![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/f0512deccfeaf43c023da0485d5ccf76.jpeg)
FEATURES SPORTS OPINIONS
Love Knows No Bounds PAGE 2
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/76a262838bf0218975215c66d9281544.jpeg)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/f5f67685f57c6924a9c2584048ba68d5.jpeg)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/0be767fd8a864d3e98a90ce82284bb60.jpeg)
Freedom to Love Beyond the Oxford Study
PAGE 9
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/3643ae81227ac1eec8d4d9c0dd6df52f.jpeg)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/250117021612-2628c170bab742e5d55c72d5181fd497/v1/2b9a98b0c58e31e3107f1e0ed84bfdb7.jpeg)
FEATURES SPORTS OPINIONS
Love Knows No Bounds PAGE 2
PAGE 9
e three-day inaugural Taiwan Speech and Debate Invitational (TSDI) began on Oct. 11 at Taipei American School (TAS). e tournament included eight events: Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, World Schools Debate, Novice Public Forum, Public Forum and Policy Debate. Hosting 21 different schools from around the world, TSDI was a collection of intellectual growth throughout the speech and debate space.
“ is was a great tournament to host, being one of the first times we’ve invited international teams to come to TAS to debate. And, it
was a really enjoyable experience overall,” debater Jordan Y. (‘26) said. Having to adjust his sleeping schedule to cater to American tournaments for the past few years, Jordan was happy to not do so at this tournament.
“As a team debating in Taiwan, being able to debate on our normal timezone was something that was very relieving and a great experience to have.”
When the students weren’t having educational discussions about various political and economic topics, they were taking in Taiwanese culture. After arriving on the morning of Oct. 9, two days before the tournament, Rowland Hall High School from
Utah and Notre Dame High School from California spent their first day sightseeing at Shifen Waterfall. e remaining schools landed in Taiwan on Oct. 10, celebrating the national holiday at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum and enjoying their lunch at the American Club Taipei (ACC).
Once the tournament began, competitors spent their days debating and their nights exploring the city.
ey ventured to the Shilin Night Market for street food, the world famous Taipei 101 and ended their journey in the Ximen district on Sunday night, leaving with a piece of Taiwan in their hearts.
By Colin Kuo (‘28)
is year, the Upper School production was Pu ff s — a 2015 original comedy written by Matt Cox. Pu ff s is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy that takes a behind-the-scenes look at life at Hogwarts, specifically following the stories of the overlooked students in Hu ffl epu ff house.
It is a tale of friendship, magic and the unexpected adventures that can happen when one is not the main character.
e cast of this show performed over the span of four days, allowing the Taipei American School (TAS) community to enjoy this epic and fun moment together. With all of the cast and crew’s hard work, these four days went extremely well, with the auditoriums full as all tickets sold out.
TAS drama production has been around for quite a while. Students in Lower School starting from fifth grade get the opportunity to participate in shows, and most continue on their journey of drama as they move up to Middle School, and eventually, Upper School. Fortunately for students that signed up for Pu ff s, there were no cuts.
Roman K. (‘28), a freshman, took this chance and joined Pu ff s, taking on the role of Blondo Malfoy —- a selfish and rude student in Slytherin house.
As a new student, Roman got to meet other students beyond his grade level and made new friends along the way.
“I think Pu ff s was really fun,” said Roman. “For a new student like me, it was a really good opportunity to meet new people, and just get introduced to how things work in this school.”
Kaiya C. (‘26), a junior, performed in Pu ff s as Hannah —- a shy Pu ff that gets made fun of by other houses.
“I was most excited about seeing my friends in the audience and having them come watch my show,” said Kaiya. “Something I also enjoyed was acting with the seniors, because since I grew up with them, it’s like seeing their progress, and like watching them grow, so it was really interesting to act alongside them on their last year.”
As a returning student who is very familiar with TAS drama production, Kaiya decided to participate once again, continuing her journey that started way back in fifth grade.
e wonderful supporting TAS community came together to support everyone that participated in the show. Without the hard work of the cast and crew, and the tidal wave of support from the TAS community, the four days of performances would not have been possible.
e TAS community looks forward to more shows like Pu ff s, that can bring the entire community together and showcase the talents of our brilliant TAS students.
By Sofia Valadao
If you’ve spent any time here at Taipei American School (TAS), you’ve undoubtedly seen Mr. Chase Williams around before. Known across campus for his fervent devotion to the TAS Speech & Debate Program, active involvement in American politics, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and intense love for all things Disney, Mr. Williams has become an invaluable and widely-loved member of our community.
Yet, a recent struggle of his – one that has captured headlines and hearts across Taiwan – has remained unbeknownst to many here at TAS: Mr. Williams and his Filipino husband, Mark Macabitas, have been involved in a brutal legal battle with the Taiwanese government for nearly 2 years over recognition of their marriage.
e couple met in 2021 on the dating app Bumble while Mr. Williams was living in Taipei and Mr. Macabitas was working at a factory in Kaohsiung. After a year of long-distance dating, they decided to tie the knot.
“We flew into the US right after the start of winter break [in 2022] and we got the license, and it was very easy,” said Mr. Williams. “We brought our passports, and then that license was signed at the ceremony we had on Dec. 26.”
Ever since the Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage (SSM) in the 2015 case of Obergefell v. Hodges, SSM registration has become a relatively smooth-sailing process all over the US.
Similarly, Taiwan appears to have established a national precedent for acceptance of non-traditional families and couples. After officially allowing same-sex couples to apply for marriage registration in 2017, Taiwan became the first ever Asian country to legalize SSM. But, while this monumental legislative measure may seem inclusive and liberating, a daunting loophole exists in its intricacies: although the government recognizes SSM between two Taiwanese nationals, a Taiwanese national and a foreigner, and two foreigners when both parties are from countries where SSM is legal, it refuses to recognize SSM between two foreigners when one party is from a country where SSM is illegal, regardless of where the marriage license was obtained. Because the Philippines has yet to legalize SSM, Mr. Williams and Mr. Macabitas have fallen victim to this legal gap.
But, if you know Mr. Williams, you know “surrender” isn’t in his vocabulary. The couple were already aware of the loophole when they began dating, but in the hopes of building a more secure future together and making Mr. Macabitas eligible for a spousal visa (which would optimize his employment opportunities, among other benefits), they decided to apply for marriage registration anyway. Upon receiving their marriage license, Mr. Williams immediately began communicating with the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) in Los Angeles and the Manila Economic & Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei to discuss
the specific structure of SSM policy in both Taiwan and the Philippines. After receiving a negative ruling from MECO, Mr. Williams and Mr. Macabitas began the process of pursuing legal marriage status in Taiwan.
“In Aug. of 2023, we went to the Beitou registration office knowing that we were going to get denied,” said Mr. Williams. “After we got denied in person, [the office had] to mail [us] their justification, which is the legal explanation for why [we] got denied. And then, at that point, [we had to] appeal back to Beitou.”
After their district appeal, the couple appealed to Taipei City, filing letters of support from friends, TAS parents and even the director of the American Institute of Taiwan (AIT). After getting denied at the city level, Mr. Williams and Mr. Macabitas filed a lawsuit in the Taipei Administrative Court in Feb. of 2024 and are currently awaiting their court date. No specific advancements have been made in their case since.
“In August of 2023, we went to the Beitou registration office knowing that we were going to get denied”
“ ere’s this assumption that Taiwan is so great on these issues [of LGBTQ+
rights], and so there are a lot of people who are supportive and are allies, but don’t realize that we haven’t fully achieved equality yet,” said Mr. Williams. “It’s sometimes difficult to mobilize interest or support because of that lack of knowledge.” However, the couple’s journey has been uplifting and empowering in many ways. Along with being featured in a TaiwanPlus documentary-style video and an article in Focus Taiwan, Mr. Williams and Mr. Macabitas have garnered significant positive attention among many Taipei residents. “People have seen us downtown and talked to us, which was a little [strange at first], but also nice that people are offering that sort of public support,” noted Mr. Williams.
“It’s sometimes difficult to mobilize interest or support because of that lack of knowledge”
Although Mr. Williams and Mr. Macabitas’ legal fight is nowhere near over yet, I can say with full confidence that the TAS community will continue to have unwavering faith in the couple’s journey. is incredibly admirable story of devotion reminds us to remain inquisitive about the systems around us, to persevere in spite of the obstacles we face and, most importantly, to always fight for love.
800 CHUNG SHAN N. RD. TAIPEI 11152 TAIWAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ERIN WU (‘25)
MANAGING EDITOR (PRINT)
ANNABELLE HSU (‘27)
MANAGING EDITOR (ARTICLE)
SOFIA VALADAO (‘26)
STAFF WRITERS
CHESTER DENNIS (‘28)
ERIC FANG (‘28)
ASHLEY HO (‘28)
AMBER HU (‘27)
MINSUN KIM (‘28)
KARSON KO (‘28)
COLIN KUO (‘28)
RAY LEE (‘28)
ANGELO LIEN (‘28)
SIAN PARK (‘27)
AUSTIN WANG (‘28)
HANNAH WANG (‘27)
MATTHEW WANG (‘27)
CHARLOTTE WARMELINK (‘28)
BRYCE YAO (‘28)
ADVISER
MR. PATRICK YOUNG
MISSION STATEMENT
The Blue & Gold is a student-run publication dedicated to sharing stories from the Taipei American School community. Produced and distributed free of charge monthly during the academic year by sta writers at TAS, the Blue & Gold strives to showcase and interrogate the community it serves.
CORRECTIONS
We take all measures possible to report accurately, and seek to bring professional, thorough reporting to our readers. Please report any inaccuracies in Blue & Gold content to out email, blueandgold@tas. tw.
OP-EDS AND EDITORIALS
Editorials collectively represent the opinions of the Blue & Gold’s editorial board, while op-eds represent the opinions of each writer. Opinions in the Blue & Gold do not necessarily re ect the views of TAS student body, sta , faculty, or administration.
THE BLUE & GOLD ONLINE
The Blue & Gold runs an online edition that publishes articles every weekday when school is in operation. Find the website at blueandgoldonline.org.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We welcome letter submissions from all readers. Email your signed letter of under 500 words at blueandgold@tas.tw.
By Sian Park (‘27)
Among students, Mr. Richard Arnold is known for the many interesting stories he has to tell. Mr. Arnold is an experienced history teacher, and has been teaching at Taipei American School (TAS) for 54 years—that’s nearly two generations! Additionally, he is also an original sponsor of the Orphanage Club (OC), which is the school’s oldest and largest student-run club.
!e Orphanage Club does many different community service activities related to orphans and underprivileged children. Although Mr. Arnold is very busy, he loves connecting with students. And like many other students, once you speak with him, you’ll find that he’s an incredible conversationalist with a plethora of stories to share.
Mr. Arnold is a dedicated teacher, and, as a result, is quite busy. He describes the Orphanage Club projects he sponsors as “endless.” But like everyone else, he has his interests: he loves to meet up with local friends and alumni, go on walks and read non-fiction. His love for reading can be seen through the countless books in his office.
Mr. Arnold grew up in upstate New York and says that novels such as “!e Underground Railroad” were very significant during his childhood, which made him interested in literature describing Black experiences. He also loves to read news articles describing discoveries about history.
“Our history’s always being revised, and there’s always something new,” said Mr. Arnold.
Given his passion for history, Mr. Arnold surprisingly entered college with an undecided major and was on track to becoming a mathematics teacher. However, his history teacher, a Brown University graduate and World War II veteran, urged
him to consider teaching history. At this time, Mr. Arnold was unsure.
But when Mr. Arnold tried teaching for the first time, he found that he actually liked the job. He went on to get a master’s degree and began to teach to make some money.
“[He] would be back in six months because [he] was so impatient. !e kids are not going to tolerate [him],” is what the people around him said. But now, he has been teaching for 58 years.
During his teaching career in America, Mr. Arnold protested against violence, the war in Vietnam and advocated for the rights of Black Americans. But when the National Guard killed unarmed, protesting students, he was discouraged and decided to leave. So, he came to TAS in 1970. What was meant to be a one-year leave, turned into a two-year leave, and he ended up staying in Taiwan and has been teaching here ever since.
“Our history’s always being revised, and there’s always something new”
As someone who has been teaching at TAS even before many of our parents were born, Mr. Arnold has much to say about TAS and how it has changed over the years.
“I don’t think in the 1970s and 1980s, most people were ever concerned about their grade point average,” said Mr. Arnold. He says that students were excited about classes and were happier before, and how TAS students have become more competitive.
“Make sure you enjoy life,” said Mr. Arnold. “You’re only going to be a teenager once. And the pressures later on in life are
going to be tremendous.”
He says that things like Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, or where you attend college are not important. “How happy are you? Do you really appreciate what you have?” Mr. Arnold implores. “If you’re stuck in my Advanced Placement (AP) class I often say how lucky we are to be here. We’re not in Gaza. We’re not in Ukraine. We have enough food. We have all the advantages we can have, basically. And so, think about what makes you happy. And also, what can you do to make the world better because we’re so blessed.”
“You’re only going to be a teenager once. And the pressures later on in life are going to be tremendendous”
Although Mr. Arnold is an incredibly accomplished individual, with experience in advocacy, teaching, and many other fields, he still emphasizes the importance of not overworking yourself in high school. So, take this advice, and remember to pursue what you love, enjoy yourself during school, and advocate for others and the world.
Every year, each of the six Interscholastic Association for Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) members hosts several sports on their campus.
is season, volleyball and cross country athletes from schools in Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Bangkok flew to compete at Taipei American School (TAS).
e TAS community came together to ensure that the IASAS experience wasn’t just limited to the game.
Instead of staying at hotels, athletes
traveling abroad resided with families of TAS students, offering them a home away from home.
In preparation for guests, families went out of their way to prepare special meals and made their homes as comfortable as possible for the athletes. Many TAS students that host athletes from other schools went from strangers or rivals to friends overnight. It is even possible for roommates to be playing against each other the next day, bringing a sense of community and sportsmanship into the games.
“I think it is an effective way to get students to create friendships with those from other schools and countries,” Ethan C. (‘28), a host for Season 2 IASAS, said. is allows them to learn more about other cultures.”
Students at TAS also signed up to be commentators, camera operators, and ball boys or girls. To make everyone feel welcome, even the Lower School students joined in by creating signs and chants to support visiting athletes. However, as easy as hosting athletes at home seemed on paper, it wasn’t without its challenges.
“I think the hosting itself is a fun experience and also helps you learn to bond with new people,” Ken T. (‘28), a host said. “But one thing I’m slightly against is that it’s mandatory, and some people might not have enough space or other issues. So it’s mixed feelings.”Still, those who participate in the program believe it was worth the effort.
Students’ important roles as hosts at both home and at school remains a cherished tradition within the IASAS community, strengthening bonds and the spirit of IASAS.
By Chester Dennis (‘28)
The Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) season one sport events have nished. Athletes travelled throughout Southeast Asia to compete in their respective sports. Volleyball and cross-country were hosted at Taipei American School, while soccer was hosted at International School Bangkok (ISB).
e boy’s volleyball team took gold after a 3-0 sweep against Singapore American School (SAS).
A season highlight was the storming of the court after their gold-medal victory.
e audience roared and tossed blue and gold streamers, while the crowd formed a human tunnel to celebrate the new IASAS champions.
After previously losing to SAS the year before in the championship game, they had to show their revenge.
“Before the finals, we did meditation as a whole team to make sure we were focused. Concentration was on point and I think it helped us a lot focusing on the finals game.” Said Anderson H. (‘25, he/ him), co-captain of the boys volleyball team. “Also team huddles in between each point also helped us a lot to regain our focus. I’m extremely proud of our team and the progress we made.”
After a close race against all other IASAS teams, the boy’s cross country team won gold.
“ ere was a JIS runner in and an ISKL runner but as we entered the last hill, I crawled ahead and increased the gap to winning by over 20 seconds, which felt pretty good and I’m really pleased with the results,” said Sawyer S. (‘26, he/him), captain of the boys cross country team. “I came home with my new PB and our team came home with three years in a row of individual poles and team golds”.
Although losing five senior runners at the beginning of their season, replacements were found and were crucial in bringing home the gold medal.
e boy’s soccer team took bronze after a close 2-1 win against the International School of Manila (ISM).
“ e bronze medal game was obviously not the final game that we had in mind, but we still pushed through to get the win,” said Senan L. (‘25, he/him).
“While we did not get gold, I think that IASAS was still a great experience, and I am happy that we were still able to secure a medal during the competition.” Ray L. (‘28, he/him), the new addition to the boy’s varsity soccer team said.
In the previous year, the team placed last place. is year, they were able to bring back the bronze medal, which helped redeem their season last year.
e girl’s volleyball team took gold after a 3-0 win against the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL).
“I knew we would close it in three sets because we calmed ourselves down and just had fun in our last volleyball game instead of stressing out like we do sometimes and I couldn’t have asked for a better finals match,” Audrey C. (‘25, she/her).
Finally being able to bring back gold, after placing third last year. TAS girl’s volleyball team was able to win it all, remaining undefeated throughout the entire tournament. is achievement is a true testament to the hard work and long hours each teammate dedicated to honing their skills.
Large crowds filled the TAS gymnasiums for each game, cheering them on as they dominated each opponent with ease. From younger students to parents and teachers, this volleyball tournament truly ignited the community’s spirit and pride.
e girl’s cross country team took gold in the five-kilometer race against other IASAS schools.
A highlight of their season was finally winning first place in IASAS after two years of placing second.
“I originally went into the five km not confident at all, however, when I lined up at the start, I envisioned myself doing everything I wanted to achieve. I pictured myself being first to cross that finish line and decided that was exactly what I was going to do,” said Asia H. (‘26, she/her), captain of the girl’s cross country team. “ ough it was extremely difficult to combat the hills and the heat, I pushed through and made my dream a reality.”
e girl’s soccer team brought a silver medal home after a crushing 0-1 blow against SAS. After falling short last year with a second-place finish, the girls were determined to fight even harder to bring home the gold for the 2024 season. However, their goal was thwarted by the same opponent who had landed the final blow the previous year.
“Although it wasn’t what we wanted or expected, I’m proud that we played really well in the last game, no matter the score. I’m happy to have spent my last high school football game surrounded by a talented team that I love,” said Celia R. (‘25, she/her), captain of the girl’s soccer team. “ e team is like my other family and I’m excited to see how much they grow into better players.”
By Sofia Valadao (‘26)
When my nervous, overly eager freshman self walked through Taipei American School’s (TAS) annual club fair for the first time two years ago, I was completely and utterly amazed. Over the course of that fateful Flex, I was handed numerous pamphlets entailing information about beach clean-ups and climate change protests, begged by countless sweaty students to plant trees and make meals for the homeless with them after school, and thrown handfuls of rare American candy so that I would sign up for clubs that read books to underprivileged orphans on the weekends. After 50 minutes of the most fervent elevator pitches I had ever listened to, I was left with one conclusion: the students of TAS would put even the most qualified philanthropist out of a job in a heartbeat. All jokes aside, it was a great experience. I was pleasantly surprised by how dedicated my new classmates were to making a positive impact in their community.
But as time went on, the faith that I had in the altruism of the TAS student body slowly began to diminish. As I observed the inner workings of these organizations and societies, I became increasingly aware of students complaining about community service requirements, facilitating unimaginative fundraisers to buff up the budgets of their clubs, and desperately applying for every leadership position they could find at the end of the school year, regardless of whether or not the objectives of these clubs aligned with their personal lifestyles and value systems. I saw empowering slogans plastered across school walls and heartbreaking images reposted on Instagram, but I rarely saw tangible change being enacted within or outside of TAS.
Although our community is certainly
not devoid of individuals who are genuinely passionate about giving back to others and fighting for specific causes, it’s become clear to me that – for the most part – activism at TAS has transformed into a social currency, one designed almost entirely for personal gain.
“A lot of TAS students, [place their focus on] how good their profile looks, especially on college applications,” said Iris T. (‘26), a student leader of the Diversity, Equity & Justice (DEI) Committee. “A lot of the time, it seems like their motivation comes from an ingenious place, which ends up coming off as insensitive. It doesn’t seem like [they] actually want to do the work.”
“A lot of TAS students, [place their focus on] how good their profile looks, especially on college applications”
In a competitive setting like TAS, where academic prowess and individual success are top priorities, students are pressured to take on more than they can handle, often resulting in disingenuous and low-impact service work.
e demographic makeup of TAS also contributes to this superficial, insincere approach to activism and community involvement.
“Because [TAS] is a wealthy private school, we tend to be really isolated from real-world issues,” said Iris.
When students are accustomed to a life of comfort and privilege, and are constantly surrounded by people of similar socioeconomic standings, it becomes very
easy to forget about those who don’t have access to the things we often take for granted. Or, when we are aware of these socioeconomic struggles, we lack genuine empathy and curiosity towards those who endure them as we’re unable to relate to their experiences.
“TAS is also 90-something percent East Asian, so there are certain expectations and traditions that come with [that identity]” said Zoe S. (‘26), another DEI student leader. “ ere’s still a lot of discourse within families that promotes heteronormativity, sexism, [and other conservative ideals]. I think that sort of environment at home definitely plays into how students behave and react to certain situations at school.”
A lack of exposure to individuals from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds can also constrain students’ capacity for empathy and open-mindedness to different struggles.
While it’d be ridiculous and completely unrealistic to expect TAS to rapidly diversify its student body or shift its academic-focused culture, change is still achievable. For example, incorporating experiential service learning into core curricular classes would allocate students greater opportunities to interact with communities beyond TAS. By taking field trips to important sites and shelters, collaborating with community organizations in class, engaging in offcampus relief/restoration projects, and more, students will gain valuable exposure to experiences and stories that differ from their own. Introducing this in Lower and Middle School would cultivate a genuine sense of curiosity, empathy, and awareness among students from an early age, thus having a more significant impact on their mindsets and perspectives as they enter Upper School.
Furthermore – although many English,
history, and social science courses at TAS successfully begin to reshape students’ views on various struggles and systems while introducing social justice concepts –more comprehensive discourse can occur within these classroom settings.
“As much as [humanities] classes try to foster conversation, people don’t engage with it,” said Iris. “ ey might end up taking the face value claim, but they won’t think of the reasons why that claim is or isn’t true.”
By offering students opportunities to critically reflect on and challenge the material they learn (rather than just digesting it), and by connecting it to issues relevant to their own lives, we can inspire them to think creatively and deeply about these topics rather than just regurgitating slogans and key concepts.
“Because [TAS] is a wealthy private school, we tend to be really isolated from realworld issues”
Students at TAS are incredibly socially aware, intelligent, and kind, but are too often isolated from other communities and motivated by the wrong reasons to put those skills to good use.
Every year during the club fair, I witness the fervor and drive of my peers. Every time I participate in a socratic seminar in English class, I witness their wisdom and creativity. If we can channel these skills into impactful activism and community service that is inspired by a genuine desire to enact change, TAS can truly become the transformative, trailblazing school it has always set out to be.
By Andrew Huang (‘25)
Growing up on the coast of Maine is perhaps one of, if not, the best gift to have as a kid: the rocky coast and a supply of seafood that seems endless. But no matter how much he likes Maine’s magnificent coastline, Upper School Dean of Student Life Dr. Brandon Maguire has never really liked lobsters. “I don’t like lobsters that much,” he says. Born into a teacher family in the 1970s, Dr. Maguire was taught to be respectful of others. From a Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Democratic family, he too aligns with the Democratic Party. “Human rights, unions and climate. My beliefs align with Democrats more,” he explained.
More than 2,000 miles away from the Maine Coastline in the Arizona Sun Corridor, Upper School Social Science teacher Mr. Chase Williams grew up in a very conservative family. For a Democratic operative like him, it is hard to imagine that he was the student volunteer of the year for the Bush 2004 campaign. “ e Jack Abramoff scandal [in 2006] made me volunteer for a conservative Democrat,” Mr. Williams, citing the lobbying corruption scandal that changed his perception of the Republican Party. Recalling his time volunteering for former Democratic Rep. Harry Mitchell, “Representative Mitchell gave us really thoughtful answers,” Mr. Williams said. “ en it was Obama in 2008. He offered a different kind of politics, one that is more optimistic.”
For both Democrats, the choice in this election cannot be clearer. “For a person like me whose marriage was only possible because of a Supreme Court case,” referring
to Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, “abortion access matters,” Mr. Williams declared. Mr. Williams says that he is voting for Harris as a result. Dr. Maguire, who was a history teacher, argues that Harris will be better for cross-strait relations. “Trump would not protect Taiwan,” he claimed.
On November 5th, Americans headed to the ballot box to vote in an election filled with drama, tragedies, and misinformation. Biden dropped out and came Kamala Harris; Trump experienced two assassination attempts; and polls cannot be any closer. e race to 270 electoral votes seems like a race to the end, American today is so divided that regardless of who wins on election day, half of the country will wake up resenting the other half. As of poll closing, merely one percent of voters are undecided — the rest opting for either Trump or Harris.
“The Jack Abramoff scandal [in 2006] made me volunteer for a conservative Democrat”
Yet, for people like Ms. Christie Coniglio, the Upper School PE and sport science teacher, the choice is nuanced. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania — a city deeply influenced by its industrial roots — Ms. Coniglio developed a set of political beliefs that, for many, might be unconventional.
A self-described Voluntaryist, Coach Coniglio believes in minimizing what she
describes as coercive government control and maximizing individual freedom.“I was around the same age as you when 9/11 occurred, and what struck me was how quickly the government expanded its power, often at the expense of individual rights,” she recalled.
She explained how measures like the Patriot Act, which increased surveillance of American citizens, and the prolonged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did not align with her core values of peace and non-aggression. When asked about this year’s election, she believes that for her to support any political candidate, it would require the candidate to align with her foundational principles, such as a commitment to anti-war stances and respecting individual freedoms. “No candidate is perfect, but I would need to see a shared commitment to non-aggression and individual rights before considering support.”
Another person struggling with the two choices before the American people is Upper School math teacher Mr. Edward Hillmann, an independent who traditionally leans Democratic. “A liar and a faker,” Mr. Hillmann described the two major party candidates. Although he does not like Trump nor trust him, Mr. Hillmann is uncertain about voting for Harris, who he believes is not doing enough to introduce herself and who he believes is inconsistent in terms of policies. “She’s running for president. She needs to be present and consistent.”
All these Americans came from varying backgrounds and grew up all across the US. ey all left America for jobs, for love, and
for a life that better suited them. Yet, even though their political identities distinguish them from one another, the truth is this: they are more similar than they are different. ey all believe that America has its own flaws, but they also share a common desire for a better America regardless of how differently they believe it can be reached. is election will be critical for the future America wants, but it is also a chance for Americans to understand one another again.
It is more important for Americans to recognize the similarities that they share instead of the differences that divide them. Across America, political violence has been on the rise: the plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, the attempted homicide of the House Speaker’s husband, two assassination attempts on Trump and death threats sent to election officials across the United States.
“She’s running for president. She needs to be present and consistent”
What can America do better? Talk to one another. at’s when you realize that politics is not a hot potato. It’s not that scary, but you do have to put in the effort to engage in those dialogues. Without these discussions, Americans will only feel more different when, in reality, they are more similar than they believe they are.
Cap
A
lie
Ex: “No cap,” is a common expression equivalent to “for real,” or “that’s the truth.”
Serve
To serve would mean to do something well, and is often used to express approval for someone’s looks or their outfit.
Ex: “Her outfit is serving,” would mean that the outfit in question looks very good.
Ate
‘Ate’ or ‘to eat’ means to do something well.
Ex: “She ate and left no crumbs,” would mean that the person in question executed something perfectly.
W
‘W’ just stands for win. It is used to describe something that is impressive.
Ex: “Our volleyball team just got a huge W,” would mean that the volleyball team just got a huge win.
Lowkey
It is used to describe something that is subtle, or when you want to comment on something but don’t want to emphasize it too much.
Ex: “Why does her skirt lowkey eat?” would mean that the skirt in question looks good but the speaker does not want to admit it outright.
Sigma
Refers to a popular, independent leader.
Ex: “You’re so sigma,” would refer to a person in a positive, complimentary manner.
Skibidi
A word with no real meaning, can mean cool, bad or good.
Ex: “You’re so skibidi,” can mean different things in different situations.
Rizz
Originating from the word “charisma,” it refers to a person who has charm or magnetism that captivates others.
Ex: “I bet a pigeon would have more rizz than you,” for example, would mean that you have no game.
Slay Is said when someone does something well.
Ex: “You slayed!” or “slay,” is said positively to praise someone.
Yapping
To talk a lot, often about something of little importance.
Ex: “Stop yapping so much! I think we need to get some duct tape,” means that a person talks too much.
By Annabelle Hsu (‘27)
When scrolling through social media and encountering a couple consisting of an Asian woman and a white man, it’s almost inevitable that someone will reference the supposed “Oxford study” in the comments.More often than not, these remarks come from jealous Asian men, expressing frustration over the perception that white men are “taking their women.”
!e “Oxford study” refers to an Oxford University Press article that analyzes interracial relationships between Asian women and white men.
While the article originally focused on the portrayal and typecasting of Asian women in advertisements and the entertainment industry, many have misinterpreted and applied its findings to real-life situations.
According to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center, among the 15% of Asian and white intermarried couples, 11% consisted of white men and Asian women, while only 4% were between white women and Asian men.
Even though this data seems to support the trend, it doesn’t capture the complexities behind individual relationships, which are influenced by a range of personal, social and cultural factors rather than simplistic generalizations.
!e Oxford study undermines Asian women by portraying them as objectified victims of white men, rather than individuals making their choices in their own relationships based on personal
preference and agency.
!e legacy of Western colonialism could explain why these relationships often carry a negative connotation.
During the colonial period, many Asian countries were under European or American control, which cultivated a lasting power imbalance. !e concept of white men as dominant figures and frequent objectification and sexualization of Asian women became deeply ingrained in Western culture. As a result, interracial relationships involving Asian women and white men were often viewed through the lens of this racial hierarchy, reinforcing the idea that the relationships were the result of white men’s power and control.
!e reception of this phenomenon by some Asian men highlights the pressure to “date within race” and the feeling that white men are “taking their women.”
Many Asian men experience a sense of loss, seeing interracial relationships as a competition they can’t win, often due to stereotypes that render them less desirable.
A TikTok video where an Asian man says, “we lost another one,” captures this frustration and demeans Asian women by reducing them to possessions able to be lost or won.
However, Asian women are challenging these narratives by embracing their choices in partners without shame or guilt.By reclaiming the phrase “Oxford study,” they are empowering themselves to choose love on their own terms, free from any societal pressures and judgments.
“Nobody Wants This”: More like “everybody wants this”
By Annabelle Hsu (‘27)
What happens when an agnostic sex podcaster and rabbi walk into a bar? Answer: mind-bending, Earth-shattering, tv-exploding chemistry.
at is the premise of Netflix’s new hit show, “Nobody Wants is,” starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. e show debuted at number two on Netflix charts and garnered 10.3 million views in its first week of streaming.
e 10-episode series follows Joanne, a podcast host navigating the complexities of modern dating, and Noah, a newly single rabbi. While Joanne is drawn to the motorcycle-riding, jean-jacket-wearing types and often finds herself unfortunate in love, Noah faces pressure to marry a “nice Jewish girl.” Against all odds, they embark upon an unexpected relationship.
Faced with disapproval from Noah’s traditional Jewish family, Joanne the “shiksa” attempts to adapt to his world and even considers converting to Judaism. However, she realizes that converting just for him isn’t the right decision and ultimately ends the relationship. In the
final episode, in a classic yet swoon-worthy moment, Noah rushes from his niece’s Bat Mitzvah to Joanne, where a kiss leaves the show on an ambiguous note. Noah is left torn between his religion and potential personal happiness.
e show is based on the true story of its very own creator and producer, Erin Foster, and her husband, Simon Tikhman. Simon, like Noah, was Jewish, though he wasn’t raised very religiously. Still, he felt a strong obligation to marry within the faith to continue the Jewish lineage, knowing his parents had fled the Soviet Union to escape persecution for their religion. Similar to Joanne, Erin was raised with little religious influence and also hosted a podcast, “ e World’s First Podcast” with her sister. Eventually, Erin converted to Judaism and the couple tied the knot in 2019.
One aspect that the series excelled at was its authentic representation of Jewish culture. Historically, Jewish expression has been underrepresented in the entertainment industry, with only a few notable examples like “Unorthodox”
(2020) and “ e Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (2017) offering a glimpse into Jewish life and tradition. A memorable moment occurs in episode five, “My Friend Joanne,” when the two visit a Jewish camp in Ojai, where Joanne deepens her exploration of Judaism. However, she decides to leave before Noah’s Torah study, sensing his discomfort at being seen with her. After coming to his senses, Noah interrupts Joanne’s dinner, and the two share a tender moment as Noah creates an impromptu Shabbat, complete with handmade candles, restaurant wine, and complimentary bread.
Time and time again, the typical “bad boy” with a comically inflated ego always seems to win over the girl, leading to the popular belief that “nice guys always finish last.” So, it is a breath of fresh air to see a “nice boy” protagonist in Adam Brody’s portrayal of Noah. In the sixth episode, “Ick,” the show delves into the dating phenomenon of “the ick,” where a partner’s small behaviors could promptly crush any attraction.
Due to their vastly different
upbringings—Noah’s more traditional and Joanne’s more laid-back—his awkward attempt to impress her parents backfires, pushing Joanne to lose any lingering attraction.
e “ick” Noah sparked in Joanne grows larger and larger: from his illfitting blazer and sweaty gym shorts to the oversized bouquet of sunflowers and his bizarre “PREGO” yodel. At first, this portrayal of Noah as unappealing for “trying too hard” feels unrealistic and almost silly. However, after the couple’s heart-to-heart conversation, it becomes clear that her “ick” was really a form of self-sabotage—she is finally with a man who treats her right, leaving her feeling strangely unsettled.
All things considered, “Nobody Wants is”—or shall I say “Everybody Wants is”—evokes the charm and giddiness of classic rom-coms.
Its witty dialogue, endearing characters, and fresh love story cleverly mask deeper issues in modern relationships, all while still shining a light on them through humor and vulnerability.
“Joker: Folie à Deux”: The Joker’s latest laugh falls short
By Erin Wu (‘25)
With the billion-dollar success of the first “Joker” movie, it’s safe to say that fans were expecting a sequel no less deserving of another Oscar. At the face of the moviemusical “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a starstudded duo: Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, along with the addition of Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel/ Harley Quinn. However, perhaps the overwhelming praise for the first movie acted as a double-edged sword; with standards set so high, it became a challenge in and of itself for the sequel to reach that caliber of quality, let alone exceed it. is may explain the utter failure of the “Joker: Folie à Deux”. e musical element was what stood out as a bold creative decision to me at first glance. I assumed it was an attempt to think outside of the box, testing the limits of traditional moviemaking. It seemed a promising idea, considering past examples of masterfully done musicals such as “La La Land”.
On top of that, Lady Gaga, a renowned singer and talented actress is at the center of the story, which leaves lots of potential for her forte to be utilized. However, I found myself skipping past nearly all the songs, impatiently clicking the ‘skip ahead 10-seconds’ button each time Lee or Arthur broke into song. ough each song lasted at a minimum of two minutes and there were at least ten songs throughout the movie, I’m convinced my lack of being present for them had little effect on my understanding of the plot.
To put it bluntly, the little snippets of the songs I did listen to sounded virtually all the same and have little to no catchiness that musical songs that work do. But what may have bothered me the most may have been the fact that the characters themselves acknowledge they are in a musical. Musicals are supposed to be the one medium where characters ease in and out of song, blending the borders between dialogue and verse. However, this musical
felt weirdly self-aware, with multiple characters pointing out the lunatic that just belted out singing, or a character literally telling another to “stop singing and talk to me.”
e movie also just made me feel like it was trying to rub in my face that the plot and meaning of the story was a secret that nobody except itself could know. Whether it was Todd Phillip’s attempt to get excessively psychological or just bad screenwriting, I was close to clicking off the movie multiple times throughout, simply because I had no idea what was going on.
In the end, I was all around bewildered – at the absence of a plot, at the unnecessarily disturbing scenes, and at the lack of realistic character development. I mean, for a movie that was centered around two characters, neither of them or even them as a couple had an arc of any sort.
Lee is an intriguing character,
and I did find myself questioning her motivations at some point, but her plot line is almost entirely dropped by the end and overshadowed by her joint fantasy/ delusion with Arthur.Plus, she just leaves at the end, which seems extremely out of character, given how much she was willing to give to feed her and Arthur’s delusions. Arthur also falls flat as a character and his immediate shift and acceptance of his true identity as the Joker felt rushed and boring.
I think the movie attempts to touch on deep psychological aspects of mental illness and how one can spiral by being enabled by another, but it feels badly executed and comes off as disturbing and unrealistic. Overall, the movie in three words is nausea-inducing, disappointing and convoluted.
I think it’s safe to say that after this epic fail of a sequel, we’ll likely not be seeing a third “Joker” in the works anytime soon, which very well may be a blessing.
“Beetlejuice
The new sequel is all bark, no bite
By HannahWang
Tim Burton’s most anticipated sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” dives back into the whimsical chaos of the original 1988 classic. Set decades after the original, the film reunites us with the familiar characters of Lydia Deetz, and the mischievous Beetlejuice.
e original film tells the story of a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara, who find themselves trapped as ghosts in their own home. When a new family -- the Deetzes-- moves in, they make efforts to try to drive them out. Beetlejuice, the “bio-exorcist” from the afterlife promises to help them evict the new family from the house.
e new film first picks up with Lydia, who is now a mother, to Astrid (played
by Jenna Ortega). e Deetz family faces the aftermath of their grandpa’s death, drawing them back to the haunted house. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic, and the portal to the afterlife is accidentally opened by her.
Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice delivers an excellent performance, brimming with the energy and charisma that made his original appearance iconic. He fits his character perfectly, sliding into the role of a charming and humorous character.
Winona Ryder shines as a more mature Lydia, embodying the complexity of a woman burdened by her past complications, along with her strong
protectiveness of her daughter, Astrid. Ortega’s portrayal of Astrid adds a new layer to the entire family dynamic, presenting a character in distress, curious about her family’s past history, and her mom’s unusual personality. e chemistry between Ryder and Ortega is noteworthy, bringing a heartfelt warmth and dimension to the movie.
e film embraces themes of love and grief while capturing a blend of humor and emotion. e plot of the movie is not the best, leaving the audience feeling incomplete and confused.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is so jampacked with confusing plots, characters, and side pieces that it feels less like a movie and more like a bunch of Post-It notes for several could-be sequels combined.
By Angelo Lien (‘28)
e movie industry has been in a drought and great movies are becoming rarer and rarer. But recently, “Uglies”, a movie released on Sep. 13 has picked up a lot of controversy. Originally based on Scott Westerfield’s famous novel, its cast is wellrounded. Although the movie is dystopian, it has meanings about beauty expectations that are reflected in our society.
At first glance, actors like Joey King and Keith Powers catch the eye’s attention. Joey King portrays the main character, Tally Youngblood, who lives in a society that strives for physical perfection. Keith Powers plays David, who is part of a rebellion group that helps Tally understand the consequences of surgery. In their society, people have to get cosmetic surgeries at the age of 16 to become
“pretty.” When Tally is about to turn 16 and get the cosmetic surgery, she befriends and joins a group of rebels that reject the procedure. Due to this, she starts to question the expectations of their society and begins challenging the norms.
e movie’s striking cinematography and specific color contrasts demonstrate how society honors and emphasizes physical perfection too much. For example, when Tally first arrives in the New Pretty Town, the camera pans around the landscape of the town, displaying vibrant colors that represent the happy and surprised emotions of Tally.
Along with the combination of sounds of laughter in the background, it successfully immerses the reader into Tally’s perspective and her thoughts about the new town. But at the same time, the colors occasionally
become harsh on the viewer’s eyes and are sometimes distracting. With all the vibrant and beautiful colors, viewers don’t know where the emotional weight of the scene is.
e movie also has flawed construction and pacing. In the beginning, it introduces the characters and the semi-slow pacing is set, but later on and during the climax, it slows down and therefore causes confusion for the audience.
Despite being confusing, there is also a benefit to this uneven pacing. e unbalanced and slower pacing in the middle of the film gives viewers additional time to see Tally and her friendships develop.
It also shows themes of loyalty and sticking to your key beliefs as Tally ultimately makes the decision to leave her old friends and fully embrace her rebel role.
roughout the movie, Tally challenges and confronts the unrealistic and cruel realities of her world. In turn, it makes viewers question their view on physical perfection and the definition of beauty. is film is relevant due to its similarities in modern society.
It explores what the definition of “pretty” is and as a result, the movie is named “Uglies” to show a contradiction as even though people in their society are not truly “ugly.” ey just do not fit into their society’s norm of what’s “pretty.”
Overall, I believe that “Uglies” is worth a view if you are interested in topics about challenging modern beauty expectations for people, but if you are searching for more action and an overall good movie, I would not recommend it.
Hang out spot: 3.5/5
To study: 4.5/5
Distance from TAS: 3 minutes
Space vibe: Cozy, bookish, quiet
Food: 4/5
Food prices:100-400 NTD
Overall, the cafe has a very cozy, comfortable atmosphere, currently, they also have decorations for Halloween. It’s relatively close to school, however it is smaller than most cafes so it’s more appropriate for small groups. ey also have a decent amount of options on their menu for drinks, light snacks and full meals.
Hang out spot: 4/5
To study: 4/5
Distance from TAS: 6 mins
Space vibe: Big & quiet space
Food: 1/5
Food prices: 100-200 NTD
is is like a basic Starbucks that everyone knows, though much bigger with two floors and an outdoor garden area with seating. It’s a quiet place to study and a good place to hang out with friends and get some drinks or snacks after school. e atmosphere is calm, and not a loud conversational space (but you can still talk).
Hang out spot: 3.5/5
To study: 2.5/5
Distance from TAS: 6 mins
Space vibe: Garden, fancy, cozy
Food: 3/5
Food prices: 100-300 NTD
is is a cafe that seems to have a fancy atmosphere, but the food is average price and mostly consists of various drinks, soup and bread as well as desserts. is is also a smaller cafe, similar to the Windows Cafe, and more appropriate for smaller groups for some afternoon snacks. It has a comfortable atmosphere suited for gathering with friends after school.
Hang out spot: 3.5/5
To study: 4/5
Distance from TAS: 7 mins
Space vibe: Garden, fancy, cozy
Food: 2.5/5
Food prices: 100-200 NTD
is is a more generic cafe, similar to Starbucks, however, they have a decent selection of pastries; the drinks are similar in price to Starbucks, also good quality. It’s slightly further from school (around Shin Kong Mitsukoshi), though it’s a quiet, focused work environment to study and go with your friends (they also have charging ports).
By Ashley Ho (‘28)
Sporting an iconic bob and a toned sixpack, Gracie Abrams has made a name for herself by opening concerts for pop stars Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. Her highly anticipated album, “ e Secret of Us”, was released on June 21, 2024, through Interscope Records. She worked alongside renowned producers Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner and Sam de Jong to create 13 tracks of indie pop.
Unfortunately, the first track, “Felt Good About You”, was filled with repetitive lyrics and boring beats, receiving subpar reviews from me and disappointed fans on TikTok. Although I had been excited for the album for weeks, hearing the line “felt good about you” repeated 25 times in a 3-minute song was definitely underwhelming. However, the next few songs proved to be melodramatic and emotional with a captivating rhythm. Gracie Abrams even generously provided illustrative music videos for “Risk” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry”, which both reached over five million views on YouTube. “Risk” portrays the messy and impulsive actions toward a crush, whereas “I Love You, I’m Sorry” illustrates the conflicting emotions of guilt after a breakup. I especially love the lyrics “God, I’m jumping in the deep end/ It’s more fun to swim in” in “Risk” as it contains vivid imagery of the thrill and danger of intimacy. Despite this, my favorite version of this album has to be the live one, whether it is on Vevo Studios or television shows. e live versions have a sense of heartbreak and earnestness that the album sadly lacks. is remarkable effect was achieved through subtle note changes and
Future & Metro Boomin’s “We Don’t Trust You”
By Ray Lee
“WE DON’T TRUST YOU,” a collaborative rap album between renowned artists Future and Metro Boomin, was released on March 22, 2024. e album
contains 17 tracks and features notable artists such as e Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar. “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” is widely known as the album that sparked tension between famous rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Since its release, “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” has peaked #1 on the Us Billboard 200 as well as the Us Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. e most streamed tracks on this album include “Like at, ft. Kendrick Lamar,” “Type Sh*t, ft. Travis Scott & Playboi Carti,” and “Cinderella, ft. Travis Scott,” which all significantly relied on the social media platform, TikTok, for their success in reaching hundreds of millions of streams.
For me, my favorite tracks on the album are “Like at”and “We Don’t Trust You.” ese two tracks alone offer a deep insight into the versatility of the album. e track “Like at” is a very intimidating, controversial and energetic track with loud, electric synths
By Bryce Yao (‘28)
Released on June 14, 2024, “Hardstone Psycho,” is an R&B/Hip-Hop album by music star Don Toliver through Cactus Jack records. Produced by the legendary Metro Boomin, the album features rap superstars like Travis Scott and Future, with the deluxe version featuring other rap stars like Lil Uzi Vert and Yeat. e
emphasis on certain words like “haunt” and “I’m sorry”.
Next up, “us.”, featuring Taylor Swift, definitely bears similarities to Swift’s album “evermore” as it has a folksy beat and memorable bridge. Its poetic lines of “ at night, you were talkin’ false prophets and profits/ ey make in the margins of poetry sonnets” add to the depth of the song about longing and unrequited love.
Moreover, the intentional rhymes create a catchy melody often stuck in listeners’ heads. I would love to see Gracie Abrams explore this style of contemporary folk in upcoming albums.
After a few more tracks about bitter breakups and self-growth is a 7-year-old song, “Close To You”. First introduced as a demo on Instagram in 2017, the pop song was revised as a bonus track pre-deluxe and rose to Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks. “Close To You” mainly stands out because of its incredible vocals and storyline depicting the wistful feelings of an unreciprocated love. us, I would give this album four stars out of five as it unquestionably has the potential to be played on a late-night car ride or morning run.
paired with a fast tempo alongside aggressive lyrics from both Future and Kendrick Lamar such as “Kickin’ doors, kickin’ in doors, is you like that?” that sparked the tension with Drake. e track was essentially a diss and response to Drake, after Drake claimed that he was on the same status as Kendrick on the track “First Person Shooter”. On the other hand, “We Don’t Trust You” is a more mellow and soft track that eases and introduces the listener into the story of the album. e track is backed with soft trumpets, paired with mellow and calm lyrics from Future such as “Fake written all over you.”
Overall, I think that this album is a significantly influential album for modern rap and definitely deserves a chance of winning Rap Album of the Year at the Grammys, due to the versatility in its tracks, popularity, and controversy . us, I give this album a rating of four and a half stars out of five stars.
album eventually reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 200, and debuted at number one on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts.
e album is split into four “discs,” containing 16 songs. e deluxe version features a fifth disc and four more songs. Of the 20 songs, 12 are solo songs, and eight are credited with verbal features. Visually, the album cover shows Don in a deserted land wearing an all-black outfit standing next to an all-black motorcycle. A creative choice Toliver makes with his album is titling all of the songs and features on the album all with all caps. e album as a whole represents how complicated love is, even for someone as rich and famous as him. Singing about his constant failures to find someone new, and late nights stuck on the same person he once fell in love with, Don shows a bit of humanity, being very relatable in being stuck. e album itself is like a chronological story, with the discs creating stopping points, which feel like a skip into the future. Being stuck at first, Toliver tries out di ff erent versions of himself,
eventually finding independence.
If you use social media a lot, or just pay attention to music charts, you’d notice that the 3 most popular songs on this album are by far “BANDIT,” “NEW DROP,” and “TORE UP.” Apart from the more popular hits, this album also produces many hidden gems, like “ATTITUDE FT. CHARLIE WILSON & CASH COBAIN,” “KRYPTONITE,” “PURPLE RAIN FT. FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN” and “4X4.” One of my personal favorite gems is the last song on the album, “HARDSTONE NATIONAL ANTHEM.” It gives a feeling of a fresh start, which is a huge di ff erence from the beginning of the album.
In the end, this is a very well rounded album with no song I could consider a miss in terms of quality.
I would definitely listen to it any day of the week, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in some R&B laced with instrumentals you’d find in rap music.
Overall, I rate this album four and three quarters stars out of five stars.
Launched in 2020 by popular singer and actress Selena Gomez, Rare Beauty has become a major contender in the cosmetics industry and has gained massive popularity on social media platforms, such as TikTok.
“Being rare is about being comfortable with yourself,” Gomez said on their website. eir mission is to break down the unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection and help everyone celebrate their individuality. Rare Beauty also donates one percent of all sales to the Rare Impact fund, which is dedicated to supporting mental health globally, and raising money for youth mental health services and education. Innovative and unique formulas are arguably the biggest asset of Rare Beauty. is has made several of their products–most notably the liquid blush–gain huge popularity among consumers, with rave reviews about the pigmentation, durability and blendability. Buyers have also emphasized the smooth texture that allows for seamless layering between skincare and makeup products.
Furthermore, Rare Beauty is a vegan and cruelty-free brand. ey are known for using clean ingredients as they follow the cosmetic standards of the European Union, which is relatively stricter than the cosmetic regulations of the United States.
A notable disadvantage of this brand is the limited product range. Consumers have pointed out that although Rare Beauty has created more products since their launch, they can still have more variety in their products and shades.
Additionally, there has been controversy over political matters with the CEO, Scott Friedman, and his alleged pro-Israel sentiments, leading to some customers choosing to boycott the brand.
Laneige
Laneige is a Korean cosmetic brand most known for its deeply hydrating products. It was launched in 1994 and since then has gained massive popularity worldwide. eir mission is to make skincare easier and more accessible by producing multi-use products. e brand is also known for its Beauty & Life lab, which is committed to developing innovative products based on studies of global customer lifestyle, trend research and multi-ethnicity clinic tests.
Arguably, the biggest selling point for Laneige is the intensive hydrating qualities of its products. From the Water Bank moisturizer cream to the lip sleeping mask, consumers have reviewed the brand’s products to leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It is also known to last longer than other skincare products. Laneige is
also committed to sustainability and has achieved Water Footprint Certification for all its products after saving 7,757,498 liters of water in 2021.
However, Laneige is not a clean beauty brand, meaning some products may include certain harmful ingredients such as parabens, EDTA and formaldehyde. ese ingredients could harm human/animal health and the environment. e brand is also not cruelty-free; they don’t have any certifications from animal protection organizations and have stated that they test on animals if required by law to do so.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty was founded in 2013 by British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who is known as one of the most famous and influential makeup artists of all time. With over 28 years of experience in the cosmetics industry, she has revolutionized the world of makeup and made beauty more accessible by decoding professional tips into her products. Since then, her brand has gained an almost cult-like following and has proven itself to be a game changer in makeup with its high-quality products.
“Give a woman the right makeup and she can conquer the world,” Tilbury said in an article. is reflects the brand’s belief that everyone deserves to look and feel their
Across
best through the power of makeup.
Charlotte Tilbury gained its popularity through the impeccable quality of its products. Almost all of their products are easy to use, contain quality formulas that apply smoothly, have good coverage and the pigmentation is long lasting.
For instance, the Hollywood Flawless Filter, one of the brand’s best-selling products, has received rave reviews about the unique glow it gives and the flexibility of the product, as it can be used in many different ways based on personal preference as a highlighter, or mixed in with foundation or moisturizer.
Furthermore, it is a cruelty-free brand and uses ingredients without harmful chemicals.
e biggest disadvantage of Charlotte Tilbury is the prices. With most products pricing over 775 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) and some even exceeding 1240 NTD, it has a much higher price range and some of their skincare products reached 3000 NTD.
While the quality might make the products a worthwhile purchase, it can be a financial burden for consumers and is unrealistic to buy regularly.
Additionally, the brand is not 100% vegan, meaning that some of their products include animal-derived ingredients.
3. What slang word means “to talk a lot”?
4. What is Selena Gomez’s beauty brand?
7. What role did Jenna Ortega play in the new “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” movie?
10. What dating app did Mr. William & his husband meet on?
11. What is the “study” that analyzes relationships between white men and Asian women?
13. Who’s album is “HARDSTONE PSYCHO”?
Down
1. What is the name of the female protagonist of “Uglies”?
2. How many decades has Mr. Arnold been teaching at TAS?
5. What is the Joker’s real rst name?
6. What place did the boys’ soccer team get?
8. How many minutes away is Dreamers Co ee Roasters from TAS?
9. What did Noah yodel in “Nobody Wants is”?
12. How many stars was “ e Secret of Us” rated?
By Austin Wang (‘28)
e Fitness Cafe, located between the Upper School Library and the Tech Cube, is a popular place for students to eat, as seen from its extremely long lines.
e Fitness Cafe serves various fresh drinks such as the Choco Banana or a milkshake. Wraps and meat with noodles or rice are also available at the cafe, with the meat choices ranging from chicken to salmon and the wraps ranging from extra cheese to spicy wraps.
Beef with curry rice
One of the meals served at the Fitness Cafe is beef with curry rice. Overall, it is an extremely tasty meal and one of the most popular items at e Fitness Cafe.
e beef with curry rice meal consists of a bowl of brown rice with a ladleful of curry and one standard scoop of beef on top.
Despite the beef being dry, it is still edible and tasty. e servings of only one potato cube and carrot slice leaves something to be desired.
e speed at which the food is made is extremely fast, as the meal is prepared within seconds of ordering. However, the beef runs out fast due to its high demand. e Fitness Cafe usually runs out of beef by the end of period four.
e beef with curry rice is overall a four out of five star order, due to its high popularity and deliciousness.
Double Cheese
Cheese. Who doesn’t love it? e
Double Cheese wrap will blow you away in delight, as proven by the amount of people who order the wrap on a daily basis. is wrap is a traditional wrap with extra cheese filling inside. ere is no meat
inside this wrap. Despite the popularity, this wrap pales in comparison to the other wraps of the fitness cafe, particularly due to its scant amount of cheese. is brings into the concern of e Fitness Cafe charging high prices for minimal high quality and tasty food.
e double cheese appears to have less chicken and only a tiny increase in cheese compared to the other wraps such as the Cheese and Cheese or Chicken Jalapeno leading to an overall decrease in food quality.
Ultimately, the Double Cheese wrap gets a two and a half star rating, because of its questionable quality. But for cheese lovers, this is certainly a go-to meal.
Chicken and Cheese
e Chicken and Cheese, in contrast to the Double Cheese, contains a large amount
of delectable ingredients and chicken. e wrap is a standard wrap stuffed with a hefty serving of cheese and plenty of short chopped chicken.
e chicken blends extremely well with the cheese, which creates a fulfilling and savory taste. ere is an abundance of chicken in the wrap which is sure to fill your appetite.
Like the other wraps, chips are also included as a complimentary side dish to give you a little freshener while eating. e tortilla on the Chicken and Cheese is quite dry and does not complement the chicken.
us, the Chicken and Cheese wrap gets three and a half stars out of five stars. Whenever you find yourself in B-block or just want a satisfactory meal, look no further than the Fitness Cafe, and be sure to try all the options on the cafe’s vast menu.