With an increasingly polarized nation practically doused in gasoline, the slightest spark can set the whole thing ablaze. In 2021, during the aftermath of a contentious election, the Jan. 6 insurrection proved just how true that statement would be. Insurrection, once an abstract concept for citizens of the United States, became a jarring reality with the attack on the Capitol that resulted in the death of five people and a breaching of the Senate chambers (The New York Times). The uprising delivered shockwaves throughout the nation, putting former President Donald Trump under scrutiny for his inciting remarks. With the 2024 election fast approaching, questions about Trump’s eligibility for the position of president have risen, with some states originally aiming to remove him from the ballot altogether. While a recent Supreme Court ruling has dashed the hopes of individual states, Congress still has the power to declare Trump unfit to run for election.
Leading up to the attack on the Capitol, Trump eagerly spread false information, claiming that the previous election was fraudulent. Investigations by the House of Representatives reveal that he was so certain of his righteousness that he was willing to threaten state legislators and election administrators to get the results he wanted (Public Broadcasting Service). The speech he gave that day, in
which he claimed the nation’s very future depended on his followers putting up a fight, further stoked the flame. Later that day, more than 2,000 of his supporters would violently storm the Capitol building, wreaking havoc in his name.
Colorado’s legal argument for removing Trump rests on the Insurrection Clause within the 14th amendment, which prohibits anyone who “engaged in insurrection” from holding civil, military or elected office. Trump’s engagement in insurrection is not difficult to discern. Prior to Jan. 6, he openly made comments such as “we fight like hell,” rallying his followers into a frenzy (National Public Radio). This statement, along with his outright denial of the results of the election, ultimately influenced the violent scene that played out in Washington D.C. later that day.
“I was surprised that [the insurrection] had gotten so out of hand,” junior Suhani Parekh said. “It was a [breach] of security and there definitely was fault, [which] Trump is not admitting to. He has not [shown that] he has learned from his mistakes, so he should not be eligible for presidency.”
The insurrection is hardly the first political controversy Trump has found himself entangled in. In the past, he also received harsh criticism for his lack of security surrounding classified documents and his abuses of power. Similar criticisms whave been made of his ardent supporters, with some, including Hillary Clinton, going so far as to refer to his voter base as a cult (The Washington Post). Despite this, some voters still look forward
VERONICA CHEN
to seeing Trump return as president. Luckily for them, the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in his favor, claiming that states lack the authority to reject candidates on the grounds of inciting insurrection, leaving the issue of Trump’s inclusion up to Congress.
“[Trump] started an insurrection against the very government he is trying to run for, [which] is unconstitutional,” junior Theseus Beeson said. “He is a criminal and Colorado was absolutely right to take him off the ballot.”
Given that Trump raised hell over losing one election, many are concerned about what would happen were he to lose another — or worse, if he were to win. In light of this, the issue is a nationwide one. While it is primarily Democrats fighting to remove Trump, the issue is bipartisan. Republicans, such as former candidate John Anthony Castro, have also opposed Trump, though often with little success.
“[Trump] would be a major threat to national security [if he was re-elected],” senior Christopher Yeh said. “He has already shown that he is untrustworthy [and re-electing him] would not have the best interests [of the U.S. at heart].”
The heart of the nation lies with its president. A man who has consistently disregarded the nation’s security should not be in the running for its most serious position. Take the knife off of democracy’s throat, and take Trump off the ballot.
The United States Supreme Court decided on Mar. 4, in what may become a landmark ruling, to keep former president and Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, on the state primary ballot in Colorado (SCOTUSblog). The case was part of a much wider effort to disqualify Trump, with a pending ban in Maine and another that had just gone into effect in Illinois (The New York Times). Despite this, the Supreme Court’s shrewd decision to keep Trump on the state ballots will thankfully preserve the sanctity of American democracy (The Washington Post).
The case in question, Trump v. Anderson, focused on section 3, or the insurrection clause, of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It essentially states that no government officer, who has taken an oath of allegiance to the Constitution, can hold a position if they engage in an insurrection. The Colorado Supreme Court referred to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, during which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to stop the certifying of election results by Congress, as they believed the election was manipulated. The U.S. Supreme Court throughout the deciding of the case, however, remained doubtful about Trump’s ineligibility (SCOTUSblog).
Firstly, the insurrection clause has rarely been used in any rulings, with the established precedent for future proceedings being decided by former circuit judge Salmon Chase in 1869 (AP). In the
case, Chase sided with a former Confederate veteran turned judge in a related case, avoiding legal turmoil since many government officials and current officers of the U.S. were former Confederates. Had Chase sided with the defendant, these officers would have had to have been dismissed and all their government actions nullified (Tennessee Bar Association). Chase also believed that the insurrection clause does not automatically take effect. Instead, Congress must be the agent to decide one’s eligibility, as explained by its text. In other words, assuming that Trump was ineligible to run, states regardless would not have the authority to ban Trump, as legislation by Congress would have to be passed first.
“Upholding the rule of law, upholding the Constitution and protecting American democracy supersedes any potential consequences that might result from a court case,” senior Devin Lai said. “One cannot decide a court case based on public opinion. One must decide it based on legal facts.”
Secondly, ruling in favor of the lower court’s decision would have harmed the Constitution further. Not only would it have robbed an estimated 44% of Americans’ chance to elect Trump, based on the latest polls by YouGov, but also hopelessly manipulate the election to favor Biden. Without Trump, unity in the Republican party would have shattered, as supporters could have split the vote between many candidates. This, coupled with the fact that sitting presidents have typically had a higher chance of being elected, may have led to
EDITOR: ALENA RHOADESan easy second term win for Biden (Newsweek). However, the Supreme Court’s decision has given a fighting chance for the GOP.
“Biden would [have been] the clear winner with former president Trump not opposing him and [Biden not having any] strong challengers like Nikki Haley either,” junior Graham Dollard said. “Biden would [have been] re-elected just because [he is the current president].”
Had the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Trump’s removal, the future may have held a different reality in which the insurrection clause could be abused. The unanimous decision by the Court still avoided confronting the question of insurrection, as demonstrating that he did engage in an insurrection would still prove controversial. While he did not storm the Capitol himself, pro-removal lawyers argued that he told his supporters to, or suggested to, at the very least.
“[To remove Trump, the Supreme Court would have had] to prove that he did lead an insurrection, which is arguable,” sophomore Adam Lu said. “I do think he [played a role] in people storming the Capitol building. But did [Trump] specifically tell [his supporters] to invade the Capitol building? If not, it was just his supporters acting on their own.”
Regardless of Trump’s involvement or not, the impact of this case on the presidential election is undeniable. The Supreme Court has demonstrated its concern in the declining health of American democracy and its wise judgment in keeping Trump on the ballot.
Murder or a tragic accident? Once again, the United States population is more focused on defending the rights of the unborn over those of the living and breathing. From 2009 to 2019, more than 130 lawsuits have been brought against fertility clinics across the country for destroyed embryos, but none more prevalent than the recent case in Alabama (The New York Times). The case was brought to court after a patient had wandered into the storage room of a fertility clinic and ended up dropping three couples’ embryos in 2020. These couples filed civil lawsuits against the facility, but when the initial court trial threw out their cases, it was brought to the Alabama Supreme Court. It was ruled on Feb. 16 that these embryos’ destruction could be covered under the state’s wrongful death of a minor statute. Previously, this law included fetuses, but never explicitly discussed embryos resulting from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The ruling suggests that embryos are now considered alive and minors under the law. This inferred new definition of an embryo – scientifically, an unborn collection of fertilized cells- is irrational and opens the door for arguments based upon hypotheticals. In the context of fertility clinics, their main influx of patients are couples with difficulty getting pregnant who want to utilize treatments such as IVF. However, this treatment is not a guaranteed way to conceive a baby, as it only has a 25% chance of success. The viable embryos retrieved by IVF are stored in a freezer to then be implanted into the uterine lining and begin developing. Therefore, the Alabama ruling implies that the mere possibility of becoming a baby is enough to be considered alive. So, what exactly is preventing the state from banning contraception and other methods used to prevent or terminate pregnancy? This can quickly become a slippery slope toward furthering anti-abortion and other conservative agendas. The justifications behind the ruling fall apart when confronted with similar situations and simple inductive reasoning.
That is not to say that the patients whose embryos were lost should not get their justified dues. It is a tragic incident that can throw someone’s life into turmoil. The destruction of someone’s embryos can be emotionally traumatic and have an immensely detrimental impact on their mental health, not to mention the amount of time and money wasted. Through insurance companies, the patients should be compensated fairly, but it is unreasonable to hold the clinics liable for the death of a minor. The only fair argument that could be made is that there should be better security surrounding the embryos, as it is an expensive process. Instead of focusing efforts on conviction for wrongful murder, they should instead be directed towards proactive safety measures for the embryos.
If this law were to expand its reach to other states, it is rational to assume that most fertility clinics would shut down or stop their IVF treatments in order to avoid any legal disputes and penalties they may incur and be held accountable for. In fact, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital – Alabama’s largest hospital – was the first to halt all IVF treatments. Understandably, some patients are trying to arrange for their embryos to be transferred out of state for IVF treatments, but even the transport companies have to assess the risk and legal liability they would be undertaking.
With this new legal classification of embryos, potential patients and those who wanted to proceed with IVF treatment will find themselves being turned away due to the new levels of associated risk. It is absolutely baffling to see increased challenges for future pursuers of IVF on account of frozen embryos being viewed as babies. Embryos do not breathe. They do not have any conscious brain activities. They do not feel emotions. Embryos survive in freezers whereas babies would die if left in the same conditions. They simply cannot be likened to the warm, adorable babies that populate the cribs of the nation. The country needs to take a serious look at its priorities before people start being charged for murder when they take a Plan B pill.
Imagine logging onto TikTok after an exhausting day of school and the backtrack to the infamous Jacob Elordi edit has been muted. That feeling of disappointment does not compare to artists’ when they discover that their music will be permanently removed from one of their main promoting platforms. On Jan. 31, it was announced that Universal Music Group (UMG), a top record label, has removed all of their artists’ music from TikTok due to unfair pay and copyright issues (Consumer News and Business Channel). Artists contracted with the label were unaware of this change and are no longer able to use the platform to promote their music. UMG is a large client for TikTok, with about three million tracks on the app from large scale artists, such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Lana Del Rey to smaller scale artists like Dean Lewis. TikTok generated an estimated $11.65 billion in total revenue in 2023 and only gives UMG $110 million annually, though this only marks 1% of their total revenue (Music Business Worldwide). UMG also raised issues with TikTok about how they are spreading songs generated by artificial intelligence across the platform, causing many copyright concerns. Although UMG deserves fair compensation for their music being streamed on TikTok, pulling their entire catalog does more harm than good, as it directs artists’ target audiences away from the app, subsequently causing them to obtain less streaming revenue.
“Even though UMG should not have removed all their music from TikTok, TikTok was wrong to underpay them,” senior Ivana Bilic said. “For example, Snapchat is arguably less popular than TikTok, but still pays popular influencers who consistently use the app. UMG is responsible for the majority of the music on TikTok, so TikTok should be meeting their demands in terms of how much money they receive.”
Many rising artists rely on TikTok to promote new releases since the app has previously been known for popularizing songs from artists such as Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Laufey. When Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” came out, it caught the attention of users on the app who recognized her from Disney Channel. Fans were easily able to share videos using her song as a backtrack, allowing even more people to become familiar with Rodrigo’s music. However, without
that promotional power, these artists must rely on other social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Since the user bases of these platforms are not growing their following within the younger generation as rapidly, artists will not see the same buzz for their music that they once did (Pew Research Center). Additionally, TikTok’s shorter video format captures users limited attention spans, making it easier to target their true interests. Because of their shorter videos, TikTok is generally the most accessible platform to consistently see an artist’s videos and discover new music because of how accurate the algorithm is. Another way that artists engage fans in their music is through their online persona, including the kind of content they post outside of music. Laufey and Lil Nas X established TikTok personalities where they shared sarcastic videos or videos centered around their lives, developing loyal fan bases even before becoming mainstream artists.
“It is really disappointing [that TikTok has] much less music than before,” junior Julianne Soo-Hoo said. “I wish TikTok would just pay [UMG] more so we could have good music on the app again. I love artists like Laufey and Keshi and I found them through TikTok.”
Instead of hastily pulling all their music from popular social media apps, UMG should thoroughly consider all the benefits and drawbacks of their decision. In 2008, a similar situation arose when Warner Music Group, another well-known record label, pulled all of their videos from YouTube because they were not receiving enough advertising revenue. However, after nine months, both companies drew up a contract with terms that gave enough advertisement revenue to Warner Music Group (The New York Times). If TikTok vows to ban the spread of AIgenerated music and give UMG at least 5 to 7% of their total revenue as compensation, they would come to an agreement and both companies would benefit. On top of that, the 1.2 billion TikTok users would be able to listen to their favorite songs on the app again.
“TikTok is more at fault than UMG in this scenario,” senior Aazaan Chhabra said. “They are one of the fastest-growing social media apps with a higher volume of teenagers [than other social media apps]. [TikTok] is already making a lot of [advertising] revenue so using that money to support the companies they work with will give them a better reputation as they develop their platform.”
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The iconic beaches of Southern California became polluted on Feb. 5 when an estimated 8 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel and entered the Pacific Ocean. After an investigation, sanitation officials confirmed that the sewer discharge was a result of the recent atmospheric river, an intense form of rainfall. This torrential downpour brought between 6 to 12 inches of rain and over 7 billion gallons of stormwater in the Los Angeles region, causing street flooding which then leaked into the sewage system via city manholes. Pipelines were overwhelmed, resulting in the initial overflow of sewage into the Dominguez Channel (New York Post). An additional 40,000 gallons of sewage from the city of Commerce also spilled into the ocean on the same day through the LA River. Sewage spills are nothing new to LA County as untreated wastewater has been spilling into California beaches sporadically since 2018. These previous incidents were caused by the failure of sewage systems and also led to beach closures. Despite this, Californian sanitation officials insist that overwhelming rainfall was to blame for the most recent spill rather than a problem with infrastructure or maintenance. Sophomore Gianna Barbieri believes that this claim is not only illogical, but also dangerous.
people living in Long Beach and San Pedro.”
“It is so irresponsible for the city’s sanitation department to absolve themselves of any responsibility [in regards to the sewage spill],” Barbieri said. “If the city had made sure that the sewage system was up to date and working properly, this spill would not have occurred, or at least not be as large and dangerous as it was. Even though the rain contributed [to the spill], it is still the sanitation
system to account for factors like extreme weather. The most dire sewage spill incident in California occurred in Dec. 2021 when a mainline ruptured during a rainstorm, spewing approximately 8.5 million gallons of raw sewage into the same areas as the Feb. 5 spill (Los Angeles Times).
These recent spills prompted health officials to temporarily close the waters of Long Beach and Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro to swimmers and surfers so that they could conduct tests for chemicals and bacteria. A water advisory was already in place before the spill, warning people from entering the ocean as it was contaminated by the bacterial runoff; the sewage spill thus contributed further to the contamination of the waters. Contact with water contaminated by bacteria, which typically survives in saltwater for up to three days, can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, rashes and skin and eye infections, with children and the elderly especially susceptible (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health). After nine days, most of the dangerous bacteria died and Long Beach was reopened on Feb. 16 and Cabrillo Beach on Feb. 29 after test results confirmed the water met state water quality standards. Freshman Lincoln Kopsombut stresses the importance of complying with health officials and mandates.
“Given that sewage is raw human waste, people should avoid entering waters it spilled into,” Kopsombut said. “Contact with the contaminated water could have dire long-term health consequences. It is crucial to heed the warnings of health officials and remain up to date on the situation, especially for
EDITOR: SIVAN STOLER
Besides health concerns, the spill of raw sewage raises an environmental issue. Cabrillo Beach is particularly environmentally sensitive due to the high amount of bacteria introduced into its water. The chemicals from the spill will harm the diverse wildlife of the Los Angeles Harbor area, which includes numerous species of fish like white fish and bass as well as invertebrates like crabs and lobsters (Cabrillo Marine Aquarium). Predators of these organisms like herons and seagulls can also become sick by eating infected fish. In this process, called biomagnification, the amount of toxic material that one organism consumes becomes more concentrated as predators consume higher amounts of infected organisms. Furthermore, untreated sewage brings with it an excessive amount of nutrients which algae feed on. This may seem beneficial to the untrained eye, but in reality it can lead to the formation of algal blooms, a large population of algae which is detrimental to coastal environments. Although this has not occurred in Cabrillo, it is possible for algal blooms to suffocate aquatic life by depleting oxygen levels and killing underwater plants by blocking sunlight. Freshman biology student Alessia Alcala stresses the importance of containing and preventing algal blooms.
“Once an algal bloom enters an aquatic environment, it poses a serious threat to the ecosystem’s organisms,” Alcala said. “Once one ‘level’ of the food chain is killed by losing access to sunlight and oxygen, every level above it will lose its food source and eventually die as well. Due to the absolute destruction of an ecosystem that will occur along with an algal bloom, it is important for scientists to control the amount of nutrients flowing into the water and consistently test the water quality.”
JAEWON JANG
Over 500,000 children circulate throughout the foster care system each year. Despite the system being overpopulated and a traumatic process for those who experience it, it has undergone nearly no changes in the past 70 years. In an attempt to rectify this, actor Christian Bale is creating a modern set of foster homes. Bale and his wife, Sibi Blažić, declared on Feb. 7 that with their organization, Together California, they are going to build 12 foster homes in Palmdale set to be complete by April 2025. The development will also include apartments for biological parents who wish to reunify with their children. The announcement took place at a press conference held between Together California and the City of Palmdale. A $1.2 million grant for pre-construction costs was approved in support of the project. Another $500,000 was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to help the project acquire land. The homes are set to be built on a five acre site and each home will have three bedrooms.
The team at Together California chose a unique model for the program, aiming to build a community within their village where each resident has support. Trained foster parents will live in the village to provide company and emotional support for the children who cannot receive it from their birth parents. Being put into the foster care system is terrifying and confusing as is, but on top of this, many siblings are separated in the process. With this in mind, a primary goal for the community is for familial bonds to be built or restored among residents. Together California will provide housing for birth parents working to reunify their family and help them create a stronger connection. The homes will feature areas for the children to thrive and connect with others. These will include gardens, recreational domains and athletic areas that will be provide a greater space for
children and families to grow and relate further. The development also focuses on creating a space for siblings to stay together and maintain their important connections. Sophomore Amanda Higuchi is an older sister to two. Since she must care for and take responsibility for them, she feels that her relationship with them is irreplaceable.
“My siblings mean a lot to me and no child should ever have to experience the loss of one in their life,” Higuchi said. “I cannot imagine losing my siblings. It is important for siblings to stay connected and it is not right to take on the responsibility of a child and not take their sibling with them as it is unfair to both of them due to the important bonds that are shared between siblings.”
Bale said that the inspiration to form the organization and build the homes came from his philanthropist father David Bale, and expressed that as a kid, the pair would attend protests for this very cause. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he admired his father’s passion and the way he put others before himself. Bale wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and participate in the philanthropy he saw firsthand.
Bale and his wife had the idea to create Together California after his daughter was born, when he began to grasp what parents and children undergo when they are separated. As a result, he wanted to pursue a project to improve the strained foster care system; currently, there are more foster kids in the United States than any other country and the rate of foster parents in the state is declining, leaving many children without a stable household. As a California resident and father, Bale wanted to find different ways to help better this crisis in LA, which is a hot spot for the fostering crises statewide.
To educate himself on the problem, Bale went to Chicago in 2008 and spent several days meeting with children and family service professionals. There, he met Tim McCormick, who was an advocate for affordable and safe housing for children. Having worked on projects similar to Bale’s, McCormick was
appointed to head the organization funded by Bale and Eric Esrailian, a doctor and friend of Bale that resides in California. With the help of LA County supervisor Kathryn Barger, the group began to establish the Together Family foster community. Barger says that this community can bring a large but necessary amount of stability to some of the most vulnerable children in California. Sophomore Ashlyn Okada thinks that rather than simply providing a home until they exit the process, the foster system should provide a space where the children are cared for and safe throughout the whole duration of a child’s stay in the system.
“Many kids [in the system] lose their families at young ages [along with] their chance to experience a joyful childhood,” Okada said. “Instead of viewing foster care as a vessel for children to be adopted, [the focus should] be on creating an environment where kids are safe and welcomed.”
While these efforts will help foster children across Southern California, the 12 homes cannot provide space for 437,000 other children in the US foster care system (ABC7). Bale wants Together California to inspire others to make a hands-on impact to improve the system so that there will someday be a stable foster care system in America. Sophomore Julia Abdalla works toward Bale’s mission through her work in the UNITY Club, of which she is one of the presidents. The club meets in and outside of school to raise money for a downtown women’s shelter, UNITY. She decided to get involved with UNITY because she agrees that more than just housing should be provided for residents of foster homes or residents of homeless shelters.
“The [foster] system can only provide bare necessities, but the programs provided are what really matter,” Abdalla said. “The programs help people get continuous support and shelter. With the programs being provided by Together California, children can have a stable household.”
ABBY LEE
The Arts &Entertainment/Sports section covers current events in the world of entertainment and sports. This can include reviews of newly released albums, movies or television shows as well as sports events having to do with any and all teams here at Peninsula.
Hi! My name is Tessa Kang, the Arts &Entertainment/ Sports editor. I joined the newspaper sophomore year after moving here from New York. My hobbies include oil painting, collecting perfume samples and writing lists. Seeing the newspaper evolve and witnessing the culmination of everyone’s hard work in each published issue is always incredibly rewarding!
Hello! My name is Neha Sambangi and I am a writer for the sports section of the Peninsula Newspaper! I love to play tennis, dance, and do community service projects! Being on the staff has been a special part of my high school experience because I get to honor the amazing sports achievements within our school and learn about important issues in the sports world!
Hi my name is Sura Kiasatpour and I am a first year writer for newspaper. I write for Arts & Entertainment and I love it. Getting to know a wide range of topics that I would not otherwise have look into has been such a cool experience. Also, getting to know the newspaper staff as well as the inner workings and all the planning that goes into it has taught me so much and I cannot wait to see how the rest of year goes.
“SCRAPYARD”JOSIE KWAK
Whether it be with Kanye West’s disappointing, pedestrian “VULTURES 1” album release or the contentious dispute between Universal Music and TikTok, the 2024 music industry seems bleak. Despite this musical muck, however, there have been a handful of praiseworthy album drops, whose artistries have undoubtedly been overshadowed by these unfortunate events. One of these projects is the standout “SCRAPYARD,” a mixtape released by artist Quadeca, also known as Benjamin Lasky, on Feb. 16. Featuring artists such as brakence and Kevin Abstract on the tracklist, the record is a testament to Quadeca’s progressive talent, creativity and overall musical evolution.
“SCRAPYARD” is an assortment of diverse tracks — from its poignant, syrupy sweet ballads, to its fuzzy electronics and hard-hitting 808 drum beats. The production is expansive, cold and otherworldly all at once. Exceptional tracks such as “TEXAS BLUE,” which features Abstract, are an example of this. The lush, looping piano coupled with the rich harmonization between Quadeca and
LYNN TAKAHASHI
Abstract meld together beautifully; additionally, the soft strings and coarse percussion create a chaotic, but fitting environment. The record’s opener, “DUSTCUTTER,” is another strong track, featuring layered guitar strumming that pervades the song, which Quadeca’s vocals build on, producing a warbly sound that sets the tone for the rest of the record.
Simultaneously, Lasky’s diverse sound is a two-edged sword, with one of the record’s pitfalls being its lack of uniformity and direction. Massive genre shifts between folktronica and glitch pop, for instance, make the album feel like more of a muddled hodgepodge of individual fragments than the varied, experimental project Quadeca intended it to be. Granted, it is a mixtape and more so a collection of songs, but the project could have been greatly improved had there been more tracks to bridge the gap between tracks like “EASIER” and “EVEN IF I TRIED,” during which there is a very jarring jump in sound. In other words, the album feels more cohesive as singles than it does being one whole project, start to finish.
Perhaps what sets “SCRAPYARD” apart from
Lasky’s previous music is his own perspective, vulnerability and continued self-awareness which make this album such a joy to listen to. Just five years ago, at the beginning of his career, Quadeca was creating corny, smug diss tracks on YouTube directed toward influencers like KSI, Ricegum and their audiences full of ten-year-olds. The albums that followed — 2021’s “From Me to You” and 2022’s “I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You,” told from the perspective of a ghost, were steps in the right direction, showcasing his determination and growth. Despite this, the lyricism is downright cheesy and uninspired in some portions, such as in the song “Candles on Fire!” in which Quadeca dully raps “Woke up feeling mad today / I'm ugly, but I act like Timmy Chalamet.” In stark contrast, this record exhibits a new side to Quadeca, as he opens up about his struggles with self-image and relationships, balancing both his humility and maturity at the same time. With “SCRAPYARD,” Lasky is no longer playing the part of a YouTube rapper, nor is he singing from the perspective of a ghost; rather, he is true to himself, which makes for a record that is one of the best of 2024 so far.
Apple Inc.’s recent expedition into the world of augmented reality (AR) has sent shockwaves through the technology industry with the release of their new product, the Apple Vision Pro. This headset promises a glimpse into the future where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds seamlessly merge and computing transcends the limitations of screens (Apple). However, beyond the initial excitement, a crucial question arises: is the Vision Pro truly revolutionary, or merely an expensive gimmick?
On one hand, the Vision Pro boasts impressive technological advancements with its newly developed operating system and controls. The Vision Pro is not just an AR headset, and is instead described as a “spatial computer” (Apple). Unlike traditional AR glasses that overlay digital elements onto the real world, the Vision Pro completely transports users into a unified realm of blended reality. Its high resolution displays create an immersive experience, while its intuitive hand tracking controls offer a natural way to interact with the digital world. The VisionOS, the operating system powering the Vision Pro, leverages the user’s gaze as a virtual mouse pointer, allowing for precise selection of user interface elements simply by looking at them. This gaze-based selection acts as the initial step, followed by specific hand gestures to trigger actions. For example, a double tap with fingers stimulates a click, while flicking a wrist enables smooth scrolling. The combination between eye tracking and hand gestures represents a significant shift from traditional input methods like keyboards and touchscreens to a more perceptive and captivating user experience (Encora). However, early buyers have raised concerns about the balance between novelty and practicality. While the Vision Pro’s technical aspects are undeniably impressive, its weight and battery life have been reported as obstacles. These impractical limitations cast doubt on whether the current iteration of the headset can move beyond its initial novelty and establish itself as a component of everyday life (Upload VR).
Despite these slight drawbacks, early reviews have been largely positive, praising the Vision Pro’s visuals, intuitive controls and groundbreaking applications. The Vision Pro also represents an innovative breakthrough for industries all over the world. Artists are exploring new forms of interactive art, while architects are envisioning collaborative design sessions in virtual environments. From enhancing on-site construction precision to “gamifying” urban landscapes, AR empowers
experimentation with complex designs that were once cost prohibitive or impractical. The Vision Pro represents a re-evaluation in the way architects envision, create and interact with their designs (Arch Daily). Furthermore, the gaming industry also faces transformative developments. Slicing apples mid-air in the living room with “Super Fruit Ninja” or exploring fantastical landscapes from the comfort of home are now possible with the Vision Pro (Apple). This device promises to redefine the concept of immersion by blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Sneha Ramanujaand, sophomore and VEX 3050W robotics student, shares her excitement about the possibilities of AR technology to create and enhance experiences.
“Something that excites me about the possibilities of [the] Apple Vision Pro and [its] AR [technologies] are the new possibilities of expressing art without limitations,” Ramanuja said. “[Other benefits would be] traveling, seeing and creating different new environments that people [typically would not] be able to see if they face [issues of cost] or physical ability. Especially for people who are stuck in hospitals, [AR] could be a great way for them to experience the world in 3D, eliminating travel barriers.”
However, the Vision Pro’s high cost, starting at $3,499, creates significant barriers to accessibility, threatening its potential to become a truly inclusive technology. This exclusion has widespread consequences beyond individual access. When a powerful tool like the Vision Pro is out of reach for a significant portion of the population, its impact is severely limited. This hinders not only individual opportunity but also innovation, collaboration and the collective benefits that could be achieved if the technology were more widely accessible (Forbes). This parallels existing inequalities in technology access, where low-income communities often struggle with limited internet and outdated devices. Among adults with annual household incomes below $30,000, 24% lack smartphones, 43% lack high-speed internet access at home and 41% lack desktops and laptops. Conversely, ownership of these technologies is nearly universal in households earning $100,000 or more (Pew Research Center). Therefore, the cost of the Vision Pro risks further widening this gap and exacerbating disadvantages in low-income communities. Drawing on her experience in Model United Nations debates, sophomore Audrey Chu voices concerns about the equity of the new Vision Pro.
“There [is] already going to be a large amount of ethical implications,” Chu said. “Now that [we are] eliminating the [lower income] demographic and only focusing on the upper-class citizens, I think these biases will grow, [which] is a scary thought.”
Additionally, privacy issues are growing, with many users skeptical about data collection in such an online environment. The Vision Pro collects
more data than any device utilized before due to its numerous censors, cameras and microphones. This has sparked a multitude of ethical concerns. Questions of who will own the data generated within this augmented world and how it will be used remain unanswered, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the device’s long-term ethical implications (The Washington Post). Furthermore, the potential impact on mental health and social interaction requires careful consideration. Spending excessive time in AR could lead to social isolation and a disconnect from reality. Maintaining a healthy balance between the physical and digital spheres is crucial. However, only time will tell whether the Vision Pro paves the way for an ideal blend between physical and digital worlds, or becomes a disastrous tale of technology outpacing ethical concerns. Roman Munro, a junior who experienced using the product firsthand, shares his concerns about potential downsides.
“[There is] a [high] possibility that AR could be the next phone addiction,” Munro said. “After I was done demoing [a Vision Pro] at the Apple Store and took it off, I saw five other people who were completely zoned out of the physical world, staring blankly into the digital world. That really scared me because I saw right there what the future of humanity could be: [one] where [we are] not looking down at our phones with the world in our peripheral vision, but staring into these glasses where we cannot see anything around us, lost inside a place that is not even real.”
LYNN TAKAHASHI
Neuralink, a neurotechnology company created by Elon Musk, has been developing implantable brain computer interfaces for humans since its creation in 2016. On Jan. 29, Musk announced on X (formerly known as Twitter), “The first human received a [chip] implant from Neuralink and is recovering well.” This futuristic chip invention has been the subject of discussion since 2017, when Neuralink announced it was aiming to create a device to treat serious brain diseases with eventual goals of human enhancement. The company would develop this through the concept of neural lace, a digital layer above the brain cortex that would help a chip be seamlessly implanted through a vein or artery. During Neuralink’s first product
debut in 2019, Musk said that it was “like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires.” He demonstrated during the presentation that the newest implant would penetrate the brain’s outer surface with tiny electrodes that could detect nerve cells and ultimately send a warning regarding the user’s health conditions.
Although the chip is still in the process of being perfected and manufactured, it has been advertised to allow people to control their phones or computers just by thinking. The electrodes will signal the chip to register the user’s health conditions and illnesses or simply to control external devices like smartphones through shortwave radio frequency known as Bluetooth. Such functions of the chip will help people with disabilities to be quickly notified of alarming health problems so that they can get immediate medical attention. Scientists of Neuralink have also explored ideas of operating prosthetics with the chip implant to help amputees. Senior Tara Timm is excited about the benefits of Neuralink but is worried about the idea of being inserted with the chip.
“The concept of a chip being inside our skull is scary, yet extraordinary [to think about],” Timm said. “It is crazy to think how far technology [has] gone, especially when a [small] chip being injected into [our brains] can help [people] detect health conditions. [However], being injected with the chip is a risky sacrifice that I am not willing to take [right now].”
Neuralink began testing its products on animals such as monkeys and pigs in 2017. The first few chip implantations were performed on macaque monkeys to test the digital link between animal brains and computers. During the experiment, an implementation into the wrong vein caused the monkey to die. According to Reuters, as of 2022, Neuralink had killed 1,500 animals — including monkeys, pigs and sheep — during product testing. Routinely neglecting precision for speed, the company launched tests in quick succession without fixing issues between them, increasing failures during procedures due to human error. Thus, Neuralink was put under federal investigation regarding animal welfare violations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2022. However, in July 2023, the USDA found no evidence of animal welfare breaches, and Neuralink was exempt from further investigations from the USDA. This opened up the opportunity for the company to file for human testing, which was approved in May 2023 by the Food and Drug Administration. For the first human trials, the company recruited people with cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, to test whether the product could aid these health conditions that
limit mobility. The trials seemed to be going well when on Feb. 20, Musk claimed that Neuralink’s first human trial participant was able to control a computer mouse through electrode signals. With the company’s success also comes scrutiny on its practices. For example, during a product debut, Musk did not reveal the details about the product’s procedure, materials and location of the implantations, making people nervous about the product’s execution. Many scientists are concerned with the method of inserting the chip and the possible after effects it may have, such as strokes and inflammation. However, if the brain chip technology were to work in human brains, it could improve approximately 5 million lives who are dealing with spinal cord injuries or similar health conditions (Vox). Senior Melanie Flores is skeptical of Musk’s claims of success in human testing.
“Although the implants are [intentionally] aiming to treat people, they are most likely not able to cure the illness,” Flores said. “Even though we are [in the process of] testing on humans, we cannot guarantee that it will benefit every individual. The insertion of a chip into a human body can also cause multiple health risks in the [long term].”
Although uncertainties about the chip are still prominent, the company has continued to grapple with human testing, making its next step to achieve symbiosis with artificial intelligence (Spectrum). Musk’s goal is to develop a technology that helps humans merge with AI so that humans will not be left behind as AI advances. Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, Civil Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design teacher Hassan Twiet is concerned about the merging of AI and Neuralink.
“Musk is a futurist, so the emergence of [AI] and his company [Neuralink] is inevitable,” Twiet said. “The use of AI and Neuralink is very dangerous, especially in our society when everything heavily relies on technology. Although it is a risky situation, I am [very] curious to see what the future of Neuralink will be like [merging with] AI and our society as a whole.”
The “stars” at Peninsula are most notably the multitude of amazing teachers, so the dance department decided to give them a chance to shine. This year marks the first showcase of “Dancing with the Staff,” organized by students of the Choreo Company. The competition was a fundraiser for the dance department, led by Loretta Tsudama, the coach of both Choreo teams, Song and the physical education dance program. Many people came to watch the show and vote for the teacher or duo they thought was the best. Tickets, sold by students in Choreo Company for the low price of $10, also helped attract people to come and watch. Despite this being the event’s first year, attendance was higher than anticipated, with over 80 spectators coming to show their support. This event was based off of a well known show called “Dancing with the Stars,” a dance competition that pairs a professional dancer with a celebrity guest. In this adaptation, 15 teachers were each paired with a group of four Choreo Company dancers. The teachers could either choose to work solo with their group or have another teacher be their partner. Considering how successful and engaging the show was for audience members and participants, it is confirmed to now become an annual event.
This idea was originally brought up in early November by Choreo students and was then approved to begin the choreography process in
December. Dancers were given approximately two months to brainstorm and put together a choreographed piece, which they took a video of and later gave to their assigned teacher to practice with before the show. Freshman Elise Vu, a member of Choreo Company, rooted for the idea as soon as she heard it.
“We prepared for several months for this event,” Vu said. “It was [satisfying and exciting] to see it come to fruition. We had a lot of fun dances that we choreographed ourselves. In the coming years, I hope to have more teacher participation and more student turnout.”
The show was well-received, with most saying that they would definitely come back next year to participate or watch it again. The winning performance was a dance to “Getcha Head in the Game”, sung by Zac Efron from the well-known musical movie “High School Musical.” The official winners of the competition were Chemistry teacher and Girls’ Lacrosse coach, Paula Borstel and Government and Advanced Placement Psychology teacher, John Hangartner. Their supporting Choreo dancers were Annika Seiter, Tilli WakefieldCarl and Maddie Tseng. Although Junior Alyssa Shavely’s group did not win, she had a great time planning and performing her dance.
“We started choreographing the routines two weeks before winter break, so that after winter break we would be ready to start working with the staff members,” Shavely said. “I felt really proud after my performances. Choreo Company has been working on this event for months and it was really rewarding to see all that hard work pay off. Even if we did not win, it was all about the fun along the way.”
Overall, students could not be more enthusiastic about this new event that they have created. This friendly competition brought together students and teachers alike toward a common goal while raising money for the dance department in the process. The winning prize was a paid day off for the teachers that won. While not everyone could win, the staff and students all had a great time bonding with each other and learning the dance moves made especially for them. English 2 Honors and Link Crew teacher Rebecka Dibble performed “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and loved cheering her fellow teachers on.
“I would absolutely [perform] again and I am already looking forward to next year,” Dibble said. “It was super fun and the other teachers who danced were all supporting each other, the [energy] from the crowd was great. I could totally see this becoming more of a thing in years to come. This was the first year, so I think in future years it will get even more popular.”
EDITOR: ANGELINA WANG
In the realm of sports, records are not merely words embroidered into a banner hanging from a school gym, but a testament to an athlete’s strive for achievement. Senior and captain of the girls varsity water polo team, Lia Lakis, broke the girls water polo record for the most goals scored in a single season with 130 goals. Her accomplishment reflects the team’s success this year, with the team qualifying for the second division in the California Interscholastic Federation Championships. By fostering team relationships, Lakis was able to help form a successful, synchronized team. She credits her record to the importance of hard work and team bonding.
“I did not know I broke the record until they announced it on the loudspeaker during third period,” Lakis said. “I was more shocked than anything. My brother also broke a record two years ago [for the fastest 50-meter freestyle at the school], so I am excited that I [could follow in his footsteps].”
For Lakis, the journey to breaking this record was not merely about setting a personal milestone; it was about discovering the meaning of hard work and pushing her limits. Her water polo career was characterized by setbacks such as frustrating referee calls
[drive] to Long Beach to have another two hour club session.” While water polo has taught Lakis about personal endurance, it has also taught her the interpersonal skills necessary to lead as a captain. She attributes her impressive gameplay to her ability to forge friendships and trust with players such as Caroline Mckeel, a junior and fellow teammate. Each player has a specific role to fulfill, whether it is scoring, defending or assisting; mutual trust between players like Mckeel and Lakis enables seamless coordination to enhance overall performance. school, Lakis and her team were able to become more tight-knit. “I know [Lakis] is our best player and it is [great] that she got to follow in her brother’s footsteps,” Mckeel said. “[As
awesome shots. Whenever] we give her the ball [she
sports and in life is best achieved through endurance and collaboration. The significance of those lessons were
“When we need a goal, [Lakis] is the person we rely on,”
Seven years after the release of the groundbreaking film “Moana,” on Feb. 7, the teaser trailer for the sequel dropped, already leaving fans of the original excited but simultaneously disappointed. People were surprised and had relatively high hopes, since there was originally talk surrounding a live action “Moana” and a “Moana” television series sequel that was said to be reworked into a new film instead. Oftentimes, when films are reworked into other versions of media such as television shows, they do not do justice to the original film, leaving people upset by the tarnished image of a movie that they hold an attachment to and may have grown up with. A controversy involving “Moana 2” is the loss of Lin-Manuel Miranda as a songwriter, who was a compelling lyricist in the original “Moana,” creating songs such as “You’re Welcome,” which remain iconic to fans today. Miranda’s absence is expected to be a very noticeable loss as he brings so much to the musical aspect of filmmaking.
Even though the time frame between the announcement of the new film and the release date is already slim compared to typical Disney movie announcements, there is not much information out about the upcoming movie. Scheduled to release on Nov. 27, “Moana 2” will contain a group of new characters alongside the original cast with Maui and Moana who must keep the island safe from a new danger. Little is known about this danger, since the directors must maintain some element of surprise for the plot, but it is said that the movie will dive deeper into Moana’s Polynesian cultural background and mythology. “Moana 2” is supposedly going to confirm the theories of Moana being a Polynesian God of the ocean and in turn
will explore her godhood, which would also explain her parents’ overprotective nature in the first film. Senior Praveen Vadlamani is unsure what to expect and is looking forward to finding out.
“Since I have not seen a [movie depicting] Polynesian [culture] before [the first movie], the new concept is nice to see,” Vadlamani said. “I am expecting the movie to provide more backstory on Maui and who he is as a character overall. I am not sure how ‘Moana 2’ will go; it could just be like ‘Mulan 2’ and not necessarily [address] any of the characters’ backstories.”
Fans are mainly worried about this upcoming sequel not having as much impact as the first movie which holds such a dear place in their hearts. On the other hand, many are excited to relive this part of their childhood. Since it has been nearly a decade since the original release of “Moana,” it will gain traction from the grown up teen population as well as the new generation of young fans. Senior Alexsis Green still holds this excitement for the film but has her doubts about its execution.
“I hope the animation will level up and the songs will be just as catchy,” Green said. “I think that seeing Moana’s leadership skills develop will inspire a lot of young viewers, especially now that the little kids that watched the first movie are approaching an age where they are exploring different ways to use their voice to stand up for others. [I believe] the soundtrack will be just as iconic, but I do not know how they are going to [achieve] that without LinManuel Miranda.”
It is safe to say “Moana 2” has a lot to live up to, as the original, grossing over $860 million at the global box office, has become a staple in audience members’ lives with its broader scale of representation and important portrayals of female empowerment (Variety). Moana’s Polynesian
ethnicity sets her apart from Disney’s typical white princess counterparts, serving as a figure for a wider range of fans to relate and look up to. Having a character whose main defining traits are her fearlessness, strength and independence sets a good example for young girls to decide their own destiny. “Moana” was so revolutionary because Moana does not fall victim to the “male protector” trope, where the main female protagonist needs rescuing from a male character. For these reasons, fans have high hopes for this Disney princess sequel in particular, compared to other sequels with protagonists who do not prioritize personal agency as heavily within their storylines.
The first movie was so well-received because of the way it handled Moana’s character and the attention to detail regarding ethnic backgrounds that Disney included. She rightfully becomes her father’s successor and is not treated unfairly for being a woman, teaching impressionable young girls that women claim power too. For this reason, “Moana 2” will not be a complete letdown, since she will still remain true to her roots. Although the action and the soundtrack do a great job in elevating the film and securing it as a top tier Disney movie, Moana’s character is what created the foundation for the film’s original appeal. Junior Charlotte Willis is expecting good things from “Moana 2.”
“It is a combination of the characters, setting and songs that make the first movie so good,” Willis said. “I am expecting great graphics along with another riveting plotline, and I will definitely not be let down since I love all the characters [in the original] so much. The animations will be even better because Disney’s quality has improved over the years and the [possible] introduction of new characters [will be exciting]. The last movie will be hard to top, but I am sure this one will be good.”
This spring, the Associated Student Body (ASB) officers decided to put together a new school-wide athletic competition to bring students together in the form of a pickleball tournament. Pickleball is a paddle sport, resembling tennis, where players hit a plastic ball over a net back and forth to win points. On Jan. 16, an announcement was made through the daily bulletin to inform students that they were able to sign up for the tournament by writing their names on the sheet outside the activities office, with no prior skills required for individuals to participate. While signing up, students were instructed to find a partner and come up with a team name. With a total of 37 teams interested in participating, the ASB officers created a singleelimination-style bracket. In the basketball court area of campus, two to four matches were played everyday during lunch. Each match was played to 11 points, one set, and the loser of each match
“Winning the pickleball tournament was very fun,” Bringas said. “It was great because I got to compete with [many] different players at different levels. My favorite part was teaming up with my brother and beating my friends because they are super competitive.”
expresses his excitement about the tournament and his experience being a coordinator.
“It was an amazing opportunity to organize the tournament for the school with my fellow officers,” Kim said. “I would have definitely played the tournament myself if I were not organizing it. The high number of attendees is what made the tournament special for us.”
The love for pickleball continues to grow and is even being considered to become an official high school sport by the California Interscholastic Federation. Senior and Commissioner of Boys Athletics Riley Horn describes the positives from the tournament and why more students should get involved in the upcoming years.
While it all seemed to be fun and games, directing a tournament for the school to participate in came with a number of unprecedented challenges. One of the main issues in conducting the tournament for the ASB officers was the weather. Many games had to be postponed due to the heavy rain storm which came across Southern California in early February. Even when there was no rain, many games had to be played through intense wind and fog conditions, making it hard to execute strategies. Additionally, with the massive amount of participation in the tournament, putting 37 teams into a bracket became difficult because there was an uneven amount of teams. Giving every team a chance to play was important, so the ASB officers solved their uneven team number dilemma by giving some teams byes, a direct entry into the next round through randomization. Some other problems arose as several teams also did not show
EDITOR: TESSA KANG
KIARA LEE
“I would definitely encourage people to play in the pickleball tournament next year simply because it is fun,” Horn said. “Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport and participating is a great way to get involved with school activities. It did not matter if the teams had experience or not, but many left with smiles on
