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RAVEN REPORT SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL NEWS MAGAZINE VOLUME XXVII, NO. 2 // JAN 2026

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Going into our second issue, this alongside the continued support and publication marks a shift not toward a single theme, but into the range of voices, interests and questions that shape Sequoia. We leaned into variety, reflecting the reality of student life, sometimes cohesive, often contradictory and always evolving. This issue would not look the way it does without the Digital Arts Academy, whose students submitted creative and thoughtful ideas for our front cover. We extend a special thank you to Sage Gainey, whose design we ultimately selected to represent this issue. Their work captures the energy and individuality that define our campus and sets the tone for the pages that follow. Inside, our staff explored stories that span lighthearted traditions and serious conversations. From recipes to reviews this issue captures how students unwind and express opinion. At the same time, pieces like Identity on Trial examine real tensions within our district, asking critical questions about policy and identity. We also turn our attention forward by checking in with Sequoia graduates to see where life has taken them after leaving campus giving students a glimpse into just a few of the opportunities they may find interesting. Alongside producing the Raven Report, students have also taken on the responsibility of creating the 2025 to 2026 yearbook. This has required students to think visually as well as journalistically, documenting everyday moments that define the school year. The yearbook is primarily led by the Yearbook Editor Sara Driedger, whose leadership has guided both the creative direction and organization of the book,

guidance of Ms. Diepenbrock. As editors, our goal for this issue was not to force cohesion, but to make space. We encouraged our staff reporters to follow their curiosity, trusting that the collection of their work, taken together, would paint a more honest picture of Sequoia than any single theme could. While no issue can represent every experience, we remain committed to amplifying diverse perspectives and giving our writers creative control over the stories they choose to tell. Through all of this, we are endlessly grateful for our advisor, Ms. Diepenbrock. Without her guidance, patience, and trust in us, this issue of the Raven Report would not be possible. After taking a look at this issue which offers stories that we are confident everyone can find something that they will truly enjoy and encourage readers to take a look onto our ravenreport.org website to get a peak towards the continuous work of our staff reporters going on throughout the year.We are proud to share our second issue and hope it reflects Sequoia as it is, multifaceted, questioning and full of stories worth telling.

Caroline Sieling

ABOUT

THE RAVEN REPORT IS A SEQUOIA High School student publication produced in the journalism class through the efforts and decisions of the staff and the publication’s editors and advisor. The Raven Report is a public forum for students, staff, and community. THE RAVEN REPORT STRIVES TO provide Sequoia High School with informative, engaging and relevant news. The staff will exercise integrity and accountability while promoting justice and transparency through professional reporting about our school, community and the world.

CONTACT

THE RAVEN REPORT STAFF welcomes signed letters to the editor so that readers might share in the opportunities of the scholastic free press in open forum. The written views of students, parents or community members must be responsible, in good taste and free from libel, slander or obscenity. Letters may be edited for grammar or content if necessary; furthermore, editors will not guarantee that letters will be published. 1201 BREWSTER AVE. REDWOOD CITY, CA 94062 WWW.RAVENREPORT.ORG RAVENREPORTSEQ@GMAIL.COM

Printing and web posting funded by

Reese Silva

RAVEN REPORT // 25-26 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Caroline Sieling Reese Silva FEATURE EDITORS Emiliana Thacker Lily Lucas Priya Ansnes Reagan Yang

Victor Bravo Vasquez Yamir Benitez-Ventura NEWS EDITOR Noah Chevillet MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Alexander Corpos STAFF REPORTERS Alejandra Garcia

Alexa Aranda Lopez Aliza Juneau Andrew Hernandez Angel Ortiz Bambi Cortez Cesar Jimenez Colin Chow Dylan Benson

Eamon Aldous Emerson Sinay Evan Inman Giovanni Caricio Harrison Roberts Henry Giardi Iizabella Montoya Jacqueline Rojas

Joella Gaddini Kiara Broadway Massimo Ramezane Micheal Jayakoddy Nevaeh Jauregui Noah Pegna Riley Braddock Ryant Peralta

Sara Driedger Sara Flores Scarlett Bing Sloane Sili Tatum Chaudhry Teri Sullivan William Herro ADVISOR Mary Diepenbrock

@RAVENREPORT RAVENREPORT.ORG

ONLINE

EXCLUSIVES GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SEASON By Caroline Sieling & Reese Silva

NEW FINALS SCHEDULE By Lily Lucas

A ROMANTIC HOMICIDE? By Noah Chevillet

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10 15

16 FROM BIRDS TO BEARDED DRAGONS: WHY CHOOSE UNIQUE PETS?

SUPER BOWL: MOST VALUABLE SNACK

WITH A BLANKET OF SNOW ATOP THE MOUNTAIN, SKI OR SNOWBOARD?

WAY-MORE WAYMOS

LIFE AFTER SEQUOIA

2026 FASHION PREDICTIONS: FLASH FROM THE PAST

By Emerson Sinay

By Alexa Aranda, Kiara Broadway & Iizabella Montoya By Colin Chow & Evan Inman

By Eamon Aldous & Gio Caricio By Emiliana Thacker

By Riley Braddock & Aliza Juneau

Front cover by Sage Gainey

24 21

IDENTITY ON TRIAL

CULTURAL FLOW

BEST SLICE FOR THE BEST PRICE

IN-N-OUT’S SECRET MENU

SUPERCELL TAKEOVER

THE ODYSSEY: HAS NOLAN DONE IT AGAIN?

By Caroline Sieling & Reese Silva By Sara Flores & Jacqueline Rojas By Noah Pegna & Harrison Roberts

By Scarlett Bing, Bambi Cortez & Alejandra Garcia By Dylan Benson

By Cesar Jimenez & Ryant Peralta

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Back cover by Alex Corpos and Caroline Sieling

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

FROM BIRDS TO BEARDED DRAGONS: Why choose unique pets?

BY EMERSON SINAY Staff Reporter Approximately 71% of American households own a pet. Out of that number, around 51% own dogs or cats, while the other 16% own unusual pets, such as birds, reptiles and a multitude of other animals. While pets come with many costs, including food, housing, and other necessities, most pet owners, no matter the type of pet they have, agree that their pet is worth the expense. Freshman Angelina San Juan Grech has pet birds. She describes her birds, Cuddles and Cutie, as sweet and cheerful, as well as energetic. According to San Juan, it doesn’t take a lot of money to take care of birds since they just need the basic necessities. On average, the amount of money bird owners spend on bird food yearly ranges from $200400, which is not a lot compared to other pets’ food costs, such as dogs, which have an average annual cost of $2,489. San Juan also feels that birds make good company “If you don’t interact with other people that much, then you always have birds.” San Juan said. Although small birds are a great type of pet, bigger birds can also make great pets, such as chickens. Junior Andy Campbell has been a proud owner of two chickens since 2019. Campbell’s experience w i t h

chickens is very positive; she describes them as a non-picky eaters that are full of energy. Since chickens are farm animals, they don’t require as much care as dogs or cats. They only need food and water refilled every week or two and their coop cleaned every so often. Along with learning how to care for chickens, Campbell has also learned about some of their unexpected habits like sunbathing. “The first time I saw them do it, I thought it was really freaky because they lie down on their side and put one of their wings up in the air. And I thought they were injured, or dying. They were just flapping dirt onto themselves and all five of them lying with one wing up sideways on the ground. I was so scared that they had contracted some sort of illness,” Campbell said. Campbell’s chickens have not only inspired funny stories, they have also opened her perspectives on pets. “It’s also helped me learn that there’s way more options than dogs and cats if you want an animal that’s cute and easy to take care of and fun to play with” Campbell said. Birds and chickens aren’t the only options when it comes to uncommon pets, sophomore Joaquin Borja has been the proud owner of a bearded dragon for over six years. Borja describes his pet, Bart, as quiet and calm. According to Borja, bearded dragons aren’t an expensive pet since all they

really need is a cage, lights and food, such as crickets and celery. On average the amount of money most people spend on a bearded dragon ranges from $53-125 monthly. According to Borja, bearded dragons don’t require a lot of care; they just need to be cleaned after going to the bathroom and be fed. Since Borja and his family have taken care of Bart for a long time, they have learned not to overfeed him. “Normally we only feed him breakfast and dinner because it’s a lot of food for him since he is only maybe a foot or so.[...] Any substantial amount of food is gonna make him bigger. [For example, one time] my dad started feeding him lunch while my stepmom was gone [for a week], so he got really chubby.” Although getting a new type of pet can be intimidating, Borja found Bart needs less care in comparison to other pets. “It’s relatively easy [to take care of them], the only thing you have to watch out for is him biting because sometimes as a result of my dad feeding him lunch, we had to stop feeding him lunch then he got more angry, and if you tried to feed him really close to his mouth he’ll try to bite your fingers,” Borja said. Whether feathered, scaled, or something in between, these students’ experiences show that pets of all kinds can bring joy, companionship, and unexpected lessons.

A losers guide to fantasy HENRY GIARDI Staff Reporter

of any team, if he’s going to be out, I look for the backup, because then the The fantasy football landscape devel- number two will have a good game in ops and reshapes each year. Analyst place of them,” sophomore Logan Dirankings of the top 25 players dras- etrich said. It’s also important to contically differ from week one to week sider that Logan drafted Calvin Ridley. There are so many ways to plan your 14. As simple as it may seem to draft draft but Sequoia sophomore Clinton the guys with the highest numbers, all Cheng uses a more uncommon methof those numbers have stories, stories that tell you exactly how valuable your od. players are. Translating these numbers “Towards the seventh or eighth round into stories is the essence of how to is when I take a quarterback because identify a consistency in the wild fanta- there’s a lot of serviceable quarterbacks available late in the draft, but the sy world. Following the draft far too many fan- s k i l l positions are hard to make up tasy managers take up the mindset that for,” Cheng said. When you’re looking for those skill all that there is left to do is setting their players, don’t forget to look for low lineup each week, and then it’s just folceilings. Remember, if the quarterback lowing their team’s scoresheet on Sunday. These are the same people who can’t make the throw, the receiver watch year after year as breakout stars can’t catch it. Additionally, far too oflike Cam Skattebo and Emeka Embuka ten it’s the rookie quarterback that is show that there is so much more to be overhyped, causing their receiver’s perdone. Far too often, managers believe ceived value to soar. In a deeper dive, that the game is as simple as reading check your player’s offense’s passing to projections and choosing the bigger rushing ratio - your player is only as numbers. Dumbing it down like this is good as the number of times he gets the ball. what leads to losing seasons. An aspect that can never be overNumerous factors go into fantasy football, but this one is one of few that stated, and the most strategic part of isn’t a statistic. Upside is a projection fantasy football following the draft; is of how a player can potentially become the bench. To maximise the use of your more valuable over a period of time. bench key strategies include, rotating A common example of a player with out your underperformers for sleepers upside could be a rookie drafted into and players with good matchups in that a backup role to an unconvincing start- particular week, holding on to a relier, and especially a backup behind an able backup quarterback for bye weeks injury-prone first string. Even a weak and in case of an injury, a backup tight receiver core can be beneficial to your end as tight ends are more often than running back. Anything that can cause not inconsistent and unreliable, and your player’s volume to go up in their four flex players (wide receivers and team’s offence is a factor in upside. running backs) that will fill in for your Variables like a developing quarterback, injured players and when your players or even a new head coach or coordi- hit bye weeks. Keeping an active bench nator could jump start that team’s of- each week is the only way to improve fence and boost your player’s success. your team, and there are plenty of play“The first player on the depth chart ers picked up each year that will outperform your starters if you neglect to

check the waiver wire. Every week, your player will have different projections for different reasons, but primarily projections will fluctuate to the strength of the defence your player faces. Most fantasy apps will give you a defensive ranking for the team your player is facing, but not much else. It is important to read about defensive stats like how that defence performs week to week against passing and running, in most weeks there won’t be a huge shift in the performance of that defence. For the most part, the week to week start/sit process will mostly consist of flex substitutions. And of course a great way to make these decisions is to read analyst start/sit articles found online, like my personal favorite FantasyPros or ESPN.

In reality, you could have season high projections, great matchups and a 65 percent chance of winning over your competitors and you still find yourself adding a mark to the losing column. Players underperform, making what should be a stress-free win into a painful loss. The most you can do to steer yourself to success in your fantasy season is to build as big of a competitive edge as you can each week, and do anything that will help to ensure a win in your future games.

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Super Bowl: most valuable snack BY ALEXA ARANDA, KIARA BROADWAY & IIZABELLA MONTOYA Staff Reporters

During the Super Bowl, people snack. Superbowl snacking is taken to extreme levels on this day, which will be extra special this year considering the big game is taking place 15 miles away at Levi Stadium. Second to Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl is the biggest eating day of the year. There are literally thousands of dishes that will grace people’s tables on Sunday, February 8. In order to ensure that the dish you serve for the championship game is a touchdown, we perfected two recipes: Baked mac and cheese and Buffalo Tenders. Mac and cheese is a fan favorite and chicken wings are data-backed to be one of the most consumed foods during the Super Bowl. While there are many recipes for baked mac n cheese and chicken wings the recipes included in this article are the real deal. These recipes use different ingredients and seasonings that are not typically found in other recipes, which makes them not only delicious but unique!

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This meal can be paired with a refreshing drink, such as a soft-drink beverage like Coke, Sprite, or Dr. Pepper etc. Here are the recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions, for both the mac and cheese and hot buffalo wings, to help you sit back, snack and enjoy the Super Bowl!

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Elbow p cheese as ta (or an y mac brand • 5-7 ) n Cups of wa ing on t e r (depe nd makin how much p g as ta y ) • Sal o u're t • Bu tter ( prefer 1/4 tablesp ence) o ons • Mi or lk (1 c u p, can nee de add m d) ore if • Shr e dde d cheese (any t ype)

Baked Mac N Cheese Steps: 1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees (depending how long you take pre-heat whenever you feel is accessible to you) 2. Add water into a pot, add salt into the pot, set it to high or the highest number 3. Once the water is boiling, add elbow macaroni to the pot. 4. Cook it for 11 minutes (or until preferred taste) 5. Drain your pasta water, leave 1 cup full of pasta water (Leave that to sit) 6. Then add your cheese mix into the pasta (in the same pot), mix well, then add 1/4 of the butter and 1 cup of milk 7. Once well mixed, add your “finished” mac n cheese onto a baking dish. Layer the pasta, then spread cheese on top (Any type of cheese) 8. Repeat the processes until it's filled however you prefer. At the end add another layer of cheese on top (To create a top layer crust of cheese) 9. Bake it for 10-15 minutes; check

Buffalo Tenders Steps: 1. Cut the chicken into strips 2. Season strips in a bowl, followed along with some milk and an egg 3. Mix well 4. Let marinate for 1-2 hours 5. Get a different bowl and transfer the marinated chicken into a separate bowl with the flour mixture of 3 cups + seasonings used previously 6. Mix the chicken in with the flour until all coated 7. Let’s sit for 5 minutes 8. Get oil and place chicken strips, and fry both sides until golden brown 9. After finishing cooking, put it into another bowl and coat with buffalo sauce(optional)

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Sequoia snow

BY COLIN CHOW & EVAN INMAN Staff Reporters

The 2025/26 ski season is fast approaching. Sequoia students are dusting off their gear and getting ready for the snow they’ve been waiting for all summer. But what can snowsports enthusiasts expect going into this winter?

2025-’26 Winter Forecast This winter is forecasted to be a La Niña year, but what

does this mean for us? Warm water near the equator is sending hot, dry weather northwards, while arctic winds send frigid air travel south. For the U.S, this will mean that the south will experience a mild winter with little precipitation, while the north will be cold and snowy. However, the Sierra-Tahoe area is right in the middle of these colliding forces of nature. Many forecasts at the moment are anticipating the Sierra Nevadas to be caught more in the southern weather patterns, so you can expect a relatively warmer winter than usual. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), here’s what you can expect to see for each phase of the winter:

Winter Outlook Map from CBS News

January-February:

March-April:

Some heavy storms and During the peak season, expect lower precipitation above average temperaand warmer temperatures, tures should make for good but well-maintained resorts snowfall and balmy weather-Picturesque spring should fare fine. skiing conditions.

Sequoia Snowsports Club Interested in learning how to ski or snowboard, or just looking for a fun trip with friends? The Snow Sports Club may just be the place for you. With an annual spring trip around March to Palisades Tahoe, it’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or challenge. Thanks to the discounted prices, the Snow Sports Club provides a great experience that very few schools are privileged to have. To learn more, stop by room 215 on the first Wednesday of every month, where meetings are hosted by President Keiran Hennelly and Vice President Matthew Macedo.

KEY FACTS ABOUT TRIP: Karim Mhanna, Ethan Kell, and Meezahn Kemal at the 2024 Snowsports club trip 10

Cost - $150 (Includes: rentals, day pass, pizza lunch, lessons (if needed), and bus ride up). Day of - Bus departs from Sequoia around 4:30-5 am, arrive and ski from 9 am-4 pm, return home around 10 pm. Scholarships: Scholarships are available for those who need them.

With a blanket of snow finally atop the mountains, the real question is: Ski or Snowboard? When it comes to spending time in the great outdoors, nothing beats the feeling of skiing through the woods with the sun rising beneath you. There’s a reason why skiing is considered the standard in snow sports. It’s easier, more fun,

and overall more rewarding than snowboarding. “We have more fun and we do better things [than snowboarders],” sophomore Kaylen Alexander said. Skiing has appealed to people of all ages for decades due to its easier learning curve and greater versatility on the slopes compared to snowboarding. Skiers can be found bombing down mountains to weaving through trees, and even sending it off cliffs, unlike snowboarders, who are often stuck in the parks. When you snowboard, you will also associate with their culture, from sitting in the middle of the slopes to ruining perfectly good runs. But nothing is worse than arriving on the slopes on a good powder day

just to see that all the snowboarders have scraped it away. “On good powder days, when it snows a couple of inches during the night, it’s always the snowboarders that scrape the snow off the top,” Junior Matthew Macedo said. Whether getting on the mountain for the first time or the hundredth time, skiing always has something new and exciting to do.

a snowboard.Furthermore, the snowboarding culture is also much more accepting than that of the skiers. When “[Snowboarders] have been deciding whether to ski or snowsuper kind. When I was new, board, your choice should be obvious: they would always give me Snowboarding is more fun, versatile, tips and tricks to help me and has a more accepting culture. Ask get better. It’s a really posany snowboarder - What’s the best itive and encouraging comfeeling in the world? munity,” Junior Allen Donnelly “If you can get up that mountain on a said. powder day, it’s phenomenal,” sophoThis warm and friendly nature more Charlie Siegler said. provides a stark contrast to skiers, Fresh tracks on powder is the who often petition for resorts, such closest you can get to surfing on a as Alta and Deer Valley in Utah, to be cloud. Additionally, the terrain park is designated ski-only. universally better on a board. Jumps, Not only is the culture amazing, rails, halfpipes - but the comfort of a snowboard is every feature is better on unmatched. From being able to walk

normally and facing skiers’ worst nightmare— stairs—with ease, skiers will be wishing they had chosen a board. These are just a few of the many reasons why you should choose the superior snow sport, snowboarding.

Photo credits: Top: junior Matthew Macedo skiing the run National at Palisades Tahoe Bottom: sophomore Evan Inman at Northstar California Resort RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Way-more Waymos Way-mo

BY EAMON ALDOUS & GIO CARICIO Staff Reporters

Waymos are roaming the streets of really knows what they’re doing, [and] Los Angeles, Austin, Phoenix, the Bay has experience driving, rather than Area and Atlanta, and students and something that could malfunction [at] teachers at Sequoia have mixed opin- anytime,” senior Kennedy Silva said. ions on the topic.The primary concern Although Waymo claims its vehicles is the safety of the car, the driverless are significantly safer than human-drivtechnology, and the use of its cameras; en vehicles, many people still lack trust others embrace the new technology in them. Another worry people have as a possibility of an efficient and clean about Waymo is its use of external and form of transportation. internal cameras. One of the most noWaymo began as the Google table features of Waymo cars is their Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, but has cone-shaped, futuristic-looking camsince expanded to offer public trans- eras. The cameras are used to collect portation with 2,000 vehicles, including information that provides the car with 800 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many directions. Many, like College and Caare concerned and reer advisor Joel worried about the Rebello, question potential negthe use of the camative effects of era’s storage. I’d rather just be with a person who Waymo and the “The camknows what they are doing, [and] problems it could eras and LIDAR has experience driving, rather than create. People are technology stand something that could malfuntion also questioning out to me because [at] anytime. whether its techwhen I’m at a stop nology is safe and sign and I see that Kennedy Silva, senior reliable. camera looking at “I’ve seen them me, I’m like, how turn without using their signal lights, much of myself is being recorded right which can obviously lead to accidents,” now?” Rebello said. said sophomore Sachin Paranjpye. Privacy and the use of data are of Errors in Waymo’s technology could high concern, and Waymo hasn’t been be very dangerous. In May of 2025, the completely transparent about what National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- happens with its data. According to istration recalled 1,200 Waymo vehi- WIRED, “Waycles in California after, according to mo’s website NBC Bay Area, “a glitch caused some and privehicles to crash into low-visibility barriers like chains and gates.” Waymo has since addressed that issue, but it is an example of errors in Waymo’s technology that could potentially harm riders. Some are also skeptical about how there is no human driver inside the vehicle. Waymo cars are autonomous vehicles that use sensors and software to drive, but this can make riders feel unsafe. “I’d rather just be with a person who

“

vacy policy do not specify how long the company retains camera footage captured inside or outside its vehicles. For years, self-driving companies like Waymo retained large amounts of information collected by their cars for training purposes and to optimize the underlying technology.” This raises questions about whether Waymo has the right to keep the data. While students and staff have concerns about Waymo’s safety and trustworthiness, there are also positive views about Waymo. It uses the Jaguar I-Pace as their cars, which are fully electric and produce zero emissions, lowering the amount of pollution from vehicles. “There’s the other side [of electric cars] of producing batteries and battery disposal that has another impact on the environment. So which one’s better? [But I think] what ends up happening is here on the peninsula, you still need a vehicle for the most part, but in the city, it’s not a necessity [to own your own vehicle], [and] there’s also the access [to] all these Waymos,” Rebello said. “Maybe the fact that there’s more of

those vehicles makes it so you don’t drivers are erratic; they appreciate the have to purchase an EV yourself, and automation as a smoother [and] safer you could access more options like ride for them personally, even the smell Waymo that could help reduce carbon [is better],” said College and Career advisor Teresa Yeager. emissions.” “If you don’t want to talk to people, Electric vehicles do not produce or you feel more safe in something that emissions themselves; however, their production and battery disposal do, is more robotic and would technically resulting in negative environmental im- follow the rules of the road, [Waymo is a good option]. pacts. However, if Some actual drivWaymo lowers the ers can be pretty number of people [unsafe],” said Silva. who buy personal They appreciate the automation Waymo can electric cars, esas a smoother [and] safer ride for offer a much pecially in the city, them personally. smoother ride it can reduce the compared to an amount of cars Teresa Yeager, College and Career Uber or Lyft drivmanufactured; Advisor er, which can make people could use getting to your desWaymo instead of tination much more buying their own electric vehicle while still using clean comfortable for people who don’t feel transportation. It’s better to use al- safe with a stranger driving. Since they first started appearing to ready existing vehicles than to produce the general public in San Francisco in more for private use. Another reason many are looking 2024, Waymos have grown and conto use Waymo is that the ride can feel tinued to expand. They have issues regarding the dependability of their smoother and more comfortable. “My friends live in San Francisco and technology, but the company continues ride [Waymo] frequently, to push for a safe, clean and efficient and prefer them over Ubers future where autonomous transportaor Lyfts, because they feel tion is the norm. like some Uber and Lyft

Sequoia students feelings about Waymos on the road:

“

Waymo car from Los Angeles Times RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

E-Bike concerns BY PRIYA ANSNES Feature Editor I would like to begin by denying the notion that riding an e-bike automatically endangers those around you. I don’t believe that is true at all. Most people who ride electric bikes around Redwood City are aware of the rules, especially those who hold a driver’s permit or license. However, in contrast, there is a significant number of younger riders who lack an understanding of

Are the younger kids you’ve seen on e-bikes endangering those on the road?

the rules of the road. “I think there’s a problem with most parents not really caring [about] their kids being on bikes and the dangers that can occur,” sophomore E-bike rider Efrain Osuna said. A few years ago, my dad was driving me home from school, and as we went down a steep, narrow road, there was a boy, around the age of 12 or 13, swerving in front of us. He was riding like a Highway Patrol officer doing a traffic break when an officer weaves across all lanes of the highway. The rider was riding his e-bike at a high speed and was clearly not old enough to be driving a car. This rider caused traffic to back up all the way to the top of 14

Raston Ave., and I remember hearing later that someone called the police. As someone in a vehicle much bigger than the one he was riding, I was extremely concerned. Not only for myself but for him. The road we were on was extremely steep, and there were many younger students on the sidewalk parallel to it. If something were to happen, he wouldn’t only be endangering himself. It was a perfect example of how not understanding the road rules can put everybody at risk. “When you’re younger, when you’re doing a sport that goes super fast in the street, where there are cars that are so much bigger, if you get hit by a car, the consequences are just so much greater than if you were just on a regular bike,” junior Alexi Bonnet said. I’m sure several people are aware of the e-bike incident in Burlingame. This past August, an e-bike carrying an 11-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl had the right of way on Donnelly Avenue. Unfortunately, the e-bike collided with a car pulling out of a parking lot, forcing the car to accelerate across the road and crash into the Truffle Bar restaurant, killing a four-year-old boy and injuring a six-year-old girl. There are many factors that played into this tragic incident. Some blamed the driver for not checking carefully enough before pulling out, while others argued that kids that young do not know the driving rules or etiquette and put others at risk. This tragedy reignited questions about how e-bikes should be regulated. “I believe that kids that age [without proper supervision or experience] should not be on an [electric] bike, especially for a bike going that fast, even if they have the right of way, they shouldn’t be on the street straight [away]. They should stay on their normal bikes, where it’s less fast, and can have more time to see where cars are coming from,” Bonnet said. Electric scooters and bikes can be

a dicey topic, as several students at Sequoia High School frequently ride them. On the other hand, there is no doubt that incidents involving younger demographics on e-bikes traveling at speeds comparable to cars are concerning.The question at hand is whether the government will take stronger action regarding loopholes in electric vehicle laws. Currently, California’s e-bike laws prohibit Class-3 models with pedal-assist motors that exceed 28 mph, require a red rear light, and ban apps or tools that override speed limits. In theory, these rules seem like a proper step toward keeping middle schoolers from

If you’re not old enough to have a drivers licenseshould you be on the road with those who have one?

cutting you off on El Camino, but in practice, little has changed. Some e-bikes can still reach speeds of 45 to 50 miles per hour and avoid being classified as an “e-moto” because they have pedals. “The main danger is the speed, especially for e-motos, which are a special type of e-bike; these bikes will go up to 50 mph. The problem with those bikes is that the brakes are like bike brakes and not motorcycle brakes; you’ll go super fast, but you can’t slow down,” Bonnet said. Graphs made on Canva, Poll data from Sequoia students

BY EMILIANA THACKER Feature Editor

Photo credit s: Madeline Carpinelli

As the second-semester begins, seniors get ready for the next chapter of their lives. Past Sequoia graduates have done it all—from business, athletics and the entertainment industry— helping seniors learn what comes next.

Nate Gotelli, Sequoia class of 2025, is learning time management to balance his busy schedule as a freshman at University of Oregon. “Back at home, my time management skills were nonexistent. I would usually go with the flow of the day, do homework when I felt like I should, and hang out with my friends whenever the opportunity presented itself. But after coming to college, I quickly realized how I need to prioritize and schedule things out in order not to feel overwhelmed,” Gotelli said. Beginning his day between 8- 9 a.m., Gotelli attends classes, goes to the gym, and studies at the library all before 5, when he then heads to his dorm and hangs out with friends. “One of the best things about college is that every day is going to be different, and you have to learn to overcome the challenges the day throws at you,” Gotelli said.

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Madeline Carpinelli, Sequoia class of 2022, is currently an intern at Late Night with Seth Meyers at NBC Universal. “[I] do a lot of administrative stuff around the office. A lot of broad stuff, but overall, helping the day to day operations, helping the show get taped and get aired,” Caprinelli said. As well as doing administrative work, Carpinelli also records clips for the digital team to use in highlight reels. “I love the entertainment industry, it’s a lot of fun to work in comedy and help people laugh,” Carpinelli said.

Aminah Evans, Sequoia class of 2024, now a sophomore at Swarthmore College is a part of the Division Three Centennial Conference Women’s Soccer Team, and recently won the Centennial Rookie of the Year. With a common emphasis on forwards and offensive players, Evans found the award to be especially meaningful as a defender. “It meant a lot that I was recognized, not only by my coach, but by other coaches in the conference,” Evans said. Photo credits: Aminah Evans RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

2026 PREDICTIONS:

FLASH FROM THE PAST BY RILEY BRADDOCK & ALIZA JUNEAU Staff Reporters

Bold tops Head turning colors, bold and bright, are back! This new era will be about standing out, not blending in. No more vanilla girl beige; fierce and glamorous is the new age. We will see tops featuring animal print, bold colors and even floral patterns designed to catch the eye, as seen in Dries Van Noten’s Spring/ Summer 2026 fashion show. These specific prints will include zebra, leopard, and camouflage patterns. There will also be a phasing out of asymmetrically cut tops, since such bright, eye-catching colors provide visual interest.

Layering tops

Along with the rise of boldly colored and printed tops, we will also see layering shirts become more popular, adding sophistication to your outfits. Think Y2K long sleeve tops layered over camis, or lace peeking out from a fitted cardigan. Cute, fun, and flirtatious; this look is back! This hyper-feminine style is being seen on the current runways, notably in Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show. Layering is making a comeback in both the high fashion and everyday world.

Statement accesories Seen often in the tacky-chic eras, statement accessories are one of the best ways to elevate your outfit. We predict that in 2026, statement jewelry will be bigger than ever. Extravagant necklaces, striking belts, larger-than-life bags, and large, chunky bracelets have high potential to be reinterpreted in a modern and chic way. This has already been seen circulating on runways by designers like Alberta Ferretti and Dries Van Noten. So the next time you see a fun set of bangles in a shop display, channel your inner 2006 Alexander McQueen!

Frilles and ruffles These playful and voluminous pleats of fabric have been spotted not just in 2000s fashion, but also on recent runways. This confident yet feminine detail helps to elevate pieces from bland to bold. Ruffles can be played up or down, and when paired with complementary clothing, they can add a unique touch. This is why we have a feeling that outfits featuring ruffled skirts or tops will become a major trend this year. Regardless of whether they appear in tops or bottoms, this fun element can help bring more character to your next outfit.

Silhouttes

Along with the rise of boldly colored and printed tops, we will also see layering shirts become more popular, adding sophistication to your outfits.Think Y2K long sleeve tops layered over camis, or lace peeking out from a fitted cardigan. Cute, fun, and flirtatious; this look is back! This hyper-feminine style is being seen on the current runways, notably in Chanel’s Spring/ Summer 2026 fashion show. Layering is making a comeback in both the high fashion and everyday world.

Fabrics Every good outfit starts with its fabrics. This year’s fabric will primarily feature silk, fur, and lace. Lace was showcased in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in their red and black collection, both of which featured heavy lace usage. While fur and silk, on the other hand, played a large part in Dries Van Noten’s Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show and Alberta Ferretti’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Lace will be used mainly for interest when layering, while silk and fur will be used as statement pieces of the outfit due to their eye-catching nature. Silk will mainly be used for tops and dresses, fur for hats, bags, and coats, and lace for shirts and skirts.

All photos from Pinterest or Vogue RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Identity on trial

Ethnic studies debates spark school district action rental consent under Education code BY CAROLINE SIELING & REESE SILVA Editors-In-Chief

Following recent parent complaints have parental consent.” brought before the school board, the Furthermore, the bulletin cites the Sequoia Union High School District is- Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Mahsued a policy bulletin reminding teach- moud v. Taylor, which held that the ers that they should avoid administrat- Montgomery County Board of Eduing or collecting written responses cation’s policy introducing LGBTQ+ from students about personal beliefs inclusive storybooks into elementary or practices related to sex, family life, morality, or religion without prior parent or guardian consent. The bulletin also directs staff to review and update classroom activities, surveys, and instructional materials “It’s meant to protect students and to ensure compliance with priva- families and their rights to privacy, cy protections. The district clarifies not censor them,” that these requirements are separate from the California Healthy Youth Act, which governs comprehensive sexual Tara Charles, health education and has its own rules Instructional Vice Principal for parental notification and opt-out procedures. schools without providing advance “It’s meant to protect students and notice or an opt out option burdened families and their rights to privacy, not parental rights under the Free Exercise censor them,” Instructional Vice Princi- Clause. This ruling is cited as part of pal Tara Charles said. “If we’re going the legal context for the district’s reto ask students for personal in- minder. formation, we don’t want In addition, the bulletin specifically to make students un- points to the “Introduction to Identity comfortable, so and Identity Lenses” lesson as a potenwe should tial violation of privacy laws. According to the district, the lesson requires pa-

“

51513 because it asks students to disclose personal information related to religion, sex, or gender and submit it to staff. Since the lesson is a part of Sequoia’s Ethnic Studies curriculum, some teachers see the bulletin as a pointed critique of a department already under scrutiny from certain parents. “As a department, we’ve always been sensitive to student privacy. We explain definitions or world views, but we don’t dig into students’ personal identities. That’s what ethnic studies is. It’s the history part,” history teacher Diana Nguyen said. Furthermore, some students say the policy has implications for their classroom experience. Junior Ariane Shah, a GSA board member, believes the bulletin’s threatening manner, particularly its focus on LGBTQ+ topics, could discourage teachers from covering these ideas entirely. This goes beyond the requirement to obtain written consent for any tests or surveys that ask personal questions. “When I took Ethnic Studies as a freshman, I was excited to learn history I could connect to my identity as a queer person of color,” Shah said. “It was the first time I felt I could see myself in the history I was learning at school.” Teachers add that they feel

heightened scrutiny as well. A single parent complaint, they note, can create significant professional stress. “Teachers rely on trust with families, but it only takes one complaint for a small mistake to become a major issue. I’m personally nervous about how to navigate that,” Nguyen said. Inside the classroom, the new restrictions raise practical concerns. How should teachers collect parental consent? Should they avoid identity-related discussions altogether to avoid scrutiny, or simply be cautious about asking personal questions? “If we are going to ask for this information, teachers need to send out a written permission form to gain parental consent,” Charles said. “My job is to reassure teachers that we’re doing what’s right for students. These are healthy conversations for us to have, because we never want students to feel uncomfortable.” Outside the classroom, community groups have also reacted. The SUSHD Students First organization, active in district politics, has been vocal about its opposition to parts of the current Ethnic Studies curriculum and its discussions of identity, gender, race, and systems of oppression.The group is actively reaching out to the district in an attempt to assure full transparency about what

“

Teachers rely on trust with families, but it only takes one complaint for a small mistake to become a major issue. Diana Nguyen, ethnic studies teacher

students are being asked to do both inside and outside of the curricula. “We support high-quality Ethnic Studies instruction and we have written to the board many times to advocate for the Constructive Ethnic Studies curriculum.We do not support the illiberal oppressed/oppressor ethic studies curriculum [...] Our concerns are specifically about proper implementation and legal

compliance [of the curricula].” With differing perspectives often opposing one another in terms of discussions about Ethnic Studies. This move from the district is likely still only a small part of a continuous fight over the curriculum. “The best way to combat losing students’ sense of belonging is to normalize the LGBTQ+ community’s existence. Even though teachers may not be able to ask about student’s identities, they can still talk about those topics as a whole and create a safe space for them,” Shah said.

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Cultural flow

BY SARA FLORES & JACQUELINE ROJAS Staff Reporters

When Folklorico dancers take the stage at school rallies, the crowd cheers. The burst of color and movement captures more than the audience’s attention, it captures centuries of tradition. Folklorico is a traditional Mexican dance that incorporates a variety of regional folk dances from Sinaloa, Jalisco, Michoacán, and other regions. One of the most striking features is the dress, which is often what people first set their eyes on, with bright, colorful dresses flowing with the fluid movement of the dancers. The colors and patterns of the dresses hold important cultural and historical significance, reflecting generations of a rich storytelling tradition. Sequoia’s Folklorico club began in early 2024, after a couple of seniors ex20

pressed interest in dancing for a rally. This inspired teacher Melissa Diaz to finally start the club. After finding several students interested in participating, Diaz initiated the club and helped recruit members.Today, the club is led by senior Katie Lombera and junior Denise Chan. For many, the club excels at fostering pride among Latino students at Sequoia. Diaz communicates the importance of Folklorico in her personal life and how it impacted her. “For a long time, I didn’t feel super proud of where my family came from because of all the narratives that we [got] in society. And so for me, it was a way to reconnect with my culture when I was in college,” Diaz said. “And I think it’s really beautiful to see so much interest at Sequoia and just

being able to learn from each other and celebrate who we are.” The club nudges students to step out of their comfort zone, whether that be socializing, learning choreography, or performing. Each practice improves the confidence of every member, new or returning. Chan has seen members transform over the course of a season. “This club is great to boost your confidence, to really put yourself out there. I think a lot of people come in really shy and a little timid, and then after that, they kind of gain a lot of confidence by performing in rallies, [and] talking to different people,” Chan said. Junior Ashley Alvarez has experienced the challenges of performing in rallies and at other schools. “Some challenges that I faced were stage fright and dancing in front of a large group of people. You do overcome it because after you feel very proud of yourself, and it’s also a really good way to show other people about the dance,” Alvarez said.

The club welcomes anyone from any culture to practice and learn regional dances, offering a new learning opportunity to discover an interest. Freshman Jackie Thompson joined the club because she was interested in learning the traditional dances. “I’ve seen all these videos about [Folklorico], and I’ve just been absolutely mesmerized. And I’m like I really want to do that, even though I know it’s a part of Mexican culture, and I’m not in any way Mexican,” Thompson said. “But I just like all the bright and pretty colors, and the way they do their dances, it makes me really want to try it. So I attempted to do it in the Folklorico club and I found that it was actually pretty fun.” Diaz hopes students and audiences feel welcomed and inspired. “Anyone can learn, even if you don’t have a

background, anyone is welcome to join. All cultural dances matter, [and] there’s a lot of beauty [in] other cultures as well across Latin America [and more],” Diaz said. “A big part of community is joy, dancing and being together. So we want people [to] feel that when they see us perform, but also if they want to join.”

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

A Romantic Homicide? BY NOAH CHEVILLET News Editor

On Sept. 8, 2025, a 14-year-old female was found in the back of a car. Reports indicate that she grew up in a home impacted by domestic violence and it is rumoured that she was in an illegal relationship with one of the fastest growing artists in the United States, David Burke. This disturbing case has taken the world by storm, leaving fans questioning the machinations of a young star who was previously loved by all. David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd, is involved in a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Due to the media, opinions have formed around his guilt, with a multitude of internet sleuths and private investigators uncovering a variety of evidence ranging from baseless accusations to essential information. With accusations flying around, it’s important to separate the facts from the rumours. This case involves the murder of a teenager, so sensitivity and respect is key. Burke, born March 28, 2005, was raised in Queens, New York. As he entered his teenage years, he became fascinated 22

with music, using it as a way to connect with others due to his homeschooled upbringing. In 2021, he released his own music and in 2022, he released his first hit, “Romantic Homicide,” on SoundCloud. Midway through his tour, following the release of his latest album, everything changed. On Sept. 8, 2025, a dismembered body, allegedly frozen, was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. The deceased was later identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl from Los Angeles who was reported missing on Feb. 15, 2024 and again on April 5 of the same year. Records show that the police were called 11 times to her residence, only three of which were followed up on. The police have not disclosed the results of their warranted search of Burke’s Los Angeles residence, only stating that they obtained several bags of evidence and multiple electronic devices. While Burke has not been officially labeled as a suspect, a source within the Los Angeles Polic Department claims that the police are actively treating him like one as of November 18. This is because the department was waiting for a ruling from the Medical Examiner to confirm her cause of death via autopsy. Detective Joshua Byers has requested that the autopsy results not be shared with the public, so it will likely take a little longer for Burke to be officially declared a suspect. Additionally, in typical fashion, evidence has been presented in front of an investigative grand jury with witness testimonies to come. Due to the sensitivity of the case, the rest of the initial legal proceedings will not be shared with the media these are the confirmed facts, although many close to the case have their stories to share.

In terms of Hernandez’s relationship with the singer, although she was a minor, her mother shared, in an interview with TMZ, that she had a “Shhhhh” tattoo on her right finger, the same tattoo that Burke has on his hand. It is important to note that this specific design was popularized by singer Rihanna and is considered a common tattoo. In the same interview, she shared that her daughter did have a boyfriend named “David,” but she didn’t go into any detail about their relationship or his identity. All of the evidence, statements and rumours culminate into complex theories, but most of them are founded on the same principle. Burke knew Hernandez before her death and was involved in some sort of close relationship, be that romantic or platonic. Hernandez’s death was tragic and the investigation remains ongoing. Until more statements or proof have been released by the LAPD, that’s how it will remain in the eyes of the public. In the United States of America, suspects or those thought to be involved are innocent until proven guilty and Burke is no different.

Read more at ravenreport.org:

Need a new read?

BY TATUM CHAUDHRY & TERI SULLIVAN Staff Reporters Downtown Redwood City has a new addition. Fireside Books & More is a cute, cozy bookstore with a strong focus on community. It is located at 2421 Broadway, right next to the Caltrain station, and is a self-described indie bookstore.The shop opened Feb. 1, 2025 by owners Andrew Johnson and Taylor Kubota, a couple whose love of Redwood City inspired them to open a

bookstore. The bookstore is warm and charming. Plush armchairs, plants spilling down the bookshelves, and a cat named Bonnie adds to the cozy charm of the store. “[Fireside is] a really nice place to just stop and rest for a bit,” junior Reese Skye said,

Between the bookshelves, a number of tables and chairs provide places to sit down with your book, do your homework, enjoy a drink, or chat with friends. The owners of the bookstore want to provide a space for everyone, regardless of whether you’re buying anything.

Community

Book Clubs One thing Fireside provides for the local community is a variety of book clubs.Their teen-focused book club, Books and Boba, is described on their website as “a casual hangout for teens to talk about the books they like.” Book clubs at Fireside never require anyone to purchase a book. They’re more focused on providing a space for book clubs to meet.

Fireside Books & More is labeled as a bookstore, but it’s more than that. “the bookstore is kind of a cover for being a community space. … We’re not looking to draw people from all around the Bay Area. There’s so many amazing bookstores all over the place, around here. There’s a ton up in the city, and there’s Kepler’s in Menlo Park, which is legendary, and Feldman’s, which is also legendary. And so we’re really focused on our community, close at hand,” Kubota said. When talking with Kubota, she emphasized how much she and Johnson love the vibrant community of Redwood City, and how the bookstore reflects that. “The bookstore is representative of everything we felt about Redwood City since we’ve moved here, both that vibrancy and also that really amazing sense of community,” Kubota said. On top of providing a community space for young people, Fireside Books & More also supports local small businesses and artists. Around the store, you can find bracelets made by Annette Isabel, a Redwood City photographer, crochet bags and decorations by Ellen Washington, a local student, mugs and bowls by GTS ceramics, a husband and wife from San Jose, along with a veriety of other trinkets. “We really did get to know some of the other small business owners quite well, so that was part of the inspiration for opening [the bookstore],” Kubota said.

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

Best slice for the best price

BY NOAH PEGNA & HARRISON ROBERTS Staff Reporters When it comes to quick, delicious and convenient grab-and-go foods, the pizza slice is hard to beat. But one question comes to mind: where can you get the best slice for the best price? We set out to find an answer to this dilemma by visiting three different pizza restaurants that serve by the slice and are within five miles of our campus, in order to determine the most efficient pizza parlor for Sequoia students to grab a quick bite.To develop conclusive results, we ordered a cheese slice and a signature slice from each destination, in order to crown the king of the grab-and-go pizza slice once and for all.

Tony G’s Slice House

Slice House by Tony G, a small restaurant chain owned by pizza juggernaut Tony Geminagi, is one among many establishments under the Geminagi umbrella. Tony G’s Slice House serves as an outlet of his brand, and provides the appeal of pizza-by-the-slice accessibility. They sell many different varieties of pizza, from New York style to grandma style, and offer a diverse selection of slices to choose from in their display case. The restaurant is fairly small, with a moderate amount of seating, but the ambiance felt comforting and nostalgic. On our visit to this restaurant, we ordered both the classic cheese slice, as well as the Sweet Gino’s, a specialty of theirs. The cheese pizza was a classic New York style slice, boasting a broad surface of melty cheese blanketing a crispy crust. The crust itself was thin but structurally sound, with a soft and pillowy, aerated center and a flaky and crispy, wood-fired outside. The mozzarella cheese was deliciously rich and evenly-spread, while the sauce provided a smokey backbone, lightened with tangy notes. The slice did have room for improvement, as the spread of sauce was slightly uneven, providing for some bites to have much tangier flavor than others, but overall there was not enough sauce to satisfy. A singular slice,

while fairly large, cost $6.75, a rather steep price point for one basic cheese slice. Overall, we gave this slice a solid 7.2/10, as some aspects of it are perfect, but there are small flaws to iron out. The second slice that we purchased at this location was the Sicilian style Sweet Gino’s. This square slice consisted of a robust base dough, crispy and delightful throughout. The deep red sauce artistically splattered across the slice brought the first hit of flavor, providing an incredibly pronounced, delicious, honey-like sweetness, which was followed by the bite of the fresh basil, cutting the sweet flavors and providing a nice balance. Fresh clumps of buffalo mozzarella were plotted around the piece, adding a nice, refreshing flavor and a slight chew, adding depth to the texture. This slice ran us $7.75, a very high price for what we received. Despite this price tag, however, the slice was simply too delicious to receive a low score, so we rated it an 8.6/10 overall. Both slices came out warm and inviting, and when pairing the variety of pizza and the delicious tastes with the ambiance of the restaurant, this location receives a total score of 8.3/10.

Pizza My Heart is a well known staple of Redwood City food, residing in the heart of the downtown area, just minutes away from Sequoia. Upon entering its doors, we were immediately greeted by warm lighting, and lots of accommodating

seating filling up a rather small interior. The walls are plastered with plenty of posters and memorabilia relevant to the Bay Area . The ambiance felt very warm and welcoming. A large display of various New York style pizza pies is found at the back center of the restau-

Pizza My Heart

rant , from where you can select the best slice. The first slice we bought was the classic cheese slice, costing $5.25. It was a fairly large, warm slice, and the first bite included lots of rich and cheesy mozzarella, supported by a perfectly crispy crust. The crust had a consistent texture; the perfect amount of chew and doughiness. One complaint about this slice, however, was the lack of sauce. The ratio of sauce to cheese was too miniscule to provide a fully flawless experience, as there wasn’t enough tomato flavor. For these reasons, we decided to rate the slice a solid 6.7/10. The second slice we bought was a signature of the location: the Big Sur. It ran us a steeper price of $6.50, but looked promising.. The Big Sur was similarly sized in comparison to the

cheese slice, but boasted an abundance of toppings, ranging from green peppers to italian sausage to portobello mushrooms. It was almost excessive in the amount of toppings provided, but it did serve for a very delicious tasting experience. Most notably, the large amount of mushrooms gave a very strong, rich undertone to the slice, being built on by the lighter flavors of bell pepper. On top of all of this, a spicy note finished off the flavor palette, lingering in our mouth and getting hotter with each bite. The crust had the same glory as the other slice, and the culmination of all of these desirable traits warranted the Big Sur overall rating of 8.2/10.The warm atmosphere of the restaurant, combined with the reasonable prices and delicious flavors leads us to give Pizza My Heart a final rating of 7.6/10.

Speederia Pizzeria Upon entering the doors of Speederia Pizzeria, you are greeted by an incredibly small interior with only two indoor seats and a display of multiple New York style pizzas. We ordered a cheese slice and a signature tomato basil slice, both came out of the oven, piping hot, in under a minute. Of the three locations, this is the least conducive to a sit down meal and instead provides a more grab-and-go appeal. The cheese slice at this particular restaurant, which cost $6 had an incredibly crispy, thin crust which made for a nice and structured textural base. Lots of mozzarella cheese enveloped the small amount of sauce. Despite there not being an abundance of sauce, it still brought lots of tangy tomato flavor, balancing out the cheesy richness.This essentially

caused this to be the standard, basic, but nearly perfected cheese slice, warranting a 7/10. The other slice we ordered was one of their specialties, the tomato basil, costing $6.70.This, too, had a blanket of consistently stringy mozzarella cheese, but was covered in large slices of fresh local tomatoes and garnished with basil. When biting into this slice, the fresh tomato is first distinguished, backed by the cheese, and finished by the strong basil. The sauce on this one felt slightly different than on the cheese slice, with a more pronounced tang which we quite enjoyed. The fresh and crisp taste of this piece caused us to rate it an 8.3/10. As a whole, the middle-ofthe-road prices as well as the classic, flavorful tastes contributed to this pizzeria’s overall rating of 7.8/10.

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

IN-N-OUT’S secret menu BY SCARLETT BING, BAMBI CORTEZ & ALEJANDRA GARCIA Staff Reporters

The In-N-Out secret menu features custom food items that are kept under wraps. In-NOut’s secret menu offers various burger and fry options to cater to every customer’s preference. They keep their secret menu under wraps as a marketing strategy to make their customers feel like they are a part of an exclusive club. Although it’s considered a secret menu, they refer to it as their “not so secret menu” on their website. We taste-tested four secret menu items to give an honest review.

4X4 BURGER

$10.99

Quadruple Meat, Quadruple Cheese

The 4x4 includes four patties, two slices of tomato, lettuce and cheese between each patty and is priced at $10.99. At first sight, it looked really big, and we weren’t fully convinced that we would finish it. It was hard to chew and it felt like there was too much meat. From the first bite, it was very filling and wasn’t as appetizing as we thought it would be. This burger was overwhelming, its size was too large and the amount of meat and cheese was excessive. Between three of us, we were only able to eat about half. While we would would not order it again, we do recommend this to anyone bulking. We rate the 4x4 a 4/10.

$3.70

ANIMAL-STYLE BURGER Mustard Cooked Patty, Extra Spread, Onions

When we ordered an animal-style burger, we got to choose the type of burger (the double-double, hamburger or cheeseburger) that we wanted to be animal-style. We ended up selecting the cheeseburger, which costs $3.70. It contains a mustard-cooked patty, a slice of cheese, a generous amount of IN-N-Out spread, pickles, grilled caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato. From the beginning, it looked appetizing and it didn’t disappoint. The extra sauce was the highlight of the burger, which we could taste it in every bite. Although the onions were caramelized, they weren’t as mild as carmelized onions typically are. Overall, the animal-style burger is a 9/10 if you don’t like onions, but 10/10 if you do.

ANIMAL-STYLE FRIES

$4.60

Fries, Extra Spread, Onions, Cheese

The animal-style fries are normal fries with a twist, containing American cheese, caramelized onion, and IN-N-Out spread. Priced at $4.60, these fries are a good value. All of the toppings on the fries made them more enjoyable and tasty than regular fries. The combinations of flavors had a satisfying aftertaste and left us wanting more. The fries did get a little soggy, but not to the point that they would be unappetizing. Overall, they were a delightful 10/10; we definitely recommend them especially to people ordering off the secret menu for the first time.

CHEESE FRIES

$5.50

Fries,Cheese

The cheese fries are basic fries topped with cheese and cost $5.50. They were enjoyable at first, but when the cheese cooled down, it ruined the taste and added a weird texture, making the fries taste stale. After the cheese cooled, the fries were not very enjoyable.The aftertaste of the fries left a weird taste in our mouths and we felt that they weren’t worth buying. All in all, the fries are a 4/10.

OTHER MENU ITEMS

Protien Style, Neopolitian Shake, Grilled Cheese

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

THE MODERN TCG PROBLEM BY ALEXANDER CORPOS & MASSIMO RAMEZANE Multimedia Editor & Staff Reporter Trading card games have exploded in popularity, driving crowds to stores and prices to record highs. The popularity of trading card games has increased immensely in recent years, largely due to high-profile celebrities and content creators buying highly valuable cards. This has created an opportunity for card manufacturers to profit greatly, causing many to theorize that card-makers are creating manufactured scarcity to justify marked-up prices for their products. As demand rises, prices skyrocket, scalpers resell products at inflated rates and regular players struggle to find and afford the cards that they want. The Pokémon TCG has seen a recent boom in popularity. This is mainly thanks to content creators like Logan Paul, Deeppocketmonster and Pokérev. Collectors don’t just get into the Pokémon TCG via content creators; sometimes, for collectors like sophomore Matias Ramirez, it’s a common family interest. “I got into Pokémon through my friend Marco and my brother. It’s mostly my brother because he’s been collecting cards since he was really young,” Ramirez said. Unfortunately, many casual collectors and players are unable to access newer releases at retail prices, primarily due to the increasing number of scalpers in this community. These scalpers set up bots to buy as many products as possible from the Pokémon Center website on the official release days or per-release days and then sell them at marked-up prices. At retail price, a,booster pack of Pokémon is usually $5.99, but scalpers upsell them to up to $20.00 a pack. 28

“I think it’s really hard because nowadays, there’s a bunch of people scalping, I feel like there’s more scalpers for Pokemon cards now then there was in the pastbecause now, when a new set comes out, you have to look online or you have to be lucky to find them,” Ramirez said. Another problem surrounding this issue is the question: is the Pokémon company doing anything to fix this problem? Many believe they have not done enough to correct this problem.; While they try to limit the amount of product that a single person can buy from their website in a transaction, scalpers often set-up bots to mass purchase cards. The Pokémon company also leaves it up to the individual retailers to set a limit per customer. “I don’t think they’re even doing anything to stop all these people from getting these packs and cards and just selling them online. I think they should at least try to put a pack limit [on] how much you can buy. [So someone doesn’t] end up getting 10 packs of the newest set,” Ramirez said. The Pokémon TCG issue persists and is likely to worsen with the release of newer Mega Evolution sets, which evoke nostalgia for those who collected cards between 2013 and 2015. This factor will likely cause more scalpers to buy and resell the products. Magic:The Gathering (MTG), created by Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast in 1993, is widely considered the first major trading card game. Magic has recently seen a new direction from Wizards of the Coast, ushering in an incredible increase in the number of Universes Beyond sets and Secret Lair card drops being added

to the game. These are special collaborations that bring outside intellectual properties (IP) into MTG, designed to attract new players and keep longtime fans interested. However, they have become highly polarizing within the Magic: The Gathering community for several understandable reasons. One of the biggest reasons for the divide in the fanbase is the price increase that comes with the introduction of new Universes Beyond sets. This is reflected in the price hike across nearly every part of the game. For example, a Play Booster pack—the most basic sealed product available, containing 14 cards for drafting—has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $5.25 when it comes from in-universe sets. Recently, however, the same product featuring an outside IP has an MSRP of $6.99. Senior Brennan Sherman believes that the problematic pricing lies mostly with the consumer, not entirely with Wizards of the Coast. “I think the main problem is that, just… too [much] stuff, people are still buying them, we all complain about, like, how much they cost, but people still buy them,” Sherman said. This is an opinion shared by many fans, even as prices continue to escalate and limited-series cards sell for thousands. There are other reasons for the division as well. Some players feel that recent sets are lackluster or hastily produced. A key example is the recent Spider-Man set, which many believe showed that outside IP can only carry a product so far. Major voices in the Magic community, including the creators behind the Tolarian Community College channel, have expressed feeling unenthusiastic about the new sets and unimpressed by the card designs. The channel’s host, The Professor, has also previously argued that Universes Beyond releases can dilute Magic’s established lore and has voiced disappointment in several modern collaborations. This concern is echoed by other players, who emphasize the importance of Wizards of the Coast preserving the core identity of the game to keep fans

engaged and satisfied. Both of these views, from two people at very different points in their Magic: The Gathering journey, illustrate how these problems are beginning to gnaw at the very core of the game and its community, and that some believe it must be addressed sooner rather than later. “They really just need to monitor how much they’re leaning into consumerism. Making sure they’re maintaining the original basis of the game. I think that’s gonna be really important if players are happy and interested in the game,” sophomore Matteo Lindstrom said. While Magic: The Gathering faces unrest within its community over the influx of outside IPs, and Pokémon continues to struggle with widespread secondhand scalping, these trading card games are far from failing. In fact, they’re thriving in many ways. Overall, these challenges stem from consumerism and a shifting view of trading card games. The once niche hobby is now seen as an investment opportunity and longtime players who value lore and worldbuilding have had to adapt to rising prices and an increasing number of sets. While these games are not “dying,” many fans believe the current trajectory is a slippery slope that should be recognized and addressed before the problems worsen.

Card pricing info

1. Base set charizard 1st edition= $890 2. Pokemon TCG youtuber “deeppocketmonster” 3. Team up Latias&Latios GX tag team alternate art = $2,647.00 4. Alpha Black lotus = $36,000.00 5. Lord of the Rings universes beyond The one ring = $82.00 6. FF serialized golden traveling Chocobo= $40,000.00

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

BY DYLAN BENSON Staff Reporter Going into 2026 Clash Royale has made a major comeback at Sequoia, taking over the halls and classrooms. But what sparked its popularity? This game comes from Supercell, a Finnish game company known for their fast-paced, strategy-driven mobile games. After Supercell released Clash of Clans and it received rapid success, they made a spin off game, Clash Royale, in 2016 with a mix of card battling and tower defense. “I think people play Clash Royale the most because, number one: it’s a lot of fun. But number two: now that influencers have brought them back from the dead, people have wanted to try it out,” senior Paxton Ticoulet said. This surge in popularity is also reflected in numbers. According to Google Trends, the active player count of Clash Royale is sitting at 1,022,662 as of Nov. 5, 2025. Additionally, according to the Raven Report survey, 78% of Sequoia students favored Clash Royale over other Supercell games such as Brawl Stars and Clash of Clans. “[Clash Royale] has the most action and the ability to outplay your opponent. There’s also lots of customizability and it is very competitive,” Ticoulet said.

From the perspective of a newer player, Clash Royale can be hard to put down, especially with its competitive nature and steady game progression. “When I lose a game, I have to win the next, which creates a cycle that gets addictive,” senior Oona Martin said. “What I love the most about the game is its competitiveness and being able to flex your rank on others. Also, I love the aspect of getting to upgrade your characters, decks and villages.” Similar to Ticoulet’s point of influencers increasing popularity, Martin noted how social media was a huge factor in the game’s rise. “I have seen many people watch YouTube videos and Tik Toks of creating better decks to use in battle. There’s also plenty of influencers online that convince people to download,” Martin said. However, not all Sequoia students have joined the Clash Royale train. Junior Sabine O’Hara is open to trying the game but hasn’t yet downloaded it. “I always see people play this game with friends and I like how it’s sort of a community where you can meet new people,” O’Hara said. “I think I will give it a try. I’m not sure if I would be addicted, but I definitely get the appeal.”

Recently, Sequoia has held Clash Royale tournaments, giving students a chance to battle for the school title. Students have even created homecoming proposals inspired by the game, and friend groups have dressed up as its iconic characters for Halloween. The game has certainly become a familiar part of Sequoia’s culture, bringing students together.

What to expect from Persona 4 Revival BY YAMIR BENITEZ-VENTURA Feature Editor The long-rumored Persona 4 remake is finally official, and fans are eager to see how Atlus updates the iconic game for a new generation. But with such a beloved original, expectations are high. In 1996, Atlus released Revelations: Persona, marking the first installment in the Persona series. As of 2025 Atlus has released multiple games and numerous remakes, selling a total of 27 million copies worldwide. In 2022, Atlus held a poll to see what games people wanted remade and Persona 4 came in fourth place. With Persona 4 Remake finally being announced, titled Persona 4 Revival, will it live up to its predecessor? What can we expect to change? Persona 4 is a Japanese role play game (JRPG) and dungeon crawler that takes place in the fictional town of Inaba, Japan, where a group of students solve a string of murders that is connected to a place called the TV World. Although the game seems gloomy whenever they are in the TV World, but when they are not in the TV World the game is set in a vibrant school and town. Your charaacter is able to talk to non playable characters (NPCs) to level up friendships. However, what Persona is known for is the massive figures that can be summoned for combat, which are created from their mental psyche. Persona 4 is widely considered one of the best installments in the Persona franchise by fans, for its characters, gameplay and soundtrack. Persona 4 Revival aims to completely revamp the game from the ground up, altering many of the combat mechanics while retaining the core gameplay to create a modern Persona experience that both new and old fans can enjoy. The first thing we can expect to

change is a massive graphical improvement, possibly the best seen in the Persona series. Atlus is removing the bobblehead style from the characters, something that I and other fans disliked and improving the colors of the game to make some scenes stand out more and give a better overall feel. Some fans appreciated the game’s graphics, but I think it’s largely due to nostalgia. The graphics are extremely outdated, and is something that will improve the game. Not only will Atlus change the graphics, but they intend to modernize the camera movement, making actions appear fluid and no longer stiff. This has been a problem in some of the older Persona games, where many characters struggle with walking and is why some people tend to avoid the older Persona titles. Another change we can expect are new ways to build relationships, which has been a staple in the game. The friendship meter is a mechanic where you’re able to go up to NPCs, talk to them and improve their friendship meter in order to evolve their persona or change how some characters act or talk to you. It is also a way for people to romance their characters. This may seem like a minor change, but given that the majority of gameplay involves interacting with NPCs, it allows players to spend more time deciding whether to form alliances or engage in combat, appealing to both sides of the fandom: those who prefer the combat and dungeon crawling and those who enjoy the story. However, there are a cou- p l e things we can expect to stay the same. The soundtrack will likely be made by Shihoko Hirata, as she has been spotted working on a Persona game.

The soundtrack for Persona 4, in my opinion, is the best that has been made. Some of my favorites are “HeartBreak, Heartbreak” and “Heaven”. Another thing we can expect to stay the same is the enjoyable storyline, memorable characters and a compelling ending to the game. Although Atlus is trying to remake one of the most beloved games in the franchise, fans like me are worried they are going to change a lot of the original game. It is likely that some of Persona’s most charming features could be changed. This is why I will continue playing the original despite its flaws. I’m also concerned that the release of the remake might conflict with the release of Persona 6, as one game might be pushed out sooner to meet the deadline. This would cause Atlus to release an unfinished game, similar to what happened with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With Atlus’ consistent releases of Persona, we can expect Persona 4 Revival to meet everyone’s expectations and bring in new and old fans of Persona 4, who will be able to experience it with modern graphics and gameplay.

Photo from Atlus RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

H A S

N O L A N

D O N E

AGAIN?

BY CESAR JIMENEZ & RYANT PERALTA Staff Reporters

I T

“Odyssey” is an epic poem about the hero Odysseus, who, after fighting in the Trojan War, is stranded at sea with his crewmates and must survive 10 years with many troubles ahead. The story also depicts the plight of his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, who deal with suitors fighting for her hand during Odysseus’s long absence. This tale, written by the legendary Greek poet, Homer, has captivated audiences for nearly three millennia, and now a new film adaptation aims to bring the timeless adventure to audiences on the big screen. Christopher Nolan, the renowned director behind “The Dark Knight Trilogy”, “Interstellar”, “Oppenheimer” and “Inception”, is now bringing his talent to “Odyssey”, which is set to release July 17, 2026. In a first for Nolan, the entire film is being shot with IMAX cameras, ensuring an immersive experience that matches the epic scale of Homer’s story. Filming is taking place across multiple locations, including Greece, Italy, Morocco, Scotland, Iceland, and Western Sahara, with specific sites such as Messenia, Sicily, Dakhla, Findlater Castle, and parts of Morocco, including Ait Ben Haddou.

The movie’s cast is equally impressive, featuring Matt Damon (Odyssus), Tom Holland (Telemachus), Anne Hathaway (Penelope), Mia Goth (Melantho), Jon Bernthal, Zendaya Coleman, Robert Pattinson, and many other stars. Fans have already caught a glimpse of the movie through its first two trailers, released exclusively alongside “Jurassic World: Rebirth” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash”. This movie comes with a staggering budget of $250 million, making it Nolan’s most expensive movie to date,

the future. This could also introduce the classics to many people, and the fact that this movie is being filmed completely on IMAX cameras could change the way movies are made going forward. Nolan’s “Odyssey” has all the elements of a box-office phenomenon and a cultural event. Its release could not only revitalize the classics for a new generation, but also push the boundaries of how epic stories are brought to the screen.

“

I saw is that all of this great mythological cinematic work that I had grown up with hadn’t been done with the weight and credibility of an A-budget and big Hollywood, IMAX production.” Christopher Nolan, director

and the 25th most costly film ever produced. Such a budget ensures topnotch visuals, perfect for practical effects and animatronics; however, some speculate that it may need to increase further to fulfill the film’s ambitious scope. With expectations high, analysts predict the movie could become Nolan’s highest-grossing film, potentially earning over $1.2 billion. Not to mention, tickets for the film’s one-yearearly presale sold out within an hour, bringing in roughly $1.5 million despite the relatively small number of seats available. “Odyssey” is expected to be a massive success because of the director, cast and the story. It could also be one of Nolan’s best movies and could open the door for more adaptations in

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

ASB board members by Joella Gaddini

Behind the SAC Electives are some of the most fun things about the school day, and Sequoia has a giant selection to choose from. One of the most popular electives at Sequoia is Associated Student Body (ASB). ASB is responsible for organizing numerous events throughout the year, including rallies, dances, spirit weeks, and many other activities. Not only do they facilitate activities at Sequoia, but they also serve the larger community through volunteering. There are many layers to ASB, as it is one of the few student-run classes at school. ASB’s teacher advisor, Corey Uhlade, explains the structure. Taking place during second and fourth periods, ASB members meet with their families to plan events including dances, athletics, communication, and Raven Relations. “Every student will be part of two committees. Those committees cover 34

BY YUKI AHMANN & JOELLA GADDINI Staff Reporters

a wide range of things that are certain“I just think it’s so cool that I am in ly the outward-facing projects that we a position where I get to help people do,” Uhalde said. build these memories that they’re goDue to its popularity, ASB is an ex- ing to look back on for the rest of their tremely comlives, and they’re gopetitive class to ing to think about join. There are their high school a p p ro x i m a t e l y days,” Madden said. 200 applicants ASB has concompeting for We have organized systems called tinued to evolve 93 spots, with 30 families, which place experienced and adapt over the of those spots ASB students serving the role of years, adding new reserved for ‘parents’ with children. committees and students on the ideas with each new executive board wave of people. and student Corey Uhalde, ASB director ”We have a council. committee called ASB is a highly sought-after class Raven Relations, and that committee because it provides students with the is supposed to represent different opportunity to make a positive impact. offices on campus, like our team ReIzzy Madden, a senior and co-president source Center, College Career Center, of ASB, values the special moments she and counseling department, and help experiences in this class. them publicize and put on projects and

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identify as non-white. On the ASB Executive Board, 7 out of 21 members identify as non-white. Of the 93 students in ASB, 29 are bilingual in English and another language, mostly Spanish. “I’d say that more Spanish speakers would be very helpful, because most of the people who are in the class don’t have that kind of intersectionality. It would really help out to just feel that extra type of connection for the rest of the student body that may have trouble assimilating into the high school sphere,” Lazaras said. Sequoia’s administration has acknowledged the disparities and has Cameron Uhalde by Joella Gaddini encouraged greater participation from underrepresented groups, emphasizing events that they’re doing,” Uhalde said. the importance of diversity in the stuASB’s hard work enhances student dent government. “We would very much like to see a life while teaching students to lead, share, and work hard. However, some- more diverse pool of applicants running for Class Oftimes the work fice and for our and appreciation Executive Board are lost due to a positions, and we tainted perception continue looking of the class from I just think it’s so cool that I am for ways to exthe outside– arpand recruitment rogance, lack of in a position where I get to help people build these memories that on those fronts,“ diversity, and drathey’re going to look back on for Uhalde said. ma. These percepthe rest of their lives, and they’re Expanding tions come in the going to think about their high recruitment is a form of stereoschool days. project that ASB types born from continues to work negative experion, from visiting ences, which lead Izzy Madden, classrooms to to pushback on co-president of ASB pitching ASB and people’s appreciits appeal. In addiation and feelings tion to collaborattoward ASB. ing with other student organizations Former ASB member Araceli Lazaras, a junior, shared her view on ASB based and encouraging students to join and have a voice. on her experience. Another method to bring the school “It’s hard to get along with everyone, but even through an outsider’s view, it community together and collaborate was very cliquey, and showed a lot of with other organizations is the Stufavoritism, and you would see a lot of dent Senate. Clubs come together once a month to discuss, learn, eduthe same faces,” Lazaras said. Sequoia’s student body is comprised cate, and brainstorm ways to improve of 60% Hispanic students. Lazaras the school and address problems. The thinks increasing the number of Lati- Student Senate brings together leadno students would make students feel ers from student clubs and unions to more connected to ASB. According to ensure that ASB has exposure to the the ASB roster, 39 of the 93 members issues that affect the entire student

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body. One notable accomplishment was the addition of another gender-neutral bathroom on campus, following a request from the Trans Student Union (TSU) and the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) to the Senate, which had pointed out that the existing gender-neutral bathroom was difficult to access. “Let your voice be heard. Obviously, don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. You know everyone’s doing their darndest, but at the same time, even if you’re not on ASB, you can contribute here, and it’s good to know that.” Lazaras said. One of the reasons ASB is so unique is that people come with many visions, and they have an opportunity to make them happen. “I would love ASB to be a more diverse group of students, where we can collaborate with other groups on campus, other student unions, other academies, other just groups, avid and classes, and programs that share the same mission as us,” Madden said. ASB continues to evolve and adapt, making it one of the best learning environments and unique courses on campus.

ASB students by Joella Gaddini

RAVEN REPORT | JANUARY 2026

ra v e n r i d d l e s ACROSS 1. Fictional town of Persona 4: Revival 5. Snow sport using planks 8. Name of Clash Royale developer 9. Driver-less vehicle 10. Artist under criminal investigation DOWN 2. Acronym for “Associated Student Body” 3. Type of fries on secret In-N-Out menu 4. 2nd biggest eating day in U.S. 6. Christopher Nolan 2026 movie 7. Name of bookstore in RWC

Read the issue to find the answers!