September 2023

The Arcadia Quill

Arcadia High School • 180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91006 • @arcadiaquill

APES Platoon Cheer Competition

By ANNIE JIANG News Editor

Lunchtime at Arcadia High School (AHS) on Aug. 23 brought an unexpected thrill to an otherwise typical day: 12 AP Environmental Science (APES) classes gathered on the grass area in front of S-Building in 12 distinct colors, uniting for the annual APES platoon cheer competition.

The competition features a variety of elements, such as cheers, designated platoon names, and students showcasing creativity in embodying their class spirit. The 12 APES classes competed in units, with each color being represented by a different period taught by one of the four APES teachers. The winners were decided through votes, with a reward of extra credit for every student in the winning classes: “Delta” (1st place), “Hotel” and “Lima” (tied for 2nd place), and “Alpha” and “Bravo” (tied for 3rd place).

Whether it’s the energized opening statement of “Welcome to Delta Airlines” to en-

liven the slogan “Delta”, or birdie the cartwheel to cheer out “Golf”, students from all classes brainstormed their own creative ideas to embrace the APES spirit. First introduced in the 2014-2015 school year, this year holds even more significance not only due to a higher student population, but also because it marks the competition’s 10th anniversary.

Junior Emerson Chen, a student from Ms. Charlene Nguyen’s period 5 APES class who cheered for “Hotel”, shared his enjoyment about the competition.

“It was a great experience; everyone was so energetic, [they] seemed really into it,” said Chen. “I learned how to [do] team work and collaborate through this cheer competition and the Boot Camp.”

The APES Boot Camp is a week-long preparation activity focused on the soft skills that students require to succeed in the course. During the week, students take part in activities like solving puzzles and working together in groups, which are designed to improve their communi-

HOMECOMING THEME PAGE 4

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cation, teamwork, and success in the course.

Ms. Flora Ung is currently in her second year of teaching APES at AHS, sharing her perspective on the competition and the APES class.

“Even if it’s a competition, it’s a friendly dynamic. It’s really nice for me to see everyone supporting each other; a lot of people are really cheery, put a smile on their faces, and they can see their friends goofy.”

“The Boot Camp and cheer competition is a fast way for everyone to know each other better,” said Ms. Ung. “All the work we do in APES revolves around group work; they are making a family you can rely on. It’s a really fun way for students to get that class bonding, and in a way that is very different from other classes.”

Similarly, Mr. Peter Vo, the Activities Director and a former APES teacher, holds the competition and the APES spirits in high esteem.

“I know the first few days classes are generally used to cover syllabus and class rules, so being able to just focus on games and challenges is a welcome break for the

students,” said Mr. Vo. “I love that within five days of school starting, students already break down the awkward social barriers that would normally take months to get through.”

“With all the challenges that the classes go through, it’s great to see the different types of leaders that emerge. The cheer competition itself is a fun way to publicly show the creativity that each class has and how they interpret the challenge,” Mr. Vo added. “Being out of APES for three years, I personally enjoy how the four current teachers have taken the class and turned it into an even more engaging course.”

The APES class has become highly popular in recent years due to its distinct and unique activities. With AHS’ academically-focused atmosphere, the annual APES competition undoubtedly sets a welcoming and friendly tone for the new school year.

ajiang@arcadiaquill.com

BARBIE

REVIEW PAGE 12

FOOTBALL VS. BREA OLINDA PAGE 14

VARSITY

Photo by ANNIE JIANG

Photo by ARCADIAASB

Photo by ANNIE JIANG

Graphic by SIDDHI KARTHIKEYA

Photo by AINSLEY NAJAFZADEH

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editors in Chief: Michelle So, Chloe Wong, Madison Yee

News Editors: Clarissa Suryapranata, Annie Jiang

Opinion Editors: Ellie Gladson-Pang, Michael Hum

Features Editor: Harini Devaguptapu

Arts & Entertainment Editor: Caroline Li, Kathy Wong

Sports Editor: Sophia Li, Sohana Sahni

Media Editor: Lauryn Chao

Campus Focus Editors: Justina Liu and Lorin Teng

GENERAL STAFF

Staff Writers: Sydney Chau, Colette Chen, Emma Chen, Julia Chen, Patrick Cheng, Ardy Chien, Christopher Chu, Richard Dai, Jayeesha Deb, Olivia Deng, Jose Gama, Collin Gee, David Gerges, Ekam Gupta, Michelle Ho, Myriam Kabani, Juhi Kakarla, Ellie Kwan, Issac Leung, Lucia Lim, Addison Nguyen, Ryan Parizadeh, Breeanna Pham, Sophia Ren, Landon Simons, Camelia Tang, Supriya Thapa, Lea Wang, Rachelle Witarno, Lucy Wu, Zita Zhu

Media Staff: Chloe Bi, Caitlyn Chau, Arya Desai, Rachel Lee, Siddhi Karthikeya, Ainsley Najafzadeh, Emma Wang

POLICY

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.

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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.

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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.

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

By COLETTE CHEN Staff Writer

The leaves slowly turn red. A chill comes through the air. The sky darkens as families of all sizes watch the glowing lanterns float through the sky. A clink of glasses and a cheer is heard. Every September, the Mid-Autumn

heat stroke. Once Yi shot down all but one of the suns, his reward for saving humanity was pills of immortality. However, Yi didn’t want to leave his wife, Chang’e, who was a beautiful lady with pale skin and hair as black as night. Chang’e loved Hou Yi and they had a happy relationship. It’s why Yi didn’t immediately take the pills; he was waiting for Chang’e to also gain immortality.. However, one day, Yi’s apprentice, Feng Meng, saw the pills and tried to steal them while Yi was hunting. Chang’e spotted him and ate the pills before Meng was able to eat them himself. Although she gained immortality and didn’t want to leave her husband, Chang’e floated to the moon. When Yi realized what happened, he was saddened so he placed mooncakes (her favorite food) under a tree and just stared at the moon.

In other versions, the story has a much sadder ending. Instead of Feng Meng trying to steal the pills of immortality, it’s Chang’e who greedily takes it all for herself. As a consequence, she’s not allowed into Heaven due to her greed. Because of that, she floats to the moon, her new home. Yi was devastated with betrayal and died on Earth, while Chang’e lived on the moon for-

ever.

The last story doesn’t talk about the lady on the moon, and instead tells how mooncakes were used as weapons. No, not by poisoning them. From 1279 - 1368, there was a group of conquerors known as the Mongolians that ruled over China. Naturally, most people didn’t like being ruled over, so the Han Chinese came up with a plan to overthrow them. While baking mooncakes for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, they slipped in a message telling people to rise up and revolt. When people found and read the message, the plan was set and the Yuan Dynasty was toppled. Now we have mooncakes to remember how the people banded together to take down a common foe.

But what do people do on this esteemed holiday?

Some people celebrate it with mooncakes and lighting up small lanterns to light up the night sky.

While others like my family, just buy mooncakes at your local store and eat them after dinner.

“We usually eat mooncakes and look at the moon since it’s so bright and round,” said fresh-

man Wendy Sun, when asked how her family celebrated the festival.

Some people just eat mooncakes as a treat during the festival, like sophomore Jorge Yingsen Chang Feng. “It [mooncake] tastes so good, I could eat a ton of them.”

“I don’t celebrate it myself, but I take my kids to festivals if we have them to show them different cultures.” stated librarian liberian Gabi Torres.

Whether it be dramatic or just a small celebration, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated because of a reunion with family. It’s why people eat mooncakes, after all, stories say its roundness celebrates family reunions. With that, may everyone have an amazing Mid-Autumn Festival!

Homecoming Theme Reveal 2023 Destressing about the Stress Test

By RACHELLE WITARNO

Staff Writer

This year’s Homecoming theme was announced by Arcadia High School’s ASB at the Rally Court on Aug. 30 during lunch. The theme is: Through the Looking Glass. Homecoming this year is being held in the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Tickets are $75 with ASB (or $90 without) and can be purchased at the ASB Office before school, during lunch, or after school.

Inspired by the famous story of Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass refers to stepping into a strange and unfamiliar world. The book, Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll tells the story of Alice in an unusual world where she grows up as she explores and begins to understand the rules of the world.

This year’s theme is intended to give off a “grand, mysterious vibe,” said Amber Cheung, ASB’s Junior Class President.

This venue is known for its dinosaur fossil exhibit and Age of Mammal exhibition, which inspired the theme of the dance.

ASB had considered other ideas before deciding on this theme. “We had ideas about…gardens and flowers, but we decided to go for the Alice in Wonderland theme once we found the venue because we felt that it tied more and the garden didn’t really fit this one,” said Cheung.

rwitarno@arcadiaquill.com

By MICHAEL HUM and LEA WANG

Opinion Editor, Staff Writer

In light of the digital transition to standardized tests, the networking technicians at Arcadia High School (AHS) administered a stress test for a new testing network for the PSAT Test on Sept. 14 during periods 1 and 2. With roughly 1,040 students taking the PSAT this year, the possibility that the test will overload the network is huge. By operating a stress test, administrators could discover what is causing slowdowns, disconnections, and lags.

As the volunteer students and teachers piled into the North Gym, they were instructed to log onto a separate network, restart their Chromebooks, and access the newly installed Bluebook system that digitally administers anything from the College Board. During the test, administrators actively circulated through the gym, photographing issues such as connectivity problems, loading issues, or difficulties accessing the PSAT network.

When asked whether the stress test was stressful, Ameen Chowdhary, the Network Systems Administrator at AUSD, expressed that he is optimistic.

“I’m optimistic about it. When we do tests like this, we get a sense of what we’re capable of doing. That kind of helps us in the future,” Chowdhary commented.

The students involved in the network test hope that the results can be used to alleviate frequent complaints about the network, such as slowdowns and occasional disconnects.

Freshman Chloe Kai commented on the hopefulness of students regarding the stress test.

“[The stress test] can definitely improve the network speed. A lot of us are having a lot of technical issues. I think the stress test can help them prepare, as there will be many more people in the PSAT,” Kai explained.

mhum@arcadiaquill.com lwang@arcadiaquill.com

Pep Squad Hosts Rally for First Home Football Game

By ADDISON NGUYEN

Staff Writer

To promote Arcadia High School’s (AHS) first home football game, AHS Pep Squad held a short, but impactful, rally on Aug. 31 during lunch. They started off with a small pep talk, and then proceeded to settle into formation with matching red bows and outfits, ready to inspire school spirit at their first rally of the year.

Pep Cheer performed perfectly in sync, effortlessly flowing across the platform with sharp moves and building pyramids with onelegged extended stunts. However, in the middle of their performance, the music abruptly disconnected. The dancers were not deterred— they continued without hesitation as if nothing happened, finishing their routine with even wider smiles than the beginning.

After Cheer’s stage ended, Pep Song took the spotlight, dancing along to the upbeat music with their poms. Implementing ripples, turns, and eye-catching movements into their dance, they immersed the audience in their cleanly executed routine.

Junior Cheer Captain Simone Ball, who has been with Pep Squad for three years, gives us a little insight into her headspace when the

music disconnected during their performance.

“As a Pep Squad [member], we always train to know our counts and choreography, so I knew automatically to start counting out because they correlate to the music,” said Ball. “I made sure everyone was on count while [considering] our next steps.”

Members of Pep Squad demonstrated their admirable level of flexibility and professionalism during their rally. It is clear their training has allowed them to place trust in each other—so much that they can rely on every individual to continue being adept, even without the accompaniment of music to sustain accuracy.

Evidently proving their dedication to the performance, Eden Lee, a freshman on the Song team, mentioned that she “was so zoned in that [she] couldn’t hear the cheers.”

The rally was very successful, managing to ignite enthusiasm and prompting many to attend the home football game at AHS. This rally was an excellent kickoff to start the year, so look forward to Pep Squad’s upcoming routines at AHS’ football games and rallies! anguyen@arcadiaquill.com

Photo courtesy of Arcadia ASB

Photo courtesy of Ms. Tamra Erickson

Photo by Arya Desai

Back to school night

By LEA WANG Staff Writer

The Arcadia High School (AHS) Back to School Night took place on Aug. 31, serving as an opportunity for parents and staff to come together and preview the students’ 2023 and 2024 semesters. Parents had the unique opportunity to follow their students’ school schedule. The school decided to incorporate the bell and included a seven minute passing period.

The night commenced with an opening performance by the AHS Marching Band. At 6 p.m., the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. Parents spent 10 minutes in each class. For some parents, this meant hurrying during the passing period from J-Building to G-row to avoid being late.

In between periods, parents and students had the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and dessert from food trucks.

Students from Seniors of Merit at Work (SMW) worked on campus to assist parents if they needed help finding their child’s class or had any questions. Senior Audrey Baltazar, a student in SMW, talked about her experience that night.

“Back to School Night was definitely a lot less stressful than I expected,” Balta-

zar said. “Although the experience was a little busy, I was able to enjoy it because of my fellow SMW members.”

This semester, Arcadia welcomed numerous new teachers who experienced

ors English, and she expressed her experience about Back to School Night as a new teacher.

“It wasn’t necessarily tiring; I was just nervous because I didn’t really know what

Ms. Giles also expressed her appreciation for the strong parent participation at AHS, discussing how it provides valuable insights into ways she can better support the students. Similarly, Mr. Mike Pasqua, the social science and criminal and civil law teacher, spoke highly of the event. When asked about his thoughts on the Back to School Night, Mr. Pasqua gave positive feedback.

“I think it’s a good opportunity because then parents might show a little more empathy for what the students have to deal with,” Mr. Pasqua said. “They might get a feel for what these demands in Honors and AP classes are really like on a regular basis.”

The annual Back to School Night helps to forge an extraordinary connection between staff and parents.

their first ever Back to School Night at AHS. Ms. Cady Giles is currently teaching both sophomore college prep and hon-

to expect from these parents,” said Ms. Giles. “The highlight was probably the parents laughing at my jokes.”

CLUBS DAY 2023

By ARDY CHIEN Staff Writer

Arcadia High School’s annual Clubs Day was held on Sept.15 in the Rally Court during lunch. With over 70 clubs to choose from, students were able to join the clubs that best fit their interests. This gave them the opportunity to learn about what each has to offer, whether that be managing money, learning about different cultures, discussing STEM topics, or working for the community around us.

Clubs Day felt like a rush, with hundreds of students gathered together, either leading or applying for a new club. Club representatives walked around distributing mini flyers and giving a small overview of their club’s purpose, gaining students’ attention.

The first section was for interest clubs; there were clubs ranging from esports to fashion, and even food science. These are the more miscellaneous clubs, but they still provide ways to further interact with what students want to do.

There were multiple ways clubs grabbed student attention. A prime example of this was when Arcadia Esports used a TV with video games to attract students.

“I feel that the games on the TV somewhat drew people toward the club booth to see what was going on. But the biggest

effect is that it gets people at the booth to stay and talk with the officers or learn more about the club and the teams,” said senior Katelyn Yu, the Co-President of Arcadia Esports. “We’ve had this set up with the TV for the past couple years, so there isn’t a noticeable change in recruitment from previous years. But we still managed to recruit almost 100 people, although we will be holding more formal sign ups in our meetings.”

The second section consisted of service clubs. These organizations include Affinity for Animals, Red Cross Club, Habitat for Humanity, Kare for Kids, and Mental Health Awareness Club. Helping the community and environment around us, students who are passionate about giving Arcadia the absolute best might consider joining these clubs.

In the third section, there were STEM clubs. As the name suggests, this section consisted of the Sports Medicine, Astro-

physics, Chemistry, GenAI, and Pre-Med Clubs. These clubs dive deep into the science and health studies that revolve around topics such as mixtures, medical knowledge, and AI.

The fourth section was civics clubs. They cover many real world ideas, such as money management, trial, United Nations, and journalism. These clubs help engage students to learn about the expectations of adulthood.

The final section was for culture and identity clubs, consisting of multiple culture clubs available for students to choose from. With clubs such as Arcadia Muslim Club, Chinese Culture Club, or Fellowship of Christian Athletes, students can have a better understanding of different cultures and beliefs.

“The clubs at Clubs Day all had interesting tri-fold displays, which caught my attention as I went through the rows,” freshman Howie Li stated. “Some clubs,

such as the Esports Club and LEO Club brought creative items to grab attention. I was surprised by the TV which the Esports Club had, and the tiger costumes that the LEO Club leaders were wearing [were] extremely funny.”

When asked how the LEO Club will help welcome new members, Publicity Director sophomore Thomas Shi stated, “We just have to create a safe environment for them.” Shi also stated that LEO Club hopes to focus on making a fun and comfortable atmosphere so students won’t feel awkward.

Clubs Day was definitely a success as students were eager to participate and join a variety of groups. We wish all the club officers and members a good school year ahead!

Photos by ANNIE JIANG

SLEEPING IN: DISGUISING SLEEP DEBT’S DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS

By MICHELLE HO

Homeschooling is becoming more common as a substitute for traditional schooling. Traditional schooling mainly refers to public schools that are divided into different grade levels and are run by correlating school districts. Traditional education focuses on teachers who instruct their students in a physical classroom setting. Reason Foundation states that “as of May 2023, 85% of students are enrolled in public schools, 9.6% attend private schools, and 5.4% are homeschooled.” As of now, the number of homeschooled students are on the rise. Although some families prefer homeschooling, traditional education continues to be the best option for students given the advantages of socialization, overall expenses, qualified educators, as well as the various opportunities available!

According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, teenagers are averaging a meager 7 hours of sleep a night. In comparison, the CDC recommends adolescents sleep 8 to 10 hours. This results in a phenomenon commonly nicknamed “sleep debt.” When consistently sleeping a few hours, sleep debt can build up quickly, resulting in a loss of concentration, a doubled reaction time, and attention lapses, according to Dr. Michael Breus in the article “Is it Bad to Sleep In on the Weekends?”

Sleeping in on the weekends further worsens the quality of the little sleep that students actually receive. Students tend to go to bed later and wake up later on the weekends, and it can affect the hours of restful sleep that they receive. Dr. Breus also points out the possibility of having social jet lag (SJL), in which the major contrast between weekday and weekend sleep schedule can result in a discrepancy in sleep patterns and activity. This discrepancy throws off the circadian rhythm of your body, which is an “internal clock” that responds to the light and dark cycles.

“Your circadian rhythm helps regulate a whole host of biological functions,” said Dr. Breus. “Accordingly, people who get insufficient sleep on a regular basis are more likely to experience weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and obesity-

THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF CELEBRITES

Staff Writer

related diseases like diabetes and inflammation.” Rather than helping make up for sleep debt, sleeping in on weekends causes more harm than good. Sleeping later and waking up later results in a delay in other lifestyle patterns, such as meal times. For instance, those who go to sleep later on weekends will eat later in the night, and those who wake up later will eat breakfast later. The changes can result in weight fluctuations, metabolic changes, and other health issues previously mentioned. These potential harms are not worth the extra rest on weekends, when one could avoid them by sleeping a healthy and consistent amount of sleep throughout the week.

A study observed that “SJL associates with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides, which are metabolic risk factors,” stated PubMed Central in “Social Jetlag and Related Risks for Human Health: A Timely Review”. These elevated risk factors are not only attributed to SJL.

“I get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep on average,” said sophomore Hazel Wong, just barely within the range of recommended sleep for teens. Wong supports a consistent sleep schedule, as she personally feels that it keeps her functioning at her best.

“I think maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is beneficial,” said Wong. “It gives me a sense of routine so I won’t be scrambling to get everything ready on a Monday morning.”

Many people choose to sleep in on weekends to catch up on sleep debt and short hours of weekday sleep. While this approach may work for some, it can greatly impact the circadian rhythm of others who are more sensitive to sleep schedule changes. It is important to be attentive towards your own body. Choosing to maintain a healthy and consistent amount of sleep is the optimal choice, as it ensures sleep quality, duration, and promotes a balanced circadian rhythm.

mho@arcadiaquill.com

Graphic courtesy of RAWPIXEL.COM

By MYRIAM KABANI Staff Writer

Many of us have our favorite list of stars - be it singers, comedians, actors and actresses, athletes, or virtually any person of influence that we enjoy watching. However, the media (typically paparazzi) sometimes forget that stars also need their space. Whether it is an Instagram post, news channels, or Snaps, people can find about the locations of celebrities through reports of real-time celebrity sightings. Because of this, activities as simple as taking a morning walk, riding a bike, going to the grocery store, or working out at the gym can turn into a dangerous situation for celebrities. Multiple stars have come out and expressed their displeasure for the paparazzi following them while being involved in just doing a general activity, as well as peoples’ (specifically paparazzi’s) disregard for their privacy as well.

Am I saying that you should not take photos of a celebrity you consider your life-long favorite person? No, I think those meetups with stars are adorable, fun to watch, and a great way for celebrities to connect with their fans. However, it is crucial that viewers should remem mindful and courteous to respect their privacy, and doing so starts with refraining from posting a celebrity’s location right away until they have left that area.

A notable recent example of this happened in New Jersey in mid August, when singer Taylor Swift attended close friend Jack Antonoff’s wedding. Swift was making her way to a restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, when news broke out about her location.

An article by The Los Angeles Times details screaming fans, as well as some chanting Swift’s name while the paparazzi snapped photos of what was supposed to be a private occasion. Police were also positioned to close off parts of that street on Long Beach Island (the location of the restaurant).

This pattern repeated twice more at Antonoff’s ceremony and reception, where hundreds of people gathered once more, leading many to realize and acknowledge the dangers or discomfort this could pose for not only Taylor Swift, but the bride and groom as well.

For not only Swift but celebrities who have been in identical situations, this can take away from the magic special days like

these are supposed to have because guests or hosts may be taken aback or distracted by the possible uncontrollable screaming occurring nearby.

Some may consider this as just some thing that comes along with the fame of being well-known, but the celebrities themselves can feel upset, overwhelmed, and somewhat with no privacy. Of course, most celebrities are absolutely elated to start conversations with their fans, but celebrities also have some boundaries that they most likely do not appreciate people disregarding.

An example of this is with Selena Gomez when she attended the 2015 Paris Fashion Week show. Because people knew exactly where she was, she was surrounded by countless paparazzi and fans, and Gomez appears to be severely overwhelmed by the action happening around her. Instead, social media companies should put policies in place that do not let users post a celebrity’s locations until they have left that specific area, with the exception of scheduled events of course, like tours and meet and greets. Social media operators should politely ask users to refrain from posting a photo, image, or video until a later date or time. By respecting celebrity privacy by not posting their locations as they are at a place, we are ensuring that they, too, are able to enjoy special moments that may mean a lot to them, like birthday parties or sightseeing. Moderation by social media companies is essential because, upon meeting a celebrity, a fan may not realize that posting a certain photo, video, or reel could lead to hundreds of people following a celebrity, be it fans waiting outside of a venue, paparazzi snapping photos of celebrities dining out, or yelling outside of a certain area.

This eagerness or disbelief many may feel upon meeting celebrities may lead to people forgetting that celebrities themselves are human too, which is why moderators ensure posts are not in real-time. Because we as social media consumers see celebrities mostly only in their happy times and when they wish to communicate with the public, some of us may assume that they always want that and fail to respect their privacy. mkabani@arcadiaquill.com

FAMILY CHANNELS: DAMAGING HOUSEHOLDS SINCE 2008

By Lucia Lim Staff Writer

*Trigger Warning: Mentions of Child Abuse*

Growing up, it’s likely you’ve stumbled across at least one family-oriented channel while scrolling through YouTube. Whether you watched gymnastic competitions on Bratayley or gender reveals on The Labrant Fam, several names come to mind. At first glance, these accounts seem harmless, just families wanting to share their experiences with viewers. But if you dive a little deeper into the history of these channels, there are dark secrets underlying their nature…

Taking it back to 2008, a 28-year-old father of three named Shay Butler uploaded a video of his weight loss journey. Slowly but surely, the videos started featuring little snippets of his family members before turning into the channel now known as the Shaytards. At the start of his YouTube career, Butler revealed that they were relying on food stamps for groceries, so by making videos, he thought he’d be able to turn things around for the better. Familystyled videos like “LIMBO CONTEST!!!” and “HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY PRINCESTARD!” gained over 20 million views and before they knew it, the Shaytards had become “YouTube Millionaires” overnight. Over the years, their fame started to dial down, until early 2017, when Butler was exposed having an affair with a woman online.

Starting a family channel and later getting into a scandal might’ve been a mere coincidence under those circumstances, but unfortunately, there are plenty of other examples of problematic behavior from parents of these families.

A channel in particular that has recently resurfaced on social media is the controversial 8 Passengers, featuring Ruby and Kevin Franke along with their 6 children. Similarly to Shaytards, the account featured “coming of age” videos, like the kids’ first day of school and moments from everyday life. However, viewers started to grow suspicious of the way Ruby Franke would treat her children. Some of the most outrageous instances include sending her 14-year-old son, Chad, to a Wilderness Therapy camp, which are notorious for ineffective practices and traumatizing teens that attend. Another incident of this nature was when Evie, her 6-year-old daughter, forgot to pack her own lunch for kindergarten. Even after the preschool called to inform Franke that her child needed to eat, the mother insisted that

it was a proper punishment for the child’s lack of responsibility to pack her lunch. It became incredibly disheartening when fans began to notice that whenever Evie seemed overwhelmed, she tended to find comfort in the oldest daughter, Shari, instead of seeking out her own mother. Adding onto the blatant disregard Franke had for her children’s comfort and safety, she sparked controversy by posting intimate moments of her older daughters’ lives, such as filming their first time shopping for bras and getting their period.

Years went by, and after being involved in many child abuse scandals, Franke decided to take a break from vlogging in early 2022. It wasn’t until recently did viewers finally get an update on the family. On Aug. 30, the Santa Clara-Irvins Public Safety De-

partment got a call about a child who needed their help. The child in question ended up being Franke’s 12-year-old son, Russell, who was bound by the wrists and ankles in duct tape. The malnourished boy managed to escape his home that day by squeezing through a window and reporting to a neighbor. When the officers arrived at the scene, it appeared that the now 10-yearold Evie was found in similar conditions. Later that day, Ruby Franke was arrested in Southern Utah on charges of child abuse.

Even if their cases aren’t as extreme as the Franke family’s, something many of these family channels have in common is overlooking their child’s happiness at the expense of a view or like. We see this in many families, a popular example being

the LaBrant Fam who got backlash after an April Fools prank went too far. On Apr. 1, 2019, the family posted a video where they told their viewers they would prank their 6-year-old daughter, Everleigh, telling her that they had to give her dog away. According to the parents, it was meant to be a light-hearted joke, until Everleigh bursted out in tears. Instead of consoling her or revealing that it was a lie, Cole LaBrant, the father, kept filming the child even as she continued to cry about it. Even after they told Everleigh it was a prank, she was clearly still upset. At the end of the video, Savannah LaBrant, the mother, reassured viewers, expressing that “[Everleigh] cried for like two minutes and she’s the happiest kid ever now, we prank each other all the time.” Immediately, the video caught media attention and despite what Savannah stated, the family still received criticism for distressing their daughter.

At the end of the day, families come in all shapes and sizes and every dynamic is different. Although some may genuinely enjoy filming their life on social media or being influencers, my personal take is that family channels are damaging family relationships.

“On Aug. 30, the Santa Clara-Irvins Public Safety Department got a call about a child who needed their help.”

Little Provence: Arcadia’s New Sandwich Shop

By COLETTE CHEN

Staff Writer

Arcadia has a population of over 33,000 Asians in its community, and unsurprisingly, there are a lot of Asian restaurants in Arcadia. However, a new shop breaks the norm of sushi and ramen shops in Arcadia. Introducing Little Provence Sandwich Bistro, a small sandwich shop in Arcadia inspired by Provence, a region in France.

The restaurant itself opened in April 2023. Located on 1326 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA, the quaint small shop offers both indoor and outdoor seating for guests, with a merchandise aisle in the middle selling items from mugs to soap. Along with those, they sell a variety of food related items such as jams, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. These range from $13 all the way to around $23.

“The Pesto Panini is a good sandwich when you’re in a rush,” said Sheyenne Huang, Freshman.

As stated before, Little Provence specializes in sandwiches both hot or cold. The prices of the food range from $12 to $18. Offerings range from the warm and vegetarian Pesto Panini, to the classic with a twist: a French ham and cheese sandwich. However, the shop sells more than just sandwiches. If you don’t have space for a sandwich, there are always the salads. Choices include a classic Caesar salad, and a surprisingly good tomato salad. Little Provence also hosts an impressive coffee bar, from piping hot espressos to cold and sweet frappuccinos. There was also a nice selection of cakes and cookies. The restaurant also had a cookbook written about the food in Provence that is for sale. It covers the wide variety of dishes from toasty home baked bread, to light yet refreshing salads.

Little Provence Sandwich Bistro started with Grandmother Rosise, who came from Provence, France. While Provence is known for many things such as the rolling fields of laven-

der, and houses built into the hillside, there’s also a variety of cuisine to choose from such as hearty seafood dishes, light salads, and locally grown vegetables. Much like Provence itself, the bistro uses ingredients that are found there. From caramelized sweet onions, to nicely seared salmon jabbed in between 2 slices of toasted bread, the food looks and smells delicious.

“It tastes like a better Subway Sandwich,” said Ethan Hung, Freshman.

Little Provence Sandwich Bistro hasn’t been around for a while, but the food is fresh and delicious. Whether it be the warm hearty sandwiches, or just a nice cup of coffee to start the day or afternoon. It should be a place that people in the neighborhood check out if they ever have the time.

WHY CHICKENS MAKE EGG-CELLENT PETS

By RACHELLE WITARNO

Staff Writer

Pets are beloved members of many households. They are the joy and responsibility of their owners. The majority of people own dogs or cats as pets; however, there are many unconventional animals you can have as pets that might harbor unknown benefits—including chickens.

Chickens are energetic and inquisitive animals: they will spend most of their time grazing, laying eggs, and preening. Many are extremely docile and enjoy being petted. Additionally, they are cute, fluffy animals that get along really well with children. They have also shown intelligence on par to a human toddler, being able to recognize many faces and associate them with positive or negative experiences. Owning chickens sounds intriguing but what about the practicality?

“[Owning chickens] seems convenient. But at the same time, it sounds expensive, which is counterintuitive,” said AHS freshman Mary Elizabeth Namatay Ross.

Although owning chickens, like any other pets, requires a certain amount of money invested, they require much less than the cost of owning cats or dogs. Chicken owners only need to allocate $68.75 per month to taking care of chickens. Meanwhile, dog owners spend about $125 to $824 monthly, not to mention the initial cost of buying or adopting the dog ranging from $50 up to $2000. Initial costs include buying chicken coop which is priced at around $300 to $1,000 (maybe more depending on size) and buying chickens which typically cost about $3 to $50 each; considering they are social animals, it is recommended that

owners have at least 2-3 chickens to keep them company.

Each day, you must feed and provide water for your chickens; you must also let them in and out of their coop and collect their eggs. Each month owners must clean out the chicken’s bedding and water. It is also essential that the coop and yard is cleaned thoroughly at least once a year, usually during the springtime.

Some popular chicken breeds include: Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, and Ameraucanas. Rhode Island Reds are good egg layers, resistant to most diseases, and are able to handle difficult housing conditions. They are overall great for new owners. Orpingtons and Wyandottes are also great egg layers that might be more suitable for owners who live in more temperate climates. Ameraucana lays green eggs and are tolerant to all kinds of climates.

With the ever-changing price of eggs, it is clear that having eggs in your own backyard is an advantage to owning chickens. In July of this year, egg prices have decreased to an average of $2.10 per dozen eggs in the U.S. since its peak in January, where prices of eggs rose 60% higher than a year ago. Although these prices have decreased since then, it is clear that prices may still fluctuate, having chickens can save you money in the long run.

Junior Nicole Cai owns nine chickens,

three of which are Rhode Island Reds. “Chickens are really good at getting rid of bugs that might ruin your garden,” said Cai. However, owning chickens may also come with some drawbacks. One of the most notable disadvantages is its manure. They tend to have a strong odor that may be difficult to manage. Additionally, they are also loud and require at least four square feet of space to roam around. Manure can be composted into fertilizer that you can use for your own garden. Furthermore, owners need to keep an eye on their chickens to prevent them from being attacked by predators. Arcadia’s proximity to the mountains and forests often brings coyotes to our neighborhoods.

“There was one time a coyote was in our backyard and had its jaws around one of our chickens,” said Cai. “Miraculously, that chicken managed to survive.”

To keep chickens safe, you can keep them inside. There is no need to worry about whether chickens will get along with other pets. With proper introductions, house pets such as dogs can coexist with chickens.

Overall, chickens make great low-maintenance yet cute pets. That said, if you decide to get chickens, make sure you have the capability to take care of them since they are still a responsibility. Chickens truly are egg-ceptional creatures!

Photo by Colette Chen

FRESHMAN FEARS-WHAT DO NINTH GRADERS WORRY ABOUT?

By JAYEESHA DEB

Staff Writer

High school is an important transition period for teenagers. It is a time for them to leave their comfort zone and explore new subjects, extracurriculars, and join clubs. Although the thought of coming to a new school is thrilling to many new freshmen, there are also worries lurking in the back of their minds. What are some of these fears, and how can they be addressed and overcome?

There are many things a new high school student can be worried about, including social dilemmas, time management, or navigation.

One of these points is shared by freshman Hailee Gonzalez.

“My worry was that I’d continue to be very introverted and conservative, and not talk to many people,” Gonzalez shared.

Often, when people enter a new unfamiliar setting, it’s likely for them to get back into their shell, making it harder to socialize with people. In high school, there are new classrooms, buildings, students, and staff, all of which is a lot to take in. This can be overwhelming for some freshmen, who will take a lot of time to adapt. Gonzalez’s experience, however, turned out differently.

“I ended up going back to my usual extroverted self, though, because I interacted with a lot of people this year,” Gonzalez shared.

Sometimes, the best way to open up to others is simply to try speaking to them and being more assertive. For some people like Gonzalez, the path to being more extroverted

is to try to hold a conversation and learn more about other people. Making connections in high school can lead to amazing friendships and personal growth, so taking that extra step can lead to a huge change in how someone perceives their whole experience in high school.

Another common worry students may have is managing their time wisely. With all these new classes, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything.

“I was afraid of the workload that I would face with all these new classes, and how I could manage my time.” Banala shared. “I was also stressing about which classes would have the most work, and whether I’d get distracted or not.”

It’s common to stress about managing time well with the sudden increase in homework. In high school, some people need to develop new work habit patterns, while others need an increase in the time they spend doing schoolwork. However, students often face multiple different distractions. Senior Lola Park offers some advice on how to deal with this.

“If you’re a screenager like me, it’s really hard to get off your phone! To help with that, I set screen time limits on certain apps like instagram and tik tok; which force me to spend my phone-time and work-time wisely. Sure, I sometimes click ‘remind me in 15 minutes.’ But

it’s still a good break from listless scrolling!”

Setting a screen time limit for most used apps is a great reminder that there is material left to study, or homework left to do. For organizing work and keeping track of things, sophomore Kaarthiga Selvakkumaran shares what works best for her.

“I manage my time wisely by starting an assignment the moment I get home, no matter how tired I am. Usually, if I do that, I’m able to get on a roll and be able to keep working. I also use a small agenda to remember what work I have, because writing things down makes me feel more accomplished,” she said.

Often, taking a moment to start an assignment or start studying is a big motivator to continue working on it. This leads to higher productivity, and students will have an easier time getting all the work done.

One of the biggest fears by far that most students have, however, is getting a bad grade on a test. For many freshmen and high school students in general, a bad test grade feels like the end of the world. This is shared by freshman Wendy Wu.

“I’d say one of my biggest fears was the fear of failure. I don’t like the feeling of being disappointed by my grades or freaking out over exam stress,” Wu said.

Mistakes will always be made, but it depends on the person whether they choose to learn from it or consider it an irreversible failure. Sophomore Kyana Enoch advises other students not to worry too much.

“People shouldn’t fret too much about tests, or they could overstress themselves before taking it. Take your time and trust yourself. If you studied, you should be fine!”

If students put effort into studying for a test and cover the proper material, they should have confidence in themselves to score high on it. By using their time management skills, they can create time for study sessions while maintaining their regular schedule.

Entering high school comes with a lot of new experiences for every freshman. Their concerns with this transition are natural. By acknowledging these fears, students can find ways to overcome them and gain confidence, which can lead to a lot more growth. So to the new freshmen: take high school as a chance to explore interests, and make the best out of the next four years.

RAISING CANE’S

By EMMA CHEN

taurant chains in the United States.

Staff Writer

Chicken fingers and french fries are a must-have item on the kid’s menu for the majority of restaurants. For parents, they are often considered a lifesaver for young children who are too picky for the flavors of adult meals. Raising Cane’s has been dominating the chicken finger industry for the past two decades, whether its customers are small children or adults. One of its newest restaurants opened in May, located at 945 W Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA.

Raising Cane’s was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1996. The founder, Todd Graves, was told by his professor that his business would not work, and the bank denied him loans. However, Grave did not abandon his business plan. He moved to Los Angeles and worked long hours as a boilermaker at an oil refinery. This allowed him to raise enough money to go back to Louisiana to build his first restaurant. As of 2023, there are more than 700 restaurants in the United States and several others located in the Middle East. Through Graves’ dedication and perseverance, Raising Cane’s became one of the fastest-growing res-

So what makes Raising Cane’s different from other fast-food chains? Well, for starters, it has both an efficient drive-thru and a restaurant for customers to sit down and enjoy their meal. Graves has stated that Raising Cane’s sole goal is to serve crave-able and quality chicken fingers for their customers.

Additionally, the simplicity of Raising Cane’s menu allows decision-making to be quick and easy for thousands of hungry people. Its menu only consists of freshly fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, iced tea (sweetened or unsweetened), freshly squeezed lemonade, and their famous Cane’s sauce.

“The different side choices and drinks compliment the chicken fingers very well,” said junior Erline Choon.

Unlike other fast food restaurants, Raising Cane’s does not use heat lamps or warmers to maintain the temperature of their food; instead, workers make all the food fresh when the customer places their order. The use of heat lamps robs the original texture and taste of the fried foods. The Cane’s sauce is described to have a hint of tanginess and a little bit of heat. People

often compare it to ranch dressing with a spice mix. Cane’s pays attention to small details, such as the special ice in drinks. The ice is crushed into pellet-sized spheres because it absorbs the drink rather than diluting it. By using pelletsized ice rather than solid blocks of ice, it helps to enhance the flavors of the drink.

“I like how unique and different the ice is. I have never seen it before in other fast-food restaurants,” stated sophomore Jasmine Radle. Raising Cane’s is an excellent choice for a quick meal or even as a comfort food. The quality and care it takes to their food allows it to stand out from other fast-food chains.

Photo by Emma Chen

SETTING A POSITIVE SETTING A POSITIVE

I already have a unit test next Wednesday. College feels like it’s been years. What student hasn’t felt the of newness and uncertainty. Navigating new buildings, seniors, the four-year tenure at AHS is almost over…but or otherwise. And as for those in the middle, the sophomores high school will never end. As summer’s rosy haze memories, it’s all too easy to fall into a pessimistic or homework that was assigned at just the wrong time? with others.

But in that miserable and seemingly never-ending easy to overlook the positives. Yes, high school is a prime part of life to grow and learn. Even in challenging it may be difficult at times, pushing through adversity that will benefit you in the long run. Remember to stay got this! For seniors, college applications can definitely that the hard work and effort you put into the process you’re applying to your dream school or exploring your goals.

And as cliche as it sounds, the journey really is the riculars filling up your calendars and necessitating clubs, academic bowls, and planning committees aren’t opportunity to learn new things, meet new people. bolsters our community’s appeal to each individual is something that can be looked forward to in the transition there for you to discover. With almost a hundred??? to thrive is just around the corner.

In the end, highschool can best be described as or another we’ll stand in our restroom mirrors looking cross country coach once shared with our team was who make it happen, people who watch what happens, just highschool, a quick four years of our lives before whelmed is completely normal. It’s what we make of

POSITIVE TONE POSITIVE TONE

College apps are due in three months. It’s September, but it already the anxiety of back-to-school season? For freshmen, it’s a time buildings, extracurriculars, and academics all at once is hard. For over…but there’s plenty of work to still be done, college-related sophomores and juniors—maybe it’s starting to feel a little like slips away, and those Fourth of July fireworks become mere mindset. Who hasn’t bemoaned a late-night extracurricular, time? It’s cathartic to complain. It’s even better to commiserate never-ending haze we students often fight our way through, it’s all too busy and challenging time in everyone’s life, but it’s also the challenging classes, there is always something to be learned. While adversity and persevering can lead to valuable knowledge and skills stay focused, ask for help when needed, and stay positive - you definitely be challenging. However, it’s important to remember process will ultimately lead you to amazing opportunities. Whether your options, every step you take is a step closer to achieving

the important part. Don’t discount the value of those extracurlong nights studying. Commitments like sports teams, civics aren’t just for the benefit of your resume; each activity is an Moreover, Arcadia’s wealth of student organizations is what student. Specifically for new students, this valuable privilege transition to a new school. So freshmen, check out what’s out things to try at AHS, there’s no question that your opportunity

a rollercoaster. Everyone has their ups and downs. One point looking at ourselves, wondering what happened. A quote my was this: “There are three kinds of people in this world: people happens, and people who wonder what happened.” In the end, it’s before we move on to bigger and better things. So, feeling overof it, so let’s go out and make things happen.

Barbie: A Review

By JUSTINA LIU Campus Focus Editor

As you unlock your phone, you can't escape the prevailing chatter about the Barbie movie. But what exactly is it, and why is everyone so captivated by it?

Derived from the iconic Barbie fashion dolls, created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler for Mattel, Barbie marks a significant shift in the cultural consciousness as the first live-action adaptation of the doll, following a string of computer-animated films and specials (such as Barbie in the Nutcracker and Barbie as Rapunzel) that many of us may fondly recall from Netflix. In this iteration, Margot Robbie, an Australian actress and producer known for works like Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad, takes the lead role of Barbie with Ryan Gosling, a Canadian actor known for La La Land and The Notebook, cast as Ken. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery spurred on by an existential crisis.

American actress, director, and producer Greta Gerwig first garnered attention after working on and appearing in several mumblecore films, a subgenre of independent film characterized by naturalistic acting and dialogue, such as Hannah Takes the Stairs and Nights and Weekends. The 2023 release of Barbie is at once a kaleidoscope of various genres and a rich tapestry of Barbie's history. It's part documentary-commercial, part musical theater, and part poignant mother-daughter redemption story. But beneath its entertaining exterior lies a deeper meaning.

In this cinematic experience, Barbie and Ken revel in the vivid and seemingly flawless world of Barbie Land. Yet, when the opportunity arises for them to explore the real world, they quickly encounter the joys and pitfalls of living among humans.

Barbie isn’t just a movie for amusement; it harbors a profound message regarding modern fem-

inism. It offers metamodern ideas and suppositions that are contradictory to modern and postmodern people alike, a lens through which we examine the doll’s role in our world and its connection to the construction of our identities. Through Barbie, the film holds up a mirror, inviting us to explore the collective aspects of our identity.

In the narrative, Barbie grapples with the disconcerting loss of her quintessential Barbie essence. She questions the notion of mortality during one of her extravagant parties, an inquiry met with stunned, judgmental silence. After all, dolls don’t experience mortality, and their perfection remains untouched. To restore her perfection, she embarks on a journey to the “real world,” seeking to uncover the “truth about the universe.”

The catch, however, is that this truth reveals chaos, imperfections, and mortality—things Barbie herself never experiences. This stark contrast becomes Gerwig’s entry point for dissecting the constructed ideal of Barbie’s femininity. It prompts us to ponder why the pursuit of perfection remains alluring, even when its futility is acknowledged.

Gerwig also delves into the transition young girls undergo as they grow older and their once unwavering confidence and boldness give way to self-doubt. Barbie aims to explore why girls abandon not only their Barbie dolls but also the beliefs associated with them.

The film raises questions about Barbie’s relevance in a world where young girls seem to outgrow her. What purpose does she serve, and to whom? Who or what becomes their new source of inspiration? What prompts this abandonment, and what does aging signify when Barbie herself remains eternally youthful?

Barbie is a plastic paradox—the embodiment of a narrow vision of womanhood and a pervasive and unrealistic template for women’s bodies. She boasts a myriad of professions but has never

worked a day in her life. She is ageless yet perpetually youthful, embodying both sensuality and innocence. Her influence reaches beyond childhood play, leaving a mark on adults.

The Barbie movie’s tagline says it all: “If you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you.” It’s a testament to the depth of the Barbie discourse that extends far beyond the movie’s release. Barbie represents “everything,” as the memes proclaim, and her film encapsulates a multifaceted exploration that invites us all to join in. In essence, Barbie is more than just an endless wave of pink; she’s a reflection of our evolving selves.

T he L i T erary L ineage of B ungo S T ray D og

By ADDISON NGUYEN Staff Writer

TW: This piece contains mild mentions of suicide. Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to these topics. If you believe you or a loved one are at risk, feel free to call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988, open 24 hours every day of the week.

This article contains slight Bungo Stray Dogs ability spoilers.

Bungo Stray Dogs is an anime and original manga series produced with unique supernatural elements, fluid scenes, and compelling characters. Kafka Asagiri, the writer of the manga, anime, light novels, game, and all spinoff series that connect to the original series, shares his story in an interview between him and Crunchyroll.

Asagiri explains that, initially, Bungo Stray Dogs started off as a manga series, but then was adapted by the animation studio Bones—an announcement that made Asagiri very happy, since Bones had animated Cowboy Bebop, a source of inspiration for the anime. Crunchyroll also prompts Asagiri to present his opinion on Chekhov’s gun, a narrative principle that states that all elements in a story must be essential and discards all irrelevant elements.

complex plotlines and immersive action scenes are captivating, its connection to reallife literary authors often goes overlooked or forgotten by most fans.

The term “bungo” in the title comes from the use of renowned literary figures as character templates. “Bungo” roughly refers to classical literature, an essential aspect of the series. Each major character possesses supernatural abilities, or “gifts”, that reflect the themes and motifs posed by their corresponding authors. The term “stray dogs” symbolizes individuals without a clear sense of purpose or belonging in society. A character in the series, Osamu Dazai, sums this up best.

“Everyone fights, searching for the correct way to live their lives,” says Dazai. “What do they seek by fighting? How ought they live? No one can say. All we have is the right to waver. Like Stray Dogs that have hit rock bottom.” (Season 2, Episode 12 of Bungo Stray Dogs)

Despite the characters’ extraordinary abilities, they struggle with insecurities, finding their identities, and accepting their past—just like “stray dogs” in real life, trying to find their place and purpose. The incorporation of realistic sentiments adds not only depth to the characters’ journeys of self-discovery, but allows for an engaging foundation as the characters face struggles encountered by the real-life authors and

The protagonist of the series, Atsushi Nakajima, is the first character introduced who expands on these challenges. He is named after the real-life Japanese author Atsushi Nakajima, who is most known The Moon (also known ). The fictional Atsushi possesses an ability called “Beast Beneath the Moonlight”, which references a scene in the story where a man travels through a forest and encounters an old friend who has turned into a tiger. Similar to the old friend in The Moon

Over the Mountain , the Atsushi in the series grap -

ples with existential despair and the human experience, two major themes featured in Bungo Stray Dogs

The deuteragonist of Bungo Stray Dogs, Osamu Dazai, takes his name from Osamu Dazai, renowned Japanese author of No Longer Human and The Setting Sun

In Bungo Stray Dogs, Dazai ability’s name, “No Longer Human”, signifies Dazai’s deep sentiment of not feeling like a genuine hu man due to his childhood as an underground mafia executive. Fictional Dazai also ex hibits qualities from the protagonist of Longer Human , a semi-autobiographical novel written by author Osamu Dazai.

Sam Tsan, a freshman at Arcadia High School, shares the noticeable similarities between both characters, given that they have read the novel and watched the series. Oba Yozo (the protagonist of No Longer Human) acts similarly to Dazai, since they have both experienced dehumanization and alienation by society. Like Dazai, Yozo doesn’t believe others can think like him, making him seen crazy or insane and influencing his multiple suicide at tempts. Dazai is also similar to Yozo in the way he jokes (although exaggerated) about his suicidal tendencies as a way of coping with his trauma.”

With a record of 138 counts of conspiracy to murder, 312 counts of extortion, and 625 counts of assorted fraud among other crimes committed by the fictional Dazai, knowing the real-life author and works behind Dazai’s character offers a more nuanced experience when consuming the series.

Another noteworthy character is antagonist Fyodor Dostoevsky, based on the Russian novelist. His most well-known works include Crime and Punishment and Notes From Underground, which incorporate elements of morality, human nature, and social issues. In Bungo Stray Dogs, the fictional Fyodor claims he wants to purify humanity’s “sins,” including all supernatural abilities—an objective attempted with good intentions but executed in poor ways. Although the full capabilities of Fyodor’s ability “Crime and Punishment” are unknown, it is suggested that his absolute goal may be to free himself of the “punishment” his ability binds him to, reflecting protagonist Rodion Raskolnikov’s character in Crime and Punishment. Kafka Asagiri also comments that he based Fyodor off of a scene in The Brothers Karamazov (a novel written by Fyodor Dostoevsky), in which the protagonists’ son has a conversation with the devil.

Edgar Allan Poe is another gifted character based on the real-life American

writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. His ability, “Black Cat in the Rue Morgue” (a reference to The Black Cat and The Murders in the Rue

go Stray Dogs, and he simplifies his views concerning his choice of characters.

“When it comes to the theme of Bungo Stray Dogs and the literary figures within, everyone already has an image in their mind of what those authors are like. With that in mind, I ask myself, ‘How much are we able to expand on their character, their background? How can we express that in the story with the other characters [in the story] in mind to come up with some kind of harmonious relationship?’ I think of those elements very carefully and plan it out so that all comes together smoothly.”

Bungo Stray Dogs artfully blurs the lines between fiction and reality, allowing fans to appreciate its multiple layers of literary references and pay homage to the authors’ works. By drawing deep-rooted connections between its characters and their real-life counterparts, Bungo Stray Dogs is unrivaled with its iconic manner of bridging literary authors and fantasy together—truly an overlooked production in the manga and anime catalogs.

anguyen@arcadiaquill.com

Photos courtesy of PICRYL and GET-

“Fyodor claims he wants to purify humanity’s ‘sins’...an objective attempted with good intentions but executed in poor ways.”

“What do they seek by fighting?...All we have is the right to waver. Like Stray Dogs that have hit rock bottom.”

Varsity Football vs. Brea Olinda

By LEA WANG

The Arcadia High School (AHS) Varsity Football team played their first home game of the 2023-2024 season on Sep. 1. Students, families, and faculty members gathered around Salter Stadium on Friday evening to cheer on our Apaches for their game against the Wildcats from Brea Olinda High School (BOHS). The-

too good for the Apaches. During many of the plays, BOHS easily got through Arcadia’s defense which allowed player #4, Nathan Aceves of BOHS to get to the 35 yard line. In the first quarter with nine more minutes on the clock, BOHS scored their first touchdown—making the Wildcats in the lead 0-6.

The Apaches quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, with a incredible touch down by #3 Chatman. Chapman was able to break

Varsity Volleyball vs. Hoover

By COLETTE CHEN Staff Writer

The Arcadia High School (AHS) Girls Varsity Volleyball team swept Hoover High School in a thrilling game, winning three sets 3-0, on Sept. 9. They started and ended in the lead, with excellent communication between players throughout the game!

“I think Arcadia is going to come out strong, we have a lot of good players out there,” stated AHS Varsity and JV Volleyball Coach Kurt Mulder, when asked how he thought the game would go.

“I’m excited to see what they bring to the table,” said freshman Angelina Zhao, starting setter for the Girls Varsity Volleyball team, when asked what she thought of Hoover.

a minute later, Hoover was called for a penalty and the score became 4-0. Just like in the first set, Arcadia was able to gain a fast and strong lead with 11-2. Our team worked well with each other, covering blind spots and generally having good communication as they blocked incoming shots and got the ball over the net. The second set ended quickly, with Arcadia yet again dominating Hoover with a score of 25-7. When asked how she thought the game was going, libero/defensive specialist (DS) Adelyn Wong said “going great the second set our plays were running faster”

game ended with a victory for the Apaches of 40-36.

“It was really to put points on our board first, but that didn’t really happen so our defense really had to come through and we stopped them,” said junior Varsity Boys Football Captain Keyonn Chatman when asked what their strategy was going into the game.

With rain coming down hard just a couple hours before the game started at 7 p.m. there were rumors amongst students that the game could possibly be canceled. Luckily, the game was still able to take place despite the bad weather.

Pre-game, there was a moment of silence for Thomas Hernadez, who unfortunately passed away. Thomas Hernadez was the Assistant Football Coach at AHS for 13 years.

“He was a pillar in the community,” stated Coach Antoyne Sims, “and his death was unfortunate, it just came out of nowhere and it hit some of the [players] pretty hard.”

The game started with the Apaches team running through the inflatable Apaches tunnel and grouping around the Coaches. Then the three captains from each team gathered around the referee who conducted the traditional coin toss. The coin toss officially signals the start of the game and determines which team will receive possession of the ball first. Unfortunately, BOHS won the toss and chose to play the ball first.

The first couple of plays weren’t looking

free from 2 defenders, dodge, speeding past #22 from BOHS, and score another yard touchdown.

Things were starting to look up for Arcadia when senior Kayla Ibrahim scored a field goal putting Arcadia in the lead 7-6. The Apaches and Wildcats had strong performances in the second and third quarters, resulting in additional touchdowns for both teams, leaving the score at 20-13 With less than 15 seconds on the clock in the fourth quarter, #3 Chatman scored Arcadia yet another touchdown, putting Arcadia in the lead 36-39. Enthusiastic and excited energy filled the air and the Apaches won with a final score of 40-36.

The game ended with Pep Squad singing our Alma Mater. This game marked a fantastic start to the season for AHS, and we hope that the remainder of the season proceeds just as seamlessly! Go Apaches!

As the clock struck 4:06 p.m., the game was underway. With Arcadia serving first, the

As the third set started, Arcadia served, and won the point. Hoover was hitting out left and right, and the score gap steadily grew. On the sidelines, enthusiasm rose as the other members of the Varsity Volleyball team cheered for their teammates on the field. As the ball was hit back and forth, Hoover ended up hitting the

lwang@arcadiaquill.com

Photos by Ainsley Najafzadeh

score quickly raised in their favor. Members on the bench cheered loudly and enthusiastically for their teammates, whether they served or blocked a hit. There was no stopping the rapidly growing lead Arcadia earned, with the score becoming 11-5. Though there were a few close hits from Hoover, they were expertly saved by the back row. The gap only continued to grow with Arcadia having a 20-9 lead in the first set. In the end, Arcadia won the first set 25-11.

The second set started with Hoover serving and Arcadia getting the first point. Not even

ball out of bounds, marking their defeat. With a score of 25-10, the Arcadia Girls Varsity Volleyball team won all three of their sets, making it a 3-0 game versus Hoover.

“The game was fun and Arcadia did well. I enjoyed the team’s enthusiasm,” said freshman Rebecca Tsai, who was watching the match.

The team did amazing and worked really well together. Cheers to the team and may there be many more victories to come. Go Apaches!

cchen@arcadiaquill.com

Staff Writer

Photo by Ryan Parizadeh

ATHLETE FEATURE: WARREN LUC

By MICHELLE HO

Staff Writer

Being a student athlete at Arcadia High School (AHS) is no easy feat, but sophomore Warren Luc makes the task of maintaining academic and athletic excellence seem easy. Beginning his second year on the Boys Varsity Water Polo team as goalie, Luc demonstrates incredible dedication and passion for his sport.

Luc has been playing water polo for seven years, and his passion for the game began while he was training for a different sport.

“During swim practice when I was young, I saw some older boys playing water polo,” Luc said. “It intrigued me that there was something fun to do [other than swim] in the water.” Ever since then, Luc picked up the sport and never looked back.

In just his first year on the school team, Luc and his team won three major tournaments: the Long Beach Tournament, the Western Tournament, and the Pacific League. Luc intends to stay on the team for the remainder of his high school career, and there will definitely be more achievements to come.

Luc attends practice from 2:30-4:45 p.m. on weekdays until December, when the season comes to an end. In addition to long afternoon practices, the water polo team also meets at the crack of dawn on Mondays and Wednesdays, training from 6:30-8 a.m.

“Practice is serious almost every day, and we work hard to become a competitive team,” Luc explained. “Our team captain, Jaden Joemtree, encourages us and makes sure we’re working hard.” While practices are long and

arduous, Luc praises the captain’s ability to motivate the team to practice productively daily.

In turn, Co-Captain junior Jaden Joemtree described Luc as “one of the hardest workers on the team… he puts in the work when no one is watching, [the] last to leave the workout, and dedicates himself to perfecting his technique.”

“Warren is hands down one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met,” Joemtree continued. “Most of [the team] played with Warren growing up in clubs, and personally, he was one of my first teammates.”

In addition to school practice, Luc joined a competitive club outside of school to ensure that he keeps his skills sharp off season.

“I joined a club after [last year’s] season, and I’ve been able to balance it,” Luc said. “[the club] has practice at 6:30-9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday,

[along with] a 7:30-10 a.m. practice on Sunday.”

Luc finds the club practices inconvenient at times, but overall, he prefers the early weekend practices because it frees up the rest of the day for homework or

With so much time committed to water polo, one may wonder how the young athlete has time for anything else. However, Luc seems to have no issue maintaining

“School is more of a priority to me than water polo, so I skip practices [if necessary] to study for a test or finish homework,” Luc said. “I still maintain good grades while playing water

The sport plays a huge role in Luc’s life, and it will definitely make an impact on him for years to come. Water polo is a highly interactive sport, and Luc has spent countless hours in the

pool training with his team. Their time spent together has brought them closer, not just as a team, but as friends. Luc enjoys spending time with his teammates both inside and outside of practice.

“At the end of the day, water polo is put aside, and we make memories together as a team,” Luc said. “Whether we win or lose.”

The sport also taught Luc a couple life lessons, such as maintaining a positive attitude in life. He learned to shrug off the little things ingame. Luc remembered struggling to maintain this mentality when he was younger, but as he grew more mature, he learned to move on from his mistakes and instead focus on correcting them in the future.

The AHS athlete is inspired by Olympic goalie Merril Moses, who “isn’t very tall, but is argued to be one of the best goalies,” recalled Luc. “This applies to me because I’m one of the shortest goalies in the sport, and he inspires me to overcome that hurdle.”

When asked for a piece of encouragement for other student athletes, Luc said, “It’s not the accolades that define a team, it’s the journey.”

Luc has shown incredible dedication and skill in water polo while still achieving his academic goals. The young athlete has set high goals for the fall season, and Luc intends to work diligently with his team to win league finals again this year. Good luck to the Luc and the Boys Varsity Water Polo team, and we look forward to upcoming games in the months ahead

mho@arcadiaquill.com

JV GIRLS TENNIS VS. BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL

By SYDNEY CHAU

Staff Writer

After a fascinating display of determination, skill, and unwavering teamwork, the Arcadia High School (AHS) JV Girls Tennis team emerged victorious with a score of 10-2 on September 7th in a match against Burbank High School (BHS). The tennis courts were filled with excitement as the athletes demonstrated their abilities in a showdown of agility, grit, and strength.

From start to finish, it was evident both teams were determined to win. The AHS JV Girls Tennis team, along with their dedicated coach Richard Chen, have been diligently preparing for this match. During daily conditioning and practice sessions, the team was consistently at their best and actively participated in the activities.

The team showed remarkable skills through their consistent shots, as well as tactical court coverage. Their serves were well executed, and their returns were consistent with speed and strength.

“The most important part to returning the ball well is to always move your feet, which is how I was consistently able to win points,” said singles 2 player junior Leia Mar.

However, BHS cannot be underestimated. Their players possessed exceptional resilience and diligence, making every point a challenge to earn.

“While they were a challenge, we kept on pushing forward to make sure that we were able

to secure the game,” stated Victoria Liao, junior JV Girls Tennis team captain.

As the match continued, the atmosphere was intense with AHS maintaining a consistent lead. The Apaches communicated very effectively on the court, ensuring certainty of who was to return the ball. Their teamwork was astonishing, leaving no openings for the opponent.

“When playing doubles, it is essential to have good communication with your partner and call out when you or your partner should get the ball,” said doubles player junior Emma Wang.

The determination displayed by both teams was proof of their strong will to win. Despite what was happening, both teams persisted and brought out their individual bests to achieve the shared goal of winning.

After persevering through many intense matches, the AHS JV Girls Tennis team was able to secure victory over BHS with a triumphant final score of 10-2. The mighty JV Girls Tennis team will continue to learn from their successes and work toward even greater achievements in the future. Their resolved determination and teamwork will be of great aid throughout the rest of the season. Make sure to encourage and cheer them on. Best of luck to the JV Girls Tennis team!

schau@arcadiaquill.com

Photo by Arya Desai

Photo courtesy of AUSD DCI intern Alaina Lee

1ST MONTH OF SCHOOL SURVEY

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH OF SCHOOL?

Pretty nice around campus wish their were more necessary freshmen activities around though.

- Aviral Saxena (9)

EXCELLENT (8.7%)

FANTASTIC (7.4%)

GREAT (29%)

I have just moved from China to US, the teacher here are quite nice, but because I have to begin school life here as a senior, so there are a lot of things for me to catch up, sometimes it will a little overwhelmed me

- Xiaoding Nie (12)

GOOD (23.2%)

TERRIBLE (1.4%) POOR (4.3%)

AWFUL (1.4%)

FAIR (10.1%)

I love my classes and teachers, I am not a fan of the lack of class time preparation for quizzes. We focus so much on material that is not necessarily related to the quiz

- Madeline Lee (11)

MEDIOCRE (5.8%)

SATISFACTORY (8.7%)

Since it’s senior year I am very excited to graduate but also have been so tired since school began.

- Yoon Hte (12)

Graphics courtesy of Media Editor design.arcadiaquill@gmail.com