Tis past summer, Convent and Stuart Hall purchased a building on Geary Boulevard and Masonic Avenue. Te goal is to convert the building into a new athletic facility for the student body to use for physical education classes and sports practices.
One of the main goals of the project is to expand the aquatics program at C&SH, by building a pool in the new facility. Te facility will be used as a home pool for the Varsity swim team and as an expansion for physical education activities. It may also introduce the school to more aquatic sports like water polo, according to Athletics Director Dana Kuwahara.
“Te new facility will give our swim
team and potential water polo team a home pool,” Kuwahara said. “Currently, our school rents the USF Koret Pool facility for swim practices, so this would be an additional place that we can control in terms of time,”
Tere are only 9 public swimming pools in the city, according to San Francisco Parks & Recreation. During swim season, when all the San Francisco high schools need to have a place to practice, booking and renting spaces can be diffcult. For this reason, having a private space would increase practice opportunities and spaces for meetings to be held.
Te building's layout can incorporate a second foor in addition to a pool. Te goal is to incorporate a new gymnasium, ftness facilities, and feld spaces for more extensive physical education classes and sports practices.
While still in the development phase, another goal for the building is to incorporate yoga studios, strength and conditioning spaces, and wellness centers. Tis would improve athletic training and give students other ways to incorporate physical activity into their lives according to junior Lila Pollak.
“I think that the wellness centers are a really good idea for this new space,” Pollak said. “It will be a good way to prepare for and wind down from the more intense physical activities,”
Te current progress has included hiring an architectural flm as well as a management consultant before the initial construction begins. Ideally, the construction will take place over the next three to fve years.
“I am very excited about the new building,” Tony Farrell, Head of Stuart
Hall High School said. “I know that it will enhance and amplify our athletic offerings”
Te space is designed for the Convent and Stuart Hall students and community, outside and during school. Tis new building will be the school’s third athletic facility along with the Stuart Hall High School gym and the Herbert Center.
Currently, the athletics department contacts public San Francisco athletic felds and facilities. Having an additional place that the school can control, in terms of time and accessibility, will create more opportunities for student-athletes to succeed according to Kuwahara.
“Not many schools in San Francisco have their own pool or feld spaces,” Kuwahara said. “When we have our facilities, it just enhances the opportunity for our student-athletes."
Convent of the Sacred Heart HS | San Francisco, California
Vol. 31, Iss. 4
All about new mayor, Daniel Lurie
Mia Pisacane | THE BROADVIEW
2025 Winter Formal recap
All you need to know about the 2025 Met Gala
The future of South Korea following the impeachment
A contention of democracy and freedom for the citizens of South Korea
Sophia
Cuperstein and Sloane
Ginnochio International Editor and Reporter
OnDec. 3, 2024, South Korea's President, Yoon Suk Yoel, declared emergency martial law. Martial law is a temporary implementation of military control over civilian functions, usually used during times of national crisis or civil unrest. Tis suspends certain rights for citizens and allows the use of military force. Te last time martial law was
It is a testament to the strenght of Sought Korea and its citizens that they have such a strong desire to maintain this democracy
— Jay Konik
declared in South Korea was in 1979, resulting in the massacre of thousands of people, according to CRS Reports.
“As a South Korean, I go there a lot and have a lot of family there,” junior Noella Tae said. “Hearing about this made me question the safety of my family that lives there,”
Six hours afer President Yoon called for martial law, the South
Korean National Assembly removed it. South Korea’s citizens were angry at the implementation of martial law and heavily protested the action, which helped with a quick removal of the law, according to CSIS.
“I remember talking about this in global politics when the event just happened,” junior Winnie Chun said. “It's important for people to be educated on current events because it helps people understand the world around them,”
President Yoon said that he had declared martial law out of desperation to protect the country from antistate forces that seek to disrupt its essential functions and the rule of free democracy. Yoon’s approval rate was low, and he was being threatened with removal from ofce because of his unpopular policies. Martial law would have given him more power backed by the military and allowed his policies to be implemented without pushback.
“It is important to remember that South Korea has not been a democracy for very long as it has only transferred to this system in the 1980s,” history teacher Jay Konik said. “However, the country’s citizens have strongly supported this political shif and have embraced democracy into their way of life,”
President Yoon became the frst South Korean leader to be impeached with charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Te national assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of his impeachment, with many saying he ignored democratic procedures, jeopardizing the democratic integrity of the nation, according to American University.
“ Tinking about what we’ve talked about in school, democracy is considered a big value in South Korean culture, despite being relatively new to
At Convent we learn a lot about the power of our words and actions.
— Julia McKinnon
their history,” Chun said. “Having that disrespected by the president is not something that will happen without consequences,”
Many South Koreans feel that their image as a democracy has been tarnished and this event has set back their progress as a democracy. Tey were shocked as South Korea has been a stout democracy ever since the late 20th century. Te majority of the population was calling for President Yoon to be impeached as soon as possible.
“An important thing to see through this event is the political involvement of South Korea’s citizens,” junior Julia McKinnon said. “ Tere is ofen a misconception that youth are not conscious of politics, especially recently, but this event proves the opposite,”
While some protests against Yoon stayed peaceful, the intensity of the situation led to many moments of confict and violence to the opposing security forces. Tousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Seoul, demanding the impeachment of President Yoon as a way to retain their democracy and freedom.
“It is a testament to the strength of South Korea and its citizens that they have such a strong desire to maintain this democracy,” Konik said. “Despite being a relatively new democracy, is not reverting to the practice of the Rhee regime, but passing the test many young democracies fail. ”
President Yoons’s short declaration of martial law and the protests that led to his impeachment show how political divisions can destabilize a democracy. In the U.S., events like the capitol riot on January 6 raised concerns about the government’s power and stability, both as a united unit and as a home to freedom. Both countries show how laws and protests can represent the voices of the people, according to the Australian Institute of International Afairs.
“At Convent we learn a lot about the power of our words and actions,” McKinnon said. “Knowing that the people of South Korea were able to be heard by the government gives me hope that I have a voice that can be heard,”
South Korea’s future as a democracy relies on its ability to regain public trust and confdence as well as mitigating additional political instabilities. Tree possible outcomes could be: a return to stability through changes, ongoing political changes with some issues, or an increasing crisis that endangers democratic trust and government. Tis entire event was a culturally signifcant moment that taught the students of Convent a great deal about the voice of the people and the power of democracy, according to Tae.
“In my opinion, South Korea is a great place with great people,” Tae said. “I hope that the future of the country is in safe hands and that democracy is a lasting part of that.”
Creative Commons WITH PERMISSION
SOUTH Korean lawmakers impeaching president Yoon over martial law complication. Their decision is crucial to the future of South Korea's government and understanding of democracy.
Valentine's Designs
Differences in vintage versus modern Valentine's Day card culture
Creative Commons | WITH PERMISSION
EXAMPLE of a “comic valentine” from 1850. Depicted is a cartoon drawing accompanied by a poem implying that a woman who is looking for a Valentine may later be left working for their “dear Valentine”.
Hope Wong and Pilar Ponce de Leon
IArt Editor and Reporter
n the modern-day scene, Valentine’s Day is, for many, a time of appreciation, celebration and love. Ofentimes, the holiday includes gif-giving to loved ones, usually including cards, otherwise known as Valentines, of all sorts. Today, over 140 million Valentine’s Day cards are delivered.
“I personally don’t usually hand out Valentine’s Day cards during Valentine’s Day,” junior Sterling Loretto said. “But I still think that they can generally be really sweet gifs, no matter who you give them to,”
While the origins of Valentine’s Day are relatively still undetermined, it is certain that by the 17th century, Feb. 14 was a widely celebrated day across several countries, including the United States, Mexico, Australia, France, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was amidst these moments, in 1849, when the frst Valentine’s Day card was published by Esther Howland, also known as the “mother of the American Valentine,” according to Mount Holyoke College.
“I remember in elementary school, every Valentine’s Day, each student in the class would make a goodie bag with candy and a card to give to each person in the class,” sophomore Arria Shimizu said. “Te whole day you’d just see little kids on a sugar high eating lollipops and fun dips,”
Later, in the 19th century, Valentine’s Day cards began to
have more distinct designs, including ironic, even mocking graphics and drawings made for those not as associated in the romantics. In addition, because of the increasing popularity of the Valentine's cards business, diferent vendors were competing harder for more unique, potentially outrageous designs, according to Te Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Early Valentine artists during this time included William Hogarth, James Gillray, Tomas Rowlandson, and George Cruikshank. Once in the mid-19th century, ofcial card companies also started participating in the more comical valentines. A few of the various designs included political themes, exaggerated body or facial expressions, or “before and afer” situations used to describe romantic relationships under the theme of Valentine's Day. Because of this, despite originating as an amorous, deep-in-love festivity, for many others during the 1800’s, it had become a more lighthearted, satirical moment.
“I think that the idea of comic valentines seems really cute and funny,” freshman Anika Agarwal said. “It seemed more true to what Valentine’s Day is, compared to today, where it slowly became more of a commercialized event,”
Further into the 19th and until the early 20th century, the style of the card illustrations began to shif. Despite the Art Nouveau movement largely afecting architecture and interior design, it was still well-seen amongst visu-
al art even including Valentine’s cards. Tis infuence introduced artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Aubrey Beardsley into the Valentine’s Day cards scene.
Troughout the mid-1900s, these Valentine’s cards began to include many more pop-culture references and characters of the time, including fgures from Disney and comic books. On the other hand, cards sometimes included war-related themes,
I vividly remember the day before, my mom and I would be taping lollipops to Snoopy-themed Valentines cards.
— Arria Shimizu
said. “I vividly remember the day before my mom and I would be taping lollipops to Snoopythemed valentines cards,”
Cards today are vast in design, and styles from all the previous eras are easily accessible, images from the 1900s being relatively
similar to those of today. However, yet another recent trend has made its way into the Valentine’s Day cards- homemade, otherwise known as DIY cards. Of course, the actual “using scraps of paper to put together a card” has not been anything new, but there are now more creative, even interactive card ideas.
In contrast, store-bought cards are prominent when it comes to Valentine’s Day. On one hand, the store-bought cards provide a faster way to fnd a card for a Valentine. On the other hand, there are others who fnd that the thought that goes into homemade cards holds more value, according to Loretto. Some athome ideas go even past making a card altogether, instead, doing all kinds of diferent crafs used in the same fashion. Altogether, Valentine’s Day today consists of various sorts of card drawings and designs, from visual art on the front to mechanical popup cards, utilizing all diferent kinds of styles from past centuries of the same tradition.
“When it comes to homemade versus store-bought cards, I defnitely prefer homemade/DIY cards, because I think regardless of how they turn out, there is more efort put into them,” Loretto said. “Knowing that someone cares enough about you to take the time to make something with you in mind is more meaningful than a store-bought card.”
specifcally World War II and Nazis. Not long afer that, coming up to more modern times, some cards began shifing into a more minimalistic, simpler style. Meanwhile, cards based on trends and pop culture continued to become increasingly common as well. Even still, both of these types of designs are prevalent in modern-day Valentine's graphics.
“When my brother, sister, and I were all in elementary school at the same time, our whole table was just covered with Valentine cards, tape, and candy,” Shimizu
Flickr | WITH PERMISSION
A full color Valentine's card from 1939 with the image cut out so that the card is shaped around the drawing. It contains the Disney character Pinocchio standing on top of a heart.
Wikimedia Commons | WITH PERMISSION
A 1900's valentine design drawn in the Art Nouveau style. A woman is faced towards a figure resembling Cupid.
Rachael Gee and Andrea Scott Feature Editor and Sports Editor
Valentine’s Day, occurring annually on Feb. 14, is a special day to celebrate love. While it's commonly a day observed by lovers who exchange gifs and afection, Valentine's Day is a commemoration of all forms of love, including familial love, friendship, and self-love.
“Every year my dad usually writes everyone in my family a valentine that he will stick to the bathroom mirror or door to our rooms,” senior Ella Andrzejek said. “As part of the tradition, he’ll also give us candy and chocolate,”
Valentine’s Day, also known as the Feast of Valentine, has a convoluted history because it only became widely celebrated dur-
A Tale of Love
Exploring Valentine's Day history
As part of the tradition, he'll also give us candy and chocolate.
— Ella Andrzejek
ing the 14th century. Te leading consensus is that Valentine’s Day was developed based on the pagan Roman festival, Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and included ritualistic matchmaking to honor the coming of spring, according to National Geographic.
During the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II, marriage was banned because it was believed that unmarried men were better soldiers. Nonetheless, a Roman priest named Valentine secretly married couples who were in love and was later executed for his crime on Feb. 14, 270. He was said to have written the frst “valentine” to his jailer’s daughter who he had fallen in love with. Valentine’s noble sacrifce transformed him into a martyr in the eyes of Christians. As such, in the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I adopted the features of Lupercalia and the signifcance of Valentine’s death to declare Feb. 14 the Feast of Valentine.
“At my old school some of my students put together a project about Valentine’s Day,” English teacher Susan Wilson said. “ Tey learned about the history and I found it kind of ironic that Cupid was used as a symbol of Valentine’s Day even though in mythology he’s a violent god who shot arrows in people’s eyes,”
Valentine's Day became centered around romance as more English authors, like Geofrey Chaucer wrote about the mating of both birds and couples on Feb. 14. His
stories of forbidden love between brave knights and betrothed nobel ladies inspired Charles, Duke of Orleans, to write the frst valentines to his imprisoned bride Bonne of Armagnac in 1415, according to CollinStreet.
Te modern idea that Valentine's Day is defned by romantic love emerged during the 1840s. Exchanging valentines acted as vows, and binded a couple together for the rest of the year. It made relationships seem more permanent and allowed couples to have a special day together to celebrate their
Valentine's Day cards were frst written between couples during the 16 century. Te frst US-printed commercial valentines were released in the market during the mid-1800s. Hallmark began printing Valentine's Day-specifc cards with envelopes when there was a higher interest in privacy in 1915, according to Hallmark. Te commercialization of Valentine's Day did not stop there. At the turn of the 20th century, advertisements for the holiday increased, and consumption did too. Te day was not only about love professions and valentines but grew to encompass fowers, chocolates, and expensive dates. In 2024, 53% of consumers celebrated Valentine's Day, and spent a total of $14.2 billion on gifs for their signifcant other, according to the National Retail Federation.
“Even though I feel like the commercialization of Valentine’s Day is mainly a money grab and ultimately an opportunity for corporations to proft, I think that it’s become an important part of the holiday,” sophomore Leila Sawicki said. “For example, I remember going out as a kid to buy valentines for all my classmates, or seeing those sweetheart candies on the shelves, and it added a lot to the holiday experience,”
Galentine's Day is an increasingly popular way of celebrating Valentine’s Day, and it takes place on Feb.13. Originating from the show “Parks and Recreation”, Galentine's Day is centered around
love.
Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated between couples who exchange gifs, go on dates, and spend the day expressing love toward each other. Presents like chocolates and red roses are most ofen used to convey afection.
“My family and I spend extra time on Valentine’s Day exchanging chocolates to express love towards each other,” sophomore Alexandra Herrmann said. “In the future, I think it would be fun to expand that circle to my friends and other loved ones,”
I remember going out as a kid to buy valentines for all my classmates...
— Leila Sawicki
the power of female friendships. It shines a spotlight on the special relationship between women and sets time aside for recognition of that bond.
Valentine’s Day takes form in diferent ways around the world. In Slovenia, the day is used as an important day to work in the felds in honor of St. Valentine, and in Japan and Korea, women make the frst move on Valentine’s Day and men return the gesture on March 14, known as White Day, according to WorldStrides. No matter the different traditions, all variations of Valentine’s Day celebrate the coming of spring, St. Valentine, or love.
“Recently, I’ve been doing galentines with my friends,” Andrzejek said. “Some of my Valentine’s Day traditions change, while others stay the same.”
Hope Wong | THE BROADVIEW
Tracking the trends
Fashion has been evolving since the dawn of time. Modern-day trends have evolved into easily recyclable fads due to fast fashion and social media but, trend cycles have been around for decades. From the bullet bra, cat eyeglasses, low-rise jeans and coquette bows, trends are a major part of the success of the fashion industry.
2024 was a prominent year for fashion trends including bubble skirts, pops of red, and Adidas Samba sneakers in many diferent colorful variations, according to Vogue. Te public widely accepted some, while others took some getting used to like the Maison Margiela Tabi shoes, the over-accessorization of handbags, and wearing super mini shorts instead of pants, according to Vogue.
Tere were a lot of trends that I didn’t really like this year,” junior Lily Liao said. “A trend I did like however, was all the different variations of Adidas shoes,” 2024´s most infuential fashion trends were quiet luxury and boho chic, accord-
Amrita Rajpal Editor-in-Chief
The 2025 Met Gala is set to be on May 5th, 2025, with the theme, ‘Superfne: Tailoring Black Style.’ Te Met Gala formally called the Costume Institute Beneft, is the annual haute couture fundraising festival held for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in Manhattan. Te Met Gala is regarded as the world's most prestigious and glamorous fashion event.
“I am excited to see this year’s outfts,” senior Nandika Bhatnagar said. “I feel like the theme this year is a little different than usual, so I think it will produce interesting and new pieces,”
Te event is held annually on the frst Monday of May.
Tis marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit hosted on the
ing to Vogue. Many of these trends were popularized thanks to social media and are associated with specifc colors, fabrics and silhouettes. Another extremely popular trend from 2024 was the ‘brat’ style which included wearing bright green colors, inspired by Charli XCX’s album of the same name, according to Vogue.
Te quiet luxury trend focused mainly on muted tones, comfortable silhouettes and quality pieces made from luxurious fabrics and knits such as cashmere, silk, merino and alpaca, according to Northern California Style. Te boho chic look includes lots of suede, fringe and summer attire, reminiscent of the boho style that was popular in the early 2000s.
“I noticed that the fashion trends this year were very diferent from one another,” junior Elizabeth Fox said. “Some emphasized a lot of color, while others were more toned down and subtle,”
2025 is a new year, with new fashion trends in store. Some of the main trends growing in popularity are slimmer jean
styles – most notably straight-leg jeans. Some trends seen on recent runways include powerful suits as seen in the Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 collections, according to ShowStudio. With regards to footwear, peep toe shoes –especially heels– appear to be in style and were featured in Miu Miu's recent spring collection and on the Tory Burch runway at the end of 2024.
Circular fashion has also been gaining traction lately, with much emphasis on thrif shopping and buying used or vintage clothing to help promote sustainability. Trifing is a circular and sustainable way to buy clothing while helping the environment in the process according to Conny Trif's co-leader, Maggie White.
“My club Conny Trifs is hosting a thrif exchange at school,” White said. Te club is a great way to promote stability and encourage thrifing amongst students,”
In 2025, certain trends and practices are being reconsidered, such as fast fash-
2025 Met Gala awaits
Upper East Side of Manhattan. Many of the people in attendance are seen on the covers of Vogue. Each year's event celebrates the specifc theme of that year's Costume Institute exhibition, which sets the style for the formal attire of the night, according to Cornucopia Events.
“Te outfts at the Met Gala are always super unique,” senior Amelia Batt said. “I think it is really fun to look at all of them when they come out and admire the beautiful work,”
For the 2025 Met Gala, inspiration was drawn from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the exhibit will feature garments, paintings, photographs and more—all exploring the in-
delible style of Black men in the context of dandyism, from the 18th century through present day, according to Vogue.
Monica L. Miller is a Professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College. Professor Miller specializes in AfricanAmerican and American literature and cultural studies. Her research interests include twentieth and twenty-frstcentury African-American literature, flm and contemporary art; contemporary literature and cultural studies of the black diaspora; performance studies; and intersectional studies of race, gender and sexuality. Her book was published by Duke University Press in 2009. It received the 2010 William Sanders Scarborough Prize for the best
book in African American literature and culture from the Modern Language Association, according to Barnard College.
Tis year Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour will co-chair the 2025 Met Gala, alongside honorary chair LeBron James. Te event usually hosts around 450 attendees, welcoming stars, young creatives and industry paragons each year, according to Vogue.
“I also think this year’s theme will hopefully have an educational portion to it,” Bhatnagar said. “By exploring styles from the 18th century to now I think it will be an opportunity for people to further educate themselves about Black art.”
ion and social media micro trends. Both promote overconsumption and can cause people to wear overly trendy styles as opposed to developing a sense of individuality in their fashion choices. Fast fashion is also harmful to the environment, holding responsibility for 10% of the world's CO2 emissions according to Earth.org.
On a similar note, the use of synthetic fabrics may have decreased in 2024. Synthetic fabrics can ofentimes be irritating to the skin and the process of producing them can be detrimental to the environment and factory workers. Ultimately, the biggest fashion trend for 2025 may be to defy conventional trends and instead seek out personal style in an era where social media is fooded with many diferent aesthetics, according to Teen Vogue.
“I think it’s important to understand the impact that fast fashion has on the environment,” Liao said. “It can incentivize people to try and shop ethically.”
Caroline Kontrabecki and Lela Reporters
A Formal Winter
A group of juniors dazzle in their wintery dresses in two formal dress events in the high school, the other men.
Anthony Clemons | WITH PERMISSION
SOME seniors strike a lively pose for a quick photo with royal props. This year's formal was hosted in the main hall and it will be their last before they say goodbye to the main hall forever.
Anthony Clemons | WITH PERMISSION
A few seniors take a fun photo in the photobooth to remember the exciting night by. This is the first time these seniors are not celebrating the formal on Valentine's Day as it was held in late January.
Winter Wonderland
Anthony Clemons | WITH PERMISSION in front of the photobooth. Winter formal is one of other being prom which is only open to upperclass-
Anthony Clemons | WITH PERMISSION FRESHMEN shine at their first ever winter formal. Tickets for the event, which lasted from 6-9 p.m. cost $40 dollars to attend and students were welcome to bring outside guests as long as they completed the guest form.
Anthony Clemons | WITH PERMISSION
A crowd of freshmen pose in their blues and whites as the theme for this year was Winter Wonderland. The event included casino games, heavy Hors D'oeuvres and a donut bar.
Are New Year's Resolutions Effective?
Eliza Burger and Kate Lundgren Copy Editor and Reporter
Although these goals can be effective for some, research shows that 94% of people do not follow through with their resolutions by June. Goals such as “eating healthier” seem productive, but most fnd their resolutions to fail in practice without a clear plan to make it happen. Gym memberships surge in January, as people feel pressure to transform themselves and be the best version of themselves on the frst day of the new year. However, in just one week, Baylor College of Medicine found that 88% of people
Ready for Resolutions
Eliza Burger and Kate Lundgren Copy Editor and Reporter
At the start of a new year, many refect on their lives and how they can change for the better in this new chapter of their life. Tese changes, commonly known as New Year's Resolutions, help many people envision goals to improve their mental and physical well-being. Tinking of ways to change one’s daily life for the better, is a healthy and productive task and the start of a new year makes people remember the bigger picture and how they want to live it, not just go through the motions
New Year, Same You
give up on their resolutions. Some even call the second Friday of January “quitter’s day,” because most people have already fallen back into their old ways. Because so many resolutions are not executed properly, many believe that changes should be implemented into one’s daily life regardless of the time of year. Although the beginning of a new year can feel fresh and exciting, it's important to remember that small habits can be shifed at any time, and your best self is not necessarily waiting for you on Jan. 1. Because of the rise of social media, many fnd inspiration in their favorite creators online for themselves in the new
year. Although this can help people further envision their goals, it adds unnecessary pressure to completely overhaul one’s habits and lifestyle. When people realize that they’re favorite creators online show a highly glamorized version of their everyday life, they soon drop the resolution and continue with their old ways. Contributing to the “new year, new me” culture that usually lasts for the frst week of a new year adds to the feeting idea of New Year’s resolutions. Most people lack the consistency to keep themselves going even when the initial motivation passes.
New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition spanning back
everyday. Everyone has something they want to improve on, so list of achievable goals for a new year can drastically change someone's life if diligently followed. It's one thing to write on a piece of paper all the things you wish your life contained, whether that be success, health or relationships, but it is something else altogether to create concrete steps and make good on those promises to oneself. New Year's resolutions are a common way for people to feel more motivated and eager to change their daily habits. Some of the most common New Year's resolutions are eating healthier, ex-
ercising more and saving money, according to Southern New Hampshire University. Tese are all wonderful goals but a good New Year's resolution is all about taking small steps. Don’t make ten goals at once, but put them on hold until you have fnished your frst. Remember, you don't have to completely change your life just because it is Jan. 1. Try not to choose something broad, like eating healthier, instead, decide you only have dessert on weekends. Tink about why you want to make this goal and what it will do for you. Look for something you could see yourself doing or
who you see yourself being, with steps to eventually reach that big goal. Many people choose a goal just to have something, however you want to choose something that you want to improve on. Once you have a goal, make an easy step-by-step plan. Tis allows you to slow down and see the improvements without rushing to the next thing. Overall, if executed properly, New Year's resolutions are a time-honored tradition of people taking a step back to evaluate what truly makes them happy, and what they could use to improve their dayto-day lives.
thousands of years but are more of a short-lived fairy tale than a sustainable path to change. If you want to make a difference in your life, the time to start is not tomorrow, next week, or even next year, but today. Almost all people write lists of resolutions and tell themselves they will start on Jan. 1, yet never take it upon themselves to change now, in the present moment. Because of this, New Year’s resolutions feel more like a fun tradition than a genuine tool for transformation. However, as Paul Coelho famously said, it’s “One day, or day one. You decide”.
Madelon Podell
2024 Sports Roundup
Founded
in 1946, the Golden State Warriors are San Francisco’s professional basketball team.
Te Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and play as part of the Pacifc Division of the Western Conference. So far in the 2024-25 season, the Warriors have 20 wins and 20 losses, with star player Steph Curry averaging 24.7 points per game.
Te Golden State Warriors (GSW) have dealt with many challenges, for instance, the loss of key players like Klay Tompson, who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks, according to the NBA. When Tompson played his frst game against the Warriors on Nov. 12th, Golden State Warrios fans ofered a warm tribute to him by wearing an old No. 11 jersey and sailor hats, referencing Tompson’s history of sailing around the Bay Area.
“ Te Golden State Warriors are such a fun team to watch,” freshman Claire Woodard said. “I love seeing Steph Curry play, especially when he played in the Olympics,”
Another Bay Area team frequently watched by viewers at home is the San Francisco Forty-Niners, a football team named afer the travelers who moved West in search of gold, according to the San Francisco 49ers. Te 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) and have won six games and lost eleven, plac-
The highs and lows of the Bay
ing them 12th in the National Football Conference. In the 2023 season, the 49ers won 12 games and lost fve, fnishing frst in the National Football Conference.
A notable decline in the 49ers' performance may have to do with the surplus of injuries they have faced, with vital players like Christian Mccafrey, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, and Brandon Aiyuk hurt throughout the season.
A key 49er who has been working through injury is placekicker Jake Moody, who sufered a sprain to his ankle while attempting to make a tackle on a kickof return against Arizona. Even afer several games and physical recovery, the injury still has severely afected the accuracy of his kicks and has become a concern among fans, according to the San Francisco 49ers.
“ Tere have been so many injuries this year for the ‘Niners,” junior Nina Swain said. “I feel horrible because this defnitely has determined how they have been playing in games.”
A promising addition to the Bay Area sports feld has been the American professional soccer team Bay Football Club (FC), the frst women’s professional soccer team based in the Bay Area to compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). First founded in April of 2023 by four US National Women's Team players, Bay FC has the current
standings of eleven wins and 14 losses, placing them seventh in the NWSL, according to Bay FC.
Since the integration of a women’s team in the Bay Area’s soccer landscape, Bay FC has appealed to a very dedicated fanbase that aims to support women playing soccer in such a diverse setting as the Bay Area, according to Bay FC. Te team’s very frst match had over 18,000 fans in attendance at PayPal stadium, displaying the rising interest in women’s national
American professional soccer team who are members of the Major Soccer League (MLS). Along with several others, the Earthquakes were one of the frst teams to join the MLS and were assigned to play in the Western Conference, according to the San Jose Earthquakes. Te Earthquakes’ star players of 2024 are Cristian Espinoza, Player’s Player of the Year and the Ofensive Player of the Year; Rodrigues as the Defensive Player of the Year; and Niko Tsakiris as the Young Player of Year, according to the San Jose Earthquakes.
The
Bay Area is a soccer hub.
— Claire Woodard
soccer in the Bay Area. Additionally, some stars of the team include international players like Tegan McGrady and Celia Jiménez, further attracting a diverse group of fans to fll their stadium.
“Bay FC players provide wonderful and powerful role models for little girls watching in the stands,” JV Convent Soccer coach Mel Fathi said. “ Tese girls are so lucky to be raised in an area with such outstanding female players that can provide an example for them.”
Established in 1994, the San Jose Earthquakes are an
Te greatest fans of the San Jose Earthquakes are the San Jose Ultras, who aspire to express their passion for the soccer team at PayPal Park, the home base of the Earthquakes. Each game, the San Jose Ultras take up the entirety of sections 117 and 118 to cheer on their team and scare the opposition. Te fan base was created in 2003, and since then has supported the team at home and away games with the motto: “Win or lose we’ll always be there for you!” In addition to the cheers and support, the San Jose Ultras also have a catalog full of songs to sing during games, according to the SJU. “ Te Bay Area is a soccer hub,” Woodard said. “I am so proud to be a part of my own Bay Area soccer team through Convent.”
Cece Aliabadi and Natasha Charas
Catherine Spalding | THE BROADVIEW
ON Jan. 7, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Miami Heat, with the final score leaving the Heat victorious. Star players on both sides, such as Stephen Curry (Warriors) and Tyler Herro (Heat), played on the court.
Catherine Spalding | THE BROADVIEW
STEPH Curry eyes the ball as it heads toward the net during the Golden State Warriors' Jan. 7 matchup against the Miami Heat. The reigning NBA champion continued his standout performance in a close game.
Senior Reporters
Critical Race Theory is CRITICAL
Editor-in-Chief
AsBlack History Month provokes refection on racial equity and progress, debates about critical race theory (CRT) continue across the nation. CRT is an academic feld that is focused on systemic racism and its efect on policy and institutions which shapes societal outcomes and inequality for people of color. While critics frame CRT as a divisive and unnecessary discipline, it is an essential way of understanding the systemic nature of racism in America. To truly embrace Black history, we
must embrace CRT in educational spaces as it highlights how nothing happens in a vacuum and these disparities are ofen cultivated by the frameworks we abide by. At its core, CRT is not meant to be an attack on specifc individuals or a method of creating guilt, it is a way of analyzing how historical patterns of inequality still shape our modern world. For example, understanding redlining practices in the 20th century reveals why racial inequality in housing and wealth exists today. Even in San Francisco, the legacy of redlining persists–decades afer the city denied Black residents access to loans and investments
in neighborhoods like the Fillmore, the efects are still visible with Black residents facing higher rates of housing instability and lower ownership rates while gentrifcation continues to displace long-time Black families.
Opponents argue that CRT is in some way “un-American” or that it shows the country in a negative light, but in fact, the exact opposite is done by critically examining the fast to create a more equitable future. Ignoring history does not change what happened but instead silences the voices of those who sufered and resisted oppression.
Fans vs. Fame
As social media has grown more and more popular, so has fan culture. Online platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Twitter have quickly become a space in which fans, of every consumable media variation possible, have been able to discuss and share about their beloved celebrities, movies, books and everything in between. However, social media’s aid in fan engagement has not been without consequences.
Social media was a breakthrough invention in the digital world— users were now able to physically interact with what they were consuming, rather than watching a show for hours on end on cable TV or listening to the radio to obtain news. Now, people online have more autonomy, where individuals can produce and distribute content by their own means, and it has become a way for individuals to become more and more infuential as they are able to gain followers and build a community around shared interests.
While social media has allowed consumers to become more outspoken by voicing their opinions on any platform possible, this has largely led to the increasing prevalence of a “hive mentality,” which involves a person basing their opinions and ideas on whatever a group thinks, according to WebMD. While a hive mentality can exist outside of the internet, social media has amassed millions of users in the US who are quick to jump on the “hate train” against celebrities and creators, perpetuating the controversial phenomenon of “cancel culture.”
Fans, who are on the same platforms as their
celebrity favorites, tend to feel a sense of entitlement or a strong opinion because they feel like they are directly communicating with an artist through interactions on social media, including likes, comments and even direct messaging (DM). Tis has normalized fan-celebrity interactions, and this has carried over into in-person interactions as well.
Now, fans have an increased set of expectations on how they assume celebrities should behave online and in person. Tis places pressure on celebrities to maintain a picture-perfect image, which leaves little room for genuine mistakes in the public eye. In addition, some celebrities lose a sense of privacy in their lives, as reports of stalking and harassment from fans have become prevalent, and public backlash “deters celebrities from taking advantage of any protective orders,” according to UC Law Review.
While expectations should be set for any individual with widespread infuence, such expectations must be enforced both ways— the fans also have a responsibility to maintain boundaries.
Te line between admiration and obsession can blur when fans expect constant access to celebrities’ lives or impose their personal beliefs and opinions onto public fgures. Obsessive behavior has been a harmful aspect of fan culture, especially towards female celebrities, according to Impact. Artists such as Selena, Björk and Lana Del Rey have all experienced dangerous interactions with stalkers, even Tejano music singer Selena being killed by a superfan.
More recently, singersongwriter Chappell Roan has raised awareness of the discomfort she has felt when fans have turned predatory towards her. In September last year, she announced on Instagram that when she is performing, she is working, and when of the stage, she is not in a professional setting and thus does not feel that she owes fans a “mutual exchange of energy.”
Tis dynamic has been worsened by social media, where it is made extremely accessible for strongly opinionated people to attack others on social media. So, when a celebrity draws a boundary or speaks up about an issue, there tends to be a wave of internet users ready to post aggressive remarks towards them. While staying critical of public fgures is necessary to ensure that their actions align with their infuence, fans have grown overly sensitive, analyzing celebrities’ every move, and increasing the amount of unnecessary internet controversies.
In this developing and vast digital world, it has grown imperative that consumers understand that celebrities are individuals simply put on a pedestal— they may largely operate in the public eye, but they are merely people who have opinions and ideologies that may be separate from their followers. Celebrities should be held accountable when their actions grow problematic, but at the end of the day, fans have a choice on who they wish to interact with. Even so, idolizing another human being should not become the norm, as it can lead to unrealistic expectations, unbalanced dependencies and discomfort on either end of the spectrum.
Heidi Yeung Web Editor
How social media has affected fan culture
Hidden Costs of AI
Water waste and an ethical dilemma for ChatGPT users
Fiona Kenny Web Editor
In our increasingly digital world, technology like ChatGPT has become an essential tool for answering questions, generating ideas, and even assisting in education. It’s revolutionizing the way we interact with information and solve problems. However, what many people don’t realize is that using ChatGPT comes with hidden environmental costs, particularly in its consumption of water. Every time you ask ChatGPT a question, you are indirectly contributing to water waste.
Te reason lies in how ChatGPT functions behind the scenes. Artifcial Intelligence (AI) models like ChatGPT rely on massive data centers flled with servers that process enormous amounts of information to deliver timely responses. Tese servers generate signifcant amounts of heat as they work. To prevent overheating and ensure smooth operation, these data centers employ water-powered cooling
systems. Processing between fve and ffy prompts on ChatGPT can use about 500 milliliters of water, approximately the size of a standard water bottle. While this might not seem like much at frst glance, consider that ChatGPT answers millions of questions every day from users around the globe. Te cumulative water usage quickly becomes staggering.
To put this into perspective, let’s look at Los Angeles, California. Tese current wildfres not only devastate homes and forests but also put enormous pressure on already limited water supplies. California is a state that has been grappling with persistent drought conditions for years. In this current scenario, it becomes difcult to ignore the stark contrast between the value of water used to cool AI data centers and the water used to combat natural disasters.
Tis raises a serious ethical dilemma. Are we prioritizing the convenience of technology over the safety and wellbeing of people? Should we continue
to fund and expand AI technologies like ChatGPT without addressing their environmental costs? Tese are difcult, multilayered, but increasingly necessary questions to ask.
While it’s not practical or even desirable to abandon AI technologies entirely, it’s clear that companies and individuals alike must take responsibility for mitigating their environmental impact. For example, tech companies could invest in sustainable cooling solutions, such as using renewable energy-powered cooling systems, airbased cooling, or recycling wastewater. Some data centers have already begun experimenting with geothermal cooling, which utilizes underground temperatures to maintain optimal conditions for servers. Additionally, policymakers could incentivize companies to adopt green technologies through tax breaks or subsidies.
On a personal level, users can also think more critically about how they use AI. Do you really need to ask ChatGPT
AMRITA'S ANGLE
Beyond the Classics
Amrita Rajpal Editor-in-Chief
The books we read, specifcally in school, can shape how we see the world. Many classics are ofen celebrated for their literary merit, but they represent a very small slice of the human experience. A conscious efort to include more inclusive books and expand our reading lists to authors beyond our scope can be a wonderful way to see the larger picture and hear from many of the world’s voices. By reading diverse authors, we can broaden our understanding of history, culture and identity. Books like “Te Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo and Sabaa Tahir’s “All My Rage” introduce us to stories from perspectives that are ofen lef outside the traditional scope of literature. For students who ofen don’t see themselves represented in the books they read, including more diverse authors can be an amazing experience. In addition to promoting inclu-
sivity, expanding reading lists also aims to improve the learning environment. Books like Angie Tomas's “Te Hate U Give” introduce contemporary settings into the classroom and create discussions that are relevant to the times. Authors from historically silenced communities, such as Indigenous communities provide wonderful and insightful literature, that includes pertinent history allowing students to engage with overlooked perspectives and examine both past and present realities. Students can learn from these stories that literature is a dynamic and constantly evolving art form that captures a wide array of human experiences. Schools can cultivate a stronger connection to reading for students and make it relevant and meaningful by introducing such books. Classics will always have a place in the classroom, but pairing them with modern and diverse novels can bring new perspectives to older ideas. Reading lists should refect the current world, a place of many voices, stories and ideas.
simple math questions when you have a calculator on hand? Or could you spend a few minutes on Google rather than get an immediate AI-generated answer? Small changes in behavior, when multiplied across millions of users, could signifcantly reduce unnecessary strain on resources.
Ultimately, as a society, we must strike a balance between technological innovation and environmental responsibility. Protecting communities and the environment should take precedence over our own convenience. ChatGPT and other AI tools ofer remarkable benefts, but these benefts must be weighed against their costs. By advocating for sustainable practices and demanding accountability from companies, we can pave the way for a future where technology supports the well-being of our planet. It’s crucial to embrace the benefts of AI while committing to minimizing its environmental impact.
4. What months have 28 days?
6. Girls friend group Valentines Day celebration
7. “…Day” is a headliner at Bottle Rock (also the name of a day according to our school schedule)
8. Cupids name in Greek Mythology
1. Be my…
2. This band sings the song “Valentine”, where the lead singer is also the son of a U2 band member
3. Sturgill… a singer playing at Stagecoach (not the Convent division head)
5. The “O” in XOXO
9. Taylor Swift album name (also a Valentine's Day color)
Convent of the Sacred Heart High School 2222 Broadway St. | San Francisco, California 94115 broadview@sacredsf.org | broadview.sacredsf.org
Amrita Rajpal Heidi Yeung
Cate Spalding
Andrea Scott Sports Editor
Elsie Scott
Rachael Gee
Sophia Cuperstein International
Reporters
accountability and
A New Era For San Francisco
Elsie Scott, Juliette Wu City Life Editor, Reporter
On Jan 8. 2025 Daniel Lurie was ofcially sworn into ofce, becoming the 46th Mayor of San Francisco. Following Mayor London Breed, Lurie, the Levi-Strauss heir, has a campaign that has already brought up a lot of optimism among the city’s tech leaders and representatives.
An American philanthropist and politician, Daniel Lurie was born and raised in San Francisco. He briefy moved to New York in 2001, but returned to San Francisco two years later to receive his master’s degree. Troughout his career, Daniel Lurie has raised hundreds of millions of dollars towards combating poverty and homelessness according to senior Maddy Aldecoa.
“I think it's unique that Mayor Lurie has grown up in San Francisco and has such a strong history with our city,” Aldecoa said. “By growing up here, Lurie has become very familiar with San Francisco’s needs and has a better sense of how to improve the city.”
In his recent election race to unseat Former Mayor Breed, one of the faws in his campaign was having no previous experience in ofce. Much of Breed’s tenure in ofce was marked by disputes with the Board of Supervisors and the legislative body of San Francisco, which have resulted in hindered progression, according to junior Abby Chacon Lara,
“Even though Daniel Lurie has never been in ofce before, he has had a lot of
experience working within public services in San Francisco,” Chacon Lara said. “ Lurie has a lot of great leadership qualities that could be used to institute change and improve the quality of life in our local communities.”
In the November election, many of the members of the Board also turned over giving moderate Democrats a 6-5 majority, exemplifying greater opportunities for cooperation between them. While the disconnect in ideas was partially based on diferent political views, it seemed that there were also “divisions on the board [that] seemed like they were personality disputes,” according to Te SF Examiner. Overall, with Lurie having never held any previous political ofce, he has the beneft of working with likeminded colleagues as well as not being encumbered by the old dividers within other political branches, according to Global Politics teacher Martin Jorgensen.
“Part of why people need an outsider with a fresh set of eyes from having no previous experience is maybe preferable to the public,” Jorgensen said. “I think in this case not being experienced equals not having been a part of what hasn’t worked in the past and his campaign turned what would normally be a weakness into a strength.”
Even before becoming mayor, Lurie was committed to supporting diverse communities in San Francisco by being the CEO of the Tipping Point Community. Solely dependent on donations, this non-proft organization seeks to combat poverty by providing support and aid to
What’s pumping in the City
Elsie Scott
City Life editor
In the midst of the winter season, the temperature stoops to the low 40s and walking outside the students search for the perfect pufer jacket to keep them warm in the winter. Tis leaves students to tackle the question: Which pufer jacket is the best? Many brands of pufer jackets, including Te North Face, Patagonia and Aritzia are made of quality materials, such as cotton or down to
accommodate cold weather conditions. In addition, these brands ofer unique features including diferent length cropped or parka jackets and hooded/non-hooded styles. While there may not be one perfect pufer jacket, Te North Face, Patagonia and Aritzia are several popular pufer brands worn by students at Convent.
residents across San Francisco. Te Tipping Point Community ofers a plethora of housing, education and employment opportunities to help eliminate poverty and build a stronger future, according to junior Winnie Chun.
“I think it is really nice having someone in ofce that has previous experience in supporting and building our community prior to him even running for ofce,” Chun said. “It shows promise in fulflling his main campaign goals.”
In addition to the Tipping Point Community, Lurie has created policies that aim to decrease homelessness and poverty in downtown San Francisco. According to his campaign, it is crucial to maintain communication and accountability with non-proft organizations to ensure they receive proper funding and support to sustain their work. As Mayor, Lurie will focus on making sure nonprofits receive donations within government departments without a lack of communication or bureaucracy, according to biology teacher Daniel Rafa.
“I think that communication is extremely important with any governmental system,” Rafa said. “Tings like decision-making, progression and development towards a certain goal can all happen with good communication.”
Te word ‘accountability’ is frequently used throughout Lurie’s campaign to describe his policies and intentions as mayor. He believes that lack of communication between departments and institutions within our city leads to unnecessary costs at long production rates.
One of Lurie’s most prominent policies is the measurement of City Hall’s performance. Trough this policy, he will aim to hold public departments accountable, with the goal of implementing efcient and cost-efective changes to our city according to junior Ella Patzer.
“I believe that honesty and communication in our city is crucial for change,” Patzer said. “With Lurie’s promises to uphold accountability, I think it is possible to institute many positive changes that improve the quality of life in San Francisco.”
Newly in ofce, Lurie has already begun instituting changes related to drug use and public safety. Some of Lurie’s current projects include creating a 24hour drop-of center downtown to serve those struggling with overdose and mental illness. Recently, Lurie has also made his frst head department appointment and appointed Dean Crispen as chief of the San Francisco Fire Department. While these are only a few of the changes Lurie has made as mayor, Lurie has many more plans to improve and secure a promising future for all people living in San Francisco.
“Tis was my frst year being able to vote in an election,” Aldecoa said. “I look forward to contributing to future elections and having a voice in making decisions that improve our city.
While these are only a few of the changes Lurie has made as mayor, Lurie has many more plans to improve and secure a promising future for all people living in San Francisco.
DANIEL Lurie officially became the 46th Mayor of San Francisco, preceeding prior Mayor London Breed. He aims to reshape and make political changes to San Francisco by emphasizing
communication in combating poverty, supporting non-profit organizations and drug abuse.
