Volume 54, Issue 3, December 14, 2023 by El Estoque

elESTOQUE DECEMBER 2023

17 IN THE SH

Explor

ing the

VOLUME 54 ISSUE 3

effects

ADOW O

of polit

ics in th

F BELI

e MVHS

commu

nity

LETTER FROM THE

EDITORS During the 2016 election, we were in elementary school. We were told many things about the now former President Donald Trump. He was racist, sexist, anti-immigration, you name it — he was the epitome of -ists, antis and discrimination and we took away that he was bad in essence. But as we delved into politics in history classes, our educators introduced us to complex concepts and pushed us to think for ourselves rather than relying on others’ opinions. In high school, politics have extended beyond our history classes into literature and even our biology classes. Our teachers steer us through conversations surrounding political topics in class, sprinkling in their notions and showing us that our teachers are people who have their own judgments, too.

PHOTO | KRISH DEV

Taryn Lam

Lillian Wang

Kalyani Puthenpurayil

We take what we learn in our classes and discuss politics at home, especially if there’s something relevant to our family. Through agreements and arguments, we find a voice in modern politics as some of us head into the 2024 elections, ready to vote. Our teachers lead us through the process of challenging our longheld ideals and learning more about our values, determining how involved in society we will be in the future. Not only do they shape our political ideologies, but they also impact how much we learn, perhaps sparking a passion or interest along the way. As the end of the semester approaches, let’s reach out to our teachers — whether it is through a letter, a conversation or a small gift — and thank them for their guidance.

elESTOQUE

21840 McClellan Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014 elestoque.org mv.el.estoque@gmail.com Editors-in-Chief: Taryn Lam, Kalyani Puthenpurayil, Lillian Wang Managing Editors: Meggie Chen, Lauren Chuu, Sarah Liu, Michelle Zheng Design Editor: Sonia Verma Graphics Editor: April Wang News Editors: Jason Chu, Brandon Xu, Alyssa Yang, Eric Zhou Features Editors: Kathryn Foo, Dahlia Schilling, Alan Tai, Mihir Vishwarupe Opinion Editors: Anika Bhandarkar, Crystal Cheng, Megha Mummaneni, Sagnik Nag Chowdhury

Entertainment Editors: Samika Bhatkar, Ananya Chaudhary, Jami Lim, Aashi Venkat Sports Editors: Arjun Dhruv, Daphne Huang, Lily Jiang, Manas Kottakota Staff Writers: Abha Dash, Leah Desai, Sophia D’Sa, Ethan Eisler, Niveda Hari, Aletheia Ju, Jillian Ju, Ethan Kellogg, Isabelle Kok, Pranati Kotamraju, Corinna Kuo, Giljoon Lee, Yixuan (Joyce) Li, Elizabeth Liu, Suhana Mahabal, Riya Murthy, Sania Nadkarni, Dylan Nguyen, Stella Petzova, Aidan Ruan, Trisha Sannappanavar, Arshiya Sen, Aaryan Sharma, Ananda Singh, Arushi Singh, Varun Singh, Amberly Sun, Lindsey Tang, Raj Thapliyal, Eshika Tiwari, Brandon Wang, Asha Wojciechowski, Ethan Yang, Shannon Yu, Kaia Yuan, Benjamin Zhang, Stephanie Zhang Advisers: Vennessa Nava, Julia Satterthwaite, MJE

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

Mission Statement: El Estoque will accurately inform our community through well-researched, unbiased and in-depth accounts of stories of the student body and staff, local news and developments and taboo topics prevalent in and near the MVHS realm. By investigating a variety of voices and credible perspectives, we hope to foster active discussion, effect positive change and spread awareness of timely and relevant content. As a trustworthy, consistent and reliable source of information, we strive to be accountable, adaptable, and ready to correct and address our mistakes. Constantly striving for improvement, we will uphold integrity and ethics to be respectful and empathetic to one another, our sources and our readers. We will exercise our press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and California Ed Code 48907 while maintaining a community of reporters with a strong passion for our work and journalism as a whole. COVER | KALYANI PUTHENPURAYIL AND LILLIAN WANG

CONTENTS 04 10 22 32 36

PHOTO | ADITYA SHUKLA

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

STORIES

PHOTO | LILLIAN WANG

PHOTO | SOPHIA D’SA

404 Teacher_not_ found

Examining how the computer science teacher shortage in California impacts FUHSD

An open book

Student authors share the writing process behind their novels

PHOTO | GILJOON LEE

Keeping an open mind

Exploring how different political opinions impact friendships

Grasp on reality

Examining how sensitive topics are portrayed in popular TV shows

Snap judgement

Uncovering the role of the long snapper as an overlooked position in football

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

404

TEACHER_NOT_FOUND GRAPHIC | SOPHIA D’SA

Examining how the computer science teacher shortage in California impacts FUHSD BY SOPHIA D’SA AND BENJAMIN ZHANG

overnor Gavin Newsom introduced a new committee in late October to address a recent trend of computer science teacher shortages in California, which currently ranks 39th in the nation for the percentage of public high schools offering computer science courses. According to an article in Pacific Sun, despite several attempts in the past few years, efforts to combat shortages of computer science courses have been stalled due to a lack of teachers. While FUHSD still has one to two computer science teachers at each high school campus, a 2022 Code. org report found that only 40% of California schools offer computer science courses, lower than the national average of 53%. Math and computer science teacher Scott DeRuiter says this has been an issue in California since he started teaching decades ago. He and

junior Maya Pullara both agree that not receive the preparation they in the Bay Area, a lack of computer need for higher education in the science teachers computer science is due in large field. According to part to the high DeRuiter, having cost of living and a background in drastic difference computer science in salaries between before college computer science is extremely teachers and tech helpful, even workers. for introductory “I always knew classes. While that there would self-studying the be a shortage — material is possible, it’s kind of natural,” he says this still Pullara said. “It’s puts students at so expensive a disadvantage here. Why would a compared to those person who knows JUNIOR who have taken how to program live computer science MAYA PULLARA classes in high in California and then choose to be a school. teacher?” With job opportunities in computer For students, this means they may science expected to rise 14.6% from

04 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

“

WHY WOULD A PERSON WHO KNOWS HOW TO PROGRAM LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THEN CHOOSE TO BE A TEACHER?

NEWS 2021 to 2031, as well as the increasing measure of a teacher’s credentials in prevalence of artificial intelligence, order to ensure those teaching high DeRuiter says the demand for school students are actually qualified to teach computer c o m p u t e r science. Without a science majors, separate credential, and therefore math teachers have computer science to decide on their teachers, will also own what they need rise. to know in order “I’ve heard to teach computer some people science. According say that with the to Principal Ben development of AI, Clausnitzer, that computer science distinction is majors aren’t usually decided by as important,” math department DeRuiter said. staff rather than “I would say standardized across that they’re the state. more important a bit of because you want MATH & CS TEACHER a “It’s conversation to have people SCOTT DERUITER about who has that who understand experience, who’s the architecture willing to teach it, but also who’s of these systems and are able to use willing to learn it,” Clausnitzer said. “If them properly.” you’ve been teaching math for years One part of the issue is that, and haven’t been doing programming, according to an article in Pacific Sun, even if it was in your past, it still is credentials for becoming a computer going to have some learning involved. science teacher are confusing to obtain in California because of the And it can be a lot for a teacher to be lack of an independent certification teaching their current courses and for teaching computer science. In the taking on a new prep with that new current system for obtaining computer prep being computer science.” However, Clausnitzer says science teaching credentials, math and declining enrollment can business teachers can teach computer leave schools with no other science without any extra credential or choice. There are fewer proof of training in the subject matter, and fewer classes for math and career and technical education teachers to teach, leading teachers can teach computer science to the compromise of some with adequate work experience. shifting to computer science. Meanwhile, teachers of any other subject can teach computer science Pullara agrees that even if it with 20 units of computer science isn’t ideal, this compromise is the best choice under the coursework. The new bill aims to remedy circumstances. “I think math this disjointedness by setting up a committee to streamline the process, providing those with the qualified ability and passion an easier route to GRAPH IC | ME G HA M becoming a computer science teacher. UMMA NENI DeRuiter says it would be helpful for the new system to include a clear

“

YOU WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THESE SYSTEMS AND ARE ABLE TO USE THEM PROPERLY.

teachers are the closest you can get,” Pullara said. “If you had to choose a teacher that’s going to be teaching computer science, then yes, you should choose a math teacher, but I don’t think it’s an exact translation.” Pullara notes that while those looking to seek a career in the tech industry may prefer a computer science teacher who has worked in tech and understands its demands, there are certainly pros of having a math teacher also teach computer science. “A lot of students are used to having the structure of a math class, especially at Monta Vista where a lot of students are very STEM-focused and have taken a lot of STEM courses,” Pullara said. “So maybe it’s good to have that transition in Java, where they have a class that’s set up a lot like their other math classes.” Nevertheless, both DeRuiter and Pullara agree that computer science should be available to all students. “I think it’s super important at least for everyone on a vocabulary level,” Pullara said. “Everyday people should be able to understand the devices that they’re using, instead of just blindly following them. I think that’s just how being informed and responsible works.”

NEWS | DECEMBER 2023

Hitting the road Exploring MVHS’ bike culture and elements of bike safety BY TARYN LAM AND KALYANI PUTHENPURAYIL

hen the service manager saw senior Bharath Katchapalayam rummaging through the bike brakes at Trail Head Cyclery, he asked Katchapalayam how old he was. Katchapalayam said he was 16. “Do you want a job?” asked the service manager. Katchapalayam filled out the application, was accepted and has now worked at the bike shop for over a year. While dealing with a wide array of bikes at his workplace, Katchapalayam has noticed the cultural shift from traditional bikes to electric bikes. Though electric bikes can be useful, Katchapalayam emphasizes the importance of properly understanding the dangers they may present. “I would feel uncomfortable riding some electric bikes without at least some protection — like a full face helmet or something,” Katchapalayam said. “There are electric bikes that

can hit 30 miles an hour without the allowed for a better gauge of traffic person having to pedal very hard. flow patterns and determines how the With that technology coming out and school can help ensure bikers’ safety with a lot of young people having and needs. access to this, there definitely needs “There is an active group of to be a shift towards being mindful students who bike, and I’ve noticed of safety. A lot of people don’t think within my time here, there’s been riding electric bikes is that serious, but an uptick of electric bikes and they don’t realize that they’re doing electric scooters and other kinds motorcycle things without motorcycle of alternatives to traditional biking,” gear.” Fernandez said. “I think that’s great Assistant principal and Safe Routes and we should be supporting and to School (SR2S) Liaison Sydney encouraging it. I think it’s a good way Fernandez has also noticed more for students to be independent to get electric bikes at the bike racks and from place to place.” says that the bike racks are often full. In Fernandez works closely with SR2S turn, she hopes to ensure bike safety Coordinator Cherie Walkowiak, which so students feel a sense of security. aims to promote walking and biking Understanding students’ methods to school. For younger students in of commuting to school through elementary and middle school, SR2S classroom surveys and stationing hosts activities and presentations people at entrances to count the At a crossing, I pressed the button and signaled to the number of car but they still went forward — that was a really scary bikers has experience and I almost fell down. I think bikers should

MVHS students’ thoughts on biking

“ “

be educated on the signs and drivers need to know when to stop or recognize bikers’ signals. I feel like both parties can improve to make sure that they are safe.

– Freshman Shivika Biswari

I moved here a few months ago from China and when cars turn here, they can’t just turn right without looking ahead. In China people just turn right regardless if a human is there or not, so it’s a lot safer here.

06 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

– Freshman Stanley Wang

to teach students about biking and not just the event, but also the route, dangers to look out for on the road. and have places on the route where Meanwhile, at MVHS, SR2S students could come meet us. The attempts to draw attention to biking routes are very strategically picked, through interactive activities such so they are the safest routes possible.” as the blender bike, which allows While most roads are safe according students to produce a smoothie by to Katchapalayam, he says that some pedaling a bike attached to a blender of the roads he has to bike along motor. Another are narrow program, which and don’t was successful provide the at Cupertino best protection High School, is a for bikers. bike bus, where He spent his administrators sophomore and teachers year biking bike through the to and from community to pick school, but up students and switched to bike as a group to driving during school. Fernandez junior year for hopes to mimic convenience the same effect and safety. at MVHS during F o l l o w ing SENIOR March to get more multiple close BHARATH KATCHAPALAYAM calls with cars students to bike. “We’ll just use that information while riding a bike, Katchapalayam previously gathered to figure out says he is now a more diligent driver, what is the right route for the bike especially when driving near bikes. bus and what’s going to be the most “I know what it feels like to be in that efficient way to get the most student vulnerable position outside of the car, participation,” Fernandez said. “It’s so now I make more moves to make really to increase awareness of biking the bikers feel safer,” Katchapalayam to school as opposed to taking a car said. “I’m more mindful at night when to school. We would be promoting a lot of people don’t wear reflective

“

I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE IN THE VULNERABLE POSITION OUTSIDE OF THE CAR SO NOW I MAKE MORE MOVES TO MAKE THE BIKERS FEEL SAFER.

“

vests. I just have to be careful, knowing that there might be a kid riding their bike on the street. Having been a bike rider had a bit of an effect, but it’s mostly just me trying to make it easier for other bikers to feel comfortable when I’m driving.” Walkowiak finds that physical barriers in protected bike lanes are also an added safety element, which have been implemented on McClellan and Bubb Roads. These bike lanes were further evaluated after the death of MVHS student Ethan Wong in 2014, who was hit by a big rig at the intersection of these roads, and the protected bike lanes were implemented in 2021. “The infrastructure has improved in the last two years in Cupertino so it’s really paving the way — literally — for people to be able to walk and bike if that’s what they want to do,” Walkowiak said. “In the past, there were certain roads where you didn’t feel safe, but Cupertino has come a long way and most of our routes are pretty safe now, so people can have a choice to walk and bike. Additionally, every year we repave certain parts of the city, so I feel like the city has done a really good job in laying a foundation for biking culture.”

I was going down a hill and was hoping to catch the tail of the other pedestrians and go into the crosswalk. But that wasn’t possible because a driver blocked off my tires and I flipped over his hood. I blacked out even with a helmet. Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them but when it does, would you rather get hit by a car with a helmet or without one?

— Senior Lawrence Yu

GRAPHICS | KALYANI PUTHENPURAYIL

NEWS | DECEMBER 2023

PHOTO | ALYSSA YANG

Protestors gather around a stage on Market St. to listen to speeches and each others’ stories, singing songs about worker rights and ending APEC.

SF MARCHES ON Protestors speak out against the APEC 2023 Summit

BY JASON CHU, VARUN SINGH, LILLIAN WANG AND ALYSSA YANG PHOTO | JASON CHU

Protestors march with raised fists, carrying a banner and encouraging an end to job displacement and related economic struggles.

an Francisco hosted the APEC 2023 Summit, an annual gathering of world leaders to discuss economic issues in the Asia Pacific region and help the globe in progressing on pressing issues. The event sparked controversy across the city, with the No To APEC coalition organizing protests with international participants against the event in defense of worker rights and a variety of other concerns. On Sunday, Nov. 12, thousands gathered and chanted slogans such as “People over profit” as they marched on Market St. from Harry Bridges Plaza to the Moscone Center, where the APEC Summit took place.

PHOTO | JASON CHU

Protestors hold up printed and handmade signs as they listen to a rally leader make a statement on the necessity of opposing APEC.

08 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

PHOTO | LILLIAN WANG

PHOTO | JASON CHU

PHOTO | LILLIAN WANG

TOP LEFT — A man bangs a drum in the middle of the crowd, keeping a beat for protestors as they chant in unison. TOP RIGHT — San Francisco Police Department officers remain alert on their motorbikes as protestors approach from Mission St. BOTTOM — A child protester advocates for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War, holding a sign that calls for a reassessment of the U.S. aid policies.

PHOTO | ALYSSA YANG

A protestor holds a sign advocating for Palestinian self-determination while bearing a painted red handprint that represents solidarity with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

NEWS | DECEMBER 2023

AN OPEN BOOK

Student authors share the writing process behind their novels

ILLUSTRATION | ABHA DASH

BY ABHA DASH AND LILLIAN WANG ne evening during her senior year, Tufts University freshman and MVHS ‘23 alum Tvisha Gupta’s mom informed her that there was a package at the door for her. Gupta’s anticipation spiked as she sprinted to the door, grasping the box with eager hands. She grabbed a knife and sliced the box open, revealing stacks of dreams neatly bound as books. As she gazed at the novel she had spent three years writing, a flood of joy hit her. “I honestly got a little emotional,” Gupta said. “I have been wanting to publish a book since I was 6 years old, and seeing it in front of me, I realized my 6-year-old self that used to draft stories on her mom’s super old Sony

PH OTO | LI LL

Netbook would be so happy right now. She would be so proud right now. It was a surreal experience.” Gupta’s contemporary fiction novel, “Alone, but Not Lonely,” was inspired by the struggles she faced after moving from India in sixth grade. The novel reflects on coming to terms with the fear of loneliness, and the main character, Sanah, mirrors Gupta’s journey in building genuine friendships. In contrast to Gupta’s novel, senior Samhita Kashyap Kiran’s first book was a poetry anthology titled “The Letters of High School.” The anthology is a collection of 26 poems, each titled a word starting with a different letter of the alphabet, that Kashyap

IAN WAN G

Kiran says “juxtapose high school events with historical and current social justice events.” “Writing, or poetry in general, is like scraping every emotion that you hide inside you and then putting it out there in a format where everybody who looks at that page can comprehend what you’re going through,” Kashyap Kiran said. “It’s making up your mind to be vulnerable in that moment. If you’re writing a book, you’re agreeing to let the public know what’s going on in your head.” Junior Hailey Chen prefers to write prose, an interest that began with reading fiction throughout her childhood and has so far culminated in three novels. Her procedure for writing a novel begins with a concise tagline pitch. According to Chen, one of the most difficult steps is condensing the plot down to a single sentence. Afterwards, Chen creates separate Google Docs for prospective chapters, often writing spontaneously to put her ideas down. “I have been mainly writing in small bursts during breaks or during the weekends,” Chen said. “I try not to write unless I know that I can actually crank something out that’ll be worthwhile. But I try to keep my school life and writing life as different as possible because I want to maximize my output.” Like Kashyap Kiran, Chen reflects on realworld issues like PHOTO | LILLIAN WANG

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

FEATURES academic pressure in her writing, with her characters embodying these issues. Similarly, many of Gupta’s characters in “Alone, but Not Lonely” were based on people in her life, which she says allowed her to infuse more emotion into her novel. Nearing the end of the publishing process was a bittersweet milestone for Gupta, as she had to say goodbye to the characters she had grown to love. “They aren’t just fictional people on the paper,” Gupta said. “They become real people in your mind because you’ve worked with them so much. You’ve developed them, and they reflect so much of what’s going on in your own life, that you feel like they are people that you can get comfortable with. It just feels like they’re your buddies.” After reaching 26 poems, Kashyap Kiran wrote each title on a post-it note and rearranged them on her floor in hopes of finding a pattern. She realized many of them fell into niches, like struggles with identity and erasure in history, and as a result, she decided to organize her anthology into seven parts with sections of prose in between. In terms of publishing, Kashyap Kiran explains that authors often take one of two pathways: the selfpublishing route through Amazon, or the traditional route, in which writers query literary agents to help handle the process. Kashyap Kiran chose to publish “The Letters of High School” on Amazon, which she notes is a temporary measure as she continues to search for a representative for her work. “When the literary agents do respond, they’re very direct,” Kashyap Kiran said. “They aren’t rude. They’re just direct. At those times, [I feel like] maybe I shouldn’t be publishing. Maybe I’m not good enough. But then I realized that the same way I can’t

write a novel, but I can write poetry, a literary agent can’t represent a poetry book if they’re good at representing novels. A ‘no’ isn’t a reflection of who you are or of how well you’ve written something.” Rather than publish her novels, Chen submitted two to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, winning a silver key. She acknowledges the pressure that exists for writers to publish their work, citing how books on writing tend to include a segment about publishing. H o w e v e r, Chen feels that she may not be a mature enough writer to publish yet; instead, she enjoys writing because she has the time and ideas to herself, enabling her to express her thoughts. “One of the challenges I struggled with was first thinking that I had to be published and thinking that this book had to be perfect in the public eye,” Chen said. “But later on I realized you write for yourself, and that doesn’t have to be your goal, to be published.” Ultimately, writing serves as both an outlet of expression and a tool for advocacy for Kashyap Kiran. While she wrote “The Letters of High School” in part to call attention to social justice issues around the world, she says writing is also how she puts herself out there for others to understand at a different level, a sentiment shared by Gupta and Chen. “I really believe that my words have power in some sense,” Kashyap Kiran said. “My speech coach would always tell me that your words are a gift. If I have the capability and the interest of writing, then I might as well do it because I can spread awareness on things I’ve heard — especially in a place like Cupertino where we’re inside a bubble — that we really need to hear. I felt like writing was my way of explaining myself, and just me trying to become more of a real person.”

BOOKS BY STUDENTS

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

“THE LETTERS OF HIGH SCHOOL” BY SENIOR SAMHITA KASHYAP KIRAN

“ALONE, BUT NOT LONELY” BY MVHS ‘23 ALUM TVISHA GUPTA FEATURES | DECEMBER 2023

CULTURAL COOKING Exploring the foods that students and staff cook to celebrate the holidays

BY DAHLIA SCHILLING AND MIHIR VISHWARUPE

Diwali As Science Curriculum Lead Kavita Gupta begans to fry the dough she rolled out earlier in a pan with oil, the smell of sweet fried dough and milk solids immediately begins to waft through the house. This sweet is called gujiya — a common dish in Northern India, where Gupta is from — and her favorite Diwali dish since her childhood. “I learned this recipe by standing next to my mom and observing her,” Gupta said. “When we were younger, she would make everything and then say, ‘OK, now you fill it’ and we felt so special. So that’s why it has such beautiful memories. Gujiya takes me back to that time.” Gupta says gujiya is similar to a type of dumpling and explains that the process of making it from scratch can take a while. However, regardless of the time and work, Gupta says she makes everything from scratch as a way to honor her mother’s tradition. “My mom would always make it from scratch,” Gupta said. “That was her thing. My mom is now bedridden, so she cannot cook. To honor her, I made all of these and then sat down with a platter and ate samosas and gujiya.” While Gupta’s favorite sweet is gujiya, her children prefer a coconut sweet made with condensed milk that resembles a pudding. While Gupta hasn’t passed down the recipes to her children yet, this year, she tried to teach them the process of making some foods, like the coconut sweet.

“We’ve always celebrated Diwali as a cultural holiday but this time I intentionally did it as a little bit more of a traditional holiday,” Gupta said. “But I think these are tedious things to make, so I wouldn’t say they learned.” This year Gupta’s daughter and son-in-law presented a new challenge for her as a cook. Both of them are now vegan, so Gupta changed traditional recipes to adapt to their dietary needs. “I’m a good cook and I like to cook, but they challenge me in ways I never thought was possible,” Gupta said. “So I’m going hunting once again for substitutes. And yes, I adapt to whatever works.” Gupta acknowledges that food plays an important role in almost any celebration or holiday as it brings family and friends together, but for her, food plays an even bigger role during Diwali. “At my age, when my mom’s so much older and not capable of making these anymore, these are just so precious for me because it connects me to her,” Gupta said. “The food connects me to the culture that I have grown up in, so it definitely has special meaning for me.”

Hanukkah Hanukkah, a Jewish festival of lights, commemorates the miracle in the Temple, in which a small quantity of oil kept a menorah burning for eight days. Junior Erin Handlesman and her family celebrate the holiday by cooking and eating traditional Jewish foods with lots of oil to remember this history. “To commemorate the oil that lasted, we typically eat this traditional dish called latkes, which is basically like fried potatoes, and it’s a recipe that my grandma uses,” Handlesman said. “We also eat jellyfilled doughnuts called sufganiyot or anything with oil in it, basically.” Handlesman has celebrated the holiday since birth. When she was younger, she remembers attending big parties with

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

her immediate family, but now that Handlesman is in high school, she celebrates it less often and usually just with her family. “I’m getting older and I just don’t have enough time or my grandparents don’t have enough energy to make a full, four-course meal for 15 people because it’s just a lot of work,” Handlesman said. “And so, if you do it when you’re younger, then you really remember it and cherish those moments. Now that I’m older, it’s just like, ‘Do I really have to celebrate this?’” However, Handlesman still believes that holidays such as Hanukkah along with food enjoyed during these special moments unite people and bring families closer together. “When you have a sit-down meal with your family, it just brings everyone to this one place,” Handlesman said. “This one time to celebrate this mutual bonding you share, with food and family.”

French Christmas de Noël — or the “log of Christmas” in English — which is a sponge cake rolled and frosted to resemble a Yule log. While there are a few different historical interpretations of the tradition, it is said to have originated in the medieval times in France to honor the Yule log each family burns on their hearth, which was a symbol of luck for the New Year. “I’m not French, but as a French teacher, I’ve discovered some of these traditions,” Finck said. “Last year we went to our friend’s house for Christmas dinner and they expected us to bring dessert, so we tried to make a Bûche de Noël. But the frosting was a little bit melty and it looked like a big blob.” Additionally, Finck highlights how the daily importance of French gastronomy is reflected in end-of-the-year traditions like dinner on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The history of French gastronomy dates back to the Middle Ages and is recognized today as a cultural heritage protected by UNESCO. Finck says the long dinners typical of French culture are especially important this time of year.

Cookies in all different shapes and sizes cool down on trays in French teacher Sarah Finck’s kitchen as she continues to bake. The rich smell they provide are a result of the many different ingredients including gingerbread, pistachio, almonds, meringue, lemon and more. The large quantity of cookies is packaged neatly in boxes to share with friends and family. The tradition comes from Finck’s husband, who is from eastern France, near the border with Germany, which has influenced the region’s cuisine. In northeastern France, the influence can be seen in holiday traditions which have been adapted to become French over time. “In Germany, there’s a Christmas cookie tradition, with a lot of gingerbread and spice and things with nuts,” Finck said. “His family isn’t Alsatian in origin but they lived there for a while and so his mom, who likes to cook a lot, would make these French biscuits.” While Finck and her husband don’t use the same recipes as his mom, they still carry on the Christmas tradition while adding their own twist. Typically, they host a holiday party with friends to make these cookies and also to make latkes, as Finck grew up observing Judaism and likes to keep certain Hankkuah traditions. “The cookies have been a fun way to bring in a very specific Eastern French tradition,” Finck said. “I think both of us are happy making food traditions from other religions. It’s part of how we celebrate holidays.” Another popular French Christmas dessert is the Bûche

FEATURES | DECEMBER 2023

BEATING FINALS STRESS Exploring how students and staff use gratitude and bullet journaling to reduce stress BY ANANDA SINGH AND APRIL WANG

ccording to numerous MVHS “It’s a way for me to bring up happy students, winter can be a memories associated with the months busy time, with finals, college or what aspirations I have for that applications and holiday celebrations commitment,” Wu said. “I can draw it piling up. To combat stress, many out or just put it on the paper and a teachers implement self-care and cover page as inspiration.” wellness in their classrooms, from Like Wu’s sense of overwhelming breathing exercises to journaling to stress from junior year, sophomore yoga. Chemistry teacher Elizabeth Anelia Gabriel describes her first finals McCracken notes that self-care is very season when she was a freshman as important for MVHS students. a complete mess. As finals approach, “There’s this belief that every she believes she will be coming in minute that you put towards finals will, more prepared. in terms of content, benefit you on “Dealing with the stress of finals is your final,” McCracken said. “I don’t a challenge, but, to be less stressed, I think that’s true. I think that taking care only allow myself to study one subject of yourself, that self-care, whatever for an hour and then give myself a that means, is just as important.” mental break,” Gabriel said. “I also Throughout feel comfortable November, when talking to McCracken had friends because her students write they calm me in daily gratitude down.” journals in class Adding to the and is planning idea of “feeling on creating c o m f o r t a b l e ,” a gratitude Wu also finds playlist based comfort when on her students’ sharing her favorite uplifting bullet journaling songs. Similar with the Bullet to McCracken, Journaling senior Madelyn Club. She often Wu uses bullet guides members CHEMISTRY TEACHER journaling as a through creating ELIZABETH MCCRACKEN way of releasing bullet journals stress. She uses spreads to organize styles and spreads that fit their own and manage her tasks, as well as personal needs. mood trackers. “We share our experiences with “Sometimes it’s really helpful for bullet journaling and ways to de-stress me to have this visual representation and also to capture memories,” Wu of my emotions instead of just having said. it all in my head,” Wu said. Similarly, McCracken acknowledges Wu found bullet journaling the importance of sharing wellness especially effective during junior year habits. She recalls several former finals. She finds that looking back students and TAs who have continued on the spreads she creates can help the wellness practices that she taught motivate her to continue working and them, even after graduating. Being express herself. a student of McCracken’s, Gabriel

“

I THINK THAT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF, WHATEVER THAT MEANS, IS JUST AS IMPORTANT [AS STUDYING FOR FINALS].

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

students’

self care care self habits

1 sleeping

listening to music

3 taking walks reading

5 exercising

2 4

GRAPHICS | APRIL WANG *According to a survey of 133 students

believes that teachers are becoming more aware of students’ health. “This year, a lot of the teachers have been focused on the well-being of their students,” Gabriel said. “It’s really good they’re acknowledging this and giving us methods that could simmer the stress down.” Although she did not initially practice wellness exercises when she started teaching, McCracken notes her students are often capable of teaching themselves content on their own, so she uses her role as a teacher to make her class activities enjoyable. “I think at some point, I realized that I was in the classroom not to teach science, but to use science to teach or to share with my students about how to help them to take care of themselves,” McCracken said.

PLACE OF INK-SPIRATION Examining how the print center has become a community space at MVHS BY DAHLIA SCHILLING AND LILLIAN WANG

hen print center technician Paula Gaspar first started working at MVHS in 2018, she had three Funko Pops. Now, she has over 100, courtesy of students and staff who visit the print center in room A101. Her collection is displayed throughout the room, marking the print center’s evolution throughout the years. In her role, Gaspar oversees copy requests from staff on campus, a responsibility that includes copying worksheets or tests, laminating and cutting paper, signing forms and PHOTO | GILJOON LEE printing programs for events. Gaspar encourages visitors to Print technician Paula Gaspar works on a puzzle with students at the print center. help contribute to the center, be it with paint markers or their own ideas. is “always trying to get on Gaspar’s as a Japanese TA her sophomore This tradition has manifested in ever- nerves a little bit, but it doesn’t work.” year. Initially, Venkateswarnan thought evolving art on her refrigerator, a “I feel like it makes the print center waiting for the copies would be boring swarm of paper butterflies on the more open,” Ortiz said. “You see and awkward, but soon she started to walls and the Funko Pops lining the everything and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s spend more time in the center making counters, a trend started by Student so cool. I want to ask about it.’ And conversation with Gaspar and solving Conduct Specialist Thomas Michaelis. that’s how you form that connection puzzles to relax. “Mr. Michaelis once you talk “Ms. Gaspar is a really, really nice brought me to her. It’s really person,” Venkateswaran said. “She’s the mini Funko comforting being always there for you. It’s a safe space, Pops, and then in here.” not only for print copies to be made, it just started Aside from but just for anything. And if I ever need growing,” decorations, the to come to her for anything, I won’t Gaspar said. print center offers feel intimidated or scared.” “It was like a candy, basketball The safe space Gaspar aims to thank-you gift, and ring toss nurture in the print center comes from or a ‘I want games, drawing her own experiences in high school. to add this to and coloring When Gaspar was 16, the loss of her your collection’ opportunities and father led her to find support in a thing. Some PRINT TECHNICIAN even a toy-sized teacher who went through a similar people know claw machine, experience. Gaspar often felt like she PAULA GASPAR which Snow White Gaspar had no one to talk to, but being heard is my favorite keeps at her desk. and seen by this teacher impacted her princess, so they’ve brought Snow Puzzles are also a fixture in the room. tremendously to where she hopes to White and Disney stuff. I love Mario Gaspar wants visitors to enjoy these do the same for others. Bros., and you can see that over here.” activities, whether they’re waiting for “We all go through our tough times The decor was one of the features copies or simply there to hang out. and I want to be able to have anybody that initially drew senior Alexia Ortiz to Junior Aruna Venkateswaran come in here: staff, students,” Gaspar the print center. Now Ortiz frequently appreciates the activities available said. “Anybody can come in here visits the print center during breaks in the print center, having frequently and just be themselves. There’s no and open periods, joking that she visited the center to pick up copies judgment here.”

“

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ANYBODY COME IN HERE: STAFF, STUDENTS. THERE’S NO JUDGMENT HERE.

FEATURES | DECEMBER 2023

LITTLE ACTS, HUGE IMPACTS Appreciating the unsung heroes we encounter on our school campus

crolling through the Physics C Discord, one would find hundreds of screenshots of various practice problems and countless messages asking for help. From posting corny physics memes to complaining about the curve on a test, over 100 Physics C students at MVHS have found a space to not only connect with each other, but to also get help from their peers. Students give tips and answers through messages and live video chat. There are many other Discords for classes such as AP Physics 1, Chemistry and Biology; no one is welcoming despite their lower income obliged to, yet it’s become a given that when compared to many other jobs someone will help you. in Cupertino, primarily in tech. The But actions like these rarely get median income of public school recognized — from the janitor who teachers in Santa Clara County as picks up the empty take-out boxes after of 2023 is $72,022 compared to the lunch to the club president who stays median income of the total population to finish an extensive presentation for of Santa Clara County which is a meeting the next day — our campus $98,891. Despite this, according to is full of unsung heroes. AdoptAClassroom.org, the average Teachers are another example teacher spends around $860 out of that many of us take for granted. pocket on classroom supplies every Even though they aren’t required to, year, and this trajectory of spending instructors allow students to come has only been increasing. talk to them during brunch and lunch. Such unsung heroes can take Some even set up additional study shape in sports games as well. While sessions outside of the school day, players take on positions that may taking time out of their personal lives to not involve scoring points or goals, give students a their role is better chance of still vital for understanding the team’s the material success. ahead of tests. OPINION OF THE EL ESTOQUE A c c o r d i n g According to a to a survey EDITORIAL BOARD survey of 129 of 47 MVHS MVHS students, athletes, 66% 50% know a teacher who has set of students feel that at some point, up one of these additional learning they felt under-appreciated for their sessions. contributions to a game. While many students assume acts Team sports emphasize the like these are just part of an educator’s importance of camaraderie and a job, many teachers at our school go strong community, and everyone above and beyond for their students, contributes to the team and should from writing college recommendation be celebrated, not just those who letters to spending their own money score. Some unsung heroes, such as to make their classroom more those who sit on the bench or team

STAFF EDITORIAL

16 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

managers, better the team through cheering to boost team morale. But it’s not just their spirit that adds to the game. In field hockey, for example, bench players contribute by tallying skills and goals and getting water for field players. This isn’t to say that we should stop or even lessen how much we celebrate the people who already get recognized. We should just learn to look behind the curtains and also appreciate the people who aren’t always front and center. This includes those students on Discord who take time out of their day to check up on those who need help, so their friends, classmates and even students they have never met can succeed as well. Such heroes can be found among students, staff, parents and community members, and we must applaud the hard work they willingly do for others by thanking them verbally or through an act of gratitude like making them a heartfelt card. Through this, we also encourage others to be the best version of themselves and to pass along acts of kindness and cheer as well. 2

∞

PHOTO | SONIA VERMA

Exploring the effects of politics in the MVHS community BY ANIKA BHANDARKAR, MEGGIE CHEN, RAJ THAPLIYAL, SONIA VERMA, AND MICHELLE ZHENG

CULTURE: THE ELEPHANT (AND DONKEY) IN THE ROOM We must consider peoples’ cultural values before asking them to share their political opinions BY ANIKA BHANDARKAR AND MEGGIE CHEN

PHOTO | SONIA VERMA

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

ith an uptick in social justice movements in recent years and the upcoming 2024 presidential election, politics is on the forefront of many people’s minds. As tensions between parties continue to rise and the political climate becomes more polarized, so does the advocacy and opinions, leading to pressure for people to share their political opinions. What this expectation fails to acknowledge is the cultural nuances, especially within immigrant families that largely make up MVHS. Political socialization is when an individual’s ideologies are influenced by their family, peers, the media and school environment. Statistically, many students at MVHS may hold some sort of “conservative” ideal influenced by their parents. For example, entrepreneurship is valued in many immigrant communities, and Republican policies that support small businesses, may encourage immigrant parents to adopt a more right-leaning political stance. Bay Area immigrant communities are unique in that most families maintain an above-average socioeconomic status despite potentially coming from less fortunate backgrounds. As a result, there are certain trends and beliefs that are specific to the MVHS community. For example, even though immigrants tend to support homeless people, a relatively prevalent ideology among the MVHS community is a bias against homeless or displaced p e o p l e . Seeing as many of our parents came from less privileged backgrounds, they find it difficult to understand why those who are displaced cannot achieve the same results they were able to. This idea of “hard work equals results” is a mentality that echoes a more conservative view. However, the MVHS student community — and the younger generation as a whole — tends to lean

left, which creates a unique difference between parents and children. Setting in political opinion between students aside the matter of conflicting political and their parents. Not only does this opinion, a cornerstone in many Asian factor into reasons which may make cultures is filial piety — the idea of students hesitant to publicly share respect toward elders. If the parent their political opinions, but it also has requested that students not influences how share their public and why a parent opinion, cultural may choose norms like these to share their may dictate opinions with that the student others as well. follows this In Chinese request despite culture, there their own beliefs. is a concept Regardless of of “saving have been told by their parents whether or not face,” which one should share essentially means not to be vocal about their their political maintaining a political opinion opinion, not perfect image *According to a survey of 117 people considering and often peoples’ cultural results in avoiding anything vaguely values before asking for their beliefs controversial. In combination with is culturally insensitive. the fact that China’s communist And if you’re frustrated with your government discourages its citizens parents for their political opinion or from having any political opinion that their lack of it, try being a bit more opposes the government, it may make understanding. That’s not to say that Chinese immigrant parents at MVHS you have to condone or agree with significantly less willing to talk about what they believe, but it’s always politics, especially if it goes against important to understand that they the norm. didn’t grow up under the same As a result, it’s hard to simply say conditions we did. It’s also worth everyone should share their political noting that differences in political opinions. It’s easy to say we have opinion may occur simply because the privilege to do so in a left-leaning of the lifecycle effect — the idea that community with relatively financially a person’s political opinion changes stable lives. But pressuring people — as they transition through different both other students and our parents stages of life. As high schoolers, social — to do so doesn’t take into account issues regarding LGBTQ+ legislation the cultural or racism may matter more to us and nuances that influence our opinions accordingly, arise. while our parents may be more First, many concerned with monetary issues. people may Ultimately, it’s important to consider not fully the role culture plays in politics. identify with just one political party — Especially in the current polarized students who “inherit” conservative political culture, when people share political ideals from their parents may differing opinions or even don’t share not fully align with the Republican any at all, remember to acknowledge Party and vice versa. Additionally, and understand cultural nuances. A with conservative people living in lot of these things can be attributed a liberal culture, many may choose to family and culture. As a community not to reveal their political alignment of immigrants, peoples’ cultural values because the majority of people in the are something that should be taken Bay Area have left-leaning opinions. into review to better understand those Another key facet is the relationship around us.

44%

of MVHS students

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

OPINION | DECEMBER 2023

POLITICS IN THE CLASSROOM Investigating whether teachers’ political identities affect their curriculum BY SONIA VERMA AND MICHELLE ZHENG

ccording to a survey of 116 MVHS students, 73 percent believe teachers should not incorporate their own beliefs into their curriculum. With many social science and literature curriculum at MVHS tied to politics, a debate arises over whether teachers should express their personal political beliefs in the classroom. AP Government teacher Hilary Barron explains that this issue also divides teachers. She describes how, while attending an AP Government training conference, teachers had a huge debate regarding whether or not they should express their political opinions in classrooms. Personally, Barron tries to be as unbiased as possible and avoids incorporating her personal views in her classes. “I try not to influence students to believe one side or another,” Barron said. “I do want to have them see what the different arguments are. I want students to be exposed to different viewpoints and then come up with their own.

My goal is not to convince students become an English teacher and to vote a certain way or to believe a modify the curriculum to include more certain thing but just to present them texts by authors of color. with the arguments so that they can Similarly, AP Government teacher make an educated decision.” Benjamin Recktenwald says his love However, Barron notes that she for current events was the main reason cannot prevent her implicit bias from why he transitioned from teaching both showing in her teaching, especially U.S. History and Government to only after the 2016 AP Government. election. She Influenced explains that by political her strong discussions with f e e l i n g s his mother from against Donald a young age, Trump’s views Recktenwald and policies explains that he pushed her to enjoys talking share more of about politics her political do not believe that teachers and feels beliefs with should share their personal disingenuous to students. students if he poltical beliefs in classrooms However, acts neutral on Barron notes *According to a survey of 116 people topics that he is so that it is crucial passionate about. for teachers to “Whenever I be transparent that they come from tell people I teach Government, they a biased viewpoint when expressing go, ‘Oh, you don’t talk about politics, their own beliefs in class. do you?’ and I’m like, ‘How could I In contrast, English teacher Derek not?’” Recktenwald said. “I straight Lu says his political beliefs are closely up tell students that I’m going to be intertwined in his curriculum. Lu expressing my political views in class, explains that his discontentment and if you disagree with me, it’s no with the lack of diversity within problem. I encourage you to think for the English curriculum when he yourself. But I also say to make sure attended Lynbrook High School whatever views you have, they’re encouraged him to actually based on reality. Don’t just take someone else’s word for it. If you agree with me, find out for yourself if what I’m saying is true.” For AP Macroeconomics teacher Pete Pelkey, rather than directly stating his beliefs, he offers data and historical and current events from both parties and leaves it up to the students to form their own opinions.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

73%

of MVHS students

However, Pelkey says economics metaphorically. Because what kind down if you disagree with me, when courses have the potential to revolve of future are our students going to what you’re doing is not necessarily around the political identity of the have when reproductive rights are threatening my existence.’ You’re just teacher. taken away, when the right to vote is saying, ‘I disagree.’” “In Econ classes all over this district taken away, when the earth is literally Ultimately, Barron explains that as and all over the United States, lessons melting?” students further develop their own become the political philosophy of However, regardless of whether critical thinking and analysis skills the teacher,” Pelkey said. “It’s either, teachers should incorporate their throughout high school, they begin ‘I’m to the left or I’m to the right,’ and political identities into their curriculum, to find the issues that they align with then they try to Barron, Lu, Pelkey the most. Lu agrees, highlighting how push that idea. and Recktenwald most seniors have already formed That’s not our all believe that their own opinions, which is why he job. Our job is a teachers’ feels that it is necessary to expand to actually say responsibility is their perspectives through political what a scientist to open students’ discussions. always says, eyes and ears to “It’s not necessarily that I want you ‘This is what different voices to agree with me,” Lu said. “I want the information and arguments you to think. I want you to recognize shows. This is so that they that there are other perspectives what we know. can determine of looking at an issue and provide a This is what we for themselves counter narrative. For example, the can say.’ And where they lie book ‘Misogynoir Transformed: Black you always have on the political Women’s Digital Resistance’ provides to come back to spectrum. a counterlens for us to view the way what the data is However, as Serena Williams has been treated by showing you.” students begin to the mainstream media instead of just H o w e v e r, LITERATURE TEACHER develop their own believing that she has a bad temper Lu disagrees, views and she’s unsportsmanlike. And all I DEREK LU distinct saying it is and opinions, can ask for is that you take our political necessary to R e c k t e n w a l d discussions earnestly and with good expose students to political events, explains that it is crucial for students to faith.” especially for classes that do not learn how to agree to disagree, stating discuss contemporary social issues, that political discussions have become like Mythology and Folklore. In his extremely toxic in recent years. Pelkey opinion, it is less important to strictly adds that the most important lesson follow the curriculum than it is for for teachers to give students is to be students to understand the world tolerant of one another. around them. Thus, Lu incorporates “We need a society that tolerates political issues that he believes are other people’s ideas, and we’ve important in his curriculum, such lost that somehow recently,” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Pelkey said. “There’s he discusses with his seniors in people that Mythology and Folklore. think, ‘I “I think it’s so easy to just go on want to putting curriculum first and only shut you doing what you have in your daily agenda, but I think that’s a disservice to students,” Lu said. “Your content means nothing in whatever subject and should take a backseat when the world is crashing, quite A RM literally VE A and NI

“

PH OT OS

|S O

YOUR CONTENT MEANS NOTHING AND SHOULD TAKE A BACKSEAT WHEN THE WORLD IS CRASHING, QUITE LITERALLY AND METAPHORICALLY.

OPINION | DECEMBER 2023

KEEPING AN OPEN MIND Exploring how different political opinions impact friendships

BY RAJ THAPLIYAL

PHOTO | SONIA VERMA

22 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

n 2020, researchers at Brown University used data from public opinion surveys to rate political attitudes on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 points meaning no negative feelings for other parties. They found that, from 1978 to 2016, negative emotions toward members of other parties compared to members of their own party grew by around 4.8 points per decade. The mass polarization of America has led to debates being more about arguing and less about productively sharing opinions, which has been observed in smaller-scale scenarios. Sophomore Maxim Gutnik has experienced the height of this polarization in the form of broken friendships. “After summer, I looked back on my own political opinions and did not believe in them a n y m o r e ,” Gutnik said. “I thought someone I knew was a friend, but soon I started to see more and more that they were trying to push their ideas onto me and make me reject my own. That ended up causing a divide in the friendship.” Along with polarization his political opnions affect his friendships in other ways. Gutnik has experienced lingering anger after political debates with his friends, especially when he had a strong viewpoint on the argument.

“One time I looked back on my own political opinions and did not believe in them anymore,” Gutnik said. “I suddenly saw a person I viewed as a friend as someone who was trying to push their ideas onto me and reject my own. That caused a divide in the friendship.” Due to the frequency of his political altercations, sophomore Shivasharan Chaganti has developed strategies to reduce the intensity of conversations if they do get heated. He makes sure to balance the conversation between facts and feelings, making a point not to stray from the topic of the conversation or bring up any personal connections relating to the topic that could incidentally harm someone else’s feelings. In addition, sophomore Yoosuf Khan acknowledges that he must compromise when necessary. “I mean, I may try to convince them or I also may try to see their point of view,” Khan said. “I might be the one who has the more unreasonable opinion, but otherwise, I just have to let it be.” Chaganti, who likes talking to people with different political stances from himself, prioritizes learning about others’ opinions on a controversial topic, rather than trying to force or assert his own opinions on others. “If they’re comfortable with

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

discussing the topic, I’d love to know what their thoughts or opinions are on the subject and what point of view they bring to the table,” Chaganti said. “Although I know that I am quick to form opinions, I am also very quick to change my opinions depending on things like new information or perspectives I learn about.” Similar to Chaganti, Gutnik that debates make a friendship more interesting and encourage the spread of ideas from one individual to another. However, he believes that the foundation of a friendship must be built on more than just political opinions. “I think as long as politics aren’t the basic part of the friendship, and there are still other things that you share in common, you’ll likely become friends,” Gutnik said. “Your political opinions shouldn’t affect your friendship that much, but if they’re the only reason why you’re friends, that’s not a good sign.” Gutnik has found that political ideologies can make friendships grow through debate and also break apart due to lingering anger after debates. In contrast, Khan doesn’t think political opinions need to impact a friendship at all. “I might have a strong stance, and they might also have a strong stance, but we can just live together,” Khan said. “We can live in harmony — we don’t have to argue it out and try to convince the other person. It’s OK to have different opinions.”

Scale of 1-10: pressure students feel when sharing opinons With friends *According to a survey of 129 students

25 20 15 10 5 0

1 No pressure

Lot of pressure OPINION | DECEMBER 2023

icture Perfect Exploring how media influences MVHS students’ aesthetics BY SARAH LIU AND STELLA PETZOVA

utting on their third set of clothes of the hour, senior Amy Zhang stood in front of the mirror and admired their outfit, making sure their accessories matched the rest of their ensemble. During the pandemic in his freshman year, Zhang often spent his time buying clothes to hold dress-up shows in his room. In particular, he was interested in a soft aesthetic involving pastels and shades of pink. She says that she finally discovered her current aesthetic in the time between the end of her junior year and the start of her senior year.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

Zhang’s style changes from day to day, but they are currently influenced by the Acubi aesthetic — a gray, white and black color tone with a primary ....focus on

silhouettes. He emphasizes the effect of the outline of the clothes on the overall look of the outfit. “Another aesthetic that I was pretty interested in for a while and that I still am interested in is streetwear and the way that it overlaps with cyberpunk or warcore outfits, which also has a lot to do with the silhouette,” Zhang said. “That’s especially because, for warcore, you dress in basically all black, so the only way for your outfit to look good is by what you’re wearing and not the color of what you’re wearing. So I think fashion has a lot to do with silhouette and accessories.” Quarantine was also a time of exploration for sophomore Rafael

ARTS & ENT Bañes, who says that the year in isolation provided him the time to experiment with different styles. In particular, he describes how various social media platforms sparked his initial interest in discovering his sense of style. “I had both Pinterest and TikTok when the indie kid aesthetic came out, and I thought it was pretty cool because of all the colors,” Bañes said. “I started looking more into this concept of fashion, and later on, it wasn’t just the indie kid aesthetic — it also shifted to me looking into other aesthetics before I found out what I really liked.” Similarly, sophomore Alex Sharma uses Pinterest as a source of style inspiration, especially for vintage styles. When taking inspiration from mood boards and other content, however, Sharma says they may change aspects of the style to fit their aesthetic. “I am, unfortunately, a chronic Pinterest user, so I’m just forever on Pinterest,” Sharma said. “A lot of the style I get is from Pinterest, like Y2K and emo. I look into those subcultures and then dress how a lot of these subcultures dress. Goths typically wear a lot of heavy black makeup, but I don’t wear a lot of makeup — I just wear big eyeliner. I also took inspiration from the patchwork of punk.” Aside from social media, Zhang says that a lot of the clothes they wear are based on other forms of media they consume. She notes that K-pop idol styling influences her overaccessorizing, and that she takes bits and pieces of inspiration from

“

Japanese animated fashion to add to her aesthetic. “In Japanese animated fashion, it’s not about the accessories at all — it’s too labor-intensive to animate a complicated outfit,” Zhang said. “To make an outfit memorable, they use solid colors and memorable silhouettes. That’s where tight tops, baggy jeans and asymmetrical cuts also come in. I’m also Chinese, so I do take a lot of inspiration from Chinese fashion. I like getting in touch with my culture by wearing more Chinesestyle outfits or incorporating C h i n e s e elements into my clothing. I think you can use fashion as a way to honor your heritage or your interests.” Like Zhang, Sharma agrees that the media they consume is SENIOR a major influence AMY ZHANG on their look, citing characters from TV shows as their inspiration for certain styles. For example, in the show “American Horror Story,” Sharma likes the outfits of characters Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon, so they dress similarly to both characters, emulating a masculine version of Harmon. According to Bañes, there is a symbiotic relationship between identity and style, as they are constantly changing and impacting each other. “I feel like if you have a certain aesthetic, then that does affect your identity,” Bañes said. “What you wear is also how you present yourself and that’s how people see you, so it can play a role in who you hang out with and what you do.” Although he admits various types of media may affect one’s aesthetic, Zhang says that the most important

factor when designing an outfit should be one’s own opinion. According to Zhang, figuring out what types of clothing flatter specific body types and which colors complement one’s skin tone should ultimately be the greatest influence on one’s sense of style. “I think fashion is one of the primary ways in which teenagers or younger people can express or find their identity,” Zhang said. “Everyone knows [you feel confident] when you’re wearing clothes that you feel good in, and I think that it’s important for teenagers to nurture a sense of selfworth through their clothes. Fashion is a way for people to express their identity, and also a way for people to discover their identity because they can figure out whether or not they like the way they look.”

Sophomore Alex Sharma poses while dressed in their Pinterest-inspired clothes.

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2023

TUPAC TUNING IN ON TUPAC Exploring '90s hip-hop rapper Tupac’s influence on the Bay Area BY ANANYA CHAUDHARY

Tupac’s music often emphasized hip hop is a conversation that young crowd gathered at the corner of MacArthur Boulevard on Friday, themes of social justice and exposing Black people are having with one Nov 3. to watch as a section of corruption through the perspective of another that everyone else is hearing the road was renamed “Tupac Shakur minorities. Love, who was raised in or eavesdropping on. Through hipan environment hop and rappers, we are able to tell Way.” Hip-hop where Tupac’s our story, and because of Tupac, for rapper Tupac music was very the first time, it was being shared Shakur, or 2Pac, prevalent, says around the world. Because of this, rose to fame in that seeing everyone else was getting insight the early 1990s someone in the into our lives and that representation with hit albums media sharing matters, because when you finally such as “All Eyez similar life stories hear yourself or see parts of your life on Me” and drew her towards in the media, it’s very meaningful and “2Pacalypse his music. Now.” The it helps us feel more pride in ourselves “Tupac’s song and in our community.” Tupac Amaru ‘Dear Mama,’ F o u n d a t i o n , have heard of Tupac Shakur Tupac’s music is about diverse life really influenced experiences, which some teachers in a movement *According to a survey of (94) people me,” Love said. the English department, such as English created to honor Tupac's legacy, was a significant “In the song, he gives homage to his teacher Jireh Tanabe, had students influence in the street being renamed. mother, who made a lot of sacrifices examine by analyzing his song lyrics Oakland District Three Chief of Staff in order to make sure that he was and poetry. Tanabe advocates for this Tonya Love, who was a part of the able to survive. I grew up in a single- approach, emphasizing its significance home effort to rename the street, believes parent in broadening that Tupac Shakur Way is a landmark and my mother s t u d e n t s’ had to make a that represents change. understanding “The Tupac Amaru Shakur lot of sacrifices of different Foundation is dedicated to changing for me. His music cultures and with aspects of THUG life,” Love said. resonated experiences. “The CEO, Sekyiwa Shakur, said that me a lot even “Some kids this is not just a street renaming, but though I didn’t were shocked it also represents a peace poll, which necessarily have that I had chosen symbolizes a place where violence the same kind of something so should not occur. Other street experiences that nonconventional renamings, like Martin Luther King Jr. Tupac had.” to share with To Love, Way — even though symbolic of the OAKLAND CHIEF OF STAFF them,” Tanabe change that Martin Luther King Jr. Tupac’s platform said. “But I think TONYA LOVE brought across the country — are often wasn’t just a stage that’s part of neglected and placed in the middle of for his music, an education. It areas that are disenfranchised. These but it was also a powerful conduit is exposing students to experiences areas have now become dangerous that highlighted the experiences of in a safe place. When students read with public safety issues surrounding Black Americans. Tupac fostered Tupac’s lyrics, they are learning them. Sekyiwa did not want that to a sense of community through his something they wouldn’t normally happen to any streets that are named music, spreading the culture of be exposed to. I think that my after Tupac. The foundation is going Black Americans, which Love finds responsibility as an educator is to to continue to work with our office to significant. introduce students to the things that “African American culture in a way parents don’t have the luxury of being ensure the sign acts as a peace poll to continue with Tupac’s legacy of is hip-hop,” Love said. “A quote that able to expose them to, all the while I heard from Dave Chappelle is that teaching them to entertain new ideas.” creating change.”

52%

of MVHS students

“

HIP-HOP IS A CONVERSATION THAT YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

Tanabe explains that her choice to focus on Tupac’s work was deliberate, driven by her belief in the profound messages embedded in his lyrics. One of the songs she teaches is the song, “Changes.” “Changes,” represents the experience of being a Black American man and the need for change in society. Lyrics like “‘It’s time to fight back’ That’s what Huey said / Two shots in the dark, now Huey’s dead / I got love for my brother / But we can never go nowhere unless we share with each other / We gotta start makin’ changes,” symbolize social injustice. The man Tupac refers to, Huey, is Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of a revolutionary socialist organization known as the Black Panther Party which fought for the civil rights, equality and empowerment of Black communities. By mentioning Newton and his death, Tupac is critiquing the violence and injustices that Black Americans continue to face. Tupac’s musical legacy extends beyond advocating for Black Americans as he also addressed the struggles of various other minorities, particularly those living in poverty and women. In his 1993 hit “Keep Ya Head Up,” Tupac delves into issues affecting women, especially those in disadvantaged communities, urging respect and empowerment. His juxtaposition of a serious issue and women’s empowerment layered on top of uplifting beats is especially unique and can be seen when he says “And since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman and our game from a woman, I wonder why we take from our women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women?” Tupac’s impact is evident to fans like senior Tara Bambroo, who has been listening to him since seventh grade. According to Bambroo, Tupac’s ability to address crucial topics, such as women’s rights, in his rap lyrics made him stand out, especially compared to other rappers at the time.

“It was comforting hearing a man saying these things like ‘keep ya head up’ and talking about women’s rights and respecting women,” Bambroo said. “A lot of other rappers’ music is derogatory towards women. It’s not like you can’t listen to it, but hearing them talk about women that way is diminishing, so hearing Tupac talking about them in another another light was a new way of seeing women.” Tanabe agrees with Bambroo’s perspective — she says that Tupac’s ability to address c o m p l e x social issues through his music, combined with his raw emotional honesty, allows for his music to foster a deeper understanding and empathy among her students toward a variety of experiences.

ALBERT WATSON TO | PHO

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

“Tupac impacted the world because somebody needed to give their voice to experiences that are disenfranchised or marginalized,” Tanabe said. “I think it’s important for us to be exposed to these types of experiences that we don’t normally get because it’s the beginning of building empathy. Without empathy, we can’t become humans who can connect with other people in a real way. If your education taught you only to read and write or to do well academically, then I don’t think you’ve become a functional person in society. But if you have learned to be open to different experiences or expose yourself to an experience, when you leave Cupertino, then you are prepared for society.”

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2023

THE

SATANIC

SURGE

A deep dive into the impact of Satanic themes in media on the MVHS community BY ANANYA CHAUDHARY, AARYAN SHARMA AND ELLIE WANG

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | ELLIE WANG

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

“I make a city girl believe in Satan”

(For Me, Lil Uzi Vert)

fter headlining the 2023 international hip hop music festival “Rolling Loud” in California, rapper Symere Bysil Woods, more commonly known as Lil Uzi Vert, faced severe criticism for allegedly promoting Satanism. The artist’s performance, which included visually jarring images, such as photos of weapons and people covered in blood, and lyrical references to Satan, led to heated debates among fans and critics. While fans defended the rapper’s performance, others believed the act was offensive and inappropriate. Junior Shulang Zhang has been a fan of hip-hop and rap since seventh grade when she was introduced to rapper Lil Uzi Vert, even going to their recent concert on Wednesday, Nov. 15. While she considers herself a fan, Zhang is aware of the controversy surrounding Lil Uzi Vert. However, Zhang is not bothered by this controversy as she believes it is crucial to separate an artist’s personal life and beliefs from their artistry. “I don’t really care about their controversy because I don’t focus on Lil Uzi themselves, I focus on their music,” Zhang said. “I don’t believe in any religion, so the demonic aspects of their music doesn’t affect me at all. I can understand that some people are speaking up about it because it’s against their religion, but in that case, I think what they can do is simply avoid listening to his music.” On the contrary, sophomore Jenna Bergendahl doesn’t support the appearance of demonic elements in songs. Bergendahl feels that much of today’s music carries a negative theme, with artists often using darker emotions to resonate with their audiences. Coming from a religious background, she expresses concern about the use of Satanism in mainstream music. Bergendahl believes that artists should include

more uplifting and hopeful themes alternative pop song with Billie Eilish’s in their music, in order to promote a “All The Good Girls Go To Hell,” or in positive outlook on life. the rap genre with Lil Uzi Vert’s single “They’re emphasizing the bad in the “Demon High,” Satanic and demonic world,” Bergendahl said. “It’s not good themes have become more prevalent to listen to music like that because it in mainstream music. According to is not good for our minds to be filled bbc.com, although artists have been up with negative ideas. If we focus on using darker themes to express the bad, our lives are gonna be more mature concepts like depression or negative, but if we focus on the good, alcoholism in their music for a long our lives are gonna be more positive.” time, it is only in recent years that Eighteen percent of MVHS articles and videos criticizing artists’ students agree with Bergendahl that treatment of these themes have the presence appeared. of demonic Zhang finds themes in the growing modern music commentary on is disturbing. artists’ music to Rather than be normal and focusing on even welcomed aesthetics, when it comes to E n g l i s h more controversial t e a c h e r situations. She say that demonic references Derek Lu asserts that by seeks out the in music don’t make them feel making themselves meaning and uncomfortable a public figure, m e s s a g e s *According to a survey of 61 people artists are in the music actively exposing he consumes. Rather than basing themselves to the public’s opinions. his opinions on the visuals of music “Fans have a right to say their videos and album covers, Lu focuses thoughts about anything,” Zhang said. more on the music’s lyrical message. “I mean, public figures are made for us He compares modern music to older to discuss, right? In my opinion, public music, acknowledging the provocative figures actually want people to discuss turn that modern music has taken them so that they can earn more on from controversial moments of money because, for them, influence his favorite ‘90s hip hop and R&B. equates to money.” However, Lu doesn’t believe that these Lu believes that while Satanic artists are demonic or have “sold their references are prevalent in modern soul.” Instead, he defends the risks music, it does not directly associate they take with their artistry, describing artists with Satanism. Bergendahl today’s pop music as a genre that isn’t claims that while it does not necessarily willing to take risks and be bold. mean that the artists are bad people “I think it’s just something that is with bad intentions, it still portrays a appealing to the pop mainstream negative message for listeners. because I think a lot of what’s “I believe that we shouldn’t focus dominant in pop right now is really on the bad,” Bergendahl said. “I’m a cookie cutter,” Lu said. “Taylor Swift Christian, but that doesn’t necessarily just dominates everything, or K-Pop, mean we have to listen to only so mainstream American pop is a little Christian or positive music. However, lost. For artists like Doja Cat or Sam it is encouraged because listening Smith to get attention, they have to to affirming songs allows for a more really go left field and be willing to positive outlook on life and to be more push the buttons.” open-minded.” These demonic themes transcend the genre of hip-hop. Whether it be an

82%

of MVHS students

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2023

THE TOTAL PACKAGE

Exploring the relationship between musical artists, their fanbase and their merch BY JILLIAN JU

hen sophomore Jivika Gulrajani first watched a TikTok announcing Melanie Martinez’s new perfume, she recalls being so shocked at the price that she dropped her phone. Gulrajani has enjoyed listening to Martinez’s music, especially due to their use of metaphor and their ability to explore taboo topics. While she still admires that aspect of their work, the presentation of the perfume brought doubts to her mind — to her, the $275 price tag is emblematic of a creator who doesn’t care about their fans. Martinez found success in the alternative pop genre but is best known for their ambitious use of aesthetics in their albums. Most recently, the album “Portals” reinvents the character, with Martinez

being reborn into a pink fairy creature especially because it differs from with four eyes. the pricing of previous perfumes The elaborate storytelling has they have sold. Martinez’s other been a strong draw for fans like perfume release, themed around Gulrajani, who connect with the the “Crybaby” album, was much immersive worldbuilding. Their merch less expensive, selling for $50 for adds an extra layer to each album’s 75 milliliters. Gulranjani believes theme, where products from different the stark difference in cost is what periods of their career have a distinct makes many fans wary of a product look to them. As Martinez claims, this disproportionate to its price. newest perfume is an extension of Martinez has defended the price by their artistic vision, with the “Portals” tying it to their artistic vision, saying perfume featuring a 1-foot tall statue that they do not “make millions,” often of the fairy creature’s sacrificing profit head, alongside four for the art they element-themed want to create. scents, totaling 60 For example, the milliliters. “K-12” film, which Sophomore cost $5-6 million Lauren Moore to produce, was likes to test and released for free buy fragrances on YouTube. and also listens to However, Gulrajani Martinez. However, disagrees with that she discovered perspective, saying Martinez’s music that the prohibitive after the “Crybaby” prices go against perfume stopped the purpose of art SOPHOMORE in the first place. being produced. Moore found “I don’t think it’s JIVIKA GULRAJANI Martinez’s perfume well spent at all, through TikTok, and while she would even if it’s a display of artistic vision,” be interested in trying the “Portals” Gulrajani said. “The whole point of art scents, she says the price is too is to share it, but most of their fans high. can’t afford an expensive perfume, “I don’t tend to splurge a lot so to say that it’s for their artistic of money on one perfume vision, why wouldn’t you make it because I get tired of more affordable for all of your fans the scent,” Moore said. to experience the very art that you’ve “Plus, it’s too expensive. created?” Even some of my most In Gulrajani’s view, it’s a problem expensive perfumes that goes beyond one artist. The don’t touch $200, so I can’t obligation to meet the audience’s imagine spending that expectations can often come into much on this fragrance.” conflict with the artist’s desire to Gulrajani agrees fulfill their own visions, especially that the price when money is involved. But to her, came as a it also comes down to how much an shock, artist respects their audience and

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | GILJOON LEE AND AASHI VENKAT

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

“

WHY WOULDN’T YOU MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR ALL OF YOUR FANS TO EXPERIENCE THE VERY ART THAT YOU’VE CREATED?

whether or not they are willing to cater to everyone or just a select demographic. “If you make your merch insanely expensive, such that nobody can afford it, I think that you’re basically telling your fans that you don’t care enough about them to make this accessible to everyone,” Gulrajani said. “They think this should only be accessible to the people that support them financially, and I don’t think that’s fair. That’s a very transactional relationship, which I don’t like.” On the other hand, Moore disagrees with the way smaller creators are held to a higher standard, even though they may not have as many resources to appeal to everyone. “It kind of reminds me of when small businesses get yelled at for having their prices too high,” Moore said. “I think it’s because we demand more from smaller businesses, even though it should be the opposite because small businesses can’t cater as much to wider audiences.” AP Macroeconomics teacher Scott Victorine has been involved with music for a long time, from listening to mainstream creators like Prince to playing in his own band with friends. Even though he agrees that the music industry often treats its artists unfairly, he emphasizes the importance of an artist’s fanbase, being the ones who allow them to continue their work. “It’s a complicated industry with record deals and record contracts, and because of this, sometimes artists don’t see much profit,” Victorine said. “There’s been a push for artists to take more control of not only their music, but their merchandise. So that might be it, but again, it all comes back to the fans. You gotta give the fans something to keep coming back for.” Victorine sees live music often, sometimes buying shirts or CDs to support the artists. While not every purchase is necessarily worth it, he believes that the financial aspect isn’t the whole story. “In economics, it’s called marginal analysis, where you weigh your costs

and your benefits,” Victorine said. “So the benefit is different if it’s a band that I’ve listened to for a long time that I have a connection with. Would I have gone to Taylor Swift with my wife? Probably not. But there are certain bands that we actually listen to together. And for that, I would consider spending a little bit more to have that experience with somebody I care about.” Gulrajani has had a similar experience — being a big fan of Nicki Minaj, she bought one of her inexpensive perfumes at Walmart. She didn’t end up using the scent, but still keeps the bottle. It reminds her of her bond with her sister, who first introduced Gulrajani to the rapper and influenced much of her music taste growing up. Moore has also bought shirts and jewelry featuring bands she enjoys, such as My Chemical Romance or Cannibal Corpse. While she knows that not every cost she pays goes directly to the original artist, she still considers supporting them indirectly to be a benefit of owning the merch. Ultimately, Victorine sees the threshold of value being different for every person and their relationship to art. While he recognizes that there are times where the prices of certain products are exploitative, he still considers buying merch as a way to give the artist something in return for the experiences they gave him. “There’s a certain point where it’s worth it,” Victorine said. “There’s other points where it’s not. There’s the financial part of it, which I call the common sense part, which is like, ‘that’s ridiculous to pay that much.’ But then there’s the emotional part of it. To me, music evokes an emotional response, and in that regard, I think it’s absolutely worth it.”

GRAPHICS | JILLIAN JU

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2023

PHOTO | AASHI VENKAT

A GRASP ON REALITY Examining how sensitive topics are portrayed in popular TV shows

BY NIVEDA HARI AND AASHI VENKAT

Content Warning: This article mentions drugs, sex and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

tep into the world of Emmy award-winning HBO show “Euphoria,” where neon lights and a kaleidoscope of emotions transform viewers into a haze of substance-induced sexual endeavors and high school drama. Yet according to MVHS school psychologist Annie Maness and senior Iniyaa Suresh, the series particularly reminds viewers of the consequences of mishandling sensitive topics in media, urging them to question the lines between harsh reality and captivating storytelling. Maness cites Zendaya’s acting in the show as a notable depiction of drug addiction. While Maness praises how the show portrays the negative correlation between mental health and substance abuse, she also says it failed to accurately portray other downsides of addiction. “I thought the show was really graphic, and while I think Zendaya is a terrific actress, I do wonder if drug use and the life of addiction was fairly portrayed,” Maness said. “Rue did show emotional struggles of drug use, but the show doesn’t portray what drugs really do to your relationships and academics. She still went to a mainstream high school and she was functioning fine in the mainstream high school, which I don’t think is always realistic because when you are addicted to drugs, that affects all points of your life, including academics.” Maness encourages avid fans to question why they choose to watch “Euphoria” compared to alternative

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

options. Maness understands that the depiction of drugs can alternatively teens may seek to consume media inspire students to stay away from that depicts more mature topics, drugs altogether. Mukherjee believes which would explain their attraction that some shows, specifically Euphoria, to the unconventional nature of the can accurately depict the negative show’s themes. However, she says it effects drugs have on relationships. is important for watchers to ensure However, Maness says the portrayal that their casual viewing of the show of topics like drugs and addiction does not progress into obsession. does not accurately represent the way Senior Iniyaa Suresh adds that the these substances show up in real life. portrayal of drugs and addiction may In particular, Maness says students normalize and romanticize the topics, may watch shows like “Euphoria” causing viewers to take inspiration for entertainment purposes, but it is and possibly fall into addiction as harmful to perceive the depictions in well. According to Suresh, students these shows as reality. may not even “Are you understand the really able to complexity of the stay unbiased circumstances after watching WHEN YOU ARE p o r t r a y e d these shows, in the show, or has this ADDICTED TO DRUGS, unknowingly changed your THAT AFFECTS ALL falling victim perspective POINTS OF YOUR LIFE, to the same about drugs problem they see INCLUDING ACADEMICS. or sex or any on the screen. of these other “ Normalizing topics that you SCHOOL PHYSCHOLOGIST drug usage are watching?” ANNIE MANESS influences Maness said. the younger “I think it’s generation into thinking that when important for all users to consider you go to high school, it’s normal to those things or else they might end up participate in that,” Suresh said. “Drug having really biased opinions about addicts and alcoholics don’t go in these topics.” thinking that they will get addicted According to a survey of 48 to these substances. Instead, they’re students, 88% state that the themes of people like us who think that they’ll drugs and sex are uncommon within try it once. That’s what influences me MVHS culture. Mukherjee agrees to stay completely away, but other with this point, stating how although students who haven’t heard that the characters in “Euphoria” are perspective might not have that same the same age as us, their lives are strong stance.” far more mature than the life of an On the other hand, MVHS ‘23 alum average teenager in Cupertino, which Shourish Mukherjee points out that is essential for students to recognize

“

if they choose to watch the show. Suresh agrees with this, stating that the depictions of drugs and sex in these shows are therefore harmful due to their unrealistic nature. “I’ve heard about people doing drugs or engaging in sex at MVHS, but I feel like it’s a lot more on the down low here and not as big of an issue as they’re making it out to be,” Suresh said. “Maybe it’s because of my perspective of Monta Vista but the way ‘Euphoria’ addresses topics like drugs, I don’t picture those kinds of things happening here, so it seems unrealistic for those shows to portray.” Maness adds that many shows are only made to entice the audience and keep them captivated rather than to spread awareness. Hence, for directors to sell their show, they often have to resort to sensitive topics. “It’s a show, right?” Maness said. “I mean, it has to capture the audience. I feel like it tries to mimic both sides, but it doesn’t. I remember an episode where Zendaya really needed the drugs, but I just didn’t think it was enough to show the real symptomology of what it feels like.” Maness says this carries over to depictions of mental health, particularly suicide. The 2017 series “13 Reasons Why” follows the aftermath of fictional high schooler Hannah Baker’s suicide, which consists of various tapes she made blaming her fellow classmates and administrators for convincing her to take her life. According to Maness, this show is harmful in its unrealistic depiction of suicide, as it doesn’t accurately portray emotions and praises rash coping mechanisms over healthier alternatives. “It’s a very inaccurately portrayed show in terms of what it actually feels like,” Maness said. “We want to understand revenge and vengeance, and in ‘13 Reasons Why,’ why this person committed what she did, and I don’t think that’s realistic at all. And if you actually are vengeful or angry and have reasons why you want to commit suicide, it is healthier to talk about it, rather than keeping it all inside and blowing up later on — there’s

a healthier way to cope with those show,” Maness said. “It has to come feelings.” from them, the producers and the According to CNN, there was a media, to really make some changes, 29% increase in suicide rates for 10- but I do think some of them could. to 17-year-olds following the released In particular, they need to make sure of “13 Reasons Why,” emphasizing that they are portraying these topics Maness’ point that the depiction of accurately. But I don’t think they’re suicide within going to do that the show is b e c a u s e purely for they’re all entertainment about profit.” and should not As Maness be glorified has stated, or perceived while profit as accurate. and revenue While he may be more agrees with important to think the portrayal of drug use and M a n e s s , major film sex in “Euphoria” is accurate Mukherjee corporations, *According to a survey of 32 people says suicide there needs to can be be a change portrayed that is more in an conscious and educational way. In particular, he mindful of how unrealistically drugs, believes that the concept of suicide sex and suicide are portrayed in can be justifiable in a TV series due shows like “Euphoria” and “13 Reasons to its ability to encourage awareness Why” and how this can impact the or to establish a plot, yet the graphic audiences’ perspectives. nature of the act should be excluded “It’s important for all students to altogether. think about what they’re consuming in “I think that as long as suicide is their daily life, whether it be Instagram not depicted on screen, as in how the or social media or TV,” Maness said. person in question, actually did the “It’s important to be mindful of what deed, then it’s OK for a show to be you’re watching and how it’s impacting based on that,” Mukherjee said. “But you.” it would have to be handled really, really carefully and a lot of people would have to give their opinions on it.” As stated by Maness, Mukherjee and Suresh, shows like “Euphoria” and “13 Reasons Why” have not properly depicted the reality of struggling with thoughts of suicide or drug use. According to Maness, the only way shows can improve these depictions is if the decision comes from the top. “I want these filmmakers and directors to talk to a mental health professional and fact-check when they make the

25%

of MVHS students

PARENTAL

ADVISORY EXPLICIT CONTENT ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2023

‘CENTER’ OF ATTENTION Soccer players reflect on overlooked defensive positions BY SHANNON YU

“

THE WHOLE TEAM ONLY WORKS IF EVERYONE WORKS WELL ON THEIR OWN.

CH DHAR AU

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

PH OT O

YA AN

— especially in a defensive role — because we have to communicate with each other on the field and we have to stay on the same page in what we’re doing,” Rajkumar said. “We have to notice what the other players around us are doing as well before we make decisions.” Vasu, who watches soccer games every weekend and plays soccer for fun on a daily basis, emphasizes how the sport is entertaining to watch because of its fast-paced nature and the skills of the various players. “They’re playing on that stage for a reason because they’re really good,” Vasu said. “They have to get there from practice. They’re on a whole new level.” While there may be a discrepancy in the player recognition, Rajkumar believes one thing remains certain: playing his hardest and being able to work with his teammates is the most enjoyable part of soccer, no matter his position. “If everybody does what they’re supposed to do, positions themselves and passes accurately, then the whole team works together,” Rajkumar said. “The whole team only works if everyone works well on their

ith 11 players from each someone who is used to playing team on the soccer field, both offense and defense, he has sophomore and soccer fan experienced firsthand the contrast Vaikunth Vasu finds there are many in the treatment he receives while moving parts for an audience to focus playing different positions. on at one time. Out of the 11, there are “Sometimes it’s annoying that typically six to eight offensive players whenever attackers score a goal, and three to five defensive players. there’s a huge celebration, but The main offensive players are strikers, whenever you recover the ball, make a who score points by kicking the ball good tackle or keep a goal out, there’s into the goal. The main defensive not really much of a celebration,” players are Rajkumar said. fullbacks, “Defenders don’t get positioned appreciated as much.” in the outer Moreover, Rajkumar sides of the believes that many field to stop fans do not recognize strikers from the mental strain of attacking, and being on defense. center-backs, As a center-back, who protect Rajkumar’s role is to their goal FRESHMAN act as the captain of by blocking PRANAV RAJKUMAR defense, one of the strikers from last players standing breaking through to shoot. Vasu notes between an opposing team’s striker that some positions seem similar and and the goal. As such, when the may even shift around during a play. opposing team does score, he says it “It’s pretty easy for me to understand is common for him to take the fall. what’s happening because I’ve been “It’s a very [pressuring] position watching soccer for years, but for since you’re always the last man,” some people, they may be concerned, Rajkumar said. “You have to have a like, ‘What’s happening? What’s the calm head because every mistake you goal of this game?’” Vasu said. make is a free goal for the other team.” Due to this confusion, certain While Chow admits he may not players can be overshadowed by be actively scoring points for others. Freshman and fullback Riley the team, he is happy to play Chow says his position is not as well- fullback. He states the lack known as other soccer positions. In of attention on him is not a fact, Chow believes there is a lack of problem because he knows regard for defenders in general. he is doing something to “Center-backs are more recognized help his team succeed. than even fullbacks, but I think the Rajkumar has a similar midfielders and [offensive players] outlook on the defensive get most of the attention on the field,” position he plays. He is Chow said. proud that his position Freshman and center-back Pranav enables him to work with his Rajkumar agrees, mentioning how teammates to stop opponents defenders and goalkeepers do not from scoring. receive the praise they deserve. As “Teamwork is very important

BASE VALUE

SPORTS

Examining the importance of the bases in cheerleading BY LILY JIANG AND ASHA WOJCIECHOWSKI

ince she was 8 years old, Sanika of cheer more or if you’ve done cheer the roles of base and backspot are Kothari has loved cheerleading. before, you can kind of recognize just as critical to executing routines She recalls bursting into tears more of the other positions because as the role of flyer, and require just as every time a practice was canceled you actually know what work is going much grit and hard work. Bases have and she didn’t into it.” to keep their eyes on the flyer at all get to practice Junior and co- times while maintaining eye contact flying. However, captain Jooha Kim with their base partner. Backspots when Kothari was has been doing have to make sure they are protecting 12 years old, she cheer since her both the flyer and themselves so that started All-Star freshman year no one gets hurt. cheerleading and is a flyer. She Kothari understands the audience’s and was placed echoes Kothari’s focus on flyers in routines, but feels in the position belief that flyers that the importance of the base roles of base for the focus their attention on bases are the more in cheer and the challenges that come first time. Now a during cheer performances noticed position. with them should be recognized senior and team *According to a survey of 135 students “ O f t e n t i m e s alongside that of the flyers. captain, Kothari that’s what people “There’s definitely different has continued as a base on MVHS’s think, cheer is the people on top,” perspectives,” Kothari said. “People Cheer Team. Kim said. “But I think it’s important to usually just see the flyers, but I In cheer, there are three main recognize that cheer is a team sport. definitely think that [bases deserve to positions within stunt groups: flyers, You have to look at the whole picture, be recognized as much as flyers]. And back spots and bases. Flyers are on [including bases and backspots].” when I put in work and the flyer is able top of the stunt and the back spot is Expanding on Kim’s point, Head to really make it look nice, that makes usually the person who stands at the Coach Kendal Houck emphasizes how me feel good too.” back, supporting the flyer by their ankles. Side bases hold the middle of PHOTO | ARUSHI SINGH the flyer’s foot while main bases hold the toe and heel of the foot in one-leg stances such as a lib. Kothari, who has switched between main and side-basing, says that for both roles the cheerleaders have to put in a lot of hard work to ensure every routine is executed safely and successfully. Despite this, Kothari feels the audience often overlooks bases to focus on the performance of the flyers, creating a one-sided impression of cheer. “People tend to focus on the flyers because they are the ones in the air — and they’re doing all the tricks and they’re showing off and they’re smiling,” Kothari said. “But I think, Senior Sanika Kothari (center) supports junior Jooha Kim (top center) by her ankle at a especially if you have watched a lot football game against Washington High School on Sept. 9.

of MVHS students

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2023

SNAP PH OT O

AR JU N

PHOTO ILLUST RAT ION |

AR JU

HR UV

JUDGEMENT

DHRU

Uncovering the role of the long snapper as an overlooked position in football BY LAUREN CHUU AND ARJUN DHRUV

rowing up a sports fan, junior and When the offense is unable to get a long snapper Zachary Mommer first down in the first three plays and a became immersed in football at a punt is required, the long snapper must young age. With a background in flag snap the ball precisely 15 yards behind football and baseball, Mommer wanted them for the punter to kick it as far as to use his experience to foster a similar possible down the field, ensuring the positive team dynamic on the football opposing team starts their offensive team. As the sole long snapper of the play far from the endzone. Field Varsity team for the past three years, goals occur during a similar scenario, Mommer says he has experienced however they take place if the offense disparities with his position and how it gets close enough to the end zone is perceived by to kick the others. ball through In the National the uprights, Football League, which is a there are three three points. teams: offense, H e a d defense and Football special teams. Coach Caezar The offense Agront says includes the that, like many quarterback, students, running back, M o m m e r receivers, did not join tight ends football with and offensive being the line, while the long snapper defense consists in mind. LONG SNAPPER H o w e v e r , of linebackers, linemen and ZACHARY MOMMER after watching defensive backs. M o m m e r Special teams, which include practice snapping with his brother punters, kickers, gunners, blockers and and former center MVHS alum ‘23 snappers, play during fourth downs Xander Mommer, Agront discovered when attempting field goals or punts. Mommer’s knack for this skill. While

“

A LONG SNAPPER IS NOT SEEN AS THE GREATEST POSITION OUT THERE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU’RE STILL PLAYING FOOTBALL.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

Mommer started out hoping to pursue other positions in football, he saw playing long snapper as an opportunity to fill a hole in the Varsity team. “At first, I became a long snapper just to get play time because I wasn’t on the starting lineup at the beginning of the year, so I really had to find something that I could earn my spot on the field though,” Mommer said. “Being able to start as a long snapper helped me improve on myself and get more playtime in the end.” Unlike offensive and defensive positions that have safeties and multiple linebackers to rely on, Mommer explains that as a long snapper, there is less room for error since the success of the special team depends on his snap. Agront quantifies this importance in Varsity Football’s first game of this season against Andrew Hill High School, where a bad snap changed the game dynamic. “We were beating Andrew Hill, I believe 21-0, and the bad snap went over our punter’s head and we were backed up against our endzone,” Agront said. “It went out of bounds and they got points. They got the ball back in a turnover and they scored. All of a sudden, it was 21-18. Mommer was really upset with himself, but he took it very seriously and never had a bad

attributes the lack of attention given useful, but every single one of them to long snappers to an oversimplified plays a huge role. For special teams, assumption that a long the importance snapper of each position is one of directly relates to the most the amount of time important they play in the and those game. However, he types of emphasizes that all positions positions determine are often the overall success l o o k e d of the team. d o w n don’t know what the role of the “In football, upon, but there is no position long snapper is in football in reality, that’s more or less *According to a survey of 94 people they’re important,” Pamidi crucial to said. “There’s a lot of generalized every aspect of the game.” stereotypes about Agront hopes to encourage other the different students to try out snapping since positions and successful and consistent long how they snappers have an easier path to might not recruitment to National Collegiate b e Athletic Association Division One colleges due to the scarcity of people at the position. Although football season has concluded, Agront shares his appreciation for Mommer’s efforts in not only helping the special teams have a more pronounced role but also continuing to learn the long snapper position. “Special teams was one of the shining aspects of our team this year,” Agront said. “We were really good on special teams for the better part of the whole entire season. It’s because of him who took it seriously. I’m grateful that Mommer decided to dive into playing long snapper because otherwise, we would have to find someone else and then it would be the cycle all over again of having that kid believe in the position.”

79%

of MVHS students

TH WI ED US RM PE ION ISS HN

| JO G LIN

snap for the rest of the season.” Despite the position’s importance, Mommer believes the long snapper is often not given the same level of attention or appreciation compared to other positions. He says that his position is overlooked because of the short time he plays on the field but nevertheless is glad to contribute to the team. “A long snapper is not seen as the greatest position out there, which makes sense because you don’t do that much work: you snap the ball and run,” Mommer said. “But I think it doesn’t really matter that people don’t think of it as super important because it’s still a position and at the end of the day, you’re still playing football, so you get to be part of the play.” Agront agrees with Mommer and explains that while it’s relatively easy to find players to fill in popular positions like running back or receiver, it’s harder to convince someone to take up a position as niche as the long snapper. He maintains that without this position, it would be an obstacle for any team to be successful no matter how strong their offense and defense. “Nine times out of 10, most people don’t know what special teams are,” Agront said. “People are like, ‘Well, why can’t they snap the ball correctly?’ Well, is the long snapper getting the right attention? Do you have a long snapper? If you count kick field goals and punts, that’s already half of the special teams. That’s when you break it down into numbers. That’s easily a third of your football team that you can’t be productive with. So you’re going into games with your arm tied behind your back.” Quarterback and senior R o h i t Pamidi

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2023

Beyond the GRAPHIC | ISABELLE KOK

O | DYL AN N GU PHOT

YE N

Examining the contribution of overlooked positions in volleyball

BY ISABELLE KOK AND DYLAN NGUYEN

even years of volleyball experience has fashioned senior Elijah Kang into a knowledgeable player — according to Kang, he knows what it’s like to play almost every position on the court. Now, as both an outside hitter on the Varsity Boys Volleyball team and an assistant coach for the Varsity Girls Volleyball team, Kang has obtained a more nuanced perspective on the contributions of each position in volleyball. Combined with his background in competing with and against athletes of varying skill levels, Kang has noticed that the most applauded roles aren’t necessarily the most essential ones. “At lower levels, you can get away with having one or two good outside hitters who could make all the kills,” Kang said. “But I think at the highest level, having a good setter is the most important.” Volleyball has six positions that each contribute to different aspects of the game. Outside hitters primarily hit the ball to score points as part of the offensive strategy. On the other hand, liberos and defensive specialists purely play defense and remain in the back row. Opposite hitters and middle blockers both hit and block,

38 EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2023

and setters are the playmakers of commended for their efforts. “Watching someone hit is a lot more the game, prepping the ball for other fun than watching some set,” Mark players to hit and score. As a setter on the Varsity Girls said. “A lot of people like watching Volleyball team, freshman Kylee Mark someone make a great hit, but you says although all positions contribute have to get a great set to make a great to the success of the team, the players hit. So I think when most people see the hit, they don’t who make the appreciate the set flashiest contact that went to them.” with the ball are Also on the often credited Varsity Girls with the team’s Volleyball team, successes or senior and outside losses. hitter Evelyn “I think Yang shares liberos and Mark’s sentiment. o u t s i d e s While her current specifically position on the always get team is an outside praised a lot SENIOR AND OUTSIDE hitter, Yang has more than the other positions,” EVEYLN YANG previously played as both a middle Mark said. “If blocker and an you start the play or you end the play, it’s obviously opposite hitter. It was for outside hitter more seen than being the second which she says she has received the touch or a middle blocker who barely most praise. “Outside is the most appreciated hits or just goes up to block.” Mark also adds that viewers are position because they’re the ones easily entertained by dramatic plays who score points and attack the most,” and triumphs. Therefore, offensive Yang said. “At the end, everybody just players draw more attention and are remembers the one who spikes the

“

AT THE END, EVERYONE JUST REMEMBERS THE ONE WHO SPIKES THE BALL THE HARDEST.

ball the hardest.” Having played different positions before, Yang understands and values the overlooked positions, especially the middle blocker. She acknowledges that they are necessary components in orchestrating successful plays. “I appreciate the middle blocker because they block a lot of balls,” Yang said. “They help make the defensive player’s job easier because middle blockers are the first line of defense.”

Kang shares the same sentiments as Yang — believing that although setters and liberos may seem like unglamorous roles, a hitter’s moment in the spotlight wouldn’t be possible without such support to set the stage. “From a casual viewer’s standpoint, liberos and setters don’t stand out to anyone,” Kang said. “They’re just passing or setting to the hitters. A casual viewer wouldn’t understand how important that position is.”

A view from the bleachers

Kang reflects on moments where defensive players have been essential to his own success on the court as offense by supporting his plays from behind. “When I swing into the block, a good libero would cover me and get the ball up so that I can have a second chance to put the ball away,” Kang said. “Having a good libero cover my mistakes really saves me.”

Passes 17% Sets 1%

82% of students found hits during volleyball games the most exciting *According to a survey of 87 people

Hits 82%

N LEE

Senior Evelyn Xie’s position is a defensive specialist, which passes balls hit by the opponent. Defensive specialists are a key form of defense, setting up the ball for the setter.

PHOTO | GILJOO

PHOTO | AIDAN RUAN

Sophomore Chloe Chen’s position is a setter, which sets the ball up for the hit. Setters are playmakers of the game, choosing which hitter to set to.

PHOTO | AIDAN RUAN

Junior Kiana Mark’s position is an outside hitter, which hits the ball hoping to get a point. Hitters often make the final contact before sending the ball to the opposing team.

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2023

@elestoque

PHOTO DEV PHOTO||KRISH MANAS KOTTAKOTA

PHOTO | DAPHNE HUANG

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Krish Dev and Allie Rummelhoff

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Subscribe to El Estoque or become a sponsor and get your name printed in each issue.

SCAN FOR INFO