Voices Magazine Issue #2 - May 2023

VOICES VOICES

May2023

RB SPORTS ARE SET RB SPORTS ARE SET FOR SPRING FOR SPRING

MUSIC FOR MUSIC FOR MANAGING STRESS MANAGING STRESS

KATRIA KATRIA DELACRUZ DELACRUZ

GAINING THE MOTIVATION TO GAINING THE MOTIVATION TO ACHIEVE FUTURE GOALS ACHIEVE FUTURE GOALS

S E T F O R S U M M E R

Always described with enthusiasm and excitement, girls volleyball has become a much loved sport at Rancho Bernardo High School, which provides vigorous and entertaining games worth going to Although, this year our school has begun a new team sport program best to be played in the Springtimegirls beach volleyball.

It was mid-April on a Wednesday when I sat in on my first girls beach volleyball game- hosted by Del Mar Dog Beach- out of support for a close friend and a large amount of pure interest for the newly created team I had packed my camcorder and water bottle- two typical go-tos for a beach trip or reporting assignment The day was cloudy and cold- not the ideal atmosphere for a high-energy beach volleyball game as one would expect. After finding a spot on the sand and observing for a while, I realized that these girls did not let the weather determine how hard they played Sitting center court watching Viviana Campos serve the ball over to opponents from Torrey Pines High School, I noticed high energy from all around me, as parents and local bystanders cheered on. There was something about being outside, with sky all around and the sound of waves crashing in the distance that makes one feel immediately and completely enthralled by the fresh nature of the sport A girls beach volleyball game is also an all-around great event to be at as we teeter atop the peak of school’s end, desperately waiting for that deep exhale and for summer to embrace us. The smell of fresh air makes one long for June, but also get a little taste of it beforehand with April underway

Teammates Viviana Campos and Emily Entwistle take on Torrey Pines High School on April 12th. In beach volleyball, teams consist of two players from each team and four in a court instead of six The two speak to me about how they enjoy having an opposite team partner for each game, and how different this way of teamwork can be from indoor volleyball “It’s only you and your partner, which is different but nice because you can work together to win and play in a different way,” Viviana tells me (See next page for full interview)

Girls Beach Volleyball was in full swing this April- their season set to end within weeks.

T E A M W O R K & F R I E N D S H I P

After being engulfed within a captivating game, I sat down with Viviana Campos and Emily Entwistle to speak about their participation in girls beach volleyball this year “I feel like not a lot of people knew about the program, because it started halfway through the school year,” they explain regarding current interest in the sport. “A lot of people showed up to the interest meeting but that still wasn't enough because I still hear people asking like, ‘oh, can we join the team?’ So I know that definitely next year, like, we're gonna have way more girls as well as a better and bigger program.” I ask about the levels of enthusiasm from each game’s crowd and how it compares to indoor volleyball. “I think compared to the ratio of girls, it's about the same But yeah, the team is smaller this year Everyone’s here today though, which is great ” We spoke about RB’s team size and how it compares to their opponent that day, Torrey Pines High School “They have about 25 players Which is a lot more than we have, but they've been doing it for eight years Hopefully in the future our team can grow to that amount.”

article by Ella Palmer

Emily Entwistle on the court mid-game (April 12th)

Teammates Serenity Watt and Kiera Slaton play Torrey Pines at Del Mar Dog Beach (April 12th)

Teammates Emily Entwistle and Viviana Campos working together in a game against Torrey Pines High School (April 12th)

Your Very Own Soundtrack to Less Stress

Towards the end of the school year, the stress of high school students reaches its peak through factors including finals, AP exams, SAT’s, those who will be incoming seniors, and others. The one unifying thing that connects our inner feelings is the music we listen to. Whether it be heavy metal, rock music, or upbeat pop, we can all rely on music to help us implement our habits of studying. Typically, along with studying comes an overload of stress which can make students feel defeated at times. However, our personal choice of music can easily soothe this contrasting feeling. Music often allows most to feel in their element during a long-lasting study session. Although one may think that music may contradict and distract a student from studying, it actually does quite the opposite. We know all too well that feeling when the first lyric of our favorite song begins to play, striking a motive of productivity within us while studying.

With the idea of stress being managed through music, Voices Magazine thought it would be interesting to create a survey. Through the survey, we wanted to capture the diverse genres of music and how we all ease our stress with such variety. We also wanted to know more about how we can change our own study habits based on others’ strategies. As a result of the survey, we do use different techniques to study. Besides listening to music, many as well light a wonderfully scented candle, drink their favorite tea, or take multiple breaks in the time frame of an enduring study session. In the end, we all have created a constant routine that may consist of listening to music, helping us find comfort in doing work that we often do not want to complete. If you do not have a study routine down or possibly want to avoid "Senioritis", we suggest that you take a look at the "Study Session Survey" techniques that others use to study!

Study Session

Autumn In New York

Billie Holiday

"This song is a work of art and helps put me in a peaceful state of mind. When I'm stressed during finals, I read in between studying "

Dark Red

Steve Lacy

"This song helps me to relax and is really good background noise for studying. When I get stressed out, I take breaks to watch TV and drink smoothies "

Blue Sunday

The Doors

"This song's production is timeless and creates a great environment for low stress. When I'm stressed I like to eat snacks."

Wholeheartedly

Aoi Teshima

"This song is beautiful and helps me study for finals and other tests. When I get stressed out I like to work out or exercise between assignments "

Heart to Heart

Mac DeMarco

"I like this song because it has a nice rhythm. Something that helps me study and reduce stress is to have white noise playing in the background."

Emerson String Quartet

Debussy

scan

"Claude Debussy's String Quartet have made their reputation of one of the finest new wave of string quartets" (Stillitoe). "This song is the best and really helps to relax me when studying! When I'm studying, I like to take breaks, do chores, or do other things to take my mind off of tasks."

Safe and Sound

Taylor Swift

"This song is calming and ethereal Listening to this song is like wrapping myself in a blanket. When I'm stressed and studying for finals, drinking tea helps "

Stephanie Says

The Velvet Underground

Loveat Liberty

Winter Formal Winter Formal

Rancho Bernardo had its own Winter Formal this year of 2023 that many were intrigued by. It is not the first time RB had done a Winter Formal but the first time in a while. Although a Broncochella was not held this year, many memories were made in the last winter month of February. Winter Formal was held at Liberty Station and I got an insight into one ’ s opinion on it from a good friend, Ariana (Freshman)

Q How did this event differ from homecoming?

A Winter formal offered more privacy It was easier to hang out with friends beforehand and at different places since everything was within walking distance

Q was the venue enjoyable and would you want the school to host another event there?

A Yes I really liked the venue It felt fancier than our gym and I would go again if an event were hosted there

Q what was the first thing you and your friends did once you arrived?

A We took pictures and found a table to set our stuff down at We then got drinks and talked for a bit!

Q If winter formal happens again next year, would you go?

A Yes because we are always under academic stress as students We rarely get breaks and going to dances is a great way to take a break Looking back, I want to remember the fun experiences and not just the academic side of school

@janellrileyimages

@arianabazadeh

"Sometimes I pick out accessories to make me feel more confident, like my pearl necklace (bottom left)" When picking out an outfit in the morning, Chelsea describes different factors to consider. "I check temperature for the day,althoughIlikelayering. I think: 'I wanna slay today, I'm gonna wear this' It's sometimes hard for me to put my moods into words, so I express it in clothes I putdifferentpiecesonuntil itfeelsgood."

CHELSEA MAHELONA

3 WAYS THAT MOOD INFLUENCES STYLE

We interviewed Chelsea Mahelona to ask about style influences and how her current mood impacts her outfit choices "Sweatpants and PJs means I'm sleepy, it's a chill day, and that I'm notreallyfeelingit."

"I let the culture around me influence outfits, like what TV shows I watch or what celebrities are wearing"

ABBYGEIER

always try to have a op of color in my utfits, because that's ust who I am. If I'm eeling stressed I lways go more comfy with sweats or PJs so hat I can focus more n my day rather than n my outfit "

"IFIFEEL CONFIDENT ICANHAVE MOREFUN WITHMY OUTFITS"

definitely dress mo asic' when I don't fe ke doing anything here's a spirit day ack meet I do som akeup to coordina ith school colors On ord to describe m yle: chaotic I lo ccessories and thi hat dangly earrings a ways a noticeab atement, and I fe ore confident whe earing them!"

"I prefer clothes for warm or hot weather because you have more options and combinations to play with. I also love Pura Vida bracelets and simple necklaces. I always have mine on and they can go with

JADAPOTENCIANO

PICKANOUTFIT

How are you feeling today?

A. tired

B. happy

C. ok

How sociable do you feel right now?

A. very sociable

B. introverted

C. neither

One word to describe you today:

A. groovy

B. burnt out

A B C 1 2 3

CAN YOU DIG IT? BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

Flourishing Freshmen

The Freshmen have begun their high school volleyball career Vin Dodda tells me that the season "helped us become better players " He dedicates much of this development to Coach Cook, who "was a great coach for beginners, like our team, to get a new experience with volleyball " New to the high school sports scene, this team has worked hard to play well together. Vin says that "as a player who never played volleyball before high school, it was a great experience for me." His reasoning for this was all of the support the team showed each other: "All of the team members showed great energy in games no matter the score and I'm glad to be a part of the community." It truly is wonderful that this team has been so supportive of each other. I hope their bond stays strong in future seasons to come.

Jumping for Joy on JV

JV played a great season this year. Jack Franey tells me that he thinks the team "all enjoyed playing and improving together." A great team bond leaves only room for getting better. Jack seems to agree: "We were all pretty comfortable with each other within the first week of the season and relationships only improved from there " This strong bond allowed this team to finish

the season with a tournament win, about which Jack describes "I feel like we worked together really well as a team and I think I played best on that day." JV's tight-knit relationship is an inspiration, especially when it leads them to a win.

Valiant Varsity

Our Varsity team has marvelously kicked off their season, including having a probability that they will win their division. Although performing well, there have been a few obstacles that have come about Senior Braden Swenningsen tells me that he "and a couple friends got sick during league play, our starting setter was out for one of the games, and one of our middles sprained his ankle " Despite these struggles, Braden explains that the whole team is "staying hard and aggressive, being confident in ourselves and our teammates, and finishing the season strong." This statement is amazing and definitely captures a sort of collective determination this team holds Describing the team, Braden says that "the bond between us is really strong because we are all close friends outside of volleyball" and that "it's very encouraging." So, even though they might have had a couple of barriers in the way of an easy season, this team has truly come together to overcome them and win

GAME, SET, MATCH BOYS' TENNIS

Successful Season

Boys' Tennis has had a triumphant season this year. Their regular season has ended and some of the doubles teams will soon be heading into the CIF Individual Two of our Bronco teams have qualified for these league finals Ahil / Nathen and Victor / Brandon. Another Bronco team, Aditya / Peter, has also qualified as an alternate.

Best of luck to these teams in CIFs!

Gratifying Game

I spoke with Peter Tudor about his experience being on the tennis team this year I began the conversation by asking about tennis in general and what he feels the most beneficial part of playing a team sport such as this one was His response was that playing doubles has helped him learn to work together with one

person a lot and to raise each other up in energy to play better. Speaking about our Bronco team in particular, Peter says that "the team is very close and we love to joke We especially have fun with the new freshmen on the team " Having such a fun and welcoming environment definitely helps this team thrive in the competitive tennis world. As mentioned, three of our Bronco tennis teams have qualified for CIFs However, this does not mean they did it easily Peter tells me that some of this year's challenges "have been the many close losses throughout the season and getting just over a tie in a head-to-head match." Regardless, they were able to overcome and succeed in later games Lastly, I asked Peter what his favorite moment was this season, to which he responded that it "was winning all three matches against Carlsbad with Aditya as we played really well that day, and it was some of the most fun I have had in my life " This team really has come together this season and will hopefully prevail in the future

ISSUE 2

KATRIA DELACRUZ

Photos by Lauren Mascarado and Madeline Oakley. Interview by Sameen Hasan.

KATRIA DELACRUZ

Interview by Sameen Hasan

Photography by Lauren Mascarado and Madeline Oakley

At just seventeen years old, Katria DelaCruz has accomplished more than many others her age. Planning to graduate early, attend UCLA, and enter the medical program, Katria’s story is one of determination, hard work, and a passion for helping others. From the early days of her education to her current status as a soon-to-be UCLA student, it has been clear that she can only be described as “extraordinary.”

Not only is she an academic weapon, but as I interviewed her, I also got to learn more about her as a person. With all that she has accomplished already, Katria manages to stay humble. During the duration of our day, as we drove around to different locations to take hundreds of photos, she stayed patient and kind, allowing the photographers to experiment and take photo after photo After spending just a few hours with her, it is obvious Katria is a truly genuine person with a huge heart As the day ended, it became increasingly clear that we had made the right decision regarding who would be on the cover of this issue of Voices Magazine

Our day started bright and early at 9 a m As we all gathered around in Ella’s living room, the interview began; the first of many questions started being asked and answered

Q: What is something you wish more people knew about you?

A: “I wish people knew that I do get overwhelmed with the responsibilities and expectations that I get from all the activities that I am doing ”

Being thoroughly involved in the RBHS campus, Katria plays basketball, does track, and is on the Universal Movement team

Q: What do you hope to accomplish by being on the cover of this magazine?

A: “I hope to share the stories that I do have to tell, and kind of raise awareness for issues I am passionate about ”

After taking numerous photos, we started discussing her future in the medical field

Q: Why did you decide to go into the medical field?

A: “Because I’m passionate about pediatric oncology, and I’ve had a lot of experience with cancer and treatment ”

Q: What are your goals while in the medical field?

A: “To research and work as hard as I can in order to take care of kids with cancer ”

Q: Are there any cons to going into the medical field?

A: “Yes, *laughs* Well, for one, I have to- well, I want to go through the military in order to pay for medical school, because I’m trying to avoid student debt But, there is a con to that; I do have to serve for ten years after I get my medical degree because the government is paying for my medical school But, also, there are a lot of liabilities to being a doctor, which is a lot of responsibility I hope to be ready for that ”

Through her decision to join the military after getting her medical degree in order to avoid student debt, Katria’s dedication to becoming a pediatric oncologist is clear Her passion for her future career is one that is rare One that many people go their whole lives without experiencing

After spending an hour or so at Ella's house, we drive over to a flower field, hoping to catch the spring bloom. On the way, Katria discusses her academic career; the past, present, and future of it.

Q: What made you come to the decision to graduate early?

A: "I was feeling like I was held back by high school, and I didn't want to be limited. So, I decided to start taking college classes as a freshman in high school, so that I could graduate when I wanted to."

Everyone in the car has an expression of either shock or admiration. When most of us were freshmen, college was not at the forefront of our minds.

Q: What advice would you give to someone planning on graduating early?

A: "I would say just be in control of your own path because you don't really have to listen to anyone except for yourself. Only you can decide and make sure you get to where you want to. So prioritize yourself and your well-being, and you'll be good."

Q: Why did you decide to apply to UCLA?

A: "I think UCLA has always been my dream school, and I have a full ride basically-"

Before she has a chance to finish her thought, we all express our own shock at her success. "That's valid!" Lauren adds, everyone else in the car laughing along.

"And I knew that I couldn't afford any private school that I would apply to, and UCLA is the number one public school in the country," Katria continues

Although she may have had financial limitations, that didn't stop her from continuing to pursue her dreams Instead, she worked hard enough to attend the NUMBER ONE public school in the country (let's just take a second to let that sink in) and hopefully apply to the UCSD medical school and further pursue her dream there, as well

After Katria takes a few more photographs at different locations, we are finally all walking back to the car, finished with the photoshoot This is when I am able to delve deeper into who Katria is as a person, outside of her outstanding academic and future career achievements One specific topic she is passionate about is mental health

Q: Why is mental health important to you?

A: "So I'm a part of the committee at our school called LIFE (Living Is For Everyone) Advisory, through the organization Mending Matters And we basically are the voice of mental health for the whole campus Having a role in that means that I try and prioritize the mental health of the students and try and figure out solutions to some problems And I think it's important because we always prioritize physical health over mental health, and I think just now it's being emphasized and it's a little late I think we can do better I know a lot of kids are struggling and so just being that light is the important part "

Q: What do you want to shed light on in terms of mental health?

A: "Just making sure that everyone is being kinder and more affectionate towards other people, I guess Kindness plays a big part in people's experiences, and it obviously shapes other people's perspectives. So, if we all have, like a more positive view on others and life then I think our world could be a little bit better too."

The last few questions Katria answer are quick and fun, providing more insight on who she is

Q: If you could say one thing to the whole world, what would it be?

A: "Just do better, I think Not in like a passive aggressive way, but in a way that we as individuals do better so other people as a whole can do better "

Q: Describe yourself in one word

A: "Stubborn "

Q: Which album would you use as the soundtrack to your life?

A: "About Time by Sabrina Claudio "

At 9:00 that morning when I asked Katria what she hopes to accomplish by being the cover person for this magazine, she had said that she wanted to share her stories and raise awareness for the issues she is passionate about After answering question after question, it's safe to say that she has accomplished what she set out to do By sharing her own story about becoming a pediatric oncologist in the future, and her path to get there, she has undoubtedly inspired many By discussing mental health, and why it is meaningful to her, Katria has brought upon awareness on an important subject that should be discussed more often After getting to know Katria a little bit better, there is one word in my mind that I feel fits her perfectly Girlboss

-

- Interview by Sameen Hasan

BOOKTOK/BOOKTUBE RECS

Eloise hampson (Eloisehamp)

Eloise Hampson, an eighteen year old from Sonoma, California, blew up on Tiktok during 2021, and it all started with her love for the book Shadow and Bone. Fans specifically enjoyed watching her reactions to plot twists or sad moments during this series, and numerous other books as well. Not only does she post content about books, but her bright personality seems to draw in even more viewers, some of whom wouldn't exactly consider themselves readers. After gaining some popularity on the platform, Hampson started posting more frequently about a variety of things, but her niche continues to stay in the realm of reading and books If you are looking for a relatable booktoker, Eloise's page is perfect! - Sameen Hasan, Literary Reporter

Christine Riccio (polandbananasbooks)

Christine Riccio, known as polandbananasBOOKS on YouTube, has been making videos since 2010. Book reviews, Q&As, parodies, bookshelf tours, or writing vlogs--Christine's bubbly personality and passion for books is incredible. Her presence on what is known as BookTube is large, with 431k subscribers and nearly 1,000 videos.

tine has also released two books of her own: but Better and Better Together. Both are le, fictional stories. Additionally, Christine arted a podcast with fellow BookTuber polis called "Those Forking Fangirls," where scuss "all things nerdy random pop culture." ne is a big part of the BookTube culture and ry entertaining and fun-loving source for all books. - Sadie Evans, Literary Reporter

As children, seeing someone that looked like us on television was an exciting occurrence, and for some of us, still is. It may seem like a small ordeal to many, but for others it is an important thing, especially for those of us that don't get to experience it to often By including cultural representation in books, it helps promote understanding and empathy. We get to learn about those that are different from us, which can play a big part in the world Everyday, we are surrounded by different people As a society, we consume so much media that it is arguably inevitable to not have what we consume play out in real life. Learning about all cultures in books can also help our knowledge

why cultural representation in books is important

in the real world. By including diverse characters and perspectives in literature, readers can learn about different cultures and experiences, and develop a greater appreciation for the diversity around them. Cultural representation can also help to combat stereotypes associated with certain groups, and allow those voices to feel seen and heard. While representation in literature itself doesn't make a great book, it can help tremendously.

CEREMONY

Leslie Marmon Silko

The legendary story of Tayo, a Laguna Native, and his struggles with identity.

THE HATE U GIVE Angie Thomas

A portrayal of the struggle for justice and equality among African Americans.

COUNTING DOWN WITH YOU

Tashie Bhuiyan

A wholesome romance, and the struggles of being in an interracial relationship.

A VERY LARGE EXPANSE OF SEA

Tahereh Mafi

A coming-ofage story about a Muslim American after 9/11.

MEXICAN GOTHIC

Silvia MorenoGarcia

An ominous, feministcentered investigation by Noemi of her husband.

Our Favorite Movies Released in 2022

BY : CHARLIE ASHCRAFT AND SOPHIA BRINDLEY

2022 was a great year for movies, and believe us, we have watched a lot of them. In this article we will highlight our favorite movie of a genre and give our opinions as to what makes it the best

Romance : Bones and All

I know romance is not the first genre you would associate with this movie. You would probably call it a thriller or a horror before you would call it a romance And while I love it no matter the genre, the romance portion is absolutely beautiful It's a classic story of us against the world, just two lovers going through life and all they need is each other The idea of loving someone so much you want to consume them seems odd but actually makes a lot of sense to people It's the feeling of never wanting to be apart, to always have a piece of them with you. And that is what makes this movie oddly relatable, and makes you just a bit uncomfortable with the thought that you want a love like two cannibals.

Horror : Black Phone

Black Phone is the horror movie that we needed this year, after so much horror just being jump scares and gore we really scored with this movie Don't get me wrong there are some jump scares, but they are planned perfectly with just the right amount of built tension, I actually jumped out of my seat While the subject matter is uncomfortable, they did an amazing job of balancing that discomfort with hope for the protagonist The main plot is gripping and fantastic, but even the side plot with the main character's sister was great And it left you guessing if there was more under the surface of this movie that you need to explore

Thriller : Nope

Once again Jordan Peele shows his amazing skills as a director and gives us another great movie. The characters, flawed as they are, were fun and relatable. And the plot was an excellent twist on the classic alien movie. I especially enjoyed the comparison of the alien to an animal, and the consequences of using animals for entertainment or fame. The cinematography was also amazing, especially the change of the alien from one form to the other. Overall, this movie is action packed and leaves you on the edge of your seat. It couldn't be considered a horror to me as I didn't find it frightening, but the suspense is what made this movie an amazing thriller.

Drama : Glass Onion

With a movie as amazing as Knives Out, the idea of a sequel was just a bit scary I personally didn't think it would even come close to the original, but I was proved wrong With dramatic characters played by fantastic actors this movie has it all I ended up enjoying everything about this movie, from the comedy to the mystery I thought the twists were fun and original and the ending was fantastic I also love how they tied in the name of the movie into all different places, showing the antagonist to be a glass onion, while the mystery is a glass onion, and they are housed inside a glass onion As far as sequels go, and just as far as movies go, Glass Onion is top tier

Comedy : Spirited

Although not a movie that you would turn on at any normal day, Spirited was an amazing and funny movie even if it is a Christmas movie Don't let it fool you when people say it's a Christmas musical about the classic "A Christmas Carol" (all things that we have seen before). This puts a twist on the story that modernizes it and makes you ask the question that you never had about Charles Dickens' retold story. At the end of the day Spirited is a movie that we can all laugh at no matter the time of year

Animation : Puss in Boots

Out of all of the family animations that were released in 2022 I definitely think of the Puss in Boots movie as the best. With the beautiful animation, interesting characters, and witty humor the whole family can enjoy, this movie was hands down the best animated family movie I have seen this year. One of my favorite things about this movie was the animation and movement of the characters and the scenery. All of it reminded me of a comic book in the ridged way they sometimes moved. Another thing in this movie was the humor; everyone can laugh at the funny jokes that the writers put in the movie despite differing age groups. All in all, if you have younger siblings, please watch this movie with your whole family if you get the chance.

Fantasy : Avatar: The Way of Water

This compelling sci-fi may not be your first thought of fantasy, but unfortunately there were not many fantasy movies that had come out in the 2022 year. Avatar: The Way of Water was a very nice sequel to the original movie with realistic CGI and new characters to fall in love with, this sequel did not disappoint The plot, I admit, could be lacking at times but was definitely made up for with its stunning visuals (which I find is a trend in the Avatar movies) This movie overall is absolutely a must watch for anyone who enjoys a sci-fi or just wants to experience the amazing cinematography that it has to offer

Action : Everything Everywhere All At Once

There isn't much I

can say about Anything Everywhere

All At Once that has not yet been said. Since it received 11 Oscar nominations and won 7 of them, it certainly knocked all the other movies out of the water. But I will still share how brilliant I think this movie is. Our main characters are flawed yet relatable, who struggle with the same things many real people do too. The relationship between mother and daughter is a difficult one, and this movie shows just how troubled it can be when there are financial struggles and differing views And this is all wrapped up into a weird, emotional, and gorgeous ride It's full of stunning visuals, amazing action, and heart-wrenching scenes and dialogue I personally cried three times, but I know people who did more If you have somehow not seen this movie I implore you to get off your butt and get to it!

FEMINISM

By Alyssa Peccatiello, Saman Ali, and Aurora-Marie Munoz

This March, we celebrated Women's History Month Throughout history, women across the globe have campaigned and fought for better treatment, rights, and equality. This year, the feminist movement was shaken by the women's rights crisis occurring in Afghanistan The Taliban has prohibited women and girls from attending high school and pursuing an education at a university, attending and partaking in public activities and facilities like gyms and amusement parks, and are overall pushed to simply remain in their homes Despite the gains feminists and women everywhere have made over the years, not all women are guaranteed the same freedoms. In this issue of Voices Magazine, we want to honor the work of women and girls who are consistently fighting and advocating for females everywhere.

In order to hear from some female leaders forging new paths in our community, we interviewed Ila Gowda, one of the girls in charge of WiSTEM, a club dedicated to "increasing female representation in STEM at Rancho Bernardo High School."

Ila explained that when women pursue careers in STEM fields, "it helps to promote gender diversity and equality in the workforce" and that "women participating in STEM serve as role models and will inspire the net generations of girls to pursue their own interests in this field." Ila discussed the valuable "hands-on STEM workshops" that her club has created for middle-schoolers, explaining that "activities like this are igniting new passions and interests that they wouldn't have discovered otherwise."

When asked about the importance of women's roles in society, Ila explained that "their roles have evolved ... they now occupy important positions in the workforce, politics, and other sectors of society." In regards to education, she expressed that "when women have access to education and economic opportunities, they are better able to support their families, improve their health and contribute to their communities."

Girls like Ila are blazing new trails in the fields of math and science that have been heavily dominated by men over the years. Through new opportunities and education, "we can build a more equitable world for everyone."

WiSTEM

A club that focuses its meetings on issues that may be considered "taboo" or "against social norms" is Ladies First.

President Khushi Patel explains, "Learning from everyone's differing experiences and perspectives on various topics has continued to shape my own."

Ladies First provides an outlet for those passionate about female issues, and allows valuable points to arise from discussion. Khushi explained that women's roles in society are "crucial and a necessity for a successful and functioning society." She also discussed the topics that have been commonly acknowledged at their meetings, including "the fashion industry, the role of media in perpetuating stereotypes, the wage gap, internalized misogyny, the modeling industry, and beauty standards."

The officers of Ladies First research each topic to spread awareness of the struggles women face in their day-to-day lives.

Khushi also discusses the importance of women in a functioning society. She emphasizes that we need to create an environment that allows women to become anything they dream of being. Khushi expressed, "Encouraging and making a place for women in all sectors of life, in any field they want to pursue in society is the bare minimum to repair the ignorance we have faced generation after generation and give women the representation, and rights that we so wholeheartedly deserve."

L A D I E S F I R S T

Beyond the Piece

By Aurora-Marie M

Behind every art piece is a talented artist who puts their soul into their work. Art does not just serve as something to look at, but more so a deeper connection into the mind of the artist.

Art has long been used as a way of self expression by artists A way of producing messages with deep meaning through creativity.

In her piece titled Ganesh, Remi S conveys her artistry with her uncle in India in mind. When asked about what inspired her, she says, "He has always inspired me to push through with what I love, which is art, and so I wanted to draw someone who he finds inspiration in." She elaborates that, Ganesh, is a Hindu God that is often celebrated and regarded as one of the most important figures in Hinduism. Remi explains in her interview that she draws inspiration from things that she is interested in such as cities and portraits of her favorite people. She particularly likes using pencils, charcoal, and pens saying, "This medium is so versatile and that is why I like it the most " She has always felt an attachment to art and believes that is "a way for [her] to write out [her] emotions without words."

Ganesh -Remi S

"It is a mean of representing yourself, who you are and what you stand for"

- Remi S

behind the scenes:

An exclusive look into the cast and crew of RB's Spring production of High School Musical

An interview with Brandon Eusebio (Troy Bolton) and Amin Shallal (Chad Danforth)

As production of RB's High School Musical wraps up, chaos has erupted backstage as cast and crew members prepare for their last show It's 6:36 PM on the Saturday of April 1st, and current inhabitants of the PAC have just finished up doing traditions (which are left unnamed as they are 'VERY secretive' and 'ONLY for members of the cast and crew'- if you're curious, audition for the next production) and are redoing makeup prior to show #4. I sit down next to Amin Shallal, who plays Chad Danforth, and his 'hoops boy,' Brandon Eusebio, who plays Troy Bolton. The two speak on their favorite scene partners and shows to preform. "My favorite scene partners are Bam (Brandon Eusebio) and Emma (Vermeer) (Taylor McKessie)". Brandon agrees, stating that his favorite is "Amin, because we could never keep a straight face when doing a scene together" Brandon also says that closing night will probably be his favorite, "because with everything coming to a wrap we all want it to be perfect, and everyone is so supportive and emotional" "The shows have gone really smoothly," Amin adds, "and the audience has been laughing at everything they are supposed to " Their two favorite scenes were 'Status Quo' and 'Getcha Head in the Game' Closing night went just how they'd hoped- an equally amazing ending to the ecstatic show that was RB's 'High School Musical'

In the tech booth with Kat Hansen

photo by Lindsay Carmichael

and Mer Liganor

HARRY STYLES

HeresAbigail Thai's insightinsideHarry'sHouse!

"IattendedhisloveontourconcertonNovember15thattheKiaForum. Ilistenedto1DasakidhereandtherebutIdidn’tstartbeingahardcoreHarryfantillhereleaseditAsItWasayear agoMyfavoritealbumisprobablyFineLinebutit’saveryclosetiewithHarry’sHouseAconcertsongIalways wantedtohearlivewasSignoftheTimes,inwhichhedidsingitattheconcertIattended.AnothersongIwishto hearlivethatIhaven’twouldprobablybeLightsUporTwoGhosts.Thebestpartaboutseeinghimlivewould probablybewatchinghimdancearoundonstage,singingalongwitheveryoneinthearena,anddefinitelythe adrenalinethatcomeswithallofthat"-AT

LetshearitfromOGSwiftie Teagan Anger!

Q:HowlonghaveyoubeenaTaylorSwiftfan?

A:Sincekindergarten

Q:What’syourfavoritesongTaylorperformedlive?

A:Ireallyliked“readyforit”and“champagneproblems”

Q:What’syourfavoritealbum?

A:IloveFolkloreandReputation

Q:AreyouexcitedforSpeakNowTV?

A:Yes!

LANA DEL REY

ElizabethGrant(LizzyGrant),AlsoknownasLanaDelRey wasbornin1985andisanAmericansinger&songwriter. Shewasknownundermanyothernamesaswellsuchas, SparkleJumpRopeQueen,MayJailer,andLanaDelRay DelReyisknownforhericonicstyleandherinfluenceshe had on the music industry Lana was nominated for 6 GrammyawardsandaGoldenGlobeAwardIn2005,Lana movedtoNYCtopursueacareerinmusic.In2011hersong “VideoGames”becameawellknownsuccess,shewould makeherownmusicvideosfor“VideoGames”and“Blue Jeans”onYoutube.Shebecamemorepopularwhenshe releasedheralbum“BorntoDie”in2012.Thealbum“Born toDie”wasahitinmanycountries,heralbumhitnumber1 in11countries Lana’sthirdalbum“Ultraviolence”wason theUSbillboard200LanaDelReyaltogetherhadagreat careerandhassuchinfluentialstyleandmusicShehasbeen labeledan“alt-pop”oralternatepopartist Herstylehas variedfrom“SadHollywood”and“Americana”;alotofher influencescomefrompop,jazz,andbluesperformersfrom themid-20thcentury.Lanahasreleasedninestudioalbums andrecentlyshereleasedanalbumcalled“DidYouKnow ThatThere'saTunnelUnderOceanBlvd”Itincluded16 songs,(Golistentoit:))Lanahassuchmovingsongsinall heralbums,Irecommendanyonewhoisinterestedin“altpop”tolistentoLanaDelRey

TAYLOR SWIFT

Born and raised in Reading Pennsylvania in December13,1989,TaylorSwiftbegantoriseup intothetopofthemusicindustrytransitioning fromhercountrymusictothehitpopmusicin themidstof2010.Throughouttheyearsshes successfullyreleased10studioalbums,including herre-recordingsunderTaylorsVersion,with Speak Now (Taylors Version) coming this summeronthe7thofJuly Speakingofsummer 2023,getaglimpseofherperformliveather spectacularErasTourlasting3hours,andupand runninguntilthe9thofAugust Youcouldsay thatAugustreallydidslipawaylikeabottleof wine!

"I'msosickofrunningasfastasIcan.Wondering ifI’dgettherequickerifIwasaman.AndI’mso sickofthemcomingatmeagain‘CauseifIwasa man ThenI’dbetheman”TaylorSwift's7th studioalbum,Lover,containsanumberofsongs that emphasize on her personal experiences regardingfeminismandthedisparitiesbetween men and women. Taylor Swift’s 'The Man' touchesonthesubjectofmen’sprivilegesand doublestandardsthatareattimesoverlooked.This songtrulyspeaksforthemanyfemalecelebrities, includingTaylorherselfaswellaseverydaylife stereotypeswomenfaceonadailybasisThebeat andsparkofthissonghelpsvoiceandillustratethe struggleswomenstillfacetodaywithjusttheart of3minutesand12secondsofTaylor'ssong

SUMMER BREAK ANNOUNCED

Throughout the past week, nearly all national governments, except for the nations currently in a state of anarchy (they are happy enough), have convened to discuss plans, logistics, and timelines for the first-ever, but hopefully annual, global, summer break. While this groundbreaking announcement is still in the works and is expected to come out towards the end of the month, here is what we know for now and how to best prepare.

Since such an affair has never happened before, many of us don’t know what proceedings we can expect. For starters, all governments will effectively “stop” for the duration of the summer break. It should be noted that we received the word “stop” in quotations due to the fact that it was defined as, “the cessation of lying, mishandling taxpayer money, partisan gerrymandering, partisan hate, and another 34 pages of unnecessary government actions.” While we’ve never seen such drastic changes, our analysts predict that there may actually be benefits from this government “stop”.

Furthermore, there have been numerous global agreements that hold to cease and desist all ongoing wars, violence, terrorism, famine, sickness, and another two pages of conditions. It is rumored that for the duration of the break, the homeless will be given homes and the starving will be given food.

Despite this, many are skeptical as to how governments have convinced bad people, like terrorists or criminals, to not commit any acts of violence.

Here is what Rick (we asked for a last name, he said it’s his right not to have one), a common criminal who has committed many crimes, worthy of criminal charges, said, “Yeah I mean at the end of the day, crimes are crimes, and it’s obviously a career if you choose it, but I think anyone can appreciate a good break when they're given one”. Well said, Rick.

Many people are concerned that once we try this “summer break” we’re going to want more of it and it will become a sort of trap that won’t let us get back to reality. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, the governments have tasked a person who they believe can take something beautifully inspiring and interesting, and turn it into a dull instrument to make money. The head of the popular non-profit, CollegeBoard, has accepted the offer.

There are already conspiracy theories as to whether or not this is a grandiose senior prank from all high school seniors across the world, but for that, we’ll have to wait and see.

A P E R S O N A L J O U R N E Y I N A R T

By Madeline Oakley

When I began my photographic journey, I was as young as 8 years old I had my iPhone 6, and I would go into my backyard and take pictures Once, when I was 10, I almost cut myself by sticking my hand into a tomato bush for a picture, but I liked how it turned out, so it was worth it to me The reason I loved photography so much as a kid was because it allowed me to see the world differently I would look at a basketball hoop from right under it, or a flower from super close up, or the side of a wall that I would never have paid attention to

Photography, for years, has been showing me how to look at the world differently At different angles, perspectives, and all kinds of ways. By taking something simple, like a leaf, and photographing the beauty of it, I've learned a lot about how beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. When composing a photograph, you can choose to make it dark and creepy, or light and beautiful. The same thing is true with life. You can compose your view of the world to see the darkness, or to see the beauty- or my favorite, to see the beauty in the darkness. You can take a quick picture without thinking about it, and not pay attention to the life around you, or you can take a moment to notice the little things and to appreciate them.

Not only has photography helped me slow down and appreciate the things around me, but it has also helped me to understand myself and has really helped me with my self-expression When taking a photograph, I typically like one thing to be the focus and I add other elements on top of it For example, I'll want a picture of a rose, and decide to paint it, then put it on a stand against a backdrop, then have the paint drip off of it I genuinely think that noticing this has helped me understand myself and how I always

overcomplicate things and how I try to make things the best I can

By creating photographs, especially portraiture, I've realized what traits I look for in myself and what my version of beauty is I think so many people are beautiful, but in different ways I think some people have a darker beauty, some people have a lighter beauty, some people have a softer beauty, and some people have a tougher beauty Photography has helped me understand this-- that everyone possesses a unique type of beauty that can only be found within that one person Everyone is beautiful, it just takes the right style and the right photograph to highlight that beauty and to bring out the life in a person I think that, along with the insides of photography, the type of photos that I take help me cope with my feelings and with my traumas. I use photography to give the audience a feeling, to make them feel how I feel, so that I can be more understood. Usually, this comes with darker photography, or odd, uncomfortable angles. But however I decide to do it, photography is a medium perfect for me in the way that I can really show myself through my art. I can take something real and show how I see it, or how it makes me feel.

WHO'S CONTRIBUTED: VOICES MAGAZINE ISSUE #2

Head of Photography: Lauren Mascardo

Head of Reporting: Alyssa Peccatiello

Head of Interviewing: Saman Ali

Sports page 3, 4, 11

Sports pages: Ella P, Sadie E

Entertainment page 19, 20

Entertainment Reporters: Sophia B,

Charlie A

Music page 6, 7

Music Reporters: Ella P, Sophia A,

Sadie E, Olivia C, Natalie C, Saman A

Art page 24

Art Reporters: Ella P, Aurora-Marie M.

Fashion page 9, 10

Fashion Reporters: Sivvy T, Ella P

Fashion Photographer: Madeline O,

Molly R, Sivvy T

Satirical Report Georgi A. page 27

Generous Sponsors:

Nicholas Vallejo

Jennifer Peccatiello

Kenneth Schachter

Lucy Wetherhold

Mohammed Hasan

Cathy and Yukon Palmer

Connie and Frank Ficano

Cate O'Reilly

FieldLogix

Maiza Hipolito

we thank you so so much for your help in making Voices Magazine Issue #2 possible!

Co-Head of Photography: Madeline Oakley

Co-Head of Reporting: Kalilah Rothstein

Co-Head of Interviewing: Jenna Magpusao

Social Issue page 21, 22, 23

Social Issue Reporters: Alyssa P, AuroraMarie M

Social Issue Interviewer: Saman A

Literature page 17, 18

Literary Reporters: Sadie E, Sameen H

School Event page 5, 8

School Event Reporters: Jenna M

Pop Culture page 26

Pop Culture Reporters: Maikee Ella H, Rheya C

Cover/Interviews Sameen H. Ella P.

Madeline O. Lauren M.

Head Editors: Ella Palmer, Sameen Hasan

About Voices Magazine -

Voices Magazine was created to include more representation of differentiating student opinions in written media.

We meet in room 501 every Thursday at lunch, and we would love to have you

instagram: @rbhsmag email: rbhsvoices@gmail.com web: rbhsvoices carrd co

Thank you to everyone who has continuously supported us.

- Voices Magazine President and Founder, Ella Palmer