Epic Issue 5, 2018

Class of 2018 kicks off new senior game

BY MEDHA UPADHYAY

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tudents race through the quad, brandishing spoons.

Previously, this scene was a quintessential sight at Lynbrook during second semester: the climax of the classic senior game Spoons. But an avalanche of student safety concerns forced the game to be scrapped, and prompted the development of a brand new game for the class of 2018.

This year, the senior class will be playing Scavage Hunt: a competitive, team-based scavenger hunt. Players were randomly assembled into 31 teams of 6, and teams will be eliminated as a unit. Each Sunday at 4 p.m., a list of items are released. The teams have until Judgement Day, Wednesdays and Fridays at lunch, to locate the items and present them to the judges. Points will be given for each item properly found on an all-or-nothing basis, and the team with the most points at the end of the week will get an exclusive look at the next week’s list 24 hours in advance.

“These teams are randomized so that students can have new experiences with peers that they’ve never even talked to,” said senior class vice president Ritik Batra. “That was our way of creating unity within the class.”

There will also be activities, often at lunch. Points for activities will be awarded by place, or by comple-

tion. At the end of each week, the teams that do not meet the predetermined quota will be eliminated. Toward the end of the game, teams will be dissolved and players compete individually.

The last player standing at the end of the game will win two Senior Prom Bids. Members of the team with the most points at the end of the game will be entered into a raf�le to win a Senior Prom photo package, and senior Picnic raf�le tickets will also be hidden throughout the game.

Along with the allure of the prizes, a senior game serves to connect the senior class. When seniors participate in this game, they can spend time together before graduation. Spoons may have served this purpose before but many students were injured in the past few years, leading to concerns from administration.

“Spoons was more of an individual game, and there were survival and animalistic qualities in it,” said Wang. “This year, we tried to mitigate that.”

Several activities also took place without administration’s oversight last year, making injuries sustained at these events an even larger concern.

Clear communication

between class of�icers and administration is a top priority to ensure the safety of all. The senior class of�icers have been working diligently with administration; all four weeks of Scavage Hunt have already been planned.

“We’ve shown everything to admin and updated them on every step of the process,” said senior class vice president Meghna Allamudi. “We’ve all cooperated to create this game; admin has been a supportive and positive contribution to the development of the game.”

Scavage Hunt was created from scratch, and is inspired by college class games. For safety reasons, the game will also take place completely on campus.

“I know that Spoons was a game that was developed over ten or twenty years,” said Batra. “My personal goal is for Scavage Hunt to continue developing every single year. I know that there will be mistakes, but I hope that as the game progresses, people will start to enjoy it.”

Scavage Hunt brings forth a brand new senior game. in the hopes of keeping students safe while upholding the legacy of Spoons.

SADHANA SARMA — EPIC

Phase one of construction comes to an end

BY MEERA BALAJI

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or the past 11 months, the shell of a building has been looming over the soccer �ield. Every teacher has grown accustomed to the sharp sounds of construction tools whirring and buzzing at random intervals. But the builders’ hard work has paid off, and the shell has become much more. As phase one of Lynbrook’s construction plan comes to a close, a new dance studio and �itness space is on the brink of completion. Although construction began late due to certain unforeseen circumstances, it was completed around the projected end date, assuring that the second phase would commence as quickly as possible.

Located between the Field House and Stober Field, the �itness center will be open to all Lynbrook students to visit this May. The building will be replacing the Cove, which currently houses the Valkyries dance team and numerous sports trophies. The new weights and cardio room inside the �itness center will aim to replace the weight room, which will be demolished during the second phase of construction.

“Although I’ll graduate before I get to see

all the renovations at Lynbrook, I think it’s great that the campus is going to look and be more modern,” said senior Rahul Khare.

The �irst phase was also able to improve certain facilities that already existed at Lynbrook. For instance, the bathrooms were remodeled to include new roo�ing, �looring, lighting, plumbing �ixtures and doors.

The faculty bathrooms adjacent to the Field House, however, are still under construction.

While the main purpose of the �irst phase was to build a �itness center, the second phase will involve demolishing the ASB Den, the Cove, the cafeteria and the print center.

At lunch and brunch, food will be sold in the concessions stand by the football �ield.

“The plan is to renovate the cafeteria �irst, so once it is done, it will free up a large venue for people who have had to move,” said principal Maria Jackson. “We’re trying to phase [our efforts] so different areas will be released back to us before others. That way, people will know they won’t be in this position forever, but will think about the good they’re going to get in a year because something better is coming.”

Some of the most drastic changes will happen in the hub of campus: the Quad. During

the second phase, the Quad will become larger, allowing more people to sit comfortably during large events such as Powderpuff and Homecoming. The Quad will temporarily be replaced by the area situated between the swimming pool and tennis courts. As a result, homecoming the following school year will take place in front of the tennis courts, since it is has the capacity to contain the entire student body.

“Even though we won’t have homecoming in the Quad next year, I’m excited to see how the campus is going to improve,” said sophomore Akhil Aggarwal.

The second phase of construction will promptly begin the day after Grad Night, on June 1, to ensure that the noise and commotion from the machinery does not adversely affect students at the very end of the year.

The �inal phase of construction is still under discussion, but is forecasted to be a new guidance and students services building along with the addition of a lobby at the front of the auditorium. All three phases of construction aim to be �inished in 2020.

“Change is never easy, but it is necessary that we work together to �ind solutions, even if they are just temporary,” said Jackson.

CCS TEAMS // pg. 14

Spotlight shines on drama students at Lenaea

BY BELINDA ZHOU

disarray after attempting to run away to New York after discovering his mother’s affair. In or the �irst time in two years, Lyn- the months leading up to Lenaea, the actors brook’s Advanced and Honors Drama would go to their respective directors’ housstudents lent their talents to the Le- es a couple times a week after school and also naea High School Theater Festival held at on the weekends, accumulating about six to the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake seven hours of rehearsal per week.

“We worked individually with the particiCollege, Calif. Over 2000 students with a passion for theater arts engaged in a multitude pants and scheduled workshops where they of workshops and performances to strength- rehearsed and [the directors] would give en and showcase their theatrical and artistic them feedback,” said senior Lucy Euler, one abilities. Students had the opportunity to of the directors who coached various particcompete in categories ranging from musical ipants. “That was between me, [senior] Isabella Lopez, and [senior] Diana Magnusson.” theater solos to set and costume design.

The actors blocked, or determined where Lenaea is a California-based theater festival and competition for high schools students actors would move on stage, before memowith a �lair for the theater arts. The different rizing their lines. In the weeks before Lenaea, competition categories include one-act plays, they utilized the drama room to connect student directed one-acts, student written scenes and perofmr the 45-minute one-act. one-acts, musical theater solos, duo scenes, Though Katz and his fellow actors did not place in the one-act monologues, set decategory, Katz won silsign and costume dever for his monologue. sign. Lynbrook, with “The last time I 20 student attendees, “THAT’S THE THING WITH went to Lenaea, it was competed in every THEATRE... YOU CAN a big shortcoming for category. Lenaea also ALWAYS KEEP IMPROVme — it was a total hosts workshops for ING YOUR CRAFT. IT’S �lop,” said Katz. “I took students to interact THIS CONSTANT REFLECthat as a lesson, and with monologues, duo scenes and musical TION, SELF - EVALUATION, over the past 2 years pieces after perform- CHANGING, GROWING.” I’ve really grown. Last time I completely fell ing them.

“At the beginning Naomi Rollins on my face, but this of the year, one of the Drama Teacher time I placed, which is completely insane.” �irst things I wanted to Unlike collaborado was to talk to the tive or stage-oriented students about what they liked in the drama program, and that competitions, sophomore Mia McCormack included going to Lenaea,” said drama and rivalled representatives from 16 other high World Literature teacher Naomi Rollins. “The schools in California in set design. McCorkids that had gone either their freshman or mack constructed a model of a scene from sophomore year were really impacted by it, the play “The River Bride” by Marisela Treso much that they really wanted to go again.” viño Orta. Prior to competing, McCormack Junior Adam Katz competed in two cat- designed a set through Sims, a life simulation egories: the student directed one-act and game, experimenting with it. She began the monologue. He collaborated with sopho- extensive process of construction with glue, more Shubhra Dubey, junior Mohini Adkar popsicle sticks, paint and cardboard at the and senior Sultaan Ahmaad to produce “Life end of winter break last year, leading all the Under Water,” a riveting one-act that follows way up to the actual day of the competition. “[Prior to the competition], I prepared the life of a teenage boy who �inds himself in

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a binder of my process and what inspired me-- the themes that I saw, the script analysis,” said McCormack. “The �irst day was like a science fair set up, and judges were walking around. You would talk to them for like 5 minutes, and they would move on.”

McCormack spent over 75 hours laboriously perfecting every detail to make it look as similar to the original set as possible.

Though she ultimately did not place, McCormack was chosen to be one of the 5 �inalists out of the 16 schools who competed in the set design category.

The drama program does not intend on attending any more theater festivals, howe v er, their upcoming annual Improv Night,

held by the Thespian’s Society, will take place later this year. Additionally, the drama program aims to hold a cabaret or scene night, a form of theatrical entertainment with music, dance or drama, with hopes for abundant staff participation.

“It was just as much a learning experience for me as it was for the [students],” said Rollins. “I think that’s the thing with theater, no matter how much of a professional you are, you can always keep improving your craft. It’s this constant sort of re�lection, self-evaluation, changing, growing. That’s what I like about theater.”

Although the Lenaea Festival took place in a short span of three days, it provided drama students from high schools all over the state with three unforgettable days of teamwork, camaraderie, high spirits and growth in the theater arts.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY HSIN YEN HUANG

Community commends employees

BY SRINIDHI SESHADRI

Letter from the Editors Dear readers, We hope you enjoyed your President’s Week Break and got some much needed rest.

Check out the news section for stories about Lenaea High School Theatre Festival that drama classes attended (pg.2), as well as the renewed College Now program (pg.3).

Be sure to read opinionated stories about a newly created of�ice that enforces religious freedoms in medicine (pg.5), and violent protests following a controversy about H&M’s racially insensitive top (pg.6).

Flip to the features section to read about a makeup challenge between junior Marie Karpinska and a staff writer (pg.7), and a review of the latest Marvel �ilm by an African American director, “Black Panther” (pg.8).

In the in-depth section, educate yourself on the history of feminism (pg.10) or the bene�its of animal-assisted therapy (pg.11).

Go to the sports section for stories of junior Iman Haq’s journey as a fencer (pg.13) and the changes made in the badminton team for the upcoming season (pg.14).

This issue spans a multitude of interests, so you’re sure to �ind something you like. We hope you enjoy the stories!

Stay golden, Catherine Huang and Eshani Mehta

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ach year, the Lynbrook community and students nominate staff members whose contributions to the school make them deserving of the title “Employee of the Year.” English teacher Andrew Seike and print center technician John Hott have received this award for the 2017-2018 school year.

Towards the end of the �irst semester, students and staff were asked to submit nominations for staff members who they believe have had a positive in�luence on the Lynbrook community. Nominations were collected for two categories: Certi�icated Employee of the Year, which includes teachers and guidance counselors, and Classi�ied Employee of the Year, which includes support staff, paraeducators and custodians. School Site Council, a group of elected staff, students and par-

SADHANA SARMA — EPIC

ents, made the �inal decision based on all the nominations they received.

Lynbrook’s Certi�icated Employee of the Year, Seike, teaches English Literature and Writing and AP Language and Composition, and is also the adviser and instructor for the Aikido club, a Japanese martial arts club.

Along with trying to make sure that his students are able to develop a better understanding and appreciation for literature, Seike aims to help his students view the world in different ways and grow as individuals through sharing stories from his life.

“I personally promote �inding happiness in the seemingly simple life through love, friendship and self-improvement wanting them just to better people and contributors to the welfare of others,” said Seike.

Hott, who was awarded Classi�ied Employee of the Year, spends most of his time at Lynbrook in the print center. Many teachers depend on him to make copies of worksheets

and tests and he plays an imperative role in ensuring classes are able to run smoothly.

“He’s incredibly supportive, cheerful and never seems to resent any request for help,” said English teacher Nelda Clark.

Not only is Hott a valuable resource for teachers, he also teaches students in the Special Education program. Students from the program visit the print center during the day and Hott shows them how to run a print center as a part of their on-site job training.

“I love being able to help teachers, staff and students,” said Hott. “To be able to have a service-based career where you make people happy, is very special.”

Both Seike and Hott continue to contribute to the Lynbrook community whether it be through teaching students about martial arts or running a print center. Their cheerful personalities have helped make Lynbrook a better place and have had a long-lasting impact on the community.

News in Brief

Club Food Day The second semester ASB Club Food Day will be held on Friday, Mar. 16 during lunch in the quad. Come out and support your favorite clubs by buying their food or drinks. Purchase tickets beforehand so you can buy as much as possible.

Junior Prom Get ready for junior prom, which will be held on Saturday, Mar. 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dance the night away with your friends or your special date.

Spring Choral Concert On Thursday, Mar. 22, the choir will be having their Spring Choral Concert from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

FUHSD modifies College Now program

BY JESSICA LI

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aced with decreased interest and declining enrollment in their program, the College Now program board decided to adapt.

At the beginning of second semester, FUHSD presented juniors with a certain amount of course credits a chance to attend a modi�ied version of the College Now program, a collaboration between De Anza College and FUHSD, in their senior year. The 20182019 program allows high school seniors to attend both high school and De Anza College and earn college credits.

“We are constantly looking at ways to make the student experience better,” said Alison Coy, the director of educational operations for College Now. “Enrollment began to decline about 8 years ago and has stayed quite low.

This [showed] us that it is a program

that isn’t necessarily meeting the needs of most district students.”

To increase interest and enrollment in the program, Coy, FUHSD Guidance Counselor Tamara Emmert and other De Anza and FUHSD staff consulted together on the concerns of both current and prospective students surrounding the program. They aimed to adapt the program to address such apprehensions and increase students’ motivation to apply to the 2018-2019 pilot program.

College Now students take De Anza College classes to earn college course credits, explore their interests and adjust to college life. Unlike Middle College, a similar program which allows students to take both De Anza and high school classes starting their junior year, College Now is open only to seniors.

“College Now is great if you want to deepen your studies in certain areas,” said senior Hannah Faris, a current College Now student.

College Now students get priority registration for classes over De Anza students and

are able to choose their teachers and professors.

“Students have the freedom to choose their own schedules,” said senior Harini Narayan, who also attends College Now. “For instance, this quarter, I am taking 4 classes, and every day, my �irst class begins at 10:30 a.m.”

Next year, the program will introduce new revisions that will allow more students to be eligible for the program while still remaining involved in more everyday high school activities, such as holding club of�icer positions and participating in afterschool sports.

While the program continues to evolve and adapt to student opinions and success, when next year’s program starts in August, the newly enrolled FUHSD seniors selected from each high school to attend will be able to experience the pilot program for the �irst time in its entirety.

Improv/Scene Night Drama will be hosting their Improv Night on Friday, Mar. 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Studio 74. Two teams will battle it out with improv performances, so mark your calendars for this exciting event.

AISA Silsilay Show The annual Silsilay Show is going to be held on Saturday, Mar. 31 in the auditorium. There will be two shows, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Come cheer on the talented dancers from AISA!

by Risa Mori

Read more about the new College Now program SADHANA SARMA — EPIC

Recent award show movements lack lasting impact Ineffective all-black and white rose celebrity fashion statements “CELEBRITIES ARE USING VIRTUE SIGNALING TO GAIN POSITIVE PUBLICITY, AND YET I DON’T SEE THAT AS A PROBLEM. IT REALLY IS JUST A MATTER OF WHETHER THEY EVEN CARE ABOUT THE CAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE SUPPORTING.”

SADHANA SARMA — EPIC

MICHELLE LUM//IN MY OPINION

FB dress groups prom-ote unity

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s January rolled around, my Facebook feed became inundated with photo after photo of the dresses that girls would be wearing at prom. The unwritten rule to not wear the same dress as another girl had sparked the creation of junior and senior prom dress Facebook groups to avoid

any wardrobe clashes. Whoever posted a dress �irst would be the only one who could wear it, so many girls had already begun posting their dresses months in advance of prom. I, too, was quickly swept up in the prom dress craze.

After seeing so many prom dress posts accumulate, I felt pressured to search for my own dress. So, forgetting about the piles of math homework and history notes I had left to do, I began spending hours browsing dresses online. Like every other girl attending prom, I was on a mission to �ind a dress that would be affordable and, of course, unique. Worrying over which dress would best match my tastes, I scoured websites �illed with prom dresses of every color and style, looked at numerous customer reviews and spent long hours discussing dresses that appealed to me.

When I �inally found my dress, I was eager to claim it �irst by posting it in the junior prom dress Facebook group. Upon making my post, I responded to positive comments

lack, black, and more black — viewers watching the 75th Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7 would not have been greeted by the usual red carpet scene. Instead, celebrities had adorned themselves in all-black attire in support of the Time’s Up movement protesting sexual assault and workplace inequality. Such symbolic gestures, with the addition of white roses, standing for “hope, peace, sympathy and resistance,” worn at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, were well-intentioned in their attempts to address societal issues; however, these fashion statements did not actually make signi�icant contributions to the overall movements in question.

The Time’s Up movement, announced on Jan. 1, was initiated by 300 prominent female �igures in the entertainment business to �ight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and highlight the struggles of women with similar experiences. The initiative included a legal defense fund to support less privileged women to protect themselves from sexual misconduct and a request for red carpet attendees at the Golden Globes to raise awareness by wearing all-black. Inspired by the successful involvement of celebrities at the Golden Globes, the music industry held a similar campaign through a separate organization called Voices in Entertainment, which called for celebrities to sport the accessory of a white rose to the Grammys.

Celebrity activism in this manner is not anything new. In the 1950s, actors Audrey Hepburn and Danny Kaye campaigned for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to increase recognition of the organization’s humanitarian causes. Today, the extensive use of social media allows prominent �igures to use their platforms to draw attention to particular causes, and while charities often bene�it from the familiar faces of celebrity advocates to draw monetary donations from loyal fans, critics of celebrity activism are apprehensive of this strategy’s morality, as stars may be more interested in gaining positive publicity than wholeheartedly supporting these causes.

“It seems very obvious that celebrities are using virtue signaling to gain positive publicity and yet I don’t see that as a problem,” said junior Phillip Lee. “It really is just a matter of whether they even care about the cause they seem to be supporting in the �irst place. I do believe that some celebrities are doing some good in the world by spreading awareness to a certain cause but it just comes down to the person in question at the end.”

Though award shows typically receive

a sizable amount of media coverage, the slew of high-pro�ile celebrities participating in campaigns at recent award shows drew particular attention from the mass media. The organizers of movements such as Time’s Up seized the opportunity to spread their message to a large audience through increased media coverage at award shows. But despite numerous articles praising the unity of attendees wearing all-black, there was less conversation beyond that of what people could do to further progress the movement.

While much of the attention at the Golden Globes was focused on celebrity fashion, talk show host Oprah Winfrey’s acceptance speech on the subject of sexual abuse in all cultures was the most talked-about moment of the ceremony itself. Winfrey’s speech was able to directly address what the Time’s Up campaign aimed to speak for, and established a tangible idea for people to debate about.

But merely wearing black or donning a boutonniere of a white �lower does little to relay important information about the cause, especially at �irst glance. More meaningful actions, such as the immense scale of mass tweets around the world of the hashtag #MeToo in October 2017, shared peoples’ experiences of sexual assault and harassment as a shocking, but necessary, impetus to discuss the problem more openly than before.

“Wearing a pin, bringing a white rose or wearing black is a good start,” said drama and World Literature teacher Naomi Rollins. “Every movement needs something that is publicized so the word gets out. What I hope is that the momentum continues forward and there are actual changes made at the government level, instead of just a demonstration of support.”

The fashion statements at recent award shows may have motivated some people to support their cause. Protests, however, should be voiced more clearly, boldly and effectively to openly address issues instead of relying on super�icial statements to raise awareness.

In a society largely dependent on social media, celebrity activism is becoming increasingly powerful in in�luencing public opinion and fostering progress. Following a cultural shift in the entertainment industry due to numerous sexual assault allegations in the past year, celebrities who hold large followings must now deliver their opinions in a more clear and direct manner in order to truly �ight against injustices — fashion statements alone are not enough to create lasting change.

and shot back at snarky jokes from my friends and then sat back. I believed that having claimed my dress, I would now have one less thing to worry about.

I soon realized, however, that we, as in my friends and myself, were not only admiring the dresses that had been posted, but also criticizing some of the dress choices for either of two main reasons: being too similar to other dresses or just simply not matching our own tastes in fashion. There was even some con�lict over the similar dress issue, and because of what we had been saying about dresses that had been posted in the groups, others had been hurt.

Recognizing that I was giving into a negative culture, I tried to distance myself from such a judgmental atmosphere. By being critical of others’ dresses, I had been using these Facebook groups differently from their original functions as safe zones of expression. Placing so much weight on not having the same prom dress as another girl may seem super�icial, but to many, having a

unique dress is incredibly important. Prom dress Facebook groups are a way for girls to feel special about their dress choices in a healthy environment.

And for the most part, these groups do achieve this goal. Most posts come with positive words of encouragement and numerous compliments, helping foster stronger friendships between individuals. Personally, my friends and I have bonded over searching for dresses together and providing each other with thoughts about each other’s choices.

Despite the occasional disagreement that may arise over prom dress choices, prom etiquette holding that girls should not wear identical dresses allows them to feel unique on the day of prom. An integral part of this tradition, prom dress Facebook groups serve as positive environments where girls can provide each other with uplifting encouragement. I’m glad that these groups have allowed me to �ind my perfect dress while pushing myself to be more positive and considerate of others.

BY RISA MORI

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New freedoms prioritize religion over patients

BY SADHANA SARMA

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mmoral is the one word that comes to mind when thinking about the possibility of healthcare providers withholding information about a patient’s wellbeing. With the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) implementation of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division on Jan. 18, healthcare providers will now be given the opportunity to do just that — convince patients that they are healthy when they are not.

The goal of the newly created of�ice is to enforce religious freedoms in medicine, allowing healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses and specialists the option to opt out of procedures that run contrary to their religious beliefs. The creation of the of�ice, however, has opened doors for caretakers to endanger people seeking controversial procedures like abortion, sterilization and HIV prevention. There have been many cases in which healthcare providers have chosen not to inform patients of important information regarding their health. Choosing not to inform patients of necessary medical procedures is not acceptable. Those who decide against performing certain procedures should instead inform patients regarding the next steps in their care and refer them to professionals who may be able to provide them with the healthcare they need.

“Everybody is going to have different opinions, but it is really important, for the sake of healthcare to stay impartial,” said senior Kimia Ghasemian, president of the Pre-Medical club. “Doctors take a Hippocratic oath when they go to medical school to do what is best for their patients, even if that means going against their own personal ideals.”

The Conscience and Religious Freedom Division was created in response to longstanding resentment toward the Obama administration for “trampling religious freedoms.” During the previous presidential term, certain religious groups felt they were not free to adhere to their religious beliefs when it came to healthcare. As a result, the new division rose to serve as an investigative unit of conscience objections and religious-freedom concerns in health care. The HHS also wrote a 216-page proposal detailing the extent to which the right wing would

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY HATIM SAIFEE

be changing the focus of medical treatment to center around the provider and not the patient. With the goal of catering to the provider’s comforts, the proposal also addresses the de�inition of “to assist.” Originally, for example, a nurse could opt out of aiding in the surgery of a gender change; now, that same nurse not only has the right to opt out of the procedure, but can also object to even checking a transgender person into the hospital.

The extension of religious freedoms does not stop with nurses. All hospital staff, including the janitors, fall under the protection of the new division, which just increases how many people have the power to put lives at risk.

“Being able to understand and empathize with the patient and your colleagues, even if you have a different background or beliefs, is so important,” said Ghasemian. “Even if you do not agree, you have to understand what other people are going through or the opinions other people have. After all, how are you going to treat them if you do not understand what they are going through?”

The effects of the new culture surrounding medical care are having real life consequences. In September 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled against allowing Michigan resident Tamesha Means to proceed with her case against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 18 weeks pregnant, Means rushed to the Mercy Health

Partners, a Catholic institution and the only hospital in her area, when her water broke. She was turned away under the impression that she was �ine. What she was not told was that continuing her pregnancy would be dangerous and that an abortion was necessary. When she came back the next day with painful contractions, she was nearly turned away again; having a miscarriage at Mercy Health Partners is what saved her. Despite her survival, the negligence when it came to how she was treated should not be dismissed.

“If an abortion is what the patient needs then that is what the patient should get,” said health clerk and athletic trainer, Megan Gwozdecke. “I do not think that since you are pro-life and someone needs an abortion that you can say no because it is against your beliefs.”

It is unacceptable for religion to be put above healthcare. With its introduction of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, the Department of Health and Human Services has stated outright that religion should be given priority over a patient’s needs. The purported reasoning behind establishing the new division is a noble one — to bridge the gap between religion and medicine. When advantage is taken of these protections by putting others’ health at risk, however, change is crucial. Turning away patients based on religious preference is one thing, but lying to them about their health surpasses ethical boundaries. Healthcare providers should have the right to make choices based on their own religious preferences, but they should do so with an understanding that the patient still requires healthcare.

“Doctors should take religious beliefs into consideration, but regardless of beliefs they need to present all options,” said Gwozdecke. “It is important to have an educated discussion with the family members or the patient.”

The Conscience and Religious Freedom Division should not pave the way for further neglect when it comes to providing patients with crucial healthcare. If certain medical procedures do not align with a physician’s beliefs, they should simply direct patients to someone who can provide the necessary aid.

NOELA BAE//IN MY OPINION

My conflict with Catholicism

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aving grown up in a family of devout Catholics, I was expected to adhere to the basic tenets and practices of the religion: praying before every meal, attending church on Sunday mornings, heeding the words of the Bible, going to confession at least two times a year. Speaking out against these routines was unheard of, so I did as I was told.

But I was never fully able to truly align myself with the beliefs of Catholicism. Oftentimes, the stories of the Bible seemed too far-fetched for me to believe. A blind man being able to see, Moses parting the Red Sea, Jesus walking on water — all of it seemed too good to be true.

The concept of religion did not sit well with me either. If there was one true God, why would He condone religious plurality?

How did I know that Catholicism was the only credible, righteous religion of them all? As I looked for ways to undercut my religion, God started to become a hazy concept. I even found my involvement in church steadily waning, as I resorted to unwarranted excuses, such as being too busy with schoolwork and extracurriculars, to avoid attending mass.

My con�lict with religion didn’t stop there. In a time when reason and liberalism are highly valued, it was inevitable that my religious conservatism would clash with these spheres. Time after time, I noticed that the lessons from my science teachers went directly against the teachings of my Sunday school teachers, who maintained that God created the universe, instead of the Big Bang.

Likewise, in my congregation, it was almost an unspoken rule for members to reject society’s efforts to provide more representation for the LGBTQIA+ community; according to the Bible, God had never intended for homosexuality and instead designed relationships and marriages to be loyal partnerships between men and women. Despite such Bible teachings, however, I didn’t want to dismiss the acceptance, vibrancy and diversity that the LGBTQIA+ community epitomized, nor the �indings of the scienti�ic community, which took countless years of heavy research and dispute to corroborate.

Such instances are why I have been torn between two worlds: that of Catholicism, and that of tolerance and rationalism. Even though I struggle with coming to terms with these two seemingly con�licting worlds, I have nonetheless continued to go to church, hoping that attending mass mindlessly every week would somehow alleviate or solve my problems.

Yet much to my chagrin, the dilemma has only persisted, especially after my seminarian claimed that he would cast his vote for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential elections. I remember being utterly revolted and instantly losing all of my respect for him upon hearing of his decision. I was fully aware that my lack of respect for my seminarian was blasphemous, but I could not help it; the liberal half of me would never support President Trump, a bigoted megalomaniac that fails to stand up for America’s values.

I am currently at a point where I do not know whether to distance myself from my religion or actively make an effort to cope with the troubles of my double life. I have not yet found a middle ground between religion and science — if there happens to be one — or between religious conservatism and liberalism. Hopefully, I will �ind a day in which these two vastly different worlds are reconcilable.

Need for sexual assault and harassment resources on campus Staff Editorial The Voice of the Epic they just keep it to themselves,” said freshman Austin Tong. “Our friends won’t always know what to do, so it’s really bene�icial to be covering this topic in class so more people can become comfortable with it.”

To ensure that students are receiving education on these topics, consent and sexual assault workshops held during the additional tutorials of the 2018-2019 school year would educate students on sexual harassment, sexual abuse, relationship violence and consent.

“The extra tutorial would bene�it students as [sexual harassment and verbal abuse] are topics that are rarely addressed,” said junior Sonali Mbouombouo. “People don’t make a big deal out of these problems, but they happen here too and should be addressed.”

In addition to providing students with more information regarding sexual misconduct during the tutorial workshops, an easily accessible resources page on the Lynbrook website would provide students with sources to reach out to for help, including guidance counselors, administration and additional hotline numbers. Along with contacts, the webpage could provide links to various websites, such as 1in6; LoveisRespect; and the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, which emphasize healthy relationships as well as recognizing signs of abuse and guidelines on what to report. An inclusive resources page containing sources for people of all genders, sexualities and identities would be especially helpful.

“I think bringing up these topics could make a difference in that it’s a more ongoing conversation and awareness can lead to many different things,” said assistant principal Eric Wong. “We need more of a conver-

sation understanding what [harassment and abuse] look like, what happens if you experience it and what actions to take. I think giving those strategies to students and continuing to just talk about them are good life skills for anyone to have.”

In addition to the tutorial workshops and resources page, Lynbrook should also support victims of sexual harassment on campus by providing a more accessible method for reporting incidents. Currently, students can report sexual harassment by talking to a teacher, guidance counselor, member of administration or any other staff member; however, not all students are comfortable with face-to-face interaction and may feel hesitant to report to adults for this reason.

Thus, a resource such as an online form could serve as a way to initiate communication with an administrator of the student’s choice, while providing a sense of anonymity as they would have the option to complete the form without using their name, and only provide their student ID, which is needed to ensure credibility and allow administration to investigate the case. This would later lead to scheduled in-person meetings to discuss further actions.

Promoting awareness of the resources available for sexual assault and harassment victims not only creates a safer environment for both students and staff, but is also an important move to break down the stigma surrounding sexual assault in high school. A much needed update in protocols for reporting and educating students about sexual misconduct is necessary to make all members of the community feel secure. *the Epic staff voted 33-0 in favor of this stance

mize its effect. A good example of a more effective form of protest is the Women’s March, a passionate yet peaceful rally that garnered signi�icant attention and amassed the largest single-day participation for a protest in U.S. history. As a result of the march and its endurance, women developed a growing interest in the political climate, and a Women’s March was held again the following year.

Although many different causes were advocated for, the peaceful nature of the event gave protesters an umbrella cause to �ight under, offering visibility to a variety of issues including reproductive rights and equal pay.

“The Women’s March was really effective because it was able to gather a large number of people united under a certain cause,” said sophomore Sarah Sotoudeh, vice president of Intersections, a social justice club on cam-

pus. “It shows just how many people care about a topic and are willing to put their time and energy into participating.”

Adding the element of violence to resistance may jeopardize protesters’ causes.

Violent protesters are more likely to engage in tactics such as property destruction, potentially depriving them of sympathy or support. As a result of the EFF’s actions, many individuals, particularly South Africans, are split on whether or not to support it. While most understand the group’s original motive, they are hesitant to offer their support because the violent situation has emerged as a battle of evil against evil.

“Violent protests are controversial, and people may think H&M is undeserving of the violent protests,” said junior Selena Jeong, public relations of�icer of Intersections. “So,

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY DIVYA NELAKONDA AND BELINDA ZHOU

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exual assault is a topic commonly viewed as taboo, but with various Hollywood sexual harassment and assault scandals making headlines, this complicated issue has become increasingly dif�icult to ignore. Initiating discussions about sexual assault and the protections that the Lynbrook student body should receive is integral in creating a healthier school environment.

Victims are often reluctant to report or share their experiences with harassment for fear of being reprimanded by parents or other adults, such as school administrators.

Along with the stigma surrounding the topic, victims can often feel ashamed for having experienced sexual harassment. According to a 2011 report on sexual harassment at school by the American Association of University Women, only nine percent of sexual harassment is reported in grades seven through twelve, though one in three-to-four girls and one in �ive-to-seven boys under 18 were in high school in 2015, as reported by the Huffington Post.

“Assault is such a dif�icult topic to cover because it’s so hard to imagine,” said sophomore Aarushi Gupta. “Bringing awareness [to the subject] will help people feel safer and understand boundaries and regulations.”

Sex education during freshman year covers consent and sexual assault, while school disciplinary policies discuss zero tolerance policies; however, beyond these two instances, there is little discussion of sexual and verbal abuse. Though it may be dif�icult to �it these topics into the busy schedules of both teachers and students, access to additional information concerning these subjects should be made available; potential methods include tutorial workshops, a resources page on the Lynbrook website and an online form to report sexual misconduct.

“People don’t want to talk about [sexual harassment] because it’s really personal and some people don’t want to seem weak, so

Use of violence in H&M protests proves counterproductive

BY DIVYA NELAKONDA

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n online advertisement released by H&M on Jan. 8 featured a young black boy modeling a sweatshirt with “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” embroidered on the front. The Swedish clothing giant immediately received backlash across social media, with critics accusing the advertisement of having racial undertones. Response to the photo escalated into violent uproar, with demonstrators from South Africa’s secondlargest opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), organizing protests at stores at the Menlyn Park Shopping Center in Pretoria. Video clips of the activists destroying displays, kicking over clothing rails and knocking down mannequins surfaced soon after the protests. While the protesters’ anger in regard to the degree of ignorance and insensitivity expressed by H&M is justi�ied, demonstrations should adopt a more peaceful approach to better re�lect their causes.

On Jan. 13, EFF protesters in South Africa led a violent uproar through six H&M stores in Gauteng Province, near Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa. The EFF protesters, part of a revolutionary socialist political party, trashed the H&M stores and were eventually dispersed by rubber bullets �ired by police of�icers. EFF’s leader, Julius Malema, explained that the rationale for targeting H&M was that the brand had “called our children baboons.” At the rally, Malema told the crowd that that they were teaching the company a lesson — to not reject or humiliate African customers based on skin color.

Though it is possible that the advertisement may not have been intentionally racially offensive, it was nonetheless ignorant, and H&M’s cultural naivete should not be overlooked. Its comparison of black people to monkeys is animalizing, and this styling decision is an instrument in dehumanization.

At the same time, the H&M protests should have been carried out in a more civil manner to develop a more coherent message to maxi-

ART ILLUSTRATION BY CLARA FERNANDES

in turn, it may impact the way people view the original issue; it shifts the focus from H&M’s crude advertising to the violent retaliations of the protesters.”

Particularly problematic is the fact that the employees of the H&M stores that were destroyed are mostly of African descent, and are the ones responsible for cleaning up the mess and repairing the damage. They might eventually be put out of work as many H&M stores in South Africa were forced to close as a result of the protests. Vandalizing stores, and thereby threatening the jobs of many black employees, does little to mitigate the racism expressed by the corporation, let alone uproot it. The issues can be tricky when re�lecting on a history of numerous failed attempts by marginalized populations to challenge discrimination. But likewise, history has frequently shown that violence only perpetuates further violence. Defacing property is a super�icial solution to an issue as entrenched as institutional racism, and such actions pose a threat to the stability of existing movements working to eradicate it.

“The violent protests were not justi�ied,” said Jeong. “As a company, [H&M] would likely listen to the public outrage that ensued promptly afterwards. I understand the protesters’ anger, and their anger is perfectly valid. However, I believe violent protests should be used sparingly, and I don’t believe the H&M incident was deserving of one.”

Protests today play a pivotal role in �ighting social injustice, and the racist advertising of H&M is unquestionably an issue to be challenged. The approach of the EFF protests involving the vandalizing and defacing of H&M stores in South Africa, however, is ultimately counterproductive. These violent methods foster even more criminality in a movement that is already targeted for lack of civility.

Rather than resort to violence, the protests should employ more appropriate procedures that strengthen and garner support for their cause without threatening those affected by the very racism they oppose.

Epic staffer tries his hand at the art of makeup Watch Marie and Arul go head to head! distance. The dif�icult part, however, came when I needed to create dimension. I started off by applying a bit of red, and then some black, hoping that it would look somewhat like a shadow. It didn’t. Instead, most said it looked like Aurelia had a black eye, probably since I added a bit too much black. My blending technique was subpar, and instead of a slow gradient from gold to red to black, my creation looked more like three squares. Although it didn’t look close to what Marie had done, I was still satis�ied with the look I had achieved, so I moved onto the highlight. Marie had stressed how precise I had to be with the highlight, so I knew that I needed to take my time and be careful. Marie noted that the highlight belonged on the cheekbone, and she emphasized that I shouldn’t put too much, or I would smear the highlight all over Aurelia’s face. Keeping this in mind, I carefully applied

three small drops of the highlight. It looked �ine at �irst, but as I brushed the highlight around, I realized that it was a bit… overpowering. But I decided it was �ine and moved onto another crucial part: the eyeliner. Marie had incredibly steady hands; unfortunately, I didn’t. Still, I was able to draw a decent-looking wing by my standards. I later combined purple, blue and yellow from the lipstick palette to create a light red color for application.

To be completely honest, the makeup I had applied didn’t look quite as good as Marie’s makeup look. Marie’s highlight actually highlighted Aurelia’s cheekbone, whereas the highlight I applied just looked like I accidentally spilled something on her face. The eyeliner that Marie applied was a steady, solid line, while mine was patchy and slightly crooked. When I compared the two sides, I found that the single biggest difference was how the makeup was all blended together. The makeup Marie had applied cascaded across Aurelia’s face, gradually growing brighter around the cheekbones and fading back to dark on the cheeks. On the other hand, the makeup I had applied was choppy and broken up, ruining the wavy effect that Marie had achieved. From my minutes of makeup experience, this is probably the biggest piece of advice I can give: blend. It basically �ixes everything.

In the end, I learned that makeup is a lot harder than it looks. The �inished product looks very natural, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, the setup is extremely complicated. There is a multitude of brushes, palettes and other products to choose from, and that’s just the �irst step, not to mention choosing colors, blending, applying mascara, lipstick and much, much more. On top of all of that, this entire process varies with each model, depending on their skin tones and facial structure. While it is easily taken for granted, makeup in reality is an art in itself; it requires skill, patience and practice.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY FEATURES SECTION

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unior Marie Karpinska lays out a vast collection of brushes, palettes and powders in front of her. She chooses the products she needs and delicately applies the products to the model’s face, precisely adhering to the contours and curves of her face. Only a few minutes later, the model’s face is transformed into a work of art. Marie started uploading makeup tutorials onto Youtube and Instagram to showcase her talents in January 2017.

In this challenge, Marie applied makeup to one side of our model Aurelia’s face. My part of the challenge was to try to recreate the look she created.

The makeup that Marie applied was impressive to say the least. While she was applying each product, the effect of each product wasn’t very noticeable. As she put the �inishing touches on Aurelia, however, the effect of her makeup as a whole became clear. The way Marie blended all the products was mesmerizing. What seemed like a random placement of various products soon turned into a smooth mixture of color and shading that added a sense of depth, and accuentated Aurelia’s features. An excellent example of this was when Marie applied the eye shadow, choosing from the Morphe Second Nature eye shadow palette. She created a gradient from gold to black as she moved outwards from the left of the right eyelid, blending the eye shadow to create a sense of depth that complimented the curvature of Aurelia’s eyes. That’s the thing about Marie’s makeup that stood out to me the most: the makeup never seemed overpowering or garrish; rather, it enhanced the features that Aurelia had. Having seen the process by which she applied each product, I was con�ident that I could recreate what she had done. Aurelia had nothing to worry about.

When it came my turn to apply the makeup, I was ner-

vous, to say the least. I had sketched before, but applying makeup on someone’s face is a lot different from drawing on a piece of paper. Also, I sensed that Aurelia didn’t really trust my skills. Nonetheless, I was excited to start. I began with the eye shadow palette. There was an enormous amount of brushes to choose from, and I didn’t know the difference between any of them. But since most of them looked about the same, I picked one that was reasonably sized and dipped it in the gold powder. The process of applying it was easy enough; I spread the glittery powder across Aurelia’s eyelid a few times until the glittery gold color was visible from a

PATRICIA WEI—EPIC

BY ARUL GNANASIVAM

“Black Panther” marvels audiences

BY WILLIAM GUO

Spring isn’t my season

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pringtime. An ethereal time of the year when the earth awakes from its slightly chilly slumber, �lowers decide to puke pollen into the air and baby bunnies are born, I guess.

If my intro hasn’t hinted at it enough already, I’m not a huge fan of spring for several reasons. First, I have an immune system weaker than that of a gold�ish.

Thus, I greet sunny spring mornings with congestion and bloodshot eyes, with allergy medication making my head feel even stuf�ier than before I took it. Sweating is also an issue, mostly because I strongly dislike the feeling it gives me. Thanks to what I learned in my biology classes (shout out to Mr. Pallone and Ms. Della Santina), I now know that sweat plays a major role in cooling down the body. Yet, I’d rather feel hot than having to pry my legs off the car seat every time my sweat glues me down to the seat. I also have a tendency to fry before I tan, so I spend most of my time hiding from the giant death ray in the sky, while my melanin levels adjust just enough for me to exit my house without disintegrating.

That’s not to say that spring is entirely awful. The season has a few redeeming qualities such as several extended weekends and breaks, and I suppose the warmer weather makes it easier to justify the exorbitant amounts of boba tea I intake.

And, we all know that with warm weather also comes the birth of baby animals. While most people may �ind joy in the sudden in�lux of �luffy and feathered creatures, they tend to forget that with spring also comes the spawn of less desirable creatures, like bugs... mainly bugs. The few times I end up actually stepping outside, I would prefer not to be rewarded with a giant cloud of gnats in my face.

Being the good AP Literature student I am (wink wink Ms. McCown), I understand how spring is symbolic of new beginnings, or at least that’s what it’s supposed to symbolize. If I’m being true to the pessimist within me, though, I don’t quite buy into the capitalistic pandering that attempts to sell the message of new beginnings through the need of celebrating various spring “holidays.” Valentine’s Day only reminds me of how single I am; I don’t think anyone truly celebrates St. Patrick’s Day as the anniversary of an Irish saint’s death; and I can’t be bothered to understand how rabbits, painted eggs and chocolate are related to the resurrection of Jesus on Easter’s Day. I can only conclude that capitalists have decided to exploit our need for some entertainment during this fairly dull time of year by tricking us into spending money on overpriced decor and themed treats and candy every month until summer vacation and frankly, they don’t even do it that well.

Think about it. If you truly wanted to make money, why not exploit all the other holidays: Pi day, Purple Heart Day, heck, throw in all the state birthday’s and you’ve got a full set of 50 more holidays to make bank on throughout the year. Even better, cash out on selling experimentational �itness packages like underwater pole dancing or puppy yoga following the indulgence that often accompanies holiday celebrations. Just throwing an idea out there for the entrepreneurs looking to make some quick cash.

In the end, spring has its ups and downs.

It just so happens that spring mostly has downsides for me, to which I say…

Oh Whale!

ART ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE LEE

How to exercise your brain

BY SADHANA SARMA 1. Meditate Meditation can be a great way to start off the day. The activity is renowned for its stress relieving qualities, but it can also do wonders for your health. Unlike most brain exercises, meditation actually trains your brain to exercise self-control. Though you may feel relaxed, your brain is actually �iltering out any intruding thoughts.

There are a variety of ways you can approach meditation. Smartphone applications such as Headspace and Calm can aid you through a guided meditation, in which a speaker guides you through a session. You can also take time to yourself and sit down in a quiet space with your eyes closed, focusing on your breathing and movement. Regardless of the route you choose, learning meditation can be an asset to your mental health.

2. Learn a new language or instrument Learning a language may seem like a daunting task, so start off with an easier language.

Languages such as Norwegian, Swedish and Spanish are ranked 3 of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Training yourself to speak a new language forces you to exercise new parts of your brain. You may even improve at speaking your own language by working the parts of

your brain involved in language. The workload can be minimal because even a few new words a day can go a long way. Platforms such as the app Duolingo and the website Rosetta Stone can aid you to become the next linguist.

Learning to play an instrument works in a similar way. New pathways in your mind are opened, especially if you play an instrument that requires multitasking. Piano is valuable, because one must use both hands and a foot in cohesion to play effectively. If you want to try something easier and cheaper, however, consider pursuing the ukulele or harmonica.

You will not even realize that you are putting your brain to work as you are engaging in a fun, long term hobby.

3. Use your non-dominant hand Using your left hand versus your right

hand stimulates different parts of your brain. While being right-handed usually means you are a left-brained person who tends to have higher abilities in logical thinking, being left-handed often means you are right-brained with higher abilities in creativity. Engaging the other side of your brain can help you become more versatile.

Try running drills such as rewriting assignments or writing short stories with your non-dominant hand. Obviously, be careful about the times you choose to partake in this drill, as your handwriting is likely to be illegible. Practice does make perfect, and after some time you will have the talent of being ambidextrous as well as a healthier mind.

4. Choose brain-stimulating activities for pastimes Reading, writing, problem-solving, chess playing and solving crossword puzzles are simple activities that you can do in your free time to stimulate your brain. Find what interests you, whether it be a book about an intriguing new topic or the newspaper’s weekly crossword.

Then, make a habit of doing the activity often and with great focus on the task at hand. Choosing to partake in brain-stimulating activities rather than watching television or playing video games as your pastime of choice will do wonders for your brain’s development.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY FEATURES SECTION

MICHYLA LIN // OH WHALE!

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s a Marvel movie fan, I was extremely excited to see “Black Panther”, especially after seeing his �irst movie appearance in “Captain America: Civil War.” The character �irst made his debut in the Marvel comics published in 1966.

The �ilm takes place in Wakanda, a �ictional African country, as Actor Chadwick Boseman reprises his role as Prince T’Challa of Wakanda after Civil War. As the newest Black Panther, T’Challa must deal with newly acquired responsibilities as he takes his father’s place as king, and learns �irst handedly the consequences of his father’s secretive past.

Because the movie takes place in Africa, the cast mainly consisted of African Americans, a casting decision that has received praise for including diversity into the �ilm. I found the movie especially refreshing with its very diverse cast; director Ryan Coogler did an excellent job in crafting a compelling story that incorporates African culture. For casual moviegoers, though, that may not be as important as the actual acting, which was also excellent. Boseman’s return as Prince T’Challa was fantastic, and I also thoroughly enjoyed Michael B. Jordan’s performance as the villain, Killmonger. The supporting cast was equally great, and I was especially excited for the parts of the actresses in the movie. Okoye and Nakia are played by Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o respectively; both were realistic actresses as the head of the Wakandan guards and T’Challa’s love interest respectively.

Marvel’s marketing for this movie was impeccable: prior to the release of “Black Panther,” I had already been listening to the released album on

repeat. It was curated by Kendrick Lamar, and includes collaborations with artists such as Future, Travis Scott, SZA and Khalid. It has remained the number 1 album on the Billboard 200 charts, and effectively appealed to a younger audience. Heading into the �ilm, I was wondering how each song from the album would be incorporated in the movie; unfortunately, not every song made it into the �ilm. As a result of having such a star-studded soundtrack, I also found that sometimes the music didn’t �it the scene at different points of the movie. However, “Black Panther: the Album” is a great standalone piece.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the use of colors and costumes in the movie. From the traditional attire to the different tribes in “Black Panther,” the movie explores many aspects of African culture, and depicts a diverse people. The movie was carefully crafted in its wardrobe design and soundtrack, and took a very different path from how usual superhero movies are made. On a technical aspect, the movie wasn’t mindblowing by any means, but the special effects were good, and the plot was still intriguing.

The movie is not �lawless, however, and I felt that there were parts of the movie that weren’t cohesive. For instance, Martin Freeman’s character, Agent Ross, felt out of place in the latter half of the movie, and some of the relationships between characters felt forced. The movie left me with a few questions, especially as the Marvel franchise heads toward In�inity War, where all the heroes will appear in the same movie together.

Overall, “Black Panther” is a very special �ilm that sets it apart from other Marvel movies. While it continues the storyline in the Marvel universe, this movie has been revolutionary in many ways, from the way it portrayed its subject matter to its cast and soundtrack. While it wasn’t a perfect �ilm, I thoroughly enjoyed watching “Black Panther,” and cannot wait for its sequel.

Feminism from the 1900s to the modern day The history behind the womens’ movement

BY JOCY HE AND ASHLEY SONG

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ART ILLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN

eminism has been steadily gaining momentum, especially in recent years. By de�inition, feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of having equality of the sexes. Under this ideology, people have banded together for centuries to promote equality and empower one another. Now, people are avidly partaking in feminist movements that weren’t as easy to participate in when feminism initially took off. From the 1800s to the present day, feminism has experienced three prominent waves, each a strenuous battle with the goal of reaching a state of gender equality.

In the �irst “wave” of feminism during the 19th and 20th centuries, women primarily fought for property rights, political power and opposed the ownership of women by their husbands. At Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, nearly 200 women gathered for the �irst ever women’s rights convention. There, the women signed the Declaration of Sentiments and Grievances, a document specifying 12 resolutions for equal rights. In 1920, the suffragettes �inally achieved what they had been campaigning for: the right for women to vote. While this amendment encompassed their overarching goal, the feminists had left out the African American population in their movement toward gender equality. It wasn’t until 1965, nearly �ive decades later, that African Americans gained the right to vote. Even when their voting rights were secured, racism still existed and their civil rights continued to be threatened.

By the 1930s, women had a new goal primarily focused on increasing wages and improving poor working

conditions. This would be known as the sec- Erick Shimabuku. “I think that a struggle ond wave of feminism, which had a strong women face is discrimination in receiving job focus on improving societal inequalities. positions. For example, one can see the vast In the 1940s, men left to �ight overseas in disproportionality of women in Congress World War II, and women had more employ- with women only compromising about 19.6 ment opportunities. As more women were percent of it.” employed, labor unions formed in the 1930s During the third wave of feminism in the became stronger and new bene�its arose for 1990s, women fought for universal womanworking women. However, after the war end- hood: a normalcy of body, gender and sexued, men returned to ality. This led to interthe labor force and sectional feminism, the reclaimed women’s belief that a person’s race, “TRANSITION IS PAINFUL, positions.

When class, ethnicity, religion men took over the BUT I THINK WE’RE GETand sexual orientation labor force yet again, TING TO THE OTHER SIDE.” can affect the way one’s their wages were experience with oppresTeresa Shook sion and discrimination. higher than those of the women. Today, Womens’ March This starkly contrasts women in America the ideology of �irst wave still face this wage feminism, where only gap, earning only 80 Caucasian women were percent of what men earn, according the the advocated for.

American Association of University Women.

Amid the current publicity surrounding Women’s struggles also lie in landing posi- sexual harassment, feminist advocates have tions in male-dominated �ields, particularly taken their discontentment to the streets and in the STEM �ields of work. social media. Since president Donald Trump’s “An example to how feminism is relevant inauguration in January 2017, millions of to our daily lives today is science class. Boys women around the world have walked the are like, ‘Oh, I’ll take over,’ or ‘You can write streets of major cities with expressive postthe notes,’” said sophomore Zainab Nasir. ers in the annual Women’s March. The event “The behavioral aspects of men and women advocated for environmental justice; ending are different these days. Women are treated violence; and for rights for women’s health, as inferior.” the LGBTQIA+ community, workers, civil In the 1950s, the economy began to ex- rights and those with disabilities. pand and the “Red Scare,” an anti-communist “I think women are really turning the sentiment, diminished most feminist orga- tide,” said Teresa Shook, organizer of the nizations. By the early 1960s, however, as a Women’s March. “Obviously, my event page prolonged period of prosperity took hold, in- that went viral touched a nerve and we are terest to explore new ideas and movements a movement now and that we are changing arose, leading to the civil rights movement. things. Sometimes, that process transition is The movement in�luenced more people to painful, but I think we’re getting to the other question and doubt pre-established social side. Women just need to continue doing constructs, such as segregation and inequal- their part, like speaking up and standing up. ity in the workplace.

A lot of positive things are happening: over “Feminism gave my mom the right to 20,000 women are running for public of�ice, work and help provide for our family,” junior young women just need to ensure they’re

supporting their women friends and ensure that we have a fair justice and inclusive role.”

Social media has also spurred an increase in online movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, which encourage people to share their stories of sexual assault to show survivors that they are not alone. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of men and women speaking out against their sexual harassers, especially in the entertainment industry. Famous directors and actors are experiencing backlash from the community after alleged sexual assault claims. The most publicized movements against these celebrities include those that against Harvey Weinstein, a �ilm producer, and Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor.

Although there is still much to be done to reach an idealistic state of equality and a predictably long way to go, the power of feminists uniting and protesting has already made considerable progress in approaching a balanced society.

“I think that feminism is important because we need to �ight for equality so that the next generation of women won’t have to,” Shimabuku said.

Two hundred years ago, women at the Seneca Falls Convention could never have foreseen how far their efforts would go. They paved the way for the evolution of feminism today.

Scan for our full interactive package on feminism

OR access the package at tinyurl.com/exploringfeminism

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY AILEEN XUE AND JESSICA LI

A step into the digitized Amazon Go store

BY CHLOE LEE AND ERIC WU

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t’s been a busy day, but before you go home, you need to go grocery shopping for dinner; luckily, there’s an Amazon Go store right around the corner. As you enter, dozens of cameras, the genius behind it all, lay hidden in the rafters monitoring the store below as customers browse the products. You pick out the groceries you need and walk out within ten minutes. Once you leave the gates, the Amazon Go app bills your account with the items you purchased, stealthily picked up by the cameras.

Located in Seattle, the Amazon Go store opened to the public in January 2018 to make shopping more convenient for customers. The store includes items found in traditional grocery stores. The only notable difference is the checkout process, in which customers can simply enter the store using the Amazon app, pick out what they want and walk out without the hassle of a checkout line.

The store streamlines the usually time-consuming process of shopping by eliminating unnecessary interactions and allowing customers to pay at their own convenience.

In order to enter the store, potential customers must download the free Amazon Go app and log in with their Amazon account. The store’s “Just Walk Out” technology automatically detects when items are taken from or placed on shelves and keeps track of them in customers’ virtual carts. Cameras use computer vision, allowing the system to detect if an item has been taken off a shelf, billing customers accordingly. Several human employees also work behind the store to train the algorithms and make sure that the technology is as accurate as possible.

“Personally, I’m fascinated at how quickly Amazon has been able to capitalize on recent advances in arti�icial intelligence to their own commercial applications,” said senior Bryan Chiang. “It’s always interesting to see how companies are able to leverage new scienti�ic knowledge to create products that bene�it society.”

With the rise in arti�icial intelligence, however, come

concerns of its moral and ethical use. Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, among dozens of other leading experts in the �ield of arti�icial intelligence, expressed negative sentiments regarding its implications in an “Open Letter on Arti�icial Intelligence.” Scenarios reminiscent of Hollywood �ilms like “Terminator” and “The Matrix” are probably in our imagination, but, as Hawking notes, the capabilities of arti�icial intelligence are simply unknown. Previous tests indicate that arti�icially intelligent machines could become “superintelligent” at exceedingly fast rates, making them dif�icult to control.

Even now, kiosks and machines are becoming increasingly more prevalent in restaurants and stores, replacing jobs previously held by humans. Amazon Go claims that it has not replaced its need for human employees; rather, it has placed them in places of need elsewhere in the store, like the alcohol section, to check the age of customers or simply to guide shoppers as they navigate the store. Nevertheless, people who traditionally hold the jobs that are being accomplished by AI and robots are in the process of attaining, or do not have access to, higher level jobs.

“Some problems are inevitable as we continue to innovate,” said Chiang. “I think there are de�initely ways to mitigate its effects. For people already stuck in these positions, government programs that help them �ind new or related roles that can’t be easily replicated by machines is a good start. Also helping people seek higher education, whether through online methods or at local colleges, will probably be integral to this process.”

More threatening than just replacing human jobs, however, is the fact that arti�icial intelligence has already become integrated into social media platforms; as a result, our lives already revolve around the decisions that

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arti�icial intelligence make for us, whether we know it or not.

“Recently, unexpected problems have arisen as people become more and more reliant on machine learning in everyday applications,” said Cheng. “For example, in applying machine learning to criminal justice or face detection, some algorithms have been found to be biased against racial minorities. As arti�icial intelligence becomes more widespread, we really need to keep in mind how to minimize and eliminate bias and how to be inclusive of everybody who is affected by these technologies.”

Despite controversies surrounding the use of arti�icial intelligence, Amazon’s foray into creating the ultimate shopping experience is just an indication of how far technology can go. The effectiveness of arti�icial intelligence is almost unquestionable; the only concern is whether development of the technology exceeds our means to regulate it.

Uncovering the positive role of therapy animals

BY JUSTINE CHEN AND DIANA XU

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MICHELLE ZEMYLAK - EPIC

400-pound llama guided by an animal trainer walks through the sliding doors of a hospital. Puzzled onlookers turn their heads and stare as a nine-year-old diagnosed with autism tentatively walks up to the llama with a carrot in hand. The girl smiles, stroking the animal’s soft fur. This unusual scene is one example of a treatment that has

been increasingly implemented in rehabilitation facilities, children’s hospitals, senior communities and schools across the country: animal-assisted therapy (AAT).

AAT is not a new concept; it was �irst recognized in the 1800s by the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. She observed reduced anxiety among mentally ill patients when they communed with small pets, which enabled AAT to grow into an of�icial treatment to nurse the sick. The popularity of this type of therapy has accelerated since its initial boom; AAT is now used in a variety of settings.

“There are many types of animals and they all have individual bene�its,” said veterinary technician Jessica Ramirez. “One of the most common bene�its could be pinpointed as being comfort to their companion.

Many persons who are in need of a ther-

Learn about the different types of animal therapy

apy animal suffer from different types of behaviors, whether it be social anxiety, anxiety, PTSD and many more.”

AAT is a type of therapy in which interacting with animals improves an individual’s social, emotional and cognitive function. It involves patients interacting with an animal in individual or group settings. Often mistaken for animal-assisted activities, which involves casual meetings with an animal and its handler, AAT consists of a structured set of sessions in which speci�ic treatment goals for an individual’s medical conditions are targeted.

Goals range from teaching social �lexibility to improving cardiovascular health among patients diagnosed with medical disorders.

Contrary to the common belief that therapy animals are merely dogs and cats, AAT animals include llamas, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, horses and �ish. These animals can also be easily confused with emotional support animals (ESA). Though both provide emotional comfort and companionship affection, ESAs are trained to help a disabled individual function, while AAT animals are taught to be more socially adjusted and to encourage individuals to further their treatment.

The therapeutic uses of pets as companions have grown for a variety of patients.

From brie�ly caressing a dog before boarding an airplane to frequently being visited by animals, AAT can aid in one’s psychological well-being.

Numerous studies have shown that the mere act of petting an animal promotes the release of phenylethylamine, serotonin and oxytocin, hormones that help relax and soothe the body. AAT also reduces the feeling of isolation and stimulates mental activity in patients. Patients often feel more comfortable interacting with animals than humans; while it can be dif�icult for individuals with emotional disorders to trust others, it can be easier for them to trust a therapy animal.

Thus, during rehabilitation, people are more motivated to recover from their disorders when working with a therapy animal.

“I think bringing in therapy dogs to Lynbrook not only builds up everyone’s energy, but it also provides that stress-relieving element,” said senior Jessica Peng, a coordinator for the Challenge Success program which annually brings therapy dogs onto campus. “We bring over dogs the week before AP testing when the stress level is very high. Animals aren’t like humans where they will judge you; animals are very good partners for humans.”

In addition to improving mental health, AAT is used to bene�it patients suffering from disorders such as autism, Asperger’s and dementia. For patients with head injuries or dementia, interacting with therapy animals assists in recalling memories.

Interacting with pets also fosters socialization and increase responsiveness. In 2011, Thai Elephant Conservation Center enlisted two elephants to provide therapy for autistic children. By feeding and petting the elephants, the children adjusted to touching different textures.

While playing games with the elephants encouraged socialization in group environments, painting and drawing the elephants also sparked their imagination. The allure of animals is that they are able to interact with humans without a spoken language, improving the children’s communication skills.

“Many kids [in hospitals] miss being with their pets at home,” said Jacob Lore, a Child Life Specialist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. “This is a way to reconnect with animals. It can also be calming to one patient and fun or exciting to another.”

Though the success rate of each AAT case has not be ascertained, `there is no doubt that the treatment can help those in need.

Iman Haq en garde, ready to fight

Following her experiences and achievements in fencing

BY CLARA FERNANDES

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uts, bruises and scars. She pushes away her pain from long practices, focusing on her opponent’s moves. She can already taste the victory, but the simplest touch from her opponent’s blade shatters her plan into pieces. Within seconds, junior Iman Haq must rethink her tactics and develop a new strategy.

Even though fencing may appear to be a dangerous sport, there are four layers of protection gear that keep Iman safe during fencing tournaments.

Most of her injuries are acquired during practice, but the pain is quickly forgotten as it pays off when she competes.

Her intensive training and passion for the sport has helped Iman identify her strengths and weaknesses better, as well as teach her that triumph

KELSEY LU—EPIC

NOELA BAE// IN MY OPINION

Olympics: a uniting force between divided nations

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fter years of rising tension, political strife and military aggression, North and South Korea put their differences aside and walked under a common �lag that displayed the peninsula as one nation during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. In what seemed a gesture of peace and unity, this may be the prelude to a thaw-

comes as a result of hard work and discipline. excellent performance allowed her to score nation“I started fencing about two and a half years ago,” al points. Her next goal is to acquire enough nationsaid Iman. “I wanted to try something more individual, al points to be able to qualify for international comsomething different.” petitions, as well as work her way up to the Olympic Iman was originally a soccer player, but games. did not feel as if she was pushing herself to “We’re thrilled that her full potential while out on the �ield. she’s found a sport She then found interest in fencing through “IT TAKES SOMEONE that she’s so passionher two brothers, who were already involved COURAGEOUS, SOMEate about,” said Mona with the fencing community. Because she and ONE WHO HAS REHaq, Iman’s mother. her brothers had frequently engaged in play- SILIENCE, SOMONE “Not many �ind that ful �ights throughout their childhood, Iman WHO DOESN’T GIVE sort of connection to decided to give the unusual contact sport a UP, SOMEONE WHO’S a sport so we’re happy try.

PERSISTENT AND DETER- for Iman. We’ll sup“It takes someone courageous, someone MINED TO WIN.” port her al the way to who has resilience, someone who doesn’t the Olympics one day. give up, someone who’s persistent and deIman Haq That’s her dream.” termined to win,” said Iman. “Someone who Although she is Junior can think quickly on their feet, passionate about comcome up with a plan in seconds. peting in these events, You have to be mentally strong.” the process leading up to tournaments is extremely Recently, Iman has begun to practice hectic, with each weekend consisting of countless at Halberstadt Fencers’ Club in San Fran- plane rides, leaving her with an immense distaste cisco, since she felt that her previous for traveling. coaches had not been giving her the disAside from being physically exhausting, fenccipline and support that she needed. She ing also presents Iman with mental and emotional felt as if she did not grow to her fullest obstacles. Especially when she is the underdog in potential at her old club, despite practic- a competition, she �inds it dif�icult to think under ing on a daily basis. pressure and come up with a new plan.

Currently, she practices twice a week She pays close attention to her footwork in orin three hour sessions and has been der to create distance between her and the opposatis�ied with her progress. Although nent and is constantly anticipating her rival’s next the sport is physically demanding and move. Iman’s bladework comes hand in hand with time-consuming, she genuinely enjoys her footwork, as she attempts to create suf�icient practicing. space between her opponent and herself in order “[Practice] is always about trying to to land a strike and earn a point, making each step be the best you can be,” said Iman. “It’s she takes meaningful. Her delicate handwork must where your coach gets to watch you be as sharp as her mind and follow the same rhythm closely and give feedback speci�ic to you. as her feet.

I’ve always had a dream of going to the “Sports in general is a great thing because it Olympics. Just working toward the goal teaches you so many wonderful things that relate is helping me improve every single day.” to life in general,” said Mona. “You an learn valuIman’s aspiration of participating in able lessons in courage, con�idence, resilience, perthe Olympics one day is what drives her sistence, disappointment, and how to be a gracious to compete in regional tournaments winner.” on most weekends and national With such a strong discipline and willpower, tournaments every month.

Iman believes that she will ful�ill her dream of going Through her persistent to the Olympics one day, fencing for Team USA on efforts, she has already our television screens. earned enough regional “I have really learned that I am a deep thinker points to participate in and that I can think under the surface in a short the Junior Olympics, amount of time,” said Iman. “I’ve learned that I am which were held last a �ighter and that I have resilience. I know I have a month on Feb. 16 in lot of passion and love for this sport and I think it’s Tennessee. There, her what really drives my determination.”

ing of relations.

Their hostile relationship dates as far back as the mid-19th century, as a communist regime emerged in the North and a democratic government in the South. Ever since, their ideologies and geopolitics have put them at complete odds. The two countries thus took the world aback when they marched together behind a uni�ication �lag — the �irst time at the games by nations of a divided peninsula.

The parade of nations was followed by the performance of Arirang, a traditional folk song that dates back to long before the Korean peninsula became divided in 1945. This unof�icial national anthem captures the Korean culture and spirit, as it speaks to all Korean people regardless of age or background.

As a result, when the song was performed on Feb. 9 during the opening ceremony, it expressed the tragedy of two separate nations that were once one.

South Korean �igure skaters Min Yura and

Alexander Gamelin further expressed these sentiments when they skated to the song for their lyrical dance. Those in the crowd were �illed with a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, and came together to show their support for the pair. This demonstrated that Arirang had become more than simply the pair’s background music.

A display of unity between the Koreas was evident during the debut of the uni�ied Korean women’s ice hockey team as well. Despite losing its �irst game against Switzerland, the team bore the symbol of reconciliation and cooperation between the two nations. That night, the stands were packed with fans, who were not concerned with the score and instead waved unity �lags to remind the team that they were gathered as one.

In spite of the large turnout and unity present at the hockey match, such instances of solidarity have been met with backlash.

Much of the South Korean community, for example, petitioned against the joint ice hockey

team and have appeared at the games with South Korean �lags. Many have also claimed that the rapport, compromises and cooperation among the two nations are merely a political stunt or an illusion of unity rather than an actual easing of tensions.

Regardless of such opinions, there is no doubt that North and South Korea have made breakthroughs this Olympic season by having a joint women’s ice hockey team and marching as one nation since its division. It was only a few months ago that doubts arose concerning whether Pyeongchang could host the Games because of growing hostility over North Korea’s missile program, but the Koreas have been able to forge closer relations during this event, although they are of�icially at war. This illustrates that despite being a sporting event, the Olympics have the power to unite even the most divided body politics.

They are now one step closer to alleviating tensions within the peninsula — or maybe even becoming one nation in the long run.

USED WITH PERMISSION OF PIETRO BREZZO KELSEY LU—EPIC

Championship season leads to CCS qualification

BY AILEEN XUE

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or many of Lynbrook‘s sports teams, the season has ended in success and resulted in validation for all the hard work athletes put in before and during the season.

The wrestling team, girls’ basketball team and boys’ basketball team have all quali�ied for Central Coast Section (CCS) and are ready to �inish off a successful season.

The wrestling team completed a standout season where they were not only awarded the SCVAL El Camino League Wrestling Championship for winning all their dual meets and going undefeated, but also saw four wrestlers—freshman David Heydinger and seniors Logan Stormo, Hayden Ito and Kennedy Miedema—qualify for CCS. Miedema came second at CCS and quali�ied for states, where she placed seventh with a record of 4-2.

Despite losing several team members due to injuries and coming into the season with new coaches and many unfamiliar faces, the wrestlers were still able to impress with an undefeated record.

“Coming in with a lot of freshmen can pose a challenge for a team since you don’t know how they’re going to make that transition from middle school to high school,” said Miedema.

“However, they did really well. Even though it felt different after we lost wrestlers throughout the season and got new coaches, we pulled through and had a great season.”

Before practice, the wrestlers usually run two miles and do sprints. This is followed by stretches and warmups, which include pushups, situps and neck workouts as well as drills where they work on their technique, focusing on skills such as takedowns and escapes. The last twenty minutes of practice consist of live wrestling where they wrestle each other.

“During practice, we focus primarily on bread and butter wrestling, which is essentially the basics of wrestling,” said Miedema. “This year, I also started to study my opponents and watch how they wrestle. This helped me adjust how I wrestle and contributed to my success.”

Likewise, the girls’ basketball team also quali�ied for CCS and had an impressive 11-1 record for the season. They were tied for �irst in their league and went into CCS as the �ifth seed of Division II, making it to quarter �inals in CCS. “We weren’t super comfortable with each other in the beginning of the season since we had a lot of seniors and only 5 underclassmen,” said senior Emily Gu. “But as the season progressed, we got a lot closer. Each win is de�initely a team effort and it is rewarding knowing that after every win and even each loss we played hard and tried our best.”

Since the team was able to win more than half of their preseason games, they were able to qualify for CCS during their preseason. The Lady Vikes have quali�ied for CCS the past few years as well.

“Because it is my senior year, I really wanted us to do well

New changes in badminton team

BY TZEN-HAO NG

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s a historically strong team, the badminton team expected a strong performance last year. To date, it is the only team of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League schools to have never dropped from the upper De Anza division to the lower El Camino division. Last year, however, their performance was one of the worst in recent years; the team placed �ifth out of seven teams, close to being relegated to the lower division. For the upcoming spring season, Coach Karen Christensen hopes to remedy the issues that hurt last season’s performance by making several changes.

In previous years, the badminton team has had a team size of around 80 people, with a quarter of the players on a training team, a group of members who train with the team but do not participate in events. One issue that Christensen noted with this team structure was that those on the training team rarely improved; thus, for the upcoming season, Christensen plans to only informally use the training team for fewer players and reduce the overall team size to approximately 60 people.

“We saw that the training team didn’t see enough improvement to continue maintaining it, and we wanted to see people try harder,” said junior and varsity team member Jay Kim. “In order to motivate the remaining players, we cut the training team out entirely so that they would compete harder for spots this year.”

Christensen believes that a smaller team size will contribute to a better performance on multiple counts. One of the bene�its is that players will be

MEDHA UPADHYAY—EPIC

more dedicated to the team. Additionally, a smaller team size would allow for more personal training, another goal of Christensen’s for the upcoming season.

“While I wasn’t on the team last year, Coach Christensen has been a little more serious about coming on time and being present,” said freshman Neil Patel.

“I think that these changes will help make the team more competitive.”

Christensen has reimagined the training process with more focus on individualized, one-on-one learning. Rather than having all of the players train together, Christensen intends to match the more skilled players with weaker players so that the weaker players are provided with the necessary individual attention to spur development that a more general team practice may not be able to offer.

“This new method will hopefully match up players with the next ones in line, who can get more handson or one-on-one attention,” said Christensen. “Additionally, to teach someone to play better can improve your own skills.”

Furthermore, Christensen hopes that greater personal interaction will improve team cohesion, making the players tighter-knit and more like a team, rather than individuals who merely play together.

“I am de�initely hoping for improvement on the court, but I feel that a greater feeling of team spirit and better cohesion will help that, rather than detract from it,” said Christensen.

In the upcoming badminton season, Christensen hopes to see a return to the level of performance that Lynbrook badminton demonstrated in the past and players achieving the highest level of success they are capable of under the new system.

in CCS,” said Gu. “I’ve been playing with some of my fellow seniors for six years or more and I want to cherish the time we have together as I’m going to miss them a lot.”

The boys’ basketball team was able to snap their threegame losing streak toward the end of the season, qualifying for CCS with a record of 7-5. They went into CCS as the seventh seed out of sixteen teams and made it to quarter �inals.

“You’re back to a record of 0-0 at the beginning of CCS,” said sophomore Snehith Nayak. “It’s a do or die deal. If you lose, you’re out but if you win, you keep going forward. We gave CCS our best shot and see what we could get out of it.”

The team practices Monday through Saturday where they warm up, condition, run plays and have shootarounds.

“Toward the end of the season, everyone was getting tired and unmotivated because of all the practice and conditioning we were doing,” said Nayak. “Even though we had a three game losing streak, we kept our heads up and were able to qualify for CCS.” The varsity boys’ basketball team learned that they quali�ied for CCS at their watch party. There, they watched the show that showed them their standing according to their record over the course of the regular season and preseason.

Regardless of how the wrestling, girls’ basketball and boy’s basketball teams performed in CCS, they have a memorable season to look back on. Their growth as teams and as individuals add to their successful seasons.

Teachers express themselves with classroom decor

BY KELSEY LU AND SADHANA SARMA

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lassrooms are hosts to a plethora of teachers with varying personalities. Through the decoration of their classrooms, teachers are able to showcase their characters and showcase their interests to their talents. Creative work of their students, posters of their favorite bands, and prized student work �ill each room of the school, but in the hustle and bustle of the daily weekday, there is often not enough time to admire every bit of decor. Though we place heavy emphasis on “teacher decs” for Homecoming, it is also interesting to know that teachers do not stop there when it comes to putting up their own decorations. Read on to have a glimpse at three of our teachers’ favorite classroom decorations.

Wearable Sculptures

I listen to all kinds of music, but metal was one of my favorites in high school, and I think that this poster is cool and fun and pseudoscience -related.

Thanh Nguyen Physics Teacher

Charlotte Kruk Art Teacher

I put up these wearable sculptures as a kind of inspiration for students who have that challenge ahead of them. It’s great inspiration.

Periodic Table of Heavy Metals

I have the trophies out because it is kind of like Lynbrook history and the students have worked hard to show off their knowledge and passions for learning Japanese.

Japan Bowl Trophies

Kumi Kobayashi-Sensei Japanese Teacher