Letter from the editors
By Eliza Neeley, Aliya Blinman, & Cian Martin
During our past three years on the Dragon’s Tale, we have had the pleasure of seeing how our class has created change over the past four years, both in our own lives and to the campus.
Four years ago, we gaggled in the gym, greeted by Link Crew leaders who seemed far too enthusiastic or too blase. Four years ago, we were glad to be rid of the past nine years, hopeful for the next four, and terrified of whatever would come after.
We were territorial over our freshman teams, in denial about our attachment to our robot babies (despite their terrifying inhaling noises), and trying desperately, so so desperately, to not seem like a freshman.
For team Mauna Kea, Miz Lee greeted us each English class with a bemused smile and trendy denim onesie. Honors English students shared the charming trauma of seeing Miz Lee with a plastic tiara and fairy wand to simulate a Matching Ceremony from one of our summer assignment books, Matched.
Olympus was treated to constant Swiftian entertainment in the form of the hit album 1989 along with Anspach’s Birthday song that made you feel like the most important person ever. Lab Bio was blessed with the constant barn-like smell of Mr. Coon’s room.
Sophomore year, no longer being booed at rallies was far bigger an accomplishment than it should have been. Although we were no longer like a shunned freshman, our place at SVHS was not quite respected as legitimate. Drama seemed to be much more intense, while the school work was not.
It was also the year that lunches were shortened from 45 to 35 minutes. With this change came the end of many traditions, such as the In-n-Out dash.
We were all far more excited than we probably should have been to see our school on a Snapchat news story, especially considering the topic of the story: a fight that went viral. I will never forget the first time I saw Ms. Purvis sprinting after one of the students involved in the fight screaming “somebody get that girl!”
In class, “Dover Beach” invaded our every thought, (for two of us) appeared in our dreams, and took over our lives; in so much that even now, three years later, most seniors can still recite the thrilling lines of Matthew Arnold. We also learned that every book relates to the loss of innocence; a fitting theme for hormonal and slightly angsty teens.
Towards the end of the year, more and more of our classmates could drive and we all felt more comfortable with each other and closer as a class. We started to feel like actual high schoolers.
Junior year, we were challenged in so many ways. Our schedules were more than anyone could quite handle, but it acted as team bonding; we all suffered together. Though slightly torturous, classes were genuinely interesting and valuable.
It was also the year when we were first able to go off campus without hiding in a trunk. Somehow, it was always just a little thrilling to show our card to Mike as we drove far away for far too short a time.
Second semester junior year was emotionally taxing to say the least. The classes that one semester ago had been enjoyably challenging started to become a bit of a slog. We knew we should relish our time here, started to grow nostalgic. Just as the end of the year seemed in reach, we lost Brandon Barmore, a beloved senior.
We came together not just as a class, or school, but as a community. The love in those months will be treasured by all of us for years to come.
Senior year was FIRE! Sorry, poor word choice. What an odd experience, to be so enamored with, frustrated with, and bored with this school. A paradox of emotions, we feel excited for the future, but scared for what it brings, done with SVHS, but nostalgic of our time spent here, ready to meet new people, but sad to leave each other.
And then our town burned. We lost two weeks of school. The school was transformed into an evacuation center. Many students volunteered. Many were evacuated. Some lost their homes. This was quite an unwelcome rocky start to senior year.
Senior year was… how can we describe it? Similar to being catapulted through an upstairs window. We all were far more upset about the cutting of Honors English than we probably should have been considering it wouldn't affect us. Perhaps it’s just because it provided a perfect excuse to be mad at admin one more time before we leave the overbearing roost to which we have come accustomed.
We have become well accustomed to tragedy, to loss, and to each other. As we finally limp through these last few weeks it is important to reflect on these past four years before we leap into this next phase of our lives.
Why seniors should decorate their caps
By Aliya Blinman, Natlya Crawford & Eliza Neeley
Each person who is graduating deserves to celebrate their accomplishments. They deserve to memorialize their individuality. This is undermined however, by our high school refusing to let us decorate our graduation caps.
Most other high schools celebrate the graduating students, by allowing students to decorate their graduation caps. All 240 of us, in the same unflattering black robe and flat-topped cap, is a boring sight, but if we were all allowed to express ourselves on our caps, this would be a different story.
After working 12 years to get where we are, it seems like we should be able to paint a pretty picture on the cap, which cost $50.
Those who argue that decorated caps interfere with the day’s “pomp and circumstance” are turning graduation into something that is more honorary than celebratory. Graduation is a day that is purely about and for the seniors. It is not a day where the school should be allowed to exercise their seemingly pointless control over their students as a ‘last hurrah.’ Many administrators do not even understand the purpose of the rule. Mr Gildengorin admits that “I have no idea why we aren’t allowed to have caps and gowns. I’m not the guy to ask.” If they don’t know, why even still have the rule?
We shouldn’t only be celebrated by our school through the colleges we attend or the GPA’s we’ve received these past four years. We are more than this. Our distinct identities should be proudly displayed in vibrant colors on the tops of our heads during graduation.
By Aliya Blinman, Natlya Crawford & Eliza Neeley
Each person who is graduating deserves to celebrate their accomplishments. They deserve to memorialize their individuality. This is undermined however, by our high school refusing to let us decorate our graduation caps.
Most other high schools celebrate the graduating students, by allowing students to decorate their graduation caps. All 240 of us, in the same unflattering black robe and flat-topped cap, is a boring sight, but if we were all allowed to express ourselves on our caps, this would be a different story.
After working 12 years to get where we are, it seems like we should be able to paint a pretty picture on the cap, which cost $50.
Those who argue that decorated caps interfere with the day’s “pomp and circumstance” are turning graduation into something that is more honorary than celebratory. Graduation is a day that is purely about and for the seniors. It is not a day where the school should be allowed to exercise their seemingly pointless control over their students as a ‘last hurrah.’ Many administrators do not even understand the purpose of the rule. Mr Gildengorin admits that “I have no idea why we aren’t allowed to have caps and gowns. I’m not the guy to ask.” If they don’t know, why even still have the rule?
We shouldn’t only be celebrated by our school through the colleges we attend or the GPA’s we’ve received these past four years. We are more than this. Our distinct identities should be proudly displayed in vibrant colors on the tops of our heads during graduation.
Comical Senior advice
By the seniors of the class
Always come to class prepared. If this means hauling around notes from the first day of the first semester, do it. Nothing’s worse than going over a math problem and being the only one without a cheat sheet, or throwing away half the poems from your English class that have to be turned in for your final. Even if you have to bring a wheelbarrow to school, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Do sports, especially cross country. By far the most painful sport, it will guarantee the best memories and some of the best friendships. Also who can’t pass up being coached by someone who can run six miles to Johnny Rockets, eat a full meal, and run back?
Do not smoke weed in the bathrooms. It is the most generic, lamest move that you could ever make. It ruins everyone’s day who steps in the bathroom after you and you most likely will be caught. As someone who drinks much water, little is worse than having the urinal blocked by a vapist.
Also play a sport so that your robot baby can be turned off for three hours during your freshman year. Playing sports also allows you to waive P.E. but make sure you read the fine print where if you do skip P.E. you have to take a CPR class before you graduate. I still have not done this.
DO NOT WEAR HEELS AT GRADUATION!! Or you will fall. It’s inevitable.
Make sure to never use the phrase “it’s a great day to be a Dragon” unironically. If you have a daunting test, a high-stakes sports game, the weather is bad, or the world is ending, these are the perfect times to say “it’s a great day to be a Dragon!” This phrase can be seen as similar to “Thanks Obama!”
Never wear shoes that have weak grip on the bottom when it’s raining. If you do this, you will slip and fall in the middle of the hallway in front of everyone. Slippers are the number one cause of this painful embarrassment. Also, wear a raincoat when it rains because we have an outdoor campus, and even if you’re under the overhang, you will get wet.
Always “boo” the freshman at the rallies, it’s a tradition. As a freshman you may think this tradition is mean and unwelcoming and that when you’re an upperclassman you will be different and not boo the freshman. However, you will be surprised as an upperclassman how much joy booing freshman brings you. It is a right of passage and an honor to be able to boo the freshman and thank the universe that you are no longer a freshman.
Join newspaper! (Obviously we’re biased) But seriously, you get to hear juicy news every day and also get to have a free pass into any school authorized event. I have been to every homecoming football game since sophomore year for free and have also been able to slip into a couple dances.
Join Mock Trial, Model UN, or Forensics! Not only do they look phenomenal on college or job resumes but they also give you better public speaking skills. This can help in anything from Senior Project Presentations to promposals. Mock Trial and Model UN are also some of the few extracurriculars where you are able to travel, from Berkeley to Anaheim to Chicago, you name it! Who doesn’t want to miss school? Also they have pretty rockin’ nerd dances.
Ask Mr. Gissell about his Leaf. It will be a positive experience I swear.
Take Ms. Manchester’s AP English class. You will never learn as much in any class as you do in hers. I promise that I’m not overhyping it when I say that, after taking it, you will be a better reader, writer, student, and human being. And you will probably enjoy it! Be prepared to have your mind blown every day about literature you may have thought was boring. Also, Freud - enough said.
Definitely make as many friends as you can! It’s always a good thing to have many friends because you want your high school experience to be as fun as possible. If you feel as though you wont fit in with a specific group or person, don’t be so hesitant to try and approach them! Nothing is more sad than missing out on a potentially amazing friendship!
Do not get addicted to nicotine. Vaping is only cool when you do it on Snapchat, so don’t get addicted because you’re gonna end up snapping your whole life away.
Cherish all of Mr. Pattarelli’s stories, and please for the love of God laugh at all of his jokes, boost his confidence.
By the seniors of the class
Always come to class prepared. If this means hauling around notes from the first day of the first semester, do it. Nothing’s worse than going over a math problem and being the only one without a cheat sheet, or throwing away half the poems from your English class that have to be turned in for your final. Even if you have to bring a wheelbarrow to school, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Do sports, especially cross country. By far the most painful sport, it will guarantee the best memories and some of the best friendships. Also who can’t pass up being coached by someone who can run six miles to Johnny Rockets, eat a full meal, and run back?
Do not smoke weed in the bathrooms. It is the most generic, lamest move that you could ever make. It ruins everyone’s day who steps in the bathroom after you and you most likely will be caught. As someone who drinks much water, little is worse than having the urinal blocked by a vapist.
Also play a sport so that your robot baby can be turned off for three hours during your freshman year. Playing sports also allows you to waive P.E. but make sure you read the fine print where if you do skip P.E. you have to take a CPR class before you graduate. I still have not done this.
DO NOT WEAR HEELS AT GRADUATION!! Or you will fall. It’s inevitable.
Make sure to never use the phrase “it’s a great day to be a Dragon” unironically. If you have a daunting test, a high-stakes sports game, the weather is bad, or the world is ending, these are the perfect times to say “it’s a great day to be a Dragon!” This phrase can be seen as similar to “Thanks Obama!”
Never wear shoes that have weak grip on the bottom when it’s raining. If you do this, you will slip and fall in the middle of the hallway in front of everyone. Slippers are the number one cause of this painful embarrassment. Also, wear a raincoat when it rains because we have an outdoor campus, and even if you’re under the overhang, you will get wet.
Always “boo” the freshman at the rallies, it’s a tradition. As a freshman you may think this tradition is mean and unwelcoming and that when you’re an upperclassman you will be different and not boo the freshman. However, you will be surprised as an upperclassman how much joy booing freshman brings you. It is a right of passage and an honor to be able to boo the freshman and thank the universe that you are no longer a freshman.
Join newspaper! (Obviously we’re biased) But seriously, you get to hear juicy news every day and also get to have a free pass into any school authorized event. I have been to every homecoming football game since sophomore year for free and have also been able to slip into a couple dances.
Join Mock Trial, Model UN, or Forensics! Not only do they look phenomenal on college or job resumes but they also give you better public speaking skills. This can help in anything from Senior Project Presentations to promposals. Mock Trial and Model UN are also some of the few extracurriculars where you are able to travel, from Berkeley to Anaheim to Chicago, you name it! Who doesn’t want to miss school? Also they have pretty rockin’ nerd dances.
Ask Mr. Gissell about his Leaf. It will be a positive experience I swear.
Take Ms. Manchester’s AP English class. You will never learn as much in any class as you do in hers. I promise that I’m not overhyping it when I say that, after taking it, you will be a better reader, writer, student, and human being. And you will probably enjoy it! Be prepared to have your mind blown every day about literature you may have thought was boring. Also, Freud - enough said.
Definitely make as many friends as you can! It’s always a good thing to have many friends because you want your high school experience to be as fun as possible. If you feel as though you wont fit in with a specific group or person, don’t be so hesitant to try and approach them! Nothing is more sad than missing out on a potentially amazing friendship!
Do not get addicted to nicotine. Vaping is only cool when you do it on Snapchat, so don’t get addicted because you’re gonna end up snapping your whole life away.
Cherish all of Mr. Pattarelli’s stories, and please for the love of God laugh at all of his jokes, boost his confidence.
Parkland inspires outrage
By Eliza Neeley
School shootings fuel fear-based culture with a government that is too focused on incentives to save the lives of students. According to the New York Times, since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, at least 239 school shootings have taken place nationwide, with 438 people injured, 138 killed. 138 people, most of them students, have died. Yet our country continues to sell automatic weapons.
Mr. Aaron Anderson, SVHS art teacher recalled, “The day after the Parkland shooting, I had a bunch of kids working on art outside under the sun and I was struck with a fear for their vulnerability. I don’t want to let the fear change the way I teach, but I care about my students’ safety.”
After watching the Parkland survivors, who lost their friends and classmates less than a week before taking action against gun violence, I was impassioned by their loss but simultaneously empowered by their voices. Though older generations tend to ridicule us “lazy screenagers,” I disagree with this stereotype. We are angry at this broken world; we are angry that change has taken this long, but we are willing to make that change. Mr. Jonathan Beard, culinary teacher commented, “I've seen students at SVHS respond in a grass roots sort of way to the Florida shooting. Teens have made their voices heard through the rest of the country. I think they don’t have complete trust in government officials to fix issues, so they are taking it into their own hands, and it is inspiring.”
A few of Trump’s solutions include arming 20% of teachers, posting armed veterans on campus, and adding metal detectors to campus. Though no high school is safe from a person with semi automatic or automatic weapons, increasing the number of weapons around students doesn’t seem like the solution. I would prefer to attend a high school that didn’t resemble a prison.
A trained police officer is only 20% accurate with a pistol, so the idea that teachers could accurately protect students is delusional. Though gun ownership is justified by self-defense, after people buy guns, their insurance rates raise, because they are more likely to injure themselves or a family member instead of actually protect themselves. Statistically speaking, keeping a gun does not make you more safe.
I believe the solution to mass shootings is not to attack every hunter and gun owner, but to restrict distribution of military-style weapons: ban semi automatic and automatic guns, silencers, and bump stocks, increase background checks, and take the entire gun-obtaining process more seriously.
I hope that the Florida school shooting will be the last and that through the power of the people, especially the passion of my generation, “never again” will be a reality.
By Eliza Neeley
School shootings fuel fear-based culture with a government that is too focused on incentives to save the lives of students. According to the New York Times, since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, at least 239 school shootings have taken place nationwide, with 438 people injured, 138 killed. 138 people, most of them students, have died. Yet our country continues to sell automatic weapons.
Mr. Aaron Anderson, SVHS art teacher recalled, “The day after the Parkland shooting, I had a bunch of kids working on art outside under the sun and I was struck with a fear for their vulnerability. I don’t want to let the fear change the way I teach, but I care about my students’ safety.”
After watching the Parkland survivors, who lost their friends and classmates less than a week before taking action against gun violence, I was impassioned by their loss but simultaneously empowered by their voices. Though older generations tend to ridicule us “lazy screenagers,” I disagree with this stereotype. We are angry at this broken world; we are angry that change has taken this long, but we are willing to make that change. Mr. Jonathan Beard, culinary teacher commented, “I've seen students at SVHS respond in a grass roots sort of way to the Florida shooting. Teens have made their voices heard through the rest of the country. I think they don’t have complete trust in government officials to fix issues, so they are taking it into their own hands, and it is inspiring.”
A few of Trump’s solutions include arming 20% of teachers, posting armed veterans on campus, and adding metal detectors to campus. Though no high school is safe from a person with semi automatic or automatic weapons, increasing the number of weapons around students doesn’t seem like the solution. I would prefer to attend a high school that didn’t resemble a prison.
A trained police officer is only 20% accurate with a pistol, so the idea that teachers could accurately protect students is delusional. Though gun ownership is justified by self-defense, after people buy guns, their insurance rates raise, because they are more likely to injure themselves or a family member instead of actually protect themselves. Statistically speaking, keeping a gun does not make you more safe.
I believe the solution to mass shootings is not to attack every hunter and gun owner, but to restrict distribution of military-style weapons: ban semi automatic and automatic guns, silencers, and bump stocks, increase background checks, and take the entire gun-obtaining process more seriously.
I hope that the Florida school shooting will be the last and that through the power of the people, especially the passion of my generation, “never again” will be a reality.
Anonymous interview with the butterfly mural painters
By Eliza Neeley & Mia Benstead
Months after the mysterious butterfly mural appeared one weekend, the anonymous painters reveal their intentions and feelings about their creation. The mural came to a surprise to administration, staff, and students, but had overwhelmingly positive responses, adding to the community and beauty of SVHS.
How did you first think of the idea?
Student A:My friend and I had a lot of classes together and a shared passion of art. Every day we would walk past the blank hallway walls and think about how much more beautiful they could be. We had talked about the idea of painting a mural on one of the walls for months, it seemed like an exciting and intimidating idea.
Student B: I saw a picture on tumblr of a flower painted on the wall and it was really pretty so I talked to my friend about doing something like it. We discussed many options of what we could paint and then she was a student on the Nicaragua trip, and after Brandon’s passing we felt very inspired by it and came up with the butterfly idea.
Why did you do it?
A: The year was ending, and we wanted to do it before the seniors left. We felt like that graduating class would appreciate it, and knew that less people would be able to enjoy or it or even notice it over the summer.
B: Our school was in a very sad and gloomy time and we wanted to do something that would lift everybody’s spirits. Around that time, butterflies became a big symbol of something beautiful through all of the bad, and so we thought that was a good idea.
What was the message you wanted to project?
A: Originally we wanted to do it to add a beautiful positive thing to the school make a mark, create something that would make other people happy to look at. But at least for me, the reasoning behind it changed. I know that a lot of us in those last few months of school were having a very difficult time because we lost our friend, Brandon. And so we both thought that painting a mural during that time would add beauty into everyone's’ lives. We wanted to remind everyone of the good things in this world. We decided on the butterfly because it felt relevant to the time and consisted of happiness and color. We wanted to have a message that everyone could relate to, and we felt like everything comes down to love in the end.
B: Love. We chose the Beatles quote “love is all you need” which was chosen to show happiness and spread love through the school.
Were you worried about being caught?
A: We weren’t ever worried about consequences for ourselves, we were willing to face any consequences because we believe so strongly in our message. We knew the risks we were taking. Our real worry was that the artwork would be covered.
B: No, because I knew that what I was doing was a good thing and I was willing to defend myself because this was a good cause. I was not afraid of what they would do.
What were your feelings after the fact?
A: The first thing I saw when I woke up the next morning was that someone had taken a picture of the butterfly already. I saw tons and tons of positive feedback, people were so excited. I sat there in my bed seeing all the feedback, thinking, “wow I can't believe I did this and I can’t believe no one knows it was me.” When we were doing it, it felt like a dream, but the next day it was so real. I saw it in the daylight, dry, and was able to touch it. People I didn’t know were posting about it on social media and I heard teachers talking about it. There's really nothing like it, people liking something you did but having no idea you did it.
B: I was really happy because people really liked it and there was a very positive outcome. I didn’t expect it to stay up as long as it did. I thought it would be up for a day and then a janitor would just paint over it or something, so it is really surprising that it is still here and people can see it and see that love is really all you need and hopefully take something away from it.
By Eliza Neeley & Mia Benstead
Months after the mysterious butterfly mural appeared one weekend, the anonymous painters reveal their intentions and feelings about their creation. The mural came to a surprise to administration, staff, and students, but had overwhelmingly positive responses, adding to the community and beauty of SVHS.
How did you first think of the idea?
Student A:My friend and I had a lot of classes together and a shared passion of art. Every day we would walk past the blank hallway walls and think about how much more beautiful they could be. We had talked about the idea of painting a mural on one of the walls for months, it seemed like an exciting and intimidating idea.
Student B: I saw a picture on tumblr of a flower painted on the wall and it was really pretty so I talked to my friend about doing something like it. We discussed many options of what we could paint and then she was a student on the Nicaragua trip, and after Brandon’s passing we felt very inspired by it and came up with the butterfly idea.
Why did you do it?
A: The year was ending, and we wanted to do it before the seniors left. We felt like that graduating class would appreciate it, and knew that less people would be able to enjoy or it or even notice it over the summer.
B: Our school was in a very sad and gloomy time and we wanted to do something that would lift everybody’s spirits. Around that time, butterflies became a big symbol of something beautiful through all of the bad, and so we thought that was a good idea.
What was the message you wanted to project?
A: Originally we wanted to do it to add a beautiful positive thing to the school make a mark, create something that would make other people happy to look at. But at least for me, the reasoning behind it changed. I know that a lot of us in those last few months of school were having a very difficult time because we lost our friend, Brandon. And so we both thought that painting a mural during that time would add beauty into everyone's’ lives. We wanted to remind everyone of the good things in this world. We decided on the butterfly because it felt relevant to the time and consisted of happiness and color. We wanted to have a message that everyone could relate to, and we felt like everything comes down to love in the end.
B: Love. We chose the Beatles quote “love is all you need” which was chosen to show happiness and spread love through the school.
Were you worried about being caught?
A: We weren’t ever worried about consequences for ourselves, we were willing to face any consequences because we believe so strongly in our message. We knew the risks we were taking. Our real worry was that the artwork would be covered.
B: No, because I knew that what I was doing was a good thing and I was willing to defend myself because this was a good cause. I was not afraid of what they would do.
What were your feelings after the fact?
A: The first thing I saw when I woke up the next morning was that someone had taken a picture of the butterfly already. I saw tons and tons of positive feedback, people were so excited. I sat there in my bed seeing all the feedback, thinking, “wow I can't believe I did this and I can’t believe no one knows it was me.” When we were doing it, it felt like a dream, but the next day it was so real. I saw it in the daylight, dry, and was able to touch it. People I didn’t know were posting about it on social media and I heard teachers talking about it. There's really nothing like it, people liking something you did but having no idea you did it.
B: I was really happy because people really liked it and there was a very positive outcome. I didn’t expect it to stay up as long as it did. I thought it would be up for a day and then a janitor would just paint over it or something, so it is really surprising that it is still here and people can see it and see that love is really all you need and hopefully take something away from it.
SF March one year later
By Eliza Neeley
After a week of rainy gray clouds, the skies of San Francisco shined for the Women's March. From mid-day to sunset, a seemingly never-ending crowd of chanting people, holding signs high, marched down Market street.
Approximately 80,000 protesters of all ages and backgrounds came together, not just to march for women, but for general human equality, peace, and love.
Last year I attended the same march in San Francisco, which instilled hope after the election. This year wasn’t just a reunion or a repetition of the issues voiced last year, but rather an assurance that these voices cannot be silenced, and that the people will not give up, even after a year of Trump’s presidency.
Though the first year of Trump's presidency involved targeting of immigrants, minorities, abortion rights, environmental protection, and much more, people have not complied, and instead fought back.
This year, the Women's March fought for dreamers, for victims of sexual assault, for the protection of land that Trump wants to industrialize, and for the financial assistance and health care of lower classes. “Me Too” posters, pins, and shirts populated the streets, symbolizing the power and resistance of the women who have come forward. Though sexual assault is a continuous issue, this year has seen a powerful shift. The shame previously inflicted on the victims has been replaced by empowerment.
Through hours at the March, I did not witness a single negative comment or conflict. Instead, people joyfully complimented each other's signs, exchanged ideas in a friendly manner, and danced and chanted together.
On the street corners, bands sang and played makeshift instruments, while all types of people marched together. Two little boys, with signs they made themselves, danced around, shouting “not my president.”
By Eliza Neeley
After a week of rainy gray clouds, the skies of San Francisco shined for the Women's March. From mid-day to sunset, a seemingly never-ending crowd of chanting people, holding signs high, marched down Market street.
Approximately 80,000 protesters of all ages and backgrounds came together, not just to march for women, but for general human equality, peace, and love.
Last year I attended the same march in San Francisco, which instilled hope after the election. This year wasn’t just a reunion or a repetition of the issues voiced last year, but rather an assurance that these voices cannot be silenced, and that the people will not give up, even after a year of Trump’s presidency.
Though the first year of Trump's presidency involved targeting of immigrants, minorities, abortion rights, environmental protection, and much more, people have not complied, and instead fought back.
This year, the Women's March fought for dreamers, for victims of sexual assault, for the protection of land that Trump wants to industrialize, and for the financial assistance and health care of lower classes. “Me Too” posters, pins, and shirts populated the streets, symbolizing the power and resistance of the women who have come forward. Though sexual assault is a continuous issue, this year has seen a powerful shift. The shame previously inflicted on the victims has been replaced by empowerment.
Through hours at the March, I did not witness a single negative comment or conflict. Instead, people joyfully complimented each other's signs, exchanged ideas in a friendly manner, and danced and chanted together.
On the street corners, bands sang and played makeshift instruments, while all types of people marched together. Two little boys, with signs they made themselves, danced around, shouting “not my president.”
Murder on the Nile
By Eliza Neeley
An Agatha Christie classic shortened to engage the audience, “Murder on the Nile” contained suspense, humor, and drama. Taking place on a luxury steamer traveling up the Nile in the 1940s, a character is murdered and the cast is spun into a confused scramble for the answers.
Mrs. Duma, co-director, explained that her “favorite aspect of the play were the students. The students’ willingness to work hard even through setbacks like the fires, showed their commitment and excitement for performing. The students made the play.”
Due to the fires, weeks of production were lost and students were forced to rehearse during vacation breaks and for extra hours to make up for lost time. However, the cast pulled it off, embodying their eccentric characters, and performing an exciting and suspenseful show on opening night.
Lauren Smith, senior, who has participated in the play for two years, commented that this year “the cast was interesting because so many seniors from last year left, and the cast was almost entirely different. I had the chance to form new relationships with people I wouldn't have met them otherwise.”
In another perspective, Erik Serbiki, junior, joined the production weeks late and had never participated in a play before, but “my nervous feelings were almost immediately changed because of how welcoming and fun the cast was. In the end I thought the work paid off and was glad I joined.”
A lead character, Kay Ridgeway, a posh and sophisticated socialite, acted by Natlya Crawford and Mia Benstead. Simon Mostyn, her newlywed, is played by Jackson Zyskowski and Dominic Garcia. Jacqueline de Severac, a jealous ex with a hilariously frightening craze, done by Aliya Blinman and Ellie Proctor. Along with the main murder plot, was a hilariously awkward love story and an overly bossy, self-centered aunt.
An added complication of the production was shortening the original two and half hour play to a more entertaining hour and half. “Along with having to shorten the play, the racism that was present in the actual novel had to be cut out and the story had to be modernized,” added Smith.
By Eliza Neeley
An Agatha Christie classic shortened to engage the audience, “Murder on the Nile” contained suspense, humor, and drama. Taking place on a luxury steamer traveling up the Nile in the 1940s, a character is murdered and the cast is spun into a confused scramble for the answers.
Mrs. Duma, co-director, explained that her “favorite aspect of the play were the students. The students’ willingness to work hard even through setbacks like the fires, showed their commitment and excitement for performing. The students made the play.”
Due to the fires, weeks of production were lost and students were forced to rehearse during vacation breaks and for extra hours to make up for lost time. However, the cast pulled it off, embodying their eccentric characters, and performing an exciting and suspenseful show on opening night.
Lauren Smith, senior, who has participated in the play for two years, commented that this year “the cast was interesting because so many seniors from last year left, and the cast was almost entirely different. I had the chance to form new relationships with people I wouldn't have met them otherwise.”
In another perspective, Erik Serbiki, junior, joined the production weeks late and had never participated in a play before, but “my nervous feelings were almost immediately changed because of how welcoming and fun the cast was. In the end I thought the work paid off and was glad I joined.”
A lead character, Kay Ridgeway, a posh and sophisticated socialite, acted by Natlya Crawford and Mia Benstead. Simon Mostyn, her newlywed, is played by Jackson Zyskowski and Dominic Garcia. Jacqueline de Severac, a jealous ex with a hilariously frightening craze, done by Aliya Blinman and Ellie Proctor. Along with the main murder plot, was a hilariously awkward love story and an overly bossy, self-centered aunt.
An added complication of the production was shortening the original two and half hour play to a more entertaining hour and half. “Along with having to shorten the play, the racism that was present in the actual novel had to be cut out and the story had to be modernized,” added Smith.
Skating through fire recovery
By Eliza Neeley, Mia Benstead
Come together after the fires, Sonoma now has its first ever ice skating rink, adding to the picturesque winter magic of the small town. Located at Cornerstone and open daily until January second, Sonoma residents have an opportunity to skate close to home. Made with real ice and maintained by staff, the rink is surrounded by the unique gardens and annual snowman exhibit.
This tradition the 200 lit snowmen, clad in that yellow hard hats to represent the heroic firefighters.
Representing the rebuilding of Sonoma after the fires that swept the valley, Sonoma is getting what is believed to be its first-ever ice skating rink this holiday season, thanks to the Ramekins-Cornerstone Foundation.
All profits from the rink will benefit fire victims and relief efforts via the Redwood Credit Union Fire Relief Fund and Rebuild North Bay.
By Eliza Neeley, Mia Benstead
Come together after the fires, Sonoma now has its first ever ice skating rink, adding to the picturesque winter magic of the small town. Located at Cornerstone and open daily until January second, Sonoma residents have an opportunity to skate close to home. Made with real ice and maintained by staff, the rink is surrounded by the unique gardens and annual snowman exhibit.
This tradition the 200 lit snowmen, clad in that yellow hard hats to represent the heroic firefighters.
Representing the rebuilding of Sonoma after the fires that swept the valley, Sonoma is getting what is believed to be its first-ever ice skating rink this holiday season, thanks to the Ramekins-Cornerstone Foundation.
All profits from the rink will benefit fire victims and relief efforts via the Redwood Credit Union Fire Relief Fund and Rebuild North Bay.
Hypocritical Hovering: Parents Tracking Their Children
By Ali Perkins and Eliza Neeley
As technology is continuously controlling more and more aspects of our daily lives, it is difficult to say if it is making lives easier or fueling a fear-based culture. Parents used to rely on home phones and the actual words of their children to know where they were; now they can simply track their every move through their cell phones.
Jack Craig, junior, said that parents tracking their children, “reminds [him] of the North Korean dictatorship, where someone is watching your every move.”
While in past generations when the only ways of locating someone were a phone call or word of mouth, suddenly these parents who had more freedom as children have heightened concern about the whereabouts of their children. Craig believes this is a, “violation to [his] right to privacy,” and it, “breaks down trust between families.”
Luis Contreras, junior, believes that trust and privacy are crucial for family dynamics. Contreras believes that “there is a fine line between protection and obsession. Sonoma is a safe place, parents who track their children have too much fear, and you can’t live your whole life in fear.”
Most Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of the government tracking them, but then it seems when they have the opportunity to act as the tracker, they are no longer opposed to the idea. However, as parents take up this role, there is a significant deterioration of trust.
The fear-based culture taking over our society is taking over the tranquil lives of those in the safest communities of the nation and still filling them with fear and paranoia. Now not only fearing government tracking, but tracking their children out of fear, parents become hypocritical hoverers, watching their childrens’ every move while simultaneously making sure nobody is watching theirs.
By Ali Perkins and Eliza Neeley
As technology is continuously controlling more and more aspects of our daily lives, it is difficult to say if it is making lives easier or fueling a fear-based culture. Parents used to rely on home phones and the actual words of their children to know where they were; now they can simply track their every move through their cell phones.
Jack Craig, junior, said that parents tracking their children, “reminds [him] of the North Korean dictatorship, where someone is watching your every move.”
While in past generations when the only ways of locating someone were a phone call or word of mouth, suddenly these parents who had more freedom as children have heightened concern about the whereabouts of their children. Craig believes this is a, “violation to [his] right to privacy,” and it, “breaks down trust between families.”
Luis Contreras, junior, believes that trust and privacy are crucial for family dynamics. Contreras believes that “there is a fine line between protection and obsession. Sonoma is a safe place, parents who track their children have too much fear, and you can’t live your whole life in fear.”
Most Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of the government tracking them, but then it seems when they have the opportunity to act as the tracker, they are no longer opposed to the idea. However, as parents take up this role, there is a significant deterioration of trust.
The fear-based culture taking over our society is taking over the tranquil lives of those in the safest communities of the nation and still filling them with fear and paranoia. Now not only fearing government tracking, but tracking their children out of fear, parents become hypocritical hoverers, watching their childrens’ every move while simultaneously making sure nobody is watching theirs.
Extended Interview With Max Psaledakis
By Eliza Neeley
Senior Max Psaledakis speaks solemnly of his chaotic two weeks defending his hometown of Glen Ellen and protecting the valley. Psaledakis protected homes, evacuated people, and tried to prevent the unstoppable flames from spreading. Explaining his experience as a volunteer Glen Ellen firefighter, he expressed exhaustion, agitation, sadness, and relief that the fire didn’t cause any more damage than it did.
What is your connection to the fire department?
I've been running around Glen Ellen fire department my whole life, and my dad's been a volunteer firefighter since 1996. I've grown up around there. I know all the guys. The firehouse is one big happy family.
When I turned 14, I became a fire explorer at Kenwood, which is a program associated with the Boy Scouts. It's basically a bunch of 14 to 21 year olds who get together and go to a firehouse (Kenwood) where we train to become firefighters. You can’t run actual calls until you pass tests, complete training, and reach a certain age. The program is a great introduction into the fire service.
I became an actual volunteer firefighter at age 16 after I completed the trainings and took an assessment, but there were some limitations to what I could do because I was under 18.
Describe your experience after the fire began.
Once I found out, my first reaction was to jump up, put my gear on, and grab my dad who is also a volunteer firefighter. Listening to the wind howling for the last hour and a half as tree branches fell on my roof, my first thought was this wasn’t going to be good.
The Sunday night that the fire started, I went to the firehouse with my dad to get ready. Once another firefighter showed up, we jumped in our type one structural fire fighting engine, and headed to the fires on Nuns Canyon Road.
As we were driving down Highway 12, we saw a lot of smoke, but it was dark, so we couldn't see much of anything else besides smoke. We turned down Nuns Canyon and there was fire on the left; there was fire on the right, and the scene felt ominous. Someone on the radio reported a rescue on Nuns Canyon, so we went to that address. No one was home, luckily, but we did end up defending the structure. I acted as an actual firefighter, putting hoses in the ground and actively combatting the flames.
We worked non-stop Sunday night until Monday night; 24 hours non-stop fighting fire and evacuating people. I focused on structure protection and trying to stop the fire from spreading, which was no easy feat because that fire moved so fast.
On Tuesday, other fire agencies from other countries came to relieve us, because we were tapped out; we had no resources in the county, and everyone was somewhere doing something. Once out-of-county relief began helping, we started on a regular 24 hours on and 24 hours off. My 24 hours on were spent mainly on an engine fighting fire. My 24 hours off were spent in my pickup truck, which had turned into a fire relief vehicle, because we had ran out of supplies, escorting people through Glen Ellen back to their properties which had been burned.
You couldn’t run faster than this fire was spreading, I don’t care if you're Usain Bolt, you couldn't outrun that fire. This experience wasn’t intense; camping is intense; this was insane.
By Eliza Neeley
Senior Max Psaledakis speaks solemnly of his chaotic two weeks defending his hometown of Glen Ellen and protecting the valley. Psaledakis protected homes, evacuated people, and tried to prevent the unstoppable flames from spreading. Explaining his experience as a volunteer Glen Ellen firefighter, he expressed exhaustion, agitation, sadness, and relief that the fire didn’t cause any more damage than it did.
What is your connection to the fire department?
I've been running around Glen Ellen fire department my whole life, and my dad's been a volunteer firefighter since 1996. I've grown up around there. I know all the guys. The firehouse is one big happy family.
When I turned 14, I became a fire explorer at Kenwood, which is a program associated with the Boy Scouts. It's basically a bunch of 14 to 21 year olds who get together and go to a firehouse (Kenwood) where we train to become firefighters. You can’t run actual calls until you pass tests, complete training, and reach a certain age. The program is a great introduction into the fire service.
I became an actual volunteer firefighter at age 16 after I completed the trainings and took an assessment, but there were some limitations to what I could do because I was under 18.
Describe your experience after the fire began.
Once I found out, my first reaction was to jump up, put my gear on, and grab my dad who is also a volunteer firefighter. Listening to the wind howling for the last hour and a half as tree branches fell on my roof, my first thought was this wasn’t going to be good.
The Sunday night that the fire started, I went to the firehouse with my dad to get ready. Once another firefighter showed up, we jumped in our type one structural fire fighting engine, and headed to the fires on Nuns Canyon Road.
As we were driving down Highway 12, we saw a lot of smoke, but it was dark, so we couldn't see much of anything else besides smoke. We turned down Nuns Canyon and there was fire on the left; there was fire on the right, and the scene felt ominous. Someone on the radio reported a rescue on Nuns Canyon, so we went to that address. No one was home, luckily, but we did end up defending the structure. I acted as an actual firefighter, putting hoses in the ground and actively combatting the flames.
We worked non-stop Sunday night until Monday night; 24 hours non-stop fighting fire and evacuating people. I focused on structure protection and trying to stop the fire from spreading, which was no easy feat because that fire moved so fast.
On Tuesday, other fire agencies from other countries came to relieve us, because we were tapped out; we had no resources in the county, and everyone was somewhere doing something. Once out-of-county relief began helping, we started on a regular 24 hours on and 24 hours off. My 24 hours on were spent mainly on an engine fighting fire. My 24 hours off were spent in my pickup truck, which had turned into a fire relief vehicle, because we had ran out of supplies, escorting people through Glen Ellen back to their properties which had been burned.
You couldn’t run faster than this fire was spreading, I don’t care if you're Usain Bolt, you couldn't outrun that fire. This experience wasn’t intense; camping is intense; this was insane.
Little ways to better the world
By Eliza, Mia, Ava
With approximately 7.5 billion people on Earth, a single person can seem unimportant; in the state of the planet and the state of the other billions of people, but each person affects other people around them. If every person pitched in a little, then the world would be a better place. Sure one person might not matter in the larger picture or the scheme of things, but if everyone believes they don’t matter than no one does.
A person doesn’t have to be the president, or war hero, or lead a political movement to make a difference. A simple smile or a laugh improves your and others’ quality of life. Here are little ways to spread happiness, support other people, and maintain your mental health.
The people
It sounds so simple but a smile or a hug or a wave can make someone's day. Little actions are contagious and lead to quality of everyone’s day, and eventually the quality of everyone’s life.
Most people think little of the change in their wallets, yet they don’t think to give it to the homeless person sitting on the corner. They can walk by that person everyday and not think twice about their stories, their hardships, who they are as a person. According to estimations by the UN, if everyone in every first world country donated $30, world hunger would be ended.
Though you’re only a teenager and most likely don’t have the ability to end world hunger, simply sparing your change or donating a dollar a month to a non-profit of your choice.
Without money you can brighten a person’s day with the simple gift of a hug. A hug can make a person feel physically better. Researchers at Harvard studied the physical effects of hugging, finding that a hug “helps prevent stress-induced sickness” along with providing “emotional support” and “making the person feel less alone.” The studies also that most people enjoy hugs, and that the hugger experiences similar emotional benefits as the person who’s hugged.
The phrase “smiles are contagious” is thrown around constantly, but a paper from Trends in Cognitive Science reveals that smiles, along with all other facial expressions are contagious. People tend to mimic each other's facial expressions subconsciously, even if they don’t previously feel that emotion. Being smiled at sends stimulus to the brain that causes happiness.A happy person can make other people happy and a grumpy person can make other people grumpy. One smile will make another person smile, which will cause another smile, and then another. You can improve world happiness by simply smiling. Spread the smiles!
Yourself
Changing the world starts with you! Be the change from the inside out, and by being kind to yourself you are improving your life. Look in the mirror and find one thing you like about yourself.
Having a healthy 7-9 hours of sleep helps repair immune function, memory learning, and metabolism according to harvard.edu. After learning something new sleep is vital in order to retain and process information. A good night's sleep improves the next day by making you more alert, ready, and more likely to be happy.
Laugh out loud! Laughing alleviates stress and physical tension leaving muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. According to helpguide.org, “Laughter boosts the immune system and decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.” So laughing not only leads to increased happiness, but it also benefits your health. Laughter is contagious, and by helping yourself you’re affecting all the people around you in a positive way.
People with positive outlooks on life live significantly longer and have lower level of stress inflammation associated with heart disease and other illnesses according to the New York Times.
Women's March New Journalism
By Eliza Neeley
Expecting to see almost entirely women at a march for women, the massive group of diversity surprised me.
To my left was an adorable curly-haired little boy on his father’s shoulders. He was wearing a shirt that read “The future is female.” His wide eyes shined as he proudly held up a sign, that was obviously made by him with “Trump is a poop” scribbled in crayon.
While the rain poured in the freezing dark, in a window a group of friends in their 20s blasted music and danced with signs above us. One woman with a skirt, sunglasses and pink hair sat on the windowsill with her sign, looking down at the masses of people in pride.
The image of this group of friends partying with signs above a crowd of people marching for equality left an impression in my mind. It meant more than just a party. It was the hope, liveliness, and will of this generation. Sure we’re classified as lazy screenagers, but from my observations, we were passionate, political, and united.
Another group of older people on the sidelines of the march, shouted at the crowd, lines like “God loves you” and “Jesus would be proud.” Though they lacked signs pertaining to the Women’s March, they smiled lovingly at everyone who walked by. At this point I was freezing and soaked to the bone but I couldn’t help smiling back.
Although the crowds were diverse, everyone carried one commonality of unity.
By Eliza Neeley
Expecting to see almost entirely women at a march for women, the massive group of diversity surprised me.
To my left was an adorable curly-haired little boy on his father’s shoulders. He was wearing a shirt that read “The future is female.” His wide eyes shined as he proudly held up a sign, that was obviously made by him with “Trump is a poop” scribbled in crayon.
While the rain poured in the freezing dark, in a window a group of friends in their 20s blasted music and danced with signs above us. One woman with a skirt, sunglasses and pink hair sat on the windowsill with her sign, looking down at the masses of people in pride.
The image of this group of friends partying with signs above a crowd of people marching for equality left an impression in my mind. It meant more than just a party. It was the hope, liveliness, and will of this generation. Sure we’re classified as lazy screenagers, but from my observations, we were passionate, political, and united.
Another group of older people on the sidelines of the march, shouted at the crowd, lines like “God loves you” and “Jesus would be proud.” Though they lacked signs pertaining to the Women’s March, they smiled lovingly at everyone who walked by. At this point I was freezing and soaked to the bone but I couldn’t help smiling back.
Although the crowds were diverse, everyone carried one commonality of unity.
Immigration’s new norm
By Malia Cashel, Ava Rognlien, & Eliza Neeley
In a country of diversity, where the economy and social structure depend on immigrants, protesters around the nation refused to attend work or school and stood together on Feb. 16, a Day Without Immigrants. Stores, restaurants, and markets closed, children didn’t attend school, adults refused to go to work, and held protests in the plaza.
Driving down Highway 12, signs showed support for immigrants in both Spanish and English were hung on most of the closed businesses;the ice cream shop “La Michoacana,” hung a sign reading “We believe Immigrants make America!”
From the colonization of America to the modern-day United States, this country is a country of immigrants. According to American Community Survey data, in 2014 the US immigrant population was more than 42.4 million. Omar Homran, owner of the Fruit Basket in Sonoma, commented “Usually when people apply for jobs [at the Fruit Basket], the absence of a social security number doesn't affect my decision to hire someone.” Illegal immigration often occurs under dire circumstances like the need to feed their family back home, or a longing for better opportunities. Illegal immigration does guarantee criminals.
Not only do immigrants create the social diversity that shapes the country, but economically, the US depends on immigrants. The US civilian workforce includes 8 million undocumented immigrants according to 2014 data from the Pew Research Center.
Through numerous, almost-barren classrooms, SVHS noted the absence of students who participated in a Day Without Immigrants.“There were only seven kids in my Spanish class,” remarked junior, Ellie Bon.
It was “hard to decide whether to miss school [for the Day Without Immigrants], because it doesn’t stop for us if we have a test, but it’s an important thing to do” reported sophomore, Anahi Contreras.
With the new presidency beginning, people hoping to immigrate to the US, as well as immigrants already living here, are concerned for their safety and rights. As the New York Times discloses, President Trump plans “to publicize crimes by immigrants; enlist local police officers as enforcers; strip immigrants of privacy rights; erect new detention facilities; discourage asylum seekers; and, ultimately, speed up deportations.” It is evident that people’s worries are not unfounded.
With a variety of religions, ethnicities, and cultures populating the U.S., this xenophobic mentality displayed by the new president has dramatically altered the world’s view of American politics overnight. The recently implemented anti-immigration policies have earned international backlash. The amount of freedom in the “land of the free” is now debatable. Bans against immigrants may lead to further repercussions, not only from united people across the US, but from countries that do not share the same values as President Trump
By Malia Cashel, Ava Rognlien, & Eliza Neeley
In a country of diversity, where the economy and social structure depend on immigrants, protesters around the nation refused to attend work or school and stood together on Feb. 16, a Day Without Immigrants. Stores, restaurants, and markets closed, children didn’t attend school, adults refused to go to work, and held protests in the plaza.
Driving down Highway 12, signs showed support for immigrants in both Spanish and English were hung on most of the closed businesses;the ice cream shop “La Michoacana,” hung a sign reading “We believe Immigrants make America!”
From the colonization of America to the modern-day United States, this country is a country of immigrants. According to American Community Survey data, in 2014 the US immigrant population was more than 42.4 million. Omar Homran, owner of the Fruit Basket in Sonoma, commented “Usually when people apply for jobs [at the Fruit Basket], the absence of a social security number doesn't affect my decision to hire someone.” Illegal immigration often occurs under dire circumstances like the need to feed their family back home, or a longing for better opportunities. Illegal immigration does guarantee criminals.
Not only do immigrants create the social diversity that shapes the country, but economically, the US depends on immigrants. The US civilian workforce includes 8 million undocumented immigrants according to 2014 data from the Pew Research Center.
Through numerous, almost-barren classrooms, SVHS noted the absence of students who participated in a Day Without Immigrants.“There were only seven kids in my Spanish class,” remarked junior, Ellie Bon.
It was “hard to decide whether to miss school [for the Day Without Immigrants], because it doesn’t stop for us if we have a test, but it’s an important thing to do” reported sophomore, Anahi Contreras.
With the new presidency beginning, people hoping to immigrate to the US, as well as immigrants already living here, are concerned for their safety and rights. As the New York Times discloses, President Trump plans “to publicize crimes by immigrants; enlist local police officers as enforcers; strip immigrants of privacy rights; erect new detention facilities; discourage asylum seekers; and, ultimately, speed up deportations.” It is evident that people’s worries are not unfounded.
With a variety of religions, ethnicities, and cultures populating the U.S., this xenophobic mentality displayed by the new president has dramatically altered the world’s view of American politics overnight. The recently implemented anti-immigration policies have earned international backlash. The amount of freedom in the “land of the free” is now debatable. Bans against immigrants may lead to further repercussions, not only from united people across the US, but from countries that do not share the same values as President Trump
Hope Restored through Kindness
By Jasmin Aguilar & Eliza Neeley
It can be difficult to realize if a friend or loved one is upset. Whether they got into an argument or received an unwanted grade on a test, a genuine hug, a friendly “hello,” or even a simple smile can alter that person’s day.
On World Kindness Day, Empowerment Club, led by sophomores Malia Cashel, Ava Rognlien, and junior Nikki Sandhu, reminded students that even small acts of generosity improve can lift spirits.
By decorating SVHS with encouraging posters, selling self-love pins, and handing out kind messages, Empowerment Club “promoted positive attitudes and improved students’ and teachers’ attitudes towards each other,” explained the club’s advisor, Janine Duma.
Just like any emotion, kindness is contagious, compelling others to act in a similar manner, and the Empowerment Club spread compassion throughout the campus. Sophomore Aly Perkins noticed that “everyone seemed to love it! Most people participated and complimented each other.”
Following the election, tensions were high across the campus.“Our school needed this” remarked Sandhu. The bright colors, inspiring posters, encouraging words, and positivity pins help to uplift the student body.
Even physically “kindness makes a difference. It boosts the immune system; it impacts the brain, leading to positive feelings and closeness to others; it impacts the cardiovascular system, protecting us from the seeds of heart disease; and it even relaxes the nervous system,” explained inspirational speaker, writer, and researcher, D. David Hamilton.
Due to stressful personal dilemmas, kindness is frequently overlooked, but compassion is healthy for the mind and body, which reduces stress.
“Our hope is that students will treat every day like World Kindness day and act caring in their daily lives,” concluded Ms. Duma.
Culturally Inappropriate Costumes
By Ava Rognlien, Maddie Cashel, Eliza Neeley
Have you ever noticed a Halloween costume that is offensive to you? If so, you are not alone.
Whether weeks are consumed creating the perfect outfit, or last-minute clothes are thrown together, it’s crucial to think twice before heading out the door. “It’s important to think about the message you are promoting before you dress up,” explained senior, Alanna Johnston.
While the typical ‘sexy witch’ does no harm, a ‘sexy Indian’ or ‘sexy Eskimo’ costume can be insulting to certain ethnicities.
Campaigns such as “I am not a costume” have popped up to shed light on problematic Halloween costumes and the cultures that might be offended. There’s a fine line between choosing an offensive costume and merely participating in holiday fun.
While the whole point of Halloween is to dress up to pursue an alter ego, involving other cultures threatens offense. Junior, Isabel Eagles added, “representing ancient cultures, like the Greeks or Romans seems okay,” but involving “cultures that still exist is disrespectful.”
Cultural traditions are not represented accurately by a sorority girl wearing a sombrero or a teenage boy dressed in a turban. The issue with Halloween costumes is they are based solely on stereotypes. “A costume from Walmart will not be authentic,” clarified Layla Schoeningh, junior. Stereotypical assumptions based on culture or religion gives a misconception of the reality, and leads to ignorance of the accurate cultures.
Eagles added,“People need to think about what they’re trying to say, the message they’re making” by wearing their costume. Spanish teacher, Pedro Merino, has seen people “dressed as terrorists with turbans and weapons” pretending to be Muslim, and men “pretending to be women in an offensive manner.”
Though cultural appropriation often occurs, Halloween is a time of expression, and the freedom of speech is also a factor. Anyone has the right to “dress how they want” but should not “intentionally try to disrespect any group of people” concluded junior, Nathaniel Silva.
By Ava Rognlien, Maddie Cashel, Eliza Neeley
Have you ever noticed a Halloween costume that is offensive to you? If so, you are not alone.
Whether weeks are consumed creating the perfect outfit, or last-minute clothes are thrown together, it’s crucial to think twice before heading out the door. “It’s important to think about the message you are promoting before you dress up,” explained senior, Alanna Johnston.
While the typical ‘sexy witch’ does no harm, a ‘sexy Indian’ or ‘sexy Eskimo’ costume can be insulting to certain ethnicities.
Campaigns such as “I am not a costume” have popped up to shed light on problematic Halloween costumes and the cultures that might be offended. There’s a fine line between choosing an offensive costume and merely participating in holiday fun.
While the whole point of Halloween is to dress up to pursue an alter ego, involving other cultures threatens offense. Junior, Isabel Eagles added, “representing ancient cultures, like the Greeks or Romans seems okay,” but involving “cultures that still exist is disrespectful.”
Cultural traditions are not represented accurately by a sorority girl wearing a sombrero or a teenage boy dressed in a turban. The issue with Halloween costumes is they are based solely on stereotypes. “A costume from Walmart will not be authentic,” clarified Layla Schoeningh, junior. Stereotypical assumptions based on culture or religion gives a misconception of the reality, and leads to ignorance of the accurate cultures.
Eagles added,“People need to think about what they’re trying to say, the message they’re making” by wearing their costume. Spanish teacher, Pedro Merino, has seen people “dressed as terrorists with turbans and weapons” pretending to be Muslim, and men “pretending to be women in an offensive manner.”
Though cultural appropriation often occurs, Halloween is a time of expression, and the freedom of speech is also a factor. Anyone has the right to “dress how they want” but should not “intentionally try to disrespect any group of people” concluded junior, Nathaniel Silva.
Summer plans: Dragons travel abroad
By Eliza Neeley & Amy Stanfield
This summer, Dragons will explore all corners of the world; from Iceland to the newly opened borders of Cuba, students are journeying across all borders.
Kiara Miles, junior, will spend her summer days in June packing up for her big move to Tampa, Florida. The Mile family is moving to be closer to family. Mile’s enthusiasm and friendly disposition will be greatly missed at school and in volleyball and track.
Sophomore, Dominic Tommasi plans to visit his relatives in the Basque Country of France, while enjoying his favorite part of summer– wearing flip flops. Being Tommasi’s first time traveling to France, he hopes to “meet new people and try as much good food as possible.” Additionally, this summer Tommasi will work in Virginia on a church group service trip, to help the homeless population and donate items to children in need.
Excited to experience the land of puffins, sophomore, Grace Turner will be traveling to Iceland this summer. She will relax in the Blue Lagoon, a 103 degree warm springs naturally heated by geothermic activity, along with visiting the bright roofs of the Icelandic capital. Turner plans to continue her travels by visiting Nantucket, Chicago, and Boston to tour colleges and see family.
Newly open to US travelers, Cuba will be visited by sophomore, Cristina Golubovich. Golubovich enjoys “experiencing summers in other countries,” describing her childhood as full of summer trips with her dad. Seeing the famous old cars and colorful houses of Havana, Cuba will be Golubovich’s next family adventure.
Freshman, Logan Mak, looks forward to traveling to Mexico this summer with his family. On their trip they plan to ride the waves, hike the mountains, and relax on the white-sand beaches. Mak also looks forward to traveling with his baseball team to Washington, Oregon, and Florida for their summer league games.
Girls' and Boys' state: An American honor
By Eliza Neeley and Amy Stanfield
Hanna Maillard, Liam Handron, and Noah Bartolome will develop leadership skills and an appreciation for citizens’ rights, while representing SVHS in this year’s Girls and Boys state.
As participants in the program, students will simulate the US government, running for office, creating laws and, learning to speak in public.
Liam Handron and Noah Bartolome were selected for Boys State. Handron expects to learn about the process of governing and the importance of the democracy. He has discussed the experience with senior Miles Pimentel, one of the participant of last year’s Boys State.
Bartolome confesses he is embarrassed about how excited he is to go to state. Bartolome has heard that Boys State is an unforgettable experience. “It’s an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the U.S. government in a very hands-on way.” He hopes to receive a more thorough understanding of how the average citizen can affect the government. “The people in my class will be able to vote soon, so this knowledge will definitely be useful,” Bartolome explains.
Maddy Libbey, senior, was selected for Girls State the previous year. Libbey recalls that she especially valued the positive atmosphere in which everyone works together. “It doesn’t matter if you are conservative or liberal.”
Libbey discovered the value of collaboration and the strategies of campaigning when running for office. “I [became aware of] my responsibility as a citizen and what I can do for my city. I learned how to not only recognize what my responsibility was, but how to put that responsibility into action.”
Hanna Maillard, junior, chosen for Girls State after a “competitive selection process,” Maillard relates. The alternate is Grace Cutting, junior.
Maillard anticipates she will learn the varying tasks involved in a democratic government. “I hope to learn about teamwork to accomplish tasks in school.” She has the opportunity to converse with girls across California, while learning skills she can apply to her current studies and beyond.
At State, Maillard hopes to “meet interesting people with exceptional leadership skills and bring back knowledge to benefit the school.”
By Eliza Neeley and Amy Stanfield
Hanna Maillard, Liam Handron, and Noah Bartolome will develop leadership skills and an appreciation for citizens’ rights, while representing SVHS in this year’s Girls and Boys state.
As participants in the program, students will simulate the US government, running for office, creating laws and, learning to speak in public.
Liam Handron and Noah Bartolome were selected for Boys State. Handron expects to learn about the process of governing and the importance of the democracy. He has discussed the experience with senior Miles Pimentel, one of the participant of last year’s Boys State.
Bartolome confesses he is embarrassed about how excited he is to go to state. Bartolome has heard that Boys State is an unforgettable experience. “It’s an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the U.S. government in a very hands-on way.” He hopes to receive a more thorough understanding of how the average citizen can affect the government. “The people in my class will be able to vote soon, so this knowledge will definitely be useful,” Bartolome explains.
Maddy Libbey, senior, was selected for Girls State the previous year. Libbey recalls that she especially valued the positive atmosphere in which everyone works together. “It doesn’t matter if you are conservative or liberal.”
Libbey discovered the value of collaboration and the strategies of campaigning when running for office. “I [became aware of] my responsibility as a citizen and what I can do for my city. I learned how to not only recognize what my responsibility was, but how to put that responsibility into action.”
Hanna Maillard, junior, chosen for Girls State after a “competitive selection process,” Maillard relates. The alternate is Grace Cutting, junior.
Maillard anticipates she will learn the varying tasks involved in a democratic government. “I hope to learn about teamwork to accomplish tasks in school.” She has the opportunity to converse with girls across California, while learning skills she can apply to her current studies and beyond.
At State, Maillard hopes to “meet interesting people with exceptional leadership skills and bring back knowledge to benefit the school.”
Sonoma debate-big box stores are beneficial
By Eliza Neeley
While Sonomans are known for shying away from--or protesting loudly against--anything that might hinder that small-town charm, “big box” stores could potentially help the Sonoma community as a whole.
As junior Beverly Harris, whose family owns Fremont Diner, points out, “the small stores cater only to tourists, whereas larger stores are affordable and convenient for locals.”
Though a portion of Sonoma’s economy comes from tourism, the other 90% of the community deserves to be accounted for. Large companies in Sonoma would allow for more job opportunities with better benefits, affordable items, and convenience.
Both Peet’s Coffee and Staples caused controversies and heated debates, but in the end, they’ve helped not hindered, Sonoma’s small-town community. Sophomore Kimberly Uzzo explains, “Peet’s employs locals, is in a convenient location, and is a great place for studying or hanging out with friends.” Equally as convenient, Staples provides reasonably-priced school items that used to be a thirty-minute drive away.
Though supporting small businesses benefit the families that own them, large stores have the potential to employ more, and provide those employees with benefits a small shop never could. For instance, Starbucks offers adoption assistance, health coverage for the worker and their family, and free online college access.
According to Los Angeles Huffington Post, the poverty rate in California is currently 23.8%, with an unemployment rate of 6.3%. Low income families do not benefit from mom-and-pop stores as much as from big-box stores.
This is not suggesting a Walmart be placed next to City Hall, but allowing larger stores that still fit the Sonoma charm would benefit the people of Sonoma far more than fearing a loss of our small-town charm would.
By Eliza Neeley
While Sonomans are known for shying away from--or protesting loudly against--anything that might hinder that small-town charm, “big box” stores could potentially help the Sonoma community as a whole.
As junior Beverly Harris, whose family owns Fremont Diner, points out, “the small stores cater only to tourists, whereas larger stores are affordable and convenient for locals.”
Though a portion of Sonoma’s economy comes from tourism, the other 90% of the community deserves to be accounted for. Large companies in Sonoma would allow for more job opportunities with better benefits, affordable items, and convenience.
Both Peet’s Coffee and Staples caused controversies and heated debates, but in the end, they’ve helped not hindered, Sonoma’s small-town community. Sophomore Kimberly Uzzo explains, “Peet’s employs locals, is in a convenient location, and is a great place for studying or hanging out with friends.” Equally as convenient, Staples provides reasonably-priced school items that used to be a thirty-minute drive away.
Though supporting small businesses benefit the families that own them, large stores have the potential to employ more, and provide those employees with benefits a small shop never could. For instance, Starbucks offers adoption assistance, health coverage for the worker and their family, and free online college access.
According to Los Angeles Huffington Post, the poverty rate in California is currently 23.8%, with an unemployment rate of 6.3%. Low income families do not benefit from mom-and-pop stores as much as from big-box stores.
This is not suggesting a Walmart be placed next to City Hall, but allowing larger stores that still fit the Sonoma charm would benefit the people of Sonoma far more than fearing a loss of our small-town charm would.
Foreign exchange students welcomed with Sonoma spirit
By Jasmin Aguilar and Eliza Neeley
Three students from around the world have traveled to Sonoma to spend the entirety of this school year at SVHS. Hosted by Sonoma families, Marvin Letness, Keita Hibi, and Lucy Ristchl have been adopted as Dragons, immersing themselves in the American high school experience.
Letness, Hibi, and Ristchl are all enrolled in the Education First Program; an international education company that specializes in language training, travel, and cultural exchange, giving them the opportunity to study abroad. Although they’re from different parts of the world, they've all become accustomed to Sonoma life style quickly.
Originally from Steinkjer, Norway, Letness is now about 5,000 miles from his hometown. Wanting to travel and leave his hometown, he became interested in coming to the US. He strives to attend an American University, preferably UC Berkeley.
Letness explains that Sonoma is similar to his hometown, but people here are generally more friendly; “In Norway, we don’t talk to strangers. Especially on buses or in grocery stores, it would just be awkward.”
Arriving at the first football practice of the season, Letness comments, “The first day [of school] I felt like I was accepted into the community.” Despite injuries and paperwork difficulties, Letness enjoyed the time spent on the field with his new friends.
Hibi, traveling from Japan, explains that,“[He’s] always been interested in American culture.” He began learning English on his own three years ago, using online websites and Skyping with his American friends.
Hibi was immediately surprised with the differences between Japanese and American culture, commenting, “People told me Sonoma is boring, but it is beautiful. It is so much more peaceful and quiet than Japan, which is crowded and noisy.”
SVHS has been an adjustment for Hibi. In Japan he did not have to complete homework and was never previously acquainted with Spanish speakers.
Joining the soccer team, Hibi remarks, “Everyone was so friendly and made me feel welcome. Coming here I knew no one, but the soccer team made me feel like a part of the community.”
From Switzerland, Ristchl is excited to be in California, despite being told it was unavailable. “I put it as my first choice anyways and ended up getting placed in Sonoma,” explains Ristchl.
Switching from city to suburban life, Ristchl did not expect the lifestyle to be so dissimilar, describing, “Everything is bigger and because everything is so spread-out, cars are needed more often.”
Ritschl is a determined student, speaking four languages, Swiss, German, French and English, and is a member of the SVHS dance team. Additionally, attending each class with different students and having the opportunity to choose classes is different from schools back in Switzerland.
Due to a welcoming acceptance from the community, Sonoma has become their second home. Letness, Hibi, and Ristchl still have eight months left to make more memories and share their experiences, while enjoying Sonoma’s small-town life.
By Jasmin Aguilar and Eliza Neeley
Three students from around the world have traveled to Sonoma to spend the entirety of this school year at SVHS. Hosted by Sonoma families, Marvin Letness, Keita Hibi, and Lucy Ristchl have been adopted as Dragons, immersing themselves in the American high school experience.
Letness, Hibi, and Ristchl are all enrolled in the Education First Program; an international education company that specializes in language training, travel, and cultural exchange, giving them the opportunity to study abroad. Although they’re from different parts of the world, they've all become accustomed to Sonoma life style quickly.
Originally from Steinkjer, Norway, Letness is now about 5,000 miles from his hometown. Wanting to travel and leave his hometown, he became interested in coming to the US. He strives to attend an American University, preferably UC Berkeley.
Letness explains that Sonoma is similar to his hometown, but people here are generally more friendly; “In Norway, we don’t talk to strangers. Especially on buses or in grocery stores, it would just be awkward.”
Arriving at the first football practice of the season, Letness comments, “The first day [of school] I felt like I was accepted into the community.” Despite injuries and paperwork difficulties, Letness enjoyed the time spent on the field with his new friends.
Hibi, traveling from Japan, explains that,“[He’s] always been interested in American culture.” He began learning English on his own three years ago, using online websites and Skyping with his American friends.
Hibi was immediately surprised with the differences between Japanese and American culture, commenting, “People told me Sonoma is boring, but it is beautiful. It is so much more peaceful and quiet than Japan, which is crowded and noisy.”
SVHS has been an adjustment for Hibi. In Japan he did not have to complete homework and was never previously acquainted with Spanish speakers.
Joining the soccer team, Hibi remarks, “Everyone was so friendly and made me feel welcome. Coming here I knew no one, but the soccer team made me feel like a part of the community.”
From Switzerland, Ristchl is excited to be in California, despite being told it was unavailable. “I put it as my first choice anyways and ended up getting placed in Sonoma,” explains Ristchl.
Switching from city to suburban life, Ristchl did not expect the lifestyle to be so dissimilar, describing, “Everything is bigger and because everything is so spread-out, cars are needed more often.”
Ritschl is a determined student, speaking four languages, Swiss, German, French and English, and is a member of the SVHS dance team. Additionally, attending each class with different students and having the opportunity to choose classes is different from schools back in Switzerland.
Due to a welcoming acceptance from the community, Sonoma has become their second home. Letness, Hibi, and Ristchl still have eight months left to make more memories and share their experiences, while enjoying Sonoma’s small-town life.
Almost Maine play review
By Eliza Neeley
Heart-wrenching, and cleverly metaphorical, this year’s SVHS Drama production, transports the audience to a freezing winter in,“Almost, Maine”. The unique play features eight separate love stories, prompting snow, tears, and laughter.
For junior, Hannah Ford-Monroe, “All the work, stress and criticism, internal and external, were absolutely worth it in the end to hear that roaring applause.”
The play begins on a red bench with two teens (Cian Martin, and Sarah Skaggs/Sarah Bell), professing their love for each other. “It was more difficult than it seems to act awkward and in love, in a natural way,” Skaggs explains. The scene exemplified the sweet awkwardness of the teens and brought the crowd to smiles.
The setting shifts to a widow (Kudra Wagner/Ivy O’Donnell/Rachel Williams) with a literal “broken heart” camping in a stranger’s yard, in hope of seeing the Northern Lights. Being a repairman, the stranger (Max Szanyi) fixes her heart and falls in love. Senior and cast-member, Pablo Cruz, describes the scene as a, “brilliant metaphor with a comical twist.”
Scene two involves a bride-to-be (Delia Rogers/Brianna Gorman) and a past boyfriend (Jack Lewis) who run into each other at a bar. Beginning as a sad, uncomfortable encounter, a twist ends the scene in a clever burst of joy. Delia Rogers--who recently moved to SVHS specifically for the Drama Department--was not disappointed, saying, “The role has so much depth and was really fun to play. The whole experience was amazing.”
Next, the crowd is taken to a laundry room where a woman stuck in an unhappy relationship (Natalie Smith/Jasmine Johnstone) and a socially awkward man who is unable to feel pain (Pablo Cruz) meet and instantly spark. According to Johnstone, “the role was enjoyable,” but handling the ironing board, “was way more difficult than it should have been,” which led to her accidentally hit Cruz in the face, leaving a bruise.
Scene four begins with a woman (Emily Floerke) bringing back all the the love her boyfriend of 11 years (Gabriel Vanzant) gave her. The scene was full of passion and humor. Alondra Sanchez, a senior, described the scene as, “relatable, energetic and very well acted.”
Then, as two friends (Max Houghton and Dylan Bearg) discuss their overwhelmingly disastrous dates, they realize they’re in love and begin to quite literally fall for each other. Though, “a difficult part to act,” as described by Houghton, the scene was believable, hilarious and heart-warming.
As scene six develops, it becomes clear that the long-time married couple (Cian Lacy and Maggie Luque/Katie Klauber) are no longer happy or in love. Alex Garber, sophomore and cast-member, describes it as an, “emotional, heart-breaking scene that feels real.” The actors brought the crowd to tears.
On the front porch of an old boyfriend’s (Wyatt Lage), a lonely successful woman (Anna DeSmet/ Hannah Sendaydiego), full of sorrow and regret, tries to explain why she left him so many years ago. The tragedy of lost love, and a few surprises make for a an interesting, captivating scene.
The last act did not disappoint, with a tough but insecure woman (Alex Garber/Hannah Ford-Monroe) realizing she is in love with her long-time best friend (Nick Atwood). As described by Maggie Luque, “Scene eight had so many complicated layers of intense emotion, but was hilarious at the same time.”
A quirky twist on traditional love stories, “Almost Maine” was a play to remember. As Alex Garber explains, “Everyone worked so hard and gave each scene everything they had; the play came together perfectly in the end.”
By Eliza Neeley
Heart-wrenching, and cleverly metaphorical, this year’s SVHS Drama production, transports the audience to a freezing winter in,“Almost, Maine”. The unique play features eight separate love stories, prompting snow, tears, and laughter.
For junior, Hannah Ford-Monroe, “All the work, stress and criticism, internal and external, were absolutely worth it in the end to hear that roaring applause.”
The play begins on a red bench with two teens (Cian Martin, and Sarah Skaggs/Sarah Bell), professing their love for each other. “It was more difficult than it seems to act awkward and in love, in a natural way,” Skaggs explains. The scene exemplified the sweet awkwardness of the teens and brought the crowd to smiles.
The setting shifts to a widow (Kudra Wagner/Ivy O’Donnell/Rachel Williams) with a literal “broken heart” camping in a stranger’s yard, in hope of seeing the Northern Lights. Being a repairman, the stranger (Max Szanyi) fixes her heart and falls in love. Senior and cast-member, Pablo Cruz, describes the scene as a, “brilliant metaphor with a comical twist.”
Scene two involves a bride-to-be (Delia Rogers/Brianna Gorman) and a past boyfriend (Jack Lewis) who run into each other at a bar. Beginning as a sad, uncomfortable encounter, a twist ends the scene in a clever burst of joy. Delia Rogers--who recently moved to SVHS specifically for the Drama Department--was not disappointed, saying, “The role has so much depth and was really fun to play. The whole experience was amazing.”
Next, the crowd is taken to a laundry room where a woman stuck in an unhappy relationship (Natalie Smith/Jasmine Johnstone) and a socially awkward man who is unable to feel pain (Pablo Cruz) meet and instantly spark. According to Johnstone, “the role was enjoyable,” but handling the ironing board, “was way more difficult than it should have been,” which led to her accidentally hit Cruz in the face, leaving a bruise.
Scene four begins with a woman (Emily Floerke) bringing back all the the love her boyfriend of 11 years (Gabriel Vanzant) gave her. The scene was full of passion and humor. Alondra Sanchez, a senior, described the scene as, “relatable, energetic and very well acted.”
Then, as two friends (Max Houghton and Dylan Bearg) discuss their overwhelmingly disastrous dates, they realize they’re in love and begin to quite literally fall for each other. Though, “a difficult part to act,” as described by Houghton, the scene was believable, hilarious and heart-warming.
As scene six develops, it becomes clear that the long-time married couple (Cian Lacy and Maggie Luque/Katie Klauber) are no longer happy or in love. Alex Garber, sophomore and cast-member, describes it as an, “emotional, heart-breaking scene that feels real.” The actors brought the crowd to tears.
On the front porch of an old boyfriend’s (Wyatt Lage), a lonely successful woman (Anna DeSmet/ Hannah Sendaydiego), full of sorrow and regret, tries to explain why she left him so many years ago. The tragedy of lost love, and a few surprises make for a an interesting, captivating scene.
The last act did not disappoint, with a tough but insecure woman (Alex Garber/Hannah Ford-Monroe) realizing she is in love with her long-time best friend (Nick Atwood). As described by Maggie Luque, “Scene eight had so many complicated layers of intense emotion, but was hilarious at the same time.”
A quirky twist on traditional love stories, “Almost Maine” was a play to remember. As Alex Garber explains, “Everyone worked so hard and gave each scene everything they had; the play came together perfectly in the end.”