Palo Alto Unified School District Henry M. Gunn High School 780 Arastradero Rd Palo Alto, CA 94306
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Affordable housing scarcity impacts staff commute times Chris Lee Reporter On a typical weekday, English teacher Kate Zavack begins her morning at 6:00 a.m. at her home in Gilroy, 48 miles away from Gunn. She scrambles to brush her teeth, get dressed, cook lunch and load the car before her son Jude wakes up. By 7:15 a.m., the two are on their way to Jude’s preschool in San Jose, 33 miles away from Gilroy. After dropping off her son, Zavack continues to drive another 20 miles before arriving at Gunn at around 8:30 a.m. As housing across the San Francisco Bay Area continues to rise to unaffordable costs, Zavack’s morning has become less of an anomaly and more representative of the work-life balance for the average Gunn teacher. From a survey sent to staff with 76 responses, the most common wake-up time is 6:00 a.m., with the earliest reported wake-up time at 4:30 a.m. from a staff member commuting more than 90 minutes from Roseville. Arrival times on campus vary more, with the most common arrival time at 8:00 a.m.
“The real problem is that we don’t universally pay teachers enough to live in the communities that they teach in.” —Dance Teacher Tara Firenzi The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) identifies two key factors driving the housing crisis: a decrease in the number of new homes being built and the widening gap in income inequality. In recent years, local governments have placed more restrictions on developers in the interest of protecting open spaces and single-family zoning. At the same time, median house prices in the nine Bay Area counties reached $1.34 million in May 2021, an increase of 38.9% from 2020, according to the California Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, teachers’ wages have not increased by a commensurate amount, making it more challenging to live close to work, according to dance teacher Tara Firenzi. “The real problem is that we don’t universally pay teachers enough to live in the communities that they teach in,” she said. “Even in Santa Cruz, a lot of teachers live in places that have a lower cost of living because they’re not paying teachers enough in Santa Cruz to actually live there.” As a result, most teachers live in cities far from Gunn, facing a long commute to work every day. According to the staff survey, 52.6% of the respondents had a commute of under 30 minutes, while 39.5% drive 30 to 60 minutes and 7.8% drive more than 60 minutes to get to work.
Trade-offs to long commutes While frustrations are unique to each educator, their experiences all carry a similar tune of imbalance: location or commute. Many, including AP Economics teacher Phillip Lyons, cannot afford to live near Gunn. “I could not move down to Palo Alto,” he said. “It wouldn’t be financially possible to buy a home down here. I have a wife and two kids, so I was lucky to get a place 20 years ago in [San Francisco], where we have a small apartment.” School psychologist Melissa Clark also views finances as a major limitation. “[My family] owns our house,” she said. “If we looked at moving now, our mortgage would go up a lot. That’s a huge factor.” Additionally, longer commutes have forced teachers
to make significant sacrifices. Firenzi shared frustrations about her longer commute. “It bothers me how it’s hard for me to be present at extracurricular activities for my students,” she said. “I’d really like to show up sometimes for games or theater events, but I can’t stay late into the night. I have to go home first and pick up my kids and do what I need to do. It keeps me from being present here.” For Para-Educator Radhika Thampuran, the current housing arrangement takes a significant toll on her energy. “Mornings are fine, but on the days where the schedule ends at 4:10 p.m., I reach my home at around 5:30 p.m.,” she said. “As winter [approaches], it gets dark by the time I reach home, so I don’t have any energy left to do anything.” In order for teachers to avoid the consequences of long commute times, however, many would have to sacrifice their quality of life. “I chose the neighborhood we’re in because I have a son and I want him to be able to go play outside and ride his bike on a nice, quiet street—not next to a freeway and not in a tiny apartment complex,” Zavack said. “When I think about the quality of life in terms of not being so cramped, that’s a huge factor for me.”
COVID-19 and the present Last year, online learning temporarily gave teachers a taste of life without the daily commute. For Zavack, this meant more time for relaxation and self-care. “Being able to have that extra 30 minutes a day to go work out or take a class that interested me made a big difference,” she said. “Even just being able to go sit out in my backyard at the end of the school day and decompress really made a difference.” Lyons also enjoyed the newfound time, which he dedicated to family bonding. “With my kids at home, we spent so much more time together,” he said. “I went to the park almost every single day to play with my kids,” he said. “Now, I get home, and it’s already pitch black. I can’t do those things anymore.” Like Lyons, most teachers no longer have the time to engage in familial activities due to the return to long commutes. Starting this school year, the district implemented a new bell schedule with a start time of 9:00 a.m. and end times ranging from 3:30 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. While this shift was meant to encourage more rest for adolescents, it also forced teachers into the middle of rush-hour congestion. “Two extra hours a day on the road kind of wears you out,” Lyons said. “Even though you’re just sitting passively in a car, it’s stressful to be in traffic and have people honking and cutting you off. It’s a draining experience.” The inconvenient schedule has led to some, like Special Teacher commute—p.2
Key: Estimated commute time to Gunn 0-10 minutes 10-30 minutes
Nu mber of teachers who live in pinned city Gunn High School
30-40 minutes 40-50 minutes 50+ minutes
Source: Survey sent out to Gunn teachers with 76 responses.
Sophie Fan
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News
M o n t h l y h i g h l i g h t s : Tu r k e y F e a s t “Our main goal was to feed everybody—which we did—and then have extra, but the best part was that the lines were short.” —PTSA President Lili Nova-Roessig
“It’s great to see everybody enjoy food and come together. It was also great working with the PTSA to put this together.” —PTSA representative junior Ethan Liang
Students wait in line for a slice of pie in front of the Bat Cave.
P TS A voluntee rs hand ou t T hanksgiving themed food to students and staff on Nov. 18.
Principal Wendy Stratton eats the Turkey Feast food with parent Star Teachout.
All meals and pies were pre-packaged by the PTSA.
Junior Syma Chan enjoys a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
“The food was really good, especially the stuffing. It’s the perfect entrance to Thanksgiving break—good food and a good time.” —Senior Samantha Lang
The meals included traditional sides like stuffing, gravy and turkey.
Housing scarcity affects staff commute Teacher commute—p.1
Education Teacher Briana Gonzalez, to spend more time at Gunn. “To beat the traffic so I’m not sitting bumper to bumper on the [Dumbarton] Bridge, I actually stay on campus a little bit later just to make sure my commute home isn’t as hectic,” she said. However, this option is not accessible for teachers with families and other commitments after school.
Current solutions Santa Clara County and other participating school districts have begun one project to ameliorate the housing shortage: the construction of 100 residential units at 231 Grant Avenue in Palo Alto. Although the initiative will not be completed until 2024, PAUSD Board of Education President Shounak Dharap expressed enthusiasm about the project. “The Board showed support in the discussion about investing in the county’s teacher housing plan and seeking as many available units as possible,” he said. “If the Board moves forward and approves the contract, this should help alleviate some of the pressures of housing costs in the area.” However, this new housing initiative has limitations and isn’t practical for those like Clark who need space for their families. “There’s no way I could convince my spouse to move into a small condo,” she said. “The size of our current house is not huge, but there’s room to breathe.” Another group working toward more obtainable educator housing is the United Educators for Housing and Literacy (UEHL), a non-profit organization that focuses on drafting public policy to make teacher housing more affordable. The group promotes a federally funded Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which would supplement teachers’ salaries for housing purposes.
—Compiled by Annika Bereny
Photos by Annika Bereny and Chinyoung Shao
Changes necessary Ultimately, the problem of educator housing extends beyond PAUSD and requires regional—if not national—action. “The only permanent solution is sustained investment at the city, county and state level in affordable housing and public transportation,” Dharap said. “Investment in the county’s housing project is a great first step in this regard, at least until more permanent solutions are put into place.” However, Firenzi points out that subsidized housing is only a temporary solution. “Teachers need access to capital, and they need to be able to establish themselves in a way that allows them to live an average life in that community,” she said. “That’s a problem way bigger than Palo Alto, but it’s how we conceive of what teachers are worth, what teachers should be paid and what they should have to sacrifice.”
How long does it take you to commute to school? 40-50 min 7.9% 30-40 min 23.7%
50+ min 15.7%
10-30 min 43.4% 0-10 min 9.2% Source: Survey sent out to Gunn teachers with 76 responses. Sophie Fan
Photos by Chinyoung Shao
News
Friday, December 3, 2021
THEORACLE
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780 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 354-8238 www.gunnoracle.com
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Jessica Wang Managing Editors Julianna Chang Catherine Chu News Haley Pflasterer Raphael Semeria Forum Lise Desveaux Mia Knezevic Features Carly Liao Jessica Zang Centerfold Katie Shih Rebecca Wu Sports Hila Livneh Safina Syed Lifestyle Annika Bereny Arjun Shah Online Paul Garofalo Sophia Stern Photo Editor Mia Knezevic Graphics Editor Sophie Fan
Staff Business/Circulation Sophia Stern Jessica Zang Copy Editors Cole Ford James Huang Kenneth Soh Sophia Stern Oracle/SEC Liaison Mia Knezevic Graphics Artists Lydia Cheng Irene Hong Ella Koehler Clair Koo Michelle Koo Youyang Qin Mihika Sane Chinyoung Shao Photographers Yoochan An Gracie Easton Nishi Goyal Chinyoung Shao Naomi Wang Brandon Woo Reporters Cole Ford James Huang Katie LaWer Chris Lee Kenneth Soh
Left: An ofrenda outside of the Wellness Center honors deceased celebrities for Día de Los Muer tos. Right: S tudents enjoy pan de muer to.
SEC highlights diversity with campus-wide events Safina Syed Sports editor
This past semester, the Student Executive Council (SEC) has been working to highlight diverse cultural holidays. Diversity Commissioners seniors Inés Garcia and Anika Saraf have labored to create events that celebrate holidays, including Día de los Muertos and Unity Day. García and Saraf co-host occasional events during lunch on the quad to inform students about holidays. They also use the SEC Instagram to increase inclusivity and help students celebrate their heritage. One of García and Saraf’s goals is to ensure that students feel that their culture is represented at Gunn. “Your cultural identity should not be separate from your identity as a student,” García said. “We want to make students feel as though they “Your cultural identity should not be separate from your identity as a student. We want to make students feel as though they can have both be a part of their school life.”
—Senior Inés García
can have both be a part of their school life.” SEC supervisor Lisa Hall believes that the Diversity Commissioners’ initiative to showcase various cultures is vital to establish a welcoming environment. “I think in the past we have not spent as much time as we could have focusing on all of the different cultures that are represented in our school,” she said. “It has been refreshing to work with our Diversity Commissioners, who are both really involved and excited about making sure everybody feels included and welcome at the school.” The events planned by the diversity commissioners teach students about different cultural events through incorporating food, deco-
rations and performances associated with the culture. “Students seem really excited about the events,” Saraf said. “I think [the events] can be good teaching moments, and they generally have really positive messages of empathy and tolerance and celebrating your identity here on campus.” To make sure holidays are accurately portrayed, García and Saraf plan on asking their fellow students for input. “Going forward, [we want] to ensure that we’re representing that holiday or event in the best way possible and that we’re asking members of our community who know it best to help us,” García said. On Nov. 2, a Día de los Muertos event was held on the quad during lunch, and it featured musical performances from students, pan de muerto and an altar with decorations and photos celebrating celebrities who had passed away. Senior Monserrat Roldan Cisneros helped out with the event and enjoyed seeing the campus celebrating more cultural events. “I think Gunn is starting to be more diverse in its events and starting to really listen to what the students want,” Cisneros said. “It’s definitely a start, but I believe that they can do better.” Junior Justin Hou, a member of the Chinese Culture Club, hopes for more schoolsponsored events celebrating cultural traditions. “With the cultural events that Gunn does promote, [Gunn] does a great job of finding people who are enthusiastic about it,” he said. “But I feel like there are more events that can be represented.” Assistant Principal Courtney Carlomagno is also pleased with the number of diverse events Gunn has been able to hold this semester, but she sees room for improvement. “We’ve been able to have a large variety of events,” she said. “I think what we need to improve on is getting more students involved and engaging more students from all backgrounds.” In addition to the SEC-planned events,
Gunn started an equity committee, under the leadership of Carlomagno, in the fall of 2020. The goal of the committee is to create a space where students feel free to express themselves and their areas of interest. The student equity committee had their first meeting of the year with 44 students in attendance. “We have a lot
“I think it’s important to make sure that all students and staff can engage and participate and to create opportunities for them to get involved.” —Assistant Principal Courtney Carlomagno
of students in the committee who are interested in finding ways to highlight people’s stories of all backgrounds, spread information, host more events and celebrations and really continue that work,” Carlomagno said. The equity committee explores topics such as curricular review, information campaigns, shared learning experiences, celebrations and event planning. The committee is dedicated to recruiting students who want to share their opinions. “I think it’s important to make sure that all students and staff can engage and participate and to create opportunities for them to get involved,” Carlomagno said. García and Saraf are in the process of coming up with new events. “Next semester, we also really want to branch out to some other cultures,” Saraf said. “I was thinking of doing a Holi event so we could celebrate South Asian culture and include everyone in that experience as well.” García is also looking into planning one of Gunn’s larger annual events, Global Cultures Week. “Global Cultures Week is an event that I’m really excited for because it’s very dynamic in its use of music, food, performances and general celebration of Gunn’s vibrant and diverse student body,” she said.
INBOX The Oracle strongly encourages and prints signed Letters to the Editor and Comments. Comments are generally shorter responses, while Letters are longer pieces of writing. Please include your name, grade and contact information should you choose to write one. “I really enjoy the crosswords! It’s been super fun completing them at lunch with friends. Please continue doing them.”
Adviser Kristy Blackburn
—Sofía Little, 12
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“I liked the section about transfer students; it was interesting to read and learn about people I wouldn’t normally hear about.”
—Sophie Hahn, 10
—Oct. 22, 2021—
Letters and Comments may be edited to meet space requirements, and the writer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the content. Letters to the Editor, Comments and ideas for coverage may be sent to oraclegunn@gmail.com. These letters do not need to be from current students. “I think it would be cool if The Oracle had its own comic strip. The Oracle could also have a section covering Gunn alumni every once in a while.”
—Ryan Wang, Class of 2020 “The fact that the crossword was out of function was a bummer, but I enjoyed the articles.”
—Saman de Silva, 12 “The graphics on page 20 really seemed to go together. I also found the topics highly relevant, especially ‘the fall season flavors’ page and the Día de los Muertos articles.”
—Madeleine Chen, 12
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SUSTAINABLE alternatives to commercial GIFTs promote healthy Environment, holiday spirit during winter season Lise Desveaux Forum Editor ‘Tis the season, and with the start of the festivities comes the shopping frenzy. Every holiday season, shops are filled with eager customers frantically searching for last-minute gifts for their loved ones. Gift-giving is a timeless tradition, and people have been exchanging gifts as a way to show appreciation to each other and spread the holiday spirit for years. Gift-giving demonstrates how much people care about each other and provides a chance to express one’s creativity. However, commercial gifts can often be detrimental to the environment because of the large amount of plastic wrappings left behind, especially from packages ordered online. Online shopping negatively impacts the environment, contributing to climate change, which releases green house gases in the air. To lessen the impact of gift-giving on the planet, people need to look for eco-friendly options when searching for a gift. Despite popular belief, gifts don’t need to be sophisticated. They can come in many different forms; that is what makes them unique. Often, people feel burdened to find an expensive gift because they believe that spending more will make the recipient happier. This false assumption leads to unnecessary stress. Gifting is about sharing a piece of yourself with another and showing them how much you care about them. There is no price tag on a perfect gift. A growing issue about commerical gift-giving, however, is that it disproportionately benefits big brands and online stores. This leaves fewer customers for smaller businesses who heavily depend on the holiday season for revenue. The retail industry, especially big department
stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Target, substantially benefit during the holidays because people tend to buy gifts in retail stores. Recently, online shopping websites such as Amazon, Etsy and Shein have seen an increased numbers in visits and orders from Nov. 2019 through Jan. 2020. According to the Chain Store Age (CSA), during the 2020 holiday season, Amazon beat its previous record and sold more than 1.5 billion toys, house products and electronics worldwide. This sudden increase was in great part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the stores to temporarily close or reduce their occupancy. Consequently, small businesses saw their revenue decline significantly. The National Bureau of Economic Research stated that in April 2020, the revenue for small businesses declined by nearly 40%. This is detrimental to shop owners who often rely on their businesses for income. The surge in online holiday shopping also negatively impacted the environment and contributed carbon dioxide emissions to the planet. According to the Imago Foundation, in 2017, the United Service Postal Service (USPS) delivered around 900 million packages in the U.S. between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the months where people buy their holiday gifts. The holiday season accounts for more than 14% of Amazon’s annual deliveries in a time span of one month. The amount of carbon dioxide released into the air from postal service transportation in that short period of time is enormous. The Imago foundation states that in the same year, carbon dioxide accounted for more than 82% of the U.S. greenhouse gas emission, which warms the
planet significantly. These severe impacts on the environment have led major organizations and climate activists to call for change in how people buy their gifts during the holiday season. In 2018, Kate Kiely, a spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defense Council, spoke out against the increase in online shopping. “There is nothing more aligned with the spirit of the season than thinking about what impact our choices will have on the world our children and grandchildren will inherit,” she said. Online shopping is not beneficial for future generations, since the amount of waste from packaging and the carbon dioxide released by the transportation of packages will leave a less healthy environment. Being responsible during the holiday season is essential in to protect the environment. In order to do so, people should consider transitioning to handmade gifts. There are many options for handmade gifts, such as jewelry, which is both easy to make and sustainable. Handmaking gifts reduces your carbon footprint, which is a step in the right direction. With a little more time and Koo elle h c effort, it is possible to buy an eni M vironmentally friendly gift. Shopping at local businesses is a great way to start, since many local businesses produce what they sell locally. Small businesses also create unique gifts as opposed to the massproduced practices large retail stores engage in. These gifts are valuable because they are one of a kind. Being mindful when gift-giving is a great way to honor the holidays, your family and the planet while creating plenty of memories.
In order to protect our environment, people should transition to handmade gifts.
Irene Hong
Forum
Friday, December 3, 2021
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Christmas Celebraters should foster inclusivity for others
Hila Livneh Sports Editor
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ONLINE.
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EXCHANGING GIFTS
APPRECIATION. Source: Survey sent out to Gunn students with 236 responses.
Faces in the Crowd: Are gifts the best way to show appreciation during the holidays?
“It depends on what you’re giving: a gift should have deep meaning behind it, like an inside joke or something that the person has been wanting for a while.”
“Gift-giving is the best way to show appreciation. The thought, the time and the meaning behind a gift you give signifies your bond with someone.”
“Giving gifts is a great way to show appreciation for a loved one, but I think that spending time with them is the best.”
“In buying a gift, you show someone that they mean enough to you that you went out of your way to show them your appreciation.”
—Chloe Wang, 9
—Antara Raman, 10
—Juno Kim, 11
—Jonathan Hardan, 12
Irene Hong, Michelle Koo and Chris Lee
December is the time of year when Christmas decorations start to appear, stockings are hung above the fireplace and stores bring out ornaments and cute figurines to advertise the “perfect” gifts for loved ones. At school, students begin whispering about Secret Santa while radio stations start to play Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey and Frank Sinatra. While the time leading up to Christmas is great for those who celebrate, it can be overwhelming for those who don’t like me. After all, there is barely any representation for other holidays like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. In stores, there are typically a few stands for other winter holidays featuring chocolate coins, dreidels and, occasionally, a menorah. Seeing these dingy stands in stores is extremely disappointing—I want to feel the same excitement and joy during these holidays, but I can’t because the atmosphere of wreaths and reindeers is so smothering. To be fair, Hanukkah isn’t a materialistic holiday. While much of the basis and excitement for Christmas is buying presents, Hanukkah is about celebrating how the Maccabees, or Jewish rebel warriors, were able to get back the Temple of Jerusalem. Thanksgiving is similar to Hanukkah in that rather than presents, there are large amounts of decorations and tchotchkes commemorating the holiday. Even with this in mind, Thanksgiving is celebrated by many and representation is abundant; there’s no reason why Hanukkah should be any different. Back in elementary and middle school, teachers used to throw holiday parties right before winter break. I would get really excited to see friends and relax. Once I walked through the door however, I looked around to see Christmas decorations, food and presents. I realized that it wasn’t actually a holiday party—it was really just a Christmas party, and the teacher just wanted to be inclusive by calling it a holiday one. Although these parties were fun, and I appreciate the teachers putting in the effort to throw them, I always felt left out. Even today, it’s isolating seeing peoples’ sad and concerned reactions when I tell them I celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas. It’s almost as if they feel bad for me. School districts typically give time off for winter break so it aligns with Christmas or “local” holidays, and not for other religious holidays that require students to fast, such as Yom Kippur or Ramadan. While I love any time off, aligning breaks to non-U.S. traditional holidays would be beneficial to many students. They wouldn’t have to miss exams, school and extracurriculars, and they would be able to focus on their meaningful holidays. Overall, Christmas can feel very exclusionary to people who don’t celebrate. Although holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa aren’t as widely celebrated, they should still be represented. If stores include more items that could represent these holidays and emphasize them as much as Christmas, it would be so much more inclusive. America is a diverse country that should represent those who don’t celebrate Christmas. Although it’s hard to accommodate everyone’s needs, school should be able to show a piece of everyone's holidays and culture. By planning more school events as well as more media representation for those holidays, people will be able to feel more included in society during the holiday season.
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Forum 6 Should students get their drivers license at 16?
Katie LaWer Reporter Getting a drivers license at 16 has long been a rite of passage for American teenagers. Since the early 1990s, the number of teenagers getting their license at 16 has decreased 20.6% in 34 years, according to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. Many teenagers wonder if it’s worth going through the six-month permit process at 15 1/2 rather than waiting until 18 to skip the rigorous process. Teenagers should get their drivers license at 16 because it makes commuting from place to place easier for themselves and their parents and it teaches them responsibility at a younger age. Having a drivers license makes travel more convenient. Many students at Gunn live far enough away from campus that they can’t walk or bike to school. Having their drivers license makes it much easier for students to commute to school without asking their parents or taking the bus. Even if students don’t live far away from school, being able to drive makes it easier to get to extracurricular activities and sports practices after school. In a suburban city like Palo Alto, activities are spread out, and there isn’t an accessible alternative to public transportation. This makes getting a drivers license at a younger age practical and efficient. Although services like Uber and Lyft exist, these companies are often costly and unreliable; as a minor, it is illegal to use Uber or Lyft without a parent or guardian present. In addition, since school ends at 4:10 p.m. twice a week and the sun sets early in the winter months, teenagers are often forced to bike in the dark, which can be dangerous. If teenagers have access to a reliable car, they can reduce their commute time and make transportation safer. Teenagers learn how to be responsible through learning how to drive. 16-year-olds go through a permit process and pass a test to receive their license. Teenagers learn to look out for their own safety and the safety of those around them. In addition, teenagers learn to care for the car they drive or face consequences, such as paying fines. If teenagers drive unsafely at 16, their privileges can be easily taken away by their parents, keeping unsafe drivers off the road. Some may argue that teenagers should wait until 18 to get their drivers license because driving at 16 is too dangerous. For minors, California also has a curfew of 11 p.m for the year after receiving your license. This law prevents teenagers from driving in the middle of the night, which could be dangerous. Furthermore, the problem is not with age, but with experience. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of accidents and injuries for drivers is being inexperienced. At 16, the permit process allows drivers to get experience before driving by themselves. Turning 18 makes someone legally an adult, but it does not make a person suddenly more mature or responsible. Getting a drivers license at 16 is a useful way for teenagers to hold themselves accountable and make their commutes both easier and safer.
69.4% of students surveyed plan on getting their drivers license before the age of 18. Source: Survey sent out to Gunn students with 236 responses.
Lydia Cheng, Sophie Fan and Chinyoung Shao
Paul Garofalo Online Editor The topic of the age to receive a drivers license has sparked many debates in the past years in high school as high schoolers face the quandary: should they drive at 16 or wait until 18? One should wait until 18 to get their drivers license because of safety, health and convenience. First, driving at 18 makes roads safer for both teenagers and adults. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, motor-vehicles were the leading cause of death for individuals between 16 and 23. Driving at an older age would substantially diminish the deaths for this age group. This effect doesn’t only apply to teenagers; their behavior affects everyone else on the road. According to a study by Braitman et al. in the Journal of Safety Research, teenagers are the cause of 75% of the crashes they’re in, which is 200% greater than that of other age groups. Thus, increasing the driving age would substantially diminish the deaths for other age groups on the road. Next, this would also encourage a healthier lifestyle for teenagers, both literally and figuratively. Eighteen-year-olds are generally more mature and are less likely to multitask with technology while driving. This is supported by science. In teenage neurological development, an inchoate prefrontal cortex leads to more risk taking, and an inflated view of one’s own driving skills leads to less focus. According to Professor Birsen Domnez at the University of Toronto, in a study about the correlation between technology and driving, “Driver distractions, such as texting on phones and chatting with passengers, resulted in increased injury severity for young and middleaged drivers.” Not driving at 16 and 17 would prevent unhealthy multitasking driving habits. Furthermore, raising the driving age would stimulate teenagers under 16 to be more physically active. This would also help with the issue of national obesity for American teenagers. Exercise has a direct correlation with happiness, a longer life and higher productivity, which leads to a better economy. Furthermore, driving at an older age would lead to fewer cars on the road, resulting in less particle pollution and a better environment. Having fewer cars would also decrease noise pollution, which could increase work efficiency and positively impact the economy. Finally, the driving permit process is incredibly lengthy: one must wait at least six months to get the permit approved, in addition to frequent lessons in drivers education. At that rate, why not just wait until you are 18?
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Features
Friday, December 3, 2021
Gunn style watch: senior anna toksvig shows off gunn fashion Senior Anna Toksvig is constantly scanning Gunn’s campus, searching for students in cool vintage pieces or funky accessories to feature on the Instagram account @gunnstylewatch. Gunn Style Watch was founded in 2017 by former Gunn student Dajiana Huang with the purpose of showcasing students’ unique style. The page aims to promote diversity on the page by featuring a variety of students of different identities. Toksvig became an admin as a sophomore in 2020. “Gunn Style Watch didn’t have anyone to run it, so [Dajiana] sent out an application,” Toksvig said. “It asked a bunch of questions about photography, style, and what I’d done with fashion. I got picked to run the account.” Toksvig’s time running the account was interrupted shortly after due to COVID-19. Although Toksvig wasn’t able to post many students at school, she did keep the account active during remote learning. “I did an at-home style watch, which turned out to be pretty fun,” she said. “I’m hoping to do more interactive things, like reviews of big events such as the Met Gala.” Now, with in-person school, she is working to get the account running again. “I’m getting back into the rhythm of posting again,” Toksvig said. “I’m also finding juniors or sophomores who I can train to take over [the account] later.” The main characteristic Toksvig looks for when finding
Naomi Wang
students is their behavior in the clothes that they wear. “It’s all about confidence and how people wear the clothes they’re wearing,” she said. “You can be wearing something really interesting and be very reserved and quiet, which doesn’t stand out as much. It’s all about taking chances and wearing something that not everyone would wear and being confident in that choice.” Gunn Style Watch aims to display a wide array of different fashion interests at Gunn, so Toksvig makes an effort to photograph students who wear outfits that are different from her own style. “We try to be as inclusive as possible, so [we post] outfits that I wouldn’t necessarily wear,” Toksvig said. “I like to challenge myself to find outfits that I think are interesting. This is a big part of making sure that it’s not just my own personal style, despite how all over the place others’ outfits can be.” Toksvig is proud of Gunn Style Watch because she believes it shows a different, more vibrant side of the Gunn community that people wouldn’t otherwise see. “Gunn Style Watch shows that [Gunn students] do care about something other than academics,” she said. “We have passions other than school, and we like to dress up and wear cool stuff here.” —Written by Sophia Stern
how to get on Gunn style watch
Youyang Qin
Top: Senior Anna Toksvig, the current owner of the Gunn Style Watch account, poses for a picture. Bottom: Senior Samantha Lang shows off her outfit in a Gunn Style post, uploaded on Oct. 25.
1. Take risks. Wear something that not everything is else is wearing. Try new patterns and colors. The whole point of Gunn Style Watch is to show off the creative style of students. 2. Have confidence in what you’re wearing. If you act shy and reserved, there is less of a chance you will be noticed or stand out. 3. Wear something you like. Tovskig doesn’t just look for outfits that she finds stylish; she features outfits she thinks other students will find fashionable. Expressing your own style makes it more likely that others will appreciate your sense of fashion, too.
Gunn drip: seniors jeannie chung, sky evans share street style As you get ready for school and pick out what to wear, keep in mind that two students walk the halls and observe their peers’ “fits,” looking for the next student to feature on Gunn’s latest social media fashion account Gunn Drip. Created in Oct. 2021, Gunn Drip is an Instagram account created by seniors Jeannie Chung and Sky Evan to feature student fashion. Their posts include pictures of students’ outfits, captions detailing what those students are wearing and a rating. The inspiration to create Gunn Drip came when Chung and Evans started to notice their peers’ everyday looks. “[Evans] and I were noticing aesthetic outfits on campus from both underclassmen and upperclassmen,” she said. “We were inspired by the outfits, and we wanted to showcase them in a virtual format so that other people could see the outfits and be inspired as well.” After a few weeks running the account, Evans shifted his attitude towards his own fashion choices. “It’s interesting to see people so dressed up at school,” he said. “Sometimes, I’ll see something as cool at a thrift store, but I’ll be like, ‘I couldn’t wear that.’ But seeing people so dressed up makes you think more and makes you want to push the boundaries.” Chung envisioned a more informal approach to posting on the account. “We wanted to have a platform where we could display all these students and staff in a way that is not super formal,” she said. “It’s just a casual, ‘look at my outfit’ type of thing.” In each post, there is a rating of the outfit featured. The process that goes into each rating involves an indepth analysis of how students generate their outfits.
“We go over the general vibe of the outfit and take into consideration all the different components,” Chung said. “We know that an outfit that consists of just a sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers does not match the caliber of adding jewelry or other accessories. We take into account the effort each person puts into the outfit as a whole.” Evans echoes Chung, stating that their ratings are less about the creators’ own taste in fashion. “It’s not about what I think drip is,” he said. “It’s more about how unique the drip is.” Following the growth of their account, the co-owners created a Google Form for outfit submissions accessible at https://tinyurl.com/gunndrip or in their Instagram bio. Instead of being approached by either Evans or Chung, a student might get featured on Instagram by submitting a picture of their outfit, their name, their Instagram handle and what they are doing in the picture. Chung and Evans came up with the submission form to expand their reach among students. “It’s kind of hard to keep track of people who had a quality fit but didn’t get our attention or cross paths with us,” Chung said. “If someone thinks that a certain outfit is cool, they can submit it, and we’ll consider it. It doesn’t guarantee a post, but it’s a good chance to get featured.” In the future, the co-owners want to feature a wider variety of students. “Our main goal is to showcase more people and their outfits online. We want to inspire those who don’t get featured to try out new things and experiment with new materials, colors and styles,” Chung said.
Naomi Wang
—Written by Haley Pflasterer
TOP THREE tips for rating drip 1. Consider whether or not it looks like the person put effort into the outfit. 2. Take into consideration all of the different components of an outfit, such as shoes and accessories, and the number of pieces being worn. Accessories and shoes add more to an otherwise plain outfit. 3. Ask yourself how unique the outfit is. The best outfits often push the boundaries of fashion and catch peoples’ eyes. Unique outfits show off the creativity of the student.
Youyang Qin
Top: Seniors Sky Evans and Jeannie Chung, the owners of the Gunn Drip account, pose for a photo. Bottom: Seniors Nikhil Chaudhary, Aadi Mehndiratta, Nico Julia and Ayaan Furtado-Tiwari show off their outfits for a recent Gunn Drip post.
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Students rediscover optimism through “[Embarking on the path to healing] is a mental snap. For me, hearing about the experiences of people that aren’t as privileged as the people in Palo Alto really opened my eyes.”
ing him towards a healthier state of mind. “It’s a mental snap,” he said. “For me, hearing about the experiences of Sophomore Amrit Joshi is a dedi- people that aren’t as privicated baseball player, advocate for ra- leged as the people in Palo cial justice and caring friend. He has also Alto really opened my eyes.” Through advocating for rafought a tumultuous battle with mental health since seventh grade, when he was cial justice and becoming indiagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. volved in various protests, Joshi “There were times when everything became was exposed to the personal expevery stressful, and [it] almost felt like some- riences of people less fortunate than thing was weighing me down,” he said. “When him. Acknowledging that not everyit got really bad, it felt like I couldn’t get out.” one lives the “Palo Alto life” helped him He then spent the next few years dis- to realize that his self-worth doesn’t depend covering himself and his values through on academic and social excellence, a core foundaspirituality. With the help of a men- tion for his recovery. “I’ve learned a lot in the past tor, he ultimately gained a healthi- six months about people who haven’t had the privier sense of identity and self-worth. leges that I have living in Palo Alto,” he said. “[People Joshi believes that complete satisfaction who don’t live in Palo Alto] are able to maintain a with oneself is the key to being truly happy. worthwhile life without having to have all of these suControlling individual thoughts in the face of perficial things—money, high GPA, a certain degree, mental illness can be incredibly difficult and at a good school. Even without these privileges, they times impossible. Despite his realization of self- are some of the most quality people in the world.” Joshi stresses that acknowledging privcontentment, he still struggles with keeping a consistently positive mental state. According to Joshi, ilege isn’t always beneficial for everyone struggling with mental health issues. “It it’s hard to stay mentally stable when doesn’t work for all people,” he dealing with uncontrollable cirsaid. “I know some people cumstances. “Because you’re in feel invalidated when [a depressive] state, you have they hear other people no ability to control your “[My talking about their internal thoughts,” he struggles. But for said. “You’re always mentor] provides me, it was less of affected by things me insight on life. I an invalidation going on around and more of an you instead of know that there are people understanding.” being the truReceiving who have quality friends their est version support from a of yourself.” age, but I think for me, [what trusted adult also Accordgreatly helped ing to a study I needed] was a mentor Joshi. “He is the published to to get me through my smartest person I the U.S. Naknow,” Joshi said. tional Library of problems.” “I never really had Medicine, improvefriends [that I could rement in mental health ally] rely on, but when you is not always consistently have a strong connection with evident. Seeking professional someone, nothing can break that spirhelp is incredibly important, especially because mental health recovery is a itual bond between you two. He provides long process that isn’t always linear. “It’s pret- me with insight on life. I know that there ty up and down,” Joshi said. “But I think it’s are people that have quality friends their definitely on an upward trend right now.” age, but I think for me, [what I needed] was Joshi explains that expanding his per- a mentor to get me through my problems.” Joshi believes that listening is the best spective on the world catalyzed a shift in the way he approached mental health, direct- form of support. “[My mentor provided
Sophomore Amrit Joshi
the] integrity and strength [I needed],” he said. “He was someone who didn’t even need to help me, but he listened. An ear can do a lot for people who have a lot on their mind and a lot weighing on them.” While there is a seemingly endless number of emotional obstacles, academic struggles or personal hurdles to get through, Joshi feels significantly less pressure. “I now have an understanding of what mental freedom is,” he said. “I was lost in this abyss back then. It felt like there was nothing and everything around me at the exact same time. It felt like being squeezed and let go. While it still somewhat feels like that, it’s less tangible for me to give up now.”
o t s t a p k i e care o T : r e t n e C f yo s s e urse n l 2. l 3. e lf 1. Treat your body Be grateful for the W
Talk to your close friends or a trusted adult about whatever is going on if you need to. To le ar
with kindness. Simply moving your body like dancing or taking a walk can go a long way.
little things; it can change your life. If you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were grateful for today, what would you have?
. lness l e w / g n mor ausd.or e about the Wellness Center, visit https://gunn.p
—Written by Becca Wu
Brandon Woo
Features
Friday, December 3, 2021
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mental wellness journey, share wisdom alerted then-Wellness Coordinator Genevae Dixon, who reached out to Purnama. Eventually, Purnama sought professional help off-campus. “My first step to recovery When junior Heidi Purnama began high school, was accepting the help that was offered,” she acted outgoing, silly and kind. In reality, howshe said. “Being open to therapy and ever, she was struggling with depressive thoughts. talking to my psychiatrist about my feel“I projected a completely different person than who ings really helped me in the beginning.” I felt like internally,” she said. “People didn’t know Transferring from Gunn to Lydian— what I was going through, and I didn’t think that it a private, personalized-learning-based was important for them to know. I didn’t want peoschool—for her sophomore year also asple to pity me or treat me as if I was going to break.” sisted Purnama’s gradual improvement Part of Purnama’s depression can be attribin mental health. “Being at Lydian meant uted to her disillusionment with art, which had that I was in control of my education,” initially motivated her. “For two years, I wanted she said. “Learning was at my pace, and to be an artist,” she said. “I knew which colleges I I felt more capable. I had great teachwanted to go to, and I was so set on this path that ers who wanted me to learn and cared I was already looking at application details. But about my education and personal life. I somewhere down the line, reality gave me a good transferred back to Gunn this year, but beating, and I realized it was just a fantasy. Now, Lydian was a huge part of my recovery.” I can’t pick up a pen and paper without wantDuring her recovery, there was a shift ing to throw my supplies on the floor. I’ve forgotnot in Purnama’s overall philosophy on ten how to draw. With that, I’ve forgotten why life, but in her reaction to it. “I used to I drew in the first place. Something I loved to do have this notion of nihilism,” she said. has slipped away, but I was too numb to stop it.” “I’d think, ‘My life, in the very grand Purnama’s mental state made her daily life feel scheme of the universe, is insignificant, increasingly robotic and monotonous. “I was just so it doesn’t matter whether I am alive going through the motions,” she said. “I woke up or dead.’ Now, I’m more of an optimistic and went to school; after school, I’d have volnihilist. I still understand that leyball practice, go home, have dinI play a very small part in ner, force myself to draw and go this world, but because to bed. I saw a lot of things of this, I feel freer to as meaningless—school, live life however I want.” for one. My depression “Depression After Purnama’s fammade me lose motiily decided that she was is an illness with vation to do a lot of ready to stop going things I once loved.” actual diagnoses, to therapy, Purnama In the beginning found herself prebut it doesn’t mean that of her sophomore pared to handle her year, Purnama wrote there’s a certain threshold of new freedom. “In the a lengthy, vulnerable beginning, having a letter to her English ‘depressed enough’ in order professional psychiateacher, Kristen Kim, trist was really great for you to seek help. It’s not in response to an infor talking through my troductory prompt easy, but I believe there’s issues,” she said. “But for the class: “Tell me I realized that there was always a way out.” something about youronly so much my psychiaself that most people trist could do after she helped wouldn’t know.” The letter me navigate my past—it was up was the first time Purnama to me to improve myself for the fushared her struggles with depresture. After I stopped having appointsion to an adult. “I am struggling, and ments, it felt like I could find my own way in that’s something most people don’t know about the world. I began to feel better a lot faster after that.” me,” Purnama said in her letter. “I’m struggling to After setting strategies to keep herself grounded, live as myself… I’m struggling to get a grip on life.” Purnama now feels more stable. “I like to rationalWorried about Purnama’s mental health, Kim
Junior Heidi Purnama
Brandon Woo
ize my feelings by finding a logical explanation for them,” she said. “Most of the time, these explanations are simple: sleep, diet, my period. This kind of thinking helps me keep myself in check and avoid directing anger at myself. I also keep a conflict journal where I write through my problems by identifying reasons for them as well as solutions that I can use to resolve them.” Purnama hopes that other students struggling with similar problems will reach out for help like she did. “Be honest with yourself and what you think you need,” she said. “A lot of the time, people who are depressed feel that their struggles aren’t enough to ask for help. Depression is an illness with actual diagnoses, but it doesn’t mean that there’s a certain threshold of ‘depressed enough’ in order for you to seek help. Everyone’s situation is different, and I don’t want to speak for everyone. It’s not easy, but I believe there’s always a way out.” —Written by Jessica Zang
: What do you do to m d w o r C the ake y n i s e our fr Fac iends feel better?
“I let them know that I’m there for them. I offer any help, give them water, food or self-care things. Or, I just call them to hear about how they’re feeling.” —Melinda Huang, 9
“If they need emotional support, I tell them that I’m there for them if they need to talk. I hype them up and I become their happiness: if they’re not feeling it, I add on that extra sparkle for them.” —Maddy Everett, 10
“I don’t like to be intrusive; I’m the type of person who gives little gifts, like their favorite foods, to make them feel like they matter. I try to support them from the outside.” —Wyatt Pedersen, 11
“I listen to my friends’ problems. Sometimes, they might just need someone to listen to them and hear them out when their life is not going very well.” —Katie Ling, 12 —Compiled by Raphael Semeria
Chinyoung Shao
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Students dance through ‘The Nutcracker
What is "The Nut crack er"?
There’s a traditional staple to a lmost every holiday, whether it is a type of food, an event or even a mascot. For Christmas, there is no performance that quite compares to the “The Nutcracker” ballet. Originally, “The Nutcracker” was based on a German fairy tale called “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” The story follows the main character, Clara, as she attends a Christmas party hosted by her parents. At the party, she receives an ugly Nutcracker doll that she immediately loves. When the guests leave, mice invade Clara’s house and the Nutcracker comes to life, revealing himself to be a long-lost prince. After a fearsome battle, she travels to the fictional Land of Sweets, the home of her Nutcracker Prince. Together, Clara and the Prince encounter many characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, and experience the cultures of a variety of countries. Each country is represented by a native delicacy—for example, chocolate from Spain, tea from China and licorice from Russia. This dreamlike tale lends itself to creativity, childishness and excitement, creating an atmosphere that has entranced audiences for decades. In 1892, the plot was adapted into a full-length ballet performance with a musical score by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and original choreography by French choreographers Marius Petipa and Lea Ivanov. “The Nutcracker” is now one of the most popular ballets of all time, with almost every professional ballet company in the world presenting annual productions. In the winter, companies perform this ballet for weeks at a time. The most well-known ballet theaters that hold these performances include San Francisco Ballet (San Francisco), American Ballet Theatre (New York City) and Bolshoi Ballet (Moscow). “The Nutcracker” spreads the festive atmosphere globally. Its music, such as that of the “Waltz of the Flowers” and the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” is internationally recognized, even by those who aren’t familiar with its origin. Since the story was released into the public domain in 1892, this tale has been referenced in modern works so often that many find it cliché. In fact, this timeworn classic has been reimagined within multiple genres numerous times. In the 1960s, for instance, legendary jazz musicians Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arranged the album “Nutcracker Suites,” a swing and jazz adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s original work. This work stands alongside many other adaptations of “The Nutcracker.” “The Looney Tunes,” “Tom and Jerry” and “The Simpsons” are all shows that have released episodes parodying the ballet. There have also been a dozen or so movies based on “The Nutcracker.” Ultimately, however, the original ballet wins when it comes to longevity. While different Christmas stories have come and gone, “The Nutcracker” has remained popular, with new versions released each holiday season. After a century of the same longstanding story, why has “The Nutcracker” persevered for this long? The key to this ballet’s success is magic. The winter holidays are times when families and friends get together to make merriment and enjoy each other’s company as the year ends in an enchanting fashion. “The Nutcracker” encapsulates the magic that makes this time of year as special as it is, providing wonder and thrills in a tangible way: a story. —Written by Cole Ford
Academy of A
While “The Nutcracker” represents the wonder and joy of the Christmas holiday season, senior Sage Leland, who has participated in many of her studio’s performances, finds it to be a symbol of commitment. After seeing San Francisco Ballet’s version of the production at an early age, Leland has held a deep interest in “The Nutcracker.” Then, when she was seven, Leland joined the Academy of American Dance. “I started as this little tiny angel,” she said. “It’d be five little girls and this one more advanced dancer that was leading it. At the time, I was like, ‘This dancer is the coolest person I’ve ever seen.’ Cut to several years later, and I got to be in that role.” Leland has experienced countless hours of production in each year of “The Nutcracker.” “Essentially, your weekends are completely gone,” she said. “On Saturday, we pretty much have a full day of rehearsal. You get home at around 6:30 p.m. In order to perform, you need to be involved
The Academy of American Dance Hall on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. See am
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Friday, December 3, 2021
r’ ballets of Christmas past and present Ramon Moreno School of Ballet Freshman Charlotte Qian has performed in Ramon Moreno School of Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” every year since 2016. Amid holiday festivities and spending time with friends, Qian also attends numerous practices and rehearsals to prepare for the show. At her ballet studio, “The Nutcracker” has always been a critical part of their curriculum. “This is probably my fifth year [participating] in ‘The Nutcracker,’” Qian said. “However, this is the first year that I’m not stuck in a bulky lap mouse costume or a clunky soldier hat. It’s pretty exciting to actually be dancing and not acting and strutting around the stage.” This year, she has been rehearsing for 13 hours per week due to her multiple roles in the upcoming ballet production, including a flower in the “Waltz of the Flowers,”
a Spanish doll in the party scene and a snowflake in the “Waltz of the Snowflakes.” Qian was introduced to the art of ballet at three years old. Despite its challenges, Qian has always enjoyed doing ballet. “It’s really physically demanding,” she said. “You also [need] to have a lot of stamina. Mentally, you have to be prepared for everything.” Qian has also found leisure in ballet. “When I go to ballet [practice], I feel relaxed,” she said. “It’s not just another [activity] that I have to do.” Ramon Moreno School of Ballet has been rehearsing for performances since the summer. “We have to work a lot in advance,” she said. “Finals week kind of clashes with theater week, but in the end, it’s totally worth it when you go on stage and perform. The atmosphere makes it really great, [and] it really gets you into the holiday spirit.” —Written by Raphael Semeria
Qian has performances at Menlo-Atherton Performing Art Center on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12. See ramonmorenoballet.com for more details.
American Dance
in rigorous dance, so that’s probably 12 to 15 hours of dance a week.” While she c annot participate in the production this year, she found that the commitment was well worth it in previous years. “When you get up onstage, the lights, the audience and the adrenaline rush are such special experiences,” she said. “You get to be onstage with all the friends you’ve been working so hard with, and getting to see everything come together is so much fun.” For Leland, “The Nutcracker” has always been bigger than the performance. “To me, I guess it’s cheesy, but ‘The Nutcracker’ is about more than just dancing; it’s about the whole rehearsal process,” she said. “It’s really cool to me that we spend so much time making it look effortless when we put so much effort into it.” —Written by James Huang
has performances at Carrington ericanballet.com for more details.
Dance Connection Palo Alto There are many different holiday t rad it ions, but for sophomore Kaitlyn Chen, no event or show encapsulates the spirit of the holidays like “The Nutcracker.” This year, Chen is participating in a production put on by her studio, Dance Connection Palo Alto. While “The Nutcracker” story and ballet might be new to some people, Chen’s studio has formed a holiday culture around the play. “Our studio puts on the production every year, so it has become kind of like a tradition,” she said. “This is my third time being in it.” With show dates fast approaching, practices and rehearsals have started to require a lot of Chen’s time. “We have mostly weekend rehearsals, and they have been pretty long and tiring recently,” she said. “But
all the work always pays off in the end.” The variety of roles throughout the ballet allows all of the dancers to learn different parts each year, Chen adds. “I’m part of the Snow and Flower corps,” she said. “[I am also part of] the Mirliton corps and am the lead Russian soloist.” A corps, according to Chen, is a large group of dancers who perform onstage as an ensemble. For future dancers who wish to perform in “The Nutcracker,” Chen advises others to start with researching the ballet. “Learning the whole ‘Nutcracker’ plot is really important,” she said. “Watching a lot of ballet and even seeing another production of the ballet would be really helpful for reference.” —Written by Cole Ford
Chen has performances at Spangenberg Theatre on Dec. 3 and Dec.5. See danceconnectionpaloalto.com for more details.
Photos by Katie Shih and courtesy of Sage Leland and Charlotte Qian Graphics by Sophie Fan, Ella Koehler, Chinyoung Shao and Katie Shih
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junior kyle reyes, senior catherine liang express creativity through ceramics On Google Images, the first results that appear when searching “ceramics” are simple bowls, vases and mugs. However, high school ceramics is more than creating functional household items. Junior Kyle Reyes and senior Catherine Liang push the bounds of creativity through this versatile medium. Reyes first began creating ceramics his freshman year, when he discovered how much he enjoyed making physical and three-dimensional products. “I got into ceramics because I really like to create things,” he said. “I like hands-on learning, so it was fun to use my hands to make something and mix my physical skills with my creative mental skills.” The three-dimensional aspect of ceramics adds another layer of creativity to creating pieces. “With ceramics, you really get a feel for what you’re making with the clay,” Reyes said. “When you’re throwing something on the wheel, it heightens your sense of touch because you have to be able to feel whether something is too thin or thick.” Liang also became a ceramics student her freshman year. Over the years, she has developed both technically and artistically. “I’m really proud of my growth,” she said. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with the creative process. I can imagine, plan and execute an idea. In AP Art Studio, the AP requirements force me to think about
Photos courtesy of Catherine Liang and Kyle Reyes
what I’m trying to do with each of my pieces. Everything I do is super intentional, and I think that’s really helped me develop my creative process.” For Liang, ceramics are an outlet of self-expression. “I’m really into using my sculptures as a way to express emotions that are sometimes hard to put into other art forms,” she said. “I like creating body parts like hands or facial expressions. Being able to create texture with my sculptures is also really powerful.” According to Liang, the type of clay also influences the meaning of the piece. “Clay is very expressive,” she said. “There are different degrees of firmness and different types of clay with different personalities. Some are more elastic, and some are more gritty.” Sometimes, the personality of the clay—and the process itself—results in an unexpected product. “My favorite thing is seeing what the glaze looks like after it’s been fired in the kiln,” Reyes said. “It’s always a surprise with glaze, because it’s really unpredictable in the kiln. Depending on where your piece is in the kiln—if it’s close to the vent or if it’s in the center—it will look different. It’s unpredictable, which makes it fun.” For people who are interested in pursuing ceramics, Reyes notes that getting used to the art form can take time. “Be patient with it,” he said. “It is unpredictable, but it’s all about patience.” Creativity is the most important aspect when it comes to ceramics. “Have an open mind,” Liang said. “Art is subjective and up to interpretation. There are so many different ways that you can express different things. I think keeping an open mind to what you can create is really important. There is so much room to be creative and have fun.” —Written by Carly Liao
Nishi Goyal
Left: Reyes’s favorite creation is an octopus on a vase. Right: Liang’s favorite piece is a Medusa head.
Top: Reyes focuses on crafting his mug in Advanced Ceramics for the class’s new mug unit. Bottom: Liang shapes her mug on the wheel in class.
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Earthwise Productions welcomes
Charlie Hunter guitar Duo Featuring Scott Amendola on Drums Friday, December 3, 2021 Mitchell Park Community Center Palo Alto, CA Purchase Tickets at Eventbrite! $20, All Ages Mention "Gunn Oracle" for a free slice of pie from Pietisserie. For more info, contact (650) 305-0701.
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Sports
female students weightlift to defy stereotypes, improve health In the media, the ideal body type for women has traditionally been portrayed as “thin.” The depicted clothing size has always been a size 0 or 2, with brands advertising “fat-slimming” products and lots of cardio exercise to achieve a lean figure. In recent years, however, a handful of women—including senior Lucia Acosta, senior Siham Arsalane and junior Beanie José—have been defying this stereotype by weightlifting, and, as a result, intentionally growing their muscles to have a strong build. Acosta, Arsalane and José began their lifting journeys over quarantine in the absence of their school sports. Whether the sport was cheer, wrestling or water polo, all lifters had one thing in common—the desire to improve their strength while challenging themselves physically and mentally. To combat feelings of isolation during the COVID-19 lock down, José, a wrestler, turned to lifting as both an outlet and a productive use of time. “When I’m lifting, I know that I have to push myself,” José said. “Being able to have the mental strength to do it is just as important as physical strength.” Acosta, the cheer team co-captain, also emphasized the importance of stamina when lifting. “You constantly have to be pushing yourself to finish your set or have a personal record,” she said. Acosta incorporates cardio into her gym routine as well. With advice from a personal trainer over the summer, she has tailored her workouts to serve her body’s needs. “My routine is usually doing cardio
and running a mile, and then focusing on one different year during the water polo off-season. She emphasizes area of the body depending on the day,” she said. the power of lifting to feel good in your own skin. “It’s Women often face an entirely different a really good way to work your body and bechallenge in weightlifting: competing in a come strong,” Arsalane said. “Afterwards, mostly male-dominated sport. Both José it feels super good to get [a good pump].” and Acosta expressed frustration over Not only does lifting have a positive the perception that lifting is for men. short-term impact, but it also empowers For Acosta, this has directly affected her women in the long term. Lifting shifts the experience during her weight training focus from having a lean body type to a sessions. “When I go to the gym strong one. In doing so, it reframes and it’s full of men, I am more thinking from controlling weight “I take the whole ‘maleself-conscious and feel more by eating less to building more dominated’ thing as judged,” she said. muscle through exercise. José, who is already acMany teenage girls, Arsalane motivation and a challenge. customed to the “male-domincluded, struggle with body Nothing feels better than inated” aspect of wrestling, image issues. These issues were tries to find the positive side especially prevalent over quarbeating a man at his of it. “Being able to lift with antine when at-home exercises own game.” your male friends is encouragbecame popularized through ing because all they want is for online videos such as YouTuber you to be better,” José said. “I Chloe Ting’s “10 mins Abs Work–Junior Beanie José take the whole ‘male-dominated’ out for a Flat Stomach.” Through thing as motivation and a challifting, however, Arsalane has been lenge. Nothing feels better than beatable to focus on how her body feels by ing a man at his own game.” choosing exercises that she enjoys that make For any weightlifter, what matters most is the her feel stronger. “Instead of trying to look skinny, positive impact weightlifting has on their mind and I try to look strong now and focus on how I’m feeling body. Like José, weightlifters often go to the gym as an instead of on my looks only,” she said. “It’s definitely escape. “After I work out, I feel like a whole new per- made me feel better about myself because I feel a lot son,” José said. “My mood goes up, and I feel proud of more powerful.” myself because I know I did Despite weightlifting’s short- and long-term effects, something good for my many women still shy away from the sport. Arsalane enbody.” courages anyone, even those without experience, to try Arsalane, a water lifting. “Weightlifting should be destigmatized for wompolo co-cap- en,” Arsalane said. “It’s not about lifting as much as the tain, also start- other people around you. It’s about working your body ed to weight- in a way that makes you —Written by Mia Knezevic lift this past feel good.”
86.4% of Girls surveyed who lift feel that weightlifting is empowering.
Seni
or S
Arsa
lane Senior Lucia Acosta
iham
Source: Survey sent out to Gunn students with 236 responses.
68.2% of girls surveyed who lift have been negatively impacted by stereotypes.
Graphics by Sophie Fan Photos courtesy of Lucia Acosta and Siham Arsalane
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Sports
Friday, December 3, 2021
Team fundraising, Sports Boosters provide support for sports As Gunn sports return at full capacity, many students athletes are curious about where the funding for their sports comes from. Each student is recommended to make a donation towards their team, but there is much more happening behind the scenes to get all 17 sports–each with up to four different teams for boys, girls, junior varsity and varsity—running smoothly. Money can go to a multitude of things, from new jerseys and practice equipment to, in the case of softball, a new scoreboard. Larger projects, such as the new scoreboard, would require the involvement of Sports Boosters, a non-profit that raises money for Gunn Athletics, run by President Sunita Verma. “We’re a fundraising arm to support Gunn Athletics, but the money we raise is not for everyday things,” Verma said. “We do it for special initiatives or any capital improvement projects that the athletic department may have in mind.” The Sports Boosters are responsible for raising almost all the money for sports-related improvementprojects. Past initiatives undertaken by Sports Boosters include the inflatable tunnel that football most often uses at the beginnings of games and the banners that hang in Titan Gym to celebrate past victories and league wins. “PAUSD funds less than 18% of the Gunn Athletics annual budget, which includes 45 teams and nearly 1,100 athletes,” the Sports Boosters website details. The 18% includes transportation, the salaries of coaches and payment for helmets to be used by sports such as football. These helmets need to be checked yearly to make sure that they are still effective in keeping players safe from concussions. A common belief among students athletes is that football gets preferential funding. With the recent success of the Gunn football team, the number of players has substantially increased, which has prompted a request for more practice equipment, according to tight end senior Arjun Raja. “We’re getting a bunch of new players,” Raja said. “In Coach Miller’s first year, there were about 30 kids on the team in varsity and JV, and now our program is up to 60.” Raja also added that the helmets and gear were all being fully used, another testament to the growing program. For individual projects on a smaller scale, teams often turn to hosting fundraisers. Cross country, for instance, recently held a fundraiser in order to buy an ElliptiGO, a type of elliptical. “It was our runathon,” co-captain senior Joshua Gehring said. “Instead of going out on the long run we usually do on Saturdays, we stayed at Gunn and did laps around the track for 70 to 80 minutes. We raised money from friends and family, and we had a potluck. They basically paid us to run.” Running cross country technically requires no prac-
tice equipment, but equipment can be helpful for students who have short-term injuries, according to Gehring. “I think we could use more stuff for people who need to do activities when they’re injured,” he said. For these team fundraisers, Sports Boosters will hold any funds raised. “Cross country was doing a fundraiser for a particular thing they wanted, and we
“It was our runathon. Instead of going out on the long run we usually do on Saturdays, we stayed at Gunn and did laps around the track for 70 to 80 minutes. We raised money from friends and family, and we had a potluck. They basically paid us to run.”
—Cross Country Captain Joshua Gehring
just held the funds for them,” Verma said. “Their team account money can be used for whatever they need.” Football has also done fundraisers in the past. “We’ve done car washes,” Raja said. “I wasn’t personally there, but I definitely know that it happened and that it was primarily for new jerseys.”
“We’re trying to bring more transparency to the parents. We’re working with our counterparts at Palo Alto High School to make sure both of the schools are run similarly.”
—President of Sports Boosters Sunita Verma
Sometimes, however, the inequality in money is less hurtful than the inequality in recognition. Senior Elina Saab-Sunden, a member of the girls varsity soccer team, that in 2019 was undefeated, thinks that less visible sports don’t receive enough recognition for their accomplishments. “[Girls soccer] doesn’t need anything for winning, you know,” she said, “But if [other teams] get all of these things and we get nothing, that doesn’t add up.” For now, Gunn Sports Boosters has renewed its commitment to awareness surrounding money allocation. “We’re trying to bring more transparency to the parents,” Verma said. “[We’re also] working with our counterparts at Palo Alto High School to make sure both of the schools are run similarly. That way, it’s the same at both of the high schools, and there’s transparency for the community to see where the funds are.” —Written by Annika Bereny
Top: Gunn cheerleaders promote and fundraise for Partners in Education (PiE) on Nov. 10. Bottom: Cross country athletes pose for a photo before running at the Bol Park meet on Oct. 27.
Faces in the crowd: What would your Sport Do with more funding? Girls tennis
Boys water polo
Girls soccer
Wrestling
“If Gunn’s tennis team were to get more funding, I think it would be best to invest it so that we can have rides on school buses to matches. Also, a lot of the tennis balls we use are fairly old, so I would use funds to buy an abundant amount of new ones. For a little bit of fun, I’d also provide snacks and get team merchandise like visors.”
“Some improvements I would make to the [Gunn pool] are installing outdoor showers, a newer and more advanced scoreboard, new water polo caps and new weight belts. I’d also purchase furniture for the pool team room, which is used by all of the aquatic teams. These improvements would greatly benefit the [pool] and the incredible sports teams of Gunn High School.”
“We definitely need more soccer balls, which is kind of ironic. Also, I don’t know how much the coaches get paid, but I know the varsity coach Leo Barcellos does an amazing job and is very supportive of the girls doing club soccer, which many of us do and have to prioritize. Any person that plays club soccer knows that sometimes high school and club don’t get along that well, but Leo’s great at being super flexible and understanding.”
“If we had better funding, I think we would really benefit from new wrestling mats because they haven’t been replaced in a while and aren’t as absorbent as they used to be. Maybe we could buy some newer singlets or sweats. We’ve had the really old ones for decades, and among the relatively newer ones, it’s hard to find ones that fit. Maybe if we looked better as a team, we could get a bigger turnout at our dual [meets] against other schools.”
—Yoonseo Lee, 9
—Nadav Effrat, 10
—Zoë Wiederhold, 11
—Jelena Hertzler, 12 —Compiled by Jessica Zang
16
Sports
winter sports athletes anticipate outcome of the season Boys Soccer
Wrestling
Cheer
Junior Jude Harden is excited about the new members on the soccer team. “We got some new players: some sophomores, juniors and seniors,” he said. “We have a good core from last year, so I think we are going to have a good season.” Harden hopes to help take the team even further than where they went last year. “We won the league last year and qualified for CCS,” he said. “This year, I hope to go a bit further and win some preseason tournaments, too.” Their current record is 1-0.
Senior Amar Srivastava expects a good upcoming wrestling season. “I think it’s going to go really well,” he said. “We have quite a few new wrestlers, and they all seem super promising.” Srivastava is also eager to improve both individually and as a team. “I think my level of commitment and motivation has increased. We have a new coach, and he puts emphasis on working very hard.”
Cheer flyer freshman Nia Porter hopes the cheer team can continue to improve in the winter season. “I think the cheer season is going to go well because the fall season went really well,” she said. “I think we’ve come really far and can just continue to improve. I’m looking forward to accomplishing more and seeing how we grow as a team this season.”
Next home meet: Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. against Saratoga High School
Next home game: Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. against Palo Alto High School
Next competition: Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. at San Mateo Event Center
Girls Basketball
Boys basketball
Point guard and team captain senior Mollie Kuelker has high expectations for the upcoming season. “I think [the season] is going to be better than last season because we have a lot of new players who are going to be a great addition to our team,” she said. “We are hopefully going to bond as a team and get wins from that [chemistry]. We’re also looking to just build our program from previous years because we have had some really low numbers [in the past].” Their current record is 2-0.
Shooting guard sophomore Ethan Kitch is looking forward to his first year on the varsity boys basketball team. “We definitely have the personnel to do very well,” Kitch said. “I think that what’s going to determine our success, is how well we can adapt to obstacles and playing with full effort all the way through.” Kitch believes that building chemistry within the team will help improve their teamwork. “Our strength is that we have so many guys that can step up rather than one guy carrying the team,” he said. The basketball team played three games, all of which they won. “These past games were good confidence builders. It was helpful to see how we’re playing as a team,” he said. Their current record is 3-0.
Next home game: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. against San Mateo High School
Girls soccer Outside forward senior Sawyer McKenna is looking forward to the upcoming soccer season. “I’m excited to see how we can keep improving by the end of the season after having spent longer building our team chemistry,” she said. “It’s really cool to see how we’ve already been growing as a team after just three preseason games.” Their current record is 3-0.
Next home game: Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. against Hillsdale High School
Next home game: Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. against University Prep Academy
—Compiled by Arjun Shah and Kenneth Soh Yoochan An, Nishi Goyal, Mia Knezevic and Naomi Wang
Humor: PERFECT EXCUSES to ditch practice
1 Becca Wu Centerfold editor
3
school work
Tell your coach that you have “a lot of homework” or a “huge test tomorrow.” This way, even if you plan on spending the evening in bed or watching Netflix (better yet, watching Netflix in bed!), it gives the image that you are a studious and hardworking student athlete who has academic interests in mind. There’s really no losing with this strategy, because people think you’re being productive regardless. Plus, you might actually get some work done.
FAMILY PLANS
Coaches should understand that family comes first, so telling them your grandparents are in town, for example, is a great way to get out of one specific practice. Maybe it was unannounced, and that’s why you couldn’t let your coach know in advance. Maybe you haven’t seen them in a long time, and they’re really hoping to spend time with you. Whatever you choose, your coach will see you as a dedicated and loving kid, and who doesn’t want someone like that on their team?
2
menstrual cramps
4
find a scapegoat
This one is for athletes who get their periods. If your coach doesn’t bleed out their uterine lining every month, using a menstruation-related excuse is the easiest way to get them to do whatever you ask. People will do anything to avoid talking about periods, so the second you mention cramps or needing to change your tampon, you’re free. It’s also a good way to get away with being lazy; you can’t exactly do much when your “entire body is bleeding.” However, please keep in mind that this strategy loses about 100% of its effectiveness if you very clearly are not actually capable of getting your period.
When in doubt, put the blame on someone else who won’t face the consequences, like your parents. Call your coach or text your teammates in advance that you don’t have a ride because your parents are out, your mom is dragging you to some last-minute event or you and your dad got a flat tire on the drive to practice. That way, the blame doesn’t fall to you, and who’s going to knock on your door to verify your excuse?
17
Lifestyle
Friday, December 3, 2021
what presents should you add to your wishlist? How do you like to unwind when you’re stressed? A) Eating snacks B) Starting a new project C) Spending time alone D) A night out with friends E) Getting in a quick workout
What do you like to do in your free time? A) Baking B) Painting or drawing C) Reading D) Watching movies E) Playing your favorite sport
What is your favorite holiday tradition? A) Baking cookies B) Making gifts C) Sitting by the fire with hot cocoa D) Watching movies E) Ice skating or skiing
What is your go-to holiday movie? A) ‘‘Elf” B) ‘‘Nightmare Before Christmas” C) ‘‘Love Actually” D) ‘‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas” E) ‘‘Die Hard”
What is your favorite holiday food? A) Pie B) Stuffing C) Mashed potatoes D) Turkey E) Holiday cookies
results: which gifts to request based on your answers MOSTLY A’s:
You’re a foodie! Your favorite part of the holiday season is indulging in all the special foods that are associated with the holidays, such as Christmas cookies, pie and mashed potatoes. This holiday season, you should spend time in the kitchen with your family and help them create those dishes you love so much. An ideal gift for you would be a homemade baked good or a gift card to your favorite restaurant.
Mostly D’s:
MOSTly B’s
You’re an artist! Your ideal way to destress is by tapping into your creativity. This holiday season, spend time creating art with your loved ones and sharing your passions with your friends and family. This year, ask for new art supplies to fuel your creations and give homemade gifts—your friends and family will appreciate your talent.
You’re a film lover! One of your favorite holiday traditions might be watching movies on the big screen with your family and friends. This year, ask for tickets to your local theater, where you can relish in the joys of cinema.
Mostly c’s:
You’re the cozy type! Your favorite way to unwind is spending time alone. During winter break, you look forward to cozying up with a blanket with a holiday drink and your favorite book or TV show. This holiday season, ask for gifts that will help you create the ultimate selfcare night with items such as bath bombs, candles, books or blankets.
mostly e’s:
You’re an athlete! For you, the best way to clear your head is going on a run with some music or hitting the weight room. Over winter break, make some time to get active with your family and friends by going on a hike or a walk on the beach. On your wish list, ask for a new pair of wireless headphones or new shoes to keep you moving. —Compiled by Sophia Stern
Mihika Sane and Youyang Qin
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Lifestyle
Staffers debate greatest music genre, recommend their favorite song picks Katie LaWer Reporter
Mia Knezevic forum editor
Jazz
Annika Bereny lifestyle editor
Carly Liao feature editor
“It’s dying, Mia. It’s dying on the vine. And the world says, ‘Let it die. It had its time.’ Well, not on my watch.” This quotation about jazz is from the iconic movie “La La Land.” This was my first introduction to jazz and its history, and since then, jazz has been one of my favorite genres. Jazz originated in a tiny flop house in New Orleans to facilitate communication between people who spoke different languages. During its rise to popularity in the early 1900s, jazz bridged the racial divide in the United States. Audiences of various backgrounds gathered and connected in clubs over jazz music. Not only does jazz have historical significance, but it is also exciting to listen to. Jazz often incorporates improvisation, which means that while the musicians have basic chords to follow throughout some songs, it is up to them to decide what to play on the spot. At any given time, a player can solo and take control of the song, changing its course. Jazz is commonly thought of as boring, filler music that you hear upon walking into an elevator or dentist’s office. However, people
Indie Pop
country
Indie pop combines contrasting instrumentals with a wide variety of lyrical styles while still including elements of mainstream pop music. The genre started off as a way for bands to create their own albums without having to sign a studio contract. At the time of its creation, indie music was unusual, since most artists couldn’t make music unless they were signed to a big label. However, indie pop allows freedom of expression and creativity without the pressure of depending on the charts. To this day, indie pop remains the best genre of music because it is created by independent artists, giving it a more raw and “uncut” sound. Indie pop music tends to focus on storytelling; lyrics discuss the artist’s deepest desires, regrets and dreams. Unlike the pop genre, indie music has more expressive songs that discuss sentiments and emotions that are relatable. Most indie music is not massively com-
It’s not uncommon to ask someone what kind of music they listen to and receive the answer, “I like all types of music…except country!” Hating country music has become so commonplace that the anti-country talking points are recycled to the point of being cliché. A common critique of country music is that the songs are solely about trucks, beer or America. However, not only is this critique ignorant, but it is also generic, making it clear that people have just been told that country music is bad rather than actually listening and forming their own opinion. Originating from the southern part of the U.S., country music is an amalgam of genres such as gospel, folk and Tejano music. In the past, country music served as an outlet for working class Americans to tell their story. Most country artists write their own songs, so the stories are authentic and vulnerable. They also evoke imagery; a song can place the listener in the entrance to a rodeo, the lights almost blinding as the crowd roars, or perched in a wooden boat floating down the bayou, marveling at the moss hanging down from trees in droves. It’s honestly a travesty that no one writes romantic ballads any-
Katie Shih Centerfold editor
Arjun Shah lifestyle editor
fail to realize the breadth of the genre. Between the smooth piano-based jazz or the romantic and dynamic love songs performed by a trumpeter with a vocalist, there is room in jazz for everyone. In any old-fashioned rom-com, you are bound to hear Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” or Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” accentuated by trumpet solos. The beauty of jazz is its effect on the listener. Whether it makes you dance or makes you pensive, it is sure to stir emotion. —Written by Mia Knezevic
Mia Knezevic’s Picks 1. “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Tommy Dorsey 2. “Moon River” by Louis Armstrong 3. “Stardust” by Artie Shaw
mercialized, which allows artists to try out experimental lyrics, sounds and many other beats. Thus, while indie artists may make less money, they have more freedom. Indie pop more recently regained its popularity with artists like Peach Pit, Wallows and Cage the Elephant, who have brought the genre closer to the mainstream. Due to the independent nature of the genre, there are always great new artists for listeners to watch rise to popularity in real time. As an inventive mix of experimental aspects and the greater attributes of mainstream pop music, indie pop simply reigns supreme. —Written by Katie LaWer
Katie LaWer’s Picks 1. “Silk Chiffon” by MUNA ft. Phoebe Bridgers 2. “Furniture” by Maude Latour 3. “OK” by Wallows
more. Since the turn of the century, there has been a lack of expressive romantic ballads that either profess love or proclaim heartbreak. Luckily, country music has grandiose ballads. The songs are epics, detailing a journey, romance or hardship. Teenagers especially should be able to relate—they feel intensely, and country music expresses those intense emotions with a catchy tune. Country is at its best when it connects to its roots. With the sheer number of its genres, including bluegrass, Americana, outlaw country and more, there is something for everyone. And hey, who doesn’t love a good banjo and a twangy accent? —Written by Annika Bereny
Annika Bereny’s Picks 1. “Welcome to the Show” by Cody Johnston 2. “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood 3. “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton
Lifestyle
Sea Shanties In a time of isolation, people need something to connect with others. For many, that connection comes in the unexpected form of sea shanties. Sea shanties are a subgenre of folk music that were originally created to accompany the repetitive work seamen faced. All the workers on one ship would join together to sing through hard times; centuries later, sea shanties are still providing that same sense of community. At first glance, sea shanties seem like an unusual form of enter-
Carly Liao's Picks 1. “Wellerman” by Nathan Evans 2. “Drunken Sailor” by The Irish Rovers 3. “John Kanaka” by The Fisherman’s Friends
Movie soundtracks Movie soundtracks are one of the most underrated genres of music, and yet, you’ll probably never hear them playing in the grocery store or coming from the backpack of the student passing by you. There is a soundtrack for every mood. Songs in movies are meant
Katie Shih's Picks
1. “Test Drive” from “How to Train Your Dragon” 2. “Imperial March” from “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back” 3. “Concerning Hobbits” from “Lord of the Rings"
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Friday, December 3, 2021 tainment. How did such a niche genre of music, often accompanied by little more than a drum to keep the rhythm, become a cultural sensation? The COVID-19 pandemic and the social disconnect that came with it turned sea shanties into a source of comfort for many people during quarantine. Plus, there’s no denying that sea shanties are incredibly catchy. Their boisterous rhythms and memorable lyrics—though often bordering on coarse—make them easy to sing, even after only listening once. If you find yourself absentmindedly humming the tune of “Wellerman” under your breath or tapping your foot to “Away for Rio” while in class, you aren’t alone. Millions of TikTok videos have been uploaded under the hashtag “ShantyTok” since the tag first appeared. The fact is, sea shanties have something addictively uplifting about them that keeps us—and the rest of the internet— coming back for more. —Written by Carly Liao
to bring depth to the scene—they’re meant to make you feel something. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, there’s surely a song out there that will lift your spirits. Want something epic to start off your day? Try the “Lord of the Rings” or “Star Wars” theme songs. Along with the many emotions songs from soundtracks can bring out, there are also so many styles of music to choose from. You don’t even have to like the movie to love its music. With movie soundtracks, you can surprise yourself and listen to something new. Open a random soundtrack and click on a random song. You could possibly find the song that you’ll play on repeat for the next week. Or, if it sounds like too much work to think of a soundtrack to search up, try this: next time you watch a movie, pay attention to the music and make a mental note on the ones you like. From there, it should be pretty easy to find the soundtrack online. (Most will probably be on YouTube or Spotify.) In the end, there’s no denying it: movie soundtracks are truly the greatest music genre of all time. With a little bit of everything, everyone can find their perfect song. —Written by Katie Shih
Rap
By the mid-1990s, rap music had cemented itself as the most popular music genre. From its humble origin in Brooklyn, New York, the genre took the world by storm, providing rhythmic beats and unforgettable melodies to listeners everywhere. Since its inception, rap has continuously metamorphosed to fit different artists’ tastes and thoughts. The adaptability of rap allows the
Arjun Shah’s Picks 1. “Woodlawn Park” by Aminé 2. “Chicago Diner”by Kota the Friend 3. “No Sleep” by Skepta
genre to cater to a large audience. For instance, Kendrick Lamar’s “u” is a meditation on self-hatred, while Aminé’s “REDMERCEDES” is an anthem of celebration. Both of these songs are characterized as rap songs, yet the subject matters could not be more different. Unlike other genres like jazz and classical where artists have to abide by more strict musical guidelines, rap artists are able to continuously disregard norms and form something new. In addition, rap has been used throughout its creation as a way for artists to protest injustice. Today, rap music is used to speak out against a wide variety of issues from socioeconomic and racial inequality to gender bias. While one can certainly find a wide array of societal issues being discussed in other genres, the directness of spoken lyrics allows rap to make an immediate impression on listeners. There is a something for everyone in the rap genre. Rap will, without a doubt, continue to grow and expand, making the genre even better in the future. —Written by Arjun Shah
What are Gunn Students’ favorite genres?
Source: Survey sent out to Gunn students with 236 responses.
Chinyoung Shao
Mihika Sane
Lifestyle 20 changing season brings end of daylight saving time Daylight saving time occurs twice every year during the summer and fall months. On Nov. 7, the clocks are set back one hour in what is called “fall back,” and on March 7, the clocks are set forward one hour in what is called “spring forward.” All states observe daylight saving time with the exception of Hawaii and Arizona, both of which keep standard time throughout the year. Daylight saving time was first introduced in the U.S. under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which also created six different time zones in the U.S. A common misconception about its creation is that the purpose of daylight saving time was to extend the farmers’ workday. However, in reality, daylight saving time was created to
reduce energy costs by limiting the number of hours that people would spend using their lights. Energy conservation is less effective today when people use appliances such as televisions or dishwashers. Currently, there is ongoing debate as to whether or not daylight saving time should continue to be implemented. Supporters of daylight saving time argue that it promotes safety by providing more daylight to pedestrians and commuters, while critics argue that it unnecessarily disrupts people’s sleeping patterns. Despite differing opinions, daylight saving time has a monumental impact on the daily lives of millions of people.
—Written by Arjun Shah
Paul Garofolo
Online Editor Daylight saving time (DST) ended on Nov. 7 this year, and everyone received an extra hour of sleep. It is irrefutable that daylight saving time benefits society by adding that hour of sleep. The “spring-forward” aspect of daylight saving time, however, is another reason why daylight saving time is beneficial to everyone. The extra hour of light comes in the narrow window of time when most people return home after work and school and finish a meal. This hour might double the time available for an after-dinner walk. Such exercise serves to decrease cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. Local economies would also appreciate the additional post-dinner patronage. That precious hour also decreases our global warming crisis by reducing the amount of time that lights are burning in the evenings. Fewer lights entails less use of electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, most of the electricity in the United States is produced from natural gas and coal. Burning fewer of these fossil fuels would mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions, a change
which would trap less heat in the atmosphere and mitigate global warming. There are also safety benefits to DST. The National Safety Council cites the correlation to lower accident rates in daylight compared to those in the dark when they advise drivers to stay safe in the winter months. This is likely because people generally stay home when it’s dark outside, and the sun ends up rising well before rush hour starts. According to a paper published in “The Review of Economics,” implementing DST will result in an overall 7% lower crime rate compared to standard time. Moreover, while many consider the time changes inconvenient, the human body is capable of adapting and becoming stronger as a result, as it does through exercise. If DST were made permanent, then in the middle of winter, the time of sunset would change from about 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. And in February, the sunlight would be extended to 7 p.m. for some invigorating early spring exercise. In addition, a study by Rutgers University concludes that if DST were permanently implemented, pedestrian fatalities would be reduced by 171 deaths per year while motor vehicle occupant fatalities would be reduced by 195 per year. While the biannual time change ritual can cause some inconvenience, the benefits of better health, lowered energy cost and improved safety would more than compensate. And there is an appealing alternative—to just make DST permanent.
NO
YES
Is daylight saving time beneficial to Society? Raphael Semeria
news Editor Every year during the first Sunday of March and November, daylight saving time (DST) leaves many students recalibrating their sleep schedules and wondering why DST still exists. As children, we were taught that this unnecessary inconvenience was simply something we had to endure because it conserved electricity and helped farmers. While it might have conserved energy 100 years ago, society has advanced far past the need for a disorienting time change. As high school students, we have been told that 8 to 10 hours of sleep is critical for repeatedly proper development, yet our sleep has been limited during the month of March every year. In addition, according to the nationwide Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 72.7% of high school students do not receive the recommended amount of sleep. The time change in the spring that occurs due to DST can further reduce the amount of sleep high schoolers receive. According to a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center article “Why daylight saving time may be bad for your brain and health” by Dr. Joseph Takahashi, this can come with devastating consequences such
as a higher risk of depression, obesity, heart attack, cancer and even car accidents. While many still believe that DST helps cut down on energy consumption and benefits farmers, modern energyefficient technologies like LED lighting eliminate the need to extend daylight hours to save electricity. Although creating more daylight in the summer can still theoretically help minimize the amount of electricity used, this number is instantly offset by cooling demands. AC units, a brilliant and modern invention, use approximately the same amount of energy as 60 incandescent light bulbs or 600 LED lights. According to a study by the International Association for Energy Economics, the energy saved by daylight saving time only sums up to an insignificant 0.34% of total electricity use in 2017. Farmers are, in reality, the biggest opposition to the time change, because their livestock can not “set their clocks back,” affecting milking schedules and working hours. The drawbacks of DST has resulted in more and more countries like China, India, Japan and those affiliated with the European Union abolishing it altogether. Out of the over 140 countries that have employed it, more than 68 have stopped. Overall, with the improvements made to society, daylight saving time has proven to be confusing, disorienting and an outright useless shift.
Clair Koo and Chinyoung Shao