V. PORTAL TO PERSPECTIVES How Ethnic Studies is opening doors to new viewpoints pg. 20
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FROM THE EDITORS
February 2018 Volume 19 Issue 3
OPENING DOORS
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s our increasingly polarized nation closes its doors to immigrants, Ethnic Studies, a semester-long elective running for the first time in ten years at Palo Alto High School, opens doors to important conversations about race and prejudice. Writers Jenny Tseng and Cecelia Ward capture Ethnic Studies teacher Justin Cronin’s goal of instilling empathy and promoting tolerance of diverging viewpoints. The new year has ushered in several defining movements — #MeToo and #TimesUp have opened the door for thousands of women to openly discuss sexual assault. In “#Palygirlstoo,” staff writer Emma Donnelly-Higgins relays experiencing sexual harassment as a Palo Alto middle schooler, while in “Championing Equality at PAUSD,” Amira Garewal and Riya Sinha sit down with Megan Farrell, the district’s new Title IX coordinator, who paints the picture of a district opening its doors wider to community members by responding to criticism. As comedian Bob Nelson wisely said, “An open-door policy doesn’t do much for a closed mind.” In “Sikh-ing Justice for All,” staff writers Maraleis Sinton and Alex Feng discuss the religious profiling, perpetuated by the closed-minded or prejudiced, that students Sufi Kaur and Josh Singh have been subject to while enduring tedious TSA checks and walking Paly’s halls. In “A Peace of Their Minds” by writers Ella Thomsen and Riya Sinha, Paly student protestors have diverging opinions on what activism means — differences that show that the power of activism lies in its ability to open doors of understanding. On a more personal level, staff writers Ashley Hitchings and Kamala Varadarajan reveal the doors to healing that slam poetry has opened for senior Jharna Sutaria. And staffer Jenny Tseng writes about “rememberlutions,” her solution to failed New Year resolutions, which usher in ample opportunity to celebrate accomplishments instead of dwelling failed ones. This year, we want to reflect — on what causes to devote energy to, what passions to pursue, and what doors to open. And, as Elsa once said in “Frozen,” “Love is an open door!” —Emma, Julie & Saurin
Editors-in-Chief Emma Cockerell Julie Cornfield Saurin Holdheim Design Editor Thomas Chapman Digital Editor Asia Gardias Features Editor Frances Zhuang Profiles Editor Rebecca Yao Culture Editor Daniel Logan Perspectives Editor Tamar Sarig News Editors Ashley Hitchings Ashley Wang Launch Editors Riya Sinha Allison Cheng Photo Director James Poe Art Director Kaitlyn Ho Adviser Paul Kandell
Managing Editors Stephanie Lee Michelle Li Business Managers Amira Garewal Angela Liu Statistician Warren Wagner Staff Writers Nicole Adamson Zakir Ahmad Lucia Amieva-Wang Olivia Brown Megan Chai Margaret Cheung Abby Cummings Sophie Dewees Emma Donnelly-Higgins Alex Feng Kaitlyn Khoe Maia Lagna Bridget Li Estelle Martin Riya Matta Allison Mou Sashinka Poor Maraleis Sinton Mara Smith Zoe Stanton-Savitz Ella Thomsen Jenny Tseng Kamala Varadarajan Cecilia Ward Gila Winefeld Zoë Wong-VanHaren Jasmine Venet Calvin Yan
Publication Policy Verde, a feature magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. Verde is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. Letters to the Editors The staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to veics-1617@gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301. All Verde stories are posted online and available for commenting at verdemagazine.com Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with Verde, please contact the Verde business managers Amira Garewal and Angela Liu through our adviser at 650-329-3837 for more information. Printing & Distribution Verde is printed five times a year in October, November, February, April and May, by Folger Graphics in Hayward, California. The Paly PTSA mails Verde to every student’s home. All Verde work is available at verdemagazine.com
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In this issue
Foreword 6 Editorials 8 Launch 13 News
Features
17 Cryptocurrency 20 Ethnic Studies 23 Trust Issues 26 English Gender Ratio 29 Local Activism 32 Tongan Traditions 34 Grocery Stores 36 Venture
Profiles
38 40 42 43 44 46 48 50 52
TSA Discrimination Hotline Volunteers Bridge Club Ms. Laguna Olivia Chang Slam Poetry Title IX Coordinator Alex Evans 129th Rescue Wing
Culture BRIDGE TO SUCCESS pg. 42
Seniors Stella Wan and Cornelius Duffy are two Paly seniors with a knack for bridge
54 Taste 56 Society Skate 57 End of the F**king World 58 ASMR 60 Oscars Predictions 62 African American Literature
Perspectives ON THE COVER
pg. 20
Ethnic studies, offered at Palo Alto High School for the first time in 10 years, teaches students to celebrate diveristy, encouraging them to being color brave instead of color blind. Artist Kevin Kerr portrays this sentiment with a trio of colorful students passing through the door to a new, more open-minded way of thinking.
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64 Coco 65 Paly and Math 66 #MeToo 67 Rememberlutions 68 Google Memo 69 Gerrymandering 70 Tamar’s Tangent
TONGAN TRADITIONS pg. 32
In Palo Alto, Tongan students straddle two cultures, learning how to integrate tradition into their daily lives
A PEACE OF THEIR MINDS pg. 29
With movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp gaining momentum, Verde looks to student activists for a fresh perspective
CHAMPIONING EQUALITY
THE POWER OF POETRY
pg. 48
Learning about PAUSD’s new Title IX Coordinator
pg. 46
TASTE pg. 54
SIMPLY UN-BEE-LIEVABLE pg. 50
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VERDICT
VERDE’S COMMITMENT TO INCREASING DIVERSITY
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OES IT MATTER who our and often, not all sources fit into a single sources are and where they’re ethnic label; however, audits are still a good from? Does it matter whether starting point for examining our reporting. we include a range of perspecVerde also encourages other publicatives from men and women of different rac- tions at Paly to begin conducting their own es, ethnicities and ages? diversity audits. By evaluating the results We at Verde believe it does. of these diversity audits, staff members will As journalists dedicated to accurate receive a greater sense of the progress their and authentic reporting, we seek stories publications must make. and opinions that come from a diverse popDiversity within journalism class enulation. When individuals from different rollment is as important as the diversity of backgrounds are able to share their stories, sources, and here at Paly it is also limited. it personalizes the issues we write about and The majority of Verde’s staff writers are provides a range of views that contributes Asian or white, and to narrow the demoto a more educated and understanding graphics even more, most are female. Other community. publications are unbalanced Each semester, the in their own ways, but perVerde staff self-reports our haps none as much as us. source information in a To address this issue, publication-wide diversity Verde suggests bringing audit that summarizes the back the journalism workdemographics of our sourcshop that was previously es by race, gender and age. offered to students from In December of 2017, we East Palo Alto, which was did exactly that, and the proven to increase minoriresults (shown to the right) ty student enrollment on concerned us. publications. Another way Adults accounted for to increase diversity could Art by Maya Anderson more than half of Verde’s be to integrate Beginning sources, and though there are several eth- Journalism into 9th grade English classes. nic groups represented, a strong majority Lastly, journalism could be incorporated are still white. And though underclassmen into the AVID Seminar course. make up roughly half the student body, The Verde staff hopes that as a comthey made up only 16 percent of student munity, individuals will share their opinsources. These results reflect a disheartening ions about our reporting. As journalists, lack of diversity, and provide an incentive we must understand the value of listening to seek ways in which Verde can increase to a broad range of opinions from sources the voices being represented. and within members of the staff, because It is always tempting to turn to our ac- only then can we accurately report to our quaintances for interviews, and though this community. is simple and easy, it limits the opinions we We encourage the public to hold us achear. One way we plan to increase the di- countable by sharing their opinions. From versity of our sources is to interview people writing letters to the editors to speaking to we normally wouldn’t. a writer directly, we appreciate feedback Verde acknowledges that the data col- and will strive to make adjustments to imlected in our diversity audits are informal, prove our reporting in the future. v
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Our sources by the numbers (Fall 2017) Graphics by KAITLYN KHOE
Verde Sources by Race SOURCES BY RACE
SOURCES BY RACE
60% WHITE 22.5% ASIAN 60% 7.1% WHITE OTHER 22.5% ASIAN 7.1% OTHER
6% LATINO 3.3% AFRICAN AMERICAN 6% 1.1%LATINO PACIFIC ISLANDER 3.3% AFRICAN AMERICAN 1.1% PACIFIC ISLANDER
SOURCES BY AGE
Verde Sources by Age SOURCES BY AGE
63.2% ADULTS 14.8% SENIORS 15.9% JUNIORS 4.4% SOPHOMORES 63.2% ADULTS 14.8% SENIORS 1.7% FRESHMEN 15.9% JUNIORS 4.4% SOPHOMORES 1.7% FRESHMEN
*Neither Pacific Islanders nor freshmen appear in the graphics above because they represent too small a percentage of the data.
AP English language for juniors a mistake
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HIS COMING SCHOOL year, Palo Alto High School will add many new classes for students. Perhaps the most notable change is the introduction of the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition class for upperclassmen. American Literature 11 Honors, previously offered to juniors, will now be offered only to students in the Social Justice Pathway. Paly’s decision to open the AP English Language class to juniors is a severe misstep by the administration. This decision will increase the homework load of juniors, remove a critical piece of English instruction and decrease enrollment in English electives. Junior year is already regarded as the most stressful year, as students take more honors and AP classes. Taking AP English Language in junior year will replace Ameri-
can Literature 11H, which was designed to serve as a transitionary course to more complex classes, with a yearlong, college-level course, exacerbating student stress. The new class will also replace other English classes. Currently, every student must take at least one English elective before graduating, choosing from courses like Humanities and Escape Literature. Starting in August, a student can bypass the electives by taking AP English Language and AP English Literature consecutively, and miss out on a class that allows them to explore different applications of English under less pressure. It is likely that some of Paly’s treasured electives will disappear as a result. While Paly is lacking weighted humanities classes, and the addition of AP English Language was a well-intentioned effort to expand these options, the school
should have taken other routes to address the problem. AP English Language should have been implemented for seniors only. This would increase students’ options without eliminating the current system in junior year. Furthermore, student input should have been gathered through an online poll before the change was made. Finally, adding weighted English electives to the course catalog and keeping American Literature 11H available would allow students to take competitive classes that interested them. Since AP English Language is already on the course catalog, we realize that it is too late to remove the class for next year’s juniors. However, in future years, the Paly administration and PAUSD should take more caution before introducing a weighty class to an already overextended student body. v
Verdoodles By STEPHANIE LEE
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LAUNCH ASB ANSWERS:
Illustrated Interview Reporting by RIYA MATTA
How is ASB preparing for Prom 2018?
"The Prom asking competition is from March 5 through March 30, and ticket sales are from Feb. 12 through March 30 ... prizes [for the asking competition] will be announced after that [March 30]."
Paly students drew their responses to some of the topics mentioned in this issue of Verde. Here is a sneak peak of some articles that can be found on the pages to follow.
How do you feel about your math class this year? — Ruth Itzkowitz, senior See Paly and Math (pg. 65)
— Vivian Feng, ASB Vice President
Compiled by MEGAN CHAI Art by MAYA ANDERSON
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What social issue are you most passionate about? — Amaya Mitchell, senior See Paly Activism (pg. 28)
Reporting by CALVIN YAN and STEPHANIE LEE
how to go Green with verde
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Shop at second-hand stores Not only is shopping at thrift stores wallet-friendly, it is environmentally friendly too! Buying second-hand reduces landfill waste and eliminates resources from manufacturing the product.
Use energy-efficient lighting According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficient lightbulbs such as LEDs last 3-25 times longer and use roughly 25 percent to 80 percent less energy compared to standard incandescents.
Bring your own coffee cup to coffee shops You can help reduce waste by bringing a reusable mug on your daily coffee run. Many coffee shops, such as Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee, even offer discounts for bringing your own mug.
VERBATIM
What course would you recommend to the incoming grade? Compiled by KAITLYN HO
"I would reccomend ... Chem H, because even though it's harder, you really get to discover if you like chemistry or not." — CLAIRE LI, sophomore
"[I would recommend] Ms. Szebert's APES. It's a great class ... If you like science you should definitely take it."
"I would recommend AP Literature because I think it's a fun class with a lot of reading."
— JACOB GULMAN, junior
— PAARTH SHARMA, senior
Organization Hacks
Compiled by NICOLE ADAMSON Photo by JAMES POE
We're in the middle of the school year, and sometimes it can feel like we're overloaded with papers and assignments to keep track of. Here are some of Verde's organization tips to help ease the stress.
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Make a to do list: Not only does it help you keep track of what needs to be done, but checking or crossing off completed items can be very satisfying and motivational.
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Pack your school bag the night before: No one likes forgetting a multi-hour homework assignment at home or leaving behind that TI84 the day of a math test.
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One thing at a time: By finishing one task before starting the next, you avoid scattering your attention which increases efficiency.
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LAUNCH Bullet Journaling for Beginners
Compiled by GILA WINEFELD
Ever thought of starting a bullet journal? Maybe it’s even one of your New Year’s resolutions. Here are some tips to get you started on your own Pinterest-worthy spreads!
Stress Relief Service
Compiled by ANGELA LIU
Every Wednesday, these service dogs offer stress relief and something to brighten your day. Get to know the personalities of these dogs below. Corky: The Kisser 11 years old Maltese mix Human: Julie
Nessa: The Baby 10 months old Yellow Labrador Human: Connie
Annabelle: The Gentle Giant 10 years old Black Labrador Human: Beth
Hugo: The Good Boy 10 years old Golden Retriever Human: Paul
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High Tech, Biotech and Life-Sciences Legal Counsel Expertise Includes: --Intellectual Property Licensing --Commercial Transactions --Strategic and Collaborative Alliances --Regulatory and Compliance Since 1995, Robyn Stanton has been practicing in the Silicon Valley. Her mix of in-house and in law firm experience informs a broad range of advice and guidance. To contact her: Robyn@Juno-Law.com 650-933-3251
July 30 - August 3 palyjournalismcamp.wixsite.com/camp-mac
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NEWS ASB to host Winter Dance
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MANAGING THE MURAL Latinos Unidos Club President Ricardo Lombera stands before the Student Center where James Franco's mural used to be displayed. Photo by Kaitlyn Khoe.
Latinos Unidos commisioned to replace Franco mural
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HE LATINOS UNIDOS group is working on a new mural to take the place of Palo Alto High School alum James Franco’s artwork on the student center. Amidst allegations of sexual misconduct against Franco, the district took down the actor’s mural on the Student Center and returned his art contributions previously displayed in the Media Arts Center. According to a statement from Interim Supt. Karen Hendricks, the district always planned for the art to be “temporary in nature” and “ returned or painted over at some point.” Latino Unidos is responsible for organizing the completion of a new mural. In an effort to recognize and celebrate all cultures, the club brought in help from other groups such as the Black Student Union, SAMOSA Club, Social Justice Pathway and Paly alumni, according to Latino Unidos president Ricardo Lombera. “A really big thing that we want to see is that the people painting the mural are just as diverse as the people that are on the mural,” Lombera said. “We hope that this mural will celebrate the rich cultures of all the people that attend Paly.” Although AP Art students will play the main part in the execution of the mural, Lombera welcomes any students interested in participating to help paint the mural and can be contacted at ricardoorlandolo@gmail.com. Sketching was to begin on Feb. 19 for two weeks and painting will begin on March 5 and continue into spring break, when the club hopes to finish the mural. “It’s really inspiring that a club has decided to do something like this,” senior AP Art student Hana Morita said. “It [the mural] is really meant to support people of all color, gender and sexuality, so I think this is a way of supporting the community and sort of a reaction to something that has affected the community negatively.”
HE PALY ASSOCIATED Student Body is making final preparations for a Winter Dance that will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 2 in the small gym. According to ASB commissioner Shannon Zhao, the event is masquerade-themed and attendees are encouraged — but not required — to wear masks. Attire is semi-formal: Zhao recommends dresses with casual sneakers for girls, and jeans with button-up shirts for boys. "Given the success rate of our previous spring and winter dances, we weren't originally going to have a dance during the second semester,” Zhao said. “However, three of our freshman officers really wanted another dance this semester." According to Adora Zheng, freshman class president and event organizer, student input was overwhelmingly in favor of the idea. “We had surveys, and a lot of freshman showed a lot of interest,” Zheng said. “We’ve heard it verbally and online.” Tickets for the Winter Dance will be sold on the Quad, in front of the Media Arts Center, online from the Paly Webstore at palywebstore.myschoolcentral.com and at the door of the small gym during the event. They are free for ASB card holders and cost $5 for everyone else. Ticket sales begin Feb. 19 and close March 2. by NICOLE ADAMSON and CALVIN YAN
by KAITLYN KHOE
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TAC to host teen spring events
Stanford expansion in the works
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ALO ALTO’S TEEN Arts Council aims to cultivate creative expression through its upcoming events, which include a poetry jam, an open mic night, an arts festival and a new art exhibition. On Feb. 23, TAC will host its third open mic night of the school year. “Open mics are our most well known event,” TAC publicist Emily Zhang said. “It’s a chance to meet new people and also perform in a low stakes environment.” TAC’s second Point B poetry event is March 23. Attendees can expect a night of poetry and tea, and do not need to sign up to perform, according to Zhang. In addition, a new visual arts event, "Momentum," is in the works for April. In an effort to showcase visual art, the event will take the form of an art gallery and feature student artists. TAC president Nandini Relan encourages teens to come experience the art and enjoy an opportunity to have fun. “You will see a surprising amount of talent,” Relan said. “It’s pretty epic."
by EMMA DONELLY-HIGGINS and ZOE STANTON-SAVITZ
EXPANSION FOR EDUCATION Once the Stanford 2018-2035 General Use Permit is approved, Stanford will begin construction of new housing and academic facilities. Photo by Estelle Martin.
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OCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING and traffic conditions may be impacted once Stanford University’s General Use Permit is finalized by Santa Clara County. If approved, the proposed GUP would allow Stanford to construct 2.27 million new net square feet of academic space and 3,150 new on-campus housing units on unincorporated county land between Page Mill Road and Sand Hill Road through 2035. “The new space will support emerging academic fields, provide improved space for interdisciplinary collaboration and state-of-the-art research equipment … and accommodate potential modest growth in undergraduate enrollments in the coming years,” said Ernest Miranda, senior director of University Media Relations. In lieu of these impending developments, Stanford is taking measures to ensure that construction does not increase congestion, a fear cited by the Palo Alto City Council. According to Miranda, the university offers free Caltrain passes, VTA passes, parking and shuttle services to facilitate affordable commutes for employees. The University is piloting a satellite worksite in San Jose for employees to work remotely and avoid commuting altogether. “Stanford is committed to growing in a responsible way that minimizes the impact on the surrounding communities,” Miranda said. by ESTELLE MARTIN and WARREN WAGNER
School to offer new courses in the fall Anatomy and Physiology H Slated to be taught by current biology teacher Randy Scilingo, this class will explore human anatomy at a college level through labs and interactive workouts. “I get a year to teach essentially what I learned at Cal Poly in 11 weeks,” said Scilingo. “But now, I get to stretch it out and totally boost it with all kinds of really, really fun stuff.”
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Media Leadership and Management An honors and nonhonors leadership credit will be offered to seniors continuing with a publication for their second year. "Everyone will still participate in whatever publication they're in, but the honors kids will be doing ... extra readings and projects related to how to effectively lead and manage a group of people,” said journalism teacher Rod Satterthwaite.
AP English Lang. and Composition This yearlong course will be offered to juniors and seniors. Unlike the fiction-focused AP Lit., AP Lang. emphasizes nonfiction and argumentative writing. “We encourage anyone who is interested to sign up,” stated English Instructional Leader Shirley Tokheim in an email. by ALEX FENG and CECILIA WARD
Theater Dept. to debut original musical
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HE PALY THEATER Department will perform “Venture: a Musical,” an original production directed and written by choir director Michael Najar, in March. Set in present-day Silicon Valley, the musical follows a female entrepreneur, played by sophomore Sofia Peterson, and addresses culture-specific issues faced by Bay Area residents. “It’s a contemporary musical [with] contemporary issues, and one of the issues that is a hotbed topic right now is gender politics,” Najar said. According to theater director Kathleen Woods, the musical has allowed the theater department to explore uncharted
territory in regards to special effects. “This is a much more major use of projections for scenery,” Woods said. For Najar, “Venture” is not just the title of his new musical, but also a metaphor for the entire production. “It’s a venture for me, it’s a venture for this character in the show, this female lead, and we’re all putting our belief into an idea that we hope works,” Najar said. Paly Theater will perform “Venture” at 7:30 p.m. on March 9, 10, 16 and 17, 4 p.m. on March 15, and 2 p.m. on March 18. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults at www.palytheatre. com. by SOPHIE DEWEES
Speaker series finds new venue
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AREER MONTH WILL take place during the weeks of February 27 to March 9, excluding March 5, in rooms 403 and 404. While the annual student-run speaker series has traditionally been hosted in the library, ongoing construction will move the event to the 400s building. Although there have been difficulties organizing the event as a result of the location change, Career Month has had a high turnout in previous years and committee president Stella Wan expects the trend to continue this year. “We’ve had about 250 students per day show up each year,” Wan said. “It will probably have a similar turnout because we’ve been advertising the same way.” The committee says it’s important to have a variety of speakers so students won’t feel discouraged pursuing jobs that aren’t STEM-based. Speakers this year include psychologists, entrepreneurs, muralists, legal counsels and more. “Our goal is to encourage students to pursue what intrigues them, what they could be passionate about, and to give them an in-person connection to adults who have found fulfillment in their work,” junior committee member Yue Shi said. by ZOE WONG-VANHAREN and OLIVIA BROWN
Bell schedule final decision imminent
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HE PALY INNOVATIVE Schedule Committee was set to meet two days ago to finalize a new bell schedule in order to bring a recommendation before the school board in March. After five months of discussion focused on narrowing schedule types, the ISC was to finalize the schedule type, start times, placement of Flex, staff meetings and period lengths. In a Schoology update last month, Principal Kimberly Diorio announced that the ISC has tentatively decided on Schedule Type 3, a schedule in which "C" days are eliminated and odd and even days alternate each week. However, this schedule is subject to change if the final schedule does not reach consensus during the final meeting. “Nothing is decided until everything is decided,” ISC facilitator Ken Yale said. Start time was to be a major topic of discussion at the last meeting, according to aeFetra. While Paly already begins later than many schools, such as Los Gatos and Saratoga High School, some students are advocating for an even later start time. Others, such as commitee member and junior David Foster, fear a late dismissal will impact extracurriculars and teacher commute. “I’m hoping we’ve done a better job of communicating and getting input that there won’t be quite as much angst,” said Susan LaFetra, art teacher and ISC community outreach coordinator. “We expect angst, just maybe not extreme angst.” If the ISC’s recommendation is approved by the school board, the schedule will be implemented next year under the guidance of a new committee. by KAITLYN KHOE
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Text by ANGELA LIU and ALLISON CHENG
BIT BIT
HOW CRYPTOCURRENCY SPARKED A 21ST CENTURY HUNT FOR GOLD
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HITE DIGITS FLASH across the screen as the number of bitcoin transactions within the last 24 hours continues to climb upwards on the Blockchain website. Junior Grace Lam, who began mining cryptocurrencies in July 2017, explains the process occuring before her on the screen. “You can think of it [cryptocurrency] as untraceable cash — invisible cash. There’s a limited amount of it, and it’s all untraceable, because it doesn’t have your name on it, and there’s no ledger, there’s no central account,” Lam says. “It’s all transaction by transaction on the blockchain.” Lam isn’t alone in her cryptocurrency ventures. Since the first 50 coins were mined by Bitcoin inventor Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, Bitcoin trading platform Coinbase has attracted over 10 million users and facilitated the transaction of over $50 billion. The rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies has turned it from a foreign con-
BREWING BEANS Coupa Cafe workers brew coffee and make sandwiches for their early morning customers. In 2013, Coupa Cafe on Ramona Street started accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment in addition to the typical forms. Photo by Angela Liu.
cept into local jargon, shaping the lives of corporations, faculty and students alike in Silicon Valley. For example, Coupa Cafe on Ramona Street has accepted Bitcoin as a form of payment since 2013, according to Palo Alto Online. Established giants like Bitcoin and Litecoin reign alongside pop-up currencies like Dogecoin and CryptoKitties, with new currencies emerging by the day. “It [cryptocurrency] is becoming more
mainstream,” says AP Macroeconomics teacher Deborah Whitson, who began incorporating the subject into her curriculum three years ago. “Five years ago, I had one or two students who had heard of it. Now, everyone’s heard of it.” It’s not only AP Macroeconomics students who have gained a glimpse into the workings of cryptocurrencies — other Paly students, like Lam, with spare cash or spare equipment have joined in on the hunt for digital gold.
Art by Jessica Lee
Minor Miners Earning cryptocurrency is a race between machines — whichever computer solves the calculation for a transaction faster earns the largest portion of the profits. Essentially, machines must whir all day to compete with other miners. Lam and senior Ryan Dickson have taken their success with cryptocurrency investments and transitioned toward mining the coins themselves. Both recognize how privileged they are to mine as students. “I have a Graphics Processing Unit at home, and a computer that I turn on all the time anyways in order to train for my [robotics] projects and neural networks,” Lam says. “It’s already using the same amount of energy, so I thought, ‘why not just add another process on top of that and mine for Bitcoin?’” Dickson’s home runs on solar power, which is considerably cheaper than electricity. This allows him to purchase his mining DECRYPTING CODE Stanford cryptography professor Dan Boneh draws a cryptography diahardware at much cheaper prices with pow- gram. Boneh released his lecture material on cryptography for free and encourages students to learn more about the process of cryptography. Photo by Angela Liu. er costs having little impact on energy bills. Although mining doesn’t always turn $1,000 off mining. Lam’s devices aren’t dedicated solely to out much profit — sometimes the transOn the other hand, Dickson says he mining, causing her earnings to fall short fers don’t work out, and sometimes what’s has made $40 a day passively mining since in comparison to those with dedicated mabeen mined may not transfer at all and will the summer, after his initial investment of chines like Dickson’s. instead get lost somewhere in the abyss of just under $1,000 on his equipment. “For each calBitcoin — Lam “If I included how much my powculation, there’s a maintains a posier bill [would have] cut into how much I chance that they’ll It [cryptocurrency] is tive outlook on the make every day, it would be dismal — I’d beat me to it, which definitely a minefield. matter. only make five bucks a day,” Dickson says. means that they’ll get “It doesn’t “It’s definitely tough to build yourself a larger portion of it Only put in what you’re hurt. Whatever I up there,” Dickson says. “It’s all about the [the money],” Lam willing to lose.” make is whatever I value.” says. — ASHUTOSH BHOWN, junior make, and even if “It’s kind of a I don’t make any- Cash or credit? Coin. shot in the dark. If thing, I’m still using the same amount of Mining isn’t the only way students you do make money, it’s a little bit and it energy,” Lam says. have become involved with digital currency. accumulates,” says Lam, who makes anySince venturing into cryptocurrenJunior Ashutosh Bhown started investwhere between 30 cents to two dollars per cies six months ago, she has made nearly ing in cryptocurrency stocks in August day.
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2017, thanks to en- couragement from his father. “It started with stocks,” Bhown says. “It [cryptocurrency] is kind of like high-frequency stock trading, just over a longer period of time. [People] trade one microsecond and sell the next, so it’s really rapid profits and losses. I wanted to diversify my trading methods, so I thought, why not?” Starting with $400 worth of Bitcoin, he currently holds $1,200. Bhown has also collected over 150 Ethos coins, whose value has since climbed from 50 cents to $4 a piece. “I’m just going to hold onto it and see how it goes,” Bhown says. Junior Neil Yeung also dove into cryptocurrency this past summer after setting aside some cash and investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum and NEO. Although mining is financially burdensome for Yeung, he remains hopeful for the future of cryptocurrency applications. Real estate, healthcare and data storage are all on his mind. “It’s really a global movement. The projects are not just originating from Silicon Valley, they’re originating from everywhere.” As with any new innovation, cryptocurrency developers are faced with challenges. Transaction speed is among them. “Bitcoin right now can handle five transactions per second, and Ethereum [can handle] 25,” Yeung says. “For comparison, VISA can handle 2000 transactions.” As they stand, the Bitcoin and Ether blockchains are simply too crowded for the average person interested in mining, but not for the dominant wealthy monopolies, according to Bhown. While still hopeful, Bhown leaves one piece of advice. “It’s definitely a minefield. Only put in what you’re willing to lose.”
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Bursting the bitcoin bubble Planting the seeds of Chia Mining, investing, improving energy “Cryptocurrencies have the potential to outdo banking as we know it,” Bram usage and the transaction process; in corpoCohen, CEO and co-founder of San Fran- rate offices and in the classroom — what’s next for cryptocisco tech company currency? Chia and inventor We’re only at the “We’re seeof BitTorrent, tells ing quite a lot Verde. “The secu- beginning of this of companies rity on credit cards cryptocurrency era” leverage the fact is horrible and slow — DAN BONEH, professor that blockchains even on the stanexist now to do dards of how long it takes to make check out happen. They things that we were never able to do be[credit cards] don’t give you full receipts, fore,” says Stanford cryptography professand they don’t give you the kind of con- sor Dan Boneh. Reimagining the concept of proof, for trol over recurring billing that they really instance, isn’t too far off in the future. should give you.” “You can imagine that your However, the constant run of machines consumes much energy, causing [academic] transcript could also be registered on the blockconcerns for bills and the environment. These issues are precisely what Chia is chain,” Boneh says. “The broad range of apworking to resolve. “Our [Chia’s] process involves a disk plications of this technology is space rather than [the] burning of electric- still in the future,” Boneh says. “We’re only at the beginning ity,” Cohen says. According to Cohen, this process, of this cryptocurrency era.” v dubbed “farming,” aims to alleviate energy consumption and in turn reduce negative press surrounding cryptocurrencies’ usage of electricity. “The goal of the whole thing is really to enable commerce, as I see it,” Cohen says. “I don’t think there’s anything particularly different [with] the roadmap for Chia as to what — in my opinion — should be the roadmap for Bitcoin.” This includes the possibility to transfer funds more cheaply and with greater speed and security compared to the current state. “Making a better version of it [cryptocurrency] that’s readily accessible to consumers is something that would impact people’s daily lives in a very real way.”
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Art by David Foster
PORTAL TO PERSPECTIVES LEARNING TO BE COLOR BRAVE
FEBRUARY 2018
Connecting personal with political “I’ve had experiences of being somebody of color and what that entails with being stopped by police in my car, or disappointing looks of girlfriends’ parents,” Cronins says. “That’s the thing with being of color — it’s like you don’t really have the option of putting it down … it’s like it’s always there, regardless of where you are [or] who you’re with.” By bringing his own personal experiences to the class, Cronin hopes to broach
Art by KEVIN KERR and VIVIAN NGUYEN
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the sensitive subject of race, bringing to life the inequalites minorities face everyday. “Outside of this class, there’s a lot of problems with talking about race and people don’t want to say anything,” says senior Jazmine Johnson Jackson. “Now we have a class where we can just discuss … the problems about race and how you feel about it.” Students are taught to be color brave as opposed to being color blind and to recognize that each culture is unique. “Color brave is based on the idea of not being color blind … when people say they don’t see color it actually detracts from the conversation because then what you’re not seeing is the struggle or inequality,” Cronin says.
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The revival For a decade, too few students enrolled in Ethnic Studies for the class to run. However, a peak in students’ interest led to the formation of a single Ethnic Studies class in second semester this year. “I think that the current climate plays into the willingness of students to have maintained their sign-up,” Cronin says. “But also schedule-wise the stars sort of aligned for it to happen.”
Despite only having enough students to fill one semester, a little bit of luck with teacher schedules and the persuasion of guidance counselors helped revive the elective. “Mr. [Charles] Taylor, in Guidance, helped channel some kids into doing this and that’s where the [political] climate comes in — the willingness to keep it on their schedule as opposed to doing something else,” Cronin says. When current Palo Alto administrator Katya Villalobos taught the class for a semester in the spring of 2000, students explored the history of different ethnic groups in California, as well as the depiction and outside perceptions of those groups. Similarly to the Ethnic Studies class running this semester, the class was discussion-based and involved more reflection than typically found in history classes. “I think for you to understand where we came from and where we’re going, it’s important for you to understand who came, and who is coming,” Villalobos says. “That’s why we need a class like Ethnic Studies.”
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OCIAL STUDIES teacher Justin Cronin’s baritone voice bounces off the walls, filling the spacious classroom as he strides to the front of the class. In his hands he holds an unasuming news article — a single sheet of paper with black text marching down both sides. When the rustle and murmur of his students fade away, he clears his throat and begins to tell the story of two students not much older than the ones who sit before him. One from Stanford University, the other from Vanderbilt University. One a swimmer, one a football player. Both accused of multiple counts of sexual assault. One sentenced to six months in a county jail, the other sentenced to 15 to 25 years in prison. Both crimes are reprehensible, but only one was treated as such. One student is white, one student is black. Can you guess which is which? It is easy for students to match the punishment to the athlete — they are all too familiar with inequalities that continue to plague our nation. With this story fresh in their minds, the students in Cronin’s class begin another period of Ethnic Studies, a social science elective running for the first time in 10 years at Palo Alto High School. The discussion-based class delves into topics of race rarely discussed in core history classes and focuses on instilling empathy and awareness in students as they prepare to leave the bubble of the community.
Text by JENNY TSENG and CECILIA WARD
As racial tensions rise in the United neda-Isaac says. “If we had the ability to States and our own government battles alle- empathize with one another, and actually gations of racial discrimination in immigra- talk about issues, I feel like some of [those] tion policy, policing and issues would dissiincarceration, students Because we had a pate.” believe that the discusBy encourblack president ... a sions occurring in Ethnic aging his students Studies are promoting lot of people were like to participate in important conversations tough conversa‘oh, racism is over ... that should have haptions and arming pened earlier. them with inbut we see that that’s “It’s so easy to get formation from clearly not true.” caught up in your own a multitude of — NAIMA CASTANEDA-ISAAC, senior social circle and not reviewpoints, Croally have a better undernin aspires to shift standing,” says senior Julianna Roth. “We student focus to similarities as opposed to [are] in such a bubble, people need to have differences. that opportunity to gain that knowledge before they go into the real world so they Implementation and resistance don’t offend someone else.” In 2016, California Gov. Jerry Brown Senior Paul Jackson III seconds Roth, signed legislation requiring the state’s Inexplaining that he signed up for the class structional Quality Commission, responsito get different perspectives from people of ble for developing and recommending curdifferent ethnicities. riculum, to develop a model ethnic studies “That’s important especially right now curriculum for high schools. First suggested as we’re growing up and ready to step out in 2002, the legislation finally passed two into the world for ourselves,” Paul Jackson years ago thanks to California Assemblysays. man Luis Alejo from Salinas. The curricLiving in a liberal community ulum is expected to be completed around TE C T E D OL AU such as the Bay Area and having June 2019 and will be adopted at the end of had a more left-leaning govern- that year, according to Alejo’s office. ment in recent years has left “One of the major ideas behind Ethnic many feeling removed from the Studies is this idea of something that is culracial prejudices that continue to turally relevant to the students being served fester within society. … [but] that’s not to say that there aren’t “Because we had a black general principles in play,” says Thomas president, I think a lot of peo- Dee, Stanford University professor and Diple were like ‘oh, racism is over, rector of the Stanford Center for Education there’s no reason to talk about Policy Analysis. it because it’s over,’” says senior Dee, who co-authored “The Causal EfNaima Castaneda-Isaac. “But we fects of Cultural Relevance: Evidence from see that that’s clearly not true, an Ethnic Studies Curriculum,” hopes that and I think with the recent elec- the model ethnic studies curriculum will tion, people are seeing the true allow schools to modify content to accomfaces of America.” modate differences in school culture. Cronin highlights tolerThe rising popularity of Ethnic Studies ance and acceptance of varying faced backlash. The state of Arizona banned opinions, a lesson that many a Mexican-American studies curriculum in students have come to value. Tucson public schools in 2011, with many “I think that’s something government officials claiming the curricuthat our country is really lum was too divisive. missing right now,” Casta“Individuals saw it as very anti-white,
SEARCHING FOR A DIFFERENT STANCE Senior Paul Jackson III took the course to hear different opinions and broaden his perspectives. Photo by Stephanie Lee.
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CONTROVERSIAL CONVERSATIONS Senior Julianna Roth comments on the controversy of the current political climate and the increase in tensions regarding in the past year. Photo by Stephanie Lee.
and that’s not the message,” Cronin says. “I’ve said it in class: It’s not an ‘I-hatewhite-people’ class. That’s not the point of it.” Rather, the focus of ethnic studies classes is to shed light on the stories of minority groups often ignored by Eurocentric history curricula. “This is the big tension with Ethnic Studies. We’ve got this notion of diversity in the U.S. that is ‘e pluribus unum’, out of many one … they keep their distinctiveness but complement each other,” Dee says. “My hope is that evidence like ours can reframe the debate toward whether and why these kind
of curriculum appear to have a very special power.” Digging deeper In his paper, Dee investigates the impact of ethnic studies courses on students at risk for dropping out of school, using five years worth of data gathered from several San Francisco high schools. Dee and co-author Emily Penner found that students who enrolled in the class demonstrated an improvement in their grade point average and attendance records, which may be attributed to a cultural alignment present in the course that is rarely found in other courses. “[It is] very important for students, to help unlock their potential, for them to see their own out-of-school experiences represented in the lenses that are brought to the kind of history they’re learning,” Dee says. “Classrooms are highly evaluative settings where if you belong to some racial or demographic subgroup and you think that people may hold stereotypes about your belongingness, it creates a kind of self-fulfilling anxiety about your capacity to perform in these settings.” According to Dee, the implementation of an Ethnic Studies course in high schools would forewarn students about stereotypes and give them an opportunity to affirm their core values in a classroom setting, which would promote students’ growth mindset. COLOR BRAVE Students strive to be color brave rather than color blind in Ethnic Studies. Art by Hana Morita.
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EMPHASIZING IDENTITY (left) Senior Naima Castaneda-Isaac shares her perspectives about identity, a commonly discussed topic in Ethnic Studies. Photo by Maraleis Sinton. CONTEMPLATING COLOR (right) Justin Cronin discusses being “color brave” instead of color blind, an important lesson he hopes to instill in his students. Photo by Stephanie Lee.
Ethnic Studies 3.0 If Cronin has the opportunity to teach Ethnic Studies again, he plans to continue with the central theme of identity and the discussion-based format, but alter the curriculum so it more closely resembles ninth grade courses taught in Southern California. He would spend less time talking about history and more time discussing current issues related to minority groups. Cronin’s hope is that Ethnic Studies will promote conversations among students and help students learn how to take action against the issues they study in class. “Whether you hate it or love it, it still doesn’t further the conversation, it doesn’t make everything equal,” he says. “Yeah we talk about it whether it’s right or wrong, but there’s far more deeper levels that need to be discussed in this nation before we can truly move forward.” Ethnic Studies classes like the one at Paly play an important role in allowing all members of society to feel accepted and influential in the shaping of our nation’s rich and complex history. “This is part of the American experience: how to live with and leverage to great effect the diversity that exists in our society,” Dee says. “Elements of that diversity and inclusion should be reflected in everyone’s curriculum.” v
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TRUST LEVELS LOWER AMONG MINORITY GROUPS
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trust s e u s is
Text by ASIA GARDIAS and JASMINE VENET Art by BRITNEY FAN
OPHOMORES ALYSSA SIEVERT and Kimberly Martinez sit huddled together like penguins, wrapped in thick jackets with their lunch bags and dishes scattered in front of them. The Palo Alto High School students sit on the same side of the table, alternating between chatting and chewing, and talking animatedly between bites. Sievert believes Paly has a culture of trust, often seeing groups of students who can share secrets with each other, care about each other and, most importantly, trust each other. The biggest indicator of trust, Martinez says, is her ability to confide in Sievert. “We [Sievert and Martinez] tell each other that ‘you can trust me if you need someone to talk to, or a person to hold your secrets,’” she says. Trust, sometimes earned, sometimes given, can be easily noticed between these two friends. It is their seemingly shatterproof trust which makes them ideal representatives of Paly’s culture of trust. An informal survey of 164 students conducted by Verde earlier this month from 11 Paly English classes, found 77 percent of students agree that people can be trusted, and 57 percent of students say that Paly culture breeds trust. While we did not survey the entire population, student interviews in combination with survey results demonstrate what Paly students think of trust. Martinez and Sievert appear to have their trust set in stone, but the general tendency to trust varies along axes of grade, sexuality and race. Christopher Farina, an AP Psychology teacher at Paly, states in an email that while he is not sure about the specific research, there are a few factors which go into our ability to trust. “We tend to trust people, one, who are similar to us, two, who exhibit some kind of prosocial behavior towards us which we can then reciprocate, and three, people that we spend more time around.”
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Our poll survey by the numbers...
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tudent poll results were collected from a survey taken in Paly English classes during February. Eleven Paly English classes were randomly selected and 164 responses collected. One freshman class, four sophomore classes, three junior classes and three senior classes were surveyed (one English A class, four English 10A classes, two American Lit H and two American Lit. classes, one World Lit. class, and one AP English Lit. and Composition class). The survey was conducted online and responses were anonymous. Quotes and opinions of students were reported on independent of survey results. We are 90 percent confident the following margins of error captures the population’s mean of students with the defined characteristic below who agree with the statement “Paly students can be trusted.” Data about white students falls between a margin of error of 8 percent. Data about Asian American students falls between a margin of error of 9 percent. Data about minority students (Latino, African African American and Pacific Islander) falls between margin of error of 15 percent. Data about female students as well as data about male students falls between margin of error of 6 percent. The sample of LGBTQ+ students was not large enough so the margin of error cannot be found. We are 90 percent confident that the population’s mean of students who agree with the statment “People can be trusted” falls between a margin of error of 5 percent. We are 90 percent confident that the population’s mean of students who agree with the statment “Paly culture breed trust” falls between a margin of error of 6 percent. We are 90 percent confident that the population’s mean of students who agree with the statment “Female students trust more than male students” falls between a margin of error of 6 percent.
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Students, however, all have different ideas about what makes or breaks trust, and what we can do to foster a trusting environment moving forward. Not so black and white For students of all different races and ethnicities, over half agree that Paly students can be trusted. However, while most students are able to trust their peers, the percentages vary between racial groups. White students are the most trusting of all racial groups. Seventy-two percent of white students report that they could trust other Paly students. Asian American students have the second highest rate of trust, with 66 percent saying that Paly students could be trusted. Historically underrepresented minority students (Latino, African American and Pacific Islanders) had lower levels of trust, with 63 percent of students reporting that they can trust other students. Sione Latu, a Polynesian American senior, says that while he doesn’t know the reason for it, he generally sees people of the same race sticking together. “When we talk about trust, we only stay around our certain groups and we don’t explore outside of our race,” he says. “I’m not sure why, but I think we tend to trust our friends only and the peers that we hang out with, but not between ethnicities.” Latino senior Aizzak Cerrillo-Barajas has a different perspective. He says that similar backgrounds and upbringings, rather than ethnicities themselves, are what bring students together and encourage them to trust more. “I feel like between races it comes down to the fact where it’s based on background,” Cerrillo-Barajas says. “I trust people who have [a] similar situation to me.” Junior Allison Salinas, a Salvadoran-American student, says that mistrust stems from separation caused by the establishment of groups or cliques, especially those with people of similar ethnicities. “Our clique is definitely closer together because we have the same culture — we’re all Spanish so we can speak Spanish together,” she says. “I think people feel intimidated, not just by our clique, but by
TRUSTING STUDENTS One hundred sixty-four Paly students were asked to what extent they would agree with the statement, “People can be trusted.” Their responses are displayed above. “Paly people mostly trust their friends,” says sophomore Jennifer Wu. “If you can tell them what’s your secret and everything, that’s the person that you trust.”
other cliques which are especially made up of people of a certain ethnicity.” Salinas says that Paly students need to work on bonding with each other, specifically those from different social groups. While unfamiliar students may come off as intimidating at first, Salinas says that it’s easy to become closer with others by simply talking with them. “I think the solution is mostly about keeping an open mind,” Salinas says. “It’s mostly just a mentality that you might have.” How do LGBTQ+ students trust? Students who identified on the LGBTQ+ spectrum report on average lower levels of trust, with 62 percent of LGBTQ+ students saying that they can trust other students. Senior Maddie Lee, president of the Queer-Straight Alliance Club, says that overall, she and other local LGBTQ+ students are able to trust at the same rates as other students due to the supportive community have in Palo Alto. In her experi-
features ence, she says, mistrust within the general LGBTQ+ community stems from a lack of understanding. “I think that it’s not so much here about intolerance as it is about ignorance, just a lack of understanding,” she says, “As a whole people are so accepting, that people who are ever insensitive, most of the time, I find it’s just because they don’t know better.” Lee says that for most LGBTQ+ students, it is not a problem of who to trust and who to not trust, but rather about finding someone who you can have open dialogue with. “That’s what trust is about, is being able to have that emotional vulnerability and know that it’s not a weakness,” she says, “I think that especially with LGBT youths, being able to talk about your issues is a great deal of what it means to work through those issues.” Junior Robert Vetter, who is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community, says that trust is developed on an individual basis and less based in groups. “I feel like I can relate to people in the LGBT community better than I can relate to others, but I don’t think that translates into a higher level of trust,” Vetter says. “I trust people based on my personal relationship with them, not their sexual orientation.”
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54 percent of students say that female stu- sures still exist, resulting in a lower level of dents, in general, trust others more. trust. Before becoming president of Paly’s “With guys, especially nowadays, we Intersectional Feminism Club, Arianna can say anything and it is okay,” he says. Seay says she went through a self-described “But it [gender norms] is still ingrained “phase” in middle school where she would into lives and we still try not to show what gravitate toward friendships with boys and we may feel.” shun friendships with girls. Yet she would only trust girls with her secrets and prob- Trust the process lems. While different factors influence stu“I still thought girls were still more dents’ abilities to trust, the Paly populacaring and thoughtful tion generally reports about my feelings and my that students are able I think the opinions than guys ever to trust other students. were,” she says. “I was alAlthough some Paly solution is mostways afraid of trusting students have certain ly about keeping them, and how their rereservations about how action would hurt me. I students trust each othan open mind. was perpetuating those er, most are optimistic It’s mostly just a gender roles in my mind. and have ideas about I thought they’re just more how to improve trust mentality that harsh, and they don’t care among students. you might have.” about your feelings.” Sievert says that — ALLISON SALINAS, junior Cerrillo-Barajas says trust is ultimately dethat social norms and the pendent on one’s attipressures associated with them cause male tude to those around them. students to trust each other less. While he “It depends on the type of person feels that the social norms regarding mascu- you are,” she says. “If you trust someone linity are diminishing, many of these pres- enough, if you deem them trustworthy enough to actually be comfortable around them, then I think you could build a really strong friendship base to the point to where you’re best friends.” v
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Gender inequality in trust When it comes to gender, there is a discrepancy between trust and perceived trust. Sixty-seven percent of males students report having trust in other students, while only 59 percent of females report trusting other students. However, when it came to perceived trust, TRUST BY GENDER Eighty-one male and 83 female students were asked to what extent they would agree with the statement, “I can trust Paly students.” Their responses are displayed to the right. “Girls would trust people more,” Sophomore Nathan Sanchez says. “It feels like they’re more open to people and they can trust people more often.” In Paly, there is a difference between perceived trust and actual trust between genders.
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Most polarized English electives* Males
Females
Comedy Literature
26%
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT BATTLES GENDER DISPARITY IN ELECTIVES Text by KAMALA VARADARAJAN and ABBY CUMMINGS Art by BRITNEY FAN
74%
Writer’s Craft
24%
76%
Sports Literature
19%
81%
Palo Alto High School’s Comedy Literature class is 74% male (22 males), Analysis of Writer’s Craft is 24% male (7 males), and the Sports Literature class is 81% male (29 males).
*Source: data from Schoology’s “Members” page, reported by students enrolled in said classes during 2017-18 school year
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S THE ROWDY COMEDY The pressures Literature class breaks up into Junior Sofia Olgado enrolled in Sports discussion groups, the loud Literature to fulfill her elective requirement voices of 22 boys fill the room. for the year, and she immediately became Meanwhile, the discussion coming from aware of the unequal ratio of male to female the only seven girls in the class is barely au- students. She says she was not surprised. dible. This classroom atmosphere is flipped “The class definitely reflected the social in the female-heavy English electives such expectation that boys tend to like sports as Analysis of the Writer’s Craft, where the more than girls,” Olgado says. “In high girls initiate class discussions and speak out school, a lot of students feel pressure to be with ease. interested in the same things as their friends Even at Palo Alto High School, where and peers, and for that reason they tend to we seek diveristy and battle stereotypes, the conform to stereotypes.” gender ratios of students in English elecAlong with societal pressures, students tives surprisingly reflect traditional gender are also subject to peer pressure within expectations. friend groups to take the same courses. This The school administration has been pressure often causes single-gender groups working to combat gender disparity, ac- to sign up for the same elective, and leads cording to English teacher Alanna William- to an even more skewed gender ratio within son, but with so much focus on representing classes. girls in STEM, the flip side has not gotten “I definitely think there is pressure enough attention. to take certain Why do females The class definitely reflected classes based make up such a on what friends disproportionately the social expectation that are taking, even small number of boys tend to like sports more if it’s not obvistudents enrolled ous,” Olgado in certain English than girls.” says. “Regard— SOFIA OLGADO, junior electives? Why less of this, it is do they dominate important that others? Paly students take classes in the areas they The English electives with the greatest are interested in, rather that just following gender disparity are Comedy Literature, the trends of their friends.” which is 74% male — 20 male students Junior Fabiana Teofan defied these and seven female students — Analysis of pressures by signing up for Comedy Literathe Writer’s Craft which is 24% male — 22 ture as her elective. female students and seven male students — Although she says it doesn’t hugely afand Sports Literature, which is 81% male fect her behavior in class, she has a theory — 29 male students and seven female stu- for why so many male students sign up for dents. the course.
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features “Guys seem to make the jokes and want to make the girl laugh and in turn, the girl in the relationship wants to be able to laugh at the guy’s jokes,” Teofan says. “I think that might have some role in why mostly guys are in that class.”
“Ms. Filppu projects such a strong positive personality that it helps soften the disparity,” says David Foster, a junior in Comedy Lit.erature. Though the effects of the imbalance may be subtle initially, the consequences become apparent during class discussions. Class environment “[In Comedy Literature], boys are Discrepancies in gender ratios of elec- more likely to share out,” senior Clara Lutives have significant effects on the class dy- ehrs says. “But in my Writer’s Craft class, namic, especially in there are a lot of those for which class girls who like to participation plays a Diversity in classes is share out.” large role. “I want to “I mean, it [the good because it can offer know what girls gender ratio] is a a diversity in opinion and think,” Foster little uncomfortable says. “It’s just because you have perspective.” not as fun for — ALANNA WILLIAMSON, English teacher to get up there and me; I prefer a speak and act out,” balance, because Teofan says about her Comedy Literature there’s more to talk about. Even balances class. “We [girls] mainly stay in one group.” help everyone.” However, a few students report that The English Department agrees, Wilthey have never noticed the imbalance of liamson says, and is trying to adjust the sysgender in their class, partially because of tem in order to combat gender imbalances the teacher’s exuberant nature. displayed in so many electives.
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“We try to be more conscious of it [gender disparity] and maintain balances when possible,” Williamson says. “Diversity in classes is good because it can offer a diversity in opinion and perspective.” Fixing the issue In response to demand for more humanities-oriented Advanced Placement classes, but also as an attempt to restore gender balance in courses, the English Department is introducing AP English Language and Composition — available to upperclassmen this fall. “Part of the reason we’re adding AP Language this year is ... because we are trying to offer another AP option to diversify and attract all types of students,” Williamson says. “Our department immediately begins having conversations about why [disparity is] happening and how we can find a balance of gender in [classes] again.” v Editor’s Note: The methodology of our study did not yield any data about non-binary students in English electives.
In several English electives there is visible gender disparity: males dominate some classes while femles dominate others.
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FEBRUARY 2018
Text by MAGGIE WOMEN MARCHCHEUNG IN SOLIDARITY A young and CECILIA WARD protester leads the chant: “When I say women, you say power!” Photo by Lucia Amieva-Wang.
A PEACE OF THEIR MINDs
STUDENTS DEFINE THEIR ACTIVISM Text by RIYA SINHA and ELLA THOMSEN
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HAT DOES IT MEAN to be an activist? Does it mean physically attending a women’s march waving signs that demand equality? Or does being an activist mean writing to a local senator to demand change? To answer these questions we look to our past and present activists: understanding their ideals is what can inspire ours. According to Palo Alto Historian Steve Staiger, long before the Trump era, students in Palo Alto’s high schools learned from their role models at Stanford and realized they, too, could have a voice. The height of activism in Palo Alto took place during the tumultuous 1960s, and was marked by protests
about the Vietnam War and the dissolution of Palo Alto High School’s Associate Student Body in the late 1960s. Today, Palo Alto High School’s politically engaged students plan protests and create clubs that spur discourse, and are exposed to Stanford and University of California Berkeley’s vibrant activist communities. Paly’s many activists each define their involvment in different ways, finding self-expression through different media. Defining activism “I think being an activist really just means that you see a problem in the way society works and you takes steps to change that, whether that means signing a petition
or starting a march or writing an op-ed,” says Maya Homan, a senior and one of the founders of the social-justice oriented Anthro Magazine. Homan’s love for journalism has influenced her definition of activism, and the mediums she uses to create change. However activism is a subjective term, and everybody has a different way of defining it. Jasmine Martin-Partovi, a senior, considers herself an activist, but has a slightly different definition of the term. “I think being an activist is definitely about more than just educating yourself to a small extent and posting about it on social media,” Martin-Partovi says. “I do think those things are super important …
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A PROTEST THROUGH WORDS Maya Homan speaks to a crowd of students at the Palo Alto Peace March on Nov. 15, 2016. “I think seeing how many people really did care about it and really felt supported by the march, that was really cool,” Homan says. Photo by Allison Wu.
but I think you have to physically get out and use whatever you can to try to change things.” From various interpretations of actvism, a common theme emerges: working to create change. Homan helped organize Palo Alto’s peace march in 2016, and remembers the effort that went into planning it. “It all came together in four days start to finish,” Homan says. “Someone had posted in our class Facebook group about walking out of the school … and then from a couple people who were interested, we got a group chat together … everyone had the same goals … and we all worked together really well.” The organizers didn’t stop there. They created Anthro, a magazine “for students to express their opinions and voices.” Homan plans on continuing her writing in college, and hopes to use it as a powerful tool in creating change.
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Martin-Partovi contributes to the causes she cares about in numerous but different ways, and believes that to be a true activist, more must be done than simply believing. “I would like to be more of an activist,” Martin-Portovi says. “I do donate to organizations, I do go to protests, more rarely than I would like. I participate in discussions and try and share my opinions, but I don’t think I do enough … I would love to be more of an activist.” Martin-Partovi says the charged political atmosphere at the moment is also shaping what it means to be an advocate. “I think it’s definitely made activism more trendy,” Martin-Partovi says. “I think it’s really important in the age of social media not to present this front of activism and then not actually do anything.”
technology’s revolutionary ability to aid the real life revolution for social change. “I think the Internet has definitely changed the forms that [protesting] takes ... but I think the general idea of … rallying and marching and just making your voice heard has pretty much stayed the same,” Homan says. The opportunities technology offers for activism are endless, but Martin-Partovi believes there can also be some downsides. “I think social media has been good for spreading the word about protests or marches or issues, but a lot of small issues get really blown up and famous, and then a lot of big issues get ignored because they are a little more controversial,” Martin-Partovi says. As a society we tend to only share the best parts of our lives, and expressing a controversial idea can sometimes break “Armchair” activism the image we carefully construct online. While technology continues to trans- According to Martin-Partovi this “perfect” form our world every day, activism is still appearance has changed certain forms of the same at its core. activism. “Take what you see today, it’s nothing “I think it’s also kind of made some new.” Staiger says, “the biggest change is forms of activism less significant, like gotoday an event can ing to the wombe planned very en’s march and You can learn a lot from taking a selfie or quickly, and thousands of people talking to different people bringing your can know about it dog and wearing who have opposing views a cute outfit and within minutes.” For exam- and people who have sim- posting pictures, ple, the Palo Alto and going to show ilar views.” peace march was others that you advertised over In- — MAYA HOMAN, senior were there,” Marfocus, Paly’s teletin-Partovi says. vision program, and Facebook, to draw in Martin-Partovi also acknowledges that participants. social media might be an echo chamber, The efficient use of social media to presenting her with biased viewpoints or plan large-scale protests like this speaks to leaving out part of the story.
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“It’s very hard for me to tell what the opinion of everyone is because what I see on Instagram, or what people see on Facebook, is the people they’re friends with and the people who share their opinions,” Martin-Partovi says. The future of activism These activists wish their peers wouldquestion the status quo more. “At Paly particularly, I think it’s kind of frustrating, because there are a lot of liberal people, but there are also a lot of people who are very passive and I guess complacent,” Homan says. However, she does see hope for the future, and explains that there several simple ways to get involved. “I think it starts with being informed, which is why I love journalism so much,” Homan says. “You can learn a lot from talking to different people who have opposing views and people who have similar views … [and] it just takes a couple minutes,” Homan says. Martin-Partovi also says that conversation is a powerful tool, one she admits that has changed her views. While activism may change its form as the world evolves, its essence will always remain the same. “I would think the best way to get involved is to open your mind a little more, stop pushing back on ideas so much … I have had my mind changed by people like that,” Martin-Partovi says. v
A PEACEFUL PROTEST Palo Alto High School students, including Joan Baez (far left) protest against the 1960 Stanford University’s Industrial Complex bomb testing. Photo by Paloaltohistory.org.
Remembering our past protests Joan Baez is an iconic symbol of non-violent protests in Palo Alto. Her first protest ever occurred at Paly during an air raid drill her junior year. On Feb. 6, 1958, students participated in a “Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness Drill,” where they left school early, found their ways home and sat in their cellars, pretending to hide from foreign attack. According to Paloaltohistory.org, Baez found this drill particularly useless after researching in her father’s physics book. She found that students wouldn’t have enough time to go back home in the event of a real attack. When the drill sounded, all students began filing out of the classroom and making their way home — expect for Baez. Eventually she was escorted to the office where she identified herself as a “conscientious objector.” This was just the beginning of Baez’s protests. “One of the reasons why social activism has been popular in Palo Alto for the entire period is the mix of people that are here." Staiger says. “Palo Altans have always been above average in education … pretty different from most communities.”
The 1960s were some of the most eventful years for activism across the country. The most common cause of the decade, the Vietnam War, elicited uproar in the Palo Alto community, especially at the student level. According to a Campanile article published in February of 1968, a survey of 800 students revealed a 44 percent approval rate of the U.S. presence in Vietnam, while 40 percent disapproved and 16 percent were undecided. One student argued “we have no business in Vietnam, because it is a civil war,” while another argued that “we must protect Vietnam and the world from a Communist take over.” Opinions regarding ending the war differed as well; 37 percent favored escalation to end war, while 20 percent favored immediate withdrawal. According to Staiger, Palo Alto being a college town plays a key part in the history of the town’s activism. “It is why it’s so different from other towns. You’re in this community, and you see what Stanford students are doing, what the world is doing, and you learn what moves you,” Staiger says.
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TONGAN TRADITIONS THREE PALY STUDENTS EMBRACE THEIR ROOTS Text by LUCIA AMIEVA-WANG and KAITLYN HO Photos by LUCIA AMIEVA-WANG
BENYELI CHURCH Junior Umu Kata stands outside the Beneyeli church after a Sunday service. The church was founded by Kata and Meesi Mahe’s great-grandfather. “Religion is one of the things that as kids we were told was important,” Mahe says.
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HERE WAS A SILENCE ON the telephone line as junior Umu Kata paused to think. “Well, they just started repainting the church, so it’s half-painted.” Her voice, tinged with hesitance, conveyed understandable reluctance. It is hard to invite two strangers into your church, a sacred place for family and culture. wWhen we arrived, junior Umu Kata waved from the entrance of the Benyeli church in East Palo Alto. The church is beautiful — the bright light behind the overcast clouds makes the church’s white walls gleam and the newly painted blue trim frames the 12-foot cross hanging on the outside wall. On Kata’s waist rests a traditional kiekie that her aunt wove for her. It is made out of dried grass and has shells beaded into its hanging strips.
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A woman wearing a similar kiekie greets Kata on her way out. She teases Kata and stops for a picture on the way to the car. “That’s my aunt,” Kata said. “We are pretty much all family here.” Kata’s Sunday morning church services have always been a constant, comfortable part of her life. Christianity, as Kata explained, is one of the many central values of the Tongan culture. Kata, Joan Wolfgramm and Meesi Mahe, three of the many second-generation Tongan students at Palo Alto High School, shared their stories with Verde, explaining what it is like to grow up in a Tongan-American home, learning lessons of pride, respect and kindness. All were all born and raised in Palo Alto, and their lives are a balance between American culture and the Tongan cul-
ture of their ancestors. Whether in English, or more commonly in Tongan, their parents teach them Tongan values that they are expected to carry with them as they grow older. Cultural balance For Paly’s Tongan students, an important aspect of their lifestyle is cultural pride “The thing I like most about it is that we are not afraid to stand up if something were to happen,” Wolfgramm says. “Like we stand together, that is one thing we are really good at as a race.” Throughout her childhood, Wolfgramm’s family stressed the importance of staying in touch with her family’s Tongan culture. “Once we get more adapted to American customs they start to get offended,” Wolfgramm says. “Because they want us
features to come out here to have a better life, but they want us to still keep in touch with our Tongan roots.” Family and respect In the Bay Area, children often grow up, go to college and start a family of their own elsewhere. Kata explains that in Tongan culture, people do not leave their family unit; instead, they return to support the whole family and stay together.
“In our eyes, we would do so much for them [our parents], because they raised us and we wouldn’t be where we are without them,” Kata says. “If we leave, they might go to those old people homes.” Wolfgramm lives in a small apartment in East Palo Alto with her seven family members: her mom, mom’s boyfriend, two little sisters, aunt, uncle and brother, who has returned home to help support the family financially.
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“We were taught to respect our brothers in the household by not wearing stuff that is too revealing, or speaking a certain way around family members that are older than us,” Wolfgramm says. “Respect is a key aspect of my childhood.” In 2016, Kata moved to a small island off of Tonga for a year when her father got a job as a priest. Everything about her life changed: language, traditions, uniforms and constant emphasis on respect. Having lived fully immersed in both cultures, Kata now notices that some Tongan families in the United States adhere more closely to traditions, while other families choose to adopt American culture. Religion’s role Most Tongan people belong to some sect of Christianity, according to the Tongan Department of Statistics. For these three students, religion has impacted their lives in significant ways. Mahe, whose full name is Meesi Mafua I’Penieli James Mahe, was named after his grandfather, a preacher. “My first name means ‘mercy.’ Mafua means gift from God … and I’Penieli is a name of a church,” Mahe says. “So I am God’s gift to this church.” From a young age, being Catholic has been an important aspect of these student’s identities. “Religion plays a big role in my life,” Mahe says. “The way I carry myself is based on the teachings that I have been taught in church.” Since birth, Kata has attended the same church her great-grandfather founded. “To this day, our [church] youth is still growing, but I feel like we can do more for our tradition,” Kata says. “Every first Sunday of the month, we have this action song that we perform in front of everybody.”
SUNDAY SERVICE Kata explains the significance of the Beneyeli church in her life. Over the years, her church community has become family. “Church is a big part of our tradition,” Kata says.
Not letting go Mahe, Kata and Wolfgramm have each found their own ways of incorporating the Tongan traditions they have grown up with into their everyday lives. “I don’t like to hide my identity,” Kata says. “I want people to know where I am from. When I have kids I am going to tell them everything about my traditions because that’s how my parents raised me, and I would definitely do the same.” v
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Text by MAGGIE CHEUNG and AMIRA GAREWAL Photos by MAGGIE CHEUNG
Evolving to avoid dissolving
LOCAL GROCERS ADJUST TO CHANGING BUSINESS
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OWS OF VIBRANT, untouched carrots and lonely purple cabbages line the walls. The local grocery store lacks the bustling shopping carts and criss-crossing arms of customers snatching produce. Pressed for time, Palo Alto shoppers choose to visit large-chain stores, where they can get everything at once, instead of local stores. As a result, small grocery stores in Palo Alto have been changing in recent years. At the beginning of this year, College Terrace Market on El Camino Real closed after only six months of business. In the same week, The Market at Edgewood celebrated its grand opening a few miles away. According to Palo Alto City Council member Greg Tanaka, the nature of retail is changing in ways that help shoppers save time. Online shopping is becoming more popular, and physical grocery stores are growing larger to allow people to buy all of their groceries at one place. “For me [as a shopper], it’s largely about convenience,” Tanaka says. “It’s hard to drive to five stores to get all that I need. One-stop shopping is really important.”
EXPANDING GROCERIES Palo Alto City Council member Greg Tanaka explains the evolution of grocery stores. “The natural trend of grocery stores is to go to larger and larger format,” Tanaka says.
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FEEDING THE COMMUNITY The Market co-owner Emel Mutlu smiles with a cup of coffee from the store’s coffee bar. “Our goal is to satisfy the needs of the immediate community.” Mutlu says.
Tanaka says the demand for one-stop shopping has led to the growth of largescale retail stores like Costco in Mountain View and Safeway in Menlo Park. However, Palo Alto is unique because there aren’t any large stores within the city’s borders; instead, there are many small, local businesses. One of the reasons for this is that Palo Alto doesn’t have the space for large format retail. “A lot of people don’t want large development next to their house or in their neighborhood because it causes too much traffic,” Tanaka says. To prevent large-scale retail, the zoning regulations of the City of Palo Alto set a maximum size of 20,000 square feet per grocery store — much smaller than nearby communities. Palo Alto also has planned communities, which allow landowners to build bigger or differently than is normally permitted. In exchange, landowners agree to abide by certain regulations, such as having a grocery store in a specific area of their land. College Terrace Center and Edgewood Plaza are examples of such planned community zones.
Small stores also face challenges that have less impact on larger ones. “The big problem with small format grocery stores … is that the fixed costs are there whether you have a 1,000-squarefoot store or a 10,000-square-foot store,” Tanaka says. “If you have a 10,000-squarefoot store, the overhead cost is spread out across 10,000 feet; versus if you have a 1,000-square-foot store, it’s spread out only 1,000 feet. So you have 10 times cost.” The best way for Palo Alto residents to help their local grocery stores succeed is to support them as customers. Verde went to check out a few local grocery stores, both the new and the long-established. The Market at Edgewood As a family-owned store, The Market at Edgewood has the prime opportunity to connect with their customers on a personal level. According to co-owner Emel Mutlu, their small business status allows them to hear directly from customers and to make adjustments to satisfy their needs. “Day-to-day we interact with our customers; day-to-day we source a lot of the
features products that we bring in,” Mutlu says. either take advantage of that, or you can “We try to taste everything that we bring care about what that means and positively in, so we are very concerned with the qual- influence what people eat.” ity of our product.” The Market ensures fresh products at Country Sun low prices by sourcing their food locally, Country Sun has been providing Palo which is cheaper than trucking in products Altans with natural foods since the 1970s. from afar. According to operations manager Scott “California is where a lot of fresh Otte, “organic” was an emerging trend produce is grown,” Mutlu says. “As a local when Country Sun first opened, and its company, we take popularity has inadvantage of that. ever since. We try to taste everything creased It’s good for the loAs a result, difcal community, it’s that we bring in, so we are ferences between good for the local Sun and very concerned with the Country economy, and it’s larger stores are also environmental- quality of our product.” getting smaller. —EMEL MUTLU, The Market co-owner ly sustainable.” “When I first Mutlu believes started here [in a grocery store is a place to discover new 1996] organic was like — I hadn’t even refoods. The Market is a prime destination to ally heard of it,” Otte says. “But since I’ve do so, as they are always offering samples. been here it’s become a really big deal.” Customers can try house-made guacamole Country Sun has also felt the impact and salsa with tortilla chips right as they en- of the growing online shopping industry, ter the store, and taste fresh cakes or cook- which includes companies such as Amazonies at the bakery’s sampling station. Fresh and Google Express. Mutlu emphasizes the role of grocery “Instead of buying your vitamins here, stores in the communities they feed. if you decide to buy your vitamins online, “People don’t talk about the role gro- you’re not just changing where you shop, cery stores actually play in the nutrition of you change what channel you’re shopping their community,” Mutlu says. “You can in,” Otte says.
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Country Sun focuses on selling products from small manufacturers that likely wouldn’t be found in larger grocery stores, and also prioritizes catering to clientele. For example, Otte recently stopped ordering a coconut yogurt that suddenly wasn’t selling, only to find out two weeks later that the two customers who regularly buy it had been gone on vacation. After realizing that, he started ordering the yogurt again. The store truly values their customers, as evidenced by the small wooden suggestion box that greets shoppers as they enter the store. Palo Alto High School senior Emma Smart, who has worked as a cashier at Country Sun for two years, says that loyal customers are crucial to the store’s success. “Country Sun is a small grocery store, but it’s been around for years, so we’ve totally built up a fanbase of people who want to support a small business,” Smart says. “We have really loyal customers who will still shop here no matter what.” Around Palo Alto, people often think of grocery shopping as a tedious chore, but a visit to a local store can be an adventure. “I think we’re a really cool, tiny little store,” Otte says, as a smile spreads across his face. “There are lots of randomly cool items in here. And I think for everybody it would be a little bit different.” v
FRESH PRODUCE The Market customer Susie Pickett reaches towards a bundle of organic carrots. “It’s local, it’s fresh, and I want to support local business,” Picket says. “I value that, and organic and gluten free, and I can find both of those things here.”
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SILICON IN SONG UPCOMING ORIGINAL MUSICAL EXPLORES TECH INDUSTRY Text by BRIDGET LI and MARALEIS SINTON Photos by MARALEIS SINTON
WORKING WOMAN Sophomore Sofia Peterson stands stage right during a rehearsal of “Venture.” Peterson, who plays the lead character, Saira Sidana, has developed her role over the past two months in Paly Theater’s second original production. “Having to be more responsible [in an original production] has helped me find the more professional side of the character,” Peterson says.
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EFT. RIGHT. LEFT. RIGHT,” written and composed by choir director the voice of choreographer Alys- Michael Najar. sa Bond rings in the Performing Najar began writing “Venture” almost Arts Center. A chorus of song and five years ago, inspired after witnessing movement echoes throughout the theater Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, anas actors file out onto the nounce both her pregstage. From afar, the brightnancy and at-the-time ly lit stage seems to be a If you really want new position on the whirlwind of bodies as last to participate and same“Iday. minute changes are made thought, in the wouldn’t this be an to the dance number and succeed a new page is added to the moment: a arts, oftentimes amazing script. However, the clamwoman telling the or, instead of fueling chaos, you need to make world, ‘I am head of one breathes life into Palo Alto of the biggest companies your own art.” High School Theater’s upin the world and I am — KATHLEEN WOODS, director coming musical. pregnant,’” Najar says. of Paly Theater “Venture,” which de“That’s an amazingly buts March 9, follows the powerful moment. It’s journey of protagonist Saira Sidana, played something that no man can be able to say.” by sophomore Sofia Peterson. Sidana is a Najar views “Venture” as a follow up to 35-year-old startup CEO who encounters “Love Songs in Traffic,” which detailed the some of the personal and professional issues constroversy of the construction of a new faced by many women in Silicon Valley. highway in downtown Los Angeles. Having lived in both Los Angeles and Silicon New beginnings Valley, Najar drew upon his personal expe“Venture” is Paly Theater’s second riences to write both musicals. original production after “Love Songs in At the end of 2016, Najar proposed Traffic,” which debuted in 2006. Both were “Venture” to Kathleen Woods, the director
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of Paly Theater, who loved the idea. “The opportunity to do a new piece just is an amazing opportunity for students, for the creative artists for the community,” Woods says. “If you really want to participate and succeed in the arts, oftentimes you need to make your own art.” Woods recognizes the efforts Najar has made to ensure an accurate portrayal of a woman’s experience in Silicon Valley. Besides collaborating with female colleagues such as Woods, Najar has also consulted women in the tech industry and female script writers. “It [“Venture”] is very supportive of women,” Woods says. “That comes through — it’s something very important to the playwright.” New frontiers of creative freedom Original productions allow Paly Theater to access not only to the playwright and composer of a musical, but also creative control. Without the precedent of another theater’s interpretation of the script, students are able to shape the script and their characters. Junior Gil Weissman, who plays principal character Brian, Saira’s boyfriend,
features views “Venture” as a useful experience. Keith, who is part of the ensemble. “For a high schooler to have this opIn addition to the flexibility affordportunity to work on an original musical ed by original productions, students also and have input on the music, the charac- learn from professional theater technicians. ter and on the script itself is a very good However, unlike other productions, “Venexperience,” Weissman ture” calls for projecsays. “It’s something for tions, where scenes or begged [stu- backgrounds are projectanyone who aspires to I’ve go into this field [profeson stage. Thus, students] to give me ed sional theater] after high dents have the chance to feedback because I explore lighting design school.” According to Weisa professional. want to know, ‘Does with “It man, most students were [working with excited about this devel- this feel right?’” professionals] gives — MICHAEL NAJAR, writer and opment. [students] connections composer of “Venture” “This new idea of an in the community and original play definitely broader world,” Woods drew a much bigger community compared says. “It allows the program to have a much to people who auditioned in the past,” he broader base than anything I could do by says. myself.” Najar says he has emphasized collaboration by reaching out for input. Beyond the Bard “I’ve begged [students] to give me The original production came at the feedback because I want to know, ‘Does expense of Paly Theater tradition. “Venthis feel right?’” Najar says. ture,” set in the 21st century, was a surprise Peterson, who agrees that Najar values to those who expected a Shakespearean student voice, views new plays as more ac- tragedy this spring. tor-centric. Weissman says that while a majority of “It’s focused more around the actors,” theater participants felt excited about this Peterson says. “I’ve pointed out something new development, some opposed it. that doesn’t make sense, in which case they “There were obviously people who think about changing it.” wanted to stick to more of the Shake“It’s cool to work directly with the spearean musical routine,” Weissman director and get his input to see what his says. “Some of the seniors who have more interpretation of it is, instead of putting on strength in pure acting … were hoping to a more traditional show,” says senior Kelly have this year be the year to take on more
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a Shakespearean role. This is sort of the opposite.” According to Woods, who agreed to take on the original production, several factors influenced the decision to produce “Venture” instead of a Shakespearean play. She recognized the significance of giving a high school program the opportunity to produce a world premiere musical, and that the features of the Performing Arts Center make it the optimal environment for producing a musical. Woods also cited the plot of the musical as a major factor in her decision to produce it. “It’s a piece that deals with our world,” Woods says. “It really raises the positive profile of women and the things we struggle with.” Venturing forward Both Woods and Najar hope “Venture” draws the attention of the local community, especially those interested in the arts, and that “Venture” will expand to other theaters in the Bay Area. Likewise, Emily Zhang, the president of Paly Thespian Club and part of the supporting cast, is excited about the musical’s potential. “Hopefully it can touch everyone in the audience and have everybody either evaluate themselves or the things that have happened to them,” Zhang says. “Those [women’s] voices are really, really important for a lot of people to hear.” v
THE KEY TO COMPOSITION (RIGHT) Playwright and composer Michael Najar tests the key of a song on the piano. Throughout the rehearsal process, revisions are regularly made to both the music and script. “It [“Venture”] is about what all musicals are about: love,” Najar says. GIRL POWER (ABOVE) From left to right, senior Amelia Straight, sophomore Monica Jeon, senior Vivian Nguyen, and senior Emily Zhang listen to directions during rehearsal. Because ‘Venture” is an original production, students are able to shape their own characters. “There’s a lot of room for us to bring up our ideas,” Zhang says.
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Sikh-ing justice for all
Text by ALEX FENG and MARALEIS SINTON
STUDENTS REFLECT ON EXPERIENCES WITH TSA, SCHOOL
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Photo by MARALEIS SINTON
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ASSING THROUGH SECURITY screenings at airports is already a lengthy process. We stand in line for what feels like hours, remove every possible piece of metal, from our dangling earrings to the clinking change in our pockets, and even double-check that none of our toothpastes or shaving creams exceeds 3.4 milliliters. An already frustrating experience is only exacerbated when we are pulled aside for the infamous random check. While our saving grace is the infrequency of this experience, it is a disheartening norm for passengers who resemble Middle-Eastern minorities. Such systematic profiling aligns with actions taken by the Trump administration, which has placed a travel ban against some majority-Muslim countries. For many, airport security procedures feel like frustrating disruptions in an otherwise simple process of getting from one place to another. But for Palo Alto High School juniors Jōsh Singh and Sufi Kaur, both Sikhs of Middle-Eastern descent, traveling through security is an altogether different experience. According to the Transportation Security Administration website, security procedures are adjusted to address any evolving security threats by using random screenings to ensure the public’s safety. For Singh however, these screenings seem slightly too consistent to be random. “I get checked almost every time,’’ Singh says. For Kaur, the disparity is even more distinct. While travelling alone, she rarely draws a second glance. In stark contrast, when she travels with her father and brother, who both wear turbans, the family is often selected for random screenings. “When I walk with my family, it’s like suddenly you become the family that gets pulled aside,” Kaur says. While many in Singh’s position might be easily angered, he still maintains an open mind and considers reasoning from both sides.
“I don’t really want to protest the system because there is a rea- “The worst part is that the textbooks that try to educated people on son for the system,” Singh says. “But I don’t think that doing it for my faith get it wrong. They’ve said that we are a sect of a religion. only certain people is okay ... I understand the fact that safety is We’re not. We’re our own religion.” very important and they do try to keep it impartial.” And, for Singh, discrimination isn’t just limited to the conWhile Singh regards the apparent racial profiling involved in fines of an airport. According to Singh, even in the hallways at random screenings as an irritant, he notes school, some students at Paly make racist that the lack of understanding about his I’m not going to change my comments, yelling “Allahu Akbar” as he culture has other repercussions that impasses and asking what he would do if he turban, my person, just to were on a plane. pact him to a greater personal degree. The worst part about flying, he says, is satisfy someone else.” “They called me a terrorist,” Singh says. the way children Singh recognizes — JOSH SINGH, junior gawk at his that these misdark skin and conceptions the colored fabric wrapped around his originate from a lack of accurate inforhead. mation. The solution he sees to these “I go to the airport and see little kids issues however, lies not in retaliation, looking at me with fear,” Singh says. but in re-education. “They’re scared of me because of the way “I think education is the most powthat I’ve been portrayed and that’s ridic- erful tool ever,” Singh says. “Hate stems ulous.” from ignorance. If we educate people, we Similar experiences leave Kaur feeling create a better more accepting environa different way. She pays little attention ment.” to onlookers because she knows that she Last year, Singh spoke in his Contemhasn’t done anything wrong. Still, she porary World History class to inform sees it as a reflection of how she and others of his culture and religion, in others are victims of a disheartening hopes of addressing the stereotyping that system of generalizations. he and others have experienced. “We obviously need to change Singh has reported incidents something because it shouldn’t be of discrimination to the adthis way,” Kaur says. ministration, yet the process In the face of these challenges, of working with the school has some may rethink donning the cul- been slow. While Singh undertural clothing that makes them stand stands the challenges involved out. But for Singh, his turban is his in administering discipline, he hopes religion. It’s become a the time it takes for the issue to be adpart of him. dressed can be shortened. “The greatest thing “It had to happen four times for anyabout this country is thing to be done,” Singh says. “It isn’t the that we were found- administration’s problem; it’s not the law’s ed on the morals that problem either. They are trying to protect we can be whoever we the other person as well. I just wish that are,” Singh says. “I’m it [the process] was expedited a bit more.” not going to change Though Kaur has not experienced the my turban, my per- same level of overt racism, she still worson, just to satisfy ries for her family— especially her younger someone else.” brother. While Singh finds “I want to protect him from it [the racthese experiences dis- ism],” Kaur says. “But I know that there’s couraging, he remarks nothing I can do other than try to be a posithat they are only re- tive person and … educate other people.” sults of lack of knowlWhile both Kaur and Singh continue to edge. face racial discrimination, they hope that shar“Many of my ing their experiences will reduce the stigma friends have no idea that surrounds their identities. who I am, what I “There is always room for change,” stand for, and it’s Kaur says. “We need to be tolerant crazy,” Singh says. and understanding of others.” v
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Art by MAYA ANDERSON
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n the line LOCAL VOICES OFFER COMFORT IN CRISIS
Text by ASHLEY HITCHINGS and ABBY CUMMINGS Art by VIVIAN NGUYEN
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IAL 1-800 AND YOU’LL BE put on hold. After a minute of ’70s-era elevator Muzak, a disembodied voice will pick up. “...Hello?” Attached to no name, no face and no number, the operator offers no false pretenses, only an open ear and anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours of their time. After you hang up the phone, you will likely never speak again. But in the span of a single call, they provide the comfort of a friend and the counsel of a professional. Some heroes wear capes, others wear medals of honor and still others wear scrubs and stethoscopes. But what about the call center strangers clad in tees and earpieces? What about the anonymous voices who lend a listening ear and a lifeline during our darkest of times? Around the country, but especially in communities like our own which grapple with a history of academic pressure and teen mental health concerns, emergency hotline volunteers bear a heavy burden — the responsibility of helping those at the edge take a step back and cool down.
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Lost and found Moved by the support she received “I was sort of stuck between cultures.” from her high school mentors, Tang began That’s how Columbia University soph- volunteering as a hotline operator once she omore Michelle Tang felt when she moved graduated in 2016. back to Palo Alto for high school after eight “I know that I’m very lucky and not all years of living in Beijing. Though she’d been students have those kinds of relationships born in Palo Alto and spent every summer in their lives that they can reach out to,” since in California, Tang felt isolated by the Tang says. “I came in just really, really, realmove back, torn between her country of ly wanting to give people something and be birth and her country of a listener because when origin, finding a home in I was in high school, Sometimes the best [others] were so supneither. “While I was in Bei- that you can do is portive of me.” jing I was known as the Tang says part of just listen.” American person and her volunteer experi— MICHELLE TANG, Paly alum while here I also felt like ence is emulating her an outsider,” Tang says. high school mentors’ Alienated by her peers, many of whom philosophies: being a listener as opposed to had formed cliques in the years Tang spent a problem solver. abroad, and overwhelmed by Paly’s aca“Sometimes the best that you can do is demic pressure, Tang sought help from her just listen,” Tang says. “[It’s about] just sort teachers. of quietly being there and putting yourself “It was teachers I looked up to who aside to give someone your fullest attention personally provided me with guidance that when they really, really need it — helping I’m really grateful for … and I wouldn’t them get through when, emotionally, it can have been able to achieve all that I want and be so tough in the moment.” pursue what I love without their help along Over several weeks of classes, Tang the way,” Tang says. learned how to respond to different crisis
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situations, ask guided questions and pro“If you’re at your dinner table and you vide empathetic validation to the caller. feel like you need help, you can literally just Once they complete their training, volun- pull out your phone from under the table teers like Tang wait by the phone in case and text in,” Hornik says. “There’s this feelanyone calls for help. ing of privacy and you have these resources “It can be really, really scary to show at your fingertips at any second.” that you are struggling,” Tang says. “As a As a former beneficiary of hotline serformer student, for me as I was struggling, vices and professional counseling, Hornik it could seem so painful and difficult, and knows that admitting something is wrong it’s hard to see it getting better, but you is easier said than done. However, she cites never know how much her own journey as life can change and take a testament to the Knowing you have you to places you didn’t value of seeking supsupport from know you would go in port during a crisis. the future.” “We need to be one person can Growing up in Beiokay with getting help you make it jing, graduating high help and we need to school in Palo Alto and allow others to get through the day.” going to Columbia Unihelp without having — SHIVANI NISHAR, Castilleja alum versity, Tang has lived in to fear judgment or her fair share of academically stressful com- worry that others will think that there’s munities. However, she says the pressure something wrong with them,” Hornik says. she experienced during adolescence taught her the importance of asking for help. Paying it forward “If there are things on your mind and “It’s okay to not be okay.” you’re on the fence about whether to reach That’s what Brown University sophout, don’t be afraid,” Tang says. “You are omore Shivani Nishar says she needed to not alone. Even though you may not know hear when she was a student at Castilleja [them], there are people out there who real- School. Now a Cognitive Science major ly, really, really care about you.” with a focus on adolescent mental health, Nishar’s interest in the field stems from her Counselor-in-Training personal experience with depression and at“Where are you going?” tending school in Palo Alto when the 2014Three simple words used to be enough 2015 suicide cluster occurred. to strike fear into senior Darrow Hornik’s “It very much felt like students couldn’t heart. When she was first diagnosed with talk about how they felt [about] the suiObsessive Compulsive Disorder midway cides and their own mental health,” through her freshman year, Hornik re- Nishar says. “There is still a lot of members feeling ashamed, fabricating alibis stigma with mental health and I when she went to see her therapist. think that schools approached “I realized that I wasn’t being honest,” it too gently.” Hornik says. “When I was going to my Nishar, who expepsychiatrist I would say I was going to the riences seasonal affecdoctor because that seemed more “normal” tive disorder and social … but it [going to a psychiatrist] is just as anxiety, says the social normal as going to the doctor for the flu. climate at the time deIt’s just not viewed as ‘normal.’” terred students from As someone who once felt silenced by discussing mental illstigma, Hornik’s own trials drove her to ness. Silenced by an speak out for others who feel voiceless. unspoken taboo, NisThough she’s not a hotline operator yet, har felt pressured to she hopes to start training in the coming stifle her struggles and months. In the meantime, she’s given Tedx put up an unfazed fatalks about her own mental health and cade. works as an intern with Crisis Text Line to “I felt like, ‘everycombat the stigma around mental illness one else is doing so well, and make help more accessible. why am I not doing so
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well?’” Nishar says. “Not everyone is doing so well, but because we don’t talk about these things, everyone feels like [others are] reaching successes that you’re not, and that … take[s] a toll on people.” Starting the summer after her senior year, Nishar began volunteering with Crisis Text Line. As a crisis counselor, Nishar’s role is to help texters gain control over their own situations. “It seems so simple, but knowing that you have support from at least one person can help you make it through the day,” Nishar says. “Being able to be that person, I think, is incredibly humbling.” Through volunteering, Nishar hopes to not only help those on the line but also change the narrative surrounding mental health. “I am young and I don’t have certifications, but ... it doesn’t take a professional therapist to solve people’s problems or to help,” Nishar says. “You just have to hear people out and be a good friend.” v Crisis Counseling Resources Any person who is feeling depressed, troubled or suicidal is urged to call 888-247-7717 or 855-278-4204 or text “START” to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor live.
Text by MICHELLE LI and ZAKIR AHMAD Photos by JAMES POE
FANNING IT OUT (LEFT) After minutes of deliberation, senior Cornelius Duffie picks a four of spades out of his deck to place onto the table.
BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
ALL SMILES (BOTTOM) Seniors Cornelius Duffie and Stella Wan qualified at World Trials to represent the U.S. for competitive bridge. They plan on competitng in China over the summer.
TWO SENIORS’ JOURNEY TO NATIONALS
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IS BROW FURROWS AS he examines the cards in his hands, splayed out in a perfect fan. Taking his time, Palo Alto High School senior Cornelius Duffie slowly pulls out the queen of hearts and gently places it on the table in front of him. His partner, senior Stella Wan, sits across from him, following his every move; she slowly relaxes after seeing that they’ve played their cards right. To many students, bridge is seen as an “old person’s game,” played only by retirees and grandparents. However, to Duffie and Wan, the card game is a mentally challenging endeavor filled with meticulous counting and the pressure to strive for perfection. “You’re in the zone and you’re always solving problems,” Duffie says. “It’s sort of like a game of mistakes. It’s stressful because you’re just trying not to do bad things.” Duffie and Wan, members of Paly’s Bridge Club and the National Bridge Association, travel the nation playing
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competitive bridge. The duo have trav- bridge; in essence, bridge is their mutual eled as far as Vancouver, and plan to play language. in China this year. Both are on the U.S. “When you’re done with bridge, you national team. hang out with other bridge players and talk Achieving anything close to mastery about bridge,” Duffie says. has been no simple task. Wan and Duffie Despite the long tournaments, Duffie each dedicate countless hours of training to does not regret the commitment. maintain their current skill level. “Even if you don’t do well, it’s sort of “We play four to five times a week,” like when you run a lot, and you are tired Wan says. “When there’s a tournament, we but happy,” Duffie says. play Friday night and both weekend days With the large time commitment, as well.” even Wan’s own mother Assessing mistakes Even if you don’t questions the value of the and working with your game. Wan’s bridge-playpartner are also crucial do well, it’s sort of ing days were temporarily factors to success. like when you run put on hold last semester “We video chat when her mother groundand talk about the mis- a lot, and you are ed her. takes and what we can tired but happy.” “She [my mom] didn’t do better next time,” — CORNELIUS DUFFIE, senior let me play bridge for six Wan says. months for college apps,” Tournaments, the culmination of their Wan says. “She prefers that I don’t play at hard practice, are especially trying for the tournaments so much.” pair. Hands are played consecutively, with From here, their future is unclear. little break. Teams rotate around the room Both players have learned all the intricate after each hand. details of the game, and are looking to take “For Nationals, it’s usually from their game to the next level. 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” Duffie says. “You are “It’s hard to improve because there’s super exhausted mentally after concentrat- not a linear way to learn bridge,” Duffie ing for that long.” says. “You have to figure out what you don’t Players stay in their hotels the whole know, and then learn it.” time, and are constantly focused on bridge. However, both Duffie and Wan’s “You don’t get to do any sightseeing,” success has provided encouragement. Wan says. “I’m literally in the hotel the “It feels good to know that I have whole time.” improved a lot,” Duffie says. “It’s nice to get After day-long events, bridge players validation that you are not actual garbage at often socialize back at the hotels about bridge.” v
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Learning about Laguna ADVOCATE FOR FIRST-GEN STUDENTS
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Text by EMMA DONELLY-HIGGINS and ELLA THOMSEN
N AN OFFICE TRIMMED WITH On top of this, Laguna advises the colorful mementos, streams of stu- Latinos Unidos Club on campus, which she dents pop their heads in, hoping their helped found when she first came to Paly favorite counselor is seated at her desk. in 2012. Crystal Laguna has been working at “There hadn’t been a cultural group on Paly for over five years, providing unwav- campus for quite some time,” Laguna says. ering support to students and parents alike. “It seemed kind of odd that this school She wears many hats as the outreach didn’t have anything like that.” counselor, community college advisor, first So, Laguna set about building a culgeneration counselor, bridge counselor and tural organization for Paly’s Latino popSpanish-speaking parent liaison. ulation. She guided a group of seniors to “Outreach Counselor is the umbrella found the Latinos Unidos Club, an active term and everything falls underneath,” La- force on campus today. guna says. “I’m just trying to help differ“I wanted students to have that expeent populations of students who probably rience, to have that feeling of community would need a little more outreach.” among their own peers, but also to see how Laguna, who grew up in San Jose, we can help the rest of the student body doesn’t have the fondest memories of her learn about our culture,” Laguna says. own high school experience. While she first The following year she identified anearned A’s and B’s, her grades and atten- other group of historically underrepresentdance dropped as she began feeling discon- ed students and gathered members once nected from her school. She did not have more, this time creating Black Scholars very many close friends or supportive ed- United. Laguna says these clubs have had ucators. a positive impact “In high school Ms. Laguna is like a sec- on Paly, allowing I couldn’t even tell members to share you who my coun- ond mom to all of us.” and be proud of — CRISTINA EROSTICO, senior their culture. selor was,” she says. “There were times “I think stuwhen I would go to class and a teacher dents are more aware of what can be inwould tell me, ‘Why are you even here? volved in our culture — I think they’re alYou’re not gonna pass.’” ready kind of seeing that we do Day of the Despite these comments, Laguna per- Dead and we do Cinco de Mayo,” Laguna severed, attending community college be- says. “I feel like the students have more of a fore graduating from the University of Cal- presence, that they’re not scared of showing ifornia Los Angeles. Just last year, she added what they’re proud of.” the role of First Generation Counselor to Talking to just a few of her students, it her already extensive workload. is clear how close they feel to Laguna. “With the First Gen Advisor [role], my “We go to her for everything from colpassion is helping first generation college lege help, to school, to personal problems,” students and their families go on to what- says senior Cristina Erostico, a member of ever it is that they’re trying to do after high the Latinos Unidos Club. “Ms. Laguna is school,” she says. like a second mom to all of us.” These students — most of whom atOf the many lessons that Laguna imtended a summer course to smooth the presses upon her students, there is one that transition into ninth grade — are followed stands out: by Laguna, who acts as their grade-level “To be proud of who you are,” Erostico counselor throughout their four years at says. “Even though we might be a minority Paly. here, just know that we have a voice.” v
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Photo by ELLA THOMSEN
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NOT MERELY AN APP
A CODER’S WINNING DIGITAL JOURNALING CREATION
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T WAS 6 A.M. WHEN OLIVIA Chang’s ringing phone startled her from her slumber. The Palo Alto High School sophomore groggily answered the call in a confused haze. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo was on the other end of the line. “[It] was exciting,” Chang says. “But also I had no idea what was going on or who I was talking to.” Eshoo had called Chang to notify her of a special achievement: Chang had won the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 18th District. Students from each participating district submit an original application to their representatives for an opportunity to win prizes and have their work displayed in the nation’s Capitol Building. Chang’s app, Mere, won.
The app Chang doesn’t quite know why she called it Mere. The name came randomly — literally — to the sophomore. Text by STEPHANIE LEE and SASHA POOR “I think I was going through a random word generator and the word popped up and I thought it suited the app well enough that I kept it,” Chang says. “It also works because it’s quick and sim“I thought an app ple, as you’re merely answering three questions which was more r a day.” e mb structured would u Mere is a journaln e ing app where users can is th tions also help you reflect s s r write about their day, e e u on your day more.” of q asks us rate their overall mood e — OLIVIA CHANG, app creator and upload photos. Mer . Users are greeted with y dail either “good morning,” “good afternoon” or “good evening” based on the time of day. Next, users can select an emoji depicting their mood from a selection of five faces, ranging from sad to happy. Afterward, usl a t o students t ers answer three questions. The first two ask e 2017 h t o t what the best and worst part of their day d e t it subm p p A were. The third question varies from day l a n Congressio to day — users may get a question such as “What did you accomplish today?” or Challenge. “What was the funniest part of your day?” Mere also allows users to add photos and tag locations to their journals. is the dist “I thought an app which was more rict Anna Eshoo rep structured would also help you reflect on resents. your day more,” Chang says.
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profiles In the left hand toolbar, a drop-down The contest menu allows users to navigate between It was time to get to work. Chang today’s log, a calendar of journal entries, searched for inspiration for an app, and fian archive of photos, a map depicting the nally found it in her grandmother. tagged locations and the lifetime statistics According to Chang, her grandmother of the user’s entries. used to call her and ask the same three The app’s minimalistic and simple de- questions every day, as Mere does. sign contributes to a modern, user-friendly “Her favorite thing to ask is what was interface. the best part about “It’s something your day, and what that most people was the worst, and “Her app is innovaknow how to use,” what was the funnitive and will help Chang says. “It’s est?” Chang says. not a good idea to And thus, the users daily as they have it too comfoundational idea document their plex.” of Mere was born. Chang sketched out thoughts and emoThe backstory the design on paper tions.” The sophobefore transferring — ANNA ESHOO, Congresswoman more is no strangit to a computer iler to computer lustrator program. creations and digShe then coded the ital design — she app herself before began her coding journey in third grade. adding final touches. Her mother introduced her to elementary “Usually I would have programs such as Scratch, a visual program- done a lot of revisions,” ming application designed to expose and Chang says. “Since educate younger children to code. I didn’t have much “I’ve pretty much liked it ever since,” time, it was a pretty Chang says. straightforward proHer love for coding drove her ambi- cess.” tion to self-learn through other online proEshoo comgrams. Chang moved on to Codecademy, mended Chang a free, self-teaching, online course. Despite for her creativity never taking formal coding courses, which and the possible Chang defines as a paid course from an in- functions of her stitution or an in-person class, she was able to craft full websites and apps. “I never took formal courses because they were not enjoyable to me,” Chang says. “So it was a lot of self-learning.” Though Chang has roughly seven years of coding experience and has made two other apps, she hadn’t previously entered in any coding competitions. She learned of the Congressional App Challenge a mere two months before entries were due but decided to apply anyway. “I was just doing it for the experience,” Chang says.
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app when she announced the winner of the competition on her website. “Her app is innovative and will help users daily as they document their thoughts and emotions,” Eshoo stated while announcing the winner of the award. The future Chang plans to continue work on the app to improve its quality and expand her audience. “There are some bugs that would probably go unnoticed by most people, so I definitely need to smooth that out,” Chang says. “I still have a lot of stuff to work on.” She also hopes to enter the 2018 Congressional App Competition with a new app idea, and aspires to get a head start within the next few years on a career involving website or app design. “I’d like to go into tech and work on apps,” Chang says. “I’d love to be able to have the time to do that.” v
THE CREATOR Chang, the creator of Mere, gives a walkthrough of her app. Although Chang created the app in a mere two months, it won the 2017 Congressional App Challenge. “[It] was exciting,” Chang says. Photo by Stephanie Lee
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The Power of Poetry SLAM POET FINDS HER RHYTHM OF RECOVERY
Text by ASHLEY HITCHINGS and KAMALA VARADARAJAN Photo by JAMES POE Art by VIVIAN NGUYEN
I am a survivor because I’m here. I am survivor, because despite my tear stained face, I still smile. I smile so bright that those who call me invisible can’t see my blinding light. I am a survivor because I have cried, and because I have cried I have encouraged others to peel open their wounds. To not let them get infected by stigma. I am a survivor because despite everything, I lived. I am alive.
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ITHIN THE SPAN OF 10 MINUTES, senior Jharna Sutaria can spin a lifetime of memories into a 76-word allegory, opening a window into a past she’s only just learning to accept. Departing from the polished perfection of classical poetry, Sutaria’s work offers intimate glimpses into the raw, authentic details of her reality. As poignant as her written poetry is, performing on stage is where Sutaria really comes to life. Even in the underwhelming quarters of the Media Arts Center portrait studio, where she launches into an impromptu performance, the gravity of her words vie for room with Manfrotto tripods and musty manuscripts, crowding the already-cluttered space. Just moments after a giggly photoshoot, Sutaria’s demeanor shifts as she begins to read; shoulders straight and voice unwavering, she carries herself with a somber gravitas. “When I’m on stage, it’s a totally out-of-thisworld feeling,” Sutaria says animatedly, breaking into a grin. “[It’s like] there’s a spotlight on me as I’m explaining my emotions and … visualizing the images of my poetry. It’s so cool.” Though we sit in the portrait studio, Sutaria seems to be lost in a different realm, privy to a world unfolding within her mind alone. “I feel like I’m the only person on this planet.”
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Unspoken Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Sutaria spent much of her childhood alone. Playground politics in elementary school evolved into bullying by her peers, who alternated between barrages of verbal harassment and bouts of social exclusion. “‘You’re not enough,’ That’s the main message I was always getting so that’s why I kind of feel that way right now,” Sutaria says. Some weeks, she couldn’t muster the energy to get out of bed, riding a wave of lethargy that left her in an apathetic daze, detached from reality. Other weeks, she felt all too affected by the present and would turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms as a way to make herself feel smaller, to take up less space in a world that seemed not to want her. “Whether it was eating or swimming or school [or] friendships, I was like … I’m not good enough,” Sutaria says. “That thought cycle was practiced over and over and over again, so it got more and more ingrained.” When her dad’s job transplanted the family from Dallas to Palo Alto the during her junior year, Sutaria struggled to acclimate to her new surroundings. “Things were definitely rough,” Sutaria says. “I felt like an outsider because I didn’t know anyone and I felt really alone so it was very, very difficult.” Outspoken Before high school, Sutaria kept her poems to herself, safeguarding her secret cache of creations. It wasn’t until she took a combined English and Human Geography course that she was introduced to slam poetry for the first time. She was captivated. What began as a classroom assignment evolved into a form of catharsis, a way for Sutaria to process her past and articulate the unspeakable. Back in Dallas, she’d perform regularly at local cofThere was no right or fee shops, her weekwrong and that really ends spent scribbling furiously and speakresonated with me.” ing fervently. — JHARNA SUTARIA, senior “Something about talking on stage and the alternative style of poetry made it a coping mechanism for me,” Sutaria says. “I could just put all my thoughts on paper. There was no right or wrong … and that really resonated with me.” For Sutaria, performing transforms the language of poetry. Reading her compositions aloud imbues her pieces with a gravity that transcends the power of printed words. “When I write it [poetry] on paper, it’s just mine to see,” Sutaria says. “Because I can see my emotions on paper, I don’t feel as alone. When I read it out loud, it’s different because now it’s like
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profilesprofiles v v everyone can see it and everyone can learn from it, almost like an emotional textbook.” Beyond offering relief, performing poetry also grants Sutaria a sense of purpose, helping her share her story with others to help them feel less alone. “When I see that it [poetry] helps other people, I feel like I You don’t go to hell have this purpose in and back and just keep life, like I’m not just that to yourself.” another person, and — JHARNA SUTARIA, senior that really helps me,” Sutaria says. “For me, it reinforces the idea that I have a purpose here, and I’m making a difference, and I deserve to be here.”
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Spokeswoman Though some mornings Sutaria still finds it hard to pull herself out of bed, she’s taking each day as it comes. “I’ve come a long way,” Sutaria says. “I [still] have ups and downs, but I’m doing much, much better than I was before.” Now a senior, Sutaria plans to continue writing when she attends Foothill College in the fall. She eventually hopes to become a sports journalist to educate the athletic world about mental health. Between performing at local jams, swimming for the Paly team and volunteering as a member of the Teen Arts Council, Sutaria keeps herself occupied and gratified. While poetry is no panacea, it’s helped Sutaria come to terms with her past and comfort others who’ve experienced similar ordeals. “I’ve struggled with some bullying and some [trauma] and it’s been rough for sure, but I think that’s all made me stronger as a person,” Sutaria says. “If you can power through something like that — not only power through [but] help others power through — I think that’s a huge deal.” Through relaying her personal stories to others with similar backgrounds, she aspires to inspire: to help others struggling with mental health know that they are not alone and encourage them to speak out themselves. “You don’t go to hell and back and just keep that to yourself,” Sutaria says. “I honestly think that’s the reason I’ve been put on this earth: to help other people who are going through the struggles I’m going through.” v Crisis Counseling Resources Any person who is feeling depressed, troubled or suicidal is urged to call 888-247-7717 or 855-278-4204 or text “START” to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor live.
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Text by AMIRA GAREWAL and RIYA SINHA Art by BO FANG
Championing equality IN PAUSD TITLE IX DISTRICT COORDINATOR SETS GOALS
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ITH A WARM SMILE, Feminist beginnings Palo Alto Unified School Farrell has been a champion of womDistrict’s newly-appoint- en’s rights throughout her life. When it ed Title IX coordinator, came time to choose a career, she knew she Megan Farrell, walks into the conference wanted to pursue something in the realm room and begins to tell her story. Besides of gender equality. being a mother, a certified yoga instructor “Discrimination in the employment and an avid marathon runner, Farrell also field was something that, in the 1990s as combats some of the I was graduating most controversial from law school, To be able to be in the and challenging issues I wanted to focus K-12 area is really in the district. on,” Farrell says. Palo Alto UniIt wasn’t until inspirational to me. fied School District is later that she realno stranger to issues Having an impact at ized her additional surrounding sexual passion for educathat stage of people’s harassment and distion. lives can really last a crimination, with “Bringing both over 70 open Title IX of them [women’s lifetime.” investigations. With rights and educa— MEGAN FARRELL, Title IX Coordinator national movements tion] together is like #MeToo and something that has #TimesUp gaining recognition on a large really been a joy in my life,” Farrell says. scale, Verde sat down with Farrell to discuss Being a Title IX coordinator was the how the issues encompassed in these rising perfect way to do so. Title IX is a set of fedmovements are being discussed and tackled eral legislation established in 1972 to prolocally. mote gender equality in education. Since
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then, its focus has shifted from fighting discrimination in school sports to fighting against a broader range of misconduct and discrimination issues. Before joining the K-12 sector at PAUSD, Farrell worked at Notre Dame of Maryland University as the Title IX coordinator, and later as an external consultant working with schools on Title IX policies and procedures. In addition, for the past six years, Farrell has undergone training regarding how to conduct Title IX investigations and what the role of a Title IX coordinator entails. “To be able to be in the K-12 area is really inspirational to me,” Farrell says. “Having impact at that stage of people’s lives can really last a lifetime.” Transition to PAUSD “Officially, the number one priority, as I discussed with the superintendent, is compliance,” Farrell says. “There’s two elements to that. One is the external compliance, which is dealing with the Office for Civil Rights and California Department of Education, and the requests that they must
profiles provide to the district.” On the external front, Farrell describes a strict timeline that must be met. “There are a lot of things to be done. The Office for Civil Rights resolution agreement with the district set forth a lot of requirements that we [the district] have to meet annually,” Farrell says. The other aspect of her job is what Farrell describes as the internal compliance. “This is making sure we have policies and procedures in place, making sure we’re following policies and procedures, with regards to reports and investigations,” Farrell says. To Farrell, these compliance matters are one of the most challenging aspects of her new job. “I have been dealing with a lot of different issues around the compliance matters coming in, so it’s always an evolving workload,” Farrell says. Despite the challenge of her work, Farrell finds joy and excitement in her job’s ever-changing daily routine. “Usually, I come in and check anything that’s kind of an emergency,” Farrell says. “I usually prioritize these compliance issues first thing. If I have to conduct investigations I do that, but a lot of my job is checking in. I can’t say one day is like the next.”
panded to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. “When individuals engage in behavior that challenges gender norms, they may face discrimination or harassment, and this behavior is now prohibited under Title IX,” Farrell says. In the future, Farrell hopes to improve the role of Title IX in the district. “[I hope to] work with school leadership to increase transparency and accountability … and support the schools in providing thorough, timely investigations,” Farrell says. Similarly, Farrell encourages all students to reach out to the Title IX office and continue to ask questions. “A lot of people think they know what it [Title IX] is, and you have to peel it back a bit and learn a little bit more about your rights and responsibilities,” Farrell says. “Our office can assist people with understanding that. Seek help if you need help, because there are a lot of different ways to get help here.” v
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Quick Facts About Title IX • Title IX does not only protect female students: It protects any person from sex-based discrimination, including students, staff and teachers. • Universities that receive federal funding must offer victims protection from disciplinary action if they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of a sexual harassment or assault. • Title IX protects pregnant and parenting students from being discriminated against in school related activities. • Title IX ensures equal opportunity in all fields, including male dominated technical fields such as engineering and science.
Title IX evolution Farrell alludes to a cultural and generational difference in the perception of Title IX that has developed over the course of recent decades. “When I was in high school and college, there was a lot of behavior that took place that was easily dismissed and not taken very seriously,” Farrell says. However, due to the increased emphasis on following procedure and bringing perpatrators to justice, Title IX has become more effective in many ways. Under the Obama Administration in 2011, the Title IX protections were exDEFINING LEGISLATURE PAUSD Title IX coordinator Megan Farrell gestures with her hand as she explains legislature surrounding sexual harassment and discrimination. Farrell, who was appointed to the position last semester, says she is determined to conduct investigations in a timely and transparent manner. Photo by Maraleis Sinton.
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Simply Un-B ALEX EVANS, STUDENT BEEKEEPER
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CLAMOROUS BUZZ FILLS THE AIR AS eties and each have different behaviors. I got them because they’re bees weave intricate patterns around a small, doll- very active bees.” house-shaped hive topped with a wooden roof. Dressed After proving his responsibility, Evans received a small budget in a white jumpsuit and hat, his face masked by pro- from his mother to start his own hive. tective netting, Palo Alto High School junior Alex Evans opens “I used to be nervous when first working with bees but I’ve the hive to reveal a colony of striped anthophila, which is the lati- learned to get comfortable, even if it means getting stung once or nate name for bees. The sound crescendos as bees crawl around the twice,” Evans says. frame covered in hexagonal honeycombs. He started with a small hive in Marin, where his mother Evans is part of a community of beekeepers in the Bay Area, lives, but the hive quickly began expanding. and is surprisingly young compared to the rest. Even rarer is Evans’ “They just kept growing so we had to split the hive into two,” passion for urban beekeeping, which, accordEvans says. “What you do is you have to seping to PBS News, although uncommon, is on I’ve learned to get arate the population, so one has a queen and the incline due to the health benefits of the the other doesn’t … they [were] able to recrecomfortable, even ate another queen and that created two hives bees in such colonies. Though Evans only began beekeeping in two queens.” if it means getting with Within 2015, the origins of his beekeeping dreams a year, the hive had become too stung once or twice.” big to sustain and Evans had to carry out date all the way back to 2012. — Alex Evans, beekeeper “I had a neighbor that did beekeeping,” the daunting process again, splitting one of Evans says. He was immediately intrigued and his hives. Evans transported one hive to Palo began doing some research of his own. Alto, and he now owns three hives: two large hives in Marin with “Three years later, between 10,000 and 20,000 bees, and a smaller hive in Palo Alto I [had] another neigh- with about 5,000 bees. bor that [started] doing Evans wears his beekeeping suit to check on the bees, scraping beekeeping and he actu- off the honeycombs in the spring and feeding the bees sugar water ally [sold] bees too. So I in the winter. To calm the bees, Evans uses a bee smoker, especially picked out a small hive.” in the winter when the bees are angrier. He notes that the smoke, Before delving into made from burnt foliage, eases the bees’ nervous system but does beekeeping, Evans inves- not harm them. tigated species and careOver time, Evans has turned his beekeeping hobby into a fulltaking techniques. fledged honey business, in which he collects, de-crystallizes and “I did research be- jars honey that he collects. SWEET LIKE HONEY One of Evans’ bees fore I actually bought my “Extracting honey can be a real hazard, but it’s also a good sucks the necter from a flower to make colony,” Evans says. “I experience,” Evans says. “It’s really beautiful to go into the hive and its honeycomb. Evans sells the bees’ bought Russian bees that see that there’s a ton of honeycomb.” honey locally. “There’s a lot of beekeepBefore the honey is jarred and sold, Evans must execute a long ers where I live in Marin. So we trade were developed in Sibeor sell each other’s honey,” Evans says. ria. There’s so many vari- process to collect honeycombs.
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Text by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN and ZOE STANTON-SAVITZ Photos by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN Art by ASHLEY ZHOU
-BEE-lievable BEYOND THE HIVE Alex Evans holds up one frame. Evans owns three hives, ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 bees. This frame is from his smallest hive. “[Beekeeping] is just a really unique experience,” Evans says.
“So what you want to do is cut off the all the caps of the comb, and sometimes it takes up to four hours to get it all,” Evans says. Evans sells this pure honey both in Palo Alto and in Marin. “Mostly it’s really local,” Evans says. “There’s a lot of beekeep ers ... where I live in Marin so we trade or sell each other’s honey.” However, in Palo Alto, he draws in customers through an app called Nextdoor, which helps aspiring entrepreneurs gain a customer base in their neighborhood. Apart from the business side of his beekeeping endeavor, Evans is also working to repopulate and protect the local bee population. Between 2016 and 2017, the United States lost 33 percent of bee colonies, according to an annual survey done at Bee Informed, in partnership with the University of Maryland. “There’s been a huge decline in honeybees, especially in rural areas because of pesticides and high transportation,” Evans says. He encourages urban beekeeping, which he believes is essential for the long term survival of the bee population. According to Evans, in single-crop rural areas, pesticides cause disease, while bees that live in areas with diversified plants tend to be healthier. “I think it’s really interesting if you do city beekeeping … [it’s] better for the bees because they’re introduced to a wider variety of plants,” Evans says. “It’s such a strange idea, but they’re thriving in these really urban places.” For those seeking to pursue beekeeping in the future, Evans offers some advice. “Talk to professionals about where you get your bees,” he says. “You want a healthy colony.” After graduating high school, Evans plans to pass on his business to his younger brother. “Once I finish college it would be interesting to restart the beekeeping and continue the hobby,” Evans says. “Bees are not leaving our family anytime soon.” v
ALEX A-BUZZ Alex Evans poses in his all-white beekeeping suit. He got the suit to protect himself from painful bee stings he might get while he works. “I’m not allergic to bees, thankfully,” Evans says.
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Art by ANNIE ZHOU
Text by ASHLEY WANG and MAGGIE CHEUNG
Ready for the occasion BAY AREA AIR FORCE UNIT RESCUES LIVES
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HE 129TH RESCUE WING has a motto: Always ready, always there. Because that’s what they do — whenever the unit gets a call from the critically sick, injured or isolated, they pack up their civilian lives, board their aircrafts and save some lives. Stationed at the heart of Silicon Valley in Moffett Federal Airfield, the 129th Rescue Wing is a reserve component of the United States Air Force that specializes in rescuing people. Specifically, they perform
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combat search and rescue, whether it be going into battle and pulling out a soldier who’s been pinned down, parachuting into the middle of the Pacific Ocean and finding a sailboat gone adrift, or sending medical help by strapping a surgeon to their bodies and then jumping out of a helicopter. They’re also made up of people who live and work full-time in the Bay Area. Doctors, teachers, lawyers, firefighters — you name the job, and there’s someone from 129th represented there. So getting
deployed means leaving not just their homes, but also their families and jobs. It’s a busy lifestyle, and the last couple of months have been especially so. Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria, and the Northern and Southern California wildfires swept through the country, and the rescue wing has been there every single time. Witness to tragedy Captain Roderick Bersamina, the Public Affairs Officer of the 129th Rescue
he says. “It’s just leveled out. Where there once were homes, you can see clear across.” Personal property wasn’t the only thing to suffer. Another focus of the mission at the wildfires was digging up personal effects — specifically, human remains. “We were hoping to identify as many people as possible,” Bersamina says. “As a grieving family, you hope that those remains are not the person you’re missing.”
Wing, knows what tragedy looks like. He’s That’s where Bersamina came in. not a combatant, and he doesn’t train to Deployed in the aftermath of the fires pick up rifles and fight in wars, but he pro- to coordinate media functions, Bersamina vides public affairs support and advice to witnessed people in the process of losing commanders on strategic communication. everything. He recalls driving past a mobile This includes getting deployed right along- home park on the way to the unit’s temside soldiers. porary base While the in Santa Rosa Northern CalAs a grieving family, you hope one day, and ifornia fires it looked that those remains are not the says raged through more like an the Wine Counempty, ceperson you’re missing.” try in October, ment-covered — CAPT. RODERICK BERSAMINA, 129th Rescue Wing public affairs officer for example, the field than it unit sent their did a place airmen right in the middle of the destruc- where people used to eat, sleep and come tion on medical evacuation duty. Their home to. focus on evacuation eventually shifted to “Clearly I wasn’t alive for this, but active fire fighting, which then shifted to walking by and talking to folks, I’ve had supporting and rebuilding ruined cities. comparisons to Hiroshima and Nagasaki,”
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Rebuilding the destruction Even when he’s talking about tragedy, Bersamina doesn’t show much emotion. He’s nothing if not professional, and articulates his speech with a formal concision that’s telling of his experience in the field. He doesn’t dwell too long on events that happened in the past, and keeps his focus on getting things done to improve the future. That being said, he’s certainly not lacking in passion for his job, and it noticeably shows as he zones in on rebuilding efforts. “How do you build whole neighborhoods all over again?” Bersamina says. There’s a determined fervor that accents his words as he lets loose. “How do you build whole stores and hospitals and whatever other infrastructure that was out there?” The answer came in the form of a tent city. While soldiers sifted through post-fire ash looking to reuinite individuals, a coordinated effort between all the various agencies of the California National Guard to build a temporary city complete with electricity, portable showers and toilets took place. In addition to serving as an emergency operations center, it also acted as a shelter for displaced soldiers so that rebuild efforts could effectively continue. “As devastating as it was, and as heartbreaking as it was to hear some of the stories from these affected individuals, it was also very heartening to see the amount of volunteerism that was out there,” Bersamina says. The 129th Rescue Wing is an extraordinary group — whatever the occasion, the unit is ready to respond. But while its soldiers bear a weighty responsibility, they’re still people who live in and care about their local community. “What I hope people understand is we’re just like everybody else,” Bersamina says. “But we take pride in answering that greater calling to serve.” v
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Text by MICHELLE LI and ZOE WONG-VANHAREN Photos by EMMA COCKERELL
DISHING IT OUT Chef Xiao Li, 35, places his steaming, sauteed greenbean masterpiece, the Dry Fried Green Bean dish, on the counter for the servers to deliver to the customers.
A “Taste” of Sichuan
EXPLORING AUTHENTIC SPICY CHINESE CUISINE
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NTIL DECEMBER, ONLY ONE OF THE DOZENS of restaurants on University Ave served Chinese cuisine. Taste, a brand new Sichuan restaurant, opened its doors at 423 University Ave. Sichuan, a southwest province in China, is well known for its use of spicy peppers and the resulting spicy food. In particular, Sichuan cuisine features a remarkable spice, sourced form Sichuan peppercorns, that numbs the mouth. Verde paid a visit to the new restaurant to see for ourselves how just how tasty Taste really is. Decorated with mini Chinese lanterns and modern pop music and staffed by a fully chinese staff, the restaurant felt authentic. We decided to review some dishes that vary in price and spice. v
Chong Qing Numbing Spicy Noodles – $15
AAAAA At first glance, the Chong Qing Numbing Spicy Noodles might look like a large bowl of spicy oil, but the dish is much less intimidating than its fiery red coloring suggests. Instead, the oily soup made the chewy noodles more numbing than spicy. Underneath a half a centimeter of warm oil and a layer of bright soup lies a bed of chewy white noodles. Verde discovered that the best way to eat them was to pick them out of the soup and onto a bowl or plate to let most of the sauces drip off, and then slowly lift the noodles up, thereby reducing their intense taste. The numbing effect lasts for a while, so we recommend eating this last.
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Mapo Tofu – $13
AAAAA One of the most well-known Sichuan dishes, Mapo Tofu, is served in a big, family-style bowl, and has a very distinctive taste. Consisting of soft, slippery tofu in a thick red sauce, this spicy mix of ginger, garlic and sichuan pepper is forgivingly mild, yet still somewhat spicy. Although it is quite oily, the spiciness of the dish left a slight buzzing sensation on the lips and tongue, a valued characteristic in Sichuan cuisine.
Beijing Onion Burst Lamb – $16
AAAAA As the name of the dish implies, the Beijing Onion Burst Lamb packs overwhelming flavor in every bite. Scattered among the colorful variety of sauteed onions are thin, curled slices of lamb. The pieces of lamb are conveniently bite-sized and allows diners to experience their tenderness and immensely rich flavor. With quiet hints of onion, the lamb slices pair perfectly with white rice. Food for thought: Why is a Sichuan restaurant serving Beijing dishes?
Beef Ramen Noodles – $15
AAAAA Served in a generous bowl, the beef ramen has all the right aspects of a classic Chinese noodle dish. Drenched in herb-infused brothy soup, ramen noodles of a perfect, soft consistency lie steaming. For those accustomed to salty dishes, this noodle soup may be a bit bland. However, the unconventional quality of the taste compensates for the soup’s lack of powerful flavor. With thin slices of white radish and tender beef as toppings, we were left feeling refreshed and wanting more.
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A skating Text by ALEX FENG and THOMAS CHAPMAN Art by BRITNEY FAN
SKATE SHOP HOPES TO BUILD A COMMUNITY
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S SOON AS YOU OPEN THE the future, Society plans to encourage in- friends, get a sense of camaraderie,” Longlass door of Society Skate Shop volvement through communal skate jams, don says. “Skateboarding is very win-win, in Town and Country you are contests, skateboard art shows, summer like when my friend lands a trick, I get exmet by screens displaying skat- camps and video precited. I would say ing videos, and rows of skateboard decks, miers. If this abundance we offer something If you meet someone shoes and clothes neatly line the walls. of opportunities seems very positive to the with a skateboard, With the addition of skate shop Soci- a little overwhelming, youth.” ety, students at Palo Alto High School now a good place to start London beyou instantly have a have the opportunity to buy skateboards would be the free lunchlieves that this caconnection.” and skate-related gear just across the street. es offered on Wednesmaraderie allows — JAKE LONDON, manager While the tech-powered culture in Palo days. people to bond Alto may be seen as a difficult environment “We definitely want with those who to open a skating to be more involved share the same passion, no matter their store, Society sees then just keeping our background. the environment as doors open from 10 “That’s the cool thing about skating,” an untapped popa.m. to 7 p.m.,” Lon- London says. “I’ve gone out of the counulation of skaters don says. “I would just try and if you meet someone with a skatethat they hope to say, come to the events, board, you instantly have a connection. I develop into a comstop by the shop, say mean, if you speak a different language, it munity. what’s up and just hang doesn’t matter. It just bridges all those gaps, “If you go to out.” which is very unique.” other areas of the Through these acUnderstandably, not everyone starts Bay Area, there are tivities, Society aims to out as a skating pro. Nevertheless, even if already so many create a close-knit fam- you have never skated a day in your life, shops and it’s alily of skaters joined to- Society is more than happy to embrace you ready kind of sat- THE NEW STORE IN TOWN Society gether by their love for as a part of the skating family. urated,” says store Skateshop in Town and Country entices the sport. For London, “Everybody’s welcome,” London says. passerbys with its buy one get one half off manager Jake Lon- deal. Photo by Thomas Chapman. this communal aspect “We’re here to get you excited, to get you don. “This area of skating, is especial- pumped, and build a community.” This seemed like there was a void in there [Palo ly important in the age of smartphones same encouraging attitude is felt as soon as Alto] and we felt like we could play a role and video games, when time outdoors has you step through the door. in filling it.” dwindled. “Anyone who has any interest in skateSociety’s plans to fill this void are not “Skateboarding offers something pos- boarding, we welcome them with open limited to just selling boards and gear. In itive where kids can get out, be with their arms,” London says.” v
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Boy, Girl, Bloody knife
VERDE REVIEWS “END OF THE F***ING WORLD” Text by WARREN WAGNER and DANIEL LOGAN
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DON’T LIKE MY LIFE,” A young gas station employee says to the pair of oddball teenagers. “So, do something,” replies Alyssa, one of two abrasive young leads of “End of the F***ing World,” a Netflix series that first aired on Channel 4, a British television channel in Oct. 2017. “End of the F***ing World” follows the strange love story of James (Alex Lawther), a teenage boy who believes he’s a psychopath, and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), an aggressive girl who insults almost everyone she meets. The two upend their uneventful lives to go on the run. The series is a bold attempt at a new twist on classic television formulas, which is interesting, even if it sometimes falls short in its delivery. The shock value can grow stale, but it could warrant a watch just because of its bold ingenuity. It often misses the mark, especially in earlier episodes, but when it delivers on its more ambitious attempts, it wows the viewer. The season is relatively short, comprised of only eight episodes, which are
only around 20 minutes each. The quick, clean editing makes the time seem to pass even faster. The film editing was headed by Mike Jones, who brings the same type of seamless flow that he brought to several episodes of the “Doctor Who” series. The music direction is also fantastic, and creates a charmingly retro feel. Graham Coxon, the same person who worked on the excellent soundtrack for the 2017 heist movie “Baby Driver,” created the music. The soundtrack adapts well to set the different moods of “The End of the F***cking World.” The cinematography stands up to the same high technical standards as the music and editing. The cinematographer, Justin Brown, hasn’t worked on many hits in the past, but this could serve to be his breakout work. Altogether, the sound and look of “The End of the F***ing World” form a unique mix of feeling modern and crisp yet still fitting into the slightly retro theme. The actors, especially the two young leads, also do a great job throughout. Lawther and Barden are not only enjoyable to
Art by MAYA ANDERSON watch, but also convincingly uncomfortable and angsty teens going out of their way to draw attention to themselves. Both act tough in their own ways, but convey to the observer that inside, they feel far less confident than their characters try to project. The writing and directing is strong, and remains unpredictable while not feeling random. The main storyline starts slow but draws you in more and more, and the subplots don’t disappoint either. The dynamic between two police officers pursuing the teens is less dramatic, but just as interesting and funny as the primary narrative. Every episode ends on a cliffhanger, which makes it difficult to stop watching. This means that even if the bulk of the episode had been bland, the conclusion ensures that viewers keep watching. Overall, the show takes an authentic attempt at innovation in a stale boy-meetsgirl genre trope, and even though it’s not perfect, it’s better than most teen Netflix flicks. “End of the F***ing World” has topof-the line music and visual direction, and despite its lazy beginning, earns an 8/10 for its fresh and emotional story. v
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ALL ABOUT THE FEELS
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Text by ALLISON CHENG and MARA SMITH Photos by STEPHANIE LEE
EXPLORING THE USAGE OF ASMR BY STUDENTS
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HISPERING, SLIME According to CNBC, the term “ASMR” videos, scratching, tap- was coined within the last decade, in 2010. ping, blowing and more. Common triggers for ASMR are whisThese seemingly mundane pering, ambient sounds, painting or drawactivities can trigger an effect called auton- ing and clicking noises. omous sensory meridian response, abbreviWhile not everyone experiences the ated as ASMR, in some. This term is used effects of listening to or watching ASMR, to describe a physical sensation character- there is a subset of people who swear by ized by pleasurable tingles in the head and it, using it to relax. Junior Ada Unal is one scalp. such student who experiences these effects. These sensations are usually accompa“[ASMR is] very soothing and helps nied by feelings of relaxation or stress re- me fall asleep,” Unal says. When she first lief, according to experienced ASMR, a research paper she had no idea what It [ASMR] is very soothwhich contained it was. She found survey results herself soothed by ing and helps me fall from 500 ASMR varying sounds: car enthusiasts, pub- asleep.” tires on gravel, crin— ADA UNAL, junior lished by Dr. kling paper and the Nick Davis and Emma Barratt from Swan- sound of crunching leaves. sea University. “I would get this prickling feeling at The sensation of ASMR is nothing the back of my head,” Unal says. “I looked new, but the wave of videos intended to it [the sensation] up to see what it was trigger this feeling, many with millions of [called] and found out that it was called views, is a relatively recent phenomenon. ASMR.”
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INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION Many Paly students watch ASMR videos for reasons ranging from stress relief to entertainment. ASMR videos and audio can be found on many social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram.
SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCES Senior Adrien Tompert shows an example of the type of ASMR videos he enjoys watching. Tompert watches ASMR for entertainment, and he prefers the digitally generated videos found on Instagram. “It [ASMR] is just something different,” he says.
Other listeners, such as senior Adrien Tompert, watch ASMR videos for fun. “They can be entertaining,” he says. “It’s just something different.” While many find these videos relaxing and enjoyable, others who don’t experience the pleasurable sensations of ASMR can find themselves bored or even slightly disturbed by the same videos. Junior Nathania Schwob doesn’t see the benefits of ASMR for her. “It’s just not for me,” Schwob says. “It’s kind of creepy … I just don’t like people whispering.” ASMR is something of a polarizing experience, but those in the community are often very passionate and enthusiastic about it. “It makes me happy,” Tompert says. Unal agrees with this sentiment, and appreciates the friendliness of the community. “Everyone’s supportive and nice,” Unal says. “It’s cool to see the variety of people’s tastes.” v
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New Faces in the Stars OUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE OSCARS Text by DANIEL LOGAN and JASMINE VENET Art by BO FANG
Controversies surround the Oscars
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he Oscars, a night where some of the best known names in Hollywood assemble to dole out awards among themselves, has been swept into some recent controversy, as it is prone to. In previous years, discussion has centered around the lack of diversity and representation among nominees, but the recent #MeToo movement and public outcry over accused thespians and directors have rocked this year’s Academy Awards. Another significant controversy surrounding the upcoming Oscars is the alleged plagiarism accusation directed at Del Toro’s most recent film “The Shape of Water.” According to Daniel Zandel, speaking with “The Guardian,” “The Shape of Water” was “obviously derived” from an award winning play written by Zandel’s deceased father. Additionally, according to “Indiewire,” Jean-Pierre Jeunet claims that “Delicatessen,” one of his works, was plagarized in the making of “The Shape of Water.” He also claims that “it is so copied and pasted [from] ‘Delicatessen’ that there is a moment I say to myself that he lacks any self-respect.” Here at Verde, we’ve made our own predictions about this years’ results among a competitive and tumultuous field. v
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Best Picture: “Lady Bird” Greta Gerwig’s fresh new movie, “Lady Bird,” follows a rebellious adolescent girl, Christine (Saoirse Ronan), who goes by the chosen name “Lady Bird.” Unlike other nominees, “Lady Bird” is very simply filmed, utilizing color and emotion to create a youthful aesthetic reminiscent of the 2000s, giving viewers the time to absorb the plot and connect with Christine on a personal level. Living in Sacramento, full of perfect dreams in a not-so-perfect world, Christine brings the audience with her as she navigates high school, relationships and the real world, which constantly trample her hopes and ambitions for the future. Yet, throughout the film, the camera angle variations make it seem as though the audience is intruding on a personal moment of her life, bringing us back to our reality of merely observing. One of the strengths of “Lady Bird” is its ability to make a blockbuster out of an indie film, becoming one of the most memorable movies of the year. Though some may feel like “Lady Bird” does not have the same complexity and potency as other films, Verde believes that it has all the components that make up an Oscar win.
Best Actor: Gary Oldman (“Darkest Hour”) Gary Oldman does a fantastic job at bringing out the flair, essence and defining attributes of a popular yet controversial historical figure, Winston Churchill. Among historical blockbusters, “Darkest Hour” presents a new tone for what we hope to see in other historical movies, one that tries to elevate the story of its subject while also capturing some of the crucial flaws of its protagonists. To achieve this, Oldman is not always suave and full of charisma. At times, he lashes out at those around him in fits, and at other times, he is alone, vunerable and afraid. The film is not fast-paced; in fact, at times, it is abrasively slow. The viewer is made to feel as though they are living the life of Churchill in a time when his country was in great peril. The journey involves both the man’s famous speaking prowess in addition to his difficulty sleeping at night; both his innate ability to stir the will of his constituents and his former failings as Prime Minister. Throughout, Oldman plays as convincing a Churchill as though the film were old tapes colorized and mastered for the big screen.
Best Actress: Frances McDormand (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”) Frances McDormand delivers masterfully in every scene in “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri.” Throughout the bleak and brutal plotline, McDormand presents a dark intensity through her character, Mildred, which disturbs the inhabitants of any room she walks into. She is a haunted woman, enraged at the world and herself. The events of the film unfold slowly, and sometimes, the pain that Mildred feels is pushed beneath the surface as she goes about her day performing mundane tasks of daily life. Whether she is publically confronting her abusive ex-husband or driving her son to school, she always seems like a woman missing something inside of her. Truth be told, the plot begins to fall short towards the end of the film, with certain character arcs left totally unresolved. However, McDormand is not the weak link for the film. In fact, her brilliant performance even distracts from certain points where the plot falls through. She is versatile, one minute a crying mess, the next blind with rage, and the next after that calm, collected, and determined to get her way and her justice.
Best Cinematography: “Dunkirk” “Dunkirk,” directed by Christopher Nolan with cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema, depicts one of the most ambitious rescue operations in history, with hundreds of thousands of British and French troops stranded in Dunkirk following the fall of France. Though the characters’ stories are fictitious, together, they do a fantastic job showing the various aspects of the battle, as well as capturing the emotion and panic felt by thousands during that dreadful time. The cinematics for the film are simply phenomenal, with thousands of extras adding on to the already stunning visuals of massive ships and aircrafts. Sound effects are also highly impressive. However, none of the effects feel too overwhelming with the film, which instead spends most of its camera time focused on the human faces of the storyline. The lack of dialogue also gives room for the film’s music score to shine, its constant suspenseful beat tying the movie together. The sound effects are stunning, and at times eerie, with the hyper-realistic groaning of steel from enormous destroyers and cruisers being scuttled and abandoned after hostile torpedos bore into their hulls. “Dunkirk” takes an interesting and unusual approach of having state-of-the-art technology which could be used to dazzle and distract its viewers, but instead the impressive arsonal of effects are only used as far as they will strengthen the storyline and not just to stun the viewer.
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Words of Wisdom
CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE Text by BRIDGET LI and TAMAR SARIG Art by BRITNEY FAN
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EVERAL HOLIDAYS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY honor love, the changing of the seasons and important presidents. But all 28 days are dedicated to the celebration of African American culture, history and heritage. To commemorate Black History Month, Verde reviewed three pieces of African-American literature of varying styles and genres. Though they are certainly pieces that can be read for pleasure, exposure to culturally-specific literature has practical implications as well. “If we’re ever gonna have conversations around race, there needs to be an expansion of literature for students to get ahold of to understand ‘my experiences are not so far removed in a number of ways,’” says Justin Cronin, who teaches Ethnic Studies at Palo Alto High School. “We can build on that sheer trust as opposed to constantly being divided by our differences.” v
In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women
by Alice Walker
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ulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker’s first short story collection “In Love & Trouble,” published in 1973, is not for the faint of heart. Laced with hard-hitting imagery, Walker’s book focuses on the experience of black womanhood. But it also tackles issues such as racial division, poverty and mental health as they relate to African
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American identity, and these topics continue to be relevant even over 40 years later. Its format is precisely what allows it to cover such a breadth of topics. The chapters briefly delve into the perspectives of a diverse group of women, and at times men, with varying ages, beliefs and occupations, ensuring that readers from all walks of life can find something to relate to. And
despite emphasizing characters of African American descent, the stories encompass universal themes, whether they be family conflict, forbidden love or the worship of a childhood idol. Several chapters are striking in their exploration of said topics through fresh, quaint portrayals of everyday life. “Everyday Use,” in which Walker describes how a mother views the return of her matured daughter, explores the relationships between different generations and black culture. “To Hell with Dying,” narrated by a college student, illustrates a child’s evolving perception of death through the ailments of a well-loved and aging man. Walker’s style of writing varies from story to story, keeping the book engaging and gripping. “In Love & Trouble” opens with a poetic, reflective tone, transitions to scenes gracefully woven with dialogue and finishes strong with a personal and youthful touch, which can also be seen in “The Flowers,” perhaps Walker’s most well -known short story. “In Love & Trouble” is all shades of heartwarming, sorrowful, romantic and jarring, but most importantly, it is purposeful in its every word. And though it is not for the faint-hearted, it is for the open-minded.
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Homegoing
aa Gyasi’s debut novel is ambitious: in one book, she traces nine generations of a single family as its branches spread from villages in West Africa to cities in the United States. The story opens in pre-colonial Africa, where a woman has children by two different fathers in separate villages. It soon becomes clear just how important those children’s random circumstances are: one daughter is sold into slavery, while her half-sister marries a British officer and moves into his castle, where the slaves are imprisoned in a basement. Neither ever knows the other’s name. From then on, each chapter in the book is dedicated to a successive descendant of one of the sisters, until we read the stories of the great-great-great-great grandchildren of the women we met in the book’s first pages. The magic of “Homegoing” is this unconventional structure, in which each chapter is really a full, self-contained story. Because the chapters stand on their own (the protagonists often know very little about their parents’ stories), each character is richly imagined, with flaws and hopes and motivations that de-
by Yaa Gyasi
mand our empathy. Distant as the characters’ experiences may be from readers’ lives, we get to know each one so well that we feel their joy and misery as if they were our own.
The Weary Blues T
hough “The Weary Blues,” Langston Hughes’ first published book, is a poetry collection by name, it often feels more like a songwriter’s notebook. Published in 1926, at the height of the Harlem Renaissance, the book is full of sounds from that place and time: jazz quartets, old pianos and tapping feet, a symphony that transports readers to the dark and bustling nightclubs Hughes writes about.
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“Homegoing” is both a devastating account of the legacy of slavery and a profoundly human story, one whose characters will stay with you long after their stories have ended.
by Langston Hughes
But beneath this bubbling, energetic style, Hughes deals with the full range of human emotions and experiences. Some poems are nature studies, comfortingly simple. Some are love poems, odes to people Hughes sees on the street or observations of family life. In others, he uncovers the tragedy beneath the glamour of the Harlem music scene: the reality that black people, for all their accomplishments, still have no real place in white society.
The poetry in “The Weary Blues” is not only gorgeous but accessible, written in the unadorned language of everyday conversations. It’s a perfect book for those who already like poetry, but also for those who are convinced it’s not their thing. And though it’s nearly a century old, “Blues” never feels dated. Hughes’ musings on hardship, disillusionment, lost (and newly found) love, and family feel familiar, because he writes from a place of common humanity — from the perspective of a man looking at himself and his world and trying to make sense of it.
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REMEMBERING LIFE
DAY OF THE DEAD COMES ALIVE IN PIXAR’S “COCO”
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VERY YEAR, the candle of La Virgen de Guadalupe flickers its light upon the same photographs: the one of my godfather on his motorcycle always stands in the corner by the miniature ferris wheel of skeletons, while the one of my grandmother sits atop the Guatemalan fabrics. Strings of papel picado, or paper cut into designs of flowers and skulls, hang from the ceiling, filtering the light into vibrant reds, oranges and blues. From afar, it may seem like a traditional Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, but if you look closer, you’ll see eight wood-carved buddhas beside the Virgin. You’ll find my mother’s famous mushroom soup served alongside the quesadillas and the Day of the Dead bread. This is what Nov. 2, or Día de los Muertos, looks like in my house. Growing up with a Taiwanese-American mother and a father from Mexico, the buddhas and virgins have grown very accustomed to each other. My father tells stories about the Day of the Dead in Mexico as if he were reading from a magical realism story by Gabriel García Márquez. His family would drive to the small villages where the real festivities occurred. In those small pueblos, the cemeteries would be filled with laughter, music and familiar faces outlined by the warm candlelight. Though it is not exactly the same in my house, we still celebrate the same things: life, remembering and family.
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Text and art by LUCIA AMIEVA-WANG
Last November, Pixar released “Coco”, its first movie produced for a Latin American audience. The script, written with jokes in both English and Spanish, is voiced by Mexican actors, and features popular Mexican folk music. “Coco” follows the story of a young aspiring musician who finds himself stuck in the Land of the Dead, where he meets the relatives whose pictures he always saw on his family’s altar. Writer and director Lee Unkrich told The New York Times that he was terrified of not doing the story justice. Pixar brought in cultural experts, including famous Mexican playwrights and artists, marking the first time Pixar has ever allowed outsiders into their production process. After seven years of production, the final result blew audiences away. It was especially popular in the Latino community, as the beautifully animated scenes brought to life the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. Alexa Morales, a senior at Palo Alto High School and a member of the Latinos Unidos Club, said her whole family laughed and cried through the movie. She said the graveyard scene felt real, capturing exactly how she remembers it being in Mexico, and that the music and jokes were even better in the Spanish dubbed version. “What I really liked about the movie was that it showed the celebration as something that was bright and colorful and really meaningful to someone rather than it being about trying to raise people from the dead,” says senior Ricardo Lombera, Latinos Unidos Club president.
The Day of the Dead is often misunderstood. In many Western European countries, death is about mourning. Relatives dress in black and cry over the loss of loved ones who are no longer with us. But in Mexico, it is a celebration. Remembering the stories of the dead is what keeps them alive forever. It is the songs and the bright colors that help guide their spirits back to the land of the living to visit their families. With the word “dead” in the celebration’s name, people are quick to jump to conclusions about what it really means. Every year, the Latinos Unidos Club hosts a Day of the Dead event on campus to show students this tradition. Since the club’s formation four years ago, last year was the first time the club was allowed to create an altar displaying photos of Latin American icons who have died. “Every year we have been told by the mental health staff in the school and the district that we couldn’t do it because it was ‘triggering’ to other students,” Lombera says. “But I didn’t like the idea of having other people dictating my own culture.” It took weeks of speaking to the administration, district director of student services, equity commissioners and coordinators for the club to be able to put up photos, and even then they were not allowed photos of people who resembled teens. The photos on that altar were not just photos of people who had died — for the Latino community at Paly, they were a way of showing the school about the powerful Latin American figures who are often forgotten. It is important to understand people, and that starts with understanding their culture and where they come from. Start by understanding this: Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, remembering and family. v
perspectives
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Text by ZOE STANTON-SAVITZ Art by VIVIAN NGUYEN
π/4
Missing the Sines
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TEACHERS MUST LOOK BEYOND THE NUMBERS
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DREAD GOING TO MATH class. I really do. I dread it more than opening Infinite Campus after a bad test or waking up to my morning alarm. My dread intensifies as I listen to the teacher’s lecture and stare at the incoherent string of x’s and y’s. This is not a unique experience. Many students I have talked to have similar views. Palo Alto High School, as a school in the heart of the Silicon Valley, has developed a reputation for being exceptionally strong in teaching STEM subjects. But for some students, myself included, Paly’s pride in its strong STEM program translates into frustration rather than effective learning. For the past couple of years, I have struggled immensely in math. Not because it was boring or I wasn’t interested in the subject, but because as an artist and a writer, logic-based subjects like math are not easy for me. Requests for help have often gone unanswered, and I’ve been redirected to outside tutors when my teacher didn’t have the time to meet with me. In my experience, teachers at Paly, specifically in the Math Department, often target the top students and help them to succeed, while they expect the remaining students to rise to the occasion. I have seen that those who don’t have a natural inclination toward math tend to fall behind with this structure. An example of this is the American Math Competition, a contest offered annually that tests problem-solving skills. If they do well, students can qualify for a statewide competition. Although students in lower levels can opt to take the test, the advanced students are required to participate. Though it’s a small case, this imbalance reflects the math culture at Paly, where top
students are generally pushed to excel further, while lower-level students aren’t encouraged to strengthen their skills as extensively as their more advanced peers. (Although I personally would not want to take the test, there are some who might want the chance. On the other hand, there are some advanced students who, like me, don’t want to take the AMC and are unhappy with being required to do so.) The question persists as to why this culture is perpetuated. Paly is a competitive school where students are constantly comparing themselves to one another. This competition is further heightened in math classes, because there is only one right answer for any one problem. Unlike the humanities or art departments, which are more subjective in grading, math classes are based heavily on answering test questions exactly. It doesn’t always make sense, I know, but I feel that these scores
not only represent the student in the eyes of fellow students and teachers, but also affect their view of themselves. Students’ hard work often does not manifest in their scores, and this sentiment might discourage students in lower-lane math classes. While it isn’t plausible that every student will get 100 percent, students should be able to succeed without so much competition and pressure. The fundamental problem is that students are unable to gain wassistance that they need to rise to Paly’s exceptional standards. Arne Lim, instructional leader of the Math Department assures that teachers are making strides in figuring out how to support students individually by using techniques such as sectioning tests into easier-to-take units, offering retakes, and taking the time to check in with students who may be struggling. The Math Department is implementing these changes with Lim’s “restart” class. “For the students who messed up first semester, got a D or an F, but it’s really important to them to keep on time then they can do first semester again,” Lim says. There are only 19 students in this class, supported by two teachers, so that students get the attention they need. If the personal teaching styles used in this class were used in regular or advanced lanes, students might have a better handle on how to improve their grades and succeed in math classes. Most of all, students need to feel supported so they are able to succeed. Teachers need to look out for the students who require a little help, especially if they ask. They should learn not to miss the signs of a struggling student. v
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#PalyGirlsToo
Text by EMMA DONELLY-HIGGINS Art by ASHLEY ZHAO
A VICTIM’S PERSPECTIVE ON #METOO AT PALY
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HEN I WAS JUST 13, A MAN INDECENTLY exposed himself to me while I was walking my dogs, only a block away from my house. Oddly enough, the incident wasn’t uncommon at the time. Other girls from my school, Jordan Middle School, had been flashed while traveling to and from school. Although the school always made an effort to keep its students safe, the administration’s reaction to my experience left me feeling strange and alone. Admin was aware of what had happened, yet I wasn’t offered any support or guidance. The one adult I trusted laughed when I told her what had happened, trivializing the situation. Not only had I lost trust in male strangers, but in my school district too. Three years later, the hashtag #MeToo and the local headlines reporting that Palo Alto Unified School District staff mishandled several sexual assault cases seem to have created more awareness of this issue in our school district. But it’s not enough. So much more change needs to be instituted into our education system and society as a whole. The #MeToo movement, originally founded in 2006 by Brooklyn-based Tarana Burke, gained national attention in October 2017, when actress Ashley Judd publicly called out film producer Harvey Weinstein for sexually harassing her and countless other women. This was the catalyst of a fiery movement that has brought to light the prevalence of this issue in contemporary culture. Although adults may have been the initial leaders of this movement, the next generation of women is beginning to take on this
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responsibility. Between the ages of 12 and 34, one is at the highest risk of rape and sexual assault, according to Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, and, proven by last year's news, PAUSD’s students are no exception. Shortly after the rapid growth of #MeToo, I began to notice conversations about sexual harassment taking center stage in this district. I have seen more people speaking up, taking this situation into their own hands. For example, various students, parents, and staff throughout the district recently formed the Responsive Inclusive Safe Environment taskforce. RISE is committed to raising awareness and understanding among students, parents and educators about sexual harassment and implementing prevention programs in our schools. We’re a district riddled with sexual harassment, but we’re also one evolving, striving for change. No, #MeToo hasn’t solved the world-wide epidemic of sexual harassment, but it certainly has changed lives. By shining a light on the sexual harassment epidemic, we have been forced to recognize what many women deal with on a daily basis. A new generation of young men and women, more aware than ever of social justice issues, are maturing. With a president accused of numerous counts of sexual harassment and who publicly speaks of women as objects, this movement creates a strong stance in opposition to him and counteracts everything he is doing to reverse the hard-won gains of the feminist movement. If people continue to stand up and share their own stories, and we work together to enact change, we can not only make the world better for victims of sexual harassment, like myself, but we can create a school, and a world, where being sexually harassed is no longer a common experience. v
perspectives
Rememberlutions
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Text by JENNY TSENG
A SOLUTION TO FAILING YOUR RESOLUTIONS
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N JAN. 1, YOGA CLASSES are so packed that mats vie for space on the studio floors. It’s the day when the number of gym memberships skyrockets, when bedroom lights go out at 10 p.m. and all the kale at the market is gone. Fast-forward one month. It’s Feb. 1, and the number of people in yoga class has dwindled down to just a few on their colored mats. Gym membership cards are lost under month-old receipts for salad ingredients and the glow of phone screens shines through bedroom windows late at night. Although New Year’s resolutions may start out with the best intentions, it’s hard to follow them all the way to December, or even to February. The triumph that people envision is often overcome by dejection as they reflect on their unfinished resolutions. An alternative to keeping resolutions (or not keeping them) is making a rememberlutions jar. Instead of creating goals to eat healthier or exercise more, fill a jar with slips of paper with accomplishments and good memories written on them. I started my rememberlutions jar three years ago, after my older sister stumbled across a Buzzfeed post suggesting it as a fun alternative to making resolutions. We were drawn to the idea of focusing on the positive aspects of the year to come instead of the failures from the previous year. Often, resolutions fall through because of a lack of motivation or small failures, so a rememberlutions jar is a perfect substitute for those who get discouraged easily. It encourages people to recognize that that every step along the way to achieving a goal is just as significant as
Art
by A n
nie
Zho
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achieving the goal itself. Each slip is a step closer toward achieving a bigger goal, and is a reminder of everything you have accomplished. That New Year’s day, my sister and I spent the whole morning decorating our mason jars — hers adorned with hand-painted waves and mine with bright dots and too many clashing colors. Although my sister’s jar is currently stashed in storage, my jar has its own place atop my desk, its bright colors reminding me to look out for the positive peeking out from behind the negative. Making your own rememberlutions jar is as simple as obtaining a mason jar, decorating it and putting it in an easily accessible space, so that you remember to add slips every day. They don’t need to be about general acheivements either — a jar about travel, food or bucket-list items can be just as motivating. It can also be started at any time during the year — after all, why wait for a new year to start recording achievements that happen all the time? Three years later, my rememberlutions jar is still filled with old slips — memories of scenic road trips and beautiful hikes, delicious meals, good company and important milestones. All of these slips have changed the way I view life’s ups and downs, and helped me recognize the positive things I never would have paid attention to otherwise. You have so many more achievements than can be described in a few resolutions. No matter how big or small, write them down, fold them up, and when you need a reminder of how far you’ve come, your rememberlutions jar will be there for you. v erson
And Maya Art by
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THE DAMORE DILEMMA
Text by GILA WINEFELD Art by MAYA ANDERSON
IS GOOGLE PREJUDICED AGAINST WHITE MEN?
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OMEN GENERALLY have a stronger interest in people rather than things.” These are the controvesial words of former Google employee James Damore. In August 2017, Damore wrote a lengthy memorandum on the company’s internal messaging board, explaining how the biological differences between women and men justify the gender gap at Google and in the tech industry in general. He also argued that Google’s attempts at diversification are ineffective, and suggested alternative methods. Within a few days of the memo going public, Google fired Damore. In early January, Damore filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the company discriminates against white, conservative men. Like most, I was initially shocked by Damore’s complaints. How could he say that Google uses illegal quotas to employ women, when the company still has a strong, 69 percent male majority? How can he complain about Google firing him based off liberal bias when his memo was blatantly sexist? But as I dug deeper into Damore’s case, I saw that the issue wasn’t so blackand-white. As I perused Damore’s 10-page memorandum, looking for harmful, sexist statements that would immediately justify his firing from Google, I realized I couldn’t find them. In fact, even as a girl interested in STEM, I found that many of his observations about the differences between men and women were, on average, fairly accurate. For instance, Damore noticed that women tend to have higher levels of “agreeableness” as well as “extraversion expressed as gregariousness.” Were there parts of the memo that I didn’t agree with, parts that I could imagine debating and countering with logical arguments? Sure. But would it be fair to call Damore a brutal male chauvinist? Probably not.
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On the contrary, Damore advocated for increased diversity in tech, but questioned the rationale of Google’s “arbitrary social engineering” such as affirmative action employment and mentoring programs only open to certain genders or races. Damore argued that these programs are designed “just to make it [tech] appealing to equal portions of men and women,” with the hope of correcting Google’s long-criticized male majority. So why was Damore fired? It’s very likely that the decision stemmed not from the company leadership’s indignation with Damore’s opinion, but from fear. Amid rising criticism (and even a lawsuit) over the stagnant, disproportionately low numbers of women at Google, the company may have simply been afraid of the further backlash they would have faced had Damore stayed. Google primarily uses at-will employment, meaning that, with a few exceptions, employers can fire an employee for any reason at any time. Additionally, free speech in the workplace is not protected under the First Amendment when it comes to private sector employees such as Damore. So it’s not clear whether Damore’s lawsuit has a firm legal foothold.
Google tech roles by gender
20%
80%
Women
Men
In 2017, women made up about 20% of Google tech employees. Source: Google Diversity.
However, the lawsuit certainly brings up the issue of intolerance towards dissenting speech at many Bay Area tech companies including Google. We should be able to openly talk about issues as sensitive as gender equality and diversity in a bipartisan way, without fear of being ostracized. Google firing Damore has done quite the opposite. At the end of the day, everyone agrees that there are disproportionately low numbers of women in tech. In late 2016, a study conducted by Accenture and Girls Who Code found that an overwhelming 82 percent of computer science majors were male, despite the fact that more and more women are going to college. There is no doubt that we should be encouraging women to pursue computer science if that’s where their interests lie. But we should also evaluate whether the attempts to “enforce” diversity as elucidated by Damore in his memo and lawsuit are helpful and moral, or if they’re sparking polarized discussions surrounding feminism at tech companies. And if so, we need to rethink the way we talk about gender equality in tech. v
perspectives
Dicing up districts
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Text and art by WARREN WAGNER
THE INJUSTICES OF GERRYMANDERING
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BOUT A 100-SEAT SWING both governor and president — elections in the House of Representatives that don’t rely on state government-drawn can be achieved without chang- districts. But the state sends 13 Republiing a single vote. This is because cans to Congress, and only five Democrats. in the United States, voters don't always Thankfully, the Pennsylvania Supreme choose their representatives; the representa- Court struck down the state’s district map tives choose their voters. in January, saying that it constitutes a parFiveThirtyEight, a nonpartisan web- tisan gerrymander that “clearly, plainly, and site that uses statistics to analyze politics, palpably” violates the Pennsylvania Constirecently published a tool that shows seven tution. And on Feb. 5, the U.S. Supreme possible district maps of the United States, Court didn't block the ruling, which it each gerrymandered differently. could have done. The New York Times estiIn FiveThirtyEight's analysis, if Re- mated that this will most likely give Dempublicans gerrymandered every district, ocrats at least one more seat in Congress, they would hold 275 seats in the House, which could make a difference in our naDemocrats would hold 139, and 21 would tion’s polarized politics. be toss-ups. If Democrats had their way, A common defense of gerrymandering they would take 263 seats, Republicans is that “America isn’t supposed to be a direct would take 145, and 27 democracy; we’re a rewould be competitive. public.” That's true, Gerrymandering That’s a massive but it’s an odd way to swing, and the only avoid debate. is a fundamentally thing that changed was All that “repubthe party that got to undemocratic praclic” means is that citmanipulate our district izens elect representice that damages lines. Partisan gerrytatives to govern the both parties. mandering is a fundacountry, which we do. mentally undemocratic In no way does that practice that damages both parties, no two serve an excuse for those representatives to ways about it. exploit our elections for partisan gain. Many state courts are making new rulRepublicans often make this argument ings on gerrymandering, and the Supreme in favor of gerrymandering, which is counCourt will decide multiple cases on the top- terintuitive, because both parties are guilty ic in the coming months. These cases will of the practice. However, Republican voters shape our politics for years to come. are more spread out, and they control more Our real map isn’t nearly as exploited state governments, which makes gerrymanas those hypotheticals, but FiveThirtyE- dering easier and more effective. ight’s maps show just how damaging gerryBut many Republicans, like former mandering can be. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Because the party in power gets to Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Arizona Sendraw the districts, this practice has long ator John McCain, have been vocal in the been considered a “perk” of controlling the fight against partisan redistricting. They restate government, but this doesn’t make any alize that even if they benefit, it's unhealthy sense. Just because a party won an election, for the country in the long term. that doesn’t mean we should give them the If partisan gerrymandering is put to an ability to ensure that they keep winning. end, our country will be more democratic, The Pennsylvania congressional map is and our people better represented, which is one of the most gerrymandered in the coun- why it’s crucial that the Supreme Court rule try. The state is a toss-up in elections for against this undemocratic processs. v
Mapping it out
P
artisan gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating the lines of political districts to favor one party. This is frequently done at the state level; the party in power redraws district maps, creating a tangible advantage in elections. This diagram illustrates the effects of gerrymandering in a district made up of 50 people. Forty percent are voters for the white circle party, and 60 percent are voters for the black diamond party.
With this map, the black diamonds win a 5-0 majority.
But with this map, the white circles win a 3-2 majority.
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TAMAR’S TANGENT
Text by TAMAR SARIG Art by ASHLEY ZHAO
pro-choice, anti-action?
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT ABORTION
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ARLIER THIS MONTH, THE Senate voted on a bill that would ban almost all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The country’s attention was caught up in bigger things — the ongoing immigration debate, the House memo, the stock market — and the bill received relatively little airtime. I heard very little about the bill at school, even among my more politically minded and pro-choice friends. And what I did hear was dismissive: the bill failed. It was only a 20-week ban, not a total prohibition. And with everything else that’s going on in our country, who has time to care about abortion, of all things? This episode, though only a small blip in the history of women’s rights in this country, is indicative of a bigger problem. Though young Americans are as prochoice as ever, the movement suffers from what some call an “intensity gap” between the levels of support and commitment espoused by each side of the debate. Compared with those who oppose the right to abortion, pro-choice millennials simply don’t care as much. According to polling done in 2010 by NARAL, a leading pro-choice organization, only 26 percent of voters under 30 who favored abortion rights considered it a “very important” issue, as opposed to 51 percent of anti-abortion millennials. And in every year between 2001 and 2015 (the most recent polling year), Gallup found that self-identified pro-lifers were more likely than pro-choicers to say they’d only vote for a candidate who shared their views on abortion, a problem that seems likely to worsen as the next generation of voters becomes increasingly dismissive of abortion rights. In some ways, this makes sense. The pro-choice cause is hardly glamorous. Ar-
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guing for bodily autonomy can come off as cold and clinical in a debate that is so often waged in emotional terms. And it’s harder to galvanize a crowd, to make people angry enough to take action, by talking about privacy rights and women’s health than by talking about murder. But the apathy I see among people my age runs deeper than that. It seems, to me, to stem from a feeling of complacency. The common belief is that while women’s equality may not have been completely achieved yet, the right to an abortion is secure. That battle was fought and won in the 1970s, by women old enough to be our grandmothers. We worry about parental leave and campus sexual assault, but the days of limited access to abortion and birth control are so distant — especially in a pro-choice state like California — as to seem hardly worth remembering. But as the Senate’s vote shows, abortion is hardly a settled issue. Across the country, states continue to enact burdensome regulations and restrictions on abortion, which have had the effect of shutting down dozens of women’s health clinics. Though some of these laws have been overturned by the Supreme Court, many remain unchallenged. It may be hard to imagine as Palo Altans, but for poor and rural women in much of the country, getting an abortion is already close to impossible. Of course, this sort of complacency isn’t limited to reproductive rights. We’re all prone to thinking that the rights we enjoy will be here forever, with little or no action on our part to conserve them. But when we take our liberties for granted, we’re less likely to hold our leaders accountable when they en-
croach on those freedoms. And though the Trump administration seems to have instilled a renewed sense of fear and vigilance in many Americans (if surging ACLU donations and memberships are anything to go by), reproductive rights have still fallen by the wayside. As with all our other rights, we must be vigilant in protecting our bodily autonomy or risk losing it. The prospect of going back to the days before abortion was readily accessible is more than a vaguely uncomfortable thought. It’s a highly possible reality, and for women, it would mean the end of our ability to control our bodies and our family planning. Something so serious should never be relegated to the sidelines. We all need to be informed, active and passionate about a topic that holds so much sway over our (and others’) daily lives. v
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