Nov. 2019--The Mirror, Van Nuys High School by The Mirror Van Nuys High School

NEW AMERICAN TEENAGER “It became clear to me that, in some way, living in America is a gift”

SHATTERING STEREOTYPES A senior student aims to change the image of the homeless through social media

GHOSTING Teens who rely on technology too much find themselves lacking proper communication skills

O theMIRR R NOVEMBER 2019 | Van Nuys High School | Van Nuys, California

SECTIONS CURRENT EVENTS 3 PERSPECTIVE 5 PRO | CON 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 ATHLETICS 15 THE MIRROR | KAYLA LEE & MHAR TENORIO

Physical perception Today, whether it be children, teenagers or adults, many people suffer from the effects of poor self-esteem. As media continues to play a huge role in the rise of body image issues, people are pressured to conform to the standards that society has set for them. In addition, experiences with peers and others help shape how individuals with a negative body image are prone to depression and unhealthy eating habits. PAGE 8

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OVER HEARD

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The new American teenager We came to this country in search of opportunity by Janelle Castro CREATIVE COMMONS | THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

Peter Pan’s character really popped out the most which was a shock to the audience. MAFRUHA ESHA Student, on L. Perez’s portrayal as Peter Pan in Actor in Action’s “Peter and the Starcatcher”

The theme was creative and I enjoyed my time there, dancing the night away into a world of culture and festivities. JAN MARTINEZ Student, on this year’s Día de los Muertos themed Homecoming

SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER | DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 18 Lockdown drill: Period 6 Teen Court: 3:15 p.m. 19 Blood drive 21 Student of the semester

luncheon: 11:30-12:30 p.m. 21 Solo Spotlight Matinee: 3:30-6 p.m. 22 Solo Spotlight 7-9:30 p.m. 25 Thanksgiving Break starts

DECEMBER 2 School resumes 6 Movie Night: 6-10 p.m. 12 Dance Showcase Matinee: 3:30-6 p.m. 13-14 Dance Showcase: 7-9 p.m. 18 Finals: Periods 1 & 4 19 Finals: Periods 2 & 5 20 Finals: Periods 3 & 6 20 Winter break starts

eing an American is more a matter of choice than a matter of geography. Being an American is not determined by the color of your skin, nor is it determined by where you were born. It is based on whether or not you have the American dream or if you support America and its culture. I identify as an American even though I was born in the Philippines. My family and I came to the U.S. for reasons many immigrants share in common. We immigrated for opportunities our country of origin wasn’t able to offer and also for personal freedom. My family and I came to the U.S. when I was only four years old. I remember arriving at my aunt’s house for the first time and feeling weary because of the long trip from the Philippines to the U.S. When we first arrived at her house I didn’t feel overwhelmed, but it felt strange to me that I was no longer in my birth country. I was unaware of where I was, but I did know for sure that I was somewhere totally new. For many years I remember not really caring or even thinking about what country I was in because I never really had a reason to. It wasn’t difficult for me to adapt to a new country because I was still so young. Learning English was very easy for me because I didn’t know much Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines, in the first place. Adapting to America was easy because there were many other immigrants in my community to whom I could relate.

DEVASTATING FLOODING Many regions of the Philippines are prone to natural disasters like volcanoes, typhoons and flooding. Typhoon Ondoy struck in 2009, causing flooding and killing 747 people and over $1 billion in damages.

None of them were Filipino like me, but we still had many things in common. When I was nine or ten years old, I finally realized why we immigrated to America instead of staying in the Philippines. I knew that many people were faced with the issue of finding a way to make money and for that reason many people in the Philippines were living in poverty. But I never understood how difficult it was to find a job and how rare it was to be given the opportunity to have an education. After realizing how difficult life was in my home country, I felt differently about America. The Philippines is an overpopulated country in Asia. Poverty is one of the largest issues. In fact, some people in the Philippines eat garbage in order to survive. Finding a job in the Philippines is also one of the most difficult things to do. The jobs are limited and none pay well, which makes is very hard for people to support their families. Many natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions also occur

in the Philippines. They cause a lot of damage depending on how severe they are, but in the end, they all make it harder for the citizens of the Philippines. I remember a time when there was a flood that took place in the Philippines. Some of my family members that live there experienced it. My mom was in her room talking on her phone, while I was downstairs watching TV with my sisters. My mom often speaks very loudly on the phone and because of that I was able to hear everything she said. At the same time I listened to my mom, I wondered if my sisters were paying attention to what she was saying. My mom called her family and asked in Tagalog, “What’s the news, how are you guys?” I was not aware of the flood so I felt confused. I simply thought she just wanted to know how they were doing. I knew she was speaking to her family because of the way she spoke. It was often the same, informal and usually sad tone because it’s not often that she receives good news from them. My mom put the person she was talking to on speaker so I was

able to hear what both were saying. My mom was speaking to one of her sisters, who said sadly, in Tagalog, “We’re doing okay.” I don’t remember much of what they said, but I do remember how I felt after finding out what they were going through. I felt deeply saddened, but at the same time I was happy I didn’t have to go through what they were going through. I also felt that I should appreciate the hard work my parents went through in order to get me where I am. I also wondered how difficult their lives must have been, when they grew up in the Philippines. It became clear to me that, in some way living in America is a gift. It’s a country that gives people the opportunity to pursue happiness, an education and much more. America is full of opportunities that many countries cannot offer and that’s the reason why it’s so special. That’s the reason why so many people immigrate here. They want to experience freedom and joy. They want to be American.

INBRIEF Thanksgiving canned food drive continues through next Friday

Operation Smile Club works to fund mouth and lip surgeries

Drama students placed third at DTASC Fall Festival competition

The Vannaires to present their own twist on classic jazz

The annual Thanksgiving canned food drive will continue until Friday Nov. 22. The food will be donated to homeless shelters and distributed to those in need. Students can donate non-perishable canned foods which will be collected through their fourth period classes. Associated Student Body (ASB) will reward the class that collects the most cans with a pizza party. Adviser Mr. Jacob Ferrin hopes to collect more cans this year than last year. “We are looking to have a better push and a better impact to get students motivated to collect those cans and do their part in the community,” he said. PAMELA SERRANO

Operation Smile Club helps raise awareness about common birth defects: cleft lips and palates, openings or splits in either the upper lip or the roof of the mouth that can cause difficulty talking or eating. Co-presidents Tanni Nandi and Ann James started the club to raise money to donate to Operation Smile, a non-profit that treats affected kids to help families pay for surgeries. Ms. Jennifer Kim is faculty sponsor. The club plans to sponsor volunteer programs at local hospitals for Operation Smile, raise awareness on campus and fundraise. The club meets every Wednesday during lunch in Room 201. ANDREA HERNANDEZ

Drama and theater students competed at the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Fall Festival at Calabasas High School on Oct. 26. After months of practice, all of the participants made it to the semi-finals of the event. Finalists Morgan Agee, Perla Barajas, Lou Pendergrass and Liz Zepeda won third place in the “Women’s Voice” event. Miles Hane and Nicole Garcia received an honorable mention for “Graphics/Publicity” in finals. “I felt so much pride in our students who worked tirelessly to create a powerful feminist really creative imaginative piece to compete with,” drama teacher Mollie Lief said. KASEY KIM

The Vannaires will present the annual Solo Spotlight on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Donna Hubbard Auditorium. The concert will feature student versions of their favorite jazz music. “The students picked amazing music which is very exciting because it’s not me, the director, picking it, it is them,” said Performing Arts Magnet Coordinator Fanny Arana. “It is the students’ vision coming together and so we encourage all fellow students to come and invite everyone they know to appreciate what you guys can do.” Presale tickets will be $6 for students and $8 for general and at-the-door tickets will be $8 for students and $10 for general. ANI TUTUNJYAN

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CURRENT EVENTS

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vnhsmirror.com NOVEMBER 2019

New law : California

Vaping: LAUSD files lawsuit against Juul, saying student health is at risk. SOURCE | JUUL

By MHAR TENORIO & ANI TUTUNJYAN

THE MIRROR STAFF

By ANI TUTUNJYAN

THE MIRROR STAFF

AUSD has filed a classaction lawsuit against San Francisco-based ecigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, on behalf of school districts throughout the state, claiming that the company has put the health and safety of its more than 600,000 students at risk. The suit seeks unspecified compensation to the school district for financial and educational harms. It also requests the court to allow LAUSD’s suit to be used by school systems across the state to receive compensation from Juul. “We are taking this step to hold Juul accountable for the role it has played in creating an epidemic that affects the health of our students, disrupts student learning and is taking money away from our core mission— educating students,” LA Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said in a statement. “We have had to divert dollars away from classroom instruction and instead spend it on counseling and programs to help inform students of the dangers of vaping.” The company has said it will suspend the sale of some of its popular flavors which are mango, creme, fruit and cucumber, in the U.S., while also suspending U.S. advertising. A recent University of Southern California study of Los Angeles high school students found that those who vape flavored e-cigarettes are more likely to maintain their nicotine habit in the long term. “The class action lawsuit against Juul is a necessary first step in holding the e-cigarette manufacturer accountable for its role in the vaping epidemic, ensuring those responsible for its creation will pay the price to repair the harm being done to Los Angeles Unified students, schools and the communities they serve,” said LAUSD Spokesperson. As of October 2019, the FDA, the Federal Trade Commission, multiple state attorneys general and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform have all began investigations into Juul’s role in the youth “vaping epidemic” and whether Juul’s marketing purposefully targets youth. The suit claimed that Juul hired social media “influencers” to attract the youth into its

high schools must start at 8:30 or later

he first tardy bell on the first day of school in 2022 will ring at 8:30 a.m. or later at LAUSD high schools. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation in October that requires public middle schools to begin classes at 8:00 a.m. or later while high schools must begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. With Senate Bill 328, California becomes the first state in the nation to require later start times for public school students. The law will be implemented in public schools statewide by the beginning of the 2022-23 school year or when a school district’s three-year bargaining agreement with its employees comes to an end, whichever is first. The proposal is designed to improve educational outcomes by giving students more sleep. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that sleep deprivation leads to increased risks of anxiety and depression, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, slow response time, lack of focus and irritability. A study conducted by the Center for Applied Research and Time will tell Educational Improvement (CAREI) found that later start times and we will resulted in a significant decrease in see if grades absences and tardiness in grades are better. 9-12 and an increase in grade point PRINCIPAL average in 1st period classes. YOLANDA Principal Yolanda Gardea is GARDEA hopeful that grades will improve. “Time will tell and we will see if grades are better,” she said. SB 328 exempts “zero periods” and schools in the state’s rural districts. “Now zero period can start at 7:40 and go to 8:30 which is more reasonable for kids,” Principal Gardea said. Physical education teacher Mr. Alejandro Becerra shared that many P.E. teachers will add more zero period classes for students willing to attend the earlier period. Despite this, the new law has met some opposition. A push in start times can pose a problem for parents dropping off students, with later start times possibly interfering with their work schedules. It may also result in later dismissals for students participating in after-school activities. “The students will have to stay longer for after school activities” said science teacher Ms. Peggy Shim Mr. Becerra plans on overcoming this obstacle by moving his team’s practice from the afternoon to before school. Conversely, freshman Mariam Tadevosyan, a student who will be affected by the later start times in her senior year, supports the bill. “I think it would be better because students will be more awake and have more energy to learn and participate in class,” Tadevosyan said.

‘‘ TARGETING TEENS

Juul has been accused of advertising to young people.

products. “Juul now insists it never marketed to young people. This assertion is patently false,” the suit stated. “Juul has compelled a generation of youth, who were never cigarette smokers, into nicotine addiction and put them at risk for severe lung injury and/or other health harms resulting from aerosol inhalation.” In the court filing, LAUSD said that there were approximately 435 vaping incidents reported in the 2018-19 academic year. According to the suit, these numbers are an extreme undercount of the total vaping and e-cigarette use incidences on campus, reflecting only critical incidents reported to principals. Vaping has also made it difficult for students to use bathrooms—often referred to as the “Juul room”—due to the popularity of the setting for e-cigarette use, the lawsuit states. Vaping has also proliferated attendance

problems for many students, which has negatively affected student learning and reduced District state funding. “The money we are spending to deal with the trauma vaping is bringing is money not spent on instruction,” added Beutner. LAUSD is the latest school system to file suit against Juul Labs, following the footsteps of districts in St. Charles, Missouri; Long Island, New York; Olathe, Kansas; and La Conner, Washington. “Later this school year, Los Angeles Unified will be partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Mental Health on “Student Well-Being Centers” at 29 high schools across the District, where health educators and mental health counselors will provide students with personalized support around vaping and other health issues,” said an LAUSD spokesperson.

THE MIRROR | MAISHA RAHMAN

SNOOZING THROUGH FIRST California is the first state in the nation to mandate a late start time for high schools.

CURRENT EVENTS

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

The new age

of meat

BURGER KING

MEATLESS BACKLASH As Burger King

shifts its vision, they rolled out the Impossible Whopper, a burger that does not contain meat, on Aug. 8.

By STEPHANIE CACERES

THE MIRROR STAFF

f you’re craving a meatless meat burger you can now go to Burger King and grab an Impossible Whopper or to Carl’s Jr. to chow down on a Beyond Burger. The new wave of meatless meat is entering the mainstream with products featured in fast-food chains that include Subway and McDonald’s, and even some supermarkets. The two popular brands duking it out in the marketplace are the two major plantbased meat companies, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. Impossible burgers are made of water, coconut and sunflower oil, natural flavors, and the main protein base, soy leghemoglobin. Also known as heme, this protein gives the burger its “meaty” texture and flavor. Beyond Meat burgers are made of pea protein isolate, which is used to give the “meat” its “bleed.” They also contain canola oil and refined coconut oil. The products aim to mimic the taste of real meat. Although many responses to the industry have been positive, some reviews even calling it the future of meat, it has received some backlash. For instance, the CEO of Whole Foods Market, John Mackey, and the CEO of Chipotle, Brian Niccol, have criticized Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods products, arguing that they are too highly processed. The plant-based burgers are suspected of containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) which leads consumers to call them out as unhealthy. GMOs are plants and animals whose genetic makeup has been modified using genetic engineering. Impossible Foods uses modified soy rather than importing GMO-free soy, but points out the environmental impact of the carbon-intensive importation of GMO-free soy from Brazil as opposed to the modified soy grown in the U.S. Moreover, it is important to note that there is no significant evidence proving that GMOs pose any health hazards. People have been eating genetically-modified crops for decades, with no harmful effects detected yet. Positive reviews focused more on describing the taste of the meat rather than the healthiness. Beyond and Impossible burgers aren’t exactly healthy foods, but they are no more unhealthy than the meat products they are meant to replace. While the burgers might help save the planet, they are still high in calories and greasy. Plant-based meat has the potential to be a positive for the environment. It has the potential to end factory farming, be more substantial and address global warming. As the industry matures, it can offer cheaper, healthier and more varied products too.

Orthorexia: Obsessed with clean eating By PAMELA SERRANO THE MIRROR STAFF

“C

lean eating” has become a new diet fad. Gluten-free this, dairy-free that and anything organic feeds into the idea of choosing only whole foods and avoiding anything processed. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to eat this way, but sometimes these food preferences can take over people’s lives and become an obsession. When healthy eating goes too far, it may turn into an eating disorder that scientists are just beginning to study. One 28-year-old woman was recently admitted to a hospital due to severe malnutrition resulting from a desire to eat only “healthy foods.” The patient had intense acne when she was 14-years-old and resorted to a fat-free diet, as recommended by a nutritionist, after conventional treatments did not work. She restricted different foods when she was 16 and two years later she became a vegetarian. At 24-years-old, she eliminated eggs and dairy products from her diet. That year, she weighed 95 pounds, but she had never been overweight. Two years later, she decided to eat only uncooked vegetables. She isolated herself from her usual social circles, and began to hang out almost exclusively with people who shared her ideology. She began losing weight and only ate once a day since she did not have time to eat under her standards of eating—all meals should be eaten slowly, chewing each bite many times and meditating while eating. She dropped

to 77 pounds after 6 months. After a trip abroad, she suffered from diarrhea which she treated by partial fasting. Her weight dropped to 60 pounds. During her hospitalization, doctors detected none of the typical anorexic behaviors. She had no distortion of her body image or a desire to be thin. Her obsession did not revolve around her weight, but rather, foods that, according to her criteria, were healthy. She was never aware of the seriousness of her malnutrition. It turns out the woman was suffering from what some doctors call orthorexia nervosa. Orthorexia is a fairly recent concept. Dr. Steven Bratman, an alternative medicine practitioner, first coined the term in a nonscientific essay in the Yoga Journal’s Oct. 1997 issue. Many of his patients believed that the key to good health was eating the “right” foods, consulting him for food advice. Orthorexia comes from ortho, the Greek word meaning “proper” and -orexia meaning “appetite.” Bratman added “nervosa” to reference anorexia nervosa, the eating disorder which causes people to starve themselves. Celebrity diet gurus have reinforced the idea that eating only certain foods and avoiding others is healthy eating. Orthorexics exclude foods from their diets that they consider to be impure such as artificial substances or those treated with herbicides. They worry about the materials and techniques used in foods. While people with symptoms of orthorexia are showing up in hospitals, the disorder is still not accepted by

medical professionals. Scientists argue that there are not enough studies on orthorexia compared to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. There is no common definition, standard diagnostic criteria or reliable way to measure orthorexia’s psychological impact. Orthorexia is not specifically listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a publication by the American Psychiatric Association for the classification of mental disorders using a common language and standard criteria, but that does not mean it is not treated by hospitals and clinics. Scientists look at it as a piece of other related disorders—eating disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Doctors treat it by looking at the patient’s thought processes and beliefs. Bratman clarified that orthorexia is not the same as healthy eating. It only applies when an eating disorder develops around healthy eating. Eating disorders can strike anyone. “We haven’t had any incidences of students coming in describing with symptoms related with orthorexia,” said school psychologist Ellen Herndon. She recommends that students speak to her if they think they have orthorexia or any eating disorder. Herndon also explains some recurring causes of anxiety for students. “Even though we have students with significant symptoms related to anxiety, they are not as a result of a diet. It’s usually more due to a result in academic performance.”

No, it’s good for me.

THE MIRROR | DIEGO AGUIRRE

Perspective 5

OR theMIRR

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THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

Morning announcements make the transition to live broadcasts By SANDRA SANCHEZ & ESTEFANIA LOPEZ THE MIRROR STAFF

cross campus during Breakfast in the Classroom (BiC), over a hundred Promethean boards tune in to the Van Nuys High School channel on YouTube to play a live broadcast. The intro rolls and an animated school logo sweeps across the screen accompanied by upbeat music. Then, two smiling faces and cheerful voices greet everyone watching across campus. “Good morning Van Nuys. These are your morning announcements—live!” Anchors Miguel Morales and Megan Dulkanchainun appear on a live stream to broadcast “Van Nuys Live,” a show detailing school happenings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Special segments produced by the Digital Media Production Team, including promotion videos for school clubs and organizations like ASB (Associated Student Body) are broadcasted on Fridays. During the week, a team comprised of students Sandra Sanchez, Saahil Gaur, Francisco Gutierrez and Jackson Berger film “Question of the Week,” featuring students and faculty members responding to the week’s featured question. The segment also airs every Friday. To integrate technology into the school, Principal Yolanda Gardea and TV Production teacher Mr. Thomas McCluskey made the decision to broadcast

the school announcements live, instead of doing them over the school’s public address system. Afterwards, each segment of “Van Nuys Live” is uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘Van Nuys High School,’ which allows students and staff to rewatch for important information they may have missed. Teachers can also subscribe to this channel to receive a notification when the announcements are live. As effortless as it looks, starting the new four-times-a-week broadcast was a difficult process, according to Nestor Sifuentes, the first student to join the Video Production team and Erick Chavez, the program’s chief technician. “We have to make everything perfect so we can provide the best quality in the morning announcements,” said Chavez. According to Chavez, the script is edited to be free of mistakes so the anchors say the right thing. The crew also has to be certain that all media clips, like “Question of the Week” are properly edited and ready to go to show. Not having the typical supplies used for newscasting, like a teleprompter, (a machine that cues the announcers what and when to say the news), the TV Production team tries to make the most out of their limited resources. “The thing about the show is that it helps us do video production in a new way,” Sifuentes said. “It puts in our traditional video production storytelling videos in Friday’s shows.” Over the years, many students have complained that the morning an-

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We have to make everything perfect so we can provide the best quality in the morning announcements. CHIEF TECHNICIAN ERICK CHAVEZ

nouncements done over the classroom speakers were difficult to hear. As a result, many students ignored them. “In the past, the morning announcements conflicted with BiC, so our class was unable to hear the announcements,” Leo Lopez said. “My classmates normally just talked over it so I was never able to know what’s going on.” Although they were played over a speaker, the volume was not adjustable. Last year’s installation of Promethean Boards in every classroom helped solve the issue. With its large screen and volume levels, the new technology makes it easier for the announcements to reach all students. The current generation of students is more visually engaged with this new system according to English teacher Mr. Aaron Stell, while art teacher Ms. Kellie Hayden has noticed that her students are more attentive to the announcements because the students are more mindful of what is happening on screen. “Having both the visual and audio announcements on the YouTube channel makes sure the announcements are being heard,” said Mr. Stell. Seeing fellow classmates or friends interviewed for the weekly “Question of the Week” or featured in a promotional

FROM ANNOUNCERS TO ANCHORS Shifting gears and rolling out with new equipment as going from announcements over the PA to live streaming are steps to a more technological future. Miguel Morales and Megan Dulkanchainun are the very first anchors for the new “Live News Show.”

video for a club or a sports team makes many students pay attention that might not otherwise. “It’s fun seeing the news anchor’s reaction. We get to see that they’re real people, and not just robots over the speakers,” said Nikki Marie. Despite the success of the new delivery, there might still be room for improvement. “The thing I want to change is the way we receive morning announcements instead of receiving submissions on paper,” Dulkanchainun said. Announcements can be submitted using a paper form in the main office, or through Schoology. Submissions should be made two days in advance so they can be edited and approved by an administrator. “We need people to read over the announcements because sometimes the wording is grammatically incorrect and it might make Miguel and I look bad,” Dulkanchainun said. Morales wishes to make the announcements more engaging by providing further insight on school disagreements or opinions on school events. Similarly, viewer Raine Torres thinks the morning announcements can be more engaging but with better visuals. “If possible, the green screen should be used to give even more of a visual aide through photos that aide in talking about events,” Torres said. “While I do believe that the new announcements are great, there is so much more that could be done through them.”

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

COURTESY | ASHLEY KUMAR

THANKSGIVING RECIPES

Thanksgiving is not a good day to wear tight jeans. Thanksgiving consists of spending time with family, friends and loved ones. But most importantly, with Thanksgiving comes the excitement about food. Many cultures have different dishes to present during this season and turkey isn’t the only option. With this year’s Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 if you’re looking to switch up your usual Thanksgiving dinner for something different, your teachers got you covered. Here are some of their distinct, favorite and traditional recipes.

Dad’s Stuffing

Ms. Karen Brooks (cooking teacher) Ingredients: n 1 loaf or so of dried bread, white, wheat, sourdough n 3 stalks celery, chopped including leaves n ½ onion, finely chopped n 2 eggs, mixed n ½ stick butter, sliced n About 4 cups of boiling water n Sage, a lot n Thyme, a little n Salt and pepper Preparation: FACES OF HOMELESSNESS Ashley Kumar wants to raise awareness about people living on the

streets of Los Angeles through her photography project on Instagram.

One step at a time:

A senior student aims to break stereotypes about the homeless.

Tear bread into chunks. Add celery, onions, eggs and butter. Add enough water to moisten, careful not to break up bread cubes. Add seasoning to taste. Should smell like sage. Make it a day ahead and refrigerate in ziplock. Salt inside turkey prior to stuffing. Oil, salt and pepper outside of turkey.

Hawaiian Style Pineapple Fried Rice Ms. Tracey Kim Ingredients:

BY KAITLYN JUNG

THE MIRROR STAFF

he homeless crisis in Los Angeles continues to grow. With nearly 60,000 homeless Los Angeles County residents, according to the LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), seeing people living in makeshift shelters made out of shopping carts and cardboard, sleeping on the streets and under bridges and overpasses is becoming a common sight. Many homeless people have been stigmatized, labeled as drug addicts or mentally ill vagrants, but Ashley Kumar is set on changing those stereotypes. To share her perspectives, Kumar is using social media to reach as many people as possible. She started an Instagram account, @humanityforla, to share portraits of homeless people with their stories attached in the caption, after being inspired by @HumansofNY. Her main goal is to raise awareness and to show everyone that the homeless are fellow human beings in need of a helping hand. “We would like to remind everyone that they’re no less than us,” Kumar said. “Hopefully, people will remember that and treat them with the same respect and generosity they treat their friends with.” “The homeless have interests, hobbies, quirks, hardships and stories like the rest of us. Just because they don’t have homes, it doesn’t mean their hardships and stories should be invalidated.” But even with her goal of drawing more attention to their plight, getting homeless people to participate can be tricky. “People have yelled at me or gotten very close to me and it can be scary sometimes, but that’s bound to happen.”

With some food, kindness and an explanation of what the project is about, Kumar is able to get them to share their talents and hobbies. When talking to any stranger, she makes sure to approach them with kindness and respect, getting their consent before they participate. “If you respect their privacy and show that you respect them, they’re very open to speaking to you as well,” Kumar explained. First inspired to act on this issue after moving into a new neighborhood about a year ago, Kumar frequently witnessed police officers constantly chasing the homeless off the streets, describing it as a “dehumanizing culture.” After seeing the way the homeless are often treated, she started cooking meals with her dad every Sunday for those living on the streets in downtown L.A., serving 50-100 people each time. Going grocery shopping the night before, Kumar and her father buy all the necessary ingredients to prepare for the next morning. Up at 8 a.m., they fill coolers with drinks and package cheeseburgers or other kinds of sandwiches with chips and drinks to distribute. Even with her weekly effort, however, she doesn’t believe she is doing enough to address the whole issue surrounding homelessness. She hopes she can eventually register Humanity for L.A. as a charity, build a website to increase reach, create a GoFundMe page and continue to volunteer once she goes off to college. First though, she has to build her social media audience, needing fellow students and people in her community to support her account and help it reach a point where students outside of school and L.A. will come across it

n 2 tbsp vegetable oil n 2 tsp minced fresh garlic n 2 tsp minced fresh ginger n 2 tbsp minced carrot n 2 tbsp minced red bell pepper n 2 tbsp minced yellow bell pepper n 2 ounces portuguese sausage, chopped n 2 green onions, minced n 1 red pepper flakes n 12 cups of finely diced fresh or canned pineapple n 2 cups cooked Jasmine rice n 2 tbsp fish sauce

THE MIRROR | DIEGO AGUIRRE

ing on how sweet you like your yams. Crush the piloncillo and also distribute evenly to give it a nice sweet taste. Bake for about another hour. Throughout this time, add more brown sugar or piloncillo as needed and leave in the oven depending on how soft or crispy you want your candied yams!

Pancit (Filipino rice noodle dish) Ms. Samantha Wallace

n 2 tbsp minced cilantro

Ingredients:

Preparation:

n 6 pieces of chicken (dark meat: legs or thighs)

Heat a wok over high heat. Add the oil and while hot, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 20 to 30 seconds, until bare light golden brown.

n ½ onion, chopped

Add the carrot, sausage, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, green onions and chile pepper and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

n 3 cloves of garlic, minced n ½ cabbage, chopped n 3 large carrots, shredded n 8 oz. mushrooms, chopped n Soy sauce n Water

Add pineapple and the rice and stir-fry until warmed through.

n 1 package of bihon noodles, 16 oz. (rice noodles)

Add the fish sauce and toss several times to mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary. Mix in cilantro.**I base above measurements as reference. I use more of each ingredient than indicated.

Preparation:

Candied Yams Recipe (dad’s recipe) Ms. Milagro Medrano Ingredients: n 6 good looking yams n Eyeballed amount of brown sugar n Eyeballed amount of piloncillo (Latino brown sugar cone) Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Place yams wrapped in aluminium foil in a baking dish. Bake for about an hour until it’s easy to peel the skin off. Cut up the yams into smaller pieces and place back into a baking dish. Now pour brown sugar evenly on top of the yams. Eyeball it depend-

n 2 lemons Place chicken with ½ chopped onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic in a large pot. Add water to the pot so that the chicken is barely submerged in water. Boil chicken, onions and garlic until the chicken is fully cooked (no pink in the middle of the chicken). Once the chicken is cooked, save the broth and shred the chicken. Soak bihon noodles in water for about 10 minutes. In the same pot that you used to boil the cabbage, add ¼ cup of chicken broth and mix well. Cook until the broth evaporates. Add bihon noodles, shredded chicken and 1 cup of chicken broth to pot. Add soy sauce to taste and mix well. Cook until the liquid evaporates. Serve pancit with a lemon wedge. Enjoy! FOR MORE FACULTY HOLIDAY RECIPES VISIT OUR WEBSITE: vnhsmirror.com

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Perspective 7 vnhsmirror.com NOVEMBER 2019

Gardening against climate change THE MIRROR | PHOTOS BY PJ RATTAPITAK

BY ANI TUTUNJYAN

THE MIRROR STAFF

he members of Heart of Nature are getting their hands dirty. Heart of Nature, a club aiming to raise awareness for the environment on campus, is renovating the school garden to make it an accessible space for students on campus. Club president Magnolia Fiore took over the club two years ago with a dream to completely redesign the school garden. The club has begun building raised garden beds with drought-responsible irrigation systems by using olla pots. “We want to test a little bit and grow, and hopefully not only will the Heart of Nature be involved, but the classes will be involved, the culinary arts be involved. That’s the hope.” said club advisor and science teacher Ms. Jennifer Kim. The garden beds are reserved for both Ms. Kim’s science classes and members of the club to grow whatever they want. Ultimately, Fiore hopes to make the garden beds interactive for all students on campus. “We want to make a space that everyone can use, and we have been flirting with the idea of creating a plaza where we could possibly host movie nights, or have a picnic with live music. We are also working on getting wheelchair access out to the beds so all students can take part,” she said. However, these ideas are long term, and the club is focusing on getting the funding and structure they need to make the garden beds sustainable and strong enough to last. In a time when climate change’s effects are growing prominent in society, the club aims to use systems that will benefit the environment. “Instead of drip irrigation or watering, we’re planting ollas to save water because what is going to happen is water leaks across the barrier and the plants’ roots will naturally grow to it,” said Ms. Kim. “That was originally used in ancient technology to conserve water, like people growing food in Africa or the deserts.” Fiore and Ms. Kim believe in the benefits of individuals growing their own produce. “Growing your own vegetables would cut down emission costs from all those planes and trains and cars transporting all the vegetation. It will give a sense of reality of how difficult it is to raise your food, how difficult it is to be conscious of what you’re eating. It doesn’t just come from the grocery store,” said Ms. Kim. Fiore is excited to teach students how to grow their own food, a life skill she believes to be beneficial to individuals. Alumni students Katherine Kleiman and Katheleen Agurirre, sophomores at Los Angeles Valley College, have also begun participating in redesigning the garden for a communications project. “The project is about having a long lasting impact on Earth and leaving it in a better place,” Kleiman said. Kleinman and Agurirre hope to get students more involved in beautifying the school. “The garden is located near the fence bordering Cedros Ave. and Hamlin Ave. So far, the garden beds have been mulched. The club recently received funding from Principal Yolanda Gardea, enabling members to resume gardening. For students interested in getting involved, Fiore recommends contacting her or Ms. Kim in room 201. “The absolute best way to get involved with the gardening would be to get in contact with me or Ms. Kim so you are aware of when we have meetings and when we actually do gardening events,” said Fiore.

PUREST OF HUMAN PLEASURES Laying out the new foundation, Ms. Jennifer Kim (R), Emily Choi (above) and the rest of the Heart of Nature Club help shape the plot of land. Starting from the ground up is step one.

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

By PILAR SIMS

“I

THE MIRROR STAFF

’m too fat.” “I have bad skin.” “I’m not tall enough.” “I have cellulite.” “My voice is too high.” Almost everyone has physical features that they would change if they had the chance. Perceptions of our bodies and other physical characteristics are influenced by the people we see around us and in the media. Maybe someone made fun of your hair when you were in elementary school, and it still makes you self-conscious. A number of factors, including fashion trends, lead us to create an image of ourselves in our own minds. As a person ages, their body changes, as does their self perception. Whether it be negative or positive, everyone has a set image of themselves. What do you think you look like? Are you happy with how you look? Body image is one’s consciousness, attitude and thoughts about themselves compared to the standards that society has set. Body image isn’t limited to purely unhealthy thoughts about the physical body, it is not always related to weight and size. Body image includes how a person behaves as a result of their thoughts and feelings. The effects of a poor body image on mental health is much more than the occasional negative thought. Negative self-esteem can lead to a string of issues such as eating disorders, depression, and higher levels of anxiety and suicidal thoughts, causing issues in relationships

and in the workplace. Body image issues tend to start early for kids. By age six, girls in particular, start to show signs of declining self-esteem, while 40-60 percent of elementary school girls express concerns about their weight and the fear of becoming too fat according to research by Linda Smolak, PhD, author and professor of psychology at Kenyon College. These issues continue into the teenage years as well. The expectations to look good and have an exceptional body weigh heavily on high school students, who often bow to peer pressure to fit in. In order to cope, teenagers pick up behaviors in an attempt to change the perceptions of others. One study concluded that up to half of all teenage girls and up to a third of teen boys turn to unhealthy weight control methods like smoking cigarettes, fasting, vomiting, taking laxatives and skipping meals. Teasing is another issue that often drives young people to make bad choices in their quest for perfection and acceptance. Whether teasing is serious or meant jokingly, it can still have a serious impact. Weight-based and appearancebased teasing can scar a person’s selfimage for life. Up to 60 percent of people have experienced teasing amongst peers, while 36 percent have experienced it from siblings and 19 percent from parents. According to recent national surveys, 30 percent of girls and 24 percent of boys in middle school endure bullying, rejection and teasing because of their size. In high school, the numbers increase to 63 percent of girls and 58 percent of boys. “Women always try to live up to

society’s expectations but what we really need to do is live up to our own expectations, love ourselves and be happy,” student Leilani Lee commented. As teenagers grow up, they often carry their body dissatisfaction into maturity, even as the teasing and bullying of high school draws to a close. While adult stress-causing factors are different—work, college, marriage—the learned coping mechanisms remain the same, accounting for psychological distress, eating disorders and depression. Besides the teasing, bullying and low self-esteem, some people suffer from an illness known as body dysmorphia, which causes an insatiable fixation on flaws, whether real or perceived. About 1 in 50 people suffer from body dysmorphia. Those who have the disorder may go to extreme lengths to fix their flaw or simply obsess over it constantly. A widespread misconception is that women are the only ones affected by body image issues, and though women face more pressure from the media, society and peers to appear a certain way, men can also suffer from the symptoms. About 1 in 3 men suffer from eating disorders. In the U.S. alone, 10 million men will be affected by negative body image at some point in their lives. “The stigma surrounding self-esteem issues discourages men to openly discuss their issues and others,” said student Salvador Gomez. “Body dissatisfaction amongst men isn’t discussed as much as it should be.” Since the topic is often taboo, many men won’t seek the treatment they need. In some cases when men do seek help, their problems are misdiagnosed due to gender.

Males have been left out of epidemiological studies and treatment trials related to body image. As a result, there is little information on men with image disorders, considering how they make up less than 1 percent of research to date according to Dr. Stuart Murray, the co-director of the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders (NAMED). By today’s standards, the typical male is supposed to be strong, masculine and unemotional, but men and women alike have to endure the hardships of having a negative body image. Like women, men are constantly bombarded with unrealistic expectations of their body and appearance through the media. Twenty-five years ago body dissatisfaction impacted 15 percent of the male population. Unfortunately today that number has risen to 45 percent, the University of Sydney discovered in a recent study. Body image is ingrained in our minds from an early age. Overcoming negative self-image and disorders associated with it can be quite difficult, but nonetheless possible. Knowing what help is needed as well as what works best is essential to break the toxic cycle of self-hatred. Some of the best weapons to combat poor body image is to try to avoid negative media influences, recognize unrealistic expectations and surround yourself with positive reinforcing elements. Having a positive body image may not assure a good physical or mental health, but it can lessen the chance of developing disordered eating patterns and other illnesses that are a result of poor selfesteem, like depression, anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder.

In search of PERFECTION PLASTIC PERFECTION

mother and father decide to gift their daughter breast enhancements for her 16th birthday. To look more like Kylie Jenner, teenage girls inject fillers to make their lips poutier and sexier. For that perfect prom body, teenagers go under the knife to get liposuction. In 2017, about 230,000 cosmetic procedures are performed on teenagers aged 13 to 19, accounting for nearly 4 percent of all cosmetic surgery procedures. Many teenagers see photos of perfect, airbrushed people everyday on Instagram and Snapchat, feeling the need to adjust their physical features so they can feel validated. Examples of using celebrities using plastic surgery for the perfect body are everywhere. From the famous Kardashians, Kim and Khloe, who have both gotten butt implants to female rapper Cardi B, body-modifying operations have become common. As a result, teenagers are captivated by the idea of nose jobs, breast enhancements and tummy tucks. According to the Pew Research Center, teens and young adults are the leading group of social media users, making them more susceptible to want to emulate their idols who’ve perfected and corrected their flaws through surgery.

Celebrities often photoshop their pictures to make them look perfect before posting them on social media. As a result, many teens feel the need to edit their pictures as well. The most common apps to edit photos are Picsart and Facetune. Many teens spend a lot of time editing their pictures in an effort to get as many likes and followers as they can. The pursuit of praise and appreciation can lead to unrealistic expectations of beauty. Social media filters also fuel the desire to alter facial features. The most-used Instagram filters are those that make lips look fuller and skin smooth like glass. But altering an image digitally and altering the body surgically are two completely different things. The fantasy can definitely lead to the desire to make it happen. Nonetheless, there are many different reasons why people choose to get plastic surgery. Adults usually tend to get work done in order to stand out from others, while teenagers typically get plastic surgery so they can fit in, according to a study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Most procedures that teenagers go through consist of rhinoplasty, surgery to enhance the appearance of the nose or to repair nasal fractures and other structural problems and liposuction, the removal of excess fat from the stomach, thighs or elsewhere. Getting plastic surgery is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. As with any medical procedure there are risks. One out of 13,000 encounter a complication, while the risk of dying is one in 250,000.

Many people who choose to undergo surgery have it done at small alternative clinics, which often offer a cheaper option, but tend to be staffed by less experienced surgeons, increasing the chances of something going wrong and risking infections, severe bleeding, tissue death and nerve damage. Another reason for young people to avoid plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes is that the body is still growing and changing well into a person’s twenties. Even though the body reaches its adult form in the late teens, there tends to be a noticable difference between an adolescent face and the same twenty-something face. Facial structure undergoes changes as the eye sockets, jawline and nose continue to grow. Because of these continuous changes, facial procedures are unnecessary at a young age. Altering your face to perfection before its final stage of growth is a waste of money since you have no idea of how you would look as an adult. You may be happier with your natural look but plumping and filling your face will change that. But for those who want immediate results in their appearance and refuse to rely on hope that they’d look better in the future, cosmetic surgery is the way to go. With well done research and understanding of the dangers of plastic surgery, it can be successful and beneficial. A quick plump of the lips or the simple pushback of a hairline goes a long way in boosting one’s self-esteem. We all want to

feel our best and part of feeling our best is looking our best. Choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures for your personal satisfaction is completely up to you. Those who are not confident with their image should get plastic surgery without feeling resentment. If people have the money to get procedures done, they should not be judged when they do what it takes to boost their self-esteem. Successful procedures also result in physical health improvements. Patients who undergo liposuction become more physically active after their surgery is completed. Liposuction lowers the chances of developing health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and increased blood pressure. Despite the pros and cons of plastic surgery, those who get plastic surgery at a young age should not be criticized for their choice. It is their body and they should be able to do as they please with it. Although social media audiences praise perfectly contoured faces and bodies, that isn’t always the case. With demeaning labels such as “plastic” and “fake,” society has normalized targeting people who’ve had work done to make that person feel ashamed. But the truth is that no harm is being done to society as a whole as a result of one person’s decision. At the end of the day, it is your body and your confidence. Your features are yours only and if modifying them makes you feel like the best version of yourself then by all means, go for it. ADRIANA CONTRERAS

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THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

Safety first, fashion after

ere at Van Nuys High School, there is a dress code that students are expected to abide by. Some students do, but a lot of students do not. There are good reasons for the dress code. But sometimes it makes it hard to follow the popular fashion trends because they aren’t school appropriate. Ladies, I know it’s hot and we like to look cute, but save the spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder shirts and crop tops for the summer. These tops are popular right now, especially if you shop at well-known fashion stores. Yes, I agree the shirts are really cute, however they just aren’t appropriate for school. It’s important to follow the dress code, especially for safety reasons. School staff doesn’t want us wearing anything too revealing for our own safety. If you’re a female LAYLA WILLIAMS wearing something revealing and you walk home alone after school, you’re making yourself an easy target. It isn’t that dangerous situations are self-inflicted or that women should be blamed for their fashion choices. Anything too revealing showing the chest or bottom area just simply isn’t appropriate attire for school, especially at our age. But who am I to judge? The bottom line remains—we come here to get an education, not to be in a fashion show. Boys, I know bandanas and colored shoelaces are cool. On a more serious level, though, wearing particular colors attire makes you a target for danger as well. Street gangs take colors very seriously and wearing the wrong color in the wrong area will cause you some trouble. There is also the possibility that members of the community are gang-affiliated and will notice you—an easy cause for unnecessary confrontation when you mean no harm. We do

THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

ou may be excited to present your new tattoo or piercing to your friends and family but make sure your boss doesn’t see it. Jobs commonly ask employees to cover their tattoos or remove their piercings while on the clock, believing they are unprofessional. But today, many people choose to express themselves through body art. Expression through image is not a reason to change the perception of a worker. Rebeca Jimenez recalls having to hide her septum piercing from her boss, which she believes is unnecessary. “I know some jobs do allow piercings and tattoos but for [my job] apparently it’s not appropriate and is not work attire. [Tattoos and piercings] shouldn’t matter and it’s not fair. It’s not like you can take off a tattoo and put it back on when you get home. If you found a job that you genuinely want to do, then your tattoos and piercings should not stop you from doing it.” As Jimenez said, tattoos cannot be easily taken off for the benefit of bosses. When someone gets a tattoo, it expresses who

Kayla Lee, Pilar Sims

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mhar Tenorio

LAYOUT EDITOR

Seungyoun Kim CURRENT EVENTS EDITOR

Ani Tutunjyan

PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

Kaitlyn Jung

PRO & CON EDITOR

Gwen Langi

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Kasey Kim

ATHLETICS / SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Andre Rodas

PHOTO EDITOR

Ivan Delgado

BUSINESS MANAGER APPROPRIATE ATTIRE Bella Thomas bundles up to keep it appropriate as

she follows the school dress code.

Aaron Mejia

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Plapol “PJ” Rattapitak

live in the middle of a huge city and there are all kinds of people who are looking for a fight. We should never see our lady wolves in too short mini skirts or “booty shorts” as I grew up calling them. Those are things we wear on the weekends with our friends or when we go to a party. These are not appropriate for a school setting. As a Wolf, it’s only fair that everybody follow the simple dress code. For those who have been a student longer than others, set an example for the incoming students. A few students wearing inappropriate clothing makes it so that the majority believes it is acceptable for them to go against the school policy as well. Just follow the code and come to school in appropriate attire.

Body mods: Expression or unprofessional?

GWEN LANGI

PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

they are. To some, body modifications have special meaning. Asking them to cover up because they tarnish the image of the workplace is not only inconsiderate but discriminatory. Refusing to hire people with tattoos is discriminatory and targets those who already struggle with finding a job. Exoffenders trying to get back on their feet find difficulty applying for jobs with the “no tattoo” rule upheld by employers. Looking for a job is hard and looking for a job with a criminal record is harder. But looking for a job with a criminal record and tattoos may be nearly impossible. Employees with piercings chose to get them because they like the way it looks. However, being asked to remove them to maintain a professional image is unfair because piercings do not determine whether they are capable of doing their job. “I was upset. I did not want to remove my piercing every week, especially since it can get infected,” Jimenez says in regards to hiding her septum ring for the sake of keeping her job. If a company fails to hire you because of your race, religion or gender, you can file a lawsuit for discrimination but unfortunately the same doesn’t apply to tattoos or piercings. When someone decides on a tattoo or piercing they have their personal reasons for doing so. Similar to their choice of clothing or how they choose to style their hair, body art is a form of self-expression which

THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

LAYOUT ASSISTANT

Diego Aguirre

STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS

Stephanie Caceres Eduardo Camarena Rozalynn Casillas Ruben Cocilion Adriana Contreras Noelle Copeland Arsh Dole Saahil Gaur Dhamara Gomez Xavier Gonzalez Andrea Hernandez Sophia Herrera Oscar Jimenez Estefania Lopez Jimena Martinez Milton Najarro Shanya Neal Caroline Ortiz Maisha Rahman Josselyn Ramos Beverly Regino Sandra Sanchez Pamela Serrano Anahit Sharmatyan Angelica Valenzuela Layla Williams JOURNALISM ADVISER

Mr. Ron Goins

ABOUT US The Mirror is the student newspaper of Van Nuys Senior High School in Van Nuys, California, a district of Los Angeles. It is published six times per year. The opinions expressed in bylined commentary articles and columns represent the views of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mirror or the Editorial Board. TATTOOS TOO Campus aide Joe Avila displays the ink he proudly wears on his arm.

reflects personality. Expecting employees to disguise parts of themselves they chose to accentuate is inconsiderate. Bosses should consider the comfort of their employees and if they work best with their body art displayed then so be it. Times have changed and body art has become common among the younger generations. Whether companies like it or not, there will come a time where the rejection of inked and pierced employees will be impossible.

DISTRIBUTION Copies are free to students, faculty and staff and are available in Room 112, Second Floor, Main Building. READER PARTICIPATION Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Letters to the Editor may be delivered to Room 112 or mailed to The Mirror, 6535 Cedros Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91411. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space to conform to The Mirror style. ADVERTISING Direct questions to Aaron Mejia at amejia0208@mymail.lausd.net, or by telephoning (818) 791-2378. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school. MEMBERSHIPS National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and Southern California Journalism Educators Association (SCJEA).

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vnhsmirror.com NOVEMBER 2019 YOUTUBE

The potential

DARKNESS in YouTube idols

SOPHIA HERRERA

ith an average of 1.9 billion monthly users, YouTube is the world’s second most-used social media app, giving content creators—most commonly referred to as YouTubers—a career in which they make money based on both ad and user views. YouTubers are idolized and often looked up to as inspirations, but in reality some of these internet idols are advocates of tastelessness and even danger. The main goal of YouTubers is to get views, so they sometimes post scandalous and dangerous videos to get those views. In one video posted by Logan Paul he visits Aokigahara forest in Japan, which is also known as “suicide forest.” After hiking only a couple hundred yards into the forest, he encountered the body of someone who had killed himself.

Instead of turning off the camera he continued to film, making several crude jokes and then posted it on his YouTube channel. People were outraged and Paul did receive backlash for it, but his tasteless posting won him increased notariety, and 80,000 new subscribers. In less than two weeks, viewers had forgotten about the incident and returned to praising and idolizing him. Another famous YouTuber and beauty influencer, Jeffree Star, continuously gets called out for his unkind attitude. Even though he posted an apology video for his past bad behavior, apparently he still hasn’t learned his lesson or grown from his past mistakes. Through tweets he referred to another beauty influencer, Jackie Aina, with racial slurs. Considering the amount of power we give to YouTubers, praising Paul, Star and others like them enable their behavior and gives the impression that it is okay to act the same way. Confusing messages can influence vulnerable viewers to imitate the negative things they see online and YouTube influencers give them those bad ideas. Some teens

FAMOUS YOUTUBERS Pewdiepie (top left), Jeffree Star, Shane Dawson, Jenna Marbles (bottom left), Mr. Beast and Jojo Siwa dominate the YouTube platform.

especially may feel pressured to film and post dangerous or disrespectful videos in the quest to attract large numbers of views on their social media. They rarely think about the consequences. One YouTube prankster shot and killed her boyfriend by accident. Wanting to test if a 50-caliber bullet would go through an encyclopedia, the boyfriend held it in front of his chest encouraging her to fire the gun. The bullet easily passed through the book, instantly killing the man. Even though the woman initially expressed her hesitancy with the stunt, her boyfriend insisted that they do it because of the internet attention they would receive. Neither of them expected the stunt to go so wrong.

YouTube gives people the ability to listen and talk with others about their and concerns, helping empower young people who have experienced rejection, isolation and depression. One example is Jazz Jennings, the youngest trans woman in history to speak up about depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts publicly, empowering kids and teens dealing with similar problems. But many people behind the screen are not always who they appear to be. They are playing a role for hits. They may seem supportive or kind but they are not friends or people you know on a personal level. They refer to their subscribers as family but have no idea who is watching them from the other side of the screen.

This craze for online attention results in more and more young people wanting to become YouTubers instead of astronauts or doctors, which may seem like a great idea. But if you are easily influenced by what other people think, it may be a difficult job to enjoy, since YouTubers are constantly in the spotlight and susceptible to both wanted and unwanted opinions. Becoming an online celebrity is one of the most mentally damaging careers out there. The pressure they have to endure from strangers is very real. Personal insecurities are constantly magnified through memes or unnecessary comments. Sacrificing peace of mind for internet attention is not worth it.

Stop ghosting and start communicating

GWEN LANGI

he time gaps between texts get longer and the messages get shorter. Conversations become dry and the responses come in slower until they’ve finally come to a stop and boom, you’ve been ghosted. Ghosting, suddenly ending contact with someone without an explanation, has become possible thanks to digital communication. A simple swipe to delete a conversation or a few taps to block a user serves as a comfortable cushion to fall on when we wish to cut off contact with someone. Some see it as beneficial because it’s quick and seems hassle-free. But people who do it fail to consider how it feels to the other side. We’ve become too comfortable being the ghoster while never addressing how the person being ghosted is affected. Plain and simple, ghosting is an unexplained rejection. You are left asking

yourself where you went wrong or what you could have done to be good enough for that person. Whether in friendships or relationships, being left to question your worth is never a good feeling. School Psychiatric Social Worker Nayeli Gonzalez says ghosting is ineffective. “You guys aren’t practicing your communication skills with one another and [are] not able to express your emotions which leads to miscommunication, more conflicts with peers and employers, and not being able to solve problems,” she explains. Deborah Ebrahemi, another psychiatric social worker, believes ghosting is a gateway for misunderstanding. “It leads to a lot of misunderstanding and anxiety that comes along with it,” she said. “Because when somebody ghosts, the other person is left with ‘Okay, what happened? Did I do something wrong? Could I have done something differently?’ They kind of retrace everything without getting a clear answer.” If you’re debating whether to ghost someone or not the answer is simple: don’t do it. The amount of hurt you’d cause the other person isn’t worth it. Having an honest conversation and explaining why you’ve chosen to cut ties is the mature alternative that helps to avoid future tension.

THE MIRROR | DIEGO AGUIRRE

Choosing to be mature and communicate doesn’t only help ease the pain on the other person but also prepares you for the real world. Blocking and muting someone on social media is easy but being confronted with real world situations is a different story. Results from a survey conducted by BankMyCell shows the number one reason that both men and women ghosted someone was to avoid confrontation. It can be difficult to start communicating effectively if you’ve never done so online or offline.

The practice of ghosting isn’t just occurring within teens and young adults who pursue relationships with one another. It’s also been recognized between employers and employees but the tables have turned. The familiar routine of job applicants anxiously waiting for employers to call them back has been reversed with companies across the country experiencing the silent disappearance of job applicants. Employers are unhappy with the no-show interviews and voicemail answering and applicants assume that employers will recognize their lack of interest. But we can’t read each other’s minds and the logical thing to do if you have something to say, is to say it. The only situation where ghosting has little emotional impact is when it’s done with mutual terms. Cristy Quintero recalls a time where there was unspoken but mutual understanding between her and a friend. “She was annoying and I was happy she ghosted me. It was a mutual thing,” she said. You can’t hide behind block buttons forever. If people continue to ghost, they can look forward to nothing but confusion and misinterpretation caused by their poor communication skills. Technology will have turned us into cold beings who can’t communicate properly.

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

Protect LGBTQ+ employees

JIMENA MARTINEZ

n 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states. It was a turning point for the LGBTQ+ community that helped promote their representation and acceptance. But the ugly reality is that the LGBTQ community is not fully protected by the government. Aimee Stephens, a 59-year-old transgender woman, worked at a funeral home for about six years supporting families. When she first started working, she identified as a male. In 2013, Stephens transitioned to a female, in which she informed her employer of in a letter. Despite how Stephens’s work ethic and abilities would be the same, two weeks later Stephens was unemployed. Between 15 percent to 43 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender workers have experienced workplace discrimation. There is no federal law that protects LGBTQ+ members from dicrimination

PEXELS | SHARON MCCUTCHEON

against them for their sexual orientation or sexual identity, meaning that employers are free to fire those in the LGBTQ+ community without consequences. Stephens filed a complaint against her previous employer, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. on accounts of discrimination because of her sex, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). As the case is heard under Supreme Court, the decision made by the court will have a prolonged effect on the transgender population in the nation. If Stephens wins her case by chance, for the first time in history, the transgender community will have nondiscrimination protections under the federal law. However if the case doesn’t go as planned, whether transgender individuals get equal rights under the eyes of the law is undetermined and unpredicable. Stephens isn’t the first transgender to speak in front of the Supreme Court, but her case is the first to directly deal with transgender rights under the eyes of the law. Cases where members of the LGBTQ+ community were discriminated against and fired by their employers due to their sexual orientation or sexual

identity, are more common than they seem. Don Zarda is another instance where an individual in the LGBTQ+ community was discriminated against. Zarda worked as a skydiving instructor at Altitude Express, a company on Long Island, New York. In 2010, Zarda and a co-worker took a couple up to skydive. While strapping himself to the female client, he informed her that he was gay in hopes of making her feel more comfortable with their closeness due to safety procedures. The client later complained to Zarda’s employer, resulting in him losing his job soon after. Right after the jump, he was fired for coming out to the woman. Sadly, Zarda died in a skydiving accident in 2014. His partner, Bill Moore, and his sister, Melissa Zarda, are still continuing his fight at the Supreme Court in the Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda case. Employees should not be fired based on their sexuality. It doesn’t matter if you are gay, transgender or identify as something other than what society accepts as “normal.” Despite how there aren’t national LQBTQ+ worker protection laws, the District of Columbia, two territories (Guam and Puerto Rico) and 21 other states have passed laws explicitly banning bias in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

PEXELS | LUM3N

Save your apologies. #MeToo redemption is not possible By RUBEN COCILION & GWEN LANGI

THE MIRROR STAFF

ou lost your job, friends and have spoiled your image after being exposed for sexual violence. You regret your actions and have released a public apology expressing your remorse as well as promising that it would never happen again. But that isn’t enough to redeem yourself and the reality is that you can never bounce back from something like this. The phrase “Me Too” was most commonly seen on social media for the purpose of raising awareness of sexual abuse and violence. Over a decade later and the phrase

holds power through the #MeToo movement, giving people a platform to come forward and expose those who sexually violated them, in hopes of preventing similar incidents from taking place. However, accused and proven perpetrators of harassment have also come forward with an intent to redeem themselves. Over 5 women came forward to expose television commentator Mark Halperin for pervasive sexual behavior, causing him to lose his job as well as commentary deals. Halperin has made several public apologies trying to regain respect after being outed as a sexual harasser after only 18 months since the allegations with the help of other celebrity supporters. Radioshow

host Michael Smerconish, believing that redemption is possible, invited Halperin on Sirius XM radio to speak his truth and voice his remorse. But those who think redemption is impossible are rightfully outraged, especially Halperin’s victims. Burke herself has expressed that the main focus of the Me Too movement should always be the support of survivors rather than the possible comeback of perpetrators. The Me Too movement gives victims a platform to tell their stories, which is never an easy thing to do. But by shifting the focus from the victims and their stories to the perpetrators and their apologies, this platform is taken away.

Victims are questioned by society once they’ve come forward, already making it difficult for them to open up about their stories feeling they won’t be taken seriously. Using the movement to focus on perpetrators makes it difficult for victims to talk about their experience if the attention is centered around redeeming those who’ve wronged them. If perpetrators want to apologize for their wrongs they are allowed to do so but should keep in mind that forgiveness isn’t mandatory. Acknowledging your wrongs and taking steps toward doing better is the best thing to do, but redemption from sexual violence is impossible.

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vnhsmirror.com NOVEMBER 2019

Preparing for the BATTLE OF THE BANDS

PLAYLIST Music recommendations by KASEY KIM

THE MIRROR | PHOTOS BY IVAN DELGADO

Painkiller Ruel Genre: Pop Released as a part of Ruel’s newest album “Free Time,” the single “Painkiller” captures the comfort he finds in a significant other. As the track rises in popularity, the Australian singer is currently on tour.

THE CENTER STAGE IS YOURS As the marching band preps for their competition on Nov. 23, (L to R) Kaled Mejia, Joesph Pierda, (top right) Aditya Tummula and (bottom right) Nathan Schneider stand up tall and look forward as they blow the sound of victory into the air and hoping to bring back a trophy from that day.

By BEVERLY REGINO

THE MIRROR STAFF

heir practice sounds cut and dry. They march, they play music; some wave flags and toss batons. But most people never get to see what really shapes the marching band, unaware of the challenges and hard work that goes into becoming a well-oiled machine. The grueling practices seem never-ending as fall competitions approach. Band members practice four hours a day after school and a marathon nine hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, that is, if the day isn’t occupied with a competition. Depending on the day, band rehearsals can vary from practicing music in divisions to practicing visuals for the show. Nevertheless, ask any band member and most will say each day is productive, even though their initial practice schedule is almost never followed. Instead, the band adapts to each situation, learning how to solve problems on the go. “Everything is about always being on your toes: always being ready for a change, always being ready for something new that’s going to come at you,” Band Director Robert Eisenhart said. “I don’t think there’s

been a single rehearsal, that I can say, at the end of that rehearsal we met exactly the goals we went in with, but we still got to have those goals.” Other than marching and playing music, the students also have to learn how to perfect their visuals, strengthen their bodies and get used to the physical strain of marching while carrying their instruments, which is necessary for competitions. In addition to multitasking, the performers need to remember all the information Mr. Eisenhart gives them, including the basics such as marching with straight legs or what direction their body is facing while at the same time being aware of the direction that their instrument has to face. Each day, they are given new marching orders, which need to be processed and shaped into a final product they can be proud of. They also must communicate so routines don’t go awry. “I’d say that communication is the single most important thing in band especially concerning leadership,” Drum Captain David Thompson said. “And without communication between student leaders, important everyday tasks, such as

DETERMINED TO EXCEL

Blowing his trombone, Osbaldo Sanchez prepares for the city championships four hours a day.

THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

preparing the field on time or making sure the band has all necessary supplies for the rehearsal won’t be guaranteed.” “[It’s] difficult but rewarding,” says tenor saxophone player Kevin Santiago. “Throughout marching season, it’s really tough memorizing music, drill spots and choreography in a relatively short period of time. But once everything comes together and you see the video of the final competition on YouTube, you get a sense of gratification that you won’t find anywhere else.” Pouring incredible numbers of hours into perfecting their show, students practice approximately 300 hours each year as a group. But each must also put in mandatory personal practice which helps improve the band as a whole. Balancing school with marching band can often be challenging, but the number one priority is focusing on school. Grades come first, band second. ”If you’re not prepared, then you’re definitely going to fall behind on academic classes which then makes you ineligible for the actual show at competitions,” Santiago explains. Each student brings a different set of skills and strengths to Marching Band, but members are united by their dedication and perseverance. According to Bird Baker, a member of the colorguard, the group within the band that dances and give a little more life to each performance, each individual is expected to work their hardest when they’re on the field. “You have to really put your all in 100 percent of the time,” she said. “There is no time that you can give half. It has to be full out to create a perfect performance.” When 7 p.m. rolls around each day, and four more hours of preparation are over, each band member knows he or she is one day closer to competing in the city championships on Nov. 23 at the East Los Angeles College. “When you finish every practice, you are stronger than when you started,” Bird added. “This gives you a sort of gratification that everything is going towards something that will build you to be the best.”

10/10 Rex Orange County Genre: Alternative/Indie This English singer-songwriter captures the hearts of many indie fans. Catchy and upbeat in tune, his newly released single “10/10” reflects his desire to transform and improve to be a “ten.”

Follow God Kanye West Genre: Gospel, Hip-Hop On Oct. 25, Kanye dropped his album “Jesus is King,” declaring his devotion to Christianity. The lyrical and emotional song “Follow God” shows his desire to live right and his conflicting interaction with his own father.

Everybody Wants You Red Hearse Genre: Pop The pop ballad “Everybody Wants You” from the album “Red Hearse” was released in Aug. 2019. The romantic track expresses the desire to get the attention of a significant other.

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

Never growing up

he backstory to one of the most-beloved children’s tales of the last century thrilled audiences at the Hubbard Auditorium in early November. Actors in Action presented “Peter and the Starcatcher,” an adventure story exploring how Peter Pan became who he is and how he overcame his obstacles along the way with his two friends Prentiss and Ted. Once a lost boy, the title character finds his home Neverland. The play stars L. Perez as Peter Pan, Jude Struble as Ted, Dakota Threats as Prentiss and Zoe Stone as Molly Aster. • PHOTOS BY IVAN DELGADO | THE MIRROR

SOCIAL MELTDOWN The opening night of “Peter and the Starcatcher was a success. From (L) to (R) Michelle Levi, Perla Barajas, Kevin Alvarez, Josie Hull, Nicole Garcia, Anddy Chuta, Dakota Threats, Adam Ruckman, Zoe Stone and Marco Lizarraga perform as mermaids on Nov. 8, 2019.

SAILING TO MOLLUSK ISLAND Cast as “Boy” or “Peter Pan,” L. Perez prepares to escape by creating a makeshift raft.

ALL EYES ARE WATCHING Angela Proca expresses her emotions playing the role of Bill Slank in “Peter and the Starcatcher” on Nov. 8, 2019.

ATHLETICS15

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vnhsmirror.com NOVEMBER 2019

THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

Is the division title a slam dunk for the Wolves? By ARSH DOLE

THE MIRROR STAFF

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It hasn’t just been all fun and games, the player’s have each been working hard individually to improve on what they believe are their weaknesses.

THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO

he Boys Basketball team has been one of the school’s top performing sports squads in recent years. Last year they made the playoffs and the previous year they made it the state finals under Coach Evan Porter. A lot of pressure is on the team heading into the 2019-2020 season as everyone is looking for the team to bring home another title. “I don’t feel like there’s pressure at all, were gonna come out and compete how we always do” said Jimal Porteous, who plays both small forward and power forward. Last year was the Boys Basketball team first year competing in Division 1, joining powerhouse programs such as Granada Hills Charter High School and Birmingham Community Charter High School, arguably the two best teams in the league. Even though they made it to the playoffs with an 8-2 league record and a 12-13 overall record, they were eliminated in the first round last year by John C. Fremont High School, 56-48. This season, the team members would like to redeem themselves. “We definitely felt a type of way going out first round last season and we’re gonna make sure it doesn’t happen this season,” said Porteous.

“We’re excited to be a D1 team, there’s a lot of good competition. We played two D1 teams this past weekend so we know what to expect when playoffs come around.” It hasn’t just been all fun and games, the player’s have each been working hard individually to improve on what they believe are their weaknesses. “What I’ve worked on this off season is stamina and getting stronger,” admitted Porteous. On top of that they have been improving together as a team. Their coach throws different drills at them so they can be ready for anything that they may face in a game. “A drill we’ve been doing is shell drill,

which is working on being help on defense,” said Porteous. The team hasn’t selected a team captain but according to Porteous it is Jesse Molina. “We never really established team captains but if anything it’s Jesse Molina,” Porteus said. Twelve players are returning this season: Andrew De La Hoya, David Lee, Jimal Porteous, Bryson Tindzley, Andrew Angulo, Jesse Molina, Julian Hicks, Amari Robinson, Jesse Davis, Jason Tamayo, Miguel Morales and Joaquin Reyes. As the season start draws near, an experienced and more than capable team is ready to compete.

THE MIRROR | PJ RATTAPITAK

Positive mindset leads to big improvements on the tennis courts

WELL-EARNED SUCCESS

Despite an overall losing record for the season, Girls Tennis advanced to the playoffs this year. Trisha Albino on the court.

By DHAMARA GOMEZ & ANDRE RODAS THE MIRROR STAFF

he Girls Tennis team finished this season with a 3-4 record but were still able to make it to the playoffs. Team captain Lauren Oliva stated that making the playoffs wasn’t just about their record, but how the team performed. A team’s record only shows the wins and losses, not how they actually played. “Judges decide whether or not we make it. They judge us on the overall score,” Oliva explained. “Since a majority of our losses were losses by only one game, it showed that we were a strong team allowing us to make it to playoffs.” To team captains Oliva and Stephanie Menjivar, the team making the playoffs was always a guarantee in their minds. “My expectations heading into the season were really positive,” Menjivar said. “I expected us to make it to the playoffs because I knew how hard we had been training during the summer,” the co-captain added. The girls started their playoff run with a 6-1 win over Verdugo Hills but ultimately got eliminated by San Fernando High School with a 2-5 loss. “I did win two sets against Verdugo Hills but I lost two sets against San Fernando’s singles. In the end San Fernando won,” said Oliva. While competing is something that everyone on the team enjoys, the season did not come without its adversaries. “I think everyone on our team can agree that being on the court is at times very stressful,” Menjivar admitted. “At times I felt like my teammates and I overthink things

HOT SHOT The Wolves are looking for a playoffs three-peat this season. Jimal Porteus catches the ball on the receiving end of a drill.

before our games and that definitely was stressful when trying to compete.” According to Oliva, there were many stressful moments. “There were times where Stephanie and I had to make sure everyone was at practice and there were times where tests and APs were in the way.” Not only that but the girls also faced off against tough opponents. “My toughest opponent would have to be Kennedy,” Menjivar said. “Their player’s strategy and skill level is very similar to mine so when playing the game, it becomes more about endurance and it can get very tiring.” While the team did end the season on a losing streak, Oliva has stated that she has no regrets about how the season went down.

“Ending with a losing streak sounds really bad, but honestly I couldn’t be more proud of the girls,” she said. “Being an athlete is intense and exhausting. Playing tennis isn’t easy and this season was definitely an improvement from last year. I’m extremely proud and have no regrets.” she insisted. At the end of the day the co-captains both believe that this was one of their best seasons yet. “Everyone worked extremely hard and put in their heart, sweat and time into this season. I’m proud and they honestly deserve playoffs. I’m so happy and grateful this got to be my last season in tennis because it brought so much happiness,” Oliva commented. “I’ve had so much fun and I really enjoyed playing and being around the team,” Menjivar concluded.

16 ATHLETICS

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NOVEMBER 2019 vnhsmirror.com

Girls golf team wins league championship

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL TEE

Being one of the teams to win and bring home a trophy, Vannesza Hengthanaphaibun hits the winning shot with all her force. With that, the team brings home 2 league championships on Nov. 14, 2019. COURTESY | JIMMY NORMAS

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If you cannot trust yourself, you will have an even harder time playing. If you want to stay as champions, then you must believe you are one. TEAM CAPTAIN MEGAN DULKANCHAINUN

COURTESY | JIMMY NORMAS

By ANDRE RODAS

THE MIRROR STAFF

he girls golf team took home the Valley 2 League Championship. The team played nine holes and shot 422 at the Woodley Lakes Golf Course. Team Captain Megan Dulkanchainun and Vanesza Hengthanaphaibun each shot a 45 to advance to the state regionals on Nov. 14. Daria Sabar shot a 42, Kristen Vitolo shot a 46 and Natcha Watanaharuetai shot a 55 in the League finals. Kennedy, El Camino Real and Taft High School were the opponents they faced in the finals. What ended up being the toughest part of the match was the course itself. “Our biggest obstacle at this course was definitely distance and the putting greens,” said Dulkanchainun. “This course [was] very long where we would have to only hit two or three times to get to the green that is over 350 yards away.” According to Dulkanchainun, the team had to overcome the inconsistent grass length on the greens of the Woodley Lakes course, which determined how hard they had to hit the ball. “Some holes are very fast and some are very slow,” she said. “It is hard to tell until you actually hit the ball, which then is too late.” In order to prepare for this season the girls practiced the three main types of swinging in golf which are full swing hits, chipping and putting. Since they prac-

tice on Mondays and Wednesdays, they alternated which swing they needed to work on. “We usually make that decision by how we played last week, but it also depends on the golf course we are going to have our match on,” said Dulkanchainun. Dulkanchainun believes confidence in yourself and in your swing goes a long way to stay champions. “If you cannot trust yourself, you will have an even harder time playing. If you want to stay as champions, then you must believe you are one.” It is also important to bond as a team. Although golf is an individual sport, the players have a close relationship. Team members have given each other nicknames. Vanesza Hengthanaphaibun is “the god” whose swing is described as perfect every time. Kristen Vitolo is “the Flash” whose swing is very fast. And Dulkanchainun is “the Tornado” because her swing is described as very twisty. But golf isn’t just about having fun. Nor is it an easy sport to put on college apps or to get P.E. credit. The girls play to win. “No one is going to be easy on you just because you just started playing golf because there is a reason why it is called a golf team and not golf lessons,” said Dulkanchainun. “A lot of people think it is okay to join a varsity golf team with no previous experience, but it just brings the team down,” she insisted. This was Dulkanchainun’s last season,

but she says she will always remember her time with the team. “I am definitely going to miss playing golf at VNHS and there is nothing that would ever be the same as what I had experienced with my team.” “They have seen me laugh. They have seen me cry. I will never forget the memories we had together whether it was me trying to pry secrets out of the other teammates or me yelling at them for taking too long to change,” the outgoing captain concluded. “It is nice that we are continuing that legacy of winning league finals every year, and I hope the next golf team can keep it that way.”

LESS THAN FIVE STROKES

Taking home their champion trophy, (L) to (R) Vanesza Hengthanaphaibun, Marianne Mita, Daria Sabar, Natcha Watanaharuetai, Zoe Utsler, Megan Dulkanchainun and Kristen Vitolo poses for a victory photo.