The Epic, Volume 61, Issue 8 - May 20, 2026

Le er from the Editors

Hey Vikings!

As you bask in the enjoyment of fnishing APs, we invite you to enjoy Issue 8 of the Epic, our fnal issue for this year.

In News, learn about Matt Mahan’s controversial candidacy for California governor; in Opinion, hear our thoughts on the AP self-study culture at Lynbrook; in Features, dive into senior Chelsea Guo’s journey as an award-winning prose writer. Next, discover the complex history of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Day before immersing yourself in our take on the upcoming World Cup. For web-exclusive content, visit lhsepic.com.

Finally, don’t miss out on our exclusive senior issue, featuring columns from our graduating staffers, underclassmen bequeathals, a college map and so much more.

And for the last time ever…

Signing out, Olivia Yuan & Crystal Zhu Editors-in-Chief

Campus, community and world events

BY DAVID DAI

As a part of ongoing renovations to the school, new turf has been installed in the quad and on Stober Field. The small rubber pellets within the turf will be replaced with natural crushed shells that are biodegradable and contain fewer harmful chemicals. The shells will be the new infll, which will serve to weigh down the turf, keeping it in place. Shock-absorbent cushioning will also be installed beneath the turf to absorb impact and reduce the risk of head injuries for athletes using the feld. This upgrade ensures a safer, higherquality and more environmentally friendly athletic feld for all Vikings.

School Community National International

The Pentagon recently released hundreds of fles related to unidentifed fying objects and unidentifed anomalous phenomena after an order from President Donald Trump. The release includes fles from the FBI, Department of Defense and NASA. The fles contained eyewitness testimonies, photos and reports of the unexplained phenomena. Six of the photos show phenomena taken by NASA astronauts during the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions on the surface of the moon. The Pentagon’s website has stated that new UFO documents will be released on a rolling basis after they are declassifed.

San José recently began clearing “The Jungle,” a homeless encampment along Coyote Creek. 109 occupants were identifed during volunteer and outreach efforts. Many have been moved into temporary housing sites, such as tiny homes. The cleanup is expected to take around a month as the city clears away pollution and debris near the creek. The city’s decision to clear the site followed growing concerns from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which found high levels of bacteria and trash in the creek. City offcials say it is a solid step towards providing safe housing and restoring public land.

On April 11, a 70-year-old man aboard the motor vessel Hondius cruise ship died from hantavirus, a rare family of viruses carried by rodents. Within the next three weeks, two more patients on the cruise ship will die as well. The virus is extremely dangerous, with up to a 50% fatality rate and symptoms that can show up to eight weeks after exposure. The outbreak on the ship involved the Andes variant, the only type known to spread between humans. As of May 13, nine cases have been confrmed and two more were “probable.” Health offcials around the world are monitoring travelers from the ship.

Key Club wins award for 25% membership increase

BY SAMANVI BANDUGULA

Lynbrook Key Club received the Achieved Increased Membership 25 award for gaining a 25% membership increase on May 17. Only 50 Key Clubs across California were recipients of the award, which is given to clubs who experience a 25%, 50% or 100% membership increase.

Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis International, a global community of adult volunteers dedicated to supporting children through actions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Among students, Key Club itself is the oldest high school service organization in the world, comprising 33 districts across the United States and Canada.

“Key Club’s motto is being caring and compassionate,” adviser Crystal Isola said. “Helping the community is our goal, but serving others also benefts you as a person.”

Lynbrook’s branch focuses on community service events. Previously, they have made cards for children's hospitals and the elderly and collaborated with the Animal Service and Protection Club to donate homemade dog toys to a local Humane Society.

“I enjoy the lunch meeting activities the most because you get to express your creativity while making a difference,” sophomore and Key Club member Lamya Husain said.

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Pediatric Trauma Program every year.

“Through being part of Lynbrook’s club and also the district team, I was able to meet so many amazing people who are passionate about helping those around them,” senior and co-president Angela Zhang said. “It was so inspiring to be a part of such a dedicated team because the people you work with make every experience better.”

Key Club’s motto is being caring and compassionate. Helping the community is our goal, but serving others also benefts you as a person.

Crystal Isola

Adviser

Additionally, Key Club hosts fundraisers to raise money to buy supplies for charity donations, including at Chipotle. These events help the club connect with more students to increase club visibility. Their biggest fundraiser of the year is Fall Rally North in October: Key Clubs from California, Nevada and Hawaii travel to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for a day to showcase their spirit and donate to a charity. The profts made from ticket sales and the auction are donated to the

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Although the club has previously been honored with district-level awards like Adviser of the Year, Club of the Month and Outstanding Member, the AIM award considers schools across California, Nevada and Hawaii.

Lynbrook frst won the AIM 25 award in 2018. However, following COVID-19, Key Club saw a huge loss in members, similar to many clubs. When students returned to school, most events were hosted online, limiting in-person interaction. The club aimed to increase member participation by having frequent lunchtime activities and encouraging more people to join during Club Day. Most students come to service events to gain club points, but in order to be counted toward the award, they had to pay member fees. It was exciting for the club to see such an increase in

offcial members.

“When you lose that sort of momentum, you also lose the traditions and the leadership to move the club forward,” Isola said. “We’ve worked hard to build the club back, and I feel confdent that it's on the right path.”

Munch Madness competition spices up ASB games

BY SUNNIE WU AND VANESSA YAP

Munch Madness made its debut on campus, bringing a bracketstyle eating competition to lunch in the quad on April 29. Junior William Li emerged victorious as the frst-ever Munch Madness champion.

“I felt really happy because I won,” Li said. “Because I have a mukbang YouTube channel, I feel like I did this for my fans.”

The idea for a food-themed competition came from an ASB Legislative Council survey asking students what kinds of events they wanted to see on campus. Food-based events were frequently mentioned in the survey. Originally, the plan was to host a traditional speedeating competition, but after contacting Monta Vista’s adviser, who had previously hosted a similar event, safety concerns arose.

“There was a risk of choking or people throwing up,” junior and ASB community link commissioner Aarav Anand said. “In order to mitigate that, we decided to set up a competition where

people eat in a specifc manner, rather than a risky, 'speed-eating' format.”

In the frst challenge, 24 students attempted to fnish spicy bowls of buldak. To make things more diffcult, participants also had to hold the ramen in their mouths and then swallow without drinking water. If they drank water or spit the ramen out, they would be disqualifed. The top 12 moved on to the next round where they competed to correctly identify mystery drinks of similar color by taste and smell. The frst six competitors to guess their drink correctly advanced to the fnal round, which was a rock-paperscissors cookie challenge. Each of the six students had fve cookies in front of them, eating one after each victorious game. The competition fnished when Li fnished eating his cookies.

For organizers, this event served as a learning experience for potential similar events in the future. One problem that stood out was the portion inconsistency. Not every bowl of ramen had the same spice level or amount, with some competitors facing a

tougher challenge than others. Another problem was not allocating enough time to prepare the food needed for each round.

“We underestimated the amount of time we would need for preparing the ramen,” junior and ASB CLink commissioner Ojas Kothari said. “But despite anything that might have gone wrong, the turnout was really high, and it seemed like the people who did participate in the event enjoyed it a lot.”

Overall, the event received positive feedback and strong levels of enthusiasm from students. ASB plans to continue Munch Madness in the future.

“The most exciting part of the competition was when I was down to the last two cookies and my opponent and I kept tying in rock, paper, scissors,” senior Maulik Agrawal said. “I thought the event was wonderfully coordinated and it was truly a symphony of enjoyment.”

Upcoming Viking Events

In-Design Fashion Show, May 22

Come watch models strut their stuff with artfully crafted garments, designed with the theme “Lost in Limbo.”

Memorial Day, May 25

Take a day to honor our soldiers.

Senior Sunset, May 29

Bring some blankets and friends and watch the sunset!

Grades 9-11 Finals Week, June 1-4

The hard work that students have put in over the year fnally culminates in a week of tests. Good luck!

Class of 2026 Graduation, June 5

A day of tearful goodbyes and heartfelt speeches. Come by to wave off our seniors!

Summer Break, June 5 - August 17

Enjoy over two months of summer freedom and fun!

and

San José reacts to Ma Mahan’s bid for governor

BY TRISTAN LO

On Jan. 29, San José mayor Matt Mahan announced his candidacy for California governor, stating on his campaign website that he knows “California can do better.” Promising change in California, Mahan has focused his moderate Democrat campaign platform on improving homelessness, public safety and government effciency. At the same time, his declaration to run has polarized residents of the Bay Area over controversies regarding his campaign funding, career path and tenure as San José mayor.

Mahan has served as San José mayor since 2022 and was re-elected in 2024 before announcing his campaign for governor. As mayor, he focused on four main areas of improvement: crime, homelessness, urban blight and economic development. He supported Proposition 36 as a part of his focus on crime, which would implement stricter penalties for drug and theft offenses.

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and improving quality of life in California.

Mahan’s performance in recent polls has been lackluster, estimating his favorability at fve to eight percent of the vote. The San Francisco Standard and The Economist have stated that, due to a crowded gubernatorial race including billionaire Tom Steyer, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter and former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra, Mahan’s chance for a win has been deemed “a long shot.”

Contrarily, some Bay Area residents look to Mahan’s solid tenure as San José mayor and see him as both competent and experienced.

He has political problems, but what sells Mahan is that he has just been a relatively noncontroversial fgure that could lead a very big state. One of the things that comes with being an executive is you want someone with executive experience, which he has as mayor.

Jef Bale Social studies teacher

“Mahan is very pragmatic with his approaches and doesn’t oversell things,” social studies teacher Jeff Bale said. “For instance, one of the big issues in the city of San José has been the homelessness crisis. He’s been very pragmatic in trying to work with the state to get the various funds and clean up some of the areas downtown.”

Mahan’s campaign goals align with many of the policies he supported as mayor, some of which would require major reform in the California government. He has advocated for increasing taxes on elected offcials and other state leaders, as well as has been critical of California’s budget defcits and excessive spending. To resolve this, he has lobbied for more government transparency and accountability. His motto, “Back to Basics” highlights his focus on government accountability

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“He has political problems, but what sells Mahan is that he has just been a relatively non-controversial fgure that could lead a very big state,” Bale said. “One of the things that comes with being an executive is you want someone with executive experience, which he has as mayor.”

Mahan has attempted to establish himself as the candidate of change: his campaign has concentrated on portraying himself against the status quo of the government in Sacramento.

“I think Mahan is trying to position himself as more of an outsider to the Sacramento political system because he’s not from San Francisco or Los Angeles,” junior and Politics Club member Prajwal Avadhani said. “He’s also done a lot of things well as mayor of San José, such as coming back from the pandemic.”

San José’s reaction to their mayor’s campaign for governor has varied. People around the Bay Area have complimented Mahan’s approach to politics, while others question the effectiveness of his policies regarding homelessness. There also has been controversy over his decision to seek a higher

offce before fnishing his term as mayor.

“Public service is a huge responsibility because being an elected offcial means you have the power to affect people’s lives with the passage of certain policies,” sophomore and politics club member Anika Khanna said. “I think the fact that he’s climbing the political ladder shows a lot about his character. It shows that he’s more career oriented, rather than focusing on providing welfare and improving social issues.”

Silicon Valley lawmakers and local politicians have expressed their concerns regarding his candidacy.

Democratic assembly members Alex Lee and Ash Kalra have criticized Mahan’s close relations with large tech corporations. He has received support from Peter Thiel, billionaire and co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, despite his attempts to position himself away from the establishment and large corporations. This has tainted Mahan’s reputation as an outsider.

“When corporations donate money to these politicians, it results in policies that are benefcial to those corporations instead of the people they are supposed to represent,” Khanna said.

Explore alternative avenues to a successful summer

Staf Editorial // The voice of the Epic “W

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e are sorry to inform you” is a common email greeting that flls students’ inboxes in the spring. At Lynbrook, summer is often glorifed as a period that should be flled with extracurriculars to strengthen a resume. Unfortunately, this has led to a hyperfocus on summer programs, earning them a false reputation as a one-way ticket to a prestigious college. Students should know that rejection from summer programs isn’t a direct indicator of success, as there are alternative avenues to a fruitful summer.

“I wish students would look inside themselves a bit more,” school counselor Shana Howden said.

said. “They shouldn’t get tunnel vision to any specifc thing. If you do a summer program, you’re going to learn a lot. If you volunteer at a hospital or get a job and interact with the public, you’re going to learn a lot.”

In recent years, the number of Lynbrook students applying to summer programs has dramatically increased, evidenced by the skyrocketing requests for teacher letters of recommendations.

It would be nice to see students spending more time thinking about what would help them grow, rather than what they think will speak for them on an application.

Shana Howden

School counselor

“I want them to ask, ‘What would make me feel accomplished? What would stretch me, interest me?’ It would be nice to see students spending more time thinking about what would help them grow, rather than what they think will speak for them on an application. Nothing speaks for you. You have to speak for yourself.”

Low acceptance rates and high costs mean summer programs are not accessible to all. The Iowa Young Writers Studio and Summer Science Program have acceptance rates lower than 10%. Additionally, programs that are just three weeks long can cost up to $10,000.

“Students should be open to all types of opportunities,”

teacher Jessica Lu

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Teachers have gone from having only a few student requests each year to managing long lists or designated Schoology classrooms to track requests. This takes valuable time away from grading and lesson planning.

“For me, letter requests especially increased this year,” math teacher Sarah Kraemer said. “Some programs take longer than others to write a letter for because they have specifc questions to answer.”

One reason for these added stressors is the fact that prestigious summer titles are treasured by students building resumes. The idea that summer programs are mandatory is toxic but familiar, causing students to apply to programs they are not interested in. Although this mentality is often diffcult to fght, students must keep in mind that there are many summer activity options, all of which strengthens a resume.

“Most peers I talk about summer plans to don’t say, ‘What are you going to do over summer?’” junior Erin Chen said. “They don’t ask, ‘Do you want to do your own project?’ or ‘What are you going to do

for fun?’ Instead, they ask what programs you’re applying to, which places a lot of unnecessary stress.”

The real point of summer — three months of pursuing what is intentional to oneself — should not be tainted by comparison nor anxiety. Most crucial is pursuing genuine interests, which come in different experiences.

“I had a student who didn’t get into any programs, and we talked about job shadowing,” Howden said. “It wasn’t a structured, fancy thing: they lined up 10 or 12 people in their family network to follow around for two days at a time. Then, they wrote a really interesting essay about what they had learned about the world of work.”

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Students can take advantage of a myriad of opportunities that offer experiences not all programs can. Not only can students explore diverse interests in a practical setting, but they can also build more connections. Jobs and internships provide a direct look into a professional pathway.

summer can include taking community college classes.

“I decided to take initiative by starting my own nonproft, Petals4People, over the summer instead of joining a program,” sophomore Eva Sharma said. “I combined my passion for gardening and my interest in business, and I’m glad I learned independence and the realities of business.”

Summertime is weighed down so heavily by pressure that its core meaning begins to blur: two months provide a great chance to explore one’s personal passions.

“A productive summer depends on what a student is interested in,” college and career adviser Kathy Tang said. “We suggest that students explore one or two different activities over the summer with at least one being something new or out of their comfort zone.”

We suggest that students explore one or two different activities over the summer with at least one being something new or out of their comfort zone.

Kathy Tang College and career adviser

“Something that I learned from my job was that I wasn’t very good at being able to do things from different angles,” sophomore Isaac Gutmann said. “I have to ask, ‘how do I do this in a different way?’ My job is something that I enjoy doing and want to keep doing.”

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The best route isn’t made from money spent or toxic competition. It is only when students go on their own unique journeys that summer is truly fulflled.

“I know it’s discouraging when you get rejected because you can feel inferior to your classmates, but I believe that everything happens for a reason,” junior Shahana Mohamed said. “Over summer, I would suggest fnding something you love doing and that you’re passionate about, because your happiness is the most important.”

the Epic staff voted 34-1 in favor of this stance with 2 abstaining.

Volunteering strengthens skills to improve society. Spending time on a personal hobby fosters joy and lights new passions. Going on a vacation extends one’s worldview. More costeffective academic approaches to

editors-in-chief — anna cen, maddy chang

managing editor

— cecilia wu

copy editors — nicolas cheng, saavan saraf

design editors

— isabella chiu, eunice leung

adviser

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news editor — rachel martin

opinion editors — audrey cabaltica, sunnie wu

seniors

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anushka deshmukh

sports editor

web editors in-depth editor

— emily cheah

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business/pr manager features editor — katie shang

— tristan lo, prisha pulastya

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olivia tu ethan wong

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david zhu

Reflections on a year of phoneless classrooms

BY AUDREY CABALTICA

“I 1,000% think the policy was successful. I like that during breaks students interact and build community. I thought it would be far more difcult to enforce the policy because students might secretly hide their phones and tell me they didn’t bring them, but they have been really cooperative.”

“I was annoyed by the policy in the beginning, but as the year went on, I realized how much phones afect students’ attention spans and ability to do well in school. Continuing it would be helpful, but it would be more impactful if teachers followed through with it. If done right, it could improve a lot.”

“When we started the policy, students were pretty good about putting their phones in the pockets. Then, as the year went by, some students got lazy about putting it in their pockets. But they know it’s not supposed to be out during class, so I don’t really see them with their phones in the middle of class.”

“My teachers became less strict as more exceptions to the policy arose, but I feel like everyone got used to it, so it didn’t really matter. I think we should continue the policy because it helps students pay more attention in class, but maybe they should let us access our phones in the last minutes of class after work is done.”

Don’t measure your self-worth with self-studying

BY EMILY CHEAH

With just a quick Google search, a student can fnd the top fve easiest Advanced Placement exams to self-study for — packaged like shortcuts to boost a college application. On paper, selfstudying APs reads as healthy ambition, suggesting that students are motivated enough to go beyond the courses offered on their campus. In practice, self-studying is a symptom of a competitive academic culture that constantly raises the bar, leaving students feeling pressured to expand their workload to keep up with the ever-shifting standards of college admissions. Once that mindset takes over, the side effects include not only personal burnout, but also reinforcement of unrealistic academic standards within our community.

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feeling that you can’t be worse than other people,” sophomore Hannah Zhang said. “That fear of missing out led me to take multiple APs this year.”

You shouldn’t be doing something because everybody else is doing it. You still need to balance school work with extracurricular activities, health, family and friends.

Shveta

Bagade College and career counselor

Self-studying is common among students who already have experience with a topic, such as a world language, because they don’t need a full year of classroom instruction. There are also only 17 AP courses available at Lynbrook out of the 38 offered by the College Board, which encourages students interested in other topics to take the course outside of school.

However, self-studying allows students to take as many AP tests as possible, often for the sake of college admissions. Most prevalent in our school culture now is the expectation that students are taking more and more AP exams, with 89% of Lynbrook students taking at least one AP exam in 2025. The question is no longer whether to take AP exams, but how many.

“Seeing everyone take all

That mindset refects how academic comparison has become embedded in daily decision-making, leading students to pile on self-studying on top of an already packed schedule. The benchmarks students are comparing themselves to are wildly distorted. Taking 10 AP exams over four years of high school is not the average experience, and it shouldn’t be a standard that students feel pressured to meet. The reality is, only about 1% of students nationwide took 10 or more APs from 2022-25. However, when students see one person hitting that number, it’s easy to feel behind. If we continue to promote unrealistic standards, we harm not only ourselves but also community mental health and perceptions of success.

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“You shouldn’t be doing something because everybody else is doing it,” college and career counselor Shveta Bagade said. “You still need to balance school work with extracurricular activities, health, family and friends.”

With self-studying, students are expected to study months’ worth of content on their own time, resulting in late-night study sessions and cramming days before the exam. The mental and physical toll of that pressure is diffcult to ignore as students sacrifce sleep, social lives and their overall health in the pursuit of scores.

“When I was self-studying AP Chemistry, I woke up at 5 a.m. and studied until school started,” sophomore Trina Somadder said. “When I came home, I would fnish my homework and then study again.”

89% ofLynbrookstudents tookatleastoneAP exam in 2025.

the material because it’s challenging, even for the most organized student,” AP Biology teacher Nicole Della Santina said.

These schedules are unsustainable, especially when students choose courses they have no experience in just to take more. It’s more realistic to self-study an AP course you already have prior knowledge in—for example, self-studying AP Biology if you’ve taken biology before. Students should be intentional when considering self-studying instead of just choosing the “easiest” courses in hopes of earning a high score.

“If I were to self-study microeconomics, which I have no experience in, that would take away from everything else I have to do,” Somadder said.

Self-studying with prior knowledge can save students’ time. Taking the yearlong course does not only foster strong study habits, but also provide hands-on experience as students can receive live feedback from teachers. Most benefcially, students can carry the routines built in AP classes past high school, instead to just memorizing and forgetting content while self-studying.

“In the class, we get to be collaborative and conquer

it is impossible to satisfy the standards that surround us. That time spent pushing yourself over the edge could be focused on exploring meaningful passions, catching up on sleep and self-care. Whether you’ve earned eight AP scores or two, your well-being should always come before the score.

What is your final message to Lynbrook?

Selection of survey response from 52 seniors.

“Live life in the present, get an adequate amount of sleep, and don’t be afraid to explore your passions. Your resumé isn’t everything, you have a life aside from it.”

“Go out there: join that club, take that class, and try that sport! You'll appreciate all the memories you make and the friendships you develop along the way :)”

“Don't stress too much and enjoy your time in high school. Step out of your comfort zone to try new things and make new friends.”

“No matter how hard it is, it will all come to an end. Cherish the moment and keep giving it your best.”

“Do what you love and love what you do so no matter what happens, you're proud of who you've become.”

“Have lots of fun, and explore everything. There's always time to try everything.”

“High school is a marathon not a sprint, it's okay if you stumble, even multiple times, just remember that as long as you get back up, you can always do well!”

“Stop worrying about what other people think of you and just be yourself!”

“Never stop scavenging for your path, and never hesitate to take a detour.”

“Try everything! You never know where you'll end up.”

“Even if other people don’t think what you do or what you like matters it does and you should go for it, people who don’t support you now never will in the future”

“It all goes by so fast. Enjoy every moment of it, and don't be afraid to do things you never thought you could.”

“Live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment of your time at Lynbrook. Don’t forget to be a chiller.”

“Don’t take these moments for granted and take up all the opportunities you encounter.”

“In all your endeavors, remember that in a year's time, you'll forget the accomplishments and remember the journey.”

“just keep pushing forward for the plot and you will fnd happiness along the way :)”

“What you’ll remember from high school isn’t all the time you spent studying for classes and stressing over tests, but rather the fun times you had with your friends. So go out, let loose a little and have fun with your friends while you still have the chance.”

“Understand the perspectives of people you interact with, whether you agree or disagree with them.”

“Do what most excites you, not what you think would be good for your college app.”

“Live out your ideals and aspirations, stay resilient in face of adversity, and embody the viking spirit as you embark on your journey and discover your potential. Carpe Diem!”

“I hated the circus but loved the clowns. Slow down, stop revolving your life around grades and just live in the moment.”

“Worrying about it will not make you more or less prepared. If you don’t know what to do at a crossroad, just move forward.”

“Trying is better than regret”

“Don't make college consume your high school life.”

“Keep chasing what genuinely excites you, not just what looks impressive on paper — your curiosity will take you further than any grade ever will. Be kind to yourself and to the people around you; Lynbrook is intense, but the friendships and memories you build here are what you'll carry forever.”

“Enjoy it. This moment will just be another story someday.”

“This period of your life is only 5% to the next exciting 80%.”

“Don’t wait to try something, and be unapologetically yourself.”

“Every moment from now will become a memory, make it great!”

Chicken soup for the soul

BY CLAIRE GUO

Whenever I am sick, my mother presses the soft cloth of stories in my mouth. She speaks about idioms or the origins of the moon — stories that can only exist between fevers, with both eyes closed, sleep fashing in the corner of the mind. Between each soundbite, she intersperses a spoonful of warm soup from a freshly cleaved chicken, building a hearth in my diaphragm that sets every vein on fre. Her stories reject

Why I write

BY BRIAN LEE

I’m often asked why I write in my free time.

“Why do you write?” my friends ask. My answer: largely because it’s just… fun. When I’m not doing homework, I’m nose-deep in modern tragedies (“Flowers for Algernon” or “The Perks of Being A Wallfower”), scouring the internet for “book recommendations if you liked ‘East of Eden,’” then shelving dozens of titles at a time only to read a select few later. Satisfed, I’ll look up from my books, inspired to recreate Amy Tan’s circular storytelling techniques or Jane Austen’s blending of third-person narration with frst-person perspectives. So I open a blank Google Doc, and the words spill out. Like solving a massive jigsaw puzzle, I slowly piece my thoughts into a larger, complete whole.

“Why do you write?” my parents ask. How horrifed they must’ve been when I — of pure Asian descent — told them I loved English, or even thought about pursuing writing as a career. They’d say, “Honey, the chances of making it are 1 in 62,986.” Ouch. I’m certainly not the best. My in-class essays aren’t always innovative, and I can barely keep a

But the truth is, my pages aren’t just a space for fun. When I was suffocated by my unending academic responsibilities, spiraling mental health and deafening loneliness, I wrote my sadness and hopelessness into these pages. Google Docs became a place where I

“Why do you write?” I ask myself. Artifcial intelligence came and knocked everyone off their feet. All my friends and family say that writers would be the frst to fall. Indeed, writing professionally will only get increasingly diffcult. But that’s not why I write. I write because if I don’t, I’m scared that I’ll forget how to organize my thoughts into a stream — clear, fowing, unrestrained. Worried that my ambition, vivid memories and thoughts might be watered down. And then slowly, unconsciously, I’ll forget. Forget who I was and

Writing makes me feel connected and engaged with the world: articles on my classmates’ training for triathlons, my opinions about polarization or food safety,

Columns

Uncut in my memory

BY ALEXANDRA WU

My grandmother used to embroider in the afternoons, with her pristine posture, a cup of tea next to her, always flled. When it cooled, I would replace it. Filial piety was the frst virtue my grandmother taught me. She belonged

Journey to the east

BY CRYSTAL ZHU

Smoke is the smell of nostalgia — so is bus exhaust and steaming, sun-baked concrete. The putrid perfume of garbage trucks could whip my feet off the sidewalk and plant them on the streets of Shanghai, where I lived for seven years.

Daydreaming of the rosy-misted days of my childhood, devoid of self-consciousness, is easy. I could close my eyes and be rescued from the lasso of the wild, wild future.

Folded in memories, I am dragged to mountains, forests and riverside towns. We were the three musketeers — my mom, my brother and I. Weekends spent lurching from sleep at 4 a.m. to catch a bus that would drag us to another province, to march up some mountain named River Ox. Out to conquer the world, my brother and I wrapped bandannas on our foreheads, waved sticks like longswords and slew ferocious beasts.

We roasted mythical monsters on barbecue bars and leaped across brutal waves. We clung to a sailboat pole for our lives as the ocean roared beneath. We drank ourselves dizzy on rice wine and stood guard in a yurt. At some point, these memories blur together like a montage.

In the days we didn’t sail our boat into battle, I spent my hours in the then-idyllic embrace of my grandparents’ neighborhood, my castle. The blocky buildings were surrounded by a moat. I remember the bridge, red and royal, so anyone walking down had the aura of an empress returning to her Summer Palace. On days when the sun was so hot it whipped sand into the air and into our eyes, my grandparents and I rode the rattling bus down to the community swimming pool, where we could swim for free because my grandfather was a veteran.

Each scene was stuck in amber. Crystallized, I could examine them forever. Even as they gathered dust, I still plucked them from the drawers of my mind to admire each one. Soon, picking up a love for storytelling, I wrote about the same things over and over again: China and childhood. It seemed like all the glorious things that had happened to me, and that I’d done, were many misty years ago. The things I understood were no more, maybe less, than the next girl. But that simply wasn’t true.

I didn’t have to turn my back on the comfort of the past to move forward. In fact, it was the voyages my mom led us on that laid the lure that I have followed ever since. All that walking rendered any view out the window a potential adventure to embark on with my own two feet. I am grateful for my mom’s willingness to plan those trips for less-than-willing children, and I am grateful for the agency I myself have gained with age and experience. Now on the cusp of college-hood, it’s long overdue to put that power to use.

I remember the summer of my sophomore year: my brother and I returned to China for the frst time since ffth grade. Our mom had already been there for a week, and we were taking a taxi to a hotel to meet her. I don’t know exactly what I expected to see, but I imagined a place of reminiscence, where I would pick up where I left off and once again feel my roots grow with familiarity. But on our way driving through the city, the things I saw out the smoke-flmed window were foreign. In a familiar place, I was starting to journey again. On the way, the driver asked us if we went to school overseas. Yes, my brother answered for me — in the United States.

Approaching an intersection in front of the hotel, he glanced at us through the rearview mirror. Which way?

“Go forward,” I said in Mandarin. “Go forward, go forward.”

Senior Map

United States

California

California Institute of Technology

Ava Chen

Shreya Somani

Claremont McKenna College

Jason Wu

Harvey Mudd College

Ryan Liu

Occidental College

Sharika Dipu

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Ivan Sokolenko

Santa Clara University

Kate Nagareda

Stanford University

Harvy Chang

Chelsea Guo

Claire Guo

Izzy Hosein

University of California, Berkeley

Chancie Chou

Derrick Han

Lisa Jing

Om Modi

Samay Sikri

Isaiah Sit

University of California, Davis

Katelyn Hsu

University of California, Irvine

Vidhi Gupta

Brian Lee

Lucas Li

Harita Vasu

Eva Wen

Charlene Yang

University of California, Los Angeles

Rohil Gupta

Chang He

John Jou

Richard Li

Vincent Qin

Jennifer Sahil

Caleb Sze

Jessie Zhu

University of California, Riverside

Noah Bowers

University of California, Santa

Barbara Ishika Shah

University of California, San Diego

Joyce Li

Ryan Ong

Aarush Tiwari

Caroline Yan

Olivia Yuan

Eunice Zhang

University of San Francisco

Sophia Nguyen

Ishana Subrahmanyan

Tony Yuan

Georgia

Emory University

Abhigya Bandugula

Juno Hong

Gina Low

Emma Vincent

Illinois

Northwestern University

Alexis Cheng

Alicia Tsai

University of Chicago

Yuyao Wen

University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign

Shreshta Kondla

Riddhi Maharana

Aiden Nie

Aarit Parekh

Amogh Rao

Austin Shu

Angela Zhang

Indiana

Purdue University

Anurag Chakrabarti

Joyce Cheung

Esther Kwan

Michael Lee

Ankita Ramabadran

Olivia Yuen

Zoe Zheng

Angelina Zhou

Iowa

Grinnell College

Keigo Kamata

Maryland

Johns Hopkins University

Bryan Zhao

Massachusetts

Boston University

Vibhuti Tripathi

Maulik Agrawal

Northeastern University

Rohit Argulkar

Charlie Dai

Aiden Tung

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Chelsea Li

Mia Liu

Michigan

University of Michigan

Vikrant Vadathavoor

Intended field of study

Data according to a voluntary survey with 131 respondents. Some seniors are pursuing

Minnesota

University of Minnesota Twin

Cities

Jessica Steiger

Missouri

Washington University in St.

Louis

Rebecca Cai

Avril Chin

pursuing more than one feld of study.

New York

Columbia University

Irene Hwang

Cornell University

Helen Wu

Ithaca College

Calia Lim

New York University

Shelby Kim

Atalik Sinha

Cindy Tao

Northeastern University (New York City Scholars)

Jie Xia

Ohio

Case Western Reserve University

Kieran Hau

Lex Huang

Alice Yan

Oregon

University of Oregon

Meena Yarlagadda

University of Portland

Tyler Nguyen

Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University

Dave Elango

Rohan Fernandes

Stephen Florip

Hannah Guan

Naemi Ika

Audrey Lee Jinhyo Lee

University of Pittsburgh

Alec Chau

Texas

University of Texas at Austin

Tanush Agrawal

Rice University

Amanda Jin Apurva Sistla

Washington

University of Washington

Ashwath Anoop

Cooper Chung

Darren Gao

Rianna Jain

Andrew Kao

Sarah Martin

Washington, D.C.

Georgetown University

Chloe Chung

George Washington University

Akash Anand

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin–

Madison

Zenita Yang

International

Canada

University of Waterloo Seir Szewczyk

I, Aarit Parekh, bequeath all the duzz (deca huzz) to Adam Salme, my impeccable rizz to Rishi Dommeti, my aura to Ojas Kothari, Dale Liu, Sriram Upyadhyayula, and Justin Jok, cricket skills to Srinikash Venkatasalapathi, Sreyes Chetput, and Savya Churi, breakdance skills to Trevor Tsoi, MUN skills to Rushil Agarwal, Tottenham to keep losing to Mr. Nguyen, and a wonderful year of class offce to all of the 2027 senior cos!

I, Abhigya Bandugula, bequeath a year without crashouts to Samanvi, mafa and neverending pencils to Jaahnavi, many epd medals and Mr. Nguyen’s cookies to Rucha, a bottomless stomach to Kevin, and an amazing mb season to Yeva and Serena.

I, Adrian Philip, bequeath injury-free XCTF to Aarav Karasi, breaking 4:40.20 to Aiden Gaustad and James McMullin, plenty of sleep and long bike rides to Raghav and Keshav Iyer, country music to Ms. Kirsh, Mr. Signore, and of course Mr. Bale, a fun soccer season and not dropping French to Yash Yoganandh, a license, truck, and mangoes to Walker Kim, even more dedication to Michael Fan, gains to Ryan Huang and Dustin Hong, and 10Ks to Everett Jou.

I, Aidan Tung, bequeath a raccoon-free life to Ms. Kirsh, good coffee to Mr. Fulk’s early mornings, intact joints to Mengdi, a happy Oatmeal to Eileen, fewer DMs to Kath, luck with college to Ethan, many shrimp to Debansh, fun bouldering walls to Anna, better DP partners to Yuan and Lily, cool bio projects for Captain Shripriya, salty and watery oceans to the whole LHS OSB team, and more replacement trees to Lynbrook campus.

I, Aiden Nie, bequeath lots of winning parlays to Luc Yamauchi.

I, Akash Anand, bequeath my inheritance to Arjun Joshi, the future of the Epic to Tristan Lo and David Dai, a goatee to Shashwath Dinesh, and sub 2 to James McMullin and Aiden Gaustad.

I, Alexis Cheng, bequeath successful CSP collaborations to Amber, a fantastic year of SPS to Joanna and Eileen, hundreds on all her Spanish tests and hopefully fewer crash outs to Marina, three more years of fun and friends and hard work to Dylan and lots of luck for the moments when you need it.

I, Alicia Tsai, bequeath a prom date to Arnav Kodavati, the best DECA presidency to Shreshta Ramji, a 5 on AP Chem to Madison Chan, worry-free college applications and a fre senior year to Niharika Ramanatham, gourmet pass-the-plate eats to Katelyn Wang, #1 cabinet decs to ASB PR, all the candy I stole from her desk to Chantelle Ho, a humorous Valks character dance to Aileen Rong, many frst-place Jalwa wins to Megan Ramjahn and Eileen Chu, and infnite thankyou’s to Mr. Leung.

I, Alyssa Chou, bequeath tardy-free attendance and a lifetime supply of mo yu shuang to Brandis Olguin, a better immune system to Hannah Wu, Christmas-themed candles and a dedicated committee to my gou gou Vincent Lo, the best of luck to my favorite Interact committee IPC, a stressfree senior year to the better Kwan sister Livi, longer glass streaks to Mr. Pallone, piles of graded papers to Mr. Bale, and forever gratitude to Mrs. Dang for her guidance.

I, Amanda Jin, bequeath lots of good tournament food and medals to Ian Chen, Rucha Kore, and Samanvi Bandugula, CAD models with only simple geometric shapes to Sylvia Dong, fewer bugs to memorize to Yuan Li, fun-flled socials to Shripriya Kalbhavi, Shreshta Ramji, and Shresth Mishra, Roblox slop games to Joanna Chen and Sunnie Wu, plentiful snacks to share to Mr. Nguyen, and a hopefully smooth high school experience to Jeremy Jin.

I, Amogh Rao, bequeath Prakhar Rathore lots of pounds and all the abgs in the world, new airpods to Mihir Shankar, a pair of baggy pants to Chenxia Liu, many many tiktoks and instagram reels to Saketh Neeli, lots of kpop stuff to Tiffany Wan, a smidge of maturity to Arman Vaithyanathan, all the cans of safeway arizona to DJ, lots more muscle mass to Justin Zhai, a summer robot to Jiayi Zhou, and an offcer position to Andy Chen.

I, Andrew Kao, bequeath all the Usagi plushies and merch to Xinyan Hu, Conan and Baek Ji-heon merch to Jaeeon Kim, a healthy knee and great TEMU deals to Samantha Yeung, tons of food and a metro card to Aiden Levit, seagulls to Kaeyun Tham, 67 Hachiware stickers to LeAnna Lam, a prosperous sticker business to Catherine

Yang, Monster Hunter games and infnite bacon to Brian Chi, an easier teaching schedule to Ms. Choi, and unlimited coffee to Kitchen Sensei.

I, Angela Zhang, bequeath happiness and a successful two-man future to Megan Ramjhan, key club fun to Emma, Alicia and Selena, the best offcer team to Eunice, good AP scores to Shahana, endless food to Owen and WeiWei, deca wins to Samuel, the best Jalwa team to Tia (not possible without us), many 1997 essential hoodies to Neela, and lots of love to my valkyries!!

I, Angelina Zhou, bequeath endless lactosefree coffee to Eunice Leung, VIP Cortis tickets to Aileen Rong, a stressless junior year to Casey Feng, Celina Chen, and Alicia Chen, successful lifts to Esther Zhang and Emma Wu, no more mile runs to my Valks fam, infnite potatoes to Amy Yuan, and the DIS club to Chanel Li.

I, Ariel Kuo, bequeath 5s on AP exams to Charisse Chao, happiness to Alicia Yoon and Celina Chen, big back behavior to Stanley Tan, less brain rot to Advait Lalwani, anime marathons to Anvita Kandregula, golf success to Sana, Ashley, Jimin, and Abigail, fre outfts to Vicke Kim and Angelina Phan, freedom from treble clef to Xuanning Yang and Kevin Ho, table tennis victories to Justin Liu, Manon’s return to Alex Jong, and a strong immune system to Mrs. Louie.

I, Ashwath Anoop, bequeath the nation of Taiwan to Rohin Saharoy, true love to Rishi Dometti, delusion to Arnav Kodavati, folded clothes and a trip to Toronto to Jiwon Kim, greatness to Brinda Paladugu, mock trial co-presidents to Tristan Lo and David Dai, a wheelchair to Maddy Chang, “Jalwa” to Ojas Kothari, Hollywood to Akshara Israni, much love to Mr. Seike, AI photos to DECA, and absolutely nothing to mock trial.

I, Brian Lee, bequeath new joints to Mengdi Xiong, a zoo of pets to Eileen Zhao, a stressfree senior year to Nicolas Cheng, many huzz to Vanessa Yap, news duties to Rachel Martin, and low-cortisol meetings with the Epic to Dr. Chen.

I, Bryan Zhao, bequeath lots of food to Carson, a healthy thumb to Ken, a toe to Eito, good sleep to Maddy, being just in time to Justin, a well-paying job to Caden and Kushal, an APCSA study guide to Sanjana, a cookie to Michelle, an act of kindness to ARK, a baton to the 4x100, and a pair of hamstrings to the Lynbrook track and feld team.

I, Calia Lim, bequeath a wonderful softball season with more than two wins to Coach Colleen.

I, Chancie Chou, bequeath unlimited soup and cheese to the high brass section, great MFC membership to Andrew Lin, Shannon Zhang, Victoria Huang, and Jasmine Lien, less offbeats to Alexander Tran, lots of holiday askings to Ani Senthilkumar, endless tea for Aisha Taylor, and low cortisol sections to Sam Chen and Christopher Lu.

I, Chang He, bequeath an everlasting supply of Dubai chocolate desserts to Cinra, a dream Smiski collection to Carolyn, my impeccable taste in movies and matcha to Vignesh, raw superfood cafe vegan sandwiches to Praj, a singles-free season to Emily, many many safeway cookie runs to Keyi, and Beli accounts to all of the above.

I, Charlene Yang, bequeath infnite physics problems to Justin Liu and Oliver Rust, Cortis tickets to Ysabel Chen and Eva Tao, a successful year as colorguard captain to Amber Lai and to all MVL Colorguard members, Buldak and Thai tea to Jaahnavi Tirumala, lots of yummy food and silly reels to Junnan Li, safety and happiness to DRUM MAJOR Kevin Shang, and the most amazing senior year to my sister, Catherine Yang (+10,000 hachiware plushies).

I, Charlie Dai, bequeath a year of growth to NOVA Vikes, a crashout-limited year to the entirety of the drama department (and a proftable show lineup), a good night’s sleep to Grace Cho and Saakshi Athreya, a concussion-less year to Sophie Mu, an eventful year to Angela Wu and a fruitful retirement to Mr. Wenner.

I, Chelsea Li, bequeath insane blind box luck to Amelia Pinto, a smooth year to Interact, and auraful plays to Lynbrook volleyball.

I, Chloe Chung, bequeath unlimited Starbucks to Camila Castro, an amazing senior year to Amie Wu, my wisdom to Adam Salme, robotics success to Henry Wang, my

unimaginable swag to Niharika Ramanathan, a stress-free college app season to Owen Huang, a fun year to Lynbrook TASA, and plentiful Brazilian nuts to the smol beans who know.

I, Claire Y. Guo, bequeath 1st place at sweepstakes to Shannon, Harshini, Anushka and Mrs. Robledo, just-add-magic watch parties to Vinitha, late-night doordash orders to Sarah, NLC glass to Sunnie, Brinda, Aditi and Shifa, front-row seats at NCT concerts to Aileen, a neon green tennis hat to Mia, Grace and Tanishka, and a successful year in the EPIC to Maddy and Anna.

I, Cooper Chung, bequeath femboy energy to Kevin Ho, less police cars on the road to Sam Chen, more short jokes to Aisha Taylor, even more height to Alex Tran, all of Alex’s height to Ani Senthilkumar, three more years of mellophone to Elwen Zhao, perfect MCQ guessing luck to Jayden Fan, daily prescripts to Brian Chi, many magic-loving audiences to Joel Huang, and a lot of ragebait towards Catherine Yang.

I, Darren Gao, bequeath Deniz Gunyel trad chops, Joel Huang cards out of thin air, Neha Jagadev (un)funny jokes, Jaeeon Kim Conan collectibles, Shinyan Hu Usagi sketches, Samantha Yeung deadline reminders, Aiden Levit Batsu games, Leanna Lam Yorushika knowledge, Kaeyun Tham niche meiji ball, Brian Chi a baka mi awesome Insei year, hi Rohit Chitta, Jayden Fan Danacious Ds, Kevin Ho mastery over all three instruments, and Catherine Yang organized storages so her heart doesn’t sink to the bottom.

I, Dave Elango, bequeath a starbucks iced vanilla latte w extra chocolate cold foam to Vinitha, an endless supply of nacho fries to Anushka, baking supplies to Shifa, a cow ranch in washington to Sarayu, popeyes to Sarah, a YC internship to Shannon, nats glass to Harshini, Raghav, Brinda, Sunnie, Prahlad, Neelesh, Trina, Carolyn, Ria, my ecs to Devesh, my amazing espanol skills to Saakshi, dave’s hot chicken to Sarah & Jacy, bebe monitos to Ryan, unlimited potstickers in Mrs. Miller’s fridge to Ziyan and Michelle, and a fun year of planning events to the 27 senior cos.

I, David Zhu, bequeath massive muscles to Kris, Ethan and Howard, more people to ask “are you going to church on Friday?” to Ashley Louie and Garvin Young, Octagon members and fruitful service opportunities to Ethan, Jerry, Dhanush, Charlotte and Dhruv, wonders upon wonders to the Epic staff and Mr. Miller, amazing copy editing memories to Saavan and Nicolas, and the best next years flled with encouragement and love to my sis Enya Zhu, Class of 2031.

I, Derrick Han, bequeath a great presidency and college apps experience to Arnav Koda, an awesome Team HBV year to Sisir, Rohit, Aryan, and Chantelle, more volleyball victories for AJ, Aaron, Aaroosh, and Daniel, and most importantly, the most appreciation to Mr. Iams for guidance and direction.

I, Emma Vincent, bequeath lots of wins and a fun-flled season to girls water polo; a successful love life to Kalea Iwamoto; spam musubis, crunchy grapes, and lots of crazy goals to Naomi Liu; a fun senior year to my twin Emma Eisler and Myra Kambo; more school record breaking swims to Dylan Liu; big blocks to Abby Leder; and a stress-free junior year to Katie Shang, Jenny Tian, Aanya Malthankar, Varsha Arvind, Jiuxi Chu, Uma Gebbie and Nina Zhang.

I, Esther Kwan, bequeath free golf balls to Abigail, steady swings to Ashley, many snacks to Jimin, long stories to Sana, fewer 17s to girls basketball, smiles in photos to Anjie, fun car rides to Niru, endless jokes to Audrey, clutch foaters to Mahita, karaoke time to Tiffany and Shripyria, whimsical senior years to Marina and Charisse, pretzels and ankles to Allison, Hi-Chews to Trishna, and to everyone, something to look forward to.

I, Eva Wen, bequeath great performances (lots of PRs!) and an unforgettable track experience to Lynbrook Track and Field, BIG marks, confdence, and healthy legs to Chaitanya, Ojas, Anny, Dasha, Meredith, Weethan, and the whole jumps team, no back pain for Hanna, and good luck on lock-ins for Sanjana, Steven, Yunlin, and Junnan.

I, Evan Liu, bequeath continued SLAC domination and white NSB polos to Lynbrook Science Bowl, functioning Schoology to Mr. Seike, a visit to Embassy Row to Mrs. Loia, exponentially increasing taboo scores to Ms. Louie’s engage class, a perpetually charged computer to Steve, Kit-Kats to Nathaniel,

lakes and houses to Philip, anatomy and sleep to Andrew, boba review fame to Ryan, infnite copies of 2017 regionals to Mr. Leung, and two more great years to my brother Andy Liu.

I, Gauresh Srivastava, bequeath a CCS championship to Miro, a successful wrestling season to Vishnu, and lastly, a stress free college app season to Brayden.

I, Harita Vasu, bequeath endless Taco Bell and car yap sessions to Shahana, fewer crashouts to Katelyn, another job to Meredith, a new Subway Surfers high score to Aristotle, an infnite gummy bear and NeeDoh supply to Aryan, and an overdue study session to Zuha.

I, Harvy Chang, bequeath JBowl dominance to Aiden Levit, LeAnna Lam, Kaeyun Tham, Shinyan Hu, Samantha Yeung, and Jaeeon Kim, a memorable marching season to Catherine Yang, Brian Chi, Wonho Shin, and Darrin Lin, huzz to Josh Wong, more social kick to Jack Hemiup, PRs in the 100 back and 100 breast to Satoshi Maeda and Jack Wu, and a great next three years to my sister Claire Chang, Class of 2029.

I, Helen Wu, bequeath croissants and cool beans to Rhea Susarla, revolutionary research to Shripriya Kalbhavi, an unforgettable tennis season to Shwetha Mukkmala, grand mercies to Madame Schang and Madame Louie, bonheur to Anna Zhao and Aaditi Satpute, a joyful senior year to Liloia Gardette, violin concertos to Charisse Chao, clarinets to Jaahnavi Tirumala, no procrastination to Keyi Xue, kirbys to Irene Chang, junior year survival to Victoria Huang, and jolly high school memories to Jayden Wu, Class of 2030.

I, Irene Hwang, bequeath Sherlynn Jin the city of New York and unlimited Chipotle, elite ball AP Bio knowledge to Hannah Huang, a crashout-free senior year to Isabella Chiu, lovely days at the Y to Alexander Jong, a pet puppy to Max, spontaneous bursts of screenplay ideas to Ms. Gilmore, and to my Kayla, beloved sister, a happy high school experience flled with colorful memories and self discovery.

I, Isaiah Sit, bequeath Batsu games and dress pants to Aiden Levit, history worksheets and Jeopardies to Kaeyun Tham, junior year lock-in and Big Two wins to LeAnna Lam, Insei blessing to Brian Chi, Catherine Yang, Kitchen Sensei, and Jbowl, secret buzzer sauce (without the negs) and TCQs to Shripriya Kalbhavi and OSB, every single medal to the goats Ian Chen and Rohan Singh, and best of luck to Jeremiah Sit, Class of 2031.

I, Ishana Subrahmanyan, bequeath frequent CORTIS drops and an amazing senior year to Amelia Pinto, ample attendance and a productive year to Lynbrook NOVA, and stress-free editing days to Aletheia.

I, Ishika Shah, bequeath a stress-free senior year and many fun pool days to Myra, a scorable 301c to Mengdi, a non-fop 102b to Jenny, a clean 402c to Michele, perfect 10s to Lynbrook dive, endless monopoly money to Amber, Juixi, and Sarayu, a deep understanding of physics to Rhea, non-stressful partnerships to GADA, high attendance events to Link Crew, and many off screen laughs to Bee, Badger, and Bale.

I, Ivy Hoo, bequeath math yap sessions to Kimmy Le, a great year for the Ravens offcer team to Aileen Rong, Eva Tao, Jaclyn Chiu, Grace Guo, and Mia Qin, 6 from Reverse 1999 to Amber Yao, unlimited bread recipes to Mrs. Shin, and the best Senior year EVER (and endless goofng off) to Amelia Pinto <3.

I, Izzy Hosein, bequeath banners, Chipotle runs, reaction videos, and vocal lessons to Hisham Mohammed, mukbangs and meeting minutes to @weiweili_mukbangs, creative, original releases to Chai Taraniganty, Arjun Rana, and Sriram Upadhyayula, a fulflling next few years to the Engage tutees and a memorable senior year to the tutors.

I, Jason Wu, bequeath endless love and support to the track and feld team, specifcally aura farming meets to Drake, Ojas and Chai for making this season extra memorable, a high-paying Hollywood job to Jiwon that is stress-free, a job to Luc Yamauchi, more food to big Weiwei, a lovely album to Reggie, and an amazing senior year to Carson Chan.

I, Jessica Steiger, bequeath bountiful, successful baked goods to Hannah, perfectly tailored clothing to Anvitha, tons of laughter to Braydon, stuffed animals and hair dye to

Bequeathals

Emily, unlimited cute stationary to Trishna, long nights of dancing without getting tired to Abby, full Chipotle bowls to Aaditi, true love for Isabella, the cutest fsh accessories to Madeline, a good night’s sleep (and good food!) to Silas, and fnally, weekends flled with fun activities to Charlie.

I, Jessie Zhu, bequeath angelic tones and 8 hours of sleep every night to Shripriya Kalbhavi, stable ankles to Selena Zhang, no procrastination to Claire Shao, midnight Chipotle runs to Anushka Deshmukh, Ziyuan Gao, and Akshara Israni, and the best senior year to Sophie Wang and Hannah Huang.

I, Joyce Li, bequeath bowls of Pho to Carson, Li family powers to Weiwei, a stronger immune system to Maddy, the best senior year to Anshika, niche references to Shreyan, stronger shins to Meredith, dancing abilities to Drake, huge hops to Ojas and Chai, speedy times to Meera, Sanjana, and Yunlin, happy birthdays to Eito and Logan, clutch genes to Ken, free bobas to the hurdlers, and endless love for the Lynbrook track team.

I, Joyce Cheung, bequeath invigorating rally planning skills to future ASB Spirit, boundless graphic creativity and aesthetic digi cam pics to Shreshta Ramji and Betty Huang, perfect attendance and a stress-free junior year to Michael Tang, fun-flled club meetings with controlled chaos to the new WiSTEM offcer team, and four unforgettable years of track running, AP 5s manifestations, perfect Duolingo streaks and Trader Joe runs to my little brother Jonathan Cheung, Class of 2030.

I, Juno Hong, bequeath health to Maddy, good grades to Niharika, TOC Championship to Rohin, track and feld success to Ojas and Chaitanya, a job to my brother, a good neighbor to Shwetha, and FBLA success to Aristotle. I also bequeath Kayla less reels and Amie success in monopoly.

I, Kartik Gudapati, bequeath another amazing year of rec to Owen, a legendary future to Alexis, even more nonchalance to Micheal, breakdance skills and splendidness to Mihir, more hype meetings to Lynbrook Engineering Club, and a tragic year because I’m not there at Jalwa.

I, Kate Nagareda, bequeath Charisse eight consecutive hours of sleep, Vinitha endless Taco Bell, Niru perfect parking, Anjie a peaceful job, Audrey a safe bike, the basketball team successful run times, Naomi indestructible ankles, and Tyler a fun senior year flled with gourmet meals.

I, Katelyn Hsu, bequeath fawless butterfy and all my snacks to Abby, endless breaststroke records, my positive energy, and a wonderful senior year to Dylan, yap sessions and my backstroke skills to Hannah, the 50 free CCS cut and yummy meals to Naomi, and continued success to the Lynbrook swim team.

I, Katherine Ye, bequeath Jayden Fan with infnite hornholding, Vaishnavi Nishtala with all the yummies she can get her hands on, Emin Burak Mukashov with 2 cans of WD-40 for his creaky knees, Big Adwitya Sood with the rest of the alphabet, Catherine Yang with one more hachiware... just one, Ani Senthilkumar with endless whimsy and perfect lip combos, Ysabel Chen with a generational lock in, and Wonho Shin with a frm and secret handshake.

I, Keigo Kamata, bequeath better eyes and tennis skills to Aryaman Sudhir, upperclassmen friends to Justin Zhai, toes to Lina Ko, a manageable class to Daniel Lu and Jasmine Tan, tennis balls to Emily Ou, lunchbreak-coffee to Kitchen Sensei, more tennis players to Mr. Luo, gummies to Mr. Tsai, extra stocks of cabinet candy to Mrs. Robledo, fun and successful years for yearbook, and enjoyable high school careers for Yamato and Raito Takaoka, Class of 32 and 34.

I, Kieran Hau, bequeath the confdence to remain unabashedly unfltered to Arjun, an emotional support underclassman to Ethan Park, and a collar to Max Chiang.

I, Lex Huang, bequeath father of humanity to Rohin Saharoy, Lady Luck to Aristotle Tse, Torque King to Quincy Wu, the utmost crisp raps and rhymes to David Dai and Tristan Lo, a trillion tears to Akshara Israni, Indian representation to William Li, Niku ga suki and Kazan to Kitchen Sensei, a sophisticated ramen menu to Mr. Wong, infnite reels to Ms. Kirsh, The Final Storm to Mock Trial, Ojas Kothari to JALWA, and the Arcadium to ASB Spirit.

I, Lisa Jing, bequeath an amazing year of

ASB vice-presidency to Ojas and Amie, a tech-less year to Michael Tang, a tech-flled year to Erin Chen, a spectacularly fun year of rec to Owen, Alexis, and Niharika, a break from lead devs to Michael Fan, a less tiring solo to Tiffany Yuan, infnite more years to DECA advising to Ms. Goldstein, Ms. Loia, and Ms. Badger, and my overfowing appreciation to Mr. Lee, Ms. Kirsh, and Ms. Grande.

I, Matthew Yuan, bequeath to Andrew, a jar of bells, Systema Porifera, “and physiology,” and tryptophan derivatives, to Ryan, Taco Bell and boba and plentiful buzzes, to Ian and Philip, rocks to lick and quizzes to bowl, to Alex J., pilin pona en mije, to Lucas, Joel, Steven, etc., endless decks of cards, to the Dunlaps, books and books and books, to Joyce, free guac, to Nancy, a masterpiece of a play, and to my sister, 55 grams of bismuth.

I, Maulik Agrawal, bequeath, a successful college application season, lots of taco bell trips, and a second semester with hella side quests to Aaditi Satupute, a junior year flled with sleep, food, and a good TV show to Sunnie Wu, and a successful black belt test with all the food and lack of stress possible to Aarohi Shah.

I, Meena Yarlagadda, bequeath a fun-flled senior year full of bagel runs to Amrita, a new bike for Audrey in hopes of an injury free season, perfect braids for Anjie, a stress free junior and senior year to Niru, and a successful buzz and bleach for Nikhil.

I, Michael Lee, bequeath my #1 goalie cap to Nicolas Cheng, my speed to Max, Wesley, Yunfan, Ryan, Eric, Weichen, and Qiyu, my physics skills to Andrew Cheng, immunity to the stomach fu to Jason Kim, my barely visible abs and a sub-6 minute 500 free to Silas McBee, more cross cage high corner skips to Zach, Timothy, and Sush, my calc homework to Jack Wu, and super duper fun seasons for water polo and swimming.

I, Nilesh Mudupalli, bequeath a can of shaving cream to Rohit, my four rings to Sisir, my card-cutting duties to Rohin, Lynbrook team success to Shrihan, Yogurtland and 67 jokes to Angeline, ball knowledge to Vihaan, and a lower credit limit to Skanda.

I, Noah Bowers, bequeath plenty of height and weight to Hiroki Gok, many complete games to Logan Chao, unlimited water to Kyle Fong, speed to Sisir Malasani, pitching appearances to Ofr Kesar, and fnally another Giants World Series to Finn Marks and Daniel Zhou.

I, Olivia Yuan, bequeath 趙雨凡 edits and endless dessert to Amelia Pinto, caffeine and Kevin Atwater tickets to Eunice Leung, less Color Guard bruises to Amber Lai, more chess wins to Marina Xiao, KPDH watch parties to Isabella Chiu, AP Style acumen and delicious productions to the Epic, seamless reimbursements to Interact, wholehearted success to Cardiomed, abundant persimmon harvests to Dr. Stevens, and an unforgettable four years to the one and only Sophia Yuan, Class of 2030.

I, Om Modi, bequeath a well-functioning debate team and successful college apps to Rohin, a victorious state offce campaign and TOC bids to Shrihan, a UC Berkeley stairwell and AI fruit reels to Angeline, command of the Avengers™ and a comfy chair to Rishi, wise 2 a.m. advice and sleep visions to Jiwon, a working computer and clean room to Justin Jok, supreme authority over DECA to Brian, FCE advice to Vihaan K., and a limited credit card to Skanda.

I, Rebecca Cai, bequeath sunshine and rainbows to my little brother Rohin Saharoy, good tiktoks and so much laughter to my little sisters Anshika and Brinda, successful flm school apps to pretty princess Akshara, a bountiful peer court season to Anushka and win-ful speech tourneys to Ziyuan and Rucha.

I, Rianna Jain, bequeath an unlimited yarn stash and Caesar salads to Aaditi Satpute, an endless yogi supply to Emma Wu, a speedy mile and makeup to your hearts’ content to Aileen Rong, surviving the swim unit and academic success to Neela Swaminathan, wonderful comp lunches to Alicia Chen, plentiful knives to Eunice Leung, endless vlogs to Shreshta Ramji, ICDC glass to Lynbrook DECA, and a successful comp season and a bearable character costume to the Valks.

I, Richard Li, bequeath fun volunteering events and lots and lots and lots of food to the CSF fam, more wins and less injuries

to the Lynbrook soccer team, cool events for Aeronautics Club, more DECA dubs and a little more normalcy to Justin Jok, less sickness and absences to Katelyn Wang, more consistent sleep to Shahana Mohamed, infnite food to Carson Chan, and lots of happiness to the GOAT Mrs. Chan.

I, Riddhi Maharana, bequeath nats x2 to mock trial, amazing performances to Jalwa, insanely cool events to ASBREC, an amazing TA to Ms. Kirsh, a successful/stress free senior year to Anshika, unlimited taco bell and yogurtland to Brinda, successful Silsilay to Niharika, Vairaaj, and Shresth, the best senior year to Arnav Kodavati, unlimited girls to Rohin, better dancing skills to Ojas, amazing time at Lynbrook to Alexis, top 10 juniors to Wei Wei, and an ivy sweep to Owen.

I, Rohan Fernandes, bequeath a reliable PR lead for Software4Society to Prajwal Avadhani, NLC placements to Alex and Raghav, stress-free FBLA competitions to Ms. Robledo, numerous made 3-point shots to Bharath, the ability to pre-buzz well at Science Bowl competitions to Ryan, pocket aces in bluff poker to Aravin, several successful STEMist events and collaborations to Benjamin Zhang, another 500 LinkedIn connections to Vincent, stress-free parenting to Mr. Leung, and countless debate wins to Rohin.

I, Rohan Kakhandiki, bequeath Editor-InChiefs to Tristan Lo and David Dai, tears of joy to Akshara Israni, cough syrup and prayers to Anna Cen, sunshine and rainbows to Rohin Saharoy, a good morning in Emerald Bay to Mock Trial, many more impeachments to Ziyuan Gao, matcha with oat milk to Rucha Kore, a golden Funko to Mr. Miller and a couple more trophies to Mr. Pugh.

I, Rohil Gupta, bequeath my UC San Quentin admission letter to Mr. Seike, my reed soaker to the wind ensemble saxophones, the pizza in my freezer to Kevin Shang, Jaahnavi Tirumala all the money people owe her, Yeva Antonyan and Serena Low (hopefully) with the Lynbrook marching saxophone legacy, Ani Senthilkumar with the family heirlooms, Quincy Wu with Rohan’s wrath, Jayden Fan with my dry hands, Rucha Kore with my lunch services, and Joel Huang with my remaining whimsy.

I, Rohit Argulkar, bequeath hella huzz to Hisham, an epic senior year to Ryan Bansal and Andy Chen, and the lean is law mindset to Tiwari.

I, Ryan Liu, bequeath a Ligue 2 Academy to Luc, pool skills to Alvin, competition wins to Dale, a singing career to Reggie and Sriram, cameras to Jiwon, GKOTY to Yash, a stronger immune system to Maddy, happier rocks to Shahana, poker buy-ins to Carson, better health and more smiskis to Katelyn, peace and Hawaii trips to Megan, more sonny angels to Betty, Omeej giftcards to Joanna, dog-love to Niharika, and more fun times/ great memories to CSF.

I, Ryan Ong, bequeath a cabin in Willits to Akshay and Tyler, a successful business and good college results to Nick, the ability to see left-handness to Ryan Zhou, and a successful time in Lynbrook to Derek and Kyle Ong.

I, Samay Sikri, bequeath slack messages and delegating and safe driving to Arnav Kodavati, an attorney award and wife and 802 to Rohin, a chair and binoculars to Rishi, a suitcase to Jiwon, calc to Niharika and Turtle, monopoly to Amie, jumping over people to Ojas, tears to Akshara, co-councel to David, Tristan, and Brinda, smiles to Owen, WeiWei, and Anshika, vibes to Sisir, peace without me to Ms. Grande and Ms. Kirsh, and 1,000 sustained objections to Mock Trial.

I, Sarah Martin, bequeath an adequately character-building, but fun upperclassman life to Rachel Martin, a peaceful, sometimes exciting freshman class that is almost, but not quite, better than us to Kitchen Sensei, a lot of awesome, not-too-stressful activity ideas to Aristotle, Neha, Eva, and Shrey, a perfect memory of any speech to Anna and the speech team, and fun games flled with good hits to the softball team.

I, Seir Szewczyk, bequeath many broken legs to Studio 74, a plethora of laughs to our Improv Night people, perfect seams to Anvitha Krishnan, the Labyrinth to Emily Xu, baddie energy to Mariia Yakovenko and Hannah Huang, working science to Alexander Jong, a fun senior year to all the juniors I know, and a manageable junior year to the sophomores.

I, Sharika Dipu, bequeath Mr Seike time to

read every good book, a lovely class next year to Ms. Welsh, happiness Times Square to Mr. Baugh, more fairy lights to Ms. Kirsh, lots of bids to Yan Ting, Veda, and future speech kids, and absolute success to Sruthi Chetput. I bequeath Riya Dassu bagel chips and pull ups, promenades to Jaahnavi, buckets of ice and giggles at MUN to Natasha, ‘international achieving’ and everything colorful to Aditi Skandan.

I, Shelby Kim, bequeath endless PRs and no injuries to Walker, Molly tea and a stress-free senior year to Aaditi, fun teaching shifts and taekwon-do classes to Aarohi, infnite money to spend on games to Eric, no more AP Chem for Kimmy, less homework and easy classes to Anh, cozy vibes for Lynbrook’s upcoming wellness center, and lots of success to the future Viking Buddies and Crochet Club offcers.

I, Shreya Somani, bequeath success and senioritis to Ian Chen, a crash-out free year to Niharika Ramanatham and Amie Wu, Science Olympiad nationals to Rucha Kore and Samanvi Bandugula, codebusters fow state to Isabella Chiu and Sophia Fan, anatomy cheat sheets to Ameyaa Rajan and Andrew Liu, last-minute events to Rishi Dommeti, homecoming paint stains to 2027 Senior COs, warm tea and despicable FRQs to Mr. Nguyen, cute raccoons to Ms. Kirsh, everlasting peace to Ms. Grande, and all my love to Lynbrook.

I, Sophia Nguyen, bequeath a fun senior year for Akhil Chappidi, an injury free season to Aaron Chuang, and the happiest memories imaginable for my brother, AJ Nguyen, as you fnish these next two years.

I, Sophie Huang, bequeath all A’s to Stanley Tan, stress-free teachers to Charisse Chao, and fun-flled years in orchestra to Shewta Bala and Amy Li.

I, Stuti Jain, bequeath 3 more years balancing funsies and boba runs with being locked in to my littles Aayur and Aahaan. To Aarohi and Aaditi, I leave fewer crashouts and working limbs, deep talks on long walks to Isabella, card games during competitions and a functioning robot to my robo buddies (especially Sam the Man VI and Charcuterie Board), infnite snacks for production, and no Oxford commas to Epic people, real highfves/fstbumps to Eunice, endless Egyptian War wins to Marina, and a stress-free senior year to my physics people Bhavishya, Ivy and Shannon!

I, Tanush Agrawal, bequeath success in leadership, fun pieces to play in band, and lockdown defense in basketball to my younger brother Rushil Agrawal (Class of 2029), more handwritten and funny notes from students to Mr. Leung, and many more thrilling “I survived” adventures to Mr. Seike.

I, Tyler Nguyen, bequeath Bo Peng to lock in, Braydon Lu for being the GOAT, and my good luck to my sister Casey Nguyen.

I, Vihaan Patel, bequeath AK a CA2+ cross linked cellulose-pectin network, OK a nutritionist, CC, AS, HW & AW 3 semi salty brazil nuts, CC & SG a fre senior year, TT, IC, & AN infnite valks shows, SN & IS fast times, MS & MF some fre DJ feg and SS a fre 2nd senior year.

I, Yuyao Wen, bequeath Angelina Bu more inspirations for her little clay charms, Charisse Chao to continue cooking that violin, Shweta Bala survival of Junior year, Lynbrook Public Art club with many more amazing projects, the girls basketball team a season full of Ws, and FBLA frst in sweepstakes.

I, Yvonne Wang, bequeath many new Delta Airline trading cards traveling in business class, unbreakable badminton racket strings, stress-free walks around the park at sunset, and the most wonderful senior year to my dearest friend Vincent Lo.

I, Zishuo (Tony) Yuan, bequeath best tosses, amazing performances, and the ability to survive every Color Guard performance to Amber Lai. I also bequeath a bus ride, fun memories, and friendship that will last forever. I hope Color Guard brings you happiness, confdence, and an amazing high school experience just like it did for me.

I, Zoe Zheng, bequeath lots of concerts to Aileen Rong, a good sleep schedule to Keyi Xue, lots of yummy food and crazy adventures to Mariia Yakovenko, a stressfree application process to Nicole Guo, all the answers to NYT crossword puzzles to Quincy Wu, and a smooth-sailing senior year to all 5 of you.

Taking the stage with the Ugly Dumplings

BY AMY YUAN

Warm guitar strums and jazzy piano chords fow through the air as fve students huddle in a small garage to practice for their upcoming performance. The all-junior student band Ugly Dumplings includes Catherine Yang, Kevin Ho, Jayden Fan, Ani Senthilkumar and Alexander Tran.

The band, which began in the summer of 2025, originally consisted of Yang as the main vocalist, Ho and Fan as guitarists and two seniors who eventually left the group. At the start of the year, the roles of drummer and keyboardist were flled by Senthilkumar and Tran, respectively. The four met and became friends through marching band, and formed the Ugly Dumplings in order to play music without the rigid structure that school band requires.

“I feel like a garage band with friends is a more casual and low-pressure way to spread music to the community, rather than being in a serious band,” Fan said.

After some brainstorming, they chose Ugly Dumplings as their band name, both as an homage to Chinese

small but will mature into something exceptional.

Every Saturday evening, the Ugly Dumplings meet in Ho’s garage to practice. They start by running through their set list, which includes “Line Without a Hook” by Ricky Montgomery, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan and “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood.

The members select songs they enjoy, but also have to consider whether they can be played with the instruments they have.

“We cover a lot of different types of music that we don’t have the instruments for,” Fan said. “We don’t have a bassist and sometimes we’ll have to try to sound like string instruments.”

Since the band was formed as a way to play casually, the practices are loosely organized and allow the group to play around and

‘‘stressful. But this is not stressful, because I’m with my best friends making music,” Senthilkumar said.

Recently, the Ugly Dumplings performed “Line Without a Hook” at Music for Community’s annual beneft concert and “Lovesick” by Laufey at the Valkyries Spring Show, specifcally showcased because they had worked with them the longest and were some of their favorites.

I have so many things to do in classes and work, and it’s stressful. But this is not stressful, because I’m with my best friends making music.

‘‘“We all like Laufey songs, so a lot of our set list is Laufey, which gives me a lot of freedom to experiment with anything that sounds vaguely jazzy,” Ho said.

However, the band ran into some problems during these performances. Since practices are held in a garage, the group grew comfortable with their intimate sound during sessions and playing in a larger venue felt unfamiliar. At the Valkyries Spring Show, they had trouble hearing each other and staying in sync. The group had to fgure out how to keep time with each other impromptu.

“We’re hoping that as time goes on, we gain more experience with handling these technical diffculties, and we can workshop our volumes,” Tran said. Another major challenge was creating the instrumentals for the songs they picked. When the band frst formed, members mostly found chords online and used the same ones across all the instruments, leading to a lack of depth and layering of different sounds. However, as they improved, the group experimented with improvising, allowing them to express their creativity and add their own spin on songs.

As the Ugly Dumplings overcame their challenges, they began posting their performances on YouTube and Instagram to growing popularity.

“People would come up to me, and say, ‘I saw your band on Instagram. I like your band,’” Senthilkumar said. “My co-workers at volunteering made me show them a video, and they thought it was really cool.”

In the future, the Ugly Dumplings hope to host more performances and play at fea or farmers markets, as well as build a longer setlist and grow as musicians.

“I think my biggest dream for the band is to be able to just go to random places and play,” Fan said.

Chelsea Guo turns everyday moments into award-winning prose

BY MADDY CHANG

The start of senior Chelsea Guo’s writing journey can be defned by a collection of moments: being reprimanded by her elementary school teachers for reading too much; describing the scenery outside her car window during road trips and creating back-and-forth lines of poetry with her twin sister.

Over time, that instinct to notice the world and translate it into language grew, with Guo entering writing competitions to challenge herself and improve. At frst, it was hard to fnd peers to give constructive feedback on her writing. However, as Guo got further into her writing career, the mentors she met helped her prevail.

“Her writing ability is just exceptional,” English teacher Maggie Welsh said. “I’ve never seen it, and I’ve been teaching for 26 years. She has a very raw, very bold style for her age; one that is insightful beyond her years. She also uses unique symbols and comparisons that I think you only see in really polished writing by professional writers.”

In middle school, Guo began to enter competitions like Scholastic Arts & Writing, in which she received several regional recognitions. Guo is a 2025 awardee of the Scholastic Gold Medal award, the highest possible honor through that organization, and is also a 2024 and 2026 winner of another one of the nation’s most prestigious writing competitions, YoungArts.

Growing up in Silicon Valley, where humanitiesinclined students are all too often steered towards pursuing STEM degrees, Guo has had to stay frm in her sense of purpose.

“There have been times where I’ve thought, ‘Maybe I should try my hand at something STEM related,’” Guo

said. “But I think it goes back to doing what you really love and enjoy doing.”

That conviction has been nurtured by the people around her. Her mother brought her to bookstores rather than just libraries, so she could reread books and absorb their craft rather than skim the plot under a return deadline. Her sister Claire Guo — also a writer — has served as her most honest critic.

“I always tell my sister, ‘There’s still time to change it, so give me your honest opinion,’” Guo said. “She’ll say, ‘I think it’s right, but you need to cut this, or the ending wasn’t well resolved.’ Having someone who can be honest with you, and who understands the struggles of being a writer, is really powerful.”

Guo’s writing process usually begins with an image or overarching metaphor that guides the story forward. She keeps a mental inventory of moments from everyday life, knowing they might become the heart of a piece. One such moment came while she was teaching a class of third graders. A girl had opened her hand to reveal a ladybug, explaining that she clipped its wings so it could stay with her.

“She obviously didn’t do this to harm the ladybug,” Guo said. “She just wanted to keep it. But in doing so, she clipped its freedom. So she actually hurt it by trying to keep it to herself.”

The image, Guo noted, could be a metaphor for parental love, for good intentions gone wrong. These layered, emotionally specifc stories most often explore the Asian American experience and the disorientation of being young and trying to make sense of the world.

“I wouldn’t say that’s the only thing I know how to write,” Guo said, “but those are the stories

where I feel the messages are the strongest — the ones closest to me.”

Still, writing is not without its diffculties. There’s always a sense of self-doubt that shadows the craft.

“Writing is very subjective, and there are so many ways to write a good story,” Guo said. “So every writer has to learn how to overcome self-doubt and believe in themselves.”

Her antidote for this is community, with whom she keeps up through social media. The high school literary world is small — something that has brought her great comfort and an easier time when making new friends. Next fall, Guo will bring that community with her to Stanford, where she plans to pursue English with a creative writing minor — the most popular minor on campus. Her long-term goal is to publish a novel.

“I’ll just continue writing and see wherever it takes me,” Guo said.

Behind the code of three women in STEM

BY RACHEL MARTIN AND CECILIA WU

Anshika Gupta inspires a new generation with computing

Late at night, the glow of a laptop screen illuminates junior Anshika Gupta’s face as lines of code begin to take shape. What once began as simple Python exercises evolved into projects with real-world impact — earning Gupta the Aspirations in Computing High School Award.

The application was presented by the National Center for Women and Information Technology and required a deep dive into Gupta’s experience in technology and leadership, as well as an essay. She had received an honorable mention last year and advanced to a regional award this cycle.

“I was pretty happy that I improved,” Gupta said. “I defnitely want to pursue STEM and tech in the future, so I think this was good motivation for me to continue.”

Gupta’s initial exposure to computing started early; as her older sister pursued computer science. She began taking Python classes in third grade and eventually worked on projects that connected coding to expanding educational opportunities. During a summer program, Gupta and a team developed an app allowing students to anonymously ask questions about topics like health, taxes and growing up.

“That was when I started understanding how coding could connect to building apps or things that actually help people, ” Gupta said.

Now, Gupta is focused on expanding access to computing through her student-led initiative, Tech Quest 4 Youth, which she founded in her sophomore year to introduce younger students to technology. The organization hosts workshops for teens on topics ranging from Python to artifcial intelligence.

“There are a lot of different paths you can pursue, so it’s important to try different things and fgure out what interests you the most,” Gupta said. “You have to genuinely enjoy something to make a difference.”

Sana Raut discovers her impact through cancer research

As the room erupts with clapping and cheers, sophomore Sana Raut feels her heart swelling with pride, knowing her parents are watching as she walks up to her glass AiC award. Years of long nights, sacrifce and dedication have helped her up to this moment, making something bigger than herself. The award refects a passion for research that once started as a middle school summer program and matured into something greater — a research project on colorectal cancer, inspired by a history of cancer on her mom’s side of the family.

Raut gathered data samples from hospitals, which took hours of paperwork and forms of intent. Though the process was tedious, Raut was ready to enter the AiC competition two years after starting her project In addition to her research, Raut had to publish a research paper and write countless essays, having to give up free time that could have been spent hanging out with friends. Despite that, Raut worked hard on her application, also having to highlight her skills in leadership. For her, this meant her roles as a Model UN offcer and swim instructor.

“I just wanted to make a project that was exceptional or impactful, but I didn’t really think it would go that far,” Raut said.

While working on her research project, Raut struggled with getting approval from the hospitals for data sets, an obstacle that prevented her from moving further in her research. Luckily, her mentor, a professor and Stanford alumnus, helped her through her struggles by giving her advice and leading her in the right direction. Still growing and learning the best way to approach challenges, Raut looks forward to when she will fnish her newest project, focused on improving accessibility and quality of drug treatments for leukemia

“Winning this award has motivated me to keep on pursuing research,” Raut said. “I can see how it actually makes an impact on other people, and how other people who are interested in research can read these papers and maybe fnd something more groundbreaking based on them.”

For junior Shripriya Kalbhavi, biology has always been captivating. Meanwhile, an elementary school club for Scratch programming sparked an early interest in computing. With these two new passions, Kalbhavi realized that she could merge her interests as she entered high school. This was her entrance to a whole new world of fascinating research. Her love for STEM eventually led her to apply for the AiC award. Although she hadn’t expected it at frst, the award was a much-appreciated outcome. To her, the AiC award was more than just a medal, but a doorway of opportunity for girls who dream of pursuing a career in technology.

“When I heard I got the National award, I was super excited, and a little shocked.” Kalbhavi said. “They only pick 40 people.”

Kalbhavi’s projects often begin with a crazy idea that she shapes to become more realistic, going through a long process of code-shaping and tweaking. The award was incredibly special to Kalbhavi, especially since her AiC award project focused on ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, which Kalbhavi hopes to use computational biology to help better study. The biggest challenges she faced often came down to data limitations and computing power: home computers sometimes struggled to keep up with her code.

One of her favorite projects is her podcast: The Double X Effect. It explores strong women in STEM who have trailblazed the path for others and provided new perspectives on the modern world.

“Just put yourself out there,” Kalbhavi said. “Make connections that will help you in the future. Your best asset can be some of the people around you.”

Missing, miscounted, mourned

The crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls

BY AKASH ANAND AND ASHLEY HEIN

On May 5th, many indigenous communities don red clothing to participate in marches that memorialize their missing women and girls for National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day. The day recognizes the disproportionate amount of native women and girls who face rates of sexual assault, physical abuse and murder.

The roots of this issue stretch deep into American colonial history. Native American communities were forced onto marginal land and stripped of their native languages and customs. Today, they remain some of the poorest areas in the country, with high rates of high school drop-outs and unemployment. Native Americans have higher rates of alcohol and cocaine usage than any other ethnic group in the United States. They continue to face underfunding, limited infrastructure and inadequate access to healthcare and legal protection, receiving minimal support from state

programs that give housing and shelter for those who are vulnerable.”

In the past, several court cases have weakened the ability of native people to ensure justice for crimes committed against them. In the 1978 case Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, the Supreme Court ruled that tribal courts cannot prosecute nonNative offenders for crimes occurring on tribal land. Since non-native individuals commit most violence, they often face less accountability for most crimes. Additionally, the lack of communication between tribal, state and federal authorities allows cases to go cold.

In response to these issues, May 5 was recognized as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 2017, founded in honor of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old Northern Cheyenne woman whose 2013 murder sparked outrage and grief among her family, tribal leaders and advocates who began to demand national recognition of the crisis.

Trump administration blocked or froze more than $316 billion for national programs that support Indian Country and Native communities. In March, Trump revoked Executive Order 14112, signed by President Joe Biden in 2023, which directed federal agencies to strengthen tribal sovereignty and gain access to federal funding.

4 in 5

American Indian and

Since the day was established, the red dress has become the most visible symbol of this movement. Red is sacred in many Indigenous traditions, being known as the only color spirits can see. Thus, it symbolizes calling back the spirits of the missing women and girls, and insisting that their voices are heard in demanding justice. Famously, the red handprint, usually painted across the mouth and lower face, represents the silencing of these women's stories.

Addressing this issue depends not only on ordinary people but on the sustained political will of those in power. Increasingly, states are pushing for a “Feather Alert”. California has already enacted it in January 2023, issued by the State Highway Patrol at the request of tribal authorities and similar to an Amber Alert for missing Indigenous individuals. However, the Trump administration has rolled back many protections related to collaborating with tribal nations.

In 2025, the

“There’s also the matter that it's a double-edged sword of sovereignty versus being under American law,” said social studies teacher Luca Signore. “By allowing the reservations to essentially have their own judicial system that gives more power to tribes to handle their own matters, but simultaneously, you don’t have the same resources for protection because tr ibal authorities are often underfunded.”

Beyond statistics and policy debates, the loss of loved ones, combined with the lack of closure and justice, creates lasting trauma that spans generations.

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF MUSIC FESTIVALS

BY PRISHA PULASTYA AND JENNY SUH

of people gather at festivals like Coachella and Outside Lands every year — not just to hear music, but to show off outfts and support their icons. Today’s music festivals blend music with fashion, food and social media, creating a unique culture.

Throughout the late 1960s, music festivals grew in popularity, evolving from simple concerts into large cultural gatherings that refected the identity of an entire generation. The Monterey International Pop festival in 1967 marked one of the frst major music festivals, featuring renowned performers such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

The 1960s saw dramatic cultural movements, driven by disillusionment with the government after the escalation of the Vietnam War, economic struggle and the momentum of the Civil Rights movement of the early 50s to late 60s. Many rejected typical social and political norms, turning to countercultural trends like hippie subculture and psychedelic music. As the appeal of countercultural music climbed, the 60s saw events such as the Miami Pop Festival, the frst major rock concert on the East Coast. As these festivals grew in popularity, variants emerged. Some of them still exist today, like the 2009 Rochester International Jazz Festival, which

successfully garnered an audience across 20 cities in the U.S. and Canada until 1998. The traveling concert then became an annual destination in Chicago, spanning four days. The Lollapalooza experience was seen as rebellious and eclectic compared to the bubbly music at the time, which was characterized by synths and pop-style chords.

Today, Lollapalooza is held in Grant Park, Chicago and attracts over 200,000 attendees. Visitors are drawn to Lollapalooza for its cultural markers that span beyond music, including a curated meal experience: Chow Town. The massive outdoor food court features iconic Chicago-based vendors such as Harold’s Chicken and Billy Goat Tavern. Lollapalooza also offers free admission for kids under eight to “Kidpalooza,” a kid-friendly faction of the concert with sponsored features such as hip-hop workshops and temporary tattoos.

As the popularity of music festivals climbed, Coachella, a multi-day destination event, was founded in 1999 in Indio, California. Originally rooted in alternative rock, the festival quickly expanded beyond music, combining art installations and a desert landscape to create a unique atmosphere. This new festival drew larger crowds, higher ticket prices and increasingly elaborate stage productions. For example, during Anyma’s 2026 Coachella set, the livestream displayed a 100-foottall augmented reality visual of K-pop artist LISA wearing an angel costume

“People go into music festivals with certain expectations because of what they see from friends or online posts,” said chemistry teacher and Outside Lands attendee Lester Leung. “Social media only shows the good parts of the experience. You don’t see the logistics of fnding your group, fguring out what to eat or dealing with weather that’s too hot or too cold. At the same time, all of the hype online can make the experience feel even more exciting once you’re actually there.”

Alongside social media, tiered ticketing, at festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella, has introduced luxury and VIP options that present exclusive viewing areas, private lounges and additional amenities, often at signifcantly higher prices. Lollapalooza offers fve different tickets with four tiers offering prices from $185 to $4,650. The highest ticket tier, the four day platinum ticket, offers unlimited access to lounges featuring complimentary food, exclusive viewing platforms and golf car shuttle transportation. Outside Lands’ vast offering of food and activities further demonstrates how modern music festivals have evolved. Held annually in San Francisco’s Golden

interested in the overall experience.

“After attending Outside Lands last year, I realized festivals are about much more than just the music,” senior Zenita Yang said. “You could go from watching a performance to trying food from local restaurants or just exploring the festival with friends. It feels less like just attending a concert and more like being part of a community that is there to enjoy the same experiences.”

From Woodstock to Coachella and Outside Lands, music festivals continue to refect the cultural values of their time. Modern festivals now exist both as in-person events and online media experiences viewed by millions worldwide. As festival culture continues to evolve, the focus has shifted beyond listening to music to creating experiences for audiences.

Mengdi Xiong finds rhythm between the pool and the stage

BY CATHERINE YANG

Junior Mengdi Xiong leaps off the mat, extending into a perfect mid-air split. Illuminated under bright stage lights, Xiong turns her head to survey the crowd — her parents and teacher hold their breath in this intense moment. Xiong turns back and lands gracefully back on stage.

This isn’t the only sport she competes in, however. Outside of practicing dance at her studio, HaoExpression, Xiong can be found diving with her teammates in the school team. Xiong fnds the two commitments incredibly fulflling and is drawn to them because of her determined and hardworking nature.

After Xiong quit rhythmic gymnastics in eighth grade, her coach, Sarah Stevens, introduced her to ballet. Although she was hesitant to start the unfamiliar sport, she decided to pursue ballet because Stevens believed in

teaching, she barely spoke; we had to help her fnd her voice and comfort in the art form,” Stevens said. “She’s really evolved in how she presents herself in the studio.”

Xiong started her ballet journey practicing with basic movements like pliés and tendus, before moving on to complicated movements like fouettés and jumps in order to perfect her routine. When Xiong frst started performing, she had to adapt to the need for acting and being more expressive.

For her frst solo performance as Kitri from Don Quixote, she had to act as a sassy and firtatious character while still conveying grace with each simultaneous dance move. A challenging aspect of the dance was the 19 consecutive turns in a row, which she had to do with a recovering stress fracture in her ankle. Despite these struggles, she played the character elegantly.

“Her Kitri variation was so fery and explosive — it was expressive in a way I hadn’t seen before,” Stevens said. “Each time I see her dance, I’m impressed by her growth and her confdence.”

One of Xiong’s greatest strengths is her emotional awareness. This is prevalent in how she prioritizes enjoyment instead of overworking herself. Not only does she try to connect with others when she interacts with adults from her studio, but she also builds an irreplaceable community with her teammates on the diving team.

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When you deal with the physical incapability, it sparks more passion when you fnally come back.

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Xiong continues to push past her limits because her love for her sport grows with each setback. Although she doesn’t plan on continuing diving, she still wishes to continue performing ballet in college for as long as possible.

“She is a key member of our team,” senior and girls varsity diving captain Ishika Shah said. “When we’re doing dives, she always ensures that all the teammates

“When you deal with the physical incapability, it sparks more passion when you fnally come back,” Xiong said. “You almost have a newfound appreciation for it afterwards.”

Isabella Guzman takes Menlo College to the mat

BY ANUSHKA DESHMUKH

The sideline chatter dies down as senior Isabella Guzman steps onto the mat. She crouches low, taking a deep breath before her second round in the 26th Annual Napa Valley Girls Classic, one of the most prestigious girls wrestling tournaments in California. She glances over at the crowd. Only later does she discover that a recruiter from Menlo College was in that crowd. After Guzman won the round, the recruiter approached her with an offer to join the women’s wrestling team at Menlo College.

“I’ve played team sports my whole life, and sometimes it can be hard to show what you can do,” Guzman said. “But in wrestling, it’s just you; the work you put into the sport shows.”

Guzman made an effort to prioritize wrestling over all other commitments, even taking only four classes her senior year to focus on her athletic success.

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I wanted to go to school for a sport because I’ve done sports my whole life. It is such an important part of my daily life.

Guzman began wrestling in sixth grade at Miller Middle School, before the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause in her journey. In high school, Guzman played feld hockey and softball for all four years, yet she has always been drawn to wrestling for the personal satisfaction it gave her.

“When I’m wrestling, I put a lot of effort into just being in the moment and not focusing on anything else,” Guzman said. However, her dedication to wrestling has put considerable strain on her body. While competing at a tournament in January, Guzman suffered a severe hamstring injury during her third round. Although she lost the opportunity to compete, Guzman recovered quickly and was ready to wrestle again at the state championships in late February.

Guzman received training from the Amateur Wrestling Academy

hosted at Bellarmine High School. There, a coach encouraged her to consider continuing sports in college. Although she was initially hesitant, Guzman warmed up to the idea in her senior year.

“I wanted to go to school for a sport because I’ve done sports my whole life,” Guzman said. “It is such an important part of my daily life, and leaving it in high school would be a bummer. ”

After applying to Menlo College and participating in media day, Guzman eventually got to train with the women’s wrestling team in March, giving her a peek into her future at college. Guzman offcially committed to Menlo College for wrestling in midApril.

“It’s not just pure athletic ability that makes you successful in our sport,” wrestling coach Steve Weng said. “It was her sheer willingness to learn and always wanting to do better.”

Politics and prices threatens the tournament’s success

BY NICOLAS CHENG AND SAAVAN SARAF

For local soccer fans, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-ina-lifetime athletic spectacle in their own backyard. The World Cup will host a record 48 teams this year, with matches located as close as Levi’s Stadium. However, controversy surrounds the politics of “Americanizing” the World Cup, as well as the U.S.’s war with Iran.

When FIFA announced that the U.S. would host the 2026 World Cup in 2018, many American cities bid for the privilege to host a match. The entire event is projected to generate $13 billion in revenue, a lucrative opportunity for economic growth in any area. Six years later, these cities’ hopes for economic and political growth are tested by the stress of high ticket prices and concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

fuctuate in real time based on realtime demand. This policy is expected to generate $3 billion for FIFA, who argue that the system prevents scalpers, or resellers, from buying large amounts of tickets before fans can. However, many fans are afraid that dynamic pricing will drive prices much higher than in the past.

It’s important to prioritize fans. If it’s just about making money, it takes away from the spirit of the game.

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“I think it’s super exciting that the World Cup is in America,” junior Alvin Liu said. “At the same time, it’s diffcult to separate the World Cup from all the politics surrounding it.”

This year, FIFA has introduced dynamic pricing. Rather than setting fxed prices for seats, costs

So far, it has. Since tickets were introduced in October of 2025, prices have steadily risen. In 2018, the predicted ticket costs for the 2026 World Cup fnals ranged from $128 to $ 1,550. Instead, the cheapest fnal tickets are over $4000. The FIFA administration also projected that just $21 would be enough to attend a groupstage game; now, all tickets cost hundreds of dollars. Many fans worry that the onceaccessible game is becoming an exclusive luxury event.

“Even in the biggest sports events, it’s important to prioritize fans,” junior Albert Shao said. “It’s part of the idea of the World Cup being for everyone. If it’s just about making money, it takes away from the spirit of the game.”

While this system is new to many foreign soccer fans, dynamic pricing has been used in American sports leagues since

2009. Its implementation is just one aspect of what many call the “Americanization” of the World Cup. Another major change coming to the World Cup is the introduction of large entertainment spectacles. For the frst time in World Cup history, FIFA is staging three separate starstudded opening ceremonies, featuring global music stars such as Katy Perry, Future, Lisa of K-Pop band Blackpink and Brazilian superstar Anitta. This mirrors the spectacle long associated with American sporting events like the Super Bowl. During the fnal, the traditional 15-minute halftime break will nearly double to 29 minutes to accommodate a full production. Adding to the American fair, the fnal may also feature military-style fyovers with fghter jets and a fan zone in New York’s Times Square over the fnal weekend.

global offcials with his statements about annexing Greenland, sending soldiers into Mexico and annexing Canada. Some have called for European teams to boycott the tournament.

The World Cup is projected to generate $13 billion in revenue.

“I think boycotts can draw attention to an issue,” Liu said. “But they also take away from a player’s chance to compete and the opportunity for fans to watch their country play.”

According to espn.com

Despite the U.S.’s current war with Iran, the Iranian team has qualifed for the group stage and will compete. Iran’s football chief has insisted their host “is FIFA, not Mr. Trump or America.”

In Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium workers are threatening to strike over the potential presence of ICE at the World Cup matches. As of now, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly assured local offcials that ICE will not be present at World Cup matches.

Mega-events like the World Cup always come with political baggage. The 2022 World Cup held in Qatar spurred a major confict around human rights, with many protesting the mistreatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums. In 2018, Russia hosted the tournament, following its controversial annexation of Crimea. This year, the U.S. has its own political tensions. For instance, President Donald Trump has offended many

While the tournament will continue to evolve every four years, the changes introduced in 2026 set a new precedent that future hosts will likely follow. The U.S. has redefned what the World Cup looks like, sounds like and who it is truly accessible to. For millions of lifelong fans around the world, the fear is that the version of the traditional World Cup that loyal fans grew up loving may never return.