The Northwood Howler, September 28, 2020

A Northwood High School Publication Follow us on Instagram @nhs.howler www.TheHowlerOnline.org

Volume XXII, Issue II: September 28, 2020

4515 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Kara Chu: “73 Questions” Accent 4

Division over Prop 16 Viewpoint 11

Mulan: Mediocore at Best The Howler Online

Zooming into the club fair ALUM for Northwood fall kickoff

By Helena Zhou Staff Writer

Photo provided by Jasmine Chhabria

BETTER TOGETHER: National History Day club puts together a history puzzle on State of the Student.

By Arya Bhattacharjee and Erin Tsai

Staff Writers

The virtual club fair was live streamed on the NHS Den Youtube channel at 4 p.m. from Sept. 14-18, showcasing many of Northwood’s new and returning clubs.

The fair, hosted by Clubs Commissioners juniors Jasmine Chhabria and Snigdha Maddula, featured two club representatives introducing activities that students can participate in throughout the year, such as fundraising events, competitions and concerts.

“We wanted to take this week as an opportunity for the student body to learn about the wonderful experiences offered by our clubs, despite our circumstances,” Maddula said.

“Through learning more about our

rich club culture at Northwood, we can grow together as a student body and help each other become the best version of ourselves.”

The transition from in-person to virtual club meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been different for each club. While some community service clubs still offer contactless service projects, many sports and music clubs have had to rework activities into a virtual format due to potential safety concerns.

“A big part of our club was meeting up in the gym so that everyone could play rallies, but we’re not able to do that this year,” Birds of a Feather president junior Sharon Leo said. “We’re figuring out ways to still have fun interactions with our club members and enjoy badminton from the safety of our homes.”

Musicians United in Service and

Entertainment (MUSE) takes a different approach to transitioning online. With its Discord server, MUSE fosters a community of musicians through questions-of-the-day and memes and still plans to hold virtual concerts for senior centers.

Although different from previous years, the virtual club fair still gave students a chance to explore the clubs available at Northwood.

“Taking some time to participate in Northwood’s phenomenal clubs allows the student body to be an active member in Northwood’s culture and community,” Chhabria said. “Seeing my friends, organizing meetings and being part of something bigger than myself makes me happy!”

Students interested in creating their own clubs this year can find the application form at nhsden.org/clubs, due Oct. 2.

ALUM for Northwood, an organization that pairs Northwood students with alumni for one-on-one mentorships, hosted its fall program kickoff with group workshop sessions and guest speakers via Zoom on Sept. 20.

“ALUM has shown what to expect not only for college but also for my Northwood career,” sophomore Sanika Kolur said. “Especially as an underclassman, ALUM has for sure helped ease my nerves because I know they’re always there for help.”

Founded in March 2020 by Northwood alumni Viren Abhyankar, William Choi and Manav Manivannan, ALUM for Northwood aims to build connections between Northwood students of different years and create a community around shared experiences. The program is divided into three major career pathways: business, engineering and pre-med.

Within these pathways are group workshops as well as individual meetings aiming to provide guidance in academics, extracurriculars, internships, networking and the overall college experience.

During an 8-week pilot session this summer, ALUM hosted 38 mentors and mentees, receiving a 90% satisfaction rating.

“After being part of several mentorship programs in college, I wished I had a similar program when I was in high school,” Manivannan said. “That’s why we started ALUM, to help foster the talents and passions of the next generation of Northwood students.”

Moving forward, ALUM for Northwood is hosting their fall session with nearly 100 participants, having improved their program with feedback from summer. They hope to continue their program annually.

“Being the oldest child, I had no idea what college is like before ALUM,” senior Anagha Subbaraman said. “It was a useful and eye-opening experience that gave me a new perspective.”

For more information about the program and registration, visit ALUM for Northwood’s website at https://www.alumfornorthwood.org/.

Graphic provided by ALUM for Northwood

The world of virtual competitions: Speech and Debate attends Jack Howe semifinalist in Oratorical Interpretation, while sophomores Amir Abarham and Rohit Rajesh were quadraStaff Writers finalists in Public Forum.

The Northwood Speech and De“I was nervous because it was bate team competed in their annual our first competition,” Shankar said.

Jack Howe Memorial Tournament “You also can’t interact online from Saturday to Sunday, with as many people earning multiple semi-final posiin-between rounds tions. online, which made the The team particexperience more stressipated in numerous ful.” events including PolJack Howe, the club’s icy, Congress and first school-sponsored event, Lincoln-Douglas. was run by the online Junior Shreya Shancommukar earned 4th place nication and sophomore Sidplatdharth Kumar was a form NationPhotos provided by Alex Fu and Issac Lee

By Jonathan Kang and Diego Moreno

al Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Campus, which allowed students to experience tournaments in a virtual format due to COVID-19 and alerted competitors of all important information and updates. Competitors joined virtual rooms through NSDA Campus and competed in a live format to simulate the regular tournament environment.

Students entered a call with both their opponents and judges for debate and communicated with their partners via text. For speech, students listened to others present while judges gave marks

on the presentation.

“I’m just happy that they didn’t shut down tournaments completely,” sophomore Sana Hamid said. “When quarantine started, that was definitely a concern.”

Students have been competing on their own since the spring, using virtual platforms like Discord to engage in student-organized events.

Others individually participated in virtual competitions by submitting a video of themselves performing.

Despite the smooth transition to online tournaments, there is a price to be paid with inherent drawbacks, such as technological issues and lack of enjoyment.

“Tournaments are not as fun as usual,” junior Alex Fu said. “A large part of tournaments is being physically present in the round with your friends.”

In spite of the immediate caveats, the use of NSDA Campus helped the tournament stay organized. For the next tournament, students hope to improve and earn better placings.

“I did pretty well but there is still room for growth,” Shankar said.

“I’m focusing on bettering myself for the next tournament.”

2

NEWS

September 28, 2019 2020 December 16,

The Northwood Howler

UCs banned from using SAT/ACT CSU ethnic studies ruling

By Rahul Khanna

By Jonathan Kang

The University of California (UC) must immediately discontinue the use of the SAT and ACT as part of their admissions process, as ruled in a preliminary injunction on Sept. 1.

The injunction cites concerns that the option to submit scores, even if not mandatory, creates a system of privilege for wealthier students to enhance their college admission prospects, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The barriers faced by students with disabilities have been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has disrupted testtaking locations, closed schools and limited access to school counselors,” said Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, who issued the injunction.

The lawsuit was filed by Public Counsel on the behalf of a group of students and advocacy groups that argued the tests were inequitable, particularly against students with disabilities.

The UC Board of Regents, agreeing that the tests were biased on the base of race and income, voted in May to phase out the SAT and ACT over the next five years. However, many campuses had still allowed the class of 2021 and 2022 to submit test scores. This is no longer possible.

“I honestly think we should get rid of standardized tests,” junior Kaitlin To said. “They illustrate a lot

At least one ethnic studies course must be completed by students to graduate from the California State University (CSU), according to Assembly Bill 1460 signed into law

by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 17.

The bill, which goes into effect with the 2021-22 school year, sets the requirement beginning with the graduating class of 2025. Among the courses offered will be African American, Latinx American, Asian American and Native American studies. Courses on police reform, disparities in health and Native Californian perspectives will also meet the new requirements.

“Ethnic studies will provide the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate a multi-cultural and rapidly evolving nation,” California State Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, a

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Coco Tsaur The Northwood Howler

UC? MORE LIKE YOU’LL SEE: A student prepares meticulously for the SAT and ACT amidst constantly changing circumstances. about class and race inequality, and hopefully this year shows they are not needed in college admissions.”

UC appealed the ruling on Sept.

9, saying in a statement that the reasoning used by Seligman could be extended to any admissions criteria not equally available to all students.

This would mean, according to UC officials, that many students would lose the opportunity to best showcase themselves.

Regardless of recent efforts to change standardized testing requirements, taking the tests at all this year proved difficult. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, nearly 45% of test registrations for the SAT were cancelled in August, with more cancellations in March, May and June. A test has

been added for Sept. 26, currently set to be administered in person for an expected high number of test-takers.

“I was supposed to take the ACT in April, and I was prepping a lot,” senior Virginia Crook said. “When it got cancelled, it was very stressful since I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to take it.”

Meanwhile, students will still have the opportunity to take the PSAT, the National Merit qualifying test given to over 3.5 million students annually. Northwood plans to offer the test to juniors on Oct. 17, assuming the hybrid school model is in place. Students can register for the PSAT by purchasing the test on the Northwood Webstore for $18, starting Sept. 28.

professor of Africana studies at San Diego University and author of the bill, said. “This bill reflects 50 years of student, faculty, and community advocacy for curriculum reflective of and responsive to our diverse state.”

This marks the first significant change to CSU’s general education requirements in 40 years, making California the first state to implement ethnic studies as a graduation requirement in a four-year public university system.

The decision was made following Black Lives Matter protests and demands for the representation of historically oppressed groups in education, including petitions from Diversify Our Narrative, which aim to create a more inclusive literature curriculum nationwide.

Following advocacy for more progressive education, faculty on the 23 CSU campuses will develop plans and coursework to meet the needs of their students and communities.

www.latimes.com

APPRECIATION, NOT APPROPRIATION: CSU students have enlightening discussions during their Asian American studies course.

“Is it October yet?”: Recap of major events this fall

By Jonathan Kang Staff Writer

From a global pandemic to one of the largest series of protests in U.S. history, a myriad of world-changing events have occurred in 2020 thus far. Although there is still history to be made, here is a recap of some of the most important events that have happened in the past few months.

California wildfires: Wildfires across the U.S. west coast have burned over 3,000,000 acres of land in August and September, damaging and destroying nearly 5,000 structures.

The damage caused by the fires far exceeds previous years, with 7,718 incidents of wildfires statewide.

The August Complex fire, which has burned over 750,000 acres of land, is only 30% contained.

Firefighters are quickly running out of resources to contain and mitigate the damage.

California has a long history of using inmate firefighters, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Sept. 11 allowing inmate firefighters to be eligible for firefighting jobs upon release.

Lebanon explosion: A large fire caused a devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, killing 191 people and woundingmore than 6,500 on Aug. 4.

The resulting explosion in a warehouse at the Pourt of Beirut levelled nearby buildings and caused $10-15 billion in damage. Beirut is currently assessing the damage and working on recovery.

Lebanon’s Higher Council of Urban Planning has limited real estate transactions and new construction for now, but will need over $500 million to restore important heritage and cultural sites.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation: Japan’s longest-serving prime minister Shinzo Abe resigned due to illness on Aug. 28.

Abe expressed regret for resigning in such a critical time for the economy, but claimed he wanted to avoid making political mistakes due to his illness.

Despite past achievements such as securing the 2020 Olympics and restoring Japan to relative economic health after a devastating series of natural disasters in 2012, he leaves behind a deeply damaged economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Oppression of Uighur Muslims in China: China is under scrutiny from human rights organizations as recent investigations have shown a violation of human rights through detention camps that target Chinese Uighur Muslims. The Chinese government has been accused of im-

prisoning over a million Uighurs and adopting the forced sterilization of women.

However, China denies the existence of malpractice and has labelled these camps as “re-education centers.” Members of the Uighur claim to have been detained, interrogated and beaten for their religion.

Many argue not enough is being done for the Uighur minority.

Europe’s largest refugee camp burned: Europe’s largest refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos burned down, leaving nearly 12,000 residents requiring aid on Sept. 8.

The camp

Nicole Curtis The Northwood Howler

faced terrible conditions prior to the fire, and over 30 people had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Efforts are being made to house people in new tents.

France and Germany are working to help relocate immigrants from the refugee camp. Although the investigation is not complete, the fire is thought to be from arson over discontent with COVID-19 lockdown policies.

Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at 87 on Sept.

18 due to pancreatic cancer.

Ginsburg, appointed in 1993 by Bill Clinton, worked on numerous social issues including women’s rights, discrimination and immigration.

Ginsburg’s replacement is a highly polarizing issue.

Despite her wishes to be replaced after a new president is elected in 2020, Republicans argue a new Supreme Court Justice should be appointed immediately while Trump is still in office.

ACCENT

The Northwood Howler

September 28, 2020

3

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Virtual Well

By Lana Hwang and Erin Tsai Staff Writers

The sounds of birds chirping and a soothing melody welcome you as you enter a pastel-themed room.

An energetic dog wags its tail and places itself at your feet as you take in your surroundings. On the wall hangs a cheery picture of a sunny beach that takes you to the tropical paradise of the Maldives, while the other picture reminds you to take a deep breath to calm down. Here, you feel relaxed and safe.

This is not a physical place, but the Virtual Well, an interactive safe space created by Northwood’s counseling team to provide mental health resources for students during distance learning. Its release was in honor of September being National Suicide Prevention month--with the plethora of 2020’s chaotic events, mental health awareness is becoming more important than ever.

“It’s a great interactive and calming space where students can access various mindfulness activities and videos. When you run your cursor over the images, you’ll see that most of them (including the puppy!) lead to an activity or website,” school counselor Allison Singer said. “While we hope to have our students in our on-site Well soon, we think that this virtual space is a great alternative.”

With the increased pressure of going back to school and the stress that comes with living in a global pandemic, you may have experienced

Anjali Mittapally The Northwood Howler

some symptoms of depression, like feeling hopelessness regarding your situation, feeling lonely without regular physical interactions with people or trouble finding motivation to do the things you used to be so passionate about. You might also have problems with eating, whether it is eating too much or too little, and you might be struggling to fall asleep or get enough sleep.

When you notice these prob-

lems, it’s important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Maintaining a daily routine, like eating at regular times, having a healthy sleep schedule, and exercising regularly can help you feel more in control of your life. Use this time to learn more about your own strengths and think about your goals for the future. Take the time to connect with your friends and family who support you.

“The pandemic and transition to online-only environments has affected students in different ways,” school psychologist Jamie Carey said. “I recommend all of the above strategies for these students and emphasize keeping in connection with the school community.”

Sometimes, mental health affects more than just mentality and physical health. Some people who are having suicidal thoughts may in-

clude talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others, giving away important possessions, withdrawing or isolating from others and acting unlike themselves or displaying extreme mood swings.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms of depression or showing signs of suicidal thoughts or actions, it is crucial to seek help from a trusted individual and openly talk about what you are going through. Confiding with someone might help you to release your emotions in a safe way. Talking about your struggles with mental health with others can help you get what you need and can also reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

“Being a teenager and being in high school is not always easy,” Carey said. “If you are having mental health struggles or thoughts of suicide, please seek us out. We are here to help!”

If you believe someone poses a threat to themselves or others, please reach out to one of the following resources: School counselors School psychologist: jamiecarey@iusd.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 YouthLine: 1-877-968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 839863 Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” to 741741 The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678

“73 Questions” with Kara Chu

Sondos Elbershawi The Northwood Howler

ASB TEA: Senior Kara Chu shares her distance learning experiences, along with her duties and expectations for the year as she answers rapid

By Erin Tsai and Yejin Heo Staff Writers

ASB president senior Kara Chu may be struggling through her college applications, but she’s still going strong despite 2020’s opposition to let normal life resume. You’re lucky if you spot her in your Zoom classes—she’s the one with the biggest smile and even bigger heart.

The Howler: How’ve you been?

Kara Chu: Hoping we can safely get back to Northwood soon.

TH: What are you up to lately; any new hobbies?

KC: Quarantine baking—I've got a great chocolate chip cornflake shortbread cookie recipe.

TH: Describe yourself in three words.

KC: Kara bout chu.

TH: Do you have any secret talents?

KC: Fitting in the most rides in one day at Disneyland.

TH: If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

KC: Kristen Bell because I love her voice and her humor.

TH: How is the school year going for you; are there any struggles as a senior?

KC: I feel like it’s really Zooming by.

TH: How’s distance learning been going?

KC: Like the one unmuted person in a breakout room with all muted people.

TH: What are you most excited for this fall?

KC: Turning 18 and VOTING. TH: What Northwood activities do you enjoy most?

KC: Cheering my friends on at games, performances and ASB events.

TH: What’s your favorite song from the NHS Back-to-School playlist?

KC: There are so many, but I’d have to say Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes.

TH: What’s one thing on your high school bucket list?

KC: Going to prom...in person.

TH: What is something you’re thankful for?

KC: Teachers and staff!

TH: What do you do as ASB President?

KC: Lead ASB events, create a caring NHS community, hype up school spirit, collaborate with other IUSD ASB Presidents and more!

TH: Describe your favorite ASB memory at Northwood.

KC: That’s a tough one. Homecoming games and dancing as Ariana Grande in our Homecoming pep rally?

TH: How has the new school year been going for ASB? KC: I couldn’t be prouder of my team! To check out some of our virtual events, subscribe to our NHS Den YouTube channel.

TH: What plans does ASB have for the rest of 2020?

KC: We're planning a great year. Go to nhsden.org for upcoming events!

TH: What event that ASB has planned are you most looking forward to?

KC: Homecoming— Spring Semester style.

TH: What should we expect going forward from ASB? KC: ASBest virtual events that are completely new and different!

TH: What advice about high school would you give to NHS students as the ASB president?

KC: Get involved! The more you put in, the more you get out of it.

TH: What advice do you have for students who want to join ASB? KC: It will be one of the best, if not THE best part of your high school experience, so definitely do it!

Victoria Ta The Northwood Howler

ACCENT Student-led organizations rise to the occassion 4

September 28, 2020

By Lana Hwang and Helena Zhou Staff Writers

As educational inequalities widen and vulnerable communities stagger behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, students have demonstrated solidarity and hope as they volunteer to support their community, donate to charitable causes and spearhead organizations to serve the community. Even as we’re six feet apart, student-run organizations have risen to the occasion in promoting education, supporting hospitals and assisting underserved areas, demonstrating the power of high school students in bringing positive change to the world.

Founded in 2014, Writer’s Ink is a nonprofit organization led by senior Mengshu Zhang dedicated to cultivating a lifelong love for creative writing in children and supporting aspiring young writers. Writer’s Ink has held weekly creative writing workshops for over 3,000 elementary school students at seven different libraries across Orange County. In addition, they have organized, publicized and adjudicated writing contests and scholarship competitions, awarding over $5,000 in prizes.

“With coronavirus transforming education, we realize many communities are not prepared for this transition, and crises like this widen education inequalities in our society,” Zhang said. “That’s why we worked hard to maintain operations and serve impacted areas.”

Over the summer, the Writer’s Ink team hosted a virtual two-week online summer camp for over 100 elementary school attendees and managed their Equity Initiative Writing Contest for high school students in underserved communities or who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Online activities did present an upside: removing distance barriers and being able to connect with students and volunteers around the world. Moving forward, the orga-

nization is planning to resume its traditional workshops online using tools like Zoom and Google Classroom.

“While volunteering for Writer’s Ink, I really got to venture into the anatomy of a child’s brain. It was so fun listening to them ramble on, those words spoken without a fear of judgement,” Writer’s Ink volunteer and junior Shinhye Park said. “They truly make my day and are one of the biggest reasons why I continue being a part of Writer’s Ink.” While some students focused on writing, others turned to promoting music education. Interlude Musical Outreach is one such organization, offering free weekly private lessons to elementary and middle school students taught by qualified high school musicians since 2016. Interlude also organizes free workshops on music theory, honor orchestra auditions (All-Southern, All-State and All-National Orchestras), and other musicrelated topics. In light of COVID-19, Interlude began Music from Home, where private lessons have transitioned online.

“With school now online, many elementary school students have lost the opportunity to participate in their school music program,” Interlude Marketing and Outreach Director and junior Miya Liu said. “As a result, we realized how urgent it was to continue providing lessons so that students can still have that valuable experience and receive support in their musical journey.”

Interlude has a club at Northwood as well, meeting the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. At meetings, they plan to discuss teaching advice and masterclasses. To join the club and participate in their activities, email nhsinterlude@gmail.com.

“To me, music has never been about just one person’s proficiency on an instrument; it’s about doing something with it” Interlude Club Co-President and senior Curtis Yang said. “And what better way to do so

The Northwood Howler

Photos provided by Hari Sreeramagiri

INNOQUIP EQUIPS: Technology Director junior Jenny Zhang drops off masks, which will be sent to healthcare workers around the globe. than to nurture the next generation of young, talented musicians?”

Meanwhile, Innoquip, a nonprofit organization with a global impact, takes a different angle, focusing on researching and developing innovative solutions to equip those in low income communities. An example of their procedure can be seen in their approach to the environmental pollution caused by chemical extractions of banana fibers. They created a table with a hinged blade, a sliding seat, a footrest, and a trash dispenser. This system’s sliding seat allows the user to push off a surface and use the momentum to pull the fiber back in one singular movement, minimizing the time and strength needed. Their solution was the product of research, engineering and partnerships with other organizations that assisted in the ac-

complishing their goal.

“We also encourage students in the Irvine bubble to explore their STEM interests while making a lasting impact on these communities,” Innoquip CEO junior Hari Sreeramagiri said. “Currently, we’re working with BEACONAhead to construct toilets in rural villages. We’re really excited about the work we do and the many things we learn in the process.”

This group has equipped over 20 villages with their technology, designed, produced and distributed over 5,000 masks to healthcare workers worldwide and raised more than $4,000 for their mission.

“Volunteering is never about the hours or something to put on your resume,” Liu said. “It is all about using your skills and passion to spark happiness in your community.”

Welcoming the new season with safe traditions

Nicole Curtis The Northwood Howler

By Rachel Gima and Diego Moreno Staff Writers

The cooler weather and reddening leaves signal the beginning of autumn, and with it a variety of activities to do, even if they may look a little different this year. The Howler has compiled a list of some of Northwood students’ favorite fall activities that you can do this season. Just remember to wear a mask, maintain distance and stay safe!

Nature Walks: Take a stroll through the scenic trails that cut through Northwood communities, transformed by colorful leaves lining the sidewalks and the mild weather that accompanies this time of year.

“My family likes taking walks on the trails near our house in the evening,” freshman Keira Patel said.

“The weather is nice too because it’s warm outside but there’s cool breezes that come through.”

Pumpkin Carving: Trick-or-treating and other traditional Halloween plans might be cancelled this year, but you can still show your love for the spooky season by carving some pumpkins.

“When we moved to America, our friends introduced pumpkin carving to us and it was one of the first times my family spent time together and had fun,” junior Kryshia Artienda said.

All you have to do is stop by your local grocery store and pick out your favorite pumpkin and a couple of carving tools from Target, Amazon or any convenient retail store.

Adorned with the classic toothy smile or even your own face, put your gourd-geous design on display for the

neighborhood and have a spooktastic Halloween.

Fall Movies: Sometimes there’s nothing better than staying indoors and watching seasonal movies. Some fall classics to choose from include “Charlie Brown,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (a dual-holiday movie), “Monsters Inc,” and “Goosebumps.”

Grab some popcorn and candy, gather the family in the living room and press play to get lost in the movies of the season.

Sunday Night Football: Fall marks the beginning of the National Football League season with many families spending Sunday afternoons relaxing together as they root for their favorite teams.

“My favorite thing about it is just feeling the excitement when our

team succeeds,” sophomore Aditya Sheth said. “It’s an important tradition for me because it connects my family as we watch together and cheer together.”

Even if you aren’t a football fan, you can always pass the time with commercials and have fun attempting to understand the game. Get yourself a plate of nachos, chips and dip, a coaster, cup of your favorite soft drink and enjoy Sunday nights for the rest of fall.

Despite all the changes that have occurred this year, many fall traditions don’t have to change—and the ones that do can change for the better.

The classic fall traditions can still be done with or without the usual human interaction as long as you’re creative enough. From the Howler staff to you, spend this fall season staying safe and have fun.

Anjali Mittapally The Northwood Howler

A&E

The Northwood Howler

September 28, 2020

5

Christopher Nolan: Behind the set S o u n d t r a p c o l l a b

By Matthew Dimaandal and Tyler Wong

Staff Writers

cinema.com, inverse.com, theatlantic.com

INTRODUCING (from left to right): Batman from Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” the Protagonist from his latest film “Tenet” and Joseph Cooper from “Interstellar.”

By William Baik

Staff Writer

Christopher Nolan: filmmaker, director, scriptwriter and legend cemented into cinema history. Whether it’s “Interstellar,” a science-fiction film that stretches the boundaries of your imagination or “The Dark Knight,” a masterpiece superhero movie featuring an iconic representation of the Joker, his name alone evokes the most critically acclaimed movies of this generation. His newest movie “Tenet,” released in theaters Sept. 3rd, provides fans with yet another opportunity to appreciate Nolan’s distinctive cinematic style, a style he has perfected over the last two decades.

Nolan’s initial directorial work, “Following,” was neither wellknown nor well-funded, but established a non-linear narrative scheme that became the hallmark of his second film, “Memento.” Released in 2001, “Memento” earned Nolan the first of many Academy Award nomi-

and gave mainstream audiences their first glimpse of Nolan’s talent.

But not everything is accomplished by pure talent. Nolan puts immense effort into pre-production research, matching his vision to reality as accurately as possible. Prior to filming “Interstellar,” for example, Nolan consulted with established scientists to understand wormholes and time. This effort results in a believable universe that ultimately gives viewers a reason to consistently rewatch his films, a feat that few directors achieve.

For Nolan, innovation and testing the limits of practical effects over computer graphics enhance the believable universe for the audience.

Authenticity is key, no matter the time or money required to shoot each sequence. Scenes like the truck flipping over and exploding in “The Dark Knight” and the zero-gravity inducing rotating room in “Inception” are memorable moments in both movies because of his care for crafting a genuine world.

This combines with his stellar camerawork, outstanding musical scores and descriptive screenwriting to produce Nolan’s masterpieces. In a world where formulaic, bland action movies have oversaturated Hollywood, his complex films are a relief for moviegoers who appreciate an experience rather than a distraction.

To no one’s surprise, when “Tenet” was announced earlier this year, that the hype train took off—and fast.

Each of the three trailers reached at least 10 million views on YouTube, and despite several delays due to COVID-19, interest has remained high.

Still, with many people reluctant to visit movie theaters, the future of “Tenet” remains unclear.

When you finally have the opportunity to watch “Tenet” or any of Nolan’s other masterpieces, keep an eye out for Nolan’s key trademarks.

And if you don’t catch them the first time, watch it again, and again. Just like his movie-making process, it takes time, and effort, to grasp the genius behind his work.

Soundtrap, a web-based music studio that allows students to create their own music or podcast, was recently implemented by IUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts program, allowing students to continue their music education online.

Utilized in guitar, band, jazz, orchestra and choir classes, Soundtrap features a range of possible assignments, from creating original songs to making recordings with other musicians. A collaborative component permits multiple students to work together on a single project.

“Soundtrap will allow the most important thing for our classes, which is collaboration,” Northwood Instrumental Music Director Whitney Tavlarides said. “I also have access as a collaborator in my students’ studios within the program. I can see their progress and their recordings.”

Although Soundtrap has provided a unique way for students to interact with music virtually, some

miss the communal experience of performing in a large ensemble.

“There is a big difference in that we are creating our own music independently or in small groups instead of working together as a whole band,” junior Andrew Chao said.

But with large performance groups out of the question for now, Northwood has shifted the emphasis of their courses to composition rather than performance—a facet that previous music classes lacked.

“Soundtrap is very innovative and easy to learn,” sophomore Noelle Rhee said. “Our music teacher is also making it very interesting by assigning fun projects where we have to produce our own music.”

Although the pandemic has drastically affected how extracurricular activities function, Northwood pushes forward to provide opportunities for student musicians to cultivate different areas of their music education. With Soundtrap being implemented for the first time in IUSD, we can only wait and see the musical possibilities created by Northwood’s musicians.

Photo provided by Andrew Chao

MUSIC PRODUCTION 101: Junior Andrew Chao spends time on his laptop making a beat from scratch on Soundtrap.

“Rest in power, King”: In memory of Chadwick Boseman

By Ryan Wu Staff Writer

The announcement of Chadwick Boseman’s death on Aug. 28 was met with tributes and remembrances through social media by millions of fans and distinguished members of the entertainment industry, athletic organizations and more.

Boseman was revered for being a virtuoso actor, one that studies his characters inside out to properly bring to life their widely varying quirks and personalities. He amazed audiences with his embodiments of the daring, admirable Jackie Robinson and the enigmatic, success-driven and somewhat tyrannical James Brown on the big screen. He became a NYPD detective, an Associate justice and a Vietnam war hero.

“Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson,” former president Barack Obama wrote on Twitter. “You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years.”

Boseman uplifted the life stories of influential Black Americans in his portrayals, but perhaps the work that is most emblematic of black culture is “Black Panther”, a role that invited Boseman to Hollywood stardom.

The titular superhero was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in 1966 and has been a point of discussion about the shifting perspectives on race and a critique on society ever since. Half a century later, production for the movie was reflective as a

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similar novelty to its source material.

Boseman, director Ryan Coogler and most of the supporting cast including Angela Basset, Forest Whitaker and Lupita Nyong’o are all black.

Its $201.7 million opening weekend challenged the narrative set by Hollywood that films with black leads are not successful with the public.

With America’s racial and political divide becoming an even larger issue than in the recent past, the representation of black people in a su-

perhero movie resonates deeply with its targeted young audience. Indeed, the introduction of Black Panther in the superhero genre gave black children a character to relate and look up to, to base their own moral compass off of and to reassure them that it’s possible to create a positive change in the world.

The producers knew that the movie was going to be a cultural touchstone, bearing potential to become a phenomena that represented

something greater than itself. Boseman’s contributions to the film behind and in front of the camera only boltered the film’s distinctiveness from other Marvel movies and blockbuster productions.

Boseman was adamant that the characters in “Black Panther” should use an accent based in the Xhosa language when Marvel Studios believed that the general audience would be put off and have trouble understanding the dialogue. Although only ini-

tially given the choice to take on eiher a British or American accent for the role, Boseman didn’t stop fighting for his beliefs.

“I said that would not be fine because if we did that, that would be saying that [Wakandans] had been colonized,” Boseman said.

Going through the trouble of arguing for an accent and the process of learning Xhosa to fully immerse himself in the character, Boseman allowed the film to stay faithful to its comics and embrace its deep cultural African roots. He believed that the Black Panther should speak like the people he rules, and his consideration for the movie, simply on behalf of the native authenticity of the setting, points to how much Boseman wanted the film to make an impact.

“Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist,” fellow actor and “Avengers: Endgame” costar Chris Evans tweeted. “He had so much amazing work still left to create. I’m endlessly grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, King.”

“Black Panther” isn’t just a superhero movie. It’s a black movie.

Chadwick Boseman wasn’t just an inspiration. He was a hero in the black community and beyond. He was cast as the Black Panther not as an average crusader, but instead a symbol of the progress of the film industry. The movie set milestones in the box office and breaks down the myth that black-led films are too niche for mainstream enjoyment. Although Chadwick Boseman passed away at a young age, the impact of his work and lessons about acceptance and identity in his films live on.

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September 28, 2020

The Northwood Howler

Social media transformation leads to advocacy

By Ryan Wu Staff Writer

Throughout American history, civil rights workers, whistleblowers and other ordinary citizens have used the means of technology available to them to foster social change in society. Similar to how activists in the 1960s used the telephone and film to educate people and display urgent messages, activists of the 21st century are utilizing social media apps like Twitter, Instagram, and, most recently, TikTok, as a means of activism.

In recent months following the murder of George Floyd by ex-police officer Derek Chauvin, social media underwent a significant transformation in which Gen Z and younger millennial creators began using it to promote their activist agenda more frequently than ever before. Unlike times of previous injustices, social media users continued using their platforms to spread awareness about institutionalized racism and ingrained bias that have permeated society in addition to sharing the death of Floyd.

“If you want to rapidly mobilize a bunch of people you know and you don’t want the whole world clued in, you use social media services or WhatsApp,” Bijan Stephen writes in a Wired article titled “Social Media Helps Black Lives Matter Fight the Power.” “If you want to mobilize a ton of people you might not know and you do want the whole world to talk about it: Twitter.”

In mid-2013, the hashtag #blacklivesmatter made its first appearance on Twitter in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the murderer of black teenager Trayvon Martin. As Twitter allowed people to share their ideas and opinions with a

very wide audience, this controversial hashtag sparked fire in the social media community, used in thousands of retweets and spurring on the formation of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization.

However, popularity of the hashtag died down just as suddenly as it started, and the spotlight on BLM eventually flickered out. People on the internet have a short attention span, losing interest in once trending issues as time goes by and going back to the status quo of more light-hearted topics. When another particularly outrageous event occurs, the cycle restarts as the majority of users will once again focus their attention on the issue for a couple weeks before promptly shifting their usage of social media back to entertainment.

Thus, the media’s reaction to Floyd’s murder is so surprising because public attention to the mistreatment of minorities never moved on like it did in the past.

“On May 28, nearly 8.8 million tweets contained the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag—making this the highest number of uses for this hashtag in a single day since the Center started tracking its use,” Pew Research Center reported. “After that peak, the number of tweets containing the hashtag consistently remained above 2 million uses per day.”

Media attention did not quietly move away from racial and social issues as it did in the past. Instead, the growing popularity of the BLM movement has given a voice and a platform to other overlooked problems in our world today, inspiring influencers and ordinary users alike to send continuous streams of information exposing underlying societal issues that need to be addressed.

Tiktok is an app formerly known

Joy Kim The Northwood Howler

POSTING FOR CHANGE: Northwood students use social media platforms such as Instagram to learn about and raise awareness about the Black Lives Matter movement and COVID-19. for its funny skits and silly dances, but its unique feature that allows a content creator to gain a mass following by posting just one video makes it possible to evoke a large audience response. After garnering major support for the BLM movement, TikTok creators were able to spread their take on other civil injustices to millions of users. Recent talks about the possibility of TikTok being shut down by the government due to security reasons were met with objection from its creators, who proclaim that since the BLM protests, the app has become a crucial outlet for education on a variety of societal issues.

“I saw a lot of youth on the ground TikToking the [BLM] pro-

tests as opposed to live streaming, tweeting or Instagramming,” Kareem Rahmam, a TikTok creator with nearly 400,000 followers on the app, said to the New York Times. “The conversations these kids are having with each other are essential.”

Instagram, an app generally used for entertainment purposes, followed a similar path of change. It erupted in support of the BLM movement towards the end of May, with hundreds of activism accounts gaining hundreds of thousands of followers.

Additionally, regular people continue to share posts on their stories about the most recent ethical dilemmas or humanitarian crises, accentuating misogyny, homophobia, rape, dehu-

manization of immigrants, defunding the police and the treatment of mental health issues to name a few.

Instagram transformed from an app to follow celebrities and watch funny videos on to one of the largest platforms for mainstream activism, as it provides a medium to spread awareness and urge the populace to take action in an effort to resolve these problems.

As people become more aware and willing to fix the problems present in the world, they also become more inclined to publicly share their stance. With the ability to spread a message at their fingertips, young activists have revamped social media into the center of activism.

Summer Irvine movie drive-in

By Yejin Heo and Ryan Wu Staff Writers

The drive-in theatre, once the cultural zeitgeist of the 1950s and 60s, has since become antiquated as modern theater complexes became mainstream. However, due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, throwback driveins rose to popularity as a nostalgic alternative for moviegoing. Starlight Movie Night showcased movies and live improv comedy at the Irvine Spectrum Center this summer, ensuring a rare outing for families and friends that adhered to general safety guidelines.

Including films such as “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” “Avengers Endgame” and “The Hunger Games”, the outdoor theaters provided guests with a communal experience uncommon in the age of

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quarantine. A large outdoor screen was situated at the center of the parking lot, and guests used the FM transmitter radio in their car or a portable battery-operated stereo for the audio.

“I watched ‘Mean Girls’ at the Spectrum drive-in over the summer,” senior Riley Perez said. “Being in the back of my car and bringing my own snacks was a really fun experience.”

Getting the full drive-in movie experience came at a cost of $30 per car on Mondays and Tuesdays and $50 on other days except Saturday.

Guests were able to use a complimentary $20 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card towards dinner and snacks prior to the start of the movie.

“I’ve never gone to a drive-in theater before, so it felt like a novelty, but I had a great time spending time with my friend there,” senior Keely McCarthy said.

Health precautions were mandated for moviegoers to maintain safety guidelines. Guests wore a face covering and practiced social distancing when outside their own vehicle, and it was mandatory to watch the movie from inside their cars or from their trunk.

“It was nice to get my mind off of everything that’s been going on, even if it was for just a short while,” junior Yun Seo Lee said. “I love that drive-ins are becoming more popular since film is such a big part of my life and drive-ins remind me of the happier times from the safety of my car.”

Although the Irvine Spectrum Center hosted its last drive-in movie on Sept. 7, Starlight Movie Night continues to host movies at other locations in Southern California, including The Outlets at San Clemente and Brea Mall.

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VIEWPOINT 11 College entrance exams are a game. So who ends up winning?

September 28, 2020

The Northwood Howler

By Hari Sreeramagiri Staff Writer

“The SAT does not assess your intelligence. It’s a game that you must learn to play, by whatever means necessary.”

This is what I was told on my first day of SAT prep classes. Looking back 4 months later, following a court ruling barring the use of standardized tests in admissions to the University of California (UC), what might have intended to be a positive analogy now holds an entirely different meaning. Make no mistake: As the court decision correctly reasoned, the SAT is a game, and it invariably favors the rich and privileged.

To understand this, let’s play.

Welcome to the SAT. You have 60 minutes to cross the finish line.

Get in your positions.

Player 1:Standing at the finish line, sporting a spotless pair of Yeezy Boosts and an arrogant smirk, is Robert Beck. Robert is from an upper-class family. His father owns a successful oil company and has a net worth of around $5,000,000. He received a 700 on his first practice test, but attended nine weeks of summer camp and private tutoring lessons that cost around $15,000. Much to his father’s delight, he made it up to a 1500 (thus the Yeezys). Oh, and he’s white.

Player 2: Standing 50 meters from the finish line is Sarah Lee. Sarah works hard in school and receives satisfactory grades, but not enough to make it over 1500 without guidance.

She’s from an upper middle class family who could afford to send her to seven weeks of camp and tutoring lessons here and there, costing them around $7,000 dollars. She received a

Sophia Fei The Northwood Howler

1500 on her last practice test.

Player 3: Standing 100 meters from the finish line is Ben Lopez.

Ben is a hardworking student with an impressive academic record. His parents work night and day to make ends meet, and he’s still saving up for the TI-89 graphing calculator he needs for Calculus next semester. He can’t afford tutoring or camp, so he makes the best of his prep book and Khan Academy tutorials. After months of hard work, Ben achieved a score of 1450 on his last practice test.

On your marks, get set, go!

The winner is Robert.

Why did Robert win? He has the ultimate combo: he’s a wealthy white kid coming from a well-to-do family going in for a test with a history of bias towards people who look like him. Steven Singer exposes the test’s inherent racism in his article “Standardized Testing is a Tool of White Supremacy,” where he explains that questions on the SAT and ACT are

Rolling blackouts in California

By Arya Bhattacharjee Staff Writer

With the recent statewide blackout issued by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) due to the ongoing heat waves, families have been encouraged to limit their electricity usage and keep their air conditioning units either on low power or completely off. This is creating a dangerous situation for seniors and those with medical device. But with climate change resulting in an increase in heatwaves and temperatures reaching record highs, telling families to turn off their air conditioning can lead to an increased number of health problems in addition to the effects of an ongoing pandemic, which is why those with the ability to resist the heat must take the responsibility to save energy.

Victoria Ta The Northwood Howler

Heat waves are taking over most of the state, and temperatures have reached triple digits, causing families to rush to their thermostats and set their air conditioning to full power.

Normally, this would increase the nationwide power consumption by a good amount, but combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, the spike in electricity usage led the CAISO to issue a statewide blackout for the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 14: The first ordered blackout in CA since 2001.

“We are grateful to families and businesses across the state that answered the call to reduce electricity use during a crucial time on the grid. This heat storm is not over, and we still expect exceedingly hot temperatures,” said Steve Berberich, ISO president and CEO. “With continued help from California residents in conserving energy, much like today, we can reduce the risk of power outages.”

While the extreme heat proved to be quite taxing on the CA power grid, heat waves can actually be much more taxing on humans. Even though a majority of heat related illnesses are curable, a research article

by Environmental Epidemiology reports that there are still around 297 deaths per year in the U.S. caused by extreme heat.

As of right now, with the pandemic limiting us to the boundaries of our houses, the state’s power usage has gone up due to lights being on for longer and computers being used continuously, in addition to the heatwave increasing our air condition usage. Therefore, it becomes our job as those who are less vulnerable to the heat to limit our own power and electricity usage so that those who depend on artificial cooling receive the power they need to ensure their safety.

written based on how a “typical” student would respond. What does their typical student look like? A lot like themselves. And incidentally, a lot like Robert.

Furthermore, according to Singer, the multiple choice nature of the test itself reduces complex processes to a predetermined set of four answers—forcing students to guess at which answer reflects the test-maker’s reality rather than allowing them to express answers about the intricacies and nuances of the real world.

Additionally, test-makers design their product to render a bell curve, an antiquated educational theory in which as many students fail as receive advanced marks, while the bulk score somewhere in the middle. In short, this is a test designed for some people to fail. But it won’t be Robert.

Sarah, on the other hand, may not look like she is at a disadvantage, but she is despite being economically well-off. It is her race and cul-

ture that leave her at a disadvantage.

She does not look like or have the same foundational background as the test-makers, but as an Asian American stymied by the model minority stereotype, she is expected to fulfill higher standards than other minority students. A lawsuit claiming just this, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, is currently being argued in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and is expected to eventually reach the Supreme Court.

Finally, Ben has overcome many obstacles to achieve a 1450. Like Sarah, he is already disadvantaged because of inherent cultural and racial bias within the design of the test.

But unlike Sarah and Robert, he lacks the resources to hire the tutors and attend the intense prep courses that the others could. The test’s rigid structure allows little room for success without prior preparation and familiarity with its rules. Thus, Ben’s inadequate preparation, through the fault of his

economic status not his aptitude, renders him at a disadvantage.

And though there are those that may cry we are making sweeping generalities, and #NotEveryRobert, the correlation between family income and test scores is well-documented.

An article in the New York Times in 2009 tested a regression between high test scores and parental wealth, showing a strong positive correlation (Rsquared = .95 for the statistics geeks).

A study by the National Association for College Admissions counseling reports that excluding standardized test scores could increase representation of underrepresented minority students in the applicant pool and the freshman class.

Disparities in access to education devastate quality of life and increase the statistical chance of poverty, especially for racial minorities generationally. Danilo Trisia, a Senior Research Analyst for the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities reports that gaps in score distribution reflect and reinforce racial inequalities across generations.

So when students walk into their testing halls this September, remember they aren’t playing the game alone. Their parents’ pockets, empty and full, are playing with them. The color of their skin is playing with them. The institutionalized bias embedded in college admissions is playing with them. The test creators are playing with them. And if the student is a low-income minority, all these factors are playing against them.

Standardized testing is a game that is rigged against the weakest players. It determines students educational path, but still fails. And until we stop playing, only the Roberts of society will continue to win.

Proposition 16 debate divides minorities

By Hari Sreeramagiri and Rahul Khanna Staff Writers

Proposition 16 will appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 3 asking Californians to vote on whether or not to repeal Proposition 206, which had previously banned Affirmative Action, which allowed universities and workplaces would take race, ethnicity and sex into consideration when making admission or hiring decisions.

Debates about the virtues and pitfalls of Prop 16 will undoubtedly dominate the news cycle until Election Day, but it is the wrong conversation to be having. Instead, we should talk about how Affirmative Action itself is a band-aid over the bullethole in a system broken beyond repair. What’s worse is that it actually pits minority groups against one another when we should all be in the fight to end systemic racism together.

It’s a classic divide and conquer strategy. To keep two opposing forces from uniting to topple a system, those in power convince the opposing forces that they are in competition with each other for scarce resources, in this case key college admission spots and lucrative jobs. Affirmative Action attempts to solve for diversity by offering some a chance at the job, but in reality fractures minority groups into coalitions, each seeking to prove that they are more deserving than the other,, sparking fear and internal animosity that hinders the fight for equality. Like dogs at the master’s table, we fight amongst each other for scraps instead of questioning why the master controls the system at all.

In one of the largest scandals in Harvard history, Asian American students argued for inclusivity, claiming that Harvard caps the amount of spots

available to them. While movements for equality are never bad, it’s important to note that the same people who argue against Affirmative Action are silent when it comes to issues that involve other minorities.

As Asian American students and second generation immigrants, we would be lying if we said 99% of dinner table conversations with our parents didn’t consist of grueling discussions about our future. “Score higher than them on the SAT,” “Be better than them at sports” and “Do better” are all phrases we’ve heard, but they promote the sort of “race to the top” mindset that pits students against each other.

The cold and hard battle against

racism in college admissions is not won by debating about Affirmative Action, but fighting for larger shifts in mindset and global movements for equality. We all deserve absolute equality and fair judgement from college admissions officers. Attending Black Lives Matter protests, spreading awareness on Asian misrepresentation and the model minority myth are all ways to create the permanent change we desire without trying to repair a system that is already fractured.

So instead of travelling to the voting booth to pass a verdict on a policy crafted by the same white politicians who are racist when it serves their purpose, let’s fight this our way.

Victoria Ta The Northwood Howler

VIEWPOINT Remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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The Northwood Howler

September 28, 2020

By Ryan Wu and Helena Zhou Staff Writers

The United States mourned the untimely death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer on Sept. 18, who spent her life battling injustices as a powerful voice for women’s rights and pioneer for gender equality.

Born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Ginsburg displayed a love for education and capacity for knowledge since her youth, graduating as valedictorian of the Cornell University class of 1954 and attending Harvard and Columbia Law Schools.

While studying at Harvard, she experienced gender discrimination firsthand as one of the nine female students at in a class of 500. Undeterred by tribulations, she became the first female member of the studentrun Harvard Law Review.

Despite her excellence in academia, Ginsburg had difficulty finding a job in the discriminatory workforce of the 1960s. She eventually became a clerk under District Judge Edmund L. Palmieri, yet she was consistently offered significantly lower salaries than those given to her male counterparts.

In 1963, Ginsburg became a professor at Rutgers University Law School, holding this position until she was offered a job at her alma mater, Columbia. She became the school’s first female tenured professor in 1972, and while there, she also served as the director of the Woman’s Rights Project of American Civil Liberties Union and argued six milestone cases in front of the US Supreme Court.

After serving as the judge for the

US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for 13 years, Ginsburg became the second woman in history to serve on the Supreme Court when she was assigned by President Bill Clinton and began her streak of arguing landmark cases on the side of progressivism. Nicknamed “Notorious R.B.G.” after late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., Ginsburg had become a pop culture figure appealing to younger generations while she staunchly advocated for gender equality, civil liberties, protection of workers, voting rights, abortion rights and separation of church and state.

She was confirmed by the Senate 96-3 despite some members doubting her ability to properly transition from a social activist to an arbiter of law. As a fierce champion of feminism early on, Ginsburg coauthored the merits brief of Reed v.

Reed (1971), extending the protections of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to women. Notably, Ginsburg wrote the landmark decision of United States v.

Virginia (1993), deeming it illegal for the Virginia Military Institute to deny women.

Ginsburg also wrote numerous compelling opinions that often differed from the majority. She iconically concluded her opinion with her famous “I dissent” instead of the usual “Respectfully, I dissent.” In Lilly Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007), her written dissent countering the majority’s denial of sex discrimination in the employment was so influential that it led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act being passed in 2009, ensuring non-discriminatory pay practices.

Despite facing many adversities,

Victoria Ta The Northwood Howler

Ginsburg demonstrated an unmatched resilience, overcoming many personal struggles throughout her career.

She lost her mother to cancer before her high school graduation, and years later, her husband Martin Ginsburg battled testicular cancer from 1956 until his death in 2010.

In her last twenty years on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg took on her responsibilities while suffering from serious health issues herself, including colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and malignancies on her left lung.

She endured heart surgery and radiation treatment when her pancreatic

cancer returned in 2019, barely missing a day in court.

Ginsburg has left her mark on the world as arguably the most accomplished lawyer of her lifetime next to Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Her voice for equality continues to ring and inspire people across America, as she famously said, “To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you, that’s what I think a meaningful life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one’s community.” Her immersion in litigation has transcended politics.

Ginsburg’s death has left an

empty seat to fill in the Supreme Court less than seven weeks before Election Day, sparking controversy as many predict that Republicans will use this opportunity to tighten the conservative grip in the court with a 6-3 majority.

Chief Justice John Roberts, proven to be an unreliable vote for Republicans by siding with the left on many notable issues in the past, will no longer be the deciding vote between closely fought cases, as he will only be the fourth vote for a Democratic cause instead of the fifth. Highly controversial cases concerning the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and abortion and contraceptive rights will now likely be decided in favor of Republicans.

Clear changes to legislation following to the death of Ginsburg may come as early as this fall, during which a Republican-brought challenge to Obamacare will be argued in front of the Supreme Court.

A tied vote on this issue can bring about an appeals court decision that ultimately nullifies key components of the health care law. And, because associate justices get life tenures, Democrats fear that the Republican stronghold on law will continue for decades to come.

Days before her death, Ginsburg said “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” Trump has announced on Tuesday that he will be selecting the Supreme Court nominee this Saturday at 5 p.m. although confirmation vote on the nominee will likely not take place until after the election. On Monday, Trump stated that he was considering five candidates before adding that he was really focused on “one or two” names.

Should prison labor be used to fight current wildfires?

By Tyler Wong Staff Writer

California is no stranger to wildfires. It is often broadcasted on our local news station and every once in a while, we experience one nearby. We often dismiss these fires—a hazy day giving the sky a slight orange tint typically does not affect us in the comfort of our homes, if we are lucky enough to not be evacuated. However, there has been a growing concern over an aspect of wildfires that many of us do not consider in regard to these disasters—the unfair treatment of inmate firefighters.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, (CDCR) in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and

Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has been using inmates since the 1940s to assist fires, floods and other natural or manmade disasters.

Inmates who are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses are voluntarily placed in temporary rehabilitation centers called conservation camps or fire camps and go out to augment regular firefighters when necessary. There are currently 44 Conservation Camps throughout 27 counties in California.

Inmates are subject to exhausting work, carrying heavy bags, utilizing three-foot chainsaws and being exposed to potentially life-threatening environments.

In June, the CDDR put 12 conservation camps on lockdown after they were exposed to the coronavirus through outbreaks within the prison.

Weeks later, the quarantine protocol had to be extended due to concerns that some had potentially been re-exposed to the virus, causing a large number of inmates to be unable to fulfill their firefighter position for a long period of time. In an attempt to reduce coronavirus outbreaks within facilities, the state granted an early release to thousands of inmates. Onefifth of wildfire fighters are inmates, and this early release of inmates led California Gov. Gavin Newsom to hire additional firefighters to make up for the loss in numbers.

Both criminal justice advocates and formerly incarcerated firefighters have expressed their disdain towards the minimal pay and extreme working conditions that inmate firefighters experience.

Sophia Fei The Northwood Howler

Sophia Fei The Northwood Howler

Inmates are paid between $2.90 and $5.12 a day and $1 per hour when fighting an active fire. On the other hand, the annual median pay for firefighters in California is approximately $74,000 dollars, not to mention the various benefits they receive from their employer. The cheap and minimal pay of inmates has saved the state and taxpayers an estimated amount between 90 and 100 million dollars a year.

We must question the ethics of this kind of labor system as the potential financial benefits of cheap prison labor might incentivize mass incarceration. Evidently, many are pushing for these prison programs to be replaced by means of proper public investments.

For some inmates, firefighting is both a sense of direction and a skill that has developed through extensive training and they hope to use it in the professional world. In fact, upon being released from prison, many former inmates apply for jobs as firefighters.

Unfortunately, many have found that various barriers have been put in place to prevent them from doing so.

These barriers include being affected by the stigma that comes with

being a former inmate or not having an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensing. With the regulating factors added in place that are preventing former inmates from even attempting to become firefighters, many are demanding change to make it easier for previously incarcerated individuals to land well-paying jobs.

Efforts are underway to mitigate these obstacles, which are preventing former convicts from having a second chance. On Sept. 11, Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2147 by Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-San Bernardino, allowing former inmate firefighters to apply for the expungement of their criminal records, making it easier for them to obtain EMT licensing and continue with their career.

While some progress has been made, there is still a lot of room for improvement in mvareas such as dismantling the incentivization of mass incarceration by means of higher wages.

It is our duty as American citizens to continue to push for more reform in order for those currently incarcerated and former inmates will be able to live more fruitful and productive lives.

The Northwood Howler

Interviewing

water

SPORTS polo sensation

September 28, 2020

Max

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Abravanel

By Rachel Gima Staff Writer

Max Abravanel is a Northwood alumni from the Class of 2020 who was a significant figure in the school’s athletics program as a water polo player, which advanced to the CIF. He also was a member of the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) All American water polo’s third team, a group of the most coveted athletes from across the nation.

Locally, Abravanel was a first team all California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) recipient and competed at the highest levels in Southern California high school water polo. As a co-captain of the Northwood team, Abravanel led the Timberwolves all the way to the CIF-SS semi-finals, where the team unfortunately fell short in a hard-fought game that went down to the wire. Although the implementation of Northwood athletics is uncertain this year, the heart of the program still remains, and Abravanel has agreed to speak about the program and offer advice to current students.

The Howler: How many years have you played water polo, and how long did you play for Northwood?

Max Abravanel: I’ve been playing water polo since I was 9 years old, so the past nine years have been dedicated to water polo. I was a starter on the Northwood varsity team for all four years of high school.

TH: What did you enjoy most and what did you enjoy least about water polo?

MA: The thing I enjoyed the most about water polo at Northwood was the friends and connections that I made. Of the people that I con-

Coco Tsaue The Northwood Howler

MAKING A SPLASH: Northwood alum Max Abravanel rifles a shot from distance, swinging the game’s momentum. sider my closest friends, I met most of them through the water polo program. As for the thing I enjoyed the least about water polo was obviously the conditioning and commitment that it requires. But in the end, going through tough conditioning sets and long, grueling tournaments is what really brought our teams closer together. By keeping an open mind and a positive attitude during those challenging times, I think it can really enforce a work ethic and makes every victory that much more worthwile.

TH: In your opinion, how do you believe that you got into a college-level team?

MA: I got onto a collegiate team by dedicating a lot of time and hard work to the sport that I love. Day in and day out, every set was done with a purpose. And, of course, having some natural talent didn’t hurt. I think

by having a goal to play on a collegelevel team really pushed me through the tough times.

TH: What are your plans for the future, in terms of athletics and academics?

MA: This year I will be playing water polo at the University of California, San Diego, and studying probability and statistics. As far as careers go, I don’t have my eyes set on a single career path, and I think it’s best to keep my mind and options open to what life brings my way.

TH: What are some things that you wish you did in high school that would’ve been fun and/or helped you later on?

MA: I wish I went to more school events. For example, attending events like dances, athletic competitions and club events would have provided some much-needed leisure

in my high school career. I didn’t have a ton of extra time on my hands but I definitely could’ve found some time to do more things like that. High school is the time to make memories as well as focus on priorities, so I would advise underclassmen to get involved in the school’s culture.

TH: What are some things you regret doing/not doing as a high school athlete?

MA: As an athlete, I regret not being a better leader and role model for my teammates and peers.

TH: Why is leadership so important in athletics and team sports?

MA: Athletics and team sports are one of the few ways people our age can practice and refine their leadership skills, which is essential to each individual in their own way.

Every team needs someone to vocalize plays and communicate coverages

that our oppenents may be running.

Outside of the pool, coordinating times for team bonding and practice schedules allows for the season to run smoothly. If a team wants to win, it needs to have a good leader, and that is an unspoken rule of team athletics.

TH: What advice do you have for current student-athletes at Northwood?

MA: No matter what level of athletics you may be in (varsity, JV, frosh), make sure that you’re having fun and making new friends. As much as I love actually playing water polo, all my best memories in high school athletics happened outside the pool. Aspects of sports like bus rides, tournaments, team dinners really allowed to make friends for life. They can be the best moments of your high school career if you surround yourself with the right people.

Social justice on the school field

Coco Tsaur The Northwood Howler

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The football team hustles on to the field, ready to compete.

By Tyler Wong Staff Writer

A team of football coaches, many of whom have experienced racial inequality first hand, ignited protests across Thousand Oaks High School, inspired by recent national sports team’s protests in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM).

As other California high schools have allowed political messaging onto the pitch, Northwood coaches, players and athletic directors have begun discussing exactly how to appropriately handle calls for protesting racial injustice within high school sports.

“As an IUSD staff, social justice and student safety are at the top of our priorities, and it is a topic of conversation within the athletics department,” Athletics Director Sierra Wang said. “We are looking forward to having this conversation as the year progresses.”

Athlete’s using the playing field as a platform for protests has been a conversation for decades. During a medal ceremony in the 1968 Summer Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised a black-gloved fist, a sign commonly associated with the phrase “Black Power,” resulting in their expulsion from the games. In 2016, former 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick made national headlines for kneeling during the national anthem.

This summer, teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Major League Baseball (MLB) boycotted games in response to another police shooting of a black man, an action which resonated with other sports and inspired them to take the same actions. The Los Angeles Lakers, as well as many other teams across all leagues, are wearing uniforms emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter,” and the slogan also appears on the basketball court

at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where the NBA restart has been taking place. The expansion to the international stage, through soccer players’ goal celebrations, has expanded BLM’s agenda outside the country, in addition to the constant vocal push for reform.

In light of the statewide social justice movement ignited in Thousand Oaks, some Northwood studentathletes have expressed a desire to follow the example of the professional athletes, although the fall sports season is on hold for now, “The incorporation of BLM into high school sports is a great way to show support and help spread awareness of the movement,” junior Kade Acab said. “It’s about being treated as equally as the person next to you on the field, no matter who they are.”

As Northwood and IUSD officials begin their conversations, there remains uncertainty about what the future holds for student support.

Nicole Curtis The Northwood Howler

SPORTS Welcoming esports: the up-and-coming sport on the block 14

September September 28, 25, 2020

The Northwood Howler

Coco Tsaue The Northwood Howler

THE GRIND NEVER STOPS: Freshman Newton Tsaur undividedly focuses on the game at hand, looking to scrape out the win, alongside his team.

By William Baik and Arya Bhattacharjee Staff Writers

The arena is buzzing with the energy of the fans, the big screen at the center of the stage illuminates, and the players take their seats. This isn’t your conventional sporting event— this is esports, a professional sport based on video games.

The sudden rise in video gaming due to the lockdown has increased interest in esports tournaments, and while some esports scenes have started from scratch, more distinguished tournaments have continued to thrive. Here’s a look at two esports scenes that have caught the attention of not only the gaming community, but have entertained the entire world for the greater part of the quarantine.

VALORANT: VALORANT is a tactical first person shooter game by Riot Games that was released in early June. The game puts each player into the shoes of a character, who is then given a weapon, and sent off to complete an objective. The game is a round-based game, which ends early when one team plants a crystal. From there, the opponents’ goal is to diffuse the crystal. Riot’s unique spin on the genre adds in special abilities, making the game require a mix of mechanical skill and strong team communication in order to achieve the highest ranks.

“The game is really well built for a pro scene,” junior Antonio Galisteo said. “It requires you to make smart decisions [and] in the moment thinking, which I think is a key to any modern and fun video game.”

VALORANT has already seen unprecedented growth in the esports market, hosting a total of 18 tournaments since the game’s release. With major streamers from the internet sensation, Fornite, shifting over to VALORANT, the pro scene’s future looks bright. Professional VALORANT tournaments have seen up to 80,000 viewers with an average around 30,000, indicating that the future of this game’s esports scene is another reason to definitely keep an eye out for this video game.

League of Legends: League of Legends, one of the oldest and most popular esports scenes in the world, continues to thrive in these trying times. As a game that is more predicated on strategy than skill, the game relies on

smart decision making to destroy objectives, the final objective being the Nexus, the core of each team’s base on the Summoner’s Rift, one of the many locations in the game. Its global championships average over 100 million views, topping $1 billion in annual revenue and putting it on par to sports championship games such as the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl. With the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, that number is only expected to climb higher, with more players flocking to the game while locked at home, on the basis of entertainment.

“Esports makes League of Legends even more enjoyable as you can see international teams battling it out on a world stage,” senior Soumil Joshi said. “The rivalries amongst regions add intensity, especially be-

tween North America and Europe.”

Esports has blossomed into a mainstream source of entertainment that millions of fans can watch from anywhere in the world, attracting interest from celebrities and large corporations alike, making national headlines. Not to mention, ESPN decided to televise the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2K series’ championship series on its main channel, as a replacement for professional sports. From signing high school basketball prodigy Bronny James to professional gaming team FaZe Clan to the growing number of celebrity investors, praying for this sports genre’s successes, such as Drake, recent developments in the video gaming community have proven that the sky’s the limit for the future of esports in the modern world.

X-treme game alterations to the XFL Out with drear, in with cheer

By William Baik Staff Writer

Rachel Gunawan The Northwood Howler

By Ryan Wu Staff Writer

Majority stake of the Xtreme Football League (XFL) has been bought by another wrestling legend, but this time it isn’t World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Vince McMahon. An investment group including former WWE star Dwayne Johnson, businesswoman Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners combined their efforts to purchase the spring football league which filed for bankruptcy in April.

The group acquired the XFL assets handled by its parent company, Alpha Entertainment, for $15 million, days before the league was scheduled for a bankruptcy auction.

“For Dwayne, Gerry and myself, this property represents an incredible opportunity,” Garcia said in a press release. “Melding our expertise combined with our commitment to deliver exciting and inspiring unique content has us all focused on developing the XFL brand into a multi-media experience.”

The XFL was founded in 1999

by Johnson’s former boss, McMahon, as a testing ground for aspiring National Football League (NFL) athletes and provided faster action for fans through its altered rules. For instance, teams have two timeouts per half, compared to the regular three in the NFL. Players also only need one foot in bounds for a pass completion, making it easier for referees to determine catches. Even with these adjustments, the league folded one year after its introduction, and McMahon spent $200 million to revive the league in 2018. The sports shutdown brought on by COVID-19 led to the XFL ceasing operations for its second time, for economic reasons..

Johnson’s interest in football stems from playing the sport competitively in his youth as a defensive tackle in the 1991 University of Miami national championship team and his time on the roster of the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. His love for the spotlight and providing opportunities to overlooked talent was one of the reasons

why he decided to purchase the XFL. “I think Dwayne Johnson buying the league is a great thing for the XFL,” senior Troy Javier said.

“The first season when McMahon ran it showed an alternative football league has potential if advertised and televised correctly, since it would be going strong if not for COVID-19.”

Several exceptional players in the XFL have been drafted into the NFL, including Colin Thompson to the Carolina Panthers and Donald Parham to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The league MVP PJ Walker got farther in roster status than any other XFL player, transitioning from the Houston Roughnecks to a $1.565 million, two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers to learn quaterbacking under the NFL’s brightest stars Although Johnson and his team are up for the challenge, the unprecedented circumstances presented by COVID-19 make it difficult to set any definitive plans for the future of the XFL. However, with the league under new leadership, the future of the league appears bright.

The scent of buttery popcorn wafts as you walk back to your seat with a hot dog and a drink, ready to cheer for your team like any other year. Except, of course, it’s not like any other year. You’re stuck at home, watching TV with nothing but canned cheers and awkward selfie cutouts of fake fans in the stands. So how do you recapture the excitement of live sports in the COVID-19 era? Why, fantasy sports leagues, of course!

Fantasy sports leagues are online competitions where you draft a team and face off against friends and strangers alike. It runs on a point based system, which is derived from a player’s performance that week in the major statistics for that. The sum of all the points is used to determine the winner between two fantasy managers that week. From there, players’ ranking accumulate based on their total points from the professional league’s season, creating a ranking system among your friends to see who really is number one.

Recently, fantasy sports leagues have become popular at Northwood in recent years, thanks to the Sports Analytics Club. Members of the club are free to discuss anything sports related, using fantasy leagues to spur conversation for their weekly meetings. In addition to these conversations, the club organizes fantasy leagues for club members to participate in to educate each incoming sports fanatic on the fantasy sports while introducing new players.

“It’s a reminder that sports have room to grow and also gives people a chance to learn more about sports especially while having a lot of fun at the same time” club president senior Henry Jia said. “It is also a plus for those seeking social interaction.”

The club’s involvement in fantasy leagues help them write their weekly articles. With game schedules and player stats being closely followed, members observe players or events that warrant an in-depth look using advanced statistics.

The growth of fantasy leagues expands past Northwood’s campus as well. Fantasy leagues experience increased participation every year, hitting over sixty million players as of 2017. Increased accessibility and the expansion of sports available are responsible for the community’s growth, transitioning fantasy leagues from a niche to mainstream hobby.

In addition, the emergence of platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel have caused many adults to earn pocket change for simply watching the game that they love. That allows the younger generation to have an increased affinity for fantasy sports.

Quarantine has also increased the importance of fantasy sports for anyone who decides to play. The inability to regularly attend sporting events means that direct interaction for fans is difficult, and fantasy sports have provided a solid alternative towards improving interactivity.

Fans have found solace in seeing the play by play features on many fantasy sports’ platforms and in the joy of seeing a drafted player’s points increase with every play, providing the ability to interact with strangers and bond over similar interests .

“Fantasy leagues are fun and accessible to everyone,” Jia said. “It’s helped bring people together, encouraging a lot more people to interact with the sport they love.”

The Sports Analytics club meets on Zoom every Monday, so if you’re interested, contact Jia for more information. You may not be getting tickets to games anytime soon, but at least you’ll have a reason to cheer.

The Northwood Howler

Petition.org

to

Shambolic Shenanigans ban

breakout

rooms

SOPHIA FEI The Northwood Howler

By Rahul Khanna

Staff Writer

Freshmen Rangi Thimor and Regina Malbarru have taken the Internet by storm with a Change.org petition that calls on the US government to immediately ban Zoom breakout rooms, which Malbarru calls painfully awkward, physically intolerable and laughably ineffective.

The petition quickly gained traction, even earning the support of

the national organization “Breakout from Breakout Rooms,” composed of dedicated highschoolers and college students protesting the very existence of breakout rooms. There have been organized protests in which students log off Zoom and join Google Meet instead. Experienced hackers have found ways to transfer host privileges from teachers to the students, who disable breakout rooms and even kick out teachers who rely too much on them. Others have taken to

the streets, physically throwing away their computers solely to give an excuse not to use breakout rooms.

Thimor and Malbarru report that countless students from across the country have sent them emails thanking them for their initiative, when nobody else had the courage to stand up.

“I mean, I would keep hearing about all my peers that started nonprofit organizations, raised money for charity and helped tutor under-

picking

privileged kids, and it really made me want to give back to my community,” Thimor said. “After some thinking, I realized that every since a week ago, I have always hated breakout rooms.

From then on, I pledged my life to saving the world from the virus that is breakout rooms to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Thimor is certainly not alone in his feelings towards breakout rooms; a survey conducted by Pewpewpew Research Center found that over 82% of students who used breakout rooms had suddenly developed a fear of any kind of socialization.

“It’s no surprise,” said Harvard Medical school professor Kovinda Ninteena. “We’re calling it the breakout effect, or Zo-vid-19. These poor kids are being forced time and time again into breakout rooms only to mute their microphone and camera.

Two students try talking, they talk over each other and get all flustered and just mute. Another unmutes, and their audio starts glitching out. Students are clearly uncomfortable, and it’s impacting them on both a personal and spiritual level.

The petition has garnered over 764,000 signatures, with countless students sharing stories about their failed experiences with breakout rooms in the comment section.

Among the most common include the infamous “I didn’t know I was

September 28, 2020

up

15

steam

muted” scenario, in which one student presented a five minute speech without knowing he was muted, and the always hilarious “I thought I was muted” situation, in which another made the mistake of playing video games with loud audio. The effort to ban breakout rooms has also gathered roughly $20,000 in funds from the angry, socially-awkward students supporting the movement, though it is unclear what the money would even be used for.

But not everyone supports the movement. Fed up with students logging off their Zoom meetings, a group of teachers from Southern California have created a Change.org petition to ban all Change.org petitions, claiming the petitions were interrupting the flow of education.

“If the government can ban TikTok they can certainly ban Change. org,” one of the teachers said. “It’s an evil, vicious site that encourages harmful behavior in our young, innocent students.”

The students led by Malbarru and Thimor refuse to back down, noting that over 10,000 breakout rooms are being created every day. They pledge to not stop until that figure lowers to zero.

To get involved with the “Breakout from Breakout Rooms” Movement, reach out to a local coordinator in your area.

Life-changing Zoom secrets CIF mandates new COVID-19 measures

By Yejin Heo and Hari Sreeramagiri

Staff Writers

For the amount of money Zoom’s making off of us, they should have some features that make our lives easier. It’s sad to see the quality of education in this country has been reduced to a world without Essential Zoom Features.

Video virtual background of yourself. Look. This is SCHOOL we’re talking about. The one place no one wants to be, especially when they could be on TikTok instead (assuming it hasn’t been banned yet). Slap on the virtual background and call it a day.

Zoom now has everyone as the host. We are equal in status, rights and opportunity. Comrades, we are all co-hosts. Relish in the power of muting your classmates when you can clearly hear them playing games on their Nintendo Switch, throwing teachers into breakout rooms for no particular reason and ending meetings when necessary; but remember, with great power comes greater responsibility.

in front of your crush again. Look in the bottom left hand corner to freeze your camera for 15, 20 or 85 minutes.

Send a chat to everyone except the teacher. Remember that one time you made that comment on Ms. Rochester’s bald spot? Well this time, you won’t get caught.

Pixelated audio glitch simulator. Wha-- wS- thA- Ms.-- I cAn- hEa- ques--tion. The- answE- is kSjgns-Sfnf. HeLl-O?!

You’ll never get called on again.

Live facetune. Rough night? Rough morning?

Rough skin? Play around with virtual foundations, eyeshadows, and lip colors when you find yourself waking up at 8:29 for your 8:30 class.

Karaoke feature during lectures.

If learning is “fun” then learning is jamming out to the World Advanced Placement (WAP) song instead of scrolling through Nearpod slides. If you press the spacebar three times, you might even find a secret autotune feature or two.

5G tower meltdown. Automatically changes everyone but the teacher to black screens and renames them “Reconnecting…”. Enjoy the confusion as your teacher calls both the school and district technology help desks.

Freeze motion camera. Again, you’re too busy Get out of Zoom dewatching anime tention free button. In that you didn’t the bottom right hand corhear your teach- ANJALI MITTIPALLY The Northwood Howler ner, click “Leave meeter’s question. You can’t look stupid ing.” You’ve peaked.

disinfect and reassemble the foosball

By Matthew Dimaandal and Tyler table to encourage sportsmanship and Wong cooperation.

Staff Writers A hazmat suit under regular In July, CIF released a state- uniforms will be required to particment stating that sports will resume ipate in football games. Water boys between December 2020 to January will now carry Gatorade bottles 2021. In preparation for the upcom- full of Clorox spray to make sure ing months, CIF has released anoth- players stay hydrated and healthy. er statement describing their safe- Players must disinfect the ball with ty measures and protocols to keep a wipe every time it changes hands: coaches and athletes 100% safe with- after the hike, any hand-offs, comout changing up the sport. CIF’s su- pleted passes or interceptions. Failure per-duper official list of safety mea- to follow this protocol will result in sures and protocols for several sports a penalty on the field and a free kick for the opposing team. are outlined below.

Tennis players will comBasketball players must now pete via Nintendo Wii wear human-sized hamster balls.

Sports Resort A modified scoring rule (2009) tennis requires players to video game. throw an opposAthletes’ ing player into respective a large hoop districts to complete will be a four-point providplay. Refing playerees must ers with also rea used place their Wii from whistles 2 0 0 6 after every along with play. one remote S w i m control (battermers must acquire ies not included). their own Olympic Athletes will sized pool for evSOPHIA FEI The Northwood Howler also be provided ery competition with a Wii Fit Balto prevent the spread of COVID-19 ance Board to ensure that they are in through water. Howevimpeccable physical shape. er, water is simply not Wrestlers are only allowed to safe enough in this day arm wrestle with their dominant and age. Instead, the arm. As a precautionary meawhole pool will be sure, players are required to not filled with a mixture breathe during the match to of the usual chlorine prevent the possibility of inand hand sanitizer fection. Players who pass out to keep individuals automatically lose and are both in and out of promptly thrown into a bath the pool virus-free. of hand sanitizer.

Soccer will For the time being, CIF has now require the managed to use funds to buy 500 match to be played feet tall 360 degree screens that on multiple foosball will surround every high school tables. Members from football field in California. Northopposing teams will wood’s talented musicians can siface each other in simultaneously blast their pep tunes multaneous games. After, both players will disassemble, via a Zoom meeting from the comfort

of their home to emulate the feeling of being at a real football game.

Track and field will experience only minor changes to their sport. Glass barriers 10 feet tall will replace traditional lane markings, and. For relays, the baton must be thrown from a minimum o f 2 0 feet i n stead of handing off. The Howler expresses its deepest sympathies for those in the outer lanes.

Baseball mitts will now be required to have built-in disinfectant sprayers. Sprinklers on the field will now spray Lysol every two minutes, and tagging at bases is strictly prohibited. Instead, runners will be air tagged from a safe distance of 6 feet.

Due to the unsafe nature of being in a pool, water polo will be converted into a modified version of the more superior polo. Players will ride on horses and attempt to dump water buckets on opposing players heads.

To prevent any illnesses from transmitting through water, players will wear complete scuba diving equipment, fins included.

Volleyball players must run off the court after each return to apply hand sanitizer before the other team hits the ball back. To encourage social distancing, players must stand six feet apart from each other and a minimum of six feet away from the net.

Robotic arms will be used in place of hands to limit any transmission.

With CIF sports right around the corner, nine out of 10 sports scientists have stated that they guarantee student athletes won’t be able to tell the difference between sports with the new regulations and sports preCOVID-19.

16

September 28, 2020

Shambolic Shenanigans

The Northwood Howler

Kollege Bored drops the SAT

By Jonathan Kang

Staff Writer

RACHEL GUNAWAN The Northwood Howler

The Kollege Bored dropped the SAT as a requirement for college applications, relenting to students’ pleas to avoid retaking the test three times to get above a 1450.

They made this decision after realizing that the test was too non-profit for them, as recent cancelations project revenue at less than the $1 billion goal.

Falling profits made the decision all too easy for Kollege Bored, who simply couldn’t bear to be labeled as a true, dare I say it, non-profit organization.

“The SAT wasn’t even designed for testing knowledge: It’s just an easy $50, so college admissions will more or less be the same,” Kollege Bored Business Executive Low Nsharc said. “What I’ll really miss is making students pay $16 extra to write an essay. The $12 detailed score reports will hurt too.”

While supported by many, the decision has also come with plenty of backlash. Some argue the decision leaves colleges without a standardized measure of preparedness, which could cause biased admissions.

“College applications will be flawed because we will have to compare clubs and nonprofits that are only for some extra college admissions points,” junior Call Ijaps said.

“Whoever can spruce up their application the best gets in.”

Following the decision, student organizations across saw a 250% increase in board applications, while new club requests also rose dramatically. Kollege Bored claims this is just a coincidence and merely relflects higher morale in students.

Despite the backlash, many ar-

gue that the SAT was unfair to begin with, and this decision is a step towards equitable admissions.

“These tests greatly favors wealthier individuals,” an anonymous student said. “I mean, have you seen those fancy $200 Texas Instrument calculators? People who can’t afford those flashy colors are immediately disadvantaged. I’ve even heard that if you buy the study books directly from the Kollege Bored, some of the answers on your scantron will be mysteriously filled in.”

The Kollege Bored has made decisions on college admissions for over a century, and it remains steadfast in its decision despite some of the complaints it has received. However, the organization is developing a new test that they claim will revolutionize the way college applications are judged.

“We call it the Tangential Academic Standards (TAS). You’re allowed to take the test completely free! However, we do charge $50 for the scantron, $10 for TAS specific pencils, $70 for admission to the testing center and $40 for parking,” Nsharc said. “Also, you have to pay dollar-to-dollar to validate your score, so if you get a 1450, expect to pay $1450. We prefer cash.”

SAT prep providers have quickly adopted a similar model, offering free services with self-proclaimed minor additional charges for entering the building, sitting in chairs and using the restroom.

Meanwhile, the Kollege Bored will continue to sell SAT test prep books and study guides, citing the sentimental value that they bring to their past customers. They plan to roll out the new test as soon as January 2021 to maximize reven—sorry— benefit to the students.

Howler exclusive: interview with a decorated Zoom bomber

By Diego Moreno and Helena Zhou

Staff Writers

As a national symbol of honor, bravery and chivalry, the Zoom Bombers flight squadron continues to make America proud by fighting for our nation’s freedom and justice.

Flight Lieutenant Gu Gulmeats has fought valiantly in the Mal War and Operation Blizzard, becoming one of the most decorated Zoom Bombers of all time. After serving the U.S. military for over 40 years and holding a range of positions, Gulmeats decided to retire three years ago and settled

in Latex Valley with his family. Now standing at 12 years old and 5-foot2, Gulmeats discusses his past war experiences and comeback into the arena of bombing for those who wish to follow in his footsteps.

The Howler: What are some of your proudest accomplishments in the military?

Gu Gulmeats: I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class from William Gates Air Force Academy, and I’ve been involved with raids against Ap Pleinc and in famous battles like iPhone vs. Android and Apple vs. Microsoft. I have over 300 confirmed meeting bombings, I am

trained in guerilla reconnaissance, and I am the top sniper in the entire U.S. armed forces.

TH: That’s very impressive.

How did you initially get involved in the military?

GG: It’s a funny story, actually. I had signed up for some draft, I think it was called fantasy football or something like that. I ended up getting the wrong address and going to a different draft, but it all worked out in the end.

TH: How do you carry out your attack raids?

GG: I use my own personal Acer Skyhawk armed with 504-Ra-

NICOLE CURTIS The Northwood Howler

zor missiles. If those don’t work, then I break out my Apple-130 armed with its 404 error cannon and AsusTek Hellfire missiles. This combo can ruin any Internet call with ease, and I can still get home in time for dinner.

TH: Any more recent campaigns you’ve been involved in?

GG: A few weeks ago, one of my old squadron buddies introduced me to a new sphere of combat known as Zoom Bombing. It’s entirely novel, having rapidly gained popularity over the last six months, and on a completely different landscape than what I’m used to—really goes to show how much warfare has evolved.

I can’t disclose too much information on it though, since they’re covert operations. I’ve always wanted to have a magnum opus, to leave a legacy, so I just couldn’t pass up bombing a call named Zoom.

TH: Walk me through all of the details of how you mangae to pull off Zoom bombing.

GG: My wingman Gotome Eting uses intel to find the Zoom locations which we then pursue. We take off precisely an hour before the meeting time, and we leave before the defenders can use their Norton anti-air cannons to shoot us down. Once we’re able to control the system, we have a member distract the crowd with blasting noise while another member ejects and silences people.

Seeing the chaos, confusion and horrified faces we encounter in battle, it’s all so thrilling. You should try it some time.

TH: Tell me about the rest of your bombing squadron.

GG: I have several apprentices who are carefully learning the art of Zoom bombing. Luvhac Ing is our designated Password Pick-

pocket, so has the job of securing the password to allow us entry into the target. Around 50% of the time, he reports that the password was either “password” or “abc123”. Another of our interns (unpaid, of course) is the certified Background Blaster. Once we’re in the call, he sets up the strobe light backgrounds and 80s rock and roll music suddenly starts playing.

TH: What are some difficulties you’ve encountered during the bombings? How do you overcome these difficulties?

GG: The life of a Zoom bomber isn’t all fun and games. One of the interns named Ed Xplorer had been assigned the breakout room sector of the raid, but the countdown time wasn’t enough for him to get out safely. We didn’t see him at the postraid meeting in the main room, and that’s when we realized the room had collapsed on him. It’s risky, yet the most difficult part is joining the network of Zoom bombers, especially as our campaigns rely on the inside information we receive. There’s a lot of security you need to bypass during the missions, so it’s essential to be connected with someone supplying passwords and identification details.

Otherwise, things can go South.

TH: What advice would you give to any future Zoom bombers interested in the field?

GG: It’s a dark time for Zoom bombers right now. In the last week, we noticed major setbacks with our campaigns as the enemies have developed more powerful security precautions. We currently lack the credentials to hack meetings, and some are losing faith. It’s more difficult now than ever to become a bomber, but with perseverance and skill, I believe you’ll make it.