WRITTEN WORK
Since 2019, I have been involved in Carlmont High School's award-winning journalism program. I have written numerous articles covering a wide range of topics, from campus activities and legal policies to eating disorders. In the 2020-21 academic year, I was an editor for Scot Scoop, Carlmont's online publication. I am now continuing my journalistic pursuits as Scot Scoop's editor-in-chief for the 2021-2022 academic year. My published written work is listed below.
THE BULK OF THE PROBLEM
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May 16, 2022, The Highlander
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His alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. It’s time to go to the gym. He drags himself out of bed and to the kitchen and groggily makes himself a shake for breakfast, scooping multiple cups of protein and supplements into the mixture.
He arrives and immediately grabs a pair of weights, completing a grueling workout. When he can barely do another curl, he heads home.
The next day, when he looks in the mirror, he’s unhappy. He wants to be bigger, more muscular. So he repeats his routine, hoping he can finally bulk up.
The goal of a perfectly sculpted, muscular body is a common one for teenage boys. Influenced by their peers and what they see online, many feel the desire or pressure to build up their bodies.
“A lot of my friends definitely want to appear muscular,” said Charlie Smith*, a Carlmont senior.
Smith and many of his friends dedicate time to working on their bodies. Many of them lift weights regularly and follow protein-heavy diets to help them increase muscle mass, a common trend among teens...
EDITORIAL: WE NEED TO BE WARY OF WHAT WE POST DURING WORLD CRISES
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March 5, 2022, Scot Scoop
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The eyes of the world are on Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on the nation. People are constantly glued to their news feeds and TV screens, watching for updates as missiles rain down upon numerous Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, the nation’s capital.
According to Reuters, Ukraine’s health ministry has recorded over 350 civilian deaths, including 14 children. News organizations worldwide have covered the situation, pumping out hundreds of articles and television segments depicting the attacks and the potential consequences.
But as the headlines flood feeds and papers, so do the social media posts. Even at the beginning of the conflict, as people were injured, killed, and separated from their families, TikToks joking about World War III began to pour into “For You” feeds. While Ukrainians and Russians around the globe worried for the safety of their loved ones and protested the violence, American teenagers with no connection to the conflict posted numerous memes that contained crude jokes about the tragedy...
EDITORIAL: SUHSD HAS FAILED TO MOUNT AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE TO THE OMICRON VARIANT
January 11, 2022, Scot Scoop
Classes have swaths of empty seats. Teachers and students alike are continuing to test positive for COVID-19. Rumors are flying through the halls of Carlmont.
Are there over 600 positive cases in the district? Is it true they’re putting all exposed students in the Performing Arts Center there? Could the schools be going back to virtual learning? In the past couple of days, students have repeatedly asked these questions. No one knows the answers.
The Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) has failed to adequately plan for and handle the new challenges that stem from the Omicron variant. It has to do better...
PUSHING THROUGH THE PAIN
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December 27, 2022, Scot Scoop
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“She was one of my childhood heroes,” Jaques said. “But upon reflection, the memory, like many of the ones associated with watching the Olympics as a child, is tainted. It hurts to know what those girls were going through.”
Jaques has been involved in gymnastics since she was a young girl and holds a fierce love for the sport. She worked her way up to becoming a level 10 gymnast and quickly developed a reputation for her hard work, supportive attitude, and toughness.
“Juliette is definitely the teammate who works the hardest and endures the most,” said Skye Evans, a teammate of Jaques. “Her integrity is just incredible, and she never quits, even when you can tell she’s in pain.”
But Jaques’ admirable qualities led her to work past the boundaries of safe and healthy athletic performance, sending her on an arduous road of surgery and long-lasting discomfort...
OPINION: THE RITTENHOUSE VERDICT IS YET ANOTHER LEGAL FAILURE OF THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM
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November 23, 2021, Scot Scoop
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On Aug. 15, 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, Kyle Rittenhouse killed two protestors and injured a third. After two weeks of testimony and evidence in a trial riddled with legal failures and laced with biases, Rittenhouse has been cleared of all charges.
The incident happened when Rittenhouse traveled from his home in Antioch, Illinois, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on a night full of protests expressing outrage over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, Rittenhouse claimed he had traveled to assist as a medic and brought the gun for protection. In a tearful performance on the stand, Rittenhouse stated he acted in self-defense, feared for his life, and “did what [he] had to do.”
The trial left the nation divided...
EDITORIAL: OBJECTIVITY IS DYING IN JOURNALISM
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November 8, 2021, Scot Scoop
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Go on The New York Post’s website and scroll through the headlines. Click on a few articles and read through them. Then do the same for MSNBC. For coverage of the same events, the content produced is drastically different. Objectivity is dying in journalism, and it needs to be revived now.
Merriam-Webster defines reporting as “a story… that gives information about something.” Opinion, however, is defined as “what someone thinks about a particular thing.” There are clear differences; one states facts, and the other voices personal views. But as time has progressed, this distinction seems to have been lost to many of America’s most prominent publications.
For years, “Fair and Balanced” was the choice of slogan for...
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THE DEATH OF DREAMS: HOW THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER THREATENS FEMALE FREEDOMS
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October 25, 2021, Scot Scoop
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“Women [are] the builders of a Muslim society… [We are] committed to all rights of women that have been given to them by the sacred religion of Islam,” Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement delivered shortly after their rapid takeover of Afghanistan.
But despite the Taliban’s promises, Afghan women’s hopes for education and freedoms may have died the day the United States decided to withdraw from Afghanistan.
In 11 seconds, the twin towers crumbled. Three thousand people died, and the World Trade Center, a structure that took 14 years to build, collapsed in less than a day. The devastating 9/11 terrorist attack, spearheaded by al-Qaida, was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, setting the tone for Afghanistan and U.S. relations for the next 20 years...
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EDITORIAL: AMERICA IS REGRESSING
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September 12, 2021, Scot Scoop
Vigorous attacks on affordable healthcare and environmental protections. Justifications and sympathy for white supremacy by our nation’s former leader. A riot at the capitol building. The list goes on. And on. And on.
The past six years in the United States have been a turbulent, polluted haze of setback after setback for the disadvantaged, disabled, and underrepresented. Since 2016, hate crimes have increased dramatically. Politicians seem to be above the law. Voting restrictions, conspiracies, and abortion bans have flowed from governments at a dizzying pace.
America is regressing at an alarmingly fast rate. Despite a Democratic House, Senate, and administration, far-right conservatism has seeped into the heart of American politics...
OPINION: CARLMONT MUST BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH COVID-19 COMMUNICATION
August 19, 2021, Scot Scoop
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Within the first few days back on campus, there was a positive COVID-19 case. After being notified of this, the administration sent out vague emails to select parents detailing the situation. The rest of the student body and their families were left in a cloud of uncertainty.
Rumors flew around, and students and parents grew concerned. An email sent to the bulk of parents stated that their children were not in close contact with the student who had tested positive. The school contacted families of those determined to be a close contact separately. In some cases, these families struggled to obtain enough information to react immediately and safely.
Families with multiple students at Carlmont were not told which of their children was exposed to the virus, leaving them unsure of who to test and, if necessary, quarantine. For one such student...
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EDITORIAL: CHECK FOR YOURSELF
May 4, 2021 Scot Scoop
“On October of 2019, Daunte Wright, who was a child, smoked a single joint of weed and was given a ticket for it. It was a petty misdemeanor […] if anybody tells you ‘he had warrants,’ this is it,” said Shaun King, a social activist, on his Instagram page.
King’s post quickly garnered thousands of likes and numerous reposts amidst outrage surrounding Wright’s death at the hands of a Brooklyn police officer. But his claims were wrong.
Similarly, Walter Carson, in a viral Tiktok reposted by numerous celebrities, claimed the court issued the warrant after Wright failed to present himself at a hearing, but the court had sent notice to the incorrect address. Like King, Carson was incorrect...
EATING DISORDERS: A GROWING EPIDEMIC WITHIN THE PANDEMIC
April 15, 2021 The Highlander
She had finished her third quarter of her sophomore year, and everything was on track. Her grades were good, and she had things to look forward to.
There was a driver’s license to get, birthdays to celebrate, and fun times with friends to have. She felt in control and happy. Everything was falling into place. Until it wasn’t.
COVID-19 hit, and it hit hard. All of her plans were crushed, and she quickly spiraled. She felt alone and helpless. Feeling completely out of control and unhappy, she needed something to have power over and hold on to. To her, the natural choice was her body.
It started slowly...
EDITORIAL: TEACHERS SHOULDN’T USE THEIR POWER TO INFLUENCE STUDENTS REGARDING REOPENING
March 15, 2021 Scot Scoop
“It’s putting my life in danger.”
“This should never have happened.”
“No one should want to go back.”
The reopening of schools amidst the pandemic has been a source of discord among the community.
Parents, panicked from the deteriorating state of their children’s mental health and quality of learning, have clashed repeatedly with teachers concerned about the safety of an in-person format.
Both sides have had justifiable concerns, but some teachers have crossed the line when it comes to expressing them through the manipulation of their students...
COVID-19 COMMUNICATION LEAVES MANY CONFUSED
February 19, 2021 Scot Scoop
On a Wednesday afternoon, Vyas Kepler arrived at his high school swim practice. The Carlmont High School senior greeted a teammate and rushed to the pool, goggles in hand, when something made him stop short.
The pool gates were locked. Confused, Kepler looked around. Besides his one teammate, it was empty. Something was wrong.
After waiting for a couple of minutes, they called another swimmer and learned that their coach had sent out an email. Their swim pod was shut down for the day, and practice was canceled. No one knew why.
A wave of panic and anxiety surrounded the group. Was there a COVID-19 case? Did something happen? Were they not being safe enough?
Then, after three days, the pod suddenly reopened without any explanation. Everyone went to practice, expecting answers...
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A CASH CATASTROPHE
February 11, 2021 The Highlander
He sits at his desk, looking wearily at the stack of bills that continue to pile up. How is he going to pay them? He has no idea. Closures due to COVID-19 caused many athletes to quit, and funds are drying up.
He’s doing his best to keep his gym open, but the money is running out fast. The uncertainty of a potential sports season looms ahead. The distance measures put in place mean that typical money-making opportunities are no longer available. Sighing, he turns to his computer.
The first thing he sees is a blaring headline with a clear message: San Mateo County back to purple tier. Facilities must shut down. He turns again to the large stack of bills with increasing dread and looks at all the staff he has to pay. His heart sinks as he reaches a decision.
He must close. Permanently. All of his hard work poured into his business suddenly means nothing. It will all be gone...
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
December 1, 2020 The Highlander
The Bay Area is dominated by academically-obsessed parents, many of whom are fixated on paving the best path for their children’s success. In some cases, eager parents take on students’ classwork, place immense academic pressure on their children, and attempt other similar methods to ensure a triumphant future for them.
Despite these parents’ best intentions, these tactics often have detrimental impacts on their children, causing issues with problem-solving, stress levels, and self-esteem. And it’s only getting worse with the pandemic.
Distance guidelines implemented due to COVID-19 have caused many children and adults to attend school and work from their homes. The close proximity between parents and children resulting from these measures allows for more opportunities for parents to get overly involved in their child’s academics. Because of this, they can become a hindrance to the wellbeing of children, teachers, and ultimately themselves...
EARTH
November 11, 2020 Scot Scoop
Natural disasters are ruinous for society. They can cause up to billions of dollars in damage, leaving millions of people in dire situations, and cause numerous deaths. They are hard enough to navigate alone, but now there’s a new element added to the devastation.
The spread of COVID-19 has changed society at an unprecedented level, resulting in new safety measures and procedures that have affected millions. Masks now cover previously visible faces. Glass walls shield workers from customers, and temperature checks are common entry requirements.
These changes affect everyday life in numerous ways, but perhaps where it hurts the most is during times of environmental disasters. At the most basic level, the health of workers can be put at risk as environmental hazards and COVID-19 procedures clash...
EDITORIAL: STUDENTS SHOULDN’T BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AMIDST A PANDEMIC
October 25, 2020 Scot Scoop
COVID-19 has changed the lives of many. It’s devastated the economy, cost thousands of lives and led to an overall sense of unrest in the world.
Perhaps one of the most drastic changes caused by the pandemic is distance learning. Previously spending their school days on campus surrounded by friends and teachers, students now spend their class time staring at a screen, feeling distant from their peers.
Despite these changes, many still expect students to perform at the same academic standards they had before the pandemic. There is little appreciation and understanding regarding the different factors students now deal with, which make life extremely difficult...
ONE SPARK; DECADES OF DAMAGE
October 6, 2020 Scot Scoop
With the wildfires raging in California, an increased amount of smoke and other pollutants have infiltrated the air. This has caused the air to become more toxic, resulting in a host of respiratory problems for many.
Several of the 40 million California residents have been affected in some way by the smoke, which has prevented people from being able to participate in their usual outdoor or strenuous activities. This is because the smoke and other toxic particles in the air can irritate people’s respiratory systems, block oxygen inhalation, and weaken immune systems. These effects can make someone more susceptible to other illnesses, such as COVID-19.
The effects are even worse for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions...
EDITORIAL: WE NEED TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE DAMAGING NATURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
September 30, 2021 Scot Scoop
In a society where social media is so prevalent, it’s surprising that many are unaware of the mentally devastating impacts it can have on teens. If we wish to fix this, we need to further educate ourselves and bring awareness to these detriments.
Ask any adolescent whether or not they have social media, and their answer will most likely be “yes.”
For most teens, a large portion of their day is spent scrolling through Instagram, opening snaps on Snapchat, or watching videos on Tik Tok. In fact, according to a report by Common Sense Media, an organization that promotes safe technology use for kids, teenagers typically spend roughly seven hours and 22 minutes on their devices a day...
ASB ELECTIONS PROVIDE GOOD EXPERIENCES FOR CANDIDATES AND STUDENTS
March 10, 2020 Scot Scoop
Winning most elections don’t come without a cost, and Carlmont’s student elections are no exception. Candidates take part in a three-week-long process that includes posters, petitions, and campaign videos to hopefully win a coveted leadership position in the Associative Student Body (ASB).
In the weeks leading up to the election, colorful posters crowded Carlmont’s walls, their bright colors and big letters screaming propaganda for different candidates. During lunch and in class, students could be seen with sheets of paper, trying to collect signatures from members of their class to support their run. Posts on social media began to surface in support of different students for their desired positions.
“Vote Lexi Romanowsky!” a Snapchat story suggests. “She’ll get the job done.”
“Vote Noah for president!” an Instagram post says. “He’s your best bet!”
All of this is part of the strenuous process candidates undertake to promote...
THE CHAOS IN THE CALM
February 22, 2020 Scot Scoop
Carrie Smith* is browsing on her computer, looking through Amazon, when something catches her eye. It’s a picture of a colorful inhaler-like device that dispenses essential oils. She clicks on the image. Words like “calming,” “therapeutic,” and “anxiety-reducing” fill her screen.
As a high schooler under constant stress, she eagerly clicks on the link and buys it. It's pure essential oils, not nicotine, she thinks. They aren’t addictive, and the oils have health benefits.
It’s completely safe.
The mere mention of vaping conjures images of rebellious teens sneaking into bathrooms with friends, clouds of scented smoke filling the air. Constantly crowding browsers with headlines that scream...
CARLMONT ROSE SALE RAISES QUESTIONS REGARDING ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS
February 10, 2020 Scot Scoop
Carlmont’s annual rose sale may be sweet for some, but it can leave a sour impact on other students’ self-esteem.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, posters and booths are all over Carlmont, advertising for the rose sale. For just $1, a student can buy and send a rose with a note to a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or crush as a token of their love and appreciation.
Carlmont’s Associated Student Body (ASB) sold the roses during lunch from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 at booths in C-Hall and the quad. Students crowded around the small tables, bumping elbows as they filled out orders and write notes to send out...
TEACHERS VOICE OPINIONS ON CARLMONT’S BLOCK SCHEDULE
January 19, 2020 Scot Scoop
In an effort to reduce student workloads, Carlmont decided to implement a modified block schedule in the 2019-20 school year. Due to many teachers’ routines drastically changing as a result, block scheduling has been met with controversy among the staff.
Previously, students attended each class every day for about 50 minutes. On rare occasions, a block schedule was implemented for testing.
Now, Carlmont uses a modified block schedule every week. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, teachers teach half of their classes for 90-minute periods. In addition...
BLACK FRIDAY FAILS TO LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS
December 2, 2019 Scot Scoop
Despite its amazing deals, Black Friday impacts the environment and can be a poor experience for customers and workers alike.
Black Friday is widely considered the biggest shopping event of the year. It comes the day after Thanksgiving and attracts large amounts of people who flock to different venues hoping to save some money on the many deals offered.
The event has been around since the 1920s when Macy’s had their first post-Thanksgiving sale. Macy’s success with the sales lead to the spread of Black Friday, and it continues to increase in participation each year...
VOTER’S CHOICE ACT AIMS TO IMPROVE DEMOCRACY AND VOTER PARTICIPATION
November 3, 2019 Scot Scoop
To increase voter turnout, California has implemented the Voter’s Choice Act.
The U.S. is one of the only nations in the world where everybody has the right to vote freely. However, only a little over half of the population exercise this freedom, potentially affecting the outcome of elections.
The Voter’s Choice Act aims to fix this problem by providing new options that allow citizens to register and vote more conveniently. The point of these more accessible methods is to increase voter participation and result in...
WATER DOG RUN SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND ENHANCES BELMONT SENSE OF COMMUNITY
October 14, 2019 Scot Scoop
People throughout Belmont participated in the second annual Belmont Water Dog Run to raise money for education and encourage a tight-knit community.
The event included a 5K, 10K, mile fun, and a dog run. Undeterred by the cold weather and early start times, parents, children, and other members of the community gathered at Notre Dame de Namur University and Twin Pines Park along with their dogs for races that began as early as 7:15 a.m.
The closeness of the community was apparent as the air filled with the excited chatter of those waiting eagerly to start their race...
