The Arrow March 2022 by The Westlake Arrow

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Trailblaze FOR the future pages 8–9

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100 Lakeview Canyon Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362 Volume XLIV | Issue 5 | March 23, 2022

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Arrow Kamala

WHS academic teams compete

MrBeast betters world

The Arrow’s Oscar predictions

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EDITORIAL

Does the name of the college you attend significantly affect your career?

TEDxYouth Talks

College decisions can be difficult for many seniors as they receive rejections from their dream colleges, but it’s important to consider whether or not the name of the college really matters in the long run. by angela ling & soumya monga

Sustainable fashion

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Women inspiring women

Forum: Teenage portrayal in film

Winter drumline

Arrow staff challenges

COVER PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

the editor team

Cover design by Soumya Monga

www.westlakearrow.net westlakearrow@gmail.com @westlakearrow @whsarrow 100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497–6711 ext. 4225 The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1CP 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.

STAFF PO

During college decision season, it can be easy for seniors to grow discouraged as students often equate attending a prestigious, name–brand college with career success, but in reality, the name of the college one attends does not significantly affect one’s career. According to Temple University economics professor Doug Webber in an article for The Washington Post, a study was conducted by Stacy Dale, researcher at Mathematica Policy Institute and Alan Krueger, political economy professor at Princeton University, on the long–term effects of a “college name” on career earnings. Dale and Krueger chose 18,000 students who had similar admissions results, indicating that they were of a similar caliber, but some attended prestigious universities while others chose less selective schools. After analyzing the students’ career wages over 25 years, Dale and Krueger found that “on average … attending the more selective school provided no earnings premium,” according to The Washington Post. Rather than college name, career success depends largely on the student. In the same article, Webber explains that though Harvard graduates tend to earn more than their peers from lesser– known schools, that salary disparity is more likely the result of their existing strong work ethics. Students who are admitted into name–brand colleges usually have higher test scores and grades due to their academic diligence and have qualities that make them more likely to succeed in their careers. Furthermore, the value of attending college is the college degree itself, not the name of the school printed on the diploma. According to Kris Stadelman, director of the NOVA Workforce Investment Board, in a Time Magazine article, employers are more interested in what skills an individual brings to the company rather than where they graduated from. Though the college name plays a minor role in the interview process, it is significantly outweighed by the experiences and abilities the interviewee possesses, such as being a team player or problem–solver. “Especially in the tech industry, employers want to see skills applications rather than traditional resumes. Show, don’t tell,” said Stadelman. In fact, it’s perfectly reasonable that a student may perform better at a smaller, lesser–known university because of the campus environment, which may allow them to gain experiences that boost their resume. Those experiences are

ultimately what lead to job satisfaction no: and success in yes: any career. “ To d a y abstain: an Ivy [League s c h o o l ] d i p l o m a reveals nothing about a person’s background ... Most businesses would rather have a Lehigh graduate who performs at a high level than a Brown graduate who doesn’t,” said Gregg Easterbrook, author and editor for The Atlantic, according to a Time Magazine article. Career success also depends on job satisfaction. Easterbrook interviewed many college officials throughout the country about the impact a college name has on an individual’s job satisfaction. He found that the prestige of a college had no bearing on this aspect of career success. Despite this, many think that name–brand colleges can help with connections and networking. Prestigious colleges do in fact give students access to many esteemed professors and faculty who are leading figures in their respective fields. However, students can still build meaningful relationships with their professors at lesser–known colleges. Though prestigious colleges may have more resources for networking, according to Easterbrook, it is certainly not impossible as long as students put in the effort to reach out to faculty. “While it depends on who you ask, and the data you crunch, to find an answer about whether a person’s chosen school really, truly matters, attending college and earning a degree is generally an achievement that opens new career opportunities and leads to higher lifetime earning potential,” according to NBC News. Even if all these reasons don’t heal the pain of being rejected from your dream college, we wanted to let you know that attending an Ivy League college is not going to magically make you a multi– million dollar CEO. Just take a look at Andy Bernard from The Office. He went to Cornell (as he made viewers aware every five minutes), but he turned out to be a salesperson at Dunder Mifflin, a small paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Your future is what you make it. Whatever college or career you choose does not have any bearing on what you can end up achieving. GRAPHIC BY ANGELA LING

theArrow Staff

editors–in–chief

arts & entertainment editor angela ling & soumya monga

andy lynch

opinion section editor

co–web editors–in–chief makenna norman & vivian stein

business manager allison tieu

alyssa rice

opinion editors ella marcum & julie rendon

sports section editor

news section editor

grace hefner allan tieu

sports editor shane douglas

news editor alyssa joo

feature section editor makenna norman

feature editor allison tieu

arts & entertainment section editor

graphics editor alyssa rice

photo editor alyssa joo

social media editors andy lynch, ella marcum & julie rendon

adviser vivian stein

karie lynch

NEWS

SAT adjusts for accessibility

by alyssa joo

Changes to SAT

photo editor Beginning in 2024, the College Board will make significant changes to the SAT, including shortening the length and getting rid of the no–calculator math section, in order to make it more accessible, quick and concise. The SAT is a standardized multiple choice test that is commonly used for college admissions. In the 2020–21 school year, an overwhelming majority of colleges were test–optional for standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. “A lot of colleges are test–optional now because of COVID–19, but a lot of them are planning to never go back to [requiring tests],” said Rebecca Mertel, College and Career guidance counselor. “There are some exceptions to that, of course, … but I’d say that generally … many of them keep [applications] test–optional.” Many colleges are choosing to stay test– optional because the SAT and ACT are not necessarily accurate representations of what a student has to offer. “The whole reason colleges have gone test– optional [is] because there’s so much anxiety surrounding these exams, and it’s really not a true assessment of the student’s ability,” said Mertel. “A student might be a really poor test taker or be so nervous that they just can’t read the passages and answer the questions correctly.” The College Board is changing parts of the SAT test to make it more relevant and applicable for SAT takers in the future. One major change is digitizing the SAT. “We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform — we’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College

The test length will be two hours instead of three.

Calculators will be allowed for the entirety of the math section.

Sources: collegeboard.org & forbes.com

Board, in a College Board article about the SAT changes. “With input from educators and students, we are adapting to ensure we continue to meet their evolving needs.” The altered SAT lasts two hours instead of three, uses a digital format (but still in–person testing sites), contains shorter reading passages and permits a calculator to be used for the entire math section (as opposed to the former separate no calculator and calculator sections). Colleges generally use four key points of students’ applications to determine what kind of student they are and evaluate their overall academic quality. “[Colleges are] finding that if they look at the other factors in the holistic review process, [such as] GPA, academic rigor, extracurriculars and personal insight statements … [their assessment of students] has been spot on, even without the extra test score parameter,” said Mertel.

The test will be digital and on a personal or provided device.

The reading passages will now be relatively shorter. GRAPHIC BY ALLISON TIEU

Without an SAT requirement, students may need to reconsider whether they should take the SAT in the first place. “I think it’s only useful if you have your eye on a program or a school that’s going to require it,” said said junior and senior counselor Emily Nelson. Depending on a college’s requirements, the SAT may not be needed entirely. Some colleges still require the SAT; however, many college’s have become test–optional or test–blind. “The bottom line is that I recommend that kids develop their college list [and] look at the requirements for the schools,” said Mertel. “If it’s test–optional, and you know you’re an average test taker, don’t sweat it. I mean, if anything, when colleges are test–optional, they’re using the test to determine level of placement for your courses. But the last thing I’d want any student to do is go out of their way to … take an exam [that] may not even be critical.”

WHS academic teams experience success WHS academic teams have excelled throughout this school year and performed very well at various competitions. The final competition for Mock Trial was on Feb. 17 and March 12 for Academic Decathalon. The Debate team’s next competition is on March 26. The theme for this year’s case was focused around whether or not a snake in a mailbox was opinion editor murder or an act of nature. The Mock Trial team is not to be confused The WHS Mock Trial team has excelled to with WHS’s Debate team. The debate team is the county finals, just barely missing the mark to a club founded by Timothy Ha ‘24 and James Miller ‘25 this school year. The team meets at qualify for the state competition this year. The Mock Trial team focuses on teaching lunch in room 42D every Monday and Friday. “We focus primarily on teaching students students skills used by lawyers. The team about the foundations of prepares for a case ” said Ha. “Now, arguing in either the lasses are really debate, it is more so discussion prosecution or defense fun. We basically of new topics, bringing side against another team in a civil or criminal trial study for the up tournaments and cases.” scenario, according to competition, where we researching The debate blog.collegevine.com. take 15 minutes tests ... on tournaments are now on “Unfortunately, it all has been on Zoom,” said different subjects. How you Zoom, where opponents on a topic for A team defense attorney score is how you place in the debate 40–minute cycles after Nicholas Penn ‘22. “Our competition.” which a judge decides A team [competed] for second place against Oak –Ryan Badakhsh the winner. Various Debate Park’s A team, … and our team members placed B team [went] against Newbury’s B team to decide who gets third and second at the Winter Invitational, third at the state tournament and second at the national fourth place.” The teams’ last competition was on Feb. 17, tournament. The state and national tournaments in which the A team placed second and the B were the only tournaments the team attended that had qualifying debates. team placed fourth, beating out many schools.

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Unlike the Mock Trial and Debate teams, Academic Decathlon is offered as an elective course for WHS students. The class is divided into teams based on GPA in which the team competes against teams of the same status. Many are hesitant to join the class though newcomers are welcomed. “Classes are really fun. We basically study for the competition, where we take 15 minute tests … on different subjects,” said AcaDeca Team B member Ryan Badakhsh ‘24. “How you score is how you place in the competition.” The WHS AcaDeca team qualified and competed in the state competition with the online essay being on March 1, objective testing on March 5 and the online speech and interview on March 12. To qualify for state, the AcaDeca team had to perform well in the regional competition for Ventura County. At regionals, Team A won first place in the county and had the No. 1 team score in all 10 events that took place. “I feel like the state competition was really different from other AcaDeca competitions we’ve done in the past,” said AcaDeca Team A member Chaarvi Goel ‘22. “It was the first one we did in–person, albeit at WHS instead of Sacramento, and it was still on computers. Overall, WHS is really strong at county.”

In brief U.C. Berkeley Enrollment cap ended On March 14, California legislature voted to pass Senate Bill 118, which overturns the court decision that required the University of California, Berkeley to freeze undergraduate enrollment. The same day, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, restoring around 5,000 undergraduate enrollment slots for California students, according to the LA Times. Before the passing of SB–118, Berkeley would have had to cut 5,100 admission offers to incoming students for fall 2022, and it estimated that the number of enrolled students would decrease by about 3,050. Berkeley’s admission decisions will come out March 24.

Masks and vaccines Masks are no longer required for indoor public places in both Ventura and Los Angeles County. Starting on March 14, masks were no longer required to be worn in public schools, but they are still strongly recommended. Daily COVID–19 cases have started to decrease for the first time in many weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the new weekly average for COVID–19 cases in the United States at 30,934 according to the CDC.

National Honors Society The WHS chapter of National Honors Society invites students from the junior class to apply for membership for their senior year. NHS is a high school organization that incorporates leadership, community service, scholarships and overall character building. Applications can be found on the WHS website at conejousd.org/whs/ Activities/NHS. The application deadline is April 7 by 3 p.m. For further information, visit WHS ASL teacher Tina Carlisle in room 42P.

Russian invasion of Ukraine On Feb. 23, Russia officially announced its invasion of Ukraine after one month of Russian President Vladimir Putin denying accusations about his plan to invade Ukraine. Russian troops and tanks first invaded airports and military bases but are now bombing towns and hospitals. On March 2, Kherson became the first Ukrainian city to fall under Russian control. The United States and many other NATO countries have imposed sanctions on Russia, cutting the trade of Russian oil, gas and energy. Although the invasion has just begun, casualties from the invasion are continuing to increase, with Russian troops casualties at an upwards of 7,000 and Ukrainian armed forces casualities at 1,300 as of March 12; however, Washington Post has been unable to verify this statistic.

Compiled by Grace Hefner

NEWS

TEDxYouth presents at TOHS

by allison tieu feature editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF KYR GOYETTE

TEDxYouth is organizing an event for April 10 at the TOHS Performing Arts Center with student speakers from WHS and NPHS. TEDxYouth is an independently organized event within communities, organized by local people, that features student speakers in the community from schools in the area. Every year, the committee, composed of past speakers, chooses a theme and holds interviews with the students who have applied. For example, last year’s theme was perception. “I thought [by] listening to the other speakers, I learned so much about them, about their stories and about different groups that I normally do not hear about,” said Charisse Chua ‘22, 2021 speaker and current committee member. “I think that it is a really good place to share our stories and individual experiences that you would otherwise not know.” TEDxYouth is an opportunity for students to share their stories, learn about the experiences of others and practice skills such as public speaking. The event is usually held live with an audience, but due to COVID–19, the 2020 Talks were canceled and pushed to 2021. Instead of a live audience, the speakers’ talks were recorded and sent over to the TED organization to be posted on the official YouTube channel, TEDx Talks. “I took the theme [perception to mean] how different people view the world, how we are taught to view the world and why we can take

TALKING IT OUT: Matthew Zhang ‘24 practices his talk at TOHS along with the other speakers, working on body language, pacing, volume and eye contact.

advantage of different opportunities based on changing your perception,” said Chua. Each event has a theme that the speakers can choose to interpret and use in different ways. For example, previous years’ themes have included perception, barriers, connections and ideas worth spreading. This year, the committee chose expression as the theme. “[This year], everybody is giving a talk on some form of expression and how they represent

their voice and express their own identity through art and many other things,” said 2022 speaker Adam Zilberman ‘22. In addition to Zilberman, the other 2022 speakers include WHS students Terme Arjomand ‘23, Gokul Sriamsubramanian ‘23 and Matthew Zhang ‘24 as well as Yushan Yan and Micah Snodgrass from NPHS. The speakers were chosen through Zoom interviews. Arjomand chose to take a cultural

approach to the theme. Her talk is focused on Persian rugs: why people make them, why it is an art and why it is fading. “I’m super excited because it is obviously something that is dear to me because I am Iranian, and I have always loved talking about my culture and sharing it,” said Arjomand. Many speakers took a music–themed approach. For example, Zhang centered his talk on music therapy and how it should be more accessible to students. Sriamsubramanian focused on music composition and how it has helped him better express himself, and Zilberman focused on how he was able to find his voice in band and music. Furthermore, the committee decided to do things differently this year with the talks by having everyone work together on a collaborative piece, as many of the speakers are musical artists. The speakers meet every other Friday to practice their talks in front of an audience, evaluate and restructure them and try to memorize them. They are also working together to create a piece that incorporates all the different styles and genres of art they explore in their talks. “What I enjoy a lot [about the collaborative project] is that it brings a lot of creative [people] together, and it makes the project so much more personal,” said Zilberman. “Everybody has their own ideas, which is honestly the best form of art, where everyone brings their own ideas to the table.”

FEATURE

Sustainable fashion is here to stay quick to produce, the material is low–quality and doesn’t hold up in the long run for teens a&e editor looking to buy sustainable clothing. “I only buy clothes once in a while, less Clothing is a way for many people to show off personality with their outfits and than once a month,” said Avah Morton ‘24. style. Because of this, clothing has grown into “[SHEIN] is very quick, but the quality is low. an industry where thousands of companies Companies produce clothing so fast with are competing to keep up with the newest materials that don’t decay, [so] the pollution trends to meet the expectations of the buyers. they produce outweighs the good.” To combat the exponential growth of Fashion is constantly changing and developing as trends continuously flow in environmental pollution from fast fashion, and out of popularity with the media. As a slow fashion has been rising in popularity and result, the production of clothing has had a encourages consumers to purchase high–quality large influx since companies encourage “fast clothing from companies focusing on healthy fashion,” using cheap alternatives rather than working environments and positive impacts on the environment. producing clothing more sustainably. “Slow fashion is considered to be a With the constant need for new clothing at continuation of lower prices, fast fashion sustainable fashion,” companies such as SHEIN, ompanies produce said sustainable fashion Forever21 and others are major culprits of the rising clothing so fast with writer Sharmon Lebby her article “What greenhouse gas emissions materials that don’t in Is Slow Fashion? into the atmosphere. decay, [so] the pollution they Definition, Progress, In addition to the extreme bulk of waste produce outweighs the good.” and Tips.” “Today, it is by quality, found in landfills, fast –Avah Morton distinguished locally–manufactured fashion has an impact clothing produced on on the environment a smaller scale and with slower production through carbon emissions. “The fashion industry is responsible times. Mindfulness is paid to workers, the for 10% of global CO2 emissions each year,” environment and cultural connections. Slow according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. fashion is more than the antithesis of fast “That’s more than all international flights and fashion; it is a reimagining of what the clothes– making industry could be.” maritime shipping combined.” Along with buying clothing from Although this clothing is very cheap and

by andy lynch

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sustainable brands such as Topstich and Reformation, purchasing second–hand products is an effective way to build a quality wardrobe and contribute to slow fashion. “Most thrift stores offer extremely low prices compared to their retail counterparts,” said graphic designer Maranda Vandergriff in her article “Five Reasons Thrifting is Awesome.” “Despite being less expensive, second–hand items are often actually better quality than new ones. It’s a good sign if it’s so durable that it lasted long enough to be donated. The longer it lasts, the longer it stays out of the landfill.” Not only is thrifting advantageous environmentally, but it can also be an entertaining social activity with friends. “It’s definitely the social aspect of [thrifting] that makes it fun,” said Aydin Birkan ‘24. “Thrifting with friends … is a blast, and finding something cool is really fun.” There are many local thrift stores available for teens to shop at that provide

cheaper and more stylish clothing for WHS students. “Goodwill [is great for thrifting] because it’s super close, easy to go with friends and has a lot to choose from,” said Morton. “I [also] like [the online thrift store] thredUP. It’s cheap and gives a lot of information about what you’re going to buy.” With fashion and style being an important aspect to people’s lives and personality, teens are constantly searching for new and unique clothing that is more affordable and a healthier alternative for the environment. “Buying pre–owned clothes allows us to add items to our wardrobe without using additional resources in the manufacturing process,” said Solene Rauturier, Good On You digital marketing manager, in the article “Is Shopping Second Hand Sustainable?” “Buying clothes that already exist slows down the fast fashion cycle. You’re also keeping clothes out of landfills by giving them a new life and discovering unique and special pieces along the way.” ARTWORK BY ALYSSA JOO

Local spring break activities on budget

The Getty Villa, Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles

Travel back in time to ancient Greece and Rome and experience a recreated Roman country home at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles. Located in the hills at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, the villa offers beautiful ocean views. The villa features Greek and Roman antiques from the last 4,000 years, rotating exhibits and an outdoor courtyard with a massive reflecting pool. Currently, the villa features an exhibit titled “Assyria: Palace Art of Ancient Iraq” on loan from the British Museum in London that is on display until Sept. 5. The villa offers a Mediterranean–style cafe with indoor and outdoor dining options and boxed lunches for sale. Admission is free, but visitors must schedule a reservation time at getty.edu/visit/villa/. The museum is open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily but closed on Tuesdays. All guests 12–years–old and up are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID–19 test within 72 hours of entry, and masks are required in all indoor spaces. At home tests, however, are not accepted.

Tucked away on an unassuming street corner in Los Angeles is the Last Bookstore, 22,000 square feet of everything books. Two stories high, the store is broken up into different themed sections all worthy of exploring. The store truly feels like one of the last of its kind with its towering bookshelves, floor–to–ceiling pillars, fairy lights and architectural design elements made from books. The Last Bookstore sells mostly used books, allowing readers to find unique stories they may never find at another bookstore and all at an affordable price. Located at 453 South Spring St., entry to the store is free, but plan to pay for parking at a local parking meter or garage. Spend hours exploring every shelf or visit the music, comic or specialty book sections. Built from an old bank vault, the vast ceilings and open foyer create a cozy and majestic environment to curl up with a good book. The store is open from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and masks are required while inside.

Coba Arch Hike, Thousand Oaks

PHOTOS BY ALYSSA RICE

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

The Conejo Valley has countless miles of trails to explore, and the Coba Arch hike is the perfect one to experience all that the outdoors has to offer. There are multiple access points within Thousand Oaks, which affects the length of the trails, but all are five to seven miles long and have approximately 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The hike is considered challenging, but it is doable for most skill levels. The last part of the trail up to the arch is steep with loose dirt and rocks, so wear good hiking shoes. The Coba Arch blog page on hikinggirlwithdog.com provides detailed instructions and a downloadable map on how to reach the arch from the entry point across from Lang Ranch Park. There is another trailhead at the end of Falling Star Ave. Follow the trail up and keep right at the fork, then continue up to the rock scrambling section with the arch located at the top. The mountain provides stunning views of the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas, making the hike worth the effort.

Compiled by Alyssa Rice

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Listen up: podcasts rise in popularity by vivian stein a&e section editor It’s a common sight: a student walking through the hall on the way to class, phone in hand and AirPods in ears. While many of these students are listening to music, there are others who are listening to a rising form of entertainment — podcasts. According to a 2022 study conducted by buzzsprout.com, over one–third of the American population — around 104 million people — regularly listens to podcasts. This is more than a 30% increase in podcast listeners from 2018. “Podcasts can help listeners learn more about topics that interest them,” according to m ak e u s e of. com. “They can also pick up

GRAPHIC BY ANDY LYNCH

information related to the industry they work in, gain valuable insights for school exam subjects or learn a new skill.” On popular streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music, podcasts in nearly every subject can be found through a simple search. With topics ranging from daily news, comedy, life advice and many more, anyone can find something that interests them. “My favorite [podcast] is Emergency Intercom,” said Valerie Morstad ‘22. “It’s just these two people, Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips, and they’re so funny. They actually remind me a lot of how me and my friends talk, and that’s one of the main reasons I listen to them.” Podcasts like Emergency Intercom, in which influencers discuss aspects of their daily lives and other topics, are becoming more abundant as podcasts continue to grow in popularity. For example, YouTuber Emma Chamberlain’s Anything Goes podcast sparked a surplus of media attention after its 2020 release due to her immense following on many social media platforms. Along with podcasts where hosts discuss their general life experiences and offer advice to listeners, there are many other forms of this medium for people from all audiences, like daily podcasts. “One [podcast] I listen to, because my sign is a Leo, is a two–minute [astrology] podcast [I can] listen to everyday,” said Lanza Peretti ‘25. “I like how you could listen to them very quickly and then

go on with your day, or you could listen to by other forms of entertainment like TV, books one while you’re doing work — they just keep and social media. However, podcasts only you entertained.” rely on one sense, hearing, which makes The convenience of podcasts is a major for less strained eyes and can often be a component of their success, especially for busy more enjoyable experience for consumers, students and young adults. Many students as they can be playing in the background listen to podcasts while doing independent while listeners are free to cook dinner, do work in school or while in need of some homework or take the dog for a walk. background noise. “I really enjoy them, because just like “Since they can be easily downloaded TV, you could find one for whatever you’re on apps like Spotify, interested in, [and] you podcast episodes are a could learn something,” t’s good to switch up said Peretti. “I think convenient on–the–go option, perfect for the the type of media more people should busy schedules of student you consume ... listen to them because listeners,” according to they’re very informative, Media is so abundant [and] you could get a lot out of thevarsity.com. “It also helps that the podcast everything is always coming them [and] I think they’re genre has become at you all the time. Podcasts really convenient.” so diverse, offering As time goes on, [are] new, and they’re cool.” media has had to adjust to something to listeners of all tastes and preferences.” –Valerie Morstad what members of society Podcasts are on want to hear. Whether the rise for audiences of it be for entertainment, all ages, including ones delivering daily news, advice or general information, podcasts have which may appeal more to older audiences, proven themselves to be a beneficial and and daily horoscopes and advice, which tend to informative way for people of all ages to collect appeal to a younger crowd. various forms of knowledge. “It’s good to switch up the type of media “People say that whatever [media] you you consume,” said Morstad. “I feel like as consume, that’s what you produce,” said people, we consume so much media that we get Morstad. “I really agree with that. When you’re bored. Media is so abundant, [and] everything surrounding yourself with good [media], you is always coming at you all the time. Podcasts start to think good thoughts, say good things [are] new and they’re cool.” and do good things. So, it’s kind of a butterfly Although podcasts are greatly rising in effect when you keep consuming good things. popularity, they still tend to be overshadowed That’s why I listen to podcasts.”

“Almost every dollar he makes, he puts it back [into his channel], besides paying all the people he employs,” said Sam Elliot ‘24. “He hardly saves any money, and he says it on podcasts … If [he makes] $4 million a month, he’s going to put three–and–a–half of it back into his videos.” One of MrBeast’s original projects that aimed to help save the environment was “Team Trees,” in which each dollar donated to the foundation would equal one tree planted. By the end of the fundraiser, MrBeast had received over $23 million in donations, which meant 23 million trees were planted. Many popular influencers and celebrities contributed to the enormous sum donated, including singer and rapper Marshmello, technology YouTuber Marques Brownlee, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and many more. “The fact that [MrBeast] is putting out word to a young audience about these issues, is really influential for the next generation that can hopefully fix some of these problems,” said Elliot. Similarly, in October 2021, MrBeast set out to improve the environment once again by launching a program called “Team Seas,” in which every dollar donated would be matched with one pound of plastic removed from the sea. Over $30 million

was donated for the fundraiser, and MrBeast hired crews to pick up trash from beaches and the ocean. One of the organizations that contributed to the cause was Ocean Cleanup. “[MrBeast] promotes other organizations [that] help, so one video gives so much traffic [to those organizations], like Ocean Cleanup, [which] got so many new supporters, and these supporters will stay,” said Dietel. “When I can spend $10 … to remove 10 pounds of trash from the ocean, [it’s] great, [and I know] I [am] supporting a good cause.” As he works to conquer world hunger and improve the

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MrBeast strives to improve the world

by shane douglas sports editor

Compiled by Andy Lynch

SY OF PUBL IC DOMAIN

PHOTOS CO URTE

YouTuber MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, as he has made it his quest to conquer YouTube and become the most subscribed to channel on the platform. However, Donaldson isn’t only on a popularity quest to conquer YouTube, but he’s working to conquer world hunger as well. “MrBeast is someone who helps inspire people,” said Moritz Dietel ‘23. “He’s a YouTuber, but I would say he’s different from everybody else. He’s not doing it to make money. He’s doing it to give money, to help people in need [and] to help people who don’t have the fortune he has.” In November 2020, MrBeast started a food bank in North Carolina. Since then, the food bank has given over one million meals to people in need, according to MrBeast. This was especially helpful when COVID–19 infections spiked again, catapulting unemployment rates. “I really like that because food is the best thing to give to people in need. [People can use] money … for drugs [and] alcohol, [and] you can’t control what they use it for, but if you actually want to help those people, you give them food,” said Dietel. “Even though he has such a big community and so much money, he still cares about everyone and supports every single person, especially people who really need him.” In addition, MrBeast created the “Beast Philanthropy” channel on Sept. 17, 2020. This channel showcases his food bank in action. All of the profits from the channel’s videos go directly into his food bank funds.

environment, MrBeast also is on a misson to conquer YouTube, with hopes to gain more followers than his long–time idol, PewDiePie. PewDiePie has 111 million subscribers, while Mr. Beast trails with 91.1 million subscribers. In general, MrBeast continues to invest his money into beneficial causes. The revenue he gains from each video goes into making the next video bigger and better. “He is probably one of the most selfless people in the world,” said Dietel, “[He] has great fortune with his videos [and] found [his] passion [to] use it to help the people, help the world and society.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BookTok encourages reading among teens by andy lynch a&e editor

If you like Greek mythology ... If you like romantic comedy ... try The Song of Achilles The Greek god Achilles and his love Patroclus have been inseparable since children, and now, they must fight in the Trojan War together.

If you like science fantasy ...

try People We Meet on Vacation Poppy and Alex have been friends for years, but after losing contact for two years, they reunite and take one final trip together.

If you like autobiographies ...

try Iron widow

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

Reading appears to be a dying pastime for many due to the growth of technology driving people away from physical forms of entertainment such as books. While films, video games and other digital media continue to exponentially grow in popularity, reading has adapted to the world of technology. Many teens have taken reading to the next level as social media has become more accessible. Within the past year, print book and e– book sales have seen a large increase in revenue due to young adults’ interest in literature. “U.S. publishers sold 825.7 million print books in 2021, up 8.9% over the previous year,’’ said Forbes business author Zachary Smith in the article “Sales Are Up Nearly 9% For Print Books — But Who’s Reading Them?” “Readers are increasingly picking up e–books and audiobooks. U.S. print book sales rose by 67.8 million in 2021, with adult fiction sales rising 25.5%.” In today’s day and age, teens have paved the way for young adult literature’s popularity and have used the social media platform TikTok to introduce fresh and exciting books to the masses through its subculture called ‘BookTok’. “BookTok is exciting, with its short, entertaining videos bringing a new, powerful opportunity to reach and engage non–readers, to create more book lovers,” said marketing and brand consultant Kat McKenna in the article “The rise of BookTok: meet the teen influencers pushing books up the charts.” Through the use of different platforms,

If you like this genre, check out this book

Wu Zetian fights to avenge her sister’s death and rebel against the patriarchy through piloting robots in a dystopian version of the Tang Dynasty.

try Crying in H Mart Music artist Michelle Zauner writes about her mother’s cancer and reconnecting with her mother’s Korean culture through food. GRAPHIC BY ANDY LYNCH

many WHS students have uncovered numerous ways to discover new and unique books to read. “I get [my book recommendations] from either TikTok or from other friends,” said Emma Caldwell ‘23. “Before that, I would just go to Barnes and Noble and pick out any random book to read.” Young adult novels centered around fantasy, romance and dystopian societies have been skyrocketing in popularity, with novels such as They Both Die in the End, The Song of

Achilles and even Percy Jackson, which is making a comeback, despite the series ending in 2009. “[I love] Percy Jackson because it’s a feel– good adventure story,” said Maggie Hronek ‘25. “I love the representation it provides for all types of people, and I think it’s a really good series to read. There’s no controversy around [the book], which I really like.” Some students are ahead of the reading curve and have been avidly taking part in reading for many years. “[Reading] has been something I’ve

always really enjoyed, but I really got into it at the very end of elementary school where I could read more difficult books with deeper plots,” said Hronek. Books on current bestseller lists come in a variety of forms, with some providing deep, emotional meanings such as Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, and others with more lighthearted themes, like Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners. Social media sites, however, have been promoting and spreading awareness of a variety of different influential series such as the book They Both Die in the End, which analyzes the contemplation of mortality and facing death head on. “Adam Silvera’s 2017 novel They Both Die at the End is one of the books to have benefited from the BookTok effect,” said author Alison Flood according to The Guardian. “Users recently started filming themselves before and after reading the book [and] sobbing as they reached the finish line. In March, it shot to the top of the teen fiction charts, selling more than 4,000 copies a week. The book has sold more than 200,000 copies in the U.K., with well over half of those coming belatedly in 2021 after thousands of posts about it.” The BookTok effect, in which TikTok videos bring attention to various books, has led to a rise in popularity of books and reading as a whole. In fact, this uprising of reading has had a positive effect on teens as it encourages young adults to expand their minds and experience new and unique forms of informational literature. “Books are [enjoyable] for anyone,” said Hronek. “I think everyone can enjoy [reading].”

94th Academy Awards staff picks After a year of anticipation, the Oscars are taking place on March 27. Now, The Arrow staff members are here to discuss what movies they would choose to take home trophies.

Animated feature film Raya and the Last Dragon

Visual effects Shang–Chi

“The visual effects are big enough so that the movie seems grand and like a Marvel movie but not overpowering to the extent that the movie seems unrealistic. They also amplify each character’s individual role in the movie.” –Soumya Monga ‘22

“For a movie targeted towards children, especially young girls, it has a lot of good messages about resilience and accepting help from others while not necessarily relying on someone else to save you.” –Makenna Norman ‘23

Costume design Best picture Don’t Look Up

Sources: oscars.com & variety.com

“The movie connects to today’s world, and I think it is really powerful how the writers were able to create a world that so closely mirrored ours, while sending a message about the dangers of capitalism.” –Alyssa Rice ‘23

West Side Story

“The costumes by Paul Tazewell collaborate perfectly with the actors’ movements in the elaborate choreography. With a swift flick of Anita’s yellow dress or the contrast of color between the Jets’ and Sharks’ wardrobe, the costumes fully immerse the audience into this timeless story.” –Grace Hefner ‘24

GRAPHIC BY VIVIAN STEIN

YES

opt for adult actors in order to maximize their filming capabilities. Because of this, casting teenagers is less of an option. If teenage roles were demanded to be filled by ella marcum by an actor of the same age, production efficiency opinion editor would decrease severely, causing the industry for teenage film to decrease in popularity. “In a study of retention rate of film details Since the beginning of television and film, teenagers have been a popular target audience between different age groups, Hadley Cantril for media production. To connect with these found that ‘both children and adults remember younger audiences and create a relatable best material that has a high emotional appeal, dynamic, writers will often depict the coming– that is easily understood, and that is concerned of–age experience and the ups and downs that with the movie’s plot,’” said intern therapist Sean Faulkner with usf. accompany it. When it comes onveying therapist.worldpress. The use of dramatic to the accuracy of the the teenage emotion in film makes the depictions of teenagers, experience means content more engaging, many questions arise delving into the ups and which is what ultimately surrounding the legitimacy of teenage downs of the coming–of–age makes the portrayal more The on–screen portrayal. Considering experience and the hardships relatable. teenage experience the dramatized flare that present themselves along parallels the idea of of Hollywood, the on– screen experience is the way.” storytelling in general and how exaggeration arguably accurate. plays into the interest of U.S. law states that minors in the entertainment industry may the audience. “Teenage experience” is a broad term as not work more than eight hours in a day [LC 1308.7 and 1392] or more than 48 hours in a the perspective of one teen may be completely different from another. For example, some teens week [LC 1308.7]. Considering that minors have restrictions might spend their nights studying while others on their ability to work, casting directors often are out exploring with friends. The difference

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Opposing opinions

OPINION in perspective allows for endless possibilites in defining the teenage experience. With the nature of Hollywood, film is often dramatized to create an exciting plot. Just because the plot is on the chaotic side, it does not mean it strays from the experiences of a teen. Instead, the experiences just might not resonate with certain types of teenagers, such as those with more low–key lives. On the other hand, the portrayal of illegal activity and substance abuse in shows such as Euphoria are partly based on truth. Though not every teenager partakes in such activities, it does not mean that this is unheard of. Conveying the reality of the teenage experience means delving into the ups and downs of the coming–of–age experience and the hardships that present themselves along the way. A more internal struggle involves the gender and sexuality crisis that characters like Rue and Jules in Euphoria experience. Their experiences are niche and might not be experienced by every

individual but can still be appreciated as they help normalize LGBTQ+ representation. Some films centered around teen characters contrast films with darker topics, giving teens a wide selection of media to resonate with. In Disney movies and Disney Channel shows, teenagers live a life bordering that of a child where the outfits, dialogue and plot revolve around the positive and uplifting nature of Disney. For example, the show iCarly follows the life of teenager Carly and her friends and their experience as media influencers. Lack of swearing, modest clothing and lighthearted storylines are standard for the show, a representation of televsion that appeals to the innocence of teens that other shows lack. Overall, the teenage experience varies for every teenager, similar to how TV shows depicting teenagers vary. The film industry accurately mimics this diversity among teenagers. This diversity exposes young adult audiences to many different perspectives and experiences.

Do TV shows and movies accurately portray the experiences of teens today? Hollywood has targeted teenage audiences in media for decades. Considering its typical glamour, some people argue that the portrayal of teenagers is over–dramatized and subsequently inaccurate, while others maintain that the depiction of the teenage experience is accurate.

NO by julie rendon opinion editor In modern media, teenagers are often the focal point, appearing as main characters in popular TV shows and movies. While many people resonate with these characters, the reality is that teenagers are not represented correctly in media. The “teen experience” is too exaggerated in media and does not accurately portray teenage life. In many mainstream TV shows such as Riverdale and Euphoria, teenagers have not been accurately portrayed in everyday life. For instance, teenagers are shown running their own businesses or getting involved with serious issues including drug abuse even though this is not reality for most high schoolers. Riverdale follows the lives of best friends Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones and Veronica Lodge and the drama that unfolds in their small hometown, as they expose fellow residents’ secrets. While teenagers do go through times of doubts and

uncertainty, most have never battled over property with their father or owned a speakeasy like Veronica Lodge in Riverdale. It is simply unrealistic for TV to portray 14–18 year–olds owning bars and serving alcohol to their peers. Given that underage drinking is illegal, this portrayal is inaccurate and a harmful influence for teens. A positive portrayal in Riverdale is the relationship between Veronica Lodge and her father Hiram Lodge, although the show overdramatized it greatly. It’s normal for teenagers and their parents to have arguments; however, Hiram Lodge takes his insanity to a new level as he imprisons Veronica Lodge’s boyfriend, Andrews, as punishment. While it is understandable for the two to be upset with each other, Hiram Lodge’s extreme reaction is simply too exaggerated and unrealistic. Riverdale also struggles to pinpoint what teens do in their free time. A majority of teens like to sleep, play video games or hang out with friends. No one imagines them threatening people for information to solve a missing persons case, but

that is exactly what Betty Cooper, a 16–year– and relationships because it serves as a good old prodigy detective, does in Riverdale. model for what healthy living looks like for the Not only did Cooper threaten people, but teenagers watching. also she got away with involvement in murder Another facet of misrepresenting the without a scratch on her record. Under no teenage experience is the lack of representation circumstances will a teenager delve into such a in most TV shows. For instance, the cast of dangerous and dark subject unless this is symbolic Gossip Girl is predominantly white and does not for the death of innocence. have many actors of color Similar to Riverdale, or queer characters. t is essential to have Euphoria is a show The storyline riddled with dangerous characters with good follows the lives of two scenarios that can privileged high mental health and very trigger viewers. Euphoria school girls and the relationships because it serves drama in their lives. creator and director Sam Levinson showcases teens as a good model for what Unfortunately, not every suffering from anxiety, healthy living looks like.” teen has the luxury of depression, low self– coming from a wealthy esteem and grave mental family and only having health issues. While this is an important topic to deal with drama between a close knit group to address, these situations don’t apply to the of friends. majority of teenagers. Money, beauty and titles are not a reality Euphoria centers around Rue, a 17–year– for many teenagers, and Gossip Girl leaves out old who deals with extreme drug addiction, many teenagers who do not have the character’s and although there are teenagers who deal with luxuries. Many teens have to work for their this in reality, over–emphasizing drug use in own money and hold minimum wage jobs in teenage media can be seen as glamourization high school while these characters get to breeze rather than raising awareness, which can result through their high school experiences without in normalizing drug use instead of preventing it. that worry. The show depicts many traumatizing Writers and producers have proven that situations damaging to the characters, but they are not able to correctly portray teenagers it needs to develop a plot more true to the throughout their lives with the glamourization of experience of average teenagers and shy away dangerous topics and lack of diverse representation from the glorification of drugs. It is essential featured in highly popular teenage shows. ARTWORK BY ALYSSA JOO to portray characters with good mental health

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OPINION

Sports deserve more funding by shane douglas

‘Tis no mystery: History is victory by makenna norman featured columnist Many students take summer school classes to lighten their busy schedules during the school year and open up a class period for an elective or a study hall. I myself have taken two summer school courses in the past and am planning on taking another this year. While taking classes over the summer can be very beneficial in getting ahead, it also has its downsides. I think we can all agree that we learn significantly less during summer school, especially when it’s online and asynchronous. Squeezing an entire year’s worth of material into a couple of months or weeks is just not possible, and a lot of information is left out or not explained with the same depth. There’s also the issue of learning from home, as several classes are remote, which includes a number of distractions. Furthermore, with asynchronous classes, you basically have to teach yourself. I never thought of this as a serious issue before, as I knew I wasn’t going to remember any Spanish whether I took Spanish 3 during the school year or not. However, especially after registration took place throughout February, I began to grow a little concerned when I realized what the most common summer school classes were. History classes are frequently taken over the summer, and I completely understand the desire to get them out of the way, as I have always disliked and done poorly in all history classes. Despite this, I believe that history, specifically U.S. history, shouldn’t be taken over the summer, and students should instead take the course during the normal school year. While learning trigonometry or reading Macbeth might have some greater purpose that I simply haven’t discovered yet, what I’m learning in my U.S. History class feels truly important, especially when learning about things such as Native Americans’ experiences with white settlers, African Americans’ experiences during slavery and all the years afterwards, and women’s struggles as they argued for rights for centuries. I have learned about the roots of current issues to a far greater extent than in eighth grade American History. While taking history over the summer has its benefits, and I recommend doing what you need to reduce stress in your schedule, I continue to be thankful that I took the traditional, year–long U.S. History course. What I have learned in the last eight months has structured my current view on this country and has made me aware of changes I wish to see in the future. Cheerio!

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Solving counselor shortage problems by makenna norman feature section editor High school is a difficult time for teens as they try to manage homework, sports, clubs or jobs while also taking care of their mental health. School counselors provide help to students with their academic and social lives, but with only a few counselors in a school of over 2,000 students, counselors are often unable to support students entirely, especially when students require help beyond academics. Each of the five counselors at WHS have about 450–500 students assigned to them, and students’ counselors change when they become upperclassmen. The large student to counselor ratio makes it difficult for students to develop relationships with their counselors and approach them with whatever they are struggling with. The lack of regular interaction may also prevent counselors from writing college recommendation letters that truly encompass the student. “I do wish every single week I could see every single one of my students,” said junior and senior counselor Amy Kirksey. “That would be a dream come true even if it was just a quick touch base.” With counselors’ many responsibilities, including handling schedule changes and helping students prepare for college, they are often unable to provide mental health support for students. This year, however, the WHS Wellness Center has become a valuable resource, with several counselors available to support students. The center is run by lead counselor Jennifer Julian, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been working in Conejo Valley Unified School District’s mental health department for the past four years. The Wellness Room was established to provide support for students who are struggling with their mental wellness. It is a relatively

Q&A with Wellness Center’s lead counselor Jennifer Julian Q: How was the Wellness Center established?

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Lack of funding among different sports has been an unfortunate reality at WHS for too long. For example, When the school was established in 1978, there was no football stadium or swimming pool. Despite WHS having come a long way in equally dispersing funds across sports, there is more work to be done. In general, through increased funding, students are given better opportunities to excel at their sports and a chance to make the most of their passions. The WHS football team has its own locker room while most sports have to use the regular P.E. locker room. The reason football has the funding for these amenities is because they make the most money. However, the P.E. locker room that the majority of WHS student–athletes utilize is unreliable, as some days the room is locked, forcing student–athletes to resort to changing in the bathroom stalls. This is not only extremely unsanitary, but it’s a distraction for students in class. Students leaving class to use the restroom have to wait in a long line

A: “We didn’t have easy access [to mental health support] for kids on campus before. With the pandemic, we realized the emotional health needs getting higher for [teens].”

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sports editor

with athletes for the next available stall to open improve student–athletes’ mental health and up. This is another example of the unfortunate their overall well–being. consequences of a lack of funding across sports. “Examinations of various school districts’ According to crystalandcomp.com, budget information across the country reveal students involved in sports are more likely to that activity programs make up very small be successful in school compared to regular percentages of school budgets,” according students, and student– to nfhs.org. “In the athletes have a higher Angeles Unified n general, through Los attendance rate than School District, activity more equal funding, programs received $6.33 non–student–athletes. When sports are students are given million of the overall prioritized for increased billion budget for better opportunities to excel $7.27 funding, students feel 2014–15 … The budget at their sports and more of a for school activity more inclined to get involved in a sport, chance to make the most of programs is less than knowing that even the less percent of the overall their passions.” one popular sports will have district’s budget.” all the materials needed If high schools to give student–athletes a memorable experience. agree to put aside a higher percentage of Overall, more money dispersed across sports their budget towards sports programs, helps students feel more inclined to participate in better dispersed funding can bring increased a sport, which has been found to boost schools’ attention to seemingly unpopular sports and attendance rates and academic performance. allow for increasingly better opportunities for According to jbcnschool.edu.in, sports student–athletes. also teach athletes life–long skills such as School districts should incorporate a respect, teamwork, sportsmanship and higher percentage of their overall budgets a healthy work ethic, which factor into into sports, as it will benefit the school and its adulthood. Playing sports can also help students for years to come.

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Not the Norm

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Q: For what purpose was the Wellness Center created? A: “The last two years have been really challenging for teenagers, so I think it’s important to give them a place where they feel safe [to] walk in at any time.”

Q: What is your goal for students at WHS? A: “I want to be a safe person for people to come to when they’re struggling and be someone they feel comfortable sharing with and talking to.”

GRAPHIC BY MAKENNA NORMAN & JULIE RENDON

unique aspect of WHS, as few other schools across the nation have similar programs. Located in room 11W, the Wellness Center became an official part of the school during the 2021–22 school year, as the COVID–19 relief fund allowed high schools within CVUSD to establish such centers. Mental health struggles are quite common amongst teenagers, with one in five 12–18–year– olds suffering from one or more mental health disorders according to Polaris Teen Center. As such, schools, like those within CVUSD, have made efforts to provide more resources to improve students’ mental states. The Wellness Center is accessible at lunch, as well as before and after school, for students who prefer not to miss class. In addition to individual counseling sessions, the center provides resources such as

weekly group sessions, Tuesday talks during lunch and Wellness Wednesday workshops before school. Students can also stop by the Wellness Center to escape whatever stress they are facing in their lives and take a nap, play a game or have some candy. WHS counselors and Wellness Center clinicians work together to attend to students’ mental wellness. While counselors are still involved with mental health issues among students, they have less on their plates and can provide more support in academic areas. The Wellness Center is easily accessible and a convenient way for WHS students to take care of their mental health, and with the center’s many resources, students will likely find something suitable for them and their needs. It’s important that students take into account their mental well– being and consider visiting the Wellness Center.

SPORTS

As the spring sports season kicks off, so does the beginning of the winter drumline season, a unique sport that incorporates artistry with the use of instruments. Winter drumline involves performing with instruments on a stage, but unlike marching band, it only includes keyboards and percussion instruments. “It’s taking that smaller environment of the marching band scene and [making it] into a more technical part of the art program,” said center snare drummer Jackson Bacon ‘22. Similar to the full regiment show that takes place during the fall, which includes marching band and colorguard, drumline incorporates themes for its shows and performances. This year’s show is titled Out of the Woods. “Themes and music for a winter drumline show can be quite diverse,” according to spiegato.com. “Many groups choose to re– enact popular movie or television show plots,

marching band, … and I loved it,” said Bacon. “After [the season], I had nothing to do anymore, [but] I found out about … winter drumline. I had always liked to drum, and I had piano experience, [so] I went to [the] interest meeting and got totally sucked in. I’ve been doing it for four years since.” While regiment and winter drumline are similar sports, drumline allows students to experience performing with a much smaller group of people. “[With] marching band, [there are] so many people, and you don’t get to know everyone as well as you might [want], but with drumline, it’s a condensed group,” said Bacon.“You really get to know everyone, and it’s a really fun experience to … meet new people.” Through every practice, performance and everything in between, students involved have become close and are there for each other. “We’re a very tight–knit group, and we all love each other,” said Gereige. “It’s a great community and a really great support system to have.”

Swim team welcomes new head coach

Softball

boys

Record: 9W–1L Next game: 3/22 vs. TOHS

Golf

Record: 2W–4L Next game: 3/22 vs. NPHS

Tennis

Record: 4W–5L Next match: 3/22 vs. Agoura

Cheer

Record: N/A Next meet: 3/23 @ WHS

boys

by allan tieu news section editor

Volleyball

LA N TI EU

Record: 11W–5L Next game: 3/23 vs. Agoura HS

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PHOTO BY GRACE HEFNER

After years of new coaches and months of uncertainty, the WHS swim team was able to acquire a new coach for the 2022 swim season. As a WHS alumnus, Connor Donohoe returns to WHS and has taken the role of head boys and girls JV and varsity swim coach. “I have assistant coaches who have been really able to help me out here, and it is a really good situation,” said Donohoe. “Just coming back to my alma mater to coach here has been a dream of mine.” Donohoe has swum competitively for 12 years, part of those years being at WHS and Cal Lutheran University. He has been coaching for about five years at various locations around Conejo Valley before returning to WHS as a coach. “I think [swimming] is a great exercise,” said Donohoe. “It is one of the main exercises that increases your cardio and really produces a longer life. From a coaching standpoint, it is really satisfying to see swimmers improve throughout the season.” Prior to Donohoe’s arrival, varsity swimmer Spencer King ‘22 felt that not having a consistent coach throughout the years had a negative effect on the swim team. “At this point, we’ve had four coaches,” said King. “It does get hard not having a permanent coach who can see our progress and know where we’re at.” Despite not having a long–term coach throughout the past few years, King feels that there have been some benefits to come out of the situation. “I think with the new coach we’ll see a

girls

complete with musical scores adapted for percussion instruments.” While some students who are a part of fall season regiment play the same instrument for each sport, many end up switching their instruments during the winter drumline season. “It’s a great way to … have some fun with friends and learn this cool new skill set,” said Bacon. “You get to learn a new instrument, more or less, and it’s a lot of fun to have that experience under your belt.” Although drumline can be a large time commitment, coaches Paul Cerci, Phil Idell, Daniel Neufeld and Aaron Talabucon are always available to help the students. “The staff that works with [us] is really understanding, and if [we] need more time, they’ll work with [us] to fix [the problem],” said xylophone and glock player Jessie Gereige ‘23. Many members joined drumline after participating in regiment during the fall season, as many students wanted to continue with a similar experience for the remainder of the school year. “[During] my freshman year, I did

boys

by grace hefner sports section editor

B aseball

Record: 8W–3L Next game: 3/22 vs. Agoura HS

boys

Winter drumline picks up tempo

(as of March 21)

stunt

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANI VILLARI

THE BEAT OF THE DRUM: WHS winter drumline performs in open class, the second highest divison in the circuit, at Colony High School on March 12.

Spring sports

UNDER PRESSURE: Varsity swimmer Micah Chang ‘22 benches in the weight room along with the WHS varsity swim team as Coach Donohoe (right) directs Chang’s form.

different teaching style, and I think that will be to our advantage — to be able to compare the different techniques of all the coaches,” said King. “Every coach brings something different to the water and to the individual swimmers.” WHS swimmers are excited to have a new coach to lead them through this swim season and what he can bring to the program. “Because of COVID–19 and new coaches, we haven’t been able to get a full season for the past few years,” said varsity swimmer Jessica Xu ‘23. Although Donohoe joined the season late, WHS swimmers have an appreciation for him and his newfound mentorship and coaching style. “I think he’s done a good job at trying to get us in the water as soon as possible,” said King. “He’s done a good job coming into the season late but still trying to make sure we have a good year.”

A swim coach must be technical with their swimmers, be able to motivate them, have the proper education, have experience and be strategically efficient, according to swimmingscience.net. “[Donohoe] is both energetic and focused but strict at the same time,” said varsity swimmer Andrew Luo ‘22. “I think he has done a good job being able to motivate [us] and get [us] to actually attend practices.” Donohoe is ready to dive into this swim season to lead the swim team to a successful year, hoping to make it to CIF. “We have a really good squad this year, and I think that the main expectation is that everyone has fun this season,” said Donohoe. “The expectation for each swimmer is to improve their strokes and see some kind of improvement. That’s really just all I want to see.”

L acrosse

Record: 2–4 (boys) 6–3 (girls) Next game: 3/23 vs. Agoura HS (boys) 3/23 vs. Agoura HS (girls)

Swimming

Record: 2–0 (boys) 1–1 (girls) Next meet: 3/29 vs. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks

Track & F ield

Record: N/A Next meet: 3/24 vs. Calabasas HS For more sports, the latest updates, stories and scores, visit the WHS athletics website at westlakeathletics.net. Compiled by Allan Tieu

STAFF CHALLENGES

Arrow staff challenges Different music genre The moment my fellow staff member Makenna Norman ‘23 yelled to the staff that she wanted to challenge me to only listen to modern music, I immediately let out a panicked laugh. As someone who’s grown up with The Beatles and The Who blasting in the car on the way to school, I think it’s fair to say I am a bit of a pessimist when it comes to the music of today. I tend to turn into an old lady and blame my generation for their horrible music taste, that is until I took a week to listen only to modern music. Makenna made a playlist

for me compiling many genres of current popular music. The first few days of listening to that playlist, I was still very skeptical of what I was listening to. While I was already a fan of some of the modern artists featured in the playlist, such as Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift, I had failed to jump on the bandwagon for other artists, like Doja Cat and Ed Sheeran. However, after listening to Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” and Doja Cat’s “You Right,” I soon found myself looking into their discography to discover more songs. I then looked into other artists that were recommended to me or

No caffeine

The morning after accepting the challenge to go a week without caffeine, I instantly regretted my decision. It’s not like my caffeine addiction is over–the–top, but there’s something nice about starting my 6:30 a.m. morning by drinking a cup of coffee, eating my breakfast and doing the daily Wordle. After being deprived of one of my simple morning pleasures on the first day of the challenge, I headed off to school to start my day. By the time I reached fourth period, I started to feel the consequences of my decision to stay up late the night before. After trudging down from the student parking lot to my first class of the day, my fatigue started to set in. My grogginess was persistent

by vivian stein

throughout my first few classes and really hit as I tried my best to keep up with psychology notes. Throughout the week, I noticed that my drowsiness was more intense than usual. To make matters worse, it was a busy week full of homework and practices, and I wasn’t getting enough sleep, making staying alert in my classes even more of a challenge. However, my sleepiness wasn’t even the extent of these difficult seven days.

Different style Well … this challenge was interesting to say the least. I had the honor of swapping styles with my fellow staff member Andy Lynch ‘23. To define Andy’s style in their words, it is “gothic pirate meets cottagecore queer.” This style includes many thrifted finds, including a silky, light pink shirt, a deep red pleated skirt, a short white dress and many different corsets, which is completely different from what is in my closet. My style consists of button ups, turtlenecks, Dickies and overall much more comfortable and, what I like to think, fashionable clothes. Though I was very excited to dive into this challenge, it wasn’t everything I had thought it would be. I have never voluntarily worn outfits that tell stories and portray a

by grace hefner

by julie rendon

character, nor have I ever worn a skirt, so this was very new territory for me. The first day, I wore a cottagecore outfit that featured a dark green skirt with a white dress on top, and my favorite part — the corset! This was a great start because I didn’t know what the outfit would be, and it was undeniably an “Andy Lynch staple.” This outfit had everyone looking at me, knowing exactly who I was switching styles with. However, I am not one who enjoys being the center of attention, so this was not a fun feeling. The next few days were the same in terms of outfits, but with

that I had heard of before, such as pop artist Zolita, who recently released “Single in September,” a song I was listening to on repeat. Near the end of the week, I started to miss the music I normally listened to. I found myself instinctively clicking on my usual playlists before I stopped myself from playing a George Harrison song. Although there were songs in the modern playlist that I did not care for upon first listen including artists like Kanye West, songs such as “Lover” by Taylor Swift and “Golden” by Harry Styles instantly reassured me that current music isn’t so bad. I’m thankful that The Arrow staff recommended that I do this challenge, as I was able to find an appreciation for modern music and artists. While I think I’ll be sticking with my oldies playlist for the time being, I know I’ll be listening to more modern songs. My weekly Tuesday boba run was thwarted, and my Saturday winter guard pre–competition visit to the Starbucks drive–thru was also off–limits. So, moral of the story, I suppose my reliance on caffeine is stronger than I thought it was. Although the week of my no–caffeine challenge was tough, I learned a lot about how something as simple as a morning coffee can affect my day. Maybe, just maybe, it’s not a bad idea to take a caffeine break every now and then to ensure that my dependency isn’t too strong or, at least, not as strong as I like my coffee. different colors and vibes. As much as I want to say I loved this challenge, I couldn’t attain that feeling of exuberance and wanted to crawl back into my turtlenecks. The outfits were all extraordinary, but not something I could feel like myself in. Despite this, I am proud that I left my comfort zone, stepped into someone else’s shoes and successfully completed this difficult challenge.

This issue, some of The Arrow staff members accepted week–long challenges that took them out of their comfort zones.

Going vegetarian Eating vegetarian for a week was a difficult but fun change from my usual diet. I struggled with finding ways to challenge myself with new and different foods, but I ended up learning a bit more about eating and food in general. At the start of the challenge, I felt a little sad since my family had decided to have Korean barbecue. I love KBBQ, but I had to miss out for the sake of integrity and change. Besides melodramatic moments like that, I enjoyed the different diet. Finding alternative meals was an interesting experience — although trying veggie meat for the first time in a while was definitely not one of my favorite moments. To avoid becoming a total rabbit, I looked into more colorful foods to eat besides straight vegetables. I became proficient with cutting fruit and found immense comfort in tofu. I also took this as an opportunity to try different snacks because I needed to stay alert throughout the

by alyssa joo

day, and it’s hard to think on an empty stomach. Working while having some almonds and peanuts to chew on became a routine that I plan to keep. Throughout all of these new experiences, I can say that, while the changes didn’t have a grand impact on my daily life, I definitely learned to appreciate the herbivore side of my diet and even added some new, healthy habits to my daily food intake. I would recommend trying a week– long vegetarian or vegan diet just to experience something new. It cultivates a better understanding of your own holistic diet and might give insight on how you can change your diet to meet your needs more efficiently. Plus, there are a lot of different foods out there that you may not even know about yet. You don’t have to commit to being vegetarian just to try something new. In fact, challenging yourself to try one new thing every week could introduce you to your next favorite food ever.

No social media

Even though I don’t have many social media platforms and stick mainly to Instagram and YouTube, staying off of social media for a week was still a challenge. I typically spend 10–15 hours a week on just the two social media platforms I have, with Instagram being the biggest time–waster. What starts with checking a message on Instagram ends with scrolling through posts or reels (yes, I watch Instagram reels) for far longer than I intended. But on what was supposed to be my first, official, social media– free day, I went on Instagram within half an hour of waking up. I was on the app for just a few minutes before I remembered the challenge, but I realized that I had a habit of checking Instagram, and I decided the best thing to do was delete the app, at least for the rest of the week. Despite a few minor setbacks, the week flew by

by makenna norman

and was overall not much of a struggle. The lack of social media actually allowed me some extra free time, which I mostly spent reading. Surprisingly, I didn’t go to sleep earlier without social media, contrary to my expectations. I realized my short attention span while doing homework couldn’t be cured by avoiding Instagram and YouTube, as I turned to books or other apps when I lost focus, and it took me just as long as usual to finish my assignments before I could get to sleep. Deleting social media apps didn’t alter my life the way I had expected. I thought I would constantly have to suppress the urge to check Instagram, and that without it, I would have time to do whatever I wanted, like sleep 10 hours a night. In reality, there wasn’t much change, and I honestly forgot about Instagram and my desire to mindlessly scroll.

Compiled by Makenna Norman