Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913
SPHS FALL PLAY
The annual fall play will take place during the weekends of Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-17.
SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030
SENIOR CLASS MEETING VISION & HEARING TESTING
The senior class of 2025 will host an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
PHS’s annual Homecoming Picnic, which was held on Friday, Oct. 25, brought students, faculty, and community members together to support the clubs’ 2024–25 operations. The picnic took place across three different locations: the softball field, Diamond Ave., and the Numbered Walkway. The picnic kicked off at 1:15 p.m. Each booth offered a variety of treats, games, and handcrafted items provided by different student organizations working to raise money to fuel their activities throughout the year.
A total of 80 clubs participated in the picnic with a variety of items. Clubs took the opportunity to advertise themselves and shared a variety of goods.
Junior Raith Kawai, a member of the Produce Pickers club, shared the process of obtaining the popular treat tanghulu.
“The whole preparation of the making of tanghulu [was that] my club and I hand [picked] the fruit from Indonesia. Then [we] had our executive ship it to us [and] we had cane sugar from the coast of West Africa…from there we had melted the cane sugar, and finally we got out [the] tanghulu. This is all [made] out of country products, and we’re proud of it,” Kawai said.
Senior Avery Taylor, the president of the Black Student Union, was extremely excited about this year’s Homecoming Picnic. The union offered homemade mac-and-cheese and fried chicken, hoping to raise funds for future community projects and events to strengthen their outreach,
PROP 28 RESPONSE
Tiger explores how the SPUSD’s approach to the implementation of Prop 28 funds could benefit from greater community involvement and accountability to fully realize the bill’s potential.
Page 5
Sophomores will be required to perform vision and hearing tests on Friday, Nov. 8.
“I’m really excited to see people enjoy the food we’re serving and support our club,” Taylor said.
Junior Miriam Elghefari, president of the Crumbl Cookie Club, shared her hopes for the event.
“[At] the end of the day, we’re hoping to raise enough funds to cover costs for our next meeting,” Elghefari said.
Elghefari’s club, alongside many others, looked forward to funding activities that will help them attract new members and increase their presence in school events and projects.
The picnic was filled with energy, students, food, and fellowship that brought everyone together for a memorable homecoming celebration.
“I really appreciated the live performances we had along with all 80 clubs that worked hard to prepare for this event and made it possible,” ASB Commissioner of Clubs Chaemin Lim said.
Homecoming Picnic was not only a fundraiser, but an opportunity for students to relax and connect with friends and classmates. Enthusiastic club members lined the booths, drawing students from all over the school and creating a vibrant atmosphere of community and school pride.
“The process of planning [the] Homecoming Picnic was a long yet rewarding one,” Lim said. “Through all the paperwork and endless Google Form responses, I think a successful Homecoming Picnic was executed.”
A MODERN LAVENDER SCARE
Tiger looks back at the anti-gay moral panic of the 1950s as a reflection upon the current narrative of legislative scare tactics against queer people.
FOOTBALL DOMINATES 48-6
wins in
fashion against the Temple City Rams on homecoming night. From a dominating kickoff to a merciless ending, here is how they did it.
STORY OWEN HOU
PHOTO MAC SHROPSHIRE
T
he SPHS band members have been fighting to make one thing come true: renaming the band room in Howard E. Crawford’s honor.
Crawford taught music at SPHS, and his retirement last year marked the end of his nearly four decades at working at SPHS. He served as the chair of SPHS Visual and Performing Arts, and during this time, he was beloved by students and received numerous awards for his dedication to the music program. Crawford studied music in college, and using this knowledge, he established the band program present at the school today.
“Mr. Crawford spent 34 years here, and he really transformed the band room program from something that was only 10 kids, to this 100 plus kid program,” head drum major Emilio Lois said. “He was really the dynamo that powered this program to where it is now.”
Crawford retired at the end of the 2023–24 school year, with a retirement party being held on June 1, 2024 to honor his 34-year-long career teaching music at the high school. During the farewell, students, faculty, and even alumni showed their support for the music teacher at a bittersweet goodbye.
The idea first came to be during the planning of the event, when the organizers put out an announcement on Facebook of Crawford’s retirement. Once they did this, comments from former staff and alumni flooded in, with numerous suggestions to name something in the music teacher’s honor.
Crawford’s two daughters also played a large part in getting the idea off the ground, and they continued to support the name change as it turned into a movement. The idea of renaming a facility was not new – in the past, the auditorium was also renamed to the Anderson Auditorium.
“After he retired, we just thought it’s the right thing to do,” drum major Jesse Li said. “A precedent has been set. Dr. Anderson, the auditorium is named after her, after her great years of service.”
The effort to rename the band room in honor of Howard E. Crawford.
Once the plan was set into motion, a change.org petition was created and slated as a discussion item on the agenda for SPUSD board meeting back in August. However, school was still not back in session at the time, meaning only around 20 people showed up to speak in favor of the switch.
The board deflected the topic and mentioned a scholarship fund, but were still unable to provide a direct answer. After going again in September and October, the board finally stated that they would not be pursuing any further action during the most recent meeting. However, the board has yet to give a reason for why they would not choose to honor their request.
“[When we] initially went and talked it out, [the school board] seemed very on board with us and then [that] was it,” band vice president Chaemin Lim said. “It wasn’t planned to be on their list of things to go over. And so then we were very
confused. Then we went again, and they did not seem to listen to us.”
The band students plan to continue fighting for the renaming of the band room, as they feel the impact Crawford had on the students, program, and community as a whole is something that deserves to be honored.
Supporters of this change plan to speak at the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 to gather more people to sway the board’s opinion on the matter and continue gathering signatures on the change.org petition.
“If we don’t appropriately honor the legacy of someone who has devoted so many years to this cause, we’re really sending the message that we don’t care that much about our educators, and we don’t care about excellence in education,” Lois said.
upholding its values, taking care of customers, and making sure shoppers are always getting the best prices.
The doors to the newest Trader Joe’s opened on Monday, Oct. 21 at 1129 Fair Oaks Ave., replacing the former Vons on Fair Oaks. The new store marks the second Trader Joe’s location within South Pasadena. Residents, eager to purchase goods, filled the 13,866 square foot space on the day of the grand opening. After nearly two decades, Aldi Nord, the company that owns Trader Joe’s, acquired the property and finally opened the new store, which is one of the largest locations within Southern California.
“We’ve been trying to get this property for two decades, but actually getting the hiring and getting everything inside took about one to two years,” one of the store managers said.
Retail issues are not uncommon, especially with the opening of a store. Despite this, the grand opening progressed smoothly thanks to efforts from staff and management.
“There’s always some sort of hiccup of not getting certain items you need, or certain shelving and last minute planning, but it just comes down to teamwork and just coming up with a game plan,” the store manager said.
“You have to make a game plan and really brainstorm and put your best edge together to make it work…customers want this place open. So here we are.”
Trader Joe’s is still looking to expand as a company, but is trying to do so while
“Trader Joe’s stands on customer service and customer experience,” the manager said. “We want customers to be able to have a good time here and shop at a neighborhood local store, and that’s the kind of feel and the kind of vibe we try to produce.”
“We had like 300 or something people waiting outside when we opened. So it’s cool, I think everyone has been pretty stoked about it, including us,” crew member River said.
Despite the wait, many customers have already expressed their happiness with the addition of another location of their favorite grocery store.
Laura, a Trader Joe’s regular, said how the new store “made it convenient for leaving Pilates to buy what I wanted, because I always shop at Trader Joe’s.”
Overall, the excitement buzzing through the air on the opening day speaks volumes about how appreciated the new store is. With high school programs and more job opportunities opening up at this new Trader Joe’s location, the future of the store looks bright.
“It’s been awesome to see some people come from…far away to see what we have to offer,” Allie, a Trader Joe’s staff member, said. “It’s been really cool to meet and connect with new people in the community.”
Judy Chu hosts a military academy meeting at the South Pasadena Public Library.
STORY GAVIN BARTOLOME
PHOTO KAITLYN LEE
California’s 28th district representative, Judy Chu, invited high school families from schools around South Pasadena to explore what life would be like at a military academy. The event was held at the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Participants watched a presentation of details on the life of students at each academy, the skills they learned, and where they could serve. Students were given half an hour to ask current soldiers who graduated from military academies about their experience on the military campuses. Five military academies were presented at the event: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. The event aimed to inform students about future military opportunities.
Each military academy specializes in its field of research and education. West Point, located in New York, serves as the United States’ army academy, training students over four years in science, coordination, and leadership skills to become officers in the army. The Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, MD, and trains students to become U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers. The academy offers many STEM majors, including science and engineering. The Air Force Academy in Colorado is aimed at students looking to lead the Air Force or Space Force, offering classes in engineering including Aeronautical, Mechanical, and Astronautical engineering. The Coast Guard academy, in Connecticut is the smallest federal service academy with students studying marine engineering and other STEM fields before they graduate as ensigns who will serve in the Coast Guard. Lastly, the Merchant Marine Academy in New York offers students a position in any military field, whether in the Navy or Army and teaches how to navigate in water and various engineering majors.
In exchange for several years of service, students would be able to major in fields such as engineering and medicine. Throughout the event, each academy advertised its unique experiences and state-of-the-art facilities.
Students can travel abroad to view cultures and apply their knowledge with modern and advanced equipment. Some examples include immersive virtual reality simulations for pilots and soldiers and trips to Egypt and Greece. One representative commented how this event is a great opportunity to showcase the possibilities by being able to look at different academies.
After studying the facts on what each academy offers on paper, students could then turn to people relating to the armed forces and ask for their experiences.
“It’s a great thing for you to be here, rather than just reading,” one Merchant Marine Academy graduate said. “It’s a huge opportunity to look at all the different academies, talk to the people] because nobody knows the experience [like them].”
Students spent their time gathering information and making as many connections as possible, with many families
gathering to introduce themselves to Congresswoman Chu. Students can apply to military academies starting their junior year, and academics might give them preliminary acceptance. Applications would require a student’s SAT score, nomination by a congressperson, medical and eye exams, a physical assessment, and an interview.
Academy representatives continued by explaining the students’ academic life. Students would start working at 6 a.m., when they would perform basic duties and then transition to their educational academics and physical training before repeating the cycle.
Both Congresswoman Chu and Mayor Evelyn Zneimer hosted military academies across the region for high schoolers to explore the military academies. Results on whether new applicants passed the first screening will be released before the new year.
STORY GAVIN BARTOLOME
PHOTO HELENA EASTERBY
The non-profit organization California Association of Student Councils (CASC) ran a fall conference aiming to teach students leadership and collaborative skills in the SPHS SAC room on Saturday, Oct. 19.
During the meeting, three student-run groups presented policy propositions to five panelists, three of whom serve on the South Pasadena City Council. These groups assembled around six students each with the intent of honing their creativity, solving real-world problems, and collaborating with each other.
Each group created solutions to pressing issues, such as the lack of personal environmental impact, the importance of equitable student counseling, and the need for mental health awareness. The challenge of creating policies under minimal adult supervision taught the students to develop critical thinking skills.
In the morning, the participants were introduced to the CASC volunteers leading the event and their goal for the session. Then, groups spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas for root problems to tackle and possible solutions for them.
One group focused on the importance of mental health awareness, and they identified how poor care for one’s mental
health could lead to a decrease in quality of work and personal well-being. Next, the students worked together to develop a comprehensive solution for the problem. Throughout the two-hour session, the idea was fleshed out more as the small group became comfortable with expressing their ideas of improvement and points to work on, becoming a cohesive team over time.
“It’s just so interesting to…hear all the different perspectives [and] what are their ideas [on] what should change,” Felix Nguyen, a CASC management member said.
The students were able to challenge themselves and create powerful and thoughtful policies with a foundation to build from.
The other groups created policies about the impact of people’s actions on the environment and the need for equity in college counseling. Both groups used trustworthy sources of information to conclude from and brought in captivating communication skills and personal stories to draw emotion and a feeling of relatability.
“A leadership development organization like [this] helps students have a say in their education system and empower students to take charge,” Ivy Kim, a CASC management member said.
After roles were assigned, along with a structured policy to pitch, the groups reconnected in the SAC room. There, Kevin J. Patel, a climate activist working with the Youth Climate Commission (YCC), gave a speech calling forth the voices of the newer generation to bring equity to all communities.
Patel shared his experience of standing up for his struggling marginalized community even when his voice was alone. Through the story of his childhood strifes, Patel aimed to inspire the students participating in the conference to be confident in their speech and build off of others’ ideas creatively to make meaningful changes to society.
Each group sent their representative speaker in front of the panel and delivered their policy. After each speech, the panelists give feedback on the structure, delivery, and content of each policy. Once every group presented, the panelists gave warm congratulations to each group for how well-structured their policies were despite being made in one day.
Ending the conference, the group of participants and management gathered together for a photo filled with widespread grins. Words of gratitude were exchanged and students thanked the event organizers for the experience of sharing and empowering their voice.
“It’s really important that we have places like this to come and actually do them together. It just makes us feel more excited and more real,” Kim said.
SPHS participated in a statewide Mock Election for students to vote on candidates and propositions. Tiger examines the importance of the Mock Election and select propositions that will have strong impacts on California.
STORY GAVIN BARTOLOME, TRISHA CHAKRABORTY, & LINDA YUN
Borrow $10 billion to build schools & colleges
Proposition 2 proposes $10 billion worth of general obligation bonds to improve educational facilities up to K-12.
Students would enjoy cleaner facilities with access to new resources, such as sanitary water. Within South Pasadena, these bonds will help repair damaged equipment and construct new buildings for more academic subjects that students can pursue.
However, the proposition would raise California’s bond obligation by $10 billion. Including the interest rate, taxpayers would spend around $18 billion to repay it.
Borrow $10 billion to respond to climate change
Proposition 4 grants $10 billion in bonds for clean supplies, wildfire prevention, and protection from climate risks.
The bonds would help California combat climate change and preserve the environment by implementing safety measures to prevent and control wildfires. Proposition 4 would also supply clean resources to communities, necessities that are lacking from wide ranging financial situations.
On the other hand, Proposition 4’s expensive bonds would cost taxpayers $2 for every dollar spent in order to repay the bond’s cost.
Lower voter approval requirements for local housing and infrastructure
Proposition 5 is a constitutional amendment that makes it easier for local governments to borrow money for affordable housing and other future infrastructure projects.
A yes on this measure would allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure to be passed with a 55 percent vote, rather than the normal two-thirds vote.
Supporters agree that this change gives local taxpayers more of a choice to address their own communities. Adversaries contend that this would make it easier to increase bond debt, leading to higher property taxes.
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, SPHS students took a hands-on approach to learning about the democratic process through the Student Mock Election. Organized by SkillsUSA, the mock election was part of the broader California Student Mock Election program run by the California Secretary of State department. Alongside over 70,000 other California middle school and high school students, SPHS students got a chance to cast their votes for presidential candidates, Senate races, and state propositions.
Senior Amishi Mahadev worked closely with SkillsUSA advisor Sandra Matson-Fennell to handle the logistics of the event. During lunch, students cast their ballots in the library after receiving informational booklets about the 10 propositions and presidential and Senate candidates.
Mahadev, who is also set to work as a poll worker on Tuesday, Nov. 5, compared the mock election process to the real voting experience.
“We did the training, and I see [that] it’s really similar to the actual voting experience,” Mahadev said. “Except, it’s a paper ballot instead of using the machine they have at the main centers.”
Mock elections aid in promoting civic engagement among students and allow young people to practice the act of voting. They serve as an introduction to the process of voting and the responsibilities associated with it, ultimately helping students gain and build habits of participation that can last into adulthood. The Mock Election was an opportunity for students to become informed on key ballot issues and candidates, making them more confident and prepared for when they vote in future elections.
“I like the idea that students can practice voting and also that it can make them aware of what are the things that we’re voting on in each election,” AP Government teacher Maryann Nielsen said. “Some students who participated…told me that they learned a lot about the propositions through the mock election.”
Research has shown that the earlier young people begin voting, the more likely they are to vote throughout their lives.
“It inspires you to participate and vote for the rest of your life, which is the hope,” Mahadev said.
Limit forced labor in state prisons
Proposition 6 is a constitutional amendment that limits involuntary servitude — or being coerced into labor against one’s will — for imprisoned persons.
A yes on this measure would result in involuntary servitude being disallowed as a criminal punishment. State prisons would no longer be allowed to discipline those in prison who refuse to work.
Proponents argue that the proposition effectively ends the final permission of slavery in California and shifts the public focus to rehabilitation. No argument against Proposition 6 was submitted to the California voter guide.
Raise the state minimum wage to $18
Proposition 32 is an initiative that raises the California minimum wage.
A yes on this measure would be as follows: for larger employers, minimum wage is raised to $17 upon effect and to $18 by 2025. For smaller employers, minimum wage is raised to $17 by 2025 and $18 by 2026.
Supporters contend that the wage increase reduces the strain on low-income individuals to afford California’s cost of living. Adversaries believe that it will increase the cost of living, worsen budget deficits, make business and wage laws difficult to navigate, and worsen affordable housing.
Allow local governments to impose rent controls
Proposition 33 is an initiative that aims to expand local governments’ authority to enact rent control on residential property.
A yes to this measure would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which prohibits local ordinances from effectively enacting rent control. With Proposition 33, state law would no longer limit rent control laws from cities and counties.
Proponents argue Proposition 33 would control rising rent prices. Adversaries cite that California voters have rejected this proposal twice due to it freezing the construction of new affordable housing.
Tiger polled the students of SPHS for their
and NOs on six of 10 ballots California will take part in. A total of 198 students were polled, and the graph illustrates the percentage measures for each proposition.
ESTABLISHED 1913
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LINDA YUN
MANAGING EDITORS
BENJAMIN REGAN, Print
CLEMENTINE EVANS, Online
NEWS
CLAIRE MAO, Editor
OPINION
SONYA SHIMPOCK, Editor
FEATURE MORGAN SUN, Editor
SPORTS ZOE CHEN, Editor
DESIGN
OLIVIA CHIN, Editor
ISOLE KIM, Editor
PHOTOGRAPHY
EMIKO ESSMILLER, Editor
COPY
ZOE CHEN, Editor
ETHAN KWAK, Editor
SOLANA SINGER, Editor
BUSINESS AND ADS
CAYNA GHALY, Staff Ads Manager
CHLOE LUONG, Staff Ads Manager
STAFF WRITERS
GAVIN BARTOLOME
TRISHA CHAKRABORTY EVELYN DIAZ
CHRISTIANNE DULEY
RAFA ESTOLANO-SRIDHARAN RUBY FOUDY OWEN HOU
ISABELLA JONASEN
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ZOE CHEN
SUNNY (SUNHYE) CHOI KAITLYN LEE
MADELINE MADRIGAL MAC SHROPSHIRE
ILLUSTRATORS
SUNNY (SUNHYE) CHOI
NATHAN FRIEZER LANAH KIM DIANA LOPEZ
PAGE DESIGNERS HANA OBERLANDER
VIDEOGRAPHER HELENA EASTERBY
FACULTY ADVISOR KAREN HAMES
VOL. 111 NO. 2 DISTRIBUTED ON OCTOBER 29, 2024.
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Corrections:
In the article “The Preservation Foundation Receives Eviction Notice,” from Sept. 26, 2024, Tiger incorrectly stated that the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation (SPPF) gave misinformation around new terms proposed by the City to formalize what the museum can be used for.
On Oct. 3, 2024, SPUSD Superintendent Geoff Yantz released more details of the district’s plan for Prop 28, a historic California arts bill passed in 2023 to expand preexisting high school arts programs. While the district’s plan has good intentions, it is influenced by ongoing fiscal challenges and misses a major opportunity to incorporate community perspectives. Moreover, it parallels a situation that recently landed LAUSD in legal issues, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Despite the allocation of $569,664 to supplement or create new teacher positions and arts programs in SPUSD, the district’s plan fails to detail how these funds will be used to strategically expand the arts. For instance, at SPUSD’s elementary schools, the money is shifting the salaries of visual arts and music teachers from temporary funding provided by the South Pasadena Education Foundation (SPEF) to Prop 28 funds. While this helps secure the permanency of art teachers, it does not expand arts programs as Prop 28 intended. This must be acknowledged in the future so that Prop 28 funds supplement the arts as the bill requires.
In the high school, Prop 28 funds added one “classified” arts position and secured permanency for a certified visual arts teacher. In other words, Prop 28 funds have been used to replace former band director Howard Crawford. This is a mixture of supplementation and supplantment that ultimately does not lead to the program’s expansion.
“If the district could cover some of the annual recurring costs, like the instructional staff that are going to be there every year, it would…take the pressure off fundraising so we wouldn’t have to charge students as much to [play in the program, and] the music boosters can focus on boosting the program, not supplanting it,” senior drum major Emilio Lois said.
With the information provided by the district, it can be inferred that some Prop 28 funds are being used to plug a hole elsewhere in the budget. “SPUSD is facing an approximated $2 million operating deficit in the Adopted Budget for the 2024-
2025 school year,” Yantz wrote in his message to the district. Without clear reporting on how Prop 28 funds are being used, it is impossible to hold the district accountable. It is understood that difficult behind-the-scenes decisions must be made by the administration, but avoiding a conversation with the community benefits no one.
SPHS VAPA Coordinator and visual arts teacher Aimee LevieHultman additionally weighed in on Prop 28. “Moving forward, I feel that community input in decision-making for ongoing Prop 28 arts funding, including administrators, teachers, parents, and students from each school site, would create the best possible K-12 outcomes for SPUSD while also garnering community support and transparency in the process,” LevieHultman said.
SPHS Stage Production teacher and event technician James Jontz shared that one of his proposals was to use part of Prop 28 to fund materials for his class, which recently expanded to two classes.
“The decisions on where to put the funds bother us because we don’t feel like they’re being used to their full potential. They should have at least asked for our input. If [the district is] going to make decisions about funds that were specifically for the VAPA program, please include us because we’re the ones who… have to…make everything work,” Jontz said. “What people want is a spreadsheet, a pie graph. [They want to know] where every penny went. And if there’s extra [funding], then by all means, let’s talk about this extra [funding]. Because there should be at least something left.”
Ultimately, the district’s handling of Prop 28 reveals a broader issue: without greater transparency and community involvement, SPUSD risks missing the bill’s full potential to enhance arts education for all students. As the next budget cycle approaches, the district must prioritize an open dialogue with the community to ensure that these critical funds are used as intended — to expand, not merely maintain, arts programs.
Tiger’s cheers and jeers for the month of October
BOO to Diddy parties. Jeepers!
BOO to the PSAT. No, I don’t know what my registration number is.
BOO to atoms. They make up everything.
BOO to forgetting my airpods. Now I have to listen to my own thoughts.
BOO to timed writes. Taking years of my life fr.
BOO to shared docs. Why am I not anonymous chicken?
BOO to hear me out cakes. Y’all are WILD.
BRAVO to Beyonce. Thank you for allowing us to publish this newspaper.
BRAVO to Fein. I hope they play fein.
BRAVO to everyone who bought from us at Hoco Picnic. You just spent $2 on a single garlic knot. #bewareofscams
BRAVO to everyone who thinks pepper is spicy. You’re doing just fine.
BRAVO to push/pull doors. Natural selection at its finest.
BRAVO to Shohei Ohtani. You really did that.
Celebrities that commit pedophilic acts are not victims of cancel culture, they are simply awful humans.
STORY ISABELLA JONASEN
ILLUSTRATION DIANA LOPEZ
I
n a 2024 lawsuit filed against Sean Combs — stage name P. Diddy — a Jane Doe alleges that she was gang raped and sex trafficked at only 17. Another 10 lawsuits have been filed against Combs, all detailing similar incidents, and there are an estimated additional 120 victims (25 of them minors) who are expected to file similar lawsuits soon. However, the majority of the discussion of Combs’ case on social media focus not on the horrible acts the man committed, but rather humorize his actions: playful, ignorant discussions of “Diddy Parties.”
These jokes have eased the gravity of the situation in the media, leading the younger generation who consumes the content to become desensitized to the severity of Combs’ crimes. Although most of the mindless jabs are not made with harmful intent, subjects of this nature are not something to be taken lightly and should be handled with care. As of now, there are alleged claims of Combs having pedophilic relations with children as young as 8 years old, and although there are no suits against him at this moment, it has been speculated that the other 120 victims who have not filed a lawsuit will soon.
Diddy parties are not a joke — they are instances where victims were allegedly forced to entertain Sean Combs and the other associates at Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs’ record label. The discussions of Combs’ crimes must not take away from the hundreds of victims who have been affected.
This is not an isolated incident. Social media has poked fun at, rather than condemned, public figures before for engaging in pedophilic behavior — notably, with once-popular YouTuber Shane Dawson, who is most famous for his conspiracy theory content and his unforgettable “Taking Accountability” video. Posted to his YouTube account, the video includes Dawson
stating, “I, Shane Yaw, my real name, go on record saying I am not a [expletive] pedophile.” Dawson’s statement was turned into a meme on social media, humorizing his behavior and completely detracting from Dawson’s documented pedophilic behavior. Dawson said he only acted out in these ways for entertainment purposes and “shock value,” yet in reality, he was doing everything in his power to get the media to move on from what he had done to save his career. Despite the allegations against him, Dawson still has 18.8 million subscribers in 2024. It is completely inappropriate to joke about subjects that one is not fully educated on, especially when this behavior only serves to inadvertently soften the blowback for the perpetrators.
Humorizing incidents committed by public figures that concern serious elements like pedophilia is a damaging trend that needs to stop. If people do not understand a topic completely, it would be better to say nothing at all, rather than spread misinformation.
The more misleading gossip that gets spread, the more the media starts forgetting the crimes these people have committed and why they were canceled in the first place.
It is important that the next generation pivots and ensures that this behavior is treated with severity and not the center of the next big pop culture phenomenon.
STORY OWEN HOU
ILLUSTRATION SUNNY (SUNHYE) CHOI
Romance, like society itself, is always evolving. This is unavoidable; as the world progresses, so do the relationships within it. For the most part, this is a positive development. Over the past few decades, society has increasingly recognized that love transcends rigid boundaries, celebrating the freedom to love whomever one chooses. Unfortunately, with all these major leaps in inclusivity and acceptance come blurred lines that challenge the notion of what is socially acceptable, leading to complex and sometimes troubling dynamics.
One example is the modern-day obsession with K-pop idols. Loving the music is one thing; lusting over the performers onstage is something else entirely different. K-pop has grown into a global phenomenon, and its influence has reached every crevice of the world. For some, the allure lies in the songs of these bands, evidenced by their notoriety and popularity. Others have a bit of a different reason for why they love these bands: the idols.
The fact that fans gush over these seemingly perfect human beings is no surprise. They are always bathed in a golden spotlight, hyper-sexualized, and are marketed as being “attainable” fantasy figures. In fact, many companies even prohibit their idols from dating publicly to further cultivate this illusion of availability. However, while most just worship idols from afar, others have taken this obsession to an extreme.
MORGAN
A superconductor: a material with the ability to, when cooled to a critical temperature near absolute zero, conduct electricity without energy loss or electrical resistance. It allows electric currents to flow indefinitely, and the stable and high-intensity electromagnetic field generated by this current is key for real-world applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
But the superconductor that I happened to stumble upon is that of the Calendula. A bright yellow or orange flower,
This has led to the rise of what is known in South Korea as a “sasaeng” — an obsessive fan who invades the private life of their idols and crosses the border between stanning and stalking. These people will go to extraordinary lengths to communicate and obtain personal information about their favorite idols, often weaponizing this to harass them. This kind of delusion causes them to think they have a personal relationship with their idol, reinforcing this behavior as a kind of distorted “love.” In reality, these parasocial relationships only result in a cycle that creates
it is often grouped with marigolds in the daisy family of flowers. It resembles the Sun, spreading its joyful self across gardens, symbolizing the gesture of universal abundance. At least, that’s what the book of Herbal Astrology told me when its Purity card was drawn. A quick Google search told me that its dried petals could treat burns, bruises, and cuts, and its oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that can heal wounds, soothe eczema, and relieve diaper rash — hopefully, I won’t need that anytime soon.
Yet the book also called this flower a superconductor — greatly amplifying intentions with its radiance. See, intentions are necessary to empower the great otherworldly power of psychics. In fact, this specific symbol is known as a “solar herb,” one which neutralizes poison and air in the “recuperation of vital forces.” The power is parallel to the realm of light, an angelic realm that requires childlike innocence and humility to enter. By wielding this power, my intentions would set me on a new journey of “vitality and creativity.”
Combined with the other cards of Dandelion (Wounded Healer), Ginseng (Magician), and Bobinsana (Trust), my
depressed, depraved followers who are obsessed with an idol who has never even seen their face.
This example of modern “romance” is completely onesided. Aside from maybe a handshake at a meet and greet or a singular interaction, these “relationships” between a fan and an idol rarely cross the line from fantasy into reality. Unless the fan decides to go to extraordinary lengths to become an uncanny presence in the idol’s life, it exists entirely in their head. This type of “relationship” is entirely unrealistic and will result in unhealthy interactions with actual partners if this behavior is carried over.
When fans become enmeshed in the fantasy of idol worship, they may struggle to form meaningful, healthy connections with real-life partners. The imbalance of power and emotion in these parasocial relationships can set a pattern of unreciprocated love, which can lead to emotionally unfulfilling and even harmful interactions in the real world. If left unchecked, this obsessive adoration can lead to a warped understanding of what it means to love and be loved, where the pursuit of an unattainable figure becomes more appealing than building a relationship with someone who can actually reciprocate those feelings.
The implications of modern romance do not seem particularly healthy, especially in the context of K-pop idol obsession, and expose a dangerous shift toward one-sided relationships that exist solely in the mind. It is essential that society recognizes the dangers of such behavior and encourages healthier, more balanced interactions in relationships.
fate in store was telling me that change was coming, and I had to act from a place of love rather than hurt — only then could I “ascend.” The intentions I set now would be amplified by my superconductor and would dissipate into my life. Maybe I could apply that lesson to the end of high school, or maybe that change is just an upcoming test in which my grade will suffer.
I think the power in this reading was its universal applicability. At some point in their lives, everyone will need to embrace change, dig deep for creativity, or act for the journey rather than the result. This message, despite being drawn by my hand, is one that everyone should hear.
Perhaps this superconductor didn’t view my brain through super-powered magnetic radio waves scans. But somehow, it managed to read me through the power of mysterious spiritual forces — whether by luck of the draw or the supernatural. Unfortunately, I’ve never been much of a religious person, but despite my doubt, maybe one day I’ll look back and believe in the power of the Calendula. I’ll thank it, for giving me universal abundance with no diaper rashes. For now, I think I’ll just stick to a belief in real-life superconductors.
“Himpathy” for male perpetrators of sexual assault and rape enables violence and stigmatizes victims.
STORY RUBY FOUDY ILLUSTRATION NATHAN FRIEZER
Stories of people covering up sexual violence for the sake of the male offender are all too common — estimates suggest that about 63 percent of sexual assault cases are not reported to the police. Unwillingness to report sexual crimes has many factors: the most prevalent is that even when brought to court, male perpetrators of sexual violence often walk free of their crimes. Examples of this can be found everywhere. A doctor in Texas faced no prison time for raping a sedated patient; an 18-year-old in New York avoided charges for the rape and sexual assault of four girls despite pleading guilty; the list goes on. The overwhelming amount of sympathy for male perpetrators of sexual assault and rape, often referred to as “himpathy,” not only normalizes violence but also deepens the stigma surrounding these crimes. Charges of sexual violence are shockingly easy to avoid — all that are needed are a bright future and a sympathetic judge.
A classic case of himpathy swaying the outcome of a sexual assault case is Brock Turner’s. Turner, a privileged white man, star athlete, and student at a prestigious university, was charged with sexually assaulting and penetrating a severely intoxicated woman. Despite this, he only faced a jail sentence of six months for his crimes. The judge presiding over his case defended this by claiming that “a prison sentence would have a severe impact on him.” Rapists and perpetrators of sexual assault should be punished for their crimes with substantial jail time as an ideal punishment. The judge’s obvious statement that jail time would negatively affect Turner as a defense for the inadequate punishment reinforces the unjust
system of prioritizing the well-being of privileged males over justice for victims, highlighting a troubling pattern of leniency in cases involving privileged male perpetrators.
Allowing men to escape accountability for sexual crimes and violence is not only immoral but further enables an unethical system where rapists often receive sympathy. In cases like Turner’s, many judges or jury members are often more reluctant to sentence a white male star athlete compared to a less privileged Black man lacking an education, even if they are facing the same crime. The only defense for not sentencing the accused is for the sake of his future; as Turner’s father described it, “20 minutes of action” should not taint a promising life ahead. This argument, of course, is deeply flawed. Sexual assault is a conscious choice, and those who commit these acts are fully responsible for the consequences. Offering sympathy for the aggressor’s future only validates their actions and further stigmatizes the victims.
Many men are also given sympathy for their crimes based on their reputation or looks. Criminals like Ted Bundy, despite their crimes, are fawned over because of their physical appearance or charisma. Sympathy can not only be won by looks but also through power or fame. When people have a positive perception of someone, such as a celebrity or leader, they are often less likely to believe that person could commit a terrible act like sexual assault or rape. This bias occurs regularly, both inside and out of the courtroom. Those close to the perpetrator may find it difficult to believe they could commit such an act, which leads to a higher level of sympathy to soften reality. Excuses are made — she was lying; he was drunk; she led
him on. These excuses not only enable further violence but also make it harder for the victim to seek justice. Those showing sympathy for sexual assailant and rapists overlook the survivors of said crimes. All of the sympathy is wasted on the perpetrator, and the victims are cast into the shadows. Unjust amounts of himpathy that lead to victim blaming are a significant reason why those assaulted choose not to come forward. A prime example of victim blaming can be seen in the outcome of the 2003 rape case involving famous basketball player Kobe Bryant. A 19-yearold hotel concierge accused Bryant of raping her, and despite significant biological evidence and Bryant’s admission that he never received explicit consent, the whiplash for the young woman was astronomical. She was faced with overwhelming numbers of death threats and hate messages, which ultimately resulted in her dropping the charge. Bryant’s innocence or guilt remains unresolved, but regardless of the verdict, the case demonstrates the strong backlash female victims often endure when reporting well-liked men of sexual assault.
Himpathy not only perpetuates this cycle of harm but also undermines efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, making it clear that the justice system has no real interest in the well-being of victims, but rather in the male perpetrators of sexual crimes. The excuses made for men faced with sexual assault and rape charges only further permit said violence. What those defending sex offenders fail to realize is that sympathy and excuses do not reverse the fact that, regardless of whether the perpetrator is a friend, boyfriend, or even son, their actions must be acknowledged for what they are: sexual violence.
STORY EVELYN DIAZ
ILLUSTRATION SUNNY (SUNHYE) CHOI
The United States has long been seen as a global leader in politics, innovation, and social progress. However, as the world moves forward, it is becoming increasingly clear that the United States is no longer leading in crucial areas such as political representation, social welfare, and climate change. As nations like Mexico elect their first female president and other countries surpass the United States in healthcare, education, and green-energy initiatives, a critical question is raised: Is the United States falling behind?
A significant area the United States is falling behind in is political representation, particularly in terms of gender
equality. In October, Mexico elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, marking a significant milestone in gender equality and leadership. Mexico joins a growing list of countries such as Germany, New Zealand, and Finland that have long welcomed women into their highest offices.
The United States, on the other hand, has yet to elect a female president, despite women making up over half of the population. Although progress has been made in Congress, the highest office remains difficult to obtain, signaling a broader issue of gender inequity. This sends a clear message about the United States’ lag in promoting diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of power.
Political representation is not the only area where the United States is trailing. Social and economic policies that directly impact citizens’ quality of life further illustrate the widening gap between the United States and its peers. Countries like Sweden, Norway, and Canada have made significant steps in healthcare, parental leave, and social safety nets that far surpass the United States. For example, Sweden offers over a year of paid parental leave; in the United States, even a few weeks of unpaid leave for new parents is not guaranteed. As other countries prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens, the United States continues to rely on outdated policies that fail to meet the demands of its population in a world that is becoming more and more competitive.
The United States is also falling short when it comes to education. Countries like Finland and South Korea boast some of the best education systems globally that emphasize equity, critical thinking, and methods of learning, while American schools continue to face challenges such as underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, and the burden of student loan debt. These issues impede the United States’ ability to foster the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, giving other nations a competitive edge in the global economy. The United States runs the risk of falling further behind in its efforts to develop talent and encourage creativity if these educational gaps are not bridged.
While the United States remains a powerful country, it is clear that it is no longer leading in many areas that matter most in today’s world. As Mexico celebrates the election of its first female president and nations like Sweden, Denmark, and South Korea push forward on social progress, climate action, and economic innovation, the United States must confront the reality that it is falling behind. To regain its footing on the global stage, the United States must look outward, learning from the policies and progress of other nations that have successfully adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.
During a speech in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump was shot in his ear, the bullet nearly hitting his head, in a momentum building assassination attempt.
Americans tuned into a historic presidential debate between Biden and Trump where Biden stumbled later leading to his withdrawal from the election.
JULY 15–18
The Republican National Convention was held in Milwaukee, WI.
Donald Trump picked Senator JD Vance of Ohio to join the Republican ticket as Vice President.
JULY 21
Biden announced that he was dropping out as the Democratic candidate and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
T
he 2024 presidential election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters will have to make the decision between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the Republican and Democratic candidates respectively. Seven swing states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — will be especially important for the presidential hopefuls.
Donald Trump is trying to become the second American president to serve two non-consecutive terms. His debut in politics was the 2000 election, where he campaigned as a candidate for the centrist Reform Party. In 2016, Trump became the Republican nominee and beat Hillary Clinton to become president. Donald Trump then lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Before he entered politics, Trump was famous as a real estate magnate, business man, and as the host of his reality television show, “The Apprentice.”
Trump is running on a conservative platform which includes border security measures and corporate tax cuts. A major focus of Trump’s campaign is what he terms “illegal immigration” and the resulting “migrant crime.” Trump also plans to implement tariffs on Mexico and China, two of America’s biggest trading partners.
Kamala Harris is trying to appeal to voters of all political persuasions. Harris has received endorsements from the progressive element of her party, but she has also been endorsed by prominent republicans like Dick Cheney, George W. Bush’s Vice President and one of the chief architects of the Iraq war.
Harris has highlighted her support for traditionally conservative causes in an attempt to net moderate and conservative voters. On top of lowering border crossings and increasing funding for Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, she has also promised to make the American military the strongest in the world.
Harris is currently the vice president, but prior to that, she was the junior senator from California from 2017 to 2021. Before that she served as the District Attorney of San Francisco and then the Attorney General of California. In those roles, she developed a reputation for being a toughon-crime prosecutor. This is her second presidential bid after a primary campaign in the 2020 election.
Both Harris and Trump have been focusing their efforts on winning in the seven swing states. These swing states will decide the 2024 election.
Biden won Arizona in 2020 by a slim margin of 10,000 votes. In the polls, Trump is leading Harris by 2 percent. Being a border state, voters in Arizona are focused on immigration and the state of the southern border.
Both Harris and Trump have pledged to take tough action on the border. Harris has promised to bring back a border bill that would give border security agents more power and resources. Trump aims to implement similar changes, but he also promises to deport millions of migrants.
Biden also won Georgia in 2020 by 13,000 votes. In the polls, Trump is leading Harris by 1 percent. Georgia was a key sight of election interference in the 2020, culminating with Trump calling Georgia’s secretary of state asking him to find an extra 11,780 votes, the amount needed for him to win the state. Kamala Harris has claimed that a Trump presidency would be a “threat to democracy.”
Biden won Michigan in 2020 by 150,000 votes. In the polls, Harris is leading Trump by 1 percent. The IsraelPalestine conflict is of major concern to Michigan’s large Arab-American population. Activists in Michigan founded the Uncommitted Movement to campaign for Democrats
to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and stop sending arms to Israel. Harris supports Israel, but says she is working for a ceasefire. Trump unequivocally supports Israel.
Biden won Nevada by 150,000 votes in 2020. Harris and Trump are neck and neck in the polls. Nevada has been slow to recover from COVID-19 having the third-highest unemployment in the country. Harris has promised to lower prices while Trump says that his corporate tax cuts would allow businesses to lower prices.
Trump won North Carolina in 2020 by 74,000 votes. In the polls, Trump is leading Harris by 1 percent. The state is plagued by high drug prices and low access to healthcare. Harris plans to negotiate lower drug prices and eliminate medical debt. Trump also promises lower drug prices and insurance premiums.
Biden won Pennsylvania 2020 by 82,000 votes. In the polls, Harris is leading Trump by 1 percent. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is hugely important in securing a victory and is considered the crown jewel of the swing states. Both candidates have spent more money advertising in Pennsylvania than in any other state. Harris is focused on winning over moderate, suburban voters while Trump is focused on getting rural voters.
Biden won Wisconsin by 21,000 votes in 2020. In the polls, Harris is leading Trump by 1 percent. Trump has spent a lot of time campaigning in the state, hitting the same issues as in other states. Harris’ campaign has focused its energy on eliminating third party candidates from the ballot.
Harris and Trump will have to spend the final stretch of the election campaign courting the undecided voters who make up the tiny margins required to win in each state. The two candidates offer two very different visions of the future of America, and these seven states could be the deciding factor.
Q:
AUGUST 6
Harris announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be joining her on the ticket.
The second presidential debate, the first and only between Trump and Harris.
In the final week, each side is trying to portray the other as unreasonable and un-American, while both urgently raising money.
STORY TRISHA CHAKRABORTY ILLUSTRATION NATHAN FRIEZER
F rom radio to television shows to Instagram live streams, politicians have long been among the first to master the newest media landscapes. In the leadup to the incredibly close 2024 presidential election, both candidates are strategically calibrating their campaign messaging and media presence in order to appeal to advantageous demographics to bolster their chances of winning.
Former President Donald Trump is largely focusing his efforts on targeting uncommitted young male voters. From podcasts with Theo Von to NFL games, the Trump campaign is going after the “bro vote.” According to an analysis that Trump advisors presented to reporters in August, a majority of the 11 percent of the undecided electorate are white men under 50 who identify as moderates.
As of now, Trump has appeared on nine podcasts with predominantly young male audiences that have racked up a combined total of over 33 million views. In August, Trump joined comedian Theo Von for a special podcast episode where the pair discussed recreational drug use and addiction. He also appeared on MIT-affiliated computer scientist Lex Fridman’s podcast, whose listeners are 87 percent male. Additionally, Trump has joined controversial media celebrities such as YouTubers Logan Paul and the Nelk Boys and former Twitch streamer Adin Ross on their own podcasts.
To some extent, the Trump campaign’s targeted appeal to disengaged young men is risky because they have historically been amongst the least likely to vote. The close nature of the upcoming election makes it hard to predict the campaign messaging’s impact, but for now it is clear that the young males that show up to Trump rallies have certainly been impacted by Trump’s podcast and media appearances.
“He’s kind of just a guy’s guy, which appeals to a lot of people,” Evan Lahey, a 21-year-old who attended Trump’s town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, said. “Even though he’s way older than Kamala, he’s way more in touch with our demographic.”
Many young men interviewed at Trump rallies expressed admiration for the former president’s persona. Over the summer, Trump attended a UFC fight, and in mid-October, he stopped by a Jets-Steelers game. The Republican National Convention also featured prominent sports figures such as former wrestler Hulk Hogan. The Trump campaign has been working to build a certain image of masculinity, and its impact on voter turnout amongst young men is yet to be seen.
The campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris is also taking advantage of the sports season, with multiple ads on sports talk radio shows and appearances at NFL, MLB, and college football games. While the Harris campaign is certainly making efforts to win the “bro vote” as well, Democrat advisors argue that the young male demographic is not the main group to target.
“The formula for success for Democrats is to win women by more than they lose men,” Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, who has advised both President Joe Biden and Planned Parenthood, said.
Historically, women have turned out to vote in higher numbers than men and make up a larger percentage of the electorate. Harris has fully embraced abortion rights as a core campaign issue, with her campaign amplifying firsthand accounts from everyday women. Democratic strategists believe this continued effort could play a crucial role in winning votes from white women without a college degree, a low-propensity voter demographic that has historically favored Trump.
Harris’ efforts to reach a broader audience of women can be seen through her appearance on Call Her
Daddy, the fifth most popular podcast among women in the nation. Its audience consists primarily of listeners under 35. The 40-minute podcast gave Harris the chance to discuss issues such as reproductive rights, sexual abuse, and student loans and debt through a format that allowed her to reach a specific set of Gen Z and millennial women that are not traditional media consumers.
However, the Harris campaign overall seems to be taking a more mainstream media approach to winning undecided voters in comparison to the Trump campaign. One point of emphasis for the vice president has been broadening her messaging to target multiple demographics. In early October, Harris joined CBS for a 60 Minutes interview and later appeared on Fox News for what turned out to be a contentious 26-minute interview.
In Pennsylvania, 52 percent of the cable news channel audience primarily watch Fox News. For the Harris campaign, the decision to appear on Fox News demonstrates a mission to reach a higher number of moderate Republicans and appeal to crucial swing state voters.
Moments from the latter half of the Fox News interview show that the Harris campaign is increasingly warning of the dangers that Trump poses to the country. Attacking Trump and his rhetoric has become a priority. For example, the Harris campaign has taken every opportunity to broadcast former Trump administration officials who no longer endorse him. From Monday, Oct. 7 to Thursday, Oct. 17, three out of four of her top ads (by spending) focus on former Trump aides who no longer support him. A new campaign slogan has emerged from the recent rhetoric: “Country over Party.”
Both Harris and Trump are ultimately navigating a complex media landscape to sway undecided voters and appeal to niche demographics. Trump appears to be honing in on young men through non-traditional media platforms, while Harris seems to be casting a wider net to engage multiple demographics. How these tactics resonate with voters could ultimately decide the election.
The Internet Archive has lost a major dispute against publishing corporations.
STORY MORGAN SUN
ILLUSTRATION LANAH KIM
T he Internet Archive (IA) is an internet library home to web pages, movies, music, and digitized texts. Combining over 150 billion pieces of content, it is most known for its Wayback Machine. The Internet Archive was founded by Brewster Kahle, a digital librarian and computer engineer, in 1996 as a nonprofit foundation centered on providing free access to digital materials and collections.
Despite its rather noble pursuit, the IA has faced a lawsuit from a series of publishing companies for unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The National Emergency Library (NEL) was an expansion of Internet Archive’s Open Library project. The project digitized library books and allowed people to check them out one at a time as eBooks. However, the NEL removed lending caps, allowing books to be borrowed by as many people as desired at once. The Internet Archive aimed to provide access to books when library closures were rampant during the pandemic. However, the Internet Archive faced backlash for authorizing tangential piracy, and publishing companies — including the larger organizations like Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, John Wiley & Sons, and Penguin Random House — sued the Internet Archive in June of 2020.
The Hachette v. Internet Archive copyright case was brought to the Southern District of New York court, and in March 2023 it ruled in favor of the publishers, describing the Internet Archive as a commercial entity that violated copyright law. Judge John G. Koeltl argued the Internet Archive was in violation of the fair use doctrine, with “nothing transformative” in its copying and lending.
“At bottom, IA’s fair use defense rests on the notion that lawfully acquiring a copyrighted print book entitles the recipient to make an unauthorized copy and distribute it in place of the print book, so long as it does not simultaneously
lend the print book,” Koeltl wrote in his summary judgment. “But no case or legal principle supports that notion. Every authority points the other direction.”
The archive filed an appeal while negotiating terms with the publishers, raising the case to the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In August 2023, they posted an announcement in response to the decision, explaining how it will affect their library.
“It means that people who are not part of an elite institution or who do not live near a well-funded public library will lose access to books they cannot read otherwise,” Director of Library Services Chris Freeland said.
Recently on Sept. 4, 2024, the Second Circuit upheld the earlier ruling. They rejected the Internet Archive’s argument that its lending practices were shielded by the fair use doctrine — which permits for copyright infringement in certain circumstances — calling it “unpersuasive.”
The Internet Archive took a couple days to respond, and eventually accepted the results. Despite the impact these decisions will have on access to their libraries, they were gracious in the decision and adamant in continuing their mission.
“We respect the opinion of the courts and, while we are saddened by how this setback affects our patrons and the future of all libraries, the Internet Archive remains strong and committed to our mission of Universal Access to All Knowledge,” Kahle wrote.
The impact of the decision on Hatchette v. Internet Archive comes at a tumultuous time in copyright law. With the development of AI, lawsuits against the infringement of generative AI tools have been on the rise. Preservation of the internet is used as a tool for journalists, researchers, and others in need of digital history. Despite the fact that the courts ruled against the digital library this time, any future cases regarding fair use in copyright will continue to be monitored — the access to free digital information depends on it.
YUN
In AP Lit a few weeks ago, Ms. Locke asked the warmup question: “What are you most excited for about fall?” Almost too quickly, I locked in my answer.
Since the latter half of summer, I’ve dreamt of sweater weather. Ditching my floral summer closet, I opted instead to throw on a wool sweater in the morning (a decision I would soon regret when the weather warmed up by brunch).
Now that November looms ever closer, a part of me wishes I could time travel back and relive summer. In a way, this change of seasons — and all the anticipation, introspection, and regret that comes with it — looks oddly similar to how I’m navigating senior year.
Through the ebbs and flows of friend groups and family dynamics, I’ve learned to cope with change and put faith in the future, whatever it may look like. But as college apps bring out the most sentimental in me, the iconic Ferris Bueller quote has started to really resonate. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
I think that movie really hits home right now because, near the brink of the sweet 18 and adulthood, everything feels within reach but there’s no concrete path to reach any of it. Although the possibilities of this murky future seem boundless, there’s always an internal clock that reminds you constantly about the limited time period you have to reach these certain points. For me, this dread is heightened by the immediate pressure of applying to college and being surrounded by an extremely smart circle of friends who each have it together far more than I do. In this atmosphere, it feels as though every path, every stream, is leading me to the exact same place — college — when there’s an infinite number of other destinations that an SPHS student like myself is simply not creative enough to imagine.
In AP Lit a few weeks ago, we also read a passage from Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar.” It was a grounding and kind of morbid passage about figs on different branches of a tree — each representing a different and wonderful goal. When the character fails to decide on which fig to grab, each fig turns black and falls off the branches. As I approach a crucial intersection, that’s my major takeaway — that any decision is better than no decision at all.
Despite the expectations and the constant talk of applications, I know with certainty that when all the dust and Common App confetti settle, no matter how applications play out, I will look forward to next fall. At the moment, it won’t prevent me from pulling my hair out from deadlines, but the reassurance is enough to remind me that I shouldn’t spend my days debating the future, worried about what the next step is. Maybe I shouldn’t be so hyper-focused on my immediate future and look at the big picture. Maybe I should stop (metaphorically) pretending that it’s fall when it’s still summer.
So as I venture deeper into the land of supplementals, and the cool California fall fades into “freezing” 60-degree winter, I will keep these lessons in mind. Although I can’t reverse the seasons and go back to summer, I will let myself enjoy this sweater weather.
The musical sequel to Joker disappoints fans with its slow pacing and anticlimactic ending.
STORY CHRISTIANNE DULEY ILLUSTRATION NATHAN FRIEZER
Joker is a critically acclaimed villain whose past movie adaptations developed enthusiastic fanbases. Joker, released in 2019, was praised for its fresh spin on the comic counterpart. Joker: Folie à Deux, the musical sequel to Joker, is another striking interpretation that depicts the exploitation of vulnerable people and the downfall of coveted idols when they wish to escape their status, although critics have viewed the film in a negative light.
The bold film proved to be too unconventional for most audiences, with disappointed fans slamming the slow buildup and anticlimactic ending. The movie has been highly controversial among fans, with critics calling the premise poorly executed and viewers leaving the theater frustrated.
Set in 1980s Gotham City, Joker: Folie à Deux continues the story of Joker, with Arthur Fleck, played by Jaoquin Phoenix, locked up in Arkham Asylum. Subjected to abusive living conditions each day and on the brink of a trial that will decide if he lives or dies, Fleck feels hopeless. That is until he meets Lee Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga. They become each other’s reason to live, even though Quinzel fuels Fleck’s destructive habits and thoughts. The duo’s connection is built through song as they support each other through the trial.
Although Fleck believes that Harley has helped him down the right path, he reverts back to his Joker persona and gradually becomes more chaotic and violent. Momentum for Fleck’s release from prison builds among his followers as he once again becomes a symbol of freedom and power for the poor residents of Gotham. When doubt creeps into Fleck’s mind and he tries to break free from the label of a terrorist leader, Quinzel and his supporters lose faith in him, causing Fleck to lose his purpose once again.
Despite the harsh criticism Joker: Folie à Deux has received, multiple aspects of the film are enticing and immaculate. The movie maintains the dark themes and eccentric narrative of the first Joker, while also adding a message and style unique from the first film. Director Todd Phillips’ distinct style of dramatic realism turns the predictable tropes and audience expectations of the sequel into a shocking commentary on American society.
The musical numbers are woven into the plot in a sensical way, with each song providing new insight
into the characters’ motives. Additionally, the camera angles and vibrant colors feel new in each scene, complimenting the story, while Phoenix and Gaga pull in the audience with their superb acting. Phoenix captures the insane essence of Joker, and Gaga’s minimal but effective performances convey the film’s portrayal of parasocial fans.
“I actually liked it better than the first one,” one audience member said. “I enjoyed the music, the mood that was set by it, the color, and the cinematography.”
Even with its beautiful production, the film’s faults overshadow its successes. Moviegoers are dissatisfied with the musical aspect, as the film was sparsely advertised as one, and slow pacing, hoping for more action and thrill following the first Joker. Many fans of the first movie believe the sequel strayed too far from the source material, failing to succeed due to Fleck turning away from his identity as the Joker. While Phillips has stated that his goal for the film was to separate his Joker adaptation from the comic story, fans consider this a bad move.
The aspect of the film that has been criticized the most is the ending. After Fleck publicly announces that he does not want to be the Joker anymore, his followers
attempt to pull him back into the role while Quinzel abandons him. Ultimately, Fleck does not receive a happy or redeeming ending, frustrating audiences even further.
This bleak conclusion is anticlimactic and wastes the tension that built up to Fleck’s return as the villain. While the ending was intended to show the downfall of idolized characters and wrap up Fleck’s story, it falls short of expectations. Fleck’s decision to hang up the mantle of Joker was too sudden, giving the impression that the writers were unsure of how to end the movie and chose the easy way out.
“It left me a little unsatisfied,” the audience member said. “The ending felt too hopeless, like nothing was achieved.” Joker: Folie à Deux is a classic case of a movie that had great ideas but poor execution. The heavily disputed film tried accomplishing too much and fell short along the way. Profound themes of classism, mental illness, exploitation, and betrayal are all squeezed into two hours of story, frequently creating a conflicting plot and confusing pacing. In an attempt to outperform the previous Joker movie and create a villain who is different from the comics, this rendition of Joker’s story flew too close to the sun and plummeted as a result.
STORY CLEMENTINE EVANS
ILLUSTRATION DIANA LOPEZ
The history of food in America extends far past the pages of a recipe book. It has a much uglier past; one that is more focused on the division of people, rather than the unity of peoples. Historically, food has been used as a tool of oppression against minorities around the world, and unfortunately, it has also become a political tactic for the 2024 presidential race.
In the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries, food was used to subordinate enslaved persons to their white
masters. During this period, slave owners were very careful and specific about the portions of food they gave their slaves. The white masters would feed their slaves just enough to keep them alive and working on the fields, but not too much that they would have energy to revolt or run away.
This withholding of food was a withholding of culture and pleasure. Food was a way for slaves to connect to their home and society. This deprivation of life, liberty, and culture was one of too many ways that food has been used to dehumanize and oppress people, a disgusting tactic of forcing an entire people to submit or starve.
During the French Revolution, wealthy elitists who were against the French Revolution in England referred to French revolutionaries as “frogs” due to the fact that parts of their cuisine consisted of frogs. This degrading term swept through England, becoming yet another insulting name to encapsulate a non-singular culture.
Americans oppressed Indigenous people during the Colonial Era. General George Washington ordered his men to salt and burn the earth of Native Americans, making it so that they were not able to grow food in the future, displacing them from their own land.
On the Trail of Tears, the U.S. government decided that their best bet was to drive Indigenous people off their land was to destroy their food sources. This left Native Americans with the choice to either stay on their homeland and starve to death, or leave their homes and search for new food sources.
The U.S. promised that they would distribute food rations to displaced Indigenous people, but these rations were few and far between, consisting of inedible or unsanitary food. This can be seen today in how Native Americans only have access to absurdly expensive and unhealthy food on their reservations.
The U.S. government decimated people’s food, forcing them out of their homes. By cutting off their source of food, they shattered Native Americans’ culture and society. That oppression and inhumane act has carried into today, where Indigenous people are still oppressed. Although these examples are centuries old, people
and organizations using food as a tool of oppression is much more recent than one may think.
In the 2024 presidential debate on Sept. 10, former President Donald Trump expressed his anger toward the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH, by shouting “they’re eating the dogs…they’re eating the pets!” Although humorous, this ties back to centuries of oppression through food. Trump degraded the Haitian immigrants of Springfield and caused major repercussions for them, including violent threats.
Lying about what different people and cultures eat has become a normalized dehumanization tactic, and it is now being used in politics to garner the support of other like-minded conservatives.
In the American education system, school food has strangely been a source of contention between conservatives and liberals. School lunches have become yet another outlet of oppression, where kids are told in front of their peers that they cannot afford a lunch. Unfortunately, school meals have become one of the most reliable sources of food for some families who do not have the luxury (or adequate income) to neither send their kids to school with lunch, nor to pay for a school-provided meal.
Thankfully, some schools have begun to offer free or reduced-price meals for low-income students, as well as distributing meals during school breaks. However, school districts that still do not have free or reducedprice meal programs are allowing their students to go hungry. Now, low-income families are forced to make the difficult choice of either paying the bills or buying food for their child.
The school meal program has turned into another form of modern food oppression, allowing some students who do not have the money to pay for food to go hungry, while continuing to give food to wealthier families who are able to afford it.
Although forward-minded thinkers in society may believe that colonial-era oppression is long gone, it is still perpetuated into modern day. Food should be something that builds bridges, not a tool of oppression. Food is culture, and vice versa.
The anti-gay moral
STORY RAFA ESTOLANO-SRIDHARAN ILLUSTRATION DIANA LOPEZ
T
he Lavender Scare was a Red Scare-era moral panic about the role of queer people in government positions. It combined the paranoia of the anticommunist Red Scare and the growing fear of moral decline in America to systematically hunt down and remove queer people from the government.
The Lavender Scare kicked off in 1953 with the signing of Executive Order 10450 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The order gave the government the authority to investigate all of its employees and listed characteristics of the type of person whose employment would be contrary to the interests of national security.
On its face, the order was just a series of requirements for government employees meant to maintain national security by keeping untrustworthy people away from sensitive positions. In reality, the order would be used to prohibit queer Americans from serving in government positions using the logic that queer people were not trustworthy because of the secretive nature of their identity.
Section 8(1)(i) of the order says that “actions, behaviors, associations that make an individual untrustworthy” would be grounds for dismissal. Although not explicit, this was targeted at queer employees of the government. The idea was this: queer people are living an illicit lifestyle, and therefore, are easier to blackmail. Or, as Senator Joseph McCarthy, leader of the Red Scare, put it, “The pervert is easy prey to the blackmailer.”
Section 8(1)(v) references a similar idea. It says that any facts that give reason to believe that someone has been coerced or influenced are grounds for dismissal. It would not be a stretch to take the idea that queer people are easier to blackmail and use it to justify suspicion against all queer employees.
Section 8(1)(iii) talks about “criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct, habitual use of intoxicants to excess, drug addiction, and sexual perversion.” In this case, the implications are clear. At the time, queerness was associated with almost all of the above. Same-sex sexuality was decriminalized for the first time in 1962 and was only decriminalized nationwide in 2003, finally being made legal in 2015.
The idea with these sections of the order was to take the preexisting negative rhetoric about queer people that dominated the era — that they were dishonest,
immoral, or perverted in some way — and use it to justify a proverbial witch hunt.
Internal security officers used their newfound powers to conduct extremely invasive investigations and interrogations. Employees who were suspected of being gay were brought into interrogations where they were asked intimate questions about their private lives without the presence of a lawyer.
It was common for employees to resign after the interrogations. For some, the pressure was too much, and they took their own lives. Between 5,000 and 10,000 people were fired during the Lavender Scare.
Today, something similar is taking place across the country. Conservatives have taken to calling queer
people, and especially trans people, “groomers.” They make the false claim that queer people are trying to “indoctrinate” or “groom” children into being queer. Essentially, they are saying that all queer people are pedophiles who are coming for children.
In 2022, Florida passed what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The law prohibits educators from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in a way that is not “age appropriate,” but does not define the term. Its language is vague in a way that allows for it to be interpreted as banning all discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity. A 2024 lawsuit resulted in a weakening of the law so that discussion of the aforementioned topics was allowed so long as it is not part of formal instruction. Since it came into law, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa and Indiana have adopted similar laws.
Just as in the Lavender Scare, the present-day laws give education officials the power to investigate educators who violate the restrictive new laws. Teachers have been investigated for offenses as small as showing a movie with a gay character or a picture of their husband. These investigations create a hostile environment for educators and their students, and have already driven multiple teachers to quit their jobs.
In addition to the “Don’t Say Gay” law, Florida passed a law that let anyone appeal to remove “sexually explicit” books from school libraries. What resulted was the banning of thousands of books that were mostly on LGBTQ+ topics. The vast majority were not “sexually explicit,” and the vast majority of those reported books did not have children in the schools they were trying to remove them from. One school district in Florida banned over 1,600 books over the course of just two years. It got so bad that the Republican governor of Florida, Ron Desantis, had to amend the law so that people without kids in a school district could only complain about one book per month. Other states like Texas and Missouri have similar book banning laws.
The Lavender Scare and this new moral panic are shockingly similar. They both use the same narrative: there is something fundamentally bad about queer people. In the Lavender Scare, they were perverse and dishonest, and today they are “groomers.” And because of those qualities, they pose an existential threat to something sacred — back then it was the country, today it is the children. They both have the same end goal: forcing queer people back into the closet. At the end of the day, today’s moral panic is just as contrived, hateful, and ridiculous as the Lavender Scare.
STORY ISABELLA JONASEN
PHOTO MADELINE MADRIGAL
The early 2000s harvested the largest scare of the time, now widely known as Y2K. Worries were stirring about the major loss of digital media. Its inability to log the new millennium created a hostile environment nationwide, with everyone worried about what was saved on their digital files. There was a worldwide panic over a conspiracy theory: Once the clock struck midnight on the new year 2000, the world would simply end over the loss of digital media. Anxiety rose through the roof as people realized that their generation had become reliant solely on digital media. People began to confront the issue of the younger generation’s attachment to the digital world, starting with the case of Napster.
Napster was a website that provided unsolicited distribution of audio files. This caused altercations between 18 different record companies, including large artists like Metallica and Dr. Dre. These artists were distraught — no contracts had been signed, and no checks were sent out. They retaliated by filing major lawsuits against Napster in the year 2000. The artists in question thought the music space would go fully online, leading to a lack of fair wages for artists. This suit became the first conflict to protect physical media in fear of the digital world.
Companies then began to note that it was not ethical to have one form of media be superior to another. The digital media rave was too new to collectively transfer everything and everyone online.
The Great Recession of 2007 left many jobless and financially unstable, and most people did not have the funds to switch from CDs to iPods at the snap of a finger. Soon after the recession, stores like Blockbuster experienced huge plummets in profits. With the uprising of Netflix, former customers found a simpler way to watch box-office hits. Blockbuster’s place in the entertainment world was now rendered inexistent. Netflix’s online forum contained countless numbers of films and TV shows, while providing the luxury of no late-return fees. They effectively changed with the times — DVDs were sent out promptly, and customers received them in a
matter of days. The convenience of Netflix contributed to Blockbuster filing for bankruptcy in 2010 and the closure of thousands of its locations.
This prompted filmmakers to become worried about Netflix’s change to streaming. They had every reason to be, as streaming led to the 21st century binge-watching phenomenon that changed how people consume media entirely. With algorithms to create accurate recommendations, access to everything with the click of a button surely made the user’s experience more pleasurable. On the other hand, this angered filmmakers, as they worried it would limit the type of media they could create. They did not want to be put in a box and create cookie-cutter art, with the sole goal of it becoming something anyone could binge-watch. Filming or writing for streaming services limited the amount of freedom they were allowed to have during the creative process.
And filmmakers were right — as of now, one of the main complaints about films is their decline in original content. Large film corporations using sequels as a cash-grab have
always been a frustration to moviegoers; currently, the reception of this phenomenon is even more negative, with crowds viewing it as lazy and lifeless. Not only are people losing original content because of the removal of stores like Blockbuster, but society has also lost a part of its history. Not everything is on the Netflix home page. People cannot even find the shows they watched when they were younger, let alone a movie from the ‘60s.
The only reasonable solution would be to find an inbetween. People cannot simply rely on one form of media. Supporting both forms protects a wider range of content in comparison to only supporting a single form.
Video store owners in Tampa Bay, FL, reported that in preparation for the hurricane, people were digging out their old DVD players and buying up their stock of cheap movies to compensate for the loss of internet. Considering the beyond-awful circumstances, this situation starts the conversation of whether physical media should only be a last resort or instead something that should be well-loved and appreciated.
Tea at Shiloh, known as a late night teahouse, offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Los Angeles’ Arts District where tea, live music, and conversation make for an alternative nightlife experience.
STORY TRISHA CHAKRABORTY
PHOTOS LINDA YUN
As we gently pushed open the door to Tea at Shiloh, my ears were immediately greeted by the soft tinkling sound of wind chimes. Floral aromas, subtle but fragrant, filled the air. I was struck by the size of the space. Tea at Shiloh was smaller than I expected, but much taller than I had imagined. Warm-toned lamps hung from the lofty ceiling, casting a soft, golden light that created an inviting glow in the room. There were light beige sofas nestled against exposed brick walls, and, as far as I could tell, there was no shortage of pillows.
Situated in the vibrant heart of the Arts District, Tea at Shiloh is a unique Los Angeles experience that blends the laid-back vibe of cafe culture with a strong emphasis on community and connection. The founders, Shiloh iii and Ahdom Sayre, envisioned it as a space that reimagines nightlife, moving away from the typical bustling night scene and instead offering “a calm, open, and inspiring atmosphere for community, connection, and creation.”
The teahouse operates on an exclusive reservationbased model, meaning guests must book their sessions in advance. When it first opened, Tea at Shiloh only offered nighttime sessions, but they have since expanded their sessions to include “Daylight Hours” as well.
During these “Daylight Hours,” the teahouse is dedicated to work, study, and meaningful conversation. Unlike the hustle-bustle of a typical cafe environment, Shiloh exhibits gentle lighting and a curated selection of traditional Chinese and Japanese tea blends that are meant to help for unwinding or focusing on work.
At night, the teahouse transforms into something very different. “Late Night Teas,” held in the late evenings, are sessions designed for deeper conversations, creative exploration, and live music. Each night is themed,
with offerings that range from mellow jazz to more experimental musical genres like groove.
The intimate nature of the teahouse is definitely purposeful. Tea at Shiloh encourages community building and chance encounters, a philosophy embodied in its cozy, almost homelike setting.
Even before arriving, we were gently reminded to enter with an open mind and to leave any specific expectations at the door, as the experience is shaped by the individuals who share the space with you. The atmosphere changes with every group, making each session unique.
Linda, Morgan, Isole and I attended a “Late Night Tea” session on a quiet Tuesday evening, an experience that turned out to be filled with ambient lighting, earthy teas, and walking bass lines.
Originally, we had planned to spend the evening working on our college applications in silence, taking advantage of the peaceful environment. However, those plans were quickly derailed when Isole and I stumbled upon a Herbal Astrology deck of cards tucked away on a small table.
Intrigued, we cleared the sleek hardwood table in front of us and carefully spread out the deck of cards, each one decorated with intricate, whimsical drawings of woodland settings and nature characters, some based on polytheistic religious figures. We each then pulled a card with our left hands (per threateningly specific instructions from the deck’s guidebook) and settled in to read our fates.
The descriptions of the cards were rather cryptic, to say the least, and frankly, neither of us understood their meanings. Still, it was a thought-provoking activity, and we found ourselves deep in conversation as we desperately tried to tease out meaning from
the mysterious symbols — flying whales, weeping mandrakes, and long necked cranes.
The sounds of cello interrupted us mid-conversation as the lights dimmed to give the room a deep, velvety red hue. At Shiloh, live musicians can perform atop a platform that overlooks the teahouse, creating an almost ethereal concert atmosphere. As the music intensified, our conversation did too, evolving from serious reflection to fits of laughter as we shared our increasingly absurd interpretations of the cards.
I could see the appeal of Shiloh in that moment. The space was perfect for not only meaningful conversations but also spontaneous, lighthearted moments.
Perhaps the most charming part of the night was when Morgan, Linda, and I discovered the teahouse’s guest book. Its thick papier-mache pages were bound with string and covered in hundreds of handwritten letters, watercolor paintings, doodles, and poems from anonymous writers.
Flipping through its pages, we found everything from heartwarming journal entries about self-affirmation to whimsical watercolor doodles and uplifting poems about transformation. Countless messages expressed gratitude toward Tea at Shiloh for providing a space that nurtured healing and introspection.
The guest book was an interesting find and made me reflect on where I was in my own life. I could see myself coming back to Shiloh when I was older and less hyperfocused on the immediate future. I got the impression that Tea at Shiloh caters to individuals who value contemplation and self-reflection, and resonates with cafe-dwellers looking for a unique and alternative space. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for those seeking a more traditional cafe experience, but for those who are open to something different, it certainly makes for a memorable experience.
STORY EVELYN DIAZ
PHOTO MADELINE MADRIGAL
S
PHS senior Abigail Errington has committed to Princeton University, where she will continue her cross country career at the collegiate level. Errington announced her commitment via Instagram on Sept. 24. She is excited for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as she transitions to college.
“I just love this sport. Having the opportunity to continue for another four years is really exciting,” Errington said. “I’m excited to be in a super competitive environment against super talented girls, and just having awesome training in college and a lot more resources.”
Errington is currently one of the two cross country girls’ team captains. She began running competitively during her freshman year of high school, and since then, she has become one of the school’s most decorated athletes. She says that consistency has been key to her success.
“This season’s been really fun. We had a total of three races, and I’ve managed to get a [personal record] in two of the courses, which is awesome. It’s been a really good start,” she said. “One piece of advice that has stuck with me is that consistency is key. Trusting the process will get you where you need to be…It’s just staying consistent and still working hard.”
Errington has delivered multiple nationally ranked performances, including her time of 4:50.45 in the girls’ 1600M that placed her seventh in California and 15th in the nation. Errington currently holds multiple school records. She has broken course records multiple times and has placed first in countless cross country meets throughout her high school years, including this year’s Pacific Rio Hondo Challenge and last year’s Woodbridge Invitational. Errington placed second in last year’s CIF Southern Section Division Four finals.
Looking back on her favorite high school memories, Errington will always remember the travel meets as a time to bond with her teammates. Despite the excitement of this new chapter for her, Errington will also miss her high school team.
“Being able to spend time with friends on the road and bond over a collective goal is something I’ll always treasure…I’m just going to miss all the girls on my team. I’ve grown up with so many of them, and while being on a new team is exciting, I’m definitely going to miss [my old team],” Errington said. “We’ve been improving a lot throughout the years, so we want to consistently rank higher in the state and improve on what we’ve already achieved. Our main goal is to make it to State, and hopefully the podium…We are really just trying to take it all in, and enjoy it, and have as much fun as we can, because we know this is the last opportunity that we’ll have to race altogether.”
“This will be a historic season for the varsity girl’s cross country team,” cross country Head Coach Mike Parkinson said. “This group of seniors have made it to the State Championships all three past years…I believe they can win State.”
Errington is considering pursuing a career in molecular biology or more broadly in medicine. Although she has not made any final decisions, Errington is confident about attending Princeton.
“I just have excitement [and no nervousness]. I know I’m going to a great program, and I know I’ll be properly supported. I’m just excited to get in there,” Errington said. “There will be a lot more resources at Princeton, and I can’t wait to make the most of it.”
With Errington’s dedication to both academics and athletics, she is set to make her mark at Princeton. As she takes her final laps in high school, her journey is just beginning.
STORY BENJAMIN REGAN
LANAH KIM
Spanish striker Lamine Yamal curled a shot to the far corner of the goal in Spain’s semifinal win over France in the European Football Championships this summer. He was 16 years old. Yamal turned 17 the day before Spain’s final match against England, where he contributed an assist in Spain’s 2-1 win. Yamal is now the darling of the soccer world, the next big thing in professional sports.
The young Yamal led Spain to a European Championship and made himself known on the international stage for the first time. Yamal looks to be the next Barcelona star, following in the footsteps of club legend Lionel Messi. As a teenager, Yamal is already one of the best players in the world.
According to Oxford Languages, a prodigy is a young person “endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities.” Yamal, no doubt, fits this definition. His control, speed, and vision are excellent regardless of his age, and his drive to be the best is relentless. Out-playing seasoned defenders at 16 makes his skills even more impressive.
Yamal’s fast path to the top of the soccer world could not have happened without talent. But he has also outworked his competition to surpass them. Yamal is a naturally smaller player who was vulnerable to physical defenders pushing him around at the outset of his career. Before the Euros, Yamal addressed this weakness by adding 15 pounds of muscle, dedicating himself to being in the best shape possible so that defenders could not exploit his lack of size.
More importantly, Yamal possesses and continues to improve a spectacular skillset. His ability to take over a game with an assist or goal drew praise from Messi, who said, “I also think that Lamine Yamal…will play a prominent role and fight for [the Ballon d’Or] in the future too.” The Ballon d’Or is given to the best soccer player in the world every year.
Prodigies, who often get a reputation as lucky, earn their success.
When Yamal was just 13 years old, his training began at Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia. The Spanish Academy, which is free, identified Yamal as a talented prospect that they could develop into Barcelona material.
The young Yamal went to work. On Mondays, he put in two hours of individual work and tactics before team practice. Tuesdays saw 90 minutes of team practice before Yamal took on the weight room. He dedicated 90 minutes every Wednesday to practicing free kicks, and then spent another 45 on yoga, stretching, and overall recovery. On Thursdays, the striker worked on his weak foot, mastering his right foot while sharpening his now-feared left foot. This routine was capped off with speed work on Fridays before game day on Saturday. After a rest day on Sunday, Yamal would do it all again.
If any talented player were to be dropped into this regimen, it would not produce Lamine Yamal. The structure of a youth academy certainly helped in his development, but no one else earned this success for him. With an admirable
work ethic starting from a young age and superior skills that he polished over countless practices, he has himself to thank for a spectacular start to his career.
The misconception about prodigies is that they are simply born better than everyone else. While some athletes are physically gifted from a young age, those advantages wear off over time. A naturally hard thrower in baseball, for example, can dominate when they first start playing based on talent alone. At that point, they have not truly earned their success.
There comes a time where physical superiority is not enough. That same hard thrower cannot get away with only throwing fastballs when competition improves. The difference between a prodigy and a good young player is not the talent nor the physical traits they are born with. It is the goal they set from the beginning of their career and the hours they put in to achieve it.
The special part about prodigies is that even when they are better than everyone else, they work to improve. This can even start at the age of five for some gymnastics and chess prodigies. There has to be a strong desire to achieve greatness, and most young athletes, focused on playing for fun and doing their best, do not dare to dream that big.
The first step is even knowing that they want it. Generational players fall in love with their sport the first time they step onto the field, court, track, rink, or pitch. Then, there is a hunger to get better. A good player might play well because of their talent, but a great player will perform well and still be unsatisfied with it, itching to improve. It is especially impressive to have this mentality at such a young age.
Now considered the best soccer player in the world, a young Kylian Mbappe born in Paris, France wanted to become the best player of all time. Mbappe joined Clairefontaine Academy at 12 years old, an institution nicknamed the “Factory of French Football.” In addition to rigorous training, Mbappe got eight or more hours of sleep every night and turned off his phone at 8:20 p.m. He was, even as a prepubescent player, willing to do whatever it took to conquer the soccer world. Now, he is a World Cup Champion.
LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Serena Williams are three prominent American prodigies. Even growing up in poverty, the trio of athletes knew from a young age that they wanted to become the greatest in their respective sports. That realization in their youth sparked a career of outworking opponents and becoming, arguably, the greatest of all time.
Being a sports prodigy is too often associated with luck. Prodigies know from a young age how they want to spend the rest of their lives. That type of mindset is rare, and coupling talent and dedication with is even more unusual. But when everything comes together, about once every generation, sports fans have a new prodigy to celebrate.
OCTOBER 29, 2024
STORY ANONYMOUS
ILLUSTRATION ISOLE KIM
T
he SPHS soccer teams play home games at Ray Solari Stadium during their season in the winter. A few months before soccer kicks off, those bleachers are full of students and parents in black and orange on Friday nights, the band and cheerleaders contributing to the feeling of a Tiger home game. Soccer shares the same field as football but does not benefit from the same atmosphere and is not nearly as well attended. Soccer at SPHS deserves the same attention and fanpacked stadium that football has every game, and the school itself needs to better promote soccer games in order for that to happen.
High school football culture is definitely more prominent than high school soccer. Friday night games are staples of the high school experience, but the difference in fans between football and soccer games at SPHS is unreasonable. The talent level does not explain this gap in attendance since both football and boys’ soccer qualified for CIF last year. It is not as if the teams are unwatchable; both are very competitive.
The reason for these differences is not the quality of play nor the field. It is the advertisement. The school promotes its football team in the weekly emails, on social media, and creates excitement for the games throughout the week, while promotion of soccer is limited at best.
There is a theme for every home football game, so students come with their friend group dressed in all black or USA gear in the bleachers. There are creative posters that the players run through to start the game. The snack stand sells food and the band performs at halftime. Cheerleaders encourage students to “stand up for the kickoff” and chants often break out in the crowd. Everyone sings the alma mater after games, win or lose. Outside of the actual football game, there is a lively and spirited environment in the stadium.
None of these things exist for soccer games. Because of this, a soccer game, through no fault of the team, does not come close to replicating the feeling of a football game. Some of it is unavoidable. Soccer plays in the winter so it is colder compated
to football season. They also play during the week, which means games may be more difficult to attend than on a Friday night. American culture also prioritizes football over soccer, contributing to pre-established biases that soccer might not be as entertaining as football.
“Having bigger crowd sizes gives us more energy to go out and win games,” junior SPHS soccer player Kuba Clemons said. “Having more fans in the bleachers would definitely benefit the soccer team, as it would give us more of a home field advantage… it’s always nice having someone cheering you on and makes you feel more confident going into the game.”
If the school could promote its soccer teams the same way it does for its football team, the bleachers would not be bare. And soccer deserves it. The sport is built off crowd energy and celebrations, and if there are only parents scattered throughout the bleachers, it is tough for the team to bring the same energy. At professional soccer games, fans are chanting and cheering throughout the entire match, and their presence can be felt on the field. Without many fans, the games start feeling like scrimmages, which lowers the players’ fire on the field.
Both boys’ and girls’ soccer are preparing for their upcoming seasons, and a packed stadium creates a better and more energetic environment for them to play in front of.
Soccer attendance at SPHS may never match football’s, but there is no reason the school cannot close the gap. Instagram posts, student section themes, and band performances are not exclusive to one team. The snack stand should be up and running for soccer games; it generates money for the school and brings in fans simultaneously. The band and cheerleaders could perform at least one game a year.
“For starters, I think if we made the experience more immersive more people would come,” senior SPHS goalkeeper Ava Hartstein said. “Playing music, making announcements, etc, might help. Another thing is better publicity. If people know about the games, they might watch.”
Outside of parents and friends, people are not showing up to SPHS soccer games. Injecting some of football’s energy into soccer games could do wonders for the programs heading into their 2024–25 seasons.
TUESDAY, OCT. 29TH @ 5:00 PM, BOYS’ WATER POLO CIF ROUND 1
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30TH @ 11:30 AM, GIRLS’ TENNIS LEAGUE FINALS
FRIDAY, NOV. 1ST @ 7:00 PM, FOOTBALL VS. LA CAÑADA AWAY
THURSDAY, NOV. 7TH @ 1:30 PM, CROSS COUNTRY BOYS’ & GIRLS’ LEAGUE FINALS
Athletics are a means for students to express themselves outside of educational programs. SPHS offers various popular options including football, basketball, soccer, and cross country. However, far more sports exist outside of the handful that South Pasadena offers. Many students are not exposed to such “niche” sports and discover their passion for the sport far later than ideal.
Many people are encouraged during childhood to take on a sport. However, the options are often limited to the tried-and-true baseball and soccer; less popular sports, such as fencing and figure skating, are seldom brought up. Some children, upon discovering their dislike for one single sport, are led to believe that
such known sports make up the entirety of athletics — USA Today reports that 70 percent of kids drop out of organized sports practice by the age of 13. These children end up missing out on benefits such as teamwork skills and physical exercise, which could be avoided if the media branched out to endorse sports both big and small.
Schools have enormous influence on the lives of attending students. In an attempt to foster a diverse generation, some schools around the nation have begun offering sports such as wrestling, fencing, and gymnastics. Although many students enjoy actionfilled sports such as baseball or basketball, others may prefer smaller sports that connect better with their preferences.
“Skating is a bit of a smaller sport that not a lot of people know about. Maybe I would have discovered it sooner if there was more publicity,” sophomore figure skater Kayla Chang said. Chang began skating in eighth grade; the average athlete starts at age six and has years to hone in their craft.
Another student active in boxing stated, “[advertisement] would be really awesome. Because that’s not something a lot of kids get the opportunity to [do]...that’d be really great for peoples’ experiences.”
Regardless of how dominant the more popular sports are, smaller sports can add layers of depth to the community and may be a better fit for some athletes. Increasing advertisement for these niche sports would help connect a wider variety of children wanting to engage in something that piques their interests. Young people’s participation in athletics can greatly benefit their health and wellbeing later in life; more exposure to sporting options would increase the likelihood
that children enjoy their sport, do not quit, and benefit subsequently.
The inclusion of less-acknowledged sports into the media can help to create opportunities for students to be active in their community and enjoy the time they practice. One student archer stated that any means of support would help students become interested in archery. If overlooked sports were advertised more, students could have an easier time finding options they can dedicate themselves to, rather than quitting out of a lack of interest.
By advertising lesser-known sports, students may be more able to find a community they feel they belong in and take a mental break from the strain of schoolwork and management while also staying physically fit, forming bonds with others, and developing social and sportsmanlike traits in sports that they truly enjoy.
zone but recovered by sophomore wide
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The Tigers crushed the Temple City Rams on Friday, Oct. 25, closing out homecoming week with a victory. Throughout the game, the Tigers maintained their momentum, scoring and defending smoothly from start to finish.
“We loved the energy that the fans brought tonight in the stands and the homecoming and…our team kind of took that…and played a heck of a game,” Head Coach Jeff Chi said.
The first quarter began as the Tigers kicked a touchback to the Rams. Unable to make any significant progress, the Rams used their fourth down to punt to the Tigers, who began their possession at their 39-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Nott threw an immediate pass to senior tight end James Dowd, gaining 38 yards and placing the team at the 23-yard line. With this newfound yardage, senior running back David Ortega ran the ball 23 more yards to the endzone, putting the Tigers ahead 6-0.
The Rams made little progress before punting the ball back. Despite it just being the start of their possession, Nott threw a dime to Dowd, gaining 47 yards for the Tigers and placing them at the 5-yard line. From there, Ortega ran the ball into the endzone for the Tigers, bringing the score to 13-0 after junior kicker Nicholas Dragonas made the extra point.
The Tigers punted to the Rams, who started their possession at the 20-yard line. This time, Temple City’s possession played out differently, as they managed to make a pass that netted them a massive 58 yards. Junior cornerback Tatem Mendoza intercepted the ball on Temple City’s fourth down, but the play was penalized and redone. The Rams took advantage of their second chance, scoring a touchdown and bringing the score to 13-6.
The Tigers received the ball at the 29-yard line and began to make short bursts of progress. Eventually, junior running back Trey Freking made it to the 33, gaining 18 yards for the Tigers. The first quarter came to a close.
The second quarter began with the Tigers barreling toward the touchdown line. Throughout a series of plays, the team gained 28 yards, with multiple passes from Nott to Dowd. Right after, the ball was fumbled in the end
The Tigers then kicked to the Rams, who ultimately failed to overcome the Tigers’ defense. The Tigers passed their way downfield. Eventually, Freking had a series of running plays that brought the Tigers from the 16-yard line to the end zone. The score was 27-6.
As the field lights dimmed during halftime, senior Isabella Castro was announced as South Pasadena’s 2024 Most Royal Tiger. Fireworks shot up from the baseball diamond and into the night sky. Accommodated by performances from the SPHS Marching Band and Advanced Dance, the event left the stands in awe.
Transferring the energy back onto the field, the Tigers rushed downfield in a few plays after the Rams punted the ball back. Dowd slipped into the end zone for a touchdown, 34-6. The Tigers continued to hold back the Rams; senior free safety Jacob Chuang eventually intercepted the ball. Running off the Tigers’ energy, sophomore running back Rick Matsuda made a 2-yard rushing touchdown. The score reached 41-6 with the Tigers surging forward in a massive lead. The Rams made feeble progress, bringing an end to the third quarter.
The Tigers controlled the fourth quarter, with the Rams trudging back onto the field, helmets hung low. After making negligible yards, the Rams were forced into punting back into the Tigers’ possession at their 21yard line. Cutting through the Rams’ defense like a knife through butter, senior wide receiver Jordan Rodgers ran into the end zone through an aggressive running play down the sideline. Added with Dragonas’ successful onepoint conversion, the score was 48-6.
From then on, neither team made significant advances on the field. The Tigers denied the Rams one last touchdown as the seconds counted down to zero. The final score was 48-6, an overwhelming victory for the Tigers.
When asked what helped the Tigers maintain an aggressive offense throughout the game, Dowd said, “I thought our coaches did a good job with the game plan and found me in an opening.”
With a persistent winning streak, the Tigers are looking to carry over their energy to a final away game against La Cañada on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. to conclude the team’s regular season.
What does it mean to be a sports fan? To some, it’s a casual pastime that means checking the standings periodically and making sports small talk: “You see the game yesterday? Who’s pitching tonight?”
For me, being a sports fan feels like a badge of honor. I watch baseball games and listen to baseball games, and if I can’t do either, I’ll catch the highlights the next day. Both of my teams, the Cleveland Guardians and the Los Angeles Dodgers, reached the championship series in their respective leagues this year, and I stick with them through thick and thin. I’m a loyal fan and will support my teams no matter what, but watching the Dodgers compete for a World Series title has been incredibly entertaining.
For some fans, sports serve as an escape from reality. They give people hope. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the state of New York, maybe even Mets fans, came together to root for the Yankees. The Yankees were a symbol for moving forward after 9/11, and even though they came up short against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series that year, the team motivated many to continue on with their lives in the aftermath of the attacks.
But sports is also a story that unfolds over 162 games on the diamond or 17 grueling weeks on the gridiron. One of the best parts of the story is that we know the history and backstory of the players and teams. Every time the Dodgers and Astros face off, the memories of the 2017 World Series hang above the field, even though almost every player from those teams has retired or been traded. It’s a rematch, a rivalry game, and the bitterness between the two teams transcends seasons.
Some fans have waited their entire lives for the championship chapter of their team’s story, and Cleveland Browns fans will likely have to wait much longer. There are curses in sports that cause fans of that franchise to put paper bags over their heads in the stands, chanting “sell the team.” Ultimately, it’s a story of failure for all but one team every season, but just because the year doesn’t end with a championship banner doesn’t mean it didn’t have its share of signature wins and magical moments.
The story is so meaningful because we know the characters. The players, coaches, general managers, and owners make the story, and we have followed them over time. I remember watching Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in the spotlight since their college days at Louisiana State University. The duo is still dicing defenses, now on the Cincinnati Bengals. There are comeback stories and players like Sam Darnold, who failed as a Panther but has revived his career as a Viking, that are easy to root for. And, unfortunately, there are also injuries.
We feel for the athletes when injuries seize their careers and stunt their potential. Watching Tua Tagovailoa collapse on the field, his hands bent above his helmet after suffering a horrible concussion, means something. He’s 26 years old, and his concussion saga is bigger than football. Fans have donated money to his charities, and the football world, typically divided as rivals, has come together to support the young quarterback.
The story of sports brings everything to the table. The agony of the defeat and the joy of victory give fans a rollercoaster of emotions: thrill, anxiety, relief, frustration, and occasionally happiness. At the end of the season, each fanbase can appreciate the story of their team and the unpredictable ride to the finish line.
There’s a reason almost 30 million Americans play fantasy football and over a billion people watch the World Cup. It’s because sports tell a story. And the best part is that you can join the story at any time. My only advice to sports fans just getting started is pick your team wisely, because that is your team for life.