C Magazine Vol. 10 Edition 4

PG. 22

ARTS • 1

C MAGAZINE April 2022 • Volume 10 Edition 4

Dear readers, Spring has sprung and so has the latest edition of C Magazine. As bittersweet as it is, we are thrilled to present our penultimate issue of the year and our last issue as Editors. As our time leading this publication draws to a close, we are beyond proud of the work we have produced and the incredible talent we have seen blossom on staff. We are honored to publish this final spring issue and hope you enjoy all the hard work that was put into it.

In this issue we have decided to dedicate a feature package to environmentalism that consists of “The Place We Call Home” on page 22 and “Striving for Sustainability” on page 30. It also includes a poster of our cover collage, which we hope you tear out and prominantly put on display! In “The Place We Call Home,” writers Kaila Chun, McKenna Rausch and Kylie Tzeng explore the various facets of Earth’s beauty and detail how the Paly community is striving to preserve our planet. Meanwhile, Jack Haney and Milena Rodriguez tackle the activism perspective in “Striving for Sustainability.”

Check out this article to learn how to inspire others to take action and lead our planet toward positive change. The art pieces throughout the featured environmentalism package, which are created by Kellyn Scheel, showcase a complication of beautiful images of the Earth, demonstrating our shared love of the planet and the necessity for collaboration in order to preserve it. Together, we can unite and push for sustainability.

If photography catches your eye, head over to page 6 to check out this issue’s visual spread, “Colors.” The spread designed by Audrey Guo and Olivia Hau uses photography to show how color can be used to showcase a variety of emotions.

In “Reclaiming Ourselves” on page 18, writers Eunchae Hong and Wendy Li explore how assimilating to a new culture can sometimes sever one’s connection to their original culture. In this story, students grapple with how to maintain their culture while also adopting pieces of their new home.

The Viking Pep Band has been a cornerstone of the Paly community for over two decades; in “Green and White”, writers Ella Rosenblum and Brooke Threlkeld take a look at the legacy of the Viking Pep Band and its impact through the years. To learn more about this Paly staple or to check out photos from deep in the archives, head to page 39.

Searching for a new book recommendation? “Words Abound”on page 34, written by Isaac Hillesland and Mathew Signorello-Katz, features several published Paly student authors. Take a look at what these creative wonders have to offer and allow their words to transport you to different realms.

There’s even an inside scoop on the writing process behind crafting a story.

As our final voyage with our readers comes to a close, the 2021-2022 Editors are excited to present you with one final edition as a token of our love for the earth and all those that contribute to its beauty. We graciously hand off our editing hats to the next Editors-in-Chief, and we’re looking forward to seeing their showstopping work that we know is on the horizon. We have full faith in our new team and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our next leadership team and staff.

Farewell!

Sophia Baginskis, Emma Joing, Julia Ragno and Marilyn Yin Editors-in-Chief

Web EXCLUSIVES

Find these stories and more at cmagazine.org

Hair or Nair

Perspective: Real Asian

That’s Cringe

By Olivia Hau

By Eunchae Hong

By Wendy Li

thanks TO OUR

SPONSORS Alice Hadaya Amy Yang Brandi Walters Brian Steele Chris Hsiang Chris Markesky Christine Hmelar Chungwha Park Cynthia Costell Dave Wolter David and Elizabeth Lee Debbie & Pat Ellisen Dede Turnbull Don and Liz Darby Elaine Cao Erik Rausch Eugenie Van Wynen Gloria Tapson Hannah Cho Harry and Harriet Oda Hsun Kao Hsun Liu Isabelle Hau Janet Ellisen Jeff Willwerth Jenifer and Steve Turnbull Jeongyoung Kim Jieun Shin Jill Randall Jim Yang Joanie Haney Jovita and Yiu-Shih Lee Joyce Rausch Julie Baskind Karen Townsend Karen Wolter

staff

Kate and Todd Glasson Kristina Klausen Lan Liang Laura Huang Laura Prentiss Lee Rosenblum Limin Qian Liz Brooks Liza Baskind Marty and Joan Ragno Mary Lynn Fitton Maura McGinnity Max Rosenblum Michele Gay Nancy Warner Oda Famliy Olivia Paula Hau Robert & Diane Threlkeld Rui Li Stan Turnbull Sung Hyun Hwang Sunmi Seol Suyan Ling and Xiaobiao Huang The Coulson Family The Joing Family The Novack Family The Rodriguez Family The Rosso Tabrizi Family The Tzeng Family Toby Stanley William Hadaya Yanqun Yan Yon Sung Yonggang Peng Younju Han Ziwa Ahmed

Editors-in-Chief

Creative Director

Sophia Baginskis, Emma Joing, Julia Ragno, Marilyn Yin

Brooke Glasson

Managing Editors

Creative Adviser

Eunice Cho, Rachel Ellisen, Sami Lee, Emma Turnbull

Jack Haney

Online Editor-in-Chief

Art Director

Reya Hadaya

Kellyn Scheel

Digital Design Editor

Business Managers

Audrey Guo

Aidan Do, Natalie Hmelar

Social Media Manager

Adviser

Ella Rosenblum

Brian Wilson

Staff Writers Kaila Chun, Evie Coulson, Olivia Hau, Isaac Hillesland, Eunchae Hong, Julie Huang, Wendy Li, Anna Markesky, Caitlyn Oda, Jeremy Peng, McKenna Rausch, Milena Rodriguez, Mathew Signorello-Katz, Willow Steele, Jasmine Tabrizi, Brooke Threlkeld, Kylie Tzeng, Casey Walters Cover

Table of Contents

Kellyn Scheel

Anna Markesky

Illustrators Barvart, Joni and Renee, Olivia Lindstrom, Kellyn Scheel

Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts, providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with C Magazine, please contact business managers Aidan Do and Natalie Hmelar at businesscmagazine@gmail.com.

Printing & Distribution C Magazine is printed 5 times a year in October, January, February, April and June by aPrintis in Pleasanton, CA. C Magazine is distributed on campus and mailed to sponsors by Palo Alto High School. All C Magazine stories are available on cmagazine.org.

Letters to the Editors The C Magazine staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity.

Send all letters to eicscmagazine@gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Publication Policy C Magazine, an arts and culture magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. C Magazine is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost.

“

I think [going to cultural grocery stores] might open people’s current horizons because they might have preconceived notions about what a certain culture’s food is supposed to be.”

Natalia Trounce, senior Corners of Culture pg. 12

Table of contents 4 • cmagazine.org

culture Colors

6

Keep Calm & Think Prom

10

Corners of Culture

12

Evolving Through the Years

15

Reclaiming Ourselves

18

The Place We Call Home

22

arts Striving For Sustainability

30

Featured Artist: Olivia Lindstrom

32

Words Abound

34

Music A Web of Lies

36

Green & White

39

Elephante in the Room

42

Hyper Popular

46

ARTS • 5

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low s c h m l i w

L O Whether it be neon green or ruby red, true colors can reveal our inner glow

R S

6 • cmagazine.org

| c re at p la y

f ul

ky uc |l

| p a s s i o n a te s u | lo r io u g ic c | al e v i

Y E L L O W

CULTURE • 7

GREEN 8 • cmagazine.org

sincere adventurous imaginative compassionate peaceful reliable

R

Photos and design by AUDREY GUO and OLIVIA HAU

E determined | strong | vibrant | courageous | radiant | conffdent | energetic | powerful

D

CULTURE • 9

Keep Calm

& Think Prom

The evolution of prom traditions and their impact on Paly students

P

rom: A classic American experience. A night full of change in her pre-prom mindset. dancing and singing. The excitement of getting ready “My junior year, I wore a dress with a slit up the side which with friends and the anxiety of waiting for a prom-pos- was easy for dancing but also I felt a lot more powerful and comal. But how has this age-old tradition evolved throughout the fortable and confident in it,” Frahn said. years?

The aspect of prom that made the most meaningful impact When senior Celia Frahn was presented with the opportunity on her experience was the newfound confidence that came with to attend prom as a freshman, she was overwhelmed with joy three years of high school, which made her junior prom much and excitement. “It was at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, more enjoyable than her freshman prom. and finding a dress was super exciting because as a freshman I “If you go into [prom] feeling confident about your makeup, was like, ‘oh my god, PROM,’” hair and what you’re wearing, Frahn said. have a much better time,” “If you go into [prom] feeling you’ll Despite the anticipation Frahn said. building up to the dance, as confident about your makeWhen picking out what to a freshman, Frahn recalled up, hair and what you’re wear to prom, Frahn finds herfeeling oddly out-of-place, as wearing, you’ll have a much self gravitating towards tradiprom is a tradition primarily tionally feminine attire. reserved for high school ju- better time.”

“I’ve just been programmed niors and seniors. “I felt like to think that dresses are what I at some points of the dance I need to wear,” Frahn said. “And didn’t feel super comfortable I like dresses. I love them. But in the dress, [which] made me I’ve never really thought about enjoy it less,” Frahn said. other options.”

Frahn’s second prom was as a junior at the Elks Lodge in When Paly librarian Sima Thomas attended her prom, she 2021. After a year of living through a devastating pandemic, noticed the evident heteronormativity of the event, as straight Frahn eagerly jumped at the opportunity to attend this ball. cisgender couples were generally the norm.

After her freshman year dress experience, she noticed a visible “I don’t remember if Paly was comfortable enough of an en-

CELIA FRAHN SENIOR

1958 10 • cmagazine.org

1997

Text and design by EUNICE CHO and OLIVIA HAU • Photos courtesy of PALY JOURNALISM ARCHIVE and SIMA THOMAS vironment for a same sex couple to go to prom together,” Thom- and stuck with them during the duration of the dance. “Because as said. “Going to prom as a gay or lesbian couple was complete- we took limos [to the venue], we didn’t stay for very long. We ly taboo at that time.” kind of ate and maybe danced a bit,” Thomas said.

While there is much progress to be made, there has been After attending prom herself and then chaperoning prom more acceptance of queer couples and various gender expres- for later students, Thomas has witnessed a definite shift in the sions. dance, the attire and the “One of the cool things I “Going to prom as a gay or overall attitude towards the like about seeing high school occasion. Thomas described over the years and remember- lesbian couple was completely the style during her era as ing my own experience is that taboo at the time.” ‘grunge and alternative’ with [students] express gender diflots of ‘baby doll dresses and ferently and think about idenchunky shoes.’ Many people tity differently,” Thomas said. opted for a more edgy look Thomas attended her first than is currently fashionable prom as a junior at Paly in for prom today.

1999, and she was able to make the most of her preparation In addition to fashion, Thomas feels that a stronger sense of time by choosing beautiful accessories and creating memories community is cultivated due to the new bus transportation syswith her mom. tem where all students travel together to prom, as opposed to “I think my mom had a lot of fun taking me shopping and each group using their own transportation, as they did when getting a dress and a little wrap and then getting my hair done,” she went to prom. The connection formed between students is Thomas said. “I still remember…these little butterfly hair clips I further strengthened during prom night. really liked and getting my makeup done.”

For Frahn, her sparkling dress and wonderful friends made Prom was particularly special for Thomas’s mother, who was her junior prom experience one of the most memorable nights one of nine children and never got to fully enjoy the prom ex- of her life. “I really had a sense that I belonged there more than perience as a teenager. “I think my junior prom experience was my last prom experience because I knew a lot more people, and more my mom’s experience than my own,” Thomas said. “It I loved my dress,” Frahn said. was a little over the top–I still have a hand-painted silk shawl For both Thomas and Frahn, prom was an enjoyable experiwith butterflies on it that she got me–but I think she had a lot ence, even if it didn’t necessarily live up to expectations perpetuof fun.” ated by the media. Their best advice is to take full advantage of Apart from these special memories with her mom, prom itself the event and go into the night with the intention of having fun. was a bit underwhelming for Thomas, as she had based her exAs a senior, Frahn is focusing on cherishing her prom expepectations off of classic 80s movies including “16 Candles” and rience with friends. “[This year’s prom] is going to be my last,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” During both her junior and senior Frahn said. “I can really go into it with the perception of only year prom, Thomas attended the dance with a group of friends having fun and being present in the moment.”

SIMA THOMAS LIBRARIAN

2000

2019

2020 CULTURE • 11

Corners of Culture S

itting at the dinner table at her cousin’s house in the Philippines, sophomore Naomi Tan was surprised by how many traditional Filipino dishes she could name. The spring rolls to the right of her were “Lumpia,” and the chicken and rice porridge on the other side of her was “Arroz Caldo.” These were all dishes that her mother had made for her back in Palo Alto.

“When I went to the Philippines, they had a bunch of dishes on the table and I was still able to identify them, just because my parents cooked them at home,” Tan said. “Even though I live in the U.S., I’m still able to get a taste of their culture.”

Tan attributes Asian grocery stores in the Bay Area, particularly 99 Ranch (often called Ranch 99) in Mountain View, for

nts e d u t s Paly e their r es explo al cultur al n c perso h their lo g s throu al market r cultu

allowing her parents to cook their cultural food and familiarize her with dishes from China and the Philippines.

“My parents are from the Philippines, but I’m ethnically Chinese, so my parents will cook a mix of both foods and fuse them together in a way,” Tan said. “They get a lot of those ingredients to cook these meals from Ranch 99.”

While Tan does not usually shop at 99 Ranch herself, she appreciates that the store sells the ingredients her mom needs to cook Chinese and Filipino food for her family.

“If my mom wants to make a dish specific to where she’s from, she’ll go to [99 Ranch], and then through that, I’m able to get a taste of the culture,” Tan said.

“Cultural grocery stores definitely do play a big part in my family’s [cultural identiText and design by NATALIE HMELAR, ANNA MARKESKY and ELLA ROSENBLUM Photos by ANNA MARKESKY and ELLA ROSENBLUM

12 • cmagazine.org

ty].”

99 Ranch is one of many grocery stores in the Bay Area that specializes in ingredients and prepared food from a specific culture. Another renowned Bay Area cultural grocery store is Rose Market, a Middle Eastern grocery store in Mountain View.

Senior Anushe Irani shops at Rose Market for Persian food and ingredients, and sees it as a crucial part of her ability to connect with her cultural identity as a Persian American.

“I feel like [Persian grocery stores] definitely keep the culture alive,” Irani said. “I learn a lot about my culture through food.”

Junior Natalia Trounce and her family regularly shop at a Russian grocery store called Samovar in Mountain View.

“Cultural stores are special because they have foods that are from my childhood. My grandma would go there and always bring

me back Russian candy,” Trounce said.

The existence of numerous cultural grocery stores in close proximity to each other is a unique element of Bay Area’s culture, one that may be a reflection of a strong immigrant presence.

“I think it’s wonderful that we have so many stores from lots of different cultures,” Trounce said. “It really reflects the diversity of the area and the pervasive immigrant culture.”

While grocery stores are one specific way in which Paly students are able to connect with their cultures, this suggests a larger theme of food having the ability to sustain a person’s cultural preservation. Trounce feels that food is not only important to the preservation of culture, but is one of the most integral aspects of keeping a culture

“I feel like [Persian grocery stores] definitely keep the culture alive [because] I learn a lot about my culture through food.”

Anushe Irani, senior

alive.

“I think if I had not been able to taste Russian food, I would not feel Russian,” Trounce said. “I would be just completely disconnected from it, because being able to eat the food gives me a sense of actually being Russian.”

Irani feels this connection most strongly when she is able to cook Persian food.

“There’s some history behind [cultural food], and learning about how to cook it yourself can sometimes help you connect better with [that history] and your culture,” Irani said.

Beyond a personal connection to one’s culture when cooking their cultural food, freshman Nephila Subaanin, who regularly goes to Madras, an Indian grocery store in Sunnyvale, feels that cultural meals also provide for deeper family and community bonding.

“Everyone has different dishes that they make…, [and] even the way it’s eaten can connect families and communities togeth-

CULTURE • 13

er,” Subaanin said.

Trounce agrees that sharing her family’s cultural food with other families allows for cultural gaps to be bridged.

“It’s a way to share your culture with other people; having them over for a Russian meal is nice because it gives them a taste of your culture,” Trounce said.

While many Paly students feel that cooking and eating their cultural food is important, some remember a time when they felt some shame surrounding the “unique” food that they would bring to school.

“In elementary school, I felt weird about eating Persian food because it looked different, and I guess kids were more judgemental back then,” Irani said. “Now, I’ve met different people and people who had different lunches and it made me more comfortable with what I was eating.”

Subaanin acknowledges that many people may feel this sense of shame, but she believes this shouldn’t be the case.

14 • cmagazine.org

“[People] have no reason to feel ashamed about [eating cultural food],” Subaanin said. “It’s part of the identity, so they should be proud of it.”

In addition to helping people to feel more pride about their cultural meals, cultural grocery stores have the ability to introduce people to new types of food and lessen the judgment that leads to this sense of shame in the first place.

“I think [going to cultural grocery stores] might open people’s current horizons because they might have preconceived notions about what a certain culture’s food is supposed to be,” Trounce said. “I think it would help people to see the variety and richness that exists within each culture and just the amazing combinations that all these different cultures have created independently.”

Subaanin agrees that more people going to cultural grocery stores could help change the stigma around “non-western” or “non-American” foods.

“I think that [people] should try going [to these grocery stores] because then they can experience other cultures and see what they eat, and become educated and aware and maybe even more accepting,” Subaanin said.

For a person who has never experienced a grocery store catered to a specific culture, these stores can allow for a completely new way of experiencing and enjoying food and grocery shopping.

“The minute you walk in, it’s just a very different aura,” Tan said. “You hear people speaking in different languages and the food on the shelves could be things you’ve never seen before, so it’s just a really fun experience to get a glimpse into a different culture.”

“[People] have no reason to feel ashamed about [eating cultural food] because It’s part of their identity, so they should be proud of it.”

Nephila Subaanin, freshman

EVOLVING THROUGH

THE AGES What do people find meaningful at each stage of their life?

L

ife at seven years old and life at 70 years old look vastly different. However, people across all ages find unity in their appreciation and prospect of aging, pride and success. Whether advocating for social causes, attending college or even completing a 500-piece puzzle, there is profound meaning in embracing change and growth throughout one’s life.

What are you most proud of?

“My parents.”

“Myself.”

Joni, 7

Evelyn, 6

“My team was second place in a soccer tournament.”

Ryan, 7

“I finished a 500-piece puzzle by myself [in] a week or two.”

Kaitlyn, 7

“I can do the monkey bars. I used to fall down, but I kept trying and never stopped.”

Genesis, 7

“I have two things. One is my stuffed animals, and one is my jewelry. I have a lot of jewelry.”

Renee, 7

“I’m most proud that I have so many friends in this school. One time there was a person crying because they said that no one wanted to play with them. So I said, ‘You can play with us.’”

Spruha, 6 Text and design by EVIE COULSON, REYA HADAYA and WILLOW STEELE • Art by JONI and RENEE

CULTURE • 15

Coming to college

Adelaide McCarter, 16, navigates the stress & excitement of her academic future

Junior Adelaide McCarter spends much of her time anMcCarter wants to have a future of comfort, where she ticipating the next stage of her life: college. can feel content with where she is in life and not feel stressed “I’m excited to be able to study things I am interested in, about basic needs. live somewhere different and just “I would like to have the reexplore a new area,” McCarter sources to be able to not work all said. the time and buy things I enjoy “It’s so easy to get caught up McCarter is overall looking that make me happy and overall in worry and anxiety about forward to her time in college, just be comfortable,” McCarter however, she also feels daunted said. the future.” by the process. Focusing on the Despite the stress and pressure Adelaide McCarter, 16 future constantly can be tiring for from school and college, McCarMcCarter and she hopes to have ter looks forward to her future, reless of that in later life. gardless of where it takes her.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in worry and anxiety about “I’m excited about getting older and I’m optimistic about the future,” McCarter said. “Sometimes I forget to remind the future,” McCarter said. “I’m very excited to see where myself that everything will work out and it doesn’t need to life takes me and what I end up doing.” be perfect.”

Success after school

A work-life balance is critical for Juliana Lee, 29

Poshmark Senior Marketing Associate Ju- is at your liberty,” Lee said. “You can choose where you want lianna Lee has lived in Los Angeles, CA, to go and what you want to do. However, you’re also overthroughout her 20s. When she left her fam- whelmed.” ily in Seattle, WA, Lee experienced a signifBeyond personal freedom, familial expectations and obliicant loss of structure, as many people do gations often dictate the decisions of younger people who are after leaving their looking to make a living for themchildhood homes. selves.

“When you’re a kid, “I have such a money-oriented “When you’re a kid, you you have so much being family,” Lee said. “We exist to subprovided for you,” Lee said. sidize our parents’ lifestyles now that have so much being provided “Those steps are so clearly defined.” they’ve paid our way through school for you. Those steps are so Lee said that the greatest difand everything.” ference between being a child and Lee said that when she first clearly defined.” being an adult is the expectation of moved to Los Angeles, she sacrificed Julianna Lee, 29 independence. Pursuing a career her well-being for her career ambiin Los Angeles, Lee felt eager to tions. demonstrate her capabilities through “I didn’t really see it then, but hard work and financial success. there are ways to go above and beyond without stressing your“After university, it feels like you’re fully on your own,” Lee self out and putting so much into your work,” Lee said. said. “I was so eager to prove myself. That happens with many Throughout her personal growth, Lee has reassessed her young people.” definition of success.

Without guidance, the privilege of unlimited choice afford“[Success] has always felt like having a lot of money, but ed to those who leave their home can also be daunting. “You [success] is not just that,” Lee said. “Success is being really have all of these options, which is great because [everything] happy where you are. It’s being really good at something. You don’t feel like you’re lost. You have clarity.”

16 • cmagazine.org

A future after family

Mary Lynn Fitton, 59, appreciates her personal growth through aging

Mary Lynn Fitton, a parent of PALY alumni, has found a have been possible without finding the ideal partner,” Fitton balance between her appreciation for life’s simple pleasures said. and its greatest gifts.

Fitton challenges the negative “Of course, I am looking forperception of aging by feeling ward to waking up tomorrow grateful for the knowledge she “So many people see morning and having a cup of cofhas gained over the years and fee,” Fitton said. “But I’m also lookexcited to learn more. getting older as scary. In ing forward to continuing traveling “Though I’m almost in my reality, it’s just a part of around the world and exploring 60s, I still have and experiencing new and exciting lots of enerlife.” things.” gy and want Mary Lynn Fitton, 59 Fitton’s family is a huge point of to continue pride for her, especially her children doing things,” and the people they have become.

Fitton said.

“I am proud to have raised my children who have become “So many people see getting older as considerate and respectful human beings, which would not scary. In reality, it’s just a part of life.”

Raging retirement

Activism transforms success for Ruth Robertson, 69

Ruth Robertson has been a vibrant member of Raging nies, Robertson’s perception of success has evolved to inGrannies, an activist organization advocating for social jus- clude her community contribution and civic engagement. tice causes, for 22 years.

“I used to think success was my “I’m proud of myself that once kids getting into good colleges,” I was an empty nester, I didn’t sit Robertson said. “But as they left “I don’t really feel like back and lick my wounds or only the nest, I looked more at perresting as long as I can enact talk about my kids’ accomplishsonal success. My success is bements,” Robertson said. “I did ing successful in the world [and] change, but at some point, I something.” changing anything, changing am going to rest. I’m looking In Robertson’s experience, agsomething.” ing affects us in different ways, In the future, Robertson has a forward to it.” both mentally and physically. simple but meaningful activity she Ruth Robertson, 69 “[Age] kind of creeps up on is ready to embrace: rest. you,” Robertson said. “You don’t “I don’t really feel like resting really know what’s going on, so as long as I can enact change, but you have to take a look at your perspective.” at some point, I’m going to rest,” Robertson said. “I’m lookFrom raising a family to protesting with Raging Gran- ing forward to it.”

CULTURE • 17

C RE LAIMING J

unior Julie Chung walks through the halls of her International school. Anxious for what the first day will bring, she arrives at class early to make sure she is prepared for the new environment she is placed in.

Upon her arrival, Chung notices her classroom is filled with Korean students, contrasting with what she had anticipated before walking in. Looking around and hearing students have side conversations in Korean and adhering to Korean customs makes her feel out of place.

Chung spent the first semester of her junior year in Seoul, South Korea. Having lived in America her whole life, she was excited but scared to go back to the place her parents once called home.

In Korea, Chung faced some struggles—the international school that she attended there was drastically different from schools in America. Thus, she often felt like an outsider because she was not accustomed to Korean culture. More specifically, she was split between staying true to her roots while transitioning into a new environment.

“When I moved to Korea, I definitely realized how divided I was,” Chung said.

“There were a lot of things that I didn’t expect.”

Despite her initial difficulties, Chung believes that the culture shock was necessary for her to transition from America to Korea.

18 • cmagazine.org

“Honestly, I’m glad I got the shock, and I wouldn’t have prepared anything because it was very interesting to see the unexpected and the unknown,” Chung said. “I think that thrill was really nice for me because I got to adapt and learn [how] I can apply [the transition process to] real-life situations.”

Several students at Palo Alto High School share the same sentiment as Chung. Despite attending a diverse school with people from various backgrounds, many students experience a divide between themselves and their cultural lifestyle and traditions.

Junior Dinu Deshpande, a second-generation Indian American, is no stranger to this concept.

A significant part of his own culture consists of celebrating holidays and keeping up with traditions.

“I have gotten the chance to celebrate a couple [Indian holidays], and obviously it’s a completely different feeling because the places I go to [in] India are upscale, with no foreign people,” Deshpande said. “It’s 99.9% Indians there, so everyone knows what’s going on.”

Due to the fact that Deshpande has only been to India as a visitor, he never had the opportunity to immerse himself into traditional Indian customs.

“I definitely feel like there is a divide because I never experienced really living

Students’ progesssion in their loss and love for their culture

Text and design by EUNCHAE HONG and WENDY LI • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL

there,” Deshpande said. “Visiting is good, but it’s not close to living there.”

Similarly, senior Alondra Macias-Valencia, a second-generation Mexican American, does not know much about her own culture and customs.

“I’d like to say I’m somewhat in touch with my culture, but I’m really not,” Macias-Valencia said. “If anything, I like to eat my culture’s food, but I don’t really know the history.”

This process of drifting from one’s culture is common and experienced by many Paly students, but it also has a significant impact on the teachers as well.

Teruko Kamikihara, a Japanese teacher, feels that she lost touch with her home country ever since moving to the U.S.

“About 20 [years ago], I lost contact be- up on their culture because of external cause I did not go back to Japan,” Kamiki- forces. hara said. “So most of the time, I didn’t Some attribute this struggle to the ashave any information [about Japan] other similation process of moving to America, than big news… I felt lonely.” where the cultural norms force an immiFurthermore, freshman Celina Lee be- grant to lose a part of themselves in order lieves that there are downsides to living in to fit in. This loss also impacts future genthe United States when it comes to feeling erations. connected to one’s culture.

“I think America itself is a very one “You’re not experiencing the same cul- path type of thing,” Macias-Valencia said. tural benefits when you’re separated from “We’re not as progressive as everyone says [your culture]...it’s never going to be the that we are.” same,” Lee As a result said. of this “one Lee, who “I had a phase where I was desperately trying path” norm, is part Chi- to be more white. It’s so damaging because a many feel left nese, Tai- part of me wants to be embracing my culture out, which wanese and and the other part of me really wants to fit in causes peoJa p a n e s e, ple to hide because I live here...” experienced their identisome difties to fit in. f i c u l t i e s Celina Lee, sophomore “It’s defiwhile trying nitely hard to to connect not have that with all her idea or try different cultures. This struggle eventually to embrace that [path],” Macias-Valencia led to Lee letting go of a part of her iden- said. “Especially when we’re surrounded by tity. a bunch of white kids and white parents, “I used to be very good at Jap- you kind of feel like the black sheep.” anese when I was younger, but I People living in America may also treat chose not to do it [later in life],” immigrants or second-generation people Lee said. “[There was] a decision differently due to inherent biases they poswhere it was me choosing between sess.

Chinese or Japanese, and it never “There are some stereotypes surroundoccurred to me to choose both, so I ing culture that are almost looked down chose Chinese since my grandpar- upon,” Lee said. “If you speak a different ents mostly spoke Chinese. I didn’t language, people here aren’t going to encourage you, if you have an accent, they’re see why I should choose Japanese.”

For a lot of Paly students, their going to look down on you [and] make you desire to fit in cost them their love for feel inferior. I’ve seen that with my grandparents and they’re…treated differently betheir culture.

“I had a phase where I was desper- cause they can’t speak the best and they’re ately trying to be more white,” Lee said. not fluent. I think it’s really damaging to see “It’s so damaging because a part of me that since I’m their granddaughter.”

In order to conform to a country where wants to be embracing my culture and the English is predominantly spoken, junior Joother part of me really wants to fit in behannah Seah also recounts that her parents cause I live here, I’ve been raised here, and began transitioning to speaking English I have to go to school here.” due to the lack of resources that would help While the acceptance of one’s culture is them continue speaking their native lanheavily centered around an internal strugguage. gle, many times, people are forced to give “Language is a strengthening factor to

CULTURE • 19

culture, but I know it can be really hard in America because their culture in the present. there isn’t a lot of access to Asian languages and translation, so it Outside of just celebrating cultural holidays, the people that feels like English is the only thing [my parents] had,” Seah said. someone surrounds themselves with can significantly influence However, not everyone thinks of themselves as whitewashed, how they see their culture. or having completely lost touch with their culture because of the “I really value having Asian friends… [culture] is not just the American assimilation process. Junior Alex Yan, a second-gener- holidays or the customs, but it is also about worldview,” Seah said. ation Cantonese American, believes that he has been using the “I feel like another way of retaining my culture is by being with resources readily available to him people who understand [my] to stay connected to his culture. experiences, and we also under“Honestly, I feel pretty lucky “There’s definitely more I wish I’d learned stand each other on a more perbecause the Bay Area has a lot [about my culture], but I’m starting to learn sonal level.” of ways to access my culture, and that stuff now and getting more interested in Additionally, Seah visits sevthere’s a lot of Asian people, so I eral Asian stores to continue exitself.” don’t feel very whitewashed,” Yan periencing cultural foods. said.

“In the Bay Area, we have Deshpande agrees, as there are Dinu Deshpande, junior access to Chinese grocery stores more resources now than in the and Chinese snacks, so I’m past that can help people reconnect really happy with their culture. about that,” Seah said.

“I would say there’s not that much holding you back from bePeople also use the internet ing part of your culture or from learning,” Deshpande said. “Per- to further their connections sonally, I’ve never had real obstacles that have stopped me from with their culture. For learning about my culture and connecting more.”

Kamikihara, who While there are countless resources available to Deshpande, came to Amerihe has not taken advantage of them until recent years. ca when the “There’s definitely more I wish I’d learned [about my culture], internet but I’m starting to learn that stuff now and getting more interest- w a s ed in itself,” Deshpande said.

Despite the struggle between external forces and internal feelings that cause a disconnect between people and their culture, there are still ways that students at Paly try to embrace

As people grow older, they may lose their connections to 20 • cmagazine.org

not as advanced yet, the internet is a great place for her to con- ent from having them in-person.” tinue staying in touch with Japan.

And even if a person feels divided with their culture, their cul“We subscribed to live TV so I can see the news at the same ture is never truly lost. To further embrace their culture, people time as people in Japan because of the live news center,” Kamiki- must put in work to strengthen their connections. hara said. “What really helps is the internet. I can learn about “[For example], just research what traditions [your culture] music or how our culture is has,” Macias-Valencia said. changing.”

“Do they have any rituals? Is The internet has also al- “Try to really understand what’s important in your there any sacred food in their lowed people to contact others culture and to try to incorporate that into your culture? I think you definitely who experience their culture, day-to-day lives and just really feel okay with it. can [research] it.” such as family members who surrounding oneself Don’t feel ashamed about it just because you withJustculture might not be in America. can create greater don’t ‘fit’ in.’”

“I always have my grandbonds, not only with their culparents,” Lee said. “They just ture but the people as well. figured out how to use Zoom, “Sometimes just hearing Alondra Macias-Valencia, senior and they Zoom us sometimes stories is helpful because some and teach us cool stuff happens, and it’s very about different things. During holidays, different to living in the U.S.,” Deshpande said. “So I still like they’re on the little iPad in front asking questions, hearing stories and trying to travel if that’s an of us on the table. While it’s option. [Those] are good ways to stay up to date and connected.” definitely great having Regardless of the level of connection a person feels with their them online, it’s culture, there are countless ways in which they can explore the d e f i n i t e l y connection that was once there. Even if one does not feel fully differ- immersed in their culture, it is not something that people should be discouraged about or be embarrassed by.

“Try to really understand what’s important in your culture and try to incorporate that into your day-to-day life and really feel okay with it,” Macias-Valencia said. “Don’t feel ashamed about it just because you don’t fit in.’”

their culture, but they always have the ability to find it again.

CULTURE • 21

THE PLACE WE CALL

HOME W

ith the ongoing changes happening to our planet as a result of climate change, people are holding on to their favorite places, hoping to preserve what they love.

Pollution can persist in many forms such as air, light, noise and water pollution. Light pollution, any excess or unnatural light, disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife which hides the natural formation of the stars.

For sophomore Alex Bradford, Lake Michigan is one of his favorite places to visit because there is no light pollution present. “I remember one night just sitting and looking at the stars,” Bradford said. “Without light pollution, you can see everything, which is really amazing.”

As a kid, Bradford and his family would vacation at their house on the lake every year.

“The lake itself is really beautiful, especially when it’s calm,” Bradford said. “You can see the reflection of the trees and mountains in the water.”

Similarly to Bradford, junior Finley Craig has her own personal favorites, including the San Juan Islands in Washington. “The San Juans have unreal sunsets,” Craig said.

“Sunsets are probably one of my top 10 favorite things.”

Craig also enjoys traveling to national parks. “Yosemite, Yellowstone and Crater Lake are awesome,” Craig said. “I love these places because they’re super scenic, quiet and peaceful.”

Craig runs cross country for the Varsity team, which allows her to experience peaceful outdoor spaces, even in Palo Alto. “I am able to run in a lot of fun places outdoors,” Craig said. “Especially trail running which gets you into the wild.”

In addition to running, Craig enjoys other outdoor sports such as hiking and skiing. “I love hiking near the ocean because I find [that] the views are best there,” Craig said. “I love skiing in Tahoe, but I’ve also skied in Europe which was so fun.”

Freshman Alma Bendavid also enjoys hiking.

With no cell reception, it is a way for her to clear her mind. “I backpacked in Sykes Hot Springs in Big Sur with my dad,” Bendavid said. “It was 10 miles in and 10 miles out, which [gave me time to] clear my mind and get away a little bit.”

Bendavid has also traveled places out of California, including Fiji and both Bryce and Zion National Parks. “Fiji was amazing, just unreal,”

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With our rapidly changing climate, people are appreciating our

PLANET PLANET PLANET more than ever

Bendavid said. “Bryce and Zion look like something out of this world.”

All of these beautiful places on Earth are slowly morphing into unrecognizable areas, harmed by humans’ impact on the planet.

People are starting to notice the actively changing landscapes as they explore the outdoors.

Sophomore Rae Sox-Harris has also been backpacking, starting at a young age. During recent backpacking trips, Sox-Harris noticed the decreasing biodiversity in places they visited when they were younger—places which previously housed countless species now hold far fewer species.

“The forest used to have a constant blanket of noise, and it’s just gotten quieter,” Sox-Harris said.

The issue of declining biodiversity is not confined to the surface. Species both on land and in our oceans are steadily dying and disappearing because of our harmful actions.

Scuba diving is a popular tourist activity in places such as Hawaii, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. The activity provides the perfect opportunity for those above land to dive in and observe the effects on the species below.

When visiting Costa Rica in 2019, Paly alum Andrew Bernas and his family decided to embark on a scuba diving excursion.

Keeping up with the news surrounding climate change and environmental issues, the family was well aware of the planet’s deterioration, but they were astounded by the vast levels of mortality existing in our waters.

“We went scuba diving and everything [was] just dead,” Bernas said. “It’s just really sad to see.”

After witnessing the devastating effects humans have on the planet, people often overlook the devastating effects on the place we call home. It is easy for one to turn a blind eye, but in reality society needs to confront this issue head on. Ignoring our changing planet gets significantly more difficult as climate change impairs everyday past times.

Located in California, Lake Tahoe is a popular getaway for skiers, snowboarders and vacationing families.

However, the window to schedule getaways is gradually shrinking, as the level of snow decreases each year. The prolonged California drought season and overall higher temperatures play a large role in the reduction of snow.

“A lot of the precipitation falls as rain instead of snow,” Bradford said. “[It] is sad to see because eventually Lake Tahoe is not going to be a place where you can enjoy the snow anymore.”

Bradford is not the only one who notices this difference. Craig and her family love their annual Tahoe trips, but with the unpredictable snow patterns, work and school, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a window to go enjoy the snow. “[The changing snow patterns] just throw everything off balance,” Craig said.

California is not the only state undergoing the effects of climate

“The forest used to have a constant blanket of noise, and it’s just gotten quieter.”

Rae Sox-Harris, sophomore

Text and design by KAILA CHUN, MCKENNA RAUSCH and KYLIE TZENG • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL Photos by various PALY STUDENTS and ALUMNI

ARTS • 23

24 • cmagazine.org

ARTS • 25

change. Craig’s grandparents live in West Seattle near the ocean, which is a reliable source of cooler weather, but even they have felt the rising temperatures. Both the water and weather are becoming warmer.

Equally as concerning as our West Coast is up north in the state of Alaska. Alaska is home to some of the most beautiful glaciers, which are a primary source of freshwater. These glaciers draw in people from all over, either to observe the natural beauties or to hike nearby. Unfortunately, with rising temperatures, these glaciers are beginning to melt at an accelerating pace.

Junior Ryan Lee visited Alaska last winter break to admire the incredible glaciers.

Lee’s mom had visited when she was younger and acknowledged the difference in scenery.

“She told us about how [the glaciers] were completely different,” Lee said. “It had receded a lot.”

Similarly, Richard Nevle, Deputy Director of the Earth Systems Program at Stanford University, conducted field research in Greenland and noticed obvious changes in scenery.

“I’ve been able to see the images of the areas where I worked as a young person and see the recession of those glaciers,” Nevle said.

In addition to the changing rate of glacier melt, the occurrence of natural disasters has increased, wreaking havoc and total destruction upon afflicted areas. Growing up in Houston, Texas, Nevle is accustomed to hurricane season, but as he has gone back to visit friends and family, the damage caused by hurricanes are far worse than in the past. One year, Nevle returned to Houston to help out a friend whose house was flooded for the fourth time.

“I was going down the street and all this furniture was soaked, and the house and all the sheetrock was ruined,” Nevle said. “It was horrible.”

Unfortunately, as more of these natural disasters occur more frequently, they begin to become a normal, inevitable part of life.

After having personal experiences with climate change and seeing first hand how it affects our planet, students have taken action to combat the effects of climate change.

Boy Scouts of America has provided those interested with countless opportunities to connect with nature, through outdoor activities and various restoration and conservation projects. The organization has also taught members how to better treat and protect the Earth.

“Scouting really emphasizes and prioritizes that idea of reverence for the environment,” Lee said.

Palo Alto Troop 57 partnered with the National Audubon Society, a non-profit organization focused on saving birds and their habitats, in an effort to bring birds back to protected wildlife areas. The troop members made birdhouses from scratch, then mounted the finished products in the National Audubon Society’s protected wildlife areas.

“I was a bit skeptical because I didn’t think birdhouses actually [did] anything,” Bernas said. “But then, I was really happy when they sent me pictures of the little birds actually hatching in [the birdhouses].”

Similarly, Palo Alto Troop 14 worked on a fence restoration project. This project formed when Troop 14 was on a camping trip, and some of the members noticed that part of the fence surrounding the campsite was damaged. Pranav Adya, a sophomore in Troop 14, was among the members on that camping trip. With the permission of the National Park Services, the troop members were able to restore the fence to protect all the animals that lived in the area. “[Various animals] were often coming into the campsite and eating [our] food,” Adya said. “We created that fence [because eating our food causes their] teeth to rot [which] affects their digestive system and more.”

In addition to helping animals, there are organizations dedicated to helping people affected by natural disasters. Search and Rescue is exactly what it sounds like: groups of volunteers go out and search for those affected by major natural disasters, like fires and earthquakes, as well as people in distress, in attempts to rescue them and bring them to safety. For Lee, joining Search and Rescue was a way to apply the scouting skills he developed to help others.

Plus, it happened to align with his interests in the outdoors and medicine.

“Scouting really emphasizes and prioritizes that idea of reverence for the environment.”

Ryan Lee, junior

26 • cmagazine.org

“There’s some crazy rainstorms and windstorms that I’ve been in that are very fun, but they’re very scary sometimes,” Lee said.

Many people are taking action to help normalize discussions on important environmental issues. Nevle partnered up with his friend, poet Steven Nightingale, to write the book, “The Paradise Notebooks.” The book features several essays and some of Nightingale’s poems. While the book is not yet published, Nevle hopes the book will offer a way for readers to reconnect with nature and realize the importance of taking action to help our planet.

“When we think about what motivates environmental ethos, or a kinship of the natural world, what we need is environmental action,” Nevle said. “We need people devoted on both the federal and international level, but also the more intimate level in our backyards and schools.”

Many students have focused on taking action in their high schools and local communities, often by educating others on environmental issues. Junior Jade Minskoff co-founded the club Project Eco with some of her friends to provide a space for discussion of environmental issues.

“There’s a domino effect of [spreading awareness],” Minskoff said. “The more awareness [there is], the more people will believe in [environmental issues].”

In addition to Project Eco, there are many other environmentally conscious clubs at PALY. Adya combined his love for photography and nature to found the Nature Observation and Photography Club. The club’s major focus is helping its members find the balance between taking the perfect shot and also respecting nature.

The club took a trip up to Point Reyes to photograph the endangered Northern Spotted Owl. The members practiced keeping their distance while taking their photographs. Photographers have given up perfect shots in efforts to preserve natural ecosystems.

“We have made sacrifices,” Adya said. “It’s extremely important if you want the last few ecosystems to still thrive.”

Photography is a perfect way for students to get involved in environmental activism because students have free reign over what they choose to photograph and emphasize. For Adya, posting his photography on social media is a way to initiate conversations about the wildlife he photographs.

“I talk about what [people] can do to avoid killing them [animals] because that’s the real issue,” Adya said. “A lot of the species I photograph are actually endangered.”

Likewise, Bernas enjoys taking photos on his outdoor excursions.

Photography serves as a nice distraction from the stresses of everyday life, but more importantly, Bernas hopes to capture the natural wonders on our planet.

“My photography could potentially help because [I show] the beauty of planet Earth,” Bernas said. “It helps incentivize people [to] take action to protect those certain areas.”

Though many people are aware of climate change and the con

“When we think about what motivates environmental ethos… what we need is environmental action. ” Richard Nevle, Deputy Director of the Earth Systems Program at Stanford University

ARTS • 27

TOGETHER

sequences of it, not many know how to make a difference. To protect the planet, the first step is to be conscious of your lifestyle and how your actions affect the environment.

“Just being aware, knowing what’s going on, and supporting people who believe in climate change [is important],” Bradford said.

It is important to spread awareness about climate change as well.

The more people are conscious about their actions, the more protected the environment will be. University of California Santa Cruz Earth Sciences Professor Gary Griggs believes teaching about climate change and the effects it has on Earth will change some students’ perspective.

“If I influence more people, [at least] 250 or 300 students, hopefully they [will] leave with a different feeling about their footprint on the planet than they did before they took [my] class,” Griggs said.

Every person has the power to actively change their lifestyle, influence others’ lifestyles and fight for change through their government and supporting Earth-conscious companies, which is something AP Environmental Science teacher Alicia Szebert agrees with as well.

“People are the ones that are making the decisions, affecting the environment, voting and deciding what to buy, where to go, what companies to support and what to ask their governments,” Szebert said.

It’s important to change peoples’ attitudes towards climate change by looking at data showing the effects of it and help others be more conscious of their lifestyle.

“If everyone was like ‘Oh, who cares if the climate gets hotter and everything dies,’ that’s going to be a very different world than one where people [think], ‘This matters, we should make changes,’” Szebert said.

Besides raising awareness and being conscious of one’s own lifestyle, taking action by reaching people who can have a larger impact can also be an effective way to combat climate change.

“There’s one simple thing that everybody can do and it doesn’t cost you anything,” Griggs said. “When you’re 18, and from then on for the rest of your life, you can vote and those people [you vote for] have a huge impact on our budget, our energy and our lifestyles.”

Another way to take action is by getting involved with politics and starting activist groups and clubs focusing on the environment. “[A way to help with the environment is] getting involved with a campaign for someone who’s running on a pro environmental platform,” Nevle said. “[Become] a part of an environmental group on campus encouraging [food services] to provide alternatives that are [environmentally conscious].”

Water rationing is one action that many California residents are embracing. Due to extreme drought conditions in the state, residents have been asked to reduce their water use through various behavior changes such as use of drought-resistant plants, taking shorter showers, and turning off faucets.

“The idea of rationing water is something we never did before,”

“There’s one simple thing that everybody can do and it doesn’t cost you anything…you can vote [which has] a huge impact on our budget, our energy and our lifestyles.”

Gary Griggs, UCSC Earth Sciences Professor

28 • cmagazine.org

Griggs said. “But if it doesn’t snow and [the snow] doesn’t melt, it’s not like somebody’s hoarding water [from us], there just isn’t any to give.”

California’s economy is heavily dependent on the crops grown, making water supply a crucial resource in the state. There have been solutions proposed to help with this problem but it is hard to actually implement them. Desalination, the process of converting salt water into usable water, is one solution that has been proposed to help increase the water supply.

“There are ways we can dissolve sea water, but every time somebody comes up with a new plan, there [are] people who oppose it because it takes too much energy and it costs too much,” Griggs said. “There are options, [so] we’re not going to all go thirsty, but we’ve got to plan ahead a little bit.”

Climate change is an issue that will continue to heavily affect our lives, as well as future generations, if it is not addressed.

“Future generations need to have natural spaces that they can enjoy,” Bradford said. “A lot of cities…have parks to protect places, and we’ve got all the great national parks, but those should stay protected, so people can enjoy the beauty for centuries.”

If the issue of climate change is ignored, eventually, the planet will reach a point of no return. One thing that needs to be focused on is the preservation of biodiversity—once all the forests are burned down, coral reefs killed off and more organisms become extinct, the effects cannot be reversed.

“Even if we right some wrongs or we have new advancements in technology and medicine, short of genetically recreating some of these extinct organisms, we can’t really undo organism extinction,” Szebert said.

In order to continue maintaining our current lifestyles, people have to understand that everything we use comes from the environment, so it has to be protected.

“If the environment goes down in flames, our way of life will not survive,” Szebert said.

Greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane are a driving force of climate change. To reduce the effects of climate change, the amount of greenhouse emissions must be drastically decreased.

“The more carbon dioxide [that] goes into the atmosphere makes it warmer,” Griggs said. “Plants and animals have certain temperature ranges that [they] live within, and we’re seeing plants and animals dying out.”

Besides affecting life on land, greenhouse gasses and climate change also impact marine life.

“The more [carbon dioxide] that gets into the atmosphere, the more that gets dissolved into the oceans,” Griggs said. “Carbon dioxide reacts with water to produce a weak acid, so the oceans are slowly getting more acidic.”

“Even if we right some wrongs...we can’t really undo organism extinction.”

Alicia Szebert, Paly AP Environmental Science teacher

It is evident that changes need to start being made in individuals’ lifestyles, as well as policies and laws. Though making changes in people’s lives is difficult, it is needed.

“It is really just a matter of will and people willing to take action and enact change even though there might be sacrifices for themselves and for others,” Lee said.

As the effects of climate change are becoming more visible, attention must be brought to the issue to protect Earth and its natural wonders and we need to work together to combat this issue.

“I think that any kind of work that you can do in your community is really empowering,” Nevle said. “It makes you realize you’re less alone in this work.”

ON THIS EARTH ARTS • 29

STRIVING FOR SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY Paly is home to many environmental activists who use their passion to advocate for important change

Text and design by JACK HANEY and MILENA RODRIGUEZ • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL

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F

or as long as she could remember, senior Natalia Cossio Morgan Greenlaw emphasizes how little adjustments over time has been an environmentalist. Her mom instilled in her create a lasting impact, which is critical for enduring change. the importance of environmental conservation by seeking “Just having one meal a day, or one day a week being fully to reduce her ecological footprint, activity by activity. Through- plant-based, and working up from there [helps],” Greenlaw said. out the years, her environmentalism has grown in many ways.

“A lot of people are put off by the idea of being vegan because An integral part of Cossio’s love for the environment and her they think it should be an all or nothing thing. And that’s definitecontinued support of it has stemmed from her simple enjoyment ly not the case, because every choice we make has an impact.” of the world surrounding us all.

As an environmentalist, Cossio is also concerned a b o u t “I like to spend how little effort is time outside in difbeing put into real ferent environments, change. biking and swim“We can harm ming and whatnot,” [the environment] Cossio said. faster than we can This enjoyment grow it back,” Coshas propelled her to sio said. “It’s importmake significant lifeto preserve [the Nicole Loomis, AP Environmental Science teacher ant style changes. environment] be“My diet has cause it can’t always changed…I also simply buy less stuff, including packages that just grow back.” have to travel far,” Cossio said. “I try to do things that overall Senior Rowan Erickson was inspired to advocate for the envireduce my footprint on the environment.” ronment because of her mom, who promotes sustainable living Engaging with the environment has helped junior Gabriela and is passionate about climate change. Erickson’s realization Hakeman develop a greater sense of appreciation for it. When of the urgency of climate change has motivated her to make she was younger, she never took part in outdoor activities and changes. instead took nature’s beauty for granted.

“In eleven years, [when] we cannot come back from climate “I’ve learned to appreciate little things like going on walks, change, our world is doomed, ” Erickson said. “We have such seeing the flowers blooming in spring, seeing all this new growth little time to fix all the problems that humanity has made before and finding beauty in something that I thought was ordinary,” our world turns to pieces.”

Hakeman said.

Erickson’s advocacy has led her to research how climate Spending time at home during the pandemic helped Hake- change affects different communities, with a focus on local comman realize how individual actions have the ability to collectively munities. create big change, no matter how small the actions may seem.

“Climate change disproportionately affects low-income com“During quarantine, I realized we all had the power to choose munities and the burden that they take on compared to wealthy not to drive places and the impact it had on the environment,” communities and white communities is unjust,” Erickson said.

Hakeman said. “[We are] within reach of goals to achieve net-ze- “In Palo Alto, we’re not affected as greatly as East Palo Alto. The ro carbon emissions [because of] the power of each individual bay water is rising, so they’re way more susceptible to flooding.” coming together and affecting the entire world.”

If we continue to contribute to rising sea levels, up to twoAP Environmental Science teacher Nicole Loomis echoes this thirds of East Palo Alto, and portions of northeast Palo Alto belief that knowledge and would become victims of awareness are essential to regular flooding. By 2050, helping to preserve the enthat two-thirds would be vironment. affected by every high tide “The more you know the bay brings. about the environment, For anyone looking to the more you realize that preserve the environment, we rely on it for our conGreenlaw recommends Gabriela Hakeman, 11 tinued existence,” Loomis starting small. Over time, said. “Our choices make a the smallest transitions big difference, so be aware someone begins to make of the impact that you have on the world.” will result in widespread change. Starting small, combined with Cossio is a vegetarian and works for Markegard Family Grass- a multitude of followers, generates real effects on curbing our Fed, a ranch based in the San Mateo, Sonoma and Marin coun- climate crisis in the other direction. The fight is not over yet to ties that practices regenerative agriculture and meat practices. stop further damage.

For many like Cossio, environmental activism is campaigning for “Every choice has an impact,” Greenlaw said. “Every indimore environmentally-friendly agricultural and eating practices. vidual can make an impact, [so] it’s better to have many people Transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle is an easy way to re- doing a little bit than a few people doing a lot.” duce your carbon footprint and benefit the environment. Junior

“Our choices make a big difference, so be aware of the impact that you have on the world.”

“I’ve learned to [find] beauty in something that I thought was ordinary.”

ARTS • 31

Text and design by EMMA TURNBULL and CASEY WALTERS • Art by OLIVIA LINDSTROM

Featured Artist:

OLIVIA

LINDSTROM Experimenting with portrait art to illustrate emotions

S

ophomore Olivia Lindstrom sits at her desk after a long, busy day of school and swimming; she picks up a pencil, creates an image in her head and begins to unleash her creative energy. She sketches, draws and paints a diverse mix of portraits. Lindstrom spends her time creating both paintings and drawings and experimenting with a variety of mediums to bring her art to life.

Lindstrom’s interest in art began during her childhood, when she constantly found ways to express herself creatively.

“I’ve always grown up drawing and doodling,” Lindstrom said.

“As a kid, I remember really enjoying making things and that sparked my passion and love for art.”

One of Lindstrom’s recent pieces is a self-portrait (pictured

32 • cmagazine.org

left), created by drawing thin lines of pen.

“Usually when I create a piece, I do the first sketch and then I go over the sketch with whatever medium I am using,” Lindstrom said. “In this piece specifically, I actually took the photo of myself first and it inspired me to create a work of art around that photo.”

Currently, Lindstrom enjoys experimenting with a variety of mediums, including watercolor, pastels and charcoal.

“I’ve never previously worked with pastels quite this much and it was a really unique experience to be able to learn and grow as an artist using this new medium,” Lindstrom said. “I had a really fun time learning to adapt to this new medium and learn new technical skills to apply to the piece,” Lindstrom said.

Many of Lindstrom’s pieces, including this self-portrait, are made in her moments of highest need for emotional expression.

“A lot of my pieces are made when I am not the most mentally stable, and at strange times of day,” Lindstrom said. “In this piece, I was feeling re-

ally tired and burnt out and I was definitely in need of a break. I used this piece to let out some of my steam by doing what makes me happiest.”

When Lindstrom initially began creating art, she viewed her pieces in a more critical way and often focused on others’ perceptions of her work.

“Before, I was [focused on] succeeding with technical stuff… and getting approval and validation from other people about my art,” Lindstrom said. “Now it’s about what I’m trying to convey in my art…and really getting my emotions onto the paper.”

For Lindstrom, creating art is a therapeutic experience and a way for her to work through the challenges of her everyday life.

“It gives me a way to express my emotions,” Lindstrom said. “I’m a very emotional person and this [art] is the thing that I can do to [let my emotions out].

It’s a way to

express what I’m feeling and it’s easier than talking.”

Lindstrom has begun to prioritize art as a method of self-care but sometimes struggles to make time for it. To get out of creative blocks, Lindstrom puts aside extra time for creativity and avoids having overly high expectations for herself and her pieces.

For Lindstrom, the most challenging part of creating a new piece is the initial stages—sitting down and beginning to draw or paint.

“Whenever I’m feeling particularly inspired or have a rush of energy to create at a random time, I’ll just sit down and make art, even if it’s not the best work I’ve ever created,” Lindstrom said. “I’ll just sit down and get everything out.”

One of Lindstrom’s regrets in her creative journey is that she didn’t prioritize her own feelings about art earlier on in her life. She felt like she wasn’t creating art for the joy it was

“It’s a way to express what I’m feeling and it’s easier than talking.”

bringing her as an artist, but for others’ expectations.

“If I had just realized that it wasn’t all about the outcome and it was more about how you’re feeling while creating [a piece], that would have made all the difference,” Lindstrom said.

Recently, Lindstrom has been working on creating art that speaks to her feelings and plans to make this a focus during the rest of her creative journey.

“A lot of times I’m not really sure myself what exactly I’m feeling or why, but when I sit down and make some art it usually makes it easier to distinguish my feelings,” Lindstrom said.

In the future, Lindstrom hopes to inspire others with her art by conveying shared experiences and emotions that people can resonate with.

“This piece [the self-portrait] specifically was definitely more for me than for others,” Lindstrom said. “However, I’d love for people to look at my art and be impacted by it and realize that some of the emotions they may be having I might be too.”

ARTS • 33

Words Abound Inside the world of Paly Student Authors

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ou’re sitting in the Paly library, studying feverishly for an exam the next day. It’s time for a break. As you peruse the contents of the fantasy shelf, you come across a typical-looking novel. Yet, there is more than what meets the eye, for when you look a little closer you recognize the author from your English class. Welcome to the world of Paly authors.

Paly students have written some great material in their journey as authors. Colleen Wang, a senior, wrote the science fiction short story, “Roses Watered by a Robot’s Tears,” and its sequel “Memories Revived in a Robot’s Eyes.” The series takes place 100 years in the future, when AI technology Colleen Wang, improves to a point where Senior and author of it can develop human emo- Robot’s Tears” tions. The concept of the book was partly influenced by a video she had seen about parents leaving their children in rural China to work in the cities for money.

“The situation was really sad,” Wang said. “So I thought, ‘What if we let AI learn emotions, and had them parent the

children?’”

Another Paly author, senior Andy Ng, wrote a fantasy novel called “The Everyday Occurrences of a Stranded God,” following a powerful mage who is sent to Earth where he loses all his powers. Ng wanted to sway from the fantasy trope of a non-magical person being sent into a magical world and becoming the “chosen one.”

“I thought it would be interesting to take an already super strong fantasy individual at the top of their game and then instead whisk them over to earth where they end up having no powers at all and then see how they cope with it,” Ng said.

Both Ng and Wang are self-published and have their books available to read in the Paly Library, which has proved to be very “Roses Watered by a rewarding.

“Once I got it published physically, it was pretty wild,” Wang said. “And to see all the work I’ve done actually culminate into a physical book, I had no idea that this was possible before I started.”

The self-publication process is a lot easier than many might think, and can be done on the internet relatively quickly.

“Once I got it published physically, it was pretty wild, and to see all the work I’ve done actually culminate into a physical book.”

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Text and design by MATHEW SIGNORELLO-KATZ and ISAAC HILLESLAND • Art by Barvart

“Amazon has this thing called KDP, it’s a Kindle publish- students. ing site where it lets authors self-publish,” Ng said. “The pro“[At my old school], we never really got the chance to cess is actually really easy.” write, and that’s something that Paly has really offered me Publication, while a lot easier than it has been in the past, the chance to be able to do,” Ng said. “[These opportunities can be an expensive process which is still inaccessible to many. are] really cool.”

This is especially true for high school students who may not Lucy Fillpu teaches Analysis of the Writer’s Craft, a class have the economic assistance, technology and opportunities. which is not offered at most public high schools. She assists However, publishing is not in the process of supporting necessarily the most important and teaching Paly students to aspect about being a student explore their writing and voice. author. Having the ability to “A lot of the kids who come write powerful content, esappreciate that we are not pecially during the period of writing academic essays about growth which they face in high literature,” Filppu said. “We’re school as students, is the bigger studying literature as writers goal. ourselves.”

The writing process as a stuFilppu believes that the valdent author is one of learning Lucy Filppu, ue of students’ voices, especialfrom mistakes and being per- Writer’s Craft Instructor ly those who are less heard and sistent. Even Ng, who has gone may have less opportunities, is through the publishing process, more important than publishunderstands that what is written will never be completely sat- ing books just for the sake of publishing. isfactory.

“I’m far more interested in kids who may or may not feel “Whatever you want to write, just write it because it is nev- their voices heard at Paly and have very compelling life expeer going to be [as] perfect as you want it to be,” Ng said. “If riences and imaginations,” Filppu said. “Those kids’ stories you spend too much time waiting for your skills to develop to absolutely knock my socks off almost every year in Writer’s a point where you’ll be able to perfectly put your idea on pa- Craft.” per and keep procrastinating until then, you’ll never actually In the transitional period of high school, it is most imhave written anything because you’ll never actually become portant for students to find their voice and creative side as perfect.” they discover themselves, and learn in whatever way or form Ng feels grateful to be exposed to writing classes here at that may take. Writing has proven to be a great outlet for Paly. Numerous writing programs such as journalism and many students to share these stories, no matter classes like Analysis of the Writer’s Craft are offered to all the success of their work.

“Those kids’ stories absolutely knock my socks off almost every year in Writer’s Craft.”

ARTS • 35

g of

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Spo How ia d the role of social med misinformation change platfo

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A WEB OF LIES

Text and design by RACHEL ELLISEN and JASMINE TABRIZI • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL

36 • cmagazine.org

R

ecently, Spotify has experienced severe backlash after one anything they want of the platform’s most popular podcasts, “The Joe Rogan to, she believes this Experience,” spread misinformation about Covid-19 vac- responsibility lies cines. In response to this misinformation, many famous artists with Spotify users. such as Neil Young have removed their music from the popular So, while Jeong supplatform. ports Spotify’s use of “On a lot of digital platforms, there’s lots of misinforma- content warnings, she tion going around,” junior Rachelle Lee said. “I think many also emphasizes that it’s platforms are struggling with the question of how to deal with up to people to be more mindful of misinformation while also still allowing their users to be free to misinformation. post whatever content they want to, within reason.”

“I feel like the problem of misinformation is always evThe case has since prompted Lee and others to contemplate erywhere, but podcasts have made it more prominent,” Jeong what this might mean for Spotify in the grand scheme of their said. “Obviously, Spotify doesn’t need to do anything, but it responsibilities as a social media network. would be ‘morally good’ to have content advisory warnings.”

Since the backlash from Rogan’s statements, Spotify has said Others also believe it’s crucial for Spotify to step up, conthat they will implement content advisories alongside Rogan’s sidering that what is at stake is misinformation about the panpodcast episodes discussing COVID-19 in order to inform lis- demic. teners that they may contain misinformation. However, some Sophomore Josie Vogel believes that the warnings Spotify argue that this is not enough. has attached to the misinformation on their platform are too Junior Owen Kuwayti believes that Spotify needs to be more broad and that instead of stopping there, they should also indirect in addressing the issue by inserting clude information from the CDC to help additional information into the original reeducate those susceptible to misinformacording to rectify the podcast’s shortcom- “It sets a precedent tion through this media. ings to listeners.

“As much as possible, getting real infor how we should be “They could interrupt the recording formation and good sources is super imand actually try and correct whatever in- treating that kind of portant, especially because COVID-19 is formation was put out,” Kuwayti said. information in the future. also health [related] and it can affect peoKuwayti adds that by including podcasts ple,” Vogel said. “So, it’s really important on their music streaming platform, Spotify Since [Spotify is] a big to keep everybody safe, and it should be a is now responsible for facing the challenge company, they have a top priority for Spotify to have true inforof making sure the information and opinmation on their platform.” ions spread on their platform do not cause lot of control.”

Additionally, Vogel recommends that misinformation. This is a new concern, one Spotify take this case of misinformation that didn’t require as much attention when into account when planning out how to Owen Kuwayti, junior better deal with future cases of misinthe platform only housed music.

“It sets a precedent for how we should formation on the platform and create a be treating that kind of information in the future,” Kuwayti more concrete idea of what is permissible. said. “Since [Spotify is] a big company, they have a lot of “Spotify now needs to learn from this to ensure that in the control.” future, misinformation gets dealt with in a different way,” Vogel While some of Rogan’s said. “Afterwards, Spotify should be able to take this and have fans were disappointed a general outline for what can be posted using this experience.” in the lack of truth and Vogel believes that this case might suggest a need for Spotify variation in perspectives to join other platforms in implementing a way to report harmful of the people he hosted on content. his podcast, others believe it “A bunch of different social media platforms have a space is up to listeners to identify misin- where you can report creators, and they give you a list of why formation for themselves. you’re reporting something; it’s usually either hate speech or According to junior Ajin Jeong, in misinformation,” Vogel said. “Spotify could add that into their this day and age when people can post podcast area.”

MUSIC • 37

Spotify’s efforts to maintain quality and accuracy of information could lead to excessive limitations on freedom of speech.

Senior Ben Antonow, who is wary of Spotify’s response, believes that the company attempted to find the fine line between being asseryet unrestricted, which they did not quite manage to

In Lee’s view, by removing their content from Spotify in an act of protest, these artists have found a way to effectively express their opinions and take a stand on the issue. The content removal is then felt by Spotify as it deals with the public relations fallout and risk of losing subscribers.

“The importance [of what Mitchell and Young did] is just being able to use their voice and taking back control in the industry and not allowing platforms like Spotify to just have all the control over their content,” Lee said.

Jeong also highlights that by withdrawing their support for a well-known company like Spotify, their actions are even more commendable. tive “Musicians taking music off of Spotify makes me respect do. them because Spotify is the primary music streaming platform, “If Spotify wants to censor him [Joe Rogan], that’s fully with- and [this] really emphasizes their stance,” Jeong said. in their right to do so,” Antonow said. “But I personally think At the same time, some would argue that by using the power that it sets a bad precedent to restrict someone’s free speech, of their large followings, these artists are guilty of falling into even if it isn’t necessarily restricting their constitutional rights.” the toxicity of cancel culture.

Antonow also sees an importance in Spotify maintaining a For instance, while Antonow appreciates that these music artcomparable level of involvement across all ists are using their power as celebrities for of the various types of media that it covgood, he is torn on whether or not to fully “Say there’s a ridiculous support their actions because of the way ers.

“You wouldn’t censor somebody’s mu- lyric that encourages they went about expressing their views. sic from having profanity in it,” Antonow “I think it’s great that they [these musaid. “Say there’s a ridiculous lyric that en- bad behavior—you’re sicians] did that, and I’m glad that they’re courages bad behavior — you’re not going not going to censor that. that in tune with their own ethical comto censor that. Why is it different than a pass and moral compass,” Antonow said.

Why is it different than a “However, if it was in protest, and they podcast?”

Vogel also raises the point that, unlike podcast?” were trying to rally a large bunch of musimusic, podcasts were created to serve as a cians to do that, that feels a lot to me, like space for people to be open with and talk cancel culture.” about their thoughts. So, as further preIt’s clear that it is up to Spotify to make Ben Antonow, senior ventative measures are taken, she suggests some tough decisions about how they that this could turn into a case of censorchoose to handle their platform as they ship. transition towards including more social forms of media, rather “Podcasts are about spreading opinions, [so] I do understand than ones that are solely music-based. While similar issues may how [freedom of speech] could be an issue,” Vogel said. have arisen in the past with song lyrics, podcasts can make cases Conversely, Jeong maintains that because Spotify is a private of content-based controversy a l l company that now encompasses podcasts, it should be up to the more complicated. them to decide the extent to which they censor content, espe“Now they’re definitecially in order to validate the information shared by users. ly responsible for mak“In the way that its primary purpose is to stream music and ing sure that the right podcasts, I think it’s good that Spotify [directs] people only to information is getting verified music [and] podcasts,” Jeong said. shared and all the conseIn order to take a stand against misinformation, some musi- quences of people sharing cians, including Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, have expressed opinions on their platform,” Kutheir lack of support for “The Joe Rogan Experience” by re- wayti said. “Before it was just music, moving their music from Spotify. Many, including Lee, believe which still could share opinions, but that this is utilizing their own free speech in the situation. not in as direct of a way.”

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to From football games e events on the quad, th l Palo Alto High Schoo Pep Band has always brought spirit to the Paly community

LUM ROSENB A L L E y design b Photos Text and E THRELKELD • CHIVE OK and BRO JOURNALISM AR LY from PA

CULTURE • 39

T

he stands bustle with chatter as rectors, recalls starting his role and defriends talk during halftime. It’s ciding to have the band play on the track the end of the second quarter, during football games instead of playing and spirits are low. The Paly football team where they were sitting in the stands. is down 21-7. Suddenly, the crowd hush“At the very last football game of the es and turns their heads as a sea of green year, I said to the kids, ‘We’re going to polo shirts and silver and gold instruments try something different, we’re going to march in unision onto walk onto the track and the track. As the first play our songs,’” Willnote is played, there ner said. “That’s sort of is an undeniable shift where the whole thing “It’s pretty exciting in the energy of the that we do came about, when, at the first crowd. so then I had to teach the game, they come The Palo Alto High band to march.”

School Pep Band has Many athletes, like marching in and we always been a major junior and varsity dance hear screaming and aspect of Paly culture, it’s for them. That’s a team officer Theresa providing entertainHart, view the band as big deal.” ment during football an integral part of Paly games and events on Jeff Willner, Band spirit, especially during the quad. Songs such football games.

Director as the “Green and “They [the Pep Band] White Anthem” are a just make games more symbol of Paly, bringing students together lively,” Hart said. “Things may be too quiet and fostering a sense of community. for a while, and then all of a sudden they’re From the 1980s to mid 90s, Paly had a playing the Star Wars theme. Sometimes competitive marching band until a new di- it’s a surprise and it’s always so good.” rector decided that it consumed too much The close proximity in which the dance extra time and resources, considering that team and band perform during football it was a separate entity from the Paly band games allows for the dancers to feel a class. Up until the current band directors unique appreciation for the part that the took over, the band would play during foot- band plays in Paly spirit. ball games, but would not march on the “As dancers, we really appreciate them track. because we work with them during football Jeffrey Willner, one of Paly Bands’ di- games,” Hart said. “For the most part, [oth-

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er] people don’t appreciate them enough or understand how dull a game would be without them.”

Junior and band member Mars Bau agrees that the band adds a unique sense of spirit to football games.

“It’s very good that we play at football games because it really adds to the atmosphere,” Bau said.

Willner says that he can often sense the spirit of the crowd lift and respond with excitement to the band’s performances during football games.

“It’s pretty exciting when, at the first game, they come marching in and we hear screaming and it’s for them,” Willner said.

“That’s a big deal.” class practicing and refining the Football games aren’t only fun for the compositions they’re going to play. crowd—they also provide a way for the Bau finds that when the pieces are band members to connect with their peers. fun to play, being in the class is Sophomore and band more enjoyable. member Jules Lafar“During the gue enjoys seeing his normal band season, it’s friends in the stands. more laid back,” Bau “We’re all pushing “It’s always a lot of said. “I really like the through the same fun to see your friends pieces because they’re Friday nights and [because] you wave at very trendy most of the we all wear the same them and they wave time just because that’s thing and we’re all out back and everyone’s the kind of person that cheering when you’re Mr. Willner is.” there.” on the field,” ​​LafarWillner experienced gue said. the sense of communiMars Bau, Junior These Friday night ty that participating in games bring a sense band can bring when he of unity and camaraderie amongst mem- was a part of his college marching band. bers of the band.

“Some of my best memories in life are “We’re all pushing through the same from being in college marching band,” Friday nights and we all wear the same Willner said. “I think [being in band] crething and we’re all out there,” Bau said. ates an identity within the school and that’s The unity of all the members of the where we get into this idea of a culture.” band comes from the dedication the stuBau enjoys the internal culture and dents put into the classroom. Unlike a tra- community in the band and believes that it ditional class, where students take notes is less intense than other pep bands. on lectures, the band students spend their “It’s a really great atmosphere because

it’s low pressure,” Bau said. “[We don’t] learn new concepts every day. [Practice] is just drilling something that you know how to do and making [the musical pieces] better little by little.”

Many of the band members are close, and band member and junior Priya Gupta finds that the band fosters a tight-knit community.

“A lot of us are obviously interested in music, but also we’re just having fun together,” Gupta said.

From the first year to the fast-approaching last years, band members know that they will feel reminiscent about their time in band for years to come.

“I’m going to miss my friends in band so much because it’s like a class, [but] you’re not taking notes [or] constantly focused on a lecture,” Gupta said. “[You’re] playing together, collaborating and making music together, and I’ll miss that when I leave.”

CULTURE • 41

ELEPHANTE 88rising’s Elephante ditched his office job for the big stage

IN THE ROOM 42 • cmagazine.org

Text and design by AIDAN DO, AUDREY GUO and CAITLYN ODA • Photos courtesy of ALEX LOPES and NICOLE LEMBERG

L

ights cascade down over a cheer- in economics, Wu took what ing crowd and sound fills the room should have been a comfortas Tim Wu, known by his stage able job as a business consulname Elephante, blasts electron- tant. ic beats over his guitar. By combining “I was very fortunate to his EDM background with future-based have [the job], but at the end genres, the Taiwanese-American artist of the day, I was just miserahas broken multiple barriers. ble,” Wu said.

Wu grew up in Ann Arbor, MichHe was torn between two igan, where he was taught piano from worlds—one that made him an early age. Though indifferent to the money and another that made instrument at first, Wu eventually took him happy—and at some point, a liking to piano as he started learning the latter finally won him over. In his favorite songs and was “Jedi mind 2013, Wu mustered up his courage tricked” by his mom into continuing and quit his job. his practice. Then, in middle school, “I think what pulled me over the a girl gave Wu edge [is] so silly his first love and in retrospect,” first heartbreak.

Wu said. “But I “[I] was like, had my first offer ‘Well, if I beto do an official come a rock remix for, funnily star, then mayenough, this duo be she’ll like going by Millenme,’” Wu said. nium Falcon.”

“So I started to Since then, his write songs.” career has seen Long story short, it didn’t work its fair share of ups and downs. But no out. Instead, Wu found his true matter the challenges he faces, pursuing calling in guitar as he studied his music full-time has brought Wu infinitely idols: John Mayer, the Red Hot more satisfaction than when he was the Chili Peppers, The Killers and “Elephante in the room” at his corporate other rock icons. By high school, job. he was forming his own bands, “I had to give myself a shot to make it playing at open mics and writing happen,” Wu said. “Or else I’d never forgive his own music. myself.”

“As I got older and was trying At first, the road to success was paved to figure out what I wanted to with challenges. Contrary to popular belief, do with my life…I kept coming Wu said, the hardest part about starting out back to this idea of, well, [mu- in the music industry is not the long hours. sic] is the thing that you love “It’s the challenge of [how] you put so and the thing that you do when much into every song you make and most of you don’t have anything else to the time, nothing happens with it,” Wu said. do,” Wu said.

“It doesn’t get as many plays as you want. It But at first, Wu didn’t be- doesn’t reach as many people.” lieve that music was a path Then again, there are moments that make he could pursue professional- the hardest parts feel worthwhile. ly. Instead, he chose a more “I think the first really emotional moment stable path; upon graduat- was when I was playing a show in Dallas and ing Harvard with a degree I heard people singing a song that I’d written,”

“I had to give myself a shot to make it happen— or else I’d never forgive myself.”

Top and middle: Wu plays for Las Vegas Bottom: Cover of Wu’s latest album “Heavy Glow”

MUSIC • 43

Wu said. “I was like ‘Oh s**t, they are through his music. actually singing my song.’”

“It’s trying to create music that Since debuting in 2014, Wu has re- [makes people] feel the way that leased two Extended Plays (EPs) and music I loved growing up [made me one album and has played shows across feel],” Wu said. the country. His latest album, “Heavy As a result, despite basing many Glow,” is a reflection of Wu’s every songs off of his own emotions and doubt, glimmer of hope and moment experiences, he believes it is ultiof clarity during the pandemic. mately up to the listener to interpret “[It was] very emotionally challeng- their meaning. ing to put it all together, but I’m really “I’ve written songs that are very proud of it and I’m excited for every- sad to me but that other people find one to hear it,” Wu said. really uplifting and I’m like, ‘That’s “Heavy Glow” also marks Wu’s great!’ And there are uplifting songs debut with that people find 88rising, a really sad and multinational I’m like, ‘Okay, music compathat’s great, ny focused on too,’” Wu said. uplifting Asian “I just want to artists. Wu first create something heard about that creates a ferthe compatile bed for peony through ple to put their a friend and own meaning.” reached out Last July, Wu to see if they performed for would be ina live audience terested in working together. in San Francisco for the first time in two “Around that time, I started years. As he prepared to mount the stage, becoming more comfortable Wu worried whether he could reconnect with my heritage and my eth- with his audience after being separated for nicity,” Wu said. “Growing so long. up, there was no template “It was definitely nerve-racking...like I for me. There were no Asian was doing it for the first time again,” Wu rock stars. There were very said. “But once I was out there, it was like few Asian entertainers.” riding a bike.”

Wu was looking for repNow, Wu refuses to take live performancresentation. Coincidental- es (or anything else) for granted. His goals ly, 88rising happened to be for the foreseeable future are simply to conlooking for an electronic tinue impacting people through his music musician. and pushing creative boundaries—creative “[Our] visions aligned like being submerged for twelve hours in filmand one thing led to an- ing the music video for “High Water.” other,” Wu said. “It just “If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be felt like a cool fit.” doing stuff like that, I’d say my head would The partnership also explode,” Wu said. “To me, it’s just telling my stems from Wu’s desire story...and hoping that it gives people someto reach more peo- thing to latch onto and create their own story ple on a deeper level from.”

“It’s trying to create music that makes people feel the way that music I loved growing up made me feel.”

Scan to hear Elephante on Spotify!

44 • cmagazine.org

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MUSIC • 45

Hyper Popular Exploring the rise of hyperpop music and the unique community behind it

F

lashy and unapologetically in-yourface, the noise of the opening band emanates from the twisty hallway leading into San Francisco’s August Hall.

The main act Dorian Electra comes out on stage with an outfit, attitude and ensemble proving they are even more flamboyant than the opener, to the delight of the audience waiting below. The electric atmosphere of Dorian Electra’s concert is a hallmark of music from the ‘hyperpop’ genre.

Hyperpop is a term used to describe a rapidly growing fringe genre of pop, encompassing unique, eclectic, experimental music that is difficult to fit into one category. Although there is much variety in what is considered hyperpop, the term generally refers to music with exaggerated features of pop, R&B and rap such as extreme levels of autotune, rhyming or bass.

Digital technology has enabled artists to enlist techniques in the creation of their songs that produce a remarkably different sound

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than those made using traditional instruments such as guitar, piano or even synth.

As a hyperpop fan, senior James Thomas has witnessed how hyperpop expanded musical boundaries. “Without the internet, we wouldn’t be hearing [this kind of sound],” Thomas said.

“We would still be [using] traditional instruments, but the internet has changed what is possible and what is considered music.”

Hyper pop’s rise is only possible due to the advent of the information age. “The combination of sampling [a] very popular song and blown out bass and distorted vocals and raised pitches, it creates this really unique sound which feels like a parody of what is popular in modern pop and popular music,” Thomas said.

‘Hyperpop’ is generally a convenient label given to artists and songs by streaming services and consumers, not chosen by the artists themselves. For artist SEBii, whose music is featured on Spotify’s ‘hyperpop’

.

playlist, this is certainly the case.

“Everybody has their own definition of hyperpop,” SEBii said. “[Hyperpop] is really just a word that labels a group of artists who happened to come up at the same time. So [people] are just like, ‘Oh, it’s something new, let’s call it hyperpop.’”

SEBii is not concerned with the specific labels his songs are given; instead, he focuses on the joy that making music brings him.

“Some people call [the music I make] hyperpop,” SEBii said. “I like to think of my music as just super fun.”

Music that otherwise might not have much in common is placed under a single umbrella for ease of access by consumers. “The stuff I made, it’s called hyperpop, but then Charli XCX is called hyperpop and then Bladee [fans] consider Bladee hyperpop,” SEbii said.

“All three of those things are extremely different, sonically and stylistically.”

However, songs deemed ‘hyperpop’ often share common roots that can be traced between different artists. “[Hyperpop artists] play a lot of 2000s pop tropes but they take those cliches to the max,” SEBii said. “It’s like, let’s make super cheesy music, but it’s on

Text and design by JULIE HUANG, SAMANTHA LEE and JEREMY PENG • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL

purpose, it’s ironic, it’s really self aware.”

One of hyperpop’s newer artists who has already cemented themselves as integral to the hyperpop community is Dorian Electra. Having predominantly queer themes in both albums they have released, the larger queer community has embraced the resonant lyrics and bombastic nature of their songs as something to take pride in.

The brash and unique nature of the music provides a liberating effect and creates an incredibly accepting community and environment for many queer fans. “[The reason] why people connect and resonate with the music is because a lot of people can relate to a lot of the music,” SEBii said. “Someone like Dorian, they make music that is really important for the queer community.”

Part of the reason the community is so drawn to hyperpop is an overblown style that holds an appeal for some. “It creates this gross exaggeration of all the current trends and cliches in pop music and in terms of production, like ‘Oh, people like bass in songs. So let’s blow out all the bass’ [and] ‘Oh, people like auto-tune vocals, so let’s turn that up,’” Thomas said.

The irreverent, self-aware quality that hyperpop possesses translates to a fun sound that engages listeners’ emotions.

“It’s really vibrant and it makes me feel so happy every time I listen to it,” junior Max Schrage said.

Hyperpop’s extreme, maximalist nature amplifies positive feelings but also increases any potential negative biases and feelings in the listener. “It’s very much in your face and unapologetic and that makes a sound that’s not for everybody,” Thomas said.

“Those of us that do resonate with it, it resonates a lot since it’s very intense.”

This creates a barrier that prevents some people from becoming hyperpop fans. “On first listen it will be very abra-

sive and a lot of people just can’t [get] past that,” Thomas said.

Still, those who do seek out hyperpop are exposed to sounds with charm rarely found elsewhere in music. “I play the drums and there’s really interesting drum patterns in the background of hyperpop songs compared to other genres of music,” Schrage said.

Hyper pop’s popularity has skyrocketed during the pandemic, largely due to popular audios on TikTok, such as those by duo ‘100 gecs.’

“TikTok and other social media [platforms] have a great influence on [hyperpop] because they’re obviously really large pop-culture venues right now and so when you see that music and you listen to just an exciting snippet of it you might want to discover more,” Schrage said.

As social media helped grow hyperpop’s popularity, a genuine and collaborative community has formed around the genre.

“It’s definitely a community that is ‘anything goes,’” Thomas said.

Hyperpop’s sound has been shaped by the unrestrained and unapologetic experimentation of the fans and creators alike.

“It’s different [from other communities in that] everybody is just super, super collaborative,” SEBii said.

“Everyone knows each other and a lot of people are friends with each other.

[In a] lot of other communities, people might not be as open to collaborate and work with other people, especially if they don’t make music similar to them.”

Due to the genre’s rise during the pandemic, the community is largely online, utilizing platforms such as Soundcloud, Twitch and Discord to make music and communicate. For SEBii, the online community provides opportunities

for collaboration, such as when he streams on Twitch and allows fans to send in beats which he reviews and records to.

“I think they [SEBii’s Twitch community] are some of the most talented producers but they’re just pretty unknown,” SEBii said. “So, working with people in my Twitch community is also really fun.” This just-for-fun online collaboration has led to more formal projects such as the song ‘DONOrr’ which was originally created with his fans on Twitch.

At the end of the day, hyperpop is all about exploring new things for the sake of enjoyment and community. “It’s just different,” Thomas said. “It’s very abstract but there’s something different about this group of people.”

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4 48 • cmagazine.org