THE PROSPECTOR
FEATURES
Teachers’ Previous
Jobs p. 16
LIFESTYLES
The Ethics of Beast
Games pg. 26
NEWS
LA Fires: Bay Area
Response pg. 4
THE PROSPECTOR STAFF
2024-2025
editors-in-chief
Benjamin Liu
Joyce Lee
Shaona Das
news editor
Brian Kuo
opinions editor
Alexander Liu
features editor
Amrita Brar
lifestyles editor Noah Kang
investigations editor
Nikhil Krishnaswamy
sports editor
Victoria Hunt
postscript editor
Hailey Ryu
copy editors
Amrita Brar
Hailey Ryu
Nitya Dhulipala
Victoria Hunt
online editors
Alexander Liu
Katie Kim
Katie Mak
Miya Widman
Nikhil Krishnaswamy
Nitya Dhulipala
Noah Kang
Yeechen Pang
Zain Haseeb
business manager
Brian Kuo
writers
Aaron Luc, Angela Kim, Anshika Jain, Atrisa Rahgozar, Ashley Qi, Cathy Wu, Celine Zhang, Chloe Choe, Hannah Kim, Joe Zheng, Laura Chen, Madalina Zheng, Mason Lien, Nimrit Gandhi, Rebecca Wawda, Rosa Lee, Saba Shariff, Scarlett Guy
advisor
Ann Shriver-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 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.
Contact Us:
chsprospector@gmail.com The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014
A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Dear Reader,
“No cap, The Prospector ate with their latest issue. They cooked!” Are you confused about what that sentence means? Check out page 30, where Joe Zheng explores the definitions and origins of today’s slang.
Speaking of “rizz” — love is in the air! As Valentine’s Day approaches, students express affection for those they care for in numerous ways. Have you ever wondered about your ideal way to give and receive love? Check out Cathy Wu’s love language flowchart on page 31, where you can identify your love language!
With the Tinolympics in full stride, Cupertino students have welcomed the return of a popular event — Powerpuff — discontinued in 2022. On page 22, Evelyn Liao and Miya Widman explore Powerpuff’s history and expectations for its return.
In the wake of the new year, Cupertino residents are taking strides to create change in the community and beyond. On page 4, Joyce Lee and Benjamin Liu highlight the Bay Area’s and FUHSD’s contributions to combating the wildfires in Los Angeles.
At the start of a new semester, we look forward to providing the Tino community with even more content, soon passing the torch to the younger classes as we approach Issues 5 and 6, The Prospector’s junior issues, and as we open new staff applications for the 2025-2026 school year. Thank you for all of your support so far.
Cheers, Shaona Das, Benjamin Liu, Joyce Lee
LA FIRES: BAY AREA RESPONSE
Bay Area fire departments, schools and students take action to assist fires in LA
JOYCE LEE, BENJAMIN LIU editors-in-chief
California’s history of devastating wildfires has resurged in 2025 with fires spreading across Los Angeles and southern California. Amid the extensive damages and losses the fires have caused, communities all over the state have banded together to assist those in need. The 2025 Los Angeles fires began on Jan. 7 with the Palisades Fire, spreading rapidly across the
surrounding areas in the days following. According to a report by NBC News, nearly 200,000 people were under evacuation at one point, and the estimated economic loss is approximately $50 billion. Financial services firm JP Morgan estimated that the Palisades and Eaton fires, respectively, were the second and third most destructive wildfires in California history. Though physically distant, Northern Californians have tried their
best to provide the support they can.
Within Santa Clara County, firefighters from Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose and other fire departments have joined the L.A. and Pasadena fire departments in battling the fires. The county has also stated that it will remain cautious against wildfires throughout the state, with Supervisor Otto Lee continuing his role as the Board
Liaison to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Their partnership will focus on prevention and mitigation strategies — including an introduction of artificial intelligence and other new technologies to warn of risks and alert the department quickly.
Beyond support from fire departments, students from the Fremont Union High School District have also started initiatives to assist those in need.
Cupertino junior Ruben Varghese recently launched a website called save-la.org, providing and compiling easily accessible resources for those impacted by the fires.
“When searching for information regarding the L.A. fires, there were a lot of confusing articles and different websites causing some miscommunication,” said Varghese. “There was no information center where you could help and receive help all in one place.”
me feel like this is something we should address,” said IDC Vice President Rotem Ben David. “Especially with interest from my own ASB class, I heard that students want to help, so I decided that, being on ASB, I could use my po-
each school has in promoting and executing the fundraiser.”
Despite the distance from the FUHSD schools to the wildfires, Ben David and Wang believe in the importance of ASB and IDC’s role in providing opportunities for FUHSD students to help the community.
“JUST SEEING THE NEWS AND HEARING ABOUT [THE FIRES] AT SCHOOL MADE ME FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ADDRESS
Varghese built the site working alongside his father, balancing website development and research to provide essential information for both victims and supporters — from donation options to resources for finding safe shelter.
FUHSD’s own Intra-District Council also began a fundraising campaign among Cupertino, Fremont, Lynbrook and Homestead High Schools, as well as Middle College students. Monta Vista High School was unavailable to join the district-wide fundraiser due to scheduling conflicts, but plans to host its own school-wide initiatives to address the fires.
“Just seeing the news and hearing about [the fires] at school made
ROTEM BEN DAVID
sition to spread this type of fundraiser to other schools, and hopefully get all of FUHSD involved — make a bigger influence, bigger impact and involve more of the community.”
Ben David, a junior at Fremont High School, began planning the donation drive alongside Homestead High School’s secretary Vincent Wang, the Fremont Associated Student Body and the IDC Council in early or mid-January.
“We’ve gotten donations from some schools and many of the people we’ve worked with have been enthusiastic about the cause,” said Wang. “Since we gave each school some freedom to make their fundraisers unique, it’s been great to see the creativity
“Our compassion and connectedness is our biggest strength as a community — I think it’s often easy to lose sight of that or get caught up in the everyday, and I think being there for others in need goes a long way towards building a better and stronger community,” Wang said. The fundraiser also operates as a district-wide competition between the four participating schools and Middle College. Though each school is approaching promotion for the fundraiser differently, options to donate clothing and money are available to all students. As of Feb. 9, over $2,000 and 800 clothing items were donated across the four participating high schools and Middle College students. Said Ben David, “As students, this fundraiser is our opportunity to help our friends in L.A. and serve the community and do some good, as well as participate in a fun school competition and donate money to a good cause.”
JOYCE LEE, BRIAN KUO editor-in-chief | news editor
Complete with ink brush strokes and colorful traditional Chinese fan dancing, Cupertino High School launched its first annual Chinese Culture Night and Lunar New Year Festival on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Cupertino’s Chinese and Taiwanese cultural clubs — National Chinese Honor Society, Chinese Culture Club and Junior Taiwanese American Student Association — collaborated on the event, with the guidance of their advisors Ying Jin, Jie Bai and Steven Hsu, respectively.
LUNAR NEW
“We as teachers had this idea to promote our program, and also honor the population like us and honor our culture — to unite the community together,” Bai said.
Though Chinese language teachers have previously held Lunar New Year celebrations among their students, this festival was the first school-wide Lunar New Year event held at CHS.
Said NCHS Co-President Millie Ng, “I was really shocked to find that there was this Google Sheet of all the helpers for the event — there were [around] a hundred helpers because the teachers got their students to help out.”
Cupertino High School lau Culture Night and Lunar N
With the numerous student volunteers and the efforts of the three clubs, they were able to set up around 20 booths with a variety of traditional Chinese activities, foods and games.
“I was really surprised in terms of the participant turnout, and I really enjoyed seeing all the parents bring their kids as well,” Ng said. “I was in charge of the calligraphy booth, and I saw this dad. He was helping his daughter do the callig-
CHS
YEAR FESTIVAL
nched its first annual Chinese ew Year Festival raphy. And it was also interesting to see how the parents were really good at calligraphy because one of them told me that they [had to learn it in school] when they were younger. It was so interesting seeing traditional Chinese culture show up.”
After the success of this year’s festival, both the club officers and advisors hope to continue the event at Cupertino, as well as within the entire district.
Said Bai, “We do want to keep it an annual tradition from now on, and we hope that we can make a more wider impact. We hope that one day, all five sites will [...] find time to do it together, and maybe in the future, we can even make it a bigger event to really connect with the local community, not only hold it within our campus.”
Ng similarly hoped to expand to a larger audience in the following years.
Said Ng, “There were many participants, but
“
most of them were all Asian. So I hope it can be more diverse, like everyone can enjoy it.”
WE HOPE THAT ONE DAY, ALL FIVE SITES WILL [...] FIND TIME TO DO IT TOGETHER, AND MAYBE IN THE FUTURE, WE CAN EVEN MAKE IT A BIGGER EVENT TO REALLY CONNECT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
”
JIE BAI
of the Securly Protection Software
SECURING SECURLY Exploringthe Weaknesses
MASON LIEN writer
“Looks like this page isn’t allowed. This page has been blocked.” These two sentences from the filtering service Securly appear whenever someone accesses a blocked website or keyword. But beyond this, it often makes mistakes and makes it frustrating to surf the school’s internet. This highlights the need for solutions to Securly’s problems without removing it all together, as the Children’s Internet Protection Act, passed on December 15, 2000, requires schools and public libraries to have some form of filter over their internet to block inappropriate websites or other similar content.
tered by blocking internet pages, with the explanation that the “connection is not private.” Despite the virtuous intentions, this can prevent students from performing research in school, sometimes
2000
December 15, the year that the Child Internet Protection Act is passed, mandating all schools to use an internet filtering software.
even stopping them from completing school assignments in class. Even with the internet, students can often face issues with Securly blocking specific websites for certain students, despite other students being able to access them.
Securly ensures the internet is fil-
Certain keywords are blocked by Securly as well, making it significantly more difficult to research topics. One such example is the keyword “VPN,” or Virtual Private Network. This keyword is blocked
due to VPNs being a method to bypass Securly. Beyond blocking the keyword VPN, the word “swastika” is blocked for its appropriation as a symbol used by the Nazi Party in the early 1900s. However, a swastika is also a religious symbol still used by Buddhism, Hinduism, and several other Indian religions.
Kyle Le, one of Cupertino High School’s network support specialists, stated that Securly should not track students at home nor should it work at all off-campus. Despite this, Securly can sometimes randomly pop up while working at home with the blocking message of anonymous proxies, as personally encountered by the writer when attempting to read an eBook on Archive.org at home — the site was blocked one day, but not the next.
The explanation for blocking a website can also be unclear. Securly often provides confusing and broad explanations as to why this specific website is blocked. Keyword blocking uses SafeSearch as a reason sometimes when asked for an explanation, which gives almost no context as to why it was blocked in the first place. SafeSearch is an umbrella term for blocked websites, which encompasses all reasons. The same goes for the message of anonymous proxies, demonstrating how Securly’s blocking messages are
lacking. It does vary the messages, with ones such as adult content, games and others, but it only has one to two word explanations. When accessing a blocked website, there is neither a report button nor a direct method to request to unblock the site on the Securly pop-up or on the Cupertino High School website. A solution to this would be to create a button on the Securly website itself or on the CHS technology page to request to block or unblock a website.
“ THERE IS NEITHER A REPORT BUTTON NOR A DIRECT METHOD TO REQUEST TO UNBLOCK THE SITE ON THE SECURLY POP-UP.
Even if these methods exist, the way Securly is a product developed by Securly the company, which means that it is unknown how much the school itself can modify and customize Securly. This means that many solutions may or may not be able to be implemented due to how Securly is set up in CHS.
Even if these issues can only be resolved on the company’s end, there are many solutions that could be implemented to make researching easier. This solution would be to
place a warning sign about the website, allowing the students to proceed but informing them about possible inappropriate content instead of outright blocking certain websites. This warning would only appear on websites that do not fall into the category in CIPA that must be blocked. Additionally, the school could make explanations longer and more in depth, preventing students from feeling curious to see exactly what is blocked on the webpage by accessing it directly.
However, there are some solutions that CHS would be able to implement, even without having to request Securly to change their filter. The solutions include adding a form to the FUHSD website allowing students to report or block certain websites, along with a list of proper explanations for why certain websites and keywords are blocked. These solutions would help students at CHS research with ease while complying with CIPA
GOING VIRAL
SCARLETT GUY writer
Afew years ago, a post receiving a few dozen likes was a meaningful indicator of engagement — a sign that one’s friends and followers appreciated the content. But in an era where viral videos rack up millions of interactions in hours, those with fewer likes and views now seem insignificant, making small-scale posts fall into the void.
In today’s age, a like on social media has become a measure of validation and self worth. With the expansion of platforms like TikTok, X — formerly Twitter — and Instagram, the obsession with going viral has fundamentally altered the way virality is perceived, both online and off. The common phrase, “If this was 2016, you’d be on Ellen,” highlights how the bar for recognition has shifted from genuine
achievement to viral sensation.
Fundamentally, the fact that each like represents a person who took a moment to appreciate what someone has shared is often overlooked. Imagine if every like someone received was translated into a real-world encounter where a friend walks up and says they really enjoyed a post. For many, that would be a meaningful interaction. So why, when this engagement is virtual, do creators downplay their significance?
At the heart of this shift is a growing sense of disconnectedness from the human element behind online interactions. For a lot of people, likes, comments and shares on a post are less about person-to-person connections and more about chasing broad, viral success. In an era where “viral” means thousands of views or likes, it
is easy to feel that anything less doesn’t count. This has led to a dangerous cycle where engagement-baiting — posting content for the sole purpose of garnering interactions — has become an increasingly common practice.
Many creators have moved their focus to accumulating numbers over the quality of their work, catering their content to what gets the most attention, even if it is not the content they are most passionate about or skilled at. For exam ple, they might post clickbait, overly sensationalized mate rial, or follow trends that do not align with their true voice or exper tise. The result for creators is often a cycle of “cheap” engagement that does not reflect the depth or nuance of their actual work. For
audiences, misinformation, polarization and shorter attention spans negatively impact consumers of viral content.
If a post gets a lot of engagement (likes, comments, shares), it signals to the algorithm that the content is valuable or interesting. This results in more exposure and wider reach, which can attract more followers and increase potential earnings. For creators, engagement is often linked to how much money they can make through ads, sponsorships, and collaborations. Brands typically want to partner with influencers who have high engagement rates because it indicates that their audience is active and interested, making them more likely to act on the sponsored content.
The pressure to go viral can also have wider implications, particularly among younger audiences. The idea of what it
means to be “popular” has dramatically shifted. It is no longer about being recognized by one’s peers, but is instead about who can get the most views, likes or followers online. In many ways, this distorts the idea of popularity.
For many, social media is a constant presence in their lives. From TikTok challenges to Instagram influencer culture, exposure to viral content is unavoidable. The pressure to get noticed online can lead to feelings of inadequacy, particularly when one’s posts only rack up a handful of likes. But it is crucial to remember that engage-
“
FUNDAMENTALLY, THE FACT THAT EACH LIKE REPRESENTS A PERSON WHO TOOK A MOMENT TO APPRECI ATE WHAT SOMEONE HAS SHARED IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.
on somedia — however small it may seem — is still a form of validation. A post with just a few dozen likes still means that a group of people has recognized and appreciated a creator’s creativity. In a world where the metric for success often seems tied to viral numbers, it is easy to forget that this
smallscale engagement is a form of success in itself.
In the end, the idea of going viral has both elevated and devalued the importance of engagement. While viral success can bring fame and opportunity, it should not overshadow the value of genuine, small scale connections. A few dozen likes may not seem like much in the face of viral fame, but they still represent real people appreciating what one has put out into the world
JOIN THE CLUB.
83 clubs on campus
VOLUNTEER AND HONOR CLUBS
HAILEY RYU
postscript and copy editor
Volunteer hours, senior cords, national organizations — these are all keywords that describe the numerous honor societies and service-based clubs at Cupertino High School. Yet, even with the prestige attached to these clubs, participation and membership levels have fluctuated in recent years.
vide students with a variety of opportunities to become involved in the community while excelling in academics, the appeal of community engagement has decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have struggled after COVID-19 with participation in the club. We have around 50 members, but without reminders, finishing volunteer hours doesn’t often happen. We need novel ideas and reasons to keep people coming back,” Ida Behm, internal president of NHS, said.
National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Key Club and Spanish Honor Society are a few of the many clubs on campus where students can participate in volunteering and membership activities. For example, both NHS and CSF require members to maintain a 3.5 grade point average in order to become a member. For SHS, members need to be enrolled in a Spanish class and maintain a 3.5 GPA within these classes. All three clubs also require members to obtain credits by volunteering in order to continue as a member throughout the school year.
Although these clubs pro-
NHS, Key Club and SHS all report lower membership numbers in recent years compared to pre-pandemic years.
Said Paul Kim, vice president of SHS, “Securing a spot as a tutor in the past used to be highly contentious as compared to an overall lack of tutors in the present. We believe that the lack of tutors is due to a waning interest in Spanish participation outside of the classroom as an extracurricular.”
getting more col -
lege-oriented and less community-oriented as time passes.” Lina Youn, president of Key Club, said. Officer teams of these clubs have been trying their best to maintain membership numbers by using different incentives.
Similarly, Key Club — a large service club a part of Kiwanis International — allows any student to participate in service events. However, even though service opportunities are open to all students, participation has been low.
“ I FEEL LIKE THE FRESHMEN ARE GETTING MORE COLLEGE-ORIENTED AND LESS COMMUNITY-ORIENTED AS TIME PASSES. ” LINA YOUN
“In the past, we actually had more participation. But I think as time passes, the freshmen are less interested in service organizations. [...] I feel like the freshmen are
“We try to get freshmen to join, because we’re technically the only honor society [that is] open to first semester freshmen,” Esther Kim, vice president of CSF, said. “And also, we try to give snacks at meetings to incentivize people to come. We’re a low commitment club —that’s what we say. Also we have in-club service events, like the card makings, where people can actually get their credits [during] the club meeting.”
SHS, NHS and Key Club are also taking similar approaches to motivate members to attend meetings. Some SHS meetings consist of games such as Spanish scattergories, and officers of NHS and Key Club bring snacks to meetings. These clubs have also taken new initiatives in hopes to maintain membership. For example, NHS started using a club point system, which awards prizes to members who complete the most amount of volunteer hours and attend meetings throughout the semester
KATIE MAK
online news editor
There are a multitude of cultural clubs at CHS where students explore and celebrate a range of heritages, fostering a sense of inclusivity for students in various cultural groups.
In contrast to honor societies, cultural clubs do not require volunteer hours or hold specific GPA qualifications, expanding opportunities for participation. Most cultural clubs do not offer awards or merit-based incentives to attend, as some students participate to build their cultural identities, while others join out of interest in learning about different cultural customs.
The engagement among cultural clubs varies from club to club, as it can be relatively consistent at times, but also fluctuate depending on the general interest of the meeting activity or topic.
also promote it during class time, so they’re attracted by the language and by the culture itself. So they’re more interested in participating in the club activities.”
In addition, hands-on activities that allow students to actively experience culture through their own eyes are seen to draw more students in, such as engaging in interactive games or exploring traditional art.
allow students and families to also cultivate a deeper understanding of their culture as well as others, all while fostering a sense of unity.
ENGAGING AND HANDSON ACTIVITIES ALLOW STUDENTS TO ACTIVELY EXPERIENCE A CULTURE THROUGH THEIR OWN EYES
Jie Bai, the Chinese Culture Club’s advisor, described the club’s relatively stable student participation.
“Most of the members happen to be students in the Chinese program, and they are starting their Chinese learning,” Bai said. “We
“They will bring in some shareable foods for the members, so they can actually get experience with those culture aspects in more depth, and other times, they arrange game sessions, for example mahjong, to teach students, teach people how to play, and it’s also a part of the culture itself,” Bai said.
20 culture clubs
Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association and Latinx Student Union collaborated together for their Culture Night in March 2023, offering various cultural foods and traditional games for attendees to explore the different cultures. Middle Eastern & North African Club and Persian Student Union hosted their cultural night in April 2024, with a variety of food and drinks for students to enjoy, as well as interactive activities like foosball and backgammon — creating a lively atmosphere for students to experience aspects of Persian, Middle Eastern and North African culture. Earlier in the month, International Club collaborated with Tri-M Music Honor society to organize the Cultural Music Concert, not only featuring student performances but also incorporating a potluck to showcase diverse cultures.
Aside from holding weekly or biweekly meetings, cultural clubs also host school-wide events to share traditional customs and further promote their respective cultures. These celebrations provide an opportunity not only to expand their audience, but also to
Cultural clubs continue to be a vital component of the CHS student body and community, as they offer various irreplaceable experiences for students to gain in-depth cultural understanding and form a stronger connection with their roots, all while celebrating heritages
KATIE MAK
LAURA CHEN writer
Compared to honor societies and hobby clubs, CHS’s awards-based clubs have consistently maintained high participation throughout the years. Awards clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America, Speech and Debate and Mock Trial typically spend the year preparing for competitions like the FBLA National Leadership Conference or National Speech and Debate Association Nationals. Unlike honor societies and hobby clubs, these clubs focus on measurable goals like awards, trophies and rankings that motivate students to continue participating throughout the year.
Tino SD and FBLA report high attendance rates, each having around 100 members at every meeting. These clubs hold students accountable to show up by creating opportunities that keep them engaged.
Said Ved Shah, president of Tino Speech and Debate, “There’s a lot of adrenaline and excitement in competition, which I think is why we keep our members. We go to 20 or 30 tournaments every year, so we have consistent opportunities for people to get out there to win prizes and put their skills to work.”
ognition and awards. The first type of member is self-motivated to consistently attend club meetings. For the second type, Shah finds that they attend fewer club meetings but stay involved in the competitions and events. The key to a successful awards club is knowing how to cater to these different types of members and their goals.
5 awards based clubs
Said Shah, “If kids want to go and win big awards, we’re happy to help them. We do a lot of work to create an envi - ronment that is welcom - ing to everybody, regardless of what their priorities are.”
Said Nirvaan Vira, a freshman in FBLA, “Being in the club gives you a lot of support, and the officers are always very helpful. If I was just learning business alone, I wouldn’t have that kind of help.”
The ultimate goal of an awards-based club is to gain prizes and recognition. In Mock Trial, teams hope to win the Santa Clara County Mock Trial Tournament. In FBLA, members create projects and attend competitions. However, these clubs offer more than just awards — they provide valuable learning experiences beyond competitions.
Said Sean Bui, advisor of CHS Mock Trial, “The goal is not just to hold that plaque at the end. Students might join Mock Trial so they can be Harvey Specter or Elle Woods — but they stay for the community, the family and the lifelong leverageable skills”
In awards-based clubs, members typically fall into two categories — those who hope to have fun while learning new skills, and those who participate to gain rec-
Tino’s awards clubs also stand out for having some of the school’s largest leadership teams. FBLA and Tino SD each have around 20 officers, allowing them to provide more guidance to members.
FEATURES
Three Cupertino teachers share their experiences in past careers
VICTORIA HUNT, CELINE ZHANG, ANGELA KIM
sports
editor | writers
Andrew Goldenkranz
Andrew Goldenkranz’s multifaceted career includes cancer research, political campaigns, communications and 35 years of teaching.
Currently an Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher at Cupertino High School, Goldenkranz enjoys how the class can be applied to current world events, as well as the combination of chemistry, biology and economics it offers.
After graduating from college, Goldenkranz worked under a Nobel Peace Prize winner to determine the relevance of vitamin C in cancer research.
Goldenkranz completed ex tensive tasks, ranging from man aging mice to prepping chem icals. After several years, his
cause of the political work, I was a pretty good writer [...]. That helped me when I became a teacher.”
Due to the traveling and time constraints of the job in politics, Goldenkranz eventually transitioned into teaching.
Said Goldenkranz, “I was working 18 hours a day in all these different cities [...], like, ‘Man, I need to be able to come home at the end of the day and play with my kids.’”
The predictable hours of being a teach er, alongside the hard work that came with the job, ap pealed to Goldenkranz. His various paths have provided him with sophisticated per
ness analyst, Phares reported on the budget and spending of the organization. He worked with large financial datasets, offering suggestions on spending money more efficiently.
Fresh out of college, Phares worked at CHS as a substitute
students. The ability to make a tangible impact is what sparked his initial interest in teaching. Said Phares, “I like how in this job, you
For uncertain students, Phares highlights the importance of understanding one’s aspirations. “If you are choosing a career for what your parents think, or what you think you should do, but it doesn’t align with who you are, [...], you’re not going to enjoy your job,” Phares said.
Phares encourages young people to take their time discov ering different career paths.
Said Phares, “[...] Don’t put pressure on yourself to have it figured out. [...] If there’s something that you want to do, life’s pretty short, so if you get the chance to do it, you should just try it.”
Aiden Hill
“You need to find a job where you tap dance to work,” Business teacher
TRY TO EXPERIMENT WITH THINGS, BUT FOLLOW YOUR HEART, AND IF YOU FIND THE RIGHT THING, YOU’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.
AIDEN HILL
Aiden Hill said. For Hill, this took years of personal and pro had done incorrectly and guide them towards success. One project Hill took part in was Covered California, California’s take on the Affordable Care Act.
Said Hill, “I started to see how unfair and how expensive the healthcare system is in the United States, and that’s partly what motivated me [...].” However, he recognized the need for further
Hill wrote a book titled “The Midnight Stranglers,” chronicling his personal experiences with the healthcare system. He also created The Health Care Transparency Project, a nonprofit advocating for healthcare reform.
Although Hill enjoyed working in business and advocacy, he found that his work no longer challenged him, leading him to become a teacher.
For students considering future careers, Hill emphasizes the importance of exploring various opportunities and viewing failure as progress. He encourages students to pursue what makes them happy.
Said Hill, “Try to experiment with things, but follow your heart, and if you find the right thing, you’re going to be able to figure out how to make it successful”
Exploring the backstory of student rock band “Reverie”
NITYA DHULIPALA
in-depth editor
Following in the footsteps of musical legends, Reverie is an up-and-coming band striving to make their mark on the Cupertino community. This student group, composed of passionate instrumentalists, has already performed at the Cupertino High School Winter Rally, Main Street Cupertino’s LiveOnMain and CHS Open Mic Nights. The band is composed of five talented members: Ethan Chung, Jamie Chen, Gabriel Liu, Viggo Blome and Rohan Nadkarni.
The band’s journey has been one of growth and change, with members joining over time to create the cohesive unit they are today. The band’s ori
“[Liu and I] met there, and then we started playing together,” Chung said. “We were jamming most of the time, just the two of us [...]. Then [Liu] brought up the idea first, of trying to make a band.”
For pianist Nadkarni, the club was also instrumental in bringing him into the group.
“I was in orchestra as a freshman,” Nadkarni said. “I didn’t have very many friends. So [Liu] just started talking to me. [...] On Wednesdays, I used to go to Game Development Club, but then [Liu] just converted me to
Each member brings a unique background and skillset to the group, -
long before the band was formed.
Guitarist Gabriel Liu began playing violin at six , but took a break before returning to music during quarantine.
“I really wanted a girlfriend, and I heard girls like guitar,” Liu joked. “So I started picking up the guitar.”
Pianist Rohan Nadkarni, who plays multiple instruments, shared how his passion for music devel-
kind of my main passion.”
Like some of her other bandmates, bassist Jamie Chen began with piano but found her true calling lat-
“The thing Chung.
is, taking lessons when you know you’re forced to isn’t as fun,” Chen said. “So I didn’t [enjoy piano]. I didn’t really like music until [...] I learned that one of my older cousins was also in a band, so that made me really interested in the bass.”
Chen’s parents encouraged her to attend church and experiment with different instruments. She explored playing the guitar, drums and bass, but ultimately, the bass resonated with her the most.
“I’ve been [...] self-learning for almost two years, and I just really like music. It
friends, but they weren’t really motivated,” Chen said. “So it was a nice breath of fresh air coming here because everyone here has the same goal.”
Drummer Viggo Blome developed a passion for music through sheer determination and a love for rock and blues. Eager to own a guitar, he dedicated himself to household tasks in hopes of persuading his parents to buy one for him.
“I started
first picked up the violin when he was seven, playing in an orchestra while growing up in Korea. He stopped after moving to the United States in 2018, but found his way back to music during quarantine, when he and his sister started learning guitar.
“Playing guitar kind of brought me back to the violin and orchestra days, and I just kept playing,” Chung said. “And now it’s one of my favorite hobbies, for sure.”
WE
WANT TO KEEP IMPROVING AND IDEALLY PERFORM AT RALLIES MORE OFTEN. OUR GOAL IS TO BECOME SMOOTHER AND BETTER WITH EACH PERFORMANCE.
ROHAN NADKARNI
As a subset of the Tino Guitar Club, the band practices both at club meetings and outside school at Blome’s house. Their rehearsal style focuses heavily on individual preparation.
“So we [...] ramp up practices two days before the performance,” Chung said. “Everybody knows how to play their own part. [...] [We focus on] individual
For Chen, joining the band was refreshing after her previous
“In my old
Rohan said. “Our goal is to become smoother and better
SPORTS
E H ICS OF C MB SP RT S AT T O O
Exploring the ethicality behind combat sports
AARON LUC writer
It is a typical scene in any grade school courtyard. Fists flailing and hair pulling as children gather around screaming “Fight! Fight! Fight!” When most students notice the commotion, their first instinct is not to stop it — it is to watch. This fascination with combat goes further than the playground — from watching childhood cartoon characters like Tom and Jerry duke it out on screen to sitting in the living room as boxing matches play on TV, the thrill of competition and physical conflict has long captured human attention.
Dating back to the early days of civilization, combat sports have always been debated for their moral implica tions. Among oth ancient forms, the first Glad iator
games are said to date back to 264 B.C.E. in Rome, wrestling to the Han Dynasty in China and boxing to the first century B.C.E. in ancient Greece. While some view these competitions as a celebration of human strength and skill, others see them as barbaric activities that prioritize entertainment over the safety and well-being of participants.
A common stance for enjoyers of combat sports is that people should be allowed to do as they please, as long as they are informed of the risks. Although that is true, concern springs up about whether it is truly ethical to build a culture in which progress is synonymous with hurting one’s opponent. In the moment preceding a knockout when a strike cracks an opponent’s jaw, squishes their cortex, loosens their teeth
the brainstem, any reaction other than sheer horror often feels inappropriate.
Injuries are more common and hazardous than most realize. As of 2023, there have been 29 recorded deaths in MMA rings, while in professional boxing, the Manuel Velazquez Boxing Fatality Collection lists 923 deaths between 1890 and 2008. Beyond that, every time a fighter steps into the ring is another step closer to permanent injury. Much of the controversy surrounding MMA is related to head trauma. A recent systematic review reported that 28 to 46% of MMA fights end in knock-out, which consists of a single blow that renders an opponent unable to continue a match, or technical knock-out, where a contestant is unable to fight back or depend themselves,
WINTER SPORTS RECAP
Girls Soccer:
10-6 Overall, 7-3 League (3rd Place)
Boys Soccer:
7-6-2 Overall, 3-3-2 League (6th Place)
Girls Basketball: 9-9- Overall, 7-3 League (2nd Place)
Boys Basaketball:
5-14 Overall, 3-6 League (6th Place)
Updated as of Februrary 6
prompting fighter’sference by out. In a study by the Uni-
Prichard Colón put into perspective how severe these injuries can be. After a 2015 match with Terrel Williams, Colón, who was repeatedly struck in the back of his head, collapsed in the locker room and remained in a coma for 221 days due to a brain hemorrhage. 10 years later, Colón remains in a vegetative state, unable to speak, walk or eat on his own.
in which the object or intent is to cause a concussion — that is, knockout your opponent — are not properly sports at all.”
“ IS IT JUSTIFIABLE TO CREATE, PROMOTE, AND CELEBRATE A SYSTEM IN WHICH SUCCESS IS BUILT ON CAUSING PHYSICAL HARM TO OTHERS? ”
AARON LUC
versity of Alberta, of fighters knocked out, 7.1% lose consciousness and suffer near-permanent damage to the head.
Case studies such as that of
Although plenty of sports — such as football and lacrosse — carry the risk of severe injuries, Critical Care Medicine Physician Michael Depietro states the intention of the sport is what matters.
“It is rather the object of these [sports],” Depietro said. “The object of football or lacrosse is not to inflict injury. In contrast, sports
The debate over combat sports is not just about individual choice but rather the values that society chooses to uphold. While some argue that these sports show off the rawest form of human competition, the reality is that they often come at crippling costs where fighters risk life-altering injuries. Regardless of free will or informed consent, the ethical question still remains: is it justifiable to create, promote and celebrate a system in which success is built on causing physical harm to others?
POWERPUFF
RETURNS
MIYA WIDMAN, EVELYN LIAO
social media editor | multi-
media editor
After a twoyear absence, Powderpuff has been revived at Cupertino High School, bringing back a tradition dating back to World War II. Powderpuff was first introduced at Cupertino in 1962. It was initially organized as a competition among Cupertino juniors and seniors, but was later expanded by former Principal Kami Tomberlain to a competition between all grade levels. In 2022, Powderpuff was removed and replaced with Tinolympics, which differs from Powerpuff in that it
is a series of class-based athletic events. Rather than a singular game like Powerpuff, students are given the opportunity to choose from a variety of events to compete in over the course of a few weeks. This year, Powderpuff has returned as a part of Tinolympics and has been rebranded with the name Powerpuff. Photographic evidence dating back to the 1930s traces Powderpuff to the Western State College of Colorado. The game was first officially documented in 1945 at Eastern State Teacher’s college in Madison, South Dakota. The sport was first introduced due to military drafting for World War II, when there was low male enrollment in football. In response, female students at the college decided to form teams and compete
Formerly named powderpuff, the game makes a return after an absence of two years which they deemed “Powderpuff.” The game allowed women to involve themselves in a traditionally male-dominated aspect of the college experience. Powderpuff was generally played as a more laid-back version of football due to a lack of professional competition. As a result, the was criticized for reinforcing stereotypes that female participation was to be taken less seriously. Despite this, Title IX and the women’s empowerment movement of the 1970s further fueled the popularity of the sport, following an increased commitment to providing equal opportunities for all genders. The first modern-day Powderpuff football game, called the Samara Bowl,
in a strict - ly female season of football,
was played between Sheehan High School and Hall High School in Connecticut. The sport was later spread throughout high schools in the area and soon across the county. The Samara Bowl is an ongoing tradition to this day, taking place on the day before Thanksgiving each year. Powderpuff was significant in that it was a way for women to establish themselves further in sports and participate in physically demanding activities. Through the sport, women were able to challenge societal gender norms and build camaraderie with each other, making Powderpuff a meaningful part of women’s empowerment across America.
deal to them, because it was really their only opportunity to kind of showcase their athleticism,” Advanced Placement United States History teacher Wes Morse said. “In the late ‘80s, almost all the same sports that are here now were there then, and so I think they had fun with it. It was very class-based, so kind of a class competition, class unity and fun. I just remember it being serious, but not that serious. People having fun with it.”
The evolution of Powderpuff at CHS mirrors broader cultural shifts in school athletics and student involvement. What was once one of few athletic opportunities
“Earlier in the ‘60s, girls really didn’t have an opportunity for sports, especially to compete on a school level basis, where people could actually come and watch. So I know back in the ‘60s and ear ly ‘70s, Pow der puff was prob ably more of a big
provided for girls evolved over the years into a core tradition focused on class camaraderie and lighthearted competition. After Powderpuff’s removal in 2022, Tinolympics was introduced as a way to provide access to sports that are less common.
“The main reason why [ASB] wanted to do dodgeball, powerpuff and rowing is because those are sports that are not super accessible,” ASB Secretary and Powerpuff participant Hannah Wawda said. Powerpuff provides an opportunity for students to bond over a shared sense of school spirit. “Overall it was real-
ly fun,” Wawda said. “I think our class, specif- ically the girls who were playing on the football team, all bonded a bit together.”
Said Morse, “Try to see the value of hanging out with your friends. Try to see the value of being a fun and cohesive class, of opting in and maybe not worrying about winning and losing, but just participating and playing and having fun. It’s a way in which you can connect in a different kind of way. We have our dances that drive a lot of our rallies and things like that. But this
”
IT’S A SPORT THAT HAS POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR SCHOOL.
” WES MORSE
is kind of an athletic piece. It’s a sport that has potential for the future of our school.”
ASB Athletics Commission declined to be interviewed for this article
Social Media’s Promotion of ToxicMasc
AMRITA BRAR
features editor
Every day, thousands of teenage boys scroll through social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, X and Instagram, where they are exposed to video upon video of traditional
“alpha males” — a clear display of “toxic masculinity.” The term “toxic masculinity” refers to a set of socially regressive traits seen as virile, such as being violent, abusive and overly dominant. The term dates back to the mythopoetic men’s movement of the
1980s, a campaign that gained traction in the United States and sought to redefine what it means to be a man. The phrase was coined by psychologist Shepherd Bliss to describe the negative aspects of masculinity. Recently, debates have sparked regarding
the increasingly significant return of “toxic masculinity” to the cultural zeitgeist — particularly among preteenage and teenage boys.
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, X and Instagram have given way to a new era of content that focuses on defining the societal roles of men and women. These posts acquire millions of views and likes, despite promoting patriarchal views. Social media algorithms associate “alpha male” influencers with content that many boys typically consume, allowing them to exploit impressionable minds. Furthermore, many boys who do not have healthy male role models feel the need to find them elsewhere, leading them directly to these creators.
A primary example of this phenomenon is Andrew Tate, a convicted sex trafficker and rapist who has amassed an enormous male following online.
ulinity
The self-proclaimed misogynist justifies violence against women, even going as far as to claim that women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.
Tate first began gaining widespread recognition in 2022 after claiming that “depression isn’t real,” contributing to the belief that mental health is not a prevalent issue among men. Tate also faced backlash for making homophobic statements, often weaponizing religion to spread hateful rhetoric. Even now, nearly three years later, with Tate under criminal investigation for human trafficking, countless men perpetuate his prejudiced beliefs in online communities.
The “Whatever” podcast hosted by influencer Brian Atlas is notorious for bringing female OnlyFans models onto the show just to berate them for filming adult content. Atlas and other male guests often
“
THE WAY THAT THESE CREATORS PRESENT TRADITIONAL MASCULINITY CAUSES YOUNG MEN TO GROW UP THINKING WOMEN ARE SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLEASURE AND ENTERTAINMENT.
AMRITA BRAR
”
speak to them in a condescending and belligerent manner, steering the conversation in sexual directions and later posting clips out of context and deeming the women as “crazy radical feminists.”
The term “redpill” comes from the 1999 film “The Matrix,” and has become synonymous with individuals — often “alpha male” influencers — describing their awakening to some allegedly previously hidden reality. This ideology is often used by male supremacists such as Atlas and Tate, who disguise their hatred for women as a “realization” that men are socially, politically and sexually controlled by women. According to them, being “redpilled” indicates that one is intellectually superior and wants to take back society from the hands of feminists.
Many young men who view “redpill” content, such as the “Whatever” podcast, internalize it and begin to fester resentment towards women. A 2024 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that men make up nearly 80% of all suicides in the U.S. as a result of not feeling able to seek professional
help. Creators who depict mental health treatment as something “feminine” and encourage “masculine” behavior such as bottling emotions only exacerbate this issue. These creators also often weaponize this data to paint men as victims, claiming that men are “oppressed” by women.
Even boys as young as 11 and 12 have begun to exhibit the consequences of this type of content. One mother came forward on TikTok, sharing how a 12-year-old boy at her daughter’s middle school told various girls that he and his dad were planning to assault them.
Some have argued that “toxic masculinity” content is not inherently harmful, and is less about promoting misogyny and more about combating the overfeminization of society. They argue that this content promotes traditional masculine traits of assertiveness, discipline and self-reliance, and that these influencers serve as strong male role models for young men. Surprisingly, some female creators have even advocated for this behavior.
The way that these creators present traditional masculinity causes young men to grow up thinking women are solely for the purpose of pleasure and entertainment. It is also often exclusionary towards any man that is not heterosexual, white and Christian. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with being proud of one’s manhood, learning to differentiate between healthy masculinity — which enforces positive masculine traits such as empathy, open communication and vulnerability without feeling emasculated — and toxic masculinity is crucial
Beast The Ethics
Games Ethics of
noted. This could prove dire for many, including those on their menstrual periods.
Some may argue that “Beast Games” is solely for entertainment purposes, but regardless, the physical and mental mistreatment of the show’s players is immoral. In a fictional setting, actors may not be affected by the horrif-
“
ulation of people’s minds, “Beast Games” has proved the horrors of recreating a fictional, gruesome show in real life
THEY PUT YOU WITH A TEAM, THEN THEY PIT YOU AGAINST YOUR TEAM, AND THEN YOU’RE ON A NEW TEAM, AND IT’S JUST LIKE THIS VICIOUS CYCLE OF FREE-FORALLS AND BETRAYAL ” ANDREW BOND
ic roles they play — however, participating in a survival game firsthand is a distinctly different experience. Additionally, the concept of people watching others suffer for amusement is slowly getting justified by “Beast Games,” and creating more emotionally disturbing shows may become a norm if these ethical consid erations are not addressed.
LOVE LANGUAGE QUIZ
Ready to discover your heart’s unique language? Take this quiz and find out!
CATHY WU writer
They say love makes the world go round, but did you know it speaks in different languages? Some people swoon over sweet words, while others melt over kind gestures. Whether you’re a hugger, a gift-giver or enjoy planning date nights, your love language holds the key to how you connect with others.
1
What is your idea of a perfect date?
A. Glazing ceramics together in a quiet atelier while having a long conversation
B. Your partner Doordashes your favorite meal for a picnic outing
C. You were surprised with tickets to favorite movie or artist
D. Staying in and watching a movie at their place
E. A day-long adventure at an amusement park
2
What is your favorite part of Valentine’s Day?
A. Hearing the appreciation your partner holds for you through a handwritten letter
B. Grabbing Korean barbeque with your partner, and they handle the barbequing
C. Receiving thoughtful gifts that show how much your partner knows you
D. Getting cozy with someone special in front of the fireplace
E. Being surprised with a well planned date night
3
What kind of surprise shows that someone really likes you?
A. Small love notes left around the house for you to find
B. A surprise birthday party, inviting all your closest friends and family
C. Your special someone brings you a souvenir from a family trip
D. Your partner turns on your favorite song and starts dancing with you
E. Your partner clears their schedule to spend extra time with you
4
Which of these songs best describe you?
A. “UNDERSTAND” - Keshi
B. “I Wanna Be Yours” - Arctic Monkeys
C. “24K Magic” - Bruno Mars
D. “2 hands” - Tate McRae
E. “Late Night Talking” - Harry Styles
5
Which of these are most likely to be your motto?
A. “My toxic trait is falling for a sweet talker”
B. “You can talk the talk, but you have to walk the walk”
C. “It’s either Prada or nada”
D. “Public displays of affection are my thing”
E. “If I’m not your first priority, don’t waste my time”
6
It is time for a romantic getaway! What would be your ideal trip?
A. Somewhere you can reminisce about all the places you have been
B. Wherever it is, you need to be pampered
C. A rendezvous in the city, perfect for shopping sprees
D. A private suite with loads of pillows and blankets
E. Out in the open with a gorgeous scenery — somewhere where you can focus on only each other
7 Which of the following do you need more of in a relationship?
A. Receiving words of encouragement
B. Performing small thoughtful tasks
C. More handmade gifts
D. Using touch when being comforted
E. Making a point of having a date night every week
RESULTS
Mostly A: Words of Affirmation
Mostly B: Acts of Service
Mostly C: Receiving Gifts
Mostly D: Physical Touch
Mostly E: Quality Time
You prefer to receive love through spoken language or written messages. Chances are, you also enjoy being told you are appreciated and valued via notes, texts and verbal expressions.
Undivided attention is the focal point — you feel most loved when someone is fully present and engaged. You will want a partner to turn off a screen, make eye contact, listen to what you say and respond thoughtfully.
You believe affection is most meaningful when shown through subtle gestures and physical expressions of love, as do all other love languages. For you, a hug, back rub or hand-holding provides a strong, tangible connection.
You especially value actions over words, through performing thoughtful tasks to make their day more enjoyable. This can be through simple tasks such as helping them with a project, running an errand, cleaning and more.
words of affirmation quality time physical touch acts of service receiving gifts
You appreciate the time and effort one puts into finding the right gift for the right moment. You believe that the value of a gift lies not in its monetary worth, but in the thought behind it, and will likely keep the gifts given to you forever.
BRAINROT DICTIONARY
Translating modern slang through exploring its definitions, origins and usage.
JOE ZHENG writer
ate
ate verb
to have done something exceptionally well
They absolutely ate their choir solo up.
origin of ate
Originated in the LGBTQ+ and drag community from the phrase “they not only served but ate and left no crumbs;” later shortened to “ate”
aura
au·ra noun
the ability to instill awe in others
When he started dancing during the rally, the entire school felt his aura.
origin of aura
used and popularized by online basketball and soccer communities. One notable instance is people stating that “Virgil Van Dijk has so much aura.” Van Dijk is a Dutch professional soccer player, known for calmly and successfully defending the world’s best attackers.
cap
lie, to exaggerate over the top kap verb
I saw Mr. Schloss at the gym yesterday, no cap.
origin of cap
Originated from African American Vernacular English; popularized in 2017 by Atlanta rappers Young Thug and Future in their song “No Cap,” in which the two rap about their wealth and success
rizzriz
noun
skill in impressing and charming romantic interests
They’re dating? She’s got so much rizz.
origin of rizz
shortening of the word “charisma;” used and popularized by YouTuber and live-streamer Kai Cenat
(getting) cooked
to suffer harsh consequences; to be humiliated kookt verb
I’m so cooked! I stayed up all night playing Block Blast and I have a midterm next period. origin of cooked
originated from the term “cooked to a crisp;” popularized by early 2000s sports fans on X, formerly Twitter, who used the term after a loss or defeat; further popularized by usage of slang “to cook,” meaning to perform a task skillfully
lock in
verb
become extremely focused and concentrated on something, e.g. studying, sports, video games, romantic relationships, etc.; become unmoved by external influences lok-in
My Prospector article draft is due in 5 minutes. I need to lock in.
origin of lock in popularized by multiplayer first-person shooter video games such as Fortnite; players would tell their teammates to “lock in” before joining a game
HAILEY RYU, ANSHIKA JAIN postscript editor |
