The Arrow November 2020

the

Arrow 100 Lakeview Canyon Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362 Volume XLIV Issue 1 November 19, 2020

WHS Students return to campus page 4

Clubs and COVID–19

Celebrating Diwali

Voting Importance

page 6

page 9

page 17

In this issue

4 7 12 20

ASG adjusts to online activities

Thanksgiving during a pandemic The Office leaves Netflix Surf team perseveres

Our staff

editors–in–chief songhee lee, lauren pak & lindsey romano web editors-in-chief kyra berg & abigail thompson news section editors angela ling & allan tieu news editor harrison weinberg feature section editor soumya monga feature editors olivia delgrosso, nadia grdodian & makenna norman A & E section editor abigail thompson A & E editors juliana rendon & vivian stein

opinion section editor sophie robson opinion editor sophia haines

Letter to our readers Dear Warriors, It’s been a minute since we’ve published one of these things, but we’re back and better than ever … just online.

You may have had several sleepless nights pondering where we went after March 13 — our social media went INACTIVE, our website INACTIVE (for the most part) — but just like other high school publications, we were busy navigating this online space and creating a completely new approach to the school newspaper.

However, after much trouble–shooting and brainstorming, we present to you The Arrow’s very first digital magazine. In over 40 years of The Arrow publications, we have never explored this option, but in a world where news is moving closer and closer to exclusively online, we’re excited for the opportunity to move our publication online as well, at least for now.

You’ll see some things completely new to The Arrow: colored pages, new fonts and a brand new editing program. But you’ll also recognize several familiar aspects: interactive graphics, eye–catching photos and our same journalistic values.

There is a lot of news that we covered this issue ranging from The Office leaving Netflix and election results to a serious debate over breakfast foods — a dream finally fulfilled after four years.

More importantly though, to our WHS students, we bring answers to all your burning questions about school reopening and safety protocols, club information and how ASG is managing to work out our favorite school events!

Although we won’t be able to deliver our fresh stack of newspapers and all of our hard work directly to your fifth period classes, we encourage you to check out our website and share our digital magazine with peers and family members.

During these “unprecedented” times, we were all given time to reflect, change and grow. We want our publication to represent the voices of the student body, so feel free to share your ideas or concerns with us at westlakearrow@gmail.com.

Signing off, Songhee Lee, Lauren Pak and Lindsey Romano The Editor Team 2020-21

sports section editor owen kobett sports editor roman walker graphics editor angela ling photo editor alyssa rice business manager margaret teegarden adviser karie lynch

The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1 CP classes at Westlake High School.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, Westlake High School administration, faculty or student body. We welcome feedback. Letters must be signed by the writer.

Cover photo by Angela Ling

In brief Thanksgiving break

What Biden being elected might mean for students With Biden being elected president, students will see new changes to certain aspects of school life.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

by harrison weinberg news page editor President–Elect Joe Biden won the nomination to be the 46th president of the United States on Nov. 7 in the 2020 presidential election.

According to the Associated Press, Biden currently has a vote count of 79,146,779, being 51% of the vote, and about 6 million votes above his opponent, current President Donald Trump. He won about half of the states and 290 electoral votes as well.

“We have elected a president who represents the best in us, a leader the world will respect and our children will look up to, a commander–in–chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe and a president for all Americans,” said Vice President–Elect Kamala Harris in her victory speech.

Biden has many different goals that he aims to accomplish during his presidency, including putting multiple plans in place for education to help students.

Some of these include doubling the numbers of health professionals at schools, providing both physical and mental support for students and parents and making school environments safer.

“President Biden will invest in resources for our schools so students grow into physically and emotionally healthy adults, and educators can focus on teaching,” according to Biden’s campaign website.

Biden also has many plans for dealing with COVID–19 that affect everyone across the globe. His plans include making masks mandatory when out in public, creating a COVID–19 taskforce and making testing widely available, all to help stop the spread of the virus in the United States and ultimately help schools return to in–person classes faster.

"Look, a pandemic doesn’t play favorites, nor will I,"

said Biden in a speech just a week and a half before the election. “As I said, no red states, no blue states, just the United States. United in our response, united in our purpose to stop the spread of COVID–19 and beat this virus.”

Another one of Biden’s plans is to “provide every middle and high school student a path to a successful career” by ensuring high schools prepare students for good jobs and create more opportunities for students to take practical classes that lead to credentials.

“The Biden Administration will invest in school vocational training and partnerships between high schools, community colleges and employers,” according to Biden’s campaign website. “These partnerships will create programs that allow students to earn an industry credential upon high school graduation, a credential that readies them for a good–paying career.”

Furthermore, Biden plans to ensure that no child’s education and future is determined by his or her race, ethnicity, household income, disability or where he or she lives. He plans to accomplish this through investing in schools to eliminate the funding gap between white and non–white as well as rich and poor districts, improving teacher diversity, building better schools in low–income communities and communities of color, diversifying schools and making sure children with disabilities have the support they need to succeed.

“When you look at schools with students of color versus schools with white students, there’s about a $23 billion dollar gap in the amount of funding that we provide to those schools,” said Richard Gray, deputy director of New York University’s Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, in an interview with CNBC. “Closing this gap is essential and we’re very happy to see this kind of commitment to investment in the part of a candidate Biden.”

Thanksgiving Break is the week of Nov. 23–27. Classes will not be held throughout the break, and campus will not be open.

Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 26. Students will resume classes on Monday, Nov. 30.

Returning to school WHS is planning to return to in–class learning starting Jan. 19, 2021. The date was decided in a Board of Education meeting held on Oct. 20. Proper safety measures have been planned for the return, including allowing only small groups of students on campus at a time and making sure all students socially distance and wear masks.

Current COVID–19 overview As of Nov. 16, the United States has about 11.3 million total COVID–19 cases, 247 thousand total deaths and 135 thousand current cases. California alone has about 1 million total cases, 18 thousand total deaths and 9 thousand current cases.

The statistics have been fluctuating over time, but U.S. cases have been slowly on the rise since September. However, plans like mandatory mask–wearing are slowly starting to be enforced to help prevent the pandemic from getting any worse.

Compiled by Harrison Weinberg

NEWS

3

WHS classes return to campus early Eight WHS classes have returned to campus for in–person learning as a test run before the Jan. 19 high school return date. by angela ling

co–news section & graphics editor

4

NEWS

SIX FEET APART: Students in Joshua Eby's AP Psychology class socially distance by sitting in every other desk. In Evan Postal's directed studies class, students bring their own devices or they can work on the devices already in the classroom.

REDIRECTION: Yellow arrows are painted around campus, and blue arrow stickers are placed in the carpeted hallways as a way to direct students and reduce traffic.

SAFETY FIRST: Portable sanitizing and hand–washing stations are located throughout campus to remind students to keep their hands clean.

"My class in particular, being an AP class, goes really fast, and I just think seeing students in– person and face–to–face interaction will help them," said Eby. "There’s a lot of anecdotal information in psychology and some hands–on things that are really hard to do over Zoom."

To accommodate remote students, Eby uses two computers, one directed at him and the other at the in–person students so that remote students can see the whole class.

Another pilot class is Advanced Anatomy, which started official in–person class on Nov. 2.

"Honestly, it's been really nice," said Advanced Anatomy co–president Celia Grant '21. "Learning in a

PHOTOS BY ANGELA LING, LAUREN PAK & LINDSEY ROMANO

In early November, several WHS classes began meeting in–person before the Jan. 19 high school return date outlined in the CVUSD timeline.

These classes are part of CVUSD's Return to Campus Pilot Program where certain quarter two teachers have volunteered to host on–campus class as a trial run.

Students that choose to attend in–person can enter campus at the bridge, the North Lot by Building 3 or the student parking lot where they will go through a health screening. Once on campus, students must wear masks and maintain social distance.

Several hand–washing stations can be found around campus as well as HVAC fans and air scrubbers to improve ventilation while indoors.

Classroom doors and windows will remain open for the same purpose.

In addition, arrows are painted on the ground to maintain traffic flow, and tables and other sitting areas are cordoned off to help students maintain a safe distance from each other. "[Students] were still mostly online because [Nov. 9] was the first day back, and they’re just getting used to the schedule, but they didn’t have a problem," said directed studies teacher Evan Postal. "They were able to keep their distance in the classroom and follow the different arrows and signs at the school."

Because some students have opted for remote learning, these classes will be "combination classes," with teachers teaching in–person and remote students simultaneously.

"It was not as easy as I thought. It might be because I had some kids on Zoom, but then I also had other kids in the classroom," said Postal. "If I didn’t mute, then everybody else was hearing [what I said]."

Despite these hiccups, Postal appreciates providing a normal learning environment for his students.

"I just noticed that, even though most of my students are showing up online, it’s not the same as the in–person instruction and they are not getting the] help that they need," said Postal.

AP Psychology teacher Joshua Eby, whose class began meeting on Nov. 12, is also glad to be teaching his students in–person again.

physical classroom is a lot better than learning through a computer."

One change in Anatomy this year is that for dissections, students are split into groups that rotate every two weeks, allowing them to gain a more "expansive overview" than in the past.

Although class bonding might be difficult this year, Grant and co–president Emma Victor '21 have hosted online activities to help peers adjust.

"We have started to work on class bonding through creating a Discord [chat] and playing Among Us on it," said Grant. "We also have a class group chat, but we have been trying to come up with some more ways to safely engage in class bonding."

ASG adapts to online format Remote learning has created many issues that ASG has had to work around in order to virtually connect with the student body. by allan tieu co–news section editor Online schooling during the 2020–2021 school year at WHS has caused many classes to adapt to the new method of teaching. However, classes such as ASG, where students usually plan large school events, must especially overcome several obstacles and find new ways to include the student body.

While ASG is normally one large class, due to the Cohort A and B system and periods 1–6 being separated into two different quarters, ASG now has four classes and two advisors. Co–adviser Krystle Sundberg teaches period 1 and co–adviser Missy Magpali teaches period 5.

"First period is dedicated to new ASG members, specifically freshmen and some upperclassmen, while fifth period is for returning students, class officers and ASG board members,” said Sundberg.

ASG has around 50–60 members this year split between four different classes and two entirely different time periods. “[Having four separate classes] is kind of confusing because we were so used to working altogether in one class,” said ASG junior class secretary Kelsey Farhit ‘22. “We have different classes that don’t interact that often. However, I think it is working out, and it gets more people involved in planning.”

We have different classes that don't interact that often. However, I think it is working out, and it gets more people involved in planning."

–Kelsey Farhit

Although some problems arose for the ASG staff, the members were able to work around them and find new ways to stay connected and involved.

“We can’t do our regular scheduled events,” said ASG board president Amy Song ‘21. “We can’t have big events like rallies and homecoming, but at the same time, we’ve had to really adapt and use our creativity to come up with new ideas.”

Some of these new ideas include weekly lunchtime activities, Trivia Tuesdays and Game Day Thursdays, in which students can sign up by RSVPing to a Google form sent to their learn account emails.

Students will then receive a Zoom link to join the activity. Trivia Tuesdays are played through Kahoot and Game Day Thursdays through a variety of platforms.

GRAPHIC BY ALLAN TIEU

The most recent game for Game Day Thursday was an Among Us Tournament.

Although ASG has come up with these ideas in replacement of its regular activities on campus, Farhit feels that there is another issue with being completely remote.

“It is a lot more complicated to plan events and get students to come,” said Farhit. “Normally, we have events at lunch with music playing and people show[ing] up, but it is hard now to come up with virtual events and get people to show up.”

Another issue is that ASG is an interactive class.

Some students may need assistance from upperclassmen accomplishing a task that they do not have the experience to do. Other students may be used to the ASG process and are efficient with the resources it is given this year.

“For some people, there really is no difference," said Sundberg. "They are still excited to be in ASG and participate in everything. For others, it is difficult because they need the connection of face to face contact and communication.”

Fortunately for ASG, starting Nov. 9, some teachers went back to campus to teach in person to small groups of students. Magpali is one of the teachers who returned to campus on Nov. 10.

"Starting [Nov. 10], the new pilot program will allow for half the [ASG] students in my class to return to campus," said Magpali. "Half of them are feeling comfortable remotely, although there are certain aspects that we don't necessarily get on campus, but the students who need the on campus feel will now have that opportunity."

However, not everything about remote learning for ASG students has been bad. ASG has started to use social media to better connect and communicate with the student body.

“[Virtual events] are not as easy to get people to come, but I think some of the positives of this situation are that we are learning to adapt to certain situations and explore different areas like utilizing social media to connect to students,” said Farhit.

“We did not use to do this, and we are doing everything we can to work this quarter. It is kind of interesting to see where we can go with ASG this year.”

Also, ASG uses its time very differently in class due to the structure of the remote schedule.

"Normally we would have meetings at the beginning of class, and then work on our own individual events or lunchtime things," said Song.

"But this year because of COVID–19, we ended up doing more leadership things and increased bonding within ASG."

But this year because of Covid–19, we ended up doing more leadership things and increased bonding within ASG." –Amy Song

So far this school year, ASG students have had to adapt and overcome to try and connect with the student body in different ways. They had to adjust to their current situation and make the best out of it in order to be successful.

“I personally think ASG is a lot stronger this year,” said Song. “There are a few factors that contribute to this. Our expanded class allows for more ideas and discussion to come in. ASG has definitely improved in communication, and we make sure to stay on top of everything. I feel that the only downfall is that we’ve had to quickly adjust and plan our events and ideas to engage the student body while social distancing and being accessible to everyone.”

NEWS 5

COVID–19 safety precautions

Celebrating Thanksgiving during a pandemic Thanksgiving is right around the corner. With the current COVID–19 pandemic, it is important to consider how to safely celebrate this holiday.

Wearing a mask is the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID–19.

Masks

block

the

potential

virus–

carrying aerosols that are released when you breathe.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, 6– 10 times a day, especially after being in a public place.

When

someone

coughs,

sneezes

or

talks, particles are launched into the air and

can

travel

far.

Staying

six

feet

away from others keeps you safe from virus–carrying

aerosols

and

can

prevent you from potentially spreading them if you are sick.

Sources: cdc.gov 6 FEATURE

GRAPHIC BY MAKENNA NORMAN

by makenna norman feature page editor People are huddled in the kitchen cooking their favorite meals, impatiently waiting for dinner to be ready. The younger kids are running around, annoying the teenagers, and grandparents are marvelling at how tall their grandchildren have gotten since last fall. Thanksgiving has always been a day where the entire family gathers. While many wish they could partake in their usual Thanksgiving traditions this year, it is necessary to approach a safer way to celebrate this holiday.

In early 2020, the COVID–19 pandemic began, making large social gatherings ill–advised because just one person could infect an entire group of people. With Thanksgiving approaching, people must consider how to celebrate this holiday without risking the health of themselves and their family members.

"The COVID–19 epidemic is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID–19 cases,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”

Typically on Thanksgiving Day, family members from different households, cities and states convene in one home. However, due to COVID-19, travelling poses a threat. Flying, public transportation, staying in hotel rooms or even frequently stopping at gas stations increases the risk of being exposed to and contracting the virus.

"This may not be the time to have a big family gathering,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in an interview with The New York Times.

“That doesn’t mean no one should gather for Thanksgiving. You’ve got to be careful. It depends on the vulnerability of the people you’re with and your need to protect them.”

Not all of the most effective safety precautions can be taken during a Thanksgiving dinner. Masks cannot be worn while eating and people cannot socially distance as the average table does not

accommodate six feet spaces between individuals.

Outdoor eating would provide the best air ventilation, but this unfortunately isn’t an option for most states in late November.

"I think we need to realize things might be different this year, particularly if you want to have people who are going to be flying in from a place that has a lot of infection,” Fauci told Yahoo News.

“There are many people who are not going to want to take that risk.”

The rate at which the virus is spreading is different in every state. If a large number of people are travelling from a highly infected state to one with less cases, there is a higher chance that they have been exposed to the virus. This could potentially cause a surge in the number of cases at that once stable state.

The mask and social distancing guidelines vary throughout the country, so it is important to keep in mind that not every member of the family is taking the same precautions to avoid getting sick.

"It’s sad [having to do things differently this year],” said Samuel Hronek ‘23, who will be celebrating Thanksgiving with his immediate family rather than having a large gathering from different households. “But my family has kind of accepted that fact, and we are trying to do as much as we can to stay as normal as possible."

Zoom and other video chat programs can be used to bring the family together while staying apart. Seeing your loved ones’ faces on a screen isn’t the same as being in person, but it is the best way to keep people safe since it is contactless and eliminates the need to travel.

If an in–person gathering feels like the only option, consider having as few people over at a time, keeping windows open and having one person who is wearing a mask serve the food instead of passing around dishes. If possible, have dinner outside, and always wear a mask when not eating.

"With the current situation right now, we can’t really do anything about it,” said Bethany Tong ‘22.

“If [not having a big gathering] is gonna help stop the spread, then I’m fine with it.”

PHOTO BY SOUMYA MONGA

WARM WELCOME: National English Honor Society gives a warm welcome to its newest publicist, Brooke Nind '22 and treasurer, Ryan Chu '22, during its second meeting on Friday, Nov. 11.

Clubs connect students during distance learning Clubs and activities provide a way for students to interact with each other and their communities, improving their mental health during COVID-19. by soumya monga feature section editor As you join your first class, you notice that no other student has his or her video on during the lecture. Breakout rooms are no better. Day after day, the same story repeats.

Distance learning has impacted students’ mental health due to a lack of interaction during class, but WHS clubs are slowly changing that.

ASG junior class treasurer Jacqueline Holtz ‘22 is involved in various clubs, such as WHS Group Chat and Young Investors Society. Distance learning left the need for Holtz to be flexible which impacted her mental health.

“I’m a very social person, and I feel like I feed off of people’s energy, so if I’m all alone, I’ll probably be more sad,” said Holtz. “Passing periods [during in–person school] make the classes seem less stressful.”

In ASG, Holtz has been organizing fundraisers for her class since freshman year. Due to COVID19, her current goal is to make the activities seem more exciting to get more students involved.

“Everyone’s been staring at their screen for three hours … so they want to have a break from it, so [the activity] better be something good and exciting for people to want to spend an extra hour on Zoom,” said Holtz.

Holtz, who met her own friends through clubs,

recommends that freshmen join clubs this year to find their friend groups.

“I can't imagine being a freshman during this time because it's the biggest time to make friends," said Holtz. "You find your groups in freshman year, your little cliques. Especially, clubs are a great way to meet people with the same interests as you, so you guys immediately have a connection. Those friends that you meet in those clubs, because you all have the same passion of something really important, can carry on through the next four years or after graduating.”

Liliana Dritz ‘22, a member of WHS Calligraphers of the World and Student PTSA, also finds it harder to socialize during distance learning but feels that clubs help her stay involved with her community. “[Clubs] have kept me involved with the school but also the community through the fundraisers, and we make cards that we send to the health care workers that just keep you engaged,” said Dritz.

Though Zoom makes it difficult, Dritz feels there is a social element present in club meetings.

“It’s nice to interact with people that you might not talk to in class from all grade levels,” said Dritz.

She recommends experimenting with different clubs since there's no obligation to stay.

For Richard Hoffmann '23, school did not feel the same when WHS went remote, so he joined a

variety of clubs to feel more productive by pursuing his passions during his free time.

He is involved with various clubs such as Physics Club, Education Equality, Green Alliance, Music Uniting Societies Everywhere and Future Business Leaders of America.

“I really wanted to do more clubs this year because I didn’t [join] as many as I would have liked [last year], and because of the pandemic I had a lot more free time, so I [wanted to] get more productive and meet new people,” said Hoffmann.

During COVID–19, Hoffmann struggles with feeling unproductive because there are less classes to attend each day than previous years.

“A lot of times, I'm feeling unproductive because classes are shorter, … and it feels like we're not having as much class, but overall [distance learning] hasn't really impacted my mental health,” said Hoffmann. “It still feels like I'm learning, … and it still feels like school, but it's obviously not the same.”

Hoffmann enjoys clubs more this year because of the convenience of joining through Zoom, which allows him to attend every meeting. “[Feeling connected to the school] was a reason [to join clubs],” said Hoffman. “To get to know more people and to have more of a sense of school.”

For more information on WHS clubs and interest groups, visit the activities link on the WHS website: conejousd.org/whs FEATURE 7

Managing stress during distance learning With all students learning remotely, many struggle with declining mental health. However, there are many ways to combat this stress. by margaret teegarden business manager Since the start of COVID–19 and especially as school has begun once again, students have been struggling with decreasing mental health. Without the normal routine of in–person schooling and with the lack of sports teams for many, students have found it difficult to stay positive.

“Essentially all of [the students] are struggling either with the lack of control they have over the situation, the uncertainty ... as well as grief about all of the losses that 2020 has brought about,” according to Mark Sanders, a therapist and director of substance abuse at Saint Raphael Counseling, in an interview by Peterson's, an educational services company. “Stress, anxiety and depression are unbelievably high right now and the social isolation that many people feel has exacerbated these issues."

To combat these feelings of stress, it is important to continue to maintain a routine and manage one’s time wisely.

"From getting up early and prioritizing tasks to avoiding distractions and setting goals, managing your time wisely will give you the structure you need to tackle both your academic and personal to do list while learning online,” according to Walden University. “It’s a stress management tip that takes some time to master, but one that will improve many aspects of your life for years to come.”

When in school, it is crucial to stay organized and take breaks when one is feeling worn out.

“Keep your desks neat, create folders on your computer, map out your quarter or semester and set reminders for important dates,” according to Walden University. “Once you get organized, you’ll feel your stress levels go down immediately. Sitting in one spot for hours on end as you learn online isn't good for your mind or body. Stand up and stretch. Go for a walk. Call a friend.”

Exercising is important too, even if a student's club or school team isn’t practicing at the moment. Running or biking has been proven to lift people's mood and help keep his or her weight in check as well.

“Consider engaging in physical activity once or twice daily,” according to the University of Michigan Health System: Department of Psychiatry.

“Strength training has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety for individuals with and without an anxiety disorder … and other physical activity is associated with elevations in self-esteem, improved concentration, reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in sleep.”

Regardless of how one decides to relieve stress during these unprecedented times, it is important to check in with oneself throughout the day. Journaling and meditating are both beneficial ways for one to let go of stress and relax more.

“Take a moment to regularly check in with yourself to gauge how you're feeling physically and mentally,” according to Walden University.

“Incorporate the stress management techniques that work best for you.”

Tips and Tricks for Staying Positive It's easy to feel burnt out during distance learning. Here are some easy ways to brighten your day!

Exercise Get moving! Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and negative moods and improve one's self esteem. Whether you're going for a jog, riding a bike or simply doing some yoga, getting up and moving around for half an hour a day will help you feel happier and more focused.

Be Social Give someone a call! With distance learning taking up much of students' time, it's easy to forget to stay socialized with those around them. Connecting with friends can boost feelings of happiness and well–being and can even sharpen memory and cognitive skills.

Smile Just smile! Studies have shown that even a forced smile can decrease stress and increase feelings of happiness. Plus, smiles are contagious; people that you smile at are more likely to smile back at you, creating a positive feedback loop that leaves everyone feeling better.

GRAPHIC BY MARGARET TEEGARDEN

8

FEATURE

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

DEEPAVALI BEING LIT: The two young girls, dressed in traditional garments, are lighting the Deepavali candles in preparation for the Diwali celebration.

WHS students celebrate Diwali Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of India's major holidays where friends and family gather and celebrate to honor the god Rama. During the celebration, people light candles, decorate their homes and participate in prayer. by nadia grdodian feature page editor In Hindu mythology, there is a god named Rama who was banished to the forest for 14 years because his step mother wanted her own son Bharatha to be king. During their time in the forest, Ravana, a multi–headed demon, kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita. When Rama was returning to Ayodhya after rescuing Sita, everyone was cheerful and decided to light their path to the palace with candles and celebrate with sweets. This celebration is now known as the festival of Diwali.

Diwali is a lively celebration, celebrated by millions of Sikhs, Jains and Hindus. It’s a festival of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, and it takes place between October and November. There are many different Diwali backstories. In addition to this Northern backstory, there is also a Southern backstory which celebrates the defeat of Narakasura by the Hindu deity Krishna.

Diwali is celebrated for one day, but it is a part of a longer celebration. WHS students who celebrate Diwali say that despite their

families celebrating it for only one day, it is extremely festive.

"Diwali is such a fun time because you get to get together with all your friends and get a chance to light the whole house, which brings a lot of positivity,” said Tanya Patel ‘23.

I feel proud celebrating this holiday because it symbolizes what my culture is about."

-Swasinya Jayaraman

Gokul Srirmasubramanian ‘23 describes how amazing the experience of celebrating is and of how spirited India’s celebration is. In India, most women wear sarees, the principle garment worn by Hindu women, and a few of them dress in kurtis, salwar kameez, anarkali suit or lehengas. They light up fireworks, decorate their homes and do many more exciting things.

“It’s just a really cool experience, especially in India,” said Srirmasubramian. “In India, there are fireworks going off constantly. It is a much more lively experience there.”

Diwali dates back more than 2,500 years, and it is a very important celebration to many people who take

part in it. The festival is very vibrant and high– spirited.

“I feel proud celebrating this holiday because it symbolizes what my culture is about,” said Swasinya Jayaraman’23.

Many people say that Diwali is more than just the festivities of lighting candles and eating sweets.

Contrary to this belief, many families think of it as a celebration of their culture, religion and victory over evil.

“Diwali is more than just lighting candles and sparklers,” said Chaarvi Goel ’22. “[It] is an important religious day … We light [10–50] candles.

It’s supposed to show how there can be light even in the dark.”

Diwali is an important celebration to many people because it is a time to gather with family and friends and honor the start of new beginnings.

Culture and religion are important aspects of the Diwali celebration.

“It’s just a chance to celebrate my heritage,” said Goel. “I’m not completely integrated with my religion, and it’s hard to feel connected with that part of myself, but every couple of days of the year, one of which is Diwali, I feel like there is another part of me that I haven’t really explored and that I can get closer to.”

FEATURE 9

Students make statements with masks Clothes are a form of self–expression, and masks don't have to be any different. by olivia delgrosso feature page editor

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAIGE VALLADARES

Why wear a plain, disposable face mask when you can make it more interesting?

Face masks have become an important part of everyday life due to COVID–19, and several WHS students are making the best of it through fashion, treating their masks like another customizable article of clothing.

Paige Valladares ‘24 started a small business that sells embroidered disposable masks for $5 each through her Instagram account, @paige__noel. She has embroidered masks with cherries, suns, flowers, stars and pumpkins.

“I really just thought that the plain blue masks were boring, so I learned to embroider them, and … I got a really positive response,” said Valladares.

“I think that masks suck but are completely necessary, so why not make them cute?”

Sofia Moscovitch '22 uses her creativity to customize masks in a different way. Through the

use of fabric markers, she likes to share things that are important to her.

"I feel as if my clothing represents who I am as a person,” said Moscovitch. “I write little messages like 'Black Lives Matter' or 'all love is love'.”

For many students, such as Amelia Daisa ‘23, masks can also serve as an extension of their personality, showcasing their interests and beliefs.

“Even though [masks] can be annoying at times, they protect you,” said Daisa. “I use my style and masks to try and show my personality and express myself.”

Isabella Lake ‘21 explains that masks can even be used to help start discussions about important issues or special causes.

“Face masks, like all other clothing items, are a way to express our creativity and our sentiments,” said Lake. “They can be used as devices to convey a number of messages, including one's support of a certain activist cause and to kick–start conversations about how to combat institutional HARD AT WORK: Paige Valladares spruces up some blue paper masks with her embroidering skills. Her corruption.” most popular patterns are shown.

FEATURE

MAKING A STATEMENT: Amelia Daisa displays a mask with a Black Lives Matter fist on the side. It is her favorite to wear, as “It's very breathable, and [she] love[s] the message.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISABELLA LAKE

10

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMELIA DAISA

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOFIA MOSCOVITCH

KEEPING IT SIMPLE: Sofia Moscovitch walks around the WHS campus in a solid satin mask that matches her shirt. She believes that “wearing a mask is something you should do for yourself and others,” so when in public, she keeps one on at all times.

NEW LOOK: Isabella Lake shows off a new mask she bought on Melrose made of vintage kimono material with a cotton lining. She enjoys styling her masks to match the rest of her outfit, tying in bits of pink on her shirt and sweater.

WHY,

27

NETFLIX?

The Office is leaving Netflix in 2021, so prepare to binge watch one of the most popular TV series in America before it leaves the streaming service for good. by abigail thompson co-web editor-in-chief Netflix, why? You’ve already taken Friends and How I Met Your Mother from us, and now you intend to steal The Office too?

Yes, the rumors are true… The Office is leaving Netflix in Jan. of 2021. The streaming service took to Twitter to break the news to dedicated fans across the globe: “We’re sad that NBC has decided to take The Office back for its own streaming platform — but members can binge watch the show to their hearts’ content ad–free on Netflix until January 2021.”

The Office, one of the most–streamed TV shows on NBC, has millions of fans worldwide who are angry that the show will be taken off of Netflix. The streaming service faces the resentment of dedicated viewers, many of whom took to the show during the COVID–19 outbreak.

Especially during quarantine, The Office has been somewhat of a savior for spiraling individuals across the globe. According to The Washington Post, “The Office has remained the primary comedy currency for navigating life during the pandemic, a binge–watching balm for those looking to alleviate their social isolation.”

The series follows the lives of office and warehouse workers for Dunder Mifflin, a fictional paper company based in Scranton, PA. For nine seasons, audiences are introduced to 21st century paper salesmen, receptionists, accountants and their very oafish, yet lovable regional manager, Michael Scott.

The Office has proved to be incredibly relatable, which is one of the reasons it is so popular.

Especially in quarantine, where the days seem to drone on and the weeks never end, there is something very familiar about Stanley’s lack of motivation, Angela’s mood swings, Kevin’s undying desire for sweets and Michael’s never-ending need to be entertained.

somewhat familiar and very relevant to audience members’ own lives.

With The Office leaving Netflix, 2021 may look gloomy to the show’s fans. However, there are many new Netflix additions to look forward to in the coming year.

According to What’s On Netflix, a variety of new projects are planned to be released in 2021 on the streaming service.

Some of these films include The Kissing Booth 3, Diana: A New Musical and Don’t Look Up, a comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence.

In the meantime, it is important for The Office fans to remember that the show is only leaving Netflix, not the universe, no matter how much it may feel like it.

Yet the idea of the comedy series transferring to a different streaming service does not appeal to all viewers.

“I probably won’t pursue an entire new streaming service just for The Office,” Gardiner said, revealing that he most likely will not be as dedicated to watching the show after Jan. According to The Ringer, audiences will be able to find the show on NBCUniversal’s new streaming service come 2021.

Until then, audiences have got two months to binge watch their favorite episodes.

Dunder Mifflin salesman and fictional character on The Office, Andy Bernard (a.k.a “Nard Dog”), once said: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you've actually left them.”

It is now clear that these are the good old days, so in the meantime, experience that second–hand embarrassment for Michael, laugh hysterically at how seriously Dwight takes his role as assistant (to the) regional manager and watch Pam and Jim fall in love all over again.

And whatever you do, never, ever make a “that’s what she said” joke.

Ever.

GRAPHIC BY ABIGAIL THOMPSON

“So much about The Office is the notion of just getting through the day,” said Warren Lieberstein, the show’s producer, in an interview with The Washington Post. “People are penned up. When you’re stuck in a job, you can’t see the forest for the trees.

You’re just watching the clock and you’re bored out of your mind.”

Liebertstein draws parallels between the show and reality.

The relatability of the story is what has drawn in audiences during the global pandemic. “[The show] definitely filled a lot of empty hours,” said Luke Gardiner ‘22. “I’m not sure what I’d have done without watching it. It’s kept me from being too bored and so I’d say it’s made quarantine a lot easier.”

Gardiner, who rewatched his favorite episodes of The Office during his shelter–in–place, expressed his disappointment over the fact that the show will soon be leaving Netflix.

“At one point [The Office] was one of the top ten TV shows in the U.S. I think it’s going to be pretty bad for Netflix — it’s one of the last good sitcoms that they still have.”

The show’s lighthearted humor is what made it so popular to begin with. A change in pace from other TV series at the time, The Office was unique,

A&E

11

PHOTO BY MAKENNA NORMAN

BACK AT IT AGAIN: The Thousand Oaks AMC theater reopened on Oct. 9 after the COVID–19 shut down. Having theaters open again may seem like things are returning to normal, but masks are required when entering the theater and may only be taken off when enjoying snacks.

PHOTO BY MAKENNA NORMAN

AMC open for rent The Thousand Oaks AMC movie theater is open for business with an option to rent out the entire theater and a reduced capacity of 40% to ensure social distancing. by juliana rendon a&e page editor AMC theaters have officially opened their doors for groups of up to 20 to rent for a group viewing.

The cost for “fan favorites” such as John Wick and Minions, starts at $99 and goes up to $249 for new releases.

Groups have a range of eight movies to choose from; most of which are new releases such as Freaky and Let Him Go, as well as two older movies, Toy Story and Guardians of the Galaxy. The theater also provides a variety of genres from comedy and horror to kid friendly movies.

While lots of restaurants have been reopening their doors with seating outside, and more recently inside, having movie theaters open is a big step towards making everything seem like life is returning to normal. This can especially help friend groups find another fun activity to do to pass the time.

12 A & E

Elora Bacon '23 is looking forward to the theaters not only opening for the public, but also having the option to rent it out with friends.

“I’m glad I get to go in person with friends because it’s nice to get out of the house,” said Bacon.

As people leaving the theater discuss the movie and the many interpretations it may have, they are left with a great experience.

This is what Gwendalynn Waiters '22 misses the most from the theaters.

"I'm really excited," said Waiters. "I miss the experience of sitting in a theater and having a big screen."

However, AMC is not the only movie theater open. Theaters like Cinépolis and Studio Movie Grill also recently opened while following safety protocols.

At Studio Movie Grill theater in Simi Valley, all guests are required to sit in every other seat, instead of sitting next to each other. Guests can also request to bring their own movie.

Several WHS students have rented or are planning to rent out theatres for birthday parties or

just to hangout.

"For my friend's 18th birthday, we surprised her by renting out the [Studio Movie Grill] theater, and we watched Avatar," said Katie Kulvinskas '21. "It was the first time I have been to a theater since quarantine, and it was so great to be able to catch up with friends with minimal [interaction]."

When renting the entire theater, guests may go in 15 minutes early to reserve specific seats. If a guest is going to be late, the host of the group has to notify the manager or an assistant. Because the theater is open to the public, face coverings are required when entering and sitting in the theater.

“The health and safety of our movie theater guests and movie theater staff is our absolute, highest priority at AMC," according to Adam Aron, CEO and President of AMC. However, guests can still purchase drinks and snacks and are allowed to take off their masks when enjoying their food and drinks.

Bacon said, "It would be worth going broke to rent the theater.”

Performing alongside a pandemic With constantly changing protocol due to COVID-19, the WHS arts programs adopt new systems to keep the programs alive. by vivian stein

a & e page editor

A small group of performers step onstage, and the bright lights shine into their eyes. With a collective deep breath, they begin the exhausting musical theater number. When the music eventually fades away and the soloist belts her last note, the room goes silent. The performers wait for tremendous applause, but instead stare into an empty theater.

This year has proven to be a challenge for all WHS students and staff, but the arts programs in particular have faced many challenges ever since quarantine began in March.

The arts programs at WHS include but are not limited to choir, theatre, band, orchestra and performance clubs. Whether it be virtual performances, trying to sing in unison with the infamous Zoom lag or struggling to stay positive while not seeing friends in person, the 2020-21 school year has certainly not been a piece of cake for these programs.

"We still have drama club every week, but it’s been a lot different,” said Abby Maurer ‘21. “Less and less people have been showing up because of the timing [of the rehearsals].”

The WHS theatre programs meet during both cohorts, with the majority of participants being in cohort B. Many students have had to remove theatre from their schedules because of other classes they need to take in order to meet graduation requirements. However, the remaining drama students are working on an exciting new project, a play called She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms.

"We have it all cast and are doing it the second weekend of December," said Maurer. "We are prerecording basically everything, and tech is going to be helping us edit that all together. It’s definitely going to be different because we’re not performing anything live.”

Putting hours and hours of time into a performance, only to have the finished product be filmed and distributed to the public, simply does not offer the same satisfaction of working hard at something and seeing a live reaction from an engaged audience. Choir has faced the same issue.

“The lag time over Zoom didn’t allow for live harmonizing or even the simplest singing in unison,” said Bob Morris, a member of a mens a capella chorus, in his article for The New York Times. “'Performing' meant recording ourselves alone at

GRAPHIC BY VIVIAN STEIN

home so our conductor could edit us together.”

It’s not just professional adult choirs who have had to deal with this. The choir department at WHS has faced a very similar problem. Many of the students enrolled in the program joined because of their love to sing alongside others and make friendships. Losing this connection proved to be a struggle for the department.

“When you think of choir, the main thing [you think of] is people singing together, and that’s just

Choir in the traditional sense has had to change and adapt.”

-Amy Rolniak impossible to do over Zoom and virtually," said WHS choir director Amy Rolniak. “Choir, in the traditional sense, has had to change and adapt.”

Despite the challenges the arts programs are facing right now, WHS students and staff are continuing to stay positive and work hard to perform to the best of their ability.

Students can still work on songs together in small groups over FaceTime or Zoom, but singing as a group is more of a struggle. The choir department at WHS has been using a program called Soundtrap to combat this problem.

"They go in and record themselves singing,

[and] then they can go back in and listen to every other person that put their track in,” said Rolniak. “[Soundtrap] lines them up so that they can actually rehearse singing with other people.”

Choir students have been actively using this program, as well as utilizing Flipgrid and doing team building activities in breakout rooms over Zoom. All of these things help the choir program feel as normal as it can during this time.

Additionally, A Class Act, the most advanced choir at WHS, has been meeting on campus twice a week to rehearse, where the students wear masks and sing outside. Although it has been difficult to adapt to these changes, WHS students and staff in the arts programs have been persevering the best they can. The band program has faced similar challenges.

“Because of Internet latency and connection issues, everyone cannot play at the same time with their mics unmuted, so we’ve had to adapt a lot,” said WHS band instructor Ari Shiller. “What I normally do is play my instrument and the rest of the band will play along with me from home.”

Students in band each have their instruments at home, so they can play songs as a class even through Zoom. The students leave their microphones off and still play in unison with the rest of the class as best as they can. However, band is completely virtual as of right now.

These significant changes to the band department have been challenging, but WHS students and staff in the arts programs have proven their resilience and willingness to try new things.

“It will get better eventually,” said Maurer. “We just have to make sure we’re staying safe inside [and] social [distancing], and everything will go back to normal.”

A & E 13

Place your ad here Contact westlakearrow@gmail.net for advertising information

“For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is another harsh reminder of the horrible effects colonization has had on our people — effects that linger today in the form of alarming racial disparities: high poverty rates, high

domestic

abuse

rates,

poor

health,

low

graduation rates and so on.”

Negative impact of Thanksgiving misinformation

–Kids Forward organization Source: kidsforward.org

Compiled by Sophie Robson

When Thanksgiving Day rolls around each year, the story of the first Thanksgiving might be retold at your own family’s dinner table; the tale of the Mayflower pilgrims and Native Americans peacefully feasting together, celebrating their bountiful harvest.

However, this is absolutely not the reality of the situation. commentary by sophie robson opinion section editor This sugarcoated version of Thanksgiving history needs to be discarded, and the true story must be taught in schools and reinforced in social environments in order to avoid insensitivity, the fostering of racism and repetition of humanity’s past atrocities.

Before these topics can be discussed, people must have an understanding of the actual events of the first Thanksgiving. In an article with the Smithsonian, David Silverman, a professor at George Washington University, explains, “The myth is that friendly Indians, unidentified by tribe, welcome the Pilgrims to America, teach them how to live in this new place, sit down to dinner with them and then disappear. They hand off America to white people so they can create a great nation dedicated to liberty, opportunity and Christianity for the rest of the world to profit …

It’s about Native people conceding to colonialism.

It’s bloodless and in many ways an extension of the ideology of Manifest Destiny.”

In actuality, this was not even the first contact Native Americans had with Europeans. Following Christopher Colombus’ arrival in 1492, millions of Natives were widely enslaved, killed through diseases or murdered in conflicts. This genocide is often forgotten or purposefully glazed over in the Thanksgiving story, however vital it is to fully understand the falsehoods in modern American gratuitous celebrations.

America's ignorance to the true history of this country creates an environment of insensitivity

in both educational and societal situations, where Americans can guiltlessly disregard the actions of their ancestors. This insensitivity is showcased by the U.S. government’s continued omission of Native American treaties and land rights established centuries ago.

For instance, when the Dakota Access Pipeline was announced to the public in 2014, Native Americans protested its construction because of it going through ancient burial grounds and significant cultural sites. Attack dogs and water cannons (in freezing weather conditions) were used on protestors, and police with riot gear and military grade equipment cleared encampments in the path of the pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in order to stop the pipeline. While President Obama’s administration paused this construction, President Trump signed an executive order to advance it without finishing an environmental impact assessment or associated public comment period, which were requested.

This is just one example of the U.S. government’s lack of concern for indigenous people. The U.S. government entered into over 500 treaties with Native American tribes between the years 1778 and 1871, all of which were somehow violated or broken by the government.

While knowing the true story of Thanksgiving will not completely solve this pressing issue, it is a good place to start for children in schools as a precursor to future callous thinking and behavior.

Perpetuating the whitewashed Thanksgiving story of European saviorism and so–called “uncivilized” Native Americans negatively impacts

the latter group, only reminding them of the situations they now face because of America’s colonization. This prejudice against Native Americans can be directly linked to Thanksgiving, as white Americans forget the complex societies that were already here when they arrived and omit the mass genocide following their arrival. In order to combat future racism and create a less oppressive society — even in simply being ignorant to historical events — the true tale of Thanksgiving must be learned in schools and misinformation be promptly corrected.

A quote by George Santayana, a philosopher and humanist, perfectly illustrates the vital nature of understanding historical events: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Whether it be plain misinformation or purposeful ignorance, being oblivious to the truth of one’s past is detrimental to everyone’s future as a whole. Therefore, learning the real Thanksgiving history is key to not repeating the inhumane treatment that Native Americans were subjected to at the hands of Europeans.

However, some may object that Thanksgiving is a gratuitous holiday that all Americans can agree on — as it is apolitical and non-religious — and recognizing the truth would ruin it. Due to the real events encompassing this holiday, it is really not something that should be celebrated in the first place. One solution to this problem could be transforming Thanksgiving into a day of remembrance for indigenous groups and creating a new holiday for gratitude and family gathering, separate from the history and traditions of Native Americans.

OPINION 15

High school students benefit from remote learning Although many aspects of this school year have not been ideal, there is still a silver lining within this thunderstorm. This year has allowed high school students more time for college preparation.

Skills high schoolers should work on now for college success Time management Positive attitude Organization Balance

Confidence Independence Accountability Physical well–being

Source: publicdomain

commentary by kyra berg co-web editor-in-chief After a stressful quarter one, quarter two of remote learning is now in session. Congratulations on making it this far. Remote learning is exhausting, but it is important to remember that this experience can be positive.

For many high school students, this is the first time their teachers are not reminding them about long term assignments daily or telling them what to study. Students are on their own. Although this may seem unfair and stressful, it is in actuality a gift to high school students. Yes, it is a gift in disguise. But trust me, this is some hardcore college preparation.

Of course, some aspects of being treated like a high school student are positive: being spoon–fed information from teachers, being told the correct answers to a study guide or being told that number five is a great test question. I get it — everyone can use a little hand–holding to make it through a class successfully. But college classes will be challenging, and teachers will expect more.

Being a better student now will make the transition to college much easier.

Balancing classes, clubs, extracurricular activities and social life is not as simple as it seems because every obligation overlaps. It can feel like there is not enough time to do anything diligently.

Now that students are solely in charge of their schedule, they must figure out how to manage time efficiently.

16 OPINION

GRAPHIC BY KYRA BERG

Writing down every commitment in a planner can help with organization. Writing class times, assignment due dates, family obligations, outside of school activities and anything else that seems important is one way to remember obligations. Utilizing a calendar may also help students take control of their schedules now.

The amount of time students spend with teachers remotely is comparable to college classes.

Teachers are cramming in as much content as they can into 75 minutes. In college, the structure is similar. The current learning environment is less immersive. There are fewer chances to ask questions, get clarification or get one–on–one guidance. With this, students can get used to receiving less instruction and learn how to be successful independently.

Another positive aspect of remote learning is gaining more confidence as a student. Because students cannot get every question answered during class, they must learn to problem solve and answer their questions without help. Students will be more productive and self–sufficient such as completing an essay without guidance and finishing homework faster.

Students are home most of the time, and going to the gym is a pain. I prefer to work out at home. I am not reserving a spot at the gym to exercise in a sweaty mask. It is an obvious choice for me. For other students that are not up for gym life yet, now is a trial run to stay in shape. It is the perfect time to figure out some at–home workouts because during college, it is all on you.

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors should try to attend virtual college tours. Since school is less time–intensive, students should use their free time to inform themselves. There is no reason to wait around until senior year to start researching.

Attend college Zooms, virtual campus tours and browse college websites. Students can figure out their ideal college location, major, campus size, campus lifestyle or acceptance rate now. Even if a student changes his or her mind about colleges once he or she starts applying, there is still no harm in starting the process early. It takes research to make thoughtful decisions.

Another good use of time for underclassmen and juniors is SAT or ACT preparation.

Although many schools are going test blind next year, some schools including out of state and private schools may still require test scores. Now is the perfect time to take practice tests and pick which test to take. There are books, apps and professionals to help prepare. There are also many free options available including Khan Academy and ACT Academy.

This year of remote learning allows high school students to get ahead. Because teachers cannot be as involved this year, it is up to students to step up. They can practice being more independent now and can gain valuable skills such as time management and confidence. This year will ultimately produce stronger students. These unprecedented times will not hold students back.

These are students who are ready for anything — college–bound students.

UTILIZE YOUR VOICE Countless young community members do not recognize their civic duty to remain informed and politically active. It is important that the students on our campus — and around the country — utilize opportunities to get involved. commentary by sophia haines states because they were crucial to him opinion page editor In the current political system, young voters have the worst turnout of any age group in the United States.

Many neglect their duty to stay informed about the issues of several groups’ rights being challenged when it's not an election year, and sometimes even when it is. This is detrimental to the country because the Founding Fathers instituted a system that requires education and awareness for the United States — and any other representative democracy — to prosper.

Remaining apolitical, as many students do, is pernicious to democracy. By remaining uninvolved and uninformed, one condones the actions of an administration that has and is continuing to take away the rights of several minority groups.

When people stand by, the federal government is empowered to challenge women’s, minority and health insurance rights.

Furthermore, one turns a blind eye while the American electoral system is under attack.

The California Republican Party placed more than 50 fake ballot boxes in Los Angeles, Fresno and Orange County, according to the New York Times.

The president went to court to challenge voting laws in Pennsylvania that state a mail–in ballot will be counted if it is received within three days of the election as long as it is postmarked before, according to the Associated Press.

This was an attempt by President Trump’s campaign to disenfranchise mail–in voters because they were projected to be mostly Democratic. He concentrated his advances in the swing

winning the election. After the election, the president continued with attempts to disenfranchise voters. According to CNBC, President Trump attempted to stop the counting of ballots in Pennsylvania and Michigan on Nov. 4.

These are attempts by the Trump campaign and some members of the Republican Party to disenfranchise voters in the swing states and take away the voice of millions of people. This type of electoral manipulation is appalling.

Action is required from all members of our Democracy to protect the voting rights of the American people.

Those who deny the seriousness of this situation and refuse to take action against it – even if that action is only staying informed and educating others – are bystanders to the collapse of American democracy as we know it.

Many believe that they cannot affect political change before they are 18 years–old, but this is simply untrue.

There are several ways to participate in the political system other than voting.

In Thousand Oaks, for example, this year’s student representative on the school board, Addie Craig ‘21, gets to participate in the decisions being made

by CVUSD board members and receives an honorary vote in those decisions.

Furthermore, minors still have the right to exercise the judicial system, They also retain the right to protest and can exercise their right to speak at a city council meeting.

The Founding Fathers instituted a system where everyone could and must be involved and informed.

This political apathy plagues many young people. It is essential to our country for all citizens, despite age, to remain informed and active in our political system.

OPINION

SOURCES SOS.CA.GOV, NASS.ORG, VOTERGUIDE.SOS.CA.GOV

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIA HAINES

17

Settling the debate

Pancakes vs. waffles vs. french toast — the long awaited debate is here.

Pancakes: the life of the breakfast party commentary by lindsey romano on top but also inside the food. The the consumer is left with only one shape toast is not any easier. It has a similarly waffle's cook job in the waffle iron makes option and must buy a new, expensive extensive

list

of

ingredients

and

co-editor-in-chief this a difficult task while the French iron for a different shape. Meanwhile, requires exorbitant amounts of bread.

Pancakes are superior to waffles and French toast for their perfect topping ability, wide range of flavors and shapes and overall cooking convenience.

First of all, the pancake’s flat shape is perfect for maximum syrup coverage.

Where syrup pools up in the holes in the waffle or French toast, syrup flows neatly over the flat pancake.

It is easily argued that despite its eating accessibility, it is the least desired in flavor. Despite how plain it may seem, this works well for toppings such as fruit or chocolate chips not only

toast’s natural cinnamon flavor leaves little room for diversity. Places like IHOP or Denny’s demonstrate this as they have multiple menu pages dedicated to pancakes and their toppings with only a handful of pages in the back for French toast and waffles.

The way pancakes are made allows for them to be cooked in any fun shape desired. You’ll never be left with the same old boring food, but can instead spice up a meal with pancakes of any shape and color. Although waffle irons are available to produce unique shapes,

with only a pan and a piping bag, you can ensure any pancake shape you intend without the extra cost.

Not only can the shape be changed but also the texture. There’s a thinner version of a pancake known as the crepe.

Crepes are thinned out pancakes and can be filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. Crepes can be made to meet any type of desired taste and can even be adjusted to any meal.

Cooking wise, waffles require the additional purchase of a waffle iron as well as a long list of ingredients. French

For pancakes, all you need is a pan, a bag of pancake mix and some water. If you don’t have the pancake mix, I even used a healthy, easy recipe online once that only required bananas and eggs. If cooking isn't in the cards, there's even Eggo Mini Pancakes available in fun flavors such as maple, confetti and blueberry.

Overall, while some consider them the most bland of the breakfast foods, pancakes have the most potential to spice up any morning and are there for any craving you may have.

than piling the perfect bite onto your fork and having it disassemble right before touching your lips. Furthermore, the crispy texture of waffles delays them from turning soggy. Because pancakes are smooth and French toast is basically a sponge, it's a matter of seconds before the syrup absorbs into them. This is a major threat to the slow eaters (aka me) and the eaters who want their food to remain crispy for as long as their Netflix episode (me again).

Further, you can simply combine water and packaged batter or customize your waffles from scratch.

And if you're feeling lazy and would rather skip cleaning the iron, Eggo, a timeless classic, will surely provide.

Though the same goes for pancakes,

resorting to them frozen is a disgrace; hence why Eggo waffles are a household name and Eggo pancakes are just irrelevant. Plus, most of the pancakes break during the flipping process and end up either burnt or under-cooked.

Though it can be argued that pancakes and french toast are the more affordable options, — since there is no need to buy a waffle iron — a perfectly good iron costs as little as $15.

The pre–indented waffle lines make it simple to tear evenly, solving the most pressing issue: fighting with your sibling over the bigger slice of food. Waffles — not only delicious but peacemakers.

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson brought a waffle iron with him to America, which ignited waffles as a staple vendor snack

in Belgium and America. Without waffles, there would be no waffle cones or waffle fries — imagine a world without Chick–fil–a criss cut fries.

Onto waffles' fame, in Stranger Things, Eleven’s go–to meal is Eggo waffles, and there is even a song called “Waffles Are Better Than Pancakes” by Doja Cat. The chain restaurant Waffle House has thrived since 1955, a longer amount of time than IHOP, further proving the popularity of waffles.

I will admit that I am a proud consumer of all three options, but waffles are and will forever be superior.

So I may have used the word ‘waffle’ 27 times to the point where it no longer seems like a word; nevertheless, I rest my case.

To your disappointment, the first bite will bring you back to reality. They’re dry on their own and when adding a mountain of syrup and butter on top, they become soggy and mushy.

With French toast though, you get a perfect balance. It’s sweet, buttery, moist, rich, hot and brings you the satisfaction that you’ve chosen the right breakfast food. Not only that, but you can customize your French toast. You want whipped cream and strawberries, a great option. Cinnamon and brown sugar, go for it. Spice up your French toast however you want, the options are limitless.

French toast is beautifully rectangular

while crisp on the edges, and soft on the inside. You also don’t need to face the mess of pouring too much syrup like pancakes and waffles as French toast has a perfect indent in the middle that spreads the syrup all around. Everything is clean and nothing is a mess.

A common argument brought up by anti-French toast fans is that the time and effort to make pancakes and waffles is much shorter and easier than French toast. French toast is easy. Take the bread (French or brioche), soak it in the egg mixture (add vanilla, a little splash of milk and cinnamon if you’d like) and cook it up until golden brown. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top with the optiom

of syrup. One bowl, one frying pan.

Done!

Waffles and pancakes require measuring, multiple bowls and the utensils get messy. Waffles even require a special piece of equipment which is a pain to clean. Save yourself the trouble and go for the easier route, French toast. You get the best of taste and presentation, and you can modify it to your liking.

I think it’s safe to say that French toast is the better choice than waffles and pancakes, but for those of you who still haven’t gotten the point, I’ll sum up what I have said: French toast is superior than pancakes and waffles.

A waffle lot of reasons why waffles reign commentary by lauren pak co-editor-in-chief Belgian waffles, buttermilk waffles, waffle sticks, waffle fries, waffle cones, — you name it, waffles will deliver.

What makes waffles superior is their ability to cater to both sweet and savory preferences. There is no escape from the cinnamon sweetness of French toast, and while there are more flavors for pancakes, they are all sweet. If you prefer an infusion of both savory and sweet (so you don't feel like throwing up), chicken and waffles with maple syrup is the perfect choice.

As for waffle structure, the ridges allow for the toppings to stay in place because nothing is more embarrassing

French toast: the toast with the most commentary by songhee lee co-editor-in-chief With National French Toast Day and my birthday being on the same day, Nov. 28, there should be no doubt about why I am writing on French toast being superior to waffles and pancakes. To the small percentage of people who still question this statement, I will be sure to change your mind.

Let’s move into our first order of business: the quality of taste. When it comes to pancakes and waffles, the first impression is great. The sweet scent of the syrup and butter makes you have high expectations.

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OPINION

Elohim bounces back during pandemic Despite restrictions on group sports due to the COVID—19 pandemic, Mariah Elohim '22 stays focused and on track with her training. by roman walker sports page editor There have been a lot of hooplas recently, but there is also an athlete dedicated to shooting hoops.

Elohim stays dedicated to progressing in her basketball skills even in quarantine. She plays on both the WHS team and on a travel team to hone her skills as an athlete.

Religiously working out and practicing her skills with a basketball is just part of her daily schedule.

“Last year, I decided that I had wanted to prioritize basketball and make that my number one sport,” said Elohim.” I practice every day for basketball.”

She divides and organizes her week based on what team she has to practice or compete for.

“Monday through Thursday, I have practices specifically with [my] basketball teams," said Elohim. "[On] Tuesdays and Thursdays I have just one workout before school for my high school basketball team. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I just have my travel team practices.”

Before high school basketball reached out to athletes to hold Zoom meetings, Elohim was conditioning herself with some friends.

“I found a gym in the valley owned by a close family friend that allowed me to keep working out and to keep practicing, but there was a pause in my training as everything was shutting down,” said Elohim.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIAH ELOHIM

COMPETITION BEFORE COVID–19: Although COVID—19 has set Mariah Elohim and her basketball team back in their training, they still stay determined to compete. Elohim plans to continue training with her travel team and practicing virtually with the WHS basketball team.

Elohim found that working out in quarantine was much more difficult because of the absence of urgency that came with the COVID-19 quarantine.

“It was frustrating because I had planned to go to a gym right before it shut down,” said Elohim. "I felt bored because during that time there was nothing to do, and I was always in the gym.”

To spice up her workout routine, Elohim invited multiple friends to safely workout with her to stay on track with her training.

“We would shoot hoops in my backyard, run the track and generally work out to pass the time and to make sure that we were not falling behind,” said Elohim. "Going to the gym with a friend helps. It could be sometimes really hard to work out by yourself because it is just not fun.”

Regarding the future of the WHS basketball team, Elohim remains hopeful that competition will start back up again.

“It is really hard to not be practicing with my team every day,” said Elohim. "[For] the most part, I think that we have done well in quarantine, but the competition will also use the quarantine practices to their advantage.”

Elohim understands that having a friend in this dark time will help motivate her to continue her training.

“I only worked out during quarantine because I had a friend to workout with,” said Elohim. “It was the only thing that I could do to have fun whilst staying safe.”

SPORTS

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Surf's up!

Despite COVID–19 sending the world into lockdown, WHS students are united through a common love — surfing. by alyssa rice photo editor The sun shines overhead making the ocean sparkle and the waves crash and roar, a flurry of white foam. Out in the distance, a group of surfers congregate as one lets out a yelp of delight before disappearing under the waves.

The WHS Surf Team was founded at the beginning of the 2018–19 school year by Brendan Hamor ‘21 and Miller Meinhart ‘23 and is open to middle and high school students with no prior surfing experience needed. More information can be found on their Instagram @westlakesurf. Connected by their passion for surfing, the pair set out to bring the sport to the WHS campus.

“I wanted to bring everyone together who likes surfing,” said Meinhart. “I thought it would be a cool thing for the community.”

Team member Josh Wood ‘23 joined because of his friendship with Meinhart and his love for surfing. He enjoys the unique bond he shares with his teammates and the time he gets to spend with them.

“It’s all about helping each other out and having fun,” said Wood.

This is the team’s second year together, and while the lockdown may have changed their plans, Wood is grateful to be with the team again. Meinhart and his teammates find joy in

connecting with each other and are glad for a smooth transition back to practice.

"We all really like getting to hang out and surf together," said Meinhart.

Like any sport, the surfers have their ups and downs, but as a team they find ways to have fun and support each other.

“The relationship with the team is like one big family,” said Hamor. “The older people watch over the younger kids and help them out, and it is really cool to be able to make friends not just in my grade.”

Wood and Meinhart agree that surf competitions are one of their favorite aspects of surfing for WHS. Due to COVID–19, competitions have been on hold, but the team is optimistic about getting the opportunity to compete in the near future.

“We got a little bit of a late start [this year] and we have been trying to figure out how to get into the competitions and everything, but it has been pretty good recently," said Meinhart.

Surfer Michelle Menichetti ‘23 joined to become more comfortable in the ocean. She quickly found her place as a surfer and looks forward to connecting with people while doing

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SPORTS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILLER MEINHART

HITTING THE WAVES: Miller Meinhart (right) and his younger brother Mason Meinhart (left) practice their skills at Zuma Beach. While the team can't compete because of COVID–19 restrictions, they have been spending the weekends at the beach practicing and are grateful to be back together and out on the water. “We all really like getting to hang out and surfing together," said Meinhart.

something unique. “[I like] when [we’re] in the water and just talking and hanging out with friends,” said Menichetti.

Meinhart encourages new surfers to persevere and continue going for it despite the challenges with picking up a new skill.

POSTMODERN "If you give it some time and PAINTING. keep working Stella hard, it will become easy and you will have lotsin alternately paints oil and watercolor of fun,” said Wood.

The weekly practices have created a new way for students to come together during these unprecedented times. Through their time in the water, the team has grown closer and found new ways to connect.

“My favorite part of the team is the community and practices,” said Hamor.

“Everyone is there surfing all together, and it really is a great time. Not only did it help me meet new people my age, but it also helped me grow closer to some of my already close friends.”

PHOTO BY OWEN KOBETT

SELECTING DUKE: California State Record Holder for Pole Vault Paige Sommers ‘21 poses with her family after attending the WHS signing ceremony on Nov. 12. With a PR of 14 feet 6 inches, 19 schools had given her scholarship offers before she chose Duke University.

Signing COVID away

Faced with a year of uncertainty, WHS administration recognized athletes who are continuing their sports careers in college. by owen kobett sports section editor For senior student athletes, COVID–19 has gone beyond simply affecting their final seasons — it has made a visible impact on their selections of colleges. With sports entering stage two of COVID–19 restrictions, which allows limited return to sports with social distancing and school still being virtual, the experience has been up in the air.

“It's definitely been harder athletically, in terms of colleges not really being able to see me as much [and] kind of having to go off of film from last year,” said varsity basketball player Isaiah Matute ‘21. “[However,] I have been able to play some of my club tournaments recently which has been helpful.”

Because of the pandemic, colleges have completely changed what they look for in a new athlete. For instance, in the past, D1 colleges focused on the talent of the prospective athlete.

However, their standards will change this year. “[Now] they are looking for a really great [student],” said varsity football athlete Victory Vaka ‘21. “A [student] of really great character and great integrity and just a really well– rounded kid.”

This difference in how colleges decide which athletes to recruit has given seniors unique opportunities that they wouldn’t have been involved in before. Many seniors believe that being at home allows them to reflect more on the pros and cons associated with their prospective colleges.

“After going through COVID–19 and doing a lot of research that I probably wouldn’t have done, I found out that Wooster was the school for me,” said varsity lacrosse player Anderson

MacDonald ‘21. “I really like the team and the atmosphere they created."

On the other hand, some student athletes are wondering what they missed out on due to COVID-19. They understand that there are new opportunities but also wonder what their sports experience would be like if COVID–19 had never happened.

“Before COVID–19 came in, I qualified for the highest level of competition that I have ever qualified for — junior nationals,” said varsity swim athlete Arielle Hayon ‘21. “Now it looks like Junior Nationals isn’t even going to happen this year.”

Of these athletes, three-fourths plan to sign with a college they are interested in. On Nov. 12, WHS held a drive–through signing ceremony to commemorate National Signing Day while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.

“It will still give us an opportunity to take a picture and put it out on social media for the kids to at least recognize their accomplishments and what they achieved,” said Assistant Principal of Athletics Brad Katz.

This season was a very different experience than what the signees originally expected. Even when normalcy returns, all of them know that this experience will make a huge impact on the future of their athletic careers.

“The main thing I’m struggling with is not knowing how it's all going to shake out, because playing a sport is something that just ends at some point for everyone,” said Matute. “I only have so much [time] left, so I guess it's hard to grapple with not being sure whether I’ll be able to take full advantage of everything I have left with my friends and my school.”

Upcoming Games Boys varsity, frosh soph and JV water polo: Dec. 21st El Toro Tournament Girls varsity and JV water polo: Dec. 29 Agoura Tournament Girls varsity , frosh soph and JV volleyball: Dec. 22 vs. Notre Dame Boys varsity, frosh soph and JV volleyball: TBD Girls varsity and JV field hockey: Jan. 13 vs. TOHS Boys/Girls varsity, frosh soph, JV football: Jan. 8 vs. Poly/Long Beach Boys/Girls varsity, frosh soph and JV cross country: Jan. 9 Fastback Shootout SPORTS 21