Verde Volume 21 Issue 3

Behind the curtains Shen Yun’s ads hide a controversial story pg. 28 VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 1

2 FEBRUARY 2020

VERDE MAGAZINE February 2020 Volume 21 Issue 3

ON THE COVER pg. 28 A seemingly innocuous Shen Yun poster rips, revealing the dichotomy between an implied cultural arts performance and an underlying backstory soaked in controversy. Art Director Samantha Ho beautifully depicts the deception behind the company’s ad campaign — though the show is portrayed as a lively artistic experience, the group is rooted in the Falun Dafa religion, a shock to audience members who were exposed to propaganda in addition to the singing and dancing.

Publication Policy Verde Magazine, a feature magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. Verde is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost.

Letters to the Editors The staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to verde.eics@gmail.com or 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301. All Verde stories are online and available for commenting at verdemagazine.com Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with Verde, please contact business managers Michelle Kim and Ryan Seto at verdebusiness5@gmail.com.

Editors-in-Chief Emma Donelly-Higgins Alex Feng Rachel Lit

STEM Columnist and Statistician Kayla Brand

Managing Editors Kate Milne Abe Tow Jasmine Venet (Digital)

Social Media Manager Antonia Mou

Features Editor Sasha Poor Profiles Editor Prahalad Mitra Culture Editor Kobi Johnsson Perspectives Editor Ben Cohen Editorials Editor Tim Hung Laura Malagrino News Editor Myra Xu Avery Hanna Launch Editors Katherine Cheng Kylie Mies

Art Director Samantha Ho Graphic Designer Zach Donaker Staff Writers Paisley Annes Sofia Antebi Mia Baldonado Naomi Boneh Miles Breen Allison Chang Audrey Kernick Tara Kothari Ishani Raha Jay Renaker Andie Tetzlaff Gian-Paolo von Ruden Adviser Paul Kandell

Photo and Design Editor Zoë Wong-VanHaren Business Managers Michelle Kim Ryan Seto

Printing & Distribution Verde is printed five times a year in October, December, February, April and May by Folger Graphics in Hayward, California. The Paly Parent Teacher Student Association mails Verde to every student’s home. All Verde work is available at verdemagazine.com

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 3

In this issue Foreword

6 Editorials 10 Launch 12 News

Features

15 16 18 20 24 26 28 30 33

Farewell Principal Paulson Math Laning The Kentucky Cycle: Student Play Voter Guide Privacy in Tech Fact-checking Salvation Army Shen Yun Exposé Changing Role of Religion New Environmental Decade

Profiles

IRANIAN AMERICANS pg. 40

34 36 38 40 42

Laughing with ComedySportz Hitting the Ice Giselle Toth Iranian Americans Taco Truck

ulture C 44 Oscar Nominations 47 Lizzo 48 Mac Miller’s Circles 50 Thrift Stores 52 ROOH 54 Little Women

Perspectives

THE KENTUCKY CYCLE pg. 18 4 FEBRUARY 2020

56 57 58 60 61

Science Imbalance New Year’s Resolutions Emo Culture Social Media Ads Quizzical Kayla

SCIENCE IMBALANCE pg. 56

THRIFT STORES pg. 50 ROOH pg. 52

FAREWELL PAULSON pg. 15

GISELLE TOTH pg. 38

FROM THE EDITORS

Finding, fumbling, following through

It is difficult to discuss journalism without reflecting on its three pillars: finding stories, reporting and writing. While our articles this issue have drastically varying themes — ranging from voter preparation for the primaries to student theater productions — each story carries a consistent motif of diligent reporting and veracious investigation. Whether debunking initial claims or patching storyline holes, we are proud of our reporters for embracing and embodying a fearless attitude in searching for the truth: the greatest stories emerge through the process of fumbling and inevitably pushing through.

Questioning the story behind the culturally ensconced Shen Yun billboards plastered around the Bay Area resulted in our cover story “Behind the Curtains.” Initially conceived as a review of a cultural dance performance, the story evolved into much more. Story writers Tim Hung and Jasmine Venet spent weeks parsing through advertisement budgets and courageously took on the task of understanding the religious movement behind the show’s misleading marketing and controversial history.

Closer to home, Avery Hanna and Naomi Boneh were determined to discover the reasons behind the closing of longtime community cornerstone First Baptist Church in “The Role of Religion.” Their nuanced questioning uncovered a fascinating storyline: statistics show that younger generations are scaling back their involvement in organized faith, but individuals maintain that religion is a grounding day-to-day foundation.

Few issues are as pressing as the environment in light of the current climate crisis, and being informed is crucial when we each have the propensity to affect change. Stemming from an initial desire to optimize

Palo Alto High School’s waste disposal, our staff delved into district recycling records. Unbelievably, our efforts in “(Re)cycling blame” uncovered a completely ineffective and shockingly dysfunctional Zero Waste system: all three disposal bins are effectively emptied into landfill, and no one is sounding the alarm. More than lifting a veil, this editorial aims to instill a sense of urgency and responsibility into community members and decision-makers.

While we admit that our reporting is not flawless, we cherish every opportunity to expand our journalistic repertoire. In “Verde Snoops,” Miles Breen and Jay Renaker pioneer a Verde fact-checking analysis. Initiated by a community member’s concern over a claim in a previous news story, a simple verification turned into a pointed inspection addressing the Salvation Army’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. This dirt-digging story challenged our reporting, reminding us that we need to remain critical of online claims rather than blindly accepting the findings of others as a single reality.

In a false-news riddled world powered by technology, our society is at risk of becoming complacent without those who actively challenge the unchallenged. It is our hope that through investigative journalism, we will serve as an outlet that brings to light the candid experiences of our community. More than that, we strive to develop student journalists into avid, unapologetic questioners who aren’t afraid to fail in their quest to uncover the truth.

—Alex, Rachel, Emma

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 5

the verdicts (Re)cycling blame PAUSD IS FAILING AT WASTE MANAGEMENT

B

LUE. GREEN. GREY. It Rebecca Navarro, the school district shouldn’t be hard. But as lone- Sustainability Program manager, initially ly waste bins are scattered across directed us to the Zero Waste Champion at Palo Alto High School’s campus, Paly, Christy Resinger, for available waste it is evident that neither students nor the reports. Resinger did not respond to inadministration care about sorting waste ap- terview requests and did not provide any propriately. waste report data.

Data provided by the Paly ECO Club Can it be that Zero Waste Champi— which only reons hold a puppet ceived one waste role and simply report from Nov. 8, There is an inherent give students a 2017 — highlights problem with placing false confidence Paly’s struggles with that waste is being trash. Of 526 piec- full responsibility on one handled correctly? es of waste sorted Or is there is teacher to promote better into three categoan inherent probrecycling. ries, only 50% of lem with placing waste in trash bins full responsibility was landfill material, 49% of waste in com- on one teacher to promote better recycling post bins was compostable and an abysmal and to handle all waste data at a school of 33% of waste in recycling bins was recycla- over 2,000 students? ble — no better than random chance.

Paly custodians also receive an undeIn a climate where environmental pres- serving amount of blame for these waste ervation is heightened, Paly is failing in the management issues. fight to manage waste. Until PAUSD starts “It’s a little frustrating as a custodian making this a priority, students will contin- because we get audited too,” says Albert ue to believe that the assortment of colored Hidalgo, a Paly custodian who has worked bins means that their waste is being sorted in the district for 23 years. “It falls on us correctly, which lulls them into a false sense when a majority of the stuff in there is not of security about their recycling habits. compost and it’s in the recycle.”

Unfortunately, our investigation into Sorting waste incorrectly causes serithe district’s waste management does not ous complications when excess garbage show any strong promise of an improved breaks down in landfills system. and liquid leachate The Zero Waste Initiative, a program forms, contaminating committed to reducing waste within Palo groundwater and damAlto, supposedly serves as a database of in- aging wildlife and formation about Paly’s waste management. human health with However, other than the single waste report harmful chemicals. from the ECO Club, we did not find any These appalling useful data on the subject. findings not only highThough a Zero Waste Champion is light students’ relative assigned to each PAUSD campus to en- lack of understanding courage students to actively sort their trash, about how to sort waste many are unaware of who their representa- and a general apathy tive is or of their responsibilities. towards maintaining

6 FEBRUARY 2020

environmental health, but also a bigger issue that stems from PAUSD’s leadership.

Rather than faulting students and staff members for making poor use of the disposal system, the district needs to step up and take charge to address our unending lack of accountability for poor waste management.

The Zero Waste Commission and PAUSD must collaborate with teachers and students to implement a comprehensive waste education program, as well as meetings to better prioritize waste organization and emphasize our shared responsibility in improving environmental consciousness.

Additionally, we can keep school trash, recycling and compost bins in groups of three, no matter where they are. Nobody is making an extra trip to find a can of another color — they’ll just use what’s at hand.

“I think it’s got to be total chaos in order for them [PAUSD] to step up and do something, because I don’t know if [organizing waste] a big priority,” Hidalgo says.

“We want the mentality of having proper sorted bins, but who’s the enforcer?” v Art by Megan Andrews

The Verdict editorial section expresses the collective opinion of the Verde Magazine staff.

Safe parking program is a step in the right direction

T

HE PALO ALTO CITY Council launched the “safe parking” program on Jan. 13, allowing for houses of worship to accept a set number of car campers to park in their lots for 90 days at a time.

The “safe parking” program will reserve four parking spots at each religious site and dedicate them to RV parking. Those using the spots will also be connected with a social service provider who can help them in their search for a permanent residence.

This initiative will mitigate the housing struggle by providing parking spots for those without a permanent residence.

Palo Alto City Council approved the program after the release of a memo, authored by Councilmembers Tom DuBois and Lydia Kou, called for making such parking spots available in larger, city-owned

parking lots and possibly commercial property.

“The ultimate goal is to provide assistance to people to get them back on the path to stable housing,” DuBois and Kou stated in the memo.

Although not nearly the large scale operation that the memo called for, the new program is the beginning of a short-term solution to the housing crisis.

As housing prices in Palo Alto continue to increase, many who work minimum wage jobs on 12-hour shifts do not have the resources to be able to commute from more affordable areas. Those who live in cars and RVs — such as the ones that line El Camino Real — also run the risk of being reported to police or forcefully removed, as covered in

a Verde article in March.

“The public is going to call the police on these poor souls out here, who have nowhere else to go and who put a roof over their own head … so that their home gets towed,” Britney, an RV resident on El Camino Real, told us. “What are they left with? They are out on the street, and that doesn’t solve the homeless problem.”

The “safe parking” program is a much needed short-term solution to the lack of affordable housing in Palo Alto; the individuals receiving these services play important roles in our community, and we commend the city for its initiative. v

Art by Samantha Ho

School holidays should better accommodate religious students

P

UBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS have a number of rights when it comes to their religious beliefs, including freedom of expression, discussion and exercise. However, these liberties do not address the academic hindrances that often come with the time and dedication necessary for religious practice.

Prioritization of Christian holdiays force those who practice other religions to miss school for holidays.

Although missing class to participate in religious events and traditions falls under “excused absences,” this reassuring categorization is misleading.

According to the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education, “Students who miss school work because of an excused absence shall be given the opportunity to complete all assignments and tests.”

This often means being bombarded with makeup classwork, homework, exams and hours of lesson material upon return.

We believe that religious commitments should not entail academic burden.

For many students, religion gives them character, community and purpose — and it should not disadvantage them in school.

The best way to address this issue is to better organize school holidays and significant events to accommodate more religions. By planning around major religious holidays such as Yom Kippur, Passover, Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, schools can convey to their students that their religious traditions matter and minimize the number of students who will miss class.

Increasing the number of flex days, or days consisting of three flex periods in which students can meet with teachers individually or catch up on work on their own, is also a potential solution. Since no lesson material will be taught, no exams administered and no homework or classwork given, religious students will not miss any schoolwork when attending religious events or celebrating important traditions.

Currently, flex days are reserved for standardized testing only. We recommend the Palo Alto High School Innovative

Schedule Committee, which is responsible for our daily bell schedules, implement more flex days throughout the year around major religious holidays.

For more permanent change, however, we advise Palo Alto students to voice their concerns at the biweekly PAUSD board meetings, which take place in the PAUSD office building at 25 Embarcadero Road, on the same block as Palo Alto High School.

Open sessions are held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., and exact dates can be found on the PAUSD website.

The PAUSD Calendar Committee meets in the fall every three years to decide on a three year, district-wide schedule, with the next cycle set to start in 2022. Committee members propose additional schedule adjustments throughout the year, as well.

In the quest to create equal academic opportunity for all students, we urge the PAUSD Calendar Committee to consider all religious communities by planning around a broader range of major religious holidays. v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 7

B Y CITIES Driving School Drivers Education Courses

Private Behind The Wheel Lessons

Seven Days a Week

BayCitiesDrivingSchool.com (650) 368-6555

For over 35 years, we’ve successfully trained thousands of drivers in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties

8 FEBRUARY 2020

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 9

LAUNCH ART IN UNUSUAL PLACES

ASB ANSWERS

Palo Alto High School art students participated in the annual Art in Unusual Places event, placing various creative pieces in ‘unusual’ places around campus.

TOTEM POLES (LEFT) Totem poles are located in front of the Haymarket Theater.

WITH ASB VICE PRESIDENT SENIOR BEN KNOPPER What is ASB currently working on?

FLOWERS (ABOVE RIGHT) Near the language building, a variety of ceramic flowers are scattered beside a tree.

We’ve got a lot of events planned for second semester! In the month of [February], we have Love Week, Club Day #2, Skoglobe [festival], and an anti-vaping fishbowl discussion, and new and returning events for the rest of the semester, including an all-new carnival!

BLUE SHOES (ABOVE) Blue shoes line the walls of the library and can be found in front of the 800s building.

The painted shoes, paired with magazine covers and articles, aim to raise awareness about climate change.

How has your first year as a member of ASB been?

I’m experiencing planning ... all these events for the first time, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. My favorite things so far are Spirit Week and handing out Cookies on the Quad; it feels really good to ... keep a promise to Paly students, as well as listen to some killer music and hand out cookies from the middle of it all.

How do you think Pajama Days have helped students?

HEARTS AND PEOPLE (LEFT AND ABOVE) The Palo Alto High School Embarcadero Road entrance features a collection of papier-mâché figures and hearts in different colors and positions.

Photos and text by KATHERINE CHENG

10 FEBRUARY 2020

I’ve noticed that a PJ Day timed correctly during a high-stress period or a cold, low-energy day works wonders removing stress, anxiety and worry from Paly students’ day. In ASB, we are also looking for alternatives for PJ days when the weather gets warmer, ... but we plan to continue PJ days as well.

Reporting by KATHERINE CHENG Photo by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN

CAREER MONTH Reporting by KYLIE MIES

Paly’s annual Career Month returns this month. Attend a talk and hear about the lives of individuals in a variety of careers.

“

I’m excited for career month because it is a great chance to learn more about careers that we may not be exposed to in school.”

— TRISHA RAZDAN, junior

Reporting and art by KATHERINE CHENG

VEX ROBOTICS The Vex Robotics Team is one of Paly’s three robotics teams. As they enter their fourth season, Verde Magazine sat down with Team Captain Aruna Anderson, a junior, and subteam 4008A Captain Kamila Wong, a sophomore, to discuss their goals for the season.

Art by KATHERINE CHENG

Groundhog Day: Phil predicts spring

Verde: How is your team formatted?

Kamila Wong: We have six members on our team, and we are divided into two sub-teams, 4008A and 4008B, which have their own captains.

V: What makes Vex Robotics competitions different from other competitions?

Aruna Anderson: The teams are smaller, and each season is a different game, and we have learned so much through the experimentation of different mechanisms.

V: What are your goals for the season?

NLY PHIL: O T? GH 40% RI

KW: We’ve won the Judge’s Award before, and we would love to win another award at another competition.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 11

news EPA closes public schools, opens new charter school

W

ith the construction of a new charter high school in East Palo Alto underway, the Ravenswood City School District will close two public elementary schools.

The district approved the closings due to a lack of enrollment and funds — the schools in the district currently serve around half their maximum capacity of students, according to the interim superintendent.

Amid this change, the Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees voted to approve a new high school’s charter petition in late September 2019. However, members of SUHSD have expressed concerns over the impact charter schools can have on public school resources.

Because state funding is based on the enrollment of each school district, RCSD has been forced to cut costs as enrollment has been steadily decreasing for over five years.

by ANTONIA MOU and MICHELLE KIM

SHAM(E) Rally participants cheer and hold up signs with clever slogans as cars honk passing by the protest. “Hey, hey, ho, ho, [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell has got to go,” the group of over 40 protesters chant. Photo by Emma Donelly-Higgins

Trump's acquittal sparks protest

A

RALLY TO PROTEST the Senate impeachment acquittal of United States President Donald Trump occured on Feb. 5 at the corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road.

Earlier that afternoon, the Senate voted against Trump’s removal from office on two articles of impeachment — obstruction of justice and abuse of power — bringing the multi-week trial to an end.

The trial had no witnesses and all but one senator voted along party lines.

“We are here to make a very simple statement, which is that we reject the

non-trial, which is really nothing more than a cover up,” rally organizer Susie Hwang said.

Hwang added that she believes the most important thing that people can do to take action is to vote in the upcoming elections.

“We have to win at the presidential level, the Senate, we have to defend the House, we have to win state races,” Hwang said.

“To win elections we need … a more representative electorate.”

by RACHEL LIT and EMMA DONELLY-HIGGINS

Rapidly replacing Principal Paulson

S

by ALLISON CHANG

INCE THE NEWS of the resignation of Palo Alto High School Principal Adam Paulson, Palo Alto Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Karen Hendricks has outlined the process of hiring a new principal. According to the schedule, Paly’s new principal, who will replace Paulson this fall, will be announced in the middle of March.

Paulson announces his resignation via email to community.

Jan. 24

12 FEBRUARY 2020

Needs Assessment took place to get input from students and staff on what they want in the next principal.

Feb. 4

Job posting closes.

Candidates are prescreened and initial reference checks occur.

Feb. 18

Candidates begin initial screening interviews with Superintendent Don Austin, Hendricks and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Services Sharon Ofek.

Feb. 21 or 24

School board considers removing homework impact on grades

T

HE SCHOOL BOARD is considering implementing changes to grading practices that would make homework, effort and attendance not directly impact student grades.

The topic was brought up at the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education Jan. 14 meeting, where board members discussed whether to adopt the California School Board Association’s model language for grading standards.

“If I read the language of this it seems sort of utterly unobjectionable,” Board Member Ken Dauber said. “‘A teacher shall base a student’s grade solely on the quality of the student’s academic work and his or her mastery of course content based on district standards.’”

With this proposed change, grades would be based on a variety of assessments including tests, projects and class discussions, while areas such as homework would no longer be factors.

“I’ve come to understand that in our middle and high schools, there are times that students are not mastering the content of the course, but receiving a passing grade because they completed homework,” Board Member Jennifer DiBrienza stated in an email. “I’d hate to think that we are passing students through classes while failing to actually teach the content of the class.”

At the Jan. 14 meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Services Sharon Ofek introduced the suggested revision.

Candidates are panel-interviewed by two students, two to four site staff members, two parents, a representative from Physician Assistant Education Association, a representative from California School Employees Association, two district staffs and facilitated by Lisa Hickey, Director of Certificated Human resources.

Week of March 2

“It is reflective of the past decade’s shift in education overall and is indicative of the evolution of grading practices in our own district –– a district that already has teachers exploring with standards based grading and learning,” Ofek said at the meeting.

While this is intended to lower student stress, Palo Alto High School junior Hope Morita said that this is not an effective way to address the issue.

“As someone who doesn’t always do wonderfully on tests, it is really helpful to be able to have some percentage of my grade be based on the work I put into the class,” Morita said.

DiBrienza explained that the modification will still allow for a variety of factors that impact a student's grades –– the only difference being that homework would not be one such factor.

“The proposed policy change in no way limits grading to high stakes tests,” DiBrienza stated. “Rather it states that grades consist of evaluation of tests, projects, portfolios, class discussions, etc.

Homework might be work on a project or preparation for a class discussion and that certainly would count.”

Ofek said in the meeting that such a shift would take time and further discussion.

“Adoption of this policy would not result in an overnight change in practice rather a paced implementation over time,” she said.

by AVERY HANNA

New Paly principal is announced and posted on the School Board Agenda.

Final interviews, post-screening and additional reference checks are completed.

Week of March 9

New Paly principal is announced at School Board Meeting.

March 13

March 17

ASB anti-vape committee to host panel for students

A

new anti-vape committee will host a panel on Feb. 25 at Palo Alto High School to encourage peer-to-peer discussion about the e-cigarette epidemic.

Paly Associated Student Body representatives shared their plans for the panel at the Jan. 23 Palo Alto Teen Vaping Community Leaders Breakfast at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Although specific details of the panel are still in the works, the attendance of Stanford University Professor of Pediatrics Bonnie Halpern-Felsher is confirmed. The panel will take place during Tutorial in the Paly Performing Arts Center, and will likely be mandatory for freshmen.

“We are hoping to target the youngest of students on campus to ensure they know that vaping has never, is not and will not be tolerated on our campus,” Ben Gordon, ASB Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education representative, said.

In response to parent reactions to the vaping epidemic, ASB debuted an anti-vape committee at the beginning of the semester.

The committee, comprised of various ASB members, will focus on connecting directly with students to address the issue. According to Gordon, a committee member, the most powerful tool against vaping is communication between students on the matter. Gordon hopes to include a variety of students with different opinions on the issue.

“I would love to have people come in and say ‘Hey, I don’t know if a vape ban is the best option’ and we can ask why,” Gordon said at the Jan. 23 conference.

by LAURA MALAGRINO

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 13

Coronavirus impacts Palo Alto STUDENTS, OFFICIALS QUASH RUMORS OF DISEASE IN CITY

W

ITH A RISING DEATH toll in China and cases popping up in California, the coronavirus epidemic has sparked concern but no infection within the Palo Alto community.

Despite rumors of its spread to Palo Alto High School families, Santa Clara County Public Health Department Director Sara Cody confirmed to Verde Magazine that there are no cases of coronavirus in Palo Alto as of early February.

“I’ve done nothing for the last three weeks but think about the coronavirus,” Cody said. “The risk to the community remains low.”

While the virus is largely contained OUT OF STOCK The Town and Country CVS Pharmacy has been sold out of face masks for several within China, it still has an impact on the weeks now. The mask shortage extends to Palo Alto High School as well. “Masks are not being provided, except to students who have a fever and are waiting to be picked up by their family,” local community here in Palo Alto. Sam, a Paly Health Technician Jennifer Kleckner stated in an email. Photo by Myra Xu Paly student whose name has been changed Alex also expressed concern over the quarantined for 14 days. Anyone who was to protect their identity, says they feel this number of unconfirmed cases of coronavi- in the Hubei province after Jan. 19 will face influence. mandatory quarantine.

“My dad and I are really scared of the rus in the United States.

“It’s somewhat concerning because In Superintendent Don Austin’s Feb. coronavirus,” Sam said. “My mom was in China for Chinese New Year. Once the that statistic only represents the amount of 3 message regarding coronavirus, he promnews that America was about to evacuate detected cases in our country,” Alex said. “I ised that the district would work with stuwouldn’t be surprised dents in quarantine to support continued American citizens from if there were actually learning throughout their absences.

China was out, my much more infected.”

In response to the virus, some Palo mom left China and Although we do News of the coro- Alto residents have taken precautions — came back to Palo Alto. understand that this navirus’ spread result- such as wearing masks — to prevent conShe went into self-quarantine and thank God confirmed case may ed in rumors of a Paly tracting the disease. Paly Health Technician that she displayed no raise concern, this parent contracting the Jennifer Kleckner simply recommends that virus. students frequently wash their hands. symptoms.” one case, in fact, does “To be honest, I “Since many of our residents travel freAlex, a Paly student whose name has also not change the risk to think that is exactly quently for business and personal reasons, my dad, but he doesn't we are not surprised to be announcing the been changed to protect the general public.” have it,” Alex said. “It first case in the Bay Area and in Northern their identity, is another — SARA CODY, just so happens that California,” Cody said. “Although we do whose family has been Santa Clara County Public Health I told my friend that understand that this confirmed case may affected by the outbreak.

Department director my dad flew back raise concern, this one case, in fact, does After flying back from from Wuhan recent- not change the risk to the general public.”

Wuhan to celebrate ChiIn comparison to other strains of coronese New Year with their family, Alex’s fa- ly and then maybe the words somehow ther quarantined himself for 14 days. With turned into ‘My dad has coronavirus,’ but navirus from the past, this “novel” coronaAlex’s grandparents stranded in the city and rumors spread quickly. It doesn’t actually virus is spreading much faster, but with a an aunt who works as a doctor in Wuhan, impact me, it just makes me annoyed that lower fatality rate, according to the Centers people are thinking like that.” for Disease Control and Prevention. It has the disease hits close to home.

In response to the spread of the virus, killed over 1,000 people in China.

“I’m actually pretty concerned since my grandparents are the most vulnera- the Palo Alto Unified School District is ble,” Alex said. “For my aunt, I’m a bit less suggesting that students who have recentafraid, but the fact that she will be working ly been to China or been in contact with Text by MYRA XU, AVERY HANNA someone who has recently visited China be firsthand with patients is very scary.” and RYAN SETO

“

14 FEBRUARY 2020

Text by BEN COHEN

A PRINCIPAL PAST Adam Paulson stands in the hallways he has roamed over his last six years as a Palo Alto High School administrator. “It’s a tough job,” he says. “I mean, anybody that’s going to take this seat knows that.” Photo by Zoë Wong-VanHaren

PRINCIPAL PAULSON

REFLECTING UPON UPCOMING DEPARTURE

O

N JAN. 24, Palo Alto High School principal Adam Paul- V: Why are you planning on leaving Paly and what are your plans for son announced that he would be resigning at the end of the future? the school year. Verde Magazine sat down with him and P: Well, in my statement, I said that it was for personal reasons, gave him a chance to reflect on the experiences he has had, as both and I’m gonna stick with that. I’ll keep those reasons to myself. But assistant principal and principal. After six years as an administrator, I’ll just say that I’ve enjoyed my time here and I’m hoping to leave Paulson extends advice for students, faculty and his successor (who this place in good hands. is yet to be announced). v V: What is one moment that defines your time at Paly?

Verde: How do you feel about the many stigmas that surround Palo P: Gosh, I love this school so much and I’ve had so many good Alto Unified School District, including memories just with students. A lot academic rigor and social stress? of those were during Spirit Week or Paulson: Well, I’ve been around the What gives me energy is just just at sporting events and related country; I’ve been in schools in the to all the great music and art that’s being in the classroom and all Midwest, Colorado and California. on campus. It’s really hard to kind those little moments every day. of pinpoint one. But what gives me I’ve worked in charter schools and worked in public schools and the I mean, I try to connect with energy is just being in the classroom things that happened here and the and all those little moments every students every day.” stigmas that are occurring — they day. I mean, I try to connect with — ADAM PAULSON, principal happen everywhere. I think it’s more students every day, whether that’s in of a generational thing. You guys are the classroom, in the library, or just growing up with the internet and a lot more distractions — I was doing interviews with you. I think it’s just the culmination of all lucky to grow up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, where, you know, we didn’t those moments of interaction with students that gives me energy. have that. And so it’s interesting. And so I think a lot of the pres- V: What advice would you give to your successor? sures that you’re feeling are just because the world is speeding out, P: It’s a tough job. I mean, anybody that’s going to take this seat the communication flow is just quicker, and in the end, we expect knows that. I would say definitely connect with students every day. more out of students. I don’t think it’s a Palo Alto issue, I think it’s Do what gives you energy to remind you why you’re here, get a lot a your-generation issue. of sleep and just keep a healthy balance.

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 15

Text by ABE TOW, MYRA XU and ALEX FENG

Infographics by ZACH DONAKER

Math modifications MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CHANGES SPARK DEBATE

F

OR SUPERINTENDENT Don Austin, it was a call to arms. The most recent round of California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress results presented during the Oct. 15 Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education meeting highighted the age-old achievement gap widening alarmingly.

“I want to lead with my observation after being here a year that our gap between advantaged and disadvantaged is the largest and most pronounced I’ve seen anywhere,” Austin said before disclosing the data at the meeting.

According to Austin, all students are dissatisfied with the current math laning system.

“I think we have very little to lose in looking deeply here,” he said.

Austin imposed a two month deadline for educational leaders and administrators to come up with a brand new system.

“You might say ‘Well, why December? How’s that going to give us time?’” he said. “Well, how many more years of data do we need to collect before we can come back and say that ‘Here are some things we should probably look at?’”

Approximately two months later at a Dec. 10 board meeting, changes were proposed to make large-scale program reforms.

“The course offerings, based upon the Common Core Standards and the Standards for Mathematical Practice, will focus on building conceptual understanding, problem solving skills, and procedural fluency,” Superintendent of Educational Services Sharon Ofek stated in the meeting documents.

Although adjustments are still being made, the plan was praised by a number of board members, instructional leaders, parents and one student at the meeting.

However, some PAUSD parents hold opposing views when it comes to strategies for dealing with such a contentious subject.

The three most prominent changes to

16 FEBRUARY 2020

STRESSED SUPERINTENDENT Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin kicked off the initiative to make a change in middle school math in response to low testing scores. Photo

by Sasha Poor

the math program include the plans to delane classes, revise the math placement process and update metrics to measure student improvement.

Delaning Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, the district intends to merge all students into a single math lane in seventh- and eighth-grade math classes, creating heterogeneous classrooms that would ideally prepare all incoming high schoolers to take a Geometry course having confidently passed Algebra I. According to Jennifer DiBrienza, former math teacher and member of the

PAUSD Board of Education, kids are often portrayed as the problem, instead of the system itself, and this change serves to boost student self confidence.

“Something that we as a district have missed is that if scores were low, we say ‘let’s get some extra help’” DiBrienza said. “Instead of acting like there’s something wrong with a kid, let’s change our system so that all kids feel a part of the system. I think that they are going to do better now, and the district is starting to take that approach and look at the systemic inequities that exist.”

This idea faced pushback from many parents, with the most concerned individuals representing the PAUSD parents2par-

features ents Math Advisory, an advocacy group of placing students into appropriate classes. composed of parents hoping to enhance Students looking to accelerate beyond their math learning for all students. Avery Wang, grade level in math may only do so in sixth a Paly parent and member of the PAUSD or seventh grade and will be limited to only parents2parents Math Advisory, cited re- one year of acceleration. Ofek explains that search from Prashant Loyalka of the Ru- this ensures every student the opportunity ral Education Action Program at Stanford to take Algebra I in middle school.

University that opposes this concept.

“Algebra is a foundational course that “The speculation would be that maybe we value and know that it provides a realthe kids feel bad about themselves if they’re ly solid foundation for higher level courses in the lower lane,” Wang said. “But studies later on,” Ofek said at the Dec. 10 board show that this is not actually a big factor. meeting.

If you’re in the lane, While the most students don’t importance of AlInstead of acting like compare themselves gebra I is indisputagainst kids in other there’s something able, Cohen and lanes. But the kids the members of who are differentiat- wrong with a kid, let’s the parents2pared where you have a change our system so ents Math Advihuge range of abilisory stick to their that all kids feel a part ties in the same class opinion that stuare reminded every dents should be of the system.” day that they are not placed appropri— JENNIFER DIBRIENZA, Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education member as good as other stuately based on skill dents in the class.” level, regardless of Suz Antink, former PAUSD Teacher grade.

On Special Assignment for math-related “They should not stop kids in sixth Common Core support, says that part of grade from doing seventh- grade math and the solution will likely draw from current have them bored the whole year,” Cohen mixed-lane sixth grade math classes. said. “If they are ready for Pre-Algebra in “Students will likely be given the op- sixth grade they should do Pre-Algebra in tion to do ‘spicy’ problems in addition to sixth grade. The right thing is to support ‘mild/basic’ problems, much like the cur- everybody to go as high as they can, allow rent heterogeneous sixth grade math class- everybody to reach their potential, but the rooms, giving students who are passionate thinking is ‘maybe it’s easier to limit the about math the chance to challenge them- top.’” selves while also covering the basic Common Core Standards for students who ar- Metrics en’t as advanced,” Antink said.

PAUSD has consistently used NorthParents2parents member Edith Cohen west Evaluation Association-Measures of expressed a concern with heterogeneous Academic Progress testing as a way to meaclassrooms, in that the teacher in a class- sure a student’s progress in middle schools. room with a wide range of abilities will have less instruction time devoted to tailoring to every student’s specific needs.

“Secondary classes have rigid structure and significant time is spent on instruction and class work,” Cohen stated in an email. “Students already proficient can get detached and will impact others as well …

It is also not a solution to those misplaced in more advanced classes due to the acceleration quota.”

“

v

However, starting in the 2020-21 school year, PAUSD will no longer be using the NWEA-MAP test, and will instead transition to the Mathematics Assesment Resource Service test.

According to the board documents, PAUSD will be transitioning to the MARS assessment, which tests students ability to apply mathematical concepts in “routine” and “non-routine” problems.

Members of the parent group collectively agree that the NWEA-MAP test should not be eliminated and say that the greater resolution offered by the test is crucial when evaluating the effectiveness of curriculum changes. “The NWEA-MAP test is superior to typical standardized tests in that a student cannot study for it, nor can a teacher ‘teach to the test,’” the parent group states on their online petition to keep MAP tests. “It is an adaptive test that quickly skips through topics that a student has already mastered and allows more accurate assessment of a broader range of topics in a much shorter sitting time.”

The greater reliance on MARS has evoked disapproval as well.

“The MARS test doesn’t tell you the content areas that the students know,” Allyson Rosen, a parents2parents member professionally trained in clinical neuropsychology, said.

Rosen is concerned that the elimination of the NWEA-MAP test will make it so that there is no way to assess the consequences of these changes.

“MAP tests have identified a weakness in a subgroup of students,” Rosen said. “It’s important to continue administering those same tests, to measure whether an intervention is effective. You can’t see change unless you administer the same test after.” v

Placement Another major change that comes with revamping the math system is the process

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 17

Text by SOFIA ANTEBI and KATE MILNE Photos by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN

The Kentucky Cycle

STUDENT DIRECTORS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN SELF-LED PRODUCTION

O

N OPENING NIGHT, the lights of Palo Alto High idea to direct and engineer the show without teacher involvement.

School’s cozy theater classroom dim as two students Baldwin, her friend and fellow theater enthusiast, was equally exwalk to center stage, announcing the beginning of the cited by the prospect, and they brought the plan to theater teachperformance “The Kentucky Cycle.” Paly’s first ever er Kathleen Woods who gave them the green light. From there, student-run production begins, telling a dramatic Southern tale.

Woods was almost entirely uninvolved.

Lined on all sides by chairs filled with an eager audience, the “The production was very successful,” Woods said. “The show classroom’s capacity is significantly smaller than the main stage of was well-paced and made strong, creative use of the space, lighting the Performing Arts Center, but the close-up nature of the per- and props. The show was well-supported and well-received.” formance creates an intimate setting that Void of the guidance from typical engages each viewer. Despite the spatial PAC performance leaders like Woods, restriction, 54 audience members manage Tech designers and actors the rehearsal process had a palpably to squeeze in, selling out the play’s Jan. 17 different feel to it than past Paly prowere pretty blended todebut. ductions. Because the students were The production came to life through gether as opposed to a responsible for every aspect of the perboth practice and performance. During formance’s success, many participants the busy two months of rehearsals leading regular show.” felt there were more opportunities for — SKY CROCE, senior up to opening night, the team of students growth and collaboration than there from all grades worked together to ensure would have been if adults were involved. the show’s success. Actors ran lines and blocked out scenes, stop- Additionally, students were able to undertake multiple jobs, which ping for helpful tips and redirections from their peers. Cast and created unique learning experiences. crew members spent hours testing lights and sound systems, taping “Tech designers and actors were pretty blended together, as down wires and placing props. Only one thing was missing: an opposed to a regular show,” Croce said. adult.

Taking over this role of mentorship are two Paly seniors: di- Student leadership rector Sky Croce and student producer Bees Baldwin. Croce was “The Kentucky Cycle” follows a Southern family’s encounter first introduced to “The Kentucky Cycle” — a series of nine one- with storyteller J.T. Wells, who enthralls them with tales of city life. act plays by Robert Schenkkan — in her Theater 4 Honors class at The family’s daughter, Mary Anne Rowan, has a turbulent love life Paly. After working intensively on one scene, she came up with the and finds herself falling for the charming yet deceptive J.T.

“

18 FEBRUARY 2020

REFLECTING (LEFT) Palo Alto High School seniors Sky Croce (left) and Bees Baldwin (right) share the valuable lessons they learned while directing and producing “The Kentucky Cycle.” “We get to have a student in every single leadership position available, which is really unique and very cool,” Baldwin said.

HARD AT WORK (OPPOSITE) Croce laughs with the cast of “The Kentucky Cycle” at rehearsal two days before their debut performance. “I’ve been working really closely with the tech people — sound, lighting, costumes, props — and with the actors to get everything together,” Croce said.

Mary Anne Rowan is played by sophomore Anneke Salvadori, “I’ve learned a lot of really important leadership skills,” Croce who noted that she had a positive experience being directed by a said. “It’s been a real journey, figuring out how to direct a really big peer. group of peers without much adult involvement.”

“Us actors got to have more input in the discussion of what Baldwin, who has been involved in every show through the we were doing and she [Croce] better understood what we were ca- theater department since starting at Paly, has also found value in pable of and helped us grow from there,” Salvadori said. “I think it a hands-on approach to learning what a student-run production improved the show because Sky was able to brings. build off of our ideas, I felt more acknowl“I learned a lot more and I think edged and like I was part of the creative I think it improved the it’s because I wasn’t learning by observprocess.” show because Sky was able ing the adults doing their thing and tellAlthough there were many positives ing me what they were doing,” Baldwin to be found through this unique form of to build off of our ideas, I said. “Instead, I was just thrust into it; it student leadership, one aspect of the pro- felt more acknowledged was more trial by fire. It was very cool to cess that some thought could be improved be able to learn a different way.” and like I was part of the upon was time management.

Woods was also impressed by the “Having a student director meant that creative process.” student leadership demonstrated during there was less structure, which I enjoyed,” — ANNEKE SALVADORI, sophomore the process, and is in favor of more stuAida Mohamed, the senior who played dent-run shows in the future.

J.T. Wells, said. “I really like developing “Students take much responsibility, my character and learning my lines at my own pace. I felt free to and apply many life-skills in planning, producing and directing experiment. That being said, the schedule was less concrete, so at shows,” Woods said. “Paly theater student leaders have very strong times I didn’t feel ready for rehearsal because there was no hard communication, organizational and creative thinking skills.” deadline for memorization.”

The success of “The Kentucky Cycle,” has Croce, Baldwin and Woods excited about the potential for more student-led plays in Lessons learned the future.

Croce says she learned how to complete many tasks she had “There aren’t any concrete plans laid out,” Croce said. “But not anticipated, such as sending tickets to the box office, creating I’m really hoping that Paly theater students continue to put on rehearsal schedules and running auditions. student-led performances in the future.” v

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 19

NAVIGATING THE PRIMARIES A GUIDE FOR PALO ALTO’S FIRST-TIME VOTERS Art by SAMANTHA HO

Text by SASHA POOR and ANTONIA MOU

S

TEPPING INTO THE POLLING BOOTH for the first time can be intimidating. With the California primary on March 3, about 89% of Palo Alto High School seniors will cast their ballots for the first time. To help students make informed decisions and take advantage of their new power in our democracy, Verde Magazine has created a voter guide with everything you need to know about the primaries. We have compiled short biographies for the presidential candidates and will briefly cover each of the elections specific to California and Santa Clara County. v

Presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar: senator from Minnesota, former attorney (D) Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is a moderate Democrat who claims her strength is gaining bipartisan support and reclaiming swing states. She supports a public option for medical insurance, and is a proponent of keeping private options available as well. One of her most addressed issues is that of drug and alcohol addiction, and she recently released a plan to combat it.

Bernie Sanders: senator from Vermont, former congressman (D) Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont — a self-described democratic socialist — is known for his far left stances on health insurance and tuition- and debt-free higher education. His “Medicare for All” plan involves the removal of private insurers while providing government-funded medical insurance to all.

The passage of the Green New Deal, legislation aimed at addressing climate change, is also one of his main priorities.

Elizabeth Warren: senator from Massachusetts (D) Known as the candidate who “has a plan for that,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has released a variety of economic plans that would change the shape of the economy. Her main focus is on issues of income inequality and political corruption, and she is also a proponent of “Medicare for All.” Warren is also a cosponsor of the Green New Deal, and prides herself on being a candidate who will represent America’s growing middle class.

Joe Biden: former vice president, former senator from Delaware (D) Former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate Democrat with a political career dating back to 1969, arguably has the most experience in U.S. politics than any other Democratic candidate in the race. In his 2020 campaign, Biden emphasizes rebuilding the middle class and equality for all Americans. He also supports the Green New Deal, immigration policy reform and a public option for healthcare.

20 FEBRUARY 2020

features

v

Michael Bloomberg: media executive, former New York City mayor (D) Billionaire businessman and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has constructed his campaign around his accomplishments in office — he created thousands of jobs, expanded health insurance, reduced New York City’s carbon footprint and cut the city’s incarceration rate by nearly 40% — and his philanthropic donations in support of fighting gun violence, climate change, education, women’s rights and health care amount to over $8 billion.

Pete Buttigieg: former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, military veteran (D) At 38 years old, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana is the youngest and first openly gay candidate in the presidential field. Buttigieg’s campaign focuses on generational change to build a bridge to a new era of American politics, climate change and an infrastructure plan to create jobs. He believes the U.S. should move towards single-payer healthcare, along with his “Medicare for All Who Want it” plan which would allow people to opt in to an affordable, public alternative. Buttigieg supports an economy-wide carbon price and is setting a goal for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Tom Steyer: billionaire former hedge fund executive (D) Though Tom Steyer, a billionaire and former hedge fund executive, has not held a job in politics, he has been heavily involved in political movements around topics such as climate change and the impeachment of President Donald Trump. His priorities as a candidate reflect his focus on climate justice and structural reform, removing power from corporations and returning it to citizens.

Bill Weld: former governor of Massachusetts, federal prosecutor (R) As a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, the legalization of marijuana, abortion rights and fiscal restraint, former Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts acts as a voice for moderates and mainstream conservatives alike. Weld strongly supports cutting taxpayer dollars and balancing spending policy, reformation of the prison and cash bail system, moderate immigration reform and free trade. Weld has been a vocal critic of Trump since 2016, when he ran for vice president under the Libertarian Party with Gary Johnson and garnered nearly 4.5 million votes.

Donald Trump: U.S. president, incumbent, businessman (R) President Donald Trump is the current U.S. president, making him the incumbent in the general election. His campaign continues along the same vein he ran on four years ago, with his new slogan “Keep America Great!” alluding to his previous slogan, “Make America Great Again.” Trump’s campaign is focusing on his accomplishments during his past four years in office, and has supplied few plans for the future, should he be elected again. In December 2019, the House of Representatives voted to impeach him for abuse of power and obstruction of justice. On Feb. 5, the Senate voted to acquit him.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 21

Who are Paly students' top choices for president?

Verde Magazine collected statistics from 270 Palo Alto High School students in 13 randomly selected English classes in late January. Andrew Yang has since dropped out of the presidential race, as of Feb. 11.

Before March 3:

3

1. Mail your ballot 2. Drop off your ballot at a secure ballot dropbox starting Tuesday, Feb. 4 3. Visit any Vote Center to vote in person or drop off your ballot starting SaturScan this QR day, Feb. 22

registertovote.ca.gov

Republicans must be registered with their party to vote in the primary. Other voters may request a ballot for another party at their polling place.

You do not need ID to vote in California.

Protect yourself against voter fraud and false information by knowing your rights and using reliable sources!

22 FEBRUARY 2020

Infographics by ZACH DONAKER Statistics by KAYLA BRAND

California State Assemblymember (24th District)

ways to vote:

Register or pre-register to vote at

Which political party do Paly students affiliate with most?

code to find a polling place near you:

Three candidates are running to represent District 24 in the State Assembly. The two who receive the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election.

Marc Berman (Democrat) Current District 24 Assemblyman Marc Berman's platform is based on cybersecurity and public education, and he is working to ensure a full census count in 2020.

Peter Ohtaki (Republican) Peter Ohtaki is a former Menlo Park City Council member and mayor. His goals are to increase state funding for transportation and oppose state bills to change zoning policies.

Kennita Watson (Libertarian) Kennita Watson is a retired software professional who wants to limit government spending, in addition to protecting people from discrimination.

Ballot measures Three ballot measures are up for vote in March — one for California and two for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

Proposition 13: authorizes $15 billion in state bonds for maintenance and modernization at state-funded schools. It also increases the cap for local school district bonds, likely leading to slight increases in property taxes to repay these bonds.

Measure G: authorizes bonds to upgrade facilities and equipment at local community colleges. It is estimated that this measure would cost property owners $16 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Measure H: authorizes a parcel tax of $48 per property for five years for Foothill and De Anza community colleges. The money would be used to maintain programs and keep costs for students low. Because of concerns about bond money being taken by the state, this measure secures it for the community college district.

U.S. Representative (18th District) This November, the U.S. Representative for California’s 18th District will be chosen. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary will continue on to the general election.

Anna Eshoo (Democrat) Rep. Anna Eshoo has been a U.S. Representative for California for 27 years. She also served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the Democratic National Committee. She supports the strengthening of the Affordable Care Act and the protection of a woman's right to choose. She also has a focus on complaints specific to the Silicon Valley.

Rishi Kumar (Democrat) Silicon Valley technology executive and Saratoga council member Rishi Kumar is running his campaign with a focus on the housing crisis and Bay Area infrastructure. Kumar is also the only Democrat in the race who has pledged to reject PAC money and Special Interest Group campaign money.

California Senator (13th District) This year, six candidates are vying for a spot as state senator of the 13th Senate District to replace termed-out Jerry Hill. The top two voted candidates during the March 3 primary will go on to face off during the general election.

Mike Brownrigg (Democrat) Burlingame city councilman and two-term mayor Mike Brownrigg has issued green bonds to reduce carbon emissions and strengthening infrastructure to protect the Bay from pollution. His priorities are protecting a woman’s right to choose, gun safety legislation and reforming the criminal justice system.

Shelly Masur (Democrat) Shelly Masur is the Redwood City Vice Mayor and served for five years as the CEO of Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, a statewide education non-profit. Masur’s vision includes fighting for high quality education, protecting women’s rights and creating affordable housing.

Josh Becker (Democrat) Menlo Park resident and entrepreneur Josh Becker has founded programs and companies to support non-profit organizations, legal and public policy, and social change. Becker’s top priorities are climate action, affordable healthcare and reducing traffic.

Sally Lieber (Democrat) During former Mountain View mayor Sally Lieber’s past six years as a California State Assemblymember, she authored or co-authored laws that made human trafficking a felony in California, raised California’s minimum wage and established the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority to address sea level rise. Lieber’s campaign focuses on improving education, pushing for clean energy and reducing pollution, defending Medicare, affordable housing and services for the homelessness, creating economic opportunity and supporting women’s rights.

Richard Fox (Republican) Richard Fox is a practicing pediatrician with a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Santa Clara University. He is a self-identified Libertarian Republican and is pro-choice, claims to embrace diversity, and supports decreasing the role of the government in the economy.

Annie Oliva (Democrat) Annie Oliva is a small businesswoman, Millbrae City Councilwoman and mother of three. Oliva’s four main priorities are creating affordable housing near existing transit, addressing homelessness with mental health care and safe shelters — featured in her seven-point plan on homelessness — environmental sustainability and investing in reliable transit infrastructure.

Phil Reynolds (Republican) An engineer at AT&T, former planning commissioner for the City of Campbell and current board member for the U.S. Selective Service, Phil Reynolds is the owner of Reynolds Properties. He wants to implement a mandatory death penalty for “Cop Killers, Sex Traffickers and Drug Smugglers,” according to his Facebook page.

Alexander Glew (Republican) Alexander Glew Ph.D., P.E. is the President & CEO of Glew Engineering Consulting Inc. Glew supports restoring felony status to crimes and a bail system, zoning control by local city councils and planning commissions, Free Market Medicine, Proposition 13 and opposes rent control.

Bob Goodwyn (Libertarian) Bob Goodwyn ran for the position of California District 24 State Assemblymember in 2018. His priority is decreasing harm done by the government by repealing laws for victimless crimes and reducing government influence on the economy.

John Webster (Libertarian) John Webster is a software engineer whose platform is based on minimizing the role of government through legalizing victimless crimes and allowing agreements between employers and workers to override laws.

Art by Miles Breen

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 23

PRIVACY PREDATORS Text by ISHANI RAHA

Art by SAMANTHA HO

TECH COMPANIES FARM AND SELL USER DATA

S

CROLLING through her “For how they use the web,” Boneh says. “They You” page on TikTok, Palo Alto then compile all the data they collect into a High School junior Megan Wong recommendation system that lets them impauses to like a video of the newest prove their services and propose user-spedance challenge that has been dominating cific content for people to view.” the app. She halts occasionally, clicking on Today, one does not have to look far to creator profiles and making split-second find media surrounding the data-farming decisions to follow some of them. Howev- controversy. Most notably, in the past six er, beneath the viral dance challenges and months, headlines about various lawsuits comedy skits, everyagainst technology thing — from the videos companies have been she likes to who she fol- We’re not really a constant reminder lows and the comments aware of the risks that everything put she makes — is being online is subject to the tracked and recorded and concerns of somass sale of data. in a form of large-scale cial media, because Younger generdata farming that affects ations are often conwe’re just so engaged sidered extremely all users of the app.

This form of user in it. We don’t really tech savvy and capadata collection is not ble when it comes to only a phenomenon of think of the defects.” navigating the digital — ANISHA GANDHI, sophomore TikTok, although the world, so it would U.S. military says it has make sense that they special concerns about the app. As humans are also the most prepared when it comes spend increasing amounts of time on social to their digital safety. But do teens really media, they leave behind traces of person- care whether their information — which in al information, ranging from simply what all regards should stay private — is given to posts they like to their names and birth- massive technology corporations and used dates, and technology companies are able for possibly nefarious purposes? Answers to harness this information to their benefit. surprisingly vary among students, profesCompanies like Facebook and TikTok par- sionals and members of the Palo Alto comticipate in the routine exchange of personal munity. data, which can be bought and sold by dozens of corporations.

The flaws of TikTok and Facebook According to Dan Boneh, Stanford TikTok, a video sharing social netUniversity professor in cryptography and working service that has grown exponencomputer security, companies have great tially in the past two years, gives creators influence over user data. the chance to make and share short videos “These companies generally have many to an audience of 500 million users. In reways to track how people use their apps and cent months, TikTok has come under pub-

“

24 FEBRUARY 2020

lic scrutiny for giving and selling data to the Chinese government: a lawsuit filed in December 2019 accused TikTok of secretly selling user data. In September 2019, the app was also accused of censoring information that went against the ideals of the Chinese government, such as the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

Facebook, too, has had its fair share of lawsuits and attention regarding user data security, the most famous incident being the Cambridge Analytica case. In 2018, the political data firm — hired by presidential candidate Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign — gained access to information of about 50 million Facebook users. The firm used this data to understand voter preferences and habits, which were exploited with targeted advertisements designed to mass influence voter behavior.

It is difficult to gauge the amount of personal data being shuffled around and utilized for user-specific content. California’s Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1, is the first step in bringing to light the specifics of data farming. Besides causing an influx of “Changed Terms and Services” notifications on social media sites, the act aims to increase transparency on how data is used, and has been called a “victory for consumer privacy rights” by the media.

“The [privacy] law sets some boundaries on how platforms can share user data with other entities,” Boneh says. “It also requires platforms to notify users on how their data will be used.”

Though many believe the law, which is modeled after the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, is a step

features in the right direction, the reality is not so convenient. According to Boneh, though users will be notified through the CCPA, companies like Twitter and Uber try their best to create loopholes, such as making the process of requesting data records so complicated that it is impossible for an ordinary user to take advantage of their rights.

“These notifications are not too helpful because it is difficult for the public to assess the impact of data sharing,” Boneh says.

app because I don’t post much. Nevertheless, it definitely has made me think twice before commenting on posts or making my posts public.”

With TikTok’s content largely catering to children and teenagers, current user and sophomore Anisha Gandhi feels that the younger generation is not as concerned as they should be about security risks, and echoes Wong’s sentiments about terms and conditions.

“I feel like there’s always these terms and conditions, these agreements, but Community impacts I don’t know a single person that reads In the midst of a possible misuse of those,” Gandhi says. “We’re not really that user data — which some are referring to as aware of the risks and concerns of social a national security risk — it is no surprise media, because we’re just so engaged in it. that many users of these apps have started We don’t really think of the defects.” to take precautions Though teenwhen it comes to how agers like Wong much information Users should be aware and Gandhi are they give out. Wong that what they share aware of the probhas considered the lems and possible implications of con- on social media can be consequences surtinuing to be a Tik- viewed by the platform, rounding giving Tok user. information to an “When I first and often can also be app like TikTok, heard about the data viewed by other users.” it is clear that they breach of TikTok, I — DAN BONEH, do not believe they was honestly not that are in enough danStanford University professor in cryptography and computer security ger to take action. surprised, considering numerous other In fact, they would social media platrather preserve the forms have had controversies regarding this social media ingrained in youth culture data misuse,” Wong says. “However, what than take action. really concerned me was how the governIn contrast, Paly parent Vincent — ments of foreign countries had access to all who, aptly, asked that his name be changed this information.” to protect his privacy — decided to deactiWong is one of many teens who has vate his Facebook account seen the effects of the CCPA, but has not over concerns about his been able to find a tangible benefit from it. data security.

“In the beginning of the new year I got “With Facebook, a notification that there were updates to the there has been so much terms and conditions and there was a link written about the to a long page of details,” Wong says. “But amount of data that like most people did, I just ignored it.” has been collected on Despite concerns about security, Wong users and then sold or has decided to continue to use the vid- made available to eo-sharing platform, albeit with increased third parties,” consideration of where she shares personal Vincent says. information.

“Facebook “The idea that our data can be accessed has a by a number of companies is kind of terrifying,” Wong says. “We are not aware in any way of how our data is being used, how far it might go, or how it might impact our lives. In the end, I chose not to delete the

“

v

terrible track record of safeguarding the data of its users. Given the personal nature of chats in Facebook, Facebook groups and just general posts, it just doesn’t feel like a ‘secure space’ to connect with others.”

Though Vincent acknowledges that data farming is a problem if society is unaware of its consequences, he is still optimistic about the CCPA and its potential benefits.

“It [CCPA] seems to be a great first step, and I’m waiting to see how it plays out,” he says. “There is a fundamental tension for social media companies. Engagement of their users, data mining and data farming are bread and butter to profitability. Developing tools for users to have a choice to limit what is shared and being transparent about the data the companies have will always seem like a pain.”

Even with the CCPA, there are serious consequences to not protecting privacy, according to Boneh.

“Users should be worried, but mostly worried enough to make sure they correctly set their privacy settings,” Boneh says. “Users should be aware that what they share on social media can be viewed by the platform, and often can also be viewed by other users.

Platforms sometimes share this data with other parties, which is something users would rather not happen.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 25

WHAT IS THE SALVATION ARMY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY?

Text by JAY RENAKER and MILES BREEN Art by ZACH DONAKER AST DECEMBER, Verde Magazine published a news story regarding the fast food chain Chick-fil-A’s decision to halt donations to organizations that had “publicly discussed their controversial views against homosexuality and same-sex marriage.” The article cited the Salvation Army, a Christian church and international charitable organization, as one of those organizations.

In response to this piece, local parent and Salvation Army Advisory Board member Anna Itoi contacted Verde to request that a correction be made regarding “the reference to the Salvation Army discriminating against providing its services to the LGBT community.” Itoi explained that the organization has had a long-standing mission of offering its services to anyone without discrimination.

In keeping with our responsibility to provide accurate reporting, Verde decided to take a closer look at the Salvation Army’s history and its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community.

To be clear, these findings are not a comprehensive list. Verde has limited the reporting on the Salvation Army in this article to the past 16 years and solely within the U.S. We have also chosen not to include individual cases of alleged discrimination, as they are harder to verify and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Salvation Army as an organization.

L

Past controversies According to an article in The Atlantic, the Salvation Army “threatened to close all their soup kitchens in New York City to protest the city’s decision to require all vendors and charities ... to adhere to all civil rights laws.” This shutdown was disputed by the Salvation Army officials.

In 2014, before the United States Supreme Court voted to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, a memo addressing “LGBT issues in light of equality of marriage laws” was sent to Salvation Army officers in the Central Territory (one of the four national sub-territories) by its Commissioner, Paul R. Seiler.

“For anyone in a Salvation Army ministry position, the theological belief regarding sexuality is that God has ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman and sexual activity is restricted to one’s spouse,” the memo reads.

The memo also notes that members are liable for termination if they attend same-sex marriages in uniform, or officiate same-sex marriages in or out of uniform.

HEADQUARTERS The Salvation Army runs a service center in Redwood City. “We are faith-based, but we serve without discrimination,” Major Roy Wild said. Photo by Jay Renaker

26 FEBRUARY 2020

features In 2017, the Brooklyn Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, was charged with discriminating against transgender patients by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

According to a press release by the Commission on Human Rights, the centers were charged with “gender identity discrimination for refusing to accept transgender patients” and “assigning rooms based on a patient’s gender assigned at birth rather than their gender identity, subjecting patients to physical examinations, and forcing transgender patients into separate rooms.”

Local Salvation Army officials declined to comment on any of these instances, saying that they could not speak on events that occurred outside of their territory, and national officers did not respond to emails requesting comment.

A balancing act The Salvation Army’s explanations of policy appear to support the goals of both theology and inclusionary service.

“The Salvation Army acknowledges the Biblical definition of marriage,” Jennnifer Byrd, the Salvation Army’s California director of communications, said in an email. “And that regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or any other factor, The Salvation Army is here to serve the community.”

On the Salvation Army’s web page regarding the LGBTQ+ community, there is a video explaining its commitment to serving everyone in need.

In the film, U.S. Commissioner David Hudson, the highest ranking officer in the U.S., says that the Salvation Army adheres “to traditional biblical definitions of marriage,” which are described as a union between one man and one woman. Hudson also says that such adherence is “also true of almost every other church around the world.”

v

SERVICE WITH SOUL Lieutenant Edgar Azueta explains his views on service in the Salvation Army. “You are a soul, you have a body, and you have to treat people as if they are human beings,” Azueta said. Photo by Miles Breen

One way to navigate these two commitments was explained by Lieutenant Edgar Azueta, an officer of the Redwood City Salvation Army center. Azueta’s own interpretation of the Salvation Army’s mission is based on open handed service and faith.

“I wasn’t called to discriminate, I wasn’t called to push people away,” Azueta says. “I was called simply to love.”

In an interview, Anna Itoi spoke candidly about her positive childhood experiences with the Salvation Army, and her belief that it operates without discrimination. “I have not seen, personally, any instance where they [the Salvation Army] have acted inconsistently with their stated mission, which is to serve everyone without discrimination,” Itoi said.

Steps forward Although the Salvation Army has had a rocky history with the LGBTQ+ community, it has made concrete progress toward building a more positive relationship in recent years.

The organization’s website now lists facilities that are specifically designed for members of the LGBTQ+ community: the Young Adult Resource Center in Houston, Texas, and a homeless shelter for transgender individuals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Salvation Army website also features short videos recounting the rehabilitation stories of four LGBTQ+ individuals, two of whom went on to become employees of the organization. A member of the LGBTQ+ community may become an employee of the Salvation Army, which is a separate and distinct role from its ordained officers.

An employee (indicated by the lack of military title) is not a member of the Salvation Army’s church the way an officer is, and is not required to adhere to church doctrine the way an officer is.

Looking ahead Despite past controversies, formerly prominent critics of the organization have revised their views.

“They [the Salvation Army] have made a remarkable turnaround,” Bil Browning, creator of the Bilerico Project and editor of LGBTQ Nation, said in a call with Verde.

Lieutenant Azueta explains a core tenet of the Salvation Army.

“One of the concepts that we have is to love. There’s no restriction when it comes to love,” Azueta said. “If there is restriction and that’s the problem right there, because in reality, love is unconditional.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 27

Art by SAMANTHA HO

DRAWING BACK THE CURTAINS Text by TIM HUNG and JASMINE VENET

SHEN YUN: DANCE TROUPE OR PERSECUTED SECT?

M

ID-LEAP, a young Chinese woman bares her billowing white skirt for what seems to be the thousandth time today. Beneath her feet reads the phrase: “5,000 years of civilization reborn.”

To many of us, the image is all too familiar; every winter, billboards, buses, flyers and online media advertisements incessantly herald the arrival of the Shen Yun touring season. In this article, Verde decided to investigate the mysterious production. From a diligent advertising coalition to a religious group’s stories of persecution, one thing is for certain: Shen Yun is much more than its advertisements suggest.

Marketing madness Despite its ubiquitous marketing, Shen Yun itself spends no money on advertising. Instead, the organization relies on networks of volunteers throughout the world to raise money and promote the show in their areas.

With volunteer contacts in 11 cities in the Bay Area alone, according to Falun Dafa’s official website, including Palo Alto, San Francisco, Sunnyvale and Fre-

28 FEBRUARY 2020

mont, it is easy to see why we so often feel like we are barraged by Shen Yun’s ads.

In 2017, Shen Yun-linked nonprofit groups spent at least $18.5 million on advertising in the United States, while Shen Yun’s total revenue for that year was $30 million, according to IRS tax returns compiled by the San Francisco Chronicle. That results in a marketing to revenue percentage of 62%, whereas the industry benchmark is 7.5%.

“By looking at those relative figures, my belief about Shen Yun is that they are more interested in getting their message out than generating revenue and making money,” said Eric Bloom, an economics teacher at Palo Alto High School. “My understanding is that Shen Yun has a different agenda.”

So what is the motivation behind such dedicated pro bono advertising?

These advertising entities are linked to Shen Yun through a surprising connection: a religious movement called Falun Dafa that once boasted over 70 million worldwide followers,W many of whom are now dead, imprisoned or practicing behind closed doors.

Those who remain, like Mountain View resident Jianglan Xiong, have ded-

icated their lives to sharing their stories and practice, and spreading awareness of religious persecution at the hands of the Chinese government.

Religious roots Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, emerged from the “Qigong boom” of the 1980s and 1990s, a social phenomenon that saw an explosive rise in the popularity of Qigong, a tai chi-like practice that claimed to promote health and spirituality through specific movements and breathing techniques. At its peak, it is estimated that the number of Qigong practitioners reached up to 200 million worldwide.

Falun Dafa is a prominent submovement of Qigong first taught publicly in 1992. It focuses on moral philosophy — specifically the three tenets of “truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance,” according to Falun Dafa’s primary text, Zhuan Falun. The text holds that Falun Dafa practitioners can acquire supernatural abilities through a combination of moral cultivation, meditation and exercises.

Independent from the state, uber-zealous and ambitious, Falun Dafa

features quickly landed on the Chinese Commu- States historically has been a landmark nist Party’s radar. for religious freedom throughout the “The government was worried about world. If that’s the case, though, and conthe threat to their power,” Xiong said. sidering Falun Dafa’s long history com“An enormous number of people, and ing out of China, why are Americans not even some high-level government mem- more sympathetic to their plight? bers, were practicing FaThe culprit may be lun Dafa.” a combination of Falun By 1998, the CCP My understanding Dafa’s bait-and-switch forced Falun Dafa’s is that Shen Yun marketing strategies mysterious leader, Li and ultraconservatism Hongzhi, to flee to the has a different — including their anU.S., which worsened agenda.” ti-evolution and antensions already brew— ERIC BLOOM, economics ti-LGBTQ+ teachings. teacher ing due to the state-run Despite much of Chinese press’s negative Shen Yun focusing on coverage of the movement. During this Falun Dafa’s spiritual benefits and polittime, Xiong was teaching as a college ical pleas, advertisements leave out any professor in China. She and a few scores mention of the show’s religious affiliaof her students attended a demonstration tion. Instead, they exclusively market demanding fair media portrayal of Falun themselves as “5,000 years of civilization Dafa as well as its official recognition as reborn” and a “demonstration of Chinese a religious organization. Ultimately, ac- culture and tradition expressed through cording to Xiong, they achieved neither. dance.”

Fed up with the Chinese govern“It’s not a program about the exment, Xiong left her job and family to ultation of Chinese dance or arts; it’s a come to the U.S., slipping out of reach venue by which to spread an evangelical mere moments before the CCP dramat- message — and there is nothing necessarically tightened its grasp on Falun Dafa.

According to a 2002 report by the Human Rights Watch, just after midnight on July 20 1999, public security officers seized an estimated several hundred to 5,000 Falun Dafa practitioners from their homes in cities across China.

The infamous 2006 organ harvesting reports by Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas and former Canadian parliamentarian David Kilgour are believed to trace back to this date. According to the reports, Falun Dafa practitioners and other political prisoners in China were executed “on demand” in the lucrative black market trade to provide organs for transplant recipients.

To escape persecution by the Chinese government, Falun Dafa followers find sanctuary in different countries throughout the world where they are able to freely practice their religion — countries like the United States.

“

American ambivalence As a nation built largely by settlers seeking refuge from religious persecution in their native countries, the United

v

ily wrong with that,” Bloom said. “But then, why don’t you say it?”

During a majestic soprano performance by Tian Li when Verde watched Shen Yun in January, audience members were taken aback when the lyrics “Beware evolution’s deceptive doctrines/ Modern thought and ways change humankind” echoed through the hall. Meanwhile, at a Falun Dafa lecture in Switzerland, “Master” Li Hongzhi shared Falun Dafa’s teachings regarding gay people.

“When human beings overstep those boundaries [homosexuality], they are no longer called human beings, though they still assume the outer appearance of a human,” Hongzhi said. “So gods can’t tolerate their existence and will destroy them.”

Perhaps our quickness to label Falun Dafa as a cult and disregard its political pleas is rooted in one simple fact: its views stand in sharp conflict to our own.

“I think that Falun Gong has some practices we would question, and that’s the really sensitive part,” Bloom said. “Is it a religion, or is it a cult? And part of that would be up to interpretation.” v

According to Business Insider and the 2017 Deloitte survey, Falun Dafa-affiliated groups spend an absurd amount of money on marketing every year. This infographic compares Shen Yun’s 2018 revenue to marketing percentage with some of the U.S.’s largest advertisers in the same year.

Infographic by Zach Donaker

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 29

The Role of Religion SHIFTS IN STUDENT FAITH AND IDENTITY Text by AVERY HANNA and NAOMI BONEH

30 FEBRUARY 2020

Art by SAMANTHA HO

T

HE SUN STREAMING the local First Baptist Church. As one of the always pray on your own at home. So if I through the stained glass win- oldest churches in the area, First Baptist saw ever feel like I'm going through a hard exdows paints the pews with light a drastic decline in congregation size from perience where I feel like I need to pray, I as Palo Alto High School junior over 600 at its height in the mid-1900s to still have that time for myself.”

Sophia Krugler takes a seat with her par- around 25 people by October when it was ents, as they do every Sunday. Waiting for considering potential buyers.

Behind the change the service to begin, she flips through the “I believe we’re in an age and a place Though Hunt is one example of how hymnal, and the stresses of junior year fade where fewer and fewer people are looking teens in Palo Alto are losing touch with to the back of her mind. for a traditional church,” the church’s pas- more traditional church-going practices, “It’s a time for you to relax every week tor, Rev. Randle Mixon, said in an inter- the reasons behind this shift in religious afand sort of just think about your religion view with Palo Alto filiations are varied, and block out all the other stresses of life,” Online in October. Some of the loudest voic- and differ from perKrugler said.

“And while we may son to person.

While religion remains an important be one of the first es in Christianity ... aren’t Paly freshman aspect of Krugler’s life, the role of religion of the mainstream speaking words of love, Sophie Gu sees the in the lives of young people today is chang- churches in Palo Alto value of religion ing as they grow up in a world vastly differ- to fold our tent, I’d they’re speaking words for other people in ent from that of their parents and grand- say other churches of exclusion. And I think her life such as her parents. are wrestling with Christian mother, Among 270 Paly students of 13 class- what we’re wrestling that goes against our mes- but says she feels es surveyed by Verde Magazine in Janu- with.” sage, and that hypocrisy too young to get ary, 54.0% reported not being religious, Paly junior Nina involved. compared to the 29.9% of the American Hunt grew up in a turns people off.”

“It's important population who consider themselves not religious environ- — DAVID HOWELL, senior pastor at the First for some people beCongregational Church of Palo Alto religiously affiliated, atheist or agnostic, ac- ment with her Hindu cause it is a source cording to a 2014 Pew Research survey. mother and Catholic of light when The fact that Paly students are nearly father, and attended both church and tem- they're feeling down,” Gu said. “I’d like twice as religious than the average Ameri- ple services on a regular basis in elemen- to focus on other things in my life before can can be attributed to location as well as tary school. But increasing commitments I decide whether or not I want to become age, but it is not only Paly students who are to schoolwork and extracurriculars have religious.” less religious. Across the country there is a squeezed religion out of her weekly schedBarbara Pitkin, a senior lecturer in trend of people moving away from religion, ule.

Religious Studies at Stanford University, especially from Christianity. According to “I'm kind of in a gray zone, I think, affirmed that this is a common trend that a 2014 Pew Research where I'm not like explains why many teens or young adults Poll examining the super religious, but are less religious than those of older generreligious landscape of [Church] is a time for you I'm not atheist ei- ations: It is not necessarily that they do not the United States, the Hunt said. value religion, but rather that they are not to relax every week and ther,”For fastest-growing group Hunt, re- at a point in their life when they want to is made up of people sort of just think about ligion provides a settle into a specific faith. with no religion and of commu“Some [college] students might join your religion and block source those who identify as nity and allows her a religious community as a way of finding “religiously unaffiliat- out all the other stresses to connect with her community in their new phase in their life,” ed.” This group, also culture.

Praying Pitkin said. “But most young adults don’t of life.” known as “nones,” is also a calming really get actively involved in religion un— SOPHIA KRUGLER, junior grew 6.7% while the practice that allows til they settle down, get married and have percentage of those her to destress. For children.” identifying with Christianity declined these reasons, religion is still a part of her Another potential answer as to why 7.8% from 2007 to 2014. life, though she may not have the time to rates of religious affiliation are dropping is go to church or temple on a regular basis. because of an increase in interfaith marriagReligion in Palo Alto “I think that in religion, you don't es. Pitkin explains that, as a result, religious The effects of these changing religious necessarily have to go to church or to the pluralism has become more prominent — dynamics are highlighted in the closing of temple to practice it,” Hunt said. “You can people are less committed to a single

“

“

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 31

religion and therefore more likely to stop practicing.

This also explains why some religious groups, such as Muslims and Hindus that have lower rates of interfaith marriage, are actually increasing in size rather than decreasing with the overall trend.

As for younger people who are actively religious, their ideas for engagement in their religious communities are different from those of older generations, highlighting another generational distinction. David Howell, the senior pastor at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, observes that younger church attendees are more interested in taking action and making a difference in people’s lives than older members.

“They [younger people] will sign up and show up to go on service trips every summer, or they'll show up to go and serve meals, or do things where they're directly making an impact,” Howell said. “They aren't as likely to just sit and listen to somebody talk, which is what a lot of older folks will do — they'll come listen to speakers, they'll come listen to sermons. It's different at different ages.”

The way people look at religion is changing as well. According to Pitkin, people are now more comfortable stepping away.

“I think it is more culturally acceptable to say I'm not religious, or I'm an atheist than it certainly used to be in some places,” Pitkin said.

Pitkin also explains another change in the perception of religion that came about in the 1990s with the rise of the religious right wing which people saw as the politicization of religion. She says that this then pushed people away from Christianity.

More recently, the exposure of cases of sex-

32 FEBRUARY 2020

ual abuse within the Catholic Church have While Howell believes religion will had the same effect. change with time, he predicts that it will “That made people somewhat question continue to play an important role in the ‘Are religions ethical?’” Pitkin said. “If those lives of many individuals and in society as highest representatives are leading very un- a whole. ethical lives and the institution is not pro“I think the idea of the community astecting children from them –– where’s the pects of it [religion] will get more and more ethics there?” important, as social media and technology Incidences of misconduct such as these continue to improve,” Howell said. “I think are additional factors that push individu- the communal aspects of people gathering als away from religious communities, and to try to figure out ways to work together to make such changes more understandable make a difference in the world are going to and acceptable for the general public. get more and more important.”

“That [these scandals] certainly played With developments in technology into some people's and resulting greater unwillingness to be connectivity in sociinvolved in religion,” I would say that reli- ety, the way people Pitkin said. “They're gion is a very dynamic regard and practice real problems and real their religion continpain that some people thing. I think it is still ues to evolve as well. have experienced.”

“I'll have stuvery important, even in Howell says dents come and Christianity is often our modern technolog- say, ‘Look, I can do inaccurately por- ical society, to our com- confession on my trayed, even by Chrisphone. Something tians themselves. He mon life.” that I used to go into — BARBARA PITKIN, senior lecturer in says the resulting mischurch for, I can Religious Studies at Stanford University conceptions of relido through an app gion, especially regardnow,’” Pitkin said. ing sensitive topics such as the exclusion According to Pitkin, with these changof the LGBTQ+ community, often drive es in technology and changes in society, repeople away. ligion will continue to evolve.

“Some of the loudest voices in Chris“I would say that religion is a very dytianity ... are not the most faithful to our namic thing,” Pitkin said. “It’s not static. message,” Howell said. “So they aren’t And it’s always something that we want to speaking words of love, they’re speaking keep our eye on. Because I think it is still words of exclusion. And I think that goes very important, even in our modern techagainst our message, and that hypocrisy nological society, to our common life.” v turns people off.”

“

The future of religion It is clear that religion is changing, but what religion will look like in coming years and how its role in people’s lives will develop is up for debate.

“I think denominational differences will keep getting less and less important,” Howell said. “You know, there's lots of different types of churches, and lots of different ways of practicing religion. I think those kinds of things will get less and less important.”

THE TIME IS NOW

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM IN THE NEW DECADE Text by KYLIE MIES and ZOË WONG-VANHAREN

“P

EOPLE ARE SUFFERING. People are dying.

Entire ecosystems are collapsing.”

These are the words of Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish activist whom many have come to know as the face of the movement to address the climate crisis. In a speech at the September 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York City, she called for politicians to take measures towards preventing world-wide disaster.

As we step into 2020 and look back at the previous decade, the implications of climate change has been evident, and the consequences are only mounting. Palo Alto student activists and other community members have stepped up efforts to combat these environmental issues.

Palo Alto High School senior Alexandra Lee is an intern at non-profit organization Menlo Spark, which collaborates with local government, businesses and residents to make the Bay Area more environmentally sustainable. Menlo Spark is currently spearheading the Fossil Free Building campaign, which works with different cities to develop new reach codes, which go beyond preexisting state requirements in place to conserve resources and energy.

“I think there’s a lot to be done,” Lee said. “Turning off natural gas, moving our resources closer and closer to renewable energy, increasing incentives to walk or bike, and increasing and improving public transportation and incentives for electric vehicles.”

Photo by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN Zander Leong, a junior and Paly’s ECO Club president, is working to bring awareness of the climate crisis to students.

“Just bringing attention to the issue and providing solutions is important,” Leong said. “A specific goal [at Paly] is to improve our waste by sorting it better and reducing it overall.”

Locally, the City of Palo Alto has made a pledge to reduce the city’s environmental impact, according to the City of Palo Alto website.

“Palo Alto drafted its first Climate Action Plan in 2007, and then we updated it in 2016 and made it a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,” Christine Luong, the City of Palo Alto sustainability manager, said. “In 2016, that’s when the Council adopted our ‘80 by 30’ goal.”

The “80 by 30” goal aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below the 1990 greenhouse gas baseline and to divert 95% of waste from landfills.

The sustainability department is approaching “80 by 30”with small, achievable goals that will collectively have a large impact.

“The four current issue areas — energy, mobility, electric vehicles and water — we’re still going to do,” Luong said. v CLIMATE ACTION NOW Fremont High School students with painted faces stand in protest on Embarcadero Road before marching downtown to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s office on March 15, 2019.

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 33

COMEDYSPORTZ

ENTER THE WORLD OF COMPETITIVE IMPROV Text by TARA KOTHARI Art by GIAN-PAOLO VON RUDEN

Additional reporting by GIAN- PAOLO VON RUDEN

H

OW DOES A SKETCH it fairly family-friendly. about a person falling in love Paly’s ComedySportz team consists of with a shark turn into a debate 10 members, and meets in the Performing about who is the best grand- Arts Center every Monday to rehearse. child? These are the twists that only improv “We do performances at open mic provides. Musicals and plays showcased at nights locally, and we are working on getPalo Alto High School have always attract- ting matches set up where we compete ed large audiences, but against other sports fewer have been exteams — that’s the posed to the tact and Even though you’re ultimate goal,” humor of ComedySTeam Captain competing, there’s a portz. and Paly senior Sky Starting in Mil- camaraderie with both Croce said. waukee, Wisconsin, in With multiple 1984, ComedySportz teams.” rounds and games — SKY CROCE, senior has been a popular to choose from, forum showcasing theevery member of atrical improvisation talent for years. It is the ComedySportz team has their favora version of competitive improv in which ite event. One game, called Shakespeare teams go head-to-head, competing for the Switch, involves changing from today’s most audience laughter. Many high schools English to Shakespearean English upon the around the United States have their very command of a referee. Another team faown ComedySportz teams, and there are vorite is New Choice, in which the referee a multitude of groups and clubs specifical- changes the actors’ roles and actions at ranly dedicated to this field of improvisation. dom. The combination of activities makes The main goal of the teams is to generate for a uniquely ridiculous and hilarious perthe most audience laughter while keeping formance for the audience.

“

GROUP DISCUSSION Members of ComedySportz discuss logistics and give each other valuable feedback as they prepare for a match. Photo by Zoë Wong-VanHaren

34 FEBRUARY 2020

In addition to honing the teams’ theatrical skills, ComedySportz teaches its members valuable life lessons.

“It’s a really big community where you trust everyone you are working with, so it’s very much based off of teamwork,” Croce said.

Although the competitions always end with one winning team, Croce believes that there is so much more to it than just coming in first place.

“I think the real winner is the audience, who gets to see all these quirky shows,” Croce said. “Even though you’re competing, there’s a camaraderie with both teams.”

At the end of the day, Paly junior Zoe McCrea says that ComedySportz is just a way to have fun and laugh with friends.

“I want to get more people that aren’t just in theater to be interested in it and to come to either improv or try out for the ComedySportz team, because I believe a lot of people would be interested in both,” McCrea said. v

profiles

v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 35

HITTING THE ICE PLAYING GIRLS ICE HOCKEY IN THE BAY AREA Text by PAISLEY ANNES and MIA BALDONADO

Photos by MIA BALDONADO

SPEEDY SKATING Palo Alto High School senior Jessie Arons plays for the Junior Sharks in an intense hockey game at a rink in Fremont. The game was challenging but Arons keeps her mindset positive. “I try focusing on the game, and I try not to worry about other things,” Arons said.

36 FEBRUARY 2020

profiles

I

v

T’S A TYPICAL SATURDAY eve- ed locations such as Boston, Chicago and she made helped her persevere through ning at Solar4America Ice in Fre- Wisconsin. times of struggle. During her first season mont. The growl of blades on ice While playing hockey in the Bay Area of Paly field hockey, Arons tore her ACL, echoes through the spacious rink, has its unique challenges, from the com- forcing her to stay off the field and the accompanied by shouts from surround- mute to rink accessibility, its lack of popu- ice for six months. Arons’s commitment ing spectators. Parents stand stiffly on the larity makes Arons a one of a kind. to hockey was tested, but her love for the freezing bleachers, fighting the cold with “On the East sport prevailed, as puffer jackets and layers, not even flinching Coast there’s high she made it back in when players slam into the plexiglass walls school girls teams and On the East Coast her skates this seadirectly in front of them. there’s a million rinks, there’s high school son.

Jessie Arons is a Palo Alto High School but at the same time, Despite her senior and a long-time ice hockey player it’s cool to play here be- girls’ teams and there’s struggles, Arons nevfor the San Jose Junior Sharks team. In- cause it’s really unique,” a million rinks, but at er lost sight of her troduced to the ice by her hockey-fanatic Arons said. goals. Ever since she mom, Arons began with skating lessons at The limited size of the same time, it’s cool started playing serithe age of four before transitioning to ice the hockey communi- to play here because ously, collegiate ice hockey at the age of six. ty in general, which is hockey has always “The year before last, I would go help reinforced by the long it’s really unique.” been an ambition of — JESSIE ARONS, senior hers. As of January, her [Aron’s Mom] coach, but now it’s busy hours that the team — it’s hard to go,” Arons said. “Years ago, spends together, has Arons has commitwe went to do this hockey camp together established special bonds among players. ted to Lawrence University, where she will in Colorado, which was really fun. And ev- Arons refers to her teammates as her sec- pursue ice hockey on the Division 3 womery once in awhile, we’ll do a scrimmage ond family. en’s team. together.”

These connections extend past the “I’ve just been playing [ice hockey] for Her mom’s love of hockey transferred team, as Arons and her fellow players so long; it’s a big part of my life,” Arons to Arons, encouraging her to continue the reach out to the broader community. At said. “It’s weird to think of me not doing sport even though ice least once a year, the it.” v hockey is relatively team participates uncommon among I’ve just been playing in a one-day event high school students [ice hockey] for so long; called “Girls Give in California. Up Hockey-a-Try,” in until age 14, Arons it’s a big part of my life. which each player is played on a co-ed It’s weird to think of me assigned to coach an team, but as the sport elementary school became more com- not doing it.” girl interested in the — JESSIE ARONS, senior sport. If they like it, petitive, the teams divided by gender. they can officially “When you get older, the boys get re- try out for the Junior Sharks team. ally big and so it’s harder to play against “The little girls are so sweet and them,” Arons said. cute and just helping them learn Unfortunately, Bay Area girls’ ice how to play … it’s just fun,” Arhockey teams are scarce: the next closest ons said. “You’re out there with team to Arons is located in Los Angeles. your other teammates too, and Including Arons’s team, there are a total of everyone’s helping this tiny six girls’ and womens’ ice hockey teams in little girl skate around.”

California. This has led to many long car Arons’s teammates rides, both to weekly practices in San Jose and the memand far-away games. Each year, Arons esti- ories mates that she attends six or seven tournaments. In 2019, this includ-

“

“

HOCKEY WINS Jessie Arons, a Palo Alto High School senior, won the California Amateur Hockey Association state championship with her team, and reflects on the amazing, rewarding experience. “For me it’s not just scoring yourself but like helping your teammates to achieve too,” Arons said. “I really like that, like the team sport aspect of it.”

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 37

Giselle Toth STEPPING INTO LATIN DANCE

Text by JAY RENAKER and ANDIE TETZLAFF

G

ISELLE TOTH’S PERFORMANCE at the World Latin Dance Cup begins with the blare of trumpets. As soon as the music starts, the video shows her moving, ducking under her partner’s arm and spinning in dizzying circles. With a sequence of tight, high-heeled steps and a flick of her skirt, she extends her arms and drops into a split.

Her routine features high kicks, dips and non-stop twisting. She maintains her smile the entire time, displaying the poise and stage presence of an experienced dancer. As the music crescendos, she slides around her partner, across the floor and into her final pose, cinching an incredible salsa performance.

Since she was six years old, Palo Alto High School sophomore Giselle Toth has practiced the remarkable art of Latin dance. Toth was first prompted to perform onstage by her mom, who wanted to help her overcome her shyness. She decided to try a Latin ballroom class and was immediately hooked.

“The music, the dances and everything — I fell in love with it,” Toth says.

At eight years old, Toth competed in her first national competition, the United States of America National Dancesport Championships. She and her partner included samba, cha-cha and rumba,

Photos by ZOË WONG-VANHAREN three of the five formal types of Latin dance, in their performance.

Although the duo did not end up on the podium, competing in this event was a formative experience.

“Latin ballroom has taught me so many lessons,” Toth says. “Patience … hard work and dedication.”

While Toth explored the range of Latin dance throughout her first year, salsa — a type of Latin dance notable for its distinctive rhythms and intricate footwork — remained her favorite. Toth relishes the freedom salsa gives her to improvise and find her own unique style of expression.

In 2015, Toth and her coach traveled to Miami to compete in the World Latin Dance Cup. Most of the other competitors were twice her age, but Toth found a way to channel her nervous jitters into her performance.

“I used my nerves as energy, and I won,” Toth says. “And that was my biggest accomplishment at the time, it was crazy.”

Despite only being 15 years old, Toth is planning to compete in the March U.S. National Dancesport competition in New York. With this, she hopes to make it to the international level.

“I think with dancing, you can do it at any age,” Toth says. “I think I’ll do it for a long time.” v

SALSERA (ABOVE) For Giselle, Latin dance is a lifelong passion.“It [dance] is very time consuming, but I like to think that if you’re doing something that you love, it’s worth it,” Toth says.

THE DUO (LEFT) Giselle Toth and Ivan Ferber are dance partners. Ferber lives in Los Angeles, and each weekend they take turns flying to the other’s hometown to rehearse. “It’s a big committment, we have to travel a lot,” Toth says.

38 FEBRUARY 2020

READING TOWARD THE FUTURE SENIOR CITIZENS READ TO YOUNG STUDENTS Text by SOFIA ANTEBI and KOBI JOHNSSON

D

R. SEUSS ONCE SAID, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

Seuss’s words have truth beyond their sensationalism: not reading to a child can adversely affect their development. According to a 2019 study by the Ohio State University, there is a gap of almost 300,000 words between 5-year-olds who did not have parents read to them and those whose parents read to them once a day.

This is where the Avenidas Early Literacy Program steps in, as a program that enables seniors to read to young children. The program operates through Avenidas, a nonprofit organization established as a senior center in Palo Alto, and provides various services and programs for seniors as a way to engage retired community members.

The program began as a pilot in 1996 at El Carmelo Elementary School with a small group of teachers, volunteer tutors and students. The program caught on, and now, the group is partnered with 22 schools within seven Bay Area school districts, including Palo Alto Unified School District.

Run by Michael Kass, a former teacher and principal in PAUSD, ELP connects trained senior citizen volunteers with struggling elementary schoolers; each pair is scheduled for two half-hour sessions every week to strengthen the student’s reading skills.

“We focus on helping children improve their reading fluency and comprehension,” Kass says. “We don’t do writing, we don’t do other subjects and [are] really very focused on literacy.”

According to Kass, after third grade, the focus at school shifts from learning to read, to reading to learn, and students need a strong foundation in literacy space to be able to keep up.

“If a child is not reading at grade level, at the end of first grade ... that’s seven years old,” Kass says. “They have a one in eight chance of catching up.”

According to ELP, the number of students reading at grade level went from 18% in the beginning of the 2018-19 academic year, to 40% at the end of the year, and 33.6% of the kids below grade level improved to approaching standars.

The program’s strength is not just in helping students. ELP provides a way for retirees looking to help educate the next generation.

In 2008, Nancy Jensen had recently retired, and was looking for something fulfilling to do with her free time, when she was introduced to ELP by Kass. The program struck an immediate chord with her.

“My husband and I used to read out loud to each other … and we missed it because it’s a wonderful thing to read out

Art by SAMANTHA HO loud, and we would like to pass that on to children,” Jensen says.

Jensen is currently in her 12th year volunteering with the program, and thoroughly enjoys her work.

“I think that one of the things about growing old is that you enjoy having an effect on people who are still growing,” Jensen says. “It’s just a joy to go and see these children … and help them become more interested in reading, and watching them move up to books with more writing.”

Jensen plans to continue to volunteer at ELP for as long as she can. Being a tutor has helped connect her to younger generations, and to do her part to make sure that everyone can be successful. Above all, she enjoys the little moments the program provides.

“The lightbulb moment is my favorite moment,” Jensen says. “When students go from struggling a little bit to ... feeling more comfortable and trying out the word that’s a little hard for them. It’s a slow transition, but it’s really noticeable when they go ‘I’ve got it. I’ve got it.’” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 39

IrANIAN-AMERICANS STUDENTS REFLECT ON U.S. AIR STRIKE Text and photos by ALLISON CHANG and MIA BALDONADO

T

“

Anushe irani

HE LONG-STANDING conflict between the United States and Iranian governments greatly escalated at the beginning of the year with the killing of the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. These tensions have been felt even within the Palo Alto bubble; they have impacted some Iranian-American students in personal ways, and have had little to no effect on others.

Since the assassination of Iran’s top general, Palo Alto High School sophomore Anushe Irani and her family have been wary of traveling internationally.

Although Irani’s family normally travels five to six times annually, stories of Irani’s friends and relatives who have been questioned at the airport — sometimes even banned from returning to the United States — have discouraged her family from traveling internationally.

“I have been affected indirectly for traveling this year,” Irani said. “My family does not want to travel outside the country because we are scared that we may not be let back in, at least for a while.”

To Irani and her family, the Soleimani’s assissination has allowed them to better understand how the relations between two countries can greatly impact individuals like them.

This is the first time that I’ve actually started to realize a little more about what it’s like to be part of the minority. Through traveling, I [feel] pushback on some of my freedoms. It’s important to not reflect [Iran’s] actions on me. I haven’t even lived there. Just because I am Iranian doesn’t mean that I would do those sorts of things or agree with it.”

40 FEBRUARY 2020

Sanaz Ebrahimi

“

I am happy that it kind of died down compared to before, but overall it didn’t really affect me, to be honest. We were scared for my grandparents, but we knew one of them has a U.S. citizenship and the other one has a German citizenship, so they can escape the country if they really need to.”

“

profiles

v

It’s really hard with the overseas distance anyways, but when they [the Iranian government] shut down the internet a couple of weeks ago, it was terrible because we didn’t even know if they’re [our family] okay or not.

Seeing videos of people getting killed on the street really made me nervous, and I was just hoping they were all okay.”

Like many other Iranian-American students, Paly senior Sanaz Ebrahimi has family and friends living in Iran that she goes back to visit at least once a year. With many relatives on her mom’s side living in Iran, the recent events have taken a toll on communications with her family.

In response to the conflict, Iranian authorities cut off access to the Internet over the weekend of Jan. 11. According to Ebrahimi, the restriction of rights is unfortunately not uncommon in Iran, and the reaction to this did not linger for long.

“They [Iranian residents] already live their lives without most of the rights we have,” Ebrahimi said. “Adding an Internet outage to that does not really phase them.”

Dara heydarpour

As a dual citizen of the U.S. and Iran, Paly senior Dara Heydarpour did not feel the impact of the Iranian-American conflict as much as his extended family.

During the conflict, Heydarpour was mostly concerned for the safety of his grandparents living in Iran: with American relations, Heydarpour’s grandparents could be vulnerable to the violent protests in Iran.

Despite Heydarpour’s concerns, he emphasizes that Iran is the place where his grandparents want to live. Iran has been the annual travel spot for him and his family for the last 13 years.

“Most Iranians usually like Americans,” Heydarpour says. “I don’t know any Iranian yet who actually legitimately hates Americans. Almost all the Iranians are hella nice. They’re not American-haters.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 41

Text by RYAN SETO and ISHANI RAHA Photo by ISHANI RAHA

Friendly neighborhood

FOOD TRUCK

LEE’S CATERING SERVES LOCAL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

T

HE FAMILIAR three-tone jin- more successful alternative than running his gle rings throughout the dusty own restaurant.

“Restaurants stay in one place, and the construction site as a food truck rounds the corner of Cowper customers need to go to your restaurant,” Street and Coleridge Avenue at noon. For Tran said. “For this [food truck], you are many crew workers who are required to looking around for construction sites, and this leads to more busistay at the construction ness.” site — and whose lunch At first, I learned it Tran and Phung’s breaks are only 30 minfood truck origins run utes — the chime is the [Spanish] to count deeper than what sound of a reprieve, and money, to get orders, much meets the eye. At age more importantly, a sig14, Tran immigrated nal that their lunch for that’s all. But I like his family from the day has arrived. talking with my cus- with Vietnam to Indonesia Spouses Daniel Tran and then to the United and Jennifer Phung have tomers.

— DANIEL TRAN, Lee’s Catering States. been running their Palo co-owner “In order to esAlto- and East Palo Alcape from the war, we to-based food truck, Lee Catering, since 1984. While most food moved from Vietnam by boat to Indonesia, trucks remain motionless during lunch- not by airplane,” Tran said. “And we went time waiting for their customers to come to there and they checked everything and they them, Tran and Phung are constantly on the asked you how and why you left your counmove driving from construction site to con- try. After that, we were brought to the Unitstruction site in pursuit of hungry workers. ed States.”

Tran remembers how hard his parents Lee’s Catering has a diverse menu consisting of everything from burgers to tacos worked in order to open the food truck after to burritos, as well as a range of beverage arriving in the U.S. with just the clothes on their backs. and snack options.

“When they [his parents] came to Today, while it may be unorthodox for food trucks to chase down customers America, their first job was the food truck,” during the busiest time of their day, Tran Tran said.

That same work ethic carried over to believes that his new approach to running a food truck is what makes his mobile food Tran after he took over the truck at age 21 service better than most, and why it is a when his mom retired. Instead of working

42 FEBRUARY 2020

“

a typical nine-to-five, he starts his day early and ends late at night to have weekends off.

“We start preparing food at 4 a.m. so we need to wake up at 3:30 [a.m.],” Tran said.

Tran and Phung are diligent about planning and modifying their route so they can serve over 15 different construction sites throughout Palo Alto and East Palo Alto.

“I just know the boss and I get a text or call about new construction sites,” Tran said.

Not only is it flexible about its route and the sites it serves, but Lee’s Catering also has a lasting impact on many of the construction workers who benefit from its services. Casamiro Caballero, a Palo Alto construction worker, has been a customer for over 25 years.

“It’s been great,” Caballero said. “I’ve

A MAN AND HIS TRUCK Daniel Tran has been running his Palo Alto-based food truck since 1984. He runs a unique business, as his truck is constantly moving through the streets in search of hungry workers to serve. “For this [food truck], you are looking around for construction sites, and this leads to more business,” Tran said.

been buying from here since I was nine which he uses when making cayears old. He starts early too, that’s why I’ve sual conversation with customers. known him for so long. When I would walk “At first, I learned it [Spanto school, he was already selling.” ish] to count money, to get orders, that’s all,” One thing that separates Lee’s Catering Tran said. “But I like talking with my cusfrom average food tomers.” trucks is the special Tran and attention they give He always accommoPhung’s most valutheir clients. amenities, dates where you are. If he able “He always achowever, are the commodates where passed already and I call basic services that you are,” Caballero him, he’ll come back. the truck provides. said. “If he passed alThe possibility of — CASAMIRO CABALLERO, customer ready and I call him, having a hot meal he’ll come back. He and cold drink on remembers what customers want, and he has an often long and tiring job helps the conit ready before we get there.” struction crews who receive it.

Through interacting with his custom“It’s very convenient because my job ers, Tran has picked up the basics of Spanish, doesn’t allow me to leave the property and

“

we only have half an hour [for] lunch,” Caballero said. “Just to go and come back takes the whole lunch.”

In the future, Tran hopes to expand his route to include a larger map of construction sites. In addition, he hopes to remodel his truck with newer cooking facilities. But for now, Tran and Phung are content serving their usual customers and performing their daily routine with special care for their regulars.

“He’s always aware,” Caballero said.

“Whenever he can’t come he always calls me, ‘you know what, I’m going to be late’ or ‘I’m not going to be able to show up today.’ I like him, that’s why I keep coming back here.” v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 43

VERDE’S OSCARS RE-IMAGINING THE RENOWNED AWARDS SHOW Text by MICHELLE KIM and JASMINE VENET

A

S THE LAST OF THE VIBRANT SUITS and extravagant dresses make their way down the red carpet, tens of millions of Americans grab their snacks and make themselves comfortable as their favorite actors and directors take their own seats at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.

On Feb. 9, millions of fans rooted for their favorite movies at the 92nd Academy Awards; however, behind the fanfare of the Oscars award show lies a thick layer of controversy and criticism.

In recent years, Oscar nominees and winners have lacked racial and gender diversity, leading to boycotts of the award show itself.

Though the Academy has launched campaigns in an attempt to recruit more women and people of color, this year’s award show seems to have taken a step back from these progressive reforms.

“Once again, there are no females on the Best Directors nominations, and I think that's a tragedy,” Palo Alto High School Film Composition teacher Alanna Williamson said.

Throughout the history of the Oscars, there have been five female directorial nominees and only one winner: Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker.” On a similar note, only one black actor — Cynthia Erivo from “Harriet” — received an acting nomination this year.

With the Oscars’ infamous history of excluding deserving contenders for its awards, do their choices truly represent the best that the film industry has to offer? Verde Magazine has compiled a list below of nominees who truly deserve the win in some spotlight categories. (Please note: these predictions were made before the Oscars and may or may not overlap with the actual winners.) v

BEST PICTURE: PARASITE

B

ong Joon-Ho’s breakthrough film “Parasite,” the first South Korean movie nominated for Best Picture and Best International Film, packs a gripping story of social class, deception and greed into a relatively short two hours of screen time.

“Parasite” presents a unique narrative of poor residents in a South Korean ban-jiha, or “half-underground apartment,” and how their lives clash with wealthy homeowners encased in a bubble of comfort.

As a thriller with a sharp sense of social awareness “Parasite” is set apart from other Best Picture nominees. Even as a horror film, its deliberate use of violence and rapidly developing plot drives the story forward.

Narrating the film from a poor student’s perspective makes the story all the more emotional when the Kim family successfully, if not entirely honestly, earns the perfect life they worked so hard to achieve and immediately watches it crash down around them.

The title succinctly captures the essence of the film. The Kim family are parasitic in that they leech off of the resources of the

44 FEBRUARY 2020

wealthy Park family, and, in turn, the Parks become parasites in the lives of the desperate poor, using them as pawns for domestic labor.

Without spoiling the rest of the story, another family living even deeper underground than the Kims symbolize a third type of parasite; one destroying the precarious symbiotic relationship built between the Kim and Park family while further illustrating Director Bong Joon-Ho’s cinematic genius.

Unfortunately, its widespread popularity and six Oscar nominations may actually undermine the chances of “Parasite” winning Best Picture; in recent years, top films won four to six Oscars compared to those of years past that swept with over 10 awards.

The drama-turned-mystery film is almost guaranteed to win Best International Film, but earning the title of Best Picture seems farfetched to many due to the Oscars’ history of awarding films with a predominantly white cast and directors.

Hopefully, members of the Academy will see past tradition and break precedent to select “Parasite” as the first-ever foreign film to win Best Picture.

culture

v

BEST ACTOR: ADAM DRIVER

F

rom action-packed lightsaber battles in a galaxy far, far away, to strained divorce battles in a dull and barren Los Angeles courtroom, Adam Driver proves his versatility as an actor time and time again. However, it is his unforgettable performance in the Netflix original movie “Marriage Story” that elevated him among the greats at this year’s Academy Awards.

“Marriage Story” follows Charlie (Adam Driver), a dedicated director, husband and father who is completely consumed by his theater troupe, and wife, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), an actress who yearns to break free from her constraining marriage, as they navigate a long and strenuous divorce, which soon spirals out of control.

Despite being an unlikeable character at times, it is almost impossible not to sympathize with Charlie. All the odds seem to be against him even before he enters the perilous world of divorce and, slowly, he begins to crack under the immense pressure of it all.

Driver manages to perfectly capture the growing frustration Charlie faces throughout the film as what was originally meant to be an amicable split turns to shambles, and he gradually be-

comes reduced to nothing but a mere bystander in his own divorce.

Everyone seems to be making the next crucial decisions in his life but him, and his pent up frustration and anger soon turn into fear, as he feels like he is suddenly losing everything: his theater, his marriage, his job, his money and, most importantly, his son.

Driver delivers an outstanding performance, deconstructing the stereotypical image of the silent and stoic male movie lead. He manages to capture Charlie’s transition from a calm and composed theater director on his way to Broadway to a man nearing insanity, plagued with the possibility of losing his son.

He strips down Charlie’s unbothered facade in a final outburst of raw emotion near the end of the movie, demonstrating the full breadth of his acting abilities.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: LITTLE WOMEN

T

he timeless classic by Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women,” was adapted to the big screen once again in 2019 by Greta Gerwig. Although everything about the movie is exceptional, with a cast full of phenomenal actors, it is the costume design that truly transports the audience back to a small town in Massachusetts during the Civil War. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran manages to capture the essence of not only the time period, but each character’s distinct personalities as well.

From Jo’s (Saoirse Ronan) tomboy outfits — the absence of a corset and occasional pantsuit allowing her to run freely through life — to the colors specific to each March sister, it is Durran’s attention to detail which sets her apart from the other nominees.

Each piece of clothing on screen holds significance, whether it be the expensive piece of cloth Meg (Emma Watson) buys on a whim, illustrating her desire to be part of higher society, or Amy’s (Florence Pugh) flamboyant and exuberant dresses, which make her appear as though she just walked out of one of her paintings.

The extensive care placed on historical accuracy and distinctive, eye-catching outfits places "Little Women" at the top of the Best Costume Design category.

Art by MICHELLE KIM

Art by F AUSTIN

E WANG

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 45

Want to advertise with

VERDE MAGAZINE? Contact verdebusiness5@gmail.com

Be an ambassador for Palo Alto to the world!

Visit neighborsabroad.org for more information and updates

46 FEBRUARY 2020

culture

v

100% THAT CONFIDENT STUDENTS SHARE IMPACT OF BODY POSITIVITY

Text by MILES BREEN

Art by SAMANTHA HO

O

VER THE SUMMER, pop, soul, and rhythm and blues singer-songwriter Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known on stage as Lizzo, became a sensation through the release of her breakout album “Cuz I Love You.” The up-and-coming artist is known for her infectious, high energy performances and her messages about body positivity and confidence.

Although the modern body positivity movement originated to combat fat-shaming, as Palo Alto High School junior Lai-Ling Bisset says, Lizzo uses the movement as a way of uplifting all different body types.

“Her whole message is to love all body types, not just thick body types or overweight body types,” Bisset said. “She doesn’t just stand for curvy women like herself, she stands for all body types. That’s kind of the whole point.”

In this verbatim, Verde Magazine will explore how Paly students feel about the movement of body positivity and how influences in music and media — like Lizzo — have impacted students’ self-confidence. v

Question #1: How does Lizzo inspire discussion about the body positivity movement?

“ “ “ “ “

What I admire about her is how she takes her positive moments and turns them into an art other people can enjoy to empower them during their low moments.”

— KATEL FONG, freshman

I’ve struggled with my weight and self-perception and Lizzo is kind of a beacon of hope that you can be heavier and be gorgeous, confident, successful, etc.”

— GABRIELLA TERRELL, freshman

Seeing a person that looks like her in [the] media [and] winning entertainer of the year is very inspiring for people because they have that representation that they didn’t previously have.”

— JANA PHILLIPS, senior

Question #2: How has [the body positivity movement] impacted you?

As someone who’s struggled with my body image for many, many years, I think the way social media has really influenced [the body positivity movement] and brought it to other people’s attention has really helped.”

— PHOEBE BERGHOUT, sophomore

Since we were young, we were taught that our bodies were something to be aware of and be ashamed of if you’re a certain size. I look back on all the shows and all the things I used to watch and a lot of the characters were really thin and just were a certain kind of body shape.”

— JANET PADILLA, senior

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 47

Text by PRAHALAD MITRA, RACHEL LIT and GIAN-PAOLO VON RUDEN

C CI R S E L

F

DISSECTING MAC MILLER’S FINAL ALBUM

OLLOWING RAP ARTIST MAC MILLER’S unexpected death by a drug overdose in September 2018, thousands of dedicated fans were thrilled to hear about the release of his final album, “Circles,” which debuted on Jan. 17. The posthumous record was given life with the help of producer and collaborator John Brion, who dedicated himself to completing the album despite not having Miller by his side, according to Rolling Stone. This album, a complement to his last release, “Swimming,” grapples with themes of hope and optimism after his previous anxiety-stricken showcases, and the contrast between albums brings Miller’s story full circle. The tragically ironic tracks of “Circles” provide listeners with a sense of closure, which Pitchfork, a magazine centered around music, considers one of the album’s most impactful motifs. “‘Swimming’ hinted at an artist who’d finally cleared his mind

48 FEBRUARY 2020

and found his footing,” a January 2020 article reads. “‘Circles’ provides some resolution and helps finish Miller’s final thoughts.”

Miller had an immense impact on teenagers and young adults worldwide, many of whom anxiously anticipated the release of “Circles.” Palo Alto High School senior Dylan Duncan has been a life-long fan and considered the album to be a sentimental sendoff.

“I loved it,” Duncan said. “It was very different from the rest of his discography, but at the same time had the same feel and sound that I love. It was like him giving the world one last hug and wave goodbye.”

Verde Magazine analyzed several of “Circles’” new pieces and dissected the meaning behind the lyrics and melodies Miller shares in his final breaths with the world. While not all 12 tracks make it on this spread, we have included a mix of our favorites — the rest we suggest you listen to yourself. v

“Circles” Clocking in at 2 minutes and 51 seconds, “Circles’” soft and jazzy cymbal beat creates a melancholic air in the record’s opener that percolates across the album’s remaining tracks: a collection of mainly lo-fi, peaceful jams that never delve into the hardcore style of rap heard in Miller’s older discography. In his trademark lethargic singing style, Miller begins to uncover his struggles with the destructive loop of wanting to change, yet coming up unsuccessful: “I just end up right at the start of the line, drawin’ circles.”

“Blue World” The stand-out intro to “Blue World” jumps from a ‘30s barbershop harmony to a defined techno beat, setting the stage for Miller’s lyrical association between the color blue and feeling despondent. Lines like “This mad world made me crazy, might just turn around, do one-eighty,” highlights the album’s larger themes of self-reflection and improvement. While being one of the more traditional Miller sounding tracks on the album, “Blue World” is unique in the sense that it’s one of the only upbeat songs on this record.

“Good News” Released as an early single on Jan. 9, “Good News” sheds a genuine yet angsty light on the realities of dealing with depression. Miller notably suffered with mental health issues of his own, and his experiences carry convincingly into much of his writing: “I’m running out of gas, hardly anything left, hope I make it home from work.” Though arguably the catchiest tune of the album with its staccato xylophone rhythms, the lyrics remain heavy and drip with grief. These darker themes serve as trademarks of “Swimming” and other tracks on “Circles.”

“Everybody” “Everybody” marks both the midway point of the album and the most un-Miller like melody of all his original music, sounding strangely similar to songs performed

by The Beatles. Piano serves as the backbone of this cheerily calm musical medley, supporting a snare-focused drum beat. This taste-breaker discusses ideas of mortality through its repetitive chorus: “Everybody’s gotta live, and everybody’s gonna die.”

“Hand Me Downs” “Hand Me Downs” carries a groovy atmosphere similar to those of John Mayer, and is the only track featuring another artist: Baro Sura’s voice joins Miller’s and creates a stunning, slow melody. Despite being a love song at its heart, the piece shares a substantial amount of introspection by Miller throughout the soundtrack: “That’s charity, I move carelessly, that’s why I’m always tripping.” “Hand Me Down” shows that, even in love, there is still time for understanding yourself.

“Once A Day” The concluding piece of “Circles” is marked by a minimalistic ode that neatly packages all of Miller’s final thoughts into a perfect closing speech-sounding track.

Through “Once A Day,” Miller contemplates the importance of sharing one’s emotional pains with others rather than keeping them locked away inside: “Don’t keep it all in your head, the only place that you know nobody ever can see.” By taking things one day at a time, Miller also emphasizes the need to slow down, leaving listeners with the chilling and thought-provoking inquiry: “Why aren’t we taking our time?”

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 49

Little Women,

big impact

AN OLD CLASSIC THROUGH A NEW PERSPECTIVE Text by ANTONIA MOU INT. NEW YORK. PUBLISHING OFFICE. 1868.

JO MARCH, our heroine, hesitates. In the half-light of a dim hallway, she exhales and prepares, her head bowed like a boxer about to go into the ring. She puts her hand on the doorknob. A pause, and then, she opens it onto a disorderly room.

It is full of men.

I

N THE MIDST of a tremendously male-dominated awards season and a demand for more female-led movies in Hollywood, “Little Women” takes a 19th century classic about domestic life and incorporates a new modern liveliness.

In Greta Gerwig’s new 2019 film adaptation of the classic novel “Little Women”

by American

Art by XIAOHAN LI

50 FEBRUARY 2020

Additional reporting by TARA KOTHARI author Louisa May Alcott, the four March sisters — Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen) and Amy (Florence Pugh) — explore the meaning of childhood, womanhood and love in a new light on the big screen. Written and directed by Gerwig, the film artfully portrays the complexities of being a woman in the 1860s while providing commentary about contemporary topics like gender inequality.

An adaptation for the books Taking place in Massachusetts during the Civil War, “Little Women” has captivated millions of readers from all around the world. Jo March, a boyish and career-focused character who pushes against the boundaries for women, resonated with many girls who felt the same way.

Although the “Little Women” novel became a huge commercial and critical success shortly after its release in 1868, Alcott had initially been reluctant to write a novel about girls and marriage. She admitted to knowing very little about girls outside of her sisters, leading many scholars to consider the novel a semi-autobiography. Following the success of her novel, Alcott published a sequel, which was combined into a two-part book titled “Little Women.”

Gerwig’s 2019 spin on “Little Women” adds an additional perspective told through masterful cinematographic detail and a modern feminist lens.

Starting at the beginning of the film, there is a clear contrast of colors to represent a storyline that is told over two different time periods. Yellow and orange

hues reminiscent of sunlight evoke warmer scenes from the four sisters’ childhood.

Cooler blue tones signal the present, and strike a more somber and serious tone.

Gerwig also manages to incorporate subtle yet impactful details throughout the entire movie: each sister is given her own signature costume color and hairstyle, while their mother, Marmee (Laura Dern), wears pieces that combine all of her daughters’ signature colors and hairstyles. Academy Award winning costume designer Jacqueline Duran incorporates each of the sisters’ personalities into their Victorian-style outfits. For example, Jo and her best friend Theodore Laurence (Timothée Chalamet), nicknamed Laurie, periodically wear each other’s vests to emphasize Jo’s more masculine style and Laurie’s more feminine side.

Breaking boundaries Each of the March sisters has her own field of interest in the arts. For Jo, it is writing, which is shown when she writes plays and stories during her childhood and sells short stories to publishers with unwavering determination. Jo’s drive to succeed in a traditionally male profession and her unwillingness to get married brings a breath of fresh air into the rigid societal norms of the era, while proclaiming that a woman can build her own career without a man by her side.

Despite Jo’s eventual marriage to a professor in the novel, the film depicts the true love story as between Jo and her writing.

By the end of the movie, Jo has written the titular “Little Women” novel based on her life and watches the book appear before her eyes at the printing press. Even though Jo

culture I’m just a woman. And as a woman I have no way to make money, not enough to earn a living and support my family. Even if I had my own money, which I don’t, it In defense of Amy March would belong to my husband Since the release of “Little Women” in the minute we were married.

1868, Amy has been perceived as the brat- If we had children they ty, vain and selfish would belong little sister. But in him not me.

The film depicts the true to Gerwig’s new film, They would be she is painted in a love story as between Jo his properdifferent light: she ty. So don’t and her writing. becomes as a detersit there and mined young womtell me that an who has accepted the reality of her po- marriage isn’t an economic sition in society and knows what she has to proposition, because it is. do to succeed in the world. Throughout her It may not be for you but it youth, Amy unashamedly aspires to marry most certainly is for me. a wealthy man in the future. Though this may feel like a perpetuation of gender roles, Little women in Hollywood Amy’s desire to “marry rich” is acknowlHistorically, the film industry has edged as a decision she makes to best sup- been dominated by men — in both crews port her sisters. When shamed by Laurie of and casts — but movements like #MeToo wanting to marry a man she is not in love have sparked change with dozens of womwith, Amy delivers a heartbreaking mono- en speaking out against sexism and abuse logue in defense of herself. of power within the industry. Slowly but surely, actresses are closing the has sold her heroine into marriage at the demand of her publisher, she negotiates 6.6% of the net profits and owns the copyright, unwilling to let a man have ownership of her work.

v

gender gap in movies. In 2019, 40% of the top 100 grossing movies had a female protagonist, compared to the 29% in 2016, according to the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film. But women working behind the scenes — directors, writers, executive producers, editors and composers — are still struggling for a place in the male-controlled field. Women accounted for just 12% of directors working on the top 100 grossing films in 2019, up from 4% in 2018 and 8% in 2017.

Gerwig’s “Little Women” has gained significant recognition within the film industry, with nominations for two Golden Globes and six Academy Awards. This year, however, not a single woman was nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards, continuing concerns about the diversity of major awards; only five women have ever won the category in the award show’s 92 year history. The film industry and the media have a long way to go before reaching gender equality, but films like “Little Women” are moving closer to closing this gap — while celebrating female empowerment in theaters across the world. v

Art by SAMANTHA HO and ZOË WONG-VANHAREN

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 51

RO OH INVENTIVE INDIAN CUISINE ARRIVES TO DOWNTOWN Text by KYLIE MIES and ANDIE TETZLAFF

V

ELVET CURTAINS DRAPE the grand entrance, transporting guests into the world of ROOH. The modern fusion restaurant located at 473 University Ave in Palo Alto opened its fifth set of doors on Jan. 10 to a long waitlist of reservations made by eager Palo Alto residents. The restaurant’s newest location adds to the city’s myriad cultural restaurants with an homage to authentic Indian spices and flavors, while its creative seasonal menus and inventive takes on traditional dishes set it apart from more customary contemporaries.

A flush of warm colors of the interior of the restaurant highlights a blazing wood fire and flickering candles cast a charming and intimate spell over patrons. Lamps illuminating brightly colored pillows and crystalline chandeliers fastened to columns around the restaurant further the rich and glowing ambience as an affectionate cultural exchange.

On one side of the restaurant is a bar serving fruity concoctions. The wall behind

52 FEBRUARY 2020

the bar shelves an assortment of alcohol bottles, antiques and books.

Deeper into the restaurant, a window into the kitchen gives customers a view of the unique live-fire cooking that ROOH is known for. An assortment of meats, vegetables and pineapples are dangled and rotated above the fiery red flames. A smoking cabinet can also be viewed from the large window.

Even a month after its opening, ROOH was still busy. The chatter of guests that filled each table and the cooking in the kitchen added to the lively essence of the restaurant.

ROOH’s service was exceptional. We were met with smiles and undivided attention from staff members when we found ourselves in need of anything.

The menu is split into four sections: “To share,” “From the wood fire grill,” “Not from the grill” and “Curries & Accompaniments.” The impressive variety of meat and vegetarian options highlights the restaurant’s versatility. To get a real taste of what

ROOH has in store, Verde Magazine tried a dish from every section of the menu. v Indian Bouquet ($6) The Indian bouquet was a soothing tea that arrived in a beautiful flower-decorated teapot and teacup. Hints of rose petals provided a light floral taste, while the chamomile, lavender and cardamom rendered a silky smooth mixture of smoky, minty and earthy flavors.

Kaam Bhari Collins ($8) The Kaam Bhari Collins was a delightfully tart fizzy drink that achieved a balance between ginger beer and mango shavings.

The drink, however, was small compared to its price. Both the Indian Bouquet and the Kaam Bhari Collins arrived relatively quickly.

Swordfish Tikka ($16) This seafood kebab was displayed as thick pieces of swordfish arranged carefully on a decorative plate. The swordfish pieces

laid on a bed of vivid green chimichurri, topped with bright pink onions and parsley. The seasoning of the fish had enough flavor to stand on its own, but a creamy sauce mixture of miso, Bengal mustard and black lime aioli also gave the swordfish an added tangy kick. The fresh fish complemented the meager acidity of toppings perfectly, making for a delicious bite. Overall, this dish was definitely a favorite.

Tandoori Pineapple ($8) The sweet yellow pineapple came in a small black bowl and was topped with feta cheese, fresh mint and a very light sprinkle of red chili powder. The dish had a peculiar taste of tangy fruit and sharp cheese, however, the flavors strangely fit together. This refreshing, healthy taste breaker provided a sample of the sweet side of Indian cuisine.

Avocado Bhel ($15) The waiter presented to us a luscious green salad, overpowered by a bombardment of green chickpeas and avocado.

The dish had a little bit of spice which was combated by the coolness of the vegetables.

The ingredients were extremely fresh. The Avocado Bhel will be enjoyed by any chickpea-lover.

Butter Chicken ($26) Garlic Naan ($5) Zarda Pulao ($9) From the Curries & Accompaniments section, our waiter recommended the Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan and Zarda Pulao together for the ultimate experience. The Butter Chicken dish came in a small bronze pot with handles on either side; the chicken itself was tender and had a firm texture.

However, the flavor of the curry was a bit overpowering. The accompaniments did a great job balancing this blitz of flavor; the Garlic Naan was crispy and warm and was especially delicious when dipped in the curry. The soft Zarda Pulao, a type of rice, was a delightful texture and certainly made the curry experience whole. All three dishes came together to create a wonderful medley of flavor.

DIPS FOR DAYS The Butter Chicken curry, paired with Garlic Naan and Zarda Pulao were the spicy main dishes of the night. Photo by Andie Tetzlaff

TOP

4

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Service 2. Atmosphere 3. Flavor 4. Price VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 53

Text by KATHERINE CHENG and AUDREY KERNICK

Photos by KATHERINE CHENG

SANTA CRUZ AVENUE

EXPLORING THRIFT STORES IN MENLO PARK

S

USTAINABLE FASHION has gained notable popularity in recent years, especially among teenagers. With the fashion industry serving as one of the largest contributors to world pollution, there is a clear need for more environmentally conscious buying on the part of consumers. Though some might misunderstand “sustainable fashion” as high-end stores that sell organic or vegan clothing, buying second hand clothing is an affordable alternative that fits the bill.

Many teens have turned to the practice of purchasing clothes at second hand shops and thrift stores in the vein of shopping more sustainably for a manageable price. While blocks of flashy thrift stores are often found in big cities, such as the famous San Francisco intersection of Haight and Ashbury Street, the Peninsula has its own cluster of second-hand stores that are both cheaper and more

accessible. Scattered among newly opened bakeries and high-end clothing stores, Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park is home to three neighboring thrift stores, abundant with racks to explore.

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop Eye-catching sale racks and carts of paperbacks grace the outside of the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, located at 748 Santa Cruz Ave., beckoning visitors to peek inside. Once through the threshold, the Discovery Shop is a swirling world of different colors, textures, jewelry and knickknacks to sift through.

To the tune of cheery Hawaiian music, patrons can browse anything from silky scarfs to well-loved denim, along with funky shoes and earrings. Along with comfortable clothes, the Discovery Shop offers affordable prices.

RAINBOW RACKS Aisles of gently used clothing line the walls of the Goodwill Boutique. The thrift shop, located at 711 Santa Cruz Ave., is home to a substantial selection of products ranging from sports jerseys to books. Racks are sorted based on formality, from casual athletic atire to high-end designer pieces. “Thrift stores are an easy way to shop for clothes while helping the environment,”Palo Alto High School junior Trisha Razdan says.

54 FEBRUARY 2020

culture For over 30 years, the Discovery Shop has relied on donations and volunteer service from members of the community. Though most volunteers are retired, the store also welcomes high schoolers and teenagers from around the Bay Area to help out.

Kerry O’Donnell is one of two managers at the Menlo Park thrift store, and has been working at the store for over five years.

Prior to her role, she volunteered at the store until the previous manager retired. Apart from herself and Holly Bohin, the other manager, the store is fully volunteer run.

“We’re always trying to find new volunteers,” O’Donnell says.

“That’s the most important thing because we really need to be staffed and have people helping us.”

Relying on generous donors from the community, the Discovery Shop has created a welcoming environment of charitable customers and volunteers.

“The people, the customers, the donors [and] the volunteers are all wonderful” O’Donnell says. “It makes you feel really good to give back.”

The Shop Pouring with carefully curated second-hand chic items, The Shop, at 785 Santa Cruz Ave., is both cozy and dashing. With its intellectual decorum, The Shop is run by the Junior League and

v

ART PIECES Along with clothes, a collection of paintings and antiques are sold at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. The store, which opened over 30 years ago, sells an array of items given by donors.

provides quality pieces to community members. Its iconic button logo lines the front window, showcasing mannequins donning high-end clothes, like those found in the store. Its dark interior emanates with the professionalism of the store and its items, ranging from mature shirts and shoes to elegant jewelry. Established in 1970, The Shop has been a fixture in Menlo Park, and is a local favorite for many environmentally-conscious shoppers.

Goodwill Boutique

From Prada bags to Moschino shoes, the Goodwill Boutique, located at 711 Santa Cruz Ave., is a far cry from an ordinary second-hand store. Down to the tiles, the interior design is incredibly trendy. Its teal walls are lined with carefully arranged displays, framed art and decorative mirrors. The dressing rooms are reminiscent of high-end retailers, with velvet chairs and vanity lighting.

The floor plan is also appealing, allowing for easy and effortless flow from front to back without missing anything. The rainbows of cashmere sweaters, surplus of 90’s Ann Taylor, university and professional football jerseys and impressive collection of bags are all conveniently accessible.

As a reflection of the nature, quality and condition of most pieces the Goodwill Boutique offers, the prices tend to land higher.

Goodwill Boutiques represent a new style of thrift store. While still a thrift location at its core, these boutiques’ selection of high-end clothing items marks a departure from traditional thrifting outlets.

“The Goodwill Boutique is a great way to find a ton of different styles of clothing in one place for an affordable price,” Palo Alto High School junior Trisha Razdan says. v

“

The people, the customers, the donors [and] the volunteers are all wonderful.”

— Kerry O’Donnell, American Cancer Society Discovery Shop manager

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 55

Text by NAOMI BONEH

Art by SAMANTHA HO

The steep science imbalance AP CLASSES HAVE UNEQUAL GENDER RATIOS

“W

HY ARE THERE ONLY FOUR GIRLS in stigma that girls are less likely to take a seemingly more difficult this class?” I remember a substitute teacher class, such as AP Physics. This assumption needs to change to ease asking me in my Advanced Placement Phys- the enrollment burden on all students. Girls need to be more conics class of 30 students. It certainly wasn’t the fident in their intellectual abilities and not shy away from rigorous first time I had noticed a gender imbalance in this class — to tell classes, and boys need to be encouraged to fixate less on pressure the truth, the drastic difference was made clear to me every time I among peers — especially when it comes to topics that spark genfelt awkward sitting at my table as the only female student. uine interest.

In contrast, my AP Biology class has few male students proAlthough gender imbalances in science classes are accepted by portionate to the number of female students: there are only eight most, they still have impacts in a classroom environment. boys out of 27 students.

“It definitely would be nice if there were a lot more girls [in While advocates of feminism are focused on ensuring equal AP Physics] because whenever we have lab groups I’m always with gender representation in the general Science, Technology, Engi- three other guys,” Rainy Yan, a senior taking AP Physics says. “And neering and Mathematics fields, there exists insufficient concern when there’s participation opportunities, girls never participate. I for how each gender divides themselves into particular subjects, feel like if you have a sound recording of the class, you wouldn’t and the gender imbalances in Palo Alto High even know there were girls in the classroom.”

School’s advanced science classes are the conseThe issue of unequal gender representaIf you have a sound tion can be mitigated by making the perceived quence.

The explanation I most often hear is that recording of the difficulty of AP classes equal, discouraging stumost male students naturally tend to prefer dents from prioritizing one class over another studying physical sciences and most female stu- class, you wouldn’t due to intimidation. dents tend to prefer studying life sciences. De- even know there One way to do this is by helping students spite appearing more progressive toward girls in fulfill prerequisite needs for science classes, STEM, this misconception only reinforces sex- were girls in the which will make them more accessible to all ist ideas about the interests of boys and girls. I classroom.” students. Teachers can offer opportunities to know plenty of male and female students who — RAINY YAN, senior meet prerequisites through summer homedefy these beliefs, and who righteously take acwork, which some AP classes already impletion to encourage others to follow their true passions and not the ment. If summer homework is extended to more AP classes or inones society has laid out for them. creased for classes that already require it, material learned later in More unique to Paly, the incidences of these gender imbalanc- the year will be easier understood. es can be attributed to college admissions pressure, which has led Additionally, teaching strategies to lessen the sense of peer many Paly students to try to over-strategize their academic sched- pressure, along with deliberately encouraging students to be ules. According to junior Edward Zhang, who is taking AP Biol- open-minded when choosing their class enrollment, can help ogy and Physics Honors this year, the higher proportion of male smooth the gender imbalance in science classes. students studying physical sciences has increased pressure to take My advice to Paly students choosing their schedules: Don’t let said classes in order gender imbalances to remain competiin particular classes tive as a STEM apor what your friends plicant. are taking sway “When I meet your own decisions. college counselors, Your time is better they’re always like spent pursuing the ‘You’re competeducation that you ing against a lot of are truly passionate boys,’” Zhang says. about — in doing The misperso, you become ception that girls part of the change are less competitive that dissolves gencompared to boys der stereotypes in contributes to the education. v

“

56 FEBRUARY 2020

perspectives

v

The Reality of ResOLUtions

A CHANGE THAT WON’T STICK Text by ALLISON CHANG

W

Art by SAMANTHA HO

ASTEBASKETS are the best Psychology Bulletin,” over 55% of New Year’s resfriends of writers and those with olutions are related to health. Approximatly 80% lofty New Year’s resolutions. of people who make New Year’s resolutions drop I wrote my first New Year’s them by the second week of February, according resolution in fifth grade, resolving to hold better to a 2019 study conducted by Strava. A 2016 posture in class. This was during a period when study by The University of Scranton also found I felt uncomfortable being taller than most of that less than 25% of Americans were still commy classmates and slouched to appear shorter. I mitted to their New Year’s resolution after 30 days, hoped my New Year’s resoand a mere 8% actually accomlution would make me more plish them. conscious of my back health.

These studies show that My New Year’s But inevitably, I was not sucmaking New Year’s resolutions resolutions have cessful, and to this day, I still is a tradition that rarely works. get back pain from slouchIn our quest to change our bad also turned into a ing over my desk. Although habits or continue our good vicious cycle of my resolutions have changed practices, New Year’s resolutions over the last five years to focus are setting us up for failure. trying to catch up more on health and mental New Year’s resolutions are with the expectawell-being, my commitment designed without considering to them has not. human nature. For most peotions I set the year Between 2012 and 2018, ple, it is difficult to change a prior.

I have started off every year long-term habit immediately. As by writing a long list of resmany New Year’s resolutions last olutions. But once the next for the entire year, these yearDec. 31 rolled around, I always end up with the long goals ignore the possibility of relapsing into same list, unable to cross any of the old resolutions our typical routines; Once we fall off of our goals, off and instead adding revisions. Not only are my the tendency is to quit until the new year rolls annual “to-do lists” a constant reminder of my in- around again. ability to succeed, but my New Year’s resolutions There is nothing special about beginning have also turned into a vicious cycle of trying to something new on Jan. 1. For 80% of Americans catch up with the expectations I set the year prior. who plan to start a new diet, starting a significant Over the last five years, I have done extensive lifestyle change on Jan. 1 is completely illogical — research; I have watched TEDxTalks explaining most of us are sleep-deprived and spend the bulk the “correct” process of making a New Year’s reso- of the day sleeping in. Why should we restrict ourlution and read about how to psychologically mo- selves to only change once a year? It is better to tivate myself to accomplish these goals. Yet year take the opportunity to start over at any time. after year, I have continued to fail at turning my Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition goals into realities. whose structure promises failure. So as 2019 came My experience with the goals and tribulations to a close, I decided to stop making New Year’s of New Year’s resolutions are quite common in resolutions. Because at the end of the year, many the United States. According to a 2016 study pub- of these resolutions were only created to be later lished in science journal “Personality and Social destroyed. v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 57

ll, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne, pour the champagne I chime in with a “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of th mn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to fa d, I commanded an army Through it all I have given my heart for a moment of glory In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remembe se back up and relive my glory In the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end, and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell I’m writing t You made us oh so famous We’ll never let you go And when you go don’t return to me my love Mama, we’re all full of lies Mama, we’re meant for the flies And right now they’re building a coffin you nd when we go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made us oh so famous We’ll never let you go She said, you ain’t no son of mine For what you’ve done they’re Gonna find gan Feeling as good as lovers can, you know Well, now we’re feeling so good Pickin’ up things we shouldn’t read It looks like the end of history as we know It’s just the end of the world Back to afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you doWe’re feeling so good Just the way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon street, back to the place, Back to the room where it all began Back to the street, back to the place, Back to the room where it all began ‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the si on you, son So they can watch all the things you do Because the drugs never work They’re gonna give you a smirk ‘Cause they got methods of keepin’ you clean They gonna rip up your heads You nd girls in the clique The awful names that they stick You’re never gonna fit in much, kid But if you’re troubled and hurt What you got under your shirt Will make them pay for the things that f me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me All together now Teenagers scare The living s hes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me I’m gonna make you bend and break (It sent you to me without wait) Say a prayer, but let the good times roll In case God do one more time Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories S ries even though they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, ren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, oh One night and one mor only sweeter Oh, well imagine As I’m pacing the pews in a church corridor And I can’t help but to hear No, I can’t help but to hear an exchanging of words “What a beautiful wedding What a beaut and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of Well, in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of c ationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality Again In the end, as we n the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who not afraid to die! Not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell I’m writing this letter and wishing you well Mama, we all go to hell Oh well now, Mama, we’re all g love Mama, we’re all full of lies Mama, we’re meant for the flies And right now they’re building a coffin your size Mama, we’re all full of lies Well mother what the war did to my legs and to my to oh so famous We’ll never let you go She said, you ain’t no son of mine For what you’ve done they’re Gonna find a place for you And just you mind your manners when you go And when you go don’t ret ings we shouldn’t read It looks like the end of history as we know It’s just the end of the world Back to the street where we began Feeling as good as love, you could, you can Into a place, whe eeling so good Just the way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Back to the street Down to ou to the place, Back to the room where it all began ‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Just the way that gonna give you a smirk ‘Cause they got methods of keepin’ you clean They gonna rip up your heads Your aspirations to shreds Another cog in the murder machine They said all Teenagers scare t if you’re troubled and hurt What you got under your shirt Will make them pay for the things that they did They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As lon ent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me All together now Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strik break (It sent you to me without wait) Say a prayer, but let the good times roll In case God doesn’t show (Let the good times roll, let the good times roll) And I want these words to make things ter One night, yeah, and one more timeText Thanksby forLAURA the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, oh Been looking forward to the future But myHO eyesight is going ba MALAGRINO Art by SAMANTHA time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, oh I only think in the form of crunching numbers In hotel rooms, collecting page six lovers Get me ou ories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes likeMO. you, only sweeter, oh One night and one moreHEARD time Thanks forstyle the memories even though they weren’t so greatwhich He tastes you, only sweeter On YOU HAVE PROBABLY in general is to set yourself apart, is like a senNo, I can’t help but to hear an exchanging of words “What a beautiful wedding What a beautiful wedding”, says a bridesmaid to a waiter “And, yes, but what a shame What a shame the poor groom the phrase before. It’s a shortened version of timent that resonates with a majority of adolescents. h better to face these kinds of things With a sense of Well, in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne Oh, w word “emotional,” yet theheard meaning is difThedoor?” teenNo, years are abetter time to toface experiment see which ds of things With a sense of poise and rationalitythe I chime in “Haven’t you people ever of closing a goddamn it’s much these kindsand of things With a sense of poise a to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality Again Inblack the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) tell theyours. story ofEmo your fashion life? In the end,happens as my soul’s laid to rest ferent.

Black clothes, hair, black makestyle canWho be will uniquely just l remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!)up ‘Cause the end and I’m not afraid I’m notcertain afraid toindividuals die I’m not afraid!toI’mbe notthat afraidoutlet to die!for Borna avery saintparticular Though, withcommunity. every sin I stillFor wanna be holy I will andit’sblack accessories categorize nd and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s t as “emo” — these trademarks let you know that they’re those who prefer to stay away from extremes, emo style riting this letter and wishing you well Mama, we all go to hell Oh well now, Mama, we’re all gonna die Mama, we’re all gonna die Stop asking me questions, I’d hate to see you cry Mama, we’re all gon outsider, an the outcast. includes a variety small, n your size Mama, we’re all full of liesan Well mother what war didAs to my legs and to my tongue You should have raised a baby girl I should’ve been a better son If youof could coddle the infectio na find a place for you And just you mind manners when you go And when you go don’t return to me my love That’s right Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell really quite pleas theyour walking impersonation subtle elements thatIt’sare ack to the street where we began Feeling good asand love, you could, you can Into a place, where thoughts can bloom Into a room where it’s ninecommonly in the afternoon we know that it could be A of as death isolation, usedAnd today. he moon You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Back to the street Down to our feet Losing the feeling of feeling unique Do you know what I mean? Back to the place, hey Where they don’t always fit in, but Emo fashion varies re the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Just the way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon They’re gonna clean up your looks With all the lies in th among the categories of your cloth s Your aspirations to shreds Anotherthat’s cog inthe the point. murder machine They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken they did They said all Teenagers scare TheI’m living shit out poseand Maybe goth. they’ll leave you alon here to of tellme They you could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike scene,a violent grunge ut of me They could care less As longthat as someone’ll bleed Soare darken me Teenagers scare The living shit out of me T emo people notyour clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not Scene, the more colorful how (Let the good times roll, let the good times roll) And I want these words to make things right But it’s the wrongs that make the words come to life Who does he think he is? If that’s the wors something to be afraid of. of the three, boasts over s like you, only sweeter, oh Been looking forward to the future But my eyesight is going bad In these crystal balls It’s always cloudy except for When you look into the past One night stand (O Instead, you should appreciate hairstyles.

Grunge, farthest from y think in the form of crunching numbers In hotel rooms, collecting page sixthem, lovers as Getthey’ve me out ofdrastimy mind Getteased, you outside-swept of those clothes I’m a liner away Fromthe getting you into the mood Whoa One me Thanks for the memories even though theyhelped weren’t to so great tastes like you, onlyitsweeter One night, yeah,typical and one emo, more time (One night, time) Thanks for memories, thanks for th cally makeHeour society what is today. focuses on one anmore androgynous andthethrifted wedding”, says a bridesmaid to a waiter “And,Allow yes, butme what shame What a shameAs thean poor groom’s bride is a whore” in with a “Haven’t closing a goddamn door?” No toaexplain myself. angsty middle style.I chime Lastly, goth takes you thepeople cake ever withheard all of black everyn, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne Oh, well in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls f school teen immersed in emo culture, I learned that thing, emphasizing a ghastly appearance. sing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality Again I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it culture builds on as three fundamental In my I would spend e into the night (whoa!) Who will tell emo the story of your life? Initself the end, my soul’s laid to restpillars: What is left of my body?

Or middle am I just aschool shell? Iyears, have fought And with fleshhours and blood, I commande not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Born appearance, a saint Though,music with every I stillmedia. wanna beThough holy I willitlive, again Whoin we stores are isn’tsuch how we We Topic, are morebrowsing than our bodies If I fall, I will rise back up and andsinsocial may aslive Hot through clothes ll the story of your life? (Whoa!) Andnot who be willapparent, remember your last goodbye? through (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’sof the end, and I’mand not afraid I’m not afraiddarkest to die Who will remember this last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause contributions each these jewelry of the nature.

My outfits phased a die Mama, we’re all gonna die Stop asking me questions, I’d hate to see you cry Mama, we’re all gonna die And when we go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made us o pillars have weaved their way into modern culture. through different shades of black as my hair colors flucue You should have raised a baby girl I should’ve been a better son If you could coddle the infection They can amputate at once You should’ve been I could have been a better son And when we g tuated between dark green, blueBack andtopurple.

Having turn to me my love That’s right Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell It’s really quite pleasant except for the smell Mama, we all go to hell the streets where we began Feeling where thoughts can bloom Into a room where it’s nine in the afternoon And we know that it could be And we gone know that it should you knowof that you style, feel it Itoo ‘Cause it’s nine in the aftern through theAnd extremes emo was shocked Appearance wn to our feet Losing the feeling of feelingLet’s uniquebegin Do you with know what I mean? Back The to thefocus place, hey say Mansame it feels good to feel this way Now I know I meanaBack to the stre thattothose hair and fashion trends havewhat made appearance. of Where emo we used way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon They’re gonna clean up your looks With all the lies in the books To make a citizen out of you Because they sleep with a gun And keep an eye on you comeback in recent years. rs scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me The boys and girl less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me Oh yeah They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They hes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or str make things right But it’s the wrongs that make the words come to life Who does he think he is? If that’s the worst you got, better put your fingers back to the key One night and one more time t is going bad In these crystal balls It’s always cloudy except for When you look into the past One night stand (One night stand) One night and one more time Thanks for the memories even thoug rs Get me out of my mind Get you out of those clothes I’m a liner away From getting you into the mood Whoa One night and one more time Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so grea nly sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time (One night, one more time) Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories (For the memories, for the memories) See, he tastes like you, only sweeter e poor groom’s bride is a whore” I chime in with a “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationa ampagne Oh, well in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne, pour the champagne I chime in with a “Haven’t y ense of poise and rationality Again I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationali oul’s laid to rest What is left of my body? Or am I just a shell? I have fought And with flesh and blood, I commanded an army Through it all I have given my heart for a moment of glory In the end nna be holy I will live, again Who we are isn’t how we live We are more than our bodies If I fall, I will rise back up and relive my glory In the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell th

EMO A NICHE COMMUNITY MADE ITS MARK

E

As the walking impersonation of death and isolation, they don’t always fit in, but that’s the point.

58 FEBRUARY 2020

hings With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and ra ace these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality Again In the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? In the end, as my soul’s laid to rest What is er your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Born a saint Though, with every sin I still wanna be holy I will live, ag I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end, this letter and wishing you well Mama, we all go to hell Oh well now, Mama, we’re all gonna die Mama, we’re all gonna die Stop asking me questions, I’d hate to see you cry Mama, we’re all gonna d ur size Mama, we’re all full of lies Well mother what the war did to my legs and to my tongue You should have raised a baby girl I should’ve been a better son If you could coddle the infection Th d a place for you And just you mind your manners when you go And when you go don’t return to me my love That’s right Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell It’s really quite pleasant ex the street where we began Feeling as good as love, you could, you can Into a place, where thoughts can bloom Into a room where it’s nine in the afternoon And we know that it could be And we k You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Back to the street Down to our feet Losing the feeling of feeling unique Do you know what I mean? Back to the place, hey Where we used ize of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you do We’re feeling so good Just the way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon They’re gonna clean up your looks With all the lies in the books ur aspirations to shreds Another cog in the murder machine They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes t they did They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you a shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me Teenagers scare The living shit out o And since then, a new category has risen, taking sites such as Tumblr and the now defunct MySpace. oesn’t show (Let the good times roll, let the good times roll) And I want these words to make things right But it’s the wrongs that make the words come to life Who does he think he is? If that on elements of allohthree: E-Girlsforward and E-Boys.

The But strips a welcoming space forIt’soutsiders, especially See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, Been looking to the future my eyesight isBeing going bad In these crystal balls always cloudy except for When you look into the past One ni , oh I only think of in the formdyed of crunching numbers In hotel rooms,Scene. collecting me out of my mind you out of is those clothes I’m a liner hair in a non-natural color?

Thepage Dr.six lovers thoseGetwho identify asGet LGBTQ+, a tenet of emo cul-away From getting you into the mood Wh re time Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, and one time (One night, onespread more time) Thanks for the memories, thanks f Martens?

Grunge.

The layering ofsochains and jewelry? ture.

Online chatyeah, groups andmore public accounts tiful wedding”, says a bridesmaid to a waiter “And, yes, but what a shame What a shame the poor groom’s bride is a whore” I chime in with a “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn doo Goth. All of these have diffused themselves into the emo ideals across the Web, allowing for a larger global I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne Oh, well in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this call mainstream, little reminders of ofthe darkWith and closing a goddamn door?” No, it’screating much better to face these kinds things a senseinfluence. of poise and rationality Again I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tellthat the make story of life?

In the end, as my soul’s laid The to rest What is left of my body?with Or am me I just a shell?my I have intimidating looks upyour emo style. one thing that stuck beyond in-fought And with flesh and blood, I com die I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Born a saint Though, with every sin I still wannadulgence be holy I will we the are isn’t we live We are than our bodies If I fall, I will rise back in live, emoagain styleWho was openhowdiscussion of more menwill tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end, and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die Who will remember this last goodbye? (Whoa!) tal health through the emo community online.

Music gonna die Mama, we’re all gonna die Stop asking me questions, I’d hate to see you cry Mama, we’re all gonna die And when we go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made social and forums, Another fundamental aspect of the emo expeongue You should have raised a baby girl I should’ve been a better son If you could coddle theThrough infection They canmedia amputatecommunities at once You should’ve been I could have been a better son And when w turn to me my love That’sisright we all go to hell Mama, we all goemo to hell It’s reallyI quite pleasantfirsthand except for with the smell Mama, affected we all go to Back to the streets where we began Feeling interacted people byhell mental rience the Mama, music.

Along with fashion, music ere thoughts can bloomacross Into a room where it’s nine artists in the afternoon And weNoneknow that itillness. could beMy And eyes we know thatopened it shouldtoAnd know that youworld, feel it too ‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon Y were anyou entirely new spans many different and sounds. ur feet Losing the feeling of feeling unique Do you know what I mean? Back to the place, hey Where we used to say Man it feels good to feel this way Now I know what I mean Back to the street, back andin Ithefinally realized how closely I was impacted by most emo They’re songs gonna contain lyrics that let With the all au-the lies t we do When it’stheless, nine in the afternoon clean up your looks books To make a citizen out of you Because they sleep with a gun And keep an eye on you, son So mental health.

Through many discussions — both on-But not me The boys and girls in the c dience know that they’re not alone, or that they can be The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone ng as someone’llalone bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave alone me Oh said all Teenagers The living shit out of me They could car lineyou and faceButtonotface —yeah I They learned how to talkscare about together. ke a violent pose Maybe they’llemo leavesongs you alone not me with Teenagers scare The living shit out ofillness me They and couldsupport care less my As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a viole mental friends in their times Other areBut riddled lyrics covering right But it’s the wrongs that make the words come to life Who does he think he is? If that’s the worst you got, better put your fingers back to the key One night and one more time Thanks for t of need. topics as death, andyouheartbreak. ad In these crystal ballssuch It’s always cloudydepression except for When look into the But past One night stand (One night stand) One night and one more time Thanks for the memories even though they wer notmore sure anyone wear music that can seem so depressing to the average lisut of my mind Get you out of those clothes I’m a liner away From getting you into the mood WhoaAre One you nightstill and one timehow Thanks for thecould memories evenall though they weren’t so great He tastes ne night, yeah, and one more timea (One night, one more Thanks for the memories, for the memories (For the for the memories) tastes like you, only sweeter Oh, well imag black in the glaring heatmemories, of summer?

Fret not,See,forhe the tener holds silver lining: thetime) emo community pridesthanks m’s bride is a whore” in with a “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No,ofit’s better to face extremity themuch emo lifestyle is these not kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chim itselfI chime on bringing awareness of mental health, suicide well in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, technically, our marriage is saved Well, this calls for a toast So pour the champagne, pour the champagne I chime in with a “Haven’t you people ev for everyone — it is for the emoand self-harm through music. and rationality Again I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Hav v an army Through it all I have given my heart for a moment of glory In the end, as you fade in For me, a stranger having an emo music taste was t What is left of my body? Or am I just a shell? I have fought And with flesh and blood, tional.

I commanded l live, again Whoawetell-tale are isn’tsign how wethat live IWewould are moreget than our bodies I fall, II will along with Ifthem. cre-rise back up and relive my glory In the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your li the end, and I’m not I’m not afraid to die Who remember thisand lastthemes goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end, and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Not afr atedafraid bonds with friends overwillthe sounds nna die And when we go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made us oh so famous We’ll never let you go And when you go don’t return to me my love Mama, we’re all full of emo music, often going to concerts on They can amputate at once You should’ve been I could have been atogether better sonand And when we go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made us oh so famous We’ll never l discussing new releases and timeless classics alike.weThe sant except for the smell Mama, we all go to hell Back to the streets where began Feeling as good as lovers can, you know Well, now we’re feeling so good Pickin’ up things we shouldn’t read And we know thatwhiny, it should And you know that you it too ‘Cause it’sdistanced nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you doWe’re feeling so good Just t angst-filled sound of feel most 2000s emo e we used to sayitself Man it from feels good feel this way Now whattime.

I mean Back the street, back to the place, Back to the room where it all began Back to the street, back to the place, Back the to mainstream popI know of the But to this he books To make a citizen out of you Because they sleep with a gun And keep an eye on you, son So they can watch all the things you do Because the drugs never work They’re gonna give you a sm soundpose is hard to find in you contemporary andand hasgirls in the clique The awful names that they stick You’re never gonna fit in much, kid But if you’re troubled an hes Or strike a violent Maybe they’ll leave alone But not mepop, The boys since adapted and morphed into a new, more fane But not me Oh yeah They said all Teenagers scare The living shit out of me They could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll lea They could caremiliar less As sound. long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me I’m gonna make you bend and break (It sent you to me w st you got, better putOther your fingers to the key One one more time Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and o artistsback who might notnight be and associated One night stand) One night and one more time Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memo withtime theThanks emofor movement thethough 2000sthey have night and one more the memoriesofeven weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the included motifs related to mental illness in only sweeter Oh, well imagine As I’m pacing the pews in a church corridor And I can’t help but to hear No, I can’t help but he memories (For the memories, for the memories) See, he tastes like you, o, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a and senseXXXof poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these k their lyrics.

Late artists Lil Peep for a toast So pour the champagne, the champagne in with a “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a se Tentacion both pour addressed theirI chime struggle t’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kind withit all depression, mass of fol- In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last go ed an army Through I have given garnering my heart foraa moment of glory lowers who felt they could connect with thetell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid d relive my glory In the end, as we fade into the night (whoa!) Who will e it’s the end, and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to dieserved I’m not as afraid! not of afraid lyrics.

This same connection the I’m basis emoto die! Not afraid! I’m not afraid to die! Mama, we all go to hell Mama, we all go to hell I’m writing this letter a oh so famous We’ll never let to youthe go And when and you go return to me my love Mama, we’re all full of lies Mama, we’re meant for the flies And right now they’re building a coffin your size Mama, w devotion music itsdon’t artists. go don’t blame us, yeah We’ll let the fires just bathe us, yeah You made us oh so famous We’ll never let you go She said, you ain’t no son of mine For what you’ve done they’re Gonna find a place fo g as good as lovers can, you know Well, now we’re feeling so good Pickin’ up things we shouldn’t read It looks like the end of history as we know It’s just the end of the world Back to the str Social media noon Your eyes are the size of the moon You could ‘cause you can so you doWe’re feeling so good Just the way that we do When it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of the moon You eet, back to the place,Just Backas to themes the room where it all began Backare to the street, back of mental health prevalent in to the place, Back to the room where it all began ‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon Your eyes are the size of u, son So they can watch all thethey thingsremain you do Because the drugs work They’re gonna give you a smirk ‘Cause they got methods of keepin’ you clean They gonna rip up your heads Your aspi emo music, prominent onnever social media ls in the clique The awful names that they stick You’re never gonna fit in much, kid But if you’re troubled and hurt What you got under your shirt Will make them pay for the things that they d y could care less As long as someone’ll bleed So darken your clothes Or strike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me All together now Teenagers scare The living shit out o rike a violent pose Maybe they’ll leave you alone But not me I’m gonna make you bend and break (It sent you to me without wait) Say a prayer, but let the good times roll In case God doesn’t show Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes l gh they weren’t so great He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, oh I only thin at He tastes like you, only sweeter One night, yeah, and one more time Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories See, he tastes like you, only sweeter, oh One night and one more time Than r Oh, well imagine As I’m pacing the pews in a church corridor And I can’t help but to hear No, I can’t help but to hear an exchanging of words “What a beautiful wedding What a beautiful weddin ality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of Well, in fact Well, I’ll look at it this way I mean, te you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a ity I chime in “Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?” No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things With a sense of poise and rationality Again In the end, as we fade in d, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will tell the story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die I’m no he story of your life? (Whoa!) And who will remember your last goodbye? (Whoa!) ‘Cause it’s the end and I’m not afraid I’m not afraid to die In the end, as you fade into the night (whoa!) Who will te

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 59

#Ad A

N INSTAGRAM POST of a celebrity holding up a bottle of shampoo? Obviously an advertisement. Your favorite YouTuber encouraging you to buy a product that has done them wonders? Not clearly an ad, but definitely a trap.

With the exponential growth of social media and popular creators who thrive on these platforms, advertisers have taken the opportunity to pay influencers to endorse their products. From reality TV stars to teenage vloggers, celebrity sponsorships are all over social media platforms.

Despite the attempt of some social media apps to require influencers to disclose sponsorships, it is common for endorsements like these to stay undisclosed.

Consumers should have the right to know if an influencer is being sponsored in order to accurately determine the credibility of the ad and the trustworthiness of the product being promoted. As the target audience of most social media influencers, teens can be especially vulnerable to these advertisements.

“Many teens idolize their favorite YouTubers, and are willing to buy products that

60 FEBRUARY 2020

SOCIAL MEDIA’S SECRET ADVERTISMENTS Text by PAISLEY ANNES Art by XIAOHAN LI might make them more like that YouTu- help you “meet your hair goals,” according ber,” Palo Alto High School sophomore to their website. Compared to the price of a typical vitamin gummy, such as FlintGianna Brogley says.

I find it difficult to believe that when Stones Gummies which are $12.22 per an influencer is being paid to endorse a month on Amazon, SugarBearHair gumproduct, they are actually frequent users of mies cost a whopping $29.99 a month. these items. It seems more When influencers likely that social media tell their viewers that they Consumers have have tried these gummies gurus are just testing the product for sponsorship the right to know and they work, teens are deal money. more likely to purif an influencer is much A 2018 study by chase the product out of Forbes revealed that 92% being sponsored. blind loyalty, rather than of consumers trust influthorough research. encers more than ads or celebrity endorseThese gummies are just one of the ments, but what these consumers fail to un- millions of absurd trends created and supderstand is that the YouTube video they are ported by brands and influencers that trap watching is no different from the ad they consumers into purchasing a useless prodskipped at the beginning of that video. uct.

In addition, brands and influencers Fortunately, according to the Austracapitalize on teens’ insecurities to create lian Competition and Consumer Commisridiculous fads, making viewers feel com- sion, there are ways to avoid falling into pelled to consume products to comply with the deceiving hands of dirty advertisers. social pressures.

One effective way to verify a brand’s SugarBearHair is a classic example of a credibility is to research whether they folcompany that uses this marketing strategy. low through on their promises. You can do The hair vitamin company pays influ- this by checking with other people who encers with large followings — such have bought the product themselves and as actress Dove Cameron — to ad- who aren’t being paid to give a raving revertise their products. view. Nevertheless, anyone who is active SugarBearHair’s only claim online must keep in mind how much adabout the gummies is that they vertising companies know about you, regardless of whether you’re looking to shop.

“They know when you’re going to have your first baby, they know when you’re gonna get married and they know when and what kind of products you’re gonna buy,” Paly economics teacher Grant Blackburn said.

The ads and influencer sponsorships that appear on your Instagram are targeted directly toward you, and can be hard to avoid. Despite this, it is crucial to check the credibility of the brand, and not let social media’s secret advertisements get the best of you. v

perspectives

v

Want to advertise with

VERDE MAGAZINE? Contact verdebusiness5@gmail.com

We’re Fun and French!

V.

Left Bank Brasserie Menlo Park, California (650) 473-6543

More Water Polo.

5th-12th grade register now for Spring at 650polo.org

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 61

Q

uizzical Kayla

Text by KAYLA BRAND Art by SELENA CAO

APPLYING BACTERIA TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE

W

HEN MOST PEOPLE hear the word “bacteria,” they picture germs and disease. These microorganisms, however, have been evolving for billions of years. It only makes sense that they have some tricks up their sleeves. With short generations, bacteria can evolve far faster than humans can. They can share adaptations with other living bacteria rather than simply passing genes down. They adapt to antibiotics. They can communicate through chemical signals. All life on Earth may have evolved from them. While some bacteria can be dangerous to us, we rely on others to survive: without bacteria in our bodies, we would be unable to digest food. Bacteria obviously do not care whether or not they are helping us, but we should because they are the way of the future. Here are some of the groundbreaking ways bacteria are helping humans innovate. v

Cancer ­—

It is responsi-

ble for nearly 17% of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Many tumors hide from the immune system using a CD47 protein. Tumors can also provide safe harbors for bacteria to grow, according to Columbia Engineering News. By taking advantage of this, Columbia University professor Tal Danino found that E. coli bacteria injections can be used to fight aggressive colon cancer in mice. Benign E. coli were genetically engineered to manufacture nanobodies that disable the CD47 “nametags,” and then self-destruct. The bacterial remnants attract the attention of the immune system, which attacks unveiled cancer cells. Using a bacterial Trojan Horse, researchers cleared the way for long-term survival in the mice, according to Nature Medicine Journal.

Clothing —

The World Bank found that nearly 20% of industrial water pollution comes from dying and treating textiles. Material scientist and designer Natsai Audrey Chieza noticed that Streptomyces coelicolor bacteria produced vibrant pink, purple and blue pigment as it colonized a petri dish. Chieza found that with coelicolor, a T-shirt can be dyed with only one fifth of a liter of water: less than one cup. This is in comparison to the 2,700 liters of fresh water it takes to create one cotton T-shirt according to the World Wildlife Fund. Through folding, twisting, submerging, spraying and other changes to the conditions in which the coelicolor grows, organic patterns, solid color and even regular repeating patterns can be created.

With coelicolor, clothing could be dyed without artificial chemicals or the dependence on petroleum.

Bacteria could be the stepping stones in a path to a future of more sustainable fashions.

62 FEBRUARY 2020

Fuel ­—

Lung disease from cooking over open wood fire, unnecessary deforestation and resulting soil erosion, fossil fuel-intensive fertilizer production and a lack of access to clean bathroom facilities: What do all of these worldwide problems have in common?

One bacteria-based solution could provide the resources to address them all. After over a decade of prototyping, the Israeli company Homebiogas developed a low-maintenance off-grid biogas toilet. It uses bacteria to anaerobically digest human waste and food waste into clean-burning renewable biogas fuel and nutrient-dense fertilizer. For families that rely on women and children to collect firewood, the biogas toilet could free up precious time. With the technology ready for deployment, all that is needed next is the money and transportation to bring this to people who need it.

CRISPR — Whether we know genetic engineering as Pro-

metheus’ fire, the next nuclear weapon or an overhyped fad, we have all heard of its potential to impact society. Cas9 proteins are one tool that enables genetic engineering. Would you be surprised to learn that CRISPR Cas9, too, was first developed by bacteria? Scientists discovered CRISPR Cas9 genetic engineering by repurposing a system that bacteria engineered millions of years ago to fight viral infection. As a single-celled organism, a single virus can be deadly for a bacterium. Bacteria record snippets of viral DNA in a stretch of genetic code called CRISPR. Proteins called Cas9 “search” for matches to these snippets. When a virus injects its DNA into the cell, the Cas9 protein cuts the DNA of the match, rendering the viral code incomprehensible and harmless. If not for the study of bacteria, we never would have found CRISPR Cas9.

perspectives

v

VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 63

Palo Alto Unified School District Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301

Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Palo Alto, California Permit #44

verdemagazine.com

64 FEBRUARY 2020