jackal’

PHOTO COURTESY OF PEACOCK

PHOTO COURTESY OF ATOMIC MONSTER

‘The Monkey’

“A recent song I’ve been listening to on repeat is ‘Pearls’ by Sade. Her voice is amazing and addicting to listen to.

All of her songs are beautiful but this one has to be my favorite.”

- Kyra McGath | 9

“Those who dream to fly aspire towards self-realization and true freedom.”

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

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With personalized tutoring and expert college counseling, we help you transform your passions into meaningful, future-focused milestones.

Grades are just the beginning.

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310-541-8222 | www.VeritasAcademy2001.com

16 SPORTS

Hearts Will Be F1

From the Track to the Screen: F1 Gains in Popularity Giana Geerdts | 11

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ormula 1 (F1) is more than just a sport; it’s a global phenomenon. F1 has captivated audiences of millions from around the world and is the highest class of international car racing which makes money, competition and politics deeply intertwined with the sport. Since its start in Europe in the 1950s, F1 has grown into one of the most watched events globally. The F1 competition features sports car teams like Ferrari, Red Bull and McClaren all with different drivers competing in a series of thrilling races on some of the most iconic tracks, pushing the boundaries and limits of the drivers and engineers. But what truly makes F1 such a worldwide phenomenon which appeals to all audiences?

The release of the Netflix documentary “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”, which was released in 2019, made the sport more accessible to different audiences and has allowed it to bring in new viewers, particularly younger ones. In 2020, 62% of the new fans accumulated were under the age of 35 (Formula 1). After watching the Netflix documentary during the quarantine in 2020, senior Zain Karu became interested in the sport.

“Specifically, the [F1] team drama was very interesting to me,” Karu said. “In 2020, a team, [Racing Point], was accused of cheating by three major competitors [McLaren, Williams and Renault] due to [their] surging up the standings from 2019 to 2020. They were eventually caught, but the consequences were minimal. It also contributed to [ a ton of] offtrack drama which led to a thrilling

championship battle.”

Although F1 was originally targeted at a European fanbase in countries like Italy, Germany and Great Britain, the documentary changed the trajectory of F1 racing and its audience, making the sport more relatable and inclusive. In 2020, viewership of F1 racing in North America increased 28% following the release of the Netflix documentary (ESPN). In 2021, the season attracted an average of 947,000 viewers, marking a 56% increase compared to the 2020 season and a 41% rise from the 2019 season average (ESPN). The F1 Management openly embracing social media has also played a huge role in t h e sport skyrocketing in popularity. Behind the scenes content, driver

personalities, updates on race weekends and exclusive content on social media apps like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube make the sport more fun to engage with.The official F1 Instagram page has over 30 million followers and drivers like Lando Norris have over 9 million followers and Lewis Hamilton with a hefty 38 million followers. F1 regularly makes changes to the sport to stay competitive, enhance safety, improve sustainability and keep fans entertained. The introduction of the Halo device in 2018 helps to protect drivers’ heads from debris and proves its value in situations like Romain Grosjean’s 2020 crash in Bahrain. Sophomore Nex Iraheta has her own opinions about changes to F1.

Art by: Soha Shah

“[F1 is] getting rid of [the] Drag Reduction System, which helps the cars go faster on straightaways,” Iraheta said. “They [also] issued a lot of penalties. I think it’s unfair that the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) doesn’t allow the drivers to express themselves freely.

Max [Verstappen] and Charles [Leclerc] received [around] f i v e hours of community

service for using inappropriate language. It feels like they’ve recruited the most rookies from F2 for the upcoming 2025 season, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Plus, they’re adding an 11th team—Cadillac—in 2026 for the first time.”

While many are aware of the presence of the sport through media coverage or the occasional Instagram highlight reel, the real beauty of the sport lies in how easy it is to enjoy and understand. Unlike some sports where fans need to actively participate or have extensive knowledge of the rules, F1 is strictly a spectator sport.

Its global appeal comes from the excitement of watching world class drivers racing at high speeds. Additionally, the different teams and drivers have a sense of connection and community for fans. Sophomore Hazel Smith shares her perspective.

“People think F1 is [a] really complicated [sport] that you have to know a ton about to enjoy,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t say I know a ton about F1, but that doesn’t mean I love it any less. If people were given more time to learn about it [F1], more people would like it.”

From its humble beginnings to its status as a global spectacle, F1has evolved into a technological giant, attracting fans from around the world. As the sport continues to grow and innovate, its influence spreads beyond the track, even affecting pop culture. Whether someone is a longtime fan or just discovering the thrill of the race, F1 has something for everyone.

Edited by: Zahra Habib

SPORTS

17

Art by: Soha Shah

Girls Golf Finishes Their Season Undefeated Kyra McGath | 9

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eninsula’s girls varsity golf team finished their season on Nov. 14 with an impressive 13-0 record, showing off the players’ hard work and dedication and resulting in their qualification for CIF Regionals. During CIF Regionals, they won their last game and senior Chloe Park became the first golf player at Peninsula to win CIF Regionals in the individual category. Adding to their extensive list of achievements this season, seven out of the nine girls on the team qualified to compete in CIF Regionals. However, the team's success is not solely due to individual talent; it is also the result of heavy effort and practice.

The team has practice from Monday to Thursday at Rolling Hills Country Club after school for three hours, where they train drives, bunker and pitch shots, overcoming any obstacles that may arise. Then they head to the putting green, where most of the girls play three or nine holes. At each practice and tournament, the girls strive to be better players in hopes of making their coach proud. Director of Golf Glenn Van Enk shared his opinions on what makes the team special.

“We have an extremely [talented] golf team, [from] top to bottom, [with a] lot of good players. That’s really what

separates our team from a lot of the girls golf teams in Southern California,” Van Enk said. “They’re [all] really positive and they like each other; they go get food after the matches and they’ll hang out together even outside of golf. They genuinely like each other and want each other to play well.”

The bond between an athlete and their coach is often a key factor in an athlete's development, as it sparks trust and encourages constructive criticism. For Park, this bond was essential in helping her become the first athlete to win CIF Regionals in an individual category.

Park started playing golf five years ago and has only gotten better since, in large part due to her dedication to the sport. She is now committed to UC Riverside to play golf in college. Throughout the season, head coach and mentor Todd DeAngelis has offered not only technical guidance but also emotional support. Her teammates played an important role too, offering encouragement and pushing each other to excel. Whenever Park felt she hadn't performed well, her peers were always there to support her and give motivational words. This support from her team, especially her coach, has impacted her deeply.

“My coach has played a really big part in where I am now; he's always there for me and he's my number one supporter," Park said. “When I underperformed and

played poorly in a match, I felt disappointed and thought that I had let the team down. But my team was very supportive and helped me gain my motivation back.”

Van Enk, DeAngelis and assistant coach Jim Small play a crucial role in the team’s success. They provide technical guidance to help the girls refine their skills and also offer emotional support whenever the team feels that they’re underperforming. By giving out personalized strategies for tournaments and providing individual feedback, the golf coaches ensure that each player reaches their full potential.

Though the team won every game this season, the journey wasn’t without its hardships. At the CIF Regionals tournament at Los Serranos North Golf Course to advance to state finals, the team missed the qualification by just a few strokes. However, the players leaned on each other and their coaches, using that difficult moment as an opportunity to grow and bond as a team. Following the loss, the team went out to dinner with all the coaches and parents, making sure everyone’s spirits were uplifted.

Junior Hannah Morgan explained her experience with golf.

“Golf is like life, you have good and bad days,” Morgan said. “Every time I have a bad golf day, it’s not the end of the world because I know a good [day] is coming soon.”

Cross Country Conquers CIF Both the Boys and Girls Teams Advance to CIF Finals for the First Time in 27 Years Jarrett Meza-Torne | 11

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or the first time in 27 years, both the boys and girls cross country teams qualified for CIF Finals, one of the most prestigious competitions for the sport. From that race, three individuals advanced to CIF State for their performances: senior Jadeyn Skefich, senior Luke D’Elia and junior Alexandra Himebauch. Running in CIF Finals on Nov. 23, during the week of Thanksgiving break, D’Elia pulled off a 15:36 time for a distance of five kilometers — the standard distance for a meet. Skefich and Himebauch ran an 18:24 and 18:21 for the same distance, earning them a spot in the next championship.

Competing at CIF Finals and qualifying for CIF State were the result of many months and even years of work for some of the athletes. To dominate the competition, the team learned specific methods to control their breathing and practiced optimum stride lengths on Peninsula’s home turf. Not only was the team intently focused on strength training by frequently utilizing the weight room, but they also worked on building mental willpower necessary for their success. Recovery was important, too: the team constantly used foam rollers to stretch out sore or pulled

muscles and took ice baths to recover from rigorous running sessions. Though senior cross country runner Natalie Tom is satisfied with the team’s accomplishments, she mainly treasures the time they were able to spend with each other and the bonding they achieved through

the past three years, but we are all just very grateful to be able to race one last time together before the seniors graduate.”

Family support also played a huge role in their success — many parents cheered them on at the races and held up signs, reading “Proud of You,” “Great Job Alex!” and “Great Job Jadeyn!”

As a result of the positive feedback received from their parents and coaches, the athletes have felt changes in themselves, feeling more confident and relaxed before these meets even start. The encouragement from loved ones was a large part of fostering the talent that all of these individuals show on and off the course. Junior Kiyan Khaleeli, one of the captains of the boys cross country team, reflects on the importance of a runners’ mental state before racing.

“The difference between a good runner and a great runner is not only talent, but the strength to push through the pain PHOTO COURTESY OF GEN OGAMI and the will to keep going,” Khaleeli said.

“The team has made many changes to their extensive training. mindset over the past couple of years. Next year may be “We are all very excited to race at finals. We've been even better than the last — the team might make it to working really hard since the summer to train for this 1st place in the next CIF finals in 2026. Hard work and race,” Tom said. “Going to State would be amazing for determination is what this team has displayed over these the girls team, especially because we've been so close for years of challenges, sprinting toward the finish line.”