PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL - ISSUE 2, VOLUME 29 - NOVEMBER 7, 2024
Get a Clue at PV’s Next Play
By Ella Hansen and Kelly Bojorquez reporters
Get ready for an evening of mystery, suspense and laughter as the PVHS’s drama department presents Clue, a thrilling and suspenseful stage adaptation of the classic board game released in 1949. The production promises a memorable experience for students, teachers and faculty members.
Clue is unique not only for its intriguing plot and colorful cast of characters, but also because of its chaotic, disorderly and energetic elements. With components of mystery and crime scene investigation, Clue will keep the audience guessing and laughing from start to finish.
“The shows are really high quality and the actors put in a lot of time and effort and all the little details like the costumes and makeup and the set are really thought out. I’m excited to see the funny bits and characterization [the actors] all
bring to the show,” junior Maryam Soliman said.
Clue blends features of comedy and mystery, consisting of a small cast of seven main roles and no ensemble chosen by directors Nicole Thompson and Andrew Miller through an audition process.
“We had a huge turnout for the audition process this year. It was as much as a musical which is crazy because there are only about 10 roles for this show where a musical would have double or triple that amount, so it was really exciting,” Thompson said.
Before gracing the stage, the select cast, crew and teachers prepare for opening night through frequent rehearsals ranging from three to six hours after school beginning in September. The department’s extensive rehearsals result in a special experience.
“The main seven characters all get a moment to shine and you can really see their character and personality,” assistant director
senior Maddie Sherman said.
Clue has many uncommon factors as it is multigenerational because of its release as a board game and later a movie.
The script for the play stayed true to the movies, allowing for its lively cast to exhibit their new and distinct personas.
“The play is unique because last year we only did two musicals and this [production] is a play. All the characters are very specific types and we are all on stage for the majority of the play,” senior actress Lauren McDonald said.
Behind the scenes, the multiple crews and directors work to make the elaborate sets, costumes, makeup looks and theater ready for opening night.
“I’m the stage manager and tech lead for Drama Club so I’m in charge of every single technical element like props, set pieces, lighting and sound. Anything that isn’t actors is what I’m in charge of. I have to go to rehearsals and when we move into the theater I can make sure
everything is where it needs to be and is running smoothly,” stage manager and tech lead senior Senna Neimen said.
Supporting the arts at school is important, as it encourages creativity and teamwork while showcasing the talent here in our own hallways.
Plus, it’s a great way for the entire school community to come together and share in a unique and engaging experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting production opening Friday, November 8.
2024: The Year of Elections
Recapping recent local, state, federal elections
By Olivia Kao and Ella Sherry editors-in-chief
Bond Measure SOS
SOS is PVPUSD’s Classroom Repair and Student Safety Measure.
On Tuesday, November 5, 55.72% of voters voted Yes on SOS, while 44.28% voted no. Needing at least 55% of votes cast in favor of the measure for it to pass, SOS exceeded this mark by just 0.72%.
The bond measure will authorize nearly $300 million to be used for repairing outdated classrooms, labs and schools to support a quality education.
The money received will also be used to repair leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, poor plumbing systems and improve natural disaster safety on campus.
Being a bond measure, SOS will increase local taxes. With improved school facilities, however, it is estimated local property values will increase.
SOS will ensure the funds will be utilized strictly for improving PVPUSD campuses through fiscal accountability protections. These protections include the establishment of a citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits.
Additionally, no funds from SOS can be taken from the State nor can they be used to raise staff salaries, benefits or anything other than school campus facilities improvements, including administrative buildings.
PVPUSD School Board
With two PVPUSD governing board member seats available and four candidates who ran for the position, voters cast their ballots for no more than two of the candidates.
The two candidates at the top of the ticket are returning Board President Ami Gandhi and Mayor Pro Tem of Rancho Palos Verdes Eric Alegria, with 12,582 (31.64%) and 10,688 (26.88%) votes respectively.
Candidate Jeremy Vanderhal came in at a close third with 9,949 (25.02%) votes cast and candidate Alexandria Kay Blumer in fourth with 6,544 (16.46%) votes.
Returning to the school board, Gandhi’s goal is “to continue to be an advocate for our children, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed,” and aims to “foster a positive learning environment that promotes academic excellence and nurtures the potential of every student,” according to gandhi4pv. com.
As a member of the school board, Alegria plans to “tackle the problems our schools face head-on,” including fixing campus facilities, engaging parents, supporting mental health, expanding extracurricular and STEM opportunities (ericalegria. org).
State
Assembly
The candidates for California’s 66th District State Assemblymember were Al Muratsuchi (D) and George Barks (R).
58.28% of voters chose Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi to represent the 66th District of California, and 41.72% of voters selected George Barks, keeping Muratsuchi in office as Assemblymember.
During the Assemblymember’s steady time in office, he has served in the positions of Chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Aerospace Select Committee among others. Assemblymember Muratsuchi has focused heavily on issues surrounding environmental advocacy and education during his time in the State Assembly.
United States Congress United States President
The candidates for the US Representative of the 36th District of California were Ted W. Lieu (D) and Melissa Toomim (R).
Approximately 67% of voters chose Congressman Lieu, with the remaining 33% went for Toomim.
Representative Lieu will remain a member of Congress, now for nearly a decade, as he first assumed office in 2015.
Rep. Lieu has been involved in committee work surrounding issues of national security and foreign affairs, local issues and government oversight and ethics. Rep. Lieu is also an active advocate for civil rights and social justice, also focusing on other topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology and the environment.
After a close race in the late hours of Election Day, Donald Trump (R) secured the necessary electoral college votes to win the presidency. As of Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4:30 PM, Trump leads with 295 electoral votes while Vice President Kamala Harris (D) has won 226. Trump won five out of seven total swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump’s success is the result of a months-long campaigning process in which both candidates held rallies in a variety of states, discussing their policies and plans if they were to be elected. In the weeks before Election Day the polls were remarkably close, further contributing to the tension of the race.
(Photo courtesy of PVHS Drama Department)
(Photo courtesy of California State Assembly)
(Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives)
(Photo courtesy of Shaleah Craighead, Wikimedia Commons)
Baja Bound:
The thrills and spills of the Baja experience
By Ivy Ruberg reporter/social media
Most students travel to Mexico with visions of sandy beaches, warm waters and fish tacos. But earlier this month, a group of PV High students journeyed to Baja California with a different vision in mind: building houses for the needy with the organization Baja Bound.
Baja Bound is sponsored by the Accardo family and their church. Within this trip, a group of teens, accompanied by a few adults, take a trip down to Ensenada, Mexico to build homes for families in need.
“My favorite part was seeing the smiles on their faces when we were done,” sophomore Odin Bruno said.
This shared perspective from those in attendance highlights the character and values of students at PV High.
In Baja, a normal day starts at 6:30 a.m with a sunrise swim, followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Then students will arrive on site at 9 a.m. and work eight hours until 5 p.m. After working, they arrive home and have dinner at 6 o’clock.
“We built the frame and the walls on the first day, and that was probably the hardest part,” sophomore Marcus Yoon said.
“When we were done, it really started to look like a house.”
The second day was dedicated to building the loft and roof.
Then, they started painting, getting everything prepped and ready for the third and final day.
“The third day we just did finishing touches and the family got to see the
house,” sophomore Heath Casey said.
“I feel like I got a lot closer to my friends and also I connected with the people there and the family.”
The trip not only benefits those who are the recipients of the homes, but it also fosters a sense of community among those helping.
“It was equally rewarding for the family as it was for the volunteers,” president of the Baja Bound Club, Amelia Accardo said.
“It’s really good to see different cultures… and just how grateful they are for everything. Little things to us are like everything to them, and I feel like if we can give them that, then it really means that much more,” she said.
Accardo started this branch as a model off of her father’s branch that he runs through their church.
“I’ve been going down since I was like nine years old, and when I came to PV I wanted to broaden our reach of the program to even more people,” she said.
“I
Accardo plans to make the trip down to Mexico a regular occurrence for PV High students and hopes to have another trip in place for spring break.
Han Kang:
First Asian American woman to win the Nobel Prize
By Sierra Hickey reporter
Han Kang, a South Korean poet and author was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in literature on October 10, 2024.
According to the Nobel Prize website, this was due to her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Kang is known best for her books The Vegetarian (2007) and Human Acts (2016), which address human violence and trauma.
She grew up in Gwangju, South Korea and moved cities right before the Gwangju Uprising, a rebellion that occurred against the government, so this event likely influenced her writing.
Additionally she grew up surrounded by literature as her father was a novelist.
“I’m so surprised and absolutely, I’m honored,” Kang stated in an interview with the Swedish Academy.
She went on to say “I grew up with Korean literature, which I feel very close to. So I hope this news is nice for Korean literature readers, and my friends and writers.”
Kang is one of many Korean authors that are growing in popularity at the moment.
“The reason [Korean Literature] became popular recently is because these books are now being translated into other languages, which makes it more
accessible for people to read,” Korean Language teacher Jihyun Kim stated.
“I loved Han Kang’s books. She started writing poems first, so the way she writes is extremely beautiful and at the same time very sad,” Kim continued.
“Korea as a whole has extraordinary literature and storytelling, however, not enough people know about this or the Korean language,” she elaborated.
While this individual accomplishment is important, the message it gives is even more significant.
People need to continue to gain representation in literature so that all voices can be heard.
“As a Korean and as a woman, I am so proud of this accomplishment. It means a lot that an Asian woman received this literature prize,” said Kim.
Ashley Brockman, teacher librarian at PVHS, also sees literature as a key to building human connections and understanding.
“Literature, like all forms of art, helps to build empathy and to explore the things that we have curiosity or passion about,” she said.
Han Kang’s works are just a few of many amazing books that reflect a unique human experience.
“While we should all read what draws our interest, awards are given to books for a reason, and we should all try to give some of those books a chance,” said Brockman.
Students building homes in Baja California (From left to right: Heath Casey, Odin Bruno, Owen Michael, Dani Ramirez, Josh Hurley, MarcusYoon, Jesse Ramirez, Sasha Woudwijk, Kami Fuchs andAmeliaAccardo).
think next time maybe we could stay a little longer or build another house to help out the families even more,” sophomore Owen Michael said. The community will just have to wait until next year to find out.
Picking the Perfect Pumpkin
By Valerie Villegas news editor
Dragons, spiders, unicorns, witches and doughnuts- all of these ideas have been brought to life by students during the library’s annual Mini Pumpkin Decorating Halloween show.
This tradition seeks to promote community involvement and creativity by providing the first 10 participants with a free mini pumpkin and supplies necessary to ensure everyone has access to participate.
Submissions ran from Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 25 with students voting from Oct. 25 until Oct. 30. All pumpkins submitted are tailored to one of the five categories: Character, Red Tide and School Spirit, Pretty, Scary or Over-thetop!
“We had [a submission with a] little beauty mask with the towel on her head, …a great Pennywise pumpkin, then we’ve had some like just really cool creative ones that are kind of abstract, but really pretty,” teacher librarian Ashley Brockman said.
Once all pumpkins are displayed, student votes are tallied up, with the majority vote deciding which pumpkins
Winning pumpkin byAdelynn Henderson
(Photo courtesy ofAshley Brockman)
are the strongest contenders for their respective categories.
This tradition which started in 2021 expands every year with students growing more creative in their pumpkin’s designs. and details.
Hurricanes Milton and Helene’s Aftermaths
By Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña reporter/social media
Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed a large portion of the U.S., including a large part of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Many people have been left without power in their homes or stranded from flooding.
But what caused these hurricanes to be this severe? How extensive was the damage? What can people do to help?
The areas hit hardest by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, namely Florida and North Carolina, had it especially rough in the aftermath. It demolished homes, flooded cities and entire communitie got cut off from the outside world.
Checking on residents in the areas affected can prove difficult, but some still manage to check in with those people.
Sophomore Owen Hansen says that his family is doing “pretty good, actually.” But what’s actually helping the affected people?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the organization in charge of providing emergency relief after disasters, has been helping the areas recover, but it may not be enough.
According to the National Public Radio, in previous disasters FEMA is about twice as likely to deny housing assistance to
lower-income disaster survivors, and they were also less likely to get help.
However, despite the government’s failings, it’s impossible to stop a natural process.
According to Environmental Science teacher Marie Kuhn, but “the problem with Milton is that our oceans are warming because of climate change.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the last 100 years, the ocean temperatures have risen on average a little over a tenth of a degree per decade, but this small amount is still a huge change.
This may seem like a miniscule change, but it’s an incredibly significant change when it comes to a single century.
The major contributor to this is the large emissions of greenhouse gasses over the last 100 years, specifically carbon dioxide.
This may all appear to be a lot of bad news, but there is something that people are able to do.
Senior Mattias Eberhart, president of Student Environmental Advocacy, says that it’s not too late for change.
“I think what’s actually most important is to not demonize people who are making ‘bad choices’ because… for a lot of people it’s what they have to do.”
Instead, if people want to help reduce the severity of natural disasters, they should take it to the government or swap to using reusable water bottles, which end up cheaper in the long run.
AVID Prepares for their Fall College Campus Tour
By Charlie Russo reporter
Every other year, the AVID program ventures out of state to visit different colleges with his year’s stop being Northern California. AVID students are stopping at Cal Poly San Louis Obisbo, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, Cal State Monterey Bay and Santa Clara University next week for their Fall trip. All of these colleges have various aspects which make them unique to visit.
Deciding which campuses to visit is very important as accommodations have to be made for students attending.
AVID coordinator Cari Secrist has coordinated these trips for the past three years.
“We sat down and had a meeting with Mrs. Lewis in the College and Career Center [where] she gave us a list of schools that she felt would be super appropriate and accessible for our students.”
The location of the schools can be just as important of a factor when deciding as the schools themselves.
“Where we go is up for discussion every year. This year I have juniors and we talked about where they wanted to go at the end of their sophomore year, and
the Bay Area came up quite a bit,” Secrist said.
The AVID trip can really influence someone’s decision on where they want to go for college. These can be positive or negative influences as well.
“The college trip to Texas helped me figure out that I did not want to go to Texas,” senior Jolie Netus said.
Visiting different colleges can help students find their priorities and what they are and aren’t looking for in college.
“I think it’s very important to figure out, before you apply, whether or not you like the college life and its surroundings and if even one of them doesn’t fit your needs wants or expectations, it’s probably not the college for you,” Netus said.
Additionally, these trips serve as an opportunity to get students out of their comfort zone and talk to new people in different grades and classes.
“My favorite part is probably vacationing with my friends because some of my best friends are in AVID so being in a hotel room and being able to share that experience with them is super fun,” junior Norah Lees said.
These AVID trips provide a sense of what different colleges have to offer by exposing students to the different possibilities which lie ahead of them.
Podcast Crossword
2. Song or unique tune
5. Audience's rating
9. A commercial in the episode
12. Funds the podcast
13. Music platform which also has podcasts available for listening
Supporting the podcast
Crossword by Valerie Villegas news editor
1. Saving an episode to listen offline 3. Preview of an upcoming episode 4. Podcasts are uploaded on ------platforms
6. Individual who joins episode
7. Person who runs the show
8. Listening to a podcast online
10. Captures audio when recording
11. Area where podcasts are recorded
(Photo by Valerie Villegas)
FEATURES
Who are the Real Monsters:
The Menendez Brothers or Hollywood
By Quinn Kearns centerspread editor
A case that has reached generational interest has just resurfaced once more. After the biopic series Monsters:ALyle and Erik Menendez Story was released on Netflix, the morality in question still lingers, are the brothers really guilty?
The initial fascination surrounding the case began decades ago in the 90’s when the trial was covered on television. From the beginning, the brothers were very popular based on their looks, but their story was what brought them sympathy. Since then, the case has been revisited multiple times through documentaries and other media coverage. So, with the most recent television series streaming on Netflix, the case has resurfaced with surprising popularity among this generation.
“With the case being reopened, I think it’s good that they have the opportunity to go on parole. Although they did murder I don’t think their crimes were comparable to that of a serial killer,” said senior Chloe Hartman
Directly after the show came out, Netflix followed up with a documentary and as of recently, the case is under review once again. The question still remains, is it pretty privilege or innocence that will free the brothers?
(Graphic created by Quinn Kearns)
“I think they’re guilty in the sense that they killed their parents, but I feel that because there’s evidence that their dad molested children in the past, their story about being victims of sexual abuse is more plausible,” said Hartman
Just because the television adaptation of the Menendez case is popular does not mean that it is accurate. Younger brother Erik Menendez claims that the show is full of blatant lies.
“Social media and Hollywood does take advantage of people’s traumas in order to make money because there are so many documentaries other than the Menedez Brothers biopic that document people’s traumas because they know it’s engaging and that they are going to profit from it.” said Hartman.
It is not uncommon for Hollywood to capitalize off of over exaggerations and make unverified information seem factual.
The Nostalgia is Real
By Kelly Bojorquez reporter
Walking down the halls of PVHS, it’s easy to catch conversations that spark memories of simpler times before tests, homework, and college applications. For many students, childhood was filled with beloved toys that fueled their imagination and brought endless hours of fun. These toys became icons of our younger years. In this article, take a trip down memory lane to explore the most popular and cherished toys that shaped the childhoods of PVHS students. Let’s see which of these nostalgic treasures still hold a special place in our hearts!
1) Legos
LEGO has been recognized at PVHS by students as the most popular toy. When asked about their favorite childhood toys, LEGO received the highest number of responses. Its popularity likely stems from its ability to inspire creativity, allowing children to construct anything they can imagine.
2) Barbies
Coming in as the second most common answer, Barbie holds a special place in many students’ hearts. Numerous students reminisced about playing with Barbie dolls with friends, the joy of unwrapping them on Christmas morning, and the overall significance of Barbie as a cherished childhood toy
3) Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles ranked third in popularity among students. Many children fondly remember playing with these colorful tiles, which encouraged creative construction and exploration.
4) Shrinky Dinks
Coming in fourth place, Shrinky Dinks were a favorite for many students. Students reminisced about spending hours drawing and decorating their Shrinky Dinks, then watching in awe as their creations transformed into tiny, durable keepsakes. The combination of creativity and a bit of science made this toy a memorable part of their childhood.
5) Beyblades
Ranking fifth, Beyblades captured the spirit of many PVHS students. These spinning tops sparked excitement as kids battled each other in epic arenas. Students shared their fond memories of organizing tournaments with friends and strategizing to outmaneuver their opponents. The competition involved made Beyblades a favorite among those who enjoyed action-packed play.
(Graphics created by Kelly Bojorquez)
Sea King Style: (J)effortlessly Styling Vintage Clothing
By Ruby Mayrose reporter
Who is your fashion inspiration?
I don’t really have a single inspiration. I just find clothes that I like, look cool, and fit well.
Where do you buy your clothes?
I buy my clothes mainly from curated second hand stores.
How far would you go to visit a thrift store?
I would drive [up to] an hour if there was some tasty food included.
Thrifting advice for new thrifters?
Work on finding your style and what types of clothes fit for you.
Do you pay attention to/ follow trends?
Not really, although I do personally like and dislike some trends.
Have your clothes helped you express yourself better?
Clothes are sort of like the outermost extension of your
(Graphic created by Ruby Mayrose)
personality and tastes.
Describe your style in five words or less. Practical, urban and grandpa.
Ava Kordich: Soccer Star and Influencer
By Ivy Ruberg reporter/social media
While Palos Verdes High School is known for its star athletes and student scholars locally, there’s a few students here who’ve gained national - or even international - attention.
Meet sophomore Ava Kordich, whose unexpected rise to fame as an influencer on TikTok has came as a surprise to everyoneincluding herself.
“I started it like a year ago and I really just started it for fun, like I didn’t think it was gonna go anywhere and it did,” Kordich said.
“It’s not that big a deal, it’s just something I do for fun.”
What might have started as a lighthearted pastime has resulted in some serious success.
Her TikTok account has almost 60,000 followers – enough people to sellout a professional football stadium.
“I don’t really know why it got so popular. I think I just got kind of lucky in that sense and the algorithm just kind of picked me,” Kordich said.
The popularity comes with some appreciated benefits.
“I get PR and brand collaborations like Pure Vida jewelry,” she stated.
“I get clothes from brands like Rip Curl and City Beach Australia… Converse,
sunglasses, shark watches…” Kordich is quick to play down the free swag, and very much wants people to know she is extremely appreciative of everything she’s received.
“It’s not like a real thing, it’s fake,” she said of the idealized lifestyle of surf, sand and sunsets portrayed on social media. Despite her demure attitude, the popularity is undeniable.
Some of Kordich’s videos have over a million views. When asked if that could make her one of the most famous people on the Peninsula, she scoffed at the thought.
“Please, that’s just like a joke,
don’t even…”
While free clothes and merch sounds like a dream come true for most high schoolers, Kordich isn’t sure about her account’s long term future.
“I don’t really know how long I’m gonna do it. I don’t really have a set plan, like I know it can’t be a job for me, but I think I’ll do it for as long as it’s still fun. I’m not gonna do this the rest of my life.”
But for now, if you haven’t already, check out @avaajuliette to get a look at how one of our own turned the Palos Verdes lifestyle into a growing phenomenon.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Rise in Pop Music
By Genie Choi reporter
In this past year, Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Short n’ Sweet debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. She also won Song of the Year at the MTV Music Video Awards and won Best New Artist at the Gold Derby Awards. Even though the pop star has been gaining popularity quite recently, Carpenter is not a stranger to the spotlight. It has been 10 years since Carpenter’s debut and it feels like her rise in popularity is through her cumulation of hard work and resilience.
Before debuting as a singer, Carpenter started as an actress starring in the popular Disney Channel show Girl Meets World and playing the lead role as a girl named Maya Hart. Her journey from being an actress to a singer has just been impressive and each of her albums showcase the evolution in her artistry. Her most recent album, Short n’ Sweet, showcases songs of love and heartache as well as lighthearted songs to balance it out. Her album showcases Carpenter’s ability to write clever lyrics and her honest songwriting.
“I always watched Girl Meets World as a little kid, and it’s so cool seeing Sabrina Carpenter becoming a singer now,” said sophomore Natalie Jorczak. Carpenter’s live performances have also contributed to her rise to fame. The Short n’ Sweet tour, which sold out in multiple cities highlights Carpenter’s ability to connect with her fans on another level. On top of that, this tour has been able to really highlight her live vocals. After accusations speculated
around the talented singer “lip-syncing” Carpenter clapped-back by removing the backtrack music from her recent shows to prove that she was able to sing live. From her dynamic performances to her acoustic songs she sings, she truly ensures that each show will be an unforgettable experience for her fans.
“Compared to other songs I feel like Sabrina Carpenter’s songs are different. I can never get enough of them,” said sophomore Ebere Nweke.
Looking ahead, it’s evident that Carpenter’s journey in the music industry is just getting started. With her rapidly growing fanbase, stage presence and impressive artistry, there’s no doubt that Sabrina Carpenter will break several more barriers and redefine what it means to truly be a pop star in this day and age.
PVHS Rotten Tomatoes
By Jessica Hickman reporter
How do your ratings of these popular blockbusters compares to these Sea Kings’ opinions?
Solo Acts Rise: The End of Bands
By Ruby Mayrose reporter
At the turn of the century, alongside the rise of social media and other social platforms, we experienced a drastic change in the way we put out and receive information. This change has directly affected certain aspects of the music industry, specifically leading to the decline of the original “rock band” style of celebrity from decades past.
As a new generation of listeners matures, the earlier styles of rock groups and boy bands have almost disappeared. There are many reasons why this may be, such as the development of a more electronic way of producing music, or the influence of social media.
With significantly less bands rising to stardom, the space in the industry has been replaced with an increased amount of solo artists making a name for themselves.
“Pop stars are taking the attention of the public,” senior and avid concert-goer Dylan Jacob said. “Rock music is just not appealing to the demographic of kids these days.”
These new pop stars have social media to thank for their success, as these apps have transformed the process of discovering and listening to different artists from multiple genres.
“Artists can blow up on social media overnight, because they quickly gain a following,” Jacob said. “I think this is why there are so many new singular artists, they can make a brand for themselves and become stars super fast.”
By using the internet to stay connected to fans and put out music on a vast public network, pop stars have revolutionized the industry. For some reason, this fast-
paced environment has caused bands with multiple members to quickly become overlooked.
“Our society has kind of shifted to always [try to] find something new or exciting,” junior Ciarra Poach said.
The newness and diversity that the internet provides consumers with is another factor that fuels this decline.
“New pop stars can be very popular and dominate the radio or social media,” Poach said, “[This exposure] also allows people to want to explore deeper into the pop genre.”
However, it’s not always smooth sailing for these new single artists. Musicians have to constantly keep their followers entertained and intrigued, or they’ll quickly lose support.
“The music industry has to compete with the rest of the content on social media and may have a harder time capturing attention,” said Poach.
As we continue to notice these aspects of social media and how it has affected the music industry, it’s important not to forget our humble beginnings, which all started with the formation and success of rock bands.
(Graphic created by Ruby Mayrose)
(Graphic courtesy ofAva Kordich)
(Graphic created by Jessica Hickman)
(Photo courtesy of Justin Higuchi on Wikipedia Commons)
Dream Guest on
Podcasts Sea Kings Can’t
The Joe Rogan Experience
The Joe Rogan Experience is a podcast that was created by comedian Joe Rogan in 2009. It proved to be very influential in the early podcast community, creating a space for long form conversational video podcasting. The topics range from politics, science and technology, comedy and trends. The show has featured a variety of diverse guests such as Elon Musk and Luke Bryan. Listeners can enjoy hours of comedy, entertaining discussions, and be introduced to a variety of interesting and important people.
Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper
Call Her Daddy is a podcast created by influencer Alex Cooper in 2018. The podcast focuses on relationships, women’s issues, and other important topics. Since its creation, many special guests have spoken on the show, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Katy Perry and Zayn Malik. It has been dubbed “the mostlistened to podcast by women” and can be found on multiple platforms such as Spotify, YouTube and Sirius XM.
Sea King’s Favorite Podcasts
“My favorite podcast is the Broski Report with Brittany Broski. I love this podcast because it really doesn’t feel any bit scripted and Brittany does a fantastic job of sharing funny topics along with some more serious discussions.”
- Ari Valenzuela (12)
“I really enjoy listening to Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain. I first started listening to it around a year ago. I just like how she gives fashion and personal advice. I try to listen to it once in a while while I am working on chores or homework.”
- Sofia Dominguez (10)
“I love Rotten Mango by Stephanie Soo. I like it because I enjoy the true stories about the horrors of the world and find it informative. I discovered it through friends who recommended it to me. I listen to it once a day on Spotify as background noise while I do homework.”
- Josephine Lurie (9)
on my Podcast...?
Can’t Stop Talking About
Crime Junkie with Ashley Flowers
Crime Junkie is a true crime podcast hosted by Ashley Flowers and was created in 2017. The podcast has been able to donate its proceeds towards organizations that support victim family members and spread awareness on different topics. Every Monday, host Ashley Flowers covers new cases in a straightforward, relatable, and informative way alongside her best friend, Brit Prawat. Crime Junkie focuses on underreported crimes, including solved and unsolved murders, missing persons cases and more.
By Ella Gardner reporter
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
New Heights is a podcast that was created by NFL stars and brothers, Jason and Travis Kelce, in 2022. Jason Kelce from the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs team up to provide next-level commentary on life as professional athletes. The Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about their games and share unique perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. Plus, they include entertaining stories from a combined 21 years in the league, off-field interests and engaging conversations with special guests.
Podcast Praise: Open Orchard Productions
PV High has a unique program called Open Orchard Productions, or OOP. Through podcasting, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in another form of broadcast journalism.
“Students are able to research and explore new topics to create podcasts on. Students can develop time management, creativity, writing, interviewing, and multimedia editing skills,” said senior Kate Fukushima, Executive Producer of the class.
Fukushima has been a part of OOP all four years of her high school career, and has gained many valuable experiences from it.
“My favorite part about podcasting is that I am able to use it as a platform to share a diverse range of stories and topics with different audiences,”
Fukushima said.
Some students even have the opportunity to take their podcasting out of the classroom.
“With the help and support of Mrs. Lyons, our wonderful OOP teacher, I entered the NPR Student Podcast Challenge last year, and was lucky enough to place as 2023 NPR Student Podcast Challenge finalist,” said junior Sia Presser, website manager and advertiser for OOP.
“Sia is not only a podcaster for us, but her work has been recognized nationally,” Kristin Lyons, the teacher for OOP, said.
“The world of podcasting is popular right now because people can listen to someone’s artistic work on their own time. You can multitask with a podcast. I can listen while I’m driving and cooking, which is something you can’t do as easily with video,” said Lyons.
“The students who are in Open Orchard Productions really want to tell stories and create something to share with the world…if that’s someone’s passion, come to room 510.”
Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation?
The Debate Over Ethnic Foods
By Evalyn Yu reporter
Food is a medium that brings people from diverse backgrounds together, yet it can also be a battleground for issues like authenticity and cultural appropriation.
Recently, Bobba, a Canadian popping boba company, appeared on an entrepreneurial show hoping to secure $1 million in investments for their business. Their take on the popping boba drink caught the attention of many—but not for the right reasons.
Viewers criticized Bobba for describing their version of boba as “cleaner” and “not ethnic,” implying that traditional boba has peculiar contents that need to be “healthified” to appeal to the Western market.
Food carries memories, culture and a representation of who we are.
Villainizing boba for being “foreign” is harmful, especially when Asian cuisines are already viewed with skepticism due to their unfamiliar ingredients.
Not everything has to be made healthier or “better”; such attempts strip away the unique flavor and history of a dish. Take, for example, the recent popularity of turmeric as a health superfood, which led to the “invention” of the so-called “golden latte,” a drink made from
turmeric and milk.
However, this same drink, “haldi doodh,” has existed for thousands of years in India as a medicinal remedy. Rebranding “haldi doodh” as a trendy latte erases its rich cultural history, reducing it to just another food fad. It’s easy to borrow the most
Brandy Melville’s Unethical Practices and Why They
By Cat Alloco reporter
A staple in almost every teenage girl’s closet, Brandy Melville clothing has become a worldwide obsession. With its neutral palette of comfortable, casual styles that set the trends for young girls, you can often predict the fashion forecast at school based on what’s new on Brandy’s website.
However, Brandy’s rise to fame may not be entirely due to the quality of its clothing.
The halls of PV High School are brimming with knit cardigans, loose sweatpants and lace tank tops—all deemed “one size fits all.”
This claim fuels a psychological craving to be part of an ingroup that is misleadingly labeled as “all,” spreading like a virus through the already selfconscious minds of young girls everywhere.
Matter
size zero or two, the majority of girls simply cannot wear the trendy clothing, leaving them yearning to join the exclusive club of those who fit this narrow image of thinness.
A quick browse on Brandy’s website or Instagram shows models restricted to these standards—all relatively size small or extra small and almost always white.
This idolization of the extremely thin female body puts immense pressure on young girls and contributes to the rising rates of body dysmorphia and eating disorders.
Since Brandy’s 2009 retail debut in Westwood, California, the brand has promoted an image of exclusivity tied to the stereotypical thin, white, California girl. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average American woman wears a U.S. size 16. With all of Brandy’s clothing being a U.S.
It’s undeniable that this narrow image, marketed as “normal” and represented by a “one size fits all” label, has had a profoundly negative impact on how girls perceive their bodies.
The combination of the brand’s effortlessly flattering, laid-back aesthetic and the exclusivity of being able to wear it has given rise to an era of girls battling their appearances and competing with themselves to be as slim and seamless as a Brandy advertisement.
(Graphic by CatAlloco)
(Graphic by EvalynYu)
appealing parts of other cultures to make foreign elements more palatable. Yet when food is disconnected from its roots, it erases the significance of the original communities behind it. Finally, foods should not be seen as mere trends to capitalize on. When asked about
their inspiration for Bobba, the founders stated, “I was looking at the data and popping boba was rising everywhere… so I was like, ‘I need to come out with something.’”
This response reveals that their product was not born out of genuine love or appreciation for the Taiwanese drink; rather, it was seen as a quick opportunity for profit.
With the global boba market valued at nearly $2.5 billion, it’s no surprise that Bobba sought to jump on the bandwagon and profit from the drink’s success. However, by using insensitive marketing and prioritizing profits, their approach misrepresents what boba truly is and leaves a bad taste in consumers’ mouths.
While trying ethnic foods can bring people from around the world closer, it’s essential to be respectful of the cultures they originate from.
Learning the history behind a dish, giving proper credit to its origin and supporting authentic local restaurants are all ways to celebrate international foods with respect.
Are Jellycats Worth Their Big Price Tag?
By Jessica Hickman reporter
There is something so undeniably adorable about seeing a cute little stuffed animal until you look at the price tag and realize it’s not that little anymore. This may be a cruel reality for many. A main offender of this crime is the brand Jellycat.
First, Jellycat is a stuffed animal company established in 1999 out of London and known for its distinct style and quality. However, according to a study released by Glimpse in June 2024, Jellycat has been gaining massive growth and popularity since 2020.
This creates the question many have been wondering: why are Jellycat plushies so expensive, and why do people still buy them?
people have bought it too. Some other examples are the Stanley Cup or the fast trend of scrunchies.
Some reasons why people may feel this pressure to buy these items is also known as “herd mentality,” which is a psychological effect where people do things primarily because other people are doing it even if it is disregarding their own beliefs. Now, why is this? People are biologically programmed to try and be accepted as part of a group, and acting the same way as the group does can lead to that acceptance.
To answer the first part: why are Jellycats plushies so expensive? This can be due to many different factors. One is that Jellycat has become a well-known name brand. This is caused by publicity through social media and celebrity endorsements. But even before 2020, Jellycat started to gain recognition. This gives Jellycats extra value because their reputation and label are more well-known compared to other stuffed animal brands. But all of this aside, Jellycats are still too expensive for the average consumer and targeted market.
To answer the second part of the question: why do people still buy Jellycats even though they are overpriced? One cause is a certain bandwagon effect with trending brands and items. This is where people feel pressured or persuaded to buy a popular item solely because lots of other
On top of that, there is a shortcut the brain uses called heuristics. This type of heuristics follows similar principles to the bandwagon effect where people take a mental account of what other people are doing when wanting to purchase or do something. If enough people are doing this certain thing, your brain assumes it’s the right choice even if it’s unproven. Now is jumping on this bandwagoning necessarily a bad thing? The herd mentality is not the best for wanting to try and develop personal style and growth. On top of that it can be considered unoriginal and uncreative. When buying or making decisions because of the societal pressure of many other people, it can also ruin a person’s individuality and unique mindset. Another reason why people may buy Jellycats is because they genuinely believe they are cute and enjoy them. At the end of the day, it is never that deep why people buy certain products or follow certain trends, only that you truly enjoy following them and following your personal values.
(Graphic by Jessica Hickman)
A Letter From the Editors
Moving from apathy to action for
From a global pandemic, a planet in crisis, foreign conflict and school shootings—to name a few—it seems the trauma our generation has faced in just the last decade seems to never end.
Such issues are pertinent to the future of our country, yet the sometimes apathetic attitudes of youth towards the world of politics doesn’t reflect their importance.
But what causes this lack of political awareness? Perhaps it has to do with older politicians’ lack of direct outreach to youth, or the insufficient prioritization of helping newly eligible voters get to the polls.
It’s possible that politicians are slightly out of touch with our generation, as they experienced acutely different traumas. Maybe it’s the notion that if you can’t vote your voice doesn’t matter, or difficulty in understanding policies and issues themselves.
No matter the cause, it’s clear that the involvement of youth is not nearing the top of most politicians’ priority lists.
Many problems that will affect future generations, such as climate change, reliance on technology and the mental health epidemic, among others, have been discussed in politics to some degree, but the solutions seem to be more of quick fixes rather than long-term
remedies.
Putting a bandaid over serious problems doesn’t mean these issues will be fully healed.
So what can be done?
The relationship between youth and government must be twosided in order for one to benefit the other; politicians need to be more understanding of the issues our generation faces, and youth must become more informed about government, but perhaps more importantly, encouraged to become civically engaged.
Politicians, in combination with the government, can do a few things to connect the youth with politics and political processes.
Firstly, politicians can make an effort to talk directly to younger generations and speak out about youth-related issues, especially ones that will impact the future.
This year’s presidential election was unique in that candidates did do more of this through the use of current trends on social media apps, which noticeably interested more younger viewers in their campaigns.
While this was impactful, candidates could also utilize social media or similar platforms to discuss policies in a way that the youth can understand. Oftentimes the way candidates describe their platforms can be complicated, even more so for someone who isn’t as experienced with issues like economics or foreign affairs, but
the future
it’s still important for younger generations to be able to comprehend complex issues, particularly because their vote can have a major impact on elections.
In the same vein, there are a variety of ways in which youth can become more involved in politics and government processes. With youth’s significant dependence on social media as a source of information comes the danger of getting stuck in an echo chamber of radical polarization.
Thus, making sure to listen to all opinions—even those vastly different from your own—in a respectful manner leads to a more well-rounded and informed youth population. Taking the new knowledge acquired from constructive discussions, involving yourself in issues that impact yourself and your community through rallies and other forms of active participation can bring about positive change.
Lastly, if you are eligible, voting for/against policies and candidates is the most direct way to stay involved in politics.
This generation does not have to be defined by a case of apathy towards the nation’s political landscape—while it might be discouraging and draining at times, candidates and their policies do have a noticeable impact on current and future issues.
Brainrot: Who’s to Blame?
By Zoe Barton reporter
When people hear the term “brainrot,” they likely don’t associate it with anything serious.
Originally, it was just a playful way to poke fun at excessive time spent on low-quality online content, like memes or mindless TikTok challenges.
Many from older generations might recall hearing, “That will rot your brain,” when children spent hours in front of the TV.
One could argue that concerns over TVs and video games in the ‘80s and ‘90s are similar to today’s concerns about social media.
However, while “brainrot” once seemed like harmless teasing aimed at chronically online teens, the effects on today’s generation are more concerning.
During the pandemic, screen time among American teenagers soared.
Although this was largely due to the shift to online schooling, screen time remains at an alltime high five years later—and it’s starting to show.
Generation Alpha’s slang, for example, is markedly different from that of previous generations.
Mostly derived from internet culture, many of these terms seem indecipherable and nonsensical to outsiders.
This shift reflects the heavy influence of social media on culture, and it hints at deeper issues linked to social media overuse.
Numerous studies have documented the link between social media use and a decline in critical thinking and language skills, which may explain the incoherence of Gen Alpha slang.
online, often with little regard for the impact on young minds.
By Quinn Kearns centerspread editor
Fraternities are all about brotherhood, but what about the original values of Greek life? While the parties are popular and the stereotype is glamorized, should high school students really be idolizing something so mature?
Frat culture has infiltrated Halloween costumes, party themes and everyday language. With social media amplifying this trend, Greek life continues to grow in popularity. TikTok trends like “pledge tok” and sorority dances expose younger generations to the allure of Greek
(Graphic by Quinn Kearns)
life, making it more accessible than ever.
However, some aspects of Greek life are meant to be exclusive to college students. Even at the college level, many aspects of Greek life can be risky, yet high schoolers are increasingly mimicking this mature culture, often without understanding its complexities.
One of the most serious issues in Greek life is hazing, a practice that continues to pose real dangers, even leading to fatalities. While the sense of brotherhood or sisterhood may seem appealing, it’s not worth risking one’s life for.
In its early days, Greek life wasn’t a make-or-break part of one’s educational journey; it was simply something to explore if and when the time was right.
It was popular but didn’t hold the sway it does today.
Despite some of its negative aspects, Greek life still has its positives. Membership in a fraternity offers networking opportunities and connections that can be valuable in one’s career.
In the end, Greek life can offer strong friendships and valuable connections, but it’s important to remember its original purpose and the risks that come with it. High school students should enjoy their own experiences without idolizing a culture meant for college life.
The Challenge of Keeping Clubs Alive
By Claire Auer reporter
With Club Rush over a month behind us, meetings were bound to start soon.
Most students take full advantage of Club Rush, joining at least one or two clubs—but how many actually make it to the meetings?
And how many club leaders go beyond just adding “club president” to their college applications by actively organizing meetings?
to be honest, the same leniency doesn’t apply at PV.
ASB has implemented organized systems to ensure clubs remain active and closely monitors their progress throughout the year to prevent them from fizzling out.
Clubs at PVHS often start strong, but as the year progresses and students become bogged down by rigorous coursework many clubs go dormant and are eventually forgotten.
The youth of America may be losing the ability to think critically and express their ideas clearly—a serious issue.
Several factors contribute to this problem, primarily social media companies and, to some extent, parents.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat use tactics to hook users and keep them
Editors-in-Chief Olivia Kao Ella Sherry
Adviser Cynthia Mindicino
These companies should be held accountable, with mandatory audits to limit the harm to children and better controls for parents to manage screen time.
At the same time, parents need to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s phone use, especially for younger kids. An iPad should never be a substitute for parental engagement.
Editors & Leadership
News: Valerie Villegas
Features: James Lew
Opinion: Hailey Kim
Sports: Aaron Propst
Centerspread: Quinn Kearns & Ruby Mayrose
Some club leaders may start clubs with the primary intention of boosting their resumes, leaving students who joined out of genuine interest with little more than a faint memory of signing up at club rush.
Presidents with these motives miss out on the chance to create a community of people united by a shared passion, as well as the satisfaction of making a difference through club activities.
While it’s true that college applications largely operate on an honor system, where students’ activities are assumed
Club presidents, overwhelmed by schoolwork, may prioritize other commitments, pushing club responsibilities to the back burner.
It’s challenging to coordinate a time and place for everyone to meet, and the lack of convenience can make sustaining a club seem improbable.
However, clubs are meant to be fun and fulfilling.
A well-run club can foster a sense of belonging for students who need it, becoming one of the most exciting parts of their school experience.
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Cat Alloco, Claire Auer, Zoe Barton, Kelly Bojorquez, Genie Choi, Ella Gardner, Ella Hansen, Sierra Hickey, Jessica Hickman, Eason Kaewprasert, Isabelle Tholan, Evalyn Yu
Web: Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña
Social Media: Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña, Ivy Ruberg, Charlie Russo, Ethan Woo
(Graphic by Zoe Barton)
School Gym Time and Space in Growing Demand
By Ethan Woo reporter/social media
Athletes at PVHS need practice to improve and learn together as a team before the season.
However, many athletes have raised concerns about a lack of space for everyone to practice in one gym.
For instance, boys basketball, girls basketball and volleyball all share the gym, causing a loss of valuable practice time for both sports teams.
“Every year girls and boys basketball have to share the same gym during the season, but since our girls team is highly successful they lead into a long playoff season. With a secondary gym, all three programs would be able to use the gym in a timely manner,” said Daniel Rho, girls basketball coach.
“Since the opening of PV High it’s always been an ongoing issue, and we’ve pursued designs to see where and how it could fit on campus and it all comes down to cost and having enough space available.”
For senior Madeline Gregory, this problem has been a difficulty for her years at PV.
“For my team the major problem is practice times and a lot of the teams want the gym at the same time,” Gregory said, “so sometimes have to go at odd hours.”
Odd hours for practices include before school on Wednesdays.
“When we went to other schools we saw that they would have a practice gym and a main gym for all their sports,” Gregory explained. “Whereas, we only have one gym and sometimes have to practice at the court outside.”
Other sports teams like the volleyball team are also in need of another gym.
Dance teacher Britney Ewing teaches her fifth period Physical Education Dance Class in the Sea King Center.
“For preseason we can’t practice in the gym, we have to practice on the beach courts,” varsity volleyball player Sami Saab said, “which isn’t helping us with preparation for the season.”
Luckily, a chance at acquiring a new gym arose.
“Hopefully we will have an opportunity to find a solution with the election coming up with SOS that can help with the facilities as soon as we fix the catastrophic failures and updates,” Rho said.
“If that’s possible we can be an awesome high school in the future.”
PVHS athletes believe another gym will solve their problems and sports teams can practice without fighting for space. With the upcoming SOS election, athletes hope they can fix this problem and give athletes the space they need.
Shohei Ohtani Leads Dodgers to World Series Win
By James Lew features editor
Arguably the biggest news of the summer was former LA Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani joining crosstown rival LA Dodgers on a record setting 10 year, $700 million contract.
“I wish we resigned Shohei,” said junior Angels fan Tristan Shea, “but I’m glad he is playing well with the Dodgers and succeeding.”
In his first year as a Dodger, Ohtani has been worth every penny setting record after record, most notably the first 50-50 (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) season in MLB history.
He has carried the Dodgers through both the regular season and the playoffs.
“It’s pretty amazing watching the Angels lose the greatest player ever and he wins a World Series first year with the Dodgers,” said junior Justin Whitehead
“What Shohei has done this season is crazy to me, and I don’t think anybody else can ever have a 50-50 season besides Shohei if he does it again.”
The Dodgers began their playoff run against rival San Diego Padres. Sparked by a three-run home run from Ohtani, the Dodgers rallied to defeat the Padres in the first round after trailing 2-1 in the series.
They ultimately won the best-of-five series and then defeated the New York Mets in six games to advance to the World Series.
Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers then defeated the New York Yankees in a World Series that showcased the two best players in MLB: Dodger’s Ohtani and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.
The Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman, despite playing with a high ankle sprain and broken rib cartilage, persevered and was named World Series MVP.
He hit four home runs during the series, including a dramatic walk-off grand slam in Game 1.
This was a monumental moment for Los Angeles sports as it is the first
Shohei Ohtani on deck during game two of the World Series against the Yankees. (Photo courtesy of Nicholas Oreb)
championship in the city since the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler came into the game and closed out the 9th inning to win the World Series, sending the streets of Los Angeles into a frenzy with fans cheering and setting off fireworks throughout the night.
“It was a special moment, and it was extra nice to beat the Yankees since everyone hates the Yankees,” social science teacher Louis Harley said.
“Shohei Ohtani had an amazing season and not the best World Series, but he is a great guy, and will continue to be awesome for the Dodgers for years to come. I think this will be the first of many World Series we are going to win with Ohtani.”
Overall, the contributions of Ohtani are incomparable, cementing himself as a legend in the world of baseball despite having much of his career to play still.
With consistently solid players such as Ohtani and Freeman to return, sportsbooks have the Los Angeles Dodgers and favorites to repeat as World Champions.
Upcoming Playoff Games:
Girls Volleyball @ Cerritos College, November 9th vs Murrieta Valley Girls Tennis @ PV High, November 8th VS Harvard Westlake Football @ South Torrance, November 8th VS Brea Olinda
Sophomore Jay Park Skiing to Success
By Eason Kaewprasert reporter
Sophomore Jay Min Park is an exceptional skier at PVHS.
At the age of four, Park was introduced to skiing and instantly fell in love.
He’s a part of the Snow Summit Race team at Big Bear and he partakes in lessons every weekend with his coach.
On long breaks he often lives near the area to attend more lessons.
Park’s love for the sport was evident at a very young age. Wanting Park to try out sports, his parents decided to introduce him to skiing.
“I went to the ski resort and I instantly fell in love,” said Park.
Jay’s parents, Hyunah and Jin Park, supported every step of his skiing journey.
From introducing him to the sport to watching him compete, Park’s parents contributed a huge part in his career.
“For Jay, skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a huge part of his life,” Park’s mom, Hyunah Park, said. “It blends into everything he does.”
His obvious passion and dedication for the sport has definitely paid off.
He has qualified to be a California representative for a regional race and also qualified for a national race, representing Korea.
Because of his dedication and resilience, Park still manages to overcome setbacks during the season.
When a beginner skier accidentally rammed into him, causing him to break his thumb, he had to adopt and use one pole to ski.
Even with his arm in a cast and only one
pole, Park still managed to get first place.
“The whole family had tears in our eyes; we couldn’t hold them back,” said Hyunah Park.
“It was such a proud moment, especially after all the setbacks.”
This win meant a lot for Park’s entire family and showed just how much determination he has.
”One of my main goals is to make sure that Jay likes skiing as much as he does now,” Park’s coach, Calcite Laurent, said. “Then we’ll see this season if he does well in regionals, why not dream big.”
Park’s determination will ensure that he will have more success in skiing and keep up his success in the upcoming regionals.
From Age Five to Stanford Commit: Kaci Demaria’s Volleyball Journey
By Hailey Kim opinion editor
At just five years old, PVHS senior Kaci Demaria began her journey into the sport of volleyball.
Her love for volleyball was nurtured by countless hours of play.
“I started playing volleyball when I was five years old. The more I played, the more passionate I became about the game, and I loved how it made me feel,” Demaria said.
From the beginning, Demaria knew that success in volleyball required immense dedication.
Even during the off-season, she commits to rigorous gym sessions three times a week, guided by her trainer.
She consistently prioritizes her diet, ensuring her body receives the optimal fuel for peak performance.
“As a mother, I watched her drive grow with every passing day. She’d spend hours practicing, and I could see how much she loved the game,” Kaci’s mother, Hannah Ortega, said.
Club season elevates the intensity with three weekly practices and monthly travel tournaments, and USA volleyball consists of a week-long tryout, followed by daily practices and intense preparation before major events.
“If you are rostered, the selected 12 will fly to the event location and have about two training days before competition,” Demaria said.
“Then, once competition has started, our team practices in the morning. We then have a fun team bonding activity in the afternoon and then a match in the p.m. hours.”
While her high school volleyball journey is marked by standout achievements and unforgettable matches, Demaria’s defining moment arrived when she decided to pursue collegiate volleyball.
Club vs High School Sports
Key differences and benefits for athletes
By Aaron Propst sports editor
Club sports teams have become a vital component of developing athletes into sufficient varsity players for their high school.
In some cases, participating in club sports is becoming a necessity to be considered for spots on school teams.
Even then, club and sports teams are very different experiences and have very different goals and mindsets.
Club teams have the main goal of development for the players.
The players pay to participate on the team, and therefore they all earn the right to develop and participate in the games.
Wins or losses aren’t as important, as every weekend ends and the records are reset as you move on to the next week of practice.
In contrast, school sports are completely team oriented.
Players are expected to merge into specific roles that benefit the team as a whole instead of being a player focused on individual success or personal development.
Coaches have no requirement to play all their players, as the only goal is to come out victorious.
This results in occasions where players don’t get playing time. Winning or losing the games mean much more, as the record lasts the entire season and results in the team being able to make the playoffs or not.
Beyond team success, however, some athletes use their performance in club sports to gain valuable exposure to college recruiters, opening up opportunities for their athletic future.
Liam Lombard is a senior that transferred to Palos Verdes to play basketball for his senior year.
Throughout his high school years, he has played for Elev8, a club basketball organization that has helped him get looks from the next level.
“The founder and coach of Elev8, Cory DeSanti, has a lot of connections with college coaches,” Lombard said.
“He was able to reach out to coaches and get them to come to games during live period in Sacramento.”
He received a Division One offer from Cal State Fullerton at this event.
Some people find club sports not as important if they plan on not playing their sport after highschool.
Kallista Wang is a senior who has played for the girls lacrosse team since she was a freshman. She decided to quit her club team to prioritize academics.
“Club lacrosse is a really big investment of time and money,” Wang said.
“Although it’s good for experience and practice, the people who play for competitive club teams are trying to pursue it for college and that wasn’t one of my goals.”
Overall, club sports are a great resource to improve as a player.
It properly prepares you to contribute as an athlete on competitive school sports teams.
The benefits and drawbacks vary from person to person.
In the end, whether or not athletes choose to pursue club sports depends on their personal goals and desires.
The recruitment process was a rollercoaster, but in the end Demaria’s heart led her to Stanford University in Northern California.
“On my second official visit to Stanford, I fell even more in love. Everything about their program is just what I am looking for,” she said.
“So, at breakfast with the coaches and my parents, I knew it was time to make a decision. I finally committed to play D1 volleyball at Stanford University.”
However, despite all of the highs, Demaria’s volleyball journey isn’t without its share of challenges.
One season, a prolonged illness left her physically weakened and mentally drained, but it also taught her valuable lessons.
Reflecting on this period, she emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals.
“As an athlete, it is super important to surround yourself with like-minded people and others that have your back throughout your journey,” Demaria said.
Recognizing how important it is to surround yourself with supportive people is why volleyball isn’t just about personal achievements for Demaria, but team chemistry.
“A memorable moment in my volleyball career is honestly, anytime I can make another athlete thrive,” Demaria said.
Currently, Demaria’s aspirations extend beyond the collegiate level.
She has dreams of playing professional volleyball, with her ultimate goal set on participating in the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
“I would love to play professional volleyball. I am currently on the USA National team, and that is a great pipeline to professional volleyball,” she said.
“A big goal of mine is to be in the 2028 LA Olympic Games.”
A Look at the New Cheer Team
By Izzy Tholan reporter
A new Frosh/Soph cheer team has been added this year.
The new coach for this team
will be Rene Jaco
Jaco was previously the Mavericks cheer coach before accepting this position at PV.
Jaco has connected with the girls on the team very well and the girls feel like they can come to her if they need anything.
“She is a great coach and definitely connects with the girls well,” said Leighton O’Leary team captain.
“She makes practice so much more fun and exciting.”
Tryouts included a large freshman class, causing talks about adding a third team. This is the first year that PV has ever added a frosh/soph cheer team.
The new team splits games with the JV team. Each team wears a different color bow to represent which team they are on.
The varsity team has red bows, the JV has black bows and the Frosh/ Soph team has white bows.
Over the summer the team got to go to an away camp, which proved to be an interesting experience.
This was also the freshmen’s first time experiencing camp.
“Camp was very stressful and a lot,” Aria Crewheeler said.
“But I had so much fun and staying in the rooms together with your friends was a great bonding experience.”
Many friendships and memories were made that will last a lifetime.
“Camp and this year has been a great experience and we can connect on a different level from practicing together,” Chloe Recknor said.
“Being on the cheer team has really shown what it means to be a teammate to me and how everyone has a role that is important.”
So far, the captains of the team have been great role models.
Having captains on the team gives the freshman a safe place to go and ask questions about the school or with anything they need help with.
They provide a welcoming environment to everyone on the team and are always willing to support all of their teamates.
(Graphic by IzzyTholan)
(Photo Courtesy of Jay Park)
From Viral Sensations to Global Hits
By Hailey Kim opinion editor
How pop music is shaping culture in 2024
After a few years of slower starts and quiet releases, 2024 is shaping up to be a standout year for pop, with the genre making a roaring comeback.
Dubbed the “year of the pop girl,” artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams and Charli XCX are breathing new life into pop, delivering albums filled with raw lyrics, memorable melodies and a sense of connection that feels deeper than ever.
Leading this revival is Taylor Swift, whose latest release, “The Tortured Poets Department,” has captivated audiences with its lyrical depth and emotional
resonance.
“Her music really speaks to people because it’s like she’s telling a story with each song and her lyrics are incomparable,” said senior Kathryn Montgomery
“It’s not just about catchy beats; it’s like we’re reading a book where every song is a new chapter. People are hooked because they feel like they’re part of it.”
Olivia Rodrigo has also struck a chord by embracing vulnerability and maturity in her newest album, GUTS, where tracks like “love is embarrassing” and “teenage dream” offer unfiltered honesty. Her lyrics resonate deeply, particularly with young fans who see themselves reflected in her songs.
A vital force behind pop’s resurgence is TikTok, now a major hub for artists and fans alike.
Beyond dance trends, it’s where artists connect directly with their audience, with songs often going viral overnight. Phrases like “brat green” and “that’s that me espresso”—unknown to many just six months ago—are now part of the pop lexicon thanks to artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
TikTok has amplified their reach, transforming tracks like Carpenter’s “Espresso” into cultural moments and drawing fans into a shared experience. But this revival isn’t all social media
glam.
Today’s pop artists are exploring themes of self-reflection, vulnerability, and mental health, creating a unique sense of intimacy with their listeners.
“The best thing about pop right now is that it feels raw,” said senior Kate Fukushima. “These artists aren’t afraid to get real, and it feels like they’re singing about things we all go through.”
With fresh voices like Chappell Roan and Gracie Abrams adding their unique perspectives, pop has never felt more diverse or relatable. Roan’s edgy, bold style pushes boundaries, while Abrams’ diary-like songs feel like secrets shared between friends.
If pop feels like it’s turned a new page, it’s because it has. With its mix of vulnerability and authenticity, pop in 2024 reflects the experiences of a
generation navigating their own stories, creating a soundtrack that feels both
and
The Characters of Sea King Parking Lots
By Quinn Kearns centerspread editor
An Olivia Rodrigo concert in February of 2024 (Photo by Hailey Kim).
intimate
universal.
Taylor Swift at a 2023 concert (Photoby HaileyKim).