Issue 2, 2016 by the Epic

IN-DEPTH//

Confronting the fear of the outsider BY ERIC WU AND HEDY ZHOU

enophobia, commonly known as the fear of outsiders, has recently risen to prominence in light of political discussions and global conflicts. When unchecked ignorance and rumors are left to fester, people begin to view certain groups differently simply based on their ethnicity, religion, sexuality or any other identifier. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, unfamiliarity with other cultures, races and identities can often lead to misconceptions, oftentimes resulting in fear and contempt. Even in an era as advanced as the 21st century, xenophobia still feeds on one’s fears and anxieties, even those of the well educated. It is amplified by widespread media sources and gossip and is often projected violently and cruelly upon groups unfortunate enough to garner such attention. The United States’ 2016 election season, which has been fraught with talk of Islamophobia, is a prominent example of xenophobia in today’s society. Republican candidate Donald

Trump has taken the liberty of accusing Muslims of being terrorists and has suggested profiling them or even deporting and banning them from the country. Though these issues may not seem pertinent to the Bay Area, xenophobia is still clearly reflected within the community. On Sept. 7, a student at Fremont High School was arrested due to anti-semitic and anti-islamic remarks and threats on social media. Dozens of students were pulled out of school by parents fearing for their child’s safety. The apprehended suspect later stated that he made the remarks in an effort to intimidate a group of students; his crude attempts at terrorizing them, however, were considered hate speech

and thus a criminal threat. The community in the Bay Area may be diverse, but a sense of superiority over specific and commonly targeted minority groups still exists. Xenophobia most commonly stems from a person’s upbringing. Young children are heavily influenced by the beliefs of those who raise them and as a result learn to live according to those thoughts, actions and morals. If the individuals surrounding a child’s early development hold certain biases, children can be easily influenced to live their lives with the same thoughts and resulting xenophobia. These fears often go unnoticed and unaddressed until more life experience and self-awareness is acquired. Even so, changing

ignorant stereotypes can be difficult in adulthood, as many people have grown up with these prejudices since childhood. Senior Andy Long first came out as transgender to his supportive friends and then his family two years ago. Before he realized his identity, however, he was raised with religious ideals that shunned such notions. “I grew up Mormon, and it was really hard [to come out] because it’s drilled into your brain that you’re not supposed to crossdress, gays are an abomination, things like that,” said Long. “When I came out to my family, my mom wasn’t really accepting of it at first. She really didn’t understand the whole transgender thing, but we worked it out and she’s finally starting to accept me as who I am now.” see XENOPHOBIA page 11

ART ILLUSTRATION BY HEDY ZHOU

SPORTS//

Marching band looks to end on a high note

BY MEHEK KAPUR

ain or shine, the Lynbrook Marching Band and Colorguard practice for countless hours on end in order to execute their show to the best of their ability. Members must focus on technique, tone quality, character and tempo, among numerous other aspects that come together to create a fast-paced eight and a half minute show complete with visual and musical appeal. Band and guard members practice three hours every Monday and Wednesday and seven hours every Saturday in order to prepare for tournaments, shows and football game halftime performances. Their practices usually start off with physical training, such as push-ups, planks and runs, followed by a rehearsal of visual effects and music with their instructors. They end each practice by

running their full show, Conquer the Dark, demanding than last year’s show, but our which features a wide variety of pieces, achievements this season have been really ranging from Brahms’ Lullaby to Christina amazing,” said junior Rahul Khare, assistant Drum Major. Perri’s I Believe. This The members have gotyear’s show is dedicated to Mona Schlieper, guard “IT ISN’T THE PLACINGS I’M ten closer to each other, as instructor and terminally THE MOST PROUD OF. IT’S being part of Marching Band Colorguard requires orill wife of show designer THE LEVEL OF ARTISTRY... or ganization, responsibility Ryan Schlieper, who has THEY’RE REALLY RISING TO and trust. been designing MarchTHE CHALLENGE.” “Marching Band is kind ing Band and Colorguard of like a huge family, since shows for many years. MICHAEL PAKALUK we spend so much time toThis year, the leaderBAND INSTRUCTOR gether, we have to learn how ship team focused on imto interact with each other, proving teamwork, team we learn trust and really motivation, coordination and cooperation within each section and as build meaningful friendships,” said senior Brian Lin, head Drum Major. “Being the leada whole. “Overall, it’s been a really amazing time ers of this team has really helped us bond this year. Our show this year is a lot more with our members.”

The 2016 season is winding down to an end after an accomplished seventh place finish out of 27 total competitors at the Bands of America (BOA) Northern California Regionals, which took place on Oct. 22. Other notable achievements include placing third place overall and first place in their class at Cupertino’s Tournament of Bands on Oct. 8. “They placed really well, but it isn’t the placing I’m most proud of...it’s really the level of artistry. The dedication, responsibility and level of performance they’ve demonstrated,” said band instructor Michael Pakaluk. “They’re really rising to the challenge, so that’s what I’m the most proud of.” The Marching Band and Colorguard will be performing their final shows at the Western Band Association (WBA) Tournaments at Independence High School on Nov. 5 and James Logan High School on Nov. 12.

BY SRINIDHI SESHADRI

oters heading to the polls on Nov. 8 for Election Day will vote on 17 propositions currently on the California ballot, some of which will affect local schools and communities if passed. Of all the propositions on the ballot, Propositions 51 and 58 both pertain to education, and may affect local schools in the Silicon Valley. Proposition 51 will authorize nine billion dollars in general obligation bonds for the construction and modernization of public school facilities, charter schools, vocational school facilities and California Community Colleges facilities. Many public schools and community colleges need to be repaired in order to meet state health and safety standards but do not sufficient funds. “I vote yes on any education issue if it’s going to help schools get more money, whether it’s for redoing buildings or construction,” said chemistry teacher Jon Penner. If this proposition is passed, funding will be provided to fix deteriorating schools and upgrade classrooms. Handi-

capped accessibility, fire safety and earthquake safety systems will also be added to schools which lack these features. The funds will be primarily allocated to institutions that do not have standard facilities. “I think prop 51 is a good idea because it helps people who don’t have enough money in their schools and helps students get better education,” said senior Riya Shah. The proposition has some drawbacks; for example, California may not be able to afford this proposition as the state is already in $400 billion of financial debt, and these bonds would be a $500 billion commitment. Proposition 58 will authorize school districts to establish dual–language immersion programs and will require proper instruction to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and effectively as possible. This proposition aims to repeal Proposition 227 of 1998, which restricts English-teaching instructional methods in schools, by removing bureaucratic obstacles so that the most up-to-date teaching methods can be implemented. “If you’re a student who is from a different country and doesn’t know English very well, like if you’re in ELD, then bilingual classes might work for you,” said senior Anna Chi. This proposition will also allow schools to teach in other languages and expand multilingual education. Students will be able to learn from teachers that speak both English

and their native language. Multilingual teaching methods are also used in core classes like mathematics and science instead of in just one specialized language class a day, allowing students to learn a second language. “I believe [bilingual classes are] important because some of our student population is [deficient in] English so [they] do need help and only our English classes are held to accommodate them,” said senior Kavi Ravuri. Furthermore, the proposition may not prove to be as fruitful as previously thought as the practice of bilingual education has not proven to be extremely successful. Before Proposition 227 was passed in 1998, many Latino students did not learn how to read, write or speak English fluently. According to San Diego county Senator Joel Anderson and Bakersfield Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, with Proposition 227 children “are learning English faster than when they were forced into ‘bilingual programs’ that dragged on for years”. Also, students would not be learning as much English since their classes will be taught in only Spanish instead of being taught in both languages, obstructing the purpose of the proposition: to ensure that students learn English as efficiently as possible.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY DIVYA NELAKONDA

USED WITH PERMISSION OF JEFF MOE

Signs for change across the state

A moment with Moe BY MEERA BALAJI

eff Moe is the current vice president of the FUHSD School Board and is running for his second term. He is one of two current members who are up for reelection and is running against Roy Rocklin and Jenny Yuan.

MB: What do you believe makes FUHSD a good school district? JM: Education is really important, and I think it is critically important to push for our kids to have a great education. I think we’re really lucky to live in a community that values education. MB: What do you plan to do if you are elected for a second term? JM: I want to spend more time in the community and spend more time on communicating with the community. There is a lot of communication we have to work on, and there will always be some people who say that they were not listened to. MB: What is your message to voters? JM: Throughout the last four years, I have read thousands of pages of material and have met with hundreds of people. I have gone to a lot of different events and have asked hundreds of questions, so I have acquired a lot of knowledge. I am going to ask the voters to consider that experience as a real value. The election will be held on Nov. 8, and those who have already registered to vote will be able to cast their ballot.

Bringing unity to the community BY PATRICIA WEI

Letter from the Editors Dear readers, Welcome to our second issue of the year. Turn to the news section to learn about how students connected on Unity Day (pg. 2) and about the clown phenomenon (pg. 3). Read an opinionated story on the changes regarding voting age (pg. 4) and on the rising price of Epipens (pg. 5). Check out the features section to delve into the behind-the-scenes action that takes place in drama’s tech crew (pg. 7) and read about a new app built by Lynbrook students (pg. 8). In in-depth, continue reading our front page story on xenophobia and learn about how it affects both social and political climates (pg. 11). Keep up with Lynbrook athletics in the sports section with a recap of the varsity boys’ water polo team’s successful season (pg. 13), and find out how music affects athletic performance (pg. 14). From coverage of national news tosports articles recapping recent games, there is something in this issue for everyone. We hope you enjoy! Stay warm, Shreyas Iyer and Jessica Luo

ynbrook students participated in Unity Day on Oct. 19 by wearing orange to advocate against bullying and to promote a safe and supportive community. As October is National Bullying Prevention Month (NBPM), staff and students were encouraged to focus on positivity during the event. The goal of Unity Day was to bring awareness to students’ emotional health issues and to show students that they have support in dealing with their issues. “‘Unity Day’ is about saying you and me may be different and have different beliefs, but we’re part of Lynbrook, and we want to be positive forces for Lynbrook,” said Assistant Principal of School Climate Eric Wong. Participation in NBPM is a district-wide response to recent instances of anti-semitic cyberbullying involving students from Fremont and Homestead High Schools.

“I think it’s really important to understand that the bullying that occurred at Fremont and Homestead can happen anywhere,” said Wong. Activities to raise awareness, such as Unity Day, have been organized by the Lynbrook administration and the Challenge Success team, a student group that works to reduce stress at Lynbrook and help create a community in which all students feel welcome. “One of my friends is currently going through a hard time with bullying, and she may feel like the whole world is stacked against her,” said senior Eileen Mao, a member of the Challenge Success team. “Knowing this, I wanted a big part of the [NBPM] to show those who may be feeling down that there are many students who are willing to help and support them.” The administration and the Challenge Success team realize that many Lynbrook students face academic pressure and hope to

WILLIAM GUO – EPIC

alleviate that pressure by giving support. “I feel that a lot of people think that every student at Lynbrook has a 4.0 GPA and is a great test-taker, but that’s not always the case,” said senior Justine Iwata, a Challenge Success team member. “Sharing that it’s okay to not always feel smart is important.” In addition to Unity Day, some teachers did a chain-link activity with their classes. On orange slips of paper, students wrote down their experiences with bullying and linked the slips together to form chains. “I think [NBPM] really raised awareness,” said sophomore Yajur Jadcherla. “A lot of people are bullied, and a lot of people are too afraid to report it. Bullying shouldn’t be allowed in the first place, but it still happens.” The Challenge Success team and Lynbrook administration hope to bring to light the effects of bullying and to continue create discussions to create a more positive and supportive community.

WILLIAM GUO – EPIC

USED WITH PERMISSION OF TREVOR AQUINO

WILLIAM GUO – EPIC

Clown phenomenon causes a stir BY DIVYA NELAKONDA

News in Brief

Jeans for Troops Day Remember to wear jeans and donate money to Lynbrook’s drive to support our troops on Monday, Nov. 7. Drama Performance This year’s Drama show opens on Friday, Nov. 18 in Studio 74. There are also two shows on Saturday, Nov. 19; one in the afternoon, and one at night. Be sure to buy your tickets before they sell out.

Valks’ Winter Performance This year, the Valkyries’ Winter Show is on Friday, Nov. 4 from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Come out tomorrow to support them! LIMB Holiday Craft Faire Come out to Lynbrook Music Instrumental Booster’s (LIMB) annual Holiday Craft Faire on Saturday, Nov. 19 to buy amazing handmade items.

Veteran’s Day Parade Head to Cesar Chavez Park on Friday, Nov. 11 to honor the brave veterans that serve our country in the Veterans Day Parade, celebrating the 97th anniversary of Armistice day. The parade begins at Cesar Chavez park and continues to Market Street, ending at San Carlos Street. Admission is free, so don’t miss out! by Mehek Kapur

n Oct. 7, principal Maria Jackson sent out an email regarding the recent clowning phenomenon, where people harass and scare people while disguised as clowns. Jackson dioscouraged students using social media to promote the behavior and students have been banned from sporting anything resembling that of clowns. The first incident of clowning was reported in August 2016, in South Carolina. Two clowns were spotted luring a young boy into the woods, but it was seen as nothing more than a strange, one-time occurrence. Within weeks, however, clown sightings were circulating the internet, and clowns were reportedly spotted in various locations all over the U.S. Clowning, mainly targeting children and teens, has spread across America and has become an international issue, with sightings in Canada, the U.K. and Australia. There has been one death linked to clowning in Pennsylvania, as well as several arrests. Students from universities such as Penn State have even set out on clown hunts, where mobs of students armed with tennis racquets, bats and hockey sticks go hunting for clowns near their school. In an effort to counter the sales of clown costumes and reduce the promotion of clowning, Target has pulled clown masks from its inventory, and McDonald’s has stopped using their mascot, Ronald McDonald, for the time being. Concerns over the increase in sightings has caused police departments and school administrations to issue messages clarifying the situation and establishing rules for members in their communities to diminish local fear. Clown sightings are fairly common in Southern California, many of which involve

knives and firearms. These weapons, however, have not been used violently and appear to be a scare tactic. In Northern California, most clown sightings affect schools, as school districts in Oakland and Fairfield have been threatened via anonymous social media

posts. These posts have gone viral and have resulted in schools in Northern California receiving similar threatening messages. “My understanding is that in Fremont and/or Homestead, there were some students who received an email or social media post from a clown inviting them to a party,” said Assistant Principal of School Climate and Facilities Eric Wong. “Student safety is a big concern. If it goes the route that it has gone in other areas, then there is worry that people will make bad decisions.” Many schools have sent out emails in-

forming students and parents of the actions taken and the guidelines set for students in order to prevent any sort of violence related to clowning. Many have banned clown costumes and the promotion of clowning on social media. Several schools, including some in Ohio, have experienced more dramatic incidents, resulting in a school-wide lockdown or temporary closure. Some students have become fearful to leave their homes until this phenomenon passes. Students at a Houston school were sent a post from clowns claiming that they would be kidnapping students and killing teachers at the school. In Georgia, a girl was arrested for bringing a knife to school, which she claimed she brought to defend herself against clowns. Students at Lynbrook admit that while they do not believe that there will be clowns at school, there is still fear. “Parents have become more worried about their children’s safety,” said sophomore Alicia Wu. “For example, I have a friend whose parents wouldn’t let her brother go trick-or-treating because of these clown sightings. Even if the likelihood of seeing a clown is low, people are still fearful.” As this phenomenon continues to grow, safety is a growing concern. What once seemed to be a small prank is now affecting communities across the nation. “We encourage the public not to fear the clown phenomenon, but to remain vigilant in reporting all suspicious activity observed in the general community to local authorities,” said Sergeant Rich Glennon from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. “Law enforcement across the nation is working diligently to find those accountable for the fear and disruptions caused by these iwrresponsible individuals.”

Approve proposition to lower voting age BY ESHANI MEHTA

n 2014, only 31 percent of eligible voters in California voted. Low voter turnout is a trend that has been increasingly notice`able throughout the U.S, especially compared to other developed countries, where rates are as high as 87 percent. To try and remedy the lack of voters, San Francisco residents will be voting on Proposition F, a ballot measure to lower the voting age for city and municipal elections to 16, on Nov. 8. If passed, the board hopes that the proposal will increase voter turnout rates by demystifying the process of voting for students, which could make them habitual voters. Lowering the voting age also provides several other benefits that include involving teenagers more in their communities, allowing them to bring their unique perspective to politics and encouraging politicians to represent their interests. “It’s fairly frustrating to be a minor in this nation who has strong feelings about political affairs or any sort of affairs because there aren’t opportunities for us to express these beliefs,” said junior Sultaan Ahmad. “I think we should have the ability to have volunteer opportunities open to us, because it helps us gain that experience that is necessary for good voting maturity and decisions.” On May 3, 2016, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to place the issue of expanding voting rights to 16 and 17-yearolds in municipal, county and school elections on the ballot. Proposition F would follow the example of a similar law implemented in Takoma Park, MD. in November 2013. While the overall voter turnout rate there was 11 percent, data from the po-

litical publication Governing shows that 44 percent of eligible 16 and 17 year-olds voted in the city election. This shows that when given the opportunity, 16 and 17-year-olds can vote at greater rates than older voters, eliminating the concern for teenagers being uninterested in city issues. “If teenagers feel that they are informed well enough and they would like to help make a change and vote, then they should be able to,” said junior Richard Wang. “Those teenagers will be given the opportunity to express their opinions and engage in political conversation with their peers.” A 2002 study published in The American Political Science Review found that voting is habitual and that once someone casts their first vote, they are likely to continue voting. Another study published in the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties found that the earlier someone starts voting, the more likely they are to be a lifelong voter. This indicates that by lowering the voting age to 16, cities

can not only increase voter turnout in the short-term but also in the long-term. “This would definitely increase voter turnout, because right now young people’s turnout is the lowest, but I think if you start voting at 16, people will be able to habitually vote,” said junior Tiffany Hsia. “This is important because people should be able to have a voice in issues that concern them.” As 16 and 17-year-olds can work without hour limitations, pay taxes, drive cars and be tried in adult courts, just like anyone over 18 can, they deserve a say in how government is run. “One of the things that should be considered is the fact that some of the strongest issues that face 18-24 year olds are things like college tuition and even being drafted,” said Government and Politics teacher Jeffrey Bale. “Those issues are decided before they’re ever allowed to vote. Maybe if you had a few more years of runup as a teenager, and they see that they can vote on issues that impact them, perhaps that would encourage them to stay involved and feel like they had more of a say.” A major concern regarding a lower voting age is that teenagers are not knowledgeable enough to understand the issues that they are voting for or against. A 2011 study published in the American Academy of Political and Social Science found, however, that the political knowledge of 16-year-olds is nearly the same as that of 21-year-olds and is close

to the average of all adults. By increasing civic education in classrooms, young people will be more informed on local municipal issues and, as a result, will be able to form their own opinions on these issues. “Pretty much every survey and study that goes out about voter’s knowledge shows that a vast percentage of Americans have no idea what’s going on about the day to day actions of politics,” said Bale. “I don’t think the gap in knowledge is nearly what people assume it would be. If adults are showing inability to understand basic concepts, then why hold back young people.” Lowering the voting age can also have a “trickle up” effect on voter turnout; when teenagers engage in civics, conversations about politics become more common at home, increasing voter turnout for parents and family members of all ages. “Lowering the voting age could help in how a teenager might be able to influence their parents, and thus increase adult turnout,” said Wang. “If the teenager is interested in politics and chooses to have an influence on their city, their parents might also feel the need to do the same.” Whether or not Proposition F is passed, the rest of the nation should be encouraged to try and implement a lower voting age in order to involve teenagers in politics more and cause an increase in overall voter turnout.

vile than his offhanded comments and gestures. Almost all of the statements Trump makes are deplorable. He calls women (including his daughter) “pieces of a--,” supporters who beat up a homeless Latino man “passionate,” and the democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, “a nasty woman” during the third presidential debate. This is much more than just a huge faux pas. Trump undermines women in every setting possible and judges their worth solely on their physical appearance, not even considering their intelligence or value to society. Yet even in the midst of all criticism, Trump continually defends his comments and believes that they are permissible in a professional and international setting. His most recent scandal included a recorded conversation in which Trump vulgarly spoke about his experiences groping, assaulting and seducing married women. The most infamous phrase that came out from this, “grab them by the p***y,” has been justified simply as “locker room talk” by Trump. Talking about your non-consensual

sexual actions with women is not “locker room talk.” There is no way that any of these comments should be permissible by anyone anywhere, much less a presidential nominee. A presidential nominee sets the tone of discussions in this country, and even the slightest implication that objectifying women is justifiable can embolden sexual predators. Quite frankly, I don’t know who I’m more disappointed in, the chauvinist who somehow managed to become the Republican presidential nominee, or the American citizens who truly believe that he would make a good president. Trump often states that “no one has more respect for women than [I do].” Someone who has been accused of raping or sexually assaulting over 11 women has no respect for women. Someone who believes that women shouldn’t have the right to feminine health care has no respect for women. Someone whose supporters start a movement to repeal the 19th amendment has no respect for women. Time and time again, Trump’s words and actions have set female progress behind,

spewing dangerous and unfair ideas of a woman’s worth. Women have fought so hard and long for certain basic rights, like the right to abortions, the right to vote and the right to not be groped by strange men. We still don’t have an equal status in society, but electing Trump is like taking all of our hope, putting it inside a cannon and firing it deep into the ground. If Trump were to become Commanderin-Chief, his words would reflect the ideals of the American people to all other national governments. As an American citizen, I don’t believe that sexually harassing women and promoting hate speech are actions that properly reflect American values in any way. Our country prides itself on its tolerance and equality, but voices its support for him within the same breath. His constant onslaught of intolerance has ignited the sparks of hatred within the citizens of our country. By all indications, America has become a greater nation than it once was in all aspects, and it will continue to progress, as long as its people choose not to elect Trump for president.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY HARSH JAIN AND NANDA PANDIAN

MEERA BALAJI//IN MY OPINION

Misogynistic Trump

ince July 2015, this country has seen politics at its ugliest, with the rise of a certain Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Trump isn’t your typical presidential candidate, considering his lack of respect for women, the numerous allegations of sexual assault against him and the fact that he’ll be facing child rape charges in court. Trump’s attitude toward women is leaps and bounds past creepy; there is almost nothing more

EpiPen price spike jeopardizes lives BY HSIN YEN HUANG

ylan, the company that markets and distributes EpiPens, has increased product prices from $100 in 2009 to $600 in 2016, causing public outcry from consumers worried about being unable to afford this life-saving medication. EpiPens are auto-injectors that contain adrenaline, a hormone that helps relax muscles and repress common symptoms of severe allergic reactions by reducing swelling and opening airways. Although Mylan’s choice to raise EpiPen prices may simply appear to be a company trying to maximize earnings, its decision to prioritize profit over public health cannot be overlooked, as the price hike welcomes a variety of issues such as abusive medication pricing and patient exploitation. EpiPens are exclusively manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Mylan, which was able to raise the EpiPen price because there is nearly zero competition in this market. Adrenaclick, the only other injector available for purchase, is slightly cheaper but less convenient to use, due to the fact that most consumers are already familiar with the EpiPen. After protests from both patients and Congress, the company has taken steps to address the issue, creating a savings card that allows consumers with commercial insurance to obtain EpiPens for free. Mylan has also donated 700,000 EpiPens to schools nationwide. Coupons have also helped to lower the price, but patients still need to pay a copay in order to receive an EpiPen. Despite making discounts available, Mylan still refuses to address the root cause of the pricing issue. For those suffering from severe allergic reactions, the

EpiPen is a product of utmost necessity. The health, by hiking up the prices they are savings card does not help people who can- exemplifying the gap between the rich not afford insurance or those who rely on and the poor, making it so that they’re government aid, which constitutes around basically saying that only rich people 20 percent of EpiPen buyers. These people have a right to their lives and their are the ones who are most at-risk and cannot safety,” said junior Raksha Narasimhan. scrape together enough money to purchase “People would always be living in fear because they have EpiPens, regardless to spend that much of the discounts and money just on savings Mylan is prosomething so basic viding. The generic and necessary for EpiPen essentially their lives.” puts Mylan in comIncreases in petition with itself drug prices highand even sells for light a pressing triple the amount issue in the status the branded EpiPen quo: patient exwas worth in 2007. Additionally, Mylan’s RAKSHA NARASIMHAN ploitation. Mylan solution still does JUNIOR and other drug companies are not change the base viewing consumprice of the product, meaning that people who are not able to ac- ers as pawns who can be mistreated in cess to the company’s various programs will order to generate more money rather still have to pay around $600 for a pack of than people whom they have an obligation to serve. two EpiPens. “The goal of people in the medical “The wealthy will be the only ones that get taken care of, which will lead to more issues field should be to help people, but it is for the lower classes later on,” said health turning into something where they just clerk and athletic trainer Megan Gwozdecke. want to make a profit out of people,” “People who need the medication don’t al- said Narasimhan. “They see people as objects they can get money out of and ways make the most money.” The price increase reinforces the idea that not worth saving, which is reflected in wealth is a deciding factor in whether or not the price hikes, since they don’t care someone can live a healthy life. This is es- about people’s lives, but rather the monpecially true in the case of the EpiPen, since ey they can make.” Although many companies in oththose who need one are put in a life or death situation during an emergency. Mylan’s mar- er markets employ the tactic of raisketing tactics are pushing desperate con- ing prices to bring in more earnings, sumers to other dangerous methods such Mylan’s action of pushing a necessary as using expired EpiPens or purchasing epi- item financially out of reach for many nephrine and filling syringes with it, both of individuals for the sake of company gain is inexcusable, as profit should never be which doctors advise against. “With something as necessary as public valued over health.

“Hiking up prices exemplifies the gap between the rich and the poor; they’re basically saying that only rich people have a right to their lives and safety.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY OPINION SECTION

JESSICA LI//IN MY OPINION

Stop stereotyping Asians in the media

s I was scrolling aimlessly through Facebook one day, angry rants on Fox News’ offensive Chinatown segment came up in my feed, and my interest was immediately piqued. Since Asians are not typically present in the news or in the media, I was curious as to what was going on. On Oct. 3, Fox news correspondent Jesse Watters released a Watters’ World segment, interviewing residents of New York’s Chinatown about their views on Donald Trump. Throughout the segment, Watters repeatedly mocked the interviewees’ accents and brought up several common Asian stereotypes, attempting jokes ranging from Chinese food to the zodiac, causing wide backlash throughout the Asian American community. When I was in elementary school, I never paid much attention to a person’s physical appearance. From ethnicity and facial features to fashion and hair styles, everyone looked just about the same to me. Instead, I judged people according to their levels of four inner qualities: smartness, funniness, niceness and talent. However, as time went by, it became increasingly apparent that a person’s outer appearance greatly mattered as well. I realized that one’s clothes, weight and ethnicity were all among the characteristics that a person would be judged by at first sight. As a result, in fifth grade, I decided to drastically change my fashion, borrowing my sister’s “cool” Hollister and Abercrombie jackets and buying five pairs of jeans. Still, the one aspect of my appearance that I could not change was my ethnicity. Growing up surrounded by people of Asian ethnicities, I was so familiar with a large Chinese population that I always thought it was remarkable to be mixed or of a different ethnicity. Nonetheless, no matter how many times I tried to convince myself that I was secretly Hawaiian or maybe in the slightest bit Caucasian, I was undoubtedly fully Chinese and would have that as a part of my identity for the rest of my life. Reading through people’s enraged responses to Watters’ segment, I realized the ubiquitous problem in our society is that we are, for some reason, led to believe in the “race hierarchy” and the stereotypes that are attached to each race. When the subject of race came up in my family a few years ago, my dad described a “race hierarchy,” in which Caucasians are at the top, Asians and Indians in the middle, and African Americans, along with other minorities, at the bottom. Everyday, we inadvertently apply this biased “race hierarchy” to our lives and stereotype and judge people, as did Watters in this segment. Watters acts as if he is superior to the interviewees in his segment and he chooses to poke fun at their behaviors and the common stereotypes applied to Chinese people over focusing on the true content: their opinion of Donald Trump. In the process, he not only inaccurately demonstrates aspects of Chinese culture, but also repeatedly mocked them. As I watched the video, I immediately empathized with the many Asians who were enraged at this segment. Nevertheless, as much as we believe in this “race hierarchy,” race does not define the differences between us. Despite differing in skin tones, everyone has an equal capability of being smart, funny, nice and talented. No one race is completely and inherently superior to others, and at the end of the day, we’re all human beings with our own unique traits.

Working in the Silicon Valley does not guarantee success BY SADHANA SARMA

n an attempt to preserve the image that his company was on its way to success, Isaac Choi, founder of the technology start-up WrkRiot, forged wire transfer documents to make it look like his employees were being paid. Choi travelled west in 2015 to found a company in the Silicon Valley, where he believed success was guaranteed. He promised his employees that the Silicon Valley dream, meaning the company would reach success rivaling that of companies such as Facebook and Apple. When things turned south for the company, however, he took drastic measures to try to cover it up. His plan shattered when the company lost $700,000 in just 10 months, then tried to regain that money by borrowing loans from employees, eventually losing all but 10 employees. To this day, Choi is still in the process of recovering from his loss. Choi founded his company with the mindset that he would find success without difficulty, simply because he chose to locate it in Silicon Valley. His mindset led to the demise of his company, and now WrkRiot’s story is now being called one of the ugliest start-up stories ever heard by multiple tech blogs. While the Silicon Valley is associated with success for technology companies because of its famed companies, the reality is that it is comprised primarily of failed startups. Aspiring entrepreneurs must first recognize the difficulties that will come with starting a company regardless of its location to attain success. “[Starting a company] seems very idealistic,” said senior Kushal Tirumala. “It seems that anyone can start a start-up and become successful. It’s the dream, but that’s not the reality.” Before starting a company, entrepreneurs should come up with a plan to combat any potential obstacles. If preparations are made beforehand, there will be less of a chance for the company to end in shambles, like Choi’s, and more chance for success. Phil Peterson, father of sophomore Claire Peterson and the former founder of a tech start-up, began his company with the knowledge that obstacles would stand in his way. His company, Context Engines, was created with

a vision to build software that would organize all of a person’s documents in one location. He had an experienced team with him, but they still proceeded with caution. Peterson had the option of starting the company by investing all of his own money, but his team opted not to, knowing that it would be a risky decision. “My partners and I, after discussing it, decided that we didn’t want to do that,” said Peterson. “If we couldn’t find third party investors, venture capitalists, to invest their firms’ money, then we just weren’t going to pursue the product, and we wo u l d

all just go pursue something else.” Though Peterson’s company wasn’t successful, he and his partners’ decision to proceed only with third party funding saved them from going bankrupt. Context Engines is an example of a company that could’ve caused trouble for the founders, but with the careful mentality that they had going into the start-up, the founders were able to walk away unharmed. Context Engines also demonstrates that there is no such thing as success without difficulty. Success is not natural or guaranteed, even in the Silicon Valley. “We started it here,” said

Peterson. “My partners and I are all experienced Silicon Valley people, in engineering and marketing, and still in spite of being here, and knowing a lot of people who are venture capital investors, we still weren’t successful in getting the company started.” With a planned strategy and the right mentality, however, success is possible. Tirumala, who interned for two startups in the summer before sophomore year and another start-up in the summer before junior year, was inspired to start a company of his own at MIT Launch, a summer camp for entrepreneurs. “I felt kind of like a drone,” said Tirumala. “They were just giving me assignments and I was just coding, and I had a few ideas that I wanted to pursue, and I thought it would be exciting and fun, so I applied to Launch and they helped me launch my company with three others.” His company, Quill, built an app capable of recognizing text through pictures and summarizing it, serving as a helpful studying tool for students. “Our plans are to look for a round of investment,” said Tirumala. “If that doesn’t work out then we’ll probably release it on the app store, hope people use it and try to make it better as time progresses.” Senior Adhiv Dhar’s company, Action, in partnership with seniors Matthew Sotoudeh and William Shan created a Google Chrome extension to make taking meeting minutes easier with. After deliberation, however, they dropped the company because they found that the niche was too small. With this experience, Dhar was then able to attend MIT Launch, where he started a company called Self Check that created an iOS application to help those with skin conditions track abnormalities. As he looks to the future, Dhar is sure of his desire to continue to be involved with entrepreneurship. “I’m definitely looking to go to a college that has a very strong start-up and hacking culture,” said Dhar. “I can definitely see myself joining a young startup or starting my own company at some point and just trying to grow it and help solve problems.” Rising entrepreneurs like Tirumala and Dhar should continue to strive for success, using WrkRiot’s story as a cautionary tale. Success is possible; however, they should only expect to prevail with the right approach and mindset.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY

Bringing the community together through imitating Challenge Day

ver the past few years, Lynbrook has promoted positive messages in order to combat bullying, stress and other mental health problems on campus through events such as Challenge Day, Michael Pritchard’s speech and the recent Unity Day. Although Challenge Day has been discontinued, Lynbrook should involve the community to increase the effectiveness of these messages, as the Challenge Day did. The creation of a committee consisting of the school and community members would facilitate the adoption of similar goals. Jamieko Gruenloh, current wellness counselor at Hillsdale High School and former student advocate of Lynbrook, helped run the first Challenge Day in October 2014 and coordinated all other Challenge Days. “My goal was for there to be more intermingling between students for them to let down their guard so they could experience being a teenager,” said Gruenloh. “A big part of these mental health experiences is to not feel pressured and to help people understand that life is about more than just the SATs.” Challenge Day was unique in that it helped students become more compassionate by having them share their experiences

Staff Editorial The Voice of the Epic with community members, such as teach- ence have that big of an impact to that big of ers and parents, as well as other students. a group is how to make change.” Lynbrook is unable to support Challenge These activities, organized by the national Challenge Day organization, are geared to- Day due to factors such as poor student atward students’ struggles at school and also tendance, teacher and student time commitments and overall include parents and the costs. The event is also community to increase expected to guarantee the reach of the Day, a the Challenge Day orvital step in order to ganization a number of increase awareness of students that prefermental health. ably have not yet experi“Challenge Day realenced a Day. ly opened my eyes,” said “We just couldn’t Gruenloh. “I’ve been a get student traction bemental health therapist for nine years, and it alJAMIEKO GRUENLOH cause just as teachers lowed me to see things FORMER STUDENT ADVOCATE don’t like to miss class, students don’t like to that I would never see. I miss class,” said Assiswatched kids reach out to each other, and [saw] teachers let down tant Principal of Guidance Kathleen Sullivan. The idea behind Challenge Day is noble, their guard and be a support to students. It gave me hope, because to watch this experi- and it does a good job of involving the com-

“IT GAVE ME HOPE, BECAUSE TO WATCH THIS EXPERIENCE HAVE THAT BIG OF AN IMPACT TO THAT BIG OF A GROUP IS HOW TO MAKE CHANGE. ”

munity. Local outreach helps spread the cause that Challenge Day embodies and make progress toward creating something more lasting. “The principal, the teachers, the [staff], the parents, everyone really, makes a difference and helps teenagers understand that the community isn’t only made up of teenagers,” said Gruenloh. “When we’re trying to change a culture, which was what Challenge Day was trying to do, you need to involve everyone who’s involved in this culture.” Through Challenge Day and Gruenloh’s efforts, Lynbrook has gained a template for holding events that target issues on campus. Reaching out to parents, teachers and the community allows students to receive much needed support. In order to better identify with others and utilize Lynbrook’s efforts, connecting students, teachers and parents through a committee that focuses specifically on improving mental health will be essential. Even though the actual Challenge Day may no longer occur at Lynbrook, future efforts to tackle mental health, bullying, stress and other pressing issues must involve the community so that the desired support for mental health can be achieved.

Drama tech takes the stage BY PATRICIA WEI

ith the exception of the brightly lit stage, Lynbrook’s theater, Studio 74, remains dark yet full of activity. In the darkness, junior and stage manager Lucy Euler notifies the cast and crew of Studio 74’s fall production, “The Odd Couple,” to find their places for start of the show. The stage crew finds their spots in the backstage area, ready to help with the show. On her headset, senior and assistant director Talya Gilboa cues the lighting and sound technicians in the tech booth, a small room at the side of the theater. These backstage actors are the technical crew, or “techies,” who, although away from the spotlight, play an essential role in the show. “There’s a lot happening behind the scenes that audiences can’t see,” said sophomore Aditya Venkatesh, a sound technician. “Actors, stagehands, directors and tech are all important pieces of the show. You can’t have a show without all of them.”

Weeks before opening night, techni- efforts and eager to share their produccal crew builds and decorates the set tion with audiences. using wood and paint. Before rehears“Once the show comes together, als and shows, they make sure that ev- it’s really exciting to present a whole ery set piece, prop and month’s work to an aulight is placed properly. dience,” said Chang. During the play, they Senior Talya Gilboa, help actors change into “I love being a techie the assistant director, is costumes, carry out essential figure because I’ve had the another light and sound cues of the technical crew, chance to meet amazing directing action in the and move set pieces for people and witness SO tech booth. She follows scene changes. After a rehearsal or show, the MANY amazing moments the script closely to crew sweeps the stage onstage and behind the call cues for sound and and cleans props. lighting effects. scenes.” “There are so many “I work as a liaison challenges in theatre,” between the director, LUCY EULER said Euler. “We can reactors and tech, and I JUNIOR hearse as many times sometimes help run reas we want, but when hearsals,” said Gilboa. we perform in front of “It’s a fun way to be inan audience,we can’t redo anything. One volved with what I’m passionate about.” of the hardest things is learning how to Euler and Gilboa note that there is a just roll with it and accepting whatever big emphasis on team-bonding in thehappens, because the show must go on.” atre. Students in the show participate in Assistant stage manager, senior Tif- unique traditions, such as “secret star,” fany Chang, notes that such challenges in which cast and crew members exmake students appreciate each other’s change gifts on each night of the show.

Before taking their places to start the show, the technical crew lines up to hug every actor and say “break a leg.” “It’s very comfortable and a good way to make friends and appreciate each other,” said senior Lior Pearl, a lighting technician who hopes to continue with theatre as a career. Through rehearsals and immersion into theatre, the technical crew forms a tight-knit bond. “I love being a techie because I’ve had the chance to witness amazing moments onstage and behind the scenes,” said Euler. “Working on a show means spending dozens and dozens of hours with people you might not have otherwise met, and getting the opportunity to make friends with talented, charismatic and caring people.” When watching “The Odd Couple” on Nov. 17, 18 and 19, the audience may not be able to see the technical crew, but will definitely take note of their hard work: a polished set, stellar lighting, quality sound design and smooth scene changes.

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

Marvel’s Luke Cage comic comes to life on Netflix BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY

arvel’s latest addition to its interconnected Netflix superhero series, Luke Cage, packed a punch when all 13 episodes premiered on Sept. 30. With Mike Colter reprising his role as titular character Luke Cage, the show delves into the present-day streets of Harlem in the midst of superhumans and extraterrestrial beings to tell a story about an indestructible pacifist. Following fellow Marvel series Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Luke Cage references certain events of the previous two shows but can be watched on its own. The show stays consistent with the dark and gritty tone of Marvel’s Netflix series and is geared toward audiences who enjoy thrillers. Because the series is so action oriented, however, there are some areas where the plot may be hard to follow. In a world of superheroes and super powers, the show manages to stay grounded in reality and doesn’t get lost in special effects or abilities. Instead, it focuses on a man’s quest for revenge against a corrupt politician and her associate crime boss. Primary antagonists Cottonmouth and Mariah Dillard,

played by Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard, want to take over Harlem through politics and power while Cage tries to save it. Cage’s role in the series is similar to his comic book personality--his reluctance for violence is evident in the slow beginning, and his dislike for the spotlight keeps him away from attention as the plot subsequently focuses more on the antagonists. At around a quarter of the way through the season, however, the show begins to pick up the pace and completely immerses the audience. Although the story has a modern setting, the music and style resemble the time period of the original Luke Cage comics during the Harlem Renaissance. The 1920’s music sets the tone perfectly, tying every aspect of the story into the city itself and its culture. The show finds a way to make the hard streets of Harlem seem like home and is predominantly influenced by African-American culture, with references to Harlem rappers and leaders from Biggie Smalls to Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. The originally composed Afrocentric and rap-infused music is a new style for Marvel, but manages to capture the Harlem Renaissance even in a modern setting.

The cast is filled with extremely skilled actors, and every character adds a significant aspect to the plot. Because the show has to portray the sides of several main characters, it sometimes digresses into a side story or subplot which takes away from the immediate action but ends up connecting to the plot later on. The series is meant to be binge-watched so it does little to refresh upon previous minor details which may have been forgotten from previous sittings. This quality of the show forces the series to become a 13hour long movie, but it is extremely captivating nonetheless. For those who enjoy the darker side of Marvel, Luke Cage is a must-watch.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN

Clubs organize with new Squad app BY JUSTINE CHEN

Party problems

both highly experienced in coding and app development, formatting and designing the app proved to be a challenge. “Designing was hard because both of us don’t have any experience with design,”said Sreeram. “We kept changing the designs and there’s also a lot of parts to it like the QR codes and scanning.” The application has already been downloaded and is being used by several different Lynbrook clubs, including FBLA and Build. Sreeram and Ravikumar hope to expand and improve the application to include more features and have more clubs sign up. “We’re not sure where it’s going to go,” said Sreeram. “But for the time being, we hope it’ll benefit students.”

PHOTO AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTINE CHEN

iwali was just a few days ago, and many Indian families had a get together (or straight up PARTY) to celebrate the annual holiday. At times, large Indian parties can be pretty hard to come by as they are reserved for special occasions, but small to medium sized get-togethers happen basically every weekend. When motivated, Indians find any reason to party. Promotion at work? Party. Kid’s birthday? Party for the parents. Saturn aligned with the seventh star to the right of Neptune and parallel to Mercury while a cow sneezes? Party. Just make some food, call guests over and watch the magic unfold. There are three main groups of people at these parties: The Uncles, The Aunties and The Kids. The Uncles immediately establish themselves in the living room or wherever all the seats are. Uncles are just a group of dads or any man old enough to have a job. Their conversations usually pertain to misunderstood politics, cricket and their jobs. If the party is particularly turnt you may also witness a “Drunkle” (Drunk Uncle) emerge among the crowd. The Aunties are generally located by the kitchen or dining area and are basically the female Uncles. They engage in the typical gossip as they prepare the food. If the Aunties happen to have children, this section becomes a pissing contest about whose kid has accomplished the most since the last time the Aunties met. Because of their close proximity to food, the Aunties’ territory becomes a watering hole for the kids to come and sustain themselves. However, the watering hole has dangers lurking around every corner. An Aunty could grab you by the arm and ask you for your SAT score even though they had probably already asked you at the last party. In an attempt to avoid coming back, the kids stock up on as much food as they can and return to their sections of the house. After the food has been served, Aunties tend to argue about who will wash the dishes. The guests will say it is they who should repay the hospitality of the host by washing the dishes and the host will say that it is her responsibility to tend to the guests. The washing of the dishes signifies the halfway mark of the party. It should typically be near the end of the event, but once someone starts saying goodbye, they find themselves in another conversation and will not be leaving anytime soon. The Kids includes children of ages two through 20. After the entertainment and food hotspots have been taken over the by The Uncles and The Aunties respectively, The Kids are forced to reside in any open room. The little kids play a loud and dangerous game of indoor tag, which usually ends when one kid gets hurt and the parents have to step in. The older kids typically pile themselves in a room that has a working lock and isolate themselves from the rest of the party, only leaving the spacious confines of their smartphones to get food. Leaving the room has several disadvantages: one being the aforementioned Aunty watering hole trap. The other occurs when one passes through The Uncle zone and is forced by them to perform in an impromptu Carnatic music talent show. Either way, the kids have to find a way to avoid being called upon by The Aunties and Uncles. The party usually ends when a wave of yawning spreads across the party and an Uncle has crashed on the couch. Everyone finds their child, says at least a 10 minute goodbye and finally departs--only to come back because they took the wrong kid.

s a high school student, it can be difficult to keep track of club events on top of school assignments, sports practice, music lessons and other extracurricular activities. Squad, a mobile application developed for iOS and Android by seniors Raghav Sreeram and Kaushik Ravikumar, is designed to organize students’ priorities. The app is catered toward Lynbrook clubs, and its main goal is to decrease the communication gap between club officers and members and to provide a simple and more efficient attendance system. “We found [Squad] was especially needed by larger clubs like FBLA and DECA,” said Sreeram. Students send a request to join a certain club and are certified as club members before being allowed to access club information . Club officers are able to utilize officer mode and access features such as attendance and posting updates. The app’s newsfeed feature also allows members to see club reminders, event notifications and tasks that officers regularly post. “It’s a really great way to mass-send information,” said senior and Build vice president Brian Lin. “They have push notifications which means that when they send the message members will get a reminder and notification from the app.” Squad’s primary selling point is the QR code-based attendance tracker. Officers scan individual members’ codes to automatically give points and view which events they have attended. “The other officers and I thought that it would be a better alternative to the usual method that we use for taking attendance” said sophomore and FBLA secretary Emily Zhang. “The biggest benefit is definitely attendance keeping. We used to use a ticket system that was really tedious. You have to hand out tickets, count them, and record them.” The application was created within a short eight months, as both Sreeram and Ravikumar have expansive experiences with app development. “We finished the app quickly but it was a constant process,” said Ravikumar. “We kept on adding new features and fixing flaws.” Although they ran into a few technical difficulties such as frequent bugs, their main issue revolved around the closing of Parse, their main development program. Parse is a service provider company that offers back-end developer tools and application testing. Sreeram and Ravikumar searched for workarounds before coming across two other database hosters called MongoDB and Heroku. The two services required little change to the previously written code. Additionally, although Sreeram and Ravikumar are

How to appreciate this Thanksgiving BY SADHANA SARMA

ftentimes, we get swept up in the chaos of Thanksgiving and focus more on preparing the perfect dinner than on showing our gratitude. Here are a few tips to make Thanksgiving all about appreciation this year: 1. Write thank-you notes to people you appreciate Go above and beyond in showing your appreciation by writ-

ing thank-you notes for the people who have helped you in any way. Be sure to include your friends, teachers, family and even that one person you always ask for homework help. It may seem daunting to write so many, but don’t stress— a little goes a long way, and people will love your notes no matter how simple they are. A short message highlighting a few things that they’ve done for you and why you appreciate them will be sure to brighten their Thanksgiving. 2. Donate Express your gratitude for what you have by giving to the less fortunate. Involve your family and friends and make it a tradition to donate something to a service of your choice every year.. Donation trucks and centers are easily found. There is even a local donation truck that will come to houses for pick up on dates specified through mailed flyers. 3. Write down a list of what you’re thankful for Use November to make a list of things you’re thankful for throughout the month. It may seem cheesy, but doing this will allow you to appreciate what you have and will also give you time to relax and recuperate from your busy days. Take a little time each week to think of a few things to add to the list. When Thanksgiving comes around, it will be easier for you to come up with

answers to the question “what are you thankful for?” other than the usual reply of food, clothes and shelter. 4. Be a Good Samaritan One of the best ways to show gratitude toward someone who has helped you is to do the same for them. Go out of your way to help others and be on the lookout for opportunities to do so as well. That friend that always helps you with homework might also be struggling with their own homework, and offering to help them will convey the message that you appreciate what t h ey ’ ve done for you in the past. Following this tip is an especially good way to give back to your parents, because helping them will both alleviate some of their workload and express your appreciation for their support.

MICHYLA LIN—EPIC

Find out what you really look for in a smartphone

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY KELSEY LU

Delving into the mind of a dreamer The psychology behind types of dreams and why they occur

unior Arthur Zhang stands at the scene of a train wreck as a dark figure appears behind him. Slowly, the shadow’s walk turns into a run, chasing after Zhang. Just as the silhouette reaches out to grab him, Zhang’s head jerks back slightly and wakes up in the comfort of his bed. Dreams are a cluster of thoughts, images and sensations that take place in a person’s mind during sleep. While not all scientists agree on the precise reason behind dreaming, many of them have explored the different types of dreams and the significant impact they have on people’s lives. “People dream because there is something happening in their lives that their brains are still processing,” said West Valley College psychology professor Brian Oliveira. “Dreams are likely to be driven by issues that are important to the person based on what is happening in the dreamer’s life presently.” Many in the scientific community agree with Oliveira; dreams provide a safe environment to confront emotional discontent that individuals would not feel comfortable facing while awake. In dreams, individuals are given the opportunity to act without the overarching fear of consequences and societal judgement. “In my dreams, everything’s more fluid and even if things don’t make sense, my dream self just goes along with it,” said sophomore Tanvee Joshi. “It helps me accept strange events quicker and to explore different outcomes to a problem I’d be terrified to try

in real life.” Oftentimes, one may look back to one’s dreams and find them unusual; for example, they may be placed in unfamiliar situations in odd settings. These dreams, however, are simply the subconscious’ attempt to convey hidding feelings through pictures that the mind can understand more easily. The subconscious can be compared to a library of memories and past experiences that the individual is rarely aware of. During sleep, the conscious mind is at rest while the subconscious remains wide awake. In dreams, many confusing symbols appear because the subconscious translates past events or unsettled feelings into pictures the dreamer can visually interpret. For example, Zhang’s dream of a train wreck suggests chaos and frustration with his current lifestyle. These dreams, involving worry or concern, enable people to understand that an issue in their waking lives requires attention. Dreams can also repeat themselves with minor changes in theme. These recurring dreams usually indicate an unresolved problem or conflict. Additionally, recurring dreams frequently involve repeating symbols that can have varied meanings. A common symbol is water, and the details of the water, such as whether it is calm or turbulent, provide, for example, information on the levels of stress in one’s life. For students, dreams regarding school and academics are not uncommon. Perfectionists are more likely to have such dreams, as the subconscious may be trying to remind the person to stay alert and learn from the past. “The night before the first day of school,” said Joshi, “I always dream that I forget my s u p -

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN AND PATRICIA WEI

BY ESHANI MEHTA & CHLOE LAI

plies the next day because one year I actually did forget, and it was really embarrassing for me.” Another typical characteristic of dreams is the inability to move. This is a direct result of sleep paralysis, a symptom where muscles become completely paralyzed and unresponsive during vividly detailed dreams. Sleep paralysis is believed to be a built-in measure to protect people from self-damage that could be inflicted while physi-

cally acting out vivid Rapid Eye Movement (REM) dreams. REM sleep is characterized by the rapid intermittent side-to-side movements of the closed eyes. This type of dream can also indicate a lack of control in the waking life. From discovering potential solutions to relaying messages from the subconscious, dreams should not be simply disregarded as meaningless sequences, but rather valued for their importance and insight into an individual’s everyday life.

GRAPHIC ILLLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN

An unforeseeable future with machines

Investigating the prevalence of robots in the workplace

BY NOELA BAE & NANDA PANDIAN

n today’s digital age, people’s lives are becoming increasingly pervaded by advanced technology. While technology aims to help the world become more efficient, a significant and often overlooked repercussion that comes with this progress is the emergence of robots, which have been gradually displacing jobs in several fields of both unskilled and professional labor. As consumers become attached to technological novelty, robots are becoming increasingly prevalent and are beginning to influence the job market. Since robots can perform tasks that humans deem dangerous or are not capable of doing, they have been used more frequently in the workplace. According to Business Insider’s Kathleen Elkins, telemarketers have a 99 percent chance of being replaced by robots since robots, unlike humans, can cold-call 24/7 and remain energetic and lively even when greeted by rude customers. Packaging operators also have a 98 percent chance of becoming automated, as machines are able to produce more accurate and higher quality work in subpar conditions, such as dark and tight spaces. “I think [a robot’s ability to work in more inhumane conditions than people] is a great step forward for mankind,” said senior Daniel Li. “It would be applicable for a lot of different disciplines like rescue operations in which robots can help excavate areas that may have trapped people.” Amazon, a well-known online commerce company, has been utilizing robots ever since it acquired Kiva Systems Inc., a mobile robot manufacturer, to efficiently manage the immense number of worldwide orders it receives. The Kiva robots take goods from shelves and bring them to employees, allowing Amazon to prepare items for shipping more efficiently. As automation continues to advance, white-collar workers are likely to be replaced by robots as well. It may seem rather

far-fetched to believe that jobs that require copious amounts of problem-solving and critical thinking are being automated, yet professional workers are beginning to see that parts of their jobs are being taken over by such machines. Ross is the first ever artificially intelligent attorney, hired by BakerHostetler, one of the biggest law firms in the country. Ross understands clients’ questions, responds to them with backed up citations and even notifies them about recent court decisions that could affect their case. As reported by BusinessInsider, robots like Ross are advantageous for law firms because they are a cheaper alternative to standard human employees. Additionally, because 80 percent of Americans are unable to afford lawyers, automated lawyers, which do not need to be paid, will allow legal services to be more affordable and accessible to all. “With Ross, the scalability of lawyers will increase, providing service

for the many Americans in need of a lawyer,” said Andrew Arruda, the CEO and co-founder of Ross Intelligence. While such scenarios have provoked concerns that robots are taking over the workforce and causing unemployment, it has also been argued that job availability has instead increased with technological advancement. “It is an interesting premise how people conclude robots are taking over jobs but do not look at what jobs replace those [jobs]. You’ll find that while [robots] have decreased jobs in manual labor, they have increased jobs in service and technicians to take care of the robots,” said Stacey Deans Stephens, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Knightscope Inc., a company that sells security robots to Juniper Networks. “We have now engineered people to design and make robots. Same thing with the ATM: everybody thought there would not be

bank jobs after putting in the ATMs, however, there are still bank tellers. More jobs are needed in order to take care of these robots since they are not self-sufficient.” Stephen Hawking, renowned cosmologist and physicist, claims otherwise. Hawking postulates that with artificial intelligence (AI), computers will outperform humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, within the next 100 years. He further asserts that the full development of AI may constitute the end of the human race. Other technologists and scientists besides Hawkings are also worried about the threat that uncontrolled artificial intelligence may pose to humanity. Bill Gates, for example, disclosed his apprehensions toward singularity — the time at which AI will be more advanced than human smarts — in a Reddit Ask me Anything session. Gates implied that in a few decades, AI will be strong enough to be a concern and that people should therefore be more cautious about the matter. According to the Washington Post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, also expressed his concern over the issue by giving $10 million to the Future of Life Institute, a research organization that focuses on keeping AI under control. “I think [robots taking over jobs] is very possible with the current science that people are finding in new robots,” said sophomore Shruti Ranade. “Some negatives [to this situation, however,] are unemployment rates and [the growing] dependency of people on robots. In the long run, [the use of] robots is unpreferable because they do everything for us and make us lazier.” Whether or not humans are fond of the idea, robots are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace, especially in the technology-driven hub of Silicon Valley. Given this rapidly increasing prevalence of robots, it is worth examining the implications they may pose for white and blue collar jobs here in the Bay Area.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN

FEAR OF OUTSIDERS| A deeper look inside a xenophobic mindset continued from XENOPHOBIA page 1

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MEERA BALAJI

Although his mother, who is the most religious in his nity where Asians struggled to survive as a minority group, family, eventually grew to view Long for who he really is, however, has made it obvious to him that Asians will contransgender people all around the world suffer from stigma tinue to be stigmatized and considered lowly and inferior. and mistreatment from far less supportive communities. “I experienced many Asian stereotypes growing up such “As a trans-identifying person, everyday when you walk as having an innate knowledge of math, science and Kung out of the house you have to prepare yourself for whatever’s Fu,” said Seike. “Asians were often times perceived as weak, going to happen, for anything,” said Long. “All around the subservient, and not fluent English speakers. Generally, in world [transgender individuals] are getting murdered or my school we were dismissed -- I wasn’t the only Asian sepersecuted, and it’s in the back of your mind everyday be- lected last in many sporting activities. Getting picked on cause you realize it could happen to yourself. A lot of people was common. There was a lot of misunderstanding between are scared of what they don’t understand, cultures. Being a true minority, I simwhich is what I feel like is the main problem.” ply learned to blend [in] which was Xenophobic tendencies can also result “There was a lot of the only way many of us dealt with.” from limited knowledge additionally influ- misuderstanding The blatant persecution and abuse beenced by dramatized media coverage. So- tween cultures. Being a of simply being of Asian descent has folcial media in the 21st century is a powerful Seike his entire life, all throughtrue minority, I simply lowed tool that is capable of influencing masses of out school, college and his career. people in a short amount of time; as such, learned to blend [in] “It was unfortunate that during my exaggerated and blown-up scenarios plant which was the only way early years teaching I experienced racthe roots of judgement that can quickly many of us dealt with.” ism at a previous teaching location which grow into xenophobic mindsets. In the afprompted my departure,” said Seike. ANDREW SEIKE “Coming to Lynbrook was a wonderful termath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, MusTEACHER transition. I immediately felt connected lim citizens all over the country were perceived as threats to safety simply because with the large Asian student body. I felt these terrorists were of Islamic origin. To wanted and have been treated wonderthis day, with an aggressive media force scrutinizing the fully for the most part by the majority of my administrators. Iraq War and conflicts in the Middle East concerning ISIS, Racism simply hasn’t been an issue here, which is a blessing.” Muslims are commonly labeled as terrorists by American Xenophobic tendencies continue to be deeply rooted citizens fearful of something they don’t quite understand. in society today due to increasing differences in ethnicIndividuals who exist in minority groups often also suf- ity, sexual identity and religious and personal beliefs. fer from the xenophobic stereotypes and views of those who In order to overcome such sentiments, people must refuse to respect and accept them. English teacher Andrew be taught to be accepting of all ethnicities, religions, Seike, who is half Chinese and half Japanese, has lived in the sexualities and other marginalized subgroups from a United States his entire life. Having grown up in a commu- young age in order to be able to empathize with them.

A close look into education around the world

BY MICHELLE LUM & WILLIAM GUO

s a worldwide leader on many fronts, the U.S. is ahead of other countries in many areas, except for its education system, which ranks relatively lower on a global scale. In a 2015 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the U.S. education system ranked 29th internationally. This report ranked countries based on their scores on the Programme for International Student Assessment for reading, math and science. From country to country, education systems differ in various aspects. For example, education in South Korea, known for its high academic standards, is centralized, meaning education is regulated by the national government. In comparison, school curriculums often differ from state to state in the U.S.’s decentralized system, where state and local governments hold power over education. In South Korea, students continue studying after school by attending a “hagwon,” a type of cram school. “Hagwons” are notorious for staying open late at night, despite a 10 p.m. curfew imposed by the South Korean government. The students’ hard work translates into success in numbers, as South Korea’s school system ranked third in the OECD’s report. Its high school graduation rate is 93 percent, higher than the U.S.’s rate of 80 percent. This success, however, does not come without repercussions. South Korean high school students average five and a half hours of sleep, according to the National Youth Policy Institute, while U.S. high school students average seven hours of sleep, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The rationale behind their hard work is a culture of discipline and high expectations in a country where the “Suneung,” a single col-

lege entrance exam, is responsible for determining a student’s future. Other countries, such as Japan, have similar matriculation exams as well. “[In the U.S.], we talk a lot about SAT’s, but also about extracurriculars playing a major role in acceptance to college, whereas the focus [in Japan] is passing entrance exams,” said U.S. History and Japanese teacher Jeremy Kitchen, who taught junior high school in Japan. “When students don’t feel the particular curriculum will help them get ready for the entrance exam, they won’t pay attention, so there is a disconnect.”

Common Core. Elements of it are good, but others might be lacking. [One issue is that] it removes the instructor’s ability to adapt instruction to students. You can’t treat all students as though they’re identical.” The Finnish system is also built so that teachers and students have a more personal connection. As a result, teachers have more time to develop their own curriculum and help their students. This allows for inservice training, which improves teaching methods, particularly for engaging with students. Additionally, the Finnish

In stark contrast to South Korea’s education system is that of Finland’s, which is enforced with a less stringent mindset. The biggest difference is that Finland does not use standardized testing, a controversial topic, especially in the U.S. “No Child Left Behind put an emphasis on standardized testing, which is problematic because people were teaching to a test that may not be providing students with a necessary skillset,” said U.S. History teacher Kyle Howden. “The newer [initiative] is the

school day is much shorter than that of other countries, with students given more time to play outside and assigned a significantly lighter workload than students in most countries. Teachers in Finland are highly qualified, as they are required to have a master’s degree in education or in the subject they teach. Only one out of every 10 candidates is selected for teacher education programs, and teachers are in the top 10% of graduates. In general, teachers are highly respected and typically earn higher salaries than those in

other occupations, compared to U.S. teachers who typically earn less than average. “[Studying in Finland] felt more laidback. The kids did what they wanted, and the teachers looked out for them. If they were doing something bad, they’d go up to them,” said sophomore Risa Mori, who attended preschool and kindergarten in Finland. “When I came here, there was a lot of homework. Over there, we barely had anything. Sometimes, we had worksheets, but most of the time, we did the work at school.” In Finland, more emphasis is placed on hands-on activities instead of rote learning, with classes such as knitting, cooking and woodworking. This plays into the idea of student independence, which is valued in the Finnish school system. Other countries also prize values other than pure education in their school systems. For example, Japanese schools place great importance on teaching lessons on morality to its students. “The Japanese school system feels that it’s responsible for not just the intellectual knowledge of the students, but also their moral character. Society, as a whole, views school as a place where that is supposed to be learned and taught,” said Kitchen. “In American education, we talk about how to become good citizens on some level, in terms of understanding how the political process works, but the moral compass is very notouch at school.” Although countries implement different types of education systems, all strive to ensure a well-educated population. Whether the stringent format of many Asian countries, the more laidback version of some European countries or the decentralized American education system, students worldwide are receiving the education they need to be prepared for life beyond school.

Boys water polo team swims to success BY AURELIA YANG

he varsity boys water polo team started off the season strong, winning 19 out of 23 total games. They remained undefeated in their league with 13 total wins until their league championship loss to Harker on Oct. 28. The team has been training since summer, practicing from 3-5:30 p.m. every weekday as well as holding the occasional Wednesday morning practice. Their practices consisted of rigorous conditioning exercises and several “hungarian” games that are strategically designed to test and improve the team’s reaction time. The team begin a typical training day with a warmup of 200 yards of Individual Medley (IM), a combination of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, in that order. Depending on the previous day’s practice or game, the team then work on skills that they lack, ending the day with drills of the coach’s choice. Coach Aaron Waldrip used these drills to effectively implement his coaching philosophy, which sought to strengthen every individual based on their own capabilities and skill sets. “Not everyone can be a superstar, but everyone can improve and do better today than they did yesterday,”

said Waldrip. “Athletes want to be pushed and need to be pushed past what they think their limits are, and I feel the weight of that responsibility when I coach.” This year, the team was composed of 21 players, with six players in First String, seven players in Second String, five players in Third String, two goalies and one injured player. Strings, a system of ranking, organize players with different skillsets into their respective levels. Team captains senior Antonio Jen and junior Moosaa Jalaldin have encouraged the team to expand their strengths and improve their weaknesses, striving to bring the team to victory. Their league, the El Camino League, consists of several other schools both in and out of the FUHSD school district. “We’re definitely one of the fastest teams in our league, and our shooting is incredibly strong as well,” said Jalaldin. “We also have a good amount of size on our team physically. I’d say that our weakness would be our communication, but it’s all just a work in progress.” Being a part of the prestigious team also provides players with several notable takeaways, especially regarding team unity and cooperation. “One of my favorite parts of being a captain for the team is helping others when they don’t know how to do something and then watching them succeed after,” said Jen. “The look on their faces after they succeed is really satisfying and makes

all our effort worth it.” While the team had many successes, the players also suffered from several drawbacks. Senior Timothy Chan, a utility player on First String, broke his wrist and could not play during the latter league games. As a result, the team had to recover from the loss of one of their best players, a major impediment toward reaching their goal. “Timothy’s wrist injury has set the team back,” said Jen at the time of the injury. “Now our team needs to push themselves even harder to make up for our loss.” Fortunately, Chan’s injury did not stop the team from continuing their winning streak — if anything, it only motivated the players to work harder to advance to the league championship game. Despite the team’s nail-biting loss to Harker in the final, the players still took away several notable achievements, winning a majority of their games as well as strengthening their overall team unity. Jalaldin sees a silver lining in their season, one that will resonate as Lynbrook suits up for games in the future. “In previous years, nobody cared that they were playing Lynbrook,” said Jalaldin. “Since we’ve been doing really well [this year], it gives our team a higher ranking and more respect from other schools.”

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

MICHYLA LIN—EPIC

GETTING THE BALL UP| Senior Nick Lui prepares to pass the ball to his teammate during a practice game with his team.

SADHANA SARMA//IN MY OPINION

Overcoming Asthma

t’s the middle of the night and I wake up, gasping for breath. There is a tightness in my chest and I grasp my throat, unable to speak. The only signal I’m able to give is a loud, wavering series of wheezing. My parents rush in and scramble for my inhaler. The hiss of the medicine brings great relief to both my parents and myself. They make sure I’m alright and then go back to sleep. I, however, stay sitting upright for hours in bed, scared that laying back down would bring me closer to the dust that had triggered my attack in the first place. These series of

DEFENDING THE GOAL| Defenders help the goalie, Junior Moosaa Jalaldin, protect the goal from the opponents’ shot.

events used to be a daily occurrence--in fact, as a five year-old, I would have around four to five attacks a week, sometimes even multiple in one day. Since I never knew when they were coming, I constantly feared an attack and carried my inhaler with me everywhere. I dreaded the idea of having an attack in front of anyone besides my family, as it seemed like a weakness. With time, however, all the hardships vanished, and I owe it all to soccer. I distinctly remember one of many doctor’s appointments where the doctor explained to me that I was unhealthy. People can live normally with asthma, but only if it’s controlled. According to the doctor, controlled asthma meant having an attack once or twice a month, and there I was having one or two a day. Up until that point, my parents and I had just assumed that everybody with asthma had as rough of a time as I did, so this visit was a wake-up call. The doctor said it was crucial that I get my asthma under control and recommended I try sports to open up and strengthen my lungs. After the appointment, my parents eagerly signed me up for soccer. I didn’t realize how much playing the sport would help my condi-

MICHYLA LIN—EPIC

PREPARING TO PASS| Junior Saif Kausar scans the pool in search of an open player who is in position for a shot.

tion. In fact, I even protested because I didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of my older sister, whose games I was dragged to. Still, a reluctant five-year old Sadhana bought her first pair of cleats from Sports Authority and went to her first practice, inhaler in hand. The connection was instant. I don’t know how it was so fast, but the minute my first practice ended, I was happily telling my parents how much I enjoyed it. I had learned how to dribble and to this day, still remember to never hit the ball with the tip of my foot, following the saying, “big toe no no.” I had also spent much of the practice shooting balls at my unsuspecting father, the coach. I didn’t care that I had needed to take my inhaler twice. All I cared about was how much fun I was having while I played. I continued to play for recreational teams and noticed my need for an inhaler go down, though not by much. After playing for four years, however, I played the sport because I truly enjoyed it, not just for my health. Taking my inhaler to games and subbing out for breaks to catch my breath became routine. It wasn’t until I joined a competitive team in fourth grade that I noticed a significant im-

provement in my health. The higher demand for endurance from the competitive team proved to be a challenge. When I first joined, I was put onto the bottom team and had to ask to be pulled out every game. I began to lose confidence in myself, attributing my frequent asthma attacks to a lack of skill. I pushed on, however, and within the first year I had moved up to the top team in my age group. I again noticed my need for my inhaler steadily decline. I only needed my inhaler on days when it was cold, or when I was sick. It seemed like I finally had my asthma under control, and my self-assurance in playing the sport came back. My whole life changed as well as I gained confidence, lost the weight that came from taking the inhaler too often and became more motivated to try harder in all aspects of my life. Soccer is still a huge part of my life ten years later, and I can safely say that, because of my continued involvement with the sport, my asthma is completely under control. Never again will I wake up gasping for breath. The inhaler that was once an extension of myself has now found a new home in the depths of my closet.

Hitting the play button: the eﬀect of music on athletes the music to go in, get the work done, and get out as fast as they can.” n the track, junior Jessica Luo, a member of LynListening to music prior to exercising can also help athbrook’s cross country team, tightens her shoelac- letes prepare for their workout. es and stretches her legs, getting ready for a run. “I will listen to music when I am headed over [to the Before setting off, Luo picks up her phone and plugs in gym], to just get worked up for it and get in the mood,” said her earbuds, finding her favorite workout song, TT, by Doh. “There are certain songs for me that as soon as I play the Korean girl group Twice. it, I want to lift.” Listening to music before, after Others listen to music while warming up, to clear their or during any type of workout is heads and mentally focus on the workout at hand. not unusual for athletes. In fact, “Usually, our officers have playlists,” said sophomore and Olympic level athletes are often Valkyries dancer Alicia Wu. “It’s so stretching is more enjoyseen with headphones on be- able. It helps you focus during practice afterwards, because fore a big event. Many Lynbrook you stop thinking about what happened during the day.”athletes share the same habit of Certain genres of music can also benefit specific physituning in to their favorite songs cal activities. For example, high energy music can aid in during a workout, preparing a set strength based activities by momentarily bringing about playlist for a particular workout, high levels of power and productivity. Physical education or simply putting their music on teacher Ray Wright often plays music in the weight room shuffle and seeing what comes for his classes to get them into the right workout mindset. on. The genre of music is quite “[Music] allows the kids to relax and feel comfortable in important to many athletes. their setting,” Wright said. “They put in a little more energy “I like listening to music with when the music’s going, than just sitting around quiet.” strong beats when I run, so I can On the other hand, some feel that music hinders their coordinate my concentration during a workout, espesteps to the beats,” cially during high intensity exercises. said Luo. “Some- “I wILL LISTEN TO MUSIC “Usually when I am doing the actual times, it helps me lifting itself, I don’t like to have music in wHEN I AM HEADED OVER run faster, or just my ears,” said Doh. “I have to acknowl[TO THE GYM], JUST TO GET to keep a edge that there is music in my ears, and IN THE MOOD. THERE ARE little mental lapses like that can be reconstant CERTAIN SONGS FOR ME pace. I alally difficult when you’re trying to exerTHAT AS SOON AS I PLAY IT, cise at a high intensity.” ways listen to upbeat music.” Popular music services such as SpoI wANT TO LIFT.” Music plays a large role in controlling emotify include playlists of songs classified tions by acting as a stimulus; thus, music can also EUGENE DOH as “workout music.” These playlists are play a part in Pavlovian, or classical, conditionSOPHOMORE geared toward the intensity of an athing, to boost athletic performance since one can lete’s workout, starting out with slower associate certain mindsets with specific songs. For songs and gradually transitioning into those who may not feel motivated to exercise every day, music can more motivating music with more intense beats. Simply help them stay committed to their workout regime. Studies around compiling a list of upbeat songs, however, is not sufficient the globe note the positive aspects of music. for every athlete. Different songs evoke different feelings “The principal benefits of music [are] improved mood, arousal con- in each individual, and it is important for each athlete to trol, reduced perceived exertion, enhanced work output, improved skill choose songs best suited for their own workout. acquisition, dissociation from feelings of pain and fatigue,” said Peter C. “I like K-pop, but I also like mainstream pop songs, and Terry, a psychologist at the University of Southern Queensland. anything that has a good beat,” said Wu. “Recently, I’ve been A good playlist can greatly enhance athletic performance as studies into electro. Music puts you in a good mood when you’re have shown that listening to music helps mitigate the effects of fatigue listening to good songs, and that helps you perform well.” and improves focus by eliminating outside distractions. A study conNo matter the genre listened to, music has been shown to ducted by sports scientists at Brunel University in the U.K. states that assist with athletic capabilities by helping athletes increase music can improve one’s endurance up to 15 percent. Furthermore, productivity and boost concentration. Although some may although consistent workouts involve a sufficient amount of motiva- think of music as a distraction from their workout, if one is tion, music provides an impetus that many athletes desire. in need of a quick boost of energy before a workout, listen“A lot of people see going to the gym as an unpleasant, but neces- ing to a couple of one’s favorite songs may prove to be the sary thing to do,” said sophomore Eugene Doh. “It’s like they put in most best motivator of all. BY CHELSEA LI & MICHYLA LIN

USED WITH PERMISSION OF SAMMY NGYUN

ALL GRAPHICS BY SPORTS SECTION

MICHYLA LIN —EPIC

These costumes are a Hallo-win! BY MICHYLA LIN

his year, Halloween started the school week with a bang as students dressed up in their costumes and went trick-or-treating from classroom to classroom. While trick-or-treating in the United States typically involves the exchange of

Above: (clockwise from top left) Sophomores Selena Jeong, Nora Lam, Leslie Hwang, Zoe Ko, Eileen Yang, Kathleen Yang and Colleen Li dressed up in a fruit themed group costume.

candy in response the phrase “trick-or-treat,” the original custom actually required trick-or-treaters to put on performances to earn their treats. Halloween has roots in the pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain, when the dead were believed to return to the earth. People would gather to offer sacrifices and pay homage to the dead. In later centuries, peo-

ple began putting on performances and antics while dressed as creatures such as demons and ghosts. This tradition became known as mumming, thought to be the antecedent of trick-or-treating. Here are a few of the creative group and individual costumes that Lynbrook students came with up this year.

Above: Senior Giovanni Hsieh, dressed as the popular anime character, Naruto, poses in the infamous Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique). Rather than buying a costume, Hsieh made his costume, substituting Naruto’s orange jumpsuit with his own orange clothing.

Left: Freshmen twins, Priyanka (left) and Divya (right) Pereira, hand-made their matching day and night costumes using cardboard to fashion their corresponding sun and moon headbands. Below: (from left to right) Seniors Anthony Chen, Ethan Chuang, Eric Hong and Alexian Lin all work at Meet Fresh and decided to go the convenient route of repurposing their matching employee uniforms as Halloween costumes.

Above: Junior Ivana Chou poses with her Totoro keychain as the character, Mei, from the Studio Ghibli movie, My Neighbor Totoro. In the movie, Mei is the younger of two sisters who discovers Totoro in the woods by their house, beginning the girls’ fantastical adventure with the friendly monster.