Issue 3 - December 2023 by The Prospector

THE PROSPECTOR

HOLIDAY SUSTAINABILITY

OPINIONS

Anti-Homeless Architecture Should Be Abolished pg. 9

FEATURES

New Athletic Trainer pg. 16

NEWS

California’s Weather Phenomenon pg. 6

SPORTS

The Pressure of Body Image In Sports pg. 24

ISSUE 3, VOL 66 | DEC. 2023

Examining the consequences and solutions to holiday waste

IN THIS ISSUE

news

Watts The Plan?......................... 04 California’s Weather

investigations

Holiday Sustainability................... 18

Phenomenon............................ 06

sports

opinions

Devansh Patel............................. 22

Anti-Homeless Architecture Should Be Abolished................. 09 TikTok’s Harmful Perpetuation of Consumerism....................... 12

Athlete of the Month: The Pressure of Body Image In Sports..................................... 24

postscript

Cupertino Math............................ 26

features

Cafeteria Staff............................. 14 New Athletic Trainer.................... 16

What Winter Aesthetic Are You?...................................... 27

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THE PROSPECTOR

STAFF 2023-2024

photo editors Evan Lu Rishita Shah

editors-in-chief Jolie Han Lisa Zivanic Sania Mehta

online editors Alexander Liu Andrew Qin Hailey Ryu Joyce Lee Katie Kim Rishita Shah

news editors Andrew Qin Benjamin Liu opinions editor Shaona Das features editor Angie Li investigations editor Benjamin Liu sports editors Alexander Liu Hailey Ryu postscript editor Jolie Han copy editors Anoushka Gokhale Joyce Lee Riya Malik Shaona Das

business manager Anika Rao writers Amrita Brar, Brian Kuo, Ira Lele, Jeongwoo Choe, Katie Mak, Miya Widman, Nikhil Krishnaswamy, Nitya Dhulipala, Noah Kang, Scarlett Guy, Victoria Hunt, Yeechen Pang, Zain Haseeb

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dear Reader, Happy Finals Week! As we navigate the challenges of concluding the first semester, we bring you a blend of seasonal comfort and joy, along with a recognition of the tasks ahead. The latest on the city’s plan to establish its own electric utility, “Watts The Plan?,” provides a spark of hope for more reliable and renewable power, but existing infrastructure issues temper expectations, as Nikhil Krishnaswamy examines on page 4. The holidays also cast light on ongoing struggles with self-image and identity, accentuated by society’s ideals of beauty and success. Amrita Brar and Brian Kuo, on page 24, unpack the pressures student-athletes face regarding body types. And while the glittering lights and festive feasts of holiday celebrating evoke comfort and nostalgia, consumers must be conscientious about waste, as explored on page 18. From Christmas tree options to excessive gift packaging, small changes can reduce negative environmental impacts.

advisor Ann Shriver

As you seek warmth from winter’s chill, we hope you find it here as well – through stories both uplifting and enlightening. Let us mindfully celebrate the people and planet we hold dear.

Editorial Policy

Here’s to a bright holiday season and a peaceful new year ahead! Sincerely, Jolie Han, Lisa Zivanic, Sania Mehta

“The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed by or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach and discuss content during the writing process. The staff of “The Prospector” seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Cupertino community in an accurate, professional and unbiased manner. “The Prospector” will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy. If you believe an error has been made or wish to have your opinion expressed in “The Prospector,” please contact us via mail or email. Letters sent become the sole property of “The Prospector” and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy. “The Prospector” editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy.

NEWS

WATTS THE PLAN?

San Jose considers implementing its own power grid for new development

NIKHIL KRISHNASWAMY

A writer

4 | DESIGNED BY ANDREW QIN

t 8 p.m., house lights blink off suddenly. Air conditioners stop humming, and refrigerators turn off. The power has gone out in San Jose once again. Average annual power outages in California have been on the rise, and the San Jose City Council has been exploring ways to address this problem. Furthermore, their solution aims to provide power to new developments in the area, such as the San Jose Mineta International Airport and Diridon Station substations. Wrote Gabriel Greschler from the Mercury News in late September, San Jose’s City Council voted unanimously in favor of establishing a new department, “San Jose Power,” a city-run electric utility that aims to provide reliable, low-cost pow-

er.

After a series of debates and discussions, the council’s decision to push for San Jose’s own public utility department advents a new phase towards sustainability and cheaper electricity in their city. “Today’s vote is really only about studying the potential for offering a second option for delivery of power to new developments,” Councilmember David Cohen said at the San Jose’s City Council meeting. The City of San Jose will operate San Jose Power under the Energy Department, similar to San Jose Clean Energy, a non-profit electrical supplier in San Jose established in 2019.

100%

San Jose Power promises 100% renewable energy as opposed to PG&E’s 40%

15 to

SJCE’s Public Information Representative Sarai Rojas explained the reason for the establishment in an email interview. “ The primary driver to approve the formation of San José Power was to allow the city to file an interconnection application with LS Power, the company developing the energy infrastructure.” This would grant the city access to the transmission grid, s a i d Rojas. Granted a c cess, San Jose Power

25%

The city’s initial early study estimates 15% to 25% cost savings on electricity

Santa Clara’s public utility service, Silicon Valley Power, offers 50% lower residential rates compared to companies like PG&E. would then be able to distribute its energy without setting up its own infrastructure. The city’s initial study estimates 15% to 25% less cost on electricity and promises to use 100% renewable energy, compared to PG&E’s 40%. Tim McRae, senior vice president at Silicon Valley Leadership

els, power outages can damage IT systems, leading to corrupted files and broken equipment. San Jose’s high population of tech companies makes the effects of a power outage substantially more harmful to the community. Nanci Klein, San Jose’s economic development d i -

“

TIM MCRAE

”

NEWS | 5

rect o r , said residents will not have to choose between PG&E, SJCE and now San Jose Power. The new utility will instead target new development in need of power, rebuilding and expansion, such as projects G r o u p , like the San Jose Mineta Internadiscussed PG&E’s tional Airport and Diridon Station current situation and recent power substations. outages. San Jose Power plans to genSaid McRae, “I know there’s a erate its own electricity rather than level of frusfrom an tration with ffiliation I KNOW THERE’S A awith PG&E […] San You don’t just LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION Jose Clean wave a mag- WITH PG&E […] YOU DON’T Energy. An ic wand and JUST WAVE A MAGIC WAND a f f i l i a t i o n have a funcwith SJCE tional mu- AND HAVE A FUNCTIONAL w o u l d nicipal utility MUNICIPAL UTILITY WITH mean uswith cheaper CHEAPER COSTS ing their costs and no existing interconnecpower for tion backlog.” distribution. HowOther than electricity loss in ever, doing so would prevent San homes, according to Foster Fu- Jose Power from reaching its goal

of using 100% renewable energy, as SJCE’s energy is only 60% from renewable sources. They plan to have two high-voltage power lines running through San Jose by 2028. California Independent System Operator, the nonprofit that provides electricity for nearly 80% of California, has approved and funded the construction of the new power lines. In the San Jose Spotlight, Ben Irwin wrote about San Jose Power’s timeline for achieving their goals. “The council won’t make its first major financial decision on San Jose Power until 2025. The earliest a customer could start receiving power from the municipal utility would be 2028, according to the city”

CALIFORNIA’S

WEATHER PHENOM Exploring the strange climate pattern affecting California weather ANIKA RAO | ZAIN HASEEB

business manager | writer

pcoming heavy rainstorms will alter California’s 2023 winter weather thanks to regular climate pattern El Niño, but these storms will make little to no difference in California’s longterm drought. El Niño, a recurring cycle in which regional humidity and temperature fluctuate, has made Cupertino wetter and warmer every two–seven years since well before its establishment as a farm town and later a technological powerhouse. Historically, the storm was harmful to agrarian Cupertino, flooding farmland and washing away soil. However, since its shift to the tech industry in the mid 1960’s, industry in Cupertino is af-

fected much less by these storms nia out of the drought, than it was 50 years ago. Advanced Placement EnvironGlobal warming, which has mental Science teacher Andrew increased the planet’s average Goldenkranz focuses his curricutemperatures, combined with the lum particularly on how deposits added water from melting glaciers of groundwater, called aquifers, circulating are esin the water sential for IT’S UPCOMING AND k e e p i n g cycle, intensifies the WE HAVE NOT BEEN HIT soil intact, more huWITH BIG STORMS YET. BUT p r e v e n t mid weathing sinkWE’RE REALLY JUST AT THE er patterns holes and BEGINNING. WE’RE JUST sustaining Cupertino residents CupertiGETTING STARTED. have exno’s diANDREW GOLDENKRANZ perienced. verse naThis intive plant crease in life. These rain and potentially snow may aid aquifers take around 10 years to in replenishing Cupertino’s dams, replenish, and it is because of that but El Niño has not pulled Califor- limit that California may stay in the

“

”

6 | THE PROSPECTOR

How El Niño Forms

Under normal conditions, equatorial winds blow from east to west, generating storms in Southeast Asia.

This weather pattern creates a counter current as cooler water travels to the west and rises to the surface through a process called “upwelling.”

95%

ENON drought for the time being, regardless of how much rain the state receives this upcoming winter. Aside from California residents’ hope for drought relief, there is an overarching need for Cupertino’s inhabitants to be particularly watchful this storm season. Increased rainfall and humidity may overexert the saturation capacity of local soil, which has grown accustomed to many consecutive dry years. Since soil acts as a major water sink for the rain, oversaturated soil leaves a higher chance of rain flooding the concrete roads designed for dry weather, which are unfit to handle rain. So far, Cupertino has already had a few bursts of rain this winter due to El Nino, and this will continue to persist based on recent

odds that El Niño conditions continue through March. forecasts. “It’s upcoming and we have not been hit with big storms yet. But we’re really just at the beginning.We’re just getting started,” Goldenkranz said, referring to the prior rainfall received in the city. While it is unlikely that El Niño rain levels will reach a high enough level to warrant evacuation in Cupertino, citizens without shelter in both Santa Clara County and other counties closer to the coast, such as Santa Cruz County, may experience difficulty finding a roof to stay under, especially with the little shelter the citys’ designs offer due to their basis on California’s typical dry weather. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue until late April to early May

number of ‘strong’ El Niño’s that have occured since 1951.

71%

chance of a “stronger” El Niño this year.

5-7

El Niño typically happens every 5 to 7 years.

NEWS | 7

Eventually, the cycle creates a pushback effect, sending warmer water and storms to the East, affecting areas like California and Peru.

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OPINIONS

ANTI-HOMELESS ARCHITECTURE

SHOULD BE ABOLISHED Discussing constructive alternatives to hostile architecture

OPINIONS | 9

A major ethical concern regarding anti-homeless architecetal partitions divide all ture is that it maintains a polarized surfaces in sight. Armrest perception of a person’s characlook-alikes split benches ter and lifestyle based on socioin half. Spiked metal fences line economic status. Many argue for ledges. Boulders lie under window anti-homeless architecture with sills, just conspicuous enough that the sentiment that homeless peotheir presence makes passersby ple should not be on the streets of the homes and businesses that wonder, “Why is that here?” residents pay to inhabit. However, this argument addresses the While these objects all seem wrong issue — the reason why harmless enough, the agenda be- most homeless individuals occuhind them is actually much more py public spaces is because they antagonistic. Design elements do not have options for private such as the ones listed above residences. Utilizing hostile arimplemented within public spac- chitecture against the homeless es are known as community does hostile architecnot provide them with residence, ture and are typiavoiding cally placed to reMANY BEGAN COV- thereby the issue, and only pel the homeless ERING SPIKED AREAS causes more probcommunity from WITH CUSHIONS TO lems for other comoccupying public MAKE THEM MORE munity members, property or using COMFORTABLE FOR including those it as housing subTHE HOMELESS — with disabilities stitution. THEY HAVE EVEN GONE and mobility issues AS FAR AS POURING CE- that are preventAcross the MENT OVER ARCHITEC- ed from accessing nation, California TURE TO FORCE THEIR much-needed placis the state with es to sit or rest. REMOVAL.” the largest homeNOAH KANG less population. The few homeAccording to a less shelters cur2021–2022 study rently offered are by the University of California, frequently underfunded and overSan Francisco Benioff Homeless- crowded, and often lack privacy ness and Housing Initiative, more and stability, which is why many than 171,000 people in California unhoused people avoid them. The experience homelessness daily funding that goes into implement— almost twice as many as New ing metal spikes or bench dividers York, the state with the next high- could more beneficially be used to est homeless population. 30% of provide resources that help homeless people find a residence or the United States’ homeless popimprove those currently offered. ulation and half of its unsheltered In particular, the California govpopulation reside in California. ernment should make a greater effort to tackle the root of the homeHowever, anti-homeless ar- lessness crisis by reforming their chitecture is not a true solution to unemployment insurance funding the problem — it only perpetuates as well as implementing new netstigma against homeless people works within California’s housing and does not address the causes system. JOYCE LEE | NOAH KANG

copy + video editor | writer

39%

of the US’ homeless population resides in California

*According to a study conducted by the Benioff Homeless and Housing Initiative

50%

of the US’ unhoused population resides in California

*According to a study conducted by the Benioff Homeless and Housing Initiative

20K

homeless people in San Francisco noted that unemployment and expensive housing removed them from their homes

10 | THE PROSPECTOR

*According to a study conducted by the Benioff Homeless and Housing Initiative

“

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20,000 individuals from San Francisco who experienced homelessness in 2022 noted that unemployment and expensive housing were some of the main contributors to their homelessness. Countering the myth of “homeless migration,” the idea that the majority of homeless people in California arrived in the state after losing their housing, the aforementioned UCSF Benioff Homeless and Housing Initiative study revealed that 90% of participants previously lived in California prior to becoming homeless.

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THE FEW HOMELESS S H E LT E R S CURRENTLY OFFERED ARE FREQUENTLY UNDERFUNDED AND OVERC ROW D E D, AND OFTEN LACK PRIVACY.

”

JOYCE LEE

ever, the state government can implement other alternatives besides just funding. There have been numerous calls to action to make housing a human right in the constitutional amendments. Additionally, further political solutions have been suggested, such as laws that ease restrictions for homeowners who would want to build a second house, called a duplex, within their homes. Other than that, civilians have been taking daily measures to counter these pieces of architecture. For instance, many began covering spiked areas with cushions to make them more comfortable for the homeless — they have even gone as far as pouring cement over architecture to force their removal

alternative that could tackle the root of homelessness. More funds for housing would be effective in reducing homelessness. For instance, in 2023, California recently invested $8.1 billion in housing, shelter and supportive services, which would alleviate the homelessness crisis by reducing housing prices; how-

OPINIONS | 11

Unemployment insurance is a program of financial aid for workers who have been recently laid off — it is currently one of the most used methods by laid-off workers, helping millions across America. During the Coronavirus, the federal government gave billions of funds per state for UI. Despite this, the California government was still in twenty billion dollars of debt under this program by 2022. To pay off these debts, the government instituted higher taxes for low-wage workers and small businesses, discouraging them from working. California could potentially clear this debt by making taxing to fund UI propor-

tionate to full-time minimum wages, which could expectedly raise ten billion dollars in a year with just an average tax of two percent. This would provide greater financial aid for unemployed workers and encourage employment. Ultimately, alleviating the amount of debt the California UI program is under could benefit the employed and unemployed financially, proving to be a possible

TIKTOK’S HARMFUL PERPE

Analyzing TikTok’s detrimental

MIYA WIDMAN

12 | THE PROSPECTOR

writer

rom Ugg boots and corset tops to flared leggings, TikTok users are constantly being marketed a shiny new product that adheres to current trends. When people blindly follow such crazes, they feed into overconsumption and fast fashion, supporting damaging ethical and environmental practices. Home to thousands of influencers that cater to various audiences, TikTok’s algorithm effectively drives consumerism in its users and creates a materialistic environment through targeted marketing and promoting short-lived trends. Social media’s influence on constantly evolving trends and styles creates an occurrence commonly labeled as ‘micro-trends.’ The consumerist mindset users adopt leads to them overbuying items, resulting in severe environmental consequences like pollution and the draining of natural resources. Prior to social media, the fashion industry was the fastest-changing industry, with 20 years per trend cycle. However, today, cycles move at increasingly faster rates, usually concluding in five or fewer years. Seemingly, as soon as a trend reaches a consumer’s feed, it is no longer popular due to the rapid discarding of trends. Trends that go out of style almost as soon as they have reached

consumers can only be offered by cheap and unsustainable brands, whose impact on the environment is detrimental. Their effect can be seen through expansive landfills where clothing releases methane gas, as well as plastic fibers and toxic dyes polluting the ocean. For d e -

“

THOUGH HALTING TIKTOK’S INFLUENCE ON CONSUMERS COMPLETELY IS IMPOSSIBLE, SHOPPERS MUST PRIORITIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY AND AVOID PARTICIPATING IN INSTANT GRATIFICATION.

”

MIYA WIDMAN

cades, cultural, social and economic factors have shaped fashion trends. Due to the increased prevalence of digital communication, fashion trends have started to rise and fall at a significantly faster rate. TikTok has fueled microtrend distribution, allowing users to endlessly scroll through videos catering to their every desire. With products going viral daily, customers feel rushed to obtain the newest trend, resorting to cheap retailers. Whether it is

a newly desired aesthetic or massive hauls from retainers such as SHEIN, TikTok’s platform normalizes buying a new outfit for every occasion and constantly needing to reinvent one’s style. Through this strategy, micro trends gain significant traction for a short period of time, then go completely out of style. Rapid trend cycles cause consumers to adopt a wasteful mentality, creating a pattern that is detrimental to the environment. The majority of consumers cannot afford trendy, high-quality products for every new trend and, therefore, purchase from fast fashion companies. Fast fashion companies are able to cut costs by underpaying workers and opting for inexpensive, non-biodegradable materials, sacrificing product durability for affordability. When these clothes go out of fashion or break down after a couple of wears, they create massive amounts of waste for the environment, with 85% of all textiles going to the dumps yearly, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Influencers are the backbone for launching new fashion crazes, motivated by brand deals and sponsorships. Given the large number of aspiring influencers on the app, smaller creators purchase trending products to make reviews, hoping to go viral and piggyback off the product’s popularity. In recent months, user’s feeds have been flooded with videos promoting products using TikTok’s new shop feature. This

TUATION OF CONSUMERISM

effects on consumer culture

new implementation allows users to browse and buy products within the TikTok app, offering huge discounts as incentives. Creators utilize this update for their own benefit by raving about a new product and linking it in their videos, making the buying process extremely quick and easy for consumers, further driving overconsumption. Additionally, viral products such as the Lululemon Define Jacket and Stanley Cups are expensive for the average buyer. Often, creators recommend similar or almost identical alternatives, referred to as “dupes,” to bridge this gap. However, these replica products are typically produced using cheap materials created under unsustainable practices. Due to poor-quality materials and rapid trend cycles, these low-quality items typically end up in landfills. They are then incinerated, releasing toxic substances into surrounding areas and poisonous gasses into the atmosphere. The fashion industry uses 10% of all water used industrially in factories, taking approximately 3,000 liters of water to produce one cotton

t-shirt. Though halting TikTok’s influence on consumers completely is impossible, shoppers must prioritize quality over quantity and avoid participating in instant gratification. Instead of purchasing three low-cost shirts that will last three washes, consumers should buy from local and online thrift stores such as Goodwill, ThredUp and other ethical, sustainable brands. These alternatives will be longer lasting and also benefit the environment, saving money long term. Consumers can reduce their negative environmental impact by shifting the focus to buying smaller amounts of sustainable, timeless clothing. It is also important to hold influencers accountable for their own consumption by encouraging them to stop promoting overconsumptioly. Without change from influencers, impressionable consumers start to think that what they see on TikTok is normal, from ten-step skincare routines to thousand-dollar Shein

hauls. TikTok is a huge driving factor in the rapid increase of consumerism. The responsibility is in the user’s hands to be conscious of their shopping habits at a deeper level: understanding which companies they support in terms of environmental and ethical practices and exploring online and in-person thrift stores or alternative, sustainable brands

FEATURES

CAFETERIA

Staff and student cafeteria workers share their experiences

ALEXANDER LIU

14 | DESIGNED BY ANGIE LI

sports editor

ehind every brunch and lunch is Debbie Herrera, the Cupertino High School Food Services Manager, who ensures every student is fed. Herrera leads a group of staff and student employees who keep track of ingredients, make food, and serve them each school day. She is a seasoned professional in the food industry who worked in fine dining establishments before her time as Food Services Manager. “I’ve worked at the Four Seasons, the Fairmont, I worked at the Marriott, I was working in high-end restaurants,” said Herrera. Initially working for International Machines Corporation, Herrera was given an opportunity to attend San Francisco Culinary School, and after graduating, worked for 15 years for a Marriott hotel. Said Herrera, “I learned everything in the hotel, from being a hostess to bartender to cooking to ordering to prepping for holiday events.”

Herrera began a new chapter of her culinary career 12 years ago, when she talked with her employer about working for a school district. After years of working in hotels and high-end restaurants she saw a clear benefit to this new career. “[It] got to an end where I just didn’t want to work holidays anymore. I just got tired of it,” said Herrera. One of Herrera’s duties as Food Services Manager includes turning raw ingredients into presentable items that students like. When making recipes, Herrera meets with other managers in the school district to make plans for the future. They ensure the food they serve complies with state and federal regulations by monitoring sodium, carbs and fat intake. A manager’s idea for a recipe needs between six weeks to several months to be fully brought to the school’s food system. With Herrera’s experience making present-

able dishes in high-end restaurants, her skills translate well into creating new school food recipes, like an upcoming super burrito. “We have to incorporate compliance and [also throw] something in there, like cilantro rice, that’s going to make it look and taste good,” said Herrera. Planning school food is very specific. Herrera’s team records data for ordering future shipments of ingredients. “You have anywhere from 800, maybe 900 kids that will [get food]. We have a production sheet, write down how much of each item on the menu and make about 875 servings” Herrera said.“From there, we count at the end of the lunch pe-

STAFF

preparing and serving students during brunch and lunch Cafeteria staff receive government funding and food from vendors and donations from the Department of Defense. With her experience,

IRA LELE

However, Cazangiu learned to be more independent and focused. He ties this to the factor of not just working with other students, but adults as well. Working alongside individuals with more experience raised the bar of what to expect coming into the kitchen. Additionally, student workers and cafeteria staff must work in tandem to maintain an efficient process of distributing food services by being aware of the several jobs each member handles. Cazangiu highlights how communication is key in order to stay on track and prepare nutritious food for other Tino students. Both staff and students employees must coordinate timing, share information, and stay organized to avoid potential hazards and keep on track. Working at the school cafeteria is convenient for

F writer

rom producing fresh brunch spreads of warm baked goods each morning to curating safe lunch options for every student, Cupertino High School’s cafeteria staff is essential to the CHS community. Students from campus also have the opportunity to work alongside cafeteria staff to gain job experience in food service. Junior Stefan Cazangiu works alongside other student staff to take care of essential behind-the-scenes tasks. Often setting up different food arrangements, they also help maintain cleanliness throughout the kitchen and wash dishes. Cazangiu initially felt confused at his new job. “I would be wandering around. I was asking what to do or how to help,” Cazangiu said.

Herrera keeps the school lunch program well-organized and allows students to enjoy healthy food

Stefan Cazangiu Student Worker

students who want flexibility and recognizable faces without the worry of a commute to get to a job. Cazangiu describes that he discovered the opportunity in a school email and realized that it was a good way to earn money while staying on campus. “I like contributing to something. Even though me and the other student workers don’t do as much as the staff, we’re still helping out,” said Cazangiu

FEATURES | 15

riod, how much food we have left. [For example,] we [served] 868 servings, this is what we have left over, [and] that’s how we monitor how much you guys eat.”

NEW ATHLE Cupertino High School’s new athletic trainer offers

igently treating athletes’ injuries and attending their games. As the sole athletic trainot much compares to the er, Kurani takes care of all 500 sheer thrill of human com- athletes at CHS, setting up each petition – though the agony game with water jugs, cleaning of defeat by injury comes close. up after games, spending hours Though people rarely consider leading athletes through rehabilinjuries when thinking of sports, itation, taping them up and manthe fact is that many athletes aging paperwork. In comparison, spend their time just the University of a misstep away California, BerkeI WANT [INTERNS] from potentially ley, has 25 athletic TO LEARN ABOUT THERcareer-ending intrainers, tending APEUTIC EXERCISE, TO juries — especialto 900 athletes. TALK TO THE STUDENT ly after Cupertino Thankfully, KuraATHLETES BUT AT THE High School’s preni does not work SAME TIME, [CORRECT vious athletic trainalone. He is asTHEIR EXERCISES] er, Katelyn Watts, sisted by student left at the end of AJAY KURANI interns in his room the 2022–2023 who help him treat school year. Fortuthe influx of athletes who appear nately, Ajay Kurani, a former per- after school hours. sonal trainer with a background Kurani first encountered in sports medicine, joined CHS’s the field of sports medicine when staff for the 2023–2024 school a friend treated a tennis athlete’s year as a new athletic trainer, dilinjury, inspiring him to pursue the field. From there, he joined an extremely valuable program: UC Davis’s sports medicine program. The sports medicine program inspired Kurani’s changes in the previous student internship p r o gram. “I am going to run [the internAthletic Trainer JOLIE HAN | VICTORIA HUNT editor-in-chief | writer

“

16 | THE PROSPECTOR

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Ajay Kurani

ships] the same way UC Davis ran it [...] to get a lot more handson experience,” said Kurani. “I want [interns] to learn about therapeutic exercise, to talk to the student-athletes but at the same time, [correct their exercises].” In a 2022 interview about the student internship program with The Prospector, Watts said, “It’s not just athletic training. You can go into athletic training, you can go into [physical therapy], you can go into nursing, you can go into pre-med — there’s so many different medical careers that you can get into.” Kurani shared the same sentiment, “[Even] if you choose not to go into s p o r t s medicine or the medi c a l

ICE

TIC TRAINER insight on his work and the internship program field, everything you learn here will help you.” For senior Trent Jordan, the internship program pushed him to pursue sports medicine in college. Jordan has interned at the athletic trainer’s office since the beginning of the 2022–2023 school year and has continued through this year as well. “I tend to get injured often and [having] more knowledge of how to help myself and my teammates got me interested. That, along with seeing what Katelyn could do for all the athletes,” said Jordan in an email interview. “The idea of having practical skills that I could apply and having general knowledge of myself and my teammates drew me to become

“

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Trent Jordan

FEATURES | 17

1 LB

an intern.” current athletic training facilities, With the absence of the from repairing the school’s golf athletic trainer at the beginning cart to making use of a storage of the school year, there wasn’t room. “As athletic trainers,” he much he or the other interns said, “we’re happy with what we could do. However, have. But if there’s Jordan took over room for improveBEING ABLE TO the athletic trainment, you have to GET HANDS-ON EXPERIer’s office followstart the process.” ENCE HELPED ME REALing Watts’ leave, Although KuIZE THAT THIS IS SOMErecording videos rani continuousTHING I WOULD LIKE and hosting sesly strives for imTO CONTINUE TO DO IN sions to teach provement, he has COLLEGE AND FOR A other interns how had a great exCAREER to tape, handle perience at CHS. TRENT JORDAN injuries and more “The students during an unstable have been helping period of temporary or missing me adapt to the situation, and the athletic trainers. staff here is amazing,” he said. Said Jordan, “The ab- “I’m happy where I am [...] I’m not sence of a full-time trainer left a looking anymore, this is my last lot of sports needing help and a job.” lack of opportunities for interns.” Students interested in inDespite this, interning and terning with CHS’s athletic trainer helping others has been very can contact the Cupertino Sports rewarding. “I found myself Medicine Club getting to know people who were in the training room often very well,” stated Jordan. “Being able to get hands-on experience helped me realize that this is something I would like to continue to do in college and for a career.” While Jordan focused on improving student interns as best as possible, Kurani hopes to also improve all aspects of the school’s Intern

INVESTIGATIONS

Holiday Sustainablity I N V E S T I G AT I O N S

18 | DESIGNED BY BENJAMIN LIU AND NIKHIL KRISHNASWAMY

TION I D E Y A D I HOL

HOLIDAY WASTE

Examining the Consequences and Solutions

The Problem NITYA DHULIPALA writer

awareness for E-waste. The founder Sashank Iyer and team member Manas Rajkumar emphasize that the E-waste is not only environmentally hazardous but also commonly processed in third-world countries, which can lead to damages done to the country’s environment and the workers due to poor work conditions and treatment standards. During the holiday season, deforestation increases due to the cutting down of trees for paper products such as cards or wrapping paper. The Clean Air Partnership noted that the simple task of recycling the entirety of wrapping paper in the United States can create the energy needed for 185 gallons of gasoline. The nonprofit environmental organization also reported that 50,000 trees are cut down annually to make 8,000 tons of wrapping paper. There is a significant rise in deforestation during this time, which is largely attributed to the selling of Christmas trees. Every year, many

25%

Increase in waste from individual households in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s

50,000

Trees are cut down annually to make 8,000 tons of wrapping paper.

INVESTIGATIONS | 19

hrough the destruction of trees to create wrapping paper and heightened levels of consumerism, the waste Americans generate during the holiday season has substantially increased. Some of this waste includes the billions of holiday cards purchased in America annually, the influx in wrapping paper and product packaging, the number of trees cut down and the energy it takes to light up a single house with electric lights. Even the process of returning gifts takes its toll on the environment. The culture of consumerism in America promotes giving numerous gifts, some of which the receivers may not need or have any intention of using. This ideology significantly increases waste generated throughout the season. Stanford University’s Waste Reduction, Recycling, Composting and Solid Waste Program’s research noted a 25% increase in waste from individual households in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Consequently, the release of greenhouse gasses escalates when this waste is disposed of in landfills. Another reason for this increase in greenhouse gas emissions is the large amounts of non-recyclable products such as packaging, cards, and wrapping paper being manufactured. This manufacturing process significantly strains the planet’s resources more than regular paper products would. Online shopping, especially after the pandemic, has also been

a large contributor to packaging and paper waste. This form of shopping is much more detrimental to the environment than in-person shopping trips. This is also why returning products through e-commerce leads to much more packaging waste than in-store. In addition to waste from decorations and wrappings, owners of old electronic products generate E-waste by quickly exchanging them for newer versions of iPhones, laptops and TVs. “Not only is there much more waste generated, but when people buy things for cheaper like during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they care less about them, so they’re more likely to leave it in their house or throw it away and dispose of it improperly, which I think compounds on the fact that there are more people buying electronics during this time,” stated junior Winfred Lin, a representative from Rooted in E-waste, an on-campus student organization dedicated to reducing and raising

Food Waste □ Save and reinvent leftovers □ Be sure to serve your meals using reusable plates/ bowls and utensils! □ Plan meals ahead of time □ Buy ingredient from local sources

Red uce W aste

during the holiday season, leading American cities to be 20-50% more visible from space in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than the rest of the year, NASA notes from satellite data collected from 2012 to 2014. With many holidays in this short time, including Diwali and Hanukkah, the months become synonymous with celebration and extravagance. While this way of celebration may be more appealing, the irreversible impacts of human beings’ irre-

Way s to

people choose to purchase real or plastic trees, both of which have their impacts on the environment. The National Christmas Tree Association reported that 25-30 million real Christmas trees are chopped down and sold in the US every year. While plastic trees are a reusable option, the product’s material is harmful to the environment. When these plastic trees are disposed of, they will take thousands of years to decompose. The diverse environmental impacts that arise during this time also include light pollution from electrical lights and their damaging effects on nocturnal wildlife. These lights adorn many houses

sponsibility can be catastrophic. Although steps are already being taken on a large scale to mitigate waste during the holiday season, there is still so much that students can do to combat this growing issue of climate change

E-waste □ Dispose of E-waste properly at local E-waste recycling sites □ Trade-in old devices for new devices

Decoration □ Decorate gifts with natural fabric bows and ribbons instead of disposable plastic ones. □ Wrap presents in cloth, newsprint, kraft paper, old calendars or maps. Or use baskets, tins, or cloth gift bags.

20 | THE PROSPECTOR

Gift Selection □ Purchase electronic gift cards or vouchers instead of plastic gift cards □ Choose gifts made from sustainable textiles like wool, linen, organic cotton or material that are plastic-free, nontoxic or biodegradable □ Get crafty and make your own gifts( knitted hats and scarves)

□ Give experiences(lessons, spa days, restaurant gift certificates, or outdoor activities like skiing or dog sledding) □ Opt for second-hand clothing and toys □ Give reusable gifts to reduce usage of single-use products

Efforts to Reduce Waste BENJAMIN LIU | LISA ZIVANIC news + investigations editor | editor-in-chief

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IT’S A WIN-WIN, YOU CAN SAVE MONEY AND REDUCE YOUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. ALANA LOWRIE

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Environmental Services Department’s Integrated Waste Management Division. To further reduce the waste generated from presents, Lowrie proposed multiple creative methods to be thrifty and climate-aware at the same time. Said Lowrie, “It’s a win-win, you can save money and reduce your impact on the environment and climate change.” To reduce wrapping paper, gift givers can reuse gift bags or use the box that already comes with online orders. Lowrie also suggested making gift tags out of previous holiday cards by snipping out graphics and making the to & from gift tags. Instead of choosing multiple little boxes if there are more than one gift, consumers should choose one large box. Goldenkranz emphasized the importance of having a mindful travel plan with the goal of combating extra gas emissions from unnecessary routes. Similar principles apply to cooking foods for holiday feasts as careful planning beforehand can prevent

massive food waste from being generated in the first place. “In APES we did a whole package on the environmental impact of turkeys for Thanksgiving. I think really the key is to be thoughtful. When it comes to ingredient selection, staying local is key. “The best advice that we give is to purchase higher percentages of the food from less than 100 miles away; whether that means farmers market or buying locally sourced,” stated Goldenkranz. Aside from individual strategies to combat waste, the city of San Jose and Cupertino both set up programs to raise awareness about waste management and collect waste from residents. The city of Cupertino is hosting curbside Christmas tree pickups from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, 2024. Additionally, they have instructions for the disposal of Christmas string lights and food waste on their website. Lowrie also mentioned their departments sent out annual holiday outreach messages to inform residents about what goes where to reduce recycling contamination. Hopefully, these city efforts coupled with individual awareness can reduce the total waste generated during the holiday season

INVESTIGATIONS | 21

espite the current excessive culture behind holiday consumerism and festivities, there are still many ways to reduce waste. From live trees and sustainable presents to planned travel and meals, there are ways to celebrate the holiday that are not at the expense of our planet. Tino’s Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher Andrew Goldenkranz recognizes that neither buying fake or real cut-down trees are suitable options because fake trees increase landfill waste while cut-down trees increase deforestation. This leads to debates about the true sustainable option for Christmas trees. “What a lot of people are doing is they’re going to a living tree that’s in a barrel on wheels, so that it lives outside for the rest of the year and then it brings it in so you’re not dealing with a new tree every time,” Goldenkranz said. By utilizing a low-packaging option when shopping for gifts, consumers can further reduce waste. Said Goldenkranz, “Increasingly, you see people focusing on gifting experiences rather than things. So people are like ‘I will make you dinner’ or ‘I will babysit your kids’ or ‘we can go to the movies together’ or something that’s more of an experience than an object and that tends to have less packaging.” Furthermore, giving a repurposable gift such as a reusable boba cup can significantly help create a sustainable gift-giving culture. “Depending on your re-

cipients’ level of comfort, you can inspire them and get them thinking about eliminating some of these single-use items.” stated Alana Lowrie, the environmental program manager for San Jose’s

22 | DESIGNED BY HAILEY RYU

SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

DEVANSH PATEL

HAILEY RYU

sports editor + social media manager

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SPORTS | 23

unior Devansh Patel spends countless hours at school across seasons: conducting the marching band in the fall, blocking goals on the soccer field in the winter and hitting over the net on the volleyball court in the spring. Patel plays both soccer and volleyball and is the head drum major of Cupertino High School’s marching band. Patel began his music journey in sixth grade. “I joined band [...] because my sister told me our middle school teacher was the best teacher she’s ever had. And she wasn’t wrong. [...] I’ve stayed in band because I really love the saxophone. I also love the people that are in band,” said Patel. This past band season, Patel was the youngest head drum major of the band program for the first time since 2020. Although the role came with significant responsibilities, Patel enjoyed it, especially with the help of the other drum majors. “Having the correct and consistent tempo over the course of the entire season, and also setting the example for the band was hard, especially in the beginning, but [...] the two other drum majors really made my job the easiest,” The three drum majors worked as a team and split the work among themselves. “When you have a team as good as the one I had with those two [...] we can work together and make our band the best.” Patel describes this season as successful because the band took steps to become a high-per-

forming group, tried their best and list of tasks that must be completmarched a show choreographed ed daily. harder compared to years before. “[When seasons overlap,] I get “Just this year, we became to school and I stay at school for a Western Band Association band, the whole day, almost 12 hours. a circuit with bands performing at [...] I guess over the weekends, a much higher level than circuits I just have to put in the work, like we’ve been in before. So we didn’t [finishing] all my homework, so get the placement that most of us over the week, I don’t really have wanted; however, now we know to worry about that.” how to get better for next year,” Patel has faced challenges as said Patel. he takes on more responsibilities, After the fall marching band especially as a junior this year. season wrapped up, Patel joined “I think, obviously, time manhis first year on the boys Varsity agement is a pretty big challenge. soccer team as the goalie, having As I get more engrossed in these played on Junior Varsity the past activities, [for example] in marchtwo years. ing band, I took up a leadership Patel has played soccer since position, so my priority is for me to fourth grade, as it was his favorite be there.” sport. His commitments can affect “I play goalkeeper, so my fa- his athletic performance as well. vorite part is definitely not letting “I can never really focus on in a last-minute goal [...] saving getting better on one specific a shot in the last moments of a sport, so usually I just go into a game,” said Patel. season blind, not really practicing Patel joined beforehand, but it’s the Junior Varsity okay,” said Patel. volleyball team in Patel works out SOME OF THE freshman year as BIGGEST [THINGS I’VE situations where an outside hitter. LEARNED] ARE OB- his practices overPatel discovered VIOUSLY PUTTING IN lap by being transvolleyball in sixth YOUR EFFORT WHEREV- parent with coachgrade when at- ER YOU GO es and the band tending tryouts and director. DEVANSH PATEL made the team. “Also, I Said Patel, “ I think, just putting in found a lot of cool people [playing the most amount of effort you can volleyball] and it was super fun, so during tryouts and during the seaI stayed. [...] [I like] the plays when son, because that’s going to help the ball goes kind of far away from with getting better at the sport that the court and you have to hustle you really like,” said Patel. behind it. And then, you know, get Patel plans on playing all three it back up.” sports in his senior year. Managing multiple sports and “Some of the biggest [things time-consuming activities can be I’ve learned] are obviously putting difficult. Patel has learned to be in your effort wherever you go. [...] more proactive than usual, creat- being able to push through, that’s ing habits such as writing down a obviously really important”

THE PRESSURE OF BODY IMAGE IN SPORTS Student athletes discuss the pressure behind obtaining a body suitable for athletics AMRITA BRAR, BRIAN KUO

24 | DESIGNED BY ALEXANDER LIU

writers

weat drips down the back of your neck, your heart pumping rapidly. You breathe hard, hands braced on your knees. Another long day of training is finally over, and you’re one step closer to achieving the body you’ve been told you need to be successful in the sport you love; but at what cost? Many students struggle with the pressure to maintain or conform to a certain body type to succeed athletically, a taboo issue that manifests differently within various sports. In basketball, for example, the “ideal body” is often described as tall, with long limbs and a strong back. On the other hand, for a sport like gymnastics, preferable features include being small, with a linear build and narrow hips. The negative consequences of these stereotypes can snowball into athletes experiencing body dysmorphia, disordered eating, dips in their self-esteem and other issues. Ballet is a primary example of a sport wherein athletes’ bodies are placed under extreme scrutiny from a young age. With a strict, unbending image of what a “perfect” dancer should look like, an environment where body-shaming is the norm is easily cultivated. “You have to be pretty skinny, with really long legs and long arms. You’re supposed to look really light when you’re dancing, so I guess the skinnier that you are, the lighter you look, and that could be a plus when you’re performing,” stated a long-time competitive ballet dancer at Cupertino when discussing how the desirable features in ballet improve one’s performance.

Though many athletes put pressure on themselves to attain a particular body type due to social media comparisons or hopes to go professional, constraints are also often placed on athletes by their own coaches and teachers. “When I was still going to a more competitive ballet school, the teachers would give pretty negative comments about your body type and your weight,” the ballerina said. “I know that multiple dancers got an eating disorder from their teachers or from looking at other dancers and kind of comparing themselves.” A figure skater who attends CHS shared the same opinions. In a competitive sporting environment, coaches and parents often pressure athletes to have the desirable body. Over time, small comments from parents can evolve into athletes experiencing negative body image and in-

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YOU DON’T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE TALL.

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STUDENT ATHLETE

security, often leading them to question quitting their sport. “There was this one competition right after the pandemic where I didn’t compete because I thought I looked fat in my dress, and I didn’t want anyone to see me like that,” the figure skater said. For this athlete, the pressure had culminated into an insecurity that affected their athletic per-

formance. For many sports where body shape can assist athletes in performing higher-level movements, a different type of pressure regarding body type exists as well. Even if one possesses a body type deemed as ideal for the sport they play, one may still feel an immense need to uphold such standards. This can often lead to a burden to maintain an unrealistic body and cause mental and physical health problems. Said the skater, “I feel a little bit [of distress] because I have longer limbs and I feel like people always point that out to me. They’re always like, ‘Oh, you’re so lucky.’ And I feel like when people compliment me, I feel more pressure than when people say negative things because I feel like I need to live up to the expectations.” However, some athletes disagree with this notion. “In middle school, I felt pressure [...] you feel pressure to work out arms and take more action to be stronger,” said a volleyball player. “But for high school, even for volleyball, you don’t necessarily need to be tall. There are other positions, and having a unique playstyle and just [an] understanding of how to play is more important.” In the end, many athletes at CHS still feel pressure to fit the supposedly ideal body type for their sport, which can lead to mental stress. Both coaches and other athletes can contribute to this, and can even lead athletes to consider quitting. And while some athletes may not feel this way, it is undeniable that in many sports, body types play a big part, and teenagers may be affected by the toxicity generated by an athletic environment

SPORTS | 25

POSTSCRIPT Checking your grade book for a test score even though it’s been five minutes since you finished Calling in sick for one class to study for another

Putting a Cupertino spin on the popular “girl math” trend ANGIE LI features editor

You are hungry but have no money so you randomly click vending machine numbers hoping someone forgot to press “complete” and left their money in it

26 | DESIGNED BY JOLIE HAN

Three hours of sleep is enough because you took a two-hour nap after school Getting boba every day actually saves you money in the long run because it motivates you to study

Waiting for cars to pass so you can jaywalk saves time compared to just walking to the crosswalk

Using your time to calculate your grade depending on all the different outcomes of a test instead of just studying for the test

Winter Formal Rizz For Winter Formal, you plan a romantic proposal to ask out that special someone and submit it to @tinoaskings on Instagram to potentially score free tickets. Group chats are primarily used to coordinate with friends.

Stressed Out! With finals week approaching, you study intensely because good grades are your main source of validation. Sleep deprivation settles in, forcing you to develop an unhealthy dependence on caffeine, as the fate of your transcript relies on your performance on final exams.

IT’S TIIIIIME~ Immersed in the holiday spirit, you are actively on ChristmasTok to find inspiration for winter activities to fulfill. You transform your room with festive decorations and stream Christmas music the moment Thanksgiving ends.

KATIE KIM podcast + social media editor

(Fake) Cryophobic As a cold hater, your ideal winter vacation is an escape to a tropical destination. You prefer enjoying chilled fruit smoothies on warm beaches while everyone back home sips on hot chocolate for warmth.

POSTSCRIPT | 27

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE FINALS You are already checked out and on “break mode.” Pajamas are essential to your winter fashion. Your routine mostly consists of daydreaming, napping in class, and often arriving late to school — a habit your teachers have grown accustomed to.

WEBSITE: CHSPROSPECTOR.COM INSTAGRAM: @CHSPROSPECTOR PODCAST: THE PROSPECTOR PODCAST FLICKR: THECHSPROSPECTOR