Aquila May 2020 (Vol. 9, Issue 2)

FROM THE EDiTORS March 13, 2020: The last day of school on campus.

We have always been told “Friday the 13th� is a day to be wary of, but we were never superstitious people.

Production for this issue of the newsmagazine started in late Februweek of April. But on March 13, the day art contributions were due, The future of the edition became uncertain as we went from comfortable expecting a third issue to wondering if a second one was even possible. As editors-in-chief, we considered variations of how the second semester would end. Should we publish an interactive digital edition? No edition at all but rather all articles published individually on our website? Should we continue with production and distribute

Our questions about the ending of second semester were answered the end of our school year.

Although April came and went in the blink of an eye, the month resulting in 46 pages of pure reporting and an unprecedented increase in the size of our publication building meant playing skribbl.io online, and content feedback turned into strings of text messages.

Unable to return to campus, the Aquila staff meet virtually using Zoom during a production night for issue two on May 4.

to home. Seniors were stripped of important milestones they deserved, like prom, a last rally, the last day of school, spontadid not expect to put into the edition when we planned it in February. To give seniors the recognition they deserve, reporter those who have lost their income and those who are stuck in unsafe home situations and all others whose lives have been disrupted.

We hope this edition of Aquila As you read about our UPA community throughout this issue, we hope you hear voices you have never heard before. We hope you understand those whose perspectives you have not seen before. By the end, we hope you know more than you know right now.

May 11, 2020: We persist.

DESIGN BY ARIELLE ROSE-FINN

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LEAViNG THE NEST The realization that this issue would be my last newsmagazine for Aquila when at the day of production.

subsequently my time with Aquila

time that we did spend with each other, the events that have already passed that we were blessed to have experienced and the memories from those moments that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. from sushi reporting about a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser in my sophomore year, the event was a pivotal experience from my time with Aquila three covers for the newsmagazine or oversee an-

After exploring the uncharted territory of newsmagazine production with bringing together a remarkable and talented group of individuals and making something for the community, one that captures a diverse set of stories anyone Aquila will always remain in my heart, as this was the publication

remember them fondly as symbols of perseverance, to have the magazines hang on my college dorm room wall.

Putting my entire high school experience into perspective, aside from cross country meets and school dances or my time in the theater department, Aquila will forever be at the top of the list as the

comfort zone from a shy and awkward sophomore to an adult that can overremember the talented writers, graphic designers and photographers that have during our convention travel, the late-night production nights, and each and every magazine that has left the printer. new issue of Aquila

First Year, 2017–2018

Second Year, 2018–2019

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Third Year, 2019–2020 2

ABOUT AQUILA Mission Statement

Aquila is a student-produced, student-edited high school newsmagazine.

It serves as a designated public forum for student expression. We aim to reflect the diversity of our community and build unity through true and accurate reporting in hopes that each of our readers will find an article they can connect with.

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On the Cover

Have a story to share?

Scan the QR Code to submit your suggestions or email us at aquila@ upatoday.com

The front cover illustration, created by Kristian Crowther, showcases male symbols sprinkled in with other male-associated items. See Crowther’s article “What Makes A Man?” on page 29 to learn more about the pressures and influence that masculinity can have on a person.

Staff Editors-in-Chief Kristian Crowther & Alexandra Rozmarin Managing Editor Janessa Ulug Creative Director Betty Nguyen Multimedia Manager Greg Haessner Asst. Multimedia Manager Katherine Nguyen Social Media Manager Luca Scarra Publicity Manager Jenna Plasschaert Web Editor Aaron Janse Photo Editor Chelsea Nguyen Editor Desiree Pekar Editor Dylan Ziegler

Editor Joe Shem Editor Vidya Achar Reporter Alyssa Garcia Reporter Devon Bargas Reporter Faith Montes de Oca Reporter Jenna Mi Reporter Kevin Benjume Reporter Mia Guevara Reporter Sheyla Escalante Page Designer Akhila Ayyadevara Adviser Laura Gordon Reska

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Page Designer Ayush Rai Page Designer Britney Stout Page Designer Emma Fulton Page Designer Evelyn Ramirez Page Designer Julia Wong Page Designer Melanie Rayas Page Designer Romita Pakrasi Page Designer Tiffany Tran Copy Editor Arielle Rose-Finn Copy Editor Akshara Kollu

IN THIS ISSUE My Own Worst Enemy, page 22

FEATURES

NEWS

5

A New Time to Clock In

7

A Greener Choice

8

From Portugal to America and Back

9

‘It Had a Sour, Weird Smell’

10 Crossing the Line 11 The Wustrow Way 13 Commuting in the City

OPiNiON

20 Rejecting Teenage Turnout 21 Thorn in Our Sides

Focusing on Photography

17

A Night to Remember

Crash Course in Mexican Candy, page 38

IN-DEPTH

22 My Own Worst Enemy 26 A Teen Talk

Taking the Red Pill,

15

SPECiAL

31 What Makes a Man? 33 Taking the Red Pill

page 33

35 Empty Heart

ARTS & CULTURE

FUN & GAMES

37 Apple Music vs. Spotify

39 Prime Time for Crime

38 Crash Course in Mexican Candy

40 Class of 2020

39 Prom: What We Would Have Worn

43 Gotta Catch Glenn 44 Which Teacher Are You? 45 Classroom Word Search

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A new time to clock in A change in UPA’s future bell schedule

ARTICLE, ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN BY ROMITA PAKRASI half more years to take a look at what we need to do.” eyes.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “State Senator Anthony Portantino introduced the bill following recommendations from the

if things look like they are really going to change, we will begin gathering input in terms of how the community will best be served in the way we implement that bill.”

There is an ongoing lawsuit concerning the bill in Los Angeles

schedules that make some people early birds and some night owls -

“Essentially what the lawsuit is about is parents are concerned Andrew Yau said. “They

will perform better by getting more sleep; students will go to bed at the same time they are currently going to bed, being able to wake David Porter, but it may not be routed in reality.

“This bill would require the school day for middle schools and high schools, including those operated as charter schools, to begin

The bill had originally pushed back start times of both middle ments in May that would allow middle -

explained that Newsom signed the bill to

For UPA, this means school would have but no concrete decisions have been made on how the schedule will change from this law.

“We are taking the changes as they tion Matt Daugherty 5 | NEWS

families.”

This is why UPA has not planned any changes to the bell schedule yet. “[Large school districts] have a lot of pull on whether or not state legislative changes to educational policy actually take place,” Porter said. “So right now, while we are planning to comply with ibility built around the bell schedule by the time we get to 2021.”

The bill is surrounded by controversy, and Porter thinks it will Los Angeles Times routes and cause higher district costs.

Furthermore, teacher unions and school districts want school start times to be determined at the local level.

“[SB 328] goes after a single issue of making sure students have enough rest, and I’m totally in for that. But I also think you can’t legislate family priorities and student priorities.”

—David Porter

CURRENT BELL SCHEDULE The bell schedule has changed several times since the start of UPA, but the one aspect that has never changed is the start time.

week, so it started over again on Monday.”

The bell schedule has gone through days for block periods and one-through-

There has also been a bell schedule committee at UPA consistsions last year was on pushing back the start time, making the end times more similar over the course of the week as opposed to the current end times which vary by thirty minutes. Because the whole keep the schedule as it was.

A factor that contributes to the bell schedule is meeting requirements from the state. UPA has certain aspects such as seminar and a longer school day that maximizes instructional minutes. The state requires a number of minutes that UPA has to meet.

last thought students should be worrying about in a learning environment is something as simple as the bell schedule, Porter said.

“The current bell schedule does seem confusing for students, especially new students, about the number of changes between each weekday,” Porter said. “When is lunch? How long is lunch?

Today it ends at 12:11 and tomorrow it ends at 12:10. Those little nitively understand.”

Some compromises were also made by trying to maximize instructional minutes and making some days shorter. High school students have a combined lunch with middle school students now, changing from the separate lunches during the Wednesday/Thursday block schedule.

es in the days of the seminar period, previously called advisory.

The current bell schedule is in response to survey data that UPA received from students. Students wanted to get out of school earlier. This led to seminar going from a four-day course to a two-day course, and removed it from the odd days, staying on the shorter even days. This allowed for students to leave earlier on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

days and Thursdays by taking out the Seminar period [on odd

“We are taking the changes as they come. We know it’s on the horizon. July 1, 2021 is when that law goes into effect.

So we have one and a half more years to take a look at what we need to do.”

PERSPECTIVES FROM UPA STAKEHOLDERS There are mixed reaction Aghalya Naryanan last year, and no one learned

—MATT DAUGHERTY

days and minutes required, days.

Nothing happened the whole period because it started so early.”

While the bill will push back the high school start time, it does not apply to zero period. However, if the length of zero period stays the same, the zero period start time will get pushed back as

high school to have in terms of instructional minutes,” Porter said. what is going to be the most impactful for teaching and learning.”

The six-minute passing periods are one of the ways the instructional minutes are met, as the passing periods count as instrucpassing period adds up throughout the year and contributes toward the instructional minutes required.

“The current bell schedule was an attempt to maximize the amount of minutes for students, so we have enough minutes

would still reach school at the same time. Sophomore Sainirnay Mantrala believes the bill will not impact his sleep or learning. matter,” Mantrala said.

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Yau explained why additional instructional minutes are banked “For example, if coronavirus spreads and we have to shut down for a number of days, we have those surplus minutes we can use where

Nonetheless, UPA aims to help students in the best possible way. Taking on these changes will further shift the schedule, but it will be done for the wellbeing of students.

However, the extra minute led to odd start times for each period and a generally confusing schedule to follow on a daily basis. The

NEWS | 6

A Greener Choice Law closing charter loophole brings new meal options to UPA

T

ARTICLE & DESIGN BY TIFFANY TRAN • PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRET BIGGER

he “UPA special” consists of Hot Cheetos, Cup Noodles versus chips. They had healthy options, vegetarian options, vegan and Arizona iced tea. As complaints about the lack of options, gluten-free; it’s more inclusive.” healthy options and new legislation arose, the UPA adAs for prices and affordability, there are various costs families ministration found an alternative. can choose from. The price points vary from $5 for a small meal Assembly Bill 1871 passed on Sep. 18, 2018 created free or re- to $6 for a larger meal for regular lunches, $3.75 to $4 for families duced prices for nutritious meals for low-income students at char- that qualify for reduced cost lunch and zero cost lunch for families ter and public schools, which pushed Executive Director David that qualify for free lunch.

Porter and the administration to expand the range of food options The budget for the program will be about $25,000, encompassavailable at UPA. ing the free and reduced prices, but gradually the budget will de“Pizza is great,” Porter said, “but it’s not a whole meal; that’s crease. really the concern. And if we really want students to perform at “Eventually, if more and more students purchase the lunches, their academic best, they have to have the nutrients to be able to our budget allocation will start to shrink,” Porter said, “but if we’re do that.” talking about making sure that students are taken care of, it’s really ASB President and senior Adanna pennies, and I don’t want to spare expense “If we’re talking about Abraham-Igwe found that UPA students if there’s a need.” were in dire need of nutritious foods to susThe My Green Lunch program is nomaking sure that tain themselves throughout the school day. ticeably different from traditional school students are taken care lunches with an online setup, healthier “A lot of the population here does not eat well,” Abraham-Igwe said. “Many peooptions and customizable meals. Famiof, it’s really pennies, ple don’t eat at all. And if they’re eating, and I don’t want to spare lies can visit the website and select a food it’s just a bag of chips. Nutrition is really important for you to have a long life and to expense if there’s a need.” whether those be a number of calories or be able to do things. So I think having that —David Porter amount of fat just like any online retailer.

Once paid for, students can pick up their students who are always running, especially at UPA.” meals on the table in front of the Horton at the beginning of lunch.

The school has established the Grab-n-Go program with fresh “They make the best choice for themselves,” Porter said. fruit, milk and granola bars for students to take for free. Along “That’s really exciting to me: the amount of choice.” with that program, the administration has been working towards It will also give high school students an opportunity to get a launching a hot lunch program with larger meals that can be an paying job passing out the lunches during school hours. alternative to the snacks found at the Energy Bar. “We’ll be hiring students who want to work at lunch,” Porter “I know that students like to go all day without eating, but stu- said. “We pay minimum wage, which I think is $15 an hour. So if a dents should not go without food,” Porter said. “It’s just a passion- student could work for 30 minutes, they could earn two and a half ate point for me—that if a student goes hungry, that’s not fair to hours to three hours a week of income while still at school, which them. If they choose to go hungry or they choose not to eat, I can’t is a pretty sweet deal.” force them to eat, but that should be an option.”

The My Green Lunch program relies on weekly orders. HowPorter and Director of Student Services Andrew Yau have con- ever, if orders are not submitted at least a day before the lunch tacted multiple food companies to conduct taste tests with teachers is provided, the Energy Bar will still be available and emergency and students on February 12 and 13. Ultimately, My Green Lunch orders can be placed the morning of for an additional cost.

“It’s really just about what is going to work best for the family,” The administration hopes to launch the program in August 2020 Porter said. “Again, it’s about trying to make sure that our families with up to 16 different meal options for staff and students. Abra- have all of the tools necessary and support necessary for success.” ham-Igwe believes the foods offered by the hot lunch companies differ immensely from options at the Energy Bar. “Both of the companies that I saw had everything from salads Photo: A spinach Cobb salad will be one option offered by to burritos to pizza,” Abraham-Igwe said. “It’s just like real food the My Green Lunch Program next fall.

7 | NEWS

From Portugal to America and Back A Study Abroad Journey Cut Short by COVID-19

REPORTING BY JENNA MI • DESIGN BY DESIREE PEKAR • PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA CUNHA-VAZ From Portugal, senior Laura CunhaVaz with my [Portuguese] friends, and brother and her friend, who both studied ward to the American high school football games, homecoming, prom, graduation

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three months prior to her original return good relationships with so many people in home. three days to pack and say goodbye to everyone she had met at UPA and around San

WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO ONCE YOU RETURNED?

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING FORCED TO GO BACK TO PORTUGAL?

Laura Cunha-Vaz’s senior portrait.

something with Mrs. Trotch, Ms. Schwinge

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the morning than at night, it makes it hard-

put it all in envelopes. At the end of the year, each person gets a bag with all these compliments and these little notes that ev-

want to. really looking forward to that.

that many friends who live around me now. ica, and not having my friends and the teachers from UPA and coaches with me, ships with, and not being able to do sports.

WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IN AMERCA THAT YOU WEREN’T ABLE TO DO BECAUSE YOU HAD TO LEAVE EARLY?

Cunha-Vaz and Chanelle Snead (12) hug each other during their last time together before the pandemic.

WHAT WAS THE WORST PART ABOUT LEAVING? The worst part was leaving behind such a great year, not being able to say bye to

WOULD YOU COME BACK TO AMERICA AGAIN?

do. Obviously, the whole prom and graduation, and those typical aspects of American culture, like grad parties and grad night.

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sports banquet and the parties outside of

ally would like to go to college in America.

really looking forward to as well was saying bye to people, like the right way and with time and everything. We were doing NEWS | 8

'It had a sour, weird smell' ARTICLE & ILLUSTRATION BY VIDYA ACHAR • DESIGN BY EVELYN RAMIREZ Editor’s Note: Given the sensitive nature of the topic, names have been changed to protect UPA students’ identities.

Excelling students plus dedicated teachers equal a good school, but what happens when drugs are added to the equation? Administrators have seen an increase in substance use on campus and have looked into ways to combat it at UPA. Andrew Yau informed the Santa

lationship with their peers,” wPorter said.

Expulsion, as in the case of the seventh grade student, can occur when a student “knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs, or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance, while at school, on school premises, or at a school function,” as outlined on page 2020. dent then has a hearing in front of the administrative panel to

they behave when using drugs and make their own decisions,” Yau said. “Hopefully by the end of the program, they consider

using drugs on school property, and its goal is to inform students who have recently taken harmful substances about the consequences they have on their bodies and behavior. students get in contact with therapists or special alcohol and drug treatment agencies. The program was put into place this year because of the overall increase in drug use on campus. ping and using drugs were put up in every UPA bathroom as a precautionary measure. Additionally, Facilities Manager at the Lynn Lazo said campus supervisors and security monitor halls and restrooms regularly.

“We have seen an increase in students using controlled substances on campus,” Yau said. “Either more people are using it, of both.”

This was the situation of a seventh grader who handed out marJane Doe, who was started bragging to our friends about doing drugs. Then one time, he brought a cereal-looking thing that had a sour, weird smell. He

Other disciplinary action can be taken besides expulsion, such as suspension and mandatory counseling or even involving the expelled student, had in-school suspension or other disciplinary er. Yau declined to comment on the disciplinary actions that were taken, citing privacy concerns.

Porter said administration is not allowed to report out direct student discipline or make their responses public. incident] and other students were responded to in accordance with our board-approved discipline matrix,” Porter said.

Break, where one sophomore and three freshmen were caught

to prove it,” Sally Brown, a friend of two of the freshmen, said. of a controlled substance, which includes paraphernalia, in order for a student to get in trouble.

Porter is saddened by the increase in drug use on campus.

“The negativity [of substance abuse on campus] has ripples that cause harm to the fabric of our community,” Porter said.

John Smith walked in on stu-

and it smelled bad.” the seventh grader to school supervisors.

of drug use on high school campuses go unreported. Executive David Porter believes that reporting drug usage is a dilemma for many students at UPA. “[Students who do not participate in drug use] are forced to make a decision to either do nothing and say nothing, knowingly continuing the breakdown of our community, or damage their re9 | NEWS

Smith said supervisors, when investigating the incident, caught him on camera outside the restroom and then pulled him out of class.

Smith, who did not want to involve himself with the situation,

ason ard J he u g g t in uring mshoot rting ) cramps d vs. St. Tho a t s A 2 P 7 A 1 ( U . .

P t the U n Feb chaer Plass quarter of ht game o ig h fourt e senior n r o as M

crossing the line Rivals: UPA & St. Thomas More clash on and off the court ARTICLE BY DYLAN ZIEGLER • PHOTO BY KRISTIAN CROWTHER • DESIGN BY CHELSEA NGUYEN The UPA community has numerous sports rivalries that divide

said. “The other kids from St. Thomas More, they were pretend-

vs. the world.

While those rivalries divide UPA, there is one rivalry that unites the Golden Eagles: UPA vs. St. Thomas More.

What started as a friendly competition has slowly developed into a heated rivalry.

“We used to be in a really bad league,” senior varsity volleyball player Eryn Duong said. “None of [the teams] knew how to play volleyball, except for St. Thomas More, so we were always looking forward to that game because they could actually compete.”

Although healthy competition is always expected for sporting events, More has a reputation for getting a little rowdy.

These actions did not sit well with UPA students in attendance, as they sensed incivility from More. parking lot.

Aragaw said parents from More were insulting UPA students,

vara] served it and hit her in the face.”

was like St. Thomas More kids everywhere, and then UPA in a big group walked outside and started chanting U-P-A.” Attempts to reach St. Thomas More for a comment were unsuccessful.

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also carried over onto the basketball court.

Senior varsity basketball player Mekhyle Ndah revealed No.

in the fourth quarter.

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what it was.” have been linked to claims that More players were undercutting “They were undercutting like crazy,” spectating senior Nathnile Zemene up for a three, then he fell down. They got him right here.”

Surafeal Aragaw

tensity not found in other games, and with the rivalry being only a few years old, there are plenty more memorable moments to be had in the future, for better or for worse.

“They gotta respect their opponents more,” Ndah said. “At the game, then it could [result] in a lot of bad actions.”

FEATURES | 10

Learning about one of the greatest minds at UPA ARTICLE & PHOTO BY ALYSSA GARCIA • DESIGN BY BRITNEY STOUT “You are working with the best minds at UPA.” now understands her sense of humor.

“All of that toughness on the outside was really because she is math teacher Anne Wustrow Since 2000, Wustrow has enlightened students at three schools: Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Mich., Guilford High School

No.1, the students and doing the most she can to help them, and

Ambaw,

Nur bered a moment with Wustrow that resonated with him. ed me to the class, he said all these great things about me,”

pond.”

Wustrow revealed that her drive for took me outside the class told me you were a great student and doing all this comes from the student body itself.

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way where you need to know high schoolers derives from her upbringing. Because she grew up with three siblings who almost never agreed with each other, she found a way to argue with reasoning and logic.

sugarcoat anything and tell me Along with this instance, Ambaw resubstitute for his Precalculus class last year.

like students who talk back.” math teacher Jaz Dhillon for eight years. Along with aiding her students in academic success, she is looked up to by the faculty “She is somebody who is going to look at things and really “She is one of my favorite teachers now,” Ambaw said. speak up, whether it be to a student, teachers, the director, or a founder of the school.”

11 | FEATURES

obstacles.”

Senior Dana Feng, who had

dents to dive deeper into the material.

Wustrow provides inspiration for others from her sincere passion for teaching.

able with questions over time.”

actually see the passion she has,” Feng said. “She has really shown me that you have to love what you

Wustrow is not only a passionate teacher, but she helps steer students towards their best capabilities. me to work hard,” senior Justina Vystavilova, who had Wustrow for actually put in the work, do your best and better your ability as a student.”

To relate to her students and pro vide a sense of comfort while entering the rigors of the UPA math system, she described her struggles in math as a highschooler.

“She told us that when she was

teaching style derived from WusMacke showed Wustrow how to pull in what the students know already and apply it to new problems and concepts.

The infamous phrase, “You are working with the best minds at UPA,” comes from her understandedge can lead to a greater understanding of the topic. problem and letting them solve it themselves, she noticed that students are much more capable of solving problems than they think they are. away,” Wustrow said. many longed for her presence in the UPA community through February and the beginning of March. same student without her there because she really motivates us and gets us wanting to learn,” Ambaw out worksheets and leaves us in the dark.”

the best in my class because Mrs. Wustrow, the math God, when she hot either.”

Math God? She received this title because of her deep understanding and knowledge of math and her dependability to answer any type of question thrown her way. we have asked from her previous years of working,” Ambaw said.

“No one has asked a question that might have, she has the answer to.”

She gained her knowledge through 20 years of experience Anne Wustrow uses a Toblerone chocolate bar to visually introduce the topic of cross sections of solids in her calculus class.

UPA to continue the semester. Even after her surgery, she maintains the same energy as before and makes it seem like she never left.

things would be inscribed in my mind.”

Her surgery also raised many questions as to if Wustrow is planschool year.

want her students to ask questions or expand on the curriculum. Now, she feels excited and wants stu-

announcing it,” Wustrow said.

FEATURES | 12

Commuting in the City A short guide to a student’s long VTA journey REPORTING & DESIGN BY KATHERINE NGUYEN • PHOTOS BY GREG HAESSNER & KATHERINE NGUYEN

THE BEGINNING destinations. Some of these travelers include students who live far from their school and require accessible transport to get to campus.

Sophomore Tinsae Woldemichael drive him. After taking public transport several times, he has concluded that he prefers taking it whenever he hangs out with his friends

4:32 – FIRST STEPS An hour passes after the end of seventh period. Woldemichael pulls out his phone and accesses the Transit app to search for light rail times. Then he parts from his with [a friend] to the station but we go opposite ways,” Woldemichael said. Once Woldemichael reaches the put money in it every couple of months,” Woldemichael Park and Ride Lot: Bicycles can be brought onboard light rail.

4:41 – SPEEDING THROUGH Woldemichael takes a seat near the entrance door of the light rail car, listening to music on his phone while he waits for his stop. Wolde-

engage with others unless someone converson public transport is not a new phenomenon to him. “This one guy was drunk,” Woldemitalking to him, and he gave me his business it and left.”

13 | FEATURES

4:43 – A CHANGE OF PACE hind his head to signal to the light rail operator to stop at the next location. By 4:43 p.m. the light rail cars come to a halt and Woldemichael steps out onto the station platform. He away from school. Then, Woldemichael patiently waits for left before he could get on, forcing Wolemichael to wait for

4:59 – LAST STOP TO HOME Once the bus arrives, Woldemichael steps onto the vehicle and leans back on a railing. to stand.” Throughout the next stops, Woldemichael peers at the passing streets while holding onto the railing for support. Eventually, the exits, taking a two-minute walk to his house.

For students wanting a change of transportashould go with someone who knows how to use it because you can get lost,” Woldemichael said. “Also, you should pay attention to what

FEATURES | 14

Focusing on Photography ARTICLE & DESIGN BY CHELSEA NGUYEN • PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAMUEL YANG

UPA alumnus Samuel Yang down on the shutter button, the camera made a loud click sound photos of my friends constantly during school,” Yang said. “Evenveloping my eye in my free time, and the rest is history.”

After playing around with a camera for more than a year, Yang learned the basics of photography and fell in love with the hobby.

He studied photographs from photographers he admired and attempted to add his own unique style to those photographs.

such as basketball games and ASB rallies.

“The times when we were taking random photos of friends and alumna Kayla Genio photography,” Tu said. “She got really mad at us, but they were so funny and bad.” student at Washington State University, inside and outside of school.

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classmates began to recognize his talent and asked him to take their prom photos. Genio assisted Yang in directing his models and

Water droplet attempt No. 6 June 2016 He was inspired by water droplet photos, so he took a Tupperware container, blue construction paper, paper towel rolls, a spatula, an ear dropper and a lamp to capture mesmerizing photos of water droplets with his camera.

Stephen Tu as artistic. tion paper behind it to set the background [and] he used a lamp to Candid of Genio and Tu August 2016 “The yearbook was a really good place to practice our photography,” Tu said. “We were pretty much always taking pictures that year and we eventually got better and better at photographing people and events.” hance their photography skills by photographing school events, 15 | FEATURES

“He captures emotions and shapes them in a breathtaking way,”

have that feeling of nostalgia [like the candids].”

“It’s his awareness of his surroundings in different environments he shoots in that enables him to find a perspective no other photographer would consider shooting.”

—Graeme Jackson other photographer would consider shooting.”

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The Bottom Line. get to explore new horizons and discover new passions.”

Although he did not have any experience with writing for a couraged him to consider writing. butions to the publication, Yang has improved in both areas by cellists. side of photography and into a more expressive way.”

When Yang photographs in his free time, he has more creative freedom since he can spend as much time as he wants perfecting a shot. However, when photographing events, Yang must plan out his vision for the photos ahead of time and strive toward capturing action and reaction on time. these photos, especially in high pressure situations,” Yang said.

Yang prefers photographing landscapes and uses a Sony Alpha

Bong Joon Ho’s Outstanding Director Award Acceptance January 2020

for event photography and short landscape montages.

“He shot some great photos that captured the authentic nature Sent as a press photographer to the event, Yang had the opportunity to ask Bong which scene in “Parasite” was exactly like how Bong envisioned it. ness and beauty Bong hoped to show.” vious interviews to avoid asking him questions he had already answered, and watched the movie three times because he admires the Landscape of Campus Point Beach at UCSB June 2018 Working with The Bottom Line Graeme Jackson, Yang has learned how to capture images with an aesthetic.

“Sam always manages to pull a unique perspective from all the things he shoots to best immerse the viewer into the frame,”

Starstruck as he photographed Bong, Yang trembled when it was his turn to ask a question on the red carpet.

Yang appreciates how Bong is able to convey ideas he has in a way the general public can identify with and and said that is something he strives towards. consider it a success.”

FEATURES | 16

Coquilla and her brother, Christopher (9), perform the tinikling dance at the debut.

A Night to Remember Exploring Filipino culture through the lens of the debut

P

ARTICLE & DESIGN BY JANESSA ULUG • PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAROLINE SULA eople of all generations mingle with each other as friends debutante.” around the 11 tables spread around the room. Teens and chose to celebrate it.

up, many of them the immigrants who made the leap to move their families from the Philippines to the United States.

Suddenly, “Unforgettable” by Nat King emerges from the crowd in a long black dress. As her father sings the beginning of the song, she traverses the room with her brother by her side, marking the start of life.

“My culture has allowed me to express every grandma, the one who petitioned for all of part of who I am. It’s in my blood to thrive in any situation.”

—Madeline Coquilla

Madeline Coquilla is celebrating her debut.

welcoming, friendly nature of Filipino culture. Senior Sania Bhella tended the debut, says its atmosphere was indicative of the inherent hospitality present in Filipino culture.

“Maddie is so positive because her family is so positive,” Bhel-

but the tradition has taken on a more modern meaning.

kind. They knew that we were her friends. Her mom immediate-

long-practiced tradition that spans even before my mother was bration of both Filipino culture and familial relations with every17 | FEATURES

Entering a debut, guests are immediately greeted with the -

include dishes like adobo, sinigang, pancit and lechon, along with fying role in Filipino culture.

quilla took a more modern approach, choosing to perform hula dances and a Tinikling dance alongside her brother and sister.

Tinikling is a style of Filipino dance that involves two people

something that brings families together because the dishes we eat

ground as one or more dancers dart in between and over the poles. tertain our guests with performances rather than proceed with the wanted to do.”

“Filipino grandma” stereotype, mother wore traditional dresses while her brother and father donned black barongs. A barong is a traditional Filipino shirt made of pineapple thread, often worn by men during cultural events.

“This is equivalent to the Filipi-

here, you want this? Eat more, way that comforts us.”

Like Filipino grandmas, family members and relations are fundamental to Filipino cul-

Coquilla laughs during the 18 candles ceremony as her grandmother, Conception Coquilla, jokes about Coquilla’s tomboyish tendencies as a young girl.

of this material because of how humid the Philippines is.”

Like this unique clothing, the tinikling dance originated during the Spanish colonial era and is named after the long-legged bird called the tikling in the Philippines.

cake and present a short speech for her. The candles represent the

birthday.” dancing, she also practices other dance forms unassociated with the Philippines, such as hula dancing.

“People were crying when the speeches were going on,” Bhella ring to family and friends as “aunties” and “uncles,” regardless of blood relations. This stems from a tradition of respect for elders.

Other than “auntie” or “uncle,” it is also cus-

her seventh-grade year.

Continued on next page

Along with showing respect through words, Filipino culture stresses the importance of conveying respect through caring actions.

“Our culture provides for our elders throughMichael Coquilla, said. “They take care of us so in turn, we take it is common to kick them out of the house and we provide for our family members way beyond that age.”

At a debut, it is customary for the young woman celebrating their coming of age to have a court -

Coquilla, right, and her mother, Christina, perform a hula dance to the song “One Foot on Sand” by Justin Young nearing the end of the debut.

FEATURES | 18

ture.”

pletely in this sense of calm where all my anxieties from the day have slipped from my mind and all and the movements of my arms, the movements of -

Coquilla and her family pose for a picture at the debut. From left to right: Christopher, Michael, Madeline, Christina and Catherine Coquilla (7).

my movements are correct and whatever my kumu [teacher] is teaching in front of us.”

-

the choreography to Hawaiian songs, but also stresses the importance of understanding the meaning behind each and every lyric.

mind and how that can mean so much to someone.” year, one of the three English-related classes she is currently takan original poem for her parents at her debut.

discovering it was “a little bit scandalous” but upbeat in a way that

arind soups. From the stories my grandfathers harbor, the tales of

passion for words. after which she plans to attend medical school.

-

me such a wider range of thinking and a more open mind and a and essays throughout my life.”

family, and her culture, to depend on for support.

“Growing up in a predominantly Filipino household has

making sure to read every day to gain a deeper understanding of the art of writing.

of compassion and respect that has been passed down from gennature of the Filipino community has inspired me time and time again to reach out and achieve my dreams in order to make not only myself but my family proud. My culture has allowed me to situation.” traditional Hawaiian and English that tells the story of someone this song as she prepares to graduate and pursue her passions while keeping her family and culture in her heart.

Coquilla and her five-year-old cousin, Leo Macaraeg, slow dance during the 18 roses ceremony.

19 | FEATURES

one foot on sand, in my home.”

Rëjëçtïñg Tëëñågë Türñøüt ARTICLE BY LUCA SCARRA • ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXANDRA ROZMARIN • DESIGN BY EVELYN RAMIREZ

minors, thousands of teens have become more politically active, believing that they should have a say in relevant government policy. With this growing involvement of teenagers in politics, some people believe that the government should lower the voting age to 16. While on the surface this might seem like a good idea in order to increase the number of people that vote, the federal government should not amend the voting age.

There are long-term consequences to elections that 16-yearfrom their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that responds to situations awareness of long-term consequences. This type of cognition is important to have in elections because in their term is long-lasting and has consequences in the United States and worldwide. On the other hand, 16-year-olds still think from their limbic system, which means they are mainly responsive to emotional appeals and are less likely to be able to make term consequences in mind.

According to Lawrence al development, 16-year-olds are generally at the fourth stage of moral development, one in which most information coming from predominant in their area.

So while teenagers might be voting, the votes would not be from organic opinions because the teens would be more or less ther discouraging minority parties in the states. As a result, voter participation among the minority parties could actually decrease because fewer people end up voting, which could slow down progress in the long run.

Furthermore, because most teens do not pay any federal taxes, they should not be allowed to vote in federal elections. An individ-

the amount of income a person is taxed on.

-

day to work part-time they would have to drop out of high school and work full time to make enough to pay taxes. According to ment of Education, only olds drop out. Among this small minority of teens, it is possible to earn above the standard deduction amount, but the government should not change the rule for this small group.

Although it is true that some adults do make less than the standard deduction amount, only a small portion of them actually make this amount. Acicans are below the poverty line. So only a small part of adults in America make below the amount. Furthermore, adults are much so adults should all retain the right to vote in federal elections even if a small portion of them do not have to pay federal taxes.

Some believe that, in the interest of democratic values, we should not be allowed to vote in federal elections if they do not pay taxes.

OPiNiON | 20

Thorn in Our Sides Students share their irks about campus life

REPORTING, PHOTOS & ILLUSTRATIONS BY AKHILA AYYDEVARA • DESIGN BY ALEXANDRA ROZMARIN

“I don’t like when people huddle around the snack shack. There’s no line; it’s just a mess.”

—Yosef Awlachew (9)

“When seventh graders don’t know how to play frisbee, they recklessly throw it around.””

—Jorge Ramirez (10) “Kids who play music without headphones. It’s annoying.”

—Ravin Douthit (12)

“Rolling backpacks. I can’t get around the school, especially up the stairs.”

—Jonathan Atikilt (11)

21 | OPiNiON

“Kids with big backpacks. When they walk on the steps they’re going to hit you in the face because they’re sticking out.”

—Faith Villarin (12)

My Own Worst Enemy

Eating disorders, femininity, modeling, social media, self love: find the phrase that does not belong ARTICLE, PHOTOS & DESIGN BY ALEXANDRA ROZMARIN panish teacher Aimée Verapinto

million men in the United States will experience an eating disorder, like the one

She walked runways at high school fashion shows and had a talent agent who worked with her to try and secure a contract with a larger agency.

lives.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and orthorexia are all diagnoses that describe various ways of disordered eating.

S

with her beverage. own or alongside an eating disorder. The right here,” her female agent commented, slapping the side of her own thigh. “We have got to get you down.” was speaking to a 16-year-old girl with an eating disorder. The agent never gave weight, instead encouraging her to lose inches in any way she could.

These degrading comments exacerbatout her place in the world, so she began exercising excessively, eating minimally and purging frequently.

At one point, even when she did not ed food, and she could not stand without

from body dysmorphia.

Although anyone can develop an eating disorder, they are most frequently diagnosed in adolescent females, as stated in a pressure as a reason for the disproportionality.

EATING DISORDERS AND FEMININITY According to an anonymous survey of scious about their weight. English teacher Kristin Moore prising.

if her agent had known of her illness, she would not have cared.

“She bred a piece of [the illness] her-

at some time or another, has not either had an eating disorder, or at least a very troubled relationship with food,” Moore said.

To her, although eating disorders can affect both males and females, they are very much a feminine issue.

of the way her words had an impact on me.”

a very early age to control how much we

was never able to break through the doors of a larger agency.

“That lack of success fed this nega-

-

that disease in itself.” ation estimates 20 million women and 10

space in terms of our voices and our opinaround the issues of bodies and food.”

Moore struggled with anorexic and bulimic behaviors throughout middle school and high school.

Continued on next page IN-DEPTH | 22

in. Most of my friends were all very, very -

to choose the types of models that do and do not get work.

-

played a big role in the way Moore thought

why there are fashion shows where you see things that no person in their regular mind

years, Moore vividly remembers the popular aesthetic of “heroin-chic,” where being beautiful meant looking emaciated, as if one had used heroin. Supermodel Kate Moss was her icon.

“You would see a lot of girls at lunchtime not eating or throwing away their lunch or was a badge of honor,” Moore said.

Even when looking at the history of eating disorders, scholars have blamed their widespread development on the media.

Author Anna Krugovoy Silver University argues in her 2002 Literature and the Anorexic Body” that the way writers portrayed female characters in

bring out.”

Weight is not the only factor that plays into who models. Unique features like moles, beauty marks, scars, tooth gaps and masculine facial features also help bring attention to cloth-

“at the end of the day, I liked how skinny I was, and it was the only thing I felt like I had control over in my life."

Katie Foreman

THE MODELING INDUSTRY Today, models and social media rather than literature more prominently shape the stereotypical female ideal.

Francis Chau believes advertising agencies are not only to blame, as focus groups and surveys are conducted to tailor advertising campaigns to public perception.

“Each market has their own biases and

23 | IN-DEPTH

about art, so if a designer comes out with some clothing pieces, they want to draw els that are in alignment with their vision

Plus size model Jasmine Orozco, who is represented by MTM, tries not too personally.

“Modeling is very much an industry where you eiOrozco, XX, said.

“Where

Katie Foreman decided to quit modeling industry outweighed the fun she had meeting photographers and taking pictures.

-

are looking to advertise to a certain market, they actually, for better or for worse, take advantage of those preferences in their advertising campaigns.”

Foreman found herself resorting to substance abuse and losing 30 pounds despite already being thin.

“Seeing that is the body type that is recommended in order to be that pretty or be man said.

models are often much thinner and lengthier than print models, as certain fabrics move better on a thinner frame.

agencies to educate talent on eating disorders and workplace safety.

Because MTM does not have a size re-

healthy lifestyle in order to keep his talent -

Foreman also checks TikTok daily and those in her feed.

she was OK, and boys would often call her anorexic.

-

you see in a picture or what you see on a

Foreman said. “People were really mean about it.”

talent to speak with. health is at risk, that puts us at risk as a business because there are clients who are have had some models, for personal reabetter place mentally and physically.”

From a business standpoint, he sees eating disorders as an unnecessary liability, but he understands the immense pressure placed on talent. He even fell victim to undereating in high school as a result of pressure to make a designated weight division in wrestling. el because the business is very

Foreman experienced harassment because of how thin she had become. Strang-

yourself to how other people make themselves look online because that might not be who they are.”

As for Singh, fad diets and restrictive eating are no stranger to her because she has long dealt with negative body image.

At one point, she restricted her carbohydrate intake and only consumed around

no desire to seek help.

over in my life,” Foreman said. about their struggles with food restriction or purging, she is vocal about her love and support for them, as she knows love is the only way to break free from the cycle. in relationships with people

them; we work together.” seen improvements in the variety of models being hired in recent years, but acknowledge there is still progress to be made.

to love and support them no that if you get mad at people for

that inclusiveness: all these designers who are willing to be Orozco said. “So the more designers that are inclusive, the more models that are included.”

Beyond modeling, social media sites

1,000 calories per day, approximately half of the recommended amount.

on individuals to look a certain way.

As an avid TikTok user, UPA senior Sophia Singh often scrolls past videos of girls

take frequent naps to avoid feeling hungry and her grades began to slip because she was unable to focus.

SCROLLING THROUGH skinny

RELATIONSHIPS -

RECOVERY by sending her to an institution. taken away from your entire life and everything you know for a few months feels like a fever dream in a way,” Foreman said.

She was at the institution for a total of two and a half months.

Another byproduct of food restriction is the deterioration of relationships with a -

found all her thoughts revolved around what felt like the omnipresence of food.

Singh herself made a TikTok about what she eats in a day as someone with a slow people showing how much food they can

and all of a sudden it became my obsesship was with the illness.”

said. “At the end of the day, yeah, it was the worst experience of my life because it was tizing, but it was also the experience that really helped me turn my life around.”

Continued on next page IN-DEPTH | 24

Hospitalization has been an increasing

hiding food.

-

eating disorders, according to the Healthmother about her disordered eating, then “And that fear was enough to push me else.”

Because her vitals were too erratic, she was moved out of the outpatient unit and ended up hospitalized for a month during school.

Similarly, UPA senior Naseem Faridnia was admitted to an inpatient unit

where patients are awakened to get their blood drawn. Another wake-up is a 6 a.m. for vitals. There are three mealtimes and two snacks throughout the day with group activity and therapy sessions in between.

Because a lack of food can force a stomach to shrink, girls would often bond over the shared experience of physical pain during mealtimes. there and stare at you,” Faridnia said.

really think they need to be skinny, and so Faridnia returned to UPA a week before February Break of 2020 after achieving a more stable heart rate.

Moore was able to relieve her disordered eating habits in college because she critically questioned her motivations.

“For me, my growth in college was about questioning a lot of why the world is the way it is,” Moore

“We re told to not take up space in terms of our voices and our opinions, and I think it all converges together around the issues of bodies and food."

Kristin Moore

heart conditions that resulted from restrictive eating.

Her patterns of restrictive eating started in November cation season. The stress of applying caused stomach aches, which she thought were a result of food.

Faridnia soon found herself avoiding food to the point of starving her body. The irony: Faridnia was actually attempting to gain weight before this expenia said. over the span of two months, her heart rate increased rapidly, forcing her to be admit-

While at the clinic, Faridnia made stagram. Other girls there, with more serious body image issues, were less willing to form relationships.

“A lot of those girls were really, really distressed that they had to eat again,” she said. “They were not happy to be there.

Nurses had to look after such patients more diligently to ensure they were not

25 | In-Depth

so skinny you can see their bones. They

to question why it was that

really empower yourself to stand up against things that are not serving you.” listening to podcasts like

Harrison to remind and educate herself on eating properly. She recommends everyone pay attention to the language they use around food to deconstruct notions of food being “good” or “bad.” it; it takes a lot of work to dismantle this of something because of the time and the energy that we spend on it and because of how awful it makes us feel about ourselves.”

A TEEN TALK

New sex education curriculum coming to UPA in Fall 2020

W

ARTICLE, ILLUSTRATIONS & DESIGN BY BETTY NGUYEN

hile the reproductive system is a part of everyone’s body, it is also one of the most uncomfortable topics to talk about. A question asked during a typical health education lesson such as, “Where do babies come from?” is often met with people cracking jokes or feeling too embarrassed to provide a serious answer.

However, such a question can no longer be avoided. In 2018, then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 2601, in which the California Healthy Youth Act, a state mandate that requires California school districts to provide factual health education to students at least once in middle and high school, extended to charter schools.

THE NEW UNIT Science teacher Eli Bailey, who has a credential in health education as well as biology, suggested to the administration that she teach an in-depth unit of health education to the freshmen for the 2019–2020 school year.

“It is a unit where we talk not only about sex, but [also] about anatomy, consent and appropriateness of relationships,” Bailey said.

Co-chair of the science department Loren Schwinge, who has experience in teaching the freshmen health education unit from the 2012–2013 and 2014–2015 school years, planned to teach the seventh-grade students the middle school health education unit for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I think that with this middle school curriculum, the boys are going to learn about periods and the girls are going to learn about having wet dreams and erections,” Schwinge said. “I think it’s going to be good for them to get to know about the opposite gender as far as things that happen with their

bodies.”

Bailey and Schwinge planned to teach lessons derived from Teen Talk, a Youth Health Education program from Health Connected, a website that aims to educate students, parents and teachers on various health education topics.

Because COVID-19 has forced UPA to close campus for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, Bailey, Schwinge, Executive

“Students need to know what’s going on with their lives and bodies so it’s not taboo or creepy or weird.

It’s a normal part of being alive.”

—Loren Schwinge Director David Porter and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Matt Daugherty decided that the materials of the health education unit should be taught in a classroom setting rather than a virtual setting, postponing the unit to the fall and spring of the 2020-2021 school year.

“We believe that because the content is so personal and can be uncomfortable, we want to be able to gauge the students’ reactions in person,” Bailey said. “We also know that distance learning is a challenge for many

students in terms of access to computers and Wi-Fi; [with this new plan] we will have the students’ full attention and they will not be distracted by their home environments.”

In the fall of the 2020-2021 school year, Bailey will spend two weeks teaching the incoming tenth-grade students the health education unit in their chemistry classes while science teacher Reo Sato will take over Bailey’s biology classes. Schwinge will teach the middle school health education unit to incoming eighth-grade students in their Integrated Science 8 classes.

In the spring of the 2020-2021 school year, Bailey will repeat the high school health education lessons for the incoming ninth grade students in their biology classes.

Schwinge will also repeat the middle school health education lessons for incoming seventh-grade students in their Integrated Science 7 classes.

TOPICS IN THE UNIT As required by California law, Bailey and Schwinge must teach health education topics, such as sexual violence prevention, sex and decision-making, abstinence and sex in the media.

Due to the differing level of maturity between high school and middle school students, the high school curriculum will cover the topics in a more in-depth fashion than the middle school curriculum.

For example, Bailey plans to demonstrate correct condom application to only upcoming ninth-and tenth-grade students.

Bailey hopes the health education unit will educate students on sexual relationships.

“Somebody is not going to judge them,” Bailey said. “My goal is to teach them. I’m not giving them condoms, by any means. I am just showing them how to use them appropriately and safely.”

Continued on next page iN-DEPTH | 26

Schwinge said activities such as pairshares and class discussions might be taken out of the middle school health education unit to save time.

Schwinge, who is aware that health education lessons usually center around the male and female bodies, says that topics such as homosexuality and gender identity will be discussed.

“Students need to know what’s going on with their lives and bodies so it’s not taboo or creepy or weird,” Schwinge said. “It’s a normal part of being alive. Some [senior] boys still get uncomfortable when girls talk about their periods. And it’s not a big deal, but for a lot of guys, they say, ‘I don’t want to know about that,’ and when guys have wet dreams, girls can say, ‘Ew, gross, why do you do that?’ Well it’s our bodies, we’re not controlling it, it just happens.”

STUDENTS’ PRIOR KNOWLEDGE More and more students learn incorrect information about their bodies and relationships from sources such as peers or unveri“For me it was some kind of ‘taboo’ topic,” an anonymous eighth grade female in an Aquila survey said. “I had to do my own research and since the online world is a large place, I never knew what was true and what wasn’t. I had to be smart and see if something was credible or not, and some people might believe the non-credible information.”

Sophomore Andrew Crabtree learned factual information about health education topics such as human anatomy and sexuality from books provided by his parents. from the book, I was pretty shocked,” Crabtree said. “I was like nine or ten, and it was pretty surprising to me at the time. Eventually it took me a while [to say,] ‘OK, I guess it makes sense now,’ and as I learned more

27 | iN-DEPTH

about it, it became more of a normal thing probably by seventh grade or so.”

Crabtree believes it is important for students to talk about these health education topics with a parent if they can, as parents can have more experience with relationships than one’s peers.

“I’m pretty comfortable talking to my parents,” Crabtree said. “I know some of my friends don’t talk to their parents as much but I think it’s a good thing to do.”

“Better to have them know and learn in an environment where they are safe as opposed to fumbling around and trying to figure it out in the moment of passion.”

— SURVEY FINDINGS Crabtree is correct in that not all UPA students are able to talk to their parents about health education topics. In an anonymous survey of 103 students, 70.5% of survey respondents answered that they learned one or more of the health education topics that are

planned to be taught.

Students’ lack of knowledge in health education topics could be attributed to the lack of health education lessons they received in their past academic years.

In the survey, 47.6% of survey respondents stated that the last time they had a health education lesson was in the fourth through sixth grades. student respondents have not had a health education lesson besides the brief lessons taught in late elementary school.

PAST HEALTH ED LESSONS In the 2017–2018 school year, ninthgrade students learned health education from an outside vendor: a program called Real Talk.

According to science teacher Jill Buensuceso, Real Talk lacked coverage on some important topics in its lessons, such as the LGBTQ+ community, and showed bias and insensitivities around topics such as prochoice or pro-life.

The science department decided to not reserve the Real Talk program for the 20182019 and 2019–2020 school years, as the California Healthy Youth Act extended to charter schools in 2018. Thus, UPA ninthgrade students did not receive health education lessons in the 2018-2019 school year.

For previous school years, the “Nightmare on Puberty Street” play from the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre of Northern California came to UPA during Seminar every other year for the middle school health education unit. “Nightmare on Puberty Street” is a free service primarily provided to schools with a federal source of funding, also known as Title 1 schools.

UPA, which is not a Title 1 school, does not have priority in reserving the “Nightmare on Puberty Street” play.

The 2019-2020 school year also happened to be an off-year for reserving the play. It is a possibility, however, that the UPA administration could reserve the play in later school years.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH ED Bailey and Schwinge stress the importance of students learning correct information from the upcoming health education unit, especially when it comes to students wanting to explore sexual or non-sexual relationships. “[I want] to make sure kids aren’t getting into toxic relationships, accidentally being the toxic one in a relationship and making sure there’s open and honest communication,” Schwinge said. “Because there’s so much [portrayal of toxic relationships] on TV and [those become] so normal. But no, it’s not.”

Bailey states that a goal of the health education unit is to promote abstinence, but she is aware that many UPA students engage in sexual and non-sexual relationships.

“We do know that there are students who are already sexually active,” Bailey said. “We know that is something that is going to come up, if not now then in the future, and better to have them know and learn in an environment where they are in the moment of passion.”

Bailey and Schwinge anticipate that some parents may not feel comfortable with their children learning these lessons in a classroom environment and may decide to opt their children out of the health education units.

“I’m comfortable with whatever choice the students and their parents make,” Bailey said. “Obviously I would encourage them to take the classes because sometimes it’s easier to learn from someone who’s not your parent, as opposed to someone who is.”

The California Healthy Youth Act allows parents to opt out of the health education unit, but only if they provide a written opt-in or notice to UPA two weeks prior to the beginning of the unit. If a student wants to opt in but their parents want to opt them out of the lessons, Bailey and Schwinge would have a discussion with the students’ parents.

PRESENT PLANS Information letters will be sent out to parents in the fall and spring of the 2020-2021 school year once Bailey and Schwinge determine the dates of the parent meetings as well as the dates for the two weeks of health education lessons.

Bailey anticipates that when the health education lessons take place, students are bound to feel nervous or uncomfortable. Some students could resort to cracking jokes.

“I use humor too,” Bailey said. “As we get going with the curriculum, I think the students will realize that it is not what they’re thinking it is.”

iN-DEPTH | 28

Toxic Masculnity _________________ stoicism, strength, virility and dominance, and that is socially maladaptive or harmful to mental health

_________________ INTRODUCTION BY KRISTIAN CROWTHER

“Toxic masculinity,” a phrase used to describe the traditional masculine norms that can be harmful to society, is a concept that some are quick to write off as “anti-men” or “feminist propaganda.”

Yet in an era where #MeToo is commonplace and males are still seen as the dominant sex, how far off is the term from reality? Misogyny and violence against women advocated on online message boards, discrimination of men in the LGBTQ+ community, and men forced to keep their emotions bottled inside are all effects of the long-standing ideal of being a “real man.”

For their 2019-2020 senior project, guided by the essential questions “what is toxic masculinity, how does it affect teenagers and how can we decrease it by informing the general public?” Co-Editor-in-Chief Kristian Crowther, Multimedia Manager Greg Haessner and former Aquila journalist Cameron Wallace decided to investigate male gender norms, their prevalence in modern society and culture, and how the

29 | SPECiAL

image of a “real man” can be detrimental to the individuality and self-esteem of men.

They also explored how that image can be detrimental to society as a whole.

In order to achieve the last portion of their research experience, this issue of Aquila contains a special section of three articles examining male gender norms’ effects on society as well as the prevalence and ideologies of misogynistic male groups within a collection of websites called the “manosphere,” including Men That Go Their Own Way (MGTOW) and the online incel community.

As described by the American Psychiatric Association, having awareness of one’s stereotypes is the only way to decrease its effect on oneself. By acknowledging pressures from society and the extremes those ideas can take men, the three seniors hope to inspire others to take control of their own lives, personalities and interests, ignoring society’s projection of what it means to be a real man.

SPECiAL | 30

can Psychological Association Psychological

Practice

With -

-

-

-

reality?

Science teacher Loren Schwinge

alerting the other

-

-

Johnny Duran

31 | Special

“It’s acceptable for men to be angry, but not acceptable for men to be sad.”

-Loren schwinge shared their thoughts.

“Yes, I have insecurities,” one male student anonymously commented. “Everyone calls me ‘gay’ just for having girls as friends and walking in the hallway with them. Because I’m a boy, everyone expects me to ‘hang out’ with a boy. Because of this stereotype, I sometimes stop being with girls in hallways or during lunch.”.

No matter where the pressure comes from—current pop culture or generational expectations—boys in America are raised under an ever-present message: do not be sensitive, do not cry, take what is yours.

“You put a boy into school and he learns from other kids how everyone else acts,” Duran said. “Children are very observant and it can come from the media as well; what boys watch on TV can Stanley Gaeta, a counselor at the LGBTQ Youth Space in downtown San Jose, said a lot of people in LGBTQ community struggle with forms of self-expression due to societal expectations, especially men.

“Why [is acting masculine] the end goal to feel safe?” Gaeta posed.“What has society taught us? That it’s bad to be feminine?

What does it mean for somebody who is male bodied and should be having these masculine roles?”

When men keep their true emotions bottled and are taught to be dominant in all aspects of life, the remaining outlet can become misogyny and violence as a means to show dominance.

According to the APA, “men who rigidly adhere to sexist, patriarchal masculine norms also tend to endorse and commit higher levels of intimate partner and sexual violence toward women.

Feminist scholars have argued that some men use violence and control in relationships as a way of maintaining sexist beliefs and dominance over women.”

FBI crime statistics revealed that out of the 7,811,085 people arrested in 2018 in the United States, 72% were men. Out of all rapes in the United States, 98% of convicted cases were committed by men, and out of all murders, 87% done by men.

“It’s acceptable for men to be angry, but not acceptable for men to be sad, which is why boys get so little mental health [support] when it comes to depression, and why men have the highest suicide rate in our country,” Schwinge said. “[Men are] not able to ask for help because it’s ‘weak.’”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported men

died by suicide 3.5 times more than women in the United States in 2018.

“Men are killing themselves because they’re not able to ask for help because it’s ‘weak’ and women can often reinforce those stereotypes,” Schiwnge said, “which is what is so damaging, because men are reinforcing and some women are as well and then gives them no space to express themselves.”

As described by the American Psychiatric Association, having awareness of one’s stereotypes is the only way to decrease its effect on oneself. Unless society is aware of the pressures against men, and unless men and women can hold each other accountable for their actions and support each other, the cycle will only continue to turn. “[We need to discuss] what [toxic masculinity] means and not demonize guys who are behaving the way they’ve been raised, but make them see that it’s harming themselves, and how to make the hurting stop,” Schwinge said.

Boys from a young age are molded to swing toward certain personalities and act in ways that are sometimes unnatural for them in order to not blow their masculine cover. The main challenge that arises is to ignore these notions and ideals and stay true to a man’s real self, instead of treating nude photos as a badge of honor or a badge of shame. “[And we must teach others]: don’t be [rude] to guys who are trying to be emotional; support them, comfort them,” Schwinge said. “Let them be the one that needs a little extra support and don’t view them as less of a man but more as a man for being able to be open about it.”

SPECIAL | 32

Taking th

Exploring the Men Going

ARTICLE & DESIGN BY GREG HAESSNER • ILLUSTRA Editor’s Note: Given the sensitive nature of the topic, names have been changed to protext UPA students’ identities.

Shall you take the blue pill and remain ignorantly blissful, or should you take the red pill and accept the unvarnished truth?

This is the question posed by the notorious internet community Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW).

This predominantly online-based community has more than 130,000 members subscribed to r/MGTOW on Reddit, a forum-based site where users post stories and opinions on various topics.

Although MGTOW started as a community focused on non-traditional careers for men, it has since devolved into a compilation of anti-feminist views, with several of its members thoroughly believing women are the inferior sex.

“Most mothers are terrible people,” posted user Snuggy84 two and a half years ago. “How can a sane person hang out with a woman? What a waste of life.”

This community’s members advocate for the rejection of women in their lives and the detachment of men from society as they believe western civilization has turned against men. Nuwebsite blame women’s suffrage for the growth of public reliance on government welfare, and MGTOW’s perception of women gives the public an idea of how members feel with regards to women’s right to vote.

“It seems inevitable that when women are allowed to vote, a country inevitably swings towards all out socialism and eventually collapses,”

33 | SPECIAL

ago called, “Is MGTOW generally in agreement that women shouldn’t vote?” rector, who plunged herself in the world of MGTOW and men’s rights activist groups alike. One of the men she interviews is Paul Elam, author of the book “Red Pill Psychology: Psychology for men in a gynocentric world” and founder of A Voice for rights activism.” In the documentary, Elam discusses the disfamily courts.

“When your family courts run on the supposition that moth-

call ‘uncle-daddy’ where they visit their children, to me that’s one of the greatest obscenities in the world,” Elam said. “The idea of visiting your own children, where you get to see them for two hours on Wednesday night, and you get to have them

he Red Pill

g Their own Way ideology

ATIONS BY GREG HAESSNER & KATHY NGO for ‘X’ amount of hours every other weekend, and you have no say in how they’re brought up.”

Oftentimes MGTOW users, typically male, have had a traumatic experience involving women.

These downtrodden men discover MGTOW and begin to identify with MGTOW members. Once men buy into MGTOW’s tenants they also begin viewing women as a negative archetype.

“Women are going to do what they innately do,” user Maximum_Afternoon said over Discord, a video chatting server.

“The scorpion bites. You don’t hate the scorpion for that…it’s the scorpion’s nature.”

Maximum_Afternoon once believed he could enjoy life with a woman, but his turbulent experiences with women caused him to abandon those beliefs.

“I’ve had enough scorpions in my life,” Maximum_Afternoon said. “I have other more interesting things in my life now.”

MGTOW also advocates for members to detach from society as a whole, causing most members to develop shut-in tendencies. This social isolation is key in the journey of a typical new member.

UPA mental health counselor Johnny Duran has experience assisting students with insecurities and feelings of loneliness.

“Sometimes the person feels like [isolation] isn’t a choice,” Duran said. “They are dealing with something that may be for them [to be] social and having a network is not worth the pain that it causes.”

This loss of intimate relationships is detrimental to men’s health, according to Dr. Douglas Nemecek, senior medical director for CIGNA. “Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15

cigarettes a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity,” Nemecek said.

UPA senior John Stiles disagrees with these lifestyle choices. Stiles grew up with a “MGTOW-lite” mentality because of his father’s beliefs. Now, however, he has completely disowned those beliefs. teenager, telling me how the court system was totally biased toward mothers taking custody of the child, rather than the father,” Stiles said.

In a U.S. Census Report “Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2015,” only 20% of single fathers reportedly won custody of their children.

While there is truth in the notion that the court system is biased against fathers, the 2015 census also reported that the number of men who win custody of their children is on the rise and has been since 1994.

For Stiles, the initial appeal of the group stemmed from his family circumstances, but he eventually concluded that embracing this ideology would never make him happy.

“After this slight adoption of the MGTOW belief system, I began to realize that perhaps this ideology was more harmful than good,” Stiles said. “I wanted my [future] kid to grow up not only with a father but a mother, too.”

Instead of MGTOW, Stiles advises people to embrace women as positive members of society and live happy lives with them.

“If I fully got sucked into it, I would lose the importance of having a kid,” Stiles said. “I want the best for my future children, so I decided to abandon MGTOW entirely and I disavow it to this day.”

SPECIAL | 34

Empty Heart the hate, depression and self depreication of the online ‘incel’ community ARTICLE, ILLUSTRATIONS & DESIGN BY KRISTIAN CROWTHER According to the FAQ section of the now-deactivated incels. me page, “Many incels feel isolated and have no one they can talk honestly to. This forum provides a safe place for incels to deliver a blow to my enemies that will be so catastrophic it will in his manifesto “My Twisted World” before he killed six peoWhile the intentions of incel forums could be considered to take revenge against the women who had denied him. After the dust settled on his misogynistic and revenge-fueled stabbing

speech toward women has resulted in multiple bans of incel in-

Gentlemen” on multiple online message boards created by men who shared the same plight: a lack of sexual intimacy and the notion that women were the problem. Those who are a part of these online communities are commonly referred to as “incels.”

to the copious amounts of hate toward women, and in some extreme cases the ideas of the incel community are what drove

-

itself is very vast,” said Niklas, a German member of the online

celibate umbrella. However, rather than be taken at face value, the term “incel” has quickly risen to attach itself to multiple internet groups created as support groups to help single men cope with their celibacy, giving birth to multiple online message boards such as r/incels on

35 | Special

tion is very hard. There are a lot of very big communities that are aggressive, depressed and borderline dangerous.”

The source of the resentment? While some can be attributed to the bitterness of being single, the manufactured rationale for on who you ask online, is an ideal that looms over most incel boards. Simply put, the Blackpill highlights the doubt men face in entering relationships, believing a reality that women chase -

especially when users claim it is backed up by science, not only perpetuates hate toward women by blaming them for lack of relationships, but also creates an image where men who are not traditionally attractive are sub-human. societal solution,” Niklas said. “Because a lot of As one user posted on r/braincels, an incel subreddit that surfaced after r/incels was

coping mechanism.”

The Blackpill highlights a world that deems anyone outside the ing the lonely and the self-doubtful. While it might be true that some people look for physical traits in relationships, it is a given that not everyone has the same notion. By the mindset used to tackle the issue appears to be the X-factor that divides those within the online community. Some express hate, some express sadness, either way, a black cloud is left to loom

You will never be happy, you will never be loved by a woman. Your achievements, no matter how great, will never be recognized. You have no reason to continue living.”

out what actually works for [you],” Niklas said. work, you have to do some emotional work and change your outlook on life.”

The Blackpill commonly refers to the term has quickly spiraled into an internet meme, the origin of the word comes from a dark ideal that only serves to create a bleak self-image for sian, it has also driven some to commit violent acts on others.

how to solve it. So you have to blame someone. You can blame

“We’re not a group or movement that promotes a societal solution because a lot of us don’t believe there is a solution.”

—NIKLAS

Special | 36

Apple Music vs. Spotify REPORTING, PHOTOS & DESIGN BY ARIELLE ROSE-FINN

Price

Family Plan Features

College Student Plan Features How long is the trial period?

Student — $4.99/mo Individual — $9.99/mo Family — $14.99/mo Connect up to six accounts. This can be part of the general Family Sharing Plan, which also allows blocking explicit music.

listening?

Can I listen to the radio?

Three months No

Roy Gonzalez (10)

Yes, on all platforms.

Yes

“I use Spotify because I’m a broke boy. I’ve never tried Apple Music because of dinero.”

Yes Yes, if the songs are added to a Favorites list.

Does it provide lyrics?

Price

Yes Yes

Michelle Martino (11)

“On Apple Music I can look at the lyrics and sing the song, but on Spotify I can’t and I have to search them up. Also if I don’t know the name of a song, I can type in the lyrics that I remember and it comes up on Apple Music.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE MARTINO

Felicity Richardson (9)

“I’ve been using Apple Music my whole life.

I just like how it’s easier to use and it always works with Apple products and you don’t have to download it.”

37 | ARTS & CULTURE

“Spotify has more selection and it’s more diverse.

It’s better if you want to use more platforms, if you want integration with other platforms like Discord or Music Player Daemon.”

Access Apple TV+

Are there ads? songs to play?

Are there premade playlists and recommendations?

Are there playlists made by other users?

Soham Bhattacharya (9)

Family Plan Features College Student Plan Features How long is the trial period?

Are there ads?

songs to play?

Are there premade playlists and recommendations?

Are there playlists made by other users? listening?

Can I listen to the radio?

Does it provide lyrics?

Free (with ads) Premium: Student — $4.99/mo Individual — $9.99/mo Family — $14.99/mo Connect up to six accounts. Block explicit music and have a family playlist.

Access Hulu and Showtime Premium: One month Yes Premium: No Phone version: No Tablet version: Yes Desktop version: Yes Premium: Yes Yes Yes No Premium: Yes No Yes, if there is a Genius interview for the song.

Crash Course in Mexican Candy REPORTING, PHOTOS & DESIGN BY MELANIE RAYAS

Commonly found in the insides of innocent piñatas being beaten senseless by screaming children, candy is widely appreciated in Mexico. Fortunately for Americans, international trade makes Mexican candy available at any local supermarket in California. Here is a brief introduction to six of the most well-known Mexican treats.

1. DUVALíN

1 2

This treat with a nutty taste is

The combination options include hazelnut chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The packaging contains miniature spoons to conveniently scoop up the pudding, a thoughtful addi-

and peanut chunks that give it a dry vor is very tame, since it is not as sweet as most candy. Anyone who has ever tried one knows the amount of precision needed to take the candy out in one piece without getting crumbs everywhere. These never last more than a few days at my house, as they become too addicting.

with the spoon was my favorite part about eating the candy as a kid.

2. PALETA PAYASO

4

Appearing with the image of a cute clown on the wrapping, you would likely expect the lollipop inside to look the same, right? Well, has been the subject of a few memes, being comparable to the American character ice cream memes.

This lollipop usually appears with a

3

of a marshmallow inside, an outer chocolate coating and gummy facial features, if you ever eat this candy, I recommend brushing your teeth immediately afterward due to the high sugar content.

5 6

4. MAZAPáN

Duvalín is a sweet pudding-like

3. VERO MANGO lollipop is covered in an abundant amount of chili powder. Shaped like a mango, it simulates the real fruit with chili powder and lime juice sold on the streets of Mexico. The best part of this candy is its initial spicy

5. PELON PELO RICO Although it has an odd name, roughly translating to English as “Bald man, bald, yummy,” it is actually quite a charming candy. To consume, you must remove the red cap and push down on the handles, vored candy in various thin strips, simulating hair. Now that you are aware, perhaps the name makes a bit more sense. The taste itself is sweet, salty, and mildly spicy.

6. PULPARINDO This chewy candy stick is unique in that the pulp of organic tamarind fruit is used to make it. It is coated with sugar, salt and chili powder, enough, while tamarind originated in Asia, it is one of the most common ingredients found in Mexican candies. I have inevitably developed a taste for tamarind’s sweet yet sour

sweetness inside.

“Duvalín is one of my favorite Mexican candies, especially the Bi because it expands world view in a way we can all relate: food.”

—Hannah Van Gelder (12)

“The Paleta Payaso is a memory in my Mexican childhood and of my family’s too. My brother’s and my favorite part about it is the —Emily Bravo (11) ARTS & CULTURE | 38

What We Would Have Worn REPORTING & DESIGN BY AKSHARA KOLLU Inspired by the Roaring ‘20s, the prom committee planned to have a black-and-gold color scheme, Jazz Age decorations and even a speakeasy corner with mocktails. However, while prom itself was canceled due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, that has not stopped UPA’s juniors and seniors from dressphotos. “By dressing up, I got that one tiny fraction of what prom is about,” junior Ishan Madan said. All photos courtesy of each participating student.

Tiana Hernandez (12)

Justina Vystavilova (12)

39 | ARTS & CULTURE

Jenny Tran (12)

Ishan Madan (11)

Pari Gupta (11)

Prime time for crime

TV shows and movies draw audiences in for killer good times ARTICLE BY AKSHARA KOLLU • ILLUSTRATIONS BY AKSHARA KOLLU & EMMA FULTON • DESIGN BY EMMA FULTON Boom. Boom. Boom. Your heart races as you watch the newest victim on your show come unsuspectingly closer and closer to their impending doom. You know something horrible is about to happen. So why do you keep watching it?

Science teacher Loren Schwinge, an avid watcher of true crime and mystery shows, watches these shows to see the progression of crime and get more information on why certain crimes happen.

“A lot of people are just naturally drawn to the weird taboo parts of things, like violence and crime,” Schwinge said. “It’s also the same reason people are drawn to ‘Hoarders’ and ‘My 600-lb Life.’ We like talking about taboo subjects that we ourselves might not have experience with.”

True crime shows and movies have become increasingly popular and prominent in the entertainment industry. Some notable crime shows include “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness,” “Criminal Minds” and “Bones.”

A poll conducted in Feb. 2019 by CivicScience using more than 2,500 United States residents found that 44 percent of the respondents reported that they watch true crime.

Senior Farah Noor chooses to watch horror movies despite being scared of true crime. “[Horror movies] always put me on the edge of my seat,” Noor said. “It’s kind of like when you eat something spicy. You die for a bit, but then you want more because it’s so good. It’s kind of like that feeling, but in movies.”

Crime shows and movies also provide a comfortable distance between the viewer

and the horrors of crime. lets us feel like we can be part of something in a safe way without actually having to experience that ourselves,” Schwinge said.

But the distance can quickly disappear, as the crime portrayed in shows and movies translates to real life.

The Zodiac Killer, a serial killer in the late 1960s and early 1970s, raised panic throughout the Bay Area, where most of his murders happened. The Zodiac taunted the police through gruesome threats and ciphered messages and the press through letters. Executed with detail, the murders left no trace of the killer’s identity. The Zodiac took credit for over 37 murders, and the case remains open today.

The Zodiac Killer became the inspiration for numerous books, art and movies, one famous actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo.

“You get a better understanding of how [a killer’s] mind works,” Noor said. “These of people out there to show the world that these are also people who live in society.”

True crime shows can additionally provide a window into reality and inform people that seemingly normal families and individuals are not always what they appear to be.

“The Staircase,” novelist Michael Peterson is convicted for the murder of his wife Kathleen Peterson, who he claimed he found dead at the bottom of their home’s stairs. At the beginning of the series, Peterson portrays himself as a scared and mourning man, but as the series plays out,

Peterson reveals his manipulative side and implies having multiple murders under his belt. The series examines the different perspectives on Kathleen’s death and explains why the case remains unsolved.

“True crime educates society and the people that watch these shows that there are criminals and it is not an effect that you can avoid,” junior Annalisa Kim, who has been watching true crime shows since the age of eight, said.

But sometimes, these urges to know more about a criminal’s mind can go to extremes.

Scott Bonn, a criminologist and TV news commentator, wrote in his book “Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World’s Most Savage Murderers” that there are individuals who become so obsessive in their fascination with serial killers that they become followers and groupies.

“Fascination with serial killers is an American pastime that has spurred the abilia business,” Bonn wrote in his book.

Involvement in the murderabilia business, in which followers of killers purchase personal artifacts, mementos and original works of art from serial killers, can stem from a desire to be scared in a controlled setting and exert control over fears of being hurt.

In the same way murderabilia provides excitement for crime fanatics, true crime shows provide a way for individuals to get scared in a stable environment and watch something that they may never experience themselves.

“When watching true crime, take it with a grain of salt, and sometimes a lot more salt,” Kim said.

ARTS & CULTURE | 40

ARTICLE, DESIGN & ILLUSTRATIONS BY JENNA PLASSCHAERT Giana Usac Dominican University of California Nursing Major “My favorite part of high school was meeting the amazing friends I have and being with them for 6 years. My favorite memory would be singing

Joffre ‘Jeremiah’ de la Paz UCLA Aerospace Engineering Major “My favorite high school memory was the male pageant since it was something the whole senior class helped create, whether they were in the actual show, a commissioner, or just watching.”

during a rally.”

Photo courtesy of Usac

Photo courtesy of de la Paz

Adanna Abraham-Igwe MIT Math with Computer Science Major “I loved hearing the interesting, weird and silly things that people in my grade had to say during lunch, in class and outside school. Laughing, talking and having conversations with my friends is what I will miss most from high school.”

Reuel Indurkar Colorado State University Mechanical Engineering Major “My favorite memory of high school is watching Jason [Plasschaert] play basketball. His signature move is hitting deep threes in front of people’s faces. Dylan and I would always sit in the stands for his games and go wild whenever he did it.”

Photo courtesy of Indurkar

Photo courtesy of Abraham-Igwe

Mekhyle Ndah San Francisco State University Pre-design Major with a minor in Cinematography “My favorite high school night because we worked so hard and there were so many people there. It just felt great to be supported.”

Photo courtesy of Aldaco

Photo courtesy of Ndah

Elaine Liu CSU Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Major “My favorite thing about high school were the memories and friends that I made. Even if we may be going to different schools in a matter of months, I’ve made connections with people that I will never forget and have changed me for the better.”

Photo courtesy of Liu

41 | ARTS & CULTURE

Unity Aldaco UC Irvine Business Administration Major “My favorite high school memory is when all of the seniors went to Luca [Scarra]’s party. It didn’t matter if one person was smarter than the other. It didn’t matter if we never talked at school. All the seniors connected that night, and we just had a good time.”

Isabella Cayabyab University of Hawai’i at Mañoa Kinesiology: Health and Exercise Science Major “Senior year as a whole has been my favorite part of high school. I feel people that I normally wouldn’t and our class was honestly really bonding.”

Photo courtesy of Cayabyab

Dana Feng UC Berkeley Data Science Major “My favorite part of high school was building Art Club. Not only was I able to fuel my interest in art, but I was also able to meet and work with an amazing community of talented artists. High school has given me the opportunity to come out of my comfort zone and create long lasting friendships.”

Photo courtesy of Feng

Cynthia Montoya San Jose State University Criminology Major “My favorite memory of high school was the junior trip. It was so cool being able to go tour colleges in SoCal and stay to some people I wasn’t close with before. Being in cheer was also fun because I was able to build friendships with

Photo courtesy of Montoya

miss performing at rallies and having the whole school hype us up.”

Jasmine Lee CSU Long Beach Communications Major “My favorite part of high school is hanging out with my friends at lunch. I always loved it when we joked around and always ended up laughing so hard together. I also had so much fun during junior prom because I got to get all fancy and dressed up with my friends. Plus, we had a photoshoot before the dance and that personally was the best part of the prom experience.”

Photo courtesy of Lee

Jack Grzegorzyk San Jose State University Political Science Major “My favorite high school memory would have to be mascotting as Glenn [the Golden Eagle]. I’m really grateful that I got to have the opportunity to make my fellow peers, as well as teachers and administrators, smile and laugh. At the end of the day, bringing joy to other people’s lives is what really matters to me.”

Photo courtesy of Grzegorzyk

Visit upaaquila.org to learn more about the graduating class.

ARTS & CULTURE | 42

REPORTING, PHOTOS & DESIGN BY AYUSH RAI

e? b e h ld u o c e r e Wh When not inspiring UPA at rallies, Glenn the Golden Eagle can sometimes be caught

Let

's l ook for Clu es!

43 | FUN & GAMES

WHiCH TEACHER ARE YOU? REPORTING BY SHEYLA ESCALANTE • PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAKE 2 PHOTOGRAPHY • DESIGN BY JOE SHEM

Would you go sky-diving if someone asked you right now?

Start Here

Are you more of a jokester, listener or both?

No Listener Yes

Jokester

Books or movies?

Both

In a chaotic situation do you panic or stay calm?

During your free time, do you relax or get things done?

Calm

Books

Panic

Movies Get things done

Relax

Do you enjoy watching crime shows and movies?

English teacher Jessica Wall

Yes

No

Art teacher Karen Crump

Practical Slippers, fuzzy socks or both for hanging around the home?

Fuzzy socks

Are you more creative, practical or both?

Slippers

Both

Both Creative Science teacher Alan Kahn

History teacher Steve Guevara

Science teacher Vivien Chern

Social science teacher Ariana Rodriguez

COMPARE YOUR RESULTS WiTH YOUR FRiENDS! FUN & GAMES | 44

CLASSROOM WORD SEARCH REPORTING & DESIGN BY JULIA WONG • ILLLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXANDRA ROZMARIN P

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Did you know?

25 classrooms were in use for the 2019-2020 school year, and Howard and Cornell used to be one room named Cornell until 2016, when it was divided into two rooms.

“We came up with the idea at the time when we wrote the charter. Just based on [the fact] that we wanted to have a real college atmosphere and have the students really be thinking college. So [we said], ‘Oh, let’s just name the classrooms by colleges.’”

—UPA Co-founder & Counselor Dot Westerhoff

45 | FUN & GAMES

AQUILA BROADCAST DESIGN BY KATHERINE NGUYEN • IMAGES BY GREG HAESSNER, KATHERINE NGUYEN & KRISTIAN CROWTHER

MOST POPULAR LIVESTREAM

AQUILA PODCASTS weeks later

Explore the lives of people affected

by COVID-19 and campus closure.

HOSTED BY KRiSTiAN CROWTHER & GREG HAESSNER

odd one out Learn about the unique types of people in the UPA community.

UPA’s boys varsity basketball team plays their last home game against their rival, St. Thomas More. The livestream is the second-most viewed video on the channel with more than 580 views.

REPORTiNG BY DYLAN ZIEGLER & KRISTIAN CROWTHER

HOSTED BY JOE SHEM & TiFFANY TRAN

STAFF REPLAYS

Campus champions

Brace yourself for a punch in this video, “A Look into UPA Fighters,” which dives into the lives of two UPA teachers and a student with their experiences of sparring and boxing.

REPORTiNG BY KEViN BENJUME

Listen to the Aquila staff’s top song picks ranging from R&B to K-pop!

LiSTEN HERE: TiNYURL.COM/YCFRPRLY

A journalism journey

Want to know more about the Aquila staff? Come along with the 2019–2020 journalism class to Washington, D.C., as students learn more about design, newswriting, video making and more at the JEA/NSPA’s National High School Journalism Convention.

CREATED BY KRISTIAN CROWTHER Aquila Broadcast

p/np press briefing

Join in on Aquila’s third press conference where Executive Director David Porter answers questions regarding UPA’s transition to a Pass/No Pass grading system for the rest of the 2019–2020 school year.

Aquila Podcasts

REPORTiNG BY AQUILA STAFF

46

Contact Us 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 723-1839 aquila@upatoday.com www.upaaquila.org