Cub Bark May 2023

redwood bark bark CUB

Editorial: Make school fun again

p. 6

These ice cream scoops will take you for a loop

p. 15

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

Volume LXV, No. 6 • May 5, 2023 • Larkspur, CA

Lucky’s supermarket closes after 40 years

By Charlotte Lacy Cub Reporter

On March 17, Lucky’s Supermarket employees were notified that the Magnolia Avenue location would close on Friday, April 14. Lucky’s, owned by Save Mart, was open in Larkspur for 40 years and its closure leaves the community emotional.

Save Mart did not share reasons for the closure but workers at the Larkspur Lucky’s location shared with the San Francisco Standard that the grocery did not renew its lease on Magnolia Avenue.

Save Mart stated that the closing would not affect store employees and they will be offered positions at nearby chain locations. Junior Jake William had worked at Lucky’s since July 2022 and he too is unclear on why

Lucky’s Supermarket has closed but believes it concerns the corporation Save Mart.

“The corporation itself isn’t modernized and they aren’t in the know. They don’t have any online platform to check the schedule[s] or [receive payment]. They are just very far behind. When I applied, I had to wait a month to get my employee number from corporate,” William said.

Sophomore Malcolm Estus used to visit Lucky’s four times a week and was surprised to hear about Lucky’s closure. Estus enjoyed the flexibility of choosing a different item for lunch every day due to the variety of products that Lucky’s offered.

“The best thing about Lucky’s is its a grocery store with everything. If one day I want a sandwich, I can get that, or one day I want yogurt I can get that,” Estus said.

Larkspur resident Peggy Lynch has lived here for 54 years and frequently visited Lucky’s for last-minute needs. Lynch shares how much she will miss the employees at the grocery store.

“I will miss Penny, a cashier, and Mark, the manager and the sweetest lady who works in the deli. [The staff] were so friendly and kind,” Lynch said.

Lynch explains that many people with limited incomes shopped at Lucky’s because it was local and cheap. She also shares that the store was excellent for the elderly as it is not as busy as stores like Safeway.

“We have a lot of people on limited incomes and don’t have transportation to get to Safeway. Lucky’s has always been great for them because they can walk there and I find that it is not as crowded as Safeway for elderly people using canes or walkers to get around the store,” Lynch said.

Lucky’s closure affected all types of Larkspur residents. According to Estus, the school will also be affected due to so many students spending their time there.

“I have fun going to Lucky’s because my friends all like to go together. School will also probably have to make more lunches because we can’t go there for lunch anymore,” Estus said.

California salmon closure leaves local fishermen defeated

By Sean Cunneen Cub Reporter

For the second time in California history since 20082009, the salmon fishing season has come to a complete halt. The season was shutdown after record low numbers of salmon returned to California’s rivers. The closure has a wide-ranging effect on the entire state of California and, even more specifically, here in Marin County.

Junior Luke Piacente, the co-founder of the fishing club at Redwood, explained the immense economical impact of the salmon shutdown on students and families in Marin.

“The salmon season closure will have a large effect on the families who are involved with commercial and sport fishing. Many families who make a profit off of catching salmon are now no longer able to do so,” Piacente said.

Piacente then described his disappointment about the closure of salmon season in relation to his daily life

“I started fishing at a very young age after my dad introduced it to me in middle school. Once I got older, I was fortunate enough to have access to a couple of boats and ever since then I’ve gone fishing around twenty to thirty times a year. With the season now completely shut down, I feel a large part of my enjoyment for this year and upcoming summer has been thrown away,” Piacente said.

Jared Davis has been the head captain at Salty Lady Sportfishing Company for over 30 years in Sausalito. Being a regular fisher, Davis explains the major cause for the significant decrease in salmon spawning down the river.

“It all has to do with the water that flows through the rivers, into the bay and out to sea. The salmon need an adequate amount of water flowing through the river to return as adults to lay their eggs and see those eggs hatch and survive,” Davis said.

Davis then explained how large corporate farms are overusing large amounts of California’s water reservoirs.

“The problem we have has much to do with the massive corporate agricultural industry in the central valley of California. Around 80 percent of the water from these rivers is used by multi billion-dollar corporations for crops such as almonds and pistachios to gain personal profit,” Davis said. “The corporations are worsening the problem of decreased amounts of water flowing downstream,

presenting many disasters that are destroying the salmon population.”

Scott Tucker, a former mountain biking coach at Redwood and a board member of Cal Trout, provides solutions to the fishing community of Marin that want to help contribute to restoring the salmon population.

“There’s a number of organizations in California that help from a conservation standpoint, such as the Wild Salmon Center, that work along the coast to give people an understanding of what the salmon are up against. They also hold many hands-on interactive projects educating on how to help fix problems such as habitat restoration. The organization I am a part of is the largest group dedicated to removing California dams to increase spawning habitat. If we do this we can increase spawning habitats by over 80 percent in rivers such as the Klamath River Basin,” Tucker said.

Tucker explains a more simple and straightforward approach to how anyone can provide a helping hand in this crisis, even those with little to no experience in fishing.

“Getting involved with activities that contribute to refurbishing the salmon’s habitats and learning what challenges are being presented against the salmon are simple approaches [that everyone] can take to help support the cause,” Tucker said.

Whether you know a lot about fishing, nothing at all or somewhere in between, anyone can help the crisis California is experiencing right now by becoming educated on the topic and working to save our salmon. Spread the word, save our fish.

A SIGN DISPLAYED at the front of Lucky’s informs customers about the closure on April 14.

Photo by Charlotte Lacy

This storefront attracted many Hall Middle School and Redwood High School students, leaving them forever missing this beloved store.

WORKING AT THE register, Mark greets customers with a huge smile.

Photo by Charlotte Lacy

GRASPING ONTO A 48 lb. King Chinook salmon, Davis holds the fish he caught in the past with pride.

Photo courtesy of Jared Davis

redwood high school ● 395 Doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ● volume LXV, no. 6 ● may 5, 2023

Best hikes in Marin

Wellness Specialist

Ramadan Sports Spotlight Ally Woodruff

Photo Survey

Muslims celebrate Ramadan by fasting for a month

By Victoria Nikfar Cub Reporter

March 22 marked the first day of Ramadan, a Muslim holiday that occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is a holy month in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a 29-day period and are encouraged to pray five times each day. They finish off the month with a large feast and celebration called Eid al-Fitr.

Sophomore Joseph Abuhalawa is Muslim and participates in Ramadan. He enjoys Ramadan because he gets to connect with family members that he doesn’t often get to see.

“Whenever Ramadan hits we have big feast [at the beginning of the month] and we have special foods that we normally never make. We also gather with our family members that we [don’t usually] see and have a prayer each night for an hour,” Joseph Abuhalawa said.

Joseph’s brother Jacob Abuhalawa, a current junior, feels closer to his family during Ramadan and enjoys focusing on his family, schoolwork and giving back to the community.

“Ramadan brings your family together. My mom owns a restaurant so the majority of the time she’s not with us for dinner. In the month of Ramadan, everyone wants to eat at 7:30 p.m. so everyone’s [going to] be at the dinner table at 7:30 p.m. One aspect of [Ramadan] is that we’re all closer together,” Jacob Abuhalawa said.

The fast is meant to cleanse the body and remind us of personal fortune. It puts people into the shoes of the less fortunate who may not have food on their tables

[food] more. [Ramadan helps] me be appreciative [of what] I have, give back [to the community], care for my family and focus on religion,” Jacob Abuhalawa said. The Abuhalawa brothers agree that there is a supportive community of Muslims and non-Muslims in Marin.

“I have some friends that aren’t even a part of the religion that have fasted with me because they find it interesting and want to [try fasting]. They always say [fasting isn’t as bad as they thought]. Although they’re hungry, it makes them relaxed, calm and stay disciplined and focused,” Jacob Abuhalawa said.

Sophomore Cameron Momsen is a good friend of Joseph. Although he is not Muslim, he has learned about Ramadan through Joseph.

“I think [Ramadan] is impressive and I respect it. Having the willpower and the ability to restrain yourself from eating food and drinking water is very impressive [to me]. Just watching [Joseph] being able to get through his day, even when he’s tired, is really impressive,” Momsen said.

The Abuhalawa brothers believe fasting during Ramadan helps them improve as people and makes them feel more relaxed.

“I feel like I have more time to do things. Based on my tests so far during the fast, I’ve done a lot better. I feel it’s because you’re not distracted. You don’t really have the energy to go out, work out or hang out with [your friends]. All those distractions just get lost. [In school] you have to do a lot of things but not [using] physical energy. You just have to use your brain’s energy,” Jacob Abuhalawa said.

New solar panels to alleviate climate crisis

By Leina Khan Cub Reporter

On Feb. 28, 2023, the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) came to an agreement approving a project that will replicate the solar photovoltaic canopies from the front parking lot in the back lot. This project will also include the addition of battery energy storage systems and electric charging stations for the growing electric vehicle population at Redwood.

This project will not only benefit the climate by providing more solar energy for the campus but it will also save an estimated $14.7 million over 25 years and $630,000 annually in energy utility expenditures. On top of that, the federal government will provide a 3 million dollar tax credit for the projects’ benefits.

Senior Jack Haubold is the student representative for the TUHSD District Board and has contributed to the project by giving his perspective as a student.

“I have friends that drive electric vehicles. There is a fair amount of not only students but teachers and other community members who would benefit from this project,” Haubold said.

Haubold describes the project as a

great effort to transition the school to be more environmentally conscious.

“It’s good to see the way the district is working hard to assure our campus is more eco-friendly. Hopefully, this project will also encourage new drivers to go electric for their first car.”

But this new project will not only be implemented on the Redwood campus.

Archie Williams and Tamalpais High School plan to follow Redwood’s lead by upgrading their parking lots with solar canopies. With all three schools involved, the TUHSD wishes to create a more eco-friendly environment.

Despite the considerable benefits of the project, carrying out this plan may be difficult. The overall construction of the solar panels would occur during the end of the 2023 summer break but will still carry

into the fall semester with a goal of being completed by early 2024. This implies that a selection of parking spots accessible for students may not be available into the next school year.

Junior Fallon O’Keefe lives in Sleepy Hollow, San Anselmo which is over 20 miles from campus. Her parking spot is very valuable to her and helps her stay close to campus so that she has enough time to get to class. Without her spot, she would have no choice but to park multiple minutes off campus, adding to the inefficiencies of her mornings.

“My spot is very valuable. I know a lot of other students who don’t have spots and have to park super far off campus. Most of the time those spots are taken and they get stuck parking in the neighborhood where many [people] have been getting parking tickets,” O’Keefe said.

Despite the difficulties this project could cause, the TUHSD has kept its decision to turn it into a reality. Fewer parking spots will be available amid the construction but plans indicate the availability issues will only occur for a limited time. Overall, if carried out successfully, this project will create a more eco-friendly environment which will have long-term positive effects on students and the community.

Photo courtesy of Tamalpias Union High School District Facilities

DISPLAYING THEIR DINNER, the Abuhalawa’s break-fast dinner is ready to be eaten.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Abuhalawa

“What is your most fun class?”

really enjoyed what we’ve

Miles Doucette junior

“Drama, because I feel like I have the freedom to do what I want how I want it. It’s a creative class, it engages my brain in a different way.”

It’s good to see the way the district is working hard to assure our campus is more ecofriendly.

Jack Haubold, senior

Donald Trump indicted due to hush payments

By Caiden Johnston Cub Reporter

The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, was indicted on March 20, 2023, for paying adult film star Stormy Daniels six figures worth of hush money to keep quiet about their affair. Additionally, on April 6, he was arraigned and charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Alvin Bragg is the district attorney who is currently presiding over this indictment in Manhattan, New York. Due to the political nature of this case, he is currently facing a lot of scrutiny from several members of the Republican party. Despite this, he still plans to follow through with the indictment. If convicted, Trump would be the first President of the United States to face criminal charges.

Background

In 2016, Trump paid Daniels over $100,000 to keep her quiet about the affair. The real cause for concern is that the payment was made during his election campaign, which raises the very pertinent question of whether he falsified business records to further his campaign. This would be a major violation of campaign finance laws and could cause further legal issues for Trump.

Possible Outcomes

While it is still unclear whether or not Trump will be found guilty, we can look

at Micheal Cohen’s case from 2018, to give clues about the future of Trump’s case. Cohen pleaded guilty to “brazen violations of the election laws,” as well as other charges in a plea agreement with the Manhattan attorney office, the same attorney office that has now charged Trump.

This resulted in Cohen being sentenced to prison for 36 months for committing the same violations that Trump is now being charged with. According to “Forbes” magazine, “his attorneys have said he will plead not guilty.” The significance of this indictment cannot be understated; events like these challenge the legitimacy of our electoral college and make the public question whether the people we put in power are up to par. The fact that he is being indicted represents a criminal justice system that views the president as a constitution-abiding citizen as well as a member of the neighboring legal branch. Both sides of the political spectrum will have their own opinions about the matter. However, the topic of controversy extends to the people, including Redwood students and staff.

Redwood’s Perspective

Although the news is portraying this as a major event that will go down in the history of the U.S. both politically and criminally, Government and Economics teacher David Plecsia has a more contained

opinion.

“We’ll know more as time unravels of where this [indictment] stands historically. In the moment, some things can seem so overwhelmingly huge and unbelievable. But as we stand back and look at history, it begins to teach us through a lens of how impactful something [really] was,” Plescia said.

On the other hand, sophomore Site Council representative Charlie Scott believes that it is important for students to stay informed regardless of the outcome.

“Not only is President Trump a past president but he’s also a potential

candidate for the upcoming election in 2024 for which a lot of Redwood students will be voters. So, for them to know that one of the candidates has these charges against him and has been indicted, it’s important to be aware [of current events] in politics, especially when you’re going to be [someone] who is deciding who is going to be the next president of the United States,” Scott said.

While this is all very unprecedented, there is still a lot unknown about this case. Further information will be revealed during the trial in December.

cjohnston@redwoodbark.org

Did you get your ticket? Don’t wait!

The PTSA and Grad Night Committee are busy planning a fun filled night!

Through the generosity of the Senior families and local community organizations, we would like to continue to offer a no ticket price to attend. Our suggested donation level for senior families is $150 per senior. All levels of donation are greatly appreciated, and we ask you give what you can. We would love 100% participation! You can donate now at: http://www.redwoodgradnight.org/donate.html FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.redwoodgradnight.org/ FOLLOW US IG@rhs_2023_gn

Ellen & Steve Taylor

Richard Thalheimer

The Tribolet Family

The Tuatini Family

Kim Tully-Sutton

The Turkington Family

Dawn Valler

Nicole Vanderlee

Bella Von Pervieux

Caroline Wabl

Kimberly Wagner

Pere Wait

Charlotte Waldinger

Chantel Walker

Samantha Walravens

The Weasler Family

Holly & Mike Welch

Kitty White

Dave & Lizzie Wiener

Nancy & Larry Wilson

Lindsay Wilson

Dean Wozniak

Wes Yee

Patricia & David Young

Pascal & Steffi Zata

Connie & Jeff Zlot

Silva

Jace & Scott Sims

Nina Smallhorn

Karalyn Smith

Victoria & Michael Song

The Song Family

Lida & Kaveh Soofer

Jill & Seth Steinberg

Amanda Stephens

Deborah A. Lightfoot & Andrew P. Stone

Rachel Stone

Bonnie M. Stone

Barrie Stone

The Strotz Family

Kathi Sullivan

Kristina Svendsen

Anna Rochester & Brian Svendson

...As we stand back and look at history, it begins to teach us how impactful something [really] was.

David Plescia, Government and Economics teacher

Instagram powers poetry renaissance

By Jace Harms Cub Reporter

Social media has been used for people to express themselves in many ways, but the so-called “insta-poets” have discovered a new way of finding an audience for their poetry. Now, many short poems can be found on people’s Instagram feeds as they scroll. This poetry is usually only a few lines, but it grasps the reader’s attention with witty rhymes. Instagram poetry is modernizing and grabbing a broader audience than traditional poetry. Its existence is vital to the survival of poetry in the modern digital age.

Instagram Poetry is a new phenomenon that has grown in popularity in recent years. It is a style of poetry that is specifically written and shared on social media, particularly Instagram. Instagram poetry is typically short. It’s often accompanied by a visually striking image, which helps to make the poem stand out in a cluttered social media feed.

Rupi Kaur once wrote, “How can I be so,/Cruel to myself,/When I’m doing the best I can.”

That was a poem by one of the most followed poets on Instagram, Rupi Kaur, with 4.5 million followers. It was short, with no rhyme, but it carries weight because it doesn’t have context. You have

no idea what the author is talking about. Its words allow you to insert your own story within the poem’s meaning. It is a piece of a puzzle you get to imagine in your head, and to me, that is very poetic.

Poetry takes many different forms, from Haikus to Sonnets; it’s a type of art that can be very diverse and creative. Why would Instagram Poetry be excluded from this? It’s not the same as Emily Dickinson or Edgar Allen Poe, but it is what the modern audience prefers. Just as jazz has been used in modern music, Instagram poetry is a way to modernize art and gain an audience for something not very popular anymore. Instagram poetry is made for people who don’t want to go out and buy full books

of poetry and those who just like the writing style. They want something quick to entertain, inspire or feel emotions; through literature. According to The Atlantic, 12 of the 20 bestselling poets in 2018 gained an audience through Instagram, and 28 million people read poetry through Instagram.

Instagram has more accessible poetry but is also a place for up-and-coming poets to publish. It is much easier to publish poetry on Instagram than in a literary magazine or major publication. Therefore a lot more writing is being shared through social media. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1992, 17 percent of Americans had read poetry, but in 2012 only 7 percent

had. Poetry is a dying industry that needed a savior.

But many of the literary elites give Instagram poets a hard time for their works. They believe that their modifications to poetry defies traditional poetry. Famous British poet Rebecca Watts criticized Rupi Kaur, saying, “We must stop celebrating amateurism and ignorance in our poetry.” She wrote an article that got the attention of almost the whole Insta-poet community. Her argument, as well as those of many other professional poets, was that these Insta-poets prioritize quantity over quality in their writing. They deliver something that could seem clever but is simple, while other poets work hard to make something more curated.

Although Instagram poetry isn’t the same as traditional poetry, it is a new genre of poetry that has many advantages. Its outreach, and widespread appeal has helped to keep the art form of poetry alive, allowing people to be inspired everyday just by scrolling through their Instagram feed.

jharms@redwoodbark.org

Deglamorizing depression: it’s okay to be okay

By Tallulah Knill Allen Cub Reporter

A girl online dabs Vaseline under her eyes; she paints copious amounts of cream blush across the bridge of her nose; a watery line of mascara runs down her poreless cheek. This is the expectation of the “crying girl makeup,” a representation like no other of the recent glamorization of sadness. If nothing else, we know that she is pretty when she cries.

Such is the state of modern pain — equal parts romanticized and aspirational. It’s no coincidence that the rise in the aestheticization of sadness corresponds with the pursuit of mental illnesses as new forms of social capital.

Be it in the trivialization and widespread use of terms such as “kms,” the acronym for “kill myself,” or in the prettily lit and sequined aesthetics of mental illness in “Euphoria,” suffering is on the rise.

At the same time, mental health is more widely recognized than ever. In a 2018 survey by Pew Research, teens listed anxiety and depression as top issues among their peers. The multitudes of glamorized portrayals of sadness in media — the book “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” and Lana del Rey’s “Sad Girl,” to name a few — have in some ways provided an outlet for the expression of mental health issues and a greater awareness of sadness as a real aspect of the human experience. We have become more comfortable with understanding sadness

and pain as essential parts of life. We have learned that it’s okay not to be okay.

Too often, however, these representations of sadness tend toward the romantic rather than the realistic. With such portrayals comes a view in which pain is placed on a pedestal, in which it is seen as necessary, as a means to a more authentic experience of life. To be beautiful, artistic or insightful under today’s interpretation, all require some level of misery. “Beauty is pain,” goes a common mantra; the trope of the tortured artist represents a longstanding

Rey on her 2023 song “Candy Necklace.” But trauma isn’t necessary to be intelligent, self-reflective or any of the traits that pain could seem to impart upon its recipients.

In recent years, mental health struggles have, for some, become a source of identity. Jinan Jennifer Jadayel, co-author of a 2018 study on the glamorization of mental illnesses, spoke about her research on the influence of social media on mental health awareness.

“People label their sadness as depression and their nervousness as anxiety when the problems that they’re facing often don’t reflect those psychological problems,”

This search for meaning in emotions by equating temporary emotional states with mental illness has often proven a harmful pursuit. A participant in the 2018 study elaborated on his experience with depression and its portrayal online.

“I resorted to the internet in order to try and find something I could relate to… The pictures were all driving me to believe that I was alone and that I didn’t belong socially. The seemingly deep and poetic imagery on social media definitely contributed to aggravating my mental health problem,” he said.

The concept of “good damage” in “Bojack Horseman,” for example, represents this striving for trauma as social capital. The character of Diane, a writer, finds herself in crisis when she isn’t able to transform her suffering into an insightful work of literature.

“That means that all the damage I got isn’t ‘good damage.’ It’s just damage. I have gotten nothing out of it and all those years I was miserable was for nothing,” Diane says. “I could have been happy this whole time and written books about girl detectives and been cheerful and popular

and had good parents, is that what you’re saying? What was it all for?!”

As Diane discovered, sometimes suffering can be just that painful from every standpoint, resistant to transformation and unwilling to be romanticized. And yet her initial perspective on sadness is no coincidence; it is precisely from the glamorized portrayals of suffering that pain has falsely emerged as something aspirational.

Certainly, there are circumstances in which the representation of sadness can be beneficial. The emotional connection triggered by tragedies, for example, can allow viewers a greater understanding of the relationships in their own lives. Sad songs can also open the doors to a variety of emotions. According to a study by University of California (UC) Berkeley, participants who listened to sad music included nostalgia, peacefulness and wonder in their emotional responses. Indeed, by limiting the response induced by “sad” music and movies to just one emotion, we may be stifling a better understanding of our own lives. According to a study by UC Berkeley, accepting rather than judging or suppressing emotions can lead to less stress and better psychological health. Similarly, it is in embracing sadness for what it is — an emotion rather than an aesthetic — that we can truly improve our mental health, far beyond the years of pretty crying to Phoebe Bridgers songs.

Sadness will always be a part of life. Yet as we grow comfortable with experiencing the more painful aspects of our lives, we shouldn’t shy away from the potential found in positivity and joy either. It’s okay not to be okay, and it is just as okay to be okay. Damage is not a replacement for meaning; suffering is not a requisite for beauty. It is through acceptance, not romanticization, that we can fully experience our emotions and with them, the world.

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

Illustration by Jane Broderick

A brighter future does not include a 9 to 5

By Alana Leifer Cub Reporter

Wake up at 8 a.m. to ensure you won’t be late for your shift that starts at 9 a.m.

how I can leave my mark on the world. I want those around me to remember me for the positive changes I made in their lives rather than for the “positivity I bring to the work table.” Sadly, my colorful childhood

repetitive work life. For example, the typical 9 to 5 routine offers solidarity and structure as well as a steady and secure financial source of income to provide an attractive lifestyle. Although a generous

structure or would you rather acknowledge that you spent your life doing what made you happy even when that includes taking risks?

While 9 to 5 jobs are detrimental to

School is not one size fits all

By Esha Vaikhary Cub Reporter

The unit quiz lands on your desk. Suddenly, your hands are shaking, your heart is pounding and your mind is no matter how long you stayed up last night memorizing this unit’s content or how hard you tried to stay focused during class. You stare at the first question and think, “I’m going to fail.”

For many students with anxiety and learning disabilities, this is a reality. Sometimes, memorizing content and keeping up with coursework isn’t enough. Students can put the same amount of effort into academics as their peers and everyone may still score differently on the same test. The way that high school is structured makes it difficult for students with learning disabilities and anxiety disorders to feel safe and confident at school, therefore impairing their academic performance. Thus, Redwood should be more aware of how we approach education to make sure students with learning disabilities, as well as undiagnosed disabilities, get the same quality education as their peers.

This group includes more students than you think. The American Test Anxieties Association estimates that around 16 to 20 percent of students suffer from severe test anxiety that affects their test performance. Despite this already alarming statistic, it is also estimated that 31.9 percent of teenagers suffer from some degree of anxiety and 8.3 percent of those teenagers experience impairment because of their disorder. It should also be noted that rates of anxiety are higher for teenage girls specifically — at a shocking 38 percent. Test anxiety manifests as

physical and mental symptoms in students. When given a test, students with this disability may feel physical symptoms such as sweating, hyperventilating, stomach pain and shakiness. Students may also feel extremely distressed, have recurring negative thoughts of helplessness and fear, experience the inability to focus and much more.

Along with test anxiety, some disabilities impair students’ abilities to focus during class and keep up with classwork. According to The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, dyslexia affects 20 percent of the population. Dyslexia is subject to many myths that doubt the abilities of the student because of their poor reading and writing skills. In reality, students with dyslexia are capable of high comprehension in conceptual subjects.

Another learning disability that impairs students' performance is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is one of the most common learning disabilities in teenagers. 9.4 percent of children and teenagers in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ADHD. Students with ADHD often find it difficult to focus during class and during tests.

While Redwood does offer academic accommodations to students with such disabilities, these only apply for students who qualify through 504 Plans and Individualized Educational Plans. The process of receiving accommodations is unnecessarily difficult. Even with accommodations available at Redwood, students without learning disabilities are able to more easily succeed in academics because most teaching styles used are best suited to their needs. Reading textbook pages for homework, watching lengthy

documentaries during class, listening to hours of lectures a day — these are all methods that students with learning disabilities struggle with yet these are the methods that are utilized the most.

aleifer@redwoodbark.org

their peers. This is due to low confidence in academic skills because of persistent struggles in high school. By Redwood slightly altering our education system to better match the needs of our students, we will truly be able to educate students of all abilities.

evaikhary@redwoodbark.org

Illustration by Ava Stephens

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

editorial

Schools must prioritize hands-on learning

When American teenagers were asked to describe their feelings towards school, the most common word used was boring, followed by tiring, according to a recent Harvard article. School is an institution that was initially designed to provide students with engagement and education to support their futures. Instead, it has developed into an overly stressful environment that focuses on high performance and grades rather than teaching valuable lessons. Schools must provide a more positive and effective learning environment by prioritizing enjoyable activities in the academic curriculum. Restructuring our education system towards student interest will lead to an increase in students’ motivation, engagement and long-term interest in learning.

Gallup’s student poll, a survey that canvassed over five million students in grades five through 12 from the years 2015 through 2018, showed two key discoveries about the widespread disengagement across American classrooms. According to Tim Hodges, a Gallup senior executive who specializes in student engagement, students lose interest in school the older they get. As students progress through high school, engagement in the classroom plummets compared to their prior grade school education. Approximately half of students in middle school report high levels of engagement in school, while only one-third of high school students report the same.

This disconnect between schools and their students is indicative of a broader issue in the high school curriculum — one which can often be stressful and tedious with little substantial gain. At Redwood, as well as nationally, ineffective lessons are a major contributor to the disconnect between students and their studies. According to a 2023 Bark survey, 40 percent of surveyed students said that “useless assignments” were the greatest factor in their feelings of burnout and lack of motivation. Engaging classes and coursework are essential to stabilizing students’ mental health throughout high school.

Teachers could implement theatric-based presentations that help students dive deeper into topics and display ideas in an entertaining way. Occasional team-based testing could also be a good solution to ease students’ stress. With these changes applied, assignments would be viewed as real learning opportunities rather than pointless additions to students’ workload completed for the sole purpose of a grade.

Some might blame specific teachers for students’ lack of academic motivation as opposed to the issues with the curriculum. However, teachers who provide lessons for the students do not deserve full liability.

An article written by New York Times reporters Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine displays how classroom disengagement is a complex issue that can’t be boiled down to individual blame. Rather, student disconnect is more so the result of institutional issues and an outdated understanding of education that has infiltrated many schools today. However, Redwood’s current style of teaching was proven effective in 1990, 1996 and 2003, years in which the school won Blue Ribbon Awards for their high standardized test scores and graduation rates. Additionally, Redwood provides a very diverse curriculum. Programs such as engineering, architecture and journalism are popular classes that many students take to add variety into their schedule. These classes give students time in school to focus on topics they are interested in and want to pursue outside of the standard courses. But it is not solely the types of classes provided that contribute to student involvement, it’s also the way these classes are taught. Standardized courses such as English, math and history deserve the same level of attention and engagement as those specialized programs.

Redwood High School

395 Doherty Drive

Larkspur, CA 94939

www.redwoodbark.org

Editors-in-ChiEf

Peyton Alexander

Alex Argov

Charlotte Lacy

Charlotte Martin

hEad Copy Editors

Nina Howard

Tallulah Knill Allen

Nadia Massoumi

Copy Editors

Taylor Allan

Elakai Anela

Jenna Beauchamp

Ellie Braggs

Julia Delsol

Anya Ghazi

Elsa Johnson

Alexa Kofman

Wyatt Levine

Owen McDaniels

Ashlin Quach

Evelyn Spiegel

Aurora Sreba

Sophie Sutton

Henrik Vraanes

nEws Editors

Nick Hartung

Leina Khan

Esha Vaikhary

opinion Editors

Ella Buske

Finn Nelson

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fEaturE Editors

Tessa Delay

Kate Harrison

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sports Editors

Molly Gallagher

Mason Garbo

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rEviEw Editors

Lynette Ki

Jay Knopping

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LifEstyLEs Editors

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spanish Editors

Emily Garcia

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BusinEss ManagErs

Alex Hanover

POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Cub Bark staff.

The positive effects of hands-on learning have been shown in a variety of situations. In a poll conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Lego Education, 1,000 teachers were asked to examine how they can foster their students’ interests. Over 90 percent of teachers wanted to bring more hands-on learning into their classrooms. After these teachers brought such forms of learning into their classrooms, 87 percent of teachers said that students became more engaged with these new lessons. These hands-on assignments could take the form of activities such as constructing posters for students who learn more effectively through visual representations.

A BARK to Snapchat A.I. You talk to us more than our friends do.

A BITE to not having enough AP test proctors. We don’t want to be there either.

A BARK to Taylor Swift’s breakup. Looks like we’ll be getting a new album swift-ly.

A BITE to prom Instagram posts. Our thumbs are getting more tired than your feet in those stilettos.

In order for Redwood to adapt to a modernized academic environment, it is absolutely crucial that a more hands-on approach is applied to the curriculum. To implement this, the district must decrease the amount of worksheet-related assignments and incorporate more engaging material to keep students motivated. By making classes engaging and curriculums responsive to students’ needs, school can shift from a process of stagnation to a place of transformation.

Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in The Bark or in general? We encourage our readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to The Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if possible and signed. They must emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.

A BARK to Labrinth bringing Zendaya onstage at Coachella. She knew how to make the crowd scream on “Replay.”

A BITE to Disney laying off 4,000 employees. That’s pretty “Cruella” of them.

A BARK to Earth Day. Maybe all of the Instagram stories will save our planet.

A BITE to Don Lemon getting fired by CNN. When life gives you lemons...

A BARK to Mercury being back in retrograde. We don’t know what it means, but now all of our problems have an excuse.

A BITE to Bed Bath & Beyond filing for bankruptcy. I guess we’ll never truly know what the “beyond” stood for.

BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.

Alvaro Rodrigues

Anna Youngs

soCiaL MEdia ManagErs

Henry Behrens

Emma Rosenberg

Maggie Walsh

MuLtiMEdia ManagErs

Hayden Donehower

Sarah Farese

Skyla Thomas

survEy ManagErs

Sofi Ridgway

Noah Tanaka

Graham Weir

art ConsuLtants

Annie Burlingame

Gaby Levi

Lauren Olsen

Ava Stephens

rEportErs

Audrey Bennett

Henry Carew

Hailey Carlton

Charlotte Cripwell

Mary Coleman

Sean Cuneen

Isabelle Davis

Parnia Dehghani

Zach Dinowitz

Kensley Eliscar

Olivia Erickson

Neeva Gaine

Evelyn Given

Ian Grigorakis

Jace Harms

Caiden Johnston

Lucy Macpherson

Alec Marasa

Tessa Marshall

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Kaito Naka

Victoria Nikfar

Ian Schermerhorn

Tyler Sofnas

Andrew Suko

advisEr

Erin Schneider

“We need a rearrangement of student engagement”

español español

La leyenda de la Siguanaba

Por Mayra Campos

Esta leyenda se remonta a la época pre-colonial, aunque en ese entonces se la conocía con otro nombre: “Sihuehuet,” que significa “mujer hermosa” en maya. Se dice que ella tuvo un romance con el dios de la lluvia, Tlaloc, con quien tuvo un hijo. Sihuehuet nunca expresó amor por su hijo y siempre fue mala madre. Debido a esto, el dios se enojó y la maldijo con el nombre de Siguanaba, que significa lo contrario a su nombre original: “mujer horrible.” También la condenó a tener un rostro horrendo y vagar por las calles. Las personas cuentan que aparece en las colonias por la noche, también acostumbra

a bañarse en ríos mientras peina su cabello negro con un peine de oro. La Siguanaba se les aparece a los hombre trasnochadores, infieles y violentos, en la forma de una mujer atractiva y semidesnuda, pero con el rostro cubierto con un velo blanco para así despertar su curiosidad y atraerlos.

Cuando están suficientemente cerca, ella se quita el velo y deja al descubierto su rostro horrible con apariencia de caballo, con ojos rojos y piel sumamente arrugada. Los hombres que ven el rostro de la Siguanaba, pueden contraer enfermedades, enloquecer o morir de susto al ver a esta criatura espeluznante. Se dice que la Siguanaba es como una vengadora que castiga a los hombres mujeriegos,

quienes son infieles a sus esposas o los que maltratan a las mujeres.

Esta leyenda es famosa en Centroamérica y he crecido escuchando esta leyenda de terror con mi familia. Recuerdo que mis abuelos me decían que no saliera de noche porque me podría salir la Siguanaba y yo por el temor que sentía de solo imaginar que podía ser cierto, no salía de casa. Yo sé que la intención de mis abuelos no era asustarme, sino protegerme de los peligros que hay en la noche.

mayra.campos@student.tamdistrict.org

Redwood necesita más representación Latinx en sus maestros

Por Emily Garcia Cub Reporter

Cuando era chiquita, yo crecí hablando puro español. Empecé a ir a la escuela a los cuatro años y se esperaba de mí que hablara inglés. Para mí no fue muy difícil la transición de español a inglés, pero no es tan fácil para todos. Yo tuve la oportunidad de tener una maestra que era Latina y hablaba español y eso me ayudó mucho con esa transición. Cuando me mudé a Marin, todo era diferente y no tenía ningún maestro que era de la misma raza en mi escuela primaria. Esto es muy común en muchas escuelas en los Estados Unidos. Aquí, el 27 por ciento de los estudiantes son Latinx y sólo el 9 por ciento de los maestros son Latinx según el NCES (Centro Nacional de Estadísticas Educativas). Redwood y otras escuelas necesitan más maestros Latinx para crear diversidad y más representación de la comunidad Latina y ayudar a más estudiantes que hablan español en otras clases.

Los sistemas escolares necesitan diversidad y maestros Latinx que sean capaces de contribuir en eso. El porcentaje de estudiantes Latinos continúa creciendo

mientras el porcentaje de maestros se queda en el mismo nivel. California específicamente, tiene uno de los más altos porcentajes de diversidad en el país porque está compuesto de muchas razas y etnias diferentes. La población estudiantil de latinos sigue creciendo y según California School Boards Association (asociación de juntas escolares de california) el 54 por ciento de los estudiantes en las escuelas públicas de California son Latinx hoy. Con lo grande que es la población estudiantil, más maestros Latinx podrían beneficiar mucho a los estudiantes.

Seth Gershenson, un profesor de políticas públicas de American University en Washington DC habló de la importancia de tener representación en las escuelas.

“Representation absolutely matters and it matters for … almost every educational outcome you can think of,” dijo Gershenson en un artículo del Washington Post. (Traducción: “La representación absolutamente importa y es importante para... casi todos los resultados educativos en los que se pueden pensar.”)

Los estudios muestran que maestros de las mismas razas de sus estudiantes son más capaces de relacionarse con ellos en un nivel diferente al de otros maestros. Los maestros Latinx tienen un mejor entendimiento del trabajo y responsabilidades familiares porque están informados culturalmente e incluso tienen experiencia personal. El hecho de que los estudiantes puedan relacionarse con sus maestros de esta forma ayuda en sus clases, y más si pueden hablar español porque se sienten cómodos y eso es algo de lo que todos los estudiantes deberían disfrutar.

Solo 9 por ciento de los maestros son Latinx.

Centro Nacional de Estadisticas

A muchos estudiantes que no les gusta la escuela, no van y muchos de estos estudiantes se meten en problemas. Los estudiantes con maestros de la misma raza que ellos van a la escuela más frecuentemente y ayudan a aumentar las tasas de asistencia. También ayudan a reducir la cantidad de suspensiones de estudiantes latinos y afroamericanos. Con estas dos cosas combinadas, ellos elevan la tasa de graduación en los estudiantes Latinx porque los maestros son ejemplos de lo que los estudiantes pueden lograr en sus vidas. Los maestros ayudan no solamente en el aspecto del aprendizaje, sino también con

Un monstruo acuático prehispánico

Por André García

el aspecto racial. Ellos tienen el poder de ayudar a no solo estudiantes latinos, sino a todos los estudiantes a eliminar y reducir los estereotipos de la comunidad latina y otras razas.

Tener maestros que son Latinx y pueden hablar español puede beneficiar a muchos de los estudiantes en escuelas en todo el país. Sin embargo, no tener estos maestros no necesariamente hace que las escuelas sean malas. Muchas personas piensan que no necesitan diversidad en maestros para hacer que una escuela sea buena y que no hacen una diferencia en los sistemas escolares. Las escuelas funcionan como están ahora, pero agregando maestros que son latinos es una forma en que muchas escuelas pueden ser mejores para sus estudiantes y su aprendizaje.

La comunidad Latinx es una parte muy importante de nuestra comunidad en Redwood y Marin.Al contratar nuevos maestros, es muy importante que las escuelas y TUHSD específicamente consideren la diversidad y todos los beneficios de cómo los maestros latinx pueden afectar positivamente a todos los estudiantes durante sus años en la escuela.

Foto cortesía de Orlando Callejas egarcia@redwoodbark.org

El Bark trabajó con las profesoras de español para integrar el trabajo de escritores hispanohablantes en esta edición. Estos artículos son el resultado del trabajo conjunto de los estudiantes de español para hispanohablantes honores 3-4 de la clase de la señora Alsina.

feature feature

Teen language variation in Marin: a divider or uniter?

Story and image by Nick Hartung

The way high schoolers talk is wack. No cap. From the key elements of language like pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary to the small details like power dynamics and eye contact, language in the teenage world is low-key important A.F.

Dr. Teresa Pratt is a sociolinguistics professor at San Francisco State University and she studies how people use differences in language to construct the social world around us.

“People always use language as a way to creatively express themselves,” Pratt said.

Just how language varies based on gender, sexuality, ethnicity, culture or region, the way teenagers speak and use language is affected by a variety of factors. Social pressure and cliques, rebellious desires, differentiation from adults, a teen’s character and social position can all affect the way teenagers speak. Language is more than a tool of communication; the way you speak can convey just as much information as what you say.

“Everything that I say when I describe how to get to the grocery store tells you things about me. Am I warm and friendly? Or am I rude? Those things get connected to things like gender and class whether you’re in the working class or you’re very high class…variation is part of how language works and has always been that way,” Pratt said. “We can use language in so many different ways to construct and project who we are… [it] is a form of selfexpression.”

Across the world, there are infinite groups in which language variation displays itself. The distinctive ways that teenagers use language is just one example of language variation. Sophomore Marcus Aghilli was born and raised in New York and has noticed a large variation in language between the two locations.

“The way people say things can determine where [they] are from and the different groups they represent,”Aghili said.

Pratt further commented on the topic. “Standard language is a myth...There is no one way that everyone speaks… and there’s no one right way to speak… variation is an amazing thing,” Pratt said.

Pronunciation

Generally, pronunciation is how a

your vowels just a little bit differently from your parents and your parents will have pronounced their vowels just a little bit differently from their parents. It changes over time,” Pratt said.

At Redwood, distinctive pronunciation differences are not very noticeable, except for students’ individual speech variations. Large-scale pronunciation differences can be seen in California when compared to the East Coast, Midwest or the South. People on the West Coast tend to pronounce their consonants more heavily and often raise their pitch at the end of a word, whereas someone from the Midwest would elongate their vowels and speak with a wide and flat sound. One example in California is how the vowel in a word like track or class is starting to sound more like “rock” or “closs.”

While these pronunciation trends do not apply to everyone in a certain region, they are widely followed and exemplify language variation over regional groups.

Grammar

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, grammar is defined as the “rules of a language governing the sounds, words, sentences and other elements, as well as their combination and interpretation.”

major difference between teens and parents. Younger generations also use more filler words than older generations do, such as “like” and “yeah.”

“I feel like I use the word ‘like’ a lot, which is very Californian,” Aghilli said.

This informality is spurred on by the excessive use of texting by teens where punctuation is non-existent and abbreviations are frequent.

Vocabulary

Another linguistical area in which language varies across groups and regions is vocabulary.

“One of the classic examples in U.S. English is if you say ‘pop’ or ‘soda,’ or in the south ‘Coke.’ It all means the same thing but it depends on where you are that you’ll hear one word or another,” Pratt said.

Variation of vocabulary in teenagers is seen predominantly with the use of slang; informal words usually used by a specific group of people. Slang arises in a variety of ways and takes form under different circumstances.

“New words are always being added to languages; humans are always innovating language…we have an aptitude for [creating new words], it’s a very creative

slang teens use is constantly changing which can be a hassle for those trying to

Origins of Teenage Variation

“Variation has always been central to how language works,” Pratt said.

When there are social groups, variation in language will inevitably develop. In the high school environment, language variation is even more likely.

Especially in the modern world, social factors and pressure encourage language variation in teen communities. How someone speaks can help define their identity and the groups they align with. This makes language an important cultural aspect that varies between different high school cliques, tropes or social groups.

“At a certain age, you have the opportunity for self-expression in a new way. It’s on display especially in the way we do schooling [in the United States],” Pratt said. “Social groups emerge, and then there’s all this distinction [and] work to distinguish yourself from that group or

Aside from the social aspects, teens often want to differentiate themselves verbally.

“After World War II, in western industrialized countries, the idea of being a teenager emerged so there’s a distinction between ‘I’m a young person, you’re an older person,” Pratt said.

By using slang, teens differentiate themselves from adults in their life.

“[Slang] allows people to connect and talk to each other in a less formal way than talking to adults,” Aghilli said.

Similar to this is the excessive teenage use of cursing.

“You cuss more when you’re young because it’s rebellious and you’re trying to get away with something,” Pratt said.

Teenagers want to align with their own age and peers, so it’s expected that these distinctions emerge to differentiate themselves from other groups.

“The fact that you and I use language differently is a cool thing, not a bad thing,” Pratt said.

When it comes to variation at Redwood, language can both unite and divide. What’s important is the relationship that you have with language.

“You have to think about language as a creative, interesting thing to pay attention to,” Pratt said. “If we could work towards a world where there’s less control and [where we’re not] trying to police other people’s language, we could get everyone having a more joyful experience of

nhartung@redwoodbark.org

Cub Reporter

Diversity in Hollywood: a movement or moment?

Cub Reporter

The first time I remember seeing a film with actors that looked like me was when my mom took me to see “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2018. I was 13 years old. The feeling of seeing someone who looked like me surrounded by elegance and projected thirty feet tall made the world seem limitless.

For those identifying as white, straight or a predominant group in the United States, seeing people who look like them in mass media is not something they think about often. In film and TV, there are virtually endless variations of them reflected on screen, from doctors to superheroes. However, the lack of diversity is much more noticeable for those not represented in film and media.

Today, movies and television do not simply provide entertainment; they inspire, allowing audiences to develop a connection with characters. For film and television to be genuinely relatable, they must reflect the world we live in. Shea McHugh, president of the Anti-Racism Book Club, also noted the importance of diversity.

“[Diversity] is realistic… There are tons of different people worldwide, so film is much more interesting with a diverse range of stories,” McHugh said.

This is one of the many reasons diversity in Hollywood is essential. According to the University of California, Los Angeles’ 2023 diversity report, an indepth study on diversity throughout the film industry, only about two out of 10 lead actors are people of color.

At Redwood, 74 percent of students identify as white, while 26 percent identify with an ethnic minority group. This includes Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic or Native American. Nearly 80 percent of those identifying with an ethnic minority group felt unrepresented in film.

The roots of systemic racial issues are deeply embedded in our collective history. Historically, white male voices dominated the film industry, marginalizing people of color and minority individuals. When marginalized groups appeared on screen, the industry did so through the proliferation of stereotypes: donning blackface and exaggerated caricatures. Then the counterculture of Civil Rights and Feminism movements introduced a new wave of film. But, it was not until the

began, with films from “Family Matters” to “Boyz N the Hood.” Mr. Minhondo, the Ethnic Studies and Film teacher, further commented on this shift in Hollywood.

“People of color could not really tell their story until the 1990s. You could talk about breakthrough artists like Bruce Lee in the 70s. He had this power in the industry, but as much as he tore down stereotypes, he also created a new stereotype… The civil rights movement [likewise] opened doors in some ways. [Especially] for Black filmmaking in the late 60s, but the films were [mainly] the only way to get audiences is through stereotypes,” Minhondo said.

When diversity is implemented with stereotypical characters, that diversity does not become inclusive but inaccurate. Stereotypes, whether the token minority sidecharacter, the loud Black woman or the Asian doctor, all evolved through time and are still present in today’s media. For instance, the iconic 90s film “Clueless” and today’s “Stranger Things” feature the minority best friend trope.

McHugh and Jeffery Gee Chin, a former Redwood student and current filmmaker in Los Angeles, both touched upon this issue.

“[Diversity] helps destigmatize groups. However, you might only know [a certain minority] through media, and if the media you consume has exclusively stereotypes, that’s what you’re going to know. That’s the thing; it must be good representation,” McHugh said.

“Specifically for Asian Americans, we are constantly represented from an immigrant perspective… So when are we going to see more stories where characters just happen to be Asian?… I think that is the level of evolution in the type of stories we need to see because of how the world

This commonality in the film industry is primarily due to production behind the scenes. 17 directors and 12 writers, out of 100, are people of color, according to the 2023 UCLA diversity report.

“On an executive level, Hollywood has still failed to provide representation at the top… Hiring more diverse people to be on their executive board and President level is the next step,” Chin said.

Diana Sanchez Maciel, the education program manager for the California Film Institute, commented on the origin of this

“Writers and producers know that whatever show they produce might get backlash if there’s no diversity. Commonly writers are white. Therefore, there are stereotypes because they… do not know about [minorities’] experiences… They’re just writing these two-dimensional characters to support. So it’s still a structural problem. The people in the room are starting to realize that they must invite those who share those experiences to write solid characters,” Maciel said. In the broadest sense, the film industry’s goal is views and money, which bleeds into their use of diversity in production.

“Companies are trying to appeal to the largest possible demographic, so they pick someone they think everyone can project – a specific demographic. But anything other than a cis white man is seen as deviant when in reality it’s completely normal,” McHugh said.

Despite the backlash Hollywood receives for stereotypes in film, many claim the industry is moving in the right direction.

“Right now, there is a new kind of wave for Hollywood to catch up with society… and you see that in films in the past five years especially,” Maciel said.

The turning point for more accurate and diverse representation is recent. Maciel argues this transition is largely due to the success of the 2016 Oscars’ best motion picture winner, “Moonlight.” The film is racially diverse and socially diverse with LGBTQ+ plot points. Following this

“Snowfall,” “Encanto,” “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” and soon a “The Little Mermaid’’ remake, starring a Black actor Halle Bailey. When film starts to include diversity through accurate representation, it starts to have an impact on its audience, like Ayden Ji, a senior interested in pursuing a career in film.

“I am of Asian descent. So when movies like [“Everything Everywhere All at Once”] come out it shows that there is a lot of potential for diversity in film… Which makes me excited to see what I can do [in the film industry]. But I am a little bit scared because of industry standards, including my race. I don’t want to be limited by that,” Ji said.

Jefferey Chin also reminisced on the impact of representation.

“Growing up in Marin, there were not many Asian students… as well as not much exposure to Asian American role models. So having representation, both in front of the camera and behind the camera, I think has given the whole next generation of artists, of all backgrounds, the confidence that there’s potential for a career in the film and TV industry,” Chin said.

In addition to the industry moving in the right direction there are ways for it to improve, particularly in terms of emphasizing opportunities for independent and indie filmmakers.

“[Independent] filmmakers have been doing festival circuits for years… remaining true to their art form and perspective,” said Maciel. “But it’s places like film festivals’ roles to create an opening to these voices…whether adding categories for emerging filmmakers or waiving fees.”

Despite Hollywood’s stained history, it is impossible to ignore the immense advancement. On one hand, we have seen much progress since the days of blackface and Mr. Yunioshi in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but society still has much to do.

“[The film industry] is moving in a direction where it is more accepting and culturally understanding,” Ji said. “But it is gonna be a long process of taking Hollywood down to realism instead of stereotypes.”

Story and graphics by Lucy Wong Ryniejski

The spunaround iPad at a checkout blinks expectantly. Ten percent, 15 percent or 20 percent? Since its introduction to the United States (U.S.) in the 1800s by European travelers, tipping has allowed Americans to express their gratitude with dollars. But now, with rising prices and a heightened awareness of the often poor conditions in the industry caused by tipping, the tides have shifted and the longstanding expectation of tipping is faltering.

Originally, tipping was meant to serve as a means to reward good service and to offset the high labor costs of running a restaurant. However, the widespread reliance on tipping can perpetuate a variety of inequalities. According to an analysis by Eater of U.S. census data, white servers make more in tips than other racial groups: the median hourly tip for white servers from 2010 to 2016 was $7.06, compared to $6.08 for Latino servers, $5.57 for Black servers and $4.77 for Asian servers.

Ann Tepovich, an Advanced Placement (AP) Economics teacher, said that according to labor economists, tipping can provide a justification for lower wages.

“An employer can say, ‘Well, you’re going to make this [wage] plus tips so I don’t have to raise your base salary.’ When I had a job in high school, I earned less than minimum wage because I earned tips. And that is really, to me, somewhat exploitative because there’s no guarantee [of income],” Tepovich said.

At the root of the continued reliance on tipping in America is the lower status of tipped work. According to Tepovich, this results in lower wages for restaurant employees and an increased reliance

Tepovich said. “In [socialized European] countries, workers tend to have a stronger voice… If you have a homogenous view that all work is good work, you tend to see higher wages, even for base-level jobs.”

As an understanding of the low wages of the restaurant industry has spread, so has the expectation of tipping — beyond restaurant checks and dine-in services and into the realm of touch screens at coffee shops and takeout. Tepovich said that the rise of touch-screen tipping has created a new reality: tips based on guilt rather than service, especially in businesses where tipping previously wasn’t the norm.

“They’re calling it tipflation — that you feel pressured [to tip more] because that person is standing there… I have two dynamics pushing me: One, the nice barista, standing there, staring at me. Two, that I don’t feel [the purchase] as much. I’m using plastic or my Apple watch. So it’s both of these psychological dynamics that are forcing this,” Tepovich said. “Maybe we’re tipping less each time, but we’re tipping more on things that we

Tepovich,

really low hourly rate so you wouldn’t make anything if you didn’t get tips.”

Despite her history with tipping, Davis says that she’s experienced the phenomenon of tipflation as well.

“[Tipping has] put the [burden] of paying a living wage to employees onto the consumers,” Davis said. “The big con of depending on tipping is that it’s creating the issue of [the lack of a liveable wage] so that the employer can get away with not paying their employees a living wage.”

landscape of food ordering platforms — dine-in, delivery and takeout alike — has also influenced the rise of tipflation. According to a 2023 Bark survey, students tip differently depending on where they’re getting food; 82 percent of surveyed students tip for dine-in services and 53 percent tip for delivery while only 33 percent tip for takeout.

Tipping can present a moral as well as an economic dilemma for customers. Bay area resident Cassie Davis, who worked as a waitress throughout her college and graduate school years, has tipped more ever since working in the restaurant industry due to her more informed understanding of the difficult conditions and low wages in the service industry.

“My experience led me to generously tip most of my adult life because I knew what a hard job it was,” Davis said. “In different states at the time, there was a

Local parent Debra Hilleboe said that although she’s accustomed to tipping 20 percent for dine-in, she’s felt a recent pressure to tip more for pick-up and delivery.

“[Touch screen tipping] has now set an expectation that everywhere you have to tip,” Hilleboe said. “You feel more guilty now because [for takeout]… when you’re checking out, it asks you to tip and so you feel like, ‘Am

They’re calling it tipflation.

Ann

AP Economics teacher

I supposed to be tipping? But I’m not really getting service, so why am I tipping?’”

According to a 2023 Bark survey, nearly half of surveyed students tip 10 percent for take-out, while only one in ten students tip 20 percent. Molly Goldstein, a sophomore who works at Mag’s Local Yogurt in Larkspur, says that her job has led her to tip more regardless of the type of restaurant.

“Even if it’s the smallest thing, I still will tip because I know it makes [employees] feel good,” Goldstein said. “Maybe they’ve had a long day and they’ve dealt with rude customers or [they’re overworked] or maybe they haven’t been getting all the tips… I know that they’re doing a good job even if it’s not the best customer service.”

Within restaurants as well as outside of them, tipping can lead to a variety of inequalities, as Tepovich explained.

“Right now, tipping isn’t really fair if you’re in the kitchen. It’s great if

servers due to a decrease in their pay.

Both restaurants reverted back to tipping in less than a year. Tepovich spoke about a similar instance in New York in which the higher-end restaurant chain of Union Square Hospitality Group chose to raise the prices on their menu in order to phase out the expectation of tipping.

“Their thinking was that it could be more equally distributed because then the restaurant can share those increases in profits by paying the workers more,” Tepovich said. This decision, however, was met with backlash from customers — a result of the loss of consumer choice when switching to a tipless model.

“I think it’s a lot of the psychology of how we feel as the consumer. We want to feel like we are in control,” Tepovich said. “You sit down and look at the menu and you’re like, ‘Are you kidding me, charging $22 for a burger?’ People really pushed back [against raising prices]. But in the end, after you tip, you’re still probably paying $22 for that burger.”

As the prices of goods and services rise, it can be hard to sacrifice even a dollar.

Data from April Bark survey

Sports Spotlight: Baden Bunch races towards new records

By Ashlin Quach Cub Reporter

“I walked in freshman year [and] I looked at those records. Up in the gym I read them and I said, ‘I love this sport, and I'm coming for those records.’ I wanted to work my butt off and try to [reach my goals] by the end of my high school career,” said senior Baden Bunch.

From his seventhgrade year at Kent Middle School to his senior year at Redwood High School, Bunch has consistently stood out as a star athlete on the track and field team. He has been an crucial member of the team, including helping to set a new school record for the 4x100 meter relay. With an unwavering determination to excel, Bunch has always strived to be the best at what he does.

With COVID-19 forcing Bunch to miss out on his freshman year of track, he has continued to put in hours upon hours of hard work and dedication despite the challenges he’s faced.

“Not having a freshman season and just quarantine in general was hard on many people, including me. I had a big lack of motivation during that time… there were those days [when] I didn’t want to work out. [However,] those were the days where I just had to say ‘no, I have a goal, and I need to get there’,” Bunch said.

This discipline and consistency Bunch possesses are why he is one of the fastest athletes in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL). In his junior year, Bunch

recorded a lightning-fast 10.86-second hundred-meter dash in the MCAL championship, landing him in second place. This season, Bunch will look to step up to first place and his sprinter coach, Earl Downing, believes that he will break the current

“There's maybe a few people that might push [Bunch] but I just really don't see anybody finishing anywhere near him; nobody's going to beat him… it could be something fairly provocative like a sub [10.5] which would certainly be a Marin County high school record,” Downing said.

Downing first started training Bunch over the summer of 2020 during quarantine where they worked on various running techniques to make Bunch the best he can possibly be.

Downing knew Bunch was special right

“I could project out and see the possibilities for [Bunch] and knew they were substantial. We just had to be patient and let the process work, and it has,” Downing said.

Downing was certainly right; on Nov. 4, 2022, Bunch announced his commitment to run Division One (D1) track at Cal Poly San

Luis Obispo. The recruitment process was stressful but fulfilling for Bunch. Many other schools were on his radar, including Army West Point, Chapman, and various University of California (UC) schools.

However, when Bunch made his final decision to attend Cal Poly, it was his dream come true.

“Once I had that final talk with my coach and made [my commitment] official to Cal Poly, it was just the biggest weight off my shoulders and I felt so relieved and happy with my decision,” Bunch said.

Throughout his experience, Bunch has had a variety of coaches and supporters help guide him along the process. But none of them have supported him like his father.

“[My dad has] helped me through my

recruiting process involving talking to coaches at different schools. He's definitely been my main supporter and right-hand man that I've leaned on. I thank him a lot,” Bunch said.

Many would think that after achieving an accomplishment like committing to a division 1 college there’s not much else to strive for, but this is not the case for Bunch.

“For the sport I love, I just want to keep pushing and seeing what I can do and seeing what my body can get to because otherwise I would just be left wondering,” Bunch said.

Bunch will leave Redwood with his name in the record book forever. Despite the outcomes of this season, Bunch will always be a record holder — not only at Redwood but in the entire MCAL league as one of the most dedicated and hardworking athletes to ever step foot into the MCAL.

aquach@redwoodbark.org

The Unified Track team makes its return to Redwood

By Hayden Donehower Cub Reporter

As the gunshot echoes through the air, athletes sprint with full force, appreciating the joys of track and field. Meanwhile, a different group of athletes is obligated to watch from a distance, eager to join in on the excitement. These individuals are those who need extensive support services. Fortunately, the Unified Track team, which has been recently reinstated, is committed to enabling these athletes to participate in

all track events that they desire.

Founded in 2015, Unified Track and Field has seen an increase in popularity throughout all of California and has been recognized as a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sport since 2016. Teachers and students alike look to offer these kids a wide range of events, such as the 100m and 4x100m dashes as well as the shot put and long jump. After the first practice which was held on Thursday, March 30, the athletes were able to meet their buddies, warm up and participate in

a relay race. The buddies, who are track athletes, are paired up for the entire season and compete alongside the students. Individually, each person is scored on a point system and together their collective score is then compared to other competitors.

A new buddy and member of the track program, sophomore Audrey Markovich, talked about the first practice and is looking forward to the season.

“The first practice was awesome. I got to meet all the kids as well as my buddy. My buddy is deaf so I got to learn a bunch of sign language, including track words. [I had the opportunity] to meet new people and run with some of my peers [which] is awesome to me. It’s amazing that we are able to share [track] and it is something I look forward to continuing,” Markovich said.

While Markovich will continue to help her buddy throughout the season by running side by side on the track them, a spectator from the sidelines has similar input. Special education teacher Jack Goodman sees Unified Track as a massive success.

“Going in I wasn’t sure about [Unified Track], but the kids love it and it seems like the buddies got a lot out of it too. Also, our kids came back and kept talking about it and were eager to do it again,”

As the Unified Track season continues, the students will continue to train every Thursday at lunch to participate in Marin County Athletic League finals which take place on May 6 where they will aim to make their way to the CIF state tournament.

While the CIF tournament is the ultimate goal, the program’s key value lies in ensuring that students are not constrained by their limitations during their track experience. Step by step, the program will help more kids get the chance to compete while representing the Redwood logo.

SPRINTING DOWN THE track, sophomore Audrey Markovich and her buddy look to pass the baton.

Photos by Hayden Donehower

PRACTICING HIS TECHNIQUES, Baden Bunch prepares for his upcoming meet.

Photos by Ashlin Quach

A.C. GLEAMS AS she warms up for her first practice of the season.

Skateboarding: a California-native lifestyle

By Alec Marasa Cub Reporter

Skatingboarding is part of the California lifestyle but is often underrepresented compared to mainstream sports such as football and soccer. Skateboarding originated in the 1950s by surfers in California who attached wheels to a plank of wood so they could still have fun while there were no waves. Over the years, it has grown into many avenues, from riding down steep hills to doing tricks off stairs and ramps. Due to the lack of rules, skateboarding allows for a level of creativity not found in many traditional team sports.

Senior Oliver Lownds has been skating for over four years, going out nearly every day after school to skate. He typically skates at Redwoods’ local skatepark inside the Corte Madera Town Park, just 2 minutes away from Redwood. He shares how he could never stay motivated playing other sports.

“I have tried many sports, but it was hard to always stay motivated, they sometimes felt like a chore which I never feel about skating… Skating started out as a fun hobby but turned into one of the most important parts of my life,” Lownds said.

While skating requires lots of physical strength, it requires even more of a strong mentality in order to conquer the fear of trying new tricks.

“Skating has taught me so much in life. There will be times where I spend weeks on landing one trick, trying every possible foot and body position to land

until something finally clicks and I land it. I have been putting that same mindset of not giving up and trying new ways to do things in my school and I have seen amazing results,” Lownds said.

Skating is also used as a way to balance school and other aspects of life for many students. Since skating doesn’t require a team, people are able to enjoy skating anytime, making it a great way to balance work and personal life.

Freshman Wesley Escamilla is new to skating but is already well immersed in it, spending much of his time at the local skateparks.

“[Skating] has been a great way to spend my free time that doesn’t seem like I’m wasting time … I’m outside having fun with my friends [and] getting some exercise,” Escamilla said.

Due to most skateparks being free to enter and open at all times of the day, it is the perfect place to meet new people.

“Everyone is so nice at the skatepark … everyone helps each other out and hypes one another up,” Escamilla said.

As skating becomes more mainstream due to it having been recently made an Olympic sport in 2020, the community is rapidly growing. Whether it be a way to balance your life or a just a mere personal passion, skateboarding has something to offer for everyone.

amarasa@redwoodbark.org

Nationally recognized MRA helps rowers find balance

By Matthew Knauer Cub Reporter

Since 1968, rowers from Marin County have flocked to Marin Rowing Association to pursue their future in the sport. The program has now become one of the best in California and even the Southwest Region of the United States. Due to the strength of this program, many rowers from the club have gotten nationally recognized and recruited to row in college. Recruitment has become an integral part of the program but has also proven to make the sport stressful and time-consuming.

Tim Humphrey, the coach of the under 16 (U16) and under 17 (U17) boys teams at Marin Rowing Club, explained his feelings about having an open line of communication with players and ensuring that they have balance in their life.

“I encourage the athletes to communicate things with us, tell us how they’re feeling, … they need to make sure they are balancing things,” Humphrey said.

Communication can be challenging for high school students and, specifically, athletes. With a sport as demanding as rowing and a process as complex as college recruitment, it is essential that these

emphasizing the importance of checking in with athletes.

“We check in with them a lot; we see how they’re doing from a non-rowing perspective as well. It changes based on their years, as junior year is when the majority of the recruiting occurs, and is also intense in terms of [schoolwork], so there is definitely a balance to strike,” Macleod said.

The program currently has over 15 athletes committed to college programs. Rowers will submit their times on the rowing machine, or the erg,ww to college coaches, who will then come to practices or meets to watch them perform. However, it’s not the main priority of their coaches to get them into college.

“Our focus is not necessarily getting them recruited. Our approach to training and the [standards] our program has… naturally produces athletes that go Division One,” Humphrey said.

They practice five days a week up until the New Year and six days a week after, spending a lot of time rowing in the water, while also doing grueling workouts on the erg and weight lifting.

There are specific constraints in terms

time… and in the spring, it gets very windy in the afternoons, so we often do a morning practice. It’s just about designing the program around the constraints that we have,” Macleod said.

The club has perfected the art of

balance; balance between different types of training, balance between rowing and school and balance between recruitment and development.

mknauer@redwoodbark.org

SHOWING OFF HIS skating skills, senior Oliver Lownds does a trick outside Rodeo Beach.

Photo by Alec Marasa

CELEBRATING THEIR FIRST place finish at the San Diego Crew Classic, the boys’ varsity team celebrates.

Photo Courtesy of Geordie Macleod

Injuries challenge athletes both mentally and physically

By Molly Gallagher Cub Reporter

Athletes, particularly high school students, are prone to injuries that can occur within a split second. Weinstein Legal studies show that 90 percent of studentathletes report some sort of sports-related

Benchwarmers supports athletes on and off the field

By Evelyn Spiegel Cub Reporter

Every school in Marin has a booster program to support their athletics. However, Redwood is especially lucky to have such an accommodating one; the Benchwarmers organization. Benchwarmers is a sports booster organization that funds what the Redwood athletic program doesn’t have the budget for. The organization covers requests from teams, whether it’s new jerseys or entire sound systems.

Once a month, Benchwarmers holds meetings where the organization’s president, Kevin Vasquez, presents requests from the Redwood athletic board.

Teams request sporting equipment and the board decides what is necessary for each team.

Vasquez became the president of this organization after the prior president’s kids graduated from Redwood. Four of Vasquez’s five kids currently attend Redwood and he has an excellent sports background being that he is also the Redwood’s boys’ varsity assistant basketball coach. Vasquez feels this is what makes him capable to lead Benchwarmers.

“I love sports, being involved in the community and helping out where I can so [Benchwarmers] is just a nice fit for me,” Vasquez said.

Being the president for two consecutive years has allowed Vasquez to become confident in his role and he’s focused on achieving Benchwarmer’s ultimate goals.

“We look ahead at what sports teams will need in the future from a developmental standpoint,” Vasquez said.

He explains that team funding is given on an “as needed basis.” Benchwarmers covers a wide range of items; anywhere from jerseys to audio systems to even funding for specific team charterings for sports tournaments. Vasquez also takes pride in how the Benchwarmers organization distributes its funds equally to each team without giving one team priority over another.

“There really is no delineation or distinction between teams. There are just requests that we receive,” said Vasquez.

would not have a sports program without them. Due to Redwood being so tied to the organization, it is essential to understand how Benchwarmers makes use of donations from the community.

Our goal is to enhance and improve our studentathletes.

Benchwarmers is extraordinarily important to the community as Redwood

“The community should know that their money is being utilized really well. Our goal is to enhance and improve our student-athletes. The number is well into the thousands of kids who participate in sports [at Redwood] and the money that is being contributed to athletics is being used very wisely,” said Vasquez.

Athletic director Jessica

and bringing them to Benchwarmers meetings. If the quote gets approved, then the organization is able to purchase the items. Peisch’s responsibility is to facilitate and communicate what teams and coaches want.

“This is the best setup we could have. If coaches or athletes have a vision, Benchwarmers is there to support it. We’re fortunate to have them,” Peisch said.

Overall, the Benchwarmers Organization is a vital asset to Redwood athletics. With high school sports playing a considerable role in Marin’s culture, organizations such as Benchwarmer’s are essential to Redwood athletics and its student-athletes.

Peisch is in charge of receiving and managing requests espiegel@redwoodbark.org

KEVIN VASQUEZ, HEAD of Benchwarmers, facilitates the funding meeting.

Photo courtesy of Gil Ladetzky

PRIOR TO BEING hung in the gym, the 2021-2022 pennants are displayed on the court.

Photo courtesy of Redwood Athletics

Kevin Vasquez, head of Benchwarmers

CHASING DOWN THE ball, sophomore Yago Churton beats his opponent.

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

review review

Where to munch for the best local brunch

By Anna Youngs Cub Reporter

Throughout Marin there are countless morning eateries to choose. Brunch, a weekend staple, has to be done right. Come along on the journey to find the top bite for brunch.

Farm House Local

Located in the heart of downtown Larkspur, Farm House Local has been serving delicious brunch since 2012. It is open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The service was quick and the staff was very kind. The prices were in the middle of the spectrum, ranging from about $10 to $18.50 for a basic dish excluding additional fees for sides and add-ons. The food was delectable and plated beautifully. Their best dishes are the buttermilk pancakes,

huevos rancheros and the chilaquiles. They also have a wide variety of coffees, juices and teas. The atmosphere was cozy and family-friendly. Farm House Local is a wonderful brunch spot that you should definitely try sometime.

Farmshop

Farmshop is located in Marin Country Mart in Larkspur. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and closes 30 minutes later at 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Farmshop’s menu has tons of unique and tasty dishes to try. The highlight dishes are the brioche french toast, Zubair’s shakshuka and the Meyer lemon pizza. The atmosphere of the restaurant was modern, bright and homey. It had the perfect ambiance for a weekend brunch.

The prices were on the higher end of the spectrum, ranging from $22 to $34 for an entree. With that being said, the great food, excellent staff and quick service make up for the high prices. If you are willing to spend the money, definitely make your way over to Farmshop.

FARMSHOP’S TASTY OPTIONS include wonderful hummus and pita.

M.H. Bread and Butter

An excellent brunch restaurant in San Anselmo is M.H. Bread and Butter. This local treasure is open all week long from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The environment of this restaurant was nothing special but the long line proved it was worth a try. The best dishes they serve are the fried egg sandwich, burrata toast, shakshuka and the french toast. The pricing is average, ranging from about $10 to $20 for a meal. They also have many side options to choose from at an added cost. The tables

By Lynette Ki Cub Reporter

Marin County is known for its picturesque landscapes and excellent culinary scene. When it comes to ice cream, Marin County offers a plethora of artisanal shops with unique flavors and high-quality ingredients. This review delves into three ice cream stores in Marin County including Lapperts in Sausalito, Scoop in Fairfax and Gelato in San Anselmo, evaluating each store based on their presentation, quality and price.

Lappert’s Ice Cream Lappert’s, a family-owned business founded on the island of Kauai, has been serving premium ice cream since 1983. It is located in Sausalito and was opened by Issac Lappert, a third generation

descendant of the Lappert’s family. The first thing that strikes you when you walk in is the welcoming atmosphere, especially the tropical leaves plastered throughout the store’s wallpaper. The store offers a variety of ice cream flavors, paying homage to the store’s roots including Guava Sorbet and Kauai Pie. The ice cream price is slightly more expensive than other stores in the area with a single scoop starting at $4.50. The ice cream itself is rich, creamy and made with quality ingredients leaving a delicious lingering taste in your mouth. Overall, Lappert’s leaves a lasting impression on ice cream lovers who value quality and unique flavors.

Scoop

Established in 2001, Scoop is a modest, family-owned ice cream store located in the heart of Fairfax, a bohemian town known for its live music scene and outdoor

activities. Often found with a long line of customers, Scoop offers a variety of seasonal flavors such as Honey Lavender Vanilla, Yerba Mate and Kiwi Sorbet. It is notable to mention that the ice cream is made using organic ingredients with no artificial flavors or colors. They use Straus Family Creamery’s organic ice cream base to create dozens of delicious flavors. The quality is exceptional with a wide range of flavors that are both rich and unique. They also have a rotating selection of vegan and dairy-free options. Prices are reasonable, with a single scoop starting at $3.50. However, the presentation of the ice cream is not as impressive compared to other shops with only the option of a simple cup or a house-made waffle cone.

San Anselmo Gelato

San Anselmo Gelato, located in the charming town of San Anselmo, is a traditional Italian gelateria that has been in operation since 1979. The shop has a bright, clean and elegant design. The gelato is made weekly on-site using only the freshest ingredients. The flavors stay true to the Italian tradition with classics like Coppa Mista and Dark Chocolate. The quality of the gelato is excellent, with a smooth and creamy texture. However, the prices at Gelato are quite steep with a small cup costing almost $6.

With their focus on crafting each scoop with care, it is evident that these three ice cream stores have solidified their place in the community as a top destination for all Redwood students. As the summer comes around, consider these ice cream shops to cool off and delight your tastebuds while also savoring the natural beauty that surrounds the given shops.

lki@redwoodbark.org

To recap, Marin has a bounty of brunch options to satisfy your weekend cravings. My favorite is Farm House Local. It is not too pricey but still has amazing food and kind staff. If you didn’t see something you liked here, you can also try Light House Cafe, Half Day Cafe, Kitchen Sunnyside or Woodlands Cafe. All of these are great restaurants with expansive menus that hit the mark.

ayoungs@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Anna Youngs

Photo by Lynette Ki

Photo by Anna Youngs needed some cleaning but the order at the counter style payment was efficient making this restaurant worth a visit.

REFRESHING AND SMOOTH, gelato is the perfect treat.

Photo by Lynette Ki

Infographic by Hayden Donehower

Book your next read at these bookstores

idea to check out these local bookstores

By Jace Harms Cub Reporter

On March 12, one of Marin’s most notable bookstores, Barnes and Noble, fulfilled its anticipated closure. Since then, various frequent visitors have been deprived of the calm environment, study place and large selection of books, toys and more that the store provided. Fortunately, several other bookstores in the area can replace the beloved Barnes and Noble. Despite the similarity of bookstores, they differ due to location, selection and the overall environment of the stores.

Copperfield’s Books

Copperfield’s, located in Larkspur Landing, has a cozy aspect that outshines many other bookstores. It is quaint, with wood walls lining the store. The lighting is soft and has a very vintage feel throughout

I’ve been to which made it feel snug. There wasn’t a lot of space to study or hang out,with the only seating area being the two chairs near the fireplace. The selection of books might be a bit smaller than other stores, but they have a policy where you can ask the bookseller to order a book for you if you do not see the book you are looking for.

Book Passage Book Stores & Cafe

Book Passage was the largest store I visited in Marin, located in Larkspur right across from the marsh behind Redwood. Book Passage definitely has the largest selection of books of the 3 stores. The main bookstore has a lot of new books and an area for events. When I visited the store, a book signing took place and all the seats were filled with book enthusiasts. Across the passageway was a second area with graphic novels, travel books and a

is charming. It is unlike Book Passage or Copperfields, the people there were eager to point out how special the store is and engage in conversation with me. The store has been around for over 40 years and they said they got a lot of help from the community because the town cares for the store. They get help through donations and dropping off used books. If you drop off used books you can get store credit for new ones. It does not have any place to study or sit, but I recommend the store to people interested in old and used books.

Let’s celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander art in SF

vibrant Chinatown and renowned Asian Art Museum, San Francisco remains home to many Asian and Pacific Islander populations and is the perfect place to celebrate this month.

Chinatown Murals

Packed with bustling markets, lost tourists and fragrant restaurants, the walls lining the streets of San Francisco Chinatown are splashed with colorful murals summoning onlookers to study the stories they portray. Established in 1848, Chinatown has served as an enclave of Chinese culture, bringing Chinese food, dance and art to the Bay Area. As Asian American heritage is celebrated this month of April, Chinatown offers a distinct view into both Asian culture and art in the form

Beyond Bollywood and Asian Art

A new exhibit at the Asian Art Museum showcases the rich history of dance in art throughout the history of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian religions and cultures. As tickets extend through May, this exhibit is a perfect way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month. The exhibitions highlight religious themes of divinity and power in addition to topics like gender and sexuality. The exhibit also highlights five ways dance can be observed, including the themes of destruction and creation, devotion, subjugation, glorification and celebration. The exhibit is organized into these five categories, allowing museumgoers a greater understanding of each art piece.

goer's experience, each exhibit also displays a paragraph of context specifying the exact time, place of origin and artist. These bring the exhibits to life, allowing people to appreciate their cultural and historical significance.

If you are looking for a way to locally celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month, San Francisco's art world is ideal. Both the Asian Art Museum and Chinatowns murals provide students with the opportunity to appreciate and explore the rich heritage of these cultures.

showcases early videos of dance.

Photo by Linnea Koblik

BEAMING WITH GOLD leaves, Burmese statues depict a mythological birdman and bird-woman.

Photo by Linnea Koblik

Photo by Jace Harms lkoblik@redwoodbark.org

It’s a novel

Illustrations by Annie Burlingame

Run don’t walk to these Marin County running trails

ends up on a shaded dirt path overlooking various mountains of Mill Valley. A clear view of Stinson is shown at the mountain’s peak, giving you a full view of the town and beach. As the trail descends, it ends up in a dry patch for the rest of the path taking you right by the entrance to the beach. Overall, The Dipsea made a great all-day activity and an excellent run thanks to the

Madrone Canyon: Shadiest Trail

The Madrone Canyon trail is convenient for Redwood runners as it’s about a 10-minute run from the school. It starts in Doliver Park, which then leads through a neighborhood up into the hills of Madrone Canyon. The path features a dirt path on a completely shaded loop that continues for about 4 miles from the park towards the popular end mark of a sizable boulder. The trail can easily be done out and back, making it about 8 miles or can continue on a loop through a nearby neighborhood cutting the run’s length. While running on the path, the tall trees of Larkspur tower over you as the journey continues, eventually bridging towards Baltimore Canyon. The trail contains minimal hills and, for the most part, remains flat. Madrone Canyon is a great everyday run as you can switch up your route and still get a substantial workout.

Phoenix Lake: Best trail for terrain

The Phoenix Lake loop is a favorite for high schoolers around Marin as it features a brisk 3-mile path once you hike from the

Where to grocery shop ‘til you drop

Brightly lit aisles are filled with rows

stop you from shopping there. They have, by far, the best quality food and the largest selection of it. That being said, they are the most expensive grocery store. If price is

parking lot at the bottom in San Anselmo. The run is surrounded by beautiful views as it surrounds the reservoir and looks up at the hills of Fairfax. Like most running trails, Phoenix Lake has alternative trails besides the usual loop; one trail branches off to a 9-mile out-and-back run all the way to Crown Road in Ross. The loop around the lake is basically flat, with occasional roots in the ground and stairs ascending and descending throughout. The loop is partially covered, sporadically going through the trees, creating shaded areas. Overall, Phoenix Lake is a great beginner’s trail and can be finished off with a nice snack from Barton’s Bagels, which is only a mile down the road.

Ring Mountain: Incline Training

One good thing about Ring Mountain is that it extends from southern Corte Madera to northern Tiburon, allowing access to a bunch of different trailheads. One route starts in Corte Madera via the Phyllis and Ellman trail. The first noticeable thing about the trail was that it was entirely uphill. Some may prefer this for hill training but other runners may struggle with the constant incline and the little to no sun protection. The way up was a bit rocky and slippery but overall led to a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay and made a great running trail filled with unique, grassy and rocky terrain.

lmoffett@redwoodbark.org

GLEAMING, SEASONAL PILES of produce appeal to the eyes, appetites and carts

brands, you would be better suited to look at Nugget or Safeway.

Safeway

Safeway is the biggest and most wellknown grocery store in the area. They have a large array of products and are very diverse in their selection of brands.

In addition, they have a bakery in store with fresh baked goods which can be great for a quick grab-and-go breakfast. To add to their bakery selection, they have a pastry chef available to make cakes and cupcakes. Although Safeway is very quick and convenient, the workers are few and far between and less willing to help. But unlike Nugget and Trader Joe's, they do offer the convenience of self-checkout which can make grocery shopping much quicker and easier.

fmitchell@redwoodbark.org

BOUNDING DOWN A Ring Mountain incline, sophomore John Anderluh is enjoys an early evening run.

Photo courtesy of Isabelle Davis

Photo by Francesca Mitchell

BUSTLING ABOUT, BUSY Trader Joe’s shoppers search the aisles for the next unique food item they will place in their cart.

Photo by Francesca Mitchell

Illustration by Annie Burlingame

lifestyles lifestyles

Lindsey Hébert races past gender barriers

By Tessa DeLay Cub Reporter

Growing up, senior Lindsey Hébert watched her dad, an established race car driver, teach her brothers about racing. Hébert’s family assumed that she wouldn’t be interested, but this wasn’t the case. Not only was Herbért immediately intrigued, but she was determined to prove her ability and commitment to race car driving.

“[I thought to myself], ‘maybe if I can do this on my own, I can prove something [and] I can prove my worth.’ So, I taught myself everything I could about race car driving [by] reading books, watching shows, all that sort of thing,” Hébert said. “I started grabbing tools and working on

[my dad’s] car. I was so stubborn in proving my point. I really, really, wanted this.”

While Hébert earned her dad’s support, she wanted it to be clear that it was her hard work and effort that led to her success.

“I want to be entirely self-sufficient. I don’t want people to look at me and think, ‘Oh, her dad got her here,’” Hébert said.

In order to compete in races, one needs to obtain a racing license and potentially multiple other licenses depending on the type of races they want to compete in.

“You need to go through a lot of training and get your license for multiple different sorts of vehicles which can be a very long process,” said Hébert.

Hébert earned her racing license and is competing in drag and drift races, Formula One races and vintage-style races in addition to working behind the scenes in the pit crew.

Getting her license and becoming part of the racing community hasn’t been easy. Hebert’s dad wasn’t the only person she needed to prove herself to. As a young woman, many others doubted Hébert’s ability.

“As a girl, no one really wanted me there. Everyone kind of laughed at me,” Hébert said.

Tati Ziemer also acknowledges the challenges of being a female race car driver. Ziemer manages the go-karts and go-kart track at Sonoma Raceway where many

race car drivers first start out. She noted that while many of the administrative staff at Sonoma Raceway are female, including the president, very few women are working on the track or racing.

“I’m one of the few females that have boots on the ground and work in the trackside industry. It’s few and far between [that women are in the trackside industry],” Zeimer said.

Sonoma Raceway recently held a large event put on by Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO) Motorsports Group, which included a variety of different series.

Zeimer noticed that out of approximately 200 drivers, only four or five were female. However, Zeimer also pointed out some of the steps that the industry has taken to be more inclusive.

“It’s daunting to get out there, but there are more and more organizations and women’s initiative scholarships that are popping up to help bridge the gap,” Zeimer said.

Hébert continues to work hard to gain the respect and support of others in the racing world and hopes that her actions can inspire other girls to pursue the sport.

“Girls who were five or under would come up to me and [ask], ‘Are you working on this? Are you racing? This is incredible!’” Hébert said.

Seeing her impact on younger girls has motivated Hébert to continue working hard to be a successful racer. Despite

Ally Woodruff strums to her own melody

By Hailey Carlton Cub Reporter

Born into a family of talented musicians, sophomore Ally Woodruff has been singing nursery rhymes since the age of two. For Ally, music is a way of life and something that has continued to positively impact her. Ally started playing piano when she was 5 years old and added guitar and ukulele to her repertoire when she was 12 years old.

While she is recognizably a talented musician, many don’t know the obstacles Ally has had to overcome in the past couple of years. In the summer of eighth grade, Ally was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle movements and sounds, often known as tics. Luckily, these tics never affect Ally when she is playing music.

“When I found out I had Tourette’s I was relieved. When you’re struggling with something for your entire life and it finally gets a name and label, then you know that

you’re just a human with a condition,” Ally said.

Ally is now a part of the Advanced Performance Workshop (APW) class. APW offers a space for students to develop as performers while learning different aspects of music. Last year, she was the only freshman that was advanced enough to be in the class.

“It was definitely intimidating. But, there is something very valuable about working with people who are better, older and wiser than you,” Ally said.

On Nov. 16, 2022, Ally performed in the APW concert. She sang an original piece, “Carpool to Heaven” and backup vocals on “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood. As a result of Ally’s musical talents, there is a physical and heartfelt aspect that has continued to develop.

“The emotional aspect is the biggest part for me. Sometimes I write my own music,” Ally said. “[Writing music] is a good way for me to channel my thoughts and feelings into songs. When I’m just feeling overwhelmed and nothing else is going right, I can write about it.”

From the start, Ally was part of a family with talented musicians: her mom, Kelly Woodruff, was a flute player who unfortunately stopped after having kids, and her older sister is a pianist. This meant that from the beginning, Ally was destined to be a musician as well.

“Her voice just improves every year. I also like that she composes because it’s always been a mystery to me how anybody can come up with ideas for tunes and lyrics. This is something she is also very good at. As a mom, it’s very good to see your child do something that brings her happiness,”

Kelly said.

In order to grow, Ally has had many lessons with different instructors to enhance her skills. One of her instructors, Benjamin Gribble, has had a big impact on her music career. Music started at a young age for him as well. His mother was his music teacher which influenced him to pursue music and eventually teach piano to young kids, including Ally.

“This lesson was one of the best days I could recall as a teacher because she wanted to learn and do more. [Ally] learned about the basics of harmony like what kids in high school and college are learning. She was doing these things in just the fourth or fifth grade. She was already so advanced and so eager to accomplish things in a short period of time,” Gribble said.

the challenges that she has faced, Hébert remains undaunted and committed to reaching her full potential.

“Going into [racing], nobody had faith in me,” Hébert said. “I want to prove to people, especially those little girls who are always in the back of my mind, you just need to work hard.”

Ally has composed over 12 songs and she continues to take voice lessons and develop her skills. Through all her hard work and dedication, she is motivated to continue to expand and work on her skills.

“I’d say practice as much as you can, but don’t force yourself if you’re not having fun because that defeats the point of playing music. Just have fun and play the music that makes you feel a little bit better than you did going into the jam session,” Ally said.

Throughout the music community, Ally has found a second family to bond and connect with. In this space she has found people that understand her and respect how she expresses herself in her writing.

CELEBRATING A SUCCESSFUL race, Lindsey Hébert stands next to her dad.

Photo courtesy of Motorsports Market

PLAYING LOUDLY ON the guitar, Ally Woodruff belts her heart out for the audience.

Photo by Hailey Carlton

READY TO PERFORM, Ally Woodruff takes to the piano at age seven.

Maybe if I can do this on my own, I can prove something [and] I can prove my worth.

Lindsey Hébert Senior

Photo courtesy of Ally Woodruff

Infographic by Tessa DeLay

The roadmap to becoming an MCAL champion: Jay DeMaestri

By Emma Rosenberg Cub Reporter

basketball since he could walk. Brandon Johnson, a former Redwood High School campus assistant and DeMaestri’s best

Ceramics students sculpt a non-profit

By Anya Ghazi Cub Reporter

As sophomore Rylee Feehan and junior Fallon O’Keefe spin the ceramics wheel in the ceramics classroom, they continue to find a growing connection between the clay and themselves. While molding the clay into various shapes and designs, the girls realized their creative potential to turn their love for ceramics into something worthwhile by selling their handmade pottery pieces to local shops and businesses around Marin through their nonprofit business, Coastal Ceramics.

O’Keefe and Feehan are not looking to make money for themselves. They’ve started the project to raise funds for another passion of theirs: saving the ocean. They will donate 100 percent of their profits to Fantastic Oceans, an ocean conservation nonprofit.

“Our overall goal is to clean our oceans. We decided to combine our passions for both the ocean and ceramics into one. It’s been a great experience for both of us so far. [Our ceramics teacher, Bradford] Butler has really encouraged us [to pursue] our passion,” O’Keefe said.

Butler admires their business plan and is interested in their efforts to keep the oceans clean.

“As a surfer and a fisherman, I admire their efforts in keeping our oceans healthy,” Butler said. “This is the first time I’ve seen students sell their work to donate their earnings to a non-profit organization, which is very admirable. They have a wonderful, positive and uplifting energy that helps build a strong community around

ceramics.”

Since they started working together, both Feehan and O’Keefe have committed countless hours to their project in the classroom.

“I have been very interested in pottery and really wanted to explore that interest. When I started [ceramics], I immediately fell in love and it became a great passion of mine,” O’Keefe said.

Similar to O’Keefe, Feehan has built her love for ceramics over the previous years as she loves the unique aspect of it and wants to continue her ceramics career in the future.

“I’ve worked [on pottery] ever since I

was little. I am passionate about ceramics and love the community it creates. Whether I’m at Redwood or an outside studio, I have built many connections and am excited to continue this passion when I’m older,” Feehan said.

O’Keefe and Feehan have grown as ceramic artists over the last year with guidance from Butler. Butler has taught ceramics classes at Redwood for four years and teaches his students different techniques. With his guidance, O’Keefe and Feehan have strengthened their skills on the wheel and produced great work.

“[Feehan] and [O’Keefe] are no longer beginners. They are beginning to

that and knows the skills it takes to be one.

“It’s not about screaming, yelling and being as loud as you can. It takes a different approach. Kids here, they’re so smart. They pick up on anything and see through the fakeness and if you ever have any, they’ll just call you out for it,” DeMaestri said.

One of the highlights of DeMaestri’s career was leading the team to a championship last year with the help of the boys’ junior varsity coach Johnson.

“The best memory working with [DeMaestri] was watching him win the MCAL finals in 2022. Watching him as a coach and set a goal for the program was really inspiring to see. He’s super hardworking and he cares about the kids a lot. He puts his heart into it,” Johnson said. DeMaestri looks forward to continuing his career as the Redwood boys’ varsity basketball coach and believes he will bring home more banners for the school.

erosenberg@redwoodbark.org

individually mold, modify and improve their craft,” Butler said. “They both have shown significant improvement compared to the start of this year.”

Starting up their business this past February, both Feehan and O’Keefe are seeking out more businesses to collaborate with and bring attention to their work.

“We’re hoping that if we post consistently on our Instagram [account], it will give our project more publicity,” O’Keefe said. “So far we have raised $190, and we’ve currently made 20 pieces to prepare for local shops and boutiques.”

Through their work with their project, Feehan and O’Keefe feel that they have developed business skills they can use in the future.

“I think this project has expanded our knowledge on running and starting our own business,” Feehan said. “[Our project] gives us a chance to make money professionally in the real world.”

Feehan and O’Keefe want to continue this project throughout high school and possibly bring their passions to the college they attend. They believe in each other and themselves and aim to continue helping more nonprofit organizations.

“We hope to have a steady business by the end of high school,” O’Keefe said. “If we keep working at it, our hard work and continuation of the business will hopefully make us successful. If you believe in it, you can make a living out of your passion and that’s what we are doing.”

THROWING CLAY, JUNIOR Fallon O’Keefe handcrafts a piece to be sold for Coastal Ceramics.

Photo by Anya Ghazi

HUDDLING THE TEAM together, DeMaestri gives inspirational advice at halftime.

Photo courtesy of Jay Demaestri

Photo by Emma Rosenberg

Climbing to the highest key Two singers help inspire their community

The Advanced Performance Workshop (APW) program has generated many talented up-and-coming artists. This year, there are two singers that deserve a spotlight. Emma Orrick and Bella Kraus are senior APW students who inspire others with their talents inside and outside the studio.

Intermediate Performance Workshop (IPW) and APW’s goal is to form bands and perform various genres of music. There are typically two performances every year. Kraus and Orrick have taken leadership roles in the music program: Kraus schedules gigs and sings, and Orrick takes the lead with her vocals.

A lifelong passion for music has driven

records. Since then, she has been crafting her own musical career.

John Mattern is an instructor in the Performance Workshop program and has watched Orrick grow both as a performer and as a person. He recalled one particular moment when Orrick took on a leadership role in organizing a choir for Mattern’s grandson, who had passed away.

“[Orrick] led a choir of twelve kids and had them [perform a] song as a memorial for him. That was really special. I’ll never forget that,” Mattern said.

Accompanied by her work with Orrick at Redwood, Kraus’s talent led her to perform at many venues outside of school. Kraus’s mom, Sandra DeRango, witnessed an impromptu performance at a venue in Half Moon Bay when Kraus was only eight.

“[Kraus] sat at that keyboard for

By Emily Hitchcock and Taylor Allan bark@redwoodbark.org

“[Kraus] started with me so young because she was exceptional,” Asher said. “She was already playing piano proficiently and writing original songs. She really is an artist that shows up and serves the music in her craft.”

Kraus began singing as soon as she could speak, and by age 12, Asher hired Kraus to sing on an album for the legendary all-female music group, ‘Ace of Cups.’

“In 2018, I brought [Kraus] in to sing with some other young singers for the album. People like Bob Weir [from the Grateful Dead] were is on this record… really big names. [Kraus’s] voice was very distinctive,” Asher said.

Like Kraus, Orrick also performs outside of APW in the district-wide acapella group, “‘Til Dawn Acapella.” On top of that, she has tirelessly advocated for the underprivileged as a student representative of a non-profit called ‘Youth in Arts,’ where she has performed during marches for social justice.

“I think those shows [at the marches] are always the most rewarding because our songs have a big message,” Orrick said.

At Redwood, her presidential role with the ‘Music Makes Your Day’ club shows Orrick’s passion for delivering a positive message through her musical career. In the club, members play music with Special Education students to generate school-wide access to the music program.

“[Playing with Special Education students] has been a really beautiful thing because a lot of them have learned new music and [have] opened up a lot through that,” Orrick said.

The Performance Workshop program is open to students looking to begin or cultivate their musical careers. Kraus and Orrick feel they have improved during their time in APW, both in performance and skill sets. For Kraus, APW cemented her drive to become a professional producer. As for Orrick, APW encouraged her to continue her advocacy through music

Empowered after singing with each other in their sixth period APW class, seinors Orrick and Kraus are ready to continue their musical journeys.

Photo by Taylor Allan

Cub Reporters