Verde Volume 22 Issue 4

V. speaking out Anti-Asian violence spurs community outcry

2 APRIL 2021

VERDE MAGAZINE April 2021 Volume 22 Issue 4

ON THE COVER Two young protestors hold up signs with the words “Stop Asian Hate” in front of a background of the new cherry blossom trees planted in San Francisco’s Japantown to replace the vandalized originals. The photo collage created

by Editor-in-Chief Avery Hanna mixes images captured by Editor-in-Chief Myra Xu from a rally at Town and Country Village on March 21, and a background image taken by Features Editor Mia Baldonado.The increase in violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic created shockwaves throughout the nation, sparking urgent calls for change.

COVID-19 Photo Precautions In all photo shoots, Photo Director Audrey Joachim wore a mask and adhered to social distancing guidelines. Photos were taken outdoors.

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 business managers Olivia Milne and Anya Mondragon at verdebusiness5@gmail.com.

Printing & Distribution Verde is printed five times a year in October, December, 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

Editors-in-Chief Avery Hanna Laura Malagrino Antonia Mou (digital) Ishani Raha (digital) Myra Xu

Multimedia Manager Naomi Boneh

Managing Editors Allison Chang Katherine Cheng

Social Media Manager Akhil Joondeph

Features Editors Mia Baldonado Timothy Hung Profiles Editor Andie Tetzlaff Culture Editor Tara Kothari Perspectives Editor Ryan Seto Editorials Editor Michelle Kim News Editors Paisley Annes Sadie Ibbotson-Brown Launch Editors Sofia Antebi Emily Yao Design Editor Kylie Mies

Business Managers Olivia Milne Anya Mondragon

Art Director Samantha Ho Photo Director Audrey Joachim Webmaster Zander Leong Staff Writers Ishaan Batra Abimbola Bolarinwa Sebastian Bonnard Sasha Boudtchenko Jerry Fang Audrey Kernick Aanya Kumar Dominique Lashley Merwa Marof Sophie Matlof Meena Narayanaswami Jonas Pao Ashmita Rajmohan Allegra West Adviser Paul Kandell

Copy Editors Naomi Boneh Andie Tetzlaff

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 3

In this issue Foreword

6 Editorials 8 Launch 10 News

Features

13 16 19 20 22

Title IX Anti-Asian violence Teacher turmoil Homeless in the pandemic High school transition

Profiles

TITLE IX pg. 13

24 25 26 28 30 32 34

Fostering animals Kuriosity Robotics Eagle Scouts Halls’ Kitchen Student publications Paly & Gunn Survivor AP art student portfolios

ulture C 37 Oscar nominations 39 Sia’s “Music” 40 Raya and the Last Dragon 43 Grey’s Anatomy 44 WandaVision 46 Real Produce Market 48 Antoine’s Cookie Shop 49 Wanpo Tea Shop

Perspectives

WANPO TEA SHOP pg. 49 4 APRIL 2021

50 52 53 54

How to plan a picnic Digital dancing Plants in the pandemic Back on campus

PALY & GUNN SURVIVOR pg. 32

ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE pg. 16

DIGITAL DANCING pg. 52

PANDEMIC PICNICS pg. 50

EAGLE SCOUTS pg. 26

FROM THE EDITORS

BLOSSOMING THROUGH ADVERSITY Splintered branches stick out of a silver trunk, barren and blunt.

San Francisco Japantown’s iconic cherry blossoms, once a symbol of a vibrant community, stood as a thrashed tree trunk, devoid of life — a harrowing reminder of the racism plaguing our nation. Though the cherry blossom trees pictured on this issue’s cover have since replaced those subjected to the Jan. 5 targeted act of vandalism and pink buds now bloom over the roots of the past, the looming threat of future attacks is a reality for Asian Americans both inside and beyond Japantown.

Features Editor Mia Baldonado, Managing Editor Katherine Cheng and staff writer Meena Narayanaswami delve into the recent spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans and its impact on Palo Alto community members in “Stop Asian Hate.”

As we continually strive to tell stories of injustice within our community, Social Media Manager Akhil Joondeph, News Editor Sadie Ibbotson-Brown and staff writer Sasha Boudtchenko investigate the district’s Title IX reporting process, and share the stories of sexual assault survivors who have felt misrepresented and mistreated, in our feature story “The ‘gold standard’?” Looking back on Verde’s jarring “‘You can’t tell me I wasn’t raped’” rape culture cover package in 2013, and then again on Verde’s 2017 cover story detailing the Office of Civil Rights investigation into the Palo Alto Unified School District’s procedures when dealing with sexual assault cases, we are frustrated and disheartened to find ourselves covering these problems once again. In our editorial “Support, listen to survivors,” we outline changes that we hope will help support survivors and address the longstanding rape culture at Paly.

When the five of us decided to run as editors-in-chief last spring, we had no idea how unprecedented the year that lay ahead of us would be.

Stepping into our new roles just weeks after the nation shut down, we inherited a mountain of questions and a publication that relied heavily on in-person production. Those early days were certainly the most hectic as we attempted to navigate the virtual realm and reimagine Verde as a digital class.

Our first cover as editors featured a graduating senior from the Class of 2020 wearing the ghost of a cap and gown. We mourned for our classmates who lost their final senior moments, never imagining that we’d find ourselves in a similar spot a year later.

Now, as we look up at the magazines framing the Verde classroom, every one of our covers features figures half-hidden behind a mask. This volume will always be defined by the pandemic, but also by the extraordinary perseverance of our undeterred staff and wider community.

This is our last issue as editors-in-chief, so as we pass on the baton to next year’s leadership team, we want to recognize the space and innumerable opportunities that we’ve been given to grow. We are infinitely grateful for the valuable lessons we have learned from each source and story, and feel privileged to have carried on the Verde legacy of truthful, hard-hitting journalism — even in the most challenging of times.

—AVERY, MYRA, LAURA, ANTONIA, ISHANI

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 5

the verdicts Returning to campus

Art by MICHELLE KIM

SUCCESSES, SHORTCOMINGS OF REOPENING

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OLLOWING A SHIFT IN Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 risk level from the purple to red tier on March 3, Palo Alto High School students and teachers began to return to campus on March 9. The county has since moved to the orange tier on March 24 and Paly is now an open campus.

The vast improvements in the current hybrid schedule compared to last fall’s reopening plan must extend to better communication and inclusion of teacher’s voices in future district decisions.

However, we recognize the difficulty in reimagining a long-standing learning model and thank the Paly staff for their contributions during the pandemic, and suggest that Paly continues to increase opportunities for on-campus student activities.

Staff behind the scenes Verde is grateful for the staff at the forefront of in-person learning — including admin and teachers — as well as those behind the scenes whose diligent work made our return safe and possible.

We’d like to shine a light on the exceptional food service workers within the Paly staff and outside volunteers who have worked tirelessly to deliver meals directly to student homes, classrooms and the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park since schools closed last March.

Additionally, with the reopening of in-person school, the workers are providing free lunches on campus to any student in need.

Food Services has served 66,745 breakfasts and 232,175 lunches during the pandemic, according to district Food Service Consultant Alva Spence.

Verde would also like to thank the hardworking custodians across all PAUSD schools who have been instrumental in students’ and teachers’ safe return. From disinfecting classrooms at the end of the school day to meticulously arranging desks

6 APRIL 2021

and shields to be spaced six feet apart, custodians have been the backbone of on-campus activities.

Finally, we are immensely grateful to the Paly nurse and Wellness Center personnel who ensure that the Paly population is as low-risk as possible for COVID-19 spread, and that students have accessible support throughout the day.

for students and hope that safely expanding opportunities for in-person learning remains a top priority in the district as COVID-19 cases decline.

Increased communication Last fall, the PAUSD Board of Education’s approval of a hybrid learning plan to bring students back into physical classrooms was met with bitter debate.

“I do know Building that there was connections pretty heavy The district’s curteacher obrent plan for students to jection to the participate in on-campus board’s plan, learning has been mostly and those obsmooth and successful in jections didn’t beginning to revive Paly’s appear to be school culture. considered in “It’s really the decision,” heartwarming Stone said. to be able to see The current It’s heartwarming ... students back plan in the spring seto see students ... have mester resolved some having fun and enjoying this a community again.” of Verde’s previous beautiful campus concerns of safety and ­— GREER STONE, history teacher and and being able to flexibility and garstudent activities director have a community nered greater support again,” history teachin the community by er and Student Activities Director Greer addressing opposing opinions. We appreStone said. “That’s been something that’s ciate the ability for students to choose to really been missing and it feels like we’re attend school in person or stay home on a starting to get that back.” daily basis, but criticisms remain.

Though students now have opportu“I would have liked to have seen a plan nities for further interaction with teachers that as far as the timing of its implementaand activities such as science labs, classes tion, to be more flexible with the timeline remain fairly similar to at-home learning of vaccines,” Stone said. and remain on Zoom for the majority of Given that teachers are most directly the day. affected by the board’s decision to reopen “It’s still really in this weird stage right schools, as they come into contact with sevnow, where we’re talking to the teacher eral different groups of students throughthrough Zoom, even though they’re right out the day, the district must prioritize there,” junior Benjamin Antonow said. teacher opinions and concerns for their We commend teachers for continuing safety to a greater degree in future board to foster a positive learning environment decisions. v

“

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

Support, listen to survivors

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N JANUARY, STUDENTS across the Palo Alto Unified School District and larger Bay Area shared their experiences of sexual harassment and assault on social media. Verde unequivocally stands with survivors and commends the courage of every individual with a story.

Procedural reforms by the PAUSD Title IX Office and increased openness to student feedback must be followed with stronger support for survivors during investigations, accelerated development of consent education and frequent updates for students on the district’s efforts to make tangible change in the Title IX process.

Supporting survivors While the Office for Civil Rights resolution approved by the PAUSD board in 2017 made significant improvements to the Title IX reporting process and staff training, students continue to express concerns over the lack of mental health support during Title IX investigations.

“There were times that they handled [the investigation] really well ... and it genuinely seemed like they cared,” said Dylan, a Paly student and survivor of sexual assault whose name has been changed to protect her identity. “There were other times that I felt invalidated and I didn’t feel believed.”

Similarly, several other students interviewed by Verde for the feature story “The ‘gold standard’?” felt uncomfortable during

investigations. Having a counselor present would reduce stress when students discuss sensitive topics in their report and ensure intervention if they become overwhelmed.

Consent education Fostering healthier consent culture in PAUSD schools must start through smaller, youth-led conversations, which normalize frequent and active discussion of consent in ways that current assemblies, Advisory periods and the Living Skills course do not.

“It’s crucial for our consent education to be informative and interactive so students will pay attention and understand the information they’re being given,” said senior Anna Mickelsen, vice president of the Paly Responsive Inclusive Safe Environment Task Force, a student advisory group working against rape culture at Paly.

Given the reports of sexual misconduct that come from elementary and middle school campuses, more conversations on consent must begin before high school. “[For younger students,] we can talk about how you don’t always need to hug your friend ... [or] share your snacks if you don’t want to,” RISE co-president and junior Kyla Schwarzbach said.

Publicizing change After students publicly expressed their frustration with

the district’s handling of Title IX cases, PAUSD Superintendent Don Austin released a statement on Jan. 27 that the district has promptly and fully investigated all misconduct reports.

“I felt like [Don Austin’s statement] was a little generic and didn’t seem ... like the district was going to make any considerable changes as a result,” Mickelsen said.

According to an online Verde optin survey of 125 Paly students conducted from March 18 to March 22, 52% of respondents are “not confident at all” in PAUSD’s system of handling Title IX cases. If the district wants to amend this, they must better communicate their efforts to protect student safety and streamline the Title IX process in order to build trust.

To address accessibility concerns, PAUSD General Counsel Komey Vishakan and her office hosted meetings with student representatives since August 2020 and held a listening session last December to hear student opinions on the Title IX process.

“The student representatives were instrumental in the policy revisions that were discussed by the Board Policy Review Committee (BPRC) in September 2020,” Vishakan wrote. To keep progressing, we urge the district to regularly hold similar forums and periodically update students on developing Title IX improvements. v

- PAUSD Title IX coordinator: titleixcoordinator@pausd.org - Paly Wellness Center paly.net/wellness - National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4013 - Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 800-572-2782 - Know Your IX: knowyourix.org/about

launch ART AROUND THE CITY

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FTER A YEAR OF SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDERS and business restrictions, Palo Alto’s Public Art Program is one of many organizations in the city attempting to help the community recover. The program’s recent ArtLift Microgrant project, created in collaboration with Uplift Local, aims to connect the community and provide funding for local artists.

“ArtLift was intended to support local creatives in bringing joy and connection to the community at a time of isolation,” Palo Alto Public Art Program Director Elise DeMarzo said.

One artist involved in ArtLift is Daniel Malay Tran, a Sacramento-based artist who makes public sculptures, whose plans for a large-scale installation at Palo Alto City Hall were thrown off track by the pandemic. However, ArtLift offered the opportunity for him and his collaborator to still pursue their goal of spreading environmental awareness.

“I hope people gain new perspectives on their environment, the wildlife they share it with, and how ecology and biodiversity are generative forces with infinite capacity for creative expression, intelligence and resilience,” Tran said.

Forty projects are currently funded by ArtLift, and will be installed across Palo Alto between April and September for viewing. More information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/artliftapply.

ARTLIFTING — Created by local artist Daniel Malay Tran, the suspended irrigation tubing art installation titled “Artlifting” hangs from a tree at Mitchell Park. Photo: Palo Alto Public Art

VERBATIM: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HYBRID LEARNING? “I think that I learn better and pay more attention when I’m in a classroom, so I’m hopeful that in-person school will make me more engaged with my classes.”

— Gaurav Tyagi, senior

ASB ANSWERS

­Photo: Emily Payne

WITH JUNIOR PRESIDENT MATHEW SIGNORELLO-KATZ What events are happening on campus right now?

We’re reimplementing Cookies on the Quad; it’s not a major activity but a fun little pick-me-up thing that we hope to have frequently. We’re also going to partner with student bands to perform on the quad for students. We hope ASB events will instill a sense of normalcy for students returning to campus.

What will ASB elections look like this year?

Campaigning is from the 12th through the 16th, entirely virtual this year. Despite campus reopening, ASB wanted to make elections as equitable as possible for students uncomfortable returning to school. It’s really important because people should have a voice in who represents them.

“I don’t want to risk my safety for something I can do from home.”

— Kyle Li, freshman “The best thing [about returning to school] is probably seeing people again, and I feel a lot more focused in class.”

— Anisha Gandhi, junior

Text by SOFIA ANTEBI and EMILY YAO

CAMERAS ON! Tired of looking boring in your breakout rooms? Spice up your meetings by using Zoom filters. Below are a few of our favorite filters for you to try out.

Happy sprout: 10/10 Hands down, best filter.

So cute! So wonderful!

Cyclops: 8/10 Embracing the Mike Wazowski look.

Art by Samantha Ho

Midsummer: 7/10 A 2016 Snapchat classic.

Mosaic eyewear: 9/10 Stay swaggy.

Hydrangea: -2/10 Somehow grew on us enough to feature.

Art by Samantha Ho

HEAR THE VOICES OF VERDE

LAUNCH HUNT

Check out our podcast “Verde, Verbalized” on Spotify

Can you find all 10 flowers hidden on Launch?

Earth Day on April 22, here are some tips ECO-FRIEND To celebrate compiled in collaboration with Paly Eco Club to live LY E more sustainably through small changes.

TH AR

Art by Xiaohan Li

Opt out of receiving plastic utensils and napkins when ordering takeout from restaurants

T IP S DAY

Choose reduced packaging for online deliveries Open curtains or blinds instead of turning on lights Choose energy efficient monitors or desk lamps Turn off or unplug unnecessary appliances Compost and recycle at home

news Fall virtual learning plans

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epending on the California legislature, Palo Alto Unified School District may be required to provide virtual learning options for the 2021-2022 school year, and plans are underway.

At the March 23 school board meeting, Superintendent Don Austin and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Sharon Ofek outlined the three distance learning options being considered for secondary students.

The options include home hospital instruction (offered through a third party vendor to students with medical exemptions), an online curriculum through a third party provider with PAUSD oversight, and a newly developed virtual program based on the current distance learning model (essentially creating a separate digital and in-person school).

“We do believe that any distance program would require real, clear purpose, year long commitments right from the beginning and a predetermined cap,” Austin said.

According to a mid-March survey, 7.6% of PAUSD parents would be interested in a continuation of a virtual program offering for the 2021-2022 school year.

PAUSD parent Bryn Ewen voiced her concerns on the twoschool virtual program during the board meeting’s public comment.

“Distance learning has caused an irreparable harm and has disproportionately harmed low-income families, so knowing that, why on earth would you want to focus on creating a whole separate distance learning school?” Ewen said.

by PAISLEY ANNES

10 APRIL 2021

FULL-TIME FRENZY — Superintendent Don Austin announces plans to bring elementary students to campus five days a week at a March 23 Palo Alto Unified School District school board meeting. “As a result [of the new three-foot distancing guideline], students currently in hybrid, grades kinder through five, will return for five days a week in-person instruction at all sites,” Austin said. Photo: Paisley Annes

Elementary to open full time

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ITH 90% OF PALO ALTO Unified School District staff vaccinated and new social distancing guidance, Palo Alto Educators Association President Teri Baldwin joins the district in supporting the five-day-a-week elementary school reopening on April 19.

In the recent months, elementary students who selected hybrid learning have been attending school two days a week.

However, with the California Department of Public Health’s new three-foot social distancing requirement, elementary students may now attend school full time.

“At the request of PAEA and our site principals, we are reversing our staggered approach for the return, meaning when we started in October, we started the return with our younger students and we’re going to turn that around this time,” Austin said.

One of the reasons PAUSD decided to postpone the full time elementary return is to allow for more teachers to receive their second COVID-19 vaccine dose.

“Good news, now we are trending at 90% of our staff that have either completed or have taken their first vaccination shot,

which is a real big change in conditions and part of the reason we are waiting until April 19 to come back fully,” Austin said.

During public comment, Baldwin stated her support for the April reopening.

“We’re very glad that we won’t be bringing more students back until after the majority, if not all, of our educators and staff are vaccinated,” Baldwin said.

According to Austin, students who elected full distance learning in October will continue to learn at home for the remainder of the year.

During public comment, PAUSD parent Heidi Volkner voiced her gratitude for the full time return for Grades K-5, but requested that the same be done for secondary students.

“I do feel that there is the flexibility and perhaps the capacity for us to bring back more of these students,” Volkner said.

Austin plans to revisit more options for 7-12 grade students at a later date, and does not foresee any changes to the sixth grade student’s current four-day-a-week schedule.

by PAISLEY ANNES

Summer school expands offerings

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ALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL District summer school is increasing its courses to include two comprehensive programs: credit recovery and the new kick-start program.

The PAUSD summer school webpage states that only rising seniors will have the opportunity to take the virtual living skills course over the summer. If COVID-19 restrictions allow, all in-person instruction for nonvirtual courses will be held at Henry M. Gunn High School.

“We are limited by staff who want to teach this summer due to the pandemic​ which is further compounded by the need for staff who are properly trained to teach Living Skills,” Program Director Judy Argumendo wrote in an email to Verde.

According to summer school co-principals Courtney Carlomagno and Kim

Lohse, the course offerings have doubled compared to 2020.

“It was really important to us to increase accessibility to in-person instruction for students who have struggled in the pandemic, either for academic reasons or social reasons,” Carlomagno wrote in an email.

Kick-start credit is new this year, and will be offering rising 9-12 graders the opportunity to better prepare for and transition into their next grade level.

“We are super excited, due to our county’s progression in the COVID tiers of safety, to be able to offer in-person classes that feel similar to a typical school year,” Carlomagno wrote. “We believe that this summer will be the start of a return to normalcy.”

by ANYA MONDRAGON

Council passes firefighter equality motion

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HE PALO ALTO CITY Council will be implementing policies to reduce gender inequality and increase the recruitment of female firefighters in the Santa Clara County Region’s Fire Departments by June 2021.

On March 15, the city council unanimously approved the Civil Grand Jury policy recommendations stated in their “Why Aren’t There More Female Firefighters?” report.

“Currently, we are at four [female firefighters] out of 81 [firefighters],” said Geo Blackshire, the fire chief of the Palo Alto Fire Department and a participant in the study. “We must stay on the forefront of recruitment efforts as we pursue a diverse pool of applicants.”

The report analyzes data from 2009 to 2019, and cites insufficient recruitment of women, gender bias and a lack of inclusivity as the cause of the disparity. It identifies six main categories of inequality: recruitment efforts, mentoring, opportunity for promotion, acco-

modations, work environment and gear.

Of the findings, the city disagreed that current firefighter gear is a disadvantage to female firefighters, claiming that all gear is unisex-fit and tailored to each firefighter.

However, during public comment at the city council meeting, community member Rebecca Eisenberg criticized the city’s response and requested that more steps to lessen the inequalities be taken.

“You agree with the findings, but you don’t display any actual meaningful work in exploring them,” Eisenberg said. “Nowhere does it say that interviews were conducted with the current female firefighters and, more importantly, with the former female firefighters ...

There was kind of a writing-off that the equipment and uniforms are passably [comfortable] without any kind of factual exploration into that.”

by ZANDER LEONG

Robotics returns to in-person lab

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tudents returned to the Palo Alto High School robotics lab in cohorts of 12 students and one adviser on March 9.

According to senior Griffin Zajac, the robotics team’s technical director and drive team coach, the team has taken large steps to reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus by creating cohorts of team members and assigning a different adviser to each cohort.

In addition to limiting the amount of exposure students have with each other, the robotics team has also implemented other changes such as open doors and windows that will help with the air flow in their room.

“I’m not as worried about the team performance this season,” Zajac. “What we’re focusing on this year is making sure that we’re teaching the younger members the skills that they need to perform in the future seasons.”

by RYAN SETO

ROBOT CREATION — Junior Xiaohan Li uses a miter saw to cut wood for an upcoming project. Although the team is primarily focused on preparing for next year, they are participating in virtual competitions. “We have been working hard on the virtual competitions and preparing our award submissions,” Zajac said.

Photo: Sofia Antebi

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 11

Teens paint mural to support survivors

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ALO ALTO TEEN VOLUNTEERS attended a community mural painting event at Mitchell Park Library on March 21 to stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors and send a statement of united intolerance against sexual violence.

Palo Alto Teen Arts Council, a student-led and city-sponsored organization, created the mural in response to stories of sexual assault shared in January by local teens and young adults on social media.

Palo Alto High School junior Alison Xiong designed the mural hoping to create a piece that would not only enhance the library’s outer appearance, but also bring comfort to survivors in the community.

“Since the main theme was showing support, I wanted to create a design with symbols that could reflect that purpose,” Xiong said. “I chose to incorporate a pair of hands in an uplifting pose as the focal point of the mural and have flowers to allude to growth.”

Vibrant flowers and hands holding signs with messages for survivors adorn the mural, visible to bypassers outside of Mitchell Park Library. Messages on the mural include phrases like “‘No’ doesn’t mean convince me” and “You are not alone.”

At the center of the mural, a pair of open hands frame the words “We see you, we hear you.”

Participants aged 13-19 signed up for time slots online to prevent overcrowding and to ensure proper social distancing. The event ran from 12–6 p.m. with around 30 youth volunteers showing up throughout the day to help complete the mural. One of many artists contributing to the art piece

was Teen Arts Council Faculty Advisor Cayla Ray-Perry, who hopes that their work will be an opportunity to hold challenging conversations in the community.

“Art is a really good way to connect and communicate with people,” Ray-Perry said. “This is a cause I care a lot about, because it’s very personal for a lot of people I know.”

Council co-presidents and Paly seniors Anna Hickey and Emma Cudahy discussed the intent of the mural.

“We want to highlight the strength of the survivors, instead of the tragedies that they’ve gone through,” Hickey said. “We

want to give an opportunity for survivors of sexual assault to express themselves creatively through this and to do so in a positive outlet.”

Cudahy says that community activism is vital for creating a safe space for survivors to speak out.

“It [the mural] is a good way to raise awareness and make people feel like their voices are being heard and seen on the wall of such a major community center in Palo Alto,” Cudahy said.

by EMILY YAO

COMMUNITY CREATION ­— Teen Arts Council Staff Advisor Roxanna Reid reviews her painting plans before touching up the pink hands in front of her. Palo Alto High School junior Alison Xiong hopes the mural project will encourage more collaborative activism events in the future. “This was my first time completing a piece with other people, and that community engagement really brought out an entirely new dimension of creating art,” Xiong said. Photo: Emily Yao

UpLift Local promotes economic recovery

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HE RECENT PALO ALTO CITY Council initiative, UpLift Local, is working to support economic recovery in the community through local business promotions, efforts to expand outdoor dining options and art.

Originally known as the Summer Streets program, UpLift Local has pushed to establish pedestrian-only zones along California Avenue, University Avenue and various downtown Palo Alto neighbor-

12 APRIL 2021

hoods. Through creating more opportunities for outdoor dining and retail business, UpLift Local hopes to help Palo Alto businesses recuperate from the pandemic’s toll on commerce and income.

To promote UpLift Local’s work around the community, eight Palo Alto artists created unique pieces conveying resilience and positivity in the face of difficult and uncertain times.

“If you are into public art, I really

encourage you to get out and take a look at our temporary murals pilot project,” Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services Rachel Tanner said at a March 16 community check-in meeting.

“Some of them have interactive components ... and maybe you can see if you can find all eight murals.”

by DOMINIQUE LASHLEY

features

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Text by AKHIL JOONDEPH, SADIE IBBOTSON-BROWN and SASHA BOUDTCHENKO Art by SAMANTHA HO

THE ‘GOLD STANDARD’?

STUDENTS, ADMIN LOOK TO IMPROVE TITLE IX PROCEEDINGS

Editors’ note: While most public dialogue surrounding the Palo Alto Unified School District’s handling of Title IX cases by survivors has been negative, those who had a positive experience may be less likely to share their experiences with us. As we attempt to investigate the Title IX process in an unbiased manner, we note that the sources who shared their stories with us may not be an accurate representation of the entire student population, or of those who have interacted with the Title IX Office. All sources have consent from a trusted adult to be quoted in the story.

Content warning: This story contains mentions of sexual harassment and assault, and may be triggering for some. Please read on with caution.

“I

F PEOPLE KEEP getting away with assaulting young women and men then how can anything change?” writes former Palo Alto High School student Rose, a survivor of sexual harassment and rape, whose identity, along with the identities of all other survivors interviewed in this story, has been changed to respect her privacy. “These assaulters will think they did nothing wrong and continue to do it.”

Rose and over a dozen other survivors independently took to Instagram starting on Jan. 24 to share their stories online. The movement they created flooded social media with support for survivors of sexual misconduct while eliciting anger towards perpetrators and the Palo Alto Unified School District administrators who are involved in the Title IX process.

STAND BY SURVIVORS — Palo Alto High School sophomore Johannah Seah paints a section of a mural organized by the Palo Alto Teen Arts Council on March 20 at the Mitchell Park Community Center. The mural project aimed to show solidarity with survivors of sexual misconduct and support them in an uplifting manner. “We want to give an opportunity for survivors of sexual assault to express themselves creatively through this and to do so in a positive outlet,” Teen Arts Council co-president and Paly senior Emma Cudahy says.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 13

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits unlawful discrimination and discriminatory harassment, including sexual misconduct, in schools. The PAUSD Title IX office investigates complaints regarding potential violations of Title IX. The office has been criticized for its handling of Title IX cases many times in the past decade, especially regarding instances of alleged sexual misconduct.

In response to these criticisms, the district adopted the Uniform Complaint Procedure for reporting Title IX cases and created parent and student advisory boards in 2016. These procedures were hailed as the “gold standard” of Title IX processes, and considered a national model when first created.

The district assures students that the process is still up to standard, and student voices are taken into consideration as the process is amended. However, many survivors remain dissatisfied with the way the district handles complaints.

support such as changing schedules to Behind the scenes To evaluate the success of the current avoid survivor-perpetrator interactions Title IX process, one must understand when possible, according to the district’s general counsel Komey Vishakan. how it is supposed to function.

An investigation follows, where eviCurrently, when a case of sexual misconduct is reported, the complaint dence is gathered and examined to draw is automatically sent to multiple Title up a report. Finally, an external decision-maker makes IX administraa final call based tors, according to on the cumulative the PAUSD webThey made me secevidence, and all site. The site also parties receive an indicates that all ond-guess myself outcome letter.

PAUSD employees and why I was “The District have received Tiinvestigates each tle IX training and even reporting in and every commust report any the first place.” plaint on a casecomplaint they reby-case basis as ceive to the Title — MARY, Paly student and survivor every report/comIX Office within 24 of sexual assault plaint is unique,” hours.

Vishakan wrote to After this hapVerde in an email pens, cases are reviewed immediately and the office statement on March 23. “Appropriate acshould update the complainant on the tion is taken in every case as we take it sestatus of their case, as well as provide riously any time our policies are violated by anyone. However, in order to respect student privacy, and as required by law, information regarding student discipline cannot be shared.”

“

Survivors left hanging The foundations of PAUSD’s Title IX process are solid, according to Vishakan.

However, some survivors say they have felt frustrated with their experiences.

According to a recent online Verde opt-in survey of 125 Paly students that was conducted from March 17 to March 21, following the outburst of shared stories on Instagram, 52% of respondents are “not confident at all” in PAUSD’s current system of handling Title IX cases.

This lack of confidence in the system stems partly from instances of minimal communication, according to Mary, a Paly student and survivor of sexual assault.

According to the district’s website, both the Title IX Office and school site administrators must stay in contact with all parties involved in a complaint during the investigation process. However, Mary says she received little communication from her site administrators.

“I never received any personal updates,” Mary says. “I wasn’t communicated with directly. … They [Paly admin-

14 APRIL 2021

features istrators] didn’t seem enthusiastic about build up the courage to talk to someone dealing with me and resolving my issue.” about it, you would hope that … there She also describes how the tone that are clear boundaries and clear lines.”

By law, all staff members are manadministrators used towards her made dated reporters of sexual assault. Howevher uncomfortable.

“They were very intimidating,” er, the details of the mandated reporting Mary says. “They made me second-guess process are unclear to some survivors like myself and why I was even reporting in Jane, who wish they were given more inthe first place. … It made me feel like I formation about its implications before reporting their assaults. had to downplay what I went through.”

Rose, who says she first dealt with the reporting process in eighth grade, Searching for solutions In light of recent discontent, both says she felt disrespected by administrators then. Because of this, Rose decided students and administrators hope to imnot to report her rape when it happened prove Title IX proceedings.

The student sexual misconduct advioff-campus in high school and says after her first disappointing experience, she sory group known as Responsive Incluwas left distrustful of the Title IX pro- sive Safe Environment Task Force hopes to see increased communication about cess.

“I knew I was not going to be heard the reporting process regarding its poor respected,” Rose wrote. “The best I tential outcomes and intricacies.

Junior Kyla Schwarzbach, co-preswould [probably] get is a couple meetings with a counselor while my assault- ident of RISE, says she believes the iner would probably have a talk with their tricacies of the Title IX process are not widely known among students. parents.”

“If I were [a random student] going Title IX Office representatives say they are committed to listening to stu- to report a Title IX complaint [to a teachdents and maintain that appropriate er], I wouldn’t know what the teacher action is taken in every case. External would have to do. I wouldn’t know what I investigators and firms are also used to was supposed to do,” Schwarzbach says.

While a link to information regardensure every investigation is unbiased and thorough, according to district civil ing the Title IX process is available on all pages of the district website, students rights investigator Robert Andrade.

Administrators have also faced criti- hope to see more communication directly with them regardcism from survivors ing the process and for their commuits intricacies. nication regarding PAUSD Interim the implications of We only evolve Title IX Coordinator processes. through increased Kelly Gallagher says Jane, another she also hopes to imsurvivor of sexual education and prove this aspect of assault described dialogue.” the Title IX process. her assault to the “It is not just Paly Wellness Cen— KELLY GALLAGHER, PAUSD policies or proceter in the hopes of interim Title IX coordinator dures that impact receiving support students’ experiences without necessarwhen they are engagily filing a formal report. Jane says the staff she reported ing in the reporting and investigation to notified Child Protective Services, process; it is all of the information that who told her parents. While Jane was students hear and receive in advance and informed and aware of the mandated how students are treated following the reporter status of the Wellness Center process,” Gallagher wrote. “I am here counselor, she says she was not aware to ensure that the students get as much information and guidance as possible that CPS would be involved.

“Sexual assault is never really ex- about the process from start to finish.”

Beyond structural changes to the pected,” Jane says. “So then when you do

“

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Title IX process, RISE and Gallagher say they hope to see lasting cultural changes in the community.

Senior Dani Colman, co-president RISE, says this change to the school environment can come through simple means such as calling out one’s friends for making jokes about sexual misconduct.

“When you’re joking about somebody else’s trauma … you are saying, ‘Hey, rape culture is a thing and I don’t care about it,’” Colman says. “You’re making it very clear that you are not an ally. I think that’s what makes people feel unsafe ... if they know that people aren’t going to take them seriously.”

Gallagher says change to Paly’s culture surrounding sexual misconduct can come through increased discussion.

“Decreasing occurrences of sexual harassment and sexual assault is important in our schools, but it is not enough to think of these only in the context of Title IX,” Gallagher wrote in an interview with the Gunn Oracle this March. “Rather, to be thoughtful about the prevention of these occurrences, it has to be put in the context of a social issue and, like all social issues, we only evolve through increased education and dialogue.” v Resources for survivors: - PAUSD Title IX coordinator: titleixcoordinator@pausd.org - National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4013 - Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 800-572-2782 - Know Your IX: knowyourix.org/about

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 15

STOP“ I ASIAN HATE

REMEMBER LAST YEAR [in] my opening their lunch to see fellow students’ Japanese class we had to do this thing disgusted looks. where, in Japanese, we write a ques“Even in a city considered to be ‘action for students to answer,” said Palo cepting,’ there are still many macro and miAlto High School senior Cody Hmelar. croaggressions towards Asians,” said junior “Two people had Hillary Cheung, written in Japanese: co-president of ‘Have you eaten Even in a city considered AASU. dog?’ Looking back to be ‘accepting’ there Since last on that experience March, anti-Asian now, I was not are still many macro and hate crimes have inaware of how cul- microaggressions tocreased by 1,900% turally rooted that in the United States, kind of sentiment wards Asians.” according to a study was, and that it was

by Stop AAPI Hate.

— HILLARY CHEUNG, co-president of AASU Disturbing offensive.” videos Hmelar is the of attacks flooded co-president of Paly’s Asian American Stu- social media feeds and timelines, igniting dent Union. national discussion on the issue.

As early as elementary school, Palo “Especially in the Bay Area with all Alto Unified School District’s Asian Amer- those stories about the elders being atican students have withstood racism in all tacked, it’s really scary to consider [that] my forms, from microaggressions to blatant grandparents are across the country,” senior Text by MIA BALDONADO, hostility. Common experiences include Emma Wu said. “But they’re still in a very KATHERINE CHENG and MEENA name calling, watching classmates pull large urban area and so they’re at risk of beNARAYANASWAMI back their eyes to imitate “Asian eyes” and ing attacked. … I think it has just made it

COMMUNITY REACTS TO ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

16 APRIL 2021

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BACKLASH IN BRISBANE (LEFT) — Protestors gather in Brisbane Community Park to denounce racism against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

They hold signs as speakers share stories and start chants. “This is what community looks like,” the crowd shouts. Photo: Mia Baldonado

SPREAD LOVE NOT HATE (TOP MIDDLE) — A woman and young girl sit together on a park bench at the Brisbane rally to protest against hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Photo: Mia Baldonado #STOPASIANHATE (BOTTOM MIDDLE) — Community members hold signs supporting the Stop Asian Hate movement at the Town and Country rally to protest against hate crimes against the AAPI community. Photo: Myra Xu YOUTH OUTCRY (RIGHT) — A kid stands among a crowd of students who have gathered on El Camino Real to express their frustration after several instances of violence against the AAPI community garnered national attention. Photo: Myra Xu

[the possibility of a family member getting hurt] a little more real.”

Since the first cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in China, many blame China, and subsequently Asians, for the devastation the pandemic has caused. Even before the pandemic, Asian Americans endured both blatant and concealed racism, but the recent spike in hate crimes has led to a passionate response from students, local organizations and the surrounding community.

Student discussion and activism According to the Paly Profile, an annual report published by the school, Asian students currently make up over 40% of

the student body. Clubs like AASU offer a way to unite students through their heritage as they watch Asian films and discuss Asian pop culture. In response to the recent Stop Asian Hate demonstrations, the club’s co-presidents, Hmelar, Cheung and junior Emily Yun, hosted an open forum for AAPI students during a February club meeting.

“It not only brought us closer together as a club, being vulnerable about our shared experiences with racism, but it also made me reflect more as an individual,” Yun said.

AASU hopes to collaborate with teachers, psychologists and education specialists to implement a curriculum that would teach topics related to racism against Asian Americans. Although the project is still in

formulation, Hmelar hopes that it will help teachers handle these situations by learning about issues such as microaggressions and how to address them.

“From my experience, it’s not a lack of wanting to learn,” Hmelar said. “It’s the lack of resources on how to deal with these situations. Teachers and administrators, they’ve been wanting to improve. They want to deal with these issues. It’s just a matter of finding what the students need from them and how they can deal with it.”

As with AASU presidents, Wu has worked to find ways to spread her perspective on anti-Asian violence, focusing on the medium of digital art. Her recent digital photo collage reflects on the March 16 At

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 17

lanta Spa Shootings, white supremacy and to Tanaka, when he first ran for office, his the way that white men exploit their power father did not donate to his campaign beto hurt Asian women. cause he did not believe Asians should be “It’s really considering ‘how do you involved in politics. think race is affecting your peers?’” Wu said.

“He thought we should keep our heads “Especially when that part of our identity is down and mouths shut, and I think that’s something that can play a part in our safety. the attitude of a lot of Asians,” Tanaka said.

I do think it’s something that mentally has “So when we get beat up, when we get disbeen kind of heavy on me and just thinking criminated against, we don’t say anything. about it all day and seeing it in the news We’re just kind of like a punching bag.” cycle is something that is scary to me.”

Like many members of the Asian Another student who has taken up community and their allies, Tanaka feels the effort to address racism against Asian inspired by the outpouring of support in Americans is Amanda Sun, the founder response to the recent violence. of the Instagram account @tellasiansto“In the past when Asians would be ries and a Dartmouth College sophomore. killed, there’d be silence,” Tanaka said. “I With her account, think this is a realSun aims to proly strong showing I hope that the current vide a platform for [of support] … and Asian Americans to moment Asian Amerthis is a big step anonymously share forward.” icans are experiencing their experiences, National Baspositive or nega- helps us to develop even ketball Association tive, with a wider Jeremy Lin deeper empathy for oth- player audience.

(Class of `06) has “Our goal er communities.” been at the forewith this is mainfront of the move— JEREMY LIN, NBA player and Paly alumnus ment to denounce ly to disrupt this model minority violence against the myth — that idea that Asians are very suc- AAPI community. Lin has been outspoken cessful in this country and don’t deal with about his experiences in a career where racism,” Sun said. there are very few Asian Americans.

As a Japanese American, Sun observed “At first, it was hard to always be the that many other Asian Americans have had Asian American player and to feel like I similar experiences, inspiring her to create was being discounted because of that,” Lin a way to further the conversation about wrote in a message to Verde. “At the same Asian American stereotypes and racism. time, being Asian American on the court “Even though … where I live in Sunny- forced me to not let what other people vale, it’s very diverse and full of immigrants, think of me at first glance limit what I can there’s a lot of racism — just under the sur- do on the court.” face,” Sun said. “And I think it’s important Lin emphasizes the importance of to keep this in mind because it keeps us on cross-cultural solidarity and sees it as necesour toes, and I think that’s important be- sary for progress in the fight against racism. cause there’s still work to be done.”

“I hope that the current moment Asian Americans are experiencing helps us Representation in careers to develop even deeper empathy for other Palo Alto City Council member Greg communities,” Lin wrote. “One way we Tanaka was present at the March 21 Town can all actively contribute is to be honest and Country Village rally to protest against with ourselves as to where we all have biases hate crimes against the AAPI community, and where we each can be better about our and believes that there needs to be more understanding for what other communities Asian representation in politics. According are going through.” v

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TANAKA TAKES ACTION (TOP) — Palo Alto City Council member Greg Tanaka holds up a sign for passing cars to see. Photo: Myra Xu HATE IS A VIRUS (BOTTOM) — A girl attends the Brisbane vigil held in remembrance of victims of racially motivated violence. Photo: Mia Baldonado

18 APRIL 2021

features Text by OLIVIA MILNE and AANYA KUMAR

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Photo by AANYA KUMAR

TEACHER TURMOIL

PALY STAFF REACT TO THE RETURN TO CAMPUS

S

TUDENTS SHUFFLE around divided desks surrounded by plastic and open up their laptops to log onto yet another Zoom call. Sitting secluded in a corner of the room, Palo Alto High School teacher Kurt Evert, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, begins teaching while his voice echoes through students’ earbuds six feet away. Instead of feeling the joy of returning to his life’s passion of teaching, Evert feels unsafe.

“Personally, I do not think it is safe to go back right now,” Evert said March 23, two weeks into the hybrid plan. “The dis- ZOOM IN A ROOM — Paly history teacher DJ Shelton sits in his classroom teaching his students over Zoom. Shelton has been teaching in-person ever since Paly reopened. trict’s sudden announcement of a return was extremely emotional for many teach- district when it comes to receiving a vac- board meeting in February, teachers voiced feelings of unsafety and asked the district to cine. ers.”

“Teachers were scrambling to find wait to return, yet they felt their sentiments While Paly implemented a hybrid plan to return to campus in March, many teach- options,” Evert said. “We were trading ru- were not heard.

“I think the decision was pressured by ers voiced concerns for their safety regard- mors, calling pharmacies, spending hours searching websites parents and politics as well,” Smith said. “I ing COVID-19. and hitting refresh. think the district office wanted to be the The school had I feel like the district Some went to vac- first to reopen whether it was the right time set safety guidelines, cination sites at or not.” including using plas- robbed our school the end of the day, tic shields on desks, community of a joyful hoping to get on a In-person benefits and enforcing social Despite safety concerns, Paly histowaiting list for extra distancing and mask- reopening.” ry teacher DJ Shelton is happy to be back doses.” ing. However, accord— JORDAN JOHNSON, teaching in person and enjoys seeing his Evert received ing to the Center for anonymous teacher his second dose of students face-to-face again. Shelton was Disease Control and the vaccine and was fully vaccinated on March 19, days after Prevention on March 19, resuming in-person learning poses a fully vaccinated on March 27, three weeks the start of in person school.

“Being able to say ‘good morning’ after the reopening. risk to all individuals in schools.

Morgan Smith, a Paly teacher whose to someone and have a conversation with name has been changed, also has reserva- them after class without unmuting a butStaff safety Paly teacher Jordan Johnson, whose tions with the reopening. Smith chose to ton is really nice,” Shelton said. “I’ve missed name has been changed to protect her pri- continue teaching virtually to protect a fam- getting to know my students individually vacy, recently returned to campus but be- ily member who is at risk for COVID-19. without the awkwardness that comes with lieves that the district opened too soon and Smith is planning on returning to school Zoom.”

Shelton also believes that in-person should have waited for teachers to get vac- after spring break when she is fully vaccischool is beneficial to students’ learning cinated. Johnson is planning on being fully nated.

After reviewing Smith’s circumstances, processes. vaccinated by April 3.

“As teachers, we try to come up with as “I feel like the district robbed our the district had total say over whether she many examples and ways of explaining maschool community of a joyful reopening,” could stay at home, according to Smith.

“When it comes to the decision to go terial but we can’t cover every base online,” Johnson said. “They traded 16 instructional days for the safety and morale of their em- back in person or stay teaching at home, Shelton said. “So being in person and havployees. This makes for an uncomfortable there is really little choice in the matter for ing the students be in groups to hear each other process and talk together is a huge teachers,” Smith said. and demoralizing reopening.”

Smith recalls that during a PAUSD benefit.” v Evert says he feels abandoned by the

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VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 19

Text by DOMINIQUE LASHLEY and EMILY YAO

Art by SELENA CAO

DOORS OPEN FOR THE HOMELESS PANDEMIC HITS VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

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PREAD SIX FEET APART, vol- those living on the streets — has been in unteers serve food behind plastic high demand since last March. partitions, forming an assembly “The year before COVID-19, we disline. Josh Selo, director of West tributed about $540,000 in rental assisValley Community Services, says the line tance to prevent homelessness or to move of people that they serve extend outside the folks into a home,” Selo said. “In the secfood pantry and around the corner. Mark- ond six months of last year, we distributed ings on the ground enforce distancing as $1.4 million worth of rental assistance.” clients wait to receive their meal. This is one Food assistance is also one of West of many ways his organization has adapted Valley’s major services. Every branch of to provide support to homeless individuals the organization offers a robust pantry to around the Bay Area. underserved community members, largeThe need for living assistance among ly consisting of products donated by grounderserved communities has skyrocketed cery stores. However, when grocery stores over the past year, acwere bought out and cording to Selo, whose shoppers stockpiled agency has observed the There’s been a lot of products throughout pandemic’s impact on the first few months confusion and not those without guaranin the pandemic, a lot of vaccine, and teed shelter.

West Valley and oth“When a situation er food banks were it’s caused a lot of like COVID-19 hits forced to purchase and folks are out of anxiety, stress and food to make up for work, especially folks the loss in donations. frustration on many that were [in] the most While the need affected industries — levels.” for food assistance those with mostly lowdramatically in— JEFFREY SMITH, Santa Clara County creased among low er wage jobs — those executive officer folks were hit immediincome communiately,” Selo said. “They ties, further challenghave no money to pay rent, no savings and es arose for Selo’s team as social distancing no prospects for work. They either fall be- guidelines were enforced. hind, and many people fell many months “We had to cut down on the number behind on rent, but people potentially of staff in our building, and we lost almost faced eviction as well.” all of our volunteers because most of our Shelters and other services that assist volunteers are over the age of 68,” Selo said. underserved communities have withstood “It was this perfect storm of challenges.” unprecedented challenges as the number of people needing financial relief has rapidly Prioritizing homeless groups increased.

Selo’s organization has stressed vacRental and utility assistance — which cine priority for the homeless population, includes supplying deposit assistance for in- especially given that social distancing and dividuals to move into a home, purchasing sheltering-in-place are virtually impossible furniture or providing basic necessities for for many homeless community members.

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20 APRIL 2021

“We had a client very early on who had other medical issues and came to us for help,” Selo said. “He was scared about being [in] a shelter because if he caught COVID, he was at greater risk for complications.”

The physically vulnerable positions of homeless individuals further highlights the need for vaccine distributions among these

features populations.

“If you’re living on the street, that heavily impacts your physical health; you’re sitting on the ground, you’re open to the elements, which could make you more susceptible [to COVID-19],” Selo said.

Vaccination plans Since the start of vaccine distribution to homeless shelters on March 1, county health executives have voiced their frustration over a lack of communication from state officials, as well as confusing eligibility guidelines, according to Times Herald.

After notifying the state of plans to begin homeless vaccinations early, the county waited 10 days for a response before beginning distribution two weeks before the state-sanctioned date.

After vaccines started to arrive in the county, state eligibility guidelines expand-

ed, outpacing inventory supply. Due to the limited quantity of vaccines, Santa Clara County focused on populations at highest risk, such as those living in encampments and shelters.

“We picked out certain high risk populations like the homeless, and our interpretation of the rules was that a shelter or an encampment qualified as a congregate setting,” said Jeffrey Smith, executive officer of Santa Clara County. “Now, subsequently, the state specifically included homeless populations, but that was a month or so later. There’s been a lot of confusion and not a lot of vaccine, and it’s caused a lot of anxiety, stress and frustration on many levels.”

The county’s efforts to distribute vaccines have also been complicated by some homeless individuals’ unwillingness to undergo vaccination.

“We have a lot of individuals who are

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not interested in vaccinations,” Smith said.

“It’s not a population that’s really happy with the government. Sometimes having somebody from the government show up and say, ‘I’ve got a shot for you and it’ll do you good,’ doesn’t always receive a positive response.”

While the county continues to work towards vaccinating the most vulnerable groups, Smith acknowledges that the issue has no absolute solution and requires continual efforts.

“There are probably tens of thousands of people who are affected by homelessness in the sense that they’re homeless from time to time or they’re couchsurfing or in some other way not visible,” Smith said. “We’re not going to ever get to a point where we can say, ‘Yeah, we finished vaccinating all the homeless,’ but we will continue to have them as a high priority.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 21

Text by ASHMITA RAJMOHAN and MERWA MAROF

TRICKY TRANSITIONS “I “ FRESHMEN FACE CHALLENGES FROM COVID-19

FELT LIKE I WAS on Zoom for Singh was disheartened that high hours, and I was missing in-per- school would be similar to 8th grade son interaction and meeting new without the excitement of a campus people, which I was really excit- change. ed about,” freshman Shamsheer Singh “I felt like for the longest time that I said. The online school year held many was still in middle school because everychallenges for freshmen with their loss thing that was supposed to be different of a traditional first wasn’t different,” year of high school said. “It was I didn’t really connect Singh experience. But, after all the same.” months of learning with anyone, like Singh attended from home, freshmen the in-person orienteachers or students are now able to attend tation and felt that classes on campus for who I didnt know preshe finally got the the first time. closure she needed viously, on Zoom.”

To kick off Palo from middle school.

Alto High School’s “If I waited — OLIVIA LINDSTROM, freshman reopening, the Assountil sophomore ciated Student Body year, I would have held an in-person orientation for fresh- felt like I was still a freshman and I was men which included tours of the school, still unfamiliar with [in-person school],” followed by entertainment provided by Singh said.

Paly cheer and snacks distributed by the Another benefit of returning to camParent Teacher Student Association. pus was being able to connect with peers “We got to go into some of the as freshman Olivia Lindstrom experibuildings and we also got to play Spike- enced when she opted to participate in ball and do a ton of Paly specific things, the recent hybrid school option. which was really fun,” Singh said.

“I knew people already,” Lindstrom According to a recent online opt-in said. “But I didn’t really connect with Verde Magazine survey of 138 Paly stu- anyone, like teachers or students who I dents that was conducted from March didn’t know previously, on Zoom.”

18 to March 22, 65.2% of the 46 freshAs a student new to the district, man participants believed that Paly did freshman Bee Montes faced difficulty a satisfactory job with the transition finding a community of like-minded from middle to high school. Despite this, peers over Zoom.

81.4% believed that they missed out on “I just didn’t really have anyone to important milestones and experiences talk to in the beginning,” Montes said. they would have had pre-pandemic.

“And usually when you go to a new Four freshmen and an 8th grad- school, you’re in-person, and you make er share their unique views on the high friends pretty quickly … it was hard for school transition in the pandemic and me to make friends.” their hopes for the upcoming months.

To address these challenges, Montes

joined the cheer team.

A delayed welcome “I actually get to see people in perThis year, freshmen faced many ad- son have a conversation that goes back versities like entering a new environment and forth and there’s no poor connection without stepping foot on campus. or glitches,” Montes said.

22 APRIL 2021

Incoming freshmen Greene Middle School 8th grader Lydia Mitz eagerly anticipates transitioning into high school in the upcoming year when there will likely be less COVID-19 restrictions.

“I’m excited to talk to everyone that I haven’t really seen in a long time from my school,” Mitz said. “I’m also excited to meet new people.”

However, Mitz has become accustomed to the virtual school lifestyle after a year of distance learning, and worries about being in a new environment.

“I think most people are nervous because they’ve never really been on campus,” Mitz said. “And they haven’t seen anyone from school in a long time.”

After going through course selection and learning what Paly has to offer, she’s excited for the high school years ahead.

“I think I’ve been provided a similar experience to pre-pandemic times by Paly, but if I was in-person the whole year, then it would have been much easier to talk with friends and figure out what courses to take together,” Mitz said.

Adapting to online learning Overall, throughout the year students like Singh learned to make the most of the Zoom environment.

“They [her teachers] did a lot of breakout room activities, which was also nice because … I got to talk to people who I knew from my middle school but I hadn’t really interacted with a lot,” Singh said.

Sophia Kim has also found ways to overcome the social challenges of her online classes.

“I’ve tried my best to participate in class,” Kim said. “And in that way [I] get to know my teacher better and my teacher gets to know me better because the more that you participate in class, the more familiar your face gets.” v

features

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STAYING SHIELDED — Freshman Shamsheer Singh sits behind a plastic divider during her Zoom class in the ASB classroom. “In ASB, I feel that’s one of my more interactive classes ... they’re all really nice … So I got to know people pretty well,” Singh said. Photo: Ryan Seto

IN-PERSON INTERACTIONS — Students gather on the once desolate senior deck in the first weeks of hybrid learning in March. “It’s nice getting to [see] people and having some human contact face to face,” freshman Lydia Mitz said. “But it’s a little bit weird, to be honest.” Photo: Paisley Annes

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 23

Fostering Frenzy

Text by ANYA MONDRAGON and ALLEGRA WEST

FAMILIES SUPPORT LOCAL SHELTER ANIMALS

“W

E WERE ALL PETTING in the work, fostering or adopting an adorthem, and that kitten able fluffy friend from a shelter can bring stood out to us because love and smiles into quarantine life. she would come to us and “They are kind of like a light in my life climb up our legs,” Palo Alto High School if I feel kind of sad or hopeless,” Ho says. sophomore Paula Luna says. “We felt a connection with her.”

Pets in Need After adopting a cat from the Pets in When COVID-19 hit, Pets in Need, Need animal shelter a an animal shelter in year ago, Luna decided Whenever I go downPalo Alto, was forced to adopt another one to reevaluate how stairs, I just see my from Mexico just four they could continue months ago. She is just rabbit’s little bobbing to serve the dogs and one of many who has in their care with nose, and it just makes cats taken in pets during uncertainty around the pandemic. how staff could safely me so happy.” come to work. Pets in — ZOE HO, sophomore Bunny bonanza Need focused on re“No matter how locating their animals hard my day is, whenever I go downstairs, I into foster homes, following the strategy just see my rabbit’s little bobbing nose, and established by shelters all over the country, it just makes me so happy,” Castilleja soph- according to foster manager Audra Farrell. omore Zoe Ho says.

“We made the push to get all the aniWhenever Ho needs a pick-me-up, she mals that traditionnever needs to look farther than to the fac- ally would stay in es of her three foster rabbits. She is one of the shelter out into many teens and their families in Palo Alto foster care because who have opened their homes to animals in we didn’t know need during the pandemic. when any kind of Ho had never fostered a pet before normalcy was goCOVID-19, yet she now takes care of three ing to come about,” foster rabbits: Ramen, Matcha and Boba. Farrell says.

But fostering is no small task. Ho has takDue to the en on the responsibilities of food, ‘bun- strategy’s resoundny-proofing’ her home and researching the ing success, Pets in needs of a free-roam rabbit. Overall, Ho Need ended up rerecommends the experience to other stu- ceiving a surplus of dents looking for a way to help their com- foster applications. munity and escape pandemic boredom.

“It’s a great “But it’s also a big commitment be- thing to see peocause you have to be willing to do your ple want to help,” best for this animal,” Ho says. “It can’t be a Farrell says. “They half-hearted effort.” realize that they The last outcome that shelters want is have the time to for a family to foster or adopt when they do something that aren’t prepared. For students willing to put maybe they weren’t

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HAPPY TO BE HOME — An adopted cat bathes in the sunshine. “They [the cats] just eat, sleep, play a bit and sleep again,” Luna said. “I don’t think [the pandemic] has affected them much.” Photo: Paula Luna

24 APRIL 2021

interested in doing before.”

But the process of fostering an animal has had to change due to the pandemic.

Since in-person visits are no longer feasible, interviews have to be conducted over Zoom. It has presented a unique set of obstacles, such as introducing a foster family’s dog to a shelter dog they would potentially foster.

“Those kinds of things, obviously, still need to be done in person,” Farrell says.

“Dogs don’t Zoom that well.”

Pets in Need has adapted to the new normal, but there are some things that will always hold true –– especially the positive impact finding a dog a foster home can have.

“It saves the life of the animal you’re fostering, but what it also does is it opens up space in the shelter for another animal that may need that space who may not be able to go to foster right away,” Farrell says. “It’s a win-win.” v

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Text by JONAS PAO

Kurious minds lend a hand

A ROBOTICS TEAM GIVES BACK DURING COVID

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ALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL ju- Aside from participating in robotics, Kurinior Albert Cai holds up a sheet of osity Robotics works on community projplastic transparency film used for ects, which Cai hopes is what makes the laser printers as he explains how team stand out.

“Other FTC teams view us as a team difficult it was for his robotics team to find with a really good robot, but we also rematerials to build face shields.

“A lot of people have the idea of mak- ally pride ourselves on our impact on the ing facial shields, so this led to literally ev- community,” Cai said. “All the classes, all ery plastic thing being out of supply,” Cai the summer camps and the face shield inisaid. “We take pride in finding this mate- tiative.”

With the face shield initiative, the rial, which is basically transparency films. ... They’re like the perfect size for the face robotics team was able to give back to the community by creating and distributing shields.”

Originally created in 2015 as a pro- more than 5,000 face shields to local hospitals. gramming club for Junior Ausa group of friends, Other FTC teams view us as tin Xiang is part Kuriosity Robotics is a team of Bay a team with a really good ro- of the build and subArea high school bot, but we also really pride business team of Kuriosistudents who use their technology ourselves on our impact on ty Robotics. He believes Kuriosiskills to execute the community.” ty Robotics’ next various initiatives — ALBERT CAI, Kuriosity Robotics member step should be to that help the comshift their focus munity, the most recent of which was making face shields for to creating a summer camp to involve more students in STEM. local hospitals.

“As a team, we just want to give everyThe robotics team primarily participates in the For Inspiration and Recog- one who has access to the internet a quality nition of Science and Technology Tech STEM education,” Xiang said. “We know Challenge robotics competition, a robotics that usually when things are in person, we competition consisting of middle school have to find venues … but with it online and high school robotics teams. Last year, you just have so many more opportunities Kuriosity Robotics qualified for the FTC to teach people who, as long as they have World Championships, but were unable access to the internet, can all come to our to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions. courses.”

Sophomore Arthur Balva acknowledges that being in the heart of WORKING WITH KURIOSITY — A Silicon Valley, there are many member of Kuriosity Robotics peers other prominent STEM down at the work of his avid summer campers. “In past years, we did an OK summer programs. Acjob at running the summer camp, but I cording to Balva, what think this year, our goal was to engage makes Kuriosity Rothem [campers] more, and so in our

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botics unique is that all of the teachers are high school students.

“Through experience at school, we know what it’s like to be learning online, unlike some other programs, where it’s just adults teaching who haven’t actually done much online learning during the pandemic,” Balva said. “So we have learned throughout the year what methods are actually effective for students online.”

Beyond the advantages of being a group of high school students, Kuriosity Robotics is looking to inspire more underrepresented groups to participate in STEM, and even join their robotics team. Currently, the team has ten male members, but only one female member, and a majority of the staff is Asian.

“Another reason why we’re doing these camps is potential recruitment,” Balva said.

“With these camps, I hope we can inspire more girls and people of other ethnicities to explore the STEM field more.” v

planning this year, it’s super project based,” Arthur Balva, a KuriosityRobotics member, said.

Photo: Tram Phan

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 25

Text by ASHMITA RAJMOHAN

ASCENT

TO EAGLE

TRAILBLAZING GIRLS RISE TO THE HIGHEST SCOUT RANK

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OPHOMORE GENEVIEVE man who was an Eagle Scout,” Thesen said.

Thesen walked into the Pets in “He looks me up and down, and he sees Need Foundation, a nonprofit an- me helping out with his daughter who is a imal shelter in Palo Alto, carrying little younger than I am and [I am] carrya stack of wooden panels in her right arm ing her pack and lighting fires and building and holding a toolbox with her left. An stoves, and he tells me that I need to join hour later, she closed her car door, a smile Boy Scouts.” of satisfaction on her face. The structures Thesen’s friend, freshman Rae of her raised garden beds were coming to- Sox-Harris, was already familiar with gether seamlessly and with them, the once Scouts and all that it entailed due to her seemingly impossible goal of becoming an brother and father’s active involvement in Eagle Scout was finally within reach. it. When Thesen and Sox-Harris decided Troop 4057 is the first all-girls Scouts together to become Scouts, the latter’s dad, troop in Palo Alto, established shortly af- Alex Sox-Harris, helped start up the Palo ter Boy Scouts of America officially began Alto girls’ troop, Troop 4057, as a separate allowing girls into the entity within the organization in early larger Palo Alto It takes some courage 2019. Consisting of Scouts establish25 girls divided be- to stand up in front of a ment.

Through tween two patrols, the word of mouth, group of people and troop met on a regular the troop grew basis for local outings lead them and tell them rapidly. in the Bay Area and what to do. I’ve found annual Scout camps Coed transition across California before that I’ve grown a lot Though girls the pandemic forced a joining Scouts is more comfortable transition online. no longer a rarity, Thesen was not being a leader.” the majority of immediately interested the organization when she first heard — GABRIELA HAKEMAN, sophomore is still comprised that Scouts was openof boys. Members ing up to girls due to of Troop 4057, her unfamiliarity with the organization. including sophomore Gabriela Hakeman, However, a chance encounter during a have had generally positive interactions backpacking trip on Mount Whitney led to with their male counterparts. a change of heart.

“I think we’re pretty lucky in Palo “While we were there, we met this Alto because the boys truly perceive us very

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26 APRIL 2021

well,” Hakeman said. “There were quite a few girls that joined at the same time that I did and as the founders, so I felt like there was a really strong and supportive community of other girls right off the bat who were interested in pushing past those boundaries.”

While the boys and girls usually have their own separate local outings, the two groups participate in the annual camps together. Oftentimes, the boys far outnumber the girls at these camps.

“We’ve been the only girls in some of the Scout camps we’ve been to, and the boys can occasionally be not so nice,” Hakeman said. “They are weirded out and uncomfortable with us being there, so we’ve definitely had moments where we feel like

CLIMBING THE RANKS — ­­­ Palo Alto High School sophomores Gabriela Hakeman (left) and Genevieve Thesen (right) pose on a tree. “I’d recommend it [Scouting] to anybody who likes the outdoors and is committed to working on something,” Thesen said. Photo: Ella Buttrill

outsiders.”

Reaching the pinnacle Through plenty of hard work, grit and perseverance, the girls have been steadily working their way up the seven Boy Scout ranks. Thesen and Hakeman have both achieved Life Rank, the one right before Eagle, and are currently working on their mandatory Eagle Scout projects. Thesen spends time at the Pets in Need Foundation every weekend to make progress on the garden beds.

In just three years, their rapid rise is a testament to their passion and dedication.

According to Thesen, it takes most people around five to six years to become an Eagle Scout, but the girls in Troop 4057 have

climbed the ranks in half that time.

The Scouts are beyond excited about their futures, and eagerly await to bare the fruit of years of hard work and sacrifice.

“We’ll probably be the first female Eagle Scouts in Palo Alto and among the first in the state of California,” Thesen said.

Growing as individuals The Scouting program has fostered the girls’ growth in significant ways. Scouts emphasize good morals like helping others and showing compassion in addition to outdoor and survival skills. The future Eagle Scouts all agree that they’ve learned valuable foundational skills which will be useful to them in the real world.

“It takes some courage to stand up in

front of a group of people and lead them and tell them what to do,” Hakeman, who is the troop’s patrol leader, said. “I’ve found that I’ve grown a lot more comfortable being a leader.”

Alex Sox-Harris finds it especially rewarding to observe the tremendous growth of the youth who are involved in Boy Scouts over the years.

“As an adult, it’s really inspiring to see the Scouts, both the boys and the girls, push themselves to learn important life skills like taking care of themselves in the wilderness,” Alex Sox-Harris said. “They have a successful experience and it gets them excited about wilderness that gives them a sense of confidence that they might not have had before.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 27

Halls’ Kitchen Bread Text by ANDIE TETZLAFF

Art by SAMANTHA HO

PALY SIBLINGS OPEN BAKERY IN QUARANTINE

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HE COMFORTING aroma of freshly baked bread fills the busy kitchen of Palo Alto High School senior Dean Hall’s home as he takes a fresh sourdough boule out of the oven. Bowls and cooking utensils are spread across the countertop as Hall slices the loaf on a beat-up cutting board, before bundling it into his signature yellow bag. This is how Hall describes his typical baking process.

Back in December, Hall and his sister, Sabrina Hall (Class of `18), started Halls’ Kitchen, a homebased business selling delicious bread, cookies, bagels and more.

The Halls began baking more frequently over the past year of quarantine.

Eventually, they decided to put their baking skills to use and make a profit from it.

The Halls have a wide variety of menu items, starting with their most popular item, the sourdough boule ($10).

This loaf of bread offers a nice crunch on the outside while the insides are soft and warm.

These make perfect slices for grilled cheese, or for a quick and easy buttered toast with a sweet jam.

Next up are their chocolate chip cookies ($2 each).

28 APRIL 2021

These cookies are hard to beat, with their gooey melted chocolate insides and sprinkles of sea salt on top. “What’s better than warm Halls’ Kitchen chocolate chip cookies on a cold rainy day?

Not a single thing,” the Halls wrote in an Instagram caption.

The bagels are

also a must-have. Customers can choose from three different flavors: sesame, everything seed or plain. For only $6 for half a dozen, this is quite a deal. Toast them up, spread some cream cheese or peanut butter, and you have yourself a delicious breakfast item or snack.

While these are their most popular items, the Halls also bake fresh focaccia slices ($5) and hearty gluten-free, vegan granola ($10 per jar).

Over winter break, both of the Halls worked together in baking all of these delicious goods, but since Sabrina Hall is a college student, she returned back to campus after New Year’s. Dean Hall will continue to run the show on his own until she returns home.

This side job is time-consuming, and challenges Dean Hall who juggles all sorts of activities including baking, baseball and continuing his senior year studies.

While it does take a good portion of time out of his days, he says it’s worth it.

“I’ve learned to balance my time well; we came up with a schedule for our bakery which aligns well with my other extracurriculars,” Dean Hall said. “We take in orders from the start of the week to the upcoming Thursday, and throughout the weekend we begin baking and we drive around delivering the goods.”

More recently, Halls’ Kitchen donated their profits to RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization that works to support sexual assault survivors nationwide. The Halls decided to donate 100% of the proceeds made for one week to

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RAINN, managing to donate $500 for the cause.

“It was definitely the most I’ve ever baked. I would definitely donate to RAINN again in a heartbeat,” Dean Hall said.

With this small hobby turning into a booming family business, Dean Hall shows no signs of stopping soon.

“It’s been a load of fun, I’m definitely going to try and continue Halls’ Kitchen over the summer,” Dean Hall said.

Unfortunately for their fans, Dean Hall will be going off to college in the fall.

He’ll close down the business, which will remain a cherished high school memory, but plans to continue crafting the perfect sourdough boule.

“It’s been such a fun business to run with my sister, I’m going to miss it in college,” Dean Hall said. “But I’ll know that I had a blast and that I spent my time as a senior at home efficiently.” v

PRETTY PATTERNS (TOP) — A fresh batch of sourdough boules sit out in the sun, each with a different pattern on top of their hard outer crusts. “I love trying out new patterns with the boules, it helps make baking more fun,” Dean Hall said. Photo: Dean Hall SWEET AND SALTY (MIDDLE) — With a sprinkle of sea salt on top, these chocolate chip cookies are ready to be bagged up and delivered. “I make at least a couple dozen orders of cookies per week and usually we’ll have loads of leftovers, which is always great for us,” Dean Hall said. Photo: Dean Hall BOUNTIFUL BAGELS (BOTTOM) — Poppy seeds, sesame seeds and hints of onion and garlic. Have one for breakfast, and you will be thinking about these bagels all day. “Sabrina and I had so much fun with baking the bagels, they always turned out great,” Dean Hall said. “They’re definitely a fan favorite.” Photo: Dean Hall DEAN’S DOUGH (LEFT) — In his orange baking jumpsuit, Dean Hall stands smiling down at his latest baking creation, a flour-coated sourdough boule. “Baking boules is probably my favorite,” Dean Hall said. “You can get really creative with the designs.” Photo: Audrey Joachim

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 29

Text by JONAS PAO and ISHAAN BATRA

ISSUES AMID C Editors’ note: Staff writer Jonas Pao wrote several articles for Midpeninsula Post after completing the reporting for this story but prior to its publication.

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OST, CONFUSED AND worn providing COVID updates, features and out. These are words everyone news stories for their readership. can relate to in the tough times Normally, student publications are of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated with a school, but Midpeninsula student journalists are far from exempt Post is independently run. This allows the to these feelings. Day in and day out, it publication to be a regional paper that gets harder to contact, write and publish. brings together journalists from Mountain However, journalists like Tomoki Chien of View, Los Altos and Palo Alto.

Midpeninsula Post and Erin Kim of Ink see “I think local news is often more a challenge — and more so, opportunity. relevant to high schoolers than big national “I was still writing for The Talon when stories are, but local publications that are the coronavirus hit,” covering local news Chien, a junior at Los don’t target high Altos High School, If we cover this [the schoolers, because said. “I turned to my pandemic] right, this high schoolers don’t friend, and was like, donate, and nobody ‘Dude, if we cover this can be the best thing wants to advertise [the pandemic] right, that’s happened for [to] high schoolers,” this can be the best Chien said. “So the thing that’s happened the newspaper since it idea is, why don’t we for the newspaper started.” kind of get together since it started.’” the best student —TOMOKI CHIEN, Midpeninsula Post journalists in the After a few months editor-in-chief area, and provide of reporting during the pandemic with the local news in a really Talon, his school-based publication, Chien reliable way.” decided that he wanted to start his own Midpeninsula Post quickly got to work publication and report on a new platform writing stories that appealed specifically to with other student reporters. their high school audience.

Chien and other high school journalists “Coronavirus guidelines and school who have started a new publication reopenings — I think that’s something that during the pandemic have all faced high schoolers care about a lot,” Chien said. unique challenges in addition to dealing “So that’s kind of what a large portion of with the usual technicalities of building our coverage is.” a publication from the ground up. From With school shut down and in-person informing the community on coronavirus- interaction put on hold in the early stages related topics to simply providing a means of the publication, Midpeninsula Post has of enjoyment for those stuck at home due had a hard time finding journalists to join to shelter-in-place orders, publications like their staff; as a result, Chien has resorted Midpeninsula Post, Z Magazine and Ink to some unorthodox ways of getting people have risen to the occasion in the pandemic. to join.

“One of our best reporters ... is Midpeninsula Post somebody we just cold-called,” Chien said.

Chien co-founded the Midpeninsula “We just sent her a DM [direct message] ...

Post, Bay Area’s student-run digital news and she joined us.” source, with six other journalists from The Talon in October 2020. They ran their first Z Magazine story in November and have since been “I created the magazine as a way to

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DECKED-OUT DESIGNS — In their first issues, Z Magazine celebrates Black History Month (top) and youth activism (bottom). “We released our first issue once the shelter in place was already set, and because of this, all of our issues are completely digital,” said Caroline Zhang, editorin-chief of Z Magazine. Photos: Caroline Zhang

30 APRIL 2021

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STUDENT JOURNALISM PERSEVERES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

amplify teen voices and emerging creators REVIEWING A RECORDING — In a self-timer photo, editor-in-chief of Midpeninsula Post Tomoki and give them an opportunity to be Chien searches for the perfect quote to put in one of his many timely articles. “It feels like my featured and appreciated,” Sophomore and writing has real world consequences, when I’m going and gathering information and making sense editor-in-chief of Z Magazine Caroline of ... what has happened over the past year,” Chien said. Photo: Tomoki Chien Zhang said.

Zhang created Z Magazine as an arts and culture magazine for Gen Z. Zhang understands how hard it can be for writers and artists to receive recognition and publicity for their talents, and it has only become harder in the midst of a pandemic.

“I’ve submitted a lot of my art to competitions, and also to open calls, but my work has never actually been accepted,” Zhang said.

As a result, Zhang decided to create a magazine with her friends to feature teen artists who have seldom been published.

The staff of Z Magazine decides on a theme for each issue, which directs their content for the following months. beginning of the school year with only two Sophomore and Z Magazine editor Vivan Ink Trach says the “Black History Month” “My friend approached me with the editors, Kim and Rumelhart.

“Our main goal [on Ink] was to source theme for their February issue was one of idea of making a literary magazine, so we her favorites. went and talked works in the greater Paly community, and “We had an artist I created the magazine to [Paul] Kandell make sure that every student can have a who started drawing [a Palo Alto High representative voice,” Kim said.

The editors asked Paly teachers to tell mostly Black women as a way to amplify School journalism because she felt teen voices and give adviser] about their students about the opportunity of like they are always starting it [Ink] featuring on Ink last semester.

“Since it’s not limited to just staff from portrayed as having them an opportunity through [the] an edgy vibe, and she to be featured and Incubator,” junior the incubator, quite literally anybody from was like, ‘Well, Black Erin Kim, editor- Paly is welcome to submit whatever they women can be cute, appreciated.” in-chief of Ink, said. want, whether it be artwork or poetry or we can be fairies, we “We actually figured fiction, nonfiction,” Kim said.

— CAROLINE ZHANG, Z Magazine Ink published its first issue on Dec. can be anything we editor-in-chief it wasn’t going to want,’” Trach said. happen because 20, featuring six poems and five pieces of The art provided of COVID, but it fiction, each paired with art and eloquent Trach with a new perspective on women turns out enough people are interested in designs, but that could not have been done without the hard work of Ink’s editors. of color in media, and brought a colorful, it, so we managed to make it.”

“We [the editors] split a lot of the lively spread to the magazine. These unique, In the Incubator, a Paly class where diverse takes on a larger theme is one reason student journalists can create their own work which involves things like ... finding Z Magazine believes submission-based publications, Kim and fellow junior writing, being the graphic designer for journalism is a great way to tell stories.

William Rumelhart set up Ink as a the magazine, managing the finances,” “Instead of opening certain doors for submission-based magazine, similar to Kim said. “And we’re currently working certain people, it’s more like opening the Z Magazine. But unlike Z Magazine and on building a website. So I guess it [being door and whoever comes in is welcome in,” other publications at Paly, Ink focuses their editor] is pretty much a little bit of Trach said. content on literature. Ink started in the everything.” v

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VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 31

Text by KYLIE MIES Photos by REIN VASKA

WHO WILL SURVIVE? AN INTRO TO THE PALY TEAM

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HE CHALLENGE IS ON,” Gunn Survivor” will begin airing on April says Jeff Probst, the host of the 12 and can be found on the Class of 2021 hit reality-competition show Instagrams and the student leadership You“Survivor,” which has been air- tube channels for both schools. ing on CBS since 2000. The show tests Both Paly ASB and Gunn Student contestants on survival skills in an isolated Executive Council are putting in the work environment through to make the producvarious challenges that tion high quality encan win them immu- I applied because I’ve tertainment and to nity for the vote at the ensure it is COVID been watching the end of each episode. safe. The contestants Student leaders at show from a young all wear masks and Palo Alto and Henry distance, and age and consider my- socially M. Gunn high schools the challenges take have collaborated to self a superfan.” place outside. create their own “Paly The Paly team, — BENNY MCSHEA, senior selected through an x Gunn Survivor” that began filming in application process, March. Four students from Paly and four consists of seniors Benny McShea, Mark students from Gunn will be put through a Muskatblit, David Snyder and Jace Purcell. series of challenges that test a range of skills The application asked for a minute-long from athleticism to teamwork to prob- video responding to one of nine prompts lem-solving. The contestants try to avoid or anything they would like to do to prove getting voted out by their fellow contes- to the creators why they deserve to be on tants until the title of “Sole Survivor” is the show. won. The “Sole Survivor” earns a prize of “I’ve been watching the show since a $200 worth of anything that is school ap- young age and consider myself a superfan,” propriate.

McShea says. “Ultimately, I would like to “I thought of the idea at the end of go on the real show and win so I can get first semester because my family used to rich and famous.” watch ‘Survivor’ a lot,” says Emma Lin, seThe contestants are thrilled to see what nior president of Paly’s Associated Student their filming days will bring and if they can Body. “We are doing it with Gunn because win the title of “Sole Survivor.” in ‘Survivor’ they usually have an amount “I’m excited for the challenges,” Purof tribes at the beginning that are catego- cell says. “I don’t know what they are yet rized.” and I’m curious how ASB and SEC are goThe six weekly episodes of “Paly x ing to pull them off in this format.” v

32 APRIL 2021

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Mark Muskatblit

NICKNAME: DENTIST APPOINTMENT HEIGHT: 5’8’’ ROLE MODEL: JACE PURCELL ZODIAC SIGN: N/A

Benny mcshea

NICKNAME: THE DRAGON SLAYER HEIGHT: 5’3’’ ROLE MODEL: TYSON APOSTOL ZODIAC SIGN: ORION’S BELT

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Jace purcell

NICKNAME: THE WINNER HEIGHT: 5’11’’ ROLE MODEL: TONY VLACHOS ZODIAC SIGN: LIBRA

David snyder

NICKNAME: THE BLOCK HEIGHT: 6’0’’ ROLE MODEL: YUNG “WOO” HWANG ZODIAC SIGN: CHAMELEON

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 33

creativity

CAPTURING

Text by DOMINIQUE LASHLEY and ZANDER LEONG

34 APRIL 2021

POSING IN PETALS — Senior Amanda McVey poses in a dress she created with the goal of reexamining femininity in modern society. “Femininity today ... includes both traditional feminine aspects as well as traditional masculine aspects but in a feminine light,” McVey said. Photo: Audrey Joachim

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PALY ARTISTS DISCUSS THEIR AP PORTFOLIOS

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LASHES OF PAINT, ridges of surround her figure. For Ford, this painting cardboard, ripples of fabric. No especially stands out because of the time matter the medium, Palo Alto she dedicated to creating it.

High School boasts a vibrant art “Some of the pieces I’ve made have community through its numerous classes, been so rushed this year,” Ford said. “With clubs and community events. For many this painting, I really put a lot of effort into dedicated artists, Paly AP studio art classes it and I’m glad that it turned out well.” are the final step in their high school artistic Other pieces convey more fantastijourney. cal themes, Artists are depicting untasked to explore I often like to listen to a parnamed figures a chosen theme ticular song as many times and landscapes through a yearawash in a kalong portfolio as I can and attempt to illusleidoscope of in any medium trate my colorful visions.” colors.

One they wish. Here’s portrays a mys— REESE FORD, junior terious woman a closer look at three Paly artists suspended in who have developed their portfolios and outer space, enveloped in a circle of multipursued diverse artistic avenues. colored planets and music notes.

Ford also draws inspiration from the Reese Ford: Simulating synesthesia times she feels overwhelmed from the senWith a Zoom window framed by the sory overload. She describes developing a EXPERIENCES TO EXPRESSION — This colorful paintings propped up against her painting to show the overstimulation she self-portrait is one piece in junior Reese bedroom wall, Reese Ford, a Paly junior once experienced at a concert, trying to Ford’s AP portfolio that speaks to her experiin AP Studio Art Drawing, describes using convey the feelings of anxiety and chaos. ences with synesthesia. Art: Reese Ford painting to express her experiences with “I was inspired by a classical music synesthesia. piece I saw performed live a couple of years Synesthesia is a neurological condi- ago,” Ford said. “I used neon gel pens to had all the past years to find your medium, tion in which one’s senses are blended and create intense colors but also isolated a what you work with in your own style,” sensory stimulations, such as sound, si- square in the center of the drawing so that Guillet said.

Despite this switch, Guillet has manmultaneously trigger other senses, such as I could use realistic colors, representing the sight and taste. According to Ford, while reality of the situation amidst the chaotic aged to create a collection of cardboard pieces that capture his creativity. His fathe experience can at times be intense and colors.” vorite piece — an elegant sword — layers overwhelming, synesthesia is also a major spires of cardboard towards a tapered end. source of creative inspiration.

Andrew Guillet: Cardboard A white handle curls up toward the blade, “Synesthesia allows me to see colors creations when I read and hear music,” Ford said.

Unlike students in AP 2D art classes, where slight variations in the tone of each “In my art-making process I often like to many AP Sculpture students, including tier creates depth. The result is a seemingly listen to a particular song as many times as senior Andrew Guillet, have chosen not to simply but startlingly complex piece, which holds a special I can and attempt to illustrate my colorful center their designs historic signifivisions.” around a theme this cance for GuilHer AP portfolio is an explosion of col- year. In a typical It [AP Sculpture] has defior and energy, each piece including realistic year, students are nitely helped me underlet. and abstracted components in an array of free to experiment “The reabrilliant hues. Ford used mainly oil paints with materials and stand that I have an ability son I chose to and alcohol-based ink pens to develop her eventually end up to just create things.” create a sword is series of whimsical pieces, and she sums up with a 20-piece because I could — ANDREW GUILLET, senior use references the overall concept behind the collection as portfolio. Howeva “mirage, an illusion, a projection.” er, due to material from historic In one piece — a vibrant self-portrait availability during distance learning, that swords, while still adding my own artistic created with oils — Ford’s face is painted format has changed to center around card- flair,” he said. in an array of purple-blue tones, and a sea board.

History has been a common inspiraof psychedelic colors flow from her chest to “Typically in class you would have tion for Guillet, who also engages in glass

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blowing outside of school.

“Especially in glassblowing, I have been fascinated with the old style of glassworking from first century Rome and Venice, which is why a lot of my work is simple yet refined cups and vases,” Guillet said.

While the change in class format has been challenging, overall, Guillet’s experiences in AP art have helped him realize his capabilities as a problem solver and innovator.

“It [AP Sculpture] has definitely helped me understand that I have an ability to just create things if I want to,” Guillet said. “Before, it would just be an idea if I had a solution to something, but now I could actually create that solution.”

Amanda McVey: Passion for fashion “It’s so much more than just a piece of cloth on a hanger or on a person.”

For as long as she can remember, senior Amanda McVey has been fascinated by fashion design. Now, that passion is the core of her AP Studio Art work.

“What I did is make a mood board for what my personal brand would be,” McVey said. “If I were to be a fashion designer with a clothing brand, what would my clothing brand look like? Who would wear my products? And what kind of person would they be?”

Looking through this lens is what ultimately inspired McVey’s portfolio theme

SEWN FROM A STORY — Senior Amanda McVey models a dress she designed after the character Ophelia from “Hamlet.” “She was a character that was often disregarded, swept aside,” McVey said. Photo: Audrey Joachim

of contemporary femininity, which she from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ laying in the describes as a combination of traditionally river,” McVey said. “She’s either interpreted feminine and masculine ideals. as naive, innocent, just a virgin character, “It’s not like man versus woman,” or she’s a really sexual character that her faMcVey said. “It’s all that femininity can be. ther and brother are trying to cage in.”

It’s duality, it’s juxtaposition, and I really The flowers on the dress symbolize like to think of it as aspects of Ophboth a melting pot Fashion can be used in so elia, an example and a spectrum of how McVey many different ways, you of traits.” incorporates While McVey’s can hide yourself or put themes from Milportfolio focuses on lais’ painting to yourself out there and illustrations, she is convey Ophelia’s also including one everything in between.” story through three-dimensional fabric.

— AMANDA MCVEY, senior piece that she de“[In the veloped, designed painting,] she’s and created herself: a flowing blue dress laying in the river, so I wanted it [the dress] dotted with silk flowers. Bunches of peri- to take sheer blue fabrics so it looks like winkle fabric spill from a collar of purple wet fabric, which further plays into her and cream petals. A dark cluster of maroon sexualized nature,” McVey said. “In a lot flowers blooms over the heart, alluding to of statues, you see women in this fabric. It the inspiration behind the piece. looks wet, it’s very revealing of the body, so “It was a cultural, historical study of I wanted to play into that.” the painting ‘Ophelia’ by John Everett MilMcVey plans to pursue her love of lais, which depicts the character Ophelia fashion in college and as a career to continue telling stories through innovative design.

“There’s a lot of symbolism that can UNBOTTLED CREATIVITY — Like the piece he disbe said in a piece of clothing,” McVey said. plays, senior Andrew Guillet’s art is simple yet pro“Fashion can be used in so many different found. “I like to call myself a craftsman rather than a ways, you can hide yourself or put yourself sculptor,” Guillet said. Photo: Audrey Joachim out there and everything in between.” v

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culture Text by TIMOTHY HUNG and SEBASTIAN BONNARD

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Art by FAUSTINE WANG

VERDE'S OSCAR PICKS

PREDICTING THE UPCOMING ACADEMY AWARDS

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MPTY THEATERS. VACANT film sets. A truncated catalog of new releases. The film industry has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with global box office revenue plummeting more than 70% according to Comscore — the lowest showing in at least 40 years.

Because social distancing guidelines upended film production and moviegoing, many films scheduled for 2020 were postponed. Nevertheless, this year’s Oscar-nominated films are as brilliant, entertaining and diverse as ever. And since many of these films missed the opportunity to grace the silver screen, they may have slipped by casual viewers and film buffs alike.

With the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony taking place on April 25, Verde Magazine has compiled a list of nominees that we believe have earned a place on our movie radars and the distinction of being Academy Award winners in the following spotlight categories. v Best Picture: “Nomadland” Chloé Zhao’s third feature film follows Fern, a middle-aged widow turned homeless due to the 2008 financial crisis, as she takes to the highway in search of seasonal work. Along the way, she meets and develops meaningful connections with other modern-day nomads.

“Nomadland,” a docufiction, is a candid portrait of the lasting and widespread impacts of economic recessions in America, while also taking from traditional dramat-

ic elements –– like the film’s many delicate and poignant monologues and familiar character archetypes.

“Nomadland” is a patient, waiting, wandering film, just like the homeless — or “houseless,” as Fern prefers — woman it follows. It explores the idea that we are all looking for home — not just a place of physical belonging, but also of social and emotional belonging.

Best Director: Chloé Zhao Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win Best Director in 2010 and to this day is the only woman to do so. We predict Chloé Zhao will change that.

Though the Golden Globes should seldom be used as a predictor for the Oscars, 2021 is the year to do so. Zhao won best director at the former and certainly merits the award for the latter. Because of Zhao’s many contributions to “Nomadland” –– writing the screenplay, assembling a unique cast of actors and non-actor nomads and taking charge of editing the film in post-production –– she had a degree of freedom and control that is rarely afforded to directors in today’s more corporate, efficiency-minded filmmaking environment.

The result speaks for itself — from the first pan to the final cutaway, Zhao directed the production of a contemporary masterpiece.

exudes the swagger of Blues icon, yet still faces the challenges of being a Black woman in the music industry. Her character is rich in command and detail, with Davis perfectly portraying the flamboyance and vigor of the “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey.

Best Actor: Gary Oldman In David Fincher’s “Mank,” Gary Oldman plays Herman J. Mankiewicz, a screenwriter for the legendary 1941 film “Citizen Kane.” In this riveting portrayal of the “real” Hollywood, Mank’s collaboration with everyone from the media magnates to backroom assistants illustrates the grit and farce of drafting a blockbuster script.

Even in playing a character 20 years younger than him, Oldman’s masterful acting creates a frustratingly loveable “Mank,” a character who evokes pity and whose life is built on poor decisions.

Best Actress: Viola Davis In perhaps the most impressive performance of her career, Viola Davis as Ma Rainey in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” wins Verde’s nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The figurehead of a 1920’s band, a turbulent studio session between contrasting groups and interests sees Ma Rainey and a host of other musicians figure out their careers.

Throughout the film, she

ZHAO’S ZEAL — Starting her career with short films, transitioning to indie films and now the upcoming Marvel’s “Eternals,” Chloé Zhao has quickly shot to the top as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 37

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Text by MERWA MAROF Art by SAMANTHA HO

‘music’ mayhem SIA’S DEBUT FILM HITS ALL THE WRONG NOTES

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IBRANTLY DRESSED DANCERS DOMINATE the screen as bright lights and colors flash in the background. This is a scene from the film “Music,” and a problamatic depiction of how the protagonist and autistic character Music views the world in her mind.

Directed by singer-songwriter Sia, “Music” features a young autistic girl named Music, played by Maddie Ziegler, who is newly under the care of her half sister, Zu. The film follows Zu, a drug dealer, as she struggles to deal with her recent sobriety and to take care of Music.

The backlash started before the movie came out on Feb. 12 with concerns over Ziegler, who is neurotypical, playing someone who is not. Sia, who co-produced the film, says she was not aware that the film’s casting was ableist until she received immense online backlash. She has also faced criticism for working with Autism Speaks, an organization that has been condemned by dozens of autism advocacy groups for their misrepresentation of autism and misguided emphasis on finding a cure for the developmental disorder.

The trailer includes scenes where Ziegler is playing the caricature of an autistic person, which can be difficult to watch. Ziegler is seen stimming multiple times by waving her hands around and biting her lips. Seeing a neurotypical person embody these characteristics can perpetuate harmful stereotypes of autistic people.

According to an opt-in virtual Verde Magazine survey taken by 138 Palo Alto High School students, 44.9% of 89 Paly students decided not to watch the film due to backlash on social media.

Sophomore Ila Perinkulam is the founder of Paly Price, a neurodiverse allyship and education club, and finds the film very damaging for the autistic community due to its inaccuracy in portraying an autistic person.

“I think that if you’re going to have a movie about a minority character, have someone who is authentic play that character, because it just adds to the representation,”

Perinkulam said. “It allows people from that group to say, ‘I have a good character in a movie who authentically represents me.’”

Senior Callan Malone is the president of Paly Best Buddies, a club that encourages inclusion and friendships across a neurodiverse spectrum, and also takes issue with the portrayal of autistic people in the film.

“I think a big problem there is that because she failed to hire an autistic actor, it’s saying that somebody who’s not autistic could do the job better, which implies that people without autism portray an autistic character better,” Malone said.

Sia was reportedly inspired by someone she met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting who is low-functioning on the autism spectrum, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, in an interview with “The Sunday Project,” Sia said she held an audition with an autistic actor but the experience was “unpleasant and stressful” for the actor.

However, Malone says this is not an excuse to cast a neurotypical actor to represent a marginalized community.

“If you’re making a movie about autism, then you need to work to make an environment accessible for autistic people,” Malone said.

Alongside misrepresentation, inaccessibility is a huge issue in the movie industry. For example, in “Music,” there are multiple dance sequences depicting how Music sees the world. However, the scenes feature many flashing visuals that can be overstimulating for autistic people who may watch the movie. This also dehumanizes Music because the scenes make it seem like she sees the world like a cartoon character.

“I think that’s just like a weird way to exclude people and the right thing to do is not tell people to leave,” Malone said. “It’s to make the environment more accessible, especially when you’re making a movie about a disability.” v

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powerful

Text and art by ZANDER LEONG

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princess

‘RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON’ REPRESENTS

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IRST, YOU HEAR A “THUNK.” cinematography of “Raya” is smooth, ly malleable,” senior Charlize Nguyen, who Within seconds of “Raya and the sweeping and powerful. It tilts and turns identifies as Southeast Asian, says. “If you Last Dragon,” Disney’s latest an- with the landscape, jumps and jolts with expose kids to a lot of different people of imated movie, your jaw drops to the action. The filmmakers weren’t afraid to different races [and] ethnicities, I think that the floor. There’s a forgotten fountain, a use unorthodox angles, adding movement will make them more open-minded.” lush jungle, a red and majesty to In many ways, Raya embodies a blend afternoon sun. A already-stunning of strength, determination and empathy. strong protagonist A lot of what we see in scenes.

She doesn’t sit around in despair when conveying forceBut it’s not things go wrong, but confronts problems the media impacts the ful messages. And a only the visuals with a logical mind and sharp sword. She’s beautiful backdrop norms that we hold ourthat add beauty to not afraid to be vulnerable either, and of culture and reprethe film. The mov- that makes her character much more real. selves to.” sentation that, while ie is filled with im- Through Raya, Tran’s voice is strong, clear missing vital pieces, — CHARLIZE NGUYEN, senior pactful messages, and filled with humanity. Every huff of exreaches new heights from the impor- ertion or breath between tears adds dimenfor Disney. tance of family to sion to her character that pulls the audience Released on March 5 in theaters and breaking century-old gender stereotypes. deeper into her story. on Disney+ for an additional fee, the film While Raya is a princess, that doesn’t “When you see a lot of Asians in the follows Raya, a warrior who sets out to find mean she floats around in fancy clothes media, we’re either foreign, or we’re seen the last remaining dragon in order to stop looking for love. Instead, she trains to be as hypersexualized,” sophomore Johannah evil forces from destroying her Southeast a warrior and guardSeah says. “ObAsian-inspired land called Kumandra. Fea- ian of a family artiviously Asian turing a cast of Asian voice actors including fact. And she’s not When you see a lot of women aren’t Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina and Daniel alone. The antago- Asians in the media, we’re some subhuman Dae Kim, the film is the first Disney movie nist of the movie is group — we’re to feature a Southeast Asian princess.

Namari, the princess either foreign, or we’re still people. And of a neighboring seen as hypersexualized.”

I think repreBeautiful in more than one way land. Like Raya, senting that ac— JOHANNAH SEAH, sophomore curately and efCompleted from homes during the she’s a warrior who’s pandemic, “Raya” presents a moving sto- on the path to lead fectively is going ry through stunning visuals. Whether it’s her people. The two collide when their to be so powerful for changing that disgustdust rumbling off the desert floor or rain goals clash, delivering a compelling mes- ing narrative.” trickling down a stone statue, the movie is sage about responsibility and individuality. packed with beautiful details that add a jolt “I think that the main thing is to get Creating from culture of life to the fictional world. kids into seeing people of different backThe movie draws from Southeast Asian As fluid as the water it captures, the grounds, because their perspectives are real- cultures and fantasy inspiration to weave an

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40 APRIL 2021

expansive world. One of the most prominent examples is Raya’s unique sword, with a curvy blade referencing the kris — an Indonesian spiritual object and weapon used in martial arts. Yet Raya’s sword also extends into a segmented whip, an element brought in from fantasy worlds.

Nguyen appreciates this fantasy twist on Southeast Asia, which she says provides the opportunity to see representation in diverse genres.

“Casting Asian American actors [and] actresses in just your normal action blockbuster or a movie that’s not just focused on the Asian American experience is a good step,” Nguyen says.

Kumandra is divided into five lands with unique customs and cultures, yet a current of shared traditions runs through them all. To create this world, the directors visited Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, according to an article by Disney.

Similar to Disney’s “Moana,” the creators of “Raya” also formed the Southeast Asian Story Trust, a group of experts on Southeast Asian countries who advised the movie’s many cultural references, including architecture, fight choreography and language.

While culturally rich, it’s clear that viewers only see a drop of Kumandra’s customs through the movie. And Disney doesn’t over-explain, a touch that implies the depth of this fictional world.

“Growing up, everyone wanted to be a Disney princess for Halloween, and I kind of felt restrained like, ‘Oh, I have to be Mulan if I dress up for Halloween,’ just because she was the only notable Asian princess,” Nguyen says.

At Palo Alto High School, 13.1% of students identify as Southeast Asian, according to an opt-in Verde Magazine survey of 138 students from all grades, which ran from March 18–22 on school-related social media and Schoology.

“A lot of what we see in the media impacts the norms that we hold ourselves to,” Nguyen says. “It really helps with people’s self-esteem if we see other people who look like us in these notable positions.”

Yet while “Raya” visually features Southeast Asian characters, the movie has been criticized for its majority-East Asian cast; these ethnicities have commonalities, yet are distinct and should not be used to substitute each other. While still underrep-

resented, East Asia has generally seen more representation in Western media.

Seah, who is East Asian with family of Southeast Asian nationality, believes that Disney should have done better in this aspect.

“Disney needs to ... still get better in terms of representation, besides just writers and Kelly Marie Tran,” Seah says, referencing the fact that Tran and several creators behind the film were the only main Southeast Asian cast and crew. “To be honest, it’s not that hard. I think really just having more [Southeast Asian] writers, more producers.”

Seah, along with many others, was also disappointed that Disney mixed the diverse cultures of Southeast Asian countries into one movie.

“It all kind of mushed together,” Seah says. “One thing that is lacking is that they did make it more into a monolith.”

With its flaws, “Raya” isn’t excluded from the media misrepresenting Southeast Asian countries.

It’s a step, however, on the right path, marking Disney’s commitment to telling more diverse stories. Through powerful characters, a culture-inspired world and jaw-dropping visuals, “Raya and the Last Dragon” is the next in a line of movies that are redefining what it means to be a Disney classic.

“When we continue to understand that movies and media [are] not just to make money, it’s not just to make certain people feel comfortable, it’s about art, it’s about making a statement, it’s about representation ... then we can really work towards true representation.” Seah says.

“And in the end, that’s going to be so much more worthwhile.” v “Raya and the Last Dragon” is available now in theaters and on Disney+ for an additional fee. The movie can be streamed for free on Disney+ starting June 4.

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culture Text by SOPHIE MATLOF

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Art by DAVID TOMZ

GREY’S ANATOMY TAKES ON COVID SHOW PORTRAYS HEALTHCARE IN PANDEMIC

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EREDITH GREY LAYS When COVID-19 broke out across on the asphalt of the park- the world, filming and production of most ing lot, helpless and uncon- TV and movies quickly came to a halt as scious. Cormac Hayes spots the world sheltered in their homes –– and her and rushes to her side, screaming for Grey’s Anatomy was no exception. As the others in the parking lot writers, producto get her a gurney and ers, directors and oxygen. At the height It’s kind of shown me crew quarantined of the pandemic, Mere- how hard it is for them at home, they wondith is admitted into the dered whether this ICU at Grey Sloan Me- and helped me gain a real life experience morial Hospital with lot of respect for their was something they COVID-19 — while could bring into the the hospital struggles work right now.” new season of the to keep the staff safe — RACHEL ELLISEN, junior show as a way to and the patients alive open the eyes of the around her. audience to healthThis is the premise of the latest season care workers risking their lives during the of “Grey’s Anatomy,” one of ABC’s most pandemic. They took advantage of the successful shows of all time and America’s opportunity by focusing season 17 on longest-running medical drama. The TV COVID-19. show’s 16th season was abruptly cut short The newest season is filled with all of with the onset of the COVID-19 pandem- the usual drama that follows the doctors of ic, as with many other shows. But when Grey Sloan Memorial including cheating season 17 premiered in November, it once scandals, new and surprising relationships again enraptured viewers with a thrilling and the trials of parenting. However, this plot and proved that despite the years it has season, the normal drama is accompanied run, “Grey’s Anatomy” will continue mak- with the overwhelming exhaustion and ing history as a staple TV medical drama. overwork resulting from COVID. It is also

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set apart by the onscreen return of beloved characters who met their demise in earlier seasons. Though the show has been rumored to be nearing the end of its long run, considering lead actress Ellen Pompeo’s contract will be up at the conclusion of season 17, fans are happy to see that the drama of the show hasn’t changed.

Palo Alto High School students have enjoyed watching the latest season and have found the portrayal of the pandemic to be eye opening, as they watched healthcare workers struggle to continue through the challenges of COVID-19.

“Watching the newest season has shown me so much about how doctors are working during COVID,” junior Rachel Ellisen said. “It’s kind of shown me how hard it is for them and helped me gain a lot of respect for their work right now.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” has always been able to make a mark by centering the storylines on subjects that need more discussion such as mental health. Season 17 was no exception, touching viewers around the world with the ability to shine light on a current human experience. Even if season 17 is its last, the legacy of Grey’s Anatomy will live on as a trailblazer of the industry. v

KEEP FIGHTING — Miranda Bailey urges protagonist Meredith Grey to fight for her life as she struggles through complications of COVID-19.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 43

Text by JERRY FANG

Wanda MARVEL’S RECENT SHOW IS

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S THE FAMILIAR and Infinity War.” To combat her anguish, she majestic Marvel fanfare uses her powers to place herself in a sitconcludes, time seeming- com world with Vision, living a peaceful ly rewinds. The orchestra life together. As the show progresses, plot degrades to a muted melody and twists greet the audience, along with hints the color drains from the screen, that the cheery sitcom Wanda has created is the black-and-white overlay mim- concealing something far larger and more icking the style of ‘50s television. An sinister.

“I really like the awkwardness that they unfamiliar and cheerful tune takes over, and a classic American car with a newly- [the show] had when the characters were wed couple inside rolls into the suburban being fake or showing the cracks between the illusion that Wanda created,” Palo Alto town.

This is the sitcom-style introduction High School junior and casual Marvel fan April Wu said. of the first episode Each episode is of “WandaVimade in the sitcom sion,” a minise- “WandaVision” is an style of a specific deries created by unusually deep show cade, starting with the Jac Schaeffer. The ‘50s style comparative show premiered on for the superhero to the show “I Love the streaming plat- genre.

Lucy” and becoming form Disney+ on Jan. more modern with 15, and marks the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s each episode, ending with a 2000s portrayPhase Four, the latest group of Marvel re- al based off “Modern Family.” This media style is a departure from traditional Marleases.

“WandaVision” follows the super- vel films, and the studio’s experimentation hero couple, Vision — seemingly keeps the audience craving more of the resurrected from the dead — and comedy. Whether it’s Vision’s dad jokes or Wanda Maximoff, who settle situational irony, the comedic aspect adds a down in a small New Jersey welcome lighthearted touch.

Because of the stylistic decision to shift town and attempt to live normal lives while con- time periods, the first two episodes are in cealing their powers. The black-and-white. Color is symbolic, and show takes place follow- is used to gradually reveal more about the ing the film “Avengers: true nature of the sitcom. Red in particular Endgame” when Wanda is the signature color of Wanda’s magic and is still grieving over Vi- is the first color that appears on the initialsion’s death in “Avengers: ly colorless screen –– representing division,

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Art by SAMANTHA HO

Vision

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

emotion and danger. universe, despite no initial indiWhile many Marvel films start by cation of a link. Wu appreciates placing the audience in the midst of action, the length showrunners went to “WandaVision” starts slowly and peaceful- bring significance to seemingly ly, focusing more on family and personal is- inconsequential details. sues. As Wanda tries to avoid the grief that “There was a lot of attention comes with loss, outside influences force paid to the themes in it [“Wandaher to confront her pain. In flashbacks of Vision”], like how the hexagons Wanda’s past, we come to understand the kept showing up everywhere and experiences that shape who Wanda is. In how the fourth wall kept on being one of these flashbacks, Vision says “But broken,” Wu said. what is grief, if not love persevering?”, a line “WandaVision” is an unusually that has resonated with many “WandaVi- deep show for the superhero genre. It sion” viewers. Interweaving grief into this perfectly balances familiar characters that mystery and action show adds depth that Marvel fans love with unfamiliar elements is seldom seen in superhero films, and it of mystery that further build the overall is this humanizing element that allows the storyline of the MCU. Whether looking for audience to empathize with even Wanda’s mystery, a sitcom or the traditional Marmore questionable actions. vel experience, viewers will find their tastes Loyal fans will appreciate the abundant satisfied. easter eggs and references to other Marvel “WandaVision’s” finale leaves many films, some conspicuous and some hidden. questions unanswered and the audience The first episode features an advertisement excited for more of Phase Four. Where did for a toaster manufacWanda’s powers tured by Stark Industries really come from?

— Howard Stark and lat- But what is grief, if Will we see more er his son Tony’s compa- not love persevering?” witches and wizny — and the beeping of ards in Marvel?

— VISION, synthezoid superhero Satisfying the toaster is also a dark those allusion to the bomb that lingering questions killed Wanda’s parents. The close-up magic may come when Wanda Maximoff returns card trick performed by Scott Lang in “Ant- for another appearance in the film “DocMan and the Wasp” makes a reappearance tor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” with FBI Agent Jimmy Woo. Sparse writing planned for a 2022 release. But for now, on a whiteboard mentions Skrulls, an alien fans may continue enjoying Marvel content species present in “Captain Marvel.” These through the TV show “The Falcon and the details provide a solid connection from Winter Soldier,” currently streaming on “WandaVision” to the rest of the Marvel Disney+. v

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Photos by TARA KOTHARI

Text by SEBASTIAN BONNARD and TARA KOTHARI

Art by LAUREN YAN

REAL PRODUCE market 46 APRIL 2021

NEW PALO ALTO STORE OFFERS MULTICULTURAL PRODUCTS

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ELCOMED BY shelves the third grocer to open at the location laden with a vast selection since the closures of College Terrace Market of ambrosial, foreign and and Khoury’s Market. The excitement that local produce along with followed the announcement of a new marboxes and crates labeled in languages from ket opening was palpable as many residents Cyrillic to Urdu, shoppers quickly realize eagerly awaited the empty space to be filled.

“A lot of the customers really enjoy the that Real Produce International Market is not the average grocery store. Vibrant different foods … it’s just very convenient chatter fills the market as customers — for them because the prices are really good,” distanced and sporting their masks — go Paly senior and Real Produce International Market employee Esme Villalobos said. “It’s about their shopping. a very open place Located at to shop at … and the College Ter- It’s a joy to witness very the owners are rerace Center on 501 Oxford Ave., often when folks just pop in ally sweet.”

Real Produce Real Produce In- here … and find something International ternational MarMarket also carket has caught the unexpected that makes ries a multitude attention of many them nostalgic or ecstatic.” of items to cater since its opening on Dec. 28. In — KHALED TAFFI, CEO of Real to those who celProduce International Market ebrate festivities addition to offersuch as Nowruz, ing fresh produce, Ramadan and the family-owned grocery store carries halal meats and a va- Passover, as well as to those who are simply riety of prepared foods for reasonable pric- exploring their diverse offerings.

“Nothing brings people together like es. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the market is the extensive selection of interna- food does, and we are happy to be the tional products with many Middle Eastern place for that,” Taffi wrote. “We also have and European items that cannot be found cooking enthusiasts come in looking for ingredients they have never cooked with but elsewhere in Palo Alto.

“There isn’t a store like ours in this area. would like to try … Ottolenghi’s recipes … This is a very diverse community and seem to be particularly popular.”

While the market offers locally sourced to cater to this diversity, we bring different products,” Real Produce International seasonal and organic products, foreign Market CEO Khaled Taffi wrote in a mes- goods are imported from a variety of counsage to Verde. “A lot of these are comfort tries ranging from Peru to Saudi Arabia.

“We bring different products such as foods that take them [the customers] back to their childhood … It’s a joy to witness Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Persian, very often when folks just pop in here … East European, Indian, Turkish … some and find something unexpected that makes produce is also sourced from other countries like Mexico, Chile, etc.,” Taffi wrote. them nostalgic or ecstatic.”

The market’s family atmosphere has The Palo Alto City Council apdrawn customers in since their opening. proved Taffi’s request to open the Taffi hopes to foster a strong sense of market on Nov. 16, making community through the market.

Real Produce Interna“We are so grateful for tional Market the opportunity to serve this community and hope to become a ‘Real’ member of the neighborhood for years to come,” Taffi wrote. v

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FRESH FROM THE FARM (TOP LEFT) — Vibrant and delectable fresh produce fill the shelves throughout the market. “Our goal is to provide high-quality goods at reasonable prices and a customer experience that keeps bringing you back,” Real Produce International Market CEO Khaled Taffi wrote.

GOLDEN GOODIES (TOP RIGHT) — Baklava and other confectionery items and baked goods at the market tempt customers from afar — especially those with a sweet tooth.

SCINTILLATING SHAWARMA (BOTTOM) — An employee cuts shawarma as he prepares a customer’s order. A popular item from the store is the Chicken Shawarma Wrap. “The food court serves a Middle Eastern fare of falafel, shawarma platters & wraps,” Taffi wrote.

Ziyad Iraqi Style Date Syrup ($3.39) A staple of Iraqi cuisine, dates are included in many dishes with their sweet, aromatic taste typically complemented with more savory items. For those looking for a substitute for maple syrup or honey, date syrup pairs perfectly with anything from breads to cured meats.

Sadaf Ajvar Mild Red Pepper Spread ($4.39) A rich combination of eggplant, olive oil, red peppers and salt creates this Balkan spread with a plethora of different uses.

Whether used to liven up pasta dishes or served with warm pita bread, the Ajvar’s polished tang is a must-have.

Real Produce International Market’s Spanakotiropita ($2.50) The market’s deli includes a wide assortment of prepared meats, baked goods and quick bites. Among their best is the classic, yet ever so decadent spanakotiropita — Greek for “spinach-cheese pie.” The layers of flaky, crispy dough filled with crumbly feta and leafy spinach make for a perfect snack.

Mashky Yogurt Soda ($1.99) This beverage is for the more adventurous foodies out there. The minty, carbonated drink is a surprisingly refreshing Middle Eastern alternative for a Coke or Pepsi.

Tangy and chilling, it is best accompanied with sweets or pastries.

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Text by ABIMBOLA BOLARINWA and ALLEGRA WEST

Photos by MYRA XU

COOKIE CRAZE W ANTOINE’S SHOP OFFERS HOMEMADE TREATS

ALKING INTO ANTOINE’S Cookie Shop the pleasant smell of baked goods washes over you.

Massive windows allow light to pool in, creating a warm and sunlit atmosphere. The first bite of one of the array of fresh cookies surprises you with its softness and melts in your mouth — you can tell that each cookie has just left the oven.

With its first branch already a hit in San Mateo, Antoine’s Cookie Shop brought their popular cookies to Town & Country Village when they opened their second location on Jan. 15.

Owner Antoine Tang started his cookie career in 2013, baking cookies for friends in his church group and for other social events.

“They [the church group] told me ‘these are really good, you should sell these’ and I was like, ‘who’s gonna buy them?’” Tang said. “One of the ladies said ‘I’d buy them,’ ... and she bought a dozen cookies from me… My wife helped me set up selling online, and then very slowly, it started growing.”

His cookies soon became a success, and in 2015, Antoine took the leap of faith, quitting his job to expand his business.

“It became so busy that I needed to open a shop, because I couldn’t do it out of my home kitchen anymore,” Tang said. “I certified my home kitchen… and then we opened up our first shop in San Mateo in 2016.”

With the opening of the store’s new branch in Town & Country Village, we decided to try some of Antoine’s fan-favorite cookies. v

Chocolate Chip ($1.95) This classic chocolate chip cookie is crunchy around the edges with a soft interior. The Guittard brand of chocolate chips are the cookie’s namesake for a reason and take center stage, although the melty chocolate load this cookie carries might be a little too much for some. With a textured surface, the cookie has a homemade look and taste, making it far preferable to the bulk packs of manufactured cookies one might find at a grocery store. This cookie is perfect for someone with a sweet tooth and a love for chocolate.

Cookies n’ Cream ($1.95) The Cookies n’ Cream cookie is a unique combination rich with texture from the added pieces of crushed-up Oreo. Each cookie varies from a smooth creamy surface to chunks of Oreo chips. Cookies n’ Cream is named the bestseller for a reason; each bite varies in levels of oreo and its creamy cookie counterpart. The sweetness is perfectly balanced –– not sickeningly sweet but still enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Snickerdoodle ($1.95) This cookie is by far our favorite. It has a crunch and is crisp around the edges like the rest, but has a softer center. The cinnamon around it enhances the flavor to produce a better-than-original version of the snickerdoodle cookie. This cookie is thicker than both the Cookies n’ Cream and Chocolate Chip, which produces a more satisfying bite.

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am ies n’ Cre VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 49

culture Text by MICHELLE KIM and RYAN SETO

Photos by RYAN SETO

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Art by MICHELLE KIM

WANPO TEA SHOP

TAIWANESE BOBA STORE BOASTS QUALITY TEA

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S GUESTS ENTER WANPO Tea Shop, they’re greeted with the sweet scent of tea and tapioca pearls. In the back, large metallic jars are stacked neatly on wooden shelves while workers scatter themselves across the kitchen, carefully preparing the tea at their respective stations.

Wanpo Tea Shop opened its first U.S. outpost on Feb. 28 at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto.

During the mid-1950s, founder Peter Chang’s family sold a variety of drinks such as black tea, winter melon tea and aiyu lemonade at their grocery store in Taichung, Taiwan. Chang took inspiration from this store when he founded the first Wanpo Tea Shop in 1992 in the same village, according to the store’s website.

The shop has since gained popularity and spread to 67 locations across Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and most recently the United States, preserving Taiwan’s native flavors and traditional craftsmanship of boba tea across the globe.

Bay Area tea culture Drinking bubble tea — sweet milk tea topped with chewy tapioca pearls called “boba” — has become deeply ingrained within the Bay Area’s culture over the past two

decades; so much so that a walk around downtown Palo Alto reveals a boba shop storefront every few blocks and the wellloved drink in the hands of numerous passersby.

Though tapioca is featured as a key ingredient in desserts like pudding from myriad Asian countries, the specific combination of milk tea and boba originated in Taiwan.

The globalization of bubble tea has inevitably caused it to adapt to new tastes and modern drink trends. Though the highly customizable nature of bubble tea means there will never be a “right” or “wrong” way to enjoy the beverage, boba has become undeniably westernized with similar ingredients and excessively large drink sizes providing little differentiation between various stores.

On the menu Wanpo Tea Shop’s menu features over 20 types of drinks — from refreshing, colorful fruit teas to creamy and sweet beverages, they share Wanpo’s trademark elegance and authenticity in both taste and presentation.

Rather than reducing the quality of teas in favor of expanding the available range of flavors and toppings, Wanpo Tea Shop carefully crafts its drinks’ bases and supplements the tea flavor with simple, traditional toppings — making it a clear winner.

All drinks come in both medium and large sizes, the latter roughly the same as a standard size from most other boba shops, and almond or oat milk substitutions are available.

Here are Verde Magazine’s top picks, from well-loved classics to fragrant flavor combinations unique to Wanpo Tea Shop. v

Wanpo Milk Tea ($4.50)

This classic house milk tea, present on the menus of a majority of boba shops, has a thin consistency and pairs well with the chewy and sweet tapioca. Its simplicity works well, and the drink is an easy recommendation for those who are looking for a safe option to try.

Island Black Tea ($4)

A refreshing, light and cool blend that leaves no trace of the dry or slightly bitter taste typical of strong black teas, Island Black Tea is reminiscent of honey tea and shade on a hot summer afternoon. The aiyu jelly, while generally flavorless, is smooth and bouncy — providing a perfect addition to the sweet tea.

Black Tea Latte ($4.50)

While not overpoweringly bitter, this drink was slightly sweet and refreshing making it the perfect daytime drink. For those who are lactose intolerant, this drink has an alternative milk option.

Text by SASHA BOUDTCHENKO and OLIVIA MILNE

Art by SAMANTHA HO and LAUREN YAN

PANDEMIC PICNICS A GUIDE TO ESCAPING THE INDOORS

SIPPING AND SNACKING — Juniors Hailey Callan and Natalia Cossio sit on a picnic blanket eating food and spending time outdoors while socially distanced. “I find that picnics are a great way to spend time together with friends while enjoying the outdoors,” Cossio says. “Also, bringing yummy food makes the picnic experience 10 times better.” Photo: Olivia Milne

A

S WE SIT ON OUR checkered blankets surrounded by sun-soaked grass, we carefully arrange our dishes full of cracker and cheese assortments and pop open bottles of sparkling lemonade.

Just like us, many people are making the most of the beauty of springtime after the cold, quarantined months, as seen with the recent increase of many picnic-goers posting about their experiences through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. On TikTok, for instance,

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#picnicaesthetic has garnered 32.9 million views, and shows off an endless array of picnics that people have posted on the app.

Although traditional picnics aren’t always distanced, they can be easily adapted to fit our current circumstances by having everyone bring individual blankets to sit on. We also recommend ensuring safety bringing individual utensils, hand sanitizer and possibly individually packaged foods in order to follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overall, picnics allow for flexibility

and creativity in the locations, food choices and layout, providing an excellent way for us to safely see friends. For those looking for inspiration or guidance for their own picnics — look no further.

Step 1: Pick a splendid spot An ideal picnic location is one out in the fresh air, surrounded by greenery.

Luckily, Palo Alto offers many local parks to choose from.

A staple location is Mitchell Park, which is located near Jane Lathrop Stanford

GETTING CREATIVE WITH CHARCUTERIE — Senior Kimi Lillios’ charcuterie board sits, waiting to be eaten. “I know a lot of people have a lot of artistic expression in plating food and … I’m able to get that through charcuterie,” Lillios says. Photo: Olivia Milne

BUBBLY BEVERAGE — Junior Brighid Baker pours a bubbling drink into a glass to enjoy during a lovely spring picnic. “I like making picnics as pretty and fancy as possible because it is so fun to dress up for an afternoon,” Baker says. Photo: Olivia Milne

Middle School and Mitchell Park Library. occasion, and you can enjoy it on a plate This park offers spacious fields perfect for –– or our favorite way, in a wine glass. distancing, and is conveniently stationed Another one of our favorite picnic near Ada’s Cafe and dishes is a charPeet’s Coffee, makcuterie board, ing it easy to pur- I know a lot of people have which consists chase last-minute a lot of artistic expression of a variety of food for a picnic. cold cut meats, Mitchell Park in plating food and ... I’m cheeses and fruits is also a perfect able to get that through arranged in an place for those who aesthetically enjoy a lively envi- charcuterie.” pleasing design.

— KIMI LILLIOS, senior ronment. On the Since she came weekends, children across charcuterie frolic across the grass or play with friends boards on social media in December, seas their parents relax in the shade. nior Kimi Lillios has been practicing and Another one of our go-to locations for perfecting her board making skills. picnics is Foothills Nature Preserve, thanks “I know a lot of people have a lot of to its trails and easy-to-reach viewpoints artistic expression in plating food and that show off the Bay Area skyline. A fa- … I’m able to get that through vorite picnic site of ours is the dock on the charcuterie,” Lillios said. lake, where we can relax by the water as “It’s just a really fun ducks swim by. hobby for me to Our final recommendation for a pic- also express my arnic venue is Kite Hill, located in a neigh- tistic abilities.” borhood near Stanford University. While it When putis significantly smaller than the other two ting together a charlocations, the park is serene, with sufficient cuterie board, Lillios does space to set up a blanket and enjoy the not have a specific process. For beautiful view. aesthetically-pleasing arrangements, she focuses on ensuring there is enough colStep 2: Prepare your basket or and contrast amongst the food on the When we pack the perfect picnic bas- board. ket, we think of food that can easily be laid For those looking to create their out on the picnic blanket. Some ideas in- own charcuterie board, one can never go clude sushi, sandwiches or fruits. wrong with cured meats — such as salaHowever, if you’re in the mood for mi and prosciutto — and cheeses. Lillios something sweeter, why not bring a cake? recommends brie, iberico and cotswold as A cake is a delicious dessert no matter the solid cheeses to build a board around, and

“

though she can’t choose a favorite cheese, she loves the Boursin garlic and herbs gournay from Trader Joe’s. Finally, Lillios advises to add plenty of fruit, which balances out the flavors and saltiness of the meats and cheeses.

Lillios encourages others to try out charcuterie board making, which is a relatively simple and creative activity that can be done with friends and family.

Step 3: Take aesthetic photos Whether it’s snapping a picture while sipping a sweet, refreshing drink or posing in your favorite outfit while laying on a checkered blanket, documenting your experience is one of the best parts of getting together with your friends for a picnic.

For the most aesthetically pleasing shots, we typically prefer to use ceramic plates and dishes with natural colors and graceful designs to bring a sense of elegance to the picnic spread.

Step 4: Enjoy your hard work!

Now that you have planned your picnic, it’s time to indulge. While we sipped our drinks, layered cheeses and meats on crackers, and munched on chips, the light, spring air was filled with our conversations and laughter. With longer days and warmer weather approaching, you too may find that a picnic is the perfect activity to enjoy with friends. v

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Text by AKHIL JOONDEPH

Photo by EMILY YAO

DIGITAL DANCING FINDING EMPATHY THROUGH ONLINE TEACHING

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S THE THUMPING rhythms of Bollywood music blare, over a dozen nimble bodies dance discordantly out of sync with each other in ant-sized squares on my computer screen. Some are frozen in uncomfortable-looking positions while others have their brows furrowed in concentration, attempting to remember the choreography I just taught. My Saturday morning routine is no longer complete without spending two

hours in my makeshift living-room studio, teaching dance to a group of dedicated adult students.

Early last year, I was just beginning to teach these students the first steps of the pieces that they were set to perform in my company’s bi annual showcase in May. Before the COVID-19 pandemic upended all of our lives, I spent my weekends cracking jokes, giving awful motivational speeches and occasionally attempting to lay down the law with my students. However, in early March we suddenly found ourselves confined to our homes, without the sacred space we once shared to grow and destress together every weekend.

After a three-week hiatus from teaching altogether, the heads of my dance company told me to resume teaching and spreading the joy of dance to my students, but through Zoom. Reluctantly, I spent a day moving furniture, vacuuming and untangling snakelike coils of extension cords to create a quasi-studio space for myself.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: the first classes were awful. Between the lag induced by poor WiFi and awkward silences provided by mute buttons, teaching became less of a joy and more of a chore. On multiple occasions, my parents, forgetting my teaching schedule, began heated discussions or loud cooking projects in adjacent rooms during class times. I began to dread my Saturday mornings, and relief would wash over me as each class ended.

But soon, Zoom meetings became the norm for all sectors of life, and I learned how to use the technology to my advantage. I began to anticipate the lag and

found ways to mirror my video so that my students could replicate my motions exactly. While my students were rarely perfectly in sync with the music or each other during our live streamed performances, I found myself noticing their improvement more than the small timing discrepancies.

I began to understand where the fine line between challenge and comfort lay in this new digital world, and I started to tiptoe across it.

While the teaching online has been tough, I have seen myself improve as a teacher. The pandemic forced me to reevaluate my goals of pushing my students every week to become incredible dancers. Instead, I came to realize that merely offering my students a temporary respite from the madness around us is equally meaningful.

Not only have my teaching priorities shifted, my empathy for my teachers in school has also ballooned. If instructing motivated dance students who voluntarily signed up for my classes is difficult for me, I cannot begin to imagine how hard it is for my high school teachers to instruct 30 teens who want to be anywhere but on Zoom. So, when in class, I try my best to demonstrate my appreciation for my teachers’ hard work by smiling, participating and thanking them — things that bring me immense joy when my students do the same.

While I could have never predicted my current reality last March, I now look upon my clumsy living-room studio, my Facebook timeline filled with performance videos and my all-important Zoom app with gratitude. And although I know I will jump with joy the moment I can return to the studio and a semblance of “normality,” I will return, not as who I was when I left for the last time in March, but as a more empathetic and thoughtful teacher and person. v

DANCING IN PLACE — While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to move my dance activities online, I have had the opportunity to focus on myself and students. Without performances, I can choreograph just for myself to challenge and stretch my dance abilities.

52 APRIL 2021

Text by EMILY YAO

Art by ZANDER LEONG

A LESSON FROM LEA VES PLANTS BRING PERSPECTIVE IN COVID

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ONG, LANKY VINES INTERTWINE and hang from the wall, while various ferns and succulents line the windowsill. Reused takeout containers and lids create makeshift pots and plant saucers, and wooden chopsticks act as support sticks. Although nowhere near perfect, this is the indoor garden that has grounded me during the long months at home.

Before the pandemic, I had pretty much the opposite of a green thumb. The idea of having another living thing depending on me for survival was far too intimidating, and I refused to accept the responsibility of the death of a newly purchased plant. While I loved admiring their live counterparts from afar, fake plants seemed like the more appealing option for house decor at the time.

Fast forward a few weeks into the pandemic — like many others experiencing shelter-in-place for the first time, I spent far too long cooped up in my room without taking a breath of fresh air or feeling the sun’s warmth on my skin. The rapid climb of the COVID-19 death toll left me with the alarming realization that staying within my house’s boundaries would be my new reality. I desperately needed a change of scenery. My journey from being a brown thumb to a still brown, but slightly greener one, began.

Trust trial and error With most of my classes asynchronous and extracurriculars canceled, I had plenty of time on my hands. After a long week featuring pressing project deadlines, tests and little sleep, I’d often be greeted by withering — if not already dead — leaves. During my first few weeks in my plant-caretaking career, I’d immediately feel a wave of guilt and panic at the sight.

I’ve realized now that mistakes are all part of the learning process. Instead of mourning the loss of my houseplant, I now analyze what went wrong and if I’m providing the appropriate living conditions for it.

Plant care leads to self care Neglecting my own mental health would mirror itself in my plants. As a result, plants served as living reminders for me to take care of myself during the pandemic. The pale, yellowing leaves caused by a lack of sunlight forced me to think about my plants’ light environment — were they getting enough time in the sun? Was I getting enough time in the sun? Leaving my house more than twice a week without my family’s coercion was rare, as

I never had outdoor extracurriculars or school to attend in person.

Seeing with my own eyes how a lack of light had affected my plants, I was motivated to spend more time outdoors. When I put my plants outdoors, the intense rays of light would scorch the lush green leaves into crisping brown chips.

I’d return to my plants in horror, pondering how the sunlight could have done so much damage in such little time. Could the sun be doing the same thing to my own skin? Rest assured, as someone who often skipped sunscreen in my skincare routine, it quickly became a staple before stepping out the door.

Planting hope Watching a plant outgrow its nursery pot and develop new leaves is a gratifying experience that has allowed me to reflect on my habits and the time that has passed during the pandemic. As days and weeks blend together, being a plant parent gives me the opportunity to develop a routine of care, even when I lack the motivation to care for myself.

Though I can attribute some of my development to being able to spend more time alone at home, plants provided the framework for me to increase my self-awareness. As roots grew, my physical and mental awareness did too; I found myself more reflective and sensitive to emotional changes than before.

Most of all, my appreciation for the outdoors has magnified, and I know that I’ll always be able to welcome nature into my home with my indoor jungle. v

BACK ON CAMPUS BEGINNING TO ESCAPE THE DIGITAL WORLD

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Y BACKPACK LAY in an March 9, I was ecstatic. Finally, I could es- mon practices and feel normal. untouched corner of my cape the engulfing isolation of my bedroom The majority of my teachers talked closet underneath half-filled and no longer have a pitiful five-foot sepa- with the students during passing periods or notebooks, an unworn choir ration — the distance from my desk to my when distance learning students were off of dress and library books I keep forgetting to bed — between my school and home life.

Zoom, and many had put in a great deal of return. I unzipped my bag to find a nevOn my first day back to in-person effort to make in-person learning as effecer-opened copy of school, I arrived tive as possible. I had a teacher who let my “Macbeth” along On my first day back to at a quiet, but not classmates and me work together outside, with crumpled desolate campus. teachers who projected the Zoom through sheets of heat con- in-person school, I arrived There were small a speaker to eliminate a slight audio lag, ductance chemis- at a quiet, but not desolate lines of students and teachers who engaged in real, face-totry notes for a test at the health face conversations. While some of these campus.

I never took. check-in stations, changes may seem small, they noticeably As I packed spaced-out hud- improved my day and further proved to me my turkey sandwich and rummaged for dles of friend groups and a couple of seniors that in-person and digital interactions are my keys, I was surprised at how easily my scootering by sporting camouflage. incomparable. morning routine slipped back into place. I Walking to my first class, the campus Prior to returning to campus, I was thought I’d feel strange putting on my jack- felt eerily quiet. Unlike the days of shoving well aware that some of my teachers were et, donning my backpack and pulling into through the packed math building’s stair- opposed to the school reopening, but I the Paly parking lot for the first time in a case, I made my way to my calculus class was unsure whether this apprehensiveness year, but my attention was focused on the peacefully — without any pushing. would be present in the classroom. In the flutter of butterflies in my stomach: Who But contrary to the empty hallways, majority of my classes I was met with welam I going to eat lunch with? Did I remem- when I walked into my first class, four stu- coming and professional teachers who apber my biology notebook? I hope my com- dents were already sitting at desks — more peared to respect my decision to return to puter doesn’t die. than I expected. I assumed I would be one campus.

I have never hated nor dreaded going of two at best.

I did, however, have a teacher who was to school. I liked the routine it gave me, Unfortunately, the number of students clearly upset to be back in the miserable, I liked seeing my friends every day and I in my class steadily declined throughout the dystopian classroom, as he put it. After igliked the nuance it added to my life. day until I was noring the greetings I regret complaining about luxuries I sitting in my last For a year I have sat in from all in-person did not know I had. Online, I lost those class of the day five students, he moments in class that alleviated the stress alone with my Zoom calls staring at 20 told the class that of school — like when I was too busy gig- teacher. Despite other blank faces, entering he would not be gling about how I had pronounced chaos the small class teaching synchro“cha-whose” in front of the class –– to wor- sizes, all of my silent breakout rooms, and nous lessons until ry about my upcoming tests. I am no lon- classmates were wanting more. his second vaccine ger able to slack off with my friends in an chatty, voicing dose was effective, algebra study period, nor rush through the their relief to be at which point he crowds of familiar faces to tell my friend a back in school, and to be taking a begin- would be able to remove his KN95 mask funny story. I used to experience more than ning step towards normality. and wear a cloth one instead. As of now, the dead silence of me, by myself, in my Prior to returning to campus, teachers three weeks into in-person school, the asynroom. and students alike had voiced concerns that chronous lessons, along with the daily three Since the fall, I have been an avid masks and social distancing would impede minute defense of why the lessons are asynsupporter of a return to in-person school. the ability for students to socialize, but I chronous, have persisted.

When I heard the Palo Alto Unified School barely noticed either. Seeing as we are over Even though my return was not perBoard announce in early February that sec- a year into the pandemic, wearing a mask fect, I still had an amazing first day. For the ondary students would return as soon as and keeping a respectful distance are com- first time in a long time, I was not left with

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Text and photos

by PAISLEY ANNES

classwork to complete after school had ended, my room was a place of relaxation, and in one day I had experienced much more connection with my classmates and teachers than I had the entire year.

In these past few weeks, I met students who I could relate too, who experienced similar virtual world struggles, and made me feel like I wasn’t the only one who needed an escape from the suffocating prison of the digital world.

I don’t think many students realize how much interaction and normalcy they are missing until they experience it again.

For a year I have sat in Zoom calls staring at 20 other blank faces, entering silent breakout rooms, and wanting more — wanting real interaction — not conversations that ended with a click of a button. Now, as I watch more and more students file into the classroom each day, rediscovering the joy of in-person school, I am proud to have pushed for reopening.

Unlike with distance learning, I am eager to go to school and excited to wake up to a new day, a day not spent staring at the pre-COVID photos of my friends and I hanging on my walls, but a day spent creating new memories, forging new friendships and experiencing life with others — in-person. v

INSIDE THE ROOM (ABOVE) — Junior Sage Loomis sits behind a plexiglass barrier in U.S. History class while listening to teacher’s lecture.

LET’S EAT LUNCH (BELOW) — Sophomores Nika Goroshko and Arielle Blumenfeld eat lunch at a table caution taped to enforce social distancing.

BENCH BUDDIES — Sophomores Isabel Toteda and Elise Bui sit on a bench outside the library during lunch.

LIVE LABS — In my biology course, junior Alice de Martel sterilizes her tools in order to begin the first in-person lab of the year.

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