Winged Post Volume 25, Issue 4 by Harker Aquila

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VOL. 25 NO. 4

THURSDAY, FEB. 8, 2024

Trump wins January primaries

PRESIDENTS’ WEEK BREAK FEB. 10 - 19 ORCHESTRA CHAMBER CONCERT FRIDAY, FEB. 23 CULTURE WEEK FEB. 26 - MAR. 1

news ................ A2

opinions ....... A5

stem ................. A10

features ........ B2

a&e/lifestyle .... B4

sports ........... B9 PROVIDED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT SOURCE

inside the DOUBLE ISSUE

Campus cats bite students, pose allergy risks charlie wang & jeremy peng Campus cats Athena, Atlas and Chaos bit students on at least five accounts last month, according to upper school nurse Jennifer Olson. Cats bit students trying to pick them up, and they present a danger to students with cat allergies. “Depending on how bad an allergy is, a student could have extreme symptoms,” Olson said. “There’s potential for that, but hopefully people who are allergic aren’t going to be picking up the cats.”

Students participate in Eagle Buddies and LIFE Assemblies edward huang

The junior and senior classes met with their Eagle Buddies on Feb. 2, while the frosh and sophomores attended LIFE assemblies at the upper school. Seniors traveled to the Bucknall campus to watch their Eagle Buddies perform the fifth grade show “Summer Camp.” The juniors remained at the upper school campus, eating lunch and participating in various games and activities with their fourth grade Eagle Buddies.

Communities celebrate Lunar New Year edward huang

Individuals around the globe will come together to celebrate Lunar New Year on Feb. 10, marking the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. Common festivities and traditions include vibrant parades, family gatherings and a wide range of symbolic rituals intended to attract health, prosperity and good fortune. Observed by millions worldwide, this significant event showcases the diverse cultural heritage and unity among those participating in this annual holiday.

SEIZING THE LEAD (Left) Former president Donald Trump celebrates his record-breaking victory at the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15. RALLYING SUPPORT (Right) Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley delivers a campaign speech in South Carolina on Jan. 28.

Former president surges ahead, Haley continues to fight

disha gupta & jonathan szeto

ormer president Donald Trump won the New Hampshire Primary on Jan. 24 and the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, defeating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley by a large margin. Only around 110,000 voters of the 719,000 registered Republicans in Iowa braved the sub-zero Iowa weather and turned out to caucus sites on Jan. 15, far less than in 2016. Trump received the support of 51% of caucusgoers, a majority and the largest share for a non-incumbent president in modern American history. DeSantis garnered 21.2% with Haley close behind at 19.1%. Out of Iowa’s 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention, which will formally elect a presidential nominee in July, Trump won 20, DeSantis nine, Haley eight and Trump-aligned entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy three. Civics student Yasmin Sudarsanam (11) was not surprised at the results of the caucuses and viewed the race for second place as more of setting the stage for the 2028 Republican nomination than for the current election cycle.

A5 opinions

10-year-olds at Sephora reveal social media risks

“I personally expect to see Trump as the Republican candidate for the overall presidential elections,” Yasmin said. “And I think DeSantis and Haley will continue to battle it out, but I suspect that they’re battling for who’s going to take the next

“

I suspect that DeSantis and Haley are battling for who’s going to take the next presidential primary in 2028, rather than this year.

YASMIN SUDARSANAM (11) CIVICS STUDENT

presidential primary in 2028, rather than this year. DeSantis and Haley both definitely have ambitions for 2028 and see the current race as a potential path to the White House in four years’ time.” The record-breaking results of the Iowa caucuses startled upper school world history teacher Jonathan Rim, but he believes that there is still time for the tables

A11 B3 stem features

Global Reset: Where have all the stars gone?

From dawn to dusk: a security guard’s workday

B10 sports Tackling injuries with technology

to turn. The next big Republican primary was in New Hampshire on Tuesday, a oneon-one matchup between Trump and Haley. Before the primary, Rim underscored the importance of Haley’s performance in New Hampshire. “I was actually surprised that Donald Trump did as well as he did,” Rim said. “But I think overall, New Hampshire will be interesting because it’s an independent and moderate state compared to Iowa. I think this is Nikki Haley’s chance to prove herself: she needs to finish either first or very close to first, or else she’s going to be pretty much done.” On Jan. 20th, DeSantis dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump, while former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson also suspended his waning campaign and endorsed Haley. The former president once again dominated in New Hampshire, seizing almost 54.4% of the votes cast in New Hampshire, while Haley trailed with 43.3%. Haley vowed to continue the fight in South Carolina, while Trump seethed over Haley’s decision, wanting to divert efforts away from the Republican Party nomination to the general election against President Joe Biden.

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NEWS

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Soccer teams fundraise against cancer

LALC members compete in NACLO jonathan szeto

Language and Linguistics Club members participated in the North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition on Jan. 25 in the Nichols Auditorium. 29 students took the three-hour exam. It included eight problems of varying difficulty, tested students on various linguistics topics including decoding writing systems and translating words into English. Students who achieve a score above a certain cutoff will advance to the Invitational Round on March 14, which determines who will represent the United States in the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) in July. Samuel Tong (10), who participated in NACLO for the first time this year, was surprised by the difficulty of the questions but nevertheless enjoyed the logical aspect of the test.

DESIREE LUO

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It was a fun experience even though the questions were a little challenging, and I got the opportunity to do some critical thinking.

SOCCER AND SWEETS SOCCER AND SWEETS Lily Peng (9) purchases and baked good from varisty boys soccer goalkeeper Dhruv Trivedi (12). Girls and boys soccer teams sold baked goods to raise money for Camp Okizu during lunches from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

he varsity soccer teams sold baked goods and merchandise for the annual Kicks Against Cancer fundraiser from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. Proceeds go to Camp Okizu, a nonprofit organization that organizes camp sessions for children with cancer and their families in Northern California. Team members sold homemade and store bought treats during lunch, raising $400 on the first day. Game attendees and team members wrote the names of cancer survivors on Kicks Against Cancer T-shirts during Friday’s games. Cameron Jones (9) dedicated his shirt to his late grandmother, who had skin cancer. “I’ve been seeing a lot of people donating,” Cameron said. “A lot of people need help with treatment because it’s really, really expensive to get treated for cancer.” The El Paseo Panda Express location donated 20% of sales from customers with a Kicks Against Cancer flier on Feb. 1. The varsity girls soccer team started

NACLO PARTICIPANT

“I decided to take the [NACLO] because I’d never tried linguistics problems before,” Samuel said. “It was a fun experience even though the questions were a little challenging, and I got the opportunity to do some critical thinking. I’m looking forward to doing it next year, and hopefully I’ll have more experience with those sorts of problems then.” Before the competition, the Language and Linguistics Club held a review session in French teacher and LALC adviser Galina Tchourilova’s classroom on Jan. 18 after school, going over past problems and common pitfalls and answering questions. Harker has hosted NACLO since 2010. Rishab Parthasarathy (‘22) received a silver medal at IOL held in the Isle of Man after qualifying to be a member of the USA Red team in 2022. Tchourilova became the club’s adviser in the fall of 2022. She quickly recognized that the competition helped open up new perspectives for students, who often only learn languages as a requirement. “As a language teacher, I know that everybody takes a language, but to me it gives them an opportunity to compare other languages and see that learning languages is not only about conjugation and memorization,” she said.

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I think it is a really nicely planned event, and I love how everybody comes to support us and watch us.

JACK YANG (12) VARSITY BOYS MIDFIELDER

“One of the things that I wanted to instill with the team members was that they were part of something special and privileged, and to pay that privilege forward,” Thiele said. “I had a real strong leadership group of seniors who ran with that idea. Cancer had touched a lot of people in the Harker community at that time, and it was big on students’ minds.” Ashley Barth (‘22), who survived

childhood cancer and attended Camp Okizu, helped lead the event as a varsity girls soccer team member. Her younger sister, Natalie Barth (10), said donations can help the camp continue rebuilding from the North Complex fire in 2020. “I have a personal connection to Kicks Against Cancer,” Natalie said. “I go to Camp Okizu, so ever since it burned down, it hasn’t really felt the same because they don’t have a place they can settle into. Raising money for the camp can help them get to a place where they can settle and find that sense of community.”

RECOGNITION Two game attendees wear Kicks Against Cancer shirts which they decorated with the names of people they are honoring through the fundraiser.

Sophomore advisories share food and fun in potluck Sophomore advisories gathered for a class potluck, bringing a wide variety of food to the Auxiliary Gym during advisory on Jan. 31. Each advisory coordinated a variety of snacks to bring to the potluck like homemade brownies, Bundt cakes, chips, lemonade and boba. Sophomore student council members planned the potluck and provided 200 donuts for the grade to share. “There was a lot more food than I expected, but I really liked that there was such a wide selection,” Brenna Ren (10) said. “I especially liked the Thai tea station that the Slivka advisory set up. We were able to spend time with our friends that we don’t usually see in advisory.” Besides the food, student council also provided music and games like Connect Four, checkers, chess, and cornhole. Students could spend time with friends and socialize while browsing the different food stations. “It was really relaxed, and everyone immediately gravitated toward something to do,” upper school history teacher and

LILY SHI

lily shi

JONATHAN SZETO

LOVE OF LINGUISTICS Samuel Tong (10) fills out his answer form for the 2024 NACLO competition held in Nichols Auditorium during school on Jan. 25.

Kicks Against Cancer in 2009 as a one-day event. Director of Standardized Testing and Scheduling Troy Thiele coached the team that pioneered the event.

DESIREE LUO

SAMUEL TONG (10)

desiree luo & gabe sachse

BOBA AND BONDING Nat Tan (10) scoops boba into a cup of tea during the sophomore class potluck held in the Auxiliary Gym. Each advisory brought a variety of food and drink.

sophomore advisor James Tate said. “There were lots of options for everyone. You could hang out and talk, you could chill and eat, you could play a lot of different games. It felt like everyone was doing something and there was no pressure for anyone.” Following last year’s Frosh Week, student council aims to organize more

class bonding activities. Luke reflects on the success of the event and future plans. “From what I could tell from the boba lines to the empty boxes and plates, I think the potluck was super popular with the students and had a good impact,” Luke Wu (10) said. “We may do something like this again and have even more food and more games and more fun.” DESIGN BY FELIX CHEN AND JANAM CHAHAL

NEWS Annual blood drive draws in donors

winged post

volume 25 • issue 4

ILLUSTRATION BY ANANYA SRIRAM

claire bauschlicher & anika maji eniors and faculty took part in a blood drive organized in partnership with the Stanford Blood Center on Jan. 29. Staff from the Stanford Blood Center conducted the drive, which took place throughout the school day in Nichols Atrium. Seniors aged 17 and above as well as all faculty and staff were eligible to donate blood. Medical Club Red Cross coordinator Sahngwie Yim (11), who organized the event, noted that her volunteering experiences and interest in the medical field led her to the idea of organizing a blood drive. “Blood drives are a really significant way that we as high schoolers and adults and everyday people can help out and make a really significant difference,” Sahngwie said. “I think it was really important to bring that back to the Harker community, especially because there's a big emphasis on helping others and helping out our community.”

Groundhog day:

Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring gabe sachse

PAUL BARSKY BLOOD DONOR

Student donors registered through a link which biology teacher Matthew Harley posted on Schoology. Harker’s 45 donors, including 31 first-time donors, contributed a total of 35 pints of blood, surpassing the drive’s goal of 30 pints. According to the Stanford Blood Center, one pint of blood has the potential to save three patients, meaning that Harker's donations can save up to 100 people. Senior Mina Okamoto donated for the first time during the blood drive and expressed her eagerness to help the community through her participation. “I feel very lucky to be a person who is healthy and able to donate blood, and

PHOTOS BY ANIKA MAJI

“

I think it’s wonderful to be good citizens to our community, so I am a big supporter of schools supporting blood drives.

B POSITIVE (Top) Medical staff from the Stanford Blood Center collect vials of blood taken from various student and faculty donors in Nichols Atrium on Monday. (Bottom Left) A blood drive organizer speaks to seniors Rhiannon Sikand and Maryam Zehra about the requirements and stesp for donating blood. (Bottom Right) A Stanford Blood Center employee prints records during the blood drive organized by Sahngwie Yim (11).

I think there are really no negative effects that I’m incurring, so I might as well do it since I can,” Mina said. Healthcare providers use blood obtained through donations to give patients blood transfusions. Patients with diseases like sickle cell disease or other complications like cancer can receive healthy blood cells from transfusions if their body cannot produce any. Additionally, patients undergoing surgery and trauma patients also benefit from blood transfusions. About 6.8 million people donate blood each year in the United States. “I’m excited to help bring this to the Harker community,” upper school Division Head Paul Barsky said. “I think it’s wonderful to be good citizens to our

“

When I lived in Canada, it was always a delight to see [the groundhogs] come out and peek their little heads out of the ground.

community, so I am a big supporter of schools supporting blood drives.” With plans to hold another blood drive next year underway, Sahngwie hopes that the next drive will draw more participants and broaden its donor base to include 16-year-olds, who must receive parental consent to donate, as per Stanford Blood Center guidelines. “I was really touched and grateful for everyone who donated,” Sahngwie said. “I was originally a little worried that we wouldn't be able to get enough signups, but we kept getting more and more, and I was shocked at how many people signed up. Seeing so many people, students, teachers and staff donating blood really demonstrated how many people were willing to show up and contribute."

JIA JIA JIANG (11) STUDENT

The mythology of Groundhog Day extends beyond the animal itself. The popular 1993 film "Groundhog Day," which features the protagonist stuck in a time loop that repeats Groundhog Day over and over, increased the holiday’s cultural relevance and and cemented the term “Groundhog Day” in slang lexicon.

Club members compete in HOSA Regionals

Participants perform poems at Poetry Out Loud jeremy peng Eleven students competed in the annual Poetry Out Loud contest in the Nichols Auditorium on Jan. 31.

anwen hao

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ENGLISH TEACHER Each contestant recited a poem of their choice to three judges and an audience of students and faculty. The judges selected junior Eric Zhang and senior Iris Fu to advance to the Santa Clara County regional competition, which takes place on Feb. 7, while Lindsay Li (10) earned the runner-up spot. Poetry Out Loud, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, connects high school students to poetry and public speaking on a national scale. English

JEREMY PENG

It’s a really fun way to dive into a poem without the pressure of having to create one yourself; you can almost try on a poem like clothes.

JENNIFER SIRAGANIAN

The groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted on Friday that spring would come early this year. The annual tradition of Groundhog Day takes place at Punxsutawney in Western Pennsylvania. Large crowds gather, waiting for Phil to emerge from the ground. Legend states that if he sees his shadow after surfacing and retreats back into his den, winter continues for six more weeks. If he does not, spring begins. Beyond the long-held tradition, the appeal of Groundhog Day partially lies in the marketable and cute mascot of the holiday. Although Punxsutawney Phil is just a semi-mythical figure, the tradition of celebrating the cute rodent captures the hearts of spectators across the nation.

POWER IN POETRY Dhanya Ramanan (9) recites her poem in the Nichols Auditorium during Harker's Poetry Out Loud competition on Wednesday. First place Eric Zhang (10) and second place Iris Fu (12) advanced to the Santa Clara County regional competition.

teacher Jennifer Siraganian organized the intramural round at Harker and reflected on the significance of competing. “I think [Poetry Out Loud] is a really fun way to dive into a poem without the pressure of having to create one yourself,” Siraganian said. “You can almost try on a poem like you’re trying on clothes.” Reciters chose from a diverse selection of over 1,200 poems from the program’s online anthology. Works range from Margaret Atwood’s mythologically

inspired “Siren Song” to the more contemporary “Portrait of My Gender as [Inaudible]” by Meg Day. Eric, who took first place with Ross Gay’s “Wedding Poem,” described his experience with his recitation. “Poetry Out Loud is a great opportunity to express yourself and explore a meaningful text,” Eric said. “Sometimes you just read a poem and it resonates with you, like my poem about the beauty of nature.”

Students participated in the Health Occupations Students of America Regional Competitive Event (HOSA RCE) exam during the week of Jan. 22. HOSA is a state-level conference held for students passionate about pursuing medicine. After passing HOSA RCE, sudents can attend the HOSA state conference, giving them the opportunity to gain career guidance from health professionals.

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I got to talk to people I wouldn't normally talk to, which was why the two day conference was really fun.

ARJUN GURJAR (12)

HOSA CO-PRESIDENT Harker’s HOSA chapter hopes to further take advantage of HOSA’s statelevel conference and participate more actively in the competitions.

DESIGN BY FELIX CHEN, JONATHAN SZETO AND ANDREW LIANG

04 winged post

GLOBAL HEADLINES

GLOBAL

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Conflict expands outside of Gaza Strip Global coalition aims to protect Suez Canal shipping

anika maji, gabe sachse, suhani gupta, mia tang & charlie wang

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for an alliance against extremism on Jan. 29 after protests against far-right discussions about the deportation of immigrants. He called the protests, which more than 500,000 people took part in, “a strong signal for democracy”, but urged for a further movement against extremism, especially from changes in government.

South African fires prompt evacuation Authorities ordered full evacuations of two coastal towns near Cape Town, South Africa on Jan. 30 due to wildfires burning in the area. According to the Overstrand municipality government, which oversees the two evacuated towns of Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay, the fires have not caused any injuries. The Overstrand government lifted the evacuation order for Pringle Bay late on Jan. 30, though they reported that the fire “remains out of control.”

EU passes Ukraine aid package The European Union (EU) passed an aid package worth $54 billion in support of Ukraine’s economy, which is suffering from an extreme downturn as the country’s war with Russia continues. The funds will be directed to support Ukraine’s economic recovery, rather than the war effort itself. The measure passed despite threats of a veto from Hungary, which has been at odds with the EU since the body identified Hungary’s government, led by prime minister Viktor Orban, as moving away from democracy.

RED SEA SECURITY Ensigns of the U.S. Navy keep watch aboard a ship operating under Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Gulf of Aden. Operation Prosperity Guardian aims to counter a recent surge in attacks by the Houthis in Yemen against ships in the Red Sea.

andrew liang

drone strike killed three Americans in northeast Jordan on Jan. 28, marking the first U.S. deaths since the beginning of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year, killing the highest number of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust. Within a day, Israel formally declared war on Hamas. According to AP News, over 20,000 Palestinians have died due to the conflict in Gaza, a small strip 141 square miles in size, and the war has displaced almost 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents Although the victims joined a mission to defeat ISIS and perpetrators were likely aligned with factions backed by Iran, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri has framed this attack as a warning against the U.S.’ involvement in the Middle East. "We will not relinquish our right to our land, our holy places and our

freedom,” Zuhri said. “The targeting of the U.S. soldiers is a clear message, and the governments of the U.S. and the occupation should understand this message before it is too late."

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I doubt the current administration would escalate beyond what we see now unless there are future attacks, but a proportional response is warranted for sure.

PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Germany protests far-right policies

The U.S. could step up its presence in the area and send more troops to the Middle East or choose to strike back at Iranian targets. “Committing more forces, providing more security and giving Israel aid is certainly plausible,” McCorkle said. “I doubt the current administration would escalate beyond what we see now unless there are future attacks, but a proportional response is warranted for sure."

MATT MCCORKLE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

After hearing about the attacks, Biden promised to respond to the threat. What will be done is unclear, though.

SHIPPING SAFETY A navy servicemember guides their ship in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is a vital shipping route leading to the Suez Canal.

Drought threatens global trade through Panama Canal jonathan szeto The Panama Canal Authority cut

through the canal indefinitely by North Korea gives traffic 36 percent on Jan. 17 due to an extreme up on reconciliation drought in Gatún Lake.

Protests engulf Mexico City Protesting erupted in Mexico City on Jan. 15 following three reported killings of transgender people since the start of 2024. Protesters called for other transgender people to join the fight against hate crimes because of the government’s inaction. The confirmed victims were transgender activists Samantha Gómez Fonseca and Miriam Nohemí Ríos as well as another unidentified person.

The lake, which feeds the 51-mile waterway and provides its locks with the water necessary to operate, is currently at 81 feet above sea level, compared to 83.5 feet on the same day in 2020.

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The Panama Canal cuts off 8,000 or so miles of voyage distance. Because of this drought, shipping rates are going up for everyone.

SOPHIA OU (10)

MACROECONOMICS STUDENT Although Panama often experiences a dry season from January to May, climate change and El Niño have exacerbated the drought. Because the canal uses freshwater, local authorities must ensure that the supply of drinking water for the country’s population of 4.4 million

PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un stated that his country would no longer attempt to reconcile with South Korea on Jan. 15. Kim blamed South Korea and the US for raising tensions through joint military exercises and for turning the Korean Peninsula into a war-risk zone, and the state-run news agency KCNA then reported that Pyongyang will abolish government agencies managing relations with Seoul.

LOCKED UP The Panama Canal Authority cut traffic through the canal indefinitely by 36 percent, leading to global shipping delays. An ongoing El Niño exacerbated a drought.

remains secure while also reserving enough to fill the vital locks of the waterway. Authorities now permit only 24 ship crossings per day, down from 38 predrought. Even before the cutback, the canal experienced a 20 percent decline in cargo transit compared to the previous year. The significant reduction in traffic through the canal has caused a gridlock in its surrounding waters, and many ships have diverted to longer routes while other companies have turned to freight rail.

AP Macroeconomics student Sophia Ou (10) believed that the canal authorities’ decision would drive up costs globally for consumers and companies alike, but certain sectors would be more affected than others. “Because of this drought, shipping rates are going up for everyone,” Sophia said. “For shipping companies, the Panama Canal cuts off 8,000 or so miles of voyage distance. Without the canal all those journeys take much longer. They’re losing that opportunity cost.” DESIGN BY FELIX CHEN AND GABE SACHSE

OPINIONS

winged post

Aging government fails our democracy

oe Biden, Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell serve or have served in the highest political offices. In addition, they are all over the age of 75. Each of them has at times struggled with their age, whether it be Biden’s gaffes, Trump’s occasional flubs or McConnell’s health episodes. Currently in the 118th Congress, the average age of representatives in the House is 57.9 years old while that of the Senate rises to 65.3 years. As politicians continue to age, the United States faces a disconnect between constituents and their representatives.

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With this discrepancy of viewpoints between generations, an aging Congress cannot truly serve the youth of America.

Recently, senator Dianne Feinstein of California faced complications with shingles for months before dying in September at age 89. Her inability to be present in Congress and her refusal to resign from her position prevented Democrats from pushing through the

nominations of 12 justices. Constituents elected her with the expectation that she would represent them by actively advocating for legislation and voting for them; it is difficult to do these things when hospitalized. Though Feinstein pioneered a path for women in the Senate and spearheaded climate change legislation, past accomplishments do not account for the present inability to complete basic duties of a representative. We cannot allow respect and admiration for someone’s prior accomplishments to stall the action of today. A representative unable to complete their duties and represent their constituents should not be allowed to serve in Congress. For voters, Dianne Feinstein represented a trusted incumbent with 30 years of experience. Voters value past accomplishments and how they offer definitive proof on how a representative will lead; they reelect 93% of incumbents. However, failing health or a decline in mental faculties should overrule the experience an incumbent offers. Politicians themselves refuse to believe others are more qualified, instead vaguely skimming over health conditions, evidenced by McConnell’s lackluster response to his freezes. In the U.S., the retirement age is 61. There are currently 66 senators and 192 out of 435 house members past that age. Cognitive decline increases as people age, calling into question the mental faculties of these politicians. Furthermore, in this expanding world of AI, older generations tend to find it difficult to grasp the far reaching consequences of technology. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer still uses a flip phone. For those who can’t even use new technology, how can they effectively regulate it? As AI continues to develop and rapidly grow, a lack of a current effective response in the present will hold negative future implications.

FRIDAY FIVE:

G irl Scout cookies janam chahal

O l d e r politicians introduce more legislation c e n t e r e d around their own concerns like long-term care. For younger generations, the impact of those bills is muted. On the other hand, while younger generations care more for issues like climate change, the older population tends to deprioritize them. With this discrepancy of viewpoints between generations, an aging Congress cannot truly serve the youth of America. A country’s future should be decided by the people who will be around to experience it. Without greater representation in Congress for younger generations, we cannot truly push for issues that will affect us. Thus, we need to foster a greater open-mindedness surrounding electing nonincumbents and to push younger generations to run for candidacy in order to offer a more complete Congress.

SOURCES: OCASIO-CORTEZ HOUSE, OSSOFF SENATE, WHITEHOUSE, U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATE IN THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK

isabella lo

5. Trefoils Basic? More like a classic. You can never go wrong with Trefoils, the iconic, original Girl Scout cookie. These were probably the first type of Girl Scout cookie I had ever tried, and they truly didn’t disappoint. The way the shortbread cookies just melt in your mouth is heavenly. However, there’s nothing too remarkable about these cookies, so fifth place is about as high as they can get. 4. Lemon-Ups The crisp, crunchy outsides of Lemon-Ups with a powerful citrus punch were a core memory of my childhood. And the inspiring messages on the inside? Sign me up! While most people gag at the thought of lemon and cookies combined, I appreciate the refreshing taste of LemonUps. Although they are like sunshine in a bite, some other cookies stand before it in the rankings.

2. Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties Wow. Another amazing combo by the Girl Scouts with the rich chocolatey coating over the smooth peanut butter filling and the crisp cookie on the inside. The chocolate and peanut butter combo is undeniably one of the best duos ever. They’re like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but better! My sincerest apologies to those with peanut allergies. You are definitely missing out on one of the best cookies ever.

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA LI

When I look back on my childhood, certain precious and routine moments spring to mind. American Girl dolls wrapped neatly under the Christmas tree. The loud clicking of plastic Disney princess heels on my house’s wooden floor. Wind blowing in my face as I ride my bright pink bicycle, training wheels still attached. The same childhood memories that I cherish remain unfamiliar to some children from Generation Alpha. Social media and online trends’ growing popularity isolates Generation Alpha from the childhoods of generations before and instills a desire to appear older than one’s true age. Connecting with friends in quarantine proved to be challenging for Generation Alpha, as many young children did not have phone numbers and were generally inexperienced with technology. Many children turned to social media as a way to socialize. A 2021 study from Pew Research Center found that 21% of children aged 11 and younger watched TikTok throughout the pandemic, marking an 11% increase from previous years. 81% of these children also used a tablet, and 71% used a smartphone at least once over quarantine. Technology soon became a routine aspect

of most children’s daily lives and an trends on social media. Childhood is a integral part of their generation. formative period where children discover However, technology’s effects on themselves through personal exploration. this young generation appear to be more Social media corrodes that path as harmful than helpful. Exposure to videos younger children now look at influencers of adult influencers compels younger to decide how they should appear and act, children to want to appear older than they and Generation Alpha’s young age makes truly are as they may desire to replicate them especially susceptible. the looks of popular social media content The behavior of Generation Alpha creators. In addition, Generation Alpha reflects the parenting they receive. Parents sometimes takes the desire to follow online must learn to integrate technology into trends to the extreme, prompting many children’s lives in a healthy manner. Doing TikTok users to post videos about their so allows parents to take a step towards encounters with rude children providing a more meaningful childhood at Sephora, most of whom for their children and better prepare are described as Generation Alpha for the future. being 10 years old or younger. These children disrespect employees and purchase antiaging products designed for adults. The “10-yearolds at Sephora” trend reflects the larger negative consequences of DEVICES OVER DOLLS Child from Gen. Alpha watches a device as a child from Gen. Z plays with a doll. shaping childhoods around

In the spirit of Girl Scout Cookie season, I will be ranking my top five Girl Scout Cookie selections. I was once a Girl Scout, so these flavorful, unique cookies will always hold a special place in my heart. Girl Scouts take the best flavor combinations and make them into some of the best cookies in existence (never better than Grandma’s cookies, though). These five are my favorite Girl Scout cookies of all time.

3. Samoas Three C’s that make Samoas simply magnificent: chocolate, caramel, and coconut. The chocolate and caramel create a rich and sweet delicacy and the coconut adds a fun texture to the mix. The donut-like hole in the middle stands out, and the little flakes of coconut and stripes of fudgy chocolate create a gorgeous cookie.

10-year-olds at Sephora reveal social media risks charlize wang

1.Thin Mints Ah, the best for last. Thin Mints are the most perfect cookie in existence. The eye-catching green boxes? Gorgeous. The harmonious crossover between mint and chocolate? Magnificent. I never knew heaven was a place on Earth until I tried thin mints. The crisp, chocolate cookie enveloped in the mint chocolatey coating forms a divine pair of sweet perfection. Thin mints are the perfect treat to share with your loved ones.

DESIGN BY ISABELLA LO AND MIA TANG

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANANYA SRIRAM

volume 25 • issue 4

06 winged post

SPOTLIGHT

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

PHOTOS BY EMMA MILNER

stealing the SCEN

TIME TO DANCE (Bottom Left) Vedant Yadav (11) dances to “Clocking In,” a dance choreographed by Arthur Wu (11). The show featured seven studentchoreographed dances with the select students coming from either Harker Dance Company or Kinetic Krew. REACHING OUT (Bottom Right) Selina Chen (12) strikes a final pose in her self-choreographed dance “Darkness I Became.” Selina danced in five performances total and is a member of HDC.

away

dance the night ‘Night & Day’ dance production brings young min & suhani gupta

A cluster of dancers, loosely huddled together, rhythmically undulate in a mesmerizing cadence, drawing the audience into the pulsating energy of the dance. A red spotlight illuminates their iridescent leotards and mesh pants as the dramatic intro of “[I Just] Died in Your Arms” by Hidden Citizens pulses throughout Patil theater. When the music reaches its climax, the passionate chaos on stage abruptly stops. The lights darken as the rest of the dancers disperse off stage and Cecilia Yang (12) shines alone amidst the darkness, concluding the 2024 upper school Dance production. Themed ‘Night and Day,’ the Dance Production featured around 90

dancers total

everyday moments to the stage

dancers each put in 18 groups, with performances held on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 in the Patil theater. As per the theme of this year’s dance production, Director Rachelle Haun, who also choreographed five of the show’s routines, organized the theme of each dance to fit with different times of day and night. “I think the dance production was really fun to watch, and it was interesting to see my friends perform,” attendee Iona Liu (9) said. “The first dance was also a cool opener, especially with the trampolines and the amount of dancers performing. I liked how clean and in sync everything was, and I thought the music was great too.” Student choreographers, juniors Maya Affaki, Claire Cheng,

student choreographers

dance performances

Yasmin Sudarsanam, Arthur Wu and Sonia Yu and seniors Emma Cai, Selina Chen, Luke Mehta and Cecilia Yang, each choreographed one of the seven studentchoreographed dances which had a range of styles from hip-hop to contemporary. In order to choreograph for the dance production, students take the dance composition and choreography class. Juniors Maya Affaki and Sonia Yu cochoreographed Dinner and Diatribes, a contemporary dance that presented a dinner party starting out prim and proper before descending into madness throughout the night. “We incorporated a lot of smaller movements at the beginning, with everyone on the chair sitting very proper, back straight, and feet flat on the floor,” Maya said. “As we went on, we used the skirts and the arms a lot more. Our arms extended further out from our bodies rather than being close, and the movements got a lot bigger and faster.” In preperation for dance production, tech crew members, choreographers and dancers all attended dress rehearsals on Jan. 20 and Jan. 25 with additional

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT (Top) R Sikand (12) and Michael Harley SDS Director Isabella Ribeiro’s (1 “Perfect” by Alan Hanhei. The pe centered around the struggle of BEST FRIENDS (Top) Hannah St and Shreeya Merchia (12) act as in the SDS play. Hannah plays th friend of Shreeya’s character Ter

after school runthroughs in those weeks to clean up choreography for the dances. Dancer Tiana Salvi (11), who is also a member of Kinetic Krew, highlights the excitement she felt in the last few rehearsals in which performers first showcased their routine on stage in front of fellow dancers. The bond created through watching every routine made the process of choreographing, performing and preparing and working on the show even more special and memorable, according to Tiana. “During the last week [of rehearsals] where all the dancers come together, you see everyone and you hear everyone cheering for you because they’re seeing your dance for the first time,” Tiana said. “Throughout the week, even when everyone sees your dance 10 times, it’s the same energy. That’s how you really feel the community that Harker dance has and it’s like having a family where everyone supports each other.”

MAY

CHOR

SPOTLIGHT

volume 25 • issue 4

Student performers pack the theater with songs, dances and plays MIDNIGHT MAYHEM (Top Left) Maya Affaki (11) supports Sonia Yu (11) as the latter executes a leg extension in the “Dinner and Diatribes” perfomance. The contemporary dance centers around a dinner party scene in which the dancers move in a prim and proper fashion before descending into madness as the night time crept upon the performers. LEAP OF FAITH (Top Right) Grace Eassa (12) leaps across the stage during the show’s opening dance to Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.” The “morning” portion of the show, or the first half, consisted of nine different day-themed dances.

step into the

limelight

Seniors direct plays featuring student actors in SDS

young min, alison yang & emma li

“It was great to step into that role and really find ourselves as people, not only as directors,” Isabella said. “We created such The four senior directors, Sonya a great friendship and bond throughout Apsey, Isabella Ribeiro, Mariana Ryder this entire process. The amount of work and Selina Xu, developed their shows in and thought that gets put into SDS really parallel with a hands-on directing course. cemented us as our little group of four.” As a cohort, they selected, edited and Isabella’s play “Perfect,” written by workshopped their one-act plays. Their Alan Hanhei, commenced the show and diverse background of experiences and follows the main character Bethany as personalities allowed them to share the she grapples with self-esteem. Marni burden of SDS and lean on each other Kuo (5), Megha Unny (9) and Rhiannon during this time of growth. Sikand (12) work in tandem to capture her evolution. Mariana’s “Lockdown,” written by Douglas Craven, revolves around eight NOT SO SWEET DREAMS Characters from the play “Pressure” gather around the bed and talk while Alice Tao’s (12) sleepstudents during a lockdown. Tensions ing character Penny has a nightmare. “The combination of the worsen when a frosh, Alana Brill (10), bolts different directors and actors just makes each play so unique,” out of the classroom and Teacher Karsh, Alice said. Vedant Balachandran (11), chases after her, leaving students with the daunting decision to leave the classroom or not. “I came at everything through almost a debate perspective,” Mariana said. “I wasn’t focusing on the artistic value, and that was something I had to overcome by putting much more attention on the details. I was pretty proud of how much time I spent working on the lighting finally paid off.” Starting the second half, Selina presented “Pressure” by Lindsay Price. The show focuses around four characters, Alice Tao’s (12) Penny, Jason Shim’s (11) Alex, Shreeya Merchia’s (12) Tera and

break a

leg

PHOTOS BY ALISON YANG

Rhiannon (10) act in 12) play erformance f self-esteem. treeper (11) s best friends he drunk best ra.

IONA LIU (9)

“

Michael Filev’s (9) Kyle. Over the course of a semester, social, familial and academic pressures expose the cracks in their coping mechanisms. Sonya’s “The Audition,” written by Don Zolidis, finished the evening. Stellan Lindh’s (9) Mr. Torrance, the ambitious new theater teacher, introduces the production “A Chorus Line” to the high

“

It was genuinely the proudest moment of my entire life.

ISABELLA RIBEIRO (12) SDS DIRECTOR

school. From the overly confident Yuma, played by Evan Yuan (9), to the hesitant Elizabeth, played by Christy Ma (10), the show portrays the different attitudes aspiring actors gear while auditioning. “The combination of the different directors and actors just makes each play so unique,” Alice said. “When you go through tech week and daily rehearsals with a group of people you’ve never met before, you are going to be friends no matter what. SDS is a really friendly space to go out of your comfort zone, especially for non-actors.”

Performers showcase talents in ‘Hoscars’

kinnera mulam

The annual Hoscars show took place today in the Patil Theater and consisted of around 15 different performances featuring talents from performing self-composed songs to studentchoreographed dances. Signature Acapella member Anaya Mandal (12) performed “What Was I

AUDIENCE MEMBER

YA AFFAKI (11)

Made For?” by Billie Eilish with their group. As the group has a goal to perform at Hoscars every year, Signature began rigorously preparing for the performance a couple of weeks ago. They selected Eilish’s song because of its trendiness and the higher number of sopranos and altos. “It’s been really fun,” Anaya said. “We have really good performers and what’s been really important is the trust between our members.”

I liked how clean and in sync everything was.

“

Everybody was really dedicated this year. TIANA SALVI (11)

DANCER

“

It’s like having a family where everyone supports each other.

SINGING IN SYNC (Top) A group of sophomores perform an acapella version of “Attention” by Charlie Puth during the tech rehearsal. There were around 15 performances in this year’s Hoscars. CONQUERING THE STAGE (Right) Dancer Sonia Yu (11) performs her self-choreographed routine to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Lorde. All Hoscars participants attended the Jan. 31 tech rehearsal.

PHOTOS BY ANANYA SRIRAM

REOGRAPHER

winged post

DESIGN BY KINNERA MULAM

08 winged post

PERSPECTIVES

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Striving through the Sisters: squabbles of sisterhood Playful, persistent, the younger sibling prevails janam chahal

shareen chahal

ith great age comes great responsibility. Though “great age” may not exactly apply to a high school senior, the concept of sibling hierarchy revolves heavily around age. Older siblings have quite dutiful roles, which oftentimes cause an overwhelming sense of pressure. However, being the eldest has its many perks, and older siblings grow up with a greater sense of individuality and care than their potentially immature, spoiled counterparts — all taken with a grain of salt, of course.

“

Though sibling rivalry is extremely real, in the long run, we have built a relationship grounded in care for one another.

One of the most satisfactory aspects of being the eldest is the inherent trust we receive from parents. Generally, we are more accountable. My parents gladly grant me permission to go out alone, to use the oven and stove even when unattended and to even drive around late at night with friends. In my sister’s case, she is often told she is “too young” to be walking through the streets without parental supervision. I also earn priority when purchasing new things, and I never receive hand-me-

he youngest sibling is usually the bestlooking, the smartest, and never has to follow rules. The first two are definitely true. The third one, not so much. I think my sister has made a few mistakes that made my parents more cautious about the things that I do. However, being younger, in my opinion, is generally better. I receive all the help I could ever need, and I have a best friend for life. As a younger sister, I basically have two closets. Of course I am a spoiled younger sibling, so I get to go shopping all the time. While some siblings do not like hand-me-downs, I appreciate receiving my sister’s stylish clothes. Whether I want to wear her outfit from last Monday or her favorite brown sweater, I can always find the outfit of my dreams in my sister’s closet. The pants might be a little too long or the shoes might be a bit too big, but that’s what safety pins and thick socks are for! Another perk of being younger: my sister drives me literally everywhere. I can force her to take me to get food or just drive around for fun. If she doesn’t, I’ll just tell my mom! While having a person chauffeur is always nice, my favorite part is that I’m always on aux when she is driving. Usually, she is fine with my music, but when I’m feeling extra annoying, Taylor Swift is the way to go. She may say that younger siblings are bothersome, but I like to think that we just have more fun. Whenever I feel bored, my sister’s room is right around the corner. She is always there for me to talk to, and downs. Whether it’s a technological item or an article of clothing, since I am the eldest, I choose first. I suppose harnessing the authority to decide what you want builds a sense of originality, but overall, it is quite satisfying to receive new items while my sister has to take my old things. As the eldest, I am often tasked with more household chores, dogrelated duties and cooking assignments. Additionally, I am a designated role model for her. One wrong move or slip-up results in a barrage of lectures about how I should “know better.” A younger sister can also sometimes be like having a little pest attached to your side. Privacy is a figment of my imagination when she is home, as she barges into my room as she pleases. Plus, in some instances, she has yet to grow out of her “copycat” phase, drawing blatant inspiration from my fashion sense, my hobbies and even how I talk. With sibling relationships, I would say the pros outweigh the cons. Though sibling rivalry is extremely real, in the long run, we have built a relationship grounded in care for one another. The term “built-in best friend” reigns true for the two of us, and though we bicker over who will be the first to wear the new sweater we purchased over the weekend, love transcends all, and we will never leave each other’s side.

her bed is always there for me to jump on. Sometimes, I’ll talk endlessly about the most recent drama, and even though she always pretends like she is not listening and does not care, I know that she pays attention to everything. Being younger is not always as great as it seems, though. On the days that my sister is out with her friends or at musical rehearsal, I have nobody to talk to and nobody to annoy. Sometimes, I just sit on her bed and wait for her to come home. As my sister’s time in high school is approaching its end, I worry about how lonely and bored I will be when she is away. As much as I deny it, I love spending time with my sister and cannot imagine my life without her.

“

Even though we argue about the most minor things almost every day, I am forever grateful that I developed this invaluable relationship with my older sister.

We have our fair share of fights and disagreements, but there are so many great things about having an older sister. Even though she takes my favorite sweaters and steals my snacks, I will always remember the gossip sessions and nighttime drives that we always go on. Even though we argue about the most minor things almost every day, I am forever grateful that I developed this invaluable relationship with my older sister.

PROVIDED BY JANAM CHAHAL AND SHAREEN CHAHAL

Wisdom, wittiness and why the elder sibling wins

DESIGN BY JESSICA WANG, DISHA GUPTA, AND CHARLIZE WANG

OPINIONS

volume 25 • issue 4

Aquila Editors-in-Chief Ella Yee Alena Suleiman Aquila Managing Editors Margaret Cartee Emma Gao Desiree Luo Kevin Zhang Medha Yarlaggada Selina Xu Video/Podcast Editors Aishani Singh Anwen Hao Humans of Harker Editors-in-Chief Olivia Xu Katelyn Zhao Humans of Harker Managing Editors Michelle Wei Sidak Sanghari Jonathan Xue Humans of Harker Profilers Aryana Bharali Ella Guo Vivek Moorjani Reporters Anika Maji Claire Bauschlicher Mirabelle Feng

Editorial: Cheating breeds unhealthy culture

EDITORIAL: THE OFFICIAL OPINION OF THE WINGED POST

editorial board

Calculus test question for an English one, or an AP United States History multiple choice answer for the physics free response. Outside Dobbins or in the Main hallway, friends huddle together in groups, exchanging information on an imminent exam. Most students would not consider this cheating, despite clearly violating the honor code. Students may instead characterize such actions as simply helping a friend out, therefore rationalizing academic dishonesty and pressuring others to engage as well. The culture at Harker, where grades ofteThe high-pressure, academic culture at Harker, where grades overshadow the importance of genuine learning, exacerbates the problem of cheating. The academically rigorous environment at Harker aims to provide an environment of learning and exploration; cheating undermines that goal and nullifies Harker’s promise to foster academic curiosity. The boundaries of cheating have expanded in the digital age with the advent of AI technology such as ChatGPT.

When teachers set clear boundaries and expectations, however, the responsibility lies with the student. We must hold one another accountable for our actions. On a Google Form shared with the Harker upper school community on Schoology on Dec. 4, 79.1% of 182 participants reported witnessing an act of cheating, 66% of whom have witnessed a friend cheating. Of these participants who saw someone cheat, 16% have reported an incident of cheating while 2% have reported a friend. Practical steps should be taken to make reporting easier, ensuring that those who witness cheating can contribute to maintaining the integrity of the academic environment. Harsher penalties should be given to those caught cheating, and more rigorous test-taking procedures: stricter proctoring or more stringent security regarding technology could reduce the effectiveness of cheating. Instead, it seems as if we have normalized cheating. Of the 185 responses to the Google Form, 60.4% feel cheating has been normalized at Harker, and 62.1% feel it is not a problem that can be resolved. Students discuss test content with their friends, violating the Harker

Honor Code. Our comfort with discussing cheating indicates its prevalence and normalization in the student body, something no longer taboo to talk about. Fear of the repercussions of cheating should not be the sole reason students avoid it. We should instead aim to change the intense culture at Harker, where cheating is no longer seen as a shortcut to better scores, but instead looked down upon. Students need to reframe their view of their education as a process, rather than the means to an end revolving around a number on their transcript. Cheating harms the community in more ways than a student’s individual learning. The student body as a whole becomes more toxic, seeing one's classmates as rivals rather than companions, and fuels an atmosphere of frustration and resentment. As members of this academic community, it is our collective responsibility to contribute to an environment where honesty and integrity are upheld. Only with a unified effort from the whole community to reduce or eliminate cheating can the educational experience remain meaningful and transformative for each student.

Corrections TO ISSUE 3

Visit The Winged Post online at www.harkeraquila.com Follow us on Instagram @harkeraquila

NEWS 2: • Headline should say "muscular dystrophy" instead of "muscle distrophy" FEATURES 5: • Missing captions for two photos A&E 7: • "Duncant Marquardt" misspelled as "Duncan Marquart" • Rowe picture credit to Tiffany Zhu AISHANI SINGH

The Winged Post is published every four to six weeks except during vacations by the Journalism: News and Advanced Journalism: News courses at Harker’s upper school, 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, California 95129. The Winged Post staff will publish features, editorials, news, sports and STEM articles in an unbiased and professional manner and serve as a public forum for the students of The Harker School. Editorials represent the official opinions of The Winged Post. Opinions and letters represent the personal viewpoints of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Winged Post. All content decisions are made by student editors, and the content of The Winged Post in no way reflects the official policy of The Harker School. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the student writers and not the Harker board, administration, faculty or adviser. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to Manzanita 70 or emailed to harkeraq@gmail.com and must be signed, legible and concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters to conform to Post style. Baseless accusations, insults, libelous statements, obscenities and letters that call for a disruption of the school day will not be considered for publication. Letters sent to The Winged Post will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff. The Winged Post is the official student newspaper of Harker’s upper school and is distributed free of cost to students. It provides a student voice forum for members of our community. Students hold the copyright to work published in Harker journalism publications. NSPA Pacemaker Winner: 2019-2020, 2017-2018 NSPA Pacemaker Finalist: 2020-2021, 2018-2019, 2016-2017 CSPA Gold Crowns: 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016 CSPA Silver Crowns: 2022, 2021, 2017

ILLUSTRATION AND INFOGRAPHIC BY JESSICA WANG

Editors-in-Chief Kinnera Mulam Ariana Goetting Managing Editors Edward Huang Ananya Sriram Shareen Chahal News Editors Felix Chen Andrew Liang Assistant News Editors Gabe Sachse Janam Chahal Jonathan Szeto Features Editors Hima Thota Vika Gautham Assistant Features Editors Minal Jalil Kairui Sun A&E/Lifestyle Editors Alison Yang Young Min Assistant A&E/Lifestyle Editors Suhani Gupta Emma Li Opinions Editors Jessica Wang Isabella Lo Assistant Opinions Editors Charlize Wang Disha Gupta Mia Tang STEM Editors Victor Gong Claire Zhao Assistant STEM Editors Mihir Kotbagi Ashley Mo Lily Shi Sports Editors Emma Milner Katerina Matta Assistant Sports Editors Tiffany Zhu Eva Cheng Claire Yu Photo Editor Brandon Zau Assistant Photo/Multimedia Editor Charlie Wang Copy Editor Saahil Herrero Assistant Copy Editors Jeremy Peng Mendy Mao Jessica Hu Sports Columnist Gabe Sachse Adviser Whitney Huang, CJE

winged post

ariana goetting, kinnera mulam, shareen chahal, edward huang & ananya sriram Welcome to the fourth issue of the Winged Post for this school year! We’ve chosen to start the year off on a high note with a double issue featuring extra pages of content that caters to the diverse population on campus. In this issue, we offer stories that allow the reader to learn more about our campus and more about themselves. Check out a feature on our campus security guards or relive recent events in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center.

If you’re feeling more reflective, check out our more interactive stories and pursue your plant personality through a back page on greenery or find a solution to your situationship in our relationship advice column in honor of Valentine’s Day. Have a story you want to see in the Winged Post? Feel free to email harkeraq@ gmail.com, submit to our community pitch or contact a member of our staff with any ideas you may have. Thank you so much for supporting our publication — we hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to providing thorough and engaging content in all future issues to come!

STEM 14: • "What's" instead of "Whats" in the headline • "Spectrophotometry" misspelled as "Spectrophotography" SPORTS 19: • Additional "[IN]" in article CORRECTIONS POLICY: Our staff strives to represent our community fairly and conduct accurate, truthful storytelling. We list all errors of an issue, along with the page number of that error, in the next issue’s corrections box. Feel free to provide feedback via the QR code to the right.

DESIGN BY JESSICA WANG, DISHA GUPTA AND CHARLIZE WANG

10 winged post

STEM

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Flaws in healthcare reflect historical abuses

mihir kotbagi & claire zhao

Norway moves forward with controversial proposal Norway’s parliament voted in favor of allowing companies to begin exploratory mining along the Norwegian Sea’s continental shelf. Proponents of this plan argue that it would make it far easier to procure metals needed for manufacturing electronics. But, Norway’s environmental agency and many of its top scientists cite its potential for major ecological harm as a reason to hold offuntil more research has been conducted. They argue that this legislation violates national law, as the government lacks information about the effects of these mining activities.

DEEP-ROOTED TRAUMA Studies conducted by white scientists on unknowning minority communities imprinted long-lasting distrust for medical instituions. Such studies include those conducted on the Havasupai Indians and Black men in the Tuskegee experiment.

History of medicine in U.S. ties into mistreatment of minorities today

NASA delayed the Artemis II lunar mission to Sept. 2025 to take steps to improve astronaut safety. This launch is the first manned mission to venture beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17. Lessons from the first Artemis mission influenced this decision, meaning that there is a need to augment the existing safety protocols. In particular, the Orion Heat Shield will play a critical role in protecting the astronauts from the incredible temperatures experienced by the spacecraft. NASA plans to launch the 3rd Artemis mission in 2026.

COLOSSAL CORAL REEF MAPPED

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently mapped the largest deep-sea coral reef in the world. Published in the journal Geomatics on Jan. 12, their discoveries discuss the 310-mile reef, extending from Florida to South Carolina and submerged at a maximum depth of 3,280 feet underwater. The team used threedimensional sonar-mapping technology to explore the ocean floor. Deep-sea coral reefs cover more underwater area and are found at deeper ocean levels with little sunlight. As a result, they filter their food from water currents.

U.S. Avg.

Black

White

SOURCE: CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL

Maternal deaths per 100k pregnancies

Scientists explore ocean floor along US coast

Medical profession percentage by ethnicity

Average emergency room wait time by sex

The vulnerability of marginalized groups in medical settings stems from the exclusion of minorities from medical professions themselves. Studies show that students of color face extreme barriers such as financial difficulties. In Santa Clara County today, a lack of racial diversity within doctors lingers. Lack of representation in medical professions carry over into the unequal treatment of women and minorities

“I think it's important to recognize that your generation is willing to listen to the hard truths,” head of Upper School science department Anita Chetty said. “You're willing to explore those things you are very interested in. But I think you have to remember that you have to go beyond just talking about it, and that you have to be a part of the change that we need to see in this country.”

Apple of your eye: Vision Pro surges into metaverse

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CLAIRE ZHAO

A N B Y S UH A N I G U P T

RA TIO

SLIM probe lands right on target, sets new record

Apple’s newest virtual reality (VR) headset, the Vision Pro, released in all Apple stores on Feb. 2. Priced at $3,499, the headset projects a stylistic digital screen right in front of users, allowing them to read the news, run applications, and watch movies all in 3D space. What makes the Vision Pro especially cutting edge is its unique method of handling displays. While traditional VR headsets contain physical screens within each lens, the Vision Pro casts high-resolution displays directly into the eyes. Apple's newest headset does not require handheld controllers or wearable sensors; users can navigate the digital landscape through eye movements or basic gestures. The remarkable brightness and color reproduction also transforms the nature of content consumption.

so it just feels like the next natural step to put it directly up in front of your face or in your eyes directly.” Despite the innovation it represents, the Vision Pro and future headsets also pose ethical concessions. With its incredibly immersive and thrilling experiences, VR holds the potential to hook users and promote unhealthy addictions, making it increasingly easier for people to divert their attention from the world around them into a virtual metaverse. Regardless, Apple’s cutting-edge headset still represents a step forward in the world of immersive devices. IL With technology accelerating at a rapid rate, it’s unclear what the future holds LASERING AHEAD The Apple Vision Pro carries hyper-immersive for virtual reality. Perhaps one day, other experiences to the world of virtual reality. sensory elements such as touch, smell, “It's the next step in terms of human and taste may make their way into the computer interaction,” Kabir said. “We’ve metaverse, alongside sight and sound. kind of maximized what we can do But, even if that doesn’t happen, we’ll still directly on a phone or on the computer, have the Vision Pro. ST

JAXA LUNAR LANDING SUCCEEDS

As a consumer tech enthusiast, Kabir Ramzan (12) is optimistic about the Apple Vision Pro, having recently placed a preorder for it. He comments on his thoughts about Apple’s new product.

victor gong & mihir kotbagi

DESIGN BY VICTOR GONG AND MIHIR KOTBAGI

SOURCE: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NASA pushes lunar mission out by one year to 2025

today in medicine. In terms of direct care, women wait an average of 65 minutes in the ER when reporting abdominal pain, while men only wait an average of 49 minutes. The mistreatment of women in medical settings can be attributed to ingrained misconceptions about women’s emotional states and pain tolerance in a largely white, male-dominated field. Community medical outreach is essential to connecting with underserved populations and their needs. Fully understanding the needs of minority communities can improve their relationship with medical institutions.

INFOGRAPHICS BY EMMA LI

edicine in the United States stands as an exemplar for major breakthroughs throughout the global community. But underneath the history of the United States’ success in medicine lies the systematic unethical mistreatment of minorities and women in medical studies and professional training. The effects of America's problematic and exclusionary history within medicine can still be measured today. “There have been major problems, disparities as well as just outright abuse of communities of color by the medical institutions,” biology teacher Michael Pistacchi said. “In large part because of that history, we still see massive disparities in everything from access to healthcare, in quality of treatment, in life expectancy, just about any metric you could look at for communities of color, they are worse than they would be for equivalent populations.”

The maternal mortality rate, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or up to a year after the end of pregnancy, for Black women in 2021 was 69.9 deaths for every 100,000 live births. This is 2.6 times the rate for white people. The number of deaths from pregnancy-related causes in the U.S. has more than doubled in the last two decades, and a majority of these deaths are preventable.

SOURCE: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

hima thota

NASA DELAYS ARTEMIS II

Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) landed on Jan. 20. Initially, solar power issues prevented the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency from confirming if their mission had landed in the target area, but they eventually retrieved the data. SLIM landed only 55 meters from the target site, making the mission a remarkably precise demonstration. It initially landed upside down, but solar panels managed to provide enough power for the lander to flip upright. The main purpose of the mission is to study the solar system using a small and lightweight exploration system.

ILLUSTRATION BY MIRABELLE FENG

SEA-BED MINING APPROVED

STEM

winged post ILLUSTRATION BY TIFFANY ZHU

volume 25 • issue 4

Where have all the stars gone?

Mythical creatures How feasible would they be? edward huang In the magical realm of myth and folklore, mythical creatures have always captivated our imaginations and piqued our curiosity. But what if these creatures, woven into the tapestry of countless tales, actually existed in real life? Winged Post delves into this intriguing possibility, consulting experts who shed light on the likelihood of these legendary beings sharing our world.

Light emission % increase from 2011-2022 by country

UNICORN:: Most likely to exist UNICORN

SOURCE: SCIENCE.ORG

R w est or o ld f G Av lob er al ag e

In urban centers especially, the prevalence of artificial lighting like LEDs and advertisements washes away any

“Clear nights [are] getting more rare, and it’s really sad,” student astronomy research Kaitlyn Wang (12) said. “The stars disappearing is an effect that happens around the cities because of the light pollution and clouds as well.” Beyond the visual impact, light pollution also impacts the scientific community. For astronomers, the added light can disrupt instruments, preventing clear images of celestial bodies. “We just can’t see as deeply into the sky unless we get out of the atmosphere,” astronomy teacher Dr. Eric Nelson said. “A lot of ground based telescopes are becoming more and more handicapped, which means that their value gets reduced. And the science that comes out of them is thinning as a result.”

N Amor t er h ica

annual global increase in urban light emissions 2011-2022

SOURCE: SCIENCE.ORG

9.6%

2023

2012

SOURCE: LIGHTPOLLUTIONMAP.INFO

radiance sum

Summed radiance values for the United States

% increase

ar above Earth lies an infinite abyss, scattered with universes undiscovered and galaxies unexplored. Through our night sky, we capture a fleeting glimpse of this world sublime, a window into the secrets hidden within the inky darkness of space. But as we gaze from down below, peering up into this celestial looking glass, something seems amiss. As we gaze upwards, we can’t help but wonder – where have all the stars gone? Light pollution describes the artificial brightness of our night sky, caused by increased human lighting in particularly urban areas. With diminished contrast between light and dark, spatial features like stars become much harder to spot with the naked eye. A recent report shows that there is a 9.6 percent increase in sky brightness every year.

Even for non-astronomers, light pollution affects life as a whole. For humans, an increased amount of light at night can disrupt sleeping patterns, hindering the production of melatonin. For other species that rely on light, the influx of artificial brightness can also impact behavior and sleep. “Light pollution causes a humongous amount of issues for some birds that are very sensitive to it and some animals that rely on day night cycles,” physical sciences club president Arnav Swaroop (12) said. But while light pollution remains a large-scale issue, there are practical solutions that individuals can implement in their own lives. Additional steps include installing dimmers on light bulbs and closing blinds to prevent excess light from going into the atmosphere.

ro p

stars in the night sky, drowned out by the brighter lights down below. Paired with environmental factors like cloud patterns and the time of year, light pollution can render certain areas void of any stars.

ashley mo & jonny xue

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA LI

Light pollution impacts scientists and species

The unicorn, a mythical creature often depicted in fantasy stories as a horse with a single horn, stands out for its simplicity, which makes its existence quite plausible. In fact, they already closely resemble the narwhal, an aquatic animal with a similar unique tusk. “Unicorns are easy because they’re just fancy, and we already have narwhals that have the same horn,” Santa Clara University Professor of Biology Dr. Elizabeth Dahlhoff said. “In fact, some people say that they were the animal that the unicorn myth came from.” While the magical abilities attributed to unicorns vary across myths, the core idea of the animal is not far-fetched by any means. The unicorn, even stripped of its magical attributes, remains an animal that could very well exist in reality.

MERMAID:: Highly likely to exist MERMAID Mermaids, often imagined as halfhuman, half-fish beings, also hold a significant chance of existing, according to Dr. Dahlhoff. These mythical creatures share similarities with real aquatic animals like elephant seals. “If we had mermaids like Ariel, we would never expect her to be able to to get her oxygen from water because she can speak on land, but if we think about the merpeople in Harry Potter, those merpeople cannot effectively communicate in air, so they have more like a gill that allows them to breathe in water,” Dr. Dahlhoff said. “If they weren’t getting oxygen from water, they would have to be spectacular breath hold divers like elephant seals.”

Stirring the science behind hot beverages Trees lie barren. Animals scurry away to shelter. Yet, amidst the gloomy landscape, a glimmer of happiness manifests itself — in the form of a cup of hot chocolate. With extreme climates in recent times, warm drinks have become more and more popular among those seeking salvation from the cold. A common myth suggests that hot drinks can raise the body’s temperature and thus make an individual experience warmth. While this technically holds true, the temperature increase isn’t as large as it seems. The human body contains 42 liters of water, so an addition of 1 to 2 pints of a hot liquid won’t raise the overall temperature by much. According to a 2018 study, after drinking a hot beverage, subjects experienced an average temperature change of 0.04 degrees Celsius or 0.07 degrees Fahrenheit, only around 0.07% of the average body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a common tactile image that comes to mind with hot drinks is one of grateful hands clasped around a toasty cup in frigid temperatures, an act that

WARMING SIPS Brendon Hayes (11) holds a warm mug. With extreme cold climates in recent times, warm drinks have become more and more popular ways to warm up.

can temporarily provide concentrated yet minimal relief from the cold. These kinds of associations not only impact cultural conceptions on services of such beverages, but also traditions of warm drink’s popularity in the winter season. “We associate warm drinks with cold months — you hold a warm drink in your hand when it’s cold out so that’s become the association that’s the norm,” upper

KEVIN ZHANG

victor gong & kevin zhang

school psychology teacher Julie Turchin said. “People come to expect certain drinks at certain times of the year.” Temperature can also impact the taste of the beverage itself. Higher temperatures often intensify flavors of sweetness and bitterness due to stronger stimulation of those respective taste cells on the tongue, while flavors of sourness and saltiness typically remain the same.

PHOENIX:: Likely to exist PHOENIX The phoenix, a creature known for its ability to be reborn from its ashes after death, presents a more complex case. While there is a lack of evidence for animals with exactly the same ability, there are instances in nature that hint at similar regenerative capabilities. “Like a phoenix, the immortal jellyfish is one animal that can completely die in its adult form, but it keeps a little core of cells that eventually grows into a new adult,” biology teacher Mike Pistacchi said. “The fire thing is totally unrealistic though, because in animals fire is just not good for cells.” DESIGN BY ASHLEY MO, LILY SHI AND CLAIRE ZHAO

12 winged post

BACK PAGE

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

plants, leaf the way!

Our community in full bloom What type of plant are you?

Students and faculty share why they took up gardening

hether it’s a garden of thriving vegetation or a collection of indoor potted succulents, returning home to fresh greenery after a long day can lighten our moods. Within the Harker community, the act of nurturing plants holds a special place in many households. Amidst the greenery, the stress of daily life dissipates. The simple act of tending a garden can have various therapeutic effects, such as alleviating negative emotions.

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NICHOLAS MANJOINE ENGLISH TEACHER

There’s always a certain kind of kinship about digging in the dirt and watching things grow.

F o r English teacher and avid gardener Nicholas Manjoine, the routine of caring for his garden becomes a sort of self-therapy and a method of connecting with nature. “There’s always a certain kind of kinship about digging in the dirt and watching things grow,” Mr. Manjoine said. “There’s nothing better for a nervous person than a processoriented, presence-based task like taking care of plants. There’s always something to do, so you have to be strategic with what you want to tackle. It’s a process you can’t rush.” Not only does gardening benefit mental health, the process can mitigate the effects of climate change, as most plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Trees and other perennial plants are particularly effective at sequestering

carbon. actually helps people with attention and “I have a lot of vegetables and fruits, stress and general happiness,” Dr. Wahl [like] peaches, figs and pumpkins, and I said. “We’re meant to be really enjoy taking care of living things,” in nature. It’s really plant-lover Angelina Antony (10) artificial said. “I think it’s really good to spend for the environment. y o u r Climate change is a w hole DR. BETH huge issue and the d a y WAHL best thing for me to inside. ENGLISH TEACHER do is to do my part in I really addressing it.” feel like We’re meant to be in Upper school I need to nature. It’s really artificial English teacher Dr. Beth get outside to spend your whole day Wahl grows a variety periodically inside. of indoor and native and part of it outdoor plants, like is to just to notice apricot trees, plum trees, the environment. I’ll walk monkey flowers, roses, and palms. around Harker and notice what’s “I like greenery, I like the blooming.” aesthetics of seeing things grow and For those who are less serious about having different colors,” Dr. Wahl said. gardening, growing plants can act as a “I set up all of my plants, even the relaxing pastime. Anna Lee (12) owns bushes in the front part of that house, several potted plants and has grown they’re different shades of yellow them for two years. and green, so that no matter what the “They’re really low maintenance, so I season is, there’s always color. Nothing just put them in small cubbies and water ever just goes completely bare or brown them when the dirt gets dry,” Anna said. and I love seeing that. I just like watching “I started mainly just as a way to liven up that cycle of nature.” my room and make it more more green. Dr. Wahl keeps most of her outdoor I kind of see them as pets now, just like plants on an irrigation system but waters something to take care of in my pastime, them every week as well. To keep her soil so I’ve gotten really fond of them.” healthy and ideal for The variety of plant life cultivated within our community reflects both a love for nature and an interconnectedness of living things. Growing plants is also ANNA a form of understanding of the natural LEE world, specifically the parallels between SENIOR plants and people. “[Plants are] just like people,” Manjoine said. “We see the surface of I started mainly just as a things, but there’s a lot more going on way to liven up my room underneath the surface. It’s kind of funny and make it more green. that all of those things you can’t see, like the underground bits, the soil, and planting, roots, and stem, are more important than s h e periodically grows anything else about a plant, kind of just cover crops such as fava beans to like people. I think that it’s a metaphor for reintroduce nitrogen to the soil. dealing with yourself and nurturing the “The more plants that you have, it best parts of yourself.”

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PHOTOS BY SHAREEN CHAHAL AND EMMA MILNER

Silicon Valley agricultural history FRUITFUL HISTORY Placard in the Harker orchard details the history behind plants on campus.

shareen chahal & kinnera mulam With the spring season right around the corner in March — and the right time to start planting seeds in your backyard — take a look at the descriptions of different plants below to see which best suits your personality traits. Are you guarded like a cactus or always joyful like a sunflower? Find out below!

You are..

the social butterfly A sunflower emanates happiness and follows the sun wherever it goes. You say hello to everyone you see and always have a smile on your face! Your cheery disposition is loved by many.

the resilient fighter Succulents are thick-skinned, both figuratively and literally! They conquer all and thrive even in environments without sunlight or water. They are true powerhouses! Even in tough times, you stay strong and true to your thoughts.

the shy ponderer A bit of a late bloomer? sprouts may be small, but they have a whole life ahead of them. Even if you’re on the timid side or prefer to keep to yourself, you have a bright future filled with love!

the secret softie Though prickly on the outside, a cactus is just like any other plant internally. You may not express care directly, but you greatly love the people around you! Your salty personality does not taint your heart.

the professional planter

GOING GREEN Pictures of Indian Hawthorn, Severn Sea Rosemary, Birds-of-paradise and Silver Ragwort from the Harker orchard.

An orchid is cared for by all viewers, but they are often difficult to grow correctly — only the right people can unlock the key to growing these beautiful flowers and helping the plant bloom.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SHAREEN CHAHAL

ashley mo & lily shi

DESIGN BY SHAREEN CHAHAL AND KINNERA MULAM

LIFE & CULTURE VOL. 25 NO. 4

THURSDAY, FEB. 8, 2024

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500 SARATOGA AVENUE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95129

‘Celebrate Blackness in its full richness’

BRIAN DAVIS

Even though I did grow up here, most of my family is not from America, so [Black History Month] doesn’t have that much meaning to me, but I can see how it could have meaning to other people who have more roots in America. Both of my parents are from Cameroon, it’s in West Africa. For me, it mostly gives me a time to think and connect back to my roots.

DEI DIRECTOR

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For me, [Black History Month] is a reminder to celebrate the achievements and advancements and continue to fight for freedom and resistance by Black people globally, not just in the United States, but in other countries around the world. It’s a transnational phenomenon to celebrate Blackness in its full richness.

The term Black BABILA History Month MFONFU (9) makes me a little sad because there’s a push to talk about it in February, and then there’s no more interest.

KAREN HALEY

HISTORY TEACHER

ariana goetting & shareen chahal Feb. 1 marked the start of Black History Month, a month-long celebration of Black people and their legacies. We interviewed students and faculty who identify as Black about their personal views on Black History Month, challenges and triumphs with their cultural identities and their beliefs on the importance of recognizing Black History Month at Harker.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARIANA GOETTING AND SHAREEN CHAHAL

It’s very important to recognize the efforts of the Black community in terms of history because so much of what we know and have is because of Black people. It’s special how we have a whole month dedicated to recognizing and realizing the importance, and then at school, it’s even more important especially in a place with not as many African Americans that we recognize the value that Black history holds not only on society but school as well.

KAI STINSON (12)

DESIGN BY ARIANA GOETTING AND SHAREEN CHAHAL

02 winged post

FEATURES

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Consumerism dominates American lifestyle ountains upon mountains of used clothing pile up in landfills and incinerators. Packed, overcrowded sweatshops swarm with young women and children paid 3 cents an hour to sew used textiles. Nearby, garbage washes up onto the beach with each wave that comes in. Halfway around the world, shoppers buy the products of this labor in a mall. They wear it a few times, then give it away. The cycle repeats. Fulfillment for Americans today ties in with the material items they possess. For many, purchasing power inadvertently establishes identity as well as social status in society. The flare leggings from Amazon, the packs of multi-colored plastic water bottles that sit on a Target rack, the packs of bows on TikTok — all items that today’s capitalist

AMERICAN CLOTHES AND TEXTILES SO U

RCE: U.S. EPA

that are produced in factories and made in workshops.’” The Gilded Age in America during the 19th and 20th centuries allowed the rise of industrial

opportunities for consumerist practice are ubiquitous. Tate referenced the practice of conspicuous consumption, which pushes consumers to purchase in a manner that displays wealth. “Do I make a certain amount of money, do I have this car?” Tate said. “The concept of conspicuous consumption — wwpeople that are wealthy, they are buying certain things. So naturally that ILLU STR ATIO must mean we want to buy NB YM

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those things. The real danger is that this is very reflexive and thoughtless on t h e parts of Americans.” GLOBAL BURDEN The U.S. exports millions of Advertising is one tons of used textiles to developing countries each year. of consumerism’s greatest corporations, where mass drivers. Whether a product production at the hands of millions of is portrayed as a quick fix to laborers became the norm. Manufacturing insecurities or a guarantee of increased was championed by the government, convenience, advertising bombards leading to the eventual growth of a middle Americans through their devices and class, who enjoyed the accessibility of TVs and heavily influences spending decisions. In 2023, digital ad spending reached $601.8 billion. Retail, consumer [Other countries] don’t packaged goods and financial services even get the chance to make up a majority of U.S. digital ad spending. develop or work on their own “Consumerism creates problems,” economy because they’re middle school English teacher and saddled with the waste of ours. advocate against fast fashion Marjorie Hazeltine said. “Is there anything inherently wrong with wearing skinny jeans, if you like them? No. Is there anything wrong with having wrinkles on GREEN TEAM your face? No. Consumerism has told you that these things are bad and wrong so CO-PRESIDENT that they can sell you goods and services.” goods. World War II furthered America’s Commonly purchased products penchant for production, as producers of also tie back to the consumerist idea of the war effort promised that Americans would eventually reap the benefits of factories’ production capacities. Consumerism manifests today as a culture of consumption in excess, where material items bought serve as a factor in a purchaser’s identity. From online fast fashion to bulk packages of junk food,

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economy smoothly pushes into shoppers’ fingertips for an easy instant purchase. America’s history embodies the success of capitalism and daily consumption, but early America’s economy was far from today’s reality. In America’s early days, societal status was deeply intertwined with the ownership of land, which ensured that an individual could provide for themselves and earn their own profit. “The country was originally envisioned as an agrarian one, one in which your citizenship in the country was based around being a farmer,” Upper School U.S. History teacher James Tate said. “[But] by the time the Gilded Age rolls around, the mindset changes from ‘I’ve got to work the land,’ to ‘I want things

LARGEST IMPORTERS OF USED TEXTILES

INFOGRAPHICS BY VIKA GAUTHAM

hima thota & minal jalil

SIDDHI JAIN (12)

SOURCE: THE WORLD COUNTS

SOURCE: OBSERVATORY OF ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY

false necessities. Goodie bags, school merchandise and spirit rally gear serve as examples of normalized items whose wasteful natures go overlooked. Spanish teacher Diana Moss stressed the importance of awareness on the uses of items. “I have two boxes of plastic swords,” Moss said. “A Latin teacher bought these for a Latin convention. What were they going to do with these plastic swords

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I don’t think it’s an individual issue. It’s an overall mindset of how we normalize the amount and the rate at which we go through products.

JOELLE WENG (12)

GREEN TEAM P.R. OFFICER when he retired? And yet 200 of them we bought with school money. I’m going to retire in a couple of years. What am I going to do with these? Can you think of a use for plastic swords?” The success of this consumerist economy derives from the conditioning of American minds. “I think it’s about wanting joy and as soon as you get that one thing, there’s always something better,” Hazeltine said. “The biggest ‘c-word,’ that’s a danger to consumerism, is contentment. That is consumerism’s worst fear.”

Homeschooling offers fresh perspective to education Imagine a departure from the monotonous routine of rolling out of bed and navigating the school day. Step into the realm of homeschooling, where a classroom can be on the sandy shores or a serene hiking trail. In recent years, homeschooling’s prevalence has surged, with more families choosing to educate their children within the confines of their homes. According to the Washington Post, homeschooling is now the fastest-growing form of education in the U.S. Many families turn to homeschooling in response to the inadequacy of the public school system. Because of the high volume of students that teachers are bombarded with, it is difficult to create tailored education programs based on ability. Nicholas, who chose to keep his last name anonymous for privacy reasons, is a father of three homeschooled children. He gravitated toward this form of education because he felt that the traditional high school experience was incomplete. “Many students, especially when they get to high school, are inundated with the daily routine and extracurriculars,” Nicholas said. “The freedom and flexibility

to explore your passions and interests become limited through that process. In the hypercompetitive world of college admissions, you’re trying to check all these boxes to impress the college admissions committee. And at some point, many students lose their way.” Flexibility draws many students towards homeschooling. Families can construct a curriculum that tailors to the

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It encouraged me to reflect a lot more about the world and everything was a learning opportunity because there wasn’t a defined set place to do it.

TRISHA IYER (12)

HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT individual needs of each child, which allows students to explore subjects of personal interest and cultivate their passions.

FREEDOM TO EXPLORE Students can dive into niche topics of their own interest.

The flexibility opens doors to world travel and hands-on learning experiences. Senior Trisha Iyer, who was homeschooled by her mom in third and fourth grade, reminisces about the experiential learning system. “The state allocates funds to homeschooled families, so I was able to

get a simple microscope in fourth grade,” Trisha said. “I would go out into this park and collect stuff to look at with wet slides. I was really into biology at that time, so that was a way for me to extend my interest in a way that was self-directed and selfguided, more so than you could get at a school lab.” DESIGN BY HIMA THOTA AND MINAL JALIL

ILLUSTRATION BY MIRABELLE FENG

disha gupta

winged post 03 FEATURES From dawn to dusk: a security guard’s workday volume 25 • issue 4

Campus security officers open school, direct traffic flow and promote student safety

BRA ND O

brandon zau & kevin zhang

s the time nears 8 a.m., more and more cars drive in and out of Harker’s front gates, as if guided by the tracks of a continuous conveyor system. But who operates this well-oiled machine, making sure it runs smoothly and efficiently when people are counting on it most? It comes down to the security officers who arrive first on campus not only to activate the school but also to ensure the safety of each individual during the bustling Harker morning rush hour. Brendan Carroll is one such security officer who you’ve likely met, whether he’s directing traffic or safeguarding the crosswalk. After opening campus, Carroll also upholds the integrity of Harker’s private school grounds. “We handle a lot of the traffic that comes in and out, and we make sure that students and faculty at Harker are the only people on campus,” Carroll said. “During the day, we do a lot of patrolling, making sure certain doors are closed that are off limits to students. We get here at 6:30 in the morning — we unlock everything for you guys before you get here. Then we start getting people in here around 7:30 in the morning, and that goes to about 8:10.”

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“We handle a lot of the traffic that comes in and out, and make sure that students and faculty at Harker are the only people on campus.

BRENDAN CARROLL

SECURITY GUARD Security officer Josh Conti is no stranger to the infamous Harker traffic either. Conti helps make sure that cars can drive alongside buses entering the upper school campus premises. Complications

like this in the upper school loading zones encourage the security team to plan the most efficient methods of achieving everyone’ needs. “We’ll have about four buses come through dropping off and picking up kids from the different campuses, we’ll have the parents dropping off the high school kids as well,” Conti said. “We’ve been experimenting with different traffic setups — we have this one that goes through Shah lot, which has cut down the traffic time by at least 10-15 minutes, so you get everyone out easier and safer.”

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We’ve experimented with a traffic setup going through Shah lot, which has cut down the traffic time by 10-15 minutes.

JOSH CONTI

SECURITY GUARD Once the buzz of the traffic session passes over, security officers continue to regulate Harker’s gate. “We shift our gears to more of two patrols,” Conti said. “[We] keep the Harker bubble safe in a sense because a lot of times, the school in itself is a bubble.” Carroll also elaborated on safety protocols so the school can account for students on or off campus. Keeping the school body safe is important for security officers, which encompasses expectations to avoid dangerous distracted driving in the parking lots. “We’re good about communicating to parents and students what we expect, such as whenever a student is leaving school early, they should have a slip so that they can hand it off to us,” Carroll said. “Being aware of surroundings — A lot of people are driving in. and if you’re driving your car, you should pay attention to what’s in front of you.”

LEFT AND RIGHT Josh Conti directs oncoming traffic in the morning. Security guards arrived at 6:30 a.m. to open the gates for the school.

hima thota & kairui sun A sleek, black Harley-Davidson motorcycle roars down the street. A man beaming with a perfectly groomed handlebar mustache revs the engine, his wife nestled right behind him. It may look like a scene from a 60s Hollywood movie, but it is just one of everyday adventures for recently deceased bus driver George Monack. Harker’s boarding school’s students and teachers knew Monack as a warm, familiar face who always waved a hearty greeting. Monack, who worked as a bus driver from 1990-2000, cherished his job and dedicated himself to transporting the Harker community in the safest way possible. Fellow bus driver Joe Rosenthal recounts that students would tell their parents about Monack, referring to him as “the bus driver.” “George was meticulous about making sure that the vehicle was working just perfectly before the students could come on board,” Rosenthal said. “He was so focused on making sure that everything was just right. He’d always check where we were going and by what roads. He was such a professional and so thoughtful.” Office of Communication Director Pam Dickinson worked with Monack for ten years and often accompanied him

along with the rest of the staff on boarding school overnight trips. From his everyday routes to school field trips, Monack navigated his bus even in t treacherous weather conditions. “We used to do ski trips, and he would drive us to Bear Valley,” Dickinson said. “One trip, the roads were not great and it was dark. There was a huge snowstorm that we were driving through, and everybody was nervous. But George was so calm, and he got us all there and got us off the bus.” Monack’s commitment to his job embodied the Harker spirit of dedication, and led many students to look up to him. “George is a part of Harker culture,” Rosenthal said. “He was a perfect model for our culture where it’s cool to try your very best at whatever you’re doing. He earned the respect of his colleague bus drivers, but also all the faculty and all the teachers due to his total confidence in his ability to take care of them and drive them safely.” In his career, Monack discovered the world of reading, and his name became synonymous with reading to students and faculty. “You never saw George without a book in his hand,” Dickinson said. “When he was bus driving and helping with security, you’d see him on breaks with his nose in a book.”

TWINS (Top Left) Bus driver George Monack sits with his Pringles can on a weekend trip to the beach, matching mustaches with Julius Pringles. Monack often drove students and faculty to fun retreats nearby. FREE FALL (Bottom Left) Monack beams as he experiences skydiving for the first time. He made his first skydiving adventure at 82. ROUND AND ROUND (Right) Monack affixes snow chains to the wheels of his school bus. “He was so focused on making sure that everything was just right, just perfectly safe,” Rosenthal said. DESIGN BY VIKA GAUTHAM AND KAIRUI SUN

PROVIDED BY PAM DICKINSON

Community remembers George Monack’s lasting Harker legacy

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A&E

Fostering creativity and collaboration

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Breezing through a bird’s buffet

An introduction to our bird feeder’s common visitors

medha yarlagadda

At the heart of the art building in the middle of our bustling campus resides ceramics and art teacher Brian Caponi’s classroom. The clean tables encourage creativity and expression. The couch corner facilitates conversation. The pristine classroom immediately welcomes many. In this classroom, Caponi especially enjoys teaching 3D art and hopes to nurture an environment where students develop an appreciation for the style. “It’s what I really love to do, so I find that it’s a lot easier to communicate and share that experience with students,” Caponi said. “There are so many different ways to approach the idea of objectmaking, and it offers a lot of possibilities for students.”

mirabelle feng

estled on the right side of the quad, outside of English teacher Brigid Miller’s room in Main Hall is Miller’s bird feeder, filled to the brim with seeds and nuts for the local avian creatures. Though small and set aside, the site is a hub for these critters. From the common

crow to the rarest ruby-crowned kinglet, birds of all shapes, sizes and color visit the bird feeder, dangling in the breeze. Perhaps early in the morning, you’ve even spotted a chaotic Western gray squirrel clambering all over the feeder for a delicious, grainy breakfast. Ever wondered who some of your fellow feasters are? Read on to meet some of the hungry visitors you may come across!

Hippity-hoppity! This little five-inch bird crawls along tree trunks, branches and other vertical surfaces, such as the walls of the bird feeder. With a long, thin beak, a dark navy cap and slate-colored back and wings, you can spot the white-breasted nuthatch cavorting between the two trees surrounding the bird feeder or on the bird feeder itself.

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It occurred to me that it would be beneficial to have a space for students to gather in an informal setting.

The red-breasted nuthatch can easily be confused for the white-breasted nuthatch… if not for its rufous colored belly. The red-breasted nuthatch also has a navy stripe passing from its beak through its eye, a navy crown and lacks the darker wing feathers a white-breasted nuthatch has.

BRIAN CAPONI

CERAMICS AND ART TEACHER

Perhaps the male population of these finches have caught your eye with their bright red heads and chests before. The sexually dimorphic house finch is a five to six inch bird that enjoys hanging on the ledges of the bird feeder when grabbing a snack. You may notice the colorful red males or the greige females, marked by a vaguely striped pattern down their chests.

While 3D art allows students to develop skills in the same way a traditional academic class does, it also intersects with hands-on learning, experimentation, research and technical skill development through working with unfamiliar equipment and mediums. “There is a preconceived notion that art classes might not be as academic,” Caponi said. “I certainly had that perspective in high school, but actually, the rigor behind the work is intense.” Caponi’s classroom reflects both the traditional and nontraditional aspects of art. While one half of the studio contains books used for research before creating art, the other half of the studio includes both an indoor and outdoor space used for creating art. “It occurred to me through conversations among the faculty that it would be beneficial to have a space in an informal setting, such as a studio, for students to gather in,” Caponi said. “To be honest, every ceramics studio that I’ve ever been in during college always had some kind of couch. It’s a nice way to exchange and share ideas and be comfortable.” Although Caponi finds great pleasure in creating art, he finds the greatest satisfaction in sharing his passion with his students. He emphasizes the importance of art for fostering personal growth.

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ILLUSTRATION BY MIRABELLE FENG

Ever heard that melodic, slow and soft cooing sound and thought it was an owl? Or have you ever walked too close to these camouflage birds and been startled by the sharp whistling noise they make when they take off? The mourning dove is responsible for these auditory cues! These brown doves, identifiable by their pink feet and black spots on their cheeks and wings, tend to hang around the bottom of the bird feeder, picking at fallen seed left by other birds or disruptive squirrels.

Find the line: ‘Botticelli Drawings’ guides visitors through time alison yang

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YOUNG MIN

To be in the physical presence of these paintings is awesome, a very intimate view of his work.

VIBRANT A menangerie of clay sculptures, synthetic plants and utensils are propped up against an acrylic painting. It decorates the wooden shelf at the back of the room.

The exhibit is sectioned into rooms chronicling Botticelli’s journey from apprentice to Medici star to poverty. Visitors Julio P. and Sophia C. recommend a visit for the artistic and historical context the exhibit provides. “It’s not just the works, it’s also the sketches that went into it,” Julio said. “You’re seeing the before and after of the art. Seeing all the studies, you see the outline of a certain part of a painting.

PHOTOS BY ALISON YANG

As an artist works, countless lines are sketched, erased and refined between studies and finished product. In sending a piece for the public, they draw one final line between themselves and the viewer. What matters more, the final line or the ones which produced it? To find out, we paid a visit to San Francisco and the Renaissance. The Legion of Honor is currently hosting an exhibit dedicated to Sandro Botticelli, the first ever to focus on the Renaissance painter’s drawings. Countless sketches show off the technique and control of Botticelli’s lines and are displayed next to the paintings featuring the figures from the studies. You really have to look hard at how they tried to figure out the best way to sketch something.” Vincent Russo and Laura Griffiths came to the exhibit to introduce their daughter to Botticelli, an artist who plays a special role in their relationship. For their first Christmas, Russo gifted his nowwife a card with four of Botticelli’s angels. ‘You’re the one on the right,’ he wrote. “It’s surreal to actually see what he did with his hands,” Vincent said. “To be in the physical presence of these paintings is awesome, a very intimate view of his work.” The exhibit closes Feb. 11, charging $32 for adult tickets and $12 for youth tickets.

MOTHER AND CHILD (Left) As visitors cross the threshold into the final gallery, a giant round panel greets them. Throughout his career, Botticelli painted images of the Virgin Mary and a child. IN ADORATION (Top) Laura Griffiths and her daughter take in Botticelli’s unfinished “Adoration of the Magi.” “My favorite is his later work, especially how he paints the women. It’s all very sensual behind the religious imagery,” Laura said. FACE TO FACE (Bottom) Emma Li (10) takes a photo of a sketch and its corresponding sculpture. The Legion of Honor separates the art into separate galleries based on the different phases of Botticelli’s career. DESIGN BY YOUNG MIN

A&E

volume 25 • issue 4

winged post

Passion and perfection harmonize

Send me a

Mindy Truong embraces discomfort and translates emotion through piano

MINDY TRUONG (10)

COMPETITIVE PIANIST Waiting in the wings at Carnegie Hall, Mindy Truong (10) takes a few measured breaths. The applause fades with her stage fright, making room for an understanding calm. Beethoven may have written the ‘Appassionata’ three centuries ago, but the piece waits incomplete without the pianist, conduit for emotion from page to ear, now settling onto the leather bench. “I think of the piano like a blank canvas,” Mindy said. “When I’m playing, I get to sketch a drawing or paint how I feel. I play with my fingers on wood, and I get to immediately hear the rich sounds I produce.” She performed at Carnegie Hall to commemorate her 2022 second place finish in American Protégé’s Music Talent Competition. A year later, she took to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this time for her victory in the Golden Classical Musical Awards. The crescendo of her piano career began after a second-grade switch to a new piano teacher. Under her guidance, Mindy learned to listen beyond the music to its message. In fourth-grade, she performed Mozart’s “FantaisieImpromptu” on the Bösendorfer piano at the Rothschild Performing Arts Center’s

ASHLEY MO

SPHERE OF SIGHTS The Las Vegas sphere offers immersive and in depth views of Earth’s landscape. ‘Postcard to Earth‘ follows the journey of two astronauts, Bryan

ashley mo The lights dim as I settle into my seat at the uppermost level of the Las Vegas Sphere. Below me, a sea of spectators stretches out as far as the eye can see. The audience’s chatter dies down as the vast screen before me flickers to life, displaying the title of the show, “Postcard From Earth.” Riveting music fills the quiet arena while the screen fades into the opening scene: a spacecraft hurtling towards a distant planet. Within the spacecraft, two figures come into view: astronauts Byron and Fang, dressed in white spacesuits and oxygen masks. A commanding voice then echoes throughout the venue, breaking

“

On your next breath, remember. Remember Earth.

MINDY’S MELODIES Before a recital at Santa Clara University, Mindy rehearses onstage. Stage fright appears before every performance, but she uses it as motivation to practice.

Carpenter’s answers Re: Sabrina call for new pop icon selina xu In the thumbnail for her viral “Nonsense“ music video, Sabrina Carpenter stands poised in a black veil and matching tulle miniskirt, winking boldly at the camera. Posed in a gothic church complete with pastel pink and blue coffins and bedazzled urns, she sings “I feel so much lighter like a feather with you off my mind.” Sabrina Carpenter is making waves in bejeweled corsets, miniskirts and glittery platform heels. She’s had a fanbase since her 2013 breakthrough in Disney’s “Girl Meets World,” and her 2022 album “emails I can’t send” skyrocketed her to fame. Many attribute her rising popularity to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour last fall, where she dazzled audiences with her bold stage presence. For fans like Katherine Fields

2013: Sabrina’s Disney Debut 37M+: streams of “Feather” 37: Billboard Hot 100 peak

(12), who attended a concert in 2022, Sabrina’s ability to simultaneously maintain strong stage presence while also forming an intimate connection with the audience is striking. “She’s very, very tiny, but she’s so big on stage — the floor is hers,” Katherine said. “She interacts with the crowd and she’s very personal, and she’s such a good live singer. She says what she wants to say.” It’s true: Sabrina is unapologetically herself, from her iconic Barbie-esque outfits to her bold, flirty songwriting. It’s become her trademark to sing a personalized outro for each city she tours in — often slipping in cheeky innuendos. “She’s popstarring like no other popstar has popstarred before in years,” one fan writes in a YouTube comment.

ALISON YANG

“

I think of the piano like a blank canvas. When I’m playing, I get to sketch a drawing or paint how I feel.

worthy of them. At the same time, that insecurity motivates me to improve.” However, Mindy does not consider herself a perfectionist. In the inevitable cycle of wins and losses of competitive piano, she savors the action of simply playing music. “At the end of the day, I appreciate the fact I’m able to play,” Mindy said. “I will always want more, but being able to play the piece is what piano is for. That’s something I’ll always value more than winning.”

SABRINA’S SERENADES She currently opens for the Eras Tour’s international leg.

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON YANG

piano’s action is translation: anslation: from composer through pianist through keys through hammer to ear. Each iteration represents a deposit of personality, an augmentation of collective expression and understanding. Within these mechanical layers, who controls the final product?

ribbon cutting. In front of the crowd, Mindy transitioned from understanding the emotions of other musicians to expressing her own. “‘Fantaisie-Impromptu’ was a key moment for me,” she said. “I realized the piece was almost a part of me. That piece really showed me piano was my passion.” Though the common image of a pianist is a sparkling spotlighted soloist, the time spent communicating with and synergizing with a piece is even more important. In her daily battle against ease for muscle memory, Mindy hones her tolerance for discomfort. “Sometimes my fingers do whatever they want and think is comfortable, even if it’s not right,” she said. “I always want control, but I need to develop it. Sometimes my fingers need to be in a weird position -- weird but correct. I have to push myself to get used to that.” During middle school, she hit a phase of disenchantment with the piano. The pursuit of technical perfection and passion were at odds with and fraying each other. “There will always be a part of me that’s afraid of messing up,” she said. “I downplay my successes and don’t think I’m

“

Sabrina is unapologetically herself, from her iconic Barbie-esque outfits to her bold, flirty songwriting.

SOURCE: FORBES, YOUTUBE & BILLBOARD

alison yang

the silence as the narrative begins. Although originally from Earth, Bryon and Fang decided to journey to a distant planet, where their memories of home seem to have been erased. When the two astronauts still do not wake, the voice urges them to recall Earth. “On your next breath, remember. Remember Earth.” The audience gasps as the entire ceiling suddenly lights up with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Arctic mountains. Looking around, I marvel at the bright snow that blankets towering peaks and clouds that shroud the azure sky. The immersive experience is so realistic that for a moment, I find myself transported into the scenery. Instinctively, I reach for my phone to capture the view, hoping to preserve the moment’s beauty Just as I snap a picture, I’m transported to a different landscape. One moment I’m floating above the Grand Canyon, and the next I’m submerged deep in the ocean, swimming alongside swift stingrays and bioluminescent jellyfish. From there, the show presents a montage of animals in habitats like tropical rainforests and deserts. My favorite scene was of a closenup grasshopper, the 18k resolution showing each minute detail and body part of the insect. In the savannah, the seismic effect of an approaching elephant reverberates through my seat.

Ashley’s ranking 4.75/5 eagles Despite the slightly overlybright lighting and pricey tickets,the overall show left a lasting impression on me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Vegas. DESIGN BY ALISON YANG AND SUHANI GUPTA

06 winged post

SPOTLIGHT

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Celebrate the month of love with an exploration of friendships, worldwide festivities and love advice

Celebration arou

Galentine’s day

tribute to female solidarity ariana goetting

“What’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year,” Leslie Knope said in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation titled “Galentine’s Day.” What started as a sitcom episode celebrating female friendships has gone beyond television, blossoming into a wellknown unofficial holiday and social media trend. Corporations like Target have been selling Galentine’s Day-themed products, and on TikTok alone, #galentinesday has over 300k posts. Galentine’s Day has all the vibes of Valentine’s Day — pink and red hearts, flowers, you name it — but with a focus on platonic love and appreciation among female friends and family members. The day serves as a reminder that our bonds can be just as meaningful and fulfilling as any romantic relationship. As Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope said, “every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.”

Bromance: gabe sachse

Girlfriend. Boyfriend. Best friend. What do these all have in common? They all contain “end.” You know what doesn’t? Bro.

DEFINITION Bromance (n): a close nonsexual friendship between men Pink advertising, cute couples galore and a sense of romance in the air — all signs that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Many see Valentine’s as a commercialized holiday, reducing “love” to a box of candy and flowers. I view it as an opportunity to reflect on the places and people we can find love in, however abstract they may be. A large portion of that lies in the bonds I share with my closest male friends. Platonic male friendships, or in modern lingo, “bromance,” dates back to the beginning of human history. The term “bromance” itself, a portmanteau of “bro” and “romance,” originated from a skating magazine. In 1990, Dave Carnie, the editor of skateboard-centric publication Big

Celebrations take various forms: indulging in brunch at local cafés, digging into heart-shaped cakes with wine glasses at picnics in the park and enjoying red and pink-themed dinner spreads at home are just a notable few, but the options are endless, with others opting for spa days or sleepover parties.

DEFINITION Galentine’s Day (n): a holiday observed on Feb. 13 as a time to celebrate friendships especially among women

Gaekkebrev

Denmark

Danes often share their love with a gift known as “gaekkebrev,” translated as “joke letter” in English, which is a poem written on intricately cut and designed paper. Usually given from men to women, the “joke” of these letters is that the letters of the sender’s name are represented by dots.

Ystävänpäivä Finland

Ystävänpäivä, which translates to “friend’s day,” focuses on both romance and friendship. People exchange cards, flowers, sweets and other small gifts as a way of expressing appreciation for those around them.

So, Galentine’s Day may just be “the best day of the year,” not just for its joyful and decorative celebrations, but for the deeper connections and solidarity it fosters among women everywhere. The day allows me to acknowledge the laughter, tears, late-night chats and unforgettable memories I’ve shared with my closest female friends and recognize the sisterhood that enriches my life every single day.

strength of male camaraderie

Brother, coined the phrase to represent the bonds held between male skaters who spent a lot of time together. Since then, “bromance” has served as a popular slang word to define close, platonic male relationships. The term has helped normalize displays of affection between men, adding a level of humor to an otherwise stigmatized subject. Whether as a societal change-maker or just a fun term to describe relationships, there is no denying the influence of bromance. Throughout history, bromance has fueled everything from Augustus and Agrippa’s building of the Roman Empire to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Whether silly or serious, deep or trivial, “bromantic” moments play an important role in history. I am lucky to currently have close male friends who are as open about showing affection. Whether it’s our weekly home-cooked dinner and movie dates, experiencing the grandeur of nature together, or just spending silly moments together at school, the love we share is just as important to me as a n y type of romantic connection. I will spend Valentine’s Day with my bros, because Valentine’s Day is a day for romance, and bromance rocks.

Old Love Parade Guatemala Every Feb. 14, Guatemalans celebrate the day with traditional gifts of flowers, chocolates and cards, but they also have a unique celebration known as the Old Love Parade in Guatemala City featuring the city’s senior citizens, who are decked out in vibrant costumes in festive floats.

Sharing orchids Perú

Instead of exchanging traditional red roses, a hallmark of Valentine’s Day in the United States, Peruvians give orchids as a symbol of love. Boasting over 3000 species, Peru has an abundant variety of orchids, making it easy for lovers to find the perfect one for their significant other.

Ask the expert

your questions, answered

The Winged Post sent out a Schoology survey to upper school students asking them to explain situations in their love lives or friendships so that the Winged Post strategic team could offer advice in a column. We chose five out of 62 responses to answer in our column.

ns und the globe

Obligatory chocolate Japan

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated beyond the boundaries of romantic interest, as women give “obligatory chocolates” to men, including friends or even colleagues. The tradition highlights a societal expectation of giftgiving on the holiday.

White Day

South Korea

Originating in Japan and now celebrated in South Korea, White Day is a holiday that falls on March 14 as a sequel to Valentine’s Day. On this day, men are supposed to reciprocate gifts they received on Valentine’s Day by giving white gifts like flowers or chocolates. Some South Koreans also celebrate Black Day, sometimes referred to as “Singles’ Day,” on April 14.

Hearts on sleeves South Africa

Young South African women take the saying “wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve” to another level on Valentine’s Day — in a tradition known as Lupercalia, which is based on an ancient Roman festival, women will pin the names of whoever they admire to the sleeve of their shirt.

What are good ideas for Valentine’s day for someone you’ve been dating for about 11 months? Consider a mix of thoughtful date ideas and heartful gifts to make the day memorable. For a romantic outing, try a picnic at the Municipal Rose Garden or a fancy dinner date at a favorite restaurant. Alternatively, you could opt for a cute brunch or dessert date at a local aesthetic cafe like Hanabusa Café or embrace the winter vibes with a fun ice skating date at Ice Center Cupertino.

I’m in a situationship with someone from a different school. I see them often, but there are always other people around. We sometimes text on Discord, but I don’t know how to get closer to them or how to “rizzfully slide in” their DMs without being weird because they sometimes ghost me. It’s a great sign that you see them often, even if it’s within group settings. If your interactions often involve mutual friends, consider asking them to give you and the guy you like some one-on-

There’s a person I shouldn’t like because they’re not the most well-liked, but I have a mini crush because they seem thoughtful, smart and fun to talk to. Even though there’s literally zero chance, I keep thinking about him after I see them. First things first, consider why others don’t like them; Are there some red flags that you can’t spot from behind rose-tinted glasses? Now, ask yourself: is your crush genuine or is it a cure to your boredom? If it’s the latter, find a new hobby — try

There’s this kind of cute but quiet guy who I have two classes with. How should I start a conversation with him? Eyeing a cute guy across the room or catching yourself smiling at everything he says — trust me, we’ve all been there. If you share mutual friends, asking for his number through them could be a subtle way to initiate contact. Sending a casual text about missed class notes or confusing lectures can also kickstart a conversation without feeling too forward. As you chat about class-related topics, gradually

How do I meet someone for a-low-commitment secondsemester senior before college relationship? Maybe you saw one of your friends slow-dancing to “Lover” at Winter Ball or noticed that with college applications off your hands, life feels like a blank canvas. It’s only natural to want a relationship to solve the boredom; but pause before you jump into it. It’s crucial to be aware that even if you intend for it to be casual, second-semester senior relationships may get complicated

winged post

If you both enjoy the outdoors, a hike in Rancho San Antonio, a sunset drive down Skyline Boulevard or admiring the views from a local viewpoint could be wonderful options. As for gifts, classic choices like flowers and chocolates never disappoint, but consider adding a personal touch with a DIY basket filled with their favorite snacks and other items they adore. A heartfelt love letter expressing your feelings and appreciation could also be incredibly meaningful, especially if words of affirmation resonate with them. Wishing you two the happiest of Valentine’s Days!

one time so you can get to know them individually. After one of these hangouts, keep the momentum going by sending them a message on Discord. Share an inside joke from your conversation or discuss a common interest you discovered. If they seem engaged, suggest a call or FaceTime session to take things a step further. Maybe even propose hanging out alone during your conversation. However, if they consistently ignore your messages and seems disengaged, it might be time to reassess the dynamics of your “situationship.” Remember, a “situationship” should add a little spice to your life, not extra stress.

watching some rom-coms and wait until you find someone you really like. Say you really do like them; then why do you say that there’s a “zero chance?” Do you sincerely believe that, or are you playing hard-to-get with yourself? If you’re truly convinced the chances of you two ending up together are slim, distract yourself when they’re occupying your mind — delve into new hobbies or passions. But if there is the slightest chance that you have hope, shoot your shot! It’s easy to fear others’ judgement but remember that your story is yours. Get to know them, and maybe you’ll discover that they’re not what others made them out to be. steer the discussion towards getting to know each other. Also, if you two sit near each other in class, take advantage of the proximity to strike up natural conversations. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a genuine smile or a friendly hello when you see him in class or around campus. Sometimes, the simplest gestures can open the door to meaningful interactions. Remember to be patient and let the connection develop organically over time — you have a whole semester ahead of you! And, most importantly, be yourself. Authenticity is key to building a genuine relationship. — you both may end up more emotionally attached than expected. If you’re adamant, however, on meeting someone, consider people in shared activities, people you haven’t really interacted with, someone you may have liked in the past, or maybe even ask a friend to set you up. If there’s someone you have your eye on, just shoot your shot! It’s senior year, so why not? As a warning, stay honest and transparent; make sure you both are on the same page in terms of low commitment and what you want out of the relationship. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, make some memories worth remembering in the second semester.

DESIGN BY ARIANA GOETTING AND ANANYA SRIRAM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARIANA GOETTING AND ANANYA SRIRAM

SPOTLIGHT

volume 25 • issue 4

08 winged post talk around

campus

What’s your wish?

LIFESTYLE

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

trip on the victory train Take a trip ‘Ticket to Ride’ sends players strategizing across the board

Seniors reveal bucket lists alison yang & young min

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To go to Tahiti, which is a Francophone country. I’ve been taking French, and I’d like to go to learn about its unique culture with my family.

RAMIT GOYAL

“

Hang out with my friends more and getting to know more of my grade. I want to try a bunch of restaurants in the area.

EIRA SARAFF

“

Skydiving. I’m scared of heights and want to conquer my fear. I think senior year’s a perfect year to that.

KUGA PENCE

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I want to go back to the activities I paused for college applications. I’m really going to try and experiment with different dance styles.

ELLA LAN

When first playing the game, it may seem simple. To create unpredictability, ticket cards remain a secret until the game finishes, which means that no player knows for sure whether or not they are ahead or behind. Most players try to complete their own routes and pick more tickets once completing their starting tickets. Since players decide when the game ends by not placing trains, they must strategically time the game’s conclusion to match when they are winning, , which can create fun moments when tallying points. I have lost many times after ending

Stanley insanity:

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON YANG

“

I have lost many times after ending the game when I thought I was winning, which can create fun moments when scoring points.

the game when I thought I was in the lead. While the game does have some player interaction, it is limited. Blocking opponents is important to the game, but it often only happens once or twice a game, leading to players to focus on their own tickets and leaving opponents to complete theirs. In my hundreds of games played, there have been many times where my opponent and I have absolutely no interaction. Additionally, both the train and ticket cards are small, which makes them much more difficult to shuffle compared to larger cards. This can become especially annoying when playing games with more players, where it may be necessary to reshuffle the 110 small train cards multiple times during a game. Luckily, some expansions of Ticket to Ride include larger cards to make shuffling easier. Ticket to Ride is not be the most complex board game, but it’s perfect for anyone new to the genre who wants to know whether they want to dive deeper into the large world of board games.

Saahil’s ranking 4/5 eagles While Ticket to Ride may not be the most complex board game, it’s a perfect addition for anyone new to the genre.

SAAHIL HERRERO

JUHI MADALA

icket to Ride is a 30-minute board game for two to five players, with each player placing their trains on a central board of the United States to earn the most points. All players start with four train cards and three tickets, of which they must keep two, discarding the others. Each turn, players choose to either take two train cards, use train cards to place trains on the board or pick tickets, until one player has at most two trainst left of their initial 45.

VICTORY LAP Players race to collect the most railway routes and link cities on their

Humble tumbler falls into cult-popularity, raises questions about consumer culture

lily shi said. “I don’t see too much of a difference Viral videos capture crowds of people compared to other water bottles. ” Many instigating mobs in Target, pushing each buyers are also reselling Stanley products other as they reach for a standalone on e-commerce platforms like eBay rack in the center of the store. Their and Poshmark. On StockX, an online object of desire? A $45 limitedmarketplace and reseller, there have been edition Quencher H2.0 FlowState more than 2,300 total trades of Stanley Tumbler, also known as the products, and the average resale price of a Stanley Cup. limited-edition Stanley Cup is up to $215, How, then, was a centuryaccording to data provided by StockX. old company able t o “I think the trend started because become one of of social media and Tik Tok, the most popular and in all those ‘day in my life’ drinkware brands ? and ‘get ready with me’ When physicist videos you see the William Stanley Stanley [cups] in invented the the background,” steel vacuumYasmin said. sealed bottle in “Then everyone 1913, he targeted else wants to get workmen and it, and more and outdoor enthusiasts more stores start as their main stocking them, demographic. New like Target and leadership resumed Dick’s Sporting production of the Goods. So it’s then discontinued probably a mix of Quencher in 2020 social media and with a broader array that more stores carry of colors and a new them.” social media affiliate Online, influencers show off marketing focus, where extensive collections of Stanleys third-party publishers in various colors, and some buy are compensated for accessories for their Stanley such promoting the products. as attachable bags and straw covers. “I understand the The glorification of a seemingly recent craze because simple water bottle can lead some Stanleys are cute to carry people to ridicule those who own around and functional,” Stanleys. Stanley Cup user Yasmin “People who buy trendy items Sudarsanam (11) SOURCE: CNBC, TIKTOK, STOCKX AND STANLEY like Stanley Cups are

sometimes made fun of for being ‘basic’,” Ashley said. “But I think these things are trendy for a reason, and you shouldn’t not buy something just because it’s popular or expensive.” Many praise the Stanley Cup, along with other social-media-trend water bottle brands such as the Hydro Flask and Yeti, for facilitating eco-friendly hydration. Although Stanley’s website claims that Stanley Cups “never need to be thrown away or replaced,” its buy-it-forlife legacy is undermined by the sheer amount of production and consumption as a trendy collectors’ item.

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA LI & SUHANI GUPTA

“

To start reading a lot more. I used to read a lot, but then it died out during high school. I’ve been reccomended ‘Good Omens’ by a bunch of people.

saahil herrero

INFOGRAPHIC BY EMMA LI AND SUHANI GUPTA

As the new semester enters full swing, most of the school finds themselves swamped with work and stress. Hobbies and relaxation are pushed aside for homework and studying. The class of 2024, however, suddenly has a lack of college stress and a wealth of free time. You might be wondering what your peers are doing with their enviable status of ‘second-semester senior.’ You might be collecting items for your own senior bucket list for a few semesters in the future. This Talk Around Campus, Winged Post asked seniors what they’ve been looking forward to as their high school time draws to a close. Enjoy their answers below, and see if any of your own bucket list items line up!

“

It confers exclusivity and status and therefore becomes disproportionately popular.

MARK JANDA

HISTORY DEPARTMENT CHAIR “It’s in this long line of things in consumer culture when people go crazy over something whose function is essentially the same as others, but it confers exclusivity and status and therefore becomes disproportionately popular,” history department chair Mark Janda, who was gifted a Stanley Cup, said. “Whether it’s Cabbage Patch dolls when I was a kid, or any number of toys that become a huge fad every holiday season, the Stanley Cup just seems to fit in that mold.” DESIGN BY ALISON YANG, EMMA LI AND SUHANI GUPTA

winged post

A Elevating with endurance

ShoTime!: Ohtani slams through records

PEX Junior Claire Anderson rules soccer field with focus and trust

ith the sharp tweet of the whistle, the audience erupts into deafening cheers. With a radiant smile on her face, Claire Anderson (11) sprints across the field to her teammates where they whoop and leap in a huddle, celebrating their firstplace finish in one of the top premier soccer tournaments in the nation, the 2023 Surf College Cup. “It wasn’t all about the s o c c e r aspect of it,” Claire s a i d . “We had worked super hard to get there, a n d o u r

growth as a team was really incredible throughout that season. Being able to end with a win was really awesome.” Claire began playing soccer at age five, when her parents enrolled her in the recreational South Bay Youth Soccer League. She quickly fell in love with the sport for its competitive nature and emphasis on teamwork, joining her first club team at seven years old. For the initial six years of her club career, Claire played at West Valley Soccer Club. “That was my first team, and we all were like family because there weren’t a lot of players,” Claire said. “We played every game like it was the Final.” Claire’s transition to the girls’ varsity soccer team in ninth grade marked a successful start. She scored 15 goals and tallied up 13 assists her first season, earning a West Bay Athletic League AllLeague Honorable Mention. Improving on her freshman feats, Claire made 17 goals her sophomore year and received a WBAL All-League Second Team award. Now, midway through her junior season, Claire stands at the forefront, leading the team in both goals and assists. As a co-captain, she assumes a leadership role, instilling motivation in her teammates with her enthusiasm for soccer. Even with many accomplishments under her belt, Claire believes there is always room for improvement. She approaches every training session with full focus and effort and even runs extra practices on her own over the weekends to work on her technique. With her constant efforts to challenge herself, Claire finds that her desire for perfection can sometimes hinder her performance o n the field. But over the course of her career, she has learned to persevere through this mindset. “Sometimes I’m in a rut, and I don’t score for five games,” Claire said. “Or sometimes I’m feeling like I’m not playing my best on the field. But I just

have to stop thinking about it and get it out of my head and just play because I love the sport.” Claire’s teammates recognize her as a pillar of tenacity and genuine passion. Claire’s cousin and longtime soccer teammate Kylie Anderson (11) praises Claire’s confidence, noting her as someone who never shies away from a goal. “Claire definitely has a personality where she’s not going to be the person that needs to get told to be louder by our coach,” Kylie said. “With her, there’s a certain level of trust I have because I know I can always rely on her to get things done. And she has a lot of people

brandon zau It’s not often a unicorn graces the green fields of baseball, but six years ago, a mythical man from Japan arrived on the doorsteps of Anaheim. The unicorn’s name? Shohei Ohtani. The two-way pitcher and hitter talent Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million free agency deal with the LA Dodgers in December, cementing himself in sports history as the largest contract holder since Lionel Messi’s $674 million contract. In baseball, managers often struggle to find the right balance in their team’s spending budget, debating whether to focus their money on producing runs with players who excel at hitting the ball hard or strong defensive pitchers and defenders who can prevent runs from opponents. Ohtani offers unrivaled support to a team in both offense and defense alike. He breaks the convention by throwing elite pitches from the rubber and hitting in the box. Along with statistical value, he brings a ‘wow’ factor into the game of baseball not seen since Babe Ruth’s iconic career in the early 1900s. “He’s definitely in the discussion of baseball’s G.O.A.T.,” economics teacher and San Francisco Giants fan Dean Lizardo said. “He also has such a draw to fans. Recently, the Dodgers released his jersey for sale, and it was one of the quickest-selling jerseys and one of the largest revenue streams. It can only be good for baseball to generate that sort of hype.” Ohtani’s Japanese background also reveals a recent shift in international scouting for Major League Baseball teams. International baseball leagues such as the Korean Baseball Organization and the Nippon Professional Baseball have seen massive contracts from players like Lee Jung-hoo of South Korea or Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Japan.

“

What I love about soccer is the people you build connections with that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s having the trust for your teammate to protect you on the field.

around her who respect her because they know that she can hold her own on the field.” Claire hopes to further her love for the sport at the collegiate level. Navigating the recruiting process with minimal information, she was originally unsure about the persistent outreach and self-promotion required. Although the journey is still ongoing, Claire learned valuable lessons of determination from approaching coaches, creating highlight videos, attending showcases, and applying for ID camps, which are tryouts hosted by colleges to assess prospective recruits’ skill levels. In November, Claire, one of 13 players from her age group, was selected to represent the Bay Area in the NorCal girls All-Star Game against Central Valley. Coaches recommend individuals from around the state, giving them the opportunity to compete against other soccer players and showcase their talent in front of more than 100 college coaches.

EMMA MILNER

eva cheng & tiffany zhu

Oakland Athletics uproot for income

FAMILY TRADITION Fernandez family members don Athletics’ merch.

GABE SACHSE

VARSITY BASEBALL PLAYER

Spectators packed the Coliseum in what came to be known as a “reverse boycott,” an attempt to prove that fans would show up when the team could compete. The event signified more than the unity of baseball. It celebrated the vibrant Oakland sports community, who after losing multiple teams to other cities, will now be without a major professional sports team for the first time in 65 years.

GABE SACHSE

When Oakland Athletics pitcher Trevor May went live on Twitch to announce his retirement, fans expected him to go quietly. As a pitcher with a career earned-run average of 4.24, few noticed his send-off event. After offering the standard thanks to his family, teammates and fans, May began to criticize the A’s ownership,

sparking intense debate. “To the A’s organization and every single person part of it, I love all of you,” May said in his speech. “Every single one of you except for one guy. And we all know who that guy is.” The “one guy” May referenced is A’s owner John Fisher. The team, led by Fisher and president Dave Kaval, announced a move to Las Vegas in 2028. On Nov. 16, Fisher made a statement apologizing to local fans. This critique of Fisher’s ownership is nothing new for the Oakland faithful. The A’s have not approached a title shot since Fisher and Lew Wolff bought the franchise in 2005. Historically, the A’s have been a small-market franchise, even inspiring the movie “Moneyball,” written about their ability to find underrated, cheap players in 2004. The A’s finished 2023 with a league-worst 50-112 record. This flop, combined with the poor facilities at the Oakland Coliseum, led to record lows in attendance, which the organization cited as a major concern fueling the move. On Aug. 5, A’s fans decided to try to disprove the team’s claims once and for all.

CLASSROOM SPIRIT An Athletics banner hangs on Fernandez’s bulletin board.

“I became an A’s fan when I started dating my husband,” math teacher Jeannette Fernandez, who has gone to A’s games for thirty years, said. “I started watching the games because he was a big fan. That’s what we did on dates. Our kids grew up as fans, too. We’re an A’s family.”

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As an Asian-American baseball player, I always look up to Shohei Ohtani. It’s really good to see him get this kind of attention.

NATHAN LIU (12)

Athletics’ move to Las Vegas brings hefty price to baseball community gabe sachse

But, some are skeptical about Ohtani’s ability to meet such large expectations both offensively and defensively. With a recent ulnar collateral ligament injury in his right elbow, Ohtani raises concerns regarding his longevity as he commits himself to the demanding workload of a two-way pitcher and hitter. In the first news conference with the Dodgers, he avoided questions regarding the specificities of his second elbow surgery and whether he needed UCL reconstruction surgery. According to Dodger head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Ohtani is unable to pitch until 2025. For the upcoming 2024 season, he will likely stay the Dodger’s designated hitter, helping score extra runs with his impressive slugging and baserunning abilities. Still, despite his achivements, some fans disagree with his reputation. New York Yankees fan Matt MacMillan (9) criticizes the MLB’s treatment of Ohtani. “I think he’s overpaid and overrated,” Matt said. “They changed the rules just for him and called it the ‘Shohei Ohtani rule.’ DESIGN BY EMMA MILNER AND CLAIRE YU

ILLUSTRATION BY ANANYA SRIRAM

SPORTS

volume 25 • issue 4

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SPORTS

thursday, feb. 8, 2024

Tackling injuries with technology

Superstitions snag success

CHARGED UP Electrodes from the EMS machine are placed around the affected muscles, sending currents.

L JA MINA

LIL

Bouncing the ball three times before each serve. Drinking from the same water bottle every match. Wearing the same kneepads to each game, no matter how ripped and faded they become. Many athletes routinely engage in some form of superstition, from rituals as simple as uniform changes to extensive serving routines. Girls varsity basketball’s co-captain Claire Miao (12) participates in one such tradition. Over the course of last year’s season, she adopted a pair of lucky socks. SHOCKING RESULTS Head Athletic Trainer Wes Howard attaches the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) machine to varsity athlete Emily Mitnick (11) to treat her leg injury.

ISABELLA LO

psychology. Having as trivial a routine as always wearing the same uniform can help prepare a player for competition, since the competitive mindset becomes associated with the action. By constantly engaging in the habit, it serves as a cue that activates the right frame of mind under pressure. Boys varsity water polo player Oskar Baumgarte (11) describes how his lucky number prepares him for games. “I have to wear the cap number three, or else we’ll lose,” Oskar said. “I always have to wear that cap, and it mentally prepares me for the game if I’m wearing my cap number.” While some athletes adopt certain gear, others engage in team-wide rituals. to prepare for matches, like listening to the same music together on long bus rides.

katerina matta & eva cheng

.I.C.E. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. This famous acronym described the only options available to injured athletes before sports medicine became as widespread as it is today. As the industry gained traction, so did the development of recovery technology. Now, athletes embrace new techniques to return to the court faster than ever before. Harker’s own athletics department boasts many of these novel technologies, from Normatec recovery boots, which improve blood circulation, to the underwater treadmill, which alleviates pressure on joints during rehabilitation. Varsity girls basketball and volleyball player Emily Mitnick (11) uses them extensively as a tri-sport athlete. “When I learned about all of this different sports technology, I was in awe,” Emily said. “I am always open to trying different technologies because I believe that sports medicine is advancing so quickly. With every new invention, it helps reduce recovery time just exponentially.”

Although many athletes do not turn to technology until they face injury, these devices can be helpful to all athletes. Many tools available in the trainer room can help soothe muscles and ligaments after hard practices or weight lifts. By practicing proper recovery with

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When I learned about all of this different sports technology, I was in awe. I am always open to trying different technologies. EMILY MITNICK (11) VARSITY TRI-SPORT ATHLETE tools like the massage guns, athletes incrementally fight off injuries and obviate the need for more targeted pieces of technology like bone stimulators, which use ultrasound waves to address bone injuries, in the first place. Whether after an intense day of

SAFETY IN STABILITY Ankle braces can prevent sprains by restricting extreme joint rotation.

training, or even as a consequence of an improper diet, head athletic trainer Wes Howard recommends using the Normatec to flush toxins out of the bloodstream. With two sleeves that envelop the entire length of an athlete’s leg, the Normatec utilizes air compression technology to increase circulation in the legs, helping to reduce inflammation, speed up recovery and prevent future injuries. “It’s not just about injury recovery,” Howard said. “It’s about maintaining your health with the recovery tools that we have. You don’t have to be injured to use the hot and cold tub, or use the Normatec or use the massage gun. These are things that help tissue stay pliable so that you don’t have muscle strains.” For many athletes, Howard recommends undergoing treatment regularly before or after games to improve their performance. Because the trainers follow strict regulations in sports medicine, players have a diminished risk of overuse of these devices. Employing new, recoveryaccelerating technologies can help combat the mental struggles faced by athletes undergoing recovery. Since rehabilitating an injury often takes significant time, the hope of a quick return uplifts athletes. when traditional methods fail.

Battling for balance between club and school sports katerina matta & claire yu Imagine shaking off the rust from two long years spent in the pandemic for your first high school volleyball season. Then picture winning the Central Coast Section title. Next, you return to club training for nationals and notch a national championship a short two months later. This six-month streak, held by varsity boys and Bay-to-Bay volleyball player Edis Mesic (12), relied on the dynamics between club and high school sports.

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Especially when you’re younger on teams, it builds a lot of skills you wouldn’t get in a club unless you were playing up. EDIS MESIC (12) VARSITY AND CLUB ATHLETE Upon reaching high school, many student-athletes find themselves faced with a choice: play a club sport, a high school sport, or, like Edis, do both. Private organizations host club sports, and typically provide year-round, national opportunities. High school sports happen during a single season, are directed by each school, and are typically confined to a local league and division. While club and

PHOTOS BY EMMA MILNER, ILLUSTRATION BY KATERINA MATTA

While these quirks may appear ridiculous or arbitrary, they are rooted in well-documented sports

EMM

A ML

INER

BRAND

ON ZAU

“A lot of my teammates know this about me, but for every game [last] season, I wore these socks,” Claire said. “I just started wearing them at the beginning of the season, and then I started playing super well. I definitely think it helps me play, because I’ve been wearing them again, and I’ve been playing pretty well.” Similarly, girls varsity volleyball player Norah Mehanna (11) developed several superstitions over her last two years on the team. Ranging from her choice of uniform to a particular pre-game snack, she believes they dictate her play for the day. “I have these elbow pads that I wear, and if I don’t wear my black ones, then I’m gonna have a really bad practice, we’re not go[ing] do well and the game’s going to go bad,” Norah said. “My superstition is that black equals winning. Another one is ... if I don’t have a Rice Krispie, I won’t perform at my best, and my team won’t perform at their best.”

PHOTOS BY EMMA MILNER

katerina matta & minal jalil

SPLIT DIVIDE Selina Chen (9) represents Moxie Hoops while Finley Ho (9) dons a Harker jersey. Both play on varsity for the Eagles and on club teams during the school off-season.

high school sports are each demanding in their own right, both options provide complementary facets to the athletic experience. A major concern for student-athletes when making this decision is time commitment. Unlike club sports, where training schedules tend to include practice or conditioning a few times a week as well as tournaments on select weekends, high school sports require daily practices, frequent strength training or conditioning and lengthy games multiple times a week. Although demanding, the rigorous schedule can benefit athletes who hope to eventually play at the collegiate level,

where such schedules are the norm. “For me, having school practice two hours every day for six days a week is a pretty big time commitment,” varsity girls basketball player Finley Ho (9) said. “They’re both very time consuming, just in different ways. But I feel like during the school season, I can really practice and get better because I’m seeing the same people every day and practicing for two hours.” Similarly, in club, many athletes compete with the same team for most of their careers, but high school sports turn over new members every year. They learn to adjust to new teammates and embrace unfamiliar styles of play. DESIGN BY EVA CHENG AND KATERINA MATTA

SPORTS

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these are instances where a team shows respect and sportsmanship, sharing words and actions of encouragement to both teammates and opponents. These oft-overlooked scenes speak to the character of athletes and the camaraderie of a team, who appreciate their sport for more than just the glories. To many athletes, the supportive nature of their team stands out as a reason to persevere through times of defeat. Away from the hustle, they help us appreciate the reasons and people that make our sports so great. In this photo story, we feature the softer moments hidden in the intense competition of fall and winter sports.

BRANDON ZAU

subtle moments soar Within every athlete and sport comes loud moments, from the astonishing feat that immediately puts respect on someone’s name to the achievement that is echoed over and over because of its lasting impression. Sports fans love to focus on these grand accolades and triumphs, game winning plays and photofinishes. But is the pursuit of technical greatness all that should be celebrated? Are the wins and losses the only parts that matter? No; the quiet moments beyond the spotlight can be just as, if not more, powerful than these big moments. Among

KEVIN ZHANG

Curated by our 23-24 sports editors

Behind the score, brandon zau

KAIRUI SUN

volume 25 • issue 4

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LEARNING BY LEADING (Top Left) Junior varsity boys basketball head coach Nick Nguyen (‘15) talks to Point Guard Caden Ruan (10) about improving the team’s offense during a break. Nguyen began coaching the junior varsity team in 2022 after originally being assistant coach for the varsity team a year prior. Caden moved up from the junior varsity to the varsity team this season. TREATING WITH RESPECT (Top) Varsity football co-captain Jack Ledford (12) takes a knee during a football game. Jack led the team in goals with a total of ten goals over the course of the season. The varsity football team adjusted to compete in an eight man league, finishing with an overall record of 2-5. BEYOND THE BATTLE (Left) Varsity boys soccer co-captain Jack Yang (12) checks on a potentially injured player from the opposing team in a show of sportsmanship. Jack has played on the varsity team since his freshman year, becoming the team’s captain his junior year. The team currently stands in fourth place in the West Bay Athletic League.

Sometimes I’d get frustrated with no calls for example. Keeping composure helps me especially during varsity games where I get limited minutes. A lot of Coach Nick’s advice definitely helped me hold my ground in varsity.

BRUSH IT OFF (Top) Girls varsity soccer goalie Kylie Anderson (11) gives co-captain Cynthia Wang (12) a helping hand after she paused to re-tie her shoelace. The team held fourth place in the West Bay Athletic League with a 2-3-1 league record during the 2023 season. HYDROHUDDLE (Bottom) The varsity girls water polo team huddles during a timeout in their game against Palo Alto High School. The Eagles lost the match 5-10.

EMMA MILNER

VARSITY BASKETBALL PLAYER

ALISON YANG

BRANDON ZAU

CADEN RUAN (10)

CHEER ON (Top) Varsity girls basketball co-captains Claire Miao (12) and Emily Mitnick (11) clap for the team from the sidelines. The team qualified for CCS after defeating Monte Vista 60-42 at home on Jan. 13. DISBELIEF AND DISAGREEMENT (Bottom) Varsity boys soccer player Saahil Herrero (11) reacts to a referee call as teammate Veer Sahasi (11) cheers on his teammates. The Eagles lost the match to Santa Clara 2-4. DESIGN BY KATERINA MATTA AND TIFFANY ZHU

BACK PAGE

volume 25 • issue 4

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SUPER BOWL LVIII

Chiefs and 49ers battle for NFL championship title eva cheng, claire yu & tiffany zhu he Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will battle for the NFL championship title during Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 11. This year marks the Chiefs’ sixth trip to the Super Bowl and the opportunity to win their second consecutive championship. Despite the Chief’s reigning position, the 49ers may have what it takes to win their sixth Super Bowl title. With a 17-point second half comeback over

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As both teams prepare for this highstakes matchup, the spotlight rests on key players performing at their peak. In recent years, the Chiefs and 49ers have built a fiercely competitive history. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20 in the 2019 Super Bowl, with Mahomes as the Chiefs’ quarterback. The Super Bowl marks the culmination of the excitement after the

The best part about the Super Bowl is getting together with friends and talking football. It’s a way for us to stay connected on almost a daily basis.

JONATHAN RIM FOOTBALL FAN

season’s games, remaining an important tradition in its 58th year.

Kansas City Scoring offense:

Chiefs 3

SUPER BOWLS WON

SUPER BOWLS PLAYED LEADING PLAYERS:

Patrick Mahomes

Passing yards

Isiah Pacheco

Rushing yards

Travis Kelce

Receiving yards

San Francisco

21.8 points

28.9 points

Scoring defense: 17.5 points

17.3 points

Offensive performance: PASS

SUPER BOWLS WON

yards per game

269.2

257.8

RUN

104.9

SUPER BOWLS PLAYED

140.5

LEADING PLAYERS: 398.4

TOTAL 351.3

Brock Purdy

Passing yards

Defensive performance: SACKS

49ers

Christian McCaffrey Rushing yards

Brandon Aiyuk

INTERCEPTIONS

Receiving yards

SOURCE: ESPN

the Detroit Lions, ultimately winning 34-31, the 49ers earned their place in the game under the leadership of new quarterback Brock Purdy.

campus What are your thoughts on the upcoming Super bowl?

OLIVER ROMAN (11)

VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER The biggest key to the game for the Chiefs is how their defensive line can get through.

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DAPHNE AVKAROGULLARI (12)

49ERS FAN

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I think the Chiefs’ defense is very good, but [the 49ers] have such a dynamic and explosive offense.

AISHANI SINGH (11)

CHIEFS FAN

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Even though I’m a Chiefs fan, like I have been since 2019, I’ll be rooting for the best team.

JONATHAN RIM

FOOTBALL FAN It’s amazing to see [the 49ers] being consistent all through this decade.

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ILLUSTRATION BY ANANYA SRIRAM

talk around

DESIGN BY ANANYA SRIRAM