The Broadview 12.10.2021

Page 1

2 holiday cheer

8 Fall flavors

Christmas on Broadway returns with adaptions

Holiday specials appear in stores across the city

Friday, December 10, 2021

8 taylor's version Taylor Swift re-records her old albums

9 Spirit squad

1 Banksy arrives

New cheer team boosts school spirit

Street art exhibit opens in San Francisco

Convent of the Sacred Heart HS | San Francisco, California

Vol. 28, Iss. 3

'A more humane approach'

Response Team assists San Franciscans in crisis

Kate Loomans | THE BROADVIEW

Makenna Kramer

M

Feature Editor

ost cities throughout the country deploy local police departments to respond to mental health emergencies. This was also true in San Francisco until recently, when the city became one of the first to fully implement a new mental health response strategy. The San Francisco Street Crisis Response Team launched as a pilot program designed to help people experiencing mental health and substance use crises on the streets, and has been providing 24/7 citywide service since September 2021. “Each response team includes one community paramedic, one behavioral health clinician and one behavioral health peer specialist, someone who's lived experience may include homelessness and behavioral health needs and who is in recovery,” Noel Sanchez, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Health, wrote in an email. “They work together to deescalate, or calm down, crises in the streets.” Almost 25% of people killed by police officers since 2015 had a known mental illness, according

to data acquired by the Washington Post. While the SFPD provides Crisis Intervention Training, the Crisis Response team was designed to create a fundamental change in the way San Francisco handles public safety,

I am glad San Francisco is doing this because sending people who have experience dealing with mental health crises seems like it would help and make people more comfortable.

— Catherine Fox

according to a press release from Mayor London Breed. “I think the program is a good

idea because people who need this help are probably in a stressful situation where mental health professionals could help,” junior Natalie Posner said. “I also think having police there could make the person feel scared.” The San Francisco program was inspired by the CAHOOTS initiative in Eugene, Oregon. CAHOOTS is a partnership between the city police and mental health specialists that handled over 18,000 911 calls in 2019 and has gained critical acclaim since its creation nearly 30 years ago, according to the Eugene Police Department. “My wife had an experience where she stopped to help a person in distress and waited until the police came,” Chair of Community Life Michael Buckley said. “The result of that crisis was a sick person going to jail, so if the Crisis Team can do better than that I think it’s worth it.” The Crisis Response team assisted 271 clients in September, handling 63% of those crises at the scene, meaning the client “remained safely in community,” according to the program’s website. The team has released monthly infographics with sta-

tistics such as client’s outcomes, race and living situation since April 2021. “I think it is important for the city to be transparent so that everyone can know what they are doing to help people,” sopho-

People in crisis can often react in ways that can feel threatening to people without experience, and so in those situations, meeting hostility with violence or agression can be harmful.

— Ariel Trost

more Catherine Fox said. “I am glad San Francisco is doing this because sending people who

have experience dealing with mental health crises seems like it would help and make people more comfortable.” While the goal of the program is to deescalate situations, Street Crisis Response team members have the option to call the police or place clients in psychiatric holds if necessary. “People in crisis can often react in ways that can feel threatening to people without experience, and so in those situations, meeting hostility with violence or aggression can be harmful,” psychologist Ariel Trost said. “This feels like a more humane approach, which is exciting.” The Street Crisis Response team is one aspect of a citywide mental health program known as Mental Health SF. This includes implementing addiction, rehabilitation, and crisis diversion initiatives, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “The City should do all it can to help people in these situations,” Posner said. “I am glad San Francisco is becoming a leader in mental health.”

In case you missed it...

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

California gas prices surge

Visiting author Tommy Orange discusses novel

Broadway hosts book fair

The Broadview Convent of the Sacred Heart HS Schools of the Sacred Heart San Francisc 2222 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94115

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #9313 San Francisco , CA


NEWS

2 | Friday, December 10, 2021

The Broadview

And to all a good night Christmas on Broadway celebration returns after COVID-19 Amelia Froyd-Kamrath

D

Senior Reporter

ecorative wreaths line the marble staircase and Christmas tree lights adorn the hallways as students and faculty prepare for the holiday season, and the traditions that come with it.

Christmas on Broadway is a fun way for us as a school to celebrate together.

— Paul Pryor-Lorentz

“I'm excited to see all the school’s decorations,” sophomore Sarah Rasic said. “Honestly, I'm ready for it to be Christmas season and for all the

festivities, especially to experience some school traditions that myself and my grade did not get fully last year because of COVID.” The school tradition of Noels started off as a Broadway Sacred Heart tradition where students would present gifts to the headmaster. Over time, like many other traditions, it evolved and now includes each language class singing a carol in their language. “I just love stepping into Flood and seeing the pretty Christmas tree there,” junior Sophia Wu said. “I also really enjoyed Noels, because it's a tradition that we get to celebrate as a K-12 community.” Noels is a school-wide event and because many elementary students are only recently eligible for vaccination, the tradition may be somewhat different than in previous years, according to Community Life Chair Paul Pryor Lorentz. “It is still to be determined what Noels will look like this year,” Pryor Lorentz said. “There

Amelia Froyd-Kamrath | THE BROADVIEW

FIRST WORD Christmas decorations fill the main hall in preparation for the Christmas on Broadway celebration. Highschool students are offered the opportunity to volunteer in various themed activites including gingerbread house decoration.

have been many changes like how we can gather outside of cohortated groups and we can sing with our masks on, which we have engaged in with the elementary students so far this year.” Along with Christmas events that have long been a part of the school's history, the school has started new events in the past few years like the elementary students' gingerbread house making. “My freshman year both my mom and I volunteered to help when the elementary kids made their gingerbread houses,” Wu

Slow your roll

41st Ave

Orgega

osa

Marip

20th St.

Twin Peaks

Chen

er y

Hearst

on gt

Tompkins

n rli A

me t

rse

Lake Merced

ginning, but there has been a lot less people on them lately as many people are returning to work in-person.” SFMTA is currently updating the current barricades to reflective purple signs, which will require less maintenance and will include more specific information, according to SFMTA. “I think the new barricades will be nice and will last longer,” Valentino said. “I see a lot of Slow Streets with signs that have been run down or destroyed.” Some Slow Streets that already have new installations are 12th Ave, Clay St, Pacific Ave, Cabrillo St, Page St, 20th St, Shotwell St, and Somerset Ave. Some Slow Streets who’s bar-

ta Minneso

Kirkham

Shotwell

So

Statistically, slow streets have shown to be effective, having increased the number of people walking by 65% and the number of people biking by 27%. The number of cars in 80% of Slow Streets also decreased to fewer than 1,500 vehicles per day, according to the 2021 Slow Street Evaluation Report. “Traffic gets worse, especially around California Street,” Valentino said. “I definitely see people using the Slow Streets at the be-

Page

Golden Gate

z Sanche

— Natalie Stans

n Gate

Golde

Noe

It really slows my commute to school.

Clay

Lake

Cabrillo

Pacific

Lyon

low Streets were initially established to create more space for social distancing during the pandemic, but as San Francisco reopens policies and many students' opinions on Slow Streets change. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency set up the Slow Street Program to slow traffic in residential areas throughout the city and allow people to social distance while walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding, according to SFMTA. “I personally find Slow Streets to be very inconvenient, and I almost never see anyone obeying the signs,” senior Natalie Stans said. “For people who live on those streets or usually use those streets for daily driving, it hinders traffic and makes it worse.” Slow Streets are marked by signs and barricades, which are usually placed towards the middle of the street to leave room for bikes and pedestrians but restrict vehicles. Slow Streets are imperative to reopening the economy since they allow people to safely travel around the city by social distance as opposed to

using public transportation, according to SFMTA. “It’s fun for the weekends when you’re able to walk around with friends,” freshman Ava Valentino said. “That being said, it's hard commuting to school because it makes other streets slower.”

Precidio

12th Ave

Circulation

rd

ba

m Lo

ve 20th A

S

Alina Kushner

celebrate together, especially this year,” Pryor Lorentz said. “It’s also a great opportunity for any highschool students who volunteered to further engage with the elementary students.” While new Christmas traditions continue to develop, the school has been planning to make Flood mansion feel like it did for past holiday seasons. “I think it’s exciting for everyone to have something that kind of feels normal again,” Wu said. “Even if it isn’t exactly the same as it normally is, just seeing everyone K-12 is just fun.”

Slow streets in San Francisco

ve 23rd A

Slow streets persist despite businesses and schools reopening

said. “I was in charge of handing out candy and my mom was helping set out the houses, it reminded me of when I would do this as a little kid which was nice.” The Gingerbread house making happens at an annual event called Christmas on Broadway where there is a chance to meet Santa, to decorate gingerbread, as well as many vendors who come. The event is primarily targeted at elementary school students however many like Wu volunteer. “Christmas on Broadway is a fun way for us as a school to

ricades will be replaced include Arlington, Lake St, Lombard, Golden Gate Ave, Sanchez St, and Mariposa St, according to SFMTA. “I’m glad that some streets are staying closed even though it makes traffic worse,” Valentino said. “It makes my commute worse but I find it cool walking on a road originally dedicated to cars.” As San Francisco continues to reopen, many Slow Streets are also returning for their original use. However, some Slow Streets have been approved by SFMTA Board of Directors to remain closed, including Golden Gate Ave and Lake St, according to SFMTA.

“The Great Highway near my house is re-opened for weekdays, so the traffic has been a lot better recently,” Stans said. “Since it's still closed for the weekends, I still get to use the Great Highway for walking my dog or going on runs.” Slow Streets can make it difficult for students who commute to school. New drivers especially may struggle with finding alternative routes and dealing with traffic, according to Stans. “It makes finding alternative routes harder since I'm trying to find a way not to hit those streets,” Stans said. “It really slows my commute to school, especially before I was familiar with my school route.”


POINT - OF - VIEW

The Broadview

Friday, December 10, 2021 | 3

Should schools have dresscodes?

U

nlike many Sacred Heart schools around the world, Convent & Stuart hall has refrained from requiring a uniform for high school students every day. Instead, the school has a clearly defined dress code for everyday except full dress days. While fashion and dress evolve over time, students must dress with appropriate attention so that their clothing communicates professionalism and seriousness of study, according to the High School Student-Parent Handbook. The dress code does not allow athletic clothing, beachwear, torn or disheveled clothing, and nightwear. The school also discourages excessive branding on pieces of clothing to support inclusion in the community. Even though the dress

I

f the school dress code exists to promote productivity of learning, it begs the question as to how restrictions on freedom of expression and dress correlate to a higher performance in the classroom. Dress code restrictions intend to make the viewer of the clothes comfortable rather than the ‘wearer’ of the clothing themselves. This promotes the notion that students are obligated to conceal themselves to allow for their peers' improved focus in class.This focus places a higher importance on physical appearance, rather than academic studies. This notion also permits the idea that it is the wearer’s responsibility to cater to the impulses of those around them. The Convent and Stuart

Dress for success code excludes types of clothing that many students would normally wear on an everyday basis, it still allows students to be comfortable and express themselves. Dress codes foster a positive educational environment for students to learn and grow. By removing a potential distraction, they emphasize the importance of academics over appearance, and in turn, boost achievement. Dressing professionally leads to higher rates of cognitive activity and improved abstract thinking, according to a collection of studies in Scientific American. The role of schools is to educate children in a safe and proper learning environment. Dress codes support this by reducing social conflict and peer pressure that can be associated with

appearance as students often feel pressure at school to keep up with current clothing trends. In the 1990s, there was a rise in adoption of dress codes as a method to prevent promotion of gangrelated violence. The movement culminates in Former President Bill Clinton’s reference to his support of school uniforms in a State of the Union address in 1996. The mention motivated the Department of Education to circulate the Manual of School Uniforms to roughly 16,000 school districts, according to the New York Times. However in recent years, dress codes are designed to create a professional school environment and reduce conflict over designer labels, according to anti-hate organization ADL. Convent & Stuart Hall’s

dress code still allows for some individuality and freedom of self-expression, which is important for kids and teens. It represents the best of both worlds. Regardless of whether schools follow a uniform or dress code, it’s important for policies to be clearly defined. Doing so provides guard rails for students and reduces the amount of policing and interpretations of dress code. Oftentimes, new fashion trends can oppose the established dress code forcing administrators to have to continuously evolve their dress codes. The most important reason for establishing a dress code is to build equality amongst students and reduce social conflicts which ultimately creates a more positive atmosphere for all members of the community.

Freedom of dress Hall handbook states that they see “the daily dress code as a language that communicates readiness for the work of academics.” Dressing for success is up to the individual because each person is most comfortable with their personal style and clothing. Certain clothing items that are considered nicer, including dresses and skirts above the knee, are also not permitted within the guidelines of the dress code, whereas jeans are. Aside from the purpose of dress codes, they can often be difficult to enforce, causing students to miss out on class time and resulting in unfair disparities between those disciplined and the who are able to get away with certain dress violations Students may possess

innate biological features which make certain dress options more susceptible to falling under the category of a dress code violation, yet in comparison to another student not born with such characteristics sch as a larger chets or loger legs in women, only one would be apprehended, simply due to the fact that the violation is more noticeable on one student. A study by Virginia Tech regarding school dress codes and uniforms found that there were no large differences in overall student attendance or achievement when a dress code was present. Additionally, this study found that certain students performed at a lower level on tests where uniforms were enforced. Dress codes also have no

effect on attendees or preparedness, underscoring the skepiscm behind the intended academic purpose behind dress codes. In holistically viewing the importance of a school dress code, it is clear that although the intended purpose to promote academic achievement is understandable from the perspective of the school administration, the actualization of this as a means of increasing productivity in school is unsound. Not only are students encouraged to conform to a stratified idea of what is considered ‘acceptable,’ but the academic progress of students is not bolstered at a significant enough level to justify the negative effects on students' creativity, self-acceptance, and use of class time.

Illustrations by Kate Loomans | THE BROADVIEW


FEATURES

4 | Friday, December 10, 2021

The Broadview

Climbing to carbon neutrality

Large corporations plan to achieve carbon neutrality between 2030 and 2040 Keira Blattberg & Tala El Qadah

A

s the effects of Climate Change become more dire, multiple large corporations are making pledges to become carbon neutral by 20302040, some with the help of the Certified B Corporation. Big companies like Amazon, Apple and Starbucks have started their efforts to reduce their carbon emission in hopes of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 and 2040. The road map to carbon neutrality often consists of recycling physical materials and energy in order to actively reduce greenhouse gases. “2030-2040 sounds like a decent amount of time for these companies to gain carbon neutrality,” junior Isabella Rovetti said. “However, I think companies should start really small and then over time increase into being fully carbon neutral if they want to achieve their goals; this

Pretty much all of us are emitting some sort of greenhouse gases into the environment, whether it be when we drive, cook, things like that

— William Grant

doesn’t seem like something that is achieved overnight” Delivery companies like Amazon and FedEx plan to address their environmental impact by implementing thousands of electric vehicles into their shipping and delivery programs. While this is only a small step to carbon neutrality, it is one in the right direction, according to science teacher William Grant. “Being carbon neutral is when you offset or lessen your carbon footprint,” Grant said. “Pretty much all of us are emitting some sort of greenhouse gases into the environment, whether it be when we drive, cook, things like that.” As more and more companies dial in on their carbon emissions and their environmental impact, consumers have also been noting which companies are doing their part in fighting global warming, according to freshman Kaiya Koenigsburg. She has tried to take into account the environmental effects made by her purchases and the companies they come from. “I definitely need to work on being more conscious about the resources and environmental impact my purchases make,” Koenigsburg said. “I plan to do this by buying more environmentally friendly products that have been recycled and are produced by environmentally con-

Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprints

- Reduce food waste

- Choose local food

- Shop with reusable bags

- Use LED lightbulbs

- Compost food

- Buy from - Buy recycled ecological clothing companies

- Switch lights off - Take shorter when leaving showers rooms

- Drive an electric - Take public - Carpool transportation car

said. “Since it is all recycled, I feel a lot better and more environmentally conscious when I buy clothes from there.” In the United States, the burning of fossil fuels for power and transportation accounts for three-quarters of carbon emissions, according to the National Resources Defence Council. By conserving energy, carpooling and taking public transportation, the carbon emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels can be reduced significantly. “I usually turn off lights in rooms that nobody is using and make sure that there is no water running in my house for no reason,” Rovetti said. “If everyone contributes in their part, then hopefully the carbon footprint will be reduced.” Air pollution due to energy production can also lead to acid rain, excess greenhouse gases and health risks, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. B Corps addresses carbon emission in the environment section of the B Impact Assessment. “Companies within this program use science-based targets to reduce emissions, and then use verified offsets,” Lickteig said. “Emphasizing carbon removal projects balance emissions that cannot be eliminated.” Small businesses and independent entrepreneurs are making the biggest impact in reducing the carbon footprint, according to Changemakers — an organization that activates a global network of social entrepreneurs to encourage social change in local communities. “Buying books from Green Apple Bookstore helps the San Francisco community and environment,” Koenigsburg said. “I usually buy my summer reading

If everyone contributes in their part, then hopefully the carbon footprint will be reduced

— Isabella Rovetti

Tala El Qadah and Keira Blattberg | The Broadview Source: Columbuia Climate School

scious companies.” Certified B Corporation (B Corps) is a global non-profit organization highlighting the brands that are actively contributing to the fight against climate change. B Corps focuses on companies that are leading the way in sustainability and a conscious economy in the world. “We believe that environmental climate solutions must take into account that those who are least responsible for climate change are more likely to suffer its gravest consequences,” Karen Lickteig, Community Coordinator of B Corps said. “We are committed to advancing mean-

ingful action around climate justice, which places people and equity at the center of climate action and advocacy.” To analyze and adjust large corporations’ environmental impact, B Corps has created something called the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates a company's environmental practices. While B Corps tackles the big industries’ carbon footprint, individuals should still be conscious and track their climate actions as well, according to Grant. “If every person on the planet just took a little bit more effort to understand their carbon footprint, overall emissions would

be lower,” Grant said. “I think pursuing carbon neutrality is certainly a step in the right direction but it is not the only thing that can tackle climate change.” Many clothing retailers are also producing more sustainable items by recycling used products in order to decrease carbon emissions. Urban Outfitters created a section called “Urban Renewal'' where they recycle old articles of clothing to make new products ranging from shirts to rugs. “Urban renewal has been great and it is so cool to see what they can create out of previous articles of clothing,” Koenigsburg

books there instead of ordering from a larger company because of the convenience and the environmental benefits.” As the world continues to battle climate change, companies and consumers should constantly be searching for more sustainable ways to decrease their carbon emissions and instill a hope for a cleaner environment in the future, according to Rovetti. “I am glad we have been paying more attention to our environment and the effects we have on it,” Rovetti said. “However, we all need to take responsibility for our actions and work on decreasing our carbon footprint.


FEATURES

The Broadview

Friday, December 10, 2021 | 5

Holiday hacks: maintaining a meat-free diet Students reflect on holiday diets and SAGE’s supporting options

N

Ada Linde

Senior Reporter

early 250 million turkeys are killed each year, and of those, about 46 million are killed for Thanksgiving meals. So, while the holidays are a time for giving thanks and celebrating, it is not so kind to animals, especially turkeys, according to The United States Department of Agriculture. “Before I was vegetarian, we would eat turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie at Thanksgiving dinner,” senior Takouhi Asdourian said. “Now that I am vegetarian, not much has changed except for the turkey — my family and friends still eat it, but I generally stick to the foods with-

My favorite non-traditional, vegetarian Thanksgiving plate is mac and cheese. — Lucy Corrigan

out meat on Thanksgiving.” Nearly 30% of Americans are

willing to consider celebrating Thanksgiving without the turkey or any other meat, according to a study done by Dynata on behalf of Meatless Farm in 2019.

There are plenty of vegetarian options for me to enjoy instead of turkey. — Takhoui Asdourian

The most convincing factor for Americans to consider meatfree options is physical health, with almost 60% of respondents stating that health concerns over meat, according to the same study. “I stay vegetarian, especially around the holidays, because I haven’t eaten meat since I was nine years old and it's sort of like a streak I don’t want to break,” sophomore Lucy Corrigan said. “But I still want to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.” Dealing with dietary restrictions at holiday dinner tables can get tricky: most vegetarians and vegans avoid traditional foods and come up with their own

classics, according to Asdorian. “My favorite non-traditional, vegetarian Thanksgiving plate is mac and cheese,” Corrigan said. “It’s fun to mix up conventional food pallets on holidays to get a new taste while being kind to animals at the same time.” Tofurkeys — a blend of wheat and tofu stuffed with bread crumbs and seasoning — can be another option for vegans and vegetarians on Thanksgiving. “One year I tried a tofurkey, but that was definitely a one time thing and I never ate it again,” Asdorian said. “The food has never really been an issue for me. There are plenty of vegetarian foods for me to enjoy instead

We’ve started making butternut squash soup, which is very easy and also feels like a Thanksgiving food. — Orly Cook

of turkey.” Vegans and vegetarians don’t

have to completely cut Thanksgiving classics out of their tables: many of these dishes can still be created with a substitute of dairy products for vegan butter or nut milk. Some of these recipes can be found on popular vegan and vegetarian websites, blogs, and instagrams such as The Minimalist Baker, With Food and Love, and The First Mess. “At Thanksgiving with my family, we always have vegetarian options because no one is really that into meat,” sophomore Orly Cook said. “Recently, we’ve started making butternut squash soup, which is very easy and also feels like a Thanksgiving food.”

SAGE Dining Services also implements vegan and vegetarian options like these into their everyday meals. In years past, SAGE has prepared holiday meals that include turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. The vegetarian option is most often tofu, according to Asdorian. “I think for the most part, SAGE offers solid vegetarian options — definitely not enough vegan options year-round, but especially during the holidays,” Asdorian said. “My biggest issue with the vegetarian SAGE options is the lack of different options. The menu is often repetitive and very obscure.”

Caught Red Handed True crime podcasts expose sociological mysteries

B

Nina Gutierrez Sports Editor

loody, spooky, and gory may not sound appealing, but to many, it can be entertaining. Whether someone’s walking their dog or completing

Understanding the criminal’s behavior and their motives is something that I especially find interesting. — Ava Lucia Barbagelta

chores, listening to crime podcasts can be a productive and

engaging time-passer for people of all ages. “I enjoy the psychological aspect of these podcasts,” sophomore Ava Lucia Barbagelta said. “Understanding the criminal’s behavior and their motives is something that I especially find interesting.” While students like Barbagelta spend time listening to podcasts, Medical reporter Laura Beil hosts the podcast Doctor Death, a medical romance with a criminal twist about neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch who “claimed he was the best in Dallas” after healing many patients of various injuries, according to Apple Podcasts. Suddenly, his patients begin to suffer “complications” and several die in the process, creating debate over the trust placed in the medical industry. “To put it together, I essentially report all the information that's in the podcast,” Beil said.

“Next, I do the voiceover too but the part that was the most time consuming was the reporting.”

I mostly listen to podcasts when I’m walking home, sick of listening to music, or right before bed. — Ava Lucia Barbagelta

A variety of true crime podcasts can be found on apps, such as Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music. Popular podcasts available on Apple include LISK: Long Island Serial Killer,

Lo

Nina Gutierrez I THE BROADVIEW

Strangeland, Black Girl Gone: A True Crime Podcast, and others. “I’ve listened to Strangeland since it came out,” senior Avery Stout said. “It’s something that I can listen to and follow along with when I’m working out or even read if I’m in that mood.” Similar to Stout, Barbagelta finds these types of podcasts intriguing to both listen to and

read. She also enjoys solving the mysteries along with the podcast. “I mostly listen to podcasts when I’m walking home, sick of listening to music, or right before bed,”Barbagelta said. “It doesn’t freak me out so it won’t mess up my sleep and it's nice when you are too tired to read.”


6 | Friday, December 10, 2021

FEATURES

Ask Away publicly sourced questions - What are the symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome? - Can you get Toxic Shock Syndrome from pads or diva cups, or is it just tampons? - What is a pap smear, and when do I need to get my first pap smear? - What is endometriosis? How do I know if I have it? If I think I do, is there anything I need to do about it? - If I fall asleep with a tampon in, should I be worried? - Why am I not getting my period, and what should I do if I stop getting my period? - What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? - Is it safe to use products that “improve smell?” - What are the different types of birth control, and which type is the most effective? - Can birth control affect fertility? - Do you need parental permission to go on birth control? - What happens if you miss a birth control pill? - Does Plan B affect fertility? - Often in Sexual Education classes we only talk about safe sex in heterosexual relationships, are there safety measures that should be taken between two women? - Is there anything else you want teenagers to know?

The Broadview

Ask a gyn

Dr. Mindy Goldman student-sour The Broadview sat down with Dr. Mindy Goldman, Physician and Clinical professor at UCSF, Director of the Gynecology Center for Cancer Survivors and At-risk women, to discuss questions students had about sexual and reproductive health. The following answers have been shortened due to space, but the full podcast and transcript of the entire interview is online. The Broadview: What are the symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome? Goldman: Toxic shock syndrome is pretty uncommon, and it can occur if someone leaves a tampon in place for too long, and oftentimes before you see Toxic Shock Syndrome, people would see sort of a foul smelling discharge, just from having a foreign body that’s inside the vagina. But if someone really got Toxic Shock Syndrome, they would actually get a fever, and be pretty sick. Their blood pressure could even drop. When you go into shock your blood pressure drops and your pulse can speed up, and people can get pretty sick and actually be hospitalized. But it’s pretty rare to see that degree of Toxic Shock Syndrome, because most people, a lot of people will forget to remove a tampon, but at some point they start noticing kind of a foul smelling discharge, and that usually gets people to realize that there’s something inside, and they tend to remove that before they actually develop Toxic Shock Syndrome. The Broadview: Can you get Toxic Shock Syndrome from pads or diva cups, or is it just tampons? Goldman: We typically think of it occurring from pads or tampons, but probably any foreign body that’s in the vagina for a long time, could lead to an infection. So, although I haven’t heard it reported with those, I would imagine it could happen with that. The Broadview: What is a pap smear, and when do I need to get my first pap smear? Goldman: So, a pap smear screen for cervical cancer, and what is done during a pap smear is a speculum is placed in the vagina. And when a speculum is placed in the vagina and opened, that allows the gynecologist to see the cervix. So the cervix is the lower aspect of the uterus, the opening up into the uterus. And what we see on the exam, is, essentially, something that’s circular, that has like a little hole in the middle, kinda looks like a miniature donut. And when you do a pap smear you take a spatula, and you put the spatula along the outside of the cervix, and you take a little brush, and the brush goes in the inner part, and rotates around to get cells. And that is screening for cervi-

cal cancer. And we know that cervical cancer is related 95% of the time to HPV, which is Human Papilloma Virus. So it’s actually, the way to think about it, cervical cancer, is essentially a Sexually Transmitted Disease. Because HPV is related to sexual activity, and anyone who has ever had sex is exposed to HPV. But what happens is, for women, um, most people will clear the virus — because HPV is a virus. But if we didn’t clear the virus the way we would express it, is by an abnormal pap smear. And there are different degrees of abnormality and, in fact, most people have now gotten the HPV vaccine, and that vaccine targets high risk HPV, with the hope that it prevents high grade abnormal pap smears, and cervical cancer. Now, it turns out when people are first sexually active, there’s a very high likelihood of exposure to HPV and actually expressing it by an abnormal pap smear. But we know that about two third of those abnormal pap smears go away on their own. So if you do pap smears on girls as soon as they’re sexually active, you’re more likely to pick up something that’s abnormal, and then the treatments that we do for abnoraml pap smears involve sometimes removing a part of the cervix, and that can have future implications for a pregnancy. So the old guidelines used to be, you begin doing pap smears at age 18, or whenever girls a r e

sexu a l ly active — whichever comes first. But given that we know most people become sexually active 17, 18, 19, somewhere in that range, we don’t want to pick up an abnormal pap smear, when we know there’s a two thirds chance that it could go away on its own, and that the treatments that we do could have implications for a future pregnancy. So the new guidelines, I know this is a long answer, but the new guidelines are — you don’t begin doing pap smears until age 21 because by then most people have already become sexually active, they’ve been exposed to HPV, and they’ve cleared the virus, and that allows us to not over-treat people. So we do pap smears between the ages of 21 to 65, and they’re done every three years, or you can do HPV testing every five years, and then if they’ve been normal someone’s entire life, or for 20 years, they stop after 65 because it means someone’s immune system has been able to work on the HPV virus, and it doesn’t make sense that all of the sudden it would show up with an abnormal pap.

The Br is endomet know if I h do, is there do about it? Goldman metriosis is the cells tha the uterus ing out th and through someone ha think what h those cells a the uterus the tubes an pelvis. And anywhere in can implant can actually lining of th muscle of th like the lin uterus can get inflamed cause so pain wh people hav their perio those other areas that are outs i d e t h e

o are and endome in certain a ments of sup

would be a with is deep course. So up inside. A symptom of infertility. N with all of th are many gir en who hav periods — necessarily endometrios also many w having pain — and that necessarily sis. And the women wh fertility prob doesn’t mea endometrios triosis is a diagnosis. Th someone kn have it, wou have really b periods. Usu tain things w ation. We w medicines li vil. Um, we people on b which uh, t


FEATURES

The Broadview

necologist

n answers anonymous rced questions

roadview: What triosis? How do I have it? If I think I anything I need to

n: Okay, so, endoa condition where at line the lining of rather than flushhrough the uterus h the vagina, when as their period, we happens is some of along the lining of backflow through nd implant in the they can implant n the pelvis, they t in the ovary, they y migrate from the he uterus into the he uterus. And just ning of the sort of d and ome hen ve od, r

uterus can also get inflamed and cause pain. So the symptoms of endometriosis painful periods, then sometimes etriosis implants areas on these ligapport to the uterus. And, the, if it does, the symptom that, that associated p pain with interreally deep, deep And then the other of endometriosis is Now the problem hose things is there rls and many womve pain with their and that doesn’t mean they have sis. And there are women who end up n with intercourse doesn’t mean they have endometrioere are also many ho end up having blems — and that an that they have sis. So, endomeactually a surgical The only way that nows they would uld be, let’s say they bad pain with their ually we have cerwe do in that situwill have people use ike ibuprofen or adwill sometimes put birth control pills, take over the hor-

monal cycling, and most times when people are on the pill they’ll tell you they have less bleeding and less cramping. And if those things don’t work, sometimes people end up having a surgery called a diagnostic laparoscopy — where a gynecologist puts a scope inside, it has to be done under general anesthesia, and looks inside, and if they see what looks like endometriosis they take a biopsy, and the biopsies go off to pathology. So it’s a surgical diagnosis. Um, and, the unfortunate thing is, a lot of times, um, someone could go see a doctor who does a pelvic exam, and they will tell them, ‘oh I have a lot of pain with my periods’ and people will throw around the term, ‘maybe you have endometriosis’ and then people really worry. And so, I try to tell people, look it really is a surgical diagnosis, there’s symptoms of it, but people can have those symptoms and not have endometriosis. And then there actually are sometimes findings on exam that can be suggestive of endometriosis. So, when we do a pelvic exam, um, you, uh, put, uh, one or two fingers in the vagina and you elevate the cervix, and uh, with your hand, and then you palpate from the outside on the abdomen, the uterus, and the tubes and ovaries. Also sometimes as a part of the pelvic exam, we actually do a rectal exam, and you feel the tissue between the vagina and the rectum. And when someone has endometriosis, sometimes they get these implants in what’s called the rectovaginal septum and so when people do an exam like that, it will cause really a lot of pain so you will feel these kind of hard modules. That can be suggestive of it, but for a true diagnosis is based on surgery. The Broadview: What are the symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and what should people do if they have an STD? Goldman: So, first of all, the best way to protect against an STD is barrier methods. So, condoms are very effective at protecting against STDs. The common ones that we think about are gonorrhea and chlamydia, HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, and there’s another one called trichomoniasis. Rarely you can see other ones like syphilis, but that’s much much less common. When people go to the gynecologist, um, we will typically ask if people have multiple partners. We know that multiple sexual partners is a risk factor for an STD, and if they do we will ask, ‘would you like us to do STD testing?’ And what we do in that situa-

tion is we take a swab around the cervix, and that is then sent to the lab to look for evidence of gonorrhea or chlamydia. Um, uh, the pap smear will test for HPV, again which is also sexually transmitted. There’s another one called herpes, and herpes appears as little vesicles along the vagina or along the outside tissue which is called the vulva, and that would cause pain and bring someone in, uh, to the office. Um, sometimes Sexually Transmitted Diseases, um, can be silent. The one that classically may be silent is chlamydia, sometimes people may not know that they have that, but most times, Sexually Transmitted Diseases will cause a discharge, uh it may be yellowish, sometimes it may be green. Um, they may, um, because Seuxally Transmitted Diseases, spread up into the uterus, people may have pain. Um, there’s something called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is if a Sexually Transmitted Disease spreads up into the uterus, and into the tubes, and potentially the ovaries, it can cause an infection throughout the uterus and the tubes. And that uh, causes, um uh, pretty mark pain, sometimes fevers, it will usually bring someone into the gynecologist — rarely into the Emergency Room. If they’re sick enough we actually have to admit people to the hospital and give them IV antibiotics. But if we see them in the office, we’ll treat it with oral antibiotics. So the way I counsel people is, if you have an unusual discharge, um, if it’s green if it’s yellow, if you’re having a discharge and you have pain, and certainly if you have a discharge pain and a fever, that’s something that’s really really important to be seen right away. And part of the problem, reason that’s important is, if, um, one of the complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is that it can cause a lot of scarring, um, in the pelvis, around the tubes and ovaries. And that scarring could potentially affect someone’s fertility. Um, because when someone gets pregnant, pregnancy takes place in the outer third of the tube, so the fertilized egg and sperm, um, uh, meet in the outer third of the tube and travel down the tube. And then plant in the uterus. And if you have a lot of scarring, that fertilized egg and sperm can’t make it down the tube and get stuck in the tube, and that’s an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening, um, because a pregnancy cannot grow in the tubes, it has to be in the uterus. And so, the, we try to make sure that people recognize if they do have a STD, because we don’t want them to develop something like PIV, and develop complications like scarring that could increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies, pain and infertility.

Friday, December 10, 2021 | 7

“Ask Away” is a new podcast created by Editor-in-Chief Mackenna Moslander and City Life Editor Darcy Jubb. The podcast highlights female voices as it finds answers to anonymous questions asked by students from reliable sources. In the first episode of “Ask Away”, Moslander and Jubb interviewed a gynecologist, Dr. Mindy Goldman, with questions submitted by the community. Tune into The Ask Away Podcast on YouTube, or to https://broadview.sacredsf.org to learn about feminine hygiene, reproductive health, and much more. Future episodes will feature a mental health expert and a financal expert. Submit any possible questions on financial literacy and mental health by emailing theaskawaypodcast@gmail.com, or direct message @thebroadview on Instagram.

Dr. Goldman’s five tips for teens 1. Go to the doctor if you do not get your period for more than six months 2. Ask medical professionals your questions, not only friends or the internet 3. Trust that your doctor will keep your questions and concerns confidential 4. Do everything in your power to prevent STDs 5. If you have symptoms like pelvic pain or foul smelling discharge, tell your doctor


8 | Friday, December 10, 2021

‘Taylor's Version’

POP CULTURE

The Broadview

Singer re-records old albums Kassie DeJean

S

Senior Reporter

inger-songwriter Taylor Swift has released re-recording of her old albums starting earlier this year, following the sale of her master catalog to Ithaca Holdings in 2019. The first re-recording she released was her 2008 album — “Fearless, Taylor’s Version,” The announcement came on Feb. 11, two months after Swift released her album “Evermore” which featured a more alternative tone, as opposed to her exploration of country and pop in the past.

I love that she has this opportunity to take back ownership of what is hers.

— Jalysa Jones

In a 2005 agreement, Swift signed a deal which gave ownership rights for the recordings of her first six albums to Big Machine Records, the label who signed her on, according to an Instagram post written by Swift. Albums were yet to be

produced, which meant Big Machine owned the masters to her future music but she would keep the copyright if she wrote the songs. “I think it’s good that she is able to re-record her old albums,” junior Isabella Mercado said. “It’s important for her to be able to take ownership of her work rather than someone else controlling her.” Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borschetta sold Swifts’ master catalog in 2019, which contained every album she produced from her 2006 self-titled to ‘Reputation’ released in late summer of 2017. “This is what happens when you sign a deal at 15 to someone for whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept,” Swift wrote in a Tumblr post. “When that man says ‘music has value,’ he means its value is beholden to men who had no part in creating it.” She had no prior knowledge that Big Machine Records was going to sell her master recordings, and found out from the public announcement, according to Swift. and she learned about it at the same time that the announcement was made to the world. “I am so excited that she is rerecording her old albums,” sophomore Jalysa Jones said. “I love that she has this opportunity to take back ownership of what is hers and I’m excited to compare

Kassie DeJean | THE BROADVIEW

ALL TOO WELL Taylor Swift performs “Love Story” at her “Reputation” stadium tour at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on May 12, 2018. Swift has recently released a rerecorded "Taylor's Version" of the album "Red," which was originally released in 2012.

these newer songs to their originals on the ‘Red’ album.”

I have no doubt that this new album will be amazing in both quality and lyrics. — Isabella Mercado

Swift’s ‘Red Taylor’s Version’ album was released Nov. 12 and contains the original 16 songs

along with nine bonus tracks from the vault, as well as an exclusive message from Swift. “It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how her voice has matured over the years since the Red albums’ original release in 2012,” Mercado said. “I love the re-recording of her ‘Fearless’ album and I have no doubt that this new album will be amazing, in both quality and lyrics.” The ‘Red’ album is available on Taylorswift.com, all streaming platforms as well as on vinyl and CD. CDs and vinyls will both include never seen before photos, artwork and handwritten lyrics from Swift. “I’m excited to get my copy of the Red album and see all the little Easter eggs she probably

has hidden within the CD and booklet,” Jones said. “I just know that she is going to have little clues for upcoming songs and albums within the handwritten lyrics and I’m excited to find them.” The ‘Red’ album features the ten minute version of the song ‘All Too Well,’ which previously had to be cut down to five minutes for the original album, according to Swift. “I am most excited to hear the re-recording of ‘Everything Has Changed’ since it was one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs when I was younger,” Mercado said. “I also cannot wait to hear her songs from the vault and all the other surprises that I just know she has in store.”

Add some pumpkin spice Fall and winter bring holiday specials to stores across the city Elizabeth Klimek

A

Reporter

s the weather gets colder and the leaves start to fall, the reintroduction of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and other fall flavors begins. Common flavors in fall inspired dishes include apples, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes, which are in season during the early fall months, including September, October, and November. “I only want to eat pumpkin flavored items during the fall season, specifically during October,” freshman Amrita Rajpal said. “For all of the other months, I’m not as interested in the food item.” This year Trader Joe’s offers exclusive food items including apple cider donuts, maple sea

salt kettle corn, and pumpkin empanadas. They also offer traditional fall inspired items such as pumpkin cobbler and apple pie. “When my family comes together in gatherings, as a tradition we buy pumpkin pie from Trader Joe’s,” sophomore Alex Chua said, “I also like to go to Trader Joe’s specifically when they offer samples of their new seasonal items.” The pumpkin spice industry, including food and beverage items like pumpkin spice lattes, has annually become more than a $500,000,000 market, with just Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced lattes accounting for 2% the total price, according to Forbes. “I bought the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks once even

though at the time I wasn’t a big fan of coffee,” sophomore Orly Cook said. “I only tried the drink because it was seasonal and because everyone else was talking about it.” Starbucks started offering their annual fall flavored items on August 24, with beverages such as Apple Crisp Frappuccino, Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew, and Pumpkin Spiced Latte. “Pumpkin cold cream and pumpkin spice lattes are some of Starbucks most popular fall seasonal drinks, although the pumpkin spice latte is the most popular drink all year round,” an employee of the Fillmore Starbucks location said. “The Fall and Winter seasons are the most popular for Starbucks business.”

Elizabeth Klimek | THE BROADVIEW

IN SEASON Sophomore Kristen Yeah drinks a pumpkin spiced flavored Starbucks beverage in class. Pumpkin spiced drinks are Starbucks’ most popular and most sold item.

Fall inspired flavored items also include those that are baked and made from recipes like Caramel Apple Strudel, Pumpkin Spiced Cookies, and Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars. “Every year for Thanksgiving, I bake different types of pies like pumpkin pie,” sophomore Kristen Yueh said. “I look forward to that tradition and eating the creations afterwards.”

With the multitude of food focused holidays including Halloween and Thanksgiving, some students connect specific memories to the fall inspired food they eat, according to Rajpal. “During the Halloween season, I went to a pumpkin patch in first grade, and since then I connect pumpkins and pumpkin flavors back to that experience,” Rajpal said.


SPORTS

The Broadview

Let’s bring on some spirit Convent’s first cheer team takes on football season Annabel Roubinowitz

A

Reporter

s the football team took the field for homecoming, the Convent cheer team celebrated from the sidelines in their first team appearance, as students and parents cheered along. Though they are still a fairly new team, they have developed some pre-game rituals, according to sophomore Freida Cruz. “Before the games, I feel super excited,” Cruz said. “We practice our cheers, run a lap and do a team huddle.” Juniors Amaliya Sypult and Ella Noblin created the cheer team this September. “I wanted a way to bring school spirit,” Sypult said. “And I thought cheer was a perfect way to incorporate dance and also bring spirit to our sports games.” After countless slideshows, meetings with athletic directors, and discussions with Chief Academic Officer, Leadership, Head

Friday, December 10, 2021 | 9

Paige Retajczyk Sports Editor

The end of an era

Genaro Vavuris | WITH PERMISSION

GO TEAM Convent High School cheer team motivates the Stuart Hall Knights' football team for their homecoming game on Sept. 18. The cheer team was founded for the first time this September and practices every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

of School Rachel Simpson and Leadership, President of School Ann Krejcarek, the cheer team was finally approved. They now perform at home sports games, and are on their way to becoming a certified team sport. “I’ve been working closely with Dana Kuwahara, who is the athletic director, to make sure we’re on the right track to becoming a sport,” cheer coach Reba Sell said. “The big thing right now is showing we’re essential and helpful in raising spirit within our school community.” Sell first got involved with the cheer team this September, given her history with cheerleading in high school, they reached out. “I was a cheerleader in high school and have experience coaching cheer. I saw the cheer team Instagram account and reached out to Amalyia from there,” Sell said. “I act mostly as a normal coach would do- I give feedback and am the adult pres-

ence to monitor. But for the most part Amalyia and Ella make the cheers and the routines.” Practices occur every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. They do not have a designated practice space, but they most often practice in the Columbus Room at Stuart Hall. They consist of warm-ups, stretching and practicing cheers and dances to the point of consistency. Currently, the cheer team is in a rotation of 16 different cheers including “Defense,” “Touchdown,” and “Stand up.” “My favorite cheer is ‘Hey, Hey’,” Cruz said. “Because it gets the whole audience cheering along with us.” Until the cheer team becomes a certified sport for the school, they are club-member funded. They currently only receive funding for their uniforms. Until they receive proper insurance, they must follow guided safety precautions and are restricted

from incorporating mounts, stunts, or jumps in their routines to prevent injury. “We don’t have the insurance to do tumbles,” Sell said. “So we’re currently only doing cheers standing up that don’t last longer than a minute.” They are performing at every home football game this fall season and are set to cheer basketball games this winter. “We have a really fun time at football games,” Sypult said. “But I’m excited to see what the future holds.” Due to COVID-19 precautions, they must wear masks when participating in indoor sports, though they do not have to wear masks when performing outside. “Cheer keeps me in shape and helps me motivate our athletes,” Cruz said. “I love being a part of a team and bringing school spirit to our school because we need it.”

Stretching into the holiday season Convent & Stuart Hall Yoga club begins meetings

Siena Coco Stenzler

W

Reporter

ith fall sports coming to an end, yoga can be an option to stay active and support mental health. “Yoga helps center your mind and your body, and it's kind of

like a mindfulness practice as well as an exercise,” junior Roxy Comerford, leader of the Yoga Club, said. “It also helps with posture, breathing and calming down, and that is really important in a school environment.” There are many types of yoga

that each target different areas of the body and mind. Hatha yoga focuses on the physical and mental well being, while Jnana yoga develops intellect and wisdom. “When I was doing the Yoga Club, I just felt a lot more calm. Even though it's in the morning and I was tired, it kind of woke me up, and it was really nice to just do it with everyone,” freshman Natalie Nakatisha said. “The main benefit for me is just kind of finding a way to move your body and get to a feeling of calm.” Yoga has also been proven to improve mental health by relieving depression and anxiety, and can even boost focus and memory, according to the American Osteopathic Association. “Yoga really does help me be my best self. It helps me reconnect with intention. It gives me a space to both sometimes relax, and other times to kind of find energy as well,” Devin DeMartini Cooke, International Baccalaureate Coordinator and certified Yoga instructor, said. “It can be a physical practice for exercise, but it can also be a mental practice for a kind of focus on how yoga has changed.” Yoga is not only great for mental health but it also benefits heart and physical health, according to John Hopkins Medi-

cine website. “I am completely new to yoga. I've never really done it before, but I wanted to be in the yoga club because I've heard a lot of people who benefit from doing yoga,” Nakatisha said. “I thought doing a club at school would be a good idea to kind of get into it and see if it was something I was interested in.” Due to the pandemic and the new schedule, the Yoga Club has only been able to meet once, but plans to meet more consiste ntly during the second quarter, according to Comerford. “Yoga is really cool because anyone can do it. It is not a n endurance sport or something that you have to be training for your whole life. You can just do it,” Comerford said. “You can just start out by doing beginner yoga classes that are mostly just stretching your body.” The Yoga Club meets one to two times per month and works to create a positive and r elaxing environment, according to sophomore Kate Richardson. “I really love yoga because it puts me in a state of relaxation, which allows me to release stress and be able to focus,” Richardson said. “It is really important to find time during the day to relax and have time to yourself, and yoga is that for me.”

Buster Posey retires from The Giants

A

s all of the seniors try to manage our overwhelming workload and college applications, the adults in our lives often remind us that we are in the home stretch. For us, these next few months are our final times in the homes we grew up in, and the schools we have always attended. In baseball, the home stretch is the final run from third base to home. The end of this year’s record-breaking season concluded Buster Posey’s final run home. After 12 seasons, three World Series championships, and a National League MVP award, beloved catcher Buster Posey retired from the San Francisco Giants formally on Nov. 4. Since I can remember, Buster Posey has always been a loyal player and an inspiring figure in San Francisco. When I was younger, I remember the multiple times when we were let out early from school and walked a few blocks down to Market Street to celebrate the San Francisco Giants’ win through the parade. It feels like just yesterday I was cheering on Buster Posey for his 2010 World Series win. Now as a senior about to leave San Francisco, it makes me extremely nostalgic to see Buster Posey’s passing from his long tenure on the team. Posey retired at age 34, stating that it was out of “the desire to spend more time with his family combined with the physical toll of playing catcher,” according to ESPN. As he embarks on the next phase of his life with his family at home, we are going to embark on the next phase of all our lives. He will always be an integral aspect of my experience with the city, and as we both leave it, I think we can find comfort in moving on. While the loss of such an iconic San Francisco player is difficult for the whole city, I think we can all take this as a chapter change in our life. I am forever grateful for the era of our lives that he was a part of, and excited that we all get to move forward together. This is the end of an era, but we have memories to last a lifetime. At a time for seniors where much of our time is focused on figuring out what we want to be doing in the future, I am reminded to take time to appreciate the amazing times we have had here.


10 | Wednesday, September 29, 2021

STAFF EDITORIAL

OP-ED

The Broadview

‘Beloved’ censorship

I

Virginia bill damages high school learning

B English seniors recently finished reading Beloved by Toni Morrison, a 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set after the Civil War which follows the struggles that freed slaves faced throughout their lives. Beloved, which is roughly based on true stories, goes into great depth about trauma, with scenes of sexually explicit content.

The novel follows a recently freed slave that tries to navigate her new life, as well as the memories of the distress she experienced while enslaved. The novel does not censor scenes of sexual assualt and other acts of violence, as

If one is only exposed to works that are censored, they will never understand the true experiences of others.

these moments reflect the true experiences of slaves during this time. Although these scenes and descriptions can make the reader uncomfortable, it is nothing a high school senior cannot handle. However, parents of students who attend Virginia public

schools beg to differ. A parent of a student in the Fairfax

County School district in Virginia faced the School Board to contest the

If a parent does not want their child to participate in a coursework, the teacher must provide separate instruction.

teaching of Beloved in school in 2013 and lost the fight. The parent then decided to take this matter to the Virginia Board of Education, where she proved successful, lobbying legislators to enact state regulations. Virginia House Bill 516, commonly known as the “Beloved Bill,” would “force schools to notify parents if material used in class includes sexually explicit content.” If a parent does not want their child to participate in this coursework, the teacher must provide separate instruction for that student. The ambiguity of the bill presents a real issue, as literary texts that are integral to high school English curricula seem to fall under the same

Alia Mogannam | CARTOONIST

vague “sexually explicit” category as Beloved. These texts include the Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and many works by William Shakespeare. The fact that Beloved was the only “sexually explicit” work to be targeted may allude to the idea that this bill was not about general explicit content, but the censorship of the stories of black people. If students are able to opt out of certain coursework because their parents are uncomfortable with it, it detrimentally affects their learning, as it narrows their world view. If one is only exposed to works that are censored to please parents, they will never be able to understand the true

experiences of others in society. A student must be able to read a broad spectrum of texts, which cover a multitude of topics and experiences, in order for them to gain a greater understanding of society and history as a whole. This bill would also negatively impact a class experience as a whole, as it is difficult to have productive dialogue about a work when only half of a class is participating. High school teachers tend to have the students’ best interest in mind when selecting texts to study, and parents should not be able to censor their learning, especially when it seems to only target one group.

Serve yourself Losing the purpose of service

Y

Clara Bonomi Web Editor

ear after year, countless students find themselves faced with the looming obstacle of their service commitment. The school requires each student to complete 100 hours of service over the course of their four year high school career. 25 hours per year may not seem like an enormous amount initially, but because many students disregard the importance of community service, it often can be considered more of a burden than a genuine commitment. Regardless, participating in service opportunities solely for the purpose of marking down hours onto a resumé or application completely diminishes the point in the first place. In fact, some service opportunities have become so readily available that they do not line up with the actual aim of community service at all. In a city like San Francisco, there are countless chances to find real and genuine service organizations and commitments, ranging from those available di-

rectly on campus to those accessible at other locations across the Bay Area. It is just as important to find genuine service opportunities as it is to have a large amount

Service is meant to be a task that is built into our routines, not a burden that we feel obligated to “deal with."

of hours on your resume. There are over 113,000 possible openings for volunteers near San Francisco, according to VolunteerMatch, which leaves no excuses to find a meaningful service commitment, regardless of how it will look on one’s credentials. Finding opportunities and long-term commitments that

Kate Loomans | CARTOONIST

are attuned to one’s interest is a constructive and fun way to gain service hours and build a strong community. For example, shelving books at a library or tutoring younger kids once each week is a great way to not only expand your school and city-wide community, but also to make steps towards that 100 hour goal. A good way to gauge your community service involvement is by examining the “Three Ts:” time, treasure and talent. Being mindful about how you spend

your time, taking a genuine interest in your community’s needs and playing into your strengths are great strategies to calibrate when and where you should volunteer. The goal of service is to take time out of your day and your own personal commitments to serve a group of people or an organization that is in need, but because the 100-hour service commitment has turned into more of an assignment than a positive goal for many, it can be difficult to get into a construc-

tive mindset when it comes to service. All in all, service is meant to be a task that is built into our routines, not a burden that we feel obligated to “deal with” every once in a while. Rather than convincing ourselves that earning 100 hours of service is a beneficial benchmark for college applications or resumes, we should rather look at community service as a way to reach out to new groups of people and give back to the community and city we all love.


OP-ED

The Broadview

A SECOND GLANCE Mackenna Moslander

O

Editor-in-Chief

To IB or not to IB

ne of Convent’s most impressive offers is the International Baccalaureate Programme — and while it has prepared me extremely well for college — I am not always sure

Choose your path based on what is right for you, not what seems like the most impressive or popular choice. it was the right choice for me. With a significant majority of each grade opting to do the IB program, the pressure to enroll can feel overwhelming. To every underclassman, and every student considering the program, absolutely look into it. It is a wonderful opportunity and challenges your mind and time management skills in ways that prepare you incredibly well for your future. However, choose your path based on what is right for you, not what seems like the most impressive or popular choice. For so many, I think there is this idea that IB is the only way you can take the most challenging classes in our school. As someone who always opted to take the extra class, at the highest level I could, I want to remind you that APs also offer college level courses and credits. IB is not simply two-year college classes. It has a 4,000 word Extended Essay requirement; Internal Assessments or Oral evaluations in each

class; Creativity, Action, and Service requirements; and so much more. As the seniors approach the final deadlines for so many of these requirements, many of us have a general consensus that we really did not realize the commitment we were getting ourselves into. From standard course classes, to honors classes, to AP classes, Convent will offer you a stimulating challenge regardless of your path. So, please, educate yourself of what doing the IB program really means. Because it is a two-year course, committing to it as a sophomore, means committing to it senior year, and all the applications and challenges it brings as well. It is also a very specific course, the IB program greatly emphasises writing, and there is

Committing to it as a sophomore, means committing to it senior year. much of it. The way our current education system works often causes great competition, with other students, and with ourselves, to be in the most challenging classes, with the best grades. However, choosing not to IB is not a step down in any sense. IB is absolutely something that each and every student should consider, however, make the decision based truly on what is right for you, not what you think is right for your resume.

Friday, December 10, 2021 | 11

BOo

IN THE M-O-MENT

Olivia Rounsaville Editor-in-Chief

Botched?

C

osmetic surgery is everywhere. From the celebrities and influencers online, to shows like “Botched,” everyone seems to have an opinion.

The desire to present oneself as natural is understandable, but this only perpetuates cycles of pressure and selfhatred, especially in children who don’t know any better.

And now, as technology advances, there are more and more ways to change your body and more reasons to want to. Social media’s ability to perpetuate false images of people, through photoshop and filters, can make many feel like they have to live up to an impossible standard of beauty. Yet at the same time, the concept of cosmetic surgery could not be more controversial. On one hand, there is the pressure to be, and look, perfect all the time. In this light, cosmetic surgery can look very appealing. The problem arises when influential people are not honest about the work

they have had done. The desire to present oneself as natural is understandable, but this only perpetuates cycles of pressure and self-hatred, especially in children who don’t know any better. On the other hand, those who are open about their cosmetic surgeries are often dismissed as superficial and fake. Their intelligence or personality might even be questioned as a result of their outward appearance. Almost everyone can relate to the feeling of wanting to change certain parts of oneself, and yet, those who act upon this desire are stigmatized. In the end, I don’t think a person can speak for everyone when they say “all cosmetic surgery is bad.” It all comes down to a person’s own choice to decide what they want to do with their

Almost everyone can relate to the feeling of wanting to change certain parts of oneself. bodies. As a society, we shouldn’t be so judgemental of people on the basis of how they look, and what they choose to do with their bodies. In the end, the problem is the same on both sides, and telling people what they should or should not do to their bodies is never a good thing.

Convent of the Sacred Heart High School 2222 Broadway St. | San Francisco, California 94115 broadview@sacredsf.org | broadview.sacredsf.org

thebroadview

@thebroadview

Mackenna Moslander Editor-in-Chief Olivia Rounsaville Editor-in-Chief

thebroadview

thebroadview

@thebroadview

STAFF

Adele Fratesi Managing Editor Madeline Thiara Copy Editor Clara Bonomi Web Editor Tala El Qadah Web Editor Nina Gutierrez Sports Editor Paige Retajczyk Sports Editor Darcy Jubb City Life Editor Ella Noblin Social Media Editor Kate Loomans Art Editor

2020 CSPA Gold Crown, Hybrid 2019 NSPA Pacemaker Finalist 2021 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 JEA First Amendment

Alina Kushner Circulation Makenna Kramer Features Editor Senior Reporters Ada Linde, Amelia Froyd-Kamrath, Kassie DeJean, Keira Blattberg, Nicole Klein Reporters Anisha Hu, Annabel Roubinowitz, Coco Stenzler, Elizabeth Klimek Alia Mogannam Cartoonist Kevin Russell, CJE Adviser

Press Freedom Award 2019 CSPA Gold Crown, Hybrid 2018 CSPA Silver Crown, Hybrid 2018 NSPA Print Best of Show, 3rd place 2018 NSPA Pacemaker Finalist 2017 NSPA Online Pacemaker 2016 Print NSPA Pacemaker 2016 Online NSPA Pacemaker NSPA Hall of Fame | Inducted 2016

“Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom,” (Goal 5), therefore The Broadview operates as an open forum for free speech and student expression without prior review. Unsigned pieces are the opinion of the editorial board. Reviews and personal columns are the opinions of the individual author and are not necessarily those of Convent of the Sacred Heart High School or Schools of the Sacred Heart. We encourage letters to the editor. The Broadview may publish independent opinion pieces 300 words or fewer. The editors may work with writers for clarity and to meet space limitations. All letters must have a means for verifying authorship before publication. Corrections and letters may be addressed to the editors at broadview@sacredsf.org

Answers are on on broadview.sacredsf.org or on Instagram @thebroadview

Makenna Kramer | THE BROADVIEW


CITY LIFE

12 | Friday, December 10, 2021

The Broadview

The arrival of Banksy

Unauthorized exhibit brings street art indoors

H

the company that is organizing the event. “This is an opportunity for anybody to see so many important works from an artist that people know so little about,” Fast said, “except for what they’ve seen either through the internet, or on the street in a city where they’ve been lucky to see a piece out in the wild.” Banksy left six of his graffiti works around San Francisco in 2010, though they have all been removed or tagged over since then. The City has a longtime, historical and cultural connection to murals and street art. “A lot of them pertain to people’s racial or ethnic backgrounds and their experience growing up either here or in another country then coming here,” junior Azadeh Reiskin said. “It’s really important to showcase the diversity that we have in the city and to allow people to share their stories in that way.” All of the works to be displayed at “The Art of Banksy,” such as “Girl With Balloon,” “Flower Thrower” and “Rude Copper,” are privately owned

Anisha Hu Reporter

aving already been in Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, Miami and most recently Chicago, a private collection of street artist Banksy’s work, called “The Art of Banksy,” will open at the Palace of Fine Arts on Nov. 22. Banksy is an anonymous graffiti artist who began his career in England in the 1990s, before rising to international fame with his distinct stencil-based style and satirical social commentary. “He looks at what’s happening in the world, especially big social justice issues,” Sarah Garlinghouse, AP Art History Instructor, said. “He uses his art to draw attention to them in a usually creative and sometimes humorous way.” Alongside his widely recognized public works, Bansky has also created screen prints, canvas paintings, sculptures and other artwork using a variety of mediums. The traveling exhibition will showcase over 80 of his pieces, according to Derek Fast, Director of Marketing & Special Projects for Starvox Exhibits,

Kyle Flubacker | THE BROADVIEW

OUTSIDE IN "The Art of Banksy" showcases over 80 privately owned pieces of Banksy's work. The exhibit has traveled to audiences around the world and will remain in the City from Nov. 22 to Feb. 27.

pieces that Banksy sold to collectors, according to Fast. “One of our main goals is exposing the public and the art lover to something that has been otherwise held back from public view,” Fast said. “None of the work in this exhibit has been taken from the street itself or any public installation.” However, there has been criticism of the event due to its operation without Banksy’s authorization. Banksy himself has stated on his website that exhibitions of his work such as “The Art of Banksy” have been organized without his knowledge or involvement.

“I think that it’s very disrespectful to the artist to make money off of someone else’s work,” sophomore Devan Dennis said. “I understand the idea that the rights of ownership change once you buy that piece, but even if it’s perfectly legal I still think it’s just disrespectful.” Given Banksy’s history of disrupting the art market and challenging how museums and galleries profit from art, according to Garlinghouse, some have also entertained the idea of Banksy returning to the City to leave a signature statement. “It would be funny if he did something about the exhibit,”

senior Sage Gould said. “It’s not what the artist wanted.” Tickets are up for purchase on the official website of “The Art of Banksy,” starting at $29.99 for youth 16 years and under and $39.99 for adults. The exhibit will remain in the City until Feb. 27. “If you are a fan of Banksy’s works, first try to find his remaining work in the city so you can see it in situ, meaning before it’s removed and changed,” Garlinghouse said. “If you want to see the techniques of his work, it could be helpful to go see how he does his works.”

LavaMaeX upholds a new standard of care

Service organization practices radical hospitaity

T

Darcy Jubb

City Life Editor

he nonprofit organization, LavaMaeX, brings showers, toilets, and other health services to people experiencing homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. The organization functions through the approach of radical hospitality. “Radical Hospitality is about delivering extraordinary care to our unhoused neighbors, who are often treated like they are not a human being,” Colton Coty, Director of Marketing & Communications for LavaMaeX, said. “We should not have to pick and choose who deserves to be treated with dignity based upon their housing status, but

A

unfortunately this is not the world we live in.” When the organization began in 2014, they provided mobile hygiene services through showers and toilets made inside refurbished public transportation buses. Now, they bring care services to San Francisco via PopUp Care Villages that provide basic hygiene resources, healthcare, and clothing to communities in need. “I had taken for granted how fortunate I am to have access to a shower wherever I want,” senior Olivia Williams said. “Volunteering made me realize the importance of hygiene services.” LavaMaeX not only emphasizes the importance of access to hygiene, but advocates for its standing as a basic human right.

s the weather drops in temperature this winter, fleece jackets are becoming popular among Convent students. Fleece jackets were first developed in 1970, becoming an updated version to the heavy, and non-water resistant wool sweater. Polyester is significantly more durable, leading to the first draft of fleece jackets. They became a worldwide phenomenon in outdoor clothing because of

the material’s inexpensiveness, and long-lasting wearability. Patterned fleece jackets like leopard print, and blue stripes as well as the opaque black and green fleeces, can fit the variety of personalities and fashion senses at Convent. Nearly 40 years later, this trend is kept alive, and used not just as outdoor clothing, but as a personalized spin to winter fashion. — Grace Warner

“Hygiene is a human right because it not only keeps us connected to our dignity, but poor hygiene is a grave public health issue,” Coty said. “If people cannot wash their hands, clean their nails, or their feet and body, they become more susceptible to disease and spreading them.” Unsafe sanitation is responsible for 775,000 deaths each year, according to Our World in Data, highlighting its threat to the physical and emotional well being of communities. “With the goal of radical hospitality, LavaMaeX upholds the bar of how much we should care for others,” senior Lily Peta said. “It inspires me to do the maximum in order to help those around me.” The organization prompts in-

Patagonia Quarter Button

Alia Mogannam | THE BROADVIEW

ALL ABOARD LavaMaeX is a nonprofit organization dedicated to being radical hospitality to communities in the form of hygeine services. By training individuals how to bring their programs to their communities, the organization is able to extent its services across the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

dividuals to reflect on the norm of how much we do for others in society, according to Williams. The organization provides training for individuals seeking to bring LavaMaeX programs to their communities. “We aim to make this [radi-

Patagonia Navy Quarter Zip

cal hospitality] more of a norm by training others worldwide on how to deliver Radical Hospitality, because how you serve people is just as important as the service itself,” Coty said. “This will create a ripple effect that we aim to reach on a global scale.”

Patagonia Full Zip


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.