The Monarch: October 2017

Inside:

DISCUSSING DACA (Pages 5 & 13) Serving the Archbishop Mitty Community

Volume 27 Number 1

October 2017

The Evolution of Performing Arts The Past Its legacy can be traced back to an old cafeteria stage, where students would come together under the guidance of dedicated teachers to perform a show in front of the school.

This group, humbled by where it first began, is known today as Mitty’s accomplished Performing Arts Program.

Principal Brosnan describes what the program once looked like: “The school only tried to do one musical a year. There was one band and kind of a fledgling jazz choir.

That was it.” Specifically, the program held an annual show utilizing the minimal props and costumes that it had––Mr. Kimont, former director of performing arts, even jokes that it was the “dark ages” of the department as the audience was seated in grungy folding chairs. Although the shows were acclaimed and won awards, the program was still nowhere near as advanced as it is is today. This all changed in April of 2003, when the Thomas Kinkade Center opened. After that, the program reached new heights.

Over the past 14 years, the Kinkade Center for the Arts has hosted nearly 30 shows ranging from comedies to dramas to musicals. Over that time, hundreds, if not thousands, of students have dedicated hours upon hours to entertain audiences of all ages. As Class of 2005 alumna and current Mitty music teacher Ms. Bevilacqua states, “the breadth and depth of things that we are able to offer has greatly expanded. There is more now than there ever was when I was here.”

Although the program started with a small, passionate staff, Mr. Brosnan explains that “the people we’ve been able to hire are really experts in their field and attract a lot of students to participate—it’s a very professional kind of environment. I think it’s made a huge difference.” This program’s culture is precisely what has allowed the Performing Arts Department to expand into the unprecedented success it is today. One of the ways Mitty was able to facilitate this growth was by fostering an open and welcome community, as well as hiring more alumni and teachers who continuously strive for the best. As Ms. Bevilacqua states, “I never really felt connected to any one of my other schools or workplaces but I always felt connected here.”

The Present So the Performing Arts Program has quite noticeably developed since its beginning, but where is it now? Though only a few performing arts-based classes were once offered, Mitty currently provides a multitude of courses, including three Ensembles (Guitar, Vocal, Wind), an Orchestra, two bands (Exo-

On the Inside

dus, Jazz), two Choirs (Concert, Jazz), four Drama classes, a sketch comedy club, two dance classes, one dance team, and an AP Music Theory class. These courses have created a number of opportunities for students who choose to immerse themselves in this department—approximately 20 students in each drama class, over 60 students in both Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir, and 24 dancers in the Royals.

Sophomore Madeleine Meier says, “One thing I love about Mitty performing arts is that everyone is needed, from the lead roles to the ensemble, and everyone is treated with respect and with love. The whole cast, crew, and orchestra is one big family that is so supportive.” Current senior Elizabeth Mau says that she “joined theater tech on a whim within the first two weeks of starting school,” and “just fell in love with it.”

According to Mr. Kimont, “one of the last shows that [they] did in the cafeteria, which was the ‘start of the beginning,’ was You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and that actually won best show that year.” And as time has passed, more awards have followed. Just last year, the Performing Arts Department won three National Youth Theater awards: Les Miserables was recognized as outstanding musical, the cast of Peter and the Starcatcher won best ensemble, and current senior Jack Bloome won best supporting actor for his performance as Javert in Les Miserables. Along with the awards, the shows continue to sell out. Mitty’s fall production, Jesus Christ Superstar, rapidly sold out all six shows.

Over the remainder of the school year, the department will bring One Man, Two Guvnors and Bullets over Broadway to life in the Kinkade Theatre. As sophomore Trent Lawson states, “Being a student performer means

something, and I’m so glad that I have more years at Mitty to see where this goes.”

The Future

Although the Performing Arts Department inspires its participants while they are students at Mitty, the impact continues beyond Mitty. Whether it leads to performing on Broadway in The Book Of Mormon, such as Myha’la Herrold ’14 did, or choosing not to pursue a career in performing arts at all, the time spent at Mitty has ultimately had a profound impact on their future.

Fiona Pestana ’17 says that the time she spent performing taught her to “not take rejections too personally, but let them drive you to be a better person,” and to “strive to make deeper connections, to collaborate better, and to love a little more”—lessons that she will undoubtedly carry with her for the rest of her life. Another notable alumna, Chelsea Morgan Stock ’03, graduated from Boston Conservatory and went on to perform in Broadway shows Sister Act, Something Rotten, and as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. She especially takes to heart the energy and effort put into the Black and Gold showcase, as it taught her the dedication necessary to pull off a top-notch production.

Because our alumni often go on to accomplish great things, one of the goals of current Director of Performing Arts, Mr. Doug Santana is to bring in alumni for both oncampus showcases and as teachers.

Mr. Brosnan wants alumni more involved as well.

He says, “We have a whole bunch of our students in New York City, and we’re really trying to showcase them to our present and prospective students, as it’s really inspirational to see these various performers that are now on Broadway and are doing national tours. I think that’s the next step: the continued engagement of our alumni.”

The alumni network is already expanding and playing a larger role in the life of students––even after college. Many alumni have met up with graduated students in performing arts hubs such as New York or Los Angeles and have given them a wide variety of tips. They have even gone so far as to help them run through lines for their first major auditions.

In the meantime, the Performing Arts Department will continue to motivate, energize, and impact all who become affiliated with it.

In the words of Ms. Bevilacqua, “Performing Arts has a fair amount of magic.” This magic, critical in the success that we have seen thus far, will undoubtedly continue to drive the department forward.

Senior Erik Federwisch performing in Rock of the Ages

News...................................1-3 Opinion..............................4-6 Arts & Entertainment........7-9

Focus.................................10-11 Justice Awareness........ .....12-13 Sports................................14-15

Photography.....................16-19 Art and Comics......................20

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October 2017 • News

NEW FACES ON CAMPUS

By Claire Lee Staff Writer Whether he is shooting hoops on the basketball court or having a conversation with students in his office, Mr. Arias, a new counselor on campus, is a great addition to the Mitty faculty. Mr. Arias was first introduced to the AMHS community at the Back to School Rally during the annual staff tug-of-war competition. Once a student at AMHS, he graduated in 2000 after having had an amazing experience due to his friend group and his time on the Men’s Basketball team—he even won a CCS championships in the 1999/2000 season with Mr. Eagleson as the varsity head coach. Today, Mr. Arias continues his love of basketball by coaching in the program.

During his high school years, Mr. Arias saw basketball as motivation to work diligently at school. Through basketball, he says he learned “responsibility, teamwork, accountability, how to deal with disappointments, frustration and so much more.” He learned to stay true to himself and know what mattered.

Believing that it is important to create a balance in his life rather than focusing excessively on one thing, Mr. Arias has this advice for students: “It is great to see so many motivated and competitive young people at Mitty, but remember a healthy balance is essential in life. Do not sacrifice sleep or time with family and friends. The high school years are an amazing time in life —continue to work towards the future, but appreciate the present.”

As a counselor, Mr. Arias hopes to be a role Mr. Arias’s senior portrait from 2000 model to others by impacting his students’ lives and by creating meaningful and lasting relationships with them. In the future, Mr. Arias hopes to help students both academically and on the basketball court so that these kids can have the “full Mitty experience” that he had––one filled with unforgettable memories.

By Irene Park Staff Writer A brown-eyed woman with ash-blonde hair walks with a calm self-assurance. This is Ms. Shimshock, a new addition to the science department at Mitty as a biology and chemistry teacher.

Already, she has become a very active member of our community, volunteering as a teacher chaperone for ECJ California and Kairos. Outside of school, she is a busy mom with two sons and a little “wonder dog,” Tessa. During her free time, she is an avid reader, a member of a book club, a long distance swimmer, and a yoga lover. As a gourmet cook, Ms. Shimshock auditioned for the television show Masterchef. She enjoyed the experience of competing in one of her all-time favorite shows and being able to show off her talent in the kitchen.

Other interesting experiences she has had include teaching in Kenya in a local tribal village. She recalled an event during her stay that occurred at the beginning of the rainy season. Many insects, such as giant termites, were in the air. When bugs would come inside, she saw the students eat them and was bewildered. It was such as shock that her students were brave enough to catch a bug and eat in Ms. Shimshock is all smiles. on the spot. On another night, she returned to her hut and noticed that the same termites were swarming there. (Shim)Shockingly, her roommate caught the bugs in a pot of hot water––once again, the bugs were eaten, though this time fried.

As a new teacher, Ms. Shimshock is happy to be working with active learners. Her advice to students at Mitty is that they should “Never, ever, give up. Ever. There are no shortcuts to learning… and no matter what you do, make sure it’s the best you can do.”

Trick-or-Treat With Introducing: Campus Ministry The Money Drive

By Jenna Mollerus And what would any Mitty event be Staff Writer without a little friendly competition? Mr. Started almost twenty years ago, the an- Wesmiller describes that every year, there nual faculty-staff family trick-or-treat takes is a small competition among all the differplace on campus after school on Halloween. ent departments on campus. The teachers The younger children at a given area attempt to of the Mitty staff and faccreate the coolest area and ulty members are invited have the most amount of to an exciting trick-or-treat candy and goods to attract route throughout the camthe children. Through this pus, where they visit the friendly competition, the different departments at annual trick-or-treat gets Mitty: athletics, campus better and better every ministry, counseling, and year. different classrooms. The Students are welcome children dress in their costo stay on Halloween to tumes and stop at each spot watch the event take place to collect candy handed out and meet the families of by a faculty and staff. their teachers. This is a ter“Each department has rific event where students, their own special way of teachers, and the teachers’ celebrating the kids,” says Faculty children participate in children can come together Mr. Tim Wesmiller, the Di- the Trick-or-Treat fun. in a new way. rector of Campus Ministry “It’s a wonderful way and the current organizer of to see each other’s kids and the event. He adds, “There’s lots of gifts, to celebrate each other’s families that we toys, candy, and the science department even might otherwise not get to see,” says Mr. brings out their snake, dry ice, and black Wesmiller. “It allows high school students lights. The kids just love it.” to see Halloween through younger eyes.”

Fire Timeline: 10/08/17

By Aashish Achanta Staff Writer It’s time for a change. For the last 11 years, Archbishop Mitty has held a food drive during Spirit Week. Last year, the Mitty community donated over 1,200 pounds of canned food in four weeks. But the food only equated to approximately $230, a surprisingly small amount.

And so Campus Ministry has decided to try something different this year: a money drive. This money drive is expected to be more impactful as it will buy fresh food instead of canned food, allowing more food to be purchased. If each class donates at least $500, Mitty could donate $2000 dollars or more, providing greater purchasing power to families in need. Campus Ministry was inspired by the annual CRS Rice Bowl dona-

tions that have set a precedent for this new donation method.

In the past, students earned points for their class by bringing in canned foods during the week. This year, there will be a set limit to how many points a class can earn, but the incentives for winning are much higher than previous years. The winning class will earn a “Dress Down Day,” where students will be able to wear clothing prohibitied by dress code, such as basketball shorts, sweats, and other casual attire.

Jars representing each class will be located in Aymar, where students can put in cash or coins, but canned foods will still be accepted in specific containers. Through the money drive, Mitty hopes to expand their contribution to the local community, helping even more those who truly need it.

North Bay Fires

9:22 p.m.: A vegetation fire at 310 Buckingham Dr. is first reported.

9:24 p.m.: Electrical situation at Fulton Rd.: Possible transformer explosion.

9:26 p.m.: Structure on fire at 451 Mark West Station Road, Larkfield.

9:32 p.m.: Electrical issue at Mark West Station Rd: Wires down, transformer blown.

10:15 p.m.: Dispatchers get word; the county is flooded with 911 calls.

11:03 p.m.: Law enforcement sends out the first mandatory evacuation orders

Important Information: **170,000+ acres scorched, the size of 200 Central Parks or nearly 12 Manhattans. **22 fires have burned in 8 counties. **Six hundred people reported missing, with only about half currently found. **3,5000 structures destroyed so far.

Cardinal Newman High School Update

Early Monday October 9, Cardinal Newman High School in was discovered nearly burned to the ground, with over 20 classrooms, the humanities wing, the office, and the library completely destroyed. Amid the wreckage, a statue of Jesus Christ remained, looking over the devastated community. Cardinal Newman, opened in September of 1964, and shares a kinship with Mitty as a fellow Catholic school. Thus Mitty sought to help Cardinal Newman in any way that it could. On Tuesday, October 17, “We stand with Cardinal Newman” T-shirts were sold during both lunches, and on Friday, October 20, students wore the T-shirts, along with Cardinal colors, to the annual Fall Sports Rally. All proceeds were sent to students who attended the school to help offset some of what they lost in the flames. A number of students also lost their homes. As for Cardinal Newman, the school’s administration is attempting to find a way to continue teaching and continues to consider whether or not they should try to use virtual methods to do so.

News • October 2017

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MAP: Making Our Voice Heard

By Nathan Chou Staff Writer At Mitty, we aspire to help protect the vulnerable, we stand with the marginalized, and we call out for justice. The Mitty Advocacy Project aims to amplify our voice and bring awareness to the social justice issues close to our hearts.

With this in mind, student representatives of the Mitty Advocacy Project (MAP) will travel to Washington D.C. on Nov. 3 to lobby for the four issues they have chosen to advocate this year: criminal justice, immigration reform, environmental reform, and human trafficking.

These issues represent concerns that the Mitty community has about our world, some of the areas where we most desire to see change. The members of MAP are representing the student body nationally to have our voices heard.

MAP’s President, senior Katie Petersen, explains, “We really try to represent the youth when we go to D.C. Too often members of congress and senators don’t understand the issues that youth are passionate about. It’s very important for us to go there and explain our point of view, especially as Catholic youth.”

MAP representatives will spend weeks thinking and researching to make MAP members take a trip to the state capital. sure they will fully be able to articulate their ideas effectively to the representatives. All their hard labor should pay off when they meet with our local and state legislators and encourage them to push for the reforms that will help those in need. In Washington D.C., MAP students will also be attending a social justice conference that brings together Catholic students to reflect and organize on social justice issues.

This year, environmental reform is a new topic for MAP and focuses on climate change and worker’s rights: a topic especially important now due to the stance of our administration on global warming.

In D.C., MAP will advocate for climate reform bills that allow more federal fund-

ing and allocate lands to alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Additionally, students will fight for the rights of coal miners who are not given proper health benefits given their dangerous jobs.

According to MAP members, the current administration is not doing enough to fight against climate change, an issue threatening our very existence. MAP hopes to emphasize the need to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and invest in alternative energy sources that will not only make the US a viable competitor in the energy business in the future, but also help repair our world against the devastating effects of global warming.

In addition, MAP continues to seek change back home by raising awareness through media, hosting informational guest speakers, and collaborating with other clubs such as STAND, an organization on campus that promotes moral action on current issues. Last year, MAP collaborated with STAND and collected photos for the This is America Video which promoted the rights of immigrants, showing how our nation is built upon immigrants.

Locally, MAP will also be making a trip to Sacramento to lobby. The work that MAP accomplishes is impressive, and extensive, but if you were to ask a member what MAP’s key to success is, they would tell you that “many hands make light work.”

The same values that impassion MAP to defend those in marginalized communities are also what shape the MAP community as a place of support and collaboration. MAP members inspire and share ideas with each other, together collaborating to create projects, lobby against unjust laws, and advocate for equality.

Wherever its ambition leads it, the Mitty Advocacy Project will strive to represent our voice in the larger world, something it has done already.

As Katie Petersen says, “It really is service. We’re making changes on a national level that help millions around the country.”

teacher retreat Catholic education,” said Mr. Tim Wesmiller, Director

By Kelly Ly of Campus Ministry. The faculty and staff had a chance Staff Writer The day began with a sigh of relief and a cheer of to reminisce on their lives while listening to reflections excitement from Mitty students, as that day marked from Mrs. Kroenung, Mr. Tim Kennedy, and guest the beginning of another three-day weekend. However, speaker Professor Lisa Fullam. They also had multiple the students were not the only ones who were excited group discussions as well as a personal reflection on for this day. The faculty and staff were, as well. This Friday. Throughout Colloquium, the faculty and staff is because Sept. 29 was the opening day for the 2017 had a chance to form new relationships.

As Ms. Jasmine Solder, a new English teacher to Faculty and Staff Retreat, an annual event where the faculty and staff have an opportunity to reflect on their Archbishop Mitty remarked, “I enjoyed [the retreat]. I had the opportunity to meet the people who are a part Catholic faith. of the staff but who I The history did not know.” of this event dates The second back fifteen years group, which went ago when Principal to Santa Clara UniMr. Tim Brosnan versity for a day of felt that there should reflection on Friday, be an event for the listened to Professor faculty to consider Elizabeth Drescher's the Catholic faith speech on youth somission of the school ciology and learned while spending time about student spirituwith one another ality, helping the facbuilding community. ulty and staff underSince then, the facstand their students ulty and staff have on a deeper and more been divided into A beautiful view from the faculty retreat three retreat groups every year: one that attends an personal level.

The last group of the faculty and staff spent the overnight “Colloquium,” a second that has a day reserved for Reflection, and a last group goes on a day day serving at various local organizations, such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens, connecting and of Community Service.

The overnight retreat titled “Colloquium” went building strong relationships with the marginalized to Saint Francis Retreat Center from Thursday after in their community through their smiles, laughs, and school to Friday afternoon. There the faculty and staff dedicated service.

This Retreat is a central part of the Catholic faith reflected upon their families, community, and work.

“Through [this retreat], we ground ourselves in the mission of the school as it sets the tone for the year to Catholic tradition… We learn more about virtues and come, ultimately enriching the faculty and staff.

Volume 27 Number 1 Advisors Mr. Mick VanValkenburg & Mr. Craig Whitt

News Soo Min Cho, Kayla Riggs, & Marko Ristic

Opinion Supna Kapoor, Tiina Otalla, & Danning Yu

Arts & Entertainment Madeline Aguirre, Anna Krause, & Alexis Rambac

Focus Stephanie Jue, Prerita Pandya, & Brenna Schumacher

Justice Awareness Amelia Kinsella, Nichole Lim, & Jennifer Prince

Sports Rishi Nair, Giuliano Orsi, & Matthew Scott

Photo Sofia del Cano, Grace Chung, Bansi Patel, & Kela Sowell

Art & Comics Ella Garfunkel & Nichole Wong

Archbishop Mitty High School 5000 Mitty Ave. San Jose, CA 95129

OPINIONS

Opposing Viewpoints: Specialist or Generalist?

Master of One

By Ishaan Nandwani Staff Writer We live in a society that is constantly innovating and growing.

Specialization in professions is the origin of such advancement, especially in the creative arts and the STEM field. After years of specialized cardiovascular surgery training, Dr. Russell M. Nelson initiated the first-ever open-heart surgical procedure. Renowned painter Vincent Van Gogh revolutionized Western art only after dedicating his entire life to painting. And technology mogul Bill Gates’ dramatic success is attributable to his innumerable hours spent coding.

Specialization in society dates back to the agricultural revolution, a period in which a surplus of food allowed for new jobs and a new artisan class to take hold. As a result of specialization, distinct contributions and identities allowed for greater progress within society. Centuries later, this truth about specialization remains the same.

The contribution of specialists within our society is unparalleled. However, for our society to continue flourishing, the need for specialization in education is greater than ever. Many schools and universities, though, advocate for a more balanced extracurricular load, encouraging students to pursue multiple interests. There is value in gaining exposure to a wide variety of co-curricular disciplines. After all, many students are unsure of their future professions or simply enjoy the activities they take part in. And some students are adamant in pursuing several different fields, sometimes coined “multipotentialites.” In such cases, diversification may not be such a bad thing.

But what about those who are fixated on their future careers, who crave a more focused, specialized education to better prepare them for the future? For these youth, such exposure may not arrive until they are well into their college education. In high school they are required to study a broad-based curriculum while longing to explore their genuine interests and passions.

Such students may be harmed by a general course load. Jennifer Fredricks, Associate Director of Human Development at Connecticut College, found through a study that excessive extracurricular involvement led to a decline in overall academic performance.

Ultimately, students who take part in a vast number of extracurriculars tend to lack focus.

Similarly, students taking a curriculum that requires them to focus on course-work in multiple subjects may also find themselves losing focus on what they love. Indeed, too many schools focus less on preparing students for professional-specialized careers and more on exposing them inside and outside the classroom to varied and different fields of study.

Nonetheless, for students who long for a specialized education, there may be an answer. New York City’s Department of Education long ago began establishing selective, specialized public high schools catered towards students’ specific interests. Each of the city’s nine such schools focus on a different field of study—some examples include the Bronx High School of Science and the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

These specialized schools are effective because they allow for opportunities in research and specialized extracurricular development. The success rates of such specialized schools are astounding. Since its inception in 1938, the Bronx High School of Science has yielded eight Nobel Prize winners, six Pulitzer Prize winners, and six National Medal of Science recipients. Furthermore, prominent actors such as Jennifer Aniston, Ansel Elgort, and Yunjin Kim all hail from LaGuardia. This success can be seen throughout the nine specialized high schools of New York.

By advocating for a greater number of these specialized high schools across the country, we can ensure students will be able to follow their callings and vocations, and contribute even more to society.

Jack of All Trades

By Trisha Karani Staff Writer For high school upperclassmen, life often revolves around the impending college application process, which comes with the unrelenting pressure of choosing a major. At the ripe age of 17 or 18 years old, we feel we have to make a decision that will set the tone for possibly the rest of our lives.

Of course, everyone knows those few students who have known their future majors and careers since 6th grade, and most have somewhat of an inclination towards a specific area of study.

But such a specific focus may be misguided. According to career coach Emilie Wapnick, “The notion of the narrowly focused life is highly romanticized in our culture. It’s this idea of destiny or the one true calling, the idea that we each have one great thing we are meant to do during our time on this earth, and [we] need to figure out what that thing is and devote our lives to it.”

This singularized fixation may prove, however, to be a disadvantage. The current world is moving away from individual, specialized fields and coming towards the intersection of varied spheres of study.

Interdisciplinary studies will likely form the cornerstone of our changing society. For example, artificial intelligence can be integrated with politics or advocacy. Combined fields, such as nanotechnology and bioinformatics, or environmental and health policy, have been springing to life in the 21st century.

Even the modern medical technologies—like prosthetics and imaging—are all evidence of fields joining together for the advancement of society.

One obvious path to gaining these interdisciplinary skills is through a broad-based education in a variety of subjects. Additionally, extracurriculars can provide the perfect setting for discovering hidden passions and introduce students to a variety of fields.

Writing-based activities can develop one’s critical thinking, creativity, and argumentative abilities. Debate-based activities can develop one’s public speaking and research abilities.

Volunteer work can develop one’s ability to communicate and care.

Through a greater variety and breadth of study and activities, one can view life through an interdisciplinary lens and thus combine experiences together to form more creative and innovative ideas.

For example, entrepreneurs Sha Hwang and Rachel Binx used their passions in cartography, data visualization, travel, mathematics, and design when they founded Meshu, a company where they create and sell jewelry that maps their customers’ travels. If Hwang and Binx had followed the mindset of choosing a career from only one interest, they would have never been able to develop such a company.

Perhaps the most famous individual who has represented the benefits of a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary mindset is Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. At Reed College, Jobs took classes in physics, literature, poetry, dance, and Shakespeare, but the one he found most valuable was a calligraphy class, claiming, “If I had never dropped in on that single calligraphy course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts.” The skills he learned from this humanities classes gave him a perspective that he embedded within nearly all Apple products, creating sleek, artistically inspired, and minimalist devices.

When we broaden our passions, we give ourselves the increased knowledge and expanded mindset that ensures our future success. With new fields constantly developing, it is the abilities gained from multiple disciplines that allow us to adapt to those changes.

It is innovative and interdisciplinary who will the greatest breakthroughs 21st century.

The Tale between the Threads

By Sydney Hwang Staff Writer Many high school students are on a path of self-discovery, and what better way to express your inner self on a daily basis than through our clothes?

If you want to rock that awesome blouse, or your quirky unicorn socks, you should just go for it, right? Luckily for us, it often doesn’t cost too much to get that perfect look. At Forever 21, a scooped tank top sells for only $6.90, perfect for our student budget.

Though it feels good to have snatched that deal, what many of us fail to ask is a simple question: How can large, name brand

companies afford to sell clothes at such low prices?

The answer? Sweatshops.

Forever 21 pays CMT (cutmake-trim) factories around $15.21 for the production of a basic dress, but if the factories paid those who made the dress minimum wage, Forever 21 would instead need to pay $30.43 per dress, which would result in a profit loss.

Due to this, most sweatshop workers are severely underpaid.

In the past 10 years, over 300 wage claims have been filed against Forever 21 demanding lost wages be paid back, but Forever 21 hasn’t paid a single cent, blaming the CMT factories instead.

“We can’t be responsible for what we can’t control,” says Bill Dombrowski, CEO of the California Retailers Association. And so it’s the CMT factory that’s held responsible for the wages.

Fortunately, there’s a better option available: Fair Trade clothing. Like the name implies, all clothing

manufactured by Fair Trade certified companies is ethical and sustainable, to both the workers and the environment. Not only is the production process transparent for consumers, all workers are paid minimum wage along with a Fair Trade financial premium.

Ethically-made clothing can be just as affordable retail: instead of Forever 21’s $24.90 price tag, a simple dress at Everland, a Fair Trade company, costs a comparable $25. It’s only ten cents more, but the manufacturing process makes a world of difference. By supporting Fair Trade companies, the amount of revenue large brands generate decreases, and money instead goes towards companies that treat workers right.

Opinions • October 2017

Page 5

DACA: A Solution That Doesn’t Go Far Enough

By Lucas Sant’Anna Staff Writer As most now know, President Trump decided in early September to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The act protected over 800,000 undocumented immigrants who fell under a set of specific guidelines. According to The Washington Post, the so-called Dreamers were protected against deportation so long as they arrived in the U.S. under the age of 15, were under 30 when the

act was passed, and have never been convicted of a crime.

Additionally, they are required to have completed a high school education, be currently enrolled in high school, or to have served in the military.

The announced termination of the DACA program has led to widespread fear and outrage across the country, triggering protests from coast to coast. News coverage about DACA has been circulating for weeks, and millions of Americans stand with Dreamers in support and solidarity.

Yet no one seems to ask, “Is DACA really the best solution?”

I am by no means suggesting the Trump Administration was right in deciding to wind down DACA. Quite the opposite: I think DACA is an excellent opportunity for a specific group of unauthorized immigrants to become lawful residents. Dreamers did not choose to come to this country, but rather were following their parents. Even the parents are hardly to blame, as they are often fleeing drastic economic situations. Plus, DACA recipients are productive members of society.

According to California Senator Kamala Harris, if DACA is rescinded, the U.S. will lose approximately 700,000 jobs, with California alone losing $11 billion in income.

However, it is important to understand that DACA is neither a complete nor permanent solution.

DACA is a very limited program, protecting an approximat 7% of our 11 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, according to Pew Research Center’s 2015 estimate. Granting amnesty to a narrow portion of the unauthorized immigrant population is definitely a step in the right direction, but DACA leaves millions of undocumented immigrants behind, including parents and siblings of DACA recipients. Anyone who falls slightly outside the age restrictions for DACA will not be eligible for protection, simply because his or her birthday is on the wrong side of an arbitrary deadline. Furthermore, as Hannah Fordyce of the University of Iowa points out, DACA actually does not provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Rather, it merely promises the government will not pursue the deportation of applicants. This means that Dreamers do not have access to any federal benefits, even though they pay taxes. Additionally, the tentative legal protection granted by DACA can be revoked if a recipient is convicted of a crime, thus opening the possibility of deportation.

The DACA program is a temporary solution to a permanent problem. In a world where nearly 65 million refugees are being displaced by war and climate change, and 46% of Mexican citizens are living in poverty, the immigration issue is only going to intensify. The only way we can improve this situation is to call for reasonable, comprehensive, and, most of all, compassionate, immigration reform. We must ask for Congress to focus not only on what’s right for our country and our economy, but what’s right for humanity.

Curbs on Artificial Intelligence Needed

By Jason Xu Staff Writer New technology is always exhilarating.

September 12, 2017 was a perfect example of the buzz and hype. Apple released its plans for the iPhone X, which lacks a home button and, instead, uses a new, unique 3D facial-scanning system called Face ID to unlock the phone.

There were those, however, who were worried about the introduction of facial recognition as there are currently no laws that apply to A.I. scanning systems.

While the idea of facial recognition might be deemed “lit” by many teens, the possible repercussions behind the advancing technology are frightening.

Earlier this summer, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had a dispute with the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, about the future of AI. Musk has repeatedly warned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, calling for new regulations to control its development. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, dismissed Musk’s concerns during a Facebook live broadcast, calling them “pretty irresponsible.” Yet, around the same time, Facebook engineers shut down an AI experiment after two chatbots began to deviate from the intended language, instead deriving a form of English that was only comprehensible to the bots themselves. There is good reason not to let intelligent robots design their own language.

In addition, a recently published study done by Stanford researchers Michal Kosinksi and Yilun Wang stirred up a

firestorm after they claimed to have created an AI that could identify a person’s sexual orientation by analyzing his/her face. Using a deep-learning algorithm called VGG-Face, Kosinski and Wang analyzed over 15,000 different pictures of gay and straight people from a popular dating site. The study not only drew criticism from skeptical AI researchers, but also a blistering outcry from several LGBT groups, who saw the study as a potential threat to the well-being and privacy of LGBT people.

The enraged outcries are, of course, merited, but this study serves as what Kosinksi calls “alarm bells for others to take privacy-infringing AI seriously.”

Sexual orientation is one of the many things AI can identify with a great degree of accuracy. And Kosinski predicts AI will soon be able to use facial recognition to predict IQ, predisposition to criminal behavior, or even political views.

This creeping erosion of privacy and possible misuse of AI serves to emphasize the need for legislation to catch up with the rapid advancement of such technology. It’s not so much

a matter of complex ethics, but whether legislation can be fast enough to pass laws to regulate ever-changing and developing technologies.

Congress should take action to control the evolution of facial recognition for such technology. In the wrong hands, it could indeed lead to a new and more dangerous age of misuse and misconduct.

Housing Crisis: Prices Through the Roof

By Danning Yu Area, Buena Vista will not be bought by developers looking to make massive profits by Opinions Editor building new housing.

The Bay Area is notorious for its sky-high housing prices, which have risen every Further progress is being made on a state level as well. Governor Jerry Brown signed month since April of 2012—a streak of over 60 months. Chris Tripani, founder of the laws on September 29 that will use a real estate transaction fee and four billion dollars from Sereno Group, attributes this to sustained levels of very low inventory, combined with rapid a proposed housing bond to build low-income housing throughout California. For decades, appreciation and sky-high demand. As the prices of houses rise, workers, especially those various laws and regulations have caused the supply of new houses to lag significantly working in the service industry, are hard pressed to find suitable living spaces. The Sereno behind the rising demand. With these new laws and the approval of the bond in 2018, it Group alone has over 1,800 customers interested in homes, while in the entire Santa Clara will help make housing more affordable.

County there are less than a thousand homes for sale.

Not everyone in Silicon Valley is a highly-paid There is a critical need to make affordable housing worker in the tech industry, of course; we must remember available so that all workers can afford to live in the Bay that many need housing at a price that they can afford.

Area, and the recent story of the Buena Vista Mobile For those new to the Bay Area, it can be difficult to find a Home Park, an affordable-housing mobile park in Palo home, much less an affordable one. Expansion outwards Alto, is a step in the right direction. is not necessarily the best option for the vast majority of At first, the owners announced that they were planworkers either. While house prices are cheaper the farther ning to sell the property to a private developer, which one goes from the Bay, the savings are nullified by horwould’ve forced four hundred low-income residents rendous traffic, resulting in hundreds of lost hours spent to move out into a market where housing is extremely on the road every year. If the Bay Area is to be a great scarce. Thankfully, spurred in part by public activism place to live, full of a diverse assortment of people and and government support, the landowners agreed to a services, then there must be housing available to those on $40 million dollar purchase by the Santa Clara County a full spectrum of incomes. Those that grow up in the Bay Housing Authority after five years of negotiations.

Area should be able to buy a house, but sadly, this is curA signed agreement restricts the use of the proprently near-impossible. The recent steps taken are indeed erty to affordable housing purposes for 75 years, thus a move in the right direction to combat the stratospheric The entrance to Buena Vista Trailer Park ensuring that even as housing prices go up in the Bay rise of housing prices.

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October 2017 • Opinions

Offer Students More Choice, Less Constraint

By Helena Getayalew Staff Writer In secondary education, certain subjects should be deemed “recommended” rather than “required”—a movement away from the current system of strictly structured course loads and specifically required subjects is essential to the development of students as individual scholars. This notion may seem idealistic, but we must realize that past a limited number of prerequisites, this is the model that universities embrace in order to inspire academic growth in students.

Within our current schooling system, requirements are placed on students that ultimately limit the number and types of classes that can be taken. English is required for all four years. Math, science, and history are technically only required for three years, and no student at Mitty takes history his or her freshman year. But it is the norm for math and science to be taken all four years, a practice that reflects the culture of the Silicon Valley, where STEM subjects are not only emphasized, but glorified.

Some may argue that basic skills learned in subjects like math and English are essential to one’s education, but

rendering certain subjects “recommended” rather than “required” wouldn’t undermine this notion.

For example, requiring three academic classes annually beginning sophomore year would allow for students to build a foundation of fundamental academic skills. Beyond that, course selection would be left entirely up to the student.

The current system that requires so many courses be taken to qualify for a Mitty diploma and college acceptance clearly favors certain types of students over others. In large part, the reason that so many students drown themselves is a sea of academic courses is that the competition for college requires it. Students are competing with other students’ transcripts in the college admissions process. Sure, taking a difficult course load is impressive to college admissions officers, but so is building skills in a focused specialty.

If a student is interested in developing her artistry, there shouldn’t be anything stopping her from taking as many art courses as possible. The purpose of a transcript should be to tell the story of an individual’s academic journey—their interests, their strengths, their weaknesses, and, most of all, their personal development.

Coming into high school, most students don’t already

know who they are, what they like, and what they want to do when they grow up—hence the rigid course requirements.

However, a student’s growth as an individual needs to be fostered during their high school years. Due to the inflexibility of course requirements, transcripts do not get to tell the story of individuals, but instead report the tragedy of the generic, mainstream studies many high school students are subjected to, though not interested in.

But a model that does allow students far more freedom in determining their own course of study has been implemented at Northstar, a progressive institution in Massachusetts that practices a personalized approach to course selection. Students typically begin going to Northstar at age 16­—leaving high school but still being capable of attending college afterwards—to follow an educational system formatted around teaching them more about what they want to learn. Although it is a more extreme model compared to what most high schools may be able to adopt, this academic method has enhanced students’ learning.

As students with unique passions, we should be allowed to choose the courses that cater to our individual goals and allow us to develop into the people we strive to become.

Eric Paddock, the brother of the Las Vegas shooter, speaking to reporters.

Collateral Damage

By Tiina Otala Opinions Editor Stephen Paddock murdered 58 innocent concert-goers in Las Vegas on Oct.1 in an incomprehensible act of violence.

It took less than a day for the media to track down his brother Eric in Florida, and two more days for the FBI to submit Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou Danley, to questioning. As confusion and controversy swirled online, the media scrutinized Paddock’s extended family in an attempt to find the answer to the question: what could have possibly motivated a person to map out a mass murder?

Articles in response to Eric Paddock’s early interactions with reporters erupted online with titles like “BROTHER OFF THE RAILS in Bizarre Interview,” smearing Paddock with claims that he had “lost it” in a “rambling interview.” And despite Marilou Danley’s statement pleading for her family’s privacy, the Washington Post published numerous personal details about Danley’s daughter, everything from her occupation to the value of her home to the names of her husband and father-in-law.

Even Danley’s former step-daughters reported receiving death threats against their father, who had been mistakenly identified as the shooter in an online frenzy.

All such probes failed to recognize that the people they were investigating had just begun to grieve both for the death of their loved ones and for the deaths he had caused. When reached for comment, all those close to Paddock expressed the same sentiment: that his actions did not reflect the man they knew. Marilou Danley wrote

that she “loved him and hoped for a quiet future together with him.” Eric Paddock told reporters, “I liked my brother. He was a good guy.”

Still in shock, they were not given a moment to cope with the physical loss and abstract demise of the man they thought they had known.

The family of Stephen Paddock will never know the real reason he slipped from the role of their loved one to that of a killer in the span of ten short minutes.

Neither will we, the public, or anyone else.

It is fundamentally a mystery entrenched in the past.

Yet, that unfathomable mystery does not excuse the blatant disregard for a family’s privacy. Paddock’s relatives should not be held accountable either for his actions or their supposed inaction. They, like the families of Omar Mateen, Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, Adam Lanza, and other mass shooters, cannot be expected to somehow produce a satisfactory explanation for the tragedy. They are in just as much pain and turmoil as the rest of the nation, but they are isolated and traumatized by self-doubt and guilt, engulfed in the shadow of atrocities committed by a loved one.

We should not highlight our differences in order to appease our fears of violence infiltrating our communities. As a Catholic school, we preach that we are all born in the image and likeness of God, and so we must preach to those similarities, to the grief and to the healing that binds us together, and to the hope that we shall never have to face this kind of tragedy again.

Hear It, Don’t Fear It

By Emerald Tobin Staff Writer Today politics looks more like a reality show than a group of people working together. Too often we hear more from the radical sides of the political spectrum because they are loudest. On one radical side, we have people blindly following our brash, obnoxious, scraped up sweet potato of a President.

On the other side, we have people being led by groups of liberals crying from their “safe spaces” that everything is offensive.

One of the hottest topics being debated today is the right of free speech and whether or not “hate speech” should be protected.

Recently, groups have attempted—and sometimes succeeded in—shutting down political speeches physically and verbally. This was seen at Whittier College during a speech

by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and at UC Berkeley in riots against Milo Yiannopoulos and Ben Shapiro.”

These protesters justify their actions, claiming that the speaker should not be given a platform. But at what point is hate speech acceptable? And is it ever?

There are a number of problems with censoring hate speech. To begin with, if we were to ban it, who would decide what constitutes hate speech? One might claim any idea they disagree with is hate speech, whether it is racist or sexist, discussions on healthcare, or criticism of their favored politicians or social policies.

For example, this was seen at the September appearance of Ben Shapiro on the UC Berkeley campus. Protesters claim he is a “white supremacist Nazi” spewing hate speech, and therefore needs to be shut down, yet there is no direct evidence of racial animosity anywhere in his speeches.

Similarly, Xavier Becerra’s questionand-answer session at Whittier College was cut short by hecklers who were opposed to his lawsuit against the Trump administration’s decision on DACA. The dissenters prevented the audience from hearing any of Becerra’s points by yelling insults and slogans like “lock him up” over the Attorney General’s remarks. These protesters are trying to restrict speech, just because they do not like the politics.

We can’t have this because it stops progress and dialogue. We need to honestly challenge all ideas so we can determine which ones are best. If we silence views seen as offensive, we are not challenging them. We are ignoring them. We should be prepared to have our beliefs questioned, and be confident enough to defend them.

If these offensive ideas are actually worthless, they will be recognized as such and discarded. We want these ideas in the public discourse so that they can be ridiculed, disproven, and then dismissed. Prohibiting “hateful” ideas will not stop people from having them, but disproving them can.

Opposing beliefs that thrive when challenged clearly have some merit and need to be addressed, despite any discomfort. As Shapiro himself says, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” And he’s right.

We cannot let people claiming to be hurt by ideas stop the important process of public discourse and debate. We must not let feelings get in the way of rational thought. We must allow all speech to be heard.

As you go about your daily life in today’s world, you will encounter people who blindly follow rhetoric and refuse to engage in any discussion.

Do not be one of them.

ARTS ENTERTAINMENT AND

STOP SUPPORTING XXXTENTACION

By Anna Krause A&E Editor If you’ve read the accounts of rapper XXXTentacion’s abuse of his girlfriend and you are a human being, you’ve felt the befuddled disgust that is the natural reaction to such incomprehensibly awful violence. You’ve questioned his mental stability and wondered what kind of twisted mind rationalizes the physical and emotional beating of a woman he claimed to love, a woman pregnant with his child. And you’ve stopped listening to his music. You’ve quit giving him positive attention or helping to boost his career as a musician in any way.

Or perhaps you haven’t. Perhaps you said to yourself, I like his music, and only his music. I don’t have to like who he is to appreciate what he has created.

In which case, you’re wrong. There is no simpler way I can put it: you are mistaken.

Your actions are unacceptable; a change must be made.

See, here’s the thing. X went to jail for domestic abuse. His arrest record, published online, is dated October 2016 and he was publicly released March 2017. And while he was supposed to be sitting in a cell, thinking about his crimes, contemplating his own guilt, the single he released just before being locked away, “Look at Me,” was blowing up, reaching number 34 on the charts. Because people thought, what does it matter if I just listen to the song? It’s not like I’m supporting his abuse.

But you are: when you listen to his music, he gains a bit of popularity, a bit of money.

When you listen to his music despite his abusive behavior, you tell him, I am willing to overlook the physical and emotional pain you’ve created. Your abusive actions will not hinder your popularity, your wealth. You tell him, I don’t see a reason why you need to change, why you need to stop.

So he won’t.

I urge you to look up the description of the abuse. I will not publish those details here, I will not sensationalize his violence, but I encourage to read about it regardless.

An artist like X makes his living off song plays on music platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, views on YouTube, concert ticket sales, and merchandise sales.

Therefore, the most effective way we can stand together against him and make clear that we refuse to support him and sanction his actions, refuse to perpetuate his abuse, is to deny him of all these.

So stop buying sweatshirts and tickets and music, stop watching his music videos, stop listening to his music at all.

Stop supporting XXXTentacion, if only because despite his screams of “Look at Me,” you will not be able to bring yourself to do so.

Me and You and Max Slade and Everything

By Kim Hoang and Madeline Aguirre Staff Writer and A&E Editor We know Max Slade as one of the vocalists and guitarists of The Cautious and Exodus. On September 28, he released his first solo EP titled Me and You and Everything. Be sure to check it out with the Spotify code below.

[A&E] Is there a story behind the EP’s name?

[MS] I got the idea for the album cover before I thought of its name. The cover is basically a little character sitting on a piece of tinfoil in space, and he’s holding onto a bunch of balloons. I just like the idea of being a small speck in everything.

[A&E] How is your sound this time around different from The Cautious?

[MS] I think that my lyrics have become less and less flowery as I’ve progressed as a songwriter. The lyrics are pretty raw…like there’s one that combines a cheesy love song with talking about the college search—there’s a little bit of comedy in it. It’s definitely more risky than The Cautious. If anyone’s expecting The Cautious when they hear it, they’ll be…I don’t know, kind of disappointed?

[A&E] What or who were your influences for this EP? [MS] There’s this local singer who started in San Francisco and moved to L.A., and his name’s Field Medic. I was able to reach out to him and talk to him about his recording techniques. He does this really interesting thing where he plays beats on cassettes, and plays the guitar over them.

[A&E] Was anyone else involved in the creation of this EP? [MS] Mostly I just kind of bounced ideas off of The Cautious, I was planning on recording with Shane Mitbo (AMHS ‘17, Cal Poly ‘21), who’s from the New Fossils band, but he left for college. He added some cool ideas and directions that I hadn’t considered to the EP and livened it up. Piper Lewis (AMHS ‘17, NYU ‘21) also sings with me on a song titled “What Is Next.”

[A&E] What was your recording process like?

[MS] I recorded all of the songs on cassettes, so there’s a completely different sound—super “hissy” and not-so-great sound quality, but that’s what I was going for. This EP has 5 songs and it’s only going to be 7 or so minutes long. I would just get a burst of creativity, write the song, and stop as soon as it ended.

[A&E] Do you have a favorite song from the EP? [MS] Yeah, I think my favorite song right now is “Achey.” It has a different guitar tuning than I’ve ever written on before. The guitar parts technically are really simple but I definitely came at them from a different direction.

[A&E] Looking back on freshman year, did you see yourself going in this direction as a person? Even before you were in The Cautious, is this something that you’ve always wanted to do?

[MS] I think that I definitely wanted to play music, but the direction that I ended up going was not what I expected at all. I was in The Cautious freshman year, but sophomore year, when Shane came up to Ritwik [Krishnan] and I and said that we should audition for Exodus, if he hadn’t done that, I don’t think that I would’ve put this EP out. I think that working with people like Shane, Cal Bailey (AMHS ‘17, CU ‘21), and even working on liturgical songs strengthened my ability to write songs. I’m thankful for that happening because certain events have triggered other events, and have led me to do this. I’m definitely really lucky for how everything has panned out because I’ve wanted a solo EP out for a while.

[A&E] With all the stresses of senior year, college essays and things, how do you find the time to have this artistic outlet?

[MS] I don’t really know…I think I just try to make time, like I’ll write lyrics in class sometimes—maybe don’t include this part. Maybe it’s a bad thing how my mind is always going around. I think I’m going to start shooting a documentary about the San Jose music scene after the EP’s released. I wrote the last two songs on the EP over the summer, but for the most part, the rest were written over the last year and I recorded them right before school started.

[A&E] Beyond high school, is music something that you want to continue or pursue career-wise?

[MS] I’m not majoring in music in any form because I’m not like a theory-guy and don’t know anything classical about music, but I think that The Cautious will continue in college. We all want to be in one area and live in an apartment together so we can be constantly creating. I think that the closest thing that I’ll do to “go for it” is to take a year off after college or something and just try so we know. We’ve actually gotten some attention from A&Rs [Artists & Repertoires], from record labels and stuff, so hopefully we can continue creating music.

October 2017 • Arts & Entertainment

The King of Horror It’s 2 a.m. in the city of Bangor, Maine. Pitch black out the window and the wind whistling in the distance.

In a blood-red Victorian home, the front lawn perfectly manicured, you sit at a desk staring down at the pages and pages of writing you’ve completed that day.

Sounds a little creepy, right? Well, this isn’t too far off from author Stephen King’s daily ritual. Sure, he may go to bed at a more convenient time (gotta get those 9.25 hours in?), but nonetheless, King’s life isn’t too far from what one would expect from a horror novelist.

With over 50 novels in a span of around 45 years, from Carrie to The Shining to IT, King never fails to create a hair-raising plot, twisted characters, and endless pages of brilliant writing.

But with so many quality books, including hundreds of short stories, literary junkies question how King gets it all done. Maybe he has an assistant that pitches ideas?

Has he ever written two books at once? Does he even write all of his own books?

N.O. to the N.E.H? The revolutionary American musical Rent, the groundbreaking documentary The Civil War, and the Vietnam War Memorial: what do all of these have in common? All were supported by the NEH, the National Endowment for the Humanities––the very same program that’s about to be defunded by the Trump administration.

The NEH has continued to support the creation of diverse and important art since its founding by providing grants and educational resources to individuals and communities throughout every congressional district in the United States, in this way helping to educate, preserve and promote the scholarship and work in the humanities.

With half of the grants distributed to marginalized persons and communities, the NEH is essential in providing opportunities for poorer artists and students who would otherwise not be able to afford art education. Since 1965, it has provided an astonishing 145,000 grants with recipients including Alice Walker, the author of The Color Purple and the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction.

A high standard for the creation of excellent art has always been central to the mission of the NEH and with its funds supporting the creation of 16 Pulitzer Prize winning books

Page 8

Upcoming Events

By Olivia Yankovich Staff Writer

You might expect an answer as exciting as one of his cryptic novels, but when fellow author George R.R. Martin asked King in an interview with Daily News how he writes so many books so quickly, King gave a simple response: He attempts to write for seven hours each day.

“So if the manuscript is say, 360 pages long, that’s basically two months’ work—but that’s assuming it goes well,” Mr. King added.

Seven hours sounds like a lot of concentration and a lot of writer’s block, but King also mentions he almost never feels backed up when he writes. He definitely would have gotten a five on the AP Lit exam.

Although gossip about how the awarded author produces so many novels so quickly seems fitting for such an enigmatic storyteller, we can take relief in knowing that King is simply incredibly gifted. It seems the only real secret to Stephen King’s writing is that he is Stephen King: dauntingly creative, frighteningly good with words and terrifyingly talented.

A&E Opinion

By Alora Cisneroz Staff Writer and 20 Bancroft Prize winning books, it’s clear that the organization has been successful in helping spread that drive for excellence with countless other authors and readers.

However, despite the NEA’s and NEH’s success and immeasurable impact, the Trump Administration’s proposed budget plan calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. Considering that the funding for these programs are nominal and only make up 0.0004% of the total federal budget, there is little economic incentive to eliminate these organizations.

The elimination of the NEA and NEH, then, is ultimately an insight into what we as Americans value. If we are willing to sacrifice these programs in the name of political divisions, then we are choosing to ignore the thousands of Americans who depend upon them for their education and livelihood, an indication that the pursuit of the arts is not a priority.

If our government follows through with the budget plan, the impact of the program’s absence will be profound. The creative and educative capacities of art are not expendable elements of a progressive society. They are critical elements to fulfilling America’s founding call for freedom of expression.

10/31: Kesha at The Masonic 10/31: Tyler the Creator at The Warfield

November 11/3: Bruno Mars at Oracle Arena 11/4: Fall Sketch Comedy Show 11/14: Fall Out Boy at Oracle Arena 11/17: Halsey at Oracle Arena 11/19: Kid Cudi at The Warfield 11/21: Guns N’ Roses at Oracle Arena 11/21: Niall Horan at The Masonic

K.A.R.D. Stacks Up

By Emily Isabella Ordoñez Staff Writer If you’re in the market for new music, J. Seph. R is shared by female members look no further than the other side of the JiWoo and Somin, and comes from the last globe. South Korean media cooperation letter in the word joker. The band dedicates DSP recently announced the debut of the their final letter to their fanbase.

Before its official debut, K.A.R.D. co-ed K-Pop group, K.A.R.D. The band specializes in tropical house music (think released three singles including “Oh Kygo or Justin Bieber’s “Sorry”), but NaNa,” which holds a special place in my anyone that appreciates a good pop song playlist and heart. The two songs after “Oh NaNa” were intended to be sequels to the can enjoy them. first. Fans anticipate In an industry more of the same stowhere most musical groups are comprised ryline to be revealed of a single gender, throughout the rest of K.A.R.D. stands out: the discography. the band consists of The group has two girls and two come a long way guys, all of whom since its first single are in their twenties. released in December Because friend2016. With both its ships between group distinctive reggaeton members are often style and co-ed appeal blown out of proporearning it a strong intion by thirsty K-Pop ternational following, fans who ship band members together, a K.A.R.D. officially debuted with mini EP sizeable number of K.A.R.D.’s interviews Hola Hola this July. Its title track was a have addressed whether or not members huge success and scored features on both have romantic feelings for each other. Korean and American hit charts.

Lead singer JiWoo dismissed these rumors In fact, the group is so popular in by explaining that everyone in the group America that it chose to spend its debut thinks of each other as a sibling. tour here––the Wild K.A.R.D. tour will Each letter in the band’s name repre- even be stopping in California this fall. For sents a member of the group and a specific more information, check out the 469 conplaying card; K stands for king, group cert videos posted on my Snapchat story. member BM; A for ace, represented by

A New Kind of Musical

For everyone still upset that they didn’t get to see Hamilton on Broadway, Two-Up Productions recently unveiled a new kind of musical—one that’s slightly easier to experience. You don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars for a trip to New York and a ticket to the show, because this musical is designed for your ears only, and comes in podcast form.

Co-written and directed by Chris Littler and Ellen Winter, 36 Questions is the first mainstream production of its kind. Unlike original cast recordings, the podcast musical stands on its own, allowing listeners to experience the entire musical completely free of charge.

Hamilton star Jonathon Groff and up-and-comer Jessie Shelton voice Jase Connolly and Judith Ford, a young couple trying to salvage their marriage using the famed 36 Questions, a set of inquiries designed by a psychologist as part of a 1997 study to explore how interpersonal connec-

October

By Joanna Jain Staff Writer

tions are formed between two people. The questions are broken up into three sets, each more personal than the last, and are purportedly meant to help two strangers fall in love.

The musical, which is now available for free on iTunes Podcasts, is structured as a series of voice recordings on Judith’s phone.

The result is an intimate, personal perspective on the musical’s characters. And with an absence of visuals, all attention is focused on the vocals.

“Everything is like a close-up on the voice,” said Groff

in an interview with The New York Times. “The microphone picks up everything, every vocal gesture.”

This allows a closer connection to form between the audience and the performers, something that is unique to the podcast form.

For the musical’s creators, the most exciting thing about 36 Questions is that it opens the door to a whole new, much more accessible form of musical theater.

“The podcast realm allows anyone in the country to be at a musical,” said Winter in an interview with Playbill Magazine.

Furthermore, because of the lack of need for sets, costumes, and other costs associated with traditional musicals, podcast musicals are also much less expensive to produce. This introduces the possibility for other musical theater writers—especially those with a limited budget—to turn their talents into podcast musicals.

Arts & Entertainment • October 2017

Page 9

monarch critics Our Future Friends In need of a shoulder to lean on? Pop duo Superfruit has you covered—they’ll ask how you’re feeling and offer you that goodbye from lonely you’ve been praying for.

You won’t feel like a stranger to Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi when you take a listen to the new music off their debut album, Future Friends. Though Hoying and Grassi have sung with popular a capella group Pentatonix since 2011, Future Friends gives us a taste of the pair’s radiant lives and a whole new sound, replacing backing vocals with real and artificial instruments alike.

With their departure from a capella comes their departure from its contemporary style. Superfruit’s music gives kids born after 1999 that ’90s jam they missed out on, replicated via modern studio techniques of pop, R&B and electronic music for the best of all worlds.

Underlying melodies and bopping choruses emphasize the bliss of nostalgia and

What Really Happened

By Lucy Nino Staff Writer

at the same time make us want to stand on our desks and get down like we’re listening to Rihanna. The balance of genres gives Superfruit a groove that is uniquely its own while showing off their unbelievable ranges.

Superfruit’s first album is filled to the brim with feel-good jams and positive messages of unity. Hoying and Grassi bring LGBT representation to the mainstream, unafraid to flaunt their sexualities. The duo’s “Teenage Heartthrob” and “GUY.exe” emanate major slumber party vibes where boys and girls alike practice kissing skills on a Justin Timberlake poster.

Even if you can’t relate to Superfruit’s fantasies of ideal man Chad Michael Murray, there is, guaranteed, a song on Future Friends that will turn any frown upside down. From promising to be your fake boyfriend to make your ex jealous to promising friendship after “it all ends,” Superfruit is the best friend you’ve never had.

Superfruit is everyone’s cup of tea— even if you prefer coffee.

Hillary Clinton’s highly anticipated memoir, What Happened, takes readers into her most guarded thoughts throughout the election. And there’s a whole lot of blame, though not much self-awareness.

Clinton writes about what happened during the many hours on the road, the scrutiny she faced as the first serious female candidate, and her reasons for running for President. She tries to explain her past and what led to her election loss.

The first thing she writes: “Why did Donald Trump choose to bring up my emails four days before the election?”

I had more respect for Clinton before I read her book, but she begins by pointing fingers and continues pointing throughout, blaming somebody for something that went wrong during her campaign in every single chapter. Apparently, nothing that caused her election loss was her fault and—despite her admitting the fact that a Democrat was just in office—someone else is to blame for “what happened.”

I used to appreciate the fact that Clinton took a stand as a woman. I don’t deny the

By Maya Chinthakunta Staff Writer

existence of sexism in American politics, but it’s not empowering that she uses her gender as a crutch.

Clinton is famous for this excuse: people scorned her as soon as she announced her intent to run because they knew one of her main platforms would be sexism. Whenever she goes up against male politicians and doesn’t succeed, she, in part, focuses on her gender and the rationale that the population is holding it against her. In the chapter where she describes her possible reasons for losing, she does exactly that.

What Happened is both a collection of excuses for her supporters and a vilification of her enemies. Clinton obviously had an agenda when writing it. I would describe What Happened as an exposé rather than a memoir.

Clinton’s taking readers behind the scenes of the election to gain sympathy was a genius move on her part. However, the book disappointed me because I was expecting her to finally take accountability for her actions. Instead, she chose to defend herself and blame others for her failures.

In a Nutshell

By Max Slade Staff Writer After a five-year wait since the release of Battle Born, Las Vegas rock outfit The Killers have returned with a rather lackluster fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful.

Within the first minute of listening, it’s evident that Wonderful goes in vastly new direction. From the first single, “Run for Cover,” the sound of this album looks to imitate the infectious synths and guitar-driven sound achieved on the platinum-selling Sam’s Town. However, the album’s other two singles prove otherwise.

Wonderful experiments with new instrumentation but does away with the heavy guitar riffs present in early Killers hits like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” Instead, the record centers around the often under-written and cheesy lyrics of frontman Brandon Flowers. The songs “The Man” and “Wonderful Wonderful” are prime examples of this: though catchy and upbeat, they generally fail to provide any poignant lyrical content.

Sonically, the project draws noticeable influence from U2, most prominently in “Life to Come,” a track containing Bono-esque melodies and a guitar part that might as well have been written by The Edge himself.

Despite it’s shortcomings, however, Wonderful does have strong moments: the album’s final track “Have All The Songs Been Written?” contains a solid performance by Flowers and is lyrically sound despite the track’s poorly mixed guitar solo, and “Run For Cover” contains well-written lyrics and an upbeat chorus.

Ultimately, while The Killers’ Wonderful Wonderful contains hints of brilliance, it lacks overall depth and originality.

By Helen Deng Staff Writer

By Charlotte Park Staff Writer

When I think Kali Uchis, I think iconic––a beauty queen with her own trademark style. Her last EP was Por Vida in 2015, but Uchis has maintained relevance through her last two singles, “Tyrant” and “Nuestro Planeta.”

“All I hear is sirens / In a world so violent / When everything is a riot / You’re my peace and quiet.” Lyrics on “Tyrant,” allude to events like the Manchester Arena bombing, recent at the time. When she sings the hook “I don’t wanna come down / Keep spinning me ‘round and ‘round,” her message is clear: she just wants to focus on the ups instead of the downs, those hostile tragedies that befall us.

Sung entirely in Spanish with fellow Colombian star Reykon, “Nuestro Planeta” is a tropical, bouncy love song about “Our Planet” with rhythmic beats accompanied by Kali’s luscious, slinky vocals. Colombian influences are evident; these artists are so fueled by love of their culture that they even shot the video in her hometown of Medellin, Colombia.

Riding at the forefront of the funky 2000s inspired look, her self-directed music videos are breathtakingly glamorous with a precise eye for artistic detail. Writhing bodies gyrating in “Nuestro Planeta” and bright, vintageinspired colors in “Tyrant” create alluring imagery.

Lush vocals and pumping beats throughout Kali’s discography evoke images of palm trees and lounging on a beach–dreamy, funky and sweet as bubblegum.

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish released her debut EP, dont smile at me, at the age of 15 last August. Eilish is an upcoming artist revolutionizing the music industry with her sultry, dark compositions. She does not conform to the naive, happy-go-lucky disposition that young artists are known for.

In the eight songs on her EP, Eilish provides frank insight into the chaotic emotions of adolescence.

Eilish’s ballad “idontwannabeyouanymore” captures the insecurities that teenagers face as a result of societal norms. With ethereal vocals, she sings, “tell that mirror what you know she’s heard before / idontwannabeyouanymore,” poignantly addressing the pressure to appear “perfect” in the public eye. Eilish candidly discusses the issues of personal fallouts with ex-lovers in the first and third tracks of the EP, which are respectively titled “COPYCAT” and “my boy.”

It is clear that she has no intention of mending those past relationships when she laments, “by the way, you’ve been uninvited / ‘cause all you say are the same things I did.”

This brutally honest line in “COPYCAT” substantiates Eilish’s remarkable ability to convey the frustration and apathy in relationships with those she once loved.

Billie Eilish’s intricate storytelling in dont smile at me flawlessly manifests the emotional hardships all teens encounter in their lives. It is impossible to fathom the musical talent Eilish possesses at such a young age, yet this EP is undoubtedly a testament to her potential.

Tips & Tri

By Yusra A rub Staff Write r

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Many people aren’t aware that what you eat affects not only your physical health, but your mental health as well. If your diet contains high amounts of sugar or processed foods, it can prove detrimental to your brain and its functions.

Harvard Health Publishing writes that multiple studies have “found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function,” as well as a “worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.” This is especially applicable to students, whose brains need to be functioning efficiently in order to balance school and extracurricular activities. Thus, it’s essential for students to eat a nutritious diet in order to keep their minds and bodies healthy through high school and beyond.

Water is one of the most important “fuels” you need in your everyday life. According to Mental Health America, “Studies show that even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes.”

Dehydration has a direct correlation to headaches and other symptoms because all bodily functions rely on the presence of water. Carrying a water bottle around campus and making use of refill stations can greatly impact your performance in school. Aim for about eight cups a day.

The common mantra proclaims that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” but how many times have you left the house in the morning on an empty stomach? Many students rush to school in the morning and don’t think twice about skipping breakfast. While doing this seems like it won’t do much harm, studies prove otherwise. Mental Health America concurs that “breakfast is needed to fuel your body (including your brain) after going without food during sleep and also to jump start your metabolism for the day.” The next time you feel like leaving for school without eating breakfast, grab a banana or some other fruit and eat it on your way to school.

After you’ve been fueled by a satisfying breakfast, your next step is to focus on lunch. What does a healthy lunch look like? Building a balanced lunch is as simple as making sure you eat at least one fruit or vegetable with your meal and perhaps replacing the cookie or brownie with something fresh and gratifying to recharge you for the rest of the day.

Remember that making healthy food choices will allow you to stay as ap-peel-ing as your breakfast banana. As the saying goes, an apple a day gets you ready to slay!

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blished movement esta e id nw tio na a s into ittee at Mitty; it’ been classified e aspects have an just a comm es th tal, e Th . en or ed m nm is ok s ro lo vi es en go over iritual, en sp oft , Student welln at al ci th so es l, liv ua ’ llect physicts in students assist students , emotional, inte al to ic r ys de ph or s: to focus on aspe in es es ln d San ents’ liv of student wel like Stanford an aspects of stud s by es ar dr ne s ad seven categories tie es si ri er g, and g univ l. These catego issues, counselin puses–includin th m al ca he ge and occupationa al lle ic co ys l ph lly. Almost al is available for cally and menta ess center that ln el w t ell-being en ud st a track of their w ep ke Jose State–have to t or eff e an lawyers. . , teachers, and students to mak ns ge ia ur or e st career services id hi w , ld ts is or ient of sleep, ittees w o-be doctors, sc get 9.25 hours -t Wellness comm to on so ts e en th , ud st re ols are d urge ts are the futu ore, many scho ess surveys an rm ln he el rt w because studen s Fu . ou ce ri an va port which is incorporate is of utmost im tive is focusing, ts ec en eff t ud Many schools os st m of d th an est proven that the heal lance–the simpl breathe has been ba d n ai an nt t, acknowledging ai se m re to x, la are surto re ous strategies busy lives and e out of the day ad le tim g ts promoting vari in en ak ud T . st ts ions leads lthough ed by studen g go of distract stress levels. A in g tt in le often overlook , er ia w ed lo m by time to s and ents’ health such as gadget on sleep, taking ns up io g at in to benefit stud pt ch m at te C g e. r energy of lif e-consumin to channel thei a better quality ts us en th rounded by tim ud d st an w e lo al able use of tim g priorities will to a more valu and reevaluatin s, le ty which all es lif d endeavors. environment in ng g di in assess habits an ar lm w re he w d er an d ov g is made a eaningful ive, stressful, an their well-bein tit re pe su toward more m m en co to en ce ent wellchan too-oft ents deserve a Essentially, stud Amidst the allud s. st es , ln es el lv w se t en em of stud e strategies ally find th ing her with th timate purpose id ul e ov students eventu th pr es by di t bo en ud ept that em ccess of each st ent. priority–a conc e rally for the su the life of a stud id w ith ld w e or m w s co se at ri th rp te es ss en re ss st ne rent pe with the inhe she needs to co

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Mitty Committee

Mindful of Health

Having the time to attend a volleyball game after school, participate in a club, or go out to dinner with the family are activities an Archbishop Mitty student should be able to enjoy. In fact, the goal of Mitty’s Wellness Committee is to ensure that such activities can be a part of a healthy student’s life.

The Wellness Committee has worked with faculty members for the past three years in order to help students balance their lives, in part, by helping teachers understand the actual amount of time each student needs to complete his or her assignments. The committee also seeks to support programs that will equip students with the time management skills they need to reduce their homework load, allowing them to enjoy other important high school experiences that make the community vibrant and exciting without taking away from the overall learning experience.

Mitty’s understanding that students’ average workload was overwhelming in such an increasingly competitive college prep world fueled the formation of this committee. Archbishop Mitty worked with Challenge Success, from Stanford, to develop a program. Committee members attended a conference at Stanford, brainstorming student wellness ideas and determining goals such as decreasing homework and encouraging more sleep.

These efforts culminated in teachers collaborating to cut out tedious homework worksheets and reading assignments; surveys analyzing student health; and course management reference sheets distributed annually to help students better understand the realities of their course loads and extracurricular activities. Once all the changes were implemented, students felt the obvious benefits that stemmed from their teachers’ understanding of their challenging course load: the amount of homework students considered busywork decreased, students began getting more sleep, and more students were able to fully participate in class and understand the material.

Ultimately, all these different techniques are designed to instill selfawareness in students regarding their health. Students must understand the level of coursework and difficulty they are able to handle and, in the process, ignore external pressures that tell them to achieve more. By understanding their own academic limits, students are able to gain a better understanding not only of themselves but also of their incredible value within the Mitty community.

All across the nation, college freshmen are entering a new world with an unexplored campus and a sea of unfamiliar faces. A select few stride into the halls of schools with prestigious names, joining in with a student body comprised only of the elite.

These are the students with flawless grades, countless extracurriculars, and innumerable awards scattered amongst their applications and proclaiming their intellectual, athletic, social, and mental capability. But the one aspect these acclaimed resumés fail to address is the mental health and wellness of each student.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contribution to her or his community.” Unfortunately, in the process of discovering their intellectual and physical limits, students tend to disregard their mental well-being, immersing themselves in the process of becoming the best amongst their peers and, ultimately, working toward their dream careers. As a result, stress, anxiety, and depression can overwhelm students, becoming detrimental to both themselves and their overall journey towards success.

According to the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute Annual Freshman survey, the incoming class in 2016 was the first class to have “less than half (47 percent) consider their mental health to be above average relative to their peers,” as reported by the New York Times. This upwards trend in depression and anxiety was reflected by the rise in suicidal thoughts of college students from 23.8% to 33.2%–a ten percent increase in a matter of five years (2010-2015)–as identified by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State.

Put simply, this depression epidemic exists because students fail to prioritize their mental stability and wellness over reaching personal goals in this increasingly competitive world. But it is important to recognize the impact that mental well-being can have on one’s productivity: it balances out the ambition, preventing it from consuming the student.

Many have acknowledged this, and organizations are being formed to advocate for students’ well-being. September 30 marked the day of the first-ever Teen Wellness Conference, an event aiming to build skills for coping with stress, teach members how to seek help comfortably, and build a stronger community through peer support.

Ultimately, mental health is just as important as physical health, and the value of mental stability is as important as financial stability. Judging one’s success relative to others’ achievements will only encourage anxiety and depression; longstanding happiness and security is built through a balanced combination of ambition and knowing one’s limits.

By Malavika Ramarao Staff Writer

By Kristie Park Staff Writer

Justice Awareness

Nature’s Fury Across the Globe

By Arushi Lahiri and Joanne Park home.” India, too, has borne the brunt of the monsoons with many dead over mere weeks.

Staff Writers Floods in Mumbai led to thigh-high water on the streets last month, killing close to 1,000 The last few months have been punctuated by a series of devastating natural disasters, in the densely populated nation. with multiple hurricanes beating the Atlantic Coast, floods ravaging South Asia, and several More recently, the effects of Vietnam’s typhoon Doksuri were predicted to follow major earthquakes striking Mexico. Though much work has been done to improve the con- the flash flooding over Penang on Sept. 15. The Straits Time pointed out, “Flash floods ditions of these demolished areas, residents continue to be plagued by a number of issues. can also be expected as the high tide will block Penang’s waterways.” These are the same Financially, the hurricanes were some of the most costly natural disasters the U.S. has floods that have been carrying factory workers to their deaths; bodies are being found in ever faced. Harvey and Irma cost the United States a combined $290 billion dollars. Not rivers almost every day. Firemen are doing their best, but the truth is that the water is too only does this harm our already suffering disaster relief budget, it directly impacts people powerful for them. Their efforts are akin to a tissue trying to soak up a tsunami. living in these areas, as recovery has been far from easy. Though a number of organizaThe strongest in the past century, the 8.1 earthquake that occurred just last month tions have stepped in, as well as numerous volunteers willing to help, it is evident that the in Mexico has created unprecedented displacement and hardship in the impacted areas. damage will take some time to repair. Beyond the domestic scale, Irma and Maria also dev- Thus far, CNN observes that the death toll is around one hundred civilians, and 2.5 milastated regions in Puerto Rico and lion others are living in the dilapidated the Dominican Republic, destroying remains in dire need of aid. Officials homes and doing irreparable damage claim that aid has arrived in some areas to the country’s infrastructure. Irma such as the municipality of Juchitán on alone knocked out power in seventy the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, yet these percent of households and left a third resources pale in comparison to the of them without water. Though the large marginalized areas that continue major hurricanes that have devasto be overlooked. tated these regions may be difficult Local survivors report that they for us to picture as Californians, still live in fear of nature’s fury due to their impacts are far-reaching. For a lack of support. This is why Mexico those living in the affected regions, has diverted resources and funding these hurricanes have been a living previously promised to relieve Harvey nightmare, as hundreds have already to the heart of their country instead. been killed, with thousands more are Tragic stories such as that of Edudisplaced and homeless. ardo Peralta, a father who died protectAnd as the magnitude of these ing his son from the earthquake are all hurricanes increases the plight too common, shedding light on the true within our nation, the struggles of magnitude of the situation. Another other countries fade from our view. just as worrisome earthquake of a magTake Asia, where flash floods nitude 7.1 struck on Sept. 12. Though have been particularly dangerous. most believed that this was the end of Towards the end of August, the the tragedy, southern Mexico shudheight of monsoon season, a stardered once again four days later with a Commuters ride through flooded streets in Bangladesh. tling 1,500 people died due to the 6.1-magnitude earthquake. Oaxaca, the flooding and torrential rain that pounded South Asia. The United Nations cited that at least affected area, suffered the destruction of many buildings due to poor construction and 350 41 million people in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have been directly affected. deaths resulted. With little aid reaching individuals such as the Peralta family, the country Although we see images of cars floating away in Houston, some areas of Nepal have is a sitting duck for future quakes. experienced far worse: homes are swept off foundations and carried away; elephants are Though we may be thousands of miles away from these disasters, there are still ways utilized to rescue the drowning; and bamboo rafts with survivors drift down former streets. that we can support the affected communities. A number of nonprofits—notably, Operation “This is the severest flooding in a number of years,” said Francis Markus, a spokes- Helping Hands and UNICEF—have opened up donation sites to send relief and resources man for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, “[w]e hope to these areas. Through such aid, we can stand up and speak out and make a small differpeople won’t overlook the desperate needs of these people because of disasters closer to ence in the lives of the thousands affected in these disasters.

Venezuela: Starving for Action Surabhi Bhupathi and Carmen Orellana Staff Writers Venezuela, famous for its beautiful landscapes and massive oil reserves, is currently facing a state of political and social unrest.

The political tensions in Venezuela began in 2013, after the death of former President Hugo Chavez, and have intensified during the tenure of the current President, Nicolas Maduro. When President Maduro’s tenure began in 2013, the country was experiencing inflation and underproduction, a result of former leader Chavez’s policies that damaged Venezuela’s economy. The country fell into a severe recession by 2015, with its inflation rates the highest in its history. Maduro’s injudicious policies and his inability to fix the struggling economy caused tension between his administration and the Venezuelan people.

These tensions have escalated over the past few months due to decisions made by the Maduro government, resulting in the formation of a large, middle-class dominated opposition party.

It was announced in May that the Supreme Court had usurped the powers of the National Assembly, Venezuela’s opposition-controlled legislative branch. This prompted international outrage, especially from world leaders who feared that this decision effectively brought the country one step closer to becoming a dictatorship.

The Court ruling was rescinded, however, but the distrust of the government held by the Venezuelan people as a result of this incident has remained. It was also reported that those who actively spoke out against the administration were arrested and jailed as political prisoners, which many see as an affront to the promised democratic government.

In the face of the criticism of his administration, Presi-

dent Maduro created a new “constituent assembly,” a move that was condemned by the opposition leaders, such as National Assembly leader Julio Borges, who called it “a scam to deceive the Venezuelan people with a mechanism that is nothing more than a tightening of the coup in Venezuela.”

The National Assembly was dissolved soon after this decision was made and replaced by the new, socialistdominated Constituent Assembly in July. Currently, the Assembly is drafting a new constitution that will likely take effect in 2018. All this was met with riotous protests from Venezuelan citizens. They were pushed back by government forces using tear gas, guns, and more to quell the protestors, resulting in dozens of deaths.

The incompetence of the administration further worsened the ongoing economic crisis. As of January of last year, the unemployment rate rose to a staggering 18.1 percent, forcing former middle-class citizens out of work. Oil once provided up to 95 percent of Venezuelan revenue, and the loss resulting from spiraling prices has been devastating for the economy. Apart from the larger economic devastation, the Venezuelan people have been living in near-apocalyptic conditions. Hospitals lacking adequate funding have not been able to treat patients, prompting many to flee to Brazil to seek medical treatment. Disease runs rampant, and according to a recent statistic from CNN, malaria cases “jumped to 240,000, a 76% rise from 2015.”

The most publicized aspect of Venezuela’s crisis is its shortage of food and utilities as a result of the socioeconomic crisis. Nearly 70 percent of the population is malnourished as Venezuela’s lack of resources force them to rely on expensive foreign food imports. To make matters worse, the current administration appears to be doing nothing to alleviate this problem, and government officials

regularly deny that their country is facing a resource crisis.

One top aide recently stated that the publicizing of the food crisis was nothing more than a “blackmail of hunger.”

As of now, Venezuela is desperate, with the crisis only getting worse with each passing day. If you would like to help, various organizations, such as Feed the Protest, Blue Helmet, and Cascos vs Bombas (Helmets vs Bombs) have ways to get involved on their websites. Despite the chaos of our ever-changing world, the people of Venezuela implore you to remember them and their fight.

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Justice Awareness October 2017

Page 13

The Price of Silence: Myanmar

By Akhilesh Balasingam and Roshni Varma Staff Writers Myanmar, a country in southeast Asia, is currently in the midst of a potential genocide.

The Rohingya Muslim population first migrated to Myanmar as laborers during the British rule. When Myanmar gained independence in 1948, the government offered identification cards to all recognized minorities except the Rohingya.

Lacking basic human rights, the Rohingya, for several generations, have been unable to receive adequate education or find permanent homes and jobs.

Besides the passive disadvantages, the Rohingya also face active violence. The Myanmar government, fighting to protect its identity as a Buddhist nation, has armed Buddhists and HinRohingya Muslims flee across the Myanmar-Bangaldesh border. dus and encouraged them to attack their Muslim Buddhist nation, are being targeted at unprecedented rates. neighbors. This has led to the rise of groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Kachin Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Rohingyas have been Independence Army, who attempt to establish autonomous killed and over 400,000 have fled to Bangladesh (see map states for persecuted minorities. Thus, the ethnic tensions at right). Aid agencies are overwhelmed by the influx of refugees and have begun to turn away the sick and wounded. that have plagued Myanmar for decades have resurfaced.

Refugees often get hurt on their journey, as the MyanOn August 5, an attack by rebels on police outposts reignited the violence after a seventeen-year ceasefire. mar government has begun planting landmines at border The fighting is brutal, and human rights violations by the crossings in order to stop them from fleeing. And for the Myanmar military include killings, rape, torture, forced Rohingyas that stay behind, acts of genocide and apartheidlike regulations restrict their movement and citizenship. labor, and restrictions on life-saving aid.

Rashida, one Rohingya survivor, passed through the In particular, the Myanmar army is targeting Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine State. They regularly conduct treacherous landmines near the border and faced the hor“clearance operations,” which include raping women and rific acts of the military: her throat was gashed open, her girls, slitting men’s throats, burning people alive, and killing head hit with a machete, her husband killed, and her baby hacked to death. infants and children.

Miraculously Rashida survived, but her family and life The war is resulting in what the U.N. has characterized as a “textbook example” of ethnic cleansing: Rohingya are left in ruin. In light of this, the international community Muslims, who are a minority in Myanmar, a predominantly has expressed strong condemnation for the human rights

violations occurring.

The U.N. passed resolution that authorizes a fact-finding mission to investigate war crimes occurring in Rakhine State.

Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung Suu Kyi, has moved to block this mission, shocking many.

Suu Kyi used to be championed as a human rights icon after winning a Nobel Peace Prize, and thus, her silence on the ethnic violence occurring in her country has outraged the international community.

Due to the lack of action by the Myanmar government, the only viable alternative for the international community now is old-fashioned intervention. Unfortunately, countries are hesitant to intervene if they do not stand to benefit. For this reason, the conflict is likely to intensify before a resolution begins to emerge.

Hands That Are Open

By Katherine Day and Isabel Newcomb Staff Writers Classrooms are empty, the hallways deserted, but in the farthest reaches of the globe, the spirit of Archbishop Mitty endures in its immersion program. Whether it be over Easter Break or summer vacation, Mitty students continue to live out the message of our liturgical theme song: “Mercy and grace and compassion, they’re only words without action.”

There are ample opportunities for students to serve: five co-curricular immersion trips—Dolores Mission, Habitat for Humanity, St. Anthony, Environmental Challenge, and Jamaica—as well as six Ethics, Culture and Justice classes, or ECJs—Appalachia, Native America, California, South Africa, Central America, and India. Here we highlight two of them.

Homelessness is a significant problem in America, with around 500,000 people without a home every night. Among this number, Oregon and California have the two highest proportions of unsheltered homeless people, with 60.5 and 66.4 percent of their state homeless populations living on the streets.

To combat these issues, students on the Habitat for Humanity Immersion trip travel to Medford, Oregon to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that provides housing for the poor and vulnerable.

On the trip, students learned about the extent to which home- Mitty students after a day of service in Medford, OR. lessness is a human rights violation and worked to help one affected family. The trip consisted of three days of painting a house for a family and volunteering at the Restore, where people donate household items to be sold, with all profits benefitting those in need. This trip is just one of the many opportunities offered to students to work for social justice and improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.

ECJ: Central America is a ten-day trip to Nicaragua in which students learn about its culture and political system, and the role of the Catholic Church and other people of faith in the country. They also meet other volunteers and interact with Nicaraguans through service. Truly immersed, students stay in humble housing equipped with only the bare necessities. Every day is filled with service, whether it be meeting members of a women’s co-op in a remote village, volunteering at community centers for children and women, touring a coffee farm to learn about sustainable farming and agriculture in Nicaragua, or visiting a café staffed solely by the deaf.

Students also learn about the history of Nicaragua: the rise of the Sandinista party, the United States’ involvement in Nicaragua’s past, and the current adSenior Isabel Newcomb with Nicole, a Nicaraguan school girl. ministration’s plan for future relations with the country.

By Neharika Iyer Staff Writer The Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA) last month, a policy which protects young undocumented immigrants between the ages of 15 and 36 from deportation. President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a statement following the decision stating that DACA is “unlawful and unconstitutional and cannot be successfully defended in court.”

Established under the Obama administration in 2012, DACA has allowed nearly 800,000 young “Dreamers,” brought illegally to the United States as children, to step out of life in the shadows and live with stability and security—obtaining a valid driver’s license, enrolling in college, and legally securing jobs.

These Dreamers are typically hard-working young adults who pose no risk to American citizens, but rather contribute to our economy and community as functioning members of society. Despite this, the DACA program has left Dreamers in a state of limbo with regard to their citizenship as they are unable to become citizens or legal permanent residents.

President Trump has urged Congress to develop a replacement for the program before he begins phasing it out in six months. However, several past efforts to defend this group of undocumented immigrants have stalled in Congress, and it is uncertain whether a new initiative can be passed in such a short period of time. If Congress is unable to devise a solution before March 5th, hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients will likely lose their status and be at risk of deportation.

Additionally, the repeal of DACA will impact the lives of not only the 800,000 Dreamers but their families and communities as well. Archbishop Mitty’s Ms. Mireles, a Spanish teacher and moderator for the Latin American Student Union, believes that if Congress fails to pass a measure to protect the Dreamers, “Too many ambitious and hard-working young people will be stripped of the opportunity to obtain a well-deserved education and other opportunities.” She adds, “Without an education, these students might begin to lose hope and experience the economic and social injustices that plague immigrants.”

It is essential that students seek answers and educate themselves on this topic—Ms. Mireles encourages students to make use of Mitty’s resources, such as the Outreach Office, Campus Ministry, and the Mitty Advocacy Project for further information and support.

Additionally, we can make change by calling and writing letters to our senators and representatives to urge them to develop a solution for this issue. The fate of the Dreamers does not lie solely in the hands of Congress.

We, too, can make a difference.

SPORTS

Monarch Football: CCS Bound

By Giuliano Orsi and Matthew Scott Staff Editors Everyone enjoys Friday nights, and everyone enjoys a good football game. The Monarchs are back in action, which means the WCAL title is up for grabs, and they’re ready to rock the competition. The boys are currently running with a 5-2 record (2-2 league), which opens the door for a possible title run. With a solid performance in preseason play—including a stunning 30-23 road win at Menlo-Atherton—the Monarchs made it clear that this season is one they can make some noise in.

The loss of starters from last year’s team on offense hasn’t rocked the boat too much, as sophomore quarterback Shamir Bey has taken over the reigns and has already had a few statement performances, including against MenloAtherton, where Bey picked up 166 yards and four touchdowns just with his legs. His ability to run the offense using the option strategy has allowed him to rack up big play after

big play whether it’s a passing or running.

Bey has also shown flashes of his clutch gene when he led the Monarchs on a game-winning drive in the final minute at Bellarmine in the first week of WCAL play, a drive capped off by a goal-line punch-in keeper by the sophomore star. It gave the Monarchs a huge 14-7 victory, and with his first league game, Bey had already made a name for himself across the Central Coast Section.

The offense has also been led by tailbacks Chaz Saenz and James Thomas, both of whom have showcased the versatility of the Monarch rushing game. Saenz, a junior, isn’t a stranger to the spotlight, as he showcased flashes of his talent last season on the varsity squad. Thomas, like Bey, is just a sophomore. Yet, like his fellow classmate, he’s shown he’s not scared to step up to make a big play when it’s needed.

Junior two-way star and wideout Joseph Vaughn hasn’t slowed down since putting up multiple impressive performances last season and currently leads the team in all receiving categories. His efforts heavily contributed to a dominating 43-0 win over Archbishop Riordan during the second week of league play.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Monarchs are led by some familiar names.

Nick Alftin, 6’6” senior defensive lineman and Cal commit, leads the team in sacks, averaging close to one per contest. Senior linebacker Slader Basso has tallied a teamhigh 38 total tackles through five games played, while Vaughn is close behind with 34. The defense’s best performance thus far was in the Bellarmine game, holding a highscoring Bell offense to just one touchdown.

Overall, the Monarchs look to be a threat to anyone when the offense and defense are clicking. A tough loss on the road at Serra briefly stopped some of the momentum every team desperately relies on in WCAL Monarchs line up for game-winning touchdown against Bellarmine. competition.

Water Polo: Looking Forward

By Brianna Meng and Dylan Zhai Staff Writers The Water Polo teams are back in the pool. Both the men and the women have had slow starts to their seasons, but they aren’t going to be hanging their heads anytime soon.

Junior Kate Bonini on the women’s side states, “My teammates and I are aiming to make it to CCS. As a small team and with new coaches, we know this is going to be hard to do, but we strongly believe that we can with the help of those coaches.”

Bonini is one of the two-meter specialists on her team, which means her position in the pool requires a high skillset. It’s a difficult position to play, and it involves using strength, lots of swimming, and quick-thinking. Even though Bonini has missed three games, she’s been able to rack up seven assists, which is the third highest on the women’s team.

The team showcases a wide range of talent, with four sophomores, five juniors, and two seniors to make up the roster.

Senior Amanda Rice leads the women’s team in goals and assists, totalling 47 total points through just 15 games played, while sophomore Arrington McGee follows with 32 points. The two work together as utility players and can be seen factoring both offensively and defensively.

The team has yet to capture victory through their first four league

matches but is still a dangerous dark horse that will be looking to turn the tables quicker than most think.

Coach Brendan Lavelle is a new face at the top and is looking to forge the young talent into a dangerous threat for the future.

As for the men’s side, the team also been unable to get a win through its first WCAL matches, but isn’t going to back down, either.

A common struggle between both teams is their lack of size. Yet this does give them the opportunity to work on other aspects of the game.

Sophomore Logan Frey says, “We are a lot smaller, so we have to focus on being faster and smarter during the game.”

Coach Mike Hendrickson,

who previously coached for 20 years ending in 2011, has returned and is looking to revive the men’s program.

Last season, an all-WCAL first team honor and two second team honors were earned by boys on the team, which shows that the talent is there to build on.

It will take a lot of work, as WCAL competition is always a huge wall to climb in this sport, with multiple nationally-ranked teams each year that stand in the path of Mitty’s men.

“Don’t give up, listen to what the coach says, and try hard on every play,” says sophomore Manato Yamamoto, in characterizing the team’s mindset.

“I enjoy playing with my team simply because it’s a group of awesome guys. We all work hard every practice and every game, but my teammates allow me to have fun through all of it.”—Junior Jackson Walker

Inside with Coach Keith Burns What would you say the team’s goals are this year?

Well, obviously we want to win the league. We’ve advanced to the championship game, but we haven’t won it, so we have to take it one game at a time, and if we could win the WCAL and play beyond that it would be a dream come true.

How have you made adjustments to compensate for losing last year’s talent?

Every team has a one-year life span, you would like to think that the good will roll over to the next season, but in my experience, every year you start from scratch. Now there’s players that you certainly come to expect certain things from but overall as a team, the season has so many twists and turns, every team truly only lasts one year.

So, I think we’re building this team the right way.

It’s fun to be around the guys on a daily basis, our team is really developing and maturing, and I think the best is yet to come.

Is there anything special for you about this year’s team?

My first year at Mitty, this year’s seniors were freshman, so I looked at myself as a freshman. And now I’ve had four years with that class and I identify with those guys, so I really want the best for them.

It’s different when you’ve been with them three, four football seasons as opposed to one, so because I’ve known them and invested more into them, and them into our program, I want the best for them, I want to see this thing go as long as it can.

Women’s Tennis: Serving up an Ace

By Gurman Mavi and Saahil Babu Staff Writers With the departure of eight seniors, the tennis team has had to look to new players to step up and contribute. We caught up with freshman Claire Kim and sophomore Chaelee Park to ask them what they were doing to prepare for the upcoming WCAL matches in November as well as what their personal goals are for this year.

Park said that her personal goals for the season are “to play with all [I’ve] got for every match and play well at WCAL and CCS later in the season.”

Park also said that the “team is like a family that always supports each other no matter what. Personally, they help me improve my game and cheer me on during my matches.”

Kim said she “wants to get better at my weaknesses like my volleys and become more confident so I can become a better tennis player and teammate.”

Asked about her teammates, Kim didn’t hold back about their support and what it’s meant to her growth. She stated that even though they haven’t been around each other for more than a month, the “team has bonded so much.” The teamwork is unparalleled, and you can see and even hear how much fun they have as they “always have the loudest cheers.”

Kim goes on to say that the team “always encourages positivity and supports each other when we practice every day. We also participate in games that motivate us to become even better and work harder.”

Sports • October 2017

Page 15

Womens Volleyball: Senior Power

Field Hockey: Recapturing Glory

By Charles Meng and Kyle NguyenNgo Staff Writers The Archbishop Mitty Field Hockey team ended last season successfully as one of the elite teams in the WCAL, while reaching the CCS semifinals. Eight athletes received CCS recognition with Madeline Baker claiming All-BVAL Junior-of-the-Year and Danielle Yao being named All-BVAL Sophomore-of-the-Year. Senior Jillian Sherwood is prepared and motivated to build off of last year’s success and to embrace a leadership role in preparing the younger players for the rigors of the season.

Sherwood states, “the pressure to be better and set an example for younger players pushes us to improve our game and mentality on a daily basis. I have been looking forward to this leadership role since I started field hockey and I’m so glad I get to help other developing players.”

Sherwood added that the team has maintained its intensity and has adjusted to positioning issues in adjusting from last season. This year, experience is definitely on the team’s side, as it is led by a group of ten seniors.

The Monarchs are once again under the leadership of AMHS Athletics Hall of Famer Coach Justina Williams, who has led the squad to five CCS Championships and eight league titles.

Sophomore Sydney Webb is one of just two underclassmen on varsity. She says that her role on the team comes with some added pressure to perform.

Webb states, “It is definitely not the best feeling when you have to go up against these super-talented girls. However, when I do make a sweet move around them or score, it is a very rewarding feeling.”

Women’s Golf: Soaring To Success

By Mehar Singh and Luca Filiz Staff Writers It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a golf ball coming from the Monarch Women’s golf team!

Although not Superman, this golf team is just as fierce as they are “really confident about this upcoming season,” according to sophomore Kylie Juan: “The core of our team is sophomores and I think if we all shoot well we can beat the top teams in the WCAL and go to CCS.” Although the majority of the team consists of sophomores, the team still aims to do its absolute best to be successful within league, as they all believe they have what it takes to go up against the competition.

Dartmouth commit senior Nicole Liddle has been on the varsity squad since her freshman year and has made a name for herself across the league and section. Liddle currently leads the team in kills, averaging 4.3 per set, which is good for one-third of the team’s kills. She’s been dominating the competition from the outside hitter position and is looking to continue her stellar play as the season goes on.

Kamrin Caoili is also a four-year member of Mitty’s team and is coming off an award-winning season last year, which included All-WCAL First Team and All-Mercury News First Team honors. The senior opposite hitter has been a consistent starter for the varsity team since her freshman year and has never been scared to compete in the most important matches year-in and year-out. Caoili is looking to continue her successful play when she becomes a freshman all over again at Santa Clara University next fall. The only starting hitter who hasn’t been on the team all four years is senior Julia Devine, who was a transfer two seasons ago. Devine has been dominating her outside hitter position, making her and Liddle a duo that strikes fear in any opponent.

Devine will continue her volleyball play on the beach next fall at USC. For the middle blocker positions, senior Moriah Scott and new addition to the varsity squad, sophomore Julia Cabri, have been performing well, replacing last year’s All-American graduate star Candice Denny, who now plays for the University of Arizona. Scott and Cabri lead the team in blocks, and as the season progresses will be continuing to build their chemistry in the rotation. For back-row defense, senior Skyleur Savage has been digging potential kills left and right from her libero position. Savage committed to Amherst College this past summer and has continued to improve her stellar talent each time she hits the court.

As for the team as a whole, it’s been off to a very strong start in league play. Coming off good performances at both Spikefest and the Durango Fall Classic, they hold a 24-4 overall record at press time and were undefeated through its first eight league matches, dropping just four sets along the way. A win at the Stockton Classic certified the team’s status as among the top teams in the nation.

Asked what makes this particular squad stand out against the rest of the WCAL competition, coach AC states, “Lots of experience... 17 earned State Championship medals on the roster.”

The team is currently ranked 12th in the nation and 2nd in the state but looks to finish the season improving on both. It won’t be an easy task, as losses to Carlmont of Belmont at Spikefest and Mater Dei of Santa Ana at a preseason match reveal that there’s other California talent on the pathway to yet another state title.

Cross Country

Macy McHale moves in against Gilory.

By Giuliano Orsi and Rishi Nair Staff Editors With the successes of both the past and present, the future is looking bright for Women’s Volleyball. Last season, the team tallied its fifth consecutive CIF state title and captured the number one ranking in the nation.

Coached by the grandmaster, Mr. Bret Almazan-Cezar, the current group includes a number of returning seniors, as well as some new faces.

The veteran talent will be a key factor to the team’s final success, of course, and the seniors know they have to lead. “Those who are new to the team learn what it takes to be a responsible and reliable teammate and returners know the expectations and how to lead by example,” says senior Makaela Tanaka. “It is quite amazing how Mitty volleyball is able to pass down these qualities to the following classes.”

Tanaka has been on the team for three years and has been one of the most consistent setters in WCAL play. She averages 11.1 assists per set, yet her quick decision-making matched with athleticism also allows her to rack up plenty of blocks; she currently leads the league for setters in that category.

“My sophomore year, which was my first season on varsity, I was so nervous going on to a team with such high expectations. Being in a whole new environment was scary, but I soon learned to trust the people around me,” says Tanaka of her first varsity experiences. “Our struggles brought us closer together making us rely on one another for support.” This past spring, Tanaka committed to Fordham University for volleyball, where she will continue to play the sport Kamrin Caoili goes for the kill against St. Francis. she loves at a D1 level.

I think cross country is really about the people. Running really hurts sometimes, but the bonds you create make you feel like you can do anything together ~Devin Makhni~

Page 16

Photography • October 2017

Featured Photographer:

Darren Scorsur What gear do you use?

I use a Nikon D800 DSLR for my camera along with a 50mm prime lens. I also frequently use a basic tripod and different neutral density filters for creative situations such as long exposures.

What’s your post-production process like?

For my post production process, I use Adobe Lightroom and occasionally Adobe Photoshop. Over time, I developed my own unique style of taking and processing images to give my pictures a moody feel. I like to tweak contrast and saturation to make the images “pop.”

Do you have any advice for other photographers?

My advice for other photographers is to simply take more pictures and be creative—that is how I learned and continue to learn. Develop your own style and don’t be afraid to try new things. Practice on different compositions and different ways of seeing and taking pictures.

What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

My favorite subjects to take pictures of are either myself in selfportraits, friends, or landscapes with a wide-angle lens. With each photo, I try to visualize the end result before taking the shot.

Who’s the photographer that inspires you most?

The photographer that inspires me most is my dad because he is the one who got me into photography. I see his passion and creativity in his work. However, the ones that have inspired my style most are photographers like Brandon Woelfel and Michael Steric.

October 2017 • Photography

Macro Magic

Page 17 Photo taken by Grace Chung Technical Specification: Nikon D750; 105 mm f/2.8 lens

By Grace Chung and Bansi Patel Photography Editors Macro photography is the art of capturing images of extremely small subjects with an emphasis on detail. Using macro technique, one can make objects like insects, rain drops, or leaf veins look larger than life. With a wide variety of subjects to choose from, macro photography can be enjoyed by nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and studio pros alike.

Equipment: Macro technique is best achieved through the use of a macro-specific lens for a DSLR camera. Some of the most popular SLR macro lenses include the Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 and the Canon 100 mm f/2.8. With an extra wide maximum aperture of f/2.8, these lenses allow for extreme clarity and modification of depth of field.

If you do not have a macro lens to add to your DSLR, you can use a mini macro lens compatible with your phone. One such lens that you can use with your Android or Apple phone is the AUKEY optic iPhone camera lens. This kit, available on Amazon, comes with a 160-degree fisheye lens and a 20x macro clip-on lens. At $12.99 for the entire kit, it is a much more affordable option than a DSLR lens.

Photo taken by Grace Chung Technical Specification: Nikon D750; 105 mm f/2.8 lens

Camera Settings: What makes macro photography unique is its manipulation of detail to make subjects pop. Capturing and magnifying such detail through photography, however, requires a thorough understanding of aperture and shutter speed.

Shutter speed is a critical setting needed to take a precise macro image. With small live animals, such as insects, a fast shutter speed of 1/200 or faster is necessary to “freeze” the moving subject in the image. A quick shutter speed will help preserve the detail in the photo and prevent blurring of moving subjects.

Camera aperture is also critical for the obvious reason that it changes the brightness of the image by allowing more or less light to reach the camera sensor. However, aperture also alters the depth of field, which controls how much of the image is in focus. A wide aperture, such as f/4.5, will yield a large opening in the lens, creating a brighter image with a small depth of field. Contrastingly, a narrow aperture, such as f/16, will create a darker image with a larger depth of field. For macro photography specifically, a smaller depth of field is useful to emphasize the details of the main subject and blur out any background distractions. For example, in the image to the right, a wide aperture of f/4.5 was used to incorporate a small depth of field, focusing on the spider and obscuring any diversions behind it.

Photo taken by Grace Chung Technical Specification: Nikon D750; 105 mm f/2.8 lens

Considering Composition: A creative and dynamic composition is also needed to get the perfect macro image. Some basic compositional rules for macro photography include the rule of thirds and lead room.

The rule of thirds is applied by aligning the main subject with one of four intersections of imaginary vertical and horizontal crossing lines.

Although not necessary for all images, the rule of thirds does help create an interesting focal point and drive the viewer’s eye into the intricate composition of the photo.

Quick

Photo Tip: To photograph raindrops, use a macro lens and get close to the droplets until they are in focus. Fit multiple droplets into the picture to photograph a pattern of raindrops, or focus on one as the main subject. You can also use reflections within raindrops for a fascinating and artistic macro photo.

Photo taken by Grace Chung

Photo taken by Bansi Patel Technical Specification: iPhone SE with Victsing Macro Lens

Another convenient rule is lead room. With profile shots of small moving subjects like birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, leaving room in front of the subject in the picture is useful for creating balance and even the distribution of compositional weight. It also generates the perception that the object is continuously moving.

App Review:

Adobe Lightroom Mobile

Photo taken by Bansi Patel

Before editing on Lightroom Mobile

By Pilar Luiz Staff Writer

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is photo processing software designed for retouching digital images. Though it is most often used on a computer, Adobe released a free mobile Lightroom app that works with iPhones and iPads and does not require an Adobe subscription.

One advantage of Lightroom Mobile is that unlike other editing software, Lightroom never deletes or overwrites the original photo, allowing the user to preserve the untouched image. The app also has a unique in-app camera that mimics the features of a DSLR, allowing for the manual adjustment of ISO, exposure, focus, and shutterspeed so the photographer can take quality pictures of a wide variety of subjects. Other useful editing features include altering exposure, highlights and shadows, clarity, dehazing, and saturation. All these effects can be

used to improve your photo by increasing the vibrancy or enhancing lighting.

A drawback of the mobile version, however, is its lack of advanced editing tools; for example, the desktop version provides access to spot removal and red-eye correction, none of which the mobile app provides.

Despite its few disadvantages, the simple interface and diverse toolset of Lightroom Mobile make it a unique post-processing app worth getting. Although not ideal for drastic retouching and image manipulation, the Lightroom app is useful for photographers looking to quickly and easily enhance their photos.

For the hobbyist photographer, Lightroom Mobile is a refreshing editing app due to its distinctive features and user-friendly functions.

After editing on Lightroom Mobile

Photos taken by Bansi Patel

Page 18

paradise

October 2017 • Photography

(n): an idyllic place or state

Devin Makhni Chloe Bell

Priya Vasu

Kela Sowell Chloe Bell

Priya Vasu

Sisley Morishige

Photography • October 2017

Page 19

Julia Lohman Pilar Luiz

Charlotte Park

Vedya Konda Megan Rose Hipp

Abigail Mathew

Kayla Mulji

Darren Scorsur

“Paradise is not a place, it is a state of mind.”

- Frank Sonnenberg

Your Editors,

The Art Page Ella Garfunkel and Nichole Wong

Cailey Larmore

Ida Jorda

Jiwoo Song

New! QR code links to more art and comics we wanted to feature but didn’t have enough room to fit on the page.

Scan to see art by Hannah Chang, Jiyeon Han, and Paola Moreno.

Hannah Cheng