The human gaze is drawn to what is most extraordinary. Celebrities are those who stand out in the media — specifically actors, singers and influencers. It is because of this popularity that society has given power to their voices, making their opinions more influential than the average person’s.
Politics and the entertainment industry may seem like they are on two different spectrums, but there is a history of celebrities involving themselves in politics and vice versa. When placed together in front of the public, celebrities humanize political figures through their endorsements. Endorsements create an inviting appeal toward who is being publicly supported because of the positive outlook now associated with them. If someone should come across a celebrity new to them, they can be viewed more offhandedly — but by correlating a known and favored celebrity with them, it creates interest that might not have been there before. For instance, fans of Olivia Rodrigo might’ve never heard about actor Louis Partridge, but after seeing that he is currently dating Rodrigo, they may watch his films because of that positive connection. This is called the “bandwagon effect,” a psychological occurence where people do something simply because others are doing it, despite their previous feelings on the subject (Psychology Today). The bandwagon effect first originated in the 19th century in political campaigns, where people “hopped on the bandwagon,” announcing their support for that candidate as well. Given this, celebrity endorsements can create a desire for fans to align their political views with their favorite celebrity.
“Younger voters are more influenced by celebrity endorsements, especially through social media,” Junior Matthew Sanchez said. “Older voters rely more on political figures with experience rather than the opinion of a celebrity they like. They likely want the opinion of someone with political experience that understands the complex issues of it, over someone who lacks those abilities.”
The 2024 election season has undoubtedly become very popular on social media, and presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are clearly aware of the impact celebrities and influencers can have, as they have both arranged star-studded performances and interviews. Harris had Megan Thee Stallion perform at one of her rallies and used a song by Beyoncé as her walk-out anthem, with permission by the artist (CNN). Similarly, Trump orchestrated a months-long tour of interviews and campaign appearances with influencers like Logan Paul and Bryce Hall in order to
reach more audiences (NPR). Celebrities like these have caused thousands to register to vote. Taylor Swift shared an Instagram post back in 2018 encouraging her fans to register, and it was later recorded as the largest day in new voter registration (CNN). Now in 2024, Swift endorsed Harris, which led to a large spike of people researching more on voting information (CNBC). Hours after Joe Biden stepped down from the race and announced his support for Harris, singer Charli XCX joined the political conversation, posting on X “kamala IS brat.” This post, a clear reference to her popular album “brat” just released a month prior, led to an explosion in discussion around Harris, with people even making fan edits of her to various Charli XCX songs. The post positively impacted Harris’ campaign in appealing to younger audiences, despite the fact that Charli XCX is British and cannot vote in the United States.
By contrast, Trump’s own list of celebrity endorsers extends to Elon Musk, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and 50 Cent, who have shown support for him through social media posts and comments (Deadline). However, despite the big names in Trump’s list, he has received negative backlash over their endorsements, as following Musk’s endorsement, both Musk and Trump were monikered “self-obsessed rich guys” as the two laughed over firing striking workers on social media (The Hill).
In 2008, Barack Obama held a lastminute campaign rally that thousands of viewers appeared at where Oprah Winfrey made a campaign appearance (Time Magazine). Endorsements are powerful, and can heighten or lessen the popularity of a presidential candidate, as economists estimate that endorsement was worth over one million votes (University of Maryland). While all of these endorsements have substantial effects on certain audiences, they also depend on celebrities’ reputations so that presidential candidates receive the best outcomes.
“Harris will be largely and positively impacted due to the fact that her voters seem to be a group more influenced by celebrities,” Sophomore Allie Holstein said. “Trump might be more negatively impacted because of the controversial backgrounds of the celebrities endorsing him, like Elon Musk.”
With the exponential growth of technology and its omnipresence
in society, social media’s impact is even greater now. Today, celebrities have more accessible platforms to share all beliefs and opinions, thereby removing formal barriers between themselves and fans to build connections (CNN). Despite the trust celebrities cultivate, some voters may view celebrity endorsements as uncomfortable one-sided relationships. However, they can be viewed as a source of guidance where people have beliefs that align with certain celebrities, and look for the confirmation of their own opinion from those around them with similar ideologies. Presidential candidates similarly can guide voters’ beliefs, with this influence continuing to grow through social media. As social media continues to grow, it is likely that social media, and celebrity endorsements on its platforms, will be even more influential in elections.
“Celebrity endorsements will definitely be playing a larger role in the future now that amounts of celebrities have made their point and stance on political views,” senior Bernice Ho said. “In the future there will be more celebrities who come out and do the same, either in support of someone, or to oppose the certain views of a [figure].”
Social media and idolized figures are ingrained in the everyday lives of the public and continue to influence younger generations. The public continues to hand over the power to celebrities, giving their opinions significant value to voters that seek guidance, allowing their endorsements to affect the campaigns that decide who governs their country. Celebrities lend political campaigns not only their fanbases, but their humanity, moving people to exercise their own humanity and participate in democracy.
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Camila Gutierrez | 12
SOS: Save Our Schools
Whether perusing Nextdoor forums or observing yard signs, one can clearly see the deepening political divisions among Palos Verdes households. One subject of contention in the upcoming 2024 election pertains to our very own school district, PVPUSD, and its efforts to pass a bond measure. Measure SOS, or “Save our Schools,” is a critical proposition to implement a $297.8 million bond through property taxes. This money would be allocated to renovate our school district’s failing infrastructure, costing property owners a yearly estimate of $29.49 per $100,000 of their home’s assessed value (LAist). Measure SOS should not be so divisive among our community — if voters value PVPUSD schools and their students and staff, voting yes is a no-brainer. Students and staff deserve to feel safe while attending classes and work. Not only is Peninsula’s PA system down, leaving the school with only rudimentary ways to contact students in emergencies, but our facilities are also deteriorating at a rapid rate. Although unsightly, it is not uncommon to see rusting pipes, cracked ceilings and mold-speckled bathroom stalls. Given the torrential downpours the hill has experienced in winter months,
which has exacerbated existing water damage in buildings, janitors are left to mop up never-ending messes that should never have been a problem in the first place. In particular, Peninsula’s rapidly decaying infrastructure has become a defining feature of the school and a running joke among the student body. Band-aid solutions are made permanent: empty trash bins are placed under leaking ceiling tiles, raggedy sandbags absorb the water seeping from walls and staff are forced to rely on phone systems (which are consistently down) to hear drill announcements and inform their students. While the latter will need to be fixed regardless of bond passage, Peninsula’s failing PA system is only further proof of the school’s state of disrepair from aging and decrepit buildings.
Funding for facilities is nonnegotiable, and one can only imagine the repercussions if an earthquake or some other disaster were to hit our school. Infrastructure that is not seismically sound could be detrimental, especially considering that seismologists predict a 93% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake hitting Southern California in the next 30 years (California Residential Mitigation Program). Extensive cracks and crumbling facades can be found on numerous buildings in PVPUSD schools;
how can these facilities be expected to withstand natural disasters? Schools are likewise unequipped to handle flooding, as water damage and mold are already prevalent from years of deterioration. Not to mention, while students will only be at the high school for a four year term, staff must endure poor and unsafe conditions for potential decades to come.
When families are looking to buy a new home, quality of education is a key prerequisite. PVPUSD students are known for their incredible academic performance and work ethic, demonstrated in our high rankings: PVPUSD was ranked sixth in a list of 300 school districts in California and ranked second place in the Los Angeles area, according to an October 2024 study by Niche — yet the quality of our facilities does not match our rankings in academics. The National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that each additional dollar spent on public schools can result in a $20 increase in home values. Similarly, economists have found that a 5% improvement in school test scores can lead to a 2.5% increase in home values (The New York Times). Homeowners have reaped the benefit of the district’s impressive reputation — and by proxy, the efforts of PVPUSD students — for decades, and now is the time to repay the favor.
Last year, delegates from both Palos
Verdes and Peninsula High Schools visited the state capitol to advocate for facilities funding; this was the focus of last year’s annual “Capitol Convoy.” State legislators, including Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and Senator Ben Allen, expressed their sympathy for our district’s dearth of facilities funding, but advised PVPUSD to focus on passing a local bond. California is experiencing a budget shortfall for the year, and the money that is allocated to school facilities won’t be going to funding our district’s upgrades; it will be going to districts that have more designated highneed students as per the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) or schools that have met the eligibility for the School Facilities Program (SFP). Simply put, we cannot solely rely on the state to fix our facilities problems.
Measure SOS has become a needlessly divisive issue among Palos Verdes households. While it’s understandable that residents feel overwhelmed by their taxes adding up at the tail end of each fiscal year, the condition of school facilities is not an issue that can be neglected. If a bond isn’t passed now, it will need to be at some point in the future. Coming up on election day, voters are faced with a crucial question: what is worth more, an extra couple hundred dollars at the end of each year or the safety of our students and staff?
A Better Bathroom Break
From graffiti adorning the walls to masses of toilet paper strewn on the floor, the state of Peninsula’s bathrooms has long been an issue. The sickly-sweet stench of vape was consistently a lingering scent in the air. With most of the toilets clogged, the sinks broken and the soap dispensers empty, the restrooms were almost unusable — that is, the ones that were not locked due to severe vandalism. Thankfully, the unsanitary conditions of the restrooms have improved this year with the implementation of a new bathroom policy, which has enhanced the quality of Peninsula’s restrooms by keeping a record of who leaves the classroom to use the bathroom and for how long their visit is. Students must also carry a pass while they use the restroom, consisting of a lanyard with a blue card with the acronym “BR” for “bathroom” printed on. This allows teachers to monitor the duration of students’ time out of the classroom. Consequently, faculty members will have documentation of which students were there if the bathrooms get vandalized, disincentivizing them from committing the vandalism in the first place. This new policy has been greatly beneficial in improving the previously rundown condition of the restrooms.
“The walls [do not] have any graffiti on them and everything looks fresher,” junior Colin Kim said. “[There has] been a lot less vandalism and [the bathrooms] have been a lot cleaner. The floors are nicer, and the sinks are working. [The bathroom] looks less dirty overall.”
The bathrooms at Peninsula have not had any major renovations since 2002. In the 2022-23 school year, PVPUSD received $500,000 to fix the restrooms at both Peninsula and Palos Verdes High School (Daily Breeze). Now, the school has used this money to renovate the rundown restrooms. These improvements included replacing the peeling paint of the and The funding for these upgrades was the result of a conference held in Sacramento between local officials and students from Peninsula and Palos Verdes High School. This event, called “Capitol Convoy,” is an annual conference where students, parents and teachers travel to the state capitol to
advocate for themselves and the school. Even with this effort, staff soon realized that another step had to be taken to keep the restrooms in good condition. Namely, implementing the bathroom policy to lower the risk of vandalism before it became a problem.
“Teachers are aware that we finally got our bathrooms fixed up, so we want to take care of them,” English 1 Honors and English 3 teacher Barbara DeWitt said. “We knew [the bathrooms] needed work for a long time. If we limit who is going in and out of the classroom, there will be less vandalism.”
One of the reasons the new policy was introduced was to reduce the time students spent of the classroom. be inconvenient for other students who also want to use the restroom, especially if the student with the bathroom pass is out of the classroom for a prolonged period. Some may argue that the policy was made to help teachers keep track of who leaves their classroom and not necessarily for the convenience of the students since it limits their access to the
restrooms, which is a basic need.
“Although [the new policy is] helping keep the bathrooms safe, a lot of people are still staying there longer than [they are supposed to] because teachers [are not] actually [keeping track of how long a student is out of class], so then [they are] stuck waiting for a bathroom pass to be available,” sophomore Lucia Lopez said.
“People are using the bathroom pass to skip class which results in [others] not being able to use the bathroom.”
A solution to this problem can be to have two bathroom passes in each class instead of one, so that students would not have to wait as long. However, even with just one pass, the annoyance of delayed bathroom usage is a small price to pay for having clean bathrooms in the long run. Having to wait for clean, open bathrooms is still vastly preferable to having nearly every restroom closed from vandalism.
While the implementation of the bathroom policy has made a substantial impact on students, there are some tweaks that can be made to increase its efficiency and accessibility, including having two passes instead of one. This approach to bathrooms for the new school year has been majorly successful by promoting cleaner and more usable restrooms, as well as keeping students at Peninsula healthy and happy.
Isabella Attallah | 9
Art by: Veronica Chen
Josie Kwak & Alena Rhoades | 12
For students, cell phones are a fact of life, and many instinctively reach for their pocket for that familiar object whenever they need mental stimulation. With that comes an onslaught of consequences, as there is no question that students spend too much time on their phones, spending hours consuming “brain rot” content online that could be put to better use, especially during school hours. So, as school kicked off across California, legislators in Sacramento devised a new plan for students – a cell phone ban. Dubbed the “Phone-Free Schools Act,” the bill was passed in late August and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 23, requiring that all school districts in California implement a policy either limiting or prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus during school hours by July of 2026. The bill promises a multitude of mental health and educational improvements. California is not the only state to pass such a bill – Florida, Ohio, Louisiana and others have already passed similar ones.
While the bill gives districts the option to “limit” phone use, some are leaning more toward “prohibiting” phone use, including Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) — the second-largest school district in the nation and just one of the many in California to make a drastic, albeit necessary change (EdSource). Students in LAUSD schools will no longer be allowed to take out their cell phones without risking confiscation, a beneficial rule that will force students to do schoolwork instead of using their phones.
An important reason for the passage of the bill was concern over the mental health of students, something that many struggle with: 4 in 10 teenagers report persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Peninsula, in particular, is very academically rigorous, and many students use their phones as an escape from the stress of schoolwork.
“[We] already have a culture [in which] you are expected to react to texts and messages almost immediately as if you are always on your phone,” Kimoto said. “That [has been cemented] as [a] cultural
Hold the Phone
norm, so it would be difficult to adjust [to the new law]. Schoolwork is the larger mental health stressor for students.”
Phones, specifically the social media apps on them, increase the strain on mental health by giving people a “fear of missing out” through a constant barrage of notification rings, dings and pings (Columbia University Department of Psychiatry). They also cause people to get worse sleep on average as they spend time staring at their phones before bed every night. This is true for many Peninsula students who often retort that they sleep at ridiculously late times, compounded by the fact that many of them do not pay attention in class when they have their phones around. One study found that the mere presence of a cell phone is enough to lower people’s attention spans (University of Chicago Press Journals). One way teachers combat this issue is by having designated cell phone holders, with students putting their phones in a specific pocket before class.
“During [my] English class, students are not allowed to use their phones,” English 2 and Culinary Arts teacher Mariana Donahoe said. “I have a pocket chart. Everyone is assigned a [pocket] number and I use it to take attendance, but I do not require this during Culinary Arts. Some students are engaged, cooking [and] talking to others, but some students are on their phone the whole time.”
cell phone ban places on parent-child and emergency contact communication in the event of an emergency. However, it is unclear if the flood of phone calls to emergency services from students in the same school would help, or if it would merely stretch resources thinner as workers desperately try to answer them all. Opponents point to tragedies like Uvalde, Parkland and the recent school shootings in Georgia, where students’ access to cell phones played a crucial role in the response to the situation (AP News). However, those situations are not very common, and when they do arise, the utility of student cell phones is at most dubious.
Not everyone is on board with the policy. Some parents have voiced complaints about the limits the
“[I doubt the phone ban would have] much of an impact, because people who do not care [will continue] to use their phones, [and] people who care [already do not] use their phones,” junior Vincent Cheng said.
The effectiveness of the ban will rest on teachers’ willingness to enforce it, which in turn rests on the willingness of the students to comply. Any potential downsides or shortcomings to the ban will surely be made up for by the amount of time saved. Assuming students spend an average of 30 minutes on their phones during school every day, that amounts to hundreds of hours collectively wasted. This generation of students’ brains have developed to expertly consume the social media sludge generously called “content,” but no longer know how to think critically. It might be difficult getting used to a cell phone ban, but it will be an overall positive development.
Adam Lu | 11
Art by: Veronica Chen | 11
Gunnar Lee | 10
DCalifornia Fires Run Wild
ue to the area’s Mediterranean climate and human influence, wildfires have erupted across California, devastating both the natural environment and key infrastructure. Three major wildfires have ravaged Southern California since early September: the Bridge Fire, the Line Fire and the Airport Fire (Cal Fire). As a result of these fires, over one hundred thousand acres have been burned and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes, which have since been reduced to ash. Firefighters in San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties have been working day and night to keep the fires at bay (Los Angeles Times).
The Line Fire was started on Sept. 5 due to alleged arson by 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who was arrested on Sept. 9 and has since pleaded not guilty. There is surveillance and DNA evidence against him (KTLA). The Bridge Fire erupted three days later in San Bernardino and now threatens part of Los Angeles County. Its cause remains under investigation. The last major fire, the Airport Fire, started on Sept. 9 due to an accident involving heavy equipment used by public works officials. It ravaged east Orange County before spreading into Riverside (NBC News). Cal Fire reported that the Airport Fire was the most destructive of the three, destroying more structures and injuring more people than the Line and Bridge Fires combined. Moreover, erratic weather patterns have further complicated the firefighters’ efforts, rapidly spreading the fires and stretching firefighting lines (CBS News). Sophomore Jaden Song expresses sympathy for all affected people.
“The current wildfire situation in [Southern California] is absolutely tragic,” Song said. “I could not imagine having my home and community go up in flames. My thoughts go out to all [evacuees] and firefighters. What frustrates me the most is the possibility that [the Line Fire] was caused by intentional arson. [Halstenburg] should be thoroughly investigated to [uncover] the truth.”
The Line, Bridge and Airport fires have burned through a combined 122,000 acres of land, injured 36 people and destroyed 297 structures as of Oct. 15 (ABC News). In addition to evacuation orders, the public was also barred from accessing affected road infrastructure and national forests. On Sept. 11, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to dedicate more resources to the 8,000 firefighting personnel in the fight to contain the wildfires, deploying the state national guard and military aircrafts; containment, in this context, refers to a perimeter around the fires to keep them from spreading (ABC News). It took three weeks to raise the containment percentages of all three fires above 80%. Several evacuation orders have been lifted as the containment percentages were deemed adequate. Cooling temperatures were credited as a major factor in firefighter victory (Los Angeles Times). Freshman Sehyun Kim stresses the importance of being well-informed of wildfires.
“[People] should always trust and listen to the authorities, especially during times of crisis, following updates on fire information and obeying evacuation orders,” Kim said. “However, even if [evacuation orders] are lifted, [people] should still [be cautious to] return immediately because wildfires are unpredictable.”
The key to the firefighters’ victories and losses lies
United We Stand
in weather patterns: the heat wave in early September facilitated the fires’ rapid expansion, overwhelming firefighting forces. When temperatures began cooling during the week of Sept. 15, they were able to significantly increase containment (NBC News). Despite their reputation in California, wildfires are traditionally a natural occurrence and healthy for the affected environment. Californian drought and dry vegetation, exacerbated by the Santa Ana Winds and days of intense heat, sparked the wildfires in early September (NBC News). However, now 80% of wildfires are of human origin. Arson, malfunctioning electricity lines and accidents are the main culprits; increasing temperatures due to human climate change have further compounded the frequency, spread and severity of wildfires over the years (ABC News). These fires have significantly degraded the air quality across California. Huge clouds of smoke traveling for miles have led to officials issuing smoke advisories (CBS News). On the morning of Sept. 9, the smoke reached Peninsula, causing many students discomfort during their daily commute. Sophomore Benjamin Apelgren explains that the situation may have been much worse.
“Two years ago when I lived in Connecticut there was a major fire in Canada,” Apelgren said. “The sky was tinted yellow and the air quality [was so harmful that] we had to wear masks. A similar situation could have very well occurred at Peninsula if the smoke persisted. I strongly empathize with those living in areas [closer to the wildfires] and believe that we should work to reduce wildfires; it is crucial to realize that [today] most fires are caused by humans, meaning that we are inflicting suffering upon ourselves.”
Sydney Maclise | 9
On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were tragically lost in a series of terrorist attacks. The 9/11 commemoration ceremony, which happens in New York City, is an annual event where people from around the world come together to honor the lives of those lost in the attacks. At the 23rd anniversary ceremony, just 12 hours after the 2024 presidential debate, former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, gathered at the 9/11 Memorial Fountain and shook hands. Just a few hours after this interaction, Biden and Harris visited a fire department in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a man handed Biden a “Trump 2024” MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) hat and asked him to autograph and wear it. A video of their visit quickly circulated online, highlighting the moment. Biden put on the hat briefly, while laughing and joking with the people around him (CNN). Junior Miranda Ceja
explains her take on what kind of message Harris, Trump and Biden’s actions convey to the public.
“It sends [an understanding] of friendship and a kind of unity for the country, ” Ceja said. “Mostly, they are
have toward each other.”
Many viewers saw the presence of Biden, Trump and Harris at the memorial as a demonstration of compassion and remembrance, despite the political division usually brought upon by elections. Freshman Ayla Lee similarly emphasizes the significance of unity among political leaders, especially during such challenging times in the nation.
competitors, but [they share a desire for solidarity] and how they want to help the country. It was nice of [Harris and Trump] to shake hands and show the respect they
“It is extremely important for political leaders to show unity [today] because they are representing our country and they should help their people get through the tough times,” Lee said. “Gestures of goodwill emphasize the importance of solidarity over rivalry. It can show that compassion sort of paves its way for healing and a more hopeful future. It really [gives] us all reassurance that there can be moments of shared humanity and it reminds us that despite [all of] our differences, we can still all find common ground.”
Thanh Vuong | 11
WShooting At Apalachee High
hether it be dismissing students for the day or starting the very next class, the familiar chime of school bells has brought structure to American schools for decades. However, this emblematic sound is unfortunately being rivaled by something much more sinister – the ring of gunshots. On Sept. 4, students and staff of Apalachee High School located in Winder, Georgia, sought shelter within their classrooms as 14-year-old student Colt Gray opened fire on his teachers and classmates (Reuters).
Prior to the attack, Gray had been granted permission to leave class to speak with someone in the front office. Tragically, this window of time provided him with the perfect opportunity to retrieve his rifle from his backpack hidden in the restroom. 35 minutes later, he opened fire on the school; this prompted a complete lockdown lasting six minutes in which Gray could be heard firing 10 to 15 consecutive gunshots (AP News).
In the aftermath, the 14-year-old killed two fellow students and two teachers, while leaving nine others injured. This equates to a charge of at least four counts of felony murder. Gray will be tried as an adult despite his young age — if convicted, the maximum sentence is life in prison without parole. His father, Colin Gray, has been found to be complicit in the case by providing his child with the firearm, and thus is facing two counts of seconddegree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children. If convicted, he will be subjected to 180 years in prison (Reuters). Not only does this mark the most severe charges to ever be filed against the parent of a school shooter, but also the second time in the United States a parent has been charged for a mass shooting carried out by a minor. The shooting carried out at Oxford High School by Ethan Crumbley was the very first instance and his parents were charged for manslaughter in direct connection with the case (NBC News).
Apalachee High School is merely one of 385 mass shootings carried out in the U.S. during 2024 alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive. In comparison to one of the very first school shootings to receive mass media coverage in America, the Columbine school shooting of 1999, the public’s general reaction to these tragedies has shifted dramatically (CBS News). Even though advancements in technology have made information now more accurate and accessible, the spike in school shootings has fostered desensitization within the general public. While the Apalachee shooting seems to be another expected chapter of American life, reactions to the Columbine school shooting in 1999 were characterized with fear and disbelief from not only students, but teachers, parents and lawmakers. Junior Jonathan Kwon reflects on this notion as he describes his increased tolerance for news of another high school shooting.
“Now that there are more school shootings, people don’t really have the ability to react,” Kwon said. “[The public] has really gotten used to [the news of school shooting] and it doesn’t get [much] attention anymore.”
News of another school shooting rekindles the same ardent political debates regarding the Second Amendment, which protects the right of people to bear arms. In response to the dire situation, President Joe Biden has publicly urged Republican politicians to cooperate with Democrats in the hopes of passing “common-sense gun safety legislation,” in reference to policies aimed to reduce the prevalence of mass shootings (Reuters). For instance, these could be placing limits on ammunition magazine size, which is reflected in the proposed Keep Americans Safe Act, or employing background checks
before firearms could be purchased, a part of the proposed Bipartisan Background C. On the other hand, Jon Burns, the Republican House Speaker for the state of Georgia, has shifted the focus toward preventative measures, such as the implementation of artificial intelligence technology in conjunction with camera systems to enhance security within schools. Additionally, he places a heavy emphasis on adequate mental health support, such as the expansion of mental healthcare for students. This initiative aligns with the state’s Apex Program, which provided schoolbased behavioral health services to 31% of all students in Georgia from 2022-23 (PBS News). School Resource Officer David Rozas emphasizes the impact of societal
“ ”
Now that there are more school shootings, people don’t really have the ability to react,” Kwon said. “[The public] has really gotten used to [the news of school shootings] and it doesn’t get [much] attention anymore.
- Jonathan Kwon | 11
pressures on students, as Gray’s situation demonstrates. lot of [external] factors [that affected him],” Rozas said. “[For example], his mom was a drug addict, so [he] had a lot of [mental health] issues. Law enforcement cannot fix the problems; [therefore], it is [a societal] problem. [School shootings] are going to continue to be prevalent because of society’s pressure on these kids.”
not limited to the bullying he faced in school, as he also endured his parents’ bitter divorce and his mother’s criminal background, which includes drug possession (CNN). Needless to say, this heavily strained his development. Additionally, Colin Gray had fostered his son’s interest
in firearms as a means to “get him away from the video games,” so Colt Gray always had access to assault rifles despite his young age (Spectrum News). His interest in school shootings, however, could be traced back to 2023, when investigators of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department found his school-shooting threats on the online messaging platform, Discord. With that being said, Colt and Colin Gray denied ownership of the account when questioned by police, thus the allegation “cannot be substantiated” (The Washington Post).
Circumstantial evidence limits the police’s abilities to detain a suspect before they carry out a shooting — one reason cited for why 400 school shootings have taken place since the Columbine school shooting of 1999 (The Washington Post). While the future of gun ownership remains an undetermined subject within political legislation, the mental and physical well-being of American children remains a shared concern by all. Senior Nicolas Stavrakis shares his insight on the matter.
“There should not need to be any solutions for school shootings because there should not be any [shootings] to begin with, but sadly that is not the world which we live [in],” Stavrakis said. “[Therefore, it is important
Art by: Veronica Chen
Houston, We Have A Problem
On June 5, 2024, Boeing’s Starliner launched in a surge of expectations and a whirlwind of anticipation to the International Space Station (ISS). This test flight was intended to take American astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS and return them to Earth after eight days. Despite Starliner’s potential, four leaks were discovered in the spacecraft’s helium tank the day after it launched – a concern that NASA and Boeing had knowledge of prior to the launch. These malfunctions extended Wilmore’s and Williams’ stay from the intended eight days to eight months aboard the space station, as they are now expected to return in February of 2025 via a SpaceX capsule.
The test flight was the first time the Boeing spacecraft carried a human crew, and if the Starliner had been able to successfully carry Wilmore and Williams both to and from the ISS, the spacecraft would have been certified to make routine trips there (NBC News). With this achievement, Boeing hoped to cement NASA’s favor with regards to funding and contracted projects. The competition between aerospace private companies for NASA’s favor began in 2006, when NASA set a goal to have two consistently functional, American-made vehicles capable of shuttling humans to and from the ISS. Their goal originated from the commercial cargo program of 2006, in which NASA began switching from governmental programs to private companies in order to develop reliable vehicles capable of running missions to the ISS. Over time, NASA narrowed its involvement with private companies to Boeing and SpaceX, fueling the competition between the two (Space News). Boeing’s unsuccessful flight delayed NASA’s goal and placed Boeing behind SpaceX, especially given that SpaceX recently accomplished the first privately funded spacewalk on Sept. 12. As a summer intern for Northrop Grumman, a government agency involved in space exploration, senior Maddie Gambin explains her thoughts on the risky launch.
With Starliner’s inability to make the return trip, Boeing’s hopes for a certification for routine ISS trips fell short. However, the malfunctions were not a complete surprise to NASA. Before the Starliner launched, engineers noted a small leak in the helium tank, a concern that was dismissed as benign
contained and reduced safely, but Boeing’s third failure raises concerns that tests conducted by Boeing and NASA are not thorough enough. Sophomore Samuel Abraham, president of Peninsula’s Space Club, criticizes the actions and risks taken by the two companies.
“When you are in space, if [even] one bolt isn’t tightened enough, people could die,” Abraham said. “The fact that [the astronauts made it to] the International Space Station is a miracle and I think that NASA and Boeing have to take responsibility [for their
As these debates continue, Williams and Wilmore remain on the ISS, stocked with enough supplies to last them until their return aboard SpaceX’s capsule in February. BBC News reveals that while the pair are disappointed to not travel back to Earth on the Starliner, “there are so many people on sending [them] messages [that] it makes [them] feel right at home.”
months on the ISS between 2014 and 2015 (The New York Times).
Experience aside, both reported that their training for the 2024 trip was largely preparation for malfunctions and emergency situations, allowing the pair to remain calm during the unexpected news of their vastly delayed return (BBC News). In their acknowledgment that failures are part of the research and discovery process, Wilmore and Williams admitted that although the Starliner had issues prior to the launch that they had not been comfortable with, they do not feel let down by the two companies. Junior Sneha Ramanuja, president and co-founder of Peninsula’s Rocketry Club, gives her personal insight on the astronauts’ situation.
“[In their position], I would continue to trust NASA,” Ramanuja said. “NASA has been doing this for so many years, and they’ve got so much backing. Obviously, it was irresponsible of them to not pay attention to the [small] failures, but [that’s] a part of the learning process.”
As life on Earth continues and the days pass until the return of Wilmore and Williams in February, Boeing and NASA will return to the drawing board to prepare the Starliner for another attempted launch.
“Government funding is hard to get,” Gambin said. “[Companies] have to take risks because [they are] limited on time. If you [can’t secure] more funding, people get laid off. That might be a reason why [companies thought], ‘it’s a risk, but we’re willing to take it because if we spend more time on [the project], we’re not going to get money [or] people up there at all.’”
The controversy of NASA and Boeing’s prior knowledge of the helium leak could create demands to increase policies and regulations of space flight. Although companies have assured the public that the leak was too minuscule to be considered a concern at the time, some still believe that the launch should have been delayed to completely verify the Starliner’s ability to make the journey, especially because the spacecraft contains passengers. Public queries were only piqued by the Starliner’s previous malfunctions that occurred prior to the June 5 launch, including two failed incidents in both 2019 and 2022, introducing the Starliner’s issues with a helium leak (AP News). This most recent launch was only approved because engineers believed that this leak had been effectively
Part of their composure originates from their training and experience. Both astronauts were U.S. Navy test pilots until Williams joined NASA in 1998 and Wilmore in 2000. Since then, Williams has spent 322 days in space, including two long-term stays on the ISS, while Wilmore piloted a space shuttle and spent five and a half
Edited by: Haylie Kim
Alesha Paramasivum | 12
Artby:AbbyLee
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Marvel Needs a Hero
Soren Kim | 11 the fan-favorite character Gorr the God Butcher a proper villain, never showing his full potential. His presence on screen is only somewhat redeemed by having the brilliant actor Christian Bale playing him.
For the last 16 years, Marvel has been the biggest movie franchise in the world, amassing over $29.8 billion in box office revenue and receiving rave reviews, with over 12 of their movies having at least 90% on Rotten Tomatoes (Business Insider). Although Marvel’s success in movies has been consistent, in recent years the overall quality of new projects has dropped significantly. Marvel’s recent films such as “The Marvels” have not been able to achieve the same economic success as their previous works, with “The Marvels” even losing $237 million in the box office, partly due to its dearth of original ideas and its shameful excuses for plotlines. As a result, these movies have received lackluster reviews from critics, which can be attributed to Marvel spreading themselves too thin. As a consequence of working on too many projects simultaneously, the quality of Marvel’s writers and directors has been subpar and recent films are just a shell of what Marvel used to be. Marvel’s newest saga, or part of the story they are currently producing, has followed the concept of the “multiverse,” or the idea that there are several Marvel universes with alternate realities to the main universe. This introduction of multiple universes has been another of the main reasons for Marvel’s decline, since now that there are an infinite number of characters to take from the multiverse back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the connection with each character and the stakes for what they are fighting for have all been deemed meaningless.
The anticipation and hype of watching a new Marvel movie was such a good feeling up until ‘Endgame.’ After that, it became more of a chore to keep up with all the mediocre TV shows and an
excessive amount of movies that Marvel produced.
“
- Nathan Gray | 11
The film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” released on May 6, 2022, tries to swing for the fences with characters from the comics appearing on the big screen for the first time. Mr. Fantastic, played by popular actor John Krasinski, who people have wanted in a Marvel movie for years, was given less than 10 minutes of screen time and was killed off shortly after. Soon after, Marvel announced a “Fantastic 4” movie with an entirely new Mr. Fantastic played by Pedro Pascal. Because of this, it feels as if there are no longer stakes in any of the movies, because characters can simply be replaced by a new version of themselves from other universes. Instead of these surprise characters and plot points being shocking and exciting, they are being used as merely a crutch for bad storytelling. As a result, recent movies have been mediocre at best, failing to have most of the pieces that make a good film. Many new Marvel films have had poor writing and lazy visual effects, such as “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which took major shortcuts. Some of the film’s bad visual effects include the use of lazy nanotech helmets and a specific floating head scene that is notoriously bad for having low-quality CGI. The film’s story is just as crummy as the visual effects: the writers failed to make
The release of “Avengers: End Game” in 2019 marked the end of the original storyline of the MCU, known as phases one to three. These “phases” are collections of movies released together in given time periods of the MCU. During these early phases, Marvel released 22 movies in 11 years. In comparison, during phases four
and five, Marvel has released 36 movies and TV shows in total. The dip in quality has made it a chore to invest in the emotional storylines of most characters. With the overload of projects and the varying quality, keeping up to date has become almost impossible to do. Junior Nathan Gray agrees with this statement.
“The anticipation and hype of watching a new Marvel movie was such a good feeling up until ‘Endgame,’” Gray said. “After that, it became more of a chore to keep up with all the mediocre TV shows and an excessive amount of movies that Marvel produced.”
Throughout the early phases, Marvel films had a very consistent quality. Projects such as the “Avengers” films all told compelling stories and introduced characters with which viewers could bond over the course of 11 years. For years, each new release would have insurmountable anticipation from fans, and Marvel would always deliver, rarely missing a beat. Films such as “Thor: Ragnarok” represented the epitome of Marvel’s quality, since the film not only contained stakes and was of supreme quality, but also had very endearing and positive lessons. Throughout “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor suffers an intense personal conflict after the passing of his father; however, after finding home in his people, he finds strength to lead them, taking the words of his father before he died to heart. Another fitting plot point was Thor’s personal conflict of not believing himself to be worthy enough to lead Asgard, his home nation. This conflict was reflected in Thor losing his main weapon, his hammer Mjolnir, which can only be wielded
by those who are worthy. Clearly, “Thor: Ragnarok” was crafted with immense thought, having characters with developed backgrounds, perfectly encapsulating good storytelling — something that is an essential for any good movie or script, yet noticeably missing from current Marvel projects.
In comparison, the laughably bad “Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness” fails to match any of these qualities, with little to no substance in its plot — the movie simply follows Doctor Strange as he travels the multiverse to stop the rogue Scarlet Witch. That’s it. A doctor chasing a witch. There is no intrigue, no lessons, no introspection, no genuine feeling. The film tries too hard to be funny and then attempts to shock the viewers with disappointing cameos to fan-favorite comic book characters. In comparison, the original “Doctor Strange” film, released in 2016, has a brilliantly written story which delves into Doctor Strange’s personal journey of changing from a selfish individual hell-bent on being the best surgeon he could to becoming a hero, sacrificing himself to save the world. Junior Moses Newmark compares “Thor: Ragnarok” to Marvel’s uninspired projects today.
“Marvel’s new projects don’t have fun or action-packed storylines that people are looking for,” Newmark said. “I loved ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ because it delivered on both the storytelling and humor, aspects which make a good Marvel movie.”
With Marvel pushing out progressively more media following the advent of their own streaming service, Disney+, shows such as “She-Hulk” have failed to reach the same quality. For “She-Hulk,” Marvel pushed for senseless plot points, such as the integration of the character Daredevil, who is normally a fan favorite. Simply put, Daredevil was poorly written and only used in one episode, never to be seen again. Recent movies have also leaned too hard into the humorous aspect of Marvel, partly due to the laziness of many of the new directors, with the majority of them forgetting about the most integral part: storytelling. Even actor Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, apologized for the issues in his recent film “Thor: Love and Thunder,” stating, “I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness and became a parody of myself.” Sophomore Kayden Sanchez agrees that Marvel should abandon its Disney+ ventures and instead focus on a core of central projects like they used to in phases one and three.
“Disney should be giving the fans what they want — major projects instead of random shows on Disney+,” Sanchez said. “People want high-quality movies again like ‘Avengers: End Game.’”
On a positive note, the release of “Deadpool and Wolverine” has sparked new hope for Marvel, raking in $1.32 billion worldwide. The film was well-crafted and the humor was on point, bringing dedicated fans the satisfaction that they have lacked from Marvel projects for years now. “Deadpool and Wolverine” brought back what made old Marvel so special, having a very exciting story while also executing its references to old characters and movies properly, making fans rejoice. Future projects such as “Avengers: Doomsday” also look to be huge hits, featuring massive stars such as Pedro Pascal and Robert Downey Jr. Even through its ups and downs, the new era of the MCU looks to recapture its former glory and unite fans once again. However, for Marvel to continue succeeding, they must spend less time constantly pumping out films and shows and instead focus on refining content and improving the storylines themselves. However, with the way the studio has been heading, that task may be more difficult than it seems.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Croissants, Cappuccinos and Clouds
Elena Thomas | 10
Tmisc. coffee opens in the Promenade
he Promenade on the Peninsula has recently welcomed a new business that offers drinks, pastries and a calm atmosphere: misc. coffee. The café, whose name is short for “miscellaneous,” launched with a soft opening on Aug. 12 by owner JT Chung, who chose to set up his business in Palos Verdes to introduce something that was different and distinct in its taste, style and soul than other coffee shops that he sees on the hill. While liveliness and the number of shops in the Promenade have declined in recent years, misc. coffee will hopefully restore some life to the area. As for Chung’s future goals, he hopes that misc. coffee will attract a certain demographic: Peninsula students.
“There aren’t many Korean-style specialty coffee shops in [the area], and I came here to [change] that,” Chung said. “In the late afternoon, or in the evening, I wish to see high schoolers staying here [to] study and hang [out]. I want [misc. coffee] to be that kind of place.”
When walking into the café, one can see that misc. coffee has the potential to be a regular spot for high school students. Since its opening, the establishment has been doing well; however, to catch the eye of teenagers when competing against popular chains like Starbucks or Dunkin’, misc. coffee needs to be strong on all fronts.
A key ingredient for a successful café is a delectable menu. misc. coffee checks that box with a wide assortment of scrumptious pastries and a list of over 15 beverages. The café’s buttery pastries, sourced from Sweet Wheat Bakery in Redondo Beach, perfectly pair with the tasteful drinks. Their sweet Spanish latte with a palmier is a perfect way to start — or even finish — the day. Their beverage menu, which consists of both caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks, has an abundance of unique options that immediately catch one’s eye. Some of the beverages
might seem a bit strange or unheard of since they are not seen much in Palos Verdes, like the strawberry yuzu, a cool and refreshing beverage made from the Japanese citrus fruit, yuzu. However, the peculiarity is all the more reason to try it, as a unique new drink could turn into a fan favorite. For the devoted coffee-lovers, there are the classic choices of an espresso or cappuccino; the coffee’s distinctive taste — velvety, smooth and chocolate-like — comes from the café’s special and rich blend, made from Brazilian, Guatemalan and Peruvian coffee. However, the appeal of misc. coffee does not end at their menu, as they have much more to offer.
There aren’t many Korean-style specialty coffee shops in [the area], and I came here to change that. In the late afternoon, or in the evening, I wish to see high schoolers staying here [to] study and hang [out]. I want [misc. coffee] to be that kind of place.
“
-JT Chung | Owner
The minimalist space has an elevated ambiance that adds to the relaxing nature of misc. coffee. The amiable staff, simple decorations, comfortable seating and soft jazz create a stress-free atmosphere. The distractionfree quality of the café creates the perfect studying spot. The café successfully provides an enjoyable space for customers to work and savor a delicious drink. For Peninsula students, misc. coffee is only 0.4 miles away
and easily reachable by foot, car or bike; if one decides to go on foot, the walk is approximately 10 minutes. The pricing of the café is also relatively reasonable, with all items on the menu being under $10, which is similar to other competing coffee shops that are popular with high school students, like In the competition, Chung does an creating a café of unique and inviting drinks, tasty treats and a great atmosphere for Peninsula students and other customers. It is clear that misc. coffee is a delightful addition to the Promenade.
ISSUE 1 STAFF PICKS
“‘Crazy Rich Asians!’ It is my comfort movie and I always watch it to take my mind off of things. I love how lighthearted the plot is and how it features an all Asian cast!”
“A recent album I enjoyed was ‘This is How Tomorrow Moves’ by beabadoobee. I loved the sound of it and the lyricism was really cute. I especially loved the song ‘This is How it Went.’”
“I have been enjoying 8D audio recently; it is not for everyone, but I love it. I particularly like listening to the 8D audio version of the song ‘Rosyln’ by Bon Iver and St. Vincent because it helps me unwind and relax.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF MISC. COFFEE
Emma Pusavat
Angelina Wang
is How Tomorrow Moves’
Rich Asians’
Art by: Brian Hong
Deep Dive on Project 2025
Shawn Lo | 12
In April 2023, the Heritage Foundation, one of the largest conservative think tanks in the United States, released a 900-page document titled Project 2025, which outlined goals and initiatives for former president Donald Trump if he were to win the presidency. The broad preamble of the document includes restoring family values to American life, defending U.S. sovereignty and reducing the government’s jurisdiction for more “selfgovernance to the American people” (Project 2025). Many of Trump’s political allies, including Paul Dans, the Chief of Staff at the Office of Personnel Management during the Trump Administration, and J.D. Vance, Trump’s current running mate, are authors in the proposal. Recently, Project 2025 has come under major criticism from the Democratic Party and Kamala Harris’ campaign, calling the project a blueprint for radical policies (BBC News). Amid the scrutiny, Trump himself has distanced himself from the document, saying that “he has no idea who is behind it” (BBC News). Nevertheless, a hypothetical implementation of the policies of Project 2025 would see major changes to the status quo of the country, particularly in foreign policy and climate change.
In the wake of many geopolitical conflicts during the Biden Administration, from the Russo-Ukrainian War to the Israel-Gaza crisis, Project 2025 proposes significant changes to the U.S.’s position in international relations. While Biden’s stance has been leaning toward increasing American commitment to alliances like NATO, a military organization to counter Russia, Project 2025 proposes a different approach to these conflicts (U.S. Department of Defense). Christopher Miller, the former Secretary of Defense under Trump, claimed that there should be increased sharing of burdens with allies to counter countries like China and Russia (Project 2025). In other words, Miller argues that it is more sustainable for American allies like South Korea, NATO members and Saudi Arabia to develop their own military capabilities to keep Russia and China in check, rather than relying on the U.S., with the exception of nuclear deterrence. While this is a relevant point, some studies argue that reducing alliance commitments could create the perception that the U.S. is abandoning their allies, opening a window for exploitation (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs). Senior Marc Epp believes that increasing American funding for foreign alliances is unsustainable in the long term.
“I agree with [the U.S.] reducing [military commitments],” Epp said. “We should pull out of dealing with foreign issues and [focus more on domestic issues] because right now the U.S. is a mess. A lot of taxpayer money is going to Ukraine and the Middle East when
[it] should be going toward the [American people].”
Another critical issue that Project 2025 addresses is the subject of climate change. One of the key environmental provisions includes pulling out of international environmental organizations like the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, a global platform for climate negotiations. Moreover, the document also proposes to increase energy independence by investing more in fossil fuels, repealing green energy investment bills like Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and reducing
“
Climate change and foreign policy are one of the most important aspects of global stability. [I am] generally against reducing green energy initiatives. [Endless] increases in the military [are] also a pointless [endeavor]. Whether Trump plans to implement Project 2025’s policies or not, it could leave an [everlasting footprint] in our history books.
- Jinu Nam | 12
government regulation in the private sector (Project 2025). Bernard L. McNamee, the former Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the former executive director of the Office of Policy for the U.S. Department of Energy, wrote in Project 2025 that investing in fossil fuels will be crucial in achieving energy independence and that relying on foreign oil will be a threat to national security. Moreover, McNamee also points out that because billions of dollars of
government aid are going to green energy, less money is going to the defense budget (Project 2025). At the same time, however, repealing subsidization of green energy could harm the fight against climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act specifically provided $525 million for 14 new projects in wind and solar energy to help remedy global warming (U.S. Department of Agriculture). Project 2025’s new green initiative cuts could reverse future projects. Sophomore Solena Lengauer describes the harm that Project 2025 initiatives could have on future generations.
“The potential effects of global warming are underestimated,” Lengauer said. “Climate change [is dangerous], and [the U.S.] should not be making cuts to green energy. Just because the effects of climate change [seem obsolete] that [does not] change the fact it will affect my generation and that fossil fuel companies [are hurting marginalized communities].”
Although Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, over half of the 307 authors of the project worked for the Trump Administration, which suggests that the proposal isn’t completely improbable in the future if Trump were to win the election (The New York Times). Moreover, JD Vance is also a personal friend with Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation. Nevertheless, Project 2025’s policies could reshape how the U.S. approaches geopolitical issues and the future of the environment. It has the potential for American allies to increase their deterrence capabilities, but it might lead to exploitation by adversarial nations like Russia and China. While the U.S. could achieve energy independence, there could also be detrimental environmental effects. Senior Jinu Nam explains that Project 2025 would likely achieve the feat of significantly changing the U.S. “Climate change and foreign policy are one of the most important aspects of global stability,” Nam said. “[I am] generally against reducing green energy initiatives. [Endless] increases in the military [are] also a pointless [endeavor]. Whether Trump plans to implement Project 2025’s policies or not, it could leave an [everlasting footprint] in our history books.”
Edited by: Angelina Wang
Art by: Abby Lee
Harris and Trump on the Policy Podium
Mason Kim | 11
With the 2024 United States presidential election rapidly approaching, it is anyone’s guess who will forge the nation’s policies for the years to come. In the national polls, current Vice President Kamala Harris is virtually tied with former President Donald Trump (The New York Times). That number fluctuates often — from President Joe Biden’s withdrawal to two assassination attempts on Trump in the span of two months, American voters have been taken for a wild ride through a notably polarized political landscape. But beyond flashy headlines and oppositional slander, the candidates’ policies are what truly sway the American populace — after all, more than 67.1 million Americans tuned in to watch Trump and Harris’ first and only presidential debate against each other on Sept. 10 (AP News). Trump and Harris were sparring on thin ice, forcing them to dodge questions, take nebulous stances and leave the American public at least partially in the dark. Taking a certain position could risk alienating the undecided voters needed to tip the election, or worse, anger their existing supporters. Knowing this, Trump and Harris took turns calling each other out for their less than spotless records on certain issues. Despite the candidates’ best efforts to paint their divisions as black and white, Harris’ reversal on immigration, Trump’s vagueness on abortion and their shared economic proposals have formed more of a clouded gray. Immigration is commonly viewed as one of the most polarizing issues in American politics, with 61% of voters calling it an important factor in their vote (Pew Research Center). After witnessing nearly 10 million illegal entry encounters during the Biden administration, a majority of Democrat and Republican voters are now united in calling for stronger border security. However, deep divides arise over how to handle the two million unauthorized immigrants who managed to evade Customs and Border Patrol (ABC News). Conservative Republicans favor mass deportations, reflecting frequent and long-standing promises by Trump to remove millions of unauthorized immigrants during his administration. However, Trump’s administration never passed 350,000 deportations, not only falling short of previous promises but also falling behind Obama’s record high of 432,000 (AP News). Eight years later, Trump’s stance has remained as scathing as ever, exemplified by claims of illegal immigrants tampering with the election, eating pets in Springfield, Missouri and “poisoning the blood of our country” (NBC News). For his second term, Trump plans on invoking the 18thcentury Alien Enemies Act, which would mobilize the National Guard in border states to carry out mass deportations on an unprecedented scale (AP News). While noticeably more quiet on immigration, Harris has repeatedly criticized Trump’s zero-tolerance policies as too harsh. Democrats have taken a more lenient approach to the issue, focusing on improving pathways for immigrants to gain citizenship and enter the country legally. Labeled a “border czar” by Republicans for her oversight of immigration reform, Harris has often been linked to criticism of the Biden administration’s border policies. For her second term, Harris plans on reviving a bipartisan border security bill that she blames Trump for killing. The bill would grant greater authority to the president to shut down the border and close legal loopholes for asylum (The Washington
Post). While Harris supports more pathways to earned citizenship, her new plan represents a shift away from her more moderate policies in 2019 (Los Angeles Times). When asked about Harris’ shift away from support for decriminalizing border crossings and her changed stances on other contentious issues, Trump was quick to call Harris out.
“She gave all that stuff up, very wrongly, very horribly,” Trump said. “And everybody is laughing at it, okay? They are all laughing at it. She gave up at least 12 and probably 14 or 15 different policies” (ABC News).
On the other hand, Harris is not alone in her struggle to strike a middle ground. Trump has touted his role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a Supreme Court case that previously ensured a constitutional right to abortion, by the Supreme Court in 2022. He even called himself the most “pro-life president” in history (The Washington Post). Yet when asked during the debate whether he would sign a national abortion ban, Trump refrained from giving a concrete answer. Instead, he opted for neutrality, reiterating that he supports states having jurisdiction over abortion laws. This choice reflects Trump’s past attempts to find a middle ground between pro-life voters who support him and pro-choice voters who are undecided. In August earlier this year, for example, Trump voted to preserve Florida’s six-week ban on abortion just a day after calling six weeks “too short.”
The sudden reversal came after a wave of backlash by his pro-life supporters, signaling Trump had crossed the line (BBC News). Conversely, Harris has proudly stood by a return to the standard set in Roe v.
Wade (The Washington Post). Concerning access to abortion, junior Molly Le expresses the value of Harris’ commitment.
“Abortion has become a big concern for a lot of undecided voters. [It] could swing the election,” Le said. “[It] is important that [candidates] stand by their parties and supporters. Even if [Harris needed] the votes, she should stay uncompromising on what her followers expect of her.”
Another pertinent point of division for Trump and Harris is the economy. In spite of cooling inflation, consistently high prices have kept many voters paying close attention to both parties’ economic plans (U.S. News). Yet neither Trump nor Harris has promised reductions in fiscal spending nor increases in taxes, policies that many economists traditionally associate as anti-inflationary (ABC News). The reason why lies with the politically contentious nature of said policies, another instance where the candidates are walking on eggshells. Instead, Trump has emphasized closing America’s “strategic vulnerability” to China through increased tariffs, in addition to tax cuts for the wealthy. Harris, on the other hand, has acclaimed her “Opportunity Economy” as an appeal to the lower and middle classes, promising targeted tax cuts and price controls for groceries and rent. Critiquing both proposals, senior Mike Li predicts these policies may fall short of resolving inflation at its core foundation.
“[When] demand outpaces supply, prices rise,” Li said. “When you cut taxes, you are increasing demand. Tariffs would also suck. Companies will [likely] pass the costs onto consumers, raising prices in the long run.”
In addition to these plans, both candidates have made promises targeted at specific voting groups. In a bid for Nevada’s large service sector, Trump promised to eliminate taxes on tips in June. When Harris followed two months later, Trump was notably irked, calling her a “copycat” and a “flip-flopper” (The New York Times). Yet targeted promises can only go so far in remediating broader economic woes, reflecting the candidates’ focus on the numbers at the polls rather than the ones on the grocery receipts of American families.
With all the shifting policies and convoluted political rivalries, keeping up with politics can feel daunting. That is especially true for students, who lack the life experience, voting eligibility and sometimes even interest to spend time becoming politically informed. However, voting ineligibility does not excuse ignorance, nor does it mean the remedial efforts would go unrewarded. Whether it means being able to draw on outside evidence for essays during AP exams or engaging in discussion with teachers, peers or relatives, students can apply their political knowledge on a daily basis. More pressing is the undeniable fact that the younger generation has the largest stake in the future, making it their job to learn how to lead it. Considering the potential utility of being informed, senior Roman Munro advises that even if not benefiting now, students should stay educated to benefit in the future.
“It’s important for young people to be politically informed so we can vote for people who truly align with what we [believe in],” Munro remarked.
“[Future voters like us are] at the core of government officials’ power, leaving us with the responsibility [of] empowering [leaders] who will actually [honor their promises]. By extension, that [makes our] country and world a better place.”
Crossing Party Lines
Across Down
5. Top election issue
7. State with most votes
9. “Affairs of the cities”
11. Largest government program
13. “What can be, _____ by what has been”
15. First name of Second Gentleman
16. Trump’s new social media platform
1. Biden’s favorite ice cream flavor
2. Charli XCX’s viral post
3. _______ Elegy
4. Harris’ alma mater
6. Tim Walz’s home state
8. Kamala’s nickname for herself
10. Heritage Foundation proposal
12. Hydraulic fracturing
14. Republican candidate for vice president
17. “No Tax on ____”
Created by: Andrew Lu
Designed by: Josie Kwak
STUDENT LIFE
Faust Forward to Fame
Katherine Baek | 9
Senior Faust Lapuente is a 17-yearold music artist who has already amassed over 28,800 Instagram followers and 2,273 monthly Spotify listeners with just two released singles. “Another One,” released on Oct. 25, and “remind me,” released on April 17, are songs that blend R&B and pop, drawing influences from artists like Justin Bieber and Brent Faiyaz. On his Instagram, @faustsongs, he has teased several more songs, including the songs “pyromania” and “out of focus.”
When asked what his inspiration for starting music was, Lapuente shared that Michael Jackson has inspired him since he was young, as he had watched several clips of Jackson performing on YouTube. Overtime, Lapuente was inclined to keep pursuing music through encouragement from his friends and listening to releases
from R&B powerhouse, SZA. Despite criticism from listeners, Lapuente has stayed motivated, continuing to create songs with support from his mom and followers. In the future, Lapuente aspires to perform his music on stage in order to better connect with his audience.
“My mom [has been my biggest supporter],” Lapuente said. “She has been a helpful person when it comes down to organizing everything and keeps me straight. She definitely does so much more [for me] than anyone else [does].”
Lapuente puts his own emotions into his craft so that his audience can better connect with his songs — it is important to him that he expresses what he is going through as he produces his music. His first single “remind me” entails the feelings of reminiscing about a lover; coupled together, the catchy lyrics and soft guitar instrumental have earned the song over
Sligh’s Stylish Stitching
Elyssa Lee | 10
Crocheting is more than just a craft — it is a creative outlet that promotes mental well-being and strengthens relationships. After discovering this craft from her grandmother when she was young, junior Jordan Sligh taught herself the basics of crocheting, quickly mastered them and began creating her own stitching patterns rather than following the ones online. Her friends would often request custom designs, allowing her to make unique and personalized pieces for them. Each crocheted clothing item or plush displays the time and effort she invests, making this hobby a way for Sligh’s imagination to shine while also deepening her friendships.
Although hobbies are often timeconsuming, Sligh has demonstrated a desire to continue making time to craft despite her busy schedule. Crocheting is
“WORK + LIFE BALANCE”
not only a creative hobby, but can also be a therapeutic way to unwind after a long day of school. Regardless of the time commitment and effort it takes to crochet, Sligh displays how it can improve mental health and add enjoyment to life. Carol Sligh, her mom, describes a time when she noticed the benefits of this craft and how it improved Jordan’s mood.
“Jordan was very young when she began to crochet; I think she may have been three years old,” Carol Sligh said. “I recall a time at an intense Vex Robotics competition where I noticed her crocheting in-between their matches. She said it relaxed her and enabled her to focus.”
The summer after her freshman year, Jordan Sligh wanted to attend a concert with her friends, which motivated her to turn this hobby into a business to afford the ticket. Although this began as a way to achieve a personal goal, it soon
85,000 streams on Spotify. AP Music Theory, Orchestra and Choir teacher Dan Doctor noted that creating music often involves tapping into one’s emotions.
“Emotions affect the way that [one] sings or plays,” Doctor explained. “I try to tell [my] students that they should be feeling the emotion associated with each song during rehearsal and not just [while performing] because it affects the way the music sounds. Music is an emotion, not just science.”
Lapuente did not always make R&B and pop music, however. He began his career by creating rap music, but later started exploring other genres until he found one that suited him. Senior and Lapuente’s friend Aaron Lee has stayed with him throughout his career, supporting him by sending him beats and listening to his music. Lee never expected Lapuente to start making music, but after listening to
evolved into something more meaningful. The majority of Jordan Sligh’s customers are her friends who eagerly support this passion, allowing them to grow closer together and reinforce their friendship. Junior Maya Palinkas shared a time where she felt Sligh’s hobby spark unity and
“[Crocheting is a] passion project that she’s taken on, and it’s something I can tell that she’s really invested in,” Palinkas said. “During our robotics competition, she had free time and she was crocheting this mitten. She
his songs, he realized that Lapuente was a dedicated songwriter destined for an impressive career.
“[Lapuente] makes music every day, and I don’t know how he does it, but it all turns out [well],” Lee said. “Right now I feel like he’s trying to go a little more mainstream, but from what he has shown me, I think he can [also create] unique [music, as] he is very versatile. In ten years, he is going to be [famous].”
Lapuente is also very active on Instagram, where he lip-syncs to snippets of his upcoming music and covers songs from popular artists like Mac Miller. He also films “Get Ready With Me” videos for studio sessions along with clips covering popular songs, thereby spurring engagement on his account and bringing more attention to his craft. Currently, Lapuente’s fans await new music to be released later this year.
completely finished the pair by the end, and it was just really cool. Everyone was watching, and it kind of brought us all together, [which felt really special].”
Her business has also connected Jordan Sligh with new people, allowing her to build a crafting community on Instagram where she shares her designs as inspiration. Her creations, varying from cute plushies, mittens and scrunchies, cost about $25, depending on the size and the time it takes her to make one. Jordan Sligh enjoys earning the money from her crocheting business, but her main motivation currently is to have fun and share her creativity with others. She displays how a simple hobby can lead to meaningful connections and add more joy to life.
“To me, crocheting is my safe space,” Jordan Sligh said. “After a long week of being busy, I use it as a stress-free outlet to be creative. [This craft] has impacted my life in a way that brings me more peace and lets me [share] the things that make me happy. Crocheting is a hobby that I will never let go of.”
I asked freshmen about their
Finding the perfect balance between maintaining your schoolwork, social life and sports is definitely a struggle. You may go your entire freshman year without finding the sweet spot where you still have a social life and your grades reach their full potential. Eventually, making those mistakes of being out with friends when you know you should probably be studying will help you learn your lesson and find a balance that is right for you. My freshman year, I went to a Justin Bieber concert the day before a big history test. Despite my valiant efforts to study in the car, I completely failed the test. The point being, bombing a test or two from these trials and errors won’t kill you; I still managed to get a solid A in the class. Overcoming the fear of missing out will be difficult at first when making those sacrifices to sit out on some social events, but your grades will thank you in the long run. Nevertheless, don’t be afraid to live a little; go to the football games and dances and experience your first year to the fullest.
“THE HUGE CAMPUS”
Coming from middle school, the Peninsula campus will look giant and scary. But within just a few weeks, you will be used to its size and not think much of it. Having classes that are far apart will always be irritating, but it will become such a routine experience that you will not even think twice about your treks from first to second period a couple months into school. I actually enjoyed the classes that were farthest from each other the most, since it is easy to find a friend walking in the same direction, and walking is more fun than getting to class way before the bell rings. The large campus is definitely something to appreciate rather than something to fear since there is more room for resources, niche programs and fun events to be held.
Selah Hartman | 10
Whether students just took a tough test, are having issues with friendships or are having a particularly bad day, the SAGE therapists in room S11 are available to provide students with resources and support. SAGE is a nonprofit mental health agency that collaborates with local school districts to offer mental health resources during school hours, and it was established in 2017 by Liz Schoeben as an additional Southern California branch to her other mental health agency, CASSY, located in San Francisco. The organization prides itself on being able to provide free, quality treatment to all students in a safe environment where students can feel comfortable working through mental health challenges or obstacles. Sophomore Summer Kniffin discusses her confidence in the resources that SAGE therapy provides.
“I like being able to openly talk about [most things] and it’s nice to be able to say things to someone who is not involved in whatever I’m dealing with,” Kniffin said. “It’s [helpful] to have a third-party person to talk to, and I have learned a lot of good ways [to] work through [issues].”
Recently, the SAGE therapists on campus have been visiting English classes to hold their suicide prevention presentation, which raises awareness about topics such as anxiety, depression and suicide, offering information on how to get support for students and their loved ones. SAGE therapy also offers peer mediation, where the therapists train student leaders to assist with conflicts. They also offer community outreach through parent education opportunities where they hold presentations highlighting emotional health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the therapists will be working with students to provide different activities during that time.
The three Student Support Specialists on campus are Madison Ho, Brenna Winkle and Sheree Risley Aragon. Aragon is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who has been working with SAGE for two
“MAKING
NEW FRIENDS”
Spotlight on S11
and a half years; Winkle is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who has been working with SAGE for a year and a half; and Ho is also an AMFT who just started this year. Together, they help students work through conflicts in a safe environment. Room S11 is located at the bottom of the S building and has three rooms: a reception area that has chairs and sofas for students to relax and wind down, and two smaller offices that also have seating and different types of tactile coping tools. The SAGE therapists focus their work on catering to student needs and finding ways to accommodate these needs through various tools such as mindfulness, meditation, reflection,
will reach out to the student through Microsoft Teams and work with them to find a time that works best for everyone. Winkle comments on the benefits of meeting regularly with students.
“Working with the students I meet with regularly is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Winkle said. “You get to learn a lot about the student as they feel comfortable [being] themselves and you learn a lot about their beliefs, aspirations and [background]. [Hopefully], by the end of the year, we [will] see a lot of improvements in their behaviors and [coping mechanisms].”
The pressure to succeed in school tends to accumulate throughout the
cognitive behavior therapy and communication. Over time, the therapists work toward creating a strong connection with students in an environment where they can feel comfortable visiting regularly if they need to. Students can schedule regular weekly meetings by filling out a session request form, which can be found in the counselors’ office. After receiving the request form, a SAGE therapist
Making new friends is always a scary experience, no matter the circumstances, especially when coming into Peninsula with so many new people around you. It is easy to overthink before trying to branch out, so try not to let yourself get consumed by anxiety and instead talk to the people around you. Don’t confine yourself to your designated friend group that you came in with from middle school, since you will meet a variety of people in your classes that will make school so much more fun. Making new friends will also occur naturally, and it will happen whether you try to or not, as certain teachers randomize members in group assignments or labs, and your middle school friends will not always be in your classes.
main stressors, with home life, social stress and college worries following close behind. This goes to show that oftentimes students overwhelm themselves to a point where they can’t do their best anymore, which reflects in their academics and behaviors. Aragon mentions how much emotional stress can affect academic performance and how important it is to determine where that stress comes from.
“Emotional stress can bleed into academic success, and if we are not okay ourselves, it is hard for us to be successful in other areas,” Aragon said. “Instead of disciplining a ‘bad student’ for sleeping in class or always being late, we are more interested in checking in with the student and trying to see if there are underlying reasons for that behavior. Through various mental health tools and methods, we can try to change it.”
As one’s mental health declines, so too do their grades and academic performance. To combat a decline in mental health, the SAGE therapists suggest that students remember to prioritize it, whether that be by taking a walk, practicing mindfulness and self-care, doing some simple breathing exercises or simply coming into S11 to talk. As students go about their school year, it is important for them to be aware of how important mental health is and that they should not be afraid to reach out to the many resources that are available to them, especially when they are feeling overwhelmed or if they feel like something is wrong.
school year; throughout finals and testing season, it can be hard for students to deal with those stressful situations. Students often feel overwhelmed by the abundance of responsibilities on top of their home lives, relationships and extracurricular activities. In fact, a 2017 American Psychological Association research study showed that around 83% of high school students identified school as one of their
The SAGE therapists are always available on campus during school hours and are reachable through Microsoft Teams chats, which they respond as quickly as they are able to. Students can schedule an appointment using the QR code posted on the door or drop by S11 at any time in case of a major crisis, or even if they just need a moment to breathe. Ho reminds students to use the resources available to them whenever they are feeling overwhelmed.
“You are not alone,” Ho assured. “Ask for help and reach out. There are many supports here on campus, and you will get through this.”
“FINAL EXAMS”
The thought of finals week was definitely daunting when I was a freshman. Some of my middle school teachers had midterms and finals to prepare us, but honestly, those were more nerve-wracking than high school finals. You will come to realize that not all of your classes will have a final exam, and some teachers may just treat it as either a typical unit test or a project. In my three years, I have not had a single semester where all my classes have had finals. Finals are definitely manageable, and as long as you make yourself a good study schedule prioritizing which classes need the most reviewing, it should not be a super stressful time. My main advice would be to start studying as early as you can so you do not have to cram. Rarely will your grade depend solely on the final — as long as you establish a stable grade throughout the semester, a perfect test score is not needed. Once all your finals are finished, it will feel so satisfying as all the weight is lifted off your shoulders.
Edited by: Melina Ajami
PHOTO COURTESY OF ESPERANZA ENGLE-TSENG
James Pan | 9
Governance on Trump’s Greens
As the United States approaches the final stages of the 2024 presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the importance of political outreach becomes more apparent. During a press conference in Palos Verdes on Friday, Sept. 13th, Trump addressed a variety of issues, from the local landslide crisis to the potential impacts of a Democratic presidency (Los Angeles Times). Trump rarely makes campaign appearances in predominantly Democratic California, making the conference a valuable opportunity for voters to understand Trump’s political strategy as well as his vision for the future.
The conference was held at the Trump National Golf Course following another of Trump’s campaign appearances at a Beverly Hills fundraiser the night before (Los Angeles Times). Trump praised his golf course, describing it as one of the best in the world due to its picturesque location on the bluffs above the ocean. Alongside a large group of Trump supporters, local homeowners impacted by the local landslide crisis gathered along the road leading into the golf club in hopes that the former President could alleviate the situation. They held signs displaying slogans including “200+ Homes, No Gas, No Power, No Help” and “Save Our Homes,” seeing the former President’s arrival as an opportunity to convince him to put pressure on the state and federal government for a more proactive approach toward the crisis. The picketers appeared to have succeeded in their efforts in convincing the former president to shine a spotlight on the crisis, who began the press conference by acknowledging their efforts and a demonstration of support for the victims and the city’s response to the crisis (ABC News).
“I would like to express my support for all of the families affected by the landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes,” Trump said. “I want to thank the mayor for the great job he’s doing and [want to] tell people what a great job he’s doing.”
Trump met with Rancho Palos Verdes mayor John Cruikshank before the conference regarding the landslide crisis (Los Angeles Daily News). Not many details are known about what occurred during the meeting. However, Trump’s remarks about his interactions with the mayor suggested that the apparent focus was on seeing more action from the state and federal government.
Cruikshank, who Trump called on to speak briefly
at the conference, expressed a similar sentiment to the picketers by urging the state of California as well as the federal government to contribute more in remedying the impact of the landslide.
“As the President mentioned, [the] city has been having a lot of issues with the landslide that is less than a mile from here,” Cruikshank said. “We believe we can solve the problem but we really need the assistance of the state of California and the federal government. [The] solution is bigger than the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, [so] it’s important to get the attention and help of the people of
government] is doing their best to help. I [support] the city council and how they have poured [funds] into this effort, [which] should be continued for prevention of future [damage].”
Trump spent most of his time at the conference giving a lengthy speech disparaging fellow candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, specifically their role in the mismanagement of the state of California.
[The] speech gave us a very clear view of how Trump plans to pursue his presidency. His criticism of [Harris] and the Democrats on issues like [public safety] and the economy gives [people] clarity as to what [Trump’s] plans are for the country if he wins.
- Braden Yian | 9 “
California and the federal government.”
However, several picketers were also critical of the Rancho Palos Verdes’ city council in their response to the landslide, which opposed Trump’s endorsement of their efforts. Despite shared recognition of a need for more state involvement in the landslide response effort, the former President’s apparent faith in city authorities’ efforts to combat the crisis seemed to oppose some picketers’ goal of convincing the president to involve himself in coordinating a more effective approach at the local level.
Sophomore Xavier Burchfield expressed his view on the landslide crisis as well as the response effort.
“I [appreciate] Trump’s [remarks],” Burchfield said. “The landslide crisis is devastating. [People] have been [displaced] from their homes and left without basic necessities like water and [electricity]. I think [the
“We cannot allow comrade Kamala Harris and the communist left to do to America what they did to California,” Trump said. “California is a mess. When you look at the kind of destruction that has taken place, it’s all man-made or woman-made. We’re not going to let that happen with four more years of [Harris] in the White House.”
Trump also emphasized the rampant inflation in California, attributing the skyrocketing cost of living and housing to Democratic mismanagement of the state. He argued that a Harris presidency would replicate that trend on a national scale.
“Those numbers are what Kamala Harris’s policies will do to America. The cost of living here is nearly 40% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing is nearly 97% higher,” he said.
Another criticism Trump brought up during the conference was public safety. Trump criticized Harris for her track record as San Francisco’s District Attorney and her endorsement of the “defund the police” movement.
“Anybody in favor of defunding the police for one month, let alone [Harris’s] entire career, should never be President of the United States,” Trump said.
In contrast, Trump asserted himself as a “tough-oncrime” candidate, arguing for an expansion of policing, criminal prosecution and the prison system. Freshman Braden Yian expressed his view of the former president’s remarks.
“[The] speech gave us a very clear view of how Trump plans to pursue his presidency,” Yian said. “His criticism of [Harris] and the Democrats on issues like [public safety] and the economy gives [people] clarity as to what [Trump’s] plans are for the country if he wins this November.”
Trump’s press conference in Rancho Palos Verdes is one of few campaign appearances in the state leading up the election. His remarks on the landslides, although brief, highlighted the impacts the crisis has had on resident’s of the affected area, the varying perspectives on the response efforts, and the efforts of victims trying to bring more awareness to the issue. In addition, Trump’s critique of California’s governance helps separate himself as a tough, decisive alternative to Democratic negligence and provides an insight into the former president’s ambitions for the state and the nation as a whole. Freshman Nathan Li outlines the key takeaways from Trump’s appearance.
“I believe Trump’s statements at the Palos Verdes [press conference] gave insight into his view of California as a whole,” Li said. “[It] demonstrated his sympathy with the people of Rancho Palos Verdes’ struggles with the landslide crisis and [brought] to light local issues.”
Edited by: Angelina Wang
Art by: Angie Jo
Portuguese Bend Slides Into Uncertainty
In past months, what has been a far-off issue to national and international news outlets has become a new reality for the locals of Rancho Palos Verdes. Landslides, which have a long history on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, increased in intensity following heavy rain seasons in 2023 and 2024, recently culminating in the gradual sinking of dozens of homes in a region known as Portuguese Bend. Beginning in June and continuing through September, SoCal Gas and Southern California Edison, local utility providers, have shut off gas and electricity to the regions’ hundreds of residents due to fire risks caused by further land movement (CBS News). Four different neighborhoods have been encouraged to evacuate (City of RPV).
Many have struggled to cope with their new reality. With no definitive timeline for restored access to electricity and gas from utility companies, some have resorted to moving to hotels or rental properties. Safety has also been a concern, and police are continually patrolling the area (FOX 11). But most people have chosen to stay, living in their homes with fissures in flooring and sinking walls, adapting by installing solar panels, power generators and sewage systems (BBC News). Portuguese Bend resident and Peninsula junior Linus Ruchti shared his experience.
“We are in the process of getting [a] 70,000 kilowatt [generator], [and] we’ll eventually get solar [panels],” Ruchti said. “[We] have to be [independent of public] electricity. [My family’s goal] is to move back in [a] week in a half [once] that’s all [finished] setting up.”
Individual help has come largely from private organizations. The Ann and Steve Hinchliffe San Pedro and Peninsula YMCA has extended access to its lockers, showers and study rooms to those impacted (PVPUSD). In addition, neighborhood businesses have stepped up to help locals band together.
“Every Wednesday [at] an open field in our neighborhood, [Raffaello’s Pizza brings] huge platters of food [to local residents] so that’s nice,” Ruchti said. “For a while we didn’t have hot water, but our neighbor [offered] her house [to] us to shower [and] use hot water.”
The 680-acre, at-risk region comprises four different landslide complexes, which sit atop the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex (City of RPV). This inactive expanse of land was reactivated in 1956, after the County of Los Angeles attempted to extend Crenshaw Boulevard and moved excavated soil to the dormant region (Los Angeles Times). This additional weight disrupted the equilibrium of the land and has contributed to gradual land movement ever since. However, Rancho Palos Verdes, one of four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, has not been the only one to experience landslides. On July 8th, 2023, slope failures occurred along Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estates, forcing residents of seven townhome complexes to evacuate as the buildings slowly slid into the canyon below (Daily Breeze). GeoKinetics, an
independent firm hired by the city, concluded that heavy rains from the previous winter were to blame (City of RHE).
Extensive efforts have been made by the city to mitigate
- Greg Qiu | 12
the damage done by the landslide complex. As part of the Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project, the city spent $10 million in May, installing two horizontal hydraugers to pump underground water to stabilize the surface. In addition, the city installed six vertical dewatering wells, which have pumped one million gallons of water a day (City of RPV). Latest iterations of the project were updated at the RPV City Council meeting on Oct. 1, and appropriated $15.1 million for relief efforts. Prior to the most recent developments, an estimated $1 million was allocated annually to make improvements to Palos Verdes Drive South, a key road used by 15,000 vehicles daily (City of RPV). Repairs approved in July were estimated to cost $5 million. Senior Loren Liu offered his opinion on the road situation.
“[Traffic] is horrible right now,” Liu said. “I think [they] were fixing [a] pipeline, so [the] two-way car lane got cut [off]. [It takes] 30 minutes plus to [drive] to school [now].”
After pleas from the RPV City Council for state support, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the city on Sept. 5, which will likely increase state assistance in city remediation efforts.
Janice Hahn, the LA County Supervisor, also pledged financial support from the county for the affected and further investigation into the causes of the landslide. This most recently
came as $5 million transferred by her office, along with an exhortation to the city that financial assistance should be given to residents individually (Office of Supervisor Janice Hahn). Council members at the meeting on Oct. 1 voted to provide 280 affected homeowners with up to $10,000, using $2.8 million of the total $5 million transferred (City of RPV). Remaining funds will go toward other land remediation efforts, which includes filling canyon fissures to prevent water from percolating underground.
But while movement has now slowed to about two feet per month, the future is not very promising, especially with the upcoming winter season (CBS News). Despite this, locals are still pushing through. Senior Fung “Greg” Qiu, a nearby resident, expressed his view on the prospect of moving.
“I really had a good time at my house, and I have had my friends stay over,” Qiu said. “I have a sentimental attachment to it, so it would be hard to move away. I mean sometimes life doesn’t go as expected and I guess you just have to take it and [move] on.”
On Oct. 28, the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) announced a $42 million voluntary buyout program to buy affected houses at market prices determined in December of 2022. FEMA will contribute to paying 75% of the properties’ values while homeowners must pay for the remaining 25%. More information about this can be found at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes website.
Too Cool for Competition
Peninsula Frosh Boys Cross Country triumphs at the Cool Breeze Invitational
Kyra McGath | 9
Despite the heat causing several competitors to pass out, the freshman boys on the Peninsula frosh/soph cross country team placed first out of 26 schools at the Cool Breeze meet in Pomona, California, on Aug. 31. The team, collectively known as “frosh/soph,” includes both freshmen and sophomores; however, the freshmen competed individually. By placing, they exceeded their own expectations for the first meet of the season.
Due to the heat wave in California, which started in early August and lasted until late September, the temperature on Aug. 31 in Pomona rose to 94 degrees Fahrenheit. The race was halved from the usual three miles to one and a half miles to ensure the safety of the runners. Though this change initially disappointed the team, who had previously trained to run three miles, they improvised by starting faster and maintaining an aggressive speed, eventually pulling through and winning first in the title “Mens 1.5 Miles Freshman – Large School.” Freshman and member of the team Goodwin Chen explains that though the freshman boys did win, many were disappointed that their times were less significant due to the sudden alteration in distance.
“I can’t use my score [as a] benchmark [for] future races, because all races in the future [will be three] miles,” Chen said. “We [also] waited all day for it, anxious about what time [we were] going to get, and then it [was] shortened.”
Cross country is a unique activity that blends individual effort with team dynamics. While it is a team
sport, runners do not work together as they would in other sports; instead, individual perseverance is crucial for both personal and team success. When a runner performs well, their score contributes points to the team, motivating them to work harder. The placement of the top five runners in a school gets a number that corresponds to their place in the overall race. Then, those five numbers are added together, and the team
This is a sport that everyone feels really welcome in. Not only do the captains do a great job at welcoming [the underclassmen] but the people themselves [are also the best].
- Melody Chiu | 12
with the lowest number wins. The top five freshman runners for Peninsula were Aiden Joe, Angelo Sabia, Goodwin Chen, Nicholas Zhang and Zachary Lin. The freshmen motivated each other to score well, as cross country runners often use each other as pacers, helping maintain a constant pace and pushing each other to get a better time. Despite the individuality of
the sport, the team spirit remains strong, with everyone offering encouraging words to help each other improve — even runner Ricardo Romero gave a speech to inspire his fellow peers before the race. Senior and cross country captain Melody Chiu comments on the importance of camaraderie during meets.
“This is a sport that everyone feels really welcome in,” Chiu said. “Not only do the captains do a great job at welcoming [the underclassmen] but the people themselves [are also the best]. I like to put a lot of emphasis on making everyone feel welcome [and] remind them that they have been working hard, [and they’ve] got this, [that they’ve] been showing up consecutively [and that’ll pay off].”
The freshmen showcased their abilities at the Cool Breeze meet but still have another three seasons to demonstrate their skill. Most of the freshmen are eager to stay on the team to improve their personal records, as well as break some of Peninsula’s records. With more meets ahead, their strong start signals their capability to make a significant impact on the Peninsula cross country team. Freshman and member of the team Aiden Joe expresses his determination to the team.
“I do want to try and get at least one number one spot, I’m not sure if it’s possible, but I’ll try as hard as I can,” Joe said. “I have been working really hard and the support I have been getting has [undoubtedly] been helping me. I’ve recently been moved up to varsity which has been a big goal for me. My biggest motivation has been my teammates and coach who are always pushing me to be the best runner I can be.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF KIYAN KHALEELI
Qualifying for the playoffs, Peninsula’s football team is charging through this year at full speed, leading many to note the new updates — namely, Peninsula’s shift from the Bay League to the Pioneer League following a tough season last year. The three teams in the Bay League with the lowest records were selected to move down to the Pioneer League, a collection of schools that Peninsula did not regularly play, until now. Some of the team’s successes this season include winning against South High School by 35-0 and Compton Early College High School by 77-0. Now that the team is facing more manageable opponents, the team’s overall confidence has increased and they have been continually striving to improve. Junior varsity football player and sophomore Ben Brown explains how players are reacting to the change.
“We didn't win a lot last year [but] we improved this year,” Brown said. “Our juniors and seniors are doing a lot better, and [being in the] Pioneer League means [competing against] easier opponents. [We're] definitely making [it] to [the] playoffs.”
The seniors on the team have to manage a balancing act of leading their teammates while navigating the new league themselves. This has required the captains to step up and take over many new responsibilities. By fully investing in the team, the captains aim to show the way to success for the other athletes on the team. Senior Isaiah Wiggins shares what it means to be a captain.
“This sport is not something I would even consider leaving when it gets hard because of all the memories it’s provided me,” Wiggins said. “We can improve [our] physicality. We’re going to go against other high-ranking teams, and we all know our training, but now it's time to turn on the relentless drive.”
Moving to the Pioneer League made the team's dream of advancing to the playoffs a reality; like any other year, their goal is to win as many games as possible to be the highest-ranking team in the league.
Edited by: Zahra Habib
Players are amending past mistakes by conditioning their bodies in the weight room to dominate on the field, as evidenced by their greater success on the field. Fans were on the edge of their seats at the Peninsula’s game against Compton Early College, watching them score touchdown after touchdown.
The players would not have been able to succeed without a robust support system, namely all their coaches. Coaches not only direct players during games, but push them past their limits at practice, implementing new strategies and instilling confidence in the players. The coaches’ dedication to the team sets the bar for the players for what they hope to achieve on and off the field. Head Coach David Young shares his perspective, both on and off the field.
“This year is different for me because I took myself off the field and I'm up in the press box,” Young said. “Now I notice the
crowd 100 percent. I’ve been watching The Zoo. The other day I was watching, and I saw them shave [Ben Brown’s] head. They’ve definitely rejuvenated the spirit; it’s always more fun to go to a game where you know you’re winning.”
The support of The Zoo, parents, coaches and family has helped create a new and exciting beginning for the Panthers this year. Everyone is now looking forward to see what football has in store for their fans, with audiences ready to watch them perform at the playoffs from start to finish. Friends and family will paint themselves with school colors, showing their Panther pride. Crowds will cheer for every successful pass and touchdown, holding up posters of their favorite players and chanting taunts to the opposing team. Panther Football attributes their recent victories to following Coach Young’s philosophy – “Hard work always beats talent.”
Jarrett Meza-Torne | 11
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIELLA TERRY
Art by: Grant Kim
“Those who dream to fly aspire towards self-realization and true freedom.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
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