[pink.] summer 2023

about

Published three times a year, [proof], is the Palo Alto High School fine arts and photography magazine, working to showcase Paly’s vibrant and diverse artistic community, covering a variety of styles and backgrounds. Also published three times annually, Ink, the Palo Alto High School's literary magazine, dedicated to providing a platfrom for diverse student voices. [proof] and Ink are proud to present a special combined issue published for a second time, [pink.] Magazine.

from the editors

Hello readers! Our fourth issue of 2022-2023 is a combined issue we have dubbed [pink.] Magazine. Our focus is on highlighting student-produced photography and writing. On our cover is "What's life without color?" our look at Stanford's Festival Of Colors, a vibrant celebration for Palo Alto's Hindu community. On a smaller scale, we dug for some gardening tips from Paly's resident gardener, found the crazy sock lovers of Paly, and rode with Squishy -- Paly student Carly Chandler's horse. Next, we appreciated the art of Advanced Placement Art and Design students and photos of AP 2-D Art and Design students. Lastly, we explored the senior's ceramics experience and found the best chai in Palo Alto. In Ink, we’ve been blessed with a variety of brand new stories. Writer Alice Sheffer tells a story of a lonely boy who finds comfort in museums filled with bones. Poet O’Maria Sephers dedicates a loving piece to recently deceased campus supervisor Ernesto Cruz. This issue of [pink.] has brought together aspects of the Paly culture and community, creating a magazine we are so excited for you all to read! We hope you enjoy this special summer issue of [pink.].

advertising:

The staff publishes advertisments with signed contracts when not deemed inappropriate for publication by editors. For more information on advertising with [proof] or Ink please email palyjournalismincubator@gmail.com or visit https://tinyurl.com/incubeadcontract.

summer 2023

mission statement:

[pink.] Magazine, Palo Alto High School's student run fine-arts, photography and literary magazine, is dedicated to showcasing student artwork, literarture and facilitating creative discussion about arts. [pink.] is distributed to its readers in the student body at no cost.

— amani, kat, faizan & sarina

editors-in-chief

kat farrell

amani fossati-moiane

sarina grewal

faizan kashmiri

staff

arati periyannan

ash mehta

maya mukherjee

lara su dumanli

lucianna peralta

jeremy dukes

annelise balentine

saanvi garg

karrie huang

natalie neumann

adviser

paul kandell — journalism advisor, palo alto high school

pkandell@pausd.org

printing & distribution:

[proof] and Ink Magazines are printed three times, with issues seasonally (fall, winter, spring and summer) by aPrintis in Pleasanton, CA. Issues are handed out by Incubator staff during school. Issues are available online at https://issuu.com/ proof-paly.

letter to the editors:

The incubator staff welcomes letters for the editors but reserves the right to edit all letters for grammar, length; potential libel, invasion of privacy and obcenity. Send all letters to proof.paly@gmail.com or mail it to 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94301.

[proof]

Students display their portfolios.

il pastels, paint, and colored pencils. Welcome to Advanced Placement Art and Design, which requires students to submit a 15-piece, thematically linked portfolio during the last quarter of their second semester. Here are a few that caught our eye.

Senior Ava Rathenberg centered her portfolio on her identity as a Zoroastrian.

Zoroastrianism is a religion that is based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. It is a small community with there being an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshippers worldwide.

Rathenberg expresses her relationship with her identity as a Zoroastrian through her art pieces.

“I’m the only person [Zoroastrian] at Paly and there’s a really small community in California and I just wanted to make art to try and fit my idea of being Zorastrian in our modern day climate” Rathenberg said.

The majority of her pieces were inspired by the Persian holiday, Nowruz, which is typically celebrated on March 21 and marks the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. The holiday is reflect-

trasting colors.

“It’s a big celebration that I think really shows vibrancy and is one of the highlights of our community. And I like to show that because I think that sometimes being a minority is difficult, or being alone as a community

art by ava rathenberg

is a bit difficult” Rathenberg said.

Senior Noah Boyarsky focused their portfolio on their journey of healing.

“My theme was examining psychological healing for people who don’t believe in their own capacity for joy,” Boyarsky said.

Boyarsky said his portfolio was a reflection of his growth as he navigates a tumultuous relationship with his mental health.

text

by saanvi garg photos by joshua watterson and coutesy of noah boyarsky

“When I chose the theme, I had recently come to what I consider the conclusion of my adolescent mental health journey,” Boyarsky stated. “I’ve been in many dark places over the years as have so many of my friends and loved ones. In the present, I am truly one of the happiest people I know.”

He said parts of his healing has left him feeling like he has abandoned those still struggling.

“When I grew and improved, I felt like I left some of my friends -- those who were still struggling-behind,” according to Boyarsky. “The portfolio was dedicated to them; both documenting my own journey and trying to provide a roadmap for others.”

The AP art portfolios offer an intimate look into the minds of Paly artists and it allows them to reflect their emotions and identity.

art by noah boyarski

What's life without COLOR?

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, was hosted by Asha for Education at Stanford. Families gathered together to have fun and celebrate a colorful and dynamic festival. Holi is a Hindu tradition that celebrates the eternal and divine love between the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna. Although originating in the Hindu parts of India, it has made its way to the United States due to the great population of Hindu’s here.

text and photos by amani fossati-moiane

alo Alto High School students have found a way to properly express themselves without the fear of their fellow peers; individual shoes, dyed hair and layered jewelry have all rocked the campus runway, but more subtly, socks. An underrated yet powerful part of the outfit can allow students to feel more comfortable with themselves.

Freshman Rei Prior says that being reminded of her funky socks from time to time brings joy to her.

“Sometimes I’ll just be walking around or sitting down in class and then I am playing with the laces on my shoes and I see my socks and it’s kind of nice if there’s a fun pattern,” Prior said.

Freshman Yoray Chen touches on her collection of quirky socks and the importance of always having a cool sock on hand.

“I actually only have interesting socks,” Chen said while looking down at her orange storm trooper socks, “I don’t have plain socks. So every single pair of my socks has a print on it.”

According to Chen, socks help her feel connected with her family, creating a link between foreign socks and her country allows her to stand out in a crowd.

“I like wearing socks that aren’t from the U.S. because it reminds me of my family in Taiwan,” Chen said.

Sock lovers showcase their crazy socks.

Junior Leo Vargha clarifies the power socks possess and how it can allow him to express himself in original ways.

“I feel like I can creatively express myself through my socks,” Vargha said.

Pulling her pant leg up to show her tie dye socks, Assistant Librarian Debbie Henry explains her sock habits have changed over the years.

“I think I’m wearing them more often now,” said Henry, “I was pretty traditional.”

Junior Sarah Sheaffer elaborates on the ben- efits of wearing fun socks.

“It makes outfits like fun or it’s a fun accessory you can do that brings like weight to the bottom of your outfit,” Sheaffer said. “And it’s just like a nice comfy thing that’s subtle but still gives you confidence.”

Vargha adds that changing his socks can make all the difference.

“It makes me feel good about myself,” Vargha said.

At a simple glance, the deeper meaning of socks is not captured.

“The socks I’m wearing right now were a gift from my father,” Prior said.

“Most of them are gifts from my family members,” Chen said.

“My socks right now are fluffy socks from UC Merced given to me by my brother Nick Sheaffer who is going there next year,” Sheaffer said.

“They mean having a good time at concerts, I remember the Grateful Dead were really popular and would come to the shoreline. … I have to admit, I wasn’t a huge fan but I loved the teddy bears,” Henry said.

“I purchased these on the campus of the school I’m gonna go to because they have an Eric Carle museum on Hampshire College campus,” Vargah said. “Yeah, and in the gift shop there were Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus socks.”

Chen describes her perfect pair of socks should include characters from tv shows and extravagant prints.

“I like different characters, not just a singular character,” Chen said. “I like tie-dye [and] comfortable socks,” Henry said.

“My favorite sock would be crew length. Adding in some ribbing and like a fun color,” Sheaffer said. “I like wearing socks even if it’s kind of warm and I like them to go above the shoe,” Vargha said. “I need them to be visible.”

“If I’m wearing shoes, I like having socks,” Prior said.

text by lara dumanli and lucianna peralta

equestrian exploits

Paly senior competes on horseback

WARMING UP. Getting ready for her round, Chandler hops on her horse for a final polish on her technique. (top)

text by karrie huang

Rhythmic hoofbeats sound as senior Carly Chandler jumps over a three-foot obstacle on her horse Soul to Squeeze (barn name Squishy). Glancing down at her watch, she realizes that she has made it over the 18 jump cross country course under the optimum time, keeping her in first in the Novice division at the April Twin Rivers Horse Trials. She gives Squishy a pat on the neck and rides off the course to the cheers of her teammates.

She rides her horse almost every day and regularly competes in the rated U.S. Eventing Association Area VI show circuit at the Novice level, which includes jumping up to three feet. She’s thinking about moving up a division in the near future.

“I’m going to a college that has a great riding program, so hopefully I will be able to ride there,” Chandler said. “In the farther off future, I definitely want to buy my own horse, and keep eventing into the upper levels.”

An equestrian for almost her whole life, Chandler said riding has become an integral part of her life.

“I ride for the thrill and the connection you have with your horse,” she said. “There’s nothing like having an animal choose you.”

Her horse, Squishy, is a young and flighty Thoroughbred — the light-build horses known for their speed in racing — whom she has turned into a reliable show horse.

“He’s very picky about who rides him, because he wants to be able to do his own thing,” she said. “He’s the boldest and bravest horse I’ve ever ridden, and will jump anything I point him towards. He’s also very sweet on the ground and loves any type of treat.”

The lessons Chandler has learned from horseback riding are applicable to other parts of her life and have made her a better person, she said.

“Riding has definitely taught me how to persevere,” Chandler said. “There’s been

photos by carly chandler

many times I’ve wanted to quit, but I haven’t, and it was worth it in the end. Riding has also taught me to have a clear head and temperament under pressure.”

Riding can be stressful due to the inherent dangers of the sport, from being stepped on, to being kicked, and especially falling off, according to Chandler.

“Scariest thing I’ve done on horseback is probably jumping a downbank into the water, where you jump over a fence from the ground, and then land farther down into a pond,” she said.

Chandler has had her fair share of riding accidents. Falling off is a pretty common occurrence, but occasionally more serious incidents happen.

“I’ve had a lot of setbacks in riding, but my major one was falling off and getting a concussion from it,” she said. “I got post concussion syndrome which made me have concussion symptoms for months longer than usual.”

In addition to riders getting injured, their partners — the horses themselves — are often out of work from health issues.

“I also had a lease horse that died,” she said. “I lost all the progress I had with him and had to start over on another horse.”

The next horse Chandler decided to lease, Bellini, had health concerns as well.

“Bellini got a ligament injury, which is at least six months without being ridden,” she said. “I had to look for another horse again.”

In spite of the accidents and heartbreak, Chandler said that riding is completely worth it.

“Working so hard for something and finally getting a reward makes it worth it, and you can look back on all that you’ve done and see how much you and your horse have progressed,” Chandler said, “I’ve taken ‘problem’ horses and turned them into winners, and just being able to say I did that makes it worth it for me.”

LIGHT LEAPING. Carly Chandler takes her horse over an oxer during her stadium jumping course at Twin Rivers. (bottom)

Dress to impress

Students follow simplicity trends with prom outfits and acessories

Students laugh and talk around numerous poker tables while others put on silly accessories for the photo booth station. Appetizer-size bites line the multi-cultural food station tables. Pictures taken on the rooftop balcony capture the memory with San Francisco’s glistening skyline in the background. But what stands out the most are the outfits each student wears, from colorful dresses and ties to more monochrome sophisticated looks.

Because people often look back on their high school prom photos, choosing the perfect outfit is one of the most anticipated, if not the most anticipated aspects of prom. Students can use dressing up as a way to express themselves. Picking accessories, your favorite colors, and your shoes, to make up a look that makes you feel confident.

According to the New York Dress fash-

ion blog, 2023 prom dress trends consisted of bright colors as well as satin fabrics. This year, while following the trends, many students also chose styles that reflected a simple look.

Paly junior Kimmie Shenoy said that many students had similar ideas when it came to choosing prom dress styles.

“For the most part people wore strapless dresses that were silky and one color, so pretty simple,” Shenoy. “A lot of people played with the backs [of the dress] this year, for example modest in the front and low in the back.”

Mckenna Rausch, a senior, says her prom look as simple and comfortable.

“My thoughts and inspiration were mostly just plain but still cute, I didn’t want to do anything extra and I knew I wanted to be comfortable,” Rausch said.

text by natalie neumann photos by joaquin noble and grace corrigan

Rausch wore a baby blue slit dress with simple gold hoops and new white leather veja shoes.

“My favorite part of my outfit was the dress or the shoes, “Raush said, “I loved the color of my dress this year and my shoes were so comfortable to be in. I bought them [the shoes] for prom mostly, but I also wanted them separate from prom so it was a good excuse to buy.”

Lydia Mitz, a sophomore, also went for a simple look, searching for inspiration online.

“I prefer simple,” Mitz said, “and it also seemed like a lot of other people were also going simple. I saw a lot of strapless dresses that I liked on Pinterest and Tiktok so I tried to find an affordable version of those.”

Her outfit consisted of a forest green

strapless dress, gold jewelry and a pair of black heels.

“I felt really good because it [the dress] fit me nicely which made me feel confident in it,” Mitz said. “Having confidence matters because if you feel good in something then you can have a good time and truly enjoy yourself.”

Other students, like senior Mateo Diaz, went for a casual but clean prom look. His simple blazer and purple-red shirt helped showcase his retro accessories.

“I wore my tiger eye necklace and 90s flip shades,” Diaz said. “The flip shades added a classy hip element.”

Caroline Mostofizadeh, a senior, wore a black dress with lace detailing to help achieve a clean and refined look.

“I chose this specific dress because it’s unique with the lace and the see

FLOWER ACCESORIES Mateo Diaz and his prom date pose together with matching corsages.

SAY CHEESE Paly Seniors Mckenna Rausch and Hillary Studdart pose for the camera in their colorful dresses.

MAKING A RAINBOW Kimmie Shenoy and junior friends line up in coorcoded order to showcase their prom dresses. Photo by Joaquin Noble

through parts as well,” Mostofizadeh said. “I like the all black simple sophisticated look because black goes with everything.”

Mostofizadeh said that with so many dresses to choose from, it was important to her to have something that set the dress apart from other simple black ones.

“It [being unique] was important because black is such a simple color so I wanted to spice things up by wearing a more lacey dress so I didn’t look super boring,” Mostofizadeh said.

With different accessories and outfits, students went to prom feeling like their best selves.

While they may forget the little details and events of prom in the future, they will always be able to look back at their distinct prom looks.

Photo by Kristine Mostofizadeh.

Photo by Erik Rausch

LOVEY DOVEY: Catie Nudelman (top left) captures a Palo Alto High School couple.

HAND-TO-HAND: Jai Wadhwani (top right) photographs an exchange of a coin between two people.

SMILEHOOD: Alexis Quintero’s (bottom left) candid photo of a child smiling which uses shadows to highlight emotion

EYE-SPY:Jade Minskoff’s (bottom right) photo of a friend’s eyes while squinting. Minskoff uses a zoomed in approach to capture emotion

Emotion

text by madelyn castro

From the joy of a child to the comfort of an old friend, emotions are felt by every person on the planet. Yet, with the bustle of daily life, it is difficult to pause and appreciate the pieces of humanity that shape our lives.

Kenna Gallagher, the Photography and AP 2-D Art and Design teacher, decided to use their curriculum to help students slow down by assigning them to capture moments and expressions of unfiltered emotion.

While color helps to convey certain themes in photography, it can distract from the expressions of the subject. Because of this, students converted the pictures into black and white. This not only allows the viewer to focus solely on the emotions but also creates a dramatic and timeless effect.

In order to capture emotion, look for interactions between individuals and the reactions that they create. For example, senior Catie Nudelman captured a moment of comforting love between a Palo Alto High School couple. The framing of the two holding each other in the cen-

ter of the image allows the viewer to focus on the expression of their faces and the bond between them.

The reaction can be more individualistic, with sophomore Alexis Quintero capturing the joy on a child’s face. In Quintero’s photo, the shadows highlight the child’s candid smile.

While full-face photos are a staple of emotion photography, zooming in on individual features on one’s face can be even more powerful. Senior Jade Minskoff focused on the subject’s eyes and the furrowing of their brow showing the laughter of a friend.

Emotion can be felt even without faces in the case of sophomore Jai Wadhwani who captured the exchange of a coin between the hands of one individual and a homeless person.

Capturing these exchanges and feelings not only helps these Paly students connect with others but also gives them a moment to pause and appreciate on our daily surroundings and the joy of humanity.

“ERAS” LOOKBOOK

How to recreate Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour looks

After five years of only sporadic, surprise concerts, Taylor Swift has launched her “Eras” tour, amassing unprecedented demand from fans. Swift is playing 52 shows in the United States alone, including 2 at Levi’s Stadium, July 28 and 29. The “Eras” tour is

meant to celebrate Swift’s 10-album career, showcasing how her songwriting has evolved over the past seventeen years.

One other thing that has evolved over Swift’s music career? Her fashion. Fans of all ages, all genders, are recreating Swift’s iconic fashion “looks”

DEBUT is teal and white, shortcut dresses. Swift’s style was pretty simple. If you want to accent it, add a guitar or some boots. The dress was thrifted from Filmore & 5th.

at the concert. Palo Alto High School students are no exception, with those who managed to snatch a concert ticket scrambling to find the perfect outfit. This lookbook hopes to give you some inspiration as to how to look like Swift throughout the decades. All outfits are thrifted from local shops.

FEARLESS is defined by two things: the sparkly, cut-off-at-theknees dress and the Victorian ballgown. Along with this, bedazzle a guitar and curl your hair. This gold dress is thrifted from G&W Boutique.

SPEAK NOW is all about the purple. Flowy A-Lines and babydoll dresses - or Victorian gowns, if you want to commit - defined this era. This dress was bought from the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, all proceeds of which go to cancer research and treatments.

RED is, obviously, red. That, along with black hats and gold accessories are a surefire way to channel this era. That and the graphic Tees, and you’ll be crying over the red scarf in no time. The scarf and hat were bought from

FOLKLORE doesn’t have as defined a style because of Covid. Still, from the music videos, this was an era of stripes and plaid, colorless or muted outfits. Swift wore mostly shirts and pants, rather than dresses or skirts, in this era. The sweater and cardigan was bought from The Shop.

REPUTATION is the sparkles, the boots, the short-shorts, and above all, all black. Snakes, rips, hoods, this era was all about defying the mainstream. This entire outfit was thrifted from Repeter consignment store.

MIDNIGHTS isn’t fully solidified yet, as the album was only released half a year ago. However, the boas and furs, combined with the patterned or shimmery maxi dresses, are a good bet. This boa and dress were thrifted from

LOVER is an era of Swift’s outfits being so multicolored and gaudy that she manages to pull them off. Rainbows, yellows, and pinks were this era’s color scheme. The sweater and scarf were thrifted from G&W Boutique.

EVERMORE is all about the flannels, the plaid, and the angst. It’s very wistful and contemplative, with baggy, homely clothes rather than dresses or skirts. The flannel was bought from the ACSDS

text by kat farrell photos by jeremy dukes

Growing a green thumb

A student takes the first few steps to gardening

Anastasia Andreeva used to describe herself as a “plant killer.” A few short months of dedication transformed the Palo Alto High School junior into a master gardener.

The odd one out in a family of gardeners, Andreeva watched her brother and mother grow a lush garden gifted with she saw as their ever-elusive ‘green thumbs.’ But for those who have not inherited the gardening ‘gene,’ Andreeva can give a few pointers..

She started with the Gamble Garden volunteer program, Dig In The Garden, also known as the “Dirty Knees Brigade.” The progam offers guidance from senior gardeners. Once volunteers are acclimated to the daily tasks — planting new plants, watering, trimming bushes — they are granted greater independence.

“Towards the end, because I’ve worked there for ... two months, I started getting to do my own stuff.” Andreeva said.

Andreeva says the Dirty Knees Brigade also allowed her to meet people she would otherwise not have the chance to speak with. The program hosts all ages, including people who had “already gone through life,” Andreeva says. On one occasion, she met a famous historian who taught her a bit about aviation. Other times she learned when the best food nights were at the senior center.

When her time at Gamble Garden concluded, Andreeva began to pursue gardening on her own. “I’m interested, it’s fun, and I needed something outside, [to] get some sun, exercise,” she says. Her key to success seems to be her season’s calendar: Currently, Damask rose, as well as spearmint, turmeric, and hibiscus are in season. But her start was not all sunshine; she made what she refers to as a ‘classic mistake’ for beginniners: overwatering.

“That kills many, many, many plants, and also too shallow watering,” Andreeva said. “So a lot of times people will do it very regularly, but not enough. They’ll do like, a cup of water. And the problem is, when that soaks into the dirt, you only get the very first few inches. So that means that the roots are very shallow, they don’t go deeper.”

Her advice is to water less often but with more water. Each plant is different, but for the most part, the best thing to do is to drown them once or twice a week.

Another common mistake is buying a plant that is root-bound without unbinding the roots.

“When you get a giant plant, it comes in this little container,” Andreeva said, “It’s meant to grow up and it is way too small for them. You almost always need to put it into a bigger container.“

The Internet offers more in-depth tutorials, but unbinding a plant is relatively simple. You remove it from the pot, scrunch up the roots a bit, and then repot it in a larger container, she said.

These tips are just a few basics for creating a new garden. Although starting your own garden will not save the planet, if many take action, gardening has the potential to help many local pollinators.

“So screw green flat lawns, everyone should just take up full rich gardens,” Andreeva said, “It looks way better.”

text by annelise balentine & arati periyannan

through

In today’s world, everyone walks around with a mini camera in their pockets: a phone. For many people, this is how they capture little moments of their daily lives. But for others, like students Julia Yan and Alma Samet, film cameras produce better lasting memories.

sive to film photography.

Yan feels the same excitement for film photography.

“I like taking film photos because of the disconnect between taking a picture and instantly seeing it, and that element of surprise,” Yan said. “Also, I have always been drawn to the look of the pictures.”

“

Samet spent years using her iphone for all her photos, unhappy with the results. Now, when out with her friends or traveling, Samet has a Fujifilm or Canon disposable camera in hand.

“I was always really annoyed that my phone camera didn’t capture things realistically, so when film started getting popular I thought it would be a fun way to get photos that have their own unique effect,” Samet said.

Samet takes inspiration from the world around her. She feels her film photography is a representation of her life, featuring her friends and community.

“Usually I try to take pretty candid photos of the people I’m with so the camera captures genuine emotion and real-time activities,” Samet said.

For Samet, part of the thrill of film photography is seeing the end result. Many times, when photos are processed, they end up looking differently than Samet predicted, but she says that’s the beauty of it. She notes this is something exclu-

Film photography tends to have a grainy effect to it — something you don’t want with digital photography but do want with film. In addition to this, the colors are more vivid than photos off of a phone camera.

Yan switches between three cameras: her grandfathers Nikon L35 AD camera, a point and shoot camera from the flea market, and disposable ones. Looking through the different lenses, she captures her friends and the environment around her.

“My favorite memory was going to the beach with my friends.” Yan said. “The weather was so nice I filled up a whole disposable camera with pictures.”

For both Samet and Yan, film photography started as exploring a new trend, but turned into a way of expressing themselves.

I like taking film photos because of the disconnect between taking a picture and instantly seeing it, and that element of surprise.”

— Julia Yan, photographer

student photographers explore the film photography trend.

the film

photos by alma samet & julia yan

centering ceramics

AP 3D Studio Art students reflect on sculpture at Paly

text by karrie huang // photos by reed jadzinsky & anna thieman

Senior Reed Jadzinsky is in his second year of AP Art (and sixth year of making ceramics). Jadzinsky’s handthrown pieces are often in sets, made with layered high-fire glazes that create a dripping visual effect. The style of his pieces reflect modern, angular silhouettes with clean lines.

What do you like about the AP 3-D Studio Art class?

“I really like that Mr. Ferrera encourages his students to do whatever they want to do. He’ll try to do whatever is possible for that. You can make your own curriculum and whatever you want as long as it’s art and sculpture which is pretty cool.”

What are your plans for art in your future?

“Even though I’m not majoring or minoring in art, I’m still going to take art classes in college and participate in clubs. I currently work in a ceramics studio, so maybe I can find a job in my ceramics studio or do an internship-type thing with a ceramicist. Ultimately, maybe I can have my own studio and work from home.”

What is your advice for those new to wheel throwing?

“I would say just stick with it, it’s challenging at first to get it centered and it takes time to do it consistently. Once you get to that point it’s totally worth it. Seeing something you’re proud of at the end is totally worth it.”

What does art mean to you?

“I do art because I think it’s fun and it helps me. It’s relaxing and totally separate from my academic and social life — it’s something I can just do for myself. If people like looking at it and using the ceramic pieces I make, that’s a totally great feeling.”

Senior Anna Thieman is in the AP 3D Studio Art class. Her work incorporates elements of both glass and ceramics. Conceptually, Thieman’s art shows an interplay of a rainbow of colors and a variety of textures.

What draws you to ceramics and sculpture?

“I really like physically creating things, if that makes sense… making something out of clay or glass can only really be done in one take. For example, once you make something out of glass, it’s done. You can’t reshape it.”

What has been your favorite project to work on?

“Last year, I made a bouquet of glass flowers and a huge ceramic vase to arrange the flowers in. It turned out beautifully, and every flower was unique…With glass, as you work with it when it is hot and moldable, many of the colors just look orange or black because they are so hot. The final color and patina will only come out once the piece cools and hardens. The bouquet was a super fun process because every time I’d come into class to take my flowers out of the annealer, it was a mystery to see what color they’d be.”

What are your plans for incorporating art in your future?

“I totally want to take art classes in college. I don’t think I want to major in studio art, but pursuing an arts minor is totally in the cards for me.”

What is your advice for those new to 3-D art?

“Have an open mind and try experimenting with different mediums. I am not looking to be perfect, I’m just trying to figure out what creative processes are the most fun and fulfilling.”

SPILLING SPILLING

Who has the best chai in Palo Alto? what is chai?

noun. A type of Indian tea, made especially by boiling the tea leaves with milk, sugar, and cardamom.

arati: Summer is coming up and what better season is there for a nice, cold iced chai? Since before I can even remember, I’ve loved chai. I grew up drinking a fresh cup each morning and afternoon at my grandparents house over summer breaks. Now, on the other side of the world, chai remains a part of my everyday life. Whether it’s a homemade chai that I made in a rush on my way out the door, or one from a local cafe, I like to always have a chai in hand. As the weather warms up and summer starts, we wanted to look for the best chai in Palo Alto: here’s what we think.

maya: I had never had chai until this past summer, a fact that shocked Arati. I didn’t grow up with it, and I only (somewhat) recently learned that saying “chai tea” is redundant. But when we went to a summer program in Boston and I began stealing sips from Arati, and the drink won me over. Now, it’s my go-to order at any coffee shop and I’ve discovered that my ability to focus on studying grows exponentially when I have a chai to sip on. My passion for chai is still growing to its fullest potential, so we went to several places in Palo Alto to find the absolute best.

zareens

365 california ave

arati: If you’re looking for real chai, this is the place to go. Unlike other places that charge you more than $5 for a watered down drink, Zareen’s is only $1. And if you follow their Instagram, it’s free! The spices blend perfectly together, creating a real authentic experience when paired with their food — the paneer tikka masala thali is my favorite. The downside is their drink is only served hot, so if you’re looking for iced chai this isn’t the place to go. However, even on a hot day, I’d recommend a cup of Zareen’s chai. (10/10)

maya: This drink is different from the others, and seems much more authentic. It’s from a Pakistani/Indian restaurant, only costs $1 (in comparison to $5 to $6 at other places), and is significantly less photogenic than the others. While the others are more sweet, the spices in Zareen’s chai make it more savory. It pairs nicely with the spicy food at the restaurant (my favorites are the naan wrap with beef gola or the palak methi paneer thali), and is a need-to-try at Zareen’s. (8/10)

THE THE with maya arati coupa

cafe

538 ramona st. arati: Coupa will always have my heart. I always get the Tiger Spice Chai, and this was my first time trying it iced — it was good, but it’s even better hot. Coupa is the perfect place for a nice chai partnered with a couple hours of typing away on your computer, finishing that last minute assignment for your last class before you officially switch into summer mode. I highly recommend pairing their chai with either their Arugula Avocado salad (my favorite) or a nice pastry, their almond croissants are freshly baked and cheaper than most others in the area. (9/10)

maya: I got the Elephant Vanilla Chai, which was unbelievably good. The first sip shocked me with how flavorful it was, and it’s so rich that I usually have no problem savoring a drink for hours while getting work done at Coupa. I’m usually an iced chai girl, but definitely go with the hot drink at Coupa — it’s so comforting; meanwhile, the iced drink was lukewarm, and not the refresher I was hoping for. Paired with the quiet energy and comfy booths at Coupa, the chai definitely earns a (10/10)

philz

101 forest ave

arati:

I’ve grown up with Philz and I love them, just not their chai. Their chai isn’t really chai. I’m not sure how to describe it. If you look at it, the creami ness looks like it would be accompanied with flavor, but something is just lacking. The ingredients they use blend together to create a flavorless cold drink. While I wouldn’t recommend going to Philz if you’re looking for chai, their coffee is amaz ing. I am a sucker for an ice cold philtered soul cold brew. (1/10)

maya: I was warned that the Philz chai was bad, but I was still surprised by how bad it was. It tasted a lot like cold nothingness, which was sort of refreshing on a hot day, but it defintely did not taste how chai should taste. It was my first experience with Philz and did not inspire me to go back, although Arati promises me their coffee is better. (2/10)

starbucks

closest to paly: 2000 el camino real drive-thru: 3885 el camino real

arati: Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Starbucks Iced Chai, but this isn’t the way to go if you’re looking for real chai. It lacks the spices and flavor that makes a chai, chai. It tends to get watered down by the cups of ice Starbucks puts in drinks — asking for less ice can fix this problem, but sometimes they charge more for that. If you can’t get a chai from anywhere else, the Starbucks chai works, but my advice is don’t get their chai if you’re looking for the real experience. Another pro-tip, go to Safeway and look for the Oregon Chai Latte Concentrate — just add some milk to it and it tastes exactly the same as a Starbucks chai. (6/10)

maya: This was my inaugural chai — the very first one I tried. Specifically, I stole a sip of Arati’s every time she ordered it until I finally caved and got my own. At first, I was a big fan of Starbuck’s chai, but as I continued ordering it, I found myself often disappointed by how milky and light the drink was, lacking the strong flavor that chai should have. It’s definitely a good drink, but now that I’ve been introduced to chai from other places, I never find myself ordering it from Starbucks. (6/10)

arati: Verve is very hit or miss. Sometimes their iced chai is amazing, with the perfect blend of spices and just the right amount of ice to make me want to go back and immediately order an other. But other times, I don’t feel the same way. Sometimes, their chai tastes more like iced water with spices mixed in and less like tea. If you go to Verve on a good day, you won’t regret it, which is why I keep going back. Compared to other op tions, they do tend to be a little pricier, especially if you want to pair your chai pudding — which is insanely expensive for what it

maya: The Verve chai would have been rated lower if I hadn’t tried it right after Philz, which lowered my standards. It than chai should be, in my opinion, but it had some nice spices. The ginger in it was a little overwhelming, but the taste was still pleasant. I would never choose Verve if I wanted chai, but it wasn’t bad per se.

verve

douce france

855

el camino real #104

arati: Whenever you’re at school and searching for a chai, don’t go to Peets or Manresa, go to Douce France. Within a couple minutes, you can go from the Embarcadero crosswalk to the Douce line and order an iced chai. The service is great with people who frequently ask about how school is or how you are that day. On top of that, their chai is always good. It isn’t hit or miss, one sip of their iced chai is a guaranteed way out of a bad day. (9/10)

maya: Located right across the street from Palo Alto High School, Douce chai is the perfect thing to fix a bad day. In the summer I got their iced chai with almond milk (inspired by Arati’s lactose intolerance) and it was always a nice refreshing treat. But in the winter, when it was way too cold and rainy and the stress of finals and college applications was hitting, the hot chai was what was really life-changing. (9/10)

THE VERDICTS: THE VERDICTS: best authenticity: zareens

From an Indian and Pakistani restaurant and complex with spices, their Masala Chai is the absolute best if you are looking for an authentic chai.

best taste: douce france best vibes: coupa cafe

Their chai latte, ideally hot, is very sweet but still rich and flavorful and, all other factors aside, has the best taste of all the drinks we tried.

Between the aesthetic decor, eclectic music, and delicious pastries and meals, if you want to sit down and nurse a drink for a couple hours while chatting with friends or doing work, order one of their many chai flavors.

[proof] student art gallery

We recieved many high quality submissions to the gallery this issue. Works here were evaluated blindly by the editors Email proof.paly@gmail.com or visit the link in our instagram bio (@proof. magazine) to submit for our next issue in winter 2023!

iris tang

jeremy dukes

vivian lin

aryan kawatra

max rabbitt-tomita

vivian lin

jeremy dukes

ella hwang

ink.

Normal Carousel Mind

text by ellis shyamji

As a kid growing up in this highly strung town, Pencils scratching is the most common sound. They work tirelessly to be more than normal, From what people say, being average Just sounds horrible.

They say you can’t just be “normal” That won’t get you far enough

When this world, this society, is just so rough. Average people don’t make it Anywhere extraordinary.

Oh how boring it is when you’re just so ordinary.

They have expectations

But you have to exceed them. You’re asking for help?

No, you don’t need them. Just focus on work and keep your head down–keep on swimming and try not to drown.

Look at where you live, Those big names that lived here. Yes, you’re just a kid, But if you’re average you’ll disappear.

I force myself to remember That anywhere else I could just be plain normal And satisfied with myself.

Ellis Shyamji is a freshman at Paly who is passionate about expressing feelings and stories people can relate to in her writing. Currently, she most enjoys creating flash fiction and poetry.

text by cherianne yoon

My mind is a carousel. Always going up and down, Forever spinning, never stopping.

Each train of thought is different: Some thoughts are fleeting horses, Some are gloomy zebras, Some are singing rabbits, Some are weary lions. At rare times they are wayward dragons, Flying high with no one to listen to.

But even in their difference, they strive for the same: To preserve infinite youth, Innocence and memories.

My mind ting-a-lings with delight, Feeling the ups and downs of life.

Cherianne Yoon is a sophomore who has a passion for creative writing, reading, and digital art, and she always tries to fit in these hobbies in her busy schedule. Her favorite authors include Marie Lu and Marissa Meyer.

art by leif thesen

text by simone batra

photo by vivian lin

The Tree

I am just a tree.

The birds and squirrels divide me up And live peacefully on my branches. As I watch over all, I see the cycle of life Occur over and over again, but not with me.

I stand here, rooted and protected.

Look here, there’s an eagle. It seems as if it’s leaving–Where must it go?

Is it bound by the instructions of its superiors? Or will it go someplace where it can follow its most heartfelt dreams? I may never know As I have known nothing but here. Goodbye, my eagle.

There is life beyond the animals who call me home.

I see children grow up and leave, And, soon after, new children walk by And love to touch my pines As I stand confident and tall. Sometimes they come back But never to greet me. They simply walk on my roots That travel below the wide gravel path.

I wish I had wings like the eagle Or the innocent freedom of a child That incentivizes me to run away, start anew. But for the centuries I may reside on this Earth, I am just a tree.

Simone Batra has loved writing poems and short stories since the first grade. She enjoys turning everyday experiences into beautiful, emotional scenes through her works. When she’s not being poetically reflective, you might find her singing, running, or coding!

text by o’maria sephers art by audrey horn

sunflower

I never told you, But you reminded me of a sunflower.

And the thought of having to say goodbye makes me wilt.

I’ve been told goodbyes are temporary, It’s just physically they are an eternity, An eternity of not seeing your radiant yellow glow.

It’s an eternity of missing your words of kindness, An eternity not hearing “my beautiful friend” when you greeted me.

The morning breeze and fresh air on campus, Will fill us with your sense of humor.

The thought of your smiling face, Will bring ease to our heavy hearts.

Precious moments will be turned into a memory, That will replay in our minds whenever we close our eyes.

Your wise advice shall be dispersed throughout the campus like dandelions.

And while you may not be here physically, We know this isn’t a goodbye, But a see you later, To our “beautiful friend.”

O’Maria Sephers is a senior who is passionate about poetry. Her favorite authors are Maya Angelou, Porsha Olayiwola, and Rudy Francisco.

Sailor’s Knot

text by lucianna peralta art by nikki goel

It started once. It became something impressive A connection like strings Acting simply suggestive.

Wind and sail

Of their speed, others quicken to boast. Together they find what some value the most.

A sailor looks back understanding the mission but nonetheless, lacks.

The way of the foe— brine mixed with time. Unbeknownst the sea brought, that which works to dispose of an obsolete shrine.

Time rules perfection. The rhythm, The connection. Constantly untying, The sea makes loss this direction.

Again and again the odd strings are tied Bringing a melodic sensation Of gliding fish and a rising tide. Once unraveled Perfection will stop, until those kindhearted have had enough.

Lucianna Peralta is a junior who likes to read contemporary and neurodiverse books in her free time. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Kiera Cass for their ability to create stand-alone’s with remarkable plot and deep characters.

text by alice sheffer art by sarina grewal

bones and things

No one seemed to appreciate the curvature of the whale bones as he did. So, his class left him behind, all alone in the museum, to look at the spiny vertebrae hung from the ceiling as they seemed to drift in the drafty room as they would have years ago when the animal was still alive in the water.

Everyone thought that he was weird, including his own parents, when he came home from school one day with a crow skull, asking, “Mommy, what kind of animal is this?” The following week, it was a squirrel, then an opossum, and eventually, his bones got too big for him to take home without hearing screams.

He was never really friends with anyone, but his newfound interest in bones pushed away not only prospective friends at school but also any parents who

would take pity on the boy and push their children to befriend him.

Many asked his parents if he had joined a cult. Many asked if he was worshiping the devil, but his parents just smiled and said, “Well, if he were in trou ble, we’d know,” (which is so not true). “Just let the boy have some fun.”

His parents didn’t say the same thing when his sister brought home a boy. What’s the big dif ference between a dead bag of bones and an alive bag of bones? And why does it mat ter that her door needs to be kept open when he’s over? Can’t someone take stock of their collection in privacy? What if they wanted to study anatomy together?

It’s safe to say that many, in cluding the boy himself, thought that he was a little different from everyone else. However, that’s not a proper reason to leave a classmate all alone in a museum. Well, the boy knew where to go from the aquatic exhibit; he just didn’t want to. So when the tour guide got tired of waiting for the boy to finish his quiet contemplations, they just continued leading the group elsewhere. The boy was perfectly content taking his time in the aquatic room. The next room over was insects, and he had no desire to rush his art. As he did every

he tried to picture their skeleton. No skin, muscle, nerves, blood, or anything that distinguished alive from unalive. He wanted to see past all that and look at the curvature of the bone, the way it bent with stress and fractured on impact. He wanted to see his

ty of it all. He would’ve stayed there until closing time if he could’ve, and despite thinking he should’ve, he was happy with how the sequence of events turned out.

He finally roused himself from

The boy pulled out his phone, checking the time. If he picked up the pace, then he could get home with time to study his new set of bones.

He checked the time again; he could even make himself some

bergamot tea from the tree outside if he was lucky. The boy increased his stride length ever so slightly, picking up his pace so he could get home before half-

On his way home, the boy passed many of his usual haunts: the abandoned 7-Eleven, the Whole Foods outdoor dining area, the bowling alley where he would go to win first place against himself with the gutter boards up. He tried to keep his eyes on the sidewalk in front of him so as to not distract himself and delay his journey longer—he had dilly-dallied at the museum for

He saw some pretty wildflowers growing by the edge of the sidewalk and bent down to pick them up. His sister and mother would like them. He bet that his sister will press the flowers in an old book and make him a necklace out of it for his birthday, might put the flowers in a vase and complain when they start to wilt. His father would probably come home from work one day and look at his son’s new necklace and the flowers sitting in a vase on the dining table and laugh because it all seems very quaint to him. He’d then thank his wife for the flowers and make his children smile. Who knows, maybe the boy friend would appreciate the wildflowers as well.

The boy supposed that he had more than just bones and things waiting at home for him.