Issue 2

PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL www.pvphsnews.com

How will our polarized political parties reconcile following the 2020 election?

EDITORIAL, PAGE 3

CANDIDATES OR CLOWNS? Immaturity of the presidential nominees at debates sparks concern OPINION PAGE 2

MAIL MALFUNCTIONS

THE BUDDING DIPLOMAT

Botched mail-in ballots may threaten Senior interns abroad at the European 2020 election credibility Union during quarantine FOCUS PAGE 6-7

STUDENT LIFE PAGE 8

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Clash of the Clowns Presidential debates demonstrate candidates’ lack of maturity TILLY SAFAVIAN With the 2020 presidential election just around the corner on Nov. 3, stakes are high for both incumbent Republican nominee President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.

However, with the incredible polarization felt between the left and right wings in the U.S. this year, most voters are unwilling to change their opinions on each candidate. Though this may be true, the complete lack of decorum and failure to focus on policy issues presented by both candidates during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29 left the event completely ineffective in presenting each candidate with integrity. Instead, this reflected poorly on their candidacies as it presented what many watchers characterized as less of a debate and more of a circus act.

“I do not think these presidential debates are that effective because [the candidates] only attack each other,” junior Emma Adams said. “I think that in this election, most people have already made up their minds [on who they will be voting for].”

The debate seemed to start off relatively well until debate moderator Chris Wallace asked each candidate to comment for two minutes on Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s controversial Supreme Court nomination.

Though Trump argued the validity of Barrett’s appointment under his powers as president, Biden rebutted with the detrimental effects of Barrett’s appointment for the Affordable Care Act, which provides public health care to millions of citizens. Their purposeless and childish arguments continued, and by the end of the night, Trump made significantly more interruptions after ringing in roughly 71, according to The Washington Post.

Senior Kelsie Groenleer has been following the election closely and thought that the tenor of the debate was unacceptable.

“The candidates should not be allowed to talk over each other or the moderator,” Groenleer said. “The [first] 2020 Presidential Debate was completely unprofessional, [as] both Trump and Biden talked over each other.

This just showed how little respect they have for each other, the moderator and the individuals who had to sit and watch it.”

In a way, it can also be argued that the debate was slightly effective in changing votes due to the way that the candidates presented themselves. Both Trump’s arrogance and Biden’s failure to articulate his ideas clearly could be unappealing to voters.

Additionally, when Trump

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was asked in the first debate by Biden and Wallace to condemn white supremacy, he avoided their questions.

Trump’s previous public support for the Proud Boys, a far right all-male group promoting neo-fascism and white supremacy, and his history of racist statements make it difficult to believe the brief denial he gave at his own town hall meeting on Oct. 15.

“The most memorable part of the [first] debate was when Trump refused to condemn white supremacy,” senior Jeanie Benedict said. “That is so terrible for anyone to do, especially a president. But I think in the grand scheme of things, most people already knew that he would never say that he disagrees with white supremacy, so the debate did not teach us anything new.”

In addition to the dozens of interruptions, there was also a complete lack of attention given towards addressing policy issues. It seemed that whenever Wallace brought up a new topic, the conversation would turn “unpresidential” as Biden described, by way of Trump’s inappropriate comments. One such example included Trump falsely claiming Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was dishonorably discharged from the military. However, according to the Cable News Network (CNN), Hunter Biden was administratively discharged from the military due to his battle with drug addiction. Biden, too, made questionable arguments against Trump, such as the Trump administration worsening the trade deficit when, according to the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the deficit actually improved throughout Trump’s presidency. Though the Commission attempted to try and limit the number of interruptions during the third debate by instituting a mute microphones policy, which Trump initially refused to implement, the policy was not enforced in totality as both candidates still interrupted one another throughout the debate.

In a year where there is a lack of trust for news outlets from the American people, the presidential debate should be a place where there is guaranteed truth and civility. The American people saw anything but that. Although the final debate on Oct. 22 was slightly more civilized, the event was not impactful enough to realistically change any votes in a country that is so polarized. These chaotic quarrels were not productive in any way and demonstrated how divided our country is.

“This election is so important to vote in because the president elected will be faced with current issues like the pandemic, racial injustice and global warming,” Adams said. “I hope that America can see the candidates for their policies and what would help everyone, not just a candidate that wants to help themselves.”

3 STITCHING TOGETHER A POLITICALLY-TORN AMERICA EDITORIAL STAFF “A division of the republic into two great parties…is to be dreaded as the great political evil.” former President John Adams shared the same fear first President George Washington expressed in his farewell address: a split America. Currently, the nation is facing this exact political evil, with Democratic and Republican parties at the apex of polarization. Unfortunately, the 2020 presidential debates displayed inappropriate behavior from both former Vice President Joe Biden and incumbent President Donald Trump, foreshadowing the current state of America’s diplomacy and unity, and how the parties may soon follow suit and abandon civility altogether.

Already, major cities are boarded up in anticipation of mass civil unrest predicted to ensue from the election results. With our country’s seams being torn apart, we must make an effort to mend the tears through interpersonal discussions within our community, while holding our representatives to higher standards.

These divisions between the two parties are not new, however. A clear trend has emerged in the extremism within parties: albeit both have grown more radical, Republican beliefs have grown more extreme compared to Democrats, and Democrats accommodate by growing equally as radical, as depicted in Voteview, an online, live collection of congressional votes since the 1960s. Now, Democrats and Republicans refuse to agree on what kinds of issues currently afflict the U.S., much less create the solutions to address them.

Political tactics, such as filibustering to induce gridlock, are commonly utilized in Congress to prevent any actions of real merit from passing—the 112th Congress has passed fewer laws than any Congress since the 1800s, according to the American Political Science Association. Incredibility in legislation and the media also exacerbate their relations and misconstrue each other’s respective beliefs. At the moment, the American public lacks trust in information and politics.

This growing rift between the parties not only creates tension in the parties’ interactions within the government, but also pits citizens against each other. A 2016 Pew Research Poll found that 35 percent of Democrats viewed Republicans as ‘immoral,’ and 47 percent of Republicans shared similar sentiments toward Democrats. Such negativity is reflected in the recent rise in hate-related crimes, especially since Trump’s election as president in 2016 (Anti-Defamation League). Intergroup violence has become normalized, and discrimination of various forms have become permissible under the guise of a political view. When people see enemies in place of fellow citizens and humans, this is a clear regression in morals for all those involved, irrespective of party.

Peninsula is not immune to such aggressions. At the mere mention of controversial issues, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, immigration policies, abortion and more, prejudices immediately flare up before even a single attempt at civil discourse. This cannot continue.

If we truly want to promote a campus

abundant with respect, then students must also demonstrate respect for each other. Knowing the difference between an opinion and an ethical decision is also paramount in finding compromise between the two polarized bodies on campus and beyond. Supporting extremist, borderline terrorist groups such as the KKK and neoNazis is not a conflict in opinions—it is a conflict in morals.

Regardless of who assumes the presidency, both parties must come to terms with the outcome of this presidential election. This may seem like a daunting task, given the current political climate, but it is a necessary step to preserve our democracy. As such, we must hold our elected politicians accountable for their actions and their consequences moving forward. We cannot keep excusing inappropriate behavior for the sake of remaining bipartisan or denying the increasing radicalism of both parties, particularly Republicans. Furthermore, we must not be afraid to have educated, respectful discussions with those who have different beliefs if we ever hope to come to peaceful compromises and resolutions. However, we must not blur the line between human rights and political affiliations: this cannot be compromised upon. In the wake of one of the most politically divided elections America has ever seen, it will be up to the people to push for changes, both through their vote and their treatment of others. Divided?

We will fall. But if we unite, one day we can truly stand on the equal grounds that America continues to work towards.

THIRD-PARTY VOTING: WHY IT IS A WASTE OF A VOTE JENNA LONG As the 2020 presidential election swiftly approaches, the Republican and Democratic parties have grown divided due to the increasing tensions between the rivaling presidential candidates, current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Many people remain undecided on which candidate to vote for; therefore, they may be drawn to consider third-party voting. This option is also attractive to some due to certain ideals and beliefs that may not be as emphasized in the Republican and Democratic parties. Nevertheless, history has proved time and time again that thirdparty presidential candidates have been unsuccessful in gaining enough supporters necessary to have a reasonable chance in winning an election. With this, third-party voting should not be considered a viable option when it boils down to the decision of choosing a presidential candidate, as it detracts valuable votes away from promising candidates with higher chances of winning the election.

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“The majority of people do not vote enough for third-party candidates for [their presidential nominees] to win,” junior Maya Ashai said. “Third-party voting is like a waste of a vote.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, in 1992, Independent candidate Ross Perot profited off of the weltering campaign of George W. Bush and managed to maintain enough support as a third-party candidate, drawing a large number of crucial votes away from Bush. Though Perot did not win the presidency, his third-party campaign led to detrimental side effects for Bush, ultimately costing him the election. This election, as well as the 1996 and 2016 elections, highlights the inefficiency of third-party voting by demonstrating how voting for a third party only interferes with elections by compromising the number of votes allotted to stronger candidates.

“The American people, though not obligated to vote Democratic or Republican, are bound by a twoparty system, not allowing for a third party to be dominant,” World History and U.S. History teacher

Charles Kim said. “In the end, [third-party voting] is not considered beneficial, and if given the chance to vote, [one should] find the candidate between the Democratic and Republican party [who] is the better fit.”

Admittedly, though, third-party candidates provide the middle ground that is lacking between the Democratic and Republican parties. The Libertarian Party, Green Party and Constitution Party are just a few third-party options available for those who disagree with the two majority parties. Nevertheless, there is a small handful of individuals who vote third party due to their lack of education about the main party candidates. Pew Research Center, a data base which tracks American and international trends through public opinion polling and social science research, reveals that young males (the majority being 18-24 years old) and voters ill-informed about America’s politics and elections will feel more persuaded to vote third-party. Though some individuals vote for a third-party candidate in accordance with their beliefs, this takes away significant votes from majority party candidates that can affect the entire election. Voting has the ability to shape the future of American government, and it is imperative that those who choose to participate in elections make an informed decision, regardless of party affiliation. “[If] people are undecided and feel as if they need to vote for a third-party candidate, they can, but it certainly takes votes away from the candidates who can actually win,” senior Jackson Grant said.

“In elections like this [current] presidential election, there is too much at stake. [It] is necessary to vote for the main candidates, not a third-party.”

THE PEN PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 EDITORS IN CHIEF Fiona Andersons Fiona Yang MANAGING EDITOR Keila Bara HEADS OF DESIGN Helen Huang Maddie Yeh HEAD OF BUSINESS Lina Kugaya ADVISER Jaymee Demeyer OPINION EDITOR: Maddy Christen WRITERS: Jenna Long Tilly Safavian Maile Shu NEWS EDITOR: Caitlyn Lee WRITERS: Audrey Lu Anna Mytko Nomi Tsogmagnai FOCUS EDITOR: Kaitlyn Ho WRITERS: Hannah Corr Riley McAlpine Clara Reckhorn STUDENT LIFE EDITOR: Jeremy Kim WRITERS: Jami Galdones Deborah Mok ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/SPORTS EDITORS: Emma Mulligan James O’Dea WRITERS: Jillian Farley Imogene Tomicic GRAPHICS Shai Becker Hana Fujii Alicia Jeong Giulia Monti Jihee Seo Lynn Takahashi Brian Wang ADS Leah Aoyagi Makayla Lui Victoria Rhodes

“The Pen” is the student newspaper produced by the advanced jounalism students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It is published eight times per year. Advertising inquiries may be directed to Head of Business Lina Kugaya at (424)404-0303.

The Pen editors appreciate Letters to the Editor, which are accepted up to one week before publication.

You may submit them digitally to thepennews@gmail.com in an email.

Copyright © 2020 COVER DESIGN BY MADDIE YEH

4 ANNA MYTKO On the 2020 California election ballot, Californians have the choice to vote for or against Proposition 17. This proposition grants parolees suffrage upon completion of their prison sentence.

According to Alejandro Padilla, the California Secretary of State, those serving parole are currently not permitted to register to vote. Opposition to this proposition believes that it is not moral to give rights to recently incarcerated Californians. Senior Kelsie Burruss, however, believes that it is important for parolees to gain permission to vote in future elections.

“They are [working toward] transitioning back to a normal life,” Burruss said. “I also [feel] that parolees will be more motivated to positively participate [in integrating back into] their communities if they voted.”

According to a recent parole commission report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), citizens who finish their prison terms and have regained their voting rights are less likely to commit crimes in the future. Underrepresentation amongst minority groups also remains an issue relating to this proposition. According to the PPIC, by the end of 2016 African American Californians made up six percent of the state’s adult population and also 26 percent of the state’s parole population. This indicates the large amount of minorities that are parolees and therefore unable to vote.

If Proposition 17 passes, all parolees will be granted the opportunity to vote in California.

2020 POPULAR PROPS: PENINSULA STUDENTS SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON PROPOSITIONS 16, 17 AND 18 NOMI TSOGMAGNAI If Proposition 18 is approved, 17-year-old American citizens will be able to vote in primary and special elections if they are 18 by the proceeding general elections. The national voting age was 21 until 1971, when the U.S. Constitution’s 26th Amendment was ratified; this amendment established that the right to vote for 18 year olds will never be denied or abridged. By passing Proposition 18, voting opens to 17 year olds who do not make registration age cutoff.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the prefrontal cortex, or the part of the brain that responds to situations with an awareness of long-term consequences, is not fully developed until age 25. Others assume if the voting age is brought down, the age limit for other age-restricted activities like smoking could potentially be decreased.

Older people generally want the voting age raised, as the average age most engaged in politics is 38.

Proponents argue if teenagers are old enough to take part in general elections, they should be allowed to participate in the full electoral process. Letting them vote in specific election cycles could potentially increase voter turnout and youth civic engagement. Senior Paulina Garmute agrees with keeping the current age-limit, as students gain more extensive political knowledge towards the end of high school.

“As a 17-year-old, especially given the political climate this election, I would love to vote,” Garmute said. “At the same time, I think the voting age of 18 [to register for primary and special elections] makes sense.

[Seniors who] take government classes or have already graduated and finished these credits, therefore are probably more politically engaged with civil liberties.”

NOMI TSOGMAGNAI Proposition 16 would bring back affirmative action, the practice of favoring individuals in groups that have been previously discriminated against; thus allowing race, ethnicity, original nationality and sex to be considered in admissions to colleges and universities, in state contracts and the hiring process of public jobs. This proposition may be considered discriminatory by some, as certain groups will receive more benefits than others. However, the proposition also presents an opportunity that benefits underprivileged groups. Senior Komal Kaur hopes that students will be put on a level field where only qualifications and merit will determine the outcome of both job and college applications.

“I am against affirmative action because it involves race and sex, and it is completely unfair when we are looking to see the future of tomorrow,” Kaur said. “It [would lead] to a lot of unqualified people in top jobs where more qualified people would be able to perform [better] had race or sex not been considered.

Saying that, there do not need to be more opportunities for women and minorities, but I do not believe we should be [placing] race and sex over qualifications [and merit].”

Supporters of Proposition 16 argue that bringing back affirmative action will allow public institutions to work towards greater diversity within their demographics. According to ABC News, the proposition could potentially benefit historically underprivileged groups, such as women and racial minorities. According to Public Policy Institute of California, 25 percent of African Americans and 20 percent of Latinos have a bachelor’s degree among Californians.

Proposition 16 could allow these percentages to increase, so it more accurately represents the diversity in the U.S.

PROPOSITION 17 PROPOSITION 16 PROPOSITION 18

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DGE APPOINTED TO U J + Q T CAL LGB Y L IFO N E P O RNI T Brent Kuykendall Associate Justice AS FIRS hopes Jenkins’ Martin Jenkins made U L UPR Y AUDRE appointment will lead to history on Oct. 5 by becoming EME more progressive actions. the first LGBTQ+ individual appointed COURT to the California Supreme Court. Appointed

by Governor Gavin Newsom, Jenkins, a Democrat, previously served as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for 11 years and worked as Newsom’s judicial appointments secretary for the past year.

As Jenkins has been promoted to California’s Supreme Court, many hope the appointment will help to increase LGBTQ+ rights. According to USA Today, most U.S. states did not have laws to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination until last summer, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1), protects LGBTQ+ workers from job discrimination. Principal

“[The LGBTQ+ community] is a community that is often overlooked or [misunderstood], so to have someone in a role that can make decisions at the state level is a big deal,” Kuykendall said. “My hope is that [the appointment] increases [LGBTQ+] acceptance not only in our state, but across the country.”

Having Jenkins in a high position of influence in turn gives the LGBTQ+ community a voice. Junior Mikey Abrams, a transgender male, hopes this will lead to better treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in the future and feels that society and schools should be more educated on LGBTQ+ topics. “[The LGBTQ+ community] is expecting you to show us respect,” Abrams said. “We do not have to agree as long as you are polite. Be educated. Have an open mind.”

For LGBTQ+ students to feel more welcomed, Abrams proposes assemblies be held to educate students about LGBTQ+ topics, including the social discrimination

they face. He hopes Jenkins’ appointment will positively influence the community in California. Peninsula students have started various clubs in support of the LGBTQ+ community, but many believe that there is more work to be done towards creating an inclusive school environment. Junior KC Menninger is co-president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance, a club that seeks to bring awareness on LGBTQ+ issues. She believes Jenkins’ appointment could set a precedent for future legislation and give the LGBTQ+ community a stronger representation and voice in society.

“Not only at Peninsula, but also the rest of the community, I would love [to see] more education about LGBTQ+ topics,” Menninger said. “Individuals in the [LGBTQ+] community need all the support they can get in both validating their identities and being told from people who are respected [that] their identity is not something to be ashamed of or hide.”

PANTHER POLITICS: PENINSULA STUDENTS CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE 2020 MOCK ELECTION ANNA MYTKO AND NOMI TSOGMAGNAI On Oct. 6, Peninsula held a mock election for its students to vote on a ballot that modeled potential propositions, presidential candidates and congressmen. Since most high schoolers are too young to vote, this was an opportunity for them to express their opinions on a national event. Mock elections also help students gain experience before they partake in the official voting process when they become eligible at 18 years old. Junior Blake Dee believes that casting votes in this format gives students like himself the chance to prepare as future voters and form their own political opinions.

“The mock election modeled the [upcoming elections], which everyone is excited for,” Dee said. “I think it is a good thing that students are voting [in the mock election, as] they can get more in tune with being a citizen and fulfilling their citizenship duties. [Voting] teaches a student how to participate in society.”

The mock elections simulate how to make an informed decision that could positively or

negatively impact the nation, a decision many eligible young voters do not end up making.

According to New York Times, voting is a habit formed over time, and one possible reason young people participate in elections less frequently on average is they have had fewer opportunities to form and reinforce the habit. The mock election is an opportunity for teenagers to start developing an interest in politics, which can assist the process of making voting a habit when they become eligible.

Taking part in the mock election allowed senior Nahla Quazi to broaden her in-depth understanding about the propositions.

“I think the one that stood out most was Proposition [16] about making it so people could discriminate against race, sex and [ethnicity],” Quazi said. “That was just the most bizarre thing to see, [especially] in 2020. A lot of things have happened but it is written in the Constitution [and] that is not allowed to [be done]. Why would [the ballot] bring up something like that [to vote on]?”

In addition to the propositions, the mock election ballot featured

a vote on America’s next potential president.

A total of 811 students participated in the mock election with 68 percent voting for Joe Biden, 22.4 percent for Donald Trump and the other three presidential candidates receiving 9.6 percent of the votes collectively. Senior Jeanie Benedict was not surprised by the mock election outcome based on her impression of the demographic of Democratic students in comparison to Republican students at Peninsula.

“I expected Biden to receive a larger amount of votes,” Benedict said. “However, if the parents of these students had participated in a mock election, I think the results would have been much different. That is why I think it is important that students learn more about politics on their own so that they can establish their own perspectives.”

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7 BOTCHED BALLOTS THREATEN INTEGRITY OF 2020 ELECTION CLARA RECKHORN On Oct. 5 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles County (LA County), about 2,100 ballots were sent to voters without the listed option to vote for a presidential candidate. According to the Los Angeles Almanac, these ballots were distributed in an effort to provide California’s 21 million voters, 5.6 million of which live in LA County, with a way to cast their ballots amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Although in-person voting is still an option, absentee voting is offered to people who are under circumstances that make it difficult to vote in person. These faulty mailin ballots featured a twice-printed list of state propositions in place of a slot for a presidential candidate like Joe Biden or Donald Trump. The error was waved off as a printing mistake by the LA County clerk’s office, with the promise that new ballots would be mailed out as soon as possible to the affected voters. Unfortunately, this mistake occurred at a time when many voters are skeptical of absentee voting, a form of mail in voting. Such skepticism originated from politicians like President Donald Trump and former congressman and chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party Bob Brady, who vocalized their doubts about the dependability of mail-in voting. Influenced by such politicians, registered voters began to reconsider the legitimacy of absentee voting.

According to the New York Times, these doubts are baseless, though, and there is no evidence to support the incredibility of mail-in ballots.

However, the circulated rumors are enough to create uncertainty about the mail-in system for some citizens.

World History and U.S. History teacher Charles Kim is one of many U.S. residents with a lack of trust in mail-in voting this year.

“This clerical error definitely raised some concerns for me,” Kim said. “[It is strange] that the [printing systems] could be messed up enough for something like this to happen. Why did [the county clerk’s office] send out the ballot without double-checking the contents of what they were sending?”

Peninsula’s Model United Nations program adviser, Dr. Jim Dimitriou, also has doubts about absentee voting.

He will not be voting by mail because not only have ballots been faulty, but there have also been fake ballot drop boxes. According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Republican Party recently admitted to placing fake ballot boxes around California and stated that they will continue, suggesting graver implications such as election fraud. To ensure that his vote counts, Dimitriou will go to a polling station and turn in his vote in-person.

“Because there has been so much confusion with [absentee voting], I want to make sure that my ballot actually gets to a polling station,” Dimitriou said. “Considering the fake

ballot boxes, I am worried that people will put their ballots in the wrong place and not have their vote count.”

Though doubt has been shown in regard to the legitimacy of mailin ballots, they have been widely accepted throughout the history of the U.S. Mail-in ballots were first used during the Civil War, and have allowed people who cannot physically go to polling stations to vote. Furthermore, 29 states allow citizens to vote by mail without an excuse, meaning that citizens do not need to prove they are incapable of going to a polling station in order to vote by mail.

However, 76 percent of voters still casted their ballots in-person during the 2016 presidential election, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Since absentee voting has never been used on such a large scale before in any U.S. election, some mistakes are to be expected.

Sophomore Maya Rosca considers the magnitude of these seemingly small mail-in ballot mistakes concerning for the presidential election process across the country.

“This entire situation seems suspicious,” Rosca said. “[2,100 botched ballots] may not seem like a lot in the bigger picture, but if this amount of votes [is] lost in every state because of faulty ballots, that is more than 100,000 votes that would not be counted in the election.”

Furthermore, election researchers have estimated that almost two

percent of mail-in ballots from California are rejected every election due to various reasons, such as missing signatures or late submissions.

According to the Los Angeles Magazine, this translates to roughly 250,000 ballots that are not counted in the election. Ballots could be rejected because they are missing a signature, do not have a correct signature, were received late or for a multitude of other reasons. Although senior Grant Zane will be voting in-person this year, he still considers mail-in voting a necessary risk the U.S. government has to take in order to allow people to vote, regardless of a pandemic.

“Like many, I am a little unsure about mail-in voting, [as] the fact that ballots can be botched in general is suspicious,” Zane said. “However, it is still very important that we have some way to vote this year. [Absentee voting] is better than the alternative, which would be not voting at all.”

The issues with mail-in voting are apparent, and voting this year may be more difficult given the circumstances of the pandemic. Dimitriou states that in situations like these, with so much uncertainty, America needs to rise to the occasion. “[When voting] becomes more difficult like it is in this [circumstance], we have to be better voters,” Dimitriou said. “We have to think not about where [America] has been, but where [it] is going, and how our vote contributes to that.”

CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS POPULARIZE MAIL-IN VOTING HANNAH CORR AND RILEY MCALPINE As a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine restrictions, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has suggested mail-in voting as a socially distanced alternative to going to the polls. Unlike in-person voting, where people are packed together, mail-in voting requires no in-person assistance and is easier to complete, making it the safest and easiest option for this upcoming election.

Mail-in voting can be completed through the use of absentee ballots, which are sent by state governments to voters who cannot vote in-person.

In order to be sent an absentee ballot, one must go online or call their local election authority. After a ballot is filled out, it is then placed inside an attached security envelope used to prevent voter fraud. This election, California and eight other states decided to send ballots to everyone, meaning people who did not request a mail-in ballot may still receive one.

This is unlike absentee voting, where one must specifically request a ballot.

For seniors who have turned 18, this upcoming election will be their first. Senior Kate Martino turned 18 in August and is now able to vote in the November U.S. presidential election.

Martino recognizes the importance of voting and hopes other students her age will also choose to vote, whether it be via mail or in-person.

“Actually being able to participate in the government [by voting] is [very exciting],” Martino said. “As children we sit back and watch what is happening [regarding politics], but now as a [legal adult], I have an opinion. Personally, I am not going to do [mail-in voting], but I think it is a good way to get more people to do their part and vote.”

Mail-in voting has become more popular this election because it follows the COVID-19 safety guidelines.

If people are afraid of contracting the virus, they can decide to mail in a ballot instead. U.S. History and World History teacher Mark Mackenzie has been participating in mail-in absentee voting for years and views it as an easy and safe way to vote.

“The [advantage] of mail-in voting is you do not have to go anywhere,” Mackenzie said. “If you are afraid of catching the virus, you can [cast your vote] from your home. Absentee voting has been proven to be safe, and [the government] has been using [absentee voting] for a long time.”

However, some voters are growing suspicious of the validity of the votes being mailed in. U.S. History and Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology teacher John Hangartner fears people will tamper with the ballots, especially seeing how divided the country has become over the election and the presidential candidates.

Already, the Republican Party has put up fake ballot boxes in Southern California to illegally harvest votes, according to the New York Times.

Although Hangartner hopes the people’s faith in the voting system will be reinstated, he understands that people may go to extreme lengths to ensure that their preferred presidential candidate wins.

“I know there are going to be problems [with mail-in voting] and

votes being counted,” Hangartner said. “We are going to get a number of votes that are not going to be counted because [people] did not fill [the ballots] in correctly [or] mail personnel [may throw ballots] into the trash. There are people who are putting up boxes, [deceiving] people to drop their vote in an unofficial ballot box, which is not right.”

With all of this in mind, there are pros and cons concerning both forms of voting for this election. Mail-in voting is a method that those at risk of contracting COVID-19 can use to safely vote from home, though they risk their vote not being counted.

In-person voting decreases the chance that a vote is tampered with, but also increases the chances of contracting COVID-19. Regardless of the method citizens use, they all are still exhibiting civic engagement and share the same desire to vote.

“Voting is one of the most important and basic rights that we have,” Mackenzie said. “But whether it be in-person or mail-in, it is a citizen’s duty to vote.”

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THE INTERNATIONAL INTERN

SENIOR COMPLETES EUROPEAN UNION INTERNSHIP IN BELGIUM JAMI GALDONES Although the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected businesses and job opportunities, some high school students have found time to explore their passions through internships during the pandemic. For senior Paulina Garmute, her interests in law and politics, specifically foreign affairs, motivated her to apply for and enter into an internship at the European Union (EU) in early September.

Garmute’s interest in foreign affairs began when she attended a camp at Yale University that specialized in international politics during the summer of 2019. After attending the camp, she started to look for internships related to this field, specifically the United Nations (UN). However, she did not meet the age requirement for the available UN internships; furthermore, she would have had to miss three months of school to participate, so this path was not an option. After exploring other similar organizations, Garmute developed a special interest in the EU because of her Lithuanian roots.

“I wanted to know more about the [inner workings] of such a large democratic group of countries,” Garmute said. “[I also wanted to gain] the experience of being in a new place and learning from a [variety] of different people.”

After receiving the internship in early August, Garmute moved to a rented apartment in Brussels, Belgium, where she lived by herself for over two weeks. Garmute’s mother, Renata Garmus, felt nervous, but still supported Garmute’s ambitions.

“It was difficult [not living with her], but she was excited to try out living on her own,” Garmus said. “I am so proud of her, and I am [glad this opportunity] helped her see what she is passionate about.”

After beginning her internship on Sept. 1, Garmute worked Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alterio-Spinelli building, where speeches and press releases were held for the general public. Since COVID-19 was still affecting the country, every employee at her workplace took precautions by practicing social distancing, wearing masks, taking their temperatures and interacting with a maximum of three people at a time. In a typical day, Garmute completed multiple tasks that the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) would assign her, such as proposing different perspectives on a current issue based on her research or writing and editing speeches. As a result, Garmute worked alongside a diverse group of people from various ethnic backgrounds.

“Every single day at the EU was a surprise in one way or another,” Garmute said. “[Furthermore, I] helped support any protests [against the Belarusian

government] by participating in them while passing out flyers and making a press release afterwards. [Then, I would] write and edit speeches that my [MEPs would say] at the protests.”

While interning at the EU, Garmute faced many other challenges outside of her work. Besides adapting to her workplace and living circumstances, Garmute also had to balance her schoolwork.

Because of the nine hour time difference between Belgium and California, she woke up early in the morning to attend her school events and her extracurricular activities while also preparing for the next day at the EU. “Sometimes [I had to stay up for] debate until 2 a.m. and then [for] Mock Trial at 4 a.m.,” Garmute said. “[I also had] to find time to clean, prepare for the next day, [complete my] homework and do all the other small tasks that usually go unnoticed.”

Garmute also found it difficult to stay in touch with her friends and family. One of her friends, senior Julia Kate Bradley, found it difficult to stay in contact with her because of the large time difference and Garmute’s busy schedule.

“Staying in touch was definitely a challenge for the both of us,” Bradley said. “It was [difficult not seeing her] because she moved away and I really missed her. At the same time, I was extremely proud of her for working hard at her internship.”

Despite all these setbacks, Garmute still found a way to maintain all of her responsibilities, which also included studying for the American College Testing exam and finishing her college applications. In the end, she was grateful to have been given this opportunity, which she used as motivation to help her face the various obstacles of working and living abroad.

“I loved interning [at the EU] and going there every day and doing everything that I did,” Garmute said. “There were days where it was difficult to manage everything, but over the weekends, I got to explore the city and it [gave me something to look forward to].”

After ending her internship at the EU on Oct. 10, Garmute decided she wants to major in International Affairs and minor in Public Health or Economics in college. She aspires to become the U.S. Secretary of State, a U.S. ambassador or pursue a diplomatic career using the skills and experiences she gained from this internship.

9 UCLA PROFESSOR DELIVERS LECTURES ON RACISM TO ETHICS CLASS DEBORAH MOK On Sept. 22 and Oct. 6, Dr. Tyrone Howard from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) delivered lectures to Mindy Webster’s Ethics class virtually about the impact of racism throughout history and how to address it. At UCLA, Howard teaches and researches multicultural education, the social and political context of schools, urban education, social studies education and the educational experience of African American students.

Principal Dr. Brent Kuykendall listened and participated in the lectures alongside the students. From Howard, Kuykendall learned the importance of forming an awareness about the biases and privileges that some people have based on their socioeconomic status or race.

“Howard’s main message was to remind us of our unconscious bias,” Kuykendall said. “No matter how much we all individually feel that we look at everyone without bias, [it] is always ingrained in who we are.”

In his lecture, Howard also discussed the existence of systemic racism and white privilege. Although Junior Araya Britton was already aware of these issues, the lecture was still meaningful to her because it solidified her pre-existing views on the

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fight for racial equality. “[The lecture] made me more passionate [about solving racial discrimination issues],” Britton said. “[Howard] was very articulate with his words and he put [his points] in a way which was really easy to get behind.”

After raising awareness about these current racial issues, Howard further instructed the students on how to fight against racism and help those who are targets of it. For senior Caroline Horn, this was the most important lesson of the lecture.

“I thought he did a really good job talking about what people can do who are not Black,” Horn said. “[Howard] covered what we can do as allies and how to not appropriate [culture] that does not belong to us or have a whitesavior complex.”

Kuykendall is grateful that Howard delivered his words to students at Peninsula. He believes that the community must bring its attention to racial inequities by inspiring younger generations to take steps toward a world with increasingly equal treatment of all races.

“The youth is our future,” Kuykendall said. “I think it is very important for our [students] to push our country in the direction [of being accepting] of all and aware of our differences and our similarities.”

10 STUDENT ATHLETES DISCUSS PENINSULA’S NEW TURF FIELD

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JILLIAN FARLEY On Sept. 19, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) board approved the construction of a brand new turf field at Peninsula. The idea was proposed after many Peninsula families suggested the building of a turf field, seeing that Palos Verdes High School already had theirs constructed in 2017. The Peninsula turf field project officially began on Oct. 19, and the district has set aside $1 million for the project in addition to creating a GoFundMe attempting to raise another $250,000. PVPUSD believes that now is the best time to construct the field in light of many sports practices being canceled due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic regulations.

A turf field has various advantages, including playing time being less limited by harsher weather. For example, if it rains, there will not be the concern of mud covering the field. One other asset presented by a turf field is that it requires less resources to be maintained. Turf fields do not need to be watered or sprayed with pesticides, which will save money for Peninsula; eventually, the savings will equal to the initial amount spent. The flat surface that the turf field provides for smooth playing is an additional perk. Sophomore football player Nathan Ikegami greatly appreciates that the turf field will prevent any injuries normally caused by divots and holes in grass fields.

“I am really excited to be playing on a new turf field,” Ikegami said. “With a new, [level] field, many injuries caused by an uneven grass field will be prevented, which [shows] how beneficial it is.”

However, a turf field has significant drawbacks, such as the higher temperatures that come with it. According to Safe Healthy Playing Fields Inc., turf can be as high as 40 degrees warmer than natural grass fields. This is a major cause of concern as Peninsula is located in Southern

California, an area known to reach high temperatures.

This increased amount of heat could melt the rubber turf, which many players consider a nuisance, as it would stick to cleats and make it difficult to run. Additionally, the new field potentially poses a serious risk to athletes due to the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke from the increased temperature, which raises the need for new protocols that may need to be implemented upon return to play. Sophomore and girls’ soccer player Rachel Snead is aware of the problems that may arise from the implementation of the turf field, but feels that the athletes will be able to adapt.

“With turf, it will be nice not getting green stains that come as a result of playing on grass,” Snead said. “However, I mainly dislike turf because of the rug burns I get after falling, but other schools already have these kinds of fields, so I think that the sports programs will be able to overcome these challenges.”

In contrast to Snead’s opinion, many athletes are pleased that they do not have to play on the natural grass field at Peninsula anymore. A common complaint of the previous grass field was that it hindered the performance of Peninsula’s soccer teams. Sophomore and girls’ soccer player Erin Munz believes the introduction of a turf field will remedy this issue.

“Personally, I prefer turf fields over grass fields,” Munz said. “The main reason why is you do not have to worry about unexpected bumps on the ground that can change the course of the ball.”

The construction of the field is scheduled to be completed

by January, which will allow both soccer and football athletes to take advantage of it for the majority of their seasons. With this long anticipated development, many students have high expectations of what it will be like playing on the new field.

11 “ALONE”: INSENSITIVE OR IMPACTFUL? IMOGENE TOMICIC The movie “Alone”, streaming on Amazon Prime after its release on Oct. 16, is known for its portrayal of a virus pandemic. Actor Tyler Posey plays the main character Aidan, who works alongside his neighbor Eva, played by Summer Spiro, in order to survive from the infected who turned to zombies or so called “screamers”. Seeing as the world is currently combating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many viewers wonder if the way “Alone” portrays the difficulties of a pandemic quarantine may come across as insensitive to viewers.

Although “Alone” is based on a zombie apocalypse, the movie gives its audience an empowering perspective and relatibility on the

underlying theme of the film, Aidan’s journey to overcome mental health issues while quarantined. “[“Alone”] will empower its audience [because] Aidan displays [his difficulties in quarantine],” Libby said. “Since he was able to overcome his hardships, which are portrayed much more [intensified] than those that we have to face, viewers can [be inspired to overcome the struggles of quarantine].”

South Korean remake of “Alone” called “#Alive” will premiere on Dec. 31. The film’s screenplay writer Matt Naylor and director Cho-Il Hyung co-adapted the script to this remake in 2019. As “Alone” inspired a foreign version of itself to be made, both have the potential to feel impactful and insensitive to an audience, as it shows a dramatic rendition of events similar to those that are currently happening. Those whose have contracted COVID-19 may find it jarring to see a pandemic linked to the undead. Junior Stephanie Libby is a

JILLIAN FARLEY Megan Pete, also known as Megan Thee Stallion, was listed on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and featured on the cover of their Sept.

22 issue. Stallion was nominated for the Black Entertainment Television Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Award after releasing her popular song, “WAP”, along with “Hot Girl Summer” and “Savage”. These songs grew prominently in pop culture, as shown by her 37 million monthly Spotify listeners. Belcalis Almánzar, also known as rapper Cardi B, collaborated with Stallion to produce “WAP”. “WAP” was the first female rap collaboration to become the most streamed song on the music platform, Spotify.

Despite the song’s recent notoriety, it has been met with controversy due to the music video’s provocative visuals and the explicit lyrics. These elements have

horror and science fiction movie fan, yet she is uncertain of how it will fare with audiences. “[I am] worried about how [“Alone”] will affect people,” Libby said. “[With mixed emotions,] I am very excited to see how [a movie] that relates so strongly and directly to our current world will impact its viewership. I know its impacts can go either way, so I guess we can only hope it empowers people and works out positively.”

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Posey explained the timeline of production, stating that it was not intended to be released during an actual pandemic. Posey hopes that “Alone” will portray that the effects of a pandemic should be acknowledged and that mental health issues in quarantine are conquerable, a message that will likely leave a positive impact.

ZENDAYA MAKES HISTORY

“WAP”: WOMEN ARE POWER been disapproved of by older generations, as these artists have mainly adolescents as their audience.

Parents are concerned about their children emulating the artists’ provocative behavior.

Talk show host and conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro described the song as “vulgar” and “disgusting” in response to the normalizing of feminine sexual expression. Such criticism shows the double standards within the music industry from older generations, as male rappers have sexually expressed themselves openly for years. In contrast, Generation Z (Gen Z), which consists of ages eight to 23, seems to have fully embraced these songs. “[“WAP”] encourages sex positivity and female empowerment since women are sometimes disrespected by being told to act modestly by men, whereas it is acceptable for men to [act openly provocative],” sophomore Ema Kimoto said. “[It is] 2020, and sex should be destigmatized for all.”

“WAP” highlights divisions in what generations consider acceptable.

These new songs will inevitably be met with backlash from those who are not accustomed to their explicitness. Despite the backlash, “WAP” shows that Gen Z is readily embracing the messages these artists are conveying.

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IMOGENE TOMICIC

audiences to identify with the characters’ experiences; both 24-year-old acting sensation the triumphs and the challenges.

Senior Brianna Yi expects that Zendaya Coleman (Zendaya) Zendaya’s work will forge a got her big break on Disney Channel “Shake it Up” in 2010. new narrative of the teenage experience and perception of it.

Currently, Zendaya is starring “[Since they are] teenagers, in the teen drama “Euphoria”, society [turns] a blind eye to which first aired on the Home what goes on in the dark for Box Office (HBO)streaming them,” Yi said. “[“Euphoria”] service on June 19, 2019. This talks about what people are earned Zendaya recognition for her excellence in television scared to confront, and promotes overcoming that initial fear of after being awarded with an facing your demons.”

Emmy Award for Outstanding Zendaya’s unexpected win Lead Actress in a Drama Series was especially encouraging, as it on Sept. 20. represents the potential success In “Euphoria”, Zendaya in store for young actors and portrays the character of Rue Bennett, a 17-year-old who just actresses. The shocking Emmy win over her fellow nominees, returned from a rehabilitation Jennifer Aniston and Olivia center as she navigates Colman, proves that young actors through the anxieties and and actresses are prodigious uncertainties of high school, parts of the film industry. relying on substance abuse “Zendaya is an inspiration as a coping mechanism. In to [young girls] because she dealing with the struggles obviously [acts] for the art and of teenage life, characters not the fame. She exemplifies in “Euphoria” attempt to that anyone can join the establish their identities, and film industry,” Yi said. “Her the show puts a spotlight on achievements in acting [alter] the anger management issues, world’s views on young women in mental illness, abuse, gender the film industry.” identity, sexuality and peer Zendaya serves as a role pressure, emphasizing each model and portrays stressors that character’s struggle to avoid young adults experience through social conformity.

Rue. Because of this, Zendaya The show promotes the continues to inspire teenagers acceptance and confrontation and reimagine possibilities within of these topics throughout the entertainment industry. adolescence, allowing young