Tam News October 2022

TheTamNews

Pages 13-15

Dear Reader,

In this issue of The Tam News, Annie Shine and Violet Howard delve into the fentynal and drug issues present in and around Tam. The feature article, What One Pill Can Do…, offers insight on the causes and effects of an increasing drug problem in Marin. In our editorial, The Tam News offers our opinion on this issue, as well as resources for both preventing and dealing with overdoses.

School is back in full swing, and Griffin Gustafson covers Tam’s first homecoming dance in two years. In an article by Nathan Robinson, we hear about the possibility of a train car being installed in the Depot Square in downtown Mill Valley. Sophia Weinberg explores the causes and effects of the lower enrollment rates and increasing class sizes at Tam. This time of year instills worry about college applications for seniors. Siobhan King addresses a toxic mindset and high expectations for college that loom around Marin during this season. On a lighter seasonal note, Emmaline Pearson writes a satire on the seasons in Northern California and residents’ approach to the changing weather.

In our Lifestyles section, we are introduced to Mr. Hill, Tam’s newest member of the English department. Fleet Week has come and gone once again, and Asher Goldblatt presents a photo essay of this year’s fantastic show in the sky. To wrap it all up, Asa Moore investigates the fantasy football culture here at Tam.

News

Carley Lehman, Kelsey

Cook, and Catherine Stauffer

Lifestyles/sports

Kayla Boon, Hannah

Bringard, Savannah

Behr, and Jack McIntire

Features

Lauren Felder, Gabriel

Schwartzman, and Violet Howard

Op/ed

Wesley Slavin, Colette

Hale, and Emma Pearson

Reporters

Caden Bernstein-Lawler, Hillary Betz, Zachary Breindel, Chloe Bowman, Tyler Byrne, Samuel Abdullah Catrini, Elisa Cobb, Dylan Collister, Asher Goldblatt, Griffin Gustafson, Anika Kapan, Siobhan King, Claire Lawson, Shaina Mandala, Asa Moore, Ana Murguia, Jude Paine, Nathan Robinson, Luella Searson, Annie Shine, Flynn Stuart, Dola Tibbs, Ashley Townsend, Railay Turner, Sophia Weinberg, and Zane Yarnold

Asher Goldblatt, Jack

McIntire, and Gabriel

Schwartzman

Graphic editors

Zachary Breindel, Violet Howard, Anika

Managing editors

Tyler Rothwell and Dylan Boon

Edtors-in-chiefs

Kapan, Carley Lehman, Fiona Matney and Juliette Lunder

Photo editors Advisor

Sarah Black

Possible Train Installation In Downtown Mill Valley Depot Square

By Nathan Robinson

TheMill Valley City Council approved a plan to expand the Mill Valley Depot Square to the south in order to create an additional parcel encircling the redwood grove adjacent to Sunnyside Avenue. The plan was approved on Jan. 6.

The future of the addition is still uncertain, but one local organization, Friends of No. 9, is currently lobbying the Council to utilize the space to display the “Number 9,” a historic train. A full-size wood model of the train— which measures 30’ long, 9’ wide, and 11’ tall—was installed onto the site of the square expansion this past summer.

The Number 9 train is the sole surviving piece of the Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway. The once world famous, scenic rail line operated from 1896 to 1929, connecting Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, and the surrounding foothills to downtown Mill Valley.

The railway ordered Number 9 from the Stearns Manufacturing Companies in 1921. Number 9 towed rail cars up the mountain until it was sold in 1924 to Pacific Lumber.

In 2018, the train was put up for auction. News of the auction reached Mill Valley local Fred Runner, a Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway historian, who subsequently organized the Friends of No. 9, a nonprofit organization dedicated to displaying historical items related to the Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Scenic Railway. Runner began a donation campaign and raised money to put in a bid.

The train was sold under a closed auction, meaning Runner and his team were unaware of how much money others were bidding. “It was kind of dramatic that this was a closed auction. We didn’t know who else was bidding or for how much. We just had to pull together as much money as we could and hope that we would have enough to win,” Runner remembered. Runner and the Friends of No. 9 purchased the train for $56,240, beating the second highest bidder by a margin

of only $4,000. Restoration work has since begun, with the train about halfway restored at the time of publication. Friends of No. 9 believe that the Number 9 train exhibit offers a valuable, educational asset to the community, as well as a way to honor our culture in Marin. Eric Macris, secretary for Friends of No. 9 and president of the Mill Valley Historical Society, explained that the railway ushered in a new age of appreciation and conservation of nature.

“It [Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Scenic Railway] was kind of the beginning of Marin County’s history of trying to protect the environment. And that’s why symbolically this railroad and this particular steam engine is an important representation of what our local culture stands for.” He added that the railway introduced many Marin residents to the idea that nature was something to be enjoyed, not feared. The railway is largely responsible for the creation of Muir Woods. Railway shareholder William Kent bought the canyon in 1905, and expanded the railway to connect to the area. Kent saved the region from certain destruction at the hands of water companies, which wanted to flood the valley to create a reservoir.

The Muir Woods line was a great success, introducing the beauty of Muir Woods to the world. Kent contacted friends in the Roosevelt Administration, who designated it the 10th National Monument.

If the proposal to put Number 9

in the square is approved by the city, Friends of No. 9 intends on providing scannable barcode resources to educate visitors on the history of the railway and early conservation in Mill Valley.

Number 9’s potential installation has received mixed feedback from residents. An online petition in support of the installation has received over 850 signatures, including those of former mayors and members of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors. However, others oppose the idea. A large community on Nextdoor, an online discussion forum dedicated to local issues, has spoken out against the installation. Many users are concerned about the visual appeal of the project, noting that it would be a large addition to the relatively small square. Mill Valley resident Scott Elkington has concerns regarding the stature of the locomotive. “This [Number 9 addition] is ridiculous,” he wrote on Nextdoor. “The plaza would be dwarfed by this engine.”

Friends of No. 9 responded to the Nextdoor concerns, saying, “There are a small number of people who have expressed very strong opinions without really having the facts behind them. So we are trying to spread a message in support of what the city government is doing to have an open discussion with the actual design in front of people, where they can see pictures and hear about the thought that went into the proposal and then make up their minds.”

Photo courtesy of Nathan Robinson

The Legacy of Marin City, A California Story, from 1942 to 1962 tells the true story of how Black people came to Marin City, highlighting forgotten stories and relics in a celebration of Marin City’s 80th anniversary.

The exhibit coordinator, Jehi Torman writes in the introduction, “We unveil the uncomfortable truths of the time, and reveal the longstanding limited skewed view of Marin City, with a call to action to correct past wrongs and forge new levels of respect, appreciation, and honor for ALL of Marin County residents.” The exhibit takes its viewer through the two decades, and beyond, classifying itself as a living exhibit, inviting Marin City residents to bring their “photos, memorabilia, and narrative of their family history” to share and actively engage with history. One of the largest contributors to the exhibit was Felicia Gaston, founder of Performing Stars and its extension The Marin City Historical and Preservation Society (MCHP).

By Catherine Stauffer

Redwood student arrested after assaulting teacher

By Chloe Bowman

A Redwood High School student was seen punching a teacher twice in the face and then being arrested, recorded on video Thursday, Oct. 20, around 11:30 a.m.

The assault occurred in the hallway of Redwood’s second floor. There were many student witnesses, some of whom filmed the incident. In the video, the teacher responded by pinning the student in a headlock. Another adult was able to separate the two, before the student walked away.

First responders, including paramedics and police cars, were dispatched

to the scene, where the student was arrested and the teacher received medical attention.

“[The teacher] is receiving precautionary medical attention,” Principal Barnaby Paine wrote in a message to Redwood families later that day.

“We are not aware of any threats being made prior to the incident and do not know at this time what precipitated the event,” Tara Taupier, superintendent of the Tamalpais Union High School District, wrote in a statement. Various claims were spread

throughout social media following the incident regarding whether the student was armed with a weapon or not. In a message to Redwood students and families, Payne wrote that the student did not have a weapon.

“What defines us as a community is how we react in the aftermath [of incidents], how we care for each other, and how we make every effort to prevent incidents in the future,” Payne wrote in his message to Redwood families.

The Tam News are not using names to protect the privacy of those involved.

Sexual assault allegations posted on Woodhall Bathroom walls

By Kelsey Cook

Names of people accused of allegedly sexually assaulting students of Tamalpais High School were written on Oct. 14 on the Wood Hall girls’ restroom wall.

The school’s administration immediately took down the poster, which contained over 30 names on the list. Within 30 minutes, students in the girls’ bathroom placed a new poster back up with a more extensive list.

Principal J.C. Farr sent out a school-wide email providing information regarding the list later that day. “Tam admin was made aware of the incident and imminently responded to and contacted all students who were directly involved or impacted,” Farr wrote, adding that Tam strives to create a safe environment for students and staff members.

“The thing is, they aren’t gonna avoid us girls’ side unless the boys can change their actions,’’ a sophomore who asked to remain anonymous said.

She expressed her irritation due to the lack of resources for young women at Tam. “It’s just not enough, if over 30 people of possible sexual assaulters are walking around campus and no one seems disturbed then I don’t know what else we can do to put this to an end.”

“If they aren’t going to make a

change, we will. The school is blinded to the reality of how girls have been treated,” another anonymous source said.

Sources who asked to remain anonymous described the bigger reason for the poster was for students to know they aren’t alone.

Junior Angelina Arroyo felt upset the poster got taken down. “This is the only way students come forward. Anonymity. No one wants to tell the school about situations like this because it’s so much more than just telling your story. The consequences come with it,” Arroyo said.

“I don’t think stuff like this is avoidable,” campus staff assistant Ralph Wilson said. “I think all schools have procedures for boys and girls to report sexual assault instead of putting it out there in public, hopefully in the future, they can go to a counselor or Wellness Center other than putting it on the wall.”

Wilson feels that the school could do better at making sure the school is available for students to reach out to in such circumstances.

“We just need to constantly remind students we are here for them. I think both parties here need to be protected until this is dealt with,” Wilson said.

Karin Hatton, an assistant princi-

pal at Tam, sent out a follow-up email to the community on Oct. 21, which announced affirmative consent lessons that will be taught in all social studies in the upcoming weeks for students.

Additionally, parents will be able to express concerns and learn more information on the situation at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center on Oct. 27.

There was a student information meeting held on Oct. 26 during the tutorial with a maximum of 50 students that were allowed to attend. Assistant Principal Tara Ranzy and administration received feedback from the seven students who attended.

The top few takeaways from the students include: the QR codes for anonymous reports of sexual assault seem misleading and conversations about sexual assault need to be held in all freshmen through senior classrooms.

There were also requests for better advertisements of hotlines and a safe space to disclose their stories.

The proposed next steps from the administration are posting flyers in the Wellness Center, staff training, posting the process for sexual assault, and asking teachers to market these events both verbally and in their classrooms.

Lower enrollment rates and increasing class sizes

By Sophia Weinberg

Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD), has reported lower enrollment rates in the upcoming years, yet individual class sizes are at record heights. TUHSD continues to lay off teachers and offer limited class periods of sought-after courses in an effort to reduce overall spending.

In 2018, TUHSD was at the peak of its budget crisis and forced notable cuts to be made. “We came out of a severe budget crisis a few years ago,” TUHSD Superintendent Tara Taupier said. “In order to address it we had to identify areas for overspending and efficiency, including reducing some positions and keeping them vacant for a while.”

In March 2020, the district sent out “pink slips” to a number of teachers, warning them about the possibility of layoffs.

The layoffs of staff members consequently lead to an increase in class sizes. “We went into negotiations with teachers and set a hire class size cap, in order to meet other financial needs,” Taupier said.

Not all teachers believe that the negotiations were fair. “Teachers were told there was only enough money to give us a raise if we agreed to larger class sizes. I wouldn’t call that a choice. Nor would I call it a raise. We agreed to more work in exchange for a small pay increase. In retrospect, it actually was a pay cut by about 8 percent this year, given inflation,” Advanced Placement (AP) Composition and documentary teacher Jonah Steinhart said.

Expanding class sizes have already resurfaced issues teachers and students in the Tam community were initially concerned about. “With bigger class sizes it’s harder to feel more comfortable asking questions, and there’s overall less of a relationship between me and my teachers. It affects the pace of my learning, and I have to put in a lot more effort outside of class,” junior and former charter school student, Ellie Nordstrom said.

Taupier was quoted in the Marin Independent Journal saying that “there is a belief that smaller classes increase

learning, Research doesn’t bear this out — it’s the instruction.”

Contradictory to Taupier, Steinhart feels like he is not able to teach to his full potential with larger classes. “Anyone who says class size isn’t crucial has not tried to teach an AP English class with 35 students in it. Kids have never needed my emotional and academic support more, and I have never had so little to give on a per-student basis,” Steinhart said.

According to a research paper by Fremont University, class sizes under 20 do better for five reasons: there is more peer collaboration, coursework is better adapted to the class, smaller

AP Spanish was only offered a total of two periods, and AP French only was offered sixth period, leaving students who were not seniors and did not get in having to pay for online classes. Calculus BC was very limited, leaving other students in Calculus AB who did not want it. For some students, the only viable option was to take the course online if it did not fit their schedule.

“It’s unfair that a class that other kids can take for free, I have to pay for because the school couldn’t fit me in,” junior Nadine Roose said.

The district has made efforts to resolve course availability issues. “We made it possible for students who wanted to take [Calculus] BC at College of Marin. As for Spanish, students who are not yet seniors have the opportunity to take it next year,” Taupier said.

The district has been officially out of the crisis with TUHSD having a $1.6 million increase in budget this year. Each year the district has a budget and a spending plan, which is how the money will be distributed. In its $106 million spending plan, it will deficit spend in 2022-23 by about $2 million.

class size encourages participation, assignments are more hands-on, and students can receive better feedback from their instructors.

Taupier addressed the statement which had surfaced many reactions from teachers and families. “There’s been a lot of research done out there, that the most impactful thing is instruction, what the teacher does. Studies a while ago show that with smaller class sizes many teachers didn’t change their instruction so it didn’t change their learning. That’s more what I meant by that, ideally, if we had all the money, obviously we would keep class sizes down.”

To further compensate for the lack of instructors qualified to teach specific courses, certain courses at Tam have been cut down to fewer offered periods.

“We are no longer in jeopardy of being insolvent, but we had to cut about $6 million dollars, and that included reducing staffing,” said Taupier. “Although we are no longer in a crisis, everything is coming out of one bucket of money, meaning we have to make cuts in some areas in order to keep other programs.”

Areas where TUHSD is choosing to make cuts too in addition to staffing are release periods.

With lower enrollment rates and a no longer insolvent budget, TUHSD staff members are hopeful to see improvements in both their teaching conditions and salary.

“The current district leadership deserves credit for pulling us out of a financial crisis they did not create. Now, with a healthy reserve fund and enrollment finally decreasing, they will receive even more credit if they can get class sizes down and teachers pay apace with inflation,” Steinhart said.

“Kids have never needed my emotional and academic support more, and I have never had so little to give on a per-student basis,”

First annual Homecoming

By Griffin Gustafson

Followingan eventful spirit week, Tamalpais High School hosted its annual Homecoming Dance on Oct. 1. Students of all grades, dressed in their best attire, packed into the Student Center for a night full of entertainment and Tam spirit.

“A lot more people showed up than we expected, so that is always a great problem to have,” commissioner of the leadership spirit and dance committee senior Lily Pashman. “Along with the music and food, my favorite part was probably the decorations. I think they looked really good.”

Pashman explained that the logistics were at times a little hectic, but worth the stress. “I think we could have gotten a bit more support from other members of leadership because, on the day of the dance, we were definitely scrambling to set everything up,” Pashman said.

Being the first dance of the year, she said that things should only get better as the school year goes on. Pashman urged all students to join her at the next dance, the winter formal in Gus Gym as she looks to close her senior year of leadership on a high note.

“I definitely liked the photo booth the most. I also enjoyed the food, but the booth was fun for me and my friends to get more unique pictures, rather than just taking them on our phones,” Angelino Arroyo, a junior and varsity basketball player at Tam, said.

With lots of her friends being from other schools, Arroyo was not the biggest fan of the closed-door policy. “Personally, I think that we should be able to bring people from other schools, so more of an open invite kind of thing, ‘’ she said, feeling that it would be a fun way for everyone to see new faces, make new friends, and “spice up the dance a little bit.” Arroyo looks forward to attending the next dance and hopefully having the chance to bring all her friends for another night of fun and photos.

Newly promoted Tam leadership

in two years

advisor and Chemistry teacher Jonathan Chan expressed his happiness with the variety of students he saw in attendance at the homecoming dance. “I think it went very well,” Chan said. “We finished the night with over 600 attendees, including a lot of students who I think normally would not go to a dance. I am very happy about that because part of our mission in leadership and part of why I was excited about it was to make sure no student feels left out and has a community to feel a part of here.”

Going forward, Chan already has some adjustments in mind to ensure the best experience for all students.

“We had a music suggestion form, so kids could write their suggestions. That is one thing I really want to emphasize for future dances, as some thought the song choices could’ve been a bit better,” he clarified. “I also understand the closed-door policy was widely talked about, so that is another thing we are looking into and hoping to make possible for next year’s homecoming, and possibly the winter formal as well.”

Regarding the winter formal, Chan wanted to remind students to purchase their tickets early, as the event will most likely be in Gus Gym with a limited amount of tickets being sold.

Conservatory Theater Ensamble presents Macbeth and Twelfth Night

By Lauren Felder

Tamalpais High School’s Conservatory Theater Ensemble (CTE) presents Macbeth and Twelfth Night, two Shakespeare plays opening together on Oct. 10 to 15. Split into two 60-minute one-acts with a brief intermission, the combined show will begin at 7 p.m. on all six nights.

Senior Emma Korolev, starring as Lady Macbeth, expressed her excitement to see the contrast between the shows. “Macbeth is a tragedy with many fight scenes and Twelfth Night is an amazing comedy with singing and also some intense fight scenes,” Korolev said.

Drama teacher and Macbeth director Ben Cleaveland admires the ensemble that has already formed this CTE season. “I’ve loved working with this cast, they seemed bonded from the earliest rehearsals,” Cleaveland said.

“We started rehearsal the day after school began and have prepped every week from there on out,” Korolev added. “I’m so proud of my Macbeth cast and the Twelfth Night cast for the amount of dedication we have put into learning lines, fight choreography,

coming together as an ensemble, and taking risks to act vulnerable.”

Through new funding from Tam High Foundation, admission to CTE plays is now free for all Tam students. For adults, tickets for the Macbeth and Twelfth Night show cost $12 in total and are to be bought at the door of Caldwell Theater. CTE recommends arriving early to ensure your seat and enjoy the show.

Photo courtesy of CTE

Profile: New Non-Fiction Teacher Mr. Hill

By Caden Bernstein-Lawler

Hill was still searching for a feeling of fulfillment in his career that his prior work hadn’t given him. “I was reevaluating my career path and I was kinda looking around myself thinking ‘who likes their job the most?’ and my friend [who was a teacher] could not shut up about work, it was so fulfilling,” Hill said.

He said his friend had a similar reevaluation of her life, mirroring Hill’s own reassessment. “[My friend] got into teaching after a full career in PR,” he said. “She became an English teacher, her mother died and she kinda had a life evaluation and realized that she

thing that struck me about Mr. Hill almost immediately was how much joy he took, even in the limited medium of Zoom, how much joy he took with interacting with the kids,” Steinhart said.

Despite the challenges of teaching over Zoom, Hill continued on his path to becoming a teacher, and began teaching at Archie Williams High School during the 2021-22 school year before coming to Tam High to take up his curent position.

As a teacher, Hill has been trying to be the teacher he wishes he had as a struggling student.

“My experience as a student is probably a guiding light,” he said. “I try to remember my experiences of disconnection and my struggles as a teacher on the other side of the equation now.”

Robby Hill is the latest teacher to join Tamalpais High’s English Department faculty. After one year of teaching at Archie Williams High School, Hill is teaching sophomore English and the Nonfiction elective. However, Hill’s path to where he is now wasn’t always straightforward.

Growing up in San Rafael, Hill faced hardships as a student. “I really struggled as a student and I have a learning disability,” he said. “I also felt like at various times in my life, very connected to school and very disconnected at other times.” Hill moved to several different schools throughout his life.

The challenges Hill faced as a student have shaped the way he approaches education as a teacher. However, becoming a teacher wasn’t always the plan.

Hill attended as a music major from Dominican College in 2012. His career took him down different paths, first working in direct service for adults with moderate-severe intellectual disabilities.

didn’t feel any kind of life satisfaction in her career,” Hill said. This friend’s love of teaching led Hill into the profession himself.

Hill started out as a student-teacher at Tam High during the 2020-21 school year. He worked with another English teacher, Jonah Steinhart, on the Nonfiction and AP Composition classes.

Steinhart described this period, when the school was still online during the height of the pandemic, as one of his own most difficult years as a teacher.

However, Steinhart noted how resilient and passionate Hill was. “One

His experience as a student directs his teaching, but Hill is also motivated by his love of literature and how it can broaden one’s understanding of others.

“[The choice to become an English teacher] was wanting to spread that love [of literature],” he said, “the flexibility of literature as a vehicle to understand other people that is not accessible in a textbook,”

Another one of Hill’s favorite aspects of being an English teacher is how he can allow students to use empathy in order to think more critically.

“I’ve been disturbed and disheartened by the lack of … capacity for critical thinking and I think that starts with education,” said Hill.

Throughout his career as a teacher, Hill will always remember his experiences as a student. He views his students as people with their own lives.

“It’s important for me to remember those things [I experienced as a student] because I want to look at my kids as whole humans, not just as students who are turning in work, and the reason why is because that’s who they are, they aren’t just students turning in work.”

“I’ve been disturbed and disheartened by the lack of … capacity for critical thinking and I think that starts with education.”

-Robert Hill

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHER GOLDBLATT

SAN FRANCISCO’S 2022

PHOTOS BY ASHER

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

San Francisco Fleet Week has been a tradition since 1981 when it was created by Dianne Feinstein, Former Mayor of San Francisco, who wanted to honor the contributions that the United States Armed Forces have made to this country. Today, SF Fleet Week is the largest air show in the country and is very educational, displaying pilots’ jobs. Many pilots put on “shows” turning and twisting to display their skills. Many people from the Bay Area specifically, San Francisco residents enjoy watching these planes fly overhead, while enjoying festivities for the yearly event. It is a tradition for the Bay Area, and is part of the community. Numerous new and returning people attend every year and will continue to as the tradition lives on.

- Asher Goldblatt

More of Greg Colyer Ace Maker T-33 flies over Cavallo Point in Sausalito, on California Oct. 9, 2022.

2022 FLEET WEEK

ASHER GOLDBLATT

California Air National Guards’ Boeing C-17 Globemaster iii performs its’ demo at Cavallo Point on in Sausalito, California on Oct. 9, 2022.

Greg Colyer Ace Maker T-33 flies over Cavallo Point in Sausalito, on California Oct. 9, 2022.

TAM HIGH AND FANTASY FOOTBALL

By Asa Moore

Onany given school day from Sep tember to December, a short walk across the campus of Tamalpais High School is more than enough to catch snippets of students obsessing over their favorite weekly ritual. I’m re ferring to fantasy football, of course. They are united by a sport that some of them have never even played, and even people who previously never watched football tune in every Sunday to keep track of their team.

For every major sport in the U.S., a fantasy equivalent exists. Every minute detail of a professional sports player’s performance is equated to a certain point value. After a game, each player will be scored based on their overall performance, and this score goes toward the larger fantasy team. While pre-internet fantasy managers had to calculate scores themselves, cutting-edge technology in easily ac cessible apps have helped launch fan tasy sports into the mainstream.

The ease of play and the lack of a need to commit large amounts of time to win in modern apps makes fantasy sports appealing to both hardcore fans and casual viewers alike, but fanta sy football has emerged as the favorite of all sports by a long shot. It is so popular that players just refer to it as “fantasy,” with no need to elaborate on which sport they are referring to.

“I have a pretty big fantasy league … during the football season that’s what most people are talking about. You hang out with someone in your league and talk about fantasy football, it’s fun,” sophomore Cooper Hatch said. In a time when so much socializing happens online, getting together with friends to talk about something simple like fantasy football is fun and refreshing.

In my experience, fantasy football is so engaging because of the camaraderie that comes with it. I have been in a league with the same group of friends

antics like this add character to the league. At the end of the day, that is why so many people play fantasy football. Being in a fantasy league is a great excuse to talk trash, reconnect with people, and spend Sundays watching football with friends instead of doing work.

“You decide the competitiveness, you decide how many people you play with, and people can just go into it having fun … some players won’t work out, you’ll lose some games, but at the end of the day it’s just a fun thing that people can bond over and talk about,” Tam junior and first-time player Oliver DeVito said.

Fantasy football can be anything from a competitive outlet to a social activity, and that is partly what makes

ing.

Perhaps the best part about fantasy football is that it costs essentially nothing to try. Next year, start a league with your friends. At worst, it costs you very little time at the start of the school year. At best, you might get hooked on the fantasy version of a game you might not even watch. While the game itself may be a fantasy, the excitement that comes with success is real. ♦

Grahpic courtesy of Kayla Boon

What One Pill Can DO ...

by Violet Howard and Annie Shine graphics by Zachary Breindel

Content Warning: this article contains sensitive content including durg use, drug overdose, and drug related fatalities.

Opioid use in Marin County has become a dangerous and a life-threatening issue, more commonly to teens. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) estimates 769,000 children between the ages 12 to 17 have misused opioids. This is resulting in teens having more accessibility to drugs, which is creating an epidemic of opioid use, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2019, the number of drug overdose deaths in Marin was higher than it was in any past year, based on a document published by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury.

Acquiring opioids has become increasingly accessible over the years for teens in Marin County. Yvonne Milham, Tamalpais High School Wellness Coordinator, said there is a range of use of opioids among users.

“There are folks who maybe try something one time and then there are folks who are habitual users who have their body and brain telling them they need to take them in order to be okay,”

she said.

According to the Tam’s Wellness Center, students can become reliant on this drug due to many reasons. These include taking prescribed opioids due to an injury or receiving opioids from unknown people through unprescribed means.

Having prescribed opioids does have a risk of addiction, which can, in some cases, result in death.

One such instance is Tamalpais

High graduate and Sonoma State student Trevor Leopold, who was found dead in his dorm room after buying and consuming counterfeit pills that were laced with fentanyl.

“I understand why a lot of people are quiet about their child dying from pills or drugs or addiction,” Michelle Leopold, his mother, said, “but I would rather save lives than protect myself from being embarrassed.”

The fentanyl shown above is a lethal dose.

An opioid is a class of drug used to relieve pain, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ter).

“Prescription opioids can be prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain but can also have serious risks and side effects,” the CDC’s website reads. Common types of opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone.

Purchasing or obtaining opioids through unprescribed reasons can also cause serious issues, particularly if the opioid is laced with fentanyl. Opioid addiction in general can result in a serious impact on the ability to focus in school and participate in everyday activities.

“Opioids trigger and release endorphins which are the ‘feelgood’ neurotransmitters inside your brain,” according to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization operated by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).

The Mayo Clinic states that the main reason that opioid use is dangerous and comes with such risks is that it is highly addictive—with each dose a person takes, the more reliant they become on the drug. Opioids can also restrict breathing and the respiratory system when taken or when interfered with other medications.

Fentanyl is a category of opioids that is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, according to the CDC.

“It is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain,” the CDC’s website reads, adding that illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states.

Fentanyl is one such synthetic opioid being pressed into fake pills or other forms of drugs, which is referred to as fentanyl poisoning, and there is new research regarding this.

There has recently been an alarming strike in fentanyl overdoses resulting in death. According to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, in 2020 an estimated 4,400 Marin County residents suffered from opioid use disorders, and between 2006 and 2019 over 400

people have died in Marin County due to drug overdose.

Half of those deaths were caused by opioids.

According to a report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiative One Pill Can Kill, the DEA seized more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder during the period of May through September this year.

According to the CDC, 75 percent of all drug overdose related deaths have been the result of opioid overdose in 2020. Of those opioid overdoses around 80 percent involved synthetic opioids.

Fentanyl is now in multiple different forms and can be accessed in the Bay Area, including Mill Valley, as reported by the DEA on its initiative’s website.

“Fake pills are made to look like OxyContin, Xanax, Adderall, and other pharmaceuticals. These fake pills contain no legitimate medicine,” the same report from One Pill Can Kill reads. These fake pills laced with fentanyl are being sold as rainbow-colored looking skittles, allegedly meant to attract younger audiences. According to the One Pill Can Kill website, this has become such a pressing issue because drug dealers in the U.S. realized how much more money they can make by mixing fentanyl with other, more expensive drugs.

Tam alumna, who will be referred to as Alice S, overdosed on opioids last summer after coming home from a rehabilitation center.

Alice S had graduated from Tam in the class of 2020 and continued her academic career at New York University (NYU), studying education and pursuing her passion to work with underprivileged children.

“She was so smart, she was so witty, so intuitive, and all of her friends would say the same thing,” Jessica, Alice S’s mom, said. “She never asked me for help with homework a day in her life. She was always just dedicated, diligent, and organized. She was a prolific writer, super organized but always had time for friends and fun.”

Jessica has seen drug use first-hand in

“It’s hard, the truth is no one can get someone else sober, not even my daughter. The person really has to want to get sober for themselves and that’s a really hard thing to do, especially with opioids.”

her household.

“I’ve had Tam High students and amazing kids from Marin just over the past couple decades come through my house and sleep over, so I’ve known for a while that it’s very easy to get drugs in Marin and certainly at Tam High,” she said.

Jessica always knew Alice S was hanging out with friends and going to house parties on the weekend, but she explained how she was never too worried about Alice S’s use with drugs because she was always a great student. “[I] didn’t want to be a helicopter parent,” Jessica said.

Shortly after she recognized how often Alice S was going out, that’s when she knew something had to be done. “I think junior year and senior year of high school is when I started to get wind that she had tried opioids, you know, pills like a percocet or something that someone had given her. So we talked about it and I asked who gave it to her and it was one of her friends’ boyfriends and that is how this came to life,” Jessica said.

Jessica quickly became more aware of the path Alice S was heading down and she knew what would come in the future if Alice S didn’t quit immediately. “We had a really serious conversation about how there’s only one thing that’s going to happen with using any kind of pills. ‘You’re going to get addicted. There’s no way about it. So you have to stop,’” Jessica told Alice S, who promised that she was going to.

While Alice S was at NYU her freshman year, she was on lock down due to the pandemic. Jessica said Al-

ice S had always experienced ups and downs with her mental health which mainly began when her birth mother passed away when she was five years old. Alice S was always an organized and hardworking high schooler; however, Alice S knew she needed to seek help regarding her drug abuse, and being in her dorm alone during this time of isolation did not help her situation.

“She left to come back to California for treatment and went to rehab and she did it. It’s hard, the truth is no one can get someone else sober, not even my daughter. The person really has to want to get sober for themselves

“We have the resources to support students,” Sophia Kauffman, Wellness Outreach specialist at Tam High, said.

Tam Wellness will be having a campaign around fentanyl use in a couple of months and they also offer 24/7 substance counseling support for people who are struggling with any type of addiction. There are Wellness 101 classes along with informational presentations that both Milham and Kauffman.

Jessica overall wants to ensure students’ awareness of the damaging effects opioids not only have on yourself but also on your close friends and family.

“The truth is when something like this happens it is so fantastically damaging and destructive to an entire family. Not just the part about death, which is obviously the worst thing that can happen, just addiction is so damaging to a family dynamic: it hurts parents, it hurts grandparents, it hurts everybody and the addict doesn’t really see that ever … they think about themselves and their addiction.”

She continued: “The thing I would say to any Tam student is really think about how would your mom or dad or little brother or older sister feel if something bad happened to you, and you know some things are irrevers-

and that’s a really hard thing to do, especially with opioids,” Jessica said.

Eventually, extreme pain killers took over Alice, resulting in her death, even with the support and love she was receiving from family, friends, and professionals.

Jessica explained how Tam always sent newsletters regarding alcohol abuse and informational emails about the prevalence of drugs, but she said “overdose prevention, not so much.”

ible. This is one of those cases where it leaves a big hole in all of our hearts to not have Alice here.”◆

“It’s very easy to get drugs in Marin and certainly at Tam High.”

Halloween “too scary” for Mill Valley residents to celebrate

By: Anika Kapan

As All Hallow’s Eve looms on the horizon, Mill Valley residents avert their eyes, hide under their blankets, and tremble at their festive responsi bilities. The houses are bare of jacko-lanterns, spiderwebs, and skeletons, the storefronts decidedly empty of any Halloween music or spooky memora bilia, and the students at Tamalpais High School mindlessly sort through boring, done-before costume ideas. Even the weather refuses to get in the Halloween spirit! Eighty degrees in October? Climate Change is ruining everything!

“It’s too scary,” One anonymous Tam student said. “I like the nicer holidays, like July fourth.” That must be the mindset of all Mill Valley residents, because not a single house was decorated when I visited the notoriously spooky trick-or-treating streets of Tam Valley on Oct. 2.

What is the issue here? Are we so afraid that we can’t appreciate Halloween for what it is: the ultimate holiday? Absent of tedious family obligations, awkward sit-down meals, and frantic searches for the perfect gift, Halloween is the “fun” holiday. It’s the party holiday. It’s the holiday whenwhere we get to put on more exciting, hotter, and spoookier versions of ourselves and party it up with our friends! And, obviously, we get trick or treating!!!

Halloween, along with being the fun holiday, is also the easiest. Shopping for candy takes only minutes these days, an experience streamlined by the beautiful bags of Twix, Kit-Kat, and Reeses’ in bulk. A variety of delicious candy in a fun, efficient, and completely environmentally friendly package for your darling Trick-Or-Treaters, available at our local Walgreens today!

At Spirit Halloween, you can find good quality, creative, and not-at-all offensive costumes at the low-low price of just $79.99 (accessories not included). I’m thinking of being a “Sin-

ful Sister,” which actually does include the cross necklace and rosary kit. Oth er shout-outs include the Gru costume, the naughty schoolgirl costume, and my personal favorite: “Officer Hand some.”

In all seriousness, the sanctity of this vital holiday is at risk. If we can’t properly get into the Halloween spirit, how are we supposed to enjoy the magnum opus, the Mona Lisa, the absolute masterpiece of holidays?

Even Sycamore and Tam Valley, notorious Mill Valley trick-or-treating hotspots, are falling victim to anti-Halloween attitudes. If the streets remain as barren and empty as they are now, how can we guarantee that there will even be trick-or-treaters this Halloween season? Experts are projecting a significant decline in the numbers of trick-or-treaters aged nine and up. “It’s not cool anymore,” local third grader Eloise said, who was Ted Bundy for Halloween last year. “I’m not a f****** second grader.” Instead, Eloise plans on attending a sleepover at her friends house, where they plan on watching the new Conversations with a Killer documentary on Netflix, about Jeffrey Dahmer.

In ignoring Halloween, we are ignoring what’s truly important about our community: the kids. You wouldn’t tell a child that Bigfoot isn’t real, or

ra is wiping the floor with Mill Valley–every house is appropriately decorated with grinning skeletons, blood splatter, and spiderwebs. Even their mall is decorated, and an inside source at Barnes and Noble told me that they’ve sold so much of their Halloween merchandise that they’ve prematurely moved on to Thanksgiving displays! Mill Valley is so far behind we might never be able to recover.

If we don’t pull together as a community to make this holiday happen, we are in danger of losing the very thing that binds our school and our town together: our sense of celebration. You heard it here first folks. Tam spirit IS Halloween spirit. So get out there, think up a fun costume idea, wrangle your friends, scrounge for some spooky decorations, and Celebrate! ♦

This article is a work of satire; some sources have been made up to enhance the irony of the work

Seasons In California

By: Emma Pearson

had “Last Christmas” on repeat since September).

It’s fall in northern California! There is a brisk chill hanging in the air (as long as you are within 100 yards of a coastline), the dark embrace of fog in the first and last four hours of the day, and brown and orange leaves leisurely falling from tree branches (the 10% of them that aren’t evergreen). The dials on thermometers are dropping from mid to high 80s to mid to low 70s as cable knit sweaters, and Patagonia puffers, and plaid skirts, and Ugg boots are being slipped on to protect brave Californians from the bitter possibility of sub-70 degree weather. Highly curated selections of abnormally sized pumpkins, unique gourds that are slightly uncomfortable to look at, and numerous other cultivars of the squash variety have been placed outside the homes of mothers who have brought out fall-toned dish towels, non-edible multi-colored corn husks, and everything else demanded by the season of pumpkin spice. Come November, these same moms will adorn their dining room tables with centerpieces of tasteful cornucopias surrounded by garlands of fake-dead leaves and burnt orange candles (maybe even drape the chandelier with fairy lights that glow “autumn cream” if they’re feeling crazy). These amateuramature interior designers will start playing Christmas music by Black Friday (then again, I’ve

And then, before you know it (and mostly because the weather has yet to get under 60 degrees), it’s wintertime! The chill in the air drifts slightly further inland, the non-evergreens become barren, and we all collectively beg for rain. When it does rain, us Californians rejoice at the prospect of less water conservation while simultaneously forgetting how to drive (rain is quite jarring in these parts). The downpour is a drizzle and lasts about 30 minutes (when it doesn’t, then we get scared and have to close public schools for the day) and, by some holiday miracle, the weather finally reaches California freezing by December (a glacial 48 degrees). Kids come to school in layers and their moms worry they’ll catch a cold in this wintry paradise of tinsel that sparkles in the bright sun that melts our windows’ spray-on snow. It comes time for the interior designer moms to trade their neutral wreaths for those of the red and green variety (blue and white if they’re in the spirit for religious tolerance) and their mini apple cider bars become restocked with frosted pitchers of nutmeg just before they head off for their Tahoe house. Cheeks redden from overheating as hot chocolate is sipped and Elf plays on repeat, gloves and heavy-duty jackets come out of everyone’s dads’ closet as they go to pick up their Christmas tree, and mom makes everyone dress in coordinated outfits because she is not going through the immense stress and financial commitment of holiday cards for nothing.

Just as that one family’s card finally arrives in the mail, it’s spring! The timing is perfectly fitting, however, as the first month of the season of new beginnings is mostly reborn under a layer of fog that would be hard to dif-

ferentiate from any other season to an unsuspecting tourist. That doesn’t stop the demographic of people who really want you to know that springtime is their favorite from wearing floral dresses, pastel colors, and making Easter a very big deal for not being religious. Egg hunts, really large bunnies, and baby animals, what can I say other than thank you Jesus!

Then comes summer, and you know what that means: it’s hotter than spring! Get your swimsuits on, grab some sunglasses, and pile into the car, time for going to beaches where it’s colder than it was at your house. Summer under the Northern California sun means three extremely hot days in which everyone thinks they are going to die and informs anyone that will listen that they don’t have air conditioning installed in their home (for the sake of efficiency, not of us do, so you can stop explaining what it’s like to be reliant on that one small fan). The rest of the days are the definition of lukewarm, mild heat, sometimes whispers of fog, a breeze here and there. The northern California summer sun may not burn as hot as southern California’s, but at least it’s consistent!

When it comes to seasons in northern California, take the lesson of your friend’s mom who is suddenly very interested in interior design, and know that you just have to force it.

Why Tam’s College Culture Is Toxic

By: Siobhan King

so forth. Where does it start, though? Where is this pressure to constantly overachieve coming from?

counselor letter of recommendation packet in on time. Eye bags deepen from the hours spent working on the god-forsaken supplemental essays. The words “Common App” or “UC Insight Questions” hit like little punches to your heart everytime you hear them. Seniors can’t make it a day without being asked the dreaded question of what their “top school” is.

These things aren’t unique to Tam. You can go to any high school in the country and find students struggling with these same pressures. However, Tam’s soaring expectations and judgment are distinctively present within the college-consumed student body.

The college culture at Tam is demanding, to say the least, although not in the way that one would expect. Sure, the essays and application processes are tiring and tedious, but what really takes a toll is the constant feeling that you need to impress your classmates.

When talking with senior Avi Perl, she expressed how, while Tam students may come across as accepting in regards to other future paths besides a four-year college, there are often undertones of judgment in their words.

“People try to act like, ‘Oh, that’s so good for you. Oh, you’re not going to school?’ or ‘You’re taking a gap year? That’s so great. Do what works best for you.’ But really there’s those undertones of ‘Are you not dedicated to school?’” Perl said.

Students are constantly feeding off of each other’s worries and stresses. It’s like one big wheel that never stops turning. One kid’s stress amplifies another person’s stress and so on and

Emi Abe, Tam’s College and Career Specialist and Archie Williams High School graduate, believes that the pressure at Tam to follow the “normal” college path is due to outside pressure put on students.

“It’s not like [the students] thought of it themselves. It’s a learned thing. It’s expectations from their parents, from their teachers, the community, whatever it may be,” Abe said.

eighth in the country. Since so many parents have the resources to further their child’s academic or athletic abilities, this often leads to extra pressures being put on the child to live up to the standards their parents have set.

A majority of Marin parents have the money and resources to hire uber-talented, yet expensive, college counselors for their kids. They are able to hire tutors to help with SAT and ACT prep on top of those that support all the AP classes their kids are taking. Parents are able to push their kids to strive for Ivy League and private colleges because they can afford the incredibly expensive tuition. For example, Yale’s total tuition—including room, board and all other amenities—costs roughly $84,000 per year, according to Yale University. There is a certain assumption in the Tam community that every student’s family can afford these luxuries, but that is far from the truth.

Perl shares a similar perspective to Abe, saying, “I just think it’s how kids were raised. I feel like it genuinely roots from these wealthy parents in Marin and them having these expectations for their kids, which leads to their kids having expectations for their peers.”

Parents are always putting pressure on their children: pressure to play certain sports, take certain classes, go to certain colleges and have certain careers. But in Marin, those pressures and expectations are considerably higher than the norm. A lot of this is due to the fact that Mill Valley is an extremely affluent community. A report conducted by U.S. News and World Report states that Marin County is the third wealthiest county in California, and

Another misconceived advantage that many students at Tam don’t actually have is having parents who allow you to explore your interests and hobbies and make choices for yourself. Not every teen has parents who welcome new hobbies or interests, or are okay with their child straying from the path that has been laid out for them. This lack of freedom only adds to the cycle of stress that is very prominent at Tam.

All I can say is that it’s okay, and sometimes more beneficial, to stop and take a breath every once in a while and reevaluate what it is that you really want. High school is four of the worst and best years of our lives. It’s a time when you’re not supposed to definitively figure out who you are, but rather get to know yourself. It’s a time for exploration and growing. Under the stifling stress of Tam college culture, students often forget that. ♦

“It’s a learned thing. It’s expectations from their parents, from their teachers, the community, whatever it may be.

Editorial:

Tam’s Lack of Knowledge on Opiods and Fentanyl Use

Electronicvapes and alcohol have become normalized among the substances that students who attend Tamalpais High School abuse. But more serious drugs are affecting our broader community, and there seems to be a deficit in knowledge about them for community members, specifically Tam students. As proven evident by the feature article, “Title here,” hardcore drugs, specifically opioids such as fentanyl, are killing young people at alarming rates and causing a catastrophic number of accidental overdoses. These drugs can be found laced into marijuana and other substances and are often not labeled correctly.

It is important for Tam High to do everything in its power to prevent drug-related incidents through education and awareness as a precaution rather than once a tragedy already strikes. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) conducted a study on the changing rate in both adult and adolescent drug overdoses, specifically fatal ones. It was found that drug use for teens has remained steady while overdose deaths are growing exponentially throughout the country, meaning the drugs that teens are doing are becoming increasingly more fatal. “The overdose mortality rate among U.S. adolescents 14 to 18 years old rose by 94% between 2019 and 2020,” U.S. News wrote in response to the JAMA study.

“Students definitely don’t talk about hard drugs enough. We talk about mild drugs/substances a lot like nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol because they are more common in our community, but hard drugs are also present and we’re not super equipped to deal with them,” senior and Activism Commissioner for leadership Ella Clark said. “Organizations like rxSafe Marin are really awesome for education and resources and they also have narcan [a nasal spray used for treatment during an opioid overdose emergency when there are signs of breathing problems

and severe sleepiness or if the person is not responding].

Stronger drugs, such as opioids or even fentanyl, may not seem a part of our everyday life, but they are present in Marin County, and possibly amongst students at Tam High. Though some may be experimenting with these drugs, they may not understand the true severity and threat that these drugs pose to their safety.

“Fentanyl is scary because it is so deadly, and if it’s a large enough dose, just touching it or breathing it can make you die. It is incredibly dangerous,” social issues teacher Charles Garfink said. “I think freshmen should definitely get more information on it.”

The Wellness Center at Tam has been working along this narrative, trying to increase students’ knowledge on these substances. Their newest educational campaign “One Pill Can Kill” brings awareness to non-prescription pills.

“Fentanyl can be found in ANY pill or powder you buy on the street or through social media and can kill you instantly. Be ready to help your friends. Encourage them not to use Oxycontin, Percocet, Xanax, Adderall,” Wellness @ Tam District poster reads.

You don’t need to be scared about getting into trouble; you are doing the right thing by reporting. The Good Samaritan Law will protect any individual who is caught with these drugs but must call help due to an overdose or other accidents. Protect the health of your friends as it may be their only hope.

As a student, utilize Wellness’ resources. If you hear of someone abusing these serious drugs, check in on them and scan this QR code to access Wellness’ help. [graphic here of it] Educate yourself and others. Understand what

is happening around you and stay upto-date on the growing information about these drugs.

The tragic accidents that can occur as a product of lack of knowledge, or non-credible sources, are what we need to avoid as a school. Many individuals don’t see the harm before it is too late. Spreading awareness and educating each other at Tam is highly important to preventing accidents or use of these drugs at all.

As a student-body we need to take action to prevent accidents. We need to make sure we are staying educated for our own safety and the safety of our peers. We cannot prevent accidents once they already happen but, we can create awareness so accidents do not happen. ♦

The district held a webinar on April 27 called Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl. This district wide event was led by Song For Charlie, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the fentanyl issue. The founder and president of Song For Charlie, Ed Ternan, informed students on the dangers of abusing substances and provided information on how to prevent fatalities.