January 2022 by The Arcadia Quill

the arcadia quill ISSUE 4 VOLUME 69

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JANUARY 2022

EST. 1952

Governor Newsom Signs New Laws arcadiaquill.com

ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL 180 CAMPUS DRIVE ARCADIA, CA 91006

By ANNA ODELL Staff Writer California Governor Newsom signed 770 new laws that have taken effect this January. Many of these laws were signed in October 2021. Some of these laws include “making ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement,” “mandating mental health instruction in middle and high schools,” “requiring colleges, universities, and secondary schools to provide free menstrual products on campus,” and “making it illegal to harass people entering vaccination clinics.” Some officials feel that all of these laws are extremely important, especially today. For example, Catherin Flores Martin, executive director of the California Immunization Coalition, stated for The Los Angeles Times that the reason this new “anti-harassment” law is so important is because “when children are getting vaccinated, some of these people feel like they need to protest, and that’s

ahs club closures [pg 4]

Photo courtesy of AUSD.NET

The Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly at Arcadia High School (AHS). Students who have tested positive or been in close contact are ordered to stay home. With many absences, clubs were required to cancel all meetings until the end of January.

scary and extremely inappropriate.” There have been multiple instances of medical officials being threatened and assaulted while administering the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, Senator Richard Pan, a practicing pediatrician who has been giving out vaccines, has experienced these forms of harassment. People are also relieved to hear that mental health will actually be addressed in schools as well. This bill was named Assembly Bill 309, and it was a result of the sharp increase of mental health disorders amongst teenagers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new protocol will help schools identify students who might need help and connect them with counselors or other services,” said Ed Source. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who sponsored this bill, expressed his concern about the current mental health crisis among young people and said that this bill will give schools better and direly needed resources to help students.

what's inside

embracing under-eye circles [pg 6]

These are just two of the 770 laws that Governor Newsom signed into law. However, Governor Newsom vetoed 66 of the bills that were proposed to take effect this January. Some of these vetoed bills included: decriminalizing jaywalking as it could “unintentionally increase the state’s already high rate of pedestrian fatalities,” expanding college financial aid, and boosting family-leave payments. As Judicial Learning Center said, “laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself.” Many of these new laws were created and passed as a result of public complaints during the pandemic. Those who agree with the laws believe that they will help their general safety and well-being as they addressed the problems they thought were important.

aodell@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of MOTORTRENDS.COM

the importance of taylor’s version [pg 12] “Taylor’s Version” is simply an exemplifition of the ownership that she now has over her own music. It is the physical embodiment of how she finally received the rights that she was long denied, and is an addition to her titles that could be used to support her!

Dark under-eye circles are often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and are deemed “un-attractive” by society. YouTube and other social media platforms are flooded with videos telling you how to “get rid” of these circles, but it’s difficult to find videos embracing them. Graphic courtesy of ISTOCK.COM

Photo courtesy of NEWYORKER.COM

POLICY

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JANUARY 2022

the arcadia quill. general staff

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

editorial board

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.

JANUARY 2022

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Featuring governmental podiums stolen, police barricades broken, and even a noose dangled from a gallows set up on an erected platform, the events that unfolded on January 6, 2021, revealed a chilling, dark side of America. In the midst of an unforgiving pandemic ravaging the country, the mobs of the Capitol Hill Insurrection aired on TV screens across the world. With this month marking a year since the insurrection, we look back to reflect on what the riot has revealed about America’s institutions, democratic ideals, and how the country can move forward. The events of Jan. 6 deeply affected American citizens, especially us, the students, a small part of a larger whole: Generation Z. As members of this generation, we have witnessed not only the aftermath of 9/11—War on Terror—unprecedented pandemic, and a historical Capitol raid, exacerbated by the continued influence of social media. Unlike BabyBoomers and Generation X at our age, we have almost-instant access to news from around the world within seconds of an event occurring. And yet, while having boundless knowledge at our fingertips at any given moment certainly is a blessing, 24/7 coverage of Capitol Hill has also given us a front seat to the deterioration of American politics over the past decade, for better or for worse. As the younger generation who grew

up watching scandal-ridden politics broadcast on primetime TV—blaring headlines illuminating an endless train of controversies of everything ranging from nepotism to foreign quid pro quo’s in the Oval Office—accompanied by nothing short of openly sexist, xenophobic, and even blatantly anti-democratic political speech regarding not only sexual misconduct and immigration, but the very underpinnings of American democracy themselves, we hoped that the insurrection was meant to be the straw that finally broke the camel’s back and drove lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle to action. But little has changed since last year; if anything, the promise of American democracy has crumbled even further. It’s evident as the refusal to acknowledge President Biden’s 2020 presidential win became a commonplace occurrence among Republican politicians who seek to retain pro-Trump voters and the passage of legislation adding more roadblocks to deter voters from the voting booth. Yes, over 700 participants in the insurrection have been arrested and a House-appointed Select Committee has continued to investigate, but at the end of the day, almost no foundational change has occurred to finally shake the grips of the instigation of the insurrection from the GOP, no commitment has been made to a less antagonistic political scene,

EDITORIAL no grand change has occurred to finally convince voters that enough is enough. As young Americans approach the cusp of adulthood, it’s all very disheartening to see—the insurrection itself, the ardent condemnation of the former president gradually fading into lukewarm commentary, the underlying problems behind the insurrection overlooked. And yet, at the same time, this is hardly a novelty. We see the spread of misinformation that baselessly convinced rioters that the election had been stolen, reiterated in the conspiracy theories of antivaxxers and anti-maskers that have prolonged a pandemic that has already killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. It leaves us to wonder: with so much miscommunication, prejudice, and ignorance present in our society, how are we supposed to be the agents of change as the upcoming generation of voters? The Jan. 6 insurrection was yet another symptom of the underlying bigotry festering deep within American society that had resonated throughout so many other memorable events in today’s age. More grimly, it sends voters the message that their sole direct contribution to democracy, of having their voice heard in a country of over 330 million people, will no longer be guaranteed or even respected. Trump relentlessly argued that the election was stolen and the results

should not be accepted by Americans, a notion that several Republican Congressmen have and continue to uphold. Ultimately, it leaves young Americans, many of whom will vote for the first time in the coming years, already fatigued by the prospect of shouldering the burdens of previous generations—of political polarization, of racial injustice, of inflation and financial security, of climate change—with an even more jaded, cynical view of the future. After all, if the most serious threat to one of the greatest symbols of American democracy in over two centuries couldn’t change public sentiment and incite change, then what can? Well, the answer lies with the young people. In another year or two, we will be the ones voting and shaping American politics. Though it seems like change is hard to achieve, with the Capitol Insurrection bringing a fresh grim reminder of the escalation of bigotry into violence, it’s not impossible. Progress is never linear, nor is it a guaranteed outcome. Progress is made through purposeful choices: using our voices and ballots, and reaching out into our communities in every way we can with social media and our advocacy. By being informed, objective, and compassionate, we, the voters of tomorrow, can change the trajectory of the future of America for the better.

NEWS

THE 33RD ORCHESTRA THE COVID BOOSTER SHOT BENEFIT DINNER By KIRA CAMACHO

Staff Writer With the surge of Omicron and COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is introducing new tactics to keep the public safe. They recommend COVID booster shots and mask upgrades. The CDC advises adding layers of material, wearing a mask with a nose wire, and adding layers of material. The CDC also recommends not combining KN95 masks with another mask. Other than upgrading your mask, the COVID booster shot can also help you to stay safe. On Jan. 5, the booster shots were approved by the FDA for teens 12 to 15. As we know, vaccines introduce a small amount of the virus to your body in order to help build up immunity. A booster shot is slightly different; it’s an additional dose after the initial protection from the vaccine. “Typically, you would get a booster after the immunity from the initial dose(s) naturally starts to wane,” wrote Lisa Maragakis and Gabor David Kelen at John Hopkins Medicine. “The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer.” Just like the vaccine, you may experience some side effects from the COVID booster shot. Maragakis and Kelen explain that some symptoms may include body aches, headaches, and tiredness for a day or two. You may also feel chills, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may be uncomfortable,

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but they aren’t anything to worry about. When these symptoms occur, it means your immune system is naturally responding to the shot and building up protection against the virus. Depending on your health status and which vaccine you recieved, you should get your booster five to six months prior. This helpful chart on the CDC website can show you when to get your booster. For people 12 to 17 years old, the CDC recommends the PfizerBioNTech COVID booster five months after your vaccine shot(s). The Moderna booster is recommended for adults 18 and older. “This booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID and the Omicron variant. I encourage all parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. Doctors and medical professionals are recommending booster shots due to the rising numbers of COVID cases, and highly contagious omicron variant. “Plenty of school systems across the country are holding in-person classes after the holidays, despite the nationwide rise of Covid’s highly infectious omicron variant. On [Jan. 3], the U.S. reported a record single-day number of Covid cases — more than 1 million — according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University,” according to CNBC. Stay safe!

kcamacho@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of PIXABAY.COM

By MICHELLE SO

Staff Writer

Do you ever miss the circus? The elephants trumpeting, the call of horns, and the faint twang of a trapeze. Well, no need to go far because Orchestra will be bringing the show to you! Next month, the Arcadia High School Orchestras will be proudly hosting the annual Orchestra Benefit Dinner (OBD). The 2022 theme is The Greatest Show, and the event will be from 5:00-10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. However, unlike the name suggests, there will be no typical banquet festivities. Because of COVID-19 concerns, maskless activities will be kept to a minimum. Still, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy, from chamber music ensembles to a high stakes silent auction. Additionally, OBD is Orchestra’s biggest fundraiser. Since all gatherings were canceled last year, OBD 2022 has the potential to help out Orchestra with transportation fees, instrument repairs, and more. Freshman Chloe Shiu is a violinist in Premier Orchestra and a Social Chair in Orchestra Council. This is her first year in Orchestra, and this February marks her first time participating in OBD. “I’m looking forward to attending and performing at the OBD since it’s my first time,” Shiu said. She predicts that this will be “an unforgettable orchestra event.” Meanwhile, on the other side of the grade

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spectrum is senior Robin Huang, who plays violin in Symphony Orchestra. The last time he went to OBD was in his sophomore year and, in remembering the gathering only had positive recollections. “OBD brought people from [different periods] closer,” said Huang. “I remember we played Star Wars music back in 2020… Overall, the vibe was great!” It’s been two years since Huang last got to experience the event, and he’s most looking forward to the orchestral music this year. In accordance with the theme, all four orchestras will participate in a group playing of The Greatest Showman soundtrack, including “This is Me”and “ Tightrope.” This is, as many orchestra members would agree, the most memorable part of OBD evenings. Over 200 students play in synchronicity, scattered throughout the guest tables. If you are unable to make the date, another way you could contribute is through a monetary donation or a silent auction item. Silent auction items must be at a minimum cost of $50 and should be brand new. Tickets can be purchased through any Orchestra member and cost $40 per person. The fun-filled event will be held at the Arcadia Masonic Lodge located at Center 50 W Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91007. See you there!

mso@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of NOUNPROJECT.COM

AHS CLUB CLOSURES By SABRINA LO Staff Writer The Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly at Arcadia High School (AHS). Students who have tested positive or been in close contact are ordered to stay home. With many absences, clubs were required to cancel all meetings until the end of January. Officers of Hope Can Cure Cancer Club, Kare 4 Kids, Key Club, Music Makes Miracles, and Red Cross Club gave their input on the mandate and how members can stay engaged. All of the clubs agreed that canceling inperson meetings in January was a good idea for the safety of AHS students. “I think it’s reasonable for club meetings to be canceled in January because there are many students absent, many club officers included,” said junior Cindy Lu, secretary of Red Cross Club.

“Although the foreseeable future is unknown, it would be nice to resume in-person club meetings in February,” said senior Ian Lau, co-president of Hope Can Cure Cancer Club. Junior Gwyneth Ngo, vice president of Music Makes Miracles, also expressed that “putting safety first is our first priority.” Most clubs are uncertain of whether or not they will be able to reopen in February, but everyone hopes they will. “If we are forced to cancel in-person events in February then we will host online meetings,” said senior Michelle Chen, president of Key Club. “However for the remainder of the month, we don’t intend on having virtual meetings because we are asked to pause in-person service events,” she added. Red Cross Club expressed similar thoughts to Key Club. On the other hand, the other clubs explained that online meetings would probably not be their next move, as it

would be difficult to garner active participation. In our technologically-advanced world, it isn’t too hard for club members to stay engaged. Music Makes Miracles asked members to find updates through their social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram. Students should be sure to look out for email blasts to keep themselves updated for future virtual events or volunteer opportunities. “K4K is continuing to stay in touch with some of the elementary schools to offer our service and create virtual volunteer opportunities for its members,” said senior Matthew Chung, vice president of Kare 4 Kids. “To stay engaged, Red Cross Club members can attend our Youth Corps virtual events,” said senior Michelle Huo, co-president of Red Cross Club. “Regional Youth Corps are held almost every week throughout the rest of the school year.” Each club encouraged students to keep on

exploring and taking part in things they’re passionate about, even if COVID-19 might have plans changed and events postponed. “In the event that school and work become very stressful, we encourage you all to find comfort in diving yourselves into the beauty of music,” said junior Kaden Cho, activities coordinator of Music Makes Miracles. “Though you may feel discouraged, remain hopeful for all of the new opportunities to come! Stay optimistic and safe!” said senior Elise Fong, co-president of Kare 4 Kids. Students at AHS should remember to be alert, calm, and most of all enthusiastic about what is to come. After all, COVID may ruin plans, but AHS students are always able to adapt to it in the best ways possible.

slo@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of RED CROSS AND KEY CLUB

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JANUARY 2022

NEWS

CURBING COVID IN AUSD: WHAT IT TAKES

By DARIN BUENALUZ

Staff Writer Attending school in-person during a pandemic comes with risks, notably COVID-19 itself. Every positive case must be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent further spread of the virus to unsuspecting students, family members and staff members. I spoke with the District Nurse Manager, Mrs. Erica Newkirk, to gain a better insight into how Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) is approaching COVID from a healthcare perspective. The first step of the process involving positive students actually starts with the student themselves or their parents, as they are responsible for notifying the school of an exposure and subsequent positive COVID test result. “Our exposure management plan essentially happens when we receive a notification or become concerned that a person could have tested positive for COVID-19. The primary way that we’re notified of a positive case is by students or staff or family using our AUSD COVID Support Form to notify us of a positive case,” said Mrs. Newkirk. After the information regarding the positive case is received, the form, which is fully automated, immediately sends feedback to the individuals in question, including parents and students, about their next steps in making sure they are quarantining and getting tested on the correct dates so that they can return to school. Following the positive-tested students receiving their instructions comes the process of contact tracing, which has undergone multiple changes over the course of the past month and is the most time consuming. As it stands, the district’s healthcare system begins determining close con-

tacts based off of student reports, such as who the positive student hangs out with at school or shares classes with. This process of contact tracing is further supported by resources such as teacher reports and seating charts. According to Mrs. Newkirk, “what we’re looking for is any individual who has been within six feet of the infected individual for 15 minutes or more during their contagious period, and their contagious period starts either 48 hours prior to symptoms or 48 hours prior to their positive test if they were asymptomatic.” After the close contacts are identified, they are sent an electronic letter letting them know of their identification and their next steps according to the guidelines provided by the LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). These letters were sent immediately prior to the recent spike in new COVID cases, but due to the sheer volume of cases and corresponding lists of close contacts, the distribution now has a delay. Infected classrooms are deep cleaned by the district’s COVID 19 Rapid Response custodial teams, though all classrooms are regularly sanitized. Finally, reports of case numbers are sent to the LACDPH. However, it’s important to note that the process of contact tracing will be changing in accordance with new LACDPH recommendations. These changes, like any other change in LA County school health guidelines, are done in collaboration between the Department of Health and the major school districts that will be affected. As Mrs. Newkirk has observed,“they try to make decisions for schools in partnership with each other. The guidelines are designed to keep kids safe, but they’re also trying to do what makes sense for schools.”

Since the return from winter break, AUSD COVID cases have been higher than ever before, and many parents, students and other members of the AUSD community have developed the feeling that the district has not done enough to prevent students and staff from getting COVID. “AUSD has been working hard in order to combat COVID-19, but we hardly feel the support. We are attending school in fear right now. Why send students to school during the most dangerous time period, because everyone has no option? Everyone knows what the outcome could be, but we can’t feel the district’s efforts to prevent that,” said junior Leon Lai. In spite of this, Mrs. Newkirk feels that there are a few important things that people should recognize regarding the work of the district’s healthcare system. “I think ultimately, what’s really important for folks to remember is that myself and other leadership in the district, none of us are public health experts. We really have leaned into and relied on the Department of Public Health to guide us through this pandemic, because we’re not experts in terms of pandemic management or things of that nature. I think it might just be good [for people] to know that we’re going through this process, but we’re also experiencing this process on that end as well,” she added. Furthermore, an often overlooked fact is that many of the district healthcare workers are parents who have students of their own attending AUSD schools. As such, they gain a clear understanding of the decisions that they make for the sake of the district community’s health because they see how it affects their own children. “I think everyone wants our schools to be a safe space, we just need to make sure that we’re going about that in a way that’s recommended by the experts,” she said. In the immediate future, AUSD will con-

tinue in-person learning during the surge of new COVID cases, but this doesn’t mean that the district’s healthcare force isn’t standing by idly. Mrs. Newkirk wants people to know that they’re still here and working around the clock to make sure students are as healthy as possible. “We’re listening to what our public health partners have been telling us; they seem to think that we’re in a surge, that they do think the surge will end, and they anticipate that we’re going to do what we need to keep people safe during this surge.” “And once the surge slows down, we might hopefully be able to go back to how we were progressing before. So if I was going to say things to people right now, thank you for your patience, thank you for your partnership, we’re going to continue to work with the experts and we’re going to trust them on their timeline in terms of when they think things will improve from here on out,” Mrs. Newkirk remarked.

dbuenaluz@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of PIXABAY.COM and FREESVG.ORG

AHS PEER MENTORING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM By VANESSA VALENTINO Staff Writer Since 2016, Arcadia High School (AHS) has had a voluntary peer mentoring program specifically for students with autism. Founded by Ms. Genevieve Huffman, a speech language pathologist at AHS, the program has been active for six years now, and currently has 26 mentors and 24 mentees. During Ms. Huffman’s initial research, she discovered that daily intervention classes and peer mentoring were the most helpful to students with autism and improved cognitive skills. With this knowledge, she decided to start the program, hoping to bring students with autism positivity and an opportunity to practice social skills. Although many have heard of au-

tism, misconceptions of it aren’t uncommon. Ms. Huffman explained that it’s a neurobehavioral spectrum disorder. “It’s called a ‘spectrum’ because it includes a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communications, and others. It also reflects the wide variation in strengths possessed by each person with autism,” she said. The peer mentors consist of upperclassmen recruited by Ms. Huffman; common traits she looks for are responsibility, empathy, kindness, patience, and social skills. They’re recruited at the beginning of each school year and go through rigorous training to become a mentor: they discuss confidentiality rules, the role of a mentor, and ways to better communicate with their mentees. For example, peer mentors are taught the ac-

ronym “IBRAPN,” which is used as a guideline for communicating with students with autism. Each letter stands for a helpful phrase, such as “I can talk about my perspective” or “Reinforce the positive.” While mentors are given training, they still encounter challenges, such as finding common ground with mentees. But once they overcome this, it’s a rewarding experience. Peer mentor senior Brandon Lin shared about working with his peers, expressing how he enjoys learning about them and their interests. For him and many other mentors, the program provides a different perspective and an opportunity to look past their autism, learn about them as a person, and connect with them. “Just one thing I love about them is that they’re always down to talk, because they’re really open and just really want to be able to talk about what they like [and] their interests,” said Lin.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday, peer mentors and mentees meet at lunchtime on the AHS softball field. They talk about a range of subjects, from school to their interests, and end lunchtime with a game. Since making friends can be a struggle for students with autism, the peer mentoring program is able to provide friendships and an outlet to practice socializing. It’s a safe, non-judgemental environment that works to help students with autism feel heard.

vvalentino@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of COMMONS. WIKIMEDIA.ORG and PIXABAY.COM

OPINION

Embracing Under-Eye Circles By AINSLEY NAJAFZADEH Staff Writer “Why are your eyes so dark?” and “Are you getting enough sleep?” are some questions I’m constantly asked. While I appreciate the concern for my well-being, statements like these are truly upsetting, since they imply that there is something wrong with the dark circles under my eyes.

By ANNA ODELL

For the longest time, I’ve been self-conscious about my dark circles since I’ve been told numerous times that I look “sickly,” despite the fact that they have no idea that I was born with them. Assuming I am sick or need more sleep can be irritating. These circles are often perceived as a flaw or something that has to be concealed, but there is nothing wrong with them; they are completely natural and are present in practically everyone, though some are darker than others. Since

arcadiquill.com the skin around the eyes is thinner and there is less fat, the dark color you see is just blood vessels and accumulated fluid. Allergies, genetics, and sun exposure are some of the reasons why some people’s circles seem darker than others. Of course, sleep deprivation can contribute to these circles, but it still isn’t an excuse to call them out or make unpleasant comments, because these statements, although seemingly innocuous, are actually rooted in people’s insecurities. Dark under-eye circles are often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and are deemed “unattractive” by society. YouTube and other social media platforms are flooded with videos telling you how to “get rid” of these circles, but it’s difficult to find videos embracing them. If society continues to tell us that these circles are “ugly,” there’s a good chance that we’ll believe it. In sixth grade, I remember there was a day when my eye bags were a little puffier and darker than normal, and while I didn’t think much of it at the time, one of my friends had called me “Racoon.” Even as a joke, this was hurtful and changed the way I viewed my under-eye circles forever. People are continuously reminded through videos on the internet that their undereye circles are “undesirable” and should be addressed, which has the same impact as being told this directly.

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Although there are many negative videos regarding under-eye circles, currently you can find people exaggerating these circles especially on TikTok. To make their circles stand out, creators use a variety of cosmetic items such as eye shadow and eye liner. Personally, I think this trend has definitely made me feel more confident about my under-eye circles because I know there are people out there trying to embrace them. It’s inspiring to watch people defy traditional beauty standards and confidently wear what they’ve been given. Even though my dark circles have gotten better in the recent year, I’m still in the process of accepting them. It’s important to remember that your under-eye circles are natural and should be embraced.

anajafzadeh@arcadiaquill.com Graphics Courtesy of COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG and PIXABAY.COM

Electric Vehicles Might Not Be Better than Gas Cars Staff Writer

One of the first thoughts people may have when they want to help the environment is that they should invest in an electric car. The idea being that electric cars would significantly improve air pollution and help the environment in the long run. This, however, might not actually be the case. To begin with, electric cars are powered by an electrical grid which uses fossil fuels to run on. These fuels release gasses that are toxic to the environment. Politico stated that electric cars are, “only as ‘clean’ as America’s mix of power sources,” as they are charged from this electrical grid. While the electric grid is slowly becoming more sustainable by using some renewable sources, we still mainly burn fossil fuels to create energy. The goal of electric cars is to reduce the number of greenhouse gasses that we emit, however, the very thing that powers electric vehicles uses fossil fuels itself. This feels hypocritical in the sense that we urge people to invest in these kinds of cars to try to reduce our carbon footprint, however, we continue to use non-renewable energy which

is continuously harming the earth. Although driving electric vehicles is greener than driving the average “gas-guzzler,” they still have a long way to go before they are truly environmentally friendly. Not only do they use an energy system that is powered by fossil fuels, but the creation of the car itself also consumes a lot of energy. In fact, obtaining the metals used to build the cars requires extracting raw materials from the Earth. Electric cars are “built of aluminum and rare metals and other stuff that must be dug out of the ground,” said Anjani Trivedi on Bloomberg. When we extract raw materials, we release pollutants into the environment, we decrease the soil quality and nutrient levels of certain ecosystems, and we increase seismic activity. The White House says that they want to reduce “tailpipe emissions and [boost] the efficiency of cars” in order to decrease the amount of pollution they release, but our activities say otherwise. They’re providing funds to increase the number of charging stations throughout the country to help achieve this goal. They seem to be completely unaware of the detrimental effects that electric vehicles have on our environment. This sends the message that our govern-

ment doesn’t care enough about the earth to act faster in terms of finding other ways of creating energy. The government has stressed that the climate crisis needs to be dealt with and has released information regarding the severity of it, however, we haven’t stopped burning fossil fuels or stopped mining for oil. Both of which negatively impact important ecosystems. Additionally, companies use destructive methods while creating the batteries that power the electric cars. “A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative found that the battery and fuel production for an [electric vehicle] generates higher emissions than the manufacturing of an automobile,” stated CNBC. To obtain the materials needed to create these batteries takes enormous amounts of water. Furthermore, Your AAA Daily stated that this can “contaminate the water supply,” which, in turn, harms the environment. The damage caused by these toxic chemicals that are released into bodies of water hurts its living organisms and is far from easy to reverse. In general, electric vehicles aren’t necessarily a great alternative to regular gasoline powered vehicles. The production of the cars themselves as well as their batteries have proven to be just as bad.

Your AAA Daily also said the “production of electric cars emits between 1.3 and 2 times the amount of greenhouse gases than that of internal-combustion vehicles.” In summary, the public is sometimes led to believe that solving the climate crisis will be as simple as just switching to an electric car. Social media platforms, the government, and news sources urge them to make this switch. Many of these people aren’t aware that there really aren’t much better alternatives because our energy sources aren’t renewable and so electric cars aren’t that much more efficient than regular cars. We should look to countries such as Sweden which use renewable energy sources like hydropower (using water) and wind power to produce energy. These sources would be much safer for the environment and would help electric cars become much more sustainable in the long run. This is a goal that our government can work to achieve so that we can reduce our carbon footprint. We really can’t make excuses for our inability or ‘refusal’ to use alternative energy.

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JANUARY 2022

OPINION

Sportswashing is a Problem By STEPHANIE WANG Staff Writer Against the backdrop of the highly-anticipated 2022 Winter Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Beijing, China, the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to the country of Qatar has raised questions from human rights groups and media outlets over the country’s lack of stability and abysmal human rights record. From the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, in which Nazi Germany attempted to broadcast a positive view of the country through glowing media coverage of the event, the practice of “sportswashing,” or using highprofile sporting events or teams to improve public image, has become a greater and more relevant problem in the light of recent events. As preparations for the World Cup continue, one of the most highlighted human rights issues in Qatar has been the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in the country, who can currently be punished by fines or imprisonment. Despite statements from the FIFA President Sepp Blatter that the federation wants to “open this game to everybody, and to open it to all cultures,” numerous LGBTQ+ activists have expressed continued concern and advocated boycotts, and Australia’s Josh Cavallo, a top-flight left-back for Adelaide United who came out as gay in October 2021, has said he would be “very scared” to play at the 2022 World Cup. Preparation for the event itself has also

sparked concern, as reports of severe mistreatment of workers hired to build infrastructure emerged. Appalling labor conditions, including residence in unsanitary labor camps, withholding or destruction of legal documents, and exploitation of migrant workers under the Kafala system have led to the deaths of an estimated 6,500 migrant workers from 5 countries between 2010 and 2020. In China, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been accused of covering up the high-profile case of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai by defending the continuation of the 2022 Beijing Olympics in spite of Peng’s disappearance after accusing a high-ranking Chinese government official of sexual assault. Although the IOC justified their decision by labeling the Olympic Games as “the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition,” Human Rights Watch China Director Sophie Richardson condemned the IOC’s “desperat[ion] to keep a Games on the rails no matter the human cost.” However, like the 2018 World Cup, held in Russia, a similarly controversial event due to the nation’s stained human rights record, international attention to human rights abuses in Qatar and China may fade from major news outlets once the World Cup actually begins, encouraged by popular emphasis for political neutrality in sports. Despite calls for apoliticality, however, the fact of the matter is that sports is not

inherently politically neutral, and shouldn’t be treated as such. From black power salutes by medal winners at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics to Muhammad Ali’s refusal of the Vietnam War draft to the involvement of star athletes in the Black Lives Matter movement, sports have always involved politics and conflicts over power, and it’s critical that governments and sporting federations today play an active role in confronting sportswashing and pushing for stronger action against human rights violations. Despite the alleged benefits of hosting major sporting events in countries enveloped in moral controversy, including the Qatar 2022 Committee’s statement that the anticipated World Cup has served as a “catalyst” for the country’s improvements to its human rights record, the reality is that the effectiveness of sportswashing as a means of diverting international attention contributes to the continued oppression of victims. Qatar, for one, still hasn’t made much progress towards this purported goal, and currently doesn’t investigate migrant worker deaths. Once the Cup begins and media attention becomes even more drowned out, this track record of human rights abuses and neglect will likely continue, no longer deterred by international pressure. Sportswashing aside, even for countries with relatively better human rights records, large sporting events are often exceedingly costly and also negatively impact local

residents. In preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, numerous low-income Cape Town residents were forcibly evicted and relocated to what some residents call a “concentration camp” in an effort by the South African government to conceal urban slums and display a more positive view of the city. Numerous residents and grassroots activists have also expressed anger and concern as public funds intended for social improvement were used for building stadiums and upgrading airports instead. Prior to the 2012 Olympic Games held in London, fury erupted as Dow Chemical Company – the same Dow that gained infamy for manufacturing napalm during the Vietnam War as well as for its involvement in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy – emerged as a sponsor. On a positive note, the hosting of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – along with similarly controversial events like the 2022 Beijing Olympics – presents a unique opportunity for governments, federations, and players alike to improve human rights conditions. By calling for attention and asking for investigation into human rights abuses, these groups can bring about genuine change for the betterment of the world.

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Participation Trophies are a Disservice By EMMALINE PAN Staff Writer When a child loses at something, it can be hard for them on many levels, as well as for their parents to watch. This is why participation trophies were introduced; to create the idea that all children are winners, and while this isn’t necessarily a harmful narrative, it can set the child up for unrealistic expectations in the real world. First off, participation trophies deprive kids of one of the most important lessons they need in order to improve: losing. While this may seem like a harsh statement, it gives children the necessary gentle dose of reality that they need to embrace in order to succeed. At the end of the day, only one team will win the final club soccer championship. Only a select number of students will be accepted into Harvard. Just because you apply to something, doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Losing teaches kids that not everyone will succeed and get a prize

simply for showing up. Losing can also be incredibly motivational, as it teaches kids that there are different levels of achievement and that if they want something, they need to put in the effort. In a study on Olympic champions, they found that previous loss was key to the athletes eventually winning the medal. After interviewing 12 Olympic athletes (eight men and four women), a conclusion was drawn that linked the “role of resilience in athlete’s lives and the attainment of optimal sport performance”. Participation trophies also can demean the achievements of the actual winners. When trophies and awards are handed out like party favors, they become merely souvenirs of an experience, instead of tokens of true achievement. Like so many of my peers, I grew up receiving certificate after certificate, medal after medal, trophy after trophy, for every event that I participated in, no matter how poorly or well I performed. I can now say, after years and years of these awards collecting dust on

top of my dresser, that they are worth nothing more to me than the plastic they’re made up of, as I now recognize that they were not truly earned. While some claim that a steady flow of awards improves a child’s self-esteem, and that this increased self confidence will lead to greater achievements, studies show that when parents glorify their children constantly, it can lead to the development of narcissistic traits. This can result in children thinking they don’t need to work hard in order to win. On the other hand, it has also been proven that adults who give children “person praise”, which can be shown in the form of participation awards, instead of “process praise”, which can be awards for an actual achievement, actually lower kid’s self esteem following failure, doing the complete opposite of what it’s intended to do. It is also important to remind kids that winning does not define them. Winning and losing are transient states; they might win one

day, and lose the next day. Losing shows them that we all have strengths and weaknesses, and it should not be trophies that define their hard work, but rather, the improvement and learning experience that they have gained from it. Removing participation trophies isn’t an attempt at embarrassing children or making them feel inferior, but teaching them that winning takes hard work and determination. It’s important for kids to know that it’s okay not to win, and it’s okay to lose and make mistakes. It’s through failure that we learn, and our true focus should be on progress, not on results, or shiny plastic trophies.

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FEATURES

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The Twee Revival

By KIRA CAMACHO Staff Writer

‘Twee’— Zooey Deschanel’s signature style. Though she’s considered a Twee icon, she didn’t invent the fashion. It’s often wrongly credited to Deschanel from when New Girl first aired in 2011. Though she was part of the second Twee revival, the fashion actually started years before New Girl and the hipsters of the 2010’s, in the 1960s and 70s. The niche’s name, ‘Twee’, originally meant sweet, dainty, and chic in the 20th century. The style can still be summarized using those words. Twee fashion in the 1960s and 70s (which was really ‘mod’ fashion) included oversized Peter Pan collars, colorful tights, cardigans, and blouses. A

great example of ‘Twee’ or ‘Mod’ fashion in the 60s was Twiggy. She was a fashion icon of the time; the epitome of sweet, dainty, and chic. The fashion survived the 70s and continued into the 1980’s, supported by the rise of Twee pop. The music was simple and innocent, consisting mostly of catchy songs about love. Think of Dreams by The Cranberries and Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer. The ever-resilient Twee survived again, and made it to the late 2000’s. Just in time for Zooey Deschanel’s reign over Twee and Twee supporters. In 2008, Deschanel and M. Ward released their first Twee pop record as She & Him on Merge Records. Deschanel inaugurated the ukulele as an essential part of her take on Twee. You might recognize their song, Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? as the twee-revival anthem on TikTok.

Creators have been pushing for this revival starting in 2021 with popular hashtags including ‘#tweerevival’. Most of the videos I see are against the Zooey Deschanel-2010’s version of the fashion, and lean more towards the 60’s ‘mod’ fashion. Twee seems to have a love or hate

JANUARY 2022

effect on people. Many promote the fashion, others never want to see it again. It might have not always been on the forefront of pop-culture, but twee has always been around. Even if you hate the fashion, its supporters have kept it alive since the 60s. Twee has been present in music, movies, even children’s books. Some even call Mickey Mouse the first Twee icon! A well-known and loved director, Wes Anderson has also helped to keep Twee afloat. You may not realize, but Anderson’s style, especially in his films Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Isle of Dogs is quite Twee. Twee never really went away– today’s revival of Twee is just bringing it back into the mainstream. kcamacho@arcadiaquill.com

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Glass Painting: A Money-Making Hobby By HENRINA ZHANG Staff Writer

As highschoolers, we are fairly limited on making money. But side hustles and small businesses are some things students can do to earn money. Having a small business is time-consuming, and usually requires some skill, so the idea of starting one may be intimidating. But turning a hobby into a source of income isn’t as daunting as it may seem. And one popular trend for students has been glass painting. Sophomore Chloe Hang, a student with her own glass painting small business, said “I saw a lot of people on the internet who were painting their favorite anime characters on glass. I was also into anime at the time, so why not combine two of my favorite things into one?” Glass painting, painting on a piece of a glass-like material, is an attainable skill to have, and it sells for a good amount of money. To make a glass painting, you only

need a few materials: acrylic paint, an inking pen, a paintbrush, and a suitable tile or glass. The materials do not cost a great amount, and this hobby is a little more time-consuming. This is the perfect opportunity for students who like to draw and paint and want to make some cash! To start a glass painting, the first step is to choose what you want to draw. Normally, a client will either ask for a piece you are advertising, or a custom piece, in which they will send you a reference picture. Hang mentioned that most of her clients request anime-related paintings. Some may also request special designs. Once you know what you are drawing, printing out a template is highly advised. You could free-hand the template, but tracing is significantly easier, and it produces a higher-quality drawing. After you have traced your template, you need to paint. Glass painting is tricky, so there are many steps in completing a quality product. Keeping in mind that

the first layer is what shows up, you should start with painting the smaller details, like eyes, mouth, and shading. Then, move on to the larger areas, including clothes, hair, and skin. Don’t be afraid to layer, and make sure to let the previous coat dry.

When asked about the easiest and most difficult parts of glass painting, Hang answered that “Some of the pictures that are sent to me have very small details. It’s a tedious job to make sure that I nail down those details so that the painting looks its best! As for the easiest part, I would say painting on the biggest details, like the character’s skin or hair.

It makes the painting come to life.” You can sell your art on multiple platforms, including Etsy, Instagram, etc. Price them as you see fit, but commissions are on average $20-$30. Hang stated that “from August 2020 to now, I’ve sold 100+ paintings on my Etsy shop/Instagram. I’m glad to be receiving good reviews so far, and everyone I’ve worked with has been very sweet and flexible. I hope to be selling my art for a long time.” Glass painting is an art, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t get it down the first few times. But it is a creative method of exploring painting and running a business. “It takes practice! You won’t make a perfect painting your first time, just be patient and learn from your mistakes. I’m sure you’ll create great art.” hzhang@arcadiaquill.com

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JANUARY 2022

FEATURES

2022 Hopes and Resolutions By KAI WETTERAU Staff Writer

As another COVID-19 dominated year comes to a close, a realm of new possibilities opens up. 2022 represents a chance for even more opening up, so long that it won’t cause anyone harm. It also represents a new beginning, with many people making new resolutions or ideas they plan to follow throughout the year. Resolutions tend to fall under a few select categories, many of those relating to all forms of health, academic efficiency, and/or learning something new. The broader they are, the more achievable they tend to be. With this in mind, Freshman Jolee Kuo wants to better herself during this year. “My hope for 2022 is to overall drink more water and spend more time sleeping every night. So long as I make it a habit, it should go pretty well,” Kuo said. She has decided to focus on the social and physical health aspect of resolutions, and has made them nice and broad so it won’t be hard to keep up with them. Such is with Jolee’s case, the broader someone makes their resolutions, the easier it can be to keep up with. A more theme-like perception of resolutions makes it much easier to keep up with if someone were to miss a day or two of their usually year-long commitment. In a similar light, Freshman Swarit Srivastava believes that aiming for a mental wellness approach is what will help them the best. “The simple goal that I have for this new year is to be happy. It’s sometimes hard to do, especially when the world is stuck in a pandemic, but I would like to believe that things can very well

change. I’m sure to have some days where it might seem like everything is upside down, but it’ll all get better sooner or later,” he explained. Srivastava believes that things will get better, and so always aiming for positivity will help build healthy habits that will last. He wants to use this focal point to increase mental wellness so that he can help others when they are down. While resolutions tend to be more focused on specific requirements, such as drinking eight glasses of water a day or exercising by running a mile every single day, it is these sorts of things that cause people to end their goals within weeks of the new year, causing some of those attempts to be considered a full or partial failure. Freshman Rohan Thakur, who understands this greatly, has made broadness a key component in his plans for the year. “I want to make 2022 the best year it can be, which means going back to the basics and giving myself the highest chance for success. Consequently, I plan on improving my grammar and as a result my overall English, too. Through this, I know I will progress somehow and get towards perfecting my writing skills, for it will surely help me in the future.” In summary, students at AHS have different plans for this year, but they all hit on self-betterment towards a greater cause. While some categories of resolutions will surely be more popular than others, each and every one is creative and unique in its own way.

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Khan Academy: Why It Works By DARIN BUENALUZ Staff Writer

Khan Academy, created by Sal Khan in 2008, is a non-profit organization focused on education. The organization manages a website of the same name that contains thousands of videos, practice questions, and exams for over two dozen different subjects. Starting from kindergarten up until high school and SAT practice, Khan Academy is an invaluable resource for students who may be struggling in certain subjects or who want to get ahead. To expand my knowledge by hearing a different perspective, I spoke with Arcadia High School junior and Link Crew Leader Mohammad Hossein Shirmohammadi, to get his input on how and why he believes Khan Academy works. “I believe that Khan Academy is such an effective and crucial resource for my studies because of the broad variety of topics it covers along with offering free lessons from certified instructors,” he said. One of the major benefits of Khan Academy is that it is self-paced. Unlike traditional schooling, which adheres to a strict schedule meant to cram as much information in as little time as possible, Khan Academy users can take as long as they need to learn subjects. A concept that may only be given one day to be taught in school is broken down and can be learned over the course of a week using Khan Academy. This allows users to effectively absorb the material of a concept, and spend more time practicing it until they feel confident in their ability to solve problems related to the concept. Self-paced learning not only allows for more flexibility in when to learn but also where learning can be done. Each video lesson is short enough that it keeps the attention of the audience, while still explaining all the necessary information needed to grasp a concept. “Khan Academy’s videos-no

more than 20 minutes long- offer a tonal antithesis of what conventional instructors on YouTube use when instructing math and science. Through visualizing each of its lessons, I find that more information is retained in my memory than reading pages off of sleep-inducing school textbooks,” said Shirmohammadi. Khan Academy’s resources teach beyond regular school subjects. The website offers extensive courses for AP classes and has an entire section dedicated to preparing for exams such as the SAT. These additional educational opportunities make Khan Academy the quintessentially qualified source of personal academic improvement. For Shirmohammadi, “it is astonishing that I can actually practice verified SAT problems for free without having to pour hundreds of dollars for SAT prep books or classes. You can even submit your PSAT scores to Khan Academy via College Board and they will personalize your questions to match your skill level.” However, Khan Academy’s vast resources come with a condition. In order for the user to make the most out of the material provided, one must be disciplined in sticking to a schedule that sets aside enough time for effective learning. Khan Academy helps users create schedules, especially in preparation for important exams such as the SAT, and doesn’t penalize users for not using the website at certain times. Despite this, without a sense of discipline, the user is not reaping the full benefits of the website.

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A LETTER

A Letter To 2022.

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JANUARY 2022

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By CHLOE WONG AND ASHLEY ZHAO Campus Focus Editors Dear 2022,

To put this as briefly as we can, last year was a whirlwind of emotions. From the return of inperson learning to the (unfortunate) introduction of a brand new COVID variant, 2021 was a time of highs, middles, and lows. In some ways, it was as hectic as 2020––we witnessed the introduction of the Omicron variant, and political strife inevitably followed a presidential inauguration. For many of us last year, the transition from online school back to in-person learning brought many unwanted uncertainties. Maybe another COVID surge would send us right back to sitting behind our computer screens, or perhaps the virus would finally disappear and we’d get to enjoy a normal high school year. Not only that, but fears of contracting COVID combined with navigating full, six-period school days again made it difficult for us––especially when it came to our mental health. The sudden jump back to in-person school meant having to relearn the skills that used to feel second-nature. Faces on a screen now became an entire classroom full of peers to interact with. Long naps after a three-period block schedule morphed into seven, if not more hours spent on campus attending classes, clubs, or sports practices. What used to be natural suddenly became unfamiliar; with each “normal” aspect of school we had to relearn piling on stress after stress. But for all that went wrong in 2021, there were many things that went right. Vaccinations, booster

TO 2022

shots, and accessible COVID testing have lowered hospitalization rates across the country. We adapted to in-person learning despite the difficulties that came with it, and have already survived through an entire semester. As rocky as it was at times, we can safely say that the world improved in 2021. Our hopes are for that trajectory to continue this year. Even though we were optimistic for 2021 to be better, it wasn’t completely what we expected. 2022 may not be exactly what we hope for it to be either, but even so, we can still look forward with a positive, flexible mindset. In 2022, we hope that COVID-19, after two long years, will finally be over––that the limbo we’re existing in between quarantine and normalcy will end. In 2022, we hope that students who’ve only experienced a pandemic-shaped version of high school will get to attend their first in-person pep rally; we hope that current seniors won’t have to spend their freshman year of college online. We hope that friendships, extracurriculars, and family vacations won’t be interrupted by another lingering quarantine. Maybe all of our wishes won’t come to fruition––but no matter what comes our way in 2022, we can face the future knowing that the struggles we’ve overcome these past few years have reminded us to be confident in ourselves and our perseverance for a brighter tomorrow. Goodbye 2021, Chloe Wong and Ashley Zhao

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A&E

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JANUARY 2022

WHAT WILL AHS

THE IMPORTANCE OF

MUSIC DO NEXT?

(TAYLOR’S VERSION)

By KAI WETTERAU

Staff Writer

With the continued onset of COVID-19, many programs at Arcadia High School (AHS) have been needing to adapt to the new environment. One such program adjusting to this new wave is the music department, which has bright minds continually coming up with new ways to solve the numerous challenges playing music in a pandemic face. With groups such as Choir and Band usually needing to take off their masks to produce music, adjustments have been made to keep everyone safe. This has been done through ways such as the addition of masks with slits in them for Band students or a possible microphone for Choir students which can go around and outside the mask to ensure the utmost protection. Playing or singing outside has also been readily available and utilized, as many groups either work within a large, open space with students spaced apart or distance themselves outside so that air circulation is best. Arcadia has then added on a separate coronavirus screening procedure to help keep things moving along, as any student who may play music indoors is subject to COVID-19 testing, which may be weekly if necessary. As cases go up, so must safety precautions, and this is reflected in the music department’s vision for the rest of the year. Though situations may be tentative, the many groups have been doing their best to work with what they’ve been given, and so are doing incredibly well given the circumstances they are in. Students have also had to adapt, learning when it’s safe to get close to one another and when it’s not. One such band member, freshman John Bee, commented on what interacting with his peers during his music periods is like. “It feels the same, but just so much more safe,” he explained. “We’re allowed to use some of our time as we see fit, but it’s all toward the goal of playing while staying out of harm’s way.” Mr. Kevin Sherrill, one of the band directors, acted in accordance with the district and so felt that this was another step towards keeping the safety of all in the Band pro-

gram. By ASHLEY CHAN “By using covers and special masks, Staff Writer we can more effectively prevent getting the virus and so minimize breakout cases.” The “Alexa, play ‘The Way I Loved You (TayChoir department, as always, has been kind lor’s Version)’.” and smooth in reacting to new ways to protect In 2021, I got accustomed to adding the themselves. This sentiment is then echoed by phrase “Taylor’s version” to any song she rethe Choir teacher, Ms. Connie Tu. released in her albums, Fearless (Taylor’s Ver“Students always will have their masks sion) and Red (Taylor’s Version). Now, you on and are spaced out on the risers, so that the may be wondering why I and millions of other rates will get lowered. This minimizes the efSwifties do so. Well, these two words encased fect of coronavirus spreading, and so keeps by a set of parentheses are more powerful than everyone protected.” you may know. Many in the student body believe that To understand the significance of (Taythis sixth wave of the pandemic will eventulor’s Version), it is important to know who ally slow down, as traveling during the holiSwift is. In 2006, Swift began her career as a day season most definitely contributed greatly musical artist at 14-years-old when she signed towards the steep rise of cases. The music with Big Machine Label. She quickly rose to department may just need to wait things out fame by the time she was 16-years-old, when and see if things eventually calm down. This early hits such as “Love Story” emerged. In is highly evident in the current postponement 2008, Swift released her Grammy-winning alof the Marching Band’s annual fundraiser, the bum Fearless, and Swift’s 1989 album kept up Spaghetti Dinner. The event is currently set this streak of success in 2014, when 1989 was for sometime in mid-March, allowing for just Grammy-nominated ten times. Not only that, enough time for rates to go down and students but her albums following these award winning to show off their skills to fund next year’s proalbums did not disappoint, as seen by Reputagram. tion in 2018. In 2022, her body of work has While these specific parts of the music become increasingly impressive with albums department have needed to make some possuch as Lover, folklore, evermore, Fearless sible changes to the way things are run, the (Taylor’s Version), and Red (Taylor’s Version) AHS Orchestra has seemingly been adaptadding to her collection. These five albums, reing quite well as time goes on. With playing leased in subsequent order, were actually not taking place both outdoors and indoors, this released until after Swift left Big Machine Lagroup has figured out an effective way to flatbel, due to the bullying that she faced. ten the curve and still let students keep the In June 2019, Swift published a Tumblr many Orchestra productions going. If any post that accused two renowned music exgroup can figure out what to do, it’s Orchestra. ecutives, music manager Scooter Braun and In light of this safety, freshman Evan Yen exBig Machine Label founder Scott Borchetta, plained what happens to keep everyone safe. of bullying her. Braun, known for working “By limiting the number and size of the with music superstars Justin Bieber and Arievents, we as an orchestra are able to stay ana Grande, acquired the Big Machine Label more safe,” Yen clarified. “We always keep Group through his company Ithaca Holdings. our mask on no matter what and usually play This made it so Swift, whose master recordings outside.” This set of values is especially imof her six albums that were all owned by Big portant to Ms. Pin Chen, the director of the Machine Label, was unable to own the rights AHS Orchestra. to her albums. “With masks always being kept on to In her Tumblr post, Swift said that Braun play and proper spacing set up when needed, was an “incessant, manipulative bully,” bethe Orchestra is taking the proper cause he now completely owns all her master precautions to fight against COalbums, even after years of her trying to buy VID-19. Groups rehearse her own master recordings. In the same post, outside and practice their Swift stated that Borchetta, the person who playing while stopping refused to sell her master albums to her, was cases before they show “someone whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly up.” just a contractual concept [to].” All of the music deThis accusation divided Swift’s fans into partment has needed to two factions: Swift’s supporters, and Braun’s recheck ways to run classes supporters. Swift’s supporters tweeted #WeSduring the pandemic, and all tandWithTaylor, and this even included famous are currently doing their best musicians such as Halsey. Braun’s supporters to ensure protection from this virus. included his clients like Demi Lovato and Safety is their top priority and they are smartly Bieber. changing things up so that coronavirus has a In the end, Swift joined Universal Music much lower chance of spreading. Group’s Republic Record, and struck a deal in which she would own all of her master albums. This means that she will own the rights to kwetterau@arcadiaquill.com make, sell, and distribute her copies, and have Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK.COM

In her Tumblr post, Swift said that Braun was an “incessant, manipulative bully,” because he now completely owns all her master albums, even after years of her trying to buy her own master recordings. In the same post, Swift stated that Borchetta, the person who refused to sell her master albums to her, was “someone whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept [to].” This accusation divided Swift’s fans into two factions: Swift’s supporters, and Braun’s supporters. Swift’s supporters tweeted #WeStandWithTaylor, and this even included famous musicians such as Halsey. Braun’s supporters included his clients like Demi Lovato and Bieber. In the end, Swift joined Universal Music Group’s Republic Record, and struck a deal in which she would own all of her master albums. This means that she will own the rights to make, sell, and distribute her copies, and have a say over what her music would be used for. (Taylor’s Version) is simply an exemplification of the ownership that she now has over her own music. It is the physical embodiment of how she finally received the rights that she was long denied, and is an addition to her titles that could be used to support her! In 2019, she released Lover, followed by the releases of folklore and evermore. These three albums were brand new, and were not re-released albums. The novelty of the albums explains why (Taylor’s Version) was missing from the titles of the albums and the tracks. However, when she re-released Fearless and Red, (Taylor’s Version) was present to the right hand side of the names. At Arcadia High School, plenty of students have enjoyed Swift’s music and support her by listening to (Taylor’s Version). “My favorite songs from Taylor Swift are ‘Love Story (Taylor’s Version),’ ‘Always & Forever (Taylor’s Version),’ ‘You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version),’ and ‘22 (Taylor’s Version),’” said junior Crystal Kim. “Taylor Swift is one of my favorite artists because her music made my childhood,” said junior Keanna Luu. “One of my favorite albums is Red (Taylor’s Version), and I hope to see her re-release 1989 in her own version.” The next time you find yourself wanting to listen to a Swift song, say or type “Taylor’s version” at the end to listen to Swift’s revamped vintage classic tracks!

achan@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK.COM

A&E

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JANUARY 2022

BETTY WHITE’S LEGACY By ANNA ODELL

Staff Writer

The beloved star Betty White passed away on Dec. 31, 2021, just weeks away from her 100th birthday. Her career as an actress lasted for more than eight decades and was universally loved. People all over the world were heartbroken upon hearing this news as she was known for being a “warm and popular presence,” stated People. White starred in many TV shows including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and That 70’s Show. On each of these shows many people loved e a c h one of her roles as she was hilarious

when she acted. Yet she wasn’t just an actress. In 1952, White “co-founded her own production company and became the first woman to produce a national TV show,” according to CNN. Her roles in film, whether on or off the television, helped shape the industry. She won several awards for these roles which include Emmys and Lifetime Awards. CNN also expressed that White was known for having a progressive view on the world as she was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness as well as being a strong feminist. Her work as a volunteer for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (which she was a part of for 40 years), as well as other animal welfare organizations greatly helped the preservation of species and animals in need. “Our zoo animals serve as ambassadors to the public—to make people aware of the diminishing wild populations before it is too late. A message that will only register by seeing these wondrous creatures live and up close,” White wrote for the Los Angeles Zoo. Other celebrities have also been expressing their dismay about White’s death. White served as an

important symbol and role model for many people including these celebrities. Reynolds, Ryan (VancityReynolds). “The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectations. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.” 31 Dec. 2021, 12:08 p.m. Tweet. Bertinelli, Valerie(Wolfiesmom). “Rest in peace, sweet Betty. My God, how bright heaven must be right now.” 31 Dec. 2021, 11:44 a.m. Tweet. Students at Arcadia High School (AHS) were also unhappy after hearing the news. “I was sad to see her go,” stated AHS junior Nathan Liu. “I loved her role on The Golden Girls. She deserved to make it to her 100th birthday.” “She inspired me in many ways, and I was heartbroken when I found out that she passed away,” AHS junior Dahlia Johnson said. Described as a “National Treasure” by Today, Betty White was a strong activist and a cherished star. She worked to help people all over the world. Everyone who knew about her was sad to see her pass; however, they insist that her legacy won’t be forgot-

they insist that her legacy won’t be forgotten and that her memory will live on forever.

aodell@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of WIKIMEDIACOMMONS.ORG Graphic courtesy of FREEPIK.COM

NETFLIX’S DON’T LOOK UP DETAILS A DARK FUTURE REGARDING OUR DEPENDENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA By SOHANA SAHNI

Staff Writer

Netflix’s new hit movie Don’t Look Up, released on Dec. 5, details a dark future regarding our current dependence on technology and social media. The plot follows two low-level astronomers who discover an apocalyptic comet hurtling towards Earth and try to save the human race. The movie contains an all-star cast, with award winning actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Timothée Chalamet. Though Don’t Look Up focuses on a fictional situation, in modern society, we can see many situations which mirror the events described. Throughout the book, astronomy professor Randall Mindy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and astronomy PhD candidate Kate Dibiasky, played by Jennifer Lawrence, struggle to get American leaders and the general public to accept and address the reality of the comet’s existence and impact. The movie deals with many important topics, such as the importance of social media and the dangers of misinformation.

In the movie, when the public is first notified of the comet’s existence, they remain skeptical. Despite constant reassurance from the government and multiple reputable scientific sources that the comet is real, many American citizens continue to willingly remain ignorant. In fact, the ignorance remains so blatant that even when they can observe the comet in the sky, they still believe it isn’t real. This continued misinformation is fueled by social media conspiracy theorists and other skeptics throughout the movie and the cycle of misinformation is magnified through the internet and unreliable media sources. Though seemingly un-

realistic, the media frenzy mirrors modern events today, such as the conspiracy theories and misinformation currently surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t Look Up displays a dramaticized yet clear example of how social media and other mistruthful sources can encourage a vicious cycle of conspiracy and misinformation. “I think the movie really shows a clear message on the harmful effects of social media in how it can disperse unreliable information through the public,” said Arcadia High School sophomore Kaylee Pusateri. “I mean, these days you can say anything online and if enough

people see it, it’s taken as the truth.” The movie also identifies a dark truth in society: our inability to accept and deal with tough, life-changing issues and events. Rather than facing the truth that the comet is coming and an apocalypse is likely near, people prefer to live in their blissfully ignorant peace and not attempt to stop the transformation. Even though scientific facts and observation prove the comet, the general public tries hard to question the validity of its existence, as the idea that something so astronomically horrible can be happening right before us is terrifying. In summary, the film serves as an important reminder for much of our American youth today to exercise caution when using social media and be conscious of the way it can manipulate information. Though magnified in extremely polar issues, like COVID, this misinformation can also affect our day to day life and these controversies highlight the importance of having reliable, reputable news sources.

ssahni@arcadiaquill.com Graphic courtesy of FREEPIK.COM

SPORTS

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JANUARY 2022

An Introduction to Inside a Dance Competition Boys Varsity Volleyball By VRITTI GODANI

Staff Wrtier

By HENRINA ZHANG

Staff Writer

As the spring season rolls around, Arcadia High School (AHS) Boys Varsity Volleyball is preparing for a new season. With a new round of players, practices, games, and goals, here’s what Boys Varsity Volleyball has in store for this season. The team roster this year is filled with talented and ambitious students, and they are all excited to hit the ground running. Without an official practice yet, due to rising COVID-19 cases, the boys are still hard at work. Despite practices being canceled, the boys still work to get into peak shape. Most of them condition and build their strength while playing volleyball with others. Going to the gym, playing practice games, and practicing their control on the ball are just a few things they do. There have been multiple open gym events, where players of all levels gather at the AHS gym to practice their fundamentals. They know the importance of starting early and acknowledge the difficulty of the game. Most of these boys have played for quite some time, averaging around four to five years. Senior Matther Le, captain of the team, has participated in numerous tournaments and games. They’re all aware of the competition in volleyball and have pinpointed things that they want to work on. Sophomore Kyle Soriano said, “Our greatest strength would be our chemistry, because we are all great friends and can work out problems if we have any.” Sophomore Darren Yang agreed, stating that their “biggest strength is [their] ability to adapt to any situation, like the pandemic.” Despite the concerns, the team agreed that their chemistry and teamwork is their strength. Most of them have known each other for quite some time, and don’t hesitate to work out any problems that arise. They

know how to have fun and to push each other to their limits. Being on Varsity volleyball, it is essential for the team to be able to balance their sport, academics, and health. Sophomore CJ Lee said “I always have to be conscious about what I’m doing and try to make sure I always recover in the shortest amount of time; everyone especially emphasizes the importance of stretching. On another note, to every athlete, finding their motivation is key to pushing past challenges and growing. They put academics and health over volleyball, but find time to do the things they love. For these athletes, academics come first. The Boys Varsity Volleyball team unanimously prioritizes their school and health. Sophomore Kevin Nakaishi stays motivated by “eating a lot between games. It keeps [him] energized and stops [him] from cramping.” As of now, the season is looking a bit uncertain. However, the main goal of the Boys Varsity team is to win CIF. When asked about their goals, the team responded that they plan on winning CIF by improving as a team. Le hoped that “As a team it would be great if we could win League this year as Arcadia has fallen short for the past couple years.” The Boys Varsity Volleyball team hopes to leave a legacy, so that next season, they may inspire the new team. Additionally, a lot of the players simply want to have fun and get more playing in. Some are excited to improve their plays and skills, and others look forward to exercising their leadership and teamwork. They are determined to pool together their strengths, like adapting quickly to any situation, to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

hzhang@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of AUSD FACEBOOK

There are many different aspects of competitive dance ranging from classes and training to makeup and hair. Competitive dance not only physically challenges a dancer, it also does so mentally by pushing them to be their best in a limited amount of time while remaining calm and collected. Competitive dance is often undermined and not considered a sport because dance is thought to be easy and effortless when in reality it is the complete opposite. People often speak about dance competitions without any previous knowledge or experience and completely ignore the challenging yet fulfilling aspect of dance. For starters, dance studios often start rehearsals as early as three months before competition season or as late as a week before a competition, depending on the level of expertise of the starters. Before rehearsing, studios hold auditions to decide who is on the team according to age group and choreograph multiple group dances, solos, duets, and trios for each team. Once the routine is choreographed and ready to be taught, the dance teachers teach it to the students in rehearsals ranging from one to three hours at least two times a week. Dancers not only have to focus on memorizing the choreography, but they also have to focus on stylistic details, technique, and spatial awareness to really make the routine good. As the competition looms closer, dancers have more frequent, longer, and intense rehearsals to assure that they know the material to the best of their ability. “It takes a while to fully understand and perform the dance well, but we spend hours cleaning and routine and making adjustments to make sure it’s the best that it can be,” stated junior Emilie Conner. In these rehearsals, dancers also have to work with costumes and props. Costumes are not often a problem and are not that difficult to adapt to. However, sometimes costumes may not fit well or be an obstacle in the routine, and dancers have to learn to adapt to that in short periods of time (usually less than a week). If the dance includes props, dancers have to mimic the feeling of dancing with the prop in the beginning and adapt to the weight and difficulties that come with dancing with a prop when it is

brought in. “Dancing with props is the most difficult part of dancing for me. It’s hard to think of your body and the prop at the same time and it’s easy to lose control.”, stated junior Sydney Yee. Dancers also have to focus on makeup and hair as appearance is a crucial part of dance competitions. Young dancers learn how to do a full face of makeup and a full hair updo as young as six years old. In a dance competition, the hair must be out of the face for the entirety of the routine, requiring dancers to use copious amounts of hairspray and hair gel. The makeup must also match the theme of the dance and look presentable, as stage makeup is more colored and differs heavily from day-to-day makeup. “Makeup is the hardest part for me because it’s hard to match the makeup to the routine. You never know how dramatic or natural it really needs to be so it’s hard to match it perfectly,” stated junior Leslie Lopez. Finally, once all the preparations have been made, dancers arrive at the competition, usually in full costume (including hair and makeup), and wait backstage till it is their turn to perform. Backstage, a wave of nervousness washes over the dancers but once the stage lights hit their faces, it all disappears. After performing, dancers wait for the rest of the day till all age divisions and sections of the competition have competed and then they attend the award ceremony. Awards are given to the top three in small competitions but to the top 10 in larger competitions, with overall awards scoring higher than anyone in the competition or in their division. Overall, dance is not as easy as it looks to be. Yes, it may look graceful and flowy, but a lot of hard work and effort goes into making it look that way. Although dancers are constantly not recognized for their efforts, dance competitions validate their hard work and dedication.

vgodani@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of AUSD FACEBOOK

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JANUARY 2022

Sports Managers: Part of the Team By ASHLEY CHAN Staff Writer Around the world, millions of sports fans offer standing ovations and invigorating cheers for their favorite sports teams and athletes. However, do you ever see millions of sports fans give thanks to the management teams behind these athletic superstars? Not very likely. Sports managers, otherwise known as business managers, are responsible for handling the business ordeals and ventures of sports teams and athletes. These managers work at the collegiate and professional levels, as long as their service is in demand to manage relations for the athletes. As you could imagine, being a sports manager comes with a list of responsibilities. These can include managing the financial situation, making travel arrangements, and creating arrangements for gear and amenities needed by the individuals involved. Overall, sports managers are responsible for easing the burden on their clients, and taking care of the business aspect of the sports industry so that their clients could focus their efforts on training. Sports managers strive for their clients to be competing at their highest level, and this is why sports managers are such a critical part of the team. Clientele for sports management can vary from managing a single athlete to man-

aging a whole sports team. For a single athlete, a sports manager is responsible for arranging accommodations that will be unique and personalized towards the individual they are serving. For instance, sports managers can help manage the individual’s media appearances. In terms of managing a team, a sports manager would be overseeing the entire organization that they are responsible for. Meaning, there is a much larger set of responsibilities that they will take on. For example, sports managers could resolve conflicts between different departments within the sports organization, or maintain the employees so that all the inner workings of the organization runs smoothly. At Arcadia High School (AHS), we have numerous sports teams that any student could try out for. This includes badminton, baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swim and dive, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. On these teams, there are student sports managers that could be freelanced by the teams. Seniors Skylar Leung and Kayla Cheung describe their experience as sports managers for the Girls Varsity Basketball team. In terms of the responsibilities for the Girls Varsity Basketball team, Leung reported, “I attend all of the games and keep track of the individual athlete’s stats. The stats include points, rebounds, steals, and assists. I am also in charge of recording the games in order for the

SPORTS

team to look over their mistakes later. ” AHS sports managers are not perfect from the start, especially because they were not formally trained. Yet, these students learned to adapt to the various situations. Cheung said, “At the beginning, I was thrown into a lot of situations where I had to do tasks (take stats, create social media posts, and run errands) that I was not 100% competent with, but still had to accomplish because they were necessary for the team to have. I learned as I went, and asked plenty of questions which the coaches answered willingly, which was a great help.” Students can also take on the role of sports manager for personal reasons. As a former AHS basketball player herself, Cheung stated, “I feel like being a sports

manager allows people to stay connected to the program and the people that remain in the program, while not having to commit to all the requirements of being an athlete on the team. I personally enjoy being a manager because I get to spend time with my friends that I would have otherwise lost if I wasn’t associated with the team.” Despite not being physically active on the field or court like the athletes, sports managers are still valuable members of a team; they are the reason why these athletes are able to shine and perform at their best level. Thank you to all sports managers out there!

achan@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of FREEPIK.COM

ATHLETE FEATURE: MATTHEW HO By MICHELLE SO

Staff Writer Sports and drama have always sat on opposite sides of the spectrum. The act of performing on stage is seen more as a creative outlet while team sports evokes images of competitive sweatiness. While the combo may seem like polar opposites, one student is boldly merging the two. Sophomore Matthew Ho is part of both JV Tennis and Intermediate Theater. Ho became deeply invested in each, proving time management to be a testing skill. Ho picked up acting unassumingly and did not expect it to stick with him till high school. “My mother had signed me and my sister up for theater during summer camp and after that… I was hooked,” Ho explained. Similarly, tennis made its way into his life when he was around 10-years-old, and like for most elementary age kids, it was mostly for fun. “It was more like a pastime activity, never too serious or stressful,” Ho said about his early days in tennis. “But when I got into high school, competition started to toughen up. Coming out of the pandemic, Ho faced difficulties catching up to other players after months without serious practice. He said he had intense training sessions ev-

eryday in the months leading up to tennis team tryouts. Ho was both shocked and elated to find out that “when they announced the teams, there [he] was on the list.” Now, over a month since being accepted, Ho has discovered it takes more than skill to be on the tennis team; it also requires sacrifice. Both the tennis team and theater have after school practice most days and, though he deeply values both of his extracurriculars, Ho had to inevitably prioritize one. “Honestly it was one of the most difficult things I had to overcome this year,” he said. “Although I enjoyed them both equally, in the end, I had to decide on one or the other because I couldn’t keep splitting my time unequally.” For Ho, this has meant cutting down his agenda and opting out of major plays and after school theater events. However, this small setback hasn’t deterred him from finding ways to integrate creativity and athletics into his everyday life. “It’s been a great start to the season, and with our first game a few weeks away, I’m excited to see what everyone can do!”

mso@arcadiaquill.com Photo courtesy of MATTHEW HO

THE NEW YEAR

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JANUARY 2022

With 2022 finally here, we asked the students of AHS to reminisce on 2021, voice their hopes for the new year, and share any personal resolutions they’ve made this New Year.

What is one way you hope 2022 will be different from 2021? “2021 has been perhaps one of the worst years of all of our lives, but it’s truly taught us the value of communication. Communication allowed us to stay connected and push through the unprecedented times and endless adversities we faced. [In 2022,] I hope to see more people reaching out to others and offering support and encouragement, because we could all use some optimism right now.” —Evelyn Tsoi, 9

What is a personal resolution you have for yourself? “My personal resolution is to work on myself. I hope to grow more as a person, and to develop myself so I can be more confident and put myself out there more.” — Doris Ma, 12 “A personal resolution I have is to spend more time with my family and friends to create memorable experiences before leaving for college.” —Ashley Choi, 12

What’s something memorable that happened to you in 2021? “I finished two jars of dill pickle spears in 30 minutes the other week and it was literally so fantastic.” —Carolyn Sun, 11 “In 2021, something memorable that happened to me was during the Tokyo Olympics when my home city Hong Kong won a record breaking 6 medals with 1 being gold. 2021 was also when I first learned how to drive. And how can we not talk about finally going back to in-person learning!” —Hayden Wong, 11

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