The Skyline View | Fall 2021 | Issue #1

THE SKYLINE VIEW The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.

September 15, 2021

theskylineview.com

Issue 1

SMCCCD adopts new vaccination mandate for students and employees The policy will effect those who take classes or work at district facilities

By Steven Rissotto Editor-in-Chief

Skyline College’s continuous fight against COVID-19 is set to take on a twist.

The San Mateo County Community College District has adopted a requirement that students and employees must be vaccinated against the virus in order to receive access to campus and district facilities.

The new policy was issued by the Board of Trustees during their meeting on July 28 and was scheduled to be placed into effect either on the first day of the fall semester on August 18 or when the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Since the Pfizer vaccine received full approval on August 23, the district’s mandate is now fully active.

“Ideally, the mandate would facilitate and encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect themselves and others,” said Skyline’s registered nurse Emily Risk. “In doing so, the district is demonstrating dedication to getting people back on campus and to keeping them safe.”

Board policy No. 2.90 states that all District employees who access Skyline College, College of San Mateo, and Cañada College must be fully vaccinated unless an individual is exempted due to medical or religious reasons. Those that work in the District office, facilities, and do off-site in-person work are also part

The Pfizer vaccine received full approval on August 23, the mandate is now active.

Creative Commons

of the requirement.

Any student attending in-person classes, programs, or participating in any activity on campuses is required to be vaccinated.

The policy won’t be in play for those enrolled in online courses because of their non-requirement to be physically present on campuses.

Visitors –– individuals not considered employees or students –– must comply with Cal/OSHA safety guidelines to step foot on District ground.

“No shirt, no shoes, no vaccine, no service,” said San Mateo Board of Supervisors President David Canepa. “The trustees did an incredible job protecting the students and the faculty. I’d like to see San Mateo County move in that direction; people get passionate about this issue on both sides.”

The move comes after the recent surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the new delta variant, which is two times more contagious than any of the previous

variants. As more information is received and more research is conducted, the vaccine’s reaction to the strain is still widely unknown.

The policy also corresponds with the recommendations from the San Mateo County Health Department. On July 16, the county reported rising cases and sent out a release to urge everyone –– regardless of vaccination status –– to wear a mask indoors in public settings.

“As of now, it makes sense to

wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status because the delta variant is primarily causing the positive infections at the moment, and we just don’t know enough about it to take the masks off,” Risk said. “We all need to remain flexible and educated as we are gaining new insights daily and making new recommendations based on the best and latest science available.”

As of now, social distancing or barrier requirements are no longer required regardless of vaccination status.

SMCCCD Chancellor Michael Claire will be responsible for establishing administrative procedures to implement the new policy.

“In most cases when you break it down and address the concerns, it becomes obvious that protecting yourself and your community outweighs the reasons not to get vaccinated,” Risk said. The science is solid, the vaccines work as they were designed to, and they are saving lives.”

In an effort to help personnel and the student body receive their shots, SMCCCD will be conducting pop-up vaccine clinics at each campus. Cañada will have one on August 31, Skyline on September 2, and College of San Mateo on September 3. The time frames are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all three days.

“I think the leadership being put forth by the community college district is needed in light of the delta variant and they should be commended for their forward thinking,” Canepa said.

Skyline’s Inauguration to College Hour

Skyline introduces a weekly event to build a sense of community on campus.

Election. Their students were

By Andrea Sto. Domingo News editor

Skyline College’s Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations (MCPR) have introduced a new community event, College Hour for their students to get more information about various campus services, programs, and clubs.

Skyline College President, Dr. Melissa Moreno envisioned creating an in-person community building event that celebrated the partial return to campus this semester. College Hour was born out of that idea and brought to life by the Marketing and Student Life teams. College Hour takes place every Wednesday from 12 p.m to 1 p.m in the quad by building 6.

“College Hour is really an on-campus experience geared toward making students feel welcomed back to campus, and also to help build a sense of community since we have less students on-campus this semester,” said MCPR community manager Connor Fitzpatrick.

During College Hour campus organizations and clubs can take the opportunity to bring attention to students regarding their

During College Hour, campus clubs can take the opportunity to bring attention to students.

programs and how they can get involved. The hope is to bring a sense of community between students as there are less students on campus. As the campus transitions to fully back in-person services MCPR is using College Hour as a way to

reach out to more students and get them more involved with Skyline’s campus and services.

“College Hour will be an ongoing, evolving weekly event,’’ said Fitzpatrick. “We’re envisioning a wide variety of hosts each week, open mics,

Skyline College

game tournaments with prizes, connections to various History Months, and more.”

Some of the recent events hosted by College Hour were Project Change and the voter information booth in regards to the upcoming California Recall

able to gain more information on where, when, and how to vote.

As the push for more events on campus gets featured through the weekly event, organizations will be able to sign up through the College Hour Sign Up Sheet - Fall 2021.

“It is something new that the college has not done before and I think something unique about it is that it happens on the same day, same time, once a week,” said Fitzpatrick. “Students know that it is going to be a constant at Skyline College and it will be here for the long run.”

MCPR wants not only Skyline’s organizations, but the student body to build a sense of community with one another as the campus reopens. Though College Hour was just recently introduced, many clubs and organizations on campus have taken advantage of this event to get more students involved.

“It is a work in progress,” said Fitzpatrick. “We’re excited to have this event, it’s something new and we want to hear what students think about it. Come stop by when you see us in the quad and let us know what you as students would like to see more of.”

2

News The Staff Editor-In-Chief Steven Rissotto News Editor Andrea Sto.Domingo Focal Point Editor Anoush Torounian Arts and Entertainment Editor Daniela Ossa Lopez Opinions Editor Zachary Navarra Sports Editor Arman Archouniani Chief Copy Editor Steven Rissotto Photo Editor Andrea Sto. Domingo Graphics Editor Zachary Navarra Social Media Editor Daniela Ossa Lopez Staff Writers Derian Lopez Armando Reynoso Anthony Perez Kassidy Corbin Adriana Hernandez Ysabella Herrera Phil Ho Sydney Reynolds Kimberly Garcia-Camarcho Faculty Adviser Nancy Kaplan-Biegel

Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us?

(650)738-4302 Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive

San Bruno CA 94066

The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised.

The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.

September 15, 2021

Pacifica locals concerned with new development plan

By Steven Rissotto Editor-in-Chief

n A plan to build a new residential subdivision in Pacifica along San Pedro Mountain is causing uproar among town residents and nearby neighbors.

The development project dubbed Linda Mar Woods includes 125 units of residential housing and roughly a combined 58 acres.

There are two parcels of land with one planned to be in Pacifica territory located at the end of Higgins Way. According to the project’s website, 60 percent of the land will be set aside as dedicated open space and 40 percent of it will be designated for homes, sidewalks, and parking. The website also claims that at least 30 percent of the homes will be affordable for moderate-income families.

The Pacifica Planning Department says the application from the international cooperation that owns the land is incomplete, meaning there isn’t any new developments or scheduled date for the city to find more about the plan.

Residents of Pacifica aren’t too thrilled about the idea and the possible ramifications it brings along.

While scouring through the planning department’s website back in February, a local neighbor found the project and immediately tipped it off to the occupants that live in the neighborhood.

Nick Lusson is a Pacifica resident that resides on Higgins

Linda Mar Woods will feature roughly 125 housing units

and is the president of Protect San Pedro Mountain, a nonprofit organization featuring a group of neighbors, small business owners, and community members focused on working with Pacifica to make sure the plan’s current ideas stay away from the San Pedro hillside.

“The people on Higgins; we certainly don’t see ourselves as the only ones with an issue with this because the issue expands far beyond us through the whole community,” Lusson said. “But we kind of started there where we met as a neighborhood and everyone was kind of freaked out, and really worried, and upset about these plans.”

Several nearby opposers met at the Montessori School of Linda Mar on Higgins and held a lengthy discussion about concerns and a plan of action. The result was to create the Protect San Pedro Mountain organization and take the possible threat seriously.

In the developer’s plan, Higgins Way would require a major overhaul during the project. The street

is expected to be torn apart to be widened, cutting into some of the school and property. The traffic would be directed to flow near the historic Shamrock Ranch, a family-owned horseback riding location that has been around for generations.

Even though the project includes a retaining wall, residents on the streets down below the mountain fear possible landslides dropping on them from above.

“This is a really beautiful part of our community,” Lusson said. “The ecology about it, the biology of it, the usage of it. From hikers, bikers, dog walkers, bird-watchers, you name it.

It’s a real cherished part of Pacifica.

And it’s also a historic area.”

The Ohlone Portola Heritage Trail included Old San Pedro Road, which residents fear could be in danger of being wiped away with the proposed subdivision. Now, hundreds of visitors use these trails for recreational purposes and there are some reported sightings of possible endangered species around the area.

The organization says that mountain bikers were among the loudest voices against the plan, coming out in

Save San Pedro Mountain

crowds on social media.

“I’ve gone on hikes with my local boy scout troop to teach the younger kids about the native plants,” said Pacifica resident Dylan Macias, who is against the project.

“I also have gone mountain biking multiple times and know other kids who go up there quite a bit.”

The Linda Mar Woods website says they will work to revamp and enhance mountain bike trails by establishing more “advanced” and “sustainable” trails.

Lusson says Pacifica officials could be leaning in favor of the proposal once the application is complete, but says the lack of support among citizens makes it difficult to support a project this aggressive and costly.

“We’ve hardly found anyone that’s in favor of this, there’s quite a bit of outrage,” Lusson said. “I feel very confident and it’s speculation because it’s not like I have a poll or vote, and my opinion is biased. It seems to me that the vast majority of people that live here are wildly against this and quite up in arms about it.”

Distance learning experiences mixed reviews amid return to campus The debate between private vs public schools has only heated up since the pandemic began

By Steven Rissotto Editor-In-Chief

n Click-click-click-clack-clackclack.

The inanimate sound of ferociously typing students filled up millions of bedrooms across the country as the raging COVID-19 continued to swoop and spill large chunks of uncertainty. Distance learning –– a new concept for those used to being present in a physical classroom –– forcefully took the reign as the prime source of education.

Of course, there wasn’t a single soul that could’ve predicted the unimaginable changes that came along with the change. Khakis and colorful dresses were replaced with dull sweatpants –– or nothing below the waist at all. A firm desk to sit at was swapped for a warm bed to lie in. The face-to-face interaction that shines such a bright light on the overall school experience was traded for a Zoom profile that only featured an active webcam if the mood was satisfactory.

Most of all, the future generation that will soon rule the world was impacted academically.

“It was a really hard set of circumstances that students, parents, families went through,” said Jesse Boise, Principal of Capuchino High School in San Bruno.

Boise and his team experienced growing pains in the Spring of 2020, the height of the pandemic, and right around the time when minimal information was known about the virus.

Along with the rest of the San Mateo Union High School District, Capu-

chino burst into reactionary mode and tried everything to make sure students could make the transition from school to their homes.

The first few months of learning online ended up undeveloped; the digital platforms were not built to the highest capability, the instructional schedule failed to align with distance learning, and technology wasn’t distributed quickly enough.

But that didn’t stop students and teachers from developing stronger executive function and digital skills.

“For sure, things were not as impactful as if we’d have the opportunity to do it in person but –– within the context that we found ourselves –– I was overall really proud of how students and staff navigated,” Boise said.

Capuchino –– a public school –– is back on campus this fall with quite a few protocols to keep COVID-19 away. Masking, ventilation, sanitization, vaccination, and testing are just a few priorities the administration has zeroed in on.

They’ve even toggled around with advanced seating charts to make sure contact tracing is as easy as possible if a possible positive case were to arise.

In an age where school board meetings are infiltrated by different stances on protection against COVID-19, Boise hasn’t heard one complain about wearing masks on campus. As a matter of fact, he says the school has “universally embraced” the mandate.

Although it’s bound to be a memorable return to numerous public school campuses this fall, this isn’t anything new for many

private schools. According to the California State Department of Public Health’s research in February, most of the state’s private schools appeared to offer some form of in-person learning.

With flexibility, space, a rejuvenated financial aid persona, and manageable class sizes on their side, private schools have flourished –– and will possibly continue to shine after COVID –– in enrollment since the pandemic. In a May report from CNBC, roughly 41 percent of parents were more likely to prefer private education as opposed to a public option.

Holly Rios is now one of them.

With two kids enrolled in the Pacifica School District –– one a high schooler and one still in elementary school –– Rios became increasingly frustrated with the way public schools were handling their curriculum.

“The school and teachers weren’t putting in as much support and commitment as they used to, mostly because the school districts had put too many responsibilities on the teachers to the point that they couldn’t do their jobs completely,” Rios said.

“They just threw a lame solution at the students and lowered the learning standard.”

As private schools pulled the trigger on their reopening process a little quicker than public schools, Rios saw her opportunity to pounce and make the transition. She and her children found the adjustment tough but rewarding as they were placed in higher-level academic classes and mingled with new friend groups.

Even though her children experienced public education their entire lives, Rios was settled on finding more of a challenging alternative.

“Public schools need to be smaller. We need more qualified teachers and more schools so a whole city isn’t jammed into two schools, then each student can get the attention and opportunities they deserve,” Rios said. .

“So often I appreciate when parents reach out proactively and share concerns because then we can address it,” Boise said. “It’s really hard when a concern manifests much further down the line. We’re imperfect just like anybody and I think it’s right that people should assume that we are proactive in learning, investigating, and finding those things out, but that’s just not possible.”

The pandemic changed many things, but distance learning universally hurt the same crowd: students –– no matter if they were enrolled in private or public schools. The general consensus remains that each experience is different for every type of student.

Although the number of parents transferring their students from one to the other could wind up being minimal, it still remains a blazing-hot topic of debate.

“Private schools, in general, serve different purposes depending on the mission and the goal of that school community,” Boise said. “I mean, I think the beauty of public education is that we serve all students. Whoever walks through the door, we’re going to promise you an excellent education. And anyone who lives within the boundaries is promised that.”

3

Opinions

September 15, 2021 Feb. 24, 2021

Editorial

Skyline College must enforce its vaccine mandate

In early August, Skyline College announced a vaccine mandate for all students, faculty and staff. While controversial, this step is necessary to insure the safety of the Skyline community.

According to the Washington Post, people who remain unvaccinated are 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19.

Unfortunately, the mandate can be characterized by its unclear enforcement and dismal follow through. Inconsistent with policy, students can easily enter Skyline buildings and classrooms without confirmation of vaccination status.

Students are able to enter campus, walk through buildings, join classrooms, buy books and eat in the cafeteria all without verification that they are vaccinated.

The lack of enforcement puts the health of students, faculty and staff in jeopardy. With the rise of the Delta variant, which is reported as being twice as infectious compared to previous variants according to the CDC, there is little room for error as students begin to come back to school.

Since Skyline announced a vaccine mandate, they should enforce a vaccine mandate.

Relying on the good will of students inadequately addresses the severity of this pandemic. While we all wish for it to be over, we must acknowledge that it simply

The Skyline College campus remains empty during the fall semester

is not.

When a plan has no enforcement, there is no plan at all.

Skyline may get by with this policy for the time being due to the limited number of in-person classes on campus this Fall. However, if Skyline plans to transition to full scale in-person classes for the Spring semester, this policy

will not suffice.

Under a traditional in-person setting, students will be in close contact with each other. It is imperative that students are protected from the virus while they are forced to be in enclosed spaces.

The worst thing that could happen would be for the school

Arman Archouniani/The Skyline View

to reopen only to close again because of a case surge on campus. Students would be exposed to a deadly disease while others would be forced into their fifth semester of online learning.

Skyline has the capability of preventing this, Skyline can enforce a vaccine mandate, Skyline must enforce a vaccine mandate.

“The lack of enforcement puts the health of students, faculty and staff in jeopardy.”

Community college should be free for everyone

The cost of attending shouldn’t stop anyone from attending college.

By: Anthony Perez Staff Writer

As part of his presidential campaign, Joe Biden outlined a plan to help combat the student debt problem by making community colleges free for all.

States like California already have programs in place that waive or reduce the cost of community colleges. However, these programs are usually limited to students looking to get degrees in certain fields, fall under certain low-income brackets, or are first-generation students.

Community college students often struggle in completing their associate’s degree in two years as a result of financial struggles. Free community colleges won’t just help those students who are currently struggling financially but bring in those who are looking to change their future and in turn that of our nations.

Increasing access to community colleges wouldn’t hurt 4-year universities by affecting their acceptance rates. By making community colleges free, the nation benefits from near-universal access to higher education. This is especially beneficial for low-income students who do not qualify for certain programs.

Attending a community college is seen as a stepping stone towards a four-year university by some students. With programs

The costs of community colleges can restrain their potential for students

like California’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), qualified Skyline students planning to transfer can gain guaranteed admission to one of six UC participants.

Allowing anyone to gain a degree is beneficial beyond the individual recipients, but builds a better future for our nation. As we move towards an automated future, more jobs and careers will require degrees in positions that used to accept just a high

school diploma.

In recent years we’ve begun to see community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in certain fields. Here at Skyline, students can earn a bachelor’s degree of Science in Respiratory Care. As more community colleges begin to offer bachelor’s degrees, more students will be able to complete their degrees without having to transfer to an expensive university.

This also gives people the op-

Zachary Navarra/The Skyline View

portunity to earn more degrees in fields they’d like to explore.

With free community college, anyone looking to change their career paths can return to school without having to worry about the cost of attending.

Making community college free would take away financial strains and allow for more access to higher education for everyone.

“Allowing anyone to gain a degree is beneficial beyond the individual recipients, but builds a better future for our nation.”

4

Opinions

September 15, 2021

Skyline must improve its online counseling services The online counseling services offered by Skyline College fall short of its in-person counterparts

By Andrea Sto. Domingo News Editor

As we enter into the second year of a worldwide pandemic and the world slowly opens back up, many students are struggling to transfer to a four-year university.

With limited in-person resources, the transition to an online campus has made the transfer process extremely difficult.

During the pandemic, the challenges of poor mental health caused by limited face-to-face interaction and the usual stress of the transfer process have taken their toll on me. It takes at least two weeks to schedule something as simple as a counselor’s appointment on Skyline’s online campus. Skyline needs to do a better job providing support for the online transfer process.

While going through the final checklist of classes that were needed, two counselors failed to tell me that one of my classes was not applicable for covering two sections of the G.E requirement. If I had not gone to a third counselor, I likely would have failed to meet the standard to obtain my AD-T. The ensuing frustration and stress have left me spiraling, feeling that Skyline’s counseling has failed me.

With the online counseling system, I felt that interactions between counselors and students have become counterproductive

Skyline students are unable to access in-person counseling and must use online resources

as Zoom meetings are rushed and email responses are often delayed. Nothing is more jarring than sending a plea for help with a time-sensitive document only to be met with an automated response.

It takes at least two weeks to schedule something as simple as a counselor’s appointment on Skyline’s online campus.

There’s no guarantee when you’ll get a response, let alone getting one in the first place.

I have heard from multiple Skyline students that it is commonplace to have transfer inquiries be met with no response.

With the increase of online counseling traffic combined with limited appointments avail-

Zachary Navarra/The Skyline View

able, I had to resort to reaching out to professors and deans to get the process moving along.

The online transfer process has been a taxing emotional experience that needs to be improved on.

I Will Never Remember The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is here, but what does that mean for those born after?

By Zachary Navarra Opinions editor

What does it mean to never forget an event you were not alive to remember?

This is a question that must be answered for the tens of millions American children who were born after 9/11.

This is a question that must be answered for many of Skyline’s student population.

A professor may ask their class if there is anyone old enough to remember what happened and they will be lucky if they see two hands rise. For many of America’s youth, 9/11 is no different than Pearl Harbor. These are days that will live in infamy, not in our memories.

There is no post 9/11 society, it is just American society for many in “Gen Z.” For the past 20 years, all we have known is war. Aug. 31, 2021, the day we officially left Afghanistan, was the first day of my life where I could say my country is no longer at war.

We should all be thankful that the war is over. The 18 and 19-year-old service members who make up our armed forces were born after 9/11. It would be a tragedy if someone was asked to fight ––– and possibly die ––– in a war that started before they were even born.

This is the start of America’s next fundamental change, the first

The cost of war 9/11 casualties: 2,996 Iraq war casualties: 4,424 Iraq civilian casualties: 207,156 Afghan war casualties: 1,833 Afghan civilian casualites: 47,245

127 years have passed since the first official Labor Day holiday and the fight for workers’ rights continues

Zachary Navarra/The Skyline View

of which my generation truly gets to witness. The scars of 9/11 must be healed for our country to move forward. The first step has begun in ending the forever wars.

The next steps must include questioning the reactionary legislation in the period right after the attacks. It is time we repeal Authorization for Use of Military Force, the Patriot Act and close Guantanamo Bay. These are products of the trauma our nation felt, but past trauma is not a reason to keep something around. There is a special understanding that people hold when they have experienced something tragic, but there is also clarity in being removed from a situation.

Do these laws and places make sense when they stand alone? I would say they simply do not. It is time we move forward as a nation, it is time to truly heal.

I do not wish for anyone to forget the tragic events on 9/11, but I do ask that you accept I will never remember.

Labor Day is more than just another holiday It’s time to celebrate the legacy of America’s labor movements.

By Zachary Navarra Opinions editor

No, Labor Day is not just the first day off of the school year.

Most of us probably don’t question days off from school. If you don’t need to wake up until noon, why question it? The truth is, there is a real irony in celebrating a holiday meant for workers while we live in a time that gives them little value. We have not seen inequality of this magnitude since the late 1800s.

Yet it was the late 1800s where Labor Day was born.

What started with over 10,000 workers leaving work to walk the streets of New York would eventually lead to a nearly two-decadelong clash of the classes. From the rise of the Populist Party that swept through the rural farm areas of America to the worker strikes and protests that challenged power

in the cities, workers fought back.

Those workers won. They did not win in every category nor were they able to grab the presidency in 1896. But the battle for Labor Day, an official day to recognize the rights and values of workers, the working class won.

Now we face a time where the working class has been backsliding and losing for over 40 years, it’s time to start looking at what the real problem is. This is not as simple as Republican vs Democrat, or the rural heartland vs the metropolitan coasts.

Jobs are running away from middle America as fast as the cost of living is rising in our city centers. We have had Democrats and Republicans control our government, yet the problems keep getting worse.

The truth is neither party truly represents labor or workers’ rights.

Both sides have factions and politicians that claim to champion the working class, yet neither side’s leadership truly does. The Democrats repealed banking regulations and pushed many of the modern trade deals while the Republicans gave billions of dollars in tax breaks to the richest among us.

If things are going to change, it might as well start with us. If worker’s rights are to be won, they must be fought for. It is time for the younger generation to take on this fight. From local elections to state propositions to the federal government, it all matters.

Labor Day is not just another day off from school, it’s a monument to the labor movements that have come before and a chance to think of the working-class movements to come.

5

Arts and Entertainment

September 15, 2021

Donda dominates Certified Lover Boy

A review of Kanye West and Drake’s latest music releases.

ByDaniela Ossa Lopez.

Reporter

Donda by Kanye West finally dropped on the morning of Aug. 29 and it has 27 songs on it that lasts a little less than two hours long in its entirety. This is Kayne’s tenth studio album and arguably his most controversial.

As his most-anticipated album to date, it’s also dedicated to his late mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007. In collaboration, he worked with GOOD and Def Jam. The Chicago rapper, singer, producer, performer, designer, and president-pseudo candidate has had quite an eventful year.

He has been dealing with mental health dilemmas that feature public meltdowns, he’s going through a divorce with Kim Kardashian, and still coping with the loss of his mom almost 15 years ago.

Despite all the things going on in his personal life, he found joy in Sunday services. Being closer to God also makes him feel closer to his mother and the pain. We can find Gospel and church-like influences on the album. Honestly, after the public meltdown he had recently and what he has posted on his Twitter account, I think this album turned out better than expected.

The more I listen to it, the more I like it and can connect to him.

I think this album was therapeutic for him, and it was important for him to do something for himself at this point.

I felt Kanye’s creativity and pains come through. I am not religious myself –– I came into it ready to cringe –– but it was a good cinematic-like experience

with sonically pleasing aesthetics. Fans online say the beat at the beginning of the album is the heartbeat of his mother before she passed on.

Some people online call this album a melodrama more than a musical piece, as it has a mix of genres such as hip hop, gospel, pop, trap, and progressive rap. It was allegedly released without West’s approval after a very pushed-back release date.

The record had a hectic release. For some fans, It feels like it was one release date after another, and many claim that his inconsistency was attached to his mental health issues.

Throughout his public relations messy-campaign, he got into a viral feud with Drake on social media because the two rappers had their album’s release date close to each other.

West and Drake’s feud has been going for over 12 years.

It’s hard to believe they started as healthy competitors. In the last year, it escalated like two kids in a playground fighting for candy. I’m not saying that one is better than the other –– not at all –– but I think they have different styles. Even though they are great rappers and big icons, they are targeted at different age groups. According to an interview with GQ back in 2014, West said that Drake is “a product for a younger generation” and I think you can see it crystal clear in the releases.

I mean, we are talking about two big rappers, but not necessarily talking about two rap albums. I think because of the proximity of the release dates,

Donda gained more than 60 million streams on Apple Music during release day

we can compare them. However, the two albums are day and night, and you can see that in the artists that crossover between the two projects. For example, Jay Z is in both albums but his energy is completely different in both. In Donda, his verses are more vulnerable and talks more about fear, love, and loyalty.

Meanwhile, in Drake’s album, he has a gangster attitude, saying “I can disappear you with a phone call.”

Drake’s album CLB- Certified Lover Boy was released on Sept. 3 and is the sixth album by the Canadian rapper. The music reflects on courtship, fame, excuses, and loneliness.

By the third track of CLB –– “Girls Want Girls,” –– Drake is indulging his worst instincts and delivering a god-awful hook (“Say that you’re a lesbian / Girl, me too”).

Drake worked with OVO

Sound and Republic Records as his music label and it takes 86:02 minutes to listen to it. The album was released with absolutely no teasers.

This was completely inappropriate and offensive to the LGTBQ+ community and lots of gaslighting with the charm of a middle-aged dad in the club. This controversial song has been the most talked about on social media and people are pissed. At the same time, it has the best debut numbers on Spotify which doesn’t make much sense because I love the beat but hate the lyrics.

Drake womanizes on rap records and asks for forgiveness on the R&B tracks. That’s his whole career in a nutshell and his new album is a testimony to Drake’s comfort. He’s comfortable where he’s at and that’s not a good thing. He’s no longer pushing boundaries and

By: Creative Commons

his growth has been stunted and stagnant. He keeps talking about his son and how an unexpected pregnancy changed his life, a point he’s been making since 2018.

Kanye’s music is something new and different. Some might not be a fan but you most definitely have to acknowledge the effort put forth by “Ye,” which includes the listening parties along with the visuals with family involvement in those shows.

He puts himself out there and thinks outside the box, which makes him more exceptional with his final results.

These two albums are completely different but I think both artists and labels gave something to talk about. The covers, rhythms, guest artists, and release dates needed to catch the audience’s attention provoked different opinions and feelings on social media.

“Shang Chi”: A fresh take on the traditional superhero movie

Marvel revitalizes the superhero movie industry with its latest release

By Mark Magat Reporter

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has generally been known by its fanbase for its consistently enjoyable content. While their villains are a little lackluster, the comedy tends to overtake the emotional moments and the third act fight scenes can be a little boring, but overall, the productions entertaining for most viewers. So how does Shang Chi compare to the movies and shows that precede it? Pretty well. In a nutshell, the movie is a step above most of the previous Marvel movies.

“Shang Chi” follows our title character as he’s been hiding for over half his life from his father, the leader of the 10 Rings — a world-reaching crime syndicate.

When his father narrows in on his San Franciscan hiding spot, Shang Chi is thrusted into the world he left behind. The story initially seems pretty par for the course for a hero origin movie, but with how the movie moves forward with that set up, it’s rather spectacular. The story’s overall pacing and action scenes feed into each other and all build up the overarching narrative.

Now, a common critique of Marvel movies is that they tend to compromise emotional scenes with humor. “Shang Chi ‘’ does

“Shang Chi” sets a new precendent for Marvel Movies

have humor when appropriate and most of the time doesn’t detract from scenes. Most of the fight scenes have a few humorous moments, but it lends some energy to them. The fight scene on the bus is a great example of the blend of humor and action. But the emotional scenes are exclusively for emotion and reflection for the characters.

The action scenes are choreographed in such a way that adds a new flavor to Marvel. The kung fu that they bring in brings a new

kind of elegant energy that we haven’t seen before in the MCU. The martial arts aren’t merely an accessory of the fight scenes, they feed into the characters’ story and their philosophies. I did find their occasional use of close shots and quick cuts to be a bit jarring. I’d prefer most of the fights to be mostly wide shots so we can fully appreciate the great fight choreography.

Their opponent — Shang Chi’s own father, Xu Wenwu, also known to comic book fans

By: A Place to Hang Your Cape

as The Mandarin. He’s so well written and so well acted, he’s on par with Thanos and Killmonger.

There’s a scene half way through the movie and Tony Leung Chiuwai does a great job showing that his goal has become an obsession he can’t help but hold on to. He’s a love sick husband and father who misses his wife and can’t help but try and reconcile by going back to a life of crime.

While I enjoyed this movie, I do have one issue with it — the last act is messy. Most Marvel mov-

ies have to end with the big fight, but here, there’s a bit too much going on for me and feels bloated rather than integral to the story.

I was more interested in Shang Chi’s fight and semi-into the bigger fight too but I’m not that interested in the giant creatures bashing each other. The producers kept adding layers and layers of fluff to fill the screen with tension, and my brain glazed over and turned off as a result.

Overall, I highly recommend the movie. For non-Marvel fans, this is detached enough to not have too many of the MCU’s faults, so I’d give it a shot if you weren’t on board before.

And if you are an MCU fan, this is one of the best written MCU movies to date. I’ve loved the MCU since the beginning, but have to admit I’m getting a bit fatigued by the same old thing over and over again. “Shang Chi” does bring in nuggets of new ideas while still being packaged in familiarialrity.

“Shang Chi ‘’ does have humor when appropriate and most of the time doesn’t detract from scenes.”

6

Features

September 15, 2021

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

By Adriana Hernandez Reporter

The Golden Gate Bridge — a panoramic vista and an emblem to San Franciscans. Millions of people have traveled far and wide distances to view the great red bridge. Among those millions have visited with other plans. According to The Centre for Suicide Prevention, this Wonder of the World has been the site of an estimated 1,600 suicide attempts. Only a tiny fraction of such victims survived.

September, National Suicide Prevention Month, recognizes those who feel dimissed for their struggle with mental health.

This acknowledgement serves as a beacon of acceptance for a community facing undue stigma.

According to the National Insitute of Mental Health, suicide remains the second leading cause of death for those ages of ten and 34.

Michelle Sanchez, a freshman at Skyline College, is one of many students who has struggled with mental health.

“I felt lonely because no one really talked about [mental health],” Sanchez said. “It got to that point where I was so tired that September is Nationation Suicide Prevention Month, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.

I wanted to pop that bubble. I did, I Zachary Navarra/ The Skyline View ended up popping that bubble. But thankfully, I’m still here. I am a go talk to someone, but … I kept sense of peace to stop her from His friend was able to receive “All of a sudden they stop going suicide attempt survior.” support from the district, and after a to school, stop showing up to telling myself ‘I’m okay.’” realizing her true emotions.

Addressing this sense of Michelle Sanchez felt the need “If I wasn’t distracted, I would few years, they felt stronger thanks classes, miss assignments, or start loneliness is paramount. As to Skyline resources. to be late for work,” said Ueda. to hide her struggle from her start thinking about how depressed students return to campus, many parents due to her family not being I was about everything that was “I believe that at least 70% of my “That would be a good sign to say of them have developed mental educated on the subject. Many going on and just let depression peers struggle with mental health,” ‘hey, what’s going on’, open ended illnesses due to isolation or have Sanchez said, in agreement with questions are actually good.” students struggle from this family consume me,” Smith said. been diagnosed beforehand. One dynamic, reliving toxic cycles and This coping mechanism was only Smith. “A lot of people do, it just When you see a change in never knows who around them someone’s character or they submerging their feelings. a temporary bandage to her struggle presents in different forms for could be dealing with mental “Based on family values, where with mental health. Burying different people.” mention strong feelings of health issues. they grew up and which country negative emotions can culminate Luckily, the SMCCCD provides guilt and shame, those are “Many people feel like it’s too resources to individuals struggling warning signs that they could be they come from, we still see in the 4th and most potent stage — private, or [feel too discouraged with mental health. contemplating suicide. Social stigma,” said Ueda. “It’s concerning unfolding into depression itself. by] the stigma attached … to “Last year from 2020 to 21, we withdrawal and isolation are and very challenging to reach out to “I was in a mixed state of having admit that they have mental health students who have a lot of stigma provided a total of 1349 counsling things to look out for. really high energy but I was really issues,” Makiko Ueda, a licensed hours. Individual counseling “When you see a change, you around mental health.” depressed.” Smith said. marriage and family therapist, sessions [amount to]1349 hours notice that they are introverted, Another victim, Samantha Smith, Samantha Smith was diagnosed counselor, coordinator and and the number of the students they might look like that in a CSM student who decided to with major depressive disorder, clinical supervisor at CSM since is 190,” Ueda said. “It doesn’t general but be quieter or isolated, take a break from school due to her bipolar disorder and generalized 2007 said. “It could be a very capture any of the support groups, “ said Ueda. “Those are signs of mental illness, felt misunderstood anxiety. This fall semester she was challenging topic but it’s just a workshops, and outreach activities. sudden withdrawal.” by her parents after she seeked help. working two jobs while taking conversation that is needed.”

If we count those it’s going to be Among those signs, stress could “My mom compared me taking classes five days a week.

Silence adds more to the stigma thousands of students.” be a sign of mental distress. medication to my dad taking “When you’re bipolar, you tend surrounding mental illnesses, With SMCCCD providing “Everybody experiences medication because he takes it to overschedule yourself,” Smith creating misconceptions that those for his diabetes ... It doesn’t feel support, many are able to surpass stress all the time. It could help said. “Just recently last month, I who are suicidal are quitters. In the third stage, isolation, where sometimes by increasing your the same,” Smith said. “I feel like was 5150, which means you were reality, they are victims unable to you feel like you have nowhere motivation to study better or there’s a stigma on mental health” placed on a psychiatric hold for 72 see past their circumstances. to turn to. This outreach leads to when preparing for exams,” said Like in Smith’s situation, hours. Since I’m 18, I had to go to “What I would hear often was, the final stage of acceptance — Ueda. “Stress can be positive, guardians’ beliefs could also cause the adult unit.” ‘she’s doing it for attention.’ It’s a learning to grow and make peace. however, if you just let the stress stigma to grow. During the second There’s a certain image that pops generic thing, someone can’t say, “I accepted that as how I was go on for too long it will lead one stage when denial leaves, a wave in heads when imagining someone ‘I’m feeling depressed.’ There’s a and it doesn’t bother me at all, to burn out.” of anger floods through because of going through mental health difference between being sad and ever. If somebody has a question.

When noticing these signs, seemingly unwavering feelings of issues, whether that be depression, being depressed,” Sanchez said.

I don’t mind telling them taking action could save a life. depression or deep sadness. anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.

“It’s easy to confuse having a bad about it, it doesn’t bother me,” Reaching out will allow them to “I feel like we put out what we “[There are] myths about mental day or being in a depressive state.”

Milburn, who was able to beat his feel safe enough to open up. have inside us. I say that because health; people think if you’re Depression is not presented depression, said. “That shouldn’t “A lot of the time people want when I was feeling down, I put it bipolar that you’re manic all the the same with everyone. The be able to bring me down because to be listened to. The people who out on others,” said Sanchez. “I time and your mood will just amount of time it takes to develop I’m stronger now. I’m healthier.” listening, also like to give their didn’t have a way to let out my switch like that,” Smith said. “If the symptoms and severity of Mental illnesses and suicide are own advice, which is a whole anger and sadness.” you’re depressed, you have to the illness varies. People who topics that are uncomfortable to thing about validation.” said Emily Kiefer, a first-year student dress in all black. suffer from depression often go talk about beacuse of the thought Smith. “I like to be listened to at CSM, experienced this stage However, these symptoms are through a variation of the five of being weak or judged. Pushing and I don’t really want advice, I differently by distracting herself so not as overt as the generalizations widely accepted stages of grief as past those barriers, an open just want people to hear me out. she could counteract her emotions. Smith described. developed by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler“Sitting alone and dwelling on “People expect depression, anxiety, dialogue about mental health heal. It just gets me more upset when Ross. Not everyone goes through “There is no magic pill that will people give me advice, I just want your feelings is never helpful,” bipolar disorder, OCD or PTSD to these stages in the same order or make everybody go to a counselor to be heard.”

Kiefer said. “It can lead to a be presented at its strongest form. for the same amount of time. Some when they need to,” said Ueda.

Once the conversation of hurricane of negative thoughts.”

It’s more subtle when you’re on may even skip stages or go back “We have been trying for all three mental health is started, it eases Smith’s symptoms would settle medication.” said Smith. “I’m still and forth between stages. the burden of it. When someone down through social distractions. having manic episodes, but it’s better campuses in the district to push a The first stage of depression is peer to peer approach.” opens up, it’s a way of asking for “When I had a chance to stop than it was before. It’s hard for me denial, where feelings of sadness All three campuses have a peer help or support. and think about how my life was to even see that I’m having a manic are ignored. If victims are aware “Reach out, don’t keep it to going, it triggered me,” said Smith. episode because the mood stabilizers educator program and their job is of a problem, they think they can to promote the conversation on yourself. The problems are not When anger leaves, a sensation are working so well and it mellows overcome it with sheer willpower. campus. They visit classrooms, going away and may potentially of bargaining happens;positivity out my mood.”

“On a daily basis, I didn’t want to attempts to replace negative have stands in the cafeteria and get worse,”said Ueda. “Be a good Ryan Milburn, a freshman at go to school, but to show my mom coordinate workshops teaching listener and provide a resource.” thoughts, marking the third stage.

Skyline and victim of depression, that everything was okay, I would students on the topic of mental National Suicide Prevention Smith’s diversions dismissed her believes a majority of his friends go.” Sanchez said. “I knew I had to depressive thoughts in favor of a health and what to look out for.

Lifeline Hotline : 1-800-273- 8255 struggled with mental health issues.

7

Sports

September 15, 2021

Skyline assistant basketball coach hired to lead Cañada

After 17 years, Eddy Harris is on the move to a district rival.

By Derian Lopez Staff Writer

Cañanda College’s basketball program is set to receive a new boost with the acquisition of former Skyline assistant coach Eddy Harris, who will serve as the new head coach for the Colts.

Harris –– announced to the position in the Spring –– spent the last 17 years coaching for the Trojans under head coach Justin Piergrossi and he is set to become the third new head coach in four years for Cañada.

During his entire tenure at Skyline, Harris was primarily working part-time; coaching basketball and instructing a few physical education courses.

After putting together a presentation for the San Mateo Community College District, Cañada athletic director Matt Lee says Harris will become the school’s first full-time head coach.

“At the end of the day, I’d like to help my student-athletes reach success and success can come in many many ways, like getting an AA degree,” Harris said. “Success could be graduating from a border school. Success could be playing professionally whether that is overseas or somewhere else.”

Before joining the Trojans coaching staff, Harris was a standout basketball prep star for Bridgemont High School, starting all four years and leaving the school as their alltime leader in points. He then enrolled to play three years of college hoops at the University of San Francisco.

Coach Eddy Harris has made a huge impact over the past 17 years at Skyline

At USF, Harris met Piergrossi, who was the assistant coach for Dons head coach Phil Mathews. When Piergrossi took over as the Trojans head coach in 2004, he hired Harris as one of his assistant coaches.

“On the one hand, and primarily, I’m just happy and excited for him,” Piergrossi said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to take a major step forward. It’s important for him personally –– and professionally –– to assume this role.”

Harris and Piergrossi helped provide stability on and off the

court at Skyline for almost two decades, shaping a program that focuses on spurring the growth and development young men.

“He was a very trustworthy and loyal assistant to me and our program,” Piergrossi said.

“He always had our programs’ best interests. I knew he worked tirelessly to support our program and our student-athletes over the past 17 years and I could not be happier with the outcomes we have achieved within our program.”

Harris will take another key impactful strategy with him as

Skyline Athletics

he moves forward to Cañada: creating an environment that produces local players.

“You can see by the team he has assembled by now; they’re on the court, they’re enrolled in their classes, and they are full-time student-athletes,” Lee said. “And they’re local. As a community college –– being in Redwood City, being within the San Mateo County District –– that hits home for me and Eddy.”

Harris’ team is shaping up according to plan and every player, except for one, is from San Mateo County or San Fran-

cisco County. One particular player he highlighted is forward Jevon Jesus, a recent Serra graduate that stands at 6’5 and has standout athleticism.

“I want to be a person that helps them accomplish their goals and five or ten years after playing, I would love for them to still keep contact to show that I helped them grow and mature throughout their life and future,” Harris said.

The Trojans kick off their basketball season on Nov. 2 against Marin. They play Harris’ Colts for the first time on Jan. 7.

Men and women’s soccer teams to return after lost season Scoring goals and team bonding were not the events that occurred last fall for the women’s soccer team

By Armando Reynoso Staff Writer

Soccer season is just days away; players and coaches at Skyline College are more excited than ever for the games to begin.

For many athletes that have been at Skyline for three years, they have only played one season after last year’s unfortunate cancellation due to COVID-19.

“We’re really excited, I can’t remember being so excited for a season in the past,” said Gabriel Saucedo, head coach of Skyline men’s soccer team. “It’s been a while since I coached a game. I know the coaches and players are pumped up.”

Just like Saucedo’s team, Kevin Corsiglia, head coach of Skyline women’s soccer team, rated their excitement and enthusiasm level very high.

“We’re definitely up there in the 9 to 10 range, we’re all excited to go out there,” Corsiglia said. “It’s been a long time. It’s not quite how the players that came to Skyline to play soccer –- or to participate in any other sport –– expected.

This is not what they signed up for, they envisioned coming here out of high school and being able to compete and have a normal

Skyline Men’s Soccer in action against Contra Costa College in a 3-1 win.

athletic experience and that hasn’t been the case.”

The start of the season couldn’t have been here without the help of the coaching staff. They have done plenty of work on and off the field by making sure the players are healthy, getting tested regularly, and encouraging the players to get vaccinated once the shot was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The pandemic is still bringing trouble to the players, as some come on campus for classes and others stay at home and work virtually. This goes the same for

student-athletes that have jobs outside of school. These are some obstacles that the team will have to overcome as the season gets underway.

Corsiglia described that as the protocols began to loosen, it became easier for the players to get a better playing experience so everyone can be “more together” and don’t have to deal with the separation of any sort.

“We did as much as we could in the protocols we had; when they got loose, we began to train outside in bigger numbers, not in pods anymore,” Corsiglia said.

Skyline Athletics

“In the spring, our pods couldn’t be big; we only could train a certain number of players so after the restrictions got lifted and the vaccines got approved, we started doing more things and started to think about playing teams from different schools.”

Saucedo hopes that the soccer program is relatively close to having a full and successful season with the help of the dedicated coaching staff.

“Yes, we’re right there,” Saucedo said. “We are really close. We have a good group of guys that all play really hard and are excited

to play. We have an awesome administration, our dean, and our athletic director – Joe Morello –– has done a great job getting us ready and doing all of the behind-the-scenes work to get our season going, our athletic trainers are doing an awesome job getting our guys prepared. We are right there and ready to go, and we have our first game coming up.”

As the pandemic continues to spread across the Bay Area, the question that remains on everyone’s mind continues to be if fans will be allowed to watch Skyline Athletics in-person last season. Last year, the sports that were played competed in empty stadiums.

“Right now I don’t think so and that’s not a school decision, that’s a San Mateo County decision,” Corsiglia said. “Most of these decisions are made at the county level.”

As far as right now, spectators will not be able to attend games.

As soon as the county gives a green light, Skyline fans and family will once again be allowed to enjoy watching their soccer team play.

The men’s soccer season is set to kick off their 2021 season against Mendocino on Friday, September 10 and the women’s side starts against Ohlone Friday, September 17.

8

September 15, 2021 Sports As they keep defying odds, the Giants look for deep playoff run

San Francisco has been baseball’s best team for the majority of the season.

By Armando Reynoso Staff Writer

This season has been quite unexpected for the San Francisco Giants.

Entering into the season they were a team projected to finish with the 25th best record in baseball and finish in fourth place in the National League West. They defied all odds and entering into the final month of the regular season, the Giants were in first place in the NL West and had the best record in the MLB. The Giants couldn’t have done this without the leadership of the experienced, veteran players. Names like Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and Buster Posey have all had brilliant careers and have definitely shown a re-emergence in 2021. LaMonte Wade Jr, Mike Yastrzemski, and Logan Webb have emerged as young players to continue to build around and they’ve helped put San Francisco in serious contention for a World Series Championship.

Wade Jr. has really put a dent into his first-full big league season by hitting big homers and contributing late in the game in tight ball games. Yastrzemski has reached a career-high in homers and has been one of the best players on the roster –– a trend we’ve seen from him since he first joined the team back in 2019.

“Everybody’s very focused, very professional, the way they

carry themselves, the way I go about their work, and their preparation,” said infielder Tommy La Stella after an Aug. 15 victory over the Rockies.

“So it’s awesome. I mean, I think it takes the load off of one guy individually and just kind of spreads it throughout the lineup.”

The pitching staff has also been a revelation of sorts, having one of the best starting pitching earned run averages in all of baseball. Right-hander Kevin Gausman has led that charge and has placed his name into serious consideration for the NL Cy Young Award. Most of all –– unlike last season’s COVID-controlled season –– the Giants have had the opportunity to play 162 games as opposed to just 60.

The Giants’ defensive efficiency has heavily improved from last season. In the shortened 2020, the defense efficiency was .699, good enough for 12th in the league. This season, the defense efficiency is almost 40 points higher, which stands alone as first in the league this season. The defense is led by Crawford, the All-Star shortstop who has won two World Series championships under his belt with the Giants and a brandnew contract extension that will keep him in the orange and black through 2023. Belt, the first baseman, has also won two championships and is enjoying another career season.

Minutes before the trade deadline ended, the Giants were

Entering into the final month of the regular season, the Giants had the best record in the MLB.

Steven Rissotto/ The Skyline View

able to acquire Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two minor league players.

Bryant, a former NL MVP, has been able to produce his stellar hitting and defense at multiple different positions for the team to help them make a possible run in the postseason.

“While I’m on this side, it’s been unbelievable,” Bryant said before his debut on Aug. 1. “I mean, I played against the Giants for six years and always been impressed by how smart and intelligent the fans are, how into it they are. And it’s really cool for them to be cheering for you

this time.”

With only a couple of weeks left in the season, the Giants are pushing themselves into a playoff spot, something they haven’t done since 2016. If they can maintain themselves at the top of their division ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they would finish number one and avoid themselves from competing in the Wild Card game.

Everybody knows the Wild Card is a very dangerous game to play because of how unpredictable the result will be in a win-or-take-all matchup. One off-game can send the team

home after a long and successful 162 game season. However, the Giants have a great coaching staff alongside great veteran players that have been in these crucial playoff moments, and these are big factors that will help the squad with their playoff run.

“We have a good group of individuals – not just baseball players – but a good group of people in that clubhouse,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Aug. 1. “I think we’ve worked really hard to cultivate that type of environment, and to bring in people who are additive.”

49ers ready to roll into 2021 season with new momentum After a Super Bowl bid two years ago, SF will look to bounce-back after a year of injuries.

By Arman Archouniani Sports Editor

A very crucial season is ahead for the San Francisco 49ers.

They have a group of guys that are starving to get back into the bright lights as they’re 20 months removed from a Super Bowl loss.

A franchise as big as the 49ers demands excellence on and off the field and this 53-man roster is one of the best groups I have seen in a very long time. While I was at the open practice at Levi’s Stadium, I could not help but see all the players having interactions on the field, almost like watching a family play together.

John Lynch, the general manager of the 49ers, has brought back the culture of what red and gold football is all about. The passion and drive have been revived in the locker room after a year decimated with COVID protocols and injuries all over the roster. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan did not expect the 2020 season to go the way it did with a 6-10 record after many big injuries to key parts of the team.

The offseason was a very critical factor in how the 49ers would be looked at in terms of how good they will be. Retaining the likes of Trent Williams, Jason Verrett, Fred Warner, and K’Waun Williams allowed them to hang onto big names that have helped them

Levi’s Stadium ready to be filled for the home opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Arman Archouniani / The Skyline View

in the past. Many heads would have been turned if these deals were not done. Williams and Verrett were the two big ones because their contracts were coming to an end after the 2020 season. After stellar years from them both, these contracts were well deserved.

The season kicks off against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 12 and it’s a game that the 49ers should win with the roster they have built.

A very favorable matchup in the season opener in Detroit would get the confidence back in the locker room with a win and provide

adrenaline heading into future weeks. A tough set of games are to come after the Week 2 matchup in Philadelphia against the Eagles.

With all the firepower in the NFC, a start to the season with two road wins would be needed out of this talented group knowing the tough games that are ahead.

Weeks 3-7 are probably the toughest stretch throughout the season. The 49ers home-opener against the Green Bay Packers is the matchup of Week 3 and the Sunday Night Football bout is a big one. A rivalry that has been in

history for years renews in Week 4 when San Francisco takes on the Seattle Seahawks, a game that can be judged by the flip of a coin. It can go either way which makes this game very tricky knowing the impact of a divisional game. Week 5 in Arizona against the Cardinals is a very exciting matchup as we have seen several nail-biting games in the last two years between the two sides. After an important Week 6 bye, the squad will be well-rested for another Sunday Night Football game against the Indianapolis Colts who are a very tough side to play

against with a new quarterback coming to town in Carson Wentz.

The NFC is filled with talent and there is not much room for error for Shanahan and the squad. This is a big season for him as a head coach for the 49ers. Heading into the season, his 29-35 record has featured many underlying issues due to major injury hits to the roster every year. In the one season where the 49ers had a relatively healthy squad, they made it to the Super Bowl. Executives around the league still believe Shanahan is one of the best in the game for the knowledge he brings to the table.

49er fans are also hyped for the new guy in town, 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance. This is also Jimmy Garoppolo’s year to shine. With all the talent this team has, their ambitions should be getting back to the Super Bowl they were at just under two years ago. Winning the division will not be easy because of the offseason moves done by the Los Angeles Rams, but that is the first step for this 49ers squad to get back to where they want to be.

If they were to make the playoffs they need to make sure they have the best record in the NFC and get that number one seed so the playoffs run through Levi’s Stadium. The roar that the crowd will produce after not being able to go for 20 months will be vital for this team. A very exciting season is ahead for the San Francisco 49ers.