January 2021

INSIDE THE ISSUE

feature 8

opinion 5

a&e 11

the bull's eye news

op i n i on

feature

sports 14

JANUARY 27, 2021 VOLUME XXXIX ISSUE V ONLINE AT DBBULLSEYE.COM

arts&entertainment

s po r t s

Seniors welcomed by dream schools Brahmas secure spots at their schools of choice through early decision.

Charles tam Asst. sports EDITOR While most seniors at Diamond Bar High School wait until spring to hear from universities, some Brahmas have already received acceptance letters to the school of their choice through the early admission process.

Among those seniors who have been accepted early into their schools of choice are Cynthia Guo, headed to Emory University; Nicole Zhu, who will be attending Rhode Island School of Design; and Erin Zhou, who will also be traveling east to the University of Pennsylvania.

Guo, who was also accepted into University of Minnesota, made the decision to attend Emory in fall because of its resources--Emory is known for having many affiliated hospitals--and its collaborative en-

vironment. She intends to major in biology, and is considering attending medical school after university.

“I look forward to the new environment at Emory and a change in the academic atmosphere,” Guo said via Instagram. “I also really want to explore the city of Atlanta.”

Zhu chose to apply to Rhode Island because it is one of the top schools in the U.S. for illustration and is regarded as one of the best art and design schools in the world.

She plans to major in illustration.

She said she also hopes to participate in a study abroad program or to take classes at nearby Brown University sometime during her RISD experience.

“I look forward to meeting all my classmates, especially my roommate. I’m also excited to explore Providence and the East Coast, in general,” Zhu said via Instagram.

“Being able to display my work in an art exhibition will also be a big moment in my college experience.”

Zhou will be attending UPenn because she said she is drawn to its

admits ON P.2

ANIKA YATAWARA

Concerns raised over AP College Board plans to resume with traditonal format for the annual test.

Camille mccurry editor-in-chief After trying out a virtual format last May, the College Board will once again administer online AP Exams in addition to its regular in-seat exams to accommodate

schools offering both in-person and online learning. However, the changes made to this year’s exam have sparked some controversy among Diamond Bar High School students and staff.

While usual AP exams are about three hours long, and consist of a multiple choice and free response section, last year’s exams were all online due to school closures. The exam also followed an abridged format and shortened curriculum, with 45-minute FRQ-only exams

Results indicated that 68.5 percent of students said their grades were affected.

Some continue to attend class while residing outside of the country.

While many Diamond Bar High School students complain about starting their days at 8 a.m, some students start school by seeing a pitch-black sky outside their windows.

Sophomore Kylie Lam starts her DBHS school day late at night in Hong Kong.

She has remained in the country since July after her family decided to stay there following their annual trip. Lam starts school at 12 a.m. and finishes by 5 a.m., which allows her to catch up on sleep until 1 or 2 p.m.

“Although staying up until 5 a.m. can be tiring at times, I manage to get a lot of sleep in during the day,” Lam said via Instagram.

While distance learning allows her easy access to class material, Lam said a disadvantage is not

overseas ON P.2

AP on p.3

Survey looks at remote learning

Students learning in different time zones tiffany lee Asst. photo EDITOR

administered.

The opinion among many students and teachers was that these exams didn’t properly test the full scope of what students had learned in neither curriculum nor application.

“I don’t really feel that it [last year’s exams] measured what students were able to learn for the year, but do understand their attempt to make more students

ANIKA YATAWARA

California continues to combat virus The discovery of a new strain has taken a toll on the U.S. and other areas. lauren cheng contributing writer Due to Los Angeles County becoming an epicenter of the pandemic and the increasing panic over a more contagious variant of the virus, the county has introduced more specific vaccination plans and imposed stricter guidelines for the public.

Because the federal government allowed each state to organize the manner in which vaccines would be administered, California has struggled to distribute the vaccine in a tiered approach. According to the LA County Department of Pub-

lic Health, healthcare workers and members of assisted living facilities are receiving the first doses of the vaccine, followed by people 65 years and older and others at risk of exposure. Then, citizens who are 50 to 64 years old and finally those 16 to 49 years old who have any preexisting health conditions or disabilities will be permitted to receive the next dose of the vaccine.

However, whether to vaccinate willing individuals in the 16 to 49 age group who do not have any underlying health conditions is still being debated.

Now that most healthcare workers and members of assisted living facilities are vaccinated, six mass vaccination sites will open starting early February, including new sites located at Fairplex in Pomona, The Forum in Inglewood, Cal State University in Northridge, LA County Office of Education in Downey and

lyndon kaneko staff writer

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia for people 65 years or older.

However, last week, residents 65 years or older started scheduling vaccination appointments and receiving the vaccine.

“It is critical that we make headway vaccinating people 65 years of age and older as soon as possible--in line with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recommendations,” LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in an emailed statement to CBS LA. Despite the slight decrease in new daily COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, the discovery of a new strain, B117, has impacted other areas in the world, including LA, as the first B117 case was reported on Jan. 16. This new strain is believed to have first appeared in England during early September and, according to the Centers

Though Diamond Bar High School has maintained its grading standards this school year, for many, there has been a tangible drop in GPA due to distance learning. After seeing a viral video about another district that changed its grading standards, a group of Brahmas decided to survey DBHS students about their opinions on distance learning and modified grading standards.

“I thought it was a pretty cool video and decided to make a survey to collect student opinions.

Without the difficulties of distance learning, these same borderline students would be receiving slightly better grades,” said Clara Tae via Instagram.

Sophomores Tae and Jenna Kim and juniors Jaylene Tong, Samantha Chan and Rita Jung presented

COVID on p.2

survey on p.3

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NEWS

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

Team shoots for nationals DBHS group qualifies for the upcoming Overwatch virtual competition.

MARCUS HSIEH CHARLES TAM After dominating the regular season and sweeping the regional playoffs, the Diamond Bar High School Overwatch team has qualified to compete in the national finals of their league.

Overwatch is an online, multiplayer first-person shooter where two teams vie to control the map, secure eliminations or escort a payload.The DBHS eSports team has participated in 10 matches in the North America Scholastic eSports Foundation Overwatch League against high schools from across the country so far, consistently maintaining an 80 percent win rate and a 4-0 record at the regional playoffs. The competition consists of six-versus-six competitive play in which teams compete in best-of-five brackets.

“We held tryouts [for the team] at the beginning of the semester... they had some scrims with interested players, and from that we decided our team members,” club

advisor Jacob Kaitz said.

The team has been practicing together since the beginning of the school year for a few hours every Tuesday and Sunday.

“There’s a six week pre-season, and then the top two teams from each division compete in the Finals,” Kaitz said.

In previous years, winning teams have received up to $2,500 in grants, visited the Blizzard Campus in Irvine where Blizzard Entertainment, which developed Overwatch, is based and received team jerseys and gaming gear from gaming accessory manufacturer HyperX. The DBHS eSports team’s roster has equal numbers of players specializing in one of three character categories. In Overwatch, Tanks focus on drawing heavy fire, Damage deal burst damage and Support specialize in strengthening allies or weakening enemies. The tournament’s 32 playable characters, four modes and rotating map pool provides opportunities for unique strategy and teamwork in every match that keep competitors on their toes.

Team captain junior Joshua Kang said the entire team has one common goal: winning. As a three-year member of the DBHS

GLOBAL REPORT BIDEN AND HARRIS SUCCESSFULLY SWORN IN

HARPER’S BAZAAR

On Jan. 20, President Joe Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris secured their positions in office.

Since their inauguration, the duo have sprung into action with Biden revealing plans to help combat the pandemic and signing multiple executive orders including reversing a travel ban from several largely Muslim and African countries, rejoining the Paris climate accord as well as revoking a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

RUSSIAN ACTIVIST’S ARREST SPARKS DISPUTES Russian authorities have taken precautions to curb protests caused by the jailing of anti-corruption campaigner and critic of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Alexei Navalny.

Navalny was arrested after returning to Russia from Germany. Since then, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s office and police issued warnings against those planning to attend any protests and VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network has blocked all the pages dedicated to the rallies.

Additionally, dozens of activists, as well as Navalny’s allies, have been detained.

AL JAZEERA

FAR-RIGHT TRUMP SUPPORTERS RAID U.S. CAPITOL After former President Donald Trump sent out Tweets encouraging his supporters to take to the streets in order to settle their grievances surrounding the election, rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Law enforcement that was meant to be protecting the legislative branch that day were unprepared for the attack for reasons undisclosed. Many criticized the police for their disorganization during the coup-attempt which contrasted their efforts towards the BLM protests that took place late last year.

PBS

Virtual learning crosses borders

the staff Editors-in-Chief

Josh Chou, Camille McCurry

News Editor Asst. News Editors

Anika Yatawara Marcus Hsieh, Steve Qu

Opinion Editors Asst. Opinion Editor

Camille McCurry, Reyna Wan Rachel Lee

Feature Editor Asst. Feature Editors

Emily Koh Somiya Jajieh, Kelsey Wu

A&E Editor Asst. A&E Editors

eSports team, he leads his teammates while playing the role of off-tank, which focuses on taking pressure off of the team’s primary tank. In addition to this, his job is to make sure his teammates are playing their best and to make sure that they all stay focused and motivated.

“What led to the team’s success was the fact we all put in the time and effort to understand what we all needed to do as a team and individually,” Kang said. “We all made sure to have fun as well, so we don’t feel stressed.”

Tank player sophomore Jacky Zhang said their players get along together very well and credited Kang for their team’s consistent success throughout the season.

“Personally, I think [Kang] led us to our success throughout the whole season,” Zhang said. “He’s always a leader figure to our team and he always encourages us no matter if we win or lose.”

Kang says they are preparing for the national finals by doing their regular preparation of practicing twice a week.

“My goals for the team are to bring a national win to DBHS and to make sure that this team knows that everything we do is connected,” Kang said. “We are playing to win and to have fun.”

Josh Chou Natasha Chang, Marykate Palaris

Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editors

Victoria Artale Deesha Pathak, Charles Tam

Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editors

Victoria Artale Tiffany Lee, Kelsey Wu

Staff Writers

having access to the Parent Portal website, as it is restricted in the country.

During winter break, senior Shulamite Yang traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, where she has since resided.

“It was to get some new change of environment, especially as Taiwan handled COVID really well and it is relatively safe here compared to America,” Yang said.

Yang has not experienced any problems taking tests or turning in her homework assignments, however, she has emailed her guidance counselor for potential opportunities to independently study.

“There was not too much adjust-

ing to be done once I arrived in Taipei … if anything, I now feel much more awake during my classes and it’s more convenient overall,” Yang said via Instagram.

“There was not too much adjusting to be done once I arrived in Taipei...“ SHULAMITE YANG

Yang considers herself a night owl, as her sleep schedule was erratic even when she was living in California.

The drastic time zone change

Reyna Wan Natasha Chang Kyle Hong, Lyndon Kaneko Edward Kim, Vera Wang

Adviser

Covid from p.1

Doug List

contact us Diamond Bar High School, Room 459 21400 Pathfinder Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Phone: (909) 594- 1405x33459 Email: eye.editors@gmail.com Business Inquiries: thebullseyebusiness@gmail.com

editorial policy The Bull’s Eye is a public forum that welcomes the views of our readers. Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed pieces will be accepted only if they are signed. The author may, however, request anonymity. The staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing content. You may forward letters to Room 459 or submit them online at dbbullseye.com.

has allowed her to have more free time to pick up some old hobbies such as practicing new dance routines, playing the guitar and singing.

Similar to Yang, junior Yushen Sun visited Taiwan during remote learning on Nov. 22 to spend his Thanksgiving and winter break there and returned on Jan. 4.

During his visit, Sun said he had many problems with Internet connection as he used a portable WiFi device that had a weaker signal and slower speed, causing him to disconnect frequently.

“None of my teachers actually knew about me being in Taiwan, except for my French teacher Mr. Tietz, but none of the school times and routines changed,” Sun said.

COVID-19 pandemic persists

Ryan Chan Connor Cho

Business Manager Asst. Business Manager Web Editor Asst. Web Editor

overseas from p.1

Photo courtesy of CYNTHIA GUO Cynthia Guo was accepted to Emory University as an early decision applicant.

Deciding their futures admits from p.1 pre-professional culture.

The interdisciplinary nature also appealed to her, as she is still unsure of what career she would like to pursue after graduating. She is currently leaning towards studying economics.

“I know how I want to impact society and Penn will help me nurture that goal,” Zhou said via Instagram. “Being able to take courses at the renowned Wharton business school, the engineering school, and the nursing school offers me lots of different opportunities to explore what I’m most passionate about.”

Zhou looks forward to the diversity that UPenn and West Philadelphia provide, and is excited to

be surrounded by students who share interests with her and that are equally academically driven.

Before the excitement of being accepted as early admits, there were many obstacles these seniors faced as they worked on their applications. One of the primary challenges for them was the difficulty of balancing school and extracurriculars with the essay-writing and editing process.

“I think my best piece of advice is to start early—I started in the beginning of senior year summer but I wish I’d started earlier,” Zhou said. “Starting earlier gives you ample time to sculpt a narrative that you want your entire application to follow and removes the stress of the early deadline.”

for Disease Control, is predicted to become the dominant cause of deaths in the U.S. as it is 50 to 70 percent more transmissible than COVID-19. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has reinstated bans preventing non-U.S. citizens from entering the nation if they had recently traveled to South Africa, where a new strain of the virus had been discovered.

President Biden also signed an executive order on Jan. 22, his third day in office, ordering for an increase in food assistance for families affected by the pandemic. This order will give low-income families access to federal nutrition and food assistance programs.

Furthermore, the president has urged Congress to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan which includes additional payments of up to $1,400 to hard-hit Americans.

“We’re in a national emergency,” President Biden said. “We need to act like we’re in a national emergency.”

JANUARY 27, 2021

NEWS

THE BULL'S EYE

3

SAT test undergoes changes Shifts in the college admissions scene inspired the exam’s alterations. marcus hsieh Asst. news EDITOR The College Board announced last week the discontinuation of two components of the SAT exam: SAT Subject Tests and the SAT with Essay.

The testing company attributed these changes to the rapidly evolving nature of college admissions and the growing litany of demands being placed on students. The SAT Subject Tests and SAT with Essay have long been an integral part of college admissions at many institutions, with some going so far as to require that students take not only the SAT, but several subject tests as well. While it’s unclear what the impact of this change on college admissions will be, Diamond Bar High School Class of 2022 grade level coordinator David Desmond says he doesn’t expect any significant consequences.

“I don’t think the cancellation of SAT Subject Tests will have a tremendous impact on admissions,” Desmond said via email. “It already [overlapped with] the same type of information a university can get from a student’s grades and AP tests.”

As of the date of the announcement, all registrations for the SAT Subject Tests in the U.S. have been canceled and fees have been refunded. However, international students will still have two more

opportunities to take the SAT Subject Tests in May and June of this year.

There remains qualms regarding the removal of the SAT Subject Tests.

“One piece that we’ll lose is the ability for a student who already speaks a language other than English to prove [their proficiency]… with a subject test instead of actual classes,” Desmond said.

Meanwhile, students will still be able to take the essay portion of the exam until June.

“I was planning to take the SAT with an essay, so I took prep over the summer… it’ll [the removal of the essay] make my hours of practice a bit obsolete,” junior Daniel Zoubtsov said via Messenger.

Starting in July, the SAT with Essay will only be offered in states where it is required, such as Michigan and Illinois. The College Board expressed confidence that the SAT’s Reading and Writing as well as Language sections will accurately gauge students’ literary skills.

“The SAT with Essay really catered toward the UC system and with [colleges] making changes in their admissions requirements, I think it made sense for The College Board to get rid of the essay portion,” Class of 2022 grade level coordinator Jenna Brummett said via email.

The College Board also stated that colleges will independently decide whether or not to consider existing SAT Subject Test scores in future college admissions.

In recent years, the organization has had to adapt to a rapidly changing college admissions sys-

tem placing decreasing emphasis on standardized testing and heavier weight on extracurriculars. Despite this, many Diamond Bar High School students continue to dedicate much of their time outside of school to preparing for the SAT. “I spent a pretty agonizing summer studying with SAT prep classes… it would be a shame to have wasted all that effort,” junior Steven Tjandra said via Messenger.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing restrictions, many colleges have become test blind or test optional during this time.

A notable change was the University of California’s decision to halt the use of SAT and ACT scores in admissions by 2024.

“Although more and more colleges are becoming test blind, there are still quite a few that are test optional and test required,” junior Steven Tjandra said via Messenger. “It is safe to assume that other traits… will be even more important, which does put more pressure on me to do well.”

Additionally, highly-selective colleges such as Harvey Mudd College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology announced in 2020 that they will no longer consider SAT Subject Tests in college admissions.

“My hope is that they are sincerely trying to be a part of a better situation for students by reducing a stressor,” Desmond said. “It’s important for students and families to not push themselves too hard, to find a balance between working hard but also being a healthy, happy young person.”

Exams to be held in-person and online While some, like Iwanaga, think that the lack of security for online exams will facilitate cheating, othsuccessful under difficult circumstances,” AP Biology teacher Kerers are optimistic that students ry Iwanaga said via email. will maintain their integrity.

Regardless, students took the ex“There is so little time to cheat, ams in order to get college credit and your test requires so much of for their courses. your attention, I don’t foresee it Almost all colleges that normalbeing that much of an issue, to be ly give credit for AP tests agreed to honest,” AP English Literature accept 2020 exam scores. and Composition teacher Alexis “I feel like it didn’t test everyFeix said. thing that we learned over the Additionally, the discrepancy course of the year. That being said, between curricula across differthere was no doubt in my mind ent schools has increased dramatthat I would take the test because I ically this year, with some teachers needed the AP credit,” senior Luke struggling to cover all the necZhou said. essary content in shorter school This year, now that some schools days. have returned to in-person learnTeachers like Iwanaga and AP ing and the curEnglish Literariculum won’t ture and Combe cut short by position teach“I feel the greatest sudden closures, er Connie Chen difficulty has been College Board both said that pacing the curriculum, has returned the they’ve had difgiven the nature of exams to their ficulty with lesdistance learning...“ full length and son pacing to CONNIE CHEN original format. cover all of the Additionalrequired conly, they will add tent before May. more testing dates and times to “I feel the greatest difficulaccommodate schools’ varying ty has been pacing the curriculum, schedules. given the nature of distance learnHaving an abundance of testing and the flexibility it demands,” ing options will be vital this year, Chen said. as SAT subject tests have been canStudents like Joe are concerned celed, placing all the more emphanot only about covering the full sis on the importance of AP scores scope of content, but also about in the college admissions process. having time to practice for exams.

However, because some students “I feel like learning this year has will be taking the exam online been more content based when it while others work in-person, most would really be more beneficial to students foresee widespread cheatrefine the actual writing process ing among those at home. and practice more with AP class“Those at home would have the room,” Joe said. advantage of having content and Nonetheless, much is still subcheat sheets on hand,” junior Krisject to change, and it’s yet to be detin Joe said via Instagram. termined whether DBHS will be The opinion among teachers is one of the schools allowing its pusplit. pils to test on campus.

ap from p.1

ANIKA YATAWARA

Grading system sparks controversy survey from p.1 their survey results to Instructional Dean Julie Galindo and GLC Ginger Auten to analyze responses for possible use by the Wellness Center.

Another meeting was scheduled for this week.

Based on the results of the survey, distance learning has negatively impacted both the grades and mental health of Brahmas.

Questions regarding distance learning’s impact on hobbies, activities and the work assigned by teachers appeared in the survey as a free-response question.

Out of the 400 students surveyed, 68.5 percent belie3ve that their grades were negatively impacted last semester due to online learning, and 96 percent voted in favor of altering the grading system.

The group proposed reducing the traditional 90 percent cutoff for A’s to 87 percent.

In addition, 55.3 percent of the students surveyed said that they did not have time for hobbies and 67 percent believed that they were getting less sleep each night.

One response reflected a common sentiment, discussing how students have had trouble reaching out for help and that the lack of human interaction is a major setback in learning.

“Accessibility is a real issue. Before when we were in school, it was really easy to get teachers’ help on assignments since we could bring them over during lunch or during class.

In distance learning, it’s much harder to get help from the teacher and a lot of students rely on that one-on-one interaction,” an anony-

mous student said.

The tutorial period implemented this year was another major concern for DBHS students, according to the survey.

Although many acknowledged that it was designed to help review material that may have been confusing, many complained that tutorial periods had conflicting time frames and that capturing the teachers’ attention is much harder online.

Despite overall dissatisfaction with distance learning, some teachers have embraced the new circumstances and have tried to accommodate for these drastic changes.

“I know that the last year has been a very stressful time for many people so I’ve tried my best to be flexible and understanding with my students,” AP History teacher Lindsay Arnold said

4 OPINION

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

-OPINIONTeachers need to be more tolerant of students struggling with distance learning, especially concerning technical issues.

F

or most teachers, finding the balance of leniency and strictness with students was a personal choice influenced by experience and the rigidity of their courses. In most cases, the idea of giving students the benefit of the doubt was easier to dismiss during in-person schooling, when students had access to all the resources they needed. Now, however, teachers need to recognize the limitations of online learning when they make class policies or issue penalties.

To say that teachers haven’t shown empathy for their students would be inaccurate, but it has often been the case that they fail to consider students’ individual circumstances in their online learning protocols.

The most prevalent example of this has been in their response to technical difficulties. While some students may feign these to ditch class or cheat on assignments, it would seem that teachers have forgotten that real technical difficulties aren’t rare at all; that printers can malfunction, phones can shut off inexplicably, internet connection can falter and, yes, webcams can glitch.

By assuming that all students are lying in order to prevent cheating, students can feel stranded and panicked

when going through an unexpected issue. Even when teachers let students off the hook, many take a begrudging attitude that makes students feel as though they’re to blame for that which is out of their control.

To fairly and appropriately address cheating, teachers need to shift their curriculum and testing methods accordingly. The hard truth is that we’re already missing three weeks’ worth of instructional hours each semester from shortened periods. Some things, like long multiple choice exams, that are especially susceptible to cheating should have been first on the chopping block.

Teachers who aren’t willing to at least consider that their students aren’t all lying need to change their mindsets before someone’s grades and mental health fall victim.

For classes that are test-intensive--infamously, math—teachers should use this opportunity to evolve the competition-driven, anxiety-inducing system that makes upper levels of math much more stressful than necessary.

Though it may be idealistic to hope for, it would be nice to see more teachers fostering nurturing environments and class discussion that positively

reinforce learning, like group activities and games, rather than stressing students out with strict protocol. The current setup in higher-level math classes, which includes having microphones unmuted and cameras pointed at one’s hands, frankly makes students feel like inmates.

The sad fact of the matter is that many upperclassmen have struggled with mental health and stress due to unjustly difficult tests and curves that pit them against students who have access to more resources. Added to the fact that an unmuted microphone can be a rather serious breach of privacy--for example, there may be a family situation that students would be unable to hide while unmuted--this testing protocol is far from ideal.

The school should not be in a position to crack down on students for technical difficulties or with privacy breaches. While teachers were able to work against our stress culture in person by cutting some slack for students who were visibly going through a bad day, we unfortunately don’t have that option anymore. The best teachers can do now is be as understanding and supportive as they are willing, and wait for school to return on-campus.

FROM THE BRAHMA PERSPECTIVE

“

As someone who has Tourette Syndrome, I can’t avoid making unwanted noises [...] without my intention. This makes me very uncomfortable during test[s].

“ “

ALAN ZHANG (11)

”

If I have a certain situation that stops me from doing schoolwork or homework, they [teachers] are very understanding and lenient about it.

COLBY ZHANG (10)

”

And I think it’s just really different, like not having classmates and not being able to do projects with people. It’s kind of just sad after awhile.

KARISSA WONG (12)

”

Return to campus: a coronavirus conspiracy Denying care to the careless Steve Qu Asst. NewS Editor

A

s hospitals and Intense Care Units are pushed to dangerous capacities across the country, questions about where hospitals can cut their losses and whose care they can deprioritize have arisen. Mounting anger towards the reckless individuals who violate COVID protocols has led many to say that COVID-deniers and anti-maskers should be the last to receive care.

However, as urgent as the situation may be, we cannot deprioritize these individuals, as they may be the key to dismantling the pandemic conspiracy theories.

To begin with, determining who was irresponsible during lockdowns is virtually impossible, let alone defining what irresponsibility means. In practice, healthcare workers may end up judging patients based on which appearances fit the stereotypical anti-masker.

Acting on one’s assumptions about a patient’s beliefs when treating them not only goes against the Hippocratic Oath, but is illegal in the United States as physicians are obligated to provide care for all.

While the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to millions of frontline workers, thousands of unvaccinated individuals die every day. The death toll in the

U.S. is over 400,000 as hospitals and ICUs are filled to their maximum capacity. The frontline is no longer just healthcare workers. The virus is so widespread that the American public is now the most important factor in combatting the pandemic.

And, in order to take action on this level, it is necessary to convince skeptics of the all-too-real dangers of the coronavirus.

While it may be easy to believe conspiracies about the virus from the safety of one’s home, it is much tougher to continue to deny the virus’ existence, let alone the dangers of contracting it, when you are on a hospital bed. And a COVID denier or anti-masker who changes their mind can make a difference in changing the minds of communities that share these beliefs.

Tom Mountain, vice chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, is one such COVID-denierturned-ICU patient. It was only a few days before he contracted the virus that he was scoffing at masks and shaking hands with his colleagues. Reality only hit him when he was brought into the emergency room for COVID-19 treatment.

Another ex-denier from Florida, Chuck Stacey, recently shared a video online from his hospital bed, warning others who shared his former mindset about the virus.

As COVID-19 continues to ravage our country, we cannot let hate blind us to the potential benefits of COVID deniers’ testimonials.

Because of the sympathy and care that they received, these former COVID-19 deniers have slowed the spread of misinformation. With a combination of social and scientific efforts, we can build a strong front line to withstand the pandemic.

SATIRICAL stubbornly

Marykate Palaris Asst. A&E Editor

A

lmost a year has gone by since that tragic March day, when a two-week dismissal turned into a month, and now it’s been almost eight months with no end in sight. Ever since then, we haven’t received a sliver of information on when we will be returning.

I’m positive that the school administration is keeping something crucial from us—after all, they’re funded by the all-knowing government, so they must be getting some information on when distance learning end.

Because of this, I’ve been trying

to get even a fraction of an update by my own accord. A way I do this is by direct messaging my teachers in Zoom meetings. I ask them the same question every day: Do you know when we are going back to school? I bet that teachers actually know something and their usual reply of ‘I don’t know stop messaging me this question or I will lower your grade’ is just them trying to conceal what they know.

With those emails that are prac-

“There is news, but I doubt they know anything since the administration will have a better idea of when we’ll be going back.” tically carbon copies of one another, I’ve devised a theory that Brahma Briefing announcements are merely a farce to drive us fellow students away from the truth.

Clicking on that wretched purple-tinted bull image yields zero information on when we can go back to school. Emails like that must be

sent out merely to placate us and prevent us from asking for more updates, but I, of all people, won’t fall for it.

Due to the lack of information everywhere, I’ve resorted to putting Diamond Bar High School’s number on speed dial just to ask for more information at any chance I have.

Even though they blocked my number, it’s not enough to stop me from running to my nearest payphone and ask the exact same question I’ve asked for eight days in a row: When will we be returning?

I think I’m starting to get through to the attendant though; rather than giving me the same response every day, they tell me to never call their number again before ending the call! I’m sure I’ve made a breakthrough.

Other than trying to pry out any shred of information from the school, I just can’t seem to get updates from anywhere else. There is the news, but I doubt they know anything since the administration will have a better idea of when we’ll be going back. After all, it is their school.

Cartoon Courtesy of KATHERINE CHEN

OPINION

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 27, 2021

Throwing caution to the wind Victoria Artale Sports Editor

A

s I watch the coronavirus death count reach an alltime high, it’s hard for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The vaccine we’ve all been waiting for is being distributed at a snail’s pace and Americans are running out patience. Regardless, every American, especially now, should continue to follow the recommended precautions put out by

scientists and the CDC. ple my age want to meet up with However, many people seem to their friends, but , at the very least, be doing the opposite, loosening up they should do so safely. and foregoing these precautions.

Everyone should at least be doIt’s safe to say that everyone wants ing the bare minimum: wearing a life to go back to normal, but now mask and avoiding large groups. is not the time. Everyone needs As simple as these actions may to buckle down and seem, they are continue being safe the most effective “Everyone needs to as if we were at the ways to prevent beginning of the outan increase in buckle down and conbreak. cases. tinue being safe as if we Especially on soAccording to a were at the beginning cial media, I have UC Davis report, of the outbreak.” seen too many of wearing a mask my peers going out can cut down to public places with your own risk of large groups of people, often with- catching the virus by 65 percent. out masks or a care in the world. However, you are only protected if With that attitude, they might as the people around you are wearing well flash a middle finger to the a mask as well. millions being affected by COVID. Many who are not wearing Yes, I understand that a lot of peo- masks are citing this decision to

be a political one. Being a Republican or a Democrat should not be an excuse for pretending the pandemic exists or not. The pandemic is a health crisis affecting everyone and the only way for it to get better is if every party cooperates.

When the virus arrived in the U.S., everyone and their mothers were staying inside. Airlines were suffering from how few people were traveling and many started getting groceries delivered to their homes. I’m not saying that we should return to those extremes, but what we are doing now is not enough to stop the spread.

If everyone would just act half as cautious as we all were at the beginning of the pandemic, this virus will fade away much sooner than what the numbers are currently telling us.

Maximum-security facilities

Cartoon Courtesy of JAMES WU

A misconstrued right to protest Reyna Wan Opinion Editor

A

day that was meant to be the ceremonial confirmation of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election took a violent turn when thousands of Trump supporters breached the walls of the Capitol in a historic act of defiance, one that can only be deemed as domestic terrorism.

Motivated by Trump’s insistence that the election was a farce, the mostly-maskless crowd believed that they were using their rights to protest and secure their democracy. It was, in fact, the complete opposite.

This group of primarily white radical Republicans were looting and rioting all to put someone into power. Not only did they misconstrue their right to protest, they manipulated the very democracy that they were supposedly trying to protect.

Yet to some, their violent riots were seen as just that—a protest.

According to NBC News, the Capitol Police were warned weeks in

advance about a potential riot and chose not to arm themselves with riot gear, planning instead for a simple free speech demonstration.

When things took a turn for the worse, their lack of preparation forced them to wait for reinforcement, giving protestors enough time to break into Congress.

I r o n i c a l l y, this decision came from the same officials who chose to deploy the National Guard when Black Lives Matter protests were getting ‘too close’ to the capitol. Officials even claimed that they did not use the National Guard early on in the Trump rallies as they didn’t want a repeat of the bad press they received last June. Nonetheless, this decision proved to the public once and for all that, in the eyes of our government, demonstrations for white rights are protests while

those for Black rights are terrorism.

This is especially proven by the various Republican politicians who attempted to garner sympathy for the protestors. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar stated in a tweet that, “We are protesting the violation of our laws. We are builders not destroyers.”

President Donald Trump had a similar reaction when he released a statement to the protestors saying, “We love you, you’re very special.”

While other Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Mitt Romney condemned the actions at the Capitol, the fact t h a t

any lawmakers attempted to rationalize a show of direct violence against a democratic proceeding is alarming. Gosar and Trump were also the same people who condemned the Black Lives Matter movement, one dedicated to people of color fighting for change and justice, as something that would “poison” American democracy.

Conservative media was also quick to defend the Republican image by shifting the blame to others, insinauting that protestors at the Capitol were actually members of radical leftist group Antifa pretending to be Trump supporters.

Not only was that claim unfounded, but various Trump supporters recorded, live streamed and photographed their experiences at the riot on social media yet these news sources disregarded the evidence.

The Capitol breach wasn’t a fight for democracy, nor was it a group of people exercising their right to free speech. It was a coup: an attempt to gain power to undermine a fair and just democratic proceeding.

Still, because of the color of their skin, they were not subjected to the same violence and punishments as people of color were. While that may change with the increased security measures for the upcoming inauguration, the Capitol Police should’ve never given a free pass to Trump-backed rioters in the first place.

5

F for Effort

Camille McCurry Editor-In-Chief

E

very class is meant to teach students a subject, and one’s grade in should reflect their understanding. However, this is not exactly the case in classes like English, social science and foreign language. These courses commonly include a category like “projects” in the grading scale which introduce an irrelevant variable into grades: artistic ability.

Teachers often assign projects to enrich students’ understanding of the material and liven up the classroom with hands-on experience. Supposedly, when they assign grades, they disregard students’ artistic abilities, claiming that you only need to “do your best.” However, the art grade always lies hidden in “effort” and “neatness” on the rubric of every project. I doubt that any teacher can accurately discern the effort any student puts into their work—after all, it’s much harder for someone who’s bad at art to produce a neat drawing compared to a talented artist..

While researching for this column, I asked several teachers to give “effort” grades to projects of varying art and writing quality. Measured on a 10-point scale, the results showed that “effort” grades dropped an average of 1.5 points when coupled with bad art and rose 1 point with good art. Although both artists took a full 10 minutes to draw their pieces, the discrepancy between their quality is what lowered the less skilled artist’s grade. While this sample size may not be large enough to draw broad conclusions, the correlation between art quality and perception of effort was undeniable.

Furthermore, the artistically inclined set an unrealistic standard for what students can be expected to produce. Even teachers who don’t expect comparable quality from others leave projects on their walls or present them as examples of “what an A looks like,” causing others to spend a disproportionate amount of effort trying to meet that supposed standard.

Another common issue in artbased assignments is access to materials. When students have to submit a colored or painted project, materials become an important factor in the quality and “neatness” of their work.

While teachers encourage their pupils to be creative with what they have, there are limits to what one can produce with sparse materials.

And though the school has some supplies, when asked to make a model of an atom, colored pencils aren’t getting anyone very far.

Of course, those with extremely limited access to materials who truly cannot afford any supplies can talk to their teacher, but few are at such a level. Furthermore, many of those who are don’t want to face the shame, or would prefer to be able to participate in the project even if it results in a bad grade.

It may have been acceptable to consider art as a factor in grades if every student was instructed in art throughout high school, or even if art were a necessary skill in the professional world, but the reality is that it’s an irrelevant skill and an unfair metric to include in students’ grades for other subjects, whether purposefully or not.

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FEATURE

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

BURGER SHOWDOWN

Useful resolutions kelsey wu Asst. feature editor

With endless amounts of chain restaurants to choose from, finding a tasty and well priced burger can be difficult. Two Bull's Eye staff members ordered from four different burger joints and rated them based on taste and price.

Tier list:

S

W

ith a new year comes a renewed drive and determination to make impossible resolutions. We promise to swear off sugar, run four miles every day and go vegan so that we can finally achieve the ideal body type and lifestyle we want. But rather than swearing to make extreme changes that only last a couple of days, it’s better to make smaller, more sustainable ones that will have a lasting effect.

The easiest change that you can make to boost your overall health is to incorporate more whole foods into your diet, which include vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds and fish. According to Healthline. com, a whole foods based diet can significantly reduce heart disease risk factors, body fat, blood sugar levels and risks of obtaining certain diseases such as diabetes.

If you aren’t used to having whole foods in your diet, you can start by slowly incorporating servings of them into your meals.

An easy way to ensure you are eating more whole foods is having a vast majority of your meals cooked at home. With home-cooked meals, you can guarantee that your food is made from fresh and beneficial ingredients that haven’t been processed or injected with preservatives. Once you get into the habit of making your own food, you can control the ingredients you put into your body. At the same time, you gain knowledge about nutrients and the benefits of certain foods. This serves as a better alternative to eating out, since restaurants tend to over-season their food by adding overwhelming amounts of salt, butter and unhealthy toppings.

The next step toward a healthier way of life is to find a physical activity that you enjoy. According to MedlinePlus.gov, working out can drastically increase your mental and physical health, strengthen your bones and muscles, and help your thinking and learning skills.

Rather than aiming for the ordinary workouts of lifting weights and running, find ways to move your body in a way that allows you to break a sweat and have fun at the same time.

Alternatives to more traditional ways of working out include biking, dancing, jump roping, swimming, badminton, or any other sport you enjoy. When you partake in a physical activity you actually like doing, it no longer becomes a hassle and will instead become a habitual recreation that you can look forward to.

The last resolution that you should definitely make is one that requires the most patience and perseverance: changing your mindset about dieting. The diet industry is a billion-dollar franchise built upon fad diets and quick fixes that nearly never last. According to Healthline.com, chronic dieting is harmful to both your physical and mental health and it also makes it harder to lose weight in the future.

Even though New Year’s resolutions have a track record of not really benefiting people, these resolutions are capable of drastically improving your health in various ways. Make 2021 the year you finally obtain your health goals and sustain them as long as possible.

A

In a small plaza on Diamond Bar Boulevard, The Habit Burger Grill opened their first location in the area in 2019.

Because their in-dining experience was closed, I visited their drive-thru to take my order with a pretty short line in the afternoon. I ordered a BBQ bacon charburger with cheese ($5.35), onion rings ($2.40) and a chocolate shake ($3.60). After a five-minute wait in the drive thru and a five minute drive back home, I tried the onion rings dipped in the homemade ranch sauce first.

While the rings were a little salty, dipping it in ranch made the crunchy slices sweet. The charburger was savory, paired with the flavors of the sweet BBQ sauce and added a juicy texture. The crispy pieces of bacon inside the burger were perfectly cooked and the meat tasted fresh like the restaurant promised. However, their chocolate shake was disappointing since it tasted like any other shake. If I’m ever looking for a quick place to buy a reasonably priced burger, I’ll visit The Habit again.

After taking a glimpse of Burger Den’s delivery only burgers on Postmates, I decided to give their advertised 100 percent beef burgers a try. Their menu featured a wide variety of burgers ranging from your standard cheeseburger to a burger with egg and hash browns inside.

My order took around forty minutes to arrive and showed up hot. I ordered the Vibe with Shrooms Burger ($12.99), which featured a beef patty along with grilled garlic mushrooms, caramelized onions and swiss cheese. This burger was delicious and superior to the Beast Burger in every way.

The caramelized onions combined with the juicy patty created a sweet and savory taste. The mushrooms were also very soft and paired well with the burger to create a unique flavor. And unlike the Beast Burger, the hamburger buns were soft and not too thick.

I will be ordering from Burger Den again, since their burgers are well worth the wait and price.

C

Located in Brea Canyon, I ordered from Farmer Boys for a quick and convenient meal through Grubhub with the addition of delivery fees. With the location only ten minutes away from my home, I didn’t have to wait too long for the food to arrive. I bought the Bacon Boy Double Bacon Cheeseburger ($6.59) and a side of crispy fries ($2.39) followed by a regular chocolate shake ($4.59). Because of their higher prices, I was hopeful for an appetizing and satisfying experience. Biting into the bacon cheeseburger, I was able to taste the fresh ingredients included in the burger. The bacon was not too crunchy and the beef was cooked well-done. The burger also included tomatoes, thousand island sauce, pickles and onions. I thought the taste of all the ingredients blended well together and nothing overpowered the other.

However, the burger was really big and too filling to finish, especially after eating their fries. The shake was creamy and the fries were lightly salted. While the meal met my expectations, I was still unable to finish my food because of their large servings.

F Story by: Connor Cho and Ryan Chan

After hearing the hype surrounding the MrBeast Burger, a delivery-only fast food restaurant started by YouTuber MrBeast, on various social media platforms I decided to order some of their food off the app.

The food took around the standard 45 minutes to arrive. I ordered a Beast Style Burger Combo ($10.99), which included a double patty cheeseburger, a side of Beast Style Fries and a bottle of water.The cheeseburger was surprisingly good despite being lukewarm and was filled to the brim with pickles, onion, mayo, ketchup and mustard. The flavors of the toppings all meshed well together. The only downside about the burger was the buns, which were too thick and dry. The side of fries was also not up to par since they were quite soggy, and had a disappointing half-melted piece of Kraft cheese on top.

Overall, I would say the MrBeast Burger is not worth the price. While the food quality is pretty average compared to your standard fast food meal, the delivery price is what makes MrBeast Burger not worth it. My total amount paid was around $10 higher due to the delivery costs which ultimately made me decide that I would not be ordering from MrBeast Burger again.

Spreading love for STEM fields vera wang staff writer Though high schools offer an abundance of extracurriculars for students to choose from, opportunities for those passionate about science and math fields are often scarce. Participation in STEM-related fields are often only limited to a small percentage of students through select competitions. Diamond Bar High School’s Imagiscience Club aspires to change that.

First introduced to the campus in 2012, Imagiscience is a volunteer-based club focused on spreading interest in mathematical and scientific matters, as well as similarly relevant career paths.

“Our main mission is to help spread a love for science among the younger generation,” Vice President of Events junior Eileen Zu said via Instagram.

Not limited to serving as a platform for science enthusiasts to exchange knowledge through discussions, the club also offers a chance for members to interact with and

inspire children, starting from as young as preschool age.

“Our main activity is Kiddie Academy, where we go there and do crafts/labs with the children to incorporate fun into learning,” club President senior Daniel Wu said via Instagram. “We teach young children about science, hoping to spark their interests through activities.”

The continual rise of coronavirus cases has prevented the club from hosting any in-person volunteer activities since March; since then, the club has retained around 20 to 30 members.

“The pandemic has really impacted us negatively because our main events are in-person and COVID negatively impacts our events both in quantity and quality,” Wu said. “Our main priorities are adapting to online so that we can continue our activities.”

Imagiscience is holding both its officer and member meetings through Zoom, where scientific and mathematical concepts are discussed, as well future plans to incorporate virtual volunteer opportunities. Due to their inability to

carry out the usual activities held through Kiddie Academy, officers have resorted to posting videos of scientific concepts for the time being. Since early October, senior Vice President Sritaran Bondada has been posting a multitude of clips covering concepts in physics to explanations of mathematical equations.

The group plans to release edu-

cational videos featuring members performing interactive labs that will be sent out to the children so they can follow along from home.

“I hope that this club can expand and reach out to more people so that we can spread our influence,” Wu said. “We hope that the students can get leadership skills as well as teaching techniques to help with their future.”

Photo courtesy of DANIEL WU Imagiscience officers are meeting on Zoom in order to figure out plans for future activities.

FEATURE

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 27, 2021

7

Expressing her Passion for Food Marcus Hsieh ASST. news EDITOR Social distancing mandates during COVID-19 have left many Diamond Bar High School students confined to their homes, hungry for gastronomical delights. Senior Breanna Yang has helped appease this eager crowd by transforming her passion for food into a virtual following.

Yang began her Instagram food

account and blog, @eatingwbree (Eats with Breanna) in October 2020. Posting multiple times per week, she has grown her sizable audience to over 1,400 followers.

Prior to starting her own account, Yang gained valuable inspiration by following other Instagram food influencers such as @cookinwpriscilla and @emsloweater.

“I just never really had the time to actually create an account and post different things,” Yang said.

“However, with quarantine and

COVID-19, I had more free time on my hands, so I was really able to start it.”

Niches are a key aspect of many Instagram food accounts, with some focusing on specialties such as Italian cuisine or fruit dishes.

Moving with this growing trend, Yang has focused on promoting local small businesses on her account.

“Most people, including myself, like food so it’s just a fun way for people to see what I’m eating and

Photo courtesy of Breanna Yang Yang uses her Instagram food account to promote and spotlight local businesses, such as Boudin Bakery’s Clam Chowder bowl pictured.

also find places they can try as well,” Yang said.

Well-known local businesses such as Mimi 5 Bobee, Mama Lu’s Dumpling House and Machi Tea Bar are just some of the establishments featured in her posts. In addition, Yang has also showcased international food vendors, sharing pictures of food from Bread Ahead in London, United Kingdom and Gelatissimo in Sydney, Australia.

Her growing virtual following has led to multiple collaborations with restaurants and food companies, which send free items in exchange for social media exposure.

Most recently, she received a pink utensil set from kitchen accessory manufacturer PDJW Amazon Store, free drinks from the tea store Tastea and a DIY cider-making kit from the fermentation company Brewsy. Altogether, the items Yang has received constitute over $80 worth of food-related items from her work with food companies.

In addition, Yang has hosted monthly giveaways to promote her account, offering free drinks from Kozan Tea House and a gift card for Tastea. She has also participated in other food accounts’ giveaways, winning seven so far and receiving prizes such as free boba tea, boxes of Asian snacks and a crocheted coffeecup. Hosting and participating in giveaways help Yang’s account by promoting user engagement and publicizing her platform, thus drawing attention and further

Photo courtesy of Breanna Yang With quarantine giving Yang more free time she was free to start her first food account.

growth.

The senior plans on continuing to update and maintain her @eatingwbree account after high school graduation.

“Since I am going to college next year, it might be interesting to have a change of scenery and to post new restaurants and food,” Yang said.

Finally, Yang has some encouraging advice for other DBHS students aspiring to become social media influencers.

“I would say to just go for it and try to post more frequently at the beginning. Also, make sure to interact with other people’s posts and accounts because it’s a great way to make friends in the space,” Yang said.

Gifts for your Valentines Although we cannot be physically near our friends and loved ones this Valentine’s Day, we can still show our appreciation for them by giving them gifts. Since it can be difficult to select the perfect gift, here are some ideas that anyone in your life is guaranteed to love.

House plants + Pots Houseplants are the perfect way to brighten up any room, and because we are spending so much time at home, they are the perfect gift to remind your special person that you are thinking of them. You can find a small plant such as a rubber plant at your local Trader Joe’s ($5 to $10), but if you are looking for a larger plant like a pothos plant, Home Depot also has some great options for around $15 to $20. For an inexperienced plant caretaker, some great beginner options are a snake plant, aloe vera and a ZZ plant. Don’t forget to also pick up the perfect pot to go with your plant from Target, Urban Outfitters or Amazon for $5 to $20.

Face MAsks Since we all have to wear masks whenever we go out, giving your loved one a mask will remind them of you whenever they put it on. Etsy sells various Valentine’s Day designs for about $5 to $15 depending on the seller. You can have the Etsy vendor send the gift straight to the recipient’s house in order to avoid any sort of physical contact. By purchasing facemasks from Esty, you are supporting small businesses who need our help during this pandemic. The facemasks you purchase will help give back to the community and also keep your friends safe.

DIY Body Scrub The perfect addition to anyone’s self-care routine is a body scrub. They are easy to make at home for less than $3. In a mixing bowl, combine white or brown sugar and coconut or olive oil in a 2:1 sugar to oil mixture.

To add scent to your scrub, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils or a tablespoon of your favorite body wash. Then, transfer your mixture to a small mason jar and it is ready to gift. This scrub smells amazing and is very moisturizing and exfoliating.

Story by: Maia Pak

Design by: Kelsey Wu

Photo courtesy of Katrine Lee Senior Katrine Lee organizes events in the community for non-profit organization RAISE.

Elected to help the species

Deesha Pathak ASST. sports EDITOR

Through a friendship made at an internship, Diamond Bar High School senior Katrine Lee procured a leadership role in the humanitarian organization, Raising Awareness to Improve Species Existence Humane Foundation.

Lee became involved with the group through her friend David Chan, who is the founder of this organization.

“We worked together on Congresswoman Young Kim’s campaign in the summer and he introduced me to RAISE,” Lee said.

“Working on Congresswoman Young Kim’s campaign fuelled my desire to pursue more community-based work.”

According to the website, RAISE is a high school-run non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving species, the environment, and society through methods of sustainability, humanitarian projects, campaigns, and education.

It is based in Orange County, and now has seven chapters, in Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda-Placentia, Torrance, Corona del Mar, and Cerritos.

In late September, Lee began working with RAISE. She first joined to serve as the group’s Dia-

mond Bar district executive. Chan later nominated her to the Humanitarian Committee chair position.

With her position, Lee established a chapter of RAISE at DBHS, and is responsible for overseeing this chapter of the organization. It should be noted that RAISE is not a club at DBHS, just an organization that works in the DB area.

Her job involves planning events for the community.

“I manage the Diamond Bar RAISE chapter and I oversee different school districts and chapters that are part of the Humanitarian Committee as well (Diamond Bar, Ayala/Chino Hills, Corona del Mar, etc),” Lee said.

In addition, Diamond Bar RAISE has served as host to an educational event in partnership with the Beekeepers’ Association of Southern California to teach members of the community about beekeeping and the environment.

Lee said that working with RAISE helped develop her leadership skills, while helping the environment.

“I’m fully committed to furthering my own knowledge of the environment and the issues regarding our planet and local surroundings,” Lee said. “The environment is such an imperative

Endangered on pg 12

8

FEATURE

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

Lounging around in style These days, baggy clothes are essential to relax in, but loungewear has gone through many styles over the years. Different decades brought various silhouettes and types of comfortable clothing.

Here’s a look at how people dressed down for staying home.

1920's - silk pants -

Many trends in this decade were inspired by East Asian clothing, and silk pants were no exception.

These bottoms flared out dramatically, ending at the ankle, and women usually wore them in solid colors. Although the trousers were initially popular among celebrities to either perform or sit around in, they eventually became a go-to look for most people in the latter part of the 1920s. Some paired silk pants with a tunic while others opted to wear them with velvet jackets that mimicked men’s smoking jackets. Similar to most clothing in the ‘20s, these pants were made to be styled in a shapeless and loosefitting manner. Along with wearing them at home, they even became popular to wear on vacations to the beach.

1940's - robes -

Fashion experimentation started to become popular in the 1940s, and loungewear was considered the perfect clothing category to take risks in. Many women wore robes that cinched at the waist to emphasize their femininity, and the majority of them had zippers or wrap-arounds to make the garments appear as if one was wearing a dress. These came in a variety of prints, from polka dots to florals and lengths, with some coming down to the ankle, others draped over the knee. While robes were considered appropriate if a woman had guests over, lounging slacks, which were flowy pants made from a heavier material than regular pajamas, were popular for solitary leisure, and were often paired with a blouse, robe, or tunic.

1980's

2020 - bike shorts - sweat pants -

Robes and lightweight slacks remained popular pieces of loungewear throughout the next few decades, but in the 1980s there was a new leisure trend popular amongst both men and women: sweatpants.

Previously, sweats were most mostly worn to work out in, but sportswear eventually became much more common to relax in the 80s. The bottoms were made from parachute fabric since this material retained heat well and was breathable and featured bold colors in striped patterns. Pairing these bottoms with any oversized top completed this athleisure look.

Story by: Somiya Jajieh Design by: Somiya Jajieh and Kelsey Wu

The athleisure trend of the 80s carried into the next few decades, which can be seen in the rising popularity of cycling shorts.

These fitted bottoms come in a variety of colors and lengths and are often worn with baggier tops, such as an oversized crew neck or a graphic tee. Alternatively, some have been styling bike shorts a bit more unconventionally with a cropped shirt and a blazer, which dresses up an otherwise casual piece of clothing.

However, if bike shorts seem too intimidating to wear on their own, wearing them under dresses or skirts is still a great option to relax around the house in.

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

9

BLAST TO THE PAST Story by Kelsey Wu, design by Marykate Palaris

Regardless of whether or not you still spend hours reading books, everyone has that one series that they couldn’t put down as a pre-teen. From “Harry Potter” to “The Hunger Games,” fantasy fiction books were the go-to way to spend your car rides and down time, even if you weren’t an avid reader. Taking a trip down memory lane, here are four book series that are still worth reading, whether it’s your first or fifth time.

Harry Potter - JK Rowling Let’s face it, we were all disappointed when the owl post didn’t show up on our eleventh birthdays with a Hogwarts acceptance letter. The famous series follows the titular Harry Potter through his adolescent years as he lives up to his name as the most famous boy in the wizarding world.

Having survived an attack from the evil Lord Voldemort, or “He-WhoMust-Not-Be-Named” as he’s referred to throughout the series, when he was only an infant, Potter is known as the only one with the potential to end Voldemort’s reign of terror over the wizarding world. Throughout his six years at Hogwarts, we see Potter develop, from when he first joins house Gryffindor to when he eventually takes Voldemort to his ultimate death. However, current readers may not be so inclined to gush over the story due to author J.K. Rowling’s recent controversial tweets against the transgender community, which has soured the experience for some readers, especially those of the LGBTQ+ community. Nevertheless, the narrative is still branded in many children’s minds as the fantasy book of their ages and it’s safe to say we wouldn’t be who we are today without a little “Expelliarmus” in our lives.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Set in a dystopian future where tributes are chosen to fight for their lives on a televised platform for entertainment, “The Hunger Games” is an exciting escape into a world of action-packed adventure and an engrossing love story, all the while still managing to weave in social commentary on racial inequality and a scathing critique of America’s class distinctions. The series starts when heroine Katniss Everdeen volunteers to replace her sister as tribute in the Hunger Games, a life-anddeath competition held for the entertainment of the Capitol elite. What follows is a story of survival, sacrifice and emotion as Everdeen rebels against the oppressive Capitol government. What draws people to this series is not just it’s innovative setting, but the fascinating love triangle between Katniss and her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark and her best friend Gale Hawthorne. Everdeen is a symbol of bravery and rebellion in every fifth grader’s heart as well as a very influential leading feminine figure in literature. It’s no wonder that we could never put it down.

A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket Everyone’s favorite unlucky siblings were the Baudelaire orphans: three intellectual children who, as the title suggests, very rarely had any positive experiences in their lives. The story centers around fourteen-year-old Violet, the eldest Baudelaire and an inventor, twelve-year-old Klaus, the middle child who has a photographic memory, and the infant Sunny who has abnormally large teeth and a knack for cooking. After their parents die in a fire at the family mansion, the three are sent to live with a man named Count Olaf, who they quickly discover intends to get his hands on the Baudelaire family fortune, which Violet is set to inherit once she turns 18. Over the course of the series, Olaf develops multiple clever schemes to inherit the fortune, which include arson, murder and other crimes.

However, each time he develops a plan, the orphans are able to thwart and escape him with their witty thinking. A classic favorite of young readers everywhere, the Baudelaire orphans were the gateway into a world of mystery, horror and above all, impeccable adventure.

Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan The primary reason why everybody knew all about Greek Mythology before middle school was, hands down, because of the “Percy Jackson” series. The story spotlights Jackson and his life after discovering he is a demi-god. Having Poseidon, the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, as his father gives Percy the ability to control and breathe in water, create earthquakes and tornadoes as well as converse with horses. But Percy isn’t the only demi-god. In fact, the story is set in Camp Half-Blood, a center dedicated to training, housing, and nurturing half-bloods (those who have one mythological parent) in preparation for quests. The series is known to be the first of its kind for this generation, the sole series that introduced every kid in the country to ancient mythological. And due to the collections’ immense success, multiple other mythology-based series have also been created, thus keeping kids’ love for myth-based novels

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A&E Commentary

Film industry put on hold natasha chang asst. a&e editor

A

lthough many of us have spent more time than usual cooped up and streaming a plethora of movies and shows, Hollywood has ironically been facing a financial crisis over the course of the pandemic. For the film industry, quarantine has meant indefinite delays on projects, movie theater shutdowns and, for the worst-off businesses in the industry, almost facing bankruptcy.

Due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on non-essential businesses, many new, highly-anticipated films were made available to the public via streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu. As a result, streaming service subscriptions, digital movie rentals and purchases have significantly increased alongside the profits of streaming services.

Due to the lack of in-theater screenings, movie theaters from local New Parkway Theater in Northern California to Regal Cinemas are also struggling to stay afloat. Even AMC Theaters, the country’s largest movie theater chain, hasn’t been spared. In October, AMC warned their investors that the company may soon have to file for bankruptcy for a chance at surviving the pandemic. Fortunately, through debt restructuring, the company is now back on its feet, something that cannot be said for many others in the industry.

It appears that the filmmaking industry is in a similar financial bind, as well. With major actors and cast members alike contracting the virus--from Tom Hanks, putting a pause to the filming of Elvis Presley’s biographical drama to Robert Pattinson, resulting in the draw up of the “The Batman” production.

Many other ongoing projects such as CW’s “The Flash”, Amazon’s “Carnival Row” and talk shows like Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” have had to pause filming temporarily.

With power players in the entertainment industry struggling in this unprecedented fiscal situation, those lower on the food chain suffer as well. Regal Cinemas’ temporary shut down alone came with the loss of up to 45,000 jobs. Those working in the more creative factions of the industry like cameramen and script writers are finding themselves in an uncomfortable monetary situation. And with the typical side jobs like table-waiting unavailable due to quarantine, times have never been more uncertain.

Getting back into the flow of filming on a regular basis also means allotting a sizable portion of a film’s budget to coronavirus tests and protective equipment to keep everyone safe. Although rightfully prioritized, the emphasis on health protocols takes a major toll on the artistic visions of directors.

The process of filmmaking, at the end of the day, boils down to two things: money and creative collaboration, both of which have been hard to come by during the pandemic. But Hollywood has had to adapt in the past, and I believe in their ability to do so again.

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

ics m o c m o r F s n e e r c s v to t e y Story by Tiffan

Le

With the explosive growth of Webtoon, a webcomic site owned by South Korean online platform Naver, the popularity of published Korean comics called manhwas, has increased, making it easier for international readers to enjoy the plethora of Korean comics available online. As the Korean Wave sweeps through the global media culture, the most popular webtoons are making their way to screens across the globe as K-Dramas.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, many South Korean comic publishing businesses were closed due to an economic crisis. In 2004, Kim Jun Koo created an online alternative to print comics called Naver Webtoons which lowered the barrier of entry for comic artists and made it easier for them to engage with their readers.

The stunning artistic quality and intriguing storylines of Webtoons have garnered huge audiences in both Korea However, similar to book-to-movie Hollywood adaptations, some and abroad, enticing writers and directors Korean dramas drastically alter the plot and characters, betraying to adapt them to Korean dramas. While the intentions of their original Webtoon creators. A great example “Dr. Frost’’ was the first of these shows, of this is the ongoing romance comedy drama “True Beauty.” The released in 2014, currently there is a wide series follows Lim Ju Gyeong (Moon Ga Young), a high school array of Webtoon adaptations in different student who was bullied by her peers because of her “ugly” genres such as “True Beauty,” “Sweet appearance and becomes popular due to a makeup transformation.

Home” and “Itaewon Class,” all of which appeal to both Webtoon and K-drama fans.

“Sweet Home” is another Webtoon-based adaptation The director and The actor’s arrogant tone and that aired its ten action-packed thriller episodes on writers of the Korean reprehensible actions captured his Netflix this January. It follows high school student drama changed integral character better than the Webtoon.

Cha Hyun Soo (Song Kang) and the habitants of his aspects of the backstory of However, the original Webtoon was Kang Su Jin (Park Yoo Na), apartment building as they try to survive a world better at creating a creepy who is from a wealthy family where human desires turn people into monsters. atmosphere.

The in the series and is childhood Two things that this show did great were the adaptation was more of a loose friends with Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun impressive CGI of the monsters and adaptation to the Webtoon of the same Woo), neither of which were the portrayal of the rude and abusive Seok Kim name, but the suspense and case in the Webtoon. The (Woo Hyun). cliffhangers in each episode led me to resulting drama is mediocre at best due to the altered character binge watch it in just one day. dynamics, but it is an addicting show to watch nonetheless.

Dedicated dancing from a distance rachel lee asst. opinion edItOr From singer Tiffany Young to actress Amrapali Ambegaokar, the Diamond Bar High School Performing Arts Academy has seen no shortage of students who choose to pursue a career on the stage.

You can add 2019 alumna Alexie Montoya to the list, who has been working on her professional career in ballet under pandemic conditions with the State Street Ballet company as a trainee.

She started taking dance lessons when she was 3 years old, entering her first competition at 5. At DBHS, she was in the Advanced

Dance Ensemble for two and a half years before transferring to the Independent Study Program in order to be able to make the commute to her ballet lessons.

Although Montoya learned a variety of dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop and musical theater, she decided to stop entering competitions to focus on her ballet career.

“My mom decided to put me in dance as a toddler because it was something she used to do as a child,” Montoya said. “I wouldn’t be a trainee with a professional ballet company today if she hadn’t put me in dance at a young age.

Dance has had such a huge impact on my life and I really wouldn’t know what I’d do without it.”

Photo courtesy of ALEXIE MONTOYA

Alexie Montoya, c/o 2019 alumni in a first arabasque pose at a practice studio.

Her favorite performances include her four-year stint on the American Ballet Theater’s “Nutcracker” from 2015 to 2019, taking up the role of a chaperone in 2019, as well as her role in Mariinsky Theatre’s “La Bayadere” in 2019.

“I was able to dance with some of the best ballet dancers in the world and even got to see everything going on backstage,” Montoya said. “It was such an extraordinary opportunity.”

An aspect of performing as a ballet dancer that Montoya said she enjoys is how she can convey a variety of things through just her movements and the music.

“A ballet is kind of like a play.

Each one has a different story and you tell it with your dancing.

I enjoy performing the most as a ballet dancer because it makes me feel like a whole new person while I’m up on stage,” Montoya said.

Part of Montoya’s inspiration comes from ballerina Misty Copeland, who was the first African American woman to become a principal dancer--the highest rank in a professional dance company--at the American Ballet Theater. Montoya said that Copeland gave her the confidence to face her own body insecurities and to work hard at becoming a professional in ballet.

“Body dysmorphia is a huge problem in the ballet world. Misty doesn’t have your stereotypical ballerina body, but she sure knows how to dance beautifully and has lots of talent, Montoya said. “She did give me a lot of inspiration to never give up just because of something I can’t fix about myself.”

The company Montoya currently trains under, State Street Ballet, is a professional ballet company based in Santa Barbara. The company allowed her to practice briefly in the company’s dance studio during quarantine, before

resuming remote practice due to COVID regulations when Santa Barbara entered the purple tier.

“Zoom is extremely difficult for a ballet dancer because of WiFi problems and space issues. I have chronic shin splints and dancing on hard concrete floor wasn’t helping my injury at all,” Montoya said.

According to Montoya, internet connection issues interrupts the music she dances to, making it harder for her to learn and perfect movements. She also said she had to be careful about where she practices at home, as not to knock anything over. She says the environment at home has also affected her mentality.

“Motivation, on the other hand, was very hard for me to find during this time because dancing at home isn’t the same as dancing in a studio,” Montoya said.

Before quarantine, Montoya practiced up to 36 hours every week. Now that classes have been adjusted due to social distancing restrictions, Montoya said she dances for about 20 to 24 hours a week.

“My class is currently split up into 2 groups and we all are in the studio at different times.

One group [will train] from 9:001:15, the other group [will train] from 11:00-3:15 and we switch every week,” Montoya said.

Her personal advice for aspiring dancers is to never give up, to always keep pushing and to trust in the process.

“I know it’s often said amongst us but I’m serious. Once you give up, you’ll regret quitting,” Montoya said. “I know it can be mentally draining, especially if you have Russian ballet teachers, but they only say ‘mean’ things because they know you’re capable of doing it, and they do it because they care about you and want to see you succeed in your dance career.”

JANUARY 27, 2021

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE BULL'S EYE

11

attack on titan connor cho asst. BUSINESS manager Ever since the first season of “Attack on Titan” was released in 2013, fans have been anticipating the finale of the immensely popular series. The anime, which tells the story of humanity under siege by man-eating giants, began its fourth and final season in December.

In this finale, the audience is thrown into the perspective of another nation, Marley, after years of focusing on the Eldians, who live isolated on Paradis Island.

Before the end of its third season in 2018, “Attack on Titan” left its viewers with some important questions: Who is the real villain of the story? What lies beyond the walls of Eldia? Through the conflict between the Marleyan and Eldian people in the fourth season, the true evil of the series is revealed to be the prejudice in both nations, as that is what led to the constant conflict characters face throughout the series.

The show’s final season also wrapped up many other mysteries surrounding the world in which it is set, the most important of which being the origin of the man-eat-

ing giants known as Titans, and why they’re attacking Eldia.

The new season starts off with a fresh chapter four years after the end of season three, focusing on a new cast of characters and soldiers from Marley: Falco, Gabi, Udo and Zofia.

Observing the world from the point of view of these new, young characters allows the anime to explain exactly why the people of Marley hate the Eldians. Marleyans are taught from a young age that Eldians are “devils,” and by witnessing this process of indoctrination, the audience realizes that the Marleyans are doing only what they were taught. They take action based on this prejudice to attempt to recover the Founding Titan from Eren, the protagonist of earlier seasons.

Though there was some concern over the switch to a new animation studio, I actually noticed an improvement in the show’s animation, especially when comparing the Armored Titan’s CG to its 3D model from previous episodes.

While the character design and animation is somewhat inconsistent as a result, it honestly brought a major improvement as a whole.

The final season also brings back the classic horror themes

from season one that are prominent in scenes featuring defenseless humans attempting to fight back against Titans. The terror from watching the bloodshed and annihilation of helpless soldiers instills a sense of nostalgia for the first season of the anime.

While only seven episodes have been released so far, with a new episode every Sunday, the season is expected to last until late March. Since the finale has just begun, there is more to discover in future episodes. As each episode came to an end, viewers were left on cliffhangers and it also kept me watching the ongoing series.

But so far, the final season’s resolution of past mysteries has made the beginning an enjoyable watch.

As a casual onlooker that has never read the manga nor closely followed the series, I can attest that “Attack on Titan” is the perfect anime for anyone, anime fanatic or not, to start watching.

The animation’s fourth season provides an exciting combination of horror and thrills, while the production offers an exhilarating visual experience throughout.

Top: Mikasa Ackerman with new look. Bottom: The people fight against a Titan.

FINAL VERDICT: s t r e a m i t

Photos courtesy of MAPPA

Special take on makeup Emily koh feature editor When most people think of makeup, they see it as a way to enhance a person’s beauty or natural features. However, Diamond Bar High School sophomore Kylee Sanchez has found an untraditional use for these products by practicing SFX makeup.

Special effects makeup is the use of cosmetics to transform one’s appearance, rather than merely enhance it. This style of makeup boasts a wide range of creative possibilities: a horrific monster, a fictional character, or grotesque injuries.

Sanchez began dabbling in SFX makeup before seventh grade and began consistently practicing her skills during eighth grade.

“I’ve always loved makeup and horror so I found SFX makeup, which can combine the two,” Sanchez said. “I do mostly gory looks but I’m trying to expand into more fantasy characters.”

In order to achieve her desired look, Sanchez needs more than the usual makeup tools. Liquid latex, scar wax, fake blood, and a variety of different colored face paints are all necessary to create a realistic style. There are

“I’ve always loved makeup and horror so I found SFX makeup, which can combine the two.”

KYLEE SANCHEZ

Kylee experimenting with devil horns. also aspects of certain looks that require her to create prosthetic facepieces, which she crafts out of cotton balls and liquid latex.

Each look starts with an uniqueidea that Sanchez writes down in her notes. She then gathers all the necessary supplies for the look and begins to craft the prosthetic features or uses makeup to create an illusion on her skin. According to Sanchez, she prefers not to have to use tutorials, but even when she does she puts her own spin on them.

Photo courtesy of KYLEE SANCHEZ

Sanchez with a full face of special effects makeup, posing as a morphed Grinch.

“Most of the looks that I do almost always start with liquid latex,” Sanchez said. “I let it dry and then I apply color, whether it’s fake bruising or in fantasy looks, like the Grinch, I’ll find or make the closest color possible. Then I put on fake blood and take pictures.”

Although Sanchez creates both gory and fantasy looks, she prefers to use SFX makeup for horror looks because it’s easier to hide her mistakes when she does gore. One of her favorite looks was recreating the makeup from the horror movie, “Smiley.”

On average, it can take Sanchez about an hour to complete a look.

However, if it is her first attempt at a certain style , the process can take her up to three hours. The longest she has spent on one look is five hours, a record she set when she made herself into Waluigi (from the Mario franchise), which required many separate pieces that she had to construct and apply.

“Looks can take a long time including getting ready, doing the makeup, taking it off, and cleaning up after,” Sanchez said. “I also go through materials really quickly depending on how complicated the look is, but I try to do [a look] at least a few times a month so I don’t lose any progress.”

Out of all the different effects and techniques Sanchez uses, she has developed a preference for creating fake bruises.

“My favorite part of this type of makeup is fake bruises because it is the easiest and there’s not really a right or wrong way to make a fake bruise,” Sanchez said. “It takes almost every look from looking fake or flat to looking realistic.”

Currently, Sanchez documents her special effects makeup progress on Instagram account, @ kylee_._s, as an SFX makeup artist. In the future, she hopes to make a career out of this work, either on the set of a horror movie or play.

Photo courtesy of BRYAN CHIU

Sophomore Bryan Chiu, playing French horn for this year’s All-State honor band.

Musical honors LYNDON KANEKO STAFF WRITER Reflecting years of hard work, Diamond Bar High School’s music program had 31 student musicians selected to participate in the annual All-State California Honor Band and Orchestra convention.

The event was scheduled to take place at the Fresno Convention Center in early March, where workshops, opportunities to meet established conductors and musicians and the chance to rehearse and perform with other topranked musicians was planned.

Due to COVID-19, this year’s convention will take place online.

“The approach to preparation is the same as every year, with the students individually preparing their scales and pieces with the help of their private teachers and directors,” music director Steve Acciani said via email. It is our responsibility to keep the systems and the priorities that we have established, such as emphasizing great individual playing, in place.”

For sophomore Bryan Chiu, a french horn player, attending All-State has been an opportunity to grow and improve in terms of composing and playing.

“From my past experience at CASMEC, being surrounded by high-level musicians, be that student or instructor, has helped me grow as a person and a player.”

In order to attend the coveted event, students went through a twopart audition process. While these

normally take place in person, this year they were conducted online.

Preparation became especially difficult after school closed down and prohibited in-person gathering. Without the precise guidance of in-person music tutoring or a clear microphone or camera, feedback was much harder to give.

Practice for the concert will also be more difficult, with the organization confirming just two rehearsal dates instead of a full week of playing together.

“My preparation for All-State hasn’t really changed, but it’s harder to get feedback from other people on how to change and improve,” sophomore and bass clarinet player Joseph Wangsa said.

“The audition process has also stayed the same, but there isn’t a second round of auditions that normally take place after we arrive on location. We used to have a week of rigorous practicing, but I’m not sure what we’re going to be able to get out of two days.”

Auditions this year consisted of uploading recordings of scales and audition pieces into a Google Drive folder and sending them to CASMEC. The standards set by the organization make acceptance into the program a distinguished accomplishment for both a musician and the program they study in.

“They’re all fantastic players.

It’s the largest amount of any high school in the state to make it. Normally we’re only allowed to submit 20 recordings but they waived that rule this year, so it’s the highest amount we have had,” Acciani said.

12 BUSINESS

THE BULL'S EYE

DBHS staff at work

Administrative Assistant Carrie Yee is among those working daily in the front office while adhering to social distancing and mask wearing.

VICTORIA ARTALE

Lee pursues humanitarian efforts endangered FROM P.7 part of our daily lives, so I believe there should be greater emphasis on raising awareness for critically endangered species, pollution, and artificial climate change.”

Lee said that U.S. Rep. Kim has inspired her to be an active member of her community and give back whenever she can. Kim has also worked with RAISE to donate hundreds of PPE and medical supplies to local hospitals in the CA-39 district.

“I’ve always had a really strong pull towards humanitarianism,” Lee said in an article for the Los Angeles Times HS Insider. “I don’t know enough about our environment but I’m working on it because it’s definitely a huge part of our lives.”

Furthermore, Lee said that her hope is that other California high schools gain exposure to RAISE and the work that they do. In addition, Lee said that she would like RAISE to become an official club at DBHS. She said that this pro-

cess will most likely be completed by the end of this year.

“RAISE has two upcoming initiatives, one of which I am leading as Humanitarian Committee Chair--I am very excited to see the outcome of both projects,” Lee said While these projects are still in the works, Lee said that no further information can be disclosed. Updates and extra information regarding RAISE will be posted on both their website and Instagram page.

JANUARY 27, 2020

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 27, 2021

SPORTS

13

Enjoying the snow with winter sports Visiting local mountains remains popular among DBHS students, even during the pandemic.

Marykate Palaris ASST. A&E Editor While some may find themselves warming up in a cabin and sipping hot chocolate during winter getaways, several Diamond Bar High School students spend their mountain trips sliding through the snow.

Sophomore Alexandros Kam has been skiing recreationally with his father since he was five, going to local mountains and skiing down just to have fun. He said that he strives to ski once per year, though was unable to go last year due to the pandemic.

“It’s fun to go down big mountains and test your skill,” Kam said via Instagram. “Though [turning] well so you can go down steeper slopes is difficult.”

Like Kam, senior Amanda Blossom skis casually. She said that the uniqueness of the seasonal sport gives her an incentive to practice it.

Blossom has been skiing since seventh grade, after her father suggested it as a hobby they could bond over. She said that she maintains her skills by practicing often in mountains in her area, accompanied by her sister, and is attempting to improve her backwards skiing. However, she said that she has found it difficult to practice sometimes.

“I tend to stay within my comfort zone to avoid embarrassment because everyone’s eyes are on you,” she said via Instagram.

Once when practicing, Blossom had suffered a tailbone injury when attempting a box jump in a resort that she wasn’t used to. Due to this, she prefers to ski in areas

that she is familiar with.

“I usually ski at Mountain High due to it being closer but I prefer Big Bear because it’s typically less crowded,” she said.

Sophomore Ethan Barbieto has been skiing for fun since he was eight, but has recently taken up snowboarding. The latter has been a bit of a challenge for him, as the skill of carving--using the sidecut of the board to turn--has been a difficult one for him to master.

Barbieto said that snowboarding was an appealing hobby to him because it was reminiscent of skateboarding, another activity that he has shown interest in. He also said that it simply looked fun, which is why he started practicing the sport.

Barbieto goes skiing with his family at Mammoth and Big Bear, and skies a couple of times per year.

“It’s fun going down mountains, and it’s hard to get sweaty,” Barbieto said via Instagram.

Eating issue in athletics

E Photo courtesy of ETHAN BARBIETO

Sophomore Ethan Barbieto says snowboarding is a challenge as a beginner.

Photo courtesy of AMANDA BLOSSOM

Senior Amanda Blossom has casually skied since she was in the seventh grade; she usually skies at Mountain High.

Cross country affected by pandemic Several DBHS runners were cut from the roster, leaving the JV team shorthanded.

Anika Yatawara News Editor Because some students were struggling to balance online school with sports commitments, the Diamond Bar High School cross country team has made multiple cuts to its roster this year.

Due to distance learning, head coach Malinalli Cooke stated there was also a notable decrease in returning runners this year compared to others.

“For some, the virtual aspect of athletics wasn’t as much fun as being in person. Many of the athletes that chose not to return mentioned they found it hard to stay motivated without their teammates around,” she said.

This decline affected the non-varsity teams, primarily for female members as almost all made it onto the varsity team this year.

“We only have eight girls on the team due to the pandemic,” Cooke said. “League rules state that the fastest seven girls on each team must be on varsity. So, by default, most of the girls will be on varsity and only one will be on junior varsity.”

Although the team is accustomed to cutting athletes that show less enthusiasm for the sport, members believe the main cause behind

VICTORIA ARTALE

Sophomores Isaac Pao and Lucas Wong with senior Ethan Lee, from left, seen training on the school’s track. this year’s ousts is the pandemic’s effect on students’ personal lives.

“I definitely think people are having trouble balancing everything. There’s just so much lack of motivation,” sophomore Naddy Mannix said via Instagram.

Mannix said these cuts actually aided the team as it ensured that only the most dedicated members would continue.

“I don’t think it [the cuts] has impacted the team, the practices, or myself in any negative way,” she said. “If anything it has affected us in a positive way because now we [current team members] are only surrounded by people willing to put in the work.”

According to Cooke, there have been 11 cuts made to the team so

far--six of which were boys.

“Five boys and two girls were cut because they did not meet the time requirement, one boy and three girls decided not [to] continue with cross country,” Cooke said via email.

In light of the pandemic, Cooke explained that she actually provided more leeway for students wanting to participate in cross country this year. Rather than ruling out any Brahmas that did not make the team during their first tryout in August, she allowed them to stay in cross-country during preseason in case they managed to improve their time’s enough within those 18 weeks to qualify for the team.

“So basically, because of the pandemic, these kids were given

an opportunity that has never before been given to previous aspiring cross country athletes,” Cooke said.

Cooke stated that she makes these cuts to benefit the other athletes and ensure the team isn’t being held back by less dedicated members. “[I] don’t think these cuts will impact the team negatively. In order for a team to stay strong we need to have kids on the team that are motivated to work hard and improve in the sport so that we can work towards a common goal,” she said. “The kids who didn’t make the team the second time around had been demonstrating to me that they were not really that motivated to be on the team in the first place.”

ver since the mid-2010s, many industries have been making strides to be more inclusive of different body types.

Despite the long-standing push for body positivity, the world of athletics struggles to reach anywhere near the same level of acceptance.

Athletes of all levels continue to struggle with eating disorders and other psychological issues due to the unhealthy and narrow views of the athletic industry.

According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 35 percent of NCAA Division I female athletes have reported attitudes and symptoms at risk for anorexia nervosa and 53 percent for bulimia nervosa. It doesn’t stop with women, though: 10 percent of men in Division I sports show symptoms at risk to anorexia nervosa and 38 percent show signs pointing to bulimia nervosa.

In my mind, the primary cause is coaching. Many professional coaches are so focused on athletic performance that they forget about the athlete’s personal physical and mental health. Professional runner Mary Cain’s testimony of her treatment as an athlete for Nike epitomizes the issue.

Cain told the New York Times back in 2019 that coach Alberto Salzar, who worked for Nike, pushed her to run faster by becoming “thinner and thinner, and thinner.” Her limited diet led her body to begin breaking down as she lost dangerous amounts of weight, risked potentially permanent side effects and eventually developed suicidal thoughts. As a result of her treatment, her life and career had fallen apart, so she pressed charges against Nike for the abuse she endured under their watch.

Coaches are not working with objects to be molded or machines to be programmed, they are guiding the development of human beings. Coaches and the organizations they work for need to make more of an effort to respect their athletes’ autonomy and monitor their mental states.

Disordered eating and the push to look a certain way as an athlete affect one’s mental health by leading to other issues like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it can lead to physical problems such as high injury risk, abdominal pain and dizziness.

If coaches and sports fans want to see athletes at their best--at the peak of their physical capabilities--they need to make sure that athletes are eating enough and maintain the right mindset.

The National Eating Disorder Association also mentions that sports prioritizing “appearance, weight requirements, or muscularity” are known “risk factors” for developing eating disorders. These sports include wrestling, gymnastics and diving.

Athletics should not be a place for people to be stereotyped or judged on their appearance. How well one competes should be the only factor taken into account in the training process.

Everyone should recognize the pressure athletes are being put under when it comes to self-perception because it can lead athletes to develop serious mental and physical issues including, but not limited to, disordered eating.

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SPORTS

JANUARY 27, 2021

THE BULL'S EYE

Nadal overcomes injuries, commits to college soccer The DBHS senior will play at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota.

Deesha Pathak Asst. Sports editor

Megan Nadal’s journey with soccer has not always been easy, between torn ACLs and struggling with her confidence. But she has overcome those obstacles and now has committed to play college soccer at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

The Diamond Bar High School senior chose Division III soccer at SMU because she said she believed it was the best balance of academics and athletics for her.

“I wanted to prioritize my academics but still wanted to play college soccer,” Nadal said. “I think if I pushed myself for a higher division my body would have burnt out quicker due to the amount of injuries I went through.”

Nadal has endured multiple injuries throughout her athletic career. Beginning in eighth grade, injuries were frequent until her

senior year. Due to the extent of her injuries, she even had to sit out soccer season in her junior year.

During her freshman and sophomore seasons, Nadal played goalkeeper for DBHS girls soccer.

Nadal suffered from three concussions, all of which involved contact with another player on a corner kick. Going into her freshman year, she tore her right ACL/ meniscus.

“The first time it was at a goalkeeper training session,” Nadal said. “My knee had just recovered from a knee sprain and all it took was a step to the right and my knee buckled.”

The second time she tore the ACL was on her left knee just before her junior year season.

“This time around, I was guest playing for a team in San Diego during a college showcase,” Nadal said. “It was a free kick and the ball went straight up and all I saw was the sun which made me lose track of the ball; since I lost track of the ball while in the air my balance and weight were shifted and I landed straight on my left leg and my knee buckled again.”

Nadal said that while these injuries affected her physically, they

Photo courtesy of MEGAN NADAL

Megan Nadal committed to Saint Mary’s University in November.

had even more of an effect on her mental health.

“My mentality went downhill and when I came back my confidence was hurt the most because the amount of coaches that looked down on me due to the injury,” Nadal said. “Since the coaches looked down on me, I second guessed myself quite often and doubted my abilities of being a good goalkeeper.”

Prior to this injury, Nadal said that she relied on her natural talent to succeed on the soccer field.

However, when she returned to practice after her injury, Nadal had to work twice as hard to keep up with her teammates.

“These were the main injuries that pulled me back the most in my soccer career but I did not let that get in the way of accomplishing one of my goals of becoming a college student athlete,” Nadal said.

Junior year is very critical in the sports recruitment process but due to her injuries, Nadal was unable to play last season.

“It was really tough for me to get noticed because I was missing out on major events to get exposed to schools,” Nadal said.

She said that because of this, she was losing hope. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all athletes to sit out their season. Nadal said that at this point, she began to take more control of her recruitment process.

Nadal attributes her success to the support of her parents and her best friend, who also plays soccer.

“Since my best friend, Shantell Luna, has a similar lifestyle as mine, we are able to relate to each other from struggles to successes,” Nadal said. “We both lifted each other up when we were able to play on the same field.”

Before she was injured, Nadal was involved with club soccer teams Arsenal FC and Legends FC. In addition, Nadal has received several awards during her soccer career.

During her sophomore season, she received Honorable Mention in the athletics conference and Rookie of the Year within the schools soccer program. With her club Legends FC, Nadal won the National Cup, California Regional League, and Farwest Regionals in Idaho.

Nadal has already met her new teammates on Zoom. Coincidentally, DBHS alumni Alexis Ngyuyen from the class of 2019 is on Nadal’s team.

She said that she is excited to begin the next chapter of her athletic career.

Golf among few sports allowed to engage in competition this season CIF officials OK season in March if virus cases reduced.

Edward Kim Staff Writer While the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, golf has joined the list of Diamond Bar High School sports allowed to hold campus workouts. CIF officials have scheduled the start of the golf season in March.

However, according to Anthony McCabe, the head coach for boys and girls golf, it is unclear whether the DBHS golf team will actually have an opportunity to play in the upcoming season.

“Especially at this time, we are not sure if we will even have a season,” McCabe said. “However, my athletes and I are still expecting and waiting for the season to pre-

pare for it like it is going to happen.”

At the moment, McCabe doesn’t require any athletes to practice, as there are still a few more months until the season begins.

“The golfers can just play and practice golf on their own, “ McCabe said. “But in February, the players will start to play in outside tournaments to actually prepare.”

With only a few months left to prepare before the season, the main concern of athletes is getting back in shape. Especially due to the coronavirus, some golfers have not been able to practice nearly as much as they normally would this time of year.

“I’ve definitely been playing less golf because of the combination of both the pandemic and school starting,” sophomore team member Ryan Kung said. “I’ve really just been practicing on and off inconsistently, usually at the driving range.”

Kung explained that although he has not been able to play much golf in the past few months, nor was he able to practice at DBHS, he was able to utilize off-campus resources to maintain his skills.

“The practice range was super useful to me because it is safe and I don’t need to be close to anyone else to practice,” Kung said. “In the summer, I also practiced by playing in a few tournaments and taking lessons.”

However, some other golfers have had different opinions and experiences regarding the coronavirus, saying it did not affect their practicing much.

“To me, COVID hasn’t really changed golf much since everyone’s just out in the open,” junior Ryan Chung said. “The only things that changed are us not being able to pull out the pin--or removing the golf flagstick--and also having to wear masks while practicing on the range.”

Photo courtesy of TIMOTHY LEE

Timothy Lee’s workout programs include a meal plan and exercise schedule.

Former DB athlete sells personalized workout programs Class of 2019 alumnus Timothy Lee turns his fitness regime into a business.

Vera wang staff writer As pandemic cases soar into the new year, the perpetual closures of gyms and lack of access to various equipment have led many to place a halt on their athletic aspirations.

Timothy Lee, Diamond Bar High School 2019 graduate, has tried to fill this void with his customized fitness programs.

Lee played for the water polo team as well as ran track and cross country throughout his four years at DBHS. During his sophomore year, he discovered his passion for lifting and began to experiment, uncovering new techniques and information throughout the process of his own physique transformation. With this newfound knowledge, Lee reached out to his peers, and soon became a mentor to many of his friends in helping them attain their own health goals.

“I have experience from lifting since my sophomore year in high school and I’ve been able to make a transformation whether it was to gain weight/muscle or lose weight/look more lean,” Lee said via Instagram. “Fitness has always been a part of my life and I’ve always wanted to help others get what they’ve always wanted fitness wise.”

Seizing this as an opportunity, Lee now takes advantage of his former experience and offers his own personalized workout programs, which he tailors according to the desired outcome of his client.

“Being on furlough leave from my job at [Cal Poly Pomona] made me think of ways I could keep some income for myself and family,” Lee said via Instagram. “Fitness has always been a part of my life and I’ve always wanted to help others; so people asking me for help and me being able to give back is one of my main motivations for this.”

Lee’s programs usually span from four to six weeks, with alterations made throughout the period to implement the feedback he receives from his clients. Included in his program is also nutritional guidance, in which Lee offers tips for meal plans and insight on crucial supplements to best target the individual’s goals.

“The personaliz[ation] in this program is based on the Google Form in my bio, it tells me what my client’s goals are and allows me to gauge what exercises I can give

them based on what equipment they have or if they have certain restrictions,” Lee said via Instagram. “So all of it is very situational and there’s a lot of variables that go into it.”

Though fitness may seem to be a simple concept and fitness plans tend to become repetitive, Lee said that the sole reason for the effectiveness of his workouts to be in his attention to small details in training that are often neglected.

“It’s very methodical from why certain exercises are recommended down to the amount of sets and reps that I recommend,” Lee said via Instagram. “Most people want to be more lean or lose weight and the thing some people don’t get is that it’s not a complicated process, it just takes a lot of consistency and the right, specific exercises.”

Though inaccessibility to facilities has led Lee to encounter some obstacles when offering private coaching sessions, he said that he believes it continues to play a pivotal role in one’s progress, especially during quarantine, where many are struggling with fitness.

“I offer one-on-one coaching because especially with COVID it’s hard to find the motivation to do things especially fitness wise,” Lee said via Instagram. “With the one-on-one, I am able to be right on their tail to push them, help keep track of, say times, for example if I recommend doing interval training. It’s sort of a mental aspect that I try to help.”

Lately Lee has received interest from people of all age groups, mostly college students. With more time on his hands, Lee is looking to launch new content as his platform continues to expand.

“Specific workout programs will be coming soon, such as programs for gaining muscle mass, getting cut, being more athletic, or even jumping higher,” Lee said via Instagram. “There is much more to come.”

Lee believes he serves to not only be a catalyst in propelling many to their fitness goals, but also an accompaniment in personal progress as well. Through the development of his programs, Lee’s connections with strangers and ability to steer them toward fulfilling their dreams has only broadened his own sense of gratitude.

“I like being a part of people’s lives knowing that I am making a difference, no matter how small or big it is,” Lee said via Instagram.

“Things like this really makes you appreciate things in life and not take things for granted.”

Lee’s programs start at a baseline price of $20 and are featured on his Instagram page @timothynotsoghetto.

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 27, 2021

SPORTS

15

Youtubers in the ring

W

Photo courtesy of ALBERT LIM

Athletes must wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times in order to comply with county COVID-19 guidelines.

Teams continue to practice on campus DBHS programs face challenges in attendance following spike in coronavirus cases.

Kyle HOng Staff Writer Athletics at Diamond Bar High School continue to prepare for an uncertain season of sports as spikes in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles county increase.

Since the first week of November, athletes have had conditioning workouts and drills on campus in preparation for the upcoming competition season. According to DBHS Athletic Director Albert Lim, all practices follow Los Angeles County guidelines, which have remained unchanged since the beginning of COVID-19. Head football coach Jeff Reitz elaborated on how these guidelines apply to football practice.

“The LA county has allowed us to have pods of 12 athletes and

one coach for pretty much every sport,” Reitz said. “We split up the field and alternate positions, one pod may be on the bleachers doing stairs while another one does drills on the field.”

Baseball coach Jon Hurst said that he feels the program has been going very well and believes that as long as people follow the safety guidelines, everything will stay on track.

“Those that have chosen to return understand the importance of staying safe and flattening the curve,” Hurst said. “We have identified what activities are more safe than others and what protocols need to be in place to ensure safety.”

However, this new program is far from perfect. According to Reitz, even with pod training, athletes aren’t learning in optimal conditions—all equipment and many of their usual close-contact activities are off-limits. He also stated that as head coach, he should be able to work with all of his students, but is unable to because of county restrictions.

In addition, he expressed concern that the students who don’t attend practice will be less prepared for competitions than other students. Despite this, he said that he doesn’t want to pressure them to attend in-person practice.

“I expected there to be challenges from the beginning, from experience, it’s inevitable when we create and implement something new,” Lim said. “I am grateful to be working with wonderful colleagues and our school leadership team to put this plan into action.”

Lim stated that with spikes in COVID-19 cases, there is concern among parents about sending their students to practice. Reitz shared a similar sentiment, explaining that he didn’t want any of his athletes feeling obligated to attend on-campus practice.

“When one of my students says their parents have concerns and don’t want them coming, it upsets me, but I’m not mad at the parents or the students,” Reitz said.

“They’re honestly afraid and if that’s what they want then I’ll back them up.”

hat started as an amateur match between two YouTube influencers to settle an Internet feud has now changed the world of boxing. Not only has the sport’s audience grown by millions, but there are several new YouTubers-turned-boxers entering the professional ring.

With supporters of these content

creators tuning in to watch their matches, boxing viewership is on the rise, especially among young demographics. Without a doubt, the YouTube boxing trend is helping grow the sport’s popularity by creating a new generation of boxing fans.

The popularity of YouTube boxing has become so immense that one of the biggest names in boxing history, Floyd Mayweather, agreed to fight social media sensation Logan Paul. The fact that the two would even be in the same ring together is shocking, showing just how much of an impact YouTube boxing has on the professional industry.

The skill gap between the pair is massive, and although the chances for a victory in Paul’s favor are slim at best, the fight is highly anticipated, with millions expected to watch by pay-per-view. And, on the off-chance that Paul, a YouTuber with just one professional match-which he lost--under his belt, is victorious, Mayweather’s boxing legacy will most definitely be tarnished before the eyes of millions. Not to mention that there’s an 18-year age difference between the competitors; Paul is 25 and Mayweather is 43. Paul has potential to shock the world and break the barriers between YouTube and boxing.

While most first heard of YouTube boxing from the infamous KSI vs.

Logan Paul match, the trend actually began with KSI and Joe Weller when they faced off in the ring for an amateur boxing event in 2018.

The fight resulted in KSI winning

by TKO in the third round, and he later called out Logan Paul to be his next opponent.

The fight drew over 1.6 million live viewers, and 25 million more views in the same week, making it the biggest amateur boxing fight in history at the time. This is when YouTube boxing took off, as many other content creators such as KSI’s brother Deji, Logan Paul’s brother Jake Paul, AnEsonGib and JMX also joined the trend.

The first fight between KSI and Logan Paul ended in a draw, which led to a rematch the following year.

This contest was for money, and KSI came out on top with a split-decision victory. This time around, their fight garnered more than 100 million views, which was the third most streamed fight of 2019 on the sports streaming platform DAZN. Several professional boxers such as former heavyweight champion Tyson and current heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua have shown their support for the trend.

Tyson has credited the famous YouTube personalities with reviving boxing while Joshua said he is glad it is “bringing a whole new audience to the fight game.”

Although some, including superstar boxer Canelo Alvarez, have criticized this rising trend as disrespectful, saying that these YouTubers are abusing the sport for money, I view it as a way to help grow boxing’s popularity. Regardless of whether YouTubers are fighting solely to make money, if they are training like professionals and taking such a hazardous sport seriously, I see no problem with it.

The future of boxing looks bright with the addition of talent from other platforms. It will be exciting to see how these YouTube stars measure up to professional boxers in future matches.

Athletes stay fit by participating in outside sports programs Students take part in volleyball, softball, gymnastics and soccer while outside school.

Somiya Jajieh ASST. Feature Editor While Diamond Bar High School has reopened its campus for athletic workouts, students have been participating in additional sports programs outside of school in order to further develop their skills.

Junior Sydney Humphrey has been on DBHS’ varsity volleyball team for two years and was on JV soccer in her sophomore year. She plays volleyball as a libero, and started playing for the club Icon five years ago before she transitioned to Brea Volleyball Academy since it was more convenient for her to attend. During practice, Humphrey and her teammates mostly focus on serve-receive drills, passing and serving.

“[BVA] has helped to develop my skills as an athlete because it taught me all the basic skills I know,” Humphrey said via Zoom.

“I started[ed] off with middle school volleyball, which didn’t have as much time to teach more those skills and those basics, and [BVA] has also really helped me on

my conditioning.” who share the same passion she Humphrey also mentioned how has for softball.

BVA has a more diverse mix of girls “It has helped me develop skills in regards to skill, which allows the such as leadership, time mancoaches to help each individual on agement and creativity,” Martithe team improve. At the beginning nez said via Instagram. “I’ve also of the pandemic, Humphrey met adapted into more of a leader bewith her team over Zoom as well cause of this club and having the as practiced on her own, but she ability to work with other kids so has recently had the opportunity they can learn from me.” to attend indoor practices at BVA. Sophomore Audrey Huang has Masks are required during prac- been training with Winner’s Gymtice and members have to use hand nastics since 2014 and joined since sanitizer. she wanted to play on a more com Humphrey also plays soccer as petitive team. Huang’s team took a goalie, and she a three month has been a part break from prac“I felt like Prodigy is a of AYSO since ticing at the bereally competitive, high she was six. This ginning of the level club that could season, the team pandemic, but help get to the next level could not have she’s recently any games or had the opporand play in college.” scrimmages, so tunity to attend ALEX KIM the girls attended practice again by practice where following stanthey either did indard COVID predividual drills or passed the ball to cautions. She practices exercises one other person. like round off handsprings, front

Senior Lexie Martinez has aerial back tucks and dismounts played for a travel ball team, Calfor beams. ifornia Thunder-LeVier Vankirk,

“I wanted to be a part of this for four months. She’s also been a team because back at my old gym, member of DBHS’ varsity softball I did not improve as much and [it] team for four years. got me behind instead of putting D ue to rising COVID cases, her [me] where I needed to be,” Huang travel team has stopped meeting said via Instagram. together for practice. She said she

Meanwhile Alex Kim, a DBHS wanted to join the team because sophomore, has been playing for she wanted to play with other girls Prodigy Basketball since Decem-

Photo courtesy of AUDREY HUANG

Athletes including Audrey Huang attend practice, following safety procedures. ber 2020 after his DBHS coaches plays and the other day dedicated recommended the club to him. to practicing individual skills like “The players there, they’re realball handling, rebounding and ly competitive so it really pushes shooting. me to try to get better every time Kim said Prodigy focuses on I’m in the gym and always give it the communication aspect of the my 100 percent,” Kim said. sport, emphasizing the importance

The pandemic has reduced the of talking on defense and offense amount of days the team practices as well as asking teammates and from four times a week to two times coaches questions. According to a week, and Kim said that memKim, this has allowed him to develbers are advised to social distance op his leadership skills. to the best of their ability while at

“I felt like Prodigy is a really practice as well as use hand sanicompetitive, high level club that tizer. There is one day dedicated could help get to the next level and to practicing defense and offense play in college,” Kim said.