Issue 7/Senior Issue - May 2023

CHS Senior Nights: A Picture Collage pg. 6 POSTSCRIPT

Tino Pioneerity Test pg. 10 SENIOR

Game of Life pg. 28

...and other articles!

THE PROSPECTOR STAFF

2022-2023

editors-in-chief

Katelyn Chu

Saniya Laungani

Theresa Nguyen

page editors

Katelyn Chu

Theresa Nguyen

Caroline Cheng

Natalie Chen

Soha Roy

Prithika Sundar

Taruna Anil

Lisa Zivanic

Evan Lu

Jolie Han

Rajasi Laddha

writers

Aashin

Caroline Cheng

Katelyn Chu

Kevin Jia

Natalie Chen

Prithika Sundar

Soha Roy

Stefaniya Nava

Saniya Laungani

Tanvee Sai

Taruna Anil

Theresa Nguyen

special thanks to

Alexander Liu

Alisha Sankhe

Andrew Qin

Angie Li

Anika Rao

Anoushka Gokhale

Benjamin Liu

Eliana Aschheim

Evelyn Liao

Hailey Ryu

Joyce Lee

Katie Kim

Riya Malik

Shaona Das

advisor

Ann Peck

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Dear Reader,

We’ve made it. With the stick of chalk not dissimilar to those we were given as kindergarteners, we’ve drawn a line–no matter how messy–all the way to our senior year. Chalk in hand, we stand up, marveling at our masterpiece culmination of 13 school years; and as we look around, we can see all the masterpieces our friends and peers have made as well.

Together, we see it all. The triumphs (that one time your teacher used your work as an example and you sat there silently beaming with pride), mistakes (like those times you overslept 30 minutes into a Zoom class, having to hear the ding of shame as you joined late) and periods of growth (delayed realizations that school lunch is actually quite decent, amongst other more serious realizations)---all laid out in chalk in front of us.

Exactly 12 months ago, the three of us were standing in the Wagon Wheel, preparing senior posters for our beloved senior staffers—I (Katelyn) holding my backpack that only starts to get packed up at least two minutes after the bell rings, I (Theresa) fiddling with my blue scrunchie and I (Saniya) sipping on my third diet coke of the day. We smiled proudly at the posters, bedazzled in doodles and signed messages, but knew that the legacy our seniors had created during their time in high school was art that could never be replicated.

Now, standing in their place (even accidentally walking in on juniors making our posters as they once did), we pick up our coloring tools, dusting our hands off as our time in high school draws to an end. We’ve enjoyed telling Tino’s stories for the past three years, but now, it’s time to capture our own memories in print (which, if you think about it, is just like a more permanent version of chalk :D).

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

As we all follow our own (side)walks of life, we hope that every once in a while, you remember to let your inner child run free and enjoy moments in the sun. Leave your mark! (Or not, the choice is yours.)

Katelyn Chu, Theresa Nguyen and Saniya Laungani The Prospector Editors-in-Chief 2022-2023

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Teresa Filice

AASHIN writer

Okay, so I went to college in Seattle, which is a huge music town. And not as much when I was a first year, but especially in my third and fourth years of college, especially because by my senior year, I wasn’t an RA

anymore. I was living off campus, so we would go see live music all the time. And obviously, you know, living in Capitol Hill, which at the time was a little bit different. But that’s kind of where grunge and alternative music really exploded.

DESIGNED BY SOHA ROY

So we were at these little clubs called pneumos, and the Common Tavern and just be around really awesome bands. And, you know, their floor was sticky with beer and I’m sure other substances and you’d be packed in and you could talk to the bands afterwards. So there’s one of my favorite bands, it’s still active, Rogue Wave. They’re from Oakland and they just had an album come out and my friends and I went, and

I loved them. And I got the nerve to go talk to them. And they were super friendly. And, you know, I mean, now I’m older, and I honestly don’t think I can stay awake late enough for some of these shows that would start at midnight, but it was so visceral and so fun.

And that was something I really remember is living in Capitol Hill and just going to see these amazing, amazing shows. Also, I did see Macklemore, if y’all know who that is, before he was a thing. Even then I was like, I don’t know about this. But anyway, that’s when I was at a festival back when I lived in Arizona

Cupertino High School teachers reflect back on their college years

Kiki Canton

CAROLINE CHENG news editor

Definitely a piece of advice I have is to study abroad. I got to study abroad twice in Mexico and Argentina and both of those experiences were absolutely life changing for me. Getting off campus, getting out of your comfort zone where you can, to learn about other people and other ways of life is such a valuable experience to have and you will never have the freedom that you have when you’re in college to be able to do those things.

When I went to Argentina, I felt really lucky because this was all pre-cell phone. I lived in a house that was built in the late 1700s, didn’t have a living room, had one bathroom for 11 people, and was cold. There was no air conditioning or heat–it was way out of my comfort zone in terms of where I was actually staying and I loved it. It was a very valuable experience. I loved that I got to know the family extremely well that I

was with. They didn’t speak a word of English, not even at all a little bit. And my Spanish wasn’t great then. I was really forced to

work very hard to communicate with them. I was there for three and a half months and that was huge for me. It was also very eye opening because I learned a lot of history that I did not know about. I met survivors of the military dictatorship and an incredible artist/ activist who was on a mission to make sure Argentina and the world never forgot about his fellow countrymen who were killed by their government. Probably my most valuable possession is a piece of his art that is hanging on my classroom wall now.

I’m jumping around here, but freshman year I went in being pre-business. U-Dub has a very good business school and I thought I wanted to be in business. So I was taking all the math classes and dabbling with political science. I liked that. But I started with the micro and macro

economics classes, and I hated it and I wasn’t very good at it at all. And I looked around the room and I also didn’t really like the people that were in my classes and I thought maybe this isn’t for me. I took an ethnic studies class, which back then I had never heard of. That class kinda rocked my world. That coupled with studying abroad completely changed the trajectory of my studies, and then of course, my career.

I guess the big lesson is, just because you have an idea of what you’re going to do now doesn’t mean that’s how it’s going to work out, and maybe that’s a good thing. Don’t think that you have to go down some preordained path. Life will surprise you. You will discover different things about the world and yourself over the next few years and try to embrace all that unknown newness. And of course don’t forget, people are fascinating! Be sure to put your phone down and talk to strangers

“It was an incredible night, and I was so proud of our team for the tremendous energy and determination that each player brought to the game, and carried all the way to the end of the second overtime, earning the team its first victory in two years. The senior night ceremony was also amazing, and I could not be more proud to end the season with that reminder of how much we had improved and grown together.

Siddarth Kadari, Boys Water Polo

SENIOR

A collection of memories from

“

Senior night was a close to high school–kind of a close to wrestling. Wrestling was a big part of my life for the longest time. [...] I don’t plan to wrestle in college, but it did make the senior night more memorable, a little bit more like, oh hey, this is it, one last time under the spotlight, one last time to give it all out in front of the people, so it did mean a lot. Not to mention the coaches, and the team that I had and was there, it was enough to be like these people got me through everything, not to mention the other coaches and other parents that have taught me a lot outside of [Tino]. And it was/is enough to make me wonder what kind of person would I be if I didn’t do wrestling; what kind of personality would I have if I didn’t have this in my life. So I genuinely enjoyed senior night.

Alex Reyez, Wrestling

“ Senior night was so wholesome as I was sad that the season was ending but I was so happy that I had a chance to play with such an amazing and talented team and will forever be grateful for my team and my coaches to make my year and my senior night such a memorable one!

Urja Nandu, Girls Basketball

NIGHT

celebrating seniors’ sports seasons

SOHA ROY features editor

“Senior night was amazing! We didn’t expect the underclassmen to use so many ugly pictures of us on the posters, but they really made it a fun and memorable day.

Arohi Behara, Girls Tennis

@realtinodecisions: Prospector Edition

An homage to the Instagram account, the senior staff share their satirical college decisions

NATALIE STEF

monsters university

university of alabama

BAGPIPE STUDIES

universal studios u GASLIGHTING

yale university

GILMORE GIRLS STUDIES

colgate university

DENTISTRY

harvard university MORTUARY SCIENCES

university of rajasthanEXTRATERRESTRIAL

SILENCING

KEVIN

AASHIN

TARUNA

SANIYA

RAJASI

The Official

Have you ever...

The Prospector

Pioneerity Test

The Pionerity Test will officially serve as a segue from orientation week to true high school life at Cupertino High School. It is a voluntary opportunity for students to bond and track the maturation of their experiences throughout high school.

Caution: This is not a bucket list. Completetion of all items on this test will likely result in suspension.

Ditched tutorial to go to Mainstreet?

Pulled an all-nighter to study for a test?

Cut the brunch or lunch line?

Been kicked out of class for disruptive behavior?

Received detention?

Ditched detention?

Parked without a permit?

Walked the mile in PE?

Skipped a class to study for another class?

Skipped a sports practice?

Survived a main hallway rally stampede?

Taken a lollipop from Ms. Amick’s desk?

Rolled down GPA hill?

Begged a teacher to round your grade?

Lied to your teacher for an extension?

Had over 10 unexcused absences?

Lost your ID card?

Received an academic integrity violation?

Read a copy of The Prospector?

Purchased a yearbook?

Sang “Sweet Caroline” at football games?

Wore PE clothes outside of PE class?

Used Chat GPT for a whole assignment?

Been caught plagiarizing by Turnitin?

Downloaded a VPN to bypass Securly?

Signed up for random clubs during clubs’ day?

Created a group chat to get homework answers?

Slept through a Zoom class during COVID?

Solo carried a group project?

Submitted an assignment at exactly 11:59 p.m?

Took a 20-minute walk during class?

Visited another class during your own class?

Forgot your PE clothes at home?

Took a nap in class?

Watched the world cup during class?

Faked a parent’s signature on a permission slip?

Been fined for overdue books?

Used the computer lab to play games?

Bought a ticket to an event last minute?

Bought an AP test but did not take it?

Had a teacher confiscate your phone?

Borrowed someone’s pencil?

Ever prom-posed to someone?

Ever been prom-posed to?

Spent over $100 for boba?

Been a regular at a Mainstreet store?

Taken pictures in the Mainstreet garage?

Learned the cheer for football games

Miss the old Target at Mainstreet?

Played Chess or Wordle during class?

Been caught sneaking off-campus?

Attended a CAT or Choir show?

Went to a club meeting for free food?

Studied at Philz with friends?

Faked an illness to skip a test?

Called your friends in sick to ditch class?

Pretended to be a parent to skip class?

Participated in the Homecoming all-nighter?

RAJASI LADDHA | STEFANIYA NAVA copy-editor/writer | writer

Participated in a dance for a rally?

Printed something out last minute at the library?

Went to In-N-Out after a school dance?

Dropped a class?

Cried to your Guidance Counselor?

Cried in front of your teacher(s)?

Dated someone at CHS?

Only attended class to see your crush?

Almost been run-over at the crosswalks?

Been called into the office for disciplinary action?

Spent over $20 at the vending machine?

Been a Teacher’s Assistant (TA)?

Your Score:

70 - 65: You are as fresh folk as they come. Go live out your high school dreams!

64 - 50: You are an average student. CHS is blessed with your mediocrity.

49 - 20: Congratulations on being so effortlessly above average. It must be such a burden.

19 - 0: You have undergone the full Cupertino High School experience. You are most likely graduating soon. Congratulations!

2019-2023 MEME COLLAGE | A meme collage of a few beloved memes that rose to stardom during our years.

STAFFERS’ FAVORITE VENDING MACHINE

“ MY TO FRUIT SWEET, PLUS JUST KEEP USUALLY FOURTH BAG). THERESA

KEVIN PRITHIKA

“

AASHIN SINGHAL

“

I ESPECIALLY LOVE RICE KRISPIES AS A VOLLEYBALL SNACK. THEY’RE A SUPER GOOD SOURCE OF QUICK ENERGY SO DURING CLUB SEASON I COULD OFTEN BE FOUND EATING ONE BETWEEN SETS.”

KATELYN CHU

“

CELSIUS WAS THE ONLY REASON I SURVIVED FIRST SEMESTER. ”

PRITHIKA SUNDAR

NATALIE

COUSIN GOT ME ADDICTED SNACKS... THEY’RE NOT TOO PLUS THEY’RE SMALL SO YOU KEEP EATING THEM (SOMEONE STOPS ME BEFORE I GET TO MY BAG).”

THERESA NGUYEN

RAJASI

TARUNA

TANVEE

KATELYN AASHIN

PRITHIKA

CAROLINE

STEF SANIYA SOHA

MMMMMMM, MINIBITES. ”

A Letter To Mrs. Peck

A Letter To Mrs. Peck

A Letter To Mrs. Peck

SANIYA LAUNGANI

igh school is full of inconsistencies; friends, classes and teachers. However, the one consistency I had throughout my four years of high school was room 210. From my freshman year in American Literature to my senior year of journalism, I have had Mrs. Peck as a teacher and mentor.

Mrs. Peck is an excellent literature teacher. She made me understand and comprehend the curriculum and increased my vocabulary with weekly spelling tests.

The classroom excited me to learn, with a giant, blue worn-in bean bag in the right-hand corner of the room constantly tempting me on tired days. Little did I know that bean bag would become my comfort.

Sadly our freshman year was cut short by COVID-19, and so was my time in the classroom. Through freshman literature, I was made aware of Cupertino High School’s publication, The Prospector. I applied and got in my sophomore year, meaning I would have Mrs. Peck as my advisor for the next three years.

Returning to in-person learning after an entire school year of distance learning was hard for many of us. I had often found that my social battery was not present anymore, and I would not want to be in the company of my peers or friends. Instead, I would go to room 210, where

HMrs. Peck would let me sit on the beanbag and read my book throughout brunch or lunch whenever needed. Mrs. Peck made the transition back to in-person learning an easier one, offering me my favorite Oats ‘n Honey Nature Valley Granola Bars and asking me if I needed an ear to listen. Knowing I had a place on campus where I could take a break from the crowded environment at school is something Mrs. Peck provided, as it instilled me with a sense of security.

When Mrs. Peck returned from medical leave during the second semester of my senior year, I could see the atmosphere of room 210 change. The room got brighter, staffers became more lively, and I looked forward to walking in every morning. The daily conversations about books we were reading or current events set up my school days for success.

I could not be more fortunate to find a classroom that reminds me of comfort and the teacher that changed the course of my four years at Cupertino High School. To whom efforts made me feel safe and heard will never be forgotten

Why maintaining a long-lasting passion for a beloved hobby is worth it

KEVIN JIA podcast editor

In a world that often values versatility and variety, it can be tempting to constantly switch interests and hobbies to meet the expectations of others. However, there is immense value in sticking to what you do and pursuing your true passions, regardless of societal pressures.

My Speedcubing Journey

It was in the fifth grade when I first discovered speedcubing, the art of solving a Rubik’s Cube in the shortest time possible. Instantly fascinated by the intricacies of this puzzle, I delved into the world of algorithms, finger dexterity, and pattern recognition that defined speedcubing. What drew me to this hobby was not the potential for recognition or pop -

ularity; rather, it was the sheer joy I found in solving the cube and the desire to constantly improve.

Learning and mastering the art of speedcubing was no easy task. I faced numerous challenges along the way, from finger cramps to memorizing complex algorithms. But each hurdle only strengthened my determination to persist and grow. Through countless hours of practice and dedication, I gradually saw my solve times decrease and my skills improve. These achievements, both big and small, brought me immense satisfaction and a sense of personal accomplishment.

The Pressure to Switch Hobbies

In today’s competitive academic landscape, there is an increasing trend of students feeling pressured to constantly switch hobbies in order to boost their college applications. The belief that having a long list of diverse extracurricular activities will impress admissions officers has led many to abandon their true passions in favor of pursuing activities they have no genuine interest in. This pattern can be detrimental to personal growth and hinder the development of true expertise.

I have witnessed friends and acquaintances fall into this trap, as they hopped from one STEM-related activity to another, hoping to impress colleges with their diverse skill set. They often found themselves stretched thin, juggling multiple commitments without truly immersing themselves in any of them.

“

THEY OFTEN FOUND THEMSELVES STRETCHED THIN, JUGGLING MULTIPLE COMMITMENTS WITHOUT TRULY IMMERSING THEMSELVES IN ANY OF THEM.

KEVIN JIA

The result was a shallow understanding of various subjects and a lack of true expertise in any.

Sticking to One Hobby: A Mark of Dedication

Contrary to popular belief, sticking to one hobby and demonstrating a deep level of commitment can be more impressive to colleges and future employers alike. Choosing to delve into a single passion allows you to develop a unique skill set and a level of expertise that sets you apart. It showcases your dedication, discipline, and the ability to overcome challenges.

Moreover, pursuing one hobby wholeheartedly fosters personal growth. It teaches you patience, perseverance, and the value of hard work. By focusing on what you truly love, you not only gain proficiency in your chosen field but also develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity that can be applied in various aspects of life.

Final Words

In a society that often urges us to constantly switch gears and pursue the next big thing, it is crucial to remember the im- portance of sticking to what we do and embracing our passions. My own journey with speedcubing has taught me that true

fulfillment comes from dedicating oneself to something you genuinely love, rather than succumbing to external pressures.

Sticking to What I Do

Whether it’s speedcubing or any other interest, the key is to pursue it wholeheartedly and remain steadfast in the face of societal expectations. By doing so, not only do we experience personal growth and fulfillment, but we also inspire others to embrace their own passions. So, let us break free from the notion of constantly switching and instead commit ourselves to what truly brings us joy

“ LET US BREAK FREE FROM THE NOTION OF CONSTANTLY SWITCHING AND INSTEAD COMMIT OURSELVES TO WHAT TRULY BRINGS US JOY.

KEVIN JIA

KEVIN JIA

As a freshman, you are told that once you are in high school, you have to get serious about the things you do. You are taught to believe that everything you do, from the first day of 9th grade, will affect the rest of your life. But I chose

myself as I paid more attention to my extracurriculars. I decided it was more important for me to focus on what I enjoyed and think about everything else when I felt like it.

Life Your Life: Even in a Bay Area Highschool

not to listen to that.

I knew that being a freshman meant that you had all the time in the world to do whatever you wanted, so I decided to do just that — choosing to prioritize photography, choir and water polo. COVID briefly squashed my plans, but once junior year came around, I hit the ground running.

I continued my passion for photography through journalism, entered my second year on the girls’ water polo team and kept pursuing my love for music by staying in choir. I took challenging classes, but just enough for me to focus time on my extracurriculars along with studying.

Returning to school postCOVID proved to be more difficult than I anticipated, causing my perfect balance of academics and extracurriculars to collapse under the weight of my mental health. I still continued to choose what I wanted to do for

My grades continued to decline, and I ended up finishing junior year with a 3.5 GPA. To me, that was not an unsatisfying closure to the year, as I felt like my performance in certain classes ended up giving me better insight into my own interests and priorities. Ambitiously, I entered senior year feeling ready to tackle seven classes, four editor positions, water polo, a position in class council and three Advanced Placement courses because they piqued my interest. After one month of school, I realized that it was almost impossible for me to manage this weight.

I sleepwalked through my first semester, trying to juggle every class and extracurricular, knowing deep down that it was not right for me. I realized that in order for me to be able to truly enjoy the upcoming semester, I needed to give something up, ultimately deciding to drop my third-period class.

My parents were extremely upset, given that this choice would be reflected in every application I sent out to every college, and they believed it was a choice that would lead to my ultimate demise. But I still went through with it.

This decision ended up being one of the best choices I made for myself in my entire high school career. With an

open period, I was able to take some time out of my day to destress, spend time with people I love and take a step away from stressors. Ever since I dropped that class, I have felt lighter, with fewer things to worry about, improving my mental health and productivity significantly.

In high school, I broke many rules that people who live in the Bay Area could never imagine. I chose extracurricular activities for personal fulfillment and prioritized my mental health, never once considering what choices would look good on a college app. This mentality, though frowned upon, helped me enjoy high school and gave me so many memories that I will look back on with joy.

We are taught that since we are in high school, we must be conscious of the classes and opportunities we participate in, as it will all be reflected in our applications. While that may be partially true, I am here to say that these choices also affect you in the present. Think about what you enjoy, think about what you are passionate about and prioritize that. Do not partake in miscellaneous activities just for the sake of your college application. Regardless of what you do, you will still make it somewhere, and at the end of the day, that is what is important. Prioritize yourself. Choose you

TANVEE SAI

“

THIS MENTALITY, THOUGH FROWNED UPON, HELPED ME ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL AND GAVE ME SO MANY MEMORIES THAT I WILL LOOK BACK ON WITH JOY.

TANVEE SAI

TANVEE SAI social media manager

A LETTER TO MY FRESHMAN SELF

A Letter to My Freshman Self

TARUNA ANIL

OHey, freshman Taruna! I know you are anxious and excited about high school, and trust me, you have every reason to be. But, perhaps I should prepare you for what you are about to experience. Trust me, it’s the exact opposite of whatever you were expecting.

I guess I should fill you in on the most shocking news; a deadly pandemic transpires, causing lockdowns that steal the last three months of your freshman year and most of your sophomore year. No, I’m not joking.

I know this sounds dramatic, but the pandemic probably changed the trajectory of your life. From the lockdowns, you learned self-perseverance. You learn how to maintain friendships from the four walls of your bedroom. You pushed through the mental health struggles that came from isolation and hopelessness. You finally realize that there is a light at the end of every tunnel, as corny as it sounds. Every time you doubt yourself, you remember that you make it to the other side.

I won’t sugarcoat it: Junior year will hit you like a bus. You’re going to hear all your upperclassmen friends say the same, and you’ll think to yourself, “I’ll be the ex-

ception!” No, you’re not. Like many others, you lost most of your work ethic over the pandemic. Give yourself some grace, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Also, stop trying to read the AP US History textbook. You’ll convince yourself that you can read those 40-page chapters and will not realize how laughable that is until January of 2022. Heimler will save you.

While we’re talking about junior year, let’s get something straight; getting in two more hours of SAT prep is not worth giving up your “Hamilton” tickets. At the end of high school, you are not going to care about your SAT score or how good your grades were. You’ll reminisce on the friends and memories you made. Prioritize putting yourself out there, talking to new people and creating unforgettable moments. Four years go by in the blink of an eye.

And for the love of anything holy, trust the process. The world does not end just because your journey takes a slightly or radically different course. Losing one…or two council elections, failing a test or having strained friendships is NOT the end of the world. I know you don’t believe me, so I’ll give you an example. The week before the nation is put on lockdown, you bomb your interview with the Editors-in-Chief of the Prospector and get rejected. But now we’re here, writing for the final issue of the 2022-2023 school year. Needless to say, everything works out.

No matter what happens, I’m proud of you for overcoming every obstacle that hit you. High school can be a rollercoaster, but enjoy the ride while it lasts

Sincerely,

P.S. Please get your license earlier. It changes everything.

Excitement for 2 weeks off starting March 13th, 2020!

Awkward breakout room silence...

Enjoy your senior night :’)

Adopt your first underclassman

THE PROSPECTOR CLASS OF 2022-2023 | Thank you to each and every one of our staffers this year :) (including staffers not present in the photo: Anoushka Gokhale, Joyce Lee, Stefaniya Nava, Rishita Shah and Soha Roy.

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