Sandra
Day O’Connor High School
Pepper the therapy dog; always there on a ruf day
By KENDALL WALKER Copy Chief
OHS is aiming to create a welcoming and prosperous environment for its students. This environment can infuence a student’s comfortability and willingness to learn, both in the classroom and throughout life.
Along with various programs and developments created to assist students, OHS has recently added a new four-legged friend to the community.
“The Soar Center is our wellness room, and with it up and running this year, I thought it would be amazing to have a therapy dog that could come in occasionally,” said Tracy Heath, counselor.
OHS’s therapy dog, Pepper, was rescued when she was young, and now has a home and job that impacts people’s lives.
“Pepper is a rescue pitbull. I got her in 2019 and they said she was two or three at the time and that she had been previously neglected,” said Amber Murphy, Pepper’s handler.
Pepper displayed a love for kids and sense of gentleness, which propelled her journey to becoming a therapy dog.
“I realized just how good she is with my own kids. I have three little boys, and seeing how she was just so calm and not bothered by anything led us to a basic obedience class to get our canine good citizens certifcate,” Murphy said.
Amber and Pepper are making a difference within several different communities and age groups of students.
“We got our certifcates and reached out to Stetson Hills, Sandra Day, and we also go to Vista Peak. So currently we go to three schools a week and we do about two hours at each visit,” Murphy said.
The OHS staff and community is constantly working to develop and strengthen the school environment in a way that responds to students’ needs whatever they may be, and Pepper widens that outreach.
“I think that, especially at O’Connor, we are holistically trying to make you guys successful, and that is not only academic, but also socially and emotionally. Having all different types of resources like the Soar Center, we have a wellness counselor on campus, we have six school counselors on campus, and then having Pepper is just another resource that
kids can utilize,” Heath said. OHS has a unique opportunity in getting to experience having a therapy dog around, and gets to see Pepper every week.
“I believe that Sandra Day is the only high school in the district that has a therapy dog,” Heath said. “Pepper comes in once a week, every Thursday during sixth and seventh hour.”
High school is oftentimes a stressful and unpredictable time for students, but Pepper is bringing in a new sense of stability and intentionality.
Color Pepper
“I’ve had a long year, so when they brought Pepper into school, it was like, ’wow’. She’s a pitbull too, and I love pitbulls,” said Alani Fitzpatrick, sophomore.
There is an extreme importance attributed to the presence of therapy dogs, which is something that has been studied and proven.
“One of the things most studied in therapy dogs at school is that it reduces anxiety, boosts confdence, and overall just associates learning with fun,” Murphy said.
As students progress through school, they are able to become more aware of their emotions and the aspects of life that overwhelm them, as well as the aspects that calm them back down again.
“I feel like therapy dogs are important, especially for some schools, because people can get really overwhelmed and overstimulated, and when it comes to high school, and people, and the work, and the teachers or your grades, it just stresses you out,” Fitzpatrick said. Jump to page 5
Page 4 Page 15 Page 2
PHOTO BY KENDALL WALKER
Pepper poses for a picture before visiting OHS classrooms.
Courtesy of Sarah Kelly
4
From math to marriage: the Anderson’s
By TRUE VAN DYKE Editor in Cheif
OHS’s very own math department played cupid for two of the most loved teachers on campus: the Anderson’s. Love for math was not the only affnity the two shared, their friendship growing over the years. Timing, commonalities, and the perfect situation set up the two for the future, not just within OHS, but their own lives.
Individual circumstances led the couple down two very different paths to OHS around the same time, ten years ago: happy coincidence or trusted fate?
“When we were younger, we were both looking for friends in a sense. You think as a kid it’s really easy to have a whole bunch of friends, but as you age, you kind of lose friends along the way, because of life. She was in a position where she really wanted friends because she moved from Seattle, and I was in a position where I was just trying to make my way in this world,” said Nolan Anderson, math teacher.
A convenience of mutual colleagues quickly turned into friendship, and eventually a relationship of their own, all within their respective time
teaching at OHS.
“We were both in the same place at the same time, and both happen to teach math; we started as friends, and then a tale old as time,” said Carrie Anderson, math teacher.
Teaching math may be what the two are known for on campus, but their personalities are what lead to both their success within the workplace, individually, and their own relationship.
“I think we’re both passionate towards just about anything in life, we’re pretty happy-go-lucky people, but we’re serious when it’s time to
be serious,” Nolan Anderson said.
Sharing similar interests and morals, the couple lives a distinct but imbricated life as coworkers, partners, and parents alike
“We have a lot to talk about when we get home from work. It’s defnitely unique because we have shared students, not a lot of couples have a common work experience,” Carrie Anderson said.
Despite how they have infuenced each other’s personal lives across years spent at OHS, professionality has never been lost amongst the two, while their passion
COURTESY OF KELLY SIMON
for teaching is apparent through it all.
“I don’t really work with her, per say, like people would say, I work with the kids.
That’s what I also say is the good reason about being a teacher is you don’t really work with adults, you work with kids,” Nolan Anderson said.
A foundation of admiration and friendship solidifed the correspondence between love and work, evolving just as their careers have alongside each other.
“I looked up to her in a lot of ways because she had already been teaching for a
couple years in Seattle, and I had only been teaching for that semester, so I looked up to her in that sense. She also looked up to me because I knew a lot more people than she did,” Nolan Anderson said.
While OHS has been a consistent factor between the two, their lives have evolved and grown beyond more than just work, but also their family.
“Having kids now, it’s easy to separate [work and our personal lives] because usually when we get home, we’re just focused on our kids, and just trying to make it through the year until summer,” Carrie Anderson said.
Passionate for their careers, stability, and one another, their priorities have expanded and evolved over the years. Whether students know one Anderson or the other, the two have undoubtedly impacted both the OHS campus and one another’s lives for the better.
“We always have so much fun together. We have so much love for each other, from very early on, when people talk about natural chemistry, I think that always existed between us, and he’s just my person,” Carrie Anderson said.
The SALT program: adding a dash of success to OHS
By KENDALL WALKER Copy Cheif
High school athletics provide various opportunities for students from rival games, to state championships, to playoff drama, to undying school spirit. These opportunities also allow athletes to demonstrate and infuence leadership on and off the feld.
The SALT, [Student Athletic Leadership Team] program, is composed of student athletes who are leaders within their own respective sports. This team, being a new addition to OHS, is creating strides of success.
“Kids in the SALT program are picked and are kids who coaches and myself feel are leaders on the team, or have potential to be leaders on the team,” said Jason Rypkema, athletic director.
Members of the SALT team are not only chosen for their involvement in athletics and satisfactory grades, but also for their actions and respect towards others. They stand out and strive to better themselves, as well as those around them.
“They don’t get in trouble on campus, they’re leaders on campus, they’re helping other kids here, but also in the community, and volunteering, and we try to fnd a wide range of grades,” Rypkema said.
The OHS SALT program works to fnd times every month where the athletes come together and collaborate on several projects as a team to better the environment around them.
“We usually try to meet during Talon Time either once or twice a month, and we just try to go through ideas of how to make our campus better, how to have good sportsmanship, and how to be leaders,” Rypkema said.
Being a student-athlete is a time consuming and rigorous task, and it is important to maintain a healthy balance between a sport and school work.
“We try to get a few students from each sport, but they are students who are getting good grades in the classroom, so they’re taking care of that frst, and that’s a big thing we stress even with meeting during Talon Time,”
Rypkema said.
One of the outreach events that this team participates in involves going to other schools with younger students and building up a community that is looking forward to becoming an O’Connor eagle one day.
“We’ve gone on feld trips, like we’ve gone to elementary schools to say hi to the kids and get them excited about O’Connor,” said Bentley Corbin, senior.
The SALT program spans to several different schools in the district, allowing for a wide range of experience, opportunity, and collaboration.
“We meet up with the other schools’ SALT teams and just talk and learn. Last year we had a motivational guest speaker, so it’s just kind of about learning both the mentality, and how other athletes deal with being both a student and athlete,” said Cara Davidson, senior and president.
This program also develops closer bonds within OHS and its athletes, who are able to work towards a common goal with the same intentions and mindsets.
“In SALT you’re with all your friends, and you’ve played sports with them or have seen them around the school, but it’s fun to be able to talk and catch up and see how they’re doing with everything while also still working together and doing your stuff,” Davidson said.
As athletes look to the future, it is important to be involved in school and the community, which is
something that the SALT team recognizes and provides opportunities for.
“Colleges look at football, but they also look at academics and what you’re doing at school, and the SALT team defnitely helps propel scholarships,” Corbin said.
Continue reading on page 7
PHOTO
OHS students Michael Simcoe (left) and John Simcoe (right) visit Stetson Hills with Rod Caires, OHS equipment manager.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON RYPKEMA
Carrie Anderson (left), Frankie Anderson (center) and Nolan Anderson (right) are an integral part of OHS.
Editorial: Dating standards are on the foor
Imagine a breakup so devastating it must never have happened. You were kind, went out of your way, learned about this person for months, and it was all over before it even began. You never even dated.
Finding someone you might be interested in dating in the frst place is tough. It is hard to know if they are “talking” to other people. “Talking,” for many, happens before dating, and most importantly before commitment, so individuals get away with talking to several different people of romantic interest simultaneously. Having multiple options at once, especially if they do not know that they are one of several options, puts into question one’s self-awareness. Should they not feel bad for leading on multiple people at the same time? If all of someone’s options expect a relationship, or at least a date, and end up not getting one, they could be left seriously hurt. But the thought process of someone who likes to have multiple options does not follow that course. Oftentimes they keep their options at bay in order to sustain validation, whether it be for looks or personality (or lack thereof), for as long as possible. Each option has the same goal, and they will keep up the compliments, acts of service, and most importantly, their interest, for as long as they feel like they have a chance. Of course, not everyone in the dating pool has a “roster,” but it does discourage many from talking to someone in the frst place.
However, as much of a morally gray practice as keeping a roster is, it is becoming more and more normal as time passes. Constant validation from multiple people becomes addictive. It is relatively easy to keep one’s options from knowing about each other with how easy communication is made by social media. Moreover, cheating, even on
small scales, is also incredibly easy due to the multitude of ways to communicate. You could even say that cheating is easier than ever, and more addictive than ever as well. Using social media, it is as easy as sending a DM. It does not require meeting after school, or meeting at all, and with such ease and frequency comes a plethora of complications when the other party fnds out.
Dependence in a relationship takes on many forms. One might depend on their signifcant other for validation concerning their physical appearance, social status, or character faws, and some let their whole well-being depend on the other’s presence. Someone being dependent on their partner discourages them from breaking up, even after fnding out about being cheated on, manipulated, ghosted, used, etc. This is where self-worth becomes a determining factor; putting one’s needs above their wants. When someone in a declining relationship puts their want for validation, happiness, etc. over their need for separation, the most harmful of breakups tend to follow. Again, self-awareness is called into question, asking, “Why stay in this relationship if you know that they aren’t good for you?” Again, dependence could be the answer, but if that other person in a relationship was a friend before a partner, i.e. they started out as just friends, their absence could mean even more. Many people are fearful of not just losing a boyfriend or girlfriend, but a platonic friend. Knowing that person before having a romantic relationship with them makes their absence in one’s life much more potent, as it may feel like a double loss, and provides incentive for sticking with them when it ends up causing more pain than joy.
Another incentive to enter into a relationship is the
season. Around the holidays, baking with a signifcant other, matching pajamas, and overall being cozy together seems very attractive to single people. Valentine’s Day and Prom can have a similar effect. Especially to people who have never dated before, being in a relationship seems like the thing to do in seasons of advertised love. Relationships, for a long time, have been glamorized: frst by television, then by social media, and always by in person interactions. Seeing happy couples in public or a friend in a relationship is perhaps the strongest effect. Singles know that couples run into problems sometimes, but they are overtly glossed over by television, social media,
and friends. This aspect contributes most strongly to the idea that standards are incredibly low, as demand for relationships is heightened by the holiday. People are willing to enter a relationship with someone who might not be good enough for them because they want to bake cookies, post their signifcant other on social media, receive chocolates on Valentine’s Day, and have a Prom date. It could be summed up as a collective FOMO (fear of missing out). Furthermore, simple actions like opening car doors, buying fowers, etc. are not always perceived as the “bare minimum” in a partner, even though those specifc actions have been popularized for generations.
Jump from page 4: The SALT
With the amount of pressure put on athletes to perform well both on the feld and in the classroom, they recognize the infuence they can have on others, and the importance of having a strong foundation to lean back on.
“Having a good base as an athlete is really important. You know, you have to be a leader, you have to be respectful, you have to show people what’s up in a good way,” Corbin said.
High school is an extremely infuential time in a person’s life, and the SALT program recognizes that small
actions can result in extreme outcomes, and that athletes have a choice in encouraging either good, or bad behavior.
“Right now there are about 2700 kids at O’Connor, and about a thousand of them play athletics, so if your athletic teams aren’t doing what they are supposed to do, we have about a thousand kids not acting how they are supposed to on campus,”
Rypkema said.
This team is constantly working to put these characteristics and attributes to use, coming up with various ways to show their appreciation within OHS and
their community.
“Some of the things that they’ve done are getting a gift card and card for our equipment manager, and just reached out to him and said how thankful they were for him. They’ll also do things for refs, and we went to all our feeder schools that feed into us and just got to know the kids a little bit there,” Rypkema said.
An important aspect of the SALT program is learning from others and continuing to grow in a student athlete mindset. Students on this team are able to hear and learn from keynote speakers
The fear that those actions will go away lends people to think of them as above average, but that fear requires experience in a relationship where those things did go away.
This generation is composed of a lot of hurt, selfsh, and fearful individuals, who both have low standards and actively lower the standards of others by normalizing a culture of low commitment, manipulation, peer pressure, and more. Many of them would agree that this culture should not continue, but indeed continue to perpetuate it by entering those talking stages, keeping lists of guys/ girls, and falling victim to their fear of missing out on performative experiences.
program
who share their experiences and advice.
“Last year, doing the district SALT event was really good. We had a guest speaker who wrestled at Arizona State, and he was born with only one leg. He was a national champion in college wrestling at Arizona State, and so he came and spoke about overcoming, and about using the cards you’re dealt with and making the best out of it,” Rypkema said.
The SALT program, being new to OHS this year, is continuing to grow and expand in its infuence and
opportunities, even drawing in sponsors for certain events.
“Chick-fl-A actually sponsored lunch for [the district SALT event] and brought chicken sandwiches out, brought the cow mascot out and stuff, and it was just a great time to be with the other kids,” Rypkema said.
This program aims to stay true to its purpose, and is building up student athletes who can then go and continue to foster communities.
“We want to be eagle nation in the community all together, so we work to get that out there,” Rypkema said.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW HOOD-HUNT
Lots of teens feel pressured to engage in largely performative acts like posting their signifcant other on social media or getting chocolates on Valentine’s Day.
I don’t use the textbook at all; instead I like to create stories. These stories are a guideline for vocabulary and grammatical structure that the students need to know. Everything is integrated in the stories.
Michel Candela French Teacher “ “
[My younger brother] makes me want to be someone he looks up to and a better person overall. “ “
Kaylee Woodruff
Junior
Everything Local
Self-expression in the digital age: OHS students on TikTok
By EMERSON LIHN Features Editor
In the peaking age of social media, ordinary people can go viral and their lives can switch overnight, all from increasing infuence and drive to promote self-expression. Posting various videos on TikTok ranging from funny or relatable content to the ‘GRWM’ (Get Ready With Me), teenagers and people of all ages have been able to create platforms which can develop into loving, or even hating, communities.
Similarly, some students at OHS have formed their own TikTok following that has interested many as their numbers have increased quickly through uploading their own, self expressive content to the public.
“As of recently, I have kind of not cared what people think and what I post. It’s fun to share things and get comments, hearing that people relate and appreciate and see what I do and post. Life is kind of better when you realize that it doesn’t matter what people have to say,” said Sophie Beaudry, senior.
It is easy to feel judged in
this day and age. Members of Generation Z have grown up in a culture of constant judgement and making fun of others, so posting content can be something that takes courage. When judgement is spread as hate on platforms such as TikTok, creators have a new obstacle to face.
“[Hate comments] have encouraged me because it is mainly the same people that keep coming back to leave those comments, so it doesn’t bother me. They’re mad with themselves,” said Tina Viasu, sophomore.
Through discussions fueling in comment sections, as OHS’s creators post their content, reading the feelings of those who may relate to certain content creates a new motivation.
“My frst video that blew up was about how to get over a heartbreak. I posted that because I saw that everyone around me was really sad from breakups, so I wanted them to know that it’s going to be fne and that we’re in high school. You’re going to be okay,” said Reese Blair, sophomore.
Acknowledging the
similarities of teenagers creates a new moral compass for many high schoolers as they see the explanations of feelings play out right before their eyes in a comment section.
“It’s okay to be a teenage girl with feelings and to feel different than everybody around you,” Blair said.
As this meaningful motivation continues to push OHS students to post content, some platforms are growing in popularity by numbers such as tens of thousands.
“I really love it. I’m about to hit a big milestone: a million. It’s absolutely insane. I’ve been doing this for a year,” said Aliya Rachinski, junior.
As followers grow, many brands offer deals or send products in ‘PR packages’ for creators to review when they are intrigued by a creator’s video.
“I posted a SHEIN haul and a lot of nice people commented, and brands started reaching out to me from that video,” Viasu said.
Platform growth means more opportunity to make an impact with the resources given. Some connect their
morals to the opportunities which they are blessed with.
“Just recently, with all of the PR packages I have been getting, I’ve been donating a lot to women’s shelters. I’m using it as an opportunity to give back,” Rachinski said.
Similarly, brands fy out infuencers to go on sponsored trips. Infuencers of similar ages meet up and these trips allow them to socialize with others who understand the content creator lifestyle.
“I was a smaller infuencer at the time and they were all over one million, so they were all in their clique, but meeting people with a similar platform as me was insane. I defnitely felt like a fangirl,” Rachinski said.
The life of a content creator blends with the life of a high schooler and creates a unique experience for the OHS students who are increasingly growing in their popularity on social media.
“I don’t feel like I’m an infuencer, that I have a platform. Seeing that number on my page just feels unreal. I feel like a tiny little high school student,” Rachinski said.
TatumBlvd
PHOTO BY EMERSON LIHN
Opinions
OC Sounds Of: Is Swig worth it?
By ABBY BRYAND Staf Writer
YES:
Ever since Swig was established in Utah 15 years ago, it has been a rising star in the drink world. Swig, the drive-through soft drink chain, currently operates across 14 states in 93 different locations, and its popularity has been spreading like wildfre. There are many other places that rival it, like Dutch Bros, and Sonic, who have similar drinks on their menus. With this being said, a controversial question arises: Is Swig worth it when stacked up against majorleague competitors like these?
The answer is, without hesitation, an absolute yes. Although the drive to Swig may be lengthy, it easily rises above competitors in other categories. For OC students especially, there are many other places that are much more easily accessible. However, many students would argue that the drive is part of the overall experience, everything else set aside - that it is part of the teenage experience to drive far places just for the fun of it, regardless of how negligent decisions like that may be. Furthermore, even though Dutch Bros is close to OHS, that also does not mean it will always be the closest option for students, depending on where they live or where they are at any given time, not at school.
Swig offers a considerable lineup of drinks for customers to choose from, but it has gained most of its notoriety from its “dirty sodas.” One of the most notable features attributed to Swig is the various ways in which customers are able to customize their soda. Not to mention, especially compared to places like Starbucks or Dutch Bros, Swig is much less expensive. For example, a 24-ounce “Electric Berry Sparkling Soda” from Dutch Bros is nearly a dollar more than the same drink from Swig.
A medium blended “Rebel” from Dutch is $6.25, while its counterpart from Swig, the “Reviver”, is $4.75, with no extra charge to have it blended.
Swig also has a much wider
variety on their menu when it comes to crafting a dirty soda. With a total of 17 bases and 35 favors, Swig is the place to go for an extremely personalized drink. They also have fruit purees, frozen fruit, boba, cream, and even candy like gummy sharks available to be put in drinks.
Another unique trait Swig has that helps boost it above its competitors is that you are able to add a “splash” of any of the soda options for no added cost. Swig has a wide variety of options for their drinks, but the same can not be said about its competitors. Swig is, without a doubt, worth the hype, and rises above places that are similar to it due to its cheaper prices and wider level of diversity when it comes to crafting a drink.
By AVERY MASSIE Staf Writer
NO:
Everyone knows that Swig is good, but it is just not special enough for the drive to be worth it. Although the drinks themselves can be unique in what favors they use, they can very easily be recreated, either at home or at other drink places. Establishments such as Dutch Bros and Sonic can make the same drinks and have the same concept while being a lot less of a drive.
The closest Swig to OHS is off of Cactus and 83rd Ave, which is over 17 miles away. If you were to break down the cost of gas to get there, just from the school and back, it would cost you $4.07.
When adding that to the cost of the drink itself, assuming you only buy one, you are spending about $7 total just for one trip. Therefore, even if you like going, “just for the drive,” it may not be worth it.
Some may argue that these drinks taste so good that they do not mind driving very far, but realistically, most of them can be made from home. Swig’s ‘Unlucky Ducky’ drink contains Sprite, lemonade, strawberry, and a gummy shark. For a total of about $8, a person could go to the store and buy full sizes of each of those ingredients, allowing them to make many of the same drink instead of just having it once. This is only $1 more than driving all the way out and purchasing a singular drink. Furthermore, with companies such as Dutch Bros who have numerous locations that are all more local than Swig, there is no need to drive further than 1 mile away from school. With the addition of ‘dirty sodas’ to their menu, they essentially have the same items that Swig has. Sonic also does the same thing, and their menu is dedicated to creating special drinks similar to Swig’s. Sonic is only 3 miles away from OHS, which is just another reason why it is more convenient.
While Swig is undoubtedly good, it is simply not worth it to be driving so far for drinks that you could make for yourself at home or purchase locally.
“Nepo Babies”: talent vs. connection in the music industry
By ASHLEY PEREIRA Photography Chief
Nepotism in music, often referred to as “nepo babies,” refers to individuals who have gained access to the music industry and opportunities largely due to their familial connections. Many wellknown artists and musicians have family ties that have helped them navigate an industry solely based on connections and luck.
Opinions on this subject vary widely. Many believe these artists’ careers were handed to them on a silver platter. In contrast, others argue that these individuals cannot control the advantages that come with having parents in infuential positions.
The renowned director, JJ Abrams is the father of one of today’s top artists, Gracie Abrams. Debuting her
frst single in 2019, G. Abrams did not begin to blow up until 2024, shortly after opening for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”. Joining the highestgrossing tour of all time with only one solo tour under her belt is not common for the average artist. However, this unique trajectory raises a valid question: is her success solely a product of her father’s infuence or is she genuinely talented?
There is the illusion that many of these once-small artists are self-made since the majority of their origin stories come from either uploading videos of themselves singing on YouTube or playing tiny shows in cramped bars; Unfortunately, that is not the case.
A prime example of this is the bedroom-pop artist Claire Cottrill, who goes by the artist name, Clairo. Early in her career,
she began posting videos of herself singing on YouTube, eventually releasing her self-produced song “Pretty Girl”, which blew up almost instantly. Although this seems like a stroke of luck, it is worth noting that her father, Geoff Cottrill was the vice chair of Musicares which has direct ties to the Grammy Awards, immediately getting her signed to the popular
record label, FADER. Artists with connections still have undeniable talent but the debate surrounding nepotism extends beyond individual success stories.
The implications that come with favoritism can impact artistic integrity and the opportunities available for artists from non-nepotistic backgrounds. The impact of nepotism
on artistic integrity and the challenges faced by artists from non-nepotistic backgrounds has become a large discussion within the music industry. However, many “nepotism babies” have proven their talents and carved their paths in the industry, showcasing that while connections can open doors, individual talent still plays a crucial role in success.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
PHOTO BY ABBY BRYANT
Dirty soda chain Swig has a variety of refreshing sweet treats, including cookies, sodas, and energy drinks.
Behind the scenes; the Snow White controversy
By NICOLE PURDY Staf Writer
With the announcement of the Snow White remake in 2024, there has been a lot of backlash regarding the interviews with main star Rachel Zegler, her race, and the story being changed.
Shown in clips from Variety, Zegler states, “It’s not 1937 anymore,” and “She is not gonna be saved by the prince.” This caused controversy from critics and fans concerned with the movie’s release and how it will uphold the original story. The main star believes the movie should inspire girls to realize they can do anything without needing to be saved by a prince. However, this is a valid feeling, it’s not what Snow White fans want for the movie. Many have stated that it takes away from the original magic of the story.
Rachel Zegler is of Columbian and Polish descent. There has been criticism regarding Snow White’s association with her skin color. Snow White is described as having “skin as white as snow,” hence the name. The actor addressed the criticism, explaining that Snow White is highly regarded in Spanish-speaking countries.
The seven dwarfs play an essential role in the original Snow White movie. The liveaction of the flm released an image featuring Snow White and the dwarfs, which were created using CGI. The trailer also includes a lot of
CGI to make the scenes come to life. The effects dont look realistic and make the movie look rushed.
Many fans were upset because Disney missed the opportunity to hire people of short stature. Wee Man, a stunt performer with dwarfsm, addressed TMZ, stating that Disney needs to redo the movie and hire actors with dwarfsm.
The release date was originally set for 2024 but has now been postponed to March 2025. Disney claimed it was due to the American actors’ union protests.
Numerous controversies have surrounded the release of this movie, potentially affecting its success. Fans may choose not to watch in theatres because of the story change or things the actors have addressed.
Ozempic: miracle weight-loss solution or dangerous drug?
By RUTH MIOC Design Chief
Ozempic, a medication originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes long-term, has seen a rise in popularity as a weight loss drug over the past few years. The medication, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, works by mimicking a hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. While it has been proven effective in managing diabetes, its side effects have made it a sought-after option for individuals looking to shed pounds. What began as a treatment for a serious chronic condition is now being used off-label by many as a quick-fx for weight loss, sparking a widespread trend that is transforming both the pharmaceutical market and cultural perceptions of body image.
One of the most pressing
issues surrounding the rise of Ozempic is its high cost. A single month’s supply of the drug can range from $900 to over $1,000, making it out of reach for many who may beneft from it for medical reasons. While some insurance plans cover the medication for diabetes treatment, they may not extend coverage for its use as a weight loss aid. This pricing barrier has led to a growing demand for the drug in the black market, further complicating the issue. As a result, discussions about accessibility have intensifed, particularly among those who feel excluded from what has become a mainstream weight loss solution. For those who can afford it, Ozempic promises a rapid and relatively easy way to shed excess weight, creating a tempting offer in a world where diet fads often promise but fail to deliver long-term results.
Despite its steep cost, Ozempic is becoming more available to those seeking it for weight loss. As a result, broader conversations about body image and health emerge. Critics argue that the rise of Ozempic refects a troubling cultural trend, where being thin is equated with success, beauty, and worth. Health experts warn that relying on a drug for weight loss without addressing underlying habits and lifestyle choices can be dangerous and may foster unrealistic expectations of what a healthy body should look like.
The increasing use of Ozempic among teenagers, however, raises alarm bells. Young people, especially teenagers, are particularly vulnerable to external pressures regarding body image. With social media and infuencers often showcasing an idealized image of the “perfect” body, teens are
turning to medications like Ozempic in an attempt to ft in or meet these beauty standards. This trend has led to concerns about the longterm effects of such drugs on developing bodies. Teenagers, whose metabolisms and hormonal systems are still maturing, may face unknown risks associated with taking medications designed for adults with different medical needs. Moreover, many adolescents are not aware
that when they no longer want to take Ozempic, they will gain back the weight they lost. A subsequent dependency on the drug becomes a troubling issue. The psychological impact is equally troubling, as teens may develop unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies, focusing more on appearance than overall well-being.
Continue reading at thetalonohs.com
Jump from page 3: DVUSD bond and override
The bond and override offer indispensable resources for public school students. Although free ACT, AP tests, and lunch will not disappear instantly because they are not directly funded by the bond and override, a lack of opportunities could negatively impact performance, which does affect fnancing. Low-income students are particularly fearful about losing aid, as many cannot afford private or charter schools, placing them at an undeserving disadvantage compared to their peers.
“My job is to look through the equity lens, not the equality lens… AP for example, I believe the state rewards us for our great academic success and they give an X amount towards a different pot of money that al-
lows us to bring the cost of the AP test down, or free. The same thing happens for lunch that’s subsidized by the state or the federal government,” Finch said.
Since the override funding also affects extracurricular activities and support services, community members are frightened about the possibility of cutting beloved programs.
“My philosophy is to not actually quit, kill, or stop a program. I prefer to reduce it and keep it in motion because once you stop something, it’s very hard to start it up again,” Finch said.
OHS possesses connections to effectively address the harm.
“We also get money from Rio Salado–from our dual program–that we are able
to use. We also have athletic partners and sponsors that come in. Then, each of the different groups have the boosters,” Spurgeon said.
Outside the halls of OHS, critical programs for elementary students may also be endangered. The ramifcations will, in due course, trickle down to high school.
“I know that all day kindergarten is vital for a student’s success in the future, that’s the foundation… and I know that I’m surrounded by competitors that will offer all day. So I will take from other places to try to keep that program going,” Finch said.
Although the administration was aware of the national narrative regarding public education, the override and bond not passing was still a disappointing surprise. It has
been continuously approved since it was frst introduced in 1991. District-wide staff meetings were held in order to navigate the next steps.
“Dr. Finch addresses staff, and we have a lot of different departments that will come into a big meeting and speak. Everything in the district is transparent,” Spurgeon said.
The most concerning aspect of the decision is the upsurge of political echo chambers. The district and Deer Valley Education Association political action committee (DVEA PAC) ran exceptional campaigns; nevertheless, the administration and advocates must refect on what can be improved upon.
“Since it did not pass, we did not do enough, whether we think we did a good job
or not… Yes, it was on our school website and we had some fyers around, but most of that campaigning was not done at the school site. So informative campaigns on a regular basis, success stories, and tax impact clarifcation would improve information so that people can make a more educated vote and encourage that voter participation,” McLain said.
Despite Arizona being consistently ranked 50th in education, OHS fosters a culture of high-achieving students. Community awareness and involvement are of paramount importance in order to continue the tradition of excellence.
“Investing in education is investing in our future and the O’Connor students deserve it,” McLain said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
Arts & Entertainment
Song reviews: Spring 2025
“Luther”
by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and TDE artist SZA team up for one of the best songs on Kendrick’s recent surprise album, GNX. The name of the song “Luther” derives from the song that was sampled “If This World Were Mine” sung by Luther Vandross and written by Marvin Gaye. Kendrick starts the track with a laid-back verse, with SZA adding vocals to the chorus that make you feel like you’re foating in your room when listening to the track. The music cuts out for a couple of seconds setting up the beat drop with SZA and Kendrick fully harmonizing, easily making this song the best on the album.
“Real Man” by Beabadoobe
“Real Man” off of Beabadoobe’s 8th studio album, This Is How The Tomorrow Goes, is a standout track with its infectious fow and upbeat melodies. Interestingly, the track is co-produced by Rick Rubin, who has production credits on albums such as Yeezus by Kanye and The Black Album by Jay Z. The catchy lyrics mesh so beautifully with the vocals that it seems like they were working overtime in the studio while making this. Beabadoobe has recently done a lot of live performances of the song “Real Man”, showing off her vocal talent, but also a sense of versatility, making it a song that will positively stand the test of time.
“DJ Chords Organ” by Mac Miller and SZA
“DJ Chords Organs” by the late Mac Miller and SZA make a standout track on the posthumous album Balloonerism, which was released by Mac Miller’s estate. This song really sets up its own world using the tittullar orange mentioned in the title. Neither artist really says a verse until two minutes into the song, opting to rather focus on atmospheric vocals that combine with the instruments in the background, making it a oncein-a-lifetime experience when it is listened to for the frst time. The verse SZA lays down at the climax of the song really ties it together, making it an amazing song that serves Mac Miller’s legacy right.
By DANIEL YOHANNAN Staf Writer
“That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams
“That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams is a masterfully crafted song with an emotional performance by Gracie Abrams that makes the listener feel the lyrics in their soul and transports them into the world that she is singing about. The simple guitar instrumental highlights her vocals in an amazing way, making it stand out from the rest of modern songs released today. The release of “That’s So True” has taken the internet by storm, quickly becoming her most popular track and skyrocketing her tour that she is currently on to new heights. With this breakout hit, fans will be excitedly awaiting her next project.
Award season: challenges and accountability
By ASHLEY PEREIRA Photography Chief
Award season has offcially begun, with headlines featuring star-studded red carpets from prestigious events like the Grammys and Oscars -- However, many question their credibility.
Over the past decade, these awards have gotten increasingly scrutinized. Issues of bias, representation, and even outright exclusion based on race or gender have come to the forefront of discussions.
Four years ago, racism within the recording academy was a common theme; The well known artist; The Weeknd was a victim to this. The Weeknd’s, extremely successful album, Blinding Lights, received zero nominations which rightfully led him to be upset, causing a four-year-long boycott from him.
The recording academy has claimed to make efforts to increase reliability, such as attempting to increase diversity within the awards.
After years of backlash, the Grammy voting process has made huge steps in the right direction.
There are now 13,000 voters who decide who wins these prestigious awards. The evolving voting body
contains 66% new members, with over 3,000 women added to the board.
Although it is impossible
to get completely unbiased opinions, these voters come from all different backgrounds within the music industry, leading to various opinions from these professionals.
As for the Oscars, many claim the academy is a prestigious white boys club. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization composed of just over 9,900 voters. The academy memberships are divided into different branches, where each branch represents a different discipline in flm production.
Following the recent Oscar nominations, it appears that some of the highest box offce-performing flms are not receiving their due recognition. Movies like Emilia Perez have extremely low fan scores, yet they are dominating all flm awards.
As the conversations continue, it is clear that while award season may be a time of celebration, it is also a pivotal moment for refection and accountability, as the most popular media refects our culture.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RONNYLEBER.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF GENIUS.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTIFY.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF GENIUS.COM
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTIFY.COM
Boys soccer: a season full of ups and downs
By COLIN ROBISON Equipment Manager
Varsity:
Every year OHS soccer proves to be a team built on mental integrity as well as the players’ ability to pick themselves up and keep their heads up through the struggles of the season. While the team has not met expectations, they still have made sure to maintain the game plan and not switch things up too much.
“Some coaches will change things up a lot…we have to continue to still work on what has been successful and continue to build on that,” said George Archuleta, head coach.
The team all acknowledged how even though it has not necessarily been the ideal year, they are still in it and the season isn’t over yet.
“It’s defnitely been a rough season, but we’re not giving up yet, we defnitely have more in the tank,” said Brendan Johnson, senior.
Despite struggles, the players continually encourage one another and focus on the positivity within their season.
“We just keep motivating each other…we don’t put each other down,” said Caden Willis, senior.
Part of building each other up is being able to keep calm and stay focused, which the team admitted they can
struggle with.
“The biggest challenge has been having a…straight mind and just keep on working towards our objective and not losing sight of that,” Willis said.
The coaching staff has been instilling the principle of having a short memory when it comes to the bad, and simply looking towards the good.
“We have to be like a goldfsh and have a short memory, we just need to let go of the things we have messed up on,” Archuleta said.
Another core principle of the team is the concept of comradery and working as a unit, because the team can not be successful if there’s no team chemistry.
“We travel together as a team, we meditate as a team, we work out as a team and we just spend time together,” Willis said.
Boy’s soccer is still in contention for the playoffs and while they are not focused fully on that right now, they know there is a chance they can make a run.
“Hopefully a few things fall our way as well…[to get into playoffs or win championships we] have to be lucky but we have to be ready,” Archuleta said.
JV:
With every new season, OHS JV soccer brings in new talent, mostly consisting of
young players looking to prove themselves. All of the new talent brings in fresh team dynamics and players have to build chemistry fast in order to be successful.
“I think the biggest challenge has been…getting to know people, we didn’t really have chemistry and now we’re slowly working and getting better,” said Seth Blasing, freshman.
The team also feels they start to lose focus on the goal at hand and end up trailing off towards the end of games.
“I think we just need to work on staying…focused on the game especially when it gets to late parts,” Blasing
said.
The team gave credit to their defenders and attributed them for being a big reason the team has won a lot of their games.
“I think our defending has been pretty good this season…we have good defenders and they’ve kept goals out of our net,” said Landon Dimmick, freshman.
While the team believes they are doing a good job at keeping goals out of their net, they still believe they can work on scoring more goals.
“I think we can improve on our goal scoring because we haven’t scored a lot,” Dimmick said.
Due to most of the varsity players being older than the JV players, the JV team looks up to varsity as role models whom they can learn a lot from.
“[The varsity players] set a really good example for us because they play fast and we kind of just model our game off of them,” Dimmick said. The team continues to reiterate the need to remain focused and stay locked in during their season.
“We can’t worry about what’s outside and what we’re going to do after the game…we just need to focus on the job at hand,” Blasing said.
OHS girls soccer is ‘ fipping the switch’ for success
By AVERY MASSIE Staf Writer
Varsity:
At this time last year, OHS girls’ soccer was winning the region. Although they may not have come as close this year, the team has still seen progress like never before.
Of the 22 players on the team, 12 are seniors, making it very upperclassmen dominant. This however is no problem for the girls, as they are using it to their advantage.
“We have a lot of seniors on the team, so we’re all naturally friends,” said Callie
Garraway, senior.
Having such a senior heavy team, however, can make the season a little more bitter than sweet for some.
“This is my last year here, playing for my team, and playing with these people,” said Emma Hesse, senior.
The girls reaching an age of seniority is very signifcant, as many of them have been playing soccer for the majority of their lives.
“I’ve been playing for around 14 years- I started when I was four years old,” Garraway said.
The passion within these girls has been there for a
long time, and is often what motivated them to join the school team.
“I had been playing club [soccer] and I thought ‘Oh this is fun’ so I went and tried out for the school team and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Hesse said.
It is not uncommon for girls to play both club and high school soccer; CCV is where 10 of these girls alone are coming from.
“Most of the girls on our team are from the same club, so it’s good that we are able to transition into high school,” Garraway said.
Many players point out that there is a big difference between club soccer and school soccer, with school soccer being a lot more physically and mentally demanding.
“High school soccer is a lot of commitment- you practice every day after school, and game days are long. But it’s all worth it,” Hesse said..
The girls do a good job of getting through the toughness together, and make sure to always have each other’s backs.
“I don’t let the bad things affect me because I know I have my teammates, and that way I can have fun at
practice. Soccer is where I have found a lot of my best friends, and having my best friends around me just makes me feel like I want to be here,” Hesse said.
While the social aspect plays a big role in players’ success, there is always the challenge of being ready mentally too.
“Our team has a saying: ‘Flip the switch’ and we have a switch in our locker room that we actually fip when it’s time to mentally lock yourself into the game,” Garraway said.
The team makes sure that no matter what, they’re giving each other a positive experience during the season.
“When we’re warming up before games, we have the lights off and the music on, and we have disco lights too. It’s such a fun environment,” Hesse said.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who the player is, because every girl is proud to represent the OHS name the best they can.
“Being able to play for the school team and wear that OC Soccer jersey is such a fun experience,” Hesse said.
JV:
The OC Soccer Girls’ JV team has also had an
eventful season, with many bonds being made between teammates.
The girls share a common love of the sport, and are all flled with pride to be known as players for OHS.
“I love everything about being on the team: going to practice, playing games, and representing my school,” said Sydney Gregory, sophomore.
The team has formed connections, building trust and unity with one another..
“We communicate with each other, and we tell each other our feelings. We can also talk to coaches if we want, and that’s very helpful,” Gregory said.
Relationships between teammates are also thriving. The girls often have team dinners and even spend time with each other outside of school in order to strengthen their connections.
“We all have the same kind of personality, so practices are really fun. It’s very easy to bond with each other,” Gregory said.
The JV team is full of a great group of girls, and that allows it to be very united.
“Get out of your normal circles. Bond with everybody, not just a certain group,” Gregory said.
Kash Witherell, junior, tracks down the ball hoping to score a goal.
Decorations made for girls soccer senior night.
PHOTO BY AVERY MASSIE
PHOTO BY COLIN ROBISON
