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VOLUME 107 ISSUE 4 SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL JANUARY 29, 2021 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030 Vaccine distribution brings hope, frustration

STORY ZOE SCHLAAK finally I realized… there were no appointments available. It was pretty frustrating [because] my friends were getting appointments… and I couldn’t figure out what I was ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG doing wrong. So I tried the Dodger Stadium one and it took me about half a day but I PHOTOS CONTRIBUTORS was finally able to get an appointment for my husband and [myself].”

ommunity members expressed relief and annoyance about vaccine distribution Health officials have urged community members to get the vaccine when they have Cas South Pasadena approaches 1,200 coronavirus cases. the opportunity to do so, regardless of the unlikely side effects.

California organized the vaccine distribution into Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2, and they “I hope that people will trust the science and get the vaccine when they are able to,” are being administered at pharmacy chains, hospitals, and large-scale vaccination Dr. Tina Yu, a local OB-GYN, said. “I had only injection site arm soreness. However, sites like the Forum and Dodger Stadium. The two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are about 10 to 15 percent of people do have significant side effects from the vaccine 12 to distributed in two doses at least 21 and 28 days apart, respectively. 36 hours after receiving the shot, due to their immune response. People just need to be aware of that and be mentally prepared for it and take over the counter analgesics/ Phase 1A, which consists of healthcare workers, is almost complete in L.A. County. fever reducers as needed.” Phase 1B, comprised of people over 65 and high-risk non-medical workers began its first tier in mid-January. Phase 1C — 50 to 64-year-olds, low-risk workers, and 16 to California currently ranks in the bottom 10 states for vaccine distribution due to a 49-year-olds with underlying health conditions — is expected to begin in the spring. combination of factors, including lack of resources and insufficient staffing. South The proposed but not approved Phase 2 is expected to begin in mid-May or early June Pasadena’s coronavirus case record at the time of publication was 1,161, a threefold and will include 16 to 49-year-olds with no high-risk medical conditions. increase over the past two months. Thus, health officials urge residents to follow coronavirus safety regulations even as people begin to get vaccinated. Even though vaccination appointments have been available to seniors for over a week, many have expressed frustration with navigating the process. “We need to continue the social distancing and health protocols,” Yu said. “It will be many months before the majority of people are vaccinated and we should do our best “When it was announced the fact that they were vaccinating people who were 65 and to minimize spread in the meantime. Even though the vaccine is 95 percent effective, over, I started hunting for a vaccine in L.A. County,” senior resident Maria Morales you never know if you are part of that last 5 percent, so it is best to still be careful.” said. “ I was using the L.A. County website, [but] when I got to the page where you can make an appointment, they wouldn’t tell you that no appointments were available; L.A. County’s vaccine supply is “extremely limited,” but appointments for those over

they would just kick you back to the beginning. So I kept on trying and trying, and 65 are periodically available, with the rest of Phase 1B starting in early February.

“COMING OUT” ASTROLOGY KELLY WU While an empowering Astrologically Tiger profiles figure experience for significant events set skating prodigy, many, “coming out” to occur throughout SPHS senior Kelly has evolved into a 2021 allude to what this Wu, who harnesses homophobia-rooted year might have in store her natural talent and requirement for the politically, socially, determination into self- queer experience. and personally. expression on the ice. Page 7 Page 12 Page 15

TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM TIGER 2 JANUARY 29, 2021 State restrictions postpone NEWS SPUSD TK-2 reopening L.A. County must halve its adjusted case rate for schools to reopen. The Anti-Racism STORY KATIE HOHMAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF Committee fights ABIGAIL SILVER

he district has delayed its grades TK-2 return for local change Tplan indefinitely after state officials released new restrictions on Thursday, Jan. 14 that prohibit L.A. County STORY HAELEE KIM schools from reopening due to record coronavirus cases. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPUSD elementary schools had previously been approved WILL HOADLEY-BRILL to reopen in January, but must now wait until the county has been at or below 25 cases per 100,000 people per day Since its inception, the South Pasadena Anti-Racism for at least five consecutive days. Committee (ARC) has dedicated itself to dismantling racism within the city through grassroots organizing in Kindergarten students were expected to return back to government, education, public safety, and the arts. in-person school with a hybrid model on Monday, Feb. 8, followed by first and second graders on Tuesday, Feb. This past year, the ARC worked with Care First and 16. The new state restrictions superseded L.A. County’s Black Lives Matter (BLM) South Pasadena to host holiday waiver for SPUSD’s reopening, which the district initially donation drives for unhoused community members. sought with guidance from local health officials. Recent activities include the Yard Sign Project, where ARC members distributed special yard signs prior to “We know that children can transmit [COVID-19],” UCLA Inauguration Day for community members to fill in the doctor Dr. Nava Yeganeh said. “However, we do know statement, “I Stand Against Racism Because…” from other countries that many of the outbreaks are still driven by adults — an adult staff member bringing an Residents formed the ARC in June 2020 amidst national outbreak into the classroom or to other members of the and local BLM protests in order to enact anti-racist staff. So, the focus does really have to be on making sure change in South Pasadena. adults are kept safe in the school environment.”

“Many of us, after the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Educators are in Phase 1B for receiving the vaccination, Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, were galvanized to confront which is expected to begin in early February. structural racism,” ARC founding member Phung Huynh said. “I’ve always known about South Pasadena’s racist During a School Board meeting before the state’s new past, and this felt like the perfect opportunity to confront restrictions, parents voiced their opinions on the it head-on.” reopening plans, with those in support of grades TK-2 returning to school sharing their concern about distance The approximately 60-member organization fights learning’s challenges for their young children. L.A. COUNTY APPROVED SPUSD’s against racism with a multi-pronged approach by dividing itself into four task forces, bringing together “We have students whose education development and TK-2 REOPENING in January after people with varied backgrounds and skills. health are suffering, despite teachers doing the best touring the three elementary schools, but they can,” parent Lawrence Wingaurd said. “Taking the new state restrictions halted that plan. “We all had different ways we wanted to attack [racism], position to not reopen until the pandemic is lessened, but we found that the best way is to do it collaboratively. eradicated, or until everyone is vaccinated is unrealistic Once the L.A. County Department of Public Health That’s the structure of the organization,” Huynh said. “It’s and unwarranted by the science. We cannot continue to (LACDPH) approved SPUSD’s waiver in December, deeply listening to our members and community and compromise our kids’ education and wellbeing.” health officials visited all three elementary schools and working together — not being monolithic about it.” authorized them for reopening. Other community members urged the Board to push In the Education Task Force, Huynh works with groups back the date, fearing that the teachers would be at risk. “[The LACDPH] had a lot of good things to say about like SPHS’ Anti-Bias Club to encourage inclusivity everything that we had in place and they thought we did training on campus. The Storytelling Task Force “Distance learning is by no means perfect, but it works,” a really thorough job,” SPUSD nurse Abigail Silver said. compiled research on South Pasadena’s racist history for Arroyo Vista pre-K teacher Julie Littlefield said. “My “The bottom line is that when we are able to reopen [the public viewing on the ARC’s website. students are present every day and have been making LACDPH] and the schools have put really great measures tremendous progress. We sing, dance, socialize, and take in place to be safe for the students and the staff.” The Political Action Task Force frequently submits public breaks whenever necessary. Going back to school and comments to the City Council, promoting transparent then having to transition back to distance learning when SPUSD elementary schools cannot reopen until L.A. dialogue about local racism such as resident Richard we don’t have enough subs to cover sick teachers or have County’s adjusted case rate drops from 48.2 to 25 per Cheney illegally driving his truck onto the sidewalk to an outbreak will result in more learning lost.” 100,000 people for at least five consecutive days. intimidate BLM protestors in October.

The fourth task force is focused on Public Safety, advocating for implicit-bias training in the SPPD and for Freshman bonding program aids the next police chief to be a woman or person of color. Community members had criticized former Chief Joe Ortiz and his department for discrimination against transition to virtual high school marginalized groups. STORY LILIAN ZHU The Wellness Team hopes to provide insight and resources for any academic, social-emotional, and career The group welcomes new members, and those interested Over 160 ninth graders attended the ASB Wellness Team’s or college concerns they may have. in joining can do so on the ARC website. There are first freshman bonding event on Thursday, Jan. 24, which also weekly Welcome Mat Meetups where community debuted a larger program aimed to promote acceptance “Even if the event was a bit rushed, we were able to members can learn more about the ARC and connect among students new to SPHS. cover all the topics and information we wanted to in this with other anti-racist residents. meeting,” senior and Wellness Team member Tonalli The freshman split up into mentorship groups with two Garcia-Rodriguez said. “The freshmen were able to The ARC is collaborating with the non-profit Peace Over upperclassmen leaders, who will be part of the ninth connect more with their counselors and group leaders. Violence to host an educational workshop on domestic graders’ high school support system, especially crucial As the program progresses, they will feel more connected violence on Thursday, Feb. 11. with distance learning’s added stressors and isolation. with SPHS and their peers, so that they have a strong support system to call upon.” “Being in a smaller group of freshmen in the same situation as me really helped me feel more support,” In the second half of the event, freshmen bonded with freshman Twyla Metcalfe said. “Navigating high school their mentorship groups by playing online games and virtually can be really difficult but this event helped me activities such as Skribbl.io, Among Us, and Hot Seat. learn more about my peers and helped me bond more The upperclassmen interaction with ninth graders with my counselor.” was designed to mirror SPMS’ well-established Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) program. The school counselors and social worker Natasha Prime opened the event with an introduction explaining their “I did WEB in eighth grade and remembered how fun it positions at SPHS. Afterwards, students competed in was to pass down knowledge I had acquired throughout get-to-know-you Kahoots about their counselor. middle school to the new sixth graders,” senior leader Amelia Jarolim said. “I hope that the bonding program “We feel the need to create a balance for students which helps the freshmen this year feel more comfortable involves tending to social-emotional concerns that are reaching out if they ever need any help throughout their equally as vital as academic needs,” counselor Tracy high school endeavors.” INTERACTIVE ANTI-RACIST LAWN Ishimaru said. “Connection is important for the well- SIGNS being of the students and to also know that there are The freshman bonding program will continue for the were distributed to the community people, adults and peers alike, who will help and support remainder of the semester, as groups will meet monthly by the ARC in time for Inauguration Day. them at the school.” and cover different topics about navigating high school. TIGER NEWS JANUARY 29, 2021 3 SPHS data highlights racial inequities Black students’ suspension rate is over seven times that of white students’; community demands change. STORY SOFIA ALVA declined from 32 to 25 over the last three years, compared GRAPHICS CHARLOTTE COHEN to a decline in white students from 416 to 401. Meanwhile, the suspension rate for Black students is 7.1 percent, the Black students are he district’s annual School Plan for Student highest out of any racial group, while the suspension rate TAchievement (SPSA) revealed evidence of racism for white students is only 1.0 percent. suspended at a and other inequities at SPHS. The data, which analyzes performance level across a variety of demographics, “Black students make up only 1.75 percent of the rate of 7.1% generated severe criticism from parents and students. enrollment percentage, but have the highest suspension rate in the district,” Park said. “[Teachers] are selective The SPSA included data from the 2018-2019 school about their discipline, even unintentionally, because of While white year, which showed that the suspension rate for English the deeply ingrained white supremacy, fragility, and bias learners at the high school is 4.9 percent, while the that [exists] in our heads. What the school board needs suspension rate for all students is only 1.5 percent. to do is offer more comprehensive [anti-bias] teacher students are training that is not optional.” “Obviously a BIPOC immigrant is going to be treated suspended at a differently from somebody with no accent, or even a The structure of discipline at SPHS was also a topic of European immigrant,” sophomore Isu Park said. “When concern among students. rate of 1.0% my mom first moved to the U.S. [in ninth grade], she knew very little English, was automatically put in the lowest “The idea of suspension does not make much sense to me Source: 2018-2019 SPHS School Plan for classes, and was easily labeled a scapegoat in school to begin with,” senior Andrea Zarazua said. “How would Student Achievement classroom mishaps. This was multiple decades ago, taking a student out of school change their behavior but the narrative remains: English learners and having in the future? There is no discussion about how or why commitment to expanding the use of the online article accents in general are racially discriminated against.” the behavior was wrong and taking children out of the database Newsela district-wide. situation doesn’t necessarily promote self growth. Seeing The data also highlighted discrimination against Black as suspension is also subject to racial bias, there doesn’t Some feel that more action must be taken to address students. The number of Black students at SPHS has seem to be much reason for suspending students at all, SPHS’ inequities. After the Black Lives Matter protests besides making sure colleges are notified that there has last September, SPHS students have called for anti-racist The suspension rate been misbehavior.” reforms including the hire of more BIPOC teachers. Based on the data, the district laid out four goals targeting “I grew up in a Mexican family and understand the for all students is specific student groups, including increasing students’ struggle of parents having to make sacrifices so that their career and college readiness and narrowing the ELA and children can graduate high school,” junior Jade Harris math achievement gaps for Latinx and disabled students. said. “Free counseling and tutoring should be offered 1.5% [but] I think in general SPHS needs to make a better To ensure all students are career and college ready, effort to welcome students who don’t have the privilege SPUSD offers SAT/ACT prep courses and test fee waivers, of growing up in a nice neighborhood or have parents While the and provides student-run Veritas Club after-school who graduated from college.” tutoring in almost every subject. In addition, they hope suspension rate for to provide opportunities for ninth grade multicultural SPHS parents echoed the sentiment that further action is ELA class teachers and other interested faculty to attend necessary to the wellbeing of BIPOC students. English learners multicultural conferences, and mandate counselor attendance at university and college admission meetings. “While it is great to see the district addressing these inequalities, there is still more to be done,” parent is 4.9% To narrow the ELA and math achievement gap, the Richard Wong said. “The fact is that discrimination at Source: 2018-2019 SPHS School Plan for district is working to better accommodate Title I students SPHS is a direct result of years of systemic racism. It will Student Achievement through after-school math tutoring, an information night take time but I have faith that equity for all students can for Title I parents, a specialized APEX program, and a be achieved.” BUT WAIT! 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YOUTUBE SPHS Tiger Newspaper TIGER 4 JANUARY 29, 2021 NEWS Chronicling Local Water Journey STORY QUINN MANZO & GEORGIA PARSONS PAGE DESIGN CHARLOTTE COHEN & TERRY SONG GRAPHICS TERRY SONG here does South Pasadena’s water supply come from? Hint: It’s not the water tower. Tiger tackles Wthis question and more in a spread detailing the precious resource’s journey to the city, its precarious situation in Southern California, and what the community is doing to protect it. Route 1 Route 2 Main San Gabriel Basin Efforts to conserve Colorado River water ease local drought severity

L.A. County’s drought continues to force local public officials and community members to implement creative water conservation solutions. So far, the City of South Pasadena has passed laws to restrict individual water usage and many homeowners have invested in xeriscaping, or drought-friendly landscaping.

The drought in California is critical: 100 percent of the state is abnormally dry and 40 percent of land is labeled as being in an extreme drought. L.A. County in particular has a drought that affects 95.6 percent of residents, including those in South Pasadena, which the Climate Prediction Center forecasts will stay at the same level for the next three months, as opposed to Northern California where the drought is slated to improve.

THE MAIN SAN GABRIEL South Pasadena has enacted a variety of guidelines SOUTH PASADENA ALSO RECEIVES GROUNDWATER BASIN, OR AZUSA and regulations about water conservation to address WATER FROM THE COLORADO BASIN, LIES UNDER MOST OF THE SAN the region’s drought. There are watering restrictions, RIVER BY WAY OF THE SOUTHERN GABRIEL VALLEY AND SERVES OVER which state that homes with even and odd numbered addresses must water on different days of the week — CALIFORNIA METROPOLITAN WATER 1.5 MILLION RESIDENTS. 80 PERCENT OF no homeowners are permitted to water their lawns on DISTRICT. THE COLORADO RIVER SOUTH PASADENA’S WATER COMES Sundays. Residents are also warned not to water for AQUEDUCT DELIVERS OVER 1 BILLION FROM THIS BASIN. longer than 15 minutes at a time. The City relies on these GALLONS OF WATER TO THE L.A. AREA. and other everyday conservation efforts by residents to combat its drought.

Wilson Reservoir “Tell family members that they don’t have to take a 10 or L.A. Water District 15 minute shower,” Councilmember Michael Cacciotti said. “You can cut it in half to five minutes and be a little more conservative. Little things like that add up a lot… It’s tough, but it’s setting an example. I took out my grass years ago. I got drought-tolerant landscaping now so I don’t have to water anymore.”

The City created a financial incentive for residents to invest in drought-friendly landscaping, offering up to $600 per household. South Pasadena has also partnered with the Southern California Metropolitan Water District to offer rebates on indoor and outdoor appliances that reduce water consumption under its SoCalWaterSmart program. Although the net impact of these efforts is environmentally positive, water conservation has posed some financial challenges for local government.

“In South Pasadena though, in the last several years, our water usage has gone down a little bit,” Cacciotti said. “It’s actually kind of hurting our [city revenue] because a lot of people have been conserving water and electricity, so the surcharge we get is a lot less. The Utilities Users Tax has gone down because more people are conserving electricity and water, which is great, but not good for the WATER FROM THE SAN GABRIEL city’s budget.” THE L.A. METROPOLITAN WATER VALLEY IS FILTERED THROUGH ONE DISTRICT FILTERS THE SURFACE WATER OF EIGHT RECENTLY BUILT GRANULAR California recovered from its worst drought in 1,200 FROM THE COLORADO RIVER AND ACTIVATED CARBON TANKS AT THE years from 2012-2014 by reducing its water use by about ADDS CHLORAMINES, A COMBINATION 23.9 percent from 2013 to 2017. L.A. County’s drought WILSON RESERVOIR IN SAN GABRIEL. OF CHLORINE AND AMMONIA THAT went from being primarily classified as severe in 2017, THE RESERVOIR, WHICH HOLDS 1.3 to moderate in 2021. There is no available data specific PURIFIES THE WATER. SOUTH MILLION GALLONS OF WATER, WAS to droughts or water supply in South Pasadena, but local PASADENA RECEIVES APPROXIMATELY BUILT IN 1920 AND IS STILL OWNED leaders continue to urge community members to do their 20 PERCENT OF ITS WATER FROM THE AND OPERATED BY SOUTH PASADENA. part to conserve water. L.A. METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT. TIGER JANUARY 29, 2021 5 THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913 CSPA CROWN FINALIST 2021 STAFF CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2019 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2018 EDITORIAL CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017 OPINION CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CAT FLORES

MANAGING EDITORS MATTHEW TSAI, Print CHRISTINE MAO, Online

NEWS NOAH KUHN, Editor SOFIA ALVA, Associate

OPINION AMBER CHEN, Editor SAM GROTENSTEIN, Associate

FEATURE CLOE MAURER, Editor GEORGIA PARSONS, Associate

SPORTS ELLIE CAMPBELL, Editor ZOE SCHLAAK, Associate

DESIGN TALULLA CHOW, Editor MADDIE YOO, Editor CHARLOTTE COHEN, Associate TARRY SONG, Associate

PHOTOGRAPHY ELLA JAYASEKERA, Editor SARAH LEE, Associate

COPY ADAM KWOH, Editor LUYANG ZHANG, Editor SENIOR STAFF WRITER The power of social media KIMBERLY HSUEH STAFF WRITERS when administration’s KATHARINE FLORENCE, KATIE HOHMAN, HAELEE KIM, QUINN MANZO, response isn’t enough KAHLEN MIAO, EDDIE ZHOU This is the introduction of a four part opinion spread. When the process administration goes through to prevent SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER sexual assault isn’t enough, it is the right of the student OSCAR WALSH Content warning: This article contains descriptions of to share their story on any platform they see fit without sexual assault and harassment that may be overwhelming repercussions at school. Social media, however, does not PHOTOGRAPHERS KATELYN HERNANDEZ, SEAN JIN, or triggering for some readers. negate the need for a strong administration; the school SOPHIE YEUNG needs to reform their policy to provide necessary support The #MeToo movement, founded by Tarana Burke in for survivors of sexual assault. SENIOR STAFF ILLUSTRATORS 2006, skyrocketed into mainstream conversation when NICHOLAS FORMAN, DAVID SOHN the hashtag began trending on Twitter in 2017. It quickly Tiger examines sexual misconduct on a schoolwide became a public platform for survivors of sexual misconduct level, highlighting the unsatisfactory support from ILLUSTRATOR to speak out against their abusers, and many, often rich administration that has left students sharing their sexual ALICIA ZHANG and reputable repeat offenders, have been exposed and violence stories through social media, and what the school defamed because of it. can do better in terms of actions and accountability. VIDEOGRAPHER ALVARO RODRIGUEZ-CHAVEZ The movement’s core value of public transparency has Read more at tigernewspaper.com WEBMASTER inspired collective accounts such as @wewillnotbesilenced JACKSON McLANE and @dearsouthpas, as well as individual accounts that Distrust in administration fuels social media exposés LILIAN ZHU, Associate focus on local, teen sexual violence cases. Yet, while stories that involve #MeToo are typically shared on Twitter with no The pros and cons of using social media as an outlet FACULTY ADVISOR specific target audience, these Instagram accounts have a KAREN HAMES target audience of peers. Moreover, the #MeToo movement What needs to change about how SPHS approaches VOL. 107 NO. 4 DISTRIBUTED ON largely involves legal adults exposing other legal adults, sexual assault and harassment JANUARY 29, 2020. whereas these Instagram accounts typically involve minors exposing other minors, a circumstance that can bring rise Student testimonies TIGER IS PRODUCED BY THE ADVANCED JOURNALISM to a whole set of legal issues distinct from adults. NEWSPAPER CLASS AT SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL, 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030. LAYOUT AND PHOTO IMAGING ARE COMPLETED ON-SITE.

SIGNED ARTICLES APPEARING IN TIGER REPRESENT THE WRITER’S OPINIONS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF, STUDENT BODY, FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPHS. ORIGINAL Boos & Bravos STORIES WILL CARRY BYLINES, ALTHOUGH STORIES REWRITTEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL Tiger ’s cheers and jeers for the month of JANUARY WRITER WILL NOT RECEIVE ONE. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE ONE. BOOS BRAVOS CONTACT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE AT (626) 441- 5820 EXT. 2615 BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. TIGER WELCOMES ARTICLES, LETTERS OR REBUTTALS FOR BOO to the cold weather. I am losing so much UGG BRAVO to Bernie Sanders - love u man <3 PUBLICATION IN THE PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS. ALL fluff as we speak. LETTERS MUST BE SIGNED AND VERIFIABLE, BUT NAMES BRAVO to iReady. So glad I got to read the same WILL BE WITHHELD UPON REQUEST. BOO to people who make fun of astrology. You literally passages for the third year in a row... TIGER’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE NEWS OUTLET think that the stock market is real. FOR SPHS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THROUGH A BRAVO to the free SPHS merch. They’re nice, but not VARIETY OF COVERAGE, TIGER EMPOWERS/ENABLES BOO to Tiger deadline for being on the night of a as nice as a Wellness Day would have been. STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, rhetorical analysis timed write. COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, SOLVE PROBLEMS, SET BRAVO to the seniors for making it through a semester AND REACH GOALS, AND WORK COOPERATIVELY AND BOO to the Clintons. Society has moved past the need of distance learning. Can’t wait to see everyone at INDEPENDENTLY AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. TIGER IS A FORUM FOR STUDENT FREE SPEECH, IN ACCORDANCE for the Clintons. virtual prom! WITH CALIFORNIA ED CODE 48907 . BOO to my dog peeing on the carpet during Spanish. BRAVO to the Reddit gamerboys who made GameStop ALL REMAINING CURRENT TIGER NEWSPAPER POLICIES Voy a matar my perro. a Fortune 500 company. Now get a girlfriend. ARE ONLINE AT TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM INCLUDING: CONFLICT OF INTEREST, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CORRECTIONS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. TIGER 6 JANUARY 29, 2021 OPINION Unhealthy relationships cannot be glorified The media romanticizes abuse by prioritizing aesthetic appeal over truthful portrayal. STORY GEORGIA PARSONS with some Lana Del Rey song playing in the background? ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN It’s because American culture has become obsessed with the idea of inappropriate relationships. The “you hurt the rom Jean-Jacques Annaud’s The Lover to Call Me by one you love” trope is so ingrained in American culture, a FYour Name, movies portraying age-inappropriate notion that films likeLolita perpetuate. relationships have become a staple in the film industry. Their visually appealing qualities often overshadow Even Disney princess movies, often regarded as the blatantly abusive power dynamics. Thus, these ideal of relationships, romanticize abusive dynamics. relationships become romanticized, which is especially In The Beauty and the Beast, the Beast imprisons and harmful for young viewers who may get the idea that mistreats Belle, as she develops Stockholm syndrome — being in a relationship with an adult is normal. It isn’t. when victims bond with their captors — throughout the movie. Even in Aladdin, Aladdin lies about who he is to Because of the differences between movies and books, get closer to Princess Jasmine. These movies act as the relationships need to be portrayed differently, but foundation for the relationship expectations of so many oftentimes in movies an author’s original intent becomes people, so it makes sense why abuse and manipulation compromised for aesthetic purposes. A perfect example are romanticized, even if the original intent was not to of a message lost in translation is Vladimir Nabokov’s portray them in that manner. story Lolita. Nabokov’s original intent was not to condone the relationship, but criticize the reader’s ability to judge The media needs to prioritize the portrayals of healthy the characters. relationships in order to change the culture surrounding them. Movies for children need to emphasize themes Perhaps the most striking difference between Nabokov’s surrounding respect and consent so that children learn novel and Stanley Kubrick’s 1962 film is the portrayal of early on what is and isn’t healthy. Dolores, Humbert’s 12-year-old love interest. In the book, Dolores is clearly a child, however in the movie, she is Above all, movies and TV shows portraying unhealthy morphed into a blonde teenager wearing lingerie-esque relationships cannot be one-sided. They need to show clothing in numerous scenes. Dolores is painted as a the effects and consequences on both parties. HBO’s seductress, and Humbert, a victim to her seduction. By Euphoria does a great job of handling these on-screen attributing these qualities to Dolores and changing her relationships. In the show, characters Nate and Maddy age, Kubrick completely glosses over the fact that above are in a clearly abusive relationship, and the negative all, Dolores was a child. effects of this relationship are shown. If the 1962Lolita had been portrayed this way, clearly showing the negative So why are so many people still enamored by Lolita? Why impacts the relationship had on Dolores’ life, perhaps the does it appear on Pinterest boards or those music videos message wouldn’t have gotten lost. The process of military recruitment at high school is purposefully deceiving and must be reformed STORY HAELEE KIM allow children to kill other people, but won’t allow them ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG to drink or smoke?

Military recruiting tables are a ubiquitous sight on high There are also numerous privacy issues linked with school campuses across the country. Since the No Child military recruitment. The aforementioned No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2001, high schools are Left Behind Act compels public schools to send student obligated to allow the military just as much access to directory information — names, addresses, and campuses as regular colleges. This can have detrimental telephone numbers — of those in 11th and 12th grades effects due to the pivotal differences between college to recruiters. Parents can individually opt their children education and enlistment, and potential deployment. out, but another loophole exists through the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam, where no Military recruitment, overall, disproportionately targets such opportunity exists. The Department of Defense low-income communities and schools. There have been reports that this test is optional, but evidence shows that recorded instances where recruiters showed up ten it is mandatory in some school districts. times more often at a less affluent school compared to its wealthier counterpart nearby. College might not seem At SPHS, the culture around military recruitment is like a viable option to these students, who can then fall simply tied with the unassuming presence of the pull-up prey to recruiters who often don’t share the full breadth bar. Few look behind the booths with any serious intent of risks and caveats associated with military service. By because most SPHS students are wealthy. Yet, this should glamorizing the military experience, recruiters can then not detract from the fact that military recruitment is a easily ensnare low-income students who could have harmful practice. The pull-up bar itself is a pretense by otherwise been college-bound. the recruiters, minimizing the gravity of recruitment for the sake of appearances. Public health experts and pediatric researchers emphasize that brains are still developing during late The school should highlight alternatives to enlistment, adolescence (around ages 17 to 24), the prime demographic like ROTC scholarships and military academies, as for recruiters. This ongoing maturation may impede well as counter recruiters for organizations like the rationality, which will follow them into military service: AmeriCorps and Peace Corps that offer similar benefits the youngest soldiers always exhibit increased chances to military service. It is unlikely that military presence and higher numbers of mental disorders and suicides. can be removed anytime soon, but in the meantime, This whole situation is hypocritical; the government will schools have an obligation to take control.

reality, lesbians are femme, masc, everything in between, thinking, “Wow, these girls really have the audacity to CAT’S both or neither — anything they want to be. be gay in public,” and I immediately feel outcasted and ashamed, as if I’m doing something inappropriate. It PLANET I’ve come to learn this truth slowly over the years through destroys my confidence and fills me with invalidation. lessons as a Planned Parenthood peer advocate, queer I’m reminded that my relationship isn’t “the norm” and CAT FLORES delegates caucus meetings in Youth and Government, that I can’t be who I want without it being strange for and interactions with gay people both young and old. My other people. understanding of what it means to be queer has expanded Society needs to so much beyond what I could ever have imagined. I feel People in straight relationships have such an immense more free in my sexuality now than I ever have. amount of privilege to be able to act however they want validate queer around their partners. No one has ever questioned the But then I become too comfortable in my sexuality and legitimacy of heterosexual attraction. people I forget all of the things I haven’t learned to conquer yet: people’s stares when my girlfriend and i show each other Self-validation is truly the most important thing when Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of femme lesbian affection, our relationship being sexualized by men, it comes to accepting yourself as a queer individual. But relationships in media, or at least not any that were or the fact that some people don’t know we’re dating no matter how much people preach that what others realistic with depth and storyline. The only femme- because it would be better not to tell them. think doesn’t matter, public acceptance is extremely on-femme action I witnessed was oversexualization in important. In the long run, it’s more damaging to only music videos when two hot girls made out. My idea of When I receive this negative attention from people, I feel encourage people to focus on their own self-acceptance what a lesbian or queer person could be was so narrow like I revert to the girl that was too afraid to act a certain instead of working to change a culture that actively because I was only fed one stereotypical version of way because I didn’t want people to think I was gay. I get enforces homophobia and forces queer people to find gayness: Lesbians were girls who looked like boys. In overcome by this feeling that people in their heads are validation in themselves. TIGER 7 OPINION JANUARY 29, 2021 Normalcy should not be the expectation Despite the apparent abnormality of the coronavirus pandemic, students continue to hold themselves to the expectations of in-person schooling, as curriculum has not accomadated these strenuous circumstances. Many glorify seamless academic adaptability to the detriment of their mental health. STORY KAHLEN MIAO The structure of distance learning from the last few “easier than in-person learning” when the two models ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN months of my freshman year was what I had expected are uncomparable. the current school model to be like: easier than in- t the beginning of this month, I opened my report person school. Students have already expressed their need for more Acard to a mixture of shock and disappointment. mental health support from the district to no avail. I had ended the last semester with three B’s. Admittedly, that relaxed spring workload was Because students have been misled into a false sense Transitioning into my sophomore year was more unrealistic and far from ideal given that students need of security by the school’s promise of adapting, it feels difficult than I’d like to admit. to learn curriculum through interaction with their like students are being forced policies and concepts peers and teachers. But in restructuring distance that only work in-person. I know for a fact that those three B’s on my report learning for this school year, SPUSD has created a card — while objectively good grades — would not system with little regard for circumstances inflicted Sitting at home and staring at a screen makes class have been there in the absence of a pandemic. This by the pandemic, perpetuating the expectation of feel too informal, to the point where it’s difficult situation’s tangible academic outcomes cannot simply seamless adaptability. to take it seriously. Isolation forbids many from be chalked up to a natural progression of difficulty interacting with their friends, a significant aspect of between grades. These ideas create a toxic mindset for students, mental health. where they believe that their academic performance While the concept of online learning theoretically should be as good or better than their performance There can also be stress from toxic households and seems easier for all — with less oversight for academic in in-person classes, which is not the case. Students strained parental relationships, in which one cannot integrity, the assumed comfort of one’s living space, should not be forced into believing that they must be escape. The setting of Zoom classes without proper and close proximity to at-home resources — it isn’t. comfortable with online learning simply because it is adjustments has made an attempt of normalcy feel nothing but abnormal.

While it is impressive that so many students have been able to adapt to the pandemic lifestyle, this adaptive ability should not be expected from all. And oftentimes, it is the students themselves that maintain the expectation.

The assumption that online classes are easier than in-person classes alienates students who aren’t able to adapt as well to distance learning, glorifying the way others have adapted to the situation, damaging students’ ability to learn.

It’s difficult to forgive myself. I am disappointed to see those three B’s in my report card. But, I need to acknowledge that these expectations I have set for myself are unrealistic given the circumstances.

As students, we need to lower our expectations and not hold ourselves to our regular standards because this is not a regular situation, and it would be ridiculous to compare the two. ‘Coming out’ should be on one’s own accord, not a societal expectation from the queer experience STORY QUINN MANZO ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN “Coming out” is the act of sharing one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity, whether that means sharing it publicly on social media or gradually with loved ones. The action has become standard to the LGBTQ+ experience, but the same standard does not apply to straight, cisgendered people, as they are seen as the “default identity.”

Coming out can be a wonderful thing. In the best cases, coming out can prompt narrow-minded individuals to educate themselves. Being “out” also opens one up to a vast and supportive community of shared experiences.

However, the action of coming out finds its origins and implications in homophobia and its conditions contradict the individuality of queer people. Why do members of the LGBTQ+ community need to come out in the first place?

The entrance ticket into the LGBTQ+ community is crucial steps of being a fulfilled queer person that 1975. Today, queer and transgender individuals are the declaration that one is abnormal, different from there are negative sentiments against people in the criminalized in 87 countries. This doesn’t even begin the default setting of straight and cisgendered. community who have decided not to come out. If to cover the issue of interpersonal homophobia and someone simply identifies as “queer,” not specifying transphobia that is still life-threatening, with several Furthermore, throughout the process of coming out, if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual, etc., violent hate crimes against queer people occuring queer people are forced to uphold the stereotypes a common assumption is that they have not yet each year. they may spend their entire lives trying to eradicate. developed a solidified identity or decided who they Before they come out, a queer person must present are. For some, that is the case, however, identifying It is difficult to say when the world will outgrow this themselves as “normal,” in other words, straight, in as “queer” can also mean that one identifies with the societal expectation for queer people to announce order to prevent suspicion, suggesting that queer non-heterosexual and/or cisgender spectrum. their sexuality or gender identity. It is possible people have definite behaviors and appearances. This that societies will not achieve complete acceptance obligation is especially understandable for those that There is also a harmful assumption that those who until every single country decriminalizes queer, fear serious violence and even death if people were have decided against coming out are cowardly or transgender, and nonbinary people. In that case, we to find out who they are. However, the issue with aren’t serious about their identity. One is valid with still may have a really long time to go. this standard is that it is expected that queer people or without completing the act of coming out. behave this way in order to maintain the comfort of Until then, one should respect others’ space and bigoted people. Coming out is revered as an act of bravery because choices. The choice to come out will always be up the world has not learned to accept queer people. to the individual, and whichever choice they made The LGBTQ+ community has become so accustomed Discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender should not diminish their confidence, validity, and to coming out and choosing a label as two of the wasn’t deemed illegal in the United States until sense of self. TIGER TIGER 8 9 JANUARY 29, 2021 CHARTING THE FUTURE OF BIDEN’S ADMINISTRATION AND THE NATION JANUARY 29, 2021 Charting the Future of Biden’s Administration and the Nation

ollowing the 2020 election, Democrats now hold a government STORY KATHARINE FLORENCE, “ I think that [Biden] will do a Ftrifecta after taking control of the presidency and Senate, as CAT FLORES, SAM GROTENSTEIN, great job preserving the status well as marginally maintaining the House of Representatives. After ADAM KWOH, MATTHEW TSAI, Trump and the associated Republican-dominated Senate, many are & LUYANG ZHANG quo. He isn’t going to make the radical counting on Joe Biden’s presidency to correct unpopular legislation PAGE TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO changes our country needs and people originating from the Trump administration. ILLUSTRATIONS NICHOLAS FORMAN will be complacent It seems as if Democrats have all their ducks in a row to fully bounce with that. back from the Trump presidency, but realistically, this is not the ” landslide victory many make it out to be. Democrats hold a “majority” in the 50-50 split Senate merely because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie breaking vote. In addition, the Senate operates with the 60 vote requirement filibuster rule, meaning it takes 60 votes to end debate and bring legislation to the Senate floor for amendments and a final vote.

It’s also important to note the fragility of holding a 50-seat “majority.” Under Barack Obama’s presidency in 2012, the Democrats held 57 Senate seats with two Independents for a total of 59 left-leaning votes. Ted Kennedy’s seizure and eventual death, Al Franken’s late seating, and a Republican filling Kennedy’s seat only proved this unreliability. In that time, the Democrats managed to gain full control of the Senate for only four months, in which they passed a Republican healthcare bill (Affordable Care Act). Student perspectives

The Democrats’ diversity prevents it from becoming the strong united coalition that the Republican party, to its credit, The recent elections gave SPHS’ left-leaning can make an effort to further regulate corporations, population a burst of optimism at the end of an although it may be in the disinterest of his donors is; their supposedly unobstructed historically messy year. However, this relief was and capitalist voters[. . .] Politicians can change and path to victory is narrower short-lived, as 2021’s terrorist attack on the Capitol, Biden may be on track to be a modern day [Franklin than it appears. Still, Biden’s and inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, D. Roosevelt] or [Lyndon B. Johnson.] Hopefully he administration presses forward, leaving students torn about the nation’s future. rides the progressive policy change, but only time will tell.” 28% hoping to reunite and rebuild a SPHS students predictably voted coronavirus as the FAR LEFT nation that currently sits in the most pressing issue in the United States. Following Students also await to see the continuation of the middle of a pandemic, social almost a year of former president Donald Trump Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that created unrest, and economic turmoil. contradicting CDC experts’ judgments and flip- countless organizations dedicated to combating Tiger examines the 46th flopping on the effectiveness of masks, 80.9 percent racism across the nation. Now, they expect Biden’s of 141 surveyed students are somewhat or extremely administration to follow these groups’ lead and take 36% president’s plans and students’ optimistic about how the United States will handle steps to dismantle discrimination and bias. LEFT-LEANING reactions to the prospects of the COVID-19 pandemic now that Biden is in a more progressive future. command. “There is an issue with police brutality in the United States and it felt as though the past administration “The most important issue is getting vaccines from glossed over it because they did not care,” junior 26% the freezers [and] into people’s arms,” senior Russell Julie Frias, a secretary for the Latinx club, said. MODERATE Thomas said. “I’m tentatively optimistic that Biden’s “[Now] there’s a feeling of hope that many have lost Biden’s platform and plan administration can do this efficiently, but I think in the last few years. It is a big relief knowing the that most of the blame for the slow rollout lies... president and his administration care about their on the state and local governments. I hope the new citizens and care about their citizens’ concerns.” FAR RIGHT Despite this, Biden’s 2020 criminal justice reform [administration] can help provide strong leadership 1% The COVID-19 Crisis The Environment plan doubled back on a number of these past and specific guidance that will help streamline and BLM exacerbated the glaring misinformation, stances. The plan includes the abolition of private speed up the vaccination process.” Trump’s fiery Twitter takes, and blatant media bias and Healthcare With the scientific consensus that 2035 will serve prisons, the rollback and eventual removal of the that has fostered an extreme political polarization as a climate change “point of no return,” the Biden federal death penalty, and a decrease in funding for Along with one of the worst health crises in U.S. and increased division in the nation at the worst COVID-19 is the first major hurdle of the Biden administration’s handling of climate-related issues some major police departments. history, Biden also enters the White House during time. Students hope that, like Biden emphasized presidency, and as the situation develops, it will will be held under increased scrutiny. So far, Biden a critical four-year period for slowing climate in his inauguration speech, the new President’s almost certainly test his willingness to employ more has already done more than former president change. SPHS students voted the environment as administration will bring unity to the country. progressive healthcare measures. Biden has already Trump, re-entering the Paris Climate Accord as LGBTQ+ Rights the second most important global issue. Compost set out to combat COVID-19, and has been committed well as adopting a few vaguely progressive pieces Culture co-leader, junior Liam de Villa, recognizes “As a more conservative individual at SPHS, I often of legislation with the aim of fighting climate to listening to scientific consultation as far as After calling the battle for LGBTQ+ equality the its immediate dangers, while still remaining upbeat. feel extremely isolated from my peers. I am often change. As far as Biden’s cabinet, special attention coronavirus policy. This has manifested in a new “civil rights issue of our time,” Biden has already grouped with right extremists who are actually will be placed on Michael Regan. Regan is looking federal mask mandate for government buildings, overturned Trump’s ban on transgender military “Biden should and has the ability to create more terrorists rather than good people,” an anonymous to face a particularly uphill battle, as the Trump and Biden has promised stricter enforcement of service. Biden has also supported the Equality Act, effective climate policy,” de Villa said. “I do think he junior said. “Because of Trump, being a Republican administration worked to effectively gut the EPA. curfews and extra precautions. which if passed would outline anti-bias policies that might miss the opportunity and focus on corporate has brought shame and extreme criticism from would primarily affect housing and workplace interest. However, I still feel optimistic[. . .] I hope he others. I personally disagree with almost everything Xavier Beccera is Biden’s active Secretary of Health environments. Moreover, Biden has claimed Trump stands for and is. . . I am hopeful for Biden and Human Services and will handle the vaccine Systemic Racism and that he intends to eradicate the AIDS because I think his main goal is to reunite the distribution of over 200 million doses. Beccera, a epidemic, though so far this attitude country rather than take advantage of his former California attorney general and L.A. local, Police Violence has not been reflected by policy. position to pursue only left views and values. has advocated for a single-payer healthcare strategy I respect everyone’s opinions and I am always in the past. This could put him at odds with Biden, Both Biden and Harris have been heavily criticized open to a civil discussion to elaborate, but I who has suggested a more moderate approach. for their past stances on criminal justice, though never feel like that is reciprocated towards me both have taken slightly more progressive stands or other conservatives at SPHS.” During the 2020 presidential race, President in the 2020 presidential race. Skepticism of Biden’s Biden remained mostly silent about his healthcare progressive promises has stemmed primarily from Others fear that Biden’s attempts to unify the platform, but has implied that he will keep the his past support of the 1994 Violent Crimes control country are exactly what will prevent real progressive current private healthcare infrastructure intact. In act, “the crime bill,” which alloted upwards of $10 legislation from being passed and implemented. his eight years as vice president to Barack Obama, billion to local law enforcement agencies as well as Biden helped pass the Affordable Care Act, or expanding the scope of the federal death penalty. “Overall I’m pessimistic about [Biden.] He’s better Obamacare, a platform that has been relatively Criticism has also been leveled at Harris, a former than Trump, but Biden is just going back to the unpopular across the political spectrum. This California state prosecutor. Harris has defended her antiquated idea of ‘good enough’ neoliberalism that position will certainly be challenged over the next past actions — knowingly putting trans people into still throws the most needy people under the bus,” four years, and Democratic Representatives like the wrong prisons, advocating for the death penalty junior Leo Barrera said. “I think he will do a great job Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Illhan Omar have in California, and denying parole to inmates despite of preserving the status quo. He isn’t going to make already begun pressuring the president to take a others confessing to their initial crimes — as coming the radical changes our country needs and people more progressive stance. from a “tough on crime” era of Democrats. will be complacent with that.” TIGER 10 JANUARY 29, 2021

Kim’s Convenience KIMBERLY FEATURE HSUEH Stop telling me that distance learning is easy The 2020 spring semester was an unexpected shift from in-person learning to online schooling, yet many of us managed a smooth transition. Nine months later, processing the normalization of school at home has proved to be more difficult than the initial transition.

While experiencing the raging pandemic, political climate, and isolation, students are expected to show the same effort, attention, and efficiency seen in pre-COVID times. Now, on top of being stressed and anxious, we are overwhelmed, distracted, and thoroughly burnt-out.

First period: AP English Literature and Composition. I drag my feet to my desk, several feet away. While Lana Del Rey’s love songs are distant from my peers, the unforgiving camera, perpetually bad lighting, and close-up sea of faces flood me with self-consciousness. In my quiet house, glamorized national anthems my deteriorating social skills heighten my anxiety and lack of confidence. Mustering all the energy I The pop star sings about her new sense of self and a love affair with America. have for the day, I stumble on my words and speak shakily into my microphone. By 10:00 a.m., I am STORY GEORGIA PARSONS Clarissa Pinkola Estes. The book delves into the powerful mentally drained. ILLUSTRATION force within women that is “filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing.” My next two periods are AP Calculus AB and AP NICHOLAS FORMAN Biology. A wave of exhaustion washes over me, Possibly the most notable — and the most scrutinized — yet these two classes require my max level of ana Del Rey is all about relationships; her dreamy of topics Del Rey delves into is her romantic relationships. concentration and attention. I straighten my posture Lvocals, visually enthralling music videos, and Ultraviolence, her 2014 album, received especially harsh and copy down lecture notes, but the foreign lack of poignant lyricism explore the various aspects of a criticism for romanticizing abusive relationships. On the classroom ambience, noise, and interactions forces tumultuous love life and her connection to the American title track, she sings “he hit me and it felt like a kiss” and me to lose focus; my mind is everywhere else. When dream. Her newest album, Chemtrails Over the Country later goes on to call the relationship “a blessed union.” I revisit my notes later that day, I stare at the words Club — set to be released on Mar. 19 — delves deeper into Lyrics like these are unhealthy for young audiences to with no recollection of the lecture. the complexities of her relationships with those she loves listen to and Del Rey absolutely deserved criticism for the and her identity as an American. romanticization of abusive relationships, which is why it Confusion, frustration, and ambivalence build up is so important to be a conscious and informed listener as I use hours after school to relearn the material. So far, Del Rey has released two singles from Chemtrails: especially of her older work. I search for practice sheets and helpful videos, the titular “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” and “Let transferring the information onto written sheets of Me Love You Like a Woman.” In “Let Me Love You Like a Her newer work, though less overtly romanticizing, paper, but my preparation is never enough. I see a Woman,” Del Rey sings of running away to the countryside continues to explore unhealthy relationships. Del Rey’s gradual drop in my grades with every test. I put 100 with her partner. The vocals are, as always, beautiful, work is frequently criticized for being profoundly anti- percent of my effort and time into studying, but my though the repetition leaves the listener wanting for feminist, with some critics even going so far as to say that results are neither what I expect nor what I want. something more. Despite the initial dullness of the lyrics, her music is “a huge step back for women everywhere.” the song acts as an easily-digestible introduction to the Female artists, especially prominent popstars, are I think back to in-person school: visiting teachers rest of the album. expected to empower and uplift. Anything less than for questions; checking in with counselors, past empowering would be anti-feminist. Lana Del Rey does teachers, and office staff; and laughing and struggling Throughout the album, Del Rey explores her newfound not subscribe to this idea. Instead, she acknowledges through assignments with my friends. sense of self. It is obvious through her lyrics and the the (occasionally unfortunate) complexities of being a music video that Del Rey has matured both musically and woman in a heterosexual relationship. Collectively, those small interactions made my life as a person since her earlier albums. While songs from vibrant and were moments I looked forward to, her earlier eras like “Ride” and “Diet Mountain Dew,” are Del Rey’s relationship with America itself is equally as despite the difficulty of school. I miss the presence expressions of Del Rey’s desperation and uncertainty in complex as the romantic relationships she sings about, of my community, and most importantly, I miss the relationships, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” is a specifically a fascination with 50s Americana. Chemtrails productivity, efficiency, and inspiration that my love letter to her newfound sense of freedom and stability. Over the Country Club plays with an interpretation of community sparked within me. American identity, leaning heavily on patriotic motifs Themes of self-reliance are stressed in both Del Rey’s and 50s glamour. The album prior to Chemtrails is an Now, as I struggle to perform at the same level, a level lyrics and the almost cult-like wolf symbolism in the homage to Norman Rockwell, a painter made famous for that is expected by my parents, teachers, and myself, music video, which cuts from dreamlike 50s style his depiction of a white-picket-fence (and equally white I am confronting disappointment. I wish I had the scenes to clips of wolves and women with glowing eyes. nuclear family) 1950s America. Even in “Ride,” a music answers to guide everyone out of their slumps, but This imagery could be a reference to her “wild side,” video released for her 2012 album Paradise, featured I don’t. Though, I have realized one thing: I am not something she alludes to in the song, repeating the lyrics, Del Rey wrapped up in an American flag. She stated in alone in this experience. “I’m not unhinged or unhappy, I’m just wild.” Although that very music video that she “believe[d] in the country she has undoubtedly matured, Del Rey still holds on to America used to be.” We are all performing to the best of our ability, even a “wild side,” reminiscent of her teenage years and the if it doesn’t seem like enough. We are trying to adapt Lizzy Grant era. Her discography is nostalgic for a time when one was not to circumstances we couldn’t have possibly planned expected to be politically aware. If time were turned back, for. Distance learning is difficult, so allow yourself Deeper, though, this imagery could also be a reference the romanticizations of abuse that have styled her career some space and forgiveness. to her favorite book Women Who Run With the Wolves by might have been met with praise rather than ridicule. TIGER FEATURE JANUARY 29, 2021 11 Dave Rubin and the alt-right aesthetic STORY SAM GROTENSTEIN type of content (political commentary), covering the ILLUSTRATION TERRY SONG same topics (whatever is trending on Twitter at time of release), and more importantly hosting the same set of n 2008, Dave Rubin released the first episode ofHot Gay guests (each other), which raises an interesting question IComics, a show designed to publicize queer members about not just Dave Rubin, but the right wing political of the stand-up comedy world. Information on Hot Gay commentary sphere as a whole: What is the appeal? Comics is suprisingly hard to find with the exception of a single IMDB review giving the show 2/10 stars, citing The answer to this question is fundamental to the type that it was cringey, awkward, and had a bad host (Dave of content Rubin creates. While the story of Dave Rubin Rubin). After an uneventful eight-episode run, the show may read like that of an ambitious businessman lacking was canceled, living and dying in obscurity. in moral convictions, it is actually a story of identity. Since the beginning of his career, Dave Rubin has never Unfortunately, most people do not know Dave Rubin stopped trying to sell the world an identity. From Hot Gay as the host of Hot Gay Comics. Rubin is now the host of Comics, a show for a gay audience, to his time with The The Rubin Report, a right-wing political commentary Young Turks trying to market himself as an alternative to YouTube channel, which is a stark contrast to his humble late-night TV, finally ending up just like everyone else in beginnings as a stand-up comic. the IDW: with a merch store that sells overpriced t-shirts with political slogans on them. Rubin has been considered by many to be a part of the “Intellectual dark-web (IDW),” a subgroup of the alt-right By this token, Rubin and the rest of the IDW has amassed that includes a number of notable members like Ben an audience of individuals who can seek to define Shapiro, Steven Molyneux, and Dennis Prager, and has themselves only through their political identity, a group gained incredible traction by acting as a “gateway” to the of impressionable viewers who care less about the actual MAGA movement. However, it is worth noting that Rubin politics and more about the aesthetic of the community. has never recognized himself as a conservative, but This is why Rubin can’t identify himself as a conservative, rather a “classical liberal” or “anti-progressive.” but rather an “anti-progressive” — the community he has formed has less to do with the actual politics he promotes Before Rubin fell in with the alt-right, The Rubin Report and puts forward, and more on the aesthetic of existing was originally hosted by The Young Turks, a Youtube in opposition to another set of ideas. This is to say that channel dedicated to hosting a number of subsidiary Rubin can only justify his existence by proving that the channels focused on left-leaning political commentary identity he is selling is not only important, but constantly and news. Rubin has cited a number of reasons for leaving under attack, and the only way you can help is by buying the Turks, suggesting that they “got too political,” or even a shirt for $25. simply that he “woke up.” This critique can be extended to the alt-right movement After parting ways with The Young Turks and taking a as a whole. In a time where so many are under constant small portion of their audience with him, Rubin’s own attack for their ethnic, cultural, and sexual identities, it channel started to gain traction with videos like “On can be incredibly difficult to feel like one doesn’t have an Trump and The Muslim Ban with Glenn Beck.” Rubin identity. Straight white men can’t “blame” their struggles continued making videos platforming a number of far on factors like race or sexual orientation, so they perform right pundits, letting them make outrageous claims, mental gymnastics to turn their privilege into something while he occasionally nodded his head in agreement. paradoxically isolating. Rubin found incredible success in this format, netting over 1.5 million subscribers and launching a merch store This creates a space for people like Rubin to assure them in which he sells shirts that read “classical liberal” for $25. that not only do they have identities, but identities that The bizarre fact about Dave Rubin is just how uninspired are oppressed and need defending. In an almost hegelian his content is. This criticism is not unique to Rubin, and fashion, The Rubin Report and the alt-right as a whole are can be extended to just about all of the aforementioned the antithesis to the synthesis that is progressive politics, “IDW.” The majority of these creators produce the same and thus couldn’t exist without them. 2020 fashion in review: Looking to the avant garde STORY SAM GROTENSTEIN Almost a year into quarantine, it is basically expected the culture has shifted the emphasis from the artistry of PHOTO SARAH LEE that everyone develop a hobby. For some it has been the garments (or egg cartons) themselves to the brand painting, for others gardening. But I have taken my own name on the tag. route, choosing to work on and improve the one thing that I hold closest to my heart: my wardrobe. Clearly, I The last year has also seen the rise of vintage and am not alone in this pursuit, as despite a decrease in the specifically workwear clothing. There has been no number of people going outside, 2020 has not seen any shortage of media talking about the inherent problems complacency from the fashion community. with vintage culture, (e.g. people going into Goodwill and buying clothes en masse to turn over and sell for twice The internet has given rise to a number of spaces for the price on Depop) but a number of these issues affect those with a passion for fashion to connect with their workwear culture as well. The traction behind brands peers, so it seems only fitting to start with the work of a like Carhartt have made finding a Carhartt jacket or work man who has gained an internet cult following that can pants for under $200 on the internet nearly impossible, be likened to the Manson family. This man is Rick Owens, just so white kids can dress like they work a job that American designer and head of his self-titled fashion line. involves manual labor. Rick Owens is responsible for some of the most iconic (or infamous depending on which circles are consulted) Fashion trends don’t come out of a vacuum though, and pieces of clothing of the last few years including a the shift away from streetwear is one that has been long number of fine leather jackets as well as Ramones, high understood in the world of online fashion communities. top sneakers that have a silhouette strikingly similar to Despite the irony that the majority of communities built that of Converse, with the important distinction that around looking good exist online, fashion accounts on Ramones retail for upwards of $1200. Instagram have seen immense success over the last year.

This is characteristic of the avant-garde fashion craze, “I’ve seen huge spikes in engagement and user which has started to gain more mainstream traction interaction,” Daniel said (@wisconsindeathtrip), admin over the last year. Avante-garde is a term generally of the fashion meme-page cumdegarcons, “I’d say that used to denote particularly innovative and boundary- people are hungrier than ever to belong to a community pushing designers and labels, and features designers online. Discord is huge right now for fashion too.” like Carol Christian Poell, Maison Margiela, and the aforementioned Rick Owens. The two key issues with this Meme pages like Daniel’s have been vital in supporting movement stem from price and culture. It goes without the fashion community over this quarantine, and are saying that designer clothing isn’t cheap, but it is harder responsible for introducing a number of people (myself now than ever to financially follow fashion trends. This included) to the world of fashion. These pages are ties directly into the second problem, as the high cost of generally built around ridiculing trends in the fashion avante-garde fashion leads to a surrounding culture that world, and are a driving force in cementing trends. is both elitist and obsessive. It’s beautiful that despite the feelings of isolation felt by Just this last week, a Grailed (a popular website for re- almost everyone over the last year, communities like selling designer clothing) listing for a Maison Margiela Daniel’s manage to support the weight of the fashion egg carton was sold for over $500 within minutes. This world. I take comfort in knowing that no matter how DESIGNERS LIKE RICK OWENS, is not to say that brands like Maison Margiela can’t alone I might feel both physically and in my interests, exist without the mainstream fashion market, nor does there is a world of kind, accepting, and funny people out Maison Margiela, and Carol Christian Poell it say that the quality and design of garments by these there who, just like me, want nothing more than to spend gained enormous popularity in 2020. names are anything less than exquisite, but rather that $500 on an egg carton. TIGER 12 JANUARY 29, 2021 FEATURE Consulting the cosmos: Astrology in 2021

STORY KATHARINE FLORENCE 2021 will bring revolution and a shift in the collective For example, this square occurred from 1929 to 1933, ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG consciousness over the next year. Aquarius is the sign that paralleling the stock market crash and the establishment represents the collective, progress, and humanitarian of the Third Reich. Another Saturn/Uranus square dates his coming year holds a lot of potential in terms of efforts. The world will hold this independent and from 1974 to 1978. During that time in Cambodia, Pol Pot Tastrology. The impactful Jupiter/Saturn conjunction intellectual Aquarian energy. People will rebel against led the Khmer Rouge in a revolution that killed millions. — when two or more planets line up and exemplify the old, outdated Saturnian forces. The last square before the one being lived through now powers of the planets — in Aquarius last December has happened between 1998 and 2001 which most infamously set up 2021 as the beginning of a new era. These Aquarian themes will continue to be highlighted concluded with the attack on the New York City World profoundly until 2023. This conjunction also occurred at Trade Center. While Jupiter and Saturn meet every 20 years in the signs zero degrees. In astrology, a zero degree point symbolizes of the same element (water, earth, fire, air), every 200 new beginnings. This transit lasts about one year, To bring some good news, Venus, the planet of love, years, they shift into a new element. After 200 years of meaning it is one of the most defining astrological events relationships, and aesthetics, as well as Mars, the planet meeting in earth signs, this alignment in Aquarius marks of 2021. From 2020 to 2023, Saturn will be squaring the of action, assertion, and sex, are no longer retrograde. the entry into a 200-year emphasis on air sign energy, planet Uranus. Retrograde is an adjective, describing a period in which which has not occurred since 1623. a planet is moving backward or in a direction opposite to A square is a 90 degree aspect that represents tension and that of the motions of other planets. In 2020, both Venus Jupiter, the planet of growth, expansion, and prosperity, challenge. Again, Saturn is the planet of responsibility, and Mars were retrograde. In 2021, the absence of these and Saturn, the planet of responsibility, maturity, and maturity, and discipline, whereas Uranus symbolizes retrograded planets only means better days are ahead. discipline together mark the tone of reality through rebellion, and innovation. This represents conservative These planets are also going to come together in Leo the lens of air signs. This will be shown in things like ideologies coming up against progressive ideologies. between June and July. This conjunction is a reunion of ideological domination, spread of pandemics, data Historically, Saturn/Uranus squares have coincided with the feminine energy from Venus and masculine energy collection, and innovation. struggles for the liberation of oppressed groups. from Mars, encouraging harmonious relationships. A Little Life is a testament to the strength of chosen family Brimming with trauma and pain, Jude’s story brings a heightened sense of sadness to the novel. Jude, who develops a disability in his youth after being in a car accident, must balance his personal life with his disability, which seems to mar every aspect of his life. With no family to support him and years of trauma he has yet to deal with, Jude seems to represent a life that no one wants to experience.

A Little Life is anything but a lighthearted book. Each page seems to seep with the sorrow of an unfair world, and each man’s struggles serve to remind the reader that life is often cruel. The four men in the novel are rewarded brief moments of happiness, but the tragedy never truly or fully stops.

Despite the sadness, the novel is also filled with so much hope and joy, as each man continues to be encouraged by the promise of a new day. They are anchored by the thought that, although life can seem like one painful road, tomorrow will always come and with it, a fresh start. It is much more beneficial to focus on those new moments than the old pain.

“Nothing hurts, nothing even threatens to hurt: his body is his again, something that will perform for him whatever he can imagine, without complaint or sabotage,” Yanagihara writes of Jude early in the novel. “He closes STORY KATIE HOHMAN First, it’s the fact that JB feels like he doesn’t belong his eyes, not because he’s tired but because it is a perfect ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG among the other immigrants in Brooklyn and he’s too moment, and he knows how to enjoy them.” American — too optimistic — to fit in. Then it’s Malcom’s A Little Lifeis a 2015 contemporary fiction novel written feelings of incompetence at his architectural job and his Despite the pain and suffering, Jude, Malcolm, JB, by American author Hanya Yanagihara. It is a beautiful, desire to be young again. and Willem have each other, and it is that support that if tragic, look into the lives of four young men: Jude, carries them forward. The four men truly love each other, Malcolm, JB, and Willem, as they stumble through life “[Malcolm] longed for the years when it was enough making A Little Life the perfect testament to found family and love in New York City. to simply be in his room with his hand moving over a and the beauty that true friendship can bring. piece of graph paper, before the years of decisions and The novel, coming in at 814 pages, spans decades and identities, when his parents made his choices for him, follows the men from the end of graduate school to old and the only thing he had to concentrate on was the A Little Life age and the eventual end of their lives. It deals with issues clean blade stroke of a line, the ruler’s perfect knife edge,” surrounding race, sexuality, and class as the men struggle Yanagihara explains. to find themselves while overcoming trauma. Each of the four main characters in A Little Life is profoundly Nowhere can Yanagihara’s expert control over Author Hanya Yanagihara complex, and the reader easily becomes invested in their information be seen more than with the character of stories as they grapple with the ups and downs of getting Jude, who serves as the buoy that keeps the other men Genre Contemporary fiction older. Their pain is both incredibly unique and utterly afloat. Out of the four main characters, Jude is the last Trigger warning for themes of self-harm, suicide, relatable, turning each conflict into a devastatingly one that the reader learns anything about and his story is and sexual assault. personal heartbreak. the most heart-wrenching. TIGER FEATURE JANUARY 29, 2021 13 TAAGLAA: Reconnecting with Nature TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA

with a good book, nothing beats going with a group of the apocalypse and their favorite childhood shows that friends. The mix of interesting company and winding formed their personalities. paths makes it easy to get lost amid the trees and forget about the outside world for a couple of hours — and that The most striking aspect of this hiking trail is the effect is exactly what we did. It was only when we saw multiple it has on your short-term memory. When walking up students from SPHS (and someone I was convinced was the hill, you forget about the test you took yesterday Ms. Jaroch) that we were reminded we had school in two and the assignment due tomorrow. Whether it was the short days. breathtaking view or the lack of oxygen from walking uphill for the first time in months, I fell into a peaceful While drifting through the gardens, we became more trance. The pandemic and distance learning has been focused on our conversations. In the Japanese garden, months and months of nothing but conscious worrying, we took turns describing our dream homes and how fun and this hike reminded me of the value of being present. it would be to have a 1970s-style conversation pit. While walking through the desert garden, we searched for plant The three of us stopped halfway up the path to face the names that could double as an acceptable name for a view behind us. The view looked like the way it feels to child. I even challenged a koi fish (dubbed “Kyle” by Oscar) stick your arm out the car window on the freeway. When to a fight. The most difficult part of the visit was having visited on a cloudy day, thin ribbons of sunshine creep to walk up the hill that connects the desert garden to the through the clouds to meet the water. The tops of the front of the Huntington. We found ourselves stopping trees curve to lean on each other’s shoulders, and the to catch our breath and ended up laughing at how out of rocks in the path below you form a mosaic. shape we are. Naturally, we didn’t learn from our mistake and decided to do a hike next. Overall, The Huntington Garden and the Sam Merrill trail are simply nice places to be. We encourage you to Quinn: In complete honesty, Katie and I had originally bring some loved ones to gawk at the beautiful flowers STORY KATIE HOHMAN meant to visit the Echo Mountain trail. Oscar had and vast landscapes. I even more so encourage you to & QUINN MANZO gotten there first, and he messaged us that the trail was bring someone you don’t know very well. Who knows? PHOTOS OSCAR WALSH reservations-only; we did not have a reservation. We Maybe you both will like conversation pits and have the decided to meet at Echo Mountain anyways and figure it same plan if the apocalypse comes. atie: New iPhones, Zoom meetings, social media — out from there. We did some quick research on nice trails Ksociety has taken a deep dive into the digital world nearby. Luckily for us, the Sam Merrill trail was nine where, at every turn we take, we’re met with the vibrant minutes away. screens and sonic whooshes. But, the digital world will never be as good as the real thing. This month, Oscar The Sam Merril trail wasn’t even our second, third, or Walsh, Quinn Manzo, and I found ourselves at The fourth choice. It was a pathway we happened to come Huntington Gardens and Sam Merill hiking trail. across amidst frustration and guilt over insufficient planning. That being said, our expectations for the The first location we visited was The Huntington experience were pretty much underground. The trail Gardens, located just 15 minutes from South Pasadena. looked quaint and unintimidating. After giving the hiking The Huntington is currently reservation-only, so we trail a chance, I urge you not to make the same mistake I nabbed our tickets as quickly as we could and ended up did and make a snap judgment about this location. paying the $24 student fee. Although the cafes and art galleries are closed, all of the gardens are open to ticket- We had two options: walk one concrete road or one holders, and we were excited to spend some time outside. of many dirt roads branching off of it, and although As a former Huntington Art Gallery volunteer, I was even Oscar insisted on choosing one of the dirt pathways, more eager to return to a place I hadn’t been since the Katie and I argued against it. We did not have the same start of quarantine. Boy Scout directional instincts and feared getting lost. We compromised by taking a short dirt pathway that Immediately, we noticed how well-organized everything eventually leads back to the main path. was. There were arrows laid out, ensuring that areas did not get too crowded and all bags were checked for food We continued to discuss the topics brought up at the upon arrival. The gardens were expertly designed to feel Huntington and Katie and Oscar relentlessly shamed like an escape, with each path smoothly guiding patrons me for putting goat cheese on pizza (while you’re here, I from one terrain to the next. Despite walking in the recommend trying that as well). The trail was the perfect wrong direction on multiple occasions, we eventually got location for getting to know new friends, offering a the hang of the winding arrows and swiftly fell into step silent setting to talk over and a beautiful scene to pause with each other. and stare at every sentence or two. I learned a lot of interesting facts about Katie and Oscar. If you ask me FRESH AIR AND GOOD COMPANY While I know that the Huntington can easily be enjoyed what their middle names are, I will stare at you blankly, alone, as I have spent many afternoons there by myself but I could go on for hours about how they would handle were perfect antidotes for stress and anxiety. Tiger’s Podcast! Nightmare on Mission Street Hosted by Cloe Maurer and Amber Chen New @nightmareonmission episodes every Available on Spotify Tuesday and Apple Podcasts at 5pm

Nightmare on Mission Street is a podcast about current events and personal perspectives. This podcast only represents the views of the hosts and any guests. It does not necessarily represent the views of the SPHS staff, student body, faculty, administration, or Tiger Newspaper. TIGER 14 JANUARY 29, 2021 SPORTS

AthletesSPORTS share their COVID-19 recovery processes STORY EDDIE ZHOU from the virus was a relatively smooth experience. PHOTO ELLA JAYASEKERA Stirling experienced mild cold-like symptoms, but like many minors who have contracted the virus, he quickly outh Pasadena has surpassed 1,100 coronavirus cases recovered after his positive test. Sand SPHS’ socially-distanced athletic practices have been shut down multiple times due to positive tests. “I feel very fortunate that my symptoms were mild and With coronavirus becoming more and more of a common that I do not have any lingering effects,” Stirling said. occurrence, Tiger spoke with student-athletes who “My entire family tested positive at the same time, which had the virus to understand the physical tolls and the actually was better for us, [considering] that we had it recovery processes. together and didn’t have to quarantine from one another.”

After enduring a 17-day sickness period, junior swimmer During their recovery, Stirling and Park made sure to Sophia Davison found it most challenging transitioning increase intake of vitamin C and D while also ensuring back into her day to day routine during recovery, let alone that they were properly hydrated and rested. Stirling more concentrated physical activity again. alleviated the boredom he experienced during quarantine by doing light workouts in his home gym while Park “The recovery process was hard for me. Just getting my did his best to stay in shape through basic bodyweight breathing back to normal was a struggle and it was hard exercises. Davison also began to go on daily runs and to get in shape after being out for so long,” Davison said. improve her physical fitness but stressed the importance of recovering at her own pace. AFTER QUICKLY BOUNCING BACK Senior track sprinter and jumper Camdon Park FROM THE CORONAVIRUS experienced similar difficulties ramping up his workout “Take your time going back into things because being , student- regime after recovering from COVID-19. As soon as he healthy and mentally healthy are a lot more important athletes like senior track sprinter Camdon cleared his quarantine, he jumped back into sprinting than getting back into a sport,” Davison said. Park (above) expressed concern over and jumping exercises but found himself having trouble the difficulties of returning to their pre- Although it took a couple of weeks for Stirling to fully returning to the levels of fitness he had enjoyed before. COVID-19 stamina levels. regain his taste and smell, he is grateful to be back “The fatigue, when you have it, you get extremely tired to playing the sports he enjoys. He hopes that other Returning to their sports may be the number one priority and you have no energy to do anything...I was extremely recovering athletes have a similarly fortunate experience for many athletes, but through their experiences, gassed and out of shape when just doing warmups,” Park and urges them to take good care of their bodies. Davison, Park, and Stirling stress the importance of said. “Usually after a workout, I wouldn’t be that tired, a proper recovery. Whether it means taking extra but after having COVID-19, it really took a toll on me.” “My best advice is to listen to your body and not try to vitamins or simply resting, athletes must understand Cole Stirling, a fellow senior on both the football and push yourself to do things that you are not ready for,” the necessity of treating one’s body with care, especially baseball team, feels lucky that his experience and recovery Stirling said. “If you need rest, then rest.” while recovering from COVID-19. Sports opinion - Athleticism, not appearance: The subtle sexualization of female athletes

STORY KAHLEN MIAO contributes to harmful gender stereotypes and feeds into baggy shirts and shorts. The girls’ tennis uniform also ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN the belief that women are worth no more than their body. contrasts the boys’ with tank tops and uncomfortably- Oversexualization manifests in glaring problems and revealing short skirts rather than loose shirts and shorts. In a report published by the National Center for social subtleties: when women are dressed in revealing Catastrophic Sport Injury Research at the University of clothing for purposes other than aerobic ability; when These revealing clothes are rooted in gaining the male North Carolina at Chapel Hill, female cheerleaders ranked women aren’t given proper recognition; when women are gaze and attention. It’s often about how men want to second in receiving catastrophic injuries from their given roles tantamount to “male accessories.” see women: in tight clothing with maximum bare skin. sport. Yet, despite its difficulty and risk, cheerleading is Cheerleaders were brought on to draw in viewers. Now widely perceived as trivial and mockable. Mainstream sexualization has even breached the walls of it implies that people won’t watch women play sports schools. SPHS’ pep team is rarely taken seriously by the unless they’re sexy. Women don’t get viewership on Cheerleading is a female dominated sport; about 97 student body, despite their dedication and hard work. At athletic ability alone they always have to compensate percent of cheerleaders are women. Much like other assemblies, the team becomes subject to sexist appraisal with appearance. sports, it requires hours of practice and dedication to and mockery. This lack of recognition extends farther perfect. Despite this, cheerleading is often boiled down to the structure of SPHS’ pep program itself. Pep is not “Being able to play in what makes you comfortable and by the public to the stereotypes of dumb girls in too-short recognized as its own independent sport and therefore confident can really make a difference in the way you skirts mindlessly waving pom poms. isn’t able to officially compete with other teams. play,” junior golfer Maya Turun said. Cheerleading at SPHS has conformed to the stereotype: This public mindset towards the sport is evidence of women overwhelmingly cheering on the boys’ sports — However, if they prefer to do so, it is okay for women the fact cheerleaders are appreciated more for their fueling the damaging “women serve men’’ attitude. to dress in sexy and more revealing clothing when they sex appeal, rather than their athletic ability. This issue play sports. Female athletes should not be limited to in cheerleading is representative of a larger issue in The oversexualization of female athletes is especially the type of clothes they choose to wear while exercising women’s sports: oversexualization. apparent through their revealing uniforms that have and should not have to fall under the pressure that they unfairly justified aerobic foundation. For example at must dress a certain way to participate in a sport. Women Oversexualization is the excessive attribution of sex to SPHS, the girls volleyball team consists of tight tops and shouldn’t have to feel pressure to be sexualized in order a certain subject. The sexual objectification of women “booty shorts,” while the boys team is allowed to wear to receive recognition for their athletic ability. TIGER 15 JANUARY 29, 2021 Kelly Wu: Figure skating with fearlessness STORY SOFIA ALVA outlet to channel her talent while also having a positive PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY WU impact on her body image. enior Kelly Wu didn’t think much of it. Falling was “Skating has helped me realize [that] I am a unique Snormal, so she brushed it off and continued to skater,” Wu said. “Skaters often are better in different skate. It wasn’t until a couple hours later when Wu saw a aspects, and I have always been complimented on the deep, bloody cut on her bottom. She was quickly rushed height and size of my jumps. This has made me more into emergency surgery, but never once was Wu fazed. thankful for what my body can do for me and helps me Only a few months later, Wu was back at the site of her understand how much more our bodies are than just an dangerous injury — the ice rink — and she continued object or image.” figure skating like she never fell. Wu’s years of experience in skating has given her the Born on ice, Wu started skating at 3 years old, an activity opportunity to learn not only more about herself, but how her family had enjoyed for many years. Watching her she fits into the dynamic of a team. Competing alongside family skate, while she was lifted on the shoulders of her teammates showed Wu the beauty of community and the rink workers, Wu fell in love with the sport. Quickly having a support system behind the scenes in a sport that moving from group to private lessons allowed Wu to can feel lonely at times. hone in and focus on her skating skills. As she continued to practice and train four to five days a week, Wu began “I have known most of the rink staff and coaches pretty competing on a synchronized figure skating team. There much since I was born,” Wu said. “In times of isolation she was able to experience a team dynamic, which was from hardship or insecurity, I’m able to find a sense of new to her as figure skating is usually viewed as an homeliness with closer people like my coaches. However individual sport. the rink staff, other coaches, and other skaters whom you’re usually friends with are also people you can talk to Wu has experienced many ups and downs throughout when you’re warming up or tying skates. Interactions with her skating career, navigating injuries and taking time them seem small and insignificant, but they’re supportive off from the sport. When she began to skate consistently, [whether it be] saying, ‘Good job,’ after you land a jump Wu often became irritated when experiencing common or run through your program, or sympathizing with pain injuries like ankle twisting and other general pain. The and aches.” intense and demanding training took a toll on her body and in sixth grade, a hip injury caused her to stop skating After high school, Wu hopes to continue skating by taking for a few months, a major shift from the rigorous routine on a mentorship role as a coach. Her experiences in group she was used to. lessons as a child have made her eager to contribute and give back in the same way. “I became extremely frustrated with myself and with the ALTHOUGH FIGURE SKATING IS fact that I wasn’t progressing with skating,” Wu said. “I “I have become a group lesson coach, and plan to apply to USUALLY PERFORMED AS A SOLO came close to quitting when no physical therapist or become a skating judge and private coach as a part-time SPORT, sports medicine doctor could diagnose [my injury].” job in the future,” Wu said. “Skating has provided me with there is a great amount of support many unforgettable experiences that I cherish. I hope to behind the scenes. The encouragment Wu Wu has been able to explore the art of self expression stay in the figure skating community and introduce my recieves from her peers is what leads her to through skating as well. This has given her a creative future family and friends to such a fun sport.” skate with courage. Students weigh safety concerns over passion to play STORY ZOE SCHLAAK Volleyball clubs, like San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Club, are “I saw when they posted a picture day, it was large groups ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN currently training indoors while following regulations. of girls together, like whole teams together...I have only Some of the precautions include no visitors allowed seen one or two people this past quarantine, maybe a Public high schools, like SPHS, adapted to outdoor, inside the gyms and to ensure social distancing there are total of three people, so I’m not very comfortable going distance training in order to follow protocols, but due to six foot markers placed on the floors. to facilities.” L.A.’s surge of cases, all practices have been postponed. Numerous SPHS athletes normally split time between “We haven’t been able to play other people and other Molina’s sports club continues to train indoors and high school athletics and an elite sports club. Like teams and I’d say considering COVID I’m super lucky to despite their precautionary measures to ensure athletes everything else, these sports clubs shut down at the play under any circumstances. Although it is a bummer safety, there have been confirmed positive cases from beginning of lockdown but in recent months have begun that we can’t play normally because of COVID. I’m super athletes within her club and she feels that it would be opening with protocols to ensure safety of their athletes. happy that I get to get out of the house and see my friends very dangerous to risk infection considering her social and get some exercise,” freshman volleyball athlete circumstances at the moment. Returning to in-person practice presents its own set Helena Foord said. of conflicts — the desire to continue playing their “I would feel awful giving [coronavirus] to my family,” favored sport and the danger of exposing themselves to Although many athletes continue to train with their club, Molina said. “I also work at Teamorrow too so if I worked coronavirus. This often leaves students with a difficult some no longer feel comfortable, especially for sport that without knowing that I had it, I would have spread it to choice between continuing their passion or prioritizing require indoor use. all my coworkers, and not to mention the public I serve their safety. Along with the health risks, athletes are also all the time. ” faced with different training circumstances that could “I wouldn’t feel comfortable joining back club right now, affect their athletic development and their possible my club in particular,” junior club volleyball athlete SPHS facilities will remain closed until at least Tuesday, future in that sport. Samantha Molina said. Feb. 2, while sports clubs continue training.

For outdoor clubs, like soccer, many have capitalized off of Zoom and held virtual practices to keep their athletes in shape during lockdown periods.

“My coach started communicating with us more and we started having three Zoom practices that we did in our backyard every week and a workout he sent us,” SPHS junior and L.A. Surf Club athlete Sadie Abelson said.

Now the L.A. Surf Club holds in-person practices with strict protocols. The club requires temperature checks before every practice and masks are kept on throughout the entirety of play. Bags are also lined up six feet apart to prevent contact when players rest or get a drink of water. Their coach also manages possible symptoms through a scheduling app that requires daily health checks.

Senior Anthony Felix currently plays club at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center and his club also shut down completely until mid-August. The athletes have begun training and need to wait outside in distanced bubbles to get their temperature checked before entering the facility. In the pool, only three people are allowed in each swimming lane.

“So when you think about it, when you are swimming in a lane with three people like that, you are never going to touch the other person because you are continuously swimming,” Felix said. “We have been doing a really good job making sure everyone stays safe and follows protocol.” TIGER 16 JANUARY 29, 2021 SPORTS Students brace for possible cancellation of sports Brady Nakamura said. “A lot of [long distance runners] have been clinging to the fact that there might still be CIF, but that’s starting to look unrealistic. It’s just really unfortunate because we’ve been training hard since May of last year.”

The cancellation is particularly devastating for spring sports athletes, as it means that they will have had nearly two full seasons of sports go to waste.

“I’m very disappointed,” junior swimmer William Kan said. “Being stuck inside, I was looking forward to competing again, especially since most of last season was cancelled. Plus, it’s another year of varsity that will go to waste, which I’m worried might affect my recruitment chances in the future.”

Other athletes vented their frustrations at the consecutive cancellations, with some believing that a safe return to competition is feasible.

“Obviously our team is frustrated,” junior golf captain Andrew Kowal said. “I feel like golf is a sport that could easily be played safely. We only were able to have two matches last season so it is really unfortunate.” SPHS ATHLETES EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT over another potential Although most athletes shared similar feelings of cancellation of athletics as coronavirus continues to devestate Los Angeles County. disappointment and frustration at the news, the STORY EDDIE ZHOU “I am really sad that volleyball and all the other sports cancellation would quell some doubts and fears that others had regarding the health implications of playing PHOTO SARAH LEE will not be getting a season this year, especially since this is the last year for seniors to play with their teammates sports during a pandemic. he possibility that SPHS athletes will have a season and in front of their classmates,” senior volleyball player Tfor their respective sports continues to dwindle, as Lindsey Hirano said. “This year we have such a strong “As much as I would love to be back on the field, I was also COVID-19 cases continue to mount in both Los Angeles group of girls with so much talent, and I truly believe that worried to go back to playing soccer,” junior soccer player County and the rest of the state. With the recent we could have gone all the way with this team if we got a Ava Dunville said. “Because of COVID-19 and the current cancellation of the California Interscholastic Federation season this year.” state L.A. is in, I was honestly scared. I know some (CIF) fall sports championships and playoffs, SPHS participants and their families haven’t all been handling athletes are bracing for the Rio Hondo League to likely Many other athletes share a similar sentiment as Hirano, COVID-19 the same way, and because of that, I would feel follow suit. as they find it difficult to see their team’s potential wasted at risk playing beside them, which is unfortunate as I by the cancellation. know we all want to be back playing.” While the cancellation will affect SPHS athletes of all grade levels, it will have a considerable impact on seniors, “The cancellation really stinks because we have a strong As the pandemic rages on into its second year, student whose lack of a proper ending to their high school career group of seniors this year, and without a season they athletes wait for a season that will allow them opportunity has many feeling unfulfilled and disappointed. wont have an opportunity to shine,” junior track athlete to continue play.

AFTER 14 MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION, the long-awaited renovation to the SPHS gym and athletics area is almost complete. Although the students and staff will only be able to utilize certain outdoor aspects of the newly refurbished facilities, athletes are excitedly anticipating the future use of the indoor equipment. SPHS gym and athletic facilities near finalization

STORY LILIAN ZHU New aspects of the facility include a renovated gym: The new leveled out space next to Diamond Avenue PHOTOS SEAN JIN The iconic black and orange walls as well as the murals was replaced with four exterior tennis and two exterior that covered the interior walls remain the same, but basketball courts, alongside the addition of batting cages. The new athletic facilities’ construction is one step now shine with a new coat of paint. However, the floors The parking lot on the south side of the facility was closer to completion. The entire project totalled 13.5 and basketball hoops were replaced. The girls locker repaved as well and new fencing is in place. There has million dollars, covering landscaping, a new field house, room was refurbished while the boys locker room was also been additions in landscaping with newly planted reflooring of the gym, and more. expanded, taking the place of the training room, which trees and plants to occupy the space. was relocated inside the field house. The remodeling project started in November 2019 and “I’m looking forward to the weightroom itself. We’ve had was projected to finish in August 2020. However, the “I’m excited to break the new gym in,” junior volleyball to move the weights out onto the track in some cases, coronavirus outbreak postponed the finish date due player Abbey Garner said. “I feel like more people will which has been difficult and is a time killer,” senior to lockdown periods as well as slowed production of want to come support us with the nice updates.” cross country runner Patrick Latting said. “I think the building materials from manufacturing plants. Despite weightroom will help teams get more consistent and these conflicts, construction was 95 percent completed In place of the previous visitor bleachers, a new field better training.” at the start of the 2021. house was added. The field house is complete with a storage, media, and training room. The training room Although the interior of the gym will not be utilized by The final step in the project consists of finishing the consists of new treatment tables, ice baths as well as students until the SPHS athletic department fully re- interior of the gym. SPHS athletic director Anthony Chan washer and dryer, a trainer office, and cycling machine. open, socially-distanced sports training will be able is looking to decorate the newly renovated weight room Grandstand bleachers now exist behind the field house to use the outdoor facilities when athletics resume on with student-submitted motivational quotes. facing the football field, emulating the old visitor stands. Tuesday, Feb. 2.

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