LIFESTYLES The whitewashing of cottagecore pg. 26
NEWS Interviewing restaurants during the pandemic pg. 04
FEATURES Student run fashion brands pg. 08
OPINIONS
MASS DATA COLLECTION The government’s use of mass data surveillance
ISSUE 5, VOL 63
The issue with romanticizing cities pg. 16
THE PROSPECTOR
STAFF
editors-in-chief Joan Thyagarajan Henry Ma Megumi Ondo
copy editor Avinash Pandit Jenny Wu Ananya Anand
news editor Arnav Vishwakarma
photo editor Kavya Kaushal business manager Nachiket Kherai
opinions editor Raissa Ji
online editors Norman Chow Kevin Jia Meghana Vinjamury Anand Ashar
features editors Arushi Arora Sonia Patil lifestyles editors Katelyn Chu Saniya Laungani investigations editor Juliet Shearin Rajasi Laddha sports editor Hyunjun Kim perspectives editor Theresa Nyugen postscript editor Kriti Kaushal
writers Ankita Acharya, Lawrence Fan, Alexandria Hunt, Stella Jia, Megana Kashyap, Keerthi Lakshmanan, Joshua Lee, Rachel Park, Sarah Pollans, Sanat Singhal, Keerthana Venkatasubramanian
advisor Ann Peck Editorial Policy “The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed 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 a 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 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.
A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dear Reader, It has been one year; one year since we were able to go to school, one year since we have been able to hug our friends, one year since we were able to see each other’s smiles. During this unprecedented time we have been looking forward to that day in the future when life finally returns back to normal, and in this issue we explore what that future might be. For many students here at Cupertino High School, by the time the pandemic has finally subsided, they will be in college. Our writer Kriti Kaushal on page 32 as she explores the transition from highschool sports to college sports with CHS alumni Oriana Jalal, Yooni Park and more to learn about this tremendous shift our beloved seniors will soon be making. Countries across the globe have launched spacecrafts on a journey to Mars in efforts to one day possibly send a human rather than just a rover. Join writer Kevin Jia on page 20 as he considers the possible repercussions of this groundbreaking advancement in the exploration of the final frontier. While we may be reaching for the stars new boundaries are being crossed back home with mass data collection becoming increasingly common in many nations. Join writers Avi Pandit, Jun Kim, and Lawrence Fan on page 22 as they explore the past, present, and future of mass government surveillance and the implications it has. While this year has been a trying time for us all, we continue onward and we genuinely hope that a bright future lies ahead of you. Sincerely, Joan Thyagarajan, Henry Ma, and Megumi Ondo
CONTENTS NEWS 04
LIFESTYLES
Perseverance rover landing on Mars
05
Bollinger road improvements
06
Interviewing restaurants
Whitewashing of Cottagecore
28
Gen Z has it easy
30
Representation of BIPOC in castings for movies and TV shows
SPORTS
FEATURES
08
26
Student-owned fashion brands
32
What it is like playing a sport in college
PERSPECTIVES
OPINIONS 16
The Issue with Romanticizing Cities
36
Spring Allergies Satire
20
Why we should not land on Mars
38
If classes were assigned due to MBTI type
INVESTIGATIONS 22
Mass data collection
PHOTOS BY STELLA DEMETRIOU
photos PHOTOS BY SANIYA LAUNGANI
POSTSCRIPTS 40
The anatomy of my trash can
41
Learning to love my curly hair
PHOTOS BY KRITHIKA VENKATASUBRAMANIAN
NEWS
Perseverance Lands on Mars ARNAV VISHWAKARMA
4 | DESIGNED BY ARNAV V
news editor
On Friday, February 19th, Mars gained a new habitant — a one ton, SUV sized rover that would embark on a journey to find life on the now desolate planet and further humanity’s exploration into reaches beyond our understanding. Perseverance was launched from Earth about seven months prior and touched down safely with a similar system to the one that Curiosity used years earlier, all while filming the descent for the whole world to watch. The rover has an array of instruments that it utilizes for navigation and taking photographs. A Lot of these systems are similar to those of Curiosity, but it also has a few specialized instruments specific to its mission. One instrument that Perseverance carries is MOXIE, a machine that aims to input the CO2 that is abundant on Mars, and convert it into oxygen that can be used for getting rockets off the surface of Mars or for breathing. Perseverance is also making history by carrying a drone that will be launched on the Martian surface for the first time ever. The drone, Ingenuity, is stowed away under Perseverance and is designed to scout terrain ahead in order for route mapping. While its battery life is only about 90 seconds, as it has to spin its blades at about 2800rpm to fight the thin Martian atmosphere, its success would demonstrate that flight is viable on Mars. Although Ingenuity can assist the rover in scouting terrain ahead, this is not something that the rover needs to utilize very often because it only moves at speed of about 0.1mph.
Curiosity, 2012
Perseverance has many goals and purposes, but the primary one is to search for signs of microbial life that may have existed on Mars. Using its various spectrometers, it is able to analyze rock samples and determine if life had existed on Mars before, given that the previous rovers had determined that Mars may have been suitable for life once.
“We built the rover not just to land but to find and collect the best scientific samples for return to Earth [...] they set the stage for future robotic and crewed missions.” - Mike Watkins, JPL Director Part of determining if there was life on Mars also includes mapping the weather and season cycles, which is done by meticulously gathevring data on water vapor and dust levels within the atmosphere, as well as overall weather patterns using its compact environmental monitoring station. Radiation Detectors provide data on the radiation present on Mars, which is an important metric for one of the other goals of Perseverance — preparing for eventual Human exploration on the planet. Perseverance was not only an impressive scientific feat, but it is also a major step towards advancing humanity’s presence outside our current world. Its mission will help us understand how life was formed, advance current technology, and advance as a species for many years to come
Opportunity, 2004
Spirit, 2004
Sojourner, 1997
Cupertino Road Study
NACHIKET KERAI business manager
Throughout the last decade, Cupertino has seen its fair share of car collisions with bikers and pedestrians. Previous collisions over the past few years in Cupertino have been a driving force causing Cupertino’s push for biker and pedestrian safety. Examples like a pedestrian killed by a car while walking on Bollinger Road in 2013 and the death of a Monta Vista High School student after a truck-bike collision have been motivating causes. In Cupertino’s attempt to improve the safety it’s residents, the city is working on multiple projects. Currently the city of Cupertino is working on some Bollinger Road improvements. After the aforementioned collision at Bollinger Road, Cupertino has been working with San Jose on a study to monitor the traffic and overall pedestrian and bike safety at the roads intersecting Bollinger.
“Key goals of the study include improving bike lanes, cross walks, pedestrian ramps, and sidewalks”
Satellite Image Courtesy of Google
500 ft 200
NEWS | 5
Another concurrent project that Cupertino is working on is the Regnart Trail, which aims. The goal of this project is to create a trail from the library to creekside park which is only bike and pedestrian accessible. This project is part of Cupertino’s ten10 year Bicycle Transportation Plan. The implementation of the Regnart Trail will not only increase pedestrian and bike traffic but also make it much safer. Cupertino has also recently completed multiple new projects. The city has revamped the intersection of Finch Ave and Stevens Creek by adding. The city has added one more crosswalk to the intersection and revamped the turn-
ing lane onto Finch Ave. These improvements significantly make the intersection much safer. Previously,In the past the intersection was not adequate for the large number of foot and car traffic coming from Cupertino High School. By adding one more crosswalk, intersection is made much safer by allowing more space for students to cross the road.Adding one more crosswalk allows more space for students to cross the road making it much safer. The revamped right turn lane also makes it much safer for cars to turn onto Finch Ave while avoiding collisions with pedestrians and bikers. Cupertino has also recently added improvements onto McClellan Road, a very narrow road.. The road is very narrow. Prior to the improvementsIn the past, there was little space separating the bike and car traffic. The city has added short barriers to create a physical separation from the bike lane and the car lane. Max Wang, a frequent biker and walker, appreciates the revamped intersection at Stevens Creek and Finch Ave, “I believe that the Mainstreet crosswalk is a welcoming change because, in addition to reducing crowdedness, it has reduced any incentive to jaywalk across the main road to get to the intersection, thus lowering the possibility for pedestrian injury”. Wang is also a fan of the upcoming Regnart Creek Trail, “I am a fan of the Regnart Creek Trail, I’d enjoy having the ability to easily, quickly and safely go from the library to creekside park”. Cupertino’s new road improvements are a step in the right direction. Allowing for safer roads and bike areas can reduce the chance of dangerous collisions within Cupertino. Especially around schools, it is extremely important for the city to continue improving the crosswalks and roads as traffic can get overwhelming for many pedestrians, bikers, and drivers throughout the day
6 | THE PROSPECTOR
Local Restaurants through the Pandemic
KATELYN CHU lifestyles editor
With 2020’s economic scene largely dominated by COVID and its influence, restaurants have not been exempt from the negative impacts including rates of employment dropping and decreased business sales across the country. Restaurant and shop owners have had to adapt in order to stay open and continue operating.
As of January 25th, California’s regional Stay at Home order lifted in Santa Clara County and consequently, more restaurants started opening up. However, this does not erase the millions of jobs in the restaurant and food industry lost due to the pandemic. Though some have recovered in the recent months, across the country, the numbers on employment and sales are not back to the same level as they had been before March of 2020.
According to the National Restaurant Association, total sales at eating and drinking places from March to November of 2020 were 192 billion dollars below the projected values. What are called “eating and drinking places’’ mainly comprise the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry, and before the pandemic started, they accounted for approximately 75 percent of all restaurant and foodservice sales.
NEWS | 7
members and were built through word of mouth. When I created new, unique dishes, I would offer them up for delivery in the group which kept [XLB Kitchen] fresh in people’s minds.” Similarly, Dr. Limin Hu, a serial entrepreneur, saw opportunities in light of the challenges presented by the pandemic. “I have to cook more now, so I partnered with the owner of multiple restaurants to create pre-prepared gourmet kits. People can order online and enjoy their favorite meals from these restaurants at home,” said Hu. “Restaurants have lost alAnother aspect restaurants have to worry about during these times is taking the necesmost three times more jobs sary safety measures to ensure customers feel compared to any other incomfortable. Aside from the constant sanitizing, dustry.” mandated masks and making limited contact deliveries -- a task she single handedly underA staggering 5.5 million jobs were shown to be takes -- another thing Guo did was “After cutting revoked last April alone in data from the Bureau back on [her] team, [she] gave all [her] remaining of Labor Statistics, and still in January of this year, employees full-time jobs because it reduces the around 19,000 jobs risk, as they don’t have were lost, according to also work another job to the US Department else and “What was really touching somewhere of Labor. Additionally, be possibly exposed to more than 110,00 eat- to see was when they said ‘I COVID there.” ing and drinking busi- want you to stay here’ and And despite the nesses closed in 2020. many setbacks and proSaid Kathleen Guo, then gave tips that were two cedural changes food the owner of XLB Kitch- to five times the amount the service stores have had en, a local restaurant endure throughout order cost. [...] In times like to that serves handmade this pandemic, when “xiao long bao” and tra- these, good character really asked if COVID had any ditional Shanghainese positive impacts, said shines through.” food, “in the first three Guo “The customers, months our income in the first three months dropped, 70 percent.” were really supportive of Larger chain companies like Panera Bread also my business and I”. struggled, with the company “[having] to close Though undoubtedly devastating economithe Sunnyvale location permanently due in large cally to many businesses and challenging to the part to the pandemic,” according to Tara Vo, a workers, with restrictions easing up and vaccine shift supervisor at Panera. However, the tolls of the pandemic are not solely economical, but also “Restaurants who have survived personal and stressful mentally. Vo faced mant challenges with “many anti-maskers” refusing to have done so because they wear masks and Guo spoke to the strain of wakadapted, and with their invening up every day and checking to see if she is sick or has brought the virus home to her young tivness, some might even come son. out of the other end stronger.” In order to survive these brutal times, restaurants have adapted different ways to bring in customers and retain business. Describing one methadministrations progressing, hope for a return to od she employed to help business, said Guo, “I ‘normal’ may be on the horizon turned to social media and formed my own message groups on WeChat for the local Cupertino and Saratoga areas. Both chats have over 200
FEATURES
COURTESY OF GOOGLE
COURTESY OF MEL GIBSON
FEATURES | 9
10 | DESIGNED BY ARUSHI ARORA
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NAVEED
STELLA JIA writer
Inspired by his love for music, senior Naveed Armin pioneered the founding of “6KWORLDWIDE” based on a group called SIXK consisting of different artists working in the music, photo, and video industry. Said Armin, “It all began in relation to one of my friends who is a musician named Eli 6k. He makes songs online and I really liked his music so I started drawing out designs around the 6k symbol.” After Armin showed Eli his designs, one event led to another and he started making sample shirts with the iconic 6k graffiti logo. The process of building the clothing brand was far from over. As the lead, Armin
I want 6k to become a unique streetwear brand but also in the future as I learn more and establish my skills to have more custom one-on-one pieces
FEATURES | 11
handles multiple aspects of the business including designing clothes, monitoring social media, building the website, and managing money. While setting up an online presence for “6k,” Armin began releasing more designs. Said Armin, “In the beginning, everything I put out was all a learning process. I’ve learned the ins and outs, and what I should and shouldn’t do as a business.” To help set the 6k brand apart, Armin made a unique Glock sleeve tie inspired by the well-known clothing brand Bape and its iconic ape symbol. The addition of the sleeve tag can be found on all of their pieces. Some of Armin’s earlier designs include the
classic 6k purple tee, fallen angel hoodie, and slime green logo hoodie. Said Armin, “I have full design control on the clothing aspect of 6k. I try to incorporate everyone’s thoughts and creativity from 6k when it comes to designing my pieces. All in all, being as creative as possible is key and I’m excited about our future plans.” As Armin continuously works to grow 6k, his work has started to get noticed and praised by some wellknown artists. One of the most recent additions to the brand is the Thugger tee (featuring rapper Young Thug) which was recognized by the rapper. Said Armin, “I had the opportunity to come in contact with Young Thug himself. I tried to send the Thugger tees to people on his team and they ended up recording him putting on the shirt and he probably said the best thing possible, ‘I mess with the shirt.’ That was a dream come true. He’s one of my favorite artists and an inspiration for the kind of mindset I want to be in.” As some artists began repping the brand, 6k has been able to gain some more credible attention giving it a very positive outlook. Although Armin has been on a short break this past month to catch up on schoolwork, his future plans for 6k are far from over. Despite his busy schedule, he utilizes social media to interact with all his supporters. Said Armin, “The support really means a lot. When it comes to building something or establishing yourself, consistency is important. After finding that consistency, just keep doing what you love and what brings you joy. I like creating things and hope to continue doing that in the future”
12 | THE PROSPECTOR
PHOTO COURTSEY OF YASHIK DHANARAJ
JENNY WU copy editor
FEATURES | 13
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear about a student entrepreneur? “People don’t think I actually work. They think that my business is just there.” Said senior Yashik Dhanaraj, founder of UrbanFits, a minimalistic men’s fashion line striving to provide quality clothing at affordable prices. Contrary to popular belief, Dhanaraj spends a majority of everyday working on his business. Said Dhanaraj, “I think it was 2019, and I was kind of going through a rough time by myself. I wasn’t really proud of my self image so I got into self care.” Searching for interests and a potential career to pursue, Dhanaraj got into fashion, which gave him more confidence in his appearance. Having been a part of clubs like Future Business Leaders of America, he began exploring entrepreneurship. Officially launching his store August 10th of 2020, Dhanaraj actually began working on his fashion line five months prior, when the lockdown started in March. Said Dhanaraj, “When school shut down, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to start this,’ because I had a lot of free time, but I was also having trouble finding clothing brands that I was happy with.” In comparison to designer brands like Gucci and Supreme, Dhanaraj values his customers’ wallets and their appearance. Said Dhanaraj, “Let’s take a Gucci shirt for example. I think that t-shirt is $500. That t-shirt, from my experience, can be made with $2. And out of that $2, you would spend 50 cents on the screen print to get the logo on it. Then, the rest is for the t-shirt, and their markup is $498. People save up so much money to buy it, and when they get it, they don’t even wear it as much because they figured out that it’s not cool.” Not only does he create his own products, Dhanaraj also empowers his customers to express themselves with a blank canvas through minimalistic fashion. By including his own Men’s Style Guide, Dhanaraj attempts to connect with his website users through fashion advice by showing them the basics to making the most out of an outfit. Said Dhanaraj, “If you think about larger stores, they think of their customers as a number that they can add to their profit. For me, it’s not like that. It’s more to tell them about the minimalism lifestyle, my story and how to better yourself through this medium. I even refer to people as ‘dude’ or ‘brother’,
because I feel like anybody who’s been through the same thing as I have just wants to get better. They’re kind of like family to me, and I want to make them feel better about themselves.” With his goals in mind, let’s take a look at what must happen for Dhanaraj to put an item on his store. First, he does product and market research to find something that is in trend and fits his ideals. Said Dhanaraj, “I would look at what materials I should use. For example my chain is stainless steel and my shirt is bamboo, which is environmentally friendly.” Next, he finds a manufacturer that makes the same kind of item and begins designing his product. Said Dhanaraj, “I would draw a sketch. For example, how I would want the links to go, how I want the pendant to connect to the necklace and any different variants and colors.” After designing the chain, Dhanaraj polishes it on Photoshop and sends the design back to the manufacturer. Usually, it takes around three rounds of feedback before the manufacturer accepts the design and sends a sample for Dhanaraj to test out. Said Dhanaraj, “That’s the biggest part. I wear it in outfits that I think matches, check the color-blocking and test the wear and tear of it. If it was a shirt, I would put it in the washer or the dryer and see what happens. If it fades or shrinks, I would have to change materials.” Once he’s set on a product, Dhanaraj figures out how many pieces he should make and determines his marketing strategy. Said Dhanaraj, “There’s a waiting period of three weeks to one month where I’ll do product pictures. If I need to get a model, I’ll try to do an Instagram photo shoot and make sure that it’s included on the Instagram shop so customers can see the price and directly go to my store. I also add it to the style guide so that customers know what accessories I’m talking about there.” Needless to say, running a clothing business by yourself takes a lot of work, and Dhanaraj finally began seeing his efforts pay off when he began getting noticed by others. At times, influencers would reach out to Dhanaraj willing to promote his products on platforms like Instagram, Youtube and TikTok. Said Dhanaraj, “I’m especially proud when happy customers come back with advice or even asking me for advice.” With a bright future in mind, Dhanaraj hopes to hire more employees and potentially start a Youtube channel dedicated to his journey with UrbanFits
14 | DESIGNED BY SONIA PATIL
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBER YAO
MEGHANA VINJAMURY social media manager
Sophomore Amber Yao’s interest in sewing sparked from her ample amount of free time in March 2020. Around the same time, she discovered a couple of small businesses that manufactured little bandanas for puppies. After purchasing a few for her pup Mochi, she realized how expensive they are and decided to make them herself. Within a few weeks, she opened Bark Apparel Co. to offer affordable (and adorable) bandanas for all puppies. Starting a small business seemed daunting at first. Yao mentioned that when she first began Bark Apparel Co., she was confused about its logistical aspects. Having a few friends who had experience in small businesses proved to be extremely helpful. Said Yao, “I must have bugged Adventurous Pup Co. a dozen times on how to do my business taxes and how to sell on Etsy.” Taking other similar businesses as an inspi-
Taking other similar businesses as an inspiration enabled Yao to work harder and motivated her to keep going despite her challenges
FEATURES | 15
ration enabled Yao to work harder and motivated her to keep going despite her challenges. Said Yao, “Tails Up Pup was such an inspiration because the founders were able to quickly grow their brand, as well as make it their full-time job. I think seeing the success of other similar businesses is so encouraging because it shows that there is a market for my product and gives me hope for achieving that kind of success someday.” After a couple of product launches, Bark Apparel Co. gained traction among many furry companions. “I think one of my proudest moments of Bark Apparel Co. is when I started shipping my products internationally. I have shipped all over
the world to places like Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. It is so amazing to see pups all around the world in my bandanas.” said Yao. One of the critical factors to Yao’s success was her model and ambassador team. “Another thing that makes me proud of Bark Apparel Co. is that it has an amazing model and ambassador team. They promote my launches, purchase from my shop, and help me decide on future launches.” Feedback from her supporters is a crucial part of the design process. Said Yao, “In the beginning, I usually pick out way too many fabrics, but would then ask my followers which ones they like and which ones they don’t. Doing this helps me narrow down my choices, and I purchase the fabrics that more people prefer.” Additionally, she asks her followers for suggestions on products they would like to see in the future and how she could improve her shop. Said Yao, “Having this kind of feedback is what helps me improve Bark Apparel Co. the most, as I get to know what my customers like and dislike.” A common challenge that most students face when they open a small business is managing their company and personal life simultaneously. “Finding the right balance between finishing my schoolwork and fulfilling online orders was hard at first, but after a year, I have developed a good rhythm that works for me. I have dedicated days for cutting all my fabric, sewing, and shipping my orders. I also sometimes multi-task; for example, I often watch my favorite TV shows while I cut or sew fabric” said Yao. Yao intends on reaching 300 items sold, 4,000 followers on Instagram, and 200 followers on TikTok soon. Some of her long-term goals are to collaborate with popular dog influencers, send packages to all the U.S. states, and partner with nonprofit organizations to raise money for their causes
14 16 | THE PROSPECTOR
OPINIONS
The Issue With Romanticizing
The City [BACK COVER]
KRITHIKA VENKATASUBRAMANIAN writer
You’re standing by the window of your 30thfloor apartment with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. You watch the sun setting behind the magnificent New York City skyline, stretching out in all directions. Cars crawl lazily in the roads beneath you, their occupants heading home after a long day at work. You turn around to your stylishly decorated apartment, placing your coffee mug on your spotless glass teapoy, as you water the bonsai tree on your windowsill. Most of us have had these dreams at one time or another. We’ve imagined living in a city like New York or Paris or Seoul. We’ve daydreamed of love-at-first-sight stories under the Eiffel Tower or fantasized about grabbing a frappuccino at Starbucks on our way to our Manhattan offices. This isn’t entirely new—cities have drawn people for centuries. Urbanization began with the industrial revolution: urban areas quickly formed as factories were built and those who worked there decided to live closer by to cut down on travel time. The US transformed from a largely rural country to a metropolitan landscape. Today, 82.4% of the US population lives in urban areas. Somewhere along the way, though, the narrative shifted. Moving to a city wasn’t just about pursuing jobs anymore; cities developed an air of mystery a n d wanderlust around them.
People took it upon themselves to explore these mysteries, and we began to romanticize cities. But it’s only when you try living in a city that you realize that those daydreams you’d been chasing were far from reality. I experienced this myself, having lived for three years in Bangalore, India (a pretty big city). I’d always imagined cities as places of adventure, and sure, there was lots to do in Bangalore. However, that was eclipsed by the fact that traffic was so bad that driving 2 miles to and from work sometimes took my father 4 hours (not exaggerating). Very rarely are houses smack in the middle of the city. Those that are never feel like a quiet spot; you’re likely to be woken up at 3AM because someone decided to blare their car horn. Also, car lanes? Cars? Driving? In? Designated? Lanes? Never heard of it! The main factor in the romanticization of cities is the media. Many movies and TV shows are set in cities. Films set in the US are usually set in New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, and these cities are idealized as places where you can go, chase your dreams without a care in the world, and live your best life. TV shows like FRIENDS portray adults in their 20s cheerfully navigating
people took it upon themselves to explore these mysteries, and we began to romanticize cities.
Apart from this, the media often fails to consider that everyone has different financial situations. Most people living in New York City won’t have apartments that are nearly as well-furnished or convenient as the one Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler, and Phoebe lived in. Most can’t afford to wear designer clothing or dine at upscale restaurants daily. As one internet user aptly described it, “IMO,there’s New York City and there’s NEW! YORK! CITY! Most tourists visit N!Y!C!, I live in NYC. Actually living in N!Y!C! would be like trying to permanently live inside a birthday party.” The same problem exists in popular media worldwide. Many romance films, for example, are set in Paris, France, and show the main characters exploring picturesque parts of the city, like the Eiffel Tower or le Louvre. However, this is a very one-dimensional portrayal of the city. Paris is not just the home of the Mona Lisa and the city of love; we often forget that real people with real problems live there, and that the city has its infrastructural issues: poor public transit, littering, and rodents, to name a few. If you look deeper, these issues are ubiquitous in cities around the world. Korean drama films, or Kdramas, are another example. Many who watch them believe that their depiction of Korean culture and lifestyle is 100% accurate, and aspire to live in Seoul and imitate that lifestyle without realizing that what they’re seeing is, like in all media, a heavily manicured depiction. This isn’t a critique of the films themselves; after all, they are meant for entertainment and do not claim to depict reality. But when people take them at face value, it leads to a starry-eyed view of a place that will instantly be shattered should one try to live there. Still, cities can be lovely places to live. They have their positives: proximity to many amenities, many new places to explore, etc. Honestly, despite sometimes spending significant portions of time moving at 2 miles per hour on a highway, I loved Bangalore as a city. There’s nothing wrong with liking cities or planning to live in one day— just make sure you’re not falling into the trap of romanticizing them without realizing that they have their negatives just like any other place
OPINIONS | 19
KEVIN JIA website manager
The Red Planet, otherwise known as Mars, has been the talk of the town for decades with NASA launching spacecrafts from Pathfinder in 1996 to Perseverance in 2020 and SpaceX preparing to launch the first crewed flight in 2026. However, the number of hazards displayed by previous generations of spacecraft, such as mechanical failures, has brought people to think: should we really land on Mars? Mars is 55 million kilometers away from Earth, at the minimum, and the distance increases as the Earth orbits around the sun. Thus, the journey between Earth to Mars would take around eight to nine months. Anything wrong can happen within that time frame: mechanical failure, starvation, freezing, or loss of oxygen. Even if the crew can make it, the conditions on the planet itself are harsh. Humans would have to be able to adapt to the change in their environment like temperature changes and lower gravity. It also comes with the risks of crop failure, global dust storms, or lethal doses of radiation. Mars also has a lack of natural resources needed to survive on the planet like toxic soil and water. Global dust storms carry small particles of dust at speeds ranging from 33 to 66 miles per hour. They can cover large areas for a few days but sometimes have been noted to cover up the entire planet for weeks nonstop. This is an extreme hazard against those who want to colonize Mars, because though the severity of the storms may not be extreme, the amount of dust accumulation and radiation from static electricity can pose a large threat.
The issu human exp
on mars Along with these hazardous conditions, the most common worry about landing on Mars is the lack of oxygen. The atmosphere on Mars carries little to no amounts of oxygen with over 95% of the atmosphere consisting of carbon dioxide and only 0.13% being oxygen. This would force those on the planet to wear space suits at all times or build a camp that provides a sustainable amount of oxygen for months until they can receive a new supply or produce enough on their own. If anything were to happen to the crew, sending out a rescue team from Earth would be more difficult than surviving on the planet. Communication between the two planets would take a long period of time as it ranges from five to twenty minutes depending on the orbit of both Earth and Mars. Sending out another spacecraft to rescue others would take even longer, as the crew, spaceship, and other resources would be needed to be found before liftoff with an additional eight to nine months.
20 | THE DESIGNED BY RAISSA JI 14 PROSPECTOR
Anything wrong can happen within that time frame: mechanical failrure, starvation, freezing, or loss of oxygen
ue with ploration
s
However, some may argue that exploration and colonization on the Red Planet would be beneficial, as the catastrophes can be avoided by sending rovers on Mars — this is what NASA has been doing with their new rover Perseverance. Perseverance has successfully landed on Mars recently and has been roaming the planet and collecting data. Now, using rovers to scope out the area may be effective, but the more rovers sent out to explore the land before we do, the more the demand for us to provide financially increases. Many space rovers have already been sent out in the past, but a majority of them have been a failed mission with only five successfully landing on Mars. The projects are extremely expensive, with experts suggesting that an average cost to Mars could break half a billion United States Dollars, let alone including the costs of the research process; including the entire research process done by SpaceX, it has been estimated to reach over 10 billion dollars in research money. Along with the financial downsides, the rover still does not guarantee safety. The entire planet cannot be scoped out without human civilizations discovering it themselves. The possibility of dangerous species on Mars is likely along with the fact that they may never be dis-
covered until humans set foot on the planet. These probabilities can be lowered and potentially eliminated if humans were to send more and more rovers to the planet in large quantities. However, this would make the financial situation stated above even worse as it would put Earth in an economic crisis. However, in the end, human advancement has occurred for centuries and human exploration on Mars is just another step that we may be willing to take. The chances are just too low for our current timeline and would be better to start human experimentation years into the future. It’s not something that I, personally, would be willing to risk as it has a fair chance of ruining the economy
INVESTIGATIONS
22 | DESIGNED BY RAJASI LADDHA
MASS DATA COLLECTION
...HISTORY OF SURVELLIANCE AVINASH PANDIT copy editor
Efforts to use surveillance to control media and other forms of communication are well documented over history. Sun Tzu, an influential ancient Chinese war theorist, still attracts a large audience in the 21st century for his book Art of War. He mentions the need to know your enemy but stresses the need to understand yourself. Said Keith Laidler, a Ph.D. in anthropology, “The rise of city-states and empires … meant that each needed to know not only the disposition and morale of their enemy but also the loyalty and general sentiment of their own population.” Mass spying and surveillance are implemented to understand its population further and crush political dissent.
In modern history, many federal governments, governmental organizations and corporations have been involved with mass surveillance. Before the Digital Revolution, East Germany formed an entire secret police organization called the “Stasi.” The Stasi was made up of around 300,000 civilian informants who monitored the rest of the population, looking for even the most minute difference in opinion. Eventually, most East Germans realized they were being spied on, which led to a toxic culture of mistrust. Citizens rarely talked about sensitive issues outside of private areas. After 9/11, the US government employed different programs that collected domestic phone data: who the caller is, who the recipient is, and the length of the call. Although targeted at preventing terrorism, these programs have resulted in countless violations of privacy amongst its citizens.
Iran was one of five countries on Reporters without Borders’ list of “State Enemies to the Internet” in 2013. The government controls all of the institutions regarding the regulation and management of communication companies. Former President Ahmadinejad established a Supreme Council for Cyberspace which still determines all digital policy in the country. Iran fully deemployed a parallel internet in 2019 called the National Information Network, which is fully monitored and censored by the government over fears of domestic unrest. Bahrain was also one of the countries on the Reporters without Borders’ list. The government is involved with mass, intrusive surveillance of news networks, resulting in many human rights violations. Ruled by a royal family, Bahrain’s level of internet filtering and surveillance is one of the highest globally and is only increasing. Nicknamed “The Surveillance State,” North Korea has had a long history of isolation from other countries. It’s almost routine for their people to be sent to prison camps for simply communicating with the outside world. North Korea has complete control over the entire internet and heavily limits its access
COURTESY OF MEL GIBSON
PRESENT DAY HYUNJUN KIM sports editor
Today, many countries and companies use mass surveillance systems to protect national security, deter future criminal activities or frauds and enable remote monitoring. For instance, China utilizes surveillance cameras and monitoring — they plan to have installed nearly a billion cameras by the end of 2021. By observing areas and tracing people, security cameras help ensure public safety and possibly collect data for future investigations. Further, China’s social credit system heavily depends on mass surveillance, tracking and monitoring citizens to assess each individual’s level of patriotism with the social credit score. People receive rewards for high credit scores whereas others with low scores are prone to losing certain abilities, such as booking a flight or train ticket. Although there is no one social credit system, local governments share a collective purpose of using surveillance to manifest their own distinctive record systems and stress the importance of patriotism to citizens. While heavily relying on video surveillance to fight crime and prevent terrorism, prominent companies are working towards providing a “smart home” environment that allows consumers to have easier access to advanced, wireless devices. Amazon, known mainly for its online consumer marketplace, is notable for purchasing the high-tech mass surveillance tool Ring in 2018, indicating the vital needs of technology for security. Deemed by Amazon as the “America’s police,” Ring security cameras alert users by detecting both movement and presence outside their homes. Along with the advanced feature of having wireless cameras, Ring allows accessibility to data and past recordings to alert residents of potential crimes or thefts, encouraging users to adapt to surveillance tools and connect with law enforcement What about the internet, the source we depend on for information, education, and even entertainment? Web browsers are deeply influenced by surveillance, creating personalized ads for users and accepting cookies—a chunk of autonomous data stored and saved for future users’ sessions. The vast, interconnected networks are managed in numerous ways, ranging from router cables and
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“China’s social credit system heavily depends on mass surveillance, tracking and monitoring citizens to assess each individual’s level of patriotism with the social credit score.”
mobile devices to wireless connections and cloud networks. Advanced technologies and innovations complement mass data collections, aiming for preserving a safe protected life for all. But as society grows more dependent on technology and future convenience, will mass surveillance suffice peoples’ need for national security or corrupt individual privacy?
FUTURE OF SURVEILLAINCE... LAWRENCE FAN writer
INVESTIGATIONS | 25
The future of mass surveillance is uncertain. On one hand, innovations that can scale data-collection to an unprecedented scale are in development. On the other hand, political controversies and grassroots backlash will inevitably resist the normalization of Big Brother-eque practices. Despite the uncertainty, the trajectory of recent trends fosters speculation, and there is no shortage of possibilities that lie ahead. As self-identification technology like Face-ID enter mainstream markets, they’re also showing up on security cameras. In particular, the Chinese Police are being equipped with “smart” face distinguishing glasses while the Singapore government plans to install lamp posts with facial recognition cameras. But facial recognition is just the start; former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has declared this century to be the golden age of biotechnology, and it, along with Artificial Intelligence, can revolutionize the potential of mass surveillance. From tracking body language to detecting distinct heartbeats to incorporating odor biometrics, every aspect of our profile could be tracked in the near future. Nanotechnology also enables the creation of “smart dust,” or micro-computers smaller than a grain of salts. These devices are so tiny that they can suspend in mid-air like a particle of dust. With the ability to form an extensive network of sensors, cameras, and microphones, smart dust can
be easily dispersed in indoor spaces without detection. According to The Aerospace Corporation, the world is rapidly approaching an event that is described as GEOINT Singularity. After this point, everything on Earth’s surface can be monitored by artificial intelligence. In essence, everybody will be watched and protected at all times. However, public trust has plummeted since Edward Snowden’s revelations; many citizens are outright opposed to public surveillance. Perhaps most crucial will be the struggle amongst governments and private businesses. With most surveillance in the hands of corporations, their ability in continuing to do so will be challenged by future governmental demands. The breakthroughs in such a critical field comes with international cybersecurity conflicts. This is already happening, with China using its Firewall to block popular US websites and President Trump banishing Huawei 5g networks. Expect tensions between the United States and China to increase as both superpowers attempt to protect their citizens from foreign influence and gain an advantage in espionage. This newfound national security threat may incentivize citizens to give up their privacy, allowing the state to install domineering surveillance systems in the name of safety
LIFESTYLES
26 | DESIGNED BY KATELYN CHU
the whitewashing of cottagecore
COURTESY OF MEL GIBSON
SARAH POLLANS writer
Recently, the rise of cottagecore has warranted itself a lot of attention online. Effectively, the cottagecore aesthetic is a sort of idealized, outdoor escapism full of flowy dresses, flower crowns and homemade pottery. It’s designed to romanticize the outdoors, to create intimacy without making it sexual and to feel free in nature without any of its poisons. It’s no wonder why it has become so popular: when compared to the monotonous lifestyle the pandemic has brought us, yellow daisies and a secret hut in the forest seem almost too good to be true. And as it turns out, they just might be. As you scroll through the near 5.5 billion videos under the cottagecore hashtag on TikTok, a pattern soon emerges. What is not among the flowers, sourdough bread and tiny homes in the middle of the woods, are people of color. A simple Google search will tell the same story: a vast majority of the people getting traction off of cottagecore are White women who look like a perfect image straight out of the 1800s (think Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice). At first glance, it might be easy to overlook this detail of its aesthetic for the beauty, but upon further uncovering, some fascinating truths around the idea of cottagecore are revealed. If something is considered “ideal,” as cottagecore is, having a large majority of the style focus on White people definitely brings up some concerns. As often taught by our history classes, the American landscape was created on the backs of racially diverse people. Colonists stole the land from Indigenous people and used Black labor
to cultivate and develop society. For an entire aesthetic to ignore their contributions and fantasize about a very whitewashed world is extremely harmful to people of color. It might be simpler to dismiss the inherent whitewashing of cottagecore, but even so, the fact that there is backlash shows the intrinsic racism that cannot be ignored. Even if no one is outright gatekeeping the aesthetic from anyone, cottagecore is deeply ingrained in its whitewashed roots. One TikTok user with nearly 35 thousand followers, Aniyah (@ cottage.cosmetics), has labelled
there is no reason that cottagecore needs to focus on White people, nor is there a reason people of color should be discouraged from participating in cottagecore. In another video, she reiterates, “It’s me in a space where it’s not as diverse as it should be. So yes, it’s Black girl cottagecore.” Cottagecore is not the only aesthetic that has been claimed to be whitewashed or racist, and this only tells us more about typical fashion and beauty standards. Particularly with the rise of social media, fashion trends tend to lean heavily towards Western beauty and Eurocentric features. The fix for this issue seems simple enough: don’t dismiss people participating in fashion just because they fail to conform to the standard of “White beauty.” Instead, welcome the inclusion of the style and embrace the diversity that comes out of it. However, like most “simple fixes,” it is much easier said than done. With whitewashed values so intertwined, like with cottagecore, most people already have their own connotation of what a style looks like, and anything beyond that is subject to hate comments and rejection. Fashion styles and aesthetics shouldn’t be limited or defined by a single race. Those invested in cottagecore have the opportunity to welcome this diversity, and they should take it. Western beauty is only the standard if we let it be, and it’s fine time the flood g a t e s open so we can celebrate the true goodness of nature’s beauty
don’t dismiss people participating in fashion just because they fail to conform to the standard of “White beauty”
her brand as “Black girl cottagecore,” to which she has received multiple comments asking her why the emphasis on “Black girl” was necessary. She explained in one video, “It’s simply representation. When you see these aesthetics, the forefront of them is White people, which is okay, it’s great. But when people of color, especially Black people, do it, it’s all of a sudden ‘you’re trying to act White’ [...] Having representation of people of your race in there, it’s just us normalizing that different races and ethnicities can do this stuff without ‘trying to be White.’” Aniyah explains it simply:
Does Gen Z Really ANANYA ANAND copy editor
28 | THE PROSPECTOR
As kids growing up in this generation, the statement “you have it better than we did” sounds all too familiar. “You have anything and everything you could ever ask for, and you have the world at your feet.” This rings a bell, doesn’t it? The claim that Gen Z has it easy is becoming more widespread amongst older generations. People seem to think that just because Gen Z has access to a so-called polished education system, a strong means of healthcare and a surplus of technology, we have it the easiest amongst everyone. While some aspects of this statement may be true, this does not mean that all changes have been positive. Starting with the education reforms that our generation has undergone, writer Sieva Kozinsky gives us insight as to what this generation has experienced. According to
Kozinsky, Gen-Zers are pushed into a career path earlier on in their schooling years compared to previous graduating classes. Many people view this as a good thing because of the exposure and stability it provides to students, but it can also be seen in a negative light due to the severe pressure that students now face. The atmosphere surrounding us students can be extremely toxic, and it can take a toll on our mental health. On the topic of mental health is the conversation of whether the technology surrounding us has made our lives and wellbeing better or not. Technology has given us more access to various sources, such as online healthcare. A majority of people would agree that this is something that makes Gen Z’s life ten times easier. The article “How Gen Z is Affecting Healthcare” talks about how this generation has everything from ‘why is my throat sore’ to ‘what to do if I have the flu’ all answered online. With the help of all the search engines out there, it can be said that our generation has the answers to everything. But this card can be flipped; our education system is not all sunshine and rainbows, and Gen Z has gone through some tough events throughout the past years. Speaking of a polished education system, one would agree that it entails quality education without trace of discrimination. Students should feel safe and secure, in order to finish their thirteen years of schooling. According to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, 73 schools since 1999 have experienced gun related incidents, and 341 people
y Have it Easier? have been killed. Compared to the millennial generation, Gen Z has faced over triple the amount of mass shootings at school. This proves that schools are failing to keep the students of this generation safe at a place that they should be safe at. Aubrie Ginther, a school shooting survivor from Noblesville High School, let’s us into her shoes to see what she has experienced in hopes of showing that Gen Z has not, in fact, had it easy, and changes must be made. “By experiencing school shootings firsthand, it has pushed Gen Zers to fight for their safety and for gun laws, hopefully pushing lawmakers to act on it,” says Ginther. Though our fight for gun control is admirable, it is sad that our generation has to even
nessed the harsh realities of the COVID-19 virus, and we have become slaves to the isolation it has caused. According to the Western Governors University, “Generation Z is the most depressed generation — however, this generation is also the most likely to seek treatment for anxiety and depression through counseling and therapy: 37% of Gen Zers reported that they received help from a psychologist or other mental health expert, which is more than any previous generation.” The fact that we even have to endure isolation and severe mental health issues at this age due to a global pandemic, just goes to show the difficulties that this generation has managed to push through. Although many arguments can be made for both sides, it is also valid to say that Gen Z has it just as hard as every other generation. Each generation faces their own set of struggles; therefore, this does not give us the right to say who has had it rougher or who has had it easier. As society makes strides technologically, environmentally, or in any other aspect, we, as the inhabitants of this planet, continue to grow with it. There is no quantitative measure that can compare who has had the journey of life easiest
Generation Z is the most depressed generation — however, [...] also the most likely to seek treatment for anxiety and depression
LIFESTYLES | 29
think about this. It is so unfortunate that we have spent our years attending gun law protests instead of exploring the world. Ultimately, there have been trade-offs for everything Gen Z has overcome. Another example of this is that our healthcare system has undergone some major advancements over the past years, but this doesn’t take away from the fact that Gen Z has lived and is continuing to live through an entire global pandemic. We have wit-
Representation of BIPOC in
30 |DESIGNED BY SANIYA LAUNGANI
Movies and Tv Shows
COURTESY COURTESY OF OF GOOGLE GOOGLE IMAGES
SANIYA LAUNGANII lifestyles editor
berg Inclusion Initiative, in partnership with The National Association of Latino Independent Producers and Wise Entertainment, shows Latinx discrimination with televised Hollywood films. The study took into account 1,200 top-grossing films from the years 2007 to 2018. The research showed 4.5% of 47,268 speaking characters across the past 12 years were Latinx, as were a slim 3% of lead or co-lead actors. As years passed, there was no prevalent difference. Finding people to cast accurately isn’t an issue since 77% of U.S. states and territories have a population of Latinos greater than the percentage seen in Hollywood films, and thus this points to a more significant problem of discriminatory, problematic, and racist casting behavior. It is also an issue how colored actors commonly get their role over others because of their eurocentric features. Due to colonization in the 1800s, European societal norms have branched their ways into societies, and it has taken away from different cultures’ values of beauty. It is unfair for people of color to inherit America’s beauty standards, especially in the film industry, where portrayals of characters are created for millions of people to watch and absorb. The use of inclusive casting will help viewers feel connected and represented. It is inappropriate for a race different from the role to relate to its experience and culture. It is a loss of opportunity for the appropriate actor and disfiguration of representation for viewers. This practice perpetuates racism and colorism in these industries by taking away
chances from actors of color, making the role more digestible to a White audience. A change in the media is essential to dismantling these stereotypes and casting practices
LIFESTYLES | 31
Movies are a way to relax and find comfort, and it is always nice to see characters in movies that represent you. However, there is a lack of representation within people of color as well as a misinterpretation of race. The Hollywood industry has a background of discriminatory behavior. In the rare cases actors of color are cast as their own race; they are often still surrounded by a cast full of White actors. There are plenty of instances where White people play the roles of people of color. It is a form of cultural appropriation. In movies and TV shows, you don’t see people of color playing a White person. Within top-rated television shows, movies, and plays, actors of color have been surrounded by a predominantly white cast, and examples include Full House, The Brady Bunch, and The Simpsons. In the popular teen show “On my Block,” the actress Ronni Hawk, known as Oliva, played a Hispanic character. Her role was heavily reliant on her character’s ethnicity since she spoke Spanish, had immigrant parents, and was having a quinceanera. Hawk is a White actress who tweeted her support for Donald Trump and expressed her anti-gun control beliefs. Contrary to her viewpoints, the show was about low-income families living in an area where gun violence was prevalent. The show received significant criticism, and her character was deemed inappropriate in the eyes of many. As a result, Hawk’s character was cut from the show. Instances like this should have never occurred, as the casting should have been someone from the Latinx community in the first place. The problem is that there will always be a qualified actor that appropriately represents a race, but the industry chooses not to cast them. And in the earlier Hollywood era, it was even common to have White actors perform blackface, brown-face, and yellow face, showcasing them as a minority. The Jazz Singer, Everybody Sing, and The King and I are all examples of such movies taken place in the 1900s. A study by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, USC Annen-
SPORTS
ATHLETES OF CUPERTINO
32 | DESIGNED BY HYUNJUN KIM
Cupertino Alumni Share Their Experiences as College Athletes
COURTESY OF GOOGLE
WHAT IT’S LIKE PLAYING A SPORT IN COLLEGE KRITI KAUSHAL postscript editor
Oriana Jalal - Track and Field
34| SPORTS
Admittedly, college sports may add a greater “sense of community” to an individual’s college life. However, being a student-athlete entails numerous responsibilities as Cupertino alumni Oriana Jalal, a Division I athlete for the UC Davis Cross Country and Track team, describes it as “a whole different ball game. In college, a lot of the motivation has to come from yourself. I have to always remind myself why I am doing this, and that is because I love what I am studying and I am passionate about running.” Although Jalal finds this aspect of collegial sports challenging, her coach’s advice has aided her in her endeavors. Specifically, Jalal explains that due to her added responsibilities, it was important that she “learned how to compartmentalize [her] life. Even if you did a bad test, you still come to practice with a positive mentality because that is in the past. Similarly, when you are in class, you are focused on learning and not on your sport. That is the only way to be successful as, without this approach, you can’t focus on the task at hand.” When asked about her experiences at Cupertino High School, Jalal said, “I look back and treasure the process, such as the moments of practice that were fun to me and the inside jokes with my teammates. Because this process was enjoyable to me, the results just came along. And I think this is applicable even at the college level. As long as you practice and work hard, everything else will just follow. Jalal, who aspires to ultimately become a physical therapist, credits Cupertino for laying the foundation for her to excel both as a student and an athlete. Said Jalal, “When you go to college, you find an appreciation for the rigor Cupertino has. [AP Chemistry] had the perfect rigor and set me up to do very well in college chemistry because of the knowledge Mr. De Muth instilled in us, and I am still so thankful for that”
PHOTOS BY ORIANA JALAL
CUPERTINO ALUMNI SAYS... Yooni Park - Volleyball Unlike sports that can be played independently, volleyball is a collaborative sport involving a tight-knit team that works together in order to be successful. However, with social distancing requirements, collegiate volleyball has inevitably been affected as Cupertino alumni Yooni Park, a Division I athlete playing Women’s Volleyball at Columbia University, said, “the Ivy League canceled fall competition, so we were basically not allowed to practice or compete during the fall.” Even then, Park cherishes her limited interactions with her team, describing that “the Columbia volleyball team has become my family. Being with them is a special opportunity in which I can connect and get advice from the upperclassmen, which is a resource that not all incoming students have. It is a secure feeling since I have twenty other girls looking out for me, always checking in and making sure that I am on the right track.” According to Park, playing collegiate volleyball “felt like a new independent chapter of my life was opening up. Not only is it a greater time commitment due to longer practices, mandatory lift and conditioning sessions, and traveling multiple hours for games, but the level of rigor intensifies as well. Most importantly, you have to become more independent in the sense that you don’t have a parent looking out for you and your schedule.” Although collegiate sports differ immensely compared to high school sports, Park finds her experiences “extremely rewarding”. She hopes to encourage athletes looking to pursue collegiate sports, reminding them to “play hard, work hard, and always remember who/what you are playing for. If you do that, coaches will recognize you and the opportunity to play at the next level will open up to you”
PHOTOS BY YOONI PARK
PHOTOS BY KATE DOUNG
Kate Doung - Tennis
SPORTS | 35
For many high school athletes, playing collegiate sports is a goal they aspire to reach. However, for alumni Kate Duong, this dream is a reality. Duong, a blue-chip recruit in high school, now represents the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Division I Women’s Tennis. “[Playing tennis],” said Duong, “has been a super fun yet challenging experience so far. During my four years playing for Cupertino, I only had a couple of opponents that gave me a challenging match. However, every team is amazing here in collegiate tennis, especially being that I am playing division one in a power five conference.” Although collegiate sports are substantially more competitive than high school sports, Duong credits her team, who motivates her to keep striving to do her very best. “Whenever I am having a bad day or seeking advice, I have eight other girls on the team that can help guide me in the right direction. I am the only freshman on this team, so all of my teammates have gone through this journey and can help me follow mine.” Duong acknowledges how imperative it is to have a growth mindset as an athlete. Said Duong, “My rule of thumb is that if you think you work hard enough, there is probably someone out there working twice as hard and wanting the spot more than you. Someone can have loads of talent for their sport, but if they don’t put in the work, it will take them nowhere. I still have three years left on [my] team, so I will cherish each moment I have with each of my teammates and coaches and continuously work hard”
PERSPECTIVES
SPRING 36 | DESIGNED BY THERESA NGUYEN
ALLERGIES ! C I M O A C
THERESA NGUYEN perspectives editor
It’s finally springtime; the sun is shining, the birds are singing...
Meet Bob. Bob has allergies...
Bob looks very happy today.
...but that doesn’t stop him from smelling the flowers (for some reason).
Sadly, Bob isn’t actually at the park.
Bob is at home because of the COVID pandemic. *sigh* There, there, Bob.
Maybe next year, Bob.
If Classes Were Assigned
by MBTI Type
ALEXANDRIA HUNT writer
INTJs are highly conceptual thinkers, independent learners and enjoy absorbing information through visual information and patterns. This, coupled with their logical and analytical nature, would make them a great fit for a class such as Architecture.
38 | THE PROSPECTOR
ISTJs usually love structure, enjoy independent work, are meticulous and are drawn to logic. In a class such as Applied Mathematics, they’d be able to apply their knowledge, discipline, and systematic approaches towards solving real-world issues.
INTPs enjoy working and thinking through issues themselves, abstract ideas and are analytical. In a class such as Physics, they would have the opportunity to explore unique ideas and theories using their analytical skills.
INFJs tend to approach ideas from multiple perspectives, and enjoy thinking in more conceptual, theoretical ways. They also enjoy tackling difficult challenges, are independent, and humanitarian — a great fit for taking a Philosophy class.
ISTPs are independent learners who learn through hands-on experience and enjoy difficult challenges. In a class such as engineering, they would be able to freely apply both their logic and practical skills towards hands-on challenges.
INFPs are imaginative, conceptual, creative and they enjoy independent learning. They also enjoy exploration, being able to express themselves and doing work that aligns with their own values — and a Photography course would be a great way for them to engage in their creativity and interests!
ISFJs typically enjoy classroom environments with structure, repetition, memorization and hands-on practice. They also tend to be detailed and efficient — and since Public Health & Nursing are subjects that require these qualities, ISFJs would likely excel in and enjoy these subjects.
ENTJs love debates, abstract ideas and independence. They’re also quite strategic, logical and efficient — making a Forensic Science class a place where they’d be able to thrive academically and constantly challenge themselves.
ESTJs tend to think out loud, enjoy analyzing ideas and memorizing concepts, and thrive in classrooms with structure. A class such as World History would give them the opportunity to partake in group discussions, as well as analyze and memorize various historical facts.
ENTPs enjoy creative problem solving, are innovative and flexible. In a Political Science class, they’d be able to apply their love of logic and analysis towards creatively approaching complex topics and modern-day issues.
ESFJs are natural leaders in the classroom who enjoy socializing, organizing people, and seek harmony. They’re also observant, detailed and organized — making a class such as Cinematography and Video Production one that they’d excel in and enjoy.
ISFPs absorb information best in vibrant, hands-on, exploratory classes — places where they can creatively approach different topics in an open-ended manner. Because of this, ISFPs would enjoy a Culinary Arts class, where they’d be able to explore & openly experiment.
ENFJs enjoy collaboration, harmony and thinking about different issues in a conceptual way. In a Broadcast Journalism course, they’d be able to engage in their leadership abilities, creativity, and abstract thinking skills.
ESTPs are fast learners, flexible and love finding solutions to difficult challenges. They’re also meticulous and focused on details — making an Entrepreneurship course a place where they’d be able to exercise their strengths and partake in their interests.
ENFPs love collaborating with others, exploring abstract ideas and are typically imaginative. Through a course such as Theatre Arts and Drama, they’d have the opportunity to express their creativity, all while working with their peers!
ESFPs are spontaneous, enjoy creative subjects and handson learning. In a class such as Fashion Design, they’d be able to approach their work and express their creativity in an open-ended, flexible manner.
POSTSCRIPT
my trash can
the glorious anatomy of
F
EXHIBIT A:
That calculus test you failed in 2019. Hmm, why is that still in here? You’d think you’d be over it by now.
EXHIBIT B:
EXHIBIT C:
Hey, it’s only your eighth coffee this week. Sure, it’s Tuesday, but it’s not like you’re addicted to caffeine. Even though it’s all you drink in quarantine.
40 | DEISGNED BY KRITI KAUSHAL
...so Valentine’s Day could have gone better. Young love and Zoom? Not so compatible, after all.
don’t forget to
empty me!!
<3, mom
EXHIBIT D: V
DESIGNED BY KEERTHI LAKSHMANAN
Oh, so THAT’S where your pens went. You already bought a new pack, though. Makes you feel productive.
Learning to MEGANA KASHYAP writer
In the movie, the Princess Diaries, there was always that one scene I loved. Mia, the protagonist, would get a makeover, transforming from a really scrawny teen to an extremely beautiful princess. One thing that noticeably set her apart in my eyes was her hair. The thick frizzy, curly hair she sported throughout the first quarter of the movie was now a straight head of hair that fell beautifully over her shoulders. I wanted exactly what Mia had. I wanted to have a makeover that would transform my hair the same way. My whole life I was told by my dad that my hair was his favorite. And as one of three sisters, it was special to be told that. Both my sisters had either wavy or very straight hair, both hair types that I believed were ideal. In contrast, my hair was unmanageable, big, poofy, frizzy, and most importantly- curly. My mother, who sports much more tamed, thin curls, and I never quite understood how to control my hair. Oftentimes, on Saturday nights, you would have found us wrestling with my hair, and I would be in tears because the tangles appeared to be never-ending. It was around the
love
my
same time I would constantly get sly comments from those around me. I wonder how you would look with straight hair. And the comment that topped them all; Your hair is unprofessional, maybe when you get a job, straighten it. As a thirteen year old girl, I ate these comments
Your hair is unprofessional, maybe when you get a job, STRAIGHTEN it.
right up. Unable to understand the uniqueness of my hair at that young age, I was now on a mission to get a straightener, I wanted to look “professional”, whatever that meant. My mom, however, was adamantly against it. In fact, so were my aunts and grandmother. Every-
curly
hair
body tried to tell me that my hair was beautiful, yet my mind was made up. Two years later, my mom gave in. She bought a straightener for my 16th birthday. Finally, I thought to myself, I would have my “Mia Thermopolis” transformation. I straightened my hair the day after my sixteenth birthday. Much to my dismay and as I explained to my best friend the day after, I looked sad, and lost this carefree nature to my face; I felt in so many ways unrecognizable. It looked like my hair was weighing me down, taking on a character of its own. As it came as no surprise to me, I did not have my Princess Diaries transformation. It was at this point, I learned to accept my hair. I started to watch YouTube videos, learning how to properly care for my hair, making it more curly and less frizzy. In so many ways, I started to have a better relationship with my hair. For many, this statement is really weird, nobody pays that much attention to hair. But when lots of media and almost everyone brings up your hair, it feels like it takes on a life of its own. Learning to accept my curly hair allowed me to gain confidence in myself and become the best version of myself
POSTSCRIPT | 31
[BACK COVER]
