The Perennial | February 2023

Read a student’s reflections on Black History Month in photographer Myles Fox’s first-ever article

READ MORE ON PAGE 2

Read about the history and impact of Pinewood’s own Panther Pit in Brandon Ge’s latest article

Is Pinewood Prepared?

Read about the fentanyl epidemic connection to Snapchat in Lara Parikh’s latest article

READ MORE ON PAGE 6

With mass shootings on the rise, lockdown drills equip students for the unimaginable

ANNABELLE EATON Staff Writer

What started out with fireworks, festivities, and celebrations for the Lunar New Year instead ended with shots fired and 11 dead. This was the scene of the Monterey Park shooting — only one of three mass shootings in the Bay Area since the start of the year.

In the first month and a half, more than 70 mass shootings have been reported nationwide, eight of which were school shootings. As the threat of gun violence moves closer to home, Pinewood must now consider how the issue affects Pinewood’s campus.

“This is not just a California issue, it’s a national issue,” Head of Upper Campus Gabriel Lemmon said. “I think the leading cause of death for [children] used to be car accidents. Now, it is gun violence.”

Although Pinewood has never experienced a school shooting nor had the threat of a school shooter, the administration must deal with the possibility of gun violence at school as the problem is exacerbated. Lemmon said that Pinewood has scheduled lockdown drills, but does not plan to hold additional drills in light of recent shootings.

“We do a good job of training [administration] to do the right thing,” Lemmon said. “But, with gun

violence, there is no simple way to prevent it.”

It was during his time teaching in Mexico when Lemmon began to recognize the international perception of gun violence in the United States.

“My friends in Mexico said, ‘we’re scared for you because you’re going to work at a school in the United

crime, they do not have the same types of mass shootings that are unique to the United States.

“Compared to most any industrialized country, we’re in a different playing field when it comes to gun violence,” Lemmon said.

As the threat of a school shooting grows, so does the fear within our own Pinewood community.

“[Shootings have] happened everywhere else, and it could happen here,” seventh grader Aadya Kumar said. “It’s not a ‘whatif’ game anymore.”

At the same time, many other Pinewood students feel that school shootings are a possibility, but highly unlikely given Pinewood’s location and clean record.

“I feel like in this area there aren’t many people who would do it,” seventh grader Amani Lee-Seyon said. “But, it’s possible.”

Head of School Scott Riches said that Pinewood has a clear plan in place in the event of a shooter on campus and that teachers are aware of the procedures. Riches noted that Pinewood has telephones in every classroom as well as an all-alert system that will notify everyone in the event of danger.

States,’” Lemmon said. “They said that, in the United States, schools are where people get killed.”

Although Mexico has higher rates of violence and

“We’ve received guidance from security experts, even law enforcement, and we’ve shared these best practices with the teachers,” Riches said.

Startup Instacoach Is Here For Athletes Like Hannah Jump

JOLYN DING Staff Writer

From the Panther Pit to Nerd Nation, Pinewood alumna Hannah Jump ‘19 is continuing to make a name for herself both on and off the basketball court. In Jump’s final and most successful collegiate season yet, she has solidified herself as not only one of the best shooters in the nation but also one of the most integral players in Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer’s rotation.

Since her freshman year in college, Jump has grown tremendously — making huge strides as a basketball player and even bigger ones as an individual. With the introduction of NIL, a collegiate athlete’s ability to make a profit off their name, image, and likeness, and her recent success on the court, Jump has launched her very own merchandise line that features an as sortment of t-shirts and hoodies embellished with her personal logo.

“I’ve done a few things with NIL,” Jump said. “I’ve created my own brand, [and] I’ve signed with a couple of companies. It’s been super cool…and it’s provided me the opportunity to meet [new] people and get in volved in the business side of things.”

For Jump and many collegiate athletes around the nation, benefiting off NIL is often their first source of steady income, and it challenges them to make financially sound decisions that set them up for the future.

“I’ve had to learn a lot about [financial literacy] and managing my money,” Jump said. “Our team’s actually done programs on investing, and we’ve learned a lot about investing through [personal finance com-

panies].”

These experiences have reminded Jump that her offcourt success is a byproduct of her on-court performance. While it may be easy to get wrapped up in the money and numbers, Jump never lets any of it get to her head.

“[NIL] is just a reminder that none of this will come without being successful on the court…you still have to get in the gym and do whatever you need to do to perform at the level that [is expected],” Jump said.

To go along with her merchandise line, Jump recently partnered with Instacoach, a startup created

coach and former teammate of Jump, describes her role at the company.

“Working for a startup is pretty flexible, so you’re not constrained to a confined role,” Chung said. “I’m [focusing] on business development and filming videos for content, and I’m passionate about Instacoach because [they provide] a really cool opportunity for athletes to make income on the side.”

Chung is also working to market the company and draw in more clients and bookings for Jump, who has a coaching profile available on Instacoach’s website. There, aspiring athletes of any sport can connect with their favorite collegiate or professional athletes and book virtual or in-person sessions with them.

Although these sessions are a source of income for Jump, her main focus has never been about the money; instead, she strives to give back to the youth and her community, share her knowledge about basketball and recruiting, and inspire young girls to pursue their passions.

“Coaching has always been something that I’ve wanted to get into, and it’s been good to [connect with younger athletes],” Jump said. “Right now, I’m in the [middle] of season, so I don’t have all the time in the world to be giving lessons, but I’m excited for the spring when I have a lot more time to hold more.”

In Jump’s continued efforts to return the favor to her community and thank those who have shaped her along the way, she has an exciting announcement for the Pinewood community.

sions, and promote monetization for players like Jump.

“I’ll be holding a skills clinic or basketball camp for any interested Pinewood students,” Jump said. “More details are [coming].”

Pinewood alumna Izzy Chung, an intern at Insta-

PREPARING FOR THE WORST Safety measures like these help the Pinewood community effectively respond to emergency situations.

Photo by SOPHIA YAO

Photos by STANFORD ATHLETICS AND PINEWOOD

The Bridge Brothers: Brandon and Kayden Ge

RACHEL FARHOUDI Staff Writer

Place yourself at a table in a foreign country, and try to sit there for three hours as you navigate one of the most challenging card games. Pinewood brothers Kayden (eighth grade) and Brandon Ge (eleventh grade) do this every year as they compete in international Bridge competitions.

The brothers started playing bridge with their father, who learned in college and got their whole family involved. They also attended a pizza party when they were younger at their youth organization where they met other players their age. That inspired them to pursue the passion and compete on a more serious level. Their commitment takes rigorous practice.

“Because we are so competitive, we train most weekends with our teammates and juniors,” Kayden said.

“We met a bunch of friends [through playing] Bridge as it is a pretty social game,” Brandon said. “Also, winning competitions and doing well is very satisfying.”

Now, the pair follows a regular competition schedule. They go from sectionals to regionals, and then to nationals in the summer.

It is no secret that bridge is one of the trickiest games

out there, but the two say it takes much more than a strong understanding of the rules to beat an opponent.

“You need to be able to remember what happens throughout the hand,” Brandon said.

“You have to have a good understanding of probability so you know what are the chances of this or that happening,” Brandon said. “Another important skill is the mindset. You have to stay patient and not get frustrated or nervous. Tilting is what they call it.”

The two have found a real dedication to the game and plan to continue it beyond high school.

“It feels really good to win and it’s also a really fun experience,” Kayden said.

This past year, the pair went to Italy, where Kayden earned a silver medal in the group round. Planted around that table, they battled it out just as they had learned to do.

Myles Fox: Why We Celebrate Black History Month

MYLES FOX Staff Photographer

In the moment, my hands were clenched together. The swelling tears in my eyes turned my vision into a kaleidoscope of blurred motion. Quickly, I shut my eyes. I buried myself deep in the confines of my mind. When my eyes opened, I saw the crescent marks of my fingernails ingrained in the palms of my hands. Calling the attention of the teacher, I asked to be excused. From the cold metal seat in my third grade classroom, I ran. Straight to the bathroom, I ran as fast as I could as my palms became damp from wiping the tears off my face.

As a child, it was hard to hear about slavery. Everytime I looked in the mirror, I could only see the sheer terror that fell across my face when I thought of the history I held within me. Slaves beaten! Whipped! Stripped of their humanity, all because of the color of their skin.

When I looked down at my hands, I wondered. I wondered if we, as a people, would forever bear the chains that our ancestors once had to on the slave ships to the Americas. In a day and age where our freedoms as people are still withheld from us, we use Black History Month to remind us of how far we have come and the work still left to be done.

During Black History Month, we are able to rejoice in the examples of Black excellence present in today’s society. Black achievements have been made across all different areas in America, from politics, to entrepreneurship, to sports, and more. We as African Ameri-

cans have not only worked to be included in society’s achievements, but also to be recognized as leaders in our respective fields. For example, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, is a world-renowned African American astrophysicist. When looking at the Greatest of All Time, names like Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and Michael Jordan often come up. Even recent Black history is still being made with actress Viola Davis winning a Grammy, earning her one of the most esteemed titles in the performance industry with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony: The EGOT. During Black History Month, we, as a people, have a chance to be recognized for our great influence and accomplishment in American culture.

Unfortunately, in the U.S. and in schools, our history is often portrayed as one-sided with the most prominent subject being oppression. From slavery to Jim Crow, our past seems one-dimensional, and, at first glance, the depth of our culture might go unnoticed. There are numerous examples of our culture present in today’s society, starting with the birth of hip-hop culture, an expression of the day-to-day African American experience through music. From the food we make, to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities that take center stage in Black excellence in education, Black culture stays present in society. With the media and the world around us portraying the horrors of being Black, our beauties and strengths can often find themselves overshadowed by the thick tear gas released on protesters labeled as violent and extreme on our televisions.

Black History Month is also a way to keep our history and culture alive, so that it is not drowned out by the media portrayal of African Americans. Granted, a part of why we celebrate Black History Month is ugly. The necessity for change in our country is grave. The violence that crosses your late night TV is a reflection of the pain and suffering of a history that has more often than not hindered us rather than encouraged us.

But we must not let our mark on history fade. People like Madam C.J. Walker, a former slave and the first Black woman to be a millionaire, are significant in our cultural story. As Pinewood juniors, we read “The Right Stuff,” a book about launching the first manned spaceship, and its pilot, Al Shepard, to space. Unfortunately, we do not read about the first manned orbit in space, which envolved three key mathematicians required to calculate the trajectory of the aircrafts, Katherine Johnson, Dorthy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, all Black women. This is the history that is celebrated in Black History Month, the greatness that has been a part of our identities for generations.

The most important thing about Black History Month is that it is a movement of people who are determined to overcome odds. From obtaining the right to vote, to diversifying governments and earning equal opportunity in the workplace, we have come so far in our fight for equality. Our true strength is shown not through the pain we have suffered, but through the strength that it took to overcome past barriers and the current ones ahead.

Hungarian Basketball Transfer Betti Hamori Adapts to California and Pinewood’s Environment

MAILEY WANG Staff Writer

Imagine leaving your family and what you call home at 16, coming to the U.S. alone, and going to a brandnew school. Junior Betti Hamori has done exactly that.

Hamori a 6-foot-1 basketball player from Hungary, was recruited by the Pinewood basketball coaches. In Hungary, Hamori played basketball on her school team with just boys for two years before she got recruited on the second best girls team in Hungary.

“[Playing with boys] gave me a lot of energy to play more aggressively because they said you are just a girl. . . and then I started scoring a lot,” Hamori said. “. . . I just wanted to show them that even if you’re a girl, you can play as hard as a boy.”

Leaving her home country was a tough decision, but she decided to come to the U.S. for the opportunities in basketball and in her studies in English.

“[Coming to the US] was a big step. . . I was 16, and I was alone,” Hamori said.

She was not alone for long, though, as she was wel-

comed to the Pinewood community and made friends easily. While she miss- es her parents and in Hungary, she in the U.S.: the wanted sisters, four,” Hamori amazing and ing me with

With the Ellis family, Hamori has traveled across the U.S. in the past few months. She went to Los Angeles and Disneyland, and they plan on going to New York this summer. Traveling really opened Hamori’s eye to the rest of the world. In June, Hamori will go back to Hungary to see her family; she will be back in August to continue high school as a senior at Pinewood.

In the beginning, playing basketball for a new team was difficult for Hamori because basketball is played differently between the two countries. “[The girls on the Pinewood team] are playing [basketball] so much faster,’ Hamori said. “The form [is different], and everyone is shooting a lot of threes. . . In Hungary we had more slow plays. . . But it was easy [to adapt] because everyone was so nice.”

Although Hamori cannot play varsity basketball for one year due to transfer policies, she is grateful to be able to practice with and cheer on the team.

“I’m just looking forward to next year,” Hamori said.

Photo by ALEXANDER McCORMICK

Photo courtesy of BRANDON GE

Photo courtesy of KYLE RICHES

Pictured: Kayden Ge (left) and Brandon Ge (right)

The Significance of Senior Night

JAKE REYNDERS Staff Writer

For many, Senior Night is viewed simply as a celebration of seniors who have worked hard to benefit the athletics program of a school. At Pinewood, it is so much more than that. When seniors were asked what the special night meant to them, multiple described it as a celebration of the past and a step into the future.

Pinewood girls basketball has always been the pride of Pinewood. Senior Skylar Chui has been a large part of that pride over the past four years. She said she will miss the team dynamics

“I genuinely have never been on a team with a group of girls who all love each other like our team,” Chui said. “I like how we can give each other constructive criticism on the court and then be best friends off the court.”

Chui said that Senior Night was a tear-jerking and amazing event.

“My favorite parts of the night were the crowd and the senior speeches,” Chui said. “The crowd was amazing. I’ve never seen so many people come out to our games in a while.”

While Chui will miss her team and all the memories she’s made with her teammates, she was endless in her plaudits for her head coach.

“While [girls basketball head coach Doc Scheppler] gets a lot of recognition for being a shooting coach…he is more than that,” Chui said. “Effort is really something that Doc emphasizes… Doc has helped me get my mindset to one that wants to give things all of my effort.”

Chui said that the improvement in effort has been noticeable, and she is grateful to Scheppler for helping her both on and off the court.

Boys basketball senior Daniel Blotter said he was thankful for his head coach Larry Williams and the trust he put into him.

“He has always believed in me being able to be an asset to this team and I am so grateful for that,” Blotter said.

Blotter said that the Panther Pit was most memorable during senior night.

“I will miss the connections I have made within the team,” Kolappa said. “I have become best friends with some of the girls on the team… I connected with people of all grades, and I’m going to miss being able to play with them together.”

Kolappa said her senior night couldn’t have been better.

“I loved the energy and spirit the team brought to the game,” Kolappa said. “Through cute face paint, headbands, and posters, it was all very sweet.”

Finally, Kolappa was full of praise when it came to her coach.

“I will miss [head coach Whitney] Wood so much now that the season’s over,” Kolappa said. “She made me feel so much more confident in myself, both on and off the field.”

On the contrary, Boys soccer ended a difficult season with a statement victory over Eastside, winning 5-3. When interviewed, senior Josiah Saberi was all about his teammates’ success.

“I am going to miss spending time with my friends and bonding with other students I wouldn’t spend time with outside of soccer,” Saberi said.

“The Panther Pit,” Blotter said. “I’ve never had a student section like that for one of my basketball games.” Blotter described the support as awesome and said he will miss the competitive basketball play.

Girls soccer had a season full of excitement that ended in an amazing experience for the team’s leaders. When senior Rathi Kolappa was asked about her team, she only had positive remarks.

Saberi said that his biggest lesson learned from his time with the soccer team was team communication and leadership.

“I learned a lot from [head coach Bob Kamangar],” Saberi said. “I had a great time with him this season and I’m sad he will not be coaching in the future.”

In terms of Senior Night itself, Saberi was clear on his favorite moment.

“Devan [Reynard] scoring his first goal on the penalty kick and celebrating with my friends after.”

And Now... A Brief History of the Panther Pit

tory, and the students in the Panther Pit stormed the court. The image of that sea of green and gold engulfing the team in celebration will be ingrained in my mind forever.

The Panther Pit started out as a modest student section of the Pinewood gym. In 1985, the Pinewood gym finished construction, and with it came the student section.

However, according to Pinewood President and Head Of School Scott Riches, the label “Panther Pit” came later from a handful of students at Pinewood.

Whether it be chanting “you can’t do that” when the opposing team commits a foul or screaming with joy as the home team makes a basket, the Panther Pit has been a staple of Pinewood basketball for years. As a member of the varsity basketball team myself, I can safely say that the Panther Pit is unmatched in its ability to energize the team and create lasting memories for the players.

Pinewood Director of Student Life Kyle Riches seems to agree.

“I think having that section full of loud and spirited students can really make a difference in how our teams play,” Riches said. “Some of my favorite memories here at Pinewood took place in that gym and the Panther Pit was a huge part of that.”

And create memories it did. On Feb. 10, Pinewood basketball teams celebrated Senior Night and their accomplishments across their four years at Pinewood as an athlete. Both the girls and boys teams got the vic-

“It was around 2006-2010 when it formally became the ‘Panther Pit’ based on the recommendation of some students,” Scott Riches said. “During that time the students created poster paper and taped the name of the Panther Pit on the wall and after several years we permanently painted the name ‘Panther Pit.’”

Fast forward to today, and the lasting legacy of those students is being carried on by some of Pinewood’s most spirited students. Pinewood Student Leadership Committee (SLC) president Daniel Blotter is one of these individuals.

“I am so motivated to be so active in the Panther Pit, because not only is it helpful and fun for the players on the court, but it is

also a lot of fun to be supportive, energetic, and wild in the Panther Pit with all of your friends,” Blotter said.

Sophomore Jamie Burton is another example of the spirit Pinewood students exhibit.

“To get those packed-house nights where everybody shows up and is getting in on the cheers and having a good time, have been some of my finest high-school memories of all time,” Burton said. “There’s an electricity to it that’s palpable, and it’s that feeling of community and togetherness that keeps me coming back.”

The Panther Pit’s presence on campus has been a symbol of Pinewood’s unity and collectiveness, and it has and will continue to provide a fun way to support the teams and interact with other students. SLC Spirit Representative Nate Martin agrees.

“I think the Panther Pit represents the connection and strong sense of community that Pinewood has,” Martin said. “It doesn’t matter what grade you’re in or what clique you’re a part of, everyone can come together in the Panther

BRANDON GE Staff Writer

Photos by SAM JEZAK & ROSE XU

Photo by ROSE XU

PANTHER PIT Dressed in green and gold, students cheer from the panther pit.

SENIOR NIGHT Girls basketball cheers on their seniors.

Cross Country: Going The Extra Mile

VIOLET NEGRETTE Staff Writer

Good Soup: A Meal’s Redemption

JAMIE BURTON Staff Writer

The light sobbing continued on for most of the night. At last, from deep within the confines of the Panera Bread kitchen, there came a final exhale, a hopeless plea of frustration and regret. There lay the day-old half-pint of Tomato Basil soup on the desolate counter, who, like so many of its compatriots, had become just another fallen soldier in a dying genre of cuisine. In today’s culinary age, the modern-day soup has indeed taken a back seat in the dining experience, but this was not always the case. In fact, the key to the modern soup’s revival may be digging deeper into the dish’s true purpose.

Soups have been a worldwide cuisine standard for centuries, being simple enough for the poor and sophisticated enough for the wealthy at the same time. Over time however, public support for soup has diminished remarkably. So how did this happen? How did this beloved dish become so coldly forgotten?

appetizer only, an inviting opener to a more substantial meal. There would be no more pressure to sacrifice nutrition for taste; emphasis would be finally placed on experience above all else. Free from societal constraints, the modern soup will have room to blossom with boldness and creativity once more.

Yet still, some ask, why even bother? Why adopt such a risk for so little reward? Think back to the dayold half-pint of Tomato Basil soup. Haven’t we all felt hopeless at one point or another, yearning for direction in a purposeless world? Saving the modern soup would be in turn saving a part of each other as well. It would show us that even when life grows stale, innovation can still prevail. That we can bring taste back into our lives by knowing where we truly belong. In this sense of belonging and purpose, we will all discover what gives us flavor at long last.

My feet ache as a torrent of pain washes down my legs, and another bead of sweat slowly crawls down to settle on my already-glistening face. The repetition of step after step starts to fade in and out of my brain, and I discover that my body is in a sort of trance. My mind is a whirlwind of regret and heat while the miles ahead stretch out of focus. Who would ever want to do something like that?

Believe it or not, I do this for fun. From August to November, the cross country team voluntarily participates in running for seemingly unending periods of time. No one can seem to understand why, seeing as our sport is every other sport’s punishment, but that is what makes it all the more enticing and enigmatic.

No matter what rumors may say, cross country can be for anyone. I like to think that it is 70% mental and 30% physical. If you let your mind weave a string of inner doubts and complaints, that will be reflected in how your run unfolds; instead, maintain a positive mindset. I try to focus on the future: it will eventually end. An ideal start to an optimistic cross country career is by running earlier or later in the day, when the weather is cooler. Train your mind to accept its unfortunate circumstances, and focus on existing in the moment.

While people say that cross country can be uselessly difficult or pointless, running is a base type of sport that has existed for thousands of years and strengthens personal endurance and form for other sports. Because of cross country, I can last the entire 85 minutes of a soccer game in a sprinting position. My body recognizes the familiar pattern of rushing footsteps, uneven breathing, and heightened spatial awareness. No good thing comes easy, and this sport is a perfect example.

In my opinion, the most important part of cross country is the bond formed between teammates, which can be just as strong as the bonds formed in any other sport. A dozen people suffer together in a seemingly individual sport when, in reality, cross country is as much of a team sport as any other; shared trauma bonds like nothing else. Pinewood runners represent Pinewood every time they step onto the course. Not many people respect the sport, so your teammates are there to relate.

There is almost nothing as gratifying and invigorating as capturing the runner’s high halfway through a strenuous run. In that moment, a calm serenity takes over, and all knowledge of one’s whereabouts and purpose slowly fades away.

I signed up during freshman year on a whim and a moment of daring stupidity and haven’t found a valid enough reason to leave yet, so maybe you should give it a try.

Simply put, soup has never experienced much modernization. It was always a traditional classic in a world of change, something reliably consistent. However, soup’s reluctance to evolve over the years has had a negative effect, as it has submerged the dish to unforeseen lows.

The problem is that the modern soup, as we know it today, is unproductive. It has become a hassle, a culinary chore that yields little reward compared to other more efficient dishes. As a result, the modern soup loses support, and in turn innovation, as the unforgiving cycle of fading into the culinary background continues. However, the modern soup need not be without hope. In order to save itself, the modern soup must turn its focus inward to who is at its watery core. The ugly truth is that the modern soup can never be successful when expected to be the main course. It is at its best as an

Social Media Causes Teenage Isolation

PRISHA MOHAPATRA Staff Writer

“[Teenagers] love being social and love the positive feelings they get when they’re talking to their friends, so they look to social media to provide that for them,” sophomore Michael Shtrom said.

For many teenagers, social media serves its primary purpose of forming bridges between friends and family who can’t interact in person often. Many also use it as a coping mechanism. It can be used to assuage feelings of loneliness and stress. Sometimes, I use social media as a coping mechanism if I’m stressed or need a break from homework. For instance, when I get home from a busy day at school, I occasionally spend time on my phone catching up on social media before I get started on work.

On the other hand, rather than bringing a sense of togetherness, social media often does the complete opposite: it isolates us from the real world. From when social media first set sail to grow in popularity among youth, our parents became weary of the dangers within our phones. Recently, teenagers are becoming more aware of the negative aspects of social media. Widely discussed issues such as cyberbullying, depression, anx iety, and more simply scrape the surface of a larger issue that stems from the excessive usage of social media: isolation.

Regardless of its superficial nature of connecting the world together, I think that contrary to the name social media, platforms such Snapchat, Instagram, or even TikTok, can ironically make us quite unsocial. Overusing these apps can plunge us into a false reality and make us feel bad about ourselves or think that we are not enough.

“[Social media] gives an

unreal glimpse into somebody’s life and teenagers, who are especially insecure, will compare themselves to people with different, and often better, circumstances than them,” sophomore Abigail Kamenetsky said.

Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell the difference between the true reality and a forged reality portrayed by influencers, which results in overthinking and sentiments of being alone. This creates an added sense of insecurity for teenagers and often makes them feel secluded from the real world.

Furthermore, the more we use these apps, the less we interact with each other. For example, there have been instances where my parents and I are eating dinner together, but we are all on our phones, either on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. In these cases, are we actually together? Clearly, the development of these platforms are slowly but steadily separating us from those around us.

Although social media’s initial purpose was to bring people together, but it is also the riveting cause of loneliness among teenagers around the world, and begins a never ending cycle of isolation.

Illustration by AERON LO

Illustration by AERON LO

Photo by WILLIAM LLOYD

Mia’s Take on Taylor’s Terror

MIA GUSTAVSON

Features Editor

I am not a Swiftie. I deeply apologize to anyone this offends. Though I imagine your jaw is on the floor and your hatred is brewing, I sincerely hope you have not yet shredded the newspaper in rage because, though you may be horrified, maybe you are the tiniest bit curious as to why I feel this way.

First, I must disclose that I do not hate Taylor Swift, and I do not hate her music either — I have even learned to like a few of her songs. I understand that she is popular for a reason, and there is no denying her talent. However, I am of the opinion that she is tremendously overrated, and she gets more credit than she deserves.

For one, the vast majority of her songs are so repetitive that the entire world seems to know the choruses hits. Her tunes are so ear-numbingly predictable that I find myself becoming tired of the song before it even reaches the second verse. Her melodies are undeniably catchy, though, and I could see how some people might take comfort in being able to anticipate what comes next.

While the music itself is passable, as an aspiring musician and songwriter,

I cannot, by any means, accept her lyrics. She has written probably hundreds of songs and her creative juices are most likely fizzling out with time, but this simply does not explain her obvious lack of variation in topics. Every musician knows that, at the end of the day, the storytelling aspect is what drives a piece forward. We don’t listen to karaoke tracks on the radio; we need language, meaning, and discernable human emotion. Swift’s lyrics are – I’m just going to say it – simple and boring.

Quick — think of a song of hers that isn’t about love. There are a few, but it’s still harder than it should be, considering there are so many to choose from. She also has a strange commitment to writing in the second person and dedicating nearly every song to a mysterious “you.” I am willing to admit that I don’t mind a sappy romance once in a while; however, finding the motivation to choose a song that is bound to begin with “we were supposed to be just friends” or “you, with your words like knives” is difficult when I could be listening to, well, anything else.

The third reason I tend to avoid her songs is her voice itself. Though her unique, recognizable sound has captivated millions of listeners, for me, it doesn’t pass my vibe check. When she is not half-whispering, she sings in whiny tones that make me grimace.

Maybe she is manipulating these aspects of her songs intentionally, and these are the exact vibes she was going for. Maybe “I’m the problem” and she’s just not my style. Whatever it is, T-Swift and I have just never really clicked. If there is a song I haven’t heard that will change my mind and turn me into an enthusiastic fan, let me know. I’ve always wondered what the fuss was all about.

Sam’s Struggle with Senioritis

SAM HSIUNG

Editor-in-Chief

One of my current favorite poems, “Meditations in an Emergency” by Cameron Awkward-Rich, begins like this: “I wake up & it breaks my heart.” As a second-semester senior, this line couldn’t more perfectly describe how I’ve been feeling — waking up and going to school has progressively felt more and more like a continual chore.

We imagine life after college apps to be replete with loud laughter, purple sunsets, flourishing dreams, and infinite freedom from an institution that has tethered us to its fences for seemingly endless years. We dream of the finality of it all — the moment at which we feel like enough, weightless and full of nothing but satisfaction.

Well, news flash: school still exists. Grades still exist. We still exist. The burdens and weights and heavy loads of four years don’t just render themselves into the ash beneath us — in reality, we’re still here, waking up every day, our hearts breaking for no one but ourselves.

I’m exhausted, burnt out from these four years. I come home, draw the blinds, fall asleep; get in the car, shut my eyes, fall asleep; go to school, walk into class, (mentally) fall asleep. Three weeks ago, feeling typically exhausted, I woke up with a headache, and while I normally would’ve sucked it up and gone to school, I decided to stay in and sleep in (with the permission of my parents). I woke up again at around 9 a.m., got dressed, and arrived at school for my second period class. For the rest of the day, I felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and untethered — like a lost kite sifting through the morning wind. And, later in the evening, I made up the schoolwork I had missed without issue and turned in all my assignments early.

This experience of skipping class has reminded me of the importance of prioritizing myself, my mental health, and my physical well-being over school. In these

Hot Pockets: America’s Abominable Dumplings

KARINA ARONSON, SAM HSIUNG, SOPHIA YAO, & SALLY KING Editors-in-Chiefs, Opinion Editor & Editorial Director

Did you know that Hot Pockets are considered a type of dumpling? Well, we didn’t! But according to Wikipedia, anything that “consist[s] of pieces of dough… oftentimes wrapped around a filling” is classified as a dumpling — and Hot Pockets fall perfectly under this category.

With this newfound knowledge, we embarked on a journey to the downtown Los Altos’s Safeway where we ravaged the frozen food aisle for Hot Pockets like four greedy vultures. The flavors we decided to purchase: Ham & Cheese, Pepperoni Pizza, and Meatballs & Mozzarella (with REDUCED FAT mozzarella cheese *gasp*). After our Safeway rendezvous, Sally drove us in her car back to Pinewood, where we tucked our Hot Pockets into the school’s microwaves for two minutes and 50 seconds with great anticipation. T’was a fine (and obscenely disgusting) adventure, so buckle your seatbelts (like we had to in Sally’s car #pun!) and prepare yourselves for four tasty opinions!

Why did we decide to do this?

SH: I don’t know. Ask one of the other children in this column. Also, I offered to pay for Sally’s gas.

KA: I’m a masochist who enjoys torturing my tastebuds.

SK: They just told me to drive and pay for the gas. Sam did not offer to pay for gas — SHE IS LYING.

SY: It was Karina’s idea, so blame her for this mess. I suggested ravioli.

What was the best Hot Pocket flavor? Why?

final few months before graduation, I’m forcing myself to remember that sleeping an average of four hours a night is a choice — not a necessity — and also a cause for early-onset dementia, as my mother loves telling me. I don’t have to wear out my body until it becomes a hollow shell of itself. I’m learning to take breaks; to put a pause on life; to sleep more; to read more; to hang out with my friends; to be a kite floating standstill in the sky, feeling the lilt of the wind against my shoulders, spectating the expansive world beneath. You may call this phenomenon “senioritis,” but I think I’m just learning to be nice to myself.

As I’m sitting here writing this article, I can’t help but think of all the recent moments that I’ve been able to remember better and enjoy more as a less sleep-deprived, less absent-minded person. Some snapshots: foggy windows. Winter formal. Puss in Boots with Sky & Vinnie & Robert. Pho & gossip with my mother. The soft glow of streetcars. My dented water bottle. Mr. Kim’s TikToks with his baby. Safeway runs with Aeron & Rosa. The realization that “Stats” is a palindrome. Fried chicken. Red kites. Friday night basketball games. WALL-E & Big Hero 6 debates in AP Gov. Me trying to prove to Rosa & Sally in AP Lit that Ophelia is a lesbian & the both of them not believing me. Ms. Welze’s plastic swords & Hamlet costumes. The downpour of weekend rain. Glass chandeliers. Pho with Melody. Hot Pockets with Sally & Sophia Y. & Karina. Pimple patches. White space. Perforations in Calc class. Journalism layout. Ms. Wetzel’s frequent usage of the word “slay.” 4 a.m. McDonald’s with my brother. Chopin. My broken foil. H periods with Audrey. Naps & naps & more naps.

My heart is mended and full of gratitude for these snapshots & moments & people. In the last three months of high school, I’m looking forward to creating even more memories, to opening my heart up to more fulfilling experiences, & to waking up. & for that, I’m thankful for my “senioritis.”

SH: The Ham & Cheese was the equivalent of rubberized cement. The Meatball & Mozzarella was the perfect amalgamation of undercooked plastic and crusty meatballs. The Pepperoni Pizza was actually not that bad — it was horrible, but not that horrible, so I’d say it was the best one.

KA: I am only picking Pepperoni Pizza as the best flavor because the other two tasted offensive. The Ham & Cheese filling seeped out of the dough envelope, leaving a greasy trail. Buying the Meatball & Mozzarella flavor was another terrible choice. The mystery meat mounds (not balls, just mounds) were coated in a vulgar smelling red sauce. If thrown on the floor, it probably would have bounced.

SK: Between the plasticy, elastic cheese and putrid meatballs, the Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pocket was the most edible of the bunch. Even though some of the molten goo oozed out of the exploded dough wrap, parts of the cold raw dough perfectly complemented the saucy red liquid which tasted like unblended ketchup.

SY: Although they all tasted like cat pee if it was whisked into a sort of sticky paste and then dried in the sun and then caramelized and then cut into Hot Pocket-sized edible trash, the Meatball & Mozzarella was the least rubbery and congealed so it takes the crown.

Would you recommend Hot Pockets to others?

SH: If I strongly dislike you, then yes.

KA: Gross, no. I seriously question how the Hot Pocket company is still in business.

SK: If you ever need to make yourself throw up, have a couple steamy Hot Pockets!

SY: No no no no no no no no.

Do you have any last words that you’d like to leave with readers?

SH: If you’re convinced to try these out even after reading this review, please stay away from me.

KA: I’ve also been recently informed that we were supposed to put it in the pocket which uses special technology to make the Hot Pocket crispy which would probably explain why our dough was slightly soggy on the top yet brick hard on the bottom. (Compromising our credibility as food critics, my apologies.)

SK: I am ashamed to be in a country where these are considered an American delicacy.

SY: Never again.

Illustration by ELIZABETH LIANG

Photo by SAM JEZAK

NAPS Second semester senior Sam Hsiung priorities sleep over school.

The Dark Side of Snapchat: How Social Media Worsens Fentanyl Crisis

Remember when parents used to say, “Never take candy from strangers?” It was used as a warning for children to prevent abductions. Now, instead of abduction, it’s death. Instead of candy, it’s fatal drugs like fentanyl that may be used by teens to cope with stress and other mental health issues. What was then used as a highly regulated painkiller is now responsible for an increase of 182% of fentanyl related deaths from 2019 to 2021. The target? 10 to 19 year olds.

“Students can be exposed to drugs on any social media platform, in person, [and] through search engines,” guidance counselor Stephanie Fugita said.

Snapchat, specifically, has sparked an epidemic of fentanyl-related deaths like no other. The FBI has questioned the families of children who have passed away from fentanyl poisoning by fake pills. The victims supposedly acquired the pills using Snapchat to connect with the dealers. As a result, Snapchat was investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department on Jan. 26.

The vast majority of victims believe that they are receiving prescription painkillers on Snapchat, when in reality, they’re counterfeit. These fake prescription pills, or fentapills, are 100% fentanyl. 25% of the buyers who pass away from fentanyl overdose are victims of this false advertising.

“I think that dealers put it in on purpose so they can make money with less pure products,” Fugita said. For the dealers, it’s just about making profits with no regard to the wellbeing of their teenage victims.

“[Snapchat is] the platform of choice for fentanyl drug dealers,” the National Crime Prevention Council said.

Many argue that the increase in fentanyl-related deaths is not just a Snapchat specific problem. Laura Marques-Garrett, an attorney with the Social Media Victims Law Center disagrees.

“The death of American children by fentanyl poison ing is not a social media issue — it’s a Snapchat issue,” Marques-Garrett told the Los Angeles Times.

Not only is Snapchat a popular social media app among teens, it’s also the perfect platform where dealers sell illegal drugs because of the use of encrypted tech nology that enables messages to be deleted over time.

Additionally, Snapchat has another feature called Snap Maps, which allows users to locate others on a digital map using device locations. Dealers take advan tage of these qualities to sell illicit drugs like fentanyl on the app in hopes that they won’t get caught.

Although Snapchat is working to improve their secu rity and remove drug dealers’ accounts, it’s not enough. Whether they want to have fun, cope with stress, or are an unknowing victim of coun terfeit pills, teens are still dying. Instead of relying on drugs to cope, teens should be encouraged to find relief through other methods such as physical activity, cooking, or reading.

“I think that we need to make sure our students are aware of the risks and that they report any illicit activity to the staff and administration,” Fugita said.

To prevent risks of fentanyl poisoning, the Pinewood community needs to understand the threats this drug poses to people’s lives, especially teens.

Teens all across the U.S. are dying because of this social media caused epidemic. Is that the price teens have to pay when they “take candy from strangers?”

Note: If a student is struggling, always reach out to a

Pinewood Earns Award for Female Representation in CS Mendelian Biology: Bio Students Breed Fruit Flies

For the 2022 school year, Pinewood received an award from the College Board for 50% or higher female participation in one of two AP computer science courses such as Computer Science Principles. Pinewood is one of 832 schools that received this award. It is a big achievement and a stepping stone to continued inclusion of women in computer science.

The inclusion this award celebrates is essential to the evolution of computer science, which works to represent the diversity in our society. This award demonstrates that Pinewood is providing female students with the necessary resources to succeed in the computer science division, which many women do not partake in.

Pew Research states that, in 2022, females made up less than 26% of computer-related jobs — clearly, the computer science division is a male-dominated workforce. Pinewood, by classes like AP Computer Science Principles, will help increase diversity in the computer science division.

Pinewood’s hope is that, by giving the necessary resources, female students can continue to study computer science in college and get jobs related to computer science, which usually come with higher salaries. Female students getting jobs in these well-paid positions will help to ensure gender equality and allow for new innovation and creativity.

Pinewood is promoting inclusivity in computer science outside of the classroom through clubs like Girls Who Code, created by computer science teacher Christine Tran and freshman Soha Budhani.

“[Clubs like the Girls Who Code] will continue to inspire girls to pursue computer science at higher levels,” Assitant Head of School Haley Hemm said.

As society continues to delve deeper and deeper into the realms of technology, the benefits of clubs like Girls Who Code and AP Computer Science Principles will only become more and more apparent, helping prepare students at a college level so that they can succeed later on life and contribute to the diversification of the field as a whole.

“[Completing AP computer science classes are] like a milestone that tells [the students], you can do these things,” computer science teacher Haggai Mark said. “When they get to college or their professional career, they’ll be able to say, you know what, I’ve been doing [computer science]… and it’s going to sort of give them a trigger to keep working on this.”

Honors Biology 2 students are currently facing their most challenging task to date: a lab investigating Mendelian genetics, the process of inheritance, where certain traits are passed down from parent to offspring. Students will observe these traits through Drosophila melanogaster, also known as the common fruit fly. Through this lab, students explore this phenomenon up close, adding on to previously learned concepts in their current genetics unit, which they began in January.

Some people might wonder: why use the fruit fly? Science Department Chair and biology teacher Kim Hudson said that Drosophila melanogaster is used often in genetics, embryological, and developmental research.

“Fruit flies have been used as research animals of choice for more than 100 years because of their convenient size, short generation time, and easily observed physical traits,” Hudson said. “The first gene linked to a chromosome was identified using them.”

A process known as “crossing” is a key element of the lab that students will use. Crossing refers to breeding parents that display different sets of observable traits, phenotypes, such as size, eye color, or blood type.

“One cross might be normal female, red-eyed flies with mutant male, whiteeyed flies,” Hudson said. “In conjunction, the rules of inheritance Gregor Mendel discovered allow us to work backward to determine how a trait is passed down over generations.”

In this lab, students will perform the crossing themselves by selecting flies with different traits.

“[The students’ task is to] predict the genetic inheritance pattern of a specific cross they set up,” Hudson said.

The offspring of crosses between mutant traits such as wingless flies and normal flies will provide insight into how such traits are inherited. Furthermore, students will be required to perform a second cross to finalize their results. The lab is expected to run for multiple weeks, if not months, to collect the required data. In addition to waiting for the flies to breed, they have to be sorted by gender. Despite its lengthy processes, the lab prepares the students for future, higher level biology courses, and strengthens research skills.

“The goal is for students to be exposed to all stages of research,” Hudson said. “It hits all the main requirements for experimentation as well as introduces the idea that biology is not a fast science. When working with living organisms, patience is key.”

In addition to their long term research project, the Honors Biology 2 students are undertaking a variety of additional activities to become acquainted with higher level science. Just weeks prior, they completed a lab that simulated a process known as genetic transformation. In a similar fashion, students were tasked to make observations over several classes, which exposed them to the prolonged nature of biological proceedings.

Whether it is in genetics, cell division, or evolution, students are consistently challenged to formulate impactful hypotheses, make significant observations, and engage in the broader scientific community with their peers.

IAN HSIAO Staff Writer

ANDREW WANG Staff Writer

Photo by COLIN TERNUS

Illustration by JAMES CHANG

LARA PARIKH Staff Writer Cate Wessels is a woman in STEM

Waving Through a Window: “Dear Evan Hansen”’s Message to Society

By ADDISON PARENTI Staff Writer

It was Dec. 2019 when I went to see acclaimed Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen” for the first time. The show, which is based on a book by Steven Levenson, follows high schooler Evan Hansen as he navigates the fallout of his lie regarding a classmate, Connor, who has committed suicide. As I prepared for the show, I knew it was “going to be a great day, and here’s why:” I was enchanted by the intriguing sound of the music.

Little did I know, there was a deeper meaning to the songs, to each lyric and melody. In hindsight, my 11-year-old mind didn’t have the ability and capacity to grasp the larger message behind “Dear Evan Hansen.”

It was only when I saw how the songs connected to the story that I realized that the writers had hidden messages in the songs. When listening to “Good For You” before seeing the show, for example, I never paid attention to the greater

by RACHEL ARONSON

Pinewood

MICHAEL SHTROM Copy Editor

Teacher Katie Linza Jazzes It Up!

story being told through the lyrics. I thought that the words were just there to go along with the lovely notes, but that wasn’t true. When I realized that the song was about the other characters’ anger towards Evan, I started crying. I hadn’t expected the song to affect me that much, but it did. Something about the way the characters expressed their emotions had touched a part of me that I didn’t know existed.

Fast-forward to this winter when I went to see “Dear Evan Hansen” for the second time. This time, I took in prior knowledge from the first show and the discussions I had had with others. I went in with a more mature view; this time, I knew what to expect. As the show progressed, I was able to take note of details I hadn’t noticed before and understand how the writers weaved in societal issues such as addiction, social media, and mental health.

I discovered that the lyrics “On the outside always looking in, will I ever be more than I’ve always been? Cause I’m tap, tap, tapping on the glass. I’m waving through a window,” signify Evan’s feelings of isolation regarding human interaction — not him actually waving through his bedroom window. Analyzing these lyrics mean has helped me understand there is more than what’s on the surface. Perhaps this is why I love “Dear Evan Hansen” — it’s not just a show; it’s a message to society.

By ARETHA LIU Staff Writer

As a head of the Pinewood Performing Arts department and the teacher for various Pinewood music classes, Katie Linza has been guiding and teaching young singers at Pinewood for about eight years now. However, she also has a background immersed in music outside of school.

Prior to teaching at Pinewood, Linza owned a private music studio, teaching singing and piano to both kids and adults. Although she enjoyed coaching students privately, Linza found that she especially loved teaching in a classroom environment.

“I love putting on concerts and plays [at Pinewood],” Linza said. “I still [work] with my students individually. It’s just that I prefer the bigger picture.”

Linza’s love for music stemmed from a young age. At just four years old, Linza was already discovering her passion for music on the piano. This passion only grew when she began to sing the pop songs that played on the radio.

Jazz is Linza’s favorite genre of music and her forté; she began listening to jazz in high school and studied it in college.

“I like [jazz] because . . . people think of a certain swing to music from a certain era [when thinking about jazz], but jazz is infused in so much music today,” Linza said. “There’s a complexity to the rhythm and harmonies in jazz that’s just so beautiful to me and so challenging . . . I love the dissonances, the harmonies and the rhythm.”

Linza’s jazz career further extended when she became the director for the Oakland Jazz Choir, an adult choir, for a couple of years. She also taught at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley. While it was fun teaching adults, Linza said that she finds teaching music to high schoolers more enjoyable.

To Linza, music is like a lan guage that she can use to con nect with people.

“[Music] helps me process emotions and say what I can’t say,” Linza said. “It’s like a common language that [people can] use to express something together, and I think that’s super powerful.”

Singers and Women’s Chorus Anticipate March Disneyland Trip

From demanding rehearsals to stressful academic life, one thing’s for certain: members of the Pinewood choirs are ready to feel the Disney magic. Luckily for them, Pinewood Singers and Women’s Chorus are preparing to embark on a trip to Disneyland on March 10, where they will be performing the songs that they have been learning this year in class.

The setlist, featuring pop-inspired tunes, folk songs, and ‘50s jazz, was carefully curated by choir director Katie Linza. The list includes “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie” by Huddie Ledbetter, “Winter Winds” by Mumford and Sons, and “New World” by Björk.

In addition to performing their rehearsed setlist at Disney California Adventure Park, the choir will also enjoy a full itinerary of activities in the area.

“We’re going to see an improv show the night we get there on Friday,” Linza said. “On Saturday, we perform in the park, and then, on Sunday, we do a workshop with one of the Disney artists there.”

Junior Autumn Porter-Schulz attests to the building excitement among choir members for the Disneyland trip.

“I’m really excited because I love Disneyland so much and I love singing, so it’s a two-for-one,” Porter-Schulz said.

While Disney’s trademarked positivity seems to be enveloping the choirs, they remain cautious in their confidence about being able to rehearse and perfect their performance in time.

“I’m a bit nervous about learning and memorizing our songs in time,” Porter-Schulz said.

While Porter-Schulz worries about rehearsals, Linza’s main concern is about the toll that such a performance can take on the performers.

“The thing that I worry about for myself and others is stamina,” Linza said. “Some people at Disneyland open and close it from 8 a.m. to midnight, and I cannot do that. That’s the hardest for me.”

Despite inconveniences or potential setbacks that Linza views as minor, she maintains that the trip is meant to be a positive experience for everyone involved.

“Yes, we’re going to go sing and do musical things, but, really, I think this is just a great experience,” Linza said. “It’s a fun way to have fun with your friends, and choir is like a group of friends. That’s the greatest thing about it.”

Photo by COLIN TERNUS

Photo courtesy of LOS ANGELES TIMES

A Review of Black History Month Activities: Oriki Arts’ Pinewood Performance

CHRISTINA TANASE Staff Writer

Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is the annual celebration of Black history in the United States and recent celebrations in the Pinewood community have reflected this. Such celebrations have been represented in the Pinewood community through two recent assemblies: “African Drum and Dance” and “Sankofa: Africa to America.”

As a way of remembering and celebrating the African diaspora, Chike Nwoffiah and his team at Oriki Arts have collaborated with Assistant Head of Upper Campus Haley Hemm to create the collective idea for the “Sankofa: Africa to America” assembly to educate the community on African diaspora through singing, dancing, and music. The group made its first appearance at Pinewood’s Annual International Week at the “African Drum and Dance” assembly.

It was due to the joint effort between the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee along with President and Head of School Scott Riches, Head of Upper Campus Gabriel Lemmon, and Hemm that the community assembly was possible in demonstrating Pinewood’s core values.

“I think it was effective in showing what Pinewood wants to be about

and and what we’ve been doing in the past year and a half with different cultural celebrations,” Hemm said.

“I think it gave a lens into Pinewood’s community and spirit overall.”

A significant part of the “Sankofa: Africa to America” assembly was the participation of Pinewood’s Black Student Union, which comprises of senior Myles Fox, junior Autumn Porter-Schulz, and eighth grader Derrick Harris.

Porter-Schulz says she was especially impressed by Oriki Arts’s educational representation of the African diaspora, where dancers in traditional African clothing performed to music. She hopes Pinewood further celebrates African American culture.

“I hope that, with these celebrations, there are more and more people that receive a deeper understanding

and more of an appreciation for African American history,” Porter-Schulz said.

Along with Porter-Schulz, Hemm wants to commemorate African American culture in the most authentic way possible to honor its history and educate the community.

“We want to celebrate Black history in a way that is true to history, showcasing the trauma, but also the resilience… the moments of tragedy… [and] the moments of joy,” Hemm said. “This musical landscape of the history did all of those things, and so we wanted to bring that to the community to bring that history to life.”

CELEBRATIONS Performers from Oriki Arts explore the African Diaspora in a recent assembly for Pinewood School Upper Campus students, faculty, and staff. Performances included a retelling of the Diaspora’s history and steelpan drums.

Pinewood Students Rack Up Scholastic Awards

ESHA JOSHI

Staff Writer

A succinct and poignant ode to the experience of grief. A heartbreakingly honest stream of consciousness seamlessly weaving together science and love. A colorful, evocative painting that provokes thought about the LGBTQIA+ experience.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Competition is an opportunity for students across the country to share their work in 30 categories and receive recognition.

This year, six Pinewood students received recognition for their work.

Senior Samantha Hsiung won five awards: two Gold Keys and one Silver Key for poetry and an Honorable Mention in the Flash Fiction category. She received an Honorable Mention for her Writing Portfolio “Feels Like Burning.” Hsiung experimented with the motifs of fire and burning in her pieces, and many of them also touched on Chinese history.

Her Flash Fiction piece is her favorite out of all those she submitted. Hsiung’s fascination with Chinese history led her to write about “Tank Man,” a nickname for the Chinese man who stood in front of tanks after the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests. The piece was very experimental; Hsiung used caesuras, a literary tech-

nique involving line breaks and white spaces in writing.

“I’m so grateful for all the English teachers at Pinewood who have motivated me to write and submit my work,” Hsiung said.

Junior Sophia Cheng won four awards this year: two Silver Keys and an Honorable Mention in the Journalism category, and another Silver Key in the Personal Essay category. She’s proudest of her essay, a personal piece about her identity as a Chinese American girl.

“I worked with an old writing teacher on it for several months,” Cheng said. “It was pretty cool to watch my essay grow and evolve into something I was truly proud of.”

Eighth grader Rachel Aronson received an Honorable Mention for her short story “Number One-Ninety-Eight.” The piece follows Greta, an escaped chicken who dies in the wild because she didn’t develop the skills to survive while in captivity.

Junior Emma Hwang also received an Honorable Mention from Scholastic for her personal essay about her scoliosis journey, something she hasn’t written about in the past.

“I think it’s an accurate representation of this challenge of my life and does my experience justice,” Hwang said.

Junior Sophia Yao received the same award for a per-

sonal essay about her sister.

“I feel pretty shocked about placing, since I had just submitted some things I’d written for AP Lang and literature,” Yao said.

In the same category, sophomore Kathleen Xie received a Silver Key for her personal essay “Creativity is Not a Neat Little Checkbox.” Her inspiration for the piece, which is about the way life can hamper creativity by feeling like a list to check off, came from her looking through old pictures and videos of herself.

“While reminiscing upon videos of the creative games and crafts I invented as a kid, I wondered if that creativity grew with me,” Xie said. “That’s what I explored in this piece.”

Hsing’s two Gold Key submissions have the potential to win medals in a national round of judging.

Overheard at Pinewood

VISHESH RANGANATHAN Staff Writer

Thousands of things are said every day at Pinewood, and the “Overheard at Pinewood” segment is here to capture a handful of them. From satirical to inspirational, each quote finds a way to bring a smile to faces as students push through the long, arduous year.

Liquid Love: In the spirit of Happiness Week, one student shows off the self-love everybody should have: “If you like water, you already like 72% of me.”

Hazardous High School: In the midst of studying for a math test, a student pauses and reflects on the high school experience: “High school is like riding a bike, except the bike [is] on fire and in a pool of piranhas.”

Afternoon Arguments: During a not-so-heated lunchtime argument, one student makes a claim about their choice of diet: “I’m not vegetarian because I like animals, I’m vegetarian because I hate plants.”

REGIONAL RECOGNITION Samantha Hsiung, Sophia Yao, Rachel Aronson, Emma Hwang, Kathleen Xie, and Sophia Cheng all won awards in this year’s Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition.

Photos Courtesy of PINEWOOD

Photo by ABI WESSEL