February 2022

the arcadia quill @arcadiaquill

ISSUE 5 VOLUME 69

FEBRUARY 2021

EST. 1952

Girls Varsity Soccer Advances to Round 3 of CIF

arcadiaquill.com

ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL

By KAI WETTERAU

180 CAMPUS DRIVE ARCADIA, CA 91006

Staff Writer

The Girls Varsity Soccer team played in the CIF semifinals on Feb. 23, becoming the first Arcadia team to do so in over a decade.

They have come a long way and have worked hard to succeed, and eventually lost against fellow semifinalist Sierra Canyon. The final score was 0-1, with the game being close and many great plays being made. Fans from Arcadia came from all over the city to support the team, cheering the players on to do their best.

The game started with a kickoff from Sierra Canyon, allowing Arcadia to make a hard push up the field, though without success.

Some good ball maneuvers at midfield allowed another push. Arcadia enjoyed great success in controlling the ball across the field, Sierra Canyon’s defense was strong, though. Multiple plays were made to score a goal, mainly for Arcadia, though all efforts from either side were thwarted. Both side’s defenses worked too well in putting pressure on the offense.

A few close plays even got all the way to the goal, though the strong goalkeepers were able to snatch the ball right before someone was ready to kick, keeping the score at 0-0.

going digital: the new SAT [pg 5]

Graphic courtesy of VANESSA VALENTINO

Goodbye to bubbling in exam sheets, sharpening number two pencils, and scrubbling down math work on the testing packets. College Board is revamping their SAT exam.

The modified SAT will not affect any American high school student that is currently a sophomore, junior, or senior. The new exam...

The tense minutes continued as Arcadia pushed aggressively to put a point on the board. With this aggressiveness came a few costs; Alaina Lee was injured in a complication with the ball and had a chance of not returning for the second half. Referees made a plethora of calls, though cases such as a late drive up the field by Sierra Canyon and some rough pushing against Arcadia ended up not being labeled as fouls. Both teams became desperate to break the tie, always with the same result: 0-0. The half finally ended as both teams stayed strong.

Coach Ryen Piszyk, head coach of the team, talked about Arcadia’s plans for the second half.

“We wanted to keep the heat on Sierra Canyon to hopefully score a goal,” he mentioned. “Scoring was a priority to hopefully send us to the finals.”

The second half was on, as both sides knew this game would be decided on who would be able to last the longest. Rigorous pushes from Sierra Canyon began to mount, causing defenders to have to work extra hard to prevent any goals. Continuous plays ensued up and down the field, and an unfortunate miscommunication between multiple players

what's inside

art is political [pg 6]

Photo courtesy of FLICKR.COM

All art is politcal. It can be of any medium; painting, song, poem, writing ­— it all has some politicla substance, even if it wasn’t exactly created that way.

In her Tedtalk, “Using your Voice as a Political Choice,” Amanda Gorman spoke about how her art, poetry, is political. It can’t be anything else. She...

caused Sierra Canyon to get a strong shot off and score a goal, making the game 0-1.

This prompted Arcadia to become even more aggressive as they planned on winning or at least keeping the game going.

Fans were energetic, making tons of sound showing their support in getting Arcadia to the finals.

Tons of fouls were made towards the end of the second half, as Arcadia realized the further importance of a point to go on.

Coach Piszyk commented on the end of the game, explaining how he felt about the state of the team.

“Even though we may have lost, it was still a well played effort, and I’m proud of how far we got. The team gave their best effort, and it makes me hopeful for next year.”

The Girls Varsity Soccer team had a good run, and played hard to continue their run. While they didn’t win and so won’t be moving on, they proved their strength and showed that they can succeed in the future.

kwetterau@arcadiaquill.com Photo Courtesy of ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

“Mamma Mia!” [pg 12]

Graphic courtesy of ARCADIA THEATRE STAGE

The Arcadia Stage Theatre Company here at Arcadia High School (AHS) is excited to present their upcoming, in-p[erson spring musical “Mamma Mia!”. This musical will be entirely performed by members of the...

this issue: policy 2 | news 3 | opinion 6 | features 8 | center spread 10 | arts & entertainment 12 | sports 14 | campus focus 16

arcadiaquill@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2022

EDITORIAL

03

Black History Month

By DARIN BUENALUZ, BECKY CHEN, ENZO GOEBEL, and PAMINA YUNG Editorial Board The celebrations that define modern Black History Month have modest origins. What started on Sept. 9, 1915 with the creation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which sought to promote the achievements of African Americans and conduct research on their life stories eventually grew into a nationwide movement encouraging reflection upon both the great strides and struggles of African Americans in creating true equality for the American people, who, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, would no longer “be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” With the rise of more and more social justice and inclusion movements over recent years, the need to spread awareness of the significance of Black History Month is more important than ever—especially within communities such as Arcadia High School (AHS).

In the 96 years since the first public celebration of African Americans, organized displays of Black cultural pride have evolved from the Negro History Week into Black History Month, celebrated across the U.S. in remembrance of both the pioneers and ordinary citizens around the nation who rose up against segregation laws and disheartening anti-Black sentiment that went beyond white supremacy.

Celebrating Black history and achievement uplifts not only African Americans, but also uplifts many Americans who have suffered under the legacy of discriminatory legislation and general mistreatment.

In the current day of increasing social justice movements, celebrating Black history is also a reflection upon the grave injustices committed against African Americans, from the first slave ships landing in the South to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Sadly, some Americans don’t understand or refuse to understand Black history which then affects the willingness of some communities to acknowledge or encourage it. In particular, accusations that racially divisive lessons are being taught in schools have spilled into discussions of Black History Month in some parts of the country like Alabama creating a hesitancy to celebrate the month at all. This hesitancy to confront crucial injustices that have occurred within our country is certainly alarming but the answer can be found within shifting minds and hearts through spreading awareness.

Above all, it’s important to recognize that Black history is American history. The irrefutable fact is that we, as a nation, bear a storied, and tumultuous, past; and while we must look at our history as a whole to put the present into perspective, it is just as vital that we raise attention to the issues at hand. Earlier this month, at least 17 historically Black colleges received bomb threats which are now being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes. Not only that, but the three men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery are now being convicted of hate crimes, demonstrating just how prevalent the issue of

racism is in the 21st century.

All these events disproportionately affect people of color (POC), and as such, it is no wonder this year’s theme for Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness.” Unsurprisingly, the American people are fatigued, especially in light of the fact that progress seems to continue to be slow. Division and hatred cannot be our truth. No person should fear for their safety when out for a jog as in the case of Arbery, nor have their past discredited such as in the myths that claim slaves had a “choice”, nor face backlash for trying to take action as in the BLM protests. Equality is key to democracy; it ensures justice, and thus it’s important we remember and understand why we fight for civil rights. As a result, we find that it is our responsibility to educate ourselves about Black History Month, because it is relevant to all of us.

Although Black history is a fundamental aspect of American history, many people still do not know much about Black history or why there is an ardent push to support African American establishments. For example, many people gloss over hashtags about supporting Black-owned businesses, unaware of the historical exclusion of Black Americans from many of the benefits of worker protections such as those provided in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

Some even feel offended when race is mentioned, as exhibited in the “all lives matter” response to the BLM movement, ignoring the effort to include African Americans in a major era of civil rights protests. This lack of knowledge and understanding hurts America’s development as a multicultural society and fuels race-based attacks. However, this detrimental oblivion can be fixed through education, which is why it is paramount that students, such as those at Arcadia High School (AHS), learn and educate themselves more about Black history and its significance, especially in the U.S.

Understanding modern politics and social movements with a knowledge of Black history and systemic racism is crucial. Oppression can then be recognized as a pattern in America, which gives us the impetus and the tools to dismantle that historical foundation. Knowing that instances such as George Floyd’s death in 2020 aren’t isolated, but repeated offenses of police brutality; understanding that standardized testing and college admissions disadvantage Black communities because of the socioeconomic conditions caused by slavery; recognizing that the Biden adminstration wants a Black Supreme Court justice due to a historical lack of Black political representation: all of these current events are then enhanced and properly contextualized. Staying open-minded about these concerns could help prevent the censorship of Black history, as 35 states have already introduced bills restricting what teachers can say and teach about racial injustice and history—and 12 bills have already become laws in 10 states.

But more specifically: it is imperative that we recognize Black history and its importance as students of AHS, with a population of Asian majority and a focus on a prestigious education. Asian American history and politics are deeply intertwined with the efforts and the historical treatment of African-American people and activists. It is of the utmost importance that Asian-Americans stand in solidarity with other POC. As a school that prides itself on producing students that “imagine, inquire, and inspire,” AHS has an obligation to fully educate its students and help us understand: where we are now, why that is, and what we can do moving forward. By recognizing the similarities in Asian and Black suffering—a history of hate crimes, workplace discrmination, systemic injustice etc.—the American youth can build a generation that is educated, informed, empathetic, and aware. This way, our country can be that much closer to progress.

2

POLICY

arcadiaquill.com

Staff Writers: Caitlyn Chau, Serena Chin, Aahana Dutta, Dhruti Kulkarni, Kai Wetterau, Stephanie Wang, Ainsley Najafzadeh, Emmaline Pan, Vanessa Valentino, Darin Buenaluz, Kate De Prima, Sabrina Lo, Lorin Teng, Michelle So, Henrina Zhang, Ashley Chan, Wesley Chen, Sohana Sahni, Anna Odell, Maryam Sadeghifard, Kira Camacho, Vritti Godani, Madison Yee, Sophia Li Media Staff: Caitlyn Chau, Wesley Chen, Kate De Prima, Lorin Teng, Vanessa Valentino, Ainsley Najafzadeh, Emmaline Pan, Madison Yee Advisor: Mrs. Lesley Lee

Editors-in-Chief: Kylie Ha, Robinson Lee, Anya Yang News Editors: Leslie Chen and Lilian Chong Opinion Editors: Catherine Chan and Enzo Goebel Features Editor: Jorge Espinoza-Gonzalez Arts & Entertainment Editor: Pamina Yung Sports Editor: Zoe Lin Media Editor: Amanda Chang Campus Focus Editors: Chloe Wong and Ashley Zhao Publicity Managers: Becky Chen and Rebecca Tao

FEBRUARY 2022

Social Media & Comments Social media will be used to promote appropriate media, to promote published content, and to engage with Arcadia and Arcadia High School’s community. The Editorial Board reserves the right to remove comments deemed inappropriate, offensive, or threatening. The information posted on social media platforms (i.e. Instagram) will be held to the same standards as all other reporting in terms of information gathering and fact-checking.

Bylines If more than one person works on a story or an editor has to rewrite a significant portion of a story (as determined by the editor), all names of contributing writers will be listed on the byline of the article. All articles, graphics, photos, and other media, with the exception of staff photos, will be bylined with the photographer or contributor’s name. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work and the information contained within.

Editorial Policy The Arcadia Quill will not print anything in our publication (online or print) that is deemed libelous, obscene, or otherwise offensive or inappropriate, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s justified standards.

Rights are reserved to postpone, edit or withhold from publication anything submitted which does not meet the specifications.

Unsigned editorials represent the view of The Arcadia Quill Editorial Board. It does not necessarily represent the view of other Quill staff members. The Arcadia Quill refuses to print criticism which is not constructive and not supported by fact or evidence. The editors and adviser will make the final decision on all material appearing in The Arcadia Quill.

The Arcadia Quill will not intentionally invade the privacy of any person or publish facts and quotes given off the record. Opinions will be clearly marked and found on the editorial pages or as designated on other pages (i.e.- front page). Signed opinion articles and commentary are the expressed opinions of the author and not of The Arcadia Quill and its editorial board, adviser, or Arcadia High School’s faculty or school board.

Staff members are guided by the Canons of Journalism of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, a code of ethics which outlines the principles of responsibility, fairness, and accuracy.

Corrections Policy Corrections will be printed when brought to the attention of the staff.

Original stories will carry bylines but additional contributors to a story will be listed on the byline.

Plagiarism Plagiarism of any form will not be tolerated. Story ideas and article content are to remain completely original with the exception of the use of outside graphics/images/quotes, which are to be duly credited.

Quotes Quotes are representative of a single opinion; they do not represent the beliefs of the student body and staff. Quotes are to be written in past tense with the correct style guide format.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy The Arcadia Quill acknowledges the systemic inequities persistent in our country and community, and therefore we maintain a dedication towards equity, diversity, and inclusion. As a student-led organization, we strive to inspire high school students to use their voices to discuss issues that affect them in conjunction with our goal to provide a space of journalistic integrity and professionalism. We expect ourselves to be inclusive and respectful of everyone regardless of identity—including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic identity, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability, and religious belief.

We strive to put our values into action by doing the following: -Highlighting the stories and experiences of students from backgrounds that have historically faced inequality.

-Assessing how The Arcadia Quill can improve by taking steps to avoid contributing to cultural appropriation and systemic injustice.

-Working to educate our staff on the impact of systemic inequality, and equipping them with tools on how to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within their own means.

-Following standards set by Arcadia Unified School District to confront systemic injustice including racial inequity.

We hold ourselves to high standards in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these efforts by The Arcadia Quill, please email eic.arcadiaquill@gmail.com.

Graphic courtesy of IMGBIN.com

NEWS AHS STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR AMERICAN INVITATIONAL MATHEMATICS EXAM

04

arcadiaquill.com

By SOPHIA LI Staff Writer Sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Section of the Mathematics Association of America (MAA), The American Mathematics Competition (AMC) program first originated in 1950, where the first mathematical contest took place. The exam was given in approximately 200 schools and about 6,000 students in the New York area only. Now, over 300,000 students across 4,000 schools compete in the AMC annually.

Of these students, only a few highly competitive students are able to score in the top 5% in the nation, as this test is extremely challenging. From here on out, these qualifying students received an invitation to compete on Feb. 8 for the next round, called the American Invitational Mathematics Exam.

This year, six Arcadia High School

(AHS) students qualified in the American Invitational Mathematics Exam. These students are sophomore Hugo Fang; junior Joshua Sujo; and seniors Jeshwanth Mohan, Selena Zhang, Ruth Berkun, and Sonia Zhang. Competing in a mathematics competition, it comes with no surprise that all of these students are also in AHS’ Math Team.

“I can’t say I was surprised to find out I placed that high because it is very easy to calculate your score and get an idea of where you are. However, during the test, I was surprised to be doing as well as I did because of my previous experiences taking the AMC,” senior Selena Zhang stated.

“Being on the math team helped prepare me for the best, since we go over some concepts, although because of the limited time, it’s more of an introductory level, so one would need to spend more time out of meetings to really get a good understanding of those topics. Also, the math team

has a lot of useful resources that are helpful. For this test, I just practiced and looked at problems. I also spent some time learning theorems,” senior Sonia Zhang stated.

However, their passion for math didn’t begin in high school, as excelling well in such a rigorous competition came with years of experience.

“I started doing math at a young age, when my grandpa would teach us through Chinese math competition prep books, and I’d always enjoyed it. For me, doing these types of competitions was a chance to work on learning better logic and thought process, which I think helps you get better at learning things in general, and it was just really fun,” Sonia Zhang added.

“When I was in elementary school, I went to an after school that exposed me to competitive math, and I’m incredibly grateful to have discovered this treasure at such an early age,” Selena Zhang, Sonia’s twin sister, also added.

While it can be difficult at times, as math

FEBRUARY 2022

is very precise and usually has definite answers, many of the students have found joy in delving deeper in understanding the subject.

Like anything, there are always topics that one feels more comfortable solving and ones that pose challenges. Zhang likes to solve geometry problems as well as complex number problems.

“Solving geometry problems brings me satisfaction because there’s almost always a really elegant solution, and it is really satisfying to solve. I’ve also come to enjoy complex number problems since that’s one of the concepts I’ve been working on recently so there’s also a lot of satisfaction from getting those. I don’t really enjoy probability questions, because those can get pretty complicated with the number of cases although I might just be approaching them the wrong way,” Sonia Zhang shared.

sli@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG and MAXPIXEL.NET

JUSTICE BREYERS’ RETIREMENT AND SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS

By VRITTI GODANI Staff Writer At the age of 83, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyers has announced that he plans to retire. He will stay on the court until a replacement is found and President Biden has vowed that his replacement will be an African American woman. Although Biden’s pick will not alter the balance of the court, his nominee is set to be much

younger.

51-year-old Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a previous law clerk for Breyers and an assistant federal public defender who served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission, is a potential candidate. 45-year-old Justice Leondra Kruger also serves as a potential candidate and is a veteran of the U.S. Solicitor General’s office. Other potential candidates include South Carolina U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs, civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill, North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Anita Earls, District Judge Wilhelmina “Mimi” Wright, Circuit Judge Eunice Lee, Circuit Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, Circuit Judge Holly A. Thomas, Federal Circuit Court Judge Tiffany P. Cunningham, Phil-

adelphia public defender Arianna J. Freeman, New York Law Professor Melissa Murray, and voting rights expert Nancy G. Abudu.

Biden’s team has heavily emphasized its desire for diverse judicial appointments from those who are not afraid to go against the norm and have been historically underrepresented federally, such as those who are public defenders and civil rights and legal aid attorneys.

Breyers’ decision to retire stems from the pressure he faced from the left, encouraging him to leave the court while Biden still had the chance to replace him. He has served on the bench for nearly three decades and has directed his focus on how law can work for the average citizen. He did not view the Supreme Court as a cure to all issues in the

United States. He simply viewed the Supreme Court as a platform where opinions had the opportunity to be unpopular.

There have been reports regarding whether Republicans plan to block the nominee or not as they do not even know who the nominee is. However, if all the Democrats unite, they possess the power to replace Justice Breyer in 2022 with no support from the Republican end.

With pressure from the public and Democrats in office, President Biden is being urged to pick a nominee and many are eager to find out.

vgodani@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FLICKR.COM and PUBLICDOMAINVECTORS.COM

NEWS

news.arcadiaquill@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2022

The New SAT Going Digital

By ASHLEY CHAN Staff Writer Goodbye to bubbling in exam sheets, sharpening number two pencils, and scribbling down math work on the testing packets.

College Board is revamping their SAT exam.

The modified SAT will not affect any American high school student that is currently a sophomore, junior, or senior. The new exam will launch internationally in 2023, and will be introduced in the U.S. in 2024.

The SAT’s most drastic change is its transition from paper to digital.

Priscilla Rodriquez, vice president of college readiness assessments at College Board, stated, “We’ve been hearing feedback from students and educators about what it’s like to take the SAT and what it’s like to give students the SAT. And some of the rigidi t y, stress, a n d length of the rest, we could only make those kinds of changes going digital.”

Despite the SAT turning digital, the exam will not enable students to take the tests at home. The tests will still be administered in school or at a test center, with a proctor monitoring for any misconduct.

“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant,” Rodriguez claimed.

Due to the digital aspect of the test, adaptivity of the test will be incorporated.

This means that the test will change the level of question difficulty for subsequent questions based on the student’s ongoing performance.

Aside from going digital, other elements of the SAT have been altered.

For one, the SAT has been shortened from three hours of testing time to two hours The SAT intends to change the timing of the exam by reducing the length of reading passages. College Board said that the shorter reading passages will “reflect a wider range of topics that represent the works students read in college.”

Originally, the SAT’s math section was divided into two chunks: a non calculator and a calculator segment. However, the modified exam will allow the use of a calculator for the entirety of the math section.

Students will also receive their exam scores within a certain number of days, rather than a couple of weeks. This is made possible

because proctors no longer have to deal with packing, organizing, and shipping the testing materials for scoring and recording.

Every student who has studied or taken the SAT will agree on one thing: the SAT is stressful. Students feel an enormous amount of pressure to perform well and to get a score that will give them an advantage in getting into the college of their dreams.

Despite the emphasis placed on the SAT, some schools are no longer using the SAT or ACT to decide one’s admission into their school (test blind), while other schools are now test optional. Most notably, the UC’s have gone test blind.

According to College Board, there was a November pilot launch of the digital version in which 80% of participants found that the new exam was less stressful than the current exam.

“What I hope and want is for students to be able to come in and just focus on demonstrating what they’ve learned and what they can do in the core reading, writing and math areas,” Rodriguez stated. “And [to] have a lot of the stress around the test, the rigidity, the policies, all melt away.”

achan@arcadiaquill.com Photo by PIXABAY.COM, GETTYIMAGES.COM and FREESVG.COM

05

Arcadia OSB Competes In the Los Angeles Surf Bowl

By MICHELLE SO Staff Writer Arcadia’s Ocean Sciences Bowl (OSB) team competed in the Los Angeles (LA) Surf Bowl on Feb. 5. The virtual competition was hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and had eight high schools competing from around the LA area. At the end of the day, Arcadia placed 5th overall. The top three places were: 1st place-Santa Monica High School, 2nd-University High School, and 3rdTemple City High School.

Perhaps one of the lesser known academic teams, OSB focuses on all things ocean. Though it may sound like a very niche competition, the team is required to know about biology, chemistry, geography, and the social scienes. This includes knowing facts about oceanic sediments, the scientific names of jellyfish, famous ships, etc. Ms. Kristeen Pisano is the advisor of OSB and expressed her pride in the academic team.

“OSB students are very capable and they leave me little to do.” Though she added, “Listening in on the buzzer practice is always hilarious because it is obvious that no question maker decides how to pronounce certain scientific words.”

Senior Nathaniel Chen has been a member of OSB for four years. He competed on the five-person team that attended regionals. This year, he prepared by attending scrimmages with other teams and reviewing key terms.

“My focus, tech and physics, made me surf on Wikipedia a lot to compile information, which I didn’t know was relevant or not, but I studied just to be sure,” said Chen.

This year, in order to level the playing field, the competition was not a typical ‘head-to-head’ format. Teams played against themselves in individual video call rooms, buzzing in to answer questions for points. At the end of each round, the two lowest scoring teams were eliminated. On the day of, Chen confessed he felt the energy of anticipation get to him.

“I was definitely feeling anxious but also relieved because it was finally here. We were [hyped] up to win, but also not to feel too bad which definitely helped. But I think the pressure made the experience better in the end,” Chen said.

After an intense 60 question preliminary round, Arcadia made the top six and advanced to Elimination Round One. Despite their best effort, the team was unable to advance to the next round. There were also setbacks out of their

control, including some misspoken answers and serious technical difficulties. Junior Theodore Hung is the captain of OSB this year and is no stranger to setbacks. He competed in a spare room at a friend’s house after round one when his wifi proved unreliable.

“My internet stopped working, and I had to move to another member’s house to compete. I was really anxious because I couldn’t answer any questions and had to put all my faith into my teammates’ abilities,” said Hung.

Though OSB did not make it to the final round, Hung still appreciated the dedication each person put in for the competition.

“I’m proud of the commitment that the competing team exhibited. Everyone sacrificed their time to focus on the competition,” said Hung. “Although the competition lasted over three hours, and the fact that we didn’t start off the preliminary rounds on the best footing, I was really grateful to everyone’s endurance and ability to persevere.”

From Ms. Pisano’s point of view, she could tell that the results weren’t what the team expected. However, she did point out that “each score was higher than the last even if it was only by a few points. [Plus] there had been a lot getting in the way of practice time like ASB not allowing clubs to meet all January,” she said. “But to get as far as they did competing against schools that have actual Ocean Science classes is an achievement. Just imagine how well the team could do if it had an hour every day to get together and learn about ocean related sciences?”

Since this was Chen’s last year on OSB, the competition had extra significance to him.Still, he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.

“I’m definitely proud of Arcadia and hope to see my underclassmen get better.

They’re forming up really well, almost better than three years ago, when we came really close to winning regionals, so the dream is still alive,” he said, adding, “I don’t feel too proud of my performance, but this won’t be a memory I’ll think sourly of.”

As for future plans, OSB will be recruiting new members this spring. Interested students can find out more about this club at this year’s Spring Preview or on the team’s Instagram.

mso@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE. COM, COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.COM, PIXABAY.COM, and MAXPIXEL.NET

06

OPINION

arcadiaquill.com

FEBRUARY 2022

Marriage Traditions; Inherently Sexist

By ASHLEY CHAN

Staff Writer

The notion of marriage seems like a dream come true for many little girls and boys. The highly fantasized idea of the wedding dress and suit that the couple would wear, the vows to be exchanged, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the reception, the first dance as husband and wife, and the peaceful honeymoon that follows. However, the wedding ceremony is not as dreamy as one might imagine. Much of the wedding is riddled with inherently sexist traditions that have no place in modern day society.

Everybody is aware of the classic white wedding dress that is an iconic symbol of marriage. However, this white wedding dress has a history of representing purity, innocence, and virginity. This white color is considered a standard for brides, even if it was not chosen with its historical significance in mind.

According to Time, white is an “emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one.”

This equates purity and innocence to the bride’s value as a woman, demonstrat-

ing how the implication of a white dress can degrade or shame a bride if she does not meet society’s idea of purity; society’s idea of purity is that a woman should abstain from all sexual matters until marriage. Regardless, why should her purity matter, especially when the groom is not expected to walk down the aisle wearing white as well?

Not only is the white wedding dress derived from patriarchal culture, but the veil is as well. The veil is traditionally supposed to be worn by the bride until the groom or her father removed it. Traditionally, the veil is also meant to represent the groom’s right to consummate the marriage, and not hers. Additionally, the lifting of the veil defaces the bride, while the groom is unscathed by this tradition.

More obviously, the “giving away” of the bride oozes sexism. This tradition began when

Art is Political

By KIRA CAMACHO

Staff Writer

All art is political. It can be of any medium; painting, song, poem, writing— it all has some political substance, even if it wasn’t exactly created that way. In her TedTalk, “Using your Voice as a Political Choice,” Amanda Gorman spoke about how

her art, poetry, is political. It can’t be anything else. Gorman explained how when she is asked to write poems that “aren’t political” it doesn’t make sense, she can’t write an unpolitical poem.

“To me [writing poems that aren’t political] sounds like I have to draw a square, but not make it a rectangle or, like, build a car and not make it a vehicle. It doesn’t make much sense,”

brides were their father’s property, and were given away with a dowry. Basically, this is the transition from a bride being their father’s property to being their husband’s property.

The passing of the bride from the father to the groom undermines the bride’s independence, and the need for a father’s approval diminishes the bride’s voice.

This sexist practice can simply be altered by allowing the bride to walk down the aisle with whomever she likes, and by having the bride w a l k to the groom herself- a demonstration of her free choice. Otherwise, the marriage becomes increasingly like a transaction with the passing of the bride.

This iconic phrase,“you may now kiss the bride,” is said as if the bride does not have her own say or authority over the marriage. Rather than giving permission to both the bride and

groom, it only gives a “go-ahead” to the groom. Why not say “you may now kiss each other” instead of only giving authority to the groom?

Another most common and notable change after marriage is the alteration of the bride’s last name. It has become normalized for the bride to change her last name to her husband’s last name. In this manner, her family name and identity get stripped away as she enters this marriage, while the groom gets to keep his identity. The adoption of a new last name highlights how the bride never had her “own” last name. After all, she formerly used her father’s last name and simply transitioned into taking her husband’s last name. Meaning, she is always seen as someone else’s and not her own.

Marriage should be a union between two equal halves coming together to forge a whole. Unfortunately, some marriage traditions have sexism embedded into its nature.

With the progression of society, there could be emerging means to combat the sexist system that found roots in marriage traditions. achan@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FONTS.COM and FREESVG.ORG

she said.

Especially in today’s political climate, there are plenty of issues for artists to comment on. For example, musicians like Jack White frequently voice their opinions in everyday life as well as in song.

Icky Thump by the White Stripes “[confronts] America’s contentious immigration policies,” wrote Denis Sullivan in Rolling Stone.

The powerful, hard-rock song is perfect for expressing the group’s anger against immigration policies.

In 2018, Jack White dedicated the song to Donald Trump by adding Trump’s name to the lyrics and vocalizing his criticisms against the former President. Lyrics and music written by a musician is directly from their brain; inevitably, it will have their ideals and opinions.

A lot of well-known songs actually have political meanings; Fortnuate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Zombie by The Cranberries, and Give Peace a Chance by the Plastic Ono Band. These songs fueled an angry generation, and continue to do so today.

The political aspects of art aren’t only from modern years. This practice goes back to 1338, when the Council of Nine was looking to send a message to the Republic of Siena. The message was a fresco, titled The Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The three paneled fresco dramatically illustrated the various effects of good and bad government.

The patron, the Council of Nine, was a civic group of the time. The Republic of Siena was one of the most powerful Italian city-states.

The fresco commissioned by the Nine reminded the magistrates of how much was at stake. The chaotic examples of bad government, and gar-

gantuan size helped the fresco to easily grab the attention of its audience. Not only was the piece political, but a perfect way to send a warning to the Republic.

In 1967, an oil painting was made

by Liu Chunhua called Chairman Mao en route to Anyuan. Not only was this painting a beautiful landscape work by Chunhua, but it was also communist propaganda. The piece was a result of the Cultural Revolution, a period in which artists had to create “Mao paintings,” in order to help Zedong reassert his authority over the Chinese government. Very political.

The painting depicted a young Zedong, who was in his seventies at the time, as one of the common people. He stands on a cliff above the clouds and mountains, ready to conquer anything. At first glance, the painting doesn’t seem political at all. With no context, you can only assume that the man in this painting is of some sort of nobility.

In comparison to the obvious Allegory of Good and Bad Government, this painting is subtle in its political ideals. Though you may not notice the political meaning of art, it always has one.

So, Amanda Gorman is right, “all art is political. The decision to create, the artistic choice to have a voice, the choice to be heard is the most political act of all.”

kcamacho@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM and COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

Imposter Sy n d r o m e

FEBRUARY 2022

theopinionsection@gmail.com

By KATE DE PRIMA Staff Writer For most art schools the regular application date lands somewhere in the end of January and the start of February, with many schools having rolling admissions that close when the fall semester starts. These late deadlines seem to encourage applicants to procrastinate — and no doubt we do — but they are also to grant more time for applicants to build the best portfolio (a collection of one’s best works) possible.

I’ve been working on my apps for about a year. I’d make pieces, show them to teachers to get feedback, and then apply all the advice to a completely new artwork. I’d attend classes and complete tons of assignments only to leave the class satisfied with none of them.

Almost all the pieces in my portfolio were

made 3 weeks before the deadline — so does that mean I really deserve to get into a school?

See, if I was a good enough artist, then it shouldn’t have taken me so long to create portfolio-worthy pieces. If I spent more time drawing, then I could’ve gotten even better, right? But I am a good artist; I’m proud of my portfolio, and it’s the kind of work I want to keep making. Imposter syndrome just doesn’t let me see it that way.

Imposter syndrome is the experience of feeling like you’re a phony. It makes you feel like no matter how skilled you are at what you do, you are a fraud. Through the time I was working on my portfolio, I felt I was undeserving of getting into a school, like I was ridiculous to even be applying to art schools.

Working on my portfolio was fun; I liked being able to test my skills and limits and working to overcome those limits. But there’s a

OPINION

difference between overcoming a physical barrier and breaking through a mental one.

I’ve been dreaming of applying to art schools since I was in middle school — yet I couldn’t help but feel like I hadn’t worked hard enough to earn it. The last few days I accomplished so little because I was already dreading having to hit the submit button. I was convinced that when I did, admissions would open my portfolio, take one look at my work and laugh that I even had the audacity to apply.

Adding artworks to a college portfolio is so difficult because you feel like you have to get a formula just perfect. There needs to be a good balance of technical skill but also enough work that projects your personality and you as a person. At the end of the day, that’s all an application is – a projection of a person you think is capable and worthy of

07

getting into a college. Like the saying goes: “Fake ‘til you make it” – especially when you feel like an imposter.

After that, after the rush of applications is over and all the all-nighters are pulled, realize that you are the same person represented in your application, the one who’s capable of getting into a school. Sure, that may be a temporary version of yourself, but we all change and grow as time goes on. Imposter syndrome can make it feel like you didn’t try hard enough or you’re unworthy of something—but finishing an application is a feat within itself! So allow yourself to celebrate and rest from your hard work…I know I will.

kdeprima@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM and KINDPNG.COM

Motivation Means Nothing Without Discipline

By DARIN BUENALUZ Staff Writer Motivation is a key component of achieving success in life, whether it be academic or personal accomplishment. It grants a large boost of confidence, and shifts one’s mindset into believing that anything is possible. However, from life experiences and ones I gained during my time in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, I have learned that motivation holds no merit without discipline.

The interdependent relationship between motivation and discipline is similar to that of the ignition and gas pedal in a car. A car’s ignition turns on the vehicle, ready to be used at will by the driver. The car can go anywhere at any speed, and has a variety of components that will get it to its destination. However, simply turning on the ignition of a car doesn’t make it move. Pressing down on the gas pedal is what actually makes the car go forward and reach destinations. Without the gas pedal, the car remains stationary. Similarly, motivation ignites our drive to better ourselves and to reach our goals: both big and small. It also in-

creases our situational awareness of what we have at our disposal to reach our ambitions and how to use them. Nevertheless, our sense of discipline is what pushes us to use our resources and achieve what we want to achieve.

Furthermore, the motivation to succeed is a fleeting sensation as it doesn’t last forever.

It is also very fragile; the smallest of factors, such as our mood or a change in our schedule, can kill our motivation as quickly as it is gained. Things like procrastination and mood changes are an inevitability in life, but they can ground our productivity when the confidence gained from motivation dissipates. After all, being productive is considerably more difficult if there’s not a solid reason as to why we believe we should be. As such, it is crucial that we discipline ourselves on being productive as soon as we have the motivation to do so.

According to an article in Second Nature, “The most successful people use a combination of discipline and intrinsic motivation to achieve their goals.”

Gaining motivation isn’t particularly difficult. Setting up a reward for yourself once

you finish a task is a good way to self-motivate. However, discipline, which requires developing and maintaining a structured schedule and overall good habits, is more difficult to attain. Discipline requires trying a lot of different methods of forming new behaviors, which subsequently results in a lot of trial and error. Starting with smaller levels of discipline, such as timing yourself on how long it takes you to get ready in the morning, is a good start. Discipline, like motivation, can also form confidence: the difference is that confidence gained from discipline only grows over time instead of diminishing. When we gain confidence from being able to discipline ourselves on smaller things, that confidence snowballs until we feel confident enough to maintain discipline on a larger, more time consuming scale.

Despite this, discipline can cause a mental or physical burnout if it’s not done correctly. If one is focused entirely on productiveness and work, it means they are neglecting to take time and take care of their mental and physical health. When done right, discipline not only means having a structure for produc-

tivity, but a structure for well being.

In a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention regarding mental health in the workplace, “Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.”

Motivation is one of the most important resources that a person can have in order to accomplish great things, but it takes consistent discipline to make the most use out of that motivation. When discipline accompanies motivation, the ceiling for self improvement can only go up for every personal achievement. High school is a time that provides endless sources of motivation for students to push themselves beyond what they think they’re capable of, from surviving difficult classes to establishing new relationships.

All of these goals and more can be reached through self- discipline and all constructive habits that it helps build.

dbuenaluz@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of PARSHERALD.COM

08

FEATURES

WHY IS THE MCDONALDS MACHINE ALWAYS

BROKEN?

By SOHANA SAHNI

Staff Writer

Throughout time, there has been a common question plaguing generations of Americans: Why is the McDonald’s ice cream machine always broken? The lack of reliability in McDonald’s ice cream machines is often not a conditional thing, in fact, it has become so common that there are even websites to track broken machines across the U.S. The fallibility of the ice cream machine is a source of anger and frustration for many.

“This one time during middle school, I went after school to buy ice cream from

McDonald’s and they said the ice cream machine was broken so I left,” said sophomore Ethan Chen.

Recently, the FTC has decided to take matters into its own hands to solve this dire problem. Over the summer, the Federal Trade Commision contacted McDonald’s franchise owners to gain new information on the malfunctioning ice-cream machines.

Through the information of its employees, it is well known that the machine is hard to manage for staff. The device requires a nightly cleaning cycle that can fail and requires a technician to fix it. The Biden Administration has begun

looking into whether manufacturing companies have been blocking owners from fixing these broken products themselves. This sentiment is not uncommon, and advocates of the “right to repair” movement have also fought for the same thing. Activists in this community believe that companies should make it easier for their clients to repair their products and consumer electronics.

The FTC introduced laws in July which push back against manufacturers and protect the “right to repair”.

“The policy statement adopted today is aimed at manufacturers’ practices that make it extremely difficult for purchasers to repair their products or shop around for other service providers to do it for them. By enforcing against restrictions that violate antitrust or consumer protection laws, the Commission is taking important steps to restore the right to repair,” says the FTC website.

McDonalds continues to make promises to improve on its fast food delivery service.

“Nothing is more important to us than delivering on our high standards for food quality and safety, which is why we work with fully vetted partners that can reliably provide safe solutions at scale,” said McDonald’s USA in a statement with NPR. “The art of the broken McDonald’s ice cream machines. So mysterious, sultry, classic, and a defining experience of going to McDonalds.

Sweet victory tastes like artificial vanilla bean. Winning the unpredictability of whether the Donald Gods are in your favor tastes glorious,” said Sophomore ASB President Kelly Cheng.

For the meantime, McDonalds has promised to begin troubleshooting with new solutions by training their workers better and instituting more frequent checks on the machines. Thanks to new FTC regulations we can all hopefully look forward to a future filled with more McDonalds ice cream. ssahni@arcadiaquill.com

Graphic Courtesy of WIKIMEDIACOMMONS

arcadiaquill.com

FEBRUARY 2022

SEEKEATS: A BLOOMING PLATFORM

businesses in the Arcadia, Temple Staff Writer City area, but we have just recently Seekeats is a platform that was cre- gotten our first business partner at ated by Phillip Lau, a former Arcadia USC. We plan to expand throughout High School (AHS) student. Lau is a the 626 and in LA near the USC area. senior at University of Southern CaliSabrina: What kind of restaurants fornia and is currently studying Eco- are you currently partnering with? nomics, Business Finance, and Applied Phillip: We are currently partAnalytics. In addition to Lau, AHS nered with 12 local businesses instudents junior Jocelyn Wang and se- cluding Wushiland Boba, Tancca, nior Rebecca Tao contribute to the plat- Chatime Arcadia, Poke Bar Arcaform. They work with Marketing and dia, 7/11 Monrovia, White Springs Business Development for SeekEats. Cafe, Goki Cafe, Clover Leaf Sabrina: What is Seekeats? Cafe & Bakery, Cup o Joy, SunCan you please give a brief de- day’s Old Town Bistro, Cafe Roule, scription about the platform? and Chris’s KBBQ. We are open Phillip: SeekEats is a USC based to partnering with any local busistartup focused on giving local busi- nesses in our area that are interested nesses advertising in exchange for ex- in joining the SeekEats network. clusive discounts on specific days. We Sabrina: To Arcadia stuprovide a platform for local businesses dents who aspire to start their who lack an online social media pres- own business/platform, could ence to advertise and promote their dis- you give some advice to them? counts and seasonal promotions in the Phillip: The main advice that I same location as all of the other busi- would give students would be to first nesses in the area. This way, users can properly think about their idea and do conveniently see all of the local dis- some research regarding whether or counts and deals in their area in the same not there would actually be demand congregated place, and decide where or interest in whatever they wanted to go based on the discount incentive. to make. After that, if you confirm Sabrina: Is there an a source of inspi- and believe that you have a good ration that led you to create this platform? idea, you have nothing to lose, just Phillip: I did not have previous ex- go for it. A proper collaborative team perience with entrepreneurship as I am environment will make all the difstudying Economics & Finance. I will be ference when the going gets tough! working at a $2.21 trillion dollar investYou can follow Seekeats’ jourment management firm called PIMCO in ney on their website and Instathe near future, but over quarantine, I just gram page. Though the platform is knew that I had an idea and wanted to still new, they provide an innovagive it a shot. I wanted to create some- tive way for customers and busithing that would impact the community ness owners to get what they want. and could be usable by everyone I know.

Sabrina: Your website says “local food alerts on the go.”

Does local refer only to Arcadia? slo@arcadiaquill.com Graphic Courtesy of SEEKEATS Phillip: We started out with our first

By SABRINA LO

FEBRUARY 2022

features.arcadiaquill@gmail.com

FEATURES

09

MY SCALY PET: REPTILE OWNER SPOTLIGHT

By MICHELLE SO Staff Writer

Reptiles are undeniably one of the most underrated class of pets.

The term ‘reptile’ refers to snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, alligators, and everything in between.

There is an unspoken misconception that they just exist to sit in the crusty fishtank of a nerd’s garage.

“What’s that over there?” “It’s just a lizard” “Oh.” Occasionally evoking looks of disgust or “ew”, these cold-blooded animals don’t deserve to be misunderstood.

I, myself, am an owner of a RES (reptile slang for ‘Red-eared slider’) turtle. I named her Squirtle in fourth grade, after the adorable turtle pokemon. It’s been over 6 years since then, and she continues to be a huge part of our family.

Though not the most interactive pet, she does have some quirks. Squirtle hates being touched and will go to great lengths to get a bite of human flesh, so sticking my hand into her enclosure is a big no. Instead, I feed her treats–broccoli, boiled eggs, and bugs–using tongs.

This was not how I envisioned life with a Red-eared slider would be, which are amongst the friendliest of turtle species. It’s just an example of how, while it may not seem obvious, every animal has its own personality. And Squirtle has yet to come out of her shell–pun intended!

I met up with sophomore Nisa Qureshi over video call to hear more about the reptile owner experience.

Qureshi is a self-proclaimed animal lover and, at any given moment, has her hands full with her four tortoises, backyard chickens, and a bearded dragon. For the interview, Mintu, one of Qureshi’s tortoises, rested sleepily on a towel beside her, occasionally gifting us a precious yawn.

“She’s supposed to slowly come out of hibernation now,” Qureshi explained. “Today was one of the days I was going to check up on her.

So that’s why I brought her with me.”

Qureshi’s tortoises, Pintu, Mintu, Chintu, and Sultan, are all “freerange”, and roam around the entire backyard grazing and digging burrows. Pintu, Mintu, and Chintu are all California Desert tortoises and came from the same clutch of eggs.

Sultan, however, easily stands out

ology Honors at AHS and happens to belong to the rare group of people who enjoy the company of snakes. He says many students are often intrigued, or frightened, by the glossy, black snake that resides in the middle of his class.

“His name is Sam and he’s Kingsnake.

A Sonoran Kingsnake,” said Mr. Monden.

amongst his shelled companions. “[Sultan] is a big Sulcata tortoise that’s like, three feet wide, and he has, like, a whole entire personality,” she exclaimed. “I was feeding him cucumber today, and he’s a bit lazy, and he doesn’t like to walk. I moved the cucumber closer so he could walk and get it. He just stood there looking at me. He’s like, ‘No, I’m not going to walk. You have to feed it to me.’”

Sultan’s stubborn antics are just one example of the colorful interactions Qureshi has had with her reptiles.

During online class last year, she tried to show off her bearded dragon, Spike, to classmates. As she brought Spike closer to the camera, he broke free from her hold, skittered to the computer, defecated (on the keyboard!), and ran.

The incident had Qureshi cracking up, as she assured me that it smelled “really, really bad.”

On the other, the less-legged end of the reptile spectrum lies the more feared and misunderstood snakes. Mr. Craig Monden teaches Biology and Bi-

The story of how Mr. Monden acquired Sam goes back a long way.

He grew up in Hawaii, where keeping pet snakes is illegal, due to the lack of natural predators. As a result, Mr. Monden became fascinated with them.

“I grew up reading about snakes in books and always wondered what a snake is or how it can move that fast without legs. It’s such a weird concept to me,” he said. “When I got to the mainland, I said, ‘Okay, the first thing I’m going to do is buy a snake.’”

He actually ended up buying three. The first two, garter snakes, sadly perished, but Sam has survived and has been doing well ever since.

In fact, Sam has been doing a bit too well. The person whom Mr. Monden bought Sam from claimed the species only lived 8 to 10 years, but Sam is going on 23-years-old this year.

“Either I’m taking really good care of him or somebody lied to me,” Mr. Monden joked.

What’s not a joke is how insanely long most reptiles live with proper

care. A well kept snake can easily reach double digits while certain tortoises are known to outlive their owners. Yep, you heard that right. Pet reptiles are a lifelong endeavor, and it’s important not to jump headfirst into the hobby.

Qureshi did weeks worth of research before getting Spike the bearded dragon, but it wasn’t until she actually got him that she learned about their need for regular nail trimming.

“It’s really hard because he hates when I hold his hand,” Qureshi said, stifling a laugh. “So right when he falls asleep, I cut his nails then.”

Manicure for a pet lizard isn’t all that crazy when you understand the role that reptiles play in their owners’ lives. Not exactly as affectionseeking as dogs or cats, reptiles are more of a platonic love; they accept the devotion we provide but don’t ask for more than the bare minimum.

Yet, as it remains to be said, snakes are not cool to everyone. These chill animals, which would rather be basking than attacking you, are one of the most common fears amongst adults, and for no logical reason!

“Every animal in the world bites and a snake doesn’t bite any more frequently than any other animal,” said Mr. Monden. “Like Sam, for example. You don’t have to worry about Sam biting. Unless you’re a mouse, or you smell like meat. Then those are two things that I would be cautious about.”

In sum, reptiles are wondrously underrated as animals and as pets. They deserve more than what the media gives them. With the proper husbandry, these scalyskinned creatures can be more than just objects of admiration, they can be lifelong companions.

mso@arcadiaquill.com

Photo Courtesy of Michelle So

10 TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

arcadiaquill.com

FEBRUARY 2022

By CHLOE WONG

If you’ve ever felt anxious at the sight finally confess your feelings in fifth period, for teens to get swept up in the idea of roma February comes around. During this month ways; valentines, roses, and carnation gra to remember that February isn’t only a time Every year in February, the nation ob Month. Officially recognized by Congress ness Month is a time to discuss violence i those who’ve survived it. In general, dating or emotional. Common signs of dating viole pressuring someone into sexual acts—howev as trying to restrict someone’s actions and While all age demographics experience d in teen relationships. Approximately 1 in 10 te a partner. This is because adolescents are far vulnerable to emotions like jealousy, teens a in volatile, unhealthy relationships. Teen dati of abuse, as children who witness violence a tionships, either through eventually experienc Just as with adult relationships, dating lescents. It can lead to permanent physical agers who experience dating violence hav al, and are also vulnerable to drug and a habits frequently carry over into adulthoo a higher chance of being victimized again tors, dating violence can also cause anxi With awareness surrounding dating viole Dating Violence Month and Dating Matters off In particular, Dating Matters places an emph dating violence—specifically, learning what age may prevent someone from becoming inv you believe you may be experiencing dating friends to include those you feel safe with, and You may also want to contact the National Do Teen relationships are typically percei why high school couples figure in some of ever made. However, while teen relationship important to raise awareness surrounding th pany them. February is a time that’s saturated Violence Awareness Month, ensure that yours

cf.arcadiaquill@gmail.com

Campus Focus Editor

t of your crush or wondered if you should then you may already know that it’s easy ance. This rings especially true every time h, gestures of affection transpire in hallams are exchanged. Still, it’s important e to recognize true love and St. Valentine. bserves Teen Dating Violence Awareness in 2010, Teen Dating Violence Awarein teen relationships and offer support to g violence can be physical, mental, sexual, ence include stalking, physical abuse, and ver, controlling or irrational behavior, such friendships, can also be critical red flags. dating violence, abuse is especially prevalent eens have experienced abuse at the hands of from emotionally mature: being incredibly are more likely to find themselves involved ing violence can also result from the cycle at home tend to mirror it in their own relacing abuse or committing abuse themselves. g violence leaves lasting impacts on adol and mental damage: for example, teenve a greater chance of becoming suicidalcohol use. Moreover, unhealthy dating od—this means that abused teens have n in college. Along with these other faciety, depression, and antisocial behavior. ence on the rise, organizations such as Teen ffer helpful resources about domestic abuse. hasis on preventative measures against teen healthy relationships look like at a young volved with an abusive partner later on. If violence, consider adjusting your circle of d talk to a trusted adult about your situation. omestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE. ived as youthful and exhilarating—that’s f the most well-known romantic comedies ps can certainly be fun and sweet, it’s also he dysfunction that can sometimes accomd by the concept of love—this Teen Dating s is healthy and sustainable.

AWARENESS MONTH 11

12

A&E

arcadiaquill.com

MAMMA MIA!

By ASHLEY CHAN

Staff Writer

The Arcadia Stage Theatre Company here at Arcadia High School (AHS) is excited to present their upcoming, in-person, spring musical Mamma Mia!.

This musical will be entirely performed by members of the Arcadia Stage Theatre Company, and will take place in AHS’ Performing Arts Center (PAC). There are four productions: Mar. 17 and Mar. 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Mar. 19 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at arcadiastage.com. Seniors and AHS students can enter at a cost of $10, general admission costs $15, and VIP seating is $30.

Mamma Mia! is an uplifting and inspiring musical that will have the audience singing and dancing to the musical tunes of ABBA. ABBA, a famous Swedish pop group, is made up of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. In 1999, ABBA’s music was adapted into Mamma Mia!, and into the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, in 2018. The music composed for Mamma Mia! and its sequel influenced AHS’ Mamma Mia! production!

The Arcadia Stage Theatre Company’s Beginning and Advanced Stage Craft students have created an amazing set design for Mamma Mia!. It is a three-story set with plenty of surprise pieces!

Additionally, the L.A. Health Department has lifted COVID-19 restrictions on Mega events, and thus, it is no longer required to check audience member’s vaccination status. However, masks will still be required for all cast, crew, and audience members.

In terms of the lead roles in Mamma Mia!, Emily Fang is cast as Sophie Sheridan; Ashley Wearp is cast as Ali; Ariel Alcazar is cast as Lisa; Nat Freese is cast as Donna Sheidan; Meron Girma is cast as Tonya; Katie Siriani is cast as Rosie; Jared Dianels is cast as Sky; Christopher Munoz is cast as Pepper; Kyle Alpine is cast as Eddie; Brian Oh is cast as Harry Bright; Mako Amano is cast as Bill Austin; Kevin Wu is cast as Sam Carmichael; and Ben Porter is cast as Father Alexandrios. The choreographer is Jean Michelle Sayeg, the director is Steven Volpe, and the musical director is Allen Everman.

Juniors Emilie Conner and Amber Comanescu describe their roles in the production, and explain how they prepared in advance for the show.

“I am cast as a Featured Dancer in Mamma Mia! and it’s a lot of fun!” stated junior Emilie Conner. “With musicals there is a lot of choreography which means hav

-ing a lot of rehearsals for the various numbers in the show. As far as role prep goes, in Advanced Theatre we always take a class day to focus on creating and truly tapping into our character and their environment, regardless if they are main characters or not. Relating the character to yourself is one of the more helpful tactics, for example I dance in ‘Voulez-Vous’ which is one big dance party before Sophie’s wedding, and who doesn’t love dancing at a party with your friends? Breaking down the goals and different achievements of your character is truly what brings them to life in each scene.”

“My role in our production, Mamma Mia!, is Lead Dancer,” said junior Amber Comenescu. “I prepared by learning the dance numbers through constant practice and repetition.

It is evident that a tremendous amount of effort and dedication was put into this musical, and a large number of memories were made as well.

“My favorite memory from Mamma Mia! so far is getting to know the Intermediate Theatre students who were cast in it alongside myself and the other Advanced members,” Conner remarked. “For those who don’t know, Arcadia Stage’s fall productions are performed by just the Advanced cast, while the spring musical is opened up for the intermediate class to audition.

It’s definitely a change having the two classes work together on a show, but it’s very fun, and we learn a lot from each other.”

“My favorite memory from preparing for the show was learning all the choreography for the dance numbers, and seeing our costumes for the first time,” Comanescu claimed.

When considering the efforts put into Mamma Mia!, there are plenty of reasons why you should look forward to the production.

“The main thing I’m excited for people to experience when they come and see Mamma Mia! is our set and lighting,” Conner said, “I can’t reveal too much, but I will say that the PAC is going to be one fun disco club! The audience for Mamma Mia! is even invited to get up and dance along with us on stage to all this amazing ABBA music that truly represents the heart of the 1970s. Sophie and Donna’s story of self-discovery will make you laugh, cry, and dance your way out of the theater. We have been working so hard and are all thrilled to share our show when we open in mid March!”

“I think what people are going to be looking forward to the most is the music,” Comanescu stated. “Most people know ABBA and will find themselves singing along with the cast and will have a fun time watching the performance.”

Keep up the good work to the Arcadia Stage Theatre Company! We hope to see you at Mamma Mia!. achan@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of ARCADIA STAGE THEATRE COMPANY

FEBRUARY 2022

TOP THREE SONG RECOMMENDATIONS

By HENRINA ZHANG

Staff Writer

In this season of love and Valentine’s Day, emotions become a little more intense, from the affection between couples to the feelings of single individuals. Dealing with all these different emotions may be overwhelming, but there is a myriad of things that will help someone express their feelings, one of which is music. Music is an amazing way to feel the indescribable, whether it be love or heartbreak. So to celebrate the season of love, and the season of emotions, here are three songs that might be perfect for you.

As the debut single of One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful”, is a pop song that won’t fail to get you humming. This song was written

by Savan Kotecha and producer Rami Yacoub on Sept. 11, 2011. With the upbeat guitar and catchy chorus, this song tells the story of love.

“I like vibing and singing to ‘What Makes You Beautiful, especially in the car,” stated sophomore Edward Lai. “It’s really cute and catchy.”

“What Makes You Beautiful” is an amazing song to dance to and have fun with.

It tells the story of a girl who is very insecure and always puts herself down. But her lover sees nothing but beauty. From her personality to her behavior, down to the very last detail, her lover sees past surface-level flaws, appreciating the person deep down.

If you ever feel down, remember, beauty is about what’s within!

“I Would Have Given You the Moon,” released on Jan. 28, 2022, is a lovely piano-pop ballad written by American singersong-

through rough times; the beautifully written lyrics evoke the feelings that may be hidden.

“I first found it on TikTok,” sophomore Jolene Shen said. “This song makes me feel sad, but that’s good because I really resonate with it.

The meaning… hits a little different and it’s one of my favorite songs.”

I recommend “I Would Have Given You the Moon” because it’s a fairly new song from an up-and-coming artist, and it deserves attention. If you ever feel taken for granted, or not appreciated enough, I recommend this emotional, heartfelt song.

“Paris,” by The Chainsmokers, released on Jan. 13, 2017, is a slow electro-pop song with many underlying themes, from love to addiction. Paris, is a sentimental yearning for a reality that isn’t genuine; an irrecoverable condition for fantasy that evokes nostalgia or daydreams.

This song features American singersongwriter Emily Warren, a frequent collaborator with The Chainsmokers, and one of the leading writers of “Paris” is Andrew Taggart. In fact, this song is inspired by a friend of his who struggled with serious drug addiction. But there are also many lyrics that hit close to home in the love department. “Paris” talks about a fantasy world of two lovers who think life is going amazing, but in reality, their lives and the people around them are falling apart.

“I like to play this song when I feel nostalgic, like if I’m missing my friends,” said junior Leo Liang. “The song is slow and makes me feel relaxed. I just like to chill to it.”

It prompts a nostalgic and longing feeling, similar to how you might feel lying in your bed and staring at the ceiling, dreaming up an imaginary situation. If you’re looking for a song that can carry you into a world of fantasy, “Paris” is the perfect one for you.

With the countless supply of songs out there, finding one that matches your mood isn’t that hard. Whether it be something to get you dancing, or something to get you crying, music is one of the best ways to release your emotions.

hzhang@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK and FLATICON.COM

A&E

ae.arcadiaquill@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2022

13

REMEMBERING MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER GAMES

By KATE DE PRIMA

Staff Writer

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) are online games with hundreds or thousands of players on a single server—but they’re better defined by popular titles like “Minecraft” or “World of Warcraft”. They typically involve exploring an open world and include role-playing aspects no matter the genre of the game.

MMOs are over 30-years-old, their initial inspiration coming from multiplayer games like “Dungeons and Dragons” and similar tabletop games. The first MMO, “Mazewar,” went live in 1974 and allowed players to explore a maze while fending off other players. Throughout the 1970s, dozens of MMOs were published and played through the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, better known as the ARPANET, a predecessor of the internet. As time went on, games’ worlds improved, often incorporating complex economic systems and allowing players free control to explore or create their own adventure.

The worlds of MMOs are vast, with genres spanning from dystopian to fantasy and thousands of variations and combinations in between. Role-playing features play

an immensely important role in the culture of MMOs—which is why most MMOs are also often classified as MMORPGs (the extra “RPG” standing for ‘role-playing game’).

Nearly all games require players to interact with others to fully immerse or progress through the game. Most notably, role-playing features encourage players to befriend others, expanding the social development of certain worlds and setting the values and norms of a game.

Our generation is probably most familiar with games like Animal Jam, Club Penguin, Poptropica, or Wizard101—all of which my friends or I were obsessed with during our elementary and middle school days. MMOs were an equally relaxing and exciting escape from the woes of school and homework, and I made countless friends playing them, both in the real world and in online ones.

These games all fea-

tured unique traits of their own, especially in terms of customization.

Arcadia High School junior Sophia Nuñez recalled her favorite part of “Animal Jam” was “collecting plushies and decorating [her] house” Collecting clothing or furniture was an integral part of playing these games—not only to enhance characters’ appearances but rare or limited edition items often created a sort of social structure among players.

Memberships also divided player populations further into social hierarchies. Memberships are usually subscription-based payments that allow players more access to in-game features—ranging from better clothes, homes, or special events. Aside from playing with her friends in Animal Jam, junior Kenzie Rios enjoyed her member-

ship that “unlocked extra animals that regular players couldn’t get.”

Memberships not only unlocked exclusive items and features but placed players at the top of games’ social hierarchies. They were highly sought after, but many players were hacked as a result of becoming a member—especially in games dominated by younger players who have to ask a parent’s permission. Nuñez shared that after she “got her membership as a birthday gift” her account was sadly banned after she was hacked.

The unique culture, economies, and social features of MMOs keeps games entertaining for hours, and to this day I’ll occasionally log back to my favorites just to take a peek at my old home or see how worlds have changed.

kdeprima@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK

SPOTIFY ARTISTS VS. JOE ROGAN

By KIRA CAMACHO

Staff Writer

In today’s culture, artists and content creators are serious and vocal with their political views and opinions. Influencers and people alike are learning to take a stand against policies, people, and corporations they don’t like. Most recently, artists on Spotify have been fighting against Joe Rogan and his podcast.

It started with Neil Young, a Canadian artist most famously from Buffalo Springfield, as well as a band called Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. According to Ashley King, Young came across an open letter to Spotify from 12,270 medical professionals, asking Spotify to institute a misinformation policy. In the letter, they specifically mentioned episode #1757 of Rogan’s podcast.

On Jan. 24, Young called attention to this letter, writing his own to Spotify on his website the Neil Young Archives.

“It detailed an open letter to Spotify Technology SA, SPOT 9.18% published ear-

lier in January, from teachers, scientists and medical professionals urging the streaming giant to address what they deemed false information about COVID-19 vaccines on Joe Rogan’s podcast.”

Young decided to write his own letter to Spotify, asking his record label and management to remove his music from the platform immediately. Two days later, Spotify obliged and took down his music.

“For most of the week after Mr. Young’s ultimatum, it didn’t feel like a crisis at Spotify, said people inside the company.” reported Steele and Jurgensen.

But when Young’s peers joined in on the boycott, things changed.

Joni Mitchell, Nils Lofgren, Inda Arie, Graham Nash, Failure, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and CSN (Crosby, Stills, and Nash), all removed their music from Spotify in solidarity. After that, Spotify was quick to respond.

“We want all the world’s music and audio content to be available to Spotify users.

With that comes great responsibility in balancing both safety for listeners and freedom for creators.” Spotify said in a written statement.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek sent a letter to Spotify’s employees apologizing for the Rogan controversy, yet, stating that he did “not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.”

Ek informed his employees that Spotify has been talking to Rogan about the content of his show, and his use of racial slurs. After Rogan’s apology, Ek and Rogan decided to move the episodes in hopes of protecting their most popular podcaster.

Since then, Spotify has removed over 20,000 COVID-19 related podcast episodes, and 70 episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast. They have also creat-

ed a Covid information hub, in which Spotify will begin tagging COVID-19 related content with an advisory, pointing users to health and science information.

In response, Young is urging Spotify employees to quit their jobs. He posted a statement on his website, urging people to “ditch the misinformers.”

“To the workers at SPOTIFY, I say Daniel Ek is your big problem—not Joe Rogan,” he stated. “Ek pulls the strings. Get out of that place before it eats up your soul. The only goals stated by Ek are about numbers—not art, not creativity.”

Young’s call to action emphasizes the dramatically increasing stand that artists, and many young people, are taking against huge corporations. People are no longer standing by corporations when they make mistakes.

Activists like Young are discovering they have more power to change things for the better. Controversies like this show that artists and content creators alike are taking a more active role in combating misinformation.

kcamacho@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of FREEPIK

14

SPORTS THE VARSITY SONG TEAM arcadiaquill.com

By MADISON YEE Staff Writer Arcadia’s Varsity Song team is always ready to bring school spirit and fun performances to sports games and assemblies all year round. Although we know them for their high energy and exceptional dancing skills, what goes on behind the scenes, and what have been their takeaways so far?

Each year, the Varsity Song team participates in cheering on Arcadia High School at football and basketball games, while also doing many rallies, assemblies, and half-time performances. Recently on Jan. 22, they went to the Sharp Competition at Upland High School and placed 1st for the High School Pom division.

Current senior and Team Captain Rianne Fujinaga has been on the team for all four

years of high school and expressed the importance of a good team dynamic.

“I love my team members so much! We’re always working together to meet choreo deadlines. All of them are so hardworking and are great at compromising with each other,” said Fujinaga.

Not only do they grow closer during their daily practices and weekly events, the team also has fun being together outside of school hours.

Fujinaga recalls a memory from their Halloween bonding event where she was able to “hang out with the girls outside of a dance setting. It was really great getting closer.”

Sophomore Lindsey Popoff agreed and the same as Fujinaga, she said that she “loves [her] team and how [they] grow together. Performing with them is [her] favorite part.”

When reflecting on the year, two-year member junior Agnes Eng also looks back on her time with the team so far. For Agnes, her

favorite performance was the Homecoming Assembly.

“My favorite memory is the Homecoming Assembly because the adrenaline and energy of performing alongside my teammates has become such a core memory for me. Months of hard work compressed in two minutes was worth it!” Eng mentioned.

On the other hand, freshman Lexi Ledesma, she enjoys the opportunity to “cheer for the football games and rallies because it’s always so much fun learning and performing dances for the crowd.”

During the first semester with football season, Pep Squad cheers on the sidelines with different jingles, cheers, chants, and stomps.

For home games, they would also decorate the Salter Stadium with posters and host pep rally performances on the Rally Court at lunch.

However, this semester they have switched to basketball season so that the team can give

FEBRUARY 2022

the same spirit to the Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams.

Speaking of this, Song’s performances don’t go without hours of practice and perfecting their routines. From the extensive tryout process to summer practices that extend throughout the whole school year, the team has been able to learn a lot.

“So far, I have learned many new techniques and have been able to improve on my turns and kicks. I also found a passion for dancing that I didn’t know I had,” said sophomore Kailani Yamashiro.

As of right now, be on the lookout for Song’s amazing performances at sports games and at the upcoming Spring Assembly alongside the Varsity Cheer and Pep Flags team.

myee@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of RIANNE FUJINAGA

THE JUNIOR VARSITY SWIM TEAM

By AINSLEY NAJAFZADEH Staff Wrtier

With the scent of chlorine in the air, Arcadia High School’s (AHS) Co-Ed Junior Varsity Swim team dives into 2022 with a new and exciting team, welcoming both returning swimmers and newcomers. Without wasting any time, the swimmers are all up and in the pool, hard at work in preparation for their upcoming meets.

Due to swim season overlapping with Girls Water Polo, the swim team had limited practice time in January, but that didn’t stop them from working hard to improve and become stronger before the competitions begin.

Freshman Emelia Asadoorian said, “I started taking swimming classes when I was about 3-years-old, and when I was 10, I joined a competitive swim team. I competed with that team for almost two years, but COVID-19 messed with my normal swim schedule. I am passionate about swim and work hard to improve my time. My teammates’ and my love for swimming constantly inspire me to keep going.”

The swimmers are already preparing

for their upcoming meets with the Red/Gold practice meet, a practice meet which allows the swimmers to have a feel for the swim meet style and get a sense of what to expect. The swimmers will gain experience at the practice meet as well as mentally prepare themselves.

All of this is in anticipation for their first official meet on Feb. 22, which will be held at Walnut High School.

Freshman Cana Ufodike said, “Before I did competitive swimming I did synchronized swimming. I stopped doing it for about 4 years but now that I attend AHS I knew I wanted to swim competitively.”

Apart from working hard to improve, the swimmers have formed numerous friendships with their teammates as they bond through their shared love of swimming and are exposed to the competitive swimming world together.

These talented swimmers will continue to work hard in preparation for their upcoming meets, working as a team to encourage one another, and we AHS students will be there to cheer them on.

anajafzadeh@arcadiaquill.com Photo by DCI

arcadiaquill.com

FEBRUARY 2022

SPORTS

15

2022 Beijing Olympics

By SABINA LO Staff Writer It’s been the hottest topic on the news – the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing, China. With COVID and diplomatic boycotts, there are far fewer spectators this time around, but the energy is just as high.

The opening ceremony was held Feb. 4 at the Beijing National Stadium. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the opening of the 24th Olympic Winter Games. Although this year’s opening ceremony was 43% less viewed on NBC than in 2018, it consisted of breathtaking laser shows. The U.S. Flag Bearers were speedskater Brittany Bowe and curler John Shuster.

COVID-19 has had a heartbreaking ef-

fect on some athletes, who have had to withdraw from their competitions due to testing positive.

One example is U.S. men’s figure skater Vincent Zhou. Zhou competed in the figure skating team event on Feb. 6, and the U.S. got silver.

That night, while teammates were celebrating the success, he found out that he had tested positive for COVID. Still, he could compete in the men’s singles event on Feb. 8 if he managed to get two negative tests. His hopes were dashed when a second positive result confirmed that he would, unfortunately, have to withdraw.

Despite the Olympics looking different this time around, history has been made and records have already been broken and pushed to higher levels; something that happens in every one of the Games.

Men’s figure skater Nathan Chen achieved tremendous success in the short program held

Feb. 7. Setting a world record of 113.97, he made headlines with “redemption” from his disastrous 2018 Olympic experience. On Feb. 9, he skated in the long program, ending with a total score of 332.60, earning Team USA a gold medal. The podium was complete with Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno taking silver and bronze.

Zoi-Sadowski-Synnott won New Zealand its first-ever Winter Olympics gold medal, winning in snowboard slopestyle. Women’s figure skater Kamila Valieva became the first woman to ever land a quadruple jump in the team event on Feb. 6 at 15 years old. American freeskier Eileen Gu who represented China won gold, becoming the youngest freestyle-skiing champion.

21-year-old Chloe Kim also got another gold medal, consecutive to her gold medal from

the 2018 Games. She won in the women’s snowboard halfpipe and made history by becoming the first woman ever to win consecutive Olympic halfpipe gold medals.

The U.S. is currently ranked 3rd place in terms of the overall medal count, with Norway placing first. Team USA’s first medal came from 24 year old snowboarder Julia Marino, who won a silver medal in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event. So far, the U.S. has received 7 gold medals, with other gold medal favorites.

The Olympic Games will go on for another week, and the closing ceremony will be held Feb. 20.

slo@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of WIKIMEDIA.COMMONS.ORG

VALORANT INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

By MARYAM SADEGHIFARD Staff Writer Our very own Esports team at Arcadia High School (AHS) is hosting its biggest high school Southern California tournament in history. With the Esports committee at our school teaming up with OSCA Esports, this tournament is one you do not want to miss, the dates of these tournaments being on Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 26-27 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Esports includes a wide range of games that we have all heard about. Some of the most popular games include Fortnite, League of Legends, Starcraft II, and much more. The tournament in which AHS is participating is the Valorant video game.

Valorant is a five-player v. five-player firstplayer shooting game that is free to play. The

objective of the game is to detonate an explosive, win 13 rounds, and eliminate the whole opposing team by then. Basically, one team attacks and the other defends. With its easy objective, this makes it the perfect game to partake in for the tournament.

Reversah’s Southern California Valorant invitational is featuring schools across Southern California, with over 15 high schools attending. With free participation in this tournament, this is sure to be a perfect opportunity for those who are passionate about electronic sports and excel in games like this one. All high school students are able to participate for free. Even if you do not compete, you can still spectate the gameplay. As the tournament comes closer and closer, the anticipation from those participating is rising.

“As with every tournament, there’s a

lot of logistical things going on that we have to manage as the date comes closer, but with such a big tournament, one that’s open to such a vast majority, this stress and anticipation that everything will run smoothly is almost tripled.

But fortunately, we have some amazing partners and sponsors that have been helping us with this tournament, making this process a little easier.” said junior Pailin Tan, a member of the Arcadia Esports team.

The prize pool for this tournament is very impressive and makes this tournament very competitive to compete in with a prize pool of over $4000, having tech sponsors like Reversah, AVGL, Seasonic, ZOWIE from BenQ, HyperX, and many more. The prize money will go to the winners of the game. For those that aren’t able to make the tournament but still want to be able to spectate, there will be a live stream-

ing cast streaming the whole tournament as it goes. With a VCT Crew and guests from Twitch, this is able to be made possible.

The Arcadia Esports team and the OSCA Esports Instagram are hosting a giveaway along with this tournament. There will be five winners on their Instagram, and the winners would receive a choice between a lanyard from Reversah on Instagram, or a $10 Valorant gift card. Multiple entries are allowed and the steps to enter are super easy.

Make sure to support our Esports team in this tournament, and if you are interested in partaking in this, fill out the form, or spectate and watch through the live stream.

msadeghifard@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of UNSPLASH.COM

16

CAMPUS FOCUS

arcadiaquill.com

1

FEBRUARY 2022

what is your opinion on valentine’s day?

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day or not is definitely a personal choice, but I believe that Valentine’s Day is more than just about the relationship between a couple, rather love and appreciation in general. It could be self-love, or love for your friends and family.

(You could buy yourself some flowers or chocolate to celebrate!)

However, love and appreciation definitely shouldn’t be restricted to just one day, you should show that you love and care for the people around you whenever possible.” - Doris Ma, 12.

2

if you did, how did you celebrate valentine’s day this year?

“I gave out Valentine’s snack bouquets to a few of my friends and watched sappy videos and romcoms with my sister.” - Arianna Aquino, 11.

3

if you weren’t able to, who would you have wanted to spend it with?

“I didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but in the future, I would want to spend it with my loved ones, such as my friends and family. Valentine’s Day could be a day to show my appreciation and spend time with them.” - Ashley Choi, 12.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S!