The Union - Milpitas High School - April 2023

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Two teachers resigned after accusations of inappropriate behavior, public records reveal

Brookner faced allegations of nonconsensual touching of students

By Riya Vyas

Former career and technical education teacher Lance Brookner was sent a proposed Statement of Charges and Notice of Unpaid Suspension and Recommendation for Dismissal from MUSD, according to a letter written by Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations Jonathon Brunson to Brookner on Sept. 29, 2022. The proposed charges against Brookner were immoral conduct, egregious misconduct, evident unfitness for service, and violation of school laws, according to the Statement of Charges. The letter, Statement of Charges, and several other documents were obtained by The Union through a public records request to MUSD.

“These charges arise from your nonconsensual and unlawful touching of multiple female students in your classroom and inappropriate, sexual harassment type comments to multiple female students,” Brunson wrote in the Statement of Charges against Brookner.

A supplement to an incident report filed by Officer Mostafa Asefi of the Milpitas Police Department on Aug. 22, 2022, requested a complaint against Brookner for penal code offenses 243.3(A), sexual battery, and 647.6(A), annoying and molesting a minor.

According to California Penal

Code 243.3(A), “Any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of sexual battery.” The police incident report was obtained by The Union through a public records request to the City of Milpitas.

“On 08-22-22, at approximately 1422 hours I respond to the Milpitas Police Department for a report of an inappropriate touching of a juvenile student,” Officer Asefi wrote in the police incident report.

The victim looked shaken and afraid, Asefi noted in the police incident report.

According to a resignation agreement between Brookner and the District, “The Parties desire to avoid the time and expense attendant upon further administrative and/or civil litigation and to settle, once and forever, all disputes arising out of, related to, or in any manner connected with Employee’s employment with the District.” Brookner signed the agreement on Nov. 1, 2022, and his resignation became effective on Dec. 31, 2022, according to the document.

Brookner was placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 23,

Wellness Center opens in library

By Adrian Pamintuan

2022 and suspended without pay on Sep. 29, 2022, according to letters sent by Brunson to Brookner.

Brookner denied touching the student in the manner she reported in an in-person interview with a district official on Sep. 19, 2022, according to the Statement of Charges.

In a previous incident, another student reported to former Principal Francis Rojas that Brookner touched her inappropriately on June 1, 2022, according to the Statement of Charges. Brookner denied touching the student in the way she described during his interview with the district official, according to the Statement of Charges.

“I, like many students, had to stick around in his class and experience situations such as this,” the student wrote in an email to Rojas on June 18, 2022, regarding the June 1 allegation. “We dont want this to happen to other students ever again or for this to happen in the upcoming school year. Please do something about this.”

Rojas indicated that the District would investigate Brookner’s conduct regarding this allegation, but the investigation was delayed because of summer break, according to the Statement of Charges.

Additionally, in a Letter of Warning dated April 20, 2022, Rojas wrote to Brookner that

SEE PAGE 16

Anderson faced investigation after student complaints

By Riya Vyas

Assistant Principal Amanda Gross began an investigation of former social studies teacher Toby Anderson on Feb. 3, 2022, due to allegations of inappropriate behavior, according to Gross’ written statement and timeline of the investigation. Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 10, after Gross had interviewed three students and reported her findings to former Principal Francis Rojas and Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations Jonathon Brunson, Gross’ timeline indicated.

Anderson signed a Settlement Agreement, General Release, and Irrevocable Resignation on June 20, 2022. The Union obtained this agreement, Gross’ statement, and other documents through a public records request to MUSD.

Gross started the investigation after a teacher and a teacher’s union representative told Gross that a student had reported a complaint about Anderson, Gross wrote.

According to Gross’ written statement, she interviewed a total of 36 students, 10 of which were named in the original complaint, and four of which were named in interviews. The remaining 22

students were randomly selected from current and past rosters of Anderson’s classes, Gross wrote.

Ten of the “students encountered/observed Mr. Anderson touching students’ backs/shoulders/head while walking around the classroom checking on student work,” according to Gross. In addition, Gross wrote, “These students were embarrassed and angry or both about the unwanted touch.”

“He would sit under his desk, and I’d be sitting in my seat, and he would grab my leg from under his desk, said senior Aya Al-Mathkur in an interview “I never felt comfortable in that class,” she added. Al-Mathkur was a student in Anderson’s life management and world history classes.

Al-Mathkur said Anderson also hugged her from behind on her birthday although she had previously told him that she did not want to be touched by him and did not like to be touched by men.

Fourteen of the students Gross interviewed commented on pictures Anderson had in his classroom, many of which included him with his arm around female students that were often petite, dark-haired, and Asian, Gross wrote.

“His classroom had pictures of

only girls basically,” said junior Anika Gandhi in an interview.

“His seating chart was girls in the front, guys in the back.” Gandhi was in Anderson’s life management and world history classes.

In addition, four of the students interviewed by Gross commented that Anderson scheduled or wanted certain students in his class, Gross wrote. Twenty-two of the students expressed that Anderson favored girls, Gross wrote.

“At the end of the year, he asked his favorite students, which were, I don’t know, like 10 girls. He was like, ‘I would love for you guys to be in my world history class, if you could go talk to your counselors and make sure they put you in my world history class,’” Al-Mathkur said.

Gross also wrote that eighteen of the students commented on Anderson sharing his phone number with the class.

“He expressed that the best way to contact him about any classwork or any situation that involves him would be to text his number, give him a phone call,” junior Jarron Temple, who was in Anderson’s world history class, said. “He did take emails but he preferred to be texted or called.”

SEE PAGE 16

The Wellness Center is a new campus facility operated by employees from the Santa Clara County Office of Education that aims to serve as an early intervention resource to prepare students for long-term emotional resilience, Wellness Center liaison Storm McNerney said. Having opened in early February 2023, the center is ready to meet students’ needs, she said.

The Wellness Center currently operates on the west side of the MHS Library, with an entrance through its main doors adjacent to the cafeteria. The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., McNerney said.

“I’m the one who checks in with them (the students) to get a general idea of what brings them in and how I can support them,” McNerney said. “If they’re needing more support — being connected to a resource or a counselor — I help them with that. The goal is after their visit here, they leave feeling better than when they came in.”

If a student feels that they need wellness support, either through downtime activities or speaking to someone about their issues, they are able to stop by the Wellness Center at any time during class — with a teacher’s purple pass — or break for a 15 to 20 minute session, McNerney said.

“We have a little reading corner, breathing resources, puzzle stations, art stations, so it’s very intentional,” Mental Health and wellness specialist Mireya Coronado said. “Santa Clara County has been very aware of the transformation that’s been happening: the schools are transforming into places where the community can receive support.”

Even though the Wellness Center can be used for short-term activities like art projects and counseling sessions, it also serves as a hub for connecting students with crisis services to help with housing, healthcare, and food resources, Coronado said.

“All school-based services are short-term because, as you can imagine, having 3000 students, there’s a big caseload,” Coronado said. “The students that can get better with short-term services will get better. For those students that need more, we’ll continue to support them.”

Although McNerney is not a therapist or counselor herself, the staff members at the Wellness Center are there to support students in a safe space, McNerney said. Once students leave the center, they fill out check-out forms, she said.

“On the surveys, I see that, ‘They made me feel comfortable.’

SEE PAGE 16

Eye on Campus: Seniors win Trojan Olympics

Deeksha Venkateswaran |

The class of 2023 Trojan Olympics team ends their Toy Story-themed dance performance with a cheer on Friday, March 31 at the football field. They won by nine points over the class of 2024.

Chick-fil-A presence sparks debate among staff

By David Rendon

An email expressing concerns over Chick-fil-A’s involvement on campus, in staff meetings, and in the career fair, was sent to staff members on March 10 by English teacher Brett Webber on behalf of many other teachers. The email, whose subject was “Open Letter to MHS Administration,” cited concerns regarding Chick-fil-A’s founder and the CEO’s practice of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as recently as 2021.

Korean program expands with new honors course

By Tiffany Lieu

MHS will be offering Korean IV Honors in the 2023-24 school year due to high demand within the Korean language program, Assistant Principal Jonathan Mach said.

Korean classes have been offered at MHS for at least six years, but no fourth-level Korean classes have been offered during class scheduling prior to this year, Mach said. Over the years, the need for more Korean classes has increased, he added.

“We had smaller Korean classes, and now we have bigger Korean classes, and, as the culture grows popular, the kids opt into it,” Mach said. “More recently, within the last two, three years, we have had enough to be able to push for a fourth-year Korean.”

Korean teacher Soo Park, who will be teaching the new honors course, said that the process of actually planning the course began around two years ago. At the time, there was not enough interest in a fourth-level Korean class and MHS missed the deadline to get the course approved as an A-G class, so action was delayed until this school year, Park said.

“Last year, in October, I talked about how we really want this course,” Park said. “So we started conversation two years ago, but started actually taking action starting October.”

Korean IV Honors was approved as an A-G course on Feb. 6, and was completely approved by a unanimous vote after Park presented the course in a Curriculum Policy Committee (CPC) presentation to the district this school year on March 23, Park said.

“I have more than 30 students signed up, so it looks like it’s happening,” Park said.

Park began developing the curriculum for Korean IV Honors in October 2022 and completed it in January 2023, she said in an email. Some of the textbooks for

the course are already available for students, and Park is able to get free supplementary books sponsored by the International Korean Education Foundation, she said. In order to develop the curriculum, Park used her experience teaching the class at another school district and support from others, she added.

“I also closely worked with other Korean teachers in the Bay Area and Ms. Kang at MHS to collaborate and develop the curriculum,” Park said in an email.

Junior Isabelle Cho, who plans to take Korean IV Honors, said that finishing her high school language education, having an opportunity to receive a GPA boost, and enjoying the positive environment of her current Korean class drove her to sign up for the fourth-year class.

“Korean is one of my favorite classes,” Cho said. “She’s (Park) not only uplifting, but she cares a lot about the students.”

The Korean program was originally established in collaboration with outside entities such as the Korean Consulate, a collection of organizations that aims to spread Korean culture, Mach said.

“Our teachers had connections with the Korean Consulate, the Korean Embassy,” Mach said. “They wanted to at least start Korean here too. They wanted to help.”

The Korean program has grown to the point where a second Korean teacher, Jin Kang, began teaching at MHS for the first time this school year, Park said. Taking a language class can be fun for students, and it can be beneficial for their patience and understanding as well, Park added.

“Learning a foreign language can help develop students’ cognitive skills,” Park said in an email. “Most importantly, students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. They will become more open-minded and respectful of cultural differences.”

District approves pay raise in new contract for classified employees

By Sanvi Durbha

A contract negotiating 15 different articles, including fair compensation, for classified employees, which are non-teacher MUSD staff, was approved at the MUSD board meeting on March 28.

Classified employees’ main focus was making sure they received a fair pay increase, which they referred to as “me too” since teachers received a raise in October, payroll specialist Sherry Ames said in an email interview.

“There are three different groups within MUSD. One is the certificated staff (teachers, counselors, psychologists, etc.) who are represented by the teacher’s union and their negotiations team at the negotiating table,” Ames said. “The second group is

By allowing the Chick-fil-A mascot on campus, the school is giving the approval to advertise Chick-fil-A’s values to students, the email said. It called upon MUSD to reject Chick-fil-A and not allow them to have any presence on campus.

“As the educators of our community, we must take a stand against Chick-fil-A and any other company that publicly holds and profits from bigoted values,” the email said. “This is not ‘politics’ which can be ignored; people’s lives and feelings of belonging and well-being are at stake.”

After the email was sent, no official decisions have been made in relation to Chick-fil-A, and there is currently nothing in the works involving Chick-fil-A, Maneja said in an interview. In the past, Chick-fil-A has reached out to athletic teams and student clubs and has been involved in the career fair, he added.

“If an individual is providing us resources that have otherwise not been provided in the past, but also is a symbol of hate for a lot of students and staff members, how do you balance between the two?”

Maneja said in an interview. “I think the difficult part of my role is not to instill my own personal biases or values but to respect the diversity of values that we have on this campus.”

Seeing the Chick-fil-A cow on campus during the career fair was like seeing a symbol of hate, Webber said in an interview.

“To take a marginalized group already striving for a sense of belonging, striving for inclusion, striving to feel comfortable at their high school, and then to allow an organization that, as recently as 2021, openly, publicly, financially supported organizations who go against them – it is incomprehensible to me that that would be allowed,” Webber said.

The owner of the Milpitas franchisee of Chick-fil-A claims he is here just to feed and support the community, Maneja said in an email sent to all staff members.

“Who else is going to come to me to offer food to our staff because they appreciate them supporting our community?”

Maneja said in the email. “Show me that I don’t need this community partner who has given and showed their commitment to the new CFA values.”

Chick-fil-A broke Webber’s trust, and trust is very difficult to regain, Webber said in an interview. Students should conduct their own research on Chickfil-A, he said.

“Would we believe someone who used to do something four years ago, five years ago, who now says, ‘I no longer do it?’” Webber said in an interview. “I do not trust Chick-fil-A as an organization, right from their CEO, all the

way down. I don’t trust them.”

Social studies teacher Ana Pardo was disappointed with Chickfil-A’s involvement, Pardo said. Because it is a private company, the profits will reach the owners, who have been donating to anti-LGBTQ+ causes, Pardo said.

“It’s as simple as not inviting this company in particular to sponsor our events,” Pardo said. “Because we ask them to sponsor our events in any way, we give the impression that we are at the very least shrugging off where their money goes. To me, that signals to members of the LGBTQ community in our school or in our district that we don’t care.”

Formalizing a relationship with Chick-fil-A could help MHS promote a safe, inclusive environment for students, Maneja said in an interview.

“The responsible thing is to establish a relationship with them, not with a closed door, not with fully open arms, but with this constant evaluation of ‘if an organization is meeting our values,’” Maneja said in an interview. “In this situation, we have evidence that he (the owner of the Milpitas branch) is in support.”

People always believe that they will do the right thing when the time comes to it, but, more often than not, most will do nothing because it’s easier, Pardo said.

“It’s really hard to stand up, to make a principled stand when things are difficult,” Pardo said. “If somebody is offering you things for free, the easy answer is to take it. It is a very tempting answer. But, if by taking that, you make others feel excluded, should you take it?”

the classified staff (secretaries, custodians, paras, etc) who are represented by CSEA (California School Employees Association) and our negotiations team. The third group is made up of district management. A ‘me too’ is when the teachers negotiated their 9% pay increase back in October/ November, it was assumed that the other two groups would also inherit the same 9% increase. We wanted to be treated as a separate group. Classified did not have a seat at the negotiation table when the teachers negotiated their pay and benefits back in October/November.”

Along with a pay increase, terms for 14 other articles were negotiated between classified employees’ and the district’s negotiation teams, Ames said. “The biggest one we settled was

‘Article 7: Work Year, Work Week, and Overtime,’ which is actually new this year, once it’s approved,” Ames said. “It’ll be the first time people will be able to work remote if they have the ability to do so.”

Prior to developing the contract, the classified employees’ negotiation team brought their concerns about unfair treatment forth during a board meeting on Jan. 24, 2023, Ames said.

“To us, the definition of negotiation is ‘you give a little, we give a little,’ but we kept getting ‘no,’” Ames said. “That was what prompted us to say, ‘We’re not negotiating, we’re just hitting a wall.’ So we had to bring it to the board’s attention. We make up 43% of the employees (in MUSD), and the teachers settled quickly, but we just kept getting pushed back. We were trying to make it more equitable, equal pay, for all. We don’t do the same work, but just to make it fair for everybody.”

Team members began meeting in October 2022, Ames said.

“We had a fairly new negotiating team, so we were still trying to figure each other out,” Ames said. “We’re hoping, because this was a very big, time-intensive thing and we were negotiating

all these articles on the contract, that next time it will be done a lot smoother and wrapped up in a short amount of time.”

The district looks forward to working with CSEA, Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations Jonathon Brunson said.

“The District negotiations team and the CSEA negotiations team worked collaboratively like we did with our teachers association,” Brunson said. “We worked for five months together on creating new language that both parties agreed on as well as striking out old language that is no longer needed for each of the 15 articles. This was very thoughtful work by all parties in the room to ensure we have language that meets the needs of our district and our classified employees. We appreciate our classified employees and the important work they do for our students and staff across the district.”

Although it was a long process, it was good to come to an agreement with the district, Louie said.

“We really appreciate it because classified are some of the lowest paid in the district, so it was very nice that we got it all settled,” Louie said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

STEAM Showcase MUSD presented its annual STEAM Showcase on Saturday, March 25, 2023, featuring students of all grades. Due to a large number of participants, the STEAM Showcase was a hybrid event with a virtual and in-person gallery.

Xtreme Robotics Milpitas Xtreme Robotics qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship on March 11, 2023. They will compete in the championship from April 25 to 27, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

Skyler Draeger Associate Principal Skyler Draeger will be stepping down from his role as an adminstrator and rejoining the English department as a teacher for the 202324 school year.

Jonathon Brunson Assistant Superintendent Jonathon Brunson announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2023. Damon James will take over as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations on July 1, 2023.

Superintendent of the Year Cheryl Jordan was unanimously named the 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. She was selected from 19 regional winners across California.

Tiffany Lieu | THE UNION

Courtesy of Gavin Heraldo

The Chick-fil-A mascot interacts with students on campus during the career fair in the library on March 6.

Students must take advantage of summer classes

As summer approaches, many students are considering taking summer classes, which range from core classes like U.S. History to college-level math like multivariable calculus. Taking core classes over the summer can be beneficial for students who want to study ahead or take more advanced classes later on.

Freeing up class slots by taking summer classes grants students greater flexibility in their course schedules. By having the space to take more electives or other classes during the school year, students can better pursue their interests or passions without being burdened with classes they have no interest in. In senior year, these class slots can also become senior open periods, allowing more flexibility in schedules, whether it be for additional extracurricular or personal activities.

Additionally, for classes which encompasses multiple levels, taking a class during the summer is also a great way to get ahead. Students can advance to higher level classes the next year. Taking math over the summer can also help students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. Considering that many students already skip math levels entirely, taking the math class over the summer instead will be far more beneficial.

Furthermore, taking classes over the summer can also allow students to boost their Grade Point Average (GPA), which allows them to demonstrate their

Seniors should be able to rent graduation gowns

motivation and effort to colleges as well, which can be hugely beneficial during the competitive admissions process. Since many of the summer courses are taken through the community college, which grades on a 5-point scale, students benefit from a huge GPA boost if they choose to take the class, but with less time and effort than an AP class. The GPA boost and the initiative to further your education over the summer can show colleges greater motivation to learn.

Students can also sign up to summer courses for free, which can allow students to further their education without having to pay any tuition fees. Plenty of other classes that can be taken over the summer almost always include a pricey tuition fee. Coupled with the fact that these summer courses are generally online, their flexibility makes it extremely convenient for any student that wants to travel to other places during the summer.

Skipping core classes can be risky, as students may not fully grasp the proper understanding of certain subjects, which can be a detriment to their education. Students should still properly communicate with their counselors when they consider taking core summer courses over the summer, as a gap in understanding Ultimately, students should seriously consider taking core summer classes during the school year to get ahead and take more elective classes.

CON

So many students opt to take core academic classes such as US history, government, or English over the summer at community colleges.Is this shortcut a good idea? I believe students should not take state-mandated classes over the summer; instead, they should choose elective courses or other enrichment programs. Taking core classes such as US History or English IV over the summer deprives students of actual quality education. These summer classes supposedly squeeze 180-day long courses into about a month-and-a-half, compromising indepth understanding for efficiency.

Secondly, taking core classes over the summer in place of electives or other enrichment programs is not necessarily a great show of student character. You are a student; you go to school to get an education. Choosing to take a core class like US History over the summer in place of an elective can rob you of exploring your actual interests or passions. Classes such as Java programming, accounting, digital art, or Spanish are some electives to name a few. If you are interested in a potential career in the tech industry, you especially would reap a greater benefit taking an introductory course in programming instead of a US his -

High school graduation is a significant accomplishment that is annually recognized and celebrated. However, the expenses of graduation can be a burden for many students, especially when it comes to purchasing a gown. MHS seniors should be offered the option of renting their graduation gown to promote sustainability and eliminate a financial burden on families.

The school providing the option to students to rent gowns can relieve a financial burden placed on students and their families. Caps and gowns are available for $35 to $45, depending on whether students want them shipped to their home address or school. These expenses can be a struggle for families. Although it may not seem like a significant amount of money, it can quickly add up. Moreover, seniors also have other large expenses, including senior portraits, yearbooks,

prom, and senior trips. Students will save money and reduce the financial stress associated with graduation by being able to rent gowns.

Renting graduation gowns would not only save money, but it would also promote sustainability. After wearing the gowns for one night, most students either let them collect dust in a closet or dispose of them. Renting gowns also allows schools to recycle and reuse gowns instead of needing to purchase new gowns each year. Schools may reduce waste and encourage sustainable practices by renting gowns, in turn giving back to future generations of Trojans and the environment.

future years. Students can be asked to donate their old cap and gowns which are in good condition. If gowns are returned back to the school after being damaged, students should be required to pay for the gown. If paid by the senior class, the gowns bought this year would leave a legacy of sustainability behind.

DEEKSHA VENKATESWARAN

One solution is for MHS to start a cap and gown collection process this year. MHS can collect sets that are still in usable shape to rent out to students in

Seniors at Milpitas High School should be offered the option to rent their graduation gowns instead of having to purchase them as it can help financially and sustainably. Graduation should be a moment of joy to celebrate success rather than stress for students and families. MHS can help make this milestone more pleasant and less stressful for all students by providing the opportunity to rent and reuse graduation gowns.

Students require more civic education

High school is a stepping stone into the adult world. Whether it’s traveling abroad, heading off to college, or starting a career, graduation means moving on to the next chapter. As students head into this new world, these situations call into question if high schoolers are properly prepared to navigate rising misinformation.

Civic learning “develops the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions of young people, resulting in effective lifelong citizens who are civically well-informed, productively engaged, and hopeful about democracy,” according to the Institute for Citizens and Scholars.

different age groups and education levels in America; 33% of Americans ages 65 and over had high levels of civic knowledge, while only 14% of Americans ages 18 to 29 were able to score the same. A high school education lacks proper instruction in civic learning. In a time when political polarization and misinformation are only increasing with the advancement of technology, there must be an active effort toward civic competency.

ADRIAN PAMINTUAN

tory class this summer. However, a student may benefit from taking a core class over the summer to fulfill MHS’s graduation requirements in advance in order to pursue a class in the fall semester that has some meaningful importance to the student.

First off, a core summer class may be beneficial for a minority of students because they can replace a class in the fall with another that is extremely useful for their future interests. Whether that be pursuing a career in chemical engineering or law enforcement, a possible exception of taking a core class over the summer in order to take courses that will help students get an early start on their potential higher education and careers.

The only other reason I see in taking a core class over the summer is to ensure you are meeting graduation requirements. Certain students currently involved in special programs within the school such as academies, leadership, AVID, or music, may find it impossible to schedule their classes accordingly without utilizing a summer course for a core class. Otherwise, for most students, an taking an elective class would be much more beneficial this summer.

A deficiency in these skills hinders students from discovering the power of local, state, and federal government, and the lack of advanced civic coursework and supplementary school initiatives at MHS only enables this social disrepair.

In 2018, Pew Research Center found that there were clear differences in civic knowledge when comparing

The State of California only requires one semester of civic education for high schoolers, but the state minimum must not stop MHS from providing supplementary activities to boost democratic engagement. For example, the school could bring in outside programs, speakers, and opportunities that advocate for civic engagement.

Here at MHS, mock elections tend to be held every general or midterm election, which allows students to practice skills in

the democratic process of voting. The school must integrate civic learning to our homeroom discussions, newsletters, and career center. A September 2020 news release by the California Department of Education reported a new graduation honor that California schools can provide to students who showed continued civic engagement in their community, the State Seal of Civic Engagement. According to the 2022-23 MHS Parent and Student Handbook, such an honorary seal is absent from the list of graduation honors; as students, we are denied an incentive towards an advanced understanding of the democratic process. Despite many of us being on the cusp of the adult world, we are not being adequately prepared with the tools to assume responsibility for our civic duties. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, students must be taught active citizenship throughout their schooling.

Wellness Center provides valuable support

Seeking out mental health support can be difficult. Six in 10 psychologists do not have openings for new patients, according to a 2022 survey from the American Psychological Association. The struggle is even worse for people without insurance that may need to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket fees for mental health support. In this context, MHS’ newly established Wellness Center is essential because it reserves free and necessary access to mental health support for students that they may not be able to find elsewhere.

Although resources like school psychologists and mental health counselors are available free of charge for MHS students, many students don’t even know where to start to access these decentralized services. Furthermore, students often have to schedule appointments in advance, so mental

health support may not be available right when they need it.

The Wellness Center combats these issues with availability for walk-in appointments or referrals to off-campus resources. The center also provides therapeutic activities like puzzles and a punching bag. Although such activities are often subject to ridicule, trauma therapist Olivia James explained in a “Fortune” article called “The life-changing magic of puzzling: Why solving jigsaw puzzles is good for your mind and body” that puzzles, for example, allow people to “enter a state of meditation” that can lower their blood pressure and heart rate. These activities may not build lifelong resilience the way counseling does, but they are beneficial for students who simply want to be

in a relaxing environment.

SAVAN BOLLU

When I visited the Wellness Center for the first time, Wellness Center Liaison Storm McNerney started off by giving me a confidentiality disclaimer – information discussed is not shared with anyone else unless the liaison believes that the student needs immediate intervention – and explaining her role. She then listened to my mental health concerns, offered immediate tips, and helped me with the referral process, a Google Form application, for formal counseling at school. This direct, on-demand access to mental health professionals through the Wellness Center tackles mental health issues in a timely way instead of allowing

Core classes should not be taken over summer

KEVIN TING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 them to worsen over time. The option for counseling also dissuades students from turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse and helps them build lifelong resilience.

For me, the most valuable part of these walk-ins was the ability to converse with a non-judgemental, objective listener. It was understandable that the liaison, who was not a certified counselor or doctor, could not provide much case-specific advice, but for students who want to take the next step, formal

counseling is also available.

However, after over three weeks of waiting, a mental health counselor still has not reached out to me, so there seems to be a lack of timely care for walk-in referrals.

The Wellness Center is a bit unstructured, even for a newly established program. Students are allowed to visit the Wellness Center during class if they have a pass, but students could easily abuse this policy since there is no clear way for teachers to differentiate between a real and feigned need. Another issue is that the center is located

in a small corner of the library next to the staff restrooms. As a result, staff must walk across the entire center to access these restrooms, which disrupts what should be a safe and confidential space.

The Wellness Center should begin by promoting the space more, as 50.6% of the 160 students that responded to a Union survey said that they did not know it exists. With more thorough consideration of location, the Wellness Center could be an invaluable resource for the MHS community to conveniently access mental health support.

EDITORIAL: The Opinion of The Union

MUSD must terminate employment of teachers who harm children

Schools play a profound role in the lives of children, nurturing students and preparing them for life, and teachers take on a large share of this responsibility. Unfortunately, there are some teachers who face allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, or inappropriate behavior involving children. After investigations reveal evidence of wrongdoing, these teachers are often able to secure resignation agreements that keep serious allegations against them hidden and allow them to seek employment in other school districts.

The practice of allowing teachers who face serious allegations to resign with clean records has become so widespread across the country that it has its own name: “passing the trash.”

Our district must take allegations against teachers seriously by pursuing their dismissal if the allegations against them are found to be substantial. If MUSD cares about children — all children, not just those in our district — then it has a moral obligation to ensure that proven offenders are never allowed to work with children again.

Through a public records request, The Union discovered allegations of misconduct against two former MHS teachers within the last year. In the records, it appears an allegation against Lance Brookner for inappropriately touching a student was not investigated in a timely manner.

In an email to former Principal Francis Rojas on June 18, 2022, the student who raised the al -

legation wrote, “We dont want this to happen to other students ever again or for this to happen in the upcoming school year. Please do something about this.” Instead, the district only obtained a statement from this student on Aug. 29, 2022, after Brookner’s alleged sexual battery of another student on Aug. 22, 2022. If the school and district had acted decisively in response to the June 2022 allegation, the district likely would have placed Brookner on administrative leave and the alleged events of August never would have occurred. Further harm could have — and should have — been prevented.

Public records also reveal that Brookner and another teacher, Toby Anderson, entered into resignation agreements with the district; these agreements ensured that the allegations against them would not be reported to future employers.

If MUSD had terminated the employment of these teachers and the teachers chose to take their cases to court, the district would likely have expended a significant amount of time and money on litigation. However, no amount of resources saved can ever justify continuing a cycle of abuse. School districts should work with teachers’ unions in the interest of protecting children so that it is not so difficult to fire dangerous teachers.

If MUSD does not take decisive action against serious allegations, similar incidents can

happen in the future. Predatory teachers are more likely to prey on students if they know they will only face a mild consequence for their misdeeds. If the district continues to prioritize expediency, it will become complicit in future teacher misconduct that will hurt even more children.

MUSD’s lack of communication with involved students and their families is another injustice. The Union spoke to students who participated in investigations into the two former MHS teachers and found that at least two students were not followed up with after the investigation. The district should inform all parties about the resolution of a case, and, in particular, proactively check on the mental wellbeing of the students. It is difficult enough for a student to report allegations against a teacher, and worries about the teacher returning to the classroom can only heighten their stress.

While the alleged actions of certain teachers are egregious, many more teachers serve their students with care and respect. In the case that a teacher is falsely accused, presentation of the facts at an administrative hearing would likely absolve that teacher of blame. However, to reach this end, the district cannot continue to resolve serious allegations with resignation agreements.

If MUSD wants to put children first, as it claims, it must no longer “pass the trash.”

EDITORIAL: The Opinion of The Union

MHS recognizes expense of school activities, promotes discounts

Many students view school environments as places to grow their knowledge, build and form connections with their fellow students and educators, and experience fun activities with their friends. Students rely on these interactions with others for a sense of belonging and find reprieve from the stress of maintaining grades.Although the expenses of attending school activities and using different resources for various classes can quickly add up, MHS has lessened this expense by offering discounts at numerous stores and school-related events and providing students with access to various resources.

MHS offers a variety of discounts to events such as homecoming, prom, and sports games through ASB cards, which students can use throughout the school year for discounts on these events as a way to make this cost-related burden lighter. Prices can be overwhelming for students, especially those in their third or fourth year who are looking to get the most out of

their last few semesters of high school. The card itself costs $30 at the beginning of the school year, but students save well over this initial amount after all of the discounts add up.

This card offers free items and admission into home sporting events for every sport. It can also be used to apply discounts to parking permits, tickets to both homecoming and prom, and other MHS event tickets that are sold over the course of the year. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these discounts, resulting in an overall increase in school spirit and dance attendance.

Additionally, MHS has partnered with different organizations to offer resources to students at a reduced cost. Students are also offered discounts at local stores like Teaspoon, Teatop, and Baskin Robbins, which encourages students to purchase food and refreshments locally.Students are also offered discounts at clothing stores nearby in exchange for showing their student ID, including

high-end stores like Kate Spade. These discounts promote business at local stores, benefiting both the stores and the students.

One of the most beneficial resources offered to students is Adobe, which has a plethora of applications related to graphic design, photography and photoshop, and scanning or signing documents. These applications allow students and staff to use all of these functions for many purposes, including coursework and special projects, for free. Students that wouldn’t be able to afford these services under normal circumstances have now been granted access to various different platforms. These programs can also be accessed on personal computers, which students can utilize for their personal interests and projects outside of school curriculum.

We, The Union, would like to acknowledge MHS for accounting for the expense of different events and working with companies to reduce costs for students.

Those who would like to advertise in The Union can contact the Ad Manager at milpitashightheunion@ gmail.com. Ads are available in full page, half page, quarter page, and business card sizes. Inserts are also accepted. Upon request, The Union staff will customize and design your advertisement.

STAFF

Riya Vyas • E ditor -in -C hi E f

Anannya Bhuskat • News Editor

Stephen Huang • Asst. News Editor

Satvika Iyer • Op-Ed Editor Deeksha Venkateswaran • Asst. Op-Ed Editor

Tiffany Lieu • Features Editor

Savan Bollu • Asst. Features Editor

Sidhant Burela • Sports Editor

Erick Johnson • A sst. Sports Editor

Zaynah Turabi • Lifestyle Editor

Albert Fung • Asst. Lifestyle Editor

David Rendon • Entertainment Editor Varun Ravuri • Asst. Entertainment Editor

Sanvi Durbha • Spread Editor Ruby Bui • Asst. Spread Editor

Angelina Barnes • Copy Editor

Sanvi Parvatikar • Web Editor

Adrian Pamintuan • Photo Editor

Kevin Ting • Business/Ad Manager

Sanjit Roy Journalism Advisor

WANT TO REPRESENT THE STUDENTS?

Trans, gender non-conforming students reflect on experiences

By David Rendon

This year, state legislatures across the country introduced 492 bills that specifically target transgender people, according to Trans Legislation Tracker. These bills are extensive, ranging from restricting gender-affirming care to forcing students to banning the education of LGBTQ+ content in school.

At MHS, students have been able to find safe spaces where they can be more open and feel accepted, like the True Colors club, said senior Elle Leabres, who uses the pronoun they, said.

Me and the Birds band records debut, plans for future

By Satvika Iyer

By day, they’re in your classes, drumming desk tables with a pencil — only an inkling of their musical prowess. By night, they’re teens ready to share their music with the world, guitarist-drummer-singer of Me and the Birds junior Quinton Vo said. Vo, guitarist junior Zach Nunag, and bassist junior Annabelle Chao debuted on Jan. 28 at the MHS Lunar Show, performing a cover of Mac Demarco’s “Moonlight on the River” and an original song written by Nunag.

“The only way we can say we played a gig is if we do it, no matter how scared it makes us.” Nunag added. “There are so many talented people at our school, and I feel like they owe it to themselves to share their art. ”

Just as the Beatles had Liverpool, the Me and the Birds debut at the Lunar Show was the band’s beginning, Chao said.

“I think about the show everyday, just the validation and how grateful we were,” Vo said. “We were freaking out, but bonding over that, like, ‘You were scared?

I was scared!’”

The band also met senior Mimi Huynh through her vocal act at the show, Chao said.

“We bonded over music and creating our own,” Huynh said.

“Even if I’m not doing anything, I’m content watching these guys play.”

Huynh is no longer performing with the band as she leaves for college, but she will always remember the trio’s passion for music, Huynh said.

“Me and Zach were in mid dle school, bonding over mu sic and thinking we could be musicians, but we sucked,” Vo said. “Then we were in the same math class sophomore year and I was working two jobs, but, after I quit, we just picked up where we left off.”

Junior Annabelle Chao, the band’s bassist, joined the band when she heard they were practicing for the Lu nar Show. Classically trained in piano and trumpet and a close friend to Vo, Chao brought music theory and energy to the selftaught band, Vo said.

“I was looking to play bass more because it’s so different from piano,” Chao said. “The bass is just a foundation, so as long as I’m backing up those two, I’m just jamming out on stage as support. With them, it’s a lot more upbeat and fun.”

The trio has a variety of person-

MMCHS students thrive in small, tailored community

By Ruby Bui

Milpitas Middle College High School (MMCHS), an alternative MUSD high school since 2021, is most suitable for students who are not performing at their optimum level in a large-school environment, MMCHS Principal Karisa Scott said.

“If you don’t consider yourself thriving at the moment, I recommend trying a change of placement, maybe in a different environment,” Scott said.

The three main pathways at the school are education and social work, health sciences, and business and entrepreneurship, which differ from the academies offered at MHS yet cohort students in the same way, Scott said.

“For example, there’s a group of students who are all in human biology because they’re in the health sciences pathway, so they all take the shuttle down to the main campus and take that lab together,” Scott said. “They offer each other peer support to be successful in those courses.”

The classes at MMCHS are much smaller than those at MHS; only two high school classes are offered, while the rest are college courses, MMCHS junior Phoebe Nguyen, who uses the pronoun “they,” said. With such a small student population, classmates

mostly remain the same from junior to senior year, they added.

“I’d say we’re very close as a class,” Phoebe Nguyen said. “It’s interesting how your relationships in high school change when you’re at the extension.”

At MHS, teachers’ lesson plans and instructions lacked clarity because there were too many students, Phoebe Nguyen said.

“Every day felt like a rinse and repeat type of thing,” Phoebe Nguyen said. “But over at the extension, teachers go more indepth and the classes are way longer, so they spend more time catering to their students’ needs.”

Scott provides many volunteer and job opportunities, such as tutoring students at Thomas Russell Middle School to earn money, MMCHS junior Kaitlyn Nguyen said. As someone pursuing a career as an architect, being able to visit the Innovation Campus, where students can learn about careers in areas such as architecture, was helpful, she added.

“It’s really helpful because we get to take actual college classes,” Kaitlyn Nguyen said. “Then we have adulting on Wednesdays every week. We get to pick our own topics, so we learned about taxes.”

MMCHS offers a myriad of resources to students, such as receiving daily tutoring from teach-

al musical influences, from K-pop to the Goo Goo Dolls, but come together on the timeless hits of the Beatles and Mac Demarco, Nunag said.

“The name Me and the Birds is actually inspired by a Duster song,” Chao said. “We were just thinking about what we wanted our vibe to be, and I saw Zach’s guitar with these beautiful bird inlays and instantly connected it

The ode to musical influences in the band’s name is fitting because the band is influenced by various artists, yet strive to keep their work authentic in their projects, Chao added. “It’s important to keep the songwriting process natural,” Nunag said.

“(For) our next song, we got the music down before the lyrics, and it reminded me of the beach, so the lyrics came from that feeling.”

The band hopes to release a collection of their demos over streaming services and a physical record soon, Chao said.

“We’re working on it,” Vo said. “Our goal isn’t to make an original; literally nothing is original these days. We want to make people who listen to our music feel something.”

“I think what really drew me to True Colors was the promise of a safe space,” Leabres said. “That really hit me because, at home, I didn’t really have people to talk to or safe spaces in my personal life. So, after finding such a freeing area, I felt like I could just be me.”

While the California legislature has not introduced such bills, people can’t help but worry that it’s only a matter of time, said junior Sneha Nair, who uses the pronoun they, said.

“I’m really grateful that California has been not allowing that to happen,” Nair said. “But when you search online, and you look at those maps where it’s colored in all the states that have certain laws passed, it’s terrifying. … It’s just a ticking time bomb until someone else comes around and decides to pass that same bill that’s in other states. It’s disheartening and it makes you feel nervous.”

Despite the MHS campus being a very accepting space, there are still incidents where people are blatantly ignorant, Leabres said. During CLOG rush, someone purposely dropped slips of paper by the True Colors table, including a note with a slur targeting club members, they said. Others are less blatantly ignorant but will still use Leabres’ deadname, which is a person’s birth name they no longer use after their transition, or use the wrong pronouns, they added.

People often misgender Nair too, they said. Trans people shouldn’t have to make the first step; it should just be the norm to ask for pronouns, Nair added.

“I was just severely disappointed by the amount of people on campus who would actually ask for pronouns, teachers included,” Nair said. “Only one or two out of all my teachers even bothered to ask for us to present our pronouns as well as our name, … Even though nothing technically bad is happening to a lot the LGBTQ+ students on campus, it’s upsetting that a lot of people don’t have the courage to correct someone when they’re misgendering them or saying the wrong name.”

Senior Hannah Lam said that only one of their teachers has asked them for their pronouns. But ultimately, that doesn’t bother Lam as they’re just trying to get their education and leave school, they said.

“I wish people would, as a baseline, instead of just ‘What’s your name? How old are you?’ added a pronouns question,” Nair said. “I also understand that a lot of people may feel nervous because it could be an uncomfortable question for some. But, just based on personal experience, I would never be offended if someone asked me to explain any of my identity. It feels more hurtful that they’re not even asking.”

Lam said that they wished there was more general education about trans identity at MHS. They aren’t too worried about California passing any laws because they believe California understands how important it is not to ignore trans identities, Lam said.

“I feel very disappointed in our country that likes to promote itself on freedom,” Leabres said.

“There are about 200 or 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills going around. … Why is the right coming to this conclusion that queer people are bad? It’s really just a scapegoat for them. I think the whole proposition to ban queer influence in education is just ignorant and small-minded.”

ers and retaking assessments for high school courses, Scott said.

“Students are receiving both high school and college counseling,” Scott said. “Unlike some traditional high schools, where maybe you are encouraged to meet with your counselor but not required to, here at the middle college, you are required to each semester meet at least one time with both your high school and college counselor.”

Nonetheless, MMCHS needs improvements, like any other school, Scott said. Although there are no specific issues that can be pinpointed, constant improvements will be made as the staff works with students in leadership to make adjustments and survey

students frequently, she added.

“Every single school should be constantly in a state of evolution because we, as a society, constantly evolve,” Scott said. “As people, generations, and our understanding change and grow, we have to be constantly willing to adjust our instructional practices, our response to behaviors, and the support that we offer.”

However, enrolling in MMCHS is not for everyone, Kaitlyn Nguyen said.

“I wouldn’t recommend the school to people who are doing sports because we don’t have any sports at our school,” Kaitlyn Nguyen said. “If you’re thriving (at MHS), keep going.”

For some, it may take two

weeks to a month to fully adjust to MMCHS, Phoebe Nguyen said.

“When I was in the in-between stages, it was much like, ‘Is this good for me? Do I really need this? Did I make a mistake?’” Phoebe Nguyen said. “But I think starting my college classes helped me settle in and feel more comfortable. I was like, okay, this is the right thing to do — this helps me a lot. I feel like I belong here.”

Even after transitioning to a new school, Kaitlyn Nguyen still misses her friends at MHS, she said.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Kaitlyn Nguyen said. “I miss some things like my friends, but besides that, there’s not anything I regret.”

Me and the Birds performs Nunag’s original song titled “Zach’s Song” at the Lunar Show on Jan. 28. Courtesy of Edith Chang

Courtesy of Kaitlyn Nguyen

MMCHS students pose outside the San Jose City College extension, where they attend their daily classes.

Lee illustrates personal art journey

By Sanvi Durbha

Preparing for her next chapter in life, senior Letizia Lee said that she looks forward to continuing her lifelong artistic journey by pursuing studies in industrial design in college and cites her unique upbringing in Panama as a source of inspiration.

Lee found her passion for art at a young age and continued honing her craft since then through various mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, and even digital art, she said.

“I’ve been doing it (art) ever since I could hold a pencil,” Lee said. “I never had a phase in my life where I went: ‘From now I’m going to start drawing seriously.’ It’s my life. I can’t do anything without it.”

Letizia’s primary inspiration for her work is nature, she said. Growing up around the forests, beaches, and other natural landscapes of Panama led to her affinity for the environment, she added.

“I love everything about how balanced and perfect nature is,” Lee said. “My main message for

people would be to take care of nature because that’s where we first got everything from.”

Animals, especially wolves, are a running symbol in Lee’s illustrations and hold a lot of personal meaning, she said.

“A lot of people think wolves are lonely animals and like to be on their own, but, later on, I realized that they can’t survive on their own,” Lee said. “They always need to be part of a pack, which I relate to. Even if I enjoy being by myself, I always need someone to be there with me or be part of a group or a family. Sharing things with other people, for me, is the only way you can go far and achieve things.”

Born and brought up in Panama, Lee moved to Milpitas on her own in 2021 to pursue her art education and currently lives with her aunt; it was a very different life, but friends and teachers have helped make her feel welcome, she said.

“I was very worried and scared to come here and see a complete change, but in the end, I managed to go through with it, and I’m doing pretty well,” Lee said. “Living

Students adopt veganism, vegetarianism

By Sidhant Burela

Vegetarianism and veganism are often misunderstood and confused with each other, yet many students follow these diets. Both of these diets come with a benefit to the environment. By cutting down on the amount of meat being eaten, it reduces the amount of greenhouse gasses produced due to less methane emissions from cattle, which in turn slows down global warming, according to energysavingtrust. com

A vegan diet refers to not eating any animal products, including meat, milk, and eggs, according to vegansociety.com.

While this diet is restricting, it is easy to stick to, according to three-year vegan and sophomore Dean Partida. Although he has vegan family members, he chose to be vegan for personal reasons, Partida said.

“I just started thinking about it, and I don’t really think there is a purpose to kill animals for sustenance,” Partida said. “You could survive off a vegan diet and be fine.”

While veganism is a sustainable diet, it comes with its downsides, according to Partida.

“It affects my social life a lot,” Partida said. “Whenever my friends are out eating, they notice that I don’t have anything and they’re like, ‘Aren’t you hungry? Do you want me to get you something?’”

There is also a lack of vegan options at restaurants, Partida said.

“The most you can get there is just a plain salad, and that’s not really the best,” Partida said.

However, Partida can rely on the school cafeteria for good vegan options, Partida said.

“I appreciate that they (MHS) are trying to cater to the vegan and vegetarian students.”

Unlike veganism, vegetarian-

far away from my parents and siblings makes me feel homesick sometimes. I try to celebrate on my own here by wearing the traditional Panamanian outfits that I brought from there as well as playing the recorder I brought, especially Panamanian pieces.”

AP Art and Design teacher Fiona Walker noticed something special about Lee’s work and character from the first day she met her, Walker said. Lee’s background and her vibrant, meaningful artwork made Lee stand out, Walker added.

“The style of her work is very consistent and very unique,” Walker said. “You can see certain influences, like a little bit of a Disney-esque feel to it, but she still makes it her own, which is really important. I’ve never seen anybody who works quite like she does. There’s a specialness to it. The meaning of everything — it’s just very well thought out.”

Senior Ohanah Buquing, a good friend of Lee’s, praised her for her character and qualities.

“She’s a person I can rely on to get things done,” Buquing said. “Especially when she talks about her clubs, she talks about her strong commitment to them, and I definitely see that through her character. She’s a person you know you can laugh with and have a good time with. She always tries to find a way to make you smile and whatnot. That’s really admirable.”

Everyone should see Lee’s work, Walker said.

“I think it’s really beneficial for people to see other people’s artwork, just to gain empathy and kind of understand where others are coming from, especially when we come from completely different cultures,” Walker said. “It’s very unifying.”

Cultural appreciation or appropriation?

Students offer insight to distinguish ideas

By Angelina Barnes

Communities that are home to individuals of various cultural backgrounds are opportunities for people to share their traditions with one another, allowing them to both educate others and appreciate the various cultures around them. However, there is a fine line between appreciating another culture and disrespecting the history behind certain traditions or customs.

Senior Edith Chang, co-president of the Asian American Association (AAA), defines cultural appropriation as using cultural customs or clothes without considering their historical context, she said.

“I think cultural appropriation is when a culture is disrespectfully used as a way to garner attention or seen as something to be made fun of,” Chang said.

Cultural appropriation occurs when someone intentionally uses visual or physical representations to disrespect the culture as a whole, senior Dylan Mua and co-president of AAA said.

“I think the biggest example I can think of would be Halloween costumes, where most cultures are not represented properly,” Mua said.

“Chinese qipaos can come across as cheap, and people can attempt to look oriental by putting chopsticks in their hair,” Chang said.

Cultural appropriation has become more common as a result of severe misrepresentation, Chang said.

“Especially with social media

and people of color, we see a lot of it, and most of it has been normalized over the last few years,” Chang said.

Many famous artists have either intentionally or unknowingly fed into these stereotypes, according to Mua.

“In Hmong culture, we have these necklaces that are super intricate, and I believe that Summer Walker used this design as a type of bikini,” Mua said.

The best way to properly experience customs from other cultures is to participate in holiday celebrations, such as New Year’s celebrations, Mua said.

“When you attend those and you’re not part of the culture, it gives you a greater understanding of what their beliefs are and what they like to celebrate,” Mua said.

Cultures should be appreciated by people of different backgrounds if all parties are willing to educate each other and be respectful, Chang said.

“I would definitely be happy to see some of my friends in cultural wear because they’re appreciating the culture and enjoying it with me, as opposed to someone wearing a cultural outfit to ridicule the culture in any way,” Chang said.

People should consider asking others before wearing their cultural clothing out of respect for the culture, Mua said.

“Wearing things like cultural clothing, genuinely asking about how to wear it and how to make it look nice, is always better than just taking it and using it in your own way,” Mua said.

ism allows consumption of animal products such as eggs and dairy, but meat is not permitted.

Despite eating meat until the age of four, junior Vivan Iyer has stuck to his vegetarian diet since then. Iyer first started his vegetarian diet for cultural reasons but shifted to doing so for his own personal reasons, Iyer explained.

“First it was more cultural and religious, but it was never strictly enforced by my parents, and I kind of got used to it,” Iyer said.

Iyer was also influenced to remain vegetarian by the “Game Changers” documentary, which highlights how meat is not needed in people’s diet, Iyer said.

Iyer also plays soccer for MHS and has always felt that he could get all the nutrients he needs to keep himself healthy and injury-free from his diet, he said.

“I always felt that I could sustain it easily,” Iyer said. “The main thing is just protein, and I eat a lot of protein bars and nuts, so I think I get a decent amount.”

Iyer has also had experiences when he was affected in social situations by his diet.

“When we have team dinners, and they get spaghetti and meatballs, they have to order individually for me so I can also eat,” Iyer said.

There have never been problems with his diet, and doctors have never asked him to change his diet, according to junior Aashman Jain, lifelong vegetarian.

“He (doctor) recommended protein alternatives, like beans and yogurt, and any high protein foods,” Jain said.

Although veganism is a restrictive diet, that does not mean that it is unsustainable, Partida said. By finding alternatives and making sure you are getting enough nutrients, veganism and vegetarianism provide benefits to not only the individual but also the planet, Partida added.

Marion shares story of teaching abroad, perservering through social challenges

By Albert Fung

Kimberly Marion, commonly known as “Señora Marion” around campus, has been working at MHS as a Spanish teacher for over two decades, Marion said. This is a fraction of her total 43-year career, she added.

Marion grew up in Columbus, Ohio with her family, she said. Some of her favorite childhood memories consisted of hiking, camping, observing the insects, woods, and animals, and visiting different museums in the summer with her family, she added.

In college, Marion originally intended to become a musician, but eventually decided that she wanted to learn Spanish and study abroad, she said.

“When I changed my major, I got to study a year in Mexico, in Xalapa, Veracruz,” Marion said. “In my senior year, I had to study a year in Spain, and the courses were very intense because it was like fitting four years into two years, but it was very enjoyable.”

Her experiences studying abroad changed her perspective, Marion said. In the United States, she experienced racism and judgment for her skin color, she added.

“When I studied overseas, I was accepted for who I was, and I got to learn the culture of the people of Mexico and Spain,” Marion said. “I came away realizing that people everywhere have the same needs. They have the same desires. They have the same wants no matter what color their skin, no matter what nationality.”

Marion felt her experiences studying abroad also made her appreciate more of the world around her, she said. In part, her excursions in different countries such as Ecuador, Nigeria, and the Philippines broadened her horizons, Marion said.

“When I lived in Nigeria, one of the schools where I taught had a dirt floor,” Marion said. “There was no electricity, no running water and I had a student who walked 10 miles to school every single day.”

The students in the village that Marion taught had such a passion for learning, Marion said. They were very thankful for whatever they received, and Marion felt that this thankfulness is sometimes absent from the Western world, she added.

“Especially here in America, where students have everything,

they sometimes don’t appreciate the simple things,” Marion said. “Some of the time, I don’t feel they appreciate the privilege that they have to get an education, so these are things that I share with them — those memories, (were) very beautiful.”

During her long career, Marion said that she has had her share of challenges. In her very first year teaching, she once ran out of her classroom in tears, Marion said.

“There was no mentor program or anything so I felt like I was just kind of thrown in the ocean,” Marion said. “That year I was thinking of quitting, but something just told me to hold on … and I’m glad I did.”

Despite this challenging time in her career, Marion does not have any regrets, she said. By continuing her teaching career, Marion learned the value of perseverance that helped to help her grow as an educator, she added.

“It’s a real blessing to be able to teach and work with young people,” Marion said. “I feel that I’m more than just a Spanish teacher because we’re helping to mold young minds and we have to, first of all, be a good role model. Second of all, we have to really care for people.”

Spanish teacher Monica Rivero said that Marion truly cares for her students.

“She’s probably one of the most supportive people here on campus that I have ever met – to students, to teachers, to admins, to any staff member here on campus,” Rivero said. “You’ll always see her with a smile. You’ll always see her with the most positive attitude.”

A former student of Marion’s Spanish class, senior Amee Desai, also admires Marion’s positive and supportive attitude, she said.

“I admire her zeal for life,” Desai said in an email interview. “She has energy like no other, and it’s really refreshing when you’re a student stuck in the tedium of day-to-day busy work.”

Sidhant Burela | THE UNION

Lee presents a piece featuring a wolf entitled “Peaceful and Solitude.”

Courtesy of Letizia Lee

Marion facilitates a Spanish III speaking activity outside her classroom.

Stay wary of wildflowers, allow them to bloom

By Deeksha Venkateswaran

Every spring, California experiences a phenomenon known as the wildflower super bloom. A wide variety of flowers grow across the state, painting hillsides and valleys in vibrant col ors. Super blooms usually occur in the spring after California experiences a period of heavy rainfall that triggers the growth of wildflowers.

There are many areas throughout the state where people can view this incredible sight including Death Val ley National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area, and many more. However, while the super bloom is a breathtaking sight, it is important for people to be mindful and not disturb the flowers, as disturb ing them can have serious consequences on the ecosys tems. In 2019, up to 100,000 people in a single week end, hoping to experience na ture, trampled

the exact habitat that they held in such high regard and hoped to enjoy, according to CBS News. In Riverside, California, Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore was closed this year to the public as a precautionary measure and to avoid a repeat of the “horror” scenario that occurred during the previous “mega bloom” four years ago, according to CBS News.

One way to reduce damage to these areas is to remain on recognized pathways and trails. This practice can help reduce trampling and other disturbing activities in regions where wildflowers bloom. Also, people should not pick flowers. While it can be tempting to take a few wildflowers home as souvenirs, when thousands of people have the same idea, they destroy the super bloom altogether. Instead, taking in the beauty of the flowers in their natural habitat can help preserve them for thousands of others to experi ence as well. Many visitors also think taking pictures with the wildflowers is harmless. While taking pictures from a

distance will not disrupt the flowers, trying to take pictures with them can result in the flowers being trampled. Furthermore, keeping pets on a leash is important because unleashed pets without proper recalls can trample on the wildflowers, disrupting the ecosystem. So remember this springtime that while the wildflower super bloom is a breathtaking exhibition of nature’s beauty and persistence, it is of portance to take these bloscan help ogy for fubeing cautious.

Indoor plants promote physical, mental health at low expense

By Ruby Bui

For many people, house plants may just be for decor, whereas in reality, having plants inside your home is both physically and mentally beneficial. Indoor plants aid in oxygen purification and reduce depression, anxiety, and sleep troubles, according to the Healthline article “When Sunshine and Water Are Enough: How Watering My Plants Reminds Me To Take Care Of Myself.” Luckily, there are countless inexpensive indoor plants that you can raise to improve your household’s atmosphere.

Compared to outdoor air, the quality of indoor air is 5-10 times worse, according to the World Health Organization. Breathing low-quality air for hours ev-

ery day makes it difficult for organs that are reliant on oxygen, such as the lungs and the liver, to be properly nourished. However, plants conduct photosynthesis, which significantly helps purify the air by releasing more oxygen in the air. One particular plant that helps to prevent respiratory health issues is the snake plant. These are “known to remove some harmful chemicals from the air such as carbon dioxide, benzene and formaldehyde,” according to the Healthline article “7 Benefits of Keeping Snake Plants In Your Home” by Scott Frothingham. Formaldehyde, a chemical with an unpleasant and strong odor, is commonly used in hairspray and increases the chances of respiratory problems, Frothingham

added. Owning a snake plant reduces exposure to harmful chemicals.

In terms of mental and emotional well-being, house plants tend to alleviate depressive moods and anxiety.

According to the Affinity Health article “How Indoor Plants Can Help With Mental and Emotional Health,” studies found “a bacterium in plant soil called Mycobacterium vaccae that triggers the release of serotonin, which lifts mood and reduces anxiety.” For individuals that struggle with depression or other mood disorders, purchasing a plant that supports emotional health while adding charm to a bland room can be a positive investment.

Lavender, for instance, is an effective stress and anxiety reducer. Its calming floral scent aids in creating a tranquil atmosphere, which in return, decreases anxiety levels. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Lavender significantly increased concentration levels.” As a result, productivity increases and a better workspace is created.

The beautiful valerian plant, which is native to Europe and some parts of Asia, has been used as a remedy for sleeping complications, including insomnia. Individuals who lack an adequate amount of sleep daily can use these sleep-inducing properties to their advantage. Approximately one in three adults worldwide suffer from insomnia symptoms, according to the Cleveland

Clinic website.

Undoubtedly, house plants are highly effective, low-maintenance tools for supporting mental and physical health and are a decorative addition to any household. These natural remedies can also serve as alternatives to unhealthy coping mechanisms for depression or even sleep medications.

The room above pictures an orchid, a pothos plant, and baby’s breath flowers.

Hybrid tea roses were first bred in nineteenth-century France, and now have red, pink, yellow, orange, and white varieties.

The Callery, or “Bradford,” pear tree is native to China and Vietnam and was im ported to the United States in the 1960s. Their resistance allowed them to spread rapidly, and now they are considered an invasive species.

Ruby Bui | THE UNION

The Chinese photinia is native to East Asia and contains red buds that bloom into white flowers in mid-spring.

Campus Greenery Spotlight

Riya Vyas | THE UNION

Campus Greenery Spotlight

Riya Vyas | THE UNION

Campus Greenery Spotlight

Leafy companions brighten atmosphere to cultivate happier, livlier households

By Angelina Barnes

While some individuals might be good with plants and claim to have a green thumb, others consider it a hassle to care for them due to the amount of patience required. However, when plants are given the proper resources to flourish, they can quickly become essential components of any household or garden. Indoor plants in particular brighten up living spaces, especially for those with no outdoor greenery.

Succulents and smaller cacti are popular among those who want low maintenance and low-expense flora. The only resource these plants real ly require is sunlight, and they are small enough to be placed on win dowsills or counters where the sun can reach them. Cacti and succulents only need to be watered once a week during hotter months and even less during colder seasons.

Philodendrons, which are usu ally medium in size and sprout large leaves, are low-maintenance potted plants. Although these plants require space to grow to their full height, they don’t require much sunlight or watering. Philodendrons sport unique leaf patterns, and certain subcategories grow as vines and cling onto trellis-like

structures.

Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are adaptable and adjust based on the environment they find themselves in. They have heart-shaped leaves with streaks of green, yellow, and white running through them. They are able to grow in both light and dark atmospheres, and can be placed in direct sunlight or sheltered away from sunlight for extended periods of time. As an added bonus, they don’t require soil, and can thrive just by being placed in containers of water. Thus, these plants are easier to move to different areas of the house without worrying about foliage.

Dracaena plants are slow-growing shrubs that can be recognized by their spiky, long leaves that grow out of a central stalk. This type of plant grows best in dimly lit environments, and they grow best in somewhat dry soil, so be sure to repot this plant occasionally to prevent the roots from Any of these plants are well-suited for an indoor environment, as they can be placed in almost any area of the house. After caring for them indoors, some people may even decide to venture outside of their comfort zone and attempt to house bigger, more unique plants.

By Sanvi Parvatikar

Reducing your carbon footprint slows the effects of climate change, improves public health, and maintains biodiversity. A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon emissions generated from the actions of a person or an entity, such as buildings or countries, according to Brittanica.

You can measure your carbon footprint with an online calculator such as Nature Conservancy’s “Calculate Your Carbon Footprint,” or the Ecological Footprint Calculator. Notable factors include travel, home, food, and shopping. California has per capita emissions of 9.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide yearly, and the United States has 14.1 tons per person. Students of California must reduce their carbon

To reduce energy consumption, one solution is to upgrade to en ergy-efficient appliances such as energy-efficient LED light bulbs, which can produce as much light as an incan descent light bulb while using 75-80% less energy. Unplugging electrical ap pliances when not in use and taking advantage of natural lighting are other ways to reduce your electricity and en-

Planting trees around your house can reduce air conditioning needs throughout the summer by 30%, and can save up to 50% in heating costs, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. This method can also be used in schools, as well as office buildings. Strategically-placed trees near paved areas of a backyard can create cooler areas around the house to reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, and store carbon. Rather than using fridges, you can always cool your drinks or items with some soil in the ground! Simply bury your drink in the ground with a proper container for 20-30 minutes and let it cool.

California is all too familiar with its constant series of droughts. A high amount of energy is needed to move, treat, and use water. Some unique ways to reduce water consumption can include washing fruits and vegetables within a basin, rather than a sink, and

using a vegetable brush. People can also reuse leftover water for plants rather than letting it slip past the drain. Rather than rinsing dishes before loading them into a dishwasher, you can scrape off excess grime.

When it comes to transportation, using public transportation can easily reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This form of transportation is cheaper than passenger driving, as it saves the cost of gas, insurance coverage, maintenance, and taxes. Students and youth also receive the benefits of lower prices when going on a bus. Owning or using electric or hybrid cars might have a higher initial cost, but an environmentally friendly option to reduce transportation emissions and saves money on gas. When distances are shorter, it is not only cheaper but also healthier for people to walk or bike to reach their destina-

Above all, individuals should prioritize the reduction of their waste. It is important to not only recycle when possible but also to repurpose products and refrain from investing in items with short lifespans. Recycling can reduce energy consumption, also reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. People can switch to using reusable bags as well as reusable water bottles. Plastic water bottles can be repurposed as planters or pencil organizers. To reduce paper waste, replace paper napkins with cloth napkins. Donate items when they are no longer needed instead of contributing to landfills. Buying in bulk can reduce packaging waste.

To continuously reduce your carbon footprint, it is important to build sustainable habits into a routine. You can encourage friends, family, as well as staff at MHS to join and reduce their carbon footprints as well!

By support ing more eco-friendly events, you will be tak ing more proactive steps to reduce your carbon footprint. Take small steps, and start reducing your carbon footprint now!

Riya Vyas | THE UNION

The trailing lantana, which is native to South America, sprouts flowers under the full sun and is toxic to dogs and humans when ingested.

Riya Vyas | THE UNION

Curb your carbon footprint with small changes, create large impacts

Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia, notable for their aromatic leaves, and grow well in warm weather.

Campus Greenery Spotlight

Campus Greenery Spotlight

Noori Chicken fries taste buds

By Savan Bollu

When I was scrolling through Yelp for a new restaurant to try, the Noori Chicken franchise famous for Korean fried chicken and sauces caught my eye. For a restaurant that was only a few months old, its five-star rating was surprising, and since I had never tried Korean fried chicken before, I thought it would be a good place to start.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the restaurant was that it was in a desolate, lifeless area in San Jose — but perhaps coming on a Sunday morning at 11 a.m. was part of the reason. When I walked in, the restaurant had two digitized kiosks to order from instead of a cashier, which is a great touch for introverted people.

The menu offered seven different sauces with a standard pack of chicken wings, and the only vegetarian options available were fries and onion rings. I ordered the Noori Jumbo Wings (with eight pieces, four with Yum Yum sauce, and four with Hot & Spicy sauce), large Magic Fries, and a chicken fajita. The total order cost about $50 (including tax and the tip), which I thought was expensive since it only came with enough food for two or three people.

During the wait, I scanned the restaurant and noticed that there wasn’t any Korean cultural decor, and the theme was generic. With an uninsulated ceiling and wooden booths instead of cushions, it was cold and uncomfortable.

When the food arrived, the presentation was appealing if not a little messy, with sauce coating the sides of the to-go boxes it was plated in. In addition, there is a station for water and customers have to clean up the table after

eating, so it isn’t a good choice for a fine-dining occasion.

I was pleasantly surprised with the perfect crisp on the chicken wings. However, they were a nightmare to eat, as I seemed to have crunched down on a different bone every time I bit into the wing, and the meat itself was sparse. Compared to the chicken wings I’ve eaten before, they were unsatisfying.

Half of the wings were coated in the Hot & Spicy sauce, which had an undertone of sweetness and a slight kick of pepper that caused a little eye-watering, but was well-balanced nonetheless; this sauce was definitely my favorite flavor. On the other hand, the Yum Yum sauce came cold, on the side, and had a thicker consistency. I didn’t enjoy it because of its slight sweetness and drastic difference in temperature from the wings.

The chicken fajita tortilla tasted somewhat undercooked, and the filling itself, made up of vegetables and chewy pieces of chicken, was slightly oversalted. Put together, the fajita resembled something that you could easily make at home and wasn’t worth ordering.

The Magic Fries were the best item I ordered, though I didn’t enjoy the “magic” part of them: a fine, sweet powder that was sprinkled on top of the fries. The savory fry flavor didn’t go well with the sweetness, and I ended up drowning the fries in ketchup to overpower it. However, the fries themselves were well-made, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, and I got a lot for $7.99, so I could have ordered regular fries instead.

Overall, everything was made with high-quality ingredients, but I personally did not enjoy the flavors or atmosphere, and I likely won’t go back.

Journaling: Find your voice

By Zaynah Turabi

It’s no secret that mental health is a hot topic of discussion as teenagers across the country become more open about their struggles. As this age group continues to discuss mental health issues, it is imperative that students find healthy coping mechanisms to help them get through school. One common form of self-care that can be especially therapeutic is journaling. Personally, I have been keeping journals for as long as I can remember. While originally starting as daily logs in a diary when I was only five years old, I branched out over the years by trying different styles and techniques to find what worked best for me.

Several studies have found that journaling can be beneficial in long-term mental health as it reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression by allowing a safe space for us to deal with our emo-

tions. However, it can be difficult to find motivation to keep consistent journals, especially as some can be put off by the idea of traditional journaling. But since there are so many ways to journal, there are enough styles to work for everyone.

Daily Journaling: You probably tried keeping a diary at some point in your childhood, and if you found it today it would probably detail the highlights of your little self’s social life. Daily journaling keeps a log of events that you may forget otherwise, including everything you experience in school, with friends, and any interesting interactions or major developments in your life, which can be useful for reflecting in the future.

Bullet journaling: Another form of daily journaling, but condensed, bullet journals are usually used to log the more mundane parts of your day in a way that allows you to watch yourself progress through your life. Bullet

Tiffany Lieu | THE UNION

Sew your way to prom dress success

By Tiffany Lieu

Stop me if this sounds familiar: your vision is blurring from browsing through dozens of clothing racks, you’re sweaty from trying on countless dresses, and your feet are sore just from pacing around the mall. Yet, you’re still empty handed and prom is only getting closer. If your experience is anything like mine and finding the perfect prom dress feels impossible, consider leaving the dress shops behind and creating your dress from scratch. Step one is to design the dress. Pinterest is a great platform for finding and organizing ideas for projects like this, and it was one of my main resources for deciding on a design. For inspiration, I settled on a dress design with a bodice and skirt connected in one long sheet of fabric and an accompanying robe for some flair. With this simple design, I wouldn’t need to sew separate bodice and skirt pieces together. I copied the design from my inspiration photo without many adjustments since this was my first time sewing a dress. For other beginners, I’d also recommend choosing a simple design or using a pre-made pattern. If you don’t have much experience with sewing clothing, then YouTube tutorials will be your

journals can be used to keep track of your exercising, food intake, sleep, spending, and other parts of your day.

Gratitude journaling: Practicing gratitude has been proven to increase happiness and mental health in several studies. It can be a great mood-booster and a positive way to change your perspective, including on days you are feeling down. Gratitude journals can be as concise or as detailed as you want as long as you make it a habit to consistently look for things in your life to be thankful for. Try something simple like jotting down five things you are grateful for every day.

Stream of consciousness journaling: Also called freewriting, stream-of-consciousness journaling is a much less structured approach to journaling. This is usually done without any prompts or goals, and is usually less reflective and reporting, but can be equally or even more cathartic than other forms. If you find the repetitiveness of daily and bullet journaling make you feel less likely to maintain consistency, try sitting down and writing every spare thought that crosses your mind to see if that feels more natural.

Visual journaling: While visual journaling may be a less conventional form, it could be more manageable for those who struggle with finding words for their emotions. Visual journaling can take many different forms, from things like illustrated journaling to keeping a sketchbook or scrapbook or even filming.

best friend. Whenever I encountered any obstacles, I was able to find a whole array of videos to help me flesh out my pattern, figure out how much fabric to use, and teach me how to sew together the details of my dress.

The next step is to gather materials. There are also plenty of websites that sell fabric, but it can be harder to evaluate the quality of these materials online. I found that local fabric stores, like Fabrics R Us in San Jose, had the most options and the lowest prices. I followed my inspiration photo closely and bought a shiny satin and a matching sheer chiffon. As a rule of thumb, make sure to buy a little more fabric than you think you’ll need to ensure that you have enough for the entire project — this was a lesson I would learn the hard way later on in my process.

At home, I used other dresses I had on hand to cut out my pieces, tracing the bodice from one dress and the skirt from another. When I didn’t have something to trace, I tried recreating shapes I saw in YouTube tutorials. Since these freehanded shapes weren’t precise, I left a lot of seam allowance to accommodate later adjustments.

It was simple enough cutting out the dress pieces, but I realized

a major mistake when I went to trace out the robe pieces: I didn’t have enough fabric. To make matters worse, the fabric was sold out when I went back to purchase more. I ended up deciding to make a simple rectangular shawl from the remaining fabric to go with my dress instead of a full robe.

Then, we’re onto the final step: sewing the dress together. I used a sewing machine to do most of the sewing, but did have to resort to hand sewing to finish off some details. I would highly recommend planning out what you’re going to sew step-by-step to avoid my mistakes. I sewed things out of order a lot, and spending time ripping stitches out made the project more time-consuming and frustrating. However, despite these obstacles, this can be the most rewarding part of the process as you see all your work come together.

Before you declare your dress complete, make sure to try it on and mark any needed adjustments with pins or tailor’s chalk. Once you finish all these little alterations, you’re officially done with your homemade prom dress! Despite the hours of work and the challenges along the way, it is rewarding to be able to say that I created my dress by hand. My final dress may not be perfect, but it is uniquely mine.

Savan Bollu | THE UNION

Noori Chicken’s chicken wings, fries, and fajita were unimpressive.

French fry spots around town satisfy savory cravings

By Varun Ravuri

Milpitas is cluttered with fast food places perfect for quick bites at almost any time of day, and after any event. One food item seems to remain constant throughout the majority of these places: french fries, the ultimate side dish to any meal. They go well with burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and a meal of almost any kind. However, they also vary from place to place, in terms of crispiness, freshness, salt, and even the way they are cut. It is therefore essential to rank which fries in Milpitas present the most delightful bite.

First, I began with Wingstop, a fast-food restaurant known for its chicken wings, tenders, sandwiches, and fries. The fries came with a seasoning of choice, including cajun, garlic parmesan, lemon pepper, and spicy Korean. I chose to order the lemon pepper fries, paired with a hot honey chicken sandwich and a refreshing soda. I immediately noticed the temperature of the fries: warm, but not hot enough that they felt fresh. They were not the most crispy fries either,

but the flavorful seasoning made up for both of these aspects. The lemon pepper seasoning provided the perfect balance because it had a slight tang and a soft-hitting spice. This paired well with the sandwich, and the flavor was even further enhanced when I dipped the fries into Wingstop’s famous ranch.

The next stop was McDonald’s, one of the most popular fast food chains in the world. Their fries came at the cheapest price of all the ones I tried, at $1 when I ordered through the app. The service was incredibly fast, and the fries were also piping hot during the first two minutes. With a subtle crunch and the perfect amount of salt, the fries were delectable. My main concern was the speed at which they lost heat. After 5 minutes, they had already gone cold and stale. However, in those first few minutes, they were some of the best fast-food fries

I’ve tried.

I next made a stop at ChickFil-A, which took a unique turn, serving waffle fries instead of the classic french fries. They came fairly hot, but the quantity, in comparison, was a lot less for the

$3.50 I paid. Although they were seasoned well, they had an inconsistent thicknesses. The unevenness affected another major factor: while the thinner fries were crispy, the thicker ones were a lot softer and had an unenjoyable soggy texture.

Next up was Burger King, the main rival of McDonald’s. At $4, these fries were pricier but did not disappoint. They were on the thicker side, and they came out piping hot, perfectly cooked to a crisp, and very well-seasoned.

Lastly, I went to Dave’s Hot Chicken, where I bought my sliders with a side of fries, which had spice sprinkled over them; however, the spice did not have much of an effect on the actual taste. They were crinkle-cut, crispy, and well seasoned, complementing the rest of the meal very well.

Overall, I would have to rank the french fries I tried in the following order: Burger King, McDonald’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Wingstop, and lastly, ChickFil-A. Burger King’s fries, without a doubt, took the lead due to the well-seasoned bite and the comforting temperature they were served at.

Similarly, there are dozens of core workouts that can be done without equipment, like sit-ups, planks, and Russian twists, according to a Healthline article. There are several types of crunches, like regular crunches, double crunches, and bicycle crunches, all of which are tough on your body yet require no equipment.

Seed bombing beautifies surroundings, sprouts life

By Satvika Iyer

Exercise at home, feel the burn

By Erick Johnson

For those of us who can’t or don’t want to go to the gym, home exercise is a great alternative. There are a plethora of home workout videos or articles that you can follow. To work out at home, all you need is a spacious place to move around, a blood-pumping music playlist, and willpower.

Working out at home presents certain advantages over working out at a gym. The most attractive aspect of home exercise is accessibility. When the time is right to work out, simply go to a spacious part of your home and begin your routine. Being able to jump straight into a workout is a huge appeal, especially for students with busy schedules who can not find a quality gym near their homes. The other great aspect of working out in the comfort of your home is its cost-effectiveness. Working out can be very cheap or even free depending on your approach, and is very convenient if you do not want to spend lots of money on a gym membership.

Before you start working out, it is important to ensure that you are keeping yourself safe. In a gym, there are professional employees and experienced gym-goers that will gladly help you with your form and ensure that you are exercising safely, but that is not the case at home. If you work out at home, you will need to research

the exercises you want to do to make sure you are doing them safely, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Following a video of a professional whenever you are trying out something new can ensure you have the proper form to decrease the risk of any injuries. Also, don’t forget to stretch before a workout and take short water breaks.

If the lack of equipment discourages you from household workout sessions, there is a vast number of exercises you can do with no equipment. For example, you can focus on cardiovascular activities by going to a nearby park or pool and going for a run, a hike, or go biking. Similarly, according to a Harvard Medical School study titled “HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training),” HIIT helps get the blood pumping while being a fast and effective workout practice. HIIT workouts consist of several short rounds of quick body-weight workouts like pushups, burpees, and mountain climbers repeated multiple times with minimal rest periods in between each round. Multiple rounds of exercises are called a set; when you repeat the same set three or four times, you will notice that it gets progressively more difficult as your body becomes more fatigued. Sets help to test your endurance and improve your cardiovascular capabilities overtime without the need of any equipment.

However, if you were to invest some money into your workouts, it could pay off. Dumbbells are a good choice for equipment, simply because they can be used in a large variety of ways. Whether you want to test your endurance and strength or simply make your routines a little tougher, dumbbells can help you out. Hammer curls and bicep curls are good at isolating your arm muscles and properly exercising them. Dumbbell deadlifts, which consist of lowering the dumbbells to the top of your feet, and bringing them as far up as you can go by extending through your waist, then slowly return to the starting position, can help your lower body and back muscles.

Elasticity bands will help your flexibility by challenging your range of motion, kettlebells can be used to challenge you in your leg and arm workouts with exercises like kettlebell swings, which require you to swing a kettlebell up and down without putting the kettlebell down to rest. Pullup bars can easily be set up at your home in a doorframe and can develop your back and chest muscles by doing simple pull-ups, overhand pull-ups or wide-grip pull-up. You definitely do not have to buy all of these items, but a small, one-time investment will pay off.

Of course, the biggest obstacle to overcome when working out at home is staying motivated. If you work out at home, you are likely to be more easily distracted mid-workout by your devices or other people at your home. A gym environment encourages working out extensively and with focus, so, to replicate that environment at home, make sure to work out in a place where there are minimal distractions. The important part is to persevere and stay motivated.

Working out at home might not be for everybody, but it is worth a try. It is cheap, easy, and with the Internet, there is an infinite amount of help at your disposal.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure to stay safe, remain consistent, and have fun.

How we treat our land dictates everything — from the air we breathe to the nutrients in our food. With the rise of mechanized agriculture, concrete jungles, and cookie-cutter suburbs, maintaining the natural balance of our soil seems virtually impossible, unless everyone had the ability to create greenery in their landscape.

Seed balls, bombs, and green grenades serve that exact purpose, built on the idea of accessibility. Anyone can seed bomb to restore green spaces in their community that seem inaccessible. Using a natural carrier such as compost or clay, a group of seeds are tossed and equipped to germinate and proliferate, with a little help from a technique called companion planting.

Combinations of compatible seeds work best, such as a California wildflower mix

Old homework destined for the trash can become a seed paper starter in a 2-1 ratio of scrap paper to water-blended pulp with the seeds of your choice mixed in, shaped, and dried in natural sunlight over two to three days to form a versatile seed paper.

I recommend this method to all students since the starter is taken care for as a byproduct of high school and it’s the most effective in my experience.

Farmer-philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka is credited with revitalizing ancient farming practices such as “tsuchi-dango,” or seed balls, to naturally farm. To make “tsuchi-dango,” nestle tree and vegetable seeds in a layer of moist

clay and compost, then shape using water until the ball will not crumble when thrown. The seeds are a self-sustaining and cost-effective regenerative process that are best yielded on barren land and slopes during the rainy season.

When I tried these varieties outside my house during a week of rain, the soil dissipated and the seeds were left germinate on their own, grabbing onto nearby tanbark before ultimately washing away after a night of rain. This method is most effective with soil and rainy conditions, but not as versatile as the seed paper. Typically, though, it takes about three weeks for a seed to germinate and grow past the compost and clay and into the ground.

Seed balls come in all forms, so once you have a pulp (water, paper, or soil) and a method of enclosing the seeds in the ball, the possibilities are endless. For example, in 1960’s New York, a makeshift form of the “tsuchi-dango” was employed to reclaim derelict lots. Condoms filled with native plant seeds, fertilizer, and water sprouted over 1,000 community gardens and mobilized countless guerilla gardeners. All it took was a solid base and some seeds!

Whether it be your old homework or silt and clay, the versatility of the seed bomb makes it a simple opportunity for effective altruism. A rewarding process with a radical history, seed bombs represent reform and regeneration, a guerilla war for the right to create a positive impact on our planet, and respect for our intricate ecosystems, all rolled into a ball.

Varun Ravuri | THE UNION Wingstop offers warm, flavorful fries with lemon pepper seasoning.

Courtesy of Economica.net

Woman scrolls through photos mid-workout while curling dumbbells. Satvika

‘Cocaine Bear’ finds gory success

RATING: 4 out of 5

By Kevin Ting

According to a news article, in December of 1985, the corpse of a medium sized black bear was found in the middle of a forest in Kentucky, and along with it, millions of dollars worth of cocaine, some of which it had ingested.

Elizabeth Banks takes this concept and modifies it into a newer, and more grotesque story.

Must watch: Don’t leave ‘The Last of Us’ for last

By David Rendon

“The Last of Us” is the latest hit show distributed by HBO Max. Based on the video game of the same name, it tells the story of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey) as they learn to heal as people and survive the zombie apocalypse together. The show takes place 20 years after a pandemic caused by fungi that turns people into zombie-like creatures, simply known as “The Infected.”

Zombie media isn’t typically for me, but I have to say I was impressed with the breakout hit. The conceit of the show isn’t original, as the story of a begrudging older man adopting a young child and escorting them across a dangerous world has been told countless times before. It’s even been told with Pascal in his role in “The Mandalorian.” However, “The Last of Us” finds a way to keep the familiar trope fresh and interesting to watch largely due to the masterclass in acting that Pascal and Ramsey demonstrate. They have an undeniable chemistry on screen as they grow to learn to care for each other. Since

the show relies so heavily on the pair, Pascal and Ramsey are really allowed to shine in their roles. Though I have never played the video game, I felt the appreciation the show holds for its source material, even having some of the voice actors from the games make brief cameos throughout.

The show’s screenplay is excellent. While some could argue the plot took its time, I prefer to see it as a character study. It was able to dedicate episodes to side characters — most notably, its third episode “Long, Long Time’’ proving to be one of the shows strongest — and tell beautiful stories that helped tell the overall narrative. By taking the focus away from the two leads, the show allows the audience to see an entirely new perspective of the world. It makes the world feel more lived in and real. It is a story about love and finding hope in a world that seems devoid of it.

I appreciated that the show didn’t dive into a horror angle and focused more so on the characters and their relationships. However, that isn’t to say the show doesn’t employ a few jumpscares to frighten the audience. A majority of the horror of the show comes

from seeing how the world has changed in response to the apocalypse and from how plausible it all is.

Without a doubt, the most impressive part of the show was its technical effects. The show built gorgeous sets to give the world its run-down apocalyptic feeling. The overgrown plants and decimated buildings immediately shows viewers the violence in the world. The makeup used for the show was a standout. The Infected were all done using makeup, prosthetics, and other technical effects. Their appearance is so startling and life-like, I couldn’t help but be in awe at what was created. My only complaint is that some of the pacing towards the end felt rushed. The final episode shouldn’t have been the shortest. Though the episode is ultimately satisfying, I was left wanting more. At times I disagreed with the politics of the show, with some episodes seeming to imply rebellion is pointless. But, other dystopian stories often make the same mistakes, so it is likely just a fault of the genre.

I can safely say that I’ll be patiently awaiting another season. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

‘Scream VI’ slashes its way into audience’s hearts

RATING: 3 out of 5

By Erick Johnson

Franchises have a reputation for getting worse and worse as more installments are released, but “Scream VI,” released on Mar. 10, manages to subvert those expectations and create an outstanding movie-going experience. Starring in the film are Tera Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) and Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), “Scream VI” is a slasher horror film that gives the fans of the “Scream” franchise a bloodier adventure while sparking deep introspection about our society. Spoiler

Alert: This movie is full of blood and gore, and thus is rated R.

Characters and references from all other previous movies in the franchise do make appearances, but their relevance is subtly explained, so you would not be missing out on anything if you have not seen the rest of the “Scream” movies.

This movie will not blow you away. It is not a transcendental piece of film that will be remembered through generations. It is still a standard Hollywood cash grab in an oversaturated franchise, albeit done well. The soundtrack is extremely mundane and barely affects the overall film. The cinematography depicting New York is good, but hundreds of movies have brought New York to life better than

“Scream VI,” so I was not surprised. That does not take away from the experience of watching the movie, but it does not enhance the experience either.

Released in theaters on Feb. 24 and directed by Banks, “Cocaine Bear” is about exactly what the title suggests: A black bear consumes a lethal amount of cocaine and proceeds to wreak havoc among drug dealers, gangster teenagers, and children. Banks takes plenty of liberty with this premise, as the cocaine in the film is treated almost like a superdrug that enhances the bear to impossibly ferocious and terrifying levels.

At its core, “Cocaine Bear” is a campy thriller film involving a violent, yet intelligent creature, similar to characters such as the shark in “Jaws” or dinosaurs featured in “Jurassic Park.” But with the copious amounts of gore and well-timed obscenities, the film takes its own spin on the genre, and is arguably one of the most entertaining films of the year so far.

gruesome and absurd, with scenes of flying limbs and spraying blood or even two elementary school children attempting to eat cocaine, albeit very unsuccessfully.

From the opening of the film — a short excerpt from a Wikipedia page describing the behavior habits of black bears — the audience can easily see that the film has no intention of being profound or thought-provoking.

But of course, the big star of this film is none other than Cocaine Bear herself. Striking the perfect chord between cute and ferocious, Cocaine Bear is an invincible force on the screen, ripping and tearing her way through the cast of unfortunate characters that happen to converge in the forests of the aptly named Blood Mountain.



MOVIE REVIEW

The film is definitely not for the faint of heart, evident by a well-deserved R-rating. It frequently toes the line between

Despite the odd enjoyment factor of the movie, it is not without any flaws. The last third of the movie is frankly, quite disappointing compared to the frenzied action and bloodshed of the other two-thirds of the movie. Multiple odd side plots are also introduced throughout the film, such as one involving an overly docile pet dog, and only serve to detract from the movie’s absurd premise.

Ultimately though, despite its relatively weak ending, the film creates such a lasting impression on audiences with its spectacular suspense and grim humor, that you cannot help but stare in awe at the screen as the credits roll.

MOVIE REVIEW

Is “Scream VI” thrilling? Absolutely. The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first stab to the last. The movie is extremely aware that it is part of an oversaturated genre, so it throws curveballs at the audience to keep them on their toes. This film is more suspenseful than scary; thus, it might more aptly fit under the thriller genre than the horror genre. Like many modern scary movies, it relies heavily on cheap jumpscares and overused tropes for any real scares, and the rest of the movie is dedicated to building suspense for a third act which is not all that scary.

The acting in this movie is completely forgettable and mundane. The only redeemable performance is that of Jenna Ortega, whose character is the only one who feels like a real human being and not an actor who memorized a few lines. Courteney Cox was underwhelming, and every time she was on screen, I wanted to skip the scene just to avoid having to watch her. There were no emotions in her face, and her dialogue was cringey. Cox’s character already had no reason to be in this film, and her performance just made it worse.

The main mystery of the mov-

ie is Ghostface’s identity, and the movie certainly takes some unexpected turns, adding fun and suspense to the viewing experience. Personally, I was dumbfounded when wondering who was responsible for all the stabbings and was pleasantly shocked when Ghostface’s identity was revealed.

The events of the previous movie still haunt Sam Carpenter. Now, she is blamed for being a vicious killer instead of the victim she really is, which is a commentary on how modern culture tends to blame women who are victims of abuse instead of the real perpetrators. Sam is harassed on the street because of her experiences. She is turned away by a therapist and is mentally still haunted by those experiences because she has nobody to reach out to. For her, the struggle is larger than just running away from a killer, and the movie incorporates the theme of victim-blaming into the story very well.

Overall, the movie is innovative and entertaining. For casual viewers of the horror genre, it is a good slasher film to help you dive deeper into the genre. If you are an extreme fan of the horror genre, the movie is bloodier and crazier than your average “guy with a knife” film, and “Scream VI” delivers nice and pleasant surprises that would shock even the veteran horror and thriller movie fans, so it is still a worthwhile movie to watch and experience.

Courtesy of HBO

Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey) and Tess Servopoulos (Anna Torv) find shelter in an abandoned building.

Courtesy of Paramount pictures

TV REVIEW

Ghostface stalks his next victim on the New York City subway.

Cocaine bear, cute and ferocious, is an invincible force on the screen.

Alumnus Bracy prepares for NFL draft

By Tiffany Lieu

Class of 2018 alumnus TaRiq Bracy played multiple sports — football, basketball, and baseball — essentially year-round from middle school through his junior year of high school, Bracy said in a Zoom interview. In his senior year of high school, since he received interest from Division I schools to play football, he chose to focus solely on football, he said. Recently, the former MHS football player declared for the National Football League (NFL) draft, Bracy said.

Bracy’s football career began with the Milpitas Knights when he was 8 years old, he said.

“I just started playing it and just kind of fell in love with it,” Bracy said. “It’s really the ultimate team game. You need everybody that is on that field; you need them to pull their own weight.”

After playing for the junior varsity football team his freshman year, Bracy moved up to the varsity team for his remaining three years to play a variety of positions, including running back and cornerback, he said. Bracy received 11 offers, but eventually chose to commit to the University of Notre Dame, he added.

“It was the biggest offer coming out of high school, and I always dreamed of playing at a big Power Five school and being on TV,” Bracy said. “It felt like the right decision and like something that could possibly change my life. Honestly, just having a great education, being able to play football at a very prestigious school can give me the most opportunity to be recognized and seen.”

At the University of Notre Dame, Bracy began playing right away as a freshman, and mainly played cornerback, slot corner, and nickelback, he said. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bracy became a five-year player for the

school, he added.

“When COVID hit in 2020, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) granted everybody who was in college at that time — because a lot of schools were withdrawing from their seasons and not playing a season just due to COVID — they granted every player an extra year of eligibility to play,” Bracy said.

Bracy’s college athletic career came with challenges, such as being benched during his junior year, he said. The experience was new for him, but it helped him grow as a person and an athlete, Bracy added. However, his time at the University of Notre Dame still came with plenty of high points, he said.

“My sophomore year game against Georgia was a really high point, playing against Iowa State, and then my senior year when I got the game ball against USC, and then beating Clemson my last year as well,” Bracy said. “Having that competition and that chance to play, and being able to play well, it just kind of makes you feel good about yourself, like that you belong at schools like that, you belong to be able to play at the next level.”

Pursuing a college or professional career can be a viable option for high school athletes who want to play at the next level, as long as they can work hard, collaborate with their coaches, and learn from their mistakes, Bracy said. He was fortunate to receive an athletic scholarship that benefitted his educational career, but people should be cautious when committing to schools, Bracy added.

“Don’t ever go to a school because of the relationship with someone, go for the right fit,” Bracy said. “Figure out why you want to go to a school, not who’s at school or the name of the school.”

Currently, Bracy’s training for

the NFL Draft takes up most of the day, but he tries to do some extra recovery or lifting after the main regimen to get an edge, Bracy said. Every week for over two months, Bracy trained for most of the day six days a week in preparation for Pro Day — an event similar to the NFL Scouting Combine but for individual schools — on March 24, he said. Prior to Pro Day, Bracy was nervous, but overall excited to see what benefits his hard work could result in, he said.

“The NFL scouts, they’ll measure you just by the numbers that you put up and all those things, but they can’t measure someone’s will and someone’s heart,” Bracy said. “I know that this is something I really want, and, whichever route I have to take, I’m willing to do that — put the most work in and be the most hardworking person and achieve that.”

MHS head football coach Kelly King said that Bracy was an outstanding player with the willpower to compete and who kept motivating others through his play, leading the MHS football team to their first ever state title, King said.

“To play in the NFL, it’s focus, and it’s a little bit of luck, and getting in the right place, and staying after it — I think he’s got all those tools,” King said. “I’m really excited for him, excited for draft day, and seeing where he’s going to end up.”

Bracy also understood the importance of academics to his athletic career early on, Bracy’s former AVID teacher, social studies teacher Frank Castro said.

“I think he understood early on that he was a special athlete and he had a chance to go to a really good school,” Castro said. “It’s hard to be a Division I athlete — just the sacrifices you have to make. The fact that he did it at one of the best football institutions in the country, says a lot about him.”

Lin, Hundley achieve top 10 rankings in national junior badminton events

By Savan Bollu

Very few junior badminton players can claim that they are some of the best in the nation, but MHS is home to two of them

— sophomores Anderson Lin and Mia Hundley, who both play on the varsity badminton team. According to the USA Badminton Junior Rankings on Tosszone, a website for badminton statistics, Lin was ranked No. 8 in the nation in the under 19 (U19) division of boys singles, and Hundley was ranked No. 9 for U19 girls doubles as of March 1, 2023. Both players have held No. 1 in other events within the past few

months, according to Tosszone.

Lin primarily plays boys singles badminton, he said. He started playing badminton when he was in first grade, he added. Lin’s favorite memory in badminton is winning his first-ever national junior title at the Pan American Junior Badminton Championships, he said. Lin has competed in that event twice, he added.

“I won my first title when I was 12,” Lin said. “I got one gold in (U13) men’s singles, one gold in men’s doubles, and one silver in mixed doubles. That was my first super, super good tournament.”

Lin now trains with Bay Badminton Center for over two

off-campus training, Nguyen said.

“I do tell them that if they come to practice, I want them to participate and bond with the team,” Nguyen said. “This is a team full of classmates, and full of friends … I want them to just remember what it’s like to be on a team as a teenager.”

Lin is a quick, knowledgeable player that other players look up to and serves as a foundational element for the whole team, Nguyen added.

“When Anderson shows up, there’s a lot of camaraderie, and everyone’s excited to see him,” Nguyen said.

Not many people at school know has a national junior ranking, Lin said.

“I think it’s good that way because I don’t want to make it seem like (I’m) cocky or anything because I’m at school right now, and I’m not playing badminton,” Lin said. “Badminton has nothing to do with school. So I just like to keep it on the low.”

Having a national junior ranking doesn’t prove anything, as even players who rank last or are unranked can perform well as long as they put in the work and consistently train, Lin said. Lin pushes himself to improve as well, he said.

“I want to make sure I get better before I go to play international tournaments,” Lin said.

“As of right now, (my goal is) just trying to get better every day.”

Like Lin, Hundley started badminton at a young age and now plays girls doubles, girls singles, and mixed doubles, she said. She is one of the top junior doubles players in the nation, she added. Despite being 15 years old, Hundley recently switched from playing U17 to U19 fulltime for a bigger challenge, as

she was ranked No. 1 in U17 girls doubles last year, she said.

“Mia is very well-rounded,” Nguyen said. “You can pretty much put her anywhere, and she’ll have a solid chance.

I think what I like about her is that she’s tough. She’s just really tough. Last year, she was battling with knee problems but still remained stable and strong.”

Hundley is good everywhere on the court, said junior Audrey Tai, who is Hundley’s girls doubles partner at MHS. Hundley is also very accepting of mistakes during a match, Tai said.

“She carries me,” Tai said. “I make a lot of mistakes. I don’t train as much as her — she trains a lot. But she’s so good, and I’m so glad that she’s there.”

Hundley is currently training at Synergy Badminton Academy with multiple coaches and spends two and a half to three hours every day practicing, she said.

“These are long, grueling hours,” Nguyen said, explaining the training needed to achieve a national junior ranking. “You really have to be dedicated, and you have to be not just physically fit, but also mentally strong. There’s a big mental toll competing in sports, especially at such a high level. It requires a very strong mindset.”

For all tournaments outside of school, Hundley is responsible for choosing her doubles partners, she said.

When asked about what she looks for in a doubles partner, Hundley said, “(Mainly) if I can talk to them — also skill.” Hundley’s advice for athletes is train every day, she said.

“When Mia walks into the gym, it’s just filled with love,” Nguyen said. “Everyone’s just excited to see her, say hi to her, and catch up.”

hours on most weekdays and the whole day on weekends, he said. Lin also travels once every one or two months for tournaments and focuses on winning major tournaments to boost his ranking, he said.

Traveling “does get in the way of schoolwork sometimes,” Lin said. “Sometimes I have to fly here, and I’m up at 12 doing homework.”

On the school team, Lin comes to at least two practices a week and participates as much as possible, Nguyen said. Although Lin and Hundley are expected to participate in all MHS practices and matches, they sometimes can’t attend because of commitments to

Former MHS football player Bracy (right) recovers a fumble for Notre Dame in a 2021 game against USC.

Courtesy of Tariq Bracy

Hundley lunges for the birdie in the U17 women’s doubles finals at the 2022 Pan American Junior Badminton Championships. She won gold.

Courtesy of Mia Hundley

Courtesy of Ehong Ng Lin plays in a varsity one boys singles match against Cupertino High.

Teachers balance work responsibilities with coaching, mentoring sports teams

By Ruby Bui

Coaching is not a suitable job for everyone, and there were fluctuating numbers of coaches at MHS during the 24 years that varsity boys basketball coach Champ Wrencher has been coaching and teaching for, he said. At the start of his career, there was a multitude of on-campus coaches, and while many quit eventually, MHS has more coaches now than in the middle of his career, he added.

“(Teaching and coaching simultaneously) is not difficult at all because I love basketball and that’s all I do when I leave campus,” Wrencher said. “I genuinely like the stuff I teach, so I look forward to coming in every day and talking about it … I do most of my work here on campus, so I keep things separate.”

On the other hand, time away from family is a downside as coaching during the season and preseason can be time-consuming, varsity boys soccer coach James Williams said.

“You have to still teach the class, stay on top of your grading, and you have all your responsibilities,” Williams said. “And then you have the responsibilities of coaching a program and being in charge of 60 different human beings, communication, emails, and phone calls. And it’s not easy, but once you’ve done it and you have a flow, you can make it work.”

As a former James Logan High School student and coach, Williams came to coach at MHS because of the students’ and sports program’s potential to grow, he said.

“Seeing some of the players, knowing the other coaches, and just believing in my own abilities to help … I thought I could do a good job,” Williams said. “So,

working together on all of the aspects — the players having to do the work and me helping with the organization, it started to move in the right direction.”

Varsity football coach Kelly King, an MHS graduate, has been teaching at MHS since 1990 and coaching since 1985, he said. He hopes his players learn valuable lessons from their experiences together like how he did from his former coaches, he added.

“This is where I grew up,” King said. “This was kind of the ‘next in line,’ and there’s always somebody that’s coming to take your place, but you want to try this to at least give it your best effort. It was a chance to do good for the school and hopefully help the kids in Milpitas, give them a chance to get out to go to colleges, and give them the exposure that they need for recruiting.”

As a coach, it is important to try to be there for their players and give them opportunities as young men who are about to face hardships in college, King said.

“It’s always my favorite moment when kids come back and ten years down the road, they’ve got the college degree, their families, everything’s going well, and they’re giving back to their communities,” King said. “That’s the best part.”

Part of the total experience of coaching is being able to see the players on campus and in class, and what they are up to, Wrencher said.

“When I was growing up, the high school coach in my neighborhood had the gym open for us all summer long throughout the day, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever,” Wrencher said.

The high school coach in Wrencher’s childhood was known for helping kids practice basketball

and letting them use the school gym every summer, which inspired Wrencher to be impactful and involved as a coach.

“I always wanted to be that coach,” Wrencher said. “If you’re a coach in high school, in my opinion, you should be a teacher. If you can’t, I don’t think you can truly have a good connection with your team if you’re someone that just shows up on campus in the afternoons.”

Spending a vast amount of time together as players and coaches allows the coach to see them grow and struggle while giving them the advice to work through adversity together, Williams said.

“One of my former players from my previous school is now my assistant coach here,” Williams said. “I asked him if he was interested and he’s been my assistant coach now for two years. Building those relationships is how I grew up playing, and the assistant coach from when I played is a good friend of mine and was one of the groomsmen at my wedding. So, it’s just those lifelong relationships that hopefully lead to something good.”

Some of the most important things a student’s coach can offer are guidance in the right direction for pursuing professional sports, assistance in helping players recognize their potential, and setting realistic expectations, Wrencher said. When former players return to visit, their gratitude and thankfulness for everything he provided them are the best moments of his career, he added.

“Those are the best moments that get you after you’ve been doing it for ten or fifteen years,” Wrencher said. “When that starts to happen, that makes you want to go another ten years.”

Cangemi begins to coach varsity boys golf

By Anannya Bhuskat

A longstanding part of athletics at MHS, Coach Vito Cangemi has been involved with coaching at MHS for 15 years, including coaching varsity football and boys varsity golf starting this year as well, Cangemi said in an interview.

Cangemi has been playing golf for over 35 years, but originally played football in college and even had some NFL tryouts as a kicker, he said. Since kicking and swinging have fairly similar mechanics, he was able to get into golf at a fairly young age and enjoy it as well, he added.

“I had known that they (MHS

Athletics department) were looking for a coach, and Ms. Butcher had talked to me about possibly doing it because I helped out with the girl’s season a little bit,” Cangemi said. “She knew I was an avid golfer, and she’s known my coaching style for a long time considering how long I’ve been here.”

Although there are a large number of differences between coaching football and coaching golf, such as the difference in the number of players, Cangemi is trying to make coaching the two sports as similar as possible, he said.

“Here at Milpitas, we try to teach a family atmosphere, and we’re always going to be sup -

laid the foundation for what we can do. However, it’s only going to come with hard work, and the kids know that as I’ve reiterated it to them,” he added.

Since Coach Cangemi has several years of coaching experience and has been playing golf for a long time, the team has adjusted fairly quickly to his coaching style, boys varsity golf team captain and senior Anav Madan said.

“He helps a lot with teaching everybody the swing and other techniques, but especially the mental game, which is the most important thing,” Madan said.

After coaching for many years, the most rewarding thing about coaching has been the relationships that he has built with the students, Cangemi said. What matters to him the most is helping lead his students in the right direction and always being positive with them, he added.

“I think it’s a lot harder for kids these days (to stay positive) because there are so many distractions, but the culture here is awesome,” Cangemi said. “The relationships here at MHS are very positive, and that’s what we want to breed in anything because positivity more than anything is going

to breed you success,” he added.

Outside of coaching at MHS, Cangemi coaches football camps for kids and has worked with professional student athletes in college and high school. He has also been in the real estate business for a long time and is still involved in which he is able to use his golfing interests for business purposes, he added.

“I’ve played a lot of sports on both the professional and amateur level, and it (golf) is the most humbling sport I’ve ever played in my life,” Cangemi said. “It is definitely something that challenges you. You don’t have to be the best golfer in the world, but one day you’ll hit that one shot, and that’s all the satisfaction you’ll need.”

In terms of advice for students and athletes, Cangemi tells his players to stay focused as there are always going to be people out there who doubt them, he said. He encourages his team to stay humble, but always work to prove those people wrong.

“I tell these kids all the time that I love that you are great athletes, but I want you to be more successful in the most important game you ever get to play — the game of life,” Cangemi said.

portive of each other,” Cangemi said. “I’m trying to project that to the golf team because it is an individual sport. We still have team goals though, so having that understanding and always looking out for each other is the message we’re trying to portray.”

The boys varsity team has a lot of depth this year including many players with great skill and talent, rather than just a couple star players, Cangemi said.

“From what I’ve been seeing and hearing from other coaches, we have a good shot at potentially winning our league,” Cangemi said. “There’s some good returners from the past year that have

Coach Williams gives his players a pep talk before a game against Cupertino High School on Feb. 9.

Courtesy of Ed Ackerman

Erick Johnson

Courtesy of Vito Cangemi

Coach Cangemi shows his golf skills at Hole 11 in the Boulder Creek Country Club.

Anderson resigned following administrative investigation Brookner allowed to resign

FROM PAGE 1

Other allegations against Anderson included saying inappropriate comments that made students uncomfortable and doing or saying things students did not expect from a teacher, Gross wrote.

“We were in groups and we were picking group names, and this other group jokingly named their group ‘Hot Russian Spies,’ and it was mostly girls … and one guy,” said junior Andrea Topete, who was in Anderson’s world history class. Anderson “referred to the guy as a pimp in a group full of girls.”

Anderson was friendly to Temple, and they had a positive relationship, Temple said. However, he did observe that Anderson often touched students and treated female students differently, Temple added. Gross interviewed students, took notes on what they said, and asked them to write their statements in their own words and handwriting, Gross wrote in the records.

“Not only was this investigation hard for students, but it was hard for me to bear witness to the student accounts,” Gross wrote.

In a picture of the paper on which Gross asked her to write her statements, provided by a student who wishes to remain anonymous for her safety, the student was asked to sign below a message that stated, “Under Education Code Section 489.18 subdivision (f), I submit this declaration to serve as my sworn witness statement in lieu of my testimony at a hearing. I understand that a copy of my sworn statement, with my name and identity removed will be provided to the hearing panel. I have read this declaration and I

do declare under penalty or perjury of the laws and statutes of the state of California the forgoing is true and correct.”

“Ms. Gross, right at the first time she called me to the office, said that ‘I will be calling your parents to tell them that you will be part of an investigation,’” the student said. “My parents did not get any call from Ms. Gross.”

Gross also did not inform Al-Mathkur’s parents of her involvement in the investigation, Al-Mathkur said.

Al-Mathkur was given the impression that her identity would remain anonymous to Anderson, she said. However, in a later conversation with Brunson, Al-Mathkur discovered that her identity had been revealed to Anderson, she said. Brunson told her there was no way to move forward with the investigation without revealing students’ identities, she added.

The settlement agreement between Anderson and the District, which became effective on June 30, 2022, stated, “The Parties desire to avoid the time and expense attendant upon further administrative and/or civil litigation and to settle, once and forever, all disputes arising out of, related to, or in any manner connected with Employee’s employment with the District.”

The District agreed to provide Anderson with a payment of $28,385.42, an equivalent of two months of salary and benefits, according to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Prior to the Gross’ investigation, Associate Principal Skyler Draeger wrote in an email to Anderson on Dec. 10, 2021, “Student A complained that you touched her hair and told her that it was

beautiful and that she should never cut it.” In addition, Draeger wrote, “Please do give this email careful consideration because repeated violations of boundaries can lead to serious consequences to your job.”.

In response to Draeger’s email, Anderson wrote, “It’s disheartening that students can make accusations that definitely exceed the truth and seem to be taken at their word over an educator.”

In the email, Anderson added that the rows between student desks in his classroom are narrow, and he may have accidentally brushed the student’s hair as he walked by.

The Union sent Anderson a message to request comment for this story, but he did not reply. Gross, Draeger, and Rojas declined to be interviewed for this story.

“The District does not tolerate sexual harassment in any form, from any member of our school community,” Brunson said in an email interview. “The District acted very promptly upon notification of student complaints against these two employees, and we followed both board policies and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement in place with the teachers’ union in resolving those complaints. We encourage any student who believes they have been sexually harassed to report such incidents to us, and we want to reassure students that such complaints will be addressed promptly and thoroughly.”

As of the date of publication of this story, Anderson still has a valid teaching credential in the state of California, according to the Commision on Teaching Credentialing website.

FROM PAGE 1

multiple students had reported that he had shared an inappropriate story of sexual nature with students in his class on April 7, 2022.

“Since this interaction can be considered sexual harassment, administration will continue to investigate and inform you of further action if needed,” Rojas wrote in the letter.

According to Brookner’s resignation agreement, “If anyone contacts the District about Employee for purposes of a reference for the Employee’s prospective employment with a third party … the District shall provide only the following information: Employ-

ee’s dates of employment, final salary, positions held, sick leave balance, and the fact that the Employee resigned. … It is the intent of the parties that communication to anyone who makes such a prospective employment inquiry will not contain any negative information or negative inference about Employee.”

The Union attempted to contact Brookner but was unsuccessful. Gross, Draeger, and Rojas declined to be interviewed for this story.

As of the date of publication of this story, Brookner still has a valid teaching credential, according to the website of the California Commision on Teaching Credentialing.

Eye on Campus: Schools hosts first ever Desi Night

Social studies requests new books

By Erick Johnson

The social studies department is currently attempting to renew its textbooks to an updated version that complies with the current educational standards and has access to helpful resources, social studies department colead Paul Harrison said.

Most social studies department textbooks are outdated by around 15 to 20 years after publishing, and do not reflect recent developments and changes, Harrison said. The problem worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused book renewal to be pushed back because it was hard to test potential new books while teaching a class remotely, he said.

“We still don’t have a guarantee from the district that we’re going to be able to update our books,” Harrison said. “Hopefully we’re going to pilot before this semester ends, and hopefully be able to order some textbooks.”

Kathryn Peterson said. Therefore, AP psychology teachers may need to wait longer for the new College Board curriculum to roll out before they can buy a new textbook that aligns with the new curriculum, she said.

“Right now, the AP Psychology teachers are in communication with textbook publishers to see if we would be able to get supplemental resources as College Board is making changes,” Peterson said. “It is possible we’ll be able to adopt a new AP psychology textbook next year, even though the College Board is not making those changes until the year after, but part of it depends on what’s happening with the publishers right now.”

Comfort spaces are one of the services provided for students looking to utilize their sessions for downtime.

New Wellness Center offers mental health resources

FROM PAGE 1

‘They made me feel heard.’ ‘I was able to ‘Say how I felt.’ So that’s what warms my heart,” McNerney said.

Though sophomore Alina Ly sees the Wellness Center as a genuine safe space for students, whether or not it is worth making a visit is still dependent ona student’s academic workload, especially considering the Center’s currently discreet location, Ly said.

“If the lesson isn’t important, and the notes are already posted, then I would definitely go,” Ly

said. “ (Students) might not even try to reach out because they don’t want to take the time to try to find it, and just walk around in a place that you’re unfamiliar with.”

Ly was surprised to learn that the Wellness Center was receptive to her suggestions when she visited and felt the staff were genuinely interested in helping students, Ly said.

“I was shocked at how they actually took in student’s opinions because I asked for a little tent where students can have some privacy and maybe to get a nap, and they actually put a tent in

there.”

While new outreach measures to boost the Wellness Center’s impact are still in the works, Santa Clara County’s movement towards more socio-emotional learning in classrooms is a positive step for high school students, McNerney said. Up to 155 students have made visits to the facility since their February opening, she added.

“My goal is to be the person that I wish I had when I was their age,” McNerney said. “Schools would usually wait for students to fail first, and then they would help … now it’s different.”

There is a current initiative to pilot books for the remainder of the school year, which would consist of using a new book and using it to teach one unit or a few lessons to decide if the teachers like it or not, Harrison stated.

The matter is more urgent because the textbooks in the department are beginning to tear, sometimes requiring the school to buy new copies of old versions of the textbook instead of spending that money on new, up-todate books, Harrison added.

“A lot of the AP classes have changed their curriculum, and our textbooks don’t align with those new curriculums,” Harrison said. “ And even though we’re replacing older versions, why don’t we just buy entirely new updated versions?”

For AP psychology, the College Board is making changes to the exam and to the curriculum next year, AP psychology teacher

At the beginning of the year, Peterson and AP psychology teacher Danilo Escobar were potentially in a situation where they would lose access to resources, and their students would lose access to resources like AP classroom because the textbooks were so outdated that the College Board refused to approve them to teach an AP class, AP psychology teacher Lauren Byler-Garcia said.

“The problem is a lot of the textbooks come with resources for teachers and testing software for teachers like test banks,” Byler-Garcia said. “They are so outof-date that if my computer were to stop working, I wouldn’t be able to access the online textbook resources.”

The social studies department seems to be the department that’s kind of the most behind out of all the other departments at MHS, Byler-Garcia said.

“It is in the best interest of the students that we get new textbooks and materials,” Harrison said. “This isn’t just about the teacher; it is really about the students. It would be negligent of us if we did not get new textbooks for the students.”

Adrian Pamintuan | THE UNION

Albert Fung | THE UNION

Students in traditional South Asian attire dance to Bollywood songs at Desi Night, which was hosted in the cafeteria on March 17.