September 2020 by The Arcadia Quill

volume 68 - issue 1 Arcadia High School 180 Campus Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006 theapachepowwow.net

THE APACHE

september 2020

POW WOW

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New AHS Digital Wellness Center Hosts Wellness Drop-In

@ahs_wellnessctr By ROBINSON LEE Student Life Editor It’s no secret that many students at AHS face high expectations and stressful situations. Balancing a combination of extracurriculars and academics is no easy task and many students commonly find themselves too caught up in their activities to take time to reflect on their mental health. Thus, a new website dubbed the AHS Wellness Center has been launched this year to give students resources and materials to help manage their stress and reflect on their mental state. While mental health is a topic which is hard to quantify as it is largely personal, this website hopes to arm students, parents, and teachers with basic knowledge and other tools to get a head start. For instance, students can look on the website to see articles which explain what mental health is, some media that accurately describe specific mental health issues, and some basic tools to manage one’s anxiety. Additionally, the student section covers the sensitive topics of suicide help, LGBTQ+ student support, and depression through is many resources. As for the parents section, it is unabashed to confront topics of sexual abuse, suicide prevention, and trauma in explaining it to parents through a series of link to reliable resources. It even has a section for teachers to confront mental health in their classrooms and refer students to a counselor. While all of these resources are very helpful in navigating mental health as a community, a spotlight is the bi-weekly check-ins. Ms. Deja Anderson, AHS’ Wellness Counselor, began to host these meetings on Sept. 10 and will host them on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. “The purpose of the open drop-ins is to provide our students with a place to come

S U P R E M E C O U R T J U S - NEWS: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second womT IC E R U T H B A D E R G IN S - an to serve on the Supreme Court for the past 27 years. B U R G D IE S AT 8 7 P G . 0 4 She died in her home in Washington,D.C surrounded by family on Sept. 18, reportedly from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Her whole career was dedicated to fighting against genderstereotyped rules and legPhoto courtesy of CNN.COM islation.

and be with other AHS students, share/ discuss, etc,” said Ms. Anderson. She has noted that one of the main motivations of starting these meetings was knowing that COVID-19 has caused a great rift in face-to-face interaction, likely emotionally distancing students from each other. She also hopes to be able to teach more mechanisms related to mental and emotional health during these meetings while also hosting games to build a sense of community. Ms. Anderson has noted that not a lot of people have reached out yet, but she is always well prepared with many more resources such as educational articles and the ability to schedule further counseling if needed. Additionally, starting on Oct. 6, students can schedule 15-minute private appointments with Ms. Anderson to ask questions or chat about mental health and stress. Ms. Anderson is willing to lend an ear to students in need in any way that she can. “Our goal is for students to feel comfortable reaching out when they need support as well as having information they need in the area of mental health easily accessible to them,” said Ms. Anderson. “We want students to know they are not alone and we are here to help.” Mental health is an important issue to talk about, especially during a time of social isolation. These new efforts attempt to be more than just shallow and try to help students get a better understanding of themselves. These resources and the check-ins are welcome to all students so looking into them is highly recommended. You can visit the AHS Wellness Center at https://sites.google.com/ausd.net/ahswellnesscenter/home or @ahs_wellnessctr.

rlee@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of SHUTTERSHOCK.COM

WHATS INSIDE

C R U S H C U LT U R E Z O O M E D IT IO N P G . 0 9

2020:

N E W G IR L S C R O S S C O U N T R Y C O A C H : JA C Q U E S SA LLB E R G P G . 16

FEATURES: Crush culture has managed to weasel its way into virtual learning. Make it Zoom or Google Meets, teenagers and adults alike are experiencing an unlikely event that we barely thought was possible. “Yes, there they are,” you think to yourself. Throughout the next 80 minutes, your heart skips a few beats as you steal shy glances at them on the screen, all while your crush stays oblivious to such affection on the other end.

Photo courtesy of SCAUSATF.ORG

SPORTS: At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, AHS welcomed a new staff member: Jacques Sallberg. While last year’s track season ended prematurely with the coronavirus lockdown, he is sure to help the team reach new heights when cross country season returns.

POLICY

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Writers Editors in Chief: Cassidy Chhay, Margaret Lin and Jocelyn Thao News Editors: Leslie Chen and Rebecca Tao Opinion Editors: Emma Chen and Michelle Lee Features Editors: Abby Choy and Anya Yang Student Life Editors: Robinson Lee and Tanya Lee Arts & Entertainment Editors: Ariana Parizadeh and Jenny Qiu Sports Editors: Enzo Goebel and Zoe Lin Campus Focus Editors: Melody Lui and Ashley Zhao Design Editor: Kate De Prima Photography Editor: Kylie Ha Publicity Manager: Becky Chen

Staff Writers: Saket Akalamkam, Emily Banuelos, Brandon Chan, Catherine Chan, Amanda Chang, Angela Chien, Lilian Chong, Jorge Espinoza-Gonzalez, Vritti Godani, Joy Herrera, Merrick Hua, Shirley Huang, Siddharth Karthikeya, Kate Larrick, Bryan Lim, Linda Qiu, Kaytalie Shang, Ashley Sioeng, Maggie Sun, Lorin Teng, Avari Wang, Greg Wang, Janell Wang, Stephanie Wang, Chloe Wong, Kailani Yamashiro, Sean Yang, Madison Yee, Pamina Yung Design Staff: Catherine Chan, Amanda Chang, Angela Chien, Kate Larrick, Linda Qiu, Kaytalie Shang, Audrey Sioeng, Lorin Teng, Avari Wang Photography Staff: Emily Banuelos, Lilian Chong, Logan Johnson, Janell Wang, Kailani Yamashiro, Madison Yee, Pamina Yung Adviser: Mrs. Lesley Lee

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 Apache Pow Wow 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 Apache Pow Wow Editorial Board. It does not necessarily represent the view of other Pow Wow staff members. The Apache Pow Wow 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 Apache Pow Wow. The Apache Pow Wow 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 Apache Pow Wow 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.

eic.powwow@gmail.com Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM

EDITORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2020

SEXUAL ASSAULT By BECKY CHEN, REBECCA TAO, ROBINSON LEE

AT AHS Editorial Board

TW: This article contains mentions of sexual assault, which may be distressing for readers. It is no exaggeration to say that the events which unraveled over the summer shocked the community of Arcadia. Sexual misconduct, especially on campus, is a discussion that has been long overdue within our student body. It’s something that should never be overlooked by the administration, the victim, the instigator, and bystanders. This past year has been a wake-up call for our community. Hopefully, the past and future efforts made by the Arcadia Unified School District will be effective and create a lasting impact on the culture of Arcadia High School. The Apache Pow Wow’s editorial board would like to contribute to the ongoing discourse by expressing our thoughts about what these changes mean for our school and reporting steps that are being taken to prevent further sexual abuse from happening in the future. As of September 2020, the administration’s protocol for addressing and reporting sexual misconduct is to understand the people involved, communicate with the student(s) and parent(s), and follow up with those affected. However, this is a very case-by- case situation as something

more serious would take another route. For example, something that qualifies as assault will necessitate getting statements, evaluating if immediate help is required, investigating details, and might involve police or contacting Child Protective Services (this often happens in homes). It should be noted that the first course of action is to always make sure the victim is safe. All staff members at school are mandated reporters—by law they are mandated to report child abuse. When it comes to the privacy of the students involved, the information of the investigation and aftermath are protected. Student identities and records are not allowed to be released to the public. While this may leave the impression that nothing has been done, the reality is that such information is kept private for legal reasons (such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Despite this, Principal Angela Dillman wants “students to know how seriously [the administration] took the things that happened this summer.” This summer gave them the “time to reflect on [their] practices.” One large improvement that is a work in progress is “closing the loop.” The administration wants to ensure that they always follow up with the person who reported and can provide them with the best kind of closure they can. Ms. Dillman shares that the administration will keep in contact with the person who filed the report, even if that’s just checking in on them and letting them know they are cared for. “‘We have taken this very seriously, we think this should’ve stopped. Has it stopped? How are you? Please come back to us if this happens again,’” she said.

In conjunction with these efforts, the current Wellness Center program has been in place from the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. This new program, run by Ms. Deja Anderson, aims to provide students with a safe space to discuss their wellbeing. According to Dean of Students Mr. Keith Kerney, this is a work in the progress of “providing even more resources for students to get help.” Ms. Anderson further details that if a student were to approach her with their personal experience of sexual abuse, she would not only talk to them but “probably put them in contact with a therapist because of the trauma they have experienced” if the student desired to take that option. Ms. Anderson also elaborated that communication with a “School Resource Officer who could take care of it from a legal standpoint” could also be involved. Under a similar system, Ms. Dillman hopes to open the ground for a new sexual misconduct program focused on increasing sexual and health education for students and raising awareness about the signs of sexual harassment, assault, and healthy behaviors. This is led by two professionals who will “develop training that is specific to this community.” Concurrently, Assistant Principal Dr. Bhavini Bhakta is developing an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Student Committee dedicated to creating a more “equitable, diverse, and inclusive entity.” However, while these efforts are being made on the administrative side, Ms. Dillman acknowledges that the environment at a student’s home also plays an important role in healthy development. The programs for students will extend to parents, opening the conversation about these topics. “We really need to rely on parents,” Ms. Dillman highlighted. “If there is a concern that your child might have something explicit on their phone involving a minor, parents need to play a really important role in monitoring that. Because what the school can do, unfortunately,

only goes so far if we don’t have an actual participant turning over their information.” While these programs have never been done before, it is up for debate whether they will be effective in changing such a generational culture. One of the factors that deter sexual assault victims from reporting their experiences is the “fear they won’t be believed,” which has “primarily been the case” according to psychotherapist and author Beverly Engel who specializes in the areas of abuse recovery and women’s issues as she writes in her article, Why Don’t Victims of Sexual Harassment Come Forward Sooner? We see this phenomenon very clearly in our community, as a suffocating stigma exists around discussions about sexual relations, not to mention abuse or harassment. Often, these issues are swept under the rug, with the culture of saving face being very common in the face of such adversity. It also has to be addressed that now with online learning, it is harder than ever to share something personal with a teacher. Office hours are usually meant for academics only, closing one of the few gaps available for teacher-student communication. This, coupled with the above-mentioned stigma within some families, makes it difficult for victims to come forward and tell their stories. Despite the many obstacles that exist today, it can be seen that initiatives are being taken to improve the situation. Ms. Dillman acknowledged that encouraging victims to speak up is not something that can happen overnight, but with time and healing, the environment and culture at AHS can improve. The most important thing is that we’re actively taking steps forward and facing this situation head-on, rather than hiding from it. Sexual abuse will remain a topic to be further discussed and confronted in the future. Hopefully, this article provided an adequate overview of the efforts made, and how victims can find help in such a traumatic situation.

bchen@apachepowwow.net rtao@apachepowwow.net rlee@apachepowwow.net

NEWS

By SOFIA NAGY

Staff Writer

A record-breaking heatwave hurled California, and L.A. County reached its highest temperature ever recorded at 121 degrees in Woodland Hills this Labor Day weekend. The Bobcat fire started on Sept. 6 at 12:21 p.m., and its origin is located near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area; its cause is still under investigation. Its current acreage is over 8,500, and it is the closest active wildfire in proximity to Arcadia, Monrovia, Pasadena, and many other nearby cities. According to The San Francisco Chronicle California Fire Map & Tracker, there are at least 18 active wildfires as of Sept. 7 at 8:42 p.m. in California. Due to this, many Californians have evacuated or had the fearful possibility in the back of their heads--one of them being the Bobcat fire. If you live in any of these areas, you might have noticed smoke rising from the L.A. National Forest, the incandescent red sun upon grey skies, had flakes of ash rain down on your home, or even seen the distant blazing flames whirling violently. According to the federal InciWeb site, the fire is “burning actively north into the San Gabriel Wilderness, and south towards Mt. Bliss,” and “winds are forecast to become gusty from the northeast pushing the fire south.” Residents and forest visitors have evacuated from Mt. Wilson, Big Santa Anita Canyon, San Gabriel Canyon, and Monrovia Canyon. The estimated containment date for the Bobcat fire is Oct. 15 at noon. Pasadena is keeping an eye on the Bobcat fire since “the smoke and raining ash created unhealthy conditions throughout the region.” City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said that

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they are “closely monitoring the Bobcat fire because significant wind could cause that fire to pose a threat to Pasadena,” according to Pasadena Now. “The Unified Incident Command Team, including the Monrovia Fire Department, United States Forest Service and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, are directing Monrovia residents in the foothill area below the Bobcat Fire to be prepared to evacuate… this is an Evacuation Warning,” wrote the City of Monrovia in an update. Check Monrovia’s full update for further detailed information. “The fire is near Deer Park and has been slowly burning toward Monrovia. While the City is not ordering evacuations at this time, every resident - especially those living north of Sycamore Street and east of Santa Anita Boulevard - should prepare for the possibility.” the City of Arcadia wrote in an update. “The US Forest Service has indicated there is currently zero percent containment. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for a potential Santa Ana wind event through 10 p.m. on” the night of Sept. 7, wrote to the City of Arcadia in an update. “The City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Fire Department are currently monitoring the situation. The City is requesting all residents to continue to prepare for potential evacuations by” preparing your “Ready, Set, Go” Bag, and ensuring you have all necessary belongings and have a planned location to stay in the chance the evacuation lasts several days. Check Arcadia’s full update for further detailed information and the “Ready, Set, Go” link for a complete guide.

SEPTEMBER 2020

BOBCAT FIRE Heatwave & Evacuatons

snagy@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

By JANELL WANG

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies at 87

Staff Writer

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court for the past 27 years. She died in her home in Washington,D.C surrounded by family on Sept. 18, reportedly from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. In the past, Justice Ginsburg had overcome colon cancer in 1999, but ten years later, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Justice Ginsburg was a tough woman despite her fragile appearance. Her whole career was dedicated to fighting against genderstereotyped rules and legislation. She sought to eliminate inequalities for both women and men. Having personally experienced gender discrimination, she was a strong supporter for women’s rights and is viewed as a feminist icon. She attended Harvard Law School, but around that time, her husband Marty Ginsburg fell ill with testicular cancer that was poorly treated with radiation. The resilient woman juggled taking care of both her husband and a three-year-old while also studying for school. She transferred to Columbia Law School for her last year when her husband received a job offer in New York. President Bill Clinton nominated her to the Supreme Court in 1993 at the age of 60. The retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2006 left Justice Ginsburg the only female on the Supreme Court for a period of time. She was later joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Justice Elena Kagan in

2010. Justice Ginsburg garnered Internet fame when Shana Knizhnik, a law student, appointed the name “Notorious R.B.G.” to the judge as a play on words to Notorious B.I.G, a famous rapper. On her 80th birthday she refused to retire despite numerous people telling her to. This was during President Barack Obama’s second presidency to give him an opportunity to find her replacement. Justice Ginsburg adamantly stayed and would continue to, “as Iong as I can do the job full steam.” The vacancy in the Supreme Court sets up a possibly intense political battle, bringing debates on whether it is appropriate to appoint a new judge so close to the election. In 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold hearings for Merrick Garland, a potential Supreme Court replacement for Antonin Scalia. In a statement after Scalia’s death, McConnell said, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Justice Ginsburg’s death will give the Republicans a chance to replace her, bringing the court to a 6 to 3 conservative majority. This was a fight that she had hoped to avoid. Days before her death, Justice Ginsburg had told her granddaughter, Clara Spera, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

jwang@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of HISTORY.COM

Russia's COVID Vaccine Shows Positive Early Results By STEPHANIE WANG

NEWS

powwownews@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

Staff Writer

After drawing criticism for officially registering a fast-tracked vaccine nearly a month ago, Russian scientists published their first report about the vaccine’s clinical trials. Researchers for the registered vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, published results for a combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial, in the Lancet, a British medical journal, on Sept. 4. The trial took place in two Russian hospitals with 76 adults between the ages of 18 and 60, split into two groups to test different forms of the vaccine—frozen, and freeze-dried. The two groups were then further divided into “phase 1” and “phase 2” groups, referring to the standard stages of vaccine development. Participants in both phases were each given one shot of the vaccine, with Phase 2 participants receiving an additional shot 21 days after the initial one. The study also included a follow-up period of 42 days, in which researchers continued to monitor the effects of the vaccine. The initial results of the study were quite optimistic: 61% of the Phase 1 participants and all of the Phase 2 participants produced antibodies in response to the vaccine, and had antibody levels 1.4 to 1.5 times those of the plasma taken from 4817 people who had recovered from mild or moderate cases of COVID-19. Additionally, researchers found that the vaccine also triggered responses from T-cells, which help the immune system fight off infection. While 58% of the participants felt pain at the injection site, and 50% of them had a higher body temperature after being injected, the vaccine produced no major side effects. Despite the positive results of the trial, many scientists still have their reservations about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, especially considering the breakneck speed of the vaccine’s development. Typically, when conducting clinical trials for vaccine development, Phase 1 includes a small number of healthy volunteers to test for safety, Phase 2 widens the scope into hundreds of people to determine the vaccine’s protection and dosage, and Phase 3 uses thousands of volunteers to test for long-term effectiveness and any side effects, with results from each trial being published along the way. However, the Gamaleya study only included 76 individuals, most of which were fairly young and healthy. Furthermore, for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, these participants were only monitored for a period of less than two months, raising a multitude of concerns from the scientific community. With an unrepresentative, small sample size and shortened trial time, it’s still uncertain what long-term effects the vaccine could have, especially for patients with pre-existing or chronic conditions. Additionally, all participants in the trial were given

some form of the vaccine, without any placebo or control group to act as a baseline for the results. Due to the lack of extensive clinical trials, it’s also unknown how vaccinated individuals would react to the actual virus. “Safety outcomes up to now are reassuring, but studies to date are too small to address less common or rare serious adverse events,” wrote Naor Bar-Zeev, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, describing the results of the trial as “encouraging but small.” Nonetheless, the vaccine has generally received a frosty international reception. One of the biggest concerns scientists have brought up is that the hastiness of the vaccine’s development could set a dangerous precedent for other countries about ignoring ethics and international legal standards in the search for a vaccine. It doesn’t help that Russia already isn’t very popular in the vaccine race, as they’ve already been accused by the U.K., the U.S., and Canada of hacking into international institutions for vaccine information. Additionally, the U.S.’s leading infectious-disease expert Anthony Fauci has stated that the U.S. is unlikely to use Russian or Chinese-developed vaccines over concerns about testing. Despite the amount of criticism Russia is receiving for fast-tracking vaccine development, it isn’t difficult to see their motives for doing so. For starters, being the first country to conduct mass vaccinations would give Russia a head start in reopening and rebuilding its economy. It would also have the potential to improve the country’s world standing. So far, 20 countries have reached out to Russia, requesting a billion units of the vaccine. In addition to generating a huge revenue from the vaccine, Russia would also be able to improve its international relations and expand its sphere of influence. Conversely, though, a mishap could leave a permanent stain on Russia’s image. Moreover, many critics are also worried that the political nature of the vaccine’s development is being prioritized over public health. Since the beginning of the race to develop a vaccine ahead of Western and Asian competitors, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he wants Russia to be first, despite the risks of fast-tracking the vaccine’s development. The vaccine’s name itself, Sputnik V, a reference to Russia beating the U.S. in launching a satellite into orbit in the Cold War, makes this apparent. This much is clear to Konstantin Chumakov, a member of the international coalition Global Virus Network and a U.S.-based Russian virulogist. “Even the name tells you that the whole point of this is to get geopolitical advantage, to be the first,” he remarked. “It might be a great vaccine. But we just don’t know. It’s a gamble with people’s lives, a Russian roulette.”

swang@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of MINT.COM

U.S. Economy Coping With Economic Slump By LILLIAN CHONG

Staff Writer

While the fight against the pandemic continues to challenge many countries across the globe, the U.S. economy, in particular, has been terribly ravaged by the coronavirus epidemic. As the nation continues to race against the national debt clock, the Congressional budget office envisions that “the federal debt is on track to outpace the U.S. economy in 2021.” The current federal budget is also on its way to exceeding the costly Second World War budget deficit in the 1940s. With the debt expected to surpass the size of the economy by fiscal year 2021, millions of Americans will be out of work and many businesses will shutter. “I think we should think and worry about the deficit an awful lot, and we should proceed to make it larger this fall,” exclaims Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington. The fear of federal government’s heedlessness on the deficit issue is heightened under these unprecedented times. As the pandemic continues to hinder growth in companies and the economy, many businesses are planning to take a different approach to save their companies from bankruptcy and drastic declines in stocks. In particular, United Airlines expects to reduce its employed workers to 16,000 in the fall, while Ford “plans to cut 1,400 salaried jobs in North America,” as reported by The New York Times. Some businesses have even complained about the struggle to hire amidst the pandemic. United Airlines and many other airline companies cutting jobs could put further pressure on Congress and the Trump administration to renew the $25 billion in stimulus funding to compensate for passenger airlines. In July, United “had warned [its] 36,000 employees [that] they could be subject to fur-

lough.” The company’s cut in employees will affect the 7,000 flight attendants, 3,000 pilots, and thousands who work in maintenance, airport operations, and other roles. Many of these employees agreed “to take buyouts, early retirement or temporary leave.” Since a year ago, the number of people flying declined to nearly 70% and that number isn’t going to recover until an official vaccine rolls out. Industries ranging from the motor business to department stores are facing drastic declines in sales percentages. Maintaining salaried employees and cost budgets has also been a challenge for these companies. In addition to eliminating nearly 1,400 salaried jobs, Ford has also replaced its top executive, Jim Hackett, as he plans to retire in October. Macy’s, the largest retail store company in the country, reported “it was cutting 3,900 corporate and management positions.” The company’s sales fell 36%. While also in possession of Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, Macy’s reported a total net loss of $431 million. In June, the company announced its future plans, such as closing at least 125 stores in the next three years, leaving the company with around 400 locations, and reducing about 2,000 jobs. With the ongoing national financial crisis and outbreak, the next stimulus bill will be a difficult challenge for Congress and the Trump administration to push out to small businesses, as well as the unemployed and low-income households. However, the problem between implementing the next stimulus check lies between the drastic increase in the National Debt Clock and the millions of unemployed unsheltered, as well as businesses shuttered.

lchong@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of BLOOMBERG.COM

OPINION

By SEAN YANG

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showed that after a state started implementing

Staff Writer mandatory face masks, the daily COVID-19

Amidst this global pandemic, it seems like wearing a face mask is one thing that everybody is doing. In California, wearing a face mask has become a mandate, an official order to do something by the governor. However, is wearing a mask just another mandate driven by popular demand, or is it really vital to preventing the spread of COVID-19? Wearing a face mask is definitely more than a fad and is necessary during a global pandemic where symptoms are flu-like and the virus is easy to spread. Let’s dive into the facts of what a face mask does and why it is essential to wear one. First of all, face masks don’t have to be a chore to wear. If you feel like the standard one use face mask is uncomfortable, you can just purchase one that is more comfortable and breathable. There are many people who post videos of themselves on Facebook or other social media platforms, refusing to wear masks because they are unable to breathe. This is a simple issue that can be resolved if they tried out different face masks. A handful of people also believe that masks do not offer any protection in stopping the spread of COVID-19. This is absolutely false as COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets and a face mask acts as a barrier, preventing any droplets from getting through. A recent study by Health Affairs also

By MERRICK HUA Staff Writer Gender reveal parties have changed drastically since their inception in the late 2000s, and not in a good way. Whereas in the old days merely cutting open a blue or pink cake would suffice, nowadays, it seems like unwieldy explosive devices and dazzling pyrotechnic displays are the norm. The use of such dangerous equipment is only compounded by the fact that most party organizers are completely unequipped to deal with the potentially deadly situations that arise when their complex apparatuses malfunction. In fact, looking at recent examples, it seems as if one would need an on-site team of firefighters and paramedics to properly contain the threat that is a modern gender reveal party. These parties have been responsible for a growing list of egregious incidents, including many counts of injury and property damage, at least two wildfires, and even the tragic death of a grandmother. The most recent disaster sparked by a

cases in the state began to slow down as a result. After the first five days, the daily rate of the cases dropped by 0.9%, and by three weeks, the daily growth rate slowed down by 2%. Face masks are definitely making a difference in the prevention of the virus. Another instance where a face mask helped the lives of many people was on a flight from China to Toronto where a man showed symptoms of COVID-19 and eventually tested positive after his flight. Even though the man had a dry cough, he was wearing a mask. As a result, the 25 people close to him all tested negative after the flight. When traveling in large groups, people definitely need to wear masks as it can be the difference between life and death during a pandemic. Finally, if masks are so important at stopping transmission of the virus, why doesn’t everybody just wear one? Well even after all of this scientific data, some people still just do not believe in the need to have a mask. It is unfortunate to see this because if face masks are not mandated for everybody, quarantine will continue to last longer. The number of cases in the U.S. is above six million now and still continuing to rise. Hopefully, face masks will soon be required nationally and not just in some mandated states, and the spread of the virus will begin to decline.

By ANGELA CHIEN

SEPTEMBER 2020

Furthermore, society has conditioned us

Staff Writer into thinking that a well-founded glow-up re-

syang@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM

On Friday night two weeks after school started, I cut my hair in front of my mirror at 1:34 a.m. with an IKEA LED light acting as my only light source. No, I was not in my emo hours, and no, I was not stressed from school. Well, at least, I wasn’t then. After a few months of teasing my friends about getting bangs, it finally happened without thinking. The impulsivity! The audacity! Crazy, I know. Last year, when I brought the idea up to a friend, she responded with “No, Angela. You are better than that!” Immediately, she assumed that my desire to change my hair stemmed from academic pressure and romantic frustration. In retrospect, she wasn’t too far from the truth, but it further emphasized the “negative connotation” and symbolism behind cutting your own bangs in 2020. At one point, cutting bangs by yourself began to symbolize heartbreak and midnight sadness. It seemed as if cutting bangs by yourself was a sign of defeat against your inner struggles, whether that’s loneliness, anger, heartbreak, or boredom. It said that you did not possess the ability to internally process and cope with these battles, and had to resort to external means to reflect your frustration. But why is that so frowned upon? We often get so caught up in other’s perceptions of us that we hesitate to do what our heart desires, and frankly, that’s so not Gen Z.

careless party has grown into one of the massive wildfires currently ravaging California— what began as a smoke machine fire at El Dorado Ranch quickly transformed into an inferno which consumed over 14,000 acres in the span of a few days. With thousands of nearby residents displaced from their homes and entire forests devastated by the flames as a direct result of an irresponsible gender reveal party, it is absurd to let these parties continue in their current incarnation. Merely banning the dangerous machinery used won’t be enough: in Iowa, the party that resulted in a grandmother’s death involved a homemade launcher-turned-pipe-bomb. Since an equipment ban will only result in even deadlier self-made devices, the only way forward is a complete condemnation of engagement in these parties. However, the recent rise of anti-genderreveal sentiment is not just motivated by the destruction associated with these parties, horrible as these disasters might be. Ironically, the most insidious issue with gender reveals is the effect

they have on the children who are the focus of the party: these parties perpetuate outdated, harmful gender stereotypes and reinforce a false bindary model of gender contributing to a stifling lack of diversity. Even the most mundane of gender reveal parties force the baby into a world where things, even the colors blue and pink, are arbitrarily labeled as “masculine” or “feminine”. These stereotypes then carry well into adolescence. This is extremely limiting and marks the start of an environment where growing children restrict their own preferences and desires in order to avoid clashing with these rigid, damaging stereotypes. Such parties are even worse for transgender, genderqueer, and intersex children since the inherent boy/girl dichotomy serves as an obstacle to coming out as transgender or genderqueer, and completely ignores the existence of intersex individuals. Jenna Karvunidis, who is often viewed as the person who made gender reveal parties a trend, has come to regret her role as the progenitor of the gender reveal craze.

quires time, as if we are grape-juice trying to become wine. Because God forbid a make-over overnight! That would be ingenuine and forced! But make-over movies like The Princess Diaries and The Devils Wears Prada portray the main characters (Thank you, Anne Hathaway) as individuals whose lives were merely inconveniences before they turned a new leaf. Suddenly, their lives take a turn for the better, and everything starts to work out for them, wether it be their careers or romantic relationships. Their overnight make-over becomes justified when others start to treat them differently. Why do we have to have something wrong with our lives in order to justify our decision to get bangs? The mindset that we aren’t entitled to a make-over or revamp until we have an excuse to do so hinders our possibility to be ourselves. Despite how much we make fun of those who get bangs at 3 a.m. in the morning, we all secretly yearn for that kind of confidence. In this fast-paced world largely influenced by social media, it’s important to remember that we owe it to ourselves to revamp our appearance or personality or spirit, or all of them, whenever we like. Have a hair color that you like? Dye it. See someone who is rocking a mullet? I think you can pull it off, too. Want to wear mismatched socks to school? Love to see it.

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In 2019, 11 years after her gender reveal party, Karvunidis revealed that the daughter whom she hosted the party for “really goes outside gender norms,” which contributed to her realization that gender reveal parties could definitely be “harmful to some individuals.” She is now an outspoken opponent of these parties, citing both the gendered stereotypes and the possibility of danger as reasons for her opposition. Even the name “gender reveal party” has issues, because the theme of the party isn’t defined by the gender identity of the child, but instead by their sex organs. Since reproductive organs do not determine gender identity, the very concept of gender reveals has no footing to stand on. Add the fact that gender reveal parties can be ridiculously destructive and it becomes clear that gender reveal parties must be stopped so that the children they are intended for can live in a safer, more diverse world.

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OPINION 9/11: THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF A STUDENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY theopinionsection@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

By JORGE ESPINOZA

Staff Writer Perhaps one of the most famous historical events in the 21st century was the terrorism of 9/11. If you have been living under a rock for almost two decades, 9/11 was a terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center or the ‘Twin Towers.’ As present-day high school students, we did not experience 9/11. We have access to photographs and videos of both before and after the crash. But that is the closest we will ever get to see the chaos. Our parents experienced it, but we did not. Almost as if it were relevant to millions of lives, but not ours, not Gen Z’s. So why should you acknowledge something that has not impacted your life? Sorrow is easy. At least feeling it is. We feel sorrow for the Holocaust survivors and the ones that did not survive it. And similarly, we experience sorrow when we hear both the stories of people who survived that Tuesday in September and of those who did not. For as long as I can remember, I have been reminded of the terrible actions taken upon the people of New York every 11th of September. I felt like it was something to feel sorrow for, but thought nothing else if it. It was not until freshman year that I realized the true importance of 9/11. A former teacher of mine assigned a 9/11-themed project for his freshman English course. He made us analyze the plane structure, the specific seats in which the soon-to-be-hijackers sat, and the plane number. I believe that he sought to educate us on something so relevant, something that we did not experience. So there I was freshman me, sitting at a desk, 20 pages of reports and personal recounts sitting in front of me. I think that was the first assignment that went into the grade book, so I wanted to perform incredibly well. I pictured myself as one of the passengers, as part of a visiting family taking pictures in front

THE “ONE “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” STEREOTYPE By MADISON YEE

Staff Writer

Throughout many trendy and wellknown stores, you may have noticed that some have taken on the label of, “one size fits all.” Brands like Brandy Melville have used this biased sizing, which not only excludes most women from being able to wear their clothing, but it has also created backlash and debate over the question of whether or not these companies are contributing to the self-loathing of many teens. The problem of this, “one size fits all” statement is that it makes the teen audience assume that every piece of clothing from the store should fit each body type regardless of only one size being carried. This is not true at all. In reality, stores like these cater to a certain sizing that coordinates with “beauty standards” that have been made. By this, I mean a slim waist and body features with a tall appearance. It is obvious that this one size labeling is deceptive, as the clothing from these stores truly does not fit every body type that is out there. This type of marketing makes teen girls feel insecure over their bodies during a time when teens are already hypersensitive to their appearance. In many ways, companies like Brandy Melville fuel insecurities which often lead to eating disorders, suicide, anxiety, etc. Considering this, it is unfortunate when companies decide to not be socially responsible in their marketing tactics, and only look to the bottom line. Manufacturing may be much easier and more cost effective if a clothing company only makes clothes in one size.

Except, is it worth it to create a toxic environment where girls only feel worth it if they fit the “perfect girl” stereotype? Junior Leilani Wetterau says, “I believe that stores should be open to people of all shapes and sizes. Selling only one size of clothing glorifies one ideal body type, which is extremely discriminatory and detrimental to the consumer’s self esteem and body image. I personally do not want to contribute money to non-inclusive brands, so I no longer shop at Brandy Melville”. Since social media and trendy stores have slowly shaped what is seen as “beautiful”, it doesn’t seem right for stores to continue carrying one size. According to healthline.com, the average female teenager’s (ages 13-19) waist size is 32.6 inches while Brandy Melville’s selective sizing uses a 25 inch waistline. Because of this, most teens would have a hard time fitting into any clothing Brandy Melville sells, showing why companies should take all body types into consideration when manufacturing clothing. There are so many different body types in the world, making it irritating that clothing companies continue to use the one size policy. Hopefully, more brands will diversify their products and promote body positivity and acceptance. Continue to speak up about making everyone feel included no matter how they loo or act. And, if you ever find yourself feeling insecure, don’t be! You are your own person so don’t let the society standards dictate who you are.

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of the towers, as a stressed-out middle-aged man, staring blankly at his computer on the 17th floor of the North Tower. But it also felt like it was a different world. As current high schoolers, we think that the only things that affect our daily lives are things that occur daily, like a new cheesy tweet from a politician. But that is not entirely true. 9/11 led to increased precautions. It led to growing Islamophobia. It led to military campaigns in the Middle East. It even led to ‘random’ flight inspections. 9/11 spared my parents and my older cousins. But it did not spare the people of New York. To this day, millions of 9/11 survivors struggle with their physical health as a result of their presence in New York that Tuesday. From injuries present on that very same day to dormant conditions that are now beginning to take a toll, the people who witnessed the crashes that 11th of September have paid too high a price. It is absurd to ignore its effects. In no way whatsoever am I trying to say that this dreadful event was positive, but I think that it is important that we recognize that positive reforms took place because of 9/11. For example, more people began to appreciate their family and spent more time with their loved ones. Also, airport reforms, such as scanning and increased security, allowed passengers to feel a bit safer. These effects seem so ‘natural’ to us since they have been practiced longer than we have been alive. But our elders have known that it hasn’t always been like this, and quite frankly, I think all high-school students should be aware that 9/11 has impacted our lives more than we credit it for. That is why 9/11 is so important. That is why our generation and future generations should acknowledge the effects of 9/11. The bottom line is that 9/11 was an impactful event that affected and continues to affect the world, whether we know it or not.

jespinoza@apachepowwow.net Graphic by ANGELA CHIEN

W h y Yo u S h o u ld D e le t e Yo u r S n a p ch at S tre a k s By KATE LARRICK Staff Writer Like many Gen-Z kids, I’ve experienced the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of keeping dozens of Snapchat streaks. I’ve felt the heartbreak of losing a 985 day streak and the mind numbing annoyance of opening black screen after black screen with the occasional hastily scribbled “S” or maybe even an apathetic “gm.” Although Snapchat streaks started out as a fun way to keep in touch with people and “prove” your friendship to them, it is time that we moved on. If you’re at the point where you have to set reminders to send your streaks or you’ve ever worried about going somewhere without wifi because you might lose your streaks, things have gone too far. If seeing an hourglass next to your streak has ever raised your heart rate, it is time for a change. If you have a streak with someone you haven’t had a real conversation with in months, the streak has reached its natural end. There is no amount of stress worth maintaining a tiny number next to your friend’s name. It may seem trivial, but it is still a source of pressure, and there is no point in keeping any form of unnecessary stress in your life. You might not even realize the magnitude

of the weight that will be lifted off your shoulders until your stre-aks gone. Instead, spend your time focusing on your mental health and taking care of yourself. It is easy to see why many people might have difficulty parting with their streaks. They are a part of our childhood, especially if the number is significantly high. We’ve all seen and perhaps felt the pride of posting on your story that your streak has reached 100 days. I’ve had friends who put in an impressive amount of effort to maintain them, including but not limited to sending Snapchat an email to request that their lost streak be reinstated. For some people, ending a streak is on par with ending a friendship. It may even be considered rude to tell someone that you want to end your streak with them. In the end, no friendship should be based on how long your streaks are. They should be about the memories you’ve made and the times you’ve spent together, not a superficial record of how many days you’ve sent a Snapchat back and forth. In the name of true friendship, it’s time that we make Snapchat streaks a thing of the past.

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FEATURES

By AMANDA CHANG Staff Writer An Arcadia alumna from the class of 2009, Dr. Karen Tsai is one of the co-founders of non-profit organization DonatePPE.org. She recently completed her residency in Internal Medicine at USC and is beginning her fellowship in endocrinology at UCLA. The organization was created on Mar. 19 with the initial intention of collecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), from Californians who had stockpiled resources like masks for wildfires. From the onset of the pandemic hospitals all over the nation have faced a lack of adequate protection for its healthcare workers from COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, doctors like Tsai never would have imagined running out of basic supplies and equipment. “These were supplies we took for granted...never did we ever find ourselves having shortages,” she remarked. DonatePPE.org’s Director of Marketing Kenny Liu said, “When the pandemic first broke out back in March, no one had a clear understanding of how we should resolve the

By EMILY BANUELOS Staff Writer Ever wondered how to make your favorite Starbucks drink at home? Well, you can find a variety of Starbucks handcrafted beverage recipes listed below. These recipes are all easy to follow and not time consuming. 1. Iced Chai Latte The creamy sweetness of vanilla and milk of this drink will get you addicted and if you need an energy kick add in a shot of espresso. Start by boiling you milk and whisking in ½ teaspoons of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract gradually. After once you let the milk simmer down add in 2 chai tea bags. Froth your milk and add in a shot of espresso to your mug. 2.Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino What’s better than a chocolate chip

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SEPTEMBER 2020

issue of the PPE shortage.” However, since its launch, the organization has collected PPE from all over the country. Some of its most significant corporate partners include Norwex, Ford Motors, and Flexport. Norwex donated 1 million medical-grade masks and Ford Motors even stopped their factory chains to make face shields and started to supply PPE items. DonatePPE.org has distributed over 1.6 million articles of PPE and raised over $150,000. It has also sent PPE worldwide to hospitals in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, among others. The organization has also received notable attention from CBS News, NPR, Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, and Yahoo Finance. They have also been featured in Character Media, an Asian American publication that highlights key people in Asian American entertainment and media. Recently, Tsai and her brother Dr. Kevin Tsai, Chief Medical Officer of DonatePPE.org, had the honor of presenting an award for Best Supporting Actor in a

Drama Series at the Emmys on Sept. 20. imagined” doing so. But, she said that as an Michael Chen, the organization’s Director AHS alumna, she feels that “this was someof Creative Strategy, as well as Liu, helped to thing that [she] thinks Arcadia really prepared develop and improve the organization’s web- [her] for” and that her time serving on ASB site, marketing strategy, design, corporate spon- has helped her to have the courage to run Dosorships, and social media, among other things. natePPE.org. Like Tsai, neither had ever imagined that they As many members of their team are also would be driving such an impactful Arcadia alumni, they highlighted the impormovement. tance of resourcefulness, resiliency, and most “It’s really nice to make importantly, relationships. a positive impact, that in this Because of the skills they gained as stucase, is helping save lives. dents as well as the relationships and trust the [He is] super grateful that alumni had with each other from their high [he] can have such a mean- school careers, DonatePPE.org has not only ingful opportunity during become a success, but also an experience that such a difficult time.” Chen pulled them even closer together. said. “Those very basic relationships, that Liu, Tsai, and Chen as you’re not even thinking about–the people in well as a few other members of your group projects–by knowing the way they their team are AHS alumni. Chen work and by just knowing them, there is imworked as an Ad Editor for The Apache mediate trust,” said Liu. Pow Wow, Liu was a member of Speech and Debate, Chanteurs, and the Basketball team, and Tsai was part of ASB, Orchestra, and Var- achang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of sity Golf. FONTSPACE.COM and Of making such a big, positive impact, THESUNSNEWSPAPER.COM Tsai said that “No, [she] wouldn’t have ever

frappuccino? A double chocolate chip frap of course! Here’s what you’ll need to make this sweet and delicious beverage; 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, ⅓ cups of chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup, 2 cups of ice, and ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend all the ingredients together and then top it off with whip cream and chocolate syrup! 3. Starbucks Green Tea Lemonade This one is by far the easiest drink to make with only 3 ingredients! You first will want to boil some water and add a green tea bag in it and let it chill. Then pour lemonade over the green tea and add ice if you want it colder.

4. Pink Drink from the “Secret Menu” The iconic drink bought by James Charles, also known as the pinky drinky, is one of my personal favorite refreshers because of the mix with coconut milk. For this refresher you will need ⅓ cups of boiling water, 2 acai green tea bags, honey, 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice, 4-5 strawberries sliced, and 1 cup of coconut milk. Begin with boiling water and adding the tea bags into the water, then stir in some honey. Proceed with taking out the tea bags and adding in half of the strawberries and lemon juice. To make it cold add in the ice and fill the cup with coconut

milk, stir ingredients well together. Then, garnish your beverage with the rest of the strawberries and enjoy! 5. S’mores Frappuccino For this campfire inspire frap you’ll need ¾ cups of ice, ½ cup of milk, 3 tablespoons of marshmallow fluff, 1 shot of espresso(optional), ½ tablespoon Dutch process cocoa powder, ½ tablespoon of whtie sugar, and whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs for garnishing. Blend all the ingredients together and pour into a glass. Then top it off with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs! Have fun unlocking your inner “barista” and share these recipes with your friends and family so they can try them out too! ebanuelos@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM Photos by STARBUCKS.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2020

By BRANDON CHAN Staff Writer Recently, Mochinut, a pop-up donut shop that has gained popularity, established a location in Arcadia. If you want to get these donuts but don’t reside in Arcadia, no worries, there are a few other locations around Southern California such as Cerritos, Irvine, and Buena Park. Their newfound success has also propelled them to soon open up new

By ANGELA CHIEN Staff Writer You see the link. You click it. A few seconds pass before a small screen pops up, showing a preview of your face. You silently thank God for this function, otherwise you’ll risk going to class looking like the balloon from Phineas and Ferb. With a click on “Join with Video,” you’re soon directed to a gallery view of your classmates where misery is all too obviously detectable on each of their faces. You excitedly click through the arrows. Then, “Yes, there they are,” you think to yourself. Throughout the next 80 minutes, your heart skips a few beats as you steal shy glances at them on the screen, all while your crush stays oblivious to such affection being shown on the other end. Even with online learning, people are still subconsciously (and consciously) finding ways to keep their heart busy. Crush culture has managed to weasel its way into virtual learning. Make it Zoom or Google Meets, teenagers and adults alike

FEATURES

stores in areas like Downtown LA, Rowland Heights, and Lynwood. Many teenagers and families have visited this store for their famous mochi donuts. They are made of sweet glutinous rice and mochi and have a slightly crispy exterior with a surprisingly soft, chewy interior. The contrast of the crunchy outside balances nicely with the mochi-like texture inside, so it’s no wonder these have gone viral! They have an abundance of flavors to choose from as well. Some of the customer favorites are the original glazed,

taro, mango, milk tea, matcha, and black ses- churro. My favorite was the original glazed ame. However, their rotation of mochi donuts because of its simplicity. It wasn’t too they sell on a particular day or location varies, sweet and was very chewy which added a meaning you have to check their social media nice texture. The churro one was very flaplatforms to ensure that when you go, your vorful as it was topped with a good amount preferred flavors are available. They post up- of cinnamon sugar. I sadly didn’t get to try dates regarding their menus on their Instagram, their viral Korean hotdogs, but the next time I go, it’s a must-taste. which can be found @mochinut_arcadia. Fellow AHS junior Irene Chen also A couple of important food restrictions to note before visiting a Mochinut: they unfortu- went to Mochinut and enjoyed the mochi nately don’t serve any gluten-free, vegan, or donuts because “they are not as sweet as dairy-free products, and some of their prod- regular glazed donuts and they taste betucts such as their peanut butter mochi donut or ter because they’re chewier”. She recomchocolate mochi donut with almonds sprinkled mends trying the original glazed and the on top do contain nuts. mango flavored mochi donuts. Not only does Mochinut sell their deliSenior Zachary Green shared the same cious mochi donuts, but they also have Korean sentiment as Irene. He said, “The mochi hotdogs. These Korean hotdogs are basically donuts’ texture was what really made them extra crispy, rice flour coated corndogs. There taste good. Also, the shape of the donuts is are multiple options for the inside filling, in- unique.” On the other hand, senior Emme Chen cluding a regular hotdog, spicy sausage, mozzarella rice dog, or a unique combination of had a more negative review of Mochinut. half hotdog and half mozzarella cheese. Ad- She explained, “The hype wasn’t worth the ditionally, you can top these Korean hotdogs price and when I went the donuts were a with their spicy volcano sauce, diced potatoes, little cold.” No matter what, please make sure to dried ramen noodles, and a bunch of other assupport businesses around your commusorted toppings. When I drove to the Mochinut in Arcadia, nity so that they don’t shut down amid this it was very crowded with a line out the door pandemic! almost reaching the street. However, the wait was most definitely worth it. I ordered half a bchan@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM dozen donuts: two original glazed, one red veland PNGTREE.COM vet, one cookies & creme, one mango, and one

are experiencing an unlikely event that we barely thought was possible. In this quarantine version of having a crush, the same basic rules still apply: anxiety flowering in the stomach, waking up early to at least be presentable, and being cautious of every possible move performed. Yet, each week, friends and classmates express new concerns over liking someone through Zoom. For example, the rumor that the opposite party receives a notification about who has pinned their screen. It’s not an understatement to say that everyone has pinned someone to their screen at least once, even for those who aren’t falling in love with people presented in a 144p box. But as far as I know, that concern is fake news. This kind of concern can easily be equated with the “OMG! Were they looking at me?” feelings experienced in real life. It boils the same kind of anxiety for an answer that’s never satisfied, like Schrödinger’s cat. Too scared to ask or confront, we then bury ourselves in a temporary mystery and misery. We easily get

too caught up in replaying what we were doing during the meeting that might have made us look bad or weird, resulting in further selfscrutiny and reproach. But the truth is assuring: they don’t know if you pinned their screen. So go on, live your best life, and happy pinning. Another example is the breakout room, a function that we hate to love. Despite it being the only place where human interactions (barely) happen, students are finding themselves in whirlwinds of awkwardness and fake smiles in those groups of three to four. Imagine staring at your classmates after the discussion required by the teacher has ended, with small talk dying off as you all stare at the screen with a grimace under the pretence of a smile. Pain, truly. Just like how we fuss over not being able to talk to that certain someone during class at school, breakout rooms have made it even harder for people with such desires. It’s not like there’s an option to have a breakout room within a breakout room. Moreover, with the fact that our actions and words become even more confined over the screen, communica-

tion platforms have significantly reduced prospective chances for people to strike up more personal conversations, let alone make a move. Despite this, don’t forget that everyday we wake up is a new day to rebrand ourselves. Though it’s easier said than done, keeping the conversation going during breakout sessions allows you to seem more approachable in the long run. Then, if you’re lucky, you might be able to close the distance between you and that person. Crush culture has always been stressful and frustrating. Nothing is hardly ever in our favors, and self-scrutiny becomes a part of our daily routine. But it is important to know that despite being in new circumstances, the same rules still apply: you are human, things happen, and they don’t care as much as you think they do. Happy Zoom crushing! achien@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM and THEGUARDIAN.COM

STUDENT LIFE

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By BRANDON CHAN Staff Writer College application season can be a real pain. Even if you’ve already started writing some of the essays, required or optional, it can be helpful to receive some tips from a college counselor on how to manage your time in order to be as successful as possible. Ms. Fitts, AHS’ college counselor, gave some fantastic advice on how to navigate through the college application season. Since this time of year is very hectic for seniors everywhere, it’s best to be organized. An unorganized student is going to have problems keeping track of the countless deadlines for applications and school work. Ms. Fitts emphasizes that you should have “one place where you keep all application deadlines, requirements, usernames, and passwords; it can be in a binder or a spreadsheet.” By utilizing this method to organize yourself, you can greatly decrease your stress level when you need to finish a certain section of your college application. A spreadsheet is very helpful because some colleges have similar questions such as describing your favorite activity or what major you are interested in. This allows you to easily view which supplemental questions still have to be answered. As for the testing aspect of the college application (SAT/ACT), many students are worried that not being able to take one or both of these standardized tests will hurt their chances of being admitted. However, Ms. Fitts said, “The Cal States and UCs have gone test blind, meaning they are not going to evaluate test scores even if students send them. For some colleges outside of California, they have gone test-optional.” She emphasized the need to be confident in yourself and that “you are so much more than a singular test score on paper.” Students shouldn’t be worried about not being able to take an SAT/ ACT test because colleges look at the whole body of work. One of the more important parts of the college application process is writing high-quality essays so that the colleges you are applying to can get to know your personality and interests. You don’t want to write an essay that 100 other students can write. Be unique. According to Ms. Fitts, with a good college essay, even if you don’t put a name on it, if you “drop it on the ground somewhere, someone can identify that it is you.” This will separate you from the other applicants because it means you stood out from the

By LINDA QIU Staff Writer Earlier this month, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman ruled that the University of California system may no longer use ACT and SAT tests in admissions. Seligman said the test-optional policy most UC campuses had adopted up to that point gave privileged and non-disabled students a “second look” during admissions. In other words, despite the test-optional policy, students who took standardized tests were given more consideration. Disabled and less privileged students who were unable to take the tests would not receive the same treatment. As such, usage of the ACT and SAT in UC admissions should be abolished altogether. This decision comes after many colleges have dropped the SAT and ACT requirement for fall 2021 admissions. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, ACT Inc. and the College Board, the companies that respectively administer the ACT and SAT, canceled their exams for a majority of the summer of 2020. This prompted many colleges and universities to adopt a testoptional policy, where tests are viewed as additional but not required material to consider in a student’s acceptance. Seligman’s ruling, on the other hand, completely eliminates the usage of standardized testing in admissions. Views on this recent change are divided. Some students are supportive of the ruling. Senior

SEPTEMBER 2020

pack. Additionally, Ms. Fitts recommends searching up the College Essay Guy online for free additional resources to start developing your essays. Another important aspect of the application is your teacher recommendation letters. When asking your teachers to write you a recommendation letter, make sure you are incredibly polite because these letters do take plenty of time out of their busy schedules. When discussing these teacher recommendation letters, Ms. Fitts said, “It is okay to ask sophomore and junior year teachers, but junior year teachers are the better choice. It also doesn’t have to be a teacher from a class you received an A. It can be one where you asked lots of questions and worked hard every day.” When applying for college, some students will apply early decision or early action. Early decision is binding, meaning if the student gets into that college, he/she has to attend; on the other hand, early action is not binding. Ms. Fitts explained why early decision can increase students’ chances of getting into their preferred college. She said, “Early decision demonstrates to the university that that is the school you want to attend.” She cautions, however, that you must know that this is the college for you since there is no backing out. For other students, a four-year college may not be the best fit for them and that is perfectly fine. Some alternative options include going to service academies or the more common choice, a community college. Ms. Fitts mentions that a community college is great because “you are taking the same courses that you would take at a four-year college.” After you attend a community college, you can then transfer and finish the last two years at a four-year college. She also mentioned that PCC has free tuition for AHS students for the first two years, making it a very enticing option. Furthermore, since some colleges aren’t open to on-campus visits amid this pandemic, some students may struggle to find a college that is perfect for them. In regards to this, Ms. Fitts said, “Naviance is a very good starting point because there are plenty of college searches. Students can also visit college websites to access online virtual tours of the campus.” As long as students stay on track of their schedule and deadlines, college application season should hopefully be a little less stressful. bchan@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM and MAGZTER.COM

Satya Rajendra believes this was a justified development. “No SAT and ACT in college admissions is good,” he said. “Standardized testing enforced an unfair advantage for some students, like those who can afford tutors and other outside help. Plus, standardized testing is a bad reflection of a person’s intelligence or capabilities. I know that kids from richer families tend to score a lot higher than those less well off.” On the other hand, some students protested this decision. “What about the students who have already invested time and effort into the SAT and ACT?” asked junior Sylvie Thompson. “And even though standardized testing is flawed, it’s not like the grades system is an accurate reflection of a person either, because wealthier kids tend to do better in that area too. A lot of my friends have worked really hard to get great scores. I feel like this invalidates all their efforts. This decision helped a few at the expense of many.” So what should students do now? The University of California has stated they “respectfully disagree with the Court’s ruling,” and will likely pursue legal action to repeal this decision. This means future outcomes are still uncertain. For now, there is still value in taking the SAT and ACT, as they are still applicable when applying to a number of private universities. However, this development means that students should continue investing more of their efforts into their grades and their extracurriculars. lqiu@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM and PINCLIPART.COM

SEPTEMBER 2020

studentlife.powwow@gmail.com

STUDENT LIFE By AUDREY SIOENG

WHAT ARCADIA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING TO STUDENTS

11 Staff Writer

Reminiscing about the good ol’ days studying at the Arcadia Public Library? Itching to attend one of their cool programs? Or just missing reading? Don’t worry, Arcadia Public Library is doing its best to provide you with new online resources, reading materials, and programs. For starters, the library has compiled a myriad of different resources for you to use. Teen Librarian Danielle Guerrero says she “could go on forever” describing all the resources, but “a few hidden gems” she would recommend are Libby (free ebooks & audio books), Mango Languages (to supplement the language you learn in school), and Archives Unbound (for primary resources). Another resource is OverDrive. OverDrive is an online library that is user-friendly and convenient to use. To log in, select Arcadia Public Library and type in your card number to gain access to a wide variety of titles in the form of ebooks and audiobooks. To check out a book, simply click borrow and choose how many days you’d like to be able to access it for. In some cases, a title will be rather popular and all the copies will be checked out, in which case you'll have the option to put a hold on it and be notified when it’s available. If you decide you are craving some physical materials, the library’s got you covered there as well! The process for Front Door Pick Up is relatively easy, and a librarian will be glad to walk you through it if you have any issues. You begin by placing a hold on the book via the library’s new Discovery catalog. When the hold is ready, you’ll receive a call to schedule a pick-up date, time, and discuss the instructions if it’s your first time. At your scheduled date and time, show up and follow the instructions to receive your materials. It’s that easy! Do note, though, that the library is still implementing late fees, so be sure to renew your materialws if needed and return them to the book drops once you’re done. In addition to the resources and pick up service mentioned above, Arcadia Public Library has also begun a few free online programs, such as monthly Make-it or Bake-it videos and Creative Writing Workshops For Teens. Occasionally, some events, like the Gratitude Challenge that will take place in November, offer gift card prizes as well! You can find details on the upcoming programs and information on new ones via the library’s social media. If you ever have any questions or issues with any of Arcadia Public Library’s resources, services, or programs, Ms. Guerrero invites you to “call or chat” them on their website, and to keep in mind that “the Library is here for you!” The library itself will be open from Monday through Saturday for pickups, phone calls, and chats. All in all, Arcadia Public Library is doing it’s best to serve this community during these unprecedented times. So if you’re ever feeling bored or find yourself missing reading, don’t forget to take a look at all the library has to offer!

asioeng@apachepowwow.net Graphic by AVARI WANG

AHS’ NEW MOBILE APP MAKES DISTANCE EXTRACURRICULARS EASY By CHLOE WONG

Staff Writer

With classes taking place online this year, students may be struggling to find a way to remain involved in extracurricular activities. Clubs can't post flyers around campus anymore, and with the pandemic, it's impossible to hold in-person team tryouts. In the general confusion of remote learning, it's become too easy to miss out on extracurricular opportunities. Luckily, there's a new way to stay updated in the time of distance learning—the AHS mobile app. The app, which is available for free download on both the App Store and the Google Play Store, offers a simple way for students to catch up on school events while in isolation. General content ranges from coronavirus updates, to club chartering, to virtual college visits over Zoom. The Featured page promotes the new block bell schedule and various district contests. The app also provides links to the Arcadia Wellness Center, where students and parents can find helpful resources on topics such as social justice, anxiety, and depression. But by far, the most convenient aspect of the AHS mobile app is the virtual Student Bulletin, which concentrates all school-related news into categories: Academics, Athletics, Clubs, Colleges, and Reference. If you're looking to participate in an online debate forum,

then look under Academics for the link. Wondering if sports will make a comeback in the spring? Stay updated with the Athletics page. Those interested in leadership might seek to charter their club under the Clubs section, while the Colleges section invites students of all grade levels to participate in campus tours and application essay workshops. And if you want to contact your teacher or counselor, all of that information is available under Reference. As a bonus, the app also provides specific dates and times. For example, entrance into the International Public Policy Forum reads one month from now, while Quiz Bowl Tryouts have already passed with a “three weeks ago” next to the announcement. The app also highlights unread announcements. Users have the option of turning on post notifications and can bookmark pages for later use. The AHS mobile app is one of the most practical ways to stay on top of extracurricular activities in quarantine; at a time when it’s natural to feel lonely without your peers, it’s even more important to get involved in activities outside of regular class. If students are unable to download the app, the Student Bulletin is also available on the official AHS website.

cwong@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT and VECTORSTOCK.COM

SPREADING

theapachepowwow.net

spreading

awareness through

social media

SEPTEMBER 2020

cf.powwow@gmail.com

By ASHLEY ZHAO Campus Focus Editor Over the course of the last six months, quarantine has given rise to awareness for countless important causes around the world, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and many more. Social media accounts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter — for example, soyouwanttotalkabout, impact, wetheurban, and several others—create and post informative graphic organizers to advocate for these matters. One of these issues includes the subject of humanitarian crises—an event or multiple events that endanger the health, safety, and well-being of a group of people. With the rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world, countries that are currently being devastated by humanitarian crises are now faced with another disaster. An example of these countries is Yemen, which has “an estimated 80 percent of the population—24 million people—require some form of humanitarian or protection assistance, including 14.3 million who are in acute need,” according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Without sanitation, clean water, or functional health facilities, “severity of needs is deepening, with the number of people in acute need a staggering 27 percent higher” than in 2016. Not only that, but the other half of these facilities that are open lack the basic equipment they need to treat COVID-19, such as masks, gloves, oxygen, and other essential supplies. As a result of this lack of necessities, 10.2 million children don’t have access to basic healthcare, and thousands of

AWARENESS

these children may go on to develop acute malnutrition over the next six months. Another issue commonly advocated for is the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, which grew as a response to the violence inflicted on those in the Black community by the state and vigilantes. Throughout cities like LA, New York, Tokyo, and London, people have shown their support for BLM through massive protests and demonstrations even with the risks of COVID-19 in the air. The movement has also made its way to social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter—where hashtags like #BlackoutTuesday have gone viral and many celebrities, like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande, have also advocated for the cause. By providing well-organized graphics that arrange information and advocate for such causes, accounts on these platforms help users easily spread awareness about an issue to family and friends. Not only does sharing these graphics help circulate information, doing so also gives more people the chance to look at issues from a different perspective or simply gain insight on a foreign issue. Becoming more educated on a subject is not only beneficial for your general knowledge, but it also helps to break harmful stereotypes that can threaten specific groups of people. Many of these posts also contain resources that readers can access to learn more, sign petitions, and donate to help those impacted by these crises. So whenever you see a post that has accurate information that can help change the views of someone you know for the better, encourage them to broaden their point of view and help join the fight against the atrocious crises that impact our world every day.

azhao@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ASHLEY ZHAO

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

theapachepowwow.net

SEPTEMBER 2020

By KATE LARRICK Staff Writer For those of us who have, in fact, felt like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, Katy Perry’s “Firework” is one of the most iconic hits of the early 2000s. Times have changed from the days of cotton candy clouds and pastel wigs, though; Perry’s career has been a rollercoaster ride not unlike the one she rode in her “Chained to the Rhythm” music video. Katy Perry’s musical journey began with a failure that not many are aware of: in March of 2001, at age 16, Perry released a self-titled gospel album that didn’t chart any music market. It wasn’t until she signed with Capitol Records in April of 2007 that she released her album One of the Boys, which featured classics like “I Kissed A Girl” and “Hot N Cold.” 2010 saw the release of Perry’s third studio album: Teenage Dream, an instant chart topper best remembered for “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” and “Last Friday Night.” These five songs made her the first woman and second artist to ever have five number-one singles from one album. Her next album, Prism, was even more successful. Then came Witness, an album Perry claimed was a shift towards “purposeful pop”: authentic music made with the intent to better society. She appeared to be making an effort to be taken seriously, or at least more seriously than during her years of “bubblegum pop” and over-the-top costumes. Unfortunately, Perry’s attempt seemed disingenuous to many, and the album was nowhere near as political or radical as it was publicized to be. It featured songs like “Bon Appetit” and “Swish Swish,” both of which were met with backlash and general confusion. They definitely didn’t seem to fit the standard of “purposeful pop” that Perry had set for herself. The most recent update in Katy Perry’s music career is Smile. Perry described her newest studio album, which dropped four days after the 10 year anniversary of Teenage Dream, as her “journey towards the light, with stories of resilience, hope, and love.” The album definitely fit this description, but its overly positive lyrics and a cascade of cliches prevented it from resonating with audiences. Although Katy Perry’s recent work has fallen short, it is easy to see why she’s so overwhelmingly positive: she is happily in love, her daughter has possibly the cutest name ever given to a baby, and she remains a cultural force in the music industry. Perhaps a comeback is in the works.

klarrick@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and PINTEREST.COM

By JOY HERRERA

By ANGELA CHIEN Staff Writer

Staff Writer

The Sims 4, in a way, is a professional dress up game. Essentially playing the role of God, players can create their characters, also known as Sims, give them a personality, and build houses for Sims to live in. It allows for a serious creative workspace for the players; the sky is their only limit. Well, maybe in this case, Electronic Arts (EA), the company behind the Sims 4, is also a limit. The Sims franchise has sustained itself for more than two decades now, but players can’t help but continue to compare the Sims 4 to its predecessor, the Sims 3. Despite the fact that the Sims 4 has been out for more than 6 years, fans are nowhere near satisfied with the game and EA. I will be looking into the good of the Sims 4 (what they have to offer that its predecessors don’t), the bad (what players deem to be an obstacle in their gameplay), and the expectations and improvements that players wish to see. Let’s get something straight: the Sims 4 is an intricate and well-built game. With more than 40 game packs to count and the whole Tumblr worth of custom-content, virtually no one’s Sims 4 is the same as others. Alongside updated textures and graphics from Sims 3, the video game and its characters are one step closer to mirroring real life. Players also now have an easier time building houses with a more straightforward interface and wide-range of options. They no longer have to tear down the whole house just to add a wall! No doubt, the Sims 4 was worth almost 50 dollars when it first came out in 2014. But as EA released more and more packs throughout the years, it became as if the base game was nothing without the packs. With the packs costing as much as the base game itself, it’s rather a disservice to players who don’t have the financial freedom. Because after all, base game contents aren’t as interesting and playable as themed packs. Furthermore, the worlds aren’t open-worlds or customizable. In the Sims 4, it takes a loading screen to switch between lots, even if they are in the same world. Lucky for Sims 3 players, they were spared the misery of loading screens. And for those who have been playing since Sims 2, the lack of customization for the worlds is also a hassle. Players can’t design their own world tailored to their Sims and their needs. Additionally, it has come to many fan’s attention about how two-dimensional Sims are. Their emotions and needs barely correlate with each other, and the traits players choose for Sims’ personality hardly affects the gameplay. Sims are confined to a handful of emotions that, at best, go on for two days, and they reset back to “Fine.” Obviously, no video game is perfect. With the recent release of the new expansion pack, Journey to Batuu, players couldn’t help but sigh in frustration. The new pack offers mostly Star-Wars themed content and a set story to follow, both of which were not in the player’s wishlist. EA can barely keep up with the player’s demands and expectations, but to be honest, they can’t be blamed. Players expect open-worlds, farms, cars, and color wheels in future updates and packs; there’s a never ending list. EA has been responsive to the players’ desires as they explain, from time to time, how long it takes to plan and develop packs and updates, and how the players’ voices aren’t going unheard. The Sims 4 still has quite a legacy to complete before it moves onto the Sims 5, so hopefully, before then, TS4 can set a new precedent for the Sims 5.

“Statement begins.” These are the words that accompany the beginning of each episode of The Magnus Archives, a horror podcast by Rusty Quill Entertainment which follows the life of Jonathan Simms, the head archivist of the mysterious Magnus Institute in London. Most episodes follow a monster of the week format as Jon reads the terrifying statements of the people who come to the Institute to tell their stories. However, as the story progresses the listener learns that there is more to this world than meets the eye and it is revealed that Jon is in over his head. Podcasts are a growing form of entertainment with a new celebrity joining the trend every week, but for new listeners, it can be intimidating as it is a wide sea of educational, lifestyle, and inspirational content. According to Apple, in 2018 they passed 550,000 podcasts and since then Apple Podcasts and other platforms have continued to grow. For fans of fiction, it can be even more intimidating to wade through the avalanche of content as a good fiction podcast is hard to find but The Magnus Archives stands out in this sea of content as a genuinely bone-chilling tale that will appeal to any fan of horror or mystery. The series begins simply with each episode telling a stand-alone horror story bookended with the supplemental background on the case which Jon and his research assistants have found. As the listener becomes accustomed to the world of the Magnus Institute, so does Jon and his journey into the reality of the horrors of the world draws the listener along with him. The episodes which range from 20 to 30 minutes long are written in first person prose and showcase a plethora of different types of fear so undoubtedly, there will be a topic that leaves you shivering. One episode, “Binary” is perfect for those wishing to start the podcast and is guaranteed to stick in the mind with lines like “The maze is sharp on my mind. The angles cut me when I try to think.” This episode covers the fear of artificial intelligence and humanity’s increasing reliance on technology. However, like any podcast the best way to experience this episode and all the others is through the stellar voice acting and haunting audio production of the recording. For those that are apprehensive of horror, the metaplot that spans the whole series is enthralling to the curious mind as small pieces of the story are revealed to be a part of a larger puzzle. To attempt to dodge spoilers as much as possible, the series has been planned out to be exactly five seasons of 40 episodes and as the series draws to a close, everything has changed for the archivist and his crew of research assistants. The Magnus Archives takes the time to explore themes like sacrifice, what it means to be human, and what happens when you can not stay that way. The connections that bind the employees of the Institute give the series heart in a way unrivaled by most modern horror. The relationship between the main characters of Jon and Martin are a highlight of the show as they as well as their friends around them struggle to keep the world safe as forces beyond their control and even capability to understand toy with those around them. The Magnus Archives is available to listen to on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and almost any podcast service of your choice.

achien@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of EA.COM and SIMS.FANDOM.COM

jherrera@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and PINTREST.COM

SEPTEMBER 2020

arcadiaperformingarts@gmail.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By JANELL WANG Staff Writer After many release delays due to the current pandemic, one of Disney’s most highly anticipated live-action films, Mulan, finally released. This film showcases the retelling of the classic Chinese legend “Ballad of Hua Mulan”. It was released on Disney Plus on Sept. 4. However, Disney added an extra cost of $30 in order to watch the film. As of now, Mulan is only available to watch on Disney Plus so it requires a monthly subscription fee of $7. Disney included the premium fee of $30 after deciding not to wait for theaters to reopen. This doesn’t mean that you own the film as it doesn’t give you a digital copy, and it’s not exactly a rental fee either as it can be rewatched. They also announced that on Dec. 4, Mulan will be available to all subscribers for free. When asked about whether paying $30 for the movie is worth it, Sophomore Leo Liang replied, “I think that paying the additional fee for $30 is not worth it because you only have to wait until Dec. 4, and the movie itself will come out with no fee included besides the monthly/annual subscription fee.” The legend of Hua Mulan is about a young woman living in times of war. Mulan secretly becomes a soldier in place of her father, a war veteran now incapable of fighting. She dresses up as a man, takes her father’s sword, and sneaks out to the training camp. The live-action film adheres more to the legend and gives a more realistic portrayal of it as opposed to the 1998 animated film Mulan. This means that there will be no singing and Mushu does not make an appearance as he wasn’t in the legend. The movie stars 33-year old actress Liu Yifei as the role of Mulan, alongside Donnie Yen as Commander Tung and Jet Li as the emperor. The director of the film is Niki Caro and is one of the only four female filmmakers in the history of Hollywood that has directed a film of over $100 million. Hua Mulan is a strong heroine who is brave, loyal, independent, and would do anything for her family. The importance of the film is that it brings mainstream representation of a Chinese heroine, given that such stories don’t often get told in American films and TV. It showcases a strong female role model, especially for children. “Mulan’s someone who I aspire to be like, courageous and not afraid to fight for what I think is right,” said Sophomore Sandra Aw when asked about her opinion on the heroine. Sophomore Sylvia Li has a similar opinion and stated, “Mulan, to me, represents racial and woman equality, she went through against all her principles for the sake of her country and her father. She gains deep respect for being able to face death at every corner to fight for everything she believed in.” Furthermore, if this works out for Disney, more films in the future may come out in the same format. With the pandemic still going on and questions of reopening of theaters left hanging, it will be interesting to see how this goes.

jwang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and PINTEREST.COM

By SEAN YANG Staff Writer After finally finding out that one of the perks of being a member of T-Mobile is getting Netflix for a cheaper price, my parents finally caved in and bought the service for a measly two dollars a month. With the service, came Netflix exclusives and with that, the series Cobra Kai. We quickly finished the two seasons in only two days. Here’s my review of the series, following the legendary Karate Kid movies. This will contain some spoilers of the series so read at your own risk. What surprised me the most was that the story actually followed the main antagonist of the original Karate Kid movie. The audience follows Johnny Lawerence, 30 years after the events of the Karate Kid when he lost to Daniel Larusso. We find out that Johnny’s life has quickly fallen apart as he was unable to recover after suffering the loss and leaving Cobra Kai. He now works a blue collar job which he clearly does not enjoy. It is not until he meets a young man named Miguel that his life begins to turn around. The two meet when Johnny, in classic Mr. Miyagi fashion, defends Miguel from a group of bullies outside of his local mini mart. This prompts Miguel to attempt to learn karate from Johnny, which causes the resurrection of the Cobra Kai dojo. Daniel Larusso quickly realizes his former bully has once again started the dojo that had bullied him relentlessly in the past and quickly forms his own dojo, Miyagi-Do. Daniel also picks up a student of his own to train and it is an extremely big plot twist. Season 1 ends with the fated battle between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do, with the new star pupils both battling it out in an epic showdown at the All valley Karate Tournament. Famed critic Daniel Fienberg who usually is a harsh critic even said, “the season still builds to an exciting and truly fun karate tournament”. If this doesn’t convince you to watch the series, then season 2 definitely will. The beginning of season 2 starts right where we left off; the ending of the All Valley Tournament. We meet many brand new faces and one in particular: John Kreese. Kreese was Johnny’s previous sensei that ended up disbanding Cobra Kai because of his mental issues (and his attempted murder of Johnny). Johnny ends up giving Kreese a second chance and allows him to teach the Cobra Kai class along with him. While this occurs, Larusso also begins to pick up more students, and even some ex-students from Cobra Kai as they did not like Cobra Kai’s aggressive teaching style. Since Johnny and Danile have a grudge towards each other, their students end up hating the opposing dojo as well. This rivalry comes to a head in the last episodes of the season as a major fight breaks out with many major events happening such as a near death experience from one of the protagonists. Overall, I really enjoyed the series Cobra Kai. Everytime you think the story will finally calm down, more drama just keeps the fire going. If you have Netflix you should definitely check this series out!

syang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM, FASTDECALS.COM, and FORTRESSOFSOLITUDE.COM

SPORTS The New Girls Cross Country Coach theapachepowwow.net

By STEPHANIE WANG Staff Writer At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, AHS welcomed a new staff member: the Girls Cross Country coach Jacques Sallberg. While last year’s track season ended prematurely with the coronavirus lockdown, Coach Sallberg is sure to help the team reach new heights when cross country season returns. A former professional runner himself, Coach Sallberg started running cross country as a high school sophomore, and after earning a scholarship through running, ran semi-professional during and after college before focusing on coaching. As for coaching itself, he actually had plenty of experience for it before officially pursuing coaching as a professional career. “I actually started my senior year in high school. We didn’t have a distance coach, so I decided to help them out. It was much harder than I thought it would be, but it set the foundation for what was to come,” Coach Sallberg notes. “While in college, I began coaching youth runners and even some of the runners on my team during the off season. At the tail end of my professional career I worked with youth, high school, and collegiate runners as well as coaching several youth running clubs and serving as a consultant to high school coaches throughout the San Gabriel Valley. I’ve been running and coaching now for almost 30 years.” When asked about his favorite part about coaching, Coach Sallberg answered, “There is tremendous fulfillment in helping athletes reach their goals. This is probably my favorite part about coaching.” While Coach Sallberg enjoys coaching, it certainly isn’t an easy job. “I am responsible for teaching and mentoring a

diverse student population the fundamentals of cross country training and racing which include, but are not limited to the planning, organization, and implementation of a sound training plan that has an emphasis on developing successfully competitive athletes,” he said. Even in the off-season, when racing hasn’t started yet, Coach Sallberg continues to stay active as a coach. Besides helping student athletes prepare for the season, he still has plenty of other responsibilities, including “formulating objectives for the upcoming season and keeping abreast of new ideas and techniques by attending clinics and workshops.”

SEPTEMBER 2020

ever, Coach Sallberg still has high hopes for this year’s cross country season. The “first goal would be to physically be in the presence of the whole team.” After that, “once the team is given clearance for this, all the right pieces should fall into place and we can start looking forward to racing competitively when the season begins.”

“There is tremendous fulfillment in helping athletes reach their goals...” said Coach Sallberg. He is also tasked with being knowledgeable about the ins and outs of cross country, as well as any CIF rules and regulations concerning the sport. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Coach Sallberg is now also required to “adhere to proper procedures for out-of-season practices according to state high school association guidelines and to the rules and regulations of AHS.” Additionally, with school closures and the coronavirus still on high alert, this year’s cross country season has been condensed to a few short months as opposed to the usual semesterlong duration and will only start in December. With in-person group practices unlikely to happen until a few weeks prior to the start of the season, Coach Sallberg has resorted to conducting most of his coaching through email and text messages. Despite the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, how-

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Distance Learning: Baseball Edition By SOFIA NAGY Staff Writer Distance learning is challenging enough for a regular student; ever wonder what it is like to learn baseball during distance learning? The AHS Baseball team and coaches are having to adapt their usual way of doing things, much like everyone else, but this situation is also very unique, and the coaches and players are willing to talk about its uniqueness! “We were notified that COVID-19 was going to affect us this year during March, right in the middle of our season,” said Baseball Coach Nicholas Lemas. “We all first thought that it was going to be a couple of weeks, and then that turned into longer than just a couple of weeks, and ever since then it just turned into a waiting game where you don’t really know how to plan nor what to do.” Lemas and all the other coaches definitely received an unexpected hit by COVID-19, especially more so since “as a coach, you have a routine that you do every single year. So, when something hits your planning and summer rolls in--when we’re getting ready for the school year, we get ready for fundraising, practices, season games, and since this suddenly came around, that kind of just shot the planning down,” Lemas shared. Despite COVID-19 showing up to affect the ending of the 2019-2020 school cycle, messing with the summer, and leaving a still-going degree of uncertainty for the start-up of the school year, the AHS Baseball team was lucky enough to still have their yearly summer camp. “It was a lot different and we took a lot of safety measures and made sure that we were following all the rules, but we actually had a camp while most schools didn’t do anything,” said Lemas about the summer camp. There were around 30 players attending the camp over the summer to improve and continue to sharpen their skills with the help of the coaches over the course of more or less four weeks. “My schedule weekly is to try and throw every day. Also to workout out every day as well. During our sixth-period baseball class, we do workouts and mobility work. Even though this sounds busy, it is nowhere close to what my schedule was like pre-COVID,” shared Casey Spencer, who spent two years on La Salle High School Varsity Baseball and is now a senior Varsity player at AHS. The team has had to do workouts through Zoom calls, and Casey shared, “during our Zoom classes, we start off by stretching and then we transition to a full-body workout. I can say I defi-

nitely get a good sweat in. The only thing that differs from regular workouts is that we don’t have access to weights.” Coach Lemas said that he is giving his players “workouts they can do by themselves if they’re in their room, or for those that go outside and to parks, I give them stuff that they can do.” He also shared that some players are playing for club teams, too, and that oftentimes they send him videos from their games or workouts for him to constructively criticize. “Our coach has been nice enough to post a throwing program and workout program that he wants us to do. That helps to regulate what I am doing on a regular basis and helps me stay in shape if we have a season this year,” shared Harrison Meyers, a senior Varsity player who has been on the team for four years. A tweet from the official account of AHS Baseball showed a Zoom workout picture and had a description of it as well. Baseball, Arcadia (@ArcadiaBaseball). “Yesterday’s workout looked a lot different! With so much uncertainty, the only thing we know for sure right now is that when they say ‘play ball!’ we will be ready!” @ ApacheBoosters @ArcadiaUnified” 20 August 2020, 12:08 PM. Tweet. Speaking of “playing ball,” when is that happening exactly? It’s not certain, however, if things go as expected, the team might start to play games in January of next year. As to how that will look like and how it will work-- that’s still a toss in the air, as of now. Some baseball players shared what they do to stay fit. Mikey Easter, a senior Varsity player, shared that he has been working out at home, going on bikes and runs, and using weights he has at home. He also has a YouTube Channel with Spencer, Casey and Mikey Vlogs, where they share baseball-related videos. Meyers does workouts by himself and works on his throwing with a teammate while staying safe. The boys shared that what they miss the most is being with all their teammates, but they keep motivated and looking at the bright side. “Knowing that we have a chance of coming back and having a season is enough to push for me,” Harrison shared. “If I get the chance I want to leave it all out on the field and have no regrets.” “I’m pushing hard every day because I’m looking forward to the chance at playing baseball in college,” shared Mikey. “Don’t give up,” he said to anyone struggling. “You’re not the only one who’s going through these tough times.”

snagy@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of CASEY SPENCER

SPORTS

sports.powwow@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

CIF GUIDELINES

By PAMINA YUNG

Staff Writer With sports seasons starting soon, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), created a ten-page document with guidelines regarding how education-based athletic practices in secondary schools are to be carried out during the coming season. The CIF acknowledges that not all student-athletes in the entire state of California may be able to participate in sports at the same time and that their guidelines are to be considered along with instructions from local county health officials. Due to limited availability for testing and future COVID-19 updates, the guidelines are subject to change. The guidelines recommend that schools resume practices and competitions in phases. Phase One requires a radius of at least six feet between individuals and gatherings that consist of no more than what is permitted by local directions. To limit exposure, students should work out in “pods” of the same group of five to ten people. The locker rooms are off-limits for Phase One. Phase Two guidelines state that the number of people included in indoor gatherings must not exceed the maximum giv-

en by the local county. Up to 50 people are allowed to be together for outdoor workouts. The six-feet-radius rule and “pods” suggestion also applies to Phase Two. All facilities and equipment surfaces need to be cleaned well, and hand sanitizer should always be provided. People need to wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds before engaging in physical activity. Students are advised to take a shower and wash their clothes promptly after arriving home. All students and coaches must be screened for symptoms every day, and need to report positive symptoms. Everyone also needs to bring their own water which, along with food and athletic equipment such as towels, should not be shared. Face coverings need to be worn during exercise, with the exception of swimming, distance running, or other high-intensity aerobic activity. Using plastic face shields is discouraged due to possible injury. Cloth masks are acceptable. Students should also minimize out-of-state or non-local travel. Sadly, high-fives, fist/chest bumps, hugs, and other gestures of comradery that involve physical contact are not allowed. Sports will be a bit unusual this year, but junior Cara Hung, a member of the Varsity

Tennis team, expressed her optimism, stating, “Fortunately, tennis is one of the sports that are naturally socially distant, so I feel like practice won’t be too different even with the guidelines in place. Honestly, I’m just looking forward to seeing my teammates and starting practice.” Sophomore Lawryn Chen, who is on the Varsity Softball team, said, “I believe [the CIF guidelines] will affect the social aspect of our practices the most. We won’t be able to interact with each other as we did before, but at least we’ll be together. When we’re practicing, it shouldn’t be too different since fielders are a good distance away from each other regularly during defense. There should also be minimal trouble with keeping up with these safety guidelines for our offensive practices.” If social distancing and CIF and local county guidelines are met and followed, cross country, track and field, swimming, golf, tennis, and badminton are authorized to immediately begin practice through Phase One and Phase Two. Volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, football, wrestling, competitive cheerleading, basketball, and water polo can resume based on local county guidelines decisions. The specifics on how each sport should conduct practice are on the CIF’s website. AHS’ swim and water polo teams have already begun practice and are following the CIF’s guidelines. According to Janice Clark, the coach of both sports, she and her assistant used red duct tape to create six-feet distance markers and allowed only one person to use the bathroom at a time. In addition, one of the aquatic center’s gates served as a one-way entrance

while the other was a one-way exit. Groups of two students were split into 13 lanes, one student on each end. Some lanes were also shared by siblings. During water polo, goalie positions were omitted and replaced with sniper nets, and each person retrieved their own ball which was labeled with a number assigned to a specific person. After conditioning exercises, players worked on individual ball skills. These rules were also used during the summer swim and water polo camps, which were very successful especially since there were fewer students. Ms. Clark stated, “Thanks to our summer day camps, we already have a working game plan for practices under the CIF guidelines, and we are looking forward to the time when we will be allowed to begin high school practices. By the time we get to the end of December, when CIF is planning to begin the actual competitive season for those sports designated into the fall season group, we must have the ability to have physical contact and share equipment, or the water polo season won’t be able to happen. Boys and Girls Swimming is in CIF’s spring season, which begins competition in March. Because swimming is less contactoriented, it may be easier to begin competition for that sport. For the moment, we are hoping that LA County will move soon to the Tier 2 category in Governor Newsom’s plan so that things will open up more. Our teams are looking forward to getting back in the pool.”

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS’ M O ST R E C E N T S T R I K E

By CHLOE WONG

Staff Writer National Basketball Association (NBA) players shook the sports world when they took part in an unanticipated wildcat strike, which is commonly defined as a worker strike hosted without union support. The players were protesting the controversial police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which had occurred days prior. On Aug. 27, shortly before the Milwaukee Bucks competed against the Orlando Magic, a surprising revelation came to light: following a summer of racial tension and the most recent shooting in Kenosha, the Bucks chose to not participate in the first round of playoff games. “The past four months have [shed light] on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities,” The Milwaukee Bucks said in an official statement explaining the strike. “Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings. Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we have seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protestors. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.” The Bucks’ actions caused a ripple ef-

fect. In solidarity with Black athletes and all those affected by racial injustice, other MLS, NHL, NFL, MLB, and WNBA teams reciprocated the gesture and refused to play at their respective games. Tennis star Naomi Osaka forfeited her match at the U.S. Open, while the New York Mets held a silent protest in favor of Black Lives Matter, walking out of the stadium and leaving a Black Lives Matter jersey on home plate. It was a historic moment, a never-before-

seen show of unity—and, for a few days, it brought the sports industry to a grinding halt. The strike did end eventually, with playoffs resuming on Aug. 29, but not before the NBA made certain concessions. The league formed a social justice coalition and agreed to volunteer basketball arenas as voting locations as part of the demands made by players and team representatives. “We had a candid, impassioned, and productive conversation yesterday between NBA players, coaches, and team governors regarding

the next steps to further our collective efforts and actions in support of social justice and racial equality,” National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a joint statement. “These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season, providing a platform to promote social justice, as well as creating an NBA Foundation focused on economic empowerment in the Black community.” The athletes participating in the strike join players who have used their careers to protest racial injustice, such as Tommie Smith and Muhammad Ali. But they also set a new precedent in the sports world. Athlete protests have often been individual efforts, such as when NFL player Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem in 2014—a gesture that was not only met with extreme backlash but resulted in Kaepernick losing his position in the league. The Aug. 27 strike was vastly different. Instead of just raising awareness, NBA athletes withheld their labor and successfully shut down the industry, leveraging that until the league met their demands for change. The Bucks have paved a new path for protest and future action—and they did it on their own terms, too.

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CAMPUS FOCUS

theapachepowwow.net

SEPTEMBER 2020

By MELODY LUI Campus Focus Editor

“Online schooling has been a little weird; I definitely miss actually going to school. I miss seeing my friends everyday, but I do like the extra nap time from online school!” - Calista Guo (12)

Quarantine has been changing everybody’s life since the beginning of March. Closure of schools and businesses made it hard for many to adapt and support themselves. As Arcadia High School starts off the new school year online, we went straight to the students to ask how they’ve been handling quarantine and the new online school system.

“I think that online school is the right decision for our current state in a pandemic. While I would obviously love to go back to school and see my friends, I think that online school is fine just because we can always keep in contact via social media. I hope we can go back to end the school year!” - Jadon Fann (12) “It’s definitely different and I don’t necessarily hate it, but I don’t love it either. A pro is more sleep, and the block schedule isn’t too bad either. But online schooling kind of forces me to do more self studying which is not the best way for me to learn.” - Stephanie Lee (9)

“I did actually attend summer school, so I was able to experience actual distance learning before the school year started, but I actually still procrastinated like I had in the months leading up to the school shutting down. Also, the classes I’m taking this year are significantly easier than the ones I took last year, so it’s definitely helped me ease into this new style of learning.” - Maggie Lee (11)

“Some hobbies I found can include embroidering, painting, gardening, baking, and reading. I think I’ve gotten a bit closer to finding my true self while doing activities I enjoy and having a lot of time to myself.” - Katelyn Gunawan (10) “Quarantine has taught me to speak up about situations, and that sitting back and watching simply does no good for myself or for others around me. A new hobby that I’ve come to enjoy is cleaning the house on the daily. It gives me a sense of accomplishment even while I am stuck at home! I’ve gotten closer with myself during social distancing, but if I’m being honest, I have no clue about my true self. I am still striving to be the best version of myself every single day, and I want to let life’s obstacles shape me into a better person anytime given!” - Chrissel Cheung (11)

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