Paw Prints Weekly | Volume 52 Issue 9 by Emma Chang

Monday, March 9, 2020

Volume 52 Issue 9

The student newspaper of Glen A. Wilson High School

Paw Prints Weekly for

ASB hosts campaign week for 2020-2021 cabinet By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

ALL SMILES FOR THE DAY - The staff of Paw Prints Weekly poses for a picture before the long day of competition ahead at the ELAJEA Write-Offs. PHOTO/PAW PRINTS WEEKLY

Journalism competes in ELAJEA Write-Offs By CAROL LI ❏ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Wilson’s❏Journalism program competed in the Eastern Los Angeles ❏Education Journalism Program (ELAJEA) WriteOffs at Citrus College on ❏ Saturday, Feb. 29. During ELAJEA, students from Paw Prints Weekly and ❏ in their Prowler competed respective events and attended workshops to expand their ❏ Overall, journalistic skillset. Wilson placed tenth and third in editorial cartoon, ninth in news writing and newspaper

layout, fifth place in editorial and sports writing and third place in critical review and yearbook copy. To prepare, Paw Prints Weekly held practice writeoffs for the staff to familiarize themselves with the process of writing under pressure. According to Paw Prints Weekly advisor Pilar Robles, the program faced some challenges but students still enjoyed the learning process ELAJEA provided. “There was less representation from [Wilson] compared to previous years, which gave us some obstacles to overcome when placing

Will Sanders’ socialistic American ideals prevail throughout the 2020 Election?

as a school,” Robles said. “Overall, the competition was successful because everyone who attended was able to gain a memorable experience at ELAJEA.” In addition, Paw Prints Weekly Editor-in-Chief junior Emma Chang believes the group demonstrated great success at the competition. “I expected [the program] to go to [ELAJEA] and put forward our best efforts, which is exactly what we did. The results show and I could not be more proud,” Chang said. “Many of the new staff displayed their talents and potential at the competition.”

Furthermore, yearbook co-sports editor junior Meiqi Lai seeked inspiration from the work different schools presented at ELAJEA. “Taking part in ELAJEA and being exposed to what students from other schools [produced] allowed me to [hone in] on my weakness for caption writing, and also gave me new ideas on how the yearbook can be improved on for future years.” The Journalism program will be advancing to Southern California Journalism Education Program (SCJEA) which will be on Saturday, Mar. 14.

As a child, everyone idolized the kids they saw on TV. But was everything as fun as it seemed?

Associated Student Body (ASB) organized student campaign week to determine the cabinet for the 20202021 school year. Students ran for their respective positions, which included treasurer, secretary, senior class president, Vice President and ASB President. To spread publicity, candidates posted positive messages on social media along with putting up posters around campus. According to ASB Advisor Patricia Habash-Branconier, the individuals who become elected can impact ASB for years to come. “These students have ideas that have the potential to change the school for years. Whether their ideas stick or not, it is important for students to understand they have a voice about what happens on campus,” Habash said. When asked about his campaign goals, sophomore Justin Huh hopes to succeed by being assertive and having a straightfoward mentality. “My mentality towards this race is to prove to others that I am the best candidate for the position of Vice President. I want to [appeal] to the [majority] of the student body, and I am truly driven with passion to help ASB plan events to create fun memories for all students,” Huh said. Additionally, sophomore Slade Mendoza views running for treasurer as a challenge, but nevertheless attacks his campaign with a positive mindset. “So far, the run has been difficult, because it [consists] of making myself more memorable as a candidate by walking through the hallways with flashy posters and creating catchy slogans,” Mendoza said. “I am solely focusing on word of mouth in my campaign, which will hopefully build trust between me and the voters.” ASB’s official voting day will be held on Monday, Mar. 16.

Make sure that you check out our new and improved website, pawprintsweekly.com, every Friday at 8PM for the latest weekly issues from our staff! Thank you!

2 EDITORIAL

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, MAR. 9 2020

EDITORIAL

Paw Prints Weekly

Sanders: Will socialism truly prevail in America? With the extremely crucial win in Nevada, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has greatly improved his chances of winning the democratic nomination in the 2020 race for the Presidency. Sanders, a socialist democrat, has made his mark clear in the past decades in which he held government office with strong blue takes on all issues frequently argued upon in today’s society, including gun control, abortion and immigration policy. Senator Sanders has already ran for President of the United States before, falling to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a tight race to the democratic nomination in 2016. With such an experienced long path, strong views and an old age (78 years) to show for it, Sanders has been long overdue to shake up Washington and become one of the few socialist Presidents to preside over America. There are a couple of issues at hand though. As referenced, Senator Sanders has really put his foot down and taken extremely socialist and democratic viewpoints on all issues touched upon in debates and interviews featuring himself. While Sanders has maintained a consistent reputation, Sanders must quickly realize this alienates a very large group of people on the right, with no sympathy due to his lack of moderation. It is no secret that there is a distinct split between political views in America’s two main parties, the Democrats and Republicans. While in past decades there has been extremely conservative (George W. Bush) and extremely liberal presidents (Barack Obama), each party has offered at least some minor detail to the other party that will appeal to them and land some votes if their party truly cannot stand their own candidate. For example, it is a good assumption

to make that our own president right now, Donald Trump, would not be in office if not for his volatility on many political issues. Trump has repeatedly contracted himself, gone back on promises and challenged the norm of what a true republican politician really is. In fact, Trump stole electoral votes in the race against Hillary Clinton due to his big promises and Clinton’s former mishaps. Clinton’s inability to defend against political smears allowed Trump to seize voters, despite Clinton having more experience and arguably a better plan for America, winning multiple debates leading up to Election Day 2016. This is where Sanders lacks, and Trump capitalizes. Sanders must find a niche in the Republican Party somehow. It is well known that this election year is crucial to deciding policy for the next few decades, and if Sanders is serious about bringing “socialism” to America, he must find a way to steal Trump’s parties’ votes. So far, no prominent GOP candidate has announced his or her bid for the presidency. With, what seems like, unanimous backing behind Trump by the Republican party, it is imperative that Sanders can at least appeal to non-democrat voters. Critics are quick to call out Sanders for his potentially contradictory political views, which would conflict with how he has become a multimillionaire in the top 1%. Sanders’ comprehensive tax plan will effectively “destroy” the 1%, including himself Is Sanders aware of this? Potentially. It is very possible Sanders realizes his come-up is very unfair to those who have worked just as hard as him but have not been as lucky to have the influence he gained as he rose ranks in Washington. Sanders may very well feel that socialism is what will bring wage equality to America, leveling the playing field, even if current capitalism

is what brought him to wealth. Sanders contradicting his own come-up shows more character than anything. Even though he likely will not lose much if his system is put into place, Sanders fully understands this will change everything in America. His devotion to his policies is real, and his consistency in his political views must be recognized and appreciated in a world where changing your thoughts and opinion based on the tides is ever so prevalent. Where many thought Sanders would lack, he excels surprisingly. Few have the demographic influence Sanders. . One fact that has been keeping Sanders ultra-relevant since 2016 is that he has the eye of millennials and minorities across America. Being a white male in America has it’s obvious advantages, whether it is morally correct or not, it is true. With this privilege, comes great power to change norms in American culture, and Bernie Sanders has realized this.

Sanders has a massive following of young men and women in America in their late teens to their thirties and it shows. Being that these age groups tend to be the most adept at spreading their theories, knowledge and opinion through technology, Sanders having these people under his belt is nothing to scoff at. When polled more millennials in 2016 would have dinner with him over popular culture staples such as Beyonce or Kanye West. This massive cultural influence Sanders has is what will propel him further into political stardom and potentially make him Chief of Command. Therefore, Bernie Sanders has more than enough tools, influence and supporters to win the 2020 democratic nomination, and even the race for the White House, come November. It will not come easy, but being the front runner certainly does not hurt. Here we go again, America. ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

adrenaline. National headlines were made when teachers complained that they were not informed that the lockdown was even a drill: causing more chaos to ensue in the process. Pure insanity. Essentially, these active shooter drills pile millions of tax dollars towards traumatizing the student and faculty bodies in schools while offering little proof that they actually work. The likelihood of a public school student being killed by a gun in school is less than 1 in 614 million. Yet, 4.1 million students—220,000 of which included children as young as 3 in preschool or kindergarten— participated in at least one lockdown in the 2017-2018 academic year. However, in 2018, 57% of teens told researchers they worry about a shooting happening at their school. A Pew Research Center study found that a slightly higher percentage of parents of teenagers, 63%, fear a shooting at their child’s school. Indeed, many districts have outdated, heavy-handed drill protocols that use students and staff as guinea pigs to test “response readiness.” However, these active shooter drills in schools are hurting more than helping.

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ADVISER Pilar Robles EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Emma Chang Carol Li

EDITORS NEWS Carol Li EDITORIAL Vincent Cortes FEATURES Simone Yu ENTERTAINMENT Colleen Gapuzan PERSPECTIVES Adrian Hernandez Rani Chor SPORTS Emma Chang ONLINE Candice Lee

Active shooter drills: A modern student’s nightmare Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are not a reflection of the views of Paw Prints Weekly as a whole. They are the sole views of the author. Paw Prints Weekly celebrates a diverse audience and staff, and it supports the declaration of the duties and rights of a Journalist per the U.S. Constitution. ‘Pow! Pow!’ This is not a drill… 10 years. 180 school shootings. 356 victims. Imagine sending a goodbye text to your loved ones and hearing the sound of gunshots as you are walking to class. For schools practicing a new form of emergency preparation— active shooter drills—this is the stark reality that is painted in the minds of parents and administrators alike. In light of the Parkland shooting and Inskip Elementary School shooting, rampant fears have emerged in the form of tougher protocol for guns and shooting preparedness. Active-shooter drills came into existence after the Columbine massacre in 1999. The drills themselves range from barricading students within a designated room to using rubber pellet guns and fake blood to create

Volume 52 | Issue 9 Glen A. Wilson High School 16455 E. Wedgeworth Drive Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

In fact, these drills actually have the potential to create future trauma all while making students feel less safe at school. Some lockdowns may produce anxiety, stress, and traumatic symptoms in some students or staff, as well as loss of instructional time. This danger grazes the burliest coaches to the most vulnerable members in a school: those with disabilities. During a highly stressful situation precipitating the drill, it can be difficult to comprehend instructions or even forget how to breathe. Faculty and students facing previous trauma in their lives can be pulled into a rabbit hole of misery at the sound of a bullet being holstered. If these drills are truly in the best interest of the school, every students’ well being should be considered. Moreover, K-12 schools could be preyed upon by companies who believe that they can make money off of the fear that superintendents and parents feel. This leads to school funding being dedicated to these drills or hiring police officers to come on campus to act out the scene. Looking at the big picture, however, the $3 billion being spent per year on school security and

drills could be going towards hiring counselors, nurses, and teachers. Today 32% of teenagers have anxiety and 22% suffer from mental disorders. The flurry that comes with preparing for these drills takes attention away from programs like student wellness centers that could be implemented to prevent these shootings from happening in the first place The most effective solution is just to continue lock down drills with greater efficiency. Schools should not be over emphasizing remote or unlikely dangers. However, focusing on basic safety and providing counselor support to students will prevent these shooters from blossoming in the first place. We don’t light a fire in the hallways during a fire drill. Active shooter drills are like a double edged sword. Handling the situation carefully and considering the unique situations of its student body will allow schools to address the root of the problem. However, attacking the problem with bare-bones knowledge of the situation is not only a waste of money, but a traumatic waste of time as well. No drill is perfect, but real guns, much less plastic guns, hold no place inside of a school: no matter the reason.

STAFF Ana-Soﬁa Munoz Denise Thuong Devyn Kelly Gary Lee Jacob Ramos Joseph Mendoza Renee Wang Shirleen Kwong

An open forum, Paw Prints Weekly, encourages the written opinion of its readers in the form of signed letters to the editor or longer commentaries on topical subjects. While we recognize the individuality of all forms of expression we reserve the right to edit and censor that which we feel necessary in accordance with California Education Code 48907 and standards of good taste. All communications must be signed and submitted to room C-9 or emailed directly to gawhspawprintsweekly@gmail. com. It should also be understood that the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of individual Paw Prints Weekly staff members or the policy of Glen A. Wilson High School. The staff of Paw Prints Weekly Volume 52 is proud to bring you our latest issue. Find our newest articles online every week at www. pawprintsweekly.com

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

FEATURES

Our Badminton team is serving up the key to success! Sophia Zheng (11)

Darren Tan (12)

What is one thing you want to change about the badminton team? “One thing I want to change right now is a closer bond between junior varsity and varsity.”

What is your responsibility as a varsity captain of badminton? “My responsibility as a captain of the team is to make sure that everyone on the team is training and working to the best of their abilities and to have fun while doing so.”

How do you balance badminton with your academics? “You have to have two mindsets. In one, you have to focus more on your grade and the education itself, but in your sports mindset, you focus on where you want to be at, physically and mentally, and how you are going to play to win.”

What is some advice you would give to the newcomers? “Form and footwork are all important, but the most important thing is to make friends and have fun with your teammates.” What made you want to join badminton? “My parents both play badminton and growing up they always took me along to play with them.”

How would you help the newcomers of the badminton team? “[In practices] we would watch them, take note of their movement and what techniques they would use. Since we have the experience of playing badminton we see what they are doing wrong and correct them.”

What is your favorite beverage? “Water, I just prefer drinking water as it is [healthier than drinks].”

Serena Zheng (12)

Joanne Chen (11) What is your favorite part about being in badminton? “I enjoy the physical aspects in playing badminton, the swings, the running, it is all about the dynamic stuff.”

How do you feel about the team this year? “Unlike previous years, it was harder to get into the team as there were a lot more participants this year. In practice, we saw that everyone on the team this year was really into it and they were here because they want to play and to get better.”

What do you strive for in badminton this year? “I really want to improve my technique gameplay-wise this year.”

What is your best memory in badminton? “Definitely some of the intense games we had with other schools in the past because during the games everyone would be so positive, cheerful, they would always seem to be so into the game.”

How does badminton affect your daily life? “Since practice usually takes the whole afternoon, it kind of pushes my homework schedule back.”

What made you stay in badminton? “I did not really like playing when I was younger, but at the beginning of high school, I realized how much [being in] the team meant to me. We built this family relationship where everyone is just so nice to each other and [support one another].”

Jeffrey Tan (12) What did you envision when you first joined the team? “A group of people who would have fun to enjoy badminton.” How would you feel if badminton was discontinued? “I would feel sad because I enjoy badminton and that is why I joined [the team].” What is badminton to you as a student? “A sport that I enjoy playing with my friends.” If you can travel back in time, when and why? “I would not really care because I do not really have anything that I would travel back in time for.” What would you do with a billion dollars? “Give them to friends and family, have fun.”

If you can change one thing at school what would it be? “I believe there should be unlimited snacks during the nutrition break because everyone likes food.”

BADMINTON SCHEDULE

11 MAR

23 MAR

24 MAR

25 MAR

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 3:15PM

Conference game vs Chino Hills

Monday, March 23, 2020 3:15PM

Conference game vs Walnut

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:15PM

Conference game vs Rowland Wednesday, March 25, 2020 3:15PM

Conference game vs Walnut

Feature and photos compiled by Gary Lee, Staff Writer

4 PERSPECTIVES

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

PERSPECTIVES

The horrors that lie behind the scenes of child acting By RENEE WANG STAFF WRITER

Behind all the laugh tracks and childhood nostalgia lies a deep, dark conflict between child actors and their parents. In the entertainment industry, actors come in a wide variety of ages: some beginning their careers as toddlers. There are multiple ways that actors begin working at such a young age but taking a look into Hollywood’s past, cases of parents exploiting their children for money have become increasingly common. In these specific scenarios, a child’s dream of becoming a prominent actor eventually turns into a situation of borderline child labor. For example, the 1996 HBO film, Crimes of the Century, brought in 3-month-old triplets to work as extras from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. While these issues have grown to be uncommon today, it is still relevant for society to take caution and look deeper into a child’s distress in a complicated family dynamic. Obviously, parents have considerable control over their children, like telling them to “do their homework” or “wake up to go to school.” In a child actor’s perspective, it is obvious to leave your parents in charge of finance, because you are a minor, and oftentimes, you would trust your parents the most. Unfortunately, there are problems where a child’s innocence is exploited by parents.

Such was the case of the retired actor, Macaulay Culkin, who starred in the Christmas comedy film, Home Alone, when he was just eight-years-old. The movie eventually made Culkin one of the biggest child actors of his time. However, accompanied by his wealth and success was misfortune upon him and his

Undoubtedly, Culkin’s success has brought him and his family more grief than fortune, as at a young age, Culkin was a witness to the worst side of society, shaped by greed from none other than his own parents. This goes to show that the effects of a child in a work environment can prove to be detrimental to their mental health

actors to keep up appearances which prove to be difficult for teenagers undergoing puberty. Furthermore, being pushed into the work industry at a young age; most child actors tend to miss out on their childhood, an important part of an adolescent’s development. The problem is, these actors do not get time to actually

father’s deleterious relationship. Due to his parent’s divorce in the late 90s, Culkin and his fortune were split between the two which caused a series of court cases and tabloids of the family conflict for a period of time. Then, at the age of 14, Culkin retired as an actor to become more focused on his studies.

and growth. For instance, pressures of looking good and being in the public eye are essential for an actor’s image, oftentimes attempting to appear perfect to the audience. Realistically, if a child actor wants to continue their career as an adult, factors like looks matter. Specific industry standards pressure child

develop. According to studio teacher Linda Stone, who worked with the child actors on Disney XD’s TV series Kickin’ It, because of the child actors’ hectic schedules, some lessons are limited to as short as only two minutes. As a set teacher, Stone has to travel with child actors, once accompanying the singer Miley

Cyrus for two concert tours. From this, it is evident that child actors do not just have the time for learning, but also completely prioritize their jobs before anything else. Essentially, the problem is not just the long hours a child actor works, but also when the parents are unwilling to let their child stop when it is negatively affecting their child. It is important for parents to know that children themselves need to have time outside of work to develop other interests and skills. This is why when a child actor works early on till adulthood, acting has become such an important aspect in their life that finding another job within another field will prove to be difficult. In the end, they have to continue acting to survive in their adult life. However, in recent years, more laws around child actors working have been implemented for their protection over their rights and salary. For instance, the updated Coogan Law states that all of the child actor’s earnings belong to them, where parents are legally responsible to maintain the money until the child becomes an adult. Nonetheless, people have to be more aware and set standards for Hollywood guidelines themselves in order to prevent any more future issues with child actors. We all remember the child actors within Disney and Nickelodeon who entertained and made us happy in our childhood. In return, the least we can do is to pay attention to what happens beyond the screen. ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

How GM Foods are changing the way we eat forever By GARY LEE STAFF WRITER

“Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it.” -Alton Brown. Genetically modified (GM) foods have existed for centuries. Whether it be altering crops, cross-breeding or synthesizing new products, these foods have become a staple within an everyday diet. These modifications often hold great value as they allow manufacturers to improve on not only the quality and quantity of food, but also further evolve and adapt their products to the current needs of mankind. The topic in question today is the morality around the amalgamation of pre-existing food. According to a survey conducted by online publisher Scientific American, 49% of the U.S. believe GM food is unhealthy and only 5% perceive them as good alternatives to regular food. Within the field of science, it is more important to fully understand the subject before making any claims. According to an online survey conducted by the charity Food Drive, only about 69% of U.S adults are confident in their

understanding of GM products. In short, it is the environment and the condition around food production that led to the creation of GM foods. One of the most prominent environmental changes within the past century is global warming. Due

alike have begun to develop new methods to replace, sustain and even improve preexisting foods that may disappear in the future. For example, unbeknownst to many, the cocoa trees, the main source of chocolate, are said to become extinct in 30 years. Due to cocoa

However, as stated by Food Network, scientists are using genealtering tools that will allow cocoa trees to sustain harsher living conditions. Furthermore, it is not just foods like chocolates that are affected, but other commodities

to the progression of technology the Earth’s atmosphere has been recorded to be worse than it ever had been since the extinction of dinosaurs. In light of the Earth’s gray future scientists and environmentalists

trees’ unique living conditions, many of the trees will die due to the rapid temperature change caused by global warming. As temperature rises in infertile lands, there will be no place for cocoa to grow meaning no chocolate for future generations.

too. For example, one of the most psychoactive drugs in the world, coffee, is facing the same issues as cocoas. As proclaimed by the online website World Economic Forum, 25% of coffee bean productions are contributed by bees.

In a similar case with cocoa trees, the ever-changing temperature of the globe is repelling the bees that pollinate genus Coffea (coffee trees bushes) due to higher temperatures. As the temperature of the atmosphere rises more and more bees with less heat tolerance will die out leaving the world without its number one pollinator. Ultimately, it is not a matter of if extinction happens, but when it will happen if humanity does nothing to save these foods. The answers to sustaining these foods lie within genetic modification. If something is weak, endangered and dying out, it must adapt, change and overcome the challenges brought on by the rapid changes of this unpredictable world. Like humans, the organisms surrounding them evolve alongside them. As the intelligence and knowledge of humankind grow, their control over the environment does so too. It does not matter if people believe that GM products are unnatural and unhealthy, in the end, it is undeniable that genetic engineering of food will be the key to a prosperous and joyous future for humanity. ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

PERSPECTIVES

The new social-culture necessity of “canceling” By VINCENT CORTES EDITORIAL EDITOR

As western social-culture continues to grow and evolve, there has been an increasing fear of a phenomenon spurred by social media: cancel culture. However, some fears are more irrational than others. As former President Barack Obama describes, “Among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media, there is this sense that the way [I make a] change is to be as judgemental as possible about other people, and that’s enough.” He closes off by emphasizing that cancel culture and Twitter outrage is not activism nor is it bringing about change. Obama is right—but not completely. Indeed, the premise of “canceling” someone, debasing someone’s platform because of his or her actions, has its problems. For example, by canceling someone because of his or her past beliefs, it defeats the notion of “growing from our mistakes.” In this sense, it sets the precedent that individuals need to be morally upstanding and infallible. Through this lens, cancel culture is the embodiment of a hierarchical system based on merits, where pandering to the masses can elevate one’s rank; however, this

rudimentary perspective is a gross misinterpretation of what cancel culture is; it is not real. Simply, cancel culture is about accountability. The stigma surrounding the topic is analogous to fear-mongering that shames

influence on social-culture, our society’s ethics and values progress. Misogyny, racism and downright discrimination should not be acceptable in this day and age. Canceling someone, in reality, is condemning those who

their platform is a hyper exaggerated fantasy created by those not willing to be held accountable for his or her actions. In reality, those who face the ire of cancel culture face zero repercussions in real life—because

individuals in partaking in it. The term has become so stigmatized, that an individual facing criticism or condemnation for his or her actions is considered “canceled.” However, this should simply be a part of life. As minority groups continue to expand their

still partake in those ignorant behaviors; it holds people, especially people in power, accountable because their words and actions bear more weight than the individual. The notion that canceling someone immediately removes

ultimately, cancel culture only exists in online spaces. What this boils down to is this: In order for cancel culture to truly exist, its consequences must also extend into the real world, and it most likely will not. Ultimately, those in positions of power and his or

her reputations are able to escape unscathed after being canceled. Not only do such individuals possess social power, but also economic power to recover from experiencing public backlash. As the sentiment against cancel culture grows, it enables the ethically wrong actions of popular influencers to be forgotten. Essentially, a simple apology is sufficient enough to warrant the public to forgive and forget—even the most heinous of crimes. At some point the question needs to be asked: does this person deserve a platform? Indeed, people learn from their mistakes, but there are some actions that even ignorance cannot excuse. As abusers and rapists still remain in the public spotlight with a career as successful or even more than before, it is clear that people are not held responsible for his or her actions. As cancel culture’s stigma continues to grow, people’s ignorant actions continue to slip through the cracks. Cancel culture is important. It is a step towards progressing our society’s ethics and morals, and a step towards progression for minorities. Ultimately, while cancel culture does not possess the impact its detractors claim it has, it is a gateway to hold those accountable for their actions. ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

The utter harmful reality of toxic masculinity By ANA-SOFIA MUNOZ STAFF WRITER

Boys don’t cry. More likely than not, you have heard a statement like this at one point or another. For the majority of men, the idea that they should refrain from expressing emotions has been engrained into their minds since early childhood. Up until recent years, the suppression of male emotions has been largely enforced and widely accepted by society. Enter the concept of toxic masculinity. While the term may sound as though it is denouncing masculine traits or behavior, this is far from the truth. Toxic masculinity is defined as the adherence to traditional male gender roles that stigmatize the expression of emotions like sadness or fear, while simultaneously glorifying traits such as stoicism and dominance. Consequently, this expectation for all men to remain “strong” regardless of circumstances has created a particularly harmful culture that negatively impacts both men and women alike. Many men are left to deal with a myriad of mental health issues and may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms. In turn, women are forced to bear the brunt of the misogyny that typically stems from these dangerous ideologies. Ultimately, however, the pressure towards men to

maintain a constant facade of strength often comes from every direction and breeds the toxic masculinity that we condemn; it is our responsibility as a society to subvert the social norms that fuel this mindset. Surprisingly, the primary driving force behind toxic masculinity is men themselves.

to one-dimensional definitions of masculinity. When men uphold each other to a standard that requires them to feign unwavering strength, it may lead them to refuse to seek help when they really need it. Further, many women may also hold men to a harmful double-standard that punishes any

from both male peers and their female counterparts, men will feel driven to conceal their emotions— an act that can lead to potentially devastating consequences. In fact, the American Psychological Association warns that enforcing extremely strict and traditional masculinity is linked to aggression and misogyny. As a

Beginning in youth, boys are told that actions like crying or expressing interest in traditionally feminine things makes them “weak” and “less of a man.” These ideas are commonly perpetuated by male figures in one’s life who were also brought up to conform

behavior outside of the traditional male stereotype. Women will advocate for other women to break out of gender roles, while simultaneously criticizing “unmasculine” behaviors or traits as being undesirable in men. With the combined pressure

whole, the social expectations that constitute toxic masculinity may lead men to express a false sense of dominance through force. In an attempt to be perceived as the “ideal male,” men are led to the various behaviors that society often criticizes: domestic violence,

substance abuse and even sexual assault. To make matters worse, the emotional constraints that our culture places on men appear to manifest in other, more internalized ways. With no outlet to comfortably express their feelings, men may resort to harming themselves. Th is can be viewed in the elevated male suicide rates; as of 2018, the American Association of Suicidology reports that the male suicide rate is approximately three times that of females. Evidently, the impossible standard of strength to which men are upheld has taken an obvious toll. The variety of negative repercussions prove that the destigmatization of male emotions is long overdue. But how can we as a society undo generations’ worth of enforcing toxic masculinity? The solution begins with both our own personal treatment of men, as well as instituting spaces for them to discuss their experiences. Outlets such as men’s groups like ManKind Project USA are an example of avenues that allow judgment-free conversations and offer emotional support. Overall, when we start to develop an objective perspective regarding the way societal expectations impact men, we may pave a way for them to feel more comfortable expressing their emotions and break free from outdated gender norms. ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

6 ENTERTAINMENT

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT I Am Not Okay With This is much better than okay By ANA-SOFIA MUNOZ STAFF WRITER

Dear readers…I am far beyond okay with this. On Feb. 26, Netflix released the original series I Am Not Okay With This. The show is an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by artist Charles Forsman. The show follows troubled, angst-ridden Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis) as she navigates both high school and the grieving process following her father’s death. However, Sydney is a far cry from your average teen; she discovers that when her anger, frustration or fear bubbles over, she has telekinetic abilities. While the “teenager with superpowers” trope may appear overdone, I Am Not Okay With This equips relatable characters, sharp Generation Z humor and a modern take on John Hughesesque cinematography to craft a unique series that is sure to resonate with adolescent audiences. Arguably, one of the most notable aspects of the show is the characterization of protagonist Sydney. Like most protagonists, she displays a complex array of relatable traits. For instance, she is often depicted as sarcastic and socially awkward, qualities that allow viewers to see themselves within her character. Unlike with your typical protagonist,

however, the series uniquely makes no attempt to justify the negative aspects of her personality. Even when Sydney’s social faux pas begin to appear more inept than awkward, or her sarcastic nature brews bitterness within her relationships, the series does not try to excuse her behavior—not even with the death of her father, despite the fact that he committed suicide, leaving her visibly traumatized. In doing so, the show depicts Sydney in an overall more realistic way. Although this may cause her to come across as less likable at times, it certainly adds a distinct element of humanness that can rarely be found in most young adult series. Ultimately, the show’s decision to focus on Sydney’s imperfections, rather than shy away from them, creates an enjoyable—albeit unusual—sense of relatability, especially for teen viewers grappling with similar emotional struggles. To add, the sardonic sense of humor that pervades the show is very much in line with that of present-day audiences, especially young people. The comedy employed throughout the show is often dry, contorting uncomfortable situations to cast a humorous light upon them. Humor is woven throughout scenes at even the most unexpected moments, allowing the audience room to breathe in the midst of tensity as well as serving to

strengthen the relationships between characters in a more lighthearted way. Unsurprisingly, the young cast is a major contributing factor to the show’s success. The star of the show, Sophia Lillis, puts on an especially exceptional performance as Sydney. Lillis expertly encapsulates every aspect of Sydney’s complex personality into her portrayal—she seamlessly navigates everything from Sydney’s explosive rage and internalized emotional turmoil, to subtler moments of quiet grief. Lillis’s skills as an actress truly come through in this role, which

is particularly commendable considering her young age. Moreover, Wyatt Oleff delivers another standout performance as Stanley Barber, flawlessly depicting his eccentric confidence. Oleff perfectly conveys Stanley’s endearing social blunders, effectively rendering him one of the most lovable characters in the series. On a different note, the cinematography of the series goes hand in hand with the show’s storyline and provides a captivating setting. Scenes are often uniquely framed, and the

generally neutral color palette creates a pleasing backdrop for the story to take place. The soundtrack is also put to great use throughout the series, at times deliberately worked into scenes rather than simply being background music. In short, every detail of this show serves its purpose. Overall, I Am Not Okay With This is a genuine rarity among most of today’s young adult series. As a whole, the show is most definitely a work of well-crafted entertainment that will leave audiences greatly anticipating another season. GRAPHIC/DEVYN KELLY

Late rapper’s newest album continues music legacy By CLAIRE LAW STAFF WRITER

“Enjoy the best things in your life cuz you ain’t gonna get to live it twice.” On Jan. 17, Warner Records posthumously released Mac Miller’s long-awaited album: Circles. Sadly, Mac Miller passed away at the young age of 26 on Sep. 7, 2018, caused by an accidental drug overdose. Due to this incident, he unfortunately left his work unfinished. However, composerproducer Jon Brion was committed to finishing the album after Miller’s death. Essentially, Circles was said to be the companion piece of Miller’s previous album Swimming, which debuted in 2018. Additionally, the 12 songs included in the album reflected the late rapper’s mental health and his journey of working through depression. The concept of the album is based on the idea of Miller going around in “circles,” meaning that he feels as if he has not experienced definitive progress in his life. Essentially, the album’s meaningful lyrics, catchy beats and unique cinematography combine to create a huge hit in the music industry. Firstly, the lyrics portray a

significant message in every song of the album. In the seventh song titled “Woods,” the key lyrics of the song are “Heartbreak will you leave you bankrupt/ Too many days in a day, better wake up.” In this song, Miller explains how he put a lot of effort into a past romantic relationship and realizes that it takes even more energy to put it back together. In other words, Miller wanted to convey how you can end up losing all your money trying to fix a broken heart. This is relatable since many people have or eventually will go through the same experience. Continuing on the path about his romantic relationship, Miller produced his ninth song of the album, “That’s On Me.” The key lyrics of this song, “And I don’t know where I have been

lately but I been alright/ I said good morning this morning and I’ll say goodnight” represent how Miller’s relationship ended, but it is now time to get over it. Furthermore, he takes full responsibility for the mistakes he

has made and why the relationship ended.

Additionally, the catchy beats slowly set the mood for every song in Circles. The third song, “Blue World” is Miller’s funkiest and eeriest song in the album. According to MTV News, the news production division of MTV, throughout the song, it seems as if Dr. Manhattan, a fictional character who appears in DC Comics, and eight clones are yelling into an echoing cave. With a slightly uptempo, yet endlessly dynamic backdrop built around divine voices, Miller refuses the temptation and shouts out his resilience of depression. Furthermore, this song is a high point that brings some positivity and joy to the listeners. Moreover, “Everybody” features more of Miller’s singing as opposed to his rapping. In the ballad, the background instrumentals combine with Miller’s voice to portray that we all rise and fall in making the most out of our

lives. Subsequently, the artist is also very honest and open in this piece as he looks at the facts of life that everyone will eventually pass away. Furthermore, the beautiful cinematography portrayed the struggles Miller underwent not only as an artist, but a human being. Miller’s fifth song “I Can See,” has the most extravagant visuals compared to his other songs in Circles. This song “I Can See” is a vast, cosmic, miragelike song about figuring out what’s real and fake. Moreover, Miller contemplates calling for help as he realizes that life is really just a dream and can not be taken for granted. In essence, Miller’s album includes more of a relaxed style of rap, making him different from the stereotypical rappers. Although Miller’s music is different from other artists’, it shows that he has his own kind of music style. Rather than following trends in a popular culture, his work remained authentic all throughout his career. All in all, Circles portrayed the iconic life of Miller beautifully by incorporating memorable lyrics, catchy beats and bizarre cinematography within his music videos. Mac Miller will always be remembered and it is evident through his powerful new album. ART/DENISE THUONG

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

ENTERTAINMENT

Little Women leaves profound impact on audiences By ANA-SOFIA MUNOZ STAFF WRITER

These Little Women are marching their way to the top. On Dec. 25, 2019, Columbia Pictures released the historical drama Little Women. The film follows the March sisters Beth (Eliza Scanlen), Amy (Florence Pugh), Meg (Emma Watson) and Jo (Saoirse Ronan) in their various ventures to make a living as women in the late 19th century. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, is the most recent big screen adaptation of the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott. Arguably, Gerwig’s take on the classic story is the best by far, on par with today’s modern values regarding the various ambitions of women and their capability to succeed through their various passions. Although the storyline is set in the 19th century, it encapsulates a timeless tale of the struggles that women often face in attempting to balance family, relationships and navigating their careers. Evidently, one of the film’s most prominent features is the various changes that Gerwig made to the original story. In particular, the ambiguity of Jo’s story caught the attention of many avid Little Women fans. Unlike in other adaptations, in which Jo is married off to an older man, Gerwig’s version allows viewers to interpret

whether she married or remained independent. Throughout the film, Saoirse Ronan expertly portrays the stubborn and impulsive Jo by emphasizing all of her unique character traits. Typically, she is known as the most defiant of the March sisters, actively subverting

proclaiming her loneliness, in a now-famed scene that truly exemplifies the film’s objective of demonstrating the many facets of hard-working women. Additionally, Ronan is not the only actor who shines in the film; her co-star Florence Pugh also plays her character in a way that

being the youngest sister. Pugh portrays Amy in a much gentler light, conveying her sometimes snide behavior as stemming from adolescent immaturity rather than malicious intent. Similarly to Jo, Pugh’s rendition of Amy incorporates more modern values relating to women. For example,

the strict expectations for women at the time. Ronan’s take on the character showed her to be threedimensional, revealing a softer side to Jo through a refreshing declaration of heartache in the midst of pursuing her ambitions. Particularly, Ronan delivers a heart-wrenching monologue

shows an adept understanding of her complexity. Pugh, who plays Amy, took a distinctive approach to her character as compared to both the novel and other adaptations. While Amy is often shown to be vain and spiteful, in this film audiences see her growth as well as her struggles

Amy maintains her femininity while simultaneously going after her dream to be an artist, a notable characteristic when contrasted to Jo’s signature tomboy style. Consequently, these varied depictions of ambitious women allow more viewers to relate because they are offered a more

diverse range of characters to see themselves in. Furthermore, the film’s set and costume design were especially commendable. The wardrobe was very complex and detail-oriented; each piece effortlessly fit into the fashion of the time period. Both the set design and multitude of beautifully filmed shots created a comforting setting for this classic. When paired together, viewers were easily transported back to the time of the film, as even the most minute background elements— from scenery to post-Civil War architecture and wardrobe— were obviously taken into careful consideration. Overall, the genuine craftsmanship behind creating the film does not go unnoticed and can be seen in every aspect of the production. Ultimately, Gerwig’s Little Women far surpasses expectations and will likely be known as one of the most memorable interpretations of this acclaimed tale. The film reimagines the story in a way that today’s audiences are much more likely to connect with. The movie is more than deserving of the several Academy Award nominations and positive reviews that it has received, earning high praise from critics worldwide. While these women may be little, the impact of showcasing their capabilities in this modern light will surely leave a big impression for generations to come. GRAPHIC/DEVYN KELLY

THIS MONTH’S COMIC STRIPS “EVERYDAY STRUGGLES”

ART BY SHIRLEEN KWONG

Monday, March 9, 2020

MONDAY, MAR. 9, 2020

Volume 52 Issue 9

Paw Prints Weekly

SPORTS

SPORTS for

Girls’ soccer falls to Sierra Canyon HS in CIF By CLAIRE LAW STAFF WRITER

On Wednesday, Feb 19, girl’s soccer suffered a decisive loss to Sierra Canyon with a score of 0-3. After numerous matches, both the Wildcats and Trailblazers were set to compete in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quarterfinals. However, because of the loss, this match marks the conclusion of the girls’ season and their journey in CIF. Remarkably, this is the farthest the team has ever made within CIF, making history for the girls’ record. In addition, the team also concludes with a 10-0 league victory. In light of such results, girls’ soccer head coach Manny

Amezquita explains that although the result may be disheartening, it does not change the way he feels about the team. “I am really proud of the fact that we were able to make the quarterfinals; it was the furthest we have gone anytime we went to CIF. I do also feel like we could have done more since we should have been able to beat that team and move on, so I am a little disappointed in the fact that we were not able to pull in the results. [However], when I look at the bigger picture I feel better about it,” Amezquita said. “The way that these girls played, the leadership that all of our seniors took just to drive each and everyone one of our players to give their all every season really brings the best feelings out of me out of everybody knowing

that we didn’t leave anything in the tank.” Looking back, forward Julia Gomez (11) felt that the team really gave it their all this game. “Even though we lost, I felt like it was a good game as this is our first time [competing] in division four and I think getting into the quarterfinals is a really big accomplishment,” Gomez said. “We were practicing every day and going over our set plays as well as doing research on the other team to see if they have any good players.” Similarly, center-back Mia Garcia (10) reflects on the team’s performance and is proud of the girls’ progress. “We came a long way from the beginning as we did not do so well at the start and could have played better,” Garcia said.

“Though in the second half of the season, we really started to turn things around and hit it a lot harder during practices, resulting in us doing better in our games.” It became apparent that Garcia understands what her team went through.

“I feel really great about the game [because] we played our hardest and left it all on the table, which all you can really ask for in a team,” Garcia said. Overall, the girls played extremely well this season and will continue in high spirits for next season.

Major cheating scandal rocks the MLB world By JACOB RAMOS

❏

STAFF WRITER

❏ finish Nice guys (almost always) last. Never has a phrase in any sport ❏ been so scrutinized. In 2017, a piece of poetry in baseball came to light. The ❏barrier Houston Astros broke the of being the joke of the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over ❏games. six years and won over 100 From there, they became the the darling of the MLB for over 3 ❏ games years, winning over 300 in three seasons and bringing popularity back to baseball in Houston. Thus, the Astros set up what seemed to be a dynasty in the making. Led by stars such as Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, young talent ruled Minute Maid Park, and the numbers showed that the trio always hit much better at home. At the time, this was not suspicious at all, considering most baseball players play at their highest level when in the comfort of their own home stadium. The Astros continued to rake in win after win

and all was well in H-Town. But soon enough, a bombshell report in late 2019 changed everything for the Astros, and the MLB alike when former pitcher Mike Fiers put the Astros on blast in a cheating scandal which rocked the baseball world and took center stage on nearly all social media. The report blatantly stated the Astros used cameras placed in center field of Minute Maid Park to steal signs from opposing teams and outed the team for their unfair practices. What many did not know, was that this very report would give way to more than just news of the Astros’ cheating, which would change the public’s perception of the team forever. When Fiers released the report, there was understandably a decent amount of outcry from MLB fans. Many had been startled by the news, especially those who had been seemingly cheated out of seeing their favorite team win a World Series. Yet, those same fans were still on for a rollercoaster ride of emotions as more and more reports of the team’s wrongdoings eventually emerged from the dark. By February of this year, the reports which basically conflicted,

have begun to die down and settle into the hearts of MLB fans across the nation. One of the major facets of the scandal are the actions of Rob Manfred, commissioner of the MLB, whose weak, inconsistent punishment for all involved did little to serve the punishment it intended to. For years, Manfred has been a solid commissioner, succeeding the former commissioner of the MLB, Bud Selig. Through his career, Manfred has continued to push the boundaries of baseball in America, playing games in numerous foreign countries and creating good working relations with said countries. While Manfred has been a decent commissioner, he has never been pressed with a challenge quite like the Astros’ cheating scandal. In retrospect, there were many options at hand, some including stripping the Astros of their 2017 World Series title or suspending players involved in the scandal for life. Despite this, these punishments are nearly unheard of in the MLB, as a select few players have been banned for life, and no titles have ever been revoked from a team.

Manfred, given the opportunity to make a statement and put his foot down on the cheaters in his league, chose to instead grant all players immunity from any punishment to squeeze out information from the culprits. Not only is this a disgusting, lowball move, Manfred neglected to strip nothing from the ‘Stros, effectively showing the MLB universe it is perfectly okay to cheat your way to wins, and titles. This lack of repercussions will set a precedent in the MLB which will be hard to shake in coming years. While Manfred did make some decisions viewed as relatively strong, such as the one year suspensions of AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow, Astros manager and general manager, respectively, he made no changes to the 2017 season or suspended any players. While there was immunity granted to the players for semi-good reason, the way I see it is Manfred took the easy way out of investigating hard into the situation. When given the opportunity to raid Astros players with questions regarding their now tainted championship runs, Manfred instead expedited the situation by telling the cheaters

essentially “I do not have time for this, tell us anything and you will not get in trouble.” This is ridiculous in itself, but even worse, the commissioner did not consistently provide any sort of immunity to Luhnow or Hinch, two of the most instrumental pieces to solving this puzzle. In such a messy situation, those two men likely had the most intel and insight on the scandal as a whole, as they were the main men governing over the players who orchestrated the cheating. For commissioner Manfred to just give away immunities to those who do not truly deserve it is a horrible way to act, governing a top sports league in the world. Indeed, this was an extremely perplexing situation in the sports world, one that could not easily be handled by any one man or woman. But if you told any baseball fan in December that the Astros would receive a slap on the wrist for punishment, you would be called insane. Dear Commissioner Manfred, you had and still have a chance to be revolutionary. I suggest you do not mess it up.