Verde Volume 25 Issue 5

25 YEARS OF VERDE 7,435 miles away, pg. 14 VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 1

2 MAY 2024

VERDE MAGAZINE May 2024 Volume 25 Issue 5 Editors-in-Chief Alma Bendavid Lia Cardwell Lizzy Williams

ON THE COVER A collage highlighting our favorite covers from past issues of Verde pays homage to the 25th anniversary of Palo Alto High School’s news and features magazine. The cover, designed by managing editor Divya Gandhi, is overlaid with a translucent green color leaving blank the traditional V. for Verde.

Publication policy Verde Magazine, a news and features magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. Verde is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost.

Letters to the editors The staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to verde.eics@gmail.com or 50 Embarcadero Rd Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with Verde, please contact our business manager at verdebusiness5@ gmail.com.

Printing & distribution Verde is printed five times a year in September, November, February, April and May by Folger Graphics in Hayward, California. The Paly Parent Teacher Student Association mails Verde to every student’s home. All Verde work is available at verdemagazine.com

Managing Editors Vit Do Divya Gandhi Cate Graney Features Editors Chloe Huang Kensie Pao Profiles Editors Sophie Mies Augustus Soedarmono Culture Editor Maya Rajbhandari Perspectives Editors Eva Chang Zachary Crystal News Editor Niaz Alasti Launch Editor Lilia Kuzmicheva Editorials Editor Andrew Kassel

Senior Sports Editor Otto Kiss Meyerfreund Assistant Sports Editor Stefan Eriksson Business Manager Maya Rajbhandari Design Editor Ella Hwang Photo Director Lara Saslow Social Media Managers Chloe Huang Sophie Mies Statistician Jaron Leung Webmaster Ethan Zhang Staff Writers Nathalia Arias Felicia Buchholz Jeslyn Chen Austin Eng Keshav Kapur Srinavasan Asha Kulkarni Nadia Soberg Anna Van Riesen Adviser Paul Kandell

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 3

MAY FETE pg. 11

FROM THE EDITORS

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF VERDE We, as the new editing team, want to highlight 25 years of stories, 25 years of exploration and 25 years of lasting friendships: 2024 marks Verde’s 25th year.

On the cover, we honor our history by showcasing a collage of our favorite Verde covers from each of those 25 years. Each of those covers marks a chapter in our history, years marked by diverse issues of their times, from gun violence to pandemic-ridden years to the rise of AI in education.

As we bid farewell to our 25th year, we are still bringing forth stories of camaraderie, excellence, resilience and student and staff culture. Our anniversary issue features a poignant reflection on the career of longtime social studies teacher John Bungarden on his 24 years of teaching (and interesting tie-wearing) as he moves into retirement, written by senior staff writers Asha Kulkarni and Nadia Soberg.

As one door closes for Bungarden, another opens for students as they head into a new school year. In “Turning up the heat with Bobo,” written by editorials editor Andrew Kassel and staff writer Keshav Kapur Srinivasan, junior Shreyas Bobo’s budding passion for cooking shows success in his new business run out of his back-

yard grill.

Change and new realities are further explored, on a generational scale, in the culture story, “Growing up glamorized,” in which senior staff writer Felicia Buchholz and features editor Chloe Huang delve into the developing pressures on current adolescent culture and the emerging trends and behaviors as a result of social media.

As Verde also continues to change and evolve with the current and emerging generations, the impermanence of each pentalogy’s staff is exacerbated by the graduating seniors, and the fledgling new staff taking its form for the next volume.

To our outgoing seniors: we extend our heartfelt thanks for your contributions to Verde. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and in forming your own collage of experiences.

To our readers: As the class of 2025 closes the 25th volume, we hope to turn the page onto this next quarter century of Verde with the same sense of enthusiasm and passion as our predecessors.

We will look back on past issues and editors with pride, while looking forward to upholding Verde’s legacy and placing our own five covers on the coveted MAC 105 wall.

—ALMA, LIA, VIT, DIVYA, CATE AND LIZZY 4 MAY 2024

In this issue Foreword

Editorials 6 Launch 8 News 10 Sports 14

Features

Flags Peer mentorship Fletcher sustainability Legacy ban

16 18 20 22

Profiles

A cappella groups Anthony Thomas Chef Bobo John Bungarden

PAEA NEGOTIATIONS pg. 11

26 28 30 32

Culture

Taylor Swift album 36 Growing up 38 Ikuka 40

Perspectives

AP Lit 42 Shoplifting 44 Babysitting column 46

GRANT MORGENFELD pg.40 28 IKUKA pg.

CHEF BOBO pg. 30 VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 5

the verdicts

Edited and designed by ANDREW KASSEL

Why men should care about abortion

W

HEN ASKED WHAT they think about abortion, “I don’t know,” is the sentiment expressed by many male students at Palo Alto High School.

“I’m not really educated on this topic, I don’t really have an opinion,’’ an anonymous male student told Verde.

We believe that students, regardless of gender, should have an educated opinion on abortion.According to a Verde survey of 353 students in 16 social studies classes on Feb. 4, 21% of male students surveyed said they were neutral on the issue, while less than 7% of female students surveyed said the same.

Additionally, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in October 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned and federal protections on abortion were removed, 63% of women said abortion was ‘very important’ to their vote in the 2022 midterms, as opposed to 49% of men.

On May 1 this year, Florida’s Supreme Court banned abortion after six weeks, before many people know they are pregnant.

When asked about this ruling, the student above said he was not aware of the news.

Male Paly students should make more of an effort to be informed on issues regarding abortion. There are a multitude of reasons for men, who may not be educated on

6 MAY 2024

abortion, to care about it. pends on the capacity of citizens to influOne male student who feels particular- ence policy development and implementaly strongly about abortion is junior Faizan tion processes, according to the National Kashmiri.

Institutes of Health. If men are blindly vot“There’s this mindset that if it doesn’t ing without educating themselves on the immediately affect you, that you shouldn’t issue or not voting at all, they are doing a have to care about it, right?” Kashmiri said. disservice to our country.

“But it’s a very infantile mindset.”

According to Advanced Authentic According to Research teacher Erin Kashmiri, even if Angell, men should care the issue of abortion Regardless of whether about abortion because does not affect men it’s your body or not, they are participating directly, they still members of society. should care about it I just think that if you “Regardless of because it can affect were a contributing whether it’s your body the people around not, I just think that member, you’d be con- or them. if you were a contrib“I’m somebody cerned.” uting member, you’d who doesn’t have any be concerned,” Angell underlying health — ERIN ANGELL, Paly Advanced said. “This [abortion] is Authentic Reasearch Teacher something that affects conditions. However, because I know our society. And so, people who are sick regardless of whether … I want them to have access to medical they’re a contributing party to the pregnancare, even if I don’t necessarily need it,” cy … they’re also human in this country.

Kashmiri said, drawing a comparison be- If we’re caring, thoughtful humans, we’re tween abortion and other medical care. concerned about other humans, right?”

Another reason men should care about We agree with the sentiment expressed abortion is that they make up nearly half of by Kashmiri and Angell. Male Paly students our country’s population, and as residents should care about abortion because they of a representative democracy, their vote on should care about other members of their the issue matters. community. v The effectiveness of democracy deArt by DIVYA GANDHI

“

The Verdicts editorial section expresses the collective opinion of the Verde Magazine staff.

Students need to respect bathrooms

C

USTODIAN IMELDA DE GUZMAN HAD A par- ans, restroom disarray complicates their work. ticularly visceral reaction the first time she entered a Custodian Rowel Gregorio was shocked by the dire state of Paly restroom. the restrooms.

“I threw up,” De Guzman said.

“There’s poop on the floor, on the wall, and even in the sink,” We can empathize. Soap dispensers lie on the ground. Once Gregorio said. “It’s everywhere.” pristine stall doors have been rendered unrecognizable by the exWhile alarming, restroom mistreatment from the students plicit images and words drawn isn’t entirely out-of-left-field for crudely over them. Solid and liqthe custodians. uid waste alike routinely cover the One day you will have a job, and Gregorio said he suspects floors and walls. that the student vandalization hopefully you won’t have to experiFor many Palo Alto High stems from peer pressure.

School students, using the re- ence what we’re experiencing.”

“They [students] think it stroom has become a deeply unmakes them look tough,” Gre— ROWELL GREGORIO, custodian gorio said. “‘Oh you can’t do it,’ pleasant experience.

Poor sanitation and rampant ‘Oh but I can.’” vandalization have led some stuDe Guzman echoes Gregodents to avoid using school bathrio’s sentiments and argues that rooms altogether. This needs to end. School bathrooms need to be students ought to regulate themselves for the betterment of both treated with respect. their peers and the custodial staff.

Paly junior Jessica Mann is one of many students who prefers “You should know how to discipline yourself,” De Guzman not using Paly’s restrooms. said.

“Personally, I Gregorio adds don’t use the baththat students should rooms here because consider how their I think it’s so gross,” actions would make Mann said. “Stuthem feel if they were dents don’t take care in the custodial staff’s of the bathroom and shoes. that’s not the staff’s “One day you fault.” will have. a job, and Mann adds that hopefully you won’t some bathrooms even have to experience lack the bare miniwhat we’re experimum of locks on stall encing,” Gregorio doors, a result of the said. vandalism stemming Students from last year’s “Deshould reflect on their vious Lick” TikTok actions and commit trend, an internet to ending these disreprank where students spectful acts. stole and/or damaged Students need school property. to take responsibility “I know that a lot for their wrongdoings of the stalls don’t have and stop vandalizing any liners in them,” the bathrooms so Paly Mann said. can become a cleaner The poor state of and more welcoming the restrooms doesn’t space for everyone. v only impact students, however. For custodiArt by DIVYA GANDHI

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 7

launch

ASB Answers with Palo Alto High School’s new Publicity Commisioner Emily Tang:

Photo courtesy of Emily Tang

Verdoodle: Countdown to summer Art by Sophia Kelly

8 MAY 2024

Q: What is your favorite part about being a publicity commisioner?

A: Definitely getting to create fun visuals based on each event ASB hosts.

Q: What is ASB working on?

A: Currently the main event we are working on is a Field Day on the Quad to kick off the reopening of the new side of the Quad, which I’m super excited for.

SCAN ME Nadia Soberg’s mini key lime pie recipe

Text, design and photos by LILIA KUZMICHEVA

TIktok ban verbatim:

SUmmer Bucket List

Q: What Are your opinions on the potential TikTok ban?

“It [TikTok] getting banned is a good thing but also a bad thing because it’s such a big part of addiction.”

— Tarika Pillay, sophomore

“Even though I’m not the biggest supporter of its user content, I think a total ban of the app is a bit extreme.”

— Rebecca Doran, junior “I think it will probably give people a little more of their time back, but it’s likely that the popularity of other content services will increase instead.”

— Nate Richards, senior

Art by Divya Gandhi

Watch the sunrise Go to a drive-in movie Go on a hike Have a picnic Go kayaking Make lemonade Have a bonfire Paint a portrait Go on a bike ride VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 9

news

FIGHTING FOR CHANGE — A protester speaks with the Palo Alto sheriff across caution tape. Some students found the campus shutdown unnecessary. "I do feel like ... it's a little bit of a overprecaution to stop people just from going to get food, because at this point they will be leaving," sophomore Vasim Jamil Fee said. Photo: Anna Van Riesen

Campus closes for pro-Palestinian protest

P

RO-PALESTINIAN protesters marched from Town and County Village to Addison Elementary School on May 10 to protest President Joe Biden’s support for Israel, causing Palo Alto High School to be temporarily barricaded and preventing students from leaving campus.

The group began gathering around noon, when the rally was initially set to begin, but delayed their departure until around 1:15 p.m.

Jack, a PAUSD student who asked to be referred to using only his first name, said he skipped class to attend the march and protest Biden’s foreign policy.

“Biden has sent over $50 billion to Israel during his presidency so far,” Jack said.

“And that it's just entirely unacceptable to continue supporting a genocidal apartheid state.”

Biden attended a fundraising event Friday at the Portola Valley home of billionaire donor Vinod Khosla before at-

10 MAY 2024

tending another in the Palo Alto home of ex-Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, who lives near Addison Elementary.

Groups holding Israeli and American flags were gathered on corners surrounding Addison Elementary, showing their support for the president’s actions. Palo Alto resident Abra Siegel was one of the protesters representing Israel.

“I mostly came over to represent Israel and Israeli and the hostages who are still in captivity,” Siegel said. “133 of them and nobody speaks about them and everybody has forgotten why this war began.”

Paly’s campus was closed off as the protest went on across the street, leaving students unable to leave campus during lunch.

Administrators cited safety concerns as the primary reason for the closure.

“We have a closed lunch today to make sure students are safe and away from any violence that may ensue, or any ruckus,” assistant principal LaDonna Butler

said. “So at brunch time, we allowed for kids to go back and forth as they pleased so they could get their lunch or whatever they needed and now we’re a closed campus for the first time ever.”

The campus closure was met by mixed reactions from students, with some wishing they were able to attend the protest.

“I feel like even though there is a protest there, students, during their free time or during lunch, should have an option if they wanted to protest,” freshman Loren Arcilla said.

However, some students enjoyed the quad feeling more crowded than usual.

“Everybody is more united,” sophomore Catarina Carbone said. “With the music playing, people playing sports, it’s a lot more together than when Town and Country’s open.”

by NIAZ ALASTI and ANNA VAN RIESEN

Edited and designed by NIAZ ALASTI

PROMOTING PEACE — Stanford University students set up encampments to protest the war in Gaza. Protests have been affecting university campuses across the country. "I think the environment on campus was ... hostile sometimes," Columbia student Emily Yao said. Photo: Kensie Pao

College campus protests affect Paly alumni

C

OLLEGE LIFE ACROSS THE country is being disrupted as university administrators are taking action against the continuing campus protests and encampments surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Both Columbia University and the University of Southern California’s commencement ceremonies are canceled.

Meanwhile, protests are ongoing in many other campuses across America.

According to Columbia sophomore and Palo Alto High School alumna Emily Yao, Columbia made all final exams fully remote, and the final exam schedule is

inconsistent. Some student have had their finals canceled, while others are required to take final exams online during this stressful period. This inconsistency is inconveniencing herself and her peers.

“She's [Yao’s suitemate] still super stressed out because her professors have not been very lenient,” Yao said. “Whereas I know people who have basically gotten straight A's and don't [need to] worry, it's … kind of unfair to not have a standardized practice,” Yao said.

Tensions around campus have made it hard for students to focus on education.

“I probably haven’t gotten a single as-

PAEA, district come to tentative salary

signment done,” Yao said. “It’s terrible, like all I do is … sleep. My whole lifestyle is so messed up.”

The escalation of tensions has challenged students. Barnard College sophomore and Paly alumna Emma Joing was a part of Columbia’s recent student protests.

“It’s been tough going through the past two weeks and seeing how much the students have gone through and how much the administration has pushed back and how much its affected myself and my peers and our campus,” Joing said.

by ZACHARY CRYSTAL

City celebrates 100th May Fete parade

agreement

RALLYING FOR RAISES — The Palo Alto Educators Association and the Palo Alto School District Board of Education have reached a tentative agreement about teacher salary increases on May 5. According to the PAUSD superintendent's update, the general agreement "calls for 4% salary increases in 2023-24, and again in 2024-25, with a 1% bonus for the 2023-24 school year." According to a member of the PAEA, who would like to be kept anonymous, the negotiation includes agreements on the terms the union has been asking for. Photo: Kensie Pao

CELEBRATING THE CITY — Palo Alto residents march along University Avenue to celebrate the 100th annual May Fete Parade on Saturday, May 4. Despite the rain and wind, hundreds gathered to watch the parade. “It's really fun to see our community’s engagement and involvement in this parade,” float judge Cayla Koga said. Photo: Lara Saslow

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 11

Annual K-12 art show showcases student work

C

CELEBRATING CREATIVITY — Families explore student art at the Palo Alto Art Center on May 1. The show displays students’ artistic talent. “Art is a way to express myself,” Gunn High School junior Satvik Sivaraman said. Photo: Kensie Pao

Ohlone Elementary hosts 50th anniversary

O

HLONE ELEMENTARY school held its 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring food, activities, and guest speakers on May 4.

Ohlone teachers, alumni, as well as PAUSD board members attended the celebration and spoke about their memorable experiences during their time at the school.

Volunteer Rebecca Marasco said the celebration included many activities.

“There's a STEM event because today is May the fourth,” Marasco said. “And there are a lot of Arts and Sciences you can do around Star Wars.”

Similarly, former music teacher and alumni John Henry Bradshaw, who performed at the celebration, expressed his deep connection to Ohlone.

“To me, Ohlone was to find the shape you fit in, not to try to fit you into a box,” Bradshaw said.

by LILIA KUZMICHEVA

12 MAY 2024

ELEBRATING THE CREATIVITY of youth in our community, the annual K-12 art show opened on April 27 at the Palo Alto Art Center.

The show is running until May 19, showcasing a variety of artwork from over 500 young artists under the theme of symbiosis.

“The purpose of the art show is to showcase the work our students do and to give them an opportunity to have the equivalent of a performance,” art instructor Kate McKenzie said.

Viewers praised the role of art teachers in selecting pieces that resonated with both students and viewers.

“Young students make a lot of really pretty and super creative pieces of artwork,” Palo Alto High School sophomore Ivy Lee said. “When I look at this gallery, it's so much more interesting than random modern art galleries, because you can really see the ideas and creativity coming off of these pieces.”

by MAYA RAJBHANDARI

Four candidates to run for school board

F

OR THE PALO ALTO SCHOOL Board election this November, four candidates have recently officially declared to run for the three open positions.

These four candidates are Josh Salcman, Chris Colohan, Alison Kamhi and Nicole Chiu-Wang.

Salcman filed his papers to run on April 22. He previously served on the Nixon Elementary School PTA board as treasurer for two years and is now the special education and inclusion representative there. Salcman said one of his main priorities on the school board would be to maintain stability and to continue good governance of the school district, by addressing equity, mental health, wellness and balance in life for students.

“Equity is not that we should be giving every student the same thing,” Salcman said. “I think what equity should and can mean is understanding where each student is coming from, what their challenges are, what their opportunities are for success, and giving them what they need to be able to pursue their own individual definition of success.”

Chiu-Wang, who announced her candidacy on April 29, also values student mental health and equity through closing the opportunity gap.

Kamhi filed her papers for candidacy on April 22. Since then, she has emphasized listening to the community, focusing on asking students questions, like what aspects of their school experience the board should pay attention to.

“As an immigrant rights lawyer, we advocate for change on a national level,” Kamhi said. “But all change is local, so I can think of nothing more impactful than working right here in our schools in our school districts for our families and communities.”

Colohan, who declared to run on March 4, said he would value good governance as part of the board, but especially by ensuring that decisions are being made with transparency, improving communication and coordination.

“I’m going to have to get into communication with families,” Colohan said.

“Right now, I can tell you that many parents, including myself, feel that you just get a firehose of information … It’s really hard to know how to prioritize what you read as a parent."

More candidates are expected to enter the race in the coming months.

by CHLOE HUANG

Pedicures, Manicures, Facials, Threading, Waxing, Eyelash Extensions and more!

650-948-4501 555 SAN ANTONIO ROAD #43, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, 94040

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 13

sports

Lawn Bowling: Game For All

SOCIAL HOT SPOT FOR RETIREES

Y

OU WOULD BE hard-pressed to find a Palo Alto resident who hasn’t passed the irregularly shaped block off Embarcadero Road, which shares borders with Palo Alto’s well-known Gamble Garden. The small wood fence and perfectly flat green grass make for an unmissable, peculiar site among the houses and garden that surround it. Yet, it would be even harder to find a resident familiar with the game played on the club green.

Walking into the plot, groups of people roll colorful oval-shaped objects, aiming for a small white sphere, playing a game called Bowls.

The Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club provides a space for Palo Alto residents to play the game of bowls, also known as ‘Lawn Bowling.’ Bowls is a sport where players try to roll their ball as close as possible to a smaller white ball, called a jack. The weight imbalance of the balls, also known as bowls, creates hard to predict curves in the ball’s travel, turning the game into a competitive match.

According to Frank Matyskiela, head coach of the club, the beginning of this year marked the club’s 90th anniversary,

14 MAY 2024

founded in 1934. Since then, the club has remained much the same, apart from renovations of the clubhouse.

The City of Palo Alto has owned the property since its inception.

“The city owns the whole property, and we lease it from them and pay rent on that lease,” Matyskiela said. “It’s an old property the city is invested in.”

Currently, the club has 86 members.

However, Matyskiela expects that number to increase to over 100 by the end of this year.

Despite the small number of people who visit this nature haven, for a select group of people, it’s a part of their daily routine.

“It [lawn bowling] is a low aerobic sport, and it’s social but competitive and you meet nice people,” Matyskiela said.

“Most of the people are our age 60, 70. I’m 83, this helps me keep up.”

Rob, 63, who asked to be refered to by only his first name, is a member of PALBC, he has visited the club three times a week for around a year.

Rob started his lawn bowling adventures in his home country, South Africa, and continues his passion in Palo Alto.

Rob has his own specially made Bowls from South Africa with the ‘SA’ emblem.

He mentioned that the game in South Africa was a different culture because there was much more alcohol involved, but he can appreciate the cultural differences. “[Lawn bowling is] a highly skilled game, and it actually takes a while to master the skill,” Rob said. “It has a lot of mental concentration and it’s social and it’s nice to be outside.”

In addition to recreational bowling, PALBC hosts numerous intra-club bowling tournaments, invitationals and social events throughout the year, open to all members.

Matyskiela invites all Palo Alto residents to attend one of the drop-in lessons offered every Sunday at 1:30 p.m., regardless of their skill level, and check out the extensive collection of books on the sport of lawn bowling. v BOWLING BOWLS — Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club member, Rob, who asked to be referred to by only his first name, prepares to throw his bowl in a game of lawn bowling. “We sometimes have meals in the club house,” Rob said. “On Wednesday evenings, members take turns cooking meals, and we have wine, food and beer.” Photo: Stefan Eriksson

Text by STEFAN ERIKSSON and OTTO KISS MEYERFREUND

Divison I Commits: Defying odds ATHLETES DISCUSS THEIR D1 SPORTS JOURNEY Diving

Golf

Palo Alto High School senior Alena Lotterer’s passion for diving began as a gymnast. “I was originally a gymnast in third and fifth grade but I was just getting hurt a lot already at a young age,” Lotterer said.

“She [my mom] didn’t want me getting hurt, but saw how much I loved gymnastics so she signed me up for diving.”

At 12, Lotterer realized she could pursue diving in college, and began practicing for at least 12 hours a week to reach that goal.

After searching for colleges she fell in love with the University of Virginia, which she eventually committed to. While at UVA, Lotterer hopes to improve as well as bring success to the team. “I would just really love to contribute to an ACC and NCAA title,” Lotterer said.

Photo: Otto Kiss Meyerfreund

Paly senior Chase Kacher, is a Division I golf commit to the University of Denver. From a young age he wanted everything that golf could offer.

“I always had it in my mind that I wanted to play D1 because that was such a big thing for me,” Kacher said. “When people would ask me if I wanted to play D1 I would be like I wanted to play division one golf. Playing the best possible level of golf in college [was my dream] ... I would go before school and after school until 9:30 when they shut the lights off. And I would just work my freakin tail off.”

Additionally, Kacher said he believes that he will make it to the profesional level by giving it his entire heart.

“The mindset of my coach is to get me ready for college,” Kacher said.

“He wants to get ready to be a pro golfer, which is obviously my dream.”

Photo courtesy of Chase Kacher

Track and Field

Soccer

Paly senior Lili Wakenshaw recently announced her commitment to Bucknell University for track and field, specifically the high jump event. Wakenshaw has been practicing and competing in the high jump since sixth grade.

“I started doing high jump in sixth grade and quickly realized I was pretty good at it and I enjoyed the process of getting better,” Wakenshaw said.

Wakenshaw is excited about college, especially after already meeting some of her teammates. “It’s [Bucknell] a small school and I’ve already met part of the team so I’m going in with a preset friend group,” Wakenshaw said. Photo: Otto Kiss Meyerfreund

Paly senior Elsie Parigi is a Division I soccer commit to the University of San Francisco. She had struggles along the road to recruitment.

“I unfortunately got injured for two years, which has made the recruiting process difficult,” Parigi said.

Despite her setbacks during the recruiting process, Parigi is excited to play at the next level, as she has had it in the back of her mind her whole life.

“I think it’s gonna be obviously extremely challenging to play at another level,” Parigi said. “But I’m really excited for that, and to learn and grow as a player.” Photo: Otto Kiss Meyerfreund

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 15

Text by ASHA KULKARNI and MAYA RAJBHANDARI

Art by JESLYN CHEN

SYMBOLic F

ROM HIS SEVENTH floor winFLAGS CATCH dow in Palo Alto City Hall, City Manager Ed Shikada can survey FLACK IN the streets below. Outside his window, five flags fly atop city poles.

LOCAL POLITICS “On the eastmost flagpole, we have the American flag,” he said. “Next to it, in the center … is the United Nations flag, and then down below, is the Pride flag. And then over on the … third flagpole is the State of California flag and down below it, the City of Palo Alto [flag]. These are the flags that have been flying for as long as I can recall.”

These flags are a constant in the City Hall plaza. But locally and nationally, city and school flagpoles have become sites for recent political controversy.

Protests for Palestinians On March 30, protesters hoisted Palestinian flags onto city flag poles outside of Palo Alto City Hall. According to Musa Tariq, the policy coordinator for the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group, the protest aimed to raise awareness for the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

“The Palestinian flag is a symbol of liberation, a symbol of its people right now,” Tariq said. “This is a people that has been wiped out, genocided, silenced. So, it’s more important than ever that we put the Palestinian flag high. … because if we allow this genocide to continue in silence, then these people have died for nothing. I think it’s important that we amplify the voices of the voiceless.”

In response, the City of Palo Alto removed the flags and locked down the flagpoles to prevent similar displays.

16 MAY 2024

features v

SIGNAGE “We understand that that [unauthoIn addition to cities such as Hunting- ple with policies governing flag displays. rized flag flying] was an issue and we re- ton Beach banning Pride flags on city propShikada said that the city can fly new viewed the situation,” Shikada said. “As a erty, multiple California school districts flags during a special event, such as when result, the city is placing locks on the flag have restricted the flying of Pride flags, ac- one of Palo Alto’s sister cities is visiting. … halyards [the rope used for raising and cording to the San Francisco Chronicle. In Otherwise, the City Council would lowering a flag] …

Sunol, an Alameda need to pass a resolution. in order to prevent County town less “[Flying] the United Nations [flag], unauthorized use in It’s important that we than an hour’s drive the Pride flag, were determined by City the future.”

Palo Alto, the Council action, most likely a resolution amplify the voices of the from However, Tariq school board passed at some point in the past,” Shikada said. reaffirmed the im- voiceless.” a resolution to ban “Over time, that [the flags the city flies] portance of the prothe flying of any flag will change based on City Council direc— MUSA TARIQ, Policy Coordinator for the except for the U.S. tion, and there could be a resolution to fly test.

Council on American-Islamic Relations and California flags. some other flag, either on a special event or “Any form of protest in front of a In both cases, sup- in recognition.”

City Hall is … a valid way to express con- porters of the flag ban worried that flying Palo Alto Unified School District cerns within a community especially when the Pride flag would cause division.

Superintendent Don Austin said that altheir elected officials are not hearing them “Sadly, there’s been an increase in an- though some school districts may choose to out,” he said. “If they have to hang a flag on ti-LGBTQ+ sentiment over the past couple display other flags beside the U.S. and state a flagpole, I think that’s a pretty harmless of years, including a rise in hate crimes,” flags, PAUSD follows convention. form of expression to get some form of ac- Stahl said. “Those “When we get knowledgment.” attempting to ban into weighing the the Pride flag … are Seeing the Pride flag merits of the difDisplaying Pride flags extremists using this instills a sense of safety ferent flags whethVeronica Qiu, a Palo Alto High School as another tactic to er for protest or sophomore and president of Paly’s Cultur- intimidate and ha- and security.” presentation, that’s al Connections Club, is familiar with the rass LGBTQ+ peoproblematic for a — SHANE STAHL, Communications Manager cultural importance of flags, but she also ple.” lot of reasons and for Equality California recognizes their political significance.

For Stahl, cities not something we “I think there’s definitely two sides of such as Palo Alto would not want to flags,” she said. “In one way they can show that fly the Pride flag are beacons of accep- weigh into,” Austin said. “Individuals have a cultural aspect of a community and their tance for the queer community. tons of rights when it comes to what they values, but I think also, it can represent a “The Pride flag is a symbol of the di- want to do in their own facilities, their own political movement … like the rainbow versity and beauty of the LGBTQ+ com- homes, their own property. There’s a lot of flag.” munity,” he said. “For many people, seeing freedom there but as far as a school district According to Shane Stahl, communi- a Pride flag instills a sense of safety and se- or government entity, I’m comfortable with cations manager for Equality California, a curity.” the long-standing practice of sticking with statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organizathe two and staying out of the discussions tion, it has become increasingly common Policies and protocols about what other flags might make sense to for cities to ban Pride flags.

Amid these debates, institutions grap- go up.” v

“

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 17

A HELPING HAND

18 MAY 2024

Photo by KENSIE PAO

PROGRAM PAVES WAY FOR SEMINAR STUDENTS

S

TEPPING INTO THE PALO Alto High School library during seventh period on a Friday, groups of students sit in unison, discussing class projects.

The students, half of them juniors and half seniors, belong to the AP Seminar and AP Research peer-mentorship program, which debuted at Paly this year.

The peer mentorship program was created by AP Seminar teacher Lucy Filppu, AP Research teacher Mary Sano and dvancement Aparna Sankararaman, who teaches Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and chemistry.

The program allows students in AP Seminar, a research class for juniors and seniors, which is the prerequisite for AP Research, to be mentored by seniors currently taking AP Research.

The idea for the program started with Filppu and Sano’s desire to give more opportunities for students to participate in the AP Capstone pathway, which requires students to take AP Seminar and AP Research.

According to Filppu, this allowed teachers to step back and allow students to lead.

“I felt that we’re under-utilizing the talents of students to help other students [and] I feel students are our single greatest asset all the time,” Filppu said. “We too often make an adult the one to be the leader and I feel like these kids [AP Research/ Seminar students] can do it.”

Filppu saw the program as an opportunity to uplift AVID students, who are traditionally of lower socio-economic status and first-generation college students, into higher-level AP classes with students of higher SES. According to Filppu, students tend to form cliques based on SES. However, when these cliques are broken, they significantly increase the academic benefits, especial-

Text by OTTO KISS MEYERFREUND and AUGUSTUS SOEDARMONO

ly for AVID students. A study done by os, is part of the AVID class at Paly and Raj Chetty, an economist and researcher, plans on becoming the first in his family to showed that first-generation college stu- attend college. dents increased their GPA by 60% comGuarneros accredits his decision to pared to previous years when mixed with take AP Seminar to the peer mentorship higher SES students, which is also known program as well as the content of the class. as “economic connectedness.”

“I thought it was a cool class in genAdditionally, according to a statement eral because I could research something I from Filppu. completion of advanced cours- was interested in,” Guarneros said. “The es allows students to be “well positioned to thought of having a peer mentor increased attend four-year colleges,” a struggle many the chance [of joining the class] because I’ll first-generation students encounter. have someone to help me.”

After one year of piloting the program, Guarneros has come to enjoy AP SemFilppu said she believes that this program inar, in great part due to the peer mentorhas a lot of potential to be a movement in ship program. “I got along very well with providing a high-level education for AVID Alaap and [he] has been helping me more students after high school. than he has to with my papers which has “I also think a lot of AVID students allowed me to get a good grade in the are really really capable [of attending a class,” Guarneros said. four-year college],” Filppu said. “Their Guarneros plans on taking AP Reparents maybe didn’t go to college, but they search and becoming a mentor next year. want to do it.”

Selection of peer mentors started Sankararaman agreed with the state- with Sano who has AP Research students ment and has seen tremendous growth in anonymously write a short paragraph on her students over the past years. themselves, allowing seminar students to “The peer mentoring mentorship rank their first choices based on the paraprogram at the begingraphs. Then Filppu ning of the year, they and Sano would pair [AVID students] prob- The best cure for what each student togethably saw their senior ails a student is anoth- eres. based on responspeer mentors applying [for college], you er student.”

Many Paly stuknow, talking about dents are busy with —LUCY FILPPU, AP Seminar teacher their AP classes and little variables that has rubbed off on them,” other extracurricular Sankaraman said. “It’s activities, with algiven them the confidence to take more AP most no time to help others. classes.”

It prompts the question: why do Paly One senior mentor for the program, students, especially seniors, want to help Alaap Nair decided to join the program be- and mentor younger students? cause of the benefits it held in helping an Filppu believes that a reason many AP Seminar student. students at Paly take the time to help one “Just transferring my knowledge and another can be credited to the feeling it all the mistakes I made to help my peer produces. mentor was why I thought it was a great “I actually think a lot of our really idea,” Nair said. high achieving students are dying to feel Beyond helping his mentee, Nair be- purposeful and give back to someone, they lieves that the mentorship program creates may not realize it,” Filppu said. “The best a “symbiotic” relationship that benefits cure for what ails a student is another stuboth the mentor and the mentee. dent.” v “My peer mentor would listen to my presentation and he gave me feedback on MENTORSHIP MATES — Participants in the things that I was doing in research,” Nair Research and Seminar peer mentorship program, Alaap Nair and Uriel Almanza Guarnersaid. “It’s a beneficial experience for both os, pose for a picture. “I’ve honestly really of us.” come to enjoy Seminar, especially with the Nair’s partner, Uriel Almanza Guarner- peer mentorship program,” Guarneros said.

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 19

TIGERS

Text by EVA CHANG and SOPHIE MIES

with all students, so it doesn’t really matter food and water through interactive and how many students [of the program] are at FLETCHER air,classroom-based activities.

Fletcher.”

Along with environmental awareness, majority of the program is taught ADOPTS SUS- Fletcher presented the idea of adding a withinTheschool electives, core classes and specialty program to activiTAINABILITY their curriculum to The Fletcher commu- after-school ties, made possible help increase enrollcollaboration with PROGRAM ment.“There were lots nity really wanted to byFletcher staff, PAUSD ment where people have access to clean

“

students and parents take on the project of WENTY PERCENT OF Palo of different ideas and the District OfAlto will be under water by thrown around, like figuring out, for themfice.

2050, according to the National adding Connections, selves, what they were “The integration Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- which they have at of units within core ministration.

JLS [Jane Lathrop excited about and classes allows them While every generation since the Baby Stanford Middle what they can cre[students] to discuss Boomers has acknowledged climate change School],” said Jessie topics in their social to be a top priority, only around 50% of Ladomirak, a mem- atively imagine.” studies classes, or read people within each generation have taken ber of the Board of a novel in their Enpersonal action to address the issue accord- Education.

“The — JESSE LADOMIRAK, Palo Alto Board of glish classes, or even Education member ing to Pew Research Center.

Fletcher community deal with some data in In response to this lack of action, Ellen really wanted to take their math classes that Fletcher Middle School adopted the Sus- on the project of figuring out, for them- bring awareness to different environmental tainability for All program in fall of 2023 selves, what they were excited about and situations,” Wallace said. with the goal of creating more environmen- what they can creatively imagine.”

The program is mandatory in elective tal awarness among students and boosting According to the Palo Alto Unified classes, but optional in core classes, where enrollment.

School District website, families that are program material is occasionally integrated “We’re living in a time where sustain- interested in participating in the program into the curriculum. ability has become but don’t live withWallace encourages students to particone of the parain the Fletcher dis- ipate as much as possible, saying that every They [students] won’t mount issues facing trict can still apply session can be valuable to anyone. society,” said Todd have to wait until coland join the school, Collins, a member boostlege ... because it [climate effectively of the Palo Alto ing the pool of Board of Education. change] is going to affect students who can “You see places like However, them much more than old enroll.

Stanford launch enTamara Wallace, a tire new schools of people.”

Teacher on Special sustainability … so Assignment leadthe idea [of the proing the program, — TODD COLLINS, Palo Alto Board of Education member said that boosting gram] is that they [students] won’t enrollment is still have to wait until college … because it [cli- a priority even after launching the mate change] is going to affect them much program. more than older people.”

“We still have many open The Sustainability for All program spots for students since we funcprovides students with the opportunity to tion as a choice program,” Wallearn more about developing an environ- lace said. “We … value working

T

“

20 MAY 2024

Art by SOPHIE PAN

GO GREEN “Sometimes they [students] have a lot nities to participate. of interest, and sometimes they don’t, but “As someone who doesn’t do the elecyou learn from each [lesson],” Wallace said. tive, we have many activities at lunch. On Claire Park, Schoology, they a seventh-grader always post activSometimes they [stuat Fletcher, agrees, ities we can do to saying that the work dents] have a lot of interhelp the environdone under Sustainment, and also gain est, and sometimes they ability for All has community service greatly improved don’t, but you learn from hours … or monthe overall state of ey as an incentive,” each [lesson].”

Fletcher’s campus.

Das said. “So it’s “I’m in the more of an optional — TAMARA WALLACE, Teacher on Special elective so I get to Assignment thing that you can plant a lot of things, come and join, it’s and I’ve visibly nojust not always in ticed that the school has been cleaner,” Park our curriculum.” said. “I’ve been having to pick up less trash However, the program hasn’t been around the school, and I think we’re really without its challenges. making a difference.”

“Being a new program, not many peoAva Das, another seventh-grader at ple signed up for it,” Das said. “A lot of stuFletcher, said that even those who choose not to engage in the program still have many opportu-

“

dents put it as their alternative, and so most people in this program didn’t originally intend to be in it.”

Still, Das says that the majority of students have enjoyed their experiences working in the program.

“Even though these people [students] are kind of forced to be in the electives, they’ve still been pretty enthusiastic [about the program],” Das said.

With the continued support of Fletcher staff, Park believes this program will continue to flourish and provide students with opportunities they would not otherwise receive through regular schoolwork.

“Ms. Wallace has been working really hard to make the school a lot more sustainable,” Park said. “I feel like in the future when this program goes on for a bit more, our school should be very sustainable.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 21

PIPELINE TO Text by JARON LEUNG and NADIA SOBERG

PRIVILEGE Although legacy brings advantages House Appropriations Committee, the CALIFORNIA to some, many people, such as California California House of Representatives will State Assemblymember Phil Ting, repre- vote on the bill sometime in May, accordSan Francisco, think that legacy ing to Ting’s communications director, NaCONSIDERS senting admissions are unfair. nette Miranda.

“I believe strongly in the value of diverpreviously attempted to introLEGACY BAN sity in higher education,” Ting said.“We’re duceTing a bill that would ban legacy admis-

I

MAGINE WORKING HARD all your life, trying to achieve your goals.

Then, imagine being passed over by an admissions officer for someone simply because of who their parents are. That’s legacy admissions.

According to the New York Times, legacy admissions is a practice where certain colleges “give a boost during the admissions process to the children or grandchildren of alumni, making them more likely to gain admission.”

According to that same article, 42% of private universities consider legacy admissions, while only six percent of public universities use it.

22 MAY 2024

told that opportunities are available to any- sions in 2019, in the wake of the 2019 one who works college admishard and gets We’re told that opportunities sions scandal, good grades. But a criminal are available to anyone who that’s simply not conspiracy to true. There’s a works hard and gets good influence unside door for stuergraduate grades. But that’s simply not dadmissions dents who come at from wealth or true.” several US colhave connecleges. Under — PHIL TING, California State Assemblymember tions.” the proposed Having relabill, California tives who attended a university that prac- colleges would face the penalty of losing tices legacy admissions can be a leg up for funding for CalGrants if they defied the bill students applying to that college. and continued to prefer legacy students.

According to Stanford’s 2020 annual CalGrants are financial scholarships admissions report, the acceptance rate for awarded to California college students who students whose parents were alumni or attend eligible colleges in California. were donors was four times higher than Ultimately, the 2019 bill failed because the overall acceptance rate. of concerns that the removal of funding for Legacy students are more likely CalGrants would negatively impact lowto come from rich, white fami- er-income students. According to Miranda, lies, according to the New York the bill was changed to require colleges to Times. Ting wants to even the report data on legacy admissions. This colplaying field for underrepre- lected data, along with the nationwide end sented students. This past of affirmative action, a practice that sought February, he introduced a to benefit marginalized groups, serves as the bill, AB 1780, to ban leg- basis for this new bill that would ban legacy acy admissions for all pri- admissions in California once and for all. vate California colleges.

However, unlike the previous 2019 Public California bill, AB 1780 does not reduce funding for colleges do not practice CalGrants as punishment for colleges that legacy admissions. continue to take into account legacy.

After it passes the “The bill now assesses a civil penalty

“

Art by JESLYN CHEN on private colleges and universities in California … that practice legacy/donor admissions,” Miranda said.

According to Miranda, the bill would fine universities that practice legacy admissions based on their past CalGrant receipts.

“The fine against would be equal to the amount of CalGrants the schools received the prior year,” Miranda said. “For instance, in 2022-23, Stanford received $3.2 million CalGrants and USC [University of Southern California] received $26.6 million. Those would be the fines right now if the bill were in effect. So we’ve taken the approach of penalizing schools, not students.”

USC, a California private college that practices legacy admissions, has not taken a position on AB 1780. In a statement, USC said “admitted students meet our high academic standards through a contextualized holistic review that values each student’s lived experience.”

They also emphasized their commitment to accepting low income students.

According to their statement, “for the

2022-23 academic year, 22% of admitted students were first-generation college students, 28% were from historically under-represented groups and 74% were students of color.”

Senior Kevin Shi said he thinks the ban could present a practical issue for universities and their fundraising efforts.

“Overall … I don’t think it’s a good idea to have legacy, ” Shi said. “Ideally, there’s no legacy because I think who your parents are, where they went to school, shouldn’t really decide whether you can get into a college or not, but at the same time, a lot of colleges get a lot of their funding from alumni and that’s why they probably have a legacy.”

Shi said he thinks too many legacy students is a problem.

“According to Stanford’s website, their rate [of legacy students] is around 15% … I think something [like] that is okay or maybe on the high side, but obviously if a school had say, 50% legacy, that would be a problem,” Shi said. “I think policymakers could maybe do something to prevent

those extreme cases from happening, but if you’re looking at a moderate range, like 20 [percent] or below, I think it’s ok.”

Shi said he is committed to attend Stanford University in the fall, but he has no legacy or connections to the university.

Despite assertions that legacy admissions preferences are necessary for universities to generate sufficient funding through their alumni, schools such as Johns Hopkins University, Amherst College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which have eliminated the practice in recent years, have reported that their funding has remained steady despite the change.

Shi said he thinks that banning legacy admissions is a step too far, but the government should take steps to limit it.

“I don’t think banning [legacy admissions] would be a good idea,” Shi said.

“Maybe setting a rough limit on how much of the class can be from legacy. Do something to make sure that it’s not too big of a factor. I think it would make sense for the government … to be able to set some rules.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 23

24 MAY 2024

AGILEPT.COM

EXPERIENCE THE AGILE DIFFERENCE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICS

(650) 565-8090

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 25

Text by STEFAN ERIKSSON and LARA SASLOW

Photo courtesy of RIYA KINI

Harmonizing Heights

High School’s five a cappella groups by the Heartbreakers which was going to be PALY’S Alto include Heartbeats, Heartbreakers, Vika- their male counterpart,” Najar said.

Folk Yes and Froshapella.

Eventually, Paly’s a cappella program GROWING pella,Choir teacher Michael Najar has grew into five separate groups. Although at Paly since 2003, before the start all five groups are student-run, Najar and A CAPPELLA taught of Paly’s a cappella groups. A major reason Brittney Kerby, the other Paly choir teachfor Najar’s excitement towards the creation er, occasionally give coaching or pointers to a cappella groups was because he students.

CULTURE ofdidPaly’s not have the opportunity to do a capEach group used to have its own defini-

G

ATHERED IN A CIRCLE, members hum and vocalize while others look up lyrics on their phones, harmoniously creating intricate melodies from their voices alone.

A cappella, music that is performed without instruments, is a way students can express themselves through music, but one of the only ways they can do so inde-

26 MAY 2024

pendently, without an adult mentor. Palo

a cappella group here on campus, followed

pella in high school and college, due to the lack of popularity of a cappella groups at the time.

Najar said that the start of Paly a cappella was in 2005, when one of his students, Mary Hewlett, approached him with the idea.

“Mary Hewlett started with these other three young women a group called the Heartbeats … the Heartbeats are the oldest

tive style but they now are more mixed.

“There’s more crossover between music.

It used to be more separated, but it’s not as much anymore but they all have their own identity,” Najar said.

Heartbeats Junior Riya Kini is a part of Paly’s Heartbeats a cappella group. Kini, who did choir outside of school prior to joining Paly

profiles v choir her freshman, joined Froshapella, the and advanced vocals at Paly since freshman Froshapella. freshman a cappella group. Her sophomore year. She was in Froshapella freshman year, “It’s just freshmen. … It [Froshapella] year she did regular choir and finally tried and joined Folk Yes at the beginning of her meets once a week and so we’re all really out for Heartbeats her junior year. junior year. good friends,” she said.

Being only a four-person group, Kini The group meets after school or during Being a student run group, the students appreciates how connected she feels with lunch, but usually not very often unless are responsible for their results. the Heartbeats a capella group. there is a concert coming up, Samant said.

“We have to work hard to sound good “I really like just having a smaller group, Samant says that she enjoys a cappella because there’s no help from anyone else,’’ because it’s more close-knit and it’s just nice because there is much more freedom in Curtis said. to have that community,” she said. “It’s very comparison to choir.

Although Curtis recognizes the talent of laid back and drama “We usually like Froshapella, she says that some don’t. free so it’s just nice to I really like just having a to discuss what we “Everyone kind of underestimates the be able to make muwant to do, and we freshmen, we weren’t great but we weren’t smaller group, because sic.” get to choose our bad and we got lots of compliments,” CurHeartbeats per- it’s more close-knit and soloist and choose tis said. forms one to two what parts we songs per concert. it’s justs nice to have that want,” Samant said. Heartbreakers According to Kini, community.”

“It’s a lot different Junior Jacob Bau is one of five members practices often ocbecause it’s self-de- of Paly’s all male a cappella group, Heartcur during lunch or breakers. He said that he enjoys singing a — RIYA KINI, Heartbeats member termined.” weekends. cappella with Paly.

“Everyone’s pretty Vikapella “It’s just a unique experience that you busy throughout the Senior Rori can’t really get anywhere else in Paly, I week,” she said. “We normally just meet Escudero, a member of the Vikapella a would say to be able to sing with such a at someone’s house the weekend before the cappella group, has been doing a cappella small number of people is a lot of fun. Esconcert for three or four hours and just her whole time at Paly. Having joined Fro- pecially when it is a lot of guys because it’s learn the song really quick during that time shapella freshman year before staying two a bit more casual than some of the other a because it’s kind of hard to make progress years in Folk Yes and then moving on to cappella groups,” Bau said. during only a 30-minute lunch.”

Vikapella.

The Heartbreakers sing mainly in a late Kini says that the biggest difference Escudero said that her favorite part of a 19th century style of music. from regular choir is that it’s student-run cappella is performing.

“It is a lot of a lot of pop music, like genand that they get to choose what songs they “It’s really fun beerally but we’re also want to sing. She said that Heartbeats is not cause we get to wear We have to work hard doing some barbertoo much of a time commitment. matching outfits,” she shop stuff,” Bau said. to sound good because Kini recalls her most memorable expe- said.

Bau has a lot of rience being when they got to record “All I Escudero said that there’s no help from passion for singing Want For Christmas Is You” for the winter a cappella has also and he says that a big concert. taught her important anyone else.” part of his day to day “Mr. Najar really liked it,” Kini said. “So life lessons. time is allotted to— JULIA CURTIS, Froshapella member wards music. he wanted us to record it with professional “It’s taught me how equipment, we went into the studio and re- to be a better team “A lot of my life corded it and it got released.” member. It’s taught specifically is dediWorking in a group in itself is a diffi- me how to be a better leader. How to cated towards music. So I have a little bit cult task but when you add a cappella it work with people when we have a bunch less on the school side, but generally what becomes loads harder. Kini said that a cap- of scheduling conflicts,” Escuerdo said. I try to do is think of it as homework,” pella has helped her with her teamwork and “Working with people’s different strengths he said. “I need to make time for it in my accountability. and weaknesses. Like, this person can’t sing week, or else I feel like I’m falling behind “When there’s only four people in the this part. So I have to adjust the music this like as you would in any other class.” v group, and you have to hold your own part way. Or this person is sick. Sometimes we’re 100% of the time, there’s kind of this sense gonna move it around. So it’s like learning HEARTBEATS PERFORMS — Left to right Vicof, ‘oh, I can’t let them down,’” Kini said. how to be flexible and be a good team- toria Eberle, Annalise Klenow, Riya Kini and Ella mate.”

Hwang sing “I Say a Little Prayer.” “It’s very laid back and drama free so it’s just nice to be able to Folk Yes make music,” junior Riya Kini said.

Junior Eesha Samant is a part of Folk Froshapella Yes. She has been in choir since sixth grade Freshman Julia Curtis is a member of

“

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 27

Text by NATHALIA ARIAS and STEFAN ERIKSSON

BY NATHALIA ARIAS and STEFAN ERIKSSON

28 MAY 2024

Always be Photo by KENSIE PAO

coaching A ATHLETES ADORE NEW COACH

T 7:30 A.M. ON TUESDAYS athletes, checking their position and posand Thursdays, the Palo Alto ture — making sure everything they do is High School football team gath- safe and effective,” Thomas said. ers at Earl Hansen Viking StaThomas doesn’t just instruct his studium, running along the yard lines. Large dent-athletes, but he takes a different apblack metal sleds are attached to a group of proach, leading by example. players with a vest and a rope as they barrel “We’ll do what I say, but you’re not ever down a 20-yard stretch at full speed. In- not gonna see me do it [with the students],” structing them is Anthony Thomas, a new Thomas said. “For example … when we’re addition to the innovative staff that helps transitioning, let’s say, from outside on the support Paly athletes. field to inside the weight Coming from Fres- You gotta love them room, I’m gonna be jogno, Thomas has worked ging [with the athletes].” with many programs tough.”

Thomas also values helping in strength and the organization and exconditioning, and was — ANTHONY THOMAS, strength ecution of his program. and conditioning coach hired to bring his talents “I’m really big on to Paly. organization, whether it’s Thomas has 35 years of experience in organizing the weight room or organizing strength and conditioning, including sup- and programming … my workouts, everyporting Olympic athletes in the weightlift- thing’s very, very structured,” Thomas said. ing realm.

Many students have mentorship relaFrom working solely with the football tionships with Thomas. Sophomore footteam at Paly, Thomas has expanded to other ball player Eddrick Steil said he has benesports including track and field, badminton fitted from Thomas’ arrival. and basketball, showing his dedication to “He gets us to drive a lot more,” Steil introducing conditioning to all sports. said. “Ever since I’ve been working out with “I have many passions in life, but Coach Anthony I’ve been getting a lot of strength and conditioning, one of those PRs [personal records]. Personally, I think many passions, that’s how I chose to make other people can say that it’s a similar expea living,” Thomas said. rience for them too.”

Thomas has a defined strength and The mentorships between Thomas and conditioning philosophy. his student-athletes clearly go both ways.

“First for me is going to be ‘ABC,’ “Sometimes I have to be careful and which stands for the acronym, ‘Always let the student-athlete know, don’t focus on be coaching,’” Thomas said. “I have a big how I’m saying things, but on what I’m say[focus] on communication and letting the ing,” Thomas said. “You gotta love a lot of athlete know what I expect from them and these student-athletes, you gotta love them what they can expect from me.” tough.” v Thomas said many things make a good coach.

SMILES — Laughing, Anthony “I think a strength coach should al- STRONG Thomas circles up the football team for mornways be on the floor, walking the floor, ing practice. “I set up the weight room for my checking the form and technique of the athletes, they tear it down” Thomas said.

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 29

Text by KESHAV KAPUR SRINIVASAN and ANDREW KASSEL

Art by VIT DO

TURNING UP THE HEAT wi th INSIDE A sentation of his dishes. recently, a small STUDENT Just shopping error led to his populariCHEF’S RISE ty today.“Probably two months ago, I was going to try making wings, and I bought too big of a pack,” TO SUCCESS accidentally Shashi said. “I didn’t want to go to waste,

O

N A WARM SPRING afternoon, the sun beats down in the backyard of Palo Alto High School junior Shreyas Shashi, while a spicy and smoky aroma fills the air and chicken sizzles on the grill.

On a Friday afternoon when most students would be relaxing and enjoying the warm weather, Shashi and his friends are hard at work preparing the next wave of meals that his customers will soon be ready to indulge in.

While relatively new, Shashi’s cooking has quickly gained recognition from the Paly community. Known as Chef Bobo, Shashi cooks small batches of meals including chicken wings, mac-and-cheese, and chicken enchiladas, then sells them through social media to students, parents and others in the community. He has already served more than 80 meals to his customers, and has drawn rave reviews.

Shashi’s love for cooking started at a young age, in the kitchen with his mom and grandmother. Shashi started taking cooking classes in fifth grade, gradually working his way up to more complicated recipes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic was when Shashi began cooking regularly.

“Seventh-grade quarantine, I’m in there, I have nothing else to do, so then I started cooking,” Shashi said. “I cook a lot and I was bored so I started posting it [pictures of his food on social media].”

For the next few years, Shashi said he continued to post about his cooking, work on his cooking skills, and work on the pre-

30 MAY 2024

so I had my friends come over. They were like ‘Yo, these are crazy.’ So then I made Shashi said customers can send a more and I was like, ‘We should start selldirect message to order a meal through Ining them.’”

Shashi sells his food creations to Paly stagram. Due to his increased popularity in students and parents, allowing customers to the Paly community, customers must act order and select a time slot to pick up their fast to reserve a meal.

Even though his food from his home, business is now well-eswhere Shashi does What I’m benefiting tablished in the comall his cooking. He generally starts post- from is putting a smile munity, Shashi said that since starting this sering about upcoming on people’s faces.” vice, he has been open meals the same day to experimenting with he’s making them, or — SHREYAS SHASHI, Paly junior new recipes, although the day before. he still has his favorites.

Shashi mainly “I’m trying to permarkets his business through his well-known Instagram ac- fect the wings and mac-and-cheese because count, “Chef Bobo,” (chefbobo_) where that’s something that every person likes,” he posts pictures of his food creations and Shashi said.

Regardless of the recipe, according updates on what meal he is cooking next, to Nicholas Feitzinger, a junior who helps urging customers to place their orders.

The community also helps spread the word Shashi cook, Shashi tries to use high-quality ingredients from local grocery stores like about Shashi’s cooking.

“I use Instagram for the most part, and Costco.

“Shreyas is really big on making sure it’s growing a lot,” Shashi said. “That and word of mouth. Word of mouth is the main he uses high-quality ingredients by trying to avoid things like seed oils and over-prothing.”

Paly freshman Justin Fung has tried cessed foods,” Feitzinger said. “He does a Shashi’s chicken wings, chicken enchila- great job with this because he doesn’t cut das, and breakfast burritos, and is one of corners and makes nearly everything from the people who has spread the word about scratch.”

Even though the quality of Shashi’s Shashi’s cooking.

“I have been recommending people to food is high, his prices aren’t. According to go to Chef Bobo [Shashi] any time some- Shashi, the cost of a meal is around 10 dolone asks about good food,” Fung said. lars, depending on the dish.

“His prices for each dish depending “Just hit up Chef Bobo. I have promoted it on the size and type of food are completely through social media as well.”

“

Photos by LARA SASLOW

reasonable,” Fung said. “They’re not insanely cheap but not overpriced.

It’s the perfect price for such high-quality, great-tasting food.”

Even with his low food prices, Shashi said that he isn’t worried it will limit his profits, instead focusing on what he can bring to the community.

“I want to have a place where there’s affordable food,” Shashi said. “I’m barely making a profit. … I’m not benefiting much from it.

What I’m benefiting from is putting a smile on people’s faces.” v DISH ON DISPLAY (RIGHT) — Shashi holds up a freshly made plate of chicken schwarma. “His meals are the perfect price for such high quality, great tasting food,” Paly freshman Justin Fung said.

CHEF IN ACTION (TOP) — Shashi attends to his grill. “I’ve been cooking since I was little with my grandma and mom and kitchen,” Shashi said.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 31

’ He s historY 32 MAY 2024

served in the U.S. Army as a SOCIAL previously cadet and ultimately, as a Captain. After leaving the Army, Bungarden served in National Guard and worked several STUDIES ICON the other jobs before coming to Paly. grand ambition once I went TO RETIRE back“Myto school and got my credential

O

VER THE YEARS at Palo was that one time in my life, I wanted Alto High School, buildings to teach AP U.S. History,” he said. “I’ve have risen and fallen. never taken it [the class] but it looked Principals have come like such a cool thing to do.” and gone. Traditions have started and After initially teaching Economics ended. and U.S. History at Paly, Bungarden Through it all, John Bungarden has got his wish, and APUSH has been his put on a zany tie and — “by God,” as he “niche” at Paly ever since. likes to say — walked into his classroom “He’s just remarkably serious about to teach. the subject matter, and yet he has a manBut after 23 years at Paly, the Ad- ner in the classroom that is certainly vanced Placement United States History quite easy and engaging with students teacher, Foreign Policy Honors teacher and sensitive to student interests,” Kenand JV boys soccer coach is retiring. nedy said. “That combination of accessiKnown for his extensive tie collec- bility, empathy, relatability and really setion, high classroom standards and love rious scholarly attention, that’s a difficult for political cartoons, Bungarden’s im- combination to pull off, and I think he’s pact on Paly has been immense. just done it wonderfully.”

Dr. David M. Kennedy, Donald J. Simrun Rao, a Paly alum from the MacLachlan Professor of History, Emer- class of 2021, said taking APUSH with itus at Stanford UniBungarden had a versity, and author My grand ambition ... lasting impact on of the American her.

Pageant APUSH was that one time in my “I really felt textbook, has known life, I wanted to teach AP like I was getting Bungarden for over a deeper dive into 20 years. Kennedy U.S. History.” history and the said he admires Bunclass was really — JOHN BUNGARDEN, social studies garden as a fellow engaging,” Rao teacher teacher and scholar said. “While it of American history, was challenging, despite their different circumstances as I felt like I was being challenged to the teachers. best of my abilities. And I really learned “The success that he’s had in attract- a lot about my learning style, in addition ing and holding the deep and serious in- to learning about the U.S.” terest of Palo Alto High School students Perhaps best known for the intensity in the subject of American history over of his classes, Bungarden said he is aware many years is a real achievement and of his reputation among Paly students. nothing to be taken for granted,” Ken“I would like to think that I’m nedy said. “I don’t want to make direct thought of as a challenging teacher, reacomparisons — that is not really fair sonably fair,” he said. “I like to think I’d to anybody — but I will say, of all the be appreciated for my sense of humor but schools I visited and teachers, mostly in I suspect that’s probably not the case.”

AP classes, that I have witnessed, Mr. Keira Chiu, a Paly alum from the Bungarden is clearly the most commit- class of 2022, said she appreciated Bunted, the most able, the most consistent- garden’s passion for history when he ly serious, in a way that just holds and taught APUSH. really focuses student interests. So it’s a “I learned so much about American remarkable achievement.” history in that class, and almost none of Before coming to Paly, Bungarden it was boring,” Chiu said. “I’m a data

“

science and statistics major right now, so I’m definitely not a history person. But it was so interesting because Mr. Bungarden taught it in a way that was just, you could tell he really loved it and he had so many little fun facts and so many stories and tidbits that only someone who really loved it would know and only someone who had been teaching it for a long time would know.”

For Bungarden, this is the right time to retire.

“I’m well beyond the traditional, normal retirement age,” Bungarden said.

“My wife retired two years ago. She enjoys it. … [There] just comes a time.”

The next two items on his agenda are enjoying the last time he has with students and cleaning out his classroom.

“It’s like the end-of-the-year thing, only more,” Bungarden said. “It’s always a little bittersweet to kick this group out but there’s another group incoming. …

You just go out the door. I’m going out with them. It’s a different thing.”

In retirement, Kennedy said he hopes that Bungarden will continue to exercise his love of teaching.

“He’s a great teacher — I use those two words advisedly — and, I think, just a terrific human being,” Kennedy said. “I did joke with him, the last conversation we had just a few months ago, that if I’m any example he should take it [retirement] seriously because I’ve been accused of having flunked retirement. So he may end up in the same situation, called back to active duty somewhere. But he’s a talent and a rare talent and it’s a shame to park that and let it go to waste, so I hope he stays engaged in one form or another.”

For now, as the school year comes to a close, Bungarden said he will continue to appreciate his circumstances.

“You show up,” Bungarden said. “You do the best you can. I’m pretty fortunate. … I teach mostly AP kids. I teach Honors kids. And I get to teach U.S. History. I live a pretty charmed existence.” v

Text by ASHA KULKARNI and NADIA SOBERG

BY GOD, IT’S BUNGARDEN — Social studies teacher John Bungarden reflects on his 23 years at Palo Alto High School. “The students are wonderful,” Bungarden said. “They were wonderful when I got here and they’re wonderful now. ... The greatest joy of this place is the students. That hasn’t changed.”

Photo: Asha Kulkarni

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 33

408-620-0752

2033 Gateway PL, STE 500, San Jose, CA 95110, Ph# 408-620-0752

34 MAY 2024

Winner of Best Driving School Award 3 years in a row. Learn to drive in a calm, supportive environment with A-Z Diving School. Our skilled instructors make it easy to understand the many rules of the road, and teaching you road safety is our top priority.

Stone Education Bikes - Apparel - Gear - Repairs Find us at 171 University Ave, Palo Alto (650) 328-7411

Ben is known for helping students achieve significant score increases and acedmic success through his unique style of individualized instruction. He Offers: Diagnostic PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests and consultations Private tutoring for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Small group classes for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Private tutoring for AP tests and academic tutoring College consultations and planning www.stoneeducationgroup.com

info@stoneeducationgroup.com

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 35

Too much from Taylor?

Text by ELLA HWANG and ANNA VAN RIESEN

A REVIEW OF THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT

C

ULTURAL phenomenon, victim, villainess, mini-economy and girl-next-door: over 15 albums and 18 years of music, Taylor Swift has been many things. For her 11th album (excluding re-records), “The Tortured Poet’s Department,” she assigns herself the title of tortured poet and reminds the world of the songwriting talent that first propelled her onto the world stage.

“The Tortured Poets Department,” released April 19, comes across not as an entirely new musical era but as an amalgamation of the trademarks that have made Swift so successful in her most recent works.

The synth-pop energy of Swift’s longtime collaborator and producer Jack Antonoff, which heavily influenced the 2023 album “Midnights,” reappears in tracks like the title track “The Tortured Poet’s Department.” Swift taps into the yearning lyricism of 2020 albums “Folklore” and “Evermore” with the vivid imagery of “I Hate It Here.”

In comparison to her recent albums, this record is more of a personal project.

Swift dissects each topic with a passionate (and occasionally vicious) pen — but when every line is overstuffed with metaphor, emotion and tragedy, the stories she tells fall flat. Swift’s lyricism is difficult to ap-

36 MAY 2024

Art by CHARLIE WANG

preciate when the melodies of many tracks prets Swift’s intentions. seem identical to all but the most well“With [Swift], you can’t just look at trained Swiftie ear. the lyrics,” Escudero said. “She’s making “It’s hard to distinguish the songs from fun of herself in her lyrics and being corny each other,” senior Max Rabbitt-Tomita on purpose, and some people notice her besaid. “They’re very similar sonically, where- ing corny on purpose and think that she’s as in the past [Swift] has had very diverse just writing bad lyrics.” tempos and sounds and styles, even though The album’s standout songs are those they have an overall sound.” that support their lyrics with melodies that Swift’s struggle to procure innova- develop and build up to an emotional, mutive melodies to accompany her poetry is sical climax. The tumultuous defiance of made particularly difficult by the sheer size “But Daddy I Love Him” resolves its “chaof the project. She released the double al- os” and “revelry” into a happy ending with bum “The Tortured Poets Department: The a “wild boy and all of this wild joy,” seemAnthology” at 2 a.m. on April 19, just two ingly alluding to Swift’s current relationhours after the initial album’s release, add- ship with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis ing 15 tracks to the original 16.

Kelce. The yearning lover in “Guilty as Sin” Dedicated fans might enjoy metic- finds no such resolution, but the crescenulously picking through more than two doing of each verse emphasizes the longing hours of new music, but the sheer volume in her daydreams. Even the escapism of “I leads casual listeners to indifference.

Hate it Here” succeeds thanks to a captivat“She could really use some editing or ing melody. quality control on her last few albums,” Die-hard fans laud the album as pure Rabbitt-Tomita said. poetry while critics “There’s just a lot on dismiss it as a repeteach album … [I’d like It’s hard to distinguish itive and shoddily it] if she cut that down the songs from each edited grasp for to a lot less music and streams. In reality, focused more on quali- other ... they’re very “The Tortured Poty over quantity.” et’s Department” similar sonically.”

The quality of falls squarely some— MAX RABBITT-TOMITA, senior where in between. some lyrics from the record is questionable.

Yes, the alA few lines in particular have been subject bum’s tracks are nothing groundbreaking to snark online, like “Touch me while your lyrically or melodically, but the generation bros play Grand Theft Auto” from “So of fans who have grown up with Swift’s muHigh School,” and “You fall asleep / Like sic aren’t looking for novelty. a tattooed golden retriever” from the title As long as she continues to provide her track. fans with the emotional music they’re seekHowever, according to senior Rori Es- ing, Taylor Swift’s work will find success, cudero, criticism of specific lines misinter- even if it doesn’t land with critics. v

“

culture v So Long, London “So Long, London” is a mournful farewell to a lover and city, seemingly referring to Swift’s six year relationship with now ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, who she publicly confirmed her split from in April 2023. The complex lyricism depicts the devastating experience of feeling a partner drift away, which Swift encapsulates perfectly in this heartbreaking melody. While the song is a fan favorite among those avidly invested the singer’s personal life, many of the veiled references in the lyrics are likely to fly over casual listeners’ heads.

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart This synth-filled pop track delves into the chaos behind the curtain of Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour in the last year. Though after the tour, which has brought in over $1 billion and become the highest-grossing music tour of all time — Swift might appear solidly in “her glittering prime,” this track narrates her struggle to push through heartbreak and keep performing. Though catchy (and guaranteed to be a summer retail hit), the track largely lacks any deeper emotional authenticity.

Clara Bow On the album’s final track, Swift reflects on how the heavy weight of pop superstardom is passed down from starlet to starlet. Each of the three verses refer to “it-girls” of different eras — 1920s silent film actress Clara Bow, 1970s artist Stevie Nicks and finally Swift herself — implying that future entertainers might be compared to her in the same way that she was compared to those of her past. The metaphor of being picked “like a rose” encapsulates the song’s nostalgic but bittersweet theme: fame fades.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 37

Text by FELICIA BUCHHOLZ and CHLOE HUANG

GROWING UP

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS

“H

OW old are you?” When 14-year-old Liselle Yoo gets asked this question, she often gets told she looks older than her 16-year-old sister. Yoo, an eighth grader at Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School, said she noticed herself growing up faster compared to her older sister at Palo Alto High School.

“I think that social media speeds up growth very rapidly, both physically and mentally,” Yoo said. “In the physical sense, I definitely grew up faster due to seeing all the videos of new fashion trends and ‘body checks’ [showing off ‘ideal’ appearances].”

Yoo had much more exposure to social media and that over a longer period than her older sister who had little to no interest in social media until she was around 15.

This trend is seen just as vividly in local communities. At Paly, 75% of the 40 respondents to a Verde opt-in survey reported that their younger sibling got social media at a younger age than they did and 60% said that their younger sibling had social media as they entered middle school.

In addition, an article by the New York Times said that kids and teens in America are spending more time than ever using screens and so-

38 MAY 2024

cial media, with the number of hours spent online increasing drastically since the pandemic. Data from a survey conducted by Common Sense Media showed that overall screen use among tweens (ages 8 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 18) increased by 17% from 2019 to 2021, which is a greater increase rapidly in comparison to the four years prior.

Dr. Casey Krueger, a clinical psychologist at Stanford Children’s Health, said that there are multiple effects of kids being exposed to social media and technology at an earlier age.

“This [increased exposure] results in children contemplating more mature content, information and ideas at younger ages,” Krueger said. “The question is does this correlate with increased emotional maturity? Kids may have more difficulty learning how to manage and express their emotions appropriately given the increased complexity and speed of information exchange.”

Stacy Savickas, an art teacher at Greene said she has observed more of a positive impact that increased exposure has on her students, compared to her students 20 years ago.

“Now there’s this expectation that knowledge is at your fingertips,” Savickas said. “The processing of knowledge is different. I think kids are much smarter. They are given access to a lot more, so they have a lot more information.”

However, Savickas also said social media affects her students’ sleep schedules the most.

“I think texting and engaging on phones has most affected sleep,” Savickas said. “That aspect is detrimental to their experience at school.”

Additionally, Vicki Harrison, Program Director of the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing at Stanford University, said that social media inflicts harmful

Art by TERESA WANG

GLAmOrIZED INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT

narratives around body image, and there- consumption. fore puts pressure for weight loss on ado“Parents should model appropriate belescents. havior and use,” Krueger said. “Engage in “Young people are really trying to learn shared decision-making and decide on pafrom the world around them and take cues rental controls. Phones should be charged about what’s ‘normal’ and what’s consid- somewhere other than the child’s bedroom ered attractive and unattractive,” Harrison at night and should be shut off 1-2 hours said. “So, they might before bed. Limit be getting those narmedia use to Young people are really social ratives from social specific short periods media influencers trying to learn from the two or three times who are being paid day. Set time world around them and per to advertise certain limits for specific products.” take cues about what’s apps. Have ongoing A Palo Alto High conversations about ‘normal’ and what’s School sophomore, social media use.” who will be referred considered attractive Harrison said to as Emma to withparents should delay and unattractive.” hold her identity, when their kids get agrees. She said that — VICKI HARRISON, Program Director of phones and social expectations from so- Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbe- media, then graduing at Stanford University ally introduce access. cial media impact her 12 and 13-year-old “If you’re handcousins. ing it to someone re“I think it’s sad that they think they ally young and they haven’t developed self need to change something about them regulation to the extent that they can really when it’s not even done growing and when monitor and moderate their use, it’s realit shouldn’t be changed yet,” Emma said. ly hard to pull away,” Harrison said. “It’s a Krueger agreed. muscle you have to build and that comes “There is a lot of research showing a with maturity as you grow, and also the correlation between heavy social media use ability to know when something’s a little bit and increased risk of depression and anxiety suspicious, weird or doesn’t seem factual.” as well as poor body image, loneliness, and Krueger concludes that there are ups self-harm,” Krueger said. “Habitual check- and downs to this social media spike. ing of social media was associated with in“Social media has potential benefits, creased sensitivity to peer feedback… Chil- including increased communication, eddren who spend more than three hours per ucation, information sharing and connecday on social media have double the risk of tion opportunities,” Krueger said. “This experiencing symptoms of depression and is coupled with potential risks including anxiety. In adolescents, exposure to social privacy concerns, cyberbullying, mental media may overstimulate the brain’s reward health problems, encouragement of risky center. Excessive use and overstimulation behaviors and decreased sleep. Make sure may trigger addiction.” you avoid negative things online and ensure To counteract this, Savickas, Krueger you are also engaging in positive in-person and Harrison all said it’s important for activities and interactions. Life is all about parents to supervise their children’s media balance.” v

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 39

u k k a i

Text by AUSTIN ENG and ETHAN ZHANG

40 MAY 2024

Photos by AUSTIN ENG

Kabocha Cheesecake ($8) Contributing to the autumn theme, the Kabocha Cheesecake is a unique spin on the pumpkin cheesecake. Cooked kabocha pumpkin chunks on top and inside the slice, allowed the kabocha flavor to stand out well. However, the standout cheesecake component for us was the almond flour streusel topping.

Choco Banana Tart ($8) As a personal favorite of Ikuka owner Miyuki Ozawa, the Choco Banana Tart lived up to our expectations. The airy caramel and banana cream was complemented by fresh banana chunks, met by a dense, rich dark chocolate ganache all over a thin tart crust. This was by far our favorite item we tried during our visit, one definitely worth going back for.

Mont Blanc ($9.50) Cutting through the sweet chestnut purée and light layer of whipped cream, a whole rum-soaked chestnut is nestled inside. The chestnut along with the buttery and thick tart crust rounds out the sweeter flavor profile of the dessert. Since we found the Mont Blanc to be on the sweeter side, we recommend pairing the dessert with a cup of coffee or unsweetened tea for maximum enjoyment.

FAMILY RESTAURANT BUSINESS BRANCHES OUT

L

OS ALTOS’ STATE STREET capsulate the season of autumn.

Market food court is flooded with “With all of our restaurants, we really voices. Children and adults alike tried to bring the most authentic Japanese crowd the shops, their faces light- flavors possible,” Ozawa said. “We import ing up at the sight of food — from pizza chestnut paste from France … [and] we imsmothered with sauces and seasonings to port Japanese flour.” big bowls of ramen served out of a small Ozawa said she also imports plates stall kitchen. Past the tables and hungry from Japan and has employed three Japafoodies, in a corner, almost isolated from nese pastry chefs. According to Ozawa, in the hustle and bustle of it all, is Ikuka.

Japan, French-style pastries are very popuIn June 2023, owner Miyuki Ozawa lar as many Japanese dessert shops, includopened Ikuka, a shop ing Ikuka, draw inserving Japanese passpiration from them. tries and desserts. Over They’ve never seen it “They [Ikuka’s a decade prior, her [Ikuka’s desserts] bedesserts] are made by mother had opened our Japanese pastry several Bay Area Jap- fore, never tasted it chefs that I interanese restaurants in- before, but they keep viewed and hired and cluding Sumika Grill, brought over here to Orenchi Ramen and coming back for more.” work for me,” Ozawa La Casa Mia. said. “They’re all pro— MIYUKI OZAWA, Ikuka owner fessionally trained in According to the website, Ikuka is short Japanese pastry and for “Imo Kuri KabFrench pastry.” ocha” which translates from Japanese to Ozawa said Ikuka’s desserts are made “Japanese sweet potato,” “chestnut” and in a Santa Clara off-site kitchen due to the “Japanese pumpkin” respectively. Ozawa stall’s limited space. Although Ozawa said said that the shop’s desserts share these tra- she does not run the shop every day, her ditionally Japanese flavors, aiming to en- usual workday starts bright and early.

“

“Morning to closing, I go to the kitchen, I’ll pick up the cakes and drive here [Ikuka] from Santa Clara,” Ozawa said.

“Then, I’ll stock the fridge … and after that we open and try to sell and I’ll bring some to La Casa Mia as well.”

Approaching Ikuka’s one-year anniversary, Ozawa reflects on the local community’s acceptance of Japanese flavors.

“I think people have been super open-minded and I’ve had so many people come and try the Azuki Croissant or the Mont Blanc,” Ozawa said. “They’ve never seen it before, never tasted it before, but they keep coming back for more.”

Ozawa said she hopes to continue sharing more food and flavors that she loves.

“Los Altos is my home,” Ozawa said.

“It’s really just been an honor being able to fulfill my dream and share this really meaningful part of my culture to my community and to be supported by my community as well.” v STOCKING UP THE SWEETS — Ikuka owner Miyuka Ozawa neatly arranges a tray of her shop’s signature Kabocha Burnt Basque Cheesecakes to display at Ikuka’s Los Altos State Street Market stall. “Our pastries are made in a separate kitchen.” Ozawa said. “I deliver the cakes here every morning.”

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 41

Text and art by JESLYN CHEN

ch. 12: reader

forward to acquiring a whole new strict class style that I would dread.

HOW I looked set of reading material to keep me enterInstead, I experienced lively discustained. sions with my peers and teacher, Sarah I enjoyed reading to the point where Bartlett, sharing interesting perspectives REVIVED MY I would stay up past my bedtime that I would never have otherwise and read books under my considered.

LOVE FOR blanket with a flashFor example, in “The light.

Great Gatsby,” my reading classmates and Ms. BOOKS IN MY hobbyMy continOverall, my senior Bartlett picked year of high school ued into midapart the symbolSENIOR YEAR dle school, ism in something has culminated in a

I

as simple as a billSTARED BEGRUDGINGLY AT the where I would reawakened love board advertising words “Advanced Placement English regularly check eyeglasses.

Literature” printed on my Infinite out books in for reading and the They noticed Campus course selection for my senior the school’s liarts. brary, but when that the large eyes year classes. year on the ad could symAfter hearing about how difficult the sophomore bolize God or the upper class was from those who already took it, arrived, I remember class looking down on the “valley I wasn’t too excited at the prospect of en- blanking on a questionnaire asking about my favorite books. of ashes,” which symbolized the lower rolling.

I had no book titles to answer with, let class.

However, I felt even more dissatisfied alone favorite ones, except for the embarI was surprised because I had comby the other English course options. pletely skipped over the description and I was a bit discouraged at how I dread- rassingly juvenile ones.

I realized that I had gradually thought it was meaningless imagery. ed taking AP English Literastopped reading until I hadn’t This is just one instance that taught me ture because I used to love read for my own pleasure in how to look deeper into every word on the reading as a kid. months. page.

I still clearly reMy room’s shelves After a few class discussions, I began to member seeing the were filled with look forward to them. colorful sign of the I didn’t understand books I had yet I wanted to share my opinions and Palo Alto Chilthe stories and mesto read, but I thoughts about possible themes and motifs dren’s Library as couldn’t bring hidden within the text.

9-year-old me sages [in past Enmyself to start.

I realized that in my past English classscurried up the glish classes]. It was My lack of es, I didn’t like reading the required books brick steps while reading stemmed or participating in discussions because I carrying a bag difficult to enjoy from having didn’t understand the stories and messagoverflowing with something I couldn’t more homework es. It was difficult to enjoy something I books I needed to and activities while couldn’t comprehend. return. comprehend. also reading required AP English Literature taught me more My mom would books in school that than just how to analyze text; it taught me take the books to the were uninteresting to me how to find deeper meanings in any art return slot while I ran to at the time. My increased form. the familiar nooks and cranuse of social media and enterMost books, movies and art pieces nies of the library that housed my tainment apps contributed to this as have a message, no matter how philosophifavorite series such as “Geronimo Stilton,” well. cal the message may be.

“Dork Diaries” and “Percy Jackson.”

When I first stepped into the AP EnThe books, poems and short stories Weekly library trips were common when I was in elementary school and I glish Literature classroom, I expected a I’ve read this year have all had a theme

42 MAY 2024

perspectives v

reawakening about the human experience.

Since joining the class, I’ve developed an appreciation for authors and the clever symbolism and motifs they create to explain their take on life.

For example, in “Frankenstein,” author Mary Shelley questions whether or not humans are innately evil, and in “Passing,” author Nella Larsen explains how deception always leads to isolation.

I thank Ms. Bartlett for teaching this class in a way that changed my perspective on learning for the better.

Of course, I haven’t mastered my analytical skills yet and may still not fully understand the scope of the message about feminism in “Frankenstein,” but what’s important is my newfound enthusiasm to seek the knowledge out of my own curiosity.

For example, I watched multiple video essays on one of my favorite movies, “Coraline,” and they gave me so much insight into every symbol and hidden easter egg in the film that I missed.

Why did the cat disappear behind the sign at the end? Why is the well important?

Why are there so many bugs? What do they all mean?

A better understanding through these small details greatly increased my appreciation of the movie.

This newfound passion for delving deeper into text pushed me to create a list of classics to read for fun that I would’ve never even considered a year ago such as “1984,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Anna Karenina.”

I’m also planning on re-reading books such as “No Longer Human” in hopes of further developing my understanding of the text with my new skills.

Overall, my senior year of high school has culminated in a reawakened love for reading and the arts.

This year has taught me to be more open-minded and step outside of my comfort zone, and I’m glad I ended this chapter with a new appreciation for literature. v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 43

TEENAGE

Text by AUSTIN ENG

ENCOUNTERS WITH LOCAL STUDENT SHOPLIFTERS

W

HEN I TURNED 13, I quickly accustomed myself to the role of a bystander as I watched fellow teens shoplift, but I never would have guessed that a few years later, I would soon be on the other side of the counter, expected to confront the same student shoplifters.

In April 2022, after I applied and received a job as a retail associate at a local clothing store, I was taught how to confront potential shoplifting suspects. Additionally, I knew how disproportionately shoplifting would hurt them as a small business compared to chain retailers.

In early August 2022, a couple days before my junior year started, it was a typical day alone on the job. Unbeknownst to me, I had company coming. For the sake of this story, let’s call this person James.

James, a fellow Palo Alto High School junior at the time of the incident, was known for his intense personality and his previous allegations of shoplifting, an ordeal for any customer service worker. As he walked in with his friends, I gave him a polite but stern verbal warning to not shoplift again.

Acting clueless, he denied shoplifting, but after realizing I was not buying his act, his front of innocence instantly flipped into aggression. He began tossing pants off the shelf and dragging clothing hangers to make a grating screech across the racks. I sat in shock, refusing to believe one of my classmates that I had grown up with was throwing a tantrum in front of me.

Before I could process what was hap-

44 MAY 2024

THIEVES

Art by JESLYN CHEN

pening, James tore an expensive red windAfter I messaged her friend to warn breaker jacket off a wall and dashed for the her that Beth’s shoplifting had been caught door. My mind went from shock to guilt on our security cameras, Beth messaged to panic. me herself saying she would come back the Although I was left unharmed, the wall next day with $50 or the jeans she stole wasn’t. To this day, there is still a ripped along with $50 “for the trouble.” hole in the wall where the jacket hook After some back and forth, she stood. Ever since then, the hole has stood said that this was her first time stealas a reminder of the ing, claiming incident and I hoped that she had I would never have to Concealing an item paid for everything deal with a peer shop- under baggy clothing else up to that point. lifter again.

She added that she In early March is the oldest trick in the did not want to cause 2023, history repeated book. any more trouble, itself and I had to deal saying she was with yet another peer willing to pay shoplifter — this time a Henry M. Gunn “whatever amount.” Eventually, she High School junior. For the sake of this brought back the cash to a coworker next story, I’ll call her Beth. at the store.

Beth had a similar reputation of shopTrying to reflect on the silver lifting from clothing stores, so I stayed vig- linings of these incidents, I realize ilant when I recognized her bright red hair I appreciate these shoplifting enas she walked into the store, wearing two counters for helping build my baggy jackets and sunglasses while preoccu- self-confidence in having diffipied on a phone call. cult conversations.

After quickly perusing the shelves, she For students looking into cusgrabbed a top and a pair of jeans, looked tomer service jobs, situations simat me and motioned towards the dressing ilar to mine are inevitable, but rooms. Nodding in approval, I made sure always be ready to push through to note she had two items going in. When the discomfort of confrontashe came out, she only held one. tion. v Coming out of a changing room and concealing an item under baggy clothing is the oldest trick in the book.

When she exited the changing room, Beth made a beeline for the door, placing the shirt back on the racks while swiftly exiting. Although she was already out the door, this time I knew I didn’t have to go after her.

Considering that she was on a phone call coming in, and it was around lunchtime, I assumed she was calling to meet with friends nearby. I checked her friend’s instagram, and sure enough, one of her friends posted a picture of Beth at the diner nearby.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 45

Text by ELLA HWANG

DOGSIT SURVIVING SEVEN HOURS IN A HOUSE OF HORRORS

W

HEN I POSTED ON the Nextdoor app the summer after my freshman year offering my services for babysitting and dog walking, I had mostly been bombarded with dozens of requests from parents to babysit their children.

However, one request that stood out to me was one asking to pet sit their dog.

“Hi Ella, I need a sitter on Tuesday. I found you on Nextdoor. I have an eightpound little old lady doggie, Lulu, that I rescued 4 months ago. She’s probably a poodle-chihuahua mix.” Along with the text was a picture of a tiny little white dog.

A job where I could sit in a house for seven hours watching a dog while getting paid $16 an hour sounded like a dream.

Also, it was a great opportunity for me to catch up on the TV shows I had been meaning to watch. After agreeing to the job, I packed my bags with my computer and a book.

When I arrived at the address, I looked out the car window to see a frail woman with white hair standing in the front yard.

“Susan” welcomed me inside and, as I stepped through the doorway, I did everything in my power to not audibly gasp. The first thing that met my eyes when I looked

46 MAY 2024

w E N GO

into the house was a huge stuffed peacock. they gave me instructions on what to feed One thing to know about me is that the dog, when to take her out and any other I have a crippling fear of birds. Although information I would need. They also genit may not be apparent to others because erously offered any food from their pantry I won’t scream or run away at the sight of and taught me how to use their TV and one, I truly am disturbed by them. This log into all their streaming subscriptions. I “decoration” would have been shocking to knew I wasn’t going to use them though, any average person, but to me? This was a because the TV was right next to the ternightmare come true. rifying peacock so So, as I looked directat the TV I suddenly heard the looking ly into the eyes of this meant looking at the “decoration,” I began sound of a grandfa- peacock. Additionalto completely regret my I had discovered ther clock’s chime — ly, decision in accepting some more unsetthis job. I had no idea identical to the one I tling decor in their what I had gotten my— a collection had just heard come house self into. of grandfather clocks I tried my best to from my computer — of all shapes and sizes forget about the peacock were placed in the from the next room. that as Susan led me to the back half of their livkitchen where I met her ing room. date to go see the opera. While Susan spent After they left, I had made myself another 20 minutes getting ready to leave, comfortable at the tiny table in the kitchen I made small talk with her date, “Robert,” which I decided was the only safe space left about the new “Top Gun: Maverick” mov- in the house. ie, school and various other subjects. They I slowly realized even that wasn’t true were both extremely kind people, so al- when I looked over the sink to see another though I felt unsafe in the house, I felt safe stuffed bird peering over the window. It was with them. small enough, so I convinced myself I could When they were finally ready to leave, ignore it.

Art by POLINA VAN HULSEN

ITTING S R E K N O B

w

It was beginning to get dark when I opened my laptop, eager to continue watching the fourth season of “Stranger Things” which had just come out. Unfortunately for me, a big plot point in the new season was about how “Vecna,” the antagonist of the season, takes the form of a creepy mythical monster and uses the symbol of a grandfather clock to warn his next victims.

In “Stranger Things,” the sound of a clock chime always precedes the occurrence of a gruesome murder, a very graphic display on the show. As I sat on the edge of my seat, heart beating fast and anxiously watching the episode, I suddenly heard the sound of a grandfather clock’s chime — identical to the one I had just heard come from my computer — from the next room.

To make matters worse, the sound was joined by another clock, and another until I began to hear about 15 different clocks chiming at once.

I sat there paralyzed in complete terror for what felt like a lifetime before the noise finally stopped.

Once I could see straight again after being blinded by panic, I immediately called my friend for a voice of comfort.

The next few hours were pretty distressing. I dreaded the top of every hour,

Pt. 4

anxiously anticipating the clocks’ chimes, staying on FaceTime with my friend for pretty much the whole time I was there.

On top of this, I had to close my eyes each time I walked through the living room, which was every time I took the dog outside or went to check on her if she was in another room.

In the end, I did survive the frightening seven hours that I spent there. However, I knew that I would never dog sit in someone else’s house alone again. Looking back, I am grateful for this experience. In theory it was a very easy job, and I was well-paid. Although their house was my personal nightmare, Susan and Robert were probably the kindest people I had ever worked for. v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 47

48 MAY 2024