Opinion

Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard highlights domestic abuse

LIU

Story continued from front page.

Johnny Depp claimed that.. • Heard’s op-ed was extremely damaging to his career and reputation, sued her for $50 million • Heard threw a vodka bottle at him and severed • Heard did not follow through with her $7 million donation pledge to the ACLU

Immediately following Heard’s op-ed, Disney also dropped Depp from its sixth Pirates of dropped from her role as Mera in it is reasonable to want to avoid being portrayed in a negative not immediately removed from immediately Heard and didn’t give Depp’s side of the story any wins, I hope that he will be able to regain

met with disbelief when they share their Who do you believe or support more? GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MYLES K I M revenge against the that immediate to try to retaliate Heard still deserves to get help for what she

minimize additional harm by refraining from

Amber Heard claimed that... • The op-ed published in 2018 didn’t defame Depp, Countersued Depp for $100 million • Depp has substance abuse and excessive drinking problems • Depp repeatedly sexual and physically abused her

Is the ‘summer body’ trend toxic?

SUN

A

their goals or promotes a healthier lifestyle

—Arnav Signhal, freshman —Riki Murase, sophomore

“A healthier alternative to the mindset follow what other people do, instead,

—Olivia Bu, senior

May 26, 2022

Improving and de-stressing AP courses

Lof frantic studying for upcoming Advanced Placement tests, when students can be overly burdened by the AP courses they chose to take. These stressors AP teachers that teach the same course should collaborate to further align their curriculum so that all students have generally the same preparation for the exam. Teachers should continue to incorporate creative ways to teach their courses without compromising equitable preparation for the AP test.

AP courses are college-level courses that provide students with an opportunity to take credit. Students are often stressed from the pressure to do well on AP exams because many take on more AP tests or courses than they can handle. of those, when

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN LIU

Staff Editorial The Voice of the Epic

perhaps some students would be better off focusing on say one or two,” AP U.S. History teacher Kyle Howden said. guidelines that explain what concepts and skills to cover, but teachers have discretion on how they teach and work with others teaching the same class. Most teachers do try to go beyond what College Board requires, which allows the courses to be more engaging and in-depth.

“We try not to merely teach the test, because the test is just a snapshot of how a student is performing,” AP English Language and Composition teacher Terri Fill said. students can transfer their learning into college and their professional lives.”

Teachers also vary in their emphasis on the actual AP test compared to the content of the class. Some teachers go over AP test style questions throughout the year, while others do little test preparation and focus on broader curriculum. Especially during the second semester, teachers should focus on preparing students for the AP test by providing low-stakes practice tests or reviewing grading rubrics together as a class, so students do not have to worry as much during the weeks leading up to exam day.

“It would be helpful for students if teachers offered review sessions during late April and before the test,” junior Sharon George said.

AP teachers should still be able to have creative freedom and control over how they want to teach their classes and their curriculum, but course teams should come to an agreement on how to prepare students for the AP test so that students who have different teachers will still have similar experiences and expectations for the AP exam content.

Another aspect that negatively affects students is when teachers assign tests or major projects that are not direct preparation for the exam during or before AP testing. Cutting down on high-stakes tests for upperclassmen during AP testing week is one way teachers, even ones who do not teach AP classes, can make this time less stressful for students.

“When students are already stressed about their AP test, the last thing that we want is to also have to worry about another big test that teachers are assigning,” junior Leejae Kang said.

Teachers should also be more understanding about late work during AP testing. This can be done by recording lectures and posting them online for students who miss class.

“There is still the expectation that you stay on top of your classes, but we can comes in,” Howden said. “So you might have homework, but the window for its due date might not be till later.”

By creating a balance of test preparation and content, maintaining creative control over courses and not having high stakes tests during AP testing weeks, teachers can help students feel more prepared and less stressed during the grueling weeks of AP season. *the Epic voted 34-0 in favor of this stance, with 2 staff members abstaining.

BY RIA PHELAN

As our society progresses and develops new ideas, the question of who should be leading our governments and what

Politicians such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have demonstrated how representation of younger Americans is appreciated by the public, especially by new voters. However, the experience and insight of older politicians often comes in handy. This is one of the main reasons why a majority of government is run by an older demographic. Dianne Feinstein, has been senator for 30 years and is currently the oldest member of Congress. Though Feinstein has disputed allegations that she is unable to properly perform her duties, the report shows that unable to keep up with the demands of their job. If Feinstein has experienced the decline of old age, she should take it upon herself to step down. serve have been furthered by the claims of her inability to lead from fellow lawmakers and coworkers. According to former staff, Feinstein has had trouble following along during complicated conversations and recognizing well-known staff and associates, common problems that come with age.

If these allegations are true, Feinstein should take it upon herself to step down from her position and choose not to rerun in 2024. Voters deserve the best and most capable people to manage their rights, alter legislation and voice their beliefs; if Feinstein is unable to provide that, she should not be

However, limiting someone has historically raised a lot of controversy, and as such, rarely any action has ever been taken. Many of the elderly face ageism in the workplace and are discriminated against. But, having some limits on a the long run, as it would allow for a mix of younger and older people to represent the country. step down but when large groups of people think some of them should step down.” said sophomore Kaawon Kim. “Each branch of government should have a diverse voice of opinions from all ages and backgrounds.” Leading groups of people requires immense dedication and hard work to successfully and equitably represent and concerns. Feinstein has helped pass numerous legislation throughout her 30year career and is seen as an inspiration to women around the country. After being elected as the mayor of San Francisco, she pursued a career in Congress and has been serving as one of two California State Senators since 1992.

However, some politicians choose as Dianne Feinstein. Although leaving mid-term may not be the ideal situation, she should take it upon herself to step down if she feels a serious decline in her mental or physical stamina.

“The world is constantly changing and I think politicians should take that to Sonali Goel. “However, I do understand that older people in politics can also be wise since they have had to deal with so many things throughout the years.”

Though Feinstein has broken many records in the Senate and gave a pivotal voice in committees like the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, she may be unable to continue dealing with the demands of being a politician. Feinstein should take it upon herself to assess the situation, and if necessary,

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY LINA MEZERREG AND LAUREN LIU BY ANUSHKA ANAND//IN MY OPINION Battling insecurities by balancing hormones

Before buying clothes for a new school year, I found myself constantly choosing items that were a size larger than my body in an attempt to conceal my shape. These were also the clothes that I got complimented the most in. I would get glares or even laughs on the days when I mustered up the courage to take long for me to get used to purchasing oversized clothes without a second thought. myself constantly frustrated over why it was so hard to lose weight. I consulted numerous nutritionists who all told me the same thing: I will naturally gain weight as I grow. But my weight gain made me look so different from the people around me. My self-image was always polluted by the thought that I would look prettier if I was thinner — I even received more compliments on days I wore clothing that

I played competitive squash from a week in two-hour sessions and ate relatively healthy. Yet I still had dark spots around my neck and a hump between my shoulders that made me stand out. A pediatrician told me it could be Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a condition in which ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually only present in small qualities in women. 0% of women suffer from hormonal imbalance, and approximately 70% are unaware of conditions like PCOS that manifest due to hormonal irregularities. I was part of that 70%.

A nutritionist who specializes in hormonal imbalance started on a vegan diet, as cows are kept pregnant to maximize their dairy production, resulting in high levels of estrogen that negatively affect hormone levels. I began to increase my intake of Cruciferous vegetables, which contain an enzyme that down. Some common ones include I eat all day and maintain ingredient and promising results. My dark spots and acne This seemingly minuscule difference has changed a lot; I feel lighter and can walk longer distances without getting tired. While I still have a long way to go, celebrating small victories like losing a pound or going a week without eating anything not plant based motivates much a psychological struggle as it is physical. Restricting diets and intense have motivation to change my behaviors without observing results. As a result of eating a healthier diet and doing these workouts, I feel accomplished and inspired to continue. be overweight has a story. Those around exercise enough. However, a medical diagnosis was the true culprit. In spite of the fact that many people with hormonal imbalance and other conditions are seen as unhealthy, they are often healthier than those around them, and understanding this has helped to gain closure with longhaunting insecurities.