PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL - ISSUE 1, VOLUME 29 - OCTOBER 10, 2024
GSA Celebrates 20 Years on Campus
By Olivia Kao and Ella Sherry co-editors-in-chief
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of PVHS’ Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). The club was founded in 2004 to create a safe space on campus for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Two decades later, the club is still standing.
The establishment of the club was no easy feat, however.
“Back then we had to be very reactive because [of] the environment we were in,” founding president Ryan Falck said. “Our context 20 years ago is so different from what it is today…our struggles very much surrounded that naked, blatant homophobia and bullying.”
“There were students who were not supportive, not kind, and there were grown ups who were not supportive,” long-time GSA advisor Christina Varela said. “[But] we’re still here.”
One of GSA’s long standing traditions, the Day of Silence,
began to stand in solidarity with individuals who feel pressured to hide a part of their identity that may not be accepted by those around them.
“There was just a lot of confusion and frustration between the faculty and students,” Falck said, recounting the first Day of Silence.
On the Day of Silence, LGBTQ+ students, staff and their allies vow not to speak, representing how many members of the community feel silenced.
Over the years, the Day of Silence has evolved from a day of “confusion and frustration” to one of beauty and unity.
The Day of Silence unity circle
is held during lunch once a year, where members of the LGBTQ+ community on campus and their allies gather in one large circle at Sea King Park. During the 2019 Day of Silence, however, teachers and faculty created a second circle around the students, signifying their support.
“Custodians came out, security
Be The Change Hosts Red Ribbon Week
By Isabelle Tholan reporter
Red Ribbon Week (RRW) takes place every year in October to highlight living a drug-free lifestyle and staying healthy.
The Red Ribbon symbolizes that you are committed to living a drug-free life.
At PVHS, BTC and ASB set up many fun games, activities and rallies for us to help encourage students to fight for having a healthy lifestyle, and promote a drug-free lifestyle.
Red Ribbon Week helps people stand up against drug use and keeps students safe as much as they can.
The importance of RRW follows many different reasons but some of them are to spread awareness of drug use, and to educate others on the dangers and how it impacts our society.
Overall there are many reasons on why RRW is so important to our community. BTC member Brynne Rhodes said that RRW is very important to our school for a variety of reasons.
“RRW is important to our school because it helps inform students on difficult and dangerous topics,” she said.
BTC has a massive impact on our school and “helps to make sure students feel more safe and aware on and off campus.
“The whole [BTC] class and team makes a big difference to our school and helps everyone feel welcome and safe.”
As a community, this week is taken very seriously for all sorts of reasons. Students commit to living a healthy, drug-free life and some people who have lost loved ones to drugs and want to honor them and various other reasons.
Some history around RRW is that back in 1988, the first National RRW had become
organized by the National Family Partnership (NFP).
Each year across the world over 80 million young adults and people celebrate RRW, and show their commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.
RRW is a great way to show the freshmen a deeper dive into it other than what they have seen in middle school, and to show them a different experience and different understanding on why this week is so important.
came out, teachers who had never come out to [Day of Silence] were there,” Varela said. “It was a beautiful thing.”
Despite the Day of Silence’s significance in past years, GSA is not planning to take part in the Day of Silence this year.
“Instead we’re going to do something else, because now is not the time to be silent,” co-president Lauren Colton, senior, said. “It’s the time to speak up and be active.”
Despite this new change, the club has other events and activities planned to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at PVHS.
According to co-president
Julie Stein, senior, GSA plans on educating students about important LGBTQ+ figures who have made an impact on the community.
In addition to new changes planned for this year, GSA also has a new advisor, art teacher Matthew Jaurequi.
“It’s nice to see…students that want to...be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Jaurequi said.
“We’re gonna work to make sure that we’re loud and proud… and have a strong healthy presence on campus.”
Despite the pushback LGBTQ+ students and staff have faced in the past, the 20th anniversary of GSA has left a lasting legacy.
“I hope that that legacy continues, and that GSA can define itself on its own terms,” Falck said. “It speaks to the necessity of the organization and promoting equity, partnership, and understanding is something that 20 years on we need now more than ever.”
Now Open: Kings Corner
By Eason Kaewprasert and Valerie Villegas reporter, news editor
The new Kings Corner, which opened the first week of October, is a place where Sea Kings are encouraged to study, work on group projects, hang out with friends and socialize with others during their free time on campus.
Open after zero period into school hours, the corner provides a space for students to go during their free time in school. Located in Room 304, where the computer lab used to be, the Kings Corner offers a new workspace different from the traditional classrooms and library.
The welcoming and inviting environment, which includes a variety of couches, stools, and swivel chairs and table seating which encourages students to spend their free time there.
“In talking with the Booster Club...one of the things we talked about was that we wanted to have an additional space on our campus where students could meet and hang out together in a less formal space; a place that doesn’t necessarily have to be super quiet like the library,” Principal Dr. Trista Ramirez said.
The vision of Kings Corner came to life with the support of the Booster Club. What once
was a room lined with rows of computers is now transformed into a new workstation. Room 304 has made a name of its own in the few weeks it has been on campus.
“When students usually enter a classroom, the first thing that’s on their mind is getting to work, whether it be upcoming tests, quizzes…but the Kings Corner, that’s a completely different environment. You walk in, you don’t think of a class immediately,” senior Jason Lee said.
“Instead, you just see all the comfy seating and the bright colors on the room, and it’s just this is a place where I can just relax and calm down.”
Even Sea Kings who haven’t been to the Kings Corner await their next opportunity to hang out in the area.
“I’d probably go there if I had friends that don’t have a 3rd or 6th period and go hang out with them,” sophomore Lucas Burwell said.
The Kings Corner would not have come to life without the support and donations or ideas of student families.
“We owe a huge thank you to the Booster Club, which is our parent community, for helping fund [the Kings Corner] and making sure that this was an opportunity that we were able to provide to kids,” Ramirez said.
GSA’s unity circle in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Christina Varela)
Top right: PVEPD demonstrates the dangers of drunk driving with special DUI (driving under the influence) goggles.
Bottom photo: BTC hands out pamphlets during lunch.
(Photos by Cynthia Mindicino)
The PTSAhosted its October 8 meeting in Kings Corner this past week. (Photo by Eason Kaewprasert)
Supersize Me: How big freshman class affects student life
By Ivy Ruberg reporter/social media
Many people choose Palos Verdes High School because it’s the smaller of the two on the Peninsula, with Pen historically taking about 60% of PVPUSD students and PV taking about 40% of students. But what happens when an overly large freshman class decides to enroll at PV?
Just ask the Class of 2028 who arrived on campus in August. They’re one of the largest in recent memory, and now the PVPUSD enrollment is split nearly 50/50 between both schools.
This year’s arriving first-year Class of 2028 boasts 433 students. That’s 95 more than the smallest class on campus, the seniors, who only have 339. But what causes such a change in size?
“Palos Verdes has a lot to offer. Our welcoming environment, respected athletics, and our recent academic successes make PV a school people just want to come to,” Link Crew advisor Allyson Klabe said.
This “wanting”, while positive in some ways, also has some drawbacks.
“Typically it’s 170 [students] that our contract per our union says is the max that teachers can have,” biology teacher Julie Maemoto said.
“I believe I’m at 173 or 174 [students] right now, so that’s huge. I have 35 students in every class except for one right now, which is huge for a science class.”
The increased class size isn’t just demanding. According to Maemoto, it can cause safety concerns.
“There’s a huge safety issue. I have to
get more materials per table and they’re in a really tight space.”
She described how in one recent class the students were “working with hot plates and chemicals and test tubes and [she could] barely get to each table with five students at each” because she was “jumping over backpacks… everywhere.”
Larger enrollment and larger class sizes bring up some issues.
“I think having those large class sizes really puts those kids at a disadvantage.”
Freshman spilled out from the stands and had to sit on the floor during the first Class Comp of the year (Photo by
The silver lining? “I get to interact with more students than ever before” which allows her to experience “more and more student success.”
Students also have been feeling the effects.
“We had to get more desks because there weren’t enough for all the students,” freshman Emma Shapiro said.
She also said that the large enrollment made getting into the classes more difficult than it should be and that it can be harder for teachers to “get control over
[students].”
But, it’s not only packed classrooms and stressed teachers, according to Shapiro.
In fact, the benefits may outweigh the costs. “I feel like it’s manageable honestly,” Shapiro said.
The big class size does have one major benefit.
“It’s just a lot easier to make friends, because there are a lot more people that could be interested in the same things as you.”
Another effect of this year’s oversized freshman class lies in sports.
“There are a lot of kids trying to make
teams this year, which puts a lot of pressure on us,” sophomore Dylan Sides said.
Rosters are coming out soon for some teams and “because there are so many players…the teams will be good this year, and…the coaches will pick the best players to make the best teams.”
Like it or not, the supersize frosh class is here to stay.
Whether the trend continues and PV starts to look a lot more like its bigger cousin on the hill remains to be seen. The community will just have to wait until next year to find out.
Letting Loose of Legacy Ties:
New bill prohibits admission biases
By Valerie Villegas news editor
With college application deadlines just around the corner, students frantically rush to submit their applications in hopes of securing a spot at their dream universities, though some already have set advantages over others without even knowing.
California Assembly Bill (AB) 1780 was signed into law on Sept. 30, 2024, making California the fifth state banning legacy admissions. This will impact the admission cycle for the class of 2026 while aiming to provide equal access to higher institutions. Private universities in California will be prohibited from giving preferred admission to legacies or those with university relations–such as a donor.
Legacy students are those who have siblings, parents or grandparents who attended the institution, while donors are students whose families donate money to support the school.
“[AB 1780] is important because … it’s unfair that some students get in if they’re not as academically strong or worthy of going to a school … when there are people who try really hard to get in, but can’t,” senior Julie Stein said.
Per the signed bill, private universities will be required to forward the Legislature Department of Justice information which reveals the admission rate of those who have an advantage in the admission cycle because of their pre-established ties.
“I am not a fan of legacy [admissions] as I do believe it is contrary to the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as merit,” Director of the College & Career Center Joanne Lewis said.
“For larger, private universities I truly don’t think it’s going to have a major impact, although it certainly will have some impact on diversity,”
Numerous large private universities continue to be need-blind, though there still are many which factor financial need into a student’s admission.
Students confronted with financial barriers have a disadvantage when applying to private universities which may still consider this factor.
“Colleges are businesses and all businesses have a bottom line... alumni donate sometimes large sums of money to their alma mater in hopes that one day their student might get some sort of legacy preference in admission consideration,” Lewis said.
Though there are other factors in admissions which give certain applicants advantages over others, this new bill will ensure that all applicants receive equal opportunity to education.
“This bill is absolutely important because it gives everybody a fair chance at education at a higher university,” senior Annika Gruettemann said.
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Social Media’s Impact on the 2024 Election
By Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña reporter/social media
Social media has wormed its way into every single aspect of the average American’s life. People scroll while they wait in line, while they’re waiting on their food to heat up or while lying in bed, unable to sleep.
Recently, with the election, there has been more political content on the rise. Day by day, the algorithm has been shifting to more political content in order to secure more votes, for one side or another. But will this really affect the voting results? Or do people see through the veil that social media pulls over them?
“I think I have definitely been seeing more political content with the presidential election coming up. I think that’s kind of prone to happen,” senior Francesca Blue said.
However, is that appearing naturally on people’s feeds, or is it intentionally placed there?
The likeliest result is the latter since this year alone, a total of $10.2 billion has been spent in political advertisements. Comparing this to previous election years, this is a drastic increase in spending, since it was only $4 billion in 2018. That’s a 255% increase in ads alone. But how much trust do people have in the ads?
“I would say I’m careful with the sources I believe, but respected news sources I would trust,” senior Leo Amir said.
Most news sources have bias due to their owners’ political alignments, such as the Washington Post being owned by Jeff Bezos or Fox News being owned by Rupert Murdoch. Attempting to look at everything through a critical lens is important, but is difficult when individuals are constantly being
bombarded with differing opinions and facts, no matter what their preferred news source is.
In a poll, 80% of all students said that they got most of their news from social media. A landslide result, since the runner up, TV and Broadcast Journalism has only 12% of the votes. Most PVHS students get a majority of their news from social media, where the political figures of today are spending ludicrous amounts of cash in an attempt to sway the election.
However, are the billions of dollars being spent doing much to influence people?
When the person on the other end of the screen knows that something is an ad, they instinctively trust it far less.
People are likely to buy what seems like an honest review, rather than what is obviously an advertisement this mindset tends to be applied to political content as well.
Senior Isabella Juelle said that she tries to “make [her] own decisions without the input of social media.”
That may be easier said than done, since social media has infiltrated every section of people’s lives.
When presented with conflicting information, it’s hard to move logically through everything, changing the way one thinks.
Social media influences peoples’ mindsets and it’s undoubtedly going to influence the election.
Re-establishing the Coffee Shop Experience
By Ella Hansen reporter
On Sept. 10, the new chairman and CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol, announced that he would like to reestablish Starbucks as the community coffeehouse. Niccol plans on upgrading the in-store experience by adding new furniture and more places to sit for people who may want an area to enjoy their coffee or pastry in store.
“I love Starbucks because there is an endless variety of products that you can get quickly, and their items are always delicious,” sophomore Kristie Creighton said.
The new layout of the beloved shop is both an advantage and disadvantage to students, parents and employees looking to pick up their morning coffee. On one hand, the new layout would provide a fun environment for studying, getting work done or sending last minute emails.
On the other hand, many introverts prefer the grab-and-go method because it is a good alternative to skip the crowds. Although the grab-and-go method for
Starbucks is convenient, more seating could be beneficial as a place to study or get last minute work or emails done.
“I think it could be beneficial to students to go study if there was more seating and a quiet area. It makes it more of a fun experience rather than working on homework at home,” senior Ava Hassanein said.
However, some students are opposed to this new idea, claiming that the grab-andgo format of Starbucks is their preferred way of getting their morning coffee.
“I like the grab-and-go type of thing because I don’t like crowded places, so being able to just grab my drink and leave is more effective and efficient because I do have places to be,” sophomore Paige McCarthy said.
Whether people prefer a sit down or take out experience at Starbucks, the new format will be a place anyone can enjoy, offering both a take out and a sit down option.
Extreme Heat Spurring Change on Campus
By Kelly Bojorquez reporter
Over recent years, temperatures in California have risen dramatically, creating a challenging learning environment for students and faculty members. As temperatures continue to rise, schools have adjusted their schedules by cutting down outdoor activities and shortening school days to minimize heat exposure at the start of the school year.
Physical education classes and afterschool sports have also been affected, with many schools canceling outdoor activities altogether when temperatures get too high. However, some sports remain active, resulting in student athletes becoming exhausted quickly and struggling to stay energized in the hot weather.
“Playing in that heat was terrible because not only were my movements extremely sluggish, but all of my teammates ran out of water very quickly, so a lot of us were performing poorly,” sophomore flag football player Paige McCarthy said.
For students, the heat can cause significant discomfort, stress and fatigue, impairing their ability to concentrate and learn. Teachers and staff are equally impacted by the high temperatures.
Educators find it increasingly difficult to maintain an engaging and productive learning environment when the heat becomes unbearable.
Many schools have implemented heat safety protocols, such as frequent water breaks, access to shaded areas and early dismissals to protect both students and staff.
“[At] other schools, where they get higher temperatures than we do, they have standardized AC, whereas we don’t have that because normally it doesn’t get that hot here,” Athletic Director Brian Shapiro said.
“That affects what decisions the district
makes when it comes to minimum days.”
As a result of the extremely hot temperatures in early September, PVPUSD administration decided to make Sept. 9 a minimum day, allowing students and teachers to spend less time in overheated classrooms to “prioritize the health and safety of students and staff,” according to an email to the community from Superintendent Dr. Devin Serrano
For many students at PVHS, the minimum day provided an opportunity to recover from the excessive heat.
“I was excited about the minimum day because it gave me a chance to relax and catch up on the coursework that has been ramping up over the past week,” sophomore Vikraant Gianchandani said. As heat continues to escalate, maintaining a safe and comfortable learning environment becomes more challenging, forcing schools to rethink how they operate during the hotter months of the year.
In addition to the physical effects, the psychological toll of dealing with extreme heat is rising. Both students and staff may experience anxiety and irritability, and the risk of absences due to heat-related illnesses or discomfort increases.
Schools face the ongoing challenge of balancing academic demands with the health and safety needs of their communities in this evolving climate crisis.
PV High’s Pest Problem
By Ruby Mayrose centerspread editor
Almost every student, member of staff or visitor at PVHS has something to say about the troublesome WiFi experience every day. With constant outages, dead zones and increasingly spotty service, the WiFi at school has become a more pressing concern over the past few months.
Some have hypothesized that these problems come from the lack of quality in internet service, but that has since been disproven, and the culprit caught redhanded, or better yet, red-pawed.
A group of pesky rodents have been revealed as the cause of our problematic WiFi, chewing through cables in the span of a week.
repeatedly complained about seeing critters sneaking around the classrooms, stealing food and other important supplies.
Barton says that the classrooms that are hit the hardest are those that have food or drink out in the open.
“It doesn’t help that I have a lot of food [in my class] but I keep the food in containers [and] refrigerators so they can’t get to the places where I put food.”
In order to keep the rats out, Barton shares her tactics.
According to teacher Tecia Barton, the rats are able to enter the classrooms in many different ways.
“We’ve always had mice running around [due to] the location of the school. As for the rats, they come from the roofs [because] the roofing throughout the campus is so dilapidated,” Barton said.
But the real bite is, the rats are causing more than just WiFi troubles. Classes are constantly being interrupted due to these rodents. Students have
“I clean my room every single day, [and] I vacuum it every single day. I’m doing everything in my power to control the rodents in my classroom.”
With so many classes being affected by these pests, the administrators have taken matters into their own hands.
“We are now working with American Pest Control,” Associate Principal Secretary Olivia Carrasquillo said.
“They come out every weekend and they change those big black boxes [around campus]. They empty them and put new [boxes]. They’ve brought over 50 black boxes to campus to help alleviate the problem.”
These boxes are slowly helping to reduce the damage that the rats are causing, but it will take time to replace the broken wires that have been chewed through.
(Graphic by Kelly Bojorquez)
(Graphic by Ruby Mayrose)
(Photo by Ella Hansen)
(Graphic by Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña)
Dopamine Menu:
A healthier alternative to scrolling
By Evalyn Yu reporter
A dopamine menu is a list of go-to activities to uplift one’s mood and provide dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. By planning out a list of healthy activities in advance, it lightens the mental load of picking an activity when dopamine levels are low. Dopamine menus offer a holistic way to stay present, boost well-being, and develop sustainable habits.
(Graphic by EvalynYu)
A Growing Club:
LASA invites students to celebrate Latin American Culture
By Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña reporter/social media
There are a variety of clubs in PVHS, reflecting the deep rooted diversity in this school. But not a lot of clubs directly represent said source of diversity.
Introducing LASA, the Latin American Student Association.
This club started quite recently; LASA has been slowly growing, and it has quickly risen in importance for the school.
They help run some school events, like National Latin American Heritage Month, but LASA is so much more than just what they run.
They represent many students at PVHS, and that’s an extremely important role in the PVHS community.
LASA is an important place for some to connect with their roots.
“To me, LASA is a way for me to honor who I am and the Latin heritage behind me. I get to be a student that gets to represent that, and gets to build a better future for all the Latin Americans, and all the Latinos,” said senior Andrew Moore, one of the copresidents of LASA.
In LASA, they strive to highlight Latin American culture and create a safe space for Latin American students. They want to educate others on their Latin roots, and have people connect and
celebrate their heritage.
“Three years ago, I had a student approach me that felt like there wasn’t enough representation of Latino American culture on our campus,” said LASA co-advisor Christina Varela
“I encouraged him to push it further, start a club.”
Dedicated to helping Latino students share their culture, Varela has been the advisor to LASA from the start, helping bring some diversity and representation to the PVHS campus, along with helping those students connect with their Latino roots.
LASA isn’t a purely educational
club, even though their goal is to educate on Latino culture.
A lot of what LASA does is educate people on the traditions by having them participate in the traditions themselves.
According to co-president junior Sophia LeGallo, they’re “planning on doing potlucks in the future with food from Latin American countries,” along with celebrating a different tradition at every meeting.
LASA is open to anybody who is interested in learning more about Latin American culture and traditions. Their next meeting is October 15 in Room 414.
Sea King Style:
Fall fits with junior Julia Yousif
By Ivy Ruberg reporter/social media
If you could describe your style in one word what would it be?
I’d say unique or different. Where do you like to shop?
I’m a big thrifter; any thrift store, really, whether it’s Goodwill or Salvation Army to something more like Uptown Cheapskate or Second Street.
What inspires your style?
I mean, I get inspired by a lot of things but I just try not to do the obvious thing. Like, if everyone is wearing a certain thing, you probably won’t see me wear it. But if no one is wearing something, you will definitely see me wear it. I just try to stray away from what everyone else is doing, but also, I like a lot of Pinterest stuff. If it’s colorful or something where I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, what even is that?” I think it’s amazing, so very personal too.
What is your biggest clothing “ick”?
When people have just black plain Lululemon pants that are tight all the way down, okay, but they wear that with a hoodie and they will wear that every single day. I think because I experiment a lot I want that for other people, too.
What’s your favorite trend?
I don’t really follow trends too much, but I really like how everyone’s doing a lot of things like boots and denim skirts. I’m definitely a country gal, so I think that’s really cute.
At the first general meeting, members made papel picado (Photo by Cynthia Mindicino)
The Rise of Chappell Roan: A Midwest Princess
By Jessica Hickman reporter
We may all know the artist Chappell Roan, but do we really know her? Well, some people may be huge fans, knowing her songs lyric to lyric, while others have only seen the HOT TO GO dance on their TikTok feed. Many people don’t know about her difficult path to get where she is right now.
Even though Roan mentions “leaving Tennessee” in one of her popular songs “Pink Pony Club,” Roan is actually from the small town of Willard, Missouri, which has a population of around 6,000 people.
Some may know that Chappell Roan is a stage name, and that the name she was born with is Kayleigh Amstutz. Chappell Roan is a contribution to her grandfather Dennis Chappell and one of her favorite songs “The Strawberry Roan.”
Roan first started making music when she was just 14 by uploading videos to YouTube. By 2017, she was signed to a label and moved all the way from Missouri to Los Angeles in pursuit of her dreams of being an artist.
After she released her first musical recording, she was dropped by her record label. For a while, Roan had to make ends meet by being a barista or babysitter. Eventually she worked with the producer Dan Nigro in
2020, but later that same producer also worked on premier album SOUR with Oliva Rodrigo, which later became one the most successful debut albums ever. Nigro was very focused on his work with Rodrigo, but eventually allowed Roan to start opening for Rodrigo’s SOUR tours which helped Roan get better publicity and evidently grow her career.
11/18/2022
In 2022, Chappell Roan was able to work with Nigro again, and made an album called “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.”
By 2023, Roan released that album. Then in 2024 she was opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour. Soon she released the hit single “Good Luck Babe!” which was her first song to make the Hot 100. This is when her monthly listeners started to double.
“I love the overall aesthetic of her music and her lyrics are so relatable. All of her songs are really catchy, too,” said senior Lauren Colton. “I love how she incorporates drag into her
performances as well. Her outfits and makeup are always on point.”
“She really put in the work and has a very humble upbringing and I feel like you can really see that in the way she interacts with the media, and she is new to the fame,” junior Audrey Turner said, “but she built up this huge community of people who resonate with her.”
At this years 2024 VMAs Roan performed her most popular song “Good Luck, Babe!”
She also won the award for Best New Artist. In Roan’s acceptance speech she said “Thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me and hear me when I share my joy and my fears and thank you.”
The Increasing Competition of College Applications
By James Lew features editor
Nowadays there are many challenges in the years leading up to the increasingly competitive landscape of college applications, with acceptance into students’ dream schools seeming more like a pipe dream.
Every year, the process of preparing for college applications seems to start earlier and earlier, with some even beginning in middle school and hiring private college consultants to extensively curate college applications.
It can be a huge advantage to have an older sibling with experience to advise on which classes to choose, time management skills and the transition to high school.
“My little brother Zach is only in 6th grade, but I think that I will be able to help him with college applications and what steps he should take throughout high school in order to give him the best chance at getting into his dream college,” junior Nicholas Yanney said There are many variables that must be taken into consideration when building college applications such as balancing sports, social life, grades and extracurricular activities.
“So far, in order to improve my chances of getting into college, I have taken harder classes and joined various extracurriculars both in and outside of school,” said junior Nick Jardin.
Recently, with high school being more competitive than ever, acceptance rates for Ivy Leagues and UCs have dropped drastically. Acceptance rates for Harvard have decreased from 6.9% in 2014
to 3.59% in 2024 according to Harvard admission stats, and USC from 17.8% in 2014 to 9.8% in 2024 according to USC admissions stats. With the stresses of applying to college increasing with each passing year, Jardin said, “My biggest worry about applying to colleges is the fear that I haven’t done enough to get accepted into the colleges that I desire to go to.”
As students navigate through the complex pathway of college applications, seeking advice from college counselors and mentors has become more important than ever.
“A student’s success in the college process hinges on how honest they are about who they are, what they want from their college experience and what they will bring to the colleges to which they apply. Far too many students bypass the most important step in this process which centers around self-reflection and staying true to oneself,” said PVHS Director of College and Career Center Joanne Lewis.
Many students tend to center their focus on extracurriculars that they think would look good on applications, rather than their true passions.
“Our first year students should take time to explore and find meaningful activities that they enjoy and that they can take a deeper dive into throughout their time at PVHS. It’s okay to try MUN or Cyber Patriot or whatever the activity might be only to find that it is not your cup of tea!” Lewis said.
“What is sad is when a student spends weeks, months and even years involved in an activity they aren’t excited about as that becomes very clear in the college application.”
Senior Publishes First Novel
By Zoe Barton reporter
Across the country, there are very few high school students who can call themselves a published author. After starting in December of her sophomore year, months of hard work have led to the release of “The Art of Madness,” which is now available to buy on Amazon and on the Barnes and Noble website.
With the publication of her book, Ella Sherry completed a lifelong dream of hers.
“I’ve been a writer since first grade, it’s always been my dream to publish, but I had a really big problem with actually finishing longer length stories. I would always start them, and then I could never finish them, so I’d just sort of abandon them.”
The secret to success turned out to be an outline, something kind of foreign to Sherry.
“I had never done that before, because I feel like it just constricts you, like you can’t do anything. But I knew I wanted to finish, I knew I wanted to publish, so I did outline, but I kept it very general, very broad so that I could be very flexible with it.”
“I was surprised when she first sent me the draft, because she asked me if I would read something of hers,” AP English Language teacher Angela Mogilefsky said. “When I
(Photo by Zoe Barton)
received it, I was actually pretty shocked as to how long it was, how much there was, how much of her heart and soul was in it, and how well written it already was.”
Sherry is one of two students who have ever presented a finished book to Mogilefsky, making her accomplishment even more impressive.
“Sometimes it feels like as English teachers, we’re teaching this lost art of reading and writing in society today. So to see that somebody has taken the time and care to put together a piece of writing, especially one of this caliber, it’s well written, it’s very thoughtful, and it clearly took a long time, is really nice to see.”
Soarin’ Over PVHS: Lexi Johnson’s exhilarating flight career
By Ella Gardner reporter
Lexi Johnson is a senior on the school volleyball team who has another passion: flying. She has enjoyed flying and piloting for many years.
“Aviation is rooted deeply within my family; I will become a thirdgeneration pilot,” Johnson said.
Her mother and grandfather are prominent inspirations on her path. In July, she started at Sling Pilots Academy in Torrance, where she continued training to improve her skills.
When it comes to her future aspirations, Johnson knows what her end goal is.
“My current goal is to attend a highranked flight school for college, with a career goal to become an international captain for one of the major airlines.”
But there’s one thing in particular she notices about her experiences in the air.
“Only 3.4% of airline pilots are female. Even at my academy in Torrance, it’s rare to see a female in the hangar,” Johnson said.
“One of my biggest motivations is to prove myself in a male-dominated field.”
Her friend, senior Mallory LaBreche has seen her hard work on the volleyball court and through her love for flying.
“She is constantly studying and preparing for her next flight,” LaBreche said.
“I admire her work ethic and passion for what she’s doing.”
Lexi’s dad, Scott Johnson, has also watched his daughter’s growth through flying.
“Lex is progressing at a much faster
rate than I would have anticipated,” Scott Johnson said.
“I attribute this to the hard work she has put in learning to fly, both in the air and on the ground, as well as her passion for aviation.”
Scott Johnson also comments on her work ethic.
“Lex has a willingness and determination to work hard to achieve her goals,” he said.
“I want her to be happy, whether she pursues a career as a pilot or some other profession.”
LaBreche also wishes her the best.
“I hope she continues flying and living out her dreams of being a pilot,” she said.
Lexi has come so far in her career, and her passion for something unique is remarkable and inspirational, which truly emphasizes that the sky really is the limit.
Chappell Roan @ Hollwood Palladium
shot for Pass The Aux (Photo courtesy of Justin Higuchi on Wikimedia Commons)
(Photo courtesy of Lexi Johnson)
Pumpkin Spice and
The Cozy Season:
Why Autumn is the most underrated time of year
By Ella Hansen reporter
Winter has holiday festivities and snow, spring has flowers and gardens, summer has hot days and no school but what does fall have? Many people overlook fall with its overcast and gloomy appearance, but when you think of all the possible activities, autumn becomes one of the most underrated seasons.
The first overlooked activity of fall is all the festivals. With pumpkin patches and our favorite theme parks, the fall themes festivities do not disappoint. Whether you are looking for a fright at your favorite theme park such as Knotts Scary Farm, or a relaxing day picking apples at an orchard, fall has all the activities to entertain you throughout the season.
Secondly, the weather is the perfect combination between hot and cold. The transition between summer and winter offers mild fog and a forecast to satisfy all people.
If you are a nature lover, fall is the perfect time of year to go on hikes and explore the outdoors without freezing in the cold winter air or burning in the hot summer sun. If you prefer
staying indoors, the occasional rains make for the perfect setting to relax and watch a seasonal movie.
Speaking of seasonal, fall offers the most underrated seasonal food and drink options. Flavors such as pumpkin, apple and cinnamon pair with the cozy weather allowing for a unique experience exclusive to fall.
Crowd favorites such as Starbucks and Trader Joes offer their well known takes on fall flavors.
The cozy aesthetic of the season needs a wardrobe to match. The fall season offers the best and most diverse fashion choices. You can choose from comfy sweats and sweatshirts, or dress it up with fashionable sweaters, blazers and jeans.
A darker, more moody color palette consisting of blacks, browns and burgundy provides a contrast to the snug environment that fall provides.
From festivals to the overall aesthetic, fall provides countless activities for anyone to enjoy.
Favorite Fall...
and Everything Nice
OPINION
Why the NY Times’ Top 100 Books of the Century falls Short
By Sierra Hickey reporter
Over the summer, The New York Times released an article that has caused significant controversy in the literary world. The article claimed to present the top 100 books of the 21st century, but it has faced criticism since its release.
One major shortcoming of the list is the lack of diversity among the individuals chosen to evaluate the books.
The panel consisted primarily of literary critics, authors and academics, which reflected a significant academic bias.
While these individuals are undoubtedly well-versed in literature, their perspectives do not necessarily represent what makes a book “good.”
Additionally, the absence of everyday readers on the panel means that the list fails to capture a wide range of tastes and preferences, leaving many common readers feeling excluded from the conversation.
This lack of inclusivity raises an important question: Whose voices are truly valued in the literary landscape?
Beyond the issue of inclusivity, the list also has a limited representation of genres. It heavily favors literary fiction while pushing genres such as science fiction, fantasy, romance and
non-fiction to the side.
Furthermore, modern forms of literature, including graphic novels and poetry, are noticeably absent.
This oversight is problematic, as our society is evolving and being shaped by a plethora of new storytelling and writing methods.
The failure to include these modern literary forms causes not only readers but also authors who might not follow traditional literary conventions to feel disregarded.
Finally, the criteria used to select the books on the list have also come under scrutiny.
The process allowed panelists to freely submit their top ten books without clear guidelines.
Why School Phone Bans Are Necessary
By Zoe Barton reporter
In June, the board of the second-largest school district in the nation, the Los Angeles Unified School District, ruled that starting in January 2025, cellphone and social media use would be banned during the school day.
On September 23, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill known as the “PhoneFree School Act,” which requires every school district to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of phones in schools by July 1, 2026. These actions come during a wave of anti-phone measures implemented across the country, limiting cell phone use in schools.
How Many Colleges Is Enough to Apply To?
By Claire Auer reporter
As college application deadlines approach, there has been a debate over how many schools to apply to. Although there isn’t a guaranteed right or wrong number of schools, there are good recommendations that can prevent applicants from going overboard.
The overall best range for the number of schools to apply to is 5-15. This range provides a healthy amount of options without overwhelming the applicant with work.
This lack of a straightforward selection process can lead to inconsistencies, which undermines the credibility of the list.
Overall, while The New York Times’ list has sparked valuable conversations among avid readers and authors, it ultimately falls short by failing to represent the complexity of contemporary literature.
To accurately reflect the 21st century’s best books, future lists must include a broader range of voices, genres, and authors. They can achieve this by incorporating everyday readers in the selection process and by making the criteria for what defines the “best” book more straightforward.
suggests that “the greater the use of a phone while studying, the greater the negative impact on learning and academic achievement.”
Additionally, the results suggest that skills and cognitive abilities needed for students’ academic success and learning are negatively impacted.”
Similar policies have been enacted in Utah, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio, with more states planning to follow suit.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently called upon social media companies to issue health warnings for their platforms and encouraged the use of “phone-free” zones within the home.
As of 2024, 94 percent of teenagers in the United States own a cell phone, a 30 percent increase from ten years ago. Many teachers believe that cellphones are a constant distraction in the classroom and have contributed to diminished academic performance and a rise in students’ mental health issues.
According to ScienceDirect, research
This phenomenon is demonstrated by the fact that students’ ACT scores across the country have plummeted over the past ten years, and test scores in math and reading in the U.S. have reached their lowest levels in decades, corresponding to the increased dependency on phones.
Research from the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry shows that the constant presence of cellphones has led to addictive behaviors among students, as well as an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Relentless notifications can create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out. Furthermore, the excessive use of smartphones can interfere with sleep, which is crucial for mental health.
The damaging effects of phones have been well documented, and all evidence suggests that they have no place within a school. Although it may be difficult for us to give up our phones, it’s for the greater good that we begin to do so. Only then may we see improvements in the mental health and academics of students across the country.
The absolute minimum number of schools to apply to is five. While five schools is still a relatively low number, it’s not as limiting as just one. Applying to five schools allows a person to have a good mix of reach, target, and safety schools.
It also gives more time to improve the quality of essays individually. If a person is applying to five schools, they should be able to submit five very strong applications.
A maximum of 15 schools is ideal for many reasons. It’s the perfect cutoff before someone becomes overwhelmed by the sheer number of applications.
Fifteen schools still allow enough time to maintain the quality of essays and applications without feeling excessively stressed, which could otherwise make senior year unpleasant anytime the word “college” is mentioned.
If a person applies to more than 15 schools, there is a
greater likelihood of careless errors. Supplemental essays may feel rushed, and it becomes harder to produce the best work.
It also adds unnecessary stress, which could negatively impact senior year grades and attendance, ultimately reflecting poorly on a college application.
Another downside to applying to too many colleges is cost. The average cost to apply to colleges in the U.S. is around $50, but it can go up to $100 depending on the school.
Since an applicant can only attend one school at a time, applying to 16 or more schools might not be a waste, but it won’t necessarily benefit someone after the application process.
Banning Phones is Not a Good Idea
By Cat Allocco reporter
Starting in January 2025, cell phone usage, as well as social media, will be completely banned for students in LAUSD throughout the entire school day. This ban has sparked controversy over the safety, ethics and practicality of completely phoneless school days.
Most teenagers already find it difficult to get up and go to school every morning. With the stress of classes, extracurriculars and college applications looming, the average teenager would heavily resist these restrictions and might consider skipping school more often.
Student absences are already a major problem in several California school districts, which all rely on student attendance for funding.
On average, state schools lose $3.6 billion annually due to student absences alone. If school becomes a less desirable place for students, forced budget cuts could eliminate important programs like theater, art classes and other electives, and lead to a decline in the quality of campus facilities.
A major issue we are already facing at PVHS is the state of our classrooms, bathrooms and sports facilities. If budget cuts were to affect our school, these problems would continue to worsen.
Additionally, many concerns arise regarding the banning of phones in emergency situations. Being in a lockdown without access to a personal cell phone could be incredibly distressing for students, as many people’s first instinct would be to contact a parent or friend for support.
Parents might feel uneasy sending their
children to school knowing they cannot maintain contact and will be entirely reliant on school emails for emergency alerts.
While many agree that heavily restricting cell phone usage in elementary and middle school is a good idea, it may not be necessary for upperclassmen in high school.
Taking away the personal property of seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds could send a message of distrust. Instead of being treated like adults capable of responsibly putting away their devices, some older students might feel they aren’t trusted to take accountability for their actions.
Most high school students will follow directions from teachers, but by not giving them an option, administrators may be signaling an expectation of immaturity.
Banning phones could lead to a wide array of problems and complications that outweigh the benefits. Trusting students to properly handle their cell phones during school hours creates a safer and more responsible learning environment.
(Graphic by Sierra Hickey)
(Graphic by ClaireAuer)
(Graphic by CatAllocco)
(Graphic by Zoe Barton)
A Letter From the Editors
Friends, Florals and False Advertising
“Grab your friends, wear your florals and head out to see it”—this is what actress Blake Lively said while promoting “It Ends With Us,” a Hollywood film about domestic abuse.
It’s an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, which garnered considerable public attention as it rose to fame on BookTok, a subcommunity on TikTok.
The story follows Lily Bloom, a Bostonian florist, as she is caught in a cycle of abuse with her husband Ryle Kincaid. Hoover credits the story as being inspired from real-life experiences from her own parents.
Though the relationship between the main characters can be interpreted as romantic towards the beginning of the novel, Hoover herself claimed in an interview that she wrote the novel with the intention of bringing the issue of domestic abuse to light.
Why, then, is the story framed as “an unforgettable tale of love,” as proclaimed on the back cover of the novel?
The promotion of the movie was no better—perhaps even worse.
The insensitivity of the press tour has the potential of impacting viewers and actual domestic abuse victims.
Stories about abuse and
By Hailey Kim opinion editor
similar mature themes have been a staple in the literary world and Hollywood for years, making victims feel seen and understood when executed correctly and with empathy. But botched attempts have the power to affect how audiences—in particular, younger audiences—interpret and respond to real-life situations.
Much of Hoover’s audience consists of young women, and it’s not as though she is blind to this fact. Romanticizing domestic abuse as a love story can blur the line between healthy and abusive relationships in real life.
If younger audiences, including many students at PVHS, see abusive relationships portrayed as romantic in mainstream media, they likely won’t be able to recognize if they themselves or someone they know are in a similar situation, making it even more difficult to remove themselves from it.
The media’s influence on society’s values is perpetual. The initiation of more socially aware advertising practices, therefore, is essential to putting an end to the misrepresentation and romanticization of such a significant and widespread issue as domestic abuse.
Starbucks is Stealing Your Bucks:
A guide to becoming a strategic coffee connoisseur
By Quinn Kearns centerspread editor
When taking into account rising gas prices, daily food expenses, and other necessities, how do we fit a $7 cup of coffee into that equation?
With coffee not even being a substantial meal, it just adds to the overall cost of a single meal.
Considering the ingredients used, shouldn’t we just make our coffee at home?
If so, why is the coffee shop industry booming with increasing prices and backed-up orders?
Given the quality of ingredients used by corporations like Starbucks, charging luxury prices seems ridiculous for what is essentially a fast-food chain.
The most expensive add-on for drinks also happens to be the most popular: cold foam, which costs a whopping $1.25.
While that might not sound like much, cold foam is just a fancy way of saying frothed milk with a couple of pumps of flavored syrup.
It seems Starbucks has adapted to inflation by using minor modifications to upcharge their products.
As long as people continue to pay these prices, companies will keep finding ways to take every penny they can from consumers.
Even supporting small
business coffee houses can make a dent in your bank account, especially for daily coffee drinkers.
The only real way to escape the high prices of a plastic cup full of caffeine is either to cut the addiction or to make your own coffee from scratch.
Along with their overpriced coffees, Starbucks also capitalizes on their line of “refreshers,” which are basically lemonade with some fruit juice— mostly ice, at that. For about $5, we should expect more than just a medium cup filled with flavored lemonade.
(Graphic by Quinn Kearns)
Outside of the beverage realm, Starbucks has also capitalized on their microwaved food. Over the past decade, many food items have seen significant price increases, with one of the most prominent examples being their infamous cake pops.
In 2014, cake pops were priced at a reasonable $1.50, but by 2024, the stick loosely
holding a condensed ball of cake covered in melted chocolate now costs $2.95. This means that a single bite of cake has seen a price increase of about 97%. From food to drinks, this overpriced chain of low-quality coffee continues to be the most efficient source of breakfast necessities when on the go. However, the most costeffective way to source roasted coffee beans remains an at-home brewing system.
Disney Remakes: Magic or Overdone?
There’s something magical about seeing a classic Disney movie—the first time you hear the opening notes of Circle of Life or witness Ariel’s transformation in The Little Mermaid.
But in recent years, Disney’s habit of bringing these iconic stories back to life in live-action form has sparked debate. While some love seeing their favorite characters in a more realistic light, others are wondering: is it time for Disney to start telling new stories?
Disney’s strategy of remaking animated classics into live-action blockbusters has proven to be a financial success.
The Lion King (2019) roared to the top of the box office, grossing over $1.6 billion globally. Films like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast followed suit, fueled by the nostalgia of fans who grew up with the originals. With such overwhelming box office numbers, it’s hard to argue that Disney isn’t doing something right. After all, who wouldn’t want to see their favorite childhood
characters brought to life through cutting-edge CGI?
But beyond the dazzling effects and familiar soundtracks lies a deeper question: are these remakes showcasing a lack of creativity in Hollywood? For critics, Disney’s reliance on its archive of animated classics points to an industry trend where studios lean too heavily on nostalgia and guaranteed box office hits instead of taking risks on original content. Sure,
Editors-in-Chief Olivia Kao Ella Sherry
Adviser Cynthia Mindicino
it’s exciting to see how CGI can reimagine Pride Rock or Agrabah, but is it truly enhancing the storytelling, or just dressing it up in new clothes?
For many fans, the charm of the original animated films lies in their hand-drawn beauty, unique character designs, and heartwarming simplicity. While live-action versions offer the chance to explore these stories in new ways, they sometimes lose the magic that made them
Editors & Leadership
News: Valerie Villegas
Features: James Lew
Opinion: Hailey Kim
Sports: Aaron Propst
Centerspread: Quinn Kearns & Ruby Mayrose
Social Media: Nicolas Boixo Fernandez De La Cigoña, Ivy Ruberg, Charlie Russo, Ethan Woo
special in the first place. The liveaction The Little Mermaid (2023), for instance, was praised for its performances but left some viewers longing for the vibrancy of the original.
On the flip side, Disney’s use of modern technology and updated cultural sensibilities allows these stories to reach younger audiences in ways the originals couldn’t.
The remake of The Jungle Book, for example, used CGI to create a visually stunning, immersive world that added layers of realism to the narrative. These updates provide an opportunity to modernize timeless tales while staying true to their core messages—something many argue is necessary as society evolves.
Still, there’s a balancing act Disney must navigate. How
Staff
much longer can the studio lean on retellings before audiences start to tire of the same stories? While nostalgia may keep some moviegoers coming back, it risks overshadowing new, innovative storytelling.
Is Disney’s magic in its ability to retell tales we already know, or in its power to create the next generation of timeless classics?
As more remakes are announced—Snow White being the latest on the horizon—the debate will only grow. In the end, Disney’s legacy may not lie in whether its live-action remakes became box office hits, but whether it could rediscover the creative spark that once made us all believe in “a whole new world.”
For now, fans remain divided. But one thing’s for sure: Disney’s storytelling future is hanging in the balance, and whether they choose to continue looking back or take a bold step forward will determine if the magic of the past can truly live on in the present.
As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but perhaps it’s time Disney asks: what new stories will define the future?
(Graphic by Hailey Kim)
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Has the Rivalry Come to an End?
By Charlie Russo reporter/social media
The rivalry game between PV and Peninsula has possibly come to an end. It may be hard to believe, but there will be no rivalry football game this year.
Although PV has been playing them for several years, Peninsula has officially dropped down to the Pioneer League, so Sea Kings will not be in the same league as Peninsula for this upcoming season.
With that being the case, there will be no true way to know who the “King of the Hill” is.
The PV-Pen games have always been a big social event for both schools. Getting to see friends from the other school and playing against them is always something that students and staff look forward to.
“It’s a blast when the school, and created school community, can be unified in a common cause or rooting interest,” said Athletic Director Brian Shapiro
“Sometimes those rivalries seem more important than they really are, but it’s just a whole lot of fun.”
The current seniors have to play their last year without a rivalry game, and the current freshmen might not ever get to know what the rivalry game looks like.
Senior Patrick Klink is a Red Tide captain and has played on the boys football team for four years. He has played against Peninsula the previous three years.
“I was sad when I heard about not having the rivalry game this year,” Klink said, “especially because it’s my senior year.”
The “King of the Hill” has been such an important part of PV High’s history, so its sudden conclusion comes as a shock to
The Red Tide student section celebrated a 34-0 win over the Peninsula Panthers at Peninsula HS on October 29, 2021. The rival games were a much-anticipated event on the hill, until this year.
(Photo byAidan Sun, PVHS Point 2021/22)
some people.
“I think there will be a new rivalry that we’ll have, I just don’t think it will be with Pen,” Klink said.
The biggest PV-Pen event has always been the rivalry football game.
“It’s weird that we aren’t playing them,” Varsity head football coach Guy Gardner said.
“I knew it wasn’t going to happen in a league game, but we’ll probably have to figure out how to do it in a non-league format.”
Coach Gardner has been coaching PV football for 16 years, and PV has beaten Peninsula in all 16 of these years.
Although the football game is not occurring this year, the PV-Pen history tells us that the best football team on the hill will continue to be Palos Verdes.
New Year, New Teams: Transforming the Bay League
By Aaron Propst sports editor
When it comes to Palos Verdes High School sports, it has become common to see the Sea Kings clash with familiar opponents in Bay League play.
However, due to a complete realignment, all sports have seen a change in the league that will completely change dynamics and rivalries for each and every sport.
Nineteen schools make up the SBAA (South Bay Athletic Association).
These schools were placed in North and South geographic groupings.
Nine teams make up the Northern section.
The Northern schools include Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Leuzinger, Inglewood, Morningside and Centennial.
Ten teams make up the Southern section. The Southern schools include Palos Verdes, El Segundo, Wiseburn-DaVinci, Torrance, South Torrance, West Torrance, North Torrance, Peninsula, Mira Costa and Redondo.
From here, the Northern and Southern groups are divided into a higher competitive equity league and a weaker competitive equity league.
The North divides into the Ocean League and Sky League. The South is divided into the Bay League and Pioneer League.
“Just recently we decided that we should change our leagues into what we call a competitive equity model, where the strongest teams are grouped together and the weakest teams are grouped together,” Athletic Director Brian Shapiro explained.
“We’re trying to create more competitive balance in the leagues.”
Every sport has its own completely unique league. For example, girls basketball and boys basketball are in two separate leagues.
“Girls and boys basketball being in two separate leagues will make things look weird on gameday,” Shapiro explained, “but it results in more of a balance in these games.”
In all sports except football, there is now relegation. Every two years, the team from the higher competitive equity league that finishes with the lowest record over the two year span will drop to the lower league. Likewise, the team with the highest record from the lower competitive equity league will move up. These major changes create a lot of change in the world of Palos Verdes sports.
One major example of change can be seen in Bay League football. Culver City and Mira Costa remained in the league with Palos Verdes, but there were three new additions. These additions include Leuzinger, Lawndale and Inglewood, which replaced Peninsula, Redondo and Santa Monica.
The Homecoming football game will be played against Lawndale, a team that was not previously in the Bay League.
“It’s going to be weird playing against Lawndale for the homecoming game,” junior Nick Yakubik said.
“We’re excited to see new people in our league, and we’re preparing every day to win these games against teams we haven’t played before.”
Southern Geographic Grouping (Graphic by Aaron Propst)
Upcoming Games:
Girls Tennis Away, October 10th @ Redondo Union
Girls Golf @ PV Golf Course, October 10th VS Torrance Football @ Home, October 11th VS Leuzinger
Senior Lacrosse Player
Michael Kraemer Commits to Tufts University
By Ethan Woo reporter/social media
Seniors are committing to schools to pursue an education and play the sport that they love.
Michael Kraemer has committed to Tufts University for lacrosse even before his senior year began. Next year he will be able to join his brother Peter Kraemer, who also plays lacrosse at Tufts.
“I always looked at my brother to see how he played since I played the same position as him, which was midfield,” Kraemer said.
His journey to reach that goal started off when he was younger. He and his brother would go down to the field every other day to play offense and defense against each other, while also shooting together.
“While other people were messing around and partying, I was playing lacrosse,” Kraemer said. “And it has all paid off.”
Kraemer was captain of the varsity team as a junior, and he will be captain again this year.
“I had the players vote for a captain and Michael was the one of the four captains who were voted in,” Head Coach Durkin Guthrie said.
“Michael really developed from being a freshman as he started as a quiet kid when he joined the team, and as years went by he became more comfortable and has since then started acting like a leader who deserves the C.”
Gunnar Kehrli, one of Kraemer’s best friends, has been playing lacrosse with him since
sophomore year.
“Over the years, I’ve seen him grow into a leader, and since his brother was captain of the lacrosse team,” Kehrli said.
“I can see him following his footsteps like being a hard worker, putting the team first and coming back from those setbacks like injuries and pursuing through them to succeed.”
Tufts won the lacrosse national championship last year, and Kraemer is looking to repeat.
“I’m looking forward to another shot at a National Championship with the team, which is not something a lot of other teams have a chance to do,” Kraemer said, “and I really like a lot of the guys on the team and am looking forward to having fun with them”.
The Kraemer brothers aim to lift the trophy together next season.
Girls Change the Tide at Palos Verdes: Flag Football
By Cat Allocco reporter
Flag football, a relatively new sport to PV High, has proven to be an exciting opportunity for girls on campus who want to push themselves athletically while being a part of a tight-knit team.
Surging not only in California, but all over the world, the sport has become increasingly competitive and respected, garnering the attention of high schools and colleges who have implemented it at their schools.
Now set to make its official debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, flag football teams are seemingly emerging out of thin air.
Especially in California, girls can be found practicing at local parks and school fields yearround.
When it was deemed a girls’ sport by the California Interscholastic Federation in 2023, science teacher Ashley Hughes immediately took the opportunity to coach because of the impact she knew the sport would have on girls at PVHS.
“I knew it was an up and coming sport and a good chance for women in sports to play something that hasn’t been available. I wanted to make sure the girls on our campus had the opportunity to play,” she said.
The diverse flag football team at PVHS is made up of several girls from other sports, as well as some with little to no athletic experience.
The Climbing Cost of Sports
By Valerie Villegas news editor
Whether you ask a swimmer or a football player, most athletes will argue that their sport is the most expensive, but what factors contribute to the ranging costs of sports?
Almost all sporting teams on campus require athletes to purchase their own durable and productive equipment, but many have disguised costs.
“Every little thing about golf is not free, not even the grass… you have to pay to go,” golfer Jenyne Ebreo said. “Los Verdes is free to chip and putt, but your clubs, those cost money.”
Money is an essential resource for golfing, though this subject isn’t limited to the golfing community.
Costs weave themselves into sports whether it be in the form of fees, equipment or healthcare.
“Physical therapy is quite common. I had to do it constantly [because of] an injury,” water polo athlete Rachel Smart said.
In many cases physical therapy can enhance an athlete’s performance despite them not facing any pressing injuries.
“Swimmers get massages or suctioning to get the lactic acidthe substance that causes your body to fatigue, out of their body before [swim] meets,” swimmer
Hillary Nguyen said.
In addition to the physical demand and time commitment that school sports require, some further immerse themselves with non-institutional athletic organizations putting an additional strain on their pockets.
“With a club team, it costs a lot just to swim in a pool along with other factors of equipment like swimming gear, suits - that sometimes cost $200-500, goggles that will cost $70-100, or caps that cost $30 even though they may look like plastic,” Nguyen said.
Many athletes are joining the team, including senior Kayla Baker, a linebacker who also plays basketball.
Like most players, Baker joined the team with no experience at all, just an interest in football she developed from watching clips of it on TikTok.
“I started watching football during COVID and it’s really nice to be able to play; flag is like football with less risk,” said Baker.
Given that flag football is an incredibly fast paced and intense sport, the competitive aspect is often credited with adding to the exhilaration on the field.
From occasional tackles to surprising plays, the events of the games are always unexpected.
“Sometimes it can get really intense, I’ve been tackled a couple times to the ground,” Baker said.
The most common remark from girls on the team is how enjoyable it is to be a part of the flag football community at PVHS.
With girls joining from all
grades and backgrounds, the team has been a welcoming environment for girls to try out a new experience and have a great time doing it.
“Flag football is super fun, competitive and overall a great atmosphere to play under,” linebacker Maddie Gregory said.
The mission of the current team and coaches at PVHS is to encourage more students to try flag football, no matter their athletic background.
“Everyone is learning, you can go in knowing nothing and most people are in the same boat,” said Baker.
With an already successful season on the rise, flag football at PVHS continues to serve as a spotlight for the athleticism of girls on campus, and a new outlet for women to succeed in sports.
The growth the team makes over the course of the season is what inspires the players to give their best at every game.
With skills acquired and friendships built, flag football is a transformative experience.
Freshman Golfer’s Breakout Season
By Genie Choi reporter
When the sporting equipment is employed frequently at such high intensity, they become stressed and worn down of their productivity.
“A suit that costs $500 will probably last a meet or a couple races before the benefits that come with it go down,” Nguyen said.
To the relief of athletes, there are programs to help alleviate the financial stress which comes with sports.
“Southern California Swimming has a program called Outreach which allows swimmers to pay one set price. For meets we always have to pay a fee, and then along with each event costs more money, but because of the Outreach program, when families apply for it, they only have to pay one set price and it does lower the cost a bit for those families,” Nguyen said.
In contrast to the financial aspect of sports, the benefits athletes reap from sports is enough to justify the cost for many students at PV.
“On some of my gloomiest days, coming into practice will leave [me] with the biggest smile,” Nguyen said.
(Graphic by Valerie Villegas)
Rina Kawasaki, a freshman at PV High, has already made a huge impact on the PVHS Girls Varsity Golf team.
The Girls Varsity team won their first non league match of the season with Kawasaki leading the team with an even par 35. She is currently ranked 105 in the Rolex American Junior Golf Association and has played in seven of the events.
As such a valuable player on the team, Kawasaki has astonished everyone with her precision and technique when playing golf.
Despite Kawasaki being new to PV high, she is truly no stranger to the world of competitive golf.
“Rina has one of the best forms I have ever seen,” Junior Lauren Kim said.
“She is so committed to each of the tournaments that we play in and I can tell that she truly loves the sport.”
Kawasaki started golf from the early age of seven but her competitive drive took off when she entered middle school.
“I started playing when I was seven, but it wasn’t until middle school that I decided to take it seriously,” Kawasaki explained.
Now that Kawasaki is a freshman here at PV High, the
challenge of balancing her academics and sports sounds intense, but for her it has just helped her grow as a person.
“Rina is super sweet and really contributes to the team because she is so hard working,” senior and teammate Shivi Vidjearadji said.
In addition to Kawasaki being a freshman here at PVHS, her goals for the future are brighter than ever. She plans to commit to a D1 school for college and to rank as high as she possibly can.
“Committing to a good D1 school would truly be an honor for me,” she said.
Her swings truly do show off all of her countless hours of practice and commitment. Kawasaki is a rising star that will continue to shine.
(Photo Courtesy of Michael Kraemer)
(Photo Courtesy of Kayla Baker)
(Photo Courtesy of Rina Kawasaki)
Introducing New Sea King Staff
Meet Allison Hardesty, a SAGE therapist with a Master’s in Marital Family Therapy and 13 years of experience teaching AP Psychology.
Hardesty hopes to break the stigma about therapy and emphasize that “it’s all about mental wellness and taking care of yourself.” Her goal is to help students succeed not only in school, but in navigating their identity, stress and relationships. Students can visit her in the Wellness Center during school hours or request an appointment via the PVHS website or QR codes posted around campus.
SAGE therapist Francesca KagyLauro planned to become a forensic psychologist, but realized she loved working with youth after interning at an elementary school. She chose PVHS for its friendly environment, close commute and the opportunity to work with older students.
Her goal is to host weekly, themed “Wellness Wednesdays” in the Wellness Center for all students to relax and have fun in a supportive environment. “We’re here for any feeling that may come up. If you just need a place to have space, we can provide it.”
Britney Ewing introduces a fresh perspective to PVHS’s Dance and Yoga programs.
Her interest in dance was sparked after watching her high school’s dance team perform. Later, she danced on South High’s nationally ranked team and double majored in dance and liberal studies.
Ewing is excited to “create a dance program of [her] own” and allow students to express themselves through dance. Her goal is to create a positive space for students to learn and grow every day.
“I want them to be continuously inspired by their crafts.”
Meet Dr. Kyle Garrity, the new associate principal. His extensive resume includes a Master’s from Harvard University, over 15 years of teaching history, government and philosophy along with experience in coaching athletics.
“I’ve heard really great things [about PVHS]. The students and teachers are very strong and driven.”
He looks forward to supporting PVHS’s theater, music and sports programs.
“Encouraging students and teachers to be their best—that’s what I love to do.”
Marisa Blachy is the new Spanish 1 and 2 teacher.
Growing up, she found that Spanish always came naturally to her. Blachy initially majored in English and got into law school, but decided to follow her passion and study abroad in Spain to pursue a degree in education and Spanish. She has 23 years of teaching experience and is excited to work at PVHS.
“I want to get my students excited and enthusiastic about learning Spanish. I want everybody to love Spanish as much as I do.”
teacher Jihyun Kim brings a holistic approach to language learning. Born in Korea, she studied media and communications before coming to the US and getting her teaching credentials.
Kim aims to provide interactive and culture-rich lessons to broaden her students’ worldviews.
She advocates for all students to learn another language to better understand themselves, others and society. Kim hopes to create a positive learning environment where students and teachers alike can learn from one another.
Out With the Rats!
The PVHS rodent problem
Illustrated and written by Claire Auer reporter
Whether it is pebble-like traces of fecal matter, bitten-through bags of chips or fuzzy grey blobs scurrying across the classroom floor, rats, mice and other critters have certainly made their presence known on campus.
These rodents have been a clear cause of distraction in classroom environments; relocating rooms as a result of rat infestations, placing mice traps beside class textbooks and sealing lunches in air-tight containers as to avoid rodent nibbles are nothing new
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After working as a substitute teacher in the PVPUSD district, Rebeca Webster was impressed by the welcoming, supportive community and wanted a permanent position on campus. Now, she is an administrative assistant for the special education department. Webster is excited to get involved in the athletic department because she enjoys coaching soccer and “sharing [her] talents with future players.” Outside of school, she also works as a realtor and transaction agent. Webster looks forward to growing at PVHS and seeing where the red tide takes her.
Tanza is a special education teacher for the adult Transition Opportunity Program (TOP). Prior to this job, he worked as a special education assistant and behavior interventionist. He also served in the Peace Corps for two years, where he worked in impoverished schools with a focus on special education development, human trafficking prevention awareness and teaching English. Tanza is excited to work with the “extraordinarily welcoming and kind” staff at PVHS and hopes to “expand inclusion opportunities for students with special needs.”
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Story and photos by Evalyn Yu reporter