Issue 6

FREE TUITION COMES TO FRUITION

Former professor donates $1 billion to go toward relieving student loans at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine

LIGHTING THE WAY

Recent science research project by sophomore Anish Anand is the future of sustainable energy

PAGES OF POETRY

Sophomore Elle Young publishes her own book of poetry titled ‘When Time Carries Light’

NEEKTA BAGHOOLIZADEH & AARUSHI CHAUDHARI

“My body, my choice”. This slogan, along with many others used by advocates for women’s rights, is especially poignant in a divisive and dangerous time for reproductive rights in the United States. With a loss of protection for abortion rights and several state lawmakers looking to restrict birth control, people have flooded the streets to call for their rights and autonomy to be returned. One small glimmer of hope has come with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision which allows retail pharmacies to carry both abortion pills and nonprescription birth control, making these services more accessible.

Mifepristone, a prescription abortion pill, has just entered retail pharmacies in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, pharmacies in states that have criminalized abortion are unable to carry the pill, meaning it is still out of reach for many of the women who would benefit most from access to safe abortion. Despite this, it will still do enormous good in states where it is available. While abortions can typically cost up to $800, the pill will only cost $79, and will even be covered by insurance for some customers (Planned Parenthood).

“Anyone who can get pregnant should have the right to obtain this pill, just like any other medication at the pharmacy,” senior Brooklyn Steele said. “Abortions can be very expensive without insurance, [which is a major] barrier stopping women from receiving the care they need. This pill allows for women to more easily access something that is their bodily right.”

The FDA has also recently approved Opill, a daily oral contraceptive, as a nonprescription pill, making it the first of its kind to be so widely available. The contraceptive is solely progestinbased, meaning health complications are “virtually impossible” (National Public Radio). Combination pills, or pills that contain both progestin and estrogen, commonly have more side effects and include higher risk for certain types of cancers (GoodRx Health). The main attraction of the pill, however, is its nationwide accessibility. The FDA’s ruling allows pharmacies across the U.S. to stock it as an over-thecounter pill, even in states that have severely limited abortion and birth control (The Washington Post). Opill is 98% effective, making it the most reliable nonprescription birth control (The Conversation). These decisions come at a crucial time in the

fight for reproductive autonomy, in the shadow of the recently overturned Roe v. Wade case. The case, which was overturned in June 2022, eliminated federal regulations on abortion access, which had been enforced in a previous case called Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Without federal law protecting abortion, 14 states have banned the practice altogether (Guttmacher Institute).

“Roe v. Wade being overturned decreases the amount of safe abortions, not the amount of abortions in total,” junior Sarah Porter said. “Just because one religion may claim that abortions [are immoral] does not mean that we should apply these beliefs to an entire country. One religion is not representative of all of [the U.S., and yet] those beliefs are often weaponized against the entire country of the U.S.”

EDITOR: ALENA RHOADES

Equal, safe and protected access to abortion is one critical way to protect bodily autonomy. Allowing retailers to carry mifepristone makes abortion more accessible, ensuring that fewer people are forced to carry unwanted or dangerous pregnancies to full term. Unwanted pregnancies are associated with hardships for both the mothers and children; increased levels of anxiety, depression and substance abuse are recorded in the mothers of unwanted pregnancies, with psychological and behavioral issues common for their children (Drexel). Although abortions are illegal in some states, having access to an abortion pill will be incredibly significant in decreasing the amount of unsafe abortions.

Birth control, a safety net before abortion, is also an important part of the equation of reproductive health. While abortion is typically a last resort, birth control is an everyday solution and preventative measure. However, many do not have access to prescriptive birth control, due to the barriers associated with medical healthcare in the U.S., such as expense, healthcare discrimination and insurance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). This ultimately results in over 19 million women in the U.S. living in contraceptive deserts — areas lacking access to contraceptive methods — something that Opill can hopefully relieve (Power to Decide). In terms of birth control use among teenagers, the FDA’s ruling will make it easier for minors to bypass parental restrictions, especially if it is a taboo topic in their household. Some parents have raised concerns over this, since they wish to know if their child could be experiencing harmful side effects. Opill, however, lacks many risk factors for health complications that other pills have (National Public Radio). Furthermore, Opill opens access to contraceptives for teens who might feel unsafe otherwise discussing contraceptives and abortion with their parents.

“Opill and abortion pills are a step in the right direction,” senior Ashima Bhatia said. “In a time where abortion rights are up in the air in so many states, it is important for women to have options in case of an unplanned pregnancy. Making abortion illegal does not stop them from happening, but [rather] stops safe and healthy abortions from happening.”

Advocacy for reproductive rights is indivisible from advocacy for women’s rights, as well as those of people of all gender identities who are similarly impacted. Informed access to abortion and birth control are key to any society that truly dedicates itself to free will and equality. While the FDA’s rulings are undoubtedly steps in the right direction, true reproductive liberation in the U.S. cannot be achieved without the full return of the Roe v. Wade ruling.

ABBY LEE

NIGHTMARES ON NICKELODEON

MCKENNA MCCALLISTER & NOMUNDARI TSOGMAGNAI

Lights. Camera. Action. With the release of the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV”, Dan Schneider – Nickelodeon’s “Golden Boy” – has been publicly revealed as the black sheep. The series includes accounts from former writers, crew members and child actors who all attest to the toxic culture behind the scenes of popular 1990s and 2000s children’s shows, cultivated by infamous producer and screenwriter, Schneider. The sites of nostalgic TV shows were constant hell and torture for these stars who gave up their childhood to make these hits.

A former writer for “The Amanda Show,” Jenny Kilgen, likened working for Schneider to being in an abusive relationship. Despite having similar skill sets to their male counterparts, Kilgen and her only other female coworker, Christy Stratton, were forced to split a single wage. They were also pressured into performing sexual acts in front of other staff members and yelling self-deprecating statements solely for Schneider’s amusement (ScreenRant). This abuse did not stop with coworkers, even being extended to child stars on Schneider’s shows. While filming, child stars were forced to interact with objects that resembled inappropriate body parts, forced to film scenes in positions that could be seen as sexual and forced to submit to Schneider’s obsession with their feet. There is a clip from “Victorious” where 16-year-old Ariana Grande, who played “Cat,” was instructed to “juice a potato,” which produced a very phallic image. It is unacceptable for a children’s show to be in possession of such an excess of sexual innuendos and “jokes.” Schneider recently apologized for his past behavior in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, but is he sorry for what he did or just sorry that he was exposed?

While adult actors like Jerry Trainor on “iCarly” did try to physically and verbally shield their younger castmates from Schneider’s inappropriate conduct, it is incredibly disheartening they had to protect them in the first place. It is of utmost importance that more in depth screenings are implemented surrounding child actors regarding who gets to work with them, and stronger regulations for the content they are performing.

One of the most shocking reveals that came out of the documentary

series was the sexual abuse that former child actor Drake Bell endured at the hands of his dialogue coach, Brian Peck. Peck had integrated himself into Bell’s life, quickly starting to drive him to and from rehearsals and auditions, even occasionally having Bell stay overnight at his house. Establishing himself as a trustworthy adult, Peck had begun grooming Bell. Although largely covered up by Nickelodeon officials, some adults did call out this behavior, but their pleas were dismissed or flat out ignored. In fact, Bell’s father went to speak to executives about his suspicions and was told that he was being “homophobic” and that it was simply the way Peck was (Today). Bell recounts waking up at Peck’s house night after night while Peck was actively assaulting him. Peck ended up serving just 16 months in jail, nothing compared to the trauma Bell endured. Even after he served this time and registered as a sex offender, he was hired by Disney for “Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” How sick must these television executives be to hire a convicted child predator onto another children’s show? The level of carelessness to have adults that are convicted and registered for sexual crimes against children on a set revolving around children is truly unfathomable.

The child entertainment industry has long held a history of negligence and thoughtlessness that is simply unacceptable. The crew and staff of sets need to be continuously monitored and parents should stay more vigilant. It is not as if these assaulters were perfectly masked — multiple red flags were noticed by people that resulted in a failure to take action. An indication of Peck’s ill intent should have been him being a long-time admirer and pen pal of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy, notorious for raping, torturing and murdering at least 33 young boys in the 1970s. This was extremely alarming but nobody spoke up because they were too afraid of being blacklisted in the industry. A majority of these stars only focus on their own success in the industry, so it does not matter if someone’s life is being destroyed or taken advantage of, others will keep quiet so that they are not next. The entertainment industry must rebuild itself on stricter regulations and guidelines to ensure the comfort and safety of its stars before society abandons them like they abandoned Bell and Amanda Bynes.

THE PRICE OF LEARNING

LU

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has begun instructing A students free of charge and in perpetuity following a generous donation of $1 billion by a former professor on Feb. 26 (The New York Times). Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a 55-year member of the institution, felt compelled to make this contribution after the death of her husband, David Gottesman, a wealthy stock market investor. It was reported that almost 50% of the student body had over $200,000 in student loans at the time of graduation, which is not an uncommonly high level of debt for medical students (The New York Times). This contribution was a short-term solution to the long-term problem of student debt, which has been on the rise for the past 40 years and has gone largely unaddressed by the federal government (Forbes). To an extent, her donation is a call back to 2016 Democratic primary candidate Bernie Sanders’ campaign promise to make college completely free (National Public Radio). However, would a free college system really work?

The notion that college should be free rests on the assumption that the state or federal government would foot the bill of tuition costs, which would then be footed by taxpayer dollars. One of the latest proposals regarding free college is President Biden’s American Family Plan, which was proposed in 2021 and includes provisions for free two-year community college attendance and lower college costs for universities that serve a large proportion of minorities (The White House). Current cost estimates place the plan at $290 billion (Education Data Initiative). The already high cost of Biden’s plan to simply lower college costs may indicate that a plan for a completely free college education may be out of reach. To fund the plan, the White House proposed to give more funding to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to scrutinize the rich and increase their tax rate (The White House). Much of the over $52 billion in philanthropy for colleges and universities comes from foundations and alumni (Forbes). More taxes may discourage the giving of large donations like Gottesman’s.

“[There is a] difference between one’s choice to donate versus [having] to pay one’s [own] taxes to pay for other people,” sophomore David Fang said. “[It] is typical of human nature to [feel] if it is of one’s own free will, [one will] feel empowered [to give more]. But [if someone is] forced to [give], [then they are more inclined] to do the bare minimum.”

It is also important to note that the goal of making college free is to not

only minimize the burden of debt, but to also encourage economic growth. The economic gains from a free college tuition rely on future jobholders to put their education to use to make and recirculate more money into the economy. A study done by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that while many lower income students may capitalize on the opportunity for free education, it is likely that a larger proportion of less motivated students, now unrestrained financially, would not feel incentivized to make the most of their college experience. In regards to Gottesman’s donation, it will still make a substantial impact, as it is unlikely that undetermined students would pursue a field so notorious for a heavy workload as medicine. However, the ubiquity of college degrees and students’ decreased motivation could also impact the value of a degree.

“Especially now, a degree [is] crucial in a lot of professions, so I think [free tuition] would help [expand access to one],” senior Audrey Yu said. “But at the same time, if college is more affordable [and] if everyone has a degree, it might become less meaningful.”

Current plans to keep the cost of college low and the economy in good shape entail haplessly throwing billions or worse yet, trillions, of dollars at a wall, which results in misspending (Associated Press). Relatively smaller and more precise expenditures, like Gottesman’s, for lowering but not removing the cost of college, would better serve Americans and their need for education. While college has also long been promoted as a cureall for financial insecurity and the key to a successful future, in 2023, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates was double the national rate (The Washington Post). The better advertising and destigmatizing of trade school and other alternatives to college by the government through subsidies and grants could also prove beneficial.

“[We] have to have people skilled at [certain] jobs,” World History and Advanced Placement European History teacher Donald Frazier said. “Artificial intelligence cannot fix plumbing and electrical work. [Though people may assume so], just because [electricians and plumbers] are blue collar does not mean they are stupid.”

Gottesman’s generous donation will most definitely help many medical school students financially, but any sweeping and unwieldy measures by the government to make college free nationally will be futile. Instead of combating debt through unconventional high cost spending measures without clearly defined goals, the government should opt for a multifaceted approach that encourages alternate forms of schooling.

ANDREW

DNA DATA DISASTER

An investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovered that forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods’ decades of flagrant disregard for scientific scrutiny could have landed hundreds of innocent people in jail. Woods was discovered to have deleted, withheld or otherwise manipulated data in various criminal cases, some of which were high-profile murders. The scandal, which may be the largest in forensic DNA testing history, plunged the Colorado justice system into chaos as thousands of DNA samples needed to be retested and two thousand criminal cases reviewed (Associated Press).

Woods worked for the CBI for 29 years and was initially celebrated as a model forensic scientist who could solve decades-old cold cases. The CBI first detected an “anomaly” in her work in September 2023. A later investigation discovered that Woods manipulated data in 652 cases from 2008 to 2023 and another examination of her cases from 1994 to 2008 is in progress. She had not only violated lab policy by failing to conduct additional testing to verify the reliability of results, but also covered up evidence of her cutting corners by deleting or altering data. In other instances, she did properly run through tests but omitted certain details in her reports (New York Post). Sophomore Evan Yoo condemns Woods for the great harm she has inflicted.

“Clearly, Woods has lost all credibility within the scientific field,” Yoo said. “Not only did she disregard forensic protocol, [but] her data manipulation resulted in possibly hundreds of innocent people being imprisoned. The fact she did this undetected for three decades, has also shattered my faith in [the CBI]. Woods deserves to be sent to jail herself.”

ANGELINA JO

EDITOR: SIVAN STOLER

When this information was revealed, the CBI placed Woods on leave in October 2023 and she retired on Nov. 6. The CBI released information regarding Woods and her data manipulation on March 8. Although Woods has not yet disclosed her motives for the data manipulation, her attorney stated that she is cooperating with the investigation. Colorado prosecutors are waiting for the results of the investigation to begin reassessing the hundreds of criminal cases that utilized Woods’ tampered data or had her as an expert witness. The process of reevaluating cases also requires contacting the victims and informing them that the perpetrators responsible for all their suffering and trauma may not have been imprisoned after all (New York Post). Freshman Khushee Totla reflects on the immense emotional impact this can have on the people affected by these cases.

“The victims and their families will feel betrayed by the [justice] system and suffer a tremendous loss,” Totla said. “The thought that the perpetrators are still [at large] and have been for years will shatter their faith in the authorities, [who are] meant to keep them safe. [If it is true that there are] innocent people in jail, [then they would] have also undergone great hardship. They lost so much of their life serving time for somebody else and will have to somehow reintegrate into society. [The scandal] shows that we need to pay more attention to the criminal justice system.”

This uncertainty has contributed to an onslaught of criticism toward the CBI as much of Woods’ work was not peer reviewed, despite there being preexisting protocol requiring just that. As a result, the CBI received $7.5 million from the state to establish an independent lab to retest around 3,000 DNA samples Woods worked on and for cases affected by lab errors to be reevaluated.

People convicted in these cases have also called

for action against Woods. For example, days after Woods’ resignation, an attorney filed a lawsuit against her on behalf of his client, James Hunter, who is currently in prison serving a 168-year long sentence. Hunter was convicted of the burglary and sexual assault of a mother and her 5-year-old daughter in 2002. As the criminal was wearing a mask, Woods identified the culprit by collecting and examining hairs from the crime scene. However, the hair used to convict Hunter was found 10 months after the initial investigation of the crime and there was no verification that the evidence was properly collected by the crime scene investigation unit, leading Hunter’s attorney to claim that he is innocent and was wrongfully convicted. Despite this, Woods’ attorney maintains that although she strayed from procedure, she never falsified any DNA evidence nor testified falsely in court (Cable News Network). Another man, Alex Christopher Ewing, who was identified as the “Hammer Killer” in Woods’ most notable case, is looking to appeal his conviction. Ewing was already in jail for attempted murder when he was declared to be the “Hammer Killer” 34 years after the string of Colorado murders in 1984. Hunter and Ewing’s cases highlight the prosecutors’ greatest concerns: either some people were wrongfully convicted or those rightfully jailed will use the scandal to seek freedom (New York Post). Freshman Rina Kurosawa doubts that those properly serving time will be freed and maintains faith in forensic science.

“The scandal may have decreased public faith in forensic science but it is still a reliable field,” Kurosawa said. “We have the technology to know if a person is guilty of a crime or not. The problem lies not in forensic technology itself, but the trustworthiness of the scientists using it.”

GUNNAR LEE

A SHOW THAT GROWS

ALLISON KUMAMOTO

The Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC) has been considered a local gem since its founding in 1931. For years, the arts education center has featured paintings, sculptures and photography. In contrast to their previously featured works, they started showcasing a more non-traditional art form: orchids.

The arts center holds a spring show and a fall show each year. The spring show took place March 16 and 17, featuring orchids from local growers and vendors. South Bay Orchid Society (SBOS) allowed visitors to take home a plant from an awardwinning selection of species. All entrants were eligible to participate in a free raffle to win plants. They could also win a ticket that granted an extra viewing of the ribbon ceremony. Members of the society meticulously cultivated their orchids and an award ceremony was held where two winners were selected from two categories: amateur and advanced. Sophomore Claire Marcus points out how events like the orchid show amplify the sense of community in the South Bay.

“Public art displays are important for fostering a sense of community in [areas] both large and small,” Marcus said. “When people come together to see works created by other locals, [they can feel connected to each other]. The act of [individuals] viewing something together makes

them all [share] something in common, [whether it be a new or an old interest].”

Everybody has a different view of what art is and what it should be, as demonstrated by this orchid show. While people are not constantly surrounded by the art seen in museums, art can be found wherever people look. As an artist, junior Hana Tanisaka believes that anything and everything can be art. She especially enjoys the use of nature as art because it is not only everywhere but it also has so much variation and captivation.

“Orchids inspire artists through their beauty and diversity in form,” Tanisaka said. “These unique attributes of nature and their seasonal changes create captivating art.”

As one of the most popular flowers in the world, orchids can be found sprinkled in areas all around the globe. However, orchids have a rich history in the South Bay specifically, where they have deeper roots than in any other place. Orchids took over the South Bay when Thomas H. Wright founded Wright’s Flower Shop in Torrance in 1904. Wright specialized in growing orchids and became a nationwide supplier of the flower. His business grew rapidly as he was able to transport orchids to places all over the country in under 24 hours. He later closed his shop and started managing his business at Wright’s Greenhouses. He became one of the first successful florists and distributors in the country, which greatly increased his popularity among South Bay locals. Wright managed his South Bay business

for almost 50 years, but in 1952, he sold it due to the rising price of land. While Wright’s Greenhouses no longer stands, his business inspired others to grow orchids and they have become extremely popular in the area. Within five years of Wright’s business closing, the SBOS was established in 1957. Inspired by Wright’s legacy, the society started to spread awareness surrounding the protection of wild orchids and to allow novices to learn how to grow and tend to orchids. To expand their organization, SBOS started collaborating with the PVAC in 2021. The events and exhibitions at the PVAC help share works from locals including elementary students in the PVPUSD. Sophomore Natalie Grigorian worked with several PVAC artists and their art was later featured in an exhibition.

“While [attending] Cornerstone Elementary School, [students] had great opportunities to learn about and make art with [professional artists],” Grigorian said. “Like the artists featured at [the PVAC], our art was put on display at the [arts center]. It was amazing to see my art in a [wellrespected art gallery]. The PVAC helped students acknowledge how anything can be art if it is looked at in the right way. They showcase different art forms, like orchids. The PVAC is also able to show that art is something everyone can appreciate and love through these shows.”

VERONICA CHEN

SIVAN STOLER NEWS SECTION EDITOR

Hi, I am Sivan and I am the editor of the news section! I am a sophomore and this is my second year on The Pen. In my free time, I love to read and hang out with my family. Being on newspaper has been such a special experience and I have felt myself grow so much throughout my journey in the past two years because of this publication.

ALLISON KUMAMOTO NEWS SECTION WRITER

Hi my name is Allison Kumamoto and I am a writer for the News section of The Pen! I am a sophomore and I love to dance, cook and read. I love being a part of the newspaper, specifically the news section, because I get to write and inform others about events that affect our community. I cannot wait for what the future brings to The Pen!

DEL AMO’S NEW LOW

The Del Amo shopping center is known as a hotspot in Torrance where tweens and teenagers can gather, shop and dine with others, featuring a wide array of establishments to relish in; their impressive line of stores includes clothing retailer Pacsun to Chinese restaurant Din Tai Fung. However, with the mall’s implementation of the “Youth Supervision Policy” since March 1, that shared freedom and fun may be a thing of the past. The policy, which requires that all visitors under 18 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult, age 21 or older, after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, has noticeably altered the atmosphere of the mall, creating a fair share of unintended consequences.

This curfew is the supposed solution to a

string of violent events at the Del Amo mall that occurred over the past year, including smash-and-grabs, brawls and looting. One of the most infamous incidents sparking the implementation was the massive fight that took place in August 2023, which came as the result of lowered ticket prices on National Cinema Day; police from all corners of the South Bay were relocated to put a stop to the chaos. The notorious fight happened on a Sunday though–meaning that even if the policy was in effect beforehand, it would have proved futile.

That is not to say that the policy will not curb any crime, as the heavy amount of police officers brandishing batons and their K-9s is sure to scare many hooligans away. However, the implementation of such a policy neglects many of those under 18 who do have wellmeaning intentions and subsequently make up

a large portion of the mall’s income. Whether those customers are middle schoolers spraying enough perfume to kill a man at Sephora, high schoolers sharing Somi Somi’s creamy soft serve or simply kids trying to watch “Kung Fu Panda 4”, it is evident that Del Amo will experience — and already has experienced — a major loss in profit and overall liveliness. Adolescents wishing to explore their newfound freedoms and de-stress after a lengthy school week no longer have a place to do so; working parents who want to grant their children free time with their friends must scramble to find an alternative. With security scurrying around the premises on their ridiculous segways, policing numerous individuals, going to the mall on Friday and Saturday afternoons has become an intrusive, tiresome experience that is sure to do more harm than good.

JOSIE KWAK

BRIAN WANG

Creativity is one of the many ways humans can show how much they are capable of. Junior Kristine Sirichoke’s creativity manifested in the form of a new hobby: nail design. By taking the first step and ordering a nail kit off of Amazon, she started something that allows her to express herself and gain work experience at the same time. At first Sirichoke only did nails for her friends, but after she posted her designs on Instagram, she started getting a broader range of customers and as a result began doing more complex nail designs. In turn, her account received more attention than she had gotten in the past from those at school.

Sirichoke’s startup business has made a big impact on her life, both inside and outside of school. Sirichoke’s customers often describe her nail designs as one-of-a-kind because she uses complementary colors to customize each set for her clients; this ultimately caught the interest of many students who requested that she design and make their nails for special events like prom. During prom season of last year, she had classmates she was not familiar with ask her for an appointment. She received many requests, causing her to turn down a few. Junior Naomi Sumule has been inspired by Sirichoke’s well thought-out designs.

“I have been friends with Kristine since freshman year,” Sumule said. “She started officially doing nails this year, but last year she [did] them for free for her friends. I was in admiration of her, and seeing her do all these nails made me fall in love with nail art. I would constantly show her

pictures of nail art and that really helped deepen our friendship.”

Sirichoke’s parents have been her biggest supporters throughout this process, helping her by lending her money for supplies or hosting friends at their house since it doubles as her salon. Since she is still new to the business, the nails are affordable for students, with prices being as low as $40. Junior Isabella Parrent, a twice-returning customer for Sirichoke, feels more confident about her nails when she wears her designs.

“I got [two] press-on nail sets from Kristine,” Parrent said. “The first nails I got were for the [winter] formal and they were these pretty chrome blue nails that lasted two weeks. [Now] I have nails that I found off Pinterest [that I asked Kristine to recreate]. It has been a week and they have not fallen off. No other nail artist from this school can [recreate art] like she does. I definitely recommend her for anyone who needs to get their nails done.”

Although her nail designs have become increasingly popular, Sirichoke says that she wants to open a nail studio as a side job and not as a fulltime job. Either way, it seems she and her business will continue growing through high school, as she is excited at how well her business is doing and grateful to everyone who has helped her.

“I am [so] proud of how far I have come,” Sirichoke said. “Personally, I think I have gotten better with technique and how fast I do my nails. I have no idea [how my business will develop] in the next couple of years, but I hope I will get more customers by continuing to promote [my business] on Instagram.”

MELINA AJAMI

A STORY IN VERSE

“I started to see the estranged skin of my personality prying open the toiled thin layer so underneath the colors could breathe” is a line in sophomore Elle Young’s poetry book, which describes finding oneself from insecurity. On Aug. 18, 2023, Young published her book “When Time Carries Light,” a collection of poems that she wrote and compiled throughout her 8th and 9th grade.

Young had not originally started writing poetry with the goal of publishing her works into a book. She began her poetry journey in April of 2021 as a way of expressing her emotions, as her poems would help her organize her thoughts in times when she felt overwhelmed. For instance, if Young was having a bad day but unsure why, she would let her emotions out in her poems which she read later to help herself process the emotions she was going through. Young would often share her work with some of her friends, including sophomore Maddie Tseng. Even though the poems are centered around Young’s emotions, Tseng found them quite relatable.

“[Young] is good at creating a specific emotion or mood throughout her poetry,” Tseng said. “[Her poetry] makes me feel how she wants me to feel. If she is writing something sadder, I feel more melancholic afterward, and if she is writing something happier, I am moved to feel more joyous afterward.”

English 1, English 1 Honors and English 2 Honors teacher Christine Logan was a big advocate of Young’s poetry. As Young’s freshman English teacher, Logan quickly noticed her outstanding writing abilities. Logan recalls that Young excelled in any creative writing assignments and that she was very deliberate with her diction which allowed her to convey her sharp emotions to the readers. Impressed with this, Logan continually pushed Young to write and showed appreciation for what she was producing, which motivated Young to write even at times when she felt discouraged. Young showed appreciation toward Logan in the acknowledgments of “When Time Carries Light.”

“[Young] was writing all the time, both for my assignments and her own endeavors,” Logan said. “She celebrates language. She loves writing and she loves words. There was an assignment [I assigned] where everyone wrote something on the spot, and Young’s ended up being amazingly polished. She then read out loud to us, and even the way she read it was expressive. The fact that she could compose it in just a few minutes and then was ready to share it with all of us really wowed the entire class and me.”

Young’s book includes 60 poems that accumulated over her 8th and 9th grade years, divided into three parts. Young’s poetry portrays her growth and selfdiscovery. While Young enjoyed the creative aspect of writing poetry through her illustrative words, she did not necessarily enjoy editing for the book. She had finished writing the book by Thanksgiving of 2021, but it was not until the summer of 2022 that she finished editing it. A milestone for Young was the publishing of a paperback version of her book in March of 2024. She felt that as a reader, she would prefer a physical book, so she wanted to provide that opportunity to her audience. The physical book also gave Young a tangible reward for all her hard work.

Writing poetry has helped Young process feelings of loneliness and anxiety throughout high school. Initially, Young felt that she did not have a community because she did not share her poetry with anyone besides her close friends. Eventually, she shared her poems with a wider audience through the publication of the book, as well as her Instagram and TikTok accounts, @thepoetelle. When someone connects with her poems and reaches out to her, Young feels she is not alone in what she is going through.

“A lot of my [poems] are not necessarily about ‘finding myself,’ but [realizing] and being okay with the fact that I did not understand myself fully,” Young said. “There are so many clubs, extracurriculars, classes and social groups in high school that I found it very difficult to find my own. When I did not click with a certain social group, I lost grip of where I belonged. Writing poetry helped me understand that I have a place.”

JIHOON KWON

EDITOR: ZAHRA HABIB

LYNN TAKAHASHI

DOES THE DREAM WORK?

SURA KIASATPOUR

The loveable Po hit the big screen again on March 8 in “Kung Fu Panda 4,” eight years after the release of its predecessor. Although the reviews have not been bad, they are relatively low for the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise, receiving an average rating of 6.5/10 on IMDb; this stands in stark contrast to the other three films, which never received below a 7/10. Many fans blame this downgrade on the loss of the Furious Five, a famous group of highly skilled kung fu fighters trained by Master Shifu, each with their own speciality. The interactions between Po and the five were some of the best parts of the old films and attracted watchers due to the starstudded cast including actress Angelina Jolie, the voice of Tigress. Po’s entire journey started from looking up to the five for their kung fu abilities, so their absence makes the film feel lackluster without the support and depth they provide. The loss of these characters can be attributed to the smaller budget of $85 million compared to the first three being closer to $150 million, placing these famous actors out of their budget. All three of the previous movies are known for their trailers not doing the films justice, but it seems as though this phenomenon does not apply to “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which takes a low budgetinduced blow. Fans are entering theaters with relatively low expectations due to these changes, but junior Taiyo Bethel remains excited, with high hopes nonetheless.

“Due to the lack of the Fantastic Five, there will be less watchers from the older movies,” Bethel said. “However, the changed cast will set up a new fanbase for the next generation, especially

with the return of the old villains that will make an already good movie into a classic. Also, the addition of the sly character Zhen will create excitement for the audience, while showing Po in a different light as he learns to understand Zhen on a deeper level.”

Despite the removal of the Furious Five, “Kung Fu Panda 4” still brought back old characters central to the plot, including Tai Lung, Lord Shen and Master Shifu. In the new movie, Po is asked to find a successor that he can pass his wisdom onto as he comes closer to retirement. He leaves the Valley of Peace to go to Gongman City, where he is going to face a new villain, The Chameleon, while also coming in contact with Tai Lung and Lord Shen. The main antagonist, The Chameleon, voiced by Viola Davis, is Po’s biggest challenge yet. The storyline is interesting due to her similarity to Po; they were underestimated as fighters in their beginnings, but both came to be incredibly powerful. This villain finds a way to harness the skills and powers of all the old villains that Po has defeated, creating the ultimate opponent. Even though fans were very excited about the return of the villains, this became a negative aspect for some after seeing the film, leaving people disappointed that the directors did not do as much with the storyline as they could have. There was a lot of debate behind the scenes regarding how they should have executed the return of Tai Lung. Co-director, Stephanie Stein spoke about her vision of staying true to the prior films by having a Tai Lung and Shifu reunion, so they could have an emotional moment and chance to say goodbye. Although the executives loved her idea, it was rejected by the main director, Mike Mitchell, and fans were disheartened. Freshman Christopher Delacruz is disappointed knowing what the movie could have been.

“No one heard about this new movie because

it was not good,” Delacruz said. “The only reason I stumbled upon it was from TikTok discourse. From the clips I saw, the Tai Lung and Shifu screen time did not make sense because it felt like a wasted opportunity since not much was done with the storyline. They should have ended on a good note with the third movie; this [new movie] was just forgettable.”

As a Dreamworks top-tier franchise, the marketing for the movie was lackadaisical to say the least, with many arguing that that the movie is just cashing in on nostalgia to bait old fans. There was a time that a new “Kung Fu Panda” movie would be a highlyanticipated event for families, and yet there has not been much excitement surrounding the fourth sequel or its trailer. It contains a predictable plot that does not leave its comfort zone, similar to the other movies, but lacks energy and style. The general public will likely remain satisfied, but die-hard fans are feeling slightly disappointed, knowing what it could have been. Junior Robert Michael has a different perspective, and is excited to re-experience the nostalgia without worrying too much about the details.

“The budget cuts will turn some fans away, especially with the loss of some actors,” Michael said. “But I think that the new movie coming out after [years] will bring back fans of the originals. I have been following [the franchise] since I was little and [regardless of the reviews], it will be a fun watch being a nostalgic movie that played such a big role in my childhood. What drew me to [these] films was all the fun, different plotlines, the humor, the voice actors and the meaningful themes it contains, so I do not expect disappointment from this movie.”

EDITOR: TESSA KANG

JAEWON JANG

LACROSSING A MILESTONE

The girls varsity lacrosse captain, junior Keira Fletcher, added a notable accomplishment to her name by scoring 100 career goals at the start of her junior season. On Feb. 27, by making six goals to help Peninsula defeat Millikan High School 20-0, Fletcher’s total scored goals accumulated to the highest in her career. Fletcher has been a member of the girls varsity lacrosse team since her freshman year and is currently the only member of the team to achieve this milestone. Senior and co-captain Clara Paolucci expresses how proud she is of Fletcher to achieve this important milestone in her girls lacrosse high school career.

“The amount of dedication and passion Fletcher has put into lacrosse since she joined the team is remarkable,” Paolucci said. “To score 100 goals as a captain in such a short time period is inspiring for the whole team, including myself.”

While playing a vital role as a midfielder, a position which requires one to play both offense and defense, Fletcher has also made significant accomplishments in the varsity team’s off-season where she participates in the club lacrosse circuit. As a freshman, Fletcher was selected to be a part of the All-America Command West Regional team, a team which comprises the best lacrosse players with

exceptional technique and skill in the West Coast to play in the All-America Lacrosse Tournament in Maryland. However, these notable accomplishments were not achieved without challenges in her lacrosse career. In her sophomore year, Fletcher was sidelined for the second half of the season with a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) tear in her left knee. Knowing the recovery process would be long, Fletcher went through intense rehabilitation treatments, working on her speed and agility twice a week to get back to playing at full capacity. Even though her playing abilities were limited, Fletcher became a junior coach, helping her teammates and coaches with strategies and ideas during every game. To finish her sophomore season, Fletcher qualified for the Bay League 2nd Team, an award for some of the best players from all schools in the Bay League. Fletcher explains how meaningful this accomplishment is to her and how it motivated her for the rest of the season.

“Reaching the 100 career goals milestone made me feel proud of myself,” Fletcher said. “I was already working toward this goal last year, but the injury [I faced] was a major setback. To know that I was able to accomplish this after the injury has motivated me to set larger goals for myself for the [remaining] season.”

Being a standout junior player, Fletcher was

named co-captain of the girls lacrosse team for the first time this season. As a captain, Fletcher takes more responsibility with the team by planning the practices and brainstorming new playing strategies against every new opponent team. The girls lacrosse team has started the 2023-24 season on a positive note with a 6-2 win-loss record, and is competing in Division 2 with hopes to qualify for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships. On March 2, the team traveled to Pasadena, California to play in the annual Rose Bowl Jamboree Girls Lacrosse Tournament where Peninsula placed first in their group division. The team defeated La Canada High School 13-2, Tustin High School 18-1 and Portola High School 12-4, where Fletcher scored the most goals from the team in the whole tournament. Fletcher is eager to increase her career goal tally by at least 70 goals this season to help the team’s performance as the Bay League games begin. Senior Beatrice Navarro shares how deserving her teammate is to have this big breakthrough in her lacrosse journey.

“Keira is one of my best friends and the hardest worker I know,” Navarro said. “She is a great captain and always shows up to practice with 100 percent effort and enthusiasm. These qualities help her lead the team in the best way possible and [eventually] achieve more milestones in the future.”

NEHA SAMBANGI

JISELLE NGUYEN