bark.
redwood
Photo by Joel Kurtzman
Volume LXIX, No. 1 • September 10, 2026 • Larkspur, CA
4 Editorial bark@redwoodbark.org
The future is digital, our education should be too
6 Feature
FYI, OCD isn’t a personality trait
9 Sports Meet the captains
Fall 2026 Roster/Positions
Editors-in-Chief: Reed Grossman Beatrice Nass Logan Scully
Section Editors: Art Consultants: Ethan Finkelstein Ada Healy Rosstin Pouradib Julia Rivo Edie Youngs Business Managers: Charlie Anderson Tate Ralston Ronak Shah Copy Editors: Alex Atherton (Head Copy) Amrit Aujla (Head Copy) Georgia Thomas (Head Copy) Eleanor Bentley Claire Carbone Liv Fargo Skye Hammond Olivia Herbst Adriella Marcus Alexa Martin Anika Murray Isha Patel Maddie Petersmeyer Sophie Sahai Adam Scheer Maya Tucker Sofia Yanni Data Analyst/Survey Managers: Zack Ferry Milan Hendrickson Logan Schneidewind Feature Editors: Bella Garbo Anna Horn Maggie Schwartz
Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org Games Editors: Olivia Hamm Olivia Shapiro Maddy Wagner Lifestyles Editors: Siena Forster Lyla Hielscher Elizabeth Hopkins Multimedia Editors: Leyton Defesche Claire Johnson Lucy Levine News Editors: Calista Grigg Cian Kelly Nico Less Opinion Editors: Josephine Perlov Henry Rivo Nico Ruel Outside Opportunities Managers: Isla Geithman Sienna Watt
Noah Gersch Margaux Hirschbein Thea Jones Lily Kilgore Sophia Kletz Elaina Leighton Carmela Mangilit Valentina Mitchell Paige Mori-Prange Rose Mueller Nico Post Drew Schultz Solomon Strasburg Guo-Ting Tseng Charlotte Welter Review Editors: Gabby Baumgarten Ella Shawn Tessa Soccorsy Spanish Editors: Sidney Bank Esperanza Cubillos Sports Editors: Grady Graziadei Joel Kurtzman Hayden Martay
Photography Editors: Lauren Ellington Owen Scheeline Oren Weingarten Asha Zlatoper
Social Media Managers: Isabella Marsh Zoe Peters Berkeley Smith
Podcast Editors: Jimmy Centeno Olen Johnson Taylor Kaster
Video Editors: Josh Friedman Brooke Hansen Victor Levsky
Reporters: Ava Babb Hudson Brod Carlie Catanese Piper Cifarelli Sophia Davis Vibha Devulapalli Wes Fitzpatrick Dorothy Florence
Web Designers: Zander Hakimi Colette Reidy Bodhi Wadia
September 10, 2026 bark Page 2 • News Salt & Straw set to replace Marin Country Mart’s dairyfree, gluten-free ice cream shop
Photo by Beatrice Nass
STANDING IN FRONT of the Frankie & Jo’s sign, customer Kristen Wolff smiles with her ice cream. By Lyla Hielscher and Beatrice Nass Local vegan ice cream shop Frankie & Jo’s announced on July 27 in a post on their Instagram that they will be closing their Larkspur Landing storefront indefinitely on Aug. 31, being replaced by popular ice cream chain Salt & Straw. “Our landlords have terminated our lease early, due to lower sales than they would like,” the post said. “And, we get it. Having a more well-known ice cream shop in the Mart would serve the community there, although we’d sure love to stay.” The “well-known” ice cream shop Salt & Straw will open just a couple of doors down from where Frankie & Jo’s used to reside in Larkspur Landing’s Marin Country Mart. The specific opening date has yet to be released, but it is expected to open later this year. Lara Bishop has worked at Frankie & Jo’s for about a year and a half. She
is currently a third-year student at the College of Marin, and is celiac herself, so Frankie & Jo’s offered a special way for her to comfortably enjoy ice cream. “I definitely was bummed out when I heard [we’re closing] because I've been here for so long,” Bishop said. “Frankie and Joe's is such a special place because everything that we have is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. I have celiac disease, so I can't eat gluten, so this [place] was like, oh my gosh, I can actually eat ice cream and cookies and waffle cones.” The closure of Frankie & Jo’s removes customers' options for healthy and accommodating ice cream. Gluten and dairy-free customer Kristen Wolff stumbled upon Frankie & Jo’s by chance while she was visiting from Danville. She came straight to the ice cream store after her daughters found out it was not only tasty, but also accommodating to her nutritional needs. “I do think that it’s probably an option
that people are seeking out, even if they're not celiac or have an aversion themselves, because it's just healthier and lighter. People seem to enjoy it, so I don't necessarily think you need an allergy to enjoy a place like this,” Wolff said. Customers who will miss Frankie & Jo’s are able to access the ice cream online by ordering the gluten-free and dairy-free ice cream for frozen delivery. Although customers will be losing this healthier option, the incoming Salt & Straw provides new benefits to customers. Known for its unique flavors and seasonallythemed menus, Salt & Straw has garnered a significant presence online. Juliet Stallingn, general manager of the Salt & Straw Fillmore location, explained some of Salt & Straw’s distinctive business model and monthly flavor rotations. “We always switch it up and try to keep things unique and creative and just stay
in tune with people coming in,” Stallingn said. Not only does Salt & Straw pride itself on its ice cream, but the employees, especially in the Fillmore location, enjoy the environment and vibes that come with working there. “There are high expectations and standards of the way that we treat our guests,” Stallingn said. “We get the opportunity to be really interactive and personable with the people who come in.” Marin Country Mart has brought the community together through ice cream for years now. From the 2011 opening of Three Twins to Frankie & Jo’s in 2023, Salt & Straw will now carry on the legacy.
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Photo by Lyla Hielscher
STACKED UP IN Salt & Straw’s San Francisco location, freshly made waffle cones fill the store with a sweet and inviting scent.
The Point Reyes Sand Sculpture Contest inspires creativity in its 44th year at Drakes Beach By Claire Carbone and Anika Murray Community members came together at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes to build structures made of sand and other materials for the annual Sand Sculpture Contest on Aug. 29. Saturday’s event was the 44th annual Sand Sculpture Contest hosted by the National Park Service. The event was created by Maggie Johnston in 1982 to bring more foot traffic to Point Reyes National Seashore. Hannah Hindley, one of the contest’s judges, said that when the judges assess each sculpture, they look not only for technical skill and use of the available materials, but also for something that sets the piece apart.
“We’re looking for creativity, whatever spark or silliness [that] kind of strikes our imagination,” Hannah Hindley said. Leif Christiansen, a father who was participating in the sculpture contest with his family, explained what he liked most about the contest. “It’s a chance to get the family together. We’ve been doing this for almost 10 years and it’s just a great excuse to spend the day at the beach,” Leif Christiansen said. Leif Christiansen had wanted to sculpt a foot that sent a message about the carbon footprint, but when a family member made a joke about Bigfoot, they decided to base their sculpture on that instead. Ezra Christiansen, Leif’s son, has worked on the
sculptures with his parents for the past 10 years. “[The competition] is at the point of competitiveness where you’re pushed to actually try to do your best, but it’s not overly competitive,” Ezra Christiansen said. “Everyone seems to be wanting to make something that actually looks cool.” By contrast, this was Dunja Kacic-Alesic’s first year taking part in the competition. She had been following along with Jackie and Shadow, two wild bald eagles in San Bernardino National Forest who became well known online when a livestream of their nest went viral. When Jackie the eagle passed away on Aug. 10, KacicAlesic knew she needed to honor her by sculpting the two eagles in the contest. As a newcomer to the sculpture contest, Kacic-Alesic had worried that she would be behind and that it would be too competitive. But she said that the environment was one of healthy competition and that it was nice to work while hearing everyone’s laughter on the beach. “Just being out in the fresh air, nature and among people who are enjoying art and creativity,” Kacic-Alesic said. “Seeing how much effort and how much love people put in there, and [the] playfulness of the event, it’s all good.” Lewis Hindley, Hannah Hindley’s husband and a fellow judge, said that he enjoyed getting to look at the pieces and meet new people. “[It’s] so fun to have all these conversations with the people, sharing what they loved about the sculpture they were building, and also what’s going on for them. These guys are [from] Wisconsin, but this is a stop on a road trip they’re doing as a part of their bachelor party,” Lewis Hindley said. “Some folks come every year. This is a family tradition.”
Photo by Anika Murray
USING ROCKS FROM the beach for teeth, Group 25 stands, looking at the shark sculpture they built together.
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opinion
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We need to movie-on from remakes By Eleanor Bentley and Ava Babb Imagine one night, you decide you want to go see a movie with some friends. Step into any local movie theater and you will find it packed for showings of “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Whether it’s blockbuster superhero movies, or yet another Colleen Hoover novel recycled onto the screen, everything appears to be a remake of an old story. It’s not in your imagination that very few of these films appear to be based on original ideas. We have entered an era of media in which the box offices are completely oversaturated with film adaptations. According to Taleventry, in 1984, nearly 75% of the most popular new films were original. Now, over 40 years later, over 70% of the highest-grossing films are adaptations. This transformation isn’t accidental, either. There is much higher marketability and lower risk involved with adapting pre-existing stories because they likely already have an audience. For example, according to fashion magazine Variety, the “Wicked” franchise made over $1.3 billion in the box office due to its pre-existing fanbase that had spent over 20 years since the success of the Broadway musical waiting for a film adaptation. This would draw in more profit than an unpredictable, original film that could easily be a flop, causing filmmakers
to lose millions of dollars from production costs. From an economic standpoint, an adaptation is a much safer decision than an original movie. However, there is always a tradeoff when it comes to creating an adaptation. Adaptations aren’t required to stay entirely faithful to their predecessor, as some changes are necessary when transforming a story from text to the screen. But poorly done adaptations can strip the original story of its intended message, creating a shallow production that relies almost entirely on high-profile actors and dramatic visual effects. One victim of this was the February 2026 remake of Emily Bronte’s classic novel “Wuthering Heights.” Although the film was visually stunning, it received criticism for failing to capture what the novel was actually about. “In trying to make it palatable, it drains it of everything that made it endure,” claims a review from Script Magazine. Similar points have been made about the latest adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which was released in August and sparked controversy from both historians and fans of director Christopher Nolan’s work. One of the most divisive aspects was its star-studded cast, which included A-list actors such as Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and more. With combined production and
According to Taleventry, over 70% of the highest-grossing films are adaptations.
marketing costs at an incredible $375 million, “The Odyssey” definitely keeps its audience on the edge of their seats with its portrayal of key dramatic moments. Despite its strengths, it has also received a substantial amount of backlash. Emily Wilson is one of the most recognized m o d e r n translators of the original text, having sold more than 1 million copies of her 2017 translation of “The Odyssey.” In a scathing 4000word review, she wrote that Nolan’s version “lacks psychological, emotional, political, and ethical depth.” While Wilson’s critique might be considered harsh, it is certainly right about one thing. The movie possesses the same flaws as many other modern adaptations: it is wildly popular and entertaining, but ultimately fails to preserve the original themes at the core of these stories that made them beloved for generations. Not all adaptations fall into this category. One outstanding example is Greta Gerwig’s 2019 remake of the classic novel “Little Women,” which was praised for its incorporation of modern, complex themes while still paying respect to the work of 19th-century author Jane Austen. “Gerwig creates something that is true to its roots and bracingly current,” claimed a
review article published in The Guardian. This film is a perfect example of balancing relevant ideas with the original work. Realistically, modern adaptations will continue to have a place in the top films for many years to come. The solution is not to avoid them entirely, but rather to approach them with a newfound awareness a n d appreciation for where these ideas came from. Don’t feel like you can’t Illustration by Ada Healy see “The Odyssey” at the theater with your friends. Instead, go enjoy the movie, and if it interests you, take the time to explore the original story, and the characters and themes that have helped it maintain its influence in our modern world.
tech laser cutter,” and you’ll come across some of the most advanced processes for cutting something open. When your package finally arrives in the mail, open it and plug it in immediately. Throw out the manual with all the instructions and line up the case perfectly under where the laser will be. Set the power level to maximum and throw on some sunglasses so your eyes don’t get burnt from the glaring beam. You’ll make a perfect hole in the top lock
totally indestructible case, the truth is clear. Redwood has somehow found a way to make it impossible to use your phone during the school day.
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Satire: How to crack the case By Owen Scheeline and Solomon Strausburg Redwood’s new phone policy: Nukase phone cases are here, and they bring a simple promise: your phone stays with you, but you can’t use it. The see-through hard shell is “shatterresistant,” and the locking mechanism is 100% tamperproof. The 30 dollar charge to buy a new one if you break it is basically a threat, but if you’re really determined to reunite with your device before the final bell rings, here are your best options. Method 1: Industrial angle grinder Cost: $150 per day. Time: 45 minutes. Success: Low. Rent one from your local hardware store and get to work on that almost indestructible, incredibly thick shatterresistant piece of hard plastic during lunch in the (whatever that wood cutting room is). It’s recommended that you wear gloves and some safety goggles; you want to look like you know what you’re doing. Sparks will fly. The case will smoke. But stay calm. After 45 minutes of grinding, you’ll look down at your Nukase to see that
somehow it’s still intact! Method 2: The teacher impersonation Cost: $0. Time: 30 minutes. Success Rate: High…until it isn’t. Call NuGerm during its office hours and adopt the most professional voice you can. Introduce yourself as a teacher from Redwood who is in desperate need of a second magnetic unlocking station because there’s “never” a line of students waiting to unlock their phones at the end of the day. They should take you s e r i o u s l y, and send you a quote. You’ll be scrolling through their pricing sheet, almost celebrating with joy thinking you’ve actually pulled this off. Then, they ask for the school’s purchase order number. Your stomach will drop. You’ll mumble something about how you’ll get back to them and then hang up immediately, knowing that the note being handed to your teacher next class has your name written all over it. Method 3: High Tech Laser Cutter Cost: Over $7,000. Time: 15 minutes. Success Rate: Super Low. Put into any search browser, “high
Put into any search browser, ‘high tech laser cutter,’ and you’ll come across some of the most advanced processes for cutting something open!
mechanism only to find that underneath is a secondary reinforced lining. A backup plan built into a backup plan. You’ll stare at the hole you just made in your own case and wonder who designed such a cruel thing. The final verdict: After exhausting every possible way to crack open that
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bark Page 4 • Editorial
September 10, 2026 Editors-In-Chief Reed Grossman Beatrice Nass Logan Scully Head Copy Editors Alex Atherton Amrit Aujla Georgia Thomas
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The future is digital, our education should be too.
editorial The importance of technology literacy in high schools
POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff.
From banning personal laptops during the 2025 According to a September 2025 Bark survey, when school year to disbanding an artificial intelligence the district prevented students from accessing school (AI) task force over the summer to this year’s Wi-Fi on their personal devices at the start of the 2025cellphone ban, the Tamalpais Union High School 26 school year, 53% of students said that they strongly District (TUHSD) has shown a clear opinion: disliked the new policy. technology does not belong in the classroom. Grades aren’t the only ways students can develop While these policies can be effective at temporarily or become educated. Learning to handle distractions limiting student distractions, and effectively handle responsibilities the misguided restriction of mostly happens through experience. student technology use without After high school, there is no teaching proper digital literacy NuKase to lock up our phones or prevents us from being well teachers to confiscate our laptops. prepared for the future. There are real-world consequences We should prioritize to distraction, like missed deadlines teaching accountability and and job opportunities. By having our responsibility regarding access to real-world technological personal devices and AI. In resources restricted, we aren’t given early 2026, TUHSD organized Human Rights Research the chance to develop accountability a teacher-led AI task force to and agency skills regarding them, Center improve AI literacy among inadequately preparing us for a future staff. However, after receiving with technology inevitably at the harsh criticism from the district forefront. Wherever our paths may board — which argued that AI in the classroom lead, we won’t have an ever-present body restricting made learning “more shallow” — the task force was our exposure; we will have to navigate the distractions disbanded at the end of last year, around the same on our own, a skill we simply aren’t being taught. time that TUSHD implemented a formal AI policy in A phone can be a distraction while also acting as its handbook. a tool. Similarly, AI can be a tool as much as it is a According to the Human Rights Research Center, distraction. Instead of removing them, the district about 67% of public schools provide some form of should focus on how to maximize the utility and AI training to staff, demonstrating a growing trend of minimize the distraction of these resources we have at AI literacy teachings. our disposal. A global survey conducted by the Digital Technology such as AI and cell phones are an Education Council found that 86% of students ever-increasing part of our future, whether we like it worldwide regularly use AI in their studies, with 54% or not. It is the school’s responsibility to prepare us reporting weekly use despite 58% feeling that they do sufficiently for wherever it may present itself in our not have sufficient AI knowledge and skills. With AI futures, starting with valuing technological literacy. becoming increasingly prevalent in student learning, schools and teachers need to adapt and educate students on the proper ways to use AI resources in efficient and ethical ways. Additionally, according to California Education Code Section 60119, every student has the right to adequate instructional materials aligning with content in all required subjects both in class and at home. Considering recent Wi-Fi and connection Have an opinion regarding anything that appears issues with our school-issued Chromebooks, it has in the Bark or in general? We encourage our become apparent that the recent ‘no personal devices’ readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to policy is not only violating this code by hindering the Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if our access to digital resources, but also reducing our possible and signed. They must be emailed to instructional minutes. bark@redwoodbark.org.
67% of public schools provide some form of AI training to staff
A BARK to no SMART A BARK to Ms. Saylor bringing for seniors. We weren’t going 200,000-plus followers to AP Econ. anyways but it’s still appreciated. Talk about high demand.
BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS represent praise, while BITES represent critiques.
A BITE to the new tardy A BITE to the Wi-Fi. [The rest policy. We thought detention was of this sentence failed to load.] a myth. A BARK to Redwood’s new A BARK to Dolly Parton. We gym floor. At least one thing on will always love you. campus is having a smooth start to the year. A BITE to parking applications. We’re working A BITE to the school clocks. Is harder on finding people to it 10 p.m. or the end of class? carpool with than our homework.
Reportors Ava Babb Hudson Brod Carlie Catanese Piper Cifarelli Sophia Davis Vibha Devulapalli Wes Fitzpatrick Dorothy Florence Noah Gersch Margaux Hirschbein Thea Jones Lily Kilgore Sophia Kletz Elaina Leighton Carmela Mangilit Valentina Mitchell Paige Mori-Prange Rose Mueller Nico Post Drew Schultz Solomon Strasburg Guo-Ting Tseng Charlotte Welter
Copy Editors Eleanor Bentley Claire Carbone Liv Fargo Skye Hammond Olivia Herbst Adriella Marcus Alexa Martin Anika Murray Isha Patel Madisen Petersmeyer Sophie Sahai Adam Scheer Maya Tucker Sofia Yanni Opinion Editors Josephine Perlov Henry Rivo Nico Ruel Feature Editors Bella Garbo Anna Horn Maggie Schwartz Lifestyles Editors Siena Forster Lyla Hielscher Elizabeth Hopkins Games Editors Olivia Hamm Olivia Shapiro Maddy Wagner Sports Editors Grady Graziadei Joel Kurtzman Hayden Marty News Editors Calista Grigg Cian Kelly Nico Less Review Editors Gabby Baumgarten Ella Shawn Tessa Soccorsy Video Editors Josh Friedman Brooke Hansen Victor Levsky Spanish Editors Sidney Bank Esperanza Cubillos Podcast Editors Jimmy Centano Olen Johnson Taylor Kaster Art Consultants Ethan Finkelstein Ada Healy Rosstin Pouradib Julia Rivo Edie Youngs Outside Opportunities Isla Geithman Sienna Watt Business Managers Charlie Anderson Tate Ralston Ronak Shah Social Media Managers Isabella Marsh Zoe Peters Berkeley Smith Data Analysts Zack Ferry Milan Hendrickson Logan Schneidewind Web Designers Zander Hakimi Colette Reidy Bodhi Wadia Multimedia Designers Leyton Defesche Claire Johnson Lucy Levine Photography Editors Lauren Ellington Owen Scheeline Oren Weingarten Asha Zlatoper Adviser Lindsey Kornfeld
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De tacos a churros: Cholita Linda llega a Marin Por Sidney Bank y Leyton Defesche
Cholita Linda es una cadena de restaurantes Latinoamericanos con seis locaciones en el Bay Area. El restaurante abrió su nueva locación en Strawberry Village el 26 de ago. de 2026. Aunque el condado de Marin tiene muchos restaurantes latinoamericanos, lo que hace únicos los platos de Cholita Linda para la comunidad son sus platos reconfortantes, incluyendo tacos, sandwiches cubanos y platos abundantes. Ambiente y Servicio: Al llegar, uno de los primeros aspectos que vimos fueron los paredes de colores brillantes y acogeordres en amarillo, rosado y naranja que llenaban el restaurante, tanto por dentro como por fuera. Una de las partes más singulares del restaurante es su arquitectura y diseño, que recrean una calle vibrante latinoamericana. Más tarde en el día, casi todas las mesas estaban ocupadas y la línea envolvía hasta la esquina pero avanzó unos 10 minutos. Esperamos entre 15 y 30 minutos para que llegara cada plato, algo esperado debido a la cantidad de gente. Aguas Frescas: Al pedir la comida, el mesero tomó inmediatamente los vasos y los llenó frente a nosotros con las frescas y refrescantes aguas frescas. El agua fresca de fresa se destacó por su pulpa, semillas y jugo fresco, con un sabor muy intenso y el punto perfecto de dulzura. La de limón también nos impresionó, con un sabor parecido a la limonada pero con más acidez. Taco Al Pastor: El taco al pastor estaba relleno de carne en marinada, ensalada de repollo, crema agria (crema baja), salsa roja picante, cebolla y cilantro. Del doble de tamaño de un taco normal, este plato ocupaba casi la mitad del plato, con un generoso puñado de repollo al lado. El crujiente repollo, el sabor del cerdo suave, y la mezcla entre la crema baja y salsa roja
Foto de Sidney Bank
DOS TACOS ESTAN cubiertos con repollo, cilantro, salsa y se sirven con una rodaja de limón. formaban una combinación muy sabrosa. Taco de Carnitas: El taco de carnitas estaba compuesto de cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa de chipotle, cebolla, ensalada de repollo y crema agria. El cerdo estaba especialmente bueno y podíamos probar la frescura de la carne, mientras que las diferentes salsas y aderezos añadían un sabor agradable al taco. Esa calidad casera no sorprende, ya que la fundora Vanessa Chavez aprendió a cocinar al lado de su abuela, y ese mismo cuidado y tradición se sentía en cada bocado. En general, el taco es una opción sólida, y las diferentes variedades permiten que haya algo sabroso para
todos, a pesar de todas sus preferencias. Plato de Pollo Cholita: El plato se sirvío con pollo sin hueso, arroz, frijoles (pinto o negro), plátanos y una ensalada. El pollo tenía el ahumado perfecto del horno, combinado con una corteza dorada y crujiente, un un condimento bien equilibrado que resaltaba el sabor en cada bocado. La lechuga fresca y la vinagreta ayudaban a equilibrar el plato, junto con los frijoles pintos y el arroz. Los plátanos estaban suaves y dulces, con el exterior perfectamente frito. Los Churros: Los churros llegaron calientes y recién fritos, con un exterior
crujiente cubierto de azúcar con canela y un interior tierno. El dulzor se notaba sin ser demasiado intenso, lo que los hizo una excelente manera de terminar la comida. Aunque eran sencillos en comparación con algunos de los otros platos, los churros fueron un postre satisfactorio y un excelente cosa para compartir. Sin lugar a dudas, fueron los mejores churros que hemos probado, es un plato al que volveríamos con mucho gusto.
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feature By Anna Horn and Berkeley Smith The term “OCD” gets casually thrown around a lot at Redwood and amongst teens on social media. Most commonly, it’s associated with being a germaphobe, a “type-A” person or just extremely organized, but for people who actually have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), that is not the reality. OCD features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions that lead you to do repetitive behaviors called compulsions, according to Mayo Clinic. Dr. Zachary Torry, a local psychiatrist focusing primarily on depressive and anxiety-based disorders, categorizes OCD under the anxiety family as a series of unsolicited or intrusive thoughts followed by compulsions. “We’ll see the signs and symptoms of OCD, which are a lot of unwanted, obsessive thoughts. Things that maybe they don't want to think about, but they can't stop thinking about,” said Torry. “With that, there are compulsive acts, and you don’t have to have compulsive acts. You can have obsessive predominant OCD.” Senior Kate Kozubik was diagnosed with OCD when she was in 7th grade. She, and many other students at Redwood, have had to learn how to learn to navigate thier compulsions from a young age. “A lot of plugs. I would check all the plugs before I went to bed so I wouldn't start a fire,” said Kozubik. “I thought that I had more power than I did. That I could somehow save my family, and that I had to do all these actions to do that.” For Kozubik, OCD can look as small as a movement most people would never think about twice. “A lot of times, if a person hits their foot on a desk, they have to hit their other foot to even it out. It’s little things like that. People might not realize, just think someone’s fidgeting, but they’re actually doing a compulsion,” said Kozubik. Those obsessive thoughts don’t stop until you do the action. And even then, they can continue lurking. Most people with OCD are aware of exactly how much the disorder is costing them, whether that’s time lost to a single thought and compulsion or, in extreme cases, having to drop out of school because of how all-consuming the disorder is. Most also know that what they're doing doesn’t make logical sense, but they keep doing it anyway. “Sometimes, even though they’re aware, they’re afraid to stop because the compulsion, somehow, in a magical way in their mind, makes the obsession, fear or anxiety less likely to happen,” Torry said. That fear can connect itself to almost any part of life. In school, a student might become convinced they’re failing or that a teacher doesn’t like them or even that their peers are actively working against them, leading to
compulsive acts that have nothing to do with the original worry. In severe cases, these compulsions can turn dangerous. “Somebody who is in the throes of OCD will become convinced, and they won’t allow themselves to have any sort of functional life until they wash and scrub their hands, and they will obsessively wash their hands to the point where it almost becomes dangerous,” Torry said. “So, the compulsion sometimes reduces the intensity of the anxiety, but it’s only really briefly, and then another obsessive thought might come along.” Torry has seen this disorder show up in nearly every part of a patient's life. “I always have a few patients that had just given birth, and they have obsessive thoughts that they’re going to do something to hurt their child. It’s from a place of caring and concern, and it’s driven by anxiety,” Torry said. Similarly, patients will doubt people around them, not trusting friends or family members. According to the International OCD Foundation, more than two-thirds of the public cannot accurately identify OCD. That knowledge gap can have real consequences for people struggling with this disorder. For example, it takes an average of seven years for someone to receive an accurate OCD diagnosis (International OCD Foundation). Kozubik said that she often feels as though people don’t understand the obsessions, or look right past them towards the compulsions, when in reality the thoughts are the hardest part to live with. “I feel like a lot of people just see OCD as the actions and not the thoughts, and I think a big thing is the thoughts,” Kozubik said. “I feel like those are the hardest thing to control…It’s easier to stop the actions, but the thoughts keep going, and it’s hard to get them under control and get them to stop.” Torry defines those thoughts, known as obsessions, as an intrusive part of OCD that often gets overlooked. “Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts. They're thoughts that somebody has that might have to do with the source of their anxiety, and it’s a thought that they cannot let go of. The thought sticks in them,” Torry said. That distinction matters because the word OCD gets applied too loosely to habits that have nothing to do with Infographic by Claire Johnson the disorder at all. “People will say ‘I have OCD’ because they are clean, organized, maybe serious or neat, and that’s not really OCD. Being clean, organized or having things in piles is not OCD, it’s nothing,” Torry said. In fact, these traits, although not consistent with a typical OCD diagnosis, are most commonly associated with another disorder, obsessive compulsive personality
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Illustrations by Rosstin Pouradib
disorder (OCPD). “To an extreme, when it becomes really maladaptive and rigid, we have a different type of disorder with a similar name, OCPD, obsessive compulsive personality disorder. That’s a very strong amount of desire for control and rigidity and rule-followers. They used to be referred to as Type-A people, but that’s not OCD either,” Torry said. Although OCPD can follow similar patterns to OCD, it is essential to know and understand the difference between the two, because they follow different treatment regimens. After being diagnosed with OCD, the next step is to figure out how to deal with it. “A big thing is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), that’s the number one therapy for OCD, and I did that for a while,” Kozubik said. “That’s literally facing your fears and whatever your compulsions are, not doing them. Just sitting with discomfort.” Although OCD can feel very overwhelming, it responds well to treatment. Several forms of psychotherapy and medication are available, and Torry has seen many patients move past the disorder or learn to work around it. “Help is there. Just talking to a professional can be extremely validating and relieving. Being able to talk to somebody about some of these thoughts sounds daunting, but just talking about it can be really helpful, and it doesn’t always involve exposure therapy; sometimes we just talk,” Torry said. Kozubik has noticed the shift in herself over time, even if the thoughts never fully disappear. People often assume that once compulsions stop, someone is cured, but the obsessive thoughts never fully go away. “I feel like now I’ve gotten better at letting thoughts wash over me,” Kozubik said. “Before, I really did have to do compulsions, and I also just had more belief that I had more power than I did to save my whole family. You don’t have that kind of power.”
bark@redwoodbark.org
bark Meta under fire: $17.1 billion settlement amid harmful youth mental health concerns Page 7 • Feature
www.redwoodbark.org
the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. and muting push notifications during normal school hours for apps such as Instagram and Facebook. What if the app you open every day to take a break The plaintiffs include almost all U.S. states, and the from the chaos around you is actually designed so you attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky and can’t put your phone down? New Jersey have been leaders in the trial. Millions of people have integrated social media into Meta’s detrimental effects on young teenagers raised their lives. Apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat concern in many leaders across the country. On Aug. 18, and Facebook have created spaces that not only allow California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke about the for entertainment, but also education. However, as social trial at a press conference after opening day. media becomes more prevalent, it reaches younger and “Meta has designed and deployed a dangerous younger audiences. product with dangerous features that they knew would According to a study done by the National Library of create excessive use and compulsive use by children. Medicine, 95% of kids ages 13-17 in the [They knew] it would create mental health harms U.S. reported using social media. including things like anxiety, depression, Within that group, more than body image issues, addictive tendencies, one-third said they use social and learning loss,” Bonta said. “They knew media almost constantly. On their product was dangerous and they lied to most of the common platforms, the public and to Congress. Their deception 13 is the minimum age of use, and their lies are at the core of our case.” but that can easily be avoided Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has Illust ration by lying and simply entering also been under fire amid the lawsuit. by O livia H a different age. Because of this “Mr. Zuckerberg himself chose profits amm loophole, almost 40% of kids ages over the safety of children,” Bonta said. 8-12 also reported using social media. Wellness coordinator and licensed clinical If this usage is not regulated, kids are social worker Spencer DeWoody has firsthand prone to facing mental health issues. seen the negative effects of addictive social media A study done by JAMA Psychiatry found algorithms in his students. that adolescents who spend more than three “For young women and girls specifically, [I see] hours a day using social media are at a higher a lot of social comparison. They see images of other risk of mental health issues. Three hours women, or they’re fed algorithms about eating habits may seem like a lot of time to spend on or they see that a bunch of their friends are in a a screen, and yes, it is; but the averages specific location and they’re not invited. So, are even higher. As of 2025, the there’s social isolation that can come up,” American Academy of Child and DeWoody said. “It leads to this constant Adolescent Psychiatry found that need to figure out the next dopamine hit the average child in the U.S., that they can access because these [apps] ages 8-18, spends 7.5 hours a were intentionally made to be addictive.” day on screens, which includes Teenage girls and young women social media usage. This goes to have been a focal point throughout this show that a majority of youth on lawsuit and for good reason. social media platforms are facing “We have proof that Meta knows adverse effects. For many young that Instagram is harmful to a significant people, these effects are closely tied percent of teenagers, especially teen girls. to the apps they use on a daily basis. Meta knows that more than 13% of teen girls on Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, recently Instagram say the platform makes thoughts of suicide and agreed to a $17.1 billion settlement over a lawsuit that self-injury worse. They know that 17% say it makes eating alleged that it “falsely represents that its Social Media issues worse and 32% say it makes body images worse,” Platform features are safe and not designed to induce Bonta said. young users compulsive and extended use.” This means In addition to the damaging effects that girls face, that Meta was purposefully making its algorithm addictive many young boys are affected as well. for young users with no regard for how it would affect “What we’re seeing more of, not only in girls and their mental health. young women, but also in boys, is anxiety, depression and In addition to the settlement, Meta will be forced to challenges with eating,” DeWoody said. implement stricter restrictions in the near future on their The youth in our nation are already facing mental app usage for users under 18. These include a default two- health issues because of social media. The added addictive hour daily time limit, a block on Meta products between features, such as the like button and catered algorithms, By Amrit Aujla and Nico Less
Photo courtesy of CapRadio
AFTER OPENING STATEMENTS on Aug. 18 in the Meta trial, California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke to reporters at a press conference. “[Mark Zuckerberg] was presented with a choice where his own staff was telling him, ‘This will hurt kids if you do it. We think you shouldn’t do it,’ and he overruled them and said, ‘Do it,’ knowingly harming kids and then later telling the world that their product was safe,” Bonta said.
have made this an even bigger issue. As a result, the California legislature is currently working to regulate youth phone use. This includes a current bill to place a ban on “addictive platforms” for children under 16 and a recently passed law called the Phone-Free School Act, which requires all California public school districts to enact policies limiting student cell phone use throughout the day. This sentiment is mimicked in Redwood’s own new phone policy, which includes a ban on phones throughout the school day and utilizes locking phone pouches. According to the Tamalpais Union High School District Handbook, “The use of smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus are… harmful to the social-emotional health of students.” Life Lab and Peer Resource teacher Nicolle Plescia has seen an increase in social media use among her students, and with that, an increased understanding of its effects. “I think students are much more aware now of how detrimental social media is for their health than they did a few years ago and are way more cognizant of how bad social media and their phones can be for them,” Plescia said. The new phone policy has received both negative and positive feedback; however, many people feel that the quality of social interactions is improving without the distraction of a device. “I absolutely love that I’m seeing kids look at each other again in the eyes and communicate face to face, as opposed to sitting next to each other on a table and texting back and forth,” DeWoody said. In addition to the restrictions at school, DeWoody also emphasized the importance of maintaining that selfcontrol at home. Though for many students, this aspect can be difficult. Senior class president Sophie Levin often uses her phone and social media to communicate with the student body, and that has become more difficult to accomplish with the implemented restrictions. “It’s hard to communicate throughout the day with people to get work done for Leadership,” Levin said. “It is nice to have a break during the day, and I definitely have been focusing more on my schoolwork, which has been a positive, but I definitely think there are some negatives. At home, I’ve been spending more time on my phone since I don’t have it all day at school.” As a result of the lawsuit and as part of the settlement, Meta will pay at least $12.1 billion over the course of the next 10 years to the 47 states that sued. An additional $5 billion will be paid to social media companies such as TikTok and YouTube if they agree to settlements in the future. The state of California expects to receive $1.5 billion. Under the terms of the settlement, Meta will implement new child safety measures that could be effective in protecting young users from the harmful effects of social media. bark@redwoodbark.org
review
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“Outer Banks” Season 5: Brings the Pogue’s story full circle By Elaina Leighton and Olivia Shapiro
Outer Banks (OBX), a popular Netflix action-adventure teen drama set in North Carolina, released its fifth and final season on Aug. 20. A global cultural phenomenon, the series’ final season has garnered major anticipation, amassing 9.4 million views within its first four days. OBX’s six-year run, which began in April 2020, features a total of 50 episodes spanning across five seasons. The hit TV series follows the lives of five workingclass residents — in the show called “Pogues” — from
Infographic by Elaina Leighton and Olivia Shapiro
the Outer Banks, a stretch of pushes the show further into fantasy, islands off the coast of North straying from the treasure-hunting action Carolina: John B. Routledge, that defined earlier seasons. Season 5 Pope Heyward, Kiara introduced new concepts that are much Carrera, Sarah Cameron and too far-fetched, causing the show to lose JJ Maybank. Across five some of its plot elements from earlier seasons, the Pogues embark seasons. on high-stakes treasure However, the series is brought full hunts across the globe, from circle in the dying minutes of the 10th racing to find a sunken $400 episode, “The Storm and What Came million royal merchant ship After,” showcasing what lies ahead for to venturing into the mythic, each of the Pogues following the series. jungle-shrouded city of Even with flawed character arcs El Dorado. Following the and a storyline that occasionally loses devastating death of Maybank its footing, OBX Season 5’s technical in the Season 4 finale, the production still brings the adventure to four remaining Pogues are life. The show’s signature warm, amberheartbroken and stranded in toned lighting and dreamy “golden hour” Morocco. The fifth season aesthetic preserve its nostalgic, sunPhoto courtesy of Netflix soaked charm that fans know and love. picks up here with the Pogues determined to find Chandler Groff, Maybank’s killer, The needle-drop soundtrack, featuring reggae and indie and recover the Blue Crown, an artifact that returns from rock tracks such as “Love Remedy” by Jr. Thomas & The Season 4. Alongside Sarah’s brother, Rafe, and the Pogues’ Volcanos, “Down on the Street” by the Stooges and “Left newest addition, Cleo Anderson, the group sprints across Hand Free” by alt-J, only enhances the show’s coastal the world in a race against Groff and newly introduced ambiance. By weaving together a diverse mix of music antagonist Anton Finch. genres, the soundtrack cleverly shapes the show’s rhythm, The season’s biggest success was its emotional focus breaking up its fast-paced plot with well-timed shifts in on Maybank’s death. His daredevil presence throughout energy. Rock tracks drive the fast tempo chase scenes, the season was missed by both the audience and the while softer reggae beats accompany the slower, more characters, especially Carrera, whose grief journey is a emotional moments. huge part of the recent season. Rather than simply moving While Season 5 may not have been perfect, its past Maybank’s death, the entire season focuses on the emotional depth, adventurous spirit and full-circle ending many emotions his friends have, allowing them to struggle make it a worthy final chapter for the Pogues, earning it a through anger, guilt and defeat. Madison Bailey gives solid 4 out of 5 stars and our recommendation to add it to one of her best performances as Carrera, balancing the your watch-list. character’s grief with her determination to seek revenge. Despite this, the storyline had its moments where it became too ambitious. The search for the Blue Crown bark@redwoodbark.org
Fall-ing for these Trader Joe’s fall finds By Claire Johnson and Charlotte Welter As summer fades into fall, the smell of pumpkin is in the air, and Trader Joe’s is already falling into the seasonal spirit. Before the leaves fully change and pumpkin spice takes over every store, this beloved grocery chain is rolling out a lineup of fall finds. From cozy seasonal donuts to beverages Trader Joe’s is giving customers a fresh reason to fall for the new season. Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies - 9/10
They are the perfect blend of crunchy and sweet, making them an easy staple to snack on around the house or to share with friends! Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread - 7/10 Fall flavor just got a whole lot more spreadable! Another must-have from the fall drop is this seasonal cream cheese. With the perfect balance of pumpkin spice and creamy richness, it's an easy way to add a little
THESE PETITE PUMPKIN cookies are dangerously easy to snack on.
THIS CREAMY PUMPKIN spice cream cheese is a staple ingredient in your fall breakfast palate.
These shortbread cookies are a fan favorite on the shelves, as we were lucky enough to snag the very last box! They are shaped into mini pumpkins and come in two colors: an orange coating flavored with warm pumpkin spice and a white coating that is yogurt-based. Finished with festive white dot sprinkles, these petite cookies are the epitome of autumn.
autumn flavor to a meal. Spread it on a toasted bagel, English muffin or anything in between for a tasty falltreat. While the pumpkin flavor is noticeable, the cream, cheese base keeps it from being overly powerful, making this a great option for those who want a more subtle fall flavor.
Apple Cider Donuts - 5/10 If you’re looking for a classic cinnamon donut, then look no further! These old-fashioned donuts are covered in cinnamon-sugar coating the outside. After taking the first bite, it is easy to see why this item is a hit-or-miss among shoppers. The donut has a dry, dense cake-like texture that leaves much to be desired. Thankfully, a tip we picked up on TikTok completely changed the experience: Simply pop the donuts in the microwave or
THE APPLE CIDER donuts, while packed with a nostalgic cinnamon taste, lack the classic apple cider flavor. air fryer for 10 to 15 seconds. The quick warm-up transforms the texture, making the donuts noticeably softer and much more enjoyable. However, for being part of the seasonal lineup, the autumn-inspired apple cider flavor is more difficult to pick up on. If you’re looking for a strong fall flavor, then you can leave this one on the shelf. bark@redwoodbark.org
sports
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bark@redwoodbark.org
bark Page 10 • News Redwood fall sports watch-list By Charlie Anderson, Ethan Finkelstein and Tate Ralston As fall sports begin, several athletes are already making their presence known. Seniors Logan Leverte, Cole Sandrich and Cash Ward are athletes that you should keep an eye on this fall. As leaders on and off the court, there is no doubt they will be turning heads. Senior Logan Leverte enters her final season as one of girls varsity volleyball’s most experienced players and leaders. As an outside hitter, Leverte plays all six rotations, contributing both offensively and defensively in the back row. After helping the team win the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championship last season, she hopes to lead them to another title. With a younger roster this year, Leverte has also taken on a larger leadership role. “Being a senior, [I’m] trying to be a mentor and leader for the underclassmen and just making them feel comfortable as well,” Leverte said.
Photo courtesy of Miles Asch
LEAPING INTO THE air for a serve, senior Logan Leverte prepares to strike the volleyball over the net during a home game last season.
September 10, 2026
Beyond her final season, Leverte is preparing for the next step in her volleyball career. She is committed to Tulane University, where she will play Division I beach volleyball. “I’m a good presence on the team, and I bring a lot of energy,” Leverte said. “I play as hard as I can and play to have fun.”
Photo courtesy of Cole Sandrich
FLOATING MID-STRIDE, CAPTAIN Cole Sandrich focuses on the trail ahead. Additionally, cross country star and team captain Cole Sandrich has similar ambitions. Last season, Sandrich ran a 16:07 5K and finished ninth in MCAL, earning first-team All-MCAL honors. This offseason, he has focused heavily on improving his speed, particularly his finishing kick. “I pass most people on the kick, the very last 100 meters, 200 meters of a race,” Sandrich said. “That’s go time, and I really take advantage of it.” Sandrich was introduced to the sport by his older brother, while his mother also ran competitively in college. Now as a senior captain, Sandrich looks to further the legacy of runners in his family and be a role model like Redwood’s older runners were for him when he first joined. Along with helping the team compete for an MCAL title, Sandrich hopes to run in the 15:30s in the 5K and finish within the top 50 at the Division III state level. Looking over to Bob Troppman Field, you cannot count out the engine and captain of the football team, senior Cash Ward. After transferring from Marin Catholic, where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons, Ward was limited to only the second half of the season last year by a five-game penalty due to transfer rules. In the five games he did play, he totaled 875 yards, 14 touchdowns and had a 74.7% completion rate. After this short but dominant season, colleges started to notice Ward’s talent. “I got my first offer from Denison University, and I am currently talking to Chapman University, the University of Chicago and Washington University,” said Ward. In terms of experience, Ward has had a love for the
Photo courtesy of Cash Ward
EVADING A DEFENDER, quarterback Cash Ward scans the field for an open defender in the final regular season game of his junior year. game from early on that has prepared him for next-level success. “I played quarterback for the Southern Marin Broncos starting in seventh grade, which helped me develop as a player for the step up to high school football. I have had access to so many great coaches at Marin Catholic and Redwood that have helped me grow as a player,” Ward said. Ward has wasted no time starting his senior season. In his first game against San Leandro, he led the Giants to a 23-14 victory with 235 yards, 73% passing completion rate and two touchdowns. After a season-opening performance like that, Ward is a player worth keeping an eye on this fall. With the fall season just getting started, Leverte, Sandrich and Ward have already set big goals for their senior seasons. Whether they can defend their MCAL titles, set new personal records or lead their team deep into the postseason, these three are worth keeping an eye on this fall. bark@redwoodbark.org
Meet the coaches By Calista Grigg and Isabella Marsh New girls varsity volleyball coach: Isabella Ultsch Girls varsity volleyball has a new head coach for the fourth time in five years. Isabella Ultsch is stepping into the role and is ready to lead the team into the 2026 season. “I’m excited to see how far they can go. I think that they have a good standard set for themselves, and they have much more potential than what they give themselves credit for,” Ultsch said. Joining a team with a history of success, Ultsch is prepared for a competitive season. “I have a new perspective being a new coach to the program, but I’m upholding the same standard of working hard. [The school has] a really high-level program and I’m just making sure that we do all the right things to keep them competitive, and for those that are moving on to the college level, making sure they’re prepared for that
Photo courtesy of Isabella Ultsch
standard as well,” Ultsch said. Recognizing the difference between a high school sport and other levels, Ultsch admires the hard work and dedication from the team, especially recognizing the added work high school athletes face between both school and sports. “We get to practice every single day. There’s a lot of balancing going on, but they’re doing a great job of it,” Ultsch said. Ultsch is excited for the season and has high hopes for the team. “It’s honestly just a great group of kids, and they’re all super hardworking. I’m happy to be here,” Ultsch said. New girls varsity flag football coach: Michael Zlatoper Coming in for the team’s second season, girls varsity flag football coach Michael Zlatoper joined the program this summer. As a co-founder of club flag football team, The Marin Heat, Zlatoper brings years of coaching experience to the team and is excited to take on his new role. During the 2025 season, Zlatoper coached the San Rafael High School flag football team, but when the opportunity arose to coach at his kids’ school, it was an offer he couldn’t turn down. “Redwood’s kind of my community. It’s where all of my friends and their kids go. I know the Corte Madera and Larkspur area really well, so it just felt at home to me to coach [here],” Zlatoper said. “I was thrilled when the opportunity opened up, and I was able to come in and contribute to my community directly.” Starting the season, Zlatoper has set ambitious goals
for the team. “This season, it is our goal to win [Marin County Athletic League] MCAL,” Zlatoper said. “Long-term, we want to be very successful in [North Coast Section] (NCS). This year is our first year competing in Division I.” With these big goals, practices and games have to be planned strategically. “We are playing a bunch of Division 1 teams this year,” Zlatoper said. “We have worked all summer. One day we will work on skills … The next day we’ll focus on offense and then we will do a defense day.” Zlatoper is already looking ahead and building a longterm successful program. “We’re not here for a season or two. We want to build a program over the long haul, which is why we took six seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen. We want to have a really balanced program. One that can win now and build for the future too,” Zlatoper said. bark@redwoodbark.org
Photo courtesy of Michael Zlatoper
lifestyles Tandem bikers turn heads By Joel Kurtzman Between cars, carpools, Ubers and electric bikes, teenagers have plenty of convenient transportation options. However, seniors Marcus Kaltreider, Kai Widera and their friends have found a less orthodox way to get around: together on a tandem bike. What started as a hobby has now grown into a local sensation. Their bike, known as Green Bean, has made appearances around town and at school events, catching the eyes of many locals. Their Instagram @rhs_tandem. enthusiasts has now attracted over a thousand followers and eclipsed one million views in just their first six months of content creation. From videos of the group crammed onto one tandem bike, to escorting neighbors around town, the seniors’ Instagram page is filled with content that has caught the attention of people throughout Marin County. The idea for the purchase of the tandem bike came from Kaltreider’s sister, who lives in Santa Barbara and frequently sees people riding their tandem bikes around her college campus. After deciding to give tandem biking a
chance on her recommendation, Kaltreider and Widera began searching the internet for the bike they wanted. “We were searching online, and we happened to find a great deal on a tandem bike. We traveled hours to get it, and the moment we saw it, we knew it was the one. It was beautiful,” Widera said. Several other friends of Kaltreider and Widera have made appearances on the account, including seniors Brayden MacEachern, Leo Sievert, Lucus Voiles and Ryan Youngberg. Voiles explained how the tandem bike has brought their group closer together. “The tandem is a community. It’s always fun riding around town together, cramming as many people as we can on the bike. Just because it only has two seats doesn’t mean you can’t have more people on it,” Voiles said. The account’s popularity has largely come from its connection to the people and places around town. “I think there’s an element that’s exciting for Redwood
students, when they realize they’ve seen us before and recognize where the places are in our videos—that attention is what has made [our account] continue to be successful,” Widera said. The tandem bike community goes beyond internet trends and the group’s social media presence. The group has met their tandem riders along the way, including one cyclist with an adventurous journey in mind. “We met up with a guy who was biking the entire length of California on his tandem bike to raise awareness for mental health. So when he passed through Marin, we rode our bikes around Sausalito with him, which was a very cool experience,” Kaltreider said. While the account continues to grow, the student bikers intend to keep riding and bringing more people together in the tandem bike community. “We plan to continue our page and keep expanding the tandem community. We’re making
sure that the bike stays intact since it’s pretty old, and there may even be a third seat coming,” Widera said.
Photo courtesy of Marcus Kaltreider
jkurtzman@redwoodbark.org
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Lisa Kemp steps up as interim principal
Photo by Oren Weingarten
LISA KEMP POSES for a photo in her office. By Alexa Martin and Georgia Thomas
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Lisa Kemp began serving as the new interim principal. For the past five years, Kemp served as one of the assistant principals. Before that, Kemp taught AP U.S. History, nonfiction and essay exposition, among other courses. Kemp explained that she initially took the position to maintain continuity and avoid a difficult transition. “With such a last-minute departure [of Dr. Barnaby Payne], if they had looked for someone new, the transition would be really awkward, and it might be disruptive,” Kemp said. Kemp hopes to address large class sizes in the coming years. “I'm sad that for budget reasons we have fewer classes offered this year,” Kemp said. “It's out of my control and out of the district office’s control. I would hope that budgets align differently next year and we can offer more classes.” Kemp also hopes to improve literacy this year. “We need to get you guys reading more in all your classes. I'm not saying you're assigned it, and you don't read. It's that [teachers] have moved away from assigning [in-class reading],” Kemp said. Outside school, Kemp spends much of her free time outdoors, enjoying what Marin has to offer. “One of the things I love about living in Marin is Mount Tam. I get up there definitely every week. That's my sanity, and that's what I love to do,” Kemp said. Kemp also bikes frequently and usually commutes to school by bicycle. Jessica Skieresz, the new interim assistant principal, is filling Kemp's former position this year. Skieresz praised Kemp’s leadership. “She’s an incredible educator, and her heart’s in the right place in all the right ways,” Skieresz said. As the school implements several policy changes this year, Kemp has already navigated some challenges in her new role. “There have been a lot of changes, and the way that Mrs. Kemp handles the change is really collaborative; involving as many stakeholders as possible and ensuring good, clear communication,” Skieresz said. Looking ahead, Kemp said she hopes to create more ways for students to connect with people outside their usual friend groups. “I’d love more opportunities for kids to stay on campus at lunch or whatever, and do things, interact with each other, so that people [can] meet people outside their friend groups,” Kemp said. She added that Redwood’s large student body gives students the chance to start fresh when they first arrive on campus. “The advantage of Redwood is that we have multiple feeder schools. A lot of kids can come in and reinvent themselves,” Kemp said. “I just want more opportunities in the day for kids to find their new people.” bark@redwoodbark.org
bark.
redwood
Photo by Joel Kurtzman
Volume LXIX, No. 1 • September 10, 2026 • Larkspur, CA
4 Editorial bark@redwoodbark.org
The future is digital, our education should be too
6 Feature
FYI, OCD isn’t a personality trait
9 Sports Meet the captains