SCIENCE AND HEALTH
KOREA'S GOLDEN MOMENTS
Exploring the paradox of going green.
From "Parasite" to BTS, Korean culture is making its presence known, on campus and globally. BACK PAGE
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BEAR
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Teachers who nurture their artistic passions Pg. 10
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WITNESS
BRANHAM HIGH SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
@bhsbearwitness BHSBEARWITNESS.COM
JUUL LAWSUIT "JUUL marketed these dangerous and addictive products to youth without warning. We are in the business of educating students, not Dr. Robert Bravo cleaning up JUUL’s health crisis." CUHSD superintendent
ELECTION 2020
District files suit against JUUL maker Class action with other school districts ELIZABETH POSEY
T
District banks on a parcel tax to help stem exodus of quality teachers Measure K at a glance If the parcel tax passes, an independent committee will be formed to determine how the $16.7 million in annual funds for the next eight years will be spent. This is what the general plan for funds will look like. TEACHER RETENTION
Though the number of new teacher hires has dropped recently, Branham saw a turnover rate of more than 50% over a threeyear period between 2015-2017. If the Measure K passes, they expect to see a $6,500 bump in their salary schedules.
JULIANNE ALVARES Co-Editor-in-Chief
EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Funds will be allocated to increase the resources that are available for students and staff. Branham this year piloted a Wellness Center, including hiring Kevin Nguyen, a fulltime social worker. The district plans to roll out Wellness Centers to the rest of the schools with Measure K funds.
What's at stake Many teachers say that they are leaving or are threatening to leave because of the high costs of living in the Bay Area, and because of other districts in the county pay more. • The current parcel tax is $85 — lower than other schools nearby. • Senior citizens are exempt from the parcel tax increases.
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
• Any parcel tax needs 66.7% approval to pass.
Support vocational and career technical educational classes to train students for high demand careers, like health care and engineering.
• Only registered voters in CUHSD boundaries are eligible to vote.
Sources: CUHSD, Neighbors for Student Success and Excellent Local Schools
More coverage pg. 7
M
any Branham teachers already know what they'll do with the $6,500 salary increase if voters pass Measure K, a parcel tax that's expected to provide a $16.7 million windfall each year for the district.
• Why teachers feel that Measure K should be passed.
• From ballot measure to special elections, a glossary of campaigning terms.
English teacher Mike Espinoza plans to pay off his student loans. Science teacher Juan Fernandez plans to do more traveling. French teacher Laurel Garceau wants to pay off her home equity line of credit. Math teacher Amanda Wilson will use it toward her mortgage. "I'm pro anything when it comes to increased funding for schools," said English teacher Melanie Vega. Measure K, which is up for a vote at the special primary election in March, will tax $298 for each unit of land, and is expected to generate $16.7 million dollars each year for the eight years it's in effect. District leaders plan to use that money toward increasing teacher salaries and providing more mental health services and resources for students. Increasing career technical education (CTE) services was also a priority for the authors of the measure. While facilities bonds cover the district’s need for physical infrastructure, this parcel tax aims to account for the personnel and human needs involved in the education process. Teachers priced out of district The Measure K funds come at a time of rising income inequality, especially in the money-rich Silicon Valley, whose top earners make 12.2 times as much as those at the bottom of the economic ladder, a gap that's wider than anywhere in the state, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, which analyzed 2018 U.S. Census bureau data.
• Clarifying the confusion over Proposition 13.
SEE MEASURE K • PAGE 7
Caitlyn Schlaman/Bear Witness graphic
INSIDE
Campus briefs.................................2 News.............................................. 2
Editorial..........................................4 Bulletin Board.................................3
Science and Health.........................6 Climate Watch.................................6
InDepth...........................................7 Student Life....................................8
Co-Editor-in-Chief
he Campbell Union High School District has joined districts across California in a class action lawsuit against the electronic cigarette company JUUL for causing disruptions to their school’s learning environments and resulting financial losses in dedicating resources to fight the increase in vaping. Several other district lawsuits across the state have filed similar lawsuits earlier in January. CUHSD, Davis Joint Unified School District and Chico Unified School district filed theirs on Jan. 22. “JUUL marketed these dangerous and addictive products to youth without warning,” said CUHSD Superintendent Robert Bravo in the press release of the lawsuit. “We are in the business of educating students, not cleaning up JUUL’s health crisis.” Bravo ranked the JUUL epidemic in his top five most common complaints among parents and administrators this year. “Ideally, they wouldn't be in busiSEE LAWSUIT • PAGE 5
AUTHOR TALK The book describes women who have succeeded in male-dominated Silicon Valley.
Talk highlights female impacts in tech sector ZIV GALPAZ
I
Staff Writer
t’s no secret that Silicon Valley has long been dominated by men, who according to author Julian Guthrie make up nearly 94% of the workforce. What is not as widely known is how some of the 6% have been instrumental in shaping some of the world’s largest companies, from Facebook to Google. The bestselling author talked to students at Branham on Feb. 12 to highlight the gender discrepancies, and to highlight the Hidden Figures of Silicon Valley, in reference to the undercelebrated and influential figures in the male-dominated, cutthroat enviSEE AUTHOR • PAGE 5
MiniReviews.................................11 Sports.............................................9
Arts & Entertainment...................11 The Back Page...............................12
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BEAR WITNESS
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NEWS
“There's a stereotype for everyone now, and I feel like that there shouldn't be. We're all just regular people." — Afrouz Khosraviani, junior
Campus roundups Bionic Bruins qualify for state tournament
Their seven-year dream of qualifying for state has become a reality after a strong performance at a tournament in late January. The team will head to the Google HQ for the state championships in March, and are settuing their sights for trip to the nationals in Iowa later that month.
Afrouz Khosraviani, junior Family decided against trip to Iran due to escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S. She blames President Donald Trump for fanning anti-immigrant sentiment.
Global fears, local effects Some see undue panic, bias from Iran conflict, coronavirus outbreak JAZZY NGUYEN
J
Sports Editor
BHSBEARWITNESS.COM
unior Afrouz Khosraviani’s family emigrated to the U.S. from Iran 14 years ago, and they travel back to Iran every three to four years to visit family. This past year they chose not to go. “I was planning on actually going to Iran for a bit of my summer, but my family decided not to because we decided it would be safer to stay here,” she said. At the start of the year, tensions between Iran and the U.S. reached a fever pitch after President Donald Trump ordered the killing of top Iranian general Qassim Soleimani, a muted reEDITORIAL prompting taliatory effort on U.S. in Iraq. HowevDiscrimina- bases er, many to have, retory actions sorted to stereotypes highlight an- in response to the Iranti-immigrant long-running U.S. feud and more refears. cently China's dealing with the novel coronavirus has prompted Pg. 4 Khosraviani said that the very real anxiety that she and her family feel have become the fodder for jokes and internet memes about World War III. “People (have started) asking me like, ‘Oh, are you going to be drafted?’ because I'm Iranian and American,” Khosraviani said. “It's like the media has made all these political issues a joke, something to laugh about. The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China and has been rousing panic around the world, with five cases in the Bay Area, two in Santa Clara. Local Chinese restaurants have reported marked decline in customers since the outbreak was reported. Khosraviani attributes the increase of racial stereotypes and anti-immigrant feeling to Trump’s stance on immigration. “(His rhetoric) has definitely clouded their judgment because it puts a stereotype on every type of immigrant,” says Khosraviani. “There's a stereotype for everyone now, and I feel like that there shouldn't be. We're all just regular people.” On the other hand, senior Leo Golden , JROTC cadet, hasn’t noticed a negative attitude change, but agrees with Trump and how he addressed the Iranian crisis. “He was swift he acted fast and Iran knows that they can't touch us,” Golden said. Brett Johanson, a social science teacher, said that Trump's actions may have furthered anti-immigration feeling and led to more division within the country, as action against certain groups of people by the U.S. government may make the situation more dangerous. An example he cited was Trump’s travel ban, which disallowed people from predominantly Muslim countries from travelling to the U.S. “It's a riskier policy to have a Muslim ban because that's only going to incite somebody who feels they need to stick up for Muslims by acting out against the United States.” Johanson said. “(The U.S. is less) secure because I think he's giving more incentive to people to act out against us.”
Advisory time devoted to Mental Health Week Branham will be dedicating tutorial periods the week of Feb. 24 to addressing mental health issues. The series of presentations will discuss issues from depression to suicidal ideations and provide resources on where students can get help, as well as words of encouragement from their peers. Dent Ave. garden officially renamed Robyn's Grove The grove on Dent Ave. is now officially named
Robyn’s Grove, in honor of Robyn Gutierrez, the student who shared her struggles with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy at the Winter Wishes rally when she was a freshman in 2016. She succumbed to the disease a month later. Branhaml hosts first Hackathon Branham's first Hackathon on Feb. 4 drew about two dozen participants learning how to code websites and apps. Student leaders senior William Gardner and junior Alex
Goldberg taught the middle and high school participants how to build a program that analyzes emails for harmful content. According to the organizers, the Hackathon taught a students a new programming language focusing on study skills and student mental health. An all-girls group won the competition creating a flashcard app and a website that used a Google programming engine to locate nearby tutors. — Compiled by staff
Elephants in the classroom In predominantly liberal school, Republican students feel their opinions unwelcome CAITLYN SCHLAMAN Production Manager
ophomore Nicole Platko is a S JROTC student and a Republican in a school that is majority
Democrat. She supports President Donald Trump and the Republican party, and can be seen wearing a red ‘Trump 2020’ hat and sweatshirt with the GOP elephant, the symbol for the party. According to a recent Bear Witness survey, only 10% of students at Branham are Republican or lean Republican, an environment that puts Platko and students with similar views in the minority. She said that she and her friends have trouble voicing their opinions. “There’s definitely a massive lack of just being able to simply debate things.” she said. When Platko wears her Republican gear, she notices more hostile reactions from students and teachers, from stares in the hallway to confrontations strangers BULLETIN from saying that she BOARD shouldn’t be wearing her Are students apparel. Platko’s expecomfortable rience reflects a political cliexpressing mate that has minority been increasviewpoints? ingly polarized that echoes the extreme lanPg. 4 guage of both sides of the spectrum. A Pew Research Center conducted a series of surveys on polarization, illustrating a rapid decline in mixed views among Democrats and Republicans. Senior Ashley Donaldson believes she doesn’t have to be so vocal with her Republican opinions. Platko and Donaldson both find it hard to express their opinions on campus, and often are drowned out in class debates. “There's probably five other people that I know who agree with my views,” said Donaldson. “It is kind of hard, and I know anything that will come out of my mouth, people are going to disagree with and not really listen. It's not the person, it's just what politics are today and it really does suck.” It’s deep blue in the Bay Area, where each county, including Santa Clara, has been voting solely for Democrats since the early 1990s. The Bay Area and Los Angeles also have the highest concentrations of Democratic voters, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Senior Cassidy Chang, a self-professed liberal and a local leader for March for Our Lives, said that it can be difficult for conservatives in the minority to speak up in class. “It's really like we're a liberal bubble,” Chang said. “There are people with conservative ideology, but it's like they kind of have to hide it.” For Chang, there is room for debate, but there are limits to that. “I wholeheartedly agree that anybody who has a voice should be able to share that voice and we should
Editors-in-Chief Julianne Alvares and Elizabeth Posey Production Managers Chandler Roberts and Caitlyn Schlaman Editors News: Cara McClure Opinion: Andelina Miller Arts and Entertainment: Katelyn Lowpensky
Caitlyn Schlaman/Bear Witness Sophomore Nicole Platko said her outfits that support President Donald Trump and the Republican Party sometimes get negative reactions from her peers, from stares down the hallway to scoldings from strangers. What do “left” and “right” mean in American politics? Politics are complicated, and it is hard to reduce policies to a simple left–right spectrum. In general, the left is associated with socially liberal policies and economic policies that create a greater social safety net, while the right is associated with socially conservative policies and less regulation of the economy. Examples of economic policies Left: Expansion of government-provided health care; increase in minimum wage Right: lowering taxes on wealth;limiting government regulation of the economy Examples of social policies Left: Expansion of LGBTQ rights; more pathways to citizenship for immigrants Right: Immigration restrictions;limiting access to abortion. Source: Pew Research Center make a space for it.” she said. “But then also, if your viewpoint is detrimental to somebody else's safety or overall well being, you shouldn't be able to.” Seeking middle ground In her AP Language and Composition class, Barbara Arduini stresses the need to get different perspectives. Everyone has a platform to speak, and all views are valued. “It's important to have a calm discussion in school,” she said. “In school it's good to explore things more objectively and intellectually, and then take those passions and go fight for what you believe in, outside of the classroom.”
Elizabeth Posey/Bear Witness Senior Cassidy Chang was among the several thousand who marched in September's Global Climate Strike. She says that the Bay Area is a liberal bubble.
Science and Health: Zachary Macapanpan Student Life: Lily Middleton Sports: Jazzy Nguyen Copy: Nolan Zils Staff writers Ziv Galpaz, Cianna Hollinger, Meenakshi Iyer, Orion Jandu, Tae Yun (Erica) Kang, Jayden Kim, Shantala Muruganujan, Genevieve Nemeth, Carly Waldorph, Ryan Walters 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: bhsbearwitness@gmail.com Address: 1570 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA 95118
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OPINION
Female representation among coaches has decreased within the past few decades.
BITE-SIZED Minor solutions, minor problems
Problem: Junior year is wild and stressful and I really just don’t think I am able to memorize any more vocabulary words.
Problem: People who do not put on their blinkers while turning or changing lanes is very annoying, and it is a very dangerous habit.
Problem: I’m cold during winter, and the thermostat in my classes is always at 60 degrees.
Solution: Somehow get a photographic memory so I will always be ready for Mr. Mason’s APUSH vocabulary tests — Lily Middleton
Solution: These individuals should all try driver’s ed again because they clearly need a refresher. —Katelyn Lowpensky
Solution:Take all the graded tests in one class and make a bonfire. — Julianne Alvares
Problem: Can we stop talking about politics for one day? I’m tired of hearing about how everything is terrible and the election is coming up. It’s always the same things. Solution: Infiltrate the government, and lock them up until they hash out their issues — Caitlyn Schlaman
Wide gender gap exists in all levels of coaching
Female coaches ready to lead, but few chances are opening up for them CARLY WALDORPH Staff Writer
n professional sports, it’s I quickly noticeable that there aren’t nearly as many female
coaches as there are male. It’s often questioned why men’s Alyssa teams are almost always coached Nakken by men, yet many female teams Nakken, who works for the have male coaches. San Francisco Female representation among coaches has decreased within the Giants, is the past few decades. Many women first female coach in MLB are part of a coaching staff, but history. few have taken the position of head coach. Branham is currently in the winter sports season, with five teams including girls/boys basketball, girls/boys soccer, and wrestling. Out of these five teams, there are no female head coaches. Branham has 20 sports throughout the school year, and only 6 of those teams have Katie Sowers She is just the female head coaches. Those third woman include both traditional and to be hired as competitive cheer, boys/girls an NFL coach, volleyball, field hockey, and and the first to badminton. coach in a SuWhy is it that female discrimper Bowl. She ination has been an issue for so long, yet males are still dominat- works for the ing the majority of the coaching San Francisco 49ers. staff in sports? Not only is gender discrimination and sexism a problem at Branham, but it is also a common issue in society. Recently, the San Francisco Giants hired an assistant coach, Alyssa Nakken, to be the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball history. Since MLB was established in 1869, it is shocking that Nakken was the first to take the position just this year. Not very many female coaches are seen coaching men’s teams. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, some collegiate athletic programs are almost 100% run by men. Males are not only coaching a majority of men’s teams but they are for women’s teams as well. In 1972, women coached more than 90 percent of women’s teams. Today, they coach fewer than half. Often when a male coaches a girls team, the girls cannot relate to the coach regarding personal or physical issues, as easily as they could with a female coach. When girls have a female coach, it is easier for them to ask for support from their coach. Branham’ Athletic Director Landon Jacobs agrees. “It’s very beneficial for young female athletes to have impactful relationships with female coaches,” he said. People are beginning to try and solve this issue, but it will take time. Branham’s Athletic Administrative Assistant and girls/boys volleyball coach, Heather Cooper, said that “It’s unfortunate that there are so few female coaches either at a head or assistant coach role. “It is strange that now in 2020, there still seems to be less acceptance of a woman coach,” she said. “I know that that is changing but it is very slow.” Women deserve the chance to be given the same opportunities as men, and society is beginning to acknowledge women as just as capable as men. “Hopefully the sporting world is becoming more receptive to females taking a lead on a team,” Cooper said.
School shootings sadly common in teen entertainment
Teen shows that portray school shootings 7th Heaven : “Johnny get your Gun” Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Earshot” Degrassi: The Next Generation:“Time Stands Still” American Horror Story: “Piggy Piggy” One Tree Hill:“With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Sleep”
Elizabeth Posey/Bear Witness JULIANNE ALVARES Co-Editor-in-Chief
he high school experience: first dates, T dances, homework, finals and school shootings.
Shows that take place in high schools have been chronicling the stereotypical teenage experience since their inception, but lately they have added another trope to their repertoire: school shootings. Iconic shows such as “One Tree Hill,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” “Thirteen Reasons Why,” and even “Glee” have had school shooting episodes. The violence is added for dramatic effect or used as a character development plot missing the often serious nature of the issue. The “Glee” episode “Shooting Star” cheerleader Becky Jackson brings a gun to school in order to protect herself. The episode aired just four months after the Sandy Hook tragedy as the nation was still recovering. It rightly received backlash from victim advocates groups, as there is no reason for a show about a musical group to incorporate shooting.
These depictions of violence date back to the cult classic “Heathers” in which J.D., the main antagonist, plans to blow up the school in order to get revenge on those he believes have wronged him and ostracized him from the community. J.D. is eerily similar to the classical school shooter who has emerged in recent history. These shows and movies are meant to reflect the typical teenage experience and it’s shocking that school shootings have become “typical.” This numbs us to the reality of the situation. According to research by the American Psychological Association, exposure to violent media causes one to be more tolerant of acts of brutality. The study said that these acts can be enjoyable if we watch enough of them. This desensitization towards media translates to a sense of apathy towards the real life shootings. The events that used to inspire outrage and marching in the streets no longer occupy even a 24-hour news cycle. While the Sandy Hook and Parkland tragedies sparked movements and social change, the El Paso
shooting months after Parkland faded out of the news. Another side effect from this introduction of school and mass shootings into popular culture is imitation. According to an American Journal on Publich Health Report, people try and “imitate” behaviors they observe in the media. Media coverage and portrayal of mass shootings can have an effect on copycats and possibly cause an uptick in shootings. Shows should feel the need to portray school shootings as a reality for teenagers or use it as a shock factor. As much as mass shootings are a problem in today’s society there is no social commentary coming from a school shooting episode. Giving these horrific events more media attention is dangerous and takes away from those who actually lost their lives in such tragedies. Shows should get back to the normal TV show stereotypes like high schoolers that are actually 30 and teenagers managing to go out every night and still have good grades, not school shootings.
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BEAR WITNESS
OPINION Editorial The opinion of the Bear Witness editors
THE CYCLE OF XENOPHOBIA
Global crises breed discrimination at home
When international events stir unease here, they also spark xenophobia, the prejudice against people from other countries. The current Iran crisis in early January began when a U.S. drone strike killed prominent Iranian general Qasam Suleimani, sparking retaliatory rocket fire into U.S.held bases in Iraq, is one recent example of how international conflicts affect the lives of citizens and students in America. After the series of conflicts between the U.S. and Iran escalated, junior Afrouz Khosraviani’s family was reluctant to travel to their home country of Iran. The travel ban to many Middle Eastern
Room for debate The Bay Area is a liberal bubble, and so is Branham, with nearly 90% saying that they lean Democrat or are left-leaning. Is there room for unpopular opinions here? “If I am expressing my opinion and someone else disagrees, it’s okay because I know I can either teach them. If they don’t change their views that’s okay, too.”
Alyssa Berry Sophomore
Stacy Spurlin Freshman
BHSBEARWITNESS.COM Trump claims to be a Christian, but his actions do little to adhere to biblical teachings and the moral obligations of the religion.
e read it in the news. We see it in meW mes. we hear it joked about casually in the classroom. We also see it in our president.
BULLETIN BOARD
| FEBRUARY 14, 2020 |
countries, an executive order signed by Trump soon after the start of his presidency, was widely observed as a xenophobic act to reduce the number of Muslim people from entering the U.S. FBI reports also note the increase of hate crimes, the highest in 16 years. Xenophobic acts don’t seem to end with the president, however. The outbreak of the new coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China has made Chinese Americans and even Asian Americans targets of racial discrimination. A Feb. 1 Los Angeles Times article noticed that Lyft and Uber drivers with Asian-sounding surnames saw last-minute cancellations, with customers suggesting that they feared the risk of infection. For students to see similar levels of preju-
TRUMP THE UNCHRISTIAN In his words and actions, our president has shown his true nature.
July 2016: Trump retweets an anti-Semitic white supremacist’s post showing political rival Hillary Clinton with a six-pointed star above her, and a caption portraying her as “the most corrupt candidate ever.” Trump defends, “Just leave it up and say, no, that’s not a star of David, that’s just a star… it could have been a sheriff’s star.” The post was eventually removed.
dice, they need not go further than a social media explore page to find memes joking about dining at Chinese restaurants or when an Asian student coughs during class. Since the reported outbreak, the virus’s origin and racial biases around it seem to have become inseparable. While the epidemic warrants fair concerns for those who want to protect their health, it more often causes irrational and unwarranted behavior that in some cases becomes racially charged. And these opinions often feel more dangerous and spread faster than any virus. Even as treatment for this illness begins to develop, little can remedy the lasting impact of the fear and hatred instilled in many Americans. Our xeonophobic history seems to have
June 2017: In an Oval Office meeting, Trump is reported saying that Haitian immigrants “all have AIDS,” and that Nigerian immigrants will “never go back to their huts,” in Africa.
countries, “Why are we having all these people from sh*thole countries come here?” Trump denied making the comments, although quite a few senators present at the meeting confirmed his comments.
January 2018: At a bipartisan meeting, Trump reportedly asked, in reference to Haiti and African
December 2019: Trump attacks Debbie Dingell, a Democratic congresswoman for voting for his
His policies support Christians, but Christians shouldn’t back Trump
“Most of the time I do feel comfortable sharing my political opinions on campus because it’s a good environment. But certain views do get shot down by other people, so I think it depends on what your personal opinions are.”
ORION JANDU Staff Writer
resident Donald Trump has long worked to show P his support for white evangelical Protestants across America. From bolstering protections for prayer in
Britney Doan Junior
Ian Khajenouri Junior
impeachment. He also suggests that her husband, the late World War II veteran and former congressman John Dingell, whose seat she now holds, is in hell. “He’s looking down, he’d be so thrilled." He then suggests that heaven is not where John Dingell ended up. “Maybe he’s looking up — I don’t know.” — Compiled by Orion Jandu
SINS OF OUR PRESIDENT
“Everyone here is very nice, and especially since Branham is a pretty diverse school compared to most schools in this district, I think you can (voice your unpopular opinions) pretty well.”
Kylie Ng Sophomore
repeated itself. An FDR-issued executive order in February 1942 interned a large number of Japanese Americans, putting millions of citizens into camps around the country. This order was issued based on fear and retaliation as the U.S. was fighting the Japanese government overseas, and fueled a rise in anti-Asian American sentiment across the country. We cannot allow conflicts and crises thousands of miles away determine how we treat the people around us. To stop this culture, students can look more closely at global events and how they might influence their peers of different nationalities. Before making ignorant comments, before sharing racially charged posts, before jumping to prejudiced conclusions.
“I sometimes feel like I can voice my opinions, it just kind of depends on who I’m talking to. I guess when I’m near older students I feel like they would be more judgmental towards my opinions, but I mean it depends on the person, I guess.” “Usually you can voice your unpopular opinions to teachers because they’re meant to be less judgmental and keep their political and religious beliefs aside, but when it comes to kids, it’s a little harder. If they don’t come from the same background as you, it’s harder to sympathize. ... I feel pretty confident that I can voice my unpopular opinions with my friends because I associate with a group of friends I trust.”
Elizabeth Posey/Bear Witness
schools, to appointing conservative judges, as well as expanding legal protections for religious groups, he is aiming to gain their vote for November. Early this month, Trump attended the 68th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, a forum for the religious, political and business elite. However, many Christians are divided over supporting the president and his policies. A 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center has shown that 69% of white evangelicals support Trump, but the remaining 31% oppose the president’s methods. Trump claims to be a Christian, but his actions do little to adhere to biblical teachings and the moral obligations of the religion. Acts 13:38 | Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Trump has claimed that he has never sought forgiveness from Christ. Christianity is built on a very crucial foundation, that actually sets the religion apart from all others. This concept is that humanity cannot achieve perfection by themselves. They must come to Christ for forgiveness for their sins, and for redemption in the eyes of God. If Trump has never asked for forgiveness, he is missing a major piece in the Christian puzzle, and is living a lie that deceives the majority of evangelical Christians in America. Matthew 5:32 | “Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Trump has received several allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape from women, and he has also had three wives in the past forty-five years. Proverbs 15:1 | “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Trump’s harsh racist commentary leaves a massive streak that goes from the 1970’s until now, from cracking jokes about the Trail of Tears, to indulging white supremacists, calling Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists, and requesting a ban on Muslims in America. As a result, Democrats have become aggravated by Trump, and have recently risen up against him. Matthew 5:43-44 | “ You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Trump has repeatedly shown his support for the racial division in our country, and others. Last year in July, he had told four of our own Congresswomen to “go back” to the countries where they came from, instead of “loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States” how to run the government. As a Christian, I would want my faith supported by a person who is respected, selfless, and wise in his or her actions. It’s true that Trump has done a lot to proclaim his support towards evangelicals across America, but is it out of the goodness of his heart, or does he just want to get reelected? We simply can’t support a man of such hypocrisy.
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE LAWSUIT | 15% of students admit to vaping, survey shows ness,” Bravo said in an interview. “There should be a certain amount of freedom in society for people, individuals to make certain choices. So, if not completely removed from the marketplace. I would like to see a sort of minimum page change in marketing teams and marketing.” While ballpark estimates have yet to be set, Bravo referenced some of the major categories of financial loss. Assistant principal hours, on campus hours for staff to educate parents on vaping dangers, keeping campus lights on at night, and student absences are a few examples of areas where the district feel they have lost money to JUUL. An FDA report in September 2019 said that the company had engaged in illegal marketing strategies targeting teenagers, such as having its representatives tell teens that their pods were safer than cigarettes. The CDC reported 1.5 million youth electronic cigarette user increase between 2017 to 2018. In a fall Bear Witness survey of 860 students, 15% have admitted to vaping at least once. Lessons from JUUL Social science department chair Brett Johanson said that he’s concerned that the effective early marketing of these devices has prolonged student exposure to JUUL products long after they’ve stopped targeting teens. “What’s really twisted about JUUL is these flavors,” Johanson said, “I’m sure some adults like all these flavors but a lot of those flavors seem specifically designed to entice children.” He notices patterns of student behavior that suggest e-cigarette addiction, such as frequent trips to the bathroom during class. “Over the years I’ve worried about students suddenly leaving class all the time,” said Johanson. Some have incorporated lessons on vaping into their lesson plans. Social science teacher Kirk Selfridge used an economics activity for students to calculate the costs of the JUUL itself as well as the monthly expenses for
purchasing its pods, not including long-term health expenses later in life. Making a statement In its 2019 lawsuit, the state of California described JUUL engaging in “systematic” use of marketing to attract young adults. Not only did the state attorneys feel that the company’s print and digital advertising raised ethical questions, they also claimed the company’s website had issues with its age verification on purchases. Bravo said he was contacted about the lawsuit by Baron & Budd, P.C. and Shea & Boyle, LLP. toward the end of 2019, and brought the idea to the school board in December, which quickly passed the resolution. There was no financial risk, since the district would not pay the firm if they lose their case. Bravo hopes this year to work with the legal council to get a more representative figure of the financial toll that student use of JUUL products has taken on the district. “We definitely need to have a more rigorous accounting than we've done,” said Bravo. Johanson has questions about the financial grounds of the lawsuit. “I’d be curious how much we could really classify as being an expense,” he said “I think the expense is more of a social and health expense at this point.” While Bravo does not expect compensation from the company, the case is primarily focused on the financial losses of the district. He also doesn’t expect any resolution from the lawsuit by the end of the year. The Bear Witness reached out to JUUL’s public relations via email and as of the date of publication, the company’s representatives have yet to reply. Bravo hopes the statement made by the lawsuit will eventually extinguish the district’s vape culture. He has a 7-year-old son, who will eventually attend one of the schools in the district “Anything I could do to try and lessen the chances, I will,” he said.
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Ziv Galpaz/Bear Witness Juniors Elina Vakunova, Kevin Shim, Jessica La Rocca and Ethan Rocheville with author Julian Guthrie.
AUTHOR | Finding passions emphasized ronment. Her new book, "Alpha Girls: The Women Upstarts Who Took on Silicon Valley’s Male Culture and Made the Deals of a Lifetime," is the story of four women who became stars of venture capital in Silicon Valley and helped finance and build some of the foremost companies of our time. The alpha girls are MJ Elmore, one of the first women to make partner at a venture firm in the U.S.; Magdalena Yesil, a serial entrepreneur, early e-commerce guru, and founding investor in Salesforce; Sonja Perkins, whose investments made the Internet safer and faster; and Theresia
Gouw, who rose through the ranks at Accel Partners and is now cofounder of Aspect Ventures and a founding member of All Raise. The talk began with AP Lang teacher Tobie Schweizer introducing Guthrie but quickly segwayed into their fair share of obstacles. Author Julian Guthrie presented through a student panel that asked questions that related to the vast majority of the student body. Guthrie emphasized how finding one's "passion is what will help you succeed. “ She told the panel of student
interviewers, juniors Elina Vakunova,Kevin Shim, Jessica La Rocca and Ethan Rocheville to tie their superpower to a mission,” that is, to find a greater purpose for one's unique skillset. Throughout the talk, Guthrie repeatedly emphasized the importance of success in something you love. Guthrie spent 20 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, where she also won numerous awards and was nominated multiple times for a Pulitzer. The book "Alpha Girls" is being turned into a drama series developed by TriStar Pictures.
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SCIENCE&HEALTH
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“The protests, movements, and event all make me hopeful for the future,” — SPARE President Xiaomian Yang, on the impact of climate activism. Plastic straw bans affect disabled teens Starbucks’ move to phase out plastic straws is seen as a positive, but those with mobility impairments rely on them for their ease of use.
Metal bottles leave large carbon mark Aluminum produces 11.09 ton of CO2 emissions per ton of cans while plastic bottles account for 2.2 tons of greenhouse gases, according to a 2016 EPA study.
Planting trees can harm ecosystems Large-scale tree planting efforts may dry up their surrounding water sources, impacting naturall irrigation for local vegetation.
Some eco hazards from going green ZACHARY MACAPANPAN
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Science & Health Editor
limate activism has sparked notable advances in eco-friendliness. States like California and Washington have enacted policies that aim to reduce waste, and car companies such as Tesla are investing in the future of electronic transportation. While activism has invoked conversations and change on the policies and actions surrounding human interaction with the environment, some of the resulting actions have caused unintended consequences. A hot topic in the discussion of climate change is the use of plastic straws, which don’t decompose or biodegrade. They remain in landfills for hundreds of years and can potentially poison animals and hurt the environment. A study from the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management estimates that 8.3 billion straws pollute the world’s beaches, and The Sea Turtle Conservancy says that as many as 100 million marine animals die each year from ocean debris. In 2018 Seattle became the first major city to ban non-compostable disposable straws, and Starbucks announced they would no longer be serving plastic straws in their stores. Such events have prompted activists to push for similar policies in their own cities. However, activists for disabled people have said that these bans have an adverse effect on those populations. Melissa Lam, the president of Westmont’s Best Buddies chapter, said that a plastic straw ban would be detrimental to those with mobility impairments. Two students in their club have cerebral palsy, which limits their body movement and muscle coordination. As a result, they rely on straws when drinking. “We do need to take action to combat climate change,” said Lam. “However, we should also help the people who rely on straws. Switching to alternative straws like paper and reusable ones would help the environment and people who rely on them.” Reusable water bottles, which clubs like SPARE
recommend over single-use ones, may not be as green as they claim. Many water bottle manufacturers, such as KleanKanteen and Sigg, do not use recycled materials in production. An MIT study showed that one ton of aluminum, a common material used in reusable bottles, creates approximately 10 times more carbon dioxide than producing a ton of steel. Tree-planting has also been a focal point of climate activism in popular culture since they are big sinks for carbon dioxide. YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr Beast, helped raise $20,000,000 to plant one tree for every dollar donated. While it’s always nice to see people come together to do something good for the environment, planting trees has also created unforeseen consequences. In a study of over 600 tree plantations by the Nicholas School of Environment and Earth Sciences, streams where the forests were created shrank by nearly half, and 13% of streams dried completely for at least one year. The man-made forests also forced out plants and animals that preferred open environments. Large-scale efforts such as tree planting highlight the importance of prior research and long-term sustainability of that effort. SPARE has continued efforts to beautify the community by planting a native garden at Branham Park after researching compatible native plants in the area. SPARE secretary sophomore Naia Sasano said that it was important to consider factors such as the vulnerability of the plant as well as the humidity and temperature around the area. “Planting trees in general is good,” said Sasano. “But if you do the research, trees require a lot of space. If there’s too many in one area it could damage the land around it.” Although there’s been consequences, activists won’t stop advocating for the protection of the environment. Whether it’s government organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or activist led groups such as 350, there are many people looking to make a cleaner future. But it’s clear that proper precautions and research must be done to make any efforts worthwhile.
Climate strikes a lasting global crusade RYAN WALTERS
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limate change is real, and measures big and small are being taken at the governmental as well as the corporate level. But with every step forward (Starbucks moving away from plastic straws) come some unintended consequences for some. We explore some of the good and bad to come from the green industrial movement. CLIMATE WATCH Sierra snowpack at 57% of historical average Two NASA satellite images released late by the National Weather Service office in Sacramento starkly illustrate how much less snow is covering the Sierra Nevada this week compared to the same time a year ago. The images, taken from roughly 438 miles above Earth, show California’s Sierra Nevada range blanketed with snow a year ago, on Feb. 17, 2019. That day, the snowpack, which is the source of about one-third of the state’s annual water
Staff Writer
eenage activists such as Greta Thunberg have gained worldwide fame, winning 2019 Time Magazine “Person of the Year” and becoming a nominee for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Senior Xiaomian Yang, president of SPARE, a club that promotes climate awareness within the Branham community, is inspired by Thunberg and all of the activism over the past decade. “Greta’s actions and pushes for a change are admirable,” Yang said. “She continues to inspire many youths, including me.” Last fall, more than 6 million people around the world, including 40,000 in the Bay Area, participated in the Global Climate Strike. Other movements, such as 350 Bay Area, are making progress and protesting to ban methane in San Francisco buildings. Yang believes these marches hold power to shape legislation in the long term. “The marches and protests could influence the government to reduce carbon emissions and protect the ecosystem,” Yang said. At the same time, awareness hasn’t always led to a decrease in our carbon footprint. According to a 2016 report by the city of San Jose, California produced 361.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, second only to Texas, with 653.8 million metric tons. Cities including San Jose have devised plans to reduce our carbon footprint. Climate Smart San Jose is one of the first detailed city plans for reaching the targets of the Paris Agreement, a worldwide agreement to reduce the global carbon footprint signed in 2016. According to a Clean Jobs America report, nearly 3.3 million Americans are working in the renewable energy industry. San Jose’s plan is already on
supply, was at 147% of its historical statewide average for that date. The second image shows the same view taken this week, on — when the snowpack was just 54% of the historical statewide average. The snowpack may indicate an oncoming drought for the state. Study: Warming may speed up ocean currents Since the 1990s wind speeds have picked up making ocean waters swirl faster. But an unusually high amount of acceleration in circulation has oceanographers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences speculating that global warming may also be playing a role. Connected systems of currents
distribute heat between the world’s oceans. They predict that because the poles are warming faster the currents are speeding up to compensate. Antarctica’s warm February sets a record Esperanza Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula recorded an all-time high temperature of nearly 65 degrees Fahrenheit on Feb. 7. It breaks the previous record of 63.5 degrees set back in 2015 at the same location. Due to the recent warm weather, the Thwaites Glacier, the biggest glacier in Antarctica, has begun to melt. It is expected to could raise global sea levels by 10 feet.
San Jose clean air initiatives The city is investing millions to cut its greenhouse gases, and plans to hire 25,000 for clean tech jobs by the end of 2022. Most of its energy is comes from renewable resources. track to create 25,000 clean tech jobs by the end of 2022. According to a report done by San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE) at the start of the new year, 86% of San Jose’s energy is carbon free; of this, 45% comes from renewable sources and 41% is generated hydro-electrically. The plan is backed by local reusable energy companies and also bigger companies such as Tesla. Electric vehicles do not produce any exhaust unlike gasoline cars. The exhaust produced from gasoline vehicles consists of potentially dangerous chemicals including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. However, according to a report done by CityLab, in 2017, just 200,000 electric vehicles were sold out of over 17,000,000 made. Although the 2020 Tesla vehicles range from $35,000-$124,000 compared to the average price for a Honda at around $16,000-$34,000, the price of an e-gallon, or a gallon of electricity, in California is just over half the price of a regular gallon of gasoline, at an average of $1.83 for an e-gallon and an average of $3.39 for a gallon of regular gasoline. Upcoming events such as the 350 Bay Area rally at the State of the State Address on Feb. 19 and Earth Day at Oxbow Commons in Napa on April 26 are displays of the continued efforts of activists pushing to make their world a better place. “The protests, movements, and events all make me hopeful for the future.” Yang said. “There is hope for a change that is completely necessary.”
$10 billion for climate change from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the Amazon CEO, on Monday announced a new fund to back scientists, activists and organizations working to mitigate the impact of climate change. Bezos will commit $10 billion “to start,” he said in an Instagram post. The initiative, called the Bezos Earth Fund, will begin giving out grants this summer. The $10 billion commitment constitutes less than 8% of the world’s richest man’s estimated $130 billion net worth. — Compiled by Zachary Macapanpan and Ryan Walters
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INDEPTH ELECTION 2020 Sounding off on measure K Chris Chidester Physics, 15 years at school
"Being in one of the most expensive regions of the country, I believe that our schools should be well-funded."
Laurel Garceau French 7 years
"Our district needs to generate more money so that we can increase our salaries in order to attract and retain quality teachers."
Cheryl Lawton Principal 4 years
"I do believe that the ability to offer higher salaries will make CUHSD a more competitive option for newer teachers and staff."
Amanda Wilson Math 6 years
"The money per student being spent is decreasing as the number of students in our schools goes up. ... It's not enough to keep up."
Leanne Haghighi Special ed 11 years
"It would mean a pay increase but it's important for students as well because it means more funding for needed services and programs."
Campaigning glossary Ballot measure A proposed law on a ballot that is approved or rejected by voters.
PARCEL TAXES: ONLY IN CALIFORNIA • If a school community in California wants to significantly increase funding for the basic operation of its own local schools, there is only one option: the parcel tax. California is the only state in America that uses this particular form of property tax to fund schools, for reasons tied up with Proposition 13. This famous ballot initiative, passed by California voters in 1978, prohibits school districts from raising property taxes based on the value of property. 66.7% needed to pass Parcel taxes are hard to pass; they require two-thirds voter approval, not just a simple majority. About half are passed. 65.1% of all parcel taxes originated from the Bay Area between 2008-2019. Sources: Ballotpedia Ed100.org The confusion over Prop. 13 reform Contrary to assumptions bandied about on social media, the proposal has nothing to do with California’s famous 1978 law that keeps property tax assessments within range of original purchase prices. Instead, this year’s Proposition 13 would tap into the state’s general fund, not property taxes, to cover $15 billion worth of bonds to be spent on school construction and renovation. If approved, the spending would include about $9 billion for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public schools, $4 billion for universities, $2 billion for community colleges and $500 million for charter schools. Because school enrollment is declining statewide, the spending plan would prioritize renovating older buildings over new construction. Source: Ed100.org
Canvassing The act of going door-todoor to persuade people and gain support through direct contact General election Final election for a political office; can happen at a local, state, or national level. Occurs during the first Tuesday of November.
Lily Middleton/Bear Witness Special education teacher Nick Cortez speaks to a neighborhood resident during a canvas expedition in support for Measure K.
MEASURE K | Long campaign for more funding From PAGE 1 The high cost of living in the region makes it hard for teachers and staff to find reasonable housing accommodations, especially if they are the sole breadwinner in their family. According to a 2018 Bear Witness survey, more than 57% of teachers don't live in the district, where an average threeroom family home in Branham's 95118 often tops $1 million. "So many teachers (including me) have either moved away or are considering moving away because they can't afford to live here," said English teacher Tobie Schweizer, who has taught at Branham for 16 years. To be considered low-income in San Jose, a family of four has to make below $94,000. The starting teacher salary is $60,000, among the lowest in the county. "That's already far below poverty wages in the Bay Area," said special education teacher Nick Cortez, who is leading the teacher union's charge to get Measure K passed. 'We don't feel valued' Social science teacher Tania Eaton, a single parent and Branham’s 2016 teacher of the year, wakes up at 5 a.m., teaches six periods, and then heads to her second job where she teaches SAT prep once a week, just to run out of money by the middle of the month. She lives in a two bedroom house with her three children, one who attends Branham. She said that her rent takes out more than half of her paycheck. When the money dries out halfway through the month, she said that she has to start feeding her children macaroni and cheese and Top Ramen for dinner. Because of this, she has considered leaving Branham and moving in with her mom for a while. “We (as teachers) don’t feel valued,” Eaton said in an interview last year. In early 2019, the Campbell High School Teachers Association (CHSTA) agreed to a 4% salary increase, while acknowledging that they will continue to negotiate for a larger increase come this school year. Cortez, the special education teacher leading efforts to get this passed, said that
Measure K will increase the chances of negotiation a more permanent salary increase. Campaigning for Measure K Cortez has been active in trying to get voters in the district to approve of the measure, which needs a supermajority — 66.7% — to pass. According to Ballotpedia, a nonprofit political encyclopedia, barely half are approved by voters. He has attended special meetings, attended phone banking sessions, written personalized postcards for senior citizens who can choose to opt out of paying a parcel tax. He has attended PTA meetings to seek endorsements from different neighborhood associations. He even takes the effort on to social media, something that he's said he's been loathe to do if it weren't for Measure K. He's also walked around neighborhoods on weekends with a small group of teachers and administrators to find anyone who would listen. "We've done a lot and we're really hopeful that it will pass," he said. Canvassing the neighborhood You don't know who you'll meet while walking Branham neighborhoods to talk up Measure K. On one Saturday expedition in early February, Cortez and two reporters who followed him had their palms read by a man named Gene. Cortez had been knocking on doors for the past two hours trying to convince voters to vote yes on Measure K. The exchanges had been short and uneventful until now. While Cortez was making his pitch for Measure K, Gene insisted he start over and shake his hand. Judging from Cortez's hand, Gene said he was "authentic," while he said that the reporter was "creative," "symmetrical," but lacked "interpersonal relationships." Cortez that day was joined by district superintendent Dr. Robert Bravo, Principal Cheryl Lawton, special education teacher Michael Dopheide, Measure K volunteer coordinator Sasha Shapiro and school board president Kalen Gallagher. While the support needed for this parcel tax exists already, the teachers and admin-
istrators involved still hope to gain a small percentage of voters that they feel will secure and solidify its approval. Measures for measure The district is no stranger to successful ballot initiatives. In 2016, it convinced voters to pass the Measure AA bond, which raised millions to fund campus renovations such as the four two-story buildings at Branham. However, increased teacher pay has been a thorny issue for both sides, as teachers share stories of working side jobs and long commutes from affordable neighborhoods to make ends meet. The availability of funds from parcel taxes also creates a disparity in the amount of money the district can spend on its students and staff. The district receives around $13,000 per student. Compared to Palo Alto and Mountain View, which receive around $20,000 per student. This means they have more money to go into personal funds. Staff of San Jose Unified School District make an average of $67,497 compared to CUHSD’s $52,000 to $67,000. The 4% pay increase that was negotiated last year was a temporary relief, but not enough for staffers, as the cost of living has increased proportionally. To many involved in the advocacy for Measure K, the issue of funding for schools in the Bay Area seems symptomatic of a larger issue with school funding. Cortez said that the use of a parcel tax to fund public education is only a Band-Aid solution where funding for CUHSD’s needs in the long term may prove challenging. Prop. 13 has made it impossible for schools to raise taxes based on property values. “I don't knOw anywhere outside of California that passes a parcel tax to fund schools, this is not typical way to fund schools,” he said. Gallagher, the board president, said that the limitations force the schools to be creative in searching for revenue streams. “It's so expensive to live here,” she said. “We can’t control what the state gives us, but what we can control is what we asked the community to put forward.”
Parcel tax Property tax based on the characteristics of the property instead of the value; requires a two-third majority vote to pass Phone banking When volunteers call voters to win their support; canvassing without direct contact. Polling place A place for voters to cast their ballots. Primary election Election held to determine which of a party's candidates will be nominated for the general election. In California, the primary election date is March 3, though voters in Santa Clara are able to vote from Feb. 22 till that date. Property transfer tax a tax that is only applied when a property is bought or sold and changes ownership. Special election election held to fill the position of an officeholder who dies, resigns, or is impeached. — Compiled by Julianne Alvares, Meena Iyer and Lily Middleton
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STUDENT LIFE
“Spikeball gives the oppurtunity to connect with eachother.” — Hanson Nyguen, vice president of Spikeball Club
Silicon Valley Reads author visits Branham Students and staff heard from “Alpha Girls” writer Julian Guthrie on Wednesday, which a handful of students had read prior to the talk. It was the first talk since 2018 after a one-year hiatus. Guthrie is the author of four books, including two national bestsellers. “Alpha Girls” shares the stories of pioneering women in Silicon Valley, and is described as “Hidden Figures meets “The Social Network.” PDA A-Okay? An online survey of 199 showed that most (58%) are fine with some PDA.
Students mouth off against PDA at school
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ASB preps for student elections ASB students are beginning to prepare for the upcoming ASB election. After President’s Week, candidates will hand out stickers, sell food, and give speeches promoting their campaign. The elections have seen relatively low voter turnout, and officials hope that engagement is higher this year.
PSAT a-ok Some sophomores are dreading Feb. 26, the day of the PSAT. Students take this test as practice to show them what to expect when they take the SAT. Scoring well will also qualify them for the National Merit Scholarship. Students in IM3 and above are at an advantage, since the math will be more accessible to them.
— Lily Middleton
Clubs make space to de-stress
Shared passions for hobbies and films help strudents make friends and build community
Some say couples too open in affection TAE YUN ERICA KANG
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Staff Writer
ublic displays of affections aren’t just reserved for Valentine’s Day, but for freshman Luke Madrigal, it’s seemingly every day, and everywhere. As someone whose only action of PDA is hugging his friends, Madrigal finds it uncomfortable to see couples openly kissing each other, around every corner he turns. “I think the limit to PDA should be no more than hugging or holding hands,” Madrigal said. Many others can agree with Madrigal when it comes to being a little more sensitive to their surroundings and choosing where to show specific levels of affection. Even though one’s eyes turning away at yet another smooching couple, it may not be as prevalent as you think. In a 2017 University of Kansas study, only 37% of men and 34% of women claim to have made out in public, defined in the study as “kissing on the mouth, with or without the use of tongues” and “fondling the buttocks.” And their reasons for doing so were narcissistic: “to enhance their image or status by showing that they can make out with another person.” A Bear Witness online poll of 199 respondents showed that a sizable majority, 58%, are okay with the occasional PDA. Such sentiments make senior Deshna Quincy a bit squeamish, preferring that this behavior is preferable in private. “I think it’s totally fine if people are just giving each other pecks on the cheek and stuff, acting mostly like friends in public,” she said. “They can do whatever they want when they’re by themselves, but if they’re getting super handsy, or you can see their tongues in each other’s mouths, then maybe that’s not the move.” Even those in relationships have set limits for their behavior in public. Junior Maddie O’Kennon is in a relationship, and likes to keep it PG at school with hugs and kisses. “I think if I’m controlling it, like having limits on it, I think it’s fine,” said junior Maddie O’Kennon. Branham’s PDA rule also seems fitting with what many of the students have to say about the topic. On page 20 of Branham’s student handbook states that “Mature individuals do not display their affection for one another inappropriately in public. ‘Making out’ and other inappropriate intimate behavior is not tolerated on campus” and may result in a referral. Regardless of the rules, enforcement is rare. If couples aren’t punished for their behavior, at least Madrigal hopes that they should at least think of others who might not be in a relationship. “I just think we shouldn’t do things in public that makes other people around them uncomfortable or make them feel like they don’t fit in or get pressured to get into a relationship,” he said.
Andelina Miller/Bear Witness Students spend time unwinding at lunch during an Uno Club and Spikeball Club meeting in February. Club presidents and other club administrators try and make the meetings as laid back as possible, and take in anyone interested in participating. ANDI MILLER
Opinion Editor
eens are taught that they need more than just T good grades to get into their dream colleges. They are told to do as many clubs and extracurriculars as they can. Service clubs like National Honors Society and Key Club serve this purpose. But those such as the Uno, Spikeball and Film clubs are centered more around providing students with fun activities during school hours, rather than giving them an edge for college apps. School, followed by post-high school plans, are the main sources of stress for teens, according to a survey American Psychological Association for the Stress in America. These clubs act as an outlet for students to focus on a group activity instead of their plans for the future. Junior Hanson Nguyen, vice president of spikeball club, believes that these clubs help students de-stress. “Spikeball is a way to kind of de-stress from your rigorous classes and it just makes high school more enjoyable,” he said.
For students balancing classes, sports and extracurricular activities can be overwhelming, but clubs like Spikeball Club, Uno Club and Film connect club members with new people. Patsy Fonkwo, the co-president of Uno Club, said that she started the club because she and her friends played Uno at lunch and other people wanted to join. With that idea in mind, she and her friends thought it would be nice to have a space where a bunch of people could meet up and play Uno. “Uno Club brings a strong sense of family to the Branham community,” she said. “The club unites groups that usually wouldn’t interact with each other if not for the club.” At the end of Uno club meetings there is a championship game with the five to six members that won their first games. This game is played in the middle of the classroom and all members crowd around the table to root for the people who they want to win. The championship game creates a lot of energy as players celebrate getting an uno, and disappointments when they draw four cards. Every other week at the meetings a new person is
added to the Uno Club’s hall of fame. Nguyen also believes that Spikeball club brings something special to the Branham community. “Spikeball gives people the opportunity to connect with each other through friendly competition, especially people who don’t know each other,” he said. On Fridays when Spikeball Club plays in the quad, people are free to get in line and jump into games, even if they don’t have a partner. Usually people who don’t have partners just pair up together and start a new game. Film Club holds meetings every other Thursday after school, where they screen a movie and then critique the film at another time. In a recent meeting, the members of the club made Oscar predictions. Film Club president Katie Rae Wilson loves the camaraderie that comes from a shared passion. “There have been multiple times where I’ve found myself conversing with others about a film and we get so into it. I love that connection film can make between people.”
GSA decries homophobic phrase ‘that’s gay’ CIANNA HOLLINGER Staff Writer
ven with the higher level of acceptance for E students open about their sexuality here, not many phrases are as jarring for members of the
LGBTQ+ than “That’s so gay,” often used among students to express annoyance at an inconvenience. These slurs are considered derogatory terms for their insulting and offensive nature, as people have taken the word and turned into a phrase that’s degrading. Gay Straight Alliance club advisor Leanne Haghighi said that the term is problematic for several reasons. “I think it’s a substitute for something negative,” said Haghighi, who teaches special education. “It’s insinuating then that ‘gay’ is something stupid, and that’s in my mind why the term is used.” Haghighi also said that the pervasive nature of the phrase makes it difficult for the students who use it to perceive how it might be offensive to other
‘That’s so gay’ A pejorative phrase used to denote displeasure at a minor inconvenience. Geoffrey Nundberg, a UC Berkeley linguist, traces its use back to 1987. groups of people. ‘“People don’t recognize the harm that comes with that,” Haghighi said. “So they’ve heard it, picked up on it, and incorporated it into their language without thinking much about how it impacts students who do identify.” Other examples of derogtary behavior can occur between two male students who meet up and give each other a hug, then tell each other, “No homo, bro.” She interprets this insult to be linked to toxic masculinity, the need for males to hide their true feelings or risk looking weak to their peers. “It’s also insinuating that maybe somebody’s doing something that would be considered feminine,”
Haghighi said. “That feeds back into toxic masculinity. That you have to meet certain criteria to be considered a man.’’ GSA club president Bailey MacAulay, said that this implicit discrimination might make others suppress their own thoughts and feelings. “It’s okay to be whoever you want to,” MacAulay said. “But you are just afraid of what others might think.” MacAulay hopes that those who say “that’s so gay” as a way to express frustration can use more specific phrases to do so. “People who don’t identify shouldn’t do that,” MacAulay said. “Especially if they don’t know what they’re talking about.” MacAulay suggests that teachers can help stop the use of slurs and eventually provide a safer space for those who are LGBTQ+ on campus. “Teachers should be able to step in and help with the problem,” she said.
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SPORTS
“If you work hard enough and show your athleticism, you can surpass anyone that is taller than you.” — Junior Flor Porras, girls volleyball defensive specialist
SPORTS BRIEFS
Scores updated as of Feb. 10 Freshmen boys basketball The freshmen boys improve to 8-3 after a close win over Silver Creek with the score of 53-45. The boys take on Piedmont Hills today.
Girls confront ideal body myth Despite success on field, athletes struggle with doubts about self-image
JV Boys Basketball With a 56-38 win over rival Leigh, the JV boys (19-3) move to an 11-1 record against league opponents.
ZIV GALPAZ Staff Writer
or soccer, it’s legs, for gymnasF tics, it’s arms, for volleyball, it’s height. Each of these parts highly
Varsity boys basketball The varsity boys (7-14) pulled off a close win against Andrew Hill Feb. 7, 46-44. JV girls basketball The JV girls basketball team (15-4) emerged victorious against Lincoln, remaining a perfect 8-0 against league opponents. Varsity girls basketball The varsity girls (10-12) secure their 10th win of the season on Senior Night with a 37-24 win over Lincoln. Senior Jesslyn Cabangbang’s two three-pointers near the end of the game secured the win. Varsity Boys SoccerThe varsity boys’ (10-6-2) six game undefeated streak ended in a 1-3 loss against Lincoln. The boys’ conference record drops to 4-2-2 with the loss. With two games left on the schedule, the boys took on Prospect on Monday night in their last home game of the season. JV girls soccer The JV girls soccer team (13-0-1) had the first game all season that didn’t result in a win. A hard-fought game against Willow Glen High ended with a 1-1 score. The team has two games left until the playoffs, one against Andrew Hill, and the other against Prospect. Varsity girls soccer The varsity girls (13-0-3) remain undefeated, with the game against Willow Glen ending in a 0-0 tie. Both teams played solid defense, and are hoping to carry that momentum towards Tuesday’s game against Hill. Competitive cheer The team placed eighth out of nine teams at the CCS finals. The squad will be punching their ticket to the USA Nationals this week in Anaheim. — Ryan Walters and Nolan Zils
Caitlyn Schlaman/Bear Witness
affects an athlete’s performance in their respective sport and are often the part that cause the most body image concerns. These pressures to conform to idealistic body types manifest themselves in several ways, including eating disorders. In a study about Div. I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student athletes, over 33% of athletes reported attitudes and symptoms of eating disorders according to National Eating Disorder Association. Junior Emily Murphy plays for girls varsity soccer, having played competitive soccer since second grade. She has been playing for GPS, a club that performs at the junior national level for the last four years. Murphy attends four practices a week and plays one- to- two games each weekend. This continuous effort builds muscle, changing the body from its original shape. Even with all the work into optimizing her athleticism, she sometimes feels hesitant about her image. “I sometimes doubt my body, and it can make me self-conscious,” she said. “But then I also have to take a step back and realize that other girls are not necessarily playing the same sport I am and my body allows me to excel in my sport.” Athletic bodies are far from the national average according to the Centers for Disease and Control. The average height and weight of an American teenage girl is around 5’3 and 118 pounds. Athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to their full abilities bringing them further away from the average teenage body. Junior Flor Porras, the girls varsity volleyball defensive specialist, says that her smaller stature has led her at times to feel undermined and self-conscious in a sport that values height. “There is mainly a stereotype, especially concerning height,” Porras said. “If you work hard enough, you can prove people otherwise.” Ultimately, these worries stem from stereotypes within and out
Body image problems Sports can build one’s confidence and social skills, but they can also lead to problems with one’s self-image.
35%
The number of NCAA Division athletes who believe that their teammates have an eating disorder. (Only 5% claimed to have one themselves).
30%
The number of athletes reporting dissatisfaction with their body.
Female athletes
Have a higher rate of dissatisfaction with their body, and often cite pressures from the coaches, sponsors, family and peers. — Sources: Journal of Eating Disorders, ESPNW, NCAA of their respective sports. Outside of their athletic expectations, they also feel the need to conform to the average body. Sports that emphasize appearance, such as gymnastics and dance, have the unrealistic belief that thinner means better performance, which puts their athletes at the highest risk for eating disorders. Junior Sela Pagano, former competitive gymnast, quit gymnastics to focus on track in October because of the negative gymnastics environment. “In gymnastics I had this one coach who would comment on my height, and I would try to slouch to look shorter,” she said. Pagano, who reached the second highest level in gymnastics, said it was not a rare occurrence that a coach would shame certain girls to look skinnier. Other girls Pagano trained with were worried about wearing tank tops in public because of their strong, muscular arms. Every sport asks for certain physical characteristics for athletes to reach their full potential, But athletes such as Porras have found the advantages to their physical disadvantages and see past them. “I believe that if you work hard enough and show your athleticism,” she said, “you can surpass anyone that is taller than you.”
Win or lose, teams find a silver lining Boys basketball looks to build on young team; girls soccer stays humble NOLAN ZILS Copy Editor
he 70-33 final score for the varsity T boys basketball game against Yerba Buena on Feb. 5 was an anomaly. The game
was one of the high points of a 7-14 losing season, which included in-game struggles such as scoring just one point in the first quarter against Lynbrook. Team captain senior Peter Dudley sees this losing season as an opportunity to grow, and was impressed after seeing players work by themselves after a loss to improve. Dudley pointed to teammate senior Jaquan “JQ” Barnes practicing free throws after a poor performance at the line one game. Dudley also credits head coach Larry Loeffler with finding strategies to improve the team. “If we had trouble handling the ball during the game, Coach starts having us do handling drills trying to handle the pressure so we’re more prepared for the next game,” he said. The losing season has been a learning
experience for everyone on the team, and despite the hardships, Dudley emphasizes the positive effect losing can have when the team is really young. “I feel like (losing) is more beneficial when we have a younger team like we do this year,” he said. “We have mostly juniors, so using our losing season actually helps in order to teach our younger guys that you don’t like that feeling (of losing) so you obviously want to win next year.” Research points to the benefits of losing, as shown in a Washington Post story. In the article, sports psychologist Caroline Silby explained why kids sometimes prefer being on a losing team. “Surveys show that children overwhelmingly indicate that they would prefer to play on a losing team than sit the bench on a winning team,” Silby told the Washington Post. This information shows how much kids, especially at a young age, prioritize playing time over success. Just like with losing, there are good things that can come from a winning season as well. After getting demoted a division down this year to Division B play,
the varsity girls soccer team is having an undefeated season, with a 13-0-2 record. Team captain senior Courtney Martinez said winning so frequently has taught her and her teammates to keep a “0-0” mindset even when winning. “We’ve tried to keep a mentality where we need to keep thinking that (the opponent) is going to try and win,” she said. “Every game we play needs to have the same high intensity.” While being demoted has given the soccer team less competition, the winning season has shown, as a result of success, how much team chemistry can improve. The team will try to keep this chemistry as they get close to the CCS playoffs. “This year, I tried to emphasize that we’ve got to be here for each other on the field and off the field, and so that has helped our confidence levels and we support each other much more than we used to.” Despite the ups and downs that sports teams go through, they can always have some comfort in knowing that their record resets, and they’ll go into next season with a 0-0 record.
Andelina Miller/Bear Witness Senior Frank Poso fights for the ball against a Mountain View opponent in their 38-39 loss in December. At 7-14, the varsity team is looking to develop its underclassmen squad.
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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Mini Reviews Bite-sized opinions MOVIES Maleficent: 1917 Directed by Sam Mendes What it is: A WW1 story about two British soldiers given an impossible task. They must trek through dangerous, war-torn land, to save a battalion of 1,600 men from charging into a trap. The movie is made to look like it was done in one fluid shot, but is actually several shots, stitched together with clever movie magic Liked: The lighting and set design for 1917 are amazing. It amazes me that they aren’t actually in war-torn France, but a set built to look like it. Plus, the lighting makes it more realistic, as there is more natural lighting rather than digital. Disliked: Unless you don’t like war stories (which I do), I don’t know how you couldn’t like it. It does have very graphic imagery. — Caitlyn Schlaman
NBC
Underwater Directed by William Eubank What it is: All hell breaks loose when an underwater base six miles below the ocean becomes attacked by mysterious creatures. Liked: The characters had chemistry with each other and the cast played their roles well. The movie jumps catapults straight to the action. There’s no beating around the Fox and Walt bush. The visual Disney Pictures effects and sets were well made. They fit in well with the film and the visual effects don’t seem unrealistic. Disliked: The pacing of the story seemed boring at times - there were moments where I was uninterested in what was going on. There are some obvious disaster movie cliches throughout the film. For example (spoiler alert), the captain of the crew sacrifices himself to save the protagonist. — Jayden Kim
TV SHOW The Good Place Created by Michael Schur What it is: The fourth and final season of The Good Place follows Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Michael (Ted Danson) and their friends as they begin an experiment to prove to the Judge(Maya Rudolph) that the points system in the afterlife is flawed. Liked: The cleverness, humor, and wit of the show were as sharp as ever in the final season. The final episode perfectly wrapped up the show while simultaneously turning all of their fans(including me) into a crying mess by the end of it. Disliked: I didn’t want it to end. By the time the final credits started rolling, I found that I wasn’t content with just four seasons. I’ll really miss the show. — Nolan Zils ALBUM Father of All... Green Day What it is: Green Day’s comeback after four years reflects their transformation as a band, which was extreme after spending time outside of the studio. Liked: I enjoyed hearing how Green Day changed after years of not releasing music. Disliked: There is a pop influence on both songs in the demo, which in my opinion, is unnecessary and runs counter to their original sound. — Katelyn Lowpensky
| FEBRUARY 14, 2020 |
BHSBEARWITNESS.COM
“When I was in high school, I wasn’t particularly very good. Then I was in an original band, and I still wasn’t particularly very good.” — English teacher Tobie Schweizer
They didn’t quit their day job From painting to rock bands, teachers nurture their hobbies KATELYN LOWPENSKY
Arts & Entertainment Editor
ocial science teacher Michael S Dickey’s original oil paintings sometimes sell for over $2,000, a fact
that he says most students are unaware of. This is intentional, as said he separates his teaching career from his outside passion. “Ninety-nine percent of the students have no clue,” he said. “And the reason is that I just purposely just don’t tell about that part If you’re interested of me.” His painting Where to check out mainly tell the your teachers’ art. stories of people he has encounwho have Erica Marquez tered endured hardHer exhibit, “Ama la ship. For examTierra,” can be seen ple, a painting of old woman, at Environmental an who is a friend Volunteers, 2560 of a friend, Embarcadero Road, showcases the haunting look Palo Alto. in her eye. Dickey said he was involved Mike Dickey advanced His art can be found in art classes at saatchiart.com/ t h r o u g h o u t Dickey. Bring some high school, today, he deep pockets: his and sells oil paintpaintings go for thou- ings. He has resands of dollars. cently mastered tattoo art. He loves his job as Tobie Schweizer a teacher, but Listen to clips from art offers a difsense of past performances at ferent joy. sound-decision-band. “I enjoy the independence com. and being able to isolate myself. It’s cathartic in a way,” he said. Dickey’s way of keeping his art to himself contrasts with how English teacher Tobie Schweizer shared her passions. On the first day of school, her “About Me” presentation included a photo of her flashing a Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl ring at a recent singing gig with her rock cover band “Sound Decision.” Her favorite song to sing is “Zombie” by the Cranberries, but her repertoire also includes “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond to “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. To connect with students, she feels that it’s important to share her most proud moments on stage, such as her performance for the Steelers. “(The students) are like a family and that we should get to know each other in some ways,” she said, And (her singing) is such a big part of my life and sometimes I share it.” Like Schweizer, Spanish teacher Erica Márquez is eager to share her art with the entire Branham community. She found her talent for art at a very young age, which did not go unnoticed by everyone around her. “I was that girl in the class everybody would go to saying ‘How can you draw that? You’re so little,’” she said. Márquez has taught art classes for victims of human trafficking since 2006 along with several other advocates for the nonprofit Community Solutions
Sound Decision Band/Special to the Bear Witness English teacher Tobie Schweizer flashes a Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl ring at a gig she performed with her band Sound Decision last year for members of the football team. Schweizer is a longtime musician and regularly performs with her cover band.
Mike Dickey/Special to the Bear Witness Social science teacher Mike Dickey only took two art classes in college, and only has picked up oil painting in the past few years. He said that every portrait he paints is about someone he has met who has affected his outlook on lfe.
Katelyn Lowpensky/Bear Witness based in Gilroy. The program provides a safe space for victims to heal after enduring harm for long stretches of time, and Márquez believes it is important to aid these women in their journey to healing. “I see these advocates as butterflies who go and touch each victim who for me are the flowers,” she said. “And when they touch these victims, they give them the power and the information that they need to be able to grow and become these strong women.” Like many artists, Dickey struggled with confidence, but years of experience taught him a valuable lesson. “It took me a while to even get the confidence to kind of display my art-
Learning through music Caitlyn Schlaman/Bear Witness
Teachers have long used music to learn new concepts, to have students reteach ideas or just for ambiance.
Spanish teacher Erica Marquez this week debuted her art show “Ama la Tierra” (Love the Earth). The exhibit, at Environmental Volunteers in Palo Alto, focuses on her passion for nature. It runs through March.
work in public and do gallery shows and stuff like that,” he said. Schweizer also battled confidence issues as a young singer and thought that she was not good enough. “When I was in high school, I wasn’t particularly very good,” she said. “And then I was in an original band, and I still wasn’t particularly very good.” Like Dickey, she grew as an artist and is now proud of her performing abilities. “As the years have gone on, I’ve gotten more and more confident with my experience,” she said. “And so I’ve gotten much better.” In the end, Schweizer had her breakthrough moment when she heard her song with her college band “Pitch Ya”
Teaching new concepts “I say mi, you say tu. His, her, your, their all means su. One more to say, here we go! The word for our is nuestro,” sings World Language teacher Diane McKinnon to the tune of Barney’s theme song to teach her students possessive adjectives. MacKinnon said that she uses music often in her 20 years of teaching.
Parody music videos Math teacher Michele Correll said that she finds it useful to teach students formulas and new concepts through catchy songs. To teach students how to solve for angles, she plays the YouTube video “Gettin’ Triggy With It,” a parody of actor Will Smith’s hit “Gettin’ Jiggy With It.” The parody song shows students how to solve for theta, for x.
on the radio. “That was probably one of the coolest moments of my life,” she said. Márquez’s moment came when she made her debut at an art show in Palo Alto titled “Ama la Tierra,” meaning love the Earth. She has invited the Branham community to attend. “I think promoting to love our Earth is something that is very helpful for everyone to be aware of,” she said. Dickey’s breakthrough came after having the courage to display his art, and he now uses what he learned as advice to other artists. “Trust your instinct and have confidence in your expression and your ability to see what’s beautiful,” he said.
Background music Correll said that instrumental music is often helpful as students learn math. “Lyrics sometimes stop your brain because you’re trying to think of the words,” Correll said. “Whereas instrumental music, you can think about math.” Many studies back this, showing that music reduces one’s anxiety.
Reteaching concepts The best way to learn is to reteach. Teachers have often assigned music video projects for students. Here’s a parody song sung to the tune of the Village People’s “YMCA.” “Young man/There’s no need to fear Calc I said young man/Grab your notebooks and pens Log into your Desmos account...” — Shantala Muruganujan
| FEBRUARY 14, 2020 |
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT when couples suprise each other with gifts to show their love for one another.
But what if you don’t have money to buy a gift?
Think about the time you saw that movie or TV
show or book where the main character wrote a love song for their significant other. You should do that. But where to start? How is a love song written?
Why do you keep asking questions? You're in luck: We'll answer all of those questions in our step-bystep guide on how to write that perfect love song
for your romantic partner. You'll be pitching woo in
no time. No gift? No problem! A hastily written romantic ballad will win over your significant other
Recognize*
by Chad Roberts Verse 1
Online exclusive Scan to hear a recording of this song.
I was trying just to fly by I didn’t think i would be the guy Now everything i do is for you Just wish you would do the same too We play each day but it’s so hard To hide these feelings, i’m caught off guard Don’t really know how to say it So maybe all that i can do is play it Chorus
You're the one Lets have some fun We can dance till the sun will rise All through the night This feels so right I just wish that you would recognize... Verse 2
We’re hanging out but i feel alone Because i know that you aren’t within my zone I never cared till we both met And now I'm trying to see what i can get Look confident but feel unprepared Doing something i would never have dared I know its hard but please take a chance Just let me have this one dance? (Cuz…) (Chorus)
Step 5: Putting it all together Love songs have a certain structure they to follow.It usually goes verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, some kind of bridge or instrumental break, and then two more choruses, becoming more intense the second time. The breakdown is super simple. There're a couple ways to do it. You could scat like Jason Mraz or just reuse lyrics from the chorus like almost everyone else.
Bridge
(Instrumental bits and bobs) (CHORUSx2) REcognize X 4
— Chandler Roberts
Step 1: Get an instrument Don’t worry, you don't have to have any idea of how to play it, but without you will sound/look silly. It’s up to you which instrument you pick, but It must be something that can play chords, like a guitar or a piano. (It doesn’t matter which instrument. You could show up with an accordion and it would likely work the same.)
Step 2: Write the melody This task sounds scary, but I swear it's easy. There are only four chords you need to know: G, C, E and D. This is really all you need to write any pop song; the difference is in the pattern you use. Experiment with the order of chords, and how fast or slow you want them to be played. The slower it is played, the more passionate it will seem. See "All Of Me" by John Legend
Step 3: The chorus Now it gets fun. Start with the chorus. This has to be repetitive and catchy, and will probably be the easiest but most important part, since you will repeat it like four times (or maybe 40 times like "Na, na, na, nananana" from The Beatles' "Hey Jude"). The chorus is your expression of love.Lyrics are usually specific enough so the subject will know it's about them, but broad enough so that anyone listening can believe it’s about them, too. Step 4: The verses You only need to write two verses. These are slightly longer than the chorus and require more thought. The verses tell a story about the subject: how you met them, or how you fell in love and want to spend the rest of your life with this person. They also say nothing at the same time. Again, lyrics are broad enough to be about anyone. Talk about basic experiences like going out to eat, falling asleep together or, if you want to get more modern, how you met online and FaceTimed until midnight.*see below for inspiration
*A songwritten in 30 minutes. If I can do it, you can, too!
Be a lyrics master: Love
Dove above of glove shove Enough
Heart
Part Art Smart Cart Start chart WArt
Words that rhyme with... Branham
Bam Fam Damn Denim* Random Lamb *close
You
Blue flew true new view do through Who?
Kiss
miss hiss bliss abyss Katniss
Shared experiences
- Dancing under the moonlight - Going bowling together - Texting during class - FaceTiming instead of homework - Getting food poisoning at that buffet -Swiping right on each other's profiles - Finding the perfect snapchat filter that expresses our love Graphics and illustrations by Elizabeth Posey and Chandler Roberts
Rules AUBREY GOINGS | SOPHOMORE Each month, a student selected at random shares what’s on their playlist, and plays it on shuffle. What follows is a conversation about their song selection. About the shuffler: Aubrey Goings is a Girl Scout, choir performer, and percussionist for the Branham Royal Alliance who loves musical theater. She has a very broad taste in music, liking most things she hears on the radio. However, most of the music on her playlist is never played on the radio because she also enjoys music outside of the usual genres. Her main playlist is an ode to her past experiences involving her friends and family, allowing her to look back on her memories.
Walt Disney Co.
I Love songs
t’s Valentine's Day and love is in the air! It’s
Anna Kendrick: “On the Steps of the Palace” from the "Into the Woods" soundtrack Aubrey Goings: I watch this movie a lot with my friend. Our parents were best friends, so we’ve grown up together. We’ve done everything together like go Disneyland trips together and we’ve gone skiing. We love this song and sing it all the time, and it reminds me of how much fun we have together. The Eagle and the Child: "Healing Hope" AG: This was from a camp I went to, Hume Lake, and it was one of my favorite songs there from the band. It allows you to see so much of your world. The song itself is very energetic, and it lets you be involved. It allows you to have a new mindset.
Polydor Records
Lyrics are usually specific enough so the subject will know it's about them, but broad enough so that anyone listening can believe it’s about them, too.
on the fly
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: “Prologue- Love Never Dies” AG: This is from "Love Never Dies," which is the sequel to "Phantom of the Opera." It paints the picture of the play, so when you listen to it, it’s like you’re watching the play again.
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Kristin Chenoweth, Sean McCourt, Cristy Candler, and Jan Neuberger: “No One Mourns the Wicked" — Wicked Original Broadway Cast Recording AG: I watched this with my mom, and I’ll always remember the time we had there. We didn’t have that great of seats because we thought we were going to be late, but it was actually pretty good. It was a really nice experience because I got to enjoy it with my mom, and it was our first time seeing it together. Andrew Lloyd Webber: “Devil Take the Hindmost” AG: It’s interesting because it shows the contradicting ideas throughout the play and the different characters and the whole conflict throughout the story. “Finale” — "Into the Woods" motion picture soundtrack AG: It wraps up the story of the play, and it’s like you’re watching the play as you’re listening to it. — Katelyn Lowpensky
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| FEBRUARY 14, 2020 |
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THE BACK PAGE
Korea's golden moments With "Parasite" Oscar win, we're seeing peak K-culture JAYDEN KIM
T
Staff Writer
he historic Best Picture Oscar this week for the South Korean movie “Parasite” broke with 92 years of Western dominance in cinema. It was the first winner not in English to have won the top honor. The movie, about a poor family infiltrating a wealthy household and posing as qualified individuals, struck a chord with former Bear Witness editor Kelley Sheen, who said she was taught from a young age about the importance of upward mobility. “I found myself noticing details and comments throughout the movie that I have heard throughout my own life,” said Sheen, now a junior studying pre-law at UC Berkeley. The win also marks the peak in America’s appreciation of Korean culture beyond its food. Sheen said she remembered when her friends considered the movies, music and food that she enjoyed and grew up with were “weird” and “gross.” She’s happy but cautious of its newfound acceptance. “This win showcased the true talent and genius that Korean and Asian directors and actors have,” she said “It showed the world that Korea is more than K-pop and kimchi.” The cultural shift, known as the Korean Wave, has been a long time coming. Freshman Angela Lee still remembers the time when the Korean music video “Gangnam Style” blew up in popularity in 2012, prompting many to start paying attention to South Korea, her home country. Though K-pop was making inroads here before, this was the first time that she noticed entertainment from Korea being huge in the U.S. The music video by the artist Psy was the first to reach 1 billion views on YouTube and opened doors for more popular groups such as BTS to reach mass success here. “The conversation of K-pop has been growing exponentially,” Lee said. “Because (of ) BTS - and from BTS, they've gone to other girl and boy band groups and movies, dramas, stuff like that.” The pop group is embarking on a world tour, making its first stop domestically at Levi’s Stadium in April. Korean entertainment has been most known for its iconic K-pop bands. Though the first K-pop band started in 1992 with groups such as Seo Taiji and the Boys, the genre quickly rose into an international industry. It didn’t end there — the popularity of K-pop brought people to explore other aspects of Korean culture and entertainment. Riding the Korean Wave Dramas, products, and food all coming from this one nation became a global obsession. This rise in Korean entertainment and culture is known as the Korean Wave. The global phenomenon BTS had three Billboard No. 1 albums in a year, an accomplishment only rivaled by the Beatles. This popularity in K-culture is raking in plenty of fans, some of whom attend Branham. The Bear Witness also saw its highest contest engagement with its two concert giveaways to Seventeen and SuperM in January. Senior Kyla Massamori is a longtime K-pop fan. She was first introduced to the genre by a close friend and was drawn to the unique style of K-pop performances. “I think the way they perform is so meticulous and well thought out compared to what is usually seen in the U.S.,” Massamori said. This elaborate style of K-pop choreography and the global rise of K-pop hasn’t just drawn in huge crowds. Many fans have taken their passion for the music genre by performing K-pop dance covers in public, which draw plenty of their own fans with millions of views. Junior Madison Leong, a Branham Middle College student, performs K-pop dances through with Eclipse, a Northern California K-pop dance cover group. Leong last year Leong was one of five dancers from the U.S. to travel to South Korea for an elite televised competition known as Stage K. “At first, I thought the music was a bit odd, but once I started to enjoy the choreography, I also started to enjoy the music,” said Leong. “After seeing the choreography of some K-pop groups, I immediately wanted to try to do it Pride and caution Other aspects of Korean entertainment and culture, such as dramas, movies and food are now embraced, noticeably “Parasite,” which won four of six Oscars that it was nominated for. Freshman Michael Lee, a Korean, is pleased with the movie’s success with international audiences, and has helped him take pride in his culture. “As a Korean, I think it is good because people will get interested in Korea,” he said. “There were many people who did not know about Korea. Now, they know about it." With the rise of K-culture, much of Korean entertainment has been pursuing the English-speaking market even more in a move for inclusivity. This bothers freshman Stella Wong, another Korean on campus. She has noticed that K-pop has much more more English in its songs. “K-pop used to be more just about Korea, but now that it’s come to America… it went from 10% English to 60% English,” she said. To some, this push to please international markets is starting to make Korean entertainment lose its authenticity. Kelley Sheen, the Berkeley student, is not sure how long the Korean Wave will last. She sees that American appreciation for her culture is another trend that will fade into the background. She points to Chinese kung-fu movies of the ‘70s and Japanese Godzilla movies as examples. “East Asian entertainment has seen its heyday,” she said. “It’s only natural for the world to search for something new, and that something new happens to be Korea.”
A SORT-OF BRIEF HISTORY OF K-POP 1885 | Western songs introduced American missionary Henry Appenzeller startsteaching American and British folk music at a school in Korea. These songs were called “changga” in Korean, and the original English lyrics were replaced with Korean words. 1910-1945 | Japanese imperialism Korea was under Japanes rule for more than three decades. The popularity of changga songs grow as Koreans express their feelings of opression through music. 1925 | First ‘K-pop’ album released Yi Pungjn Sewol’ or ‘The Tumultuous Time’ by Park Chae-seon and Lee Ryusaek, was the first known Korean Pop album intorduced in 1925. This album contained popular Japanese songs that were translated into Korean.
"Parasite" wins best picture, a first for a non-English feature Director Bon Joon Ho's movie is not just the first Korean production but also the first non-English-language picture ever to win the Oscar for best picture. He also became the first Korean filmmaker to win the Oscar for directing. After accepting his speech, he told a reporter that the international lines will blur, and the best picture will be what matters. “I think naturally there will come a day when (the winner is a) foreign-language film or not, it won’t really matter," he said.
1950-1953 | Korean War The Korean War was a war between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), at one time supported by China and the Soviet Union.
BTS becomes a global phenomenon The K-pop group is the highest paid boy band in the world and is embarking on a world tour this year, selling out many of its venues, including its April show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. These sellouts and near-sellouts are hardly a surprise given BTS’s live track record. The pop superstars became the highest-grossing touring group of 2019, beating acts like the Rolling Stones, Metallica and KISS.
1954 | Marilyn Monroe in concert Along with several famous performers, Marilyn Monroe performed in several areas across UN-affiliated portions of Korea during and even after the Korean War. 1962 | Korean rock debuts When The Beatles fever reached the shores of Korea, the first local rock bands appeared. The very first is said to be Add4, founded by group leader Shin Jung-hyun. 1980 | Korean at Carnegie Hall Cho Yong-pil became the first Korean artist to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York. 1990 | First ‘K-pop’ album released Korean music forever changes after incorporating American music styles like rap, rock and techno. A male K-Pop idol group known as Seo Taiji & Boysget voted off a talent show, but the Korean public love it. 1925 | SM Entertainment Korean entrepreneur Lee Soo-man forms SM Entertainment,Korea’s largest talent agency and record label to date. The label is one of the “big three.”
'Gangnam Style' and the crossover hit The song was a massive hit in Korea, where the artist PSY already had a large following. It was also known as the video that broke YouTube, largely by accident. The K-pop culture has long been known to carefully cultivate its pop stars, but the middle-aged PSY didn’t fit that stereotype. International hits from Korean artists followed, and for a while views of Korean artists’ videos tripled following “Gangnam Style,” according to YouTube data.
Pat Sun/Creative Commons WonderGirls in Seattle. 2001 | The Korean Wave Korea sees it exporting more of its media, specifically its music and dramas overseas to largely Asian markets, particularly China. The wave is believed to still be going. Seo Taiji and the Boys blended East and West styles Before Seo Taiji and the Boys took the popular American sounds of rap, rock, techno and R&B, and combined them with Korean lyrics, inventing a unique hybrid of modern and traditional popular culture from two very different parts of the world. The group is one of the first South Korean crossover hits, and is credited with changing the South Korean music industry by pioneering music with social critique, as the South Korean government in the 1990s slowly loosened its broadcast and media restrictions.
Korean barbecue provides sizzling atmosphere San Jose is home to more than two dozen Korean barbecue places, with four within five miles of Branham. These are typicall all-you-can-eat joints where one grills meat on a personal grill. Side dishes called banchan, include fermented vegetablesa nd rice. Koreans believe the small plates of banchan, which are light and not too greasy, help to boost your appetite. — Compiled by staff
Illustrations by Elizabeth Posey/Bear Witness
2007 | Rain and the Tokyo Dome K-Pop Idol Rain was the first K-Pop music artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome. The show was sold out in two days. 2009 | Breaking into Billboard The Wonder Girls enter the US Billboard Hot 100 music chart with their single ‘Nobody.’ 2011 | Girls’ Generation on Letterman Girls’ Generation’s appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, marked the first time that a Korean musical act has performed on the show. 2012 | Gangnam Style The first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views. It now sits at 3.5 billion and counting. 2019 | BTS and MTV BTS song,“With Luv,” sets record for most viewed music video in 24 hours — Compiled by staff — Sources: Billboard, Guinness Records