02
NEWS
the Epic lhsepic.com
Community celebrates at the AAPI cultural Festival BY TANIKA ANBU
O Letter from the Editors
Festival. Student and adult organizers from AAPI Silicon Valley, Asian American Parents Association and Bay Area Youth were
Dear Readers, As the year comes to a close, we would like to welcome our two new Editors-inChief for the 2022-23 school year, Amy will push the Epic to new heights. They, along with their amazing Editorial Board and Section Editors/Managers, worked
community. together
from
all
different
types
of
in the AAPI community that is often neglected in the media,” said Audrey Fan,
their hard work! Before heading out for the summer, teachers (pg. 3). We also have an opinion article on the Johnny Deep trial (pg. 4), gelato places in the Bay Area (pg. 15)! rights (pg. 17) and a recap of this year’s senior nights (pg. 20)! Class of 2022 with our senior issue. On themed content, ranging from comic strips encapsulating seniors’ high school
and performances committee. Students who took the lead in arranging Shan and Khushi Nigam, who worked together to create a successful event with speakers. “Our goal was to create something long lasting and impactful, so we thought we could start this tradition of having the AAPI Cultural
Festival each year in the spirit of Asian American heritage,” said Nigam, Vice-Chair of the AAPI SV Legislation Committee. In 2021, AAPI SV arranged a protest in light of the hate crimes and racism against the AAPI community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group wanted to continue this tradition of convening, leading to the showing unity and cultural pride after years of mistreatment. “We want everyone leaving to feel as if they’re not alone; that there’s a community they can reach out to for a support system, especially after these really hard times with COVID-19 and an increase in AAPI hate crimes,” Nigam said. organizations led interactive presentations underrepresented groups within the AAPI community. Ranging from Indian heritage
awaited college map! To hear directly from Epic senior, read our columns, where we give you important advice for the rest of your high school journey!
purpose of educating the engaging with
Thank you for supporting the Epic in our return to a print newspaper and engaging with our social media and online
attendees in live demos and hands-on games. In addition to engaging students, musicians and dancers encouraged their heritage. “We wanted to get performers that represented all parts of AAPI,” Fan said. “For example, we got the Hawaiian dancers to community as they are often left out.” Musicians played instruments, such as Korean and Chinese drums, in unison and had synchronized movements, creating performing cartwheels and intricate moves to the amazement of the crowd.
you important and meaningful stories, we hope you have gotten the opportunity
identity and know that there are so many other people part of it,” Fan said. Spanning four hours, the multicultural
community. Have a great summer!
community together. The event’s organizers
Hoya Saxa, Mei Corricello & Bennie Chang Editors-in-Chief 2021-22
thoughts of positive change and a renewed sense of identity and unity. CATHERINE ZHOU – EPIC GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY JASMINE RIHAL AND CHELSEA LEE
Graham Clark appointed as new Superintendent BY ANIRUDH SESHADRI
principal of Cupertino High School and later
F
ollowing an extensive four-month-long search, the FUHSD Board of Trustees appointed Graham Clark as the next Clark is really wonderful Superintendent at about making sure he includes the District Board Meeting on May 3, effective July 1. work very impressive. He Clark’s goals relationship
with
groups, maintain high schools in the district, lead more projects such as the 1:1 technology
thinks long term and wants FUHSD to continue to grow.
in Iraq for nearly a the at High
principal Homestead School. In
an Associate Superintendent at
sure he includes student voices, and I Superintendent Polly Bove said. “He thinks long term and wants FUHSD to continue to grow.” a math teacher at Fremont High School
access to technology,” Clark said. “The idea
In addition to the device management program, Clark also plans to enrich the and give them a more prominent space in FUHSD through a center. The center would increase the
which led him to
Superintendent Polly Bove
connection with the Cupertino Union and Sunnyvale school districts.
support to propose innovative ideas, improve mental health awareness and support a strong Board of Trustees that meets the needs of the FUHSD community. “There is a new state requirement for a course named ‘Ethnic Studies,’ which we are working on developing a curriculum for,” Clark said. “It gets right at our equity goal.” At the district
Superintendent in 2022. His 25 years of experience at FUHSD will inform his leadership efforts in continuing the work of the district. FUHSD’s current efforts — including strengthening connections with other districts, focusing on student mental him extrapolate plans for additional action and mitigate other serious issues such as declining enrollment.
working on human resources, contract negotiations and technology. As a teacher who taught
preparing equipment for students to practice with and provide a more competitive practice environment where
was involved with the FUHSD’s 1:1 technology device management program, Clark plans to continue the program and further implement
compete to mimic real tournaments. Adapting to the new change, the Board will help Clark settle in and discuss his goals
Photo used with permission by Graham Clark
equity and support to LGBTQ+ community time, we could verify that every student had
the Superintendent in July. His immense dedication and passion for his work will serve him well in his future years as the Superintendent.
