The Matador: Issue 6 - February 25, 2022

SAN GABRIEL HIGH SCHOOL

THE VOLUME 67, ISSUE 6

MATADOR

801 S. RAMONA STREET, SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776

WWW.THEMATADORSGHS.US

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

OBSERVING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KEN YU

Inside the Pages

News, p.2-3

FBLA secures third place in the Sweepstakes category at the Gold Coast Sectionals.

Focus, p.6-7

After emigrating from Nigeria, senior Kamsy Obike discovers confidence in her new environment.

Features, p.12

Counselor Solinet Wong and teacher Eric Hendrickson find each other at the workplace.

2 NEWS

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thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Counseling team given $3,000 grant, funds upcoming calming room KEN YU EDITOR IN CHIEF, PRINT

I

PHOTO COURTESY OF @ALHAMBRAUSD ON INSTAGRAM

School counselors Denise Fernandez, Martiza Cha, and Elaine Jong pose for the camera in joy after being chosen to receive the Equitable Innovation Grant from Greater LA Education Foundation.

n recognition of their work on the school’s “Virtual Calming Room,” the school counseling team, consisting of Deniz Fernandez, Maritza Cha, Solinet Wong, Devin Vergo, and Elaine Jong, were awarded a $3,000 Equitable Innovation Grant from the Greater LA Education Foundation on Feb. 16.

Beginning in 2020, during the early months of pandemic lockdown and school closure, the counseling team took steps to create the “Virtual Calming Room.” Since its establishment, the room has been visited over a thousand times.

“As a counseling team, we were seeing the effects of the pandemic on our students,” Cha said on behalf of the counseling team. “During a professional development webinar, the idea of a calming room came up, and we thought our students might enjoy using it.”

The project overcame the difficulty of adapting to student needs that had shifted to a

distance learning platform.

“We have learned the importance of adapting our services to meet the needs of students and staff,” the counseling team said. “The pandemic forced us to think about how we could support students’ mental health virtually and now this grant will bring a safe space for ‘desahogar’ — an action verb meaning the act of letting go of the gravity of daily life that is weighing a person down.”

Backed by the grant, the counseling team hopes to also create an “In-Person Calming Room” at school. Much like its virtual counterpart, the project seeks to provide a similar safe space for students.

“We envision a calming space for students to be able to use when needed,” the counseling team said. “We hope to purchase textile items, visual relaxation, aromatherapy, among other things.”

The counselors anticipate a future opening in the next school year as they work with school administration. The current “Virtual Calming Room” can be found on the school website.

Students participate in Spring Novice Speech Competition at Gabrielino Nine students from the speech and debate program competed in or judged the events.

XIAOYU FAN FEATURES EDITOR

On Feb. 5, the Southern California Debate League’s (SCDL) annual Spring Novice Speech Competition was held at Gabrielino High School. Nine students from the school’s Speech and Debate team participated.

The Speech and Debate program strives to improve their speaking skills. Through competitions, students develop confidence and the ability to make speeches and presentations for large groups to deliver their messages.

“From the competition, I can see other peoples’ speeches and their skills and see what I can learn from them,” sophomore Nathanael Irawan said. “I can improve on my pronunciation and my hand gestures in the future. Participating in the competition is a very good experience to have.”

Participants competed against each other in three rounds and were

evaluated by two varsity student judges. Student judges have at least one year of competition experience.

“From the competition, I can see other peoples’ speeches and their skills and see what I can learn from them. have.”

Nathanael Irawan Sophomore

“I was very pleasantly surprised by the contestants’ performances because some were very entertaining and fun to watch,” junior Julia Quach said. “When I

judge, I pay attention to their tone, facial expressions, hand gestures, walking, voice projection, and eye contact. I judge their overall speech skills and how much they are able to keep the audience’s attention.”

The school’s Speech and Debate team placed in a variety of categories; among them, sophomore Josephine Oetomo who placed fourth in Spontaneous Argumentation debates and received the title of MVP for the school.

“It felt pretty good to hear my name, but besides feeling good, I wanted to do better,” Oetomo said.

“I’m thankful for my awards, and I hope the next time I come back from a competition, I come back with the champion award.”

With the valuable experience they have accumulated from this competition, the Speech and Debate team will continue practicing to prepare for the State Quals Speech Competition in March and the Novice Champs Speech in May.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA QUACH

From left to right: Julia Quach, Josephine Oetomo, Nathanael Irawan, and freshman Zuyuan Zhou. Oetemo qualified for a ribbon in the Spontaneous Argumentation debates category, in which she had to develop an impromptu argument with only a few minutes

NEWS 3

THE MATADOR

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

BRIEFS PHOTO COURTESY OF FBLA

Dressed for the occasion, students from the school’s FBLA team pose for a picture.

Students who placed in the top 10 received a plaque in recognition of hard work.

Forty-two students from San Gabriel High School received a plaque and 27 students will be advancing to the state competition.

FBLA competes in Section Leadership Conference

BY RICHARD TRAN NEWS EDITOR

O

n Feb. 12, the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter competed against other schools’ chapters in the Gold Coast Section Leadership Conference. Students who place high enough in sectionals will be eligible to attend the State Leadership Conference in Ontario, where they will compete against schools all across California.

Students competed in a variety of events such as Accounting, Insurance and Risk Management, Sports Entertainment and

Management, Economics, and many others. Additionally, workshops were held to help students learn certain skills such as team building and public speaking.

“FBLA is the biggest business club for high school students,” Valerie Ng, Vice President of Activities, said. “We prepare students for professional careers through academic opportunities, leadership development, and educational programs.”

Due to COVID, the competition was held online and spanned over a course of four days. Typically, the conference occurs on one day during which students compete in their events, attend workshops, and

Marching toward better sex education

BY MYTAM LE AND KEN YU FEATURES EDITOR AND EDITOR IN CHIEF, PRINT

In a survey conducted by March for Our Lives Los Angeles County, results showed that, of 111 anonymous respondents, 67.6% experienced a form of sexual harassment. Of those respondents, 56% came from the school district.

Inspired by the All-Party Parliamentary Groups for UN Women, March for Our Lives San Gabriel (MFOLSG) also seeks to address existing concerns about sexual harassment. One of its main goals is to improve the district’s sex education curriculum which saw a gradual decline between the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“Back then, we had different units on sex,” social studies teacher and former Biology teacher Raymond Gin, said. “We talked about the menstrual cycle, the physical, psychological, and hormonal changes, as well as sexually transmitted diseases.”

Currently, the sex education curriculum lasts about a month.

The PE teachers receive an outline of topics that should be covered, but they are not given specific instructions

on what needs to be taught.

Additionally, because the teachers are on a strict schedule to complete their lessons, the sex education classes tend to be cut short.

“When I took sex ed it was via Zoom,” sophomore Patricia Flores said. “It wasn’t taught that well just due to how Zoom was and how it was very unorganized. I felt like they probably should’ve taught it again to sophomores because there is so much a lot of people don’t seem to understand about sex. I haven’t heard of anything about sex education and how it’s being taught this year.”

Furthermore, MFOLSG’s survey included students’ experiences with their respective district’s sex education curriculum. Many of the students questioned why certain topics, such as consent, were not taught and why the lessons took place in their PE class.

“Knowing that 56% of the respondents are from our school district is surprising, but at the same time, not really,” Flores said. “Based [on] some personal experience, there are comments being made left and right about girls’ bodies. I feel like that is very disrespectful and no

attend the award ceremony where the top 10 students of each event are recognized with a plaque. Instead, the conference was split across four days, with the final day being the workshop sessions and awards ceremony at Westlake High School.

“During the planning process, there was not much trouble,” Ng said. “There was a last-minute decision that we would have to take the tests in school rather than at the actual sectionals event.”

The team placed third in Sweepstakes, with 42 students placing top 10 in their events and 27 students advancing to the state competition in Ontario. If students place high enough at

the state level, they can qualify for nationals held in Chicago.

Senior Steven Phung placed first in Insurance and Risk Management and is advancing to the state competition.

“I attribute a lot of my success to taking practice tests and using Investopedia afterward for any unfamiliar vocabulary,” Phung said. “I’m looking forward to staying at a hotel and getting time away from family, plus the networking opportunities there.”

Students who qualified to compete at state are continuing to study in hopes of placing and qualifying in nationals. They will be competing in Ontario from April 7-9.

Sexual Assault and Violence Survey Data in LA County TRIGGER WARNING! : Content displayed and/or talked about can be triggering due to the sensitive topics being talked about.

Disclaimer: Data provided was voluntarily anonymous.

Data is measured out of 111 students from LA County who participated in the survey.

Examples of Sexual Harassment (not limited to examples given)

Being stared at

Being cat-called/wolfwhistled

Unwelcome touching

in-person or online comments/jokes

Unwelcome sexual advances or favors

Body rubbing and/or groping

Winter Ball Rescheduled

BY LAURA CAI

Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Winter Ball that had been expected to take place on Jan. 21 was canceled. To ensure the safety of students and staff, the Administration and ASB initially decided that the dance had to be postponed. ASB has decided to replace this event with a spring dance called “Spring Fling” sometime during May. On Instagram, @sangabrielasb announced the postponement of the Winter Ball. “I know that SG students really want another dance,” ASB adviser Cecilia Revilla said. “However, I do understand that we must keep students’ safety a priority. The last thing I want to happen is for SG to have to go back to distance learning.

Lunar New Year proposed to become federal holiday

BY NAN JIANG

On Jan. 28, Congresswoman Grace Meng of New York proposed a bill that, if passed, would establish Lunar New Year as America’s 12th federal holiday. Lunar New Year is an important cultural tradition for Americans of East Asian descent, a rapidly expanding demographic.

“It really sends a strong signal to the Asian-American community,” Meng said. “It also sends an important message to non-Asian -Americans to say, ‘Hey, this tradition and this culture is part of America.’”

District pulling down mask mandate

BY TRISTAN ING

Masks are no longer required to be worn outside on campus in compliance with the updated LA County Department of Public Health Guidance (DPH). The post-surge period went into effect on Feb. 16 at all K-12 schools. The DPH will reassess whether the indoor masking mandate should also be lifted depending on the COVID case results in the coming days.

Pumping up for prom

BY LYNDA LAM

68%

87%

80%

of students in LA County have experienced sexual harassment.

of students in LA County who experienced sexual harassment, didn't report it.

of female students in LA County have experienced sexual harassment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MFOLSG

one calls it out.”

Ways can Improve Sex-ED Courses To further pushSchools for the district wantstheir to raise awareness about to change the education sexual assault through "Moresex education on consentthe andissue more of lgbtq+ focused courses."

"Spend a lotdrafted more timeaon sex Have acollection,” more in-depthsenior course and curriculum, MFOLSG oured.data that students go through to learn about the importance of consent and safety." statement with more information MFOLSG secretary Sandra Lopez "Previous sex-ed courses were made female-garnered and on their surveyweren’t and what it urgesmaking said.them “Hopefully, will feel as widespread, voluntary topeople go to. I would say they should make it a requirement to go to these courses the district to change.

Additionally, motivated our district for and provide information that is inclusiveto to push everyone."

"Dedicatefor sex-ed / harassment awareness weeks orclasses certain so that they created a petition students better sex education days to educate everyone on what harassment looks like and what victims or witnesses can do about it". and teachers to encourage the students, and staff could be more "Make [our] students cases heard". district to improve sexschools education. conscientious about sexual assault "I think need to emphasize the fact that sexual when someone is under the influence is sexual “Ultimately,encounters assault, andMFOLSG this applies to cases.” relationships and situations where the person “consents” verbally."

On Feb. 16, the Junior Class Council and Senior Class Council made their long-awaited announcement about the school’s first prom in two years. The theme is “A Night in the Enchanted Forest” and the event will be held at the LA Zoo on April 9. Students can expect buffet-style catering, a dessert bar, a carousel, and a photo booth.

Masks, proof of vaccination, and a negative COVID test two days prior to prom are needed. Those who are interested in prom must pick up a contract at the Student Support Services office, the Business and Activities office, or from M1. The contract is due March 18. Tickets cost $110; the price will increase as prom nears.

4 OPINIONS 'Le'aving childhood

THE MATADOR

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

A usage of slurs ignorant of others' feelings ILLUSTRATION BY TRISTAN ING

All grown-up MYTAM LE FEATURES EDITOR

I

didn’t grow up with cable, so PBS Kids was one of the few channels that drew me in when I was younger. The show that I always looked forward to was Arthur. It was set in Elwood City and focused on Arthur, an aardvark, and his friends and family. It discussed real-life topics from a child-like perspective, like building friendships as well as cancer and dyslexia. I remember I would always come home eager to watch a new episode of Arthur at 7 p.m. every night, and even as I grew older, I continued to watch the show on the PBS Kids Video app. It provided a sense of comfort for me. Arthur acted like a portal to go back to when I was younger and didn’t understand all of the craziness in the world.

After 25 years of running, Arthur ended on Feb. 21. When I heard the news, I was completely distraught, especially as I am preparing for graduation and college. I didn’t want to believe that something so big in my childhood was going to end, but it did. What was I going to watch when I was feeling homesick?

What would comfort me as I enter a completely new environment?

Arthur’s ending was a reality check for me. The universe was reminding me that my childhood will end soon, and I will have to become an adult whether I like it or not. Growing up and gaining new responsibilities isn’t the scary part for me; it’s that I have no idea what will happen in the future.

There isn’t an outline for me to follow, and I have to go in blind.

I guess that’s why I liked Arthur. I knew what to expect from it. There was never any dramatic change in the plot, and I knew what to look forward to. It was a small part of my life that has never changed, continuously bringing me joy and a taste of my childhood until now.

As my senior year is coming to an end, I’m still anxious about what the future has in store for me. But, I am aware that I can’t stop time from moving forward, and there isn’t much use in worrying about the inevitable.

Even with that being said, I am excited to explore the world and learn, academically and socially, at college. For now, I’ll enjoy the moments that I have left, re-watching as many episodes of Arthur as possible.

Staff Stance

Normalizing racial slurs causes problems on campus

T

he school environment is no place for racial slurs.

Yet they are still prevalent and being said on a daily basis in an environment meant to promote respect and tolerance among students as it becomes a norm to let these offenses slide by their peers. The administration has an obligation to face these issues and must do so now in order to fulfill their responsibilities in creating a productive, respectful, and safe learning environment.

It has become a habit for students to use racial slurs to refer to their friends and other people in place of more informal nouns like "bro," "dude," and "man." Leaving the continued usage of racial slurs unchecked also leaves students to create such habits. This continues not only a cycle of indifference and casual microaggressions, but a damaging campus culture that pushes students to follow along to fit in.

On a campus composed of

MATADOR BULLRING Students share their opinions on current topics.

Why do you think students use slurs around campus?

several ethnic groups, a mutual understanding of one another becomes another critical component of campus life. The constant usage of racial slurs, however, does not contribute to this. Students become indifferent to these derogatory terms as this cycle continues as a result of the administration's inaction. This apathy only dehumanizes certain groups and lowers the standards of conduct between students, which is a key component to a positive diverse campus.

It certainly is true that to some students, racial slurs are a part of their day-to-day communication.

For them, this is not a huge issue if they only use them among those who are okay with it. This should not and should never be the case.

Racial slurs are not some kind of casual language. They are a very real and derogatory form of harm that go beyond language. Selectively choosing when to use racial slurs

Alicia Chen, 9 “[They use slurs] because they think it's alright to say them. It isn't used to hurt anyone. I think they say it because they [hear] other people saying it.”

does not solve any problems—it only hides the mindset of casual racism and microaggressions.

Racial slurs carry a history of oppression, discrimination, harassment, and mockery. The root of this issue lies in the lack of awareness students have regarding racial slurs and what even constitutes as one.

This topic can no longer be swept under the rug as just a "phase" or as "kids being kids" who will eventually learn— they will not.

The first step begins with the administration openly acknowledging this issue. Promoting awareness on the issue pushes many students onto their own first step to reconsider and reevaluate their habits and stance on the usage of racial slurs. The stigma of racial slurs being a sensitive topic should not hinder any discussion regarding it. We cannot pretend that this will not escalate into potential hate crimes and speech if left unaddressed on campus.

Emilio Hernandez, 10 “[Students use slurs] just to make it seem like they're cool around their friends and make them seem hard [or] tough.”

Vincent Chau, 11

Isabel De La Trinidad, 12

“It’s part of their language [and] how they speak to people.

It is just part of their vocabulary. [It is] more like friendly language with friends, not really in a literal sense.”

“They think it’s okay [to use slurs]; it isn’t.

What they do is very inappropriate, and I feel [that] as a generation, we should try and move past it.”

INTERVIEWS BY TRISTAN ING PHOTOS BY KEN YU DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE ATTRIBUTED WRITER. ARTICLES WITHOUT BYLINES ARE THE OPINIONS OF THE STAFF.

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

OPINIONS 5

THE MATADOR

COVID causes sharp decline in club membership

ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA CAI

BY LAURA CAI BUSINESS MANAGER

C

lubs at school are gradually declining in membership due to COVID. From volunteer to leadership clubs, many are

seeing a decline in activity and involvement.

Although it is largely the circumstances from the pandemic that account for such a depletion, there are other factors contributing to the loss of members in most, if not all, clubs.

Club membership and engagement descended once COVID hit and students began distance learning. With sports and clubs going virtual and some inactive at times, the decrease in the amount of membership is noticeable. Having fewer members in clubs can damage a club in the long run. In order for the clubs to run smoothly, members must have past knowledge, so they can apply it to running club activities and events. Moreover, the clubs’ marketing was poor, which led to the downfall of membership. With online learning, the clubs were barely promoted, resulting in future generations of students becoming uninformed about the clubs at the school, as well as what their end goals are. Although clubs were promoted briefly during Wednesday homeroom videos, it was a poor time to advertise due to lack of student engagement.

Students have become transient. Many upperclassmen do not join clubs, fearing

it is too late. In addition to no one joining clubs, people have left since the activities have become redundant. For example, clubs simply have regular meetings and very similar events every year. Nothing new is actually occurring within clubs, creating a sense of redundancy and boredom for members.

Understandably, due to COVID, club engagement was difficult to maintain.As clubs transferred online, members were less inclined to engage in any activities.

However, since students spend a lot of time online, there was a greater chance for clubs to promote properly if they put in more effort to.

These reasons have perpetuated the decline in membership for a lot of clubs.

Among these, the biggest obstructor was COVID and the spread of the Omicron variant. To help alleviate the effects of these consequences, ASB should publish posts or Instagram reels featuring clubs and talking about them. ASB is a household name among the students, and their Instagram page has high engagement, making the organization the most ideal candidate for reviving clubs.

On-campus vaping witnesses record highs JUSTIN FANG COPY EDITOR

T

he presence of vape pens has become an increasingly significant problem on campus, raising concerns about not only the well-being of students who are vaping, but also the overall well-being of the school population.

Intake of the aerosol that vapes create poses an extreme threat to a person’s health, as it compromises multiple systems in the human body and a person’s mental health.

Nicotine, the primary ingredient of vapes, has been known to slow brain development and affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood. Given its addictive nature, vapes pave the way for increased risk of addiction to substances like alcohol and drugs. This makes finding a way to dramatically reduce the amount

of vaping activity on campus all the more crucial, given the repercussions it can have on students’ academic performance and rationale in their actions.

It is abundantly clear that the use of harmful substances is punishable by suspension for the first offense and expulsion for any number of offenses that follow, forcing students who vape to find discreet locations, or what is perceived as a discreet location, to do so. Restrooms have become major hotspots for vaping activity, as there are times where one can find entire groups of students involved.

This not only intimidates students who simply wish to use the restroom, but it also places one in a degree of danger from secondhand vaping, which is similar to secondhand smoking, and their peers who may not be thinking clearly because of the vape.

Some, if not most, would say that a complete crackdown of vaping on campus is not realistic, given the immense size of the student population and the campus. As a result, the school’s administration has resorted to dedicating part of the expectations presentation to the dangers of vaping, which does not accomplish much in removing vapes from the school environment. To dissuade vaping, the school should increase campus security around restrooms, given that they smell like the vapes' flavorings. The lack of action taken against the use of vapes has essentially turned its distribution into an illegal side hustle on school grounds; calling for stricter enforcement of school board regulations on the issue of vaping is the only solution towards a vape-free campus.

THE MATADOR Editors-in-Chief, Print News Editors Opinions Editors Focus Editors Life and Art Editor Sports Editor Features Editors Copy Editor Business Managers Digital Editor Reporter Adviser

ILLUSTRATION BY TRISTAN ING

Andrew Lam Ken Yu Jeremy Gutierrez Richard Tran Tristan Ing Nan Jiang Chelsea Lam Lynda Lam Adwik Chaturvedi Joseph Cho Xiaoyu Fan Mytam Le Justin Fang Laura Cai Tammy Vuong Katelyn Lau Kylie Chung Hanna Jalawan

The Matador is published monthly on print by the journalism class of San Gabriel High School. 800 copies per issue are published at CA WEB PRINT Inc. The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, not the faculty or administration. Articles without bylines are the opinion of the entire staff. Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested) to Ms. Jalawan’s email.

'Cho'king up

Spiritual cure JOSEPH CHO SPORTS EDITOR

I

believe in miracles, and I’ll tell you why. Throughout most of my life, I had severe allergic reactions to peanuts and seafood.

I have a vague memory about the day I ate at a seafood restaurant with my grandfather. It was an utter disaster.

I was given a piece of shrimp and swallowed it without much thought, and for a few hours I was fine until my throat was filled with discomfort, as if somebody was choking me with a string. By the time I got home, I was in anaphylactic shock. I do not remember anything beyond the attack, not even the about 5 ½ inch needle stabbed into my leg to revive me. The fear knocked me out; I was knocked out and saw nothing but darkness. I was always in and out of the hospital due to frequent allergic reactions. After many visits to the hospital, my mother had enough of spending money on things that didn’t cure me and doctors who could not do anything for me. Instead, she decided to find an alternative solution to my problem.

She brought me to many traditional Chinese doctors, traditional medicine enthusiasts, fortune tellers, and acupuncture clinics, but still none of them worked. One day, she was introduced to a Buddhist head monk, and she decided to attend one of his classes.

At the end of the class, my mother asked the monk if there was a way to help me.

The master told me to meditate.

Against all odds, listening to the temple master’s advice worked. I was relieved of my peanut and seafood allergies. It was a miracle that no one could believe. Now, I am able to eat as many peanuts and seafood without any reactions. I do my best to meditate every day just to make sure that the allergies never surface again.

Ever since that day, my family and I have decided to follow the master’s practices. My mom decided to become a Buddhist nun under the guidance of the master. We have practiced with the master for about 12 years now.

When I get sick, I meditate and recite mantras to relieve myself of sickness.

After many years with the master, I have seen new things and learned more about Buddhism than I could remember. I also met new people and made new friends throughout my time with him. I am grateful that I am able to eat a larger variety of food and have a solution to any problems that may occur.

6 FOCUS

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THE MATADOR

BLACK HISTO BACKGROUND February is assigned as Black History Month (BHM) to honor and to learn about the contributions of Black Americans to society. The official observance was in 1976, but it was not until 10 years later when Congress designated February as BHM with a joint resolution.

The then President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation of the month in the Presidential Proclamation 5443. Every year since BHM was recognized by the U.S. government; there has been a theme for every year. Usually chosen by the president, this year’s theme is: Black Health and Wellness.

SUPPORT BUSINESSES One can always share these businesses with friends and families. Supporting can mean uplifting, sharing, or buying from these businesses.

The Gourmet Cobbler Factory (Family-owned bakery) 33 N. Catalina Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 Perry's Joint (Jazz music and sandwiches) 2051 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 Little Red Hen (Coffee shop) 2697 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena, CA 91001

1951

Henrietta Lacks' cancer cells are collected to study viruses and formulate vaccines for polio and, now, COVID-19.

1862

Robert Smalls leads slaves to freedom on a stolen Confederate ship and provides valuable navy information to the Union.

PHOTO BY KEN YU GRAPHICS BY ANDREW LAM, LYNDA LAM WRITTEN BY LYNDA LAM, TAMMY VUONG

1963

Martin Luther King Jr. gives his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which leads to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

FOCUS 7

THE MATADOR

ORY MONTH Obike outgrows culture shock fears When senior Kamsy Obike moved to America, she faced cultural differences until she learned more about herself and gained confidence to comfortably adjust.

BY KEN YU EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PRINT

O

n her first day of school, senior Kamsy Obike was not greeted by regular students. Instead, she found herself in a sea of ghouls, skeletons, and witches in a school of screams and laughter. On her first day of school in the U.S., it was Halloween.

Obike’s family immigrated to the U.S. in October 2019, looking to start a new life with family who lived in the country. Life in their home city of Harcourt Port in the state of Rivers, Nigeria, was uncertain, fraught with

unexpected power outages and intense pollution.

“Whenever I ask my mother why we left, she always said she was looking for greener pastures,” Obike said. “My parents wanted a better life for me and my siblings. They wanted a place with better education, security, and

reality that did not match her expectations.

“The American kids TV shows didn’t help,” Obike said. “I was really excited to attend a school similar to the ones on TV, but it wasn’t like what I saw on TV. When you tell someone in Nigeria that you are leaving for the U.S.,

that seemingly set her apart from others.

“I would feel scared to interact with people that looked different than me because I felt like I would be laughed at because of my accent or the way I looked,” Obike said. “I realized that if I wanted to succeed and also enjoy this new

"I realized that if I wanted to succeed and also enjoy this new environment I have found myself in, I would have to change the way I see myself and the world around me."

Kamsy Obike Senior opportunities.”

Upon arrival, however, Obike was overwhelmed by the staggering differences between her former home and her new one. From the way she envisioned high school in America to the way the education system worked, she found herself stumped by the

they have this mindset that you are going to a heaven-like place, and everything is easy.”

Yet the American dream was not entirely welcoming to Obike. Culturally stranded in a dizzyingly different world, she also found it difficult to fit in with her own individual differences

environment I have found myself in, I would have to change the way I see myself and the world around me.”

Beyond the stark contrasts in lifestyle, one thing remains unchanged for Obike: her unwavering responsibility to her family. The eldest among

three daughters, she strives and continues to be not only an older sister, but a firm pillar within her family.

“In my sophomore year, while my mum worked double shifts, I became the second parent,” Obike said. “I took on the additional responsibilities of cooking, doing the laundry, and making sure my sisters kept to the schedule my mom had set up for us.”

As the years go by, the closing chapter of high school opens up to Obike, and this time, not everyone seems as scary as they did on her first day at a new school years ago. Head held high with a new perspective of herself and the world around her, Obike has nothing to fear.

“I built up my confidence to face new challenges and embrace diversity,” Obike said. “If I want people to acknowledge me, I have to acknowledge others and start attacking any struggles head on."

2008

Barack Obama is elected as the first Black U.S. president and reelected for a second term in 2012.

1969

Marsha Johnson, a trans woman, goes against the NYPD at an antiLGBTQ+ raid and helps shape the gay rights movement.

2021

Kamala Harris is inaugurated as the first female and first Black vice president.

8 LIFE AND ART

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T H E

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

P U Z Z L

N A T U R E

I N G

O F

W O R D L E H O W T O P L A Y !

Anyone who has spent any time on TikTok or Twitter in the last few weeks may have heard of “Wordle.” “Wordle” is a word game in which one has to guess a five-letter word in six or less attempts. The word of the day resets daily and is the same for everyone. The game itself is accessible through browser apps (such as Safari, Chrome, and Firefox) on both mobile devices and computers.

The game was developed

by Welsh programmer Josh Wardle, who created it for himself and his partner. The game was soon publicized after it became a hit amongst family members. On Jan. 31, the New York Times acquired Wordle

for an amount in the low seven figures. At its core, “Wordle” is a simple guessing game, yet so much more goes into it.

The game is recommended for players 10 years old and up.

Because the game has a Welsh origin, it includes common British-English words such as “abbey” and “knoll.” Previous words of the day include words as simple as “other” and “skill,” while other words are more controversial like “swill” and “tacit.”

In any way, “Wordle” has been able to unite players globally who often engage in public discourse about the word of the day online and in person.

S T R A T E G I E S While the directions are straightforward, the gameplay itself can actually be pretty frustrating. Choosing an inefficient starting word (such as words that contain uncommon letters) can ruin someone’s chances of winning, or at least winning in as few words as possible.

Instead, the best words to start with are those that contai ch can directly influence the outcome of the game. None of the answers up to this point have been plural. While plural words are an easy way to eliminate the letter “s”, it is a waste of an attempt.

One of the more

situational tricks is using placeholder letters. As the letter “x” is not used in many words, some players will use it in between correct letters to help gather their thoughts.

The “x” makes the collection of letters resemble a word and may help someone fill in the blanks better than if those spaces were left blank.

WRITTEN BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ

“Pokémon Legends: Arceus” too similar to predecessors NAN JIANG OPINIONS EDITOR

Nintendo and Game Freak gave 2022 its first major video game release on Jan. 28 with “Pokémon Legends: Arceus,” the latest entry in the decades-old franchise. Set in the distant past, “Pokémon Legends: Arceus” is the first Pokémon game to adopt an open-world, missionbased gameplay system in place of the linear paths that players set upon in the series’ older titles.

“Arceus” does a lot of things beautifully. For me, a newcomer to the series, the intangibles really stood out to me. Something about “Arceus” drew me in. Its world or characters are not all that special. It does not even have voice acting for dialogue. And yet, for some reason, “Arceus” still delivers a deeply personal and extremely satisfying experience. There is something meditative and tranquil with traversing Hisui’s landscapes on a quest to create the region’s first Pokédex.

The turn-based combat system, a staple of the franchise, received a small but appreciated upgrade with

selectable styles for each attack. The strong style for a stronger attack and the agile style for a quicker one.

Although these are not massive changes, they are still a nice little way to spice up a Pokémon battle and give it a little more strategy.

However, “Arceus’s” downfall is through a term I have coined “Nintendoism.” Nintendoism is a concept present in many objective-based Nintendo games, notably “Animal Crossing” and, now, “Arceus,” where the player is constantly bombarded with tasks to do in order to move the story along; the only incentive is the ability to unlock more tasks.

This is lazy game design, and it is tiresome to finish a long task just for a character to say: “Good job!

Here is another thing you have to do.” Normally, story elements are what motivates players to proceed through the story, but Nintendoism throws that out the window and creates a devastating lapse in their game design. “Arceus” especially highlights Nintendoism because it is an open-world experience, which makes doing everything that much more tiring sometimes. While

PHOTO COURTESY OF iHOPE

In “Pokémon Legends: Arceus,” players can collect and interact with many Pokémon, such as Cyndaquil (left), Rowlet (middle), and Oshawott (right).

playing, I often wondered how the in-game society functioned if I was not in the story because everything I did for the village, from playing music all the way to stopping an inter-clan war, did not come with any reward or any real incentive to go on other than to unlock the ability to do even more chores

around the world.

“Arceus” is a good game, but after owning the Switch for a while, the gameplay loops for me are exhausting and predictable.

However, it is a great entry point to the world of Pokémon, as it gives the player the opportunity to explore the world with

complete freedom. If one has not tried a Pokémon game before, “Arceus” is a great starting point, but for people familiar with Nintendo as a company, it is okay to sit this one out and give ourselves a well-deserved break from Tom Nook’s indentured servitude.

LIFE AND ART 9

THE MATADOR

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

the dark side of the heart Has the love been drained out of “I love you”?

D

o you love me? Probably not, and yet, if I did you a favor, you would probably say these words to me.

“I love you” is a sentence familiar to many and used by billions of people around the world. It is as common as the greeting “hello,” and in recent times, it seems as if it has become just as meaningless as well.

When was the last time you said these words? Was it two days ago?

Two minutes ago? Love is a complex and mature emotion, and it should be used seriously for it to retain its deep meaning and impact. However, with such seemingly limitless ways to apply these words, it is also inevitable that much of its meaning will be lost.

When these words are used flippantly, they are more likely to become tools of manipulation. There are plenty of situations where people will take advantage of these words

to get something they want from someone. For example, nowadays, it is common to hear “I love you” being exchanged between friends on campus when asking for favors.

Although this exchange is clearly not intended to be hurtful, it renders the statement hollow and eventually worthless. In more extreme situations, some people use “I love you” to justify their actions. After an argument, a parent might say something like “I am only telling you this because I love you.” While this could be motivated by genuine intentions, using the statement “I love you” to rationalize verbal abuse takes away from the significance of the sentence and contributes toward the manipulative aspect.

Additionally, people often use the word “love” to show their enthusiasm for something. When people talk about something they like, it is

frequent to hear individuals say things like “I love soup!” In these situations, the word “like” is crucial. While it is true that someone might appreciate sipping soup, it feels a bit unusual to use the same expression that is used to describe your affection for someone special. The feeling that you have for a material possession or meal is not the same as the feeling that is felt for a significant other, so utilizing the same word saps some of the love out of the phrase when one is using it for an important occasion.

In the end, the superficiality of love shows itself in our everyday life, whether it be on campus or in one’s household. The constant use and advantage taken of the phrase “I love you” has led to the massive decline of its significance. As a result, the true reason for saying “I love you” has been lost and replaced by a shallow shadow of its former meaning.

WRITTEN BY KYLIE CHUNG

MATADOR MUSE

SPICY GREEN SPAGHETTI WRITTEN BY ASHLEY MACIAS

Cilantro, chile poblano, y crema I help my tias make green spaghetti Placing ingredients into the blender set on the counter Dark Dull greens, to a creamy light sauce We serve the men first

Now just “uncle,” never tio idolized someone who I thought understood Five stirs in mixing disappointment with rage the moment I refused to hear you be irrational “Do you realize how ignorant you sound?”

So take a seat Uncle I’ll bring you a bowl of our green spaghetti And I hope you expect pesto My spoon your mouth an unexpected burn

I sink my teeth into loss Accept that i can’t forgive maybe god tells him its wrong Or Maybe its his age Avoiding the taste of twisted truth

Green Spaghetti but it’s spicy Conjured up in a book of things that shouldn’t go well together Like pickles and ice cream Or tomatoes and sugar Or you who I love and your ignorance.

Eat up our arguments as they sit at the pit of your stomach I hope you reach the bottom of this bowl and taste the resentment Weighing you down at the kitchen table The drop in my stomach when I hear “Justifying trans people?

What’s next pedophelia” But to you it’s Just an opinion just a table topic At my 17th birthday and every carne asada before and after just an attempt to make Ashley mad even though the anger makes her nauseous So I hope my spaghetti gets through Feel the anger of when I threw in the sauce and mixed First stir confusion Your contact name was “my favorite uncle”

Calladita te vez mas bonita “You’re prettier when you’re quiet” So I add another chile For every one of my opinions that were too loud and extreme my value measured only in complicity so I add another chile For every time Im told to be sweet and mute And in the same breath reminded cooking will get you married being loud will not So I add another chile For every time my echo has rung in your ears with sensitivity immaturity Because what scares you more than violence?

The words of a girl who fights to be heard I, who want to be listened to I, who bring nothing to the table Offer poorly made, but spicy Green spaghetti Eat up

10 SPORTS 2021-22 Winter Varsity Sports Scoreboard BOYS BASKETBALL VS SCHURR

(L) 61-35

VS MONTEBELLO

(L) 58-56

VS BELL GARDENS (L) 60-43 VS ALHAMBRA

(L) 57-41

VS MARK KEPPEL

(L) 67-23

THE MATADOR

Kho flips into her future in gymnastics Senior Sydney Kho ventures into her lifelong sport—gymnastics and how her passion for it came to be.

GIRLS BASKETBALL VS SCHURR

(L) 50-38

VS BELL GARDENS (L) 47-25 VS MONTEBELLO VS ALHAMBRA VS MARK KEPPEL

(L) 50-41 (W) 65-31 (L) 76-18

BOYS SOCCER VS MARK KEPPEL

(L) 4-1

VS BELL GARDENS (L) 5-0 VS ALHAMBRA

(L) 6-0

VS MONTEBELLO (FL) 1-0 VS SCHURR

(L) 6-1

GIRLS SOCCER VS MONTEBELLO

(L) 2-3

VS ALHAMBRA

(T) 2-2

VS SCHURR

(T) 0-0

VS BELL GARDENS (L) 6-3 VS MARK KEPPEL

(L) 2-0

CIF PLAYOFFS G1

(L) 3-2

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

BY KATELYN LAU DIGITAL EDITOR

W

ith a salute to the judges and a smile to the audience, her floor routine begins. She calms her nerves and replays her choreographed movements in her head. The music begins, and she takes one step forward into a flip. She catches a glimpse of her hand touching the ground and a quick view of the ceiling before closing her eyes, just like she practiced.

Skipping levels one to three, senior Sydney Kho began at level four at the age of six and has worked her way up to level 10 in a span of five years in the sport of gymnastics.

In gymnastics, levels one to three are considered the starting levels and four to ten the advanced and professional levels.

“My earliest memory would probably be in level four where I struggled to get a kip on bars,” Kho said. “The feeling of finally making it was always so exciting, especially having my whole team celebrating with me. One of my favorite things about the sport is learning new skills

and celebrating with the team.”

Practicing all the techniques growing up, Kho’s progression has been fast-paced, as she was able to skip past a few levels. It soon became clear that college gymnastics was a path for her.

There was an overwhelming wave of pressure to improve and aim for higher scores. Kho's sisters, with similar experiences, calmed her worries.

"I think my sisters are my inspirations," Kho said. "They've always been a level higher than me.

When I got to the same level as them, I got to compete alongside them, and it was fun."

With her sisters in college, Kho has been competing for the Charter Oaks Gliders. Kho continues her weekly five-day, five-hour practices and has competed in more than 80 competitions. Kho currently competes in all-around, which is all the events: vault, bars, beam, and floor. The creative and less structured point system makes floors Kho’s favorite event in competitions. Opposite to the more expressive event, bars are much more difficult for Kho, as small mistakes can result in point

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLIN MULVANY

Senior Syndey Kho performs in the 2015 Western Level 9 Championships. Kho’s beam routine earned a score of 9.500 and an all-around score of 38.100, placing 10thin the competition alongside 445 gymnasts.

deduction.

"There [are] times where it doesn't all go according to plan.

Maybe a slip here or there, or you fall on your face or your butt,” Kho said. “That's not fun, but sometimes, you just go back to the basics. You work on getting your confidence back, and you eventually get there with the smaller things."

Kho has decided to go to Boise

State University located in Idaho on a four-year athletic scholarship.

Starting next year, Kho will begin competing against her sisters in the Mountain Rim Conference.

“It's going to be fun being with my sisters again in college,” Kho said. “Although we won’t be on the same team, I’m excited to be in the same arena as them again. Go Broncos.”

Los Angeles Rams secures first Super Bowl win in 22 years NAN JIANG OPINIONS EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY DRAFTKINGS.COM

Cooper Kupp poses with the Super Bowl trophy after the LA Rams emerge victorious over the Cincinnati Bengals. Kupp earned the MVP title for the game and broke the NFL record for most receptions in in a single postseason run.

Los Angeles’ trophy room will not stop expanding this decade.

While the world has suffered through a pandemic, the city has won a World Series, a NBA Finals, and now, on Feb. 13, a Super Bowl.

The Rams have now attended two of the last four Super Bowls.

In 2019, Jared Goff and company failed on the biggest stage, falling to the New England Patriots.

Following a blockbuster trade that sent Goff to Detroit and Matthew Stafford to LA, the Rams chances of winning have increased immensely this year.

After beating formidable opponents in the playoffs, including Tom Brady himself in the second round, the Rams found themselves at home facing off against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The game started slowly until the Rams struck first with a touchdown pass to newly acquired receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with

6:22 left in the first quarter. The Bengals answered back with a field goal from rookie kicker Evan McPherson, the only kicker drafted in the 2021 NFL draft.

The second quarter had both teams trade touchdowns, but disaster struck when Beckham tore his ACL on a passing play with nearly three minutes left in the first half. There was still more than half the game to play, and the Rams were without one of their star receivers on a day where their ground game could not seem to get going either. The Rams were up 13-10 going into the second half, quickly losing momentum with each play ending in punts.

Coming out of the halftime show, on a blatant no-call, Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins managed to get away with a face mask penalty as quarterback Joe Burrow connected with him on a 75-yard touchdown pass, giving them the lead at 17-13 with 14:48 left in the quarter. The teams’

kickers then traded field goals, the score being 20-16 going into the final quarter.

The Rams got the ball back in the fourth quarter with six minutes left on the clock and down four points. In a fifteen-play, gamewinning drive, Stafford connected with receiver Cooper Kupp for a touchdown at the one-yard line, giving the Rams the lead at 23-20.

If the Bengals were to win now, they would have needed a miracle, which they did not get. On 4th and 1, Aaron Donald made a crucial stop that ended the Bengals’ possession and the game.

Donald’s illustrious career finally got the victory it needed, catching the elusive ring that he never had. Stafford, after years of losing in Detroit, finally got to prove himself with a capable franchise. Beckham, who was kicked out of his last team, won his first ring. Storylines were completed that night, and dreams were fulfilled.

FEATURES 11

THE MATADOR

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Macias masters emotional art of poetry School poet champion senior Ashley Macias explores the power of spoken word.

BY MYTAM LE FEATURES EDITOR

H

er heart races. She feels the adrenaline coursing through her veins as the judges prepare to announce the winner of the 2021 Get Lit Slam.

When the words “San Gabriel High School” flashed on her screen, she screamed with joy, seeing her and her team’s hard work pay off.

Senior Ashley Macias has always loved poetry. Even as a child. She would spend her recesses and lunches scribbling whatever she could think of in her journal. As Macias grew older, she joined clubs and took part in competitions, such as Poetry Out Loud (POL), that allowed her to grow as a poet.

“I have participated in the Young Aspiring Writers with Powers (YAWP) club at SGHS all four years of high school, and I am now the president of YAWP,” Macias said. “I have also participated in the Get Lit competitions for all four years. I won the POL district competition and was the runner up for the LA County POL competition.”

Macias sees poetry as an art form. As a poet, she expresses her deepest emotions in various ways, allowing the audience to connect to her spoken word. One

of her biggest goals, whenever performing, is providing a path for viewers to feel that they are a part of a community.

“The point of poetry is hoping to reach at least one person and make them feel less alone,” Macias said. “Poetry allows people to find comfort in the words we write just like others do the same for us. One time, after performing at the Rose Parade, people told me they related to my poem about stereotypes regarding Latinx.”

Furthermore, as much as Macias works to help others with the art of spoken word, she also finds much comfort in it. Poetry serves as a safe space for Macias, allowing her mental well-being and confidence to be revitalized.

“I’ve developed confidence in performing, which is continually improving my public speaking,” Macias said. “Poetry has also greatly improved my mental health in a variety of ways including giving me a creative outlet to express myself.”

As she continues her journey as a poet, Macias welcomes anyone with open arms who may want to dip their toes in poetry.

“Poetry is often seen as a feminine hobby, but poetry is not limited to women,” Macias said.

“Anyone of any gender should feel welcomed to express themselves.

You are in charge of what you want poetry to look like.”

TELL ME WHAT’S THE WORD? pickup lines compiled by The Matador staff “Are you poetry because I want to get lit with you.”

“I should complain to Spotify for you not being named the year’s hottest single.”

“My hand is feeling a little heavy. Can you hold it for me?”

“Can I follow you because my parents always told me to follow my dreams.”

“Wow…wow you look…wow.

I mean... wow... wow.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY MACIAS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KEN YU

Senior Ashley Macias recites her poem “A Hymn to God the Father” by John Donne, training herself for her upcoming compeition (top). Working with the members and advisers of the Young Aspiring Writers with Powers club, Macias was able to find another family at the school that supported and further her talent and love for poetry.

Tran finds life flat without music TAMMY VUONG BUSINESS MANAGER

Her long fingers rest on the C major scale in preparation for the first note. Junior Audrey Tran sits down on her piano bench, playing each note with a perfect rhythm on the piano. Tran immersed herself in listening and playing to music as a young child, allowing her to gain more confidence in everyday life.

Initially, Tran did not take an interest in music until she started singing and playing the piano. She started off joining her elementary school’s choir, furthering her interest in music. Additionally, she was inspired by her older sisters to play the piano.

“There wasn’t anything that really prompted my interest in singing,” Tran said. “I’ve just always been able to do it, so the first chance I had to join my elementary school’s choir, I did. For the piano, my older sisters have been playing it since I was young, and I wanted to be like them.”

Tran soon became invested in music, participating in concerts at her elementary and middle schools.

She enjoyed the exciting and unparalleled experience whenever

performing on the stage. Playing at recitals won her multiple, hardearned and fulfilling awards.

“I’ve only participated in concerts and musicals at my past schools,” Tran said. “However, I have played in many recitals for piano and won either Branch or State honors every year for my piano evaluation, and receiving honors for my evaluations makes me proud. There are requirements you have to meet, like memorizing all my pieces and playing them well.”

Her experiences from performing made her feel more

assertive in day-to-day interactions with others. It gave her a chance to be more sociable whether in the classroom or outside of school.

Gaining so much from music, Tran always makes time for her hobby.

“Music has made me smarter, happier, and more confident,” Tran said. “Being on stage these last 10 years taught me to carry myself, even when I’m not performing.

There are many things I wouldn’t understand if I wasn’t a musician.

Although I won’t pursue music as a career, I’ve enjoyed this as a hobby, and I will probably sing and play piano forever.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MYTAM LE

Junior Audrey Tran enjoys practicing the piano and singing along to various songs such as “Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo and “All I Want” by Kodaline.

thematadorsghs.us FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

THE MATADOR

12 FEATURES

Staff struck by Cupid K

numerous date plans made n o c k unforgettable memories as their love and knock. A familiar admiration for each other deepened. coworker’s face peered through the counseling “I really admire her, just who she is, and how she is,” office door. “Would you like to buy a watch to support the Hendrickson said. “I think when you love somebody, and basketball team?” he asked. The counselor exchanged glances you also admire them, things can go really well; that’s something a with the student sitting across from her. As he continued to pitch for the fundraiser, she hurriedly scribbled onto a piece of lot of people don’t talk about.”

During their years of dating, Wong realized the trait she never got bored paper. “Here’s my phone number. Why don’t you call me later?” of: Hendrickson’s humor. Growing up in a conservative and strict family she replied with a hint of annoyance.

Social studies teacher and peer counseling adviser Eric household, Wong did not indulge in many jokes with her family.

“My father never joked with me much like this, so for someone to show Hendrickson and counselor Solinet Wong met each other at an introduction meeting for the new staff in 1993. In 1997, his love and care through humor was a little different to me,” Wong said. “But Hendrickson and Wong got married and are nearing their 25th I appreciate it, and it was something I needed in my life. There are times when I am so tired and broken up from what I have to carry. He’s the one that builds anniversary. me back up.”

“When we began working Love languages play a together, we were significant role in bringing both in relationships,” the two closer. While Wong Hendrickson said. shows her love through acts “During the second of kindness, Hendrickson year at the school, she shows his affection and I were single, through physical and honestly, I touch. The two keep was very attracted Solinet Wong each other’s love to her. I was very Counselor language in mind nervous asking during tough times, offering the best her on a date for the first time.”

Upon meeting for the first time, support they can.

“One of the things that I learned within our Hendrickson was quick to notice and admire Wong’s kind personality. marriage is our love language,” Wong said.

On the other hand, it took Wong “Oftentimes, I feel like I am communicating that time to take an interest in I love him based on my love language, which Hendrickson because she had isn’t his. Personally, I’ve learned to give concerns about dating space. If you love them, you give them within the staff. But, space and trust. You trust that they Hendrickson’s are okay, and they are there.”

“There are times when I am so tired and broken up from what I have to carry. He’s the one that builds me back up”

Counselor Solinet Wong and social stu dies teacher Eric Hendrickson take a trip to Camb ria , California with their dog Shad ow in 2021.

ARTICLE BY KATELYN LAU GRAPHIC BY ANDREW LAM GRAPHIC COURTESY OF VECTEEZY.COM PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOLINET WONG

Smiling at the camera, Wong, Hendrickson, and their kids enjoy a nice summer’s day at Pamplona, Spain watching the Running of the Bulls in 2019.

each other Wong and Hendrickson embrace will mark 2 202 ust Aug on their wedding day. ary. vers anni 25th le’s the coup