[proof] winter 2023

[proof]

about

Published three times annually, [proof] is Palo Alto High School’s fine arts and photography magazine, working to showcase Paly’s vibrant and diverse artistic community, covering a variety of styles and backgrounds.

from the editor

Hello readers! Our first issue of the 2023-2024 school year focuses on how artists in our community express themselves through different outlets. Some outlets are less conventional than others: Pictured on the cover is an array of colorful creations beneath Palo Alto. Inside, we expose the hidden danger this canvas may propose. An equally colorful medium, glass-blowing, is displayed in “The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch,” an event with 10,000 hand-blown pumpkins crafted by 25 artists. Shifting to a more personal narrative, “Beading a Passion” dissects student Angeline Wei’s experience turning a hobby into a business. Subtler approaches to self-expression can be found in our “Fall Lookbook” where we breakdown student’s sartorial choices this season, then throw it back to the 90s in “Digital Cameras: Exposed.” We’re excited to share our work with you and we hope you enjoy!

— kat farrell

photo by jeremy dukes

editor-in-chief

kat farrell

design

and print editor

amani fossati-moiane staff

ketan altekar-okazaki

salem coyle

lara su dumanli

saanvi garg

arjun jindal

anika nair

lucianna peralta maxwell zhang adviser

paul kandell — pkandell@pausd.org

mission statement

[proof] Magazine, Palo Alto High School’s student-run fine arts and photography magazine, is dedicated to showcasing student artwork, photography, and facilitating creative discussion about arts.

publication policy

[proof] Magazine is published by the students in Palo Alto High School's Magazine Incubator class and is a designated limited open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. [proof] is distributed to its readers and student body at no cost.

letters to the editors

We welcome letters to the editors, but reserves the right to edit all letters for grammar, length; potential libel, invasion of privacy, and obscenity. Send all letters to proof.paly@gmail.com or 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94301.

advertising

The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts when not deemed inappropriate for publication by editors. For more information on advertising with [proof], please email palyjournalismincubator@gmail.com

printing & distribution

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

[contents]

inside the gunn tunnels

fall lookbook

the great glass pumpkin patch

celebration of light: diwali

saltwater serenity

artist renny shares experience, advice

digital cameras: exposed

incubator spotlight

beading a passion

text & photo by kat farrell

Inside the Gunn Tunnels

Rebellious students exploring the Gunn tunnels may be surprised by the invisible danger inside.

For some teens, the drainage tunnel under Gunn High School serves as an exploration spot, sparsely furnished with a couch, a whiteboard, and scattered desks. However, it is quite the journey to find the inside: While one of the entrances is blocked off with grates, the other is left ajar. Upon entering the tunnel, it is pitch black. Despite the ‘No trespassing’ signs on one entrance, the second entrance is void of any notice. Local teens exploit this loophole and arrive equipped with flashlights. With a click of a switch, the beams of light reveal floor-toceiling graffiti.

But is this activity safe?

Upon first inspection of the drainage tunnel, one may see the surrounding Barren Creek and assume flash floods pose the greatest danger. However, there is something deeper, more dangerous, and practically invisible that is the culprit.

Joe Teresi, a retired senior engineer with the Palo Alto Public Works Department, reveals the truth.

“The way our [Palo Alto] weather is, it’s [the water is] gonna rise slowly,” Teresi said.

While water does run through the drainage tunnels, it is unlikely there will be a sudden onset of water. Instead, an invisible threat — stale air — may create the greatest risk. While the tunnel gets some natural ventilation, Teresi said that when going further down the tunnel there is a possibility of unhealthy air.

“Paint fumes, in addition to the already poor air quality,” Teresi said. “That’s probably the biggest risk to your lungs.”

As for the paint’s impact on the tunnels, Tersei said, “I was a kid once too. The paint part, it’s not

hurting anything.”

What may also be a concern is the furniture.

“The couches and stuff like that,” Teresi said, “If there were to be a high water event and the water starts going in the tunnel, and then that [the couch] gets pushed into the tunnel, that could cause a blockage. ”

The tunnel functioning properly is important in preserving Palo Alto’s creeks.

“It’s actually a pretty cool project because they [City of Palo Alto], by having the tunnel, were able to keep all these natural creeks…the kind of traditional way of fixing that was just a bit to make a big concrete channel to handle the water,” Teresi said.“But instead of doing that, they left the natural channel alone, both along Matadero Creek and Barron Creek[...]and they took the excess water and put it into these tunnels.”

The drainage tunnels are an innovative project and serve as more than a place to litter with empty paint cans.

“It was really a way to preserve a lot of the natural environment on those two creeks,” Teresi said.

Despite the tunnel’s use as a redirection for excess water, Teresi confirms that a flash flood is not a risk.

“I couldn’t ever see an incident where someone was in there while it was raining and all of a sudden they got swept away,” Teresi said.

However, Tersei does not condone anyone attempting to enter the tunnel due to the risk of inhaling unhealthy air and reiterates that people should not be bringing any objects inside.

“It’s not meant for people to go in, and they shouldn’t go in there,” Teresi said.

Editor’s note: Although the National Scholastic Press Association’s Model Code of Ethics condemns publishing malicious acts such as graffiti ( Section 1.8), we chose to publish this story and the corresponding photos partly due to the lack of barriers and notice around the Barron Creek entrance, and improper up-keep of the drainage tunnel. Reporting on this oversight is in accordance with another root value of the NSPA, integrity (Section 1.7). Though there is a the small wooden fence to discourage people from entering, this story was published to encourage the city to further maintain the entrance by ensuring proper signage and secure barriers are in place.

FALL LOOKBOOK

With the cooling weather and the sun hidden behind the clouds, darker colors are a must. Whether it’s dark purple, blue, or green, these hues complement the somber weather.

A dream fall combination: Dark denim, a timeless style, paired with the iconic Dr. Marten’s for a perfect grunge-edge. To enhance this look, dark makeup can be used as a seasonal tool.

photo by arjun jindal & kofi kim

Messenger bags have always been a staple, but after being heavily featured in Coach’s Spring 2023 runway, they have become an especially popular acceessory this season. Corduroy was originally used for work-wear, the fabric’s functionality has allowed it to last through the decades.

The clothing your grandfather wears is back in style -- sweatervests and patterneed knits are making an apperance this falll. Chunky jewellery can add an eye-catching element to an otherwise basic outfit.

text by anika nair & kat farrell

The beginning of October marks the start of fall with the weather cooling and sweaters coming out of closets. Artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute, a company for glass-blowing artists, sponsored the glass pumpkin patch on September 30 near the Palo Alto Arts Center. The area was surrounded by colorful glass pumpkins ranging in size and style, with pumpkins having witch hats as the stem or polka dots on the body. Prices for these pumpkins range from $40-$300 depending on size and detail. Furthermore, these artists host a glass blowing exhibit to showcase the process of making a glass pumpkin, n experience many haven’t seen before. Kids and adults alike gathered to enjoy this special show.

Jaentette Hartley, one of the glassblowers in the exhibition and an artist who makes halloween themed pumpkins has been glassblowing in BAGI for seven years.

“I just started watching videos on YouTube, and was like, oh my god, I already love it.”

Hartley then started working at BAGI, “we’re a non profit and we have an art glass center that has glass blowing torch work. So we do lampwork fusion, glass fusing, and hopefully starting a neon department pretty soon. We’re located in the San Jose History museum and all week long we do corporate events and private events and then we also have renters and like myself, I rent time to make my own art there too.”

This event is such a fun outing to mark the beginning of fall and pick up some new decorations for your home.

The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

text & photo by anika nair

text

& photo

by shreyas shashi & arjun jindal

Celebration of Light: Diwali

A look into how Diwali is celebrated in the Bay Area

Good eats: A dosa vendor serves traditional South Indian cuisine to children at the party, highlighting the importance of food in Indian culture and celebrations.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant Hindu festival, celebrated across many Indian religions symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In this backyard light strips and candles flickered, casting a warm glow. Friends and family gathered among the lights, sharing laughter and delicious food.

Unity in Diversity: Individuals from diverse backgrounds and castes gather to celebrate their life journeys over food and drinks.

text by amani fossati-moiane

Saltwater

serenity

photo by heiren noone

Giacomo Resmini and Tyler Kramer, two surfers who share a passion for the ocean, find tranquility amid the waves of Pacifica Beach. In the early morning light they paddle out, boards beneath them, ready to embrace the rhythmic dance of the sea. Pacifica Beach becomes their sanctuary, a place where their problems are replaced by the peace and beauty of surfing. Resmini and Kramer discover a profound serenity that only the sea can provide.

“The feeling of the cold water on my skin and the beautiful sunrise makes my day so good nothing could ruin it.”

“I really appreciate that when I’m out there I don’t have to worry about anything. It’s calming, being out there with the omnipotent power of the ocean. It makes my problems feel trivial.”

— Tyler Kramer

— Giacomo Resmini

Artist Renny shares experience, advice

Known on campus for her work in various art mediums, Renny Argast has won multiple awards, including a Scholastic national gold medal in drawing and illustration. We caught up with Argast in the Media Arts Center. This is what she said: art & photo by

How did you get into art?

It’s kind of just always been an interest of mine. I have a lot of friends who are in art, so having a lot of friends in an interesting studio makes it a lot easier to keep going with it. But yeah, I guess it’s just always been an interest of mine.

What kind of sparked this love for art?

What was your first art piece that you made or have you always been doing this since a young age?

My first art piece that I was proud of was this tree drawing. And then my sis ter ran over it with our vacuum. That’s why I remember it. But I don’t know, I just, I guess I’ve always been doing it.

And which piece are you most proud of now?

I made a film over the summer that was like 60 cumulative hours or something at work. So I’m pretty proud of that one. Yeah. And then I won a gold award, a national gold medal last semester. for an illustration piece. So I feel pretty proud of that one too.

What mediums do you normally prefer for your art and which do you use to express yourself?

I’ve been getting really into mixed media recently. So my most recent piece, I use Cyanotype printing. I made stencils and then I laid it over, the sheet of linen, and it created an imprint on the linen and that was really fun.

How do you balance artistic endeavors with academic responsibilities or other extracurriculars?

It got really difficult last year because I was taking like four advanced classes. But this year I really had to cut down on my academics, which wasn’t, it was, it was definitely a trade off. But I’ve been focusing as much as I can on art and honestly, schools kind of been coming second to me recently. But yeah, it really is just kind of a balancing act.

And finally, what advice would you give to other high school students who are passionate about art but aren’t exactly sure how to pursue it?

Find someone to look up to. I feel like having someone who represents a goal that you have for yourself can be really important in pushing yourself to try new things and taking new jumps.

text by anika nair & lucianna peralta

Digital cameras:

Even as new phones with state of the art photography features are launched, some Palo Alto High School students prefer digital cameras.

Digital cameras became popular in the 90s, replacing traditional film cameras because of their aesthetic appeal and effortless function.

Freshman Leilani Chen has had a digital camera since 8th grade.

“I took pictures of school life and our leadership class,” Chen said. “That was kind of one of my jobs … and I would take pictures of me and my friends.”

The benefits of having a Panasonic Lumix digital camera are its compact size, exposure, flash photography and waterproof qualities, according to Chen.

Chen alluded to the simple process of accessing images taken on her digital camera, as compared to film which needs to be taken to a camera shop to access the pictures.

“So you have to upload them, which is actually quite a short process and can be done on a computer or cell phone,” Chen said.

Instead of taking pictures on her phone, whenever junior Jessica Mann wants to take a picture she pulls out her Lumix camera.

“The reason I love using my digital camera is because it gives the pictures a more vintage old school look and to me, regular phone cameras don’t capture that same style. I like how the lighting is different, mostly more vibrant and colorful, which makes the pictures better” Mann says.

Equipped with a Power Shot ELPH 360 HS camera, junior Kira Longinova explains the primary reason for why she uses her camera as an alternative to her phone.

“I don’t have to use my phone’s storage,” Longinova said. “It’s got a [SD] card where I can store several years worth of photos.”

Digital cameras are a means for all students to embrace photography without professional equipment.

“I’m anything but a professional,” Longinova said. “So I really just do it for fun.”

Exposed

photo by natasha strauss

Incubator Spotlight

Palo Alto High School’s Incubator journalism class is currently home to seven publications: Anthro Magazine, [proof], Ink, Via Verde, Veritas, KPLY and The Paly Voice. Anthro Magazine has compiled some of the content these publications have previously produced to give a taste of what our class has been doing. We encourage you to check out these publications and if you’re a rising journalism student with big ideas, suggest your own!

Anthro is Paly’s social activism magazine. Anthro’s mission is to create a platform where students voices and opinions can be heard. Anthro seeks to spread awareness on issues and promote diversity.

Editors-in-Chief: Lucy Peralta and Evelyn Zhang

Website: anthromagazine.org

Via Verde is a travel magazine focused on discussing both local and international trips taken by the Paly community. Featuring photo essays and travel stories, Via promotes the celebration of different cultures within Paly.

Editor-in-Chief: Lara Su Dumanli

Submit your travel photos and stories to: viaverdemagazine@gmail.com

Ink is a literary magazine dedicated to student expression. Ink’s central mission is to create a platform for diverse student voices. Ink believe reading and sharing writing is vital to the writerly experience.

Editor-in-Chief: Sarina Grewal

Submit your writing to : literarymagazineink@gmail.com

Veritas is Paly’s science and technology publication. The publication is dedicated towards spotlighting students in STEM, and providing the latest news on technological advancements in Silicon Valley.

Editors-in-Chief: Vivian Tang and Divij Motwani

Submit your story ideas to: veritas.paly@gmail.com

KPLY is Paly’s online podcasting publication, providing campus updates via Quad Talks and features on campus culture. KPLY covers everything from cultural analysis to current events and student opinions. Listen on Soundcloud, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts: KPLY Paly Radio

Executive Producer: Saanvi Garg

The Paly Voice is a breaking news, online only publication that covers everything from school events to reviews on local restaurants and student profiles. The Paly Voice also features a podcast called Tone which covers current events and sports.

Editors-in-Chief: Anna Feng, Maxwell Zhang, Sophia Yang

Website: palyvoice.com

text by saanvi garg photos by amani fossati-moiane

Beading a Passion

Junior transforms a business into a personal joy

Beads are scattered across the table as Angeline Wei carefully threads a bracelet with purple and white orbs with clear string. After knotting the string, Wei, a junior at Palo Alto High School, positions the bracelet for a picture, which she then posts on her jewelry Instagram, @new._.leaf.

Wei began her jewelry business in freshman year, crafting necklaces, bracelets, and keychains, and has since then found love for the art of jewelry making.

“I used to make cards and so I kind of slowly drifted into making jewelry because I saw that, you could kind of sell it,” Wei said. “I sort of wanted to start like a little bit of a shop just to see where it would get me and then it just slowly became something that I really liked doing.”

Wei developed the brand through using personal connections and social media.

“I used my Instagram and slowly gained followers by also supporting other small jewelry brands just starting up,” Wei said. “It wasn’t a huge business, just something small for friends and people I knew.”

Upon entering her junior year, Wei found herself unable to keep up with the business. She instead discovered that what was once a business turned into a means of relaxation.

“When junior year started and began to ramp up, I realized I didn’t have the time to continue posts,” Wei said. “Personal struggles and other outside factors also meant I needed to focus on my health. You know school gets busy, so it’s been a while, but I do still make jewelry. It’s fun. I do it when I get stressed.”

for others.

“Most of my friends or people that I know can make orders through my Instagram where I post pictures of it [the jewelry]” Wei said. “Or if it’s time for me to give someone something [or] I want to make a gift for someone then I’ll set aside timeto make jewelry for them.”

For those interested in creating their own beaded pieces, Wei has ad vice.

“Find a lot of inspiration,” Wei said. “ I mean, I looked at a lot of dif ferent posts about how to make jew elry and a lot of different patterns,

“I sort of wanted to start like a little bit of a shop just to see where it would get me and then it just slowly became something that I really liked doing.”

and then you kind of just find your own designs.Just have fun with it, it shouldn’t be super stressful, it should be something that you know, you go to and you have fun and just make whatever you like.”

The skills necessary to create jewelry are skills that Wei employs in other ways as

and I think it’s a good skill to have to you know, make gifts for my friends.”

Despite not formally selling jewelry as often, Wei still enjoys making jewelry

“I do want to have the skills of crafts,” Wei said. “So being able to, you know, knit being able to make jewelry or do woodwork, I think it’s just really useful overall

A kaleidoscope of rare art

Looking into Palo Alto’s vibrant art community

Average storefronts in downtown make way for exuberant pop-up art shops along University Avenue, commencing Palo Alto’s Annual Festival of Arts. This event marked the 40-year anniversary on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27. Hosted by most notably, the City of Palo Alto and Stanford Medicine, the Festival of Arts is a weekend full of art vendors offering everything from self-portraits to glass-blown sculptures.

According to the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the event emphasizes the exclusivity of the already known exhibitors, as you will rarely see the works of a large percentage of the vendors

For Saul Calivilca, a two-time Festival vendor specializing in glass painting, a medium that’s not only rare but also hard to master, this event holds a special significance. Calivilca describes his experience as an exhibitor at the festival.

“I love it, the audience is great and honestly it definitely helps sharing my art with people I know would love it,” Calivilca said.

Calivilca mentions the festival’s impact on him, allowing him to share his love for art and teach viewers about double glass painting, a ‘forbidden’ art he’s mastered.

“Just to be given the opportunity to share my art is already an amazing chance and I’m really excited to show [them] the versatility of art,” Calivilca said.

student art gallery

We received many high-quality submissions to the gallery for this issue. Thank you to our contributors. Email proof.paly@gmail.com or visit the link in our Instagram bio (@proof.magazine) to submit for our next issue in spring 2023!

kofi kim

renny argast

ellery ames

heiren noone

jeremy dukes

ellery ames

kofi kim

arjun jindal

clive rudolph