Bear Witness - December 2018

OPINION Everything is canceled!

to

The Pg. 4

SPORTS How sports fashion has changed, in style and substance.

We run the alphabet explaining what makes these annual holiday movies tick.

of Hallmark movies

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Pg. 9

Pg. 12

WITNESS BRANHAM HIGH SCHOOL

DECEMBER 20, 2018

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

WINTER WISHES 2018

Wishful thinking: How leaders decide gifts JULIA MARQUES DA SILVA Design Director

enior Aminah Narkiewicz wonders S why, with her family struggling financially, her request for a gift wasn't

granted.

She saw that her brother, Paul, was having a tough time and wished for him to receive a small gift to cheer him up.

But while filling out the Google Form

for Winter Wishes, Narkiewicz didn’t disclose all of the details of what’s going on at home and ultimately didn’t get her wish granted for her brother.

Senior Lance Northup, Narkiewicz’s boyfriend, has seen their difficulties firsthand.

“He saw all these other people getting their wishes granted, when seemingly they’re going through nothing,” he said.

“I’m not saying that’s wrong. I’m saying

@bhsbearwitness

there are people with actual problems at home, and they don’t get their wishes granted for some reason.”

Their concerns with how the Leadership class chooses its gift recipients echo those of other students who messaged the Bear Witness asking the same thing.

Winter Wishes, now in its eighth year, has become an institution for the Branham community. The rally has grown from one rally to two in the gym, and has

raised thousands of dollars for students in need. Students who've attended past rallies expect to cry and to cheer on their fellow classmates.

Many also leave the rally asking why a student received a seemingly disproportionate gift in relation to their situation, while others received nothing. Or how it seemed to them that close friends of the Leadership class were usually the ones SEE WISHES • PAGE 7

The dizzying logistics behind Winter Wishes.

Page 7 ANALYSIS

MICHELLE OBAMA TALK

'BECOMING' AN ICON In conversation at SAP Center, former first lady seeks to empower, inspire youth

Inside

Teachers, staff and former student leaders talk about the impact of the first Winter Wishes rally.

Juul crackdown The company will stop selling flavored e-cigarettes after pressure from the FDA, which said that Juul had been targeting teens.

Tough rules on Juuls still have holes Fake IDs, parent info used to buy e-cigs JESSICA BERTON

V

Michaela Edlin/Bear Witness Former First Lady Michelle Obama told moderator Michele Norris about the importance of mentorship, especially for kids of color. “That’s the power of young kids having an advocate, and when you have an adult that had as your back, it gives a child more credibility in themselves," she said.

Attendees speak out

Umaya Loving Archbishop Mitty H.S.

Ries Franey Middle school student

“She inspires me in the way that she’s a reminder that people who are not white and privileged have an equal voice.”

“She’s really inspiring, being the first African American person as a first lady. (I look up to her) for all the things she’s accomplished.”

Visit our Instagram page for more coverage of the event.

INSIDE

ANNALISE FREIMARCK

"D

Managing Editor

on't be ashamed of your story," former First Lady Michelle Obama told a rapt audience of 12,000 at the SAP Center last Friday.

In light of her recently published book, "Becoming," Obama was not afraid to tell her own, detailing the life lessons she learned from growing up in a poor neighborhood to becoming the country’s first African American first lady.

Among the crowd, many middle and high school students listened to her stories and advice. In fact, much of Obama’s conversation focused on her youth and her messages to young people today.

For many young people, Obama is an idol and a source of inspiration.

“She (is) a role model (to me), a feminist for black women, for women, for the LGBTQ+ community, for love, for everyone,” said Kennedy Stiver, a middle school student. She showed up with her mother.

Throughout her speech, Obama detailed the adversity she had to overcome in order to get to where she is today. Growing up in South Side Chicago, with a low socioeconomic status and as a young black

Campus briefs.................................2 News.............................................. 2

Editorial..........................................4 Bulletin Board.................................3

woman, Obama faced many struggles.

She experienced “white flight” from her neighborhood, in which white families would move out of a neighborhood populated with African Americans, getting what she described as “short-changed” in her education by being surrounded by teachers who saw black kids differently and getting told by her high school counselor not to even consider applying to Ivy League schools.

She feels that these experiences are integral to who she is, even today.

“If you want to know Michelle Obama, you have to know that little girl, Michelle Robinson, in all her contexts,” she said, “Her neighborhood, the smells, the food we ate, how we were raised, our values.”

Her efforts to push past the hardships she faced as a black woman drew parallels to the journeys of the young people in the audience, and were one of the main sources of inspiration for them.

“She inspires me in the way that she’s a reminder that people who are not white and privileged have an equal voice,” said Umaya Loving, who attends Archbishop Mitty High School.

SEE OBAMA • PAGE 5 Science and Technology..................6 Science/Tech Briefs.........................6

Highlights from memoir Miscarriage Michelle Obama revealed she had a miscarriage and talked about her struggles with infertility, feeling she felt "lost and alone" and felt like she failed.

Using IVF to conceive She used in vitro fertilization to conceive her two daughters, Sasha and Malia, and had to administer hormone shots while Barack Obama was serving the state legislature.

Husband's presidency Obama said she never thought Barack Obama would win the presidency, though she supported him running. "Barack was a black man in America, after all. I didn't really think he could win."

— Compiled by staff

InDepth...........................................7 Student Life....................................8

Staff Writer

ape pens are banned at Branham, but an untold number students use them every day. It may be easy to see why.

Juuls especially have a sleek design, are widely available and feature more than 300 colorful flavors to choose from. Though illegal to purchase by those under 21, many students, including some at school, are taking up vaping as a habit.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that since 2018, Juuling by high schoolers has increased by 78 percent, or about 3 million teens in the United States.

To combat youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, health center representatives and school members met in Fremont in mid-November, where they discussed Inside the protection of the Opinion: youth from nicotine Juul is to addiction.

American Lung blame for Association offiwoefully cials at the meeting, regulating giving local leaders more control on business tobacco retailers, with minors. such as bans and Page 3 minimum pricing.

Santa Clara County already has such ordinances in place since October 2016.

However, on a national scale, the Food and Drug Administration’s laws on sales of nicotine products have been criticized for being too lax and for allowing loopholes that minors can exploit.

However, many people are skeptical if new restrictions will work at schools.

Rick Hayashi, one of three assistant principals on campus who is in charge of student discipline, is one of these skeptics.

“Our schools are tobacco free zones anyway,” Hayashi said. “So even if someone was 19 as a senior and could legally have tobacco, they are not allowed.”

Students who vape also do not see the restrictions or discouraging them, or other minors, either.

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SEE JUUL • PAGE 5 Arts & Entertainment...................11 The Back Page...............................12

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BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

NEWS

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM New bell schedules would meet the 64,800 instructional minutes required annually in their contracts.

Campus roundups Students place third at ‘Shark Tank’ - like competition The Board of Trustees recognized the winners of the NextFlex FlexFactor competition from Branham, Leigh and Westmont high schools.

The FlexFactor program is a work-based learning opportunity where students work in teams to come up with a solution to a re-

al-world problem. They then pitch the idea in a shark-tank style fashion to a group of experienced industry leaders. Branham students Alexandra Masegian, Neil Fujitani, Anmol Dhaka and Derek Peterson pitched their product, Anaphora, to the board.

Anaphora is a bracelet used for patients with dementia to detect repetitive speech.

Teachers agree to new contract, but aren’t satisfied The district settled with the Campbell

Union High School Teachers Association for a 3 percent salary increase after several months without a contract and bargaining.

Though CHSTA settled, they were not satisfied with the increase. At the beginning of next year, CHSTA said they ready to bargain again.

a slew of new desks. Student desks are expected to arrive later in the spring semester to all classrooms.

Best Buddies hosts Winter Wonderland dance Best Buddies, the group that helps students befriend special education students, held its annual Winter Wonderland event in the cafeteria Dec. 15. Students danced, watched a Yule log burn on the projector, and participated in holiday arts and crafts.

— Compiled by staff

Teachers to get new desks by the start of 2019 In the district’s ongoing push to refurbish and modernize its classes, teachers will be sent

District land plan moves forward MICHAELA EDLIN

T

Editor-in-chief

he district will be selling an area of its land to home developers as a part of an initiative to increase funds after approval from the San Jose City Council.

This initiative, known as the For the Kids Initiative, is expected to add between $1 million to $1.5 million of revenue per year for 66 years, a part of the district’s broader plan to prepare for continued funding struggles that will worsen as it pays more into the retirement accounts of teachers and staff.

The rezoning was originally to be voted on by city council Dec. 4, but was deferred until Dec. 11 after a protest broke out in the chamber due to an unrelated agenda item.

Because the city approved the rezoning, the developers will spend six to eight months designing and getting approval for home construction in the newly residential parcel before the plan will advance further.

CUHSD trustee Stacey Brown, who submitted the request for the land rezoning, is a strong supporter of this initiative because she sees an issue with current funding.

“The way that schools are funded makes it nearly impossible for us to pay our employees—teachers being the largest group of those employees—in a way that keeps up with just the cost of living,” Brown said.

If the district manages to make up for increasing pensions costs, student programs won’t be at risk.

Teachers’ raises and cost of living increases will also continue, and more counselors may be added to school sites, an opportunity being discussed by the district.

In recent years when funds were available, the district hired more academic counselors, Counseling and Support Services for Youth counselors and a college and career specialist for each site.

For the Kids Initiative The For the Kids Initiative, which could add a significant amount of revenue, utilizes two portions of district land, one portion as a storage locker facility and the other as

Development glossary Rezoning: City land is put into different zones, or categories that determine their uses, like residential or business. Changing what zone land belongs in is rezoning.

Pension: Regular payments from the government given to those above the age of retirement who have retired Property tax: a tax based on the assessed values of properties that contributes to funding for surrounding schools Parcel tax: a form of property tax that is based on the number of parcels, or unit of property, instead of property values. These taxes are only imposed on memory care and daycare center, both portions will be leased out with 60 year leases. The land being rezoned as residential, that has been unused by the district, will be sold to a developer.

This initiative was formed in part because in 2013, California’s retirement system for teachers was severely underfunded, forcing districts to increase contributions from 8 percent in 2013 to 19 percent by 2020.

Retirement Contributions The district projects an increase from an estimated 7.7 percent to 10.85 percent contribution for teachers by the 2020-2021 fiscal year. For other school employees, there’s a projected increase from an estimated 2.7 percent to 15.293 percent by the 2024-2025 fiscal year, according to the district’s 2018-2019 budget.

Over the next three years, some schools in California may need to use over half of all the new money they’re projected to receive to cover these obligations, according to state Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has invested over $20 billion into the education system since 2013 in or-

New laws, from guns to sex ed CAITLYN SCHLAMAN

communities that agree to pay them with a 3/4th majority or higher, with the funds going to directly to the schools in that district.

Civic Center Act: California Education Code 38130 includes this act that details how public school sites that were built with public money can be used for public purposes besides schooling Bond measure: Municipal bonds are used to fund public projects, including infrastructure for schools.

These bonds are voted on in the area that will receive an increase in taxation for a limited period of time. The funds from bond measures can only be used for what’s outlined in the measure that’s passed by voters — Michaela Edlin

der to help districts deal with this rising burden. Eve Walton, the For the Kids Initiative project manager, feels that this is not enough.

“I was not surprised by that (the retirement obligation increase), but I was surprised that they offered very little financial support,” she said.

Community support All of these factors, as well as the possibility of a recession in the next few years, make it difficult for the district to maintain funding as the student population is increasing.

Brown recognizes that this plan is not an immediate or quick fix, but finds it necessary in absence of more state funding.

“We’re trying to solve structural problems, and that’s going to take time,” Brown said.

According to Walton, the initiative has already received over 1,200 letters of support, surpassing the district’s goal of 500 letters.

Walton estimates that about twothirds of these letters were signed digitally.

“I’m really proud and impressed with the support that the community has given the project,” she said.

The mandated pension contribution increase is only one of the fac-

F

tors contributing to what administrators describe as “inequitable funding.”

Local Control Funding Formula The Local Control Funding Formula is the system that California uses to distribute aid to schools.

Districts receive money from the property taxes within their district and the state supplements this revenue, up to a limit. This is determined on a school’s average daily attendance where for each student there is a minimum amount the state needs to provide.

Some districts, like CUHSD, receive more revenue from property taxes than is set by the limit.

Districts like this, called basic aid districts, are allowed to accept the extra revenue, but have limits on how they can increase revenue. Districts who receive basic aid do not see funds increase as enrollment increases. CUHSD receives 9 percent of funding from the state government and 2 percent from the federal government.

Despite the fact that CUHSD receives more money than the limit, the district’s banker, Nancy Pfeiffer, has described the funding that the district receives as “inadequate” based on how LCFF works.

Staff Writer

rom gun purchases to reduced meals, a slew of new California laws are set to take effect Jan. 1, several of whom have a direct impact on students.

Age to purchase guns: Citizens must be 21 or older to purchase a large gun, like an AK47. This law affects students, as it was introduced as a way to buffer school shootings.The law is hoped to stop the possibility of mass shootings altogether.

School door locks: Education board bonds must pay for door locks. These locks are now mandatory in school buildings as a way to promote school safety.

Graduation ceremonies: the law allows graduating students to wear specific adornments at graduation and protects those who wear religious, ceremonial, or cultural gear.

Reduced prices on meals: Schools will be obligated to serve reduced-priced meals and have them meet specific standards in health and nutrition. The law also doesn’t allow for healthy meals to be priced higher than less healthy meals.

Uncollected meal debts: Forbids schools to withhold graduation from a student if they haven’t paid their debts. These debts include lunch meals, PE clothes, or any others.

Media literacy / fake news (Anytime before July 1, 2019) - The California Department of Education must have a list of resources on teaching media literacy to students on their website. Schools might implement classes on media, fake news, and other issues.

Sex education: All sex education must be in compliance with the California Healthy Youth Act, which requires schools to be medically accurate and age appropriate School buses: All school buses transporting students have to have seatbelts and urge students to wear them. This is to save student’s lives in major crashes with school buses.

Suicide policy: Schools must update their policy every five years and also have the National Suicide Prevention number on the back of identification cards for students. CUHSD students might see the number on the back of their ID cards next year, as it is going to be state law.

Sexual health and media: Schools must authorize an optional lesson on the new age and sexual health. Students can opt out of the lesson, but schools will have to urge students to take it.

Teachers ready to vote on new bell schedule CHANDLER ROBERTS Staff Writer

tudents hate advisory, but love tutorial.

S In an informal survey, almost 65 percent of students wanted to remove advisory entirely.

“Advisory is not really that useful,” said sophomore David Sandel. “If you need to give out information, make it on a certain tutorial day” Teachers feel the same way, with nearly 50 percent either wanting to remove it altogether or reduce the number of advisory periods that they teach.

An altered advisory was one of the considerations that the Bell Schedule committee took when developing their new schedules, since the current one did not meet required instructional minutes.

In an informal vote, teachers overwhelmingly chose a modified block schedule where they will teach all of their classes in one day once a week.

The remaining four days of the week will be a

block schedule.

The proposed schedules would meet the 64,800 instructional minutes required annually in their contracts, which could be changed with the upcoming negotiations.

For the past three months, the Bell Schedule Committee, headed by teachers Steven Turner and Kevin Kalman, have created schedules that accommodated specific desires based on feedback from staff and students, such as shorter periods, more elective choices and missed time due to career technical education classes. Most importantly, satisfying teacher minutes was a priority.

Instead of having adding more minutes to the already 100 minute long class periods, the committee decided to add a seventh period.This does not mean that students must take seven periods. Most students will still take six periods, but they may take first through sixth period or second through seventh period, and would only Editor-in-Chief Michaela Edlin Managing Editor Annalise Freimarck Design Director Julia Marques da Silva Art Director Elizabeth Posey

take all seven if it was a necessity.

Some details, such as keeping teacher schedules continuous, rather than fragmented, would need assurances from the district. The committee is looking at a memorandum that reflects that wish.

“We want our class periods to be consecutive, just like students, so one through six or two through seven,” Kalman said. “Those things need to be finalized in the contracts which can be done through the union reps.”

This has the delayed the vote, which was supposed to take place Nov. 30.

“I’m a little sad that it’s not going as fast as originally planned,” Kalman said. “The delay is for a good reason and I would much rather do it right the first time then have to worry about changes later.”

Rather than schedule a vote, the committee further refined their schedules, and sent out a survey to all teachers to get a rough idea of

Editors Opinion: Julianne Alvares Science and Technology: Shlok Gore Student Life: Uzor Awuzie Sports: Ryan McCarthy Arts and Entertainment: Laura Heffernan Copy: Anastasia Langner Staff Writers Jessica Berton, Jasmine Nguyen, Renee Owens, Chandler Roberts, Sarah Sabawi, Caitlyn Schlaman

which schedule was wanted.

There were three options. The first was having a regular block schedule with odd and even days. Another option kept the same schedule, except it was shifted to 30 minutes later and have shorter periods.

The one that teachers unofficially chose is a modified block, meaning that there are four block day, and one where students attend all their classes that last 54 minutes.

This schedule would cut down class periods to 90 minutes as opposed to the current 100. Students would see each of their teachers for the same amount of time each week. On minimum days, there is time open for either a 54-minute advisory or tutorial.

Turner said that the vote could be pushed back to be as late as the beginning of January and the new schedule will be implemented as soon as 2020.

Adviser: Fitzgerald Vo

Mission Statement The Bear Witness is committed to providing accurate, timely coverage of local and world news while connecting these events to the lives of our diverse student body.

Website: www.bhsbearwitness.com Phone: (408) 626-3407 Email: bhs_journalism@yahoo.com

BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

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BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

OPINION

Juul is avoiding responsibility for teenage addiction by coming up with ineffective and too-little, too-late regulations.

Editorial The opinion of the Bear Witness editors

FOOD WASTE ON CAMPUS

Our planet has had its fill of your waste

f you look into one of the many trash cans I around campus you will see a striking amount of food. Barely eaten and sometimes

still packaged, the waste found on campus is appalling. It’s a problem much bigger than Branham.

Throwing away edible food isn’t just wasteful, it has profound environmental effects. When there is wasted food, more food is produced than is needed, thus increasing the greenhouse gases, erosion and water use created from food production. According to Climate Central, food waste creates 3.3 billion tons of CO2 every year.

On top of the environmental consequences of food waste, it also costs the world $750 billion each year, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Association. With so much food waste, there are also infrastructure problems that come with increased waste transportation and storage before it is decom-

Advisory needs a fix, not a purge UZOR AWUZIE

posed.

Food waste is a demanding problem, one that is reflective of poor infrastructure, a culture of affluence and apathy to environmental issues.

The changes needed to reduce food waste to a non-issue are long-term and systematic. This is why the distance of transportation of produce needs to be reduced, in order to lessen the amount of damaged food, and “aesthetically unappealing” produce needs to go to market.

While most of this food waste is due to agriculture practice, processed food producers and restaurants, a hefty amount produced by everyday citizens.

According to a study by Meredith Niles, the Department of Agriculture and the University of New Hampshire, the average person wastes about a pound of food per day. This means, based on estimation, that Branham students waste more than 1,500 pounds of food per day.

While we cannot change or control regula-

tions in place by health organizations, we can control our own individual waste and help stop a culture where waste is acceptable.

To reduce this waste, students can store fruits and vegetables in the proper places—most refrigerators have special drawers or places for fruits and vegetables—so that they stay fresh longer. Additionally, supporting local and organic farms at farmer’s markets, through produce delivery services or even through options available at the grocery store, will also reduce waste and promote more sustainable farming practices.

Another, more campus-based project, that would help mitigate the environmental effects of food waste, would be to compost on campus.

Composting can even be done indoors without attracting bugs or rat under the right conditions.

This compostable waste could also be taken to an off-campus faculty to be processed and

while the compost pile wouldn’t be large enough to process dairy or meat waste, it would certainly be a start.

Being apathetic about food waste and letting carbon footprints increase is no longer an option. The United States and Europe account for 60 percent food waste alone and the U.S. puts 14 billion pounds of food into landfills according to the NAO. Accountability for our role in the problem is needed.

Changing the systematic problems that lead to industrial food waste will take time, but we can cut down on individual waste immediately while challenging the culture of waste and the flaws of these systems. The earth is a slow-moving system with delayed feedback, the effects we are seeing now do not even correspond with the heightening levels of food waste, which is why action is needed now and not later. We can’t afford to wait for the system to change itself.

Addicted to Juuling Despite FDA crackdown, company bears responsibility for hooking teens on nicotine

Student Life Editor

eachers and administrators T are trying to figure out what to do with advisory. The 30 min-

utes of class time after first period has become famous for how much it is hated. But is advisory really as bad as students make it seem?

For years, student have talked about the removal of advisory. It’s meant to advise them on things they may face outside of class like jobs, college applications, and future careers. But it’s only met with responses like “useless” or “could be spent doing other things.” If students were learning what they’re supposed to be learning, they could understand why schools create things like advisory.

In a recent survey of 569 students put out by Bell Schedule Committee, which is in charge of reconfiguring the current schedule, 64.9 percent of students voted to remove advisory from the schedule, and 50.9 percent voted that advisory was “very ineffective.”

In a panel conducted by CUHSD representatives, several students were asked about how advisory has helped them throughout the school year.

Student views on advisory aren’t consistent because not every student has the same experience.

Some teachers create a schedule for every advisory, while some let their students do whatever they’d like. Every teacher has their own way of handling it, and the effort they put in it can reflect their students’ outlook.

Opinions on advisory vary among teachers as well, with 45.8 percent of teachers in the same Bell Schedule survey voting to keep tutorial the same, and 46.6 percent of teachers saying that advisory was “somewhat effective.”

If students aren’t learning what they’re supposed to be learning in advisory, then they’re most likely on their phones or treating it like another tutorial. That time should be used to give students information they need to know. The time could be used to meet other teachers or complete other tasks, but is treated as free time to do whatever students want.

Those 30 minutes are meant to help student build relationship with staff, and become more successful academically, but when it’s not used properly, it’s no wonder students want to get rid of it.

So, the solution to advisory?

Don’t get rid of it, make it more consistent between all classes. All students deserve to have advisory as a resource for school information, college advice, and resume writing.

Bear Witness staff graphic

98.7 percent

We’ve got a problem with Juul

More teens are using Juuls or other e-cigarettes, which the FDA is investigating.

The amount of e-cigarettes sold that contain nicotine, an addictive substance.

68 percent

11.7 percent Number of teens using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days, up from 1.6 percent in 2011.

Of e-cigarette users, the number of teens who favor flavored pods.

Source: Food and Drug Administration

ANNALISE FREIMARCK Managing Editor

ou’ve all seen it. While the teacher is not Y looking, a student needing a fix takes out a Juul discreetly hidden in their sweatshirt sleeve,

taking a hit or two in class.

We look at each other like we have a secret inside joke and snicker quietly to ourselves, knowing that the teacher will never notice the odorless and easily hidden vapor from e-cigarettes.

Juul is the most popular e-cigarette brand that uses nicotine salts from tobacco leaves in their products. Users click a button on these devices that look similar to USB drives to vaporize the nicotine inside to be inhaled.

While it may seem comical to watch someone take a hit of the popular replacement for cigarettes in class, the Juul company is getting kids like these addicted to nicotine while glazing over the fact that 20.8 percent of high schoolers in the U.S. use their products, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Just from 2017 to 2018 alone, teenage Juul use went up an astonishing 78 percent. They are choosing to combat this with petty regulations and rules that are easy to get around in order avoid actual responsibility for the harm that

they’ve caused to the youth and will cause as long as “juuling” remains popular.

Due to its popularity, Juul has spurred a decline in cigarette use, with only 10.8 percent of teenagers using cigarettes in 2016, versus 36.4 percent in 1997. However, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, e-cigarette users are more likely to use other nicotine products, such as cigarettes, coined a gateway substance. In fact, 40 percent of young adults that have used e-cigarettes have also smoked cigarettes.

A Juul pod is equivalent to about 20 regular cigarettes and around 200 puffs, making it especially dangerous, according to the National Youth Tobacco survey, because over 3 million minors are using Juul products. These puts young people at risk of further health problems, such as lung cancer.

Recently, Juul came under fire after an FDA investigation examined whether the company was targeting teenagers, which would be illegal considering that it’s illegal to sell to anyone under 21 years.

With every click on the Juul website, a pop-up disclaimer warns consumers that they have to be 21 or older to purchase. A banner at the top of the website warns that nicotine is an addictive drug.

Following the investigation, Juul stopped selling the flavors that traditionally appeal to a younger market, such as mango and creme, in retail stores, and instead only sell mint, menthol and tobacco flavors.

According to a Juul executive, the website will also require a photo ID to buy the products, and limit each purchase to 15 pods. This can also be circumvented, as fake IDs can be forged.

In addition, Juul Labs deleted its Instagram and Facebook accounts that promoted the flavored pods. The company is also asking other social media giants such as Snapchat and Twitter to help them police the ads that teens see.

While all of these regulations may help inhibit teenagers from getting the products, Juul has already addicted many teens to its nicotine-infused products. The company is avoiding responsibility for teenage addiction by coming up with ineffective and too-little, too-late regulations, which are just to get the FDA off its back.

After all, they are a company that wants a profit, not a closure.

Juul Labs, regardless of the new regulations, is not taking enough responsibility for the harm it’s caused in teenagers, and continues to abet teenage addiction with a sad excuse for regulation.

BITE-SIZED | Minor solutions to minor problems Annoyance: Broken desks. There are desks with sharp, broken areas directly where people can bump into them that can destroy jeans and are a safety hazard.

Solution: Either get new desks, fix the sharp spots, or start providing free tetanus shots to students. (New desks will be arriving by the time we get back from ski week.)

— Renee Owen

Annoyance: Laura Marie Heffernan. This student, like many, does not know how to manage her time wisely, which causes her to complain about her self-induced stress.

Solution: In order to improve her time management skills, she can create a schedule for herself that she will inevitably give up on after a week.

— Laura Heffernan

Annoyance: The grape surgery meme. It’s not even a meme, it’s just repeating a phrase with no punchline, and is one of the worst memes of 2018 (and that’s saying a lot).

Solution: Think to yourself before saying or typing something: Is this funny? Or am I just reverting back to 2008 RAWR XD humor?

— Jessica Berton

Annoyance: UC applicants. A lot of college-bound seniors are treating the UC application like it’s the only application to college that we submit, and are not respecting the fact that others may be applying to more colleges and have due dates still ahead.

Solution: UC is far from the only path for college applicants in this area, and if you don’t see that, then UC nothing.

—Ryan McCarthy

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BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

OPINION BULLETIN BOARD

Celebrating the holidays What are your favorite traditions?

Amy Fuller Freshman

Caroline Ralston Junior

Jessie Lin Junior

Kenneth Owyong Senior

Aaron Lenz Senior

Forbes Magazine reports that this generation of workers will be entrepreneurial, competitive and independent.

“My favorite holiday tradition is going to my grandmother’s sister’s house. It’s a whole big get-together with all the aunts, uncles and cousins, and we just hang out after opening presents.”

“My favorite tradition is probably Christmas Eve dinner at my aunt’s house because it’s a family get together, and as the family grows older it’s like an experience where we get to know each other and appreciate the shortness of life.

“I would say Hanukkah, because I have a huge, huge family get-together, and we even have people from Israel come over.”

KATY PERRY

KANYE WEST

“My family and I go to San Francisco and we go to Pier 39, where we just walk around and have fun.”

“Around the holidays, every single year, my mom and I make these German Christmas cookies that my family has been making since my great-great grandma has been little.”

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

GQ “I’m canceled.

I’m canceled because I didn’t cancel Trump.”June interview with New York Times

Allure “If people want a role model, they can have Miley Cyrus!”

2008 interview with YRB Magazine

CANCELLABLE OFFENSES • Tweeted support for the repeal of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. (He’s since clarified his stance.)

• Called slavery a choice.

• Wore a MAGA hat during a Saturday Night Live performance.

Fallout: Distancing self from politics.

CANCELLABLE OFFENSES • Kissed an underage teenager on “American Idol,” raising issues of consent and sexual harassment.

• Shared a photo on her Instagram of a Hindu goddess with the caption, “Current mood.”

Fallout: Not sure.

Among highestearning singers.

LAURA LEE

CANCELING OUR

CULTURE

Pinterest

When ‘punishing’ celebrities for past mistakes, it’s still a popularity contest “It’s a cultural boycott. It’s an agreement not to amplify, signal boost, give money to. People talk about the attention economy — when you deprive someone of your attention, you’re depriving them of a livelihood.”

Lisa Nakamura, professor at the University of Michigan “An act of withdrawing from someone whose expression — whether political, artistic or otherwise — was once welcome or at least tolerated, but no longer is.’

Meredith Clark, media studies professor at the University of Virginia

SARAH SABAWI Staff Writer

ll of us have said and done things we regret.

A But if you’re a celebrity, those things might have extreme consequences.

“Canceling” is a term and practice popularized on Twitter that has become part of teens’ collective vocabulary. To put it simply, when it’s discovered that a popular celebrity or other public figure has said or done things that people find unacceptable, they are “canceled,” or shunned by the public. This often results in the loss of brand deals, sponsorships and whatever good reputation they may have had beforehand. Hashtags arise like #insertnameisoverparty. These unacceptable acts could be things they’ve done recently, or years ago.

Katy Perry was “canceled” over homophobia in past lyrics, and for kissing a teenage contestant on American Idol without his consent. She is now struggling for relevance. YouTuber Laura Lee was “canceled” after old tweets were uncovered containing racist jokes about African Americans, and racial slurs for Asians. She lost thousands of subscribers.

And most infamously, Kanye West was “canceled,” and had his reputation destroyed, after announcing his support for President Donald Trump.

And while all the examples listed here are justified in some respect, is it always fair for people to receive

this treatment? Does the entire culture dismiss people’s capacity for change?

Stephanie Smith-Strickland of Paper Magazine, a socially conscious writes that celebrities are human, and make mistakes, and often are tone-deaf in how they respond to criticism. They “say and do things they regret, and like most of us, they don’t always know the right way to make amends.”

Obviously, not all past behavior is equal in severity and immorality. Things like abuse and sexual assault should never be forgiven, no matter how much time has passed. And most of the perpetrators of those acts have been “canceled” accordingly. An obvious example is all the male celebrities affected by the #MeToo movement, including Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, and Harvey Weinstein.

But when it comes to past comments, where should the line be drawn? When is “young and dumb” really an excuse?

Recently, comedian Kevin Hart was “canceled” over tweets containing homophobia, and was forced to withdraw from hosting the Oscars. The tweets in question were made nine years ago. Situations like these are ludicrous and highlight the culture’s tendency to not forgive those who may deserve it.

Many people share this opinion. In an article for The Odyssey, a magazine that focuses on current events, Cait DeLucchi writes, “I encourage everyone

KEVIN HART

Biography

“I know that prejudice and stereotypes are never funny in any way fashion or form.”

Apology video posted Sept. 25.

“I’m sorry that I hurt people...

I am evolving and want to continue to do so.”

Posted via Twitter on Dec. 6.

CANCELLABLE OFFENSES • 2012 tweet: “for all black people if you pull ur pants up you can run from the police faster.. #yourwelcome.”

• Fat shamed others in 2013 tweets.”

Fallout: Lost 500,000 followers, including cosmetics sponsors.

CANCELLABLE OFFENSES • Homophobic comments made between 2009 and 2011, including derogatory language against gay people.

Fallout: Has stepped down as the Oscar host for 2019 ceremony.

to be critical of the media and art they consume, while also leaving an open mind for human error when they see fit.”` In the same way that cancel culture can demonize those who may not completely deserve it, it can also fail to fully pull support from those who have committed a serious error.

For example, actor Johnny Depp was caught on tape abusing actress and then-wife Amber Heard and was deemed “canceled,” yet his career has suffered minimal, if any damage. Rapper 6ix9ine was videotaped having sex with a minor, and yet his fanbase still persists and his career continues to do well despite his multiple prison sentences. People often use the excuse of “separating art from the artist,” but why does this apply to some celebrities and not others?

In reality, the whole culture is a popularity contest.

Celebrities with larger fan bases often escape unscathed. As Jonah Engel Bromwich of the New York Times puts it, “the canceled can be uncanceled—if they’re willing to do the work. Or hire a good publicist.”

When examined from every angle, it quickly becomes clear that “canceled” is just an empty word.

It’s all about popularity. If there’s somebody who people wouldn’t mind hating, they get endless grief because of past mistakes. But if somebody is high in popularity, they don’t get nearly enough.

Despite naysayers, Gen Z already making an impact Real challenges include mental health and depression RENEE OWENS Staff Writer

oday’s teens get a bad rap.

T On a regular basis I hear adults—teachers, parents, and even the media—make claims

such as “Teens are entitled,” “They expect to be rewarded for doing less,” “Young people don’t care about politics,” and “Kids today aren’t intelligent or curious.” These are all statements I have heard within the last two weeks.

Every generation has its problems, and it’s common for older generations to take issue with the next generation. However, this divide is exacerbated by the fact that teens today are the first to have grown up fully immersed in the digital age. These negative generalizations are not just untrue, but can also be damaging to young people.

For one thing, teens are feeling more anxious than in previous decades due to social pressure.

A 2017 study found that there has been a 33 percent spike in teen perfectionism as a result of expectations from friends, social media and parents.

We face pressure online to be popular and to look and act a certain way. Increasingly, teens are pushed to go into good colleges and get successful careers when these expectations can be unrealistic. For example, college sizes haven’t drastically changed but the number of applicants have doubled since 1970, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This discrepancy means that teens are now competing for spots at mid-level colleges because colleges simply don’t have enough space for students who would otherwise be accepted. Teens are facing more pressure to go to college, which in turn makes it more challenging to get into good schools regardless of their qualifications.

On top of this social pressure, the increasing wave of gun violence in schools can have a serious impact on students. In a survey conducted earlier this year, the Pew Research Center found that 57 percent of teens are at least somewhat worried that a shooting might happen at their school.

Not surprisingly, there has been a distinct rise

in mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, in young people over the last decade. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that the prevalence of teens who reported a recent major depressive episode rose by 37 percent between 2005 and 2014.

On top of that, between 2007 and 2012 there was a 20 percent increase in diagnoses of anxiety in teens, according to a study in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

The rate of teen suicide went up by 77 percent between 2006 and 2016. Kids are feeling increasingly overwhelmed in a world where their future and safety are uncertain.

Despite this adversity, today’s teens are prepared to make a real impact on the world.

A famous example is March for Our Lives, a movement started when students across America stood up against gun violence in schools by rallying for gun safety reform.

When legislators were unwilling to make changes and many began simply repeating their narrative after every tragedy, teens took on the responsibility. At Branham, student leaders organized a walkout in March in solidarity with the nationwide walkout. The March for Our Lives protest was “one of the biggest youth pro-

tests since the Vietnam era,” according to CBS News. Therefore, the idea that “Young people don’t care about politics” is completely absurd.

Moving forward, this generation has many qualities that will make them valuable to the workforce. The oldest are in their early 20s and are starting to get jobs. While millennials are called digital natives, the fact that kids today are the first to have truly grown up surrounded by technology will be a major asset to employers; on the other hand, many would rather speak face-to-face when collaborating which means that for young people, technology is a supplement, not a crutch. Forbes Magazine reports that this generation of workers will be entrepreneurial, competitive and independent. Rather than being unintelligent or lazy, young people today appear to be uniquely equipped to take on the modern age with drive and creativity.

So don’t judge other generations because they do things differently. Instead, take the time to look at the big picture and how young people fit into an evolving world. And teens, don’t take criticism to heart. It’s okay to live a different life than your parents. The future is yours to make and you are capable of incredible things, no matter what anybody says.

BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Juul | Teens caught vaping may have parents invited to visit school

Michaela Edlin/Bear Witness First Lady Michelle Obama's talk at the SAP Center drew a crowd of mostly women of all ages. "She's a role model (to me), a feminist for black women, for women, for the LGBTQ+ community, for love, for everyone," said Kennedy Stiver, a middle school student.

OBAMA | Friend inspired her to life of public service As she told the stories that led up to meeting Barack Obama and eventually becoming the First Lady, she included lessons she learned along the way, specifically addressed to young people going through their own personal struggles. One of those lessons she coined as “swerving.”

Swerving, according to Obama, is defined as not living one’s life confined to the idea that it has one purpose.

Lessons like these have inspired young people like middle school student Ries Franey “She’s really inspiring, being the first African American person as a first lady. (I look up to her) for all the things she’s accomplished,” Franey said.

When Obama was attending Princeton, she felt she was confined to the idea that she was going to be a lawyer. However, she learned

from her college friend, who passed away while they were still in school, that living this way was not going to make her happy, and she should expand her horizons beyond simply “checking boxes.”

Because of this realization, she changed her career from becoming a lawyer, to working as a public servant where she aimed to give a voice to the voiceless. In doing so, she learned the valuable life lesson of conquering one’s fears, and wishes she knew this sooner.

“I would say to young people, practice moving beyond fear. Don't live in it,” Obama said.

“Don't be held back by it. Don't be governed by it. Don't be limited by it, embrace it.”

As she moved into the White House and into her role as the First Lady, she felt the need to value and focus on kids and young people.

She hoped to show kids that anyone, despite

5

their background, could be a vital voice in politics and world issues.

“When I opened up the White House to kids (I) just (thought) about those kids in the second-grade class who didn't get saved,” she said, referring to her second-grade class that had almost no resources for the students, and a teacher that didn’t care about the students.

“I wanted this house to be for them for all the people of color, all the faceless and nameless people who make up this country.”

To all of those kids like the ones in her second-grade class, and to all of the young people in the audience, Obama advised them to go into everything with their “whole selves,” in all that they do.

“I want kids to own their story, all the hardships, all of it," she said, "and bring it to everything you do."

A student who wishes to remain anonymous said that obtaining a Juul as a minor was “pretty easy” considering that they paid in cash and was not carded at the establishment.

“If people want something they would get it no matter what it is and I don't think this is going to be an exception,” the student said, “But if people want it, they will find a way to get it.”

Another way for minors to get vape products is online. Increasing regulations on physical establishments may not be effective because minors can order these products and lie about their age.

Another student who vapes and wishes to remain anonymous uses this method.

“I get them online and use my father’s social (security number]) I have his permission, (my parents) know I use it,” the student said. “It’s way too easy for kids my age to buy this stuff online.

Sometimes they don’t even check social, especially if you’re out of California.”

Some minors will just ask those who are over the age to buy products at stores or otherwise for them.

A third student who wished to remain anonymous, said that social media makes dealers more accessible.

“It's the same way with buying alcohol, people will just ask people they know who are over the age,” the student said. “Or there are some stores who will say that they only sell to of-age (people), but they're going to bend the rules, especially if you're chill about it.”

Students who are caught or reported vaping can face suspension at Branham. When they are caught, they have another option.

According to Hayashi, parents of students caught vaping can come to school to watch their kids and show them where they were caught. The purpose is to send a message to the kids that the parents will be involved as well.

“We are looking more in the bathrooms,” said Hayashi. “We get calls from other students the students who just say ‘this is not a culture, environment or school I want to be at where vaping is rampant’ and report it and so it's powerful when we hear from the kids.”

6 BEAR WITNESS “It’s part of the American culture to waste a lot.”

Kori Reynolds, former AP Environmental Science teacher on food waste

Tech bytes

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

HOW YOUR HOT LUNCH ENDS UP IN THE LANDFILL

ONLINE OR OFF?

Google Security bug affects 52 million users Approximately 52 million Google+ accounts are at risk to a security bug which allows third party software to access private information, such as names, email addresses and ages.

Fluoride batteries may provide two-week charge Charging your phone on a daily basis may become a thing of the past.

As an alternative to the conventional Lithium ion batteries, Fluoride batteries, if implemented, would allow users to go up to two weeks without charging their cellular device due to the element’s high energy density. Fluorine’s high reactivity is the reason for the caution around the usage of this potential alternative.

Science briefs Voyager 2 sending data from interstellar space NASA’s Voyager 2, an unmanned space probe, has finally crossed the threshold into a region of space well beyond the solar system. The second Voyager spacecraft serves as a medium between humankind and other potential life forms. Voyager 2’s predecessor, Voyager 1, crossed into interstellar space in 2012. Both spacecrafts are continuing to send valuable data about their surroundings, which is helping scientists understand the relationships of space.

Future fires can be much worse, scientists warn According to scientists, the recent California fires are ominous signs for the future of California wilderness.

Researchers studying the fires declared that because of the shortening of the rainy season and lengthening of the fire season, fires are more likely to burn hotter and more frequently in the near future.

After witnessing the damage caused by the Camp Fire, California residents should prepare for more fire threats in the future.

New Mexico may have largest crude oil reserve Scientists have found a large amount of crude oil under New Mexico. Because of the world’s dependence on oil, this could have a significant impact on the world’s economy and politics.

Currently, Norway is the largest producer of the world’s crude oil, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia coming in second.

— Compiled by Shlok Gore

Food delivery truck Food is shipped from the supplier and stored in Branham’s cafeteria.

Hot food/cold This food is either served warm or cold for students to purchase and stored appropriately.

Fridge Uneaten cold food can be stored and reserved for a maximum of two days before being discarded.

Long live trash

Decomposition rates for common lunch items Food is consumed Between 0 and 200 students buy a lunch at Branham each day.

2 months Apple core

2-5 weeks

Bear Witness archives, 2014 Shoppers wait outside JC Penney at Oakridge Mall. This shopping season, more young people are likely to shop online.

Garbage can Both uneaten warm and cold food eventually reach waste bins due to county health requirements.

Landfill Landfills are the ultimate fate for some cafeteria foods as well as all food waste accumulated in the country.

banana peel

450 years plastic bottles

3 months waxed milk carton

80-200 years aluminum can Source: U.S. National Park Service

Elizabeth Posey/Bear Witness

Waste-deep in food

Whether they’re eaten, much of your lunch ends up in the trash ELIZABETH POSEY Art Director

t is no secret that Americans tend to be wasteful, espeI cially regarding food. For an issue so avoidable, many schools, including Branham, do not have environmentally

conscious systems for food waste disposal.

Nationally, food makes up roughly 50 percent of all waste, or approximately one pound per person according to the Public Library of Science’s research journal. CalRecycle, the state’s program for waste management, reports that 50 percent of all school-produced waste is food.

When food is left to decompose in landfills, it releases greenhouse gases, which further contributes to global warming.This is partly because meals distributed by school cafeterias are under constant regulation that leave few options but to throw food away.

District food services director Rory McCarthy said that the Branham cafeteria produces 200 meals every day. In other words, because cafeteria patrons fluctuate, up to 200 meals could be wasted every day, a measurement McCarthy described as “not easily accumulated.”

Though the total food waste can be difficult to quantify on an organized and daily basis, cafeteria employees do their best to eliminate unnecessary food waste, according to Branham’s cafeteria manager Jennifer Webster. However, when purchases are low, the unfortunate and inevitable result is wasted food and a large carbon footprint. Webster does not know the reason for such large fluctuation.

“We really try not to have a lot of waste,” Webster said, but “we are going to throw away a ton of food.”

With student consumption of school meals varying heavily, as well as county health codes to adhere to, the cafeteria is under tight constraints that force them to dispose of uneaten meals.

Santa Clara County requires school cafeterias to throw heated food away instead of refrigerating it to serve again.

When foods are between 41 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be considered potentially hazardous and susceptible to producing pathogenic bacteria. When heated food reaches room temperature (70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), the risk of contamination increases. The bacteria can re-

produce at rapid rates every hour, rendering it too unsafe to eat after several hours.

With such temperatures as the markers for health risks, Branham’s heated food is destined for the landfill after being uneaten for one day. The cafeteria is able to preserve the cold food they store and serve because the possibility of bacteria multiplication is less.

Though progress towards waste reduction seems stagnant, potential solutions are possible. Former AP Environmental Science teacher Kori Reynolds seems to think so, proposing composting as an alternative.

“The easiest thing to do is to compost,” she said. “Instead of the food waste that could be going to the landfills where it really just doesn’t break down, it goes into the soil.” While composting organic material raises potential questions or obstacles, it proposes a solution to a frustrating problem.

Campuses are not the only establishments fated to toss their food. Across the country, grocers, restaurants and average households are throwing away good food constantly. “It’s part of the American culture to waste a lot” said Reynolds.

Largely, aesthetic-based qualifications are set in order for food to be sold. As a result, good-looking food becomes synonymous with good quality food. This judgment is one that Reynolds described as “ridiculous” for influencing the culture of wastefulness surrounding American society. In recent years, increased awareness in the form of pollution has encouraged new organizations such as the Food Recovery Network to establish new methods to combat it.

The ultimate solution, however, to lessen the culture of waste is through education systems. Reynolds suggested that school gardens “expose students to actual agriculture, and they grow their own food. They know what it looks like when it grows, and a lot of that stigma starts to go away.”

Teaching young minds to understand the process through which food is produced gives students a better appreciation for what they are consuming, yielding a less wasteful future. When Americans discuss food waste, rather than ignoring it, new standards can be set for quality and more approaches can be made to decrease it.

Teen shoppers increasingly going digital SARAH SABAWI Staff Writer

ost teens shop for things on the inM ternet. Why wouldn’t they?

Online shopping is quick, easy and there

are more options to choose from.

In fact, according to a study by PracticalEcommerce, a website dedicated to online transactions, a 70 percent of Retailer vacancy teens prefer to shop at their fa- Nearly 15 percent vorite stores online, and are twice of malls are 10 to 40 as likely as adults percent vacant. to shop on the internet. Odds are, you’ve probably Source: Forbes Magazine done so yourself at some point.

Will buying online eventually kill physical stores? Are you hurting brick and mortar stores with every product you click on? Nearly all signs point to yes.

The leading shopping site flocked to by teens and adults alike is Amazon. A recent report by CBS News revealed that Amazon had record-breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year.

Although no specific numbers were released, it was said that customers ordered over 180 million items during the five-day stretch between the two holidays.

Online shopping was partially responsible for the closing of the Toys R Us chain. Additionally, the retail store Sears has closed hundreds of locations across the country and is considering full liquidation.

However, online shopping isn’t the only reason that these stores have gone under.

Toys R Us was often described as too pricey for many families, and Sears has been plagued for years by conflict within the company itself.

Many existing physical retailers are dealing with declining sales. According to Business Insider, online titans like Amazon are directly threatening electronics stores, department stores, and bookstores.

For example, once popular bookshop Barnes & Noble reported in January that its sales had dropped 6.4 percent during the holiday season.

However, individual retailers aren’t the only ones suffering — shopping malls are in hot water as well. According to Forbes, nearly 15 percent (of malls) are 10 to 40 percent vacant, up from five percent in 2006.

We are all familiar with the age-old trope of teenagers hanging out at the mall, but it’s shocking that the destination aspect is the main thing keeping them alive.

While it is a possibility that physical stores will eventually cease to exist, it is also likely that retailers will just have to start operating more through the internet.

In fact, all of the most successful retailers at the moment have their products available for purchase online, such as supermarkets and clothes stores.

Many teens, including Branham students, shop at their favorite stores online.

“I shop online once every couple weeks, but I do also shop at department stores like Forever 21 and Target,” said junior Samantha Taylor. “I think more stores are going to start incorporating online aspects. For example, at Target, you can order something online and pick it up at the store.”

Whatever role the internet plays in the future, our shopping experience will definitely be changed.

BEAR WITNESS

INDEPTH

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

7

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

WISHES | Director seeks to combat possible bias receiving gifts at the rally.

The answer from Activities Director Christina Hillman, who oversees the class: There's some truth to that, but it's not as simple as favoritism.

To help others better understand their decision-making, Hillman and others in the Leadership class have walked the Bear Witness through the steps in getting a wish granted.

It starts with a Google Form First, the Leadership class asks all of the staff and students in October to fill out a Google Form asking what wish they want.

Many usually wish for someone else.

Some of questions on the survey ask if students qualify for free-reduced lunch and, most importantly, why their wish should get granted.

Hillman screens each of the wishes beforehand. With the help of the Executive Board, each wish in categorized into different categories, those being food, AP tests, free wishes, other small wishes, staff wishes, medium wishes and potential big wishes. Possible big wishes are determined whether a wish is Michaela Edlin/Bear Witness possible, if Leadership has sufficient funds to grant it and if the story behind it is com- In one of the more emotional scenes at the upperclassman rally, senior Alex Winford is comforted by friend Francesca Unt as she listens to her mom describe Alex's pain of living with pelling.

Team placement After wishes are screened and categorized

by Hillman and the Executive Board, Leadership students are placed into 15 teams of four students.

Each team receives one big wish and nine smaller wishes to grant. For smaller wishes, groups are given broad categories, like a specific food, and grant the wishes that fall into the category. Once they are assigned to the wishes, Hillman shares the rest of the information, such as the name of the person, to the teams, so they can research more about what they can do for each wish.

Identifying information is left out However, a lot of students don’t realize that only Hillman looks at the raw answers and removes names and ID numbers in order to eliminate as much bias as possible when Leadership students are choosing their wishes.

Senior Emmalyn McCarthy remembers looking through the packet and clarifies that there isn’t any way to know which student granted for what wish.

“We (only) see what they wish for and what category it’s under,” she said. “From there, groups are assigned wishes to grant and the groups decide what they are putting into each wish.”

Lyme disease.

HOW LEADERSHIP GRANTS ITS WISHES Making the wish Students fill out a Google Form. Some questions ask why they want their wish to be granted and if they or those they wished for qualify for free-reduced lunch.

Wish categories AP tests Students who ask for their AP tests, which cost $95 each, to be paid for. At least 15 will be paid for.*

Food/drink Any quantity, from a bag of chips or fast food. Many students wishedf for food.

Medium wishes Includes shoes, Hydroflasks and gift cards.

Other small wishes Most other small wishes include flowers and gift cards, exempting wishes that fit in other categories.

Free wishes These wishes don’t add any expense to the Leadership group.

Wishes like shoutouts and hugs are under this category.

Staff wishes Wshes granted for staff members, wished for by both students and staff.

Note Difficulties in removing bias Not all wishes in these categories are granted due to While there are some protective measures budget limitations. For small wishes, the recipients are to deter favoritism, Leadership does acrandomized, and are split among teams to grant. knowledge that it’s impossible to remove all bias from wish-granting. *Teachers were not asked to grant AP tests due to ongoing contract negotiStudents do hear about what other stu- ations. Instead, Hillman applied and received a grant to fund these tests. dents have wished and have heard some of people’s circumstances, which can align to some of the big wishes. The class is aware of the criticisms, but eliminating bias as much as possible is a difficult task.

Executive board chooses Some members of the class even have conAfter pitch, executive board and Hillman cerns about which big wishes are chosen. chooses which groups will grant each wish “You can definitely tell when other people based on who they believe will grant the are picking wishes for their friends because wish better. they will know that their friend wished for that,” a Leadership student that wished to remain anonymous said. “But it’s completely on who the person is.”

'We are helping people' When Leaders looking through the wishes that have passed the screening process, Hillman gives them reminders that their goal is to help people throughout the school.

“I have those conversations with my students multiple times,” said Hillman. “We shouldn’t be granting wishes because they’re our friends. We are granting wishes because we are helping people.”

Hillman believes that any possible bias comes from students who share their wish, which is something that is out of Leadership’s control.

However, they are seeking to find new ways to create a better process to grant wishes and encourage students to voice any concerns they may have about the event, such as get a group of adults to help Hillman screen wishes before they are introduced to the class.

But ultimately the goal of Winter Wishes to help the students of Branham and to create a better school community for all of its students and staff.

“For the majority of the students in ASB, their goal is to serve the school and make Branham a better place,” said Hillman.

“They do the best that they can and work incredibly hard.”

Additional interviews by Annalise Freimarck and Michaela Edlin.

Fundraising All teams host at least one bake sale during the weekend and typically raise from $150 to $300. Teams also go out on “expeditions” to ask businesses for possible donations for their wishes.

Rally preparation They prepare the signs for each wish and a script to say during the rally. Closer to the rally, there are run-throughs with the whole class to make sure everything at the rally will go smoothly.

Julianne Alvares/Bear Witness Sophomore Eliza Ford asked for pizza for her brother, senior Milo Ford, but got much more.

Checking it twice Activities Director Christina Hillman reviews submissions and removes names and IDs to avoid bias when leadership choosing what wishes to grant.

Executive action The executive board, the elected officials, meet with Hillman and categorize all of the wishes.

Potential big wishes These are the wishes that can have the potential to be granted at the rally. With more research, Leadership determines if granting the wish in private is more appropriate than granting it in front of the school.

Packet After screening, briefs on each of the potential big wishes are compiled into a packet that preserves anonymity for each group within Leadership. At this there are 30 to 50 potential big wishes.

Pitch The fifteen teams of Leadership students each create pitches for three big wishes that they want to grant to Hillman and the Executive Board. These pitches detail how a group would grant each wish.

Bear Witness archives, 2011 Robyn Gutierrez, who had muscular dystrophy, sings with her sister Danielle at the first Make a Wish Rally, now known as Winter Wishes. Robyn died in 2017.

The rally that altered Branham

Staff, alumni recall first event UZOR AWUZIE

Student Life Editor

t was Dec. 9, 2011. Students and teachers filled the I gym — curious yet excited. Nobody knew what to expect as they awaited the first Winter Wishes rally.

Most people know the basics of it: Make a wish, no matter the size, and Leadership may grant it. But only a handful remember what it was like experiencing it for the first time.

“It was a pretty incredible feeling,” said SAI teacher Leanne Haghighi. “To see students wishes come true, it felt really emotional to see a lot of need be addressed at the school and really impactful to have families involved and everything.”

Before the Google Forms, Leadership gave students star-shaped papers to write their wish, and students wrote whatever they desired, not knowing if or how it would get granted.

Watching them receive beyond whatever they wished for is what brought the surprise factor. English teacher Tobie Schweizer couldn’t think of any other word other than “emotional” when reminiscing her first rally.

“I just remember feeling such pride in the school at that time,” says Schweizer. “Everything seemed genuine and from the heart, and people really weren't in it to get stuff.

They didn't know that they were going to get stuff, so they just kind of wished for things.”

The now-widely known event can be credited to assistant principal Larry Lopez, who was activities director at the time. Lopez picked up the idea from Merced High School, where he previously worked. Lopez felt the need to bring Winter Wishes to Branham, to help students know they’re not alone in their struggles, and to embrace each other’s differences.

The program had much potential but would likely cost thousands of dollars and require hours of dedication. All Leadership students could do at the time was go out into the community and ask for help.

“ASB really were the ones who made things happen,” Lopez said. “They spent weekends collecting donations and expanding wishes into those 'Oprah' moments. The staff helped by pushing it through and creating the tone [...]. Staff would ask how they can donate and bring in so many donations to make many dreams a reality. Without both groups, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Leadership struggled to make a strong proposal without the right amount of credibility. Though they received donations like laptops or clothes, they hardly received donations of straight cash. Former student body president David Duquette was one of the students in charge of getting it off the ground.

“We basically were just going to every single store in San Jose and other surrounding schools,” Duquette said, “asking them, ‘Okay, we're trying to start a school program where we're granting all the kids [in] school wishes, we're really trying to make it a big deal. And we’d love if there’s anything you can give to us, and make that happen — we’d really appreciate it.’”

When deciding which wishes to grant, Duquette admits the process was disorganized. Leadership students spent every day rummaging through endless strips of paper, setting aside the bigger wishes and then planning for how they would present them at the big rally.

It wasn’t planned perfectly, but that was the last thing on everyone’s minds as the event played out. Former student Alex Meek asked to share his story about losing his father in 2010, and its toll on his studies at school.

Former student Danielle Gutierrez wished for her sister, Robyn, to recover from her muscular dystrophy, a disease that caused multiple trips to the hospital throughout the year. It was one wish ASB couldn’t grant, but they acknowledged her wish by bringing Gutierrez's sister out and giving the two an opportunity sing a duet for the audience.

When it was all over, everyone was still lingering in the heartfelt impact. Some say the feeling in the room was still “electric” long after a group of students performed a Coldplay song. More hugged each other, and others shed a few tears.

“I really believe this reminded all of us the importance of being kind and knowing that we are not alone when we struggle,” Lopez said. “I love that this school embraces our struggles and differences ... It’s what makes us closer.”

8

BEAR WITNESS

STUDENT LIFE A fresh take on finals Freshmen do not know what to expect when it comes to finals so they have to come up with different ways to study that will help them best. The Bear Witness several freshmen to see how they are preparing for their tests.

Greg Chow/ special to Bear Witness At least $16,000 raised at Camp Fire benefit Branham’s Royal Alliance along with Del Mar, Leigh, Westmont, Los Gatos and Santa Teresa High schools for a district-wide marching band showcase Nov. 27 to raise money for victims of the Camp Fire. The show raised approximately $13,000 in cash and gift cards for camp fire victims.

An anonymous donor had offered to match up to $3,000, bringing the total to over $16,000, not including any direct online contributions.

— Compiled by Laura Heffernan

|

DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM “To make a positive inpact in any way feels very rewarding” Junior Talia Desai on volunteering.

Lucero Miranda

Emmanuel Denis

“When we learn new material in class, I go over it the same night so I make sure I have it down. My siblings, since they’re older than me and I’m the youngest, tell me to keep studying.”

“If I have to study for my final for one class, I’ll focus on that one until I get that done and then I’ll just work until I have that done. I want to get it done because I want to get a good grade so if I focus on multiple finals at once I’m not going to do as good work if I focus on more than one. Teachers will keep you on track.”

Natalie Bolzowski

Caio Valente

“I just kind of read through all my work and I just find online things I can do and practice. Anything I have questions on, I always make sure to ask for help and figure it out.

Just keeping really good grades all throughout for colleges motivates me.”

“Most likely I’m going to use flashcards and I’m also going to have my brother test me because he’s also a freshman. We can just ask each other questions. It’s one of the easiest ways and the most productive to study because it’s my brother instead of going on different websites to do it.”

“I’m ... just looking back on work we’ve done throughout the year and just trying to focus on the main things we’ve learned, rather than smaller subjects. The fact that it’s worth 10 percent of our grade and I just don’t want to ruin anything for myself so I’ve been studying.”

Ashley Santana

Nico Morrone

“With my friends in the classes, we’re making study guides on Google Docs and we’re all adding to it. That way we can prepare a few days before we even start talking about the finals.

We’re adding to them what teachers say is on them. My friends wanted to do it a lot so I kind of just went with it.”

BEYOND THE SEASON OF GIVING

For some clubs, giving back a year-round job

Marcelle Renovato

Melinda WallaceOchoa

“I’m reviewing the notes over and over again and using flashcards, too. I’ve been studying like that since middle school and it really helps. Teachers are telling us to do flashcards or go on Quizlet. They sometimes tell us to go on websites that could help us.”

“I try to break up my study time. Throughout the week I try to do one class at a time for finals. I want to try to do my best and get the best grades that I can get and raise my grades up. Not all of my classes have told me what the final is, but the ones that have, they’ve told us what it’s going to be about. If you do need help to study you can just ask the teacher.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Patricia Perez College and Career Specialist

“

To help somebody actually figure it out and see that light bulb go off over their head, that’s awesome.”

Specialist’s help goes past college apps RYAN MCCARTHY

W

Caitlyn Schlaman/ Bear Witness Petition fails to cancel classes due to smog More than 4,000 signed a petition to cancel classes the Friday before Thanksgiving break due to unhealthy smog levels from the Butte County fire. The district defended its decision to keep its campuses open. Some students are safer inside available air-conditioned classrooms than they would had they remained at home, they said.

Laura Heffernan/Bear Witness Volunteers from the SPARE Club empty recycling bins every Thursday. The group has recently adopted Branham Park nearby, helping with weeding and beautification. The San Jose City Council in early December recognized the group for its efforts.

JULIANNE ALVARES Opinion Editor

s much as the holidays are a time for gathering and A the exchanging of gifts, it is also a time to give back to one’s community. Students have been volunteering their

Safety threats prompt calls to action Branham has encountered multiple threats and thefts within the last month. It began with an online threat to the school on Nov. 5, allegedly over a dare from another student. The same day, a student from another school entered campus and acted aggressively with authorities.

Additionally, multiple bike thefts at school have been reported. Later last month, a student shared news of an alleged threat, but according to officials was experimenting to find out how long it would take for someone to take action.

— Compiled by Uzor Awuzie

time, aiming to make Branham and San Jose a better place.

According to NobleHour, a volunteer organization, 30 percent of total donations to nonprofits are made in December and 16 percent of adults volunteer for at least 2 hours during the month — this is 5 percent more than the rest of the year. Students at Branham are not exempt from the holiday volunteer push, but are also involved year round, whether through clubs or outside of school organizations.

For some, volunteering is a way to discover passions or future career paths.

“I’ve always been pretty interested in politics and what’s going on in our community and the city.” said junior Katia Yarkov, who is a member of the Campbell Youth Commission.

“That pushed me to be a part of (the commission).”

The Campbell Youth Commission is made of a group of students who organize and participate in events around the community, such as “Teens Teach Tech,” where teenagers teach the elderly how to use technology. The next event is geared toward helping seniors use apps such as Lyft and Uber.

“It’s really nice to just connect with them and teach them to do things that are more modern,” said junior Talia Desai, who has been on the commission for three years and started the “Teams Teach Tech” with her sister, alumnus Sophia Desai.

Students can also become involved through clubs. The Students Promoting Awareness of Recycling club provides students with opportunities to improve and clean up the campus. They also adopted nearby Branham Park, where they go to pull weeds and are planting a native species garden. In early December, they were honored at city hall for their efforts.

While the gardening may seem like hard work, it is a labor of love for those in the club.

“You can gain a sense of achievement by benefiting the

How you can get involved Campbell Youth Commission What it is: A group that creates and promote community events.

Applications due in May Visit ci.campbell.ca.us/626/ Youth-Commission

The Giving Tree What it is: A nonprofit volunteer group thst helps with holiday drives and back to school events.

Students need a waiver if under 18.

Visit familygivingtree.org

Second Harvest Food Bank What it is: One of the country’s largest charitable food providers.

Volunteer groups can come in once a year or on a regular basis.

Visit shfb.org

school and the community while hanging out with your friends,” said junior Xiaomian Yang, president of SPARE and member of three years.

According to Yang, volunteering allows students to see the benefits of their work first hand.

“A lot of neighbors around the community came by and they were like ‘Oh, you know Branham Park looks cleaner than usual,’” said Yang.

Volunteering also provides students with an opportunity to help those less fortunate than them, an experience these volunteers call rewarding.

“I have grown up being very fortunate and a lot of people don’t have that,” said Desai, “To make a positive impact in any way feels very rewarding.”

Sports Editor

hether it’s reading college essays, seeking out scholarships, or interacting with students, College and Career Center specialist Patricia Perez is available to support Branham’s students with preparing for life after high school.

College-bound students are now directed straight to Perez, who sits down with hundreds of students every year to discuss college choices, application progression, and other aspects of college preparation.

Before her arrival to campus, counselors held the bulk of the college load, handling application essays, recommendation letters and submission progression.

“When a student is asking ‘What colleges should I look for this specific major?’ or ‘Where should I start my college search?’ we suggest that they make appointments with her to do that,” said counselor Danielle Morrella.

Perez’s task is to assist college-bound students beyond the application process.

One of her main goals is to find as many scholarship opportunities for students as she can, since paying for college is a challenge for students.

Perez has also worked to get more college visits to Branham, getting colleges to send representatives to speak to students.

Smaller schools often contact Perez to come in, but she often personally reaches out to the premier universities from across the country to come as well.

She sets up a calendar for colleges to schedule visits.

Although she was brought to Branham for college preparation, one of her future goals is to reach out to students who choose to forgo a college education immediately after graduation, whether those students will enter the workforce or enlist in the military.

She has sought to find certification and apprenticeship programs for these students, and to get them to come to talk to her.

“It’s definitely something I do and something I would like to do more of,” she said.

Out of all the things she does, one of her favorite parts about her job is getting to interact with students. Whether she’s discussing deadlines, reading essays, or just having normal conversations, connecting with students is what drives her to keep coming back.

“For me, getting to talk to students about what they want to do after high school, and helping them if they don’t know — to me, there’s not a cooler job,” Perez said.

“To help somebody actually figure it out and see that light bulb go off over their head, that’s awesome.”

9

BEAR WITNESS

|

DECEMBER 19, 2018 |

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

SPORTS

“If you’re [using] poor techniques, there’s going to be a higher risk of injuries.”

Competitive cheer coach Torie Raineri on reducing risk of concussions.

Sports briefs

Scores updated as of Dec. 13 Varsity Boys Basketball The boys won their last game at Oak Grove, 68-65, in overtime.

Dec. 27 at Westmon at 7 p.m.

Record: 4-4

Uniforms balance style, substance Uniforms in 1968

Uniforms in 2018 JERSEYS 1968: A cotton jersey emblazoned with school colors helped players ID their teammates on the court.

Now: Moisture wicking polyester helps players keep their bodies dry while exerting themselves on the court.

JV Boys Basketball The boys lost their last game at Oak Grove, 46-62.

Next game vs Valley Christian, 12/27 at Westmont (Both 5:30) Record: 1-4 Varsity Girls Basketball The girls won their last game at Andrew Hill, 64-43.

Next games: Dec. 20 vs. Live Oak at 7 p.m.

Record: 6-1

SHORTS 1968: Truncated shorts made movements more agile and maximized mobility when executing plays.

Now: Long shorts, now used for over 20 years, are much baggier and looser than their predecessors.

JV Girls Basketball The girls won their last game at Andrew Hill, 43-33.

Next games: Dec. 20 vs. Live Oak at 5:30 p.m.

Record: 2-0 Varsity Boys Soccer A late second-half goal carried the boys past Mountain View in their last game, finishing 1-0.

Next games: Dec. 28 vs.

Arroyo Grande at 1 p.m., Dec. 28 vs. Righetti at 7:15 p.m.

Record: 1-1

COMPRESSION TIGHTS (Not pictured) Now: Compressive nylon tights help players reduce the amount of friction between their thighs and shorts, as well as keeping leg muscles warm during the game.

JV Boys Soccer The boys lost their last game in a high-scoring affair at Monta Vista, 2-5.

Next games: Jan. 3 at Overfelt at noon, Jan. 7 vs.

Andrew Hill at 3:15 p.m.

Record: 0-2-1

SHOES 1968: Chuck Taylor Converse shoes were popular among players because of their grip on the court.

Now: Air pockets, foam cushioning, and ankle support are all examples of relatively modern technology in footwear.

Varsity Girls Soccer The girls beat Harbor in the last game, winning 5-0.

Next games: Dec. 29 vs.

Santa Clara at 1 p.m.

Record: 1-3 JV Girls Soccer The girls won their last game at Willow Glen, 1-0.

Next games: Dec. 29 vs.

Santa Clara (3:15) Record: 2-3-1 Wrestling The team competed at the Webber Lawson Varsity Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 7 and 8, with three varsity and two JV wrestlers medaling at the event.

Next meet: Jan. 3 at Piedmont Hills (7:00), 1/9 at Andrew Hill 6:30 p.m.

1968 Ursa Major Yearbook

Avi Aroroa/Special to Bear Witness

SHLOK GORE

Science & Technology Editor

layers and coaches are usually the most recognized P figures in sports, but one often overlooked facet of the games is the evolving uniform designs worn by Bran-

ham’s sports teams.

Every four years, every sports team receives new uniforms, with the cycles staggered between sports. Reflecting the looks of their eras, Branham sports “back in the day” adapted designs and fashions that were trendy and efficient for their time.

Uniform designs have shifted dramatically over the decades, with each change adjusting to the fashions of the times. 1970s and ‘80s basketball uniforms featured the aforementioned thigh-high shorts, tight-fitting jerseys and knee-high tube socks. The look was instituted into the NBA and other professional leagues, and subsequently trickled down into the designs used for uniforms at the high school level.

Shoes are one of the more critical features that have changed, with modern technology taking over athletic footwear. Converse’s Chuck Taylor All-Stars were a basketball staple in the 1950s through the ‘80s, peaking in popularity during the 1960s, before brands such as Nike, Reebok and Adidas took over with added cushioning for ankles, shins and soles.

The 1970s highlighted the rise of name brands in the cleat industry, with Puma and Adidas as the highest competition. Adidas became the best selling-brand in 1979 by making their soccer boots with kangaroo leather. As the new millennium began, however, technology took over in manufacturing, with name brands such as Adidas and Nike adding microchips into soccer boots to track a player’s performance and to provide analysis for improvement.

Technological advancements have forever inspired uniform and footwear changes in sports, and will continue to change in order to reflect the shifting fashions of different eras.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHOES ON THE COURT 1932: Release of the first Chuck Taylor Basketball Shoes 1968: Walt “Clyde” Frazier releases the “Puma Clyde” basketball shoe with Puma 1972: Nike releases its first low-top basketball shoe, “Nike Bruin,” as well as their first basketball shoe with their trademark swoosh, “Nike Blazer” 1984: Adidas releases the “Micropacer” which featured a computer chip embedded in its sole that provided statistics for athletes and their coaches 1990s: Shoe technology continues to evolve with Nike producing “Air Jordans” and all major brands making basketball specific shoes 2015: Stephen Curry releases “Curry One” with Under Armour, their first shoe specific to a sponsored athlete.

Increase in concussion frequency worries trainers Proper training techniques will reduce risk, say coaches JAZZY NGUYEN Staff Writer

round 2.5 million high school athletes A in America have had a concussion in the past year.

2.5 million High school athleets are expected to sustain a concussion inthe past year.

20-25 concussions

The estimated number of athletes at Branham who have sustained a concussion.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Angie Purchio, athletic trainer

According to the American Center for Disease Control, this averages out to be a little over 15 percent of the student body. For those who participate in multiple high school sports, the number of athletes who sustain concussions rises to 30.3 percent.

Branham’s athletic trainer Angie Purchio, has noticed how common concussions have become on campus.

“From the beginning of this school year, I have had 20-25 (concussions).” Purchio wrote in an email. “Some weeks I may see two or three.”

Concussions are injuries that are the result of a blow or jolt to the head that cause the brain to slam into the inner walls of the skull.

Common symptoms include dizziness, effected vision, nausea, sensitivity to sound or light and shortened attention span. Concussions cause immediate and sometimes long term

symptoms.

A rise in concussion rates over the past few years has prompted a growing concern. If an athlete receives repetitive damage to the brain over the span of a career, the risk of being diagnosed with severe and life-threatening conditions, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, better known as CTE, may become higher.

CTE is a progressive degenerative disease that can be found in people who have had years of repeated brain injuries. It enlarges the brain in some areas, and deteriorates it in others.

Some symptoms are impaired judgment, memory loss, increased aggression or depression, and difficulty controlling erratic behavior.

CTE can only be detected in the brain after death, as the disease was determined to exist within some now deceased NFL players. After the diagnosis of select players’ brains and heads, it was suspected to play a large role in the suicides of former linebacker Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau, Jr., as well as former safety Ray Easterling.

While head injuries are a risk that all athletes take when playing sports, there are ways to avoid getting one.

“It’s all about the athletes using proper progressions and proper techniques,” said Torie Raineri, head coach of Branham’s competitive cheer team. “If you’re starting to use poor techniques, there’s going to be a higher risk of injuries.”

According to Danny Kadah, head coach of Branham’s boys varsity soccer team, using the proper techniques can reduce the risk of head injuries, although sometimes these injuries are inevitable and unavoidable.

“The part where there’s two people kind of fighting for the same ball, it’s competitive nature coming into play,” Kadah said.

Kadah also lauded the increased amount of information that players have learned about concussions, especially the effects that come from them, but still stresses the need for more understanding about the sensitivity of the issue.

“The issues have been much more in the front of people’s minds than it has been in the past,” said Kadah. “Whenever it’s something that deals with the head, no, you never have too much information.”

10

BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

“If your kid’s going to read something, you shouldn’t make it this taboo thing.”

Heather Amanatullah, English teacher

Mini Reviews Bite-sized opinions

CHALLENGING READS

Controversial books spark reader interest Challenged books Attempts to remove reading materials from a curriculum or library based on a person or group’s objections.

Challenged books in 2017 13 Reasons Why Jay Asher This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.

Illumuination

Concert An Evening With Fleetwood Mac What it is: Fleetwood Mac is back. Performing their classics songs such as “Dreams” and “Landslide,” and even including a few covers like “Black Magic Woman” and “Free Falling,” the band dazzled the crowd at SAP Center.

Disliked: Like most concerts, merchandise and tickets were overpriced.

Liked: Fleetwood Mac performs an enchanting set that you don’t want to end. From Stevie Nicks channeling her inner witch during “Rhiannon” to Mick Fleetwood’s crazy five-minute drum solo, the show is amazing and a must-see for every music fan.

— Julianne Alvares

Movies “The Grinch” Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosie What it is: “The Grinch” is the second movie adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

The Grinch is about the Grinch’s plot to ruin Christmas for the holiday-loving Whos in Whoville.

Disliked: Illumination’s depiction of the Grinch seems really watered down in this version, especially in the design. The original Grinch looked mean and grumpy, this Grinch looks like a pea with hair.

Liked: The designs of Whoville and the scene where the Grinch stole Christmas look very Seuss-y.

The houses were nicely curved and exaggerated.

The decorations were over the top, but pleasant to look at. The way the Grinch stole Christmas was very creative, but shorter than I would have liked.

— Jessica Berton Video Game

Nintendo, Pokemon Company “Let’s Go Eevee and Let’s Go `” Developed by Game Freak What it is: “Let’s Go” was made for the Nintendo Switch, and is a remake of the original “Pokemon Yellow,”“Red” and “Blue.” The story has the same characters, but is more influenced by the Pokemon anime.

Disliked: There is no online feature, as you can only connect to other people with a code. The leveling system is wacky, as your partner becomes absolutely tanked, and the rest of your team falls behind. One last fault is the Pokemon GO! Park. Forcing two different platforms together was too awkward.

Liked: There are no new Pokemon in this, yet there is no better feeling than having your favorite Pokemon trailing a few feet behind.

The two-player mechanic is also interesting.

— Caitlyn Schlaman

Banned books Removing the materials based on objections of a person or group.

Of the 354 challenges the ALA tracked in 2017

56%

25%

16%

1%

Took place in a public library.

Took place in a public shool.

Took place in a school library.

Took place in a special library.

Challenged books in 2017 continued The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie Challenged for citing issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality.

Drama Raina Telgemeier The graphic novel was challenged and banned in libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”

The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini This novel was challenged and banned since it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism.”

George Alex Gino Written for elementary-age children this book was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.

Sex is a Funny Word Cory Silverberg Children’s book addresses sex education and was believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.

The Hate U Give Angie Thomas Challenged for citing issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality.

And Tango Makes Three Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson Children’s book featured a samesex relationship.

I am Jazz Jessica Harthell and Jazz Jennings Book was challenged because it addresses gender identity.

Beyond books In some cases, community members want an author’s speaking engagement canceled or an LGBT display taken down. Other times, patrons would like certain DVDs or magazines removed from shelves. In 2017, 491 materials were challenged or censored.

Source: American Library Association Bear Witness staff graphic

ELIZABETH POSEY Art Director

n the era of “fake news,” discussions I of free speech and the First Amendment are more prevalent than ever as the

decades-long censorship debate continues, a debate that often applies to literature.

Under the First Amendment, U.S. citizens are given the right to speak or express themselves freely without unjustified persecution. Personal rights look different for students however, and restrictions can be enforced by districts, schools, teachers, or parents in what books they are allowed to read and analyze.

At Branham, all books are subject to approval by the school district and most always are approved for reading. However, with any work of literature, parents and students can opt out for reasons of discomfort, or explicit topics.

English teacher Barbara Arduini said that the concept of free speech, as most are familiar with, is uniquely American, but is at odds with how censorship is treated in the classroom.

“It’s really hard in general to separate yourself from your cultural context,” Arduini said. “The values that American culture tends to value are ingrained in me as well.”

Americans generally dislike policies that restrict personal freedoms, whereas in other countries restriction is commonplace.

The debate for allowing literature that

is deemed explicit into a classroom environment has not changed much in the last decade.

Keeping a record Since the American Library Association began recording challenged books across the U.S., the data has helped free speech advocates better understand who wants to censor the books and why.

Anyone is able to challenge a book, but the decision to ban those books is determined by school boards.

Many Branham sophomores are familiar with Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” a book frequently challenged and on 2017’s top 10 list for challenges.

Its message, according to ALA records of the concerns, was reported for “leading to terrorism,” “promoting Islam” and containing violence.

According to the ALA, 42 percent of those who challenged books were public library patrons; the second highest group of challengers were parents, at 32 percent.

The organization also noted that the top three reasons people chose to challenge books were for “sexually explicit” content, “offensive language” and material “unsuited to age group.”

In 2017, the ALA reported that the most challenged book was “13 Reasons Why,” by Jay Asher, a book that discusses suicide and mental health, as well as sexual assault and bullying.

Reading ‘taboo’ books English teacher Heather Amanatullah explained how she confronts introducing

controversial topics to her students.

“If your kid’s going to read something, you shouldn’t make it this taboo thing,” Amanatullah said. “You should read it with them.”

In her annual banned book unit, an extension of National Banned Book Week, she wants her students to see different ways of life and the importance of having conversations about censorship and literature deemed objectionable. In order for the unit to take place, students must first receive permission from their parents and students and parents have the option to exempt themselves from reading the book. From this point, the participating students choose to read banned books from a curated list or they could suggest their own.

Students respond to questions on their chosen books and end the unit with posters and presentations to their classmates. In the culminating assignment, they identify what content was considered explicit and why it may have been challenged in addition to their opinion on censoring that literature.

Talking about challenged books may make some uncomfortable, but Amanatullah believes they give readers new insights and experiences to reflect upon.

“It was a really big concern for me being a mom of teenage girls,” Amanatullah said.

She emphasized that the way she informs her children and students about books with challenging topics revolves around a discussion of new perspectives

that lie outside of their comfort zones.

Sparking reader interest Although discussion of challenged material in the classroom commonplace at Branham, different areas and schools take varied approaches to controversial books; some schools’ solutions are not to present the books at all. Location is a major factor in censorship, not to mention that the practice was even more frequent in schools of the past. Reading was typically more limited to classic novels, ones that do not usually spark reader interest as banned books do.

English teacher Kerry Murphy did not have the positive experience of memorable or moving books that shaped her worldview until she went to college, where she was exposed to new ideas in literature.

“I want them not just to read, to analyze, but to read to gain perspective on the outside world and hopefully learn something for themselves as well,” Murphy said.

As she educates a future generation of English students, she hopes that they gain beneficial perspectives from literature that she did not receive at a high school age.

“There are going to be things that we experience that hurt us physically, or emotionally or challenge our way of thinking,” she said. “No matter if we’re not prepared for different mindsets, once we go out into the real world, it’s going to be harder than if we’re allowing a little more challenging content that helps them.”

AP Art students dig deep into psyches for portfolios JULIA MARQUES DA SILVA Design Director

very year, AP Studio Art students E each create a portfolio of 29 pieces to submit to the College Board.

A main focus in the creation of these portfolios is determining a concentration, or a theme, of the artist’s choice.

Art students at Branham have considered themes such as mental health, medical ethics and literature as the basis of their portfolios.

Senior Claire Young selected the theme of medical ethics for her portfolio. Through art, Young is exploring the history of human anatomy and clinical advancements in the medical world.

“I honestly came up with it pretty quickly, but that was because I already had an interest in the topic,” said Young.

“It won’t ever become irrelevant since

humans will always exist and get into weird situations.”

Young plans to explore this topic by creating symbols to represent the ethics of life support. Ultimately, she wants the viewer to decide for themselves if the artwork creates a positive or negative message.

Throughout the process of creating a portfolio, art teacher Cristina Prates helps students develop their concentrations.

Prates gives students examples of themes that they can draw inspiration from.

“We are setting up a pseudo-virtual gallery of work,” said Prates.

Prates focuses on making sure students also meet deadlines and putting together their portfolio. Especially with creating multiple new pieces before the start of AP testing in May, students manage their time to be able to create the required pieces that College Board requires.

However, students have full control over what they want to present in their portfolio, which allows students to place themselves as artists in the real world.

The themes that students choose for their portfolios aren’t just based off their own passions and hobbies, but also draw inspiration from their daily lives, as senior Cecilia Andreotti did.

Andreotti is exploring the concept of social isolation caused by technology, inspired by her experiences with the people around her.

“It’s kind of something I related to in my life,” said Andreotti. “A lot of people don’t talk about those things and I’m kind of using it to draw attention.”

Other students are creating their portfolios with concentrations related to mental illness and feminism, which are relevant to contemporary discussion.

Claire Young/Special to Bear Witness Senior Claire Young’s portfolio explores medical ethics in anatomy.

BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

11

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Hallmark holiday films are mass produced every year, and each of them is the exact same.

ARTS CALENDAR MUSIC Frozen Sing-along Dec. 22 at Montgomery Theater in San Jose.

Watch along the hit film “Frozen” in this sing-along hosted by Anna and Elsa from the movie.

Meghan Trainor Treat Myself Releases Jan. 25.

After being delayed to make time for more songs, the album will be released in late January.

This album will mark the third studio-album for Trainor.

What we put on the

menu

Backstreet Boys DNA Releases Jan. 25.

Their first album in six years, the album takes each member’s strengths into a cohesive whole.

Members reportedly examined analyzed their own DNA before recording the album.

Research by Laura Heffernan, Renee Owens and Chandler Roberts • Illustrations by Laura Heffernan

MOVIES Aquaman Releases Dec. 21 The latest follows the exploits of Arthur Curry, who realizes he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Starring Jason Momoa.

Food is a significant aspect of any cultural holiday. It unifies people, from families to the Branham community. Around the holidays, families often cook together, share food and bond over meals. In some world language classes, students bring traditional meals from around the world into class. The many holiday food traditions of Branham students and staff allows us to celebrate our culture while sharing our talents and experiences. Our community is bountiful with many unique perspectives that allows us to prosper.

— Renee Owens

Judaism

Latin America

France

Spain/Latin America

Tamales Tamales are very popular in Latin America and among Latin American families.

For many, making tamales as a community is a tradition known as a tamalada, and is a cornerstone of the holiday season.

Latke Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a one-day supply of oil lighting the Temple’s Menorah for eight nights in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Because this holiday centers around oil, fried foods are a staple of Hanukkah. A common fried food is the latke, which is a ground or shredded potato cake that is then fried. Families celebrate by lighting one candle each night until every candle on the menorah is lit.

“In Hanukkah you know that you're going to be with your family eight nights in a row,” said senior Allie Yusim. “You're going to sit down and have latkes and eat jelly doughnuts for eight nights so you know, nobody is allowed to have plans because you have to be there every night to light the candles so it's always a nice family time.”

Those who can’t make tamales at home buy them homemade from tamale shops called tamaleras. When families make tamales together each member of the family has a specific role, and older members teach the next generation the art.

Spanish teacher Leticia Molina remembers making tamales with her family when she was young.

“As a little child, I would always be in charge of the corn husk,” she said. “I would make sure that they were nicely softened enough.”

Each tamale would be different based on who made it, and she could tell who in her family made which: “There’s a little bit of ourselves in them.”

Alfajores These traditional cookies were brought to Latin America from Spain, although they originated in the Middle East.

An alfajor has two cookies that sandwich a filling of dulce de leche or manjar blanco, sweetened milk that is thickened by a long cooking process. They come sprinkled with powdered sugar or rolled in coconut.

Across Latin America and in Spain, alfajores are a very popular Christmas dessert.

“Every Christmas I always make them,” says Spanish teacher Maria Meunier.

“When my kids were little, I used to make it for their teachers, too,” she said. “I would make up a whole bunch of them and put them in little bags with bows and ribbons.”

Yule log A yule log, or the bûche de noël, is a traditional dessert for Christmas in France.

The dessert is a rolled up sponge cake held together with frosting. The dessert mimics an actual yule log.

The bûche de noël has made its way into the lives of some students in the French classes at Branham.

French 2 students are given the task of making their own cakes to bring in for extra credit. Bringing in this dessert gives students the opportunity to share traditions from their culture,

other dishes

other dishes

other dishes

other dishes

Sufganiyot A jelly filled donut that is traditional as a dessert for Hanukkah.

Buñuelos Balls of fried dough made with cheese.

Entremeses An appetizer platter made from local cheeses and select meats, such as ham, chorizo and morcilla.

Oysters In France, oysters are freshest during the Christmas season and are usually served as an appetizer.

Turrón A sweet bar made from nougat and almonds.

Chocolat Chaud A recipe close to hot chocolate, and contains melted chocolate, warm milk and some whipped cream on top.

Rabanadas French toast made from a special type of bread called Pan de rabanadas and are deep fried in oil.

Kugel A dish primarily made by baking egg noodles and is often referred to as noodle pudding.

Pozole A soup of pork or chicken served with plenty of garnishes, such as lettuce, radishes and oregano.

Cooking for our families

Sequoia Epperson Sophomore

“Near the holidays I usually help my mom cook pepparkaka. It's a type of really thin spice cookie. It's been in my family for a while. I don't remember not having it.

It's something I've never had Christmas without.”

Noah Finch Freshman

Glass Releases Jan. 18 A movie 18 years in the making, it’s a superhero sequel to M. Night Shyamalan’s previous films Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2016).

Stars Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and James McAvoy.

AROUND TOWN Holiday light display

Punitions French shortbread cookies that consist of four ingredients: Eggs, flour, sugar, and butter.

Matzo ball soup Traditionally meant for Passover, but is a staple for the winter season.

Epic

Marzipan A sweet treat made from ground almonds formed in many shapes.

“I help cook sashimi, a lot of sushi, salmon teriyaki, and a lot of Japanese food. My mom asked me if I would like to help and it's been a tradition ever since.”

Lara Kurtovic Junior

“Since I'm Croatian and Bosnian, what we do every year is we actually roast a pig. We have a fire pit in the backyard and so we set up the coal and do the pig roast. It's kind of like your average 'stick an apple in its mouth, put it on the table' thing.”

Theresa Brown Junior

“My grandmother was born in France, she grew up there. She came over to America with my grandfather. She brought her holiday traditions such as the bûche de noël, which is is a yule log cake.”

Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Dec. 20-23 at 6-9 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad is decorated and runs through part of the Fantasy of Lights in Vasona Park, becoming a part of the display. Cost is $5.

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Runs through Dec. 23 at the Cow Palace.

An indoor fair held in the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls in San Francisco. Inspired by the works of Charles Dickens, the costumes, vendors, and decorations contribute to the ambiance of Victorian London. The cost is $30.

Noon Year’s Eve Across the Time Zones Dec. 31 at Children’s Discovery Museum. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To celebrate the new year, the Children’s Discovery Museum will be having three ball drops, similar to the one in Times Square. The ball will drop each time it reaches noon in a different country and shout outs will be given to that country. Cost is $15.

Women’s March Jan. 19 in Downtown San Jose.

This is the annual local Women’s March that started in 2017, the day after President Donald Trump was inaugurated.

— Compiled by Laura Heffernan

12

BEAR WITNESS

| DECEMBER 20, 2018 |

BHSBEARWITNESS.COM

THE BACK PAGE

Almost kiss There’s always something coming between the main character and their love interest, whether it’s the main character’s kid or some tragic memory.

Big business Big money is everywhere, whether there’s a businesswoman going to a small town on an assignment or a sleazy business owner taking over a small business.

The

Emotional These films are specifically made to be sad, happy or angry. They know how to portray emotions well, and lose focus of the story.

Grinch-like character A character who hates or just isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas. By the end, they’ve been converted.

Kindergarten boyfriend When the main character moves back to their hometown, they often reconnect with someone who they used to love when they were younger and, well, do it all over again.

Christmas all the time There’s no sign of Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or any other holiday on the Hallmark movie docket.

to

of Hallmark movies Written by Chandler Roberts

Illustrations by Jessica Berton

Happiness lost and found The main characters are often either unhappy or just unaffected by the holiday, whether it aligns with who they are or despite their love of Christmas.

Leading lady Nearly every Hallmark film is led by a female.

Each protagonist does the same thing in every movie and most of the actors appear in three or four films a year, so it’s hard to tell

Hallmark holiday movies, those feel good rom-coms, are here to stay. These are targeted to a certain demographic of hopeless romantics and old white ladies. Many of these movies fall victim to the same tropes. After extensive research, the Bear Witness shares some observations.

Impossibly easy relationships The lead and love interest fall in love no matter how incompatible they are. The love interest could live across the world and they would still find a very dramatic way to be together.

Misunderstanding A character mishears a phone call or a conversation in order to build an unnecessary conflict that is easily resolved in two minutes.

Deceased loved one A main character brings them up throughout the film as a drawback. By the end of the film, they get over this death for plot reasons.

Christmas

around the world Whether it's lighting a Yule goat or going out for KFC, there's no right way to celebrate the holidays. We feature our favorite international celebrations.

JAPAN

Family and friends For half the movie, the family teaches about Christmas. The other half focuses on finding the Christmas spirit (and sometimes a date) with help from their friends.

Journey Here are the same two journeys: They meet someone new in time for Christmas, or they must help their family with the farm/small business. There’s a happy ending somewhere.

Names, festive The main character may have a name that seems just festive enough to be Christmas-based. Names like Holly or Joy pop up often in these films.

Hankering for some KFC Christmas is celebrated as a secular holiday in Japan, with lights and gift-giving.

Since 1974, Kentucky Fried Chicken has been promoting its fried chicken as a Christmas meal. It's gotten so popular that ordering the KFC dinner for Christmas needs to be done weeks in advance.

Sweden

Gavle Goat survives for another day.

Burning the goat The story of the largest straw goat to be burned down started in 1966, when someone decided to create a 43-foot-tall monument in Castle Square to attract Christmas shoppers.

Of course, people would try to burn or sabotage the annual tradition, having successfully done so 29 of the past 52 years.

The last known arson was 2016.

Austria

On at all times These movies never seem to stop coming.

They are played on the Hallmark channel at all hours of the day.

Predictable Anyone with a brain can tell what’s going to happen within the first 15 minutes into the film. Girl meets boy, they squabble for about an hour of runtime, then finally get together.

‘Quality’ entertainment There’s so much depth and character development. OK, let’s face it, these stories are so forgettable that half of the time you forget the characters’ names or even the movie’s title.

Royalty Sometimes there’s the introduction of a vague royal lineage. Usually if there is royalty, the love interest is a prince or princess.

A celebrant dresses as Krampus.

Krampus — the anti-Santa In Austria, St. Nick rewards good boys and girls, while Krampus whisks bad kids away in his sack. Around Christmas, men dress up as Krampus to scare away kids.

The first mention of Krampus dates back to the 1500s.

Colombia Day of the little candles

Small town In most cases, the story takes place in a small town. Sometimes it’s even the protagonist’s hometown. The “big city” can often be used for juxtaposition.

Winter Wonderland There’s a “date” without calling it a date, involving holiday cheer. Activities may include ice skating, baking and holiday themed crafts.

Tragic backstory Characters usually have something from their past that may accidentally be brought up by the their partner. It could be an absent father or a wife who had died recently.

Xerox A Xerox machine is another name for a copier. These films are mass produced every year, and each of them is the exact same.

Uncomfortable For a cynical teen like myself, it may be hard to sit through one of these films without cringing at least a little bit.

Why? Why is this a thing? Sometimes when watching, you just have to ask yourself, why did they make this? Who is this for? The answer is, probably your mom.

Very corny See “Uncomfortable.”

Zingers!

There are so many cheesy one liners. It is almost impossible to get through even one movie scene without a little bit of sass.

Little Candles' Day marks the start of the Christmas season, in honor of the Virgin Mary.

People place candles and paper lanterns in their windows and yards.

The celebration has grown so much that entire towns are aglow in candlelight.

— Compiled by staff Photos from Wikimedia Commons