think
creatively
Students who are 16 years or older are eligible to pre-register to vote at the Tiger Patio from Sep. 19-23.
Cross Country will be competing in their next meet at Lacy Park on Thursday, Sep. 22.
CA 91030
Rob Schwartz will be hosting a parent college talk in Anderson Auditorium on Wednesday, Sep. 28.
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undreds of students filled the gym with orange and black on Friday, Sep. 16 for SPHS’ 83rd annual Color Day. This year’s event marked the first time students were back in the gym since the pandemic. During the assembly, there were activities such as scavenger hunts and tug-of-war, dances by the pep squads, the dance program, and the teachers. The assembly also revealed the homecoming nominations.
Junior Vivan Yu began the assembly with a rendition of the National Anthem, and Commissioner of Assemblies senior Alexa Morales followed with an intro monologue and the long-standing SPHS tradition: roll call.
The underclassmen were customarily booed while the seniors roared in spirit for their last Color Day roll call. The SPHS Dance program followed soon after with an elaborate performance to “Money” by Lisa and Cardi B and other popular mashups.
“There was a lot more energy in this one,” Commissioner of Clubs and dance captain senior Stephanie Law said. “Having all that energy from the dance students was a really great part of the day.”
The following activities were a scavenger hunt and the long-awaited tug of war battle. Each grade sent students to compete and tried their best to help their representatives but in the end, the seniors triumphed in both class competitions. Soon after, Commissioner of Spirit and senior Kaile Fernandes announced the Homecoming nominees for each grade, including nine seniors, and three each for other grades.
LETTER OF REC Tiger analyzes the scarcity mentality seniors hold regarding letters of recommendation and the influence that college application season has on the mental wellbeing of staff and students alike.
The juniors debuted an original costume of “San Marino Trojan Horse” while the sophomores did not disappoint with “Amazon Gift Cards.” Donning American history inspired costumes, the History Department’s elaborate “American Icons” was awarded the staff award.
“The highlight of the day was winning the costume competition,” freshman costume competition winner Mackenzie Moore said.
Numerous teachers danced to “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus in the annual staff dance performance, as students frantically whipped out cell phones to record their favorite teachers working some jazz hands and footwork. ASB members gathered into the middle of the gym, putting on a faux court case about a student wearing blue on Color Day.
Morales then announced the seniors as the winners of the class banner with their Netflix themed banner. The freshmen came in second as Peacock and the sophomores and juniors tied for third as Hulu and Disney+ respectively. The SPHS Tiger Band finished off the assembly with the SPHS Alma Mater with students and staff alike singing along.
Next for Homecoming is the homecoming assembly, picnic and game on Friday, Oct. 7 with the homecoming dance the day after, on Saturday Oct. 8.
Tiger explores the beauty and resiliency of reclaiming ones’ trauma through Rina Sawayama’s highly anticipated sophomore album Hold the Girl.
In a spree of victory, the South Pasadena Football Team defeated the Alhambra Moors away from their home field on Friday, Sept. 16 after the festivities of Color Day.
Owner Bill Disselhorst transferred the beloved Fiore Market Cafe into the hands of local restaurant owner Linda Grace on Thursday, Sep. 1. Since its opening 12 years ago, Fiore Market Cafe has been a staple of the South Pasadena community. The cafe is located on Mission Street in a relatively small building next to the Fremont Centre Theatre. As customers walk in, an abundant garden, whitewashed adobe walls, carefully placed furniture, and vibrant flowers spilling out of planters welcome them. From bread-baking classes to live music in the afternoon, residents flock to this local landmark.
The cafe has a family-friendly atmosphere with a menu of sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. It is famous for its delicious sandwiches, notably the chicken pesto and short rib. Favorites also include the homemade bread and cookies. In 2010 Bill and Anne Disselhorst decided to launch the cafe. Modeled after the cozy atmosphere of the many restaurants they saw on a trip to Italy, their venture turned into Fiore. In an Instagram post from Aug. 24, 2022, Bill Disselhorst summed up his experience with the cafe and introduced the new owner Grace.
“It’s been an amazing run,” Disselhort said. “I am so grateful that she is the one to carry on the tradition that Anne and I started almost 12 years ago.”
Grace’s first business, the San Marino Cafe, is a casual setting with a friendly environment. The cafe survived despite
the challenges of lockdown, a testament to how loved the restaurant is. Her second location, Piccadilly Grace, located in San Gabriel, also survived COVID-19’s effects on local businesses in the past three years.
“Over the last 5 years at San Marino Cafe, I have gained experience and understanding of how guests want to be treated.” Grace said. It is my biggest priority to accommodate our guests as best we can, and we built culture in San Marino and San Gabriel that we are excited about bringing to South Pasadena.”
Grace learned about the opportunity to take over Fiore from her longtime friend Bill Disselhorst. Both being local business owners, they had connected previously and helped each other through difficult COVID-19 times.
“When the opportunity came along to purchase Fiore we both knew we had a similar vision for the transition and made the best decision.” Grace said. “My main objective for Fiore is to maintain the same tastes and flavors, bake the bread and pastries that Bill passed on to us. I am planning on opening up the marketplace and bringing back counter and table service in the coming months.”
The restaurant ordering process was modified for Covid to ensure little contact with others as possible, using QR codes and closing some of Fiore’s in-person features.
“Feeding people is my passion. Owning restaurants is in my blood,” Grace said. “I love what Bill created for us at Fiore. I will preserve the magic and add my special touch.”
SPHS is discontinuing Saturday Schools in the 2022-2023 school year. Instead, it will opt for bi-weekly Wellness Workshops hosted by the Chinatown Service Center.
The shelter-in-place experience of the COVID-19 lockdown raised immediate concerns about students’ socio-emotional and mental health needs. The Train Your Brain Program partnered with the Chinatown Service Center to provide students with emotional-learning resources. With an emphasis on accommodating student differences, the program intends to help students develop skills to foster a better learning environment.
Chinatown Service Center is a health and human service non-profit based in Los Angeles that targets immigrants and refugees, providing critical healthcare services and advocating for families that cannot afford them. Wellness Workshops are an extension of the Train Your Brain Program that aims to provide education and a forum to seek help. The first semester focuses on managing emotions. The meetings take place every late start week, with Tuesdays focusing on introducing the topic and activities, and Wednesdays on “Restorative Circles.”
“Wellness Workshops are designed to provide one more tool to students to access... different aspects of their social-emotional learning,” principal John Eldred said.
The school aims to deviate from traditional corrective measures in hopes of fostering a more progressive learning environment. As restorative practices become commonplace, punitive measures are growing outdated.
“Schools are finally beginning to see the [ineffectiveness] of Saturday Schools,” Eldred said. “They do not tackle the root of the issue. [Making kids sit for four hours] is not going to correct behavior. It is not going to provide
Lifetime South Pas resident Bert Edward Carlisle (1940-2022) passed away on Feb. 17, 2022, bequeathing $100,000 and two single-family residences to the children’s wing of the South Pasadena Public Library.
The Library Board of Trustees and Council Liaison Diana Mahmud held a special meeting on Aug. 31, 2022 in response to the donation. After Library Board of Trustees President Dean Sirwin presented the conditions, the board voted unanimously to accept Calisle’s bequest and establish a fund to receive the money and ensure the preservation of its intent. Carlisle’s endowment would be given to the library on the condition that the Library Board use the fund only as capital improvement for the construction of a “story
a learning opportunity. It is not going to address why [students] are [in Saturday School] in the first place.”
“When I used to be a teacher, I used to [oversee] detention every Saturday morning,” Eldred continued. “I would see the same 120 kids over and over, sitting there in silence. [I would think to myself], how does that fix anything?”
Unlike Saturday Schools, Wellness Workshops are open to all students. Although they are an alternative to mandatory interventions, they are accessible for all students to attend.
“By catering to a wider audience, these Wellness Workshops are a gateway to SPHS’s wellness resources,” assistant principal Vanessa Blackwood said. “We are
room.” The bequest is not intended for the personnel or operating cost, nor for the city fund. Instead, it is solely intended to pay for the construction of the ampitheater.
The late Carlisle’s will was finalized in 1990. Today, his bequests total to around $2.4 million dollars in assets between the pledged money and family residences.
Carlisle’ endowment includes $100,000 in cash, a promissory note, and a deed of property for land in Oklahoma, and two single-family residences in South Pasadena.
The promissory note and deed of property are exempt from the bequest, as the land has already been paid off.
The properties will be sold through the probate process, which is expected to close prior to the beginning of 2023.
A formal evaluation has yet to be completed. The first address, 704 Mound Ave, is estimated to be worth $1.38 million while the second address, 712 Mound Ave, sitting adjacent to the first, has an estimated market value of $1.81 million
Carlisle’s bequest asks that a plaque be appropriately placed upon construction of the ampitheatre,
getting ready to talk about emotions and regulating [them] as well.”
Despite its benefits, completely removing Saturday Schools has not proven to be a viable option just yet. Because of the Chinatown Service Center’s staff limitations, SPHS does not have the resources available to fully lean on the program.
“We are just getting up and running [with Wellness Workshops],” Eldred added. “We are still fine-tuning the details. If we put out a schedule all at once, we will be [spreading the service center out thin].”
The next meeting will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 11-12, focusing on “Fears and Worries.”
acknowledging Geneva, Calistle’s partner in the 1970s, as the benefactor. While the addition of a story-room with tiered seating is not among the library’s pressing concerns, the combined $3.19 million will allow the children’s wing to make significant advancements.
Complemented with the other restricted funds of the library that are limited for operations, such as programs, staff, and books, Carlisle’s gift is a testament to the generosity of the greater South Pas community.
Carlisle’s bequest is the largest contribution the library has received, with the greatest before being $60,000.
“We [would] like to see that his fond memories of attending storytime as a child were his inspiration,” said Library Director Cathy Billings in an interview designated as a press release for the official city of South Pasadena.
Sirwin expressed his excitement about Carlisle’s generous donation after the conclusion of the special city council council meeting.
“Half of the library users are children, meaning that [Carlisle’s bequest] is a big deal,” said Sirwin.
RESTAURATEUR LINDA GRACE ACQUIRES FIORE MARKET CAFE to carryFive additions were made to the South Pasadena High School community for the 2022-2023 school year
STORY ADA BORREDON, ANIKA EBBERT, RALUCA TUDUSCIUC PHOTOS SHIN-HYE (RACHEL) CHOISouth Pasadena High School welcomed five new teachers into the South Pas community for the 20222023 school year, filling roles in PE and Health, applied math, honors English, and Spanish.
Ross Spaulding teaches 9th grade PE and Health. He last taught at Olive Vista Middle School, but he has also worked in numerous districts, including KoreaTown, Linwood, and Orange County.
As his methods of teaching range from learning independently and in groups, powerpointing, videos, and presentations, Spaulding strives to adapt to students’ individual needs to best support their learning.
“I enjoy the school environment and school activities,” Spaulding said, after experiencing his first Color Day at SPHS. “I am excited to see what other events are really strong.”
Kyle Murray, the second addition to the PE department, chose to become a teacher because he loves sports and physical education. He began his teaching career with coaching, followed by work as a substitute teacher. His previous work experience was at Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School, where he was a PE teacher for kindergarten through 8th grade. Murray has been adjusting to the ageshift, yet has been enjoying the SPHS environment.
“I love the subject I teach,” Murray said. “I find it to be a great asset and motivator to make class time enjoyable for all students. “
Applied Math teacher Kathryn Gonzalez commented that she loves the classroom to be practical and approachable by “having discussions about things and talking about our own perspective and listening to other people’s perspective.”
Previously, Gonzalez has taught life skills courses to high schoolers and math to both elementary and high school students. She commented that getting to know other students and allowing them to have those moments where they feel confident in their own learning was the aspect she loved most about teaching.
Cory Triplett is the fourth hire at SPHS, teaching 9th grade English and 10th grade Honors English. Prior to his tenure at South Pasadena, he taught at a private school, charter school, public school, and a government school. Apart from English, he has also taught yoga and acting. He chose to teach at schools because he wants to help kids improve and establish morals early on, as well as supporting them as independent learners.
“I’m really looking forward to being here…the faculty has been so welcoming,” Triplett said while reflecting on the overall atmosphere of campus and student life.
Ana Fraley has taught Spanish at both public and private schools, previously teaching courses in the social studies department. Additionally, she has taught PE and has been an athletic director.
Fraley now permanently teaches Spanish because she loves that the language opens doors to new communities and groups of people. She entered teaching to improve student’s lives through education, and commented that SPHS students are engaged and believes it demonstrates the sense of community between the faculty and students.
South Pasadena High School students congregated together on September 8th and 9th to welcome a variety of clubs to the Tiger community, allowing all students the opportunity to pursue a variety of interests. Below highlights students who share their passions and skills with their peers at SPHS.
STORY ROSE VANDERVELDE & MORGAN SUN
ILLUSTRATIONS ALLISON LEE
PAGE DESIGN ALLISON LEE, ETHAN LYONS, & ELLA MIZOTO-WANG
The World Wide Reading Buddies club (WWRB) works to provide resources to English learners across the world through weekend tutoring, book drives, and fundraisers. Junior Maya Young was inspired to start WWRB after she noticed the struggles English learners faced. Wanting to create an environment that supported individual needs, WWRB provides resources and financial support to English learners who have few educational aids. She hopes to provide a space where people can improve their English through easy access and conversational speaking.
The club meets once or twice per month with volunteer tutoring opportunities on Saturdays and Sundays. Meetings will often be accompanied by icebreakers and bonding activities in preparation for tutoring learners. Possible events to look for in the future include book drives and fundraisers to raise money for reading supplies.
“We look for members who are open to helping students improve in English, dedicated to making an impact, [as well as] students who want to make memorable connections,” Young said. “In this club we hope to accomplish providing English education to those who need it and provide students with the resources and tools for success they might need in the future.”
Throughout the course of the year, World Wide Reading Buddies will reach many English learners and provide volunteers with the teaching and support they need to effectively tutor English.
Chess club made their first move in 2021 when leaders Nicolas Lee, Tomás Lee, Ian McLendon, and Justin Albert founded the club.
Inspired by the social disconnect that lockdown brought, Chess club held bi-monthly meetings and provided an opportunity for quarantin-ed students to meet and play chess.
“The goal [of the club is] to build an inviting community that welcome[s] all students/peers,” senior and club secretary T. Lee said.
With this goal in mind, the chess club grew to a respectable number with roughly 30 members.
The club caters to “anyone who [is] interested in learning or playing chess on campus,” T. Lee continued.
As a returning club, they have had a history of events. Most recently, they held a community event that took place this past summer at Marengo elementary.
The goal was to “integrate new skills into younger students and build an inviting community for all members,” T. Lee said before describing the event. “For one week, students got to learn a new chess skill every day, practice and play matches against each other, and even test out their skills on volunteers”.
The camp had a successful turnout, and elementary students from all ages ended the week with a better understanding of chess as well as new connections with other students who shared their interests.
Women in Medicine is a new club on campus that hopes to inform students about the unique experience of the female voice in a male-dominated field. The club — founded by sophomore Sophia Feldman — is dedicated to connecting people to female doctors in South Pasadena and getting firsthand experience at nearby hospitals.
“This year we have many doctors who are excited to speak and many different volunteer opportunities,” president Feldman said.
This club is geared towards students who are interested not only in the medical field, but in hearing the female voice as well. A regular meeting, occuring every Tuesday at lunch in Room 222, will have either a speaker or a discussion of volunteer opportunities. On Sep. 27, there will be a workshop on the application processes to volunteer at hospitals. Women in Medicine plans on holding talks with the student body and accredited female medical workers.
“The information surrounding medicine normally comes from the male side. I am hoping to get the female voice out there,” Feldman said. “We hope to accomplish a strong bond between nearby hospitals and also to spread awareness [as] to how women are treated in the medical field.”
The club will work in tandem with Huntington hospital and The Ronald McDonald House to provide students with hands-on experiences. There, students will learn the inner workings of hospital management, responsibilities, and career opportunities while volunteering their time and working with patients.
Fashion Further, led by Yuzu Harada, combats the effects of fast fashion through activism and awareness. The club was inspired by the original founders’ studies on the effects of fast fashion and climate change.
“We are working to spread the advantages of recycling clothes,” president Harada said. “We welcome anyone interested in fashion, environmental sustainability, volunteering, and fundraising [to join].”
The club aims to encourage student interest through informational posters and presentations about the fast fashion industry at meetings. In efforts to raise awareness about the harms of over-consumption, the club will focus on sustainable fashion as an alternative to fast fashion.
In collaboration with these efforts to spread awareness, the club will hold a food sale at the upcoming Homecoming Picnic, the profits of which will be donated to organizations that provide clothing to lower income students.
Throughout the year, the club plans to hold clothing donations and drives for secondhand clothes. Providing members with an opportunity to lead and plan events, it will also allow all SPHS students’ a chance to be involved and for community members to contribute to a sustainable fashion industry.
“We’re excited to grow our club,” junior and vice president Jamie Rain Kim said. “I’m excited to share the joy of secondhand shopping with others.”
ESTABLISHED 1913
CSPA SILVER CROWN 2021
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2019
CSPA SILVER CROWN 2018
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017
CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2011
ANIKA EBBERT
HANNA BAE, Print
ELSIE WATERS, Online
SPORTS BENJAMIN REGAN, Editor DESIGN
ALLISON LEE, Editor
MICHELLE SHADMON, Editor
KAHLEN MIAO, Editor
RALUCA TUDUSCIUC, Editor
ADA BORREDON
CLEMENTINE EVANS
ETHAN KWAK ISU PARK MORGAN SUN JAYDEN TRAN ROSE VANDEVELDE LINDA YUN
SHIN-HYE (RACHEL) CHOI
SAMANTHA SHIROISHI EMIKO (EMI) ESSMILLER
ISOLE KIM ETHAN LYONS ELLA MIZOTA-WANG
REVELIE BRICK
The return of drug dogs and on-campus narcotic searches signals concern.
The South Pasadena Board of Education ended the use of narcotic dogs and regular on campus drug searches in SPUSD schools in June of 2020. Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the contract into termination, the push against drug dogs signaled a movement of cultural call-out and reform.
In light of this shift, Board of Education president Michele Kipke had promised a greater integration of progressive conversation and policy in coming months. It has been two years since any “promise” was made — and drug dogs are returning to SPHS’ campus.
Principal John Eldred confirmed to SPHS staff and ASB that narcotic dogs are to be reintroduced to South Pasadena High School this semester. The renewal of this practice was an idea Eldred presented this past June and earned the support of parent groups and ASB members, later coming into full action with the approval of the Board of Education.
“I have to do something to make sure people are safe,” Eldred said. “People need to know that bringing illegal substances onto campus is a bad idea; that is what we are trying to enforce.”
Nonetheless, the claims made against drug dogs and maintenance drug searches in 2020 remain true. There is an intersection between socioeconomic status, racial groups, and drug use, so the way people frame drug epidemics is systemically skewed. Drug possession arrests are disproportionately higher in low-income communities of color as opposed to their upper-middle class, predominately white counterparts, as law enforcement has a lengthy history of maintaining this.
This culture exists on a national level, which trickles down to our communities and into our schools. Even if the searches are completely randomized, they virtually turn every student into a suspect, and being a “suspect” has an abundance of cultural implications in regard to who the student is.
Studies have shown that drug dogs are startlingly inaccurate and prone to false alerts. One Washington school district had reports of drug dogs being incorrect 85 percent of the time they alerted to a substance. Another case with Chicago law enforcement revealed that drug dogs had a 56 percent error rate for roadside searches. A major reason for this is that dogs are incapable of differentiating between possession and residual odor. Not only is this faulty, but when a student is confronted for residual odor, it can put them in an uncomfortable situation in cases where a friend or family member was using. This creates an anxiety-inducing environment that students might not be able to learn or focus in. Enforcing narcotic searches is not only disruptive to valuable class time, but intrudes on student privacy in a hostile, often humiliating way.
Leading conversations about drug use does not start with punitive measures, especially ones that have been tried and tested. The Board of Education considers these searches as a type of preventative practice, as “the renewed version is coupled with counseling and resources”, according to Eldred. But the fact of the matter is that counseling and resources have always existed at our campus, just without much success. In the two part plan for prevention of providing help while also enforcing drug searches, the ladder will continue to play a more significant and aggressive role in student life.
Students need support that exists without threat. Drug experimentation, in most cases, is an inevitable facet of high school, so using threatening tactics like narcotic searches clearly only functions as punishment and will never work in terms of prevention. In fact, the administration should refocus their goals away from catching students for experimenting or possessing to educating students on the effects of misusing. This way, if students are ever involved in a difficult, drug related confrontation, they will be better equipped in handling them. Without drug dogs on campus, we can reset the drug culture at SPHS.
BOO to people who wear long pants on 100 degree days for da rizz. You are not that guy.
BOO to BeReal. I am starting to BeReal-yFake.
BOO to Ms. Kadri and the “correct” pronunciation of anaphora. AYNAYPOORA?!
BOO to juniors who steal lunch tables. Your backpacks do not need a place to sit.
BOO to the Queen. Really killed my vibe :(
BOO to redundancies. Really killed my vibe :(
BRAVO to Alexa Morales. You are not him, and that is a good thing.
BRAVO to the Peer Mediators at the sleep assembly. Oscar-worthy performance.
BRAVO to the History Department’s Color Day costume -- you crushed it. USA! USA! USA!
BRAVO to football. Finally putting our money to good use.
BRAVO to AP Stats. I am two standard deviations away from a breakdown.
The scarcity of letters of recommendation on campus have created a competition in which seniors fight their way to teachers’ favor. Teachers must pick and choose between their own wellbeing and supporting their students both within and beyond their years in a high school classroom.
STORY JAYDEN TRAN ILLUSTRATION ELLIE NAKAMURARequired by a majority of prestigious universities during the application process, letters of recommendation have risen to prominence in the holistic evaluation of students. Teacher testimonials have proliferated in the overall application with studies showing that emotional quotient has become as significant for college acceptances as intellectual quotient. With a shift in views from intellectualism to compassion, students strive to be highlighted as more resilient and emotionally adept over the standard traits of smart or hard-working when compared to their peers.Students in high school struggle to find teachers who can write their letters of recommendation. Seniors have a unique perspective that rarity means a more important and well-written letter, and this is only furthered by the infighting that occurs in finding recommendations. Teachers set limits on the amount of letters they write for their students and the scarcity of teachers who will write letters causes panic, stress, and tension in times of immense anxiety. The very exclusivity of coveted letters of recommendation from specific teachers forces cutthroat competition amongst seniors and fuels toxicity that administration attempts to deny.
Seniors on campus are forced to navigate the many systems of teacher recommendations due to a lack of uniformity among teachers. From lotteries to polite queries, South Pasadena students often get lost in the middle of administration workshops, staff endorsement, and their own futures. However, the contrived systems that colleges require for letters add onto the stress and pressure students face in trying to find a letter in time for their application.
Specifications on who can write letters only further the problems for seniors. For a majority of college applicants, competitive schools require several academic teachers to write letters for students. These teachers must be considered academic, as opposed to those that teach extracurriculars or leadership that would showcase a student’s skills outside of the classroom, Seniors grapple with finding a teacher who meets those requirements and can express their passions from a perspective that expands beyond solely academia.
“The most meaningful and personal experiences that students have on campus are non-academic,” senior Sam Grotenstein said. “I do sewing club, speech and debate, and other extracurriculars and it is weird to have [an AP Statistics teacher] have to explain all of that to a college.”
On the other hand, a large part of teacher exclusivity comes with a lack of reparations for writing letters of recommendation. Most seniors seek to receive recommendation from junior year teachers due to the common perspective that this year is most competitive and most significant. This notion leads to an influx of students inquiring of teachers, who can be seen as targets, teaching specific courses such as AP English Language.
“I have about 50 to 60 requests and for my own menal health and teaching ability I cannot write a letter for everyone,” Mark Afram, one of two AP Lang teachers
MAYEMURA
In all honesty, I have no idea how to start this column. It is just that, as of late, I have felt trapped in this giant “meh,” agonizingly searching for something to write about. I realized how little I cared for the trivial issues or drawn out political stories that flooded my Instagram feed. An indifference that I would begrudgingly voice to my peers and an apathy I nearly chalked up to my teenage angst and senior stress.
Thursday, Sep. 8 felt like any other day: I groggily walked to AP Lit and, amidst the humid heat, I waited for Mrs. Gill to materialize from nothingness and offer us refuge in her air conditioned room. I ignored my
on the South Pasadena campus, said. “I think there’s competition between students on who writes their letter… There’s a scarcity mentality and students believe there aren’t enough teachers to write the letters.”
This scarcity mentality is presented in several forms on campus. From the start of a student’s time on campus, they are thrown into a competition that can determine their future. With the growing importance of getting into a good college, students have to play their cards right to be recognized by teachers on campus. These facades stay present until application season, where seniors scramble to contact their teachers to receive commendation for their time in the classroom.
The many students vying for recommendations inflict turmoil for staff as well. Teachers are challenged through the same processes that seniors undergo during college application season. The lack of compensation that administration offers staff means teachers must utilize their own free time to recognize students. Teachers are stuck in between a rock and a hard place, wanting to support students but not being offered the support from administration to write these letters. Without stipends, compensations, or incentives, teachers are compelled to set limits on recommendation letters for their own health and well-being.
friends’ idle chatter and fought their jokes of the Queen’s imminent death — after all, she was immortal. But the sharks were already in the water and, with the news of her majesty’s poor health, they smelt blood.
Somewhat ironically (and slightly prophetically), the night before the Queen’s passing, a friend and I were talking about how close death was to each of us and just how quickly it could claim the lives of our closest friends or family. And then it hit. Not just a bombshell, but a whole damn nuke. My entire world collapsed, from my early days as a devout anglophile, to my naive dreams of one day meeting her. From my sixth grade hero project to my defense of her immortality just that morning. Queen Elizabeth II had died.
My lethargic coating evaporated and, just like a Hollywood cliché, everything seemed to fade into obscurity. It was only me and the memories I had of a Queen half a world away, a metaphysical connection that others would not understand; one that I honestly do not understand. All I knew for certain was that that, that feeling in that moment, was far from apathetic.
In my pseudo-catatonic state I could no longer differentiate between fact and fiction. That day, the Earth had wept the tears that I could not muster, it faced the music I dared not listen to. I knew this day would come,
“It’s a tricky needle to thread because of the competing interests of students, the desire of teachers to help students, and the issue of compensation,” Andrew McGough, the only AP Calculus teacher, said. “Those are the three triad of issues with letters of recommendations.”
Quality letters of recommendation are slowly becoming more essential for college applications as social and tactful traits are sought after by colleges as opposed to intellectual rigor and competition. This problem will continue to spiral out of hand as more students are in need of letters of recommendation yet many teachers can only write a handful. With stress, scarcity, and stupor, the last thing that seniors should struggle with is finding any individual on campus who could represent their identity.
“I think teachers and students would appreciate more guidance and support in this process. College admissions is stressful enough without creating The Hunger Games of admissions,” says Afram.
Despite the stress of both students and teachers, administration falls short in taking the necessary actions to support both seniors and staff. In a time that can only be perceived as the Hunger Games of college admission, it seems as though seniors undergo a cutthroat competition to rise above their peers and succeed.
that I would someday have to lay a grand era to rest, but I did not expect it so soon. I suppose there was a naive hope that she would always be there, that she would remain eternally youthful as I continued to age; only daring to die after I had already left this plane of existence for another.
It is rather selfish in that sense. I had hoped to be an Elizabethan my whole life and, once that had passed, it was fair game. I hoped that I would not have to live without her reign, that I would not have to bear the pains of instability. In that sense, my grief truly was my grief alone.
Everything else I could say, everything else I could think, and everything else I could feel had been echoed the world over. Regardless of what people thought of her or what they thought of monarchies, Her Royal Highness was a constant in my life. Governments emerge and fade, Presidents come and go, but the Queen was always there. A political stability in an increasingly divided world. A maternal force across the Atlantic. My lady liberty.
In her own words, “grief is the price we pay for love.”
And yet, I am comforted knowing that, for now and forever, God will always save our Queen. That in spite of hard times, we will one day meet again.
With student wellness on the forefront of campus culture, administration makes dire efforts to address the mental health of students but fails to balance all perspectives of the issue at hand.
Wellness is a pot full of stigma. The word sounds like it was invented by an essential oil diffuser in the living room of a yogi who happens to be vegan.
Before being frequented by monsters who prepare a cup of iced lemon water first in the morning, the word meant the opposite of illness. It evolved to encompass both physical and mental health, with an emphasis on the virtue of pursuing wellness more so than actually attaining it. Everyone starts at different points because of the progress oriented nature of wellness. Instead of a race against a clock or against a visible opponent, the race of wellness is really a race against oneself.
SPHS jumped on the wave of wellness-oriented education with Challenge Success. While the change was founded in compassion, it neglects certain aspects of wellness. In the Sleep Assembly, the absence of important topics such as anxiety created distrust, widening the communication gap between students and the support they need. Studentled organizations like ASB Student Officers and the Peer Mediators are at the forefront of student wellness. Health & Wellness Representatives Sophie Mertzel and Tyra Williams shared mixed feelings about the assembly.
“The assembly was titled the ‘Sleep and Health Assembly,’” Williams said. “But how could the word ‘health’ be used if it [fails to encompass] all aspects of it? It felt like we were involved to endorse something we had no say in.”
While the assembly attempted to break down the cliched topic of mental health into bite-sized pieces, the overgeneralization of the assembly was a testament to the lack of personalization of student support on SPHS campus. The “sleep epidemic”, as many would call it, is largely driven by South Pas’ history of academic competition and general aura of indifference towards well-being. In response to belittling comments from family and peers, many students adopt a spiteful attitude towards learning. This mentality prevails in Honors and Advanced Placement classes, where a favorable grade will almost always take priority over sleep.
Completed with insistent reverberations of test scores and incessant one-upping, South Pas’ history of obsession with academic excellence is difficult to overturn. Parents are quick to blame technology. If not for these addictive, brightly-lit rectangles that taunt you for just another click, just one more funny cat video, why else would their child not sleep?
Turns out, it is not that students do not want to sleep. It is also not that phones are not addictive. But at some point, it begins to beg a question of why. For many, phones are
a comfort among a world of unfamiliarities. Scrolling through slime ASMR is a way to wind down and forget about whatever comes ahead. In an ideal world, phones do not gleam with cell-degenerating blue light and comically large scissors that cut your attention span short. Nevertheless, they have become a reassuring constant in students’ lives of uncertainty. Blaming technology is an easy way out. Sleep is a multifaceted problem. Singling out one aspect to blame, one that is within a student’s control, alleviates responsibility from the school for stirring up hectic lives of anxiety and stress.
“If only one side is addressed, [with] which students are constantly antagonized for, it feels very invalidating, because it ignores everything else,” Mertzel said.
Sleep is not the end-all of a student’s anxieties. The emphasis on the quantity of sleep comes from a privileged place, one that assumes that everyone can receive quality sleep, or even fall asleep in the first place.
As the bridge between parent input and the student body, administration is caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s difficult to cater to student needs against a pressing echo chamber of regulations and parent demands.
Simply put, administration’s ill-received efforts are unveiling a divide between the needs of not only parents versus students, but also one of communication between well-intentioned suggestions and the seemingly unpleasable student body.
While the school reinforces the importance of seeking help, it doesn’t give students the chance to. Even if a student decides to seek help, meetings with Ms. Prime are bound to cut into class time. When a student is absent, the class does not stop for them. The educator is mandated by California law to continue teaching. The problem with wellness resources at SPHS lies not in its availability, but rather, its accessibility.
There can always be more abundant wellness resources, more Wellness Workshops on late start days, more bracelet-making booths during lunch, but when the very structure of the schedule does not allot time for students to seek help, there is only so much that can be done.
When students are at a crossroads between academics and emotional well-being, every person in that student’s life is reaching for the steering wheel for a sharp left turn. They do not need someone telling them the importance of doing the right thing. They need an environment that allows them to do so.
“We are still learning what is in our power and what is not,” said Mertzel. “If all we can do is to tell every student that they are heard, that their concerns are valid, that they matter, that is enough for us to keep fighting.”
If the point of implementing changes is for the betterment of student wellness, rather than to appease an increasingly progressive community, it’s about time to examine what students want most.
Diversity is a key part of the SPHS identity. In fact, our student body is a mix of Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Black/ African-American, Multi-Ethnic and more. According to our 2022-2023 School Profile, SPHS “encourages diversity, high academic achievement, and the enhancement of the talents and achievements of individual members.”
However, minor incidences of insensitivity and discrimination still persist in our community. These situations, especially in the classroom setting, call on the crucial role of our teachers. Teacher influence reaches far beyond test scores and academic performance. Teachers
can help a student succeed academically, but when it comes to emotional health and social norms, the line between micromanagement and support begins to blur.
Students are more likely to remember non-academic support from their teachers, especially meaningful interactions. When students build rapport with their teachers, they are more likely to excel in school. One life skill that students develop in high school is independence. However, independence cannot be an excuse for teachers to withdraw from supporting students during sensitive moments. A study conducted by David Blazar of the University of Maryland, “Validating Teacher Effects of Students’ Attitudes and Behaviors,” draws data on
teachers from anonymous school districts. From 20102013, students participated in surveys that revealed how teacher involvement affected “happiness in class” and “self efficacy at the subject.” The data showed a direct correlation between “happiness in class” and increased academic performance. Students benefit academically when teachers get involved with students during class time instead of remaining withdrawn.
So how should teachers approach student conflicts in class, particularly regarding race and discrimination? Such conflicts can include racially insensitive comments spoken between students. In this case, the teacher can either ignore or mediate the situation.
Withdrawing communicates the teacher’s unwillingness to get involved and also misses a critical opportunity to educate. Furthermore, the student prejudiced against is less likely to speak up about incidents in the future. How can we as a school push for inclusivity when we silence students and miss chances to educate them?
Issues that arise in the classroom setting share common parallels to current problems in our society. While teachers should foster student independence, there are situations that require teacher guidance.
Schools strive to produce productive members of society by equipping students with skills and knowledge to succeed. By not intervening in vital situations that involve social issues like racism, teachers counter the ultimate purpose of school.
“The bottom line is, all students will be entering a country that is built on diversity,” SPHS principal John Eldred said. “There is no place for racism in our society. My expectation is that teachers should be facing it (student conflicts and issues) head on.”
SPHS’s greatest strength is our diversity. Continuous education and open-dialogue will take our diverse community to a new level of inclusivity.
PAGE DESIGN ISOLE KIM, ALLISON
PHOTOS SHIN-HYE (RACHEL) CHOI, EMIKO
SPHS students filed into the crowded gym to celebrate the 83rd the school year constituted the first assembly inside the SPHS gym costume contest, with groups like the senior “San Marino Crime Assemblies and senior Alexa Morales during the mid-day festivities. the assembly, including the notorious scavenger hunt, the long-held competition, all of which the seniors would reign customarily victorious. announced the nine freshmen, sophomore, and junior, and the ended with a victorious football game against Alhambra High School together and the most Royal Tiger will be announced at the Homecoming
HANNA BAE
ALLISON LEE & ELLIE NAKAMURA EMIKO (EMI) ESSMILLER, & SAMANTHA SHIROISHI ETHAN LYONS, ELLIE NAKAMURA, ELLA MIZOTO-WANG
annual Color Day on Friday, Sep. 16. The most spirited day of gym in nearly three years. The day kicked off with the annual Crime Scene” were announced as winners by Commissioner of festivities. Morales led multiple class competitions throughout long-held tug-of-war tournament tradition, and the class banner victorious. Commissioner of Spirit and senior Kaile Fernandes nine senior Homecoming nominees and the day of celebration School with a score of 29-14. The Homecoming court will come Homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 7 against Temple City
The streaming king has finally come crashing down. Even though Netflix had gained almost 16 million subscribers during the pandemic, the streaming service is now bleeding money. Netflix does not have the funds to afford to drop their price rates because their subscription numbers are dwindling.
It is teaming up with Microsoft to add advertisements for a subscription option to even out the price competition offered by Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, and other competitor streaming services. The company announced the partnership after it lost well over one million subscribers post-pandemic.
Streaming services such as Hulu, ESPN, and Disney+ have bundles that offer cheaper prices for more content. The Premium Netflix plan costs $19.99 each month, while the Disney Bundle (ESPN, Hulu, Disney+) costs $19.99 each month for three streaming services.
Other streaming service companies have enough money to afford to drop their prices for customers. Netflix only has a partnership with T-Mobile, and they are below par to drop prices on their own. They also do not have enough money to turn their heads at password sharing.
Netflix subscribers giving access for their accounts to others has been another component to the company’s monetary losses, leading them to crack down on password sharing.
Netflix is now offering two new options in three countries, Peru, Costa Rica, and Chile, an “Add an Extra Member” plan and a ‘Transfer Profile to a New Account’ plan.
“Add a New Member” states that “Members on our Standard and Premium plans will be able to add sub accounts for up to two people they [do not] live with - each with their own profile, personalized recommendations,
login and password - at a lower price: 2,380 CLP in Chile, 2.99 USD in Costa Rica, and 7.9 PEN in Peru.” “Transfer to a New Account” says, “Members on our Basic, Standard, and Premium plans can enable people who share their account to transfer profile information either to a new account or an Extra Member sub account - keeping the viewing history, My List, and personalized recommendations.
The company is planning to expand it to other regions later this year. Netflix reportedly wants $3 per month per user, which could cause them to lose even more subscribers as those who share passwords more commonly do not have the money to spend on a full, individual account.
The already under-fire company seems to have a clear vision of what they want: more money from subscribers who are breaking their terms of service. Although Netflix is hemorrhaging subscribers and money, the company has one thing to hold over competitors’ heads: they were the original streaming service for at-home TV.
Netflix was the first streaming platform in the United States. It started in August of 1997 as a video-rental company that mailed DVDs to customers. More people have subscribed to Netflix because it has been around longer than Hulu, AppleTV, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video. People know Netflix as a rental company and a streaming service because of its history as the first streamers. Nostalgia will not keep the streaming king alive forever. With cheap new bundles from other streamers, password sharing crackdowns, and advertisement plans, Netflix will not be kept around for old times’ sake. This streamer will be killed by itself.
The streaming champion is being taken down by wealthier, visionary companies. The world-renowned service is suffering from the competition but their subscribers, or former subscribers, are reaping the benefits of these cheap new rivals. Customers may start to “chill” with other streaming platforms if Netflix cannot get their act together and lower their prices.
My existence tends to draw comparisons to fictional characters, usually ones that are ambitious, intelligent, and occasionally annoying. The most recent comparison I received was to Paris Geller from Gilmore Girls. As someone who enjoyed the show, although not enough to rewatch it, I responded with, “She is the villain, right?”
My response was ill-conceived because Paris goes through an excellent arc from icy priss to trusted confidant. By the reboot, she was a highly-successful doctor who ran a fertility clinic. Anyone would be lucky to be a Paris. My biggest fear is that my life will amount to nothing — that I would become a Rory.
Rory Gilmore is a freelance journalist, a career at least comparable to my own dream. She is also intelligent and quite annoying, like me. But her lack of a work ethic leads her to crash on people’s couches instead of fulfilling her dream of becoming an intrepid reporter.
Throughout my life, I have considered myself hardworking and ambitious. I often take a lot of responsibility and deftly handle myself. I was called “an old soul” which I do not think is entirely incorrect but led me to neglect my childhood in favor of growing up. But now in the year of high school that counts the most, I find myself stuck. I no longer have the full extent of my previous drive to excel in my studies or overachieve. I have burned out but I have only just started.
Facing my collegiate future, I come to wonder if I have any life skills. What employer will take my encyclopedic knowledge of musical theater and the Kennedy family and transfer that to a livable wage?
On the other hand, why should my youth be hyper focused on grades and colleges when I have barely begun to live? Paris went to high school dances (albeit once with her cousin) and I have only attended one. Rory had three love interests that all vied for her affection while my romantic partners have been few and far between.
I wish I could be Paris Geller. She is determined with a bright future ahead of her. It could be due to my doom-and-gloom shades that I wear to seem cool in this scorching heat, but I do not see the same future for me. That could be attributed to the environment I exist in now. The toxic culture of excellence that surrounds me is suffocating. If everyone is highachieving, then no one is.
Maybe I am just being hyperbolic, I am a moderately intelligent girl from Southern California, colleges in Nebraska will be chomping at the bit for my attendance (just ask my inbox). On one level, I know my life will be fine and a lack of 4.0 is not equated to a lack of trying. On another level, I not only have to compete with my brilliant peers for a limited number of slots in selective institutions but also the fictional comparisons who all attend Ivy League schools without attending class.
Now in this creative and academic slump, I return to my haven, writing. I am so excited to write a column for this illustrious paper and be given an outlet to air my grievances in 3000 characters or less. Tiger is my heart and soul and, wait, Paris was in her school newspaper. Perhaps I am Paris.
T hose behind The Woman King were committed to telling an epic story while honoring and empowering traditional 19th century West African Culture and they succeeded in just that.
The Woman King showcases powerful and multifaceted female warriors against a beautiful, vibrant setting that matches the ferocity of the content itself. Stellar acting and beautifully choreographed action scenes dazzle as a fast-paced plot unfolds.
Based on historical events, the movie is set in the 1800’s kingdom of Dahomey, western Africa, and follows the exploits of the Agojie, the first recorded female warriors to regularly see combat. After the Oyo, a neighboring kingdom that participates in the slave trade, demand a tribute of Agojie soldiers, Dahomey enters into war against the larger, opposing kingdom. The story is told through the eyes of Black African women, a rare perspective in film. Revered by the people of Dahomey for their talent in battle, the women of the Agojie defy stereotypical gender roles.
The Woman King is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Steven and Maria Bello with contributions from Prince-Bythewood. Alongside this team stars Viola Davis, who delivers a stellar performance in her role as General Nanisca. Davis’ portrayal is brutal, yet heart-wrenching as her character’s tragic past is unraveled. The rare moments that reveal the emotional side of the fearless and battlescarred general show the depths of General Nanisca, and Davis does a masterful job at highlighting both facets of her character.
Actor Thuso Mbedu shines beside Davis in young recruit Nawi. Nawi is immediately introduced with a rebellious, fiery spirit and she is quick to bond with the other Agojie soldiers and catches the eye of General Nanisca in particular. The dynamic between the two seasoned actresses is one of the most emotionally engaging aspects of the film and Mbedu conveys Nawi’s raw determination spectacularly.
In tandem with a talented cast, the choreography is another high point of the film. It demonstrates a beautiful command of movement from battle to training scenes, and even an acclaimed “battle dance.” Fight
choreographer and stunt double to Davis Jénel Stevens balanced the ferocity of battle with the fragility and emotion of dance to produce absolutely riveting scenes.
This movement is further brought to life by the soundtrack. Composer Terence Blanchard prioritized recreating traditional sounds of 19th century West Africa and his extensive research is apparent in the beautiful and often intense soundtrack of the film which combines orchestra inspired by West Africa with instrumentation and chanting to bring to life the voice of the ancestors of this culture. These facets combine to produce an effect that is nothing less than epic.
The costumes of The Woman King continue to enhance the quality of the film, drawing on history and traditional African apparel. Costume designer Gersha Phillips drew inspiration from African artisans to create the wardrobe of the film, most notably the warriors’ costumes.
Phillips was inspired to balance tradition with functionality and aesthetics, oftentimes opting for wrap skirts that featured a baggy silhouette. She also integrated cowry shells into the costumes, noting their historical importance as a symbol of victory.
While The Woman King manages to do a lot right, the film falls short of perfection. Unoriginal romantic cliches between Nawi and love interest Malik, played by Jordan Bulger, detract from the feminist message that the film so aptly presents. When Nawi’s newly acquired position of power is put in danger by her relationship with Malik, the film digresses into an overdone trope where the female must decide which is more important: her independence or her relationship.
The resolve of this storyline eases its negative impact on the film, however the mere inclusion of it still dilutes the message of female empowerment The Woman King had the opportunity to present wholeheartedly.
Despite these shortcomings, The Woman King is a mustwatch from a needed, and rarely seen perspective.
The historically-based story comes to life on screen and the precise attention to detail, particularly the highlighting of this culture bleeds of empowerment. Showcasing strong, independent female warriors, The Woman King has its plot cliches, but overall proves a fantastic telling of powerful, multidimensional women and their magnificent roles in West African history.
Since the pandemic, reaction videos on Youtube have skyrocketed in viewership. Reaction videos cover a diverse array of content from TV shows and movies to viral videos, each of which attract numerous demographics. While incredibly popular, these videos are an unhealthy source of entertainment for viewers due to their mindless quality and reinforcement of dependency on online, social validation.
There are thousands of reaction channels that produce hundreds of videos each year, and these videos garner millions of views. At this rate of video production, the quality of most reaction videos are sacrificed in order to maintain a continuous stream of content.
As consumers, we have grown to accept this kind of low quality content. We have even grown to prioritize it as
a main outlet for our entertainment. It is no secret that reaction videos are not prime content. Even when edited with high production value, reaction videos epitomize mindless watching. Watching someone else react to content online is hardly stimulating, and yet we continue to watch these videos at a high rate.
Cody Ko is one of the most prolific creators of Youtube with over five million subscribers. Launching his channel in 2014, Ko has diversified his platform to include new sources of comedy over the years, but his profile is ultimately rooted in reaction videos. Ko, in many ways, is representative of the genre as a whole. His videos are wildly successful, consistently reaching over millions of views, but epitomize the absolute mindlessness that feeds the genre.
The content that Ko reacts to is bizarre; it is almost unnerving that such products exist deep in the corners of the internet. Coupled with the YouTubers personal sense
of puerile humor, these videos — while engaging — are by no means gratifying.
However, the fact that they are so widely enjoyed and deemed entertaining calls into question the very substance of what we consider entertainment these days. Coming out of a nearly-two year period of quarantine, our standards for what we deem worthy of our time along with our attention spans have lowered significantly. In this context, it makes sense that reaction videos, with their bright thumbnails, and overemphasized, inflated characters, would be such a hit in a post-pandemic world. These videos provide instantaneous comic relief, and while lacking depth, they are oftentimes highly inflammatory and to-the-point.
Another cause of concern regarding reaction videos includes their stance as a placeholder of our thirst for social validation. There is not much room for creativity within the realms of these videos, so widespread reaction channels are replicas of each other. Meaning that in tandem with their overstated tones, reaction channels uphold a common theme: validating the opinions of all those watching.
Take the example of reaction youtuber Jamel_AKA_ Jamal. In the height of the pandemic, subscriptions to his channel exploded from 100,000 to 800,000. From music to viral videos, his channel accepts video requests from viewers. Most common are his reactions to music, particularly of older musicians and bands. His most popular video is a reaction to the song “Black Betty” by Ram Jam. The comment section of this video is an echochamber of like-minded chatter; a dissenting opinion is rare. Videos like this serve little purpose other than to band together groups of faceless individuals all sharing the same view.
The desire for social validation is more than understandable. However searching for, and accepting validation at the hands of reaction-based Youtubers seems like a misplace of trust. Are there not more fulfilling sources we can turn to? Or are we merely too lazy — too accustomed to settling for the bare minimum — that we do not feel the need to search for them?
With the comfort and instant satisfaction that reaction videos provide, it makes sense why they are so rapidly consumed. However, as we steadily transition back into the tangible world, we are responsible for using the sounder sources of validation that we now have access to.
C
omplete abstinence from electronic usage is becoming less and less possible as the world continues on into an increasingly digital environment. The pandemic only enforced this need for technology as schools embraced a more online curriculum. A child on the internet is swimming in an adult world. Web platform designers are often focused on monetization or engagement tactics by ensnaring users or finding ways to make it hard to navigate off a site, and do not consider the unintended negative consequences to kids.
California lawmakers have decided to step up on privacy regulations by passing legislation that is designed to protect the well-being and privacy of minors on social media. The law, called the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, would require social media protection for minors and enforce public content moderation policies for web platforms.
However some groups, such as the Entertainment Software Association, are protesting this bill, insisting it is infringing on basic freedoms. But, the inconvenience for websites and platforms seems like a small sacrifice in consideration to the moderation of children’s content — and hence the safety of the kids.
The bill prohibits firms such as TikTok and Facebook from selling the personal information of any children. Any platforms that children are likely to use would be required to enact data privacy measures — including making user settings high-privacy by default, as well as outlining privacy policies in a kid-friendly language and prohibiting children’s information from being used for any other purpose than which it was intended.
Another component of the bill is aimed at curbing the spread of extremism, racism, and conspiracy theories via social media. The act would require social media companies to publicly post their terms of service agreements and report that information to the state attorney general. California’s attorney general could take civil action against companies that do not follow the regulations, including up to a $7,500 fine per child for each violation. The bill found support from one of the loudest voices in the criticism of Meta: Frances Haugen. The Facebook product-manager-turned-whistleblower incited a host of backlash against social media platforms when she leaked a trove of internal company documents which incriminated Meta to various social ills. Meta has been at the center of controversy, from worsening mental health to willful ignorance about the alarming members.
“[A] company found that Instagram is harmful for a sizable percentage of them, most notably teenage girls,
more so than other social-media platforms,” an article from the Wall Street Journal said. “In public, Facebook has consistently played down the app’s negative effects, including in comments to Congress, and hasn’t made its research public or available to academics or lawmakers who have asked for it.”
Some technology groups, including the Entertainment Software Association, oppose the legislation, arguing that applying the law to platforms that children are “likely to use” is too broad, and would affect more websites than necessary. However, society is a balance between freedom and safety — in this case, the safety of the children should be more important. The sacrifice of a few internet liberties for the sake of kids’ health and wellbeing seem more than fair.
Exploitative commercialization has always been a problem on internet platforms — corporations look towards making a profit rather than the safety of their customers. But now, there seems to be hope for a way out. The legislation is waiting on authorization by California Governor Newsom, but will take effect in 2024 if enacted. There will be a period of trial and error with these new regulations, but it seems that for now, the new law will provide some protection and stability to young children’s lives in the virtual world, and a piece of our digital freedom is a small price to pay for the safety of our future.
Japanese-British musician Rina Sawayama has rocked the music industry in her few years of releasing art. Sawayama’s 2020 debut album, Sawayama, was an alternative pop-rock album renowned by critics for its experimental instrumentals and strong vocals. Sawayama fell short at the Grammys after failing to receive nominations for Best New Artist for her debut despite the acclaim. Seen as snubbed by the Grammys, Samayama has made her comeback with the newly released album Hold the Girl, where she promotes feminism and vulnerability through her avant-grade instrumentals, heart-wrenching lyrics, and appealing vocals; using the sophomore album to heal her religious trauma and reclaim her youth.
Hold the Girl features multiple themes. Sawayama claims the inspiration of the album comes from her therapist, who taught her the idea of “re-parenting” oneself. The concept stems from Sawayama’s religious trauma she faced in her youth after coming to terms with her sexual identity. Broken down into three sections, the album presents itself in the respective genres of orchestral, dance, and melodious. Sawayama utilizes an engaged, experimentalist sound within these sub-genres to demonstrate her narrative tones.
Sawayama’s title track, aptly titled “Hold the Girl”, serves as an homage to feminism and those who are struggling. Sawayama suggests the isolating feeling of being confined and held down throughout the song’s lyrics. “Sometimes, I get down with guilt / For the promises I’ve broken to my younger self.” The accompanying music video shows Sawayama, trapped in an abandoned home representing her mind, where she is being repeatedly pulled back as she tries to run away. As the video continues, the house breaks down and allows her to escape. A metaphor for her childhood trauma, Sawayama and the chorus of women presented in the background vocals and video illustrate that trauma does not define the individual and that everyone can honor their inner child.
Another standout single on the album, “This Hell,” shifts from emotional vulnerability to sexual intimacy to empower queer listeners and promote embracing identity and individuality. The song brands itself under
the religious trauma Sawayama faced after coming out, in which she was chastised for her sexual oritentation and told she would be going to hell.”Turns out I’m going to hell / If I keep on being myself.” Sawayama reinvents her sound through her trauma, accepting the pain of her past and reclaiming the malicious usage in which hell is used to insult the queer community.
Though the two featured singles show Sawayama’s process of healing herself over the Coronavirus pandemic, “Hurricanes” represents the current Sawayama after the convoluted process of finding herself. The track contrasts soft verses with rock instrumentals to symbolize an acceptance of chaos. “I’m not the girl I tried to be yesterday / Until I find your door, until the wind blows north / I’m running, I’m running, running into
hurricanes.” Sawayama uses the idea of destruction that comes with a hurricane to break down her haunting past, and by the end of the song and the accompanying video, the instrumentals mellow and fade out as Sawayama smiles contently. By running into the hurricanes, Sawayama expresses gratitude to her past and moves on from the pain she once felt.
Hold the Girl has received positive recognition since its release from music critics and fans alike, similar to her debut album. Though the tone between the two albums has shifted dramatically, Sawayama’s sophomore album allows her to connect with her audience through showing them her perspective, encouraging listeners to accept themselves and work towards overcoming trauma or pain even in the darkest times.
Aweek-long outdoor art festival scattered throughout Long Beach in an ambitious set-up of art all across the city, the Stand Up Art Festival was a contemporary, not-for-profit event that was curated by the companies Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei. The two companies selected all sorts of creative artists — ranging from upand-coming new designers to experienced professionals — who developed a series of interactive outdoor installations. The festival took place from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 and hosted a new event each day, starting with a press preview, merch pop-up, yoga wellness, artist talk, mural bike tour, and ending with a closing party.
This year’s theme celebrated the diversity, spirit, and vision of women in art through a radical lineup of 13 women or non-binary people. The sole inclusion of diverse minority figures lead to a noteworthy set up, where these marginalized groups can have a voice within the art community.
My friend and I ventured to Long Beach on the last day of the festival. We left home around 8 a.m. and beat the morning traffic to get there within the hour. The exhibits were scattered around the city in a scavenger hunt fashion, so we began at the epicenter of the attraction, where the murals were densest.
We walked through the cityscape to visit our first exhibit while the heat beat down on our backs. The installation created by Olga Lah — entitled “Lightly Freely Happily” — exhibited subtly swaying, colorful wireform sculptures that were hung by a thread with an adjacent window for onlookers to peer in. The sway gave an illusion of outdoor foliage, producing a sense of calm and tranquility in the quiet neighborhood.
The next mural had a seemingly psychedelic version of a monstrous blue Elmo that was bawling massive tears, towering over little children, and destroying a village. The mural spanned about 20 feet tall and was created by Mr B Baby using spray paints and a drivable lift to reach the top. In a surprisingly profound design, the creature — aptly named “Chucho,” which means mutt in Spanish — is devastated at his big size and believes it is a disadvantage in the smaller world he lives in. However, he is so distracted by his grief that he doesn’t realize what advantages could stem from his larger size, and he becomes stuck in a vicious cycle of negativity.
The next piece we explored was situated on the wall of the Pine Animal Hospital. Fitting to the location, this piece, created by Mara Bubblegum, emphasized an animal theme. The centerpiece was a bold purple cat and dog sleeping on one another, with colorful accents of plants and butterflies. The vibrancy of the painting, partnered with the whimsical depictions, gave way to an enjoyable view in the sun.
The next area featured two artists, each with a painting on different sides of the building. Kim Sielbeck depicted a bright, Southern Californian sunset scene with a playful cosmo design on one sidethe other side. Alepsis Hernandez opposingly opts for grayscale portraits of two melancholy women on the other. The two murals had contrasting designs but meshed well on the same building with the “opposites attract” synergy as the colorful pops faded into black-and-white tones.
The next creation, made by artist Thao Huynh French, was a two part mural of bright orange flowers on a blue background, connecting together at a certain angle. It was created at the Burnett Library and added bursts of color to the quiet area to create an inviting piece to accompany the city library.
Our next destination was at the Long Beach Public Library, where artist Karina Vazquez created a sentimental mural of two figures on different sides, their long braids meeting in the middle to form a heart.
Symbolizing the love between family and friends, Vazquez used her own experience as an immigrant to illustrate the topic. The plants on either side represented family in both California and Mexico — but despite the distance, the love still remained.
Finally, we arrived at our last mural of the festival with the noon sun beating down during the suffocating heat wave. Tired and sweaty, we were still amazed at the optical illusion Anat Ronen pictured in her Lego mural. Based on a real life model, Ronen painted a hyper-realistic Lego build on the Boys and Girls Club. She matched the youthful vibe of the place with a jolly figurine peering out of the window of the building, and colorful pops all over.
Each and every one of the creations added to the liveliness of the city, with extra splashes of art decor found in even the most mundane of places. Constructed in both residential and urban areas, each mural displayed diversity in the city by showcasing wealthier and poorer areas. This annual festival immersively introduced the city of Long Beach, and highlighted not only the tourists, but the day-to-day lives of citizens.
It was surreal to look up and see a phenomenal creation disguised amongst the normalcy of a busy city. Each artist did a breathtaking job of imbuing new life and beauty to the streets of Long Beach, creating accessible art for the masses. Each piece was a stunning work of art, and they became increasingly impressive as the enormity of the murals were revealed. A scavenger hunt like no other, it was worth the trip to see the sights — just preferably on a day that’s not so scorching hot.
For many athletes, making the coveted varsity team is a feat of its own. For the Dorny sisters, the experience feels like deja-vu.
Senior captain of the girls’ volleyball team Ava Dorny was shocked when they found themself on the varsity roster their freshman year. Four years later, freshman Senya Dorny is following in her footsteps.
S. Dorny’s first high school season has been nothing short of remarkable. With a commanding record of 17-1 entering RHL play and a 7-game winning streak, volleyball’s success is a testament to its steadfastness and hardwork. The team is predicted to break records and reach unprecedented heights in the upcoming season.
At 5 foot 9, S. Dorny stands out with her height, agility, and early prowess in the sport. The freshman attributes her recent success to her early start, beginning her career playing recreationally at the YMCA.
“My sister really got me into [volleyball],” S. Dorny said. “For a while, [they were] playing, while I watched. So I guess I fell in love with [the sport] through [them].”
Dorny’s talents didn’t go unnoticed. After a season of playing recreationally, she decided to further develop her skills at the San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Club.
The shift from recreational to competitive sports can be best described as daunting. However, Dorny took to the club environment right away.
Upon first trying out, she was placed into 12 Thunder - a highly competitive subdivision of SGE in its own regards.
Two years later, Dorny was selected to play for 14 Elite, a step up from Thunder, rendering her among the top of her age division. The addition of travel tournaments and additional practices proved challenging for Dorny. For the first time, Dorny found herself struggling to keep up.
ATTACKING THE NET, freshman Senya Dorny winds up to spike the ball swiftly past her opponents.
With challenge comes opportunity. Dorny’s experience with San Gabriel Elite Team honed her skills and allowed her to specialize as middle blocker, opposite hitter, and outside hitter going into her high school career.
“I really liked the team environment of [club volleyball]. Everyone’s a family,” S. Dorny said. “No matter if you just met them. It’s just a really special bond.”
Despite the unfamiliarity of high school, Dorny has already found her footing on the court. Combining the wisdom of her older sister, Ava, and her raw talent, the freshman shows immense potential for the season and upcoming years.
“Coming into high school, I was a little nervous,” said S. Dorny. “All the girls were older, and they’re all really good. But having my sister [on the team] really helped.”
After a hectic first month of juggling volleyball and academics, Dorny hopes to take everything one day at a time. With the support of her teammates, she knows that nothing is too far out of reach.
“Training has been so much fun,” Dorny said. The girls all have such good energy. Everyone is happy. Everyone is excited to play volleyball. It’s just an amazing environment.”
Despite her relative inexperience, the freshman has earned her place on the court. On Tuesday, September 13, Dorny was part of a winning squad that deflected San Marino’s attacks to drive home the Tiger landslide.
That Thursday, Sep. 15, Dorny put out a percentage of 0.375 in two sets from another 3-0 triumph against Blair.
Going into the Rio Hondo League, Dorny is ready to take on her opposition, especially La Cañada. The team has high hopes for the upcoming season and aims to steal the state title.
With three more years to hone her skills, Dorny is excited to carry on the South Pas legacy.
Last year’s season was smooth sailing for SPHS cross country as they secured victory in the majority of their meets, later qualifying for the CIF State Championship in November. After girls and boys varsity teams ranked 4th and 5th in state, the team is entering this year with remarkable confidence and determination.
This year’s team stands around 70 total members with a varsity team of 24 members; 11 running for girls varsity and 13 for boys varsity. The majority of the team resides with the junior class, with an influx of new underclassmen members.
Many star-players graduated this past June, including alumni Sydney Morrow and alumni Andrew Parkinson who are both running cross country at their current universities. Regardless, the new captains hope to honor their legacy as they anticipate a great year.
Under the guidance of Coach Parkinson, senior Kaile Fernandes is serving as this year’s head captain for the girls varsity team, and senior Jason Baek as the head captain for the boys varsity team. Based off of last year’s pre-season and the team’s summer practices, cross country is more than ready to compete this fall. Both leaders, along with the rest of the senior members, have confidence in the current line-up of runners and expect winning results from every class.
“We have a really strong team this year,’’ Baek said. “I would be really disappointed if we didn’t medal at CIF and state.”
“This year is gonna be a cinematic masterpiece; our team is going to go absolutely bonkers,” senior Nico Lee said. “Look out for our boys’ varsity team”.
On Thursday and Friday, Sep. 15 and 16, cross country ran at their first major meet of the season, the Woodbridge Invitational, which was held at Orange County Great Park. The team ranked high among schools across the nation. Varsity boys scored 2nd place overall and sophomore boys got 4th place.
As for the girls, they took first in all of their divisions from varsity to freshmen. With the fastest combined times of the night, girls varsity also broke a new school record with a time of 91:26.4. Sophomore Abigail Errington of girls varsity broke a school record with a time of 17:22.9, and junior Keeran Murray of boys varsity, with a time of 15:35.8. Team members had high expectations going into the race, and great results. With a successful first meet, the team is optimistic for coming races.
Making up for the loss of many notable seniors from last season, there are many new additions to the varsity team.
According to Baek, the junior class is particularly strong. For instance, Murray is predicted to earn several wins for the boys varsity.
“This sport requires so much time so you have to enjoy the people you do it with. You have to care for your team and want to do well not only for yourself but for everyone,” Murray said. “We did really well at our last race, which was our first race, but our expectations were really high and I think we could always do better. We’re gonna have to put in a lot of work but we show a lot of potential.”
Cross country is often recognized for their unique closeness and strong team values. As less of a team-reliant sport, runners are responsible for tracking their own time,
setting their own goals, and making their own progress in between races and meets. However, members who run alongside other sports claim that the bond of cross country is something that no other team could provide.
“The reason we have the willingness to keep practicing, no matter how exhausting it gets, is because we are such a close knit community,” senior Kiana Dettman said. “It’s so much more than a team”.
Cross country is excited to start the year after a summer packed with practice and a legacy of great runners to fulfill. After a successful first meet at the Woodbridge Invitational, the team is ready for their next race against La Cañada on Wednesday, Sep. 28.
The Varsity Girls Volleyball team 16-1 in the 2022 season. After winning 33 games and placing second in the Rio Hondo League last season, the Tigers are back and leading the RHL.
“I am excited about our performance so far,” junior opposite hitter Helena Foord said “We have an excellent record and I know we can go very far this year.”
Junior outside hitter Jenna Garner currently leads with 3.7 kills per set adding up to 137 in total and junior Helena Foord has the highest hitting percentage on the team at 0.32. Junior setter Kendall Taylor has commanded the offense and blazes ahead with 355 assists and junior libero Mia Ramos has 111 digs and 30 serving aces.
So far, the team is ranked first in the Rio Hondo League (RHL) and 26th in California. The Tigers emerged victorious against John Burroughs, San Marino, and
Camarillo in the last three games. Despite falling just short of a win against Harvard Westlake in their neutral tournament match on Saturday Aug. 20, the Tigers maintain a current streak of nine consecutive wins since then.
The success of volleyball this season reaches far beyond the scores and the match results. Above all, the coordination and teamwork of SPHS girls volleyball has proven successful against tough opponents. The tight–knit team has exhibited persistence and determination, beating Crescenta Valley and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy despite losing out on the first sets.
On Tuesday, Sep. 14, the Tigers beat the rival Titans in three sets. The first two sets passed quickly with the Tigers sweeping their rivals play after play. By then it was too late for the Titans to change offensive tactics and the Tigers inched out a third set victory.
“I am proud of the spirit and energy we all bring together, in and out of volleyball. We play together and are always
there for each other,” Taylor said. “Our performance this year is amazing, and we have remained undefeated.”
Strong team chemistry has led the team to success even when victory seemed out of reach. Despite losing the first two sets against Campbell Hall on Wednesday Sep. 7, the Tigers managed to turn the tides to win the game in the last three sets. Supporters roared in the stands as they sealed their victory with dives from Ramos, spikes from junior opposite hitter Ingrid Zahn, and a gamewinning kill from Garner.
“We all support each other so much and they feel like family to me. We have formed a great team culture. I love playing and cheering with the team. It is such a fun environment,” Garner said. “I feel like each game I am improving, and because of the support my teammates give me, I feel comfortable to work on new skills.”
The Tigers remained triumphant in their last three games against league rival Monrovia Wildcats, and will face them again in an away game on Thursday, Sep. 22.
Post-coronavirus sports participation is on the decline. Extracurricular sports are extremely important for selfregulatory skills, self-identity, and relieving stress for student athletes. However, the health restrictions on organized sports have made it less appealing for kids to join in. For lots of sports, players are strongly urged to wear a mask, and if an outbreak does occur, the team or player is also recommended to postpone athletic activities until testing negative. The decline in monthly income has also forced families to cut back on organized sports.
Unemployment checks rolled in during the pandemic, but they weren’t enough to keep many families afloat. Prior to the pandemic, the average household spending for sports was about $903 each year. Only 28 percent of parents said that they would spend more money on sports after coronavirus. There are more pressing issues for some parents than putting their kids through extracurricular sports. Another obstacle is the new trend of virtual training that requires very little time and energy.
Peloton is one of the online exercising machines and companies that increased memberships during the coronavirus pandemic. The company reported a 172 percent surge in profits for the first quarter of 2020. They also got over one million new subscribers for their home-fitness classes. Even with the decline of mask mandates and coronavirus cases since the lockdown, virtual training has stayed popular. The thought of being able to remain inside the house but still get fit has continued as a trend for families.
Health concerns are yet another challenge for kids after the pandemic, and parents are not the only ones worrying about their child’s health today. Lasting effects from coronavirus have influenced student athletes’ viewpoints on sports.
“I think it’s really important that we acknowledge kids maybe don’t want to go back to sports the way they were. This is our opportunity to create a new youth sport system that kids want to come back to,” Dr. Travis Dorsch, founding director of the Families in Sports Lab at Utah State University, said.
Other issues for post-pandemic sports have also brought new perspectives to parents of student athletes.
Transportation difficulties, schedule conflicts, and fear of illness from children and parents are all potential barriers for returning athletes. As parents are returning to work, their kids will need to be taken to and from practice and games. Parents will not always be able to take their child to every
sports-related activity, which would mean the child would not be able to participate properly. When other extracurricular activities start up again, some students will not be able to balance an academic life with an athletic life.
Kids are seeing the lasting effects of coronavirus all around the world, and in their personal lives. Cost for sports continues to be a problem, but after the pandemic, families cannot afford to put their children through extracurriculars.
Monetary problems, new obstacles, and concerns of sickness have put a damper on sports participation. Athletes lost a step during the pandemic and they are still struggling to return to sports after the coronavirus.
STORY BENJAMIN REGAN PHOTOS SAMANTHA SHIROISHI
Football beat the Alhambra Moors 29-14 on Color Day, Friday, Sep. 16. The Tigers were without injured senior quarterback Jackson Freking and junior tight end Sawyer Fox, but other players managed to step up.
The game began with South Pas in possession of the ball. Senior Richard Conti played under center in place of Freking, but the Tigers punted on its first drive.
Senior kicker Aidan Kinney unleashed a high, spiraling punt, giving Alhambra unfavorable field position and continuing the Tigers outstanding special teams play throughout the year. Senior defensive tackle Isaiah Cooper and senior linebacker Quinn Sterling forced an Alhambra turnover on downs.
Next, the Tigers began a long drive into Moors territory. Conti threw an interception, but the play was negated by a penalty and South Pas had new life. The Tigers capitalized, with junior running back Jason Hong and senior running back Matthew Takausgi alternating carries and knifing through the defense. The Tigers would score as Conti broke the plane of the goalline and gave South Pas a 7-0 lead.
Alhambra’s next drive seemed promising, starting with a gain through the air. However, the Moors got into a 4th down situation, and Takausgi’s tackle forced Alhambra to surrender possession.
Hong started the next Tigers drive with a strong gain on the ground, and Conti found sophomore tight end James Dowd for a completion. Threatening the end zone, Conti rolled out to his right and sprinted past defenders into the end zone. Conti’s second rushing touchdown had the Tigers up 14-0 in the second quarter.
On the next drive, Junior linebacker Giovanni Cruz shut down Alhambra’s offense with a physical tackle, and the Moors punted. South Pas punted the ball right back. With
two minutes until halftime, the Moors finally got on the board. Alhambra’s quarterback lofted the ball to the back of the end zone, and the Moors wide receiver leapt to haul in the pass. The lead was halved, and the score now stood at 14-7.
By the start of the third quarter, the Moors only trailed by a touchdown when the center snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head and the ball was recovered by Eshom. In the blink of an eye, South Pas had forced a turnover.
The Tigers leaned heavily on Hong throughout the next drive, and he wore down Alhambra’s defense. Junior wide receiver Isaiah Hyun came down with an impressive catch in traffic. Then, Hong plowed past defenders and walked into the end zone. Conti scored on the two-point conversion, and South Pas extended their lead to 22-7 midway through the third quarter.
Hyun came through again, this time on special teams, recovering Kinney’s spinning kick. On the very next play, however, Conti was intercepted and Alhambra took over to begin a long drive. Any hopes to get into the end zone were eliminated by Yipp’s interception. South Pas then scored a touchdown as Kinney blazed outside and then cut back inside and into the end zone. The game was starting to get out of reach in the third quarter, with South Pas leading 29-7.
Pressure from Dowd forced an incompletion, and Kinney furthered his electric performance on the night with a groundbreaking interception. The Tigers conserved the lead by running the ball and letting the clock run. South Pas punted before Alhambra got into the end zone on a rushing touchdown. Minutes later, the Tigers still kneeled out the victory 29-14.
“We have been watching films, we have been in the weight room, we are out at practice every day, we put in the work and we are seeing the results,” Kinney said.
South Pas will play at home against Monrovia High School on Thursday, Sep. 29 in its first RHL matchup.
