Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913
VOLUME 112, ISSUE 2
OCTOBER 10, 2025
Tiger examines the harmful ways eating disorders are discussed online and repercussions that follow. Page 6.
Boxing has spanned generations, encompassing heart, grit, and vigor. Page 15. OPINION FEATURE SPORTS
In honor of its 10th anniversary, Tiger spotlights the hit musical Hamilton Page 11.
See more costume, assembly, and football photos on the center spread, pages 8-9.
STORY LEIGHTON KWOK & MAXINE MESSINEO
PHOTOS ZOE CHEN, EMIKO
ESSMILLER, & SEBASTIAN
GUTIERREZ
SPHS held its annual Color Day assembly and football game on Friday, Oct. 3.
Announced in the assembly was the 2025–26 homecoming court, featuring freshman Liam Painter, sophomore Kayla Yau, junior Clare Vitt, and seniors Elizabeth Chung, Isabella Huang, and Leila Wahbe. Voting for the Most Royal Tiger will take place on the day of the Homecoming Assembly, which will occur on Friday, Oct. 17.
Between various performances by Advanced Dance, Pep, and the traditional teacher dance (this year performed to Soda Pop), SPHS students participated in several class competitions. In the traditional class tug-of-war game, the sophomores took victory, beating out the freshmen in the first round and the juniors in the final.
In the Color Day poster competition, the freshmen and sophomores tied for third place, the juniors came in second, and the seniors took, as senior Commissioner of Assemblies Baron Shroff put it, a “welldeserved win.”
For the annual Color Day assembly sketch, Shroff and other ASB members created a mock Scooby-Doo theme that centered around the SPHS school mascot
becoming brainwashed and attacking students. Throughout the assembly, members of ASB investigated the case and uncovered the Tiger Mascot to have been replaced with a fake Tiger by rival school San Marino, who was controlled by La Cañada.
In between shifting scenes of the skit, SPHS’s senior football captains announced the upcoming Color Day football game that would occur at 7 p.m. that night at Monrovia High School.
With the festivities of Color Day just hours before uplifting their spirits, the Tigers were ready to win, and managed to seal their victory against Monrovia in their first league game of the season. Both teams put up a good fight, with the game concluding in a close match of 23–21.
The first quarter started strong with a touchdown five minutes into the game by junior tight end Grayson Ebner. Both South Pasadena and Monrovia held their defensive line with constant and accurate tackles.
During the second quarter, Monrovia made a rushing touchdown and an extra point, stealing the lead 7–6. However, senior running back Trey Freking was a continuous force throughout the game, racking up 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown came early in the second quarter — a 22-yard burst that extended the lead to 13–0
The PSAT for sophomores and juniors will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at SPHS from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Homecoming week begins on Monday, Oct. 13 and closes with the annual assembly, picnic and football game on Friday, Oct. 17.
after senior kicker Nicholas Dragonas nailed an extra point to end the second quarter. Freking’s second touchdown, a 4-yard plunge late in the third quarter, proved to be the game-winner. Ebner’s impact went beyond his first-quarter touchdown. Late in the third, he hauled in a deep pass from Nott that set up Freking’s second touchdown.
Ebner finished with 83 receiving yards and one touchdown, showcasing his bigplay ability and helping South Pasadena maintain control.
Throughout the game, the Tigers’ defense bent but did not break. Senior Noah Keller recorded two sacks, and junior Rick Matsuda added nine tackles throughout the game. Ebner recovered a fumble, contributing on both sides of the ball. South Pasadena’s defense held Monrovia to a turnover on downs in the third and forced a missed field goal late in the fourth to preserve the win.
Monrovia mounted a late comeback, scoring in the fourth to narrow the gap to 23–21. After South Pasadena turned the ball over, Monrovia had a chance to take the lead, but missed a field goal with two minutes remaining. The Tigers ran out the clock to seal the win, backed by the roar of the crowd and cheerleaders.
SPHS Color Day for the 2025–26 school year ended with a victory of the South Pasadena Tigers.
The annual fall play will take place the weekends of Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 from 7–10 p.m. in the Little Theater.
ILLUSTRATION JAYDEN ZUMBA
On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, attacked the country of Israel. Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 people hostage. In response, Israel launched a full-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, ostensibly with the aim of eliminating Hamas and freeing the hostages. A ceasefire was reached in the beginning of 2025, but fighting resumed soon after. Since then, clashes over land between Palestinians and Israeli settlers — whose settlements are illegal under international law — have taken place in other Palestinian territories, mainly the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Continued on Page 6 FEATURE
STORY SONYA SHIMPOCK
ILLUSTRATION JAYDEN ZUMBA
In 2001, Cartoon Network’s series The Powerpuff Girls took a bold route for a children’s show: they released an episode critiquing the complicated levels of gender politics.
In the episode Equal Fights, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup (the titular Powerpuff girls) confront Femme Fatale, a master-thief supervillain and “feminist” who convinces the girls that men are the root of all evil.
Persuaded by Femme Fatale’s rhetoric, the girls begin to twist mundane interactions into sexist slights, but are quickly proven wrong: they had misinterpreted each exchange, and had not, in fact, been discriminated against.
At the conclusion of the episode, they realize that Femme Fatale’s logic was flawed — feminism should not be about
Continued on Page 12
STORY KHLOE YUEN
PHOTO ZOE CHEN
T
he South Pasadena community welcomed the soft opening of Nekter Juice Bar, a nationwide store, on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 434 Fair Oaks Avenue. The chain store was founded in 2010, driven by a passion for providing customers with healthy juices and smoothies without added sugars or artificial ingredients.
Nekter offers smoothies, small snacks, protein waffles, and acai bowls, along with its signature juices. Its “Grab N’ Go” bottles allow customers to bring these healthy alternatives wherever they go, while its “Wellness Shots” give a boost using strong ingredients like ginger and turmeric.
Nekter provides a friendly and welcoming environment for both employees and customers.
“There are a lot of great people I work with, and there are a lot of good customers that come here too,” staff member Gianna Sufre said. “Nekter is special to me because I think there’s the positive bias we come with.”
Nekter’s healthy options make it an ideal spot for fitness enthusiasts. For instance, the nutritious treats often attract many student-athletes to the store.
“We do get a lot of high school students around the end of the night. Stuff like football games are our busiest days … football players come in and suggest certain things that we should put on our menus,” Sufre said.
Many people who work in the plaza, as well as customers, additionally help Nekter with advertising by spreading
The new South Pasadena store offers students jobs, smoothies, drinks, and snacks.
flyers and giving advice on how to promote the store.
The idea of juices and snacks without artificial ingredients and sugars is very appealing to many SPUSD students. Additionally, Nekter accepts student employees, including SPHS senior Tara Murray.
“There’s definitely a handful of people who come in on a regular basis. The customers are always really friendly and interested in how things are going,” Murray said.
Many South Pasadena residents look forward to its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 18.
STORY UMA CHAKRABORTY
PHOTOS LUCINDA ERNST
The annual Student Voter Registration drive took place throughout the week of September 22. Every year, SPHS hosts a voter registration allowing students between the ages of 16 and 17 to preregister and those 18 and older register to vote for all upcoming elections.
Preregistering to vote prevents one from encountering last-minute registration obstacles once they are actually 18 and eligible to vote, ensuring that they can vote as soon as possible. The registration was co-led by APISU and ASB.
“It was a good experience,” senior Chloe Lee said. “It was easier than I thought it would be; you just click a few buttons. And then I got a sticker.”
Junior Commissioner of School and Community Sam Allen managed the three committees responsible for the drive: lunchtime activities, publicity, and the raffle. Each committee had two sub-leaders responsible for their respective responsibilities.
“The students running the committees were very helpful, and took over most of the projects. It was very fun to work with them,” Allen said.
Allen also spoke about the importance of either preregistering or registering to vote as a student.
“The earlier you do it, the sooner you can actually vote in elections. And I think right when you get out of high school is the most important time, especially with all the political mayhem going on right now,” Allen said.
Allen hopes to get as many people interested in politics as possible.
“[Registering to vote] spreads a lot of awareness about politics and voting and using your rights to freedom of speech,” Allen said. “It’s a good way to raise awareness on popular issues. Any issue there is, there is always going to be an election held about it. So it’s a good way to get people to be interested in politics.”
Eighteen-year-old students are eligible to participate in any election as long as they have been registered to vote at least 15 days prior. The upcoming state legislative elections are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
“Most likely, I’m going to register through the school once I’m old enough,” junior Claire Heyler-Erickson said.
SPHS does not directly benefit from the voter registration drive through the means of money. However it ensures the increase of students practicing civic engagement. This retains the habit of voting, and making sure students have a way to be heard.
Voter registration week at SPHS has already passed. However, students can still register or preregister to vote by submitting ballots online or through mail.
STORY MAXINE MESSINEO
South Pasadena High School’s Asian Pacific Islanders Student Union (APISU) promoted a suicide prevention workshop that took place Saturday, Sept. 27, in Little Tokyo. Organized by Changing Tides (CT) and QPR Institute, the initiative, called CT Anchor, focused on accessible suicide prevention training.
The workshop took place in the W.M. Keck Foundation community room in the Terasaki Budokan recreational center. While the workshop does not make anyone a licensed therapist or psychiatrist, participants learn what to do in the case of potential suicide cases.
Changing Tides, a program of the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), provides mental health services to Asian Pacific Islander (API) and other low-income
communities. QPR Institute focuses on preventing suicide regardless of background, and APISU promoted the event to its API members.
The CT and QPR collaboration focuses on mental health in API communities. Among young API adults, suicide is currently the leading cause of death.
“Mental health is very underrepresented, especially for older immigrants [due to the] social stigma and cultural barriers that they might face. [Mental health is] definitely still an issue,” senior APISU President Isabelle Huang said. ”For younger generations, you have this aspect of generational trauma and family shame that builds upon coming out of an immigrant family.”
The training focused on how to become a gatekeeper in the context of suicide prevention. Gatekeepers
DESIGN GABBY FERRI
recognize warning signs that someone may be in a crisis or having suicidal ideations.
The CT Anchor training also offered suggestions on how to start a conversation on suicide with someone who is possibly suicidal, as well as guidance on what to say.
The workshop highlighted the stigma around suicide in society, myths, and language used to talk about suicide. CT Anchor offers resources that individuals can use for themselves or recommend to others, as well as guidance on how to seek help for others.
“Mental health, even though it might seem scary to talk about, [is] definitely something that people should open up about, regardless of your cultural background or whatever social environment you grew up in,” Huang said. “[It’s] something that affects everyone and definitely should be more accessible in terms of resources.”
The Icebreaker dance, re-branded as the Starry Night Dance, made its debut. ASB has been preparing the dance since the summer, arranging the activities, DJ, and movie screening for the dance.
The first SPHS dance of the year took place on Friday, Sept. 19, and spanned across both SPHS gyms. The dance, called the Starry Night Dance, took place after the Tigers’ football victory over Franklin 42–35.
Previously branded as the Ice Breaker Dance, the Starry Night Dance featured activities in the main gym with a dance floor in the practice gym.
Activities at the dance included bracelet making, board games, and a Mario Kart tournament, as well as the showing of Star Wars: A New Hope
“[The Starry Night Dance was] less chaotic, but still fun, [compared to] normal dances,” sophomore Rose Edwards said. “It’s a good atmosphere. It’s not that expensive; anyone of any grade can come. It’s not limited to any upperclassmen or lowerclassmen. It’s free for all, I really like that.”
The DJ for the dance was booked by ASB freshman Vice President Akshar Annavaram. The dance soundtrack included songs by artists Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Chappell Roan. Freshman Sara Rodriguez noted the school dance boosted her school spirit.
“Going to the actual dance [is] hype. I want to wake up and go to school tomorrow. That sounds weird, but it’s true,” Rodriguez said. “People need to show up. There’s just a bunch of girls dancing, and then one group of guys playing arm wrestling. It was nice, though.”
The dance had around 50 people in attendance, including students, staff, and ASB members.
“[I wish ASB would] build more hype around it to encourage more kids to come, because most kids find it not interesting enough, or a waste of time. But honestly, I enjoy it. I just wish more of my friends had shown up,” Edwards said. “I feel like not a lot of kids knew about it. Bad talkers on the older grades about it are not helping too … They were like, ‘It’s lame. It’s all these things.’ But I don’t think it is.”
STORY KHLOE YUEN
PHOTO LUCINDA ERNST
SPHS dances require months of planning by ASB before the event. ASB determines themes, venues, decorations, budgeting, advertising, and ticket sales in preparation for events.
The Starry Night Dance marked the first dance of the 2025–26 school year. However, due to tight timing in the first months of school, ASB outlined a schedule for the year earlier in the summer.
ASB held summer meetings three to four times a month to organize goals and a committee for the first dance. The committee consisted of ASB commissioners, appointed members, and class officers.
A committee leader is then appointed and starts to fill out a check model, a guide to help plan the dance that includes an event overview, budgeting, and a supply list. Once commissioners approve the model, team members reach out to vendors and chaperones, buy supplies,
and finally publicize the event by spreading flyers and advertising on the Tiger Bulletin. The primary source of funding for dances comes from ticket sales. However, Winter Formal dances receive additional funding from SAC card sales, allowing ASB to discount tickets to all dances for SAC cardholders.
The themes for dances are chosen by a process called the rule of three. ASB members spend five minutes brainstorming ideas and divide the total number of ideas by three to get the number of votes each person obtains. For instance, if ASB members had 27 ideas, then everyone would get nine votes, then the nine top ideas would be chosen, and then three votes, and so on. Preparation for dances change depending on the event. Additionally, locations may vary as well, with the exceptions being the first dance of the year and the homecoming dance.
The first dance of the year has typically been held in the gym, and the Homecoming dance is usually at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course. For dances held in the gym, food is not allowed. However, food policies in dances outside SPHS is determined by previous vendors at the venue.
ASB additionally works with an organization called PD Special Events, an event planning company that focuses on catering, decor, and contracts.
PD Special Events helps ASB plan the venue and the event. The company will give ASB options, and ASB will choose what is best from the list. While Prom and Homecoming is more selective with food selection, all dances are planned using the same process.
ASB encounters varying challenges in the making of school dances. For the first dance of the year, students recently began to believe the dance was for freshmen only; however, ASB is working to curb that belief.
“Each dance every year has its own challenges,” Activities Director Casey Shotwell said. “Currently, it’s disabusing the student body of the notion that the first dance of the year is a freshman dance. That started about three years ago and has become a tremendous hurdle to overcome. Prior to that, all grade levels came in large numbers. If I remember correctly, the dance in 2021 had 800 in attendance.”
ESTABLISHED 1913
NSPA FIRST CLASS 2024
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2023
CSPA SILVER CROWN 2022
CSPA SILVER CROWN 2021
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2019
CSPA SILVER CROWN 2018
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017
CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SONYA SHIMPOCK
MANAGING EDITORS ZOE CHEN, Print
EMIKO ESSMILLER, Online
NEWS
CLAIRE MAO, Editor
OPINION
RAFA ESTOLANO-SRIDHARAN, Editor
FEATURE
RUBY FOUDY, Editor
SPORTS
GAVIN BARTOLOME, Editor
DESIGN
OLIVIA CHIN, Editor
LANAH KIM, Editor
PHOTOGRAPHY
HELENA EASTERBY, Editor
COPY
OWEN HOU, Editor
SOLANA SINGER, Editor
STAFF WRITERS
UMA CHAKRABORTY
EVELYN DIAZ
MIRIAM ELGHEFARI
JULIA GILDERSLEEVE
HARRIET GODSON LEIGHTON KWOK
ANNA MCDONNELL
MAXINE MESSINEO ELLIE SONG KHLOE YUEN
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
LUCINDA ERNST
SEBASTIAN GUTIERREZ MAC SHROPSHIRE
STAFF ILLUSTRATORS
KRISTEL HOUNG DIANA LOPEZ
JAYDEN ZUMBA
PAGE DESIGNERS GABBY FERRI PAISLEY PARK
ALISON SCHRADER
VIDEOGRAPHER
THEO THOMPSON
BUSINESS AND ADS MANAGER PASCALE WILLIAMS
SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST ISABELLA JONASEN
FACULTY ADVISOR KAREN HAMES
VOL. 112 NO. 2 DISTRIBUTED ON OCTOBER 10, 2025.
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Tiger analyzes the effect that generative AI has had on originality policy in the classroom.
“It’s not like a ‘gotcha’ moment,” English teacher Katherine Jaroch said when asked about catching students using AI. She explained that her goal is not to play detective, but to teach students how to write their own work. Still, for many students, it does feel like a “gotcha moment,” as if they are on trial for assignments that “read too much like AI” with no ability to prove their innocence. With AI tools like ChatGPT everywhere, the classroom has become a place where trust becomes easier to break and suspicion is always close by.
Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday school life, and the easy accessibility of AI makes tasks that used to take hours finishable in mere seconds. Students use it for grammar help, rewriting sentences, summarizing books, or sometimes even writing whole essays. Teachers have scrambled to keep up. Some teachers take the approaches of assigning paper-only work, using lockdown browsers, or watching over students’ screens in hopes to combat the possibility of a student using AI.
Other teachers, like Jaroch, rely on knowing their students’ writing voices early on, so signs of AI are easier to catch. AI detectors exist, but they are infamously unreliable, sometimes flagging original work as robotic, and sometimes letting actual AI assignments slip through. The situation leaves both students and teachers stuck deciding who is in the right.
Beyond AI tools, there is a real emotional conflict for teachers and students. Imagine a student spending hours on an essay only for their teacher to question whether they actually wrote it. Even if their writing was not directly accused of AI, that suspicion can still sting. It makes students second-guess taking risks with their writing, and hold back from being creative, fearing that their writing may stand out too much. For some students, assignments that involve self-expression and creativity become more like legal documents, requiring hard evidence to prove innocence.
Teachers face their own struggles combating AI as well. Their job is to make sure the classroom stays fair while still supporting students. However, with AI becoming more and more accessible, many teachers do not have the resources to clearly identify what is AI and what is not.
“I trust people until they show me they can’t be trusted,” Jaroch said, admitting that while shortcuts and stress are normal in high
school, plagiarism — including AI — still erodes trust. Teachers do not want to become the “AI police,” but they are responsible for ensuring that every student learns and is able to perform skills, like writing, on their own. The balancing act of suspicion and trust causes long-term effects on the student-teacher relationship.
There is also a bigger debate about whether AI should have any sort of place in schools. Some teachers experiment with AI by allowing students to use it for feedback on essays. Other teachers, like Jaroch, are firmly against it.
“I’m philosophically opposed to general AI. I think it’s flattening creative work, flattening creative thinking, and an overall detriment to our society,” Jaroch said.
She worries not only about writing, but also about reading. If students rely on AI to summarize texts such as The Scarlet Letter in simple terms, they lose a chance to think critically and overcome challenging reading to strengthen their comprehension skills. That kind of shortcut does not “save time,” but instead takes away depth and chances for students to find themselves in their writing and reading.
At the end of the day, both sides are stuck. Students cannot 100 percent prove their innocence. Teachers cannot always prove students guilty of using AI. The result is that some students and teachers who are feeling tension and mistrust in their classroom environments make it feel more like a courtroom than a place of learning. Moving forward, perhaps the answer is not about better AI detectors, but about rethinking assignments altogether. Teachers can assign more in-class writing, projects that allow students to show their step-by-step thinking process, or even in-person class discussions that dissuade any chance of AI infiltrating classrooms.
What is clear is that the problem is not going to go away anytime soon. As Jaroch puts it, the goal is to prevent issues before they happen, and not to say “gotcha” after the fact. This is where the conversation needs to start; not with suspicion, but with collaboration. So that classrooms can continue to be a free environment students can learn in, teachers and students need to be more open to conversations and stay focused not on who is right, but in resolving the issue against AI.
BOO to iMessage. Nothing worse than the spacing above an afterthought text.
BOO to coffee. I don’t want the effects of laxatives during first period.
BOO to periods. Men get cramps too, y’know.
BOO to my mom taking Tylenol when she was pregnant. Explains a lot.
BRAVO to Pedro Pascal. It’s not a hear me out but a hold me back.
BRAVO to the feature that lets you turn off colors in Aeries. Yes, we’ve reached that point.
BRAVO to the whole underlying San Marino plot. Oscar worthy.
BRAVO to women. You are so brave.
Eating disorders, primarily anorexia, are often idealized by the media, which leads to devastating effects.
Content warning: This article contains descriptions of mental illness and disordered eating. Please read at your own discretion. If you or somebody you know is struggling with disordered eating, help is available at nationaleatingdisorders.org or by calling National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)’s eating disorder hotline at 800-375-0677. For immediate support, you can call the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988
STORY RUBY FOUDY & SOLANA SINGER ILLUSTRATION KRISTEL HOUNG
I
n the ‘90s, the term “heroin chic” became a popular term to describe a slender body type, earning its name from the thinning effects of heroin. For nearly a decade, extremely thin and, at times, alarmingly skinny models ruled runways, magazine covers, and advertisements. Though this beauty standard has not made a full comeback, its repercussions are still present, and a lean physique is still considered the ideal body type. Being thin or desiring to be so is not inherently harmful, but the widespread normalization and romanticization of an unhealthy, skinny body type is. Skinny body types are heavily idealized, and, by extension, so are the eating disorders that can create them.
Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by restrictive food intake and fear of gaining weight, is heavily normalized and even fetishized — especially on social media — which has many harmful consequences. The romanticization of eating disorders online promotes unhealthy body types and habits, downplays the severity of other eating disorders besides anorexia, and can spread inaccurate information about other eating disorders. When anorexia is popularized, a false perception of eating disorders is created which discredits other eating disorders like binge eating disorder and bulimia. As a result, this furthers the stigma that eating disorders only apply to thin body types.
Eating disorder culture is especially prevalent on apps like TikTok, where trends encourage twisted ideas of health. Videos documenting the meager amount of food creators eat in a day are not only ubiquitous but also easily accessible. Toxic “diet tips,” like self-degradation and a famous quote from “heroin chic” model Kate Moss — “nothing tastes
as good as skinny feels” — flood TikTok. Beyond this, commentary on other people’s bodies, including the labeling of girls as “leggings skinny” or otherwise, and viewers relating an unrelated thin girl’s post to their own body insecurity, can be found everywhere on social media sites.
Sharing a personal journey with an eating disorder is not inherently a bad thing. It is entirely valid to share a trauma or recovery story, as it encourages hope among others and can create a sense of togetherness and community. However, oversharing on social media about any topic can have implications beyond the original intentions of the person who hit post. TikToks about body image can turn eating disorders and other struggles — depression, selfharm, etc. — into a competition.
These videos often give the impression that people online are competing to see who wins the prize of having the most traumatic childhood or eating the least food in a day. There is also an attention-seeking aspect attached to the majority of posts about personal struggles, whether the creator’s desire for it is conscious or not. If someone was really, truly struggling, one would think it would be so personal and painful that they would not want to share it online with millions of viewers.
Beyond this, the presence of an eating disorder culture on social media only encourages the spread of inaccurate information regarding eating disorders. TikTok has encouraged the romanticization of anorexia in particular. Due to its prevalence online and in the media, anorexia is practically the only eating disorder people unfamiliar with the subject can recognize, discrediting the existence of many other lesser-known types.
The behavior of social media viewers has also contributed to this epidemic of ignorance. On countless instances, commenters have accused naturally thin people of having eating disorders and assumed that those with low food intake automatically have anorexia, even if other factors are at play.
Ultimately, the culture of eating disorder romanticization — whether popularized by ‘90s runway models or today’s TikTok feeds — shapes how generations view health, beauty, and body image. To protect future generations from twisted versions of body image, it is important to recognize the harm of this practice. When people begin approaching conversations about their bodies with more nuance, awareness, and empathy, society will remember that health cannot be reduced to aesthetics.
Continued from Page 1
Israeli forces are far stronger than those of Hamas due to a variety of factors, including U.S. aid. These forces have far overpowered the Palestinian militant groups. More than 65,000 people have been killed in Gaza according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Most are civilians, half of which are women and children. According to the United Nations, more than 2 million people have lost their homes in Gaza. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa alleged at the International Court of Justice that Israel was commiting a genocide. South Africa stated that Israel’s actions were “genocidal in character” and were committed with “specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza.” After several rulings, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territories and take measures to prevent genocidal acts. The court has not yet ruled on the question of if Israel is committing genocide, and likely will not do so for many years.
Social media has played a pivotal role in keeping the world informed and providing a way for people to see what is happening through the eyes of Palestinians. People in Gaza have shared photos and videos documenting the destruction occurring, featuring gravely injured children and sobbing families who cannot locate loved ones. These posts are horrifying and shed a light on the depravity of war. However, concerning social media posts have become quite influential as well.
Alongside providing Palestinians with a chance to open the eyes of people around the world, social media also supplies antisemites with a platform to spread harmful rhetoric. Many content creators make fun of people simply for being
I’ve always loved those fun and sentimental traditions that you do with friends, like Galentine’s Day or Friendsgiving; silly coincidences that are bound to happen when you become really close with someone, like accidentally wearing the same outfit on a random day; or little gestures, like always getting something for your friend whenever you are at Starbucks.
Jewish. The content can range from memes to full-scale hatred. For example, a post shared by user @moh_maiko on Tiktok features a video with text that reads, “Spot the joke without me saying it.” There is a Jewish song playing. Several comments feature horrifying images, such as a Jewish man being shot through the head, a rat drawn over the Star of David, and depictions of sharp-angled triangles meant to insinuate a racist physical stereotype about Jewish people. A post shared by user @_barksey_ features a video of young Jewish men dancing. The comments are filled with photos of Hitler and people saying “free Palestine.” Despite the validity in calling for a free Palestine, many social media users fail to acknowledge the fact that being Jewish does not make one inherently supportive of the Israeli government. Much of the hate Jews receive online is based on the uninformed assumption that simply by existing, Jewish people fully support the crimes committed by the government of Israel. They are clearly not inherently responsible for its actions.
When consuming media regarding the ongoing conflict, it is important to recognize the difference between Jewish people and the actions of the Israeli government. The horrors of the Israeli occupation of Gaza do not fall on deaf ears. Jewish organizations such as Jewish Voice For Peace advocate for Palestinian liberation and call for an end to the crimes committed by the Israeli government, and youth-led organizations across the country have many Jewish participants.
It is concerning to see such rampant antisemitism online. Jewish people are not any less deserving of human empathy than others simply because of the abhorrent actions of the Israeli government. As a country, the United States is built
However, one thing I could never get behind is the argument for splitting the pole. The idea that when walking, if you and your friend walk on opposite sides of a pillar, it is a symbol for your relationship not lasting long seems strange to me. Essentially, your friendship is defined by how you walked on opposite sides of the pole; it represents leaving each other’s lives.
I’m sorry! Call me a fake friend. Report me to the superstition gods, but there is zero evidence that walking on opposite sides of a pole causes bad luck. I mean, I’m all for superstition, but I just don’t understand the urgency and the inconvenience it causes. Walking to class, minding your own business, and then feeling an enormous pull on your backpack is not normal. Then they make a devastated face at you, like you just told them their favorite show was discontinued or you stole all of their life savings, getting ready to argue like their way of life was just shattered.
on the backs of hard-working people from all over the world. At the core of our nation is unity. Without unity, it becomes a nation of hostility and distrust — a nation in which hatred, rather than hope, will shape lives. It is important that social media posts and political statements are taken with a grain of salt, and that people work together to protect the rights of everyone, regardless of ethnic background.
It’s impractical and awkward. Dodging poles and random planters just to stay on the same side as someone else isn’t a fun, silly loyalty test; it’s an immediate stress inducer, a trick to make the other person feel guilty about a small action they did.
The idea is like the old tale we used to say when we were kids about not stepping on cracks on the floor while walking — fun every once in a while, sure, but not worth enforcing like a moral code.
Friendships don’t depend on whether you walked around the same side of a lamppost. “Don’t split the pole” is a distraction from conversation and doesn’t measure emotional connection. Friendship is about letting your insecurities go when you talk to them. It’s about allowing you to be yourself, and not worrying about whether a walk is a relationship evaluation.
In the wake of the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, Tiger examines the state of political violence and selective empathy in America.
STORY
HARRIET GODSON & ANNA MCDONNELL
ILLUSTRATION DIANA LOPEZ
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was recently shot and killed on his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His death sparked outrage, sympathy, and celebration. In the aftermath, many began to question why nothing is being done to combat the dramatic rise in political violence in the United States over the last decade.
The horrifying reality is that this is not a standalone event of political violence in our country. The United States has a bloody history of political violence, including the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and many more.
In recent years, violence has dramatically risen against political figures and their supporters, including campaigners, staff, and political allies.
From 2017 to 2021 alone, acts of domestic terrorism and violence toward prominent members of the political world rose by 275 percent, according to a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Additionally, according to PBS, “Nearly a third of Americans (30%) say people may have to resort to violence in order to get the country back on track.” While it makes up a small fraction of total violent crime, its impact is magnified by symbolic targets, media coverage, and timing.
Those who commit these crimes often consider how to maximize media coverage in order to broadcast their message to a wider audience. This is why political violence often targets influential people or places and often occurs at important events, rallies, or protests. During the 2024 election, almost half of all states reported threats against election workers, including doxxing, social media threats, and intimidation tactics such as burning ballot boxes in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. Reasons for political violence vary, but they are all rooted in a common hatred of another person or group’s beliefs.
Currently, political violence is overwhelmingly perpetrated by right-wing extremists against those with beliefs that contradict their own, often resulting in death. According to PBS, right-wing extremists have been responsible for between 75 to 80 percent of U.S. domestic terrorism deaths since 2001. In comparison, left-wing extremists account for 10 to 15 percent of total political violence and less than 5 percent of fatalities. Additionally, many of the people who commit these violent crimes are not isolated individuals but members of organizations, including white supremacist groups, anti-abortion extremist groups, and other groups connected by mutual hate and cries for violence.
On June 14 of this year, Minnesota democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were shot and killed in their home in Minnesota. Hortman was the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives as well as an active member in her community. Vance Boelter, the gunman, also attacked state senator John Hoffman and his wife; both sustained injuries but survived. Evidence from a manifesto found in his car suggesting that he was also targeting abortion activists and other democratic politicians shows that Boelter was politically motivated. Yet, when the news broke, their deaths received minimal coverage in the national media.
On Jan. 6, 2022, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. They committed an act of domestic terrorism, injured approximately 140 officers, and forever scarred the peaceful transfer of power. Trump called it a “day of love,” according to NPR, highlighting how political violence is encouraged and praised even by leaders whose job is to protect the American people.
Political violence deepens the divide between the left and the right — when a major political figure is attacked, their supporters quickly respond by blaming the entirety of the other party. Their anger leaves no room for nuance and ignores the fact that political violence is most often the act of an extremist who does not represent the views of most people. It categorizes Americans into two exclusive groups, conservatives and liberals, speaking nothing of the extremists on either side, those who lie somewhere
in the middle, those with strong but not violent beliefs, and those who have different views entirely.
This act of dehumanizing those with differing beliefs is what allows the violence to continue. As hate and anger build, it encourages more violence to ensue. Both politicians and the general public become so focused on blaming the “other” side that they ignore the real issues of the American people. As a result, violence has become an acceptable way to achieve political goals. Both the prevalence and normalization of violence toward government officials pose serious risks to democracy and society.
The only way to end this chain of tragedies is by making the active decision to have empathy for those affected and continue to humanize those one may disagree with. When individuals recognize political opponents as fellow human beings, they promote conversation rather than violence and abide by the basic building blocks of democracy.
STORY LEIGHTON KWOK
ILLUSTRATION LANAH KIM
With the assassination of political influencer Charlie Kirk, some have been conflicted about whether to mourn him and his legacy or to celebrate the demise of a man they vehemently disagreed with. With this confusion in mind, Kirk has been the hot topic of discussion for families, friends, and talk show hosts alike.
The immediate boom of coverage and disagreements on Kirk’s passing raised debate and questions about whether the public has lost its sense of empathy. Kirk himself said, “I can’t stand the word empathy … I think it’s made up, a new age term that does a lot of damage.” And yet, his death sparked widespread public mourning.
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand or share the feelings of others. But it is not only about sharing feelings; it is also about sharing a connection. It is about being able to put oneself in a friend’s shoes and let them know someone is there for them. It can be as small as congratulating a family member on a life milestone, or checking in on that friend taking four AP classes. It is not
just saying sorry or pitying their situation, but showing compassion by seeing situations from their perspective, sharing their joy and love as well as their sorrow and confusion.
When tensions run high between two sides that have very different opinions, people may forget to empathize. Their empathy becomes selective. Selective empathy is the idea that compassion is only used when the subject is something or someone the individual favors. In the case of Kirk, some celebrated his death because of the beliefs he held publicly. Since they did not agree with him, they believed that he no longer deserved his voice.
Selective empathy is something that creeps in unexpectedly or even unconsciously, creating an implicit bias. It creates a deep divide in social groups and dehumanizes people. Today, with the widespread use of social media like TikTok and Instagram, selective empathy happens more often than not, leaving people to define the humanity of others by just their ideas.
In the era of the digital footprint, the image of a person that is put online is often heavily criticized, allowing people to
judge within seconds, without even meeting the person on the other side of the screen. Too caught up in the idea of social media, people can forget that social media pages are run by actual people who have given in to selective empathy.
Something posted years ago may not reflect a person now. Sometimes, a current post may depict a fake reality designed to hide what one is really feeling inside. The constant need for clicks lures many into the trap of selectively choosing when to give grace.
Things that are seen as more relatable and noteworthy, both on and off social media, get more attention, while other equally serious events get tossed to the side. This was shown when, on the same day of Kirk’s death, a school shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado occurred, critically injuring two students. With reaction videos of Kirk’s assassination flooding social platforms, posts on the influencer’s death greatly outweighed those on the equally important and all too common devastation caused by school shootings like the Colorado event.
The following day, after the initial shock, this was proven again with the recognition of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many, still focused on the current news, dismissed articles about the sorrow of 9/11 victims, a day when thousands of lives were lost. Selective empathy leads people to value only the news that they care about, rather than consider and respect all views.
When modern life is so fast that it is difficult to pay attention to what is going on in the lives of others, remembering to approach issues with empathy becomes harder. Only seeing what is pushed out on phones creates a divide that must be healed. Respecting the life of a person, before their personal beliefs, opens the world to a new understanding of empathy by its real definition, the “getting in the mud with someone to acknowledge their feelings” type of empathy. It does not mean agreeing; it means trying to understand.
Charlie Kirk’s death showed that some need to take a step back and recognize the loss of a human being, not the actions that he put into the world. Selective empathy is a slippery slope that disconnects simple communication with each other and tears our communities apart. Even if one does not agree with someone or what they stand for, showing respect for human life is a sliver of humanity that people all need to embody.
7.)Football players run through a Pep banner during the game
8.) Junior Rafa Estolano-Sridharan, senior Kaitlyn Lowstuter, senior Sam Bading-Moore, senior Lily Schaffer, junior Rose Estolano-Sridharan, senior Alison Schrader, and junior Nora Monroe dressed as characters from the book Holes
9.) Teachers dance to Soda Pop
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From instant memes to fake news power plays, social media holds a double-edged power.
STORY LEIGHTON KWOK
ILLUSTRATION KRISTEL HOUNG
Social media has taken the world by storm with its constant clicks and immediate attention grabs, transforming communication into a new era of fast news. Accordingly, platforms like X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have become door openers for political spaces to influence the younger generations.
These networks have encouraged spaces for debates on ideas and identity in a new way, fostering more participation and louder voices but also unpredictability and polarization. These networks have encouraged spaces for debates on ideas and identity in a new way, fostering more participation and louder voices but also unpredictability and polarization.
No longer solely reliant on news broadcasts, political candidates and movements are able to talk to their audiences at any time they wish. With more people focused on the idea of meme culture and having a good laugh, candidates have been taking advantage of “Gen Z” media strategies to appeal to the new voters.
This tactic can be seen in Kamala Harris’s 107-day presidential campaign, when her team used her iconic laugh and infamous line, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” to create compelling videos that gained major traction for her campaign. This promotes direct engagement and helps viewers get to know the political leaders from a new lens, not just their beliefs and ideas.
Bypassing press conferences, social media helps candidates connect with their voters on a “deeper” level. While this may sound all positive, these one-minute videos can be seen as watered-down content purely made to garner attention on social media.
They can take away from the professionalism required of a public political figure, and they do not always represent what candidates stand for. At the end of the
day, these tactics are a form of advertisement and are not always authentic. Through Gen Z attention, the role of influencers helps shape political views as well as reinforce old ones. Political debate influencers like Dean Withers and Charlie Kirk largely run the charged sides, gaining supporters by debating each other on their own live platforms or YouTube shows like Jubilee.
This brings conversations to a more accessible place where many are already involved. With the opinions of influencers, campaigns gain more traction by allowing viewers to see someone they relate to supporting a particular candidate, as most politicians struggle to relate to younger audiences.
Social media’s control over engagement is present not only in campaigns, but also in the world of digital activism. With the use of hashtags like “#BLM” and “#FreePalestine,” movements and connections are able to create international traction in response to pressing issues around the world.
Creating a form of protest while also educating others about the devastation in other places has led to widespread physical protests like those on No Kings Day. It gives people a way to learn, organize, and shine a spotlight on issues that may not be normally addressed.
While social media may have its ups, like educating youth about important policies in the United States and more, it is a double-edged sword. Different algorithms may push a one-sided view that can overpower true news on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This can create fake news and, in effect, a skewed or inaccurate perspective on certain political issues.
Social media in the political landscape has its pros and cons. However, it cannot be denied that it has emerged as an incredibly powerful tool for the future, as its influence is undeniable. With changing traditional media, followers are able to see a new perspective on different candidates’ messages.
Mr. Valcorza always wears velvet loafers with white skulls on them for the first test of the year. Three years with him, and I’m only just hearing of this. He has a Dior tote bag and Valentino shoes on every other day of the school year. But arguably the most iconic part of his ultra-expensive fits is his Gucci belt collection.
I remember my first year in Honors World History. I remember being dumbfounded (and appalled) at his ability to fit entire essays on a singular slide that he expected us to copy in 30 seconds. Of course I had to get placed in his one and only World History period.
In my first unit test in that class, I did not pay attention to his velvet skull loafers. I was too busy classifying China as a country from Southeast Asia. As you can see, I wasn’t the best at geography. Those essays were apparently such a bloodbath that he gave practically everyone a B to prevent them from immediately dropping his class.
During my last unit test of APUSH, I got my first 100 percent on an essay. It was a miracle — not one that could bring my grade up to an A, of course — but at least it gave me hope for the AP test. That is, until my essay was read out loud to the class, and I came to the realization that I had written that Jamestown was founded in 1608 (it was founded in 1607), and I had confused King James with King George. The founding fathers are probably looking down at me in disgrace. I reflect on these moments in mortification.
For three years, Mr. Valcorza has had a front row seat in watching me survive some of the most traumatic history classes that I’ve only ever pictured in my deepest darkest nightmares. He’s also had the “privilege,” as he likes to phrase it, to watch me grow as a student and as a person. Three years of trauma in that classroom, at the very minimum, have better given him enough content for what I’m hoping is going to be a fire letter of recommendation.
Amidst Gucci belts and Valentino slippers, ValGucci’s classes have had a profound impact on my perception of high school education. I don’t mean that lightly. I’ve never struggled so much in a class, and I’ve never felt like a class has been as rewarding as APUSH has. Constitutional Convention debates aside (the Antifederalists definitely won that), AP Gov is just as much of a reward. More so than APUSH, I’d say, because it’s easier. I guess that rewarding feeling stems from knowing that my education is solid.
I can now look back on my junior year, both in disgust and in admiration. The Emiko of last year that walked through Val-Gucci’s door every day to sit through his 104-slide lessons learned to not fear the essays written on each slide. I perceive the knowledge I’ve gained through high school, while sometimes arbitrary (I am not going to need to know how to solve quadratic equations as a photographer), as more of an experience. By challenging myself, I became better adept at dealing with challenges. My view of my high school coursework has shifted to a more holistic approach, as colleges like to put it. I can accept a B in a class that I tried so hard to get an A in, knowing that I gave it my all. A few mental breakdowns later, I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I can appreciate the difficulty of a class, regardless of the stress it induces, solely because I know that I’m challenging myself to cope with that stress.
The only thing I can ask for now from Mr. Val-Gucci is the most fire letter of rec ever.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the musical has made a huge impact in remembering American history.
STORY HARRIET GODSON & ELLIE SONG ILLUSTRATION DIANA LOPEZ
Hamilton, the hit musical, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary since its debut on Broadway. Hamilton is well known for its catchy songs, diverse cast, accuracy in portraying Hamilton’s life, and fusion of hip-hop, jazz, blues, and traditional show tunes. Since 2015, the musical has amassed a cult-like following.
Inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography about Alexander Hamilton, a founding father who helped to create the nation’s first bank and draft the Constitution, LinManuel Miranda decided to create a musical based on Hamilton’s life. The musical went on to win 18–20 awards, including 11 Tonys, a Grammy, and many more. The musical spotlights Hamilton’s life, from his arrival in America as a teenager to his role as Washington’s right-hand man, alongside more personal moments, such as his marriage and the death of his son.
Hamilton made great contributions to the founding of America’s government but was seldom recognized by most for his work until the musical’s release. Surprisingly, a musical written over 200 years after his death was the catalyst for the recognition of millions across the country.
The musical was first hinted at to the public in 2009, when Miranda received an invitation to perform for then-President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Miranda and his music director, Alex Lacamoire, attended the event and performed an early version of the opening song, Alexander Hamilton
Miranda and many others worked for years to write, produce and rehearse the musical. It first began ffBroadway for a few months, starting on its debut, Feb. 17,
2015, and then officially opened on Broadway on Aug. 6, 2015. The musical went on to spread around the world. Hamilton is unlike any musical ever made.
Not only was it considered one of the hottest tickets in 2015, but it maintained relevance in theaters for years after. It continues to sell out to this day, wherever it may go, from The Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York to the Hollywood Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.
The hip-hop style of music keeps fans intrigued and gives them a deeper understanding of how America came to be, as well as Hamilton’s contributions toward the creation of the country. Children and adults alike
marvel at the creativity of the songwriting, sets, and overall performance. The casting was also widely praised by its audience. The diversity makes the musical more relevant to the present day.
Miranda starred as Alexander Hamilton alongside Leslie Odom Jr., who played Aaron Burr, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, and Jonathon Groff, who provided comedic relief as King George III. The effects of Hamilton can be seen on a smaller scale, even in high school history classes.
The catchy lyrics sung throughout Hamilton, while culturally impactful, can also help students at SPHS ace their U.S. history exams. The lyrics include key details about real historical events, such as the Battle of Yorktown and who was responsible for writing the Constitution.
Hamilton is one of the few musicals that has remained popular throughout its 10 years of existence. Miranda’s creative mind has brought all of the world to his attention, as he brings light to the history of Hamilton’s life.
Miranda has given the world a glimpse into not only Hamilton’s legacy, but also many other overlooked characters who have been lost to history.
Hamilton’s wife, Eliza Hamilton, founded the first orphanage in the country, and men who fought alongside Hamilton in the Revolutionary War, such as John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan, receive praise for their contributions to history.
Hamilton has made a monumental impact on the country by connecting millions through catchy songs and the storytelling of one of the most pivotal moments in the American history.
When human rights are labeled as too radical
DIANA LOPEZ
On the first day of 1994, a group of leftist militants emerged from the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico’s southern-most state, and engaged in open rebellion against the Mexican government. They called themselves the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN); they aimed to end discrimination against Indigenous Mexicans, a serious issue that has persisted since the Spanish colonization of Latin America in the 16th century, and yet an issue that they were deemed radical for wanting to address.
In the early 16th century, Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico, stealing it from its Indigenous occupants and committing what is widely considered a genocide. Over five centuries later, Mexico’s Indigenous people are still dealing with adversity.
They disproportionately face poverty and lack of education; the majority of Indigenous villages lack running water or electricity. When schooling is available, it ignores the Indigenous languages that are so important in Indigenous communities. Indigenous Mexicans also encounter discrimination from their employers and the police. The greatest struggle of Mexico’s Indigenous people is maintaining their culture under the weight of extreme poverty and discrimination.
These are the issues that the EZLN aimed to solve when they rebelled on Jan. 1, 1994. It was the same day that the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a scheme the Zapatistas believed would worsen economic inequality,
went into effect. After many days of fighting between the Zapatistas and the Mexican army, the rebels retreated to the jungle and began peace talks with the government, which eventually resulted in the San Andrés Accords.
The accords outlined a program of agricultural reform, Indigenous autonomy, and cultural rights. These were all things that were desperately needed, but they were also all things considered far too radical by the Mexican government. What the Mexican government did not find radical was the deployment of death squads — paramilitary groups that operated at the government’s discretion, but could not be connected back to it.
In December of 1997, a death squad entered the town of Acteal and murdered 45 Indigenous Catholics who were in the middle of prayer. The massacre caused outrage and prompted the Zapatistas to declare that they would unilaterally implement the San Andrés Accords in their original form.
In the following years, the Zapatistas moved away from violence and towards peaceful political action. They organized massive protests across the country and set up administrative structures to help the Indigenous people of Chiapas. Currently, they run health clinics, land management services, and an independent education system that includes Indigenous languages. Despite their massive success, the Zapatistas have been branded as radical. They are thought to be too extreme; the fact that the Mexican government now cooperates with them is extremely controversial. It has created frustration in both Mexico and America that groups that create change are
often labeled as too extreme by the governments that do not wish to implement such change. Many believe that state actors use this as an excuse for why they maintain the status quo.
This is a pattern that can be seen throughout history. In October of 1968, college students Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, later shortened to just the Black Panther Party. The group aimed to reduce police violence, but grew into a movement for the liberation of Black people in America.
As the movement spread across the country, local chapters set up free breakfast programs, sickle cell anemia clinics, and literacy programs on top of protecting their communities from police and state violence. During their peak, they were branded by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover as the “greatest threat to the internal security of the country.” They were flooded with informants and met with police violence everywhere they went.
In December of 1969, the Chicago Police, alongside the FBI, executed an infamous raid on the leader of the Chicago Black Panther Party, Fred Hampton, killing him while he slept next to his pregnant wife.
The world is plagued with issues that go unsolved despite the ability to do so. Often, when this happens, civilians create their own structures in an attempt to fix these problems, but just as often, they are shot down. However, when the state fails to act, it becomes inevitable that the public will step in to solve the issues that affect them.
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Feminism should not be about hating men. While this is an accurate conclusion, as feminism is about the empowerment of women, Equal Fights treats Femme Fatale’s misandry as the default point of feminist thinking, while the actual problems of misogyny are erased.
While it may be packaged in The Powerpuff Girls’ classic slapstick humor and bright colors, the episode still pushes the idea that feminism is inherently anti-male.
The Powerpuff Girls’ brief foray into “feminism” is shown as nothing but a series of mistakes, denying the existence of very real gender inequities. In this world, feminism becomes unnecessary because misogyny is reduced to a joke.
This idea mirrors a broader cultural narrative that paints feminist critique as hysterical or extremist while ignoring the ongoing realities of misogyny.
Misogyny operates as a systemic, institutionalized force: it shapes laws, workplaces, media, and social norms. Misandry exists without comparable structural backing.
While they are often likened as parallel forms of oppression, this is not true: the fundamental structural power differences do not allow for an equivalence.
However, in many forms of media, misandry is portrayed as misogyny’s equal — that women’s “overreactions” are just as harmful, if not more so, than men’s entrenched dominance.
This distortion was particularly prevalent in the early 2000s, where anxieties around “reverse sexism” sprouted from the rise of pseudo-secondwave feminism.
Equal Fights reflects those anxieties: eager to combat the rising idea of misandry, the show overcorrects by reducing misogyny to a misunderstanding, while feminism is framed as unnecessary and dangerous.
This rhetorical tactic is called straw feminism — the practice of misrepresenting feminist arguments as anti-male or irrational in order to dismiss them.
Popular media has long leaned on straw feminism to avoid engaging with actual feminist critiques.
characters as shrill or humorless so that audiences can mock them rather than validate their ideas.
Femme Fatale is a textbook example: her exaggerated misandry allows The Powerpuff Girls to define feminism as absurd, making the Powerpuff girls’ rejection of her ideology feel like a moral victory. However, this erases the structural inequalities that feminism is meant to challenge.
Misandry operates on two very different levels: as a lived attitude and as a rhetorical accusation. Misandry can exist as a genuine hostility towards men; Femme Fatale’s character illustrates this extreme manifestation.
However, more often than not, an accusation of misandry functions less as a reality and more as a silencing tactic.
When women identify structural inequities like wage gaps or gendered violence, their critiques are reframed as evidence of hating men. This shifts attention away from the actual problem of misogyny
delegitimizing feminist speech.
To its credit, Equal Fights does touch on a real dynamic: social justice language can be co-opted for destructive ends, a phenomenon visible today in the rise of exclusionary movements like transexclusionary radical “feminism.”
Misandry is a real issue that needs to be addressed: it is unhealthy and counterproductive towards gender equality efforts by replacing a systemic critique with personal animosity.
The Summer I Turned Pretty, originally a three-book series by Jenny Han, concluded with its final season in the summer of 2025. Throughout the summer, watch parties and anticipation had spread throughout the entire world, as fans anxiously awaited the conclusion of America’s most bingeworthy show.
The show is centered around Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung), who is attempting to get attention from her childhood crush, Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney).
For the final season of the show, Belly and her family, which includes her older brother, Steven (Sean Kaufman), and her mother, Laurel Park (Jackie Chung), return to the Fishers’ summer house.
The two families have made so many memories at the summer house, such as Belly’s birthday and the Fourth of July, but this year, Belly is determined to make it different. The two brothers, Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), and Conrad, are stunned by Belly’s change.
During the summer of 2022, Belly returns to Cousins Beach after drastically changing in appearance, hence the show’s title. With both brothers starting to make moves on Belly, fans had began to pick sides. The two seasons feature heartbreaking moments, like grief,
and relationship problems, as well as joyous occasions, laughter, and fun. Even though the first season ends with Belly dating Conrad, the second season shows flashbacks of their relationship and eventual breakup. After another summer of stiff feelings and high tensions, Belly reconnects with Jeremiah; Conrad promises to support her decision.
Trapped in this love triangle for nearly six years, Belly makes the hasty decision to marry Jeremiah in the third and final season, causing many of her friends and family to distance themselves.
Her mom even refuses to be a part of the wedding and cuts off major communication with her. Even after finding out Jeremiah had cheated on her, his charm and excellent persuasion pull through.
However, a majority of fans did not support this decision, as she forgave him all too quickly. The entirety of season three is Belly attempting to find her way and purpose in life, with and without the Fisher brothers.
Between Belly’s strained relationship with her mother and keeping distance from Conrad, season three is filled with stressful moments, like uncalled-for declarations of love and wedding preparations that leave fans at the edge of their seat, guessing what is going to happen next. In producing the show, Han chose to stray from the ending of the series and change it. The show concludes with everyone close to content. Steven and Taylor Jewel — Belly’s childhood friend played by Rain Spencer — are back together, as well as Jeremiah and Denise Russo — Steven and Jeremiah’s coworker played by Isabella Briggs. Conrad and Belly are also back in the summer beach house together after their trip to Paris.
The last episode ends with Belly in a yellow sundress and Conrad by her side. In the original book ending, Belly goes to Spain to study abroad, and after several years pass, Conrad begins to send her letters.
Similar to the show, she responds after a few, and after another time jump, they get married, ending the book with them jumping into the ocean after returning to the summer beach house. In an interview, Han talks about
how going into the show she had an open mind and was willing to make some changes. In the end, Belly still chooses Conrad over Jeremiah, mostly keeping to the overall plot of the books.
SPHS students were asked to choose a side in the love triangle through a survey sent out to students. When watching season one for the first time, more than 50 percent of students were on Jeremiah’s side. However as the seasons progressed, a shift could be seen.
Team Conrad began taking over in season two with a 53.3 percent majority, and by the end of season three he gained 88.9 percent of surveyed students on his side. Of the students who read the series, 66.7 percent preferred the book ending over the adapted ending in the shows.
However, the beloved franchise is not over yet. Han announced the production of The Summer I Turned Pretty movie during the season three finale celebration on the red carpet in Paris.
It is a very successful show, and has overall kept fans on their toes throughout the entire three seasons, which is very difficult to do. Fans all over the world have made this show into a phenomenon, where it is popular for its intriguing cliffhangers and its famous love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah.
Tiger embarked on a whimsical journey into the wonderful world of drag.
Nestled along the historic Route 66 resides Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood, titled the Longest-Running Drag-Themed Restaurant in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. The Hamburger Mary’s chain was originally founded in San Francisco in 1972, and today each location is individually owned and operated. They are famously known for their weekend drag brunches and glamorous nightly drag shows. Ruby, Rafa, Mac, Lucinda, Leighton, Diana, and I decided to partake in the latter.
We began our mystical journey at the South Pasadena Metro Station in the early evening. There, and throughout the night to come, we encountered many fascinating characters.
We watched as four aesthetically curated teenage boys dangerously rode their skateboards down to the edge of the platforms, one almost taking a tumble. Our train soon arrived after that, and we quickly scurried off the train platform and secured our seats on the Metro car.
The “do not engage with solicitors ” reminder played softly in the air as Lucinda went around to each of us, aside from Mac, giving makeovers with sparkly gemstones and glittery eyeshadow in preparation for the show to come.
Once we finally reached Union Station, we followed three young boys with very large, obnoxious electric bicycles to our next destination, the B line subway. We then swiftly perched ourselves down into the plastic-like seats, captivated by the relaxing aura of the man ahead of us, casually eating hot wings from a ziplock bag.
After a bit of hooting and hollering from our fellow passengers, we arrived at the Hollywood and Highland station. Emerging from the escalator, we found ourselves face-to-face with a mysterious
individual in a tarp-like cape. All of us were fully convinced we had found Robert Pattinson in his Batman attire out freely in the wild. Unfortunately, it was just a man. Peering over his shoulder, it was revealed that we had been led to the infamous Hollywood Boulevard, a long strip filled with endless stands of Labubus and Dubai chocolate.
A parade of souvenir shops accompanied the stands, and naturally, we wandered into one, curious to see what treasures it might hold. Ruby was immediately enchanted by the plastic spray-painted gold personalized Oscar figurines, so much so that with one swift motion, all of the “best family” awards toppled down to the floor.
After a quick recovery, we investigated the long array of sunglasses. We quickly began posing and taking photos with our fun accessories until we were met with an ominous older gentleman silently pointing towards a sign stating “no pictures with sunglasses allowed” in big, bolded gold lettering. We instantly scurried away, taking a sharp turn to our bus stop.
Initially, a spooky, creaky, lame excuse of an automobile stopped at the bus stop. Though Mac tried to coerce us to board this questionable vehicle, we voted against it, and remained at peace until the correct bus arrived.
When we arrived at the feverishly decorated entrance of Hamburger Mary’s, we were met with a large rainbow archway beside a life-size drag queen statue. After approaching the front desk, we were immediately met with our own special type of paper wrist band indicating we were minors before being guided to our table.
While most of our group began to inspect the never-ending menu, Mac and Lucinda were much more mesmerized by the early 2000s music videos playing on the dozens of TVs that filled the walls of the establishment.
Our group ordered an appetizer plate for the table, complete with fries, chicken tenders, onion rings,
and even some slightly questionable fried pickles. Diana, Rafa, Leighton and I also ordered extremely caffeinated drinks from the Coffee Bean that operated inside the establishment. Though they tasted strong — the sugar could only mask so much — the beverages woke us up from the haze of our journey, and energized us for the upcoming show.
The restaurant was decked out in mirrorballs, blinding purple and pink lights, and many framed photos of the most extravagant drag shows from years past.
Our show had four absolutely marvelous drag queens: our host for the evening, Borgia Bloom Facade, as well as Paloma McMicheals, Missy Vee, and Naysha Lopez, who was a constant on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Their energy and crowd work were otherworldly; every moment had us deeply invested and thoroughly entertained. The show proceeded in a carousel-like manner with each drag queen coming out from a luxurious purple sequin curtain one at a time to do a lip-syncing and dancing performance.
During the start of the show, our table of travelers received a round of applause for being the only table in the restaurant that was sober. Dollar bills quickly began to fly about in the air as each of us very enthusiastically gave every queen a hefty donation. Even a very well-dressed giant Labubu decked out in a Louis Vuitton cross-body bag and Air Forces was tipping excessively.
The energy of the patrons was phenomenal; everyone was completely absorbed into the show, making the experience far more intoxicating. Hamburger Mary’s provided all of us with a break from reality, letting us venture off into a world that was much simpler and lighthearted.
By far, this was the most glamorous experience we travelers have faced; this authenticity was so uniquely their own. Rafa said it best, “I’m having a religious experience.”
Having played for eight years alongside her older siblings, Garner is a seasoned player with statewide and national trophies and recognition.
STORY JULIA GILDERSLEEVE & ELLIE SONG
PHOTO MAC SHROPSHIRE
Junior Ella Garner, libero of the SPHS girls’ varsity volleyball team, has played volleyball for half of her life. At SPHS, Garner has played on varsity since her freshman year and currently serves as a team captain. One of her largest high school volleyball achievements was winning the Division IV State Championships last school year.
Garner grew up playing soccer with her two older sisters, Jenna and Abby Garner. When her oldest sister transitioned to volleyball from soccer, Garner found a love for the sport as well; she related diving for a volleyball to going for a soccer ball. At the age of nine, Garner decided to commit to volleyball entirely and never looked back.
Garner is 5’2 and was originally forced into the libero position because of her short stature; the average college women’s volleyball player is 5’11 to 6’1. However, she developed a love for her position. Liberos are often touted as the “leaders of defense” and wear a contrasting jersey color from the rest of the team.
Liberos additionally specialize in defending against hits from the opposing team. They are an entirely back-row player and are considered to be the most reliable player on court, keeping every ball in play.
Garner also plays with the City Volleyball Club, which is divided into various age groups. When Garner was in the 15s group, her club volleyball team won third in the Open Division, the highest division in club volleyball, at nationals. Garner’s club team also placed second in all of Southern California last year.
“I love cheering for my teammates and pushing them around when they make big plays,” Garner said. “Energy is a huge part of the sport, and when we are losing, the team [loses the energy].”
Garner continues to draw much volleyball inspiration from her older siblings today. Her middle sister, J. Garner, was recruited to play Division I volleyball at the University of Pennsylvania and motivates E. Garner to continue improving and striving for her goals.
E. Garner and J. Garner played on SPHS’s team together for one year, when E. Garner was a freshman and J. Garner was a senior. That year, the team qualified for CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs.
E. Garner’s oldest sister, A. Garner, is also a cornerstone of E. Garner’s knowledge of volleyball. A. Garner, after graduating from SPHS, gained experience as a City Volleyball coach.
“Not only is [Abby] someone I talk to for everything, she also went through a very similar process throughout her club and high school experiences, so she can help me,” Garner said.
Both of Garner’s parents have also been vital to her volleyball career. Since childhood, her parents have always shown up for her volleyball games, whose locations have ranged from Washington to Indiana. To this day, they continue to foster her growth and help her work on herself. Garner’s father, Rob Garner, has also coached at the City Volleyball Club alongside A. Garner.
“Whenever I feel like I’m not doing well … I ask my dad and he will immediately work with me on whatever I need,” Garner said. “They both show endless support throughout high school volleyball and especially in club volleyball.”
With the SPHS season coming to a close, Garner explained how she has made many fond memories that she will cherish for years to come. From bonding over singing to energetic and intense matches, the high competitiveness helped shape the team she has been a part of for three exciting years and prepare her for the future.
“Her energy and the way she commands the court with a very calm demeanor is so inspiring to watch. It’s very easy for her teammates to rely on her, and she leads the team with such a positive light,” SPHS volleyball coach Emily Smith said.
During games and practices, Garner is often giving her teammates high fives and encouraging smiles. Even if the Tigers are not on their A-game, Garner will bring up their spirits and give them the motivation to push through.
“Ella feels like a big sister to me. She’s very cheerful, and she does a really great job of bringing us together as a team and staying motivated,” freshman outside hitter Caitlin Watson said.
Garner is working extra hard during junior year to get scouted for colleges on the other side of the country, such as in Michigan or North Carolina. She currently practices with the SPHS team four days a week and spends another three to four days with her club team. Her club also participates in velocity based training, which is weight training and speed stability that helps to keep the players healthy. Garner hopes to win a national championship with her club team this year.
“Honestly, just do what you love and play for yourself,” Garner said.
STORY ANNA MCDONNELL
PHOTO HELENA EASTERBY
In October 2005, Dean Karnazes ran 350 miles over the course of 80 hours and 44 minutes without taking any major breaks. From July 16–17, 2021, Christoph Strasser cycled 637.66 miles in 24 hours. On Sept. 6, 2025, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who goes by the nickname Thor, deadlifted 1,124 pounds. This is an inspiring showcase of people who pushed their bodies to the absolute maximum and proved just how far and hard people can go.
One of the reasons for large spikes in athlete improvement is that sports technology and knowledge are constantly evolving and expanding, with examples including the shoes athletes wear while racing, the diets they follow, and the conditions in which they train.
Every year, brands release new and improved products for athletes to purchase, and nutritionists provide updated data on diets and training. As more research is conducted, performance has significantly improved overall. In the 2010s, athletes began heat training, which is training in extreme heat or even spending 20 minutes in a sauna every other day. This would improve performance for hot races or games while avoiding fatigue by about 7 percent. One unique story about overcoming mental boundaries is from a woman named Diane Van Deren. In 1997, Van Deren lost the part of her brain that determines how much time has passed. She took up running to cope with the seizures and diagnosis of epilepsy that came along with the surgery, and soon after, she became an elite ultramarathoner.
“I think having a brain injury puts me at a disadvantage. But I think for me, the one advantage would be time. I can
really get lost in time,” Van Deren said in an interview with “In the Running.”
Pushing herself to the max was easier for Van Deren than it is for other people despite her disability. This is because she can push herself without worrying about how long she’s been going or how much longer she can go. Although this could pose a threat of going too hard or too far without realizing it, she utilized her situation and emphasized that people set the limits of their ability. When she started to have seizures and other more serious health problems, she didn’t see it as a setback, but rather as an opportunity to improve and make the best of what she could do.
“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall,” professional heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali said.
Many factors contribute to what one considers their threshold in a sport. These factors include weather, terrain, oxygen levels, distance, speed, age, and more.
“I think most limits are self-imposed … It’s our minds telling us we could never do ... It’s our minds deciding what is possible or impossible,” Karnazes said. “Guess what … when you go out and do something you thought was impossible, it expands your perspective on everything.”
This is shown in the Guinness Book of World Records, which is released each year as a collection of either new records being set or existing records being broken, including athletics. The book demonstrates how far people will push themselves and serves as a time capsule of how much the human body has improved. For example, the first running record ever listed in the Guinness Book of World Records was a sub-five-minute mile. Today, the current record is three minutes and 43.13 seconds. Not only has it become drastically faster, but it has also become more precise because people have started training harder and more intensely.As far as anyone can tell, these limits are unbounded and will continue to be pushed as long as people continue to hone their skills. Evidently, technology and training have become far more advanced, so there will always be a faster shoe or plan that can get someone to carry themselves over the threshold. Records will continue to be broken, and times will only get faster from here.
Former Dodgers baseball manager Tommy Lasorda once said, “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”
Boxing began as a humble sport in ancient Rome. Since then, it has grown into the worldwide phenomenon beloved to many today.
STORY EVELYN DIAZ
ILLUSTRATION KRISTEL HOUNG
Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world, combining endurance, strength, and speed in a test of both physical ability and mental toughness. Its historystretchesbacknearly5,000years,withevidenceof the sport appearing in ancient civilizations before it was introduced in the Greek Olympics during the third millennium BCE. In the 17th century, bare-knuckle fighting began to emerge in England, and by the late 19th century,modernboxingwithgloves,weightclasses,and timed rounds was popularized as the version recognizable today.
SPHS once had a competitive wrestling team that practiced skills similar to boxing The team was part of the Rio Hondo League, producing several league champions and CIF qualifiers over the years. However, the program was eventually discontinued due to declining participation and lack of resources. While wrestling is no longer offered at SPHS, it remains a memorable part of the school’s athletic history, remembered for its hardworking athletes and the program’sdedicationtothe sport
While the sport has captivated audiences for centuries, ithas always carried risks. Boxers must remain on high alert to avoid punches that could cause severe injury. Since 1890, more than 1,600 fighters have died in the ring due to blows, with many perishing from repeated hitstothehead. This has led to growing concerns about safety,andwhilenew rulesandmedicalsupervisionhavehelped,thedangersremain partofthesport’sreality
Despite this, boxing has not faded; it has reemerged. In the past decade, major fighters such as Tyson Fury, Canelo Álvarez, and Gervonta Davis have drawn millions of viewers, filling arenas and generating global interest. Crossover events involving Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and celebrities have also attracted new audiences, keeping boxing in the spotlight and showing its ability to adapt to modern entertainment trends.
Beyond the professional stage, boxing has found new life in everyday gyms. Many people now train not to
fight competitively, but to improve fitness, strength, and confidence. Boxing workouts, which blend cardio, strength training, and discipline, have become increasingly popular, giving the sport a wider role in health and lifestyle culture.
Boxing’s reemergence shows its lasting appeal. From its origins in the ancient world to its resurgence in the 21st century, the sport continues to evolve while holding on to its core identity: a demanding but thrilling contest of skill, strategy, and heart.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14TH @ 3:30 PM, GIRLS’ TENNIS VS. MONROVIA AT HOME
TUESDAY, OCT. 14TH @ 4:00 PM, BOYS’ WATER POLO VS. BLAIR AT HOME
FRIDAY, OCT. 17TH @ 7:00 PM, FOOTBALL VS. SAN MARINO AT HOME
The face of the National Women’s Soccer League National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Alyssa Thompson, transferred from Angel City Football Club (ACFC) to Chelsea Football Club (CFC) yielding a phenomenal transfer fee of $165 million.
Not only is the fee itself exceptional for women’s soccer, but it is sounding the alarm about the rise in talented, homegrown players abandoning the NWSL to play in the more competitiveEuropeanleagues.
From an early age, Thompson was encouraged by her parents to pursue becoming the best version of herself on and off the field. Her father, an elementary school principal, recognized what a talented athlete Thompson was, saw her dream of becoming a professional soccer player, and did not let her give up on that aspiration. Thompson credits her dad with teaching her the work habits and mentalityrequiredtoreachhergoals.
“You have to be motivated, not from me but from yourself. I think that really helped me, and my sister to know what ittakes to be the best,” Thompson said in an interview withESPN
At the age of 17 Thompson made headlines when she debuted on the U.S. National Team during the 2023 FIFA World Cup. She later traded her full ride scholarship at StanfordUniversity for a spot on Angel City FCat 18 years old She was the first ever high schooler tobe drafted as the number one pick in the NWSL Thompson spent two and a half years playing as a winger for Angel City During this time she scoredfifteen goals, eleven assists, and inspired thousands with her ambitionandtalent.
“Alyssa Thompson is someone who really brings out the energy and life of the team,” Angel City fan and SPHS freshmansoccerplayerJaydaOuEstradasaid.
Her transfer to Chelsea came as a shock to Angel Cityfans, as she had renewed her contract with ACFC just eight months prior Additionally, she grew up in the Los Angeles area, which makes her a homegrown talent that connects the club with the community of Los Angeles, further deepeningtheloss
Thompson made it clear on Chelsea’s official website that she “[knew] in [her] heart” that she wanted to join
the club. Her departure may have been caused by a lack of challenge for Thompson while at Angel City. Although the club initially helped her gain confidence playing in a professional environment, she quickly outgrewACFC.
The transfer offered Thompson an opportunity to play at a higher level with some of the best players in the world, andfurtherchallengeherself.
Thompsons transfer brings up an alarming pattern within the NWSL: talented homegrown players are leaving to play in the Women’s Champions League (UWCL) and the Women’sSuperLeague(WSL).
Unlike the WSL and UWCL, the NWSL has caps on player salaries, making it hard to compete with European
leagues. The WSL and UWCL offer vast financial benefits for players, which attracts the best of the best. This in turn increases the level of play and attracts m ore f ans, t hus boosting revenue and continuing the cycle.
On Jan. 26, Naomi Girma, touted as one of the worlds best centerbacks, made the transfer to Chelsea from San Diego Wave. According to San Diego Wave’s official website, the change was incentivized by financial gain for both the player and the club along with a higher levelofplaying.
Stars like Thompson and Girma need a competitive league to play in. However, with cornerstones of the NWSL falling through its seams, the league will have to adapttokeepupwiththetimes.
EVELYN DIAZ
TheSouthPasadenaHighSchoolMarchingBandarrivestotheTigerTailgateatthepool’sparkinglotonDiamondAvenue
STORY ANNA MCDONNELL
PHOTO SEBASTIAN GUTIERREZ
The third annual Tiger Tailgate took place on Friday, Sept. 19 from 5–7 p.m. This athletics booster community event was held as a pre-game festivity that invited people from the community to cheer on the SPHS football team against Franklin later in the evening.
The tailgate took place in the SPHS parking lot, and stands served an assortment of foods. While all tailgaters could get into the event for free to socialize and enjoy the gathering, food vouchers cost $10.
Tailgate attendees could enjoy upbeat music, a variety of food and drinks, cornhole, a photo-booth with props, tiger-themed decorations, and school merchandise stands offering South Pasadena apparel, along with other items that showed school pride.
Principal John Eldred planned and hosted the event alongside SPUSD’s new superintendent Angela Elizondo Baxter, members of the PTA, and members of the Athletics Boosters.
“It was a really fun way for the community to come together and show their Tiger pride,” Booster President Kristen Wingard said.
This year’s tailgate had a greater number of middle and elementary school families in attendance than last year. The event included the nonprofit service organization D.U.D.E.S., whose volunteers worked at the grill and gave away free cotton candy to all participants.
D.U.D.E.S., which stands for Dads Uniting Dads in Education and Service, is a non-profit service organization founded in 2012. They mainly help with charity events and school fundraising functions.
Food, which included tacos, grill-cooked hot dogs, burgers, and quesadillas, was served to tailgaters who had purchased a food voucher. There were also vegetarian options, and for those without a food voucher, there was
cotton candy and drinks such as horchata, watermelon punch,andDietCoca-Cola.
Towards the end of the tailgate, the SPHS marching band gave a live performance. They performed several songs to pump up the crowd, including the school’s anthemEyeoftheTigerbySurvivor.
To accompany the festive music, Color Guard performed; their performance was followed by a Color Guard solo to the song Golden from the popular movie K-pop Demon Hunters, performed by sophomore Joanne Turner. To cap off the event, Eldred recognized and thanked SPHS’s new superintendent, Baxter, and all the PTA parents and teachers who hadmadethetailgatepossible.He also gave recognition to the Boosters committee and wished all attendees a goodnightandastrongvictoryfortheTigers.
The night concluded with a football game between the Tigers and Franklin Panthers. During halftime, Color Guard performed based on the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury in recognition of the book facing countless threats of being banned (it is currently being challenged in curriculum in California, Florida, and Texas, though noformalactionshavebeentaken).
The show included bookshelf props and an interpretive dance that went along with the novel’s dystopian storyline. The game ended in a victory for South Pasadena with a final score of 42-35 and widespread celebration from the studentsection.
“There was a great sense of community and excitement for the football game, especially when the band played,” PTAboardmemberEricGammellsaid.
Next year, hostees hope to increase student involvement in the tailgate by offering a separate ticket for high schoolers.
Boosters and board members invite all to come back next timewithevenmorespiritthanbeforetosupporttheTigersand helpkickoffanothergreatschoolyearwiththeevent.
I love living in California — especially the LA area. I adoretravelingtothetoptouristspotsliketheSanta Monica Pier, the Hollywood sign, and the Rose Bowl stadium. That being said — as grateful as I am to live inLA,thisweatherisabsolutelykillingme.
LA weather is incredibly mercurial. It was just insanely hot (I’m talking upper 90s, which means the 500s building will probably be in the negatives), and now it’s constantly switching between sort-of-chilly but sort-of-hot again, and this is making me very upset. With this California weather, I can’t relax in sweatshirts and hoodies without having to worry aboutheatstroke.
I’m constantly seeing TikToks where people are making LA out to be extremely cute and aesthetic — which is nice and all, but LA isn’t all that. It’s just a small area. Maybe I feel like this because I’ve grown up in LA my entire life, but I struggle to find the same shine that Hollywood seems to constantly attribute to it. I feel like there are only some areas in LA that are pretty, but the rest of LA — at least to me — seems very casual. I understand the excitement stemming from “This is where this famous person lives,” but a lot of those houses and spots often are just not worth thehype.
One of the biggest things that bothers me in LA is the malls. I go to the famous ones like The Americana, The Grove, and Century City, where I spend all my hard-earned money, because the malls have such great events occurring and more stores where in other countries they don’t sell there. However, because of the LA prices, I always leave with significantly lessmoneythanIcame.
One thing I am always willing to spend an exorbitant amount on, however, is Erewhon’s matcha smoothie drink.Donotevengetmestarted. Toptier,absolutelythe best drink they have, hands down. So good that I’mwillingtopay$21.
However, at the end of the day, I like living in LA. I don’t really see myself leaving; not for college, and possibly not for the rest of my life. Yes, the weather kind of sucks, and theres really no hype around it, but still; I love this city. I think its one of thebestcitiesinthecountry.
I know I just spent the majority of this column talkingabout why I don’t like LA, but here’s why I do: I feel like LA is one big community. Especially during the fires and the ICE raids, the community really came together and it made me realize why I don’t want to leaveLA.
Personally, I’m a city girl. I love taking a walk around the city; it’s always incredibly therapeutic. I take a stroll whenever I want to clear my head, because the sunset and the breeze make me feel comfortable and safe. Furthermore, LA has a rich blend of cultural food that helps bring the community together — especially the Latino food. It helps Latinos feel comfortable by allowing them to reminisce on their hometown and make themfeelathome.
So I’ll put up with the weather, and the overhyped tourist spots, because at the end of the day, LA may be overhyped, but the community always comes together at the end, and that’s something you can neverreplace.