Volume LX, No. 2 by The Smoke Signal

investigative report: fusd budget deficit

By Rajorshi Chatterjee, Scarlett Huang, Kaiwei Parks & Michelle Qu Sta Writers

FUSD plans to cut back on school spending to account for a $30 million decrease in funding. The new budget would eliminate approximately $35 million in unrestricted spending. Implications of this include potential teacher layo s, reductions in school supplies, and course reductions with regard to speciﬁc programs, such as language or art. This spending deﬁcit was a result of the expiration of funding during the coronavirus pandemic, declining district-wide enrollment, and increased sta ng costs. The plan for creating a reduced budget was announced during a special 30-minute FUSD Board Meeting by Superintendent Erik Burmeister, Associate Superintendent Danny Hillman, and Director of Budget James Arcala on September 18. The plan is set to be presented in January 2025. The interviewed teachers and district o cials to explore the steps being taken and the potential impact this would have on the student body and sta

background

FUSD receives most of its funding from the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) sources, which largely depend on enrollment and attendance-dependent state government funding. As the greatest source of funding for FUSD, totaling approximately $389 million for the 2023-24 school year, LCFF sources are important to ensure FUSD has the legally required allocation of funds. However, in the 2024-25 school year, only $383 million has been allocated, an approximately $5 million decrease. This decrease in funding is exacerbated by lackluster attendance from students. For every day a student misses school, FUSD loses $65 in funding, a problem for FUSD and California schools as a whole. Chronic absenteeism has more than doubled since 2019, increasing from 12% to 25% in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, several one-time relief funds are running dry. The expiration of one-time grants, such as the COVID-19 Relief Fund and the Learning Recovery Fund, will result in a loss of $85.5 million of funding. School districts across CA received the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will be fully spent inbetween 2025-26 under the current budget. Since these resources will no longer be available, FUSD will have to ﬁnd other means to supplement its budget.

FUSD has set an approximate timeline for future steps in reducing its expenses in the coming months. In October, community town halls will be held online through Zoom and in person at MSJ, Warwick Elementary, and Fremont Adult & Continuing Education to collect input from stakeholders involved in this issue including teachers, SURFBoardE student representatives, district council members, parents, and other relevant parties. At the same time, principals will lead department discussions with sta to gather further input. In November, Burmeister and Business Services, a branch of FUSD that directly works with ﬁnance and logistics at the district level, will plan reduction scenarios. On December 2, a special Board meeting will be held where District sta will introduce initial reduction options to the Board. After receiving direction and feedback, ﬁnal reduction tiers, in order of least to most severe cuts, will be presented on January 8.

Faculty & Staff Impact

“I can’t say we’ve seen a reduction of funds per se, I get a certain amount every year … it’s based partially o of student enrollment ... It is outside of my control how much sta ng we get, but we always sta and create our courses, our master schedule, based on students’ choices on what they want to take.” —

Some smaller budget cuts among the sta and faculty will be achieved by reducing the number of optional Professional Development days — which require money for travel and out-of-work salary — and switching to free educational software alternatives. Furthermore, 85% of the FUSD unrestricted budget is paid toward teacher salaries and beneﬁts. Burmeister estimated that if budgets are cut proportionally, approximately 200 district employees will be laid o . “Cuts are never easy … [and] the impact will hurt,” Burmeister said. Many other districts in CA, such as San Francisco, Sonoma, and San Diego school districts, are experiencing similar budget deﬁcits as FUSD, and they partially addressed their issues by having their budget cuts and sta layo s in the previous year. FUSD was able to push back the budget by a year, but now they face the tough decision of deciding what cuts to make.

In the near future, due to declining enrollment rates, the ratio of sta to students at FUSD schools is predicted to increase. “We’ve been reducing sta ng slowly over the years, but I think we’re at this point where we just can’t a ord what we need for our operations based on a lot of the services we provide … we’re going to start aligning our sta ng with enrollment,” Arcala said. In order to maintain the current number of integral support sta such as counselors, other jobs such as librarians and paraeducators are put at a higher risk of being cut. However, which speciﬁc positions would be a ected is still under debate. “A strategy we might take is … eliminating unnecessary positions that we do not need to move forward, while still maintaining FUSD core values of quality education,” Arcala said.

As a result of budget cuts, class sizes may increase, prompting concern from teachers over the di culty of managing large classes. “The budget cuts are very much impacting World Language Departments … I have a class of 36 students, and [combined] level classes … that are impossible to teach,” French Teacher Herveline Sartori said.

student impact

Due to the need for enrollment and better attendance, schools have implemented stricter attendance policies. At MSJ, tardy and absent student policies have been enforced with consequences such as detention and Saturday school. In addition, Assistant Principal Beth Bonomo announced in a StudentSquare post on September 17 that students with more than 10 instances of unexcused absences or truancy “may lead to the loss of social privileges including Prom, Senior Cruise, Spring Fling, etc.” Meanwhile, FUSD is considering cutting back on materials spending inside the classroom. They plan to opt for less expensive alternatives to online software, such as a downgrade from ThoughtExchange to Google Forms. However, in the Board meeting, Arcala emphasized that FUSD hopes students’ quality of education will not be a ected by any budget reductions. “We are trying to ﬁnd what we could survive without … and still provide quality programs and experiences for our students,” Arcala said. This is a sentiment reﬂected by the MSJ administration. “I think the largest hit potentially could be a decrease in course o erings … we’re still in the process of collecting data,” Principal Amy Perez said.

“We have already addressed [the budget cuts] as we have reviewed the budget and, we'll continue through bargaining to present o ers, and hopefully the district will present genuine o ers to us as well, and we can come to an agreement.” — FUDTA High School Director Lane Melcic

“One of the biggest parts of our budget is special education, and it is not a fully funded program by the federal and state governments. So, there's a promise from them that this was a fund at a certain level for special ed, but [the federal government] isn’t fulﬁlling those promises.”

— Director of Budget James Arcala

SmokeSignal

Principal Amy Perez

Compiled by Angelina Chen, Ariel Duong & Fiona Yang Staf Writers

Deadly, record-breaking heat waves hit California this October

Sizzling temperatures across the Bay Area have resulted in an excessive heat warning alert, extending into multiple weeks, reaching all-time highs. California’s fall heat wave has risen to deadly heights, with 18 deaths possibly linked to the scorching temperatures, reaching up to 107 degrees. A heat advisory was issued to coastal regions such as San Francisco and valleys, while a heat warning was initiated for inland and coastal ranges, including Fremont. e National Weather Service (NWS) cautions Bay Area residents to stay inside and keep cool. Both heat advisories and warnings are expected to expire on October 4th at 11 p.m. e NWS anticipates the relief will begin early into next week, but record-breaking highs will continue through the month.

e impacts of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024

Passed on September 28, SB 707, or the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, requires a producer of apparel to accept unwanted clothing. e goal of the bill is to reduce the millions of textile waste from unwanted clothing, especially as it piles into land lls. It will also support the cycle of recycling clothing as well as address the wasteful impacts of fast fashion. e companies included in this bill make clothing, footwear, and textiles, and they are required to create a nonpro t organization by 2026 that sets up collection sites for unwanted clothes at thrift stores, begin clothing mail back programs, or o er alternate methods of recycling clothes by 2030. “SB 707 isn’t just about recycling; it’s about transforming the way we think about textile waste”, Sen. Josh Newman said.

Doctors covered in hazmat suits tend to the marbug virus outbreak.

Rwanda faces rst Marburg virus outbreak as global health experts mobilize Rwanda is experiencing its rst outbreak of Marburg virus disease, a rare and deadly hemorrhagic illness similar to Ebola, with no available treatments or vaccines and a fatality rate of up to 88%. So far, 56 people have fallen ill, with 25 receiving treatment and 12 fatalities reported. e World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are sending experts to assist Rwanda’s public health e orts, including testing, contact tracing, and containment. e virus, which has spread to eight of Rwanda’s 30 districts, is transmitted through bodily uids and contact with infected materials, but it is not airborne, making it somewhat easier to control. Authorities are urging calm and believe they have identi ed key hotspots.

HERS Breast Cancer Foundation hosts their 25th annual fundraiser

With their annual run/walk/yoga event, HERS unites hundreds of survivors to raise funds for current cancer patients.

By Navya Chitlur & Ekasha Sikka Staf Writers

HERS Breast Cancer Foundation held its 25th Annual Run/ Walk/Yoga Fundraiser at Quarry Lakes Regional Park on September 28, uniting around 600 survivors and supporters to raise funds for treating breast cancer patients. The event featured a 5k and 10k walk or run, yoga workshops, and booths by local businesses and sponsors. Attendees participated in heartfelt activities by honoring patients at the Memorial Wall and watching a symbolic paper dove release at the Survivors’ Circle.

The crowd gathered around News Reporter and emcee Heather Holmes as she started the event at 7 a.m., thanking all participants before handing the microphone to the foundation’s Board of Directors President Kirsten Litz. In an emotional display, Litz invited survivors to circle up in front

of the stage, which was decorated with a pink garland. They were handed paper doves as they voiced the years they’ve been battling breast cancer. Gifts were given to the shortest and longest survivors one month and 28 years, respectively. As the survivors returned

“I love seeing somebody who was a survivor [for longer] than me because it gives us all hope”

—HERS BoaRd of diREctoRS PRESidEnt KiRStEn Litz

to the crowd, Xtrim Bollywood led the audience in an energetic dance, ending with “Fight Song.” Booths from local organizations such as Mission Peak Chamber Singers and several banks opened as the main event began. Many were related to cancer or healthcare, like the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) booth, which focuses on cancer-related

education and community events. “We want to support HERS and let other people know about the work that the [organization] is doing. It’s important [to] understand that it’s a difficult thing to go through a cancer diagnosis, and we want to be there to support them,” WCRC Community Outreach and Volunteer Manager Audrey Shoji said.

Many activities also ran alongside the race, including yoga in the shade and free coffee from a Dunkin’ truck. A full-day costume contest was organized and won by a family dressed as the Frida Fighters, followed by a The Wizard of Oz-themed group, and then the Stanford Butterfly group, dressed in all pink.

Once the race began, people crowded around a booth offering paper footprints with names of honorees for participants’ shirts, and also around a Wizard of Oz-inspired photo site. Wooden medals were handed to runners

crossing the finish line, and awards were given to race and raffle winners. The activities created a festive atmosphere, encouraging supporters to donate and help reach the $100,000 goal. “We try to build excitement and make it a happy, lively event. That makes [attendees] feel good, and makes them realize that they’re helping — [whether it’s] their neighbors or other people in their communities,” Holmes said. The closing speech thanked attendees, urging them to keep supporting the cause. The organizers hope for great turnouts at future events. “We want to advertise that the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation will help anyone affected by breast cancer, whether they have insurance or not. “We have fundraisers to raise money, because anybody that comes to us for information or help, we’ll take them on and get them what they need,” HERS Volunteer Theresa Ananya said.▪

FUSD takes measures to comply with city-wide Climate Action Resolution

MSJ plays its part in making Fremont and its schools greener.

By Janet Guan & Lucas Zhang Staf Writers

As public attention continues to focus on the urgent issue of climate change, the City of Fremont and FUSD have taken action to combat the crisis in recent years.

In August, FUSD released a formal update on the Commitment to Climate Change Action Resolution passed in 2019, covering topics extending from transportation to climate literacy. Similarly, Fremont has followed through with its 2023 Climate Action Plan, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 30% between 2018 and 2030. The city and district have stayed true to this goal by contributing to greener school facilities.

Fremont’s Climate Action Plan consists of projects the city is currently undertaking to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and encourage greener lifestyles. One of these projects involves changing the default electricity source for residents from PG&E to renewable energy supplier Ava Community Energy. Moreover, in 2020, the city received a Cal Fire Urban Forestry Grant of $860,000 to fund the planting of new trees throughout

“The heat waves are only going to get more intense, and the district will have to adapt to [these changing conditions],” Environmental Sustainability”

Fremont. “The heat waves are only going to get more intense, and the district will have to adapt to [these changing conditions],” Environmental Sustainability Commission FUSD Rep. Nathan Ivy said. To support Fremont’s preventative actions against climate change, members of FUSD have worked to ensure the adoption of three major resolutions by the Board of Education. The 2019 Commitment to Climate Change Action Resolution established the course of action Fremont has taken toward a greener future in the past five years, the 2021 Educational Response to Climate Emergency Resolution set the standards for environmental education, and the 2022 Roosevelt Resolution, Transition to a Zero-Waste Landfill Entity, emphasized the need for the city to recycle waste rather than dumping it in landfills. The district has also made major investments in green transportation by acquir-

ing 14 electric buses in the last five years as well as 10 hybrid vans and two electric vans for its adult education programs. The district has taken additional steps as part of its environmental action plan by

“We’re leaning a lot more toward a greener future with every new purchase that we get … and really exploring the alternative with the [electric vehicle] market,” fuSd tRanSPoRtation dEPaRtmEnt diREctoR ERnESt EPLE y

putting a heavy emphasis on expanding environmental education. Renewed support for educational programs such as the FUSD K-12 Garden Network, which brings gardens in the district’s schools together as a means of fostering students’ initiative against climate change, has helped the district diversify its students’ climate education across both their STEM and humanities classes. “The work

really needs to be interdisciplinary … students need opportunities to learn the sciences, but … we’re going to have to talk … about how [the local society] works to really move the needle,” Ivy said. Within the MSJ community, local clubs and organizations are also taking small steps to make a difference toward the city and district’s environmental goals. Student organizations like MSJ Green Club and MSJ Youth4Climate have taken local action by organizing events such as MSJ Green Club’s Green Week collaboration with Leadership 2. During Green Week, events such as a club-organized scavenger hunt and a Walk and Roll to School Day allow students to involve themselves in climate change action. Other ways for students to take action include browsing Fremont’s My Climate Ready program, which offers accessible ways for students and their families to make an impact. “Before anything, you have to be aware of the situations, such as climate change and global warming. So first of all, it’s important to raise awareness,” MSJ Green Club President Sophie Choi said. ▪

“Before anything, you have to be aware of the situations, such as climate change and global warming. So frst of all, it’s important to raise awareness,”

Stephanie Nolen/Reuters

SB 707 aims to transform the recycling process in the textile industry.

Christian Chensvold/Consumer Product Safety Commision

Temperatures reach well over 100 degrees in places across the Bay Area.

Marc Bruxelle/Newsweek via Getty Images

The Frida Fighters and their family are celebrating their big win for the costume contest.

PHOTOS BY STAFF

Program Manager Marcia Russell celebrate FUSD’s new School Garden Network.

Runners and

By Angelina Chen, Novak Chen, Michelle Qu & Emily Zhang Sta Writers

New measures

In early September, Instagram announced the rollout of a new Teen Accounts feature, which places users under 18 into accounts with built-in safety setngs, restrictng sensitve content and allowing parents to monitor their children’s social media usage. The initatve is largely prompted by the growing concerns for online teen safety and a rising pressure for tech companies to implement stronger protectons for youth.

Instagram’s new features follow the passing of two signifcant online safety bills in the US Senate: the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protecton Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). If signed into law, these bills will strengthen privacy protectons for young users by requiring stricter consent from parents and youths, banning targeted advertsing, and mandatng safeguards against harmful content and addictve features on platorms like social media. Teen safety concerns online

COPPA 2.0, KOSA, and Instagram’s Teen Accounts represent a shif in the responsibility of online safety away from parents and teens and onto legislators and corporatons. These new safety requirements highlight that industry leadership — not just parental oversight — must drive progress to ensure a safer digital space for teens. However, the increase in regulatons also poses concerns for teens' privacy and autonomy, issues that legislators and companies must strive to address and improve on.

Privacy and data

Although there were many reasons as to why KOSA and COPPA 2.0 were passed, it was primarily introduced to protect the safety of children online. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 64% of adolescents have reported encountering hate-based content, including a range of disturbing material such as violent or sexual content, while using social media. Studies have also shown a strong correlaton between the use of social media and depression. Yet, teens are spending more tme than ever on social media: according to a poll from Gallup, teens from the ages of 13 to 19 spend more than four hours a day on social media on average. “Social media platorms generate substantal advertsing revenue from youth, [highlightng] the need for greater data transparency as well as public healt interventons and government regulatons,” Harvard Pediatric Instructor Amanda Rafoul said. As a result of the addictve use of social media, social media companies have had litle incentve to overhaul their business models to beneft youths as they proft signifcantly of of the online youth market. A study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that in 2021-22, large social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok generated a total $8.6 billion of ad revenue from 13- to 17-year-old users and $2.1 billion from users 12 and younger.

Described as “perhaps the most important updates in decades to federal laws that protect kids on the Internet” by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, both KOSA and COPPA 2.0 aim to address the issues of children’s online safety and privacy, among others. Moreover, because the pair of bills are pursuing a standard of greater account ability by media companies, they have the potental to change how kids interact with the Internet, each in their separate ways. COPPA 2.0 makes massive strides to protect children’s privacy and data by banning targeted adver tsements for youth based on search histories or phone locatons, an invasive practce that apps like Instagram use to generate advertsing revenue. According to a report from WARC Media, Instagram generated around $50.58 billion in ad revenue in 2023, with in-feed ads making up the vast majority of it. The intense collecton of personal data, including shopping history, locaton, contact informaton, and fnancial informaton, leaves users vulnerable to having their personal data shared online. A study conducted in 2021 by pCloud that used Apple’s privacy labels in the App Store found that Instagram shared 79% of its users personal data with third party sources, the most of any app publicly available. Through this invasive gathering of informaton, Instagram is able to cultvate an addictve algorithm specially curated to individuals, allowing them to receive an increase in in-feed ad revenue.

KOSA, which focuses more on ensuring platorms are held accountable for failures to enforce the “duty of care” provision writen in the bill, requires social media platorms to take actve steps to counter harmful content, including but not limited to hate speech, disinformaton, and addictve algorithms, and implement mechanisms to address violatons of these standards. This distncton shifs the responsibility of online teen safety away from parents, who were previously expected to monitor their children’s online actvites. COPPA 2.0 and KOSA now hold companies responsible for the design choices and business models that have directly contributed to the exploitaton of youth online. “We all have a role to play in addressing the youth mental health crisis that we now face as a naton,” American Psychiatric Associaton Medical Director Saul Levin said. “We have the responsibility to ensure social media keeps young people safe.” These regulatons are vital to protect teenage users, not only setng a legal precedent but also directly holding companies accountable by empowering the Federal Trade Commission to sue companies that fail to abide by the bills.

Parent involvement

on holding companies accountable rather than parents, companies can circumvent the original intent of the bills. For instance, Instagram’s new features stll place the onus on parents to protect data privacy, enforce new changes, and prevent the unintended consequences of enforcement. Though the new features — such as one that allows parents to monitor their child’s recent messaging actvity and topic engagement — allow for possible improvements in safety, they also raise serious concerns about teen autonomy. According to Vox, “[t]he language in Meta’s press release [was] geared toward parents’ concerns about their children’s social media use, rather than young people’s online privacy, mental health, or well-being,” indicatng that Instagram is catering to parental concerns rather than insttutng change. This focus on parental oversight raises many of the same concerns previously associated with parents monitoring their children’s Internet usage. Excessive parental control can be detrimental to teens’ independence, limitng the ability of teens to explore their identty, fnd an escape from a toxic or abusive household, or break out of their bubble. In some cases, Instagram’s parental oversight features could reveal aspects of teens’ personal lives, such as sexual orientaton or gender identty, to an unsupportve household, placing them in dangerous situatons. Furthermore, the efectveness of Instagram’s new safety measures of using artfcial intelligence tools to verify user age has also come under scrutny for inaccuracies that may misclassify teens as adults and vice versa, highlightng the challenge of balancing technical solutons with the complex reality of user behavior and motvaton. What we can do

Although COPPA 2.0 and KOSA deliberately focus

While these bills may not be perfect solutons, they ultmately represent a positve shif toward creatng a safer online environment for young users. As platorms implement COPPA 2.0 and KOSA, it will be crucial to monitor their efectveness and ensure that the intended protectons translate into meaningful changes in user experience and safety. Although regulaton for teens on the Internet is largely spearheaded by adults and enforced by parents, it’s also crucial for teens to play actve roles in protecting themselves on the Internet. Students should be encouraged to seek out and have conversatons about Internet usage and online safety with their families, striking a balance between safety and their own wants and needs. Additonally, teens should stll remain vocal about their critcisms and contnue to point out the faws and efectveness of such regulaton. By working together, companies, legislators, parents, and teens can build a healthier Internet culture and pave a future that prioritzes the safety and privacy of youth online. ▪

THE SMOKE SIGN AL

Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964

Vol. 60, No. 2 October 18, 2024

www.thesmokesignal.org

41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539

510-657-3600, ext. 37088

MISSION STATEMENT The Smoke Signal’s mission is to represent the voices of the MSJ community and serve the public by providing accurate, meaningful, and engaging information presented through print and digital mediums.

SCHOOL POPULATION 1796 students

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kaylee Liu, Callie Yuan

NEWS Shuhan Jin, Catherine Qin

OPINION Padma Balaji, Keerti Koya

FEATURE Tanvi Deshmukh, Trisha Parikh

CENTERSPREAD Naisha Koppurapu, Ashley Pang

A&E Goonja Basu, Brittany Lu

SPORTS Howard Lu, Ethan Yan

GRAPHICS Hannah Bi, Ivy Lu

WEB Sarah Hu, Alice Zhao

PUBLICITY/TECH Fiona Yang

BUSINESS Rajorshi Chatterjee

CIRCULATION Novak Chen, Tushara Devapatla

ADVERTISING Angelina Chen

EVENTS Navya Chitlur

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Angelina Chen, Rajorshi Chatterjee, Novak Chen, Tushara Devapatia, Navya Chitlur, Fiona Yang, Michael Qu, Lucas Zhang, Roshan Annamalai, Dhaeshna Booma, Ariel Duong, Kanupriya Goyal, Janet Guan, Felicity He, Scarlett Huang, Varun Madhavan, Vikram Mahajan, Kaiwei Parks, Michelle Qu, Ekasha Sikka, Kaylin Teo, Luna Venturo, Prisha Virmani, Ariana Yi, Cham Yu, Emily Zhang

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Gaurasundara Amarnani, Eleanor Chen, Alex Duan, Abigaile Lei, Jennifer Li, Muyang Li, Rishab Shah, Aarav Vashisht, Megha Vashisht, Matthew Zhang, Aaqib Zishan

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Keerti's Key Padma's Perspective

Growing up without letting go

By Keerti Koya Opinion Editor

As the spooky season rolls around for yet another year, I can’t wait to grab my candy bag and say a phrase unique only to that day a countless number of times — “trickor-treat!” But the same over owing enthusiasm I saw in my classmates in elementary school has dwindled, with Halloween now serving just as a party theme and picture opportunity. Hearing my peers say they still trick-or-treat is a rare occurrence, and seeing them surprised that I still do so is far more common. As we grow older, it's easy to fall victim to the mindset that we must outgrow certain activities, especially those associated with our childhoods. We often let social expectations dictate our behavior, convincing ourselves that we’re too old for the simple joys we once loved.

While I understand that growing up means we take on more serious responsibilities, it in no way means we have to leave behind formative childhood activities. Whether it’s trick-or-treating, building LEGO sets, or riding bikes around the neighborhood just for the fun of it, we shouldn’t reserve the joy of these experiences exclusively for our past. ey o er a reminder to live freely, embracing the fun and creativity that’s so often missing from our busy schedules. Halloween, in particular, gives us the chance to step into a di erent world for one night by dressing up creatively, meeting neighbors in the community, and ercely trading candy with friends. Why let age limit that joy?

Our childhood experiences have

helped shape our identity, and keeping those moments alive allows us to maintain a sense of wonder. Yet, so many people nd themselves caught in the mindset of “growing up,” pushing aside these activities as though they no longer have value. But in doing so, we often overlook how small moments of leisure and creativity — like trick-or-treating — keep us connected to our inner child. Holding onto these traditions can remind us to live in the present and not rush through life’s eeting moments.

ese activities can also play an unexpected role in our overall health. An article published in 2009 by the National Library of Medicine studying the association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being found that leisure activities were correlated with higher levels of positive psychosocial states and lower levels of depression. Engaging in fun, playful activities isn’t just a nostalgic indulgence; it’s a way to boost our mental health and maintain a sense of inner balance.

In a world where we’re constantly expected to be productive, it’s essential to carve out time for fun. You can start at the end of this month, by dressing up creatively and trickor-treating. en branch out to doing whatever else made you happy as a child and carry over that joy to your life today. Life isn’t just about checking o tasks on a to-do list. It’s about nding joy in the little things and keeping a sense of playfulness alive, no matter how old we get. ▪

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

The dangers of political misinformation

“In Spring eld, they’re eating the dogs … they’re eating the cats. ey’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Presidential Candidate Donald Trump said during the presidential debate on September 10, referencing a rumor regarding Haitian immigrants in Ohio. Despite Spring eld o cials con rming the claims to be false numerous times, Trump’s words, heard by more than 67 million people who watched the debate live, immediately took over the Internet. In the days following, the city of Spring eld received more than 30 bomb threats, forcing them to deploy state police to city schools and postpone City Hall meetings and school events. Although a seemingly harmless and eeting statement, the rumor has devastatingly impacted the Spring eld community, a testament to the destructive e ects of politicians' lies. Ultimately, politicians have a social and moral responsibility to uphold the truth. Rather than reward these lies with substantial media attention, the public has the responsibility to hold politicians accountable for the misinformation they spread. Trump’s claim quickly ballooned into a massive controversy, as it mirrors much of the other hateful, untrue anti-immigration rhetoric commonly used by right-wing politicians. By inciting fear and appealing to existing xenophobic sentiments, the rumors perpetuated a baseless narrative that immigrants are dangerous and threaten American values. Social media has long fostered this narrative and has become increasingly more main-

stream in recent years, feeding into a mob mentality that o en escalates misinformation into violence — from the bomb threats in Spring eld to the violent anti-Muslim protests in the United Kingdom to the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic. Xenophobic rhetoric like the claims against Haitian immigrants have become fueled by the normalization of politicians lying for political gain. During the presidential debate, both candidates told more than 50 false statements in total according to BBC . Misinformation has become so synonymous with political campaigning that Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance even admitted in an interview with CNN that it is necessary to “create stories so that the … media actually pays attention to the su ering of the American people.” is rampant misinformation from supposedly trustworthy gures in society has sown deep mistrust among the public. According to a 2024 Axios Vibes poll that surveyed 2,122 adults across the US, “Americans’ top concern around misinformation right now ... is politicians spreading it to manipulate their supporters,” with 54% of respondents reporting that they disengaged with politics because they “[couldn’t] tell what’s true.” As misinformation continues to foster political disillusionment, it becomes easier to treat statements like the claims about Haitian immigrants as just another piece of fake news, ignoring the real rami cations it has had on society. On TikTok, where

I’ve always lived with the mantra that a glass half empty keeps you prepared for the worst. After all, in the wise words of MJ in SpiderMan: No Way Home, “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really get disappointed.” As a lifelong pessimist, approaching every situation with cautious realism has become my way of coping with the inevitable failures and rejections of life. If I expect to unk every math test, suddenly my C+ isn’t so bad. If I expect every person I meet to hate me, I’m suddenly bewildered when an awkward acquaintance blossoms into a friendship. Realistic pessimism easily became almost a superpower of mine, acting as a shield that saves me from the painful disappointment of failure.

To me, optimism has always felt nothing short of impractical: why hold myself to false standards when I could err on the side of caution instead? Yet, I’ve found hope has a sneaky way of creeping in: it’s easy to nd myself fantasizing about my life at the summer program I’m applying to or imagining the happiness I would feel after getting a 100 on a test. e tiny amount of optimism I allowed myself to feel always made failure sting far more harshly — but it also degraded the successes I achieved. Instead of feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment for blowing my expectations out of the water, my hindsight bias got the better of me, claiming I knew it would happen all along.

As I’ve grown as a person, I’ve realized that what I once considered

Trump’s comments from the debate were turned into an audio and inspired a viral dance trend, the rumors have largely been met with humor and are laughed o as yet another absurd political controversy. ough memes like these acknowledge the misinformation is false, they desensitize people to the issue of disinformation and ignore its repercussions, detracting from the gravity of the situation. Rather than holding politicians accountable for lying and hateful groups accountable for perpetuating violence, memes only further normalize lies in politics and the violence it produces as a result. ough it may be easy to dismiss the claims about Haitian immigrants as a regular part of modern American politics, that sentiment only plays into the normalization of hate-fueled political misinformation. Although ordinary citizens cannot directly put an end to this misinformation, they do have the power to take action rather than staying complacent. Students should stay cognizant of the fake news that plagues social media and strive to read more credible news sites in order to ensure that the information they consume is fully accurate. As the 2024 general election approaches, citizens, including many MSJ seniors, have the opportunity to exercise their biggest form of power: voting. By engaging in politics at a local and national level, whether it’s voting, emailing representatives, or simply staying informed on politic issues, students can directly hold their politicians accountable for their actions and ensure their voice is heard. ▪

Finding life's silver linings

By Padma Balaji Opinion Editor

as “realistic” pessimism was actually a crippling fear of failure, a coping mechanism that was only necessary because I inherently associated my self-worth with my accomplishments. As I’ve spent more time by myself, away from environments where I spiral into despair over my supposed failures, I’ve learned to take a step back and understand that life is so much more about grand successes and grand failures. Rather than push myself into a dichotomy of optimism and pessimism, I’ve shifted my perspective away from the ckle external validation that success can provide. Instead, I’ve realized that there is so much more beauty and happiness to be found in the little things — the way the trees sway ever so gently with the wind, the way people’s faces light up when they talk about the people they love, and the way the sunlight hits your bedroom walls just right in the early hours of the morning — than there ever will be in a high grade, acceptance letter, or in winning a competition. Life is a mosaic of days that are good and bad and everything in between, an amalgamation of experiences that includes just as many accomplishments as it does failures. So rather than lowering my own expectations every time I face the prospect of failure, I’ve begun to embrace the fact that things will take time to work themselves out. Rather than anticipating disappointment at every corner, I now embrace the silver linings life has to o er, nding joy everywhere I look. ▪

By Michael Qu & Luna Venturo

Sta Writers

Corruption and predatory loans: the downfall of accessible higher education

By Hara Devapatla, Janet Guan & Cham Yu Sta Writers

On September 12, major student loan company Navient reached a $120 million settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as a part of a lawsuit that alleges malpractice and exploitation in its handling of clients’ loans. Though Navient currently services more than all of the student loans in the US, if the CFPB’s proposed order is passed by a court, Navient will no longer be allowed to service loans. Navient’s scandal is only one among many predatory lending cases in the current student loan system, with companies and colleges alike maintaining wealth and reputation while taking advantage of students’ financial struggles. While targeting individual offenders is effective in the short-term, the broader issue of predatory lending will continue to proliferate unless action is taken to reform the student loan system and prevent companies and colleges from wielding unmitigated power over students.

misconduct that has escaped public and CFPB attention. In 2017, the CFPB sued Navient for unethical business practices, alleging that the company had “failed borrowers at every stage of repayment” by deliberately misallocating repaid funds, pressuring borrowers into repaying more by obscuring information, misreporting borrower credit, and intentionally failing to respond to inquiries. The CFPB claims these practices increased the financial risk of borrowers and harmed student credit, while Navient denies wrongdoing and claims that it has provided sufficient context and information for borrowers.

However, with recent skyrocketing college tuition, upward mobility with the help of college education has become increasingly unfeasible, which has already been difficult due to mishandled student loans. The effects of mishandled student loans can linger in clients’ financial futures for decades and prevent even college-educated low-income students from overcoming economic inequality. Many low-

“The efects of mishandled student loans can linger in clients’ fnancial futures for decades and prevent even college-educated low-income students from overcoming economic inequality.”

“While targeting individual ofenders is efective in the short-term, the broader issue of predatory lending will continue to proliferate unless action is taken to reform the student loan system and prevent companies and colleges from wielding unmitigated power over students.”

While the CFPB proposed order is likely to put an end to Navient’s student loan servicing, the company has had a long history of

Although it may seem that Navient’s student loan abuses have been addressed, the order does not mark the end of predatory practices in the student loan industry. According to PBS , a major reason for which students choose not to pursue postsecondary education is the loan debt that accompanies costly tuition, a costly drag on students made worse by predatory lending. Not only will the impact of continued malpractice exacerbate already significant financial challenges associated with college education, but it will dissuade students from pursuing postgraduate degrees as well. Moreover, predatory lending practices disproportionately affect low-income and minority students who already face greater financial difficulty than their peers, exacerbating socioeconomic disparity. According to a 2013 study conducted by the College Board, 90% of individuals who received four-year college degrees with families in the lowest income quintile moved to a higher income quintile.

On September 10, Taylor Swi endorsed Kamala Harris just days a er facing criticism for her socializing with Trump supporters, urging her fans to register to vote. Although her endorsement helped drive a record of 35,000 voter registrations, especially among young people, according to Vote.org, experts are still unsure if Swi ’s endorsement could help sway the election.

income students do not have inter-generational wealth to assist with paying off student loans, making the effects of predatory lending perpetuate the cycle of economic inequality. The federal government must take immediate action to preserve the accessibility of college, an important pathway to upward mobility. Given the depth of corruption in the student loan system, temporary crackdowns on specific offenders will not address the industrywide problem. Past CFPB orders on private companies like IIT Educational Services, Inc., where students are forced into predatory loans, illustrate the widespread corruption throughout the student loan industry. Rather, the government must reform the system in its entirety. Beyond encouraging individuals to gain financial literacy, the government must standardize transparency in the interactions

is incident raises important questions about the impact of celebrity endorsements on political voting behavior. Swi 's in uence as a prominent gure in pop culture makes her endorsement signi cant, especially among younger voters who o en look to celebrities for guidance on social and political issues. Should in uencers be allowed to publicly take political stances if their words run the risk of taking attention away from the plans and goals of candidates, or should it be expected of them as a gure with tremendous public sway?

“I think it's pretty performative, but I don't think the gesture in itself takes away from substantive political engagement. I think that has been lost long before ... I feel that a lot of politics has suddenly become like entertainment. It's become dramatized. People no longer think of it seriously. It's like they become numb to it, because so much of it is just a show, and it makes sense, because our former president is a former reality TV star ... I heard people talking the other day saying that they didn't listen to the VP debate because it wasn't entertaining enough. And politics is not supposed to be a show, but it has become one, because [of] how unserious everything has been, from the ... media to the actual politicians themselves. Nobody's taking the interest of the American public seriously, and maybe they never did, and maybe, suddenly, the facade has been stripped, but it's a huge issue, and I think that is why the slow deterioration of the seriousness of politics has led to in uencers and celebrities being expected to take political stances, because now it's become a show."

companies have with their clients. It must be normalized for clients to have constant access to all the details they need to make informed financial decisions. The government must also impose regulations that monitor the practices of loan companies and colleges. In the case of Navient, years of negligence and deceit escaped government detection before any formal intervention, allowing the company to exploit thousands of clients. The government should create stricter supervision within the student loan system and put an end to early signs of predatory lending before they further develop. While the government has the most control over the student loan system, students can protect themselves from predatory practices by gaining greater financial literacy and petitioning to encourage new laws that mitigate unfair loans to students. Students should advocate for the creation of financial literacy classes that give students real-world skills like applying for fair loans and other skills beyond the scope of basic economic courses. Students can also learn financial advocacy by joining clubs on campus such as MSJ BAStA or learning about businesses by taking the Entrepreneurship class on campus. As the world continues to prioritize higher education as a key driver of social mobility, accessing fair and transparent loans will become increasingly important for upward socioeconomic movement. Unless systemic reform can be accomplished, private companies and colleges will continue to focus on private gain while hindering economic equality, perpetuating the inequality of society

"I believe that celebrities should not be able to endorse any public political stances, because they have a huge in uence on the people that look up to them and those who look up to them. ey're looking up to a celebrity, someone who should not have any in uence on any political action. ey should be able to make the decision for themselves and do their own research, rather than listen to what somebody they look [to] up to says, and just follow that blindly. And I feel like celebrity endorsements are just distracting because they lead you away from what's really important, which is nding out the information yourself and having your own opinion, rather than listening to the opinion of others."

"I think that when you have a large platform I don't think that necessarily you have a responsibility to use that platform. But I think that when you have that much in uence, it's de nitely a good thing to use that. And when it comes to like distracting people from like the issues by making it about like celebrities and stu , I think celebrities can word their endorsements in such a way that's about education and about bringing awareness to it that could be very helpful. For example, I know Taylor Swi a er she suggested that people register to vote, voter registration went up really high. And so I think celebrities can use their platforms for good and if they can make endorsements for good causes, I think that's a good thing. "

"I think in uencers should be allowed to publicly take political stances as their large fanbases can really just help political campaigns. And I think that's really important. I think it's really good that Taylor Swi endorsed Kamala Harris. While I don't agree with some of Kamala Harris' beliefs and policies, I think she's a far better candidate than Donald Trump. I think it's really easy for public gures to sway endorsements because of their large fanbases. I think most times that's okay. MSJ students can really just do their own research. If the celebrity that they really look up to has done their research and proven why they believe in this and why the things they are endorsing are good, then I think it's good to just follow that." celebrity, but do your own research to nd out what you believe."

MSJ SeroMed di ers from other medically inclined clubs on campus by o ering unique bene ts such as hands-on medical experience and a direct connection to the medical eld. e club is a branch of the international nonpro t organization SeroMed, which aims to provide public information and resources in the medical eld. Club President Senior Kavy Patel, a co-founder of the organization, aspires to bring highly anticipated prospects to MSJ through workshops, volunteer and internship initiatives, and general medicine and health education. “We aim to provide hands-on opportunities, … advocate for children’s health awareness, and provide volunteering and experience within the [medical] eld, which I haven’t really seen at our school,” Patel said.

“We aim to provide hands-on opportunities, … advocate for children’s health awareness, and provide volunteering and experience within the [medical] eld, which I haven’t really seen at our school.”

— President Senior Kavy Patel

After noticing the ourishing impact SeroMed had as an organization on the community through active events, Patel and other o cers strived to bring the initiative to MSJ. As members of the parent organization, Patel and Vice President Senior Avin Katare sought to implement similar events and workshops to spread awareness of

Since graduating from MSJ in 2016, Alumna Grace Dong has forged a successful career in media and technology. Now working as a product manager working in user incentives for TikTok, Dong leads a healthy work-life balance through her job in the technology industry.

From the age of ve, Dong explored several hobbies, ranging from swimming to piano, which she eventually settled on dancing. She began with weekly ballet classes which sprouted her newfound love for dance. She took on other styles of dance and did competition dance throughout her high school and college years. During her time at MSJ, she enjoyed leading her class’ Jazz Funk airband for Homecoming and performing with COR Dance Club.

Club Spotlight: MSJ Seromed

Club Spotlight: MSJ SeroMed

By Roshan Annamalai & Ariel Duong Sta Writers

By Ariel Duong & Roshan Annamalai Sta Writers

medical education at MSJ. Since launching the club in 2023, MSJ SeroMed has focused on conducting interactive educational seminars at their general meetings. is year, the club plans to broaden its reach and connect with other clubs for events such as their recent collaboration with MSJ LEO to volunteer at the Breath of Life Walk on September 21. Breathe California, a local nonpro t that promotes lung health, annually hosts the Breath of Life Walk to provide Bay Area residents opportunities to join arms in the ght against lung cancer. e fundraiser raises money to fund the nonpro t’s programs and

services that promote cleaner air and reduce lung disease. At this year’s walk in San Jose, MSJ LEO and MSJ SeroMed worked together to help Breathe California manage the event. Student volunteers helped make the walk a resounding success, from setting up tents to managing snack tables. For their rst major project since formation, Katare believes this event was a success and helped set a foundation for the club. “We gave people volunteering opportunities, which was one of the main things we wanted to give through [MSJ SeroMed] … and with the younger audience that are

Alumni Spotlight: Grace Dong

By Fiona Yang & Ariana Yi Sta Writers

Aside from dancing, Dong previously served as the Smoke Signal’s co-Opinion Editor and a member of MSJ’s Phoenix Art & Literary Magazine. activities expanded her personal interest in writing and reading and pushed her to study how the media shapes society. Dong attributes many of these passions that shaped her career decisions to her experience at the Signal, which led her to apply for two magazine internships.

In 2020, Dong received her bachelor’s degree in symbolic systems with a concentration in human computer interactions from Stanford University, where she spent her time outside of classes as a member of teams, one of which was the Stanford Dollies. Dong brought her extensive high school dance experience with her to the student-run dance teams at Stanford where she choreographed, taught classes, and handled budgets for the team. “[ e dance team] became one of my core communities throughout my Stanford career. People that I danced with became my

coming into school, nding di erent opportunities to get service hours and just experiences outside of [MSJ] is crucial,” Katare said.

e success of the walkathon has set precedence for future events MSJ SeroMed intends to host. As the school year progresses, the team plans to work with small businesses and provide internships with major companies to gain insight into work in the medical eld. “I am looking forward to collaborating with di erent businesses like CRISPR [ erapeutics], Intellia, … and Editas Medicine,” Katare said. Additionally, students can keep an eye out for advocacy events to earn service hours coupled with teaching opportunities and workshops, such as Automated External De brillator (AED) and rst-aid training.

“I’m pretty proud of what we have done so far and would really love to see future development and improvement … there is a lot of potential for SeroMed overall.”

— President Senior Kavy Patel

MSJ SeroMed has made notable contributions to the community, establishing itself as a key organization within the school’s medically inclined population, and the members look forward to expanding their horizons. “I’m pretty proud of what we have done so far and would really love to see future development and improvement … there is a lot of potential for SeroMed overall,” Katare said.

best friends, and we’re friends to this day,” Dong said.

Dong’s major of symbolic systems at Stanford also allowed her to expand on her media interests, as the interdisciplinary nature of her studies provided Dong with “options to learn lots of di erent things that t [her] wide bucket of interests.” After participating in many media-related internships in college, such as at Dolby Laboratories for audio software and Zynga Inc. for video games, Dong gained expertise and skills to become the product manager in media technology for TikTok. As the product manager, Dong’s role is to “collaborate with [engineers, designers, copywriters, and legal, which is] a lot of people management, negotiation, and soft skills.” Her greatest motivation working at TikTok is the feeling that she can “make all these people’s lives feel happier.”

“Just gure out what you’re curious about … embrace that there are so many di erent ways to approach one topic or one subject or one career path.”

—

Grace Dong

With so much more that the future holds, Dong hopes to continue exploring her interest in media from di erent angles. For current MSJ students, Dong advises that the best way to achieve your goals is to explore your passions limitlessly. “Just gure out what you’re curious about … embrace that there are so many di erent ways to approach one topic or one subject or one career path,” Dong said.

Grace Dong graduates from Stanford University.

Grace Dong posing for her headshot.

Left to right: Kavy Patel, Avin Katare, Landon Chu, Brandon Wang. Bottom: Tiara Yu, Boran Huang, Carson Cain, Nirvan Monangi.

Diehard tryhards:

Macarons

By Kanupriya Goyal, Felicity He, Michael Qu & Prisha Virmani Sta Writers

Macarons, the colorful, elegant meringue-based cookies, are notorious for their precision and di tries —- with their crisp shells and soft centers —- require skillful technique, perfect timing, and just the right balance of ingredi ents. Evaluated on taste, presentation, and creativity, four Smokies battled to craft the perfect macaron and take home the sweet victory.

Although I’ve never made macarons in my life, I’d say I’m pretty good at baking because it was quite literally the only thing I did during quarantine. Out of all baked goods, I became an expert at making sponge cakes. If you think about it, sponge cakes are just macarons, but in cake form, and spongier, and u er, and easier to make — okay, maybe sponge cakes aren’t exactly like macarons. But, like sponge cakes, macarons require meringue, and I just so happen to whip up a re meringue with sti triangular peaks. With the skills I already have, I’m feeling super con dent going into this challenge. I’m sure I’ll blow my competitors out of the water.

Having peaked at second place in last year’s DieHard TryHards competitions, I’ve been waiting for a redemption arc ever since. Macarons may be nicky, but I’m no stranger to taking on tough tasks. Opposed to my past DieHard Tryhards, my plan this time is to keep things simple yet less. I’m going for classic clean, elegant presentation — no need to get too fancy when the can win it all. As long my macarons don’t come out looking like scrambled eggs, I’ll surely climb my way to the top.

As I step into my rst ever DieHard TryHards, I’m walking into this challenge with zero experience. However, I do have a few baking tricks up my sleeve, so I’ve decided to put my skills to the test with macarons. Macarons are infamously tricky to master because they require an immense amount of patience while being meticulous with measurements, and there’s a ne line between perfection and utter destruction. Nevertheless, I’m prepared to channel my inner pastry Picasso with a subtle yet delightful macaron avor. is will either be a brilliant success or a total train wreck, but I’m de nitely ready to showcase my creativity and aim for the win.

Even though this is my rst attempt at a DieHard TryHards, I intend to eat this challenge up and leave no crumbs behind. I’m eager to prove myself as the talented and seasoned baker I know I am. With my extensive resume including mini cheesecakes, orange sou és, and pineapple upside-down cake, I’m sure mere macarons will be of no concern to me. After all, aren’t they just cookies? How hard can they be to make? Although, there was that one chocolate-chip cookie incident with the oven tray and my sister’s airpods. Well, that’s not something the judges need to know about anytime soon. I’ve got this challenge in the bag.

Felicity Michael Kanupriya

Prisha

I’m not gonna lie, this was pretty easy. When you’re as skilled at baking as I am, macarons are barely a struggle. My avor choices were de nitely a part of my success. In a sea of heavier avors such as chocolate and pumpkin, my earl grey and honey avored macarons were much lighter and refreshing in comparison. However, I really do owe it all to my meringue expertise. A chilled bowl, precisely separated egg whites, sti peaks, and a perfect ly timed macaronage were all factors ensuring that my macarons ended up u y with a crispy shell instead of sad and de ated. In conclusion, baking is easy-peasy, and my ego is thriving.

Second place again — so close, yet so far. While I was aiming for the top spot, I can’t say I’m disappointed with the result. e judges seemed to love the macarons born from my blood, sweat, and an unhealthy amount of sugar. Sure, I didn’t take home the trophy, but I managed to avoid the pitfalls of cracked shells and runny llings, and my macarons didn’t look like scrambled eggs — a win in and of itself. I may not have secured redemption this time, but I’m condent that my climb to the top is just beginning.

2 3 4

Okay, so maybe I’m not that precise, but at least I’m on the podium, right? My macarons were far from perfect and they de provement, but I’m con my avor was on I could have made better choices like adding white sugar instead of brown (rookie mistake — I know), and my piping skills could also use some work. But, for what it’s worth, as a of what I’ve accomplished. Leaving this DieHard TryHards, I’m prepared for the next challenge, and I know I’ll place higher. e competition may be over, but my journey has just begun.

at’s not too bad, as long as we don’t mention that it’s also last. Unfortunately, my macarons turned out a at, sticky, and lopsided. At least the tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting was still detectable and delectable. After all, this was no time for amateur hour — my fellow Smokies crafted the most exquisite macarons, complete with stylish garnishes that further enhanced their presentation. Moving forward, I’m excited to rise to the challenge they presented and create something exemplary for the next competition. is isn’t the last you’ve seen of me. I’ll be back.

earl grey & Honey pumpkin chocolate & Raspberry red velvet

"The backdrop was really well-made and creative. Their skit was pretty funny, too. It captured the dynamics of the classes working together while not focusing too directly on MSJ culture and academics."

— Flora Hsu,

By Scarlett Huang & Emily Zhang Staff Writers

the Freshman Homecoming performances. Though simple in design, the banners were polished and clean, utilizing cell shading and soft gradients to add depth, setting a bright and playful tone with its drawings of the ocean, palm trees, and charming depictions of Lilo, Stitch, and Angel. On the main banner, the lettering style of “Freshman Means Family” stood out with its blocky and whimsical font, a heartwarming message echoed throughout their skit, reinforcing the sense of unity and school spirit.

"The most memorable part was when in a song they replaced the name of an alcoholic beverage with apple juice. It wasn't a major thing but it stuck out to me."

This set a coastal scene for the freshman skit, which began with Stitch, a strange blue alien, crashing into the backyard of Nani and Lilo, two orphaned sisters in Fremont. This unexpected intruder is a welcome interruption in Nani and Lilo’s daily life as they both decide to help Stitch escape from the government ofﬁcials chasing him.

Following the ﬁrst skit scene, the freshmen singing airband utilized unique props such as roses and ukuleles.

To ﬁt with MSJ’s regulations, they made a unique change in lyrics in “Too Sweet” by Hozier, changing the lyric “whisky” to “apple juice,” inducing laughter from the crowd.

Live band kicked off the performances, enchanting the crowd with whimsical chamber music compositions of Klaus Badelt’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Yasunori Mitsuda’s “Wind Scene: Chrono Trigger” and evoking a sense of adventure and joy.

Following the singers, K-pop immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention with the dancers’ dramatic walk onto the stage. These dancers displayed the efforts of their long summer practices through their cleanly executed moves in “Impurities” by Le Sseraﬁm. Their simple, yet coordinated and energetic performance of Katseye’s “Debut” and New Jean’s “OMG” ignited excitement among the audience.

After K-pop, skit returned with a heartwarming, familial scene of Stitch attending a party held by Lilo and Nani as they teach him how to operate human gadgets.

Riding the wave of energy and spirit, Jazz Funk airband performed impressive split jumps, turns, and extensions in “Perfect (Exceeder)” by Mason. The lively music had a strong beat, easily energizing the crowd with tracks like “Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child.

Ending with a bang, the fight scene followed the plot of the skit, featuring a moment where Stitch defeats an entire gang of government fighters with impressive flips, kicks, and punches. The fight scene used an unconventional combination of popular rap and hip-hop songs that piqued the audience’s interest. This song choice added to the intensity of the fight, especially when the airband members incorporated kicks, punches, and the clanging of weaponry during beat drops. With an unprecedented reference to the classic Karate Kid, the freshman fight scene brought a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving the audience both laughing and gasping.

"The most memorable thing was at the end they had a lot of spirit. They were trying to rival the seniors and the juniors with the class chants, so that was pretty cool to see because you don't usually see the freshmen have that much spirit."

— Nathan Yang,

After the conclusion of the battle, where Stitch, Lilo, and Nani managed to get away, Stitch joined Nani and Lilo as one family, or as emphasized in their skit, ‘ohana. This callback touched the crowd, bringing up MSJ’s core ideals of unity.

Sticking closely to the plot of Lilo & Stitch, the freshman performance illustrated a wholesome story of family and friendship. Through all their high spirits, enthralling performances, and polished deco banners, the freshmen delivered an amazing performance, placing fourth in the ﬁnal standings.

“They were really good, I didn’t expect that. It was their ﬁrst year, so they’ll get better at it. Hopefully when they’re juniors, and when we get to see them for the last time, they will have evolved.“

— Praneil Bhashyakarla,

SKIT: FOURTH

AIRBAND: FOURTH

DECO: FOURTH

OVERALL: FOURTH

— Aarush Gupta, 9

“I loved hip hop, especially the energy and the expressions of all the dancers. Everyone was so coordinated and their energy re ected onto the crowd.”

— Pearl Mishra, 9

“The most memorable performance was the ght scene because when they made a reference to the Tangled movie, it brought me back to my childhood.”

— Valo Chen,

By Dhaeshna Booma & Lucas Zhang

Staff Writers

“I thought singing was really fun because this year you could hear them since their voices were ampli ed. They sang really well, and their harmony came together extremely well.”

— Felipe Shiguedomi, 11

"I think the most memorable moment was during the ght scene, when they hit Mother Gothel the frying pan. I think it was really funny, and a lot of people remember that."

– Dhivya Venkat, 10

The sun-kissed amphitheater glowed with vibrant gold, purple, and green brushstrokes as the Class of 2027 transformed the space into the world of Tangled, earning second place in decorations in the process. A radiant sun motif hung above the stage, casting a warm light over intricate decorations — landscapes, castles, and Rapunzel’s iconic tower. Subtle details, like wanted posters for Flynn Rider, posted throughout the amphitheater re ected the sophomores’ exceptional attention to detail. The live band welcomed the crowd with an upbeat medley, setting the light-hearted mood for the day’s performances. As the vocals soared and strings hummed, the energy built toward the singing airband, which swayed in sync to songs like Rihanna and Jay-Z’s “Umbrella,” their voices captivating the audience. As the energy from the performance began to build up after the singing airband exited the stage, the skit began by introducing Rapunzel, who is set to perform in the Chinese Fusion airband during Homecoming Week but is discouraged from doing so by her mother. Eventually, after numerous after-school practices that have left her mother in discontent, Rapunzel overcomes the urge to drop out of her performance last-minute, and her friends and family enjoy Homecoming in unity with her. The dramatic gestures and sound effects throughout the skit contributed to the unsettling nature of it, which led in part to a second-place nish for the sophomores in that aspect of the performance. The Chinese Fusion airband followed, performing a mesmerizing routine with elegant fan movements. The dancers twirled their fans in perfect harmony, the bright colors shimmering in the sunlight. The rustling snaps of the fans punctuated the precise choreography, creating a hypnotic spectacle of grace and rhythm that contributed to a third-place performance by the sophomore airbands. Next, the Jazz Funk airband brought a change in tempo, opening with Lady Gaga’s “LoveGame.” Their intricate footwork and syncopated rhythms added complexity to the lineup, and high-energy numbers like “Talk talk” by Charli xcx kept the crowd cheering. But it was the K-pop airband that electri ed the stage. From the opening beats of “Sweet Venom” to the nal chorus of “Rock with you,” their sharp choreography and dynamic formations had the audience buzzing. The dancers’ energy surged with every move, matching the rising intensity of the music. In stark contrast, the Indian classical airband brought elegance and tradition to the stage. Draped in vibrant yellow skirts, the performers moved gracefully through intricate Bharatanatyam steps, their expressions radiating joy and pride.The day took another turn as the hip-hop airband stormed the stage with bold breakdancing and sharp, angular choreography. Their rapid- re sequences and powerful movements kept the audience on the edge of their seats. One of the standout moments was the ght scene — a dramatic, perfectly synchronized battle that unfolded like a scene from an action movie. Performers leaped through the air and matched the fast-paced rhythm of the music with precision, concluding with a triumphant nish. Ending off the event, the Bollywood airband dazzled with owing skirts and dynamic choreography, blending traditional Indian dance movements with modern air through their intricate footwork and graceful arm movements, all set to Bollywood mashups. Their vibrant energy left the audience cheering as the routine closed with a burst of color and celebration while the rest of the performers rushed onstage and recited the sophomore class chant, “Sent from heaven, twenty-seven,” in unison. The Class of 2027’s Homecoming performance was a stunning success, seamlessly weaving together a mix of musical genres, captivating dance routines, and immersive storytelling. Their dedication brought the world of Tangled to life, creating an unforgettable day for everyone through a performance that placed third overall out of the classes.

“I think my favorite part was deﬁnitely just the energy that they brought. There were a lot of really good airbands, like their ﬁght scene and their hip-hop, but just in general, they had a lot of energy. And everyone was smiling, everyone was in sync, and everyone just looked like they had fun being there.”

— Isaac Chan, 12

“The

Monochrome streamers decked the railings and a quartet of black, silver, and white balloon lines strung over the amphitheater as the Class of 2026 brought Batman to MSJ. Complementing these decorations were four picturesque banners depicting Batman, the series’ supporting characters and villains, the Batmobile, and the class chant, “We don’t miss, 26,” transforming the amphitheater into Gotham City.

Before the performance, the 2026 junior class ofﬁcers commemorated Junior Dylan Reagan, an avid member of the MSJ community who passed away shortly before Homecoming. The class ofﬁcers’ recognition and respect for Reagan’s passing was a way to honor the zeal he provided MSJ.

"The most memorable moment is when [Hip-Hop Airband] grouped up and acted like a car. That was pretty interesting. It seemed pretty robust, and it was cool to see them pop and lock."

— Rahil

Parikh, 10

"I love how they did everything so elegantly. They inspired me so much even though I did really bad, everyone did so good and had so much energy. They deﬁnitely gave a show and deﬁnitely deserve to win. Everyone gave it their all and practiced really hard."

— Archie Chen,

With 10 airbands total, the singing airband began the performances with crowd favorites such as “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction, hyping up the crowd with childhood throwbacks and upbeat pop. Once the singing airband was complete, the juniors began their Batman-themed skit, featuring classic characters from the series like Batman, Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn. The storyline revolved around the Joker and Harley Quinn’s plan to detonate the Bell Tower Quad and ruin Homecoming, which was only thwarted when the heroes banded together, a testament to the juniors’ unity and determination. Props like a cardboard Batmobile, and intricate costumes, such as various colored capes and makeup for the Joker and Harley Quinn, helped the story come to life.

Following was Bhangra, which introduced a combination of aggressive and energy-ﬁlled dance moves with elegant spins by performers accessorized in different colored scarves. The airband included a striking remix of the song “Whatever She Wants” by Bryson Tiller, which brought applause from the audience.

Afterward, C-pop garnered cheers from the crowd for their upbeat rhythms and clean footwork, and most notably for their closing dance to the crowd-favorite song “Subject 3” by Lee Sang Gul, more commonly known as the “HaiDiLao Dance,” popularized by social media. Next, hip-hop airband dazzled in custom purple and black jerseys paired with handkerchiefs. Their return from freshman year made a momentous mark, a rise to new heights with energy and synchronization.

As the genres changed, the energy stayed. Ballroom airband’s partners showed enthusiasm and glee as they moved to the rhythm of the music with their prop roses. In contrast to the elegance of ballroom, K-Pop airband featured dancers clad in pink and white, electrifying their motions to excite the crowd.

However, K-pop extended its music over to ﬁght scene, featuring “GODS” by NewJeans, displaying a barrage of acrobatics to match the tempo. Bollywood ﬁnished the performance with high-energy movements and choreography, keeping the audience on their toes. The partners' dance in Bollywood included a unique prop — the boys spun their translucent umbrellas in a saunter, mirroring old-fashioned parasols. Concluding Junior Homecoming, the dancers all gathered on stage decked out in black sunglasses, as they jumped from side to side and pointed at the audience to the music of “Iski Uski” by Akriti Kakar and Shahid Mallya.

Overall, the lunchtime performance was ﬁlled with energy and passion, emphasizing the juniors’ class spirit.

With elaborate costumes for skit, the airband repertoire, and creative backdrops for deco, the juniors did not disappoint, gaining them second overall.

"The

juniors honestly did everything so well, but hip-hop was so good. Fight scene was also very entertaining and I couldn't believe it was real." Siyona Gujarati, 9

By Ariel Duong & Kaiwei Parks Staff Writers

ﬁght scene ... was really energetic compared to the freshmen, who always hold their punches. It really felt like … it was more live-action.”

— Maxwell Bashkin, 9

SENIORSss

“I think the stage crew was got onto the stage really quick and set up everything really well which really helped the ow of the entire performance.”

— Gurdit Mangat, 10 memorable airband had to be Michael Jackson. They kill it every year and it always is the one airbands that makes the class of 25 stand out from the rest of the classes.” ----Angie Che, 12

A vibrant backdrop featuring a powerful image of Spider-Man breaking free from the “Seniorverse” cloaked the amphitheater, capturing the bold spirit and creativity that de ned the Class of 2025’s nal Homecoming celebration. Static, bright drawings dominated the banner, merging the seniors’ past Homecoming themes and class chant into the iconic visual style of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Red balloons, with sporadic “glitches” through colorful balloons, hung over the audience. With streamers and spiderwebs lining the railings, MSJ was immersed into the spider-verse. As students approached the amphitheater, the live band welcomed them with electrifying songs like “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys, setting an energized atmosphere. Skit members then took the stage, introducing Peter Parker as MSJ’s Spider-Man. Dressed up in a cow onesie, the villain, Spot, banished Parker to another dimension, claiming he had ruined Homecoming. The jazz fusion dancers further energized the crowd, opening their performance with con dent poses to Beyoncé’s powerful song, “ALIEN SUPERSTAR.” They captivated the audience with impressive shows of exibility, elevating the creativity of the routine by including a brief sequence with dancers performing off-stage. The iconic rhythm of “Smooth Criminal - 2012 Remaster” took over the sound system as the Michael Jackson airband commanded the stage with sharp movements in suits and fedoras. The audience, charged with anticipation, erupted in cheers as the dancers amazed them with the renowned anti-gravity lean and moonwalk, executing moves in perfect unison. After energetic, synchronized performances from K-pop and hip-hop, C-fusion took the stage with uid moves and intricate formation changes. The dancers employed red parasols in their transitions and ending poses, adding a dynamic visual aspect. The ballroom airband followed, featuring graceful twirls and lifts, as well as faster, theater-style moves to “A Lovely Night” from the musical La La Land. Ballroom airband closed the performance with a dance to the nostalgic song, “We’re All In This Together” from High School Musical, clapping in unison to the beat. The skit’s plot resolved when Spider-Men from different dimensions — each representing a previous Class of 2025 Homecoming theme — banded together to convince Spot to help them save Homecoming. The skit seamlessly transitioned into the ght scene, which electri ed the stage with sequences of heroic acrobatics and rapid combat moves, made complete by realistic falls and an energetic background track. Contrasting the dramatic ght scene, Boys Botín airband began on an amusing note, with the dancers ripping off their white t-shirts to reveal a graphic of LeBron James as Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” played. After the Botín airband’s human caterpillar and dance to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” the girls of the Bollywood airband took the stage, utilizing chairs and red banners in their energetic choreography. Bollywood airband ended with a synchronized dance and red confetti, prompting boisterous cheers from the crowd. The seniors then ooded the stage, chanting, “Chug” in the senior rollercoaster tradition, bringing a lively closing to the last Homecoming performance of the Class of 2025.

COMEA E25

“The seniors had an absolutely incredible banner. The entire design was cohesive, the bright colors harmonized well together, and the balloons, streamers, and everything else ultimately came together. The Class of 25 spirit intensely shone through with the undoubted hundreds of hours put into their deco.” — Emma

“I thought that K-pop and hip hop were the best senior airbands because their dances were extremely synchronized. You could see their experience and practice up there on stage.” — Iris Hsiung, 10

By Ekasha Sikka & Ariana Yi Staff Writers

By Dhaeshna Booma & Tushara Devapatla

Sta Writers

Student Spotlight: Ashwika Jani

Senior Ashwika Jani’s musical journey began unexpectedly during the quiet, monotonous days of the pandemic. What started as a simple curiosity turned into a passion that would eventually lead to her debut album, Parallel, released September 4 on all streaming platforms.

During the pandemic, Jani found herself watching YouTube videos about songwriting. Some of these videos even included ones proclaiming to teach viewers how to write a song in just 15 minutes. Inspired and intrigued by the tutorials, and with an abundance of time, she started songwriting. roughout the pandemic, she wrote songs and practiced her craft, until three years later when all her hard work paid o with the release of her album. As time passed, song-

writing became her creative outlet and a way to escape the stress of academics.

Parallel showcases that songwriting and creating art is di cult. Jani says that writing her songs took the most amount of time compared to actually recording the song, which she said only took two days, as inspiration came randomly for her. Her inspiration for her songs came from everything around her, striking her in the most unexpected places — while driving, in the shower, or during quiet afternoons spent daydreaming. “I could be anywhere when an idea would come to me,” she said, highlighting the spontaneous nature of her creative process. To nish a song, not only did Jani have to write it, but she had to produce and then record herself singing onto the track to bring her music to life. While writing songs took place over a long period, recording them took a very short time, though some tracks required

more attention than others. e closing track of the album, “Forever Tomorrow,” proved to be particularly challenging as Jani had a clear vision for the song, but getting it to sound perfect required multiple recordings.. “I kept recording it until I felt it was good enough,” she said.

“I could be anywhere when an idea would come to me.”

— Senior Ashwika Jani

One of the album’s standout songs is the track “Dear Best Friend,” where Jani took her friends’ laughter, something simple and personal, and turned it into an essential part of the song. She sampled their laughs and transformed them into the sounds of strings, bells, and percussion, giving the track a playful yet sentimental touch. “I thought it would be fun to turn something ordinary into music,” Jani said. Although creating an entire album with school work and college applications in the background

is immensely di cult, the album was a way for Jani to escape the stress of school and life around her. Writing morphed into an outlet for her to express herself fully. She says that one of the greatest challenges she’s had to overcome was understanding that nothing is truly perfect. “I think the biggest thing is just to not let your perfectionism get in the way. I think with art, you can get in your head thinking ‘this is not good enough, someone’s better than me’ … As long as you’re putting out art and people connect to it, I think that’s all that matters,” Jani said. ▪

“I think the biggest thing is just to not let your perfectionism get in the way. I think with art, you can get in your head thinking ‘this is not good enough, someone’s better than me’ … As long as you’re putting out art and people connect to it, I think that’s all that matters.”

— Senior Ashwika Jani

Laugh Tei Izakaya: An authentic escape to delightful meals and deals

By Michael Qu & Prisha Virmani Sta Writers

Laugh Tei Izakaya, an Okinawa-inspired Japanese restaurant, opened its doors to Fremont in May 2024. e establishment is located a convenient six-minute drive from MSJ at 129 Anza St., in a plaza which also houses student-frequented stores like Ume Tea and Elite near Ohlone College. Laugh Tei Izakaya o ers an authentic izakaya-style dining experience, meaning “stay-drink-place,” referring to a casual Japanese establishment that features a range of small plates ideal for sharing in a group setting. e Smoke Signal visited Laugh Tei Izakaya to sample its signature dishes and appetizers, and assess the quality and experience of the new dining establishment. Entering the building, customers are greeted by a comfy and welcoming atmosphere

ects a vibrant Okinawan setting, with traditional banners depicting plum blossoms and Japanese characters, hanging lanterns, and bamboo blinds that added to its authentic charm. e large windows let natural light seep into the dining space, illuminating clean and neatly arranged tables. Although the space isn’t large, the intimate seating arrangements adds to a relaxed and dining experience. Whether dining indoors or picking up an order, simply stepping into the zen restaurant o ers a nice break from the busy surroundings.

At Laugh Tei Izakaya, the sta quickly takes orders and frequently checks in to ensure customers enjoy their meals. e fast service paired with the sta ’s attentiveness adds to the overall warmth and hospitality of the restaurant, making the visit a pleasant one.

Laugh Tei Izakaya’s carefully crafted menu features a small but a ordable selection of large plates, perfect for sharing. e restaurant provides a number of Japanese favorites like ramen, onigiri, chicken karaage, and katsu, although options for vegetarians are limited. e menu leans heavily toward appetizers like the house-made chicken gyozas served with spinach and soy sauce. Although the gyoza has an appealing balance of textures, with a crunchy outer layer that complements the tender chicken and spring onion lling, without the soy sauce the dish blandly falls at.

A standout item, however, is the takoyaki. Despite being small in portion,

the piping hot balls of wheat batter are lled with green onions, crispy tempura, octopus bits topped with mayonnaise, and nished with thin bonito akes. It’s slightly crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside and delicious, almost like biting into a u y cloud.

e entree, pork katsu curry, accompanied with nicely-steamed rice, delivers a savory avor with a faintly bitter aftertaste. e pork, coated with panko bread crumbs, has a delightful crunch, though it lacks much avor on its own. While the dish is satisfying, it pales in comparison to the rich and bold avor of the takoyakis, which truly take the spotlight.

Laugh Tei Izakaya’s dishes offer excellent value for their price, providing generous portions ideal for a light lunch or dinner. e pork katsu cutlet curry, for example, is priced at $14.99, which is enough to share between two people, and the Takoyaki, priced at $8.99 may seem expensive, but is worth the cost because of its rich avor. eir diverse menu, featuring more a ordable dishes like their $5.99 edamame and $6.99 gyoza, ensures that there is something for everyone looking for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal. e cozy and laid-back atmosphere allows customers to unwind and enjoy their meal. Whether dining solo or with friends, the restaurant is a convenient and a ordable spot

for a peaceful dining out experience. From start to nish, Laugh Tei Izakaya is a charming experience. e calm ambiance immediately appeals to the customers by inviting them to unwind, relax and enjoy a nice meal. With a kind and patient sta , the e ciency is unmatched and customer-friendly. e menu is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with friends, presenting a range of avors. ough some dishes lack a robust avor, they are all pleasant and fairly priced. It’s an entirely satisfying, peaceful and enjoyable environment for anyone looking to get away from the bustling streets outside. ▪ Grade: B+

Jani’s debut album cover (Parallel).

Jani in her recording studio.

Wave to earth’s play with earth! 0.03 Continues Their Cosmic Journey

By Angelina Chen Staf Writer

e band wave to earth’s second album, play with earth! 0.03, stays faithful to their signature blend of soft rock, jazz fusions, and neo-psychedelia, yet it remains as captivating as ever. In this seven-track journey, they weave through familiar soundscapes while subtly introducing new elements that showcase their growing con dence and artistry. ough not radically di erent from their previous work, the album proves that sometimes it’s the smallest changes that leave the deepest impression.

e opening track, “are you bored?”, sets the tone with a smooth, inviting introduction, pulling listeners into wave to earth’s familiar sonic world — a mix of spacey guitar ri s and jazz-in uenced rhythms. As always, wave to earth’s vocals oat above, giving the song its dreamlike quality. It feels both delicate and powerful, an element that continues to anchor the entire album.

Tracks like “annie.” stand out not only for their mesmerizing instrumentation but also for the main vocalist Kim Daniel’s newfound vocal con dence. His playful ad-libs and unexpected use of profanity bring an intriguing edge to wave to earth’s usually polished sound. e song “annie.” is perhaps the album’s most unexpected piece, as blunt, straightforward lines disrupt the otherwise serene atmosphere, injecting realism into the band’s ethereal landscape.

In contrast, “holyland” o ers a deeper dive into shoegaze territory, a genre of music combining vo-

UNDER THE RADAR

By Kaylin Teo Staf Writer

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer Danny Dwyer rst shared his music with the world in 2017, with the release of the single “What You Want.”

His works, often described as genreless, intertwine indie rock, alternative, and pop elements. rough his signature melancholic songwriting, Dwyer captures the tender, raw emotions of feeling lost during his childhood in Missouri, while re ecting on the consequences and sacri ces he made for his career that his family did not understand.

Dwyer grew up knowing he would go into music. As a lifelong trumpet player, he earned a two-year trumpet scholarship to study in Denver. Later, he transferred to Los Angeles for a year and a half to graduate early. After college, Dwyer was especially inspired to pursue a career in music because of his father. “I wanted to be … a cornerstone of quality … the same way that my dad provided Florissant, Missouri with the coldest soda available,” Dwyer said. With hit releases like “Chinatown Market” in 2019 and “Mortal Kombat 2” in 2023, Dwyer has shared 23 works consistently over the span of seven years, producing new intimate works as a part of his lifelong series of bedroom projects.

Dwyer has performed at many small shows throughout the years and even a European tour in 2022. He returned to the live stage this year, performing again on Sept. 30 at Roxy eatre in West Hollywood, CA.

Dwyer plans to explore a potential lm career and is currently working on another short lm to explore his youthful interests. He hopes to lm a documentary on small businesses that are still run entirely on paper and wants to track down a certain species of birds he cannot recall the name of. With almost 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Dwyer looks forward to sharing more of his story to the world through music and media.

cals with distorted guitars, layering crashing instruments to evoke an oceanic tide that swells and breaks in waves of sound. is track serves as the album’s emotional climax, where the band’s ability to craft dense, textural music shines. It’s a piece that plays with tension and release, mirroring the natural world they draw inspiration from. Another interesting addition is “pueblo-remastered 2024,” which revisits earlier material but with more nesse. e jazz interludes and tightly controlled production feel like a matured version of the band’s earlier attempts. e decision to revisit and re ne older work speaks to the band’s desire for growth, while still staying true to their roots.

Moreover, while some songs of prior album 0.01 aws and all are standout tracks, play with earth! 0.03 e ortlessly blends wave to earth’s dreamy aesthetic with a punchy, emotive performance that shows their ability to create both introspective and expansive music throughout

the album. Conversely, “annie” feels slightly weaker lyrically, though it doesn’t drag the overall album down. While the band sticks closely to their usual formula, there is always the question of how long they can sustain this particular style of sound. With the band’s signature neo-psychedelic soft rock at its core, the album doesn’t o er drastic innovation, but the little details — Kim’s ad-libs, the shoegaze layers, and the subtle jazz ourishes — ensure play with earth! 0.03 feels like a natural progression.

Ultimately, play with earth! 0.03 cements wave to earth as a band with a deep understanding of their identity, skillfully walking the line between familiarity and evolution. is album may not be their boldest statement, but it o ers a re ective and atmospheric continuation of what they do best — crafting thoughtful, emotionally resonant music that leaves listeners wanting more.

Rating: A-

October 2024 Student Faves

ALICE: e Lucky Ones” by Taylor

“BRUISED” by HIIBRYD |NAISHA: Seeber

By Navya Chitlur Staf Writer

Singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse released her second studio album, Memoir of a Sparklemu n on September 13. She released her two singles in 2017, including, “Good Looking,” which only rose to popularity ve years later. Since then, she has released two albums and one EP, leading to her rise in fame in the music industry.

In the title of the album, Waterhouse references cannibalistic spiders, sparklemu ns, demonstrating the album’s themes of change, new beginnings, and love, as the “record was a metamorphosis, something new, a new season of life.” Waterhouse hoped to convey the feeling of breaking free of old webs through her raw lyricism and imagery, especially during her slower songs. However, she often overdoes her production, leading to a less authentic feel in the album.

She opens with a slow to fast beat paired with incredible production in “Gateway Drug,” giving the listener a preview to the crescendo of melodies that continue throughout the album. e upbeat nish is followed by glittery indie pop tunes seen in her other songs, though they lack emotional depth in their lyrics. While Waterhouse aimed to craft an album curated by dreams for her future, the tracks themselves lack the musical diversity and depth to ful ll its potential. In songs such as “Blackout Drunk,” Waterhouse crafts an upbeat and catchy tune, hooking the listeners as she sings “I thought that I was, but I’m not your type / I’ve seen the messages on your phone / It kept me up a whole goddamn

sulate this, instead, reminiscing on her past. Her lead single, “OMG,” highlights the need to return to her past self, singing “Oh my god / Take me back the way that I was,” a similar theme followed in other tracks such as “Everybody Breaks Up Anyway,” demonstrating the di culty in embracing change. Nonetheless, Waterhouse’s production demonstrates incredible instrumental ability with beautifully crafted backing tracks. However, it was doing more harm than good as the production took away from Waterhouse’s voice. is was an issue in songs such as “My Fun,” “To Get You,” or “Faded,”; Waterhouse’s voice is overshadowed by the production, making it seem inauthentic. Additionally, in her songs where the backing tracks are softer, Waterhouse’s voice shines. In “Model, Actress, Whatever,” Waterhouse sings, “All of my dreams came true / e bigger the ocean, the deeper the blue … All of the years in my eyes / Fighting o lows, breathing in highs,” re ecting on her rise to fame and struggle to nd her identity.

Waterhouse’s Memoir of a Sparklemu n consists of upbeat indie-pop tracks, as well as heartfelt tunes, taking the listener through Waterhouse’s journey of fame, love, and self-dis

ROLLINGSTONE COM

TICKETMASTER COM

Investigative Report: Athletic Infrastructure

By Novak Chen & Felicity He Staf Writers

Introduction

On September 20, Newark Memorial High School announced the start of construction for their new turf beginning September 23, replacing a turf that was around 20 years old and modernizing their rubber track. While many other schools have completed refurbishments and upgrades to their existing athletic facilities as well, MSJ’s only new athletic facility since 1966 is its pool, which opened in 2019. Every other part of MSJ’s campus only received minor refurbishments of the original buildings, such as the Mini Gym and Main Gym, built in 1966 and 1964 respectively, or the library and locker rooms, both built in 1964. In this investigative report, the Smoke Signal researches what steps FUSD has planned for MSJ’s athletic facilities, as well as current and past perspectives on the potential developments.

Past projects

“For teams, the main source of funding comes from each team, so each team raises [the money] and that’s all we get. We get a portion of money for safety from the district, but that’s used for the [physical] trainer, to ice the students’ [injuries], and all the equipment,” Athletic Director Stepha- nie Randazzo said. The lack of money that teams receive is a huge hurdle to getting anything improved and is the reason why the only athletic facility upgrade that MSJ has received in the past was an upgraded pool. Although in 2014 Fremont voters passed the Measure E general obligation bond to allow construction for the new athletic facilities such as a new pool, the FUSD Board of Education did not approve funding in 2015, even though the plans for the pool construction project were also approved in 2015. The Board fnally green-lighted construction of the pool in December 2017, which fnished in 2018 and offcially opened in March 2019. In the end, the project cost a total of $8.1 million dollars.

Benefits of new refurbishments

The benefts of the new athletic facilities include a better quality of learning for physical education classes, along with a step up for MSJ’s sports teams, such as increased participation. “Good facilities are going to attract more and more people to participate in them or to want to donate,” Randazzo said. “When [students] see a dirt track, they’re gonna get thrown off, or they’re not gonna want to do a sport, so it has played a major role, I would say, in participation.” Besides simply increasing athletic participation at MSJ, new and improved facilities would attract more donations. Lastly, many coaching positions at MSJ sports teams have a hard time being flled because of the lackluster and subpar facilities. “For example, I just interviewed someone not too long ago [for a coaching position], but one of the main reasons they’re not taking the job is because our felds aren’t great, so attracting coaches to coach here is diffcult when they don’t see great facilities or not enough facilities.”

Current status

On August 28, the FUSD Board of Education offcially adopted the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP), which includes the Prioritized Project List that the board approved on June 26. The Measure M Bond worth $919 million, which will appear on the ballot for Fremont residents to vote on on November 5, will entirely be used to fund the LRFP. The Prioritized Project List outlines refurbishments, upgrades, and even completely new buildings for every school in FUSD, which encompasses updates to athletic facilities. The LRFP approves MSJ to receive a new gymnasium and locker room facility, construct a new two-story classroom building with 18 classrooms, and remove aging buildings, as well as upgrade all practice, baseball, and softball felds, tennis courts, hardcourts, and adjacent areas. While the specifcs for the improvements have yet to be determined, any new update should yield benefts in many facets. “For instance, basketball has to share one gym, we have so many teams trying to get in that one space, it’s frustrating so we are not a school that has multiple gyms to accommodate all the teams,” Randazzo said. If the Measure M Bond passes the ballot this November, the LRFP will be conducted over a tenyear period.

If we were to begin improvements on the infrastructure, which facility would beneft MSJ as a whole?

PE Teacher Peter Vaz: “For me? New gym. The gym is the number one spot most visitors go to see at a campus. It gets more use than anything else and it can be a revenue source. What gets the most use from the community would be the track and the feld.”

Randazzo: “Track. The track would be an all weather track. It’s safer, in the end it’ll be less maintenance, and you could use it every single day because it doesn’t food, it doesn’t get little potholes or ponds on the track, and most teams can use the turf with it. So other than the indoor sports, we already have a gym, it’s not great but that would be my number one.”

Girls Volleyball wins 3-2 against Moreau Mariners

By Kanupriya Goyal & Kaylin Teo Staf Writers

On October 1, in an intense, energy-packed home game, MSJ Girls Volleyball clawed their way to a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Moreau Catholic High School Mariners, showcasing resilience and determination in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

The frst set was a breeze for MSJ, as they dominated ofensively with a quick pace, securing an efortless frst win. The team’s early confdence, however, was challenged in the second set when a controversial out-ofbounds call favoring the Warriors set the Mariners to a fery comeback. This shift seemed to halt the Warriors’ momentum, leading to a fercely competitive set. MSJ narrowly fell short, 23-25, in a nail-biter of a second set.

Still recovering from their setbacks, MSJ struggled to regain their footing in the third set.

Coach Matthew Walker called two timeouts to try to reset the team’s momentum. As the set neared its conclusion, Co-Captain Senior Melissa Jin stepped up, delivering a series of powerful serves that sparked a thrilling comeback, pulling a victory within reach. However, the Mariners held frm and took the set, pushing MSJ to the brink of defeat.

Refusing to back down, the Warriors found their rhythm again in the next set with the help of Co-Captain Senior Allie Tong’s loud and motivating energy, winning 25-20 and setting the stage for an all-or-nothing ffth. By this point, the Warriors had rediscovered their momentum, and their energy was electric. The

fnal push, fueled by a passionate bench and critical plays on the court, including several kills from Junior Allyson Wang, sealed the deal as they won the ffth set and the match.

The victory was a testament to the Warriors’ ability to fght back. “We weren’t playing our best, and what was slowing us down was our mindset. But we fxed that with energy from both the bench and the court,” Tong said, refecting on the team’s performance during the tougher moments. “We made some really good plays that got us hyped up, and we bounced back from there. Our resilience was good, but we need to get out of our heads quicker and turn things around faster,” Tong

said, noting down areas for improvement. With Tong, Jin, and Co-Captain Junior Claribel Chen leading the charge, the Girls Volleyball team showed their grit and determination in the game against the Mariners. eir current MVAL record of 7-1 and second place ranking in the league point to an optimistic future. e Warriors’’ goal is clear: ““We want to win as many games as possible and have a great season,” “ Tong said. Hoping to continue their three year streak of qualifying for NCS, the Warriors have proven with this dauntless comeback that they are, without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with.

GRAPHICS BY SPORTS EDITOR ETHAN YAN

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Allyson Wang leaps to hit the ball over the net.

Allyson Wang, Brittany Lu, Allie Tong, and Melissa Jin celebrate a point scored among many.

Melissa Jin jumps to deliver a powerful serve.

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By Roshan Annamalai & Vikram Mahajan

On September 12, Representative Paul Tonko and Senator Richard Blumenthal proposed the Supporting Afordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act to implement federal regulations on sports betting. In 2018, Supreme Court case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, a longstanding federal ban on commercial sports betting. The court ruled the act unconstitutional by the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not outlined in the constitution, such as sports betting regulation, to state governments. Since the landmark decision, the sports betting industry has exploded. According to the American Gaming Association, commercial gaming in 2023 saw an unprecedented $66.5 billion in revenue. The SAFE Bet act highlights that federal policies must be passed to restrict the exploitative sports betting industry, which targets vulnerable youth, exacerbates gambling addictions, and promotes deceptive practices to proft.

Extensive gambling leads to disorders and harms health, causing anxiety, loss of relationships, and fnancial ruin, increasing risk for drug addiction and suicidal thoughts. Since the 2018 ruling, the prevalence and intensity of gambling problems have escalated across the US. For instance, after Ohio legalized sports betting in 2023, Ohio’s Gambling Problem Network saw a 55% increase in call frequency just one year later. Moreover, sports betting is far more addictive than other forms of gambling. In 2023, the Rutgers University Center for Gambling Studies reported that “35% of sports bettors were classifed as high-risk problem gamblers compared to just 3% to 4% of other gamblers.” One of the qualities potentially aggravating addiction in sports betting is the reality-based and social aspects of the practice. “With sports betting, you feel a little bit invested and might have some advantage —

The pitfalls of sports gambling

even though, on average, you don’t,” University of Kansas Assistant Professor of Finance Kevin Pisciotta said.

In addition, sports gambling opens perverse fnancial incentives and can lead to match-fxing, in which one side is set up to lose for the fnancial gain of bookmakers. This may entail bribing referees or paying players to underperform; elements of organized crime are also sometimes complicit in issuing threats and bribes. Infamous instances of match-fxing include the 2006 Calciopoli scandal and the 1919 Black Sox scandal; such incidents reveal how sports gambling inherently sets up participants for failure. Aside from exploiting addiction-addled gamblers, these scandals tarnish the integrity of sports games and undermine public trust in competitions.

The sports betting industry further promotes unhealthy practices by targeting a younger audience. Youths are much more likely to impulsively and frequently gamble, developing severe gambling disorders early in their lives. Indeed, the rise in easy access to technology for children only compounds these risks. In a 2018 study in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 81% of 11- to 16-year-olds extensively recalled terms and products from the slew of gambling advertisements they digest and 22% consequently wanted to gamble. In an article in The Conversation, Knight Chair of Sports Journalism and Society John Afeck additionally describes the integration of gambling into sports media, stating that “for tens of millions of fans around the country, [sports betting] is now just part of the show.”

To lessen these risks, the SAFE Bet Act outlines strict limitations on advertisement, money collection, and use of AI tracking. Adolescents are targeted through the gamifcation of sports gambling and heavy advertising on teenager-saturated social media platforms. The SAFE Bet Act would curtail this by limiting the timing — sports betting would be disallowed 8 a.m.-10 p.m. — and venues of gambling advertisements

so that youth are less vulnerable. Another large contributor to the development of gambling addictions is the micro bet, a bet placed on individual events such as the next point in basketball or next play in football. Consumers that partake in these rapid, impulsive bets risk severe gambling addictions; 78% of micro bettors had gambling disorders according to a 2019 paper in the Journal of Gambling Studies. However, the SAFE Bet Act would curb this danger by preventing sports betting companies from using AI to continuously generate micro bets in-game.

Although the Supreme Court ruled in Murphy that a national ban violated the Tenth Amendment, it is clear that with the serious consequences of sports betting, especially on youth, this issue is one of sufcient importance to fall under the Constitution’s Necessary and Proper Clause and thus is subject to federal law. In addition, online gambling is clearly an interstate business, indicating that Congress also has authority to act under the Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause. Regardless of the legalization of sports betting, federal regulatory baselines must be in place in order to protect consumers from this currently largely unregulated industry. Certain

Athlete Spotlight: Baylis Hin

By Navya Chitlur & Michael Qu

As a four-year starter and three-year varsity starter, Varsity Boys Water Polo Co-Captain Senior Baylis Hin has showcased his athletic prowess throughout high school. After picking up competitive swimming in 2019 and water polo in 2021, Hin has earned numerous awards during his time in Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys Water Polo, becoming a key player on the team.

Hin began his athletic journey as a swimmer for the Newark Bluefns Swim Team in 2019, and started water polo during his freshman year at MSJ. Over the years, Hin has signifcantly improved as an athlete, making his way from a Junior Varsity starter to Varsity co-captain of water polo, while also dropping his swim times. “Everything from game IQ, to shooting, to passing has all gotten better, [especially] my defense and game awareness,” Hin said. Hin regrets having been hesitant to join club water polo or swim during his earlier

years, though later competed for Southern Alameda County Water Polo Club (SoAC) and West Valley Water Polo Club. He recommends that new players push themselves in the sport through the extra knowledge and experience gained from clubs. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. … That’s how you’re going to get better. … I was afraid to do club my freshman and sophomore year, and I regret [starting late],” Hin said.

Hin’s impact on the water polo team is undeniable, winning the JV Boys Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, the Varsity Boys Game Changer award in 2023, and qualifying for the Junior Olympics in 2024 for club water

“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. ... That’s how you’re going to get better.”

— BAYLIS HIN, 12

polo. One of his most notable achievements came in 2023 when he helped lead them to qualify for the NCS Division 2 Championship, as “MSJ Water Polo hadn’t been doing that well. It was the frst time [they] qualifed in fve years,” Hin said. As co-captain, Hin has developed into a natural leader. Through his role, he has not only been central in the team’s competitive performance, but also in building a supportive team environment by giving advice and providing encouragement during tough games. “For team sports, there’s more accountability and responsibility. I feel like with team sports, you really gain more leadership,” Hin said. Like many athletes, Hin has faced challenges along the way, particularly with refning certain aspects of his game. His weakest area was his shooting, so Hin worked tirelessly to improve both his shooting form and power. Hin’s dedication and initiative to improving has been key to his growth in both ofense and defense.

states, such as New Jersey, have implemented stringent policies, but a number of the other 38 states that have legalized sports gambling lack such a framework. This highlights the importance of the SAFE Bet Act as it would establish national policies to mitigate the industry’s predatory practices. “State regulation is faint-hearted and half-baked. That’s why we need a national standard — not to ban gambling — but simply to take back control over an industry that is out of bounds,” Blumenthal said.

As sports betting becomes ingrained in American culture, the associated risks must be recognized and prevented. Policies such as the SAFE Bet Act are necessary to curtail the unrestrained growth of sports betting. Although these proposals may not be the perfect solution, they represent the crucial frst step to combatting the growth of gambling disorders and protecting youth from being targeted by the gambling industry. By advocating for changes to existing policies, students can encourage government action against this rampant problem and recognize the predatory marketing tactics employed by the sports gambling industry rather than falling victim to their trap. ▪

“I just kept practicing [my shooting] and playing with good players. If you just surround yourself with good shooters, you’re naturally gonna get better,” Hin said. Hin’s dedication and initiative to improving has been key to his growth in both ofense and defense.

Looking ahead, Hin has ambitious goals for his fnal season at MSJ. In addition to helping the team qualify for the NCS once again and achieving personal milestones such as making the All League First Team, Second Team, or Honorable Mentions, he is also focused on leaving a lasting impact on the water polo program itself. Hin hopes to strengthen MSJ’s water polo program for future athletes by setting a strong example of leadership and dedication for the next generation of players.

As his high school career comes to a close, Hin remains committed to pushing his limits both for himself and his team. His achievements and relentless drive have left a lasting legacy, one that he hopes will inspire both current and future athletes at MSJ. ▪

SEN RICHARD BLUMENTHAL

PHOTO BY IGAMING BUSINESS Staf Writers

Staf Writers

By Scarlett Huang & Vikram Mahajan Staff Writers

The Chandni Chowk food truck is surrounded by vibrant South Asian culture. Bollywood music blares from the loudspeakers of an Indian grocery store, alongside other Hindi music and live performances in the plaza. Named after the iconic street market in Delhi, India, Chandni Chowk is colorfully painted in pink, yellow, and green to resemble the trucks typically found on the streets of India. Their menu features traditional street foods such as samosa chaat and popular favorite Khatta Meetha pani puri. With their authentic Indian street food experience, the truck has cultivated a loyal clientele, among which are many South Asian immigrants. “It’s very, very rare to nd authentic pani puri, and it’s very rare to nd quick pani puri … [In addition,] the vibe here is really cool, especially at night time. I was raised in Pakistan, so it reminds me of home,” one customer said.

“I remember the local food truck which I visited last year was an Indian food truck near safeway. I ordered their pani puri, which was good. It was quite authentic, but I wouldn’t recommend it to other people, because it was super expensive. I don’t typically eat at food trucks for this reason, but eating street food was a fun experience.”

— Zenia Siddiqui, 11

Fremont’s food truck culture showcases a diverse range of cuisines, from Nepali and Indian to soul food and Mexican. To explore these meals-onwheels joints, the Smoke Signal visited four local food trucks: Chandni Chowk, Everest Momo, Los Cuates Taco Truck, and Waf e Roost.

Everest Momo, popular local food truck chain, caters Nepali and Himalayan dishes such as chow mein, chili chicken, and their namesake momos, also known as Himalayan-style dumplings. Made on site, the momos are served steaming hot, their signature thick, doughy skin combining with a avorful lling to form a warm, comforting taste. The food truck serves a wide range of momo types, among which are the chicken momo, stuffed with tender chicken and chives, and the vegetarian momo. The latter, alongside the vegetarian chow mein, a stir-fried vegetable noodle dish, are the two most popular orders according to staff at the truck, establishing Everest Momo as an excellent vegetarian caterer.

“[Food trucks are] one of the most authentic ways to try different cuisines … the owners [at these food trucks provide] a service that’s much more personal. I chose to go to Halal Amigos because I was searching on Instagram for authentic Mexican food, because it’s very hard to nd good places here in the Bay Area. There was this food truck, Halal Amigos, trending. I was missing home ... and I noticed that this speci c food truck was very popular here, so I decided to try it out ... I was surprised to see several non-Hispanics try and love the food. So that tells me people from Fremont are inquisitive about food from other cultures, and they know how to recognize good dishes and appreciate them.”

— Spanish Teacher

Leticia

Magana

Located at the Los Cuates Taco Truck primarily specializes in tacos, but also offers other Mexican foods like burritos, nachos, and quesadillas. Customers are guaranteed to enjoy their selection with the large number of meat toppings offered, such as chicharon, which are fried pork rinds. The rich taste of the carnitas tacos’ smoky pork and melted cheese are enhanced by the specialty hot sauce, which further tantalizes the taste buds. “I’ve been coming here since 1997 … My go-to order is the pork tacos — the carnitas. Also, the hot sauce is unique, it must be [a secret sauce of some kind]. And the tacos are still reasonably priced compared to other places. When I rst started coming here it was actually one dollar,” a customer said.

“The food truck I’ve been to … was a Mediterranean food truck in San Francisco ... I thought the experience was pretty fun overall, because I was with my family, and the street food made the moment special, as a family experience. There were de nitely some communication issues ... but we overcame it.” — Yekta Mousavi, 10

“I recommend Los Cuates, which is the only local food truck I’ve been to. My favorite food from there was their tacos, which had really avorful ingredients. I think convenience was a large factor of me choosing to eat at a food truck, especially because food trucks typically have authentic, good food. The customer service was nice, and the people were friendly.” —- Ava Zimowkse, 10

The Waf e Roost is a chain of mobile food trucks offering a cuisine of soul foods, and often changes its locations across the Bay Area. The most up-to-date locations can be found on their Instagram and Facebook. Among the numerous chicken options, a customer and staff favorite is the Spicy, which is a combination of the truck’s two signature foods — chicken and waf es. A hot chicken waf e sandwich complemented with melted cheese and serrano peppers, the dish creates a blissful combination of spicy and savory in every bite. According to employees, the Spicy is a specialty dish that, along with their famous teriyaki skewers, has been crafted to perfection. Waf e Roost is not only distinguished by its delicious variety of options on the menu. “What sets Waf e Roost apart from its many competitors in the industry is how unique its quality of food is,” a Waf e Roost employee said.