Tiger Times Volume 53 Issue 1

E R B

CC

layout by Yuzine Yi

L L

O

C

G E

VA

GRAPHIC BY: Bona Suh

Volume 53 • Issue 1 • September 2021 • ttonl.org

COVID-19

RI D

H YB

T

SA

SPORTS

AP

Tiger Times

2

To eat or not to eat, that is the question

Editorial Finding certainty amidst uncertainty by

VIEWPOINT

jenny Seo & Emily Sung editors-in-chief

Dorothy was told to follow the yellow brick road. Little Red Riding Hood knew the exact way to her grandmother’s hut. Even Harry Potter had a specific list of horcruxes to destroy. But we don’t live in a fictional world where life comes with a set of instructions––a shroud of uncertainty always surrounds us. Every day we walk on thin ice, nervous that it might shatter beneath our very feet. Mid-semester academic anxiety torments all four grade levels for different reasons, and students await the dreaded news that the school will resume online learning starting the next day. At the same time, COVID-19 cases mercilessly climb toward the peak, adding another layer of concern in the outside world as well. As the front page illustrates, we are left with the question of which path to take without knowing what each road entails. However, when all else is arbitrary, we are able to discover and appreciate what is set in stone.

Volume 53 of Tiger Times attempts to shed the limelight on such aspects of our otherwise unpredictable battle throughout high school.

One piece of the certainty we have is the small but special parts of school life.

Whether it be our closest friends, reliable teachers, optimistic bus drivers, or even friendly janitors that we regularly pass by in the hallways, the strong support systems by our sides deserve special recognition. In this issue’s Student Spotlight, the featured student mentions that his busy double life remains balanced with the help of a few dependable friends. The people we value in our hearts, who we can always rely on for both the good times as well as the bad, are the real anchors that help us stand firm on the ground. The new addition of Student Spotlight will continue to showcase insight into steady narratives that stay the same no matter the circumstances.

These small elements of certainty coalesce into one, forming a community—one that we know as SIS. Regardless of the class you are struggling with or whether school turns virtual, members of the SIS community always accompany each other in their struggles. Throughout the four years of encountering each other nearly every day, we build unity and similarity. We act alike, we think alike, and we even look alike (or not). Nonetheless, trends among our community establish exclusivity, and our multimedia section strives to highlight what makes us so special.

Every day, people all around the world wake up with uncertainty, wondering what new updates there will be about the pandemic, climate change, politics, and other topics that make us sigh in defeat. They may also feel anxious about something as trivial––in comparison––as missing the school bus or getting to work on time. But Dorothy was transported to an entirely unfamiliar world, Little Red Riding Hood got lost in the woods, and Harry Potter teleported across unknown lands to locate the horcruxes. We simply do not know what lies ahead of us on the path we walk along, but uncertainty, surprisingly, just may be where there is an opening for a renewed outlook on the definite things around us.

Let yourself be heard. If you have any responses to articles published in the Tiger Times or original contributions, please send them to tigertimes@gmail.com

layout by Bona Suh

T

o eat or not to eat, that is the question that SIS students have to make during breaks in between classes as they walk past the school store and cafe. The answer usually ends up being “to eat,” as their bodies crave a boost of dopamine to temporarily relieve the overwhelming summative-induced stress.

Yet, when one succumbs to their food cravings and enters the school store or the cafe, their scope of choice is limited to a variety of unhealthy, high-calorie junk food. Although both have tried to incorporate nutritious options, such as bananas and chestnuts, the number of healthy options available remains too limited and requires more diversification in order to promote a healthier lifestyle for the SIS community.

Many students are probably familiar with the sudden weight gain they encounter in their freshman year of high school. While changing hormones is certainly a factor, their surrounding environment plays an even bigger role. For instance, on any typical day, students head to the cafe or the school store and purchase either a bag of chips or a red-velvet stick cake with a cup of iced chocolate to top it off. Then, after lunch and during activity period, students go back to the school store for a nice dessert to satisfy their sweet tooth.

If this scenario is an occasional occurrence, perhaps it would not

significantly affect students’ health.

However, because the human body recognizes that the sugar rush momentarily makes the body feel good, it is inevitable that students crave more sugar the more they consume it. This biological response to sugar and salt eventually magnetizes students to the school store and the cafe so that they become programmed to visit the school store or the cafe whenever they have spare time.

This habitual consumption of unhealthy food has significant health implications that can lead to problems such as overeating and thus, extreme weight fluctuations. For many, eating often becomes a coping strategy to deal with stress. They usually end up overeating because they cannot choose from the overwhelming diversity of unhealthy options that are available and eventually end up picking up three different snacks that their palate craves.

As they eat away their emotions, weight gain also usually leads to increased fatigue and sluggishness, in addition to struggles with self-esteem and confidence.

To avoid such circumstances, many students, teachers, and faculty members consciously try to make healthy food choices. However, when there are only two options that can be categorized as a healthy snack—bananas and chestnuts—it is difficult to forgo the Trolli jellies pleading to be taken out

Mixing it up: is it time for a schedule change?

The student schedule of SIS has two sets of four periods (A day and B day) that alternate daily, with each class being one hour and 20 minutes. This is called a block schedule and according to the American Association of School Administrators, 30 percent of all American schools follow this system.

This schedule is certainly beneficial as teachers can make stronger relationships with individual students in their fixed classes. As for the students themselves, they can focus on fewer classes in a day and have less homework. It is also a straightforward and easy schedule with every class being fixed on one period.

However, students and teachers both struggle with the fixed schedule as their conditions vary from the morning to the afternoon, affecting the classroom environment and motivation among students. For example, morning drowsiness tends to cause stress and lower academic performance in first period classes, and food coma after lunch makes students

impatient and unfocused. Some classes need daily practice and review of lessons, but less frequent classes resulting from a block schedule that has classes every two days could lead to a weakened understanding of school content. Keeping these concerns in mind, what could be a better alternative?

One way the current schedule could change is by shifting periods down by one slot every day and moving up the last period to be the first the next day. For example, if you had English during first period on an A day, the next A day you would have second period, then third, and so on.

This is called a rotating block schedule. It is a schedule that alternates so that students can have the same class at different times for every rotation while maintaining the A day/B day block schedule. It helps students stay engaged in the subject, creates new and interesting dynamics in every class, and strengthens student-teacher relationships.

Because it allows students to take classes at different times and with different mind-

of the big jar for the sad pile of yellow fruit next to it. Diversifying the menu to include more healthy snacks would diminish the possibility of getting sick by eating the same treat over and over again, thus creating more of an inclination for people to select healthy snacks over junk food.

Previous attempts to incorporate healthier options have been abandoned due to disinterest and lack of profit.

Although this concern is valid, if the healthier options are carefully selected based on the taste and general popularity, more students would be willing to purchase those options, generating more revenue. Moreover, instead of trying to include healthier options that are packaged, perhaps incorporating fruits like oranges or apples may also be a better option as they are both cost-effective and similar to bananas, which has always been a popular choice by many.

Despite such concerns, the school store and cafe should nonetheless try to incorporate a diversified range of healthier snacks to promote a healthier lifestyle for students and prevent the health-related harms that come from consuming an overabundance of unhealthy snacks.

Jasmine Jeong Junior, Reporter

sets, the rotating block schedule can help students participate more actively and thus use class time more effectively.

As absences due to extracurricular activities such as sports games are usually in the third or fourth period of the day, students struggle to keep up in said classes. They could have an impact on the student’s academic performance in the classes that they have to leave, as lessons will be regularly missed. By implementing the rotating block schedule, such absences will not be as significant of a problem since classes will rotate every day.

Jessica Terbrueggen, English teacher, has previously experienced this rotating schedule. She expressed how contrary to a fixed schedule, a rotating schedule is effective in limiting the impact of varying conditions throughout the day such as morning drowsiness or food coma. This system provides students the opportunity to see teachers at different times, allowing for different experiences.

Despite such benefits, students say that the current fixed schedule with substantial rest periods between classes is a far better choice. They fear that confusion might arise from the constant change in periods for different subjects and that they will always have to check the schedule.

On the other hand, others agree that having shuffled periods could provide diversity and prevent excessive repetition within the schedule. The stress and struggles of always having the same class in the same period could greatly decrease through this method.

Drawbacks certainly exist to both options, but to find the right fit for students, attempting a rotating schedule for a change could make a possible difference. Change might come with consequences, but nevertheless, it will show SIS’s progressive attitude towards making the best learning environment for its students.

Saewoong Ian Park Sophomore, Reporter

Tiger Times

October 2021

3

Tiger Times Staff

Tiger Times Tiger Times exercises the right to report on and editorialize all topics, events or issues, including those unpopular or controversial, insofar as they affect or interest the school, community, nation, and world. We refrain from publishing material that advertises illegal products or services, is obscene, libelous, or invades privacy. We refrain from publishing material that creates a clear and present danger or the immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school.

Volume 53 Issue 1 Seoul, South Korea TTONL.org a free publication of

Seoul International School

Paper Editors-in-Chief Emily Sung Jenny Seo Website Editor-in-Chief Sarah Ju Paper Managing Editor Skylar Peck

Website Managing Editors Woojune Kim Jordan Kim

Graphics Editor Jennifer You Photo Editor Alice Lee

Production Editors Bona Suh Website Design Clara Lim Editor Minjae Chun

Paper Copy Editors Rosa Suh Rachel Yoon Katie Kim Aimee Choi Website Copy Editors Katherine Suk Sunny Lee Erin Choi

Layout Artists Yuzine Yi Junseo Lee Reporters Jennifer Kwon Isabelle Lee Jack Lee Hugo Lee Bin Ma John Kim Katelyn Oh Grace Lee

Ian Park David Kim Paul Moon Daniel Shin Cherlin Kim Joseph Chun Jasmine Jeong Adviser Ms. Wendy Grant

Viewpoint Feature: Throughout the last year, the conversation on gender inclusivity has expanded to reach people across the world. However, due to the conservative nature of Korean society and harmful stereotypes that exist about the LGBTQ+ community, the subjects of gender identity and sexuality have remained taboo at SIS. According to the TIGERS values, members of the SIS community should always be respectful of others and embrace the prospect of learning. We must reflect these values by taking various steps to create a school environment that welcomes all gender identities.

Why is gender inclusivity so important?

How can the SIS community come together to produce a school environment that is more accepting of all gender identities?

Small steps toward inclusivity Popular social media platform Instagram now allows users worldwide to update their profiles with up to four of their preferred gender pronouns, a feature that was previously exclusively available to users in the United States. Pronouns essentially help people identify themselves and indicate how they want to be addressed by others.

While this change may seem minor, many people who do not follow the traditional gender binary see it as a victory worthy of celebration.

A handful of SIS students have updated their social media profiles to display their preferred pronouns; however, there remains an undeniable stigma surrounding the topics of gender identity and sexuality at our school. Due to their minimal understanding of such topics, many SIS students view those who do not conform to heteronormative standards as “hypersensitive.”

Because subjects related to gender and sexual identities are often met with silence at our school, students who do not go by “she/her,” “he/him” pronouns or are not cisgender find it challenging to openly correct other students and faculty who refer to them using incorrect terms.

Consistently mislabelling people’s gender identities, by addressing them using the wrong pronouns, for instance, can contribute to gender dysphoria: the feeling of distress that a person experiences because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. According to the National Health Service in England, intense gender dysphoria can result in depression and anxiety. We as a school community have the responsibility to ensure fellow students are not forced to struggle with such issues alone. Thus, the SIS community should

work together to create an environment that welcomes people of all gender identities.

There are numerous steps that can be taken to foster a school environment that is friendlier toward individuals who diverge from the conventional gender binary. The foremost step should be to provide a safe setting where learning and discussion on the subjects of gender identity and sexuality can take place. As elaborated upon in Skylar Peck’s extended viewpoint article titled “Implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive education” in Tiger Times Volume 52, Issue 3, there is a need for more SIS students to learn about the concepts of gender and sexuality since such concepts remain taboo in Korean society.

Jared Rock, English teacher, is currently hosting a seminar on international human rights law that has garnered positive attention from the SIS student body. If a similar seminar on gender identity and sexuality were available at our school, then it would most likely generate interest in such topics.

The seminar could also include an open forum discussion to encourage the development of understanding between students with contrasting viewpoints on the issues.

Another way to help spark conversation regarding gender identity and sexuality within SIS would be by having students work with the administration to organize a guest speaker panel that consists of Korean LGBTQ+ activists or SIS alumni who are LGBTQ+. This opportunity would allow a wide range of people to share their experiences with figuring out their gender identities and sexualities. Though the majority of SIS students are aware that a large LGBTQ+ community exists in the United States, many are unaware that such a community

exists in South Korea; therefore, many consider the LGBTQ+ community a foreign entity. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of non-heteronormativity, associating a face with an arbitrary issue could significantly pique their interest in it, for it is oftentimes simply the lack of awareness that hinders people from changing their behaviors. I regretfully admit that until two years ago, I too was not familiar with the existence of diverse gender identities. If someone exhibited feminine physical features, I automatically assumed the person used “she/her” pronouns. The aforementioned learning opportunities could have helped me realize that for many, realizing their gender is a long and hard journey.

Once we get the ball rolling by initiating public discussion on gender identity and sexuality, then the SIS community can help implement change in classrooms. To make sure that all students are identified as their correct gender, teachers could release a private survey at the beginning of the school year to receive information on students’ gender identities and preferred pronouns. The form could also ask students whether they want to use their preferred pronouns in public, since certain students may wish to keep such information private due to personal circumstances. By providing those who feel as though the traditional “she/her” and “he/him” pronouns do not accurately represent their personal identities the opportunity to clarify that they associate themselves with “she/they,” “they/them,” or neopronouns such as “xe/xem,” “ze/ hir,” we would be reaffirming that the SIS community considers all identities to be valid.

One counterargument presented by those who are against the expression of unique gender identities and the use of preferred pronouns relies on the freedom of speech. Such people believe they should not need to put in additional effort to support another person’s gender identity by utilizing “special language.” Some go as far as to argue that modern society is becoming a breeding ground for ultra-sensitive youth who fail to comprehend that the rest of the world does not care about their individual needs. In response, I would claim it is people’s choice whether or not to state their pronouns and actively support those who do not follow the traditional gender binary; nevertheless, in a professional setting like school, those of all identities must be able to comfortably express themselves without facing disrespect.

Now more than ever, there is a need for gender inclusivity at SIS. The TIGERS values, which are instilled in SIS students from a young age, justify that the SIS community can be more accepting of all gender identities. The guidelines for being trustworthy individuals state that members of the SIS community should be “respectful of others” and exhibit compassion. Furthermore, to be global citizens, students should “explore ideas and issues that have both local and global significance” while maintaining an open attitude toward different cultures. We as a community should adhere to these values to produce a school environment that is more accepting of diverse gender identities.

BY: Seoyun Katie Kim Junior, Copy Editor

4

SCHOOL NEWS

SIS creates NHD student council to host annual competition After it was announced that the National History Day (NHD) Korea 2022 would be hosted by SIS, the coordinators created an organization of students to host and manage the event: the NHD Student Council. This organization will play a large role in hosting one of the largest global contests.

NHD is an annual contest where students choose a historical topic related to the theme and present their work through one of the various methods, such as an exhibit or a performance. The theme for this year is “Debate and Diplomacy in History: Success, Failures and Consequences,” which highlights how countries maintained international relations and peace through negotiations throughout history.

“This contest is a chance for SIS students to showcase their research skills on a national and global level,” Steve Nave, the adviser for the organizing committee, said. “They get to learn skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, cooperation, presenting, video editing, and crafting presentations.”

The members of the organization are tasked with differ-

ent roles that support NHD participants. For example, the organization will offer insight into competition categories they think would best suit the participants and assist in creating the projects. In addition, the council will support students from other schools by suggesting travel options and available hotels.

“These students are going to help in logistics of planning the event and communicating to both the school and the national audience about important information on the event,” James Kowalski, the adviser for the organizing committee, said.

“Planning and communication with other schools and students are going to be crucial for this event.”

There are several roles within the student council that will be important for hosting this year’s contest. Each member has their designated role, such as the communications specialist or the design specialist.

“I am primarily responsible for helping the project manager and making sure everyone’s work is done on time, ” Taejoo Lee (11), a member of the logistics team, said. “I also manage competition dates, locations,

and other organizational plans for NHD Korea.”

The student organization will be beneficial for not only new participants but also for the members themselves. They can demonstrate leadership skills for hundreds of students who will be involved in this contest while representing SIS and Korea to the global community.

“Although I have had previous experience organizing events, this competition is on another level because of the large numbers of schools attending.

It is going to require an unprecedented level of organization and communication from our team,” Sean Kim (12), the communications specialist, said.

“From this competition, I hope to improve my organizational and collaboration skills.”

With about 500 students from schools across Korea set to present their projects at SIS, NHD Korea 2022 will be one of the school’s largest events. The members and students in NHD are looking forward to sharing ideas and meeting new participants.

Photo by John Kim(10)

David Kim

Sophomore, Reporter

Fall sports season begins strong On Aug. 12, students interested in volleyball, tennis, and cross country were delighted with the much-anticipated news from Jonathan Ames, sports and activities coordinator, that tryouts for the fall sports season would begin. After weeks of uncer-

tain plans due to social distancing restrictions, the season is to take place on schedule.

“Everyone had their doubts about this season because of the spike in COVID-19 cases, so I was fairly surprised but also glad when the season

was confirmed,” Erin Kim (12), varsity girls volleyball player, said. “I really hoped to be able to finish my high school volleyball experience on a good note, so I am thankful for this opportunity.”

Tryouts took place on Aug. 17-20,

Photo by Alice Lee(11)

layout by Junseo Lee

and varsity and JV teams practiced on separate days according to the orange-white day schedule. Starting Sept. 7, teams have been holding practices every Tuesday through Friday as all high school students return to campus every day.

While the season may seem to head toward normalcy, there are no interschool games or tournaments planned yet, so students are practicing without games to look forward to.

“Our biggest goal this season is making sure students can have a competitive season with games,” Mr. Ames said. “But after not being able to do many activities in the spring, I am happy that athletes can engage in the fall sports at all. In many ways, just preparing for the season and holding practices daily is a great privilege.”

SIS held inter-squad volleyball games on Sept. 16, where students could watch varsity and JV players scrimmage. The school has also been planning virtual cross-country meets against schools across Asia for the coming weeks. With these activities, Mr. Ames is optimistic that this season, albeit shortened, will be “intensely competitive and rewarding.”

Other factors are also influencing the dynamics of the sports teams this year. The varsity girls volleyball team, for instance, greeted Alyssa Haugen, middle school counselor and former JV boys volleyball coach, as its new coach.

“Switching teams was a really tough decision, but I felt ready to take this opportunity after having coached at all different levels in the past,” Coach Haugen said. “I have been trying to make this season beneficial and fun for everybody by

talking with the varsity boys volleyball coach about ideas like having scrimmages every Friday or possibly an in-house tournament after Chuseok. Overall, this season is a great opportunity to grow as a team and make the best we can out of it.”

Many student-athletes agree this season is certainly not ideal, some saying the school spirit revolving around sports has noticeably decreased. The tentative plans for games have especially affected athletes’ levels of motivation and excitement.

“I feel that this season is less energetic compared to last year’s because many people let their expectations down due to the whole COVID-19 situation,” Lauren Kim (11), varsity girls tennis player, said. “For example, the tennis team cannot go on our annual trip to Beijing, like last year.

This takes away from the exciting feelings surrounding the season.”

At the same time, the successful beginning of the fall sports season has given student-athletes and coaches a sense of relief. Like many other athletes, Lauren hopes to be an active, helpful player and be able to meet her friends in interschool matches.

“I am excited to work hard with my teammates with the common goal of maintaining good records for our team,” Eric Lee (11), varsity boys cross country player, said. “It is hard to feel motivated in training when we do not have clear plans scheduled.

Having a season lifts that concern off our shoulders and gives us a reason to work harder until the opportunity to win a competition comes.”

Aimee Choi

Junior, Copy Editor

SCHOOL NEWS

#RelatableStress: overcoming procrastination B J y

Everyone reading this probably has binge-watched Netflix the night before an important summative. Due to academic pressure and in-school competition, you have probably grudgingly dragged yourself out of bed at 3 a.m. to complete the assignment due the next day, which is impressive, considering how I used to start homework due at 8 a.m. at 6 a.m.

Procrastination is often glamorized in SIS, especially when general small talk amongst students revolve around the issue of who stayed up the longest and who missed school because they passed out from stress. It is almost as if procrastinating—and, consequently, not sleeping—is an emblem of their self-discipline and strong willpower.

However, from a person who used to procrastinate until midnight and somehow finished her work—albeit with poor quality—in a time crunch, only to be passed out on some sofa with dark circles stretched across half of her face the next day, I vouch that the toxic lifestyle is not worth it. The only reward I obtained from forcefully depriving myself of sleep was a rather hefty GPA deduction and a punishing burnout.

So after conducting some serious research, doing some reflection, and completing a detailed experiment over the summer on productivity and self-improvement, I would like to provide some advice on how to overcome procrastination.

First, recognize the importance of staying ahead of deadlines. Sadly, the SIS school curriculum is notorious for cramming summatives in the same week. If formative assessments and study guides are prepared ahead of time, you can dedicate more time to urgent tasks.

Second, take on a new mindset. Procrastination is a habit and the more you practice it, the more embedded it becomes

asmine

Jeong

in your lifestyle. Fortunately, it is still possible to change this habit by implementing and sticking rigorously to a routine. Once it becomes habitual, you will find yourself needing less willpower to follow your routine and becoming less lenient to procrastination. Set a timer, force yourself to finish your assignment in a set time crunch, and try to get all your work assigned on the day finished on that same day.

Third, create a personalized, organized study system to maximize efficiency.

There are mainly three parts to a proficient system: a deadline tracker, to-do lists, and a reward system. Having a calendar with all of the deadlines helps you identify the most urgent tasks and gives you a sense of how you can allocate your time to get those assignments done. Based on the overall big picture from the deadline tracker, break larger assignments into smaller tasks and organize them into to-do lists. For instance, if the assignment was to write an essay, break down the assignment into finishing the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Every small accomplishment provides you a sense of triumph, which motivates you to accomplish more.

Finally, have a reward system to incentivize yourself to finish your work. For example, promise yourself that you can watch a new episode of “Penthouse III” once you finish five of the small tasks on your to-do list. By rewarding yourself, you increase your happiness twofold by feeling both a sense of accomplishment and having time to spare for your hobbies.

The inescapable vicious cycle of procrastination and sleep deprivation is a path that no one should have to endure. Please do not be fooled by the quote “diamonds are made under pressure” because the pressure that students are put through when they procrastinate is not worth the result.

English 11 classes undergo changes in curriculum

I

n previous years, junior students read “1984” by George Orwell. However, this year, the SIS English teachers decided to change the book to “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” by Cho Nam-Joo. “We wanted to make the book more applicable to the student body,” James Fischer, English 11 teacher, said.

“There are many novels and short stories that we could have had the students read to engage with the learning process and meet the learning standards that we set for them. Among those novels, we thought ‘Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982’ was a suitable fit, and tailored the curriculum according to our students.”

“Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” depicts the life of an ordinary South Korean woman, bringing to light the various microaggressions and prejudice that many women endure on a daily basis. By sharing such experiences with the readers, the book is frequently sought by many other schools to raise awareness of these issues among students. On the other hand, “1984” is a dystopian novel with the main character living under a repressive regime. Although the core texts changed, the learning objective itself did not, as students still learned how to analyze pieces of texts and relate them to real-world

scenarios.

“I was surprised that we were reading ‘Kim Ji-young, Born 1982’ because we had actually received a copy of ‘1984’ before the beginning of the school year,” Sally Lee (11), English 11 student, said.

“Even though the change was unexpected, I think it was a good decision. In addition to getting more students to actually read the book because it is a short and relatively easy text, it also effectively portrayed certain aspects of Korean society that are still prevalent today.”

In addition to “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982,” short texts were also read alongside the novel such as “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell and “Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield. The poems and plays that the students now read in English classes expose them to diverse mediums of writing. Moreover, the diversity allowed students to learn how to use and identify literary devices in various mediums.

“The changes in the curriculum reflect a move toward a more student-centered and reflective style of learning,” Jessica Terbrueggen, English 11 teacher, said.

“It truly focuses on fostering inquisitiveness and intends to emphasize agentive learning models. When

Peer mentor program hosts freshman orientation

On Aug. 9, the peer mentor program hosted the freshman orientation with the help of the school guidance counselors. It was the first event the program has organ-

ized this school year.

“I have heard from students that it is tough to break into the social groups here, so I hope that we are able to create a more welcoming

environment,” Morgan Davis, school guidance counselor, said. “I would love to see our mentors feel empowered by helping other students and students accessing help

5

because they feel more comfortable reaching out to students than they might with staff.”

Peer mentors were tasked with introducing themselves through email

before going back to school to connect with their respective mentees for the first time. Each mentor was assigned four to five freshmen.

“I was worried about giving advice to questions I did not know the answer to,” Bryan Lee (11), peer mentor, said. “But overall, I was excited to meet them.”

The peer mentors showed the freshmen around the high school building, pointing out each of their classes and lockers and showing them important areas they needed to know about. During this time, peer mentors were able to interact with their mentees.

“They were shy at first and did not really talk that much,” Bryan said. “Still, I feel like everything, communication-wise, is better to do in real life. It was fun seeing them.”

authentic learning, rather than merely test preparation or grade orientation, is at the center of the school’s mission, magic can occur!

Let us hope these changes continue in that direction.”

With changes in the English 11 curriculum heading in a more diverse direction, many teachers and students hope that the SIS English curriculum for all grades—not just the 11th grade—will integrate more perspectives using a variety of texts. This would allow students to view the world from different points of view and learn how to interact with people from different backgrounds.

“When I found out that we would be reading ‘Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982,’ I previewed a bit of it and found it very interesting right from the beginning,” Anna Kim (11), avid reader, said. “There were many parts in the book that I could relate to as a Korean girl. I also found many similarities between the stories I heard from my mom and grandma and the experience of Kim Jiyoung. It was a good opportunity to look back upon our society and reflect on how we changed and how we can change even more in the future.”

Hannah Kim Junior, Reporter

Aside from the tour, the program planned many activities to encourage freshmen to think about their future goals and get accustomed to the rules.

Freshmen are still settling into high school, and the peer mentor program wishes to help with that transition.

“I think high school so far has been more difficult than I expected,” David Lee (9), mentee, said. “There can be improvements but honestly, I like the program the way it is because nothing seems forced. I think it should keep that casual environment and atmosphere.”

The peer mentor program has been trying to involve upperclassmen with underclassmen, a change to the rigid high school hierarchy that has been prevalent at SIS in years prior. Students are encouraged to interact with and rely on each other.

“I think it is a really good program to have because I know, here, underclassmen are a lot more afraid

of upperclassmen,” Lulu Schooley (12), peer mentor, said. “It helps everyone because the upperclassmen can reflect on their experiences and tell the things they have learned to underclassmen.”

The students involved in both ends of the program seem to be enjoying it so far. The feedbackhas been largely positive and constructive.

“I feel like it was a huge success. I have heard a lot of good things from other staff members and 9th graders,” Mr. Davis said. “Obviously, there were some drawbacks, but I think they are areas we can always improve on.”

The program hopes to organize more school functions as the school year progresses with a fully offline schedule.

Rachel Yoon

Junior, Copy Editor

8

GLOBAL NEWS

Kimbap food poisoning cases in South Korea highlight the importance of food safety

F

rom July 29 to Aug. 2, two restaurants branches in Bundang sold a total of 4,200 kimbaps to about 1,000 customers, 276 of whom got food poisoning. Reports of food poisoning soon spread beyond Bundang: 34 visitors of a restaurant in Goyang and 27 of one in Paju showed symptoms of food poisoning. Furthermore, a woman in her twenties died on Aug. 25 from food poisoning after eating kimbap two days earlier at a restaurant in Goyang.

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) officials said that one likely cause of this food poisoning incident was the restaurants’ usage of ingredients, such as eggs and spinach, that were no longer fresh. The hot weather caused the food to go bad quickly and the increase in prices prevented many restaurants from buying new ingredients. In addition, the MFDS predicted that some might have been contaminated by salmonella, causing sickness in customers.

“Students should regularly check if foods are not out-of-date, and if products have been kept in an area where it is vulnerable to spoil,” Jennah Yoo (11), a senior executive of the Medical Society club, said. “Extra attention is required for dairy products like cream, cheese, milk, yogurt, as they tend to easily spoil due to their ability of fermentation.”

According to the SIS food poisoning guide published by the nurse’s office, “salmonella bacteria usually contaminate foods when they come into contact with animal feces. The main causes of salmonella poisoning are eating dairy products, undercooked meat, and fresh produce that has not been washed well. Some ways to take care of yourself after getting food poisoning are having plenty of rest, drinking water to prevent dehydration, avoiding over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicines, and eating bland, lowfat meals.”

With so many cases of food poisoning, concerns are spreading across the SIS student body as well. However, by implementing stringent food inspections regulations, the SIS cafeteria makes sure that such problems do not occur.

“It is important to use fresh ingredients,” the manager of SIS cafeteria and the school meal operation manager of Foodist Inc. said. “Various food poisoning prevention activities are carried out in the cafeteria by ensuring sanitation of all cooks and cooking utensils. However, extra caution has to be taken in September and October because it is the ‘changing season.’ Due to the big temperature gap between day and night, seasoned foods like kimbap, hamburgers, and sandwiches can be very dangerous if not stored in the refrigerator. Please take care of your health by eating safe food.”

The nurse’s office recommends that students “thoroughly wash their hands often, especially after using the bathroom, before touching food, and after touching raw food.”

This practice inhibits not only salmonella infections but also the further spread of COVID19. If all students partake in this small but significant action, the SIS community will be able to stay safe, even in this outbreak.

“If you see symptoms of food poisoning, I recommend that you immediately go see the doctor or the school nurse,” Bryan Lee (11), executive of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, said. “Food poisoning is prevalent in the summer so it is important for students and teachers to take extra caution in what they eat during those months.

Taking caution and being safe is better than getting a case of food poisoning.”

Hannah Kim Junior, Reporter

layout by Yuzine Yi

Severity of climate change emphasizes need for action

W

ith the constant rise in global temperatures, natural disasters, and climate change-led deaths, many scientists believe that Earth has possibly hit a point of no return.

Starting in the summer of 2021, a famine hit Madagascar: it was a climate change-driven drought and thus caused immense tension throughout the world. Similarly, Hurricane Ida caused flooding from Louisiana to New York in August, leaving 21 people dead and dozens missing.

“I, along with many others, was not aware of these events because I did not realize that it is a pressing issue,” Eddie Chu (10), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) club member, said.

“However, when we read about them, we realize how much of an impact they have on our society.”

Many countries are work-

ing to mitigate this crisis, making this year a milestone for international climate change combat. For instance, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) will be held from Nov. 1-12. Its goals include a global net-zero carbon emission and a decrease of the Earth’s temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“Every country has to sign up to be on board with this agreement,” Peter Alden, environmental science teacher, said. “As a human race, we are more like the stewards of the planet. By uniting, we can limit the carbon footprint and make it go down to zero. It would be totally possible if we can encourage innovation and a change in our lifestyle.”

More oil and car companies around the globe are going green with renewable energy, while countries such as China

and the UK are reaching their net-zero carbon emission goal.

With these efforts, the International Renewable Energy Agency predicts that by 2050, the share of renewable energy among nations will reach twothirds of all energy consumed.

Aside from non-governmental organizations, individuals are also taking action against climate change. At the forefront are Generation Z activists: along with worldknown Greta Thunberg, as a symbol of student activism, 14-year-old activist Alexandria Villaseñor, founder of the US Youth Climate Strike, and Luisa Neubauer, a member of Alliance 90/The Greens, are working tirelessly to advocate for climate protection.

“I think those people are amazing,” Talin Tyvand (11), President of WWF, said. “One of the best ways to combat

climate change is to get the facts and opinions out there.

Educating people about it is important because it can inspire people to take action such as donating. Even a couple of dollars a month could make a drastic change. People have to take climate change more seriously.”

However, unrecognized actions of people’s awareness of their daily habits and the environment can make the biggest difference as well.

“Individuals, even in daily lifestyles, can help achieve climate goals through using public transportation and buying ecofriendly products,” Ewan Huh (11), President of the Green Club, said. “Every little bit helps.”

Saewoong Ian Park Sophomore, Reporter

US forces withdraw from Afghanistan after 20 years

After 20 years of intense war against the Taliban, US forces in Afghanistan have finished withdrawing from what was the longest and one of the most costly wars in US history. The Biden administration sped up the withdrawal of US troops to Aug. 31 and initiated a mass evacuation of US citizens and Afghans with US visas from Afghanistan.

Throughout the evacuation, the Biden administration faced much criticism for handling the situation poorly. By prompting such a sudden withdrawal of troops with the tight Aug. 31 deadline, the Biden administration has deprived many, including US citizens, of the necessary time and military protection to evacuate from Afghanistan.

“I believe the Biden Administration made several key mistakes with the evacuation,” Peter Kim (11), politics enthusiast, said. “First, they overestimated the strength of the Afghan government.

Second, they practically ignored the consequences of leaving the Taliban, particularly the humanitarian atrocities that would ensue. Finally, they failed to retrieve military equipment as US forces evacuated.”

The withdrawal has been met with contrasting views and interpretations. In itself, the withdrawal from Afghanistan marks the cessation of the decades-long conflict and spares many young American lives.

Many soldiers are rejoicing as they unite with their families after years of being deployed

on the Afghan frontlines.

“There will probably be humanitarian consequences, but I am relieved this long war has finally ended,” Joonsung Kim (10), member of the Academic Quiz Team, said.

“Ending the war will save more lives than it will take.”

But for the Afghans left under Taliban rule, the future is rather uncertain. In the wake of the US withdrawal, the Taliban stormed Kabul, the capital, and took complete control over Afghanistan.

Although the Taliban made promises to respect Afghans’ rights, many believe these promises are doubtful given the track record of the Taliban. The Taliban has been accused of humanitarian atrocities particularly against women, ranging from denial

of education to rape, placing the Afghans’ human rights in doubt.

“Despite the Taliban’s history of atrocities, I think the Taliban might be more accommodating towards Afghans including women and girls,” James Kowalski, AP US History teacher, said. “I believe the Taliban understands that it needs to be more moderate than before, as their economy is in shambles and they need international recognition to solve these problems. They cannot continue with business as usual.”

Some Afghans have managed to flee Afghanistan.

Approximately 390 Afghans who helped Koreans have been evacuated to Korea on transport planes. These 390 refugees along with other Afghan refugees, however, are not being welcomed by the Koreans; many Koreans oppose the acceptance of refugees and amidst the heated debate, the role of Korea in providing refuge for Afghans seems ambiguous.

“I believe Korea will play a somewhat minor role in providing refuge for Afghan refugees considering its historical trends,” Morgan Miller, government and politics teacher, said. “In general, refugee programs can be unpopular in times of crisis so Korea, especially with its monoculture, might be hesitant to take in refugees. Moreover, with the presidential election coming up in April, I do not think the government will be willing to make risky moves like accepting many refugees.”

Hugo Lee

Junior, Reporter

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Doyun Jeong: music-production YouTube star

For most, the beep sound of entering apartment door passwords is thought of as merely a trivial noise that is produced when they try to enter their home. However, YouTuber YDJ uses this noise to create an interesting sound effect that mimics the theme melody in the game Among Us. “I was expecting maybe ten thousand views on the Among Us sound effects video, and I was astonished to see that I received over 35 million views,” YDJ said.

“Among Us was a trending game back in November, and I thought it would be fun to recreate in-game sound effects using daily objects. I could not believe myself after realizing how popular this video became.”

YDJ is a recognized Korean YouTuber who produces music by remixing songs or recreating sound effects using not only musical instruments but also everyday objects lying around in his house. Surprisingly, this YouTuber, who boasts an impressive

count of 306 thousand subscribers, is also known as a friendly junior student at SIS: Doyun Jeong.

Doyun’s musicality helps him create innovative videos with clear-cut rhythms, beats, and melodies that sync perfectly with each other. Along with these groovy tunes, Doyun also incorporates sounds from daily life, such as the slashing sound of stabbing tangerines and the crisp noise of crushing spinach. Moreover, Doyun uses the sharp sound effect of his brother slapping his cheek as a background beat in his hip hop beat video, adding a humor factor in his videos that make his viewers smile in amusement. Such original content is what separates Doyun from thousands of other music-production YouTubers that exist online today.

“YouTube is a platform that helps me express my freedom and creativity to a wider audience,” Doyun said. “For example, I can recreate songs I like to listen

to, such as ZICO’s ‘Any Song,’ and even combine them with other music to produce a single, remixed track. The variety of content and the creativity I could show to a wide audience makes me enjoy music production and YouTube.”

Aside from Doyun’s part-time job as a YouTuber, he faces the struggles of leading a successful life as a high school junior student just like other teenagers his age. Doyun yawns through a massive pile of homework every day, stresses over having to take multiple AP courses, and busily flies up and down the stairs between class periods, living each day like an endless marathon. Though he sometimes finds it difficult to juggle such different aspects of his life at the same time, whenever an idea pops up in his mind, he simply cannot wait for the weekend to come so that he can finally go through with his idea and have fun creating a video.

With such a hectic schedule,

Doyun needs a solid support system by his side. Sean Lee (11), one of Doyun’s best friends, describes him as a “really creative person.” “I never expected that he would have over 300 thousand subscribers on YouTube, so I was truly shocked,” Sean said.

“Besides music production, he really enjoys playing sports at school, especially soccer and baseball. Interestingly, he is also very talented and passionate about bowling. Similar to how he is shown on YouTube, Doyun is very easygoing and interactive at school too.”

With his sociable and positive personality, Doyun wishes to communicate more comfortably with his audience and has recently uploaded a creative video that he worked on for more than two months. In this video, he compiled over 200 videos that his subscribers sent him—ranging from people playing instruments to more random sounds, such as dog barks and laptop keyboard-

9

clicks—with layered melodies and rhythmic background beats in the background. Moreover, Doyun hopes to interact more with the SIS community, regarding music production or YouTube, which is why he created the new YouTube Influencer Club (YIC).

As the current executive of YIC, Doyun wills to share his insight on how he defines a YouTuber.

“I think that someone who can be creative and never lose consistency can make a good YouTuber,” Doyun said. “Whenever I review the final products of my new video, I feel really satisfied and proud about my work, and this motivates me to continue enjoying music. I believe that enjoying what you do is so important because having fun is the key to unlocking success.”

John Kim

Sophomore, Reporter

ANTI I N

Misandry

Norms turned sour: The causes of anti-feminism in South Korea

By ROSA SUH The history of feminism in Korea is incredibly shallow. Old Korean society, the period from the Joseon Dynasty to the latter half of the 20th century, was entrenched in Confucian thinking where it was the norm that women were duty-bound to support their male relatives in whatever way possible, even at the cost of their own aspirations. The highly controversial novel “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” provides common examples of this phenomenon both in the distant and recent past, like sisters working in factories to pay for their brothers’ education after the Korean War and daughters becoming teachers (a female-dominated job in Korea) to support their family in the 1990s.

It was only starting from the 1980s, when laws dismantling the traditional patriarchal family system were enacted, that women’s rights entered the mainstream. This shift in gender norms reflected the rapid industrialization of Korean society following the Korean War. Unlike in Western countries, where it took a centuries-long crawl for women to progress from subservience to equality, Korean women gained their civil rights in a matter of dec-

ades. However, legislative change does not always reflect social change; in response to this breakneck progress, a wave of dissent from “anti-feminists”—people, predominantly young men, who oppose feminism in Korea—has grown increasingly popular in recent years.

The root of both feminism and its antithesis in Korea is the shrinking influence of Confucianism. Following the Korean War, Western ideas and media that emphasized equal opportunity regardless of sex, such as the concept of natural rights and the free market, have considerably undermined Confucian ideology about strictly following fixed societal roles. For example, Korean women in the Joseon Dynasty were expected to cover their heads with a shawl whenever they ventured outside in order to preserve their chastity. With the introduction of American Hollywood stars and movies, however, women were influenced to adapt Western-style clothing and more sexually liberal attitudes, discarding their hanboks and shawls.

While society openly observed this change in women’s norms, the shift in expectations for Korean

men was much slower, since the Confucian role for men was not as explicitly discriminatory as it was for women. Nevertheless, fewer men began to believe that it was their duty to be the sole breadwinner for the family or to be responsible for the wellbeing of their communities. They thought that these ideas were antiquated and burdened them with too much stress. However, these expectations still remained at large in Korean society in everyday life; men were often expected to pay for dates, not show their emotions, and sacrifice their aspirations to work at a stifling job. Seeing these norms still exist despite claims of supposed gender equality proved to these men that Korea was a country of misandry: a nation where women were provided an unfair advantage while men worked tirelessly to fight unfounded claims of sexism. Hence, even as statistics show disproportionate discrimination against Korean women in the workplace and cases of sexual harassment and domestic abuse, anti-feminist sentiments continue to grow.

This does not mean anti-feminism has no legitimate cause; feminism in Korea has been con-

siderably more radical than its counterparts in the West, so much so that radical feminism, which advocates more for the domination of women in society rather than equality, is what comes to mind when most Koreans think of feminism. Contributing heavily to this notion are radical Korean feminist Internet forums like Womad and Megalia, which have been accused of committing hate crimes against men by amplifying extreme misandrist stances. The existence of such forums further sour feminism in the eyes of many men by solidifying the impression that it is a hateful rather than a reformatory development.

But there are other, more contentious reasons why anti-feminism has grown so popular in Korea. For instance, government support for women in the workplace, such as gender quotas to put more women in executive positions intended to close the gaping gender disparity in Korean companies, has incited outrage among young men. In a nation where job competition is fierce and available positions few and far between, anti-feminists see these equity laws as unfair.

This is not the only law that

S

has come under fire by anti-feminists. The biggest cause for anger among many Korean men is the nation’s mandatory conscription law, which is not applicable to women. In a study of 1,000 Korean men done by Ma Kyunghee, a gender policy researcher at Korean Women’s Development Institute, 72 percent believed that the gender-based conscription law proved that men are disadvantaged in Korean society. Inflaming this anger are populist politicians capitalizing on anti-feminism like Representative Ha Tae-keung, who actively promotes mandatory conscription for women.

All of this anti-feminist sentiment leaves gender equality activists in a difficult position. Genuine concerns and proposals for gender equality by feminists in Korea have been scapegoated by anti-feminists as proponents of extremism, leaving the still-deep institutional sexism in Korea untouched. With swivel-eyed players prevalent in both sides of the debate—in the form of radical feminism and vehement anti-feminists—considerable gender reform seems distant in the status quo.

I-FEMINISM

S O U T H

Dis

crim

ina t

K O R E A

ion

ict fl n o er c

Gend

o

#

To e M

Break of norms

Activism turned bitter: How anti-feminism affects South Korea

By JUNSEO LEE When South Korean archer An San won three gold medals for the national team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, breaking the record for the number of medals in archery in a single Olympic Game, most of the country praised her as an outstanding athlete. But a large group of anti-feminists disagreed: they harassed her online for being a “short-haired feminist” and even demanded that she return her medals.

In the past few months, an increasing number of Koreans have been vilifying feminists and protesting against several laws that promote gender equity.

Though such anti-feminist and patriarchal sentiment has existed for centuries in general Korean society, many people have started to express concern regarding the dramatic shift in the demographic that supports these ideals, as well as the larger impacts that the anti-feminist movement has on Korean society and culture.

For example, the #MeToo movement, which encourages women to speak up about their experiences with sexual assault and to hold people accountable

for their crimes, sparked backlash from many anti-feminists who believe that the movement discriminates against men. In fact, there have been several student rallies in Seoul protesting against the #MeToo movement, claiming that punishing men for allegations of “verbal sexual abuse” was unjust. In one case, protesters defended a male student who was being punished by a committee for commenting “all the girls in our section are pretty,” to a female student.

After this criticism, the committee changed its statement, agreeing that its first judgement of restricting the student’s activities on campus had been too harsh.

Not only are anti-feminists preventing the spread of the #MeToo movement, but they are also condemning famous figures who show any sign of support for feminism. For instance, when K-pop idol Son Na-eun of Apink posted a photo of herself with the words “GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING” on her phone case, she was immediately bombarded with criticism from anti-feminists, with several of them stating that she should not advertise

feminism on her social media. As a result, she was forced to delete the photos, and her agency eventually announced that she has no stance on feminism–the phone case was from a brand deal. Many feminists commented on this incident, claiming that feminism should not be such a sensitive topic and that it was wrong for celebrities to be silenced when supporting their own ideals.

Conflicts between feminists and anti-feminists are also affecting companies and businesses, as entities depend on a clean public image. For example, the convenience store chain GS25’s promotional poster for camping items included a hand with pinched fingers, which turned out to be a symbol previously used by radical feminists to belittle men. The company was eventually forced to delete the advertisement—an action that only fueled more tension between feminists and anti-feminists.

As this battle rages on, students are constantly reminded that they themselves will feel the long term effects of this conflict.

By reinforcing traditional gender norms and attempting to shut down the feminist movement,

anti-feminists have the potential to destroy decades of attempts to further women’s rights in South Korea and revert the nation’s minimal progress. The reemergence of a male-dominated society would affect both current and future generations of students by limiting opportunities for female students.

In fact, many students are already facing the effects of the gender conflict in Korean society. A study from Iowa State University by EunJin Bang called “​​Gender differences in Korean high school students’ science achievements and attitudes towards science in three different school settings,” shows that Korean female students in both coeducational and all-female schools have less interest in jobs in science and technology. It was also reported that many male students and teachers believe that women should not take jobs related to science. A specific example in the study showed that both male and female students were more likely to buy computers that were made by men than those made by women. A female student even stated that technology and science felt like an area

of study made for men, as “there are so many male scientists.”

Many feminists claim that societal conventions in South Korea discourage young women from attempting to take less traditional paths and give themselves equal opportunities. In order to solve this issue, many feminists wish to support and take action on the ideals that they believe in and work to dismantle the patriarchy. By doing so, they hope to shape their country’s future cultural atmosphere to be more just for future generations to come.

10 SPORTS & LIFESTYLE How the pandemic rewrote the film industry’s script Few industries suffered more from the pandemic than the film industry.

In light of the global pandemic, the film industry has experienced a dramatic shift.

Postponed cinema releases and temporarily halted production have forced viewers to enjoy video entertainment from their homes.

“Since I was stuck at home and unable to hang out with friends over the summer, the only sources of entertainment I had were shows and movies on Netflix,” said Amy Cha (10), Netflix user. “I have started watching more content at home because the pandemic made me realize the comfort of enjoying Netflix in my room.”

Streaming services including Netflix and Disney+ benefited most from this change.

As a result, market revenue in 2020 saw a 31 percent increase from 2019, whereas revenue from theatrical entertainment experienced a sharp decrease by 28 percent.

While this industry overhaul is unfortunate for cinema enthusiasts, the situation is much worse for movie stars and directors, who have relied on additional post-release revenue for decades.

“Movie releases will never be the same,” Tim Gardes, school librarian, said. “Similar to print books and e-books, I think we will arrive at a hybrid model because we certainly cannot ignore the unique experiences theaters offer. Nonetheless, even after COVID-19, streaming services will likely become the leading norm moving forward.”

A recent legal Hollywood episode highlighted this change in the film industry.

In July, Scarlett Johansson, star of Marvel Studios’s blockbuster superhero film

“Black Widow,” filed a lawsuit against Disney for violating her contract. Disney allegedly breached its pledge to protect her financial interests and released the film on Disney Plus to supposedly boost its streaming revenue.

Johansson’s suit argues that the contract specifically outlined that “Black Widow” would follow the pre-pandemic norm of Marvel’s theatrical releases and included an article for compensation associated with her picture’s box-office receipts.

On the other end of the lawsuit, Disney’s filing contended that her contract’s enumerated ‘wide theatrical release’ did not necessarily mean an ‘exclusive’ theatrical release.

Moreover, Disney claimed that it informed Johansson about the concurrent release schedule beforehand and confirmed the actress with its vow to compensate for additional streaming profits, bearing the pandemic in mind.”

“I think Scarlett Johansson and Disney both have reasons behind their decisions,” Lindsey Lim (10), avid Marvel fan, said. “Whether or not Disney was legally ‘justified’ for the simultaneous release of ‘Black Widow,’ it seems as though streaming online would be the optimal choice for increasing overall entertainment sales with the pandemic.”

In the meantime, it seems as though the results of this lawsuit will remain up in the air until the official hearing on Oct. 15. The final outcome of this unprecedented legal battle will likely be a barometer and critical turning point for the future of the film industry.

Katelyn Oh

Sophomore, Reporter

Hit or Miss:

Chicago White Sox trade top prospects for Craig Kimbrel

By Hugo Lee

On July 31, just hours before the trade deadline, the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox traded for Craig Kimbrel, the best closer on the trade block.

Kimbrel, with his miniscule 0.49 earned run average (ERA), was having one of the best seasons of his Hall of Fame career. The White Sox, aiming to solidify its bullpen by adding another great arm alongside their own all-star closer, Liam Hendriks, was willing to pay a high price for Kimbrel. Ultimately, Kimbrel came to the South Side at the cost of the skilled contact-hitting second baseman Nick Madrigal and young hurler Codi Heuer going to the Cubs. But was this trade a hit or miss for the White Sox? Overall: Hit Simply put, Craig Kimbrel is Craig Kimbrel. The name speaks for itself. He is one of the greatest closers ever.

Kimbrel has the ninth most saves in the history of baseball and is currently the active saves leader. Kimbrel boasts an impressive career 2.16 ERA, miniscule 0.950 walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP), a staggering 372 saves, eight all-star nominations, and a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. There is no other bullpen arm that is more proven than that of Kimbrel.

A pitcher of such caliber is sure to suit the needs of any team, but Kimbrel is a perfect fit for the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox have the most secure lead in baseball with a one game lead over the second place Cleveland Indians in their

2020 Paralympic Games end successfully

Held from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games marked the end of the 2020 games.

The Paralympics invited athletes from all over the world to compete and set records amidst numerous changes and concerns.

While considerably fewer people watch the Paralympics compared to the Olympics, they are nonetheless a popular and widely valued event.

Athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments compete

layout by Clara Lim

in modified versions of their sports, their impairments being categorized into different types and levels.

“Though I watched the Olympics regularly, I am definitely not familiar with the Paralympics,” Sarah Yim (11), varsity girls volleyball player, said. “I did watch a video clip of a Polish table tennis player [Natalia Dorota Partyka] without an arm who competed at the Olympics. I was fascinated, and this raised my interest in watching the Paralympic games.”

Several changes took place in this year’s Paralympics. Among the 539 games in 22 sports categories were some newly introduced sports, including badminton, taekwondo, amputee football, and powerchair football.

Considering public health concerns regarding the pandemic in Japan, the Paralympics also underwent technical changes. Games were held behind closed doors, and the International Paralympics Committee introduced COVID-related guidelines and safety recommendations for each type of sport.

“I think it was very important to make sure the Paralympics took place despite the pandemic,” Andrew Park (10), sports enthusiast, said. “Even though the athletes or staff members might spread the virus, many athletes have prepared for a long time, and disabled athletes deserve a stage just like the Olympic athletes.”

One aspect consistent with past Paralympic games, however, was the concerns regarding the incentivization of cheating and the flaws in the

division, making the postseason practically guaranteed. However, their bullpen has been somewhat inconsistent despite being loaded with talent; the only reliable arms have been flamethrower Michael Kopech and elite closer Liam Hendriks, the others being inconsistent in their performance.

Throughout the first half of the season, the White Sox bullpen posted a mediocre 4.02 ERA, placing the bullpen in an unimpressive twelfth place in the league.

Moreover, it had a somewhat high 18 blown saves, placing it seventh overall in the league. All of this indicates that the Sox bullpen was failing to protect leads. The state of the bullpen clearly needed to be addressed by General Manager Rick Hahn.

Admittedly, the White Sox had already strengthened the bullpen by adding another solid arm, Ryan Tepera, from a crosstown trade, the day before the Kimbrel trade.

Tepera, like Kimbrel, was having a career high season, posting an impressive 2.91 ERA. It could be argued that Tepera was enough for solidifying the bullpen, but this is not a strong case for opposing the Kimbrel trade.

As much as Tepera was having a solid season, his career 3.48 ERA is nowhere near Kimbrel’s elite numbers. To hope that Tepera will continue posting an ERA in the 2s is too risky for the inconsistent Sox bullpen going into the second half of the season.

Another of Kimbrel’s assets that is often overlooked is his extensive and successful postseason experience. The White Sox is a team loaded with young talent, but they lack playoff experience.

impairment categorization system.

French swimmer Claire Supiot, for instance, said the athletes’ impairment classification assessments are often “done by eye and based on the feeling of the observers,” noting the possibility of unscientific and arbitrary results.

Despite such controversies, many note the global, cultural, and social significance of the Paralympics.

Originally a gathering of British World War II veterans from 1948, the Paralympics have long been a major medium through which disabled people could break barriers, seek fair treatment, and be included in the world’s most unifying and celebrated sports event.

“The Paralympics are important because they raise awareness about mental and physical disabilities,” Ricky Green, physical education teacher, said. “Seeing disabled people participating in sports has increased their social status and has made sports more accessible in local communities. They are also a great display of determination and courage.”

Kimbrel brings to the Sox valuable World Series experience that is sure to contribute to what is hoped to be a deep postseason run.

But what about the hefty price the White Sox paid for Kimbrel?

Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer are both top prospects in the White Sox system. In particular, Madrigal is an invaluable asset with a long, team-friendly rookie contract who has proven to be an elite contact hitter.

However, there is a major issue that undermines his value: Madrigal has already had two major injuries within his short career of less than a single full season. His recent season-ending hamstring injury in particular makes him of no value to the White Sox this year and has serious long-term implications for his speed and agility.

Considering these injuries that could hinder Madrigal’s role, Kimbrel was definitely a worthy investment for the White Sox. Overall, for a championship caliber team like the White Sox, Kimbrel is an invaluable bullpen piece whose presence would likely make the difference between winning and losing the World Series. Madrigal could very likely be hitting over .300 in the North Side every season, but the White Sox’ window for a championship is now and they must do everything they can to use this opportunity for a title.

Although students at SIS have yet to watch the Paralympics as much as the Olympics, the public outreach and awareness of the Paralympics have noticeably increased: a number of Paralympic athletes reported feeling excited to see their sports becoming more well known and covered in the media. As the world continues to take steps toward inclusivity and equality, the future of the Paralympics stands promising.

“I certainly think students in our community should spend more time getting to know the Paralympics better,” Triston Lee (11), Olympics viewer, said. “Watching this event can help get rid of negative perceptions students may have of disabled people. Even if we do not use streaming services to watch the games live, we can watch highlight clips on YouTube as an easy way to become more familiar with the Paralympics.”

BY: Aimee Choi Junior, Copy Editor

DEEP_FRIED_INTERNET Can we pretend that airplane in the night sky are shooting stars?

The bisexual pride flag. The Roblox login screen.

Dyed hair. To general society, these items seem disparate and completely unrelated to one another. But to many netizens, they bring to mind a bizarre Internet phenomenon: Mordetwi.

What is Mordetwi, you may ask? Well, dear reader, you may not want to know the answer. Mordetwi is a “ship”: a portmanteau of the characters Twilight Sparkle from “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” and Mordecai from the Cartoon Network program “Regular Show” created by netizens who desire the two to be in a romantic relationship. While the concept of “shipping” may seem weird in itself, Mordetwi falls into an even weirder subcategory of shipping because the two characters are not even from the same media, meaning that Twilight and Mordecai have never interacted with each other in canon.

So how did such a bizarre combination come together in the first place? The answer is unclear. Mordetwi first gained traction in December 2011, when a group dedicated to the ship was created on DeviantArt, which has long been a hub for passionate fandom activities. Members of this group created art, lit-

erature, and other media centered around Mordetwi, one of which is the now infamous picture of the duo poorly drawn against an overly-saturated night sky, singing “Airplanes” by B.O.B and Hayley Williams.

The ship remained at the back of the Internet’s consciousness for around nine years until a resurgence in mid-2020; struck by the enticing meme-ability of the “Airplanes” drawing, redrawing it became a popular hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. Then, after a brief moment of respite, the meme roared back stronger than ever in the summer of 2021, this time on TikTok and YouTube. People made video parodies of the drawing, some commenting how the ship became so popular that they were seeing it in ordinary things like dyed hair.

But this still does not answer the question: why?

Like bluedog444 on DeviantArt, the creator of the “Airplanes” fan art, said in an interview with Insider in 2021 at the height of the meme’s popularity, most people simply want attention by bandwagoning on something popular. Most, if not all, netizens understand that Mordetwi is a bizarre, nonsensical pairing, but they still create parodies and art around it because of its comedy factor. Their creations are the stuff of ironic humor, not genuine interest.

This reflects a common point of criticism Internet veterans have for the current state of the Web: genuine, unbridled enjoyment of something is now rare.

MULTIMEDIA

11

rosa suh

The new generation of netizens, including Generation Z, are now more inhibited toward expressing true joy at something in fear of being labeled a social outcast.

In the early days of the Internet, forums dedicated to seemingly strange things, like Mordetwi, were abundant, allowing netizens to express themselves freely.

Today, the Web is much more controlled by corporations with financial goals, not individual people for the sake of fun.

Of course, people can argue otherwise. The explosive creativity seen on apps like TikTok, where a wide variety of people ranging from Harvard neuroscientists to modern-day witches converge, provides proof that individual quirkiness on the Internet is still very much alive. Additionally, ironic and “edgy” humor has always been a part of Internet culture; it is unfair to chastise the new Internet for it when it was prevalent in the old one as well.

But regardless of the case, all this paints an ironic picture of the Internet: a place that is simultaneously both an escape from the rules of society and a reminder of them. Despite being separated by a screen and thousands of miles, people are still inclined to care about the opinions of others. Maybe pretending that the Internet is a blissful landscape separated from reality is just wistful thinking. Like pretending that airplanes in the night sky are shooting stars, maybe all we are really doing is pretending.

How does SIS text?

Grace Lee Texting others is so enjoyable because of our own “digital dialects,” ranging from writing in all lowercase to constantly spamming the cursed eye-andmouth emoji combination in group chats.

Perhaps it is not even how you text, but when you text; it might be that you send a reply within the next few seconds, or that you do not respond at all. Though at first glance, these little peculiarities seem like nothing more than harmless quirks, they influence our daily interactions more than we think by either aiding communication or causing misunderstandings.

Take “dry” texting, or texting as emotionally as a dead cat. Though some find the method to be the most practical with its short one-second replies, others can find the dialect to be intimidating and unfriendly. Emotive texters can perceive their stony counterparts as lacking necessary emotion and decorum, leading to assumptions of hostility. Continuous online interaction between two such texters, then, may harm rather than benefit their relationship.

With the significance of these dialects in mind, then, how do we, specifically, text?

An online Instagram poll of approximately 111 SIS students shows that 45 percent of them favor the abbreviation “LMAO” to express laughter, and coming in a close second, “HAHAHA” is used by approximately 43 percent of the student body. “LOL” and laughing emojis, however, are only used by 11.7 percent of the population. The textual expressions dominating texts, then, indicate that the

deciding factor is not only the practicality or speed that emojis offer, but the inclusion of an expletive in “LMAO” that reflects the style of many other commonly used text abbreviations, such as “WTF” or “WTH.” Expanding on the use of emojis, students display a clear preference for the smiling emoji with a tear over comedic emoticons such as the skull, stone face, and clown emoji, weighing in at 48.5 percent. This is likely because emojis represent satire for most students, and when combined with the emotion of sadness, they become a humorous representation of procrastination, released grades, and looming deadlines.

Alongside general topics of school often expressed in text, another representation of students’ busy schedules is their perception of “chewing,” or ignoring annoying messages from people that honestly spend way too much time online. 36.9 percent of those surveyed thought that those who did not respond to a message in the next 5 hours or more purposefully ignored their message, while only 20.7 percent believed the same for a 1 to 2 hour delay.

All in all, these texting dialects reach far beyond just the way we text but are also representative of our individual lives. Though these styles differ across the school, the fun we derive from texting to our friends remains the same, and is what makes an otherwise boring conversation interesting.

12

SMALL TALK

That Theater Nerd.

‘Hadestown’: A trip down to the underworld

“I would travel to hell and back for you”—is an extreme promise. However, to young Orpheus, it was the least he could do for Eurydice, his one true love.

The ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is familiar to all. Shortly after the two wed, Eurydice tragically passes away and a bereaved Orpheus then travels to the underworld to bring his late wife back to life. Orpheus is a skilled lyrist whose music touches the cold heart of Hades, god of the underworld. Hades, therefore, offers the desperate newlyweds a deal: if Orpheus can manage to trust that Eurydice is following him out of the underworld and not look back, then they can live happily ever after.

The Tony Award-winning musical “Hadestown,” with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell, provides a modern twist on this famous tale. Even centuries later, we continue to root for Orpheus to successfully lead Eurydice out of the underworld, as the two share a type of love that only appears in Wattpad stories written by thirteen-year-olds who have unrealistic

Pockets, Please

By Skylar Peck

Before I sat down to draft this piece, I asked a friend what the biggest object he could fit into a pocket was. My phone buzzed a few minutes later: “a bottle of water.” I stared at the screen in envy— then at my jeans, which I doubt could hold a water bottle cap. Curiously, it seems that women seldom enjoy the same functional, capacious pockets that men do; I often joke that it is a universal female experience, lamenting the lack of functional pockets in clothing. Phones, wallets, the tiniest tube of lip gloss—the list of objects I (and countless other women protesting inferior pockets on social media) cannot fit into pockets could probably stretch down to the depths of Hades.

A 2018 study by the data journalism website The Pudding reveals that pockets in women’s jeans are almost 50 percent shorter than those in men’s. Only 40 percent of women’s pockets can hold an iPhone X, compared to 100 percent of men’s; even more surprisingly, 10 percent of women’s yet 100 percent of men’s pockets can fit a woman’s hand. The researchers controlled for clothing size, so it cannot be argued that the difference in pocket capacity between the genders arises from a difference in physical size.

If not physical differences, from what does the pocket inequality stem?

Frivolous though it may seem, this pocket phenomenon is rooted in history and gender norms. Centuries ago, before the development of the modern-day pocket, both men and women wore pockets tied to their clothes. By the 1800s, men had begun to have pockets

layout by Bona Suh

By Seoyun Katie Kim

relationship standards.

In the musical, Orpheus is initially depicted as an awkward man with little confidence. Yet as the plot progresses, the audience sees him come out of his shell. I recognize Orpheus’s appeal, for I am very much attracted to scrawny men with dreamy eyes and messy hair who love good music—but I digress. With sweet duets such as “Come Home with Me,” and “All I’ve Ever Known” that show how Orpheus wins over the headstrong Eurydice, I cannot help but root for the couple.

Hermes, as the messenger of the gods and the conductor of the dead to Hades, acts as the narrator throughout the musical. In the first song of the musical’s amazing soundtrack, “Road to Hell,” he introduces most of the main characters and the seemingly post-apocalyptic world of the Greek Gods. This world has trains, factories, and even employment contracts.

“Hadestown” also tells the tale of Hades and his wife Persephone, queen of the underworld. According to Hermes, spring and fall have ceased to come every year because Hades and Persephone have fallen out of love.

Instead, the world is stuck in an endless cycle of harsh winters and short summers. After getting a glimpse of Orpheus’s musical talent within this first number, we shortly learn that he is writing a song to help restore the seasons.

The world of “Hadestown” eerily mirrors the one we live in today. Hades is described as the embodiment of

capitalist society. Instead of ruling the underworld, he rules Hadestown, a palace built on the blood, sweat, and tears of laborers who are legally bound to serve him for life. “Way Down Hadestown,” a jazzy choral number with a melody that contrasts with its dark message, addresses the brutal working conditions Hades implements. Eurydice, young and naive, is manipulated by what Hades sings in “Hey, Little Songbird,” which is why she decides to take the train to the underworld.

I love how there is no fourth wall in “Hadestown.”

The characters directly talk to the audience, which builds engagement. The musical also contains tastefully executed political commentary. In the song “Why We Build the Wall,” Hades’ employees chant that “the wall keeps out the enemy/And we build the wall to keep us free/That’s why we build the wall.” The message is in tune with the political climate of the year 2019, which was when the musical premiered on Broadway.

Ultimately, the audience knows how the story will end—Orpheus succumbs to doubt and turns around to face Eurydice. However, fans watch the musical to relive Orpehus’s enthralling journey. Luckily, you too can experience the magic of “Hadestown” live. The musical is currently back on Broadway, and a Korean cast will be performing it at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from Sept. 7 to Feb. 27, 2022. Once you choose to take the trip down to “Hadestown,” trust me when I say you will never look back.

Little Lens, Larger Ends sewn into their clothing; however, this evolution in fashion did not extrapolate to women, who instead had to wear their pockets beneath their petticoats. When tight clothing soon rose to popularity, the concealed pockets were replaced by reticules, which women had to carry around if they wanted to store anything. After all, form took precedence over function in women’s clothes. By the twentieth century, not much had changed for women’s pockets: in 1954, eminent fashion designer Christian Dior said that “men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration.”

Today, the pocket inequality persists despite women’s requests and complaints; for this some fault the gender makeup of the fashion industry, which still remains male-dominated despite the majority of consumers and fashion school graduates being women. Whoever is to blame, it makes little sense to continue producing infinitesimal pockets whose lack of functionality their intended buyers shudder at. Gender norms have become much less rigid than they once were, and with the distinction between men’s and women’s social roles becoming more and more blurred, is it necessary to keep clothing separate? If societal norms can change, why can’t pockets? Besides, if women can carry another lifeform inside them for nine months, then it seems to me that they more than deserve to be able to carry a bottle of water.

photo of the

month Allison Lee (10) purchases a delicious Pig Bar ice cream, a brand new addition to the menu at the HSSC Cartnivore.

Photo by John Kim