October 2023

redwood

bark.. bark

Volume LXVI, No. 2 October 27, 2023 • Larkspur, CA

Cocinando pupusas p. 13

Sports Spotlight p. 16

Meet the Homecoming court p. 19

Fall 2023 Roster/Positions Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org

Editors-in-Chief: Colette Boyden Kate DeForrest Jordan Kimball Matthew Marotto Staff Illustrators: Lauren Olsen Ava Stephens Business Managers: Gil Ladetzky Sam Sumski Multimedia Designers: Julia Delsol Hayden Donehower Data Analyst: Gabriella Rouas Social Media Managers: Cameryn Smith Emma Rosenberg Podcast Editor: Ella Buske Staff Photographers: Lauren Poulin Harrison Lapic Spanish Editors: Alana Leifer Emily Garcia

Copy Editors: Ella Erwig (Head Copy) Maya Winger (Head Copy) Taylor Allan Alex Argov Charlotte Fishburne Mia Ginsburg Lili Hakimi Hannah Herbst Nina Howard Tallulah Knill Allen Nadia Massoumi Larkin Moffett Ashlin Quach Bella Wagner Reporters: Elakai Anela Ava Carlson Sean Cunneen Zachary Dinowitz Molly Gallagher Mason Garbo Matthew Knauer Jay Knopping Linnea Koblik Owen McDaniels Bowen Rivera Michael Seton Tyler Sofnas Henrik Vraanes Maggie Walsh

Opinion Editors: Sawyer Barta Nick Hartung Feature Editors: Emily Block Erica Block Lifestyles Editors: Kate Harrison Aanika Sawhney Sports Editors: Charlotte Lacy Mayson Weingart Sports Editor-on-Call: Sydney Johnson News Editors: Leina Khan Lucy Wong News Editor-on-Call: Elsa Block Review Editors: Tessa Delay Beckett Tudor Web Designers: Emily Hitchcock Anna Youngs Video Editor: Will Parsons

redwood

bark.

Volume LXVI, No. 2 • October 27, 2023 • Larkspur, CA

Best Pizzerias

14

Sports Spotlight

16

Homecoming Court

18

redwood high school ● 395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ● volume LXVI, no. 2 ● october 27, 2023 ● www.redwoodbark.org

TUHSD yet to enact an artifical intelligence policy future policy,” Taupier said.

Vice Principal Lisa Kemp acknowledged Redwood does not have On Nov. 30, 2022, the Chat Generative a formal policy regarding AI but agrees Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), any AI-generated work would violate the an artificial intelligence (AI) engine, academic honesty policy. Some teachers was released to the even created their own American public. policies or bans. Yet Throughout the United Kemp acknowledges States, school districts its potential utility have taken steps to in the classroom for prohibit using AI student and teachers. tools as a response “We have not to concerns about disallowed teachers academic integrity. from using [Chat GPT] New York City Public to read students’ papers Schools, the largest or apply rubrics,” school district in Kemp said. “[AI] could the United States, become useful [for initially banned the teachers, such as] to tool but then reversed construct a lesson. The the ban in May. TUHSD Academic same way I might ask Nicole Brownstein, Integrity Policy somebody [for input].” a spokeswoman for Despite this, Kemp the district, released a cautions teachers from statement reflecting the district changes. relying solely on AI tools.

“Technology is constantly changing, “If administrators take a position on and New York City Public Schools aim Chat GPT for feedback, [it would require to be at the forefront of these changes,” teachers] to read students’ Brownstein said in her statement. work [themselves] for The Tamalpais Union High School at least the first month District (TUHSD) decided not to create a of school so that they policy regarding AI. TUHSD will instead know their [students’] rely on the current academic honesty work,” Kemp said. policy which states, “All students need student, One to prove to themselves that they can do senior Varun Sanjeev, a frequent user of successful work as a result of their own efforts.” TUHSD does, however, have AI, believes AI can be useful as an idea future plans to implement an AI policy.

In an email, Superintendent Tara generator rather than Taupier stated she currently serves on a essay writing. example, district-wide committee looking into the “For ethical use of AI in education. “We do if you are writing a college application, and not yet have a formal policy, but the work we are doing as a county will inform any struggling to come up

By Ben Mueller Cub Reporter

Illustration by Lucy Wong

All students need to prove to themselves that they can do successful work as a result of their own efforts.

Photo by Leina Khan

ACCORDING TO A January 2023 Bark survey, 19 percent of Redwood students admitted to having used generative AI to write essays. with something unique, you could use [AI] to come up with an idea,”Sanjeev said. “My AP Research class officially announced we can use AI to help us.

That’s a step in the right direction.”

The College Board released guidance for several Advanced Placement (AP) classes, stating, “Students can use AI tools as optional aids for exploration of potential topics of inquiry, initial searches for sources of inquiry, confirming their understanding of a complex text, or checking their writing for grammar or tone.”

One question remains: How can students learn to responsibly harness the power of AI? For Kemp, the answer is not simple.

“I don’t know if

[teachers] would want to [add AI] to curriculum. If you’re teaching kids to use it, and you’ve got 200 years of history to teach in 36 weeks, adding something else is difficult,” Kemp said.

For Sanjeev, AI could be inserted into curriculum in Social Issues.

“If schools are preparing students to use [AI] properly and ethically, I think that can only be a benefit,” Sanjeev said. bmueller@redwoodbark.org

Editorial teaser

“The Bark’s program of 154 student journalists explored industry standards and educational guidelines to arrive at a consensus that AI can be used to...”

Coninue reading The Bark’s stance on generative AI by reading the editorial on p. 6.

California takes a stand on gender neutral bathrooms

By Bowen Rivera On Sept. 23, Governor Gavin Newsom signed nine new bills aiming to benefit California’s LGBTQ+ population.

A significant focus of the inclusive push is for gender non-conforming teens. In a press release, Newsom highlighted the importance of inclusive legislation.

“These measures will help protect vulnerable youth, promote acceptance and create more supportive environments in schools and communities,” Newsom said.

These bills are the first few in the nation to protect LGBTQ+ citizens’ rights.

Senate Bill 760 is the first bill to guarantee non-binary students will have access to a bathroom in their school.

Despite the historical nature of these protections, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community in California will require much more work to be done.

Scan the QR code to read the related article about the effects and limitations of SB 760. brivera@redwoodbark.org

Graphic Key AB Assembly Bill SB Senate Bill SPN Sponsored by

bark Page 2 • News

Photo Survey

What is your favorite movie based on your grade’s HOCO theme?

Emily Muller Freshman

“The Wizard of Oz” Andrew Wallace Sophomore

“Rio” Melanie Canul Junior

October 27, 2023

Mill Valley Film Festival spotlights diverse and independent filmakers

By Lucy Wong The 46th year of the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) has finally come to an end after ten days of premieres, interviews and one of a kind screenings. The event rolled out the red carpet through Oct. 5 to 15, with a packed lineup of 148 films.

The festival offered filmmakers, of all genres and career experience, the opportunity to showcase their work. For Joane Parsont, director of education for the MVFF, the goal was to showcase independent filmmakers on the same platform as larger films from Hollywood allowing for a remarkably diverse circuit.

“One of the main reasons [we show independent filmmakers] is about diversity of different perspectives and cultures. So people see representations of themselves on screen, but also of unfamiliar cultures,” Parsont said.

Oftentimes Hollywood films present a very narrow perspective. In which only 1.7 out of 10 film directors are people of color and only 1.5 out of 10 are women, based on data from University of California, Los Angeles. Parsont shared how the MVFF makes an effort to combat these disparities, starting with film selection.

“Being a programmer is very subjective. [What movies you] like is based on your personal experiences. … So we’ve diversified our programmer pool and our screens are full of different perspectives for that reason,” Parsont said.

In 2015 the festival initiated the Mind the Gap program to reduce gender inequity; this year more than 50 percent of filmmakers at the festival were women.

This season their focus extended to fostering greater intersectionality among underrepresented filmmakers, whether

Photo by Taylor Allan

THROUGHOUT MARIN COUNTY the Mill Valley Film Festival broadcasts its 46th year and first time back to full capacity since pre-pandemic. non-binary, racially marginalized or even Face” and his Navajo heritage. Despite youth. focusing on native life in a reservation Some notable programs highlighting the film still offers the same familiarity the range of independent filmmakers from of a coming of age drama. For director MVFF included: “Frybread Face and Me,” Billy Luther, this humorous yet thoughtful “I am Hope” and “Youth Works.” narrative style film pays tribute to Luther’s own childhood and indigenous Frybread Face and Me background. It was shot within a short Set on a Navajo reservation, the 20 day time span and contains a full film follows 11-year-old Benny who indigenous cast. is reluctantly sent to Arizona for the I am Hope summer where he learns to bond with his In this passionate documentary grandmother, cousin Dawn aka “Frybread filmed over the course of two and a half years, Director Shaka Jamal Redmond implements the first ever mindfulness and yoga program for Oakland middle schools. The film showcases students’ struggles and hopes while shining a light on the possibilities of mindfulness as a transformative practice for students across the country. Redmond expressed his hopes for the impact of the film.

“We need the mindfulness curriculum inside the schools, the community, organizations, homeschoolers and even corporations where people need a different perspective on life just by connecting to the mind,” Redmond said.

Shorts: Youth Works A collection of 13 short-films selected by teens, showcased an international cohort of storytellers under 18. The shorts included genres from animation, documentary and horror, to comedy and drama. One of the featured films was “binary.” — a soulful 14 minute journey following the struggles of gender identity.

The screening of “Youth Shorts” is one of few opportunities for rising artists to showcase their work, including Harper Miller, student at Archie Williams High School and writer and director for “binary.”

“It’s very rewarding to showcase a story about mental health because it’s so underrepresented. … I’m also planning on going to film school so it was amazing to have my first experience in the film industry,” Miller said.

“The Conjuring” Cormac Erving Senior

Image courtesy of The Mill Valley Film Festival (Kirke Wrench)

“Hamilton”

STUDENT FILMAKERS HARPER Miller (left) and Nilan Wood (right), from Archie Williams High School, are ready to take on the MVFF and present their short film “binary.” during the Youth Shorts screening.

For the full lineup from this year’s Mill Valley Film Festival, visit mvff.com.

lwong@redwoodbark.org

Page 3 • News

www.redwoodbark.org

Reviving a decades-long dream Larkspur’s journey towards a vibrant community hub

bark

By Maggie Walsh The idea of constructing a public community building in Larkspur has been in the works for nearly three to four decades. After years of eager anticipation, a brand-new library and community center will soon take shape on Rose Lane. The city of Larkspur is preparing to construct this contemporary library with even more facilities than the current library in downtown Larkspur.

Kathy Green, a member of the board of the Larkspur Commons Foundation, is one of the main people responsible for the construction of the new building.

“There will be attractive landscaped grounds so people can use the outdoor space [containing] tables, … resistant landscape and hopefully some sort of water feature,” Green said.

The existing library located on Magnolia Street lacks a dedicated community center for public gatherings.

Currently, meeting spaces in the area are either privately owned or require payments. Therefore, many people, including Green, saw a need to relocate the library from its current location.

“Community involvement and gatherings are [important] to me. Healthy communities have places where people of all ages and all types can interact freely,” Green said.

Many individuals made significant efforts to bring this idea to fruition but were unsuccessful. However, when the Larkspur Commons property became available for development, multiple groups joined together to revive the idea of creating a public building. Green was part of a citizen’s group that was tasked with determining the best use for the land. She dedicated several years of work to conducting exhaustive meetings and engaging with the public to gather input on the community’s hopes and wishes.

Junior Brennan Woodley frequently uses the Redwood Library and is excited

Image courtesy of the Larkspur Commons Library Foundation

A DIGITAL MODEL displaying the possible design of the Larkspur Commons Library and community center shows it located on the corner of Doherty Drive and Rose Lane. conversation and more. They are inclusive to see his desires shine in the new library be completed by the end of 2025. being built.

Junior Erin Taylor, a Larkspur resident, and freely accessible, and by locating “Having a library that isn’t connected to explained her excitement in seeing the this library so conveniently near campus, students could benefit greatly from its school will be very convenient. I’m excited building come to life. to have a community space where I can do “This Larkspur Commons lot has been availability.

“A big public project requires a lot of my homework in a peaceful environment,” empty for so long. I’m looking forward Woodley said. to [seeing] how this building will come people [with a] vision over time and we The start date for construction is together; it’s going to be a great community [have those people],” Green said. uncertain but could potentially begin by the space,” Taylor said. end of December, which involves burying Libraries inherently serve as community electrical and sewer lines. According to the hubs, offering open spaces where anyone current grant guidelines, the project must can enter, read, use a computer, engage in mwalsh@redwoodbark.org

Corte Madera approves skatepark remembering Scotty Lapp

By Lauren Olsen and Meg Stevenson Cub Reporter On Sept. 19, 2023, the Scotty Lapp Skatepark was approved to be built by the Corte Madera Town Council. Former Redwood student Scotty Lapp tragically lost his life in February of 2022 in a skiing accident.

“In [the] fall of 2021, [Scotty] told me that he and his friends didn’t have anywhere to skate,” said Amy Lapp, Scotty’s mother.

“The closest skate park was a 30 to 45-minute drive away. So, I told them that I would [get a skatepark installed] over the winter while ski season was happening.”

Scotty passed away before the end of the ski season. This devastating event sparked the movement for his mother, Amy Lapp, to embark on a mission of building the skatepark in loving memory of her son.

Despite experiencing severe grief after her son’s passing, Amy remained determined in achieving her goal.

“I believe minutes after Scotty died, I just said, ‘We’re going to build a skatepark,’” Amy stated.

“We went to the mayor and the town council of Corte Madera and got a unanimous thumbs up. So we’re now full steam ahead, working with [the

organization] California Skateparks,”Amy said.

Amy’s friend, Mark Holstrom, began a fundraiser for the park on GoFundMe and within six weeks, it raised over $200,000, far surpassing the original $50,000 goal.

Amy realized the regulations for building a new park in Tahoe were very strict, and worked tirelessly for the past year and a half to find an available piece of property to build on. This pursuit ultimately led Amy to look towards Corte Madera, the community they were part of prior to moving to Tahoe.

Sophomore Jasper Hauth is an avid skater who spoke at the town council board meeting regarding the creation of this new skatepark.

“It is really important that younger skaters have the opportunity [for] a new and better skatepark,” Hauth said.

“The Mill Valley skatepark is probably going to close because [Mill Valley Middle School] needs more space. The Marin City one is closed. If the [Mill Valley skatepark] closes, a lot of people will come to the Corte Madera one.”

Senior Ashley Martin is an active volunteer for the Scotty Lapp Foundation.

Martin is excited for this revamped skatepark with hopes that it will benefit the Corte Madera community.

“The biggest thing about skating is that it’s so inclusive for all ages and all abilities or backgrounds,” Martin said.

Senior Eme Atherton and longtime friend of Scotty also supports the idea of the skatepark.

“It’s not only a place to honor him, but also a place to join all the people that he loved and be together as if he were here,” Atherton said.

Additionally, many students have plans to utilize the park beyond just skating.

“Honestly, I will go there [to] just sit and listen to music. It’ll be a place to remember everything that he was,” Martin said. bark@redwoodbark.org

Image courtesy of Marin Independent Journal (Alan Depp)

SITTING ON A skate ramp, Amy Lapp remains excited to remodel the park, currently located in Corte Madera Town Park, in honor of her son.

opinion

Page 4

Sink or swim: Navigating education alone

By Maya Winger $300. In my house, this is the cost to keep the lights on, the cost of our monthly electricity bill. If we’re lucky, this can cover the cost of the water bill too. These are the things my family prioritizes, but this is subjective.

In other households, $300 is spent on a single college counselor meeting. This is not to say that any of these expenses are better or worse than the others, but simply that different people and different families have different priorities.

College counselors and SAT or ACT tutors have become a part of the high school experience for many students, but what about the students who can’t or won’t spend money on them? It’s easy to feel left behind if you’re one of these students, like everyone else has a life vest while you’re left to tread water on your own.

The problem is not that students don’t have access to help. In fact, at Redwood alone, there are several ways that students can receive help — school counselors, the College and Career Center and peer tutoring to name a few. The issue that arises is that students often fail to utilize these resources for a myriad of reasons. A study published in Sage Journals found that the main reasons students don’t take advantage of free school resources are “stigma, a desire to manage problems themselves, a lack of a positive relationship with their school counselor and a concern that the

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

counselor would not keep disclosures confidential.” With these issues constantly at the front of students’ minds, it’s no wonder they are afraid to reach out for help. When students feel judged by their peers or even the adults around them, it stops them from asking for help. However, when other students feel privileged enough to have a private counselor or tutor, they

feel less shame around receiving help, simply because it wasn’t free.

According to an October Bark survey, 56 percent of students have worked with a private counselor or tutor outside of school.

Given Marin’s socioeconomic status, it’s inevitable that many students are able to receive private help, but this only worsens the problem for students who can’t afford it.

There is a certain fear of being judged that many students who use or rely on free resources feel. While this may not be picked up on by students who don’t feel this way, it’s obvious to the students who do. Public stigma and self-stigma play a role in this. According to the National Institute of Health, public stigma “refers to the negative attitudes held by members of the public about people,” while selfstigma occurs when people “internalize these public attitudes and suffer numerous negative consequences as a result.” Both of these contribute to the shame that some

Asking for help is a skill that many people have to learn. feel for accessing free resources in a place where the majority of people can afford outside help.

That being said, for most people, this problem is not a cause for major concern.

If anyone truly needs help, their school will provide it for them; it’s just the mental barrier they must overcome to utilize it.

This may sound simple, but high schoolers are at a sensitive time in their lives where 56 percent of them fear being judged by their peers, according to a study conducted in London. This fear can be paralyzing, and few even realize it. Asking for help is a skill that many people have to learn, and some are fortunate enough not to need to learn it at all. At the end of the day, no one wants to sink beneath those waves alone — it’s better to reach for that life vest.

mwinger@redwoodbark.org

Don’t let the heartbeats of athletes stop; Invest in AEDs

By Alex Argov A player is running down the field, ready to score. His teammates watch him, preparing to celebrate. He collapses abruptly; his heart stops. Only one tool can save him, and time is of the essence.

While high school sports are often thrilling, fun and collaborative, they are accompanied by a deadly risk to student-athletes. Cardiac arrest, an event in which an individual’s heart stops suddenly, does not always occur due to a predisposed condition; it can happen to anyone. Cardiac arrest is often confused with heart attacks, but the two are very different. Heart attacks occur when blockages of arteries in the chest prevent blood flow into vital muscles, resulting in a total shutdown of the heart. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, happens without any warning. The heart starts to beat irregularly, eventually resulting in the heart stopping entirely.

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates approximately 2,000 people under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest in the United States each year. According to Kansas Health, “[cardiac arrest] is the leading cause of death in young athletes in the United States resulting in one death in a high school student every three days.”

Because of the speed at which cardiac arrest occurs, c o m b i n e d with the unpredictability of

the event, this issue must be addressed.

The only tool that can revive a person whose heart has stopped due to cardiac arrest is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). However, the use of an AED proves most successful in reviving a stopped heart within 3-5 minutes of a person's collapse, according to cprandfirstaid.net. If individuals surrounding a collapsed person cannot locate an AED or do not know how to use it properly, the chances of saving a life quickly drop.

Luckily, California state law requires that all high school students undergo AED training as part of the mandated Physical Education curriculum. However, the training is often skimpy, omitting the need for individuals to know how to use these devices, resulting in the program having little effect on students.

Junior Leo Favacho recently completed this training. While Favacho

learned the basics, he commented on the lack of depth and importance within the training.

“I don’t think I would be able to use an AED if I witnessed my friend collapse at a sporting event,” Favacho said. “The curriculum does technically teach us how to use an AED, but not in a live-action scenario.”

Additionally, Favacho’s comments were dire when told the time frame in which AEDs are most successful in revival. “[Within] that time frame (3-5 minutes), I definitely wouldn’t be able to get my hands on an AED,” Favacho said.

“I’m not sure where [in school] I would even begin to look.”

To senior Jacob Werner, the AED preparedness of Redwood’s student body is further discouraging.

“I don’t remember much or even anything from that unit,” We r n e r

said. “I think everyone kinda blew the unit off and was just [participating] to get through it.”

In an October Bark survey, 29 percent of students said they do not know what an AED is and an additional 42 percent said they do not know where Redwood’s AEDs are located. With students not knowing where AEDs are or what they do, an instance of cardiac arrest would likely be fatal.

The evidence is clear: there needs to be AED instruction and awareness reform. Interviews, surveys and education all prove that Redwood’s student body is misinformed about AEDs, a lifesaving tool that should not be put aside. Information sessions for the students and staff on where the devices are located and how they are used must be mandatory. Increasing the importance of AED education in the physical education curriculum with deliberate instruction should be the primary focus in administration offices at Redwood and beyond. Action needs to happen; don’t let your friend, child or relative be another statistic. aargov@redwoodbark.org

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

By Nina Howard A student opens the Synergy app at the end of her freshman year. She goes to select her courses for next year, knowing she has one open period to fill. Her options: Drawing and Painting 3-4 or Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science. The difference between above a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) or below. It’s an easy decision for an overachiever who wants to attend a prestigious university. She picks AP Computer Science, completely forgetting about her passion and natural talent for art; a mistake she will continue to make throughout her entire educational career.

Due to increased academic pressure on students, many teens feel the need to fill class schedules with AP and honors classes, not leaving space for potential artists to pursue new creative interests. After fulfilling the twosemester requirement, most students abandon their artistic ventures for more academic pursuits.

The Tamalpais Unified High School District (TUHSD) needs to extend the art graduation requirement beyond two semesters, ideally to a three-year requirement, to give every student the opportunity to harness their creative skills and talents. Extending the art requirement would be effective in relieving student stress, preparing students for the ever-expanding workforce and creating a more inventive learning environment.

Brian Kisida and Daniel H. Bowen wrote about the benefits of art education and the reasons behind the shrinkage of high school art programs in an essay published by Brookings Institution. “[The shrinking of art programs] is primarily attributable to the expansion of standardized-test-based accountability, which has pressured schools to focus resources on tested subjects. As the saying goes, what gets measured gets done,” Bowen and Kisida said.

Limiting the art credit requirement to a single year allows resource allocation to be focused on more academic classes, which reinforces the idea that an arts education isn’t important.

However, multifaceted arts education programs have proven to help students excel in the academic realm as well. According to a study conducted by Americans For The Arts, art-educated students are five times less likely to drop out of school, as well as four times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree or another academic achievement.

Lengthening the arts requirement would not only help students excel in their classes, but also have a major positive impact on relieving other school-related stress.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), making art can be extremely therapeutic and effective in reducing cortisol, the hormone that controls stress.

Most people in our community don’t deny the importance of an arts education. The TUHSD even offers AP and honors art classes to provide potential GPA boosts to determined students. However, even with these highlevel classes being offered, a lot of students feel pressure to adhere to the “textbook” way of learning, focusing more on math and English rather than pursuing what actually interests them. Hyperfocused students may not even realize that they have a passion or a talent for art. In order to harness these crucial creative skills, students need more than just two semesters of art instruction.

Some may argue that educational resources and time should be allotted to more practical applications that prepare students for the workforce. What many people don’t realize is that an arts education can actually be incredibly beneficial in any job after high school.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences explains why art can help teach observational, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that can be applicable to any job.

“From the interior designer relying on color theory to the architect who uses 3D software to the engineer who incorporates elements of design, the skills embodied in arts education have wide applications,” according to the academy.

Living on the brink of a technological revolution with generative AI, it is crucial to take advantage of our creative outlets in any way we can. In order to prevent the erasure of the arts and creativity as a whole, we must practice what makes us all special and unique: the way in which we express our ideas. It is the responsibility of schools and educators to continue teaching the next generations how to be inventive and imaginative thinkers. By extending the art graduation requirement to three years, we ensure that all students go into the world knowing how to think critically and creatively. eluxenberg@redwoodbark.org

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Page 5 • Opinion

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By Gil Ladetzky

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Only a few years ago, there was a time in high school sports when the stands were filled with proud parents and enthusiastic supporters, and the playing field was a place for camaraderie, discipline and valuable life lessons. However, over the years, the culture of high school sports has undergone a dark transformation. What was once a platform for sportsmanship and teamwork has become a breeding ground for aggression, hostility and excessive parental involvement.

One of the most glaring shifts in high school sports culture is the increasingly aggressive behavior of parents. While parents have always played an essential role in their children’s athletic journeys, their involvement has become more destructive in recent years. It’s no longer unusual to witness parents on the sidelines yelling at players, referees and coaches, something that is toxic to the playing environment for all. The supportive cheers and applause have disappeared, replaced by shouting and aggressive confrontations. These changes are because of various factors, including a societal trend of competitiveness and heightened pressure to secure college scholarships. The detrimental impact of this shift is undeniable, as it not only puts immense stress on young athletes but also sets a poor example for sportsmanship and respect.

The consequences of this toxicity are clear: referees and coaches are now faced with an environment that is chokingly hostile, making it difficult to find individuals willing to take on such jobs. Both Branson and Tamalpais High School basketball have had three coaches in four years, and the Redwood girls’ varsity volleyball team has had four coaches in three years.

The historic lows in the number of coaches returning year after year suggest that something needs to change.

In a recent interview conducted by a Bark reporter, former girls’ volleyball coach Loren Anderson was asked, “In the past, this team has had a lot of trouble keeping coaches. Do you think there’s a common pattern and what is it?”

“Parents have too much power,” Anderson said.

While many parents act in the best interest of their kids, the effects are larger than they ever could have imagined. Referees are constantly screamed at by parents and coaches over calls and decisions made during a game. For the low salary that they make, why would referees deal with the backlash? Short answer:

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they don’t. Good referees are hard to find, junior varsity referees are pulled up to varsity games, and untrained referees are now placed into the spotlight to officiate highlevel games.

On the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) district website, under the athletics tab, a new section touches on this topic.

The “16 principles of ‘pursuing victory with honor’” includes 16 ways to display sportsmanship. One principle states that “Everyone involved in competition, including parents, spectators, associated study body leaders and all auxiliary groups, have a duty to honor the traditions of the sport and to treat other participants with respect.” It’s clear that Redwood and other TUHSD schools have noticed this toxicity and started to implement new rules as part of the ongoing effort to address this problem.

As a high school athlete, I have experienced these aggressive environments first-hand. Just last season, I was playing in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) basketball championship game and could hear parents yelling at us to perform better. Throughout the game, I listened to the same parents yelling at the referees and our coaches. At that moment, I thought, “Do they think they are playing? What made them feel the need to yell at high school kids and underpaid coaches and referees?”

The change in high school sports culture needs to be treated with concern. The moment has arrived for us to confront this issue directly and collaborate in promoting the values that should be embodied by sports, which include sportsmanship, respect and teamwork. To do this, parents need to take a step back and remember their role is to mentor, support and encourage their kids, not deteriorate their confidence.

High school sports have the potential to be a powerful force for positive development in the lives of young athletes. However, it’s time to reflect on what truly matters: the growth, character-building and life lessons that sports can provide. As an athlete, I’m confident that with time and effort, we can return to an environment where sports are not just about winning but about fostering a sense of community, discipline and personal growth in student-athletes. gladetzky@redwoodbark.org

bark Page 6 • Opinion

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Stop sweeping AI under the rug

editorial Let’s chat about AI.

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

Countless times throughout history, when people have imagined a dystopian society, they pictured unknown technology capable of taking over the world.

In other words, the end of the world is associated with humans becoming obsolete.

Fifty years ago, this idea was the plot of fictional books, movies and television shows. Today, this is the world we live in, except the reality is that we can work to coexist and live in harmony with artificial intelligence (AI).

The development of AI was insidious; growing in increments, it wasn’t apparent to anyone what the real consequences would be until they were right in front of us. The graphing calculator, spell check and the Internet were all foreign concepts to the average consumer when they were first introduced and most initial reactions were those of fear, uncertainty and curiosity. As these technologies started to seep into our everyday lives, the fear dissipated into familiarity and we began to rely on them. Generative AI is no exception.

On Nov. 30, 2022, the Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) chat bot was released to the world by the research and deployment company OpenAI. Instantly, ChatGPT and AI revolutionized society by creating effective means of communication regardless of language barrier, composing essays, creating art and coding.

While, as covered on this edition’s first page news article, the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) has yet to amend or create any policies to address the emergence and use of AI, we hope to define our guidelines for ourselves and our readers.

The Bark has chosen to take the first step to create and implement our own policy on AI, because we understand that high school students will graduate into a world full of AI programs. They will need to know their way around these tools, with their strengths and weaknesses, in order to work alongside them. We also believe in transparency and clear expectations, and realize that using AI so much can be considered “borderline” without specific guidance and commitments.

With that in mind, the Bark’s program of 154 student journalists explored industry standards and educational guidelines to arrive at a consensus that AI can be used to brainstorm and conceptualize ideas. Any materials suggested by AI will never be copied and pasted by writers, and will solely be used as a basis for further entirely human-led research and story creation.

Although AI-generated information is to only serve as a foundation, it will always be fact-checked.

Additionally, AI can be used by writers to conceptualize art or visuals for an article, for art consultants to recreate. No art created by AI will be published by the Bark, except for art created for articles about AI. These rare cases will be clearly labeled and approved by Editors-in-Chief.

For the purpose of editing photos, generative AI will not be used. The only approved photo editing tools are softwares operated by Bark staff, including Adobe Lightroom.

In the unlikely event that any work created by AI is published, only when stories are specifically relating to AI, there will be clear citations and labels to indicate that the work was computer generated. Under all other circumstances, however, the published work will be done entirely by student journalists. Any edits or ideas prompted by AI will be fact-checked and compared with

other, non-AI sources and finalized by students, not by the software.

The Bark will continue to consider the AI standards as they evolve, including those set by the Associated Press and U.S. Department of Education AI 2023 guidelines, staff input and technological developments. We encourage other publications, classes and the district alike to follow suit.

As British philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell once said, “Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty.

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.”

Responsibly and reasonably utilizing AI technology is a bridge we must cross with the development of AI policies. To view the Bark’s evolving AI policies, visit our website under its policy section.

Editors-In-Chief Colette Boyden Kate DeForrest Jordan Kimball Matthew Marotto Head Copy Editors Ella Erwig Maya Winger Copy Editors Taylor Allan Alex Argov Charlotte Fishburne Mia Ginsburg Lili Hakimi Hannah Herbst Nina Howard Tallulah Knill Allen Nadia Massoumi Larkin Moffett Ashlin Quach Isabella Wagner

Feature Editors Emily Block Erica Block Lifestyles Editors Kate Harrison Aanika Sawhney Sports Editors Charlotte Lacy Mayson Weingart Sports Editor-on-Call Sydney Johnson News Editors Leina Khan Lucy Wong News Editor-on-Call Elsa Block Review Editors Tessa DeLay Beckett Tudor Video Editor Will Parsons Spanish Editors Emily Garcia Alana Leifer Podcast Editor Ella Buske Business Managers Gil Ladetzky Sam Sumski Social Media Managers Cameryn Smith Emma Rosenberg Data Analyst Gabriella Rouas 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 the horror stairway. Although, the math hallway already made us see red.

A BARK to the new bagel shop coming to Larkspur. You will definitely sesaSEE us there.

A BITE to college essays.

Actually, we think college essays are taking a bite out of us.

A BITE to Halloween being on a Tuesday. You’ve ghost to be kidding us!

A BITE to Trump’s supporters trying to make him Speaker of the House. The only house he should be speaking at is the big house.

A BITE to the seniors’ devastating loss at Klassy Kickoff. What a fumble.

Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org

Opinion Editors Sawyer Barta Nick Hartung

A BARK to committed athletes! Maybe we could’ve avoided college essays if we joined rowing.

A BARK to getting a phone call every time we’re tardy. We really needed the reminder!

bark

A BARK to 1989 (Taylor’s Version.) We have a Blank Space in our playlist that we need to fill.

A BITE to the iPhone 15. iHope iDont get iScammed!

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.

Web Designers Emily Hitchcock Anna Youngs Staff Illustrators Lauren Olsen Ava Stephens Multimedia Designer Julia Delsol Hayden Donehower Staff Photographers Lauren Poulin Harrison Lapic Reporters Elakai Anela Ava Carlson Sean Cunneen Zachary Dinowitz Molly Gallagher Mason Garbo Matthew Knauer Jay Knopping Linnea Koblik Owen McDaniels Bowen Rivera Michael Seton Tyler Sofnas Henrik Vraanes Maggie Walsh Adviser Erin Schneider

Page 7 • Opinion

www.redwoodbark.org

Why public transportation is SMART Pioneering sustainable transportation

By Emily Hitchcock The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) has been running trains 45 miles between Larkspur and Santa Rosa since 2017. It reduces carbon emissions while providing riders with a swift alternative to highway commutes. The agency aims to expand its rail route to Cloverdale with train stops at Healdsburg and Windsor.

To support this project, the Biden administration is allocating $34 million to get it rolling. However, more than this, federal allocation is needed in the long run, and most local tax voters need to be made aware of the agency’s crucial role.

Support from the community is essential to continue SMART’s efforts by recognizing its role in expanding public transportation for sustainable transportation.

By using 50 percent of the funding from the Biden administration to support the transfer to more green-friendly locomotives, SMART shows its mission to lower carbon emissions. SMART emits 33 percent less carbon dioxide per passenger mile than driving, and their new project is estimated to further reduce emissions.

Opponents of SMART believe that the North Bay rail service will always need more riders to make it a viable

agency. Alongside an inconvenient number of stations, the transit schedule is only accommodating for some because it is fixed on a strict schedule. Thus, many voters view the train as unworthy of tax funding.

Additionally, tax voters may dismiss public transit in the Bay Area because of the diminishing relief funds granted to public transit during the pandemic.

In combination with a slow regaining of riders after the pandemic and money drying up, public transportation has declined throughout the Bay Area. SMART is the only public transit that has not fallen through the cracks. SMART has even seen an increase in ridership, as shown in the June 2023 ridership report, with a 62 percent increase since last June.

To make its services more accessible in terms of cost, SMART has taken measures to increase ridership. For example, kindergarten through 12th grade students could ride for free last summer, with youth aged five to 18 receiving a 50 percent discount during the school year.

Additionally, SMART has been working with transportation authorities in Sonoma and

Marin Counties to offer 300 electric bikes in the Marin-Sonoma Bikeshare Pilot, allowing passengers to get from the train to their destination more quickly.

SMART and its partner agencies also built 25 miles of pathway along the railroad for pedestrians and cyclists that continues to grow, making it efficient for commuters to access the train. With the environmental and economic support that SMART grants the public with accessible ridership, it has never been more critical for Redwood students to understand the significance of SMART. If students relied more on the youthsupportive SMART train service, it would expand its usefulness and offer a viable alternative to highway travel. Especially with rising gas prices, depending on SMART services is cheaper and faster than driving individual vehicles during peak commuter hours.

Additionally, Redwood students should utilize the SMART train to enhance their well-roundedness and independence.

For example,

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

according to BMC Public Health, use of public transportation can increase physical activity, which promotes an individual’s health. Additionally, the National Association for State Community Service programs state that public transportation promotes self-sustainability and fosters independence.

Furthermore, a reliance on public transportation supports the economic diversity of the Bay Area, and taking the SMART train can strengthen local economies with increased rider activity near stations. Riding the SMART train is a crucial and green way to support and explore the community while embarking on personal journeys throughout the wonders of the Bay Area. ehitchcock@redwoodbark.org

Be asinine or assign: The need for assigned seating

By Hannah Herbst It is the first day of school. I walk into my classroom and observe the large expanse of desks and new faces. I realize I have an important decision to make. Where do I sit? Not only will this determine my social standing in the class for the entire year, but it is my first opportunity to demonstrate my impressive intelligence to my teacher.

OK … maybe I’m being a bit dramatic.

However, I am not the only one who struggles with free seating in a classroom setting. An English teacher writing for the educational organization, “Learning for Justice,” Chad Donahue, sympathizes with the social struggles that this decision entails.

“One wrong move and [students] could hear the dreaded, ‘This seat is saved’ or ‘Not here!’ Or even worse, they sit down and students move away to other available seats,” Donahue said. “It sets the tone: ‘I’m an invader, an outsider, an unwanted tagalong.

I don’t really have a place here. I don’t belong.’”

Assigned seating is a simple and effective way to avoid the described feeling of isolation caused by choice seating.

Illustration by Ava Stephens

bark

Beyond that, it’s beneficial for students as it allows for new social interactions and exposure to new perspectives.

According to the Professional Learning Board, “Free seating can reinforce cliques within the classroom and students may choose seats that are not conducive to success,” whereas having random pairs “may [help students] benefit from each other and … encourage interactions.” Even as a senior, I still do not know everyone in my classes. Like many people, I am more inclined to sit with a friendly face rather than a complete stranger, but, assigned seating offers a way to get to branch out. It allows for an environment that fosters not only productivity and collaboration, but new relationships.

The National Library of Medicine conducted a study that helped test the effectiveness of assigned seating, and its results support the Learning Board’s theory. They found

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

that, “Disruptive behavior during group seating occurred at twice the rate when students chose their seats than when the teacher chose.” So, assigned seating helps students avoid otherwise detrimental habits.

Out of my six classes this semester, three offer free-choice seating. While being a senior should also come with increased levels of freedom and options to prepare for a life beyond high school, the benefits of choice seating still need to be considered. Some may argue that having the option to sit and converse with friends during class is a positive, however, I believe that this instead forms a cliquey and unsupportive learning environment.

It enforces pre-existing bonds rather than making new ones. There is already enough separation between students in social settings, why should this translate to inside the classroom? You can sit with anyone you would like to at lunch. You can gossip, chat, blast loud music or do whatever you please. In math class, let’s keep the focus on fractions, and not friends.

Having the opportunity to talk with and get to know new people will be more beneficial for students and classrooms on a holistic level. Teachers should continue to enforce assigned seating to allow for a more integrated and productive learning environment. hherbst@redwoodbark.org

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Page 8

From the silver screen to a dimmed dream: The film industry’s declining act dominated the industry in viewership have felt the effects of an uninterested audience in recent productions. Just this year, Consider the last movie you watched Disney’s Chief Executive Officer, Bob Iger, that left you in awe. Perhaps it transported announced that there would be a pullback you into another world, leaving you to in content spending for Marvel and Star rethink your reality. Or maybe it felt too Wars products, both incredibly financially real, as though whatever you just watched successful franchises. Iger claimed that could actually happen to you at any these cuts were in response to the recent moment. When exactly was this? Maybe a failure of films such as “Indiana Jones and couple of months ago, or a few years. And the Dial of Destiny,” “The Little Mermaid” where did you watch it? There’s a good and “Elemental,” which all fared poorly chance it was not in a theater. at the box office. Production companies’ Right now, the film industry is in a state failure to understand their audience’s of uncertainty. Actors are on strike, remakes discontent might just be the reasoning of the same movies are getting mass- behind this decline in innovation. Diana produced and theaters remain deserted. Sanchez, documentarian, film programmer Viewers are left to question what’s next. and the education program manager for the Is the film industry in a state of decline or California Film Institute, noted this trend. transformative change?

“If you’re feeding audiences films A lack of i n n o v a t i o n that don’t make them think, connect or is one issue that seems consider other voices and their stories, to be hurting they will adapt to that the film and won’t react industry to whatever is with every coming passing up next,” year. In the Sanchez past, movies said. “If b r o k e audiences boundaries aren’t and caused reacting to conversation. something However, and being movies today passionate cater to short about it, I think attention that then you spans and dieknow there is a Illustrations by Ava Stephens hard fan bases, on lack of creativity which the industry is from filmmakers.” dependent for commercial success. David A decline in Minhondo, who teaches History and the interest in movies and moviegoing cannot Appreciation of Film course, expressed only be attributed to this reliance on this sentiment. franchise films and remakes. COVID-19’s “I think history is going to judge [the impacts have been long-lasting, as regular film industry now] as the age of the remake moviegoers were forced to turn to the very because most movies are either remakes or streaming platforms that are being blamed superhero films. What that says to me is that for this decline we are now facing. For the industry is struggling. [Filmmakers] Minhondo, years of teaching experience are only making films that they know will have allowed him to witness the change at least have a decent return,” Minhondo in youths whose relationship with film has said. been dramatically impacted by COVID-19 It seems that production companies’ and compare it to years past. strategy for capitalizing on franchise films “Many of my students now have never has finally met its demise as audiences been in a theater and watched a horror film grow weary of the constant repetition. screaming with 100 people at the same Senior Hannah Ritola had once been a time, rolled over laughing because of fan of franchise films, crediting the Harry something that happened in the movie or Potter series to be her inspiration for just felt so compelled at the end of a movie wanting to pursue a career in film writing. to just stand up and clap with the rest of In recent years, however, Ritola has noticed the theater towards an electronic screen; a change within herself. there’s a collective element that gets lost,” “I only go to the movie theater as an Minhondo said. occasional activity with my friends. I feel The exception to this decline was the like I’m just not as interested in going to sudden social shift that erupted following see a lot of big blockbuster movies. You’ll the release of two highly influential hear people talking about Marvel movies movies of the summer: “Barbie” and or just a general decline in quality because “Oppenheimer.” For the first time in years, [studios] are mass-producing them and people gathered at the theaters in high I’m not going to spend $14 on that kind of spirits, dressed in elaborate costumes, movie,” Ritola said. united by the anticipation of a good movie.

Ritola is not the only one who feels this But what separated these movies from way. In fact, companies that have typically the rest? The answer lies in the refreshing Story and Infographic by Nadia Massoumi

subject matter of the two films, as Ritola described. “[‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’] are of course really interesting and fun, but they also have a lot to say about things going on in the world.

You can tell there’s care and detail put into every single aspect of them,” Ritola said.

The complex conversations on what ZAPPIA RESEARCH STATISTICS it means to be a woman UNITED STATES BOX OFFICE discussed in “Barbie” REVENUE DROPPED FROM and what determines if a person is truly evil 11.32 BILLION in “Oppenheimer” IN 2019, TO are in direct contrast 4.46 BILLION with the same cliche IN 2023 messages we have been receiving FREQUENCY OF MOVIE GOING AMONGST in recent works.

ADULTS IN 2022 Lovers of film and average moviegoers, young and old, fell 8% - OFTEN in love with these 33% - SOMETIMES revolutionary movies, sitting through hours 41% RARELY of high-quality 18% - NEVER storytelling, defying previously held notions about today’s consumer habits, IN 22 YEARS, THE PRICE OF A MOVIE according to Sanchez.

TICKET HAS DOUBLED “What we see in theaters really reflects IN 2001 THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A what audiences like SINGLE THEATER TICKET WAS: $5.66 and how audiences react. And I think what IN 2018, THE PRICE WAS: $9.11 we saw with ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ THE PRICE IN 2023 IS: $10.53 was such a revolution that all these people came into the theater, really liked the films and were there for their favorite directors,” Sanchez said.

It’s moments like these where we see that a societal passion for film isn’t completely lost — and that perhaps we aren’t in a state of “This is my 10th year here, and this is decline but rather a state of transformation. the first year ever that film did not have Filmmakers are working to keep the enough signups to run a class and out of industry alive and thriving, and the a student body of 1,800 people to not even California Film Institute’s Mill Valley have 25 students that want to learn about Film Festival is just one example of that the history of movies shows me that there’s dedication at work. The festival took place a big cultural shift underway,” Minhondo from Oct. 5 to 15, featuring films from all said. “I tell students to give movies a over the world, including local filmmakers chance. Put your phone away when you’re showcasing a plethora of genres. watching them so you can really immerse Sanchez and Minhondo are just some of yourself. In this art form, good movies take the many lovers of film who are persistent you on a journey. Allow yourself to go on in inspiring an appreciation for film within this journey.”

Gen-Z and future generations. To achieve this, Minhondo believes that more needs to be done. nmassoumi@redwoodbark.org

IS THE FILM INDUSTRY DECLINING?

October 27, 2023 bark Page 9 • Feature From past to present: Nostalgia’s impact on our minds, our memories and our lives Story and Infographic by Tallulah Knill Allen and Linnea Koblik The crunch of red and orange leaves on an elementary school walk home, the dull patter of rain against sidewalks, the warm glow of jack-o’-lanterns and brightly colored plastic decorations, all silhouetted against the slow and haunting music of a time long past. Beneath these scenes and the simple childhood joys they portray, however, lies a more powerful emotion: nostalgia. Nostalgia — one of the most unique emotions humans experience — blurs the lines between wistfulness and wonder, between loss and longing.

The interest in nostalgia has become an increasingly popular point of conversation among social media users. One TikTok user, commenting on a post depicting “winter break in the early 2000s” that received 6.6 million likes, observed: “Just to think: we know the feeling and won’t forget it, but we can’t get it back.” At Redwood, 76 percent of students report having experienced nostalgia, according to an October Bark survey. The ambiguous and conflicting nature of nostalgia makes the raw emotion particularly powerful, as Jessie Curtner, a psychotherapist at a Bay Area coaching practice, Thought Partners, explained her understanding of nostalgia and its role in our lives.

“Nostalgia is a paradoxical set of emotions that encompasses both loss and joy. The reason we are nostalgic is because [we lost] something joyful, something that we loved.

We feel both [of these emotions] when we think about it,” Curtner said.

time of nostalgia and comfort. When I was younger I was obsessed with teal — my walls were teal, my backpack was teal.

I can connect with my inner child a lot when I see [the color teal], to something nostalgic about my past,” Rubel said.

For Rubel, childhood memories surrounding the holidays can also remind her of the past and simpler times in her life.

“I had a lot of fun trick-or-treating when I was younger… I just remember kids sprinting around the street trying to get as much candy as they could. I get a bittersweet feeling — I’m growing up and that’s great, but also [I’ve lost] those traditions of trick-or-treating [that brought] me so much joy,” Rubel said.

The negative impacts of nostalgia: Although nostalgia provokes warm feelings of the past, it can also present challenges and skew our perceptions of memories. Psychology teacher Jonathan Hirsch spoke about the addictive nature of nostalgia and its impact on how we view ourselves.

“We unconsciously cling onto a time in our life when we felt more control, even if it wasn’t actually the case. We filter out a lot of negative things because we want to believe that the decisions we’ve made have had positive outcomes for us,” Hirsch said.

Nostalgia can hinder our ability to clearly understand our lives when the past is used as a point of comparison for the present, as DeAndreis pointed out.

“If I become too nostalgic, I tend to think, ‘Oh, my life History: is worse Nostalgia, now than it when it was was,’ and first defined in then I tend 1688 by Swiss to dwell physician Johannes on [the Hoster, was thought that] initially thought to ‘I’ll never be be a psychological happy again,’” disorder; those DeAndreis said.

Illustration by Lauren Olsen afflicted with the S i m i l a r l y, condition were described as the more time “manic with longing,” according to the Atlantic. Today, nostalgia is more widely recognized as a common experience and can provide a source of social connection, we spend as exemplified through the popularity of thinking about posts on social media depicting images a particular reminiscent of childhood. experience, the more The collective expression of we can alter the memories t h e m s e l v e s . nostalgia, however, is not just a modern Hirsch discussed how our memories can phenomenon. Poetry teacher Kendall present a whitewashed version of the past.

DeAndreis connects the shared experience “Our memories are constantly evolving of nostalgia on social media to the 19th because every time we use [our] neurons, century artistic and literary movement they’re capable of adapting. Our memories of Romanticism. Romantics embraced a are of our last memory. So memories can more emotional connection with the world, actually change the more we ruminate on valuing connections with the past and the them,” Hirsch said. inner child.

“The Romantics wanted to highlight the Anticipatory nostalgia: childhood innocence and awe of the world Nostalgia, however, isn’t solely related that we lose as we age. We can lose joy and to past memories. The phenomenon of happiness and simplicity [as we grow up],” anticipatory nostalgia — a feeling of DeAndreis said. “In that sense, nostalgia is nostalgia and loss for a moment that hasn’t positive. We can think back to times when even passed yet — is a common one. we were curious about the world.”

Anticipatory nostalgia can remove one from the present, affecting existing emotions; Individual experiences: according to a study by Le Moyne College, While nostalgia can be a form of anticipatory nostalgia can lead to a loss of creative expression, it can also be deeply presence and joy in the current moment, personal. To junior Sophia Rubel, the color as the fear of an experience ending can teal is especially important in her memories overtake the experience itself. Curtner of childhood. spoke to how anticipatory nostalgia can “The color teal brings me back to a serve as a corrosive force in our perception

of the world.

“You can’t even enjoy the moment because you’re imagining the loss in it,” Curtner said.

Junior Madi Rand discussed her own experience with anticipatory nostalgia while rehearsing with the Redwood drama production of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “[The ‘Rocky’ cast] is such a good group of people.

But we’re also so different from each other, and a part of me knows it’s just going to end,” Rand said. “It hasn’t even ended yet and I’m thinking, ‘It’s sad to me already.’”

of mindset helps to protect [me] against the negative side of nostalgia, of getting trapped in the past,” Hirsch said.

Nostalgia can provide us with a multifaceted understanding of our own lives, our own memories and our identities.

Even as we dwell too long in it, even as we reach for it in moments when we shouldn’t, there is a special force of memory and humanity that nostalgia creates.

“I feel like we’d be very different people if we weren’t given that [ability to experience nostalgia]...

At a certain point, you [forget the past]. You can think, ‘I don’t Navigating remember who I nostalgia: was. This object Nostalgia has no purpose cannot be defined or connection as simply good or bad; to me,’” Rand it is in that paradox said. “But then that nostalgia the nostalgia is Illustration by Ava Stephens is so crucial like, ‘Oh, actually, to our lives today. When that was my favorite toy as nostalgia can provoke feelings of sadness a kid.’ It’s very powerful.” or thoughts that the past is better than the present, the reality of our current situation can escape us. According to an October bark@redwoodbark.org Bark survey, 40 percent of students say that nostalgia makes them mournful of the past or their childhood.

But it is important to remember that the sadness nostalgia can evoke is natural.

For Curtner, grieving for the past is an important part of a healthy relationship with nostalgia.

“I think we have to grieve for different parts of our lives,” Curtner said. “Being able to be in touch with the sadness, and allowing yourself to be sad, can help you move through it.”

It is in finding an individual relationship with nostalgia — and with the past — that the full power of nostalgia can be realized, as Hirsch described.

“I am a driver in my life. I’m not just a passenger; things are [not] just happening to me. That kind

By Emily Block and Lili Hakimi

“No one knows what is going on and when everything will end. Who will live and who will die. What will happen tomorrow or where we will even be,” Israeli teen, Tomer Shmuel, said. “Half of my cousins’ friends are dead or [missing]. A lot of families know that all their family and friends are gone. It’s very hard.”

These feelings of uncertainty and anxiety have plagued Israelis, Palestinians and citizens all over the world as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold.

On Oct. 7, war broke out between Israel and Hamas, a palestinian terrorist group that has fought for control of the Gaza Strip since 2007. Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, firing hundreds of rockets

and taking dozens of civilians hostage in one “[There is a poem] by the 13th-century day. The attack comes from a longstanding Iranian poet Saadi Shirazi that compares history of conflict over land and independence humankind and different people of the world in this region. While Israeli intelligence had to different [parts] of the human body. It limited knowledge that the attack would says that if any part of the human body is in occur and did not act preemptively, the pain, then no other part of the human body state responded quickly with a retaliatory can be in comfort. What he is saying is that operation, formally declaring war against for all human beings, what is significant, Hamas on Oct. 7. Since then, the two sides interesting and worthy are the things that have traded daily rocket fire. The conflict they hold in common. Their humanity. Not has extended across Israel’s borders, as their nationality, religion, gender or any of Hezbollah, a the other things that tend to militant group divide people. Those things based in Lebanon, are insignificant; those things began to launch are minor compared to what attacks of its own we hold in common,” Sadrieh into northern said.

Israel.

This poem conveys The lives a message of unity, of many were emphasizing that we should dramatically prioritize what unites us altered with over what divides us and the onset of the acknowledge pain and loss first attack by on both sides. Shadmon Hamas. Maayan speaks to the fact that gaining Shadmon, a Mohamad Sadrieh, perspective allows us to teenager living in former Redwood parent understand the facts.

Israel, lived the “Really, the Palestinian typical life of a people [deserve support].

17-year-old prior But people are a bit ignorant to the outbreak of the war and she touched [in terms] of how Hamas is acting. Hamas is on the shift she saw in her life when the war not the Palestinian people. They do horrible began. things, things that no one can imagine. It “Everything stopped. I [used to] wake up feels like the Holocaust, things no one should in the morning and go to school, then dance. experience,” Shadmon said.

But, [now] we have just paused our lives Daniel Amir, a Redwood parent who grew and left everything behind. I’m not going up in Israel and still has family living there, to school. I’m not dancing. I’m not with my compares the ramifications of the Hamas friends, who are spread around the country. terrorist attacks to ISIS terrorist attacks.

Everything changed,” Shadmon said. “Last “Society should be very clear in week on Friday, I had a normal life and I was condemning [Hamas’s actions]. That is with my family. Then I woke up on Saturday what is lost in the overall conversation that and with every hour that passed we [began is occurring today… Given that Hamas is to] understand how bad the situation was.” designated as a terrorist organization by the While discussions regarding war can U.S. State Department and by many other often be centered around politics, it is always European countries, this is the 9/11 moment important in times of conflict to be conscious for Israel. Just as the US had to deal with of shared humanity. Suffering is universal. Al Qaeda after 9/11, Israel has to deal with Thus, taking a step back from politics to Hamas. The circumstances are unfortunate; a recognize human experience is imperative significant loss of life,” Amir said. to understanding the complexities of this war and the conflict it stems from.

Social Media’s Impact on the War At the core, we are all human, and Unlike in the past, when perceptions regardless of differing ideologies, of war were formed solely on direct we must acknowledge the lives conversation and news, the current that have been affected by the social media landscape has violence — on both sides -– and transformed it entirely, altering the far-reaching consequences this how information relating to war is conflict will have, beyond political spread, consumed and interpreted. boundaries.

Various social media platforms Mohamad Sadrieh, former have contributed to portraying Redwood parent and member this conflict as black and white — of Marin’s Muslim community, leaving individuals feeling pressured highlights the importance of to pick a side. In reality, this war, with recognizing and accepting all its nuances and complexities, is differences in times of struggle. anything but a twosided

...For human beings, what is significant, interesting and worthy are the things that they hold in common.

Their humanity.

Infographic by Julia Delsol

Illustrations by Lauren Olsen

battle.

Instagram is among the platforms that have contributed to viewing this war under a fleeting microscopic lens with disregard for the bigger picture. Anyone should be able to share posts advocating for their respective positions. However, these posts often lack the depth required for a comprehensive understanding of the war and the history of the conflict itself. This further perpetuates a polarizing view of the war.

Shmuel acknowledges the nuances of the conflict and cautions against being quick to take a side.

“No matter how simple you think it is, it’s more [complex]. It’s hard to recognize the other side is also suffering, but I am sure people in Gaza and [other areas] are suffering too. At the end of the day, we don’t know everything and we need to remember that people on [different sides] are still people,” Shmuel said. “There are innocent people in Gaza and I’m sure a lot of them are also against war and don’t want their friends to die.

It’s easy to feel pain or act a certain way from anger.

Sometimes that’s a big mistake.

You need to try to see the full picture as much as you can.”

While social media allows people to stay regularly updated with the events of the war, for some individuals, it can cause more harm than good.

Many photos and Tomer Shmuel, videos shared on Israeli student these platforms are triggering for individuals to see, no matter their ties to a certain side. Shadmon speaks to the harmful impacts of continuous social media use to follow along with the war.

“I am trying not to see the really horrible videos because [it is bad] for my soul. I think [social media] makes us feel like we have some sort of control. [It’s] like ‘I saw this and this and I saw everything so I know [what’s happening],’ but it is really not good for the soul, it can be really traumatizing seeing all the horrible things,” Shadmon said.

In addition to incomplete information being shared online, news publications have also reported incorrectly on the war. Recently, the New York Times published an editor’s note retracting its coverage of an airstrike that hit a hospital in Gaza. Originally, the Times’ headline read that the Israeli military was responsible for the blast, citing claims from Hamas government officials. However, within a few days, the Times corrected their mistake through the editor’s note, saying they had “relied too

heavily on claims by Hamas and did not make clear that those claims could not immediately be verified.” This instance shows the importance of verifying the information we read online and not being so quick to trust everything we read. Even sources that may be consistently reliable can make mistakes.

Moving forward Living in the U.S., individuals may feel removed from war across seas, but we all have ties to it in one way or another. This war goes far beyond the physical fighting and into a cultural and ideological battle dating back centuries. Jewish people and Palestinians are among minority groups that grapple with hate all over the world and as this war continues, anti-semitism and Islamophobia are simultaneously on the rise.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, reported 153 anti-semitic incidents of harassment from October 7 through October 18, an almost 55 percent increase from a report last year over the same time period. Similarly, the Islamophobia Register in Australia reported a quadrupling of reports of Islamophobic attacks since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

At Redwood and the broader Marin community, there are individuals that find themselves on both sides of the battle.

As a community, it is important that we make each individual feel seen, heard and safe. While we don’t know what direction the war will head in, we can be certain there will be more casualties, so supporting one another will continue to be vital in the weeks to come. As district superintendent Tara Taupier relayed in her Oct. 10 email, we must stand together as a community in these challenging times.

“At the core of this crisis is our shared humanity. We ask that, as a community, we practice compassion and understanding” Taupier said.

W e all have opinions a n d

emotions surrounding this topic; some are we cannot simply sit back and rest while we well-informed and staunchly supportive of watch other humans suffer. Beyond staying one side, while others do not know much educated with reliable and diverse sources, about the war at all. Regardless of where you it is important to keep an open heart and stand, we are all human and can empathize recognize our shared humanity. with the feeling of loss.

As poet Saadi Shirazi said, “When the calamity of time affects one limb, the other limbs cannot remain at rest.” As humans, bark@redwoodbark.org

We don’t know everything and we need to remember that people on [different sides] are still people.

Illustration by Lauren Olsen

Infographic by Lili Hakimi

español

Pagína 12

Las politicas de aborto en Latinoamérica

“Debería haber una total división entre lo que es el gobierno y lo que es la religión. La religión es algo personal y es En los Estados Unidos y en algo que uno puede elegir tener o no. Los Latinoamérica, muchas mujeres han estado derechos no son elecciones. Los derechos luchando por los derechos reproductivos. son derechos,” Civano dijo.

El 28 de septiembre, un grupo de ellas Magdalena Maguire, quien es es marcharon en la ciudad de México para muy apasionada por el derecho al aborto, conmemorar el trabaja en el centro Día internacional de Bienestar en del Aborto Redwood ayudando Seguro.

De a los estudiantes acuerdo con con su salud mental un artículo y desde allí observa publicado cómo afecta a por Newtral, muchos de sus hay países estudiantes. que permiten “La Biblia dice el aborto en que cada vida es Latinomérica importante, y sí, cada como México, vida es importante, Argentina, pero hay mucha Colombia, Cuba conversación sobre y Uruguay, en qué momento pero 13 por realmente empieza ciento de países la vida,” Maguire latinoamericanos dijo. todavía lo Muchos países prohiben.

En alrededor del mundo estos países con María Civano, tienen regulaciones la prohibición, profesora de español que prohiben el las religiones aborto. En estos como el países el aborto esta cristianismo y la premitido en casos católica romana, de violacion, para tienen un gran impacto en las opiniones salvar la vida de la madre o si el feto es a y leyes de estas comunidades. En muchos nencefálico. El 9 de agosto, en Texas se casos, el gobierno y las creencias religiosas presentó un caso donde Miranda Michel, se mezclan. una mujer de 26 años tuvo que llevar a sus María Fernanda Civano, profesora de gemelos hasta el término a pesar de que español de Redwood, es de Uruguay, uno ellos no tenían posibilidad de sobrevivir. de los países en latinoamérica con acceso Ella no tuvo la posibilidad de abortar al aborto. debido a las leyes contra el aborto. Esto le Por Melanie Canul Cub Reporter

Debería haber una total división entre lo que es el gobierno y lo que es la religión.

causó dolor física y emocionalmente.

Catalina Aldana, que es mexicana y está en el grado 11 en Redwood High School expresa su opinión sobre el caso de Texas.

“Es muy cruel que las mujeres no puedan tener la [opción de] abortar. En esta ocasión era necesario porque ella sabía que sus bebés no iban a sobrevivir. Pero por las leyes que tiene el gobierno, ella no pudo hacer eso,”Aldana dijo.

Estas leyes tienen un gran impacto en las vidas de las latinoamericanas y estadounidenses. Por esa razon las mujeres que tienen acceso al aborto celebran el Día Internacional del Aborto Seguro y luchan por ese mismo derecho para las mujeres que no los tienen. mcanul@redwoodbark.org

Foto cortesía por Dolores Ochoa y AP news

SOSTENDIENDO CARTLES UNAS ecuatorianas transmiten poderosos mensajes durante la marcha del Día Internacional del Aborto Seguro.

Foto cortesía por Alexa Herrera y AP News

UN GRUPO DE mujeres que participan en la demostración del Día de la Despenalización del aborto en la cuidad en de México.

Un análisis del nuevo album de Bad Bunny Por Harrison Lapic

El 13 de octubre, Bad Bunny, un cantante puertorriqueño, lanzó su álbum más reciente, “Nadie Sabe lo que Va a Pasar Mañana”. Fue su quinto álbum y el más reciente desde el 6 de mayo de 2022. Este álbum tenía grandes expectativas después de que su último álbum, “Un verano Sin Tí,” fuera la primera canción en español en encabezar la lista de fin de año del Billboard 200 en 2022. Bad Bunny también recibió el premio al Mejor Álbum de Música Urbana en el año 2023.

Su lanzamiento más reciente, “Nadie Sabe lo que Va a Pasar Mañana,” está compuesto por 22 canciones. Abarca una variedad de temas, desde la riqueza de Bad Bunny, sus fiestas, la fama y su sentimiento de soledad.

Bad Bunny comienza de inmediato con la primera canción del álbum, “Nadie Sabe,” una canción de seis minutos que se centra en las inseguridades de diferentes celebridades. Su canción “Mr. October” también insinúa algunas de estas inseguridades, ya que Bad Bunny habla sobre sus logros. Sin embargo, el rápido y nervioso teclado en segundo plano sugiere una ansiedad oculta. Después, su álbum da un giro a través de canciones como “Fina”.

No solo habla de los buenos momentos, su canción “Gracias por Nada” es una canción escrita después de una separación y en la que detalla cómo fue traicionado.

Aunque el álbum es en su mayoría Latin Trap, Bad Bunny elige utilizar algunos ritmos no tradicionales, como la

Foto cortesía por Jorge Rojas

Foto cortesía por Isabelia Herrera

BAD BUNNY, CANTANTE puerrtoriqueño ACABA de publicar las fechas de su próxima gira. canción “HIBIKI,” que utiliza un enérgico ritmo de EDM. En contraste, más adelante en el álbum, la canción “No me quiero casar” utiliza una línea de sintetizador que suena como un zumbido.

Al final del álbum, la canción “Acho PR,” que está dedicada a la gente del barrio, Bad Bunny insiste en que sigue siendo leal a sus primeros seguidores y que la fama internacional no ha cambiado ninguna de sus lealtades más profundas. ¿Qué sigue para Bad Bunny?

Recientemente, Bad Bunny anunció las fechas de su gira “Most Wanted” para 2024, y se presentará 47 veces en 31 ciudades.

LA PORTADO DE álbum de Bad Bunny “Un verano sin ti.”

Foto cortesía por Isabelia Herrera

rlapic@redwoodbark.org

PORTADO DEL NUEVO album de Bad Bunny “Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana.”

Pagína 13 • Español

www.redwoodbark.org

bark

La importancia de las etnicidades hispanas Por Emily Garcia La Oficina del Censo dice que hay 28 grupos étnicos hispanos y latinx. Yo soy parte de unos de esos grupos. Nací en los Estados Unidos, pero toda mi familia viene de Guatemala. Soy guatemalteca y americana, lo cual es una parte muy importante de mi identidad. Pero ha habido numerosas ocasiones en que la gente, incluyendo mis amigos y compañeros han asumido que soy mexicana, un error común cometido sobre una mayoría de la población hispana.

La etnicidad constituye una gran parte de la identidad de muchas personas alrededor del mundo. Puede crear un sentido de pertenencia entre comunidades.

También permite que la gente entre esos pueblos y comunidades puedan conectarse y compartir tradiciones, experiencias y valores.

Especialmente ahora, es muy importante que todos puedan encontrar un grupo de personas con el que relacionarse. De acuerdo a Pew Research la población de hispanos a l c a n z ó más de 63 millones en los Estados Unidos y 27 millones Ilustración por Annie Burlingame

de latinx se identificaron con más de una raza en el año 2022.

En el libro “Below the Surface: Talking with Teens about Race, Ethnicity, and Identity” (traducción: “Hablando con adolescentes sobre raza, etnicidad e identidad”) por Adriana Umaña-Taylor, una profesora de Harvard y Deborah Rivas-Drake de la universidad de Michigan, se habla de los beneficios de ser diverso y cómo hablar de eso. “All of us are developing racial-ethnic identity,” Umaña-Taylor explains. “It ‘s just for some of us, this is a very salient part of our identity.” (Traducción: “Todos estamos desarrollando una identidad étnica racial,” explica Umaña-Taylor. “Pero para algunos de nosotros es una parte muy importante de nuestra identidad.”)

En el año 2022 los Estados Unidos estaba compuesto de un 19 por ciento de comunidades hispanas. Mientras una mayoría de esa población hispana está compuesta de la comunidad mexicana no es justo que la mayoría de las personas hispanas sean estereotipadas. Para ayudar a resolver este problema, maestros y estudiantes pueden colaborar a aprender sobre etnias diferentes y cómo conocer a una persona hispana en lugar de asumir. “It ‘s to notice difference; it’s OK to talk about it,” says Umaña-Taylor. (traducción: “Está bien darse cuenta de lo diferente; está bien hablar de eso,” dijo Umaña-Taylor.)

En California, los hispanos son el grupo racial o etnico más grande del estado. Por esta razón es crucial que todas las etnicidades hispanas y latinx sean reconocidas en Redwood y en la comunidad de Marin. Es importante apreciar las diferencias entre culturas, raza y etnicidad. egarcia@redwoodbark.org

Infografía por Alana Leifer

Estudiando las culturas hispanas con Bark Por Lili Hakimi, Mia Ginsburg y Charlotte Fishburne La historia de las pupusas: Se cree que las pupusas se originaron en la tribu indígena Pipil hace más de 2.000 años. Hay una gran variedad de recetas para prepararlas. Las pupusas se extendieron fuera de las regiones de El Salvador en la década de 1980 durante la guerra civil salvadoreña. La guerra obligó a muchas personas a emigrar a otros países y el plato estuvo disponible en otras partes del mundo. Las primeras pupusas eran vegetarianas, con rellenos como flores de calabaza, hierbas y champiñones. Ahora bien, los principales tipos de pupusas son pupusa de queso, pupusa de frijoles refritos, pupusa de frijoles y queso, pupusa con

loroco, pupusa de chicharron, or pupusa revuelta. En esta receta, sólo se incluyeron fríjoles y queso, pero otros pueden optar por agregar carnes o jalapeños.

Ingredientes: Necesitas 3 tazas de masa harina, un tipo de harina de maíz, que no contiene gluten.

2 cucharadas de sal 2 ¾ tazas de agua tibia 1 taza de fríjoles negros Un poco de aceite Sartén antiadherente

EN EL INTERIOR de la pupusa hay queso y frijoles.

Instrucciones: Pon la masa, el agua y la sal en un tazón. Luego amasa hasta que quede suave. Divide la masa en bolas y aplánalas formando discos, curvando los lados para que puedan cerrarse después de agregar el queso y los fríjoles.

Engrasa tu sartén y ajusta el fuego a nivel medio. Deja que cada lado se cocine durante tres minutos y luego voltéalas. Usa tus ojos para determinar cuándo empiezan a dorarse.

Foto por Mia Ginsburg

LAS COCINERAS USAN sus manos para formar los bolas de masa.

Resultados: Las pupusas deben quedar con un color marrón dorado, crujientes por fuera y suaves por dentro con el queso derretido y los fríjoles que se derritan en la boca.

Las pupusas son ligeras y aireadas, pero el sabor mejora una vez que se agrega la salsa picante. La salsa picante, ¡no

Foto por Mia Ginsburg

es opcional! Estamos bromeando. Un poco. Sólo un poco. Nos lo pasamos muy bien aprendiendo a preparar este plato y esperamos hacer algo similar pronto.

Recomendamos esta receta a cualquiera que busque una receta para principiantes.

Sin embargo, hay que saber que la receta dice que solo se necesitan 12 minutos en total. Esto es falso. Nos tomó alrededor de 45 minutos preparar, moldear y cocinar las pupusas. Cada uno tardó entre ocho y diez minutos en cocinarse y hicimos unos diez.

Sin embargo, usamos una sartén grande para poder cocinar varios a la vez.

bark@redwoodbark.org

review

Page 14

Find a slice of heaven at the best pizzerias

By Nick Hartung Marin, like any discerning community, holds a special appreciation for the art of pizza. As National Pizza Month draws to a close, this review explores the Redwood area’s beloved pizzerias, featuring Tony Tutto, Stefano’s and Redboy.

Redboy (Larkspur): When it comes to Redwood pizza, Redboy is as classic as it gets. Students flock to this well-liked restaurant day or night, rain or shine. But what makes this restaurant so appealing to Redwood students? The primary factors are most likely the mouthwatering pizza and welcoming ambiance. Although the family-owned business has grown to seven restaurants across the Bay Area, its rapid growth has not affected the

warm welcoming atmosphere. No wall is bare, the televisions provide constant entertainment and the staff are hospitable and friendly. What makes Redboy pizza special may just be their authentic sourdough crust, which has been Redboy’s trademark since the establishment of their first restaurant in 1969. The other components of their pizzas are similarly delicious, including freshly made inhouse pizza sauce and 100 percent California mozzarella. The appeal is obvious; students can grab a greasy piece of this delicacy for only $4.75. When it comes to enjoying a more sophisticated or complex pizza, other options may be better-suited for you, but overall Redboy’s inviting atmosphere, authentic pizza and close proximity to Redwood gives clear reason for its popularity.

Photo courtesy of Tony Tutto Pizza

SITTING IN THE MIDDLE of downtown Ross, diners can enjoy the surrounding atmosphere at Tony Tutto.

Stefano’s (Corte Madera): Stefano’s is yet another Marin classic. Much like Redboy, Stefano’s offers both pizza by the slice and whole pies.

Although the interior decor is relatively minimal, Stefano’s clearly prioritizes their culinary creations.

The pizza has a thicker, doughier style with cheese that stretches deliciously and a crust that strikes a perfect balance between crispy and soft. Stefano’s doesn’t skimp on toppings, generously loading their pizzas, making them exceptionally filling. Stefano’s, though slightly pricier than Redboy, with individual slices at $6 and whole pies for three people costing up to $30, offers its own unique charm.

If you are looking for a delightful pizza experience in the Redwood area, Stefano’s certainly stands as a compelling choice.

seating, there’s an option to enjoy the atmosphere and energy of downtown Ross. Despite its wallet-friendly pricing, the pizza here boasts a gourmet taste. The thin, crispy crust serves as the perfect canvas for Tony Tutto’s authentic threecheese combo, featuring fresh mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar. Combine all of this with the attentive and friendly staff, it culminates in a delightful experience.

Overall, Tony Tutto is a definite must-visit, offering a delightful blend of irresistible pizza and a welcoming atmosphere.

Tony Tutto (Ross): Tony Tutto Pizza is a family-owned pizza parlor located in downtown Ross. While Tony Tutto offers more of a fine dining experience than Redboy and Stefano’s, it manages to do so with comparable priceswithout breaking the bank. A regular pizza pie is priced $17, generously serving two people. Stepping inside, you’ll be enchanted by its inviting ambiance and All comparisons aside, each of these carefully curated contemporary decor. The three locations has its own unique character, air is filled with ambient music, creating atmosphere and most importantly, a the perfect backdrop for the cheerful delicious selection of pizzas. conversations that echo throughout the restaurant. For those who prefer outdoor nhartung@redwoodbark.org

You’re a happy camper: The best campsites in Marin

By Elakai Anela

With fall in full swing, it is a great time for Redwood students to get out and adventure. One of the main attractions this time of year is camping. Marin offers a variety of campsites, with each catering to visitors in their own unique way.

China Camp State Park: China Camp State Park’s campsite is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Marin County. The surrounding geography is home to multiple hiking trails leading down to the beach, into the forest, and offers breathtaking views of the shore. The area is well-maintained.

However, you are required to book a reservation in advance and bring your own tent. The campsite is located 20-minutes away from Redwood, making it easy to access.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park: Located in the woods of Lagunitas, the campsite at Samuel P. Taylor State

Park is a serious contender for the best campsite in Marin. Although you have to book a reservation and pay a fee, it has the feel of a typical campsite. There are a variety of hikes around the park to enjoy, and while you have to bring your own tents and supplies, the campsite has benches and is a great place for a weekend retreat.

The only possible downside aside from the $8 price is that it’s 30-minutes away from Redwood.

Tennessee Valley Haypress Campground: Another popular campsite in Marin is the Tennessee Valley Campground. The site is in a grassy, clear area and away from the woods. The Haypress Campground has five different spots to choose from, offering a variety of options, but all are still part of the Tennessee Valley Campground. Unlike

the other sites, this campground requires no reservation although you still have to pay an $8 fee to use it. The scenic location in Mill Valley has a view of the Redwood trees and Muir Woods and is a 25-minute drive from Redwood.

Golden Gate Trailer Park: Right next to Redwood, on the other side of the freeway lies the Golden Gate Trailer Park. This park is similar to the Marin RV Park as it is filled with RVs rather than tents. This trailer park has the Larkspur marsh behind it with an impressive view of the Bay. There are multi-use paths right next to the park where campers can enjoy the scenery. If you’re into serious camping, this is again, not the place for you, but it holds hidden beauty.

Marin RV Park: Located along Redwood Highway in Greenbrae, California, the Marin Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park isn’t your typical campsite. People refer to this type of camping as “glamping.”

Instead of setting up your tent or going out into nature, you can camp out in an RV parking lot. While it’s still very accessible and only a 10-minute drive from Redwood, if you’re looking for tent-based serious camping, this isn’t the spot for you.

While Marin has a variety of campsites, China Camp State Park’s campsite outshines the others. Its location in the woods has the feel of a typical campsite, is safely guarded, and is easily accessible. Whether you are looking for a traditional camping spot or camping RV style, Marin has it all.

eanela@redwoodbark.org

Illustration by Ava Stephens

Page 15 • Review

www.redwoodbark.org

Jane/Marin bakery brings sweetness to Tiburon

By Linnea Koblik Since opening in Tiburon in August, Jane/Marin Bakery has become a haven of all treats, drawing in customers from far and wide with its array of sweet and savory baked goods. Originating in San Francisco, Jane Bakery added its first Marin location called Jane/Marin Bakery.

This location serves its most popular items like breads and croissants, in addition to American style desserts similar to the bakery’s former occupant Sweet Things.

Not only has Jane/Marin continued the baking traditions of Sweet Things, but it has also included a variety of gluten free and vegan options. With plenty of seating to enjoy a breakfast croissant and coffee both inside or outside the bakery, one can’t

bark

help but delight in a freshly baked snack anytime of the day.

Apple Galette Surrounded by a perfect flakey crust, this petite pie is filled with a blend of crisp apple slices and a sweet cinnamon sugar glaze that artfully includes nostalgic fall flavors. With an equal balance between sweet and tart notes, this apple pie filling is firm, not mushy and not too sugary. Even though it is an individual serving, it still holds its original pie shape providing a balanced amount of both apples and crust that is plentiful and satisfying.

Lemon Drop This delicious lemon sponge cake is filled with a sweet flavor and is topped

Photo by Linnea Koblik

DRIPPING WITH A sweet glaze, the moist lemon drop cake is hard to resist. with a sugar glaze. While some sponge cakes can prove to be too dense or dry, this lemon drop from heaven is airy and soft, allowing for the cake to melt in your mouth. With its soft texture and glossy finish, it is easy to taste the simple flavors of lemon and sugar that will surely appeal to young and old customers alike. When craving an old-fashioned dessert that is not overly complicated with flavors, this fragrant lemon cake is the ideal choice.

Photo by Linnea Koblik

DISPLAYING THEIR LARGE selection of items, Jane/Marin Bakery offers a wide variety of goods.

Ciabatta Bread Fresh from the oven, the bakery’s ciabatta bread lives up to all expectations.

With a hard outer crust and soft inside, this classic Italian delicacy is airy, rich with flavor and chewy but not dense.

Reminiscent of sourdough bread with its wheaty flavor and mild sweetness, this ciabatta is soft and springy and easily holds its shape when sliced. The wide and flat

loaf, while flavorful on its own, can also be nicely paired with any additions including jams or butter.

Jane/Marin Bakery is a wonderful addition to Tiburon’s bustling storefront shops. Not only does it include a variety of goods, it provides a warm and welcoming environment with friendly staff, quick service, plenty of parking and easy access next to Nugget Market. With dessert cases stacked to the brim with cakes and pies, patrons can view plenty of options from which to pick-up on the spot, pre-order or select from the catering menu. In addition to in-store goods, customers can visit jane. com, the online site that includes a larger menu for ordering and shipping as well as information about the bakery’s numerous Bay Area locations and its founders. lkoblik@redwoodbark.org

‘Good Karma’ has come to Marin with Karma Club

By Henrik Vraanes With teen mental health being at an all-time low, it is now more important than ever for resources to be available to the youth. Fortunately, on Aug. 23, a new organization opened at Northgate Mall called Karma Club, a space where students can spend time recovering and taking a break from their busy day-to-day lives.

Sally Newson, the founder of Wellify, a non-profit organization regarding the mental health of teens, created Karma Club as a getaway for students dealing with stress. Karma Club is free for all students ages 13 to 19, and signing up only requires teens to complete a quick form and have a waiver signed by their parents.

At the club, there is a plethora of activities teens can participate in such as table tennis and arts and crafts. These activities feature both a calming aspect and active aspect for whatever a student is interested in.

Students can also work on school assignments in a comfortable environment, which consists of quiet study areas full of couches and lounge chairs. There are also spaces with elevated tables and tall stools, which provide a more serious and focused environment for students.

Karma Club also offers many unique experiences for their guests to enjoy; each Wednesday, a teacher comes in and serves as a great resource for students wanting to ask questions about their schoolwork.

The space also holds weekly Friday Night Lives, which provides activities like open mic night, karaoke night, movie night, live music produced by teens and poetry slam. Most of these fun activities are run by teens, which creates a more unified environment for members.

One of the most important opportunities

Illustration by Ava Stephens

Photo by Henrik Vraanes

LEANING AGAINST THE kitchen counter, fluff pillows allow students to relax between their studying sessions. that Karma Club offers is its “Wall of resource for the well-being and mental Care.” This wall is a wonderful resource health of students, there is no doubt that that informs teens of programs that can this newly founded program will continue assist them in preparing for their futures. to expand and help better the lives of teens.

Many courses are readily available for students who are interested in applying.

One of these courses is the Representation Project, a program that was created by Jennifer Newsom to promote learning about gender equity. This eight-weeklong course provides in-depth learning for students and at the end of the program, everyone who completes it will receive a certificate of completion.

With Karma Club being not only a great Scan QR code for more information

Photo by Henrik Vraanes

SITTING AROUND THE space, comfortable chairs give Karma Club the perfect ambiance for studying. hvraanes@redwoodbark.org

sports

Page 16

Jackson Walker prepares to touch down at Pomona Pitzer

By Matthew Knauer

“One day, they called me and said, ‘You’re our top guy, we have one spot left. We’re going to give you 24 hours to decide if you still want this spot, and if not, we’re gonna go to our next guy,” senior wide receiver and safety Jackson Walker said.

After a strong junior season, Jackson Walker had a tough decision to make: commit to Pomona Pitzer within the next 24 hours or decline the offer and keep his options open. However, extenuating circumstances made the decision a lot easier.

“I got injured [over the summer], and that brought uncertainty going into my senior year. Nothing was set in stone. I had a few other offers, but Pomona Pitzer was at the top of my [list]. Once they [gave me the ultimatum], I talked to my parents, and I decided I really wanted to play football there. The academics obviously are great too, and going into senior year stress free in terms of academics and sports is [relieving],” Walker said.

Since he was young, Walker’s passion has always been football. He began playing with the Southern Marin Broncos in middle school, and now as a senior, he still maintains the same love for the game. Coming into the season, Walker’s

groin injury limited his ability to play the entire game on both offense and defense.

Once Walker finally regained strength, he fractured his wrist in a game on Sept.

23 against Enterprise, leading him to be sidelined for multiple weeks.

Senior defensive back Jack Corvi elaborates on Jackson’s ability to remain a key contributor despite these challenges.

“Playing [both sides of the ball] is very impressive, let alone starting and being arguably the best player at both positions, especially while being banged up all year. It’s a challenge mentally and physically; you need to be really well conditioned, but he makes it look easy,” Corvi said.

Prior to his second injury, Walker caught five passes for 84 yards as well as a touchdown against Rancho Cotate. In addition, he also caught four passes for 34 yards and a

touchdown against Enterprise, securing critical wins against both teams. Junior quarterback Kody Vasquez, who works closely with Walker, admires his talent as well as his leadership.

“The quarterback and receiver relationship is one of the most important relationships in football.

You have to be on the same page and almost read each other’s mind. We had played together before on [Junior Varsity (JV)] and we leaned on those experiences,” Vasquez said. “[Walker] leads the team very well. [He is always] motivating everyone, getting the guys going and taking charge when necessary.”

Not only is Walker a star on the football field, but he is also the starting goalie for the varsity soccer Photo by team and competes Jordan on the track team.

Warren

In 2022, he started at wide receiver on a successful squad that went 5-2 in the Marin County Athletic League, while also leading the varsity soccer team to a 14-4-3 record.

“I always played both sports, and initially, my dream was to do both in college. Unfortunately, they’re in the same season, so that’s not possible.

Football has been my passion, so I decided to focus on it in college, but I still love soccer,” Walker said.

In addition to playing on the football team with Walker, Corvi has played soccer with him since they were kids, and they both currently play for the Giants together.

“We’ve played together for so long, and no matter what it is, he’s always been one of the best at every sport he’s played,” Corvi said.

The 2023 football team has had tons of success, especially compared to recent history. A large part of the success of the team has been a strong bond and team camaraderie.

“All the guys fight together to the end.

There’s been a lot of games that could have gone either way, but in the end, we stick together as a family and work to get the result,” Walker said.

mknauer@redwoodbark.org

Fall Sports Recap

Photo by Mayson Weingart

Photo by Jordan Kimball

Photo by Harrison Lapic

LINING UP BEFORE their game against Rancho Cotate, varsity football players listen to the national anthem.

FIGHTING HARD IN a game against Marin Academy, boys’ varsity waterpolo take an unfortunate 14-2 loss despite efforts from senior Tanner Desin.

TAKING DOWN MARIN Catholic with a 7-0 sweep, key contributions from junior Jordan Marotto secure the girls’ varsity tennis win.

Photo by Ella Erwig

Photo by Mayson Weingart

Photo by Julia Delsol

PLAYING IN AN intense game against San Francisco University, defender Lucy Miller fights to keep the team in the game.

CHEERING UP THE audience during the first quarter of the varsity football game against Rancho Cotate, senior Beyllah Olivares gets lifted by teamates.

SWEEPING TERRA LINDA in three sets, girls’ varsity volleyball takes down the Trojans with the help of senior Jaden Hendrickson.

bark Page 17 • Sports Stories through a lens: Hundo Productions

By Emma Rosenberg Through a series of sports edits, Jordan Hunnell, more popularly known as Hundo Productions, has established an enthusiastic fan base. With almost 3,000 followers on Instagram, Hundo’s fan base has grown rapidly since the start of his employment at Redwood eight years ago. When Hundo was hired, his primary goal and job was to film “hype” videos for the boys’ sports teams, which are short highlight clips paired with upbeat music.

But that’s not where his film journey began; he found his passion in high school when trying to create videos with his father.

“I got into filming during high school when I was trying to get recruited and my dad would take awful footage of me. I grew up watching NFL films and, looking back, I have many memories of [those times],” Hundo said.

However, this is not where Hundo’s career in Marin began. He was the junior varsity (JV) lacrosse coach for several years and also helped out with varsity.

Since then, his role has slowly morphed into producing hype videos for various sports teams such as basketball, lacrosse, football and volleyball.

Hundo’s filming process is more than just editing. He typically gets onto the field an hour and 45 minutes before the game he is filming, in an effort to catch every moment.

After filming, he begins his editing process.

“I have to adjust the coloring on the video and [format] it for Instagram.

Cinematic videos probably take like a day

or so, depending on how hard I want to on JV, I would watch him produce videos work on it,” Hundo said. for the varsity guys. His videos were His main goal when filming incredible, so I [would think] to myself, these ‘I can’t wait to be there one day.’” videos is While Hundo’s videos are entertaining to allow and satisfying for viewers to watch, they viewers also push athletes to perform better. to get “Everyone loves being filmed background by [Hundo]. [It’s] an incentive information and to perform well, because you a deeper look want to be on the highlight on student reel,” Lieberman said. athletes.

Similar to Lieberman, “I think there’s senior Eddie Lin, who is little stories that a varsity football player need to be told. and captain of the That’s pretty varsity boy’s lacrosse much what I want team, feels strongly to do; I want to tell about Hundo’s stories outside of importance to him highlight videos and his teammates. and what other “Seeing my kids see,” Hundo friends and myself said. in videos was my After being favorite part. It was coached by the first time I’d seen Hundo during anything cinematic his freshman of myself and the year, senior team,” Lin said.

Photo courtesy of Sam Lieberman, “When he has the Jordan Hunnell a three year camera, you try varsity lacrosse not to mess up. player and head of [It] really boosts our performance.”

Redwood TV sports filming, got Although many students and his inspiration from Hundo. athletes know and love Hundo, “Hundo is definitely an Redwood has struggled to inspiration to me. Especially in acknowledge his position. my work [at Redwood TV], I “I’ve been involved for eight really look up to him and try to years and they don’t support what I mimic his style,” Lieberman do, not because they don’t want to, said. “I remember when I was but [because] they don’t even know

October 27, 2023

View Hundo’s Instagram here:

how,” Hundo said.

When filming and editing these videos, there is more time and effort that gets put into it videos than it seems. Hunnell works hard at Redwood to help with team spirit, as well as coaching.

“It wouldn’t be what it is without the kids. I’ve always said that since day one.

That’s really what I make [videos] for. I make videos for the kids,” Hundo said. erosenberg@redwoodbark.org

Football prepares for a new game-changing league

By Mason Garbo

Infographic by Julia Delsol

“These new league changes will reshape Redwood football. We will continue [to play] against [Tamalpais], our rivals, but [we will] also get to play against tough teams up north like Casa Grande and Petaluma,” junior and varsity quarterback Kody Vasquez said.

Last September, after a vote between the administrators that make up the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL), Vine Valley Athletic League and North Bay Athletic League, they decided to split the 26 11-man football schools into four leagues. There has been a visible gap in talent levels between MCAL teams over the last ten years, causing the competitive level of games to vary dramatically.

Following the decision, teams were split up based on talent levels, previous records and achievements. Redwood was placed in the second tier, which includes Tamalpais (Tam), American Canyon, Justin-Siena, Petaluma and Casa Grande.

Other local programs, such as Marin Catholic (MC) and San Marin, were placed in the top tier, where they will compete against schools such as Rancho Cotate and Cardinal Newman.

The division names are not final, but as of now they are Adobe, Valley, Bay and Mountain. These leagues will all be part of the overarching Redwood Empire Conference. Marin County teams are featured in all but one conference, the Bay Conference, where teams such as Ukiah and St. Vincent De Paul will play.

However, Archie Williams and San Rafael make up the top spots in the Valley division, followed by Novato and Terra Linda.

Even though significant changes will occur over the next year, rivalries will remain intact. Redwood will continue to

fight for bragging rights during the annual game against Tam. San Rafael and Terra Linda will keep their tradition of the “Bell Game”, and San Marin and Marin Catholic will fight for the top spot in the Bay Area for years to come.

Ronan Ralston, a three-year football player and starting safety on the varsity team, understands the need for a more balanced league.

“We [as a program] are looking forward to the big change. It will bring us new opportunities against top dogs and will allow us to show why we belong,” Ralston said.

Every two seasons, the league will reevaluate the teams and the competitiveness of the divisions. If teams can’t compete with their competition and have under a .500 record several years in a row, they could get brought down a tier.

If teams exceed their standards, they could ascend the ranks.

Each of the four divisions will have an automatic qualifier, meaning that every year, the team with the best record will make its way to the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs. At NCS, teams will face other groups of similar school size.

Vasquez has big hopes for the team going forward and thinks the league change will help Redwood achieve them.

“We want the NCS banner and this is just a checkpoint to get there. It also gives us new goals to reach. Moving up to the top division and playing against the best teams will be the goal during our senior season and hopefully, we can get there,” Vasquez said. mgarbo@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Mayson Weingart

PREPARING TO SNAP the ball, junior Kody Vasquez scans the Rancho Cotate High School Defense.

lifestyles

Page 18

Photo Essay: Sustainable Agriculture cultivates crops, life skills

By Hannah Herbst

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Ben Jacobs: “I took Advanced Placement Environmental Science last year. I’m really just looking to further my understanding of the world around me, and doing this with my lovely pupils is awesome. ”

Mikey Razavi: “It’s a fun class. There’s a bit more work than I expected. I really like working on my [crop] bed. We had a farm to fork assignment where we take something from the farm and make food out of it.”

Ava Price (Image featuring Abby Post): “It’s really nice to come outside and plant and clean up the [crop] beds and everything. It’s a very entertaining class. It’s not just sitting around. Currently, we are working on our class bed, which is kind of rough, and our group bed.”

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Photo by Hannah Herbst

Jack Oliver: “I think it’s really fun to be outside here on Wednesdays and Fridays. We’re allowed to be out here in our [crop] beds, so we get some sun and new experiences.”

Ellie Kemos: “I’ve done SUSTAG for two years now, and I love the class. I love being outside and being able to work with my hands. It’s much different than being on a computer screen.”

Thomas Brown: “It’s a lot of hard work. I like working out here with my friends. Right now, I’m cleaning up the garlic and the potato area.”

The Mashouf twins pioneer carbon-negative fashion

By Alana Leifer

In 2020, alumni Leila and Neeka Mashouf joined forces to launch their startup, Rubi Laboratories. Aiming to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and improve biodiversity with less pressure on land, they started manufacturing sustainable carbonnegative fashion in response to worsening global warming conditions.

“Fashion right now is the third most CO2-polluting supply chain on the planet, after food and building materials. Seventy-five percent of fashion emission comes from raw materials. The most significant way to drop fashion from that list of topemitting industries is by reinventing those raw materials,” Neeka said.

The Mashouf twins envision Rubi Laboratories manufacturing clothing crafted from cellulosic fibers, which are environmentally friendly by being water, chemical and land-neutral.

According to Neeka, a typical cotton t-shirt would emit eight kilograms of CO2 in production, while the Rubi process would create the same shirt with negative carbon emissions.

“Even after all the transportation and energy used to make the product, we remain negative on the CO2 impact perspective. So it helps to reverse climate change as we make these products,” Neeka said.

Inspired by the natural beauty of redwood trees in Northern California, the 15 year old twins began their

research careers before graduating from Redwood High School in 2014.

While at Redwood, Neeka worked in labs and practiced applying science to change systems like energy. She accomplished this during an internship at the Lawrence Berkeley National lab, where she published her first paper on artificial photosynthesis.

Heather Curtaz, Neeka’s Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Algebra teacher at Redwood, formed a strong connection with Neeka, vividly remembering her smile even a decade after Neeka’s graduation.

“[Neeka] was so diligent about all of her work. She achieved her success in math through hard work and persistence. It wasn’t so easy, but she kept working at it,” Curtaz said. “She didn’t miss homework and she didn’t make excuses. She held herself to the highest standard and did all the things that a dedicated student would do.”

In 2013, as juniors at Redwood, the sisters received a one-thousanddollar grant from Disney Friends for Change (DFC) for their Renewable Energy Club. Similarly to their mission with Rubi Laboratories, the money

Photo courtesy of TexFash

Neeka (left) and Leila (right) Mashouf, twin sisters and founders of Rubi Laboratories.

from DFC went towards converting cooking oil into biodiesel, eliminating sulfur emissions and simultaneously reducing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. While the money from DFC allowed them to have experience in their field before founding Rubi, it also introduced them to the field of grants and investors. “[Upon starting Rubi Laboratories], I spoke with 50 to 100 different investors to get our first round closed and in that one, we raised about four million. That set us up for the first one and a half or two years.

Then we raised our next round. The early stages were all about building some of those investor relationships and doing more networking.”

Although Neeka embarked on a journey that laid the foundation for creating Rubi, specializing in materials engineering and business administration at University of California, Berkeley, Leila stepped out of Redwood onto a pre-med program. She was completing her last year of medical school at Harvard University when she co-founded Rubi. Changing her career path was initially daunting.

“Not having any background in biotech from an industry perspective was challenging. I have learned that it is just a normal part of life to not necessarily be the perfect person for the job or the career, you just have to aleifer@redwoodbark.org

October 27, 2023 bark Page 19 • Lifestyles Meet the 2023 Homecoming court in one question...

What was your reaction when you found out you made the court?

Story and Photos By Isabella Wagner

Maisie Pipitone: Homecoming Royal

Reaction: “I was so surprised, I was never expecting it, I didn’t know what it was [and] I didn’t know anything about it. So I was really excited and shocked.”

Favorite thing about Homecoming: “I love watching the [Klassy Kickoff] game, I think it’s really fun and instills a lot of school spirit. Going to the rallies are always really exciting.”

Giovana Goncalves

Lila Maier

Aanika Sawhney

Cameryn Smith

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s crazy,’ because who would have thought that I would one day be on the court? And here I am now.”

“I was really excited because when I was little I always wanted to be [on the court] like in the movies. Last year I admired all of the activities the court got to do.”

“I feel really honored and it makes me happy to know that I get to connect the different communities that I’m a part of on campus.”

“I’m also excited because last year I was head of the spirit committee with Ella Kaminski. We had planned the whole week for the [last year’s] court.”

Ella Kaminski

Berit Pigott

Maximillian Sherman

Ryder Ure

“Purely honored.”

“It was kind of cool. I didn’t really expect it. It wasn’t something going into senior year that was on my bucket list, so I think it was kind of exciting.”

“I was quite surprised but I’d say I beat the odds and made it here.”

“I thought it was pretty funny. I was not expecting the free food, though.”

Edward Lin

Adriana Reyes

Jackson Sichel

Olivia Villanova

“Pretty excited. I’ve seen people be [on the court] my freshman, sophomore and junior year, it’s pretty cool.”

“I didn’t expect it, I was very surprised and very happy.”

“I didn’t really expect it, but it was positive I guess, because the homecoming court is pretty big.”

“When I got the pass I thought it was just another Leadership thing, but I was really surprised when I found out.”

iwagner@redwoodbark.org

Meet Redwood’s PAWsome therapy dogs

By Tessa DeLay In 2018, therapy dogs were introduced to the Redwood campus and have proven to be valuable members of the Wellness staff. The dogs provide companionship to students, easing their anxiety and bringing smiles to their faces.

Thorton Thorton started working at Redwood five years ago. Prior to becoming a therapy dog, he was “career changed” (meaning his training was discontinued) at Guide Dogs for the Blind for being easily distracted and overly friendly. Owner Madeleine Metzger quickly realized that while Thorton wasn’t a good fit to be a guide dog, his calm and friendly demeanor would make him a perfect therapy dog. “[Thorton] can understand what a person is feeling,” Metzger said.

Thorton began his therapy work at Marin Health Medical Center, where he visits patients once a week. He provides comfort to both patients and their families as they face health challenges. “[Thorton] is a healer,” Metzger said. “[He] takes away all [the patients’] pain, all their worry.”

Metzger then introduced Thorton to Hall Middle School,

Redwood and later, the Cove School. Thornton visits Redwood every other Monday during lunch. When he is not working, he enjoys playing tug of war and eating baby carrots.

Rocket Rocket has also been visiting Redwood’s campus for five years and was a breeder dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Rocket’s owner, Emily Janowsky, had done therapy work with another breeder dog and knew that she wanted to do the same with Rocket.

Over the years, Janowsky has brought Rocket to Redwood, Hall Middle School and Marin Health Medical Center, as well as partnering with First Responder Therapy Dogs. Janowsky highlights the impact that Rocket has had on students, especially those who may be struggling with anxiety or isolation.

“Some of the kids at Redwood really struggle with anxiety or are going through something and would say, ‘It made it so much easier to get out of bed today because I knew I would see Rocket at school,’” Janowsky said.

Rocket visits Redwood every Wednesday, spending time outside the Wellness Center and supporting students in the special education class.

In addition to his

Photo courtesy of Emily Janowsky

therapy work, Rocket is the football team’s mascot. He attends games, practices and events. When he has some time off, he loves spending it with his dog friends and taking naps.

Nissan Nissan is also a retired breeder dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind. His calm and easygoing temperament make him an ideal therapy dog and he has worked with students both at Redwood and Hall Middle School.

Nissan’s owner, Denise Knopping emphasized the impact that Nissan has had on students, with many looking forward to seeing Nissan each week.

“There are kids both from Redwood and Hall that come up to me every single week and say, ‘I’ve been waiting [to see Nissan], I love [Nissan] so much, can I take him home?’” Knopping said. “You can tell [spending time with Nissan] is very relaxing [for students].”

Like Rocket, Nissan also visits the special education class each week, bringing joy to students. Both students and teachers have expressed how grateful they are to have Nissan visit their class.

“When I go into the special education room, [the students] all light up and are so excited to see [Nissan],” Knopping said.

When he isn’t comforting students, he enjoys going on walks and cuddling.

Whether they are supporting students, patients or first responders, therapy dogs are an integral part of the Redwood community.

Their unique personalities and loving nature brings joy to students and teachers alike. If you are feeling down or are simply looking for some puppy love, you can find the dogs outside the Wellness Center at lunch. tdelay@redwoodbark.org